Category: Uncategorized

 Pilikula Golf Club is set to script a new chapter in the city’s sporting history by hosting India’s first-ever floodlit Pro-Am Golf Tournament on January 31.

The landmark event will firmly place Pilikula on the national golf map and marks a proud moment for the local golfing fraternity as well as the city of Mangaluru. The unique Pro-Am tournament will be played entirely under floodlights in a night format, bringing professional golfers and amateur players together on a single competitive platform.

Backed by world-class course preparation and a state-of-the-art floodlighting system, Pilikula Golf Club is introducing a new dimension to Indian golf by blending innovation with competitive excellence. The tournament is expected to redefine night golf in the country and set new benchmarks for the sport.

As many as 12 leading professional golfers from across India have already confirmed their participation, underlining the significance of the event. The tournament will provide a rare and valuable opportunity for local amateur golfers to compete alongside top-ranked professionals and showcase their talent at a higher level.

Beyond the competition, the floodlit Pro-Am reflects Pilikula Golf Club’s commitment to the growth of golf in coastal Karnataka and its vision of promoting Mangaluru as a progressive sports destination. The event is expected to attract golfers, sponsors and spectators from across the state and region, enhancing local participation while providing increased visibility to the city.

The historic floodlit Pro-Am Golf Tournament is not only a celebration of the sport but also a symbol of innovation and progress, promising to set new standards for the future of Indian golf.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Karnataka recorded 198 organ donations in 2025, securing the third position among states with the highest number of organ donations in the country. Officials said on Saturday that this achievement marks a new milestone in the state’s organ transplantation history.

In 2023, the state had reported 178 organ donations. With 198 donations in 2025, Karnataka has surpassed its previous record, officials said.

According to the health department, this achievement has placed Karnataka third at the national level in organ donation for 2025. With this, the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) has set a new benchmark in the state.

Among the states, Tamil Nadu topped the list with 267 organ donations, followed by Telangana in second place with 205 donations.

Official statistics show that Karnataka stood third with 198 donations, while Maharashtra and Gujarat reported 153 and 152 organ donations respectively.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe festival, the event anchored by UnboxingBLR, supported by the Government of Karnataka and will be held across Bengaluru between January 16 and 25.

Bengaluru, as a city, may be bursting at the seams and slowed down by traffic woes, but that does not stop the city from brimming with start-up ideas even when it comes to the performing arts. BLR Hubba is one such event that came into being in 2023.

Launched with an idea to make Bengaluru a cultural hub, BLR Hubba, is inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The festival, anchored by UnboxingBLR, and supported by the Government of Karnataka, is back with its third edition with an array of programmes to be held across Bengaluru from January 16 to 25. “The festival, curated as a citywide event, brings together music and dance performances, theatre, visual arts, heritage walks, talks, local cuisine, and folk arts, and is primarily aimed at Bengaluru residents. It will feature 800 artistes,” says V. Ravichandar, chief facilitator of BLR Hubba.

This year, the festival includes 12 thematic ‘hubbas’, he adds. “The origin of BLR Hubba can be traced to the Unboxing BLR Foundation, a non-profit initiative by Prashant Prakash and Malini Goyal. In their book, Unboxing Bangalore, they proposed the idea of a city-wide arts festival that would make Bengaluru an arts and culture hotspot. “We are known for start-ups, technology and for our civic problems. But can we also be known as a hub for arts and culture? Hence the name ‘Hub’ba,” shares Ravichandar, a Tamilian based in Bengaluru, who works pro-bono for the festival and many artistic projects in the city.

All the events at BLR Hubba are open to the public. “But, this year, we have introduced a voluntary donor pass system priced between ₹250 and ₹450. “This is to ensure a certain level of commitment from attendees to be present at the venue, and not to generate revenue,” reveals Ravichandar. “The funding for the Hubba comes through sponsorships and private donations. The government does not fund the event but acts as a facilitator, providing permissions and logistical support”, he adds.

BLR Hubba 2026 will be inaugurated with Namma Jatre, a showcase of folk traditions, by the Karnataka government. There will be a total of 144 events, including dance performances, theatre, food, street celebrations and activities for children. Events such as ‘Vishesha Hubba’ (celebrating Karnataka, its diversity, languages, communities and more), ‘Nataka Hubba’ (theatre), ‘Makkala Hubba’ (children’s festival), ‘Pi Thadoi’ by Kalakshetra Manipur, ‘Mrcchakatikam’ by Natanakairali and Bhoomija, ‘Anuraga’ by Rohini Banerjee, ‘Rang Birangi Lavani’ by B Spot Productions, Yakshagana puppetry ‘Choodamani Lankadaha’ by Bhaskar Kogga Kamath and troupe — form part of the line-up.

The earlier editions of the Hubba were held in December, but this year, the event is taking place in January. “just after Makar Sankrantri. It is a better time as there are lesser chances of rain and the cost logistics are better. BLR Hubba 2026 will also extend to Whitefield, Jayanagar, J.P. Nagar, and Kanakapura Road besides central Bengaluru,” shares Ravichandar. More details about the festival are available on BLR Hubba website.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil said the Foundation will build a 300-bed hospital in three years, later expanding to 1,000 beds for all organ transplants, including liver, kidney, heart, and intestine.

Bengaluru :

In a major push to organ transplantation, the Karnataka Cabinet approved signing an MoU with Azim Premji Foundation to allot 10 acres of land on lease for 99 years on the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, to set up a 1,000-bed super-specialty hospital in five years, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

Briefing the press after the cabinet meeting, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil informed that the Foundation will set up a 300-bed hospital in three years, and expand it to 1,000 beds to facilitate all types of organ transplant, including liver, kidney, heart, intestine and others. The hospital coming up near Nimhans will help in harvesting organs from brain-dead donors.

“It will be implemented under public philanthropic partnership as the entire investment, except for the land, will be borne by the Foundation which will spend Rs 350 crore annually to run the hospital. The Foundation has okayed the government’s proposal. The new facility will not only be a great contribution to Karnataka but for the entire nation,” said Patil.

In Karnataka alone, over 5,000 patients are in queue for kidney transplant, and over 1,000 for liver transplant, he informed. About 70 per cent of beds will be free of cost for economically weaker sections, especially BPL families, and 30 per cent for others, who will however benefit from the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (ABArK) scheme, he elaborated.

The medical education minister, department secretary and finance secretary will be on the hospital board, which will be named after the Foundation, he said. The Institute of Gastroenterology Sciences & Organ Transplant (IGOT Hospital) will continue functioning and be taken over by the Foundation hospital in future, he said.

Basavanna Biodiversity Park

The Cabinet approved setting up of the Vishwaguru Basavanna Bruhat Biodiversity Park on 153.39 acres in Madappanahalli reserve forest in Yelahanka, at a cost of Rs 250 crore in three years, and will implement the first phase of work at a cost of Rs 50.29 crore by utilising CSR funds.

It will be a huge lung space after Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park, to be developed near Shivaram Karanth Layout in North Bengaluru. It will have medicinal plants, bird sanctuary, children’s play zone etc, Forests Minister Eshwar Khandre said.

Other decisions

To recruit Chaitanya Bilagi, daughter of IAS officer Mahantesh Bilagi, who died in a mishap, under compassionate grounds

Develop Karnataka GST analytics portal at Rs 19cr, in association with IIT Hyderabad.

Approval to The Karnataka Jnana Bhandar Manuscripts and Digitalisation Bill, 2026, to preserve all types of manuscripts collected from the public

Upgrade DIETs in six districts as DIET for Excellence at Rs 36.90cr

Bring in new Community Corporate Social Responsibility policy by framing guidelines for effective usage of funds.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Udupi witnessed a historic cultural moment on Friday as Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna successfully completed ‘Purandara Gaana Narthana’, a rare and innovative presentation involving the simultaneous rendering of classical singing and Bharatanatyam dancing to the compositions of Sri Purandara Dasaru, thereby securing her place in the Golden Book of World Records.

The record attempt was organised by Hejje Gejje Foundation, Udupi–Manipal, at Nutana Ravindra Mantapa, MGM College, Udupi, commencing at 8.30 am. A felicitation ceremony was held later in the evening at 5 pm in the presence of several dignitaries, artistes, and cultural patrons.

The programme featured accompaniment by noted musicians Vidwan Satish Bhat Hoggar and Vidwan Shashikiran (Manipal) on harmonium, Vidwan Madhava Acharya (Udupi) on tabla, and Vidushi Vijetha Hegde, a disciple of Vidwan Sheshadri Iyengar and Pandit Yogesh. The dance presentation was performed by Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna along with students of Hejje Gejje Foundation (R.).

The achievement was formally certified by Dr Manish Vishnoi, Asia Head of the Golden Book of World Records, who announced the successful completion of the record attempt and presented the official recognition.

Addressing the gathering, Udupi MLA Yashpal A Suvarna said, “This achievement brings great pride to Udupi and Karnataka. Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna has beautifully blended devotion, discipline, and art, taking our cultural heritage to a global platform. Dr Manish Vishnoi needs to come here often, because Udupi is a city of immense talent — known not only for its education but also for its rich and vibrant cultural performances.”

Former MLA Raghupathi Bhat remarked, “Hejje Gejje is a renowned organisation through which many students have gained name and fame. Purandara Dasaru’s compositions are the soul of Karnataka’s Bhakti movement, and presenting them through such a rare and demanding art form is truly commendable. This world record is a great inspiration for young artistes.”

Expressing her gratitude, Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna said, “This record is a humble offering to Sri Purandara Dasaru. I dedicate this achievement to my gurus, my students, Hejje Gejje Foundation, and everyone who believed in this vision of combining gaana and narthana as one. This journey demanded immense discipline, devotion, and collective effort, and I am deeply thankful to my family, accompanists, and well-wishers for their constant support. I hope this achievement inspires the younger generation to explore our classical arts with sincerity and innovation, while staying rooted in tradition.”

Dr Manish Vishnoi said, “The Golden Book of World Records is a US-based organisation that recognises extraordinary achievements across the world. Today, Deeksha accomplished something truly remarkable. This is one of the toughest performances I have witnessed. Some people sing, some dance, but she did both simultaneously. Classical dance itself is difficult, and performing it in combination with classical singing is extremely challenging.”

Other dignitaries present included Dr M Vishwanath Pai, vice-principal, MGM College, Udupi; Vidwan Madhoor P Balasubramanyam of Madhuradhwani; Vidwan Raghavendra Acharya, AIR artiste; and Dr Sharana Basava, Founder President of Shri Basava Trust, Ballari, among others.

The event concluded with sustained applause and appreciation from art lovers, marking the occasion as a landmark moment for Indian classical dance, music, and devotional heritage.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences in Shivamogga will organise a five-day workshop on ‘Empowering Early Career Researchers in Advancing Climate-Resilient Agriculture Research and Collaboration’ in Shivamogga from January 5.

The workshop has been supported by the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF-British Council) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research in collaboration with the Natural Resource Institute of the University of Greenwich, UK, according to a release issued by the university.

The workshop will host 45 participants from India and the United Kingdom. They will take part in deliberations on climate-resilient agricultural innovations, carbon farming, agrometeorology, and sustainable technologies. Prof. R.C. Jagadeesha, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said that the workshop would provide a transformative platform for young researchers to exchange knowledge, build networks and develop impactful solutions for climate-smart agriculture.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have unveiled an intriguing secret behind the dusty veil of a young star named T. Chamaeleontis (T. Cha), quietly forming planets about 350 light years from Earth when part of its circumstellar inner wall collapsed partially.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, this can help rewrite our understanding of how planetary systems evolve.

T Chamaeleontisan (T. Cha) is surrounded by a planet-forming disk called circumstellar disk that contains a wide gap- likely carved out by a newborn planet.

“Normally, the dense inner regions of such disks act like a protective wall or veil blocking much of the star’s ultraviolet light from reaching the colder, outer regions. That shielding makes Poly Atomic Hrydrocarbons (PAHs), flat, honeycomb-shaped molecules (Benzene rings) made of carbon and hydrogen thought to be among the earliest precursors of life’s chemistry, especially hard to detect around low-mass, Sun-like stars,” the department said.

While these molecules are common in interstellar clouds, detecting them in the disks of low-mass, Sun-like stars has been challenging due to the low amount of ultra violet light produced by them.

The IIA scientists used archival spectroscopic data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to study polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the spectrum of this star.

The ultra-sensitive JWST telescope, almost by accident, caught the moment in 2022 when that veil thinned- and an ancient kind of chemistry lit up in space. The material from the disk of the star suddenly plunged onto the star in a burst of accretion, thinning or partially collapsing that inner wall. As this happened ultraviolet radiation suddenly streamed outward, illuminating parts of the disk that were once in shadow. This helped shed light on the survival and variation of complex hydrocarbon molecules in the planet-forming disk around a young, Sun-like star.

“JWST’s MIRI has now revealed them clearly in T. Cha and this is one of the lowest mass stars with PAH detection in their circumstellar disk,” said Arun Roy, a post-doctoral fellow at the IIA.

T. Cha was observed by the JWST in 2022, when the inner wall had partially collapsed allowing ultraviolet photons to flood the outer disk.

“This sudden illumination excited the PAHs in the disk, making them glow strongly in the JWST’s detectors. It was like a curtain lifting, revealing chemistry that had been hidden for years,” Mr. Roy added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

ISRO achieved a milestone in the beginning of the year with the successful launch of two ‘SpaDeX’ satellites.

2025 was a successful year for the Indian space ecosystem led by ISRO despite a few unexpected setbacks. Thus, there were moments of joy as well as disappointment.

ISRO achieved a milestone in the beginning of the year with the successful launch of two ‘SpaDeX’ satellites. Separated by about 20km in orbit, the satellites were successfully docked on January 16. Two months later, they were successfully undocked. This process was repeated for the second time in orbit, thereby making India one of the few countries having this capability with far reaching implications.

The year also saw GSLV Mark–II, which metamorphosed into an ‘obedient child’ from its earlier ‘naughty boy’ image, flawlessly proving its versatility by placing the 2,400kg NISAR satellite in its intended orbit on July 30.

Another event that the country rejoiced was the successful sojourn of ISRO’s Gaganyatri Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla as the pilot of the ‘Axiom 4’ mission to International Space Station (ISS). And LVM3, the most powerful launch vehicle built by ISRO and affectionately referred to as ‘Bahubali’, achieved another success on November 2 by placing CMS-03 communication satellite in its intended intermediate orbit.

The PM inaugurating the Skyroot Launch Vehicle integration facility in Hyderabad on November 27 signified the notable progress in the Indian space startups domain.

However, there was disappointment, too, when NVS-02 of the NavIC navigation satellite constellation failed to reach the final orbit on its own, following its successful launch by GSLV MkII on January 29. This was compounded by the inability of India’s workhorse launch vehicle PSLV to accomplish the launch of EOS-09 radar satellite on May 18.

What was surprising was PSLV repeatedly proving its reliability, versatility and resilience in the past three decades. In the meantime, postponement of the launch of the first industry-built PSLV (rather than ISRO) as well as the first unmanned flight of Gaganyaan came as a bit of a disappointment. But delays are common in the global space programmes. Considering the mind-boggling speed and stress involved in spaceflight, this cautious approach is inevitable indeed.

In the beginning of 2025 when the NISAR satellite, jointly built by NASA and ISRO, was being prepared for launch, there was a lot of excitement, expectation coupled with apprehension. After all, it was a costly and complex earth observation satellite worth $1.5 billion that carried two types of radars. One of its radars (L-band) and the 40-foot wide sieve-like antenna and associated system was supplied by NASA. The other radar (S-band), the satellite itself, and more importantly, the launch, were facilitated by ISRO.

Compared to its siblings PSLV and LVM3, GSLV’s track record was not very impressive. But after a majestic lift-off from Sriharikota, the vehicle proved its mettle by successfully placing the NISAR satellite in its intended orbit.

2025 was a watershed year for the Indian human spaceflight programme, the maiden step of which is Gaganyaan. On June 25, Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla was successfully launched by SpaceX launch vehicle ‘Falcon 9’ along with three others as part of the private ‘Axiom 4’ mission to the ISS. During his 18-day stay onboard ISS, Group Capt Shukla gained invaluable experience on living and working in space. It was heartening to see him to be part of around 60 experiments, of which seven were designed and developed in India. His successful return on July 15 signified a major input to our Gaganyaan programme on training gaganyatris and accomplishing human spaceflight.

Another major milestone in the Gaganyaan programme was the Integrated AirDropTest of a crew module from a helicopter in which its critical parachute-assisted descent validated on August 24.

In the context of setbacks suffered by ISRO in 2025, it is pertinent to remember the dictum – ‘spaceflight is not for the faint hearted’. Its highly complex nature makes engineers ‘have butterflies in the stomach’ each time they conduct a rocket launch.

Against this background, 2026 looks very challenging for the Indian space ecosystem in general and ISRO in particular. Considering the gruelling challenges successfully met by ISRO in the past, whether in the realm of rockets, satellites or allied systems, we can be cautiously optimistic about India’s ascent trajectory in space.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Dhruv NG is 5.5-tonne, light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter.

The maiden flight of the Dhruv NG multi-role helicopter took place at the HAL helicopter division in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Dhruv NG is 5.5-tonne, light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter.

Technical specifications

Max take-off weight: 5,500 kg

Maximum speed: ~285 km/h

Range: ~630 km (with 20 min reserve)

Endurance: ~3 Hours 40 Minutes

Service ceiling: ~6,000 m (high-altitude capable)

Payload internal: ~1,000 kg

HAL said that it is engineered to master the diverse and demanding requirements of the Indian terrain. 

“It is specifically upgraded to meet the rigorous demands of the global civil aviation market. Designed for enhanced safety, performance, and passenger comfort, the helicopter represents a milestone in indigenous rotary-wing capability,” the Bengaluru headquartered defence PSU said.

The key technology and performance highlights of the helicopter include: twin Shakti 1H1C engines, providing enhanced power ratings and the advantage of internal maintenance capabilities within India, civil-certified glass cockpit compliant to AS4 requirements, and a modern avionics suite for superior situational awareness, crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a proven twin-engine configuration for high redundancy and advanced vibration control systems ensure a smooth ride, tailored for VIP and medical transport.

HAL said the Dhruv NG features a highly configurable cabin (7.33 Cu m) adaptable for various civilian roles. 

It can be used for VIP transport, passenger utility, HEMS (Air Ambulance) and other specialised roles such as operations, Law Enforcement, and Disaster Relief (SAR).

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)