Ajola become boon for farmers involved in dairy farming

Following drought, its indeed a challenging task for farmers to provide cattle-feed to their livestocks, especially for those involved in dairy farming. As a tailor made solution for this, Ajola, a waterborne green algae has found quick acceptance amongst thousands of farmers involved in dairy farming activity under Mysore Milk Union Limited (MYMUL).

Milk Unions are distributing the mother culture free of cost to the desirous farmers. Among 1309 milk producers society of Mysore and Charamajanagar, more than 600 societies are growing Ajola to cut down the feed cost.  MS Lakshmi Prasad Yadav of MYMUL Seeds and Fodder Unit says, there is a huge demand for Ajola grass in the districts, following  low cost maintenance and result of good yield.

“Ajola grass are rich in protein content. By feeding Ajola for milching animals like buffaloes and cows, not only milk production but even percentage of fat content increases, which helps farmers to reap more profits. Moreover, Ajola requires very small place, and it can be grown even in the backyard. It cost around 40 to 50 paise per kilo to grow Ajola and there is no labour problem. This has encouraged hundreds of farmers involved in the dairy farming to grow Ajola grass in their farms,” he said.

Though there is good response for Ajola, as its a very sensitive crop  farmers are provided training about growing Ajola at MYMUL Training Center situated in Alanahalli. It has to be grown inside a garden house or shadow under the tree to prevent formation of any fungus and bacterial attacks.  

“We  think of cutting costs while maintaining a good yield and also nutrition. The Ajola grass is blessed for us. Compare to cattle feeds provided earlier, the yield of milk is good after using Ajola”, says farmer Vasu of KR Nagar.

Training for farmers
Mymul is conducting 'Urea Straw Treatment', an educational training programme for farmers on enrichment of dry straw. The farmers are thought about processing of dry straw, Maize, Jower grass using water, salt, jower.

Lakshmi Prasad Yadav says: “Dry straw, fodder become soft when processed, and salt, jower enriches the proteins, vitamins contents. As its difficult for farmers to provide green grass for livestocks following drought, lack of space, this has become boon for farmers. From last few months about 300 metric tonnes of dry straw has been processed.”

Uplifting women at their door steps

This is the era, where women are raising voice for 50 per cent reservation in elections. Whereas, even today it can be seen one section of women fear to step out of women. Specially, for religious minorities residing in slums, its a herculean task to come out of their homes.

Realising their situations, 'Gnana Jyothi Samsthe', an NGO is visiting their place personally and providing them training at their door steps. It has brought cheers among thousands of women by making them economically self-reliant, so that they can lead an independent and dignified life, without being subjected to harassment and ill-treament in a society dominated by males.

Been relentlessly working for past 12 years for the upliftment of women residing in slum areas, the organisation has so far imparted training to more than 4,800 women in their chosen fields of interest, thereby helping them to earn some money. Awareness programme on health, education, legal issues are held to make them educated about various issues.

Even measures have been taken to make them access for various government schemes. Providing of free tailoring machines, informing them about various government schemes, how to take loan with the certificates, and much more. Recognising their services for the cause of downtrodden women the State Government conferred the 'Kittur Rani Chennamma Award'.

“Hailing from BPL (Below Poverty Line), we were not exposed to outer world and not even aware of works. But now we have started earning sitting at home. We are creating colourful embroidery designs on clothes and are selling them to Jum Jum Bazar, Meena Bazar,” said Sumiya firdoz and Salma jamal who have underwent training from last six months in embroidery, tailoring at Haleem Nagar Slum and are very eager to learn fashion designing in coming days.

Rani Training Head says: “bringing Muslim Women out of house was big task. Amidst lot of opposition, the programme anyways kick started.”

Organising Secretary Hemavathi said that in one batch about 80-90 undergo training and government should take measures to distribute  more number of machines. At present seven sewing machines are distributed at free of cost in every ward.

With 2000 members in strength at Organisation, a batch of five women have underwent a special training in Food Processing at CFTRI. They in turn trained other members in their Organisation.  The women are provided free training in professional courses such as Beautician, Food Processing and Preservation, Tailoring, 50 varieties of embroidery designs, Computer, Fashion Designing, Papad and Pickle making and several such other courses where there is a huge demand for skilled labour and services.

Organising President Sharadamma said that “we provide training to women living in slums and we continue our efforts to make them self reliant.” 

Lack of basic facilities at Nature Cure Hospitals

Due to severe space constraints and lack of basic facilities, officials at the Nature Cure Hospitals (Prakruthi Chikitsa Kendra) are unable to use the Spinal bed for the patients from last seven years.

Physio therapy equipments are lying idle as there is no separate room to house them and treadmill is not working from last three years. There are even instances where the equipments like massage table, and other equipments have been shifted to other Ayurveda hospitals.

The spinal bath tub is very much helpful for a patients ailing from back pain. Cold and Hot water will be sprayed directly on the spinal, from which the patient can get rid of pain.

The Hospital is functioning at KG Koppal since 1993, and is run by the State Government, Department of AYUSH. Following, some of major drawbacks the patients visiting the department are unable to get complete Naturopathy treatment.

An average of 28 to 30 patients every day visit the Center. Four female and three male cane be provided treatment at once, which takes around one hour. Due to lack of basic amenities like sanitation, space conjust, people are forced to wait for treatment for long time. Moreover, the same toilet is used by both men and women and the building housing the Center is also dilapidated.

Usually Nature Cure treatment is based on water treatment, separate units will be set up for every treatment. But in this hospital there are only two rooms, used for men and women separately.

Ayush District Officer Dr Nagesh said the department has sent a proposal to MUDA to handover the building on lease for the department, for which MUDA has approved the proposal tentatively. “If once the buildings comes under department, renovation and up gradation of hospital will be done,” he added.

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Only two Nature Cure hospitals work for five district

As the number of people switching over to traditional medicines is on the rise, alternative treating method that is gaining equally popularity for lifestyle illnesses like Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma is Naturopathy.

There are only two Nature Cure Hospitals (Prakruthi Chikitsa Kendra) run by the State Government covering five districts by the Department of AYUSH. One is situated in Mysore and another in Srirangapatna. As a result while those residing at Hassan, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar come to Mysore Nature Cure Hospital, those residing in Mandya visit the hospital at Srirangapatna.

Patients visiting the Nature Cure Hospital in Mysore for treatment have to wait for a long time. In cases of emergency, with no other option they have to visit private Nature Cure clinics which are quite expensive compared to the Government hospital. This demand has led to the mushrooming of private clinics in the city in other side.

Rajamma, a resident of Nanjangud says: If more number of Naturopathy hospitals are opened in the Taluks, people residing in villages will be benefited immensely. If Government opens such hospitals at our Taluk headquarters, it helps us lot. Money, time both will be saved.”

Ayush District Officer Dr Nagesh said that plans have made to construct hospitals at taluk and district level, for which the department has asked to identify 2000 square feet of land at every district. The land identification and other process commence shortly, he added.

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How Nature Cure helps

Many ailing with chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, skin ailments, Asthma and obesity are switching over to Naturopathic Cures. The course of their treatment usually runs for 10 to 12 days for which they have to visit the Center daily.

The treatment begins with cleansing the body. Liquid foods along with fruits and raw vegetables is the diet prescribed for body cleansing. It's observed that around 50 per cent of the ailments are relieved just after cleansing the body. This is followed by treatments such as mud pack, enema, steam bath, massage and yoga. Dr S Hariganesh of Mysroe Center observed that most patients respond well after these treatments and are cured. 

Women achieves in farming activity

Lakshmidevamma, a women farmer has created a niche in the field of farming by adopting complete agriculture tradition. Recognising her achievements she has been appointed as Director of Banuli Krishikara Producer Company, Akashvani, Mysore.

Born to a agriculture family, she tied the nuptial knot to Ramakrishna, a postmaster and settled in Pandavapura. After her marriage she started garment business and faced ups and downs. It was then, her parents Kaveri Gowda and Channamma of Hosakote, suggested her to venture in agriculture, which changed the focus of her life.

She purchased 6.5 acres of land at Kanchahalli and tried mixed farming cultivation. She cultivated paddy, banana, sugarcane in the place. Making use of the place between Coconut trees, teak plantation, she has grown fodder for cattles and maize. She has even opened a small fish house at KR Pet.

The training she underwent has helped her lot for her success. Making use of the advanced technology, she has taken measures to enrich and retain the fertility of the soil. She uses about 90 per cent of organic and compost manure. To produce manure in the form of liquid she has adopted bio-digester method. In result, she has harvested about 600 tonnes of sugarcane last year (per acre more than 80 tonnes), drawing scientists, officers attentions towards her field.

Though her husband was transferred to different places, she remained in Pandavapura and continued agriculture activity. After, retirement her husband to has joined Lakshmidevamma. The couple are role model for many farmers.

   

Bootlegging: Belgaum, Bijapur districts tops in State

The State has witnessed a rise in bootlegging cases after prohibition of arrack in 2007. While, 1090 bootlegging cases were registered in 2008, whereas 4412 cases have been registered in 2012.

Excise enforcement and lottery prohibition wing started functioning in State from November 2007. The statistics of the department reveal that Belgaum, Bijapur district tops in state at sale of bootlegging, followed by Hassan and Tumkur Districts.

At Karavigudda in Belgaum it has become a challenging task for the department to put break for distillation and sale of illicit liquor. Its learnt that no ground water is available for people in the region for other occupation and people are not coming out of the business. In fear of raids they frequently change the places.

The officials have launched a special drive in these places and have outsourced police for Belgaum, Hassan, Tumkur and Bijapur, to bring down the number cases in the region. Day and night strict vigilance is done and through monitoring is done.

PRO of the wing PSI Ashok Hullur says, “though at Sakleshpur belt the illicit liquor is prepared, it is used for own consumption. Whereas, at Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Sakaleshpur, Pavagada and other places majority of them are professional sellers.”

Awareness Programme

The Excise department has launched an awareness drive 'Jana Samparka Sabhe' at village and taluk levels to educate people about ill-effects of consumption of Illicit Distillation and other drug related issues. So far, more than 12,500 campaign programmes are held across State, involving local leaders, schools children, Religious leaders and other govt officials.

Ashok says: the awareness programme has helped very much and many have quit manufacturing of illicit liquor business. Through street plays, health programmes they are being educated and are informed about the rigorous punishment imposed by courts.

The wing personnel are successful in provided alternative jobs under NAREGA and various other government schemes for 2100 persons, who are allegedly involved in illicit liquor business. They are helped to get Bank Loan and are monitored regularly to insure that they again not switch over to old path.

In all 13,414 cases have been registered and 13966 have been arrested from November 2007 to December 2012.

Year Wise Statistics of cases

2007 – 15 (November and December)

2008 – 1090

2009 – 1361

2010 – 2853

2011 – 3683

2012 – 4412

History

Prohibition of illicit liquor came to enforce in Karnataka on July 1, 2007. The wing started functioning in State from November 2007. Approximately 900 staffs are working at 41 Special Police stations function in State, where Belgaum, Bagalkote, Karwar, Tumkur, Bellary, Bangalore Dist have two stations. Every staff in the police stations has been made in-charge of special area of the Jurisdiction of the police station. In case if any complaints received from the region, he is answerable. 

An exclusive library for visually impaired in city

An exclusive library for visually impaired is coming-up in Mysore District which houses text books, magazines, epics, books on general knowledge, litterateur and much more.

In a bid to provide library atmosphere for visually impaired, The National Federation of Blind (NFB) Mysore Unit, situated in Moksha Marga, Siddartha Layout is starting the library, which will be inaugurated next month. The NFB has succeeded in getting many books translated from Kannada, English to Braille with its Network.

The library houses Bible provided by Mission to the Blind, Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Karnataka Legal Service Book, KAS/IAS Training books, famous English litterateurs and much more. It has also housed text books of PUC, post graduation, under graduation to ease problems of visually impaired. Even good number of contraction braille books are available.

As many of the girls shy to share adolescent problems. NFB has taken the initiative to translate Gruhashobe, an monthly women magazine into Braille. By reading the magazine, visually impaired girls can know about various women related issues and enhance their knowledge.

NFB Mysore Unit President N Siddaraju says: “Getting braille books is an herculean task, specially for those doing post graduate and under graduate. There are many instances they get Academic books from Bangalore. The library will ease such problems.”

“Earlier, with the helps of the volunteers we get the syllabus recorded in ipod or cassettes. After hearing repeatedly, understanding the subject we used to make the notes in Braille. But, now I don't have such tension. I visit the library and go through the text books which are available in Braille,” says Syed Unis, II PU student, Lakshmipuram Government College.

“I enjoy reading apart from hearing. Moreover, we can learn spellings while reading. The books on legal awareness has helped me to know about reservation, our rights, and other general issues,” says student Ramesh Kumar.

Training

NFB is providing training for visually impaired, specially those residing in rural areas and don't have access to education. So far, about 13 members have been thought to read and write and are sent back to their respective villages. The Unit is providing free hostel facility for 27 visually impaired who are perusing their PG, Degree. Shortly computer training will also be provided.  

Dr URA bats for Tippu Varsity

“Tippu Sultan being a great freedom fighter, a warrior and a very good politician, we should be proud of that University being named after Tippu Sultan,” said Jnanapeeta Awardee Dr UR Ananthamurthy.

Tippu was the first person to draw a plan for the construction of the KRS dam, later it was taken up by Sri M Vishweshwariah. Tippu contribution for our land is tremendous. No other kings equal Tippu in their contribution,” he said.

In a interaction with media persons at Rangayana on Thursday, journalist questioned opposition led by Litterateur Bhyrappa and Researcher M Chidananda Murthy to name a University in Srirangapatna after Tippu Sultan.

Replying, Dr URA said he has great respect towards Bhyrappa and M Chidananda Murthy, but what they are saying is not right. He added that even there is political agenda behind this.

“Without Muslims its not possible to construct India. Muslims have played a major role in the formation of our country and their contribution is tremendous. It is why, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, refused transfer of Muslim after independence,” he added.

'Make Rangayana Autonomous Institution'

Janapeeta Awardee Dr UR Ananthamurthy opined that Rangayana, an government sponsored repertory should be made autonomous institution. Stating don’t weaken Rangayana, he said it should be modernised as an independent body and complete powers should be given for directors to take any sorts of decision.

“Advisory committee should be formed, which should function solely on the grounds of mutual co-operation and favouritism should not be allowed. Even internal squabbles should be solved internally, just in the case of University. If found guilty, further steps to be taken,” he said.

Stating who become director of Rangayana is equally important that of the who becomes University Vice-Chancellor, he said that complete power should be given for directors to take any decisions.

'Ranga Samaja' has been set-up by government at Rangayana, he asked to set-up similar 'Ranga Samaja' in other two theater repertory and maintain day-to-day accounts.

'Say no for transfer'

As plans have been made to transfer artiste for other theater repertory, Dr URA said that transfer of artistes should be canceled and they should be fixed with good salary and pension should be provided.

“The directors should stand firm and not bow down to the pressure of government or others and indulge in transfer of artistes. Retired artistes should be invited to Rangayana and their services should be utilised similarly on the lines of University, where former Vice-Chancellors, prof and others serve as visiting faculty,” he added.

Introduce Cinema appreciation course in schools

Janapeeta Awardee Dr UR Ananthamurthy suggested to introduce folklore, art, drama, music and various other cultural activities in schools, as part of regular curriculum, instead of treating them as extra curriculum.

He said, he has written a letter to NCERT (National Council Of Educational Research And Training) in this regard and has even asked to introduce Cinema appreciation course in schools.

'The concept of intelligent has to be changed, as it is not restricted to Academy studies only, but to encompass other talents also. Even there is a miss conception among public that only youngsters become artists. Theater needs people from all walks of life and across all ages,' he added. 

Little acts of kindness by a tender coconut seller

A good example of how one can show kindness to others in whatever small way can be seen by the acts of this tender coconut seller, who feeds kernel for dozens of 'squirrels' every day from dawn to dusk.

For this tender coconut seller Basavaraju feeding this small creatures squirrels has become a part of his daily routine. He observed that some of his customers don't eat the white kernel inside the tender coconut after sipping the water, and throw it away. He collects all such empty shells, removes the white rind and places them on a branch of a tree.

Dozens of squirrels residing on the tree climb down one after the other and slowly collect the white rind kept on the shell. Holding the kernel in the mouth they again move on the tree and enjoy eating the rind. The customers who come to drink tender coconut, enjoy the play, action, fight of squirrels for collecting rind.

Basavaraju observes, "Instead of wasting it, I thought of feeding it to the squirrels. Day by day city is turning into concrete jungle and they to find it difficult to get food."

Apart this, Basavaraju has planted about 18 trees, where 15 of them are at Subbarayanakere Park. He has specially planted Singapore Cherry / Jamaican Cherry (Gasagase Mara), which fruits are most eaten by squirrels. Basavaraju, is a resident of Kumbargeri, is selling thunder coconut from last four decades near Raghavendra Swamy Mutt on Ramavilas Road. Those who visit park can sit beneath the tree for some time and relax.

A regular customer named Umesh says: "Majority of the tender coconut sellers throw the kernel. Though uneducated Basavaraju is very humble and kind hearted person."

Another interesting thing is, he has maintained cleanliness in his surroundings. He will not dump the empty shells into a heap after the customer returns them. Instead, he separates the straws, keeps the empty shells on a four-wheeler cart for drying and later in the day he carry it back to the home. He says by carting them away and disposing plastic straws he is maintaining the surroundings clean.

  

Now, avail garden service at your door step

For those enthusiast in gardening here comes the good news. For first of its kind, mobile van garden service center will be introduced in Mysore by District Horticultural Society and Horticulture Department by this month end.

The workers of Horticultural department assist and help in developing gardening at your houses, private organisations, based on the seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn).

There are nine exclusive ornamental nursery in Mysore City, and the plants grown there will be implanted in Curzon Park premises, for which the place is all set. Poly home has already been constructed at Department premises, where exotic flowering plants like orchids, anthurium, Gerbera, carnesia are grown.

Apart this, in an 10 guntas of land shed net will be erected and exclusive ornamental plants like Petunia, Salvia, Euphorbia, Crinum-Augustum, Rosa-sinsiea, impatiens, medicinal plants, and much more will be grown.

A place has been dedicated in the Curzon Park to provide training and sale garden kit. Flowering seeds, pot, garden tools, medicinal plants, organic manure, fertilisers, nutrient, pot mixture, growth hormones and much more will be sold by the department at nominal charges.

Free Training will be provided by experts for farmers and all those are interested in Home Gardening, Kitchen Gardening, Bonsai Cultivation, Ornamental Garden, Flower garden, Foliage plants, Ikebana, flower arrangements, dry flowers and much more.

Farmers will be educated about cultivation of the exotic plants in their lands, as there is huge demand for flowers and farmers can earn handsome of money. As gardening is also a profitable business, this will not only help the unemployed whereas those who are interested to start career as domestic maintenance gardener.

MS Raju, Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture Mysore said that at a very low cost gardens will be maintained by Garden service Center.

“Many of the have bigger gardens but will be having no idea how to maintain and make it good looking. Lawn, Ornamental, Foundation will be developed based on the place required,” he added.

Service center number, logo and benefits will be published on the mobile van. Shortly the permanent number will be announced, whereas 0821-2438572 is the present garden service number.

  

Children's Film Festival postponed suddenly

Those who went with high expectations to watch movies were in for a rude shock when they were told there was no such screening scheduled

Those who went with high expectations to watch movies to be screened at the city's Olympia theatre as part of the International Children's Film Festival were in for a rude shock when they were told there was no such screening scheduled.

Due to lack of proper communication and misunderstanding between Children's India, the organizer of the International Children's Film Festival, and theater owners, the screening of movies scheduled to be held in five districts on Wednesday has been postponed indefinitely on late night of Tuesday.

Following the announcements made in the media, some disheartened children and the confused parents accompanying them along with the general public were seen asking theater employees where exactly were the movies being screened.

When Express, contacted Children's India President NR Nanjundegowda, he said that due to certain technical problems screening of movies has been postponed in all other places except Bangalore, where movies will be screened from Thursday. He added that steps are being taken to provide better screening facilities in future and presently the screening has been postponed in all Centers.

Owner of Olympia Theater, Sanath Kumar expressed surprise that the Children's India without seeking any prior approval either from him or from the theater manager for screening the children's movies in his theater, went ahead and announced his theater’s name.

Most theaters have been modernised in tune with the changing times, replacing old projectors screening film rolls with the latest state-of the art UFO projectors that screens signals received directly from satellite. Thereby some theaters express unable to screen the print versions.

Though Organizer's offer to provide DVD projectors to screen print movies by hooking upto the existing sound system in the cinema halls, its learnt that several theater owners refuse meddling with their existing setup in fear of unaccepted problems in system.

Nanjundegowda said in eight theaters of Bangalore, conversion equipments are being used to screen the movies without tampering the existing setup, while there are some problems to use such convertors in other centers.

According to sources, several theater owners refuse to let out their theaters to screen movies, as they will not be getting anything in return for the utilising their services.

Children's India had announced screening of children's movies in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli and Dharward from January 9 to 13. Now, the movies will be screened only in Bangalore from January 10. 

Plans to eradicate malnutrition by growing a Nutrition Park

To tackle the problem of malnutrition among children in the District, Mysore Zilla Panchayat has come out with a novel idea by planning to setup 'Nutrition Parks' at several places in the district.

With this not only the problem of malnutrition will be addressed partially it will also provide jobs to hundreds of unemployed youths under 'Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)'

The project will be implemented by the Department of Horticulture, where the department has identified and grown around 1,20,000 plants, which are naturally rich in various kinds of proteins and vitamins.

The Department has raised saplings of different plants at its farm and nurseries situated at Yelachanehalli, Yelwal Hobli, Mysore Taluk, at Rangasamudra near Bannur, T Narasipur and at Kabini, HD Kote Taluk.

Papaya, Drumstick, Chakramani, Duranth and various other vegetable as well as fruit plants have be grown in these parks which will be set at different places in the district.

These saplings in turn will be distributed for planting in seven Taluks of the District. 60 beneficiaries have been identified from each Taluk who will be employed as daily labourers under MGNREGA.

The beneficiaries will be taking care of nurturing and watering the plants, apart from planting the saplings at places like Anganwadi, backyard of schools and hospitals, vacant Government lands and at several public utility places where the plants can grow. The fruits and vegetables harvested from these plants will be given to children coming to Anganwadi.

MS Raju, Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture Mysore said that Rs 5.6 lakh has been sanctioned by ZP for this project. “The plants raised in this 'Nutrition Garden' will help combat malnutrition, where leaves of some plants can be consumed raw by children. For example, a plant by name Chakramani has several types of nutrition elements in it and can be consumer raw,” he added.

The Department will start distributing the saplings by next week and by the end of this month planting the saplings at designated places will be completed. 

Uplifting women at their door steps

This is the era, where women are raising voice for 50 per cent reservation in elections. Whereas, even today it can be seen one section of women fear to step out of women. Specially, for religious minorities residing in slums, its a herculean task to come out of their homes.

Realising their situations, 'Gnana Jyothi Samsthe', an NGO is visiting their place personally and providing them training at their door steps. It has brought cheers among thousands of women by making them economically self-reliant, so that they can lead an independent and dignified life, without being subjected to harassment and ill-treament in a society dominated by males.

Been relentlessly working for past 12 years for the upliftment of women residing in slum areas, the organisation has so far imparted training to more than 4,800 women in their chosen fields of interest, thereby helping them to earn some money. Awareness programme on health, education, legal issues are held to make them educated about various issues.

Even measures have been taken to make them access for various government schemes. Providing of free tailoring machines, informing them about various government schemes, how to take loan with the certificates, and much more. Recognising their services for the cause of downtrodden women the State Government conferred the 'Kittur Rani Chennamma Award'.

“Hailing from BPL (Below Poverty Line), we were not exposed to outer world and not even aware of works. But now we have started earning sitting at home. We are creating colourful embroidery designs on clothes and are selling them to Jum Jum Bazar, Meena Bazar,” said Sumiya firdoz and Salma jamal who have underwent training from last six months in embroidery, tailoring at Haleem Nagar Slum and are very eager to learn fashion designing in coming days.

Rani Training Head says: “bringing Muslim Women out of house was big task. Amidst lot of opposition, the programme anyways kick started.”

Organising Secretary Hemavathi said that in one batch about 80-90 undergo training and government should take measures to distribute  more number of machines. At present seven sewing machines are distributed at free of cost in every ward.

With 2000 members in strength at Organisation, a batch of five women have underwent a special training in Food Processing at CFTRI. They in turn trained other members in their Organisation.  The women are provided free training in professional courses such as Beautician, Food Processing and Preservation, Tailoring, 50 varieties of embroidery designs, Computer, Fashion Designing, Papad and Pickle making and several such other courses where there is a huge demand for skilled labour and services.

Organising President Sharadamma said that “we provide training to women living in slums and we continue our efforts to make them self reliant.”

No more power problem at Nemmadi Kendras

Henceforth, people visiting Atalji Janasnehi Kendras (restructured of Nemmadi Kendras) will heave a sign of relief, for they will not be sent back siting power cut problem like on the past.

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) is setting up 2KWP capacity each off-grid solar power generating systems (Power Plant) at 166 Nemmadi Kendra of Mysore Regional Commissioners Jurisdiction.

Three systems, one printer, and a light can be used continuously in the generated power. The Power Plant has already been installed at ten kendras namely Varuna, Jaipur, Ilwala (Mysore), Bhagamandala (Kodagu), Chinnakurali (Mandya), Shanthigrama (Hassan), Beruru, Mudabidri, Brahmavara and Bannur.

According to Mysore Branch Office KREDL Project Engineer DK Dinesh Kumar per day seven to eight units of power can be generated and its sufficient for Nemmadi Kendras.

An automatic change over switch has also been provided so that, in case of cloudy weather the system can be manually switched over to regular power supply.

To set-up power plant at each Kendra, its cost around Rs 3.5 lakh (50% - Revenue Department; 30% - Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GOI and 20% - KREDL). Through e-procurement the tender and maintenance for five years has been given for Bangalore-based 'Power One' company.

Project Engineer DK Dinesh Kumar said that “Power interruption of hours together is common at villages. People were sent back and works were upheld. Due to set-up of solar panel the works will go on smoothly.”

“There are even instance where diesel generators are used in time of emergency. To generate per unit of power it would cost about Rs 7 to Rs 8 per unit. But now, the power and other additional expenditure are cut down.”

“We have declared Mysore city as solar city. If commercial buildings like malls, shopping complex implement the programme, power problem can be solved for large extent. There is 30 per cent subsidy by Government and one should avail the opportunity, he added.

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List of 166 Kendras

Chamarajanagar – 12

Chikkamangalore – 27

Dakshina Kannada – 11

Hassan – 30

Kodagu – 13

Mysore – 27

Mandya – 39

Udupi – 7