First Annual Convocation of Music Varsity on Nov. 30

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

• Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali to deliver convocation address

• Hon. Doctorates to be conferred on Prof. Ra. Visweswaran, Pt. Indudhar Nirodi and Natyacharya C. Radhakrishna

Dr. Vyjayanthimala, Prof. Ra. Visweswaran, Pt. Indudhar Nirodi and C. Radhakrishna.
Dr. Vyjayanthimala, Prof. Ra. Visweswaran, Pt. Indudhar Nirodi and C. Radhakrishna.

Mysuru :

The First Annual Convocation of Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysuru, will be held on Nov. 30 at the Crawford Hall of Mysore University here from 4 pm.

Governor Vajubhai R. Vala, who is also the Chancellor of Universities, will preside over the event. Minister for Higher Education T.B. Jayachandra, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the Universities, will grace the occasion.

Actress and Bharatanatyam exponent Padma Shri Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali will deliver the Convocation address.

The Music Varsity, as part of its first Convocation, will confer Hon. Doctorates on renowned Veena artiste Prof. Ra. Visweswaran, Hindustani vocalist Pt. Indudhar Nirodi and Bharatanatyam artiste C. Radhakrishna.

Music University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sarvamangala Shankar, Registrar Dr. A. Rangaswamy and Registrar (Evaluation) Dr. M.S. Shekar will be present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – November 26th, 2015

Houses pay condolences to Hebbal MLA, adjourn

Leaders

The Legislative Assembly was adjourned for the day on Tuesday after paying condolences to Hebbal MLA R Jagadish Kumar who passed away on Monday evening following a cardiac arrest.

The cremation held in the afternoon was attended by a host of BJP State leaders among others.

As soon as the Assembly met, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa read out a condolence message and stated that the demise of Kumar was an irreparable loss to the State. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he still could not believe Kumar was no more.

Sudden death
Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar recalled that Kumar had participated actively in the proceedings of the House just hours before his sudden death.

The Legislative Council too was adjourned for the day after making an obituary reference. Expressing shock over the sudden death of the MLA, leader of the ruling party S R Patil said Kumar was a good politician with immense knowledge and experience.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / DHNS – Bengaluru , November 25th, 2015

Karnataka hot contender for top slot in pepper production

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Increase in pepper prices from Rs. 200 a kg to Rs. 700 a kg serves as incentive for farmers to take up its cultivation.

PepperBF25nov2015

2014-15 estimates point to State overtaking Kerala

Spices Board of India Chairman A. Jayathilak said that estimates for 2014-15 suggest that Karnataka has overtaken Kerala as the largest producer of pepper in the country.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Pepper Community’s 43rd session and meetings here on Monday.

Dr. Jayathilak said a large number of coffee and arecanut farmers from Karnataka had taken to pepper production as an “adjunct crop”.

The increase in pepper prices from Rs. 200 a kg three years ago to around Rs. 700 a kg had served as an incentive for farmers to cultivate the spice that enjoys huge demand in the international market.

According to estimates, the State last year produced around 5,000 tonnes over Kerala, which used to occupy the numero uno position by accounting for 40 per cent of the country’s pepper production.

Pepper production in the country had dipped to 37,000 tonnes in 2013-14 owing to unfavourable weather conditions. However, the situation was looking up with estimates suggesting a production of 70,000 tonnes in 2014-15.

Earlier, while delivering the presidential address at the session, Dr. Jayathilak appreciated the contribution of farmers from Karnataka in the turnaround. The spices board chose Mysuru as the venue for the annual meet to honour pepper growers in the State, he said.

He cautioned that importing countries were coming up with stringent quality standards that were “practically difficult” to achieve, particularly in case of pesticide residues.

Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, New Delhi, in his keynote address, said the wellness industry and health tourism had provided enormous potential for the growth of the spice industry. He urged the industry to further explore the medicinal and nutritional value of pepper.

Pratap Simha, MP, claimed that Kodagu accounted for half the pepper produced in Karnataka.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Laiqh A. Khan / Mysuru – November 24th, 2015

Sydney pathway named after Indian victim

Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

Bengaluru  :

About 9,000 km away, Bengalurean Arun Kumar helplessly heard his wife Prabha, 41, crying for help on the phone when she was being stabbed inside the Paramatta Park, Sydney , on March 7.

Eight months on, Arun, his 11-year-old daughter Meghana and in-laws visited the park on Sunday as the pathway was named after the 41-year-old techie who was killed when she was walking through it. It was an emotional moment for the family of the Bengalu ru techie to witness the nction where memorial function where plaque was unveiled in the memory of Prabha. The New South Wales (NSW) government had made arrangements to fly Prabha’s family members to attend the ceremony . “This shouldn’t happen to anyone else and it shouldn’t have happened to my wife either,” said Arun Kumar, in his address to the media.

SydneyPrabhaBF25oct2015

Prabha would have turned 42 on Saturday. The pathway links Argyle Street and Amos Street. Prabha’s killer is still at large. Arun Kumar made an appeal to people to come forward and share information with the investigating authorities.”She was very caring; she sa crificed many things, especially by staying away from family , for us. But we are happy that she will be remembered here,” he added.

When asked how their daughter was coping with loss, Arun said: “She is moody but we are taking care of her.”

The investigation into the case has not yielded any result so far. NSW police have not been able to ascertain the motive behind the murder. According to them, the case is open and all angles are still being probed.

“We are happy that the lane way has been named after Prabha and a plaque has been installed at the site where she was senselessly murdered, but our community is disappointed that culprit(s) have not yet been found. We urge NSW police to put every effort in finding out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. Our true tribute to Prabha will only be fulfilled when perpetrators are arrested and charged,” said Dr Yadu Singh President, Federation of Indian Associations of NSW.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / TNN / November 24th, 2015

Rohini Mohan Bags Shakti Bhatt Prize

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Bengaluru :

Writer Rohini Mohan’s ‘The Seasons of Trouble’ has won the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2015. “The shortlist this year was diverse and spectacular, but we unanimously agreed to award the prize to Rohini Mohan,” said judge Samhita Arni, who, along with authors Mohammed Hanif and Krys Lee, chose the winner.

The award will be presented in New Delhi on December 22. The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize carries a cash award of `2 lakh and a trophy. It is funded by the Shakti Bhatt Foundation and Apeejay Trust. ‘The Seasons of Trouble’ focuses on the Sri Lankan conflict.

Arni said, “Mohan’s book is the stark, brutal, often unsparing portrait of three desperate lives, struggling to navigate the realities and brutalities of war and peacetime in Sri Lanka.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / November 25th, 2015

A cab service for the disabled

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Travel

But funds crunch stalls an entrepreneur’s dream

DisabledBF25nov2015

Millions of differently-abled Indians are technically qualified with the necessary skills to be employable.

But most remain jobless since there are no vehicles to take them. A Bengalurean’s effort to bridge this glaring gap with a fleet of vans modified to accommodate wheelchairs has been grounded for long. Reason: No one wants to fund this initiative, even if the brains behind it is a startup activator himself.

The irony can’t be starker: Wheelchair-bound V Shakthi has been an inspiration for dozens of startups, linking them up with venture capitalists and startup activators. But he has been struggling to realise his vision for five years. Shakthi commutes in a modified cab, a prototype of sorts that could be replicated.

Shakthi explained the rationale behind a modified cab service: “Forty-eight per cent of the estimated 20 million differently- abled people in the country have the necessary skill sets needed to land a job. There are not even 100 of them employed across Bengaluru. Even the employed are stuck at one level, they never go up. Potential employers are ready if this commute issue is addressed.”

But modification is a costly affair. “If the vehicle cost is Rs 7 lakh, you ought to spend another Rs 6 lakh configuring it to accommodate three to four wheelchairs. Add the cost of engaging a driver who is sensitive to the needs of the disabled, maintenance and fuel, and it gets heftier,” said Shakthi. The total cost per vehicle could exceed Rs 12 lakh.

The project plan is modest: A fleet of two to three vehicles, which could be scaled up later. But no one wants to invest the Rs 25 lakh required to get it going. Investors, said Shakthi, insist on a mobile-first, app-based version. Some have even declared it impractical without giving it a thought. Others say it is a service line and not worth an investment.

Undaunted, Shakthi wants to go ahead even if it means hard self-financing. “Even if it takes five to six years, I want to do it for the differently-abled but skilled people,” said the man, who is also the most followed differently-abled Indian on the Internet. He has 1.65 lakh Twitter followers.

Buildings and public infrastructure in Bengaluru are notoriously inaccessible to the disabled. Footpaths, bus stops and other public spaces pose mounting challenges to the visually challenged and the physically disabled. Access audits have repeatedly drawn attention to these glaring lacunae with little effect.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States / by Rasheed Kappan, Bengaluru / DHNS – November 19th, 2015

‘Black Velvet’ all set to ‘Make A Difference’ with their charity gig on Saturday

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mangaluru :

This weekend, Namma Kudla’s own rock band Black Velvet will give Gen Next a chance to literally ‘Make A Difference’ (MAD) at Benefica, a fund raiser at Alvares Farmhouse at Vamanjoor. Courtesy MAD, a youth-driven, non-profit organization, music loving youths attending the charity gig will not only ensure that they get full paisa vasool grooving to some chill-worthy sound tracks, but also ensure their contribution helps MAD financially.

Together with MAD, Mangaluru, Black Velvet aims to make Benefica an event like no other. Benefica is a huge departure from humble fundraisers that MAD, Mangaluru has organized before. “Benefica is bigger, bolder and better than anything before,” noted Anna Crasta, city team lead for MAD, Mangaluru. Adding to highlight is a special performance by the dance crew Friction. There will also be food stalls to satisfy one’s gastronomic cravings, she assures.

Benefica is essentially an event dedicated to the community – an event to celebrate Mangaloreans as folks who are truly capable of giving back to the society. Gains of the charity will go to the children at risk in shelter homes across Mangaluru, Anna Crasta said. To gain entry to the fun-filled event, one may call 9886691940 to obtain advance passes. Early-bird tickets are priced at Rs.300. Tickets will also be available at the venue for Rs 500, she noted.

Rayan D’Souza of Black Velvet said band members consist of fresh-faced youths – Ria D’Souza and Danny J on vocals. Rayan himself plays the keyboard with Jill D’Souza on drums Joswin D’Cunha on lead-guitar and Floyd Pereira on bass. The band revives tracks ranging from pop, rock and funk to EDM. The proceeds will go to MAD, Mangaluru who are currently working with three shelter homes across the city, he said, adding the band is happy to do its bit.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangaluru / Jaideep Shenoy, TNN / November 19th, 2015

Compassion for a cause

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, World Opinion

Udaan, a skit to create awareness on special children will be staged this Saturday at Orion Mall

Child empowerment is the underlying message of Udaan says Sujatha
Child empowerment is the underlying message of Udaan says Sujatha

Udaan, directed by Sujatha Balakrishnan and written by Rebecca Ananya Mathias, an engineering student from MSRIT, is an awareness skit on special children. Udaan, in Hindi, means to fly, but also stands for undoubtedly differently-abled amazing nebulae.

The skit is an awareness initiative by Soroptimist International of Bangalore, a global organisation of women in diverse walks of life working on the upliftment of women and children from less privileged backgrounds.

Sujatha, a former teacher and counsellor for children with learning disabilities, joined SI, Bangalore in 2004 and is their Immediate Past President. “We focus on the three Es: educate, empower and enable. Women’s empowerment is the core vision.” She speaks with passion about the skit and the cause for special children. “I am an advocate of inclusive education. I go every year to the U.S., where my daughter lives, and volunteer in public schools there. There children are accepted as they are. You don’t label them.”

The multi-faceted Sujatha, who has done a lot of theatre, says the art form is a powerful medium of expression. “Theatre done for a social cause is not just for entertainment, but goes beyond that. Working on this play has been a dream of mine. The children and parents were so enthusiastic. I got an overwhelming response from them.”

Sujatha says the script is very powerful. “The protagonist is Tara, she’s autistic. Eighty per cent of the characters are real. The teacher in the play has a theatre connection too. She is the primary caregiver for her sister who has Down’s syndrome sister. A teenage boy plays Tara in scenes three and four. His brother goes to Spastics Society.” Another highlight of the play is a rap song written by Sujatha. “Special children are a delight, in their own right. Show them that you are there, whenever they need your care”….goes the first line, followed by rhyming gems of compassion. “I just sat down one day to write and the song just flowed. We plan to showcase this with the children coming with placards with each line written on them.” Sujatha concludes with a quote by anonymous: “Children with special needs aren’t sent to special parents. They make parents special”.

Udaan will be staged at Orion mall amphitheatre on November 21 at 6 p.m. Entry is free.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindi / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Sravasti Datta / Bangalore – November 18th, 2015

MLA inaugrates Art Gallery at Dasara Expo

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Picture shows the miniature portraits of dignitaries painted ‘inside’ the bottles
Picture shows the miniature portraits of dignitaries painted ‘inside’ the bottles

Mysuru :

Miniature portraits of dignitaries like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Dr. A.P.J. Adbul Kalam and Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, painted inside bottles by a Hassan-based artist Anand are among hundreds of paintings on display at the Art Gallery set up by the Dasara Exhibition Fine Arts and Handicrafts Sub-Committee at Kannada Karanji Bhavan at the Exhibition Grounds in city.

Inaugurating the gallery by lighting the traditional lamp at the premises yesterday evening, Chamaraja MLA Vasu said that Mysuru, right from the days of the Maharajas, is known for patronising Fine Arts and Handicrafts and added that Handicraft Industry in the State in general and Mysuru in particular, had great scope for improvement as art pieces are much sought after by tourists who visit the city.

Citing the phenomenal growth of Ramsons Kala Pratishtana in city, Vasu said that artefacts of Mysuru had acquired fame at international levels and urged artists to realise the same and make efforts to emulate the Pratishtana.

Works of artisans from many parts of the State are on show at the Gallery where pieces of Fine Arts, Photographs, Computer Graphic and other forms of Arts are on display.

KEA Chairman R. Murthy, CEO Shashikumar, MDJA President K.Deepak, Artist Badal Nanjundaswamy, Sub-Committee President C.S. Raghu, Working President Srinivas, Member-Secretary Shivakumar and others were present.

Chitra Santhe and Handicrafts Mela: Briefing SOM after the inaugural ceremony, Committee President Raghu said that the Committee plans to organise a State-level Chitra Santhe in December before organising a State-level Handicrafts Mela later.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday – November 18th, 2015

Agri Scientist Laxmipathi Gowda awarded two Fellowships

Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nature, Science & Technology

Mysuru :

Mysuru-based renowned agriculture scientist Dr. C. L. Laxmipathi Gowda has been conferred Fellowships of two prestigious agriculture research professional bodies in 2015.

In January this year, Dr. Laxmipathi Gowda was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) based in New Delhi. The Academy is a national level body in India devoted to agricultural sciences. The Fellows of the Academy are recognised for their contributions to science, and includes distinguished personalities in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, both from India and abroad.

Early this week, the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) awarded him the Fellowship of American Society of Agronomy during the Annual Meeting held at the Hilton Minneapolis, Minneapolis, USA. The ASA is a progressive international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global agriculture dedicated to advancing the field of agronomy in relation to soils, crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.

Dr. Laxmipathi Gowda was formerly Deputy Director General-Research, ICRISAT, Hyderabad. As Coordinator of the Cereals and Legumes Asia Network (CLAN) he helped strengthen the national research-for-development (R4D) capacity of national agriculture research systems (NARS) in 12 countries in Asia.

As chickpea breeder he also helped 30 national programmes in Asia and Africa to select and release 70 improved, high-yielding and disease resistant chickpea (Bengal gram or Chana) varieties (both Desi and Kabuli types) that were adopted by smallholder farmers extensively leading to increased food production.

He has received more than 30 awards and recognitions from many countries and professional bodies. Recently, the Government of Karnataka nominated him as a Member of the Vision Group on Agriculture chaired by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday – November 18th, 2015