Mobile app provides detail info of mofussil bus services to commuters

KSRTC will soon launch a mobile app that provides detailed information of mofussil bus services to commuters. The officials hope with the implementation of app the public transport will be more popular among the daily commuters and also immensely benefit tourists, as now one can be sure for the definite time of arrival and departure of buses instead of needlessly waiting for hours at bus stops.

The new app will work on hand held smart phones which makes it easily accessible anytime anywhere. This initiative will help in attracting non commuters towards public transport from private transport, and there by the KSRTC aims to reduce pollution save fuel and bring down traffic density on roads.

Students from local Engineering colleges have been brought in to develop the application. The features include displaying of arrival and departure times of buses, route taken and also journey time. Any delays or cancellations are easily notified and the approximate time of delay in minutes will be flashed. It is easy to download, install and operate.

With 450 buses operating daily on various routes within the city limits, the need for such an app was felt badly to make the services of KSRTC more effective in reaching the common man.

Anybody wanting to avail the bus services can simply download the app on his smart phone, and can get all the relevant information about his travel within the city like even identifying the nearest bus-stop from his location to catch a bus for his destination. Distance to be travelled, and timings, including the stop they have to alight. In case if driver is taken route deviation can also be trapped with the use of app.

If everything goes as per the plan, by March the mobile application will be launched. Workshop for engineering students will be held in February, and they will be informed about the requirements to develop the app. The present app is based on an earlier version named 'Mithra', an web based application.

KSRTC Mysore division Divisional Controller Ramamurthy said: 'The initiative helps to attract tourists, as well as non commuters towards public transport. The web based technology was not easily accessible to public. With the use of smart phone app, more people, including youngsters and officials will give up using private vehicles and turn to public transport as in some of the developed countries in the West.'

KSRTC Divisional Traffic Officer Maqsood Ahmed said: 'From last eight months we have worked hard to track the real time of buses. The initiative will be first of its kind in Country. After conducting a survey of commuters and non commuters, based on the three major reason why the non commuters remain far from bus service the app has been developed. The reasons were lack of reliability, comfortless because of over crowd, and waiting for buses for their arrival without any information.'

After glut in market, department advises farmers to give up banana cultivation Subsidy for banana may also go

Just a couple of years ago officials of the Department of Horticulture

were vigorously promoting farmers to take up Banana cultivation.

Today they have taken a 'U' turn, asking farmers to stop growing

bananas.

Reason: With a large number of farmers taking up banana cultivation in the region has led to a glut in the market hence the officials are

advising farmers to take up mixed farming and integrated vegetables

farming.

Sources said the department is also recommend discontinuation of subsidy to banana growers and a decision is likely to taken at the

directorate meeting to be held in the month of March.

Compare to small and marginal farmers, the big farmers who own 20 to 100 acres of land have taken up banana cultivation and this has become a challenging task for the officials to educate them and control the production. Officials are inviting big farmers under one roof in taluk levels and explaining them the problems of over cultivation of bananas and are being motivated to grow vegetables and other crops.

According to the officials of Horticulture Department, banana

cultivation in the district by registered farmers availing subsidy was

33 hectares. While the number of farmers growing bananas without

availing any subsidy has crossed 400 to 500 hectares.

Over the past two years there was a good price for bananas in the open

market, especially when the demand peaked between June to September. This motivated many farmers to grow banana leading to gradual increase in the area of cultivation year after year. Sources say, in a directorate meeting to be held in March, it will be taken a decision not to give subsidy for banana this year to reduce the cultivation.

The Deputy Director of Horticulture Basavaraj said that awareness

programmes are being conducted at hobli level and farmers are being

encouraged to grow vegetables, and adopt mixed farming. 'Earlier, to

motivate small farmers subsidies were provided to promote banana

cultivation along with explaining them about the technologies adopted

for processing. Now, plans are being chalked out to bring down the

banana cultivation,' he added.

Enthused by the good market for bananas, farmers in the region have

took banana plantation in large numbers this year, which led to steep

fall in the prices. There were even instances of fruits being thrown

away in the streets by distressed farmers. The prices fell to less

than Rs 5 kg, though it is gradually increasing in the market, and

today the price has reached Rs 15 to Rs 20 for the past few weeks. 

Mysorean develops new model to harness tidal energy

This Mysorean has come out with a novel innovation to address power problem. 54-year-old K Shivashankar, a resident of Kalastavadi Village in Mysore Taluk has come out with a new model to harness tidal energy.

Though several have already tested and deployed the world over, he claims his method is different from others and the uniqueness of the Unit is that depending on the power requirement the generating capacity can be altered.

According to him, using the energy of the tides that hit the sand and rocky beaches, enough power can be generated when deployed in coastal areas, which can even be connected to power grids.

'The currently available tidal energy conversion units are placed right in the ocean, and power is generated. Whereas, this Unit will be placed along the boundary of ocean that is along the coastline. With the help of intermediate device power can be harnessed. With this, the tidal energy conversion will be effective, much easier, and easily maintained,' he claims.

'Tidal waves being very strong has to be used effectively. Bulk tidal energy units has to be set up across coastal areas. The intermediate device in the units helps to convert tidal energy into mechanical energy. We can produce energy in bulk and can address the power problem,' he added.

'Compare to the produce of energy using solar energy, the techniques are very simpler and affordable. Am also working on wind energy model, gravitational energy model, under which power can be converted into mechanical energy. Every house hold can generate small amount of energy required for daily usage with gravitational energy. The unit will be displayed in another two months,' he added.

He is also working on models which helps farming community. Cane trash cutter, simplified coconut coir removing machine, and much more. He says: Farmers spend huge amount for agricultural equipments and there is need of low cost simple technologies.

Shivakshankar, who has completed his Bachelor of Science, while rendering service at Kodagu, noticing hardly the people get power supplied for three to four hours, decided to do something. It was then he thought of innovations which should be low cost, easily accessible and affordable.

'With the help of my son S Praneeth, an mechanical engineering, who is working as Project Assistant at Indian Institute of Science am able to come out with innovations,' he added.

Mysuru to have its first 100-bed cooperation hospital at Srirampura

Gowthami (Dhanwantari) Cooperative Society, belong to the Scheduled Castes of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, have come out in a novel way to serve the lower strata of the society, by providing quality health care at affordable rate.

A group of like minded have come together and have constructed 'Gowthami Co-operative Hospital, Medical Education and research Center. With this, the Mysuru to have its first 100-bed cooperation hospital at Srirampura. This is said to be the third Co-operative Hospital in State, after Hassan and Belgaum.

The Sangha which has members of more than 700, started their medical service in a rented house in 1996, and down the years by raising funds began to construct hospital. The construction of first phase of the hospital is completed, and is equipped with 20-bed, laboratory, radiology section, pharmacy and other basic requirements. As they mobilise the funds, thehospital works will be completed soon.

The brain child of the project is Dr Ranganathaiah, retired Chief Physician at KR Hospital. Addressing the media persons here on Wednesday, he said in four phase the works will be completed, and their vision is to provide quality health care for poor people at nominal charge and free for those cant afford. We have adequate facilities and specialist doctors to treat patients, he adds.

'About 65 lakhs has been spent to complete first phase of construction, and we have raised funds including elected reps. The hospital to benefit thousands of poor people in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar,' he added. CM Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the hospital on February 5.

Mysuru Palace records to be conserved through Tissue culture

Department of Archives has geared up for preservation of old records of Mysore Palace which are in the brittle condition and needs to be handled delicately. Around 36,000 pages of records related to Dasara festivities collected from 400 odd palace files to get a new lease of life through tissue lamination.

The Archives department is conserving 39 department files. In particular there are 11,800 files about the Palace. Out of it, from the 400 odd files around 36,000 pages manuscripts related to Dasara celebrations, preparations, durbar and much more will be laminated to preserve the frail documents for posterity.

Documents from 1900 to 1962 years will be tissue laminated. In first stage, 36,000 manuscripts will be laminated and some more records will be laminated in days to come. The tenders have been invited in this regard, and the lamination process might complete by December.

Sources in the Archives Department said: 'Rare files which are delicate and in fragile condition will be conserved through Tissue lamination. Each files contain several handwritten manuscripts about the Palace, including those with details of Wadiyar family.'

'To protect the damage for the original documents, the entire 11,800 files manuscripts have been digitized and now public can access them online freely and also through CDs collecting from the department.

This initiative of tissue lamination is a further step of digitalisation for conservation of the original documents for posterity,' add sources.

Gavi Siddaiah, Deputy Director of Archives said, earlier tissue lamination have been done for printed gazette copies, while for manuscript this is a first time from the Department.

'Simplifying the usage of documents through digitalisation is also contributing to conserve the original records. Earlier original records were used for reference, now we give them CDs and the researchers can access the documents needed in computers or online. All records in the Archives department will be conserved in phase manner,' he added.

Government Gazette notifications will also be digitalised soon. With this the people can access the documents at the click of a mouse. This initiative by the Department to protect the rare original documents has been widely acclaimed by scholars.

'The digitilisation copies available in the Archives are very helpful. Its immensely benefiting the researchers scholars, RTI activist, history students and interested public,” says a visitor.

This lone girl from Mysore completes two-years M.Sc in Cosmetic Science

JSS University being pioneers in introducing courses in new fields, had startedM.SC in Cosmetic Science two years ago. Only three students enrolled for the course. Of them, Harshitha of Mysore was the only girl who completed the three semesters scoring an average of 90 per cent.

The final semester being a project work, she will be doing it with the famous Indian cosmetic manufacturer, Himalaya Drug Company. The other two students who had enrolled for the course had to discontinue their studies midway owing to personal reasons.

Sharing her unique experience, Harshitha, who enrolled for the course after completing her B.SC in Botany, Chemistry and Biotechnology, said, that Cosmetic Science, being the first of its kind course in the country is purely career oriented.

'When I heard about the course, I got curious to know the about the products we use for our make-up in our everyday life. I came to know there was a lot of science involved behind the manufacture of cosmetics. Now, after completion of the course, I feel there are abundant career opportunities in the cosmetic field, which has a huge market accessed by both men and women alike,' she adds. 

'This course is currently offered at Post Graduate level by the faculty of the Department of Life Sciences of the University, which prepares students in the vast field of cosmetics and cosmeceuticals that are presently sold to consumers who are beauty conscious.

Less takers for course 

JSS University Vice Chancellor Dr B Suresh said that the present global market for cosmetics is around 500 billion dollar, and its expected that the market will increase to 750 billion by 2020.

'To expand the industry we need more cosmetic experts and there is a need to create more awareness about the cosmetic field. Whereas, it is quite unfortunate that not many students are attracted by the prospects, for various reasons,' he regretted.

Further said that the field of cosmetic science is rapidly growing, as new cosmetic products such as personal care products, cosmeceuticals and hygiene products, are being constantly added due to advances in technologies.' 

'Over the past decade it has grown to become a new scientific subject of study in its own right. There is a huge market potential for both manufacture, export of cosmetics and career options are very bright. This prompted us to introduce the course. 

M.Pharm in Cosmeceutics

Ramesh Surianarayanan, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS University said that the University is also introducing M.Pharm in Cosmeceutics beginning this academic year, and admission will begin soon.

Cosmetic Science focuses on the design and development of cosmetic products. It is a multi-disciplinary, applied science that includes various fields like biology, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, combined with regulatory practices, quality assurance and marketing aspects of cosmetic products, he added.

Scholarships

Dr G Parhasarathi, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, JSS University said that in order to motivate more students to take up the course, we are sending brochures to prospective colleges and educational institutions to make students aware of the course. This apart, scholarships for two students from each course will be awarded and also another scholarship for a candidate interested to do Ph.D in Cosmetics, he added.

Archives clubs to come up in colleges

Department of Archives in order to create awareness among students about importance of preserving ancient manuscripts and centuries old palm leaves is mulling to set up achieves club in colleges across the state.

As a pilot project the Maharaja Bifurcated College in Mysuru along with colleges in KR Nagar, Mangaluru and Chikkamangaluru have been selected. In the coming academic years more such Archives Club will be established all over the State. A grant of Rs 10,000 will be released to such colleges to set up the archives club.

The intention of establishing the Club is to make the students and faculty aware of the importance of preserving archives, ancient historical records, which records the evolution of our culture and tradition, so that the knowledge of the ancients is preserved for posterity.

Under the programme, students will be explained in detail about the various scientific methods adopted for the preservation of ancient written records along with practical demonstration, how they can make use of the department, visit to the local Archives department apart from conducting special lectures from experts in the field.

Gavi Siddaiah, Deputy Director of Archives said that awareness on the importance of Department of Archives is less not only among students but also amongst the general public.

'Through this initiative we want to motivate students to visit the Archives and put to use materials on history, already being updated in the websites. By referring to such historical records, students and researchers can bring out new insights about the past. They can even pursue a career in this field and the club endeavors to educate them while they are still studying in colleges.'

'The preserved documents throws light on the past history of our ancients from which we can still learn many a lesson. This also sometimes helps remove some of the myths and legends surrounding the ancients and see them in a new light,' he adds.

Research Scholar Mamtha says: 'There is an immediate need of setting up Archives club in colleges, as majority of them are unaware about the functions of this Department. The practice of referring to archives while writing or publishing scholarly articles should be encouraged as this provides authenticity to the matter.'

'With Mysore already having the distinction of being a heritage city, people can now know the distinctive features the city has to got to earn this Heritage tag,' she added.

'Tortured' by neighbour's birds, man writes to Prez for euthanasia

 

At a time when man-animal conflict is being hotly debated in the state
following Bengaluru's Vibgyar school incident, here comes an
interesting case of man-bird conflict!

Fed up with the chirping sounds of birds from the neighbouring house,
a 54-year-old man has written to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking
permission for euthanasia.

Subramanya, a taxi owner and a resident of MIG Colony in Hootagalli
said his neighbour Mahesh Koti, has reared over 150 birds and its
chirping sound is unbearable.

His requests to the neighbour to shift the birds from residential area
stating that it is spoiling the peaceful atmosphere has fetched no
results since last four years. Koti has also stopped talking to him.

Subramanya had also approached several NGOs, various government
departments like police and forest and also pollution control board
requesting to remove the birds. But none came to his rescue. To his
utter dismay, the officials found nothing wrong in the neighbour
rearing the birds. With no other, he has now applied for euthanasia.

Four years ago, he had also sought information under RTI from forest
department, seeking details about the 'nuisance making' birds. The
reply said there are around 150 exotic birds and its owner is breeding
it which is against the wild life act. "But, the concerned forest
department officials, environment officers have failed to initiativeaction against him. He is breeding the birds and selling them for
profit which is illegal' he said.

He said over the years the birds might have multiplied by 1500, as
they breed twice in a year. Subramanya said the birds produce huge
sound, emit stench which is leading to health hazards. "The government
should either free the birds or give me permission kill myself."

To reach the unreached:

MCC's ring tone campaign to educate people about cleanliness

  

The Mysuru City Corporation has came up with the idea to educate people about the cleanliness. Henceforth if you dial any officials of Corporation, Council members you will hear the recorded voice detailing about how to keep the city clean.

The three minutes ringtone campaign, informs the citizens about segregation of waste at source, lessening use of plastic bags, role of youngsters, children and people's participation in keeping the city clean, and much more are being highlighted. Nearly 400 members including 70 council members, 345 staff have been updated with the ringtone.

Plans are on card to make the ringtone available for interested citizens to set as their caller tone and also to assortment the message in the ringtones frequently. Thereby, the Corporation aims to engage people actively in keeping the city clean.

'Everyday Corporation receives hundreds of calls from the general public to explain their grievances, so that its good opportunity for us to explain the importance of cleanliness and related drives. Through this we can reach the unreached, and bring change with people's participation,' says sources in the corporation.

'The citizens also have equal responsible as much as officials have to keep city clean. We are hopeful that this new initiative will help in high extent to keep the city clean with people participation in large extent,' says MCC senior official.

With Mysuru already being awarded as cleanest city in the country, the Corporation officials are making all out efforts to see to it that the message convey to citizens, and cleanliness drive continues further.

This recorded message is such another efforts of various programme chalked out by MCC, like conducting rallies, distribution of posters, video record forwarding and much more.

While, many citizens are not happy with the drives. They say: 'Only through awareness programmes change cant be brought. There is need the Corporation thinks of providing basic facilities, and make the city more people and tourist friendly.'

Senior citizen Jagananath says apart from creating awareness there is need of Corporation to look into to fix the roads, make toilets public friendly, and educate pourakarmikas strictly not to accept the unsegregated waste.

Best way to keep clothing out of landfills

Most of them either donate the old clothes to beggars or hand it over to the old age home volunteers or use it as a scrap cloth for washing, cleaning and later throw with garbage. Beyond that nobody ever think of reusing them again.

Two brothers, Naushad Atif and Mohammed Alim Ansari, who have recently arrived in the city all the way from Jafrabad in New Delhi are recycling the old clothes. They collect old clothes from which the thread is carefully separated, and do weaving again and give new lease of life for the cloth.

They remove the thread from whatever clothe it may be like sarees, pants, bedspreads, curtains etc and then re-weave them into new carpets, bedspreads, door mats, wall mats, and much more. They weave new clothes right in front of the people who have brought old clothes and later, they dye them with different colours and look the materials look attractive.

Citizens opine this is one of the best way to treat the waste, and a way to keep the clothing out of landfills. According to pourakarmikas they collect quite a good number of waste clothes from households every day.

Housewife Sowmyashree says: 'I had nearly 10 kg of waste clothes. I could get new carpets and I think this is best way to treat waste and recycle. So this, we can use the used clothes for some more years.'

“This is the best way to recycle the waste. Usually old clothes are thrown with garbage. It can be recycled and given new life. This initiative will reduce the waste generation to higher extent,” adds Mangala.

They have erected a temporary shelter along a footpath in Saraswathipuram. Naushad says: 'With city has obtained cleanest city tag, we feel happy to make new clothes out of used clothes. This will reduce the clothing waste to landfills to higher extent.'

Mohammed Alim says the response is very good and daily several people are approaching him to create new carpets out of used jeans materials, saris.

'Accompanied with our parents, we started learning removing threads from the clothes, and again recycling them. We will be in Mysuru for two more months, and will erect temporary shelter in different localities during our stay. We keep traveling all over India and hardly visit twice our native in a year, during the festive time,' he adds.

Vivid cultures on display: Cultural programme brings together students

Its only the culture which has brought them together. Coming from different parts of the country, and following different culture, tradition, they are living like one family, sharing their ideas, and having a gala time.

This was the scene witnessed at Manasagangotri campus here on Tuesday, where nearly 1200 students from 70 universities across country have come under one roof to showcase their talents, and rich tradition at the five-day 31^stInter University National Youth Festival 'Yuva Shatha Sambhrama – 2016', organised by Univeristy of Mysore and Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi.

Vivid cultures will be on display for the next four day competitions to be held at five auditoriums. The students are enthusiastically taking part in the folk dance, mimicry, classical vocal solo, quiz, on the spot paining competition, skit, folk orchestra, debate, light vocal, cartooning, poster making, one act play, clay modelling, western vocal solo, mime, elocution, group song, rangoli and other cultural events.

Kumar Shivam of Gauhati University said that they are performing Assam traditional Bihu dance, and the event is an congregation of students, and they come to know the different tradition, culture followed by people of different religion.

Student Nibedita Baishya says: 'Its an unique experience, and awesome. Its a very good exposure to exchange our culture by interacting with students of other universities and a perfect platform to showcase our talent.'

Solapur University Student Kawate Mayur says: 'This is one of the biggest cultural gatherings. Celebration atmosphere has gripped the University campus, and we are more enthusiast. Its an opportunity to learn, update our knowledge and do better.' The team to present a skit based on military family. The theme of the skit is not to lose hope in life and to be self confident. Student

'Its a celebration of the diversity in cultures. We come across new people and a good experience. My dream to be part of a big event has come true. Its an platform to meet the skilled persons in clay modeling and update my knowledge,' adds Anupam Rana, Sculpture Student of Patna University.

Dr CM Vinay Kumar, Team Manager, Krishna University, AP, said: 'Youngsters play major role in taking the culture to next generation, and this type of events will be an opportunity to expand their knowledge.'

Highlights

* Selfie Mania: Indian being diverse culture, there is a festive look in university campus. Some of the students in their tradition dresses were found taking selfie in front of centenary clock and University campus.

* Cynosure for art lovers : Hundreds of people had gathered to witness the grand spectacle of different traditions. They were celebrating by singing, dancing, showing their talent in various quiz competitions.

* Delicious food: Nearly 100 people are engaged in preparing wide variety of vegeterian and non-vegeterian food for students who have come from across country. The students from North India opined that as they are not used to South India food they could not relish the dish.

Gauri Sontakke from Nagpur University said the hospitality being provided is very good and am enjoying the delicious food items. The food quality is very good and we are enjoying fish, chicken, mutton biriyani, kababs, apart from varieties in vegetarian food.

* Tour city: The students said that they are very eagerly waiting to tour the city, and visit Palace, Brindavan Gardens, Srirangapatna and other tourist places.

eom/mys/rathna 

Marriage by Service: A marriage of difference practiced among Soligas

Highlights 

* Boys work in grooms house for five to 12 years to win hearts of parents

* Soligas ascertain either the boy is eligible to hold their daughter's hand

* The dowry system is absent among the Soligas

Usually arranged marriages are carried out like a business, looking after the job, earnings, assets and debts of a groom and later girls are got married.

Whereas, a unique tradition 'Marriage by Service', followed by tribal community 'Soligas' who live deep inside the forest, seems to be more 'cultured' when it comes to marrying off their daughters.

Under this customs in practice the boy has to stay in the girl's family and work for a minimum of five years, which can sometimes even extend upto 12 years. Only after the girl's parents are satisfied that the boy can look after their daughter properly they give consent for him to tie the nuptial knot.

During the years, parents observe his work attitude, patience, behaviours including caring and affection towards others while evaluating him during his stay. The parents agree for the marriage, only if he is successful in all the test, and wins their confidence. This is a techniques to test the prospective groom to ascertain if he is eligible to hold their daughter's hand.

For instance, if a boy wants to marry a girl, he wants to work in the girls house for minimum five years and complete all the tasks assigned by family members. The boys in the age group of 14 to 25 years render service for minimum of five years. In case, if the parents are not convinced during the period, the boy has to continue work and win the hearts of the elders within 12 years. This is the custom being practiced in their community, and even today about 10 to 15 per cent of 'Marriage by Service' is taking place in the community, says heads of the community.

Dr C Madegowda, who belongs to Soliga Community and has done research on the community people said that only after parents are fully convinced that the boy can look after the girl they agree for the marriage.

“In some instances the boy and the girl live together without any formal marriage rituals, but with the consent of both the family elders. The boys in the community have married in the age of 30-35 years under the tradition. This ancient form of marriage still continues among the Soligas as mentioned by the respondents and the tribal elders,” he adds.

'Love marriage or elopement marriage' and 'Marriage by Services' are most practiced among the community tribes, out of four types of marriages practiced. The dowry system is absent among the Soligas; only ‘Tera’ (Process of Agrement) is conducted,' he adds.

Informing about the marriage ritual, he said: 'The marriage ritual is very simple where beetel leaves and Tera (Process of Agreement) is exchanged between parents. This ceremony is witnessed by the local elder or the Yajamana along with four other Nyaya panchayathi or tribal council members in the presence of five members of the clan. They exchange betel leaves and pay Rs 12.25 for the other family and also for the Clan. A small marriage feast is organised for the members of the tribal council, while sometimes for all the people of the hamlet.'

The population of Soligas is more than one lakh in Karnataka, and are located largely in Chamarajanagar district, Mysuru, Veerajpet, Somarpet, Muthathi in Mandya, Kanakapura, Kunigal Taluk in Tumkur, and Ramnagar.

Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI) Director Basavangounda also said that the custom of boy working in girl house is in practice among the community, whereas he is not sure either it is to convince the parents.

Types of marriages:

* Customarily Soligas accept the following types of marriages: Marriage by force; Elopement; Marriage by services, and Negotiated marriage (Morab, 1977). While, presently they are practicising four types of marriages: Love marriage or elopement marriage, Arranged marriage, Kuduvali marriage, and Marriage by services.

* The soliga boy and girls who fall in love and elope to the forests, will be brought back and with the permission of parents they will be got married. A fine of Rs 5.25 to the Clan will be collected stating eloping is wrong.

* In Kuduvali marriage both the boy and girl’s family members and the Clan allow the boy and the girl to live together.

Now, an app in the making to make organic veggies affordable

Down the years the demand for organically grown products has increased, for its health benefits and different taste. Whereas, majority of them think twice before purchase of organically produced products, as they are quite expensive.

In this connection, to make the organically grown produce reach people of all walks of life at affordable price, a launch of mobile application has been planned by 'Naisargika Krushikara (Organic growers) Multipurpose Co-operative Association'.

The app will provide linkage between consumers and farmers, who are practicing natural farming, and attract customers to opt for organically grown produce. Only certified organic growers farmers will be included in the app and the association works as linkage for farmers and costumers.

Naturally grown wide range of fresh and exotic fruits, vegetables, millets, wheat, rice and several other produces in the region will be updated in the App. Those suffering from different ailments can book the millet's, rice, grains required to keep their health stable.

As the produce are sold directly to the consumer the rates will be reasonable. This will also benefits farmers to sell produce without intervention of middleman. There are nearly 1600 organic growers in the district, and its an attempt to bring them under one roof.

Similar to an OLX application, the app is being designed, which can be easily accessible. A farmer soon starts plantation has to upload the information in the App, such as the crop grown, expected yield and harvest period. The consumers can book the required produce. Once the crops are harvested, the customer will be asked to collect the produce.

Hampapura Village farmer Srinivas said that the initiative benefits organically growers immensely. 'Most of the time, the unsold produce are returned by middleman and we face huge loss. There is no proper marketing facility for organic growers, and this initiative has brought new ray of hope.'

Citizen Nagarkar says: 'Naturally grown traditional food are good for health. Whereas, not affordable. Hope in days to come it will become the reach for the unreached middle class families.'

Association President Prasanna N Gowda said that farmers who lack knowledge to use smart phones can call the association, and get the information uploaded. 

'As a pilot project the app is being introduced in Mysuru. In case people living in other districts want to purchase, they have to bear the transportation charge. Without getting proper price for the crops grown, the farmers are committing suicide. This sorts of initiatives will benefit farmers in large to become economically stronger,' he added.

Tree man plans to reflect Thandi Sadak in Mysuru

Thandi Sadak in Haldwani, Uttarakahand is popular for lush green trees and pleasant breeze. In similar way, an Mysurean tree designer dreams to convert ring road to 'Thandi Sadak'.

Hyder Ali Khan, resident of Kalyangiri has already created green canopy covers in several schools and public parks by planting nearly 2500 saplings and is now knocking the doors of the government for help to increase green cover.

He dreams of bringing back to life 'Thandi Sadak', by planting saplings of certain selected trees along the entire stretch of the Ring Road beginning from the Mysuru-Bengaluru intersection. As a pilot project, his intention is to plant 925 saplings on just one km stretch and provide the lane with green cover. He has approached MUDA officials seeking support for his mission.

“A green canopy can be created on highway, which benefits motorists immensely and gives new attire. If I get the permissions from the Government, I intend to plant wild Almond Trees (Kaddabadami) along one kilometer stretch of the ring road. It takes four years to complete the project, but in the end Mysuru will become role model for other cities and towns in the country.”

“I don't have any source of income and if I am provided the labour charges, I love to plant trees and convert the entire city into a green cover. I need saplings, labours and maintenance charges,” adds Khan, who suitably bents the plant after it reaches a appropriate height to create the shape of a pendal.

Continuing he adds: 'The Thandi Sadak of yesteryears introduced in Mysore by the late Wadiyars, a portion of which can still be seen inside the Mysore Zoo. We can covert the entire city into green canaopy, and make district more tourist friendly, control pollution.'

Khan, a resident of Kalyangiri, said: 'I worked as a mechanical fitter for 27 years. One day, when I got exhausted while riding my bike, I sat beneath a road side tree and felt immensely relaxed and rejuvenated. It was then I decided to plant trees, using my mechinal skills. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than planting trees.'

Hyder Ali took to planting saplings around 16 years ago. In his first initiative he planted 313 saplings of the Honge tree at the famous Idagh Maidan in the city, thereby creating a green canopy, where today 15,000 people can sit under the shade of the trees.

He has created such green pendals in several schools, and if appropriate renumeration is provided he is willing to create green canopies in parks and other public places. On an average he gets two call everyday inquiring about his green canopy, which peaks during summer. The people have nicknmaed him as 'Hasiru Chapparada Khan'.

He has created such pendals along the road leading to Nanjangud Temple in Nanjangud; Schools at Periyapatna, HD Kote, Hebbal, and several other areas.

eom/mys/rathna     

Farmers catching up with new sugarcane breed after 45 years

Nearly after 45 years, a new sugarcane variety with high yield has slowly started replacing the commercial crop in the Cauvery Command area, which has turned out to be a boon for farmers in Mandya district which is the epicentre of farmer suicides.

Farmers who were mostly growing CO 62175 for its high yield ( 60 to 70 per ton a acre) all these years are switching over to the new variety

VCF 0517 which guarantees 80 to 90 ton per acre even when it is under farm trial and yet to be launched.

C0 62175 popularly known as 'Bili Kabbu' in local parlance occupies over 60 per cent of the sugarcane area in Southern Part of District. Experts say it will be replaced completely by the new variety during the next three years.

According to researchers: 'VCF 0517 is aMidnight variety which

matures for 12 to 14 months, and yield potential is 80 to 90 tonnes

per acre. The temperature, climate to grow this crop is very suitable

in the region. This is a good quality cane with higher yield, thick

cane, high tillering with high sugar, suitable for jaggery making,

multi ratooning, drown tolerant and gives higher recovery. It benefits

both sugar industries and farmers.'

University for Agriculture Science, Bengaluru will soon release this variety officially, nearly after its seven years of research. Before release this variety is already being cultivated in 3000 acres in Mandya.

Dr SN Swamygowda, Sugarcane Breeder and Project Leader Jaggery Park Zonal Agricultural Research Station, VC Farm, Mandya said that for field trail seeds were distributed in Mandya and there is a huge

response from the farmers.

'Witnessing the Big Mill Test performance, the farmers have multiplied the variety, and have started growing already. There is very good response from farmers, as well as industries. Compared to C0 62175 being grown from last four decades, the VCF 0517 is good in quality and attracting large farmers.'

'The water, fertilizer management is good. The variety requires normal water, and suits perfectly for temperature of this region. Some pests problem is there and it can be controlled. For commercial cultivation it will be released soon. In days to come drowned and pest disease tolerance will be increased in crops,' he added.

The crops is being multiplied and few farmers have made Rs 3 to 4 lakh in the seeding already. After Cauvery Command Area, they will be next trying the variety in Bhadra, Davangere, he added.

UAS Director of Research Dr T Sheshadri said the variety is medium

duration and gives very good yield. A meet will be conducted next

month and based on the farmers opinion the crop will be launched

officially in Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Mysuru.

Mandya Farmer Govindaraju who is growing the variety said: 'I took up the VCF 0517 cultivation recently. The crops have matured enough for nine months and am expecting good yield. As a trial, have taken up cultivation in one acre of land.'