Category: Uncategorized

Young author Reshel Bretny Fernandes, hailing from Mangaluru, has been honoured with the prestigious Indian Literary Excellence Award 2025 by SMP Publications for her remarkable book ‘Bharat at 2047: Role of Youth’.

The book, hailed as a milestone for a vibrant India, envisions the country’s future and highlights the pivotal role of youth in nation-building. With its thought-provoking insights and inspirational tone, the work has struck a chord with readers, particularly the younger generation.

Awarding her at their annual ceremony, SMP Publications lauded Fernandes for her contribution to contemporary Indian literature, describing her book as ‘an inspiration for the upcoming ages’.

Fernandes’ achievement has brought pride to Mangaluru, with many viewing her recognition as a motivating example for aspiring writers and students alike.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

MP Patil-led business exploratory delegation to Japan to bring in multiple new investments to Karnataka.

Japan’s Hosoda Holdings will establish a solar cell manufacturing unit in Karnataka at an estimated cost of ₹882 crore, Industries Minister M.B. Patil said on Friday.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with Tong Thar Energy Solutions (TTES). The agreement for the project was signed at the Global Investors Meet in February and initially, TTES had planned an investment of ₹490 crore.

During a meeting with Hosoda Holdings Chairman Nakamura San on Friday, Minister Patil said, the partnership with TTES has increased the total investment, and the project is expected to generate employment for 500 people in the State.

Mr. Patil confirmed that the size of the investment is now close to getting doubled and also welcomed the company’s decision, noting that, “It aligns with the State government’s focus on solar power generation.”

Meanwhile, Japanese sports equipment manufacturer Inabata has assured the visiting Karnataka delegation in Japan that it would start a unit in Karnataka in 2027. The delegation also confirmed that necessary land acquisition and approvals will be provided promptly.

Additionally, Tetsujikawa, another Japanese company specialising in engraving and die-cutting technology, informed the delegation about plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Karnataka.

Other than Mr. Patil, the high-level delegation included S. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary, Industries Department and Industries Commissioner Gunjan Krishna.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Vijayalakshmi Bidari, who created history by becoming the first person from Karnataka to top the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2001, continues to be a source of inspiration for civil service aspirants across the country even today.

Her achievement, over two decades ago, was not just a personal milestone but also a proud moment for Karnataka. At a time when the exam was considered an almost insurmountable challenge, Bidari’s success story became an example of perseverance, discipline, and clarity of purpose.

Known for her meticulous preparation and determined spirit, she broke barriers and set new benchmarks in a field traditionally dominated by a few states. Her accomplishment placed Karnataka firmly on the map of civil service excellence, motivating countless young students to dream big and attempt the examination with confidence.

Bidari’s academic journey reflects her brilliance from an early age. She scored a perfect 100/100 in mathematics in her 10th standard board exam, missing the state rank by just five marks. She pursued Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology in her higher secondary education and later secured a merit seat in Computer Science Engineering at RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru (1995–1999). In addition, she completed a Professional Development Program at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, in 2014, focusing on governance and anti-corruption strategies. Earlier, in 2010, she pursued Public Policy studies at the Korea Development Institute, Seoul.

While still a student, Bidari impressed during campus selections, securing offers from BFL Software, HPCL Calcutta, and several others—becoming the only candidate from Bangalore University chosen by HPCL against stiff competition from top MBA graduates. Despite her young age, she stood out for her grit and capability.

She cleared the Civil Services Examination in 2000 with the highest rank in the Rajasthan cadre, becoming the first woman from South India to achieve the top position. Her journey began in 1999 when she attempted the exam soon after completing engineering. Though she initially missed the IAS by 35 marks, her determination paid off the following year, when she emerged as the All-India topper. Her interview, which tested her on computers, microprocessors, gravitation, PSLVs, and GSLVs, showcased her technical depth and confidence.

In January 2015, she was appointed as regional director, Staff Selection Commission, Bengaluru, and has since served in key administrative roles. From the Indian Customs and Central Excise Service to her current position as divisional commissioner in Maharashtra, her journey is nothing short of inspirational.

Bidari hails from a family steeped in public service. Her father, Shankar Bidari, served as director General and inspector general of police (DG&IGP) of Karnataka. Her husband, Mallikarjuna Prasanna, is a deputy commissioner of police in Mumbai, while her brother Vijayendra Bidari is the superintendent of police in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. His wife, Rohini P Bhajibhakare, is an IAS officer serving as assistant collector in Madurai. Except for her mother Umadevi, every member of her immediate family belongs to either the IAS or IPS cadre—an extraordinary distinction.

Beyond her achievements, Bidari’s journey has been a guiding light for women and youth aspiring to enter public service. Her success highlighted the importance of resilience and hard work in overcoming challenges, and her career in administration has reflected her deep commitment to serving society.

Even today, as aspirants from Karnataka and other states prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, they look up to Vijayalakshmi Bidari’s story as a reminder that with dedication and determination, no goal is too distant.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

With the new ranking, the institute is now the only Indian B-school to feature in the global top 30.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore’s two-year full time MBA programme – the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) – has been ranked number one in India and number 28 globally in the Financial Times Masters in Management (FT MiM) 2025 global ranking.

The programme was ranked at 41 globally in 2024. With the new ranking, the institute is now the only Indian B-school to feature in the global top 30.

Significant improvement

The FT MiM ranking evaluates the world’s top business schools across 19 criteria, with alumni feedback accounting for 56% of the ranking’s weight and school data comprising the remaining 44%. It factors in outcomes such as employment, return on investment, diversity, ESG, and internationalisation, the assessment provides a holistic measure of institutional performance.

Outcomes of the IIMB alumni indicate higher career progression, marked rise in weighted salaries, and a notable salary percentage increase of 47% – the highest among the top three Indian B-schools. The institute has also advanced in measures of value for money, improved ESG and Net Zero teaching rank, and has recorded a leap in its carbon footprint rank, moving from 73 to 13.

The gains in diversity are also notable. The proportion of female faculty rose from 22% to 25%, female students from 33% to 40%, and women on the institute’s board from 30% to 40%. The IIMB also recorded an increased intake of international students to its programme this year.

Cultivating diversity

“The IIMB benchmarks its curriculum and impact through research against the best in the world to ensure that its students play a decisive role in addressing complex global challenges. The FT MiM ranking reaffirms our promise of delivering a transformational experience that leaves a lasting impact on students, practitioners, industries, and society,” said U. Dinesh Kumar, Director in-charge, IIMB.

Mukta Kulkarni, Dean, Programmes and Chairperson, Office of International Affairs, said that the 2025 FT MiM rankings were aided by the diversity that the institute has cultivated across its faculty, student, and alumni fraternity, as well as its governing body.

“Access to a world-class cohort and consistent interactions with some of the most exciting thinkers and decision makers of our time have lent weight to this outcome,” she added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Around 65% of all new mid-market GCCs in India since 2023 have been set up in Karnataka as per the report.

Karnataka houses more than 50% of the mid-market GCCs in India, employing over 74,000 professionals, finds a new report released by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), in collaboration with global management consulting firm Zinnov.

According to the report titled “Karnataka Mid-Market GCC Report 2025: Lean, Local, and Globally Impactful,” the State hosts more than 230 of the 480+ mid-market GCCs in the country. These centers are not just expanding faster; they are maturing 1.4 times quicker than larger peers, embracing product ownership, CXO-level leadership, and embedding AI-first strategies, the report notes.

Riding on talent

Mid-market GCCs are Global Capability Centres established by mid-sized enterprises with annual global revenues ranging between $100 million and $1 billion. According to the report, these firms scale faster and with greater control in Karnataka, enabled by plug-and-play infrastructure, payroll incentives, and simplicity of the government policies. Karnataka was the first in the country to roll out a GCC policy in 2024.

The report also notes that the State captured a disproportionately high share of new mid-market GCCs over the past two years. Around 65% of all new mid-market GCCs in India since 2023 have been set up in Karnataka.

Karnataka houses more than 50% of the mid-market GCCs in India, employing over 74,000 professionals, finds a new report released by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), in collaboration with global management consulting firm Zinnov.

According to the report titled “Karnataka Mid-Market GCC Report 2025: Lean, Local, and Globally Impactful,” the State hosts more than 230 of the 480+ mid-market GCCs in the country. These centers are not just expanding faster; they are maturing 1.4 times quicker than larger peers, embracing product ownership, CXO-level leadership, and embedding AI-first strategies, the report notes.

Riding on talent

Mid-market GCCs are Global Capability Centres established by mid-sized enterprises with annual global revenues ranging between $100 million and $1 billion. According to the report, these firms scale faster and with greater control in Karnataka, enabled by plug-and-play infrastructure, payroll incentives, and simplicity of the government policies. Karnataka was the first in the country to roll out a GCC policy in 2024.

The report also notes that the State captured a disproportionately high share of new mid-market GCCs over the past two years. Around 65% of all new mid-market GCCs in India since 2023 have been set up in Karnataka.

“Higher talent quality in the State allows Mid-market GCCs to operate with leaner teams — driving more productivity per employee and reducing overall cost of operations,” reads the report.

While mid-market GCCs in India operate at 40% the size of non-mid-market peers, in Karnataka, the trend is amplified with the mid-market GCCs running at 35% the size of the larger peers. This, according to the report, is a reflection of ‘high-trust and high-quality talent.’ The State is currently home to 50% of India’s AI/ML talent and 38% digital workforce, and its capital city, the fourth largest technology and innovation cluster in the world, it notes.

Katalyst handbook released

The report was launched in the presence of Minister of Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology Priyank Kharge and officials from the IT-BT department and KDEM. The event saw the release of the KATALYST GCC Handbook, a comprehensive guide for companies that wish to set up GCCs in Karnataka. KATALYST is a dedicated Ease of Doing Business cell formed by the Department of Electronics, IT & BT in August to support GCCs in Karnataka.

Noting that 65% of all the new mid-market GCCs in India since 2023 established in their offices in Karnataka, Mr. Kharge hoped that the release of the handbook would help the ecosystem to ensure that more software is coming to India.

Addressing the industry representatives gathered at the event he said, “If the government participates closely with the industry, we will be able to ensure that we deliver faster for you. That is why we have launched Katalyst, a single entity which will have a specialized team to facilitate new GCCs to set up, investor handholding, and also provide ongoing support for existing GCCs.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

It is heartening to know that the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will be visiting Mysuru today to attend the Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary) celebrations of All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH).

AIISH, located in the lush green campus adjacent to the University of Mysore in Manasagangothri, is a unique institute in the Asian sub-continent. It was established in 1966 as an autonomous institute fully funded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

This was possible due to the personal initiative and large heartedness of the last Maharaja of Mysore,   H.H. Sri. Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar.

Dr. Martin Franklin Palmer founded the Department of Speech Sciences in 1934 in a single classroom on the fourth floor of Jardine Hall on the campus of Wichita State University.

At the time of his death in 1965, the Institute of Logopedics was the largest institute of speech and hearing rehabilitation in the world. He helped spread knowledge of treatment for children with special needs around the globe.

Dr. Palmer guided the organisation, played a major role in its growth and success and was rewarded with worldwide recognition. He created the term ‘logopedics’ to describe study and treatment of speech disorders.

The Maharaja had a personal discussion with Dr. Palmer and he was so impressed by the facilities for the study and treatment of speech defects in children, involving habilitation of speech, that he spent a long time intermingling with the children, prompting the staff to say that there are no strangers, only friends we have not met! See pictures of the Maharaja’s discussion with Dr. Palmer and his intermingling with the children.

Maharaja’s US visit

During his sojourn to the United States on a lecture tour, Maharaja visited the Institute of Logopedics at Wichita, Kansas, on 1-4-1959. The Maharaja was obviously impressed by this new field pioneered by Dr. Martin Franklin Palmer.

Immediately after returning from the US, the Maharaja was instrumental in organising a conference, held jointly by the International Institute of Philosophy, Paris and the Indian Philosophical Congress, under the auspices of the Mysore University, at the Lalitha Mahal Palace in Mysore from Aug 28 to Sept 01, 1959.

Among the philosophers present from all over the world was the Indian luminary and the then Vice-President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

The Maharaja used the occasion to brief Dr. S. Radhakrishnan about his visit to the Institute of Logopedics and this resulted in further discussion with the Ministry of Health, Government of India, about establishing a similar Institute in Mysore.

On the invitation of the Government of India, Dr. Martin F. Palmer, Director, Institute of Logopedics, Wichita, Kansas, USA, visited India in 1963 and recommended setting up an Institute of Logopedics in India at Mysore.

A generous grant

When the formal approval from the Government of India came in 1965, the Maharaja graciously offered his daughter, Maharajakumari Indrakshi Devi’s palatial heritage building on JLB Road called ‘Rama Mandira’ for the institute to start functioning. (It was once the residence of University of Mysore’s first Vice-Chancellor, H.V. Nanjundaiah).

On August 9, 1965, “All India Institute of Logopedics” started functioning at ‘Rama Mandira’ with Lt. Gen. B.M. Rao, a former Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (India), as the first Director.

Gift deed

The Maharaja gifted 22 acres of land to the President of India on August 25, 1965, in Sy. No. 4, Kurubarahalli, Mysore, to enable the Government to establish a permanent campus. The relevant portion of the gift deed states:

“And whereas the donee desires to start a Logopedics Institute in Mysore; whereas in the interest of public service and benefit, the donor has decided to make a Gift of the properties mentioned in the schedule hereto to the Donee absolutely.”

On 25th July 1966, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the then President of India, laid the foundation stone of the Institute building and on 10th October 1966, the Institute was registered as an autonomous Institute under the Society Registration Act with the name “All India              Institute of Speech and Hearing.”

K.L. Shrimali, the then Vice-Chancellor of the  University of Mysore, offered the land in the post-graduate campus of ‘Manasagangothri’ instead. Thus, this unique Institute called ‘All India Institute of Speech and Hearing’ (AIISH) came to be established in Mysore in 1966.

Later on 30th November 1970, the Ministry of Health, Government of India, leased the property gifted by Maharaja to the University of Mysore for 99 years.

Land grab attempts

Unfortunately, unscrupulous land grabbers tried to usurp this land by fraudulent documents. (SOM 25-1-2012) and a protracted litigation by the undeterred University of Mysore, despite setbacks in the Tribunal, City Courts and Karnataka High Court, came to a happy ending in the Supreme Court when Justice Abdul Nazir castigated the State for initial non-cooperation and restored the land to the University of Mysore on March 23, 2018.

On the eve of the birth centenary of the Maharaja on July 18, 2019, the Royal Family requested the Prime Minister to name AIISH after the Maharaja through the good offices of the then MLA S.A. Ramdas and Union Cabinet Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar. Unfortunately, due to the untimely death of Ananth Kumar, this effort did not fructify.

When the then President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, visited Mysore on 10th October 2019 in connection with the Birth Centenary celebrations of the Maharaja, the President unveiled a plaque of the University of Mysore establishing Sri Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar Centre for Higher Learning on this 22 acres of land.

COSMOS project

Now a world’s first independent 8K resolution LED dome planetarium and a research training centre under the Cosmology Education and Research Training Centre (COSMOS) project is being developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics at an estimated cost of Rs. 90 crore in part of this land.

The project is being supported under the MPLADS funds of the Union Finance Minister and the Department of Science and Technology, Department of   Atomic Energy and other organisations.

A fitting tribute

Thus, what started as a pioneering initiative by the Maharaja to start an Institute of Logopedics has culminated in Mysore luckily getting two world-class                           Institutions as a bonus.

It would be a fitting tribute to the Maharaja if the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, would recommend the Union Government to rename AIISH as “Maharaja Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar Institute of Speech and Hearing.”

Sadly, the website of AIISH does not even mention the name of the Maharaja! Hope they will make suitable amends after reading this article.

source/content: starofmysore.com / R. Raja Chandra (headline edited)

Apple Inc., the Cupertino-based tech giant, has opened its first retail store in south India in Bengaluru here on Tuesday at Phoenix Mall of Asia, off Hebbal.

This is the brand’s third store in India after one each in Mumbai and New Delhi.

The Apple store in Bengaluru spans nearly 8,000 sq. ft. on the first floor, according to a statement.

The store has local touches such as featuring peacock-feather artwork, Bengaluru-themed wallpapers, and an exclusive playlist.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Pointing to Karnataka’s growing appeal among investors, he said Mangaluru is now the second-most attractive coastal city for investments.

Karnataka has emerged as the third-highest contributor of funds under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among all states, with Rs 2,500 crore spent in 2023-24, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said on Thursday. A total of Rs 34,000 crore was contributed under CSR across the country.

Speaking at the India CSR and Sustainability Awards organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Dr Parameshwara stressed that while the state has schools in almost every village, quality education remains the most urgent need. He added that Karnataka has made remarkable strides in education, healthcare, industry and software exports, contributing nearly 40 per cent of the country’s IT exports.

Pointing to Karnataka’s growing appeal among investors, he said Mangaluru is now the second-most attractive coastal city for investments. He also highlighted the state’s role in health tourism, which grew during S M Krishna’s tenure as chief minister.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The “work-live-play” model township at Bidadi, about 30 km from Bengaluru, is envisioned as Karnataka’s second central business hub.

The long-delayed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) will be developed as India’s first and largest Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered integrated township, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Thursday. 

Spread across 8,493 acres, preliminary notification for which was issued in March earlier this year, the “work-live-play” model township at Bidadi, about 30 km from Bengaluru, is envisioned as Karnataka’s second central business hub, estimated to cost over ₹20,000 crore and will be completed over the next three years, Mr. Shivakumar said. 

“Over 2,000 acres have been earmarked for AI-based industries and ancillaries. The project is expected to create lakhs of new jobs across IT, AI, start-ups, and service sectors. Dedicated skilling centres will train the workforce for AI-driven and future-ready industries,” he said. 

GBIT will include residential spaces, healthcare, education, and cultural facilities. More than 1,100 acres will be reserved for parks and open spaces, making it one of India’s most sustainable green cities.

Compensation package

Since the project requires 6,731 acres of private land across nine villages, the government has planned compensation under a framework aligned with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013. 

In a first-of-its-kind measure, the government will provide livelihood support from the date of the final notification until monetary compensation is paid or developed sites are handed over. Under the plan, Kushki landowners will receive ₹30,000 per acre annually, Tari landowners ₹40,000, Bhagait landowners ₹50,000, and landless families ₹25,000 per year. The Deputy Chief Minister also assured that habitations in the notified township area will be retained and not acquired.

Better connectivity

Highlighting past shortcomings, officials said that earlier township plans failed due to poor connectivity. This time, a 300-metre-wide business corridor with a 90-metre road will be built to connect the township seamlessly from all directions. “We have learnt this lesson,” the government said in a press note, adding that the township is being designed for best access and zero traffic jams.

The township will be located 9 km from STRR Road, 11 km from NICE Road, 5 km from the Mysuru–Bengaluru Highway, and 2.2 km from the Bengaluru–Dindigul Highway.

Loan to fund project

Financial resources for the project have been secured in advance. Internal funding of ₹2,950 crore has been set aside from Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s existing funds, while ₹17,500 crore will be raised externally through financial institutions, backed by government surety. In total, the authority has over ₹20,000 crore at its disposal and will begin disbursing compensation once the land acquisition process is completed.

Rejuvenation of Bairamangala Lake

The rejuvenation of Bairamangala Lake, a long-pending demand of villagers, will also be taken up as part of the project to improve public health and the well-being of nearby residents. The rejuvenation, estimated to cost between ₹750 crore and ₹1,000 crore, will also include lakefront development and recreational facilities, undertaken in partnership with BBMP, BWSSB, KSPCB, CNNL, and other agencies, the statement issued on Thursday said. 

Not ready to go to jail denotifying land, says DKS

Responding to protests by a group of farmers in Bidadi opposing the Bidadi Integrated Township project on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that “he was not ready to go to jail like former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa by denotifying lands already notified for the township”. However, he assured the farmers of “one-of-the-best compensation packages” and said he would protect their interests. 

KHB township in Yelahanka

A ₹2,930 crores integrated high-tech township is proposed to come up near Yelahanka under a joint development of Karnataka Housing Board and private developers. The board is expected to earn a revenue of about ₹1,252 crore from the project that entails multi storied residential complexes, commercial complexes, star hotels and office complexes.

The State Cabinet on Thursday approved providing developed bulk land to land owners under the 50:50 ratio for the joint development of integrated township. 95.13 acres in Chikkajala and Meenukunte villages is sought to be acquired by the Karnataka Housing Board while land owners have gone to court against it. However, land owners owning 43 acres have come forward with a consent seeking compensation under 50:50 ratio.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

U. Sandhya Shenoy, professor and principal research scientist at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Srinivas University, Mukka, Mangaluru, has been conferred with Chirantan Rasayan Sanstha (CRS) silver medal for 2025.

She received the medal at a symposium titled ‘Rasayan’, organised by the West Bengal-based CRS, at Manipal recently.

Ms. Shenoy was chosen for the medal for her achievements in research and innovation in materials chemistry, a release said.

Her research mainly involves materials for energy and environmental applications focusing on thermoelectric and photocatalytic properties. She is also the recipient of NASI young scientist award from the National Academy of Sciences India, coveted Associateship from Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru, and Society of Materials Chemistry Medal.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)