Author: wellnmed@gmail.com

** IISc-incubated startup Azooka develops India’s first indigenous bio-sample collection kit

It is a biological transport and storage medium that would help in preserving genetic content in all types of biological samples

Azooka Labs, a startup incubated by the Society for Innovation and Development at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.),has launched mWRAPR, a biological transport and storage medium for genomic sequencing labs, biobanks, and research labs handling biological samples for molecular analysis.

The company claims that mWRAPR is India’s first indigenous bio-sample kit, a biological transport and storage medium that would help in preserving genetic content in all types of biological samples, including microbiomes, saliva, cells, tissues, blood, body fluids, and fecal tubes.

** Fortis Hospital launches Karnataka’s first IORT treatment for breast cancer

IORT is a single dose of radiation given to selected cancer patients, mostly at an early stage of cancer or low-risk cancer.

A team of doctors led by Dr Sandeep Nayak, Director-Surgical Oncology, Dr Nisha Vishnu, Consultant – Radiation Oncology at the Institute have already performed four IORT procedures on patients with early-stage breast cancers from December 2021 to January 2022.

** Nrityagiri Calendar Released

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji is seen releasing the 2022 calendar brought out by Nrityagiri Academy of Performing Arts and Research Centre on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee celebrations recently.

The calendar featured 15 photographs captured by Senior Journalist Shiva Subramanya.

Nrityagiri Founder-Director Dr. Kripa Phadke, her husband Vijay Kumar, brother Divakar Phadke, Natyacharya Prof. K. Ramamurthy Rao, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Publication Division Director Prof. Morabada Mallikarjun, Hon. Editor Purnananda and others were present.

** 2nd Runners-Up In Judo

Judo Men’s team of National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysuru, secured 2nd Runners-up in the team championship in VTU Inter-Collegiate Mysuru Zone Judo Championships 2021-22 organised by at VDIT, Haliyal, from Dec. 15 to 17, 2021.

Seen are (standing from right) B.V. Praveen Kumar (bronze), Mohammed Sohail and Sharanu (silver); (sitting from right) R. Kavya, Physical Education Director, Dr. K. Pushpalatha, Chairperson, NIE Sports Committee, Dr. N.V. Raghavendra, Principal, NIE and R. Sharath, Captain (gold medal).

** Individuals offering funds for heritage conservation in Karnataka

Their contribution is in addition to the PPP model and corporate initiatives

The Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage is encouraging public private participation in conservation and restoration of monuments in Karnataka, and the response is encouraging.

Ms. Poornima said the PPP model has encouraged lot of private players and individuals to pitch in for the cause of conservation. The Department, in association with Sri Dharmasthala Manjunateshwara Dharmothana Trust, has conserved 184 temples so far across Karnataka.

She said the PPP model provides funds of up to ₹10 lakh per monument of which 40% will be provided by the department, 40% has to be pitched in by the organisation taking up the conservation project while 20% has to be borne by the local community.

In addition to the PPP model, conservation initiatives have been taken by corporates. This includes restoration of the Panchakalyani at Melukote (Melkote) at a cost of ₹6 crore by the Infosys Foundation. Conservation and restoration has been taken by the TVS Group of Prasanna Krishnaswamy temple and Sri Mahabaleshwara temple in Mysuru, while the Chandramouleshwara temple at Hampi was restored by the Jindal group, said Ms. Poornima.

Apart from the PPP model and corporate initiatives, individuals too have pitched in with funds. This includes the construction of the Rajagopura of Sri Yoganarasimhaswamy temple at Melukote and restoration of Sri Gunja Narasimhaswamy tempe at T. Narsipura.

The Commissioner said there were 844 monuments under the protection of the State Archaeology Department. The 3D Mapping and Laser Scanning of these monuments is nearing completion. The project has been taken up in association with Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology.

** Security guards feted for averting theft in Whitefield apartment complex in Bengaluru

Whitefield police feted two security guards of a private apartment complex who, despite being under attack, foiled a theft and nabbed one among four thieves who had gone to Sanvi Sankalp apartment complex on January 29.

Padam Bora and Jagat Bora were deployed at the apartment complex for night duty. They noticed that a gang had gained entry into the complex. They were stealing footwear and valuables kept at the entrance of apartments

** Udupi: Film director Girish Kasaravalli conferred with ‘Vishwaprabha’ award

 Samskriti Vishwa Prathishtana, Udupi, conferred the ‘Vishwaprabha’ award- 2022 to well-known film director Girish Kasaravalli on Monday, January 31, at Muddana Mantapa in MGM College in Udupi.

The award is instituted by Udupi Vishwanath Shenoy and Prabhavathi Shenoy to felicitate artistes in recognition of their contributions to the promotion of Kannada and culture. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lac and a citation.

** Award to encourage original research on women’s mental health by OBGs

Minds United for Health Sciences and Humanity, a NGO also known as Minds United Trust, has instituted an award for original research on women’s health by postgraduate OBG or obstetrician-gynaecologist students.

As mentioned in the book that the proceedings from the royalty will be reserved for work in women’s mental health, it had been decided to institute an annual award for OBG postgraduate medical student in Karnataka for original research in women’s mental health.

The submission of the original research in women’s mental health for the Smt. Vimala Kulkarni Award with cash prize, certificate and memento should be before November 30 every year, the statement from Minds United Trust added.