** On top of the world

Just having returned after climbing Russia’s Mt Elbrus, this Bengaluru-based model tells CE about the rigorous ground preparation for her expedition

Mohanty,  the winner of Mrs India Global Universe and first runner-up of Mrs Karnataka, is now gearing up for an expedition of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa (5,895 mt) as part of the seven summits, hosted by India-based mountaineering company Boots & Crampons. She believes that women should take up hiking and mountaineering. “My goal is to cheer more women to take up such sports,” says Mohanty.

 

** Mangaluru: New look, old style of Bunder North station

Bunder police station, the landmark brick-red heritage building on Azizuddin Road in Mangaluru, is looking fresh and new, its coat of old-world charm intact.

Located near the Old Port, the 132-year-old police station is the city’s last standing police station established during the colonial era, and is built in typical colonial-style architecture, with a gabled roof and high ceiling.

The busy Azizuddin Road and the adjoining lanes make up the busy commercial area of Bunder, where buildings and walls are built in grainy Mangalore brick. You can smell the sea salt here.

** For better or for verse

Having published 61 poems as part of her book, Echoes of Soulful Poems, this city-based 12-year-old has been conferred the title of ‘Youngest Poetess in India’ by the India Book of Records.

The lockdown due to the pandemic gave many opportunities to children to hone their creative skills. Some like Amana, a Class 8 student studying in Bishop Cotton Girls’ School, utilised the time to create a record in the field of literature.

The Bengaluru girl now holds the title of the  ‘Youngest Poetess in the India ’ by the Book of Records for publishing a book Echoes of Soulful Poems containing 61 poems, at the age of 12 years, five months and 10 days. Her work has also gotten recognised in the Asia Book of Records for which she has been given the title of the ‘Grand Master’ for writing poems at a young age. Her entry into the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records were confirmed on July 26 and July 27, 2021, respectively.

** New plant found in Tumakuru takes the district’s name

B. tumakurense comes from a tuber and belongs to the Apocynaceae family of flowering plants.

A new plant of the Brachystelma R.Br. species has been found in Tumakuru, and has been named after the district from where its type material was collected. ‘B. tumakurense’ comes from a tuber and belongs to the Apocynaceae family (a family of flowering plants).

The findings were published recently in ‘RHEEDEA Journal of the Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy’ by Gundappa B.V. from the Wildlife Aware Nature Club, Tumakuru; Sringeswara A.N. and Vishwanath S. from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK Campus – Bengaluru; and P. Venu from the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute – Hyderabad.

** Udupi: Veteran ‘kaddayi’ artiste Guruva Koraga passes away at 105

Hailing from Guddeangadi of Hiriyadka, Guruva started playing kaddayi (dollu) at the age of 12 years. He was also into farming and weaving baskets.

He was recognized at the national level in 1988 through Mangaluru Akashavani. He had dedicated his life to conservation of rich heritage and culture. He worked hard for the conservation of tribal cultures.

** Indian yoga teacher in UAE sets 3 world records during COVID pandemic

She has set two records in the India Book of Records and one in the Canada Book of Records.

Bhagya Puttalingappa, a native of Karnataka, has been practising yoga since the age of eight and her childhood passion earned her not only a double place in the India Book of Records, but she also earned a spot in the Canada Book of Records.

In the India Book of Records, Bhagya holds one record for performing Shirshasana (head standing pose) on a chair for one minute and seven seconds and another record for performing the maximum yoga poses standing on her head for one minute.

** They saw India gain freedom at the stroke of midnight hour

The dawn of freedom on August 15, 1947, brought great joy to the people of India. TNSE speaks to old-timers who recall the day and the euphoric celebrations, and what it means to them.

Dr M N Channabasappa (91), Director, Siddaganga Institute of Technology (SIT), Tumakuru
When India got Independence, I was studying in Class 4 at the Government Middle School at Kyathasandra.

As a young boy, I got a sense of freedom as the elders were dancing merrily and a ‘jatha’ was also organised on that day. The head of the Siddaganga Mutt and ‘Walking God’ Sri Shivakumara Swamiji had got sweet ‘payasam’ prepared and served to us at the Mutt. Institutions were decorated with mango and plantain leaves on that day.

 

 

** Issur gave its blood for independence, but still awaits attention

Mere mention of the name kindles a sense of patriotism, determination and passion. Issur village in Shivamogga district, also known as Eesuru, has a rich legacy of being in the forefront of the fight from freedom. Hundreds of men and women from this village were jailed and five of the freedom fighters were hanged at the Bengaluru central prison in 1942.

The reason: The village had declared itself independent from British rule. The villagers also stopped the government officials from entering the village and during a scuffle, a police official and a revenue official were killed.