Author: @admin

Social reformer, saint and poet of dasa tradition Kanakadasa believed that devotion and knowledge are superior to material wealth. In his compositions or keerthanas, one can notice the subtlety of devotion with social consciousness, said B.S. Anil Kumar Bommaghatta, assistant director, Prasaranga, University of Mysore on Wednesday.

He was speaking at ‘Kanaka Smriti’ and Kanaka Puraskara programme organised by Centre for Research on Kanakadasa at Mangalore University at Mangalagangotri.

Kanakadasa stood beyond caste, religion, and region. “We should not view him only as a devotional poet or literary creator, but also as a scientific explorer. Records with inscriptions show that he built 68 lakes during his time. One of the lakes he built 600 years ago still irrigates more than 1.5 million acres of agricultural land in Andhra Pradesh even today. Such social work, alongside his literary contribution, is a model for us. More studies should be conducted on these works,” he said.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor P.L. Dharma said: “In today’s modern era, we are failing to understand the thoughts and values of great souls like Kanakadasa. While buildings are getting stronger in society, caste organizations are also becoming stronger. At a time when new caste equations are forming, more programmes that will help to adopt Kanaka’s thoughts in life should be held.”

Scholar Kabbinahale Vasantha Bharadwaj said that new studies can emerge by exploring the soul and inner meaning of dasa literature.

R. Nagappa Gowda, chairman, Department of Kannada, Mangalore University, said that Kanakadasa opposed pompous and superstitious devotion and built a society of equality.

Dhananjaya Kumble, coordinator, Centre for Research on Kanakadasa, made introductory remarks.

‘Kanaka Puraskara’ was presented to 16 candidates and six teams who were winners in the 2025-26 ‘Kanaka Keertana Gangotri’ competition.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Marking a significant milestone in India’s gem and jewellery skill development landscape, the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), Udupi was unveiled on Tuesday, April 28 as a new centre of excellence by union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reaffirming the government’s continued focus on skilling, innovation and employment generation for the sector.

The ceremony was attended by Kota Srinivas Poojary, Member of Parliament; Yashpal A Suvarna, MLA, Udupi; Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA, Kaup (Kapu) Assembly Constituency,; Kirit Bhansali, chairman, GJEPC; Shaunak Parikh, vice chairman, GJEPC; Mahender Tayal, regional chairman, Southern Region, GJEPC; and Sabyasachi Ray, executive director, GJEPC, alongside industry members, students and stakeholders.

The new IIGJ Udupi centre is envisioned as a hub for nurturing talent, supporting artisanal excellence and equipping students with industry-relevant skills across jewellery design, manufacturing and emerging technologies. The inauguration further strengthens IIGJ’s growing national footprint and underscores the sector’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce.

Nirmala Sitharaman said, “IIGJ Udupi stands as a strong example of how industry-led skilling can transform lives and create opportunities for youth across southern India. The institute is empowering students from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and beyond with employable skills, entrepreneurial opportunities and pathways to prosperity. Through the support of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the institute has aligned its training with global market needs and evolving industry standards. As demand for skilled talent grows and India strengthens its position in global jewellery exports, institutions like IIGJ Udupi will be instrumental in nurturing talent, expanding opportunities for our youth, and driving inclusive economic growth.”

Kirit Bhansali, chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said, “The unveiling of IIGJ Udupi reflects our continued commitment to strengthening India’s skill ecosystem for the gem and jewellery sector. In the last four years alone, IIGJ centres across the country have trained over 7,000 students, building a strong talent pool for the industry. Today, the Indian gem and jewellery sector contributes nearly USD 28 billion in exports and supports over 5 million livelihoods. As the sector evolves into a more design-led, technology-driven and value-added ecosystem, the demand for skilled professionals will only grow. Institutions like IIGJ are central to sustaining India’s leadership and maintaining its position as the supplier of choice for the world. This effort also advances the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and supports our ambition of taking gem and jewellery exports to USD 100 billion.”

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) and IIT Madras (InCent-LGD). The partnership aims to launch a specialised certification programme in lab-grown diamond technologies, creating skilled and industry-ready professionals for this fast-growing sector. It will support value-added manufacturing and further strengthen India’s position in the global lab-grown diamond value chain, aligned with the vision of Make in India and Skill India.

Highlighting the sector’s transformation and emerging opportunities, Shaunak Parikh, vice chairman, GJEPC, said “With expanding global opportunities, strong domestic demand and growing focus on innovation, the industry is entering a new phase of growth. Investments in skilling and education through institutions like IIGJ will be critical to sustaining India’s leadership in the global gem and jewellery sector.”

Aligned with the government’s Skill India vision and initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, IIGJ has been expanding access to structured training for grassroots artisans and aspiring professionals. The IIGJ institute currently offers over 40 specialised programmes, including degree courses, diplomas and postgraduate programmes, with strong industry linkages and placement outcomes.

The new centre is expected to play a key role in supporting the next phase of growth while empowering youth, artisans and entrepreneurs from the region to participate in India’s expanding gem and jewellery opportunity.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Pixxel said that the award supports the US government’s effort to evaluate and integrate emerging commercial hyperspectral data sources into the agency’s expanding remote sensing architecture.

Bengaluru space startup Pixxel has been awarded a contract by the US’s National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) for advanced commercial remote sensing capabilities.

The contract has been awarded by NRO’s Commercial Systems Program Office under the Strategic Commercial Enhancements Commercial Solutions Opening.

Pixxel said that the award supports the US government’s effort to evaluate and integrate emerging commercial hyperspectral data sources into the agency’s expanding remote sensing architecture.

It added that leveraging its on-orbit Firefly constellation (a constellation of hyperspectral satellites), Pixxel will demonstrate that hyperspectral imagery (HSI) can provide spectral insight, enabling analysts to characterise materials, conditions, and activities that conventional imaging cannot reveal.

“Our Federal team is ready to deliver on this important mission and to support the NRO’s vision for a more diverse, multi-phenomenology commercial remote sensing architecture,” said Allyson Jenkins, vice president, Public Sector, Pixxel.

Ryan McKinney, Chief Revenue Officer, Pixxel, said that it will support the NRO in integrating commercial hyperspectral data into its framework.

Pixxel said that with its Firefly constellation now operational, it is positioned to deliver hyperspectral data and analytics at the speed, scale and precision demanded by the intelligence and national security communities, reflecting the growing role of commercial hyperspectral imagery as a foundational layer in the U.S. government’s next-generation remote sensing architecture.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KIMS Hospitals has inaugurated the “Institute of Advanced Neurosciences” at its Electronic City unit in Bengaluru. The newly established Centre of Excellence will deliver comprehensive care across a wide spectrum of neurological specialties, including epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorders, neurointervention, skull base surgery, and spine surgery.

Leadership and Experts Mark the Occasion

The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished leaders and medical experts. Prof. Jawahar Doreswamy, Chancellor of PES University, attended the event alongside Dr. B. Bhaskar Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of KIMS Group of Hospitals. Additionally, Dr. Nitish Shetty, Managing Director of KIMS Hospitals, Bengaluru, joined the occasion with senior clinicians and specialists from the neurosciences team.

Advanced Infrastructure and Multidisciplinary Care

As per the press release, the institute brings together cutting-edge infrastructure and a highly skilled multidisciplinary team. It features dedicated facilities such as neurorehabilitation units, a neuro cath lab, EEG and ENMG labs, and advanced video EEG monitoring systems. Moreover, the centre includes a virtual reality neurosurgery lab and state-of-the-art operating theatres, enabling precision-driven surgical interventions and improved patient outcomes.

Strengthening Neurological Care Through Innovation

With this launch, KIMS Hospitals strengthens its commitment to delivering world-class neurological care. At the same time, the institute aims to address the rising burden of neurological disorders by integrating innovation, clinical expertise, and compassionate patient care.

source/content: theindianpractitioner.com (headline edited)

Mission Drishti is the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, integrating electro-optical (EO) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors into a single operational platform, according to the company.

Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye’s Mission Drishti satellite was launched on Sunday aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from California.

Mission Drishti is the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, integrating electro-optical (EO) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors into a single operational platform, according to the company.

While EO sensors capture high-resolution images during sunlight and clear skies, SAR sensors provide all-weather and all-time images, using radar pulses.

In a statement, Suyash Singh, founder and CEO of GalaxEye, said, “With the satellite (Mission Drishti) now successfully in orbit, our immediate focus is on completing its commissioning. As we move through this phase, we are already witnessing strong global interest in the differentiated datasets enabled by our OptoSAR payload.” The satellite will help address long-standing limitations of conventional systems and enable more reliable and consistent data acquisition across diverse environmental conditions, the company said.

As a dual-use Earth observation satellite, the mission will support use cases across defence, agriculture, disaster management, maritime monitoring, and infrastructure planning.

The satellite is also expected to complement India’s broader initiatives, including the 29 active Earth Observation satellites outlined in ISRO’s recent annual report.

The launch came after five years of indigenous research and development, and extensive environmental testing and performance validation of the Mission Drishti.

In a statement, Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), director general of Indian Space Association (ISpA), said, “GalaxEye has achieved what only a few global players have, which is seamlessly combining optical and SAR capabilities on a single platform to enable persistent, all-weather intelligence.” What stands out is not just the technology, but its broader impact on how downstream applications will increasingly define value in the space economy, particularly in Earth observation, where timely, decision-grade insights are critical,” he added.

ISpA is the premier industry association of space and satellite companies in the country.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh also took note of the Mission Drishti launch, saying the development marked a significant milestone in India’s space journey.

In a post on X, the minister said, “The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, and the largest privately-built satellite in the country, reflects the immense potential of our young innovators driving nation-building.” GalaxEye aims to scale up Mission Drishti to a constellation of 10 satellites by 2030, developing a robust and sovereign Earth observation infrastructure for India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite Mission Drishti by GalaxEye, calling it a testament to the youth’s passion for innovation and nation-building.

Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye’s Mission Drishti satellite was launched on Sunday aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from California.

“Mission Drishti by GalaxEye marks a major achievement in our space journey. The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and the largest privately-built satellite in India is a testament to our youth’s passion for innovation and nation-building,” Modi said in a post on X.

Mission Drishti by GalaxEye marks a major achievement in our space journey. The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and the largest privately-built satellite in India is a testament to our youth’s passion for innovation and nation-building.

Heartiest…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2026

The prime minister also congratulated the founders and the entire GalaxEye team, extending his best wishes.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

India’s first Centre of Excellence in the space technology sector was inaugurated in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The initiative marks a significant step in the country’s space economy and advances Karnataka’s position as a national hub for space innovation.

The centre has been established through a collaboration between the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) and SIA-India. It aims to bridge the gap between research and the commercialisation of space technologies.

The centre was inaugurated by IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge in the presence of government officials, scientists, and industry leaders. Addressing the gathering, he said Karnataka has always been at the forefront of technology and innovation, and the new centre would extend that leadership into the space sector.

The Centre of Excellence will focus on advanced research and innovation in space technologies, industry-aligned training, talent development, startup incubation, and expanding the use of space technologies in sectors such as agriculture, climate, disaster management, communication systems, life sciences, and national security.

Speaking at the inaugural event, minister Priyank Kharge said the state government has shown interest in developing satellites under the theme ‘Space Technology for Social Impact’. He added that common technical facilities are needed to support the growing space ecosystem, and discussions would be held with industry stakeholders in this regard.

The centre has also signed cooperation agreements with Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Helogen Corporation, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises, and Dassault Systèmes in the fields of technology, space biotechnology, startup incubation, and employment skill development.

Officials stated that the centre will play a key role in promoting innovation, startups, and new opportunities in India’s rapidly growing space economy.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

His art is noted for its engagement with social and political themes, often reflecting concerns of justice, identity, and human values.

Kalaburagi-based artist M. G. Doddamani has been selected for the Karnataka Lalithakala Academy’s Honorary Award for 2024-25, in recognition of his contribution to the visual arts. The award carries a cash prize of ₹50,000.

The Karnataka Lalithakala Academy announced the list of awardees on April 28.

An accomplished artist and educator, Mr. Doddamani has been actively engaged in mentoring young artists and contributing to contemporary art discourse. His work has been exhibited widely in India and abroad, and are part of collections in several countries, including Mexico, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and the United Kingdom.

His art is noted for its engagement with social and political themes, often reflecting concerns of justice, identity, and human values. Several of his artwork draw inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and constitutional ideals.

Mr. Doddamani is a native of Kannur village in Kalaburagi district. He secured first rank in his Bachelor of Fine Arts from M.M.K. College of Visual Art, earning a gold medal from Gulbarga University. He completed his Master of Fine Arts in Graphics from Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan in West Bengal.

The recognition has been welcomed by artistic circles in Kalaburagi, acknowledging Mr. Doddamani’s sustained commitment and contribution to the field of visual arts.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KSDL announced that under the ‘Grow More Sandalwood’ initiative, sandalwood plantations will be developed over 10,000 acres in 10 years.

 Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) announced on Tuesday that it grossed a revenue of Rs 2,016 crore in the financial year 2025–26 with profit after tax at Rs 507 crore. At an event to commemorate the achievement, Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil asked KSDL officials to consider providing incentives to workers in recognition of their contribution.

“While it took KSDL 105 years to reach a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore, it doubled this figure to Rs 2,000 crores in just four years. From Rs 1,375 crore in 2022–23, the company has grown to Rs 2,016 crore in three years since the present government assumed office,” he said. Of the Rs 507 crore profit, Rs 157 crore will be paid as dividend to the government and Rs 5 crore will be contributed to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Patil said.

A new manufacturing unit will be set up on a 50-acre land in Vijayapura, for which Rs 229 crore has been sanctioned. Tenders worth Rs 15 crore have been floated to purchase new machinery, he added.

KSDL announced that under the ‘Grow More Sandalwood’ initiative, sandalwood plantations will be developed over 10,000 acres in 10 years. Farmers will receive an incentive of Rs 500 per sapling over a period of three years. Sandalwood research chairs will be established at Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Bengaluru, and Agricultural University in Vijayapura.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The system currently supports more than 10 languages — Indian languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Kashmiri, Nepali and Assamese, along with international languages like Spanish, French and Arabic.

t Bengaluru Police Commissioner office, in Bengaluru on January 11, 2023. | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Bengaluru City Police have launched a multilingual AI-powered upgrade to its emergency response system, Namma 112, aimed at breaking language barriers during distress situations.

The city police introduced the Multilingual Voice AI for Nationwide Key Interventions (VANKI), an advanced solution that enables callers to communicate in their preferred language while seeking emergency assistance. The system can interpret and relay information in real time, helping call handlers respond faster and with greater accuracy.

Over 10 languages integrated

The initiative comes in response to Bengaluru’s diverse and global population, where residents include people from across India and abroad. Officials noted that language differences often delay emergency response, and the new integration ensures that such barriers no longer hinder access to help.

Developed in collaboration with Monday Ventures and Aeos, the system currently supports more than 10 languages. These include Indian languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Kashmiri, Nepali and Assamese, along with international languages like Spanish, French and Arabic. Authorities said additional languages will be introduced in phases.

Police officials said the upgraded system will significantly improve response time, clarity in communication and accuracy in deploying emergency services, especially in high-pressure situations.

With this move, Bengaluru City Police said they have reinforced their focus on inclusive and citizen-centric policing, leveraging technology to make emergency services more accessible, efficient and responsive for all sections of society.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)