Karnataka First

If Srinivasa Ramanujan were a teenager in coastal Karnataka today, where would he cut his mathematical teeth? Starting July 27, CFAL’s new contest hopes to be exactly that crucible.

‘Search for the Next Ramanujan’ is a seven-round puzzle league for students entering Grades 7-10 and it literally pays to keep showing up: the Rs 500 entry fee is fully refunded after any five completed rounds.

The Big Idea

India has national Olympiads, but few grassroots circuits that reward consistency rather than one-off brilliance. By scoring only the best six of seven tests, we focus on growth, grit, and creative problem-solving; traits that defined Ramanujan’s legacy.

Why it Matters—Three Quick Reasons

1. Pipeline for STEM talent – The contest feeds directly into CFAL’s Olympiad and JEE/NEET training, where alumni routinely crack national top ranks.

2. Equity through refunds – Removing the cost barrier after five rounds encourages wider participation from government and aided schools.

3. Culture of curiosity – Monthly league scheduling lets teachers weave contest-style puzzles into classroom practice, multiplying impact beyond our campus.

Zoom In: Nuts-and-Bolts

• Students entering Grades 7 to 10 for the 2025-26 academic year are eligible, with two tracks—Junior (Grades 7 & 8) and Senior (Grades 9 & 10).

• The seven test dates are July 27, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16, December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026, each running from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm IST at CFAL’s Bejai Campus in Mangaluru.

• Top performers will vie for the Ramanujan Award (best overall) and the Harish-Chandra Award (deepest thinker), while every student who attends at least six rounds receives book vouchers worth Rs 1,000.

• To register, simply scan the QR code on the contest poster or visit cfalindia.com, but hurry, the registration window closes at 12 pm on July 23, 2025.

Zoom Out: A Word from the Faculty

“Mathematics thrives on repeated curiosity,” says Dr Smitha Hegde, principal, CFAL. “This league turns that principle into a habit, one Sunday at a time.”

Contest convener Chris Crasta adds, “Ramanujan taught himself with whatever resources he found. Today we provide the puzzles, mentors, and even a fee refund so that nothing stops a child from trying.”

The Bottom Line

CFAL is not just handing out trophies, it is building an ecosystem where perseverance, not privilege, predicts success. The next Ramanujan could be waiting for a nudge—and seven Sundays of joyful struggle.

For more details:

CFAL India Mangaluru
+91 99005 20233
www.cfalindia.com

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

A first-of-its-kind OTT platform that teaches Sanskrit, developed by Vyoma Linguistic Labs Foundation, was launched in Bengaluru on Saturday.

The platform, available at www.digitalsanskrit.com, features an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered user interface that allows users to explore videos, podcasts, audiobooks, games, and e-books. It is designed to help people of all ages and proficiency levels learn Sanskrit.

Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, who launched the platform said, “Leveraging technology will help preserve our timeless knowledge and make it universally accessible. This is a creative, open, and joyful space for learners from across the world. This is a powerful way to bring ancient Indian intellectual traditions to the global stage.”

The launch of the initiative brought together scholars, technologists, educators, and cultural enthusiasts of Sanskrit and Indian knowledge systems. The programme also had a panel discussion on the theme “Indian Knowledge Systems: Towards Democracy Through Technology.”

B. Mahadevan, a distinguished Sanskrit scholar and former IIM Bangalore professor, noted that technology should serve as a bridge to make India’s knowledge traditions more accessible and meaningful to everyone.

The platform is free, but also has a subscription model on monthly and yearly basis which will provide extra features.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) works by detecting tiny magnetic signals from inside the human body, especially the brain.

In a breakthrough that could shrink brain-scanning MRI-like machines from room-sized setups to something that may fit anywhere, scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI) have developed a compact magnetometer that can detect magnetic fields with extreme precision even in noisy, real-world environments.

This innovation could offer a quieter, portable, and more affordable alternative to MRI-like scans, especially in smaller clinics, mobile units, or rural healthcare settings. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) works by detecting tiny magnetic signals from inside the human body, especially the brain.

These signals are incredibly weak, which is why MRI machines need heavy shielding and “ultra silent” rooms. But the new device does not need any of that. It’s a fully optical, shield-free magnetometer — a small, light-based tool that can sense magnetic fields in noisy, real-world settings like clinics, outdoor sites, or even spacecraft.

Advanced magnetometers offer accuracy

Magnetometers, in general, are used to measure magnetic fields and have applications in navigation, geology, medical imaging, physics, and space research. But the most accurate types — like Optically Pumped Atomic Magnetometers (OPAMs) and Spin Exchange Relaxation-Free (SERF) magnetometers — come with limitations. While they are extremely sensitive to weak magnetic fields, they only work well in shielded, stable environments and have a narrow dynamic range, which means they can’t handle magnetic fields that are too strong.

RRI researchers developed Raman-Driven Spin Noise Spectroscopy (RDSNS) technique, which works by using laser beams to “listen” to the natural quantum jitters, known as spin noise, in rubidium atoms. These atoms behave like tiny bar magnets.

When they’re exposed to a magnetic field, their spin noise patterns change slightly. By analysing these changes with laser light, the RRI team is able to measure the strength of the surrounding magnetic field without touching or disturbing the atoms. This all-optical method is fully immune to common sources of interference like electricity, vibration, and radio signals.

Most magnetometers have to choose between high sensitivity — the ability to detect extremely weak magnetic signals or wide dynamic range — the ability to measure both weak and strong magnetic fields accurately. Devices with high sensitivity can detect extremely weak fields but only in a narrow range of strength and only in very quiet conditions. Magnetometers with a wide dynamic range can handle various field strengths.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The Karnataka government has announced its ambitious plan to bring the Arkavati back to life, but people living close to the river have little hope, while experts point out to many challenges.

As the clouds play hide-and-seek and the sun beats down in mid-July, in what has been a dry southwest monsoon for Bengaluru thus far, waters of the Arkavati river, unsettlingly black, flows its course on the outskirts of the city.

Jayaram, 60, a resident of Jogerahalli, close to the Thippagondanahalli (T.G. Halli) reservoir, is walking around in the quaint village as devotional songs play out of a speaker from a nearby temple. Two class 5 students of a government school hang around him as he tells The Hindu, “Until a few years ago, we used to wash clothes in the river. They started letting polluted water in from everywhere. What flows now is acid water. We cannot even step into it. There is an odour and froth. Some are brave enough to use it for agriculture.”

He recalled that, when he was around 30 years old, he would drink water from the river and wash clothes in it. “When it rains, we see some clean water briefly, and then the black water comes again. The water is of no use to anyone, not even to animals,” he says.

Ballyamma, 60, at the nearby Varthur Narasimhapura, was watching over her grazing goats close to a pumping station. “I came here after getting married 40 years ago, and I remember we used to drink this water and cook with it. It has been at least 15 years since we stopped using it. It smells,” she says, adding that they use borewell water for their daily needs.

Once a drinking water source

Once the primary source of drinking water for Bengaluru — from 1936 to 2000, according to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) — the Arkavati is today what one research called “a ghost river”, a shadow of its former glorious self.

Over two-and-a-half decades later, in June 2025, the Karnataka government announced a high-level committee of experts to spearhead the rejuvenation of the Arkavati through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The BWSSB, while announcing the plan, said, “Stretching 53 km from Nandi Hills to T.G. Halli, and covering a basin area of 1,400 sq. km, the Arkavati holds immense potential to be reborn as a sustainable lifeline.”

BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar, while announcing the plan, said water from the Yettinahole project (which envisages the diversion of west-flowing river water to meet the drinking water needs of seven parched districts in the south Karnataka region) was intended to mix with the Arkavati waters at T.G. Halli, but rapid industrial growth, wastewater discharge, and environmental degradation rendered the reservoir’s water unfit for consumption. While admitting that only 15% of the Arkavati’s river basin falls under the BWSSB’s jurisdiction, he also said that several government agencies, NGOs, and civic bodies were coming together to shape a comprehensive action plan.

Arkavati river

Originates at Nandi Hills in Chickballapur district

Joins the Cauvery at Sangama in Bengaluru South (formerly Ramanagara) district

Length of the river: 170 km

It traverses through four districts

Chickballapur, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, and Bengaluru South

It has three tributaries

Kumudavati, Suvarnamukhi, Vrishabhavati

Source: BWSSB

The BWSSB also announced that Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd. has already begun an integrated study covering areas such as Hesaraghatta, Madanayakanahalli, and parts of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), laying the groundwork for rejuvenation.

Stakeholder meeting

According to a BWSSB document on the ‘Rejuvenation of Arkavathy River up to TG Halli’, from the origin of the river at Nandi Hills, till Doddaballapur town, the stream is less polluted, barring drain water entry and dumping of solid waste.

“Municipal sewage from Doddaballapur town enters into the Nagara Kere (lake) and polluted industrial wastewater enters from Bashettyhalli Industrial Area at Veerapur into the river,” says the document, adding that once the river crosses Doddaballapur town and enters Bengaluru Rural, the river is in “a highly stressed state due to pollution from rapid urbanisation and industrialisation”.

The document also acknowledges that as the river traverses, it accumulates various pollutants, including untreated sewage and industrial waste, leading to poor water quality in T.G. Halli, and that the water is not useful for drinking or any other domestic purposes.

The BWSSB has planned to take up the rejuvenation of the Arkavati from Nandi hills to T.G. Halli (54 km) “to make the river pollution-free”.

The document lists views and recommendations from multiple stakeholders of the river, one of which is the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), as the Dr. Shivaram Karanth Layout is in the Arkavati catchment area. “It is necessary to know the disposal scheme of the wastewater generated from the layouts developed by the BDA in the Bengaluru region,” it says.

Questionable policy decisions

But is it going to be possible? Experts who have conducted studies on the river say it is not going to be easy. Sharachchandra Lele, Distinguished Fellow in Environmental Policy and Governance, Centre for Environment and Development, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, says “rejuvenation” is a tricky concept.

“If it means the natural flow should come back, that will require major changes in groundwater use in the upstream, which looks very difficult. If it means making the river flow ‘anyhow’, then the idea of putting Yettinahole water into T.G. Halli will make it look like the Arkavati has been ‘rejuvenated’, but will it really solve any problem? We must also ask, ‘rejuvenation for whom?’ Do we want the Arkavati to be a ‘boating place’ or a ‘scenic riverside’ for urban folks, or a source of water and cultural value for agricultural households?” he asks.

In a study published in January 2013, titled ‘Water management in Arkavathy basin: A situation analysis’, of which Lele was one of the authors, it was stated that the decline of the Arkavati’s flow into T.G. Halli reservoir was directly caused by the expansion of eucalyptus cultivation and increased groundwater pumping in the T.G. Halli catchment area.

“It has been aggravated by the construction of an excessive number of check dams and other structures on the various streams that feed the Arkavati, which resulted in further reductions in surface flows, but did not augment baseflows as the groundwater withdrawal remained unregulated,” explains Lele. The changes in cropping, such as the growth of eucalyptus and shift to groundwater-irrigated horticulture and vegetable farming, are the result of government incentives, as well as market pressures (rising demand from Bengaluru), and also the result of changing labour availability as labour migrated to Bengaluru, he says.

“While many of the changes are expected in an area close to a city, lack of a governance mechanism around groundwater and, in fact, around integrated management of water resources as a whole is the key missing policy piece. The benefits of groundwater over-exploitation have gone disproportionately to the rich farmers, as poorer farmers could not afford to dig borewells, or abandoned them after they failed, as groundwater levels dropped,” he says, adding that the State agency in charge of T.G. Halli reservoir (the BWSSB) lost interest in the inflow decline problem, because it shifted to the Cauvery as the only source that they think will serve all of Bengaluru’s water needs.

Results of pollution testing

A more recent report, ‘Uncovering the hidden pollution in the Arkavathi – Emerging contaminants impacting Bengaluru & beyond,’summarises the results of pollution testing along the river conducted by Paani.Earth, in collaboration with the International Centre for Clean Water, IIT Madras, in February and March 2024. Paani tested samples for 65 unique water and 20 unique sediment pollution parameters and compared the testing results to national and international standards and guidelines for freshwater and sediment pollution.

The report states that every single test site exhibited pollution values above national and international standards and guidelines. “Even remote areas with no visible pollution had high levels of persistent pollutants, highlighting the river’s vulnerability to long-range contamination. Across test sites, Paani observed notable spikes in pollution levels, frequently downstream of industrial areas or other zones with known pollution discharges. Additionally, the results demonstrated that high levels of pollutants from Urban Bengaluru enter the Arkavati via the Vrishabhavati and degrade water quality. Many of the river sites had high phosphorus levels, causing eutrophication,” states the report.

“Currently, our rivers are graded A to E based on just a handful of parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen, coliform bacteria, and a few others to decide if the water is ‘fit’ for drinking, bathing, irrigation, or industrial use. But these grades don’t take into account many persistent and harmful chemicals that remain in the water and soil. As a result, water can still be carrying dangerous contaminants like hexavalent chromium and yet be reported as ‘safe for irrigation’ just because it meets those limited criteria,” says Madhuri Mandava, who, along with Khushbu K. Birawat, both from Paani, accompanied The Hindu on the site visit to the Arkavati.

She adds that the instruments used are not sensitive enough to pick up dangerous chemicals in lower concentrations, which means harmful contamination can go completely unnoticed and unreported, while the same water continues to irrigate the food we eat.

First things first

Lele says it is unlikely that the river will ever flow again “as it did in the past”, and that this “past flowing river” itself is a myth. “We must remember that even 200 years ago, there were probably 400 irrigation tanks blocking streams in the T.G. Halli catchment and that water was used to cultivate sugarcane/paddy. It is best to aim for sustainable and equitable water use in the T.G. Halli catchment and avert water pollution in the reservoir, because the Kumudavati is still contributing inflow. Bengalureans really do not stand to benefit from its rejuvenation, unless the idea is for T.G. Halli dam to start supplying water again, which seems very unlikely,” he says.

Birawat is more optimistic. “The first step to healing our rivers is to see what is really hurting them and identify the sources. The Central Pollution Control Board’s 2017 guidelines for water quality monitoring laid out a robust framework to help understand pollution sources, trends, and the effectiveness of control measures. But on the ground, implementation by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board falls short of this intent. Monitoring has been reduced to a simplistic grading exercise, with little evidence of meaningful classification of stations or comprehensive testing. As a result, the programme fails to guide corrective action or improve water quality, and risks, leaving the most critical pollution sources unaddressed,” she says.

She also says no matter how much we clean the Arkavati, it will not make a real difference if the Vrishabhavati keeps pouring pollution into it.

A river, she points out, is just not water; it is a living ecosystem. “A river is so much more than just a line of water between two banks. It reflects everything around it — the forests, the lakes, the built-up areas, the storm-water drains, the floodplains, the fields, the hills, and the aquifers underground. It does feel too little and too late, when you see the pathetic state of the river, but better late than never. If we truly wish to rejuvenate the Arkavati, we must also protect its catchment. It feels deeply counterintuitive when, on one hand, committees are set up to revive the river, yet on the other, the government proposes to dilute its buffer zones and weaken the T.G. Halli preservation notification,” she adds.

(Edited by Giridhar Narayan)

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be-University, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal, a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), successfully hosted the fourth edition of the Manipal Dental Conference (MDC 4.0) — an undergraduate scientific meet that has steadily gained prominence since its inception. The two-day event, held on July 14 and 15 at the MCODS, Manipal campus, saw the enthusiastic participation of budding dental professionals from across the country.

Welcoming over 350 delegates from 25 dental colleges across six states, the conference reinforced its reputation as a student-led initiative that seamlessly blends academic excellence with hands-on learning. Despite heavy monsoon showers, participants arrived in Manipal eager to immerse themselves in the vibrant scientific and educational atmosphere.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by several distinguished dignitaries. Dr Dilip G Naik, pro vice chancellor of MAHE (Mangalore campus), presided over the event, while Dr Shivsharan Shetty, Karnataka State Representative to the Dental Council of India, attended as the chief guest. The conference began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and a soulful invocation.

Dr Gopalakrishnan Dharmarajan, dean, MCODS, Manipal, extended a warm welcome to the gathering, followed by an overview of the conference presented by Dr Shashi Rashmi Acharya, associate dean. In his address, Dr Shivsharan Shetty emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and continued education in dentistry. Dr Dilip G Naik, in his remarks, highlighted MAHE’s strong commitment to fostering a culture of continuous academic growth and innovation. The inauguration ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered Dr Nihal Shetty, president of student’s council, MCODS, Manipal.

The scientific programme at MDC 4.0 included seven engaging lectures delivered by renowned experts, covering contemporary topics. Complementing the lectures were a series of academic competitions and five hands-on workshops, which offered practical training in various aspects of dentistry. A dynamic dental quiz added a competitive edge to the conference, testing students’ theoretical knowledge and critical thinking.

The resounding success of MDC 4.0 reaffirms its place as one of the most awaited student-driven dental conferences in the region. By encouraging collaboration, peer learning, and exposure to cutting-edge advancements, the conference continues to play a vital role in shaping the academic and clinical acumen of undergraduate dental student.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Fashion entrepreneur Sharada Narayanan became the first Indian contestant to win Mrs Classique Globe Choice of the People title, with Mrs India Globe Classique 2017 Veena Jain as her mentor.

When fashion entrepreneur Sharada Narayanan stood on stage with her counterparts from across the world, waiting with sheer anticipation and racing hearts for the announcement of Mrs Classique Globe Choice of the People, she took a moment to process that her name had been called out.

“I was in a complete shock. I don’t think I reacted the way everybody usually does – the awe, the crying or hands thrown up in the air,” she recalls. While winning the title with 50 other contestants competing for it might have been a surprise for Narayanan, her mentor, Veena Jain, the winner of Mrs India Globe Classique 2017, had complete confidence. “When we started from Bengaluru, I had a feeling that we were going to make it this year. It may have been a surprise for Sharada, but for me, I was very confident that she was going to come out with the title – her confidence and elegance made me believe so. I’m especially proud because this is the first time an Indian delegate has won such an honour,” says Jain.

Achieving the highly coveted Swarovski crystal-studded crown was no easy feat with Narayanan’s schedule being jam-packed with rehearsals and galas from the moment she arrived at Palm Springs on June 16 to the moment she was crowned on June 21.

“Once we went there, it was a complete grind – it’s like a boot camp. We get up early in the morning and go on late into the night on some days. You go through one regiment after the other, but there were a lot of fun times in between practice and exercise too, when we got to bond with women from different countries and cultures,” says Narayanan, explaining the preparations that went into the three final rounds – national costume, swimsuit, and evening gown – as well as the Bollywood-themed welcome party, charity galas, and preliminary rounds that preceded them.

She credits Jain with helping her through the whole process, saying, “She was the first person who told me ‘Yes, you should do this. I see a lot of potential in you.’ She has hand-held me in multiple places – with picking the best colours to wear, the right outfits, even with picking fabrics and shopping. Her belief in me was with me from the start till the time that we wrapped up the event and we came back.”

Apart from being a mom and fashion entrepreneur with her boutique ‘Metamorphosis’, Narayanan has years of experience working in top corporates and also runs an NGO, Virya Trust, which empowers women by teaching them tailoring skills, marketing housing products, and hosting bazaars. The main reason she decided to try her hand at pageantry was Mrs Globe’s association with the WIN Foundation, which helps women who have faced abuse.

Apart from supporting a cause, the highlight for Narayanan was the national costume round, where she sported a blue gown with intricate traditional hand-embroidery and eye-catching peacock feathers for a sleeve.

“You come out carrying your country’s flag, which brings with it a lot of pride, but you also have a responsibility to ensure that you don’t let your country down, and make sure you are doing your best,” she says.

Jain notes the importance of an Indian contestant winning the Mrs Classique Globe Choice of the People title for the first time, stating that beauty is more than Euro-centric standards. “Every time I saw girls from Europe, Belarus, and Russia winning, I used to think: why not us? European skin is not the beauty standard in every region – we are all different and beautiful in our way.” She adds that Indian candidates bring something special to every pageant, “Indian candidates are good at communication. They bring a special warmth and friendliness with them.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India’s second-longest cable-stayed bridge in Karnataka amid political tensions.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated India’s second-longest cable-stayed bridge, the 6-km-long Sharavathi Bridge built across the Sharavathi backwaters in Karnataka’s Malnad region.

Constructed at a cost of ₹472 crore, the bridge is expected to significantly improve regional mobility and enhance connectivity in the Western Ghats region. Sharing the update on X, Gadkari said, “Inaugurated India’s second-longest cable-stayed bridge, the 6-km-long Sharavathi Bridge in Karnataka, built at a cost of ₹472 crore to enhance regional connectivity and boost mobility across the Malnad region.”

Gadkari was accompanied by senior BJP leaders including former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa, Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra, and BJP state president BY Vijayendra.

Sharavathi bridge inauguration sparks political row

The inauguration, however, stirred political tensions in the state, with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly expressing displeasure over the timing of the event.

In a post on X, the CM stated that he had requested a postponement of the function as he had a pre-scheduled engagement in Vijayapura. Despite the Union Minister reportedly agreeing to the request, Siddaramaiah alleged that local BJP leaders went ahead with the event “under pressure”, without informing him.

“Although the Union Minister had agreed to postpone the program, local BJP leaders succumbed to pressure and organised the program today without bringing it to my attention,” he wrote.

The CM also criticised the BJP for violating protocol and excluding the state government from a centrally sponsored infrastructure event.

“In protest of this move by the BJP, no government ministers or local MLAs are participating in the program… There has been no adherence to protocol here. State governments also have a role in centrally sponsored projects,” he added.

In addition to the bridge inauguration, Gadkari laid the foundation stone for nine National Highway projects spanning 99 kilometres and collectively worth over ₹2,000 crore, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Widening of the Bidar-Humnabad section (NH-367): A 47-km stretch expected to reduce travel time between Bidar and Kalaburagi.

Restoration works on the Shiradi Ghat section (NH-75): A vital link on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru corridor, especially critical during monsoon season.

The Union Minister also visited the Sri Sigandur Chowdeshwari Ji Temple in Shivamogga, accompanied by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and BS Yediyurappa.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

Political leaders from Karnataka, including CM Siddaramaiah and DCM D.K. Shivakumar, remember Kannada cinema’s first female superstar.

Karnataka leaders, including CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, condoled the death of veteran actor B. Saroja Devi, who passed away owing to age-related ailments on July 14, 2025.

“I am deeply pained by the news of the passing of veteran Kannada actress B. Saroja Devi. Having performed in approximately 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages, she became popular as ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi’,” he said in a post on X.

Recalling her captivating performances in films like Kittur Chennamma, Babruvahana, and Anna Thangi, he said her departure “is a significant loss to Indian cinema.”

Bidding a fond farewell to the ‘Goddess of Performance’, Mr. D.K. Shivakumar also expressed sorrow at her passing. Speaking to the media near her home in Sadashivanagar in Bengaluru, he said her demise felt like a personal loss as she hailed from his home district. “She has the distinction of having acted as the female lead in 161 films. Even the Tamil film industry used to call her the “Kannada Sundargini”. This is a small example of her artistic ability,” he said.

Karnataka BJP State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra mourned the Kannada film industry’s irreparable loss with the death of the Padmashri and Padmabhushan recipient.

“Having acted alongside legendary actors like Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, and others, she not only contributed to the Kannada film industry but also left an indelible mark as a multilingual actress in the world of art. Her performances in films across multiple languages, including Amarashilpi Jakanachari, Mallammana Pavada, Bhagyavantharu, and Babruvahana, will remain eternal in the hearts of art lovers,” he said.

Induestries Minister M.B. Patil and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar also expressed their condolences. Calling Saroja Devi “a timeless icon Indian cinema”, he said, “A proud daughter of Karnataka, she captivated audiences across languages with grace and brilliance. From Mahakavi Kalidasa to Nadodi Mannan, her journey defined an era in Indian cinema. With over 200 films to her name, she remains an eternal inspiration. Her contributions to art and culture will always be remembered. Om Shanti.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)