Category: Amazing Feats

President presents award to Naadada Navaneeta director, producer

President Droupadi Murmu presented the Rajat Kamal Award for the documentary film ‘Naadada Navaneeta Pandit Dr. Venatesh Kumar’, produced by the Department of Information and Public Relations and directed by Girish Kasaravalli, at a function held at Vignan Bhavan, on Friday evening.

The Karnataka Department of Information and Public Relations Joint Director D.P. Muralidhar received the award on behalf of the department as producer, and Mr. Kasavalli as director, said a press release.

The film has been adjudged the best art and culture film in the non-feature film category at the 68th National Film Awards for 2020. The award consists of a cash component of ₹50,000 each for the producer and the director.

th

Two-day ‘Techceleration 2022’ to promote Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi cluster

Taking forward the ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ concept, a two-day event initiated and coordinated by Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) will be held in Hubballi on Sunday and Monday to display the progress achieved so far and deliberate upon the way forward.

Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Saturday, the CEO of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission Sanjeev Gupta said that the event named ‘Techceleration-2022’ would  bring together the entire ecosystem of industry leaders, start-ups and businesses to showcase the growth so far, the opportunities available and the road map ahead. “What is even more important is that we will see venture capitalists investing in the start-up ideas from Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi belt,” he said.

th

Young entrepreneur comes up with ‘Made in Hubballi’ pistol

Ankush Koravi to showcase India’s first indigenous pistol at Defence Expo in Gujarat

A mechanical engineering graduate from Hubballi, Ankush Koravi, who took the less trodden path, has now come up with the country’s first indigenous pistol. He is among the select few to get invited to the Defence Expo being conducted by the Union government at Gandhinagar in Gujarat in September.

Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Tuesday, Ankush Koravi, who is now the CEO of Astr Defence Private Limited, said that he will be showcasing the indigenously developed ATAL Modular Pistol at the Indian Pavilion of Defence Expo organised by the Ministry of Defence.

He said that he had showcased his assault rifle at the Defence Expo in 2020 and had test fired the weapon at DGQA (Defence) firing range.

Mr. Koravi said that his new product ATAL Modular Pistol had three inbuilt safety mechanisms making it the safest carry pistol in the world. The patent for its unique safety mechanism is pending.

He said that the ergonomics of the pistol has been tailor-made for Indian user and Indian conditions and it could be reconfigured to adapt to various applications like duty use, carry use and conceal use.

“It is designed with minimal parts for reliability. It features an alloy steel slide, polymer frame with three magazine capacity (15, 17 and 21) options. It has been designed for two calibres, 9x 19 mm for duty use and 0.32 inch for licensed citizens,” he said.

Elaborating on his four-year journey of setting up a defence startup with a scalable production unit, Mr. Koravi said that now the startup has its own manufacturing facility, licensed and approved, at Kadanakoppa in Kalghatgi taluk near Hubballi.

“The product will have ‘Made in Hubballi’ etched on it as every part of it has been indigenously designed and developed,” he said.

Major (Retd) Anand C.S. and Subedar (Retd) Ningappa, who were among the ex-servicemen who guided and helped Mr. Koravi in developing the product and improving it, said that it was great to see a young entrepreneur from Hubballi developing high quality arms, with his base as Hubballi.

President of Karnatak Chamber of Commerce Vinay Javali said that it was heartening to see a young entrepreneur from Hubballi being invited for the Defence Expo and the KCCI will extend all necessary assistance to him.

KCCI office-bearers, Executive Director of Astr Lokesh Koravi, HDMC councillor Rajanna Koravi and others were present.

th

Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Horticultural Research tops the list of 93 ICAR institutes in national ranking

Plant varieties and technologies developed by Institute located in Hessarghatta is contributing about ₹13,000 crore a year to country’s exchequer

Bengaluru has got one more feather in its cap with the Hesaraghatta-based Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) being ranked top among institutions run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The IIHR has topped the combined list of ranking for 2019-20 and 2020-21 that was released by the IIHR on Wednesday.

In all, 93 various institutes run by the ICAR in different parts of the country were considered for ranking.

The ranking is done on various parameters including the institute profile, performance, recognition and awards received by its faculty, research output and outcome, impact of research taken up by the institute, and vision and future readiness of the institute.

While each of these parameters were allotted certain marks, the institutes were judged for a maximum of 100 marks.

Vast research

IIHR conducts research on 54 major horticultural crops and has released 330 hybrids and other varieties in these crops ever since its inception in 1967.

The institute has also released 157 technologies that have played a major role in boosting horticultural productivity in the country. The estimated impact of eight of these selected hybrids/varieties and technologies to the national exchequer is around ₹13,000 crore annually.

The institute is also focusing on the promotion of entrepreneurship through horticultural technologies and at present there are three technology business incubators in operation at the institute to hand hold and promote horticultural entrepreneurship.

Seed portal

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the IIHR recently launched an online portal for the sales of the seeds of the varieties released by it.

Institute Director Debi Sharma said the recognition for ICHR had increased the responsibility of the institute. IIHR was keen on pursuing its cutting edge research in new areas, she said.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources and the National lnstitute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease lnformatics, which too are ICAR institutes located in Bengaluru, have got the 23rd and the 50th rank respectively.

th

Mangaluru: MCC bags Swachh Bharath League special award

The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has bagged the special award of Swachh Bharath League given by union ministry for housing and urban affairs. This award is given to cities with population between three and ten lac.

In this competition, which was held under Swachh Bharath Abhiyan campaign, more than 1850 city and local bodies took part. This award is given to cities who are striving to realize the idea of waste free city.

Roopa Mishra, joint director of urban affairs of Swachh Bharath Abhiyan said that the award will be conferred on September 30 at the Talkatora stadium of New Delhi.

dw

History Created In Mysuru As Droupadi Murmu Becomes First President To Open Dasara

“Mysuru Dasara is a proud symbol of India’s cultural heritage”

Mysore/Mysuru: History was created in Mysuru atop Chamundi Hill this morning as President of India Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Dasara-2022 by showering flower petals on the decked-up idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed on a silver chariot. She became the first President to declare open the grand 10-day festivities.

In the past, the Presidents and Vice-Presidents have inaugurated the Jumboo Savari. Today’s Mysuru visit created another history as it was Droupadi Murmu’s first State visit after assuming the Office of India’s First Citizen. Her flight directly landed at the Mysore Airport from New Delhi. Though the VVIP visit was for over two hours only, it became significant considering the firsts achieved by it.

Stringent protocol

The inauguration time was specified between 9.45 am and 10.05 am in the Vruschika Lagna. However, the inauguration took place three minutes later due to the stringent protocols to be followed and also the tight security accorded to the country’s First Citizen by the President’s Body Guards (PBG). Before the inauguration, the President visited the sanctum sanctorum of the Chamundeshwari Temple and offered her prayers.

As per the protocol, the President arrived on the stage last, after all the other dignitaries were seated. Before the President’s arrival, an officer-in-charge of security walked onto the stage and sought information from the event managers about the number of people on the dais. He examined the silver chariot where the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was placed and even examined the lamp that will be lit by the President as part of the inauguration.

Ascending the stage, the President directly walked to her chair and greeted the audience with folded hands as a  bodyguard stood behind her with full alertness.

The National Anthem (by the Police Band) and the Naadageethe were played. Later, the President walked toward the silver chariot and performed the inauguration rituals.

Mahishasuramardini Alankara

The Goddess was decorated in the form of Mahishasuramardini and a green saree was draped on her. A mangalasutra and gold jewellery were put on the Goddess.

Accompanying the President were Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, Kannada and Culture Minister V. Sunil Kumar and District Minister S.T. Somashekar.

As the President lit the ceremonial lamp, the mantras were chanted by Chief Priest of the Temple Dr. Shashishekar Dixit. The Chief Priest later offered flower petals to the guests to shower on the Goddess. After the inauguration, the President obliged to a team of photographers and posed for a photograph with the guests.

Though Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda was to preside over the event, he had to be seated in the front row due to protocol restrictions. Even Mayor Shivakumar, Mysuru’s First Citizen, did not get a chance to be with the President on stage.

The President’s Office had fixed the number of people on the stage at 13 and the number was reduced to seven later. As such, many dignitaries had to be seated off the stage.

Red carpet was rolled from the President’s cavalcade parking venue to the Temple premises and the President walked in a brisk pace with her bodyguards running ahead of her. The Hill Temple was closed for public and it was opened only after the President and other guests left the Hill.

som

You have honoured all daughters of India: President tells Hubballi Dharwad

President of India Droupadi Murmu was accorded civic honour by Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation(HDMC) on September 26

President of India Droupadi Murmu, who was accorded civic honour by Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation(HDMC) on September 26, termed the honour as ‘an honour to all the daughters of the nation’.

The President said, “By honouring a person like me, who comes from a humble background, you have honoured all the daughters of the nation.” The audience responded with a huge round of applause.

Earlier, the President was accorded ‘poura sanmana’ (civic honour) by Hubballi Dharwad Mayor Iresh Anchatageri, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in the presence of Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and other MLAs.

The President began her speech by recollecting the contribution of the twin cities of Hubballi Dharwad to the field of education and music. She said that she was very happy to be in Hubballi Dharwad, which had great cultural significance and are known as ‘Vidya Kashi’ (the Kashi of education).

Referring to the history of the region and contribution of Hubballi Dharwad to the field of art, culture, education and also the freedom struggle, she recalled the names of Kittur queen Chennamma and Baba Sahib of Naragund. She also cited legendary vocalists Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru and Gangubai Hangal, and their contribution to the field of music.

The President said that she would like to congratulate the people of Hubballi Dharwad as they were living in twin cities, which contribute immensely to Karnataka and the nation. She said the people of the twin cities had not forgotten their roots and culture while embracing technology. “You have not forgotten history while embracing science for development,” she said.

‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

Recalling the contribution of freedom fighters from north Karnataka, she said that the country is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, and by the time it celebrates 100 years of independence, it would be ‘developed’ and ‘Atmanirbhar’.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Mayor Iresh Anchatageri briefed them about the region and twin cities. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi referred to the contribution of the region to music, literature and education. Of the eight Jnanpeeth award winners from Karnataka, five are from Dharwad, known as the land of literature and music, he said.

The Union Minister also briefed the audience about the life of President Droupadi Murmu and elaborated on how, coming from a humble tribal family, she became an elected representative and rose to the position of President of India.

Karnataka Ministers Halappa Achar and Shankar Patil Munenakoppa, MLAs Prasad Abbayya, Arvind Bellad and Amrut Desai were among those who attended the event.

th

Mangaluru: Sangeet Visharada Roshan Martis to be felicitated at Kalangan

Music scholar and trainer Roshan Francis Martis, Kadri has been selected for the felicitation on International Music Day 2022 by Mandd Sobhann and Sumel music team. He will be felicitated during the 250th repertory programme at Kalangann on October 2.

Martis secured Sangeeth Visharada degree in Hindustani classical music in 1994. He has left his stamp as a music teacher, author and music performer. He started ‘Sur Rang’ music school at Kadri and has been training students.

He has trained students at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, NITK Surathkal, Padua and Alvas institutes. He has held music programmes in India and abroad. His music and art performance reviews have been published in newspapers.

Martis has also participated as a judge in ‘Jigibigi Taran’ of Daijiworld TV, ‘Duet singing star’ TV reality shows and other music competitions held by the government and private organizations.

He has been selected for the honour considering his valuable contribution to the music sector. ‘Novin Motyan’, a music concert based on his newly created songs will be held in the 250th monthly repertory.

The organizers said that the programme will begin at 6.30 PM. Entry is free.

dw

Dr Srinivas from Yadgir Appointed AIIMS director

Dr M Srinivas, appointed director to the prestigious All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Friday, is from under-developed Yadgir district. His elevation proves that those who have studied in government schools and that too in Kannada medium can also reach highest levels in academics and any other field they choose.

The Department of Personnel and Training of the Union government stated in the order that Dr Srinivas will serve as director for five years or till attaining the age of 65. He assumed charge on Saturday, his brother Dr Nagaraj told The New Sunday Express. Dr Srinivas is the first person from the Kalyana-Karnataka region to become the director of AIIMS.

Son of Ashappa, he was born on August 11, 1966. He studied at the Government Model Primary School at Station Bazar locality and later as a Kannada medium student at the Government New Kannada Proudha Shaale in Yadgir. He completed his PU from the Government PU College in Yadgir. A brilliant student all along, he got a seat at the Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences where he completed his MBBS. Later, he pursued his MS in Davanagere and then MCh at AIIMS.

Dr Nagaraj said his elder brother was a gold medallist in MBBS and MS courses. “Our father was a government servant and retired as a tahsildar. He was an admirer of government schools and especially of Kannada language. That is why he admitted Srinivas to a government school. Srinivas was hardworking and always dreamt of achieving something big,” he added.

Students and staff of New Kannada Proudha Shale congratulated Dr Srinivas by assembling on the school premises and holding up his posters. VIMS is planning a felicitation function soon, sources said.

nie

Restore Heritage Structures Says Royal Descendant Of Vijayanagar

Exclusive interview with Krishna Devaraya of Anegundi Samsthanam

Krishna Devaraya is the 19th descendant of Anegundi Samsthanam and Vijayanagar rulers from the Aravidu dynasty. He has done enormous conservation work to ensure that future generations are made aware of royal traditions, culture and legends. One of his exemplary works was to restore the 250-year-old dilapidated Heere Deewan Mansion at Anegundi in Hospet Taluk. This Mansion has now been restored to its original splendour, thanks to his passion and firm resolve to restore heritage. Krishna Devaraya was in Mysuru recently to inaugurate the dolls exhibition organised by Ramsons Kala Pratishtana as part of Dasara festivities. Star of Mysore spoke to him about the glory of Dasara and also the importance of heritage. Excerpts:

Star of Mysore (SOM): Can you tell us about Dasara celebrations in Vijayanagar Empire? We have heard a lot about the Mahanavami Dibba. How is Dasara celebrated there now and on what scale?

Krishna Devaraya: Dasara at the Mahanavami Dibba was perhaps the grandest celebration in mediaeval India in terms of pomp and splendour. Every traveller describes it in great detail — especially about it being a grand spectacle which was unparalleled. At present, there is no public festival of Dasara at the Mahanavami Dibba. Though it is wished that the Dibba be used for its main purpose in the future — the celebration of Dasara. In Anegundi, the celebration of Dasara still continues on a very small scale.

SOM: How do you see the Dasara celebrations of the Government when compared to the grandeur, pomp and glory of the Dasara of the Kings and Queens?

Krishna Devaraya: The primary difference is the nature of the festival. The royal Dasara used to be a religious affair whereas Dasara is mostly a secular affair now with the head of the State not performing any major ritual worship of Devi. Also, earlier Dasara used to involve various games related to physical prowess — wrestling, archery, etc., and was a place for the men to display their achievements.

It has lost the ‘vira’ component almost completely now. Garadi Manes used to train wrestlers, especially for wrestling competitions during Dasara. Today, the Garadi Manes themselves are going into oblivion due to a lack of patronage. Whereas the Royal Dasara was about worship of Devi and patronage for various traditional artists, sports, etc., the Government celebration is more about a spectacle for tourist consumption.

SOM: Is there any major difference between the Dasara celebrations of Vijayanagar rulers and Mysore Wadiyars?

Krishna Devaraya: On the ritual front, they are one and the same. Dasara celebration was earlier restricted to the independent emperor in Southern India. As per shastras, worshipping Devi in this fashion in Sharad Navaratri is akin to performing an Ashvamedha yajna. The emperor used to perform the Dasara festival and his vassals would visit him to pay homage.

Also, seemollaanghana (cros-sing one’s border) to attack the enemy used to be done after Dasara celebrations. When Mysore Samsthana started their own Dasara, it was done to show that they have become independent rulers on their own after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. The rituals were followed rigorously. Only the scale of the celebration would be smaller as Mysore was but a fraction of the size of the erstwhile Vijayanagar Empire.

SOM: Does the royal family of Vijayanagar have any connection with the royal family of Mysore Wadiyars? If so, can you elaborate?

Krishna Devaraya: There are no marital relations with the Mysore family as far as I know. It is stated that the ruler of Srirangapatna was the father-in-law of Sri Krishna Raya and was given a position of pride during Dasara festivities — said so by Domingo Paes, who was a traveller from Portuguese India. But no other such relationship is mentioned after that generation.

SOM: You are the 19th descendant of Anegundi Samsthanam and Vijayanagar rulers and you have restored the Heere Deewan Mansion to its original splendour. This is a much-appreciated step at a time when of late people are forgetting their heritage. What do you have to say when it comes to preserving our heritage?

Krishna Devaraya: Firstly, heritage should not be destroyed. We have seen how the 1,000-pillared mandapa in Tirumala was destroyed by the Government in the name of development. If you cannot maintain something, at the very least, do not destroy it. Secondly, the budget allocation for the preservation of heritage in India is very low compared to the number of heritage structures we have.

som