** New Skoda Kushaq model unveiled

The new Skoda Kushaq model was unvieled at the Tafe Assessment showroom on St. Mark’s Road in the city on July 12 by Damodar L., head of TAFE Assessment Branch.

There are more opportunities now in the luxury travel market for customers, said Mr. Damodar. Kushaq is available in two engine variants, 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI, and in five colours, a release from the company said.

** ISRO conducts hot test of liquid propellant Vikas engine for Gaganyaan

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday successfully conducted the third long-duration hot test of the liquid propellant Vikas engine for the Gaganyaan programme, the country’s first manned mission to space.

The test was done for the core L110 liquid stage of the human rated GSLV MkIII vehicle, as part of the engine qualification requirements for the Gaganyaan programme, the space agency said in a statement.

** In Karnataka, a silent revolution with bananas

Farming communities in Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka are demonstrating that much more than banana bread — the flavour of the first year of lockdown — can be made with the fruit.

In rain-rich Karnataka, banana cultivation is common but farmers have no control over prices. “Merchants categorise the fruit into first and second quality. It was being bought at ₹4 and ₹5 per kg during the lockdown. The farmers were forced to take back the seconds. When there is a glut, distress sales are common in this region,” says farm educator Shree Padre.

Now, homemakers are helping these farmers by experimenting with banana flour, which can be used for everything from dosas to gulab jamun.

** Restoration of 105-year-old Doddajala heritage railway station in Bengaluru gets underway

Four railway stations are to be restored for the Bengaluru Division by the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), a non-profit associated with the Archeological Survey of India

** Period. Time to go green

The buzz word in recent times is sustainability, and Bengaluru girl Guhar Goyal, who is one of the finalists of the Future Leaders programme by 1M1B Foundation, recognises this.

Which is why she is creating awareness about sustainable menstrual solutions, hygiene problems and the risk to the environment caused by sanitary pads. All this through her project ‘Green Periods’. The 17-year-old is a part of the programme by 1M1B Foundation (Million for 1 Billion)-a United Nations accredited nonprofit organisation that aims to activate one million young leaders who will impact one billion people for a sustainable planet.

** Govt schoolboys from Bengaluru to be involved in launching satellite for 75th Independence Day in 2022

In a note to media persons, the Deputy CM said that the launch of 75 satellites which the students are involved in will be part of the 75th independence day celebrations.

The Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayana on Thursday said that students of the government boys high school, Malleshwaram will be part of the satellite launch programme in 2022.

He said that the school will be the first government high school in India to launch a satellite.

** This English professor has a penchant to make films

Jerrin Chandan is the head of the English Department at St. Joseph’s Evening College, Bengaluru. Chandan, a voracious reader, has a passion for films.

** Moodbidri: TASC, BAC felicitate Musa Sherif on Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award nomination

Tribhuvan Automotive Sports Club (TASC) and Bedra Adventures Club (BAC), Moodbidri congratulated Musa Sherif for being nominated for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, 2021 by the Federation of Motorsports Corporation India (FMSCI).

With over 30 years on the track, Musa is the most dependable navigator for any driver in India. To date, he has navigated for over 50 drivers on various terrains, across the globe. Winning hundreds of laurels on the way. Winner of over 7 national championships, Musa has represented India in over 200 podiums and over 100 wins, which include the victory in IRC Championship 2012, INSUV Championship 2013, Asia Zone 4×4 Championship, APRC2 Asia Cup and the UAE FWD Class Championship (thrice).