Jaipur’s Ojaswini Saraswat, representing Rajasthan, has won her fourth national golf title at the IGU Maharashtra Ladies & Junior Girls Golf Championship in Pune. She secured the victory with rounds of 73, 69, and 75, overcoming a two-stroke deficit on the first day and even a controversial two-stroke penalty on the final day. This win marks her third national title this year, following a second-place finish in her previous tournament after recovering from dengue. Ojaswini credits her coach, Laurence Brotheridge, and her family for their support, and her dedication to training and practice at the Rambagh Golf Club in Jaipur is evident in her consistent success.
Kalyan Rural Assembly Seat: A Triangular Contest Amidst Infrastructure Woes
The fight for the Kalyan Rural assembly constituency, the only seat held by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the state, has become a three-way battle between the MNS, Shiv Sena, and Shiv Sena (UBT). The constituency, marked by rapid urbanization and a diverse population, faces challenges related to inadequate infrastructure, despite ongoing projects like road concreting and the Kalyan Taloja Metro. Delayed projects like the Palava junction flyover and the Airoli-Katai elevated flyover are causing traffic congestion. The state government’s promise of growth centers in villages to create employment opportunities for youth has also seen limited progress. Incumbent MNS MLA Pramod Patil claims credit for completed projects, while former MLA Bhoir emphasizes his contributions during his tenure. The BJP, initially supporting Patil, is now campaigning for Shiv Sena candidate Rajesh More due to the alliance. Shrikant Shinde, the Lok Sabha MP, is also actively campaigning for More, highlighting his work in the area.
Persian Manuscripts: A Window into India’s Past
A two-day conference at the English and Foreign Languages University in Hyderabad shed light on the rich history and cultural significance of Persian manuscripts in India. The conference, organized in collaboration with the University of St Andrews, UK, highlighted the role of these manuscripts in Indian historiography and culture. Presentations by scholars like Malini Roy of the British Library revealed the complex history of these manuscripts, showcasing how they were acquired through patronage, trade, and even looting. The conference showcased examples like a portrait of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah commissioned in Awadh and a painting of Jama Masjid commissioned by Colonel Antoine Polier, demonstrating the evolving interest in architectural artwork in India. Researchers like Sunil Sharma and Jake Benson presented evidence of how manuscripts of Amir Khusrau ended up in various royal collections across India and subsequently dispersed to western countries, including a cache looted from the Awadh royal library in 1858. The conference provided a platform for exploring the fascinating journey of these manuscripts and their enduring impact on our understanding of Indian history and culture.
Celebrating Six-Legged Tigers: Zooreach Honors Tiger Beetles and Dr. David Pearson
The Zoo Outreach Organisation (Zooreach) celebrated World Tiger Beetle Day with a virtual event honoring renowned entomologist Dr. David Pearson. The day, celebrated on Dr. Pearson’s birthday, aimed to raise awareness about these colorful predators and their importance in the ecosystem. Zooreach, along with the South Asian Invertebrate Specialist Group, organized the event to highlight the diversity of tiger beetles in India, which boasts the third highest number of species globally. The event included a talk by Dr. Pearson about his research and a discussion on the conservation efforts needed to protect these fascinating insects. Zooreach emphasized the crucial role tiger beetles play in managing insect populations, including those considered pests to crops. The organization also highlighted the discovery of rare tiger beetle species in Tamil Nadu, underscoring the need for continued research and conservation efforts to protect these “six-legged tigers.”
Anaikarai to Host Crocodile Conservation Centre to Mitigate Human-Crocodile Conflict in Kollidam
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is establishing a Crocodile Conservation Centre at Anaikarai near Kumbakonam to address the growing human-crocodile conflict in the Kollidam River. The â¹2.5 crore project aims to mitigate conflicts, educate local communities about crocodile conservation and human safety, and conduct research on the Mugger crocodile population and its habitat. The centre will include a nature park, a watch tower, and GI chain link mesh fencing in vulnerable areas. The project will also involve awareness campaigns through meetings, street plays, and other publicity modes to educate communities about safe practices and the importance of crocodile conservation. The initiative comes in response to increasing reports of crocodiles preying on livestock and occasionally attacking humans, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to managing the conflict and ensuring the safety of both humans and crocodiles.
Perumal Murugan’s “Maadhorupaagan” Finds a French Home
Perumal Murugan’s acclaimed novel “Maadhorupaagan,” known in English as “One Part Woman,” has been translated into French by Léticia Ibanez and will be published by Gallimard, a prestigious French publishing house, on January 16, 2025. Ibanez, who holds a PhD in Tamil literature, faced several challenges in translating the novel, including the repetition of pronouns and the extensive use of flashbacks in the original Tamil text. She relied on the English translation by Aniruddhan Vasudevan for guidance but ultimately made her own choices, particularly in translating dialogues into colloquial French with a touch of Kongu Tamil dialect. Ibanez also worked closely with Perumal Murugan and other translators to ensure the accuracy and quality of the translation, highlighting the collaborative nature of the process. She expressed her hope that the French translation will be well-received by readers and do justice to the work of all involved in its publication.
Seaplane Service Takes Flight in Kerala, Boosting Tourism Prospects
Kerala’s first seaplane service successfully completed its trial run on Monday, connecting Kochi to the Mattupetty dam reservoir in Idukki district. The 30-minute flight is expected to revolutionize tourism in the region, particularly in Munnar, by offering a convenient and scenic alternative to the long and arduous road journey. The Mattupetty reservoir, with its ample water storage and 3.5-kilometer length, provides an ideal landing site for the seaplane. The service is anticipated to draw in a significant number of international tourists, who are currently deterred by the lack of direct air connectivity to Munnar. The successful trial run has generated considerable excitement among tourism stakeholders and the local community, signaling a promising new era for tourism in Idukki.
Kudumbashree’s Ujjeevanam Campaign Provides Livelihood Support to Extreme Poverty in Thiruvananthapuram
The Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram district mission has successfully provided livelihood support to 187 individuals identified as extremely poor through its Ujjeevanam campaign. This initiative, part of the Kerala government’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme, aims to address extreme poverty by providing financial assistance and guidance for starting sustainable livelihood projects. The campaign identified 308 individuals in need of support, with 207 receiving financial assistance up to â¹50,000. Of these, 187 beneficiaries have already launched their projects, ranging from poultry and goat rearing to tailoring and vegetable kiosks. The Kudumbashree district mission provides ongoing support through follow-ups and resource persons to ensure project implementation and offer additional assistance. The Ujjeevanam campaign aims to provide sustainable income to 6,429 families out of the 64,006 extremely poor families identified in the district.
18th Kannada Science Congress to be Held in Chamarajanagar
The 18th Kannada Science Congress (Kannada Vijnana Sammelana) will be held in Chamarajanagar from December 19th to 21st, 2024. Organized jointly by Chamarajanagar University, Swadeshi Vijnana Andolana-Karnataka, and Karnataka State Open University, the conference will feature presentations by teachers, researchers, and students on various scientific subjects. The event will also include a science exhibition and participation from nationally and internationally renowned scientists. The conference aims to provide a platform for scientific discourse and showcase the achievements of the scientific community in Karnataka, while also offering a unique opportunity for the newly formed Chamarajanagar University to host a prestigious event. Schools, colleges, and the general public are encouraged to participate in this significant scientific gathering.
Chunchankatte Gears Up for ‘Dhanushkoti Cauvery Jalapata Utsav’
The scenic waterfalls of Chunchankatte, near K.R. Nagar, are set to be the backdrop for the ‘Dhanushkoti Cauvery Jalapata Utsav’ on November 30 and December 1. The event, decided upon at a meeting chaired by K.R. Nagar MLA D. Ravishankar, aims to showcase the area’s beauty and attract tourists. The festival will feature cultural programs, an exhibition, local vendor stalls, and a health camp. The MLA has also requested the lighting up of the road from K.R. Nagar to Chunchanakatte to create a festive atmosphere. The Deputy Commissioner has instructed officials to ensure cleanliness, repair potholes on the road, and build a grand stage for the event. The event aims to highlight the tourism potential of Chunchankatte, which boasts scenic waterfalls and a rocky terrain, but currently lacks adequate tourist facilities.