450 households in Udgur and Kadakola to be electrified using solar energy

With the entire State going through acute power shortage in recent days due to several reasons, it is not only industries who are hit hard but even villagers who depend on power for irrigating their lands, have been equally affected by the power cut, not to mention remote housholds who go without power for several days.


Realising this is the opportunity to popularise renewable energy, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) is collecting details of the villages in the district to make them completely solarised, so they can get uninterrupted power supply.

In the same, KREDL has selected two villages, one at Udgur a remote village situated on HD Kote Road and the other, Kadakola in Nanjangud Taluk to make them completely solar village.

There are around 1,000 households in both the village and after the successful commissioning of the solar power inverters, more than 450 households in these villages will be lighted up with eco-friendly, renewable and sustainable solar energy.

KREDL will be providing four lights to each household costing Rs 20,000. The villagers will get a subsidy of Rs.4000 and the balance has to be paid by them in easy installments. Villagers especially women will be educated  about the importance of renewable energy and will be maintained by youngsters who have been provided with special training.

KREDL Project Engineer DK Dinesh Kumar said that because of the drastic power cuts the villagers don't get power after sunset to light their homes. 'Hence, steps are being taken to popularise the use of solar energy in all villages as it is clean and efficient. Solar energy is affordable and easily available alternative energy source. By using solar energy it will ease the domestic work as well as cut down the expenditure.'

“Even though several households in the villages have access to electricity from ESCOMs, it is of no use due to frequent power cuts. Women continue to use candles (paraffin) or kerosene lamps to light their houses, while use firewood for cooking and all these release more cabon-di-oxide to the atmosphere and are not environment friendly. Added to it women are exposed to health risks as they inhale the toxic fumes produced daily. So villagers are being educated to use the alternative energy,” he added.

Mysore Palace to house Solar Energy Park

In future it is not merely the beautiful gardens, marvelous architecture, illumination and temples of Mysore Palace that will draw the attention of tourists but another attraction will be soon added to the list, an energy park, powered entirely from solar.

The world-famous Mysore Palace which attracts thousands of tourists every year will soon house a solar energy park at the North East side of the Palace. The park to be set up at the entrance of Jaya Marthandaiah Gate at an investment of Rs 50 lakh, will be funded by Central Government under SADP programme of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Similar parks will be set up at Dariya Doulath in Srirangapatna and Channakeshava Temple in Somanathpura near T Narasipura at a cost of Rs 25 lakh.

The parks are being setup as part of an initiative by the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) to educate people about benefits of using solar energy for domestic and commercial applications, alongside various other forms of non-conventional energy. The energy park houses solar lights, solar garden lights, solar huts, solar TV, solar cookers, solar toy cars and solar hut among many others. To aid farmers, models of solar photovoltaic water pumps will also be displayed in the park.

5kw of Solar Photovoltaic will be placed above the roof of bamboo-based solar hut from which about 20 unit of power will be generated per day. The generated power will used to run fans, television, garden lights, street lights, and many more. Apart this, from the 900 watt solar PV pump water will be pumped for garden purpose.Through Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant (Solar Hut) people will be educated about storing energy and how to run household appliances using only solar energy. According to sources, the hut being set up similar to Bangalore Energy park consisting of a weighing machine, television, refrigerator and a computer running on captive power of solar energy.

Mysore Branch Office KREDL Project Engineer DK Dinesh Kumar said, Mysore Palace, Dariya Doulath and Somanathpura were selected for the development of energy park, as it attracts lakhs of tourists every year. “As Mysore is one of the cities selected under model solar city project, the park when set-up will be very useful to educate people about solar energy,” he added.

Lansdowne building row: Daily laborers have been badly affected

There was a turnover of up to Rs 15 lakh per day at Lansdowne building 

The roof collapse of a shop at the 120-year-old Lansdowne building, has pushed around 600 people, especial daily laborers into a turmoil. Their future is uncertain as they are not aware of when the shops will open. About 40-50 advocates, Notary, Books shops and newspapers sellers are also affected, as the place has been declared as prohibited area, closing down hundreds of shops.

The building has provided job for many graduates. Specially, the typist, DTP operators who are well educated, fed up with searching job, had obtained shelter here. Majority of the people who were working as typist, DTP operators, xerox machine operators, photo laminators are now suffering hard for their livelihood.

The tenants are now in a fear that if the government takes decision to reconstruct the building, it takes four-five years to construct and till then what their future. They are requesting government to repair the building or else to provide them alternative place and help them to earn their bread.

The Lansdowne building was familiar for lamination, xerox, DTP, making of rubber stamps, book binding, and there was a turnover of up to Rs 15 lakh Per day. Typist used to pay a rent from Rs 120-150 per day for owners for providing space for them to sit in the shop, but DTP operators used to pay 60 per cent in what they earn to the owners, as the computers were installed by owners.

People used to buzz here always to get their documents type like complaints letter to Police, Corporation and other civic bodies along with affidavit and resale documents, rented agreements, xerox, lamination. While, students used to find the rare books at the book house.

Typist Suma says, “from past 15 years I am working here and am the sole bread earner in my family. My husband is physically handicapped and is jobless. Son is studying in first PUC. From last four days without work I am struggling hard to lead life, more over this is month end. I am eagerly waiting what the decision will be taken by officials.”

Mysore Pathrike, which was running in the building since 1933, is also severely affected by the close of the shops. News Editor Mohan says, “the works have been held up and we working from home and getting printed paper outside.”

“Our business depends on the customer. Some time we get handsome of money upto Rs 400-500, but some time not even a Rs 100. The sudden close of shops has made us numb,” says Usha, another typist.

Nonagenarian struggles to get pension of just Rs 400

Corruption and insensitivity in bureaucracy has stooped to such a level that they hardly can see sufferings of people. In an heart-rending incident, a Ninety-five-year-old woman is running from pillar to posts in government offices since last fourteen months after her pension was stopped without assigning any reasons.

MS Gowramma, resident of the Bannimantap is the unfortunate poor widow striving hard to get the pension of Rs 400. She is fed-up over a year knocking on the doors of Tahsildar Office and DC office seeking for pension. But the officials seem to have completely turned blind eye by simply ignoring her.

Being deaf, with severe intumescence in legs, she walks for about five kilometers seeking pension. But, she is turned back repeatedly as the officers refuse her request for pension.

Gowramma lost her husband two decades ago. Among six children (four boys and two girls), she has even lost her three elder sons and her married daughters are settled far away. Right now, she is residing with her last son’s wife at Bannimantap. Her last son addicted to alcohol has deserted mother and wife. She said from last 14 months she has not obtained her pension, whereas earlier she was receiving.

She says, “When I paid visit to Thasildar office seeking pension, they asked me to visit DC's office. If I come here they ask me to visit Tahsildar office. I am totally confused whats happening with me. Why the officers wont understand my ageism problem. I am not even a position to come in bus, as the officers ask me to visit repeatedly. If I spend the money for my travel, then what the use in getting pension. I request the officials to release my pension amount at the earliest.”

Deputy Commissioner PS Vastrad said that “when the women visits  office next time, I will collect the details of her and ask the Thasildar to look into the issue.”

Tahsildar Naveen Joseph said that “old pension has been stopped from past few months to weed out fake pensioners and the issue will be set it out shortly. People have been asked to visit the nearby zonal offices for clarifications,” he added.

Animal wastes will be converted into biofuel at Mysore Zoo

Starting next month, the cooking bill of Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is all set to become slimmer as the bio-gas plant will become operartional. The Zoo requires around 30 LPG cylinders every month to cook food for the animals and once the new facility is in place then it stop using LPG cylinders saving Rs 13,000 every month.

The capacity of the proposed Biogas Plant to handle organic and bio-degradable wastes 1500 kg, while the zoo is already generating around 500 kg of animal and kitchen wastes daily. By just utilizing the wastes produced by the elephants and buffalos enough gaseous fuel will be generated to meet the demands of cooking.

Karnataka Zoo Authority Chairman Nanjundaswamy informed that the work has reached the finishing stage and will be ready for inauguration by next month. The generated fuel will be fed directly to the kitchen through pipes thereby reducing the usage of LPG.

Assistant Engineer Nagendrappa said that every month they need around 30 cylinders costing around Rs 13,000 which can be saved substantially if the bio-fuel generated in house is also made use of. “As the animal wastes and water are mixed in equal percentages (50:50), the resulting gas generated is quite sufficient", he added.

The cost of the project is Rs 20 lakh of which Rs 18 lakh will be funded by Mysore City Corporation under JNNURM and the remaining Rs 2 lakh will be borne by Zoo. The project is being overseen and implemented by National Institute of Engineering-Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies (NIE-CREST) and the technology is developed by Babha
Atomic Research Centre. (BARC)

Drinking Water Facility
To ease the drinking water problem at Zoo, the authorities are setting up
drinking water tanks at three places. Even, water purification is done to
provide safe drinking water, which are also being readied by this month end.

Nonagenarian pens book on freedom struggle

As age passes by losing memory is a common sight. But, here is a nonagenarian who has penned a book at the age of 90, recollecting the days of struggle for India’s freedom, which is indeed a daunting task.

Being a freedom fighter Somaling Appanna Malagali, a native of Belgaum has brought out the book 'History of Indian Freedom Struggle and Gandhi', in Kannada, English, Hindi languages and will be translated into Marathi and Gujarati shortly.

He has gathered information about freedom fighters and social reformers since from 2006, by visiting Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Varda Ashrama, Sabarmathi Ashram, and many other places. He has even referred books on freedom fighters before writing the book and has published about rare 50 photographs in the book.

The books which starts with Jhanxi Lakshmi Bai chronicles ends with Gandhi struggle, and life history, movement struggle of  Subhaschandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sepaigala Kranthi (revolution of Sepais), Vallabahai Patel, Swami Vivekananda, Bhagat Singh, Veersavarkar, Tippu Sultan, Lokmanya Balagangadhar Tilak, Bengali Sanyasis, have been described in the book.

The wars of Independence – A bird Eye views, Freedom fighters of 18th and 19th century, All India National Congress, unique incidents of Sabrmati and Sevegram Ashram have been published in the book.

Somalinga Appanna said that “Gandhiji visited Udali District in 1937 and later  Gandhi Bhavan was constructed in the place to mark his memory. During the time about 25 photographs of Gandhi were exhibited on the hall. But, due to rain the photos washed out and I was deep hurted by the incident. Later, I decided to bring back the glory, and started collecting the information about freedom fighters.”

Appanna has been jailed two times during times of Independence and he has meet Gandhiji twice at his Sabarmati Ashrama in 1944- 45. Achut Ramchandra Vadalli, an executive engineer has helped Appanna in his journey. Gandhian H Gangadharan released the book in Mysore on Friday.

Dial 0821-2420216, 2427222 to obtain security assistance inside train

Just dial 0821-2420216, 2427222, and obtain security assistance inside train here after. Collect the FIR forms from TTE's, train superintendent, guard and lodge complaints in any Station where you step down. Checking of baggage will be done for integrated security concerned.

All this measures have been taken by Mysore Division of South Western Railway, following the recent incident of a teenage girl pushed out of moving Mysore-Bangalore train.

After launching the awareness drive and distribution of pamphlet for commuters at Railway Station in city on Friday, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Dr Anup Dayanand Sadhu said that the awareness campaign has been launched to remove the insecurity, fear among passengers and provide tips for safe travel on wheels.

“Around 35-40 trains stations from Mysore and 500 coaches maintained by Mysore Division, including Arasikere Station. Measures have been taken to stick 10 stickers on every coach, with “Do's and Dont's” to be observed in the train along with RPF Control Room numbers. On any point enroute people can call RPF Control Room,” he added.

About 25,000 passenger travel everyday, and ensuring safety is need of the hour. In this regard, Additional man power has been deputed on exit and entry points and three metal door dictator has been placed, 18 CCTV cameras have been installed at Station, which will be monitored by RPF 24x7. Apart this, a entry gate near CFTRI has been closed to avoid trespassing and mobile squads of RPF will also be providing safe, secure journey to passengers. If any untoward incident happens, immediately the person will be prosecuted,” pointed out Sadhu.

Shortage in manpower

There is severe shortage of manpower in RPF, specially TTE's. 35-40 trains are handled by Mysore station out of which about 18 trains are being escorted by RPF officials and remaining trains are supervised when they halt in stations, due to which ticketless travelers are increasing, he said.

Computer based ticketing system

Following complaints from passengers over collection of exorbitant parking fee, Mysore Division has planned to solve the problem by introducing Computer based ticketing system.

--------------------------------------

Pay and use toilet facility at Rly Station

Mysore Railway Station will be soon have a Ultra deluxe pay and use toilet facility. The toilets will be totally hi-tech and there will be one European toilet for disabled people. Fare for using urinals, latrines and bathrooms have not yet been fixed.

Sulabh International's has taken up the contract to construct the toilets along with small bathing unit at Mysore and Davanagere. It will be constructed under Build Operate Transfer model and the estimated cost is Rs 15.60 lakh.

Now, get ready to view nocturnal animals in day time

Get ready to see nocturnal animals and birds in their natural habitats at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens by coming Dasara. Following the demand of visitors to see the nocturnal animals, Mysore Zoo is developing separate enclosure to house nocturnal animals, on the lines of Hyderabad Zoo.

The environment inside the enclosure is artificially controlled during day time using beam lights, so that visitors can view the animals and birds during daytime. Around 6-7 species of nocturnal animals like wild cat, three varieties of owl, palm civets, bat, porcupines, night jars will be housed at present and plans have been made to add some more in coming days.

They will be housed in the already existing building over an area of 30x100 sq feet, adjacent to Fish Aquarium, Karnaji Lake. The interiors are in cave shape and modification of building works is  under way.

Apart this, in a bid to provide close view of animals and birds to the animal lovers, glass partitions will be done inside the cave and is being modified with natural environ  atmosphere.

Karnataka Zoo Authority Chairman M Nanjundaswamy said “a team from Mysore Zoo, including veterinary doctors, engineers had visited the Hyderabad Zoo, and later the decision was taken to build a similar house here too.”

“As the animals feel uncomfortable under bright artificial lights, low density light (similar to moon light) will be used in day time and during night it will be turned off, so that they can rest in their nests and even it won't harm them.”

In Hyderabad Zoo, to watch the nocturnal house additional tickets fair is charged. While, the visitors to Mysore Zoo can watch the nocturnal animals without buying any additional tickets, he added.

“We always used to plead zoo keepers to show the nocturnal animals, and they used to refuse it, as it disturbs their sleep. Now, am eagerly waiting to see the animals in their natural habitat,” says Kala Ramesh from Bangalore, who visits zoo oftenly.

Industrial Export center to come up in Mysore

Henceforth foreigners coming to Mysore can also simultaneously do business, alongside watching historic places. The city will soon have an exclusive Industrial Export Centre, where local manufacturers who intend to explore the possibilities of exporting their products can exhibit them at the Centre.
 
It's not just the foreign tourists but even other businessmen can directly import these products from the Center. All details of the manufacturer exhibiting his products will be displayed at the Export House.

Industrialists think that the Centre will boost the local industries in Mysore, as Mysore has good number of units capable of exporting goods.

The Centre is proposed to be set-up over half-acre land belonging to Mysore Industries Association near Ring Road. The project is estimated to cost Rs 8 crore, of which Rs 1 crore will be borne by State and Central government. Rs 30 lakh has already been sanctioned by the Stage Government.

“After Bangalore, Mysore is the next biggest industrial hub and this opportunity must be made maximum use. There are several small industries in Mysore which have the potential to export goods abroad. Once the Centre is opened several foreign visitors can interact directly with export merchants,” observed Mysore Industries Association President  P Vishwanath.

“World over the export business runs into trillions of dollars, but we are yet to reach that level. We are already  facing threat from the Chinese Market. The cost of our produce is high as it includes cost of labour and power which are subsidized in China," he opined.

“There is a huge demand for Handicrafts, food products and miniature artworks. Our granites are also sought after amongst several other commodities. The major hurdles industries in Mysore face are connectivity and infrastructure," he said.

India by itself is a huge consumer market and there is a huge competition within India. Already some foreign countries are worried about India and China. Compared to China our's is a country with lot of potential. We have also requested government to sanction special funds for various developmental works.

If anybody visiting Mysore feel bad seeing the condition our roads, it implicitly goes without saying that their expectation about the quality of our products will also be negative, he regretted.

SHG promotes labour sharing activity among farmers

There were the days where villagers used to come together and share the community activities in marriage, farming and other social activities. In similar, Bandhu Self Help Group is on a mission to over come the short of labourers in farming activity by engaging small and marginal farmers on labour sharing activity, where finding labours for agricultural activities is challenging task.

Pragathi Bandhu, a pioneer project of Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) which has helped thousands of farmers in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts through this programme.

From last three months SKDRDP is functioning in Mysore and Chamarajanagar and has to its credit 384 SHG's group with 1704 members (men) under Pragathi Bandhu and 12,420 Women Co-operative Societies with 1,50,000 members.

Mysore District Director Mahabala Kulal said that the scheme is getting popular in rural side gradually and has helped farmers very much in farming activity.

“Its compulsory every Monday a group of 8-10 farmers on a routine have to visit neighbourhood small farmer field and indulge in works like land leveling, house and shed construction, fencing, digging of wells, and many other farming activity.

“In the initial days, farmers opposed to work in others fields and after attending the awareness programmes their mindsets changed, and are getting convinced. The activities are very popular in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Dharwad, Gadag,” he added.

Monthly once a group of farmers will be sent on Research Tour for other districts to share, learn and adopt the farming activity of other districts. Which will be indeed helpful for them to share the farming activity and learn new things. Farmers will also be engaged in social empowerment, transfer of agriculture technology through various extension activities, taking up farm mechanisation, new and varied cropping,

Apart this, three to five year farm plan will be prepared for implementation of various development activities like agriculture and allied activities, irrigation, and infrastructure. The required finance for these activities are mobilised through weekly savings which are distributed amongst the members as credit and redistribution of funds borrowed from the financing banks.

SKDRDP in district is intending to form many groups in coming days and implement several activities like the Pragathinidhi (micro finance), transfer of technology, social forestry, watershed activities, eco friendly energy programme and much more.

“From last two months I have attained four labour activity programmes. Officials provide tips on various issues including how to handle the situation during drought time,” says HD Kote Farmer Siddharaju.

Another farmer Kondiaha said that the programme is building good relationship with nieghbourhood farmers and strengthening their bond.

Biogas plant inauguration at Mysore Zoo next month

Starting next month, the cooking bill of Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is all set to become slimmer as the bio-gas plant will become operartional. The Zoo requires around 30 LPG cylinders every month to cook food for the animals and once the new facility is in place then it stop using LPG cylinders saving Rs 13,000 every month.

The capacity of the proposed Biogas Plant to handle organic and bio-degradable wastes 1500 kg, while the zoo is already generating around 500 kg of animal and kitchen wastes daily. By just utilizing the wastes produced by the elephants and buffalos enough gaseous fuel will be generated to meet the demands of cooking.

Karnataka Zoo Authority Chairman Nanjundaswamy informed that the work has reached the finishing stage and will be ready for inauguration by next month. The generated fuel will be fed directly to the kitchen through pipes thereby reducing the usage of LPG.

Assistant Engineer Nagendrappa said that every month they need around 30 cylinders costing around Rs 13,000 which can be saved substantially if the bio-fuel generated in house is also made use of. “As the animal wastes and water are mixed in equal percentages (50:50), the resulting gas generated is quite sufficient", he added.

The cost of the project is Rs 20 lakh of which Rs 18 lakh will be funded by Mysore City Corporation under JNNURM and the remaining Rs 2 lakh will be borne by Zoo. The project is being overseen and implemented by National Institute of Engineering-Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies (NIE-CREST) and the technology is developed by Babha

Atomic Research Centre. (BARC)

Drinking Water Facility

To ease the drinking water problem at Zoo, the authorities are setting up

drinking water tanks at three places. Even, water purification is done to

provide safe drinking water, which are also being readied by this month end.

  

Nonagenarian pens book on freedom struggle

The books have been published in Kannada, English, Hindi laungauges and will be translated into Marathi and Gujarati shortly.

Express News Service

Mysore, August 16

As age passes by losing memory is a common sight. But, here is a nonagenarian who has penned a book at the age of 90, recollecting the days of struggle for India’s freedom, which is indeed a daunting task.

Being a freedom fighter Somaling Appanna Malagali, a native of Belgaum has brought out the book 'History of Indian Freedom Struggle and Gandhi', in Kannada, English, Hindi languages and will be translated into Marathi and Gujarati shortly.

He has gathered information about freedom fighters and social reformers since from 2006, by visiting Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Varda Ashrama, Sabarmathi Ashram, and many other places. He has even referred books on freedom fighters before writing the book and has published about rare 50 photographs in the book.

The books which starts with Jhanxi Lakshmi Bai chronicles ends with Gandhi struggle, and life history, movement struggle of Subhaschandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sepaigala Kranthi (revolution of Sepais), Vallabahai Patel, Swami Vivekananda, Bhagat Singh, Veersavarkar, Tippu Sultan, Lokmanya Balagangadhar Tilak, Bengali Sanyasis, have been described in the book.

The wars of Independence – A bird Eye views, Freedom fighters of 18^th and 19^th century, All India National Congress, unique incidents of Sabrmati and Sevegram Ashram have been published in the book.

Somalinga Appanna said that “Gandhiji visited Udali District in 1937 and later Gandhi Bhavan was constructed in the place to mark his memory. During the time about 25 photographs of Gandhi were exhibited on the hall. But, due to rain the photos washed out and I was deep hurted by the incident. Later, I decided to bring back the glory, and started collecting the information about freedom fighters.”

Appanna has been jailed two times during times of Independence and he has meet Gandhiji twice at his Sabarmati Ashrama in 1944- 45. Achut Ramchandra Vadalli, an executive engineer has helped Appanna in his journey. Gandhian H Gangadharan released the book in Mysore on Friday.