Mysuru chosen by UNIDO for sustainable cities project

Climate-smart capital budgeting for MCC projects on the agenda

A two-day workshop on climate-smart capital budgeting under the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot (SCIAP) project of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in association with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for the officials of the Mysuru City Corporation, got off to a start here on Monday.

Mayor Sunanda Palanetra inaugurated the workshop while Nand Pal Singh, Senior Technical Advisor, UNIDO, spoke about the project.

The SCIAP is being implemented in Mysuru and four other cities – Vijayawada, Guntur, Bhopal and Jaipur – by UNIDO with funding assistance from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The technical assistance activity supports MCC officials and technical staff with enhanced capacity to produce capital investment plans with a specific focus on climate-smart and resilient attributes and make effective financial decisions for the investment plans, a release said.

UNIDO has partnered with the University of Washington (Seattle) in executing the capital budgeting exercise. The team of Janice Whittington, Adrienne Greve from California State Polytechnic University, and Sujatha Srikumar introduced an Excel-based capital investment planning model on day 1 of the workshop, offering a step-by-step process for energy auditing, carbon emission forecasting, and lifecycle cost analysis for select projects of MCC, according to the release.

th

Canada: Radio Mango to host first-ever ‘Goblal Konkani Idol’ contest

As part of the decennial celebration Radio Mango, the first ever Konkani channel that created history in the North American hemisphere by broadcasting the Konkani programme on September 29, 2012, is all set to host the first-ever ‘Global Konkani Idol’ contest with a clarion call ‘Be the First Global Konkani Singing Star’.

About the President, Producer, and Host of Radio Mango

Milena Marques-Zachariah is an accomplished writer, columnist, and blogger. With over 25 years of experience in multi-national advertising in India, Dubai, and Canada, she has gained critical international experience in creating and building brands. Her creative shop, OUT OF MY MIND, is focused on the South Asian and ethnic markets in Canada. She has worked as creative director and multicultural communications specialist with leading agencies, helping major national and international brands relate to their consumers by aligning their messages to ethnic markets. This valuable exposure came in handy when she conceived and launched Radio Mango – the first and only Konkani language broadcast in North America. She has interviewed mayors and ministers, and eminent authors like Pico Iyer and Anosh Irani. Her journalistic contributions include a column ‘Confessions of an Immigrant Housewife’ in a leading South Asian newspaper and essays and poetry in various anthologies. Canadian Chronicles is yet another creative pursuit, where she blogs the extraordinary journeys of new immigrants to Canada – waiting to be published as a book. Her current blog: ‘Chasing the perfect Curry’ has gained international popularity among foodies and those seeking unchartered adventures.

Milena is a global citizen born in India, with work experience in the UAE for 12 years, and is now a Canadian citizen for 2 decades. She has widely traveled.

Konkani music lovers worldwide can tune into nostalgia on the easily available podcast, every Saturday – featuring the best of Goan and Mangalurean music and culture. Further details are also available on their website www.radiomango.ca and the Facebook page: Radio Mango Toronto.

Bengaluru-based firm develops nanoemulsion intra-nasal platform and gets international patent

Bengaluru-based Synergia Biosciences unveiled a nanotechnology-based intra-nasal platform of medicine for brain-related disorders on Thursday

City-based Synergia Biosciences unveiled a nanotechnology-based intra-nasal platform of medicine for brain-related disorders on Thursday.

It has acquired patents for the same in the United States of America, the European Union, India, and Japan. 

Synergia Biosciences said they have developed the platform in which lipophilic drugs can be dissolved for the intra-nasal spray mode of administering to patient.

“We have patented the composition of the platform and the process to arrive at that,” Sambratha Shetty, Chief Operating Officer, Synergia Biosciences said. 

The nanoemulsion platform presently is best suited to treat various brain-related disorders from cluster headaches, migraine, schizophrenia, dementia, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and vertigo, binge drinking, depression, among others.

“One of the biggest challenges in drugs treating brain-related disorders is that it is very difficult to make the drug reach the target area. But with the intra-nasal route, it bypasses the first pass metabolism, increases bioavailability of the drug, and causes rapid absorption (less than 5 minutes),” Ms. Shetty explained.

Synergia has stabilised the nanoemulsion for four drugs: two antipsychotic ones, an analgesic, and an antiemetic. The same platform can be tweaked to carry vaccines and insulin, Synergia claimed. 

“The technology is non-invasive and mainly cost-effective. It is an affordable way to treat multiple diseases. This is a strategic technology which will help India treat multiple diseases at an affordable cost,” said Tobby Simon of Synergia Foundation.

th

Mangalurean musician Vanil Veigas receives prestigious Grammy award

Vanil Veigas, a musician from Mangaluru, received the prestigious Grammy Award.

Vanil is a resident of Permannur. The award was announced in April earlier this year.

He had won the Grammy for the album song ‘Divine Tides’ by Ricky Kej. The song was produced during the pandemic. Along with Vanil Veigas, PA Deepa also won the award.

Vanil was the musician for the ‘Divine Tides’. Since 15 years, Vanil has been working with Ricky Kej on movie soundtracks, over 3,000 commercials, and 16 studio albums which include 3 Grammy-winning albums.

Vanil was born in Permannur to Isaac Veigas and Daisy Pereira. He is the brother of well-known Konkani actor-director Nellu Permannur. He is married to Diana D’Silva and they have a daughter, Alline Veigas, who is also learning music at a young age.

dw

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conferred Suriname’s highest civilian award

Spiritual leader and Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been honoured with South American nation Suriname’s highest civilian honour for his humanitarian work.

The spiritual leader was decorated with the Grand Cordon – honorary order of the yellow star (Ere-Orde van de Gele Ster) by President Chandrikapersad Santokhi at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, a statement issued by Art of Living said.

In his address, President Santokhi said: “We are honoured that you’re shining a light worth seeing and feeling, now and also for the future generation. With this declaration, may you lead us all to peace and harmony…The people of Suriname welcome you with a warm heart.”

dw

Mangalurean Renessa Walder to represent Oman at World Hip Hop Dance Championship in USA

Nine dancers from Oman will represent the country at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship – Varsity Division – in Phoenix in the southwestern US state of Arizona from August 6 to 13.

Over 4,000 of the world’s best dancers are expected to participate in World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2022 which is one of the most celebrated and toughest dance competitions in the world, and also called the ‘Olympics of Dance’. Mangalurean Renessa Walder is one among them.

Renessa is the eldest daughter of Ajith and Naina Walder, currently studying in Grade X at the Indian School, Al Wadi Kabir in Muscat, Oman.

Ajith Walder is a well-known community leader and the former president of MCCP, Muscat – Oman. He has his roots originated in Loretto-Bantwal.

The other eight in the group are Rishab Gupta, Shrika Shaji, Divit Kashyap, Sneha Buddhia, Rezwin Geordi, Leando Rayner, Anaida Shokrekhoda, Vaidehi Rastogi and and Nia Bailwad. The team is called ‘The Arab Teens’. The team’s performance at the competition will be choreographed by Prasanth Shinde, while Shiv Gupta and Nadeem al Balushi are directors of the group.

Tejas Udani Gupta, team leader of Arab Teens said that theirs is the only team from the Gulf to be at the prestigious event for a two minute slot.

The calibre and prowess of Renessa in dance landed her a spot in the World Hip Hop Dance Championship. Her innate multi-faceted talent was showcased at a tender age of 6 and her various awards winnings speaks for herself. Renessa’s most prestigious award is the ‘Student of the year 2020’ from RADA Dance Academy-Mumbai. She has been endorsed by all who got a glimpse of her amazing talent, as the one who could storm the dance industry.

dw

Jawa and Yezdi bike enthusiasts take a trip down memory lane in Bengaluru

This year’s Jawa and Yezdi bike festival in Bengaluru followed a theme of adventure and offered a holistic experience to bikers from the time they entered the venue.

Hundreds of Jawa and Yezdi bike enthusiasts gathered for their annual festival and went down an adventurous nostalgic lane in the city on Sunday, to mark the 20th International Jawa Yezdi Day, which falls every year on the second Sunday in July.

“The bikes here are the centre of attraction and you can see there are over 750 Jawa and Yezdi bikes. We also got some special and very rare bikes displayed on one side of the ground which people can admire,” said Brian A., president and co-founder, Bangalore Jawa Yezdi Motorcycle Club (BJYMC), the organiser of the event.

Between 1960 and 1996, bikes from Jawa and Yezdi were produced in India. The 250cc two-stroke bikes were well-liked by youngsters due to their dependability and affordable maintenance requirements. In 1996, their production was stopped at the Ideal Jawa factory in Mysore.

The Jawa, the Jawa 42, and the Perak are the three vehicles that Mahindra-owned Classic Legends unveiled in 2018 after reviving the Jawa and Yezdi brand.  

th

HAL, Safran to make chopper engines

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have signed an agreement to create a new joint venture to develop helicopter engines. Through an MoU signed by R Madhavan, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL, and Franck Saudo, Chief Executive Officer, Safran Helicopter Engines, in presence of Olivier Andries, CEO, Safran.  

Both the partners will extend their partnership by establishing a new aero-engine company in India. It will be dedicated to the development, production, sales and support of helicopter engines and one of its main objectives will be to meet the requirements of HAL and Ministry of Defence’s future heli­copters, including the 13-ton­ne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter.

Madhavan said: “We now look forward to utilize this opportunity to leverage HAL’s experience in manufacturing of more than 15 types of aircraft and helicopter engines to co-develop and manufacture engine with immediate focus on IMRH and its naval variant the Deck Based Multi Role Helicopter. This partnership will involve and utilize the Indian Defence manufacturing ecosystem within India”.

Saudo said the partnership with HAL recently illustrated the development and production of the Shakti engine, “and the inauguration of our joint venture Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt Limited (HE-MRO). With a fleet of over 1,000 engines, India’s Armed Forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines.”

HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines already have multiple partnerships, including the Shakti engine, which powers HAL-produced helicopters, including the Dhruv, Rudra and the Light Combat Helicopter. The Ardiden 1U variant also powers the new Light Utility Helicopter. Through HE-MRO joint venture in Goa, HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines will also provide Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services for TM333 and Shakti engines in se­rvice with Armed Forces, and will be operational by 2023-

nie

HAA head is new YMI president

Philanthropist and Hindustan Aviation Academy (HAA) chairman Dr KC Samuel has been appointed the International president of Y’s Men International (YMI). The movement was founded in 1922 and Samuel will be taking charge for its centenary year.

“The name ‘Y’s Men’ has become synonymous due to selfless service and sacrificial giving, and has touched and lifted the lives of thousands people across the world for over a century by acknowledging it as our duty,” said Dr Samuel.

nie

Nine-year-old Mangalorean chess prodigy Aaron Mendes creates sensation in Panama

Aaron Reeve Mendes has added another feather to his illustrious cap by winning a Gold medal in the Under 11 Open category at the FIDE World School Chess Championship 2022.

On his way to winning the Championship title, Aaron won against the national champions of Mongolia, Peru, Columbia, Mexico, and Ecuador. https://chess-results.com/tnr647375.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9

The FIDE World School Chess Championship, which was held in Panama from June 10 to June 19, 2022 is a prestigious chess tournament with 489 participants from 37 countries. https://wscc2022.org/

dw