Jakanacharis sculptures part of Karnatakas heritage

Karnataka has made its own unique contribution to Indian sculptural tradition, said Viranna M Arkasali, former president of Karnataka Shilpakala Academy. He said the state is a pioneer in the world, and credit for this must go to sculptor Jakanachari.

He said Jakanachari was a great artist and sculptor who settled in Kedalu village of Tumkuru and later took shelter under the Hoysalas. Arkasali pressed for research about Jakanachari to bring out several facts about him. The temples carved by Amarashilpi Jakanachari in several villages and towns of Karnataka have earned a place in world HISTORY as they have introduce the history and heritage of Karnataka to the world.

21% of govt schools in Karnataka lack handwash facility: Report

Hygiene protocols have become key to curbing the spread of Covid-19, but a study has revealed that one in five government schools in Karnataka doesnt have handwashing facilities.

Frequent and thorough handwashing, mask use and social distancing are the basic requirements of Covid-compliant behaviour, and they will be in focus if and when the government considers restarting on-campus Learning.

The 2019-20 report of the Unified District Information System for Education has revealed that out of 49,834 government schools in the state, 39,110 have handwashing facilities. That means that around 21 per cent of the schools lack this basic amenity. About 12 per cent of government-aided schools and 11 per cent of private unaided schools also dont have it, according to the report.

State govts Shakti scheme floated across North Karnataka

The ‘s ambitious Shakti Yojane, a free travel scheme for Women inKSRTCbuses across the state, was launched on Sunday. The scheme got a positive response on its first day in Hubballi.

In Hubballi city, NWKRTC Hubballi Rural division organised a launch programme at Hosur terminal.

The Shakti free bus travel scheme is very beneficial for rural and poor women. Women will use it for their own work and students’ Education.

Shakti is the first of the five guarantees promised by Congress during the election campaign to be implemented by the Siddaramaiah-led government. It allows women to travel free of charge on State Road Transport (SRT) buses inKarnataka.

The state government had formulated several schemes and programmes to help the poor. Their implementation will increase the EMPLOYMENT opportunities and income of the poor. To implement the five guarantees, Rs 60,000 crore is required. By spending this amount, there will be an increase in disposable income, which in turn will increase the GDP, Lad explained.

Karnataka govt mulls industry tag for jaggery units to ensure quality

Growing demand for jaggery and jaggery-based products, thanks to rising awareness about healthy lifestyles, and widespread adulteration of the item have prompted the commerce and industries department to contemplate regulating the sector and set standards.

A state-level coordination committee will meet this week to decide on conferring the ” tag on the sector.

Given jaggery has a higher nutritional value than sugar, its consumption will only increase with the rising focus on sustainable lifestyle. While India is the biggest exporter of jaggery, Karnataka being the third biggest sugarcane growing state should have cashed in on the advantages that jaggery production offers. However, lack of the authorities focus has cost Karnataka dear as can be seen by the fall in jaggery production in Mandya. An industry tag will certainly go a long way in not only reviving the sector but also generating jobs. It will bring the units under regulatory control so that quality can be ensured and adulteration checked.

Waste management methods in Karnataka lauded by NITI Aayog

Bengaluru andMysuruhave been recognised for the use of effective methods in the disposal and management of solid waste, according to the study, ‘Waste-Wise Cities’ conducted by, and theCentre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. While Bengaluru has shown the way in the EMPLOYMENT of Internet and communications technology (ICT) for effective management of solid waste, Mysuru’s pioneering methods in the handling of biodegradable solid waste has been highlighted in the report.

The 244-page report is the compilation of a thorough review of the tools and methods utilised for management of waste across 28 cities in 15 states of the country. Bengaluru has been identified as one of the five cities where work is currently under way to improve the efficiency in processing of waste.

Among other ICT tools, Bengaluru civic agencies employ the radio frequency identification (RFID)-based attendance system, geo-tagging of collection routes and a mobile-based application to identify areas vulnerable to indiscriminate dumping of garbage.

The ‘zero-Waste ManagementPlants set up in each of the zones inMysuru City Corporation(MCC) had proved to be the ‘game changer’, the report pointed out. These plants receive segregated bio-degradable waste from five wards, on Average.

‘Double-engine govt’ brought in development to Karnataka: CM Basavaraj Bommai

Karnataka chief ministerBasavaraj Bommai said the “double-engine” government in the state has brought in all-round development to the state with the support of the Centre.

Bommai said the country needs Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Leadership for many more years to come. The whole word is taking note of the India’s development under his leadership, he said.

The Chief Minister said the Centre has agreed to all the demands put forth by the people of the coastal areas. The Sagarmala project has provided a new direction to the in the coastal region.

He said the Centre has also approved the state’s proposals on the norms regarding the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), which will lead to generation of more EMPLOYMENT.

Govt urged to set up Kittur-Ktaka Development Board

A clamour seeking a dedicated development board for the Kittur-Karnataka region a la Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board is growing in Belagavi. The demand gathered mass after the state cabinet resolved to rename the Mumbai-Karnataka region after Kittur.

Activists and politicians feel a dedicated board would help leverage funds to develop backward areas in seven districts of Kittur-Karnataka region. In the general budget, it is hard to get due share of funds for development works, they say.

IISc top university, three Karnataka colleges in NIRF top 100

Continuing its good run for the third year in a row, IIT-Madras has topped the India Rankings 2021 released by the ministry of Education on Thursday, while Karnataka has improved its performance with one Mangaluru and two Bengaluru colleges breaking into the list of top 100 colleges.

The three colleges which have made the cut are Bengalurus MS Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce (No. 62) and St Josephs College of Commerce (74) and Mangalurus St Aloysius College (95).

This is the sixth edition of India Rankings instituted by theNational Institutional Ranking Framework(NIRF) by the ministry of education, which now ranks higher education institutions in 11 categories.

IIT-Madras retained top position in the engineering and overall categories. Among the universities, IISc-Bangalore is ranked number one, followed by JNU. In the research category introduced this year, IISc-Bangalore emerged topper and IIT-Madras second.

In the last decade, 71% of the wells analysed in the state have reported an increase in water level, according to data byCentral Ground Water Board(CGWB).

InKarnataka, theGroundwater Directorateanalyses the water level every month.
The figure pertains to the period between November 2010 and November 2020. Among the 1,316 wells analysed, excess to 4-meter fall in water level was reported only in 1.7% of the wells. Among the wells analysed, 936 witnessed an increase in water level while 370 wells recorded a fall.

Thaawarchand Gehlot takes oath as 19th governor of Karnataka

Veteran BJP leader and former Union minister Thaawarchand Gehlot on Sunday took oath as the 19th governor of Karnataka succeeding Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala.

The chief of the Karnataka High Court, justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, administered him the oath of office and secrecy to Gehlot at the Raj Bhavan in the presence of outgoing governor Vala, chief minister B S Yediyurappa, his cabinet colleagues, MPs, MLAs and senior officials of the State Government.

The 73-year-old Gehlot was the minister for social justice and Empowerment at the centre, and was Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha before assuming the new role in the southern state.