Farmer reaps fruits of smart work

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

 On a govt-sponsored trip to Israel, he learnt waterwise ways to get a good yield.

Businessman-turned-farmer Mahesh Mittalkod shows the yield of a mango tree on his field. His income and profit are soaring since he adopted new techniques. - DNA/DNA
Businessman-turned-farmer Mahesh Mittalkod shows the yield of a mango tree on his field. His income and profit are soaring since he adopted new techniques. – DNA/DNA

While many farmers are selling their land and quitting farming owing to ‘unfavourable conditions’, one man is seeing his profit increasing manifold in the arid region of Koppal.

A government-sponsored trip to Israel in 2009 taught Mahesh Mittalkod methods to improve his yield. Upon returning, he put those methods to practice. Now, he is reaping the benefits. Literally.

He told dna that after the study trip, he got his first profit last year—Rs3 lakh. This year, the profit more than doubled to Rs7 lakh. He said he is expecting his income to touch Rs15-20 lakh the next season.

The businessman-turned-farmer said Israeli farmers’ technique of growing mangoes, using minimal water, impressed him a great deal. He found it of use particularly as Koppal, from where he hails, is infamous for water-shortage. He said that upon returning from the study trip, he took a sample of soil from his field to horticulture department for test. The report gave thumbs up to the soil quality, which encouraged Mittalkod to procure seeds of alphonso from Andhra Pradesh in April 2009.

In line with what he learnt in Israel, he dug one-foot-deep pits and used green leaves, neem cake and superphosphate as fertilizer, besides switching to drip irrigation for watering plants. He said his initiative made him the butt of joke of his neighbours, but he continued doing what he was doing. He said the support of horticulture department officials—such as Mohan NB and Murthy—egged him on. And the result is here for everyone to see.

While the saplings he had bought in 2009 have started giving yield, the ones he bought in 2010 would be giving result from the next season, taking his expected income to Rs15-20 lakh, he said.

District information centre BV Tukaram acknowledged Mittalkod’s achievement. He said the farmer grew five tonnes of alphonso mangoes this season and his yield might increase threefold next year. Mittalkod said the success of the new method has spurred him on to expand the practice to the other 17 acres of his land.

Having learnt about Mittalkod’s success, farmers from the region have been visiting his field for the past two months to learn the tricks of the trade from him. He said he would like to appeal to other farmers to look for such innovative ways instead of abandoning the profession.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com  / DNA / Home> Bangalore> Report / by Sangamesh Menasinakai / Agency:DNA, Place: Koppal / Sunday – June 02nd, 2013

City dentist makes news in Lutton city, England

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Science & Technology, Travel

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1) Dr. Syeda Shaguffa with former Health Minister of UK, Ann Keen, at the Indian Embassy in Central London. 2) The clipping of news item on Dr. Syeda Shaguffa published in Lutonon / Sunday newspaper on May 19, 2013.
1) Dr. Syeda Shaguffa with former Health Minister of UK, Ann Keen, at the Indian Embassy in Central London. 2) The clipping of news item on Dr. Syeda Shaguffa published in Lutonon / Sunday newspaper on May 19, 2013.

Mysore :

A young dentist from Mysore, Dr. Syeda Shaguffa, has made news in Luton, England, by drawing attention of the authorities towards the litter-strewn area of River Lea in Luton, eliciting a pledge from the officials to clear up the area.

In recognition of this, she was chosen to attend a health conference at the Indian Embassy, by none other than by the former Health Minister of UK, Ann Keen.

It all started when Dr. Shaguffa did a voluntary presentation in public health lecture. The presentation was about a river called Lea which flows across Luton, Bedfordshire and joins River Thames in London.

Dr. Shaguffa told Star of Mysore, “I made a presentation at a public health lecture, for which the former Minister Ann Keen was invited as a guest lecturer. She was very pleased with my effort and straight away contacted the local newspaper journalist who took my interview and the news was published in Luton On Sunday.”

“Then the day came when Ann Keen personally invited me to attend a conference with her at the Indian Embassy in Central London. Many high profile personalities were present at the conference including Kamlesh Sharma, General Secretariat to Common Wealth Nations, his wife Babli Sharma. J. Bhagwati, Indian High Commissioner to the Embassy in UK, his wife Rita Bhagwati, Brigid Mc Convillie, Director of World Ribbon Alliance, the organisers of the conference, Bollywood director Gurindher Chadda who made the iconic film ‘Bend it like Beckham,’ famous MTV singer Susheela Raman, actress Meera Sahay and Ann Keen herself.

“There I got a chance to talk a few words about the social causes of maternal deaths in India, and domestic violence being the major one. Everyone were pleased with me and Ann Keen told me that I made her proud. She praised me for my confidence to stand up and speak in front of such a big audience,” said Dr. Shaguffa.

“She also said, since I have good communication skills she sees a good politician in me and asked me to give a serious thought of being one. But when I said politics is regarded as “bad thing” in India because of the present corruption, she explained of good things in politics and how we can bring a revolution through the same,” she said.

Dr. Syeda Shaguffa, 24, is a resident of N.R. Mohalla in city, who is doing her MBA in Hospital Management and Health Care Services at the University of Bedfordshire, Luton.

Luton On Sunday, a newspaper in Luton city, had published a news item about Dr. Syeda Shaguffa on May 19 last, which is reproduced here.

Dr. Shaguffa, who did her BDS from Farooqia Dental College in city, has been awarded overseas merit scholarship by the Government of Karnataka.

After her return in April 2014, Dr. Shaguffa plans either to start a own hospital or take up an hospital administrative job, said her father Syed Mushtaq Ahmed, a Consultant Geologist. Dr. Shaguffa’s mother, Nikhat Fathima was a bank employee. She is married to Dr. Nawaz Pasha. Her elder brother Ishraq has studied BBM while two younger brothers, twins, Arshaq and Ishaq are studying 2nd PUC at Vidyashram School in city.

“I miss reading Star of Mysore and eating churmuri here,” said Dr. Shaguffa who is keen to get back to her home town as soon as the course is completed and plans to focus on her dental as well as administrative career.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 06th, 2013

Needle Works to present fashion extravaganza

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Designer Jayanthi Ballal (third from right) is seen with models
Designer Jayanthi Ballal (third from right) is seen with models

Mysore :

Jayanthi Ballal, designer and proprietor of Needle Works, has been hosting exclusive fashion events for the past three years in Mysore. Jayanthi, through Needle Works, launched the first-of-its-kind model hunt in Mysore last year under the aegis of “Fresh Face 2012”. This event launched several aspiring models who went through a whole grooming session before they walked the ramp draped in her creations.

Always one to bring in the latest in fashion to Mysore, Jayanthi and Needle Works are hosting a mega fashion extravaganza at the Mysore Sports Club in city on July 6 and 7.

The two-day extravaganza will bring to Mysore not only the city designers but also famous designers from across the country. Top models of the country shall walk the ramp displaying the creativity of not only local designers but also aspiring designers will get a chance to rub shoulders with top designers of the country.

Bollywood and Sandalwood stars will add the extra oomph to the event by walking down the ramp in the showstoppers of the designers. The models and the stars will walk down the ramp to the beautiful fashion choreography. This is an opportunity for the fashionistas of Mysore to have top quality designs at their doorstep. Exclusive designs will be on sale at the venue.

Bruna Abdulla from Bollywood and Diganth from Sandalwood will be the star attractions at the gala event, according to designer Jayanthi.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 06th, 2013

Mangalore: Nations built on vision of leaders in science – BARC director at SAC

Education, Science & Technology

Mangalore : 

 “Nations are built on the vision, wisdom and intellectual inputs of exceptional leaders in science as well as in other fields. India has today emerged as a strong nation, a resurgent nation as a consequence of a strong foundation in science and technology guided by our great scientists and visionaries,” said Sekar Basu, director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.

He was addressing the third graduation ceremony of St Aloysius College (autonomous) at Loyala Hall here on Saturday June 1. He conferred graduation certificates to 1,452 postgraduate and undergraduate students from science, arts, commerce, management and other streams.

“Students here have graduated at a time when Indian economy is getting integrated with the global economy through the process of globalization. While we are looking forward to a healthy, fast growing economy, it is equally important that economic growth and industrialization remain sustainable. I come from the department of atomic energy and I may recount here some of the efforts of department of atomic energy in this area. The department of atomic energy has been contributing towards enhancing the energy security, health security, environmental security and food and water security of the nation.

“We have been witnessing an impressive growth in GDP. Our per capita electricity consumption is about 600k Whr/yr, compared to world average of about 2000k Whr/yr. India’s population will rise to 1.5 billion by 2050 and we must plan to have a multifold rise in electricity generation. Indian fossil fuel reserves will be exhausted in the next few decades. Renewable energy sources (hydro, wind, solar) along with nuclear will be the options in the long term for growth and sustainability,” he said.

“Agriculture is the principal means of livelihood for over 60% of India’s population. Nuclear technology has played an important role in facilitating the development of mutants with desirable agronomic traits such as higher yields, better tolerance to disease and stresses like drought, salinity etc. India has a very large population suffering from malnutrition, so BARC has developed as many as 41 new crop varieties in oil seeds and pulses that have been released and Gazette notified by Govt  of India for commercial cultivation in different parts of the country , and are very popular among the farmers including in Karnataka. A large amount of groundnuts, mungand urid you all eat comes from the research efforts of scientists at BARC,” he added.

Speaking on the effects of the nuclear energy and its radiation, Basu said, “Radiation technology and nuclear medicine have found increasing application in human healthcare. These include sterilization of medical products using radiation, Blood irradiators Hydro-gel based wound dressings disease diagnosis and therapy using nuclear medicine. We often feel that radiation can cause cancer  However, the real fact is that today radiation is serving as a powerful tool to cure cancer and has given a second life to large number of patients and enhanced the quality of their life. Nuclear programme offers excellent career opportunities to young science and engineering graduates. There is also tremendous scope for the young minds to explore career opportunities in societal applications of nuclear technology in industry.

“The society of tomorrow is going to be fully knowledge-based and knowledge has to be accumulated, transmitted and utilized. Hence every youth should aim at betterment – not only betterment of self but also betterment of society,” he asserted.

Fr Denzil Lobo, vice-president of MJES and rector said, “You have an obligation to society and to serve community. You have to work for society with values of education which have been taught here.”

Francis Serrao, president, Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society (MJES) and Provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province who presided over the ceremony said, “The number of years you spent in college don’t matter but it matters how you spent your valuable years in college. This is not just a college but a temple of knowledge, tower of information, house of formation and it is a place of social and personal transformation. Usually, society concentrates on 3 Ps – power, profit and poise – but our aim should be to achieve concern, commitment, and conscience. Subashchandra Bose said do or die, but now we should do before we die.”

Dr A M Narahari, registrar, Fr Swebert D’ Silva, principal and others were present.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld. com / Home> Top Stories / Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV) / Saturday, June 04th, 2013

Bishop Cotton School boys on mountaineering expedition to Deo Tibba

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Sports

Shimla :

Continuing with its 14-year-old tradition of mountaineering, a five-member team of students of Bishop Cotton School (BCS) embarked upon an expedition to DeoTibba (6,100 mt) near Manali on Saturday.

Led by Mahim Gupta, the team comprises class XI-XII students Sanjeev Sikri, Madhav, Shubham and Anirudh Depta and staff member Dinesh Kumar. “We expect that the expedition would foster a team spirit in us. The aim of the expedition is not just to conquer the peaks, but also to pay homage to the heights and learn about the nuances of nature from it,” the students said in unison before undertaking the expedition.

Spokesperson of BCS, Praveen Dharma, said, “BCS has a long mountaineering tradition which started with expedition to Leo Parigyal in 1999. The significant aspect of the flag off to Deo Tibba was that it coincided with the 154{+t}{+h} annual speech day celebrated on Saturday and the honours were done by old Cottonian and industrialist D C Anand, who was recently knighted by the French republic for improving diplomatic and business relations between India and France.”

BCS has the distinction of having Pargyal Mountaineering Club which was started by Colonel R L Dhaliwal in 1999 and the boys have scaled as many as eleven major peaks till now, sources said. Cottonians hold the distinction of having scaled many peaks with height of over 21,000 ft, including Mt Phawaranga and Mt Frey in  Sikkim  (in 2005), Mt Menthosa (2008), Mt Leopargyal (1999) besides Stok Kangrhi (in 2003) Bidhan Parvat (in 2003), Jaonli and Mt Bandarpunch (2012).

To commemorate the sesquicentennial celebrations, an expedition of 12 boys, along with two staff members, had scaled upto the base camp of Mt Everest and Kalapathar at 18,195 ft in 2009, they said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Education / TNN / June 02nd, 2013

Patapati Chaddi does disappearing act

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

PatapatiBF09jun2013

Mandya is not only known for sugarcane or Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam, but it is also famous for its unique knickers which is also called ‘Mandya Chaddi’. However, with modernisation, it has nearly disappeared in the district.

Mandya Chaddi, which used to be 20 inches in length with loose fitting breeches, used to reach below the knees and tied with a cord around the waist was worn by all the men in the district. They were easily recognised in the crowd from their shorts as it had become traditional attire.

Nanjegowda, an 80-year- old farmer from Hosahalli in Mandya, said as the men used to work in agriculture land, the chaddi was comfortable to wear and work.

“Only during functions, we used to wear lungi on the chaddi, but otherwise all were in Mandya Chaddi with stripes”, he said.

The cloth is usually purchased from either Bangalore or Mysore. In Mysore, once famous ‘Hanneradani Galli’ near Sayyaji Rao Road is famous for cloth merchants. “Only during functions in the house or during festival we used to purchase cloth for the entire family. We used to purchase 15 or 20 mts length single cloth and all the men in the family used to get shorts stitched from the same cloth”, he said and added that now the people prefer trousers rather than chaddi.

A nearly decade ago the shops at the Hanneradani Galli had been demolished and recently Garuda Mall has come up in that place.

Mandya chaddi was also worn for protest. In 1978, the farmers of Mandya conducted Mandya-Bangalore Chaddi Yatra wearing shorts against the then CM D Devaraj Urs for his decision to construct Varuna Canal from KRS to Mysore.

Similarly, in some of the Kannada movies, the actors have worn the chaddi just to woo the farmers from Mandya and other districts to watch the movies.

S R Tailors on 3rd Main Road is one of the oldest tailoring shop in Mandya. Rajesh Pisseya, the owner of the shop, said the people are now ashamed of wearing Mandya Patapati Chaddi.

“However,  there are a few old people in the village, who still come and get the Chaddi stitched,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by B K Lakshimikantha / ENS – Mandya / June 01st, 2013

DFRL Addl. Director is ‘DRDO Scientist of the year’

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
Dr. K. Radhakrishna, Additional Director, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore, is seen receiving the 'DRDO Scientist of the Year Award-2012' from A.K. Antony, Defence Minister, at DRDO Bhavan in New Delhi recently.
Dr. K. Radhakrishna, Additional Director, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore, is seen receiving the ‘DRDO Scientist of the Year Award-2012’ from A.K. Antony, Defence Minister, at DRDO Bhavan in New Delhi recently.

Mysore :

Dr. K. Radhakrishna, Scientist ‘G,’ Additional Director, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore, was conferred with the ‘DRDO Scientist of the Year Award-2012’ at DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) Bhavan in New Delhi recently, for his contribution in developing freeze dried products and test kits for critical missions for Armed Forces and for the space missions.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony presented the award.

Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh, Chief Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Dr. V.K. Saraswath, Chief of Air Staff, Naval Chief, Secretaries from Defence Ministries, Chief Controllers of DRDO, Directors of various DRDO Laboratories and DRDO Scientists from all over the world were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 03rd, 2013

Ham radio can provide communication network during natural calamities : Expert

Science & Technology

 

Ham radio enthusiast R. Sathya Kumar demonstrating the use of the equipment to connect through the internet at Institution of Engineers in city this morning.
Ham radio enthusiast R. Sathya Kumar demonstrating the use of the equipment to connect through the internet at Institution of Engineers in city this morning.

Mysore :

In an effort to popularise amateur radio, the Indian Institute of Hams, in association with the Institution of Engineers, organised a seminar on Ham (Amateur) Radio at the Institution of Engineers premises this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Indian Institute of Hams Director S. Sathyapal said that Ham Radio can be used to connect to multiple operators through the internet. Though Ham radio technology is there ever since the days of Marconi, albeit in a nascent stage, it is still not popular in our country, he said.

He said that youth from the age of 12 years are eligible to get the licence from the Ministry of Communication and IT after passing an examination.

“After getting the licence, any person can set up his or her own radio station at their residence and can communicate with people worldwide. The system is also useful at the time of natural disasters, to keep an eye on the relief operations,” he added.

Sathyapal also invited youths to come forward to learn about the technology and also take up Ham as a hobby to build a strong volunteers’ team to assist the authorities at the time of disasters and also on other occasions.

He mentioned that the lifetime fee for the licence is Rs. 2,000, which enables people to setup their own radio stations. Sathyapal also mentioned that the Indian Institute of Hams would be conducting a crash course for interested people.

People would be taught basic electronics, operating procedures, radio rules and regulations at the classes which will be held for two days and the subjects will be taught for six hours every day. The dates for the crash course will be announced in the coming days, depending upon the response, said Sathyapal.

The institute had also organised a contest today to popularise the use of amateur radio, wherein people getting maximum con-tacts would be awarded prizes.

During the seminar, Marcus, Head of Training, Indian Institute of Hams, spoke about the history of Ham.

Institution of Engineers Mysore Chairman Dr. T. Ananthapadmanabha, Jnanavani Assistant Manager V.M. Jagadish and others were present.

What is Ham radio?

Amateur radio (also called Ham radio) is the use of de-signated radio frequency spe-ctrum for private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experi-mentation, self-training, and emergency communication.

The amateurs are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 02nd, 2013

Fuzone Lifestyle Exhibition – Indian Fashion and Design

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Fuzone Lifestyle Exhibition is delighted to present the finest in Indian design and fashion on 8th and 9th of June at the Lalit Ashok, Bangalore.

The exhibition will showcase a range of products from kurtas and sarees to jewelry, bags and accessories to home decor elements. The displays will focus on high quality, aesthetically superior products that will cover a variety of price brackets.
Highlights of the event include artistic hand crafted creations by veteran designer Preeti Jhawa, chic ensembles by Vasavi Shah, exquisite clothing and accessories from Mulberry Blue and gorgeous jewelry by S Mehra Jewellers Delhi.

The exhibition will be open between 10:30 am to 8:00pm. Entry is free.

When: June 8th and 9th

Where: Lalit Ashok, Bangalore

Time: 10:30 am to 8 pm

Entry is free.

Innovation, key to a new era in sculpture

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

 

Abhilash taking a look at his art work depicting 'Birth,' creation of life. Pictures centre and right show two of his art works on display at CAVA.
Abhilash taking a look at his art work depicting ‘Birth,’ creation of life. Pictures centre and right show two of his art works on display at CAVA.

To create an innovative piece of art is to work towards an idea that stands out and who better to talk to than our very own sculptors of Mysore. Whether it is stone carving or metal casting, junk scrap metal welding or fiberglass molding, these artists have created a whole new platform of creative thinking and innovation in the field of sculpture.

Meet A.R. Manjunath, a sculptor par excellence who hails from Mysore. As a child, he found his calling in art and followed it. He completed his undergraduate degree BFA in painting from CAVA (Chamarajendra Government College of Visual Arts) but chose to pursue his Master’s in Sculpture and ever since there has been no stopping for this artist.

He chose stone as his main medium to work with and when he works his touch turns them into meaningful pieces of art that speaks out loud let alone standing out. His work has never been simple carving but each work has a distinctive idea behind it. In some sculptures the use of metal is seen and they are not just an add on, but fully part of an idea to bring in life. Another peculiar feature of Manjunath’s work is that they have different shades and textures on different faces of the same stonework. He is currently working on transforming waste rocks into creative pieces of art.

H.P. Abhilash, another sculptor from Mysore, brings in the word creativity and innovation in his art. He is currently an MFA student in CAVA who completed his BFA from the same institution in 2011. This sculptor uses scrap metals to create wonders bringing in meaning to junk and scrap metal as he creates ideas that strike a thought in the minds of people.

His recent work speaks for itself. The concept of ‘Birth’ has been moulded artistically to show the creation of life in a story that stands apart. The use of stone and metal rods to describe the process of a birth is marvellous.

Another sculptor who has broken all odds and made her way to the top is Dr. Geethanjali, a well-known sculptor from Mysore. She is a great example of achievement and passion of a woman in a field like sculpture where men are said to have failed. Her achievements and awards would exceed words but that does not stop this humble and passionate artist from doing what she loves.

She completed her BFA from CAVA in 1999 and did her MFA in Kalabhavan, Vishwabharathi Shantiniketan in West Bengal in 2001 and became the first sculptor in Karnataka to receive a Master’s degree in sculpture. She went on to complete her Ph.D in 2008 at Kannada University, also making her the first sculptor in Karnataka to hold a Ph.D. Her awards are many, one of them is the Karnataka Shilpakala Academy award in 2005.

She has also attended ten stone camps around India and exhibited her special skills and innovative ideas in sculptures. The chisel and hammer in her hand are her instruments to her creative thinking. She currently works as a guest faculty in CAVA and lighting designer for amateur drama groups.

As the saying goes, ‘as is the teacher so are the students,’ she proves the saying can be applied to the world of sculpture as well. Her recent work is 20ft cement work for the drama ‘Arya Dravida’ in Kagemanti near Mandya.

These sculptors have brought in a new light to the world of sculpture and will continue to break all odds to create works of art that speak ideas that would make a difference in this era where actions speak louder than words.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Sharon Nisha Patrick / June 01st, 2013