Category: World Opinion

** US state of Georgia proclaims November 1 as ‘Kannada Language and Rajyotsava Day’

Atlanta-based Nrupatunga Kannada Koota says Georgia is the first state in the U.S. to issue such a proclamation for Kannada

As Karnataka prepares to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava, Kannadigas living in Georgia in the U.S. have reason to cheer. The Governor of Georgia, Brian P. Kemp, has issued a proclamation that November 1 will be observed as ‘Kannada Language and Rajyotsava Day’.

The Atlanta-based Nrupatunga Kannada Koota, which worked to get the proclamation, said in its Facebook post that Georgia had become the first state in the U.S. to issue such a proclamation for Kannada. The Koota thanked Governor Kemp for bestowing the honour. A Governor’s proclamation is a ceremonial document issued on behalf of the state. Georgia has one of the biggest Indian diaspora in the U.S.

** Students of Bengaluru polytechnic can now study in US

Three-year fee for the course will be Rs 20 lakh per student and include tuition fees, boarding and lodging, local travel and medical insurance.

The department has chosen two courses, Tourism & Hospitality and Cyber Security, which will be offered in partnership with Montgomery County Community College, Pennsylvania. 

** JNCASR-Bengaluru scientists devise way to convert carbon dioxide to methane without toxicity

Bengaluru scientists have devised a toxic-free method that converts the most common greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO2) to methane (CH4) – known to be the cleanest fossil fuel – a process that can effectively help in reducing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels which is a major climate change concern.

The scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, achieved this using non-metal catalysts, unlike procedures that are in use, which are found to release toxic gases in the process.

In doing so, the scientists, led by Professor Tapas Kumar Maji from the Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit of JNCASR, have designed a cost-effective metal-free catalyst to achieve the conversion by absorption of visible light.

** IISc test can now detect adulteration in milk

Virkeshwar Kumar, a postdoctoral researcher, and Susmita Dash, an assistant professor at IISc, developed the method, and believe it can be revolutionary in its cost effectiveness, and the lack of equipment needed to conduct the test.

The method is able to detect when milk has been contaminated with water and urea, two of the most common contaminants in the dairy product. The team had found differences in the structure of evaporated, undiluted, diluted, and urea contaminated milk that led to the breakthrough.

** Mangaluru: Karnataka Bank bags top award at 19th edition of Asia Pacific HRM Congress

Karnataka Bank is conferred with the prestigious ‘Top Organizations with Innovative HR Practices’ award at the 19th edition of Asia Pacific HRM Congress held on October 26 in Bengaluru.

Mahalingeshwara K, general manager, HR & IR and Chief Learning Officer (CLO), representing the bank received the award at the event. The award is presented to the bank for effectively implementing innovative HR practices for Human Resource Development and Talent Management.

** No Hems or Haws

Meet Bengaluru make-up artist Durga Venkatesh, who can drape a saree in 155 styles in two hours .

In a time where inspiration and endurance is wearing thin, Durga Venkatesh, a make-up artist and bespoke fashion designer, has chosen to take life by the hems. Venkatesh, who has lived in Bengaluru since her childhood, currently holds the world record for the fastest number of saree styles draped, having been attested by the Limca Book of Records, India Book of Records, Asia Book of Records, Asian World Records, British World Records, and, most recently, the Kalam’s World Records in August.

In addition to this, she also won the Divalicious Mrs South India Universe title for 2019, and manages her own make-up salon and academy, Durga Makeup Studio & Academy in JP Nagar.

** Bangalore Baptist Hospital: Giving hope to kids with spinal muscular atrophy

On the sets of KBC, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) suddenly got the limelight it deserved when Amitabh Bachchan announced that he would like to donate for the Rs 16 crore one-time Zolgensma drug for a child suffering from this fatal rare disease.

The drug, the most expensive in the world, and Spinraza that costs Rs 78 lakh per vial (needed for a lifetime) are administered to children with SMA, at Bangalore Baptist Hospital, which is home to India’s only paediatric neuromuscular centre.

** International conference on innovation in agriculture organised

Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM) Bengaluru, in association with Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, UK, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia and Faculty of Management Sciences, Suratthani Rajabhat University, Thailand, had organised a one-day International Conference on Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations in Agriculture, Plantations and Allied domanis posed by the Pandemic on Thursday

According to a IIPM release, delivering the inaugural address, Prof. V.G. Dhanakumar, director, IIPMB, emphasised on the ned to develop a research culture to address issues posed by the pandemic. He also encouraged delegates to strive for publishing in peer-reviewed and internationally indexed journals of ABDC, ABS and FT 50 series.

David Bozward, Professor and Dean, School of Entrepreneurship, Royal Agricultural University, presented a paper on ‘A Strategic Model for Opportunity Recognition and Entrepreneurship within Rural and Agricultural Regions’. He discussed different entrepreneurship models, applications and their impact on rural development.