Author: @admin

Researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) have discovered two new species of solitary bees in Arunachal Pradesh. The species, which belong to the genera Elaphropoda and Habropoda, have been named Elaphropoda triangulata, after the triangle-shaped markings on its abdomen, and Habropoda adi, after the Adi indigenous community of Arunachal Pradesh, which inhabits the region where the bees were collected.

Ground-nesting solitary bees

According to Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny and Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, who conducted the study, these species belong to the bee subfamily Anthophorinae, which consists largely of ground-nesting solitary bees. They noted that, as vital pollinators, solitary bees have increasingly gained research and conservation attention in recent years.

These bees were collected using Malaise traps, a passive sampling method that captures flying insects over extended periods and is particularly effective in detecting elusive or low-density species that conventional netting often misses.

How little we know

“These bees are rare and seldom collected, which is part of the reason they have remained undescribed for so long. Their discovery is a reminder of how little we still know about bee diversity in India, and in Arunachal Pradesh in particular,” said Ms. Femi, who is currently pursuing a PhD at University College London.

“This work takes on added urgency given the pace of change in the region. Arunachal Pradesh is currently undergoing rapid infrastructural development, including construction activities and a recently announced hydropower project, raising concerns about habitat disturbance in areas that have not yet been comprehensively surveyed,” said Dr. Priyadarsanan.

Need for research

The discovery of these two species, the authors said, strengthens the case for prioritising taxonomic and ecological research in the region before such habitats are altered. Of the 483 new species discovered in India last year, 65 were from Arunachal Pradesh.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The curtain fell on a golden era of Indian music as legendary playback singer S Janaki, affectionately revered as “Janaki Amma” and the “Gana Kogile” (Nightingale of Song), was cremated with full state honours on Sunday evening.

The last rites were performed at a farmhouse in Kaniyanahundi in Heggadadevana Kote taluk, approximately 25 km from Mysuru, fulfilling the icon’s final wish to be laid to rest in the royal city she chose as her retirement home.

In a profound departure from long-standing tradition—which has historically reserved the role for men—Janaki’s granddaughter, Apsara Vydyula, performed the final rites. Chanting Vedic hymns and carrying the traditional earthen pot, Apsara circumambulated and lit the funeral pyre of her grandmother.

The rituals were conducted according to Telugu Brahmin customs under the guidance of Ramesh Sharma of Srirangapatna and the Shashwathi Kriya Samithi.

A State’s final farewell

Acting on directives from Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the Mysuru district administration accorded the 88-year-old maestro ultimate state respects. A police contingent offered a solemn gun salute as the national anthem echoed through the farmhouse grounds.

Earlier in the day, Janaki’s mortal remains were kept at the Maharaja’s College Grounds from morning until evening to allow a massive outpouring of grief from the public. Thousands of emotional fans lined the streets as her body was transported in a beautifully decorated vehicle. 

“One of India’s most iconic personalities, the legendary playback singer known as the ‘Gana Kogile’, Janaki, is no longer with us. She served the film industry in several languages for nearly 50 years,” stated Chief Minister Shivakumar in Bengaluru, adding that the government would actively explore avenues to immortalize her rich legacy.

The public homage drew a vast assembly of dignitaries, including Mysuru district in-charge minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, urban development minister Dr Siddaramaiah, former minister B Sreeramulu, and prominent members of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.

The music and cinematic fraternity turned out in large numbers, with composer Hamsalekha, actors Srinath and Sadhu Kokila, and singers Rajesh Krishnan, Sunitha, Archana Udupa and Vijay Prakash paying their final respects.

In a moving tribute, Vijay Prakash arrived with a group of children from a television reality show who collectively rendered Janaki’s evergreen Kannada anthem, ‘Nodu Baa Nodu Baa Nammura…’.

The heartbreak behind the silence

Janaki passed away at 7:30 pm on Saturday at a private hospital in Mysuru. Doctors reported she had been rushed to the emergency ward in critical condition earlier that day, suffering from viral fever, fluctuating blood pressure, weak kidneys, and a severe foot infection (corn) that had grown infected. Exhausted and fragile, she suffered multiple cardiac arrests during treatment and could not be revived.

Close associates and veteran actress Bharathi revealed that Janaki’s health had been in a fragile state, compounded by profound personal tragedy. She had never fully recovered from the loss of her only son, Murali Krishna, who succumbed to cancer just six months prior on January 22.

The mother and son had been inseparable and were actively searching for a permanent home together in Mysuru at the time. The family had also suffered the loss of Janaki’s elder granddaughter four years ago in a tragic scuba diving fire accident in the United States.

Her caretakers and ardent fans, Naveen and Pavan — who shared an affectionate 34-year bond with the singer since Naveen tracked her down as a 12-year-old boy in Chennai — shared that Janaki had a final, unfulfilled dream.

“Her wish to hold a memorial concert in December as a tribute to her son Murali Krishna remained unfulfilled. She had shortlisted songs, had invited artists including Sujatha Mohan, Chithra and others,” Pavan revealed, promising that the S Janaki Charitable Trust would be revived to fulfill this dream and construct a fitting memorial.

A voice that transcended boundaries 

Born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, Janaki was the daughter of Sistla Sreeramamurthy, an ayurvedic doctor and teacher. She formalised her musical roots under Nadaswaram vidwan Paidioswamy and gave her first stage performance at the tender age of nine.

Her professional journey began at 19 with the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu (1957). Over an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades, Janaki recorded an astonishing 48,000+ songs across approximately 20 Indian languages—chiefly in Kannada (over 8,000 songs), Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, alongside Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, and foreign languages like English, Japanese, German, and Sinhala. Her legendary duets alongside icons like P B Srinivas, S P Balasubrahmanyam, and Dr Rajkumar remain gold standards of Indian cinema.

Janaki officially retired from live public concerts on October 28, 2017, during a farewell event at the Open Air Theatre of the University of Mysore. Her caretakers noted that even in retirement, she sang endlessly at home, filling her space with Meera bhajans and classical melodies.

Following her demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement calling her passing “an irreparable loss to the world of music and culture,” noting that her melodies “will continue to enchant listeners in the years to come.”

To ensure her artistic brilliance endures, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Jayamala urged the state government to quickly establish an S Janaki Study Centre at the University of Mysore. Concurrently, Minister Dr Siddaramaiah confirmed he would hold immediate talks with the chief minister regarding the construction of a state memorial to permanently honour the legendary songstress.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headlines edited)

Yakshagana Kalaranga of Udupi presented its annual Yakshagana Kalaranga Award to Venkatarama Bhat of Sullia, G.K. Hegde of Honnavar and Kote Rama Bhat of Karkala at an event in Udupi on Saturday.

The award, comprising a cash prize of ₹20,000, was presented in memory of D.B. Venkatasubba Jois, Matti Muralidhara Rao and Perla Krishna Bhat.

T. Shyama Bhat, member of the Karnataka Human Rights Commission, who presided over the event, said Yakshagana Kalaranga was doing immense work in the social and cultural spheres. He said the Kalaranga was a fine example of what a team of capable leaders and dedicated workers could achieve and urged it to institute two awards in memory of senior Yakshagana artistes Sheni Gopalakrishna Bhat and K. Govinda Bhat.

Senior scholar Taltaje Vasanthakumar, Kalaranga president M. Gangadhar Rao and secretary Murali Kadekar also spoke.

Artistes presented the Talamaddale, Sriranga Tulabhara, on the occasion.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

More than 1,000 innovators from 37 countries participated in the sixth edition of ABB Accelerator, a five-day innovation programme held at the ABB Innovation Center (AIC) in Bengaluru recently.

The programme brought together ABB technologists, industry and academic leaders, 80 startups, and participants from over 350 universities to develop advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies for various industrial applications.

GNV Subba Rao, Whole-time Director, ABB Innovation Center, said the Accelerator transformed ideas into scalable products and solutions by combining research and development, engineering expertise, and AI capabilities to address industry challenges.

The ABB Innovation Center in Bengaluru, one of the company’s largest global technology and engineering hubs, employs nearly 4,000 professionals across R&D, engineering, digital technologies, and global operations.

Rajesh Ramachandran, Global Chief Digital Officer, Automation, ABB, said the programme has evolved into a collaborative platform bringing together industry, academia, startups, and technology partners to accelerate AI-driven industrial innovation.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Yogi, writer and artist Namita Kulkarni’s series Colonialism and the Climate Crisis, is a reminder that it is important to appreciate the relationship between climate change and colonialism.

Like many Indians, Namita Kulkarni grew up hearing the phrase “third-world countries” as a derogatory term for former European colonies, primarily in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. “A far more truthful label would be historically pillaged countries, but we know even our history books were written by colonisers who had no interest in owning up to the ugly truth of their centuries of violence and theft,” she elaborates in the text accompanying Coloniser Crisis, a painting that depicts the colonial dimensions of the current climate crisis.

The artwork is a map of the world that has been painted using two different colours, which, according to her, are symbolic of the colonial project: crimson for the former colonisers to indicate the blood they are built on, and gold leaf to symbolise the cultural and economic wealth that was lost during the colonisation process.

The painting is part of a series titled Colonialism and the Climate Crisis, currently on display at the United Nations in New York as part of Canvas for Change, an exhibition organised by ICAAD, showcasing “the role of art in confronting urgent intersectional global human rights issues, including environmental degradation and the climate crisis, racial discrimination, colonialism, and migration,” as the UN website puts it.

Some of the other paintings in this series include Jal Jungle Zameen – Water, Jungle, Land, which focuses on Adivasi rights; Bon Appétit, a comment on overconsumption; and Thirst World Countries, about the global water crisis. “We always see the climate crisis framed as a matter of carbon emissions. If carbon emissions are the problem, we can just compensate or offset our way around it,” says the Bengaluru-based artist over a call from the US. But this framing, she believes, only explains the mechanism. “It doesn’t tell you the context, the history, the story behind it, which is colonisation.”

The artworks on display are a reminder that while we should internalise the significance of climate change in our lives, it is also important to appreciate its relationship to colonialism. The colonising mindset, “where we see nature as a bunch of resources we endlessly extract from,” is what has brought the climate crisis to our doorstep, Namita says, adding that while the former colonised countries, today the Global South, bear the brunt of the climate crisis, “the colonising countries, largely the Global North, are responsible for the highest (carbon) emissions and for building their empires on the bloodshed and genocide of colonised countries.”

Her artwork also acknowledges the perspectives and traditions of indigenous peoples from around the world, who, she says, have lived on the same piece of land in relative harmony. “They manage to live like that, because they put life at the centre, not profit. The more I looked at their perspectives, I found myself amazed by the level of wisdom they have.”

The genesis of this series dates back to a social media post Namita stumbled upon in December 2021. “It was a call for artists, saying we want art on any human rights subject,” says the self-taught artist, travel blogger and yoga teacher. ” Although she had never heard of the International Centre for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD), a New York-based human rights organisation, she decided to apply anyway, says Namita, who had been reflecting on the link between colonisation as the context for the climate crisis for a while, by then. “It has been swimming around my head, and I had been reading about it, listening to people, and just thinking about it quite a bit. So, when this came, I thought that this was a subject that had to be spoken about more.”

She sent them her proposal, accompanied by a few watercolour paintings, “thinking that it was a long shot.” Within a week, she received an email from them, welcoming her to the cohort, recalls Namita, with a laugh, her surprise and happiness at having made it, still lingering in her voice. She, along with the four other artists in the cohort, was first put through a human rights fundamentals course for a couple of months in March and April 2022. “It included videos, readings and discussing things. We were studying the basic concepts of human rights and how art has been used around the world to protest things and how there is no social change without imagination.”

Once they were done with the course, they began work on the art, with September as the deadline for the nine paintings, created with ICAAD’s support. These artworks, “largely acrylic on canvas, though one of them is watercolour on paper with some pressed flowers,” were first exhibited for over a month in November 2022 at Bangalore Creative Circus.

“It was a pretty intense project, and I do feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of the subject,” says Namita, who also sent these paintings to New York, where they were exhibited and a few even sold at a fundraising event for ICAAD in Manhattan in 2025.

“I made these paintings with my soul, and watched it get auctioned by an auctioneer from Sotheby’s, so it was pretty wild,” says Namita, who thinks of her art as a way of looking “into the abyss without falling into it.”

She firmly believes that art can help us relate to the climate crisis at an emotional level. “We all have a strong relationship with the earth, and when you can’t wrap your head around something, art can help you wrap your heart around it.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Shivamogga, taking note of recent incidents of newborn babies being abandoned, has said that people who are not in a position to care for their babies can hand them over to the committee instead of abandoning them.

Recently, a newborn baby was found abandoned at the bus stand in Hosanagar. Earlier, two babies were found abandoned in Shivamogga city. After local residents alerted the administration, the babies were rescued and provided with first aid and the necessary medical care.

Tajuddin Khan, chairperson of the CWC in Shivamogga, on Thursday told The Hindu that there could be many reasons for the abandonment of newborn babies. “People abandon babies for various reasons. The parents may not be in a position to take care of them, or the child may be born out of a pre-marital relationship. In such cases, people can hand over the babies to the CWC. We will take care of them,” Mr. Khan said.

Once a baby is handed over to the CWC, the parents get a 60-day reconsideration period, during which they can reclaim the child if they change their decision. After this period, the child is declared “legally free for adoption.” “There were a couple of recent incidents of newborn babies being abandoned. If someone notices the baby early and hands it over to the administration and provide the necessary care, it is good. Otherwise, the child may face serious health problems. Hence, we appeal to people who face difficulty in caring for their children to hand them over to the CWC or contact the child helpline on 1098,” Mr. Khan added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited0

The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi on Monday released the printed editions of the award-winning novels from its Konkani Novel Competition at the Akademi office.

The books were formally released by Joachim Stany Alvares, president of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi.

The released novels include ‘Ho Mhajo Apradh’, written by Roshan Melki Sequeira (Roshu, Bajpe), which won the first prize; ‘Kudryacho Rakvali’, authored by Vincent Pinto (Vinci Pinto, Angelore), the second prize winner; and ‘Ani Sanj Jali’, written by Stephen Mascarenhas (Hemacharya), which secured the third prize in the competition.

Also present on the occasion were akademi registrar Rajesh G, Standing Committee members Naveen Lobo, Dayanand Madkekar, Samarth Bhat, and Ronald Crasta.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

“The medical profession is not confined to fixed working hours. Doctors remain committed to society’s health 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For them, a patient’s life always takes precedence over festivals, family functions, and personal commitments,” said Vishal Hegde, Chancellor of Nitte (Deemed-to-be) University.

He was speaking after honouring three distinguished senior doctors during the National Doctors’ Day Celebration, jointly organized by KS Hegde Charitable Hospital and KS Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed-to-be) University, at Avishkar Auditorium, Deralakatte. The doctors honoured were Dr Saraswathi Venugopal, eminent gynaecologist from Payyanur, Kerala; Dr MS Bhat Marigoli, family physician from Ummachagi, Yellapur; and Dr Sudhesh K Derbail, family physician from Mangaluru.

The Chancellor said that the doctors honoured today have dedicated 40–50 years of their lives to medical service. They are not only achievers in their respective fields but also role models, mentors, and a source of inspiration for young doctors. Their experience, compassion, and professional ethics serve as guiding principles for future generations.

He further stated that the rapid advancement of technology has brought new challenges to the medical profession. With the growing use of Artificial Intelligence, many patients now arrive at hospitals after reading online information and forming their own assumptions about their illnesses. However, every individual is unique, and accurate diagnosis can only be made through careful assessment of symptoms, medical history, and clinical examination. Beyond technological assistance, it is the doctor’s experience, knowledge, and clinical judgment that ultimately ensure the right diagnosis and treatment.

Addressing the gathering, Prof M Shantharam Shetty, pro-chancellor of Nitte University, said that the COVID-19 pandemic reminded the entire world of the invaluable role played by doctors. Placing society’s health above their own families, doctors served tirelessly day and night, and their dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

He noted that even today, many doctors continue to work through the night—from 2:00 am to 6:00 am—placing patient care above sleep, festivals, or personal comfort. In earlier times, doctors serving rural communities often crossed rivers at night to conduct deliveries, stayed with patients until childbirth was completed safely, and returned home only by boat. Their rewards were not monetary but simple tokens of gratitude such as bunches of bananas, coconuts, or gifts from farmers. Those acts reflected the true spirit of humanity and dedication to the profession.

He added that while modern medicine has reached remarkable heights through robotic surgery, advanced diagnostic technologies, and artificial intelligence, doctors continue to remain at the heart of healthcare. Today, Indian doctors are respected worldwide for their knowledge, clinical skills, and commitment to patient care. Thousands of international patients travel to India seeking quality treatment, which stands as testimony to the excellence of India’s healthcare system.

The programme commenced with a prayer by Dr Varun Shetty vice-chancellor Prof M S Moodithaya and registrar Prof Harsha Halahalli were the chief guests. The programme was compered by Dr Siddharth Shetty and Dr Nisha Shetty. Dr B Sandeep Rai, dean, K S Hegde Medical Academy, welcomed the gathering, while Dr Sumalatha R Shetty, medical superintendent, proposed the vote of thanks.

Speech by Dr MS Bhat Marigoli family physician, Ummachagi, Yellapur

“I chose the small village of Ummachagi as my field of service. For the past 47 years, I have lived among its people and provided comprehensive family medical care. We began practising as family physicians in rural areas in 1979. At that time, opportunities for postgraduate education such as MS, MD, and super-specialisation were very limited. Although such opportunities existed, we consciously chose to dedicate our lives to serving rural communities.

In those days, I was the only doctor for nearly 470 families. From children to the elderly, and from minor illnesses to emergency care, one family doctor looked after everyone. It is unfortunate that the concept of the family physician is gradually disappearing today.

Modern medicine has advanced tremendously. Today, specialists are available in every field, including MS, MD, and super-speciality disciplines. Technology has progressed to the point where information about specialists is available instantly through Google. While healthcare was good in those days, it has become even more advanced today. It is important for doctors to adapt to changing times.

The medical profession is one of the noblest professions. Every doctor has a responsibility to preserve its dignity through dedicated service. The smile on a patient’s face after recovery is the greatest award a doctor can receive. It brings immense satisfaction, motivation, and renewed commitment to continue serving society.

Today, Nitte Hospital has earned the trust of the people. Patients come directly to the hospital without any recommendations or references. This reflects the hospital’s quality of care, the dedication of its doctors, and the confidence the public has placed in the institution.”

Speech by Dr Saraswathi Venugopal, senior gynaecologist, Payyanur, Kerala

“I completed most of my education in Karnataka. Throughout my professional career, I have referred numerous urology-related cases to KMC Hospital. I dedicate every achievement in my life to my teachers and mentors who guided me at every stage of my journey.

From my school education to my studies at Vijaya College, Mulki, and later at KMC Manipal, many teachers and seniors played a significant role in shaping my career. In particular, Dr Padma Rao and Dr Manorama Rao made an invaluable contribution to my growth as a gynaecologist. Their guidance, experience, encouragement, and inspiration laid the strong foundation for my professional life.

I also remain deeply grateful to my husband and children for their unwavering love, encouragement, and support. Their cooperation enabled me to dedicate myself fully to the service of my patients. Their constant encouragement continues to inspire me to uphold the highest standards of commitment and excellence in the medical profession.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Its existing algorithms have the capacity to trace and store ancestral roots seven or up to eight generations.

City-based tech firm BlueRose Technologies on Tuesday introduced a platform, LifeTree, that can help individuals and their families to build a family tree and create a digital repository of their family heirlooms.

The platform users can build their family trees with the help of information collected from elders in the family or consulting old photographs, family albums and old documents. Its existing algorithms have the capacity to trace and store ancestral roots seven or up to eight generations.

The platform also allows users digitise everything in and around a family: its heritage, traditions, culture, festivities, religious rituals, weddings and anniversaries, grandmas’ recipes, grandpas’ stories, a space for every member, young and old on the platform, claimed Tulasidasappa, co-founder & COO, BlueRose.

It allows family members to exchange messages, chats and make video calls in real-time and also wish birthday and anniversary greetings in addition to having family discussions.

“Today, many people are posting personal data and family pictures on several social media platforms without any care or fear. This can expose them to serious security issues. However, LifeTree comes with complete security cover as whatever is posted by a family member can only be viewed by his own family members who are also part of the platform,” Mr. Tulasidasappa told The Hindu.

This family networking platform is being launched at a time when most social media platforms causing “connected isolations’’ and making people lonely in a room full of people or among family members, said a techie who reviewed the platform.

Vinnet Jain, co-founder & CEO, BlueRose Technologies, said, “While technology has helped us stay connected with the world, it has not necessarily helped us stay connected with our own families. Many of our traditions, cultures, ancient family recipes and photographs are slowly fading away. On this platform one can preserve his or her grandparents’ stories or recipes so that younger generations can also get to know of them and cherish them.”

He further said the platform was built to address the growing global fatigue with mainstream social media platforms, where intimate family moments are often exposed to public scrutiny, data tracking and exploitation.

source/content : thehindu.com (headline edited)

The Karnataka government has decided to recommend three important historical and cultural destinations of the State, including Hampi, Mysuru and Lakkundi, to the Union Tourism Ministry under the Union government’s ambitious ‘Global Destination Development’ project, said Minister for Energy and Tourism K.J. George.

Addressing the press after a State-level consultation meeting in Hampi on Tuesday, Mr. George said, “The Union Tourism Ministry will select the final destinations to be developed under the project after examining the comprehensive proposal submitted by the State government. The selected tourist destinations are expected to receive a total of ₹800 crore central assistance, including ₹500 crore in the first phase and ₹300 crore in the second phase.”

The Minister also said that their aim is to attract additional investment through partnership between the State government and the private sector and develop the selected destinations into world-class tourism centers.

“Based on the historical, cultural and tourism potential of Hampi, Mysuru and Lakkundi, a comprehensive action plan will be prepared and submitted to the Union government, giving priority to world-class infrastructure, tourist experience, connectivity, heritage conservation, sustainable development and private investment,” Mr. George said.

Coordination with multiple departments

Emphasising on coordination between various departments for development of Hampi, Mr. George said, “The development of Hampi is not the responsibility of a single tourism department. A comprehensive development will be carried out in coordination with various departments including the Urban Development Department, Hampi Development Authority, Archaeological Survey of India, State Archaeological Department.”

He said that a joint meeting would be held soon under the leadership of the Urban Development Minister and the Panchayat Raj Minister to find a permanent solution to the problems related to the development of Hampi.

Hampi Utsava

The government is committed to organising the Hampi festival on the model of Mysuru Dasara in a grandeur manner at the national and international level.

Mr. George said that a final decision would be taken soon after consulting the Chief Minister regarding the date and programmes of the utsava.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)