India-South Korea Art Exchange Project 2024, a cross-cultural initiative aimed at strengthening artistic collaboration and fostering creative dialogue between the two nations, has started at Mala.

Organised by KEKKEYELLAM Foundation, the first phase of the event is being held from December 20 to 27, 2024, at Giby Farm in Mala. The second phase is scheduled for April 2025 in Jeonju, South Korea.

The project has brought together 20 prominent visual artists —10 each from India and South Korea — representing diverse generations and artistic practices. Over a week-long retreat here the artists will draw inspiration from the State’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and traditions, creating works that celebrate artistic and cultural synergy, according to the organisers.

The bilateral project seeks to highlight the transformative power of art in fostering cross-cultural understanding. Artists will explore Kerala’s iconic landmarks in Mala, Kodungalloor, and Thrissur, and participate in immersive experiences, including performances of traditional Indian art forms such as Kathakali and Bharatanatyam. The event will also provide a platform for the artists to engage with Kerala’s culinary heritage and scenic landscapes, they said.

Deeping cultural ties

The initiative aligns with the Museum of Art WooMA’s Asia Axis Project, a programme that strengthens artistic solidarity across Asia. By creating collaborative spaces for contemporary artists, the exchange is expected to deepen cultural ties between India and South Korea while addressing shared artistic values and traditions.

The programme also prioritises community involvement, with artists interacting with local school students through workshops and collaborative activities. The organisers are planning to make the India-South Korea Art Exchange Project an annual event.

Noted scholar Narahalli Balasubramanya on Saturday said Kannada should become the language of technology, and mobile phones must incorporate Kannada.

At a session on “Karnataka 50: Past and Present and Kannada must become the language of technology” at the 87^th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana on Saturday, Mr. Balasubramanya said Kannada should become the language of technology. The usage of Kannada technology has to be promoted.

The Kannada medium in education is essential. Kannada in administration has to be ensured. For the contemporary challenges, Kannada has to be strengthened. And the role of the State government in this direction is very important, he said.

The scholar said the support of political leaders in literature and culture is essential. Without the support of politics, it is not possible to safeguard culture. Nehru, Lohia, and Mahatma Gandhi had a close relationship with the writers and literary personalities. But sadly, today’s political leaders are away from literature.

MANDYA PRIDE

Writer and Professor Krishne Gowda said if Mandya’s history and social aspects are taken into consideration, it has achieved a lot after it was bifurcated from Mysuru. With its successes and achievements, it has contributed to the Kannada land.

“It is not the job of Kannada teachers to promote Kannada. It is the job of everyone to promote the language. The Kannada poets are no less than any literary personalities. The upcoming sahitya sammelana in the State must be compared to the Mandya sammelana,” he said, expressing his happiness over the manner in which the sammelana has been organised.

A woman in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district has been allegedly branded with a hot utensil and sexually assaulted by her husband, in-laws, and a neighbour, police said on Saturday (December 21, 2024), adding that a case has been registered in the matter. 

According to the police, the incident took place on December 13 at the woman’s home in Shahpura area under Karanwas police station limits and she gave a complaint to the police on December 15 in Guna district’s Ruthiyai police station, where the survivor’s parents live.

Biaora sub-divisional police officer (SDOP) Neha Gaur told The Hindu, “The woman has alleged that on December 13, a man from her neighbourhood had entered her house to molest her and when he was in the room, her sister-in-law walked in and called other family members who then beat her up and assaulted her badly, raising fingers at her character.”

The woman, 32, is an ASHA worker.

The police officer said that as per the complaint, the husband and the in-laws physically abused her causing grievous hurt.

Ms. Gaur said that a zero FIR had been filed at Ruthiyai which was later transferred to Karanwas police station and Sections 115(2), 118(1), 74, 64, 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been added to the case against her husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, and the neighbour.

She said that all five accused are currently absconding and the local police is working to nab them. 

Khajamalai residents staging a road roko in Tiruchi on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Residents of Khajamalai blocked the road near TVS Nagar bus stop on Saturday, alleging that the Tiruchi Corporation had failed to address frequent underground drainage issues in the area.

Khajamalai area witnesses frequent blocks in the pumping lines of the underground drainage network, leading to bursts. When the pipes burst, a portion of the road is damaged and sewage overflows, raising a stink in the nearby areas.

Similarly, during the recent rainfall, the houses were filled with sewage due to the block in the sewers, posing a health hazard to residents. Although the civic body undertakes repair work, the problem keeps resurfacing with no sign of a permanent solution being found.

To condemn the negligence of the Corporation, Khajamalai Vijay, councillor of Ward 60, led the protest. Mayor M. Anbazhagan rushed to the spot and held negotiations with the protesters. He assured them that the damaged pipelines would be repaired and the storm-water drains revamped within a month. Satisfied with his response, the protesters dispersed from the spot. Later, he instructed the officials to expedite the repair work that had been taken up in the area.

Residents of K. Sathanur and nearby areas squatting on the road in protest against the delay in completing the underground drainage work, near Udayanpatti level crossing in Tiruchi on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Residents of K. Sathanur and nearby areas staged a road blockade near the Udayanpatti railway gate on Saturday, demanding the completion of the long-delayed underground drainage (UGD) project on the K. Sathanur-Udayanpatti Road. The police detained 19 protesters who refused to disperse.

Work on the UGD project, covering a 2-km stretch along the arterial K. Sathanur-Udayanpatti Road under Wards 63 and 64 of the Tiruchi Corporation, has been going on for over 20 months. Residents voiced frustration over the project’s impact on daily life and transportation.

“The incomplete project has left the road in a deplorable condition, with potholes and uneven surface. The situation worsens during the rain, with slushy, waterlogged roads posing risks to commuters,” said A. Manoj Kumar, a resident and protester.

Frequent accidents, vehicle damage, and the absence of reliable transportation had exacerbated residents’ concerns. “Driving on this stretch feels like an adventure. Even accessing medical services or attending to emergencies has become a significant challenge,” Mr. Manoj added.

Adding to their woes, government bus services connecting K. Sathanur to Vayalur and Chathiram have been suspended on this route for nearly two years, forcing residents to rely on private transportation.

On Saturday, over 150 residents gathered near the Udayanpatti Railway Gate and blocked traffic on the Pillaiyar Koil-Akil Olaiyur Road demanding immediate intervention.

Responding to the protest, a senior official from the Tiruchi Corporation said: “We have planned to complete the work and road repair by February.”

Relatives paying last respects to Sabu Thomas in Kattappana on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A day after a vendor was found dead on the premises of a cooperative society controlled by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) at Kattappana in Idukki, the local leadership of the party was put on the defensive after an audio clip of questionable provenance purportedly of former CPI(M) Kattappana area secretary V.R. Saji threatening the vendor on Thursday evening emerged in public domain.

Sabu Thomas, 50, was found dead hanging on the premises of the CPI(M)-controlled Kattappana Rural Cooperative Society on Friday morning.

His wife, Marykutty, on Saturday told mediapersons that Sabu tried to withdraw money on Thursday to meet expenses of her surgery. “My husband had approached the bank to pay the expenses of a surgery at a hospital at Muthalakodam. On Thursday evening, he told me about the threat from Mr. Saji. He also said we will not be getting the money and that we have fallen into a trap,” Ms. Marykutty said.

She said her husband had deposited his entire savings in the bank. “He approached the bank to withdraw ₹2 lakh for my surgery last week. But bank officials gave him only ₹80,000 in two instalments. He still has ₹14 lakh in his account,” she said. She blamed mental harassment by the bank staff and Mr. Saji for her husband’s death.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) Kattappana area secretary Mathew George said the party would stand with Sabu’s family. “Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan has announced a probe into the incident. The party plans to investigate all aspects of the incident. A police probe is on,” he said.

Party district secretary C.V. Varghese said the party had sought an explanation from Mr. Saji about the incident. “Some of his statements should have been avoided. The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are trying to attack the party over the phone conversation,” he said.

United Democratic Front (UDF) district chairman Joy Vettikuzhi said the government should ensure a fair probe into the incident.

Idukki District Police Chief T.K. Vishnu Pradeep said a nine-member special team would investigate the death of Sabu.

Following post-mortem examination, Sabu’s funeral was held at Kattappana St. George Church on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan blamed the government for its failure to address the crisis in the cooperative sector. He said the death of Sabu was a wake-up call for the government to initiate urgent remedial measures.

He accused the government of using brute force to wrest control of cooperative institutions ruled by the United Democratic Front.

Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar alleged on Saturday that the Opposition BJP has been attempting to divert public attention from the original issue of MLC C.T. Ravi allegedly making derogatory remarks against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

By claiming ill-treatment of Mr. Ravi by the police after his arrest in Belagavi, the State BJP leadership was supporting the MLC “to cover up his use of a derogatory word”, the KPCC president said.

“The main issue is his use of language and his culture,” Mr. Shivakumar told reporters here, in response to a question on the High Court ordering Mr. Ravi’s release on Friday.

Mr. Ravi claimed he had not used derogatory remarks against Ms. Hebbalkar during the heated exchange in the Legislative Council after it was adjourned by Chairman Basavaraj Horatti. Mr. Hotatti too claimed there was no evidence to prove the matter in the official records of the House.

Noting that conscience is important, Mr. Shivakumar said, “If anyone had used such words in my party, I would have condemned it… R. Ashok (Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly) is supporting him, he is party to the crime,” he told reporters here.

In reply to a question about police action against Mr. Ravi and allegations that he pressured the police, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “It is a police matter. I don’t know… For everything that happens, they hold me responsible… They don’t seem to get sleep without remembering me.” 

पूर्वी चंपारण : पूर्वी चंपारण जिले के घोड़ासहन के एक मोबाइल दुकानदार, जो अपने अनोखे अंदाज में मोबाइल बेचने के कारण चर्चा में हैं, इंटरनेट पर वायरल हो रहे हैं. इस दुकानदार ने मोबाइल की मजबूती और गुणवत्ता को दर्शाने के लिए एक अनूठा तरीका अपनाया है. वे मोबाइल पर बाइक चढ़ाकर और पानी या उबलते चाय में डालकर उसकी मजबूती का प्रदर्शन करते हैं. उनके इस नए तरीके से ग्राहकों की भीड़ बढ़ रही है।

जब लोकल 18 ने इस वायरल रियलिटी चेक की जांच के लिए घोड़ासहन के भगत सिंह चौक स्थित ‘मोबाइल जंक्शन’ दुकान का दौरा किया, तो पाया कि दुकानदार ने ग्राहकों को दिखाने के लिए पहले से ही पानी से भरी बाल्टी तैयार कर रखी थी. उन्होंने अलग-अलग एंगल से मोबाइल को पानी में रखकर उसकी मजबूती का प्रदर्शन किया. इसके बाद, मोबाइल को सड़क पर रखकर उसके ऊपर बाइक चलाई गई, फिर भी मोबाइल पूरी तरह सुरक्षित रहा और उस पर कोई खरोंच तक नहीं आई. हालांकि, चाय बनाने या पानी गर्म करने की व्यवस्था न होने के कारण इस परीक्षण को नहीं किया जा सका.

लोकल 18 से बातचीत में दुकानदार मोहम्मद फैजुल अख्तर ने बताया कि यह मोबाइल realme14X मॉडल है और यह सब उसकी अत्याधुनिक तकनीक का कमाल है. उनका कहना है कि वे इस नए तरीके से मोबाइल बेच रहे हैं ताकि अधिक से अधिक ग्राहक आकर्षित हो सकें. उन्होंने यह भी बताया कि यह फोन IP69 स्प्लैश प्रूफ है, जिससे पानी में रखने या गिरने पर फोन को कोई नुकसान नहीं होता. यह फोन नेटवर्क की समस्या से निजात दिलाने में भी सक्षम है. साथ ही, यदि फोन उबलते पानी या चाय में गिर जाए, तब भी इसे कोई क्षति नहीं पहुंचेगी. दुकानदार ने कहा कम बजट में लोगों तक अच्छा फोन पहुंचे ये भी मेरा मकसद हैं.

मोबाइल बेचने के इस अनूठे तरीके ने दुकानदार को ग्राहकों के बीच लोकप्रिय बना दिया है. यह तरीका न केवल ग्राहकों को आकर्षित कर रहा है, बल्कि फोन की मजबूती और गुणवत्ता को भी प्रमाणित कर रहा है. ऐसे अभिनव प्रयास से ग्राहकों का भरोसा बढ़ता है और बाजार में एक अलग पहचान बनती है. तकनीकी क्रांति के इस दौर में ऐसी पहलें न केवल व्यवसाय को बढ़ावा देती हैं बल्कि ग्राहकों को सही उत्पाद का चयन करने में भी मददगार साबित होती हैं.

Tags: Bihar News, Champaran news, Local18

The Hindu Future India Club (TH-FIC), in collaboration with Krishna Pradeep’s 21st Century IAS Academy, is organising career guidance seminars, titled ‘Unlock Your Future’, in colleges across Hyderabad. The next seminar in the series will take place at Keshav Memorial Institute of Technology (KMIT-Narayanguda) in Hyderabad on Monday (December 23) at 3 p.m.

These seminars are designed to spread awareness among undergraduate students about the diverse career opportunities available after graduation. Students will receive guidance on career paths such as government examinations, defence, law, research and more, with advice on how to select the right path and tips for preparation.

Director of KP’s 21st Century IAS Academy Bhavani Shankar, along with his team, will lead these sessions at colleges and universities.

Colleges interested in hosting these seminars for their students are encouraged to contact Madhu Mohan Chakravarthy at 9182974964.

East Godavari district public representatives during the erstwhile East Godavari Zilla Parishad general body meeting in Kakinada on Saturday.

The Kakinada Rural MLA Pantam venkateswara Rao, commonly known as Pantam Nanaji, sought action to prevent the air pollution caused due to various industries located in the Kakinada rural mandal during the erstwhile East Godavari Zilla Parishad general body meeting held in Kakinada on Saturday. 

The public representatives representing East Godavari, Kakinada, Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts discussed on the issues of erstwhile East Godavari district at the general body meeting. The meeting was chaired by Zilla Parishad Chairman Vipparthi Venu Gopala Rao and district Collector S. Shan Mohan. 

Raising concern over the air pollution in the Kakinada Rural Assembly constituency, Mr. Nanji appealed to the officials concerned to prevent air pollution by monitoring the industrial operations and activities around Kakinada city and the coastline. 

Meanwhile, Rajamahendravaram Rural MLA G. Butchaih Chowdary directed the officials concerned to inspect the existing lift irrigation schemes in order to utilise these facilities. Zilla Parishad Chairman V. Venugopala Rao claimed that the government was preparing to supply seed and fertilizers to meet the need in the Rabi season.