Sunday, November 17

Karnataka - A celebration

Karnataka's richness of culture, architecture, natural resources and wildlife is reason enough to celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava. Take a tour of some of Karnataka's iconic travel destinations.

Lakshmi Sharath - It is well past dawn and I drive all the way from Vatapi or Badami, the Chalukyan capital across the Malaprabha River to Aihole or Aivalli, where monuments fill your eyes everywhere. The temples are located in the heart of the town. You do not see houses or markets; just temple complexes in various states of ruin and restoration.

November 1 marks 57 years since Karnataka achieved statehood. On November 1, 1956, all the Kannada-speaking regions of southern India, including Kodagu (Coorg) and the regions of Dakshina Kannada, were united. Every year, this historic anniversary is celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava. Though the state in itself is only 57 years old, the Kannada language has an antiquity of nearly two thousand years. With great pride, Kannadigas celebrate their language, culture and heritage, and the state government presents awards to distinguished sons and daughters of Karnataka in recognition of their achievements.

Karnataka's richness of culture, architecture, natural resources and wildlife is reason enough to celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava. Take a tour of some of Karnataka's iconic travel destinations on Yahoo India Travel.

Agumbe - Crown Jewel of the Western Ghats

Agumbe and its surroundings are rich in biodiversity.

With an annual rainfall of 4000 mm to 8500 mm, Agumbe lays claim to the moniker 'Cherrapunji of South India'. The wettest place in south India, Agumbe in the monsoon is a land transformed. The forested cliffs of Agumbe rise up more than 2,000 feet above sea level, trapping the monsoon winds that drift in from the coast. Fog clings to the thick vegetation and the undergrowth echoes with the cries of birds such as whistling thrushes, fulvettas and bulbuls. In the treetops, monkeys such as the rare Lion-tailed Macaque may be seen. But the most visible signs of life stir underfoot, amid bushes and leaf litter. Snakes and frogs, insects and crabs are drawn out by the abundance of food and in search of mates. Yahoo reader NITIN VYAS shares these vibrant photographs from Agumbe.READ MORE >>

A Walk in the Park

The Glass House in Lal Bagh, Bangalore, one of the iconic heritage landmarks of the city's largest public gard …

The 'gardening' of Bangalore probably began when Hyder Ali planted a pleasure garden of red roses here in 1760. His son and successor Tipu Sultan expanded it with chests of saplings imported from near and far. After Lord Charles Cornwallis defeated Tipu's army in 1791 and captured the fort of Bangalore, Lal Bagh's destiny changed hands. Travel editor BIJOY VENUGOPAL joins a heritage walk in Lal Bagh, learning the history of the city through its trees. READ MORE >>

A Garden City says it with flowering trees

The Cannon Ball Tree (Couroupita guianensis) flowers almost throughout the year.

“Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky..." wrote poet Kahlil Gibran. Trees take little and give a lot. They are the heart, the limbs, the veins and the lungs of the ecosystem. As if they didn't have enough roles to play, they are also responsible for making every scene and scape beautiful. We are nothing without trees around us. Bangalore has always been known for its tree cover, but the words Bangalore and trees can't be used in the same sentence without a 'sigh'. Thousands of trees have been felled to make way for new roads and localities, the bane of a fast-developing city. However, for a brief time during January to May, the very trees our people gladly chop down give us an opportunity to feast our eyes on them, when they spurt the most beautiful and colorful flowers. A photo-feature on Bangalore's trees by RADHA RANGARAJAN. READ MORE >>

Sringeri - the confluence of religion and beauty

The Sarada Temple, Sringeri

More than twelve centuries ago, Hindu seer and exponent of Advaita philosophy, Ādi Śaṅkarācārya had come to Sringeri. He saw an unusual sight on the banks of the Tunga that made him realize that this place was sacred. A cobra was seen spreading out its hood over a pregnant frog protecting it from the scorching sun. He was struck by the sanctity of the area which could bring two enemies together and infuse love between them. The acharya went on to establish his very first Mutt here and dedicated it to Goddess Saraswati, writes LAKSHMI SHARATH. READ MORE >>

The Best View of the Mysore Dasara

Now, that's what you call a drum roll.

There are many ways to enjoy the celebrated Mysore Dasara. You could switch on the television and let it play while you tuck into platefuls of whatever it is you are noshing. Or you could stand in long lines pushing at the gates of the palace and buy a ticket (in black) for Rs 2,500. Or you could jostle with bystanders and push your way to the front of the barricade, a task that requires serious muscle, thick skin and unfathomable unctuousness. Or you could pass off as a relative of a VIP, but good luck with that. Having tried some (if not all) of the above, AZHAR MOHAMED ALI discovered quite by chance that the most panoramic view of the procession was from a considerable height. So he shinnied up an avenue tree like many other spectators and shot this gallery. READ MORE>>

The Best View of the Mysore Dasara

Mysore: A Dasara Diary
Dasara in Mysore is not just a festival. It is a royal event, revealed by these vignettes from a traveler’s diary, reveals LAKSHMI SHARATH. READ MORE>>

Awestruck in Aihole

The Gauri temple at Aihole.

One of India’s most ancient towns and a cradle of temple architecture, this city of the Chalukyas was once known for its commercial significance and monuments. LAKSHMI SHARATH visits Aihole and has a tough time picking just a handful of temples from the 125 monuments that dot this landscape. READ MORE >>

Badami – Where Gods Abide in Caves

Badami – Where Gods Abide in Caves

The emerald-green Agasthya Lake sparkles in the evening light, surrounded by a glowing sandstone outcrop that was once the capital of the Chalukya rulers. This town, which once answered to the name of Vatapi, was built back in the 6th century. Today we know it as Badami, and it is named after the ruddy colour of the rocky cliffs here. Join LAKSHMI SHARATH on a visual tour of the spectacular rock-cut caves of Badami in Karnataka's Bagalkot district. READ MORE >>

Mosques, mahals and mausoleums in Bijapur

�Ibrahim Rauza, the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, is supposed to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Walking around Bijapur is like traversing a historic route. There is more to it than the monumental Gol Gumbaz, the symbol of the town. The ‘Palmyra of the Deccan, as the town was known, is filled with monuments that took traveller LAKSHMI SHARATH on a trail of the Adil Shahi dynasty.READ MORE >>

The hidden Hoysala temples of Marale and Mosale

The twin Hoysala temples at Mosale village in Hassan, Karnataka

Some of India’s best kept secrets cannot be found on a map. Tucked away inside golden fields with lotus ponds surrounding them are small, little-known ancient temples that are steeped in history. Marale and Mosale are two such. READ MORE >>

Halebeedu - the crown jewel of Hoysala temples

Known as Dwarasamudra in the 12th and 13th centuries, Halebeedu was the capital of Hoysala Empire. It is situated at a distance of about 30 kms from Hassan, Karnataka. The name Dwarasamudra (Dwara = ... more

The name Halebeedu means ruined city, a coinage that took effect after the capital of the Hoysala empire was sacked by the Mughal sultanate twice. Its original name was Dwarasamudra and the temple here is considered the crowning glory of Hoysala architecture. Enjoy this photo-essay byANANTH V RAO. READ MORE>>

Magnificent Belur - Poetry in soapstone

Magnificent Belur - Poetry in soapstone

Belur, 40 km from Hassan city and 220 km from Bangalore, is in Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. The Chennakeshava temple was built by the Hoysalas under the rule of King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE. The deity of this temple is lord Vishnu and the word 'Chennakeshava' literally translates to ‘Handsome Vishnu’. Within the temple complex, the Chennakeshava temple is in the centre, facing east, flanked by Kappe Channigaraya temple on its right, and a small Sowmyanayaki temple set slightly back. On its left, set slightly back is the Ranganayaki temple. Two main Sthambhas (pillar) exist here. The pillar facing the main temple, the Garuda sthambha was erected in the Vijayanagara period while the pillar on the right, the Deepasthambha, dates from the Hoysala period. Enjoy this photo-essay by ANANTH V RAO. READ MORE>>

Stealing their colours - A rainy day in Ranganathittu

Stealing their colours - A rainy day in ...

A wild safari in Bandipur

A day when the weather gods had stripped the sky of blues and replaced them with greys brings out the poet in nature photographer THARANGINI BALA. When the gods themselves had chosen monochrome, who were we mere mortals to defy it, she asks. Enjoy her poignant portrayal of the water birds of Ranganathittu, near Mysore. READ MORE>>

A wild safari in Bandipur

Bandipur, one of India’s finest tiger reserves, offers much to the discerning wildlife enthusiast. If you keep your senses on high alert and your camera at the ready, many are the precious opportunities that will come your way. Bandipur is about 80 km from Mysore (about 230 km from Bangalore). Accommodation is available at the forest guest houses inside the park as well as at the government-run Jungle Lodges and Resorts hotel just outside the park gates. Enjoy this photo-feature fromRAJANI CHAND. READ MORE >>

Magical Hampi - Blissfully lost in a time-warp

<strong>Hampi</strong><br /><br />An artist paints a picture of the stone chariot at Vittala Temple, Hampi, Karnataka.<br /><br />Photo by <a title="Sai Kiran Kanuri" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/saikiranrgda/" target="_blank">Sai Kiran Kanuri</a>

Hampi

An artist paints a picture of the stone chariot at Vittala Temple, Hampi, Karnataka.

Hampi, the medieval capital of the Vijayanagara Empire (14th to 16th century AD), is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its boulder-strewn hills, stunning jewel-box temples and the Tungabhadra River that runs among them make Hampi spectacular. Stories abound in every nook and corner, making this land of ancient legends a photographer’s playbook. The little town attracts tourists in droves, and the fact that almost everything is in ruins doesn’t seem to matter at all; in fact, it only adds to Hampi’s charisma. Strolling through the ancient markets and temples can throw you in a time-warp, says photographer, traveler and wildlife enthusiast RADHA RANGARAJAN as she shares these telling images that tempt you to clamber onto the roof of a bus and head to Hampi.READ MORE>>

A cloudy day at Bellary Fort

Bellary Fort

Situated 300 km from Bangalore is the spectacular and historic Bellary Fort, which sits atop Ballari Gudda, otherwise known as the Fort Hill. During the Vijayanagara era this fort was built by Hanumappa Nayaka. In 1769, Hyder Ali of Mysore stormed the fort and occupied it. The fort was then renovated by a French engineer who, according to legend, was executed because he miscalculated its height, making it visible from a hill called Kumbara Gudda, and thus compromised its military location. The French engineer's grave can still be found at the east gate of the fort. The Bellary Fort is home to an Upper Fort or Fort Hill (constructed by Nayak) and a Lower Fort or Face Hill (constructed by Ali), symbolizing the two rulers. The only way to get to the Upper Fort is to navigate a rocky, winding path over boulders. This polygonal walled site has no garrison room. On the other hand, the lower fort is easily accessible from two gates from the western and eastern sides respectively. A Hanuman temple, the Kote Anjaneya Temple, is located at the eastern side of the fort. The lower fort housed barracks and arsenals. The British added their own structures in the Lower Fort including stores, a post office, a church, an orphanage and private homes. Today, one can find a number of public buildings and other institutions. AZHAR MOHAMED ALI spent a day among the ruins of the historic Bellary Fort in Karnataka, taking in their various moods. Enjoy this pictorial tour. MORE>>

Legends of Shiva – Gokarna and Murudeshwar
Between them, the beaches of Gokarna and Murudeshwar on Karnataka’s northern coast tell a tale of devotion and celestial intrigue. LAKSHMI SHARATH explores the secret. READ MORE>>

Karnataka’s spell-binding waterfalls

When the monsoon kicks into top gear, waterfalls reach the peak of their grandeur. The dry trickle of summer is long forgotten as these cascades gush with resurgent life and energise their surroundings as well as those who gaze upon their beauty. Many of the most captivating waterfalls, including some famous around the world, are in Karnataka, and many of these are located in the Western Ghats, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel photographer SHIVAKUMAR L NARAYAN reveals nine of the most spectacular waterfalls in the state. ENJOY THE PHOTOS>>

Source: Yahoo!

Saturday, November 16

C.N.R. Rao ( ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ನಾಗೇಶ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ರಾವ್ )

Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao

Born	30 June 1934 Bangalore, Mysore kingdom(present-day Karnataka, India)
Residence	India
Nationality	Indian
Fields	Chemistry
Institutions	Indian Space Research Organization IIT Kanpur Indian Institute of Science University of Oxford University of Cambridge University of California, Santa Barbara Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
Alma mater	Banaras Hindu University Purdue University
Known for	Solid-state chemistry Materials science
Notable awards	Hughes Medal (2000) India Science Award (2004) (FRS)(1984) Abdus Salam Medal (2008) Dan David Prize (2005) Legion of Honor (2005) Padma Shri Padma Vibhushan (2013) Bharat Ratna

Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao, also known as C.N.R. Rao (Kannada :ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ನಾಗೇಶ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ರಾವ್ ) (born 30 June 1934), is an Indian chemist who has worked mainly in solid-state and structural chemistry. He currently serves as the Head of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. On 16th November 2013, The Government of India decided to confer upon him Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India making him the third Scientist after C.V.Raman and A P J Abdul Kalam to get the award.

Early life and education

C.N.R. Rao was born in Bangalore of father Hanumantha Nagesa Rao, and mother Nagamma Nagesa Rao. He obtained his bachelors degree from Mysore University in 1951, obtaining a masters from BHU two years later, and obtained his Ph.D. in 1958 from Purdue University. In 1961 he received DSc from Mysore University. He joined the faculty of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1963.^[4]

He has received Honorary Doctorates from many Universities such as Bordeaux, Caen, Colorado, Khartoum, Liverpool, Northwestern, Novosibirsk, Oxford, Purdue, Stellenbosch, Universite Joseph Fourier, Wales, Wroclaw, Notre Dame, Uppsala, Aligarh Muslim, Anna, AP, Banaras, Bengal Engineering, Bangalore, Burdwan, Bundelkhand, Delhi, Hyderabad, IGNOU, IIT-Bombay, Kharagpur,Delhi and Patna, JNTU, Kalyani, Karnataka, Kolkata, Kuvempu, Lucknow, Mangalore, Manipur, Mysore, Osmania, Punjab, Roorkee, Sikkim Manipal, SRM, Tumkur, Sri Venkateswara, Vidyasagar, and Visveswaraya Technological University.

Profession

Rao is currently the National Research Professor and Linus Pauling Research Professor and Honorary President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in Bangalore, India. He is the founding President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. He was appointed Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Indian Prime Minister in January 2005, a position which he had occupied earlier during 1985–89. He is also the director of the International Centre for Materials Science (ICMS).

Earlier, he served as a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur from 1963 to 1976 and as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science from 1984 to 1994. He has also been a visiting professor at Purdue University, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and University of California, Santa Barbara. He was the Jawaharlal Nehru Professor at the University of Cambridge and Professorial Fellow at the King's College, Cambridge during 1983-1984.^[5]

Rao is one of the world's foremost solid state and materials chemists. He has contributed to the development of the field over five decades.^[6] His work on transition metal oxides has led to basic understanding of novel phenomena and the relationship between materials properties and the structural chemistry of these materials.

Rao was one of the earliest to synthesize two-dimensional oxide materials such as La₂CuO₄. His work has led to a systematic study of compositionally controlled metal-insulator transitions. Such studies have had a profound impact in application fields such as colossal magneto resistance and high temperature superconductivity. Oxide semiconductors have unusual promise. He has made immense contributions to nanomaterials over the last two decades, besides his work on hybrid materials.

He is the author of around 1500 research papers. He has authored and edited 45 books.^[6]^[7] Rao serves on the board of the Science Initiative Group.

Awards

He will be awarded the Bharat Ratna, as declared by the Government of India on 16 November, 2013. He was awarded the Hughes Medal by the Royal Society in 2000, and he became the first recipient of the India Science Award, instituted by the Government of India, for his contributions to solid state chemistry and materials science, awarded in 2004.^[8]

He had also been given the honours Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan by the Indian Government and Karnataka Ratna by the Karnataka state government. He has won several other international prizes and awards. He was awarded Dan David Prize in 2005,^[9] by the Dan David Foundation, Tel Aviv University, which he shared withGeorge Whitesides and Robert Langer.^[10] In 2005, he was conferred the title Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by France, awarded by the French Government. He is a foreign fellow of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences.^[11] He was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Calcutta in 2004.^[12]

Dr Rao has also been conferred with China's top science award for his important contributions in boosting Sino-India scientific cooperation.^[13] The award was given by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in January 2013, which is China's top academic and research institution for natural sciences. He received 'Distinguished academician award' from IIT Patna in 2013.^[14].

He is a member of many of the world's scientific associations, including the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Royal Society (London; FRS, 1982), French Academy, Japanese Academy, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Pontifical Academy.

Source: Wikipedia

Bharat Ratna awarded to Tendulkar, the first for a sportsperson

The Indian government gives the master batsman the perfect goodbye gift—the country's highest civilian honour.

NEW DELHI: The recently retired Sachin Tendulkar is set to become the first sportsperson to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Tendulkar will be conferred with the honour along with acclaimed scientist Professor CNR Rao, on the upcoming Republic Day next year.

An official PMO release called Tendulkar "an outstanding cricketer - a living legend who has inspired millions across the globe".

"During the last 24 years, since the young age of 16 years, Shri Tendulkar has played cricket across the world and won laurels for our country. He has been a true ambassador of India in the world of sports.

His achievements in cricket are unparalleled, the records set by him unmatched, and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by him exemplary. That he has been honoured with several awards is testimony to his extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman," said the release.

Tendulkar, who called time from all forms of cricket on Saturday after his 200th Test match against the West Indies at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, was expected to be awarded the honour after it emerged that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had recommended his name to President Pranab Mukherjee a few days ago.

Other influential names who allegedly pitched for the Little Master include Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajeev Shukla, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
The rules for awarding the Bharat Ratna were modified a few years ago to include sportspersons and not just artistes and personnel from the fields of art, literature, science and public services.

The Board Cricket for Cricket in India (BCCI) welcomed the announcement.

"Tendulkar is an inspirational figure, and a role model for all sportspersons. He richly deserves the Bharat Ratna. I extend my heartiest congratulations to him," said BCCI president N. Srinivasan.

"He is the most deserving person. I congratulate the government for this decision. The timing is also right. His records cannot be broken for the next 100 years," added BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.