Category: World Opinion

Mangaluru: Clive, Avil chosen for Kittall Youth and Arso Journalism awards

Clive D’Souza, Boliye, and Avil Rasquinha were chosen for Leo Rodrigues Family Kittall Youth Award and Austin D’Souza Prabhu Family Arso Journalism Award for the year 2022. Both the awards will carry a cash component of Rs 25,000 and citation. The award will be conferred on Avil Rasquinha and Clive D’Souza on January 1, 2023 at 6 pm at a function to be held at Maria Jayanthi Mini Hall, St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu. Ln Dr Austin D’Souza Prabhu, Chicago and CA Valerian D Almeida, Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur will be presenting the awards.

Every year premier Konkani web portal kittall.com honors a youth writer with the Kittall Youth Award and Abu Dhabi-based NRI Leo Rodrigues sponsors the award for the last 10 years. Arso was launched as a fortnightly in the year 2013 by H M Pernal, now successfully running in its ninth year as a monthly magazine under the editorship of noted poet and lyricist Wilson Kateel. From this year onwards, ARSO will be honoring a senior Konkani journalist, who has contributed to the growth of Konkani journalism substantially. The award is sponsored by Ln Dr Austin D’Souza Prabhu, the editor and publisher of the one and only illustrated digital Konkani Weekly published in Chicago for the past five and half years, non-stop.

About Avil Rasquinha

Konkani Monthly has announced its first Konkani Journalism Award to Avil Rasquinha, who served as an editor and publisher of Kannik fortnightly for 20 long years from 1977 to 1997.

Rasquinha started writing in Konkani at the age of 14 and became the youngest editor-publisher at the age of 20. Kannik was started in the year 1965 by CA Raymond Miranda of Konkani Sahitya Prakashana, which has the credit of publishing 100 Konkani books those days, and Andrew Mendonca working at the Army Navy Press, Mumbai. In the year 1970, Avil’s brother Harry acquired Kannik and Avil assisted him as sub-editor for two years. For a brief period of time Sirivionth and Austin D’Souza Prabhu edited and published Kannik and from 1977 to 1997. With all his hardships, Avil Rasquinha edited and published Kannik for 20 long years. Victor Alvares (Vijay), Richard Alvares (Guruji), Vincent Pinto, Kulshekar, Panchu, Bantwal, Valley Quadras, Ajekar assisted Avil as sub-editors till 1992. From 1992 to 1997 Avil managed to publish Kannik single-handedly.

Apart from publishing Kannik from his Santacruz Press, Avil has published 12 Konkani books including two of V J Pm Saldanha and eighth volume of selected songs of Wilfy Rebimbus. He has acted in Konkani, Kannada, and Tulu Dramas and is an active member of the Lions Club.
Presently he lives in Bellore with his wife Mariet D’Silva, who is a banker, and two sons, one working for an insurance company and the other practicing as a chartered accountant in Mangaluru.

About Clive D’Souza

Larry Clive D’Souza of Kutalnagar writes with the pen name Clive Souz, Boliye for the last several years. So far he has penned more than 140 poems, two short stories, and about 6 essays. He has written two plays ‘Navalancho Sonsaar’ and ‘Sorga Raaj’ and acted, directed, and staged them at Kuntalnagar. Presently he is promoting Konkani on digital platforms like YouTube by writing, lyrics and composing and producing them. So far he has posted seven singles on youtube and 4 are ready for launch. Along with singles he has also written and composed two hymns dedicated one for St Lawrence and the other for St Antony. In the year 2010, he sponsored a music CD ‘Yo Moga.’ Since 2011 he has been an active member of the Kuwait Canara Welfare Association( K C WA).

A graduate of Hospitality Science from the University of Mangaluru, he is married to Anitha D’Souza and the couple has a son Cleven D’Souza. Presently he is working as a chef in the Indian Ocean, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

daijiworld.com

PM Modi mentions Karnataka palm leather startup in ‘Mann Ki Baat’

The PM said the couple is sending many unique products made from betelnut fiber to the international market.

A Shivamogga-based couple’s out-of-the-box idea on the use of betelnut fibre has earned the praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Suresh and his wife Maithili, who are residents of Vinoba Nagar, are exporting their palm leather products internationally.

Modi praised the couple in his Mann Ki Baat episode on Sunday and said the countrymen should use such indigenous products and gift them to others as well. Suresh and Maithili, through their startup Bhoomi Agri Ventures, are making and exporting areca palm products. Their palm leather project was instigated as a cheap plant-based replacement for animal leather, plastic and rubber.

The PM said the couple is sending many unique products made from betelnut fibre to the international market. “These people are making decorative things ranging from trays, plates and handbags from betelnut fibre. Chappals made of this fibre are also being liked a lot today. Today, their products are being sold in London and other markets in Europe.

This is the very quality of our natural resources and traditional skills, which is being liked by everyone. With the traditional knowledge of India, the world is looking at ways of a sustainable future. We ourselves also need to be more and more aware of this. We should use such indigenous and local products and gift them to others as well. This will also strengthen our identity, the local economy, and, in large numbers, brighten the future of the people,” he said.

Expressing happiness over Modi mentioning them in this radio programme, Suresh told TNIE that their project was possible thanks to the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR).

newindianexpress.com

KIA T-2 one of the first in the world that can be experienced on the metaverse

The Kempegowda International Airport’s Terminal-2 has become one of the first terminals in the world that can be experienced on the metaverse, after Bangalore International Airport Limited, operator of the KIA, on Tuesday announced the first phase launch of the BLR Metaport.

The Kempegowda International Airport’s (KIA) Terminal-2 has become one of the first terminals in the world that can be experienced on the metaverse, after Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of the KIA, on Tuesday announced the first phase launch of the BLR Metaport.

Built in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Polygon, the BLR Metaport offers an immersive, three-dimensional (3D) virtual experience of the newly launched terminal.

Interested travellers and members of the public can log on to www.blrmetaport.com and virtually tour and navigate the new terminal using their smart devices.

The BLR Metaport is an outcome of the Joint Innovation Centre (JIC), announced in April 2022 by BIAL, AWS, and Intel. The JIC focuses on driving the development and adoption of digital solutions in aviation.

“For BIAL, the mission of the JIC is to leverage emerging technologies to build new business models and passenger experiences and be at the forefront of technology innovation in India’s commercial aviation,” BIAL added.

Developed in line with this mission, the BLR Metaport is one of the first airport metaverse experiences, designed to deliver an enhanced digital experience.

A 3D interface will offer customers new ways to interact with the airport, such as checking into flights, navigating terminals, shopping, and social aspects like connecting with other travellers.

BLR Metaport brings the virtual and physical worlds together to provide consistent engagement, and aims to excite travellers with new, unique, and immersive experiences.

BIAL’s Chief Strategy and Development Officer, Satyaki Raghunath said, “We are very excited that BIAL is entering into the new world of metaverse through the BLR Metaport. This is our first foray into the world of Web3 and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and we aim to delight travellers with a unique, immersive, and virtual experience. We believe that it is important to connect with a new generation of our global audience through the metaverse. We also have several initiatives planned around the BLR Metaport, which promise to increase ways in which we can engage with our global audience and enhance business impact over the next few years.”

thehindu.com

Made in India MALE UAV completes flight test of 18 hours

TAPAS 201 has been designed and developed by the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

The TAPAS 201 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV has achieved a significant milestone after undertaking a flight test lasting 18 hours at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

TAPAS 201 has been designed and developed by the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE). HAL and BEL will be the production partners for the MALE UAV.

Announcing the milestone, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tweeted: India’s TAPAS UAV, #designed & #developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru for tri-services has successfully achieved #milestone flight test of 18 hours at Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga.

TAPAS 201 is a multi-mission UAV being developed to carry out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance roles for the three wings of the armed forces with endurance in the range of 24 to 30 hours.

Described as the Indian version of the US’s Predator drones, TAPAS 201 is capable of carrying different combinations of payloads, like Medium Range Electro Optic, Long Range Electro Optic, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Electronic Intelligence, Communication Intelligence and Situational Awareness Payloads, to perform missions during day and night.

The MALE UAV, which was earlier referred to as RUSTOM II, undertook its first flight in November 2016. Since then, it has undertaken many test flights.

In 2019, the TAPAS 201 programme suffered a setback when the UAV crashed during an experimental flight near the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga.

Apart from the Indian army, air force and navy, internal security agencies like State Police Forces, BSF, CRPF, and the Coast Guard are also prospective users of the MALE UAV.

thehindu.com

Kundapur: Commonwealth powerlifting gold medal winner Satish Kharvi felicitated

Satish Kharvi, who won gold medal in the commonwealth powerlifting championship that was held at Auckland, capital of New Zealand, was given rousing welcome as he returned back to native place on Wednesday.

Satish Kharvi, who went to Dharmasthala and took darshan of Lord Manjunatha and sought blessings of Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra D Heggade, was welcomed in a grand manner as he arrived to Kundapur Shastri Circle. Taluk administration, various organizations, members of Konkani-Kharvi community, public and fans were present in large numbers.

A grand procession was held from Shastri Circle in decorated vehicle through the main streets of the town. Chende drums and trumpets accompanied the procession.

Speaking on the occasion, prof Kothadi Umesh Shetty, Principal of Dr B B Hegde first grade college, said, “Congratulations to Satish Kharvi for winning gold medal at the international level and flying the flag of India high and making the people of Kundapur proud. Let many more achievements be done by you. We are all proud to felicitate the achiever who has increased the respect and pride of India.”

Entrepreneurs Ravi T Naik and Shreeshan also spoke during the programme. Members of town municipality Shekhara Poojary, V Prabhakara, Taluk Youth services and sports officers Kusumakar Shetty and retired bank employee Subhash Kharvi were present.

Former vice president of town municipality Rajesh Cauvery did the introductory speech. City JCI founder president Hussain Haikadi welcomed the gathering. The programme was compered by Harshavardhan Kharvi.

Receiving the felicitation, Satish Kharvi said, “I am grateful to the felicitation offered and the regards that the people of my native place have shown on me. I have created national record in deadlift category and was eager to achieve personal record in commonwealth. I had made all preparations in that respect. But I could not lift the proposed weight due to extreme cold conditions of Auckland. Even then I am happy for getting one gold each in Bench Press, silver and four gold medals in powerlifting.”

daijiworld.com

Vikram Kirloskar – The man who brought Toyota to Karnataka

Vikram Kirloskar brought global auto giant Toyota to Karnataka in 1997, when the State wasn’t yet a big name in the global business arena.

Way back in 1997, when Karnataka wasn’t yet a big spot on the global business map, auto major Toyota set up a manufacturing facility at Bidadi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The man who was instrumental in bringing the Japanese automaker to Karnataka was Vikram Kirloskar who passed away on November 29.

The initial efforts towards bringing Toyota Motor Corp to India were made during the tenure of Chief Minister Veerappa Moily in the early 1990s, and were later followed up by his successor H.D. Deve Gowda. During J.H. Patel’s tenure, Toyota Kirloskar officially started its operations in Karnataka. Thereafter, the business savvy S.M Krishna and his industrious industries minister R.V. Deshpande extended support to the venture.

Although multiple Chief Ministers and their industries ministers were involved in bringing, hosting and settling Toyota at Bidadi, one key person who worked tirelessly from outside was Vikram Kirloskar, who is a mechanical engineering graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), U.S.A.

Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said, “He was a dear personal friend, an industry friend and, more importantly, a genuine human being who was always ready with a smile. With the passing of Vikram, a prominent face and a pillar of the business community of Karnataka is no more.”

The Kirloskar family hails from Haveri in the Dharwad region. They have been running various businesses, including automotive engineering, pumps, gensets, and machine tools for over 100 years. Vikram Kirloskar became the mainstay of ‘Karnataka Inc.’ with Toyota Kirloskar in 1997.

Since its inception, Toyota has invested over ₹20,000 crore in Karnataka, and Mr. Kirloskar’s personal commitment in 2010 was ₹1,500 crore.

“He has been a great help in organising Global Investors’ Meet. He and (his wife) Geetanjali came with me for a road show in the U.S. prior to GIM in 2010,” recalled Mr. Nirani.

A doyen of the automotive industry, Mr. Kirloskar was extremely supportive of young people and their business ideas.

Addressing a trade body event that had several youngsters in the audience recently, he said, “You are the future leaders. You should soon be sitting here where I am sitting.”

The fourth-generation entrepreneur of the Kirloskar family leaves behind his wife Geetanjali and daughter Manasi, who works in the company.

thehindu.com

Bengaluru student comes first in hackathon

Shreya Narayan, a student of Bangalore Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, took part in the UNESCO-India-Africa Hackathon 2022 held at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, recently and won the first place with a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, said a release.

Woman from Bantwal selected for FIFA World Cup medical team

A woman, native of the taluk is selected to serve in the medical team of FIFA World Cup that is going on at Qatar.

Pratibha N Darkasu, wife of Naveen Poojary, a resident of Darkasu in Kudambettu village is the woman who is selected for this coveted job. She has become the only woman from Karnataka to serve in the medical team of World Cup.

Pratibha is the daughter of Narayana Poojary and Srimathi couple, residents of Siddakatte Soorande in Bantwal. She lives with her husband Naveen in Doha Qatar since many years.

Pratibha works in Hamad Medical Corporation government hospital. Her special service was recognized during coronavirus pandemic also for which she was honoured. Now she is selected as the nursing in-charge for the World Cup considering her outstanding service in the health sector of Qatar.

daijiworld.com

Winning picture

City’s Karthik Vijayamani speaks about his victory at the Gulf Achievers Award 2022 for his short films, making songs for the IPL and the nature of Dubai’s content creation industry.

When Bengaluru’s Karthik Vijayamani went to Dubai in 2014 for a job in the science and technology industry, little did he know that films were his calling. But after producing multiple short film projects in the past eight years, Vijayamani has recently been recognised for his contribution after he won the Gulf Achievers Award 2022 as the best short film content creator in Dubai. He was recognised for his projects Dad Says, Dance Battle 2022 and Chords of Love.

Now, after amassing recognition in the UAE, Vijayamani feels things worked out for him after his company, Avighna Productions, redefined the concept of an advertisement. “Our production house has  made multiple ads. While working on those projects, we thought of taking a different approach. We took more of a narrative route in a short-film format. We felt it would help us relay a message to the audience better,” says Vijayamani about their work that also incorporated a few Bollywood celebrities to help the project reach a wider audience. These short-films were released in Dubai and Sharjah.

Outside of making short films, Vijayamani’s production house has also created fan anthems for the Indian Premiere League (IPL) teams Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore & Mumbai Indians. Of these three, the CSK one titled ‘#CSKReturns Anthem’ especially made the rounds during IPL 2019 and has over 3.6 million views on YouTube.

“Making music for the IPL is challenging because of the intense competition. There are thousands of people who make IPL songs. The game is not just about making the song but how we choose to market. A bad marketing strategy can ruin a good song’s success. In our case, we created a film that said that whoever in the audience will dance to the first few beats of the song and put it up on social media, we will give them a gold coin if they gain a huge number of views. That strategy worked out for us,” he shares.

Vijayamani feels the content creation industry in the UAE is different compared to India. “The biggest challenge is that the people of Dubai are not easily approachable. I first had to familiarise myself with all the top Sheikhs in Dubai and maintain a healthy relationship with them.

Once I started to gain their confidence, things started to get easier. In 2018, they gave me one opportunity to make a song about people of determination, which is the official term for specially-abled citizens in Dubai. We made an album with people of determination that year. The success of that project opened many doors for me,” he concludes.

newindianexpress.com

Mangaluru: Rochelle D’Sa’s ‘Hey Yo’ video song for FIFA World Cup released

The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar has begun from November 20.

A team from Mangaluru has composed ‘Hey Yo’ video song for FIFA World Cup 2022 which was released on November 11.

The song ‘Hey Yo’ is composed, written and sung by Rochelle D’Sa, music programmed by Dolwin Kolalagiri, and backing vocals by Joel Rebello, Dolwin Kolalagiri and Rochelle D’Sa.

The mixing and mastered by Srinivas at Daijiworld Audio Visual Studio. The camera, editing and DI by Relwin Melrin (horizon studio).

The song is dedicated to all the football fans around the world.

daijiworld.com