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The Hindu : SUDHINDR A.B.

Creating awareness about petroleum products was the focus of the action packed programme…

Sending out a message:Ignited minds

Transportation is the single largest consumer of fuel and for that reason, the largest contributor to environmental pollution. Emissions on account of transportation have caused immeasurable harm to the environment and the ecosystem the world over.

Trends

Many governments are resorting to the use of cleaner fuels such as CNG for surface transportation. Energy derived from renewable sources is already powering mass rapid transport systems in many parts of the world.

To create awareness among students as well as teachers, BGS National Public School celebrated the Petroleum Conservation fortnight. This online project was an initiative by Kamal Peter.

Action packed activities were conducted during the fortnight under the title “Ignite your mind and save our nation for a better future” with online collaboration and interaction on Think Quest, a portal of Oracle Education Foundation.

Over 300 teachers and students were assigned duties along a timeline over a fortnight. Students and teachers from nearby JSS Public School, HSR Layout and BGS Public School, Kengeri, were also invited to participate in the project.

To mark the beginning of the Petroleum Conservation fortnight, a pledge was administered by C. A. Nair, Principal, BGS National Public School, during the school assembly and a teacher spoke about the need for conserving petroleum products.

Poster-making, an interview with the transport manager and painting competitions under different categories based on topics were held.

Inspiring activities

For the essay-writing competition, the topics were “Preserve, protect and promote”, “A social responsibility”, “switch off fossil fuel, switch on biofuel”.

The other activities included brochure-making, self-composed poem recitation, presentations, surveys and local area campaign, models and exhibits, and slogan-writing.

A manuscript magazine “Brandstof Besparen” was also released on the occasion. At the valedictory function, students presented their reports and participated in an open session with B. V. S. Prasad, joint director, PCRA. The programme concluded…More

The Hindu :

Loved by geeks and scorned by critics, Ankit Fadia speaks on hacking truths

PHOTO : SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKARTASTING SUCCESS Ankit Fadia

He is the one about whom Bill Gates said in a lighter vein, “Because of guys like you, Microsoft has problems,” when Ankit, then 14, presented him his first book. The news of Chinese’ attempts to hack the computers at the PMO reminds one of this home grown security expert, whose services have so far not been sought.

Says the 25-year-old Ankit: “China is becoming a very powerful nation each passing day. So far, across the world, computer security was controlled by the EU. The attempt by China to hack into the Indian Government’s computer security network is a loud announcement of their arrival .”

But at the same time, he says, no computer security network can be permanently foolproof. “When the best masterminds in Google can face this problem, anyone can. One should be quick to update with the best safety measures available at that point of time.” Talking of network, Ankit also warns us about mobile operators who float messages about a person in dire need of, say, money for some critical operation, and thereby make money. “Though it is not proved, most such messages are fake, but such messages, especially of winning a lottery, find many takers in small towns. One should never fall for such things.”

Ankit, who decrypted an Al-Qaida site for the Indian Government a few years ago and was once the ‘breaking news’ subject on the BBC, was given a computer by his engineer father at the age of 10. Even his parents and siblings weren’t aware how tech-savvy Ankit was till he surprised everyone by writing his first book on ethical hacking at 14. It made him the youngest author published by Macmillan. So far, he has written over 14 books on the subject, apart from…More

The Hindu :

Germany’s finest musicians held the music lovers in a trance

PHOTO : MURALI KUMAR K.ENCHANTING ENSEMBLE The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra

Bows moved in unison, strings echoed in harmony and notes ebbed from the stage of Chowdiah Memorial Hall as some of Germany’s finest musicians held the music lovers gathered there in a trance.

Marking the golden jubilee celebrations of the Indo-German Cultural Society and the Goethe-Institut in India, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra rendered an evening of symphonic excellence recently.

For the packed audience who had graced the occasion, little did they know that they would be swayed so harmoniously by the talented group from Stuttgart.

The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra is by far the oldest professional chamber orchestra in the world rendering spectacular music since it was founded in 1945. A frequent guest on international concert podiums, the Orchestra has rendered innumerable concert performances around the globe and has participated in top international music festivals –– a clear evidence of quality and the outstanding reputation of the ensemble.

The evening began with the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major BWV 1048 by the renowned composer –– Johann Sebastian Bach. The three-piece set, comprising three violins, three violas, three cellos and one double bass, played by a segment of the 17-member ensemble displayed a variety of styles, influences and musical concerns. The work’s two main sections were delivered in harmonic intensity separated by a brief Adagio which stood apart as a short violin cadenza.

The complete ensemble came on stage for the next set also by Bach – the Concerto for violin and orchestra in D minor BWV 1052. Renowned world over for their representation of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos and orchestral suites, the troupe played the three-piece set to stimulating perfection. One of Bach’s earliest concertos, it’s clear melodic outline blew a kaleidoscopic range of colours and shades off the stage.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Divertimento in D Major KV…More

The Hindu : y>SOCIETY Should you put your old, suffering pets to sleep or wait till they breathe their last naturally? asks BINDU TOBBY

HEART BREAKING A tough decision to make considering the unqualified love and joy pets give

If there’s one painful thing that our pets unconsciously impart to us in the last lap of their journey (of generous licking, wagging and unconditional-love-showering) it’s the ache of seeing them reach their sunsetyears straddled with some painful ailment; suffering, old, frail and sickly.Your heart wrenches to see them in misery.For the first time in your relationship withthem you seem to be giving them more thanvice-versa. They are tired, slow, have no appetitesand sometimes can’t even control theirbladder and bowel movements.While the debate of euthanasia and mercykillingfor us humans continues to be deliberatedstrongly and fiercely, what would, shouldor could you do in such a situation for yourpet? Would it actually be more of a disserviceto your pet to keep them behind in our world,writhing in pain and distress, till the day theynaturally pass over? Or when you know forcertain that their pain is intolerable and unbearablewould you much rather help them`go’ more easily and painlessly?Says Vaishali Kasture, a die-hard dog loverwho has two golden retrievers, Max and Eddie,”I really haven’t had the experience withold pets, but I have seen my close relatives gothrough it. It is really hard, but beyond a pointyou have to put them to sleep though it reallyhurts. The pain, agony and most importantlythe loss of dignity for the pet, when theycannot control their own body movements ormotions, is horrific”.Agrees Priya Kilpady Hemmad, who has apet dog, Tuffy, “If the pet is really sick andbeyond the stage of recovery, I feel we shouldput it to sleep. It’s only fair that we give theanimal a dignified death.” With a contrastingpoint of view, Dr. Rajashekarappa, Chief Vetand Administrator of an animal welfare associationin Hebbal says:…More

The Hindu :

Ranjit, who is at home with most departments of cinema, says he loves direction best

Photo: Thulasi KakkatLIFE INSPIRED Ranjit travels to get an insight into reality, for his movies

What strikes you about Ranjit’soeuvre is its diversity. Whetherwith regard to subject matter,style or genre, he refuses to betypecast. There is simply no Ranjitkind of movies, you have got to admit,like you have with other directors. It’shard to believe that both “Nandanam”and “Rock and Roll” came from thesame person, isn’t it? Ask Ranjit whathe is interested in besides cinema andhe cannot think of anything else buttravel, that too as cinema’s handmaiden- when he is over and done with amovie and wants to relax, and is readyto seek inputs.Not the touristy place for him,where the majority flock to. “Sathyamangalamforests, that’s my favouriteplace. Sometimes I go with friends,sometimes alone. I think I’ve beenthere eight times, usually after workon a movie is finished. Sitting andreading there is a great experience. Wetake provisions and cook for ourselves,for you won’t even find an eating placethere,” he says.Raw materialTravelling gives Ranjit a lot morethan relaxation. It is grist for his storyideas pool. Meeting characters, lookingat life from a different perspective,gives him the raw material to weave astory. “Every story that I have writtenis backed by a real-life incident. Everythingis redesigned, no doubt, but thegerm of a story always has real lifebacking,” he points out. And you thinkof “Devasuram”, “Kaiyoppu”, “Thirakkatha”and “Aaram Thampuran”.For a man who wanted to do nothingelse but cinema, his dreams havesurely borne fruit. After Ranjit’sSchool of Drama courses, he plungedheadlong into his dream world, nottaking up any other job.In 1987, “Oru Maymasa Puliriyil”,directed by V.R. Gopinath, and storywritten by Ranjit, was released. Afterthat he got a couple of `Jayaram’ movies,as he puts it, like “PeruvannapuratheVisheshangal”. He hit big timewith the script of “Devasuram”, directedby I.V. Sasi. Ranjit had arrived.With “Nandanam”, Ranjit proved hewas bound…More

The Hindu : y>

OLD FRIENDS Watch Rajit Kapur and Shernaz Patel in Love Letters

“Love Letters”, a play that has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama will be showcased on February 19 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall at 7.30 p.m. The event is being organised by the ICICI Group as part of a fund raising for Concern India Foundation.

Featuring acclaimed artists Rajit Kapur and Shernaz Patel, the play has been directed by Rahul da Cunha. It is the story of two childhood friends who share a lifetime of experiences through a voluminous series of letters and notes written from the age of six to sixty. Poignant, romantic and funny, their correspondence follows a bittersweet path of boarding schools, marriage, children, divorce and missed opportunities. It is the life journey of two soul mates, enacted through words both written and unsaid, who share the greatest gift of all: the gift of love.

Donor passes are available for Rs. 1,000; Rs. 500 and Rs. 300 at Concern India Foundation (Coles road), Crossword (Residency road); KC Das (St. Mark’s Rd). For online booking log onto www.indiantage.in; www.buzzintown.com. For booking on phone, call 9886370614. For more details, call Concern India Foundation at 25549422 / 41477314.

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The Hindu : y>Vivek discusses solutions to reduce dog-bite cases in the city

Bangalore is facing an unprecedented menace from stray dogs.

I stay at Hoysala Nagar and the area has more than 25 dogs roaming about on the main road .

The dogs can cause many traffic accidents and could be a potential hazard for joggers, many of whom have been attacked by the dogs. I was also bitten by a dog, a few months ago.

Though, I remain a dog lover, having a pair of canine jaws on the calf muscle is not the perfect way to start a day.

Many such unprovoked attacks are being reported from the area.

Though the city corporation occasionally vaccinates the dogs and sterilises them, it does not prevent dog bites. A solution must be found to this problem, without hurting the dogs.

The garbage disposal system has to be improved.

A proper cleaning facility and garbage disposal must be put in place to ensure that strays do not congregate in one area.

Meanwhile, adoption of strays by people would ensure that there are lesser dogs left in the streets to fend for themselves.

I adopted a dog when I was in class V. The dog is now 11 years and doing good. From my side the contribution is one dog less on the street.

If people take similar initiatives, the city would be a much safer place. Animal activists should look into such issues and take immediate action instead of merely holding meetings and rallies.

Do you have anything to say? About the state of the world, the city, your angst? Pen it stylishly and you might get it published. And dash off your piece with your photograph. Email it to bangmetro@gmail.com or post it to MetroPlus, The Hindu, 19 & 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road (Infantry Road), Bangalore 1.

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