Karnataka First

The material is aimed at medical implants that stimulate bone regeneration and naturally dissolve in the body, avoiding the need for surgical removal.

 Likhila A BK, a Class 11 student from St Francis School, Bengaluru, has developed a biodegradable piezoelectric material using Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) and nanofillers that generates electricity when pressed or stretched. The material is aimed at medical implants that stimulate bone regeneration and naturally dissolve in the body, avoiding the need for surgical removal.

“I first heard about piezoelectric material when I was scrolling through the Internet, I was taken aback, the topic was so simple yet elegant, it was beautiful!” said Likhila.

“The first thing I learnt about polymers was Poly-L-Lactic Acid and its degradation mechanism, and I was amazed at the complexity. Since all of us were new to research, Prayoga provided a set of unexplored topics, and I was drawn to this project instantly.”

Initially, she faced uncertainty about the healthcare application. “To be very honest, I was not sure that this project could connect to healthcare. But when I learned about how piezoelectricity stimulates osteoblasts in bones, I realised we could use this for biomedical implants to accelerate healing,” she explained.

Likhila distinguished her work from existing materials like PVDF. “PVDF is resistant to biodegradation and requires a second surgery to remove implants. PLLA is biodegradable, bioabsorbable, and biocompatible. Its piezoelectric output is lower, but with nanofillers, it can meet the needs of bone and tissue regeneration,” she said.

The experimental phase was challenging.

“For a long time, our films would break and curl. I studied fluid dynamics, tested chemicals, and incorporated nanofillers. The final day of testing at Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bengaluru, gave better results than we had hoped -I was dancing and singing like a child,” she recalled.

Her project, conducted under Prayoga’s Anveshana programme, recently earned her The Best Poster and Best Idea Pitch Awards at the First Academia–Industry Conclave 2025, organised by the Centre for Nano and Material Sciences (CNMS), Jain University competing successfully against doctoral and post-doctoral researchers.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Aditya Ram R, son of Vittal police station assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Ramakrishna and Deepika, has achieved a remarkable feat by entering the India Book of Records.

Originally from Ramanagara district in Karnataka, young Aditya has been recognized for his exceptional memory skills. He earned a place in the India Book of Records for recalling and identifying a wide range of facts and figures, including the capitals of all 28 Indian states, 31 districts of Karnataka, and 12 national symbols.

In addition, Aditya demonstrated his ability to name 23 national leaders, 8 Kannada Jnanpith award winners, 16 fruits, 32 animals, 12 geometric shapes, 8 domestic items, Hindi alphabets, and the flags of 24 countries.

He was officially presented with a certificate recognizing his achievement on September 22.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Ailing for the past few years due to multiple organ complications, Prof Ganesh had been hospitalised several times before being recently brought home for palliative care.

Renowned Kannada writer, critic, and folklore scholar Prof Mogalli Ganesh passed away in the early hours of Sunday at his residence in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district. He was 63.

Ailing for the past few years due to multiple organ complications, Prof Ganesh had been hospitalised several times before being recently brought home for palliative care. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

A native of Santemogenahalli in Channapattana taluk of Ramanagara district, Prof Ganesh rose in a Dalit family to become one of Karnataka’s most respected and original literary voices.

Over a distinguished academic career spanning nearly three decades, he served as a Professor in the Department of Folklore Studies at Kannada University, Hampi, and later as a Syndicate Member of Karnataka Folklore University, in Haveri district.

His contributions spanned short stories, novels, plays, and literary criticism.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited0

The award recognises the Authority’s work on 1st Cross Empire Road and 7th Cross Road of Koramangala, where a 125 mm-thick white topping was laid in 2023 on 1.1 km from Empire Road to Ganapathi Temple and 1.17 km from the BDA Complex to Wipro Park Signal.

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has been conferred the Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) UltraTech Awardfor its pioneering Thin White Topping (TWT) road design implemented in the Koramangala area.

The award recognises the Authority’s work on 1st Cross Empire Road and 7th Cross Road of Koramangala, where a 125 mm-thick white topping was laid in 2023 on 1.1 km from Empire Road to Ganapathi Temple and 1.17 km from the BDA Complex to Wipro Park Signal.

Unlike the conventional 180mm design, the reduced thickness of 125mm was developed by the GBA’s engineering team as a cost-effective and technically sound alternative. Officials said the innovation helps address long-standing civic issues such as road elevation, access to shops and residences, and stormwater drainage, while also lowering project costs.

The project was executed under the leadership of Chief Engineer M. Lokesh, Superintendent Engineer Hemalatha K., Executive Engineer Satyanarayana Raju E., and Assistant Executive Engineer Veena C.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Bengaluru-based musician Rudy talks about the reinvention of her music, her visual aesthetic and playing live.

After a long journey to the Ziro Festival of Music in Arunachal Pradesh, Bengaluru artiste Rudy Mukta (who goes by Rudy as an artiste) got on stage with her band for the first time on September 27, debuting new songs and new versions of songs. While Ziro does get cool in September, it was sunny when Rudy made her entrance on the bamboo stage wearing a long, hooded coat, which she soon realised it was too hot for.

Running through songs with her band comprising bassist Niya Rose, drummer Rhema George and keyboardist Leeanne Besterwitch, Rudy performed ‘Morbid Bop,’ ‘Weathering,’ ‘Checkmate,’ ‘Time’ and more. Among them was ‘Funny,’ the first song Rudy ever made and ‘Love & Limerence,’ the latest she released via Universal Music India’s imprint IndieA on September 9. By the end, an attendee even got on stage to offer her a bouquet, much to everyone’s bewilderment.

A week prior to performing at Ziro, Rudy spoke to The Hindu about a reinvention of her music, her visual aesthetic with the ‘Love & Limerence’ music video and playing live. Last year, Rudy graduated from Bengaluru’s Mount Carmel College, majoring in economics and sociology. “Suddenly, I have so much time and it’s good. I’m slowly centered and getting into a routine. In the beginning, it was I was, ‘Oh my God, now my life is in my hands and I have to do something with it’,” she says over a call.

It was soon after she graduated that she and her longtime producer Kalmi — who many know as the beatmaker for Hanumankind’s breakout hit ‘Big Dawgs’ — got together for sessions in Hyderabad and came up with ‘Love & Limerence,’ an R&B/pop song that is emotionally heavy and builds up in sonic intensity as it goes. Rudy recalls, “He wrote a piano piece, and I just sang over it, and it came to be. We posted on Instagram right after we made it. After that, we built on it with the production and everything else.”

As regular collaborators — Kalmi also worked on Rudy’s 2021 EP Broke My Slumber , the singer-songwriter says they have both arrived at a “mature sound” with ‘Love & Limerence’ and current material. He also called on Rudy to contribute vocals to Hanumankind’s ‘Cause’ from his recent mixtape Monsoon Season.

The creative process between them has often been about “making new sounds” without thinking about whether it will be material they have to release, Rudy notes. “It is because we spent so much time making new sounds and not dropping them for a certain amount of time, that I was just excited to put things out at one point.”

The title of her new song, specifically “limerence” came from Rudy’s habit of noting down “cool words or phrases” whenever she comes across them. She says, “I jot them down in my Notes app, and leave it for later. Then, when I sit down to write, I’ll pick it up and think, ‘I like this, let me build on it. I am going to come up with a concept around it.’ I think a reel mentioned limerence, and I thought, ‘Oh, this is such a nice word’.”

The haunting, seemingly goth-inspired music video directed by Deepika Menon (her directorial debut, Rudy reminds us) with Lendrick Kumar as executive producer is a deep dive into the artiste’s psyche as she grapples with love, longing and emotional distance. Rudy says, “This was my first major music video with a full-fledged set and a crew. I learned a lot by being on set and was inspired after seeing everyone be so good at what they do there. They made the whole process easy and comfortable.”

After Ziro Festival of Music, Rudy is heading to Lollapalooza India in Mumbai on January 25, 2026. Previously only performing solo, she says there is now more freedom with having a band, more so an all-girl band.

“We get to experiment with ideas that aren’t in the studio version of the song. I am able to add to certain pockets and make it more high energy, for instance, changing the groove somewhere in the middle. It is super fun,” she says.

In the run up to the next festival performance, Rudy says there may or may not be more new songs. “Let’s see. Ideally, I would like to drop some, but if not, there still is music being made, and there still is music waiting to come out.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Launched on June 11, 2023, as the first of the Congress government’s five guarantees, the Shakti scheme allows women, including transgender persons and students, to travel free of cost on non-premium State-run buses.

The Shakti scheme, the flagship women empowerment initiative of the government of Karnataka, has achieved another global milestone by entering the International Book of Records – World Record of Excellence. Over 500 crore free tickets have been issued since the launch of the scheme, which offers free bus travel for women.

This recognition comes close on the heels of the scheme being listed in the Golden Book of World Records.

Launched on June 11, 2023, as the first of the Congress government’s five guarantees, the Shakti scheme allows women, including transgender persons and students, to travel free of cost on non-premium State-run buses.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy expressed gratitude to the officers, employees, and labour union leaders of the four State Road Transport Corporations for their role in this achievement. He said, “The scheme has empowered women not just economically but also socially and professionally, providing them greater mobility and opportunities.”

Mr Reddy noted that the successful implementation of the initiative across the State highlights its wide impact. “It is a matter of pride that the scheme has now another world record to its credit. I extend my congratulations to all women passengers,” he said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Tasmai Cariappa of Mysuru topped the podium by winning the Round 3 of BricSP Superbike 400CC Category Championship held at Chang International Racing Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, from Sept. 26 to 28.

A resident of Kuvempunagar in Mysuru, Tasmai is the son of Dr. Monnanda Nalini Somaiah, Professor, Department of Studies in Botany, Manasagangothri, University of Mysore.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

Karnataka was among the four states shortlisted by Airbus to build the single-engine helicopter in the country.

Airbus on Wednesday announced that it will set up a production line for the H125 helicopters in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at Vemagal in Karnataka, the fourth such facility in the world and India’s first helicopter final assembly line in the private sector.

Karnataka was among the four states shortlisted by Airbus to build the single-engine helicopter in the country.

“The ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopter will help develop new civil and para-public market segments and also meet the Indian armed forces’ requirement for a light multi-role helicopter, especially on the icy heights of the country’s Himalayan frontier. Plans include a military version, the H125M, to be offered out of this Indian factory with high levels of indigenised components and technologies,” Airbus said.

The first H125 is expected to roll out of the facility in early 2027, and the choppers built in India will be exported to south Asian countries too.

“India is an ideal helicopter country. A ‘Made in India’ helicopter will help develop this market and position helicopters as an essential tool for nation-building,” said Airbus India and South Asia president Jurgen Westermeier.

The final assembly line (FAL) in India will initially produce 10 H125s a year, with production being ramped up as orders grow. Airbus has projected a demand for 500 light helicopters of the H125 class in the country and south Asia during the next 20 years.

“Tata Advanced Systems is proud to be the first private sector company in India to build helicopters. This will bolster both civil and defence requirements. This is our second FAL (the other being for C-295 aircraft) in collaboration with Airbus and further reinforces the partnership between Tata and Airbus for India. Tata Advanced Systems is well placed in the Indian aerospace sector with capability to build and deliver fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters for the nation’s requirements,” said TASL CEO Sukaran Singh.

The partnership between Airbus Helicopters and TASL to assemble the H125 helicopters in the country was announced in January 2024 during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The 2,8-tonne H125 can carry up to six passengers, fly at a maximum altitude of 23,000 feet, has a range of 630 km and a top speed of 250 kmph. The roles it is suited for include commercial transport, law enforcement, emergency medical services, disaster management, offshore industry and firefighting.

These helicopters are currently produced only in France, the US and Brazil.

At the Indian FAL, TASL will handle major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, flight controls, hydraulic circuits, fuel system and the engine; with support and guidance from Airbus Helicopters, including the training of Indian personnel in France.

The H125’s engine and gearbox will come from France, the main airframe (supplied by Mahindra) will come equipped from Germany, and the tail boom from Spain.

This will be the second FAL to be set up in India by Airbus. It is jointly executing a ₹21,935-crore project with TASL to equip the Indian Air Force with 56 C-295 aircraft to modernise its transport fleet. In September 2021, the defence ministry signed the contract with Airbus Defence and Space to strengthen self-reliance in the key sector. The European aircraft maker has delivered 16 planes in fly- away condition to the IAF, while the rest will be assembled in India at a Tata facility in Gujarat’s Vadodara city. The first ‘Made in India’ C-295 will roll out of the facility in September 2026 and the remaining over the next six years.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)