Success against all odds
Six out of seven students of Kaliyuva Mane pass SSLC exam
Many of them had dropped out of school and were child labourers
Next batch of children in the organisation will take up SSLC exam in 2012
Worth a mention: Kaliyuva Mane in Mysore takes care of underprivileged children and specialises in alternative mode of learning.
Mysore: Never mind the numbers. But the odds against which the results were achieved make it a success story worth emulating.
For, six out of seven students of Kaliyuva Mane (Home for Learning) cleared the SSLC examination. What makes their efforts spectacular is that the students are from the underprivileged section of society and had dropped out of schools and were also employed as child labourers.
But thanks to the intervention of Divya Deepa Charitable Trust, which runs the Kaliyuva Mane at Kenchalagudu village on the Manathavady Road, these students passed the examination. The school, which specialises in alternative mode of learning, is driven by a belief that each child learns things in which it is interested, at is own pace. So, the students who had dropped out without completing their high school had to start from a scratch but managed to squeeze in 10 years of conventional education within four years of learning. The school caters to the needs of the underprivileged children and those from below the poverty line families, and those who have not attended school.
The numbers may seem insignificant for those familiar with assembly line production of distinction holders in mainstream educational institutions.
But for these children who had no hope of education and had given up on learning, it is a major milestone and holds out hope for the millions like them.
M.R. Ananth Kumar of Divya Deepa Charitable Trust explained: “What makes this feat so special and satisfying is that each of them hailed from rural BPL family. Most of them are first generation school-goers. Some had dropped out from mainstream schools due to various reasons”.
So meet the young achievers some of whom will take up vocational course to rebuild their life. Prashanth (19 years) was studying in a local government school but compulsions of life made him quit the school in 2003 and he did not complete his seventh standard. He left school to work as a child labourer at Ooty, Coimbatore and Hassan at a tender age of 12 and help his mother who is a domestic maid. By a quirk of fate, he opted for a job in Kaliyuva Mane. But, the trustees of the organisation put him to their alternative learning school.
So is the case of Sachin who is 15 years old. His father is a mason and Sachin considered to be a slow learner, lost interest in studies by the time he could complete 5th standard. Eventually, his parents brought him to Kaliyuva Mane where he began his studies from a scratch.
Nanjunda Swamy (21 years) was studying in government higher primary school at Mellahalli. In the year 2000 when he was 11 years old, he lost interest in going to school and bid good bye to it without completing the 5th standard. But he was brought to Kaliyuva Mane where he continued his education after a gap of nearly 7 years by which time he had forgotten to recognise even Kannada alphabets and numbers.
Narayana (15) used to attend a local school in his village but was least interested in studies. But his brother, who was a beneficiary of the Kaliyuva Mane, brought him to the institution and today Narayana has completed his SSLC.
Similarly, Santosh had dropped out after 7th standard and was tending sheep. So was Mahesha (15) of Dhanagahalli whose father is a construction worker. Mahesha joined Kaliyuva Mane in 2006, and has passed the exams with a first class.
Mr. Ananth Kumar said this was the first batch which appeared for the SSLC and a few more students will appear for the examination in 2012.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/11/stories/2010051157310300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Mysore residents become ‘green activists'
They partner with the city authorities in beautifying Vijaynagar, their locality
Concerted effort:Residents kick-starting the tree-planting drive in Vijayanagar third stage of Mysore on Tuesday.
MYSORE: Residents of Vijayanagar third stage here have turned “green activists” as they have successfully prevailed upon the Forest Department, the Mysore Urban Development Authority (which formed the layout) and the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) to provide green cover to their locality. As part of the plan, flower- and fruit-bearing saplings will be planted.
Owing to the efforts of the Vijayanagar Residents’ Welfare Committee, more than 4,000 saplings will be planted in the locality within the next week.
The tree-planting drive was launched at the Sri Saptamatruka Chowdeshwari temple here on Tuesday.
Mayor Sandesh Swamy and MLA Satyanarayana were present on the occasion.
Ravi Kumar of the residents’ welfare committee told The Hindu that saplings would be planted alongside roads and storm-water drains. “While the cost incurred thereby will be borne by MUDA and the Forest Department, we as residents will look after the plants’ growth,” he said.
Mr. Kumar said the saplings planted in front of houses in the locality would be adopted by the residents.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/05/stories/2010050550210200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Felicitation to five journalists
Mysore: Awards instituted by journalist K.V. Srinivasan were presented to five journalists at a function at Patrakarthara Bhavan here on Sunday.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award was presented to Prajavani reporter Sachit, Janakamma-Venkatappa Award to Andolana reporter K. Shashi Kumar, K.V. Srinivasan Award to Andolana reporter M. Venkatesh, Jayaparakash Narayana Youth Award to Prajavani reporter K.J. Mariyappa and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Award to Kannada Prabha reporter Dharmapura Narayana.
The former Minister M.S. Gurupadaswamy presented the awards. Journalists K.V. Srinivasan and Rajshekar Koti were present. Marathon runner Thippavva Sannakki was felicitated by the MDJA.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/26/stories/2010042656250300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
19 theatre artistes presented awards
Honour:Theatre personalities along with the awards given to them by the Karnataka Nataka Academy in Mysore.
MYSORE, India: The Karnataka Nataka Academy (KNA) conferred its annual awards upon 19 theatre personalities at a function at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium here on Saturday evening.
Nadoja Prof. D. Javare Gowda, Chairman of the KNA D.V. Rajaram, and Secretary, Department of Kannada and Culture, B.R. Jayaramaraje Urs, presented the awards.
Noted theatre personality N. Rathna released the Academy’s award-winning work, Ranga Brindavana, and Mr. Urs distributed grants for theatre organisations that supplied sceneries and costumes to rural theatre.
Ranga Meravanige — a colourful procession of theatre personalities accompanied by folk troupes, was flagged off by Mayor Purushottam at Town Hall, and it concluded near Jaganmohan Palace.
Programme on culture
A 60-minute programme that presented the rich tradition, history and culture of theatre was the main attraction for those assembled. It provided a brief glimpse into theatre in Karnataka so far.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon theatre personality S.R. Shankar Rao. Lakshman Rao Muttagi was given the K. Hiranniah Award.
Y.M. Puttannaiah of Mysore, H. Pandurangappa (Bellary), Lingaraju Palled (Koppal), Hanumanthu (Hassan), Manjunath Belakere (Mysore), N. Ravindra (Bangalore), Jayamma Kallur (Bijapur), Jayaprakash Mavinakuli (Udupi), Shanthabayi Diggi (Gulbarga), Rangashree R. Rangaswamy (Bangalore), Prakash (Mandya), Husenappa Pulameshwara Dinni (Raichur), T.V. Kabadi (Haveri), Prakashrao Payyar (Dubai), and S.M. Nagarajachar of Tumkur were given annual awards.
Ranga Mukhagalu, a work by Rajashekara Kadamba of Mysore and Rangabhoomi Diggaja Natashekara Pandita Basavaraja Mansoor Jeevana Saadhane of Martandappa M. Katti of Hirebasuru Haveri got the awards for the best works on theatre.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Urs said it had been decided to increase the annual income limit fixed for paying monthly pension to artistes from the present Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 12,000. Similarly, pension which was being given to dependents of artistes in case of death, would be increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 500.
Presently, over 3,600 theatre artistes were getting pension of Rs. 1,000, another 400 artistes would be given pension this year based on a report submitted by a committee headed by Hampa Nagarajaiah. The Government was not interfering in the work of Academies and were in fact encouraging them to work independently by earmarking Rs. 160 crore for the Department of Kannada and Culture. “No other government in the country has earmarked this huge amount for language and culture,” he said.
Expressing his gratitude to the Government for increasing grants, Dr. Rajaram said that while the previous governments were providing grant of Rs. 15 lakh, the present government had increased it to Rs. 40 lakh. “However, there is a need to increase the grants to facilitate Academies to expand their activities,” he said.
Recalling the contribution of theatre to society, Prof. Javare Gowda underlined the need to stage plays that highlighted social concerns. He urged the Government to construct auditoriums in all taluks in the State to promote theatre.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/19/stories/2010041950590200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Temple doors open to Dalits
Dalits can now enter village hotel and barber shop
Over 100 Dalits made a historic entry into temple
Changes:Dalits of Kannali village in Mandya district inside the temple on Tuesday.
MYSORE, India: For the first time in their lives over 100 Dalits of Kannali village in Mandya district entered Chennakeshavaswamy and Eshwara temples on Tuesday.
Though they had served the village deities by beating drums during festivals and cleaning the temple premises, they were barred from entering the temple. Overjoyed by the newly acquired right, the Dalits offered special prayers.
All this came about as a fall out of an incident where a Dalit was attacked by “caste” Hindus. During a festival on March 13, Chandu (28) a Dalit youth climbed ‘one’ step of the Chennakeshavaswamy temple while beating the drums. Enraged by this, some of the “caste” Hindus attacked and abused him.
Some educated Dalit youth decided to register a complaint with the police and met station head of Mandya rural police. However, the police did not register the complaint immediately but said they would do so the next day.
Meanwhile, Mandya MLA Srinivas convened a meeting of the Dalits and “caste” Hindus to bring about a compromise.
Responding to the MLA’s plea, Kempaih (50) Dalit leader of Kannali said they would not press charges if they were allowed to enter the village temple, hotel and barber shop. The “caste” Hindus agreed reluctantly and assured them that changes would be made in phases.
Negotiation
However, the Dalits insisted that they be allowed into the temples on Ugadi. Finally, the “caste” Hindus yielded to pressure said, Vasu of Karnataka Janapara Vedike, who was with the Dalits when they entered the temple on Tuesday. Mr. Kempaih said Tuesday was a historic day in the life of the Dalits, he added.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/17/stories/2010031763580600.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Green cover in industrial areas set to increase
Open space for planting saplings identified
Planting of sandalwood trees to be encouraged
Joint effort:The green initiative is being taken up by the KSPCB and the Department of Forests.
MYSORE, India: A major tree-planting drive will be taken up in industrial areas in Mysore and Nanjangud before this monsoon.
The green initiative is being coordinated by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Department of Forests.
A variety of trees, including sandalwood trees, will be planted in the industrial areas in an attempt to minimise environmental pollution and to enhance natural beauty of the surroundings.
Over 2,000 industries are operating in industrial areas at Hebbal, Metagalli, Hootagalli, Bannimantap, Yadavagiri, Visvesvaranagar and Mysore south. There are a large number of industries in Nanjangud too.
KPSCB Chairman A.S. Sadashivaiah, during his previous visit here, had asked industry representatives to develop green belts in and around their units in order to improve the green cover. He had also asked the KSPCB regional office here to conduct a survey to estimate the extent of open space in industrial areas where saplings could be planted.
“We have identified open spaces in the industrial areas for taking up tree planting. Industrialists are also convinced about the initiative of setting up green belts and have come forward to support it,” said B.M. Prakash, Regional Environmental Officer, KSPCB, Mysore.
He told The Hindu that over 70 representatives of industries were taken to a farm here recently to decide on the plants they wanted at their units.
“Saplings will be distributed by the Department of Forests at a nominal cost,” he said, and added that a demonstration was given on planting the saplings and their maintenance.
With relaxation of norms pertaining to sale of sandalwood grown on private land, industrialists were being encouraged to plant sandalwood trees in industrial areas, he said, and added that industries could also earn revenue by selling sandalwood to the Department of Forests.
Mr. Prakash said that industry representatives were recently taken to the Government-run Sandalwood Oil Factory to give them an idea of the revenue that could be earned from sandalwood.
In fact, export of sandalwood oil to Europe and other countries has stopped in the wake of poor supply of sandalwood. Last year, the State Government relaxed norms pertaining to sale of sandalwood grown on private land. A notification was issued on July 11, 2008 giving ownership and selling rights of such sandalwood trees to owners of the land. They cannot fell the trees or use them for personal purposes, but can sell them to government agencies.
“Planting of sandalwood trees can be explored since they are a source of good revenue besides providing a green cover in industrial areas,” Mr. Prakash said.
Experts have identified a few plant species that are reckoned to be favourable to Mysore’s climatic conditions and soil. According to them, champaka, pongamia pinnata, cassia spectabilis, cassia javanica and jacaranda can be planted in Mysore region.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/13/stories/2010031357060300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
She wants to change society's view
M.P. Shalini bags two gold medals, cash prize
AWESOME ACHIEVEMENT:M.P.Shalini (right) being led to the dais to receive the gold medal during the 90th convocation of the University of Mysore on Friday.
MYSORE, India: “I may be bereft of sight, but I want to be an eye-opener to others and change the view of society towards the blind”.
That was M.P. Shalini, a student of Marimallappa’s College who defied all odds and public cynicism and walked away with two gold medals and a cash prize at the 90th convocation of the University of Mysore here on Friday.
Ms. Shalini won two gold medals in B.A. What makes her achievement remarkable is her fortitude and indomitable spirit despite losing her eye sight very early in life.
Ms. Shalini, a native of Mosambayanahalli in Mysore taluk, told presspersons that she wanted to change the view of society towards the visually challenged and prove that they were second to none.
She said she used to listen to lectures with rapt attention and study from Braille books. Her father, Puttaswamy, a political science lecturer, used to help her in preparing for examinations by reading aloud from the texts.
She scored 85 per cent in SSLC examination and second pre-university examination as well.
Her elder brother M.P. Kiran, who is also visually challenged and is pursuing his postgraduation at Manasagangothri, proved to a be role model for Ms. Shalini.
People in the village used to admonish Mr. Puttaswamy saying that he was wasting his time and resources in trying to educate her, recalled Ms. Shalini, who credited her success to her parents and teachers who encouraged her.
Ms. Shalini now intends to enrol for postgraduation and prepare for civil services examination as she nurtures a dream of becoming an IAS officer.
Ms. Shalini is learning veena and has completed a basic course in computers as well.
On Friday, as Ms. Shalini was led up to the dais to receive the gold medals from Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, who is the Chancellor of the university, there was a spontaneous applause from the chief guests, teachers, students and visitors seated in the Crawford Hall.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/06/stories/2010030651420200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Find your way around a pair of scissors
Three-day workshop on Sanjhi art begins
Over 30 students are participating
in it
— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM
Intricate:Visitors admiring the display of Sanjhi art in Mysore on Wednesday.
MYSORE, India: A three-day workshop on the little-known form of paper cutting called Sanjhi art commenced in the city on Wednesday.
The workshop is being held at Sri Kalaniketana College of Visual Arts and more than 30 students are participating in it. Renowned artist from Bangalore S.F. Husseini, a former student of the college, is the resource person.
Evolved in 14th century
Describing the beauty of the art form, art director of the college K.S. Parameshwar said that it evolved in the country in the 14th century and was popular in north India where it came to be associated with activities and events surrounding Lord Krishna. It was mostly used in temples but over the years it assumed different forms with artists drawing inspiration from nature and mythology.
In recent years, the template forming different patterns are filled with colours to draw rangolis, Mr. Parameshwar added.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/25/stories/2010022551040200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Goodness Apple 
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