** Kundapur: Unique smart classroom in modified KSRTC bus inaugurated

 A unique smart classroom was inaugurated by the government higher primary school Noojadi, Bagwadi in a KSRTC bus here on Saturday March 12.

MLA B M Sukumar Shetty who inaugurated the class said that basic facilities are being provided in the rural schools. “The country can change only when even the last child in the society gets educated. Students who study in hardship reach high positions in their career. No child should be deprived of education.

“Students will benefit as KSRTC runs their buses on rural roads. Officials should make sure that the buses run in villages where there is demand. They should have a service mentality instead of being only profit minded considering the student’s future. Students will gherao Kundapur KSRTC depot if KSRTC does not run their buses in the rural area from next academic year,” he said

** Early-yielding jackfruit variety ready for release

Called Mangala Early, it is said to be a farmers variety

Saplings of an early-yielding jackfruit variety from whose trees fruits can be harvested from late November is all set to be released in the city in June.

A joint private initiative of B. Sarvesha Rao, a nursery owner, Gururaja Balthillaya, a well-known grafter of the coastal belt, and Gabriel Stany Veigas, a retired District Forest Officer (DFO), who is a pioneer in raising a jackfruit orchard spread over 10 acres in the coastal belt, the variety has been named Mangala Early. It is a farmers variety.

The plantation of Mr. Veigas at Neerakere in Tenka Mijar village near Moodbidri has about 900 trees/plants of different jackfruit varieties with many of them bearing fruit now. It is probably the largest jackfruit orchard in the coastal belt now. He began planting them in 2013-14.

** City Gets Karnataka’s First Tribal Museum

The City of Palaces and Museums has got one more museum — a Tribal Museum — adding a new feather on its cap.

The Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI) has set up Karnataka’s first Tribal Museum at Kergalli and the facility will be inaugurated today at 3 pm by the Minister of Tribal Welfare and Transport B. Sriramulu. District Minister S.T. Somashekar and other dignitaries will be present.

Mysuru

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** Mangaluru: St Joseph Engineering College students secure 3 ranks at university level

Continuing the tradition of bagging university ranks, the students of St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC) in city have brought laurels to the college yet again, by securing three rRanks in the University Examinations conducted by Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, for the academic year 2020-21.

Sheik Mohammad Zunain secured the fourth rank in Civil Engineering by scoring a CGPA of 9.46 in his Bachelor of Engineering studies. Alongside him, Varun M, secured ninth rank in Mechanical Engineering with a CGPA of 9.35.

In the Postgraduate category, Sushmitha secured the eighth rank in Master of Computer Applications (MCA) by scoring a CGPA of 9.18.

The meritorious students will be awarded their degrees by Thawar Chand Gehlot, governor of Karnataka and the chancellor of the University, during the 21st Annual Convocation of the VTU to be held at Belagavi

** Mangaluru: Sarojini Shetty, Chandrahas Suvarna bag Nataka Academy awards

Well-known artiste of Tulu theatre, Sarojini Shetty from Shaktinagar here has been chosen for the prestigious Karnataka Nataka Academy’s annual Rangaprashasti award for the year 2021.

Sarojini had acted in various drama troupes including Sri Ganesha Nataka Sabha, Cha Parka Kalavidaru and Sri Lalita Kalavidaru Mangaluru. She has acted in over 2,500 plays some of which are Veerarani Abbakka, Kittur Rani Chennamma, Belawadi Mallamma, Kateeldappe Ullaldi, Bangar Bale, Bayyamallike etc. She also has acted in over 14 Tulu movies some of which are Tulunada Siri, Bangar Patler, Sangama Sakshi, Bollidota and Dareda Seere. She was also seen in the small screen, having acted in TV series like Barauda Bandasale and Irulu.

** Regional Science Centre to celebrate 10th anniversary

The Dharwad facility has lined up several science, technology, mathematics events

The Dharwad Regional Science Centre (DRSC) located on the Karnatak University premises is all set to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

A series of events in science, technology and mathematics will be held from March 13 to March 18.

The decennial celebration programme will be inaugurated on Sunday by Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti. Karnatak University Vice-Chancellor K.B. Gudasi will preside over it.

** MoU inked with British Council to impart global skills to youth in Karnataka

he Government of Karnataka and the British Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday to renew their partnership in the areas of education, English, and arts aimed at creating global opportunities for the youth of Karnataka, stated a press release. 

It also paves the way to develop sustainable partnerships in research and innovation between centers of excellence (CoE) in the UK and Karnataka across areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, ed-tech, biosciences, and cybersecurity, said Minister of Higher Education Ashwath Narayan. The MoU, which is for the duration of three years, was signed at Vikasa Soudha.

** Felicitations to achievers mark women’s day at CSIR-CFTRI

International Women’s Day was celebrated at CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) here recently.

D. Swaroopa Rani, senior scientist and President, CFTRI Women’s Association, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of International Women’s Day while emphasising the need for removing gender bias in society.

Villoo Morawala-Patell, Founder and Chairperson, Avesthagen Limited, Bengaluru, who was the chief guest, spoke about women’s role in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). She explained how women with perseverance and dedication have achieved success in most fields. They have successfully balanced work and family.

The special invitee of the event was Marthamma Mary, a woman auto driver of Mysuru city. She narrated her journey as an autorickshaw driver. Confidence and determination helped her achieve success in a vocation that is dominated by men, she said.

Sridevi Annapurna Singh, the first woman director of CSIR-CFTRI, gave her presidential remarks and talked about how women should respect themselves and feel strong.

On the occasion, the CSIR-CFTRI Women’s Association felicitated K. Kusuma, CFTRI staff member, for her achievement at the State-level para swimming competition where she won one gold and two silver medals.

** 17-year-old undergoes non-surgical replacement of tricuspid valve

In a first, doctors at the State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR) have done a tricuspid valve (on the right side of the heart) replacement using a non-surgical method on a 17-year-old boy. The surgery costing ₹15 lakh was done free of cost with help from donors and the manufacturers.

The patient, Karthik, was diagnosed with an infection  (Endocarditis) on the right side of the heart (tricuspid valve) in 2012. Doctors found that the infection had destroyed the valve leaflet. After appropriate treatment for the infection, he was taken up for surgery and his valve was repaired, institute director C.N. Manjunath told The Hindu on Thursday.

** 27 films win awards at BIFFes

The awards were presented for films released in 2020 and 2021

The 13th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BiFFes) drew to a close on Thursday with 27 films winning awards in three categories – Asian, Kannada and Indian. The awards were presented for films released for two years, 2020 and 2021, as the festival was not held last year due to the pandemic. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot presided over the event and presented the awards. 

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