Category Archives: Science & Technology

With 141% progress, Kodagu tops State in vaccination

Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Mandya stands 4th and Mysuru, at 10 with 98% and 62% vaccination coverage respectively

Kodagu has topped the State in administering COVID-19 vaccines as it surpassed its vaccination target set for the mega drive conducted on Wednesday for improving vaccination coverage.

Hailed as one of the best performing districts in vaccination coverage, Kodagu on Wednesday administered vaccines to 11,281 persons as against the target of 8,000, registering 141 percent progress. The number of persons vaccinated was updated till 5.30 p.m. The total number vaccinated on this day was 7,78,660 persons (39%) as against the target of 20 lakh.

Mandya has achieved 98% progress as 59,034 persons got their vaccine in the drive. The target fixed for Mandya was 60,000. Mandya stands fourth in the State in terms of vaccination coverage achieved at Wednesday’s drive.

Though Mysuru is one of the largest vaccinated districts in the State, it could not achieve the target of vaccinating 65,000 persons as it could inoculate 4,0127 persons, achieving a 62% target. Mysuru stands 10th among the best performing districts.

Chamarajanagar is rated among the poor performing districts based on the achievement it made in the drive held on Wednesday as it could register 26% progress in coverage, vaccinating 13,004 persons as against the target of 50,000.

The target set for BBMP in Bengaluru was 3.5 lakh but it could achieve 40,710 coverage, registering 12% achievement.

Zero cases

Meanwhile, Kodagu has reported zero COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, after a gap of many months since the second wave.

It was categorised as one of the high-risk districts earlier this year because of its proximity to Kerala where the pandemic had caused havoc with unrelenting cases though infection rate dropped in other neighboring states. With tight vigil in areas bordering Kerala, the authorities could prevent spread cross-border transmission. Also, Kodagu is also among the top districts with highest vaccination coverage.

Kodagu has 57 active cases. No deaths were reported on Wednesday. “The district’s positivity rate is now 0%,” said Deputy Commissioner B.C. Satish.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 24th, 2021

CFTRI Scientist Develops New Beverage From Coffee Leaves

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

Mysore/Mysuru:

Here is a chance for coffee growers to get additional cash from their plants throughout the year apart from income from the sale of beans. Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has developed a technology to prepare a value-added product from coffee leaves that packs in health benefits too.

Coffee is only harvested for a few months every year, depending on the country’s harvest season. This can leave a number of producers and workers without work (and income) for a significant portion of the year.

Pushpa S. Murthy

However, some producers have decided to diversify the crops that they grow and sell. As coffee leaves are constantly being produced, growers can harvest them in the off-season if there is demand, according to Pushpa S. Murthy, Principal Scientist (Spice and Flavour Science Department) of CFTRI.

This technology follows a CFTRI project on the development of value-added products from coffee leaves taken up in 2019. The project was funded by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

If farmers can use the leaves which can be harvested during the off-season or during pruning, without interfering with coffee bean growth, it will have a great impact on the social elevation of coffee farmers, she said.

Around 70 percent of the coffee industry is unemployed or underemployed during nine months of the year due to the nature of the growth cycle of the coffee beans. The project aimed to provide a year-round sustainable process for the coffee farmers.

With CFTRI technology, the brew can be prepared with water, allowed for a few minutes to steep, filtered and consumed. The institute has initiated the transfer of this technology to the coffee industry, and a few industry participants have already extended their consent, she said.

The leaf brew does not really taste like coffee, according to Murthy. “The brew is subtle with less caffeine compared to coffee or tea,” she said. On the nutritional value of the beverage, she said coffee leaves are rich in phenolic acids with potential health benefits. A coffee leaf contains around 17 percent more antioxidants than green tea. The beverage should be consumed plain.

The beverage accords health-promoting polyphenols like chlorogenic acid and mangiferin which help in reducing blood glucose levels, inflammation and blood pressure, she said.

 Leaf drink ‘kuti’ and ‘kahwa daun’ popular in Sumatra, Ethiopia

Coffee leaf tea has been consumed in Sumatra, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Java and Sudan for centuries. From the 16th century to the 19th century, Ethiopian farmers set aside their harvested coffee for trade or consumption in special ceremonies. As a day-to-day drink, the Harari people in Ethiopia instead enjoyed ‘kuti’.

‘Kuti’ tea was made by boiling coffee leaves in hot water, sometimes with a pinch of salt or some sugar. It was generally boiled for at least 30 minutes, as it was believed that the longer the leaves were boiled for, the sweeter the resulting brew would be.

Coffee leaf tea bears some similarities to green tea, but it is more earthy and sweeter. It is lower in caffeine than green tea, and thanks to its high levels of antioxidants, it has historically been believed that it cures or relieves cold symptoms.

In the 19th century, Dutch colonists transported coffee plants to designated farming regions in Indonesia. Workers on the coffee plantations were forbidden from consuming the coffee they harvested, so they drank something called “kahwa daun” instead.

‘Kahwa daun’ was made by drying coffee leaves in the sun to reduce their bitterness. The leaves were then smoked and roasted for a few hours. Finally, they would be steeped in boiling water, and then served in a coconut shell.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Top Stories / November 14th, 2021

Students selected for hockey team

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

A team of eight girl students will be part of the state team in the Girls Junior Nationals hockey tournament to be held in Jharkhand from October 20.

Players Pandanda Dejamma, Badumanda Shaya Kaveramma, Ponnimada Shilpa, Kechettira Parvathi, S P Likhita, H P Dhanushree, S P Sinchana and B K Leelavathi are from Kodagu.

The players are trained at Sai Sports Hostel and have taken part in more than 10 national-level hockey tournaments.

Currently, they are preparing for a national tournament in Kantheerava Stadium, Bengaluru.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / October 13th, 2021

Oxygen generation unit ready for inauguration in Somwarpet

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Records, All, Science & Technology

The work on an oxygen generation unit built at a cost of Rs 1 crore at Somwarpet government hospital has been completed. The required machines and generation unit have been installed.

The plant can generate 390 litres of oxygen per minute, which will be a boon for the patients.

After facing a shortage of oxygen during the second wave of Covid-19, the government had planned to set up oxygen plants in the government-run hospitals. 

Pipelines have been laid to supply oxygen to 50 beds for Covid infected and non-Covid infected patients in the government hospital.

Without the unit, the oxygen cylinders had to be refilled in Mysuru in the past.

With the unit capable of generating 390 litres of oxygen per minute, the need for oxygen from Mysuru will not arise, said officials. 

The compressor, ventilator and oxygen concentrators have already been procured, said Pushpak of the contracted firm. 

People from rural areas in Somwarpet taluk are dependent on the government hospital for treatment. In case of emergency oxygen requirements, the patients had to be rushed to Madikeri, Mysuru and Hassan for treatment in the past. 

Dr Shivaprasad, who works at the hospital said, “Compared to the first wave, more people had succumbed to Covid-19 during the second wave. The experts have already warned of a possible third wave. Already, 15 to 20 Covid infected people are undergoing treatment in the hospital. The plant will help in the use of oxygen as per the requirement.” 

MLA M P Appachu Ranjan said that the work on the generation plant has been completed. With the help of Rs 1 crore from Mobius Foundation, the work on an oxygen generation unit at Kushalanagr has also been completed.

Both the units will be inaugurated next week, he added. 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Somwarpet / October 05th, 2021

Drones spraying chemicals a hit among farmers at paddy fields, arecanut estates in Kodagu

Agriculture, Records, All, Science & Technology

“Usually it takes seven to eight days to complete chemical spraying across a 10 acre estate. However, the job was completed in four hours using the drone,” said an arecanut estate owner.

Drone facility used in a paddy field in the district (Photo | Special arrangement)

Madikeri :

Agriculture has taken a hit in several ways amid the pandemic and labour shortage and lack of maintenance are among the top struggles faced by farmers. However, this is now being addressed technologically with drones taking over jobs at many estates in Kodagu.

Vikram Appaiah, a arecanut estate owner in Karadigodu village, first heard of drones helping in agriculture activities in a social media group. He opted for the technology and the first drone experiment was done across his estate in May.

“I hired the drone to enable maintenance work at the estate. Fungicide spray was mounted on the drone and all the arecanut trees were uniformly sprayed with the chemical,” recalled Vikram. He added, “Usually it takes seven to eight days to complete chemical spraying across a 10 acre estate. However, the job was completed in four hours using the drone.” Following the success story, Vikram hired the drone for the second round of chemical spraying in September.

The drones are outsourced from the local agro company Omega in Gonikoppal. “Prior bookings have to be made and the drones help in systemic spray of chemicals or organic sprays. Many farmers are approaching us to opt for the facility as it is time-saving and convenient,” said Naj Chengappa, the proprietor of Omega.

He explained that Rs 2200 is charged for spraying chemicals with drones across one acre of arecanut estate and Rs 950 across one acre of paddy field.

He, however, confirmed that this facility cannot be used across coffee estates due to the uneven terrain alongside increased shade trees in the estates.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / September 22nd, 2021

Kodagu district admin ready to tackle third Covid-19 wave

Business & Economy, Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Records, All, Science & Technology

The experts in the state have warned that the third wave might reach its peak either in October or November.

The Designated Covid Hospital in Madikeri. Credit: DH photo

Though the Kodagu district administration has taken steps to check the outbreak of the third wave of Covid-19, the district sharing its border with Kerala has proved to be a hurdle.

The rise in Covid-19 cases in Kerala is a cause of concern for Kodagu district.

The district administration is implementing the advice of the technical expert committee.

The experts in the state have warned that the third wave might reach its peak either in October or November. The district administration is preparing itself to brace for the situation.

Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal has directed officials to vaccinate all those who are above 18 years on a priority basis in the villages sharing its border with Kerala.

Further, the check posts have also been strengthened.

To tackle the third wave, steps have been taken in the taluk, said Somwarpet taluk medical officer Dr Srinivas.

Four to five beds have been reserved in all the government hospitals in the taluk. The health camp for children has already been conducted at hotspot areas of Nelyahudikeri, Valnoor-Tyagathoor, Suntikoppa, and other areas, he said.

A health check-up is organised for even pregnant and lactating women and they have been administered vaccination. The work on an oxygen generation plant is in progress at Somwarpet at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The work on installing machines is pending, he added. 

Further, the border area check posts in Shanivarasanthe, Kodlipet, Shanthapura and others have been strengthened in the district.

Circle Inspector S Parashivamurthy said that labourers who were hesitating for vaccination were convinced to take vaccines at Mullur Colony.

Dr Chandan in the Community Health Centre said that oxygen cylinders, swab tests, masks and sanitisers have been arranged at the centre.

Awareness of Covid-19 is created among the patients who arrive at the centre for treatment, he said.

Further, the health department has set up an 80-bedded Covid Care Centre at Morarji Desai Residential School in Koodige and Basavanahalli.

Taluk medical officer Dr Srinivas said that everyone should strictly adhere to the Covid appropriate behaviour.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / August 29th, 2021

Cancer Survivors Support Group Meet At Cauvery Hospital Tomorrow

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Science & Technology

On the occasion of World Head and Neck Cancer Day, Cancer Survivors Support Group meet has been organised at Cauvery Heart and Multi-Speciality Hospital in Siddarthanagar tomorrow (July 28) at 11 am.

Dr. Sunil Muddaiah, Dean, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpet, Kodagu, will be the chief guest.

Dr.Javeed Nayeem, President, MAHAN- Mysuru, will be the guest of honour.

Dr. G.R. Chandrashekar, Chairman, Cauvery Heart and Multi-Speciality Hospital and Dr. Sarala Chandrashekar, Managing Director, Cauvery Heart and Multi-Speciality Hospital, will be present.

For details, contact Mob: 96636-33322.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs /July 27th, 2021

Kodagu district achieves 137% success in inoculating degree students

Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Records, All, Science & Technology

Kodagu district health department managed to surpass its target of vaccinating degree students even as it faced an acute shortage of vaccines due to the limited supply of doses from the state.

Representational Image (File Photo | PTI)

Madikeri :

Despite the acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, Kodagu district has achieved 137% target of vaccinating 18+ college students on a priority basis.

The state department of Colleges and Technical Education had earlier directed the district health department to inoculate 11,483 degree students, teaching and non-teaching staff on a priority basis by July 27.

Special drives to inoculate degree college students were successfully hosted across healthcare centres and colleges, even as the district crossed the set target assigned by the department of education.

“Many native students are studying in colleges outside the district. Hence, we have crossed the set target and vaccinated over 14,000 students,” confirmed an official.

Special vaccination drives were hosted in nearly 33 degree colleges apart from the designated PHCs where vaccine doses were reserved for students.

“We collected reports from the colleges and planned the drive accordingly,” added the official.

Amidst the short supply of vaccines, the district has managed to inoculate students successfully while also being in the news for achieving negative wastage of the vaccine doses.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / July 25th, 2021

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning Course At CIT

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

Ponnampet:

A new engineering course in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML), an allied branch of Computer Science and Engineering, is being introduced at Coorg Institute of Technology (CIT), Ponnampet, South Kodagu, from the academic year 2021-22. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that enables creating intelligent systems that can simulate human intelligence.  

AI and ML opens the door to highly skilled engineers to propel humans to the 5th Industrial Revolution, said C.P. Belliappa, President, CIT and called upon the student fraternity to take advantage of the new course that is set to begin in CIT in the academic year 2021-22.

Artificial Intelligence has various applications in today’s society. AI can solve complex problems efficiently in multiple disciplines, such as robotics, space exploration, healthcare, entertainment, finance, edu-cation, social media, driverless automobiles, precision agri-culture, drone deliveries etc. Drones and robots are another example of this technology being increasingly used in modern warfare.

Machine Learning (ML) is a subfield of artificial intelligence, which enables machines or computer-controlled systems to learn and improve automatically through experience and by using data.

Some examples of ML are online recommender systems, Google search algorithms, Facebook/Twitter auto-friend tagging suggestions, accurate predictions based on big data, medical diagnosis, detecting credit card frauds and Alexa, the voice controlled virtual assistant that uses AI technology.

These trends in technologies have been impacting humanity like never before and offer highly challenging and rewarding opportunities. 

CIT has established a Robotic Laboratory where students and faculty from all the disciplines come together to develop innovative ideas and products. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> July 20th, 2021

Scaling Hills, Climbing Trees Daily Workout For Network

Business & Economy, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All, Science & Technology

Virajpet:

The online platform may be the only way to reach students during lockdown, but the digital medium comes with its own challenges. Students living in remote areas in Kodagu are facing trouble due to slow internet and connectivity issues. Lessons cannot be downloaded and they cannot attend online classes as videos and audios do not play. 

Kodagu is one of the high-altitude districts in Karnataka and most of the areas have green cover and undulating terrain. However, this very feature poses a great challenge to the students in attending online classes due to poor internet connectivity.

Students are commonly seen sitting on the roadside on top of bridges and on the rocks where they attend online classes. Some of them climb trees risking their lives and limbs. While the internet may not be available inside some houses, faint signals are somewhat available at a distance. So parents have the task of taking the children to the area where connectivity is available and bringing them back home after classes. 

Rain trouble too

Now it is raining across the district and students can’t even sit in the open outside. They sit inside jeeps and other vehicles to protect themselves from rain. There is hardly any mobile network in remote villages in Virajpet Taluk like Kedamullur, Birunani, Badagarakeri, Hysodlur, Nittoor, Karmad, Kunda and also Hathur. 

To attend the online classes, these students have no option but to find a spot where they get proper connectivity. And there are very few places where they get an internet connection on the phone. Added to the connectivity issues, many areas are in the dark due to frequent tree falls. Villages like Kedamullur, Badaga, Thermemotte, Baarikaadu, Kottooli, Thomara and Koorthikaadu do not get power restored for weeks together in case wires snap. 

“Due to the lack of a mobile network in my village, I have to walk into the forests where I can get faint signals. Our village is one of the places where basic communication facilities are missing and villagers have to walk towards the forests at the time where they get signal on their phones. Sometimes it rains when we are outside and we are not able to study,” said M.C. Nireeksha, a  10th Standard student at Heggala Ramanagara School. 

Students are the ones who are suffering the most as they have to travel 3-4 km at times during the lockdown to attend online classes, she added. At remote villages where there is undulating terrain, mobile network is not balanced across the village and they get signal only in the upper reaches. A majority of students in the Kedamullur region have been studying in the schools and colleges in Virajpeṭ and 70 percent are the children of labourers.

“My house is in the lower part of Kedamullur village while good signal can be reached only in the upper reaches of the village, so my children are forced to trek till a particular point to study. This is a wooded area and there is a threat of wild animals. Along with my daughter I too walk 4 km to get connectivity and we only return in the evening,” said Vishwanath, a parent. 

Authorities nonchalant

While this is the predicament faced by the students, those in positions of power sit tight saying that they have written many letters to higher-ups and there is no response. “BSNL provides connectivity to many areas in Kodagu and the offices of engineers, technicians and other staff are empty as there are hardly any employees. I have even written many letters to higher-ups for a mobile tower but there is no response,” said Kedamullur Gram Panchayat President N. Sheela. 

“There is a 2G BSNL tower in Virajpet-Kedamullur and it is a genuine problem. Letters have been written a month back to upgrade the tower to 4G network. The problem will be solved if a new tower is installed,” said BSNL Virajpet Sub-Division Engineer Narayana. The officer was, however, silent on when the new tower will be installed or the existing tower would be upgraded to 4G.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 14th, 2021