Wednesday, 7 June 2017

Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Santhosh Hegde

Early life
Santosh Hegde was born in an ethnic Bunt family to former judge of Supreme Court, Justice K. S. Hegde and his wife Meenakshi Hegde. He is one of six children born to the couple. He was born on 16 June 1940 in Nitte, Udupi district, Karnataka. He had his early education at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore and Madras Christian College in Madras. He completed his intermediate exam from St. Joseph's College, Bangalore and BSc degree from Central College of Bangalore. Hegde graduated with a law degree from Government Law College (now known as University Law College), Bangalore in 1965.
Career
After completing apprenticeship training, he enrolled as an advocate in January 1966 and was designated as senior advocate in May 1984. Hegde was appointed as the Advocate General for the state of Karnataka in February 1984 and held that position till August 1988. He worked as additional Solicitor General of the union of India from December 1989 to November 1990 and was re-appointed as the Solicitor General of India on 25-04-1998. Nitte Santosh Hegde was appointed as a judge of Supreme Court of India on 08-01-1999. He retired as judge of Supreme Court Of India in June 2005. He was conferred honorary doctorate of law degree by Mangalore University in 2005 or a brief period he worked as Chairperson of Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi. Hegde was of the view that Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was not the authority for dispute resolution between customers and telecommunication service providers.[6] He was appointed as Lokayukta of Karnataka state on 3 August 2006 for a term of five years.
Major anti-corruption cases and investigations as Lok Ayukta of Karnataka
The Lok Ayukta had exposed major irregularities in mines in Bellary, including those owned by Obulapuram Mining Company and by G. Karunakara Reddy, G. Janardhana Reddy and G. Somashekara Reddy who are ministers in the Government of Karnataka.He has expressed concern about illegal mining taking place in state of Karnataka which have deep repercussion for ecology and to exchequer of state. A report constituted by the Lok Ayukta uncovered major violations and systemic corruption in iron-ore mining in Bellary. There were violations in the allowed geography, encroachment of forest land, massive underpayment of state mining royalties relative to the market price of iron ore and systematic starvation of government mining entities. The damage to public interest was so serious that he recommended banning all exports of iron ore and limiting iron ore production for captive production of iron and steel
Controversies
He was alleged to have pressured Chief Minister of Karnataka to remove then Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner S. Subramanya. Subramanya was heading the BBMP which was held responsible for bad maintenance of Bangalore, including drowning accidents during monsoon.
Some people have questioned his political motives in timing his resignation a day before a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government convention, though he has not been aligned with any particular political party over the course of his career.
Resignation from post of Lok Ayukta
Mr. Hegde at Freedom Park Bangalore supporting Anna Hazare's protest for strong Jan Lokpal bill. This photograph was taken after his retirement as Lokayukta.
Hegde resigned from the Lokayukta position on 23 June 2010 after an officer (Deputy Conservator of Forests R Gokul) was suspended by order of minister J. Krishna Palemar and he felt powerless to help. He expressed inability to be effective in his anti-corruption mandate owing to a non-cooperative Government of Karnataka. After the resignation, he stated:
A cabinet minister wanted an officer to be suspended for having exposed attempts to export illegal iron ore from Belekeri port that was seized by our team in a raid on 20 March. When the officer sought my help, I could not do anything. Besides this, all officers against whom I conducted raids and suspended, have been reinstated.
Amid media speculation that the ports minister Palemar had recommended Gokul's suspension on behalf of some politicians with business interests, Palemar defended his recommendation to suspend Gokul since he failed to attend a meeting, for it raised suspicions that he may be involved in the scam himself. In fact, in a press meeting, Hegde indicated that:
The whole idea was if Gokul is suspended even for a day, a new investigating officer can be appointed and a scam of this stature which runs to thousands of crores can be shut. ... I couldn’t do anything for [Gokul] who had done the investigation going out of his way. I was very disturbed and couldn’t sleep for two days. I told my wife and decided to resign on Wednesday.
The matter, which is being called the Belekeri port scam, relates to 3.5 million tons of illegal iron ore, belonging to the powerful mining lobby headed by G. Janardhana Reddy, that was ready to be exported from Belekeri port. After Gokul seized the ore and the high court refused to permit its export without appropriate papers, a large part of it was surreptitiously exported from the port. Hegde's resignation sought to underline the helplessness of the advisory post of the Lokayukta in such situations.
After persistent protests and public pressure  Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa admitted to an illegal iron-ore export racket at Belekeri Port involving 35 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore.
Justice Hegde withdrew his resignation and agreed to continue in the post of Lok Ayukta after persuasion from National leadership of the BJP. The party risked a major embarrassment in the BJP ruled Karnataka State government by allowing an upright person in public service to leave office,[22] though All India Congress Committee general secretary B K Hariprasad said that "Hegde's actions prove that he is a BJP man".

Retirement and after
He retired as Lokayukta of Karnataka on 2 August 2011. Subsequently, he joined the anti-corruption movement launched by Anna Hazare in 2011 as a core member of Team Anna. In August 2012, he left Team Anna and refused to be part of it after the team decided to go political.
References
 "Karnataka Lokayukta to set example". www.ibnlive.com. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
 Daijiworld Media Network (7 November 2010). "Mangalore: Justice Santosh Hegde Releases Book on Bunts' History, Culture". Daiji World. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
 Parliament of India
 "Biodata of Justice Nitte Santosh Hegde" (PDF). www.kar.nic.in. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
 "Honorary doctorate for Santosh Hegde". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2006-02-11. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
 "Justice Santosh Hegde". Voice&Data. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
 "Reddys have the last laugh, national mines regulator has both hands tied". Indian Express. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
 "Illegal mining: Lokayukta slams Government". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2009-07-14. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
 "Santosh Hegde Interview: 'Mining Lease Is Used As James Bond's Gun'". Tehelka.
 "Santosh Hegde Full Interview: 'Mining Lease Is Used As James Bond's Gun'". Tehelka.
 "Under fire BBMP chief edged out". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
 "Subramanya shunted out of BBMP". Times of India. 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2010-06-30.
 "Karnataka: Lokayukta: How Many Seas...: A good man goes, head held high. Ethical cleansing in reverse?". Outlook. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
 "'I was helpless in protecting an honest officer'". SIFY.
 "Lokayukta indicts BSY govt, quits". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
 "Palemar says he meant no disrespect to the Lokayukta". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2010-06-25.
"'Iron ore scam can runs to Rs 2,500 crore'". Express Buzz.
 "Cong 'backs' Hegde and alleges BJP-mafia nexus". India Today.
 "I had to go to save Gokul: Lokayukta". Deccan Chronicle.
 "Karnataka govt faces Hegde heat". The Indian Express.
 "Yeddyurappa admits iron ore racket". The Indian Express.
 "Hegde to stay, says can't ignore father-like Advani". The Indian Express.
 Lokayukta Santosh Hegde is a BJP man: Congress, 15 June 2011 21:51 IST, rediff.com
 "Refuse to be part of Anna's party". 10 August 2012.

 
Santhosh Hegde against Corruption-Video
 
Thanks to
WEEKEND WITH RAMESH - MDY.
 
 


 

Saturday, 29 October 2016

Gommateshwara statue

Gommateshwara Statue 
Gommateshwara Statue is a 57-foot (17 m) high monolithic statue located at Shravanbelagola in Karnataka. The statue is dedicated to the Jain god Bahubali. It was built in around 983 A.D. and is one of the largest free standing statues in the world. The construction of the statue was commissioned by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander, Chavundaraya. Neighboring areas have Jain temples known as basadis and several images of the Tirthankaras.
One can have a beautiful view of the surrounding areas from the top of the hill. An event known as Mahamastakabhisheka attracts devotees from all over the world. The Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held once in 12 years, when the Gommateshwara statue is anointed with milk, saffron, ghee, etc. to maintain its freshness.
 On August 5 2007, the Statue was voted as the first of Seven Wonders of India - 49% of the total votes went in favour of it. 

Sunday, 9 October 2016

MYSURU DASARA



Mysuru Dasara is the Nadahabba (state festival) of the state of Karnataka in India. It is also called Navaratri (Nava ratri = nine nights) and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October. According to a legend, Vijayadashami denotes the victory of truth over evil and was the day when the Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari killed the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura is the demon whose slaying by the Goddess gave the name Mysore. The city of Mysore has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival with utter grandeur and pomp to mark this day and the festivities there are an elaborate affair, attracting a large audience including foreigners. The Dasara festival completed 400th anniversary in year 2010.

A lit up Mysore Palace, the epicenter of all Dasara festivities held in Mysore
The Dasara festivities began with the Vijayanagar kings as early as the 15th Century.A Persian ambassador, Abdur Razzaq  reported the Dasara observance (originally Mahanavami) in Vijayanagara during his mission to India in his book entitled Matla-us-Sadain wa Majma-ul-Bahrain (The Rise of the Two auspicious constellations and the Confluence of the Two Oceans), a major work which contained an overview of the history of this part of the world from 1304 to 1470.
After the fall of the Vijayanagar kingdom, the Wodeyars of Mysore continued the Dasara Festival, initially by Raja Wodeyar I (1578-1617 CE) in the year 1610 at Srirangapatna. The Mysore Palace is illuminated on all the 10 days of Dasara. Chamundi Hill at Mysore. This would be followed by a special durbar (royal assembly). It was during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in the year 1805, when the king started the tradition of having a special durbar in the Mysore Palace during Dasara; which was attended by members of the royal family, special invitees, officials and the masses. After the death of Srikanta Wadiyar in December 2013, this tradition has been continued by placing the “Pattada Katti” (royal sword) on the golden throne.The ninth day of Dasara called as Mahanavami is also an auspicious day on which the royal sword is worshipped and is taken on a procession involving elephants, camels and horses.
Lighting at Mysore Palace
The main attraction of the ten-day Mysore Dasara festival is the Mysore Palace which is illuminated daily with nearly 100,000 light bulbs from 7 pm to 10 pm on all days of the festival. Nearly ₹10 million is spent towards maintenance of its illumination alone every year. Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music and culture of the State of Karnataka are performed in front of the illuminated Palace.
Procession
On Vijayadashami, the traditional Dasara procession (locally known as Jumboo Savari) is held on the streets of Mysore city. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed on a golden mantapa (which is around 750 kilograms of gold) on the top of a decorated elephant. This idol is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession. Colourful tableaux, dance groups, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap where the banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. According to a legend of the Mahabharata, banni tree was used by the Pandavas to hide their weapons during their one-year period of Agnatavasa (living life incognito). Before undertaking any warfare, the kings traditionally worshipped this tree to help them emerge victorious in the war. The Dasara festivities would culminate on the night of Vijayadashami with an event held in the grounds at Bannimantap called as Panjina Kavayatthu (torch-light parade).
In Mysore, India, the Vijayadashami Elephant procession during Mysore Dasara is called Jumbo Savari (from the British during their control of Mysore State). The original name to this procession is Jumbi Savari ("going to the Shami (Banni) tree"). Now Goddess Chamundeshwari is taken in procession on an Elephant. But the "Jumbo" name is still intact.
After the Jamboo Savari, a torchlight parade takes place in the evening at the Bannimantap Parade Grounds.

Friday, 15 April 2016

Goddess Bhuvaneshwari devi

Kannada goddess at Bhuvanagire, Siddapura tq. uttara kannada dist.


Kannada Goddess Bhuvaneshwaridevi

 
Bhuvaneshwari devi is the mother  Goddess for Kannada language and Kannadigas. Bhuvaneshwari temple is in Bhuvanagiri, Siddapura taluk of Uttara Kannada district which was constructed  during the age of Kadhambas, who were the original rulers of Karnataka state and Kannada language flourished to its peak during their period.
Another Bhuvaneshwari temple is in Hampi in Ballari.

Historian Chidananda Murthy said the idea of 'Kannada Bhuvaneshwari' is undoubtedly from Hampi. "It is not the question of which temple is older or which temple is famous. The idea of 'Kannada Bhuvaneshwari' is from Hampi. The Bhuvaneshwari statue is next to the idol of Virupaksha, the presiding deity of Vijayanagara empire. It is the belief the Bhuvaneshwari took the avatar to help revive a Kannada kingdom. She is believed to have helped Hari Raya and Bukka Raya with gold to establish the new kingdom. This was the idea that was adopted during the fight for the unification of Karnataka movement."

The controversy started at the fest in Udupi, where Dr Taltaje Vasanth Bhat, the retired head of the Kannada department of the Mumbai University, kicked off the debate during his speech by stating that the real 'Mother Kannada' was the one at Siddapura and not the one in Hampi. He pointed out to the Siddapura town panchayat's official website which records Bhuvanagiri's Bhuvaneshwari as the original 'Kannada Bhuvaneshwari.'

Meanwhile, Bangalore University's retired head of Kannada department, Dr Krishna P Bhat, has said that the Bhuvanagiri temple for Bhuvaneshwari dates back to the 17th century and for several years now, Kannada activists from Bengaluru have been making an annual pilgrimage to Bhuvanagiri.