Skip to main content

Posts

Dr T R Mallikarjuna: The Man Behind Some of South Asia’s Tallest Landmarks

Bengaluru: When Dr Tumakur Rajasekhariah Mallikarjuna walks past the towering silhouette of the Altair building in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s tallest residential skyscraper, he doesn’t see just steel, concrete, or glass. He sees ambition, sleepless nights, a team of hundreds, and a career built brick by brick across four countries over four decades. An alumnus of St. Joseph High School: Dr T R Mallikarjuna is an alumnus of St. Joseph High School, Dharwad, and is passionate about his humble beginnings and takes it as a matter of pride to be associated and closely connected with his school friends. He also rejoices in taking part in the Past Students Association(PSA) meetings in Dharwad. Born and brought up in Dharwad, he remained there until he turned 21 and still retains the ancestral sprawling bungalow, which is a rare sight these days in the hustle and bustle surroundings of the once pensioners' paradise. Son of the English Professor: Dr T R Mallikarjuna belongs to a well-educated fa...
Recent posts

Healing Beyond Borders: The Indian Hospital Restoring Faces—and Futures—of Ethiopian Soldiers

Bengaluru: In the quiet hallways of Mallige Hospital in Bengaluru, a different kind of healing has been unfolding—not just of bones and skin, but of identity, dignity, and humanity. Far from home, 32 Ethiopian soldiers arrived here carrying the weight of war on their faces—injuries that distorted not just their appearance but also their ability to speak, eat, or even smile. Dr. Srinath N, an unassuming maxillofacial surgeon: At the centre of this extraordinary story is Dr. Srinath N, an unassuming maxillofacial surgeon whose career has taken him across continents, from operating rooms in Asia and Africa to academic forums in Europe. Yet, he says, “Nothing quite prepares you for the moment someone looks at their reflection after a life-changing surgery—and finally sees hope.” The Call That Changed Lives: It began with a call from the Ethiopian Government, a desperate appeal to help soldiers severely injured in the Ethiopian conflict. Dr. Srinath, who had worked extensively in East Afr...

India Importing Foodgrains: Days Not Far-off: Dr K M Avaradi

Bengaluru: The glory of India being self-sufficient in foodgrain production and the present hyped claim of the country being a food bowl to the whole world soon looks to be a mirage, if the present trend of growers drifting towards commercial crops continues at the same pace. Dr K M Avaradi, Principal of the KLE Society's Shri Channagirishwar Prasadik Arts, Science and D D Shirol Commerce College, Mahalingpur in Bagalkote district, fears that the day of India being forced to import foodgrains is not far off. He is a postgraduate in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Agricultural Sciences(UAS), Dharwad, and Ph D in Economics from the Karnataka University, Dharwad. Dr K M Avaradi is quite vocal and forthright in his assertions on the present peasants' predicament. In an informal interaction, Dr K M Avaradi didn't mince words to dwell upon the present crisis entangling the farming community. Excerpts from the same: Q: How do you view the overall economic situation of...

Basavaraj Ullagaddi: A Marginal Farmer Turned Thriving Agriculturist

Bengaluru: Basavaraj Ullagaddi is an unassuming young person, given his appearance. However, his accomplishments, despite being a marginal farmer and a daily wage earner, have enabled him to become a prosperous farmer. A native of Haralur village: Basavaraj Ullagaddi is a native of Haralur village in Mudhol Taluk of Bagalkote district and a small peasant with just 1.5-02 acres of land, and is managing about 2.5 acres of land under the system of sharecropping. In all, he is managing about 4.5 acres of land holdings apart from being a daily wage earner. Two lakhs gross income from Garlic: Basavaraj Ullagaddi is growing Turmeric and sugarcane intercropped with Garlic in his meagre land holdings. From just 18 gunta of his land, he has made a gross income of Rs. Two lakhs by growing Garlic as an intercrop in Sugarcane. Four and a half lakhs from Sugarcane: Basavaraj Ullagaddi had also grown Sugarcane in an area of 2.5-03 acres last year and reaped the crop to the quantum of 150 tons, fe...

Maatonda Heluve: A Regional Love Story Breaking New Ground in Kannada Cinema

Maatonda Heluve: A Regional Love Story Breaking New Ground in Kannada Cinema By Mayur – Writer, Director, and Lead Actor Bengaluru: In an era where flashy trailers and star power often drive cinema viewership, a fresh, heartfelt film is quietly making waves in Karnataka—Maatonda Heluve. This debut rom-com not only stands out for its charming narrative but also breaks ground by giving voice to underrepresented Kannada dialects on the big screen. Written, directed, and enacted by Mayur, a first-generation filmmaker from Hubli-Dharwad, the film is being hailed as a new-age cultural rom-com that blends emotion, authenticity, and regional pride. A Love Story That Goes Beyond Tropes:  With the tagline "Hubli Dharwad Hudugana Kathe, Mysore Hudugiya Jothe", Maatonda Heluve captures the beautiful contrast between two Kannada heartlands: the gritty charm of Hubli-Dharwad and the cultured grace of Mysore. The plot revolves around RJ Mayur, a passionate radio jockey hosting a show called...