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Georgia woman is world's oldest at 130

Antisa lives with her son Mikheil and grandchildren,Sachino, Georgia: Antisa Khvichava spends most of her time in bed, but rose to greet guests for a birthday party - her 130th, according to relatives and official documents.

General

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RASA released

S B Shetty, Managing Director of Arab Udupi Group, UAE along with 2 senior employees (over 25 years service) released the first issue of the Arab Udupi Group's in-house monthly newsletter RASA at a function in their auditorium in Abu Dhabi,  AE. It is being edited by A K Naik.

Akash: Tablet- for -every-student   

Aakash tablet goes on sale for Rs 2500 online

DataWind, the Canadian company that is manufacturing Aakash, has started the online booking and pre booking of the much anticipated low cost Android tablet. Online booking is for students' version of the tablet and pre booking is for UbiSlate 7, the upgraded version of Aakash.

Students' version of Aakash will be available for Rs 2,500 and will be delivered in seven days. The commercial version, UbiSlate 7 is priced at Rs 2,999. The payment mode for both the tablets is cash on delivery.

The commercial version of Aakash tablet will be powered by Android 2.3 and will have a resistive touchscreen, Cortex A8-700 MHz processor and graphics accelerator HD video processor, 256 MB of RAM and 2 GB of internal memory.

Other specifications are a one standard USB port, 3.5 mm audio jack, a 7 inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, resistive touchscreen, GPRS and WiFi support.

"The improved version of Aakash tablet will be available in retail outlets by January end," a spokesperson of DataWind told The Mobile Indian.

The tablet was to be made available in retail stores by the end of November. "The delay in the availability of the tablet has been due to upgradation in the tablet and some unforeseen delay in manufacturing," the spokesperson said.

To book and prebook student and commercial versions respectively of Aakash tablet, users have to visit DataWind's website and fill up the required form. In case of booking they will get a booking ID and a message which will state, "You will shortly receive an email confirmation from our support team with further details."

In case of pre booking users will get a confirmation message which will state, "The commercial version of the Akash UbiSlate 7 would be launched in early weeks of December. After the commercial launch we would get in touch with you to deliver your device as soon possible."

As a matter of fact, the confirmation message a reader will see is factually incorrect as The mobile Indian had reported earlier the Aakash tablet will be available only by January end.

Datawind has however not cleared how it is going to establish the identity of students who will book the cheapest version of Aakash tablet. When The Mobile Indian contacted spokesperson of Datwind he said, "Anyone can book the student version of Aakash tablet."

This defeats the purpose of providing students an affordable tablet as now anyone can place an order to get the tablet. Interestingly, now it has been revealed that the government has procured only 10,000 Aakash tablets for distribution in schools and colleges of the initial 1 lakh proposed.

It looks like the company was in a hurry to start the online booking process and has not done not proper homework before staring it.

  Auto or Nano?

Sleek Tata Nanos to Replace Rasping Autos

By Clint Thomas

Gentlemanly behavior by auto drivers in India is something you can only dream about. I bet there’s hardly anyone who’s not had a heated argument with them. It’s heartening that authorities are not turning a deaf ear to continuous outcry from the public in this regard. The government of Maharashtra has decided to give auto drivers lessons in etiquette. And guess what’s going to happen in Bangalore? Tata Nanos may soon replace abrasive autorickshaws, if the BMTC has its way.

In an attempt to phase out autorickshaws gradually and provide Bangaloreans with a cheap but comfortable local transport mechanism, the transport department is planning to buy10,000 Tata Nanos as city taxies.

Karnataka transport minister R Ashoka  said the government is thinking of purchasing 10,000 Nano cars and renting them out in Bangalore. The profit will be shared between the government and the driver, at 40:60 ratio respectively. The government may invest for the cars from its own resources or take loans.”

Tata Nano vs Bajaj Autorickshaws

·         Both Nano and autorickshaw cost Rs 1.3 lakh on the road.

·         While the Nano offers a mileage of 20 kmpl, an autorickshaw returns 25 kmpl.

·         Tata Nano emits 101 grams of CO2 per kilometer while 2-stroke and 4-stroke auto-rickshaws emit 87.2 and 85.6 CO2/km respectively. LPG autos’ figures are even less. So autorickshaws are evidently more eco-friendly.

One of the most famous portraits

When he wandered into an Afghan refugee camp in Pakistan in December 1984, National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry captured one of the most famous portraits the world had ever seen. The Afghan girl with the haunting green eyes captivated everyone. That captivation proved, once again, the power of photography to open eyes—and hearts and minds—with a single image. McCurry's portrait, which appeared on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985, was shot on Kodachrome film, a relationship that lasted for decades. In June 2009, Kodak announced it was retiring the film line and asked McCurry to shoot one of the last Kodachrome rolls. The photographs from that roll will be donated to the George Eastman House museum in Rochester, New York.

Russian flight controllers claim aliens spoke to them in 'cat-like language'

London, Mar 2 (ANI): Air traffic controllers in Siberia claim to have been buzzed by a high-speed UFO with a female sounding alien speaking to them in an unintelligible cat-like language.

The object had suddenly burst onto flight monitors over the remote Russian diamond capital of Yakutsk, and it was shown flying at a speed of slightly over 6000 mph, and rapidly changing direction.

The UFO was logged at a height of 64, 895 feet above sea level and appeared to interfere with aviation frequencies.

A YouTube footage showed an air traffic controller trying to make contact with the UFO, while a radar showed the UFO moving rapidly through the skies surrounded by planes that were travelling at a much slower pace.

"I kept hearing some female voice, as if a woman was saying mioaw-mioaw all the time," the Daily Mail quoted the air traffic controller as telling the pilot of a passing Aeroflot flight.

The air traffic control monitor automatically designated the UFO as "00000" because it did not have a flight number.

At one point the UFO is shown moving away from Yakutsk at great speed before turning and heading back towards the city. (ANI)

Padmanabha Swamy Temple

The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is estimated to be the country's richest, with reports claiming that the value of recoveries may have touched close to Rs One lakh crores.

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Man with a mission…… from Mangalore to AbuDhabi

                                       A success story in Gulf

Shekhar Babu Shetty

Managing Director  - Arab Udupi Group of Restuarants

ARAB UDUPI GROUP OF RESTAURANTS L.L.C. AT ABU DHABI, DUBAI, SHARJAH, ICAD AND MUSSAFAH

Udupi in Gulf sounds a bit odd. But Shekar Babu Shetty has made it possible and that too very successfully in a short span of time. He introduced Indian cuisine, especially north and south Indian in the Arab world. Now Arab Udupi is a household name in the Gulf. A K Naik profiles the man behind the success story.

Arab Udupi Group of restaurants- the name has today become wholly synonymous, with quality Indian cuisine, especially north and south Indian food. Arab Udupi commenced with a single outlet in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on 27 July 1978, with a staff of mere 7, which has now risen to a staff-strength of 525, all of whom are of Indian origin. Today Arab Udupi has risen to prominence as one of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, ICAD and Mussafah boasting of 14 excellent and well-organized outlets in prime locations. Also catering to 7500 people in labour Camps for a prestigious company, Sheikh Khalifa Sea port as well as NPC Company. With sheer belief in honesty, dedication and commitment to quality, has always been Shekhar Shetty’s philosophy. The Arab Udupi’s climb to its present position has earned a distinct reputation amongst the front-runners of the restaurant industry. The activities of the chain include- catering for camps, large associations, institutions, clubs, embassies, schools, shopping festivals, outdoor caterings and parties. Prompt free home delivery to no less than 1000 homes per day is something of a record, hard to emulate.

Personal:

Shekar Babu Shetty was born on 7 November 1947 at Barebettu Guthu Hosamane, near Mangalore, Karnataka. His parents, Shri Yelluru Guthu Babu Shetty and mother, Smt Paddaka Shetty played a major role in shaping his life. Shekar Babu Shetty after high school and college in M S R S College, Shirva, did his Diploma Engineering in Mumbai.

His wife, Kushala Shetty, Kakwaguthu has ably supported him in all his ventures. They have two lovely daughters, Chandini and Roshini who are studying in Dubai.

Social Activities

Shekar Babu Shetty is a keen supporter of social and sports activities alike. We list below the things promoted by him over the years.

*Built a stage for Govt Higher Elementary School at Kalathur village, Udupi District.

*Provided computers to the school to enable the students to get an insight into modern technology.

*Built a bus stand, and provided water facilities as per the request of the villagers of Chandra Nagar via Shirva.

*Contributed for daily lunch for orphans at Mangala Seva Samithi, Mangalore.

*Donated funds for building mosques, churches and renovation of temples at Mulky, Kalathur, Yellur and Kateel.

*Sponsored many social functions and organizations in U A E, Udupi and Mangalore.   

Sports

Arab Udupi have its own popular cricket team in U A E and he has also been supporting many other sports activities in South Kanara.

Achievements:

1994- Hind Ratan awarded by Shri Vasanth Sathe in London, UK 

for his outstanding achievements and contribution.

1998- U A E Bunts, for invaluable and meritorious contribution.

2002- World Federation of Bunts Association.

2005- All India Kannada Cultural Convention for Nobleman Award, for social work.

2005- Buntara Sangathi Annual Award at Mangalore, for 

social services and ignificant achievements in the field of hotel industry.

2005-Bharat  Gaurav Award received from  Kashmir Finance Minister Mr Baig.

2006- Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangh awarded “ Majestic Award”.

2006- Ist International Flight to Mangalore, support for international Airport.

2007-N R I Welfare Committee Excellent Global Service Award from Abu Dhabi.

2007-Karnataka Rajyostava Prashasti Award-2007. 

      2007-Maha Tobaara  Sri Vishweshwara Devastana Yellur

2008-Kateel Durga Parameshwari Brhama Kalasha

2008-Jana Samparka Jan Seva Mandali Kalathur

2008- Buntara Sangha, Poona.

2008-Bunts Sangha Mangalore

2008-Tulukoota – Felicitation Kaup

2008-Kadipatna, Naadipatna, Vidya Pracharaka Sangha, Sagar Vidya Mandir

2008-Kalajagathu Mumbai

2009- Bunts Sangha Mumbai.

2009- Worlds Kannada Cultural Convention, Dubai

Membership:-

Trustee member of Worlds Bunts foundation trust ® Mangalore

Permanent member of business and professional  group Abu Dhabi.

Permanent trustee of India Social and Cultural Centre  Abu Dhabi.

Permanent Member of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha

Permanent Member of Tulukoota Dubai

Permanent Member of Chamber and Commerce and Industry. Abu Dhabi.

Hon. President of Jana Seva Jana Samparka Mandali Kottari Katte, Kalathur

Mangalore – a city with a promise

High rises, Malls and beautiful Bunt women. One of the best descriptions of Mangalore comes from 'Outlook' editor Krishna Prasad.

He writes:  "The tourist guidebooks don't quite put it that way, but Mangalore has always been a bit like the city's trademark ice cream, the 'Gadbad'. A potpourri of religions and languages-Hinduism and Islam, Christianity and Jainism, Tulu and Konkani, Kannada and Malayalam - that's one delicious whole. Canara Pinto buses dovetail Durgamba; Yenepoya College isn't far from St Aloysius, which isn't too far from Kasturba."  Many Mangalores exist within Mangalore. It is Mangalooru in Kannada, Mangalore in English, Kudla in Tulu, Kodiyala in Konkani, Mykal in Beary and Mangalapuram in Malayalam! Perhaps no other city in India (and perhaps in the world) has so many names in so many languages.  Most Mangaloreans speak three languages: Kannada, Konkani and Tulu. A few speak two more: Beary and Malayalam.  Once our firebrand leader George Fernandes (the ailing George is a famous Mangalorean) told me that Mangalore was the only place where a three-year-old child, irrespective of its caste and religion, spoke three languages!  The Air India flight from Mumbai to Mangalore is full. Oscar Fernandes, a senior Congress leader and a Mangalorean (actually from neighbouring Udupi) is my co-passenger. He speaks to me in Kannada, he shifts to Tulu with an elderly woman, and returns to Konkani when he tells his son Oshan to get him a pillow. He also greets somebody in the Beary language!  A visit to Mangalore is always refreshing. For me it is a beautiful city. After my beloved Bangalore and my hometown Shimoga, I love Mangalore the most! The landscape is fast changing in this lush green place surrounded by the Arabian sea, and the Nethravati and Gurupura rivers. The old Mangalore-tiled houses are fast vanishing and making way for highrises, malls and luxury apartments. I feel like a stranger in a city I know very well.  Older parts of Mangalore, like Pump Well, Hampankatta, Kankanadi, Bundar, Kodiyalbail, Balmatta, Urva and Boloor have turned into a concrete jungle. Only a few government buildings have retained their old world charm. I tell somebody that Mangalore is now looking like Bandra in Bombay in the early 1990s! Interestingly, many well-off Mangaloreans live in Bandra in Mumbai! Mangalore is to Karnataka what Mumbai is to India. It is called the Gateway of Karnataka. The Western Civilization entered Karnataka through Mangalore, two centuries ago. Mangalore was the first port of call for Roman Catholic missionaries, nuns, traders, teachers, doctors, technicians, sailors and soldiers from the West. The same place is now exporting nuns, nurses and nuts to all over the World! Out of total 54 Roman Catholic bishops in India, 17 are Mangaloreans.  Europeans called Mangalore 'the Rome of the East' two centuries ago.  Mangalore has always been a coveted city. Many wars have been fought for Mangalore. All the dynasties which ruled Karnataka maintained their overseas relations (today's foreign affairs!) through the Mangalore port. The Portugese first set foot on Mangalore in 1520 AD. The Portugese naval forces defeated the Vijayanagara empire and took control of Mangalore.  They sowed the seeds of Christianity in the Canara coast of Karnataka. The magnificent, nearly 500-year-old Milagres Church tells the story of Portugese influence on Mangalore. But the Portugese were forced to leave Mangalore by the Wodeyars of Mysore and later by Tipu and his father Hyder Ali. It was a time of grave crisis for Mangaloreans. Finally, it fell into the hands of the British and firmly remained with them till Independence.  The British zealously guarded Mangalore like a precious gem.  The Christian missionaries introduced modern education and western medicine to Karnataka through Mangalore. The first Kannada newspaper Mangalooru Samachara was started by a German missionary, Fr Herman Mogling, in 1843. Two other great German missionaries, Fr Muller and Rev Kittel, also entered Karnataka through Mangalore. Their contribution to Karnataka's art, culture, and education is immense. Old Mangalore is largely a city of Roman Catholics with their Sunday mass and confession.  The main road from Pump Well to Bundar via Hampankatta is full of brand new malls and highrises. One of the biggest malls in India is coming up here. The road is dotted with showrooms selling luxury brands, food courts, and multiplexes showing the latest Bollywood and Hollywood movies.  Bollywood star and Mangalorean Suneil Shetty has built a mall on this road. I jokingly ask my friend, "Where are Shilpa Shetty's and Aishwarya Rai's malls?". He replies with a straight face, "Will ask their relatives. Probably near Hampankatta, where their relatives live!"  Mangaloreans always wear a serious look like the Arabian sea. Don't joke with a Mangalorean! They take you seriously.  Mangalore now has top-rated hotels. Luxury hotels like the Taj Gateway, Gold Finch and Ocean Pearl have replaced the once famous Pentagon near Pump Well, which now looks like a haunted mansion. Mangalore was known for its famous cabaret shows in the 1970s, '80s and early '90s! The leading Kannada daily 'Udayavani' used to devote one full page for cabaret ads during those years!  Young Mangaloreans now spend time at the malls, multiplexes, video game parlours, health clubs, and spas. Old-style Mangalore businesses are disappearing. Recently, choreographer Saroj Khan was in Mangalore to open her dance school. Let's hope the ancient Yakshagana and Bhootha dances survive the onslaught of Bollywood.  Youngsters now prefer to speak in English, and Kannada, Konkani and Tulu are facing a real threat.  Mangaloreans run the best south Indian restaurants all over the World. But Mangalore really can't boast of great eateries. Only the Taj Mahal at Hampankatta has retained its old glory and taste. Moti Mahal on Phalnir Road is no longer a favoured eating joint. The best dosa, idli and vada are available at Lakshmi Nivasa, a small hotel at Kalladka on the outskirts of Mangalore. I recommend this eatery to every visitor to Mangalore!  I hear the best sea food can be had at Anupama, Gazali, Palki, Kudla and Deepa.  The women of Mangalore are beautiful and bold. Pretty Bunt women run their family with an iron hand, and coy Konkani women do it with polish. I ask the local people ' Who is the most famous Mangalorean of our times ?' Pat comes the reply ' George Fernandes '!! Surprised by this answer I again ask ' What about Shilpa Shetty and Aishwarya Rai '? They say 'George Fernandes is famous', Shilpa Shetty and Aishwarya Rai are popular among the younger crowd!! George is a mass leader and these starlets are a media created celebrities"!!  Bombay and Calcutta have novels celebrating them. Not many cities can boast that privilege. I haven't read a real Bangalore-centric novel in English.  But there is one on Mangalore! IAS officer-turned-full time writer Richard Crasta's 'One Little Indian' is a superb Mangalore-centric novel. It talks about Mangalore of the 1960s. Richard Casta is now an NRI. His father John Crasta was a soldier in Netaji's Indian National Army (INA) during the World War II. His book Eaten by the Japanese tells horrifying stories of Japanese brutality.  The late K Ramaiah Rai, a distinguished police officer, wrote Tell Tale Teeth a Mangalore-centric suspense thriller. It is the real-life story of a police officer pursuing a brilliant, elusive murderer.  I get a taste of Mangalore's diverse culture at the airport. Three pretty girls at the Kingfisher counter greet me and help me check in just two minutes. I look at their badges: Sana, Marina and Aishwarya. A Beary, a Catholic and a Bunt perhaps... they speak three languages and belong to three different faiths. But they are Mangaloreans first and last. Because Mangalore is their identity!
Courtesy: Rita Rao, Abu Dhabi

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