IAF to host an exhibition of models of its aircraft

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Bangalore, Sep 7 (ANI):

A month prior to its anniversary on October 8, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to host an exhibition of various aircraft models in Bangalore.

This exhibition would open for general public on September 8 and 9 and will be the first of its kind.

A preview of this educative and informative expo was held on Thursday at Orion Mall in the city.

Group Captain Maruti, the Command and Public Relations Officer of the Training Command, said the motto of the exhibition was not meant to show off the country’s air power, but to educate the masses about various aircrafts.

“Indian Air Force is celebrating the 80th anniversary that falls on the 08th October, 2012. As a mark of this 80th anniversary, we are having this exhibition, mainly to have a people contact to make people aware and conscious of the Indian Air Force,” said Maruti.

Group Captain Anil Tiwari, the Commanding Officer of the Electronic Training Institute, said they have tried to display a variety of aircrafts, missiles and electronic items.

“We will be putting maximum models on display and there will be different kinds of models, including the ones which we are developing and ones which are already in use. Besides aircraft we have also displayed electronic equipments like weapon locating radar with which we can identify the location of weapons. We are also showcasing the indigenous missile, which India is developing,” said Tiwari.

“It is actually a good initiative by the IAF. It is a good thing actually. So many aircraft, I didn’t know so many aircraft. I got to learn more. I didn’t know about Avnov and all those things that is a good plane. I just read the features and all. Actually seeing all these, actually makes me feel join the Air Force. Very good thing, it’s very knowledgeable and I need to thank the IAF for doing this actually,” said Rakshit a visitor at the preview of exhibition.

Bangalore has been the venue for Aero India shows every second year for the past two decades and more.

It is also the home to some of the prime establishments of the IAF such as the Headquarters of Training Command, various ground and flying training centres, institute of aviation medicine and above all the ASTE (Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment) that certifies every other flying machine flown by the gallant air warriors. (ANI)

source: http://www.truthdive.com / Home> News> Entertainment / posted by News Desk / September 07th, 2012

Sample mouth-watering sweets

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Uncategorized

When it comes to South Indian sweets, Dharwad pedas are something that one craves for. The sweet has become a brand in itself.


And for nearly 14 years, ‘Mishra Sweets’, located opposite Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, has been sourcing authentic Dharwad pedas from Dharwad for its customers. But that’s not all, this old sweet shop has a lot more to offer.

It has traditional sweets like kaju katli, boondi ladoo, gulab jamun, Mysore pak, sohan papdi and modern ones like Horlicks barfi, Cadbury burfi and Mango barfi.

Anyone who comes here for the first item, goes for the Dharwad mishra peda.
Ajay Hari Dubey, who runs the shop, says that in all these years, he has never compromised on the quality of ingredients or the taste.

“Honesty is important for us,” says Ajay, while adding, “And it is that honesty that reflects in the sweets as well.”

Apart from the pedas, customers also prefer other traditional sweets like kardant, which is made of pure ghee, jaggery, coconut and dry fruits.

“Even the kunda is very popular here. This is a popular Belgaum sweet, which is prepared from milk and khowa,” explains Ajay. The crowd pours in as early as nine in the morning and during festivals, the place is filled with  regulars who come for pedas and other traditional items.

“Since we don’t make Dharwad pedas here, we generally take orders a day or two in advance and source it to our customers,” says Ajay.

Though the sweet shop is located on the main road and parking could be a bit of a hassle, Ajay says that majority of his customers are people who live in and around the neighbourhood.

“When we first moved in here, we were the only sweet shop in the locality. But now the City has changed and so has the area. The floating crowd is very rare. Most of our customers are regulars, who have been coming here for a long time,” he adds.
Within a year of the opening of the store, namkeens and chaats too were included in the menu.

Chakalis, mixtures and samosas and kachoris are made here itself and sold fresh. “We also have the regular chaats like masala puri, paani puri, dahi puri and sev puri,” says Ajay.

Soon the eatery is planning to expand by offering its customers bakery items as well. “There is always scope for improvement but for us at ‘Mishra Sweets’, the mantra has always been to be honest in whatever we do or serve,” wraps up Ajay.
‘Mishra Sweets’ is located at No 28, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, Opposite the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium. For details, call 22124988

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / by Megha Shenoy / September 08th, 2012

Azim Premji Foundation launches Teachers of India portal

Education

Bangalore, Sep 5:

An exclusive portal for teachers to hone their professional capabilities has been launched by the Azim Premji Foundation. The portal www.teachersofindia.org. is a free and open platform for teachers providing access to quality teaching aids and digital resources.

The Teacher Portal was originally developed by the Foundation in collaboration with the National Knowledge Commission. Since then the Foundation has expanded the portal into a space for teachers to interact, discuss, reflect, create and share academic resources and thus foster an inclusive community of teachers across the country, according to a Foundation release here today.

The Teachers of India Portal aims to support teachers in their academic efforts and thus facilitate improvements in teaching and learning. A key feature of the portal is the availability of content in several regional languages. At present these include Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and English.

It provided teachers and educators with resources, insights and information in education to enhance their pedagogical and content knowledge and enables easy access and delivery of content, greater reach and real-time dissemination of knowledge through technology.

It would also recognise efforts of teachers who have made a difference in the field of education through the ‘Spotlight’ section and provide a platform for teachers and educators to freely and regularly interact and collaborate outside the formal school environment.

-Agencies

source: http://www.news.chennaionline.com / Home> News> South> Chennai / September 05th, 2012

250 book readings on Literacy Day

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

The sessions, by Pratham Books, will be spread across the State

Pratham Books is planning to celebrate International Literacy Day (September 8) this year by holding storytelling sessions in multiple locations across the country.

“The idea is to encourage children to fall in love with reading. This initiative is part of the Pratham Books’s Champions Programme where we encourage our community of volunteers to conduct reading sessions,” says Purvi Shah of Pratham.

So far, Pratham has 250 identified ‘champions’ who will hold reading sessions in as many locations. Karnataka will have the largest such sessions, at 80, spread across the State from Bangalore to Raichur.

The publishers also hope to create a Limca Record with this initiative.

The book chosen for reading is Susheela’s Kolams , which is about a little girl who loves rangoli ( kolamin Tamil) and dreams big. Written by Sridala Swamy, it has illustrations by Priya Kuriyan.

Mala Kumar, an editor at Pratham who is also a ‘champion’ for the reading at Anatha Shishu Nivasa, an orphanage on Bull Temple Road, is planning to use the reading session to also teach children some English.

“The children there study in a Kannada medium school. I am planning to read the book in English, one page at a time, and ask the children to translate. We will then read the same from the Kannada book and see which translation comes closest to the original,” said Ms. Kumar.

She also plans to get children to draw rangolis with powder and chalk.

The reading sessions will not be entirely structured and much will depend on the mood of the children, so that it can be both a fun and learning experience.

For details, check www.prathambooks.org/ 1-day-1-book-100-sessions.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore, September 08th, 2012

Bangalore’s party scene shifts gears

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The party scene in the city seems to be quite progressive going by the international artists performing and new concepts being introduced, we find out more.

Bangalore is one city in the country which has seen most number of innovations when it comes to partying. With theme parties  becoming a norm and international DJs and musicians making their first stops in the city, it is but quite natural for Bangalore to be the first city to see new launches. It is perhaps the livelyparty spirit of the Bangaloreans that encourages new concepts to be introduced.

Bangalore knows its music

Entertainment  professional Neeraj Joseph says, “Every city occasionally comes up with brilliantthemes and concepts, but when it comes to innovations in the music scene at parties – Bangalore definitely comes first, close to Goa – which is but seasonal and rare. They appreciate creative innovations, and at the same time they can be very judgmental if you try to mock their knowledge with some facade.” Elements like great visuals to go with the music, sound system, lighting and design have become an integral part of the city’s party scene.

Bonhomie spirit

The most appealing factor of the party scene in Bangalore is the bonhomie that the party people share unlike any other city. Nikhil Chinapa recently launched a concept party in the city with his friend Rohit Barker, called the Dance Republic, which offers partying experiences at an international level. He says, “I don’t really need to tell about the party crowd in Bangalore, it is such a fantastic city. Even international artists are the most impressed by Bangalore audience.” He goes on to add, “The party crowd in Bangalore is like a community and when any new concept is introduced everyone supports it and party like friends.”
Partying with an international touch

Having traveled to the different party destinations and dance capitals in the world, DJ and RJ Rohit Barker says, “Seeing what they are doing in the clubs abroad, we wanted to have the same here.” The highlights of the theme include high-tech sound and light system and interactive visuals which have been created after much research. “It is an amalgamation of a lot of things which is high on production value. We are in touch with people from different parts of the world for new concepts, merchandise, sound, lighting, visuals and more,” informs Rohit. And with both Rohit and Nikhil sharing the same stage, it works out as a package deal. “When I am playing, Nikhil is on the mike and vice versa,” says Rohit.

Enhanced party experience

Bangalore is definitely taking the party scene to the next level but city based visual artist Kaycee, says, “Its high time people realize that for quality stuff one needs to shed out money.” To which party animal Sunil Kumar says, “Partying in Bangalore is an expensive affair, while we like to enjoy different concepts and experimentations in terms of partying, the money part is quite disappointing.” He goes on to say, “Clubs in Bangalore are expensive as compared to the ones in Australia or a Singapore. Here the entry fee itself is Rs 2000 – 5000 while abroad most of the clubs don’t have it. Which means, a couple spending that is already thinking – ‘we better finish that voucher or else it will get wasted’ – and then end up in drunken driving cases.

Cutting through the clutter?

Theme parties and new concepts in the past have worked wonders in the city with people here welcoming it with open arms, agreeing to that DJ  Tuhin Mehta says, “I think parties with concepts are the way to go really, its a way to cut through the clutter.” But the one thing that might perhaps deter the progress is the deadline. “I think our biggest drawback is the time restriction, everything else can be fixed once we have a more conducive time line,” says Tuhin. Agreeing to this, Aashritha Shetty, the director of a private company says, “Working people like me like to start their night outs around 10-11pm after relaxing a little and then slowly get in to the party mood. But because there isn’t enough time to come home, change and head out, most of the time I end up canceling my plans.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Life & Style> People / by  Taniya Talukdar, TNN / August 30th, 2012

Aishwarya Rai Is Radiant in Red in Brand New ‘Tamas’ Ad! (Photo)

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders

Aishwarya Rai’s brand new ad for Kalyan Jewellers has just gone public. The poster, for their “Tamas” collection, features the actress in a scintillating red mood.

The poster (in billboard form) was spotted in Kerala and quickly went viral. It’s by far the boldest ad Aishwarya has done for the company; her previous ads had a certain traditional softness about them. The first featured Aishwarya bathed in gold, the next showed her as a traditional Indian bride, seated on a palanquin, and the most recent displayed Aishwarya in a pale blue avatar.

But the Tamas ad kicks it up a notch, and how! Aishwarya can only be described as luscious in this photo–her hair falls seductively around her face and she sports vibrant red lips. And then of course there’s the jewelry: a massive, sparkling red and gold ring adorns a finger held against her face.

The ad copy reads “Jewellry in every hue for you.” Hopefully this means even more beautifully colorful ads from the iconic actress are on their way!

source: http://www.celebs.gather.com / by Renee Shah / August 27th, 2012

Wipro to expand Kolkata project

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Kolkata, Aug 27

Wipro Technologies will expand its campus in Kolkata, Chairman Azim Premji said Monday but refused to comment on the company’s proposed special economic zone (SEZ) project in the city.

“We will carry out expansion on our existing project,” Premji, who was here for an interaction with industry captains, told reporters without giving further details.

The project, a SEZ, is in the the satellite township of Salt Lake and employs 7,500 people.

During the previous Left Front rule, Wipro had bought 50 acres to set up its second campus at New Town, Rajarhat, in the north eastern fringes of the city as a SEZ. But the Mamata Banerjee-led government’s opposition to SEZs has put a question mark on its future.

Last December, Premji had met Banerjee and indicated that Wipro would invest Rs.700-800 crore in its second campus, providing employment to 15,000 people.

Another project by Infosys too has run into trouble after being denied SEZ status by the state government.

There are now four IT SEZs in the state – Wipro, Unitech, DLF and Bantala IT SEZ.

IANS

source: http://www.india.nydailynews.com / Home> News / Monday, August 27th, 2012

IDEEA scholarships for Hemophilia students to be launched on Tuesday

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

Mangalore:

Manipal University and Manipal Hemophilia Society will jointly launch the project ‘IDEEA’ (Identification, Diagnosis, Education and Empowerment for Action) and distribution of higher education scholarships for students with bleeding disorders in South India.

Dr Annamma Kurien, President of Manipal Chapter of Haemophilia Society said the launch be held at Shirdi Saibaba Cancer hospital and research centre in Kasturba Hospital Campus, Manipal on August 28 at 3 pm. IDEEA is supported by the grant from Novo Nordisk Hemophilia Foundation (NNHF), Switzerland.

Through this project the accredited social health activist (ASHA) will get the training to identify the suspected persons with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders in the community. The suspected people with bleeding disorders will undergo detailed tests in Kasturba Hospital, Manipal for the accurate diagnosis and the sub typing of bleeding disorders. A specialized hemostasis and thrombosis division, Kasturba Hospital, is being set up also supported by the Manipal University. Patients from the 4 districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga and Chikmagalur with suspected bleeding disorders will get facilities for free testing.

This project will also aim to empower persons with hemophilia by education to improve their quality of life. As a part of empowerment, a scholarship distribution for the student with hemophilia to support their higher education will also take place during the function. This scholarship is sponsored by Save One Life (SOL) organization, USA. This year eight students are selected for the scholarship. Hemophilia is a genetic, life threatening bleeding disorder in which blood does not clot normally due to the deficiency or absence of clotting factors.

The Manipal Hemophilia Society, a registered chapter of Hemophilia Federation of India (HFI), affiliated to World Federation of Hemophilia, Canada (WFH) started its functioning in the year 1999 in Kasturba Hospital Manipal. It provides comprehensive medical services to the patients, who are suffering from hemophilia and related bleeding disorders. More than 250 patients from various districts of both Karnataka and Kerala are registered under Manipal Hemophilia society. It conducts regular hemophilia clinic once a month on every second Saturday for the persons with hemophilia, where a team of medical and allied health science professionals from various specialties trained in hemophilia care are available for the proper care and management.

The Society also provides anti hemophilic factor (AHF), a costly life saving medicine at an affordable rate to the persons with hemophilia. The support of Manipal University has sustained the care of hemophilia patients.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Education / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / August 27th, 2012

 

Integrated farming pilot begins in 1,000 villages

Business & Economy, Nature, Science & Technology

The department of agriculture, government of Karnataka, has launched a pilot programme to promote integrated farming in about 1,000 villages across the state. The government has earmarked a financial assistance of Rs 50 crore for the programme in 2012-13.

“The University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore has developed a model for an integrated approach to agriculture and the Karnataka Krishi Mission (KKM) had suggested to the government to adopt this model and introduce statewide. The government has accepted our recommendation and launched the programme from this crop year,” S A Patil, President, KKM said.

Under this programme, the department of agriculture would provide select farmers in 1,000 villages a package of best farming practices, good quality planting material, seeds and training to grow crops. They will also be given training on different branches of agriculture like horticulture, animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries and agro-forestry. They would also be given assistance from seed selection to marketing of their produce, he said.

Speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Technology as a Driver of Growth: Ensuring Farm Productivity’, organised by Delhi-based commodities’ research firm IndoAsiancommodities.com, Patil said a diploma course in agriculture has been introduced in the Universities of Agriculture Sciences in the state. The objective of the course is to prepare youth on various aspects of farming at the middle level and engage them in dissemination of knowledge to farmers.

The pilot programme will be in place for a period of five years and scaled up later based on the response from the farming community. Through this programme, the department will develop models of integrated farming in select villages for further replication in other villages over the years, he said.

The department of agriculture has also started working on identifying farmer leaders, engaged in integrated farming at village level to train the fellow farmers on modern, scientific methods of farming, he said.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> Economy & Policy / by BS Reporter – Bangalore, Chennai / August 29th, 2012

August 28, 1995 – Anil Kumble’s little-known miracle for Northamptonshire

Records, All, Sports

Seventeen years ago, Nottinghamshire won the toss, piled up 527 and still managed to lose by an innings. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at one of the lesser-known miracles worked by  Anil Kumble.


If a team ends the first day of a four-day match at 353 for one, it is generally assumed that they can’t lose from there. Let alone by an innings.

So, when the Nottinghamshire skipper, Tim Robinson, accepted the offer for light just after 6.10 pm on Thursday, he had every reason for smug satisfaction. He was unbeaten on 204, his second-wicket partnership with Graeme Archer already worth 285. Even Anil Kumble, the imported weapon for  Northamptonshire known for his endless volley of poison-tipped spears, had looked rather less than threatening.

Northants, still well placed in the race for the County crown, did fight back the following day. Robinson was trapped plumb by the Zimbabwean all-rounder Kevin Curran. Captain  Allan Lamb executed an extraordinary pirouette and double pike, pulling off an one-handed blinder at gully to send back the dangerous Chris  Cairns. But, Archer carried on until David Capel got him leg before for 158. Kumble did pick up a few wickets towards the end to finish with four for 118, but the innings stretched on till tea, amounting to a massive 527.

Richard Montgomerie and Alan Fordham opened for the hosts and reached 149 without loss when stumps were drawn on the second day. A run-feast looked inevitable before a yawn inducing draw.

560 in a day

What Saturday brought forth was more of an orgy than a feast, the spread several times more lavish than expected, wild and unchecked. Northants amassed 560 in a day, with Fordham, Lamb and wicketkeeper Russell Warren blasting hundreds.

From time to time, Cairns worked up frantic pace, but he had little support at the other end.  With a green coating bang in the middle of the pitch, both seamers and spinners seemed intent on adding that spot of colour to their offerings, and the batsmen had ample opportunity and time to rock back and pull or cut with disdain. Robinson winced and frowned, but could not help it.

As many as 219 runs were scored during the final session, with Curran and Capel rollicking along the time-tested path of blocking a few and smashing the rest. The score at the end of the day stood 709 for seven.

After a break to play the 50-over AXA Sunday League game, the teams regrouped for the final day on August 28.

August 28, 1995

Capel raced to his century from just 87 balls, the fourth hundred of the innings, and Northamptonshire declared 254 runs ahead – having added 72 from 35 minutes in the morning. Extras contributed a whopping 64.

When Nottinghamshire started their second innings, opener Paul Pollard was bowled by a superb in-ducker from Curran. But, Robinson and Archer once again started to frustrate Kumble, lunging out to defend, not allowing the ball to hit the pads.

They were cruising on 72 for one, the stalemate looming large, when Kumble got one to skid on to Robinson’s stumps. In the same over Paul Johnson was caught and bowled off a leading edge. In the next, Archer missed a straight one from Capel to be caught plumb. Suddenly, it was 72 for four.

Thirteen runs later, Kumble snared Cairns at the short-leg, and at the same score Curran induced a flash from Matthew Dowman, brilliantly held by Jeremy Snape. The score now was 85 for six.

It soon became 90 for seven when Curran castled Jimmy Hindson.

Lamb brought his fielders in and crowded the batsmen, but on this deadest of pitches, it did not take much to settle down. Wayne Noon and Andy Pick hung on and looked like playing out time. A couple of chances went abegging. Pick was put down by Lamb, and Kumble acquired a large bump on the head colliding with Tony Penberthy while trying to latch on to a looping edge from Noon.

However, after all these years, it is now well known that head injuries often added an extra dollop of menace to the tenacious Indian leg-spinner. Forty minutes after his collision, Kumble, tireless and persevering, had the stubborn Pick caught in the leg trap. After some gutsy resistance, Bobby Chapman fell to a controversial decision, caught at leg slip and it was nine down for 150. The last pair put their heads down and batted, as time ticked by. And with just three overs to go, Kumble spit out one of his missile-like deliveries, those that hastened across and hurried the best of batsmen. Poor Andy Afford was struck helplessly on the pads and it was all over.

Bowling virtually unchanged from midday, Kumble picked up five for 43 off 39.1 overs. Nottinghamshire lost by an innings and 97 runs.

Northants managed to remain in the race for the title – although at the end of the season they finished third behind Warwickshire and Middlesex.

However, the dubious record, still unbroken and likely to remain so for long, was created by Nottinghamshire– notchingup the highest ever total in First-class cricket while suffering the ignominy of an innings defeat.

Brief Scores:

Nottinghamshire 527 (RT Robinson 209, GF Archer 158, A Kumble 4-118) and 157 (Anil Kumble 5-43, Kevin Curran 3-39) lost to Northamptonshire 781 for 7 declared (A Fordham 130, RR Montgomerie 69, AJ Lamb 115, RJ Warren 154, KM Curran 70, DJ Capel 114*, JA Afford 3-223)

( Arunabha Sengupta is a cricket historian and Chief Cricket Writer at CricketCountry. He writes about the history and the romance of the game, punctuated often by opinions about modern day cricket, while his post-graduate degree in statistics peeps through in occasional analytical pieces. The author of three novels, he can be followed on twitter at http://twitter.com/senantix)

source: http://www.cricketcountry.com / Home> Cricket-Articles / by Arunabha Sengupta / April 28th, 2012