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 In recognition of her outstanding contribution to Bharatanatyam, noted dance guru Vidushi Rohini Uday has been selected for the prestigious Aryabhata International Award 2026.

Rohini Uday, who runs Sri Devi Nrityaradhana Kala Kendra (R) in Puttur, is also serving as the president of Sharvani Credit Souharda Co-operative Society, BC Road. Her dedication to promoting classical dance and mentoring budding artistes has earned her this honour.

As per a release from the Aryabhata Cultural Organisation, Bengaluru, the award will be presented at a grand celebration to be held on May 23, at Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru.

The award recognises her years of commitment to preserving and propagating Bharatanatyam through training, performances, and cultural initiatives.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) that has placed the UAS-B in 7th position was based on the University’s excellence in research, teaching, agri extension and industry collobaration among others.

The University of Agricultural Sciences-Bengaluru has once again proved its excellence with the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) placing the University among the top 10 best agricultural institutions of the country in its institutional rankings in 2006.

According to a statement by the UAS-B, the IIRF ranking has put the University in the 7^th place in the country. Also, the UAS-B is the only University or institution working in the area of agricultural and allied fields in Karnataka to figure in the top-10 list. With this, the UAS-B has retained its reputation as being the best agricultural university in the State in terms of such institutional rankings.

The IIRF has ranked these institutions based on their research performance, quality of faculty, placements, industry collaborations, support system for start-ups and other institutional parameters.

The ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, has been ranked No. 1 in the country. Including UAS-B, only three agricultural universities from the south have found themselves in the list of to-10 agri institutions of the country. While Tamil Nadu Agricultural University-Coimbatore has got 3rd position, Kerala Agricultural University-Thrissur has got 9th position.

Expressing happiness over the rankings, UAS-B Vice-Chancellor Dr. S.V. Suresha described this as a continued developmental process after the University got NAAC-A-Plus grade last year in the assessment process for India’s higher educational institutions. He said the University being given the 7^th place in the present ranking process in the country was a national recognition of its excellence in the fields of research, teaching, agricultural extension activities, development of agricultural technologies and social activities.

He acknowledged that the University could get such a recognition due to the dedicated service by its scientists, teaching faculty and students besides the co-operation rendered by farmers.

Dr. Suresha said the University would continue its service to society with a renewed commitment to scale greater heights in the coming days to help farmers and society. It may be noted that the UAS-B is the first agricultural university of Karnataka and one of the oldest in the county.

Presently, its geographical area is confined to the districts of Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Kolar and Chikkaballapura.

While the actual university was inaugurated in 1964, the process of setting up this institution dates back to 1899 when it began as a small agricultural research farm on 30 acres of land donated by the then Maharani Kempa Nanjammanni.

Later, the Mysore Agriculture Residential School was established in 1913 at Hebbal in Bengaluru which offered Licentiate course in Agriculture. Subsequently, the school started offering a diploma programme in agriculture from 1920..

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

In a proud moment for the coastal district, noted photographer Raghavendra Kodangal, popularly known as ‘Focus Raghu’, has been selected for the prestigious Varnashree award by the Karnataka Lalitakala Akademi in recognition of his achievements in the field of photography.

Expressing his happiness, Raghu said he was honored to receive the award and credited his success to his mentor, late Gurudath Kamath, whom he remembered with deep respect for guiding him in his journey. He also extended his gratitude to photographer Astro Mohan for his support in achieving this recognition.

Hailing from the small village of Kodangal in Udupi district, Raghu has risen to prominence through his dedication and talent. Today, under the name ‘Focus Raghu,’ he is widely recognized in the photography community for his exceptional work and creativity.

Over the years, he has won more than 300 national and international awards and has secured prizes in photography competitions held across more than 25 countries. His accomplishments include earning prestigious distinctions such as EFIAP (Excellence FIAP) awarded by Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique in France, and EFIP from the Federation of Indian Photography. His journey stands as an inspiring example of a rural talent achieving global recognition.

Raghu’s artistic photographs have been exhibited in several countries including India, France, Singapore, England, Greece, Canada, China, and the United States, showcasing his global reach and appeal.

Known for his innovative approach to wedding photography, Focus Raghu has gained popularity for his extraordinary pre-wedding photo shoots that have captured public attention. In addition to professional assignments, his passion for travel and trekking has contributed to his globally acclaimed photographic works.

Recognizing his achievements, Nikon has appointed him as an influencer for Karnataka, bringing further honor to his journey and highlighting the potential of rural talent.

A BCom graduate, Raghu has a special interest in pictorial photography that reflects rural life through the interplay of light and shadow. He remains a proud disciple of the late Gurudath Kamath, whose guidance continues to influence his work.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Highlighting the urgent need for paediatric eye care in Sub Saharan Africa, Dr. K.V. Ravishankar an estimated 80,000 children require cataract surgery in the region.

Eye surgeon couple from Mysuru Dr. K.V. Ravishankar and Dr. Uma Ravishankar recently concluded a week-long surgical mission providing specialised eye care services in Northern Ghana.

The surgical mission held between May 31, 2026 and June 8, 2026 at Tamale Eye Hospital in Tamale in Northern Ghana, where children and adults suffering from complex eye conditions received life-changing surgical treatment, highlighted the urgent need for paediatric eye care in Sub Saharan Africa.

The eye surgeon couple from Mysuru, who work with Usha Kiran Eye Hospital in the city, along with Dr. Milind Bhide from Hyderabad, performed a total of 40 major eye surgeries during the camp. 

“The procedures included paediatric cataract surgeries, squint [strabismus] correction surgeries, eye plastic and reconstructive surgeries for children and adults, and other complex paediatric eye procedures. The team also conducted on-site training and skill-transfer sessions for local ophthalmologists”, said Dr. Ravishankar.

The surgical intervention brought renewed hope, improved vision, and brighter futures to many families across Northern Ghana and neighboring regions, he said.

According to the doctors, nearly 40% of the cases involved congenital, developmental, or traumatic cataracts, while another 40% were squint-related cases affecting children, adolescents, and adults. The remaining 20% comprised oculoplastic procedures such as ptosis correction, lacrimal surgeries, and probing procedures.

Highlighting the urgent need for paediatric eye care in Sub Saharan Africa, Dr. Ravishankar said an estimated 80,000 children require cataract surgery, apart from many other untreated eye conditions, in the region.

Speaking about the experience, Dr. Ravishankar said that every successful surgery represents “a child returning to school with confidence, a parent regaining hope, and a family receiving a second chance at a better quality of life.” The doctors have described the mission as challenging but deeply rewarding.

All the eye surgeons rendered their services pro bono, while the mission expenses were supported by several Rotary organizations and charitable foundations. 

The major sponsors of the mission included The Rotary Foundation (USA), Rotary District 9104 (Ghana), Rotary Club of Accra Industrial, Rotary Club of Accra Premier International, Rotary E-Club of Bangalore, Rotary Club of Bangalore Abilities, Rotary Club of Ivory City Mysore, Evans Family Foundation (USA), Avoidable Blindness Foundation (Bangalore), Rotary Club of Guildford Wey (UK), Rotary Club of Christchurch (UK), Rotary Club of Naperville (USA), and Rotary Club of Whitby (Canada).

The doctors also expressed their gratitude to the Tamale Eye Hospital team led by Dr. Judith Simon.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

With the 30th edition of Mrs Globe set to go live in California from June 16, Veena Jain, National Director for India for Mrs Classique Globe, and Arpitha Lankesh, India’s delegate this year, speak about preparation and representing the country on the international stage.

For Veena Jain, confidence is not just a quality; it is the foundation of every successful pageant journey. As National Director for India for Mrs Classique Globe, Jain has spent months preparing this year’s Indian delegate, Arpitha Lankesh, for the global stage, convinced that self-belief often matters more than grooming, styling or even the perfect ramp walk.

The same belief will soon be put to the test as over 100 delegates from across the world gather in Palm Springs, California, for this year’s Mrs Globe pageant, to be held from June 16 to 21. Marking its 30th anniversary since its inception in 1996, the event will, for the first time, host all six Mrs Globe competitions under one roof.

Jain’s association with the pageant dates back to 2017, when she won the Best Speaker title at Mrs Globe. Looking back, she says the platform has only evolved for the better. “It’s never the same theme. Every year, they have different wardrobes, styles and makeovers. The Mrs Globe team are great communicators and works directly with the candidates. This year’s theme was announced six months in advance and we began training immediately,” she shares enthusiastically.

While the pageant has changed over the years, Jain’s philosophy has remained the same. Jain believes confidence is what truly sets contestants apart. She notes, “A candidate’s confidence can change the game. When it comes to assessing personality, confidence plays a key role. There’s nothing like it.”

This year, Jain has selected Bengaluru-based Lankesh as India’s delegate for Mrs Classique Globe. The decision, she says, was made instantly. “The moment I set my eyes on her, I knew she was going to be my delegate. Her athletic build and confidence reeled me in,” says Jain, who has been mentoring Lankesh for the past seven months. “Though she was nervous initially, as the training progressed, she became more confident with every step of the process,” she explains.

The months leading up to the competition have involved balancing work commitments with training, preparation and mentoring sessions. The experience helped Lankesh step out of her comfort zone and discover new confidence in herself.

An IT professional and entrepreneur, she admits that participating in a beauty pageant was never part of her plans. “Pageants were never on my radar. I had never imagined myself on a stage like this. At times, the process felt overwhelming, but as the training progressed, I started enjoying every bit of it,” she effuses.

Lankesh goes on to explain the essence of the Mrs Globe pageant, which is keeping in touch with other delegates through weekly meetings called ‘Monday Memos’. “I feel so connected with all the delegates competing for the Mrs Classique Globe. It feels like sisterhood. The team is professional and prepares us mentally. It’s not about winning or losing, but about building a personality where confidence plays a major role,” shares Lankesh, wife of director-producer Indrajit Lankesh.

She says she feels honoured representing the country. “I take this opportunity to meet new people and be introduced to new cultures that I had no idea about previously,” Lankesh concludes, before she returns to prep for her big day.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Developed by city-based NIAS, the platform will employ satellite imagery, archival references and geospatial markers to map the sites.

A new National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) portal, developed with an ISRO team, uses satellite imagery and archival research to uncover India’s hidden cultural landscapes, with old Bengaluru among the sites next in line. 

For most people, heritage is limited to what stands visibly before them, such as a temple, fort, palace or protected monument. “But historical landscapes often leave behind subtler traces,” says Prof M B Rajani of NIAS, who leads the heritage mapping initiative.

“A buried moat may survive as a moisture line in farmland, a vanished fort wall may appear through vegetation patterns, and an old settlement boundary may continue in the alignment of present-day roads. Individually, these may seem insignificant, but together they reveal the larger historical footprint of a place,” she says.

This led to Kasturi, a web-based geospatial heritage portal developed by the Bengaluru-based National Institute of Advanced Studies in collaboration with the National Remote Sensing Centre and hosted on ISRO’s Bhuvan platform. Inaugurated last week, it allows users to explore historical sites across India through satellite imagery, archival references, geospatial markers and curated feature-based information. The portal is named after the late Dr K Kasturirangan, who laid the foundation for geospatial heritage studies at NIAS.

“It is not simply a monument directory. We are trying to understand the larger cultural landscape around a site, how extensive it once was, what features belonged to it, and what traces of that survive even if they are no longer visibly recognised,” says Rajani.

For instance, at Halebidu, the mapping exercise went beyond the Hoysala temple complex and includes remains such as moats, water systems and associated structures extending outside the protected zone. In Agra, the portal goes beyond the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort to map portions of the wider Mughal riverfront settlement, including traces of havelis that cannot be found now. 

The portal currently has mapped 47 sites. Its first phase (2019-2023) focused on 20 UNESCO world heritage sites, including Agra, Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Mahabalipuram, Hyderabad, Sarnath and five different sites in Delhi. “From Karnataka, one could find Badami, Belur, Halebidu, Somanathapura and Srirangapatna among the first sites to go live. Another 27 landscapes were added as the project expanded,” she explains.

Next on the map:

Old Bengaluru Among the sites to be featured in the future will be the historical Pete and Kote boundaries, the old bazaar spine centred around present-day Avenue Road, the Kempegowda-era settlement edge, portions stretching towards Majestic and the railway station, the larger fortified citadel zone, and the original historical layout of Lalbagh during the Hyder Ali-Tipu Sultan period.

Temple clusters, inscriptions and other historical markers that once formed part of the city’s early urban radius will also be considered, she adds. 

How to use

Users entering the portal can navigate through the country’s map, which is marked with red dots. Each site can be zoomed into, while specific mapped features open as pop-up windows containing details such as name, category, description, protection status, whether the site was already known or newly identified, and its present condition on the ground.

Visit bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/apps/kasturi

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

The applications spanned frontier sectors such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum technologies, space tech, health tech, clean tech, mobility, and others.

As many as 256 finalists emerged from ELEVATE NxT 2026, a flagship deep-tech startup support programme under the Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP) organised by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka.

Of the 983 startup applications received from across the country, 661 were shortlisted for in-person pitches, of which 256 finalists presented at the grand finale. The shortlisting and final pitching process was completed in about two months. The winners are yet to be announced.

The applications spanned frontier sectors such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum technologies, space tech, health tech, clean tech, mobility, and others.

ELEVATE NxT 2026 offered grant-in-aid support of up to ₹1 crore per startup, along with milestone-based funding, domain-specific mentorship, and structured ecosystem support to help startups translate breakthrough innovations into scalable, globally competitive solutions.

In a post on X, Priyank Kharge, Karnataka Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, said: “For close to a decade, ELEVATE has empowered Karnataka’s early-stage startups by providing grant-in-aid support and the right ecosystem to scale bold ideas. Building on that legacy, ELEVATE NxT 2026 marks the next chapter with a dedicated focus on deep tech, opening the platform to startups from across the country.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

During the Rashtrakuta era, a ruler known as Kuppe Arasa, who governed Puligere in the present Lakshmeshwar region, is said to have died of illness.

A rare inscription has been discovered in Mevundi village near Gadag. The record reveals that it is a ‘veeragallu’ — a memorial stone — belonging to a servant who chose to give his life after the death of his king.

During the Rashtrakuta era, a ruler known as Kuppe Arasa, who governed Puligere in the present Lakshmeshwar region, is said to have died of illness. The inscription further states that his servant, Ratteyanna, would journey toward what is now the Mevundi region and would die in front of his master’s samadhi, as an act of atma balidan (self-sacrifice).

However, the inscription also makes it clear that this keelugunte is unlike the more common veeragallu traditions. It notes that the servant arrived from hundreds of miles away, pointing out the unusual scale and devotion behind the ritual.

Such practices in earlier times were colloquially referred to as Keelugunte. History scholars in Gadag explain that the term Keelugunte likely derives from two Kannada words — “Keelu”, meaning to pull, and “kunte/kundi”, meaning grave.

The veeragallu was unearthed during a recent, in-depth research drive by a team of history enthusiasts focusing on veeragallu traditions across Karnataka. Shweta Bhasme and her team, who were preparing a thesis on the veeragallu of the region, uncovered this exceptional inscription while documenting memorial stones.

source/content: newindianexpresss.com (headline edited)

Nitte University has been featured in Yamagata Shimbun (dated May 31, 2026), a leading regional newspaper in Japan, for its contribution to developing highly skilled talent and supporting workforce requirements in Japan through international academic and industry collaboration. The article highlights a partnership between Yamagata Prefecture and Nitte University that is helping connect talented graduates with employment opportunities in Japan. As Japanese industries continue to address workforce shortages, Indian engineering graduates are increasingly being recognized for their technical expertise, adaptability and professional commitment.

According to the report, Nitte University has been actively supporting student placements with Japanese companies since 2020. To date, more than 300 graduates have secured employment opportunities in Japan, reflecting the growing confidence of Japanese employers in the quality of talent emerging from the University. The newspaper notes that Yamagata Prefecture established a cooperative relationship with Nitte University to facilitate the recruitment of highly skilled graduates, particularly in engineering and technology-related fields. Through this initiative, companies in the prefecture have successfully recruited Nitte graduates and the number of Indian professionals employed in the region continue to increase.

A significant portion of the article focuses on the positive experiences of Nitte graduates working in Japan. Among those featured is Adesh Chandrashekar (22), a Nitte University graduate currently employed at the Yonezawa Factory of Sanyo Machinery Manufacturing Co, Ltd in Yamagata Prefecture. Working in product quality management and quality assurance, Adesh shared that his aspiration to work in Japan was driven by the country’s reputation for excellence in manufacturing. The article also highlights Chetan Poojari (24), another Nitte graduate employed at the company. Reflecting on his experience, Chetan noted that the supportive work environment and strong team culture motivate him to perform at his best. He expressed his desire to take on greater responsibilities in the future, including involvement in new material inspections and product development processes.

The feature further reports that company leadership has been highly impressed with the calibre of Nitte graduates. Kotaro Kurosaka, president of Sanyo Machinery Manufacturing Co, remarked that the students recommended by the university are carefully selected and possess the qualities needed to succeed in the workplace. The company plans to recruit more graduates from Nitte University in the coming months and sees them as future contributors and leaders within the organisation.

With nearly 30,000 students across engineering, medical and allied disciplines, Nitte University continues to strengthen its global engagement through academic excellence, industry partnerships and international career pathways. The collaboration featured in the newspaper has been supported by the efforts of Dr Harikrishna Bhat, Director (International Collaborations) at Nitte University, who has been involved in guiding students towards career opportunities in Japan and Yasuko Sato, who has contributed to recruitment support and Japanese language learning initiatives. The recognition in Yamagata Shimbun highlights Nitte University’s growing international presence and its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students in an increasingly interconnected world.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

To build a skilled migration corridor between Karnataka and Germany, five students of the state-run Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC) have been selected by Rheinbahn AG, Düsseldorf, one of the country’s leading public transport operators, for placement under the German Ausbildung (dual vocational training) programme commencing September 2026.

The Letters of Intent (LoIs) issued by Rheinbahn AG were formally handed over to the five selected candidates by Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister for Skill Development and Medical Education, at a felicitation ceremony held at Vikasa Soudha, said a press release.

“The Ausbildung programme is a globally respected German model of vocational education that combines structured classroom instruction with paid, hands-on training at the workplace, leading to an internationally recognised qualification. Under this initiative, the selected GTTC candidates will undergo training with Rheinbahn AG in Düsseldorf, gaining world-class industry experience along with a formal German certification,” said the release.

Dr. Patil said, “Our youth have the talent and the discipline to compete with the best in the world. Through partnerships like this, our government is committed to opening global doors for our skilled young men and women. This first batch is only the beginning of a much larger journey.”

Subodh Yadav, principal secretary to Skill Development, said the government looks forward to scaling this model to benefit many more candidates from across the State in the coming years.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)