Karnataka schools bag 7,179 Inspire awards

Bengaluru, Dec 3: Karnataka schoolshave won the highest number of Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Researc h (Inspire) awards from the central department of science and technology. As many as 7,179 (14.2 %) students from Karnataka have been honoured with Rs 10,000 each for their innovative ideas.

As many as 41,272 students from Class 6-10 from across the country had applied for the award with their solutions fo r a local problem.

“A total of 50,279 awards have been given to students across the country. Karnataka got 7,179 awards putting the state on top of the list. It’s about unravelling the creative side of children and involving them in problem-solving mechanism,” said Chandrashekar HB, senior assistant director, Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT).

The ideas pitched by Karnataka’s students ranged from identifying chemicals in fruits to eco-friendly mobile charger to potato batteries. The primary and secondary education department had conducted many workshops for teachers with support of Agasthya International foundation (AIF) for ideation and to train students to take up projects.

B Sreevardhan, a class 9 stud ent from Uttarahalli government high school in Bengaluru south, proposed to develop a farmer-friendly equipment to test moisture level in soil. Harsha KR, a Class 9 student from Rajanakunte government high school, north Bengaluru, suggested ‘water-soaking streets with smart street lights’ while Kishan KS, Class 10 student of the same institution proposed a model— ‘energy from waste gases and chemical water power’.

Smitha Deshpande, incharge head mistress of the school, said“We did not get help from experts to train our students. Our science teacher trained them in the best possible way.”

The government will organise a state-level exhibition of the ideas chosen for the award in Dharavad, Bengaluru, Mysuru divisions between December 26 and 28.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

Comments