It was this day, nay this very evening, 46 years ago that Star of Mysore was born in this city as an Evening English Newspaper. Happily it continues to be your favourite eveninger.

From this evening, we will be entering 47th year of publication. And as we do so, we gratefully remember all those who made it possible to reach this milestone and salute them with gratitude and humility.

Bringing out a special issue on our anniversary has been a tradition with us ever since the beginning of this newspaper. We are specially beholden to our readers and advertisers for their unstinting support in making this possible.

We have been following all along an independent editorial policy without aligning ourselves with any political party, community, group, ideology or vested interest and this policy will continue. Our first editorial titled “A Star Is Born” which is printed alongside, declares this policy more eloquently.

As a newspaper, we strongly believe our survival depends solely on our usefulness to the society and on the service we render to our readers and advertisers. Which is why we take up just causes and important issues in a crusading spirit to protect readers’ interest while widening our readership base. And advertisers get value for their money. After all, it is the credibility of Star of Mysore as a brand and its pulling-power that should matter to our advertisers rather than the cost of advertising.

On this occasion, we also remember the truth that change is a constant in any organisation that wishes to grow — not just survive. And we are bracing ourselves for an array of changes from pre-press to printing technology. All this to ensure continuation of your addiction to Star of Mysore — for all the news of Namma Cheluva Mysuru and more. We have experienced contributors who provide expert views on issues current and of common interest.

Welcome. Sit back, relax, make yourself a nice cuppa and experience your reading pleasure every evening.

And finally a big “Thank You” — to our subscribers, advertisers, contributors, our staff, our agents and paper delivery boys who together have teamed up to make Star of Mysore a success story among evening newspapers in India. A very good evening to You.

The post Thank You appeared first on Star of Mysore.

It was this day, nay this very evening, 45 years ago that Star of Mysore was born in this city as an Evening English Newspaper. Happily it continues to be your favourite eveninger.

From this evening, we will be entering 46th year of our publication. And as we do so, we gratefully remember all those who made it possible to reach this milestone and salute them with gratitude and humility.

Bringing out a special issue on our anniversary has been a tradition with us ever since the beginning of this newspaper. We are specially beholden to our readers and advertisers for making this possible this year too.

We have been following all along an independent editorial policy without aligning ourselves with any political party, community, group, ideology or vested interest and this policy will continue. Our first editorial titled “A Star Is Born” which is printed alongside, declares this policy more eloquently.

As a newspaper, we strongly believe our survival depends solely on our usefulness to the society and on the service we render to our readers and advertisers. Which is why we take up just causes and important issues in a crusading spirit to protect readers’ interest while widening our readership base. And advertisers get value for their money. After all, it is the credibility of Star of Mysore as a brand and its  pulling-power that should matter to our advertisers rather than the cost of advertising.

On this occasion, we also remember the truth that change is a constant in any organisation that wishes to grow — not just survive. And we are bracing ourselves for an array of changes from pre-press to printing technology. All this to ensure continuation of your addiction to Star of Mysore — for all the news of Namma Cheluva Mysuru. We have experienced contributors who provide expert views on issues current and of common interest.

Welcome. Sit back, relax, make yourself a nice cuppa and experience your reading pleasure every evening.

And finally a big “Thank You” — to our subscribers, advertisers, contributors, our staff, our agents and paper delivery boys who together have teamed up to make Star of Mysore a success story among evening newspapers in India. A very good evening to You.

The post Thank You appeared first on Star of Mysore.

It was this day, nay this very evening, 43 years ago that Star of Mysore was born in this city as an Evening English Newspaper. Happily it continues to be your favourite eveninger.

From this evening, we will be entering 44th year of our publication. And as we do so, we gratefully remember all those who made it possible to reach this milestone and salute them with gratitude and humility.

Bringing out a special issue on our anniversary has been a tradition with us ever since the beginning of this newspaper. We are specially beholden to our readers and advertisers for making this possible this year despite COVID-19 pandemic.

 We have been following all along an independent editorial policy without aligning ourselves with any political party, community, group, ideology or vested interest and this policy will continue. Our first editorial titled “A Star Is Born” which is printed alongside, declares this policy more eloquently.

As a newspaper, we strongly believe our survival depends solely on our usefulness to the society and on the service we render to our readers and advertisers. Which is why we take up just causes and important issues in a crusading spirit to protect readers’ interest while widening our readership base. And advertisers get value for their money. After all, it is the credibility of Star of Mysore as a brand and its  pulling-power that should matter to our advertisers rather than the cost of advertising.

On this occasion, we also remember the truth that change is a constant in any organisation that wishes to grow — not just survive. And we are bracing ourselves for an array of changes from pre-press to printing technology. All this to ensure continuation of your addiction to Star of Mysore — for all the news of Namma Cheluva Mysuru. We have experienced contributors who provide expert views on issues current and of common interest. This, in addition to our weekly supplement on subjects of special interest.

Welcome. Sit back, relax, make yourself a nice cuppa and experience your reading pleasure every evening.

And finally a big “Thank You” — to our subscribers, advertisers, contributors, our staff, our agents and paper delivery boys who together have teamed up to make Star of Mysore a success story among evening newspapers in India. A very good evening to You.

The post Thank You appeared first on Star of Mysore.

The term virus, understood so far by an infinitesimal fraction of humanity across the world has witnessed universal familiarity during the past few months, thanks to the notorious organism identified as COVID-19. Even the unlettered masses in the country may have begun to know what it means by asking questions and learning about the factors behind the devastation it is causing, particularly triggering global lockdown and death of their kith and kin. But for the virus and the consequences due to apathy for knowing the actions needed in preventing its assuming epidemic dimensions, people at large would have remained ignorant about its harmful features. Time is appropriate, particularly to the literate sections in the country to get familiar with the invisible enemy made visible by Joseph Lister (1827-1912) and Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), the former propounding the antiseptic principle and the latter credited with the germ theory. The emerging virus-knowing literati, nearly all of whom are residents of cities and towns, can render a great help in explaining in simple-to-follow language, to the unlettered urbanites, even the rudimentary knowledge concerning the virus, an action that doesn’t involve any cost but needs an element of humanitarian outlook.

Humankind in general and the land’s past generations have not only survived the battering by various disease-death-causing vectors but also have laid down the ground rules for mitigating the loss of human and animal lives that have stood the test of time. Although advances in science in general and medical research in particular have taken place, the vectors seem to be having the last laugh. Some brushing up of knowledge about micro organisms that hurt life of all living beings should be a matter of prudence.

While antiseptics, which act against microbial organisms are applied to living tissues (such as skin) to reduce the possibility of infection, antibiotics, being prescribed by both knowledgeable medical practitioners and quacks, safely destroy bacteria within the body, and disinfectants destroy micro organisms found on non-living objects. Microbicides, which destroy virus particles or antivirals are effective against COVID-19 if used efficiently and effectively, but no remedial means are yet available to deal with the many harmful consequences caused by the virus, particularly infection of the lung. In this backdrop, all the measures that people are required to follow in their daily life, in spirit and word, particularly maintaining social distancing, remaining within the confines of homes, washing hands several times with soap and covering the face while speaking and coughing as well as sneezing, virtually are in the nature of fire-fighting exercises.

If every citizen in the land, irrespective of their profiles on various counts such as social status, age and so on had fallen in line with the guidelines, widely publicised, perhaps the drastic action called lockdown might not have been necessitated. Corrective action to unlock the lockdown on the part of every Indian should begin right away, remembering the advisory Forewarned is Forearmed.

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Graphic representations of the cosmic dance of Coronavirus as it were, currently christened as COVID-19, in the form of curves while reporting the numbers of its victims in different countries across the world, including India, are expected to flatten in the days and weeks ahead. Keen observers of the goings on are in their rights to raise the question — Is the curve in India flattening? — given the few guidelines to the masses from none other than the Nation’s Prime Minister himself, such as Janata Curfew on March 22, Nationwide Lockdown for 21 days from March 25, self-imposed Quarantine, maintain Social Distance both in homes and outside, wash hands with soap, lend support to law-keeping and healthcare personnel in mitigating the spread of the virus, bestow attention to the destitute in fending off hunger, avoid starting and spreading rumours based on unfounded events, and so on being the guidelines that couldn’t have been made simpler to comply with.

Aam Janata at large are not aware of the implications involved in identifying the affected sections, conducting the prescribed tests, isolating those proving positive in the test, treating them in the hospitals and protecting the masses from the virus, particularly the rural residents and urban poor. The mere numbers of those affected and tested are mind-boggling, not to talk of the numbers of doctors, nurses, analysts and paramedics working 24×7, in all parts of India, including Mysuru.

Knowledgeable observers of the current scenario emerging during the past few weeks are optimistic to some extent about the waning of the harm being done by the virus to human populations, even in the developed countries. Reportedly, there is increasing evidence that South Korea, Singapore and even China are well on way of flattening the Corona curve by resorting to mass testing as a vital part of their strategy. India too is following their approach to check the spread of the virus.

Some gratification is justified by the fact that the numbers affected and dead due to the virus in the country are significantly low as a fraction of the land’s population of 137 crore. If the tempo of efforts on containing the virus is maintained, there is every reason to expect that the Corona virus curve will not only flatten but also disappear, according to many with credentials to express their understanding of the situation. Where there is a will, there is a way!

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Self-praising and self-degrading habits are known to lead to enthusiasm and depression respectively. Also, facing crisis situations and succumbing to stress, often self-created, depend on one’s preparedness ahead of the contingency. Asking anybody to be prepared in dealing with viruses in general and Covid-19 in particular is sure to be dismissed as naive. The saying that “What cannot be cured must be endured” during the present crisis may have to be modified to “What cannot be cured need not endure.” That is precisely the current scenario given the war-like action by the administration, first marshalling the resources of materials, methods and men to combat the virus and next exhorting the land’s 1,350-plus millions to join hands in a synergy with the functionaries in both the Government and voluntary organisations to arrest the march of the epidemic. One has every reason to feel proud about India’s diaspora that has responded pro-actively to the exhortation, barring some well-marked sections in the population.

Diversity in the country’s masses on various counts, historically speaking, has not come in the way of unity on many occasions such as the three major wars during 1960s and 1970s. Expressions (a) Jai Jawan Jai Kisan and (b) Ornaments for armaments proved electrifying on those occasions. India’s leadership has once again come to the fore in bringing out the courage and fortitude in its masses.

In the backdrop of high density of population, particularly in the 8,000-odd cities and towns across the country, compounded by a rapid rise in the number of automobiles cluttering the roads between cities and streets in city limits, the common sight until a few weeks ago, people complying with the stay home plea by the top brass in the Government has drawn high praise from many agencies across the world, particularly the World Health Organisation (WHO). The millions of children too have emulated their parents in not stirring out, a lesson for the sections in the adult population to learn even as they are defying the simplest prescription of maintaining social distance (about one meter apart). Mothers in both urban spaces and villages too have done a great job in keeping the ambience in their homes in good cheer.

The nation’s media, including electronic and print modes, not to forget the tabloids despite financial hardships, have chipped in splendidly keeping the people upto-date with all relevant information and data related to the crisis. The kind and selfless acts of caring for the economically devastated workforce depending on their daily wages by hundreds of voluntary groups is the star feature of people’s pleasing profile in this world’s largest Democracy. No praise is too much for both the land’s leadership and its masses.

The post People’s pleasing profile appeared first on Star of Mysore.

The issue of providing good governance in the country has just turned tougher than in normal times, thanks to the pandemic in almost all countries across the world. Invoking the nation’s Constitution, making pointed references to the multitude of provisions stated in the script, also has posed problems even to the experts in legal practice, thanks to the hundred-odd amendments to the Constitution, passed by the nation’s Parliament. Complying with the rules and regulations not being the cup of tea as it were on the part of large sections of the country’s masses, the task of providing good governance is a challenge for the Government of the day.

The contemporary scenario is ample proof of the yawning gap between the administration and aam janata in the matter of achieving even a semblance of success in that task. Even as the authorities are in overdrive laying down the many simple-to-practice ground rules for checking the adverse impact of the virus COVID-19, the country’s masses, including the urban literati, is palpably showing no signs of falling in line. The law-keeping machinery as well as the healthcare workforce have virtually broken their backs in ensuring control over the unrelenting menace.

The outreach of information concerning the symptoms of the virus-caused afflictions, particularly breathing difficulty and also the points where medical help can be availed has been successful to an admirable extent, but the rural population is facing a big handicap due to high-level of illiteracy and paucity of communication means.

The foremost amendment to the system of penalising those found violating the various laws of the land is resorting to appeals by the functionaries in the Government, including the Police force to comply with measures that are anti-virus and pro-people. The next amendment comprises relaxation of the existing rules concerning admission of children into the schools for the coming academic year and collection of fees from the parents on various counts. The other measures such as wearing proper quality face mask, washing hands with clean water and soap, ensuring social distancing of minimum one meter both at home and outside, not to panic and hoard grocery and other necessities of life, practicing home quarantine voluntarily, shutting down all shrines and so on are all extra-Constitutional, being amendments of sorts not needing Parliament’s nod.

The various habits of the masses, including the literate sections that are conducive to the spread of the virus are in a long list. Wanton pollution of living spaces, crowding in locations of entertainment, spitting on the streets, ignoring even elementary practice of maintaining hygiene, neglect of personal cleanliness and so on have become habits that need to be given up forthwith. That amounts to a huge adjustment by the aam janata. The bottomline is adjust or perish!

The post Administration amends Aam janata adjusts appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Global scenario, particularly in the self-declared developed countries and that in India are strikingly contrasting on many counts in the ongoing Covid-triggered crisis. The vast differences in the pace of its spread, number of victims testing positive and fatalities in the countries of Europe as well as America compared to the respective phenomena in India portrays the land, its leadership and the people at large as an unparalleled example of courage conquering crisis. The need to be steadfast and not slip into a mood of relaxing hereafter cannot be over exaggerated. The charge that China is the villain as the originator of the menace and launched a biological warfare to destroy the economy of its rival has gone viral. This battle between the world’s two leading economies, boasting GDP several times that of most other countries should remind Mysureans of the Kannada proverb “Ganda hendira jagaladalli koosu badavaayithu.”

In times of many calamities in the past, blamed on nature, forgetting the well-known misdeeds of human beings hurting the health of other life forms, people of the country have largely depended on administration to retrieve normal life. One has every reason to feel gratified this time that people from all walks of life and the many sectors of the economy in private management have risen like one man as it were by cohesive acts.

The factor of resilience and the never-say-die spirit of India’s people at large should make the masses feel proud of themselves. When a hurricane of level five, exceeding the pace of 150 km per hour, swept through the Southern States of USA a few years ago, people of those areas took more than six months to get back on their feet, while a cloud burst that submerged entire area of Mumbai brought life in that mega city to a stand still, the city’s residents and the administration demonstrated their resourcefulness in returning to normal life within 36 hours. This happens in that city once every few years. As if to emulate Mumbaikars, India’s many industrial houses have stepped in to pro-actively support the administration by not resorting to lay off and added to that, not to withhold the wages of their workforce.

Many society-friendly organisations have been sparing no stones unturned in their act of feeding the daily-wage-earning work-force in this time of hardship. Many villages across the State have also demonstrated that they are in no way lagging behind the urbanites by falling in line with the discipline prescribed by the administration. India’s courage in conquering the ongoing crisis has no parallel in any other country of the world (Dhairyam sarvatra saadhanam).

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In an act of empathy for the cause of children in primary schools of Karnataka, the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education in the State Government prescribed not too long ago to the teacher fraternity not to burden the children with homework, adding to two other measures of keeping the weight of the school bag to bearable limits and declaring Saturdays as bag-less days. Now, it is the turn of the nation’s citizens to comply with the stipulation of not to stir out of their dwellings treating the front door as the Lakshman Rekha and the work-force in many sectors to work from home, while the industries that compels the workers to be in their work-place are required to shut down, but not to either serve the pink slip or stop payment of wages. Every measure, solely in the interest of people’s safety from the notorious virus, is in the nature of fire-fighting operations, which the proportion of the population not falling in line is annoyingly high. The Government is virtually facing a litmus test as it were in transforming a country of disorderly masses into one of citizens adhering to civic sense.

Only the members of families in advanced age, grandmas and grandpas, those with physical disabilities, sufferers from illnesses restricting their mobility and so on, with no option other than keeping indoors, are now joined by their cohorts working in many sectors of the economy not only to stay put within the four walls of their homes but also do homework.

In the days preceding the emergence of the virus that has taken heavy toll of life in most countries of the world, the home-front used to be lorded over by the home-maker with the children relishing the freedom from their demanding fathers. Taking the case of computer software professionals, reportedly accounting for nearly three lakhs in Bengaluru, described as Silicon Valley of the East, most of them absent from home for as many as 14 hours a day, are now seen both as strangers and agents of disturbing the peace in their homes. Thousands of these professionals, popularly known as techies, most of them in either their late twenties or early thirties, are said to have never worked from home. Their home makers, typically, may accept the changed scenario of having their chief wage-earners with mixed feelings.

In the new order ushered in by the authorities, the fractured ethos towards family life in densely populated urban spaces, may witness a welcome change for better lifestyle. The image of the housewife, the caregiver of the family is sure to be seen in better light. Her lifetime regimen of homework now finds her partner-in-life making substantial contribution to the nation’s economic health despite the slowdown, while the virus is doing its bit in a negative sense. Hail homework!

The post Home-bound for homework appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Even as the land’s media has been drumming up the unsavoury phenomenon of slowdown of the nation’s economy, invoking global rating agencies as well as World Bank and Asian Development Bank along with India’s noted economists, we are presently facing another unheard of and unprecedented happening, now familiar to all as lockdown emerging dramatically after shutdown in some regions of the country. India’s Prime Minister has called upon the country’s diaspora on two occasions through nationwide telecast in a week’s time to fight the dreaded virus COVID-19 with courage and hope by joining the Government in following every advisory being publicised through all channels of media. His clarion call to maintain self-restraint in undertaking journeys, observing the symptoms of the effects known to be caused by the pandemic, crowding in public places, littering the living areas and so on bring to our mind the role played by Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill during second World War through exhorting his fellow-citizens to fight the enemy from their homes, in the streets and everywhere.

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, pandemics, forest fires, droughts, heat waves, cloud bursts and so on, happening in different regions across the world throughout the year continue to be occasions for testing the resilience of human beings, animals and plants in overcoming the trials and tribulations thereof. Now, it is lockdown for 21 days as the testing time of India’s diaspora.

While the administration, along with a multitude of voluntary groups that are known to rise to the emergencies all over the country are leaving no stones unturned in launching measures to keep in check the spread of the virus, caring for the virus-affected sections and also the many vulnerable sections such as slum-dwellers, tribals, urban poor, disabled and ignorant masses assume equal importance. Lesson number one from the lockdown is for the citizens to give up their disorderly lifestyle that has overburdened the healthcare system and the law-keeping machinery. Lesson number two is to refrain from talking irresponsibly from both public platforms and on the streets. Lesson number three is not to rush to the stores for panic buying of life’s essentials and worsen the plight of those who don’t have the wherewithal to survive.

The issue of maintaining order in society, starting from the family, its smallest unit, is now staring at everybody. Enlarging the list of laws and penalising the violating parties in the country costs a bomb to the nation. The final lesson of the lockdown is to reduce this cost to zero. India’s political freedom needs to be deserved by learning the lessons from lockdown and coming clean even as the world is watching.

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