Business & Economy – Page 5

Dr. Veerendra Heggade Formally Launches Maha Kumbha Mela At K.R. Pet

Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. Veerendra Heggade, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP, formally launched the four-day Maha Kumbha Mela at Triveni Sangama near Ambigarahalli-Sangapura-Pura cluster villages in Akkihebbal Hobli of K.R. Pet taluk yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Heggade said that water is the lifeline of everyone and as such it is essential for all to conserve it. Pointing out that we offer puja to weapons, equipment, articles and vehicles during Ayudha Puja, Dr. Heggade said that likewise water too should be worshipped as it is very much essential in our daily life and we cannot survive without it.

Noting that the Triveni Sangama here is the confluence of Cauvery-Hemavathi-Lakshmanatheertha rivers, he called upon the people to take a holy dip at the Sangama.

Minister for Silk and Youth Empowerment and Sports and K.R. Pet MLA K.C. Narayanagowda, who presided, said that the Maha Kumbha Mela is being held at Triveni Sangama in the presence of a number of Seers and Saints, after a gap of nine years. Underlining the significance of ‘Punya Snana’ (holy dip) at the Sangama, he said that devotees seek the blessings of Lord Mahadeshwara at this holy shrine.

Adichunchanagiri Mutt Seer Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Mysuru Ramakrishna Ashram President Swami Muktidanandaji, Kaginele Mutt Seer Sri Shivanandapuri Swamiji, Bebi Mutt Seer Sri Trinetra Mahanta Shivayogi Swamiji, M.M.Hills Salur Mutt Seer Shanthamallikarjuna Swamiji and a host of other Seers graced the occasion.

Mandya District Minister K. Gopalaiah, Mandya Deputy Commissioner S. Aswathi, Additional Deputy Commissioner H.L. Nagaraju, ZP CEO Shantha Hulmani, SP N. Yatish, Pandavapura Sub-division Assistant Commissioner B.C. Shivanandamurthy, Tahsildar Roopa, Kumbha Mela Co-ordinator Sannaswamygowda, Mandya Urban Development Authority Chairman Srinivas and a host of other officials and leaders attended the event.

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IISc picks five alumni for distinguished awards

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, announced distinguished alumni awards felicitating five IISc scientists and engineers for their contributions to the society and the institution.

Prof Bharat Kumar Bhargava, professor of Computer Science at Purdue University, USA, Dr Krishnan Nandabalan, president and CEO of InveniAI LLC, IISc prof M Narasimha Murty, Col (retd) HS Shankar, Chairman and MD, Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Dr Krishna Mohan Vadrevu, Executive Director, Bharat Biotech International Ltd, IISc prof M Narasimha Murty, will be felicitated
in December 2022.

Prof Bhargava has developed a system to assist visually-challenged people in navigating their environment and social interactions, using mobile phones and cloud computing. Dr Vadrevu contributed to the development of a typhoid conjugate vaccine, a novel low-dose rotavirus vaccine, and Covaxin.

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Cinema D’ italia

This city is playing host to a one of a kind film festival this week, where Bengalureans get to savour the best of Italian cinema. Between the 12th and 15th of this month, cinephiles in the city get to enjoy half-a-dozen Italian movies, cherry picked by the Academy of Italian Cinema – David di Donatello Awards at the ‘Italian Screens’ film festival. An initiative by the newly established office of the Consulate of Italy in Bengaluru, the festival aims to foster stronger cultural ties between India and Italy as part of a multi-faceted bilateral partnership between the two countries.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (of Italy) has always considered the strategic value of audiovisuals as one of the best ways to portray Made in Italy abroad and promote Italian excellence,” explains Lorenzo Angeloni, Italy’s ambassador to India and Nepal. “We have therefore decided to enhance Italian Screens in India as a celebration of the extraordinary ‘Nation branding be IT ’ campaign.”

Presented in Italian with English subtitles, the festival includes a diverse lineup of movies such as The Inner Cage by Leonardo Di Costanzo, acclaimed documentary Ennio by Giuseppe Tornatore, which celebrates the life and legacy of the Italian composer Ennio Morricone and the biographical drama The King of Laughter (Qui ridoio) by Mario Martone, based on the life of Neapolitan actor and comedy playwright Eduardo Scarpetta.

The Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru, Alfonso Taliaferri, hopes the lineup showcases what Italian cinema has to offer to the rest of the world. “We are trying to showcase the diversity of Italian cinema. In our opinion, Italian cinema is made up of quality films.

In our opinion, we are great craftsmen of cinema. Italian cinema is mainly known for the great films of the past, but we continue to produce quality cinema every year. For this festival, we have selected six movies that have participated in the David di Donatello Awards. We believe these movies represent what Italy has to offer in terms of excellence in cinemas today,” he says. (Film enthusiasts can enjoy Italian Screens through PVR Cinemas at Phoenix Market City, Whitefield Main Road, between 12th and 15th October.)

DID YOU KNOW?

The origin of the word paparazzi, is derived from Federico Fellini Fellini’s legendary 1960 film, La Dolce Vita, Italian for ‘The Sweet Life’. The character, Paparazzo, the news photographer played by Walter Santesso, is credited for the word paparazzi, now used to describe intrusive photographers.

The term ‘Spaghetti Western’ was coined by Spanish journalist Alfonso Sánchez to describe low-budget Western films shot in Italy’s Cinecittà studios and at locations in the south of the country, usually produced by Italian filmmakers. Some of the most well-known Spaghetti Westerns include Django (1966), The Good, The Bad And the Ugly (1966) and Once Upon a Time in The West (1968).

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Karnataka’s tele-mental health platform has become model for entire country: Sudhakar

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar has expressed happiness and felt it is a matter of immense pride for Karnataka that the Union government has launched the brand new T-Manas programme, based on Karnataka’s E-Manas platform.

The new initiative was launched at the State level by Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot at the 26th Convocation of NIMHANS that took place in Bengaluru on Monday.

The T-MANAS platform will function as a 24/7 mental health facility across the country, the minister said.

Karnataka initially launched a tele-counseling program in association with NIMHANS when the pandemic first struck.

The primary objective of the initiative was to address the stress caused due to Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. The initiative saw immense success and the Karnataka government also experimented an online counseling for students at a time when the class 10 results were announced in the State.

Dr Sudhakar said Karnataka has completed a total of 23 lakh tele-counseling till date.

The E-Manas platform of Karnataka is one stop location for mental health. The platform connects patients, mental health professionals and mental health institutions.

The Minister said: “It is a heartening to see that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya are taking proactive steps to focus on improving mental health in the country. I am proud to say that Karnataka has played a pioneering role in focusing on mental health.”

Dr Sudhakar highlighted Karnataka’s new Brain health initiative which aims to train PHC doctors to diagnose and treat mental health and other brain related illnesses.

The Minister said one day in the week will be dedicated for this task at all the Primary and Secondary Health Centers in the State.

A time to share love and letters ‘Postal Week’ – October 09th – 16th

The Karnataka Postal department is set to celebrate Postal Week starting next week by bringing orphaned, underprivileged children and senior citizens together to spend time on October 14.

Speaking to TNIE, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka, S Rajendra Kumar said, “It will give everyone an opportunity to bond with each other in the traditional role of grandparents and grandchildren. We are in talks with NGOs to facilitate this by identifying the right people.”

Some retired postal employees will also take up the role of grandparents. “The seniors will be goaded to write letters to the children they are introduced to on the day. We expect a total of 100 participants. A senior and a junior will form a pair, who will also take part in a quiz event,” he added. The day-long event will take place at the GPO.

The Postal Week is an annual event held from October 9 to October 16.

Walking 7km every day

Kumar has been walking 7 km every day since October 2 to follow Centre’s Fit India Freedom Run 3.0 under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative observed from October 2 to October 31. “I have been walking 3.5 km from my residence at Museum Road to the CPMG office on Palace Road and back. I hope it also inspires staff in the Postal Department if they stay near the office,” he told TNIE. “I am enjoying it. I walk via Cubbon Park, and taking new routes to my workplace,” he said of his experience.

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Robotic surgery puts patient back on feet

Aasra hospital claimed that it conducted the world’s first robotic total hip replacement surgery for a polio patient with a history of an unsuccessful girdle stone arthroplasty. A team of doctors conducted the surgery enabling the polio patient to walk after two years of being confined to a wheelchair.

The 48-year-old patient suffered from a fracture a few years ago and underwent a girdle stone arthroplasty at an orthopaedic hospital but was unable to move or walk after the surgery. A robotic total hip replacement surgery was done and a specially modified implant was placed in the hip joint. The surgery was conducted using MAKO Smart Robotics platform – one of the most advanced robotic surgery equipment available. With this precision surgery, a patient will be able to walk within a day post the procedure and return to normal life within 4-6 weeks.

Dr Jagadish Hiremath, Chairman, AASRA Hospitals, said, “There has been no documented evidence in any medical literature across the world of a total robotic hip replacement surgery conducted in such a complicated case. With conventional surgery, surgeons work based on the gut feeling and skills. With robotic surgery, everything can be planned in detail and hence perfect alignment of the implant can be achieved.”

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Jayadeva satellite centre at K.C. General Hospital to be functional from today

Angiograms, angioplasties and stenting procedures apart from master cardiac evaluation can be done at the satellite centre

Cardiac emergencies requiring the golden hour treatment in Central Bengaluru can now avail timely treatment at the State-run K.C. General Hospital. A 50-bed satellite centre of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR), which was inaugurated on Thursday, will start functioning from Friday.

The compact cardiac centre, set up on an equip, operate, and manage (EOM) model, has 20 ICU beds and 30 general wards. Facilities such as ECHO, treadmill, ECG and a cath lab are also available.

SJICSR Director C.N. Manjunath said angiograms, angioplasties, and stenting procedures apart from master cardiac evaluation can be done at the centre.

Work on setting up the centre that was announced during former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s tenure was delayed owing to COVID-19. The project was fast-tracked and completed within a year at a cost of ₹15 crore. While ₹8.7 crore has been given by the government, the remaining is through Jayadeva’s internal resources, he said.

“The required equipment and manpower (three cardiologists and supporting staff) has also been provided by Jayadeva. However, any cardiac emergencies that come after 5 p.m. will be shifted to the main Jayadeva institute as we cannot maintain two parallel emergency teams,” Dr. Manjunath explained.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who inaugurated the Jayadeva satellite centre and a 50-bed paediatric ICU that will be run by the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health on Thursday, said six regional command centres that will provide 24/7 support through telemedicine specialists to community health centres (CHCs) will be set up soon.

AB-ArK should cover high cost procedures

C.N. Manjunath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, suggested that the government should also include complex procedures costing above ₹2 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) health scheme.

“Although the total coverage is up to ₹5 lakh per family, many complex life-saving procedures or implants that cost above ₹2 lakh are not covered. This makes it inevitable for BPL patients to pay out of their pockets for such procedures,” he asserted.

Yeshaswini to be re-launched on November 1

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that the Yeshaswini health insurance scheme for farmers will be re-launched on November 1. It was earlier proposed to be re-launched on October 2.

Initially launched in 2003, Yeshaswini was one of the largest self-funded healthcare schemes.

Hero Dirt Biking Challenge in Mangaluru sees enthusiastic participation

Hero MotoCorp introduced the Hero Dirt Biking Challenge (HDBC) to serve as a platform for aspiring riders and enthusiasts to showcase their talent. The country’s best amateur off-road riders are chosen from 45 cities

More than 60 passionate motorcycle enthusiasts from Mangaluru, Goa, Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga participated in the Hero Dirt Biking Challenge (HDBC) held on September 24 and 25 at Benjanapadavu near Mangaluru while five were selected for the next round.

Hero MotoCorp introduced the HDBC to serve as a platform for aspiring riders and enthusiasts to showcase their talent. The country’s best amateur off-road riders are chosen from 45 cities. Hero MotoCorp will be awarding a Hero Xpulse 200 4V motorcycle and sponsorship contracts worth ₹20 lakh to the winner and the two runners-up. State 3 of the event was held at Kodman Motopark in Benjanapadavu.

The HDBC event was hosted by Shoeb Khan from Mysuru, a certified FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) official and a professional rally racer. The two-day action packed event included a variety of challenges that the riders had to face. Participants had to go through jumps, a sidewall, whoops and finally park at the stop box with the fastest time, said a release.

Five winners will participate in the next round to be held in Bengaluru. Asad Khan from Chikkamagaluru won the first place while Ishan Chandra from Mangaluru won the second, Samson from Mysuru came third, Suhail Ahmed from Mangaluru the fourth and Safwan Hussain from Mangaluru came in fifth position.

The top 100 chosen riders Nationwide will attend a 5-day regional boot camp following the preliminary rounds. Ross Branch and Joachim Rodriguez, from the rally team of Hero Motosports, will work with the best competitors and offer their advice. The final event of the boot camp will be a race, and the winners will advance to the finals.

Kodman Motopark proprietor Christon D’souza said, “I was truly contented seeing the number of participants at Kodman. This is a great initiative taken by Hero MotoCorp to give opportunity to the motoenthusiasts.”

KodmanMotopark has an off-road track for bikes and 4 wheelers where motorsport enthusiasts can train and hone their off-roading skills.

Dasara brings cheer as hotels in Mysuru remain fully occupied

Beeline of tourists to the City of Palaces for the finale – Jamboo Savari and torchlight parade scheduled on October 5

All roads are leading to Mysuru as the City of Palaces is gearing up for the Dasara finale on the day of Vijayadashami on October 5. The city is no exception to traffic congestion as the roads are getting choked and traffic jams have become common with scores of tourists heading to Mysuru to experience Nada Habba.

The steep rise in tourist footfalls has resulted in hotels registering 100 percent occupancy. All kinds of hotels – budget and star – are fully booked till October 5.

“We have no vacant rooms till the end of Dasara season. Another reason for full occupancy is Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra that has entered Mysuru district as the party leaders and followers have booked the rooms,” said Hotel Owners’ Association President C. Narayana Gowda.

Stakeholders of the tourism industry here were demanding for a grand Dasara as a booster dose for tourism which is on the path of recovery after the two waves of COVID-19. The Dasara fete was subdued in the last two years, badly hitting the tourism economy since a large number of families rely fully on the tourism revenue for their livelihood.

Tourists have been making a beeline to Mysuru since Saturday, thanks to the long weekend and the vacation. The schools and colleges are on vacation till October 9. “The last time this kind of rush was seen was in 2019. After a two-year gap, we are witnessing a surge of tourists and Dasara is the biggest strength for turning around the fortune of tourism industry,” a tour operator said.

According to Mr. Narayana Gowda, Mysuru city has 415 hotels, including star hotels and budget hotels, with about 10,500 rooms. Almost all the rooms are either full or booked. We have no vacant rooms. Some rooms were booked for sports persons of Dasara sports. The main reason for thumping footfalls is the grand Dasara, he said.

The rooms in vacant wedding halls have also been taken for the accommodation of the Congress party workers who have arrived here from different places to take part in Bharat Jodo Yatra.

“Since the hotel rooms are full, the rooms at wedding halls are also occupied to accommodate the party workers,” said Mr. Narayanagowda, who is also associated with the marriage halls’ association.

Some hotel representatives said that the rooms were available till September 29 but the bookings went up from September 30 and the rooms started filling up on Saturday.

“It took six hours for us to reach Mysuru from Bengaluru. There was bumper to bumper traffic on the highway. At the ORR junction at Manipal Hospital in Mysuru, we had to wait for 45 minutes to enter the city,” said a couple from Chennai.

DULT, BMRCL bag infra awards

Director of business development and corporate communications, Urban Infra Communications Vinod Shah said that this is the second edition of the awards, and the first was held in 2020.

Karnataka agencies, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), have bagged awards in the second edition of Urban Infra awards in five categories, organised by a Urban Infra Communications, a specialised Infra PR company.

The Most Innovative Urban Mobility Leader award, under the industrial category, was bagged by V Manjula, commissioner of Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT). Under the corporate category, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) won the Best Public Transport of Silicon Valley award and Bharat Electronics Limited won the Excellence in Indigenous Innovation for Rail and Metro Systems award. Under the transit and mobility category- the most preferred transit system award was bagged by Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit Systems Limited. DULT also bagged an award of the most admired city planning body for urban development under the City Infrastructure category.

Director of business development and corporate communications, Urban Infra Communications Vinod Shah said that this is the second edition of the awards, and the first was held in 2020. He added that a five member jury chooses the winners, based on work done in the past and projects planned ahead. Manjula (DULT) told TNIE that the award will boost the morale of young staffers in organisation to strive and improve mobility in the state.

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