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NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: 19th National Kannada Cultural Conference celebrated in Andaman

 The 19th National Kannada Cultural Conference was recently celebrated with great enthusiasm in Andaman. The event, jointly organized by the Vishnu Naik Memorial Forum, Hridaya Vahini Mangalore, Manjunath Education Trust, and Kannada Sangha Andaman, in association with the Kannada and Culture Department, took place at the S R Castle Hall in Port Blair.

Shubha Dhananjaya, president of the Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy, inaugurated the conference. In her address, she highlighted the global spread of Karnataka’s art and culture and attributed this to the generosity and warmth of Kannadigas. She expressed pride in this cultural expansion and its worldwide recognition.

Dr Archana Athani, the conference president, noted the emotional connection between Karnataka and Andaman. She emphasized the importance of remembering freedom fighters like Kittur Rani Chennamma and Ullal’s Rani Abbakka, whose bravery ignites patriotism.

Dr Malayashanta Muni Shivacharya Swamiji from Shivagange Melenagavi Math, who graced the event with his presence, stressed that every Indian should visit the Andaman Jail to understand the hardships faced by freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar. He spoke about the torture endured by many freedom fighters under British rule, underscoring the need to honor their sacrifices and fuel national pride.

Distinguished guests included renowned thinker and orator Mohammad Rafi Pasha, assistant commissioner of Commercial Tax, and Dr T S Ashok Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Andaman, who was honored by the conference committee.

K P Manjunath Sagar, president of the conference committee, explained that Hridaya Vahini Karnataka has been organizing these national Kannada conferences annually since 2004, providing a platform for thousands of Kannadigas, artists, poets, and resource persons from across the country.

S Ronica, secretary of the Andaman Kannada Sangha, presided over the inaugural ceremony. Notable guests included Gona Swami, chairman of Swami Enterprises, Bengaluru; Dr E Anjaneya, chairman of Kuber Groups, Raichur; Dr Shivakumar H D, executive committee member of Kannada Sangha Andaman; and Dr D S Vishwanath, retired district commissioner. K Nagaraj, president of the Karnataka Janapada Artists Association, was also present.

A poetry session, chaired by Dr Archana Athani and Dr Prakash G Khade, featured poets such as Prof Bindiganavile Bhagavan, photojournalist Arif Kalkatta, Aarti Suresh, and Manu Mangalore presenting their works.

The cultural programme included a comedy show by TV9’s Mahadev Sattigeri, Togalu Gombe Aata (puppet show) by Yashoda Shashidhar and team, Bharatanatyam by Natyantharanga artists, and various dance performances choreographed by Guru Shubha Dhananjaya. Performers included Anjana S, Harshita H P, Mudra Dhananjay, Maya Dhananjay, Yashika J Kumar, and Krithika R.

International dance artiste Anu Anand presented a Bharatanatyam performance, while the Rang Samaj (Regd) Bengaluru troupe performed a historical play on Kittur Rani Chennamma, featuring S Tilakraj and A S Aarti Suresh. Renowned folk singers Gona Swami and Shivraj Pandeshwar entertained the audience with their melodious songs.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: IISc designs device to make infrared light visible, with diverse applications in defence and optical communications

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have fabricated a device to increase or up-convert the frequency of short infrared light to the visible range. This up-conversion of light has diverse applications, especially in defence and optical communications, said IISc.

“The human eye can only see light at certain frequencies (called the visible spectrum), the lowest of which constitutes red light. Infrared light, which we can’t see, has an even lower frequency than red light. IISc researchers have now fabricated a device to increase or up-convert the frequency of short infrared light to the visible range,” IISc said.

2D material used

The institute added that in a first, the IISc team used a 2D material to design what they call a non-linear optical mirror stack to achieve this up-conversion, combined with widefield imaging capability. The stack consists of multilayered gallium selenide fixed to the top of a gold reflective surface, with a silicon dioxide layer sandwiched in between.

It said that traditional infrared imaging uses exotic low-energy bandgap semiconductors or micro-bolometer arrays, which usually pick up heat or absorption signatures from the object being studied.

However, existing infrared sensors are bulky and not very efficient. They are also export-restricted because of their utility in defence. There is, therefore, a critical need to develop indigenous and efficient devices.

The method used by the IISc team involves feeding an input infrared signal along with a pump beam onto the mirror stack. The nonlinear optical properties of the material constituting the stack result in a mixing of the frequencies, leading to an output beam of increased (up-converted) frequency, but with the rest of the properties intact. Using this method, they were able to up-convert infrared light of a wavelength of around 1,550 nm to 622 nm visible light. The output light wave can be detected using traditional silicon-based cameras.

Going forward, the researchers plan to extend their work to up-convert light of longer wavelengths. They are also trying to improve the efficiency of the device by exploring other stack geometries.

Worldwide interest

“There is a lot of interest worldwide in doing infrared imaging without using infrared sensors. Our work could be a game-changer for those applications,” said Varun Raghunathan, associate professor, Department of Electrical Communication Engineering.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: WIND ENERGY: Karnataka ranks 02nd in All-India Wind Power Generation

The event highlighted significant advancements and achievements in the wind energy sector across the nation.

Karnataka secured second place in the all-India wind energy generation capacity commissioned for the year 2023 -24. The state stood second after Gujarat, while Tamil Nadu ranked third, a release said on Wednesday.

Karnataka was honoured by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as part of Global Wind Day celebrations in Delhi on June 15, with the central theme of ‘Pawan-Urja: Powering the Future of India’. The event highlighted significant advancements and achievements in the wind energy sector across the nation.

As per data from the energy department, the commissioned capacity for wind power generation for financial year 2023- 24 is 724.66MW. Gujarat’s commissioned capacity is 1743.8MW, while Tamil Nadu’s is 586.37MW. KP Rudrappaiah, managing director, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) received the award from Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik and MNRE secretary Bhupinder S Bhalla.

Reacting to this, Energy Minister KJ George said Karnataka’s significant strides in the wind energy sector reflect its dedication to renewable energy and its vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Gaurav Gupta, additional chief secretary, energy department, said the achievement reflects the commitment towards sustainable energy and efforts to harness wind power.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: SPACE: IN-SPACe launches Pre-Incubation Entrepreneurship for youngsters

Applicants should not have received any grants, funding, or monetary support from private or government schemes and all submissions must be original work to qualify.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has launched the Pre-Incubation Entrepreneurship (PIE) Development Programme to support and nurture early-stage space startups. The programme aims to cultivate and empower the next generation of space tech innovators, providing them with the tools and guidance necessary to transform their space ambitions.

The 21-month programme will guide aspiring entrepreneurs through a comprehensive journey divided into different phases such as ideation, innovation, and prototype development. The programme will ensure that budding entrepreneurs receive structured support at each critical stage of development.

PIE aims to target students in technical courses or those with a strong interest in space technology, expected to graduate in 2024, or pursuing Master’s or Doctorate programmes and early-stage start-ups focusing on space technologies and aiming to develop entrepreneurial ventures.

Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, said, “India’s space sector is poised for exponential growth, and young entrepreneurs are crucial to driving this expansion. PIE will provide them with a launch pad, equipping them not only with technical expertise but with the business acumen needed to navigate the complexities of space industry.”

Applicants should not have received any grants, funding, or monetary support from private or government schemes and all submissions must be original work to qualify.

Star-ups registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade on or after July 1, 2022, are classified as early-stage start-ups.

For more details, visit www.inspace.gov.in

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Bengaluru-based cinematographer Nethra Gururaj selected for 2024 Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program

Nethra Gururaj, currently based in Los Angeles, has a diverse portfolio that includes short films, feature films, documentaries and music videos.

The world of cinematography is about to witness an exhilarating new talent from South India as Nethra Gururaj, a dynamic cinematographer from Bengaluru, has been selected for the prestigious 2024 Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program. This honour places her among the most promising young filmmakers and cinematographers globally, highlighting her significant achievements and potential.

Nethra Gururaj, currently based in Los Angeles, has a diverse portfolio that includes short films, feature films, documentaries, music videos, and experimental pieces. With a Master’s degree in Cinematography from the New York Film Academy, Los Angeles, she has skilfully combined her knowledge in writing, directing, and production design to create visually stunning narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.

The Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program is a two-month internship hosted by the Academy in Hollywood, Los Angeles. It offers students and recent film school graduates a unique opportunity to shadow industry professionals, network with key figures in the film industry, and connect with production and media houses. Nethra’s selection for the Cinematography production track marks a significant milestone in her career.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to take my filmmaking and cinematography career to the next level. Coming from South India, this is a platform for me to build the right networks and meet the right people to tell my stories to a global audience. I am thrilled and privileged to be part of this program, as this will accelerate my career to greater heights,” says Nethra.

Nethra’s recent short film, “Jasmine Flowers,” for which she was the Writer and Cinematographer, has already made waves in the film festival circuit. The film has been selected for six film festivals in 2024, including the California Women’s Film Festival in Los Angeles, the Nevada Women’s Film Festival in Las Vegas, the Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival in Sarasota, Florida, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Australia.

“Jasmine Flowers” explores a woman’s journey in challenging societal norms of widowhood in India, seeking belongingness and peace. Her academic background in Science has further enhanced her technical understanding of cinematography, making her a budding pioneer in her field. Nethra’s first feature film, “Lotus,” an indie production, is set to make its film festival debut soon. She is also working on an upcoming web series anticipated to be picked up by a renowned network. Beyond her achievements in filmmaking, Nethra is deeply passionate about Indian classical dance. A dedicated student of Bharatanatyam for 22 years and a teacher for 2 years, she finds a profound connection between dance and cinematography.

“Bharatanatyam has helped me in expressing meaning without dialogue. My face, body, persona, and stage presence are mere characters in a narrative effort. Much like in filmmaking; I strive for expression through composition, light, and camera movement in lieu of conversations and dialogue. Dance has set the standards for my craft,” she says.

Nethra Gururaj’s journey is an inspiring testament to her talent, dedication, and vision. Her selection for the 2024 Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program heralds the arrival of a powerful new voice in global cinema.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

Alstom bags contract worth 96.2 million euros for Bengaluru Metro’s new signalling system

The contract awarded to the French company covers training of Bengaluru Metro’s personnel and annual maintenance for five years.

Alstom has been awarded a contract to design, manufacture, supply, install, test and commission a fully automated communications-based train control signalling system for the Bengaluru Metro’s upcoming phase 2, Reach 6, 2A and 2B corridors.

The contract worth 96.2 million euros from Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) covers training of personnel and annual maintenance for five years, the company announced on Wednesday.

To enhance passenger safety, full-height platform screen doors will be installed at all underground stations on the Reach 6 corridor and the airport-line terminal, and half-height platform screen gates will be installed at one at-grade station in the 2B corridor.

The platform screen doors, to be installed on the metro’s corridors for the first time, could save significant energy by reducing air-conditioning needs and prevent suicide attempts.

This project aims to cater to the three major corridors of the Bengaluru metropolitan region, by linking the critical junction at Silk Board on Outer Ring Road (2A) to Kempegowda International Airport (2B) via KR Puram. Reach 6 will connect Bannerghatta Road to Nagavara with interchanges at MG Road (purple line which links to Whitefield), and yellow line at Jayadeva Hospital and the blue line at Nagavara.

The company will enable driverless operations across the metro’s combined line length of 80.39 km. This is expected to alleviate traffic congestion by minimising travel time by at least 50 per cent and reduce carbon emissions. The company’s rail cybersecurity solution will also address emerging cyber threats.

Alstom will also deploy its predictive maintenance tool, HealthHub, to enable real-time condition-based monitoring of the health of trains, infrastructure and signalling assets using advanced data analytics to predict the remaining useful life. This approach minimises operational downtime, maximises system availability and optimises lifecycle costs.

Alstom’s communications-based train control Urbalis solution will also offer the highest grade of automation, which is commonly known as the “driverless technology”, across 50 stations and three depots. The company’s Urbalis Vision platform will be set up at the integrated operation control centre in Baiyappanahalli. A backup control centre to be set up at Peenya will serve as a command centre to control and monitor all train operations.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: SPORTS/ CRICKET: Shubha Satheesh, The First Woman Cricketer From Mysuru Playing For India

‘Want to do well for Team India in T20, ODI and Test’.

When we talk about cricket, the conversation often centres around the men in the game. However, the women who have taken up the sport have repeatedly proven their worth. Be it Jhulan Goswami, Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, or Rajeshwari  Gayakwad, all have grown to become inspirations not just for young girls but for boys as well.

Mysuru, a hub of cricket for decades, has also contributed to Indian cricket. Until now, the legendary Javagal Srinath was the only player from Mysuru to play for the Indian team.

Joining him now is Shubha Satheesh, the 24-year-old all-rounder who made her debut for the Indian Women’s Team against England in the only Test match played at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai last year.

Shubha was also part of the triumphant Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team that won the Women’s Premier League recently. She will be joining the Indian team camp to prepare for the upcoming home series against South Africa.

Shubha is the daughter of M. Satheesh and K. Thara, residing in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in the city. Star of Mysore caught up with the talented cricketer during her recent visit to Mysuru. Excerpts…

Star of Mysore (SOM): When did you start playing cricket and what inspired you to take up the sport?

Shubha Satheesh: I started playing cricket in 2011. I used to play with boys in my locality, and one day, I was invited to play at BEML, where my father works. That’s when one of my father’s friends mentioned women’s cricket. Later, my father took me to Bengaluru, where I joined a cricket club and started playing professionally.

SOM: How did you feel when you entered the Indian dressing room?

Shubha Satheesh: It was an amazing feeling, very difficult to express. Everyone was so relaxed and supportive. I got to learn from my seniors and everyone who was part of the team.

SOM: There are players like Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Shreyanka Patil from Karnataka playing for the country. How did you feel joining them?

Shubha Satheesh: We have been playing together for years now. It felt like a continuation of the game for us as we already knew each other.

SOM: You were also a part of the RCB team. What do you have to say about that experience?

Shubha Satheesh: It was a great feeling to play alongside some of the best players, including those from different countries. Besides being a part of the team, the moments with RCB fans gave me a unique and wonderful experience at the stadium.

SOM: Now that you have made your debut for India, what is your next goal?

Shubha Satheesh: My goal is to continue doing well for Team India in all three formats (T20, ODI and Test). With the home series coming up against South Africa, we will be camping in Bengaluru to prepare for our matches. Later, our target is to win the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Bangladesh later this year.

SOM: What was the reaction of your parents when you were selected for the Indian team?

Shubha Satheesh: They were very happy when they heard about my selection. My parents have always told me, and continue to tell me, to play good cricket and do well for the country. —VNS

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)