KARNATAKA: POSITIVE / BRAVERY: 13-year-old Girl Kaushalya V Hegde to Receive the Kelada Chennamma Shaurya Award for Bravery

Kaushalya Venkataramana Hegde (13) is all set to  receive the Keladi Chennamma Shaurya Award on November 14. She deserves every bit of it.

After all, it was because of her presence of mind, a fighting spirit and love for her father that saved his life. On March 15, 2021, Venkata­ramana Hegde, a cook, was on his way back home from a nearby village.

The jeep he was driving suddenly lost control and turned turtle. Hegde, who was travelling along with Kaushalya and her five-old-year brother, found himself under the jeep, crying and screaming in pain.

After a brief struggle to help her father, Kaushalya ran to get help which was 2 km away. People came and rescued Hegde. “I am really proud of my daughter. She saved my life on that day. It was a re-birth to me,” Hegde said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL (SOUTH INDIA): TRANSPORT / TRAVEL / BUSINESS & ECONOMY: INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION: PM flags off South India’s First Vande Bharat Express in Bengaluru making it the 5th in the Country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the inaugural special of south India’s first Vande Bharat Express at Krantiveera Sangolli Railway station here.

The train connects Mysuru and Chennai via Bengaluru. This is the fifth Vande Bharat Express train in the country.

It will enhance connectivity between the industrial hub of Chennai, the tech-cum-startup hub of Bengaluru and the famous tourist city of Mysuru, officials said.

The Prime Minister said, “The Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express will boost connectivity as well as commercial activities. It will also enhance ‘Ease of Living’.”

According to Railway officials, Vande Bharat Express is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art safety features including an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System – KAVACH.

It can pick up a speed of 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 52 seconds, and a maximum speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour.

The country’s first Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off in 2019 on the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route.

On Friday, the Prime Minister also flagged off the ‘Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan’ train, which is operated by Karnataka’s Muzrai Department, under the ‘Bharat Gaurav’ train policy of Railways.

“It (Bharat Gaurav train) will fulfil the dream of numerous travellers intending to undertake Kashi Yatra,” according to the South Western Railway. The train offers an eight-day tour package at discounted rates for pilgrims.

Official sources said the Karnataka government gives cash assistance of Rs 5,000 to the Kashi Vishwanath Yatra pilgrims. This train covers holy places including Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Karnataka is the first state to take up this train under the ‘Bharat Gaurav’ scheme in which the state government and the Ministry of Railways are working together to send pilgrims from Karnataka to Varanasi (Kashi).

The pilgrims will be provided with comfortable stay and guidance for visiting Kashi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj, the statement read.

After flagging off the pilgrims’ train Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan, Modi tweeted, “I would like to compliment Karnataka for being the first state to take up the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra train. This train brings Kashi and Karnataka closer. Pilgrims and tourists will be able to visit Kashi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj with ease.”

Indian Railways launched the operation of the theme-based Bharat Gaurav train in November last year to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and historical places to the people of India and the world.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HISTORY /ARTS & CULTURE / LANDMARK: PM Modi Unveils 108-feet Bronze Statue of Bengaluru Founder ‘Nadaprabhu’ Kempegowda making it the Tallest Bronze Statue of a Founder of a City

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday unveiled the 108-feet tall statue of the city’s founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, which is the “first and the tallest bronze statue of a founder of a city”, as per the ‘World Book of Records’.

Called the “Statue of Prosperity”, it has been built to commemorate the contribution of Kempegowda towards the growth of Bengaluru.

The statue weighing 218 tonnes (98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel) has been installed at the Kempegowda International Airport here.

It has a sword weighing four tonnes.

The project, besides the statue, has a heritage theme park in an area covering 23 acres dedicated to the 16th century chieftain, together costing about Rs 84 crore to the government.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and several of his cabinet colleagues, Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP Parliamentary Board member B S Yediyurappa, former Chief Minister S M Krishna, BJP legislators, officials, among others were present at the event.

Kempegowda, a feudatory ruler under the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire founded Bengaluru in 1537.

He is revered, especially by the Vokkaliga community that is dominant in Old Mysuru and other parts of southern Karnataka.

Renowned sculptor and Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Vanji Sutar has designed the statue.

Sutar had built the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat and the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Bengaluru’s ‘Vidhana Soudha’.

As a precursor to the unveiling, ‘Mruthike’ (sacred mud) was collected from over 22,000 locations across the state, which was mixed symbolically with the mud beneath one of the four towers of the statue.

Twenty-one special vehicles collected the sacred mud in villages, towns and cities during the last two weeks.

With the installation of the statue ahead of the Assembly polls next year, a competition of sorts seems to have erupted between political parties to claim credit for the legacy of Kempegowda, aimed at garnering electoral support from the politically dominant Vokkaliga community.

Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah had earlier said the Congress government led by him was the one which had first planned to install the statue of Kempegowda at the airport.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE: 4 from Karnataka – Fairoz, Sunitha Dhairyam, Akhilesh Chipli, Col CM Muthanna Awarded ‘Cricketers for Wildlife Conservation’s ”Wildlife Service Award 2022” organised by the Karnataka Forest Department

All should join hands with govt for conservation: Forester in Karnataka

As there is a lot of pressure on forests due to linear projects, the forest department alone cannot safeguard them and everybody should join hands for conservation and protection, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Kumar Pushkar said.

During the distribution of the Cricketers for Wildlife Conservation’s Wildlife Service Award 2022, organised by Karnataka Forest Department, he said NGOs, conservationists and celebrities should engage with the government in conservation and protection.

Forest watcher from BRT Tiger Reserve, Fairoz, along with wildlife conservationists — Sunitha Dhairyam (Mariamma Trust, Bandipur Tiger Reserve), Akhilesh Chipli (Shivammoga) and Colonel C M Muthanna (Kodagu) — were felicitated by former Indian cricketer and National Cricket Academy director VVS Laxman in the city on Saturday.

The awardees are chosen by a team of panellists from the forest department, including conservationists, based on their work. Laxman expressed concern about climate change and asserted the need to protect forests to mitigate the effects.

There are challenges, which need to be overcome for better results, he added using the platform to encourage youth in sports, but also stressed on the need for quality education.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / ICON: Kannada Actor Puneeth Rajkumar Conferred ‘Karnataka Ratna Award’ Posthumously at the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava

South actors Rajinikanth and Jr NTR joined Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at an event here on Tuesday to honour late Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar with Karnataka Ratna award posthumously.

The event was held on the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava.

Chief Minister Bommai shared a video of the ceremony in which is seen sharing the stage with Rajinikanth and Jr NTR.

The award ceremony took place on the steps of Vidhana Souda.

Despite heavy rainfall, a large number of people attended the award ceremony.

Rajinikanth donned a simple white kurta pyjama, whereas Jr NTR opted for a white shirt and black jeans.

The Chief Minister had announced earlier that the state government has decided to present the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award to Dr Puneeth Rajkumar on November 1.

“A committee would be formed to make preparations for the award presentation ceremony. Members of Dr Rajkumar’s family would also be included as members of the committee. We all together will present the award posthumously to Puneeth in a highly dignified manner,” Bommai had told the media.

The Chief Minister had also paid rich tributes to Puneeth Rajkumar on his first death anniversary. “His death has left a deep void in Kannada cinema. A multi faceted personality, he was a wonderful actor, playback singer, television presenter & producer. In our hearts forever Appu!” he said in a tweet.

The prestigious award has been conferred only nine times earlier.

The Karnataka Ratna was last awarded to Dr Virendra Heggade in 2009 for his social service. Apart from him, Puneeth’s father Dr Rajkumar was among the first recipients of the state’s highest civilian award in 1992 for his work in the entertainment industry.

Puneeth Rajkumar passed away last year on October 29 following a cardiac arrest at the age of 46. Colloquially known as Appu, he was an actor, playback singer, television presenter and producer.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Kannada Rajyotsava Award 2022 Winners List

The Karnataka government has announced the Kannada Rajyotsava Award winners for the year 2022 to coincide with the celebrations of the Karnataka formation day. Here’s a look at achievers from all walks of life who have won the award for the year 2022

Kannada Rajyotsava Awards 2022 winners

Complex Constituency -Subbaram Shetty (Bangalore), Vidwan Gopala Krishna Sharma (Bangalore), Mrs. Soligara Madam (Chamarajanagar) Soldier- Subedar BK Kumaraswamy (Bangalore) Journalism-HR Srisha (Bangalore), GM Shirahatti (Gadag) Agriculture-Ganesh Thimmaiah(Kodagu), Chandrasekhar Narayanapura(Chikkamagaluru) Science and Technology-K.Sivan, DR Baluragi Environment-Salumada Ninganna Civil Works Sector-Mallamma Vulaishadagali Administration-L.H.Manjunath, Madan Gopal Horanadu-Devidasa Shetty, Arvind Patil, Krishnamurthy Manja Overseas-Gulf Countries Rajkumar Medicine-Dr.H.S.Mohan, Dr.Basavanthappa Theater-Tippanna Helavar, Lalitabai Channadasar, Gurunath Hoogar, Prabhakar Joshi, Srishaila Huddar Sangeet-Narayana.M, Ananthacharya Balacharya, Anjinappa Satpadi , Ananta Kulkarni Folklore-Samadevappa Erappa Nadiger, Gudda Panara, Kamalamma Sulagithi, Savitri Pujar, Rachaiah Salimath,

A complex field
Subbarama Shetty (Bangalore),
Vidwan Gopal Krishna Sharma (Bangalore),
Mrs. Soligara Madam (Chamarajanagar)

Soldier
Subedar BK Kumaraswamy (Bangalore)

Journalism
H.R. Srisha (Bangalore),
GM Shirahatti (Gadag)

Agriculture
Ganesh Thimmaiah (Kodagu),
Chandrasekhar Narayanpur (Chikkamagaluru)

Science and Technology
K. Sivan (Bangalore)
D.R.Baluragi (Raichur)

The Environment
Salumada Ninganna (Ramanagar)

Civil Service Sector
Mallamma Flower Boat (Vijayanagar)

Administration
L.H. Manjunath (Shivamogga),
Madan Gopal (Bangalore)

Abroad
Devidas Shetty (Mumbai),
Arvind Patil (Overseas),
Krishnamurthy Manja (Telangana)

Abroad
Rajkumar of Gulf Country (Gulf Nation)

Medical
Dr. H. S. Mohan (Shivamogga)
Dr. Basavanthappa (Davanagere)

Social service
Ravishetti (South Kannada)
Kariappa (Bangalore Rural)
MS Cory Shetter (Haveri)
D. Madegowda (Mysore)
Balbir Singh (Bidar)

The Broadcasting industry
BV Naidu (Bangalore)
Jayaram Banan (Udupi)
Srinivas (Kolar)

Theater
Tippanna Helavar (Yadagiri)
Lalitabai Channadasar (Vijaypur)
Gurunath Hoogar (Kalaburgi)
Prabhakar Joshi (Udupi)
Srishaila Huddar (Haveri)

Music
Narayan.M (South Kannada)
Anantacharya Balacharya (Dharwad)
Anjinappa Satpadi (Chikkaballapur)
Ananta Kulkarni (Bagalakot)

Folklore
Samadevappa Erappa Nadiger (Northern Kannada)
Gudda Panara-Divine Dancer (Udupi)
Kamalamma Midwife (Raichur)
Savitri Pujar (Dharwad)
Rachaiah Salimath (Balakote),
Mahadeshwar Gowda Lingadahalli, Veeragase (Haveri)

Sculpture
Parushuram Pawar (Bagalakot),
Hanumanthappa Balappa Hukkeri (Belagavi)

Painting
Sannarangappa Chitrakar-Kinna’s Art (Koppal)

Movie
Duttanna (Chitradurga), Avinash (Bangalore)

Television
Bittersweet Moon (Bangalore)

Yakshagana
MA Naik (Udupi)
Subrahmanya Dhareshwar (Uttar Kannada)
Sarapadi Ashok Shetty (South Kannada)

Open
Advaiah Cha Hiremath-Doddata (Dharwad)
Shankarappa Mallappa Horpet (Koppal)
H. Pandurangappa (Bellary)

Literature
Shankar Chachadi (Belagavi)
Krishna Gowda (Mysore)
Ashoka Babu Nilagarh (Belgavi)
A. Ra Mitra (Hassan)
Ramakrishna Marathe (Kalaburgi)

Education-
Koti Rangappa (Tumkur)
MG Nagaraj – Researcher (Bangalore)

Sports
Dattatreya Govinda Kulkarni (Dharwad)
Raghavendra Annekar (Belagavi)

Judiciary
Venkatachalapathy (Bangalore)
Nanjundereddy (Bangalore)

Dance
Kamalakshacharya (South Kannada)

Amrita Mahotsava Rajyotsava Award of Independence-2022

Ramakrishna Ashram (Mysore)
Lingayat Progressive Organization (Gadag)
Agadi Tota (Haveri)
Thalassemia and Haemophilia Society (Bagalakote)
Amrita Shishu Niwas (Bangalore)
Sumana Foundation (Bangalore)
Yuva Vahini Organization (South Kannada)
Nele Foundation-Orphan Rehabilitation Center (Bangalore)
Nammane Summane – Refugee Ashram (Mangalmukhi Institute (Bangalore)
Uma Maheshwari Backward Classes Development Trust (MANDYA)

source/content: english.sakshi.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: ‘Koti Kantha Gayana’ – 1.5 Crore People Sing 6 Classic Kannada Songs & State Anthem in One Voice at 11 am(IST) Friday 28th October

From the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru and the high seas off Malpe coast in Udupi, Kannada pride reverberated across the world with about 1.5 crore people singing six classic Kannada songs, including the state anthem at the same time at 11 am (IST).

As part of the ‘Koti Kantha Gayana’ programme on Friday — a precursor to the Rajyotsava celebrations on November 1 — citizens, government officials, politicians, students and eminent people gathered at various places within and outside the country to sing together in Kannada. Minister for Kannada and Culture V Sunil Kumar said programmes were held at 10,000 locations in 50 countries, including 27 states in India.

Adorned in state flag colours – yellow and red – they sang songs including ‘Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannada Naadu’, ‘Baarisu Kannada Dindimava’, ‘Hachevu Kannadada Deepa’ and ‘Vishwa Vinuthana Vidya Chetana’, besides the state anthem.

‘Koti Kanta Gayana’, a golden day for K’taka: Bommai

At many places, family members of government staffers were also invited to join the event, with some taking an oath that they will use Kannada in their office work and will introduce the language to those who are not familiar with it.

In some places, songs were being played in the background. Special teams of musicians were called at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) head office in Bengaluru. Over 1,000 officers and staffers attended the programme. Similarly, over 2,000 people gathered at the Bengaluru city police commissioner’s office on Mahaveer Jain Road (Infantry Road). Crowds gathered at the KSRTC office and Bengaluru University Jnanabharathi campus as well. Over 3,000 staffers of Bannerghatta Biological Park and students from various government schools participated in an event held at the zoo premises at 11 am.

In Udupi, over 100 fishing boats sailed far out into the sea off the Malpe coast as they took part in the event with enthusiasm. In Dakshina Kannada, an event was held at Panambur Beach as people sang the Kannada songs on cruise and fishing boats. These songs were sung in villages and towns across the state. Even those travelling on flights took part in the programme.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that through the ‘Koti Kanta Gayana’, great respect was shown to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, and the state government is determined to build a bright future for Karnataka and Kannada.

Speaking to reporters after launching the event at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, Bommai termed it a golden day for the state of Karnataka. He said this could be a world record.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CRAFTS: Artiste, TEDx speaker Ranjita Yellur to get Srushti Kalabhushan’ Award 2022

Srushti Kalabhushan’ award, instituted by Bengaluru based Srushtikala Vidyalaya, will be awarded to talented artist Ranjita Yellur during the `Srushti Sambhrama-21′ being planned at Patthi hall in N R colony in Bengaluru on October 30.

The previous recipients of Srushti Kalabhushan award include well known writer Doddarange Gowda, Patla Satish Shetty, among others, Srushtikala Vidyalaya President Chayapathi Kanchibail. Ranjita a topper in academics is a Carnatic classical vocalist, throwball champion, empaneled as speaker by TEDx and a Yakshagana artist.

Ranjitha also has won state level debate competitions and management fests. Ranjita has staged hundreds of Yakshagana programmes under Kadri Balayaksha Koota and Yaksha Koota. Her roles as Babruvahana, Sudarshana, Bhargava, Narakasura, Bramarakunthale, among others have drawn wide appreciation even from critics also.

Ranjitha who learnt Yakshagana from her father Ramachandra Bhat Yellur when she was just a three year-old child also had participated in the documentation of Yakshagana at Rhastrapathi Bhavan.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AVIATION & TRAVEL: RECORD: First Commercial Flight of the Worlds Largest Passenger Aircraft Lands at KIA on October 14th. Bengaluru’s Captain Nikhil Thiagarajan and First Officer Sandeep Prabhu who Piloted Emirates Airbus A380 on Cloud Nine after the Historic Flight to Bengaluru City

Emirates Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, touched down at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on October 14. It marked the first commercial flight of the aircraft to the South Indian city’s airport.

It was a historic moment for Bengaluru when Emirates Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, touched down at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on October 14. It marked the first commercial flight of the aircraft to the South Indian city’s airport.

Also two important individuals who were part of the landmark moment are the pilots – Captain Nikhil Thiagarajan and first officer Sandeep Prabhu, both hailing from Bengaluru.

Thiagarajan told indianexpress.com that the touchdown in Bengaluru last Friday was indeed a great ‘milestone’ in his career. “As I consider Bengaluru my hometown, it was very exciting to have the opportunity to fly the aircraft into this airport. It was an honour to land on the runway in particular as it was the first commercial flight operated with an A380, so I honestly felt privileged. Throughout the flight, excitement was building onboard as we approached the destination. Seeing the warm welcome at the airport was also a proud moment for me. It made the trip very rewarding,” he said.

Interestingly, the first officer Prabhu also made the announcements in Kannada – a script given to him by his parents Arathi Prabhu and Shivaraya Prabhu.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: U.K. PRIME MINISTER: Bengaluru Celebrates ‘son-in-law’ Rishi Sunak becoming next UK PM

The 42-year-old Sunak, who is also known as “the son-in-law of Bengaluru” was married to Akshatha Murthy, daughter of Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty.

While the Murthys chose to maintain silence over their son-in-law making history, many others from the corporate world expressed their happiness over the development.

Along with corporate giants Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also congratulate Rishi Sunak on being elected as the Britain Prime Minister.

Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics and Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, congratulated Rishi Sunak on his victory and his term as the Prime Minister of UK.

Along with congratulating, he also warned that Rishi Sunak is taking over the responsibility at a time when the whole of Europe is going through a difficult time.

“I have met him (Sunak) personally. He is a highly competent person,” Chandrasekhar said. Kamal Bali, the president and managing director of the Volvo Group India said it is a matter of joy that a person of Indian origin is becoming the Prime Minister in the UK.

“Rishi Sunak’s rise shows that anybody has an opportunity in a democratic set-up. It is a good sign, which also shows that capability matters in a democratic country,” Bali told PTI.

The former Infosys Chief Finance Officer V Balakrishnan called it a historic moment. He also said that Britain is an example to the world that a migrant can also become Prime Minister of their country. Britain is a sign of a mature democracy

Former president of the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jacob Crasta regarded it a matter of great pride and honour for Indians.

“It is a pride for us Bengalurians as the son-in-law of Bengaluru is becoming the Prime Minister of the UK,” Crasta told PTI.

He further informed that it is a good news for India as it will create new opportunities for the development of India UK relationship and bring more options for UK technology to come to the country.

source/content: livemint.com (headline edited)