Author: wellnmed@gmail.com

** Winning verses

Having recently won the ‘Poet of India’ title on a poetry reality show, this Bengalurean shares his deep connection with writing.

From the time he can remember, Amandeep Singh, a city-based IT professional, has been expressing his thoughts and emotions through poetry.

It’s no surprise then that Singh recently walked away with the title Sau Karod ka Kavi (Poet of India) for 2021 on India’s first poetry reality show Sau Karod Ka Kavi.

A performance poet and storyteller, Singh, who hails from Patna, grew up writing poems since the age of nine. “I used to change the lyrics of Bollywood songs keeping the music intact.

Bengaluru / Patna

** VTU signs MoU with Bengaluru’s AFTC

The Air Force Technical College (AFTC), Bengaluru, has entered into an agreement with Belagavi-based VTU to award postgraduate degrees in Aeronautical Engineering to Indian Air force officers.

Air Commodore Biji Philip, Commandant of AFTC, and A.S. Deshpande, Registrar, VTU, signed a MoU in Belagavi on Friday.

The two institutions will jointly offer MTech programme in Aeronautical Engineering. The degree will be awarded with six different specialisations and will follow all AICTE and VTU norms.

** Remembering the work of Fa.Gu. Halakatti

Amid the COVID-19 restrictions, several organisations across North Karnataka region held symbolic programmes on Friday remembering the contributions of Fa.Gu. Halakatti, the man credited with ‘reviving Lingayatism’ through his efforts of collecting and publishing ‘vachanas’ in the first half of the 20th century.

** Once he used to chop trees, now he paints wildlife

In his childhood, Nagaraj D. would often go into Jogimatti forest area in Chitradurga every day to collect firewood. A couple of times, forest officials caught him and punished him for trespass, locking him up in their guest house for an hour. Now, Nagaraj of Nagu Arts is invited by the Forest Department all over Karnataka to draw paintings depicting wildlife.

The 52-year-old artist has done at least 500 paintings on structures belonging to the Forest Department to spread awareness about wildlife.

** National Doctors’ Day: Miyar gram panchayat gets an ambulance

Miyar Gram Panchayat in Karkala taluk got a dedicated ambulance thanks to an initiative of the Cardiology At Doorsteps (CAD) Foundation to mark National Doctors’ Day on July 1.

Padmanabha Kamath, founder of CAD Foundation Trust, said Miyar GP becomes the first panchayat in India to have its own ECG machine, telemedicine unit and a dedicated ambulance. Each member of the panchayat contributed ₹1,000 from their salary for the initiative, he said.

** Rohan Bopanna-Sania Mirza pair wins historic all-Indian Wimbledon match

It was the first time in open era that two Indian teams competed against each other at a Grand Slam tournament.
The experienced pair of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza defeated the brand new combination of Ramkaumar Ramanathan and Ankita Raina 6-2 7-6 (5) in the historic all-Indian mixed doubles first round match at the Wimbledon here on Friday.

It was the first time in open era that two Indian teams competed against each other at a Grand Slam tournament.

** Science writer Dr. Sudhindra Haldodderi passes away

Senior aeronautical scientist and science communicator in Kannada Dr. Sudhindra Haldodderi, 61, passed away in Bengaluru on July 2.

** Editor of Sanskrit newspaper passes away

K.V. Sampath Kumar, 64, editor of Sudharma, reckoned to be the country’s and the world’s only Sanskrit daily, passed away in Mysuru on Wednesday afternoon following cardiac arrest.

He, along with his wife Vidushi K.S. Jayalakshmi, were awarded the Padma Shri in 2020 by the government in recognition of their untiring efforts to keep the publication alive against all odds

Sampath Kumar had taken over the mantle from his father Pandit K.N. Varadaraja Iyengar who had launched Sudharma in 1970, and ensured that the publication reached its readers. He worked as a reporter, proof-reader, editor and publisher.