Category: Uncategorized

The globally-renowned Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), a premier cancer treatment centre in India, run by the Karnataka government, has achieved a historic milestone by successfully completing 1,000 robotic surgeries.

Kidwai was among the first few government hospitals to adopt robotic technology and has integrated the advanced Da Vinci robotic surgical system, achieving this remarkable milestone.

Among government institutions, Kidwai stands out as one of the few offering robotic surgery facilities.

Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development and Livelihood, stated on Friday that Kidwai’s accomplishment of completing 1,000 robotic surgeries is commendable.

“The hospital offers world-class cancer treatment at no cost or at affordable rates to patients. Adopting innovative medical technologies has enabled Kidwai to deliver high-quality care promptly,” he stated.

Over the past nine years, the use of robotic technology has made 1,000 surgeries possible, marking a historic achievement.

“Kidwai remains at the forefront of patient care, establishing itself as a leading cancer treatment centre in India and globally. The institute’s efforts and achievements are noteworthy,” minister Patil underlined.

Under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme, the institution has emerged as the hospital providing the highest number of treatments.

Kidwai is also recognised as the only super-specialty hospital offering extensive inpatient care.

Additionally, it houses Karnataka’s sole bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit, where both allogenic and autologous bone marrow transplants have been successfully performed.

A separate committee has been established to reduce treatment costs for families lacking BPL benefits or facing financial constraints. Kidwai has also decided to offer cashless treatment for KSRTC employees.

Developed by the U.S.-based Institute for Surgical Research, the Da Vinci Surgical System is an advanced robotic technology and Da Vinci Xi, the latest version, has been implemented at Kidwai.

The system consists of three components: The surgeon console, the patient cart and the vision cart.

Using the patient cart, robotic arms are deployed to perform surgeries with precision. The surgeon operates the system via the console, guiding the robotic arms to make small incisions and perform intricate procedures with the help of steel rods.

All surgical data is recorded and displayed on the vision cart’s LED screen, ensuring accuracy and monitoring.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The main programme of the 76th Republic Day celebrations conducted by the district administration here on Sunday was marked by an impressive parade presented by the armed police.

The district in charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa reviewed the parade and addressed the gathering after which there was also a cultural programme by children from various schools.

The parade comprised platoons from the police, KSRP, home guards, excise, scouts, guides, etc. The first prize in the marchpast among the armed forces was won by the city armed reserve (CAR) police, while the second and third prizes went to Vijayanagar police and home guards respectively.

Among the unarmed participants, NCC (Arm) cadets won the first prize, followed by excise, and Fire Services.

In the school division, the first prize was won by Bharat Seva Dal (girls) led by Yashaswini, while Police Public School (boys) led by Rishiraj came second, and third place was bagged by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (girls) team led by M. Lekhana.

The parade commander D. Sharanappa, Reserve Police Inspector of Sasanuru, KARP, Mysuru, won a special prize. Members of the police band which played patriotic numbers received a round of applause and won special prizes. Visually challenged students, who took part in the parade, got a special prize.

There was a cultural presentation by way of group dance by students of Baden Powel Public School who highlighted unity in diversity in which 200 students regaled the public. This was followed by a presentation of patriotic songs by 250 students of Maharshi Public School and another 10-minute presentation of patriotic songs by 200 students of Pramathi Public School.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

This first-of-its-kind integration of SAR and optical imagery addresses critical needs across sectors, including defence, agriculture, and disaster response.

Space start-up GalaxEye on Thursday announced the successful deployment of its GLX-SQ payload aboard ISRO’s PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) platform which was launched on December 30, 2024.

Ground-breaking leap

The start-up said that this milestone marks a groundbreaking leap in space technology, as it features the world’s first-ever fusion of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imagery in orbit— a transformative achievement set to redefine remote sensing capabilities.

This first-of-its-kind integration of SAR and optical imagery addresses critical needs across sectors, including Defence, agriculture, and disaster response.

“By fusing these two technologies, the payload offers enhanced insights that go beyond the capabilities of traditional remote sensing methods. The ability to process and compress large volumes of data, converting analog signals into digital format in under 10 minutes, positions GalaxEye as a leader in delivering efficient, real-time solutions for real-world challenges,” it said.

Earth observation

Suyash Singh, CEO & co-founder of GalaxEye, said: “By fusing SAR and optical imagery in orbit, we’ve set a new benchmark for earth observation. This mission showcases our commitment to innovation and our ability to deliver fast, actionable insights for critical sectors like Defence, agriculture, and disaster response. It’s not just a technological milestone but the beginning of a journey to redefine the possibilities of remote sensing and space-based solutions.”

It added that GalaxEye is gearing up for Mission Drishti, a flagship multi-sensor satellite delivering all-weather, high-resolution imaging, reinforcing its reputation as a pioneer in shaping satellite technology for space exploration and practical earth applications.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

 Daiji Dubai, the forum of Konkani writers in the UAE after successfully celebrating its 25th anniversary with a grand event, ‘Daiji Rupyotsav’ at the Oud Metha Ballroom, Movenpick Hotel Dubai, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, is all set to make its silver jubilee celebration more colourful by organizing a equally grand event in Mangaluru on February 8 in St Sebastian Centenary Auditorium, Bendur at 5 pm.

‘Daiji Anniversary’, a high-profile and professionally managed entertainment programme, is considered as one of the prestigious Konkani events, patronized by a large audience every year in Dubai. It was a long pending wish of Daiji Dubai to celebrate its anniversary in Mangaluru and no better time will come than celebrating a mile stone of 25 years of existence. During the event, the Daiji Dubai Literary Award – 2025 will be presented to Fr Prashant Madtha a well-known Konkani writer and columnist.

The 25th anniversary celebration in Mangaluru promises to be bigger and better than ever. This evening also will be very special and ever remembering one with mesmerizing cultural sequences.The complete details will be out soon.

Dayan D’Souza Mukamar, convener of Daiji Dubai and Praveen Tauro Kulshekar, convenor of Daiji Dubai Mangaluru unit has earnestly requested the support of the Konkani community in Mangaluru through their presence and participation. Besides its cultural identity, ‘Daiji Dubai’ is also associated with many worthy social causes, motivating people and organizations worldwide.

Attendees are encouraged to mark their calendars and book seats with Daiji Members in Mangaluru to avoid last-minute disappointment. This is a free programme, hence all are requested to make sure to arrive on time to secure their seats.

About Daiji Dubai Literary Award – 2025 winner Fr Prashant Madtha

Born on September 6, 1947, in Sulia, Fr Prashant Madtha is a prolific writer with a literary career spanning over 40 years. He is the 11th of 13 children of Alexander and Magdalene Madtha. His body of work includes six books in Konkani, eight in Kannada, and two in English. His articles have been featured in prominent periodicals such as Raknno, Uzwad, Udayavani, Deccan Herald, and many other journals.

Fr Madtha gained immense popularity for his satirical and humorous columns such as Chakita Chitta, Kitalam, and Vally Padryab. In 2004, he published a dictionary containing 10,000 Konkani idioms through the Institute of Konkani.

Over the years, he has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Kannada Rajyotsava Award, Sandesha Award, Bahrain Konkani Kutaam Award, and the Indian Catholic Press Association Award, among others. In 2008, India Today recognized him as one of the ‘50 Pioneers of Change in India’.

Fr Prashant Madtha’s contributions to Konkani literature extend beyond creative writing. He has significantly contributed to the growth of Konkani culture and literature through roles as a publisher, editor, and researcher and his involvement in dictionary projects.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

 A little educated woman dairy farmer of a village in Pandavapura taluk, Mandya district, has brought laurels to the State by bagging ‘Best Dairy Farmer’ Award at the South India Dairy Conclave held under the aegis of Indian Dairy Association, Southern Zone, at Bengaluru recently.

Mangalamma, wife of Mahadevappa of Dinka village in Pandavapura taluk, is the achiever.

Mangalamma, who along with agriculture, began rearing cattle with a single cow 20 years ago, now owns a Dairy Farm with more than 30 cows in her 2-acre land at Dinka, which speaks about her growth in dairy farming.

Mangalamma, who became a member of Dinka Milk Producers Co-operative Union, supplied 1,01,915 litres of milk in 2024, earning a gross revenue of Rs. 33 lakh.

In recognition of her achievement as a dairy farmer, the Indian Dairy Association awarded her the ‘Best Dairy Farmer’ Award at the Conclave, which was attended by Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh among others.

Apart from Mangalamma of Karnataka, Naveena Kumari of Andhra Pradesh, Vidhu Rajeev from Kerala and Lakshadweep, Pudhari Gangavva from Telangana and Selvanayaki from Puducherry got the award, from their respective States.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

City gets the fifth United States Consulate in India after Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

The United States opened a consulate in Bengaluru on Friday. However, it will not immediately offer visa services and will take some time to start full consular services.

U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti, along with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, dedicated the site of the consulate, which will become the fifth in India, after Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The consulate is temporarily located at the JW Marriott Hotel on Vittal Mallya Road.

Visa services

Initially, consular services will continue to be performed at the consulate in Chennai and other U.S. diplomatic posts in India. Mr. Garcetti said, “Visa services will not be offered at the beginning, but we will work on that to bring visas as soon as possible.’‘

According to him, the consulate will expand on the U.S. government’s more than 30-year presence in Bengaluru by increasing diplomatic engagement on economic and political issues, conducting public diplomacy and people-to-people engagements, and augmenting existing U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service capabilities.

Mr. Garcetti said, “Our relationship truly extends from the seabed to the stars, and nowhere is that truer than here in Bengaluru. The innovation and entrepreneurship of this state – from semiconductors to space – is matched only by Silicon Valley in my home state of California.’‘

Bilateral ties

Expressing optimism about the future of the bilateral relationship, Mr. Jaishankar said, “I see a great future for India and the United States, and I think, in that future, obviously Bengaluru will also have a salient part.” The Minister said it was a very important milestone in the bilateral ties and urged the US administration to ensure that the mission starts visa operations at the earliest.

He also promised to open an Indian diplomatic mission in Los Angeles. ‘’This will be my number one talking point with Secretary Rubio when I see him. The sooner we get it done, the better it is,’‘ he said.

According to the Minister, the Regional Passport Office in Bengaluru issued 8,83,000 passports in just one year. “Do the math, you will see how important it is to ensure a smooth travel.’‘

On increased collaboration between the U.S. and India, he further said two decades ago, there were virtually no American weapons in the Indian inventory and very little defence collaboration. “Today, we fly the C-17s, the C-130Js, the Chinooks and the Apaches.” The minister also said India has about 3,50,000 students in the U.S. and a diaspora of five million people, building a powerful case for the U.S. to get around to issuing visas from Bengaluru as early as possible.

Symbol of ties

Speaking at the event, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said, ‘‘This is not just an opening of the diplomatic mission, but a powerful symbol of the ties between the United States and India, particularly with Karnataka, a state that has been long at the heart of India’s growth and innovation.”

He further said the U.S. consulate site in the city was a testament to the growing global importance of Bengaluru and Karnataka. ‘‘The proposal for a U.S consulate in the city dates back to S.M Krishna, former Chief Minister and External Affairs Minister, who took up the matter with Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Many have chased this case since then.”

Bengaluru is the sister city of San Francisco, California, and Cleveland, Ohio, and a key link with U.S. defence, technology, and aerospace companies. According to the U.S. mission in India, the U.S. government first established an office in Bengaluru in 1993, opening its commercial service post.

Diplomatic mission in Los Angeles

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar promised to open an Indian diplomatic mission in Los Angeles, which he would discuss with Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, US. ‘’This will be my number one talking point with Secretary Rubio when I see him. The sooner we get it done, the better it is,’‘ he said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

German and Indian governments have entered into a strategic partnership to launch a groundbreaking initiative in India focusing on Gender in Green Mobility and Smart Urban Freight.

In a step towards promoting safer and more inclusive travel options for women, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) held a meeting on Thursday with representatives from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, a German development agency funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The meeting focused on designing shared, electric, and connected micro-mobility solutions to improve gender inclusion and advance green mobility in BMTC’s services.

BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran R. said, “The German and Indian governments have entered into a strategic partnership to launch a groundbreaking initiative in India focusing on Gender in Green Mobility (GiGM) and Smart Urban Freight. This initiative, which underscores the importance of sustainable and inclusive urban mobility, is slated to commence in June 2025.”

The project, which will be designed and implemented by GIZ GmbH, was commissioned by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). According to BMTC, the initiative aims to tackle critical challenges at the intersection of gender and sustainable urban mobility while also enhancing the efficiency of urban freight systems.

The preparatory phase, led by GIZ, includes comprehensive fact-finding activities to understand the current urban mobility landscape, challenges, and opportunities with a gender-sensitive approach. Gender mainstreaming, a policy-making method that considers the needs of both men and women, will be central to the project’s design and execution.

GIZ will engage with various stakeholders and agencies in Bengaluru to promote inclusive urban mobility. The objectives include integrating gender perspectives into urban transport planning, improving accessibility and safety for women and vulnerable groups, and developing smart urban freight solutions to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

“By addressing gender-specific challenges and promoting green mobility, the initiative aims to ensure safer, equitable, and environmentally sustainable transport solutions for Bengaluru,” Mr Ramachandran added.

The Karnataka government has already introduced the Shakti scheme, offering free bus travel for women on state-run buses. In addition, the BMTC has launched the Namma BMTC app, developed with funding from the Government of India under the Nirbhaya Scheme. This initiative incorporates women’s safety features, an in-bus surveillance system for city buses, and a Passenger Information System (PIS) at bus stops and stations.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

27 students bag 69 gold medals; 540 students to receive degrees

Mysuru: Veteran theatre and cine actor Girija Lokesh,  Music Composer-actor Sadhu Kokila and former Rangayana Director C. Basavalingaiah are among nine personalities who will be conferred with Hon. Doctorates during the seventh, eighth and ninth annual convocation of Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University on Jan. 18 at the University premises here at 3 pm, said Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nagesh V. Bettakote, here this morning.

Addressing media persons at Music Varsity premises on JLB Road,  he said that Governor and Chancellor of the University Thaawarchand Gehlot would preside over the convocation ceremony while Minister for Higher Education Dr. M.C. Sudhakar will be present.

Prof. Srinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University, will deliver the convocation address.

The nine personalities, who will be conferred with Hon. Doctorates in recognition of their contributions in the field of fine arts are as follows:

2021-22: Sathyanarayana Raju (Indian Classical Dance), C. Cheluvaraju (Mridanga – Percussion) and Girija Lokesh (Theatre artiste).

2022-23: Sandya Purecha (Indian Classical Dance), M.R. Sathyanarayana (Gamaka) and Sadhu Kokila (Performing Arts).

2023-24: Veena Murthy Vijay (Indian Dance), Pushpa Srinivasan (Karnatak Music) and former Rangayana Director C. Basavalingaiah (Theatre).

In total, 540 students will be presented with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and nine candidates will be awarded D.Litt. degrees combining all three academic years. The convocation will also witness 27 students being awarded with a total of 69 gold medals —22 gold medals for 2021-22; 24 gold medals for 2022-23 and 23 gold medals for 2023-24 academic years. 

Music Varsity Registrar (Evaluation) M.G. Manjunath was present at the press meet.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

According to the Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) survey, Bengaluru’s dynamic economic environment solidified its position as the most supportive city for women professionals in India.

Bengaluru has emerged as the best city in India for working women in the latest Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) survey conducted by Avtar Group. The survey, which ranks cities based on gender inclusivity, safety, infrastructure and employment opportunities, places Bengaluru at the top, surpassing Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune.

The IT capital scored exceptionally high in skilling and employment for women, caregiving support and infrastructure. These factors, combined with its dynamic economic environment, have solidified its position as the most inclusive and supportive city for women professionals in India.

What makes Bengaluru stand out?

According to the report, Bengaluru’s appeal lies in its combination of economic opportunities, social inclusion and infrastructure development. The city received strong ratings in the Citizen Experience Score (CES), which measures women’s perceptions of six key pillars:

• Skilling and employment opportunities: Bengaluru scored 7.54, only slightly behind Mumbai (7.60) and Gurgaon (7.68). Women professionals acknowledged the city’s vibrant job market, particularly in technology, startups and innovation sectors.

. Infrastructure: Bengaluru scored 7.52 for infrastructure, driven by its growing public transport system and the rise of co-working spaces that cater to women. Meanwhile, Hyderabad topped the infrastructure ranking with a score of 8.01, thanks to its well-connected public transport and travel amenities. Mumbai (7.64) also scored high. Coimbatore (7.75) and Kochi (7.41) were top among smaller cities.

• Caregiving support: The city has seen an increase in childcare facilities, parental leave policies and flexible work arrangements, enabling women to balance work and family responsibilities.

• Safety: Despite its top ranking, the survey highlights areas where Bengaluru can improve, particularly in safety, where the city scored 6.17, lower than Mumbai (7.19) and Thiruvananthapuram (7.43). The women surveyed expressed concerns about public safety at night and the need for better-lit streets and enhanced police presence in certain areas.

• Governance: Thiruvananthapuram (8.15) and Pune (7.06) received top scores for effective governance. However, Gurgaon (6.48) lagged due to inefficiencies in administrative processes.

• Quality of life: The report also showed that Coimbatore (7.54), Pune (7.50) and Chennai (7.05) emerged as the cities offering the best quality of life. Environmental challenges pushed Gurgaon to a lower score of 6.34.

The southern part of the country emerged as the most inclusive region, as per the survey, scoring comparatively higher in both social and industrial inclusion. The average city inclusion score of the South is 18.56. It is followed by the West (16.92). The Central and East regions lag, with averages of 11.79 and 10.55, respectively as a result of limited industrial development and opportunities.

The average city inclusion score of the North is 14.00. It is worth noting that while the industrial inclusion scores of northern cities like Delhi and Gurgaon are high, there is scope for improvement in their social inclusion scores.

Dr Saundarya Rajesh, founder-president of Avtar Group, said that cities, being the foundations of opportunity, shape how women live, work, and thrive. “So, a clear understanding of the core principles and cultural fabric of our cities is crucial for advancing women’s progress and inclusion. Avtar’s annual index ‘Top Cities for Women in India” does precisely that, using a data-centric and evidence-based approach,” she explained.

“To realise our dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, we need the Indian women professionals to succeed on par with men. This is possible only if cities are truly gender-inclusive and offer an atmosphere where women’s strengths can be optimised,” she added.

This, Dr Rajesh said, entails not only providing safe streets, accessible healthcare and education and affordable living to women, “but also competitive avenues for women’s economic success and opportunities for them to thrive as business leaders. Let’s invest in women-led projects and optimize women’s lives and careers.”

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

Games24x7, today announced the cohort for its ongoing accelerator programme, TechXpedite, featuring 17 promising start-ups from across the country including six from Bengaluru.

Launched in Bengaluru in October 2024, TechXpedite has received an overwhelming response, with more than 330 start-ups applying across three focus categories: gaming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and impact-driven inclusive technology. From this impressive pool, 17 promising start-ups have been selected for an intensive accelerator programme, designed to accelerate their growth and market impact.

According to a press release, six of the selected start-ups in the AI category are from Karnataka, reflecting the vibrant and booming entrepreneurial spirit in the state. These are Arficus, Cairovision, Chittoo.com, Noha.ai, Spoda and Zeuron.ai.

Dr. Ekroop Caur, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and S&T, Government of Karnataka, said, “We remain committed to supporting initiatives that drive technological advancements and foster sustainable economic growth—not just within the state, but across the country.”

The selected start-ups are now participating in a structured mentorship programme where they will interact with industry leaders, venture capitalists, and domain experts to address challenges and refine their products and solutions.

TechXpedite offers start-ups a comprehensive support ecosystem, including masterclasses, networking opportunities, guidance from industry experts, and credits worth over U.S. $500,000 from more than 30 technology partners.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)