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Karnataka News Archive: April 2005
Tata Indicom to invest Rs 400 cr more
Saturday, April 30, 2005 | AY
Cellular service provider Tata Indicom today said it plans to invest about Rs 400 crore in Karnataka this year. Tata Indicom has 3.5 lakh subscribers spread across 130 towns in the state. High placed Tata Indicom also announced new initiatives, including setting up of more "True Value Outlets" to increase its retail presence to take its number to 61 by the end of April from 55 and launch of "True Value Hub" and "True Value Express" outlets in the next phase. Out of the total landline subscribers of 2.5 million in the state, Tata Indicom had a share of nine per cent and 3 per cent out of 2.7 million mobile connections.
All meter gauge to be converted to broad gauge
Saturday, April 30, 2005 | AY
Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu today said Rs 529 crore had been allocated in the budget specially to convert 325 km of Metre Gauge track into broad gauge track in the state. He added there were plans to convert all Meter Gauge tracks in the state to Broad Gauge in the next five years. An amount of Rs 2,500 crore was required to convert all the tracks in Tamil Nadu. "We are discussing ways to find funds for the same," he said.
The minister earlier inaugurated the newly converted Madurai-Manamadurai BG section and flagged off train services between Madurai and Manamadurai.
He also said a passenger train service would soon be started between Madurai and Villupuram, with a link to Chennai.
Mangalore to mimic Bangalore
Saturday, April 30, 2005 | AY
Mysore and Mangalore region will soon transform to a major international" IT hub".Efforts are on to bring in more multinational companies to this belt.The director of STPI Bangalore said to the reporters that a MNC major is seriously contemplating to open their second base in Mangalore. To boost growth in the Mangalore/Manipal region, the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board had sent out “initial notifications to acquire 500 acres of land,” Javed Akhtar, a director at the state’s department of IT said.
'Daridra Narayana' rally in Bangalore
Saturday, April 30, 2005 | AY
Former Prime Minister Mr.Deve Gowda has found a novel way to catch the limelight once again. Janata Dal (S) supremeo is organizing a 'Daridra Narayana' rally with slum-dwellers, daily wage workers, auto drivers and other people who represent the lower group of the society. The rally is slated to begin at 11.30 am from the Palace Grounds.The Janata Dal leaders say that this is a 'Conference of poor people of the Hi-tech city'. More than 50,000 people from the lower class are expected to participate in the rally.
Kaiga Atomic Station's 5th,6th units cleared
Saturday, April 30, 2005 | AY
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited )NPCIL) has given the green signal for erecting the fifth and sixth units of the Kaiga Atomic Power Station, First and Second Unit Project Director G Nageshwara Rao has said. Addressing news persons at the Kaiga Atomic Power Station yesterday, he said that once commissioned, this would be the biggest atomic power generating station in the country. The two units would be commissioned in March and September 2007 respectively. Indigenous technology would be used, just as in the case of the first and second units, and power would be generated using natural Uranium as fuel. UNI
Young Australian cricketers to play in Banglore
Saturday, April 30, 2005 | AY
Fourteen of Australia's finest young cricketers and two coaches would head for India for a three-week tour. After the conclusion of the Commonwealth Bank Centre of excellence residential scholarship programme,the players would play four two-day matches and three one day games in Bangalore and Chennai.
New satalite to spot even 2.5 meter object
Saturday, April 30, 2005 | AY
India is set to launch a new generation satellite that can help map the entire country in six months and give cartographic applications a new dimension. Making this happen would be two advanced pachromatic cameras, with a spatial resolution of 2.5 metres and a swath of 30 km each, equipped in the spacecraft built by scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation. ISRO Chairman Dr G Madhavan Nair told PTI that Cartosat-1 is the first of its kind in the world and the high-resolution camera systems would take stereoscopic pictures for mapping applications and take them in different angles. In other terms, it means the satellite can spot and take pictures of any object that is 2.5 metres in size on the earth's surface. Source:PTI
Jootata
Saturday, April 30, 2005 | GP
This time director N S Shankar is banking on a tried and tested product. Jootata, his new movie is a remake of the super hit comedy Poochaikoru Mookuthy in malayalam directed by Priyadarshan with Superstar Mohanlal as hero.The movie was also remade in hindi as Hungama. A non-stop comedy in the first half about the confusion and misunderstanding between Somanahalli Mallanagowda (Rangayana Raghu) and his wife (Thulasi). The same tempo is maintained in the second half. Dialogues are catchy. Rangayana Raghu, Thulasi, Satyajit as Gujari Govindappa deserves praise. Kashi and Yeshwanth Sardeshpande steal the show in the cameo roles. The story revolving around Sanju (Dhyan), Nandini (Richa) and Vicky (Akash)is really hilarious. Confusing situations, some goof-ups and action scenes has Kashi, Komalesh, Sharan, Thulasi, Satyajit, Yeshwanth Sardeshpande and Rangayana Raghu at their best. Camera work by Krishna is commendable.
Cast -Dhyan, Richa, Akash, Rangayana Raghu, Kashi, Thulasi, Satyajit, Srinath, Komalesh
Direction-N S Shankar
Music - R.P.Patnayak
Cinematography- Krishna
Indian Health Professions Alliance formed
Friday, April 29, 2005 | GP
The Indian Health Professions Alliance (IHPA) to integrate healthcare system and to provide a unique platform to exchange experience and expertise amongst healthcare providers was formed recently during a two day international conference on health sciences held at Mysore. Presidents of statutory bodies and professional associations from medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, ayurveda and physiotherapy participated in the penal discussion. After detailed discussions it was unanimously agreed to form the IHPA.
The IHPA will moot new ideas to integrate healthcare in India and advice the policy makers and government during disasters and natural calamities. A core group consisting of all presidents or their nominees of the all statutory bodies and professional organisations of health sciences was constituted. The conference was organised by the JSS Mahavidyapeetha and its Health Science Institutions including medical, dental, pharmacy, ayurveda, nursing, physiotherapy and speech and hearing. The theme of the conference was ‘‘Integrated Healthcare for Global Wellbeing’’.
Girls outsmart boys in SSLC
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | AY
Of the 2,94,440 girls who appeared for the examination 66.9 per cent of them passed, while, boys secured a pass percentage of 61.22. Girls have once again outscored boys in the SSLC results-2005 wherein 62.46 per cent of the total 8,15,132 students who appeared for the examination have passed. Incidentally, the pass percentage this year is the second best ever, only next to last year’s 64.66. The top score in this year’s examination is 620 out of 625, an amazing 99.2 per cent. While Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) officials refused to reveal the identity of the candidate, they did reveal that the the topper is a girl. While the ranking system has been abolished, all students who secured 85 per cent marks and above will have the word “distinction” mentioned in their marks card. As many as 20,821 candidates have secured distinction. Here too girls outshone boys. 12,034 girls obtained distinction marks as against 8,787 boys.
State attracts USD 400 mn investment in biotech
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | AY
Bangalore, (PTI) Karnataka has attracted 18 new biotechnology firms and a total investment of USD 400 million (Rs 1,800 crore), including Rs 750 crore from India's biggest biotech firm Biocon, in the last 12 months.
"Last year, 18 new firms set up shop in Bangalore. We have received investments of USD 400 million, which includes Rs 750 crore from Biocon as part of their expansion plans," Karnataka IT and BT Secretary M K Shankaralinge Gowda told reporters here last night at a curtain raiser for the "Bangalore Bio 2005", the fifth edition of the annual Biotech event.
As many as 118 of the 128 biotechnology companies - both agro and pharma - in Karnataka were located in the city, he said, adding biotech exports from the state were expected to reach USD 500 million in 2004-05.
Gowda said some of the firms who began operations last year include US-based Invetrigen and Accacia Serum, besides India's Molecular Cellular Research.
"The growth rate is about 50 per cent to 60 per cent in the biotech industry. In general you can expect pretty good growth as the base is less," Karnataka Taskforce on Biotechnology Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said.
She said global firms were looking at India as R&D hub for their operations and Bangalore was the first choice.
"Lot of companies look at this part of the world for R&D outsourcing and their first choice is Bangalore," Shaw said.
About 110 firms are taking part in Bangalore Bio slated to begin on April 22, with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar inaugurating the event. PTI
Court martial by IAF against woman officer
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | AY
Bangalore, (PTI) The court martial proceedings by the Indian Air Force against a IAF woman officer, who has been charged with indiscipline and insubordination, resumed here today after a three-day recess. Anjali Gupta, working in the administrative wing of the Aircraft Systems and Training Establishment (ASTE) here, is facing the court martial, the first against a woman officer, since April 12.
Gupta is also facing charges of delinquency and fraud. She has also filed a complaint against two senior men officers on the charge of harassment, approached the Karnataka State Commission for Women and also the state High Court. The Karnataka High Court has already issued notices to the CBI and the Bangalore police on a petition by Gupta, seeking an enquiry into her charges of sexual harassment by her superiors. PTI
KG Road parking lot to open soon
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | AY
The city will have another multilevel complex soon with a capacity for parking 396 cars on the busy K.G. Road as the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) is expected to grant occupation certificate to the developer Maharaja Buildtech soon. The building is complete and managing director of Maharaja Buildtech, Bhanwar Lal says the inauguration date would depend on the availability of Chief Minister and other dignitaries. The salient feature of the project is that all parking spaces will be managed by BCC, unlike the other parking lot Garuda, which was inaugurated recently on Magarath Road. The project is constructed on 4,450 square metres of BCC land opposite Kempegowda theatre on KG Road.
BJP demands judicial inquiry into multi-crore land grabbing issue
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | AY
UNI
BANGALORE: Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge into the alleged multi-crore land grabbing issue.
Talking to newsmen here, he said that BJP is with National Janata Dal (secular) president H D Deve Gowda, who has been raising the issue for the last several months and even promising to jail those involved in the scam.
Reacting to a statement by Mr Gowda to the extent that it was the duty of the leader of opposition to provide details of alleged grabbing of 45,000 acres of land in and around the city, he said that Mr Gowda was only using blackmailing tactics against the government and not really serious about the issue involving poor farmers.
He said that BJP legislature party will be meeting on may three to discuss the issue besides the 21 illegal irrigation projects taken up by Andhra Pradesh government.
Yediyurappa said that his party would join the all party delegation to the Prime Minister only if the government agreed to conditions of stopping the Andhra government from taking up illegal projects and besides it does not mix a scheme with the B scheme water of the upper Krishna project.
Bangalore, Hyderabad airports approved for construction
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | AY
Bangalore, Hyderabad airports approved for construction: Patel
New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) The Government has given its approval for construction of Greenfield Airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad costing Rs 1,400 crore each and there are many requests from state governments seeking permission to establish new airports in the country, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel informed the Rajya Sabha today.
In his written replies to questions, the Minister said state governments had proposed to build airports in view of increased number of tourists at Pakyong (Sikkim), Chiethu (Nagaland), Mopa (Goa), Chakan and Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra), Ludhiana (Punjab), Ajmer (Rajasthan), Gulbarga, Bijapur and Bellary (Karnataka), Kannur (Kerala) and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh).
However, permission had been granted to only Bangalore and Hyderabad airports to be taken up by respective Joint Venture companies.
He said Airports Authority of India (AAI) had undertaken development of Mysore in Karnataka and Cooch Behar in West Bengal for operation of ATR 42 type of aircraft based on demand received by Air Deccan and Alliance Air. AAI was constantly endeavouring to upgrade airports depending on the requirements of airlines and traffic, Mr Patel said.
He said air passenger traffic had grown at 24 per cent and the number of aircraft inducted into scheduled airlines during the last five years was 99. Total aeroplanes available for scheduled airlines in the country was 184 and 168 of them were planned for daily operations, he said.
He replied in the negative to a question if the government proposed to impose punitive provisions against the airlines for cancellation or postponement of flights. Most airlines in the country were complying with the procedures for providing standard passenger facilitation measures in the event of delays or postponements within their means.
However, due to the nature of air transporation industry, safety considerations received highest priority and any punitive provision on the airlines will result in increased costs and will be passed on the passengers, he said.
To a question if Air India had suffered any loss due to suspension of sale of tickets by some Agents from April one, the Minister said there was no loss because large number of agents did not join the boycott call. Flights to west bound destinations had operated alomost to full capacity, he said.
Gowda asked for details on land grab charge
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | GP
Bangalore, April 25. (UNI): Former Karnataka Minister D B Chandregowda today demanded Janata Dal (Secular) President H D Deve Gowda to come out with details of land grabbed in and around the city within a month or desist from raising it in each and every forum.
Talking to reporters here, the Congress leader along with other Vokkaliga leaders said Mr Gowda could easily divulge details about the 45,000 acres of land grabbed as the Revenue portfolio was held by his party man.
Accusing Mr Gowda of tarnishing the image of the Congress and its leaders and not being really concerned with the farmers or their issues, he alleged that Mr Gowda was only gaining political mileage out of the issue.
Mr Chandregowda said his party leaders would counter Mr Gowda if he continued to blow up the issue. The Vokkaliga leaders would hold a rally next month in this regard, he added.
He demanded a share in party politics and in the Government for the community leaders, including the post of party State chief.
More than 40 Vokkaliga leaders took part in the meeting, held to chalk out a plan to stop Mr Gowda from taking up the issue.
Recovery of rocket-like tubes in Karnataka
Tuesday, April 26, 2005 | AY
Recovery of rocket-like tubes in karanataka
The recovery of rocket-like metal tubes with percussion caps believed to be filled with explosives and capable of being launched from rocket launchers, were recovered from an arms dump unearthed in Anantapur district bordering Karnataka.
State police chief Swaranjit Sen told a news conference Monday the recovery of the pipes was a new challenge for his force and steps would be taken to neutralise these new weapons.
"At the end of the tubes there is a percussion cap. When the percussion cap hits something solid, it detonates the explosives within and that is how the explosion takes place. This is something very crude but this seems to be a new method that the Maoists are trying," Sen said.
During combing operations against the Maoists in the Nallamalla forests and in Anantapur over the past 90 days, several arms dumps of the Communist Party of India-Maoist were unearthed.
The weapons recovered from the dumps in the districts of Prakasam, Kunrool and Anantapur included three self-loading rifles, four 303 rifles and four double barrel guns, seven SBBL and 1 SBML gun, two air guns, one revolver, ammunition for weapons of various makes including AK-47 and Springfield rifles, 25 kg of gunpowder, 105 kg of gelatine, six live and 45 empty claymore mines, electrical fuses, detonators, grenades, grenade filling machines and other tools used in preparing claymore mines.
Stating that the police would continue its operations, Sen said: "Our intention will be to make a dent into this destructive industry they have formed and hopefully in the near future we will have more success."
He said the recovery of arms and explosives showed that the Maoists had misused a respite provided by peace talks with the government.
"The CPI-Maoist stepped up recruitment of new cadres and procurement of arms and explosives. The CPI-Maoist chose Nallamalla forests as a priority area to intensify their guerrilla war and dumped explosives in their hideouts there," he said.
Soon after coming to power in May last year, the Congress party had initiated peace talks with the Maoists. The first round of talks between the government and Maoists was held in October. However, the peace talks broke down in January and the eight-month ceasefire came to an abrupt end.
(IANS)
SC upholds death sentence in triple murder case
Tuesday, April 26, 2005 | GP
New Delhi, April 25 : The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence given to a man for killing his second wife and minor daughter after being released on parole while serving a life term for the murder of his first wife.
A bench of judges K.G. Balakrishnan and B.N. Srikrishna, while confirming the Karnataka High Court order against the man named Saibanna, said: "We are of the view that the high court was right in coming to the conclusion that the appellant's case bristles with special circumstances requisite for imposition of the death penalty."
Writing the judgement for the bench Thursday, Srikrishna cited earlier apex court judgements to show that this was one of the rarest of rare cases where death penalty should be imposed.
Anjali Gupta case in a new twist
Tuesday, April 26, 2005 | GP
BANGALORE: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday said that Flying Officer Anjali Gupta's allegations of sexual harassment made against her seniors at the Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bangalore would not be part of the General Court Martial (GCM) proceedings initiated against her.
“An independent investigation has been started to find out the truth in her allegations. If needed, a separate inquiry or court martial will be held,” Gp Capt Ajay Masson of IAF Training Command told mediapersons here on Monday.
Complete news in newindpress.com
SC issues notice to government on Ramiah Institute's plea
Tuesday, April 26, 2005 | GP
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has issued notice to the State of Karnataka in the petition filed by the Bangalore-based MS Ramaiah Institute of Engineering and Technology.
A Bench comprising Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice P P Naolekar allowed time for the State of Karnataka to file its response.
Senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for the petitioner, contended that though the final verdict of the seven-judge Bench was pending in professional education cases, a notice was issued by the State's Committee for Fee Fixation, pegging the fee at Rs 28,300 per student per annum.
Instead of awaiting the judgment expected to define the parameters, the Committee had precipitated matters by such fee determination. The fee was arbitrary and unreasonable and the institute would not be able to function and provide quality education if it were to adopt this fee structure, the counsel averred.
Counsel for the State Government, Sanjay Hegde, however sought time to file a response, to which the Bench agreed. The case was then posted to May 9 for further hearing
SSLC results to be published today
Tuesday, April 26, 2005 | GP
GPA:
The Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) will announce the results of SSLC examinations today. The results will be available through websites and phones.
The examinations were held between March 17 and 24 in 2386 centres.
Board Director T.M. Kumar will announce the results at a press conference in the evening . This is the first time that the results are being announced in a month after the examinations.
In all, 8,21,757 students appeared for the examinations. Of them, 4,66,488 were boys and 3,55,269 girls.
'Nani Kaka' passes away
Tuesday, April 26, 2005 | GP
Winner of the Central Literary Academy award in 1989 for his work "Review of Sriranga's life and works" and Karnataka State Academy award in 1982, N K Kulkarni passed away at the age of 93.He was affectionately called as Nani Kaka .
Naxal activities not increasing in Karnataka , Home Minister
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
GPA:
Tumkur (Karnataka), Apr 24: Union Home Minister Shivaraj Patil said today that the Naxal problem in Karnatka is not increasing and is less rampant than in Andra Pradesh.
"The state government has taken steps and some incidents have taken place. Now, you can't say that for this reason, it (naxal attacks) has increased (in Karnataka). But you also cannot deny that naxal activity is not there," Patil told reporters in an apparent reference to police action against naxals.
Patil, is in Tumkur to attend the 98th birthday celebrations of the Shivakumara Swami of the Siddaganga Mutt.
New Law to check communal violence, Home Minister
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
ANI:
Tumkur (Karnataka), Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said that the UPA government has prepared a draft bill to enact a law against communal violence.
"We are in the process of enacting such a law. The draft bill is ready. We will introduce the bill in Parliament only after detailed discussions with our allies," he said.
He told reporters here that the government was committed to bring such legislation as promised in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the UPA Government. Patil added that the draft bill would be put in public domain to invite suggestions and discussions.
"The draft bill will also be put on the Government web site for public response. We will hold conferences, seminars and consultations with academia, lawyers, judges and the media on the various aspects of the law for a consensus," he said.
According to the media reports the bill will be called the Communal Disturbances Act, and aims at preventing a communal crisis like Gujarat in future.
7 die in spurious liqour tragedy in Hassan
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
The spurious liqour tragedy has hit again. This time in Sakleshpur in Hassan district.
Police sources said the seven died include two women.
Several people were hospitalised with complaints of nausea and vomitting.
Banglore to be Bio tech city
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
With Bangalore emerging also as the biotech city of India, Karnataka attracted maximum venture capital funding of $100 million during the last five years, including $20 million in fiscal 2004-05.
Of the 265 biotech firms in India, Karnataka has 131, with Bangalore alone accounting for 127. Out of 25 new companies set up in the fiscal 2004-05 in the country, 21 were in Karnataka, including 18 in Bangalore.
Bangalore's biotech firms employ about 12,000 people, including 7,500 scientific personnel.
The global biotech sector is estimated at $40 billion, with a market capitilisation of $375 billion.
Efforts to Revive Brahmvar Sugar Factory
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
Sugar factory at Brahmavar near Udupi was the dream come true for the sugarcane farmers when it began functioning 2 decades ago. It did do justice to the farmers in the initial stages. Other than helping the farmers of the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada it had also been a blessing for many unemployed people of the vicinity.
But over the years it got struck by a virus called politics which has laid it weak now. For the last few years factory has stopped functioning. Even many of the permanent employees have quit the job after losing hopes that it will start functioing all over again.
But now there seems to be ray of hope as a committee to revive the factory has been set up
The present president of the Brahmavar Sugar Factory Revival Action Committee Balakrishna Shetty is hopeful that soon the factory will start functioning if only the politics takes the back seat and the interest and welfare of the farmers become the centreal issues.
Balakrishna Shetty said that the factory could be revived if all the arears due to the farmers are sorted out and the factory is included in the revival package of the union government. The committee has gained a boost by roping in former Prime Minister and the present head of the Janata Dal H D Deve Gowda for the revival plan.
The action committee under the leadership of Balkrishna Shetty is expected to submit a comprehensive plan to Deve Gowda which will carry out a detailed report about the loss incurred, arears due etc.
'Aham - A True Ravichandran film
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
Bangalore,"Aham Premasmi" sees Kannada star Ravichandran at his multifaceted best - as an actor, director, producer and music director
The extravagant film - his dream project - is also the launching pad for his brother Balaji, a.k.a. Eshwar, who has waited nearly six years for a break.
The film will co-star Mambai-based model-cum-actress Arati Chabria, who has featured in a few Hindi and Telugu films, is being introduced on the Kannada screen through "Aham Premasmi".
Ravichandran also claims to have evolved new editing techniques for the film to get added impact
The film's audio and CD sales, done through his audio company, has received a terrific response.
He has followed the totally novel method of marketing the cassettes and CDs through the cable network, in a bid to reach the homes of music lovers directly.
Another new feature of the film is the use of the digital grading technology at an exorbitant cost of Rs.4 million. The digital grading has been done in colour laboratories in Mumbai.
'Aaptha' faces challenge from 'Chandramukhi':
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
Kannada film "Aaptha Mithra" is still roosted on its high perch. But it faces stiff competition from the newly released Rajnikant-starrer "Chandramukhi" inspired from it.
Varsha.....The much awaited movie!!
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
Varsha": This Vishnuvardhan-starrer was released Friday and the pre-release audio and CD sales have been good. This is surprising since most of the recently released films did not have a good audio track record. "Varsha" has been directed by S. Narayan and produced by Rockline Venkatesh.
S.A. Raj Kumar has scored the music. Three songs of the film - "Vasanthi Vasanthi", "Kanneerige Kanneereke" and "Ikku Maga' - have become popular.
Music of ' News'
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
News": The audiocassettes and CDs of the film have sold well because of two songs - "Naanu Jitendra, Neenu Siri Devi" and "Preethisu". The film is yet to be released, but the songs have become popular on television channels.
Music of Jogi
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
Jogi": The audiocassettes of the film, released April 9 by Ashwini Audio, are selling like hot cakes. "Jogi" has been eagerly awaited, directed by Prem who has already delivered two huge hits like "Kariya" and "Excuse Me". "Ello Jogappa" and "Hodi Maga Hodi Maga" have become major hits. Guru Kiran is the music director.
Aaptha Mithra" marches ahead
Monday, April 25, 2005 | GP
The introduction of Value Added Tax has certainly affected the audio market, but "Aaptha Mithra" marches ahead all the same.
"Aaptha Mithra": The film will soon complete 250 days. Its songs have become extremely popular and are on the lips of every Kannada film fan. Two songs of the film - "Raa Raa" and "Pata Pata" - are still chart-toppers. The sale of the audio is reported to have crossed the half-million-cassette mark. Piracy might have robbed it of half its market.
Mangalore: Tulu Academy Chief Seeks Government Grant of Rs 25 Lac
Sunday, April 24, 2005 | GP
The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy has appealed to the state government for a grant of rs 25 lac towards its projects during the year 2005-06, said its president M K Seetaram Kulal at a press conference in the city on Saturday.
Tulu Sahitya Academy and Hampi Kannada University have joint plans to bring out the history of Tulu literature and details of Tulu writers. It may be noted here that the current vice chancellor of the Hampi University is Dr B A Viveka Rai, a one-time president of the Tulu Academy
Kulal also revealed his ambitious plans to set up a museum showcasing Tulu culture, art and heritage, a Tulu library, archives for Tulu folklore, an auditorium for Tulu-related programmes and construction of a Tulu Bhavan.
Film on Dr Ambedkar
Sunday, April 24, 2005 | GP
Bharat Cine Creation has launched a film on Dr Ambedkar, the father of the constitution and champion of downtrodden at Kanteerava studio in Bangalore
Dr Ambedkar was a revered being who worked all along his life to repulse the humiliation that was being meted out to the people at lower plane.
Thadur Keshav has penned the dialogues and screenplay-direction is by Charankumar. Vishnukanth has written the story, plays the title role and is the producer of the film. Thara and Bhavya play the wives of the protagonist
`Chandramukhi` is a hit in Bangalore!
Sunday, April 24, 2005 | GP
Style king Rajnikanth’s Chandramukhi opened well in Karnataka. But the fact is that this bumper opening has not affected the collections of Aaptha Mithra.
It was a feast day for black marketers on the opening day of Chandramukhi. Tickets were sold at a whopping Rs 500 in the black and serpentine queues are seen even after six days of release
Mangalore: Paddy making way for cash crops in Dakshina Kannada
Sunday, April 24, 2005 | GP
The Department of Agriculture has set a target of bringing 35,000 hectares under paddy cultivation in Dakshina Kannada district during the coming kharif season. The yield is estimated at 77,600 tonnes.
Sources in the department said that the area under paddy cultivation in the district is coming down by at least 125 hectares a year. At least 100 hectares of paddy fields are being brought under horticulture crops in the district every year. Besides, anywhere between 10 hectares and 25 hectares of paddy fields are lost each year owing to rapid urbanisation.
The main reason why farmers replace paddy with horticultural crops each year is because they find paddy cultivation labour intensive and less profitable
Lack of labourers, increase in input costs and less attractive market price for paddy have forced farmers to replace paddy with horticultural crops
Vishnuvardhan's new movie!!
Sunday, April 24, 2005 | GP
Much was expected in the Kannada film industry from the Vishnuvardhan starrer Varsha, a new movie from the prestigious Rockline Productions banner, and directed by S Narayan.
Varsha is a remake of Malayalam hit Hitler, which had Mammootty in the leading role. The film was remade in Telugu with Chiranjeevi in the lead. Before acting in this film, Chiranjeevi's career was in the dumps, but Hitler revived his flagging career.
Varsha is the story of Sathya who has come up in life the hard way. He lost his mother while a small boy, and his father was framed and arrested by the police on criminal charges. But Sathya, who is unaware of his father's innocence, takes custody of his five young sisters.
Sathya's father Bhadra has been cheated by his brother-in-law who poisons his sister's mind to move away from her husband. Later, she commits suicide and her son Sathya is left with his five sisters.
Sathya looks after his sisters well and educates them. But they are under his strict control and any person who plays foul with them faces his wrath. Later, he finds himself in trouble because of this.
Meanwhile, Sathya's father is released from prison and now wants to take revenge on his brother-in-law. The latter joins hands with some villains who want to settle scores with Bhadra and his son. They hatch a plan to a create rift in Sathya's family, and succeed.
Will Sathya reunite his family again, and prove his father's innocence?
Vishnuvardhan plays the role of Sathya well, and underplays emotions. His dialogue delivery stands apart, and creates a good impact in the emotional sequences. He is also good in the action sequences.
Heroine Maanya proves her merit in her first Kannada film. Full marks to Ramesh and Komal who have delivered top performance in the comedy sequences. All other artists including Sreenivaasa Murthy and Doddanna have done well.
Varsha has a sound technical support in music director SA Raj Kumar, cameraman PKH Doss and editor Soundar Rajan. Vasanthi Vasanthi, Ikku Maga and Kanneerige Kanneereke will certainly top the charts.
Sudeep does well in Kashi
Sunday, April 24, 2005 | GP
Kashi from village
Cast Sudeep, Rakshitha, Sathya Prakash, Harsha, Sara
Shivakumar, Dharma, BankJanardhan
Direction Sai Prakash
Music Koti
Cinematography J G Krishna
This is the story of two village lads Kashi (Sudeep) and Vishwa (Harsha) who migrate to the city after their mother's (Bhavya's) death.
Kashi owns a tea stall and wants to make his brother a doctor. Vishwa is in love with Priya (Shilpa), daughter of PVR, a don and this result in his death.Kashi is forced by circumstances to fight against PVR.
The first half has comedy, heroism and emotion.
Post-interval, action scenes dominate when Kashi takes on PVR. The dialogues are meant for the fans of Sudeep who are the frontbenchers.
Acting-wise, Sudeep fits to the role. Rakshitha, as glamorous Paru, anchor of a TV show, has not much scope for acting. Technically the film is above average.
Motorola to set up R&D lab in B'lore, to hire more
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
BANGALORE: It has taken Motorola over 10 years of presence in Bangalore, as well as statistics like 40% of its handset software developed from this facility, to finally invest here on research.
In an effort to use the city’s research talent pool, the company on Thursday announced setting up of its applied research lab in Bangalore.
This is the 11th Motorola lab across the world. The company intends to initially employ 30-35 people, with mostly advanced degrees.
Without revealing actual investment details, Padmasree Warrior, executive vice-president and chief technology officer, Motorola Inc, said, "We intend to increase the headcount at this centre by 10-20% in a year. We have similar centres in UK, Europe, US and China."
CM refuses to bow to Gowda’s demand
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
Chief Minister N Dharam Singh on Friday noted that he was under “no pressure” to bow to JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda’s demand for a CBI probe into alleged land grabbing. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Congress President Sonia Gandhi are “the last persons” to intervene in such matters. Mr Singh said’s stateme-nts were a reiteration of the position he had taken in response to Mr Gowda’s threat to approach the prime minister or the Congress high command if the government did not respond to his demand.
Source: Deccan Herald
Azim Premji richest Indian with Rs 31,198 Crore!
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
London: Azim Premji, the Chairman of Bangalore-based software giant Wipro, is the richest Indian with a wealth worth Rs 31,198 crore.
Premji is the richest Indian while Mukesh and Anil Ambani, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Reliance Group respectively, are the second richest in India with a combined wealth of Rs 24,172, according to 'Success 2005', a new business magazine launched by Eastern Eye group of publications.
Sunil Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Tele-Ventures, is third in the list with a wealth worth Rs 12,552 crore. He is followed by Shiv Nadar, Chairman, President and CEO, HCL Technologies (Rs 7,929 crore).
Others listed are -
* 5) Malvinder and Shivinder Singh, President and Joint Managing Director of SRL Ranbaxy and Fortis Healthcare (Rs 5,679 crore)
* 6) Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman and Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceuticals (Rs 4,965 crore)
* 7) Kumarmangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group (Rs 4,172 crore)
* 8) Brijmohan Lall Munjal, Chairman, Hero Group (Rs 2,905 crore)
* 9) Subash Chandra, Chairman, Zee Telefilms (Rs 2,849 crore)
* 10) Yusuf K Hamied, Chairman and Managing Director, Cipla (Rs 2,846 crore)
* 11) Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Sterlite Industries (Rs 2,619 crore)
* 12) Rahul Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Auto (Rs 2,490 crore)
* 13) S P Hinduja and G P Hinduja, Chairman and President respectively of the Hinduja Group, (Rs 2,378 crore).
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chief of Biocon, is listed as 16th richest with wealth worth Rs 2,106 crore.
PTI
Wipro to merge BPO subsidiary, eyes high-end deals
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
Bangalore: IT major Wipro today (Apr 22, 2005) said it would merge Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) subsidiary (Wipro Spectramind) with itself, while moving away to a high value transaction processing model from the existing call centre focused business due to high demand from its clients.
"38 per cent of our BPO business comes from our IT clients. They want to get a single invoice. A merger will help us to focus on delivering technology services," Wipro BPO CEO Raman Roy told reporters in Bangalore. The new entity, which will be a division of Wipro, will be called as Wipro BPO.
Wipro BPO employs over 15,673 people in its centres in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi among others.
Wipro BPO contributed 13 per cent of Wipro global IT services' revenues of Rs 1640.9 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 2005.
Wipro Chairman Azim Premji said strategic transformation of the BPO business continued which apart from changing the revenue profile would see a tighter integration with its vertical businesses.
"This will help us in not only building domain competency in our BPO business, but also ensures a far superior go to market approach," he said.
Roy said the firm was eyeing the technology expertise within Wipro to tap the high value transaction-processing model, while moving away from the call centre business.
"Our clients want us to offer technology based fulfilment services," he said.
PTI
Wipro posts FY 04-05 net profits of Rs 1628.05 cr
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
Bangalore: IT services major Wipro today (Apr 22, 2005) reported net profit of Rs 1894.8 crore, a jump of 58 per cent in 2004-05 over Rs 1203.2 crore in the previous fiscal.
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)-listed Wipro posted revenues of Rs 8,169.8 crore, an increase of 39 per cent over Rs 5881.2 crore reported in 2003-04.
The Bangalore-based Wipro recommended bonus of one share to each share held by a shareholder while announcing a dividend of Rs 5 per share.
"Considering the emerging opportunities in the global market and our unique business model, the future outlook looks as exciting as journey has been so far," Wipro Chairman Azim Premji said in a statement.
Wipro posted net profits of Rs 433 crore and income of Rs 2,312.10 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 2005. Profits jumped by 58 per cent over Rs 320.8 crore and revenues by 39 per cent over Rs 1786.3 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.
"Our differentiated model resulted in revenues from global IT services in Q4 at USD 375 million, ahead of our guidance of $ 370 Million," Wipro Vice Chairman Vivek Paul said.
Wipro projected income of $ 385 million from global IT services in the first quarter between April and June.
The IT firm added 2,520 people in the fourth quarter, to take its total employee strength to 41,857, which includes 26,184 in the IT services business and 15,673 people in the BPO operations.
"We were able to significantly offset the pressure on operating margins arising from currency appreciation and decrease in price realizations through improvement in utilization, increased proportion of offshore projects and continued operational improvements, "Wipro CFO Suresh Senapaty said.
Revenues from Wipro Infotech, the India and Asia Pacific IT services arm, stood at Rs 1396.4 crore and from the consumer care and lighting business, Rs 472.3 crore.
PTI
Bangalore Helix, a novel concept
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
Biotech can be defined as any technique, product or process which uses or is derived by using any living system (plant, animal or micro-organism), to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for specific use.
After establishing itself as a IT and BPO hub, Karnataka has successfully attracted the BioTech industry. As of Q1 2004 Bangalore currently houses 92 of India's 180 biotech companies, with total actual investments of over Rs 1,000 crore, of which Rs 140 crore has been venture capital funding. The companies are encouraged to invest thanks to the presence of large R&D institutions like Indian Institute of Science and the National Centre for Biological Resources. However, it is sure to face a lot of competition from media savvy Hyderabad.
Bangalore Helix
Bangalore Helix is a biotech cluster being planned by the Karnataka government. Bangalore Helix would support biotech units with common infrastructure. It would comprise eight biotech incubators, covering a total area of 10,000 square feet. Excluding the cost of land (around Rs 60 crore) that has already been acquired, the cluster will involve an investment of Rs 100 crore.
The infrastructure support would be comprehensive, right from advance computing facilities to treated water necessary for biotech research. The incumbents of Bangalore Helix would pay for the infrastructure services.
14 hi-tech citizen service centres in Banglore
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
Starting from April 2, 2005 Bangalore citizens benefit from the 14 hi-tech citizen service centres. From BCC, BESCOM, BSNL, BWSSB, police, RTO, passport, stams and registration - all these services will be provided under one roof.
By registering with Bangalore One portal, transactions can be made from home. The government to citizen [G2C] and government to business [G2B] services will be implementd by the State Government in association with Hyderabad based National Institute of Smart Governance [NISG].
Each centre will be housed in 2,000 sq ft air-conditioned office space. No visitor will have to stand. You can browse the internet, use the ATM machine while you wait.
Services Provided
* BWSSB & BESCOM: Bill payment, grievance redressal, application for new connections and statement of accounts.
* BCC: Property tax payment, issue of Khata certificate and extract, issue of copies of birth and death certificates and grievance redressal.
* RTO: Learner's license renewal, road tax payment, issue of B-extract for vehicles and payments against challan.
* Stamps and Registration: Providing market value assistance.
* Passport: Sale of application forms and new passport application registration.
* CTO: Collection of KST/CST and entry tax.
* Police: Fine for traffic violations.
* Others: Booking of cinema tickets, payment of bills of all cell phone operators.
Location Of Service Centres
* Airport Road: Assistant Executive Engineer, S-7 Subdivision - BESCOM
* Banashankari: BDA Shopping Complex, II Stage Banashankari
* Cox Town: Tannery Rd, KEB Office, III Stage, Pillanna Garden
* HBR Layout: HBR Layout BDA Shopping Complex, I Stage, II Block
* Kalasipalyam: BSNL Office, 33/3 AM Lane, Kalasipalyam
* Jayanagar II Block: 9th Cross, 9th Main, II Block, Jayanagar
* JP Nagar: Office of Assistant Executive Engineer - BESCOM, S-6 Sub division, 14th Cross, I Main
* Malleswaram: 18th Cross, Malleswaram
* Nagarbhavi: BDA Shopping Complex, II Stage, III Block, Nagarabhavi
* RT Nagar: City Central Library, East Zone, I Main
* Rajainagar: BMP Complex, II Block, Rajajinagar
* Shantinagar: Divyashree Chambers near Hockey Stadium
* Vijaynagar: BDA Shopping Complex, Magadi Chord Road
* Yeshwantpur: BMP Complex
India's biggest BT show 'Bangalore Bio-2005' begins
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
Bangalore: India's biggest bio-tech show, 'Bangalore Bio-2005, opened in Bangalore today (Apr 22, 2005) as Government promised more investment in biotechnology, the US and Britain proposed partnerships with India and experts spoke of the country reaching $ 5 billion in bio-tech business by 2010.
As the event, touted also as one of Asia's largest BT shows, began, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramdoss said Government would invest more in Biotech which had a holistic approach to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
He told the gathering that included eminent scientists from overseas and India that "everything will revolve round ethics" in the structures that Government would evolve to regulate clinical trials but made it clear that there would be no blockade or "inspector raj" and it would be professional.
M K Bhan, Secretary, Union Department of Biotechnology, said the Government was committed to sustaining the bio-tech sector in a "consistent progressively scaled manner'. The Government would lay major emphasis on global partnerships, giving a "hassle free" environment to global partners.
British High Commissioner to India Michael Arthur, whose country is strongly represented at the fifth edition of the annual show, expressed Britain's keenness to partner with India in biotech, while George Atkinson, Scientific Advisor to the US Secretary of State, said the potential for collaboration with India was "so many" and scientists and researchers of both countries have "many areas of common interest" for collaboration.
Biopharma major Biocon chairman and managing director Kiran Majumdar Shaw, who is also chairperson of Karnataka's Vision Group on Biotechnology, said Indian biotech industry was in a nascent stage but the growth seen in the last five years would be amplified in the next five years.
The country could reach the target of $ 5 billion in biotech business by 2010, she said. The global biotech sector was a $ 40 billion industry and 70 per cent of the drugs in the approval pipeline was in the biotech sector, she said, emphasising the potential it held out for India.
Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh said Bangalore was home to 131 biotech companies, accounting for 50 per cent of the total number of such firms in the country, with 21 of them opening in the last one year itself.
He said the State Government was in the process of setting up a bio-tech park named "Bangalore Helix" with world-class infrastructure and work on it would start in June.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said the bio-cluster in Bangalore should move to other parts of the country also and added her Government would make her State a destination for the knowledge-based sector, apart from tourism.
Fifteen countries and nine States from across the country and 110 companies are taking part in the three-day event.
PTI
AIDS awareness programme in Manglore
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
Mangalore, April 23: The city will witness the biggest chain of AIDS awareness programmes in the form of street plays starting from Saturday.
The programme has been organised by the Young Christian Students and Young Students Movement. As many as 45 youngsters have been trained by experts.
The trainees will spread the message by holding street plays in their villages and towns. The trained youth have been divided into two groups.
These groups will hold street plays in various places in Mangalore, including Kankanady Market, Kulashekar Kalpane, Mangalore Old Bus Stand, Lady Goshen Hospital premises, and Central Market.
'Aaptha' faces challenge from 'Chandramukhi'
Saturday, April 23, 2005 | GP
Bangalore, April 22 : Kannada film "Aaptha Mithra" is still roosted on its high perch. But it faces stiff competition from the newly released Rajnikant-starrer "Chandramukhi" inspired from it.
1. "Aaptha Mithra": Tamil film "Chandramukhi" has been released in two centres - Bangalore and Mysore. How "Aaptha Mithra" fares in competition with the new film will have to be seen in the coming weeks.
2. "Kashi": The Sudeep-Rakshitha-starrer opened well throughout Karnataka after its release April 1. Made on a reasonable budget of Rs.20 million, it was sold to all distribution areas as both Sudeep and Rakshitha are crowd-pullers. But the cricket one-dayers after that affected its collections.
3. "Rakshasa": This big-budget action film produced by Ramu also had to face stiff competition from the cricket matches. But with Shivaraj Kumar in the lead, the movie directed by Sadhu Kokila will have to do well in the coming weeks to recover its costs.
4. "Rishi": The Shivaraj Kumar-Vijaya Raghavendra-starrer, directed by Prakash, will be completing 100 days shortly. Collections have been improving in the B and C centres also.
5. "Ayya": The film has completed 10 weeks in major centres and is performing well in B centres. It had a huge opening that helped recover capital investment in three weeks. Though not as big a hit as the earlier Darshan-Rakshitha-starrer "Kalasi Palya", this film has established the box-office credentials of both the stars.
--Indo-Asian News Service
Government declares three day official mourning
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Editor
BANGALORE: The State Government has declared three-day official mourning following the demise of Pope John Paul II on Saturday.
The national flag will fly at half-mast and there will be no official entertainment during this period. Governor T.N.Chaturvedi and Chief Minister Dharam Singh condoled the Pope’s death.
‘‘The Pope was the harbinger of world peace. In his 26 years of papacy, the Pope gave character and direction to the Catholic Church,’’ they said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP has condemned the mourning. ‘‘Italy and many European countries had not observed official mourning even when people like B.R.Ambedkar and Mahatma Gadhi died,’’ said BJP leader Shettar.
Doctor vows to bring about awareness on homeopathy
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Editor
BANGALORE: The intricacies of homoeopathic system of medicines are not known to many practioners and there is a great need to throw more light on the new and higher techniques, said renowned homoeopath Dr A. Narasimham.
At a one-day seminar on the merits of classical homoeopathy organised by Homoeopathic Education and Research Foundation, Dr. Narasimham said homoeopathy dealt with treating the causes of diseases and not the outcome.
‘‘Diseases are the defensive efforts or survival mechanism of the body and a holistic approach is required to remove the source of diseases,’’ he said.
Modern scientists with the help of electronic microscopes have now proved that the genetic code in the genome is responsible for all ailments.
Dr. Hanniman had stated this 250 years ago and homoeopathy is based on this theory, he asserted.
Questioning the popular notion that medicines cure diseases, Dr. Narasimham said the ‘healer’ was within the body.
‘‘Medicines can only trigger or switch on the defensive or cure modes which already exists in the cells. Doctors should know which mode to trigger.’’
Homoeopathy, he said, strikes at the very root and triggers the right healing programme to remove the ‘dhosha’.
A true homoeopath will chose remedy according to the defensive mode, the place of the affected cell.
All ailments including brain tumours, liver cirrhosis, cancer and those involving structural damages can be treated in this manner, he said.
The modern day scanning mechanisms cannot find the causes of diseases but only the damages occurred, he said.
‘‘We should punish the culprit and not the victim. In homoeopathy, we treat man in disease and not the disease in man.’’
Dr. Narasimham dismissed the allegations that homoeopaths were using steroids to effect cure. ‘‘I am planning to conduct more awareness classes for the public and practitioners,’’ he said.
Engg student hangs self
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Editor
BANGALORE: A final year engineering student committed suicide by hanging at her house in Sahakarnagar on Saturday night.
Apparently, the student, Divya S Kannamadi (21), was upset that she did not get a job despite attending a few interviews.
Police said Divya, daughter of architect Srikant Kannamadi, was studying computer science.
On Saturday evening, Divya’s parents had gone out. When they returned around 8 pm, the door was locked and Divya did not respond to their calls.
The couple informed the neighbours who broke open the door. Divya was found hanging from a ‘dupatta’ tied to the ceiling fan.
She was shifted to a hospital where she was declared brought dead. She did not leave behind any note, police said.
According to police, Divya had been upset over an interview that she did not clear.
However, police are yet to ascertain the reason for her extreme act. Divya was the only child of her parents.
NDA okayed illegal AP projects: JD(S)
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Editor
BANGALORE: The issue of ‘illegal’ irrigation projects taken up by Andhra Pradesh is gaining political colour in Karnataka.
On Sunday, the coalition partner the Janata Dal (S), trained its guns at the Opposition BJP which has demanded that the Government convene a special Legislative Session to pass a resolution condemning Andhra Pradesh’s projects.
Addressing a media conference, JD(S) State working president H D Kumaraswamy alleged that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was responsible for allowing Andhra Pradesh to go ahead with its ‘‘illegal’’ projects.
Denying the allegations of the BJP national general secretary H N Anath Kumar that the State had remained quiet on the Andhra Pradesh projects, Kumarswamy said the State had filed a writ petition with the Centre to prevent Andhra Pradesh from going ahead with the projects.
‘‘Both Kumar and Basavaraj Patil Yatnal who were ministers in the NDA government remained quiet on the issue,’’ he said blaming them for the present state of affairs.
‘‘We have no objection to the BJP’s demand to convene a special legislative session to condemn the illegal projects of Andhra Pradesh. At the same time we want to pass a resolution against the NDA for allowing Andhra Pradesh to take up illegal projects,’’ he said.
Releasing documents relating to the work done by the state governments in the past, Kumarswamy said that it was in the period of the Janata Dal governments led by H D Deve Gowda and later by late J H Patel that Karnataka completed the irrigation projects to utilise its full share of 734 TMC of water in the Krishna basin.
‘‘From 1964 to 1994 State could store only 44 TMC of water,’’ he said.
The riparian states have the freedom to store their full capacity of water in any manner they like.
‘‘According to the Bachawat award, the riparian states had complete freedom to store their share of water in any phase. This apart, it had also said that the excess water used for production of power by Karnataka need not be taken into account after they are released to flow into Andhra Pradesh,’’ he said.
Following this, both Maharashtra and AP withdrew their arguments against raising the height of the Almatti Dam.
He also recalled that the United Front Government at the Centre led by Gowda had filed a counter petition in the AP Government against a petition filed by one farmer named Krishanaiah.
The UF Government had also given an assurance that it would set up a Krishna River Tribunal to sort out the issues.
‘‘When the NDA came to power, it filed an affidavit which weakened the Centre’s stand and allowed Andhra Pradesh to go ahead with its illegal projects,’’ he alleged.
The affidavit had also mentioned that there was no need for the Krishna River Tribunal.
This apart, the NDA Government had also asked the State to release 154 TMC of excess water stored by it to AP.
‘‘Kumar and Yediyurappa are harping on the issue now. Why did they remain silent when NDA was allowing the Andhra government to take up works,’’ he asked.
All-party meeting
An all-party meeting to discuss the ‘‘illegal’’ irrigation projects taken up by Andhra Pradesh will be held on Monday.
The meeting is a prelude to an all-party delegation to call on the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s to intervene and stop Andhra Pradesh from further implementing the projects.
The delegation led by Chief Minister Dharam Singh is likely visit New Delhi on April 15.
Trouble brewing in Tumkur varsity
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Editor
TUMKUR: It seems, politics is slowly taking root in the newly established Tumkur university.
The students’ protest against a teacher on Wednesday, just three days after the vice-chancellor assumed office, was a reflection on the teacher-student relationship in the university.
The students, besides gheraoing the registrar in-charge, have also presented a memorandum to the vice-chancellor Dr O Anantharamaiah demanding that he relieve the commerce department co-ordinator Dr M. Muninarayanappa.
He has promised to take steps on the matter.
The copy of the memorandum, which listed 13 complaints ranging from the co-ordinator’s teaching style to appointment of guest faculty, was also released to the press.
Their first complaint against the co-ordinator was that he was threatening to cut the internal marks.
Secondly, they complained he had selected guest faculty of his own choice.
But in this case most of the guest faculty he took were all experienced and highly qualified PhDs, according to sources.
But the students wanted their seniors, who were jobless, to be taken as guest faculty.
Infact, the co-ordinator who was from Bangalore University had to be relieved on March 31 since he along with six of his colleagues from different departments had opted to go back to their original university where they were recruited.
However, since the academic year is not completed yet with the final semester examinations falling in May-June, the authorities postponed the idea of relieving the Bangalore University teachers as it would affect the smooth functioning of the newly established university.
Accordingly, the commerce department co-ordinator had to continue along with seven other of his colleagues in the Tumkur University till this academic year ends.
But the some other teachers who had been lobbying for the posts wanted the early exit of the Bangalore University teachers particularly commerce department co-ordinator, sources said.
They created the controversy behind the scenes, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, lobbying for various posts has been continuing in the university’s administrative block based at Dr Ambedkar Bhavan as the vice-chancellor peruses the files of previous appointments in a bid to reconsider them.
Karnataka Bank surpasses target
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Editor
Mangalore April 04, 2005
Mangalore-based private sector bank Karnataka Bank has surpassed its business turnover target of Rs 17,000 crore for the financial year 2004-05, Ananthakrishna, chairman of the bank told the members at the bank's head office here on Friday.
He unveiled the plan for 2005-06 which includes a turnover of Rs 20,000 crore with deposits of Rs 12,500 crore and advances of Rs 7,500 crore. The bank plans to further contain the net NPA within 2 per cent.
The bank intends to take the number of branches to 400 by the end of March 2006. The number of bank's own ATMs will be raised to 100 before the end of December 2005. A pact has already been inked for other banks’ network/shared viz. network “Cash Tree”, and “NFS” for greater access.
The bank is all set to launch internet banking shortly. Introduction of demat services, distribution of mutual fund products and a product called "Money Quick" for customer-to-customer remittance through RTGS are on the cards.
The bank’s capital stands at Rs 121 crore after the latest rights issue and the own funds of the bank is expected to touch Rs 1,000 crore.
Vijaya group launches Kannada daily 'Usha Kirana'
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Editor
BANGALORE: Vernacular Journalism received yet another boost with the launch of the new daily "Usha Kirana". The new publication for the Vijaya Karnataka group is a sister publication of Vijay Karnataka - the Kannada Daily that transformed the vernacular newspaper scenario in Karnataka in a span of just 5 years.
In a period of just 3 years Vijay Karnataka claims that it overtook newspapers with an established history to emerge as the state's number 1 daily with a circulation today that is close to 5, 76,000. Vijaya Karnataka has a network of 500 journalists. Vijaya Karnataka claims to be the only daily to offer 18 supplements that encompass a range of topics of interest to different segments of the reader community.
Usha Kirana, the new offering from the Group will be published from nine centers. Usha Kirana is also the first Kannada Newspaper to launch nine simultaneous editions available all across the state because of an effective distribution network that the group has established across the state.
The new daily was launched at a ceremony on 3rd March, with luminaries such as Infosys Foundation Chairperson Mrs. Sudha Murthy, Lokayukta Justice N.Venkatachala, and Kannada Sahitya Parishad President Mr. Chandrashekara Patil present at the occasion.
Embee rice ad campaign to hit Kannada television
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Editor
BANGALORE: This is one marketer which has aggressive ambitions for the humble grain of rice. Karnataka-based Embee Agro Foods recently introduced basic rice under the brand name Embee. Hitherto, not many have dared to brand basic low end rice; they have preferred to focus on premium varieties such as basmati.
And Embee Agro is sparing no expense to get its brand name recognised by the denizens of Karnataka. The company has earmarked an initial spend of Rs 500,000 for airing ads on ETV Kannada and Udaya TV starting Ugadi, the Kannada New Year on 9 April. The effort is to focus on the retail housewife in Karnataka.
The 15-second Kannada ad features Embee brand Ambassador Shama Sanjay, a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and actress, in the role of a housewife in a departmental store. In the ad, she prefers buying an Embee branded rice pack to an unbranded packet of rice offered to her by the store manager.
The ad has been created by a local agency - Chandra Advertising Agency, which is also the campaign manager for the brand. Approximately, Rs 2,25,000 have been spent by Embee towards the making of 10, 15 and 30 second clips on the same housewife theme, of which only the 15 second clip is being aired at present.
Kannadigas’ contribution to Goa’s development multi-dimensional: Rane
Saturday, April 2, 2005 | Editor
Panaji: The chairperson of Bal Bhavan, Ms Vijayadevi Rane said the contribution of Kannadigas living in Goa towards all-round development of the state is multi-dimensional and highlighted the cultural relations between Goa and Karnataka.Ms Rane was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of the 9th Sanskriti Sammelan and a seminar on “Karnataka and Goa: cultural ties through the ages” organised jointly by the Goa Kannada Samaj, Panaji and Dr R C Hiremath, Institute of Kannada Studies, Karnataka University, Dharwad recently held at the Swami Vivekananda Society hall, Panaji.
Dr S Rajasekhara, Prof (retd.) of History and Archaeology at the Karnataka University, Dharwad, presided over the function. Dr A Murrigappa of Kannada Studies of Karnataka University was also present.
On this occasion two books Vyasanga Taranga by Dr Hiremath and Samskriika Adyama written by Dr Chennakka Pavate were released by Dr J Rajasekhara. Dr Arvind Yalagi, president of Goa Kannada Samaj while welcoming the guests highlighted the importance of the precious records housed in the state archives, throwing light on the different issues of Karnataka and Goa relations.
The two-day seminar on Goa and Karnataka Cultural Relations threw intense light on the different aspects such as linguistic relationship, historical relationship, cultural relationship, art and architectural relationships etc.
Dr Yalagi, Dr Ashok Settar, Dr S K Joshi, Dr Shripad Shetty, Dr Rajendra Naik, Dr M G Wari and Dr Padigar, presented their research papers. Dr A Murigeppa proposed a vote of thanks.
Will ‘Chandramukhi’ release in Bangalore?
Saturday, April 2, 2005 | Editor
The Kannada superstar Vishnuvardhana’s fans are up in arms to stop the release of Rajnikanth’s Chandramukhi in Bangalore. Remember that the film is a scene to scene remake of Aapthamitra from Kannada(see pic), a blockbuster in which Vishnu is the hero.
The bone of contention is that Aapthamitra released on August 28, 2004 is still running houseful at the prestigious Santosh theatre at the Kempagowda circle, in Bangalore. The theatre plans to run the film for one year (365 days) something unimaginable these days.
Now the fans of Vishnuvardhana say that if Chandramukhi releases in Bangalore, it will eat into the collection of Aapthamitra and hence the film should not be allowed to release! They do not mind the film releasing outside the city. Rajni is in a fix as Bangalore is his home town, where he grew up and has a huge fan base among Tamilians and Kannadigas there.
But the situation is sticky, as Kannada chauvinists organizations have been targeting other language films especially Tamil. Meanwhile other film stars are acting as mediators and are trying to bring peace and sort out the issue as Vishnu and Rajni are good friends.
Archive: 2004, 2003
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