August 2022 – Page 2 – Karnataka First

Udupi: Bejai Lourdes School, Bantwal’s BRMPC emerge winners at ‘St Mary’s Mindathon’

Lourdes Central School, Bejai, Mangaluru (under-14 category) and BRMPC Public School, Vidyagiri, Bantwal (under-17 category) emerged winners in the ‘St Mary’s Mindathon’ AICS Interschool Chess Tournament 2022, organized by St Mary’s English Medium School Kannarpady here at the school auditorium on Tuesday August 23.

In the under-14 category, Sharada Vidyalaya, Kodialbail, Mangaluru, Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Vidya Kendra, Alike, St Theresa’s School, Mangaluru, and Delhi Public School, MRPL, Mangaluru bagged the second, third, fourth and fifth places respectively.

In the under-17 category, Sharada Vidyalaya, Kodialbail, Mangaluru, Little Rock Indian School, Brahmavar, Udupi, St Aloysius Gonzaga School, Kodialbail, Mangaluru and St Mary’s English Medium School Kannarpady secured the second, third, fourth and fifth places respectively.

Deric Pinto, proprietor of Derik Chess School, Mangaluru inaugurated the chess tournament by lighting the lamp.

Wishing the best for all the contestants, he said, “Chess has many benefits. It will develop our decision making, memory and concentration. Chess players can become leaders and raise awareness. Chess is the only game where humans could compete with machines. A man becomes a man, when he can take decisons. Mangaluru is producing top players in many fields. Master Aaron Reeve Mendes (under 10) is one among them.”

Eliza Vaz, principal, Christ School Manipal was present as chief guest at the valedictory ceremony. She said, “Participation is very significant. Many of them may lose the game, but it does not matter. Children who are here to participate have made their parents proud. You have represented your school. Keep practicing and participating in the upcoming sports events.” She congratulated the institution for organizing such an event and wished the students a bright future.

Fr Charles Menezes, the correspondent of the institution also addressed the gathering. Benedict Fernandez, secretary, Parish Pastoral Council was present.

Fr Johnson Sequeira, the principal of St Mary’s English Medium School welcomed the gathering.

Gerald Pinto, physical education teacher of St Mary’s school, rendered the vote of thanks

Airbnb ranks Bengaluru among top tourist destinations

Travellers are eager to visit India, and inclined to stay on for longer to explore more places, which is increasing economic opportunities for the locals, a survey by Airbnb has revealed.

Travellers are eager to visit India, and inclined to stay for longer to explore more places, which is increasing economic opportunities for the locals, a survey by Airbnb has revealed. A study of searches by international tourists for Airbnb Stays in India showed that it jumped by more than 60 per cent Y-o-Y from Q1 2021 to Q1 2022, indicating that the tourism industry is bouncing back.

Data also showed that metro cities like New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai have emerged as the most popular destinations among international and domestic travellers. Those from Canada, the UAE, the UK, Germany, and Australia were among the top origin countries for searches for India. Airbnb GM for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Amanpreet Bajaj said the uptick in preference for metro cities and tourist hotspots indicates people have resumed travelling along with workstations and vacations.

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Leading the way: Mysuru engineering students build automated stick for visually impaired

Four students from Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering (VVCE), Mysuru, have developed an automated stick as a supportive device for the visually challenged.

Constant worry about potholes and obstacles affects the confidence of the visually impaired when they step out of their home. The stick helps them traverse safely, identifying potholes and hurdles while moving in crowded places, according to the students.

The stick developed by the students uses ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection and pothole detection for ensuring timely alerts to the visually challenged person.

Smrithi Baliga, a third-year Electronics and Communications Engineering student at VVCE, was worried seeing visually-challenged persons facing difficulties while crossing roads.

Teaming up with enthusiastic classmates Sapna H.M., Shreyas N., and Yogesh Gowda V., Ms. Smrithi came up with the idea of developing the stick. The Internet of Things (IoT)-based stick with an obstacle and pothole detection system using ultrasonic sensors was developed with guidance from Chandrashekar M. Patil, professor and Head, Department of ECE, and Girijamba D.L., assistant professor.

B. Sadashivegowda, principal, VVCE, said: “We are proud of our students for taking up the project. In recent times, technology has helped improve healthcare across the world. Through this project, our students have proven how technology could be used to fight visual impairment. The automated stick helps visually-impaired individuals move freely with confidence.”

The students have proposed to bring in some improvement to their product. Voice output via Bluetooth; upgrade of pothole detection from ultrasonic sensors to image-processing technique; LDR to sense lighting conditions; RF remote to locate the stick itself are among the additions, a note from the college said.

Swiss firm Hitachi sets up new facility at Doddaballapur

It has invested ₹100 cr for manufacture of power quality products

Hitachi Energy, a technology player that offers advanced solutions for a sustainable energy future globally, set up a new facility to manufacture power quality products (devices that test and check the quality of power) at Doddaballapur on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

The Indian arm of the Switzerland-based Hitachi Energy has invested ₹100 crore to set up this new facility that has a production capacity of 20,000 units of advanced capacitors, banks and power electronics compensators for low, medium and high-voltage systems that are used in power utilities, industries, renewables and transportation segments, as per the company.

“We have a rich heritage and extensive footprint in this country and this new manufacturing unit for power quality solutions reinforces our commitment to facilitate India’s energy transition to net-zero,” said Claudio Facchin, CEO, Hitachi Energy.

“The expansion also strengthens our long-standing presence in Karnataka as we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders in the ecosystem,’‘ he said in a media round table held at the facility on Tuesday.

Karnataka was fueling its ambitions of industrial growth through a prism of sustainable development goals, said Basavaraj Bommai, Chief Minister, at the facility opening ceremony held separately on the day. “Karnataka is a leading contributor to India’s industrial ambitions. With long-term committed partners such as Hitachi Energy, we continue to invest to make the state a global manufacturing hub,’‘ the Chief Minister further said.

Manufacturing of electrical equipment was an energy-intensive process. Keeping sustainability goals in mind, Hitachi adopted innovative processes at this factory that were capable of reducing electrical energy consumption per process step by almost 40%, said N Venu, Managing Director and CEO, India & South Asia, Hitachi Energy.

According to the International Energy Agency, the energy demand in India is set to double over the next 20 years driven by urbanization and industrialization.

Hitachi Energy employs around 38,000 people in 90 countries and generates annual business to the tune of $10 billion. The company, which forayed into India in 1962, claims it has one of its widest manufacturing bases.

Pictorial remembrance of partition horrors at Sharnbasva University

SBU students explained about the horrors through pictures in the newspapers

The horrors of the partition of India and Pakistan were presented in a pictorial format at the Sharnbasva University. Godutai Women’s Engineering College students explained about the horrors through pictures in the newspapers.

Presidential Sena Medal awardee Subedar Shantayya Swamy went around the exhibition with Subedar Major Phool Chand Sharma of the 32 Karnataka Batallian, NCC, Kalaburagi.

Later, addressing the students, Mr. Swamy recalled his exploits as the leader of the commando group which ambushed a team of Pakistan soldiers during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and asked the students to come forward to join the Armed Forces for a bright future and also get a chance to serve the nation.

He said even during his school days, he was enamoured by the exploits of the Armed Forces and had joined the NCC when he was in school and with those NCC certificates he joined the Madras Regiment in 1961.

“With just 50 paise in my pocket, I travelled to Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh to join the Armed Forces. After his six months training at Madras Regiment in Wellington at Ootacamund (Udhagamandalam), I was posted at the Indo-China Border. After my participation in the Indo-China War in 1961, I was transferred to several other forward areas and participated in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Pakistan 1971 war in which Bangladesh was created,” Mr. Swamy said.

Karnataka’s Ankita, kicking high with karate

It i It is no secret that India is a cricket-crazy nation and it won’t be an exaggeration to say that life comes to a standstill when the Men in Blue are out on the field. But there are other sportspersons, too, who are trying to carve out a niche for themselves. India’s success in the recent Commonwealth Games at Birmingham when the Indian Tricolour was hoisted scores of times in less-popular sports is a testimony to this.

Opting for such sport is Ankita BT from Madikeri, who is kicking high with karate. Already a junior black belt holder, this 21-year-old has bigger dreams, not just for her, but for the entire nation. Her tryst with karate began as a nine-year-old. “Karate always seemed challenging and I started training,” she recalls. She says there were not many takers for karate among girls and felt the need to break the stereotype.

Ankita, who has been training at Phoenix Academy India in Bengaluru, made her debut at the national championship when she was in Class 8 and craved to achieve more. Since then, she has participated in the All-Indian Independence Cup in 2015, Bangalore Open Karate Championship in 2016, All-India Independence Cup in Goa in in 2016, All-Independence Cup, All-Indian Sports Extravaganza VIE in 2017, Intercollegiate Karate Championship in 2017, KAI Nationals, Indian Seiko Kai Karate Championship and more. She has won several gold and silver medals in many of these competitions.

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Padma Shri awardee Tulsi Gouda gets bridge after decades

After an outburst over the pathetic condition that Padma Shri awardee Tulsi Gouda was living in, as she and her family were forced to stay indoors during monsoon with the stream in front of their house overflowing, now a temporary bridge has been constructed.

She has been living on an elevated platform at Honnali along the Hubballi-Ankola highway for decades. During the rainy season, it used to be a nightmare as the overflowing stream would cut them off from the main road. She poured out her woes with the authorities, who visited her house and saw her plight first-hand. “Water comes till our house, even if it rains for half-an-hour,” Shekar Gouda, her grandson, said.

Tulasi said, “I don’t step out much as I am old and weak. But my family members have to go out and work for a living.” Responding to her pleas, Karwar-Ankola MLA Rupali Naik ensured that the makeshift bridge was constructed.

“We have completed the temporary bridge now. But we are planning to construct a permanent foot over bridge. Rs 45 lakh has been sanctioned,” Naik said. “But the neighbouring property owner claims that the land on which the bridge is coming up belongs to him. We will resolve the issue once the monsoon gets over,” she informed.

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KSR Bengaluru railway station to have first Aadhaar unit in SWR

A much-needed Aadhaar centre is set to be launched at KSR Bengaluru railway station in due course, which will become the first station in the South Western Railway Zone to have the facility.

Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will be taking care of its operations. The equipment to take pictures, capture biometrics and other devices have been provided by UIDAI.”

The issue of new Aadhaar cards as well as changes to be made to existing card will be done here. The DRM said that based on the response it would receive, the facility would be extended to other stations in the Division. The initiative was being undertaken in line with the guidelines issued by the Railway Board, he added. “The Railways wants to increase its public outreach and connect more with its passengers and this is a step in that direction,” he said.

A UIDAI source said that they are ready to provide kits to 10 railway stations within Karnataka.

Singh said that under the Centre’s ‘One Station One Product’ scheme, many stalls have opened up at smaller stations in the Division. Products from millets and honey sourced by tribals are sold at Bengaluru Cantonment; silk and cotton sarees from Krishnarajapuram, Yelahanka and Doddaballapur station at KR Puram station; and Muddireddipalya sarees at Hindupur, are among outlets that have opened up recently.

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Mangaluru: Srinivas Institute of Technology students receive ‘Best project of the year award’

The 45th series of state-level ‘Student Project Program’ was conducted by KSCST, Bengaluru, in association with VTU, Belagavi on August 12 and 13 at VTU.

In this project exhibition, project titled ‘Energy generation using fly-wheel and magnet; was awarded the ‘Best Project Of The Year’ under the project exhibition category.

This project was carried out by the students- Chirag G Poojary, Karthik C, Sajith and Vijetha K Naik of department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, under the guidance of professor Lokesha B.

Also, the project titled ‘Robotic Arm Installed Fruit Plucking UAV based on AI’ was awarded the ‘Best Project Of The Year’ under seminar category. This project was carried out by the students- Navaneeth Soni, Naveen Kumar, Nithin Kumar and Vardhaman Ravindra Vasavade of department of Aeronautical Engineering, under the guidance of professor Srinidhi Kukkila.

Dr Karisiddappa, vice-chancellor of VTU presented the awards. There were 332 projects for the exhibition. Dr CA A Raghavendra Rao, president and Dr A Srinivas Rao, vice-president of Srinivas group of institutions have appreciated the efforts by the students and also congratulated them for winning the awards. Dr Shrinivasa Mayya D, principal and the heads of the departments have also complemented the students for their outstanding performance in the programme and receiving the awards.

Mangaluru: Konkani Natak Sabha holds 34th fancy dress competition

Konkani Natak Sabha (KNS) conducted the 34th fancy dress competition at Don Bosco Hall on August 21.

Vice president of the KNS, Liston D’Souza welcomed the participants and the audience. Adolphus Cutinha (Dolla Mangluru), a renowned dramatist and director, inaugurated the competition by lighting the lamp.

This year’s competition was an open-to-all competition. Fancy dress competition was in 4 categories – below 15 years boys and girls and above 15 years gents and ladies. As many as 19 girls and 13 boys took part in below 15 years’ category competition. Two female and 6 male competitors were in above 15 years’ category of the competition. Wilma Lobo and Jerome Moras officiated as judges.

General secretary Floyd D’Mello compered the programme. Assistant secretary Praveen Rodrigues, treasurer Gerald Concessao, and competition conveners Alwyn D’Souza and Austin D’Souza were present on the dais.

Cletus Lobo conducted the competition, Pramila Furtado and Edward Coelho assisted. Mr Floyd D’Mello proposed the vote of thanks, and Sunil Menezes and KNS manager Boniface Pinto assisted in computation of the score. Vice president Liston D’Souza announced the results.

Results:

Below 15 years
Girls Solo
First Place: Venora Levisha Lobo, Bondel
Second Place: Atarah Tia D’souza, Bajal
Third Place: Nenisha Prisha Monteiro, Bondel

Boys Solo
First Place: Ashwin Francis Baptist, Urwa
Second Place: Winston Leroy Lobo, Bondel
Third Place: Alden Pereira, Gantalkatte

Above 15 Years
Ladies Solo
Consolation Prize: Reshma Penha, Jeppu

Gents Solo
First Place: Vrethan Harold Pinto, Bajjodi
Second Place: Praksh Roshan Pereira, Gantalkatte
Third Place: Hubert D’silva, Bejai

Upcoming competitions

22nd Dance Competition will be held on August 28, 3.30 pm onwards
? 54th Elocution Competition will be held on September 4, 10 am onwards
20th Poetry Recitation Competition will be held on September 9, 2 pm onwards
2nd Voviyo Verse Competition will be held on September 11, 3.30 pm onwards
Short Play Competition will be held on September 18, 3.30 pm onwards