Jayamala inaugrates Dance studio

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

From left: Cine actress Jayamala, Kutoohala Institute Director Ravindra Joshi, actor Mandya Ramesh and actress Soundarya at the launch of “Bollywood Studio” in city yesterday.

Mysore, Aug. 13

Kannada cine actress Jayamala inaugurated Kutoohala Institute Director Ravindra Joshi’s ultra-modern studio named as “Bollywood Studio” at the Institute premises near RTO Circle here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, Jayamala said she was dumb- founded at the success of Kindarajogi children’s summer camp organised by the Institute for the past couple of years. Now the Institute has setup a full fledged dance studio, which certainly is going to be a boon for Mysoreans, she said and wished that the studio reaches new heights, attaining name, fame and glory.

‘Andolana’ Editor Rajashekhar Koti said Mysore was fortunate to have such a full-fledged dance studio and wished the studio grand success in the future.

Actress Soundarya (daughter of Jayamala) too wished the studio all success in its endeavour. The launching was followed by various forms of dance.

Prof. N. Venkoba Rao, Actor Mandya Ramesh, Journalist Ravindra Bhat and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / August 13th, 2012

Cricketer Srinath inaugrates Generic Drug Store at K.R.Hospital, Mysore

Business & Economy, Sports

Caption: Former international cricketer Javagal Srinath, who inaugurated the Janatha Bazar Generic Drug store at K.R. Hospital in city this morning, is seen District in-charge Minister S.A. Ramdas and MUDA Chairman L. Nagendra.

Mysore, Aug. 14- Former international cricketer Javagal Srinath today inaugurated the Janatha Bazar Generic Drug store in K.R. Hospital premises, adjacent to Dhanvantri Road.

Speaking on the occasion, Srinath said it is important to create awareness among the public to take preventive measures against diseases rather than looking for cure.

Srinath also stressed on the need for more such units.

Medical Education and District In-Charge Minister S.A. Ramdas, in his address, said this is the third generic drug store in the State after Bangalore and Hubli.

This drug store is aimed at providing medicines to the patients at affordable prices, he said and added that he had held talks with 14 major pharmaceutical manufacturers for supplying drugs at discounted rates.

Medicines prescribed by private practitioners too will be available at the drug store, he said and added that medicines will be distributed to orphanages, old age homes and rehabilitation centres through this drug store.

The Minister later performed guddali puja for the Outpatients Dispensary Building to be constructed in the K.R. Hospital premises. The programme was jointly organised by Mysore Medical College & Research Institute (MMC&RI) and Karnataka State Consumers’ Co-operative Federation, Bangalore.

MMC& RI Director Dr. Geetha K. Avadhani, Medical Education Principal Secretary Ramesh Zalki, Dr. B.G. Sagar, Dr. B. Krishnamurthy and others were present.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / August 14th, 2012

MNREGA helps green Bidar district

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Forest Department has raised 30 lakh seedlings for distribution

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) has come as a boon to efforts at greening the district.

Over the course of seven years, the Forest Department has raised 30 lakh seedlings using funds available from the State’s drought-mitigation scheme under the MNREGA. The saplings have been distributed to gram panchayats.

They will be planted in public places like schools, government offices, footpaths, road medians, and in grazing lands and bunds.

The seedlings raised include evergreens, biofuel plants and green manure plants, among others. Bidar was among the four districts in the State in which the Union government started the Food for Work programme, which included long-term measures to prevent drought, such as afforestation and development of watersheds.

“We broke down the process into growing saplings of hardy species and evergreen fodder crops, digging pits for the saplings, and building check-dams and earthen bunds with community participation,” said zilla panchayat president Baburao Karbari, adding that the panchayat has planted nearly six lakh saplings in several villages in Aurad, the driest taluk in the district. The Forest Department has planted saplings in vast tracks of degraded land in Alur in Kamal Nagar, Jambagi and Balur and Hippalgaon villages in Aurad taluk.

Maintenance

“This year alone, we have raised over 3.5 lakh saplings under the MNREGA in several nurseries across the district. Nearly one lakh saplings have already been distributed to gram panchayats,” said M. Daulat Hussein, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry). “The department will take care of the saplings for the first three years, after which they will be maintained by village or tanda residents, he said.

Variety

Neem is the most sought-after plant, and also well-suited to the district’s climate, along with Pongamia and Jatropha, which can be used to manufacture biofuel; Gliricidia, as green manure; vegetable- and fruit-bearing plants like drumstick and mango, and popular plants like kadu badami.

The department has also grown high-value saplings like teak and sandalwood. According to Mr. Hussein, over 10,000 sandalwood saplings are being raised and will be distributed to the public next year, while teak saplings are available in all nurseries in the district. He added that all the saplings will be distributed free of cost.

  • Zilla panchayat has already planted six lakh saplings in Aurad taluk
  • 10,000 sandalwood saplings are being raised and will be distributed next year________________________________________________sourcesou

    • source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Bidar, August 02nd, 2012

    ‘Jackfruit can be next major export’

    Business & Economy, Nature

    Jackfruit, often perceived to be an inferior crop, could be the State’s next major export. The fruit, if processed properly, has the potential to earn the State a lot of revenue, said activist Shree Padre.

    Speaking at the Horticulture Day celebrations at Lalbagh on Wednesday, he explained various initiatives taken across the world in exploiting commercial value of the fruit. He suggested the Horticulture department to popularise the crop.  “The disadvantages are its overwhelming scent, size and difficulty in processing it,” he said.

    But, adoption of modern technology can give it a push.  As part of the series of lectures organised for the day, K Amaranarayana, secretary to deputy chief minister, explained the methods adopted in various countries for making the City greener.

    Based on his studies of green architecture in London and Libya, he said: “A majority of Libya is a desert. Making use of the little resources, the country has planted indigenous varieties along the roads.”  He said if the community is roped in, the results could be manifold.

    source:  http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> City / DH News Service / Bangalore, August 09th, 2012

    Kumble’s call to save rare birds

    Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Sports

    Caption: Cameramen taking shelter from the rain under an umbrella along with Anil Kumble as they and the villagers run for cover.

    Mysore, Aug. 8- Former cricketer Anil Kumble has given a call to save rare species of birds by creating an environment which will aid their breeding.

    Anil Kumble, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the State Wildlife Board, was on a visit to Naguvanahalli and Chandagalu on the banks of River Cauvery in Sriranapatna yesterday.

    The place is known for breeding of many small birds like blue-tailed bee eaters, white breasted king fisher, pipit, bushchat etc., which nest on boulders or bushes. However in recent days, many who come to the river to wash clothes put them for drying on the ground and on boulders, thereby hindering nesting of the birds. Sand mining in the area too has led to the decrease in birds nesting here.

    Following complaints about this from the local villagers, bird-watchers and wildlife photographers, Anil Kumble took note of the situation from the villagers and Gram Panchayat members present there.

    Speaking to media persons, Kumble said that the place used to see birds numbering to thousands, which has now drastically reduced. If the same continues, the birds may stop coming here.

    Observing the clothes dried on the ground and sand mining, Kumble discussed with forest officials about the measures to be taken to ban such activities. “Steps will be taken to fence around 7 acres of surrounding land where birds breed and a guard will be appointed to safeguard the place,” he said.

    APCCF Shivananda Murthy, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Forest Officer M. Shivappa, Village head Javaregowda and others were present during Kumble’s visit.

    source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / August 08th, 2012

    Students celebrate national year of Mathematics

    Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

    Bangalore:

    Infosys Science Foundation in association with Sishu Griha Montessori and High School organized an inter-school mathematics fest ‘Limit Infinity – The Number Games’. The day-long event on Saturday witnessed participation from over 160 students from 25 schools in the city.

    “The Limit Infinity fest was aimed at inspiring a love for Mathematics and to help eliminate the fear of Math in young minds. With the year 2012-13 being celebrated as the ‘National Year of Mathematics’ in India in honor of the renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan’s 125th birth anniversary, we thought it apt to organize this fest to demystify Math and overcome the myths and fallacies associated with numbers. The aim was also to encourage students to pursue the field of Math in future,” said Sujatha Mohandas, the principal of Sishu Griha School.

    The event hosted interesting sessions that focused on combining Math and fun, while engaging youngsters in group discussions, quizzes, and relay of problem solving sessions. Presentations and a skit on the life of Ramanujan by the Sishu Griha students were also organized to help children understand the application of Math in day-to-day lives.

    K Dinesh, co-founder Infosys said, “It is important to encourage and influence the young minds in our country to pursue Math at advanced levels and bring back the romance in this field of study. Limit Infinity, organized by Sishu Griha and Infosys Science Foundation is our effort in this direction. I am sure it demonstrated how exciting a subject Mathematics can be.

    source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Bangalore> Mathematics / TNN / August 05th, 2012

    Mysore’s own pak, a piece of royalty that melts

    Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

    Mysore:

    Break a small piece, put it into your mouth and wait for it to melt… the three simple steps to savouring the world famous ‘Mysore Pak’.

    The sweet dish was first prepared in the royal kitchen of Mysore Palace during the regime of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. It stole the hearts of the royals then and continues to be the preferred take-home sweet for every visitor who comes to the heritage city.

    Shivananda S, owner of a premium sweet store which has been serving the traditional sweet for 90 years, says the royal sweet has not lost its ground though it is almost a century old. People still prefer it the way they used to in the previous decades.

    The sweet dish is prepared by adding generous amounts of ghee, sugar and gram flour. Many people buy it in large quantities during festivals and functions. But there is no season in the year when Mysore pak is sold any less. The demand remains the same throughout the year.

    Shishir M, a student, who was seen buying the sweet, said: “We received guests from Udupi and they wanted to taste the speciality of the city. So I am here buying Mysore pak.” He got two kg of the sweet packed separately for the guests to take back to Udupi.

    Sweet shops prepare a variety of Mysore pak including special Mysore pak, butter Mysore and ordinary Mysore pak.

    Ashish Gupta of Bombay Tiffanys Annex shop on Devaraj Urs Road reveals that most of the time it is North Indians who buy Mysore pak from his shop. The demand increases during Dasara. “On a normal day, we sell about 50kg of the sweet. But during Dasara it goes up to 70kg. We also have customers who buy the sweet in large quantities and send it to their friends abroad,” he added.

    The first sweet

    The royal sweet was prepared in the palace kitchen by then cook Kakasura Madappa. Legend has it that the cook prepared a mixture of besan, ghee and sugar to prepare a new kind of sweet. The sweet that emerged delighted the royalty. When asked what it was called, Madappa did not have a name for it, so he simply called it ‘Mysore pak’. The name stayed and the sweet became the ‘Royal Sweet’. Later, his son Basavanna opened ‘Guru Sweets’ on Sayyaji Rao Road, which has been serving the authentic Mysore pak for the last nine decades. Shivananda S, who is the fourth generation of the family, says: “We still follow the same recipe our ancestors followed and use the same ingredients,” he said.

    source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / by Yashaswini S N, TNN / August 06th, 2012

    Wooden replica of palace being made for the visually impaired

    Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

    They can touch the model to get an idea of the palace’s structure

    Tourists with visual impairment can soon feel the majestic architecture of the iconic Amba Vilas Palace or the Mysore palace, which is in its centenary year.

    A satin-lined wooden replica of the architectural wonder is being made, and it will be placed at the entrance of the palace (near Gombe Totti) so visually impaired visitors can touch the model to get an idea of the structure.

    Braille guides

    As the popular tourist destination also attracts a limited number of visually impaired visitors, the Mysore Palace Board, the caretaker of the structure, recently published the Palace Guide in Braille.

    The Braille guides are available at the office of the board, and are given for reference on request.

    The Braille guides were released at the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on the palace premises.

    Ready soon

    Deputy Director of the board T.S. Subramanya told The Hindu that the replica of the palace may be ready in a fortnight.

    “Though the number of visually impaired visitors is very low, we do not want to deprive them of knowing more about the palace by going through the Braille guide and feeling the wooden replica,” he said.

    Mr. Subramanya said: “The model is roughly three ft long and two ft wide. It is being designed by a person who has experience in making intricate handicrafts.”

    He said an association of persons with visual impairments based in Mysore took nine palace guides in Braille for their library. At present, the board has five Braille guides that were printed at the Government Printing Press for Braille here. “Each book cost us Rs. 300. If necessary, we will order more such guides.”

    Guiding devices

    Sources in the board said it had plans to introduce wrist-mounted electronic devices for visitors with visual impairments, for navigation inside and outside the palace court.

    “The information about the attractions and how to access them will be fed into the device, which will guide the visitors. Two such devices would be procured soon,” they added.

    source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysore, August 02nd, 2012

    ‘Tiger Ashok Kumar’ retires

    Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All


    Caption: A file photo of Governor H.R. Bhardwaj presenting President’s Medal to ACP B.B. Ashok Kumar.

    Mysore, Aug. 2

    ACP B.B. Ashok Kumar, nicknamed Tiger Ashok Kumar for his valorous feats, retired on Tuesday.

    He earned the epithet of Tiger when he was PSI at Ulsoor Police Station, B’lore for chasing and catching chain-snatchers.

    He won the President’s Medal thrice and CM’s medal once. Other Police officers who won the President’s Medal thrice are Shankar Bidari, Gopal Halsur and G.A. Bawa.

    Biddanda Ashok Kumar, hails from Parane village in Kodagu.

    He was a terror for criminals and is credited with 18 encounters. While being a part of STF to nab Veerappan, Ashok Kumar had slain 13 accomplices of the brigand and shot down three notorious anti-social elements.

    His promotion to DCP was challenged by some at KAT. It is said that even though KAT favoured Ashok Kumar, he was deprived owing to petty politics.

    Finally, when the order for promotion came last month, some petitioned against it at High Court. The court’s verdict was expected on the very day he was to retire. Ironically, the court deferred the verdict to a further date.

    source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / August 02nd, 2012

    School Leadership Development Program to empower teachers

    Education, Leaders

    Mysore:

    The rural kids studying at the government schools in Tirumakudlu Narsipur will get some special lessons.

    They will be told the importance of leadership and their skills will be honed by their head masters or head mistress, who will be trained by experts to empower them to take lead in their assignments. An initiative of the Azim Premji Foundation aimed at improving the quality of primary education, the Vivekananda Institute for Leadership Development (V-LEAD), which is  Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), will train the head of the primary and higher primary schools in the district asking them to take leadership in addressing the issues locally. Be it addressing the concerns raised by the parents or challenged related to infrastructure, the HMs will be trained to handle them independently so that such issues doesn’t affect the education of the kids.

    The School Leadership Development Program (SLDP) is devised based on the premise that the quality of leadership directly influences the quality of education imparted. Over the next two years, HMs and cluster resource persons (CRPs) will be trained. The CRPs are tasked with monitoring 10 schools. The training sessions were formally launched on Thursday at the V-LEAD. In the first installment, HMs and CRPs in T Narsipur will be trained. The Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan and UNICEF are supporting the SLDP. The Azim Premji Foundation leader M Manjunath said at the inauguration that the quality of education primarily depends on the teachers and there is need for capacity building among the teachers serving in the government schools. The SVMY founder Dr R Balasubramaniam said teachers should stay put at the villages for increased focus on their students.

    The Block Education Officer (BEO) will select the HMs and the CRPs for the batches, who will have in-house training and also visit the fields. “We will ask the trainees to locate the challenges they are facing and work on it when they are here,” the V-LEAD’s team leader (Education Leadership Management) Bellegowda said. The training sessions are spread over 15 weeks and they will have in-house training for 22 days. The Azim Premji Foundation has selected us for the project, he told The Times of India. The V-LEAD will implement the SLDP in Mysore, Chamarajnagar, Kodagu and Mandya districts starting with Mysore’s three educational blocks-T Narsipur, Mysore rural and Krishnarajnagar.

    There are 229 HMs in T Narsipur taluk, who will undergo training first. The HMs who will have at least 4 years of service are favoured since they need time to implement what they pick up during training at their schools.

    source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / HM Aravind, TNN / August 02nd, 2012