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In an attempt to tackle water theft and leakage, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will undertake a year-long pilot project using artificial intelligence, acoustic sensing and robotic inspection technologies to identify sources of water loss.

The project, which will be carried out by start-ups, SmartTerra and Solinas, has been selected under the Titan Design Impact Awards 2.0-Deep Impact Phase, and will be fully funded through a grant from Titan Company Limited.

The BWSSB officials said that the study would be conducted at no cost to the utility, except for civil works such as excavation and pipe repairs that may be required during implementation.

“The initiative is aimed at reducing Unaccounted-for Water (UFW) and Non-Revenue Water (NRW)- water that is produced but lost before it reaches consumers due to leakage, theft, metering inaccuracies or other operational inefficiencies,” a release stated.

Under the pilot, the SmartTerra will use AI-based predictive analytics to identify vulnerable sections of the pipeline network and assess the likelihood of leakage before failures occur. The company will also deploy acoustic sensors to locate underground leaks. Solinas, meanwhile, will use robotic devices to inspect water pipelines from within and identify defects, blockage and hidden leakage that are difficult to detect through conventional methods.

BWSSB Chairman V. Ram Prasath Manohar said that the utility is seeking to leverage emerging technologies to address challenges in urban water management. He said that the BWSSB would provide access to its infrastructure so that innovative solutions can be tested under real operating conditions.

He added that the technologies could help improve monitoring of water distribution, identify losses more accurately and improve revenue collection by reducing leakage and unauthorised consumption.

He said that locations for the pilot study are yet to be finalised and would be identified in the coming weeks. Field surveys and deployment of the technologies are expected to begin thereafter.

The utility said the broader objective is to reduce financial losses arising from leakage and water theft, while also addressing defects in the distribution network that could potentially lead to contamination. If found effective, the technologies may be considered for wider deployment across Bengaluru’s water supply system. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Leksa Lighting Technologies Private Limited, a Mangaluru-based lighting manufacturing company, has won the prestigious Lighting Technology Innovation Award at the annual PALM Sound & Light Awards, bringing national recognition to the coastal Karnataka enterprise.

The award was presented during the PALM Expo, India’s largest sound and lighting exhibition, held at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. More than 300 companies participated in the event, which attracted over 50,000 industry professionals. The grand award ceremony was held at the renowned Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai.

Amid stiff competition from leading companies across the country, Leksa Lighting Technologies earned the honour for its manufacturing excellence, technological innovation and high-quality products developed under the government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The company has rapidly gained national recognition for its specialised high-end lighting solutions and has successfully executed several prestigious projects, including those at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Vidhana Soudha, the National Stock Exchange and Ayodhya Dham, besides numerous projects in India and abroad.

Accepting the award, Ronald Silvan D’Souza, founder and managing director of Leksa Lighting Technologies, said the company was established in Mangaluru with humble beginnings, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision that India can become a truly developed nation only when industries flourish in every village.

He noted that within just eight years, the company has created employment opportunities for more than 350 youth from rural areas and successfully completed over 800 prestigious projects. Among these, three major projects were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while more than a dozen projects were inaugurated by chief ministers of various states.

D’Souza further said that between 85 and 90 per cent of the company’s products are manufactured entirely in India, making Leksa Lighting a true embodiment of the ‘Make in India’ vision. He also expressed confidence that the company would soon establish a strong global brand identity and credited the achievement to the dedication and hard work of its employees, whom he warmly appreciated.

The success of a company that began in Mangaluru and has now earned recognition across India and internationally is a matter of pride not only for coastal Karnataka but for the nation as well.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

At a 40-minute press meet, Siddaramaiah thanked supporters, invoking Dr Rajkumar’s iconic phrase “Abhimani Devarugalu” (fan-gods).

Bowing out as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah listed out his achievements during the two tenures he had over eight years and thanked the seven crore Kannadigas as well as the Congress leadership for the opportunity to serve the state in a press conference.

At a press conference at his residence, Krishna, on Thursday that lasted 40 minutes, Siddaramaiah used the Kannada matinee idol late Dr Rajkumar’s legendary phrase ‘Abhimani devarugalu’ (fan-gods) to express his gratitude to his supporters. He also thanked the Congress leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for giving him the opportunity as well as party workers, legislators and MPs who showered their affection since he joined the party in 2006.

Siddaramaiah, who broke down in a breakfast meeting he hosted for his cabinet colleagues earlier in the day, eventually looked composed at the press conference which he addressed after submitting his resignation at Lok Bhavan in the afternoon. “I come from a village with no political background. My family members, including my parents, were illiterate. So, I never dreamt of becoming an MLA, minister, LoP or CM,” he said.

“Until my last breath I will fight against communal forces. I have faith in the Constitution. If it was not for the Constitution, I would not have become an MLA and CM, but would have remained a shepherd or a tenant farmer,” he said.

He said politicians can sustain their power only if they have the backing of the people. “I never compromised with my ideology of ensuring that every last person in society gets access to basic needs such as food, health, education and housing,” he said.

The Five Guarantees worked in that direction, he added. He said that since the beginning of his political career starting as a taluk board member in Mysuru in 1978, he has believed in the principles of Buddha, Basavanna and Mahatma Gandhi. He said he believes in Rashtrakavi Kuvempus’ concept of ‘sarva janangada shantiya tota’ (garden of peace of all communities), saying that everyone should get equal opportunities in society.

He said that as CM he fulfilled 158 of the 165 promises during his first term (2013-2018) and 300 out of the 550 promises during the current term. He said that Rs 1.4 lakh crore was spent on the five guarantees that revolutionised the lives of people as their purchasing power has improved.

Siddaramaiah said he disproved of the ‘false propaganda’ of opposition parties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Congress government will go bankrupt if the guarantees were implemented. Karnataka stands first in per capita income, second in GST collection for the financial year 2026-27, and the state’s growth rate stood at 8.1 percent as against country’s 7.4 per cent, he pointed out.

He dismissed allegations that the debts were on the rise, saying they were within the parameters of Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002, enacted during the tenure of late SM Krishna. The total liabilities were at 24.94% of GSDP, below 25%, and the fiscal deficit (2.95%) is below 3%, he pointed out.

Siddaramaiah, who has presented a record 17 budgets, blamed the Centre for the state’s revenue deficit of Rs 22,957 crore in the 2026-27 budget as it had not released the grants due to the state. The state was deprived of Rs 11,495 crore grants, Rs 5,300 crore promised in the 2023-24 Union Budget, Rs 17,000 crore under Jal Jivan Mission, he said. The GST compensation too was stopped, he added.

He recalled that it was Sira’s (Tumakuru district) Ashraf Hussain who introduced him to the late Ahmed Patel who, in turn, introduced him to Sonia Gandhi that eventually led him to join Congress with eight JDS MLAs.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Former Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurates ‘MYHOPE – 2026 Conference on Mysore Hospital Operations and Patient Experience‘.

Former Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that Mysuru has all the potential to become a Tier-1 Good Quality City in Health Sector.

He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating ‘MYHOPE-2026 Conference on Mysore Hospital Operations and Patient Experience,’ themed  ‘Transforming Mysuru: From Traditional Care to Global Standards,’ organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mysuru Zone, at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in city this morning.

Gundu Rao, citing his own experience of reaching Mysuru from Bengaluru in merely two hours by road, said “Mysuru city has better transportation connectivity through road, rail and air. However, in Bengaluru, which witnesses heavy rush, it takes a minimum of two to three hours to reach a destination.”

The State Government is focusing more on health sector, by devising better plans and policies. A  sensitive and emotional sector that is, Mysuru has all the potential to become Tier-1 Good Quality City in Health Sector, with its myriad attractions like culture, tourism, heritage and yoga, to make it a health hub, he said.

“Moreover, Mysuru is attracting people in such a way that, some of my friends in Hyderabad sold their assets there and settled down in Mysuru city. Such is the peaceful atmosphere the city boasts of,” said Rao.

Unlike 2011, when the rate of urbanisation was recorded at 31% in Karnataka, it has now touched 50% and is expected to reach 70% in the future. Similar is the rate of urbanisation in Mysuru, with healthcare being the main attraction, with the existence of reputed hospital chains, both in public and private sector.

N.G. Bharateesha Reddy, Senior Vice-President, Rest of Karnataka, Apollo BGS Hospitals said, Mysuru is promoting organ donation in a big way, thus emerging as a Southern Healthcare Hub.

Dr. Chandrabhan Singh, President of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Mysuru Chapter said, with the invention of Artificial Intelligence (AI), newer technologies are being incorporated in the health sector. On the other hand, the Government should reform and address issues plaguing health sector.

Dr. B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, recalled that compared to when he shifted his base to Mysuru in 1980, the city now offers a strong healthcare eco system and healthcare sustainability, with healthcare becoming affordable.

Utsav Agarwal, Chairman, CII Mysuru Zone, Savitha Mallappa, Vice-Chairperson, CII Mysuru, Dr. G.R. Chandrashekar, President, Mysore Association of Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Clinics and Diagnostic Centres  (MAHAN) and others were present.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

The Karnataka government on Monday launched a state-owned, state-of-the-art centralized command and control centre to ensure the smooth operation and management of emergency ambulance services across the state.

The facility, inaugurated by chief minister Siddaramaiah, is an initiative announced in the 2025–26 state budget, officials stated.

They noted that this marks a transition from the previous public-private partnership model that had managed the 108 emergency ambulance service since 2008, moving towards a fully government-owned and operated system aimed at improving accountability, efficiency, and response times.

Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah emphasized that advanced technology-enabled ambulance services will now be available in all districts of the state, and the primary focus must be on reaching the public effectively.

“For the first time in the country, Karnataka has launched the 108 Arogya Kavacha Centralized Command and Control Centre for health services. In emergency situations, treatment must be provided rapidly. To that end, this centre will be highly instrumental in ensuring healthcare through an advanced model,” he said.

As announced in the 2025-26 budget, a dedicated system has now been established for the management of emergency ambulance services. Stressing the importance of the service reaching people effectively, he added that quality healthcare services from the government foster public trust.

The chief minister pointed out that when the 108 ambulance system was in private hands, it was difficult to ensure accountability effectively. However, with the system now under government control, accountability is expected to significantly improve.

According to an official statement, the Command and Control Centre integrates various emergency and public health platforms, creating a unified emergency response network. This includes the 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance services, 104 health helpline, 112 emergency response support system, Tele-Manas (14416), e-Sanjeevani, women’s helpline (181), and children’s helpline (1098).

The integrated system facilitates immediate coordination, GPS-based ambulance tracking, computer-aided dispatch, hospital mapping, and automated caller location detection, ensuring a swift emergency response.

The system also supports SMS alerts, digital patient records, and two-way communication between ambulances and the control centre, the statement added.

The CCC has been developed on the CDAC NG-ERSS V2.0 platform and is supported by a 50-seat call centre connected through the Karnataka State Data Centre (KSDC), Karnataka State Wide Area Network (KSWAN), and LAN infrastructure.

It utilizes SIP-enabled telephone services provided by BSNL and Airtel and relies on mobile data terminals installed in ambulances across all 31 districts.

Officials stated that the CCC will be headed by an executive director (IAS) and supported by teams managing operations, finance, and medical coordination, along with a programme management unit.

The system mandates rapid call response protocols, structured workflows, and comprehensive digital documentation to ensure strict monitoring of ambulance movement and overall service delivery, they added.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

 International cyclist and Ekalavya awardee Lokesh Narasimhachar of Mysuru has been appointed as the Coach (Technician) of National Cycling Team.

A 19-member cycling squad will be representing India in the upcoming Asian Mountain Bike Cycling Championship to be held in Tashkent at Uzbekistan from June 23 to 26.

Speaking to the Star of Mysore this morning, Lokesh Narasimhachar said, “It is proud moment for me to be appointed as coach of Indian Cycling Team. With 24 years of cycling and coaching experience, I will try my best to ensure maximum medals at the Championship.”

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

In the international sector, CSMIA retained the second spot as it handled 11,53,949 passengers and KIA handled 5,06,309 passengers.

The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has overtaken Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to become the second busiest airport in the country for domestic passengers.

According to data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), during the month of April, KIA handled 31,78,826 passengers whereas CSMIA handled 28,93,286 passengers.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport topped the domestic chart with 49,29,982 passengers. Mumbai lost the second spot as some of the domestic traffic shifted to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The Navi Mumbai International Airport handled 5,24,594 passengers.

In the international sector, CSMIA retained the second spot as it handled 11,53,949 passengers and KIA handled 5,06,309 passengers.

Delhi continues to be the busiest with 17,22,208 passengers. In April, Delhi handled an overall 66,52,190 passengers followed by Mumbai 40,47,235 passengers and KIA 36,85,135 passengers.

During pandemic

This is not the first time KIA has overtaken CSMIA, having bagged the second spot during the COVID-19 pandemic and also in 2025 for a brief period.

In terms of domestic aircraft movement, KIA handled 20,718 aircraft during April and Mumbai handled 19,281 aircraft. The Navi Mumbai International Airport handled 4,355 aircraft.

KIA is south India’s busiest airport and the third largest in the country and the airport recently completed 18 years of operations.

It reached a significant milestone in April, 2026, surpassing 400 million cumulative passengers since its opening in 2008. The airport operates non-stop flights to over 78 domestic and 34 international destinations.

On the domestic front Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune are the top domestic sectors. During the FY 2025–26 domestic networks saw additions to Navi Mumbai, Jaisalmer, Bidar, Silchar and Dimapur.

Phase-2 of second Terminal

The Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), operator of the KIA, is set to commence work on the second phase of Terminal-2 in another three or four months.

“The design for the project is ready. We have already awarded the contract. The work should start in three-four months from now and should be ready by the end of 2029 or early 2030,” Hari Marar, managing director and chief executive officer, BIAL. told The Hindu.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Mysore Quantum AI (MQA), a not-for-profit foundation and think tank dedicated to advancing Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence within the Mysuru ecosystem, was recently launched in the city.

An initiative by Excelsoft Technologies, the MQA is supported by Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), TiE Mysuru, SJCE-STEP and Young Indians among others.

“The Mysore Quantum AI is focused on creating a strong local ecosystem for practical experimentation, collaborative learning and responsible adoption of Quantum Computing and AI technologies. The initiative aims to bring together students, educators, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and industry professionals to learn, collaborate and engage with emerging technologies through workshops, technical sessions, study circles, project sprints, showcases and community-led learning initiatives,” noted a statement here on Monday.

The launch comes at a time when Karnataka is emerging as India’s quantum technology hub. The State’s ₹1,000 crore Karnataka Quantum Mission targets a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035, with significant investments planned in infrastructure, research and talent development.

“The Mysore Quantum AI is positioned to contribute to this wider mission by building quantum awareness and capability at the grassroots level in Mysuru,” the statement said.

Founding member, Mysore Quantum AI and Chief Innovation Officer, Excelsoft Technologies, Adarsh Sundhindra said, “Quantum Computing and artificial intelligence are expected to influence the next generation of computing systems, industrial technologies and advanced research.”

“The idea behind the MQA is to make these emerging technologies more approachable and accessible through practical learning and community participation. A large part of the current conversation around Quantum and AI is still concentrated within niche circles. We want to open this to a wider audience,” he said.

Through workshops, study circles, technical sessions and collaborative learning formats, the initiative aims to help learners, developers, students and professionals engage with these technologies in a more hands-on and application-oriented manner.

As part of its initial activities, the MQA recently conducted a session titled “Save 5 Hours Every Week with AI”, focused on practical AI workflows, prompting techniques and real-world use cases that participants could directly apply within their day-to-day work environments, the statement said.

The session also enabled discussions and collaborative exchanges around how AI can be integrated into professional workflows and practical applications across industries. The platform plans to conduct more such talks and sessions involving external experts, researchers, educators and ecosystem participants working across Quantum Computing, artificial intelligence and advanced technology domains.

The foundation has also commenced regular knowledge-sharing activities through weekly educational content, introductory sessions and discussions focused on Quantum Computing and artificial intelligence. Recent published resources include introductory pieces on the circuit model, quantum gates and the physical nature of qubits.

“In the coming months, the MQA will introduce in-person learning programmes and structured courses designed to provide practical exposure and deeper engagement with emerging technologies,” the statement said.

More information about the MQA is available at www.mysorequantumai.org and those who are interested in joining the community can check the website, the statement added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Mysuru girl Padmapriya Ramesh Kumar has won both Singles and Doubles of Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Under-16 Junior Ranking Tennis Tournament held at Agartala, Tripura, yesterday.

In the Finals, she beat No. 1 seeded player Niesha Enja from Telangana (6-4, 6-4).

In Semi-finals, she beat No. 7 seeded player Japji Jaur Badohal from Punjab (6-2, 6-1) and in  Quarterfinals, she beat No. 6 seeded player Prisha Nitin Patil from Maharashtra (6-2, 6-0).

She won the Doubles event with Arnavi Debnath from Assam. In Finals, they won against Avni Punaganti & Vaidehi Shinde (6-1, 6-2); in Semifinals against Krishika Gautam & Abhipsa Gogoi (6-1, 6-3) and in Quarterfinals against first seed Niesha  Enja & Bhavishya Kranti Bukkapuram (6-0, 6-3).

A student of Excel Public School, Mysuru, Padmapriya is trained by Coach Raghuveer Ponnusamy and Fitness Coaches Sagar and Dinakar.

With this win, Padmapriya is now India No. 1 (AITA ranking) and Asia No. 2 (ATF Ranking) in the Under-14 age category.

Padmapriya is the daughter of Dr. P. Ramesh Kumar, Director, Project Tiger and Dr. Malathi Priya, CCF, Chamarajanagar Circle.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)