First Woman from Karnataka to Climb on Top – Mount Everest : October 2012

Captain Smitha Lakshmana, Bangalore

May 25th, 2012.  20-year old Smitha Lakshmana, a Captain in the Indian Army completed the rare feat of climbing Mount Everest, as a part of the ‘Indian Army Women’s Everest Expedition – 2012’

Smitha was one amongst 22 selected from 659 participants, and one of the 17 who were selected for the final climbing expedition. The trekking from Jari near Kathmandu started on May 25th.

From the base camp it took about 40 days to reach the summit and get back. Smitha Lakshmana and her team reached the peak around 4 am of May 25th, 2012

Smitha Lakshmana is from Bangalore. A Computer Engineer from Dayanand Sagar College. She did her schooling in Vijaya Junior School, Jayanagar. Her parents are from Devalapura hobli, Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya District. Her younger brother is an agriculturist.

Karnataka’s First ‘Fossil’ Store launched in Bangalore : July 2014

Fossil India Pvt. Ltd., Orion Mall, RajajiNagar, Bangalore

July 2014. Fossil launched its first Bangalore store in one of city’s popular retail hubs – Orion Mall, RajajiNagar.

The product categories retailed in India range from its signature line of timepieces, eyewear, leather products and accessories.

This is Fossil’s 2nd store in India.

Fossil India Pvt Ltd. is a 100% subsidiary of the Texas based American luxury brand Fossil Inc.

Vasant Nangia, Mangaging Director

Karnataka’s First ‘DC Design’ showroom sets shop in Bangalore : 2013

DC Design,Inner Ring Road, Ejipura, Koramangala

May 2013. Dilip Chhabria renowned Automobile Designer inaugrated Bangalore’s first exclusive high-street design ‘DC Design’ showroom in the IT capital.

The showroom will showcase the automobile design pioneer – Dilip Chhabria’s award winning and innovative designs.

The exclusive showroom was launched in a joint-venture with Emvee Dreamz Drive, Bangalore.

Briefs:

The inaugration also unveiled the first ever Indian supercar the ‘Avanti’. The Avanti’s market share manufactured in Pune is aimed at high-street design and low volume.

Also on display were 2 of his latest wheels. A customised Renault Duster and a Hyundai i20 which feature avant-garde modifications.

Dilip Chhabria – Chairman and Managing Director, DC Designs

India’s First e-Book editions of ‘History & Culture of Indian People’ released : September 2014

e-Book editions ‘History & Culture of Indian People’ in English and Kannada 

September 25th, 2014 (Thursday). e- Book editions of both the books were launched by His Excellency Governor Vajubhai Vala in presence of BVB Bangalore Chairman N. Ramanuja, Mysore Chairman Prof. A. Narasimhaurty and former Governor Rama Jois.

11-Volumes – English original of ‘The History & Culture of the Indian People’. Translation for the first time in Kannada of the same in 25-Volumes was under the Chief Editorship of Prof.A.V. Narasimhamurthy.

Published in English originally by ‘Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) considered a magnum opus of Kulapati Dr.K.M. Munshi.

The entire project of the e-book in a single disc was supported financially by M.P.Birla Institute of Management and the technical project was undertaken by Sriranga Digitals.

Karnataka’s First Company with permission for Charkha : 2011

Swadesh Enterprises, Bangalore

2011. Swadeshi is the only company in Karnataka to obtain permission from ‘Khadi Bhandar Sabarmati’, Gujarat to manufacture Charkhas (spinning wheel).

Sri Charan Bhaskarachar started the venture 3 years ago. The Bangalore based company has the production unit in Banavara, Chikmagalur district.

Swadeshi employs 25 people and crafts a range of 6 models of miniature charkhas.

Demand and sales are as mementos at public functions and exports worldwide through consulates and embassies.

India’s First Electric Bus launched in Bangalore : February 2014

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Bangalore

Banglore City’s BMTC has taken the initiative to launch the first electric bus on Indian roads, plying the busy route of the Majestic-Kadugodi road. The charging point for the bus is at the Volvo depot, Majestic.

This eco-friendly electric bus is on a free of cost, 3-month trial courtesy of the Chinese company ‘Build Your Dream’ (BYD) brought to India by Utopia Pvt. Ltd.

The vehicle has zero emission, operates on a battery lasting 5 hours and covers a distance of upto 250 Km.

 

First Mangalorean to win ‘The English Asian Business Award’ : 2014

Keith Lobo

Keith Lobo is the first British businessman of Indian-Mangalorean origin to win the prestigious Lloyds Banking Group English Asian Business Award 2014.

The 3rd Annual Award was held at a glittering ceremony at The Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester (U.K) on September 29th, 2014.

Keith Lobo is married to Sushma Lobo and is the son of Richard Lobo and Christine Lobo.

LOBO Meat and Poultry is based in the heart of London, off Kent Road and is a producer of high quality meat products at EC approved plant. It is also a supplier of variety of meat and poultry products (www.lobomeat.com)

India’s First Red Bull Flutag. September 2014.

1st Red Bull Flutag, Sankey Tank, Bangalore

September 28th, 2014, Sankey Tank in Sadashivnagar, Bangalore played a full-house host to over 10,000 fun lovers and Bangaloreans today.

36 human-powered flying machines took off from a high flight deck placed 22-feet above the lake. The Winner was ‘Visar-Jet’ from Mumbai. First Runner-Up ‘Talpade’ (Bangalore) and 2nd Runner-Up was ‘Majestic Beast’ (Nagpur).

Bangalore was the city of choice to launch the 1st ever Red Bull Flutag in India making it the 141st edition edition. With this India has joined the list of 47 countries worldwide.

Red Bull Flutag:

An international event where participants (teams of 4) are required to build a human-powered aircraft and fly it off an elevated ramp that extends into a water body. The 1st Red Bull Flutag took place in Vienna, Austria in 1992. A decade later in the U.S. Subsequently over 140 editions have been held across the world.

Sankey Tank, Bangalore:

1882. Created in the 18th century it is one of Bangalore’s leading land marks.

First Woman SP of Kodagu District, Karnataka : August 2014

Vartika Katiyar

August 2014. Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer, Vartika Katiyar took charge as the new Superintendent of Police (SP) – of Kodagu district, Madikeri.

Earlier she was Additional SP of Gokak (Belgaum district) and now replaces her predecessor M.N. Anucheth whose new posting is Chitradurga.

Vartika Katiyar a native of Uttar Pradesh is an Officer of the 2010 batch.