Category: Records, Karnataka

KARNATAKA: EDUCATION / CYBER SECURITY: National Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence set up at SJB Institute of Technology (SJBIT) in Bengaluru

Dr K V Mahendra Prashanth, Principal of SJBIT, said that the partnership with NICC will prepare students in the digital age.

Aimed at reaching a significant milestone in the field of cybersecurity education and research in India, the National Information and Cybersecurity Council (NICC) announced the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence at SJB Institute of Technology (Autonomous) (SJBIT).  

Stating that the centre, which is said to be the first-of-its-kind in Karnataka, will play a pivotal role in fighting cyber threats and improving the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities, Dr Prakashnath Swamiji, Managing Director, BGS and SJB Group of Institutions, said, “The centre will provide advanced cybersecurity training to students, professionals and different organisations. It will provide cutting-edge research which will strengthen national cybersecurity.”

He said that the centre will also have partnerships with various industries and have a community outreach to raise awareness about cybersecurity and also help students in job placement.

Dr K V Mahendra Prashanth, Principal of SJBIT, said that the partnership with NICC will prepare students in the digital age.

The programmes under this initiative will benefit students from various educational institutions from Karnataka and other states. “This partnership with SJBIT reflects our collective dedication to nurturing cybersecurity expertise and enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity posture,” said P Arjun, head of research and operations at NICC. 

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HORTICULTURE / GARDEN: CM Opens Mysuru City’s First Botanical Garden – The 15-acre Lingambudhi Lake Botanical Garden

Chief Minister Siddharamaiah inaugurated the Mysuru city’s first Lingambudhi Lake Botanical Garden at Srirampura II Stage, Ramakrishnanagar, this morning.

The garden, spread over 15-acre area, is developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crore and has over 300 plant varieties, including medicinal plants.

The Chief Minister and dignitaries, who went around the garden on a battery-operated vehicle, also released the pamphlets on Geographical Indicator (GI) products of Mysuru like Nanjangud Rasabale, Mysore Veelyedele (Betel leaves), Mysore Mallige (Jasmine) and several other farm produces.

Horticulture Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, Mysuru District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Animal Husbandry K. Venkatesh, MLAs K. Harishgowda and D. Ravishankar and others were present.  A topiary at the Botanical Garden.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: BUSINESS / FINANCE : Kannadiga Nikhil Kamath becomes Youngest Billionaire of India at 37

The company which Nikhil Kamath and Nitin Kamath have built has booked a profit of more than Rs 2000 crore.

Kamath is originally from Karnataka. They started Zerodha, a fintech company in 2010. They needed funds to build the company. However, with their talent and hard work they made up for the lack of education.

Nikhil Kamath was topper in the Hurun India Rich List of 2022. His net profit was Rs 17,500 crore at that time. He became a billionaire when he was just 34 in 2021.

Nikhil did not like to go to school when he was young. He dropped out of school as he was not allowed to take 10th grade board exams.

At the age of 17, Nikhil joined a call centre for just Rs 8,000 salary. But he began to deal in shares at the age of 18. This was a major turning point in his life.

In 2010, Nikhil along with his brother Nitin founded Zerodha, a company, which gave support, cost and technical support to businessmen and investors. They also founded a Hedge fund called True Bekan.

The company made a profit of Rs 2094 crore. The company does not have any employees that are qualified from IIT or IIM. It has one crore users.

Now Nitin and Nikhil have a salary package of Rs 100 crore each. Nikil is ranked 40th in the list of richest people of India. According to Forbes, the net value of Kamath brothers is USD 5.5 billion at present.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL – KARNATAKA: Bengaluru-based students get United Nations (UN) Recognition for efforts to tackle poverty on October 17th the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

United Nations (UN) has recognised the efforts of Bengaluru-based students to tackle poverty among internal migrants in India, on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The United Nations (UN) has recognised the efforts of Bengaluru-based students to tackle poverty among internal migrants in India, on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, October 17.

Kristu Jayanti College, a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) in India, introduced an ‘adult literacy and migrant labour’ as a general elective this academic year to create better understanding of community-related issues.

Under the leadership of Assistant Professor Dr Juby Thomas, students analysed employment stability, emotional well-being, financial literacy, substance abuse, digital safety awareness, food and nutrition, among the internal migrants. This research provides a grassroots-level understanding of issues affecting internal migrant communities, emphasising the need for all-round support. “The efforts of these students are a testament to the potential of higher education institutions to drive positive change,” he explained.

In the second phase, students designed awareness campaigns. “Our students started a campaign with the theme Sip Right, Live Bright, to empower internal migrants to access and utilise safe and clean water sources. This initiative seeks to educate migrants on purifying water independently,” Dr Augustine George, Principal of Kristu Jayanti College, said.

Through live demonstrations, students could explain the usage of simple purification methods. Students are designing adult literacy plans in the third phase, understanding how adults equipped to read, write and comprehend information can access opportunities. Rudri Dave, Department of Psychology, said, “Through this course, I have learned that comprehending human behaviour and motivation is essential when tackling social and public health issues.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES / AMAZING SURGERIES :Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital Celebrates 750 Successful Scoliosis Surgeries on World Spine Day

Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital recently held a special event on World Spine Day to celebrate the achievements of the doctors in their Department of Spine and Joint Surgery. The event marked the completion of 750 successful scoliosis surgeries by the hospital.

The purpose of the event was to not only acknowledge the patients and their families, but also to recognize the medical professionals who have contributed to the success. It served as an opportunity to raise awareness about scoliosis and highlight the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention. The hospital emphasized the fact that with the right treatment, scoliosis patients can overcome the limitations imposed by the condition.

The Chief Guest at the event, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao, praised the hospital for their dedication to excellence in spinal surgeries. He stated that each successful surgery represents a life transformed from suffering to a life free from the limitations of scoliosis.

Scoliosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine. It can cause physical deformity, pain, and discomfort. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial in managing the condition effectively. The Department of Spine and Joint Surgery at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital has been at the forefront of providing high-quality care to scoliosis patients.

The celebration of 750 successful scoliosis surgeries is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to improving the lives of individuals living with this condition. Through their expertise and dedication, the medical professionals at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital have made a significant impact in the field of spine and joint surgeries.

Sources:
– Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital
– Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao

source/content: expresshealthcaremgmt.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OF MEDICAL RESEARCH: Sepsis Treatment SUR-101 Developed by Researchers in Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar licensed to Dutch Biotech firm SurvivX

The development of the treatment was announced by C-CAMP director Dr Taslimarif Saiyed at an event with Netherlands PM Mark Rutte last month.

A novel sepsis treatment, called SUR-101, developed collaboratively by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru, and the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, was licensed to Dutch biotech firm SurvivX in the presence of Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday.

The development of the technology, presently at the preclinical stage, was announced by Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, director-CEO of C-CAMP, at an event with Rutte on the latter’s visit to Bengaluru on the sidelines of the G20 summit last month.

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency. It happens when an infection that a patient already has triggers a chain reaction throughout the body. According to C-CAMP, existing interventions for sepsis are found to be effective only at the very early onset of sepsis. By modulating the immune response, the current technology allows a longer time window for administering targeted interventions for sepsis.

“Sepsis is a worldwide challenge, with approximately 50 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide, accounting for 20 per cent of all global deaths. The new compound, called SUR-101, is an immune-stimulating therapeutic in sepsis patients with signs of immune suppression. It could be the first step towards personalization and precision in sepsis medicine that has thus far been treated as a drug discovery problem. The technology presently at the preclinical stage is a discovery by a team of scientists led by Prof Ravindran Balachandran from ILS. It has been translated and co-developed by the translational research group of Dr Saiyed at C-CAMP,” said a media release from the Bengaluru centre, which is an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science, Technology and Earth Sciences.

Speaking on the licensing effort, the Dutch ambassador to India, Marisa Gerards, said, “Life sciences & health remains a priority sector for the bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and India. We have successfully been working in this field for many years, and this new partnership is a great example of what India and the Netherlands can do together. Sepsis is an important global societal challenge, and it is in need of innovative solutions.”

“This is one of the first global technology transfers by C-CAMP of an academic invention developed exclusively in India. We are excited about the partnership with SurvivX, a biotech company in the Netherlands, in the antimicrobial resistance domain. This agreement will be a model in innovation-focused bilateral partnerships that addresses global issues together,” Dr Saiyed said.

SurvivX CEO Remko van Leeuwen said, “Our technology is based on a specific protein excreted by a tropical parasite: the filarial roundworm. The team in India made the remarkable observation that people infected by this parasite typically do not end up at an ICU unit when they develop sepsis. They started studies to find the cause of this protective effect that an infection with this worm seems to have.”

According to Leeuwen, the researchers discovered that a specific protein secreted by the worm was responsible for the effect. “We have already shown that the protein leads to a much better survival of mice with sepsis, confirming the protective effect seen in filaria patients. But mice are not human, Thus, SurvivX needs to show the safety and activity of the protein in humans before it can be tested as a novel therapeutic approach,” he added.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CRAFTS / FASHION: Namratha Manjunath Wins ‘Miss Mysuru 2023’ Crown and First Runner-Up Bhavana Narayan

Inner Wheel Club of Mysuru Aisiri with Nandini Nagaraj Pageant Initiative and RK Universe Coorg had hosted ‘Miss Mysuru 2023’ event recently at The Viceroy Comforts in Mysuru.

‘Miss Mysuru 2023’ winner Namratha Manjunath , a medical student, first runner-up Bhavana Narayan and second runner-up Harshitha, are seen with the jury members Dr. Hemamalini Lakshman (Mrs. India Universe 2018), Prathiba, K. Kavya and Sowhardini.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL & KARANATAKA / HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES : Bengaluru-based Dr Sandeep Nayak among 3 Winners of top ‘KS International Robotic Surgery Innovation Competition’ by Michigan based Foundation

Bengaluru-based robotic surgeon Dr Sandeep Nayak has been named among the three surgeons from the US and India who won top honours at the ‘KS International Robotic Surgery Innovation competition’ by Michigan-based Robotic Surgery evangelist Vattikuti Foundation.

The video entry by eminent robotic surgeon from MACS Clinic and Fortis Cancer Institute, Bengaluru was placed at the third spot for devising a novel approach for removal of thyroid tumours using minimally invasive robotic surgery.

Dr Nayak presented results of over 50 surgeries conducted over five years using this method with better patient outcomes and negligible scarring.

Robotic surgeons Dr Somashekhar SP, Aster Hospitals, Bengaluru, and Dr Aditya Kulkarni, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune were among the top 10 vying for KS international robotic surgery award, the foundation said in a statement during the awards ceremony at Orsi Academy, Ghent, Belgium over the weekend.

“By focusing on robotic technology and surgeon education, the Vattikuti Foundation has proven the transformative power of innovative technology in revitalizing patients’ health at the hands of inventive humans,” said Raj Vattikuti, Founder, the Vattikuti Foundation.

Dr David Neal, Professor Emeritus, University of Cambridge and Oxford, Cambridge, UK; Dr Rajeev Kumar, Professor of Urology and Associate Dean (Academics), AIIMS, New Delhi; and Dr Sherry M Wren, Professor of Surgery, Stanford University, US were in the final jury that chose the top 3 from among the 141 submissions.

The video entry of Dr Adeel Khan, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, demonstrating the first Robotic Liver Transplant (RLT) in the US using a deceased donor in the world was judged No 1.

The video entry of Dr Ahmed Ghazi, director of minimal invasive and robotic surgery and director of simulation training at Johns Hopkins University, US was adjudged No 2 for devising a novel patient specific simulation platform before complex robotic renal cancer surgeries.

Video submission on robot-assisted total knee transplant by Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Suhas Masilamani, Sunshine Bone & Joint Institute and KIMS-Sunshine Hospital, Hyderabad won the people’s choice award based on rankings by surgeons from 63 countries.

Entries from procedures in 10 specialties, including urology, gynaecology, gastro-intestinal, organ transplant and head and neck, from 14 countries were received in the global competition.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

WORLD / NATIONAL/ KARNATAKA: WORLD RECORD SPORTS : Sibling Sisters, 10-year old Ovee Malve and Ruchi Malve from Bengaluru become World’s Youngest Certified Scuba Diver Sisters

Their interest in scuba diving stemmed from those videos and they started swimming and later training for scuba diving.

A day after turning 10, Bengaluru-based Ovee Malve set a world record of becoming the youngest certified scuba diver.

With this, both Ovee and her sister Ruchi, daughters of Bangalore Mountaineering Club founder Neeraj Malve, have become the youngest certified scuba diver siblings in the world. Neeraj himself has been a scuba diver for 16 years now. Ovee achieved the feat in Puducherry at 7.18 am on October 11, becoming the youngest Professional Association of Diving Instructors-certified open water diver. 

Elated and proud, Neeraj said he understands that adventure sports are not easy, especially at a young age. He never pressured his children and ensured that they underwent proper training. The daughters were water babies since they were little and were fascinated with his scuba diving videos.

Their interest in scuba diving stemmed from those videos and they started swimming and later training for scuba diving, he said. Ovee enrolled for a junior open water diver course at Temple Adventures, Puducherry and trained under coach Shreya Mehta. 

Her sister Ruchi (14) trained under Shaurya Tarni of Dive Goa in Goa. Ruchi enrolled for the Junior Open Water Diver certification course on October 27, 2022 and received the Scuba Schools International certificate on October 30, 2022. At the age of 10 and 13, both Malve sisters have become the world’s youngest scuba diver sisters.

Previously, a Mumbai-based boy, Dwit Nandu, at age 10 set the world record around 8 am on August 25, 2023.

Both the sisters underwent two-day rigorous training which included a 200-metre nonstop swimming and floating for 10 minutes without any support. 

They studied five chapters of theory about performing underwater skills in confined waters, passed a written exam and successfully performed four dives in open water up to 18-metre depth to earn their open water diver certification.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH / NANOENZYMES: Scientists of Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Develop Enzyme Mimetic with potential applications in Wastewater Treatment, Healthcare

The nanozyme can degrade pollutants in wastewater by oxidising them in the presence of sunlight, thereby reducing the toxicity of wastewater.

Scientists at the Materials Research Centre (MRC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have developed a new type of enzyme mimetic that can degrade toxic chemicals in industrial wastewater effectively in the presence of sunlight. 

Enzymes are proteins that catalyse a majority of biological reactions in living systems. However, the practical use of natural enzymes is hindered by inherent limitations such as sensitivity to denaturation (breakdown/damage), complex production procedures, high costs, and difficulties in recycling, says Subinoy Rana, Assistant Professor at MRC and corresponding author of the paper published in Nanoscale. 

Mass producing these enzymes is an expensive and time-consuming process. Another problem is storage – most of the natural enzymes are temperature-sensitive and require storage at cooler temperatures, often as low as -20°C. 

Nano-sized enzyme mimetics or “nanozymes” manufactured in the lab can mimic such natural enzymes and overcome these practical challenges.  

In the current study, the IISc team synthesised a platinum-containing nanozyme called NanoPtA, which can be converted into powder form for industrial use. 

When the NanoPtA comes in contact with wastewater, the benzene rings and long alkyl chains present in the molecule form multiple non-covalent interactions. Individual NanoPtA molecules connect together to form tape-like structures that start emitting light, which is the origin of its oxidising capacity. The nanozyme can then degrade pollutants present in wastewater by oxidising them in the presence of sunlight, thereby reducing the toxicity of wastewater. 

The team found that the nanozyme could degrade even small (micromolar) quantities of common effluents like phenols and dyes within ten minutes when placed under sunlight. The researchers also found that the NanoPtA complex was quite stable, lasting for up to 75 days at room temperature.  

The team believes that the nanozyme can also have applications in healthcare and could be a potentially useful diagnostic tool for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)