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The International Conference on Translational Research and Application of Biophotonics (ICTRB 2023) organized by the Manipal OPTICA Student Chapter of Manipal School of Life Sciences (MSLS), MAHE, Manipal, was inaugurated at MSLS on August 4 by Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, vice chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and Dr Fu-Jen Kao, distinguished professor from National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, in the presence of Dr B S Satish Rao, director of research, MAHE and director of MSLS, MAHE.

The dignitaries declared the conference open by a symbolic lighting of lamp, followed by unveiling of the ‘Abstract Corpus’ by Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh which encompasses the diverse perspectives that ICTRB 2023 aims to explore and promote. In his inaugural address, he encouraged the attendees to capitalize on this unique opportunity, highlighting the presence of esteemed speakers who are contributing their insights to the conference.

Prof Fu-Jen Kao, released the ‘OPTICA Compendium’, a comprehensive journey of the Manipal OPTICA Student Chapter. He delivered an enlightening address, emphasizing the pivotal role of international collaboration in advancing biophotonics research and applications. Earlier, Dr K K Mahato, professor and head of the department of biophysics, MSLS welcomed the delegates. Dr Nirmal Mazumder, assistant professor, Department of Biophysics, MSLS proposed the vote of the thanks.

The conference runs until August 5 bringing together leading researchers, scholars, and experts around the globe in a platform engaging the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences, fostering collaborations and innovation in the scientific fields under the broad umbrella of biophotonics.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Highly skilled Udupi saree weaver, Sanjeeva Shettigar of Talipady Weavers Society has received state level award (second place) for his excellency in cotton saree weaving.

Shettigar is one among the only ten 80 count Udupi Saree weavers in two districts. Shettigar weaves beautiful buttas by hand in 80 count Udupi Saree.

He was the first in the history of Udupi Saree to weave natural dyed 80 count Udupi Saree. He is the first to try Udupi Saree with ikat design, reintroduced after the break of 20 years by Kadike Trust at Talipady with the support of ikat designer Gopinath Shettigar.

He has many extra ordinary skills in weaving and allied pre-loom works. The piecing process (joining two warps) he does using one hand is a unique skill and is a joy to watch.

A cheerful person who is ever ready to transfer his amazing skills to youngsters, is a favourite among the trainees.

He is one of the comeback weavers who came back to Talipady weavers Society after the revival project by Kadike Trust.

At this age, he can weave both traditional and contemporary sarees coordinating the colour according to the design and demand. In a single warp, he can create multiple design sarees.

The award will be conferred during the Handloom Day celebrations on August 7 in Bengaluru.

NIVEDI has emerged as a leading institution in the field of veterinary epidemiology, not just within the country, but also on the global stage.

There is an increased focus on zoonotic diseases in the last one decade with widespread destruction of forests — a major contributor to global warming — and increased incidences of human-animal proximity and conflicts. The Covid-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, which has been classified as a zoonotic disease, has brought to fore the deadly impact of emerging infectious diseases of probable animal origin. 

Besides zoonosis, animals, including livestock diseases, pose a grave threat to the economy. “In the last three years, lumpy skin disease (LSD) has claimed over two lakh cattle heads in 30 lakh reported cases in the country. Similarly, African swine fever (ASF), entered India from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in 2020. It has now spread up to Kerala and Karnataka. ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, whose mortality rate can reach 100 per cent,” said Dr BR Gulati, director, ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI).

NIVEDI has emerged as a leading institution in the field of veterinary epidemiology, not just within the country, but also on the global stage. “We have an animal disease database of the country and provide valuable policy inputs related to animal health to state and central governments,” he added.

The institute is actively involved in ongoing flagship national animal disease control programmes of major livestock diseases such as foot and mouth diseases (FMD), brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats, classical swine fever or hog cholera (CSF) as well as LSD in bovines and ASF in pigs. Brucellosis is a bacterial disease, which mainly infect cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs. Humans generally acquire the disease through direct contact with infected animals, by eating or drinking contaminated animal products or by inhaling airborne agents.

NIVEDI is celebrating its foundation day on July 1 marking a significant milestone in its journey towards excellence in veterinary epidemiology and disease informatics. “By harnessing the power of data, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the institute aims to continue making significant contributions to the field, promoting animal health, and improving the livelihoods of farmers and livestock owners,” said Gulati. Member, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, New Delhi, SP Kimoti, will be the chief guest on the occasion.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Dr Rashmi Ammemba was selected as the founding president of Karnataka Community radio Centers association.

The association had begun functioning in various districts of the Karnataka state from 2007. The formation of the state level association and the selection of the state office bearers was held recently in Bengaluru.

Dr Rashmi Ammembala, head of Community radio center of ‘Radio Manipal’ was elected unanimously. The other elected members were Sivashankaraswamy of Budikote ‘Nammadhwani’ as honorary president, Saibabu of ‘Kalike’ as vice president, Bharat B Badiger of Bagalkote BEC Voice as secretary, Ningaraju of ‘Janadhvani’ as joint secretary, Ramya of ‘Radio Active’ as treasurer.

Shivaji Ganesan of ‘Radio Siddhartha’, Dr Shivaraj Shastri of ‘Antarvani’, Shamanta DS of ‘Sarathi Jhalak’, Guruprasad of ‘Radio Shimoga’, VK Kadaba of ‘Radio Ninada’, Abhishek of ‘Radio Sarang’, Ananth of ‘Raman Dhwani’, Ravindra Kavataker of ‘KL E Dhwani, Manjunath of ‘Venudhwani’, Surekha Sankanagoudar of ‘Krishi Radio’, Panduranga Vitthal of ‘Jnanadhwani,

Shivakumar of ‘JSS radio’, Kiran Chaugala of ‘Nammura Banuli’, Varun Kanjarpane of ‘Namma nadi’, Tejaswini of ‘Radio Panchajanya’, Devendra of ‘Radio Manasa’, Noor Ahmed of ‘Sahkar Radio’ and Dr Shivalingaiah of ‘Neladani’ were selected as Executive Committee Member.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The first Indian superintendent of Lalbagh, he was crucial in Bengaluru earning the ‘garden city’ title.

Sharmila Bhaktaram from Bengaluru remembers how she, as a kid, used to go to school with exotic Magnolia flowers which her friends would watch with awe.

“Back then they were still rare. But we as kids, while growing up, had all the possible fruits which we could grow and exotic plants such as magnolia planted in our yard.”

For this, Ms. Bhaktaram thanks her grandfather, whose name is etched in the memory of Bengaluru, and all of India’s horticultural history. None other than Rao Bahadur H. C. Javaraya, he was the first Indian superintendent of Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, and the brain behind the fruit research station in Hesaraghatta which later became the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research.

Keeping the memory alive

Named by Gustav Krumbiegal as his worthy successor at the age of 30, Javaraya took forward the former’s vision of the city as a garden, and played a crucial role in earning Bengaluru the moniker ‘garden city.’ While the name has stuck around, the city has changed much since then. Green spaces have been giving way to concrete structures, and many of the smaller gardens are no more maintained.

As the city chokes, keeping the memory of Javaraya and his works alive has become all the more important. With this aim, a film screening, and book discussion on him is being organised by his grandchildren – Harish Padmanabha, Dr. Vivek Bhaktaram, and Sharmila Bhaktaram – on Saturday at the Indian Institute of World Culture.

Film screening and book discussion

The biopic documentary film on Javaraya, produced and directed by Ganesh Shankar Raj, will be screened at the event. A conversation between historian and INTACH convenor Dr. Meera Iyer, and Dr. Harini Nagendra, ecologist and professor at Azim Premji University, based on Javaraya’s biography ‘A Gardener and A Gentleman’ is also planned.

“During Javaraya’s stint, a whole bunch of new public buildings were built around the city all of which used to have a garden. Not just the bungalow gardens that everyone knows of, but even these smaller gardens had an important role in creating and nurturing the image and aesthetics of the city. That has been completely forgotten now,” says Ms. Iyer who authored the book.

Scholarship planned

Ms. Bhaktaram notes that the event is aimed at building more awareness of the importance of having greenery in cities and creating inspiration around the works of Javaraya.  

“From his family’s side, we also are considering forming a trust and offering scholarships to people who want to pursue horticulture. We hope this would encourage people to study streams like botany and horticulture also and that these professions also become popular,” she says.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited0