September 2022 – Karnataka First

International Coffee Day to be celebrated at Belur on Oct. 1

Karnataka Growers Federation, an umbrella organisation of coffee growers in the Malnad region, will celebrate International Coffee Day at Belur on October 1. This time the event will be part of the Sharannavarathri Dasara programme being held at Belur since September 26.

In a press release on Thursday, KGF president H.T. Mohan Kumar and general secretary K.B. Krishnappa said the KGF and other coffee planters associations will jointly hold the programme at Government Junior College grounds in the town at 10 a.m. Excise Minister K. Gopalaiah, who is also Minister in charge of Hassan district, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje, BJP national general secretary C.T. Ravi and others will take part in the programme.

India has a prominent place among coffee-growing countries. Every year, coffee production contributes ₹8,000 crore of foreign exchange to the government. The KGF will take up a programme to promote coffee consumption in the country, the press release said.

Young entrepreneur comes up with ‘Made in Hubballi’ pistol

Ankush Koravi to showcase India’s first indigenous pistol at Defence Expo in Gujarat

A mechanical engineering graduate from Hubballi, Ankush Koravi, who took the less trodden path, has now come up with the country’s first indigenous pistol. He is among the select few to get invited to the Defence Expo being conducted by the Union government at Gandhinagar in Gujarat in September.

Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Tuesday, Ankush Koravi, who is now the CEO of Astr Defence Private Limited, said that he will be showcasing the indigenously developed ATAL Modular Pistol at the Indian Pavilion of Defence Expo organised by the Ministry of Defence.

He said that he had showcased his assault rifle at the Defence Expo in 2020 and had test fired the weapon at DGQA (Defence) firing range.

Mr. Koravi said that his new product ATAL Modular Pistol had three inbuilt safety mechanisms making it the safest carry pistol in the world. The patent for its unique safety mechanism is pending.

He said that the ergonomics of the pistol has been tailor-made for Indian user and Indian conditions and it could be reconfigured to adapt to various applications like duty use, carry use and conceal use.

“It is designed with minimal parts for reliability. It features an alloy steel slide, polymer frame with three magazine capacity (15, 17 and 21) options. It has been designed for two calibres, 9x 19 mm for duty use and 0.32 inch for licensed citizens,” he said.

Elaborating on his four-year journey of setting up a defence startup with a scalable production unit, Mr. Koravi said that now the startup has its own manufacturing facility, licensed and approved, at Kadanakoppa in Kalghatgi taluk near Hubballi.

“The product will have ‘Made in Hubballi’ etched on it as every part of it has been indigenously designed and developed,” he said.

Major (Retd) Anand C.S. and Subedar (Retd) Ningappa, who were among the ex-servicemen who guided and helped Mr. Koravi in developing the product and improving it, said that it was great to see a young entrepreneur from Hubballi developing high quality arms, with his base as Hubballi.

President of Karnatak Chamber of Commerce Vinay Javali said that it was heartening to see a young entrepreneur from Hubballi being invited for the Defence Expo and the KCCI will extend all necessary assistance to him.

KCCI office-bearers, Executive Director of Astr Lokesh Koravi, HDMC councillor Rajanna Koravi and others were present.

Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Horticultural Research tops the list of 93 ICAR institutes in national ranking

Plant varieties and technologies developed by Institute located in Hessarghatta is contributing about ₹13,000 crore a year to country’s exchequer

Bengaluru has got one more feather in its cap with the Hesaraghatta-based Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) being ranked top among institutions run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The IIHR has topped the combined list of ranking for 2019-20 and 2020-21 that was released by the IIHR on Wednesday.

In all, 93 various institutes run by the ICAR in different parts of the country were considered for ranking.

The ranking is done on various parameters including the institute profile, performance, recognition and awards received by its faculty, research output and outcome, impact of research taken up by the institute, and vision and future readiness of the institute.

While each of these parameters were allotted certain marks, the institutes were judged for a maximum of 100 marks.

Vast research

IIHR conducts research on 54 major horticultural crops and has released 330 hybrids and other varieties in these crops ever since its inception in 1967.

The institute has also released 157 technologies that have played a major role in boosting horticultural productivity in the country. The estimated impact of eight of these selected hybrids/varieties and technologies to the national exchequer is around ₹13,000 crore annually.

The institute is also focusing on the promotion of entrepreneurship through horticultural technologies and at present there are three technology business incubators in operation at the institute to hand hold and promote horticultural entrepreneurship.

Seed portal

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the IIHR recently launched an online portal for the sales of the seeds of the varieties released by it.

Institute Director Debi Sharma said the recognition for ICHR had increased the responsibility of the institute. IIHR was keen on pursuing its cutting edge research in new areas, she said.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources and the National lnstitute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease lnformatics, which too are ICAR institutes located in Bengaluru, have got the 23rd and the 50th rank respectively.

Mangaluru: MCC bags Swachh Bharath League special award

The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has bagged the special award of Swachh Bharath League given by union ministry for housing and urban affairs. This award is given to cities with population between three and ten lac.

In this competition, which was held under Swachh Bharath Abhiyan campaign, more than 1850 city and local bodies took part. This award is given to cities who are striving to realize the idea of waste free city.

Roopa Mishra, joint director of urban affairs of Swachh Bharath Abhiyan said that the award will be conferred on September 30 at the Talkatora stadium of New Delhi.

Mysuru: Medal-Winners In Kickboxing

The following fighters of Appu Fight Club, Mysuru, trained under M.K. Sanjay Kumar, have excelled at the National-level Kickboxing Championship by representing Karnataka Kickboxing Sports Association:

K. Vinay, a student of BGS College, has secured gold medal in K1 (-48 kg) category of WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations) India National Children and Juniors Kickboxing Championship-2022 held at Kolkata in the month of July.

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History Created In Mysuru As Droupadi Murmu Becomes First President To Open Dasara

“Mysuru Dasara is a proud symbol of India’s cultural heritage”

Mysore/Mysuru: History was created in Mysuru atop Chamundi Hill this morning as President of India Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Dasara-2022 by showering flower petals on the decked-up idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed on a silver chariot. She became the first President to declare open the grand 10-day festivities.

In the past, the Presidents and Vice-Presidents have inaugurated the Jumboo Savari. Today’s Mysuru visit created another history as it was Droupadi Murmu’s first State visit after assuming the Office of India’s First Citizen. Her flight directly landed at the Mysore Airport from New Delhi. Though the VVIP visit was for over two hours only, it became significant considering the firsts achieved by it.

Stringent protocol

The inauguration time was specified between 9.45 am and 10.05 am in the Vruschika Lagna. However, the inauguration took place three minutes later due to the stringent protocols to be followed and also the tight security accorded to the country’s First Citizen by the President’s Body Guards (PBG). Before the inauguration, the President visited the sanctum sanctorum of the Chamundeshwari Temple and offered her prayers.

As per the protocol, the President arrived on the stage last, after all the other dignitaries were seated. Before the President’s arrival, an officer-in-charge of security walked onto the stage and sought information from the event managers about the number of people on the dais. He examined the silver chariot where the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was placed and even examined the lamp that will be lit by the President as part of the inauguration.

Ascending the stage, the President directly walked to her chair and greeted the audience with folded hands as a bodyguard stood behind her with full alertness.

The National Anthem (by the Police Band) and the Naadageethe were played. Later, the President walked toward the silver chariot and performed the inauguration rituals.

Mahishasuramardini Alankara

The Goddess was decorated in the form of Mahishasuramardini and a green saree was draped on her. A mangalasutra and gold jewellery were put on the Goddess.

Accompanying the President were Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, Kannada and Culture Minister V. Sunil Kumar and District Minister S.T. Somashekar.

As the President lit the ceremonial lamp, the mantras were chanted by Chief Priest of the Temple Dr. Shashishekar Dixit. The Chief Priest later offered flower petals to the guests to shower on the Goddess. After the inauguration, the President obliged to a team of photographers and posed for a photograph with the guests.

Though Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda was to preside over the event, he had to be seated in the front row due to protocol restrictions. Even Mayor Shivakumar, Mysuru’s First Citizen, did not get a chance to be with the President on stage.

The President’s Office had fixed the number of people on the stage at 13 and the number was reduced to seven later. As such, many dignitaries had to be seated off the stage.

Red carpet was rolled from the President’s cavalcade parking venue to the Temple premises and the President walked in a brisk pace with her bodyguards running ahead of her. The Hill Temple was closed for public and it was opened only after the President and other guests left the Hill.

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You have honoured all daughters of India: President tells Hubballi Dharwad

President of India Droupadi Murmu was accorded civic honour by Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation(HDMC) on September 26

President of India Droupadi Murmu, who was accorded civic honour by Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation(HDMC) on September 26, termed the honour as ‘an honour to all the daughters of the nation’.

The President said, “By honouring a person like me, who comes from a humble background, you have honoured all the daughters of the nation.” The audience responded with a huge round of applause.

Earlier, the President was accorded ‘poura sanmana’ (civic honour) by Hubballi Dharwad Mayor Iresh Anchatageri, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in the presence of Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and other MLAs.

The President began her speech by recollecting the contribution of the twin cities of Hubballi Dharwad to the field of education and music. She said that she was very happy to be in Hubballi Dharwad, which had great cultural significance and are known as ‘Vidya Kashi’ (the Kashi of education).

Referring to the history of the region and contribution of Hubballi Dharwad to the field of art, culture, education and also the freedom struggle, she recalled the names of Kittur queen Chennamma and Baba Sahib of Naragund. She also cited legendary vocalists Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru and Gangubai Hangal, and their contribution to the field of music.

The President said that she would like to congratulate the people of Hubballi Dharwad as they were living in twin cities, which contribute immensely to Karnataka and the nation. She said the people of the twin cities had not forgotten their roots and culture while embracing technology. “You have not forgotten history while embracing science for development,” she said.

‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

Recalling the contribution of freedom fighters from north Karnataka, she said that the country is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, and by the time it celebrates 100 years of independence, it would be ‘developed’ and ‘Atmanirbhar’.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Mayor Iresh Anchatageri briefed them about the region and twin cities. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi referred to the contribution of the region to music, literature and education. Of the eight Jnanpeeth award winners from Karnataka, five are from Dharwad, known as the land of literature and music, he said.

The Union Minister also briefed the audience about the life of President Droupadi Murmu and elaborated on how, coming from a humble tribal family, she became an elected representative and rose to the position of President of India.

Karnataka Ministers Halappa Achar and Shankar Patil Munenakoppa, MLAs Prasad Abbayya, Arvind Bellad and Amrut Desai were among those who attended the event.

Neev Literature Festival 2022: Roopa Pai, Anushka Ravishankar, and Paro Anand among the authors line-up

The festival will be held at the Neev Academy Campus, Bengaluru, on September 24 and 25

The annual Neev Literature Festival (NLF), which celebrates children’s books, will be back physically after being online for the last two years due to the pandemic. The festival in Bengaluru will be held at the Neev Academy Campus, Yemalur, on September 24 and 25.

The theme for this year’s festival, ‘Reading takes you places’, according to the organisers, focuses on the power of books to set one free to experience new places – real and imaginary – and explore various cultural perspectives.

The festival will host a myriad events with noted authors, librarians, award–winning filmmakers, and storytellers discussing and interacting with the audience on a plethora of topics. It features over 92 sessions with over 60 speakers enlightening young minds on topics ranging from climate change to writing from conflict zones.

Roopa Pai, Anushka Ravishankar, Paro Anand, Jane De Suza, Samina Mishra, Venita Coelho, Shabnam Minawalla, Sandhya Rao, Bijal Vaccharajani, Arundhati Venkatesh, and Menaka Raman are among the speakers

Attendees can also check out a curated marketplace of books for readers of all ages.

The festival also will release a report, ‘State of Indian Children’s Writing’, which talks about how the children’s book market is small and dominated by Western titles. “The profession of children’s writing must also become more financially sustainable in India,” says Kavita Gupta Sabharwal, co-founder and curator of the festival.

“The Neev Literature Festival in its sixth edition aims to evangelise the power of reading for lifelong learning, and the power of Indian stories for building identity,” she adds, “With changing family structures and constant digital invasion, children’s books are now the literary mirrors, and windows to the whole world of possibility. Indian books, meanwhile, focussed on personal chronology, mythology and folk tales are wonderful, but must also convey the Ideas of India@75 and the hopes of India@100.”

On the first day, the jury members of the Neev Book Award will announce the winners in all the four categories: Early Years (5-7 years), Emerging Readers (6-8 years), Junior Readers (9-12 years), and Young Adult (13-18 years).

Udupi: Feast of Mackerel, Milk Shark fish in coastal districts

Mackerel, which is one of the most sought after fish in the coastal districts by pescatarians, is available in plenty these days. It is being sold at a throwaway price. People are stocking them in refrigerators for future use as well.

Two days ago 50 mackerels were sold for Rs 100. Two fish were being bought for Rs 100 during June and July.

Due to inclement weather in the deep sea even during the beginning of the fishing season most of the fish swam close to the beach and even traditional fishermen were having a feast time.

Another fish that is available in abundance is Milk shark. A few days ago sardines had fallen in tonnes on the Thottam beach. Now it is the turn of Milk sharks. These fish weigh two to three kilos and are sold at Rs 280 a kilo. Most of it is exported to Kerala also.

Milk Sharks are mostly located near huge rocks in the sea beaches of little inside sea. Fins, tail and ear of these fishes are in great demand. They are cut at the port itself and kept separately for export after drying in sun. This is used in making medicines.

On the whole fish lovers of coastal districts are having a feast time. The arrival Navaratri has also contributed to the reduction in fish prices as most of the Hindus do not eat fish during this period.

Mangaluru: Sangeet Visharada Roshan Martis to be felicitated at Kalangan

Music scholar and trainer Roshan Francis Martis, Kadri has been selected for the felicitation on International Music Day 2022 by Mandd Sobhann and Sumel music team. He will be felicitated during the 250th repertory programme at Kalangann on October 2.

Martis secured Sangeeth Visharada degree in Hindustani classical music in 1994. He has left his stamp as a music teacher, author and music performer. He started ‘Sur Rang’ music school at Kadri and has been training students.

He has trained students at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, NITK Surathkal, Padua and Alvas institutes. He has held music programmes in India and abroad. His music and art performance reviews have been published in newspapers.

Martis has also participated as a judge in ‘Jigibigi Taran’ of Daijiworld TV, ‘Duet singing star’ TV reality shows and other music competitions held by the government and private organizations.

He has been selected for the honour considering his valuable contribution to the music sector. ‘Novin Motyan’, a music concert based on his newly created songs will be held in the 250th monthly repertory.

The organizers said that the programme will begin at 6.30 PM. Entry is free.