Dr. Paniveni Udayashankar, a Ph.D degree holder in Solar Physics and an Hon. Professor at Poornapragna Institute of Scientific Research, Bengaluru, has received the ‘Mother Teresa Global Award’ for Excellence in Education, from the organisation ‘Friendship Forum’ based in New Delhi.

A resident of Roopanagar, Mysuru, she has 40 years of teaching experience as Physics Professor in a few reputed Colleges in Mysuru, Bengaluru, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. She has published 29 research publications in peer-reviewed international journals alongside the 21 international conferences attended by her wherein she presented research papers and chaired sessions.

A Vidwat in Karnatak classical vocal music, she has over 100 vocal music concerts on well-known platforms. She has the credit of being a Radio and TV artiste too.

She has been on the Editorial Board of Whioce Publishing PTE Ltd. and is a mentor for ‘Supernova Foundation’ which has programmes focused on encouraging young women to pursue career in Physics. She has guided two Ph.D students.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has announced the recipients of the 2025 Honour Awards and Book Prizes, presented annually to distinguished personalities in the fields of Konkani literature, art, and folklore.

The 2025 Honour Awards have been announced for Ron Roche Cassia in the Konkani Literature category, Ramdas Dattatreya Gulwadi in the Konkani Art category, and Sairu (Muralidhar) Puttu Naik in the Konkani Folklore category.

The 2025 Book Awards have been conferred on Andrew L D’Cunha for ‘Ujwadache Vengent’ in the Konkani Poetry category, Roshan Melky Sequeira for ‘Konkani Circus’ in the Konkani Essays category, and Richard Alvares for ‘Fithuri’ in the Konkani Short Stories category.

The award presentation ceremony will be held on Sunday April 26 at 5 pm at Udyavar church premises in Udupi district. Minister for backward classes welfare and Kannada and culture Shivraj S Tangadagi will inaugurate the programme. The event will be presided over by Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares. MLA of Kaup constituency Suresh Shetty Gurme and bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will attend as chief guests.

The ceremony will also feature cultural performances including traditional dances of Kharvi, Siddhi and Kudubi communities, brass band, and a Konkani musical programme.

About the awardees

Konkani Literature Honour Award: Ron Roche Cassia

Ronald Roche (Ron Roche Cassia), aged 79, is a noted Konkani writer and senior litterateur. He has authored 12 detective novels and contributed over 150 short stories and more than 200 articles published across Konkani publications. His notable works include Sarlam Patlyan, Ami Nov, Hanv Radtam, Tachim Hadam, Kalavati, Thokan No.13, Ho Hath Khunyacho, Mhaka Jiyenvk Soda, Tambdo Vakor, Hanv Tache Sodner, Jar Hanv Sangin Tar, and Ghata Patlo Hath. He has also composed several songs and is a singer. He has received the Victor Rodrigues Memorial Literary Award (2017) and Daiji Dubai Literary Award (2018), and is now a recipient of the Academy’s Literature Honour Award.

Konkani Art Honour Award: Ramdas Dattatreya Gulwadi

Ramdas Dattatreya Gulwadi, aged 89, belongs to the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community. Born in Belthangady to Dattatreya Shivanand Bhat Gulwadi and Sharada Bai, he holds BA and BSc degrees. He entered theatre at the age of seven and has over 80 years of experience in drama. Introduced to theatre by his grandfather Haridas Shivanand Bhat, he is a multi-talented personality skilled in Harikatha, theatre, cinema writing, acting, direction, Hindustani classical music, and musical instruments. From 1964 to 2000, he was associated with amateur theatre groups in Mumbai, and after returning to Mangaluru in 2001, he co-founded Konkani Stage Crafts and worked with theatre stalwarts. He has been honoured with the title Konkani Cultural Ambassador by Konkani Cultural Organisation Mangaluru and has received the Vishwa Konkani Rangashreshta Award. He now receives the Academy’s Art Honour Award.

Konkani Folklore Honour Award: Sairu (Muralidhar) Puttu Naik

Sairu (Muralidhar) Puttu Naik entered the traditional Konkani ‘Khel’ art form, similar to Yakshagana, in 1974. In 1998, he became head of Shri Ramanath Khel Natya Sangh and was elevated as Bhagavata. Since then, he has participated in over 400 cultural programmes with his troupe. Over the past 27 years, he has served as an artist, director, writer, and performer in Konkani Khel. His troupe has also presented Songa Khel, and he has worked as a Gumat player for over 40 years. He has received several recognitions and awards and is now honoured with the Academy’s Folklore Award.

Konkani Poetry Book Award: Andrew L D’Cunha – ‘Ujwadache Vengent’

Andrew L D’Cunha, son of late Denis and Mary D’Cunha, is a popular poet originally from Gurupura Kinnikambla and currently residing in Bijai. He has been writing in Konkani for over 42 years, with more than 800 poems, over 100 articles, and 30 short stories to his credit. His published poetry collections include Vhalu Vhalu Vhal Valiya, Anjurachem Pan, and Ayeracho Book. His work Anjurachem Pan (2013) has received multiple awards including Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award, AIKWO Award, Vishwa Konkani Poetry Award, and TMA Pai Book Award. He also received the State-level Sandesha Konkani Literary Award in 2023. He has presented 40 Konkani programmes on Mangaluru Akashvani, conducted children’s columns under the name ‘Andru Maam’ in Rakno newspaper, and served as managing editor of Amcho Yuvak. He has organised poetry sessions in India and abroad and delivered lectures on poetry. He is a trustee of Kavita Trust and works as a financial advisor, running his own WINWIN firm. His book ‘Ujwadache Vengent’ has now received the 2025 Academy Poetry Award.

Konkani Essay Book Award: Roshan Melky Sequeira – ‘Konkani Circus’

Roshan Melky Sequeira of Bajpe, popularly known as ‘Roshu Bajpe’, is the youngest among nine children of late Bonaventure and Mary Sequeira. He holds a BCom degree from St Aloysius College and an MCom from Mysore University. He has contributed extensively to poetry, short stories, humour, satire, essays, and prose, with his works published in various journals and broadcast on radio. He is known for writing ghazals and songs for Konkani recordings. His works include poetry collections Tinth Jalem Ragat and Girbuji, humour books Hasya Attack, Open Hasya Surgery, Felis Navidad, Poli-tical, and Konkani Circus, short story collection Paying Guest Ani Her Katha, and novel Sandun Ghallli Sheli, along with several plays and translations. He has received multiple awards including Yuvakiran Award, Kital Yuva Award, Konkani Sahitya Academy Award, Dr TMA Pai Award, and Goa Konkani Sahitya Academy Award. His book ‘Konkani Circus’ has been selected for the 2025 Essay Award.

Konkani Short Story Book Award: Richard Alvares – ‘Fithuri’

Richard Alvares of Kulshekar, Mangaluru, entered the Konkani literary field about 50 years ago under the pen name ‘Anand’ and more recently writes under the name ‘Guruji’. His humorous writings, stories, and essays have appeared in various Konkani publications. He has served on editorial boards of Daivik Amrit and Kordelchem Jayt, and as associate editor for multiple publications including Kanik and Yuvatare. His works include Moladhik Motiyan (a collection of 100 articles), Kolkattachi Bhagavant Teresa, Mariyesangim Sodvanecho Niyal, Jejusangim Magyam, and several others. He has also authored Kannada books such as Hosa Belaku, Krista Preeti, Daarideepa, and Deepika. He has won several literary awards, including the Danti Award (1998) for Hosa Belaku. A teacher by profession, he has received the JCI Silicon City Guru Award, the President’s Silver Medal for census work in 2011, and the Dakshina Kannada District Best Teacher Award in 2014. His short story collection ‘Fithuri’ has now received the 2025 Academy Award.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a reference to Bengaluru-based Prayoga Institute of Education Research and a Belagavi-based fish farmer during his Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday.

Mr. Modi spoke about Prayoga’s efforts in popularising science education at the school level and its education research project Anveshana.

“I have come to know about an unique initiative related to education in Bengaluru. A team here is running Prayoga Institute of Education Research. This team has a special focus on research projects. This team is engaged in popularising science education at the school level. They have launched an experiment called Anveshana, which provides students from classes 9 to 12 the opportunity to innovate in areas like chemistry, earth science, and wellness,” Mr Modi said.

He added that this initiative provides students with a very good research experience and a platform to publish their projects.

“Friends, during our Pareeksha Pe Charcha, some students told me that they wanted to study science but were also intimidated by it. The efforts of the Prayoga team in this direction are commendable. This initiative gives students the opportunity to engage with science and demonstrate practical experience. When we try something firsthand, curiosity and interest are generated. Who knows, perhaps one of these young friends of mine might be a great scientist of the future,” he added.

Prayoga’s founder and chief mentor H.S. Nagaraja said: “At Prayoga, our focus extends to over 12,000 government school students, enabling them to learn science through hands-on, experiential methods. These are opportunities that were once inaccessible at the school level, and we have made them available. Importantly, all of this is provided free of cost, ensuring that access to quality learning and research is not limited by background.”

The institute said recently, four young students from rural Karnataka have emerged as a powerful reflection of the programme’s grassroots impact. As part of Anveshana, they undertook a research project in green chemistry focused on the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using plant-based extracts.

Fish farmer

Young Raju Shivalingappa Huddar and his father Shivalingappa Satappa Huddar of Bodkyanatti village in Belagavi district have achieved significant success in inland farming. Residents of Bodkyanatti village were very happy to listen to Mr. Modi mention the success story of Mr. Raju Huddar during Mann Ki Baat.

They are growing snakehead murrel or mudfish using biofloc high density aquaculture. Mr. Raju and his father have been farming fish from 2024. They have built four farm ponds on one acre. They brought fingerlings from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh and have spent around ₹30 lakh as initial investment. They are earning around ₹20 lakh every 10 months. The fertility of their soil has gone up as they use the waste water from the farm pond to irrigate their four acre farm.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

State’s first Spring Census notes that Western Ghats and Malnad regions are primary hubs for spring formation due to high rainfall and favourable geological conditions.

The Karnataka Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department has successfully completed the State’s first spring census.

According to the census, 274 springs have been enumerated across 31 districts, with Belagavi reporting the highest number with 59.

Hot spring

The census also noted that there is one hot spring at Bendru Theertha in Dakshina Kannada district.

B.K. Pavithra, Secretary, Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department, said that despite the logistical challenges posed by the monsoon, field enumerators leveraged a digital framework to successfully identify and document a total of 247 springs.

Highlighting the regional distribution and ecological health of these waterbodies, he added: “Our data reveals that Belagavi district leads the State, reporting the highest number with 59 springs. Furthermore, a significant majority of these vital water sources remain active, with 144 springs classified as perennial and 114 as seasonal, while 16 have dried up over time.”

Key rivers

The census report has mapped the origins of key rivers to these springs, noting that the Cauvery originates at Talacauvery in Kodagu, the Hemavati at Javali in Chikkamagaluru, and the Sharavati at Ambutheertha in Shivamogga.

This digitised data will now serve as a foundational database for future spring conservation, rejuvenation projects, groundwater management, and comprehensive water resource planning across Karnataka.

Springs are natural outlets where groundwater flows to the surface through openings in the earth’s crust. They typically occur when the water table intersects with the ground surface or when groundwater is forced out through fractures, faults, or permeable rock layers.

Western Ghats and Malnad

“The Western Ghats and Malnad regions including districts like Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Belagavi, and Shivamogga are primary hubs for spring formation due to high rainfall and favourable geological conditions. Owing to a unique hydrological feature, a hot spring in Bendru Theertha, is located in Dakshina Kannada district,” the Karnataka Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department added.

The Karnataka Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department has received a certificate of appreciation from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for its first sprint census.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The database, built on Indian patient data, will be made open source, opening it up for clinicians and researchers aiming to study neuropsychiatric disorders.

Researchers at the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind (CBM), a partnership between the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) – TIFR, have developed CALM-Brain, a first-of-its-kind digital repository of data in India on brain structure and function from a range of psychiatric disorders.

According to the researchers, the database, built on Indian patient data, will be made open source, thereby opening it up for clinicians and researchers aiming to study neuropsychiatric disorders and to better understand disease onset, progression and underlying biological changes leading to disease symptoms.

This, they feel, could help transform the understanding of mental disorders and provide better diagnosis and plan personalised treatments for patients. 

Datasets on five disorders

CALM-Brain collects clinical, neuro-imaging, behavioural, genetic and other datasets on five disorders – addiction, bipolar disorder, dementia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia.

The dataset is also linked to a biorepository of stem cells, which can be used to perform biology research in psychiatry to understand the origins of such severe mental illnesses.

Initiated in 2016 as part of the Accelerator program for Discovery in Brain disorders using Stem cells (ADBS project) jointly funded by the Department of Biotechnology and the Pratiksha Trust, the repository contains data of over 2,000 participants from 900 families. 

By studying such large numbers of families with both mental illness-affected and unaffected members, scientists hope to come up with robust methods of identifying key neurocognitive biomarkers. This could potentially help diagnose mental disorders at an early stage, when intervention is most likely to be effective and eventually help develop targeted therapy.

Identifying biological markers

“Given how complex the brain as an organ is and how our behavioural responses are continuously modulated based on prior experience and various physicochemical factors, only further fundamental research can help gain mechanistic insights to various psychiatric disorders. Large data sets being made available on both affected and unaffected individuals in a family would help us to accelerate discovery and develop more effective preventive and therapeutic interventions,” said L.S. Shashidhara, Director, NCBS.

Prof. Y.C. Janardhan Reddy, CBM coordinator at CBM-NIMHANS, noted that the primary goal of the project was to identify biological markers of severe psychiatric illnesses, which cut across traditional diagnostic frameworks.

“In addition, we will try to identify fundamental biological mechanisms of the disease and medication response,” he said. 

Collaborative effort

Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson of the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP), launched the repository on March 25, 2026. “A data repository like CALM-Brain can only come together through the collaborative effort of multiple people and institutions. This is a moment to recognise and celebrate the power of diverse stakeholders coming together,” said Ms. Nilekani.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The colossal LPG carrier ‘Pyxis Pioneer’, transporting approximately 47,236 tonnes of LPG from Texas, USA, docked at New Mangaluru Port on March 22. Around 16,714 tonnes of LPG from the shipment are being unloaded at the port.

According to the central government, several more vessels are expected in the coming days, enabling New Mangaluru Port to handle a total of 72,700 tonnes of LPG, highlighting its growing strategic significance.

The arrival of these massive shipments is linked to a landmark energy project in Mangaluru: India’s largest underground LPG storage facility, the ‘Rock Cavern’, located near Katipalla in Baala.

Designed by Engineers India Limited and constructed by Megha Engineering, the cavern sits within the premises of the HPCL unit at Baala and can store 80,000 metric tonnes of LPG, making it India’s largest single underground LPG storage facility.

Built at a cost of Rs 890 crore, the cavern is not just a storage site but a strategic energy reserve. Officials say it will safeguard LPG supply during emergencies such as war-like situations, international supply disruptions, or sudden price spikes, ensuring uninterrupted access to cooking fuel.

India already operates similar underground storage at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur (Udupi district), with a combined capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes of crude oil, sufficient for roughly 9.5 days of national demand. Additional caverns are planned at Chandikhol (Odisha) and Padur, which would extend reserves to 22 days.

“The Mangaluru Rock Cavern is a first-of-its-kind facility in India designed exclusively for LPG,” said an Engineers India Limited spokesperson. “Unlike traditional warehouses that store grains, these caverns are engineered for high-pressure fuel storage with maximum safety.”

The cavern is carved into solid rock approximately 156 metres below sea level and uses hydraulic containment, a natural mechanism where underground water pressure prevents gas leakage. All safety and operational tests, including a continuous 100-hour wind pressure trial, were successfully completed by June 2025.

LPG stored here is supplied via pipelines to Mysuru, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, providing a buffer against supply disruptions and price volatility in a country heavily reliant on imports.

The cavern receives imported LPG through New Mangaluru Port and distributes it to the Mangaluru LPG bottling plant as well as via road and rail tankers.

As reported by The Economic Times, cross-country pipelines ensure smooth delivery to southern cities, making the cavern a key node in India’s energy security.

The facility includes a 1.1 km-long main access tunnel, two primary storage caverns— Cavern S1 (220 m) and Cavern S2 (225 m)—and 486.2 m of connecting tunnels, together forming nearly half a kilometre of underground storage. At 156 metres below ground, it is equivalent to a 50-storey building underground.

A crucial operational feature is the 6.5-metre-diameter operation shaft, extending 164.5 metres, through which advanced pumps extract LPG. Surrounding the cavern, a ‘water curtain’ protection system with over 13 km of perforations maintains pressure, preventing leaks through rock fissures.

With the capacity to safely store 80,000 tonnes of LPG, the Mangaluru Rock Cavern has become a landmark in India’s energy infrastructure, combining scale, safety, and cutting-edge engineering.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) affect between 25% and 34% of diabetic patients at some point in their lifetime, with half of those cases progressing to serious infection.

Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Dr Sharanprakash Patil launched the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) service at the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology & Research Institute (KIER) in Indiranagar on Monday.

“HBOT is not just a medical treatment. It is a restoration of dignity and livelihood for patients who have been suffering,” he said. “We are now able to offer patients a genuine path to recovery that was not available before.”

For the nearly 80 million Indians living with diabetes, a devastating complication quietly threatens their quality of life and limbs. Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) affect between 25% and 34% of diabetic patients at some point in their lifetime, with half of those cases progressing to serious infection. Now, HBOT is emerging as a powerful, life-changing solution that gives patients a real chance at healing and staying whole, a press release said.

“Diabetes prevalence in Karnataka is estimated at 12-16%, with higher rates in urban populations. In Karnataka, an estimated 11,000-13,500 new diabetic foot cases occur annually. These complications are a leading cause of hospital admissions and account for nearly 80% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations,” the release added.

“HBOT is changing the outlook for patients living with active diabetic foot wounds. By delivering high concentrations of oxygen in a pressurised environment, the therapy accelerates wound healing, fights infection and critically helps save limbs that might otherwise be amputated,” noted Dr Ravi, director of KIER.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

 Fuddar Prathisttan (R) organised “Fuddar Prathisttan Puraskar-2026” for the special achievers of Mangaluru and Udupi Diocese on Saturday, March 21, at MCC Bank, Mangaluru.

For the last 20 years, Fuddar Prathisttan has felicitated over 3,000 academic achievers from the Catholic community, and for the last two years, sports achievers at the international, national and state levels were also added to the list.

This year, as another milestone, Fuddar Prathisttan (R), under the aegis of MCC Bank, Mangaluru, for the first time recognised and felicitated 65 special achievers in sports, literary arts, performing arts and PhD awardees, to give special recognition to the top achievers of the community on a separate platform.

‘Sahakaari Rathna’ Anil Lobo, chairman of MCC Bank, inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. Nigel Pereira, president of Fuddar Prathisttan, presided over the programme.

Chief guest and keynote speaker, advocate M P Noronha, principal district government pleader of Dakshina Kannada; Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh and Udupi Pradesh presidents Santhosh D’Souza and Ronald D’Almeida; secretary Vivid D’Souza; management committee member Robert Menezes; president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Stany Alvares; renowned writer and journalist H M Pernal; and well-known Konkani singer Vincent Fernandes were present.

Anil Lobo, in his inaugural address, congratulated all the awardees and their parents on receiving the recognition. He urged the awardees to stay in the country and remain connected with their families, live a value-based life and serve society in all possible ways.

For the first time, Fuddar Prathisttan had come up with the idea of separately honouring special achievers in various fields, and MCC Bank supported recognising these special talents who had brought laurels to the community, he added.

M P Noronha, in his keynote address, congratulated Fuddar Prathisttan Trust for organising a meaningful programme to felicitate the achievers and motivate them. In his address, he emphasised the need to choose a career through which one remains grounded and connected to one’s roots, which would help in serving mankind.

He added that it is not achievements or medals that make one valuable, but empathy and richness of heart that make the place around better, which the present generation must focus on.

On behalf of the felicitated students, Reuban Machado, Roshvitha D’Sa and Vinitha D’Souza shared their success stories and expressed their gratitude to the organisers of the felicitation programme.

The management committee members and donors who supported generously for the success of the event were honoured. The support and suggestions of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh and Udupi Pradesh were greatly acknowledged.

Nigel Pereira, president of Fuddar Prathisttan, welcomed the gathering. Vivid D’Souza, the secretary, delivered the vote of thanks. Norbert Misquith and Ida Furtado compered the event. The programme concluded with a fellowship meal.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The startup received a cash prize of ₹1 crore along with a trophy.

Cambrian Skillsda Technologies and Consultancy Services LLP (CSTCS), a startup based at the Cambridge Institute of Technology (CIT), Bengaluru, has emerged winner of the Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0, organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in association with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI).

The startup received a cash prize of ₹1 crore along with a trophy.

The challenge, launched in January 2025 on the MyGov platform, aims to strengthen India’s cyber security capabilities and encourage innovation in critical technology domains such as API security, data security, wearable device security and privacy, clone and fake app mitigation, AI for threat detection, incident response and next-generation biometric systems.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

President Droupadi Murmu, who felicitated them, appreciated them for their contributions. The Ministry of Jal Shakti is organising Jal Mahotsava 2026 from March 8 to March 22.

Two women from the state’s rural areas – Anitha and Channamma – were honoured during the ongoing Jal Mahotsava 2026 for the smooth implementation of rural water governance under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). President Droupadi Murmu, who felicitated them, appreciated them for their contributions. The Ministry of Jal Shakti is organising Jal Mahotsava 2026 from March 8 to March 22.

While Anitha of Muddatanuru was honoured for her efforts to ensure 24/7 water supply to Muddatanuru Gram Panchayat, Channamma received the award for ensuring that every house in Sarawad has tap water connections with round-the-clock supply.

Anita who worked alongside the Gram Panchayat and the Village Water and Sanitation Committee in Ballari, said, “I went door to door to identify households that lacked water connections and encouraged them to apply for it. I also helped in the operation and maintenance of the water supply system, coordinating with water supply staff, monitoring daily distribution and reporting leakages or breakdowns for timely rectification.”

Channamma, a resident of Sarawad GP in Vijayapura district, said, “As an Anganwadi worker, I reached out to families and created awareness about responsible water use and safe drinking water practices. I also encouraged every family to responsibly use and maintain their piped water connection.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)