October 2022 – Page 3 – Karnataka First

Driven by ambition: Bengaluru’s Pragathi Gowda wins the Asia-Pacific final

The first round of the 2020 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) held in Itanagar saw a young new talent blitzing her way through the competition to secure an overall top 10 finish on her debut. That day, motorsports veterans and enthusiasts felt that the newcomer was a future talent. Within just two years, they were proved right when Bengaluru’s Pragathi Gowda won the Asia-Pacific final of the FIA Rally Star programme held at the Madras International Circuit early last week, beating 26 other drivers, from seven different national motorsport clubs across the continent.

Gowda says she developed her interest in motorsports driving in the city, along with some big encouragement coming from her father and brother. Having to travel often for races, Gowda explains that coming back home helps her re-energise. “Bengaluru is such a wonderful place to live; I adore it! When I’m away, I genuinely miss the city, and I cannot wait to return home,” she says, adding that her favourite way to unwind is with a cup of coffee.

Having started her motorsports career very recently in 2019, Gowda says that getting an opportunity to represent India in an international event has been a dream come true. “I made my country proud with that win, and I will always cherish that achievement,” she says. After a impressive debut in INRC in 2020, she has emerged as one of the most promising racers in the country. However, she says that her experience in INRC was of little to no use during the Rally Star final.

“It was a completely different challenge. The car was radically different compared to the ones I’m used to. It was tricky to drive, as I had no prior experience with a rear-wheel-driven car. Adjusting to the car was a difficult process and it took me a while to get the best times out of it,” shares Gowda, who is self-taught. Despite her struggles to adjust to the car, she says that her comfort with gravel stages gave her the upper hand. “I’m a gravel girl, I always loved driving on dirt.

And I’m hoping that it’ll give me an advantage during the finals next year,” she quips. Despite her achievements, Gowda says the environment in Bengaluru and the wider region are not very supportive of motorsports aspirants. Drawing on her own experiences, she felt that most people view motorsports as dangerous, despite the recent advances in driver safety. “The negative perception acts as a barrier to entry, especially to women,” she says.

“If we had more top-tier international sporting events such as Formula 1, and World Rally Championship happening in the country, it would probably help change people’s perception, while giving motorsports wider exposure.” One day, she hopes to land a seat in the FIA World Rally Championship. And as she prepares for the all-important Rally Star finals in Peru next year, Gowda says the process hasn’t been straightforward as she lacks access to a suitable practice car.

“All this while, it was just me alone trying to make the country proud. But now, I’ll need the country’s help to give me the best possible chance at the next stage. I definitely cannot do it alone,” concludes Gowda.

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State Award For Master Athlete

International Master Athlete Vijaya Ramesh from Mysuru being conferred with State Award (Sports) by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on the occasion of World Senior Citizens Day celebrations recently. IAS Officer N. Manjula is also seen.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.

Vijaya Ramesh has taken part in Hurdles, High Jump and Long Jump in Masters State, National and International level Tournaments apart from taking part in the World Championships.

She has represented India 16 times including 3 World Meets.

India First:

She has the credit of being the first woman to have won 14 medals abroad. President of Mysuru Masters Games Association and a Member of Rotary Club of Mysore East, she has been conferred with various awards including Kannada Rajyotsava Award.

Vijaya Ramesh, wife of ex-Serviceman Ramesh and a resident of Gokulam 3rd Stage in city, can be contacted on Mob: 98455-62413.

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Mysuru’s Yoga Champ Kushi Wins Silver At National Games

International Yoga exponent from Mysuru, H. Kushi has bagged Silver Medal in Rhythmic Yogasana contest at the 36th National Games held at Ahmedabad in Gujarat recently. Yoga was included for the first time in the National Games, in which Karnataka won one Gold, two Silver and two Bronze.

Kushi is studying first year Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Degree course at the Government Nature Cure and Yoga College in city. She has been practicing under the guidance of Dr. P.N. Ganesh Kumar of Vivekananda Yoga and Research Centre, Mysuru, for the past 8 years. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Rajyotsava Award.

She is the daughter of H. Kumuda and S. Hemachandra, an employee at Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Ltd., Mysuru, residing in Hebbal. She can be contacted on Mob: 99720-47999.

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Saharsh Prabhu, Trivia Veigas from Mangaluru win Gold in Badminton Championship

Saharsh S Prabhu and Arya T Gowda won Gold medal at Yonex Sunrise under 17 boys doubles and Trivia Veigas and Prathiksha Raj won Gold Medal in Under 17 girls doubles in Karnataka State Badminton Championship at Shivamogga from 28th September to 2nd October

Saharsh S Prabhu is presently studying at Canara Pre University College, Mangaluru and Trivia Veigas is presently studying at Presidency Pre University college Kelarai, Mangaluru.

Both are training under Shreyas of SBA (Smash Block Ace) Badminton Academy Mangaluru.

Saharsh son of Santhosh Prabhu and Smitha Prabhu, Hathill road, Mangaluru and Trivia Veigas daughter of Rajesh Veigas and Sandra Veigas from Paldane, Mangaluru.

Environmentalist Kame Gowda praised as ‘Water Warrior’ by PM Modi no more

Kame Gowda, an environmentalist, whose efforts to build 16 lakes were praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, passed away on Monday in Mandya district of Karnataka.

Also known as Kalmane Kame Gowda, 86-year-old Kame Gowda breathed his last at his residence in Dasanadioddi village.

PM Modi had called Kame Gowda a ‘Water Warrior’ and praised for his efforts to build 16 lakes in the region in his monthly radio programme ‘Man Ki Baat’ on June 28, 2020.

Gowda, a shepard, born to Venkata Gowda and Rajamma couple, did not go to school. However, his love and association towards his flock of sheep brought him closer to nature.

After PM Modi mentioned his name and lauded his achievement, he came into limelight. The Associated Press published a detailed article on him through which his efforts were recognised at the international level.

PM Modi had stated that Kame Gowda, who had built lakes on his own money for the sake of birds and animals is a model. Kame Gowda, came to know about the importance of water. He had taken up “Jal Kayak” (water preservation) with hard work. Due to his efforts the green cover in the region has improved, PM Modi then stated.

Kame Gowda had spent his life time savings to build water bodies. He had expressed that he wanted a house, job for his children and land for the development of lakes.

During the tenure of former CM B.S. Yediyurappa, the government had provided financial assistance. Presently, Health Minister Dr K. Sudhakar had taken care when Kame Gowda fell ill.

Talking about what made him build water bodies, Kame Gowda had said that he could not get drinking water in the Kundur hill region due to which he faced a lot of difficulty. He had to walk a long distance, asking for water from strangers’ houses. That made him think, what would the birds and animals be doing in the absence of water.

That inspired him to build lakes. People laughed at him and called him mad when they saw him digging dry lands. However, unaffected by all criticism, he continued his work.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai paid his condolences to Kame Gowda and lauded his efforts.

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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On the ground learning

Asia’s first RDPR University offers courses to empower students who can further empower rural India.

Mahatma Gandhi’s profound remark, “The soul of India lives in its villages”, resonates through every pulse of the nation even today. About 65 per cent of the Indian population continues to reside in rural areas, adhering to a lifestyle grounded in tradition. However, as India progresses into an era of modernisation on par with its developed global peers, the country’s villages are trying to catch up with the modern times, while preserving their ethos.

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Spearheading this process academically is a unique university in Karnataka, which imparts learnings in Gandhian thought, herbal medicine, rural lifestyle, addressing rural socio-economic problems, and traditional vocations, among others. The Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (KSRDPU) is situated in Nagavi village of Gadag district.

Plan in action
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj are the two main pillars acting as catalysts to change the country’s rural scene for the best. Hence, a university aimed at heralding positive change in the rural areas of North Karnataka was envisioned.

The proposal to establish such a university was approved by both Houses of the Legislature in the Chief Minister’s Budget speech of 2013-14, following which a state government-constituted expert committee visited several academic institutions, such as Institute of Rural Management Anand; National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad; Gandhi Gram, Madurai; Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad; and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, to come up with an idea for the RDPR University. The committee’s vision through the proposed varsity was to create a committed, dedicated professional workforce to address various issues affecting rural development.

Accordingly, the university had its inception at Raita Bhavan near Bhishmakere in 2016, with academic activities beginning the following year. Later, a plan to establish a full-fledged RDPR University was mooted by the then RDPR Minister H K Patil, following which a new campus was inaugurated in 2018 by the then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This campus came up on 353 acres of land near Nagavi. The pleasant weather emanating from the Kappatagudda hillock nearby made this village ideal for learning, especially for the study of subjects surrounding rural and village topics.

Today, this varsity focuses on research, teaching and training in the realms of sustainable rural development through the institution of Panchayat Raj. Special courses include MA in Geoinformatics (Remote Sensing and GIS), MA in Public Administration, MA in Rural Development and Panchayat Raj/Cooperative Management, MBA in Rural Management and Agribusiness Management, MSW in Community Development, Rural Reconstruction and Community Health, M. Com in Entrepreneurship or Cooperative Management, Master of Public Health, and much more.

According to Prakash Merawade, a lecturer at KSRDPRU, “At the university, we teach traditional Ayurvedic herbal medicine and use of charkha for making cloth as well. Students are exposed to practical experiences of rural problems, by getting them to visit the villages of Gadag district.”

“There was a need for such an institution, which is guided by Gandhiji’s idea of Gram Swaraj. We have also built a replica of Sabarmati Ashram on campus so that students can study and imbibe Gandhian philosophy. Today, KSRDPRU works on four main aspects — education-based, research-based, training-based and area-based learning,” concludes KSRDPRU Vice-Chancellor Vishnukant Chatpalli.

The KSRDPR University claims to be the first-of-its-kind institution in Asia, whose sole purpose is to create thought leaders and professionals who will work among rural-folk, bridging the development divide with their urban brethren, thereby blending traditional with modern in a diverse India.

LIFE AND TIMES

The KSRDPRU campus hosts a replica of the Gandhi Smarak of Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, which has been created by the KSRDPRU itself, and is located 10 km away from Gadag town. The ashram is located in the lap of Kappatagudda. The structure has five rooms, comprising a meditation centre, library, Nayee Talim centre, Gandhi Kasturba Kutir, and a kitchen. There is also a big statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the veranda, which can accommodate 60 people for attending speeches on Gandhian principles. The rooms also have a collection of photographs from the life and times of the Mahatma, besides a replica charkha like the one in Gujarat’s ashram.

TRADITIONAL HUT FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

The university has also built a Parnakuti, a traditional hut to create awareness on Ayurveda. Students, traditional doctors and Ayurveda experts are brought here to share their knowledge on medicinal plants. Varsity staff grow Ayurvedic plants at Smritivana on campus. Parnakuti, which has been built using natural materials such as bamboo, eucalyptus wood and dry grass, encourages students to touch base with traditional healers, following practices like in the ancient times, when there used to be an Aushadha Vana, Rajvana and Panchavati Vana, where medicinal plants were cultivated.

MANOCHETANA COUNSELLING CENTRE

The university has started Manochetana, a free counselling centre for people who are under stress after the pandemic. Free counselling can be sought at the old building, in the old DC’s office building in Gadag town. This facility is open to farmers, health workers, students, and people from both rural and urban areas.

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Daksha College Founder-Chairman Receives Mahatma Award-2022

Jayachandra Raju, Chairman and Founder of Global Education Trust – Daksha College, Mysuru, received the prestigious Mahatma Award-2022 for Social Good and Impact in the event held at India International Centre, New Delhi, on Oct. 1.

Jayachandra Raju has served the United Nations in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations for more than 25 years in various regions of the world.

The Mahatma Award is supported by Aditya Birla Group and Eternal Gandhi Initiative as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi to spread his message of selfless services and love across the world.

Mahatma Award honours individuals and organisations addressing incredibly complex and equally severe problems spanning global peace, poverty and hunger, disease, education, climate change, disaster response and preparedness, health care accessibility, environment protection and sustainable development.

Jury Members and Dignitaries on stage who bestowed the award included Lt. Gen. Rajender Singh, former UN Force Commander, Peacekeeping Forces Ethiopia & Eritrea; Dr. Yogendra Saxena, Senior Vice-President, Ambuja Cement; Amit Sachdeva, CSR Man of India; Radhika Bharath Ram, Board Member of CARE, Helpage India and CII National Education Council and Dr. Sankar Kumar Sanyal, a staunch Gandhian and Member of Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti, Rajghat.

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Acknowledging greatness: Cubbon Park Walkers Forum hosts International Women Achievers Awards

This week brought to this city its infamous dampness. Cloudy skies, busy roads and cold weather. However, unlike most days during the wet season, the weekend carried a certain warmth to Bengaluru’s air as the Cubbon Park Walkers Association and Cubbon Park Walkers Forum hosted the International Women Achievers Awards 2022 on Sunday at Ravindra Kala Kshethra.

The Young Star Award 2022 took place as well. The mission behind this event was to empower, inspire and promote the works of women achievers and young talents, who have left a positive impact to the society and excelled in their fields of interest. Some of the awardees from this year include Dr Pratima Murthy, director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Alyia Krumbiegel, famed landscaper and social worker, esteemed classical singer Archana Udupa, who also performed at the function, and beloved actor Bhavana Ramanna, among others.

Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Higher Education; IT & BT, Science & Technology, and Mysuru maharaja Yaddu veer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar were the chief guests of the event. Starting in 2019, this is the second time this award show is being organised in South India. Besides our country, Australia and the United Kingdom have also taken part in the event.

“We started this to recognise women achievers and young talents, who have done substantially good work for our society’s wellbeing. There are so many examples of award shows where money is the key factor. People from the upper echelons of the social hierarchy just give money and take awards. That’s not good at all. Many deserving people don’t get recognised due to not being very affluent.

We wanted to create an award show that is purely for celebrating good work done by folks who gave their all for the rest of us,” says Dr Umesh Kumar, president of Cubbon Park Walkers Association and Cubbon Park Walkers Forum, who adds that the event, including the lunch, was free for all attendees. The event, which was six months in the making, features multiple attractions, which include a Kuchupudi dance performance and a musical programme by film music director Srisuresh.

“In the maiden year of this event, in 2019, more than 21 countries participated. We had about 800 attendees then, but this year our footfall has increased to more than twofold with almost 2000 people attending the award function. We plan on doing this every year as the Bengaluru crowd has been very supportive of our initiative,” concludes Dr Kumar.

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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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