Author: @admin

Journalist and writer Jayananda Peraje, who has been continuously engaged in pro-Kannada initiatives serving as president for the Akhila Bharatiya Sahitya Parishat, Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Kannada Chutuku Sahitya Parishat, Writers’ Association, and Kendra Kannada Sahitya Vedike, has been selected for the prestigious Rashtrakavi Manjeshwar Govinda Pai National Award for the year 2026.

The announcement was made in a joint press release by Karnataka Gadinadu Kannada Sammelana committee president Dr K N Venkataramana Holla and Kasargod Kannada Bhavan founder president Dr Vamana Rao Bekal.

Peraje has been serving responsibly as a Kannada language teacher and lecturer for the past 40 years. Alongside his teaching career, he is a prominent journalist well-known for his insightful articles in major newspapers. He has participated in several national-level poetry conventions and has brought out collections of limericks (Chutuku Kavana). A multi-faceted talent, he is also an artist, director, creative trainer, and resource person.

The selection committee stated that Peraje is being honoured in recognition of his versatile contributions and relentless involvement in national and social service through organisations such as JCI, SCI, Lions Club, and various other social groups.

The prestigious award will be conferred upon him at the Karnataka Gadinadu Kannada Sammelana during the silver jubilee valedictory function of the Kasargod Kannada Bhavan on July 26, the sammelana committee stated in the press release.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, inaugurated the 4th edition of the UK-India HealthTech Accelerator Programme (2026-2028) on July 23 at Dr TMA Pai Hall, Manipal campus, Karnataka. Organised in partnership with the British High Commission, the three-day accelerator, July 22-24, marks a significant step in strengthening India-UK collaboration in healthcare technology and digital health innovation.

The inaugural session was addressed by distinguished leaders from academia, government, and the United Kingdom’s science and innovation ecosystem. Dr Neha Sharma, senior adviser – health & life sciences, science and technology network, British High Commission, New Delhi, outlined the objectives of the accelerator programme and highlighted its role in promoting innovation-driven partnerships between India and the United Kingdom.

The accelerator has selected 25 HealthTech startups across India to participate in the fully funded programme. At the conclusion of the accelerator, six startups will be selected for a fully funded immersion programme in the United Kingdom, where they will engage with the UK healthcare ecosystem, investors, and the National Health Service (NHS).

The inaugural session was attended by Chandru Iyer, British deputy high commissioner to Karnataka and His Majesty’s deputy trade commissioner for investment, South Asia; Dr Sharath K Rao, vice chancellor, MAHE; senior officials from the British High Commission; healthcare leaders; startup founders; and faculty members of MAHE.

Speaking on the occasion, Chandru Iyer, British deputy high commissioner to Karnataka and His Majesty’s deputy trade commissioner for investment, South Asia, said, “The UK-India HealthTech Accelerator Programme was one of my first major initiatives as British deputy high commissioner, and it is immensely rewarding to see it delivering real impact today. As I prepare to leave my role in Bengaluru, I am proud to see the programme fostering innovation, partnerships and knowledge exchange between the UK and India, and I am confident it will add further gravitas to the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force earlier this month.”

Delivering the presidential address, Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor, MAHE, said, “Healthcare innovation today demands strong partnerships that transcend geographical boundaries. Through initiatives such as the UK-India HealthTech Accelerator Programme, MAHE continues to create opportunities for academia, industry, and government to collaborate on developing solutions to global healthcare challenges.”

Welcoming the gathering, Dr Sharath K Rao, vice chancellor, MAHE, said, “The UK-India HealthTech Accelerator represents the power of partnerships in addressing some of the most complex challenges facing healthcare today. At MAHE, we believe that meaningful innovation happens when medicine, engineering, technology, research and policy come together with a shared commitment to improving lives. As the host institution for the 2026–28 programme, in collaboration with BCKIC and with the strategic support of the British High Commission, we look forward to providing innovators with the ecosystem, expertise and mentorship they need to take their solutions from ideas to meaningful impact. This partnership will not only strengthen UK-India healthcare collaboration but also create opportunities for startups to develop globally relevant solutions rooted in real societal needs.”

Delivering a virtual message, Sophia Nestius-Booth, regional director- science and technology, British High Commission, New Delhi, underscored the growing strength of the UK-India partnership in health and life sciences. She highlighted the importance of collaborative innovation, knowledge exchange, and technology-led solutions in addressing shared global healthcare challenges and strengthening long-term bilateral engagement.

Delivering the remarks on behalf of the knowledge partner, Dr Mrutyunjay Suar, chairman, Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster Foundation (BCKIC), emphasised the importance of building strong innovation ecosystems that connect academia, industry, startups, and government.

As the Host Institution for the 2026-2028, MAHE emphasises the promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship, translational research, and international collaborations.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Just two days after clinching a bronze medal in the Classic category, powerlifter Roshan Lobo of Hosala, Barkur, delivered another outstanding performance by winning four medals, including an overall silver, in the 83 kg Equipped category at the National Powerlifting Championship held at Garkheda Stadium.

The 41-year-old lifter registered a total lift of 610 kg to secure the overall silver medal in his weight class. His performance included a bronze medal in the squat with a lift of 235 kg, bronze in the bench press with 130 kg, and silver in the deadlift with an impressive 245 kg.

The combined total earned Lobo the second-highest overall score in the country in the 83 kg Equipped division, surpassing the bronze medal performance he had recorded in the Classic event just 48 hours earlier at the same venue.

The Equipped category differs significantly from Classic (Raw) powerlifting. While Classic lifting permits only basic supportive equipment such as a singlet, belt and wrist wraps, Equipped lifting allows the use of specialised supportive suits and bench shirts that require a distinct level of technical skill to maximise performance. Lobo’s ability to switch between the two formats within a span of two days and still reach the podium in every lift highlights his remarkable versatility and adaptability.

The deadlift silver stands out as the day’s high point. At 245 kg, it was his heaviest single lift across both competitions this week, and enough to hold off the rest of the 83 kg equipped field for second place. It suggests that whatever fatigue two competitions in three days might carry, Lobo’s pulling strength was undiminished – if anything, sharpened by back-to-back competition rhythm rather than worn down by it.

For an athlete who balances his training with professional commitments, winning medals in two different formats at the national level within the same week is a significant achievement. While many lifters prepare to peak for a single competition, Lobo successfully sustained his form across consecutive events under different competition rules.

With these results, Roshan Lobo concludes the championship with an impressive five national medals -one bronze in the Classic category and four medals in the Equipped category, including the overall silver, two bronze medals in squat and bench press, and a silver in deadlift

The achievement caps a successful season that began with his selection through the Karnataka State Championship in February and qualification for the national Masters competition, further cementing his reputation as one of Karnataka’s accomplished Masters powerlifters.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Jammada Preeth Appaiah, a resident of Bannimantap and a member of Mysuru Sports Shooting Academy (MSSA), who won two gold medals at the 14th Karnataka State Shooting Competition and Championship-2026, organised by Karnataka State Rifle Association (KSRA) at Sports Authority of India (SAI) at Bangalore University shooting ranges in Bengaluru was felicitated by KMPK Charitable Trust during an event held at a private hotel in city recently.  

Seen in the picture are Mysuru Hoteliers Association President C. Narayanagowda, KMPK Charitable Trust President Vikram Iyengar, Lakshmipuram Police Inspector Ravishankar, Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Dr. K.B. Lingaraju, KR Bank President Basavaraj Basappa, Gagan Gowda, Srikanth Kashyap, Rajesh, Chakrapani, Surendra, Rakesh, Ajay Shastri and others.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

Fleeting Thoughts

It was April 1965. After my SSLC examination, I went to my uncle’s place for my vacation. He was M.M. Devaiah, working as Manager at Gangegiri Estate, part of Sangameswar Group of Estates in Chikamagalur District. It is here that I heard of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for the first time. My uncle had a quaint old HMV Radio set.  He soon put me onto BBC World Service Radio and I gladly subscribed to London Calling, the monthly free programme guide of the Radio Station.

Therein began a nearly quarter century relationship with the Radio Station that contributed greatly to my knowledge of English and brought about a sea change in my personality. My awareness about the world around me increased by leaps and bounds.  

Since I was on a holiday, I had all the time in the world, most of which was spent in walking around the garden enjoying the spectacular view of the mountain ranges. The rest of the time, I was fiddling with the radio, but it was BBC Radio that captured my imagination. What began as a pastime, soon turned into a hobby and later into an addiction! A whole new world opened to my ears and eyes!

Gradually, my English vocabulary, to say the least, turned out to be very impressive. The real bonus was my understanding of Standard English pronunciation. I could sense deep within me how there was a remarkable change in my spoken English. Constant and continuous exposure to BBC brought out this transformation in me. BBC, in effect, turned out to be my English Tutor.

This is only one side of the story of my tryst. I was a GK freak since my boyhood. My father had me hooked on to The Hindu at the very young age of ten. We possessed a cute Philips radio set with a green magic eye. My knowledge of current affairs increased phenomenally. I was an avid listener of World News and World Today. I was terribly thrilled to hear my name on BBC Radio, not once but twice in the late 60s!

First time was when Hugh Tattersal mentioned my name in “Letter Box” when I had pointed out their error in getting the assassination date of Mahatma Gandhi wrong. Second time was when my request for Tom Jones’ song, ‘Love Me Tonight’ was played on “Listener’s Choice.” And, of course, “Brain of Britain” and “Just A Minute” were the other favourite programmes of mine. The result was that I ended up as a Quiz Master and JAM Master for over two decades after the mid-80s in the city of Mysore.

Another interesting fact is that I began my teaching career as a Lecturer in English in JSS College at Chamarajanagar in June 1972 with a princely salary of Rs.446 per month. After working for three months, my first prized possession was a Philips Transistor Radio set. It cost me a whopping 280 rupees. But this was absolutely essential to renew my contact with BBC Radio. It was my constant companion throughout the day and night as well. In the nights, the set rested beside my head next to the wall. Many a night, I have gone to sleep with the radio set on. This habit went on for the next fifteen years or so.

Thanks to a Shastri Fellowship and British Council Visitorship, I spent three weeks in London in March-April, 1989. My most cherished desire of visiting BBC Studios happened and I was filled with innumerable memories and nostalgic moments as I stood inside the building in Strand, London. In the souvenir shop, I bought the book,The Story of English for 10 pounds. I also picked up a brass keychain with the BBC emblem embossed on it for 1 pound.

Incidentally, after 37 long years, I have now linked it to my car key. A BSc, I ended up as an English teacher in the University of Mysore for over three-and-a-half decades. When I look back on my career and the popularity I enjoyed as a teacher, a large part of the credit, I now realise with deep gratitude, should go to BBC Radio

by: Prof. K.C. Belliappa, former  Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh  & former Professor of English, University of Mysore, is the Founder-President of Mysore Literary Association that promotes English studies and hosts Lit festivals

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

National Award-winning actress Rupashree Vorkady, a native of Mangaluru, expressed immense happiness after receiving the National Film Award for best supporting actress for her performance in the Kannada film Mithya, saying the recognition came as a complete surprise and marked a major milestone in her career.

Addressing a press conference at the Mangaluru Press Club on along with Mithya director Sumanth Bhat and child actor Atish, who also won a National Award for his role in the film, Rupashree said the honour brought immense joy after years of ups and downs in her professional journey.

Sharing her artistic journey spanning over two and a half decades, Rupashree said she has performed in more than 700 Kannada and Tulu plays, staging over 4,000 performances. She began her professional theatre career with director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail’s play Samsarada Circus and later acted with several theatre groups. She also received theatre training under Christopher Ninasam and Vidhu Uchchil Rangayana.

Highlighting her achievements, Rupashree said she had earlier won the Red FM Tulu Film Award for best supporting actress in 2017 and 2025, besides receiving the Best Supporting Actress and Versatile Actor awards three consecutive times at the CFA Awards organised by Sandhiss Company. She has acted in over 85 films in Tulu, Kannada, Konkani, Beary and Arebhashe languages.

She noted that the film Byari, in which she acted, won the National Award (Swarna Kamal), while GT received a National Award and Triple Talaq won a State Award.

Child actor Atish, who won the National Award for Best Child Artist for Mithya, said receiving the honour had fulfilled one of his biggest dreams. He added that he had almost given up hope of winning a National Award as a child actor before the recognition finally came through Mithya.

Director Sumanth Bhat credited actor Rakshit Shetty for encouraging him to enter the film industry. He said the two had worked together on several documentaries while employed at a software company during 2008-09. After Rakshit Shetty established himself as a leading actor, he encouraged Sumanth to pursue filmmaking, saying the industry needed talented people like him.

Sumanth said he entered the film industry during 2020-21 and narrated the story of Mithya to Rakshit Shetty, who agreed to back the project and encouraged him to focus on making the film rather than worrying about commercial returns. He added that the team had never imagined the film would go on to win three National Film Awards, making the achievement even more special.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The acquisition would strengthen the company’s home care and personal care portfolio while expanding its presence in categories that continue to witness sustained consumer demand, said Kumar Chander.

Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting has on Thursday (July 23, 2026) signed definitive agreements to acquire TTK Healthcare Ltd.’s Good Home and Eva brands, as the FMCG company looks to strengthen its presence in the home care and personal care segments. The combined purchase value for these two brands is ₹256 crore, according to industry sources.

The two brands together reported revenues of ₹148 crore in FY26. The acquisition marks Wipro Consumer Care’s 17th acquisition and expands its portfolio across home care, air care and fragrance categories.

Good Home has a presence in products such as air care, odour removers, scrubbers and drain cleaners, while Eva, one of India’s early deodorant brands, offers deodorant body sprays, no-gas perfumes, underarm roll-ons and talcum powders.

Kumar Chander, Chief Executive Officer of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting and Managing Director of Wipro Enterprises, said the acquisition would strengthen the company’s home care and personal care portfolio while expanding its presence in categories that continue to witness sustained consumer demand.

The company has plans to build on the equity of both brands through product innovation, wider market reach and continued investment in brand development, he added.

Neeraj Khatri, Chief Executive of Wipro Consumer Care, said the acquisition would help the company strengthen its position in the home care and personal care categories, adding that the brands complement its existing portfolio and support its long-term growth strategy.

T.T. Raghunathan, Executive Chairman of TTK Healthcare Ltd., said Good Home and Eva had built strong consumer trust over the years and expressed confidence that Wipro Consumer Care would be able to scale the brands further through its FMCG capabilities.

Sumit Keshan, Managing Partner, Wipro Consumer Care – Ventures and Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, India, said the acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy of building a diversified fast-moving consumer goods business through a mix of organic growth and acquisitions.

Following completion of the transaction, Wipro Consumer Care said it would retain the existing identities of both brands while investing in product innovation, wider distribution and manufacturing, research and development, marketing and distribution capabilities to support long-term growth.

Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, part of Wipro Enterprises, reported revenues of ₹10,800 crore in FY26. More than half of its revenue comes from international markets, with operations spanning personal care, home care, lighting, electrical products, seating solutions and foods.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The co-development of ASCENT (Advanced Space Capability, Engineering & New-space Technologies) Centre represents a strategic investment in India’s Space innovation infrastructure, creating a dedicated ecosystem for research, technology development, and mission-oriented engineering.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, and Dhruva Space have entered into a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop ASCENT (Advanced Space Capability, Engineering & New-space Technologies) Centre at the MAHE Manipal campus.

ASCENT will advance Space systems engineering, applied research, mission development, and technology qualifications by bringing academia and industry together to develop, validate, and translate next-generation Space technologies into operational applications. The Centre will also feature dedicated infrastructure for spacecraft development, integration, testing, and qualification, including a Class 10,000 cleanroom, a Helmholtz cage, and an air-bearing table for spacecraft dynamics and control validation.

The Centre, expected to be inaugurated in late 2026, will enable student-led satellite and hosted payload missions, providing students with an end-to-end experience in spacecraft design, integration, testing, launch preparation, and on-orbit operations. By combining academic learning with real-world engineering programmes, it will cultivate mission-ready expertise while supporting the development of technologies with commercial and national relevance.

Beyond student-led missions, ASCENT will support programmes across emerging Space domains while providing an environment for prototype development, technology demonstration, and the transition of innovations into ecosystem-ready Space applications. Core research and engineering areas at ASCENT will focus on advanced Space systems engineering and mission operations, autonomous and intelligent spacecraft technologies, Space sustainability and Awareness solutions, and emerging applications such as Space-based IoT and Microgravity research. ASCENT envisions the development and operation of at least 3 1U–6U CubeSat missions by 2028, followed by the deployment of a swarm constellation of femto satellites, a fully operational Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Centre, and indigenous bus designs, payloads, and modular satellite platforms by 2030. Looking further ahead, the Centre aims to undertake at least one interplanetary technology demonstration mission by 2035, contributing to the advancement of deep-space exploration and next-generation Space technologies.

As India’s commercial Space ecosystem continues to expand, rapid technological advancement and growing demand for skilled talent are creating a need for environments where research can be translated into flight-ready technologies and operational capabilities. ASCENT has been established to bridge this gap by bringing together academic research, industrial expertise, and hands-on engineering within a single collaborative platform.

Dr Sharath K Rao, vice chancellor, MAHE, said, “The Space sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, opening new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and talent development. As institutions of learning and research, universities have a vital responsibility to help shape this future. ASCENT represents our commitment to nurturing talent, advancing knowledge, and contributing to India’s growing space ecosystem”

“Through our partnership with Dhruva Space, our students will have the unique opportunity to work on real satellite missions, gain hands-on experience with industry-grade infrastructure and learn by solving real engineering challenges. These are experiences that go far beyond the classroom. At MAHE, we believe the best way to prepare students is by giving them opportunities to build, test and innovate in real-world environments. ASCENT is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations, ensuring our graduates are not just qualified, but confident and ready to contribute to India’s growing space ecosystem,” he added.

Prof Chandrakala C B, in-charge director, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, said, “ASCENT represents a significant step in our commitment to advancing multidisciplinary research and innovation in space science and technology. Through this industry–academia collaboration, we aim to create an ecosystem that empowers students, researchers, and industry partners to develop technologies that will contribute to India’s growing space sector.”

Dr Balbir Singh, coordinator, MIT Space Programs, said, “ASCENT is envisioned to become a multidisciplinary centre that will enable advanced research and hands-on learning across the entire space mission lifecycle. Its planned capabilities include advanced space systems engineering and mission operations, student-led satellite and hosted payload missions, and research in solar sails and deployable space systems. The center will also drive innovation in autonomous swarm technologies, ground segment technologies, and Space Internet of Things, while integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for intelligent autonomous space operations.”

Through microgravity research partnerships, industry-integrated programs, and collaborations across academia, government, and industry, ASCENT aims to strengthen India’s emerging NewSpace ecosystem.

Krishna Teja Penamakuru, chief operations officer & co-founder, Dhruva Space, said, “India’s Space sector is marked by industrialisation, commercialisation, and the rapid expansion of indigenous capabilities. As the ecosystem evolves, the need extends beyond technology alone to the research infrastructure, talent, and industry-academia partnerships that will sustain long-term growth. Through ASCENT, we are establishing a CoE where ideas can mature from research to mission-ready solutions in close collaboration with industry. By bringing together students, researchers, faculty, and practising engineers, we are creating an environment where academic excellence is informed by real-world mission requirements, while industry benefits from innovative research and fresh perspectives.”

By combining MAHE’s multidisciplinary academic strengths with Dhruva Space’s end-to-end Space engineering expertise, ASCENT establishes a long-term foundation for advancing indigenous Space technologies while accelerating the transition from research to operational missions. The Centre will strengthen India’s commercial Space ecosystem by developing mission-ready talent, enabling collaborative R&D, and creating a scalable model for industry-academia collaboration that supports the country’s long-term technological competitiveness.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The Trust said familiar objects from earlier decades can serve as powerful memory cues for people with dementia, helping stimulate recognition, encourage conversations, reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being.

An old radio gathering dust in the attic, a hand-operated sewing machine, a brass utensil passed down through generations or a black-and-white television that no longer works could soon find a new purpose: helping a person living with dementia reconnect with cherished memories.

Bengaluru-based Nightingales Medical Trust has launched ‘Donate a Memory’, a public campaign inviting individuals and families to donate vintage household objects for Smriti Gram, an integrated dementia care village that the Trust is developing near Doddaballapur. 

Powerful memory cues

The Trust said familiar objects from earlier decades can serve as powerful memory cues for people with dementia, helping stimulate recognition, encourage conversations, reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being.

Expected to become operational in September, the first phase of Smriti Gram will include a 100-bed residential facility for economically disadvantaged persons living with dementia, along with a training academy and a research and innovation hub. The project is envisioned as a model for person-centred dementia care in India.

As part of the initiative, the campus will feature Reminiscence Corners, Music Therapy Rooms, Art and Craft Studios, Sensory Spaces and Therapeutic Activity Areas, all designed around everyday objects that many older adults would have encountered throughout their lives.

Appeal for donations

The Trust is appealing for donations of items such as old radios, gramophones, black-and-white televisions, tape recorders, rotary telephones, hurricane lamps, traditional grinding stones, brass and copper utensils, firewood stoves, sewing machines, typewriters, wall clocks, calendars, traditional musical instruments and other household articles from past decades.

“Many of these objects may no longer have practical use in our homes, but for a person living with dementia they can become powerful memory triggers that evoke recognition, comfort and joy. Every donated object carries a story, and every story has the potential to reconnect someone with their past,” said S. Premkumar Raja, secretary and co-founder of Nightingales Medical Trust.

Evidence-based care

According to the Trust, Smriti Gram will bring together evidence-based clinical care, therapeutic environmental design, non-pharmacological interventions, rehabilitation, caregiver training and research under one campus. It also plans to integrate modern medicine with evidence-informed complementary therapies to improve the quality of life and preserve the dignity and independence of people living with dementia.

The Trust said the project is intended to become a national demonstration centre for dementia care, innovation and workforce training.

How to donate

Individuals, families, institutions and organisations interested in donating vintage or traditional items may email: contact@nightingaleseldercare.com or dial 080 42426565

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Dr Guruprasad, an oncologist at KMC Kanachur Hospital, Mangaluru, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first person from Mangaluru to participate in and successfully complete the prestigious English Channel relay swim.

Addressing a press conference at the Mangaluru Press Club on Monday, Dr Guruprasad shared that he took up swimming in his 40s after enrolling alongside his son in a swimming class. Although his son later discontinued, he continued pursuing the sport, eventually transitioning from swimming pools to open-water swimming.

The six-member Indian relay team completed the challenging crossing from England to France on July 3. The relay began at 1.30 am, with the team completing the crossing in 13 hours and 5 minutes. During the relay, each swimmer was required to swim for two to three hours in rotation.

Often regarded as one of the world’s toughest open-water swimming challenges due to freezing temperatures, unpredictable weather, strong currents and rough waves, crossing the English Channel demands exceptional endurance and preparation.

The Indian team included 14-year-old Arnav Chawra, the youngest member, 16-year-old Divya Hitendra Mahajan, who has previously completed a solo Catalina Channel swim, Raghunandan Gangappa, Deepika Rana, Ankita Konwar and Dr. Guruprasad. He said the experience and achievements of his teammates served as a great source of inspiration.

Dr. Guruprasad said the relay was originally scheduled for September 2025 but had to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions before finally taking place in July this year.

Recalling his journey, he said he first learned swimming at the St Aloysius swimming pool in Mangaluru with his son. He later trained in the sea at Udyavara and Thannirbhavi under the guidance of experienced open-water swimmers and coaches Sanketh Bengre and Chaitanya, which helped him develop the confidence and skills required for long-distance sea swimming.

He encouraged swimmers to look beyond pool competitions and explore the opportunities and challenges offered by open-water swimming.

Apart from swimming, Dr Guruprasad has also climbed Mount Kosciuszko, the highest peak in Australia. He has successfully completed the Catalina Channel swim in the Pacific Ocean and has now added the English Channel relay crossing in the Atlantic Ocean to his list of achievements.

Swimming coach Sanketh Bengre was also present at the press conference.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)