Author: wellnmed@gmail.com

** In a first, Karnataka HC upholds charges framed against man for raping wife

In a first, the High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday upheld rape charges framed against a husband by a trial court for brutal sexual assault on his wife.

“…Rape is a rape, be it performed by a man, the ‘husband’, on the woman, ‘wife’,” the court said, while refusing to accept the contention of the accused-husband that acts alleged against the husband fell under exception granted to a man for his sexual acts with wife under Section 375 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the order while dismissing the 46-year-old husband’s petition. The charge framed in 2018 against the husband for alleged rape of his wife, in the peculiar facts of this case, did not warrant any interference as it was a matter of trial, the High Court said.

th

** Prof CNR Rao conferred Energy Frontiers 2020 award by CM

 Eminent scientist and Bharat Ratna Awardee Prof CNR Rao was conferred the Energy Frontiers 2020 award by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday.

The Italy Government’s prestigious Energy Frontiers Award is considered the Nobel prize for the Energy Sector and Prof Rao is the first recipient of the award from entire Asia.

Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research Chairman Prof GU Kulkarni, noted scientist Dr Indumati Rao and other dignitaries were present.

dw

** Karnataka’s bio-economy to reach $50 billion by 2025

Karnataka is the third-largest producer of bio-fuels among the States which have reached 9% blending of petrol in 2021, he said, adding that the State’s Bio-tech industry crossed $180 million in R&D spend. A total of 95 bio-tech start-ups were set up in Karnataka in 2021, averaging almost 8 start-ups every month, the Minister stated.

Karnataka has emerged as the preferred destination for bio-tech investments in India. At present, the State hosts about 60% of the bio-tech companies in India and employs about 54% of the country’s total bio-tech workforce, according to Mr. Narayan.

Also, the bio-technology industry in the State has been at the forefront of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic by developing and deploying a variety of anti-virals, diagnostic tests, and administering vaccines. For instance; the State provided 2.3 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines per day totaling 86.4 million doses in 2021, he added.

th

** ‘Mahad agitation India’s first civil rights movement’

Comparing the Mahad Satyagraha of 1927 with the Dandi March of 1930, progressive thinker and social activist Shivasundar has held that the former was against feudal oppression at home by Brahminism and the latter against external colonial oppression of the British.

“We are taught of the Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi against exploitation by British colonialism. But, we are seldom taught of the Mahad movement led by B.R. Ambedkar against caste-based oppression by the so-called upper castes.

th

** Digital campaign ‘Namma Jalamarga’ to mark World Water Day in Bengaluru

Campaign to raise awareness on the importance of storm water drains

In a bid to spread awareness among people about the importance of caring for storm water drains, The Anonymous India Charitable Trust (TAICT) is launching a digital campaign ‘Namma Jalamarga’ on Tuesday, marking World Water Day.

“Our waterways are irreplaceable. Today, Bengaluru is in a crisis to protect and maintain this beautiful network of lakes and waterways as the fast growth in the last three decades has put the entire system in jeopardy. What we see around us most of the time is that our waterways are clogged up with filth, polluted with sewage or encroached upon instead of using this beautiful system as it is supposed to be. Other cities around the world use their canal systems to bring them joy,” TAICT said in a release.

th

** Biocon founder elected Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw will be joining RSE’s current Fellowship of around 1,700 Fellows who are recognised as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon and Biocon Biologics, has been elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw will be joining RSE’s current Fellowship of around 1,700 Fellows who are recognised as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland.

th

**Wins Medal In Biathlon

Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda from Kodagu district has won two silver medals in 10-km and 5-km race in the National Winter Biathlon Championships-2022 being held at Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.

For the first time in the history, an athlete from South India has won a national medal in winter biathlon competition.

Bhavani is seen receiving the prize from one of the dignitaries during the presentation ceremony. (Biathlon is a combination of shooting and cross country skiing.)

som

** Udupi: Kasturba Hospital presents Dr T M A Pai Arogya Sevak Awards, launches Privilege Card

The Kasturba Hospital Manipal, a well-known healthcare institution worldwide is now reaching a milestone year of its existence. For the past 60 years, Kasturba Hospital has been providing world class healthcare.

On this mile stone year, the hospital management has planned yearlong activities to highlight patient centricity, engagement activities with the general public, corporates, doctors and relationship building activities in the communities. The celebrations will be held under the tagline, “Patient First Always Since 1962.”

The prestigious Dr T M A Pai Arogya Sevak Awards were presented to Dr Shaila S Nayak from Karkala, Dr Girish Shenoy from Karkala, Dr Krishnadeva Kalkura from Udupi, Dr N Sureshchandra Shetty from Mandarthi and Dr Ampar Vasanth Kumar Shetty from Kundapura.

** Mangaluru: First ever three-day Konkani theatre fest by Natto’k Gho’r from Mar 25

‘Natto’k Gho’r’, a team of like minded theatre artistes, announced its first ever Konkani Theater festival which will be held from March 25 to 27 at the Don Bosco Hall in city.

The inauguration of the three-day theatre festival will be held on March 25 at 6 PM with a play, “Muja Puthacho Kinkulo” directed by Vikas Kalakul. Maand Group will present this drama. ‘Hando Utla’, a known drama of Late Chafra will be presented on the same day by Asthithva (R), Mangaluru. The play will be directed by Denis Monthiero.