Dr. P. Gururaj Bhat: The Historian Who Brought to Life Tulunadu History and Culture
It is said, Historians neglected and in a way resident Barkurians unaware of the rich heritage of Barkur. Especially after the fall of Vijaya Nagara Empire and more so thereafter during Keladi Kings, the place lost its prominence…. Once the capital of Alupa Kings with a royal fort with a palace near Shimhasana Gudde, the seat of political power in Coastal Karnataka or Governorate of Vijaya Nagara rulers with a more larger and planned fort and palace near today’s NJC, a prosperous commercial sea port, an all seasons natural harbour, then the gate way to the West..[By Archibald Furtado]
Does Karnataka need a population control policy?
National General Secretary of BJP and Chikmagaluru MLA, CT Ravi recently called for a population control policy in Karnataka on the lines of two other states ruled by his party, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. "It is high time Karnataka brought in a new population policy on the lines of Assam and Uttar Pradesh to control its growing population. With the limited natural resources available, it will be difficult to meet the needs of every citizen if there is a population explosion," Ravi tweeted...[By Philip Mudartha]
The Legacy of Sonia Gandhi: a champion of India’s poor
Sonia Gandhi does not need an introduction. So too, her transformation from a young grieving widow to the centre-stage of our national politics. However, a briefing on her core beliefs and values will not hurt. Born in a small village in Italy, she was raised as a Roman Catholic. While it is not known if she remained a practicing Catholic lady upon her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, she has unwaveringly abided by the Christian values of service to the poor and the marginalized...[By Philip Mudartha]
A "Balcon" Life!!
A balcony is the only way to get up close with nature. My balcony life was born out of my love for plants and flowers, to recreate green spaces with a personal touch. The very purpose of a balcony is to enlarge the living space and enhance the life quality for the residents of an apartment or house. It also serves as an outdoor room in getting access to fresh air and views. Balconies will be the most sought after feature in an apartment and there is no doubt in how it adds a new meaning to a good life and in fact, it adds life itself with plants..[By Francis J. Saldanha]
Our COVID-19 crisis in out of control
Less than three months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) for two victories, on the cricket field against Australia and in the COVID-19 pandemic. “A positive mindset always leads to positive results,” he declared. A month later, on Feb. 21, Modi’s ruling BJP passed a resolution hailing the “visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi” in turning India into a “victorious nation in the fight against COVID...[By Philip Mudartha]
Travelogue: My tour to enchanting North East India after Covid-19 unlock
A group of 20 senior citizens met at Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai. After the departure formalities at the airport, all of us boarded Indigo Flight to Guwahati. It was 3-hour flight. After landing at Guwahati Airport, we collected our baggage. Our tour manager met us there, took us for lunch... [By John V Tauro]
Ronald Sabi Successfully defends his Doctoral Thesis
Entrepreneur Ronald Sabi Dsouza successfully defends his Doctoral Thesis ‘Customer Perception on Aviation Coatings’ and awarded PhD by Apollos University, USA. He had undertaken this research thesis under the guidance of Dr. Kaup Mohammed, Dean of London American City College.
Fuel on Fire: Modi doesn’t care!
Petroleum Fuel prices in India are hitting fresh highs on a daily basis. PM Modi is blaming “previous” governments for our imported oil dependence but doesn’t seem to care for facts available in the public domain. To unmask his false his narrative, here is official data on the cost factors making up the pump price of petrol...[By Philip Mudartha]
Union Budget 2021-22: A perspective
Last Monday, the 1st February 2021, Finance Minister (FM), Nirmala Sitharaman, presented to the Lok Sabha the Union Budget for FY 2021-22. Since then, a bevy of economists and policy analysts have assayed and passed their expert verdicts. In fact, the stock brokers were the first to react as the FM was speaking; the Sensex zoomed by over 2,000 points before the day ended, an all time day record...[By Philip Mudartha]
Who will blink first: Modi or Protesting Farmers?
Farmers mostly led by Punjab based kisan unions that are dominated by Sikhs, naturally, have laid a siege to Delhi. They have camped at several key border approaches to the national Capital. Men, women and children are camping in make-shift tents braving the extreme freezing temperatures of North Indian winter and demanding that these ‘black’ laws be repealed. Nothing more, nothing less; no compromises like amendments etc. Several rounds of talks have been held between government led by the Minister of Agriculture and prominent farmer Leaders...[By Philip Mudartha]
A desperate US President’s war on his people
It is Tuesday morning, January 11th in US Capital, Washington D.C, as I pen these lines. The members of the House of Representatives have taken their seats in the legislative chamber within the Capitol. Their business for the day is to debate and pass a resolution calling upon Vice-President, Mike Pence, to invoke 25th Amendment and remove forthwith the lame duck sitting President Donald Trump, who is otherwise set to leave Oval Office on 20th January....[By Philip Mudartha]
We are poorer than Bangladesh!
The recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) press release on Gross National Product (GDP) numbers of member countries shocked many Indians. Egos were hurt, especially of our government supporters, according to whom Modi is doing a good job of running the country and managing its national economy...[By Philip Mudartha]
2020 Nobel Prizes in Sciences
Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna are the first two women to share the prize, which honors their work on the technology of genome editing. Their discovery, known as Crispr-Cas9 "genetic scissors", is a way of making specific and precise changes to the DNA contained in living cells. With this tool, the ability to cut DNA where you want has revolutionized the life sciences. Not only has this technology been transformative for basic research, it could also be used to treat, or even cure, inherited illnesses..[By Philip Mudartha]
Are the agriculture reforms pro-farmer or anti-farmer?
The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, on its website, states that three bills aimed at transformation of agriculture and raising farmers’ income were introduced in the Lok Sabha to replace ordinances promulgated on 5th June, 2020. Legislations will enable barrier-free trade in agricultural produce and empower farmers to engage with investors of their choice, said Union Minister of Narendra Singh Tomar. These bills are..[By Philip Mudartha]
What awaits the repatriated NRIs back home?
Yes, unemployment looms large. I called and spoke to one of my protégés who returned from Qatar to his hometown in Malabar. Since coming back, he has been assisting his father in running the family grocery store. His father is fit and healthy in his upper sixties; he can run the business himself. He wants his son to try and find a job opening in Qatar, even at lower wages. In his early forties, his skill sets have no job openings in his native land....[By Philip Mudartha]
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