Reminiscing the days of Swami Vivekananda visit to Niranjana Mutt in Mysore, Historian PV Nanjaraje Urs and Brahmana Mahasabha Mysore President K Raghuram shared some of the interesting facts during his visit in 1892. Here are the experts:
Before going to Chicago, Swami Vivekananda had visited Mysore as the royal guest of Chamarajendra Wadiyar, father of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. As there was no provisions for Sanyasis to stay in Palace, Swami Vivekananda had stayed for 11 days with the disciples of the Niranjan Mutt teaching them Yogasana and Bhajanas.
In the Mutt's cellar he used to undertook 'Yoga Nidre' accompanied with the then head of the Mutt Nanjunda Bhagawan, whose memorial is just opposite to the Mutt's entrance.
During his stay at the Mutt he had daily visited the Sadvidya High School nearby, and used to deliver lectures in Sanskrit for students and followers. His preachings were translated to Kannada by Thathaiah and Amble Annaiah Pandit, who were the then committee members of the mutts.
The school authorities have renovated the place and have named it as Swami Vivekananda Auditorium and conduct cultural programmes, preachings in this auditorium.
During his stay Chamarajendra Wadiyar has recorded speech of Swami Vivekananda on a Gramaphone plate.
While Swami Vivekananda was leaving city, Thathaiah has collected money from the general public and had got stitched him two woolen coat for Swami Vivekananda, as he was going to Chicago. The expenses of his visit (travel and other expenses) has been bared by Chamarajendra Wadiyar.
Swami Vivkekananda has written a 8-10 page letter to Chamarajendra Wadiyar from America giving guidelines seeking to give importance for education and other developmental works. Both the letters and Gramaphone are at present in the private library in the Palace.
According to he book, 'Vedanta Kesari' which has been published by Ramakrishna Ashrama, Vivekananda stayed in Mysore from November 9 to 24 in 1892.' Apart this, one of the disciple and close friend of Swami Vivekananda was Alasinga Perumal, Lanashastri has mentioned about this in one of his book.
The entire stretch (present Marimallappa College, Lokayukta Office, Commercial Tax Department) were all belonged to mutt and was called as 'Hindu Orphan'. As days, went everything came under Government. Plans were also made to acquire the land of Mutt where Swami Vivekananda stayed, due to strong protest by the followers and historians to make the place memorial, Government took out up the project and formed a committee to protect the Mutt premises.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Prizes galore for this 17-year-old multifaceted artist Nisha
For this 17-year-old girl winning prize is a child play. D Nisha, 2nd PUC student of Chaitra PU College is a multifaceted girl and has about 300 prizes to her credit in craft, drawing, Rangoli, model making, sand sculpture, vegetable carving, cycle-poling, creating objects out of waste, so on.
The keen interest towards drawing and craft from her tender age has made her to win several prizes. She was the first from Mysore to represented Karnataka two times in the National-level cycle polo competition held at Orissa and Rajasthan and she has been also selected as Captain for Karnataka team for two times.
Her creative works have been recognized in National and International level too. Through Bangalore Chitrakala Academy, she has contested in drawing competitions at Switzerland (Air Sports and Nature Harmony), Finland (My Environment), Poland (Dog My Friend), Tokyo (Terrorism), Egypt (Children feelings and their thinking way), New Zealand (My Goal or Peace), Gulf (Peace and Unity), and has won many prizes.
She has participated in many national-levels competition and has stood first most of the time. She has won rolling cup for three times in Dasara Rangoli competitions and first prize for portraying 'Village Life' through drawing.
She has bagged gold medal in sand sculpture competition held at Amalapura, Andhra Pradesh, and has bagged Press Ligious Award in 2007 and has won 2nd prize in International-level craft competition.
She has been conferred with many titles like 'Balasri Kalamitra', Bala Kuncha Kala Brahma Award, Suvarna Karnataka State Award, Belauva Siri Award, Kalavikas Award, GP Rajarathnam Balasri Award, Rahul Gandhi Rashtriya Yuva Prathiba Puraskar, Kalakanmani, Kannada Sindhura and Yuvasri.
Speaking to Express, Nisha says 'when I was studying in third standard my father Dwaraknath promoted me and due to my mother Renuka support, it was possible for me to achieve. She desires to become fashion designer in future.
She steps for the epic of Kumaravasya Bharatham
She is the first from country to perform bharathanatya for the epic of Kumaravasya Bharatham
For 31-year-old Bhramari Shivaprakash dancing is her passion and she has dedicated her life for it. The uniqueness of her dancing is she has composed Bharathanatya for epic Karnata Bharatha Kathamanjari, one of the three major Mahabharatha written in medieval Kannada by Gadugina Veeranaranappa. The epic is also known as Kumaravyasa Nrithya Bharatha.
She has adopted some of the lines from the epic into the marga tradition of classical Bharathanatyam. The repertoire of Bharathanatya is called as Marga and it consists of items called pushpanjali, jatiswara, shabdam, padavarna, javali, padam, tillana etc. To the characterstics of each item the lines and instances are chosen from different chapters of Kumaravyasya Bharatam.
Usually epic Kumaravasya Bharatham is studied in the colleges and rendered through gamaka vachana. But she has explored the visual possibilities through Classical Bharathanatya items. She claims she is the first to perform Bharathanatya for the holy epic of Kumaravasya Bharatha.
Hailing from Mangalore, she was in city on Monday and presented Kumaravyasa Nritya Bharata dance feature at Jaganmohan Palace on Monday, during the silver jubilee celebrations of Vasundhara Performing Arts Centre.
Speaking to Express, Bhramari Shivaprakash said that 'I have taken three months for two-and-half hours of dance composition. I have edited the script and got its music composed by Ramesh Chadaga of Bangalore. 'I want to experiment and put up quality performances over the period of time to enjoy the literary beauty of Classic Kannada literature' she says.
Bhramari had dancing interest from her tender age of four, through the dance dramas and other theatrical works directed by her father Prof Udyavara Madhava Acharya staged under his Cultural ensemble SAMOOHA.
She has nourished her imagination with ample ideas in theater and choreography by participating in the dance dramas such as Bringada benneri banthu, Ananda mukunda, Harikunida, Kuvara bhasmasura, Bhagavadgitha nrithya vaibhava.
She has presented her Theatrical Choreographies like Stri Shakthi, Shvamedha, Kuvara bhasmasura, Shabari, SaundaryaLahari, Haricharithe and much more across country and abroad too.
From past 12 years Bhramari, is imparting quality dance education to the dedicated students under her own institution “Naadanrthya” in Mangalore. She has also served as dance instructor in Academy School of Music and fine arts, Challenge School of Music and Fine arts Udupi, Surati Inc new Jersey USA.
For 31-year-old Bhramari Shivaprakash dancing is her passion and she has dedicated her life for it. The uniqueness of her dancing is she has composed Bharathanatya for epic Karnata Bharatha Kathamanjari, one of the three major Mahabharatha written in medieval Kannada by Gadugina Veeranaranappa. The epic is also known as Kumaravyasa Nrithya Bharatha.
She has adopted some of the lines from the epic into the marga tradition of classical Bharathanatyam. The repertoire of Bharathanatya is called as Marga and it consists of items called pushpanjali, jatiswara, shabdam, padavarna, javali, padam, tillana etc. To the characterstics of each item the lines and instances are chosen from different chapters of Kumaravyasya Bharatam.
Usually epic Kumaravasya Bharatham is studied in the colleges and rendered through gamaka vachana. But she has explored the visual possibilities through Classical Bharathanatya items. She claims she is the first to perform Bharathanatya for the holy epic of Kumaravasya Bharatha.
Hailing from Mangalore, she was in city on Monday and presented Kumaravyasa Nritya Bharata dance feature at Jaganmohan Palace on Monday, during the silver jubilee celebrations of Vasundhara Performing Arts Centre.
Speaking to Express, Bhramari Shivaprakash said that 'I have taken three months for two-and-half hours of dance composition. I have edited the script and got its music composed by Ramesh Chadaga of Bangalore. 'I want to experiment and put up quality performances over the period of time to enjoy the literary beauty of Classic Kannada literature' she says.
Bhramari had dancing interest from her tender age of four, through the dance dramas and other theatrical works directed by her father Prof Udyavara Madhava Acharya staged under his Cultural ensemble SAMOOHA.
She has nourished her imagination with ample ideas in theater and choreography by participating in the dance dramas such as Bringada benneri banthu, Ananda mukunda, Harikunida, Kuvara bhasmasura, Bhagavadgitha nrithya vaibhava.
She has presented her Theatrical Choreographies like Stri Shakthi, Shvamedha, Kuvara bhasmasura, Shabari, SaundaryaLahari, Haricharithe and much more across country and abroad too.
From past 12 years Bhramari, is imparting quality dance education to the dedicated students under her own institution “Naadanrthya” in Mangalore. She has also served as dance instructor in Academy School of Music and fine arts, Challenge School of Music and Fine arts Udupi, Surati Inc new Jersey USA.
Rangayana's weekend stage play completes 10 years
The weekend theatre programmes held every Sunday at Rangayana will be completing 10 years on January 26. With the
intention of providing a regular theatrical fest for art lovers, the practice of staging plays every weekends
(Saturday and Sunday) was started in January 26, 2002 by the then Rangayana Director Prasanna, the third Director to
hold office at Rangayana after BV Karanth and C Basavalingaiah.
In the beginning artistes from Rangayana staged plays every Saturday and Sunday at Boomigeetha. But since 2006 the
plays were staged only on Sundays.
Over the decade several plays have been staged, some of the outstanding among them being Kallarali Hoovagi, Kusuma
Bale, Maggadavaru, Alegalalli Rajahamsa, Kathale Belaku, Prathishodha, Gundegowdana Charitre, Gandhi Vs Gandhi,
Swathantra Suri, Checkmate, Tughlak, Sigal and several others.
Rangayana artistes are staging these plays for the past ten years. Saroja Hegade, Vinayak Bhat Hanasagi, Mime Ramesh,
Hulagappa Kattimani, Jagadish Manavarthe, Geetha Moontdka, Prashant Hiremutt, MC Krishnaprasad, S Ramanath, S Ramu,
Santoshkumar Kusnooru, BN Shashikala, Manjunath Belikere, Krishnakumar Narnakaje, Pramila Bengre, KR Nandini, Mahadev
and Noor Ahamedsheikh are the artistes who practice regularly before staging a play. To infuse life into play this
persons artists Srinivas Bhat (Chinni), HK Dwarknath, K Anjusingh are providing music, art director, samarakala
teachers are working respectively.
Speaking to TNIE, Rangayana Director Rajaram said 'most of the plays are being staged for the first time and re-known
Directors are invited to direct the artistes'. The artist will be any time ready to stage at least 12-15 plays.
"There are around 3,000 theater buffs in the city who are regular visitors for these weekend plays because of whom
there is a good response every week. Though seating arrangements inside the Bhoomigeetha auditorium is limited to only
250, it is usually not crowded as most of the plays are repeated 4-5 times to make it convenient for the visitors to
choose an appropriate week end," he added. The entry fee is a nominal Rs 30.
Rangayana former Director Prasanna said that, 'Mysore being tourists place, people from across country were visiting
city and to drew their attention towards theatre, the weekend plays were introduced. I am very happy its running
continuously and has made a record in our country completing for 10 years without any break.
'There are two types of repertory in our Karnataka one is Rangayana which is city based and other located in either
villages are small towns. The second category of repertory travel across and stage plays, he added.
About Rangayana
To promote theater activities and stage plays, Rangayana, an autonomous theater institution started in 1989 by State
Government was the brainchild of BV Karanth who became its first Director.
Rangayana consists of repertory company, Indian theater-training institute, Sriranga documentation and research centre
and Ranga Kishora. There are four stages at Rangayana named Vanaranga, Bhoomigeetha, Sriranga and Lankesh Art Gallery,
named after famous writer and journalist P Lankesh. There are 18 artists and three teachers selected from various
parts of State. It also provides vocational training for teachers, amateur theater artists and enthusiasts.
intention of providing a regular theatrical fest for art lovers, the practice of staging plays every weekends
(Saturday and Sunday) was started in January 26, 2002 by the then Rangayana Director Prasanna, the third Director to
hold office at Rangayana after BV Karanth and C Basavalingaiah.
In the beginning artistes from Rangayana staged plays every Saturday and Sunday at Boomigeetha. But since 2006 the
plays were staged only on Sundays.
Over the decade several plays have been staged, some of the outstanding among them being Kallarali Hoovagi, Kusuma
Bale, Maggadavaru, Alegalalli Rajahamsa, Kathale Belaku, Prathishodha, Gundegowdana Charitre, Gandhi Vs Gandhi,
Swathantra Suri, Checkmate, Tughlak, Sigal and several others.
Rangayana artistes are staging these plays for the past ten years. Saroja Hegade, Vinayak Bhat Hanasagi, Mime Ramesh,
Hulagappa Kattimani, Jagadish Manavarthe, Geetha Moontdka, Prashant Hiremutt, MC Krishnaprasad, S Ramanath, S Ramu,
Santoshkumar Kusnooru, BN Shashikala, Manjunath Belikere, Krishnakumar Narnakaje, Pramila Bengre, KR Nandini, Mahadev
and Noor Ahamedsheikh are the artistes who practice regularly before staging a play. To infuse life into play this
persons artists Srinivas Bhat (Chinni), HK Dwarknath, K Anjusingh are providing music, art director, samarakala
teachers are working respectively.
Speaking to TNIE, Rangayana Director Rajaram said 'most of the plays are being staged for the first time and re-known
Directors are invited to direct the artistes'. The artist will be any time ready to stage at least 12-15 plays.
"There are around 3,000 theater buffs in the city who are regular visitors for these weekend plays because of whom
there is a good response every week. Though seating arrangements inside the Bhoomigeetha auditorium is limited to only
250, it is usually not crowded as most of the plays are repeated 4-5 times to make it convenient for the visitors to
choose an appropriate week end," he added. The entry fee is a nominal Rs 30.
Rangayana former Director Prasanna said that, 'Mysore being tourists place, people from across country were visiting
city and to drew their attention towards theatre, the weekend plays were introduced. I am very happy its running
continuously and has made a record in our country completing for 10 years without any break.
'There are two types of repertory in our Karnataka one is Rangayana which is city based and other located in either
villages are small towns. The second category of repertory travel across and stage plays, he added.
About Rangayana
To promote theater activities and stage plays, Rangayana, an autonomous theater institution started in 1989 by State
Government was the brainchild of BV Karanth who became its first Director.
Rangayana consists of repertory company, Indian theater-training institute, Sriranga documentation and research centre
and Ranga Kishora. There are four stages at Rangayana named Vanaranga, Bhoomigeetha, Sriranga and Lankesh Art Gallery,
named after famous writer and journalist P Lankesh. There are 18 artists and three teachers selected from various
parts of State. It also provides vocational training for teachers, amateur theater artists and enthusiasts.
Balbhavan cries for attention
Balbhavan started in the year 1979 is in a dilapidated condition. With the ceiling falling off at places as also the plastering on the walls peeling off, it is urgently in need of repairs.It was opened when the late Devaraj Urs was the Chief Minister of the State, as a recreation centre for children.
While fungus is forming on the ceiling due to water seepage in some places even plants are beginning to take roots. Cracks can be seen almost eveywhere, especially at Bala Darshini Children Ranga Mandira is in a worst condition. Wood panels adorning the walls and even cupboards are falling off including the electrical switch boards.
As the Balbhavan does not receive any monetary aid either from the Government or the city Corporation for its maintenance and upkeeping, it has to depend entirely on the resources it mobilizes on its own. There are seven people working here which includes the driver of the toy train, who have been working on meager salaries earning less than Rs.2,500. While the income to the Balbhavan is not regular, except during weekends when most children visit to enjoy the ride on the toy-train.
Even though Mysore Zilla Panchayat CEO Sathyavathi is the President with the Kannada and Culture Department's Annegowda, MUDA Commissioner Betsurmath, MMC Commisioner KS Raikar, DDPI Nagendra and several other VIPs being the committee members, none seems to have any interest in maintaining the Balbhavan.
In-charge Officer Krishnamurthy said that though it comes under Women and Child Department, it is not been provided with any funds for its maintenance.
Deputy Director Vijay of the Women and Child Department said, "The current 30 year lease on the land where the Balbahavan is located, extending over 13 acres will be expiring shortly and steps will be taken to renew the same. Immediately after that, all repairs and other developmental works will be taken up."
>
In addition to providing entertainment for children, Bal Bhavan creates awareness among them by imparting training in handicraft and arts, innovative science, literature, acting and many other fields. Children in the age group of 9 to 16 years are trained here who are later sent to compete in District and State level events. For the past three years it has continuously won the National Award in Science division.
While fungus is forming on the ceiling due to water seepage in some places even plants are beginning to take roots. Cracks can be seen almost eveywhere, especially at Bala Darshini Children Ranga Mandira is in a worst condition. Wood panels adorning the walls and even cupboards are falling off including the electrical switch boards.
As the Balbhavan does not receive any monetary aid either from the Government or the city Corporation for its maintenance and upkeeping, it has to depend entirely on the resources it mobilizes on its own. There are seven people working here which includes the driver of the toy train, who have been working on meager salaries earning less than Rs.2,500. While the income to the Balbhavan is not regular, except during weekends when most children visit to enjoy the ride on the toy-train.
Even though Mysore Zilla Panchayat CEO Sathyavathi is the President with the Kannada and Culture Department's Annegowda, MUDA Commissioner Betsurmath, MMC Commisioner KS Raikar, DDPI Nagendra and several other VIPs being the committee members, none seems to have any interest in maintaining the Balbhavan.
In-charge Officer Krishnamurthy said that though it comes under Women and Child Department, it is not been provided with any funds for its maintenance.
Deputy Director Vijay of the Women and Child Department said, "The current 30 year lease on the land where the Balbahavan is located, extending over 13 acres will be expiring shortly and steps will be taken to renew the same. Immediately after that, all repairs and other developmental works will be taken up."
>
In addition to providing entertainment for children, Bal Bhavan creates awareness among them by imparting training in handicraft and arts, innovative science, literature, acting and many other fields. Children in the age group of 9 to 16 years are trained here who are later sent to compete in District and State level events. For the past three years it has continuously won the National Award in Science division.
Visitors-starved anthrapology museum is shut for visitors
The Southern Regional Centre of the Anthropological Survey of India, it appears has taken the issue of its museum not getting enough visitors rather casually. Instead of taking measures to draw people towards the museum that exhibits some of the rare human origins, genome and people of India, it has quietly shut its doors for the visitors.
The Manav Bhavan which has to be open for public on all working days, except Saturday, Sunday and on holidays, between 10 am to 5 pm, has been kept locked. If anyone want to visit the gallery, they have to take permission a day or two prior from the officers.
With the purpose to make the visitors and researchers aware of the rich cultural traditions of Indian communities, the Zonal Anthropological Museum was established in 1965 at Mysore. The museum collections are mainly from the geographical areas of four southern states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and two Union Territories Lakshadweep and Pondicherry.
From the past five decades the ZAM has preserved large number of ethnographic artifacts representing a wide range of heterogeneous cultural and heritage of the people of South India and the museum comprises of two galleries. First gallery (in the first floor) depicts a theme of people in South India Habitat, economy and culture' and the ground floor exhibits a rare varied material culture of tribal groups.
Nearby residents say, one has to undergo many formalities to visit the museum and almost always the museums will be kept locked. If its not opened for general public what use in preserving rare artifacts.
When Express, checked visiting the museum it was the same. The security guards near the gate said that `without prior permission no one is allowed inside.' When questioned why so they said that the rules are like that only in the museum. When checked the visitors books it was shocking to see that per day there only two-three persons have visited the museum, in which most of them had entered the purpose of meeting officers and not visiting museums.
According to sources of Manav Bhavan, there is only limited staff and only one care taker for the two galleries. Hardly when school children visit school he will be there to open the doors of museum.
Speaking to Express, Manav Bhavan Deputy Director said that from since 15 days he is working in the Bhavan and he takes initiatives to open the gallery in all weekdays.
Know the Historical churches which comes under Mysore Diocese
The Mysore district which is well-known for many historical places, as to its credit many historical churches. Under Mysore Diocese of four districts of Mysore, Mandya, Coorg and Chamarajanagara there are dozens of historical churches.
Among all, St Anne’s Church situated at Virajpet, is one of the oldest church which has a history of 219-years. According to Father Arogya Swamy the church belongs to 18th century. The first church was constructed in 1792 and later the present church is built in 1869 in Gothic style with the help of British Government.
The specialty of this 150 feet tall church is the six feet Panchaloha cross, which has brought from Paris. The church was constructed by french missionary father Guillone, and King Veera Rajendra. The present Archeology Museum at Madikeri, was earlier an Anglican Church built by Ror A Fennel in side the fort with Gothic Style. This is said to be 400-year-old church.
Two century old churches
* The Immaculate Conception Church situated at Ganjam, Srirangapatna was constructed in 1800 AD by a French Missionary Abbe Bubois. The specialty of this church is its houses a 200-year-old statue of Mother Marry and has a Indian and Western combined structure.
* Our Lady of Assumption Church at Pandavapura, built during the period of Tippu Sultan in gothic Style. Earlier Pandavapura was called as Hirode. Father David say it might be constructed in1869.
* St Anthony's Shrine at Doornahalli has a history of two centuries. The miraculous shrine of St Anthony was found to farmer 200 years ago, when he was ploughing the land.
* St Johns The Baptist Church at Palhalli, Mandya District constructed at 1859, after the demolition of 17th century old church and Sacred Heart Church in Nagavalli Village, Chamarajanagar was constructed in 1906. Hardwick Church is another old church located in Mysore.
In Mysore District, St Philomeans Church and St Bartholomew’s Church were built when the British were ruling India. St Philomena's Church which is the longest church in the country has a history of 139 years and has housed a relic of St Philomena. The foundation for the new church was laid by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and has been built in neo-gothic style.
St Barholomew's Church which has a history of 177 years old was built by European residents in 1835. The land was gifted by Mysore King Krishnaraja Wadiyar III, in 1830 and by 1848 it became an exclusive Anglican church. The stained glass window depicting St Bartholomew donated by Mysore Maharaja was unveiled by Lady Wellington in 1930, during the centenary celebrations of the church. Prince of Wales King George V has has offered prayers in this Church in 1906.
Another, popular church in Mysore is 148 years old Wesley Cathedral Church. The mission was first established in 1839, after Mysore King Krishnaraja Wadiyar III sold the Escort Officers Bungalow (Press Bungalow) to Wesleyans. Built in 1895, this cathedral is the head of all the Protestant churches across district. The church was named after an American Priest John Wesley.
The St Gregorios Orthodox Church in Nazarbad contains relic of St Gregorios of Parumala, who is the first saint of Malankara Orthodox Church, which is also known as the Indian Orthodox Church. In Orthodox churches they lit campfire by using Palm leaves during rituals and preserve the ashes. Another Interesting part is in Orthodox churches is they use log strip of red coloured and not a crucified Christ.
75-year-old Churches.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Martealli Church.
St Joseph Church in PG Pally
Martalin Church In Kollegal.
Among all, St Anne’s Church situated at Virajpet, is one of the oldest church which has a history of 219-years. According to Father Arogya Swamy the church belongs to 18th century. The first church was constructed in 1792 and later the present church is built in 1869 in Gothic style with the help of British Government.
The specialty of this 150 feet tall church is the six feet Panchaloha cross, which has brought from Paris. The church was constructed by french missionary father Guillone, and King Veera Rajendra. The present Archeology Museum at Madikeri, was earlier an Anglican Church built by Ror A Fennel in side the fort with Gothic Style. This is said to be 400-year-old church.
Two century old churches
* The Immaculate Conception Church situated at Ganjam, Srirangapatna was constructed in 1800 AD by a French Missionary Abbe Bubois. The specialty of this church is its houses a 200-year-old statue of Mother Marry and has a Indian and Western combined structure.
* Our Lady of Assumption Church at Pandavapura, built during the period of Tippu Sultan in gothic Style. Earlier Pandavapura was called as Hirode. Father David say it might be constructed in1869.
* St Anthony's Shrine at Doornahalli has a history of two centuries. The miraculous shrine of St Anthony was found to farmer 200 years ago, when he was ploughing the land.
* St Johns The Baptist Church at Palhalli, Mandya District constructed at 1859, after the demolition of 17th century old church and Sacred Heart Church in Nagavalli Village, Chamarajanagar was constructed in 1906. Hardwick Church is another old church located in Mysore.
In Mysore District, St Philomeans Church and St Bartholomew’s Church were built when the British were ruling India. St Philomena's Church which is the longest church in the country has a history of 139 years and has housed a relic of St Philomena. The foundation for the new church was laid by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and has been built in neo-gothic style.
St Barholomew's Church which has a history of 177 years old was built by European residents in 1835. The land was gifted by Mysore King Krishnaraja Wadiyar III, in 1830 and by 1848 it became an exclusive Anglican church. The stained glass window depicting St Bartholomew donated by Mysore Maharaja was unveiled by Lady Wellington in 1930, during the centenary celebrations of the church. Prince of Wales King George V has has offered prayers in this Church in 1906.
Another, popular church in Mysore is 148 years old Wesley Cathedral Church. The mission was first established in 1839, after Mysore King Krishnaraja Wadiyar III sold the Escort Officers Bungalow (Press Bungalow) to Wesleyans. Built in 1895, this cathedral is the head of all the Protestant churches across district. The church was named after an American Priest John Wesley.
The St Gregorios Orthodox Church in Nazarbad contains relic of St Gregorios of Parumala, who is the first saint of Malankara Orthodox Church, which is also known as the Indian Orthodox Church. In Orthodox churches they lit campfire by using Palm leaves during rituals and preserve the ashes. Another Interesting part is in Orthodox churches is they use log strip of red coloured and not a crucified Christ.
75-year-old Churches.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Martealli Church.
St Joseph Church in PG Pally
Martalin Church In Kollegal.
A new lease of life for destitute children at 'Chinnara Thangudhama'
Here comes a cheerful news for destitute children. Under Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan, Education Department is launching a pioneer project in Mysore district named 'Chinnara Thangudhama'.
The project aims to provide free food and shelter for deprived children in the age group of 6 to 14 years providing them free boarding and lodging facilities.
The center houses children who have run away from houses; destitute children caught for non-serious offenses; children rescued from child labourers and also those who are freed from child traffickers. It also undertakes free health check-up and provides free education for the children housed here. Apart this, even children addicted to drinking, smoking, drugs and other vices will also be brought here and sent to drug De-addiction programmes which will be conducted by the Centre.
The government has already sanctioned an annual grant of Rs 15,20,000 for the maintenance of Thangudhama and has signed a MoU with a private NGO named Don Boscoe. The task is identifying the homeless and destitute children living within the limits of the Mysore City Corporation in places like Railway Station, Bus Stands, construction sites, market areas, places of worship like temples, mosques and churches, hotels, marriage halls, places of mining, theatres, slum areas, traffic junctions, small industries, workshops, garages and even those employed as domestic labourers.
The Thangudhama will be started in a rented building shortly and the initial amount released for the project is Rs 7 lakh, of which Rs 2,90,000 has already been paid to Don Bosco to trace the children. Don Boscoe is conducting survey in city since December 10 and the exact number of children identified will be available by December 25.
Under the Right to Education Act (RTE), in the total number of identified children, some of the the children will be sent to residential school and other to Chinnara Thangudhama. At present plans have been made to send about hundred children (boys and girls) who were already studying in 6th to 8th Standard to residential schools at Kannada Practicing School in Nazarbad and in the same some amount has also been transferred to the School SDMC Account.
In addition to Mysore, Chinnara Thangu Dhama has also been set up in other eight districts across the State, such as Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Tumkur, Davanagere and Bellary.
Speaking to Express Assistant Programme Co-ordinator for Samanvaya Yojana, Revanna Surendra, said, 'earlier dropout children were traced only through school records. Children who absented consecutively for three months from school were identified as drop-outs. Due to launch of the programme the destitute children will be traced and provided with food and shelter.
The project aims to provide free food and shelter for deprived children in the age group of 6 to 14 years providing them free boarding and lodging facilities.
The center houses children who have run away from houses; destitute children caught for non-serious offenses; children rescued from child labourers and also those who are freed from child traffickers. It also undertakes free health check-up and provides free education for the children housed here. Apart this, even children addicted to drinking, smoking, drugs and other vices will also be brought here and sent to drug De-addiction programmes which will be conducted by the Centre.
The government has already sanctioned an annual grant of Rs 15,20,000 for the maintenance of Thangudhama and has signed a MoU with a private NGO named Don Boscoe. The task is identifying the homeless and destitute children living within the limits of the Mysore City Corporation in places like Railway Station, Bus Stands, construction sites, market areas, places of worship like temples, mosques and churches, hotels, marriage halls, places of mining, theatres, slum areas, traffic junctions, small industries, workshops, garages and even those employed as domestic labourers.
The Thangudhama will be started in a rented building shortly and the initial amount released for the project is Rs 7 lakh, of which Rs 2,90,000 has already been paid to Don Bosco to trace the children. Don Boscoe is conducting survey in city since December 10 and the exact number of children identified will be available by December 25.
Under the Right to Education Act (RTE), in the total number of identified children, some of the the children will be sent to residential school and other to Chinnara Thangudhama. At present plans have been made to send about hundred children (boys and girls) who were already studying in 6th to 8th Standard to residential schools at Kannada Practicing School in Nazarbad and in the same some amount has also been transferred to the School SDMC Account.
In addition to Mysore, Chinnara Thangu Dhama has also been set up in other eight districts across the State, such as Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Tumkur, Davanagere and Bellary.
Speaking to Express Assistant Programme Co-ordinator for Samanvaya Yojana, Revanna Surendra, said, 'earlier dropout children were traced only through school records. Children who absented consecutively for three months from school were identified as drop-outs. Due to launch of the programme the destitute children will be traced and provided with food and shelter.
Woman bank to provide loans for Sthree Shakti members
Are you a woman entrepreneur planning to start a new venture, a small business, a home industry, but doesn't know where to ask for financial support. Here is some good news for you. The Mysore District Women Co-operative Bank, situated next to Sahakara Bhavana , has come out with several schemes exclusively for women seeking financial assistance to run their business or industry.
The Bank will provide loans to members of Sthree Shakti Organisations at nominal rate of interest to help them start their own business. In the beginning about 10 Sthree Shakti Organisations will be provided with the loan facility, which in the coming months will be extended to others. With 100 per cent loan recovery, the NPA (Non Performing Assets) of this bank is zero percent, for which even the RBI has expressed happiness for this feat.
The e-stamping facility which is currently available only in selected scheduled banks and co-operative societies, will be soon made available in this bank too. Bank President B Radha says, 'Most of the illiterate women who come from villages find it very difficult to get e-stamping done. Our bank staff will assist them to fill up the documents and avail the benefit of e-stamping instantly.'
The Bank is also providing Government sponsored Insurance scheme 'Yashaswini' available for farmers and their family members by collecting Rs 130 and a photo-copy RTC document. Says Radha, "Except for us, no other urban bank is providing this facility. Already 12 farmers have made insurance claims."
The Bank started in 1995 with a seed capital of Rs 25 lakh and with 3,000 members as share-holders, today does a turn over of Rs 18 crore. The bank follows RBI regulations and is governed by Karnataka Co-operative Act and Co-operative Departments.
This is the only Bank exclusively for women in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts with around 2,000 customers and 7,200 share-holders. About eight taluks like Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Nanjangud, Gundlupet, T Narasipura, Hunsur, KR Nagar and Kollegal taluks are covered by this bank.
President Radha said, 'Without insisting on too much documentation, we provide loans upto Rs 1 lakh for women. We primarily concentrate on illiterate women to help them provide better standards of living. In addition we provide home-loans, construction loans and small-business loans.'
MUDA has allotted 45000sqft land for the Bank in Adichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar where the bank plans to open it's new branch shortly. For loans and other details contact 94483 42441 or 2445372.
The Bank will provide loans to members of Sthree Shakti Organisations at nominal rate of interest to help them start their own business. In the beginning about 10 Sthree Shakti Organisations will be provided with the loan facility, which in the coming months will be extended to others. With 100 per cent loan recovery, the NPA (Non Performing Assets) of this bank is zero percent, for which even the RBI has expressed happiness for this feat.
The e-stamping facility which is currently available only in selected scheduled banks and co-operative societies, will be soon made available in this bank too. Bank President B Radha says, 'Most of the illiterate women who come from villages find it very difficult to get e-stamping done. Our bank staff will assist them to fill up the documents and avail the benefit of e-stamping instantly.'
The Bank is also providing Government sponsored Insurance scheme 'Yashaswini' available for farmers and their family members by collecting Rs 130 and a photo-copy RTC document. Says Radha, "Except for us, no other urban bank is providing this facility. Already 12 farmers have made insurance claims."
The Bank started in 1995 with a seed capital of Rs 25 lakh and with 3,000 members as share-holders, today does a turn over of Rs 18 crore. The bank follows RBI regulations and is governed by Karnataka Co-operative Act and Co-operative Departments.
This is the only Bank exclusively for women in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts with around 2,000 customers and 7,200 share-holders. About eight taluks like Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Nanjangud, Gundlupet, T Narasipura, Hunsur, KR Nagar and Kollegal taluks are covered by this bank.
President Radha said, 'Without insisting on too much documentation, we provide loans upto Rs 1 lakh for women. We primarily concentrate on illiterate women to help them provide better standards of living. In addition we provide home-loans, construction loans and small-business loans.'
MUDA has allotted 45000sqft land for the Bank in Adichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar where the bank plans to open it's new branch shortly. For loans and other details contact 94483 42441 or 2445372.
She mimics 'sounds of nature'
Most mimicry artists imitate celebrities, but this woman mimicries mother nature. Forty seven year old Geetha Montadaka is the first woman in Karnataka to practice mimicry and to reproduce around 120 different sounds heard in nature.
The sounds she mimics are stunningly real, so much so that while imitating voices of peacock, dog and other animals for fun she was surprised when they actually responded back to her prank calls. Her imitation is so perfect that the animals get confused hearing her.
She can imitate with ease sounds of nature such as breeze, vehicle passing by, chirping of the birds , bullock carts trudging on a muddy road, bell-chimes, chants of suprabhatam, roaring of animals, barking of dogs, mewing of cats, claps of thunder, fluttering of leaves on trees and several others.
Hailing from a poor farmer family in Sulya, Dakshina Kannada, she started practicing this rare skill from a tender age in the forest nearby her house. In the beginning she began practicing to imitate birds and animals she saw. When she started getting back response from the birds it inspired her further to make it as an hobby.
In the meanwhile she got an offer from Rangayana and has been working there as an artist for the past 23 years, right from the time of its first Director BV Karanth. Being a stage artist she has appeared in several plays and has received over 500 awards that includes two State-level Awards. In order to completely involve herself in theater she had quit her Government job long back and is completely satisfied for making her career as an artist.
She has given performances all over India and also abroad including USA (1992), Germany and Austria (1995). She is very adept at narrating stories with sounds. She has also lend her mimicry talent to create awareness about AIDS among the public.
'What started as fun developed as a habit with lot of practice and became challenging as years went by. Most think mimicry is an art meant only for males. I wanted to show that even women can do it. I gave my first performance during my college days,' says Geeta. She hopes to popularlize the mimicry across country and make it popular among people.
She says Its a difficult for a women to sustain as a theater artist and thanked her husband Ganesh for his support. She said stage has thought has many things to her, specially to lead life.
Child labour continues unabated in city
It seems that the Akshara Arakshaka launched with much fanfare by district-in-charge minister SA Ramdas has failed to yield the desired results. In sharp contrast to the initiative under which the police were to track and bring back to school the drop-outs, several children are found on streets washing vessels or selling eatables even in the heart of the city.
A reality check by TNIE found children being employed in petrol pumps, footpath vendors, flour-mills, vegetable and fruit markets, tea stall etc in city. Leave alone the rural parts of the district, what's shocking is that the drop-outs are seen even in markets and prominent commercial streets of the city being frequented by foreign nationals.
Several children were seen selling oranges, banana, and vegetables in the busy Devaraja Market, Sayyaji Rao Road. In K T Street, children were seen employed to supply beverages. The situation was no different in residential areas like Kuvempunagar and Agrahara which has more number of literates.
According to Public Instruction Department statistics, only 190 children have been rescued in the whole of Mysore city. The numbers are more or less the same compared to previous years. In Mysore district, 1,215 children have been enrolled to schools after being rescued from various places.
Assistant Labour Commissioner Umesh expressing his helplessness in this regard, said that they can only concentrate children employed in commercial establishments but not those children “helping” their parents or working independently like street vendors etc.
Expressed her anger towards the issue, a government teacher pleading anonymity said “They (public representatives) launch programmes only for the sake of publicity but later won't bother to implement the same effectively. It is not a difficult task for officials to stop child labour. If we venture to advise them not to do, they turn back against us. Its the responsibility of the concerned officials to take initiative to trace children and enroll them to schools.”
Sunanda, a resident of Vidyaranyapuram said: 'I have come across several children working in Fast Food and Chat centers. Officials should work efficiently to such an extent that people should be afraid to place any child for work.'
Smitha promising athlete from city
Smitha Channaveeraiah, a promising and hard work athlete, who recently created a new meet record in the 83rd University of Mysore Inter-collegiate Athletic meet through her performance, will be taking part in the All India University Athletic competition stated to be held in Mangalore on December 15.
22-year-old Smitha, a final year M.Com student, has created wonders in the competition she takes part. She has represented state in National-level for 15 times in which six times from Mysore University and she has to her credit number of gold and silver medals.
Interestingly, she has took sports has endurance in the year 2004, when she took part in the 400m falt running race competition in 8th standard and when she won the Individual Championship title athletic meet in 2005, which was conducted by DDPI. She is the first to represent Mysore District in the PU Department National Meet in the year 2005-06.
She had made her impression felt when she won the 5000m with timings of 20.38s and secured second place in the 1500m and 800m events in the 79th Mysore University Inter-collegiate athletic meet. She practices individually.
In 2006, Smitha has won the gold in 5000m and silvers in 3000m and 1500m in the State Pr-University meet held at Moodbidri. She has won gold in 3000m, silver in 800m in the State Junior Athletic Meet at Bangalore and has won first place in the State-level Dasara meet in 6km road race. She has won the second place in the 4km short race in the State Cross country meet held at Chitradurga.
In 2007, she has won gold in the 6km cross country race for women with record timing of 24m:52.62s at Mysore City Inter-collegiate cross country meet.
She desires to become Inter-National Athletic championships and is striving hard to gain recognition with her consistent performances. She says, 'I am a practicing hard to come with new meet record in the All India University Athletic competitions. My father Channaveeraiah, Mysore University, Mysore Athletic Club are encouraging me lot.'
PURE an organisation meant for men empowerment
International Men's Day: Today (November 19) is International Men's Day. There are number of organisation for rights and relief's of women, children and animals, to promote their respective rights and liberties. But there are not many groups representing men's rights.
In Mysore, here is a organisation which assist and advice men and promote him physically and mentally. That is, Peoples Urge for Rights and Equity (PURE), in Gokulam, which is registered since 2007.
Speaking to Express, PURE Founder Ponnappa said that 'there are lot of legislation's which are designed to protect women, but not men. Law is totally blind towards men. Even men to are sexually harassed by women. At present situation men and women both should be given equal provisions under legal issues, along with the burden and benefits equally.'
'When men commits wrong, its highlighted more. Whereas not same with the women. Even if she commit mistake, they are protected most of the time. According to National Congress on Radiation Protection (NCRP) report more number of married man are committing suicide and are also being harassed by women. Its need of the hour more number of organisations for men should come up and provide moral support for genuine men who are facing problems,' he opines.
Ponnappa says, he started this organisation, from his own experience. So far, about 1500 men have visited PURE seeking guidance and Ponnappa has maintained records of all those. There are about 100 members in this organisation in which some of them are women.
He says, among 1,500 who visited PURE, most of them were married men. In future he plans to create awareness among masses about equal legal issues between men and women and to hold seminar, street plays, lectures, associated with government and NGO's.
PURE, which plans to bring men's right, for first of kind in city is celebrating men's day on November 19 at Vidyavardhaka Law College and has organised several programmes for men.
In Mysore, here is a organisation which assist and advice men and promote him physically and mentally. That is, Peoples Urge for Rights and Equity (PURE), in Gokulam, which is registered since 2007.
Speaking to Express, PURE Founder Ponnappa said that 'there are lot of legislation's which are designed to protect women, but not men. Law is totally blind towards men. Even men to are sexually harassed by women. At present situation men and women both should be given equal provisions under legal issues, along with the burden and benefits equally.'
'When men commits wrong, its highlighted more. Whereas not same with the women. Even if she commit mistake, they are protected most of the time. According to National Congress on Radiation Protection (NCRP) report more number of married man are committing suicide and are also being harassed by women. Its need of the hour more number of organisations for men should come up and provide moral support for genuine men who are facing problems,' he opines.
Ponnappa says, he started this organisation, from his own experience. So far, about 1500 men have visited PURE seeking guidance and Ponnappa has maintained records of all those. There are about 100 members in this organisation in which some of them are women.
He says, among 1,500 who visited PURE, most of them were married men. In future he plans to create awareness among masses about equal legal issues between men and women and to hold seminar, street plays, lectures, associated with government and NGO's.
PURE, which plans to bring men's right, for first of kind in city is celebrating men's day on November 19 at Vidyavardhaka Law College and has organised several programmes for men.
Friday, December 16, 2011
This artist has 18 century books in his collections
You name any prominent book on music, art, dance and sharana literature published from any corner of the globe and he has it. For this 66-year-old artist L Shivalingappa, collecting literatures on different forms of art is more than a
passion. He has more than 6,500 rare books belonging to 18th and 19th century in English and Kannada languages.
What' amazing is that a majority of the rare books that adorn the shelves are imported from different. It even include ooks published more than a century ago. He quickly places orders for books penned by celebrated authors immediately
after he comes to know about its release.
Art Treasures of the world by Eleonor C Munro (1838, London); Practical Essay on Art by John Burnet (1888, New york); Modern German Art by Henry Ginsbury (1938), Contemporary British Art by Herber Read (1951); History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon by Vincent A Smith (1930) and Art of Century by Yannle Pichon (1989) are some of his prized possession. He has more than a hundred series of Walter T Foster's 'How to draw books'.
Shivalingappa has penned about 20 books related to Painting, Sculpture and Vachana Sahitya. He has also penned a book 'Art Developments in Karnataka' which includes the stages of development of art from the ancient period of rock work to modern painting.
Apart this, he has about 10,000 photography to his collections and has spent lakhs of rupees towards these collections. He has placed all his collection in a separate room called ?Mysore Art Gallery?.
The multifaceted Artist Shivalingappa is not only a writer and painter, but is equally good in sculpture, editing and writing features. He was the first from state to do sculpture works using sand castings, thermocole and PVC Pipes.
He has exhibited his paintings in State and National-level expos about 30 times from 1974 to 2008 and has dedicated his life in art and culture. He says, he needs the books for reference and also to gain inspiration. He has number of awards to his credit, to mention a few State Shilpa Kala Academy Award, State Lalithakala Academy, Karavali Samskruthika Suvarna Kannadiga Award, Basavasri, Kuvempusri, and much more.
This Australian names his daughter 'India'
The Patriotic fervour led by this Australian family is very high. They have named their 15-year-old daughter 'India'. Australian family led by Nick Petrucco and his wife Rebec are the spouse who have named their daughter 'India'. The couple have three children in which India is elder one and other two are Maggie and Gus.
Nick says, he see India alive by calling her daughter name and he feels he is in India.
The seven family member of Nick Petrucco have traveled from Kozhikode to Chennai and have organised Walkathon to create awareness among people about child abuse and to raise funds for education of the under privileged children in South India.
This is the first Walkathon conducted by Nick along with his other family members Jenny, Nick, Deibhlin and Nicola, under the banner of Child Fund's Unique Initiative 'Coast to Coast' Walkathon.
A total of 850 km walk has been organised in which they have walked 310 kilo meters and they walk another 450 kilo meters to reach Chennai.The walkathon was flagged of at west coast of Kozhikode, Kerala on December 9. They are leaving Mysore on December 16 and reach Bangalore on December 21 via Bannur, Malavalli and culminate the walkathon at Chennai on January 11 and return to their country by January 19.
Nick says, he love India very much and its a very special place for him. 'This is my 6th visit to India and the walkathon was planned 15 months ago and my children supported very much for this. I want to do something for the nation and hence choose collecting charity to help needy children. Every Child is special and should be provided with all facilities,' he said and thanked his family members and kids for their support and walking all the way long with him.
His family members said they are very proud of Nick and asked everyone to contribute to any one of the noble projects to get underprivileged children and to provide a better standard of living.
The family members took part in the event at Kiriya Pushpa Campus situated near Silk Factory on Thursday and distributed bicycles for girls, school kits for children, educational packs for orphaned children, medical kits for HIV affected children, drinking water facilities for 67 Anganwadi Centres and Balavadis.
Nick says, he see India alive by calling her daughter name and he feels he is in India.
The seven family member of Nick Petrucco have traveled from Kozhikode to Chennai and have organised Walkathon to create awareness among people about child abuse and to raise funds for education of the under privileged children in South India.
This is the first Walkathon conducted by Nick along with his other family members Jenny, Nick, Deibhlin and Nicola, under the banner of Child Fund's Unique Initiative 'Coast to Coast' Walkathon.
A total of 850 km walk has been organised in which they have walked 310 kilo meters and they walk another 450 kilo meters to reach Chennai.The walkathon was flagged of at west coast of Kozhikode, Kerala on December 9. They are leaving Mysore on December 16 and reach Bangalore on December 21 via Bannur, Malavalli and culminate the walkathon at Chennai on January 11 and return to their country by January 19.
Nick says, he love India very much and its a very special place for him. 'This is my 6th visit to India and the walkathon was planned 15 months ago and my children supported very much for this. I want to do something for the nation and hence choose collecting charity to help needy children. Every Child is special and should be provided with all facilities,' he said and thanked his family members and kids for their support and walking all the way long with him.
His family members said they are very proud of Nick and asked everyone to contribute to any one of the noble projects to get underprivileged children and to provide a better standard of living.
The family members took part in the event at Kiriya Pushpa Campus situated near Silk Factory on Thursday and distributed bicycles for girls, school kits for children, educational packs for orphaned children, medical kits for HIV affected children, drinking water facilities for 67 Anganwadi Centres and Balavadis.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
A tale of two men: One is noble, one is kind
The general opinion of all is, 'life is unfair'. But, for 44-year-old R Somashekhar life became a relentless struggle when he was afflicted with Polio, gradually crippling all his four limbs leaving him with very little mobility. But the polio could not affect his 'inner will'.
Born into a poor family, where parents and sister too are blind, he has the responsibility of earning daily bread for the entire family. Unmarried Somashekar faced the life courageously and fought against all odds of life to survive
and to make a living on his own !
He is a resident of Ittegegud and completely dependant on others for each and every move he makes. Moved by his pitiable condition some philanthropists donated him with a mobile telephone booth along with a weighing machine. He visits the private Bus Stand near RMC providing the public with his telephone services. Some of the regular commuters and bus drivers at the bus-stand offer him some money. Apart this, Government is providing him Rs 1,000 per month.
With this meager earnings he manages his family of four members.
These are times when people are busy meeting their own ends and cant' spend time for helping others living their work. But its not same with the auto-driver R Ramesh. Noticing the sordid struggle for existence made by Somshekar, he has taken the responsibility of picking and dropping him, free of cost. He helps him to climb into the auto as well to come down with the help of another person.
A resident of Kesare, 41-year-old Ramesh accidentally met Somashekhar, while he was on his daily trip of dropping a passenger at the bus-stand. From Kesare to Ittegegud its about six km and he has been doing relentlessly for the past six months.
Without waiting whether he gets a passenger or not, he drives empty auto towards Somshekar's house every morning at 10.30 am and picks him up in the evening at 6.30 pm to bring him back to his house. Though he has driven an empty auto on several occasions in the past, he is unmindful of the losses. Somashekar lauded and thanked Ramesh for his gesture.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Technology comes to the aid of MCC
MCC saves 48 pc on fuel, operating costs after introducing GPS in its transport fleet
The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) which fitted Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to its garbage shifting vehicles about a year and half ago has started reaping good results.
The new system has not only helped to discipline its drivers who otherwise were dumping the waste at other than the designated places according to their convenience but has also helped in making the process cost effective. Since then, the expenditure on fuel and maintenance has come down by 48 percent while the overall efficiency has improved by 60 percent.
MCC went for the GPS in April 2010 to handle its fleet of 325 garbage shifting vehicles, in view of the increasing incidents of the waste shifting vehicles dumping the garbage at places of their convenience. Also the drivers were submitting inflated bills towards the fuel and maintenance cost claiming more trips and it was impossible to handle fleet of 325 vehicles without a suitable monitoring and control mechanism.
JnNURM Superintending Engineer Suresh Babu said that with the help of GPS it is now possible to monitor the location of any vehicle 24X7, sitting in the Control Room and has helped to prevent unauthorised dumping of garbage, increasing the efficiency garbage clearance.
Speaking to TNIE, MCC Commissioner KS Raikar said the new system has provision to send SMS alerts to officers monitoring the fleet about movement of each vehicle. Another interesting feature is that it gives accurate information of the weight of the garbage and from where it was lifted. The SOS facility in case of vehicle breakdown has helped pick-up efficiency.
Another benefit of GPS was the generation of automated Trip Sheet for the truck drivers. Due to complete automation, human intervention is eliminated, with the result calculation of the number of trips for each driver as well as the
route to be followed is given in the form of a print-out as soon as the driver reports for duty. Apart from this report of attendance of every driver and his daily working hours can be generated instantly.
The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) which fitted Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to its garbage shifting vehicles about a year and half ago has started reaping good results.
The new system has not only helped to discipline its drivers who otherwise were dumping the waste at other than the designated places according to their convenience but has also helped in making the process cost effective. Since then, the expenditure on fuel and maintenance has come down by 48 percent while the overall efficiency has improved by 60 percent.
MCC went for the GPS in April 2010 to handle its fleet of 325 garbage shifting vehicles, in view of the increasing incidents of the waste shifting vehicles dumping the garbage at places of their convenience. Also the drivers were submitting inflated bills towards the fuel and maintenance cost claiming more trips and it was impossible to handle fleet of 325 vehicles without a suitable monitoring and control mechanism.
JnNURM Superintending Engineer Suresh Babu said that with the help of GPS it is now possible to monitor the location of any vehicle 24X7, sitting in the Control Room and has helped to prevent unauthorised dumping of garbage, increasing the efficiency garbage clearance.
Speaking to TNIE, MCC Commissioner KS Raikar said the new system has provision to send SMS alerts to officers monitoring the fleet about movement of each vehicle. Another interesting feature is that it gives accurate information of the weight of the garbage and from where it was lifted. The SOS facility in case of vehicle breakdown has helped pick-up efficiency.
Another benefit of GPS was the generation of automated Trip Sheet for the truck drivers. Due to complete automation, human intervention is eliminated, with the result calculation of the number of trips for each driver as well as the
route to be followed is given in the form of a print-out as soon as the driver reports for duty. Apart from this report of attendance of every driver and his daily working hours can be generated instantly.
CESC to go hi-tech:
City to get on-line electricity bill payment soon; Installation of Prepaid electricity meters at house and GIS to monitor transmission lines
If everything goes as planned, Mysoreans, can now make online payments of their electricity utility bills by sitting at home or office through e-billing facility stated to be introduced soon, in addition of providing ECS (Electronic Clearing System) for those opting for AutoPay instructions where payments are made through your bank account on a specified date.
With this, the city's Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation(CHESCOM) is going hi-tech chalking out various measures to provide consumers more convenience and ease of bill payments. The process of making e-bill payments online is going on at a brisk pace and talks are being held with banks to provide the necessary ECS authorization.
In Mandya on-line payment of bills has already been implemented in tie-up with Infosys, where consumers can view the bill online along with contacting a 24X7 customer care service center in case they come across any operational difficulties. In the first phase, Kuvempunagar area will go on-line in the first week of January and a survey of every house hold is going on collecting details of the names of the residents and their RR numbers.
Apart this the authorities are collecting details of the consumers for installation of pre-paid electricity meters at homes in city. This facility is similar to prepaid mobile card facilities, in which consumers can buy certain units of power by making advance payment.
GIS to monitor transmission lines
With the aim of providing reliable and uninterrupted power supply, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) will be installed on Distribution Transformers to monitor and improve all transmission lines coming under it, which helps to proper schedule maintenance in case of emergency breakdowns.
It also helps track pilferage and Transmission and Distribution Losses (T&D) and power stealing. It even helps to identify proper placement of electrical poles which are critical as the demand for power supply from new consumers keeps rising.
ATP machines to be shifted
As presently both the ATP (Any Time Payment) machines and Cash Counters are located at the same place and man power is not being utilized fully at cash counters. Speaking to Express CHESCOM MD P Boregowda said that by this month ATP machines will be shifted to other locations frequented by the public within the same division, in order to utilize the facility better. It will be open from 8 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 8 pm. There are 17 ATP machines already installed in CHES out of which eight machines have been installed in Mysore.
If everything goes as planned, Mysoreans, can now make online payments of their electricity utility bills by sitting at home or office through e-billing facility stated to be introduced soon, in addition of providing ECS (Electronic Clearing System) for those opting for AutoPay instructions where payments are made through your bank account on a specified date.
With this, the city's Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation(CHESCOM) is going hi-tech chalking out various measures to provide consumers more convenience and ease of bill payments. The process of making e-bill payments online is going on at a brisk pace and talks are being held with banks to provide the necessary ECS authorization.
In Mandya on-line payment of bills has already been implemented in tie-up with Infosys, where consumers can view the bill online along with contacting a 24X7 customer care service center in case they come across any operational difficulties. In the first phase, Kuvempunagar area will go on-line in the first week of January and a survey of every house hold is going on collecting details of the names of the residents and their RR numbers.
Apart this the authorities are collecting details of the consumers for installation of pre-paid electricity meters at homes in city. This facility is similar to prepaid mobile card facilities, in which consumers can buy certain units of power by making advance payment.
GIS to monitor transmission lines
With the aim of providing reliable and uninterrupted power supply, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) will be installed on Distribution Transformers to monitor and improve all transmission lines coming under it, which helps to proper schedule maintenance in case of emergency breakdowns.
It also helps track pilferage and Transmission and Distribution Losses (T&D) and power stealing. It even helps to identify proper placement of electrical poles which are critical as the demand for power supply from new consumers keeps rising.
ATP machines to be shifted
As presently both the ATP (Any Time Payment) machines and Cash Counters are located at the same place and man power is not being utilized fully at cash counters. Speaking to Express CHESCOM MD P Boregowda said that by this month ATP machines will be shifted to other locations frequented by the public within the same division, in order to utilize the facility better. It will be open from 8 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 8 pm. There are 17 ATP machines already installed in CHES out of which eight machines have been installed in Mysore.
Mysore beetle leaves may soon become extinct
The famous 'Mysore Veelyadele' (Beetle leaf) having a history spanning several decades, might soon become extinct going by the way things are happening at the place where its grown in city.
A waste water drain which flows across the ?Yele Thota? and which is the only source of water for the beetle leaf growers is fast becoming polluted. Medical waste from a nearby private hospital has found its way into drain and as a result the creepers have started to wither. The farmers fear that if the authorities fail to stop the medical waste from entering the drain, then the creepers will die.
Sixty-seven year-old Channamayigayi of Nachanahalli said the medical waste generated by the hospital is getting mixed with the drainage which begins to flow from Agrahara and passes through Yelethota farms before reaching Dalvoy Lake. The drain carries with it several kinds of garbage including medical wastes like discarded bandages, cotton swabs. Its an eyesore to see these wastes floating, he said.
He said the pollution has largely affected in its yield and because of which most of the cultivators have stopped growing beetle leaves and have switched over to coconut and arecanut. Though the incident of the drain being polluted by the hospital was brought to the notice of the Corporation several times, no help has come our way, he rued.
Another cultivator Basavaraj said there were attempts to grab their lands by bringing pressure from politicians. He requested
the Horticulture Department to protect the farms.
However, District Health Officer Mallegowda said there is no threat to the beetle farms as the medical waste is let into the drain only after chlorination.
Speaking to Express, President of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Welfare Association C Chidambar said that 'Wayback in 1968 the beetle leaf crop was completely destroyed for which compensation was provided by the Governemnt after six long years in the year 1974.
While only a couple of cultivators received the compensation, most of the remaining completely gave up the cultivation seeking other jobs. Now, again the crop is under threat of being completely wiped out if no urgent measures are taken to to protect it,' he added.
About Yelethota
The legend has it that the Yelethota was gifted by the then rulers of the Mysore Royal family to a dozen families
exclusively to cultivate beetle leaves. In those days it was a tradition for the members of the royal family to offer
beetle leaves to all those who visited the Palace. It was also used symbolically to invite an enemy ruler for war as
was popularly called offering 'Rana Veelye'.
Corporation to distribute dustbins for 1,75,000 houses holds by February
With the city already ranked as the cleanest city in India, Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has plans to distribute two dustbins to about 1,75,000 houses in the city by February next year, to segregate wet and dry wastes from household level.
Officials have made arrangements to distribute red and green coloured dustbins of 10 liter capacity each, meant for collecting wet waste in the green dustbin and the dry waste in red dustbins. The wet waste thus collected will be send for composting while the dry waste for recycling. It will be made mandatory for every household to dispose off the garbage separately, which simplifies garbage collection and disposal.
To create awareness among people about the significance of segregation of wastes, Corporation officials are conducting awareness camps near Devaraja Market for Self Help Group's who in turn will visit houses in every locality and impart awareness by providing information and educating the people. Apart this the garbage collectors will also be educated to dump the wet and dry waste separately in specific containers provided to them.
The green dustbin is used to dump wet, biodegradable organic wastes like flowers, fruits, vegetables, garden leaves, left over food, wood or any other organic kitchen waste while the red dustbins are used to collect glass, plastic, metals, e-waste, paper, aluminium foils etc.
With Mysore city spanning an area of 128.75 sq km and inhabited by 9.18 lakh people, the heritage city on an average generates around 402 tonnes of waste every day and most of this waste can be recycled. As residents are mixing all kinds of waste, it is difficult to segregate the mixed waste for recycling.
JnNURM Superintending Engineer Suresh Babu said that the dustbins are meant exclusively for waste collection and should not be used for any other purpose. He said already tenders have been invited from five companies for procuring the dustbins and the MCC has already received the samples from these companies for testing and evaluation.
'Each dustbin costs approximtely Rs 80 – 100, and it will be provided by funds allotted under JnNURM. This new proposal if implemented will aid better handling of Solid Waste Management. At presents garbage is collected together which is of no use. The rule becomes mandatory from February,' he added. Corporation Commissioner KS Raikar said that the process will implemented shortly and people will be made aware to segregate the waste.
Officials have made arrangements to distribute red and green coloured dustbins of 10 liter capacity each, meant for collecting wet waste in the green dustbin and the dry waste in red dustbins. The wet waste thus collected will be send for composting while the dry waste for recycling. It will be made mandatory for every household to dispose off the garbage separately, which simplifies garbage collection and disposal.
To create awareness among people about the significance of segregation of wastes, Corporation officials are conducting awareness camps near Devaraja Market for Self Help Group's who in turn will visit houses in every locality and impart awareness by providing information and educating the people. Apart this the garbage collectors will also be educated to dump the wet and dry waste separately in specific containers provided to them.
The green dustbin is used to dump wet, biodegradable organic wastes like flowers, fruits, vegetables, garden leaves, left over food, wood or any other organic kitchen waste while the red dustbins are used to collect glass, plastic, metals, e-waste, paper, aluminium foils etc.
With Mysore city spanning an area of 128.75 sq km and inhabited by 9.18 lakh people, the heritage city on an average generates around 402 tonnes of waste every day and most of this waste can be recycled. As residents are mixing all kinds of waste, it is difficult to segregate the mixed waste for recycling.
JnNURM Superintending Engineer Suresh Babu said that the dustbins are meant exclusively for waste collection and should not be used for any other purpose. He said already tenders have been invited from five companies for procuring the dustbins and the MCC has already received the samples from these companies for testing and evaluation.
'Each dustbin costs approximtely Rs 80 – 100, and it will be provided by funds allotted under JnNURM. This new proposal if implemented will aid better handling of Solid Waste Management. At presents garbage is collected together which is of no use. The rule becomes mandatory from February,' he added. Corporation Commissioner KS Raikar said that the process will implemented shortly and people will be made aware to segregate the waste.
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