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The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has announced the recipients of its prestigious honorary awards and book awards for the year 2025, recognizing eminent personalities for their significant contributions to Konkani literature, art, and folklore. The award presentation ceremony will be held on April 26, at 5 pm at the Udyavar Church premises, Udupi.

Joachim Stany Alvares, president, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, addressing the press conference held on April 23 at Udupi Press Club, said, “Minister for backward classes welfare and Kannada & culture, Shivraj S Tangadagi, will inaugurate the programme. The event will be presided over by academy president Joachim Stany Alvares. Kaup MLA Suresh Shetty Gurme and Apostolic administration.

Briefing about the awards, Joachim Stany Alvares, stated, the 2025 Honorary Awards will be conferred on Ron Roche Cascia for Konkani literature, Ramadas Dattatreya Gulvady for Konkani art, and Sairu (Muralidhar) Putthu Naik for Konkani Folklore.

The Book Awards for 2025 have been announced for Andrew L D’Cunha for his poetry work “Ujwadache Vengenth”, Roshan Melki Sequeira for the essay collection “Konkani Circus”, and Richard Alvares for the short story collection “Fithuri.”

The ceremony will also feature a range of cultural programmes, including traditional dances of the Kharvi, Siddhi, and Kudubi communities, a brass band performance, and a Konkani musical evening.

The press conference was attended by Naveen Lobo, member; Prakash Noronha, Parichay Pambur Organisation; Steven Colaco, Nirantar Udyavar Organisation; Melvin Noronha, vice president, Udyavar Church and Wilfred D’Souza, secretary, Udyavar Church.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

 In a landmark achievement for Karnataka, K S Somashekhar from Kolar district has been appointed as secretary in the Rajya Sabha secretariat, becoming the first Kannadiga to occupy the prestigious post.

Describing the position as one of immense responsibility, Somashekhar expressed gratitude for the opportunity. He told The New Indian Express that he would always remember the guidance of H Hanumanthappa in helping him prepare for the secretariat examination, and the support extended by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda throughout his career.

Somashekhar hails from Neelaturu, a small mango-growing village in Srinivasapura taluk of Kolar district. He completed his schooling at a government school in Ronur before graduating from Government College, Kolar.

He went on to earn a PhD from Kuvempu University, where he undertook a comparative study on farmers’ distress. In addition, he holds MPhil and MA (Literature) degrees and began his professional journey as a guest lecturer in Chintamani.

After clearing the secretariat examination, he entered government service and went on to hold several key positions. These include serving as deputy resident commissioner at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, joint director (administration) in the Department of Information Technology, and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the deputy chief minister of Karnataka during 2018–19.

Fluent in English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil, Somashekhar noted that his bond with his mother tongue Kannada remains strong.

Looking ahead, he said he hopes to return to his native village after retirement, focus on agriculture, and engage in teaching activities for the younger generation, following in the footsteps of his father, a retired government school teacher.

He added that his wife is a railway officer, his daughter is pursuing medical education, and his son has completed a law degree.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

A new comic book by the Indian Institute of Science and comic book publisher Amar Chitra Katha brings the former’s century-old legacy to life, making science engaging and accessible to young readers.

Standing tall in one corner of the Garden City, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in CV Raman Road tells a century-long story of science in the city. Now, a new comic on the institute brings alive its journey from vision to institution, tracing how its founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata’s idea grew into one of India’s foremost centres for scientific research. Created in collaboration with comic book publisher Amar Chitra Katha (ACK), the book, The Crucible of Indian Science: The Story of IISc, (₹100), has been published in English, Kannada and Hindi, with the aim to make IISc’s legacy accessible to younger readers.

“The comic traces the origins of the Institute – from JN Tata seeding the idea to receiving support from the Mysore royal family to opening its doors to students in 1911,” says Kaushal Verma, dean, Division of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Chair, Office of Communications at IISc. He further adds, “It also highlights the contributions that IISc has made towards building the nation, nurturing scientific and engineering leaders, and contributing to key scientific discoveries over the course of a century.”

But the collaboration with ACK was a deliberate choice. “It is a cultural icon that has touched several generations of Indians and readers around the world. We felt that ACK would be a powerful medium to connect with the wider public,” he explains, adding that the publishing house readily agreed to the partnership.

What sets the comic apart is its attempt to condense a vast institutional history into an engaging, visual narrative. In its more than a century-old history, IISc has stood as a hallmark of nation-building, discoveries and innovation. This rich history is not well known to all,” Verma notes, adding, “To make it accessible, especially for children and young adults, and to popularise Indian science, we have brought out this comic book.”

The project, involving faculty members, IISc Press and the Office of Communications, took over two years to complete. “Capturing this breadth within the limits of a concise narrative has been our greatest challenge,” he remembers. But at its core, the book is all about encouraging greater interest in scientific thinking.

In an increasingly digital world, where most kids are glued to screens, Verma believes comics still hold their ground irrespective of the internet boom. “Storytelling through comic books makes learning more engaging by combining narrative with visuals; it stays in their memories for longer,” he says, calling it a simple, enjoyable reading experience that continues to resonate.

(To order the book, email: office.ooc@iisc.ac.in)

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The Karnataka Kalashree awardees —

B. Omkar Murthy (Owner, Omkar Studio, Bengaluru), Nanjunda Rao (Art Critic, Bengaluru), D. Ashwath Kadamba (Theatre Artiste, Mysuru) and K.J. Narayana Kikkeri (Theatre Artiste, Mysuru).

With Vidu. Meenal Girish, Vidu. N. Sindhu, Mysore Ranganath, Dr. Jamunarani Mirle, Dr. Malathy, Journalist Amshi Prasanna Kumar, Karnataka Kalashree Dr. K. Kumar, theatre person Rajashekar Kadamba, Kalaimamani Dr. Sangeetha Kabilan, Vidu. Yashaswini, Rishita, Preethi and K.M. Nidhi, during the 71st International Nirantara Kalemane Festival organised by Kumar Performing Arts Centre (KPAC), Mysuru, at its Kalemane Sabhaangana in Hebbal on Apr. 19.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

The exhibition was conceived by Shreni Sanghvi and Abhishek Kapahi. It will run till September 1.

 Bengaluru-originated community ecologist Dr. Meghna Krishnadas, from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), has spent about a decade of her life studying the Western Ghats, and how fragmentation of the tropical rainforests in the region has impacted the ecosystems therein. Conceived by Shreni Sanghvi and Abhishek Kapahi, Science Gallery Bengaluru’s (SGB) new exhibition Walk Into a Fragmented Forest, which is set to run till September 17, utilises Krishnadas’ work to inform the general public about fragmentation, and the myriad ways it can occur, often inconspicuous to the common gaze.

Central to Krishnadas’ work is the phenomenon of forest fragmentation causing a loss in biodiversity and ecosystemic imbalance. If a highway cuts through a forest, for example, it essentially allows for a break in the forest canopy. This, in turn, causes a disbalance of sunlight dissipation: instead of the canopy allowing for sunlight to be dispersed evenly in flecks, there would be an open swathe of sunlight cutting through the forests. Now, instead of fair and diverse “competition” between plant species, only species that are light-hungry or light-tolerant would grow, creating what is called a monoculture. Sanghvi and Kapahi’s installation depicts this dissection – and consequent fragmentation – through light installations on the ground: within the periphery lies plurality, and outside it, homogeneity.

Krishnadas alluded to the far-reaching consequences that fragmentation can have, by alluding to the Amazon Rainforest being fragmented, which in turn is affecting the local climate there. “These systems have been large swathes with very little light. And when you fragment it, you’re suddenly changing those circumstances. 
You’re flipping things around, and you’re bringing in abiotic conditions that these species may not have experienced before. So the goal as scientists is to understand what happens if the rules are changed,” said Krishnadas, adding that while a change like what is happening in the Amazon Rainforest has not been noted yet in the Western Ghats, it is very likely to occur.

As aforementioned, both in the animal and plant kingdoms, monocultures come at the cost of diversity. Despite appearances, not all of fragmentation comes in brutal forms like highway constructions; agricultural practices that involve clearing out a patch of forest to grow a certain crop – tea or coffee, the latter of which is grown abundantly in the Western Ghats, for example – are also practices that by definition erect monocultures. While this has the image of Carbon neutrality, what is lost in the process is biodiversity. “A forest or a natural ecosystem is multi-species. Yes, you’re replacing it with plants, but the main thing is you’re probably replacing 50 species with a single one. That has consequences. There is no food anymore for all of the other organisms that depended on the eroded species. So there are some changes that are very visible and obvious, and there are other invisible changes that happen even if, you know, agriculture is just plants,” Krishnadas explained.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

More than 200 litres donated by 65 mothers, aiding NICUs across the city and improving outcomes for vulnerable infants.

Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH) marked the first anniversary of its Human Milk Bank, celebrating a milestone in strengthening newborn care in the city, addressing the critical need in ensuring access to safe donor human milk for vulnerable infants.

Over the past year, 65 mothers have donated more than 200 litres of milk, benefiting over 155 small and sick newborns, with the numbers continuing to grow. Its impact has extended beyond the hospital, supporting more than 20 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) across Bengaluru.

“Human milk banks play a pivotal role in improving outcomes for preterm and low birth weight infants at heightened risk of infections and complications. Access to pasteurised donor human milk is known to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity, aligning with global recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and national priorities set by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)”, said Director & CEO Dr Spurgeon.

He said that any mother can donate her excess milk. This simple act can make a meaningful difference to small, sick newborns admitted to NICUs. For enquiries and donor participation contact 94831 30743.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The Labour Party of North Wales in the United Kingdom has nominated Rajeev Metri, a senior cardiology nurse, for the parliamentary polls from the Wales region.

Mr. Metri hails from Daddi village in Hukkeri taluk of Belagavi district. He was earlier elected as a Councillor in Bodelwyddan town in North Wales, United Kingdom.

His family members said that he is first person from Karnataka to be elected to such a public office in North Wales.

Mr. Metri migrated to the U.K. in 2001. He entered frontline healthcare work with the National Health Service and is now the manager of the health and safety team.

He joined the Labour Party in 2019 and is contesting the 2026 Senedd elections from the Clwyd region under Welsh Labour.

He previously served as a Councillor for Bodelwyddan town and currently represents the Northwell Ward in Luton Borough Council, England.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

City’s M. Rishitha set a new national record in the 200 mts run at the 10th National Deaf Sub Junior and Junior and 27th National Deaf Senior Sports Championship 2025-26 organised by All India Sports Council for the Deaf at Gujarat University Ground, Ahmedabad recently.

Rishitha clocked 24.81 sec. to set the new national record. She also won the gold medal in the 100 mts sprint with a timing of 13 sec. Earlier, in the State Meet held at Marikamba Stadium, Sirsi, Rishitha won gold medals in 100 mts (13.2 sec) and 200 mts (28.5 sec). 

Currently, she is trained under Radesh, Head Coach, Team Optimum at Chamundi Vihar Stadium in Mysuru. A I PUC student at Sri Jayachamaraja PU College, Rishitha is the daughter of H.S. Darshini and T.C. Manjunatha couple of J.P. Nagar.

source/content: starofmysor.com (headline edited)

For the visually impaired students of Kalyana Karnataka, Braille Resource Centre at the Central Library of the Central University in Kalaburagi is a boon, as the unit is helping them to become self-reliant.

Braille Resource Center at the Central Library of the Central University at Kadaganchi village in Kalaburagi has opened a new world for research scholars like Shrikant and Panyan Sai Vinayak. Shrikant, a student at Department of Kannada, and Vinayak, a student at the Department of Linguistics, say the has given them new sight.

Deepa, a Second Division Assistant (SDA) at Bengaluru Rural Court, says the Braille Resource Center has helped her complete her bachelor’s degree. “CUK helped me in completing my graduation though I am blind. The Center not only provided the necessary study materials in Braille script, the teachers at the CUK helped me in studying the material and to appear for the exam,” she says.

The Center was set up after the initiatives of then Vice-Chancellor of Central University, the late Prof. M Maheshwaraiah, and Librarian of the Central Library of the Central University, Prof. PS Kattimani.

Kattimani and Maheshwaraiah used to visit Pandit Puttaraj Gawai’s Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama in Gadag frequently where they realized the struggles of the visually impaired in learning.

The Braille Resource Center was inaugurated by the then Chancellor of Central University of Karnataka, Prof. NR Shetty on October 28, 2018.

The objectives of the Center are to facilitate higher education of visually-challenged students by providing assistive technology to make them self-reliant and independent.

The Center also provides a resource ground for teachers and educationists to enhance their capacity to deal with students with visual disabilities.

Another objective of the Center is to create awareness among employers about possibilities of the students with visual disabilities if they are provided with assistive devices/software at workplace.

The Center also aims to facilitate their employability by providing a common platform for the visually challenged students and the corporate sector.

The Center also organises workshops and seminars for teachers to handle visually challenged students with hands on experience, etc.

At present the Center has basic facilities to serve the needy with ambition of having the best assistive technologies available for its visually challenged students with disability such as blindness and low vision studying in its post-graduate departments and to serve the student community.

The University intends to reach out to its visually impaired students to help them in higher education and enter the mainstream of society with self-confidence and dignity.

Gopal Dixit, Assistant Registrar, Central Library of CUK, used to provide technical support for converting regular text into Braille books and audio-books. Dixit said that the Centre has bought a Braille Index Basic-D V5 Braille Embosser, Lex Instant Reader and Scanner, NVDA audio software, and OCR Horizon (Multilingual) software. At the Center, regular text is converted into Braille and printed.

The Central Library of CUK has made books in various languages available in Braille and provides them free to the needy. In addition to Braille books, the library converts the same texts into MP3 format to create audio books using OCR Horizon software.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Battu Satyanarayana, said the university would continue the services to the visually impaired students across Kalyana Karnataka. The Center is in the process of signing MoUs with NGOs to expand services to the blind, Dixit said.

The library has conducted two workshops and trained 80 visually impaired students from Kalaburagi in association with the National Federation of the Blind (NBF), Bengaluru, and Enable India, Bengaluru. Most recently, it organised a one-day workshop titled ‘Vision Beyond Sight: Empowering the Visually Impaired’ in collaboration with Nava Kalyana Jyoti Janapara Vedike. This event trained 75 visually impaired students, with Prof. Kiran KT as the key resource person. He provided hands-on training, demonstrating how to listen to audio books, practice Braille reading, and addressing participants’ doubts.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

In an inspiring academic achievement a rural student from Chikkamagaluru Rishal Tauro has secured a gold medal in Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning bringing pride to her family and native region.

Hailing from Koove village in Mudigere taluk, Rishal completed his engineering degree at Srinivas University Institute of Engineering and Technology in Mangaluru. Her academic excellence was celebrated by members of the Tauro family who organised a felicitation programme in her honour.

The event was graced by chief guest Raymond D’Cunha Takode, president of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnataka and a senior multilingual writer and journalist.

Speaking on the occasion he stressed the importance of encouraging young achievers and urged students to use their education for the upliftment of underprivileged sections of society.

He further said that students who receive quality education should not focus solely on personal success but also contribute towards improving the lives of people in their native regions who continue to face economic and social challenges.

The programme was presided over by John Tauro, a senior member of the Tauro family while Stany Tauro vice-president of the State Teachers’ Union organised the event.

Among those present on the dais were Raymond D’Cunha Takode, John Tauro, Stany Tauro, gold medallist Rishal Tauro, her father Joseph Tavro and grandfather Antony Walder.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)