Dr.Fernandes to get more grants for research

Visitors of our site need no introduction to Dr.Gabriel Fernandes, a well known Research Scientist at the Department of Medicine at University of Texas in San Antonio, USA. He is featured as our personality of the month and he is a staunch supporter and sponsor of our site. His initiative of helping to graduate the needy rural students in and around Barkur through his Village to College Foundation is the best scholarship programme Barkur might have ever witnessed.

Very recently Dr. Fernandes has been notified by the Office of the sponsored programmes of the University of Texas health Science Center that he will be receiving soon  $ 200000 grant for the funding to carry out pilot studies Therapeutic Value of Fish Oil RX on SLE and Bone Loss in Mice.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women and the most common cancer among American women after skin cancer. A close link has been established, through scientific studies, between breast cancer and obesity among postmenopausal women. The Western diet chiefly comprises vegetable oils, such as corn oil, rich in omega-6 fatty acids which are found to be cancer promoting. On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil (FO) have been found beneficial in various disease conditions particularly in heart disease and cancer. While the early diagnosis of breast cancer is curable, late stage metastatic breast cancer is associated with several complications including increased bone pain due to the spread of breast cancer to regions of bones and has no permanent cure yet. This leads to poor quality of life and increased rates of morbidity and mortality. It is hypothesized that supplementing the diet with concentrated omega-3 fatty acids and minimizing the use of omega-6 fatty acids may prevent the spread of the breast cancer cells to bone and thus reduce the associated pain symptoms. FO is a very rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and our study will use diets containing concentrated, FDA approved FO (Lovaza^®, GlaxoSmithKline) or one of its components docosahexaenoic acid or conjugated linoleic acid to study their effect on fat cells and on breast cancer induced bone metastasis and the resultant pain in experimental laboratory animals such as mice.  

The competition for the grants is quite fierce and few gets funded. There are also several larger grants funded to study disease in cancer patients. In recent years Dr. Fernandes has received NIH funding to study the role of Fish oil on Osteoporosis, kidney disease and aging etc in mice. He credits his research for his early upbringing near the river Sita in Moodahadu Kudru and exposure to catching and eating fish very often which he finds it very healthy to maintain good health.

So far he received the grants of about 12 Million Dollars and with yet another grant of $ 200000 is another feather in his cap. Dr.Fernandes attributes this success to the prayers of his sister, Sr.Concilia who passed away at Hyderabad few years back and to the blessings of his parents and thankful to God for His kindness towards him, and says sometime we need to believe in miracles or others prayers. Still active in his quest for the cure for cancer and other such deadly deceases, celebrated his 75^th birthday last year Dr.Fernandes plans for retirement after this research.

If anyone is interested in receiving any reprints on his work are welcome to send him a email fernandes@uthscsa.edu

Click here to read more on Dr.Fernandes

Foundation Stone laid for Adoration Chapel at Barkur

The foundation laying ceremony for the new Adoration Chapel was held at the premises of Church of St.Peter, Barkur recently.  Eugene Quadras, Vice President of the Praish Council welcomed the gathering and Rev.Fr. Valerian D’Silva, Capuchin conducted prayer service.

Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar of Udupi, blessed and laid the foundation stone along with others.

This adoration chapel is being built on fast track at cost of Rs.12 lakhs donated by a single donor who is an ardent devotee and do not wish to be named.  It is expected to be completed before the monsoon rains hit Barkur in mid June.

Rev Fr Alban D’Souza, Parish Priest thanked everyone present on the occasion and prayed for the God’s abundant blessings on Barkur.

News and Pics: Franklin Fernandes

Bharath Seva Dal Rally 

The Annual Rally of  Bharath Seva Dal  was held in Barkur  at Shri Vidyesha Vidyamanya National English Medium School, Heradi, recently under the leadership of DDPI, Bharath Seva Dal Udupi Taluk and Rotary Club Barkur. 

Correspondent of S.V.V.N School K. Jayaram Shetty hoisted the flag. Jai Vittal,Asst Governor of Rotary Zone-2 R.I. Dist 3180 inaugurated the rally. Uday Kumar, Entrepreneur, owner of Naga Electricals, Brahmavar and Honorary Joint Secretary of District Electrical Contractors Association,  flagged off the Seva Dal procession.  

Gowri Poojarthy, Taluk Panchayath member was chief guest of the function.  Vasanthi, President, Barkur Panchayath, Jayanand. M. Poojary, President, Rotary Club Barkur, Subbanna Hegde, Rtd Asst Education Officer, Mahesh Pattar, Dist organiser for Bharath Seva Dal, Madhukar. S, Taluk T.P.E.O, Aroor Timmappa Shetty, B.R.P, and  B. Sudhakar Rao were present on the dais for this occasion. 

Preethirekha, Headmistress of S.V.V.N. School welcomed and Prakash Acharya conducted the ceremony.

News and Pics: Franklin Fernandes.

Makkala Sahithya Sammelana , valedictory function

After a day and a half of various literary activities, the 12^th Makkala Sahithya Sammelana concluded with fitting valedictory ceremony presided by,   Uththama Prabhu, a student of 8^th standard at the Viveka English medium school , who was also the President of the convention. Prof A.C Thunga, Retired Principal, Hangloor, Kundapur, Prof. C. Rajshekhar Hebbar, Principal, Smt. Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National First Grade College, Barkur, B. Seetharam Shetty, Retired Principal and Secretary, Barkur Vidyabhivardhini  Sangha, Barkur were the other guests present on stage.

The organizers, Svami Vivekananda Samskrithika Kendra, www.barkuronline.com and Shanthivana Trust, Dharmasthala took this opportunity to felicitate B. Seetharam Tholpaditthaya, Secretary, Shanthivana Trust Dharmasthala, I. Shashikanth Jain, Director of Yoga and recipient of  south Indian level “Yogashri” award, Ramesh Kalmadi, Member of Karnatakla  Government Tulu Sahithya Academy, Uttham Prabhu, Thiru umagan Chakravarthi, Resource Person and Ashok C.Poojari , Subject Matter Expert of Yoga for Udupi Taluk.

Young achievers in their respective fields were also recognized and felicitated at the occasion.  Karthik, recipient of Inspire award, Rashmitha, State level winner of Yoga, Sheshadri Upadhya. K. S, Fisrt place winner of state level mono acting competitions, Shilpa, National level Throw ball player, played for 3 times, Swathi, National level Throw ball player, played for 2 times, Priyanka, another national level Throwball player, Roshan lobo, International level power lifter, Nayaz, State level athlete in shot put, and Karthik, National level athlete in Javelin Throw were felicitated with traditional shawls, garlands and fruit platter.

Uththama Prabhu, President of the convention delivered the Presidential address. Prof. C. Rajshekar Hebbar, Principal, Smt. Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National First Grade College, Barkur distributed the certificates to the participants. , B. Seetharam Shetty, Retired Principal and Secretary, Barkur addressed the gathering and congratulated the participants for having availed an opportunity to boost their literary talents and advised them to observe the happenings around and react with creativity. Prof A.C Thunga, Retired Principal, Hangloor, Kundapur delivered the valedictory address in which he stressed the need of such conventions for the growing children.

Gouthami, a student from Little Rock English Medium School, Brahmavar, who was also the President of the 10^th Makkala Sahithya Sammelana, welcomed the gathering and K. Sathyanarayan Udupa, Vice President of the committee proposed the vote of thanks. Prakash Hebbar conducted the proceedings.

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News and Pics: Franklin Fernandes.

Makkala Sahithya Sammelana inaugurated   at Barkur

The 12^th Makkala Sahithya Sammelana was inaugurated at the beautifully decorated Sawmi Vivekananda Sahithya Vedike by Dr.Chandrashekhar Damle , President, Sneha Educational Institutes, Sullia. The inauguration ceremony of the most waited and definitely one of the best annual event of Barkur, jointly organised by Svami Vivekananda Samskrithika Kendra, www.barkuronline.com and Shanthivana Trust, Dharmasthala was presided over by Uttham Prabhu, a student 8th Standard  at Viveka English Medium High School, Kota.      Rev Fr Alban D’Souza, Parish Priest, Church of St.Peter, Barkur,  Mr Ashok Kamath, Educational Officer, Department of Public Education, Udupi,    S. Ashok Kumar Shetty (Head master, Shrinikethan High school, Matapady, M.S.Nagaraj Rao, State level yoga expert, and Shrinivas Shettigar, Entrepreneur,  and Honorary President were the other dignitaries present on the stage.

Srinivasa Shettigar welcomed the gathering. Dr.Chandrashekhar Damle , President, Sneha Educational Institutes, Sullia  inaugurated the convention by lighting the lamps along with other dignitaries and delivered the inaugural address. Ashok Kamath released a collection of poems written by the participant students. S. Ashok Kumar Shetty,Head master, Shrinikethan High school, Matapady, M.S.Nagaraj Rao, State level yoga expert were felicitated. Uttham Prabhu as the President of the convention delivered the Presidential address and proved that he was the right choice for the post by his oratory skills.  Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza addressed the participants and congratulated the organisers for organising such a meaningful and useful program for the overall development of high school students and also praised them for their consistency over the years.  

As the unique tradition of the Makkala Sahithya Sammelana and the apt tagline “Samaya Prajne  Namma Aadarsha”, the inaugural programme started on dot at  at 4 and ended at 5.30. Students of the host school, National High School,  presented  prayer  dance and a tableau  in honour of  Swami Vivekananda, during the program. Over 350 students from various schools  from Udupi District have been registered and are participating the program The dignitaries of the day were taken in a procession , accompanies by the school band to the venue.

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News and Pics: Franklin Fernandes.

Makkala Sahithya Sammelana, You are invited

The annual Makkala Sammelana jointly organised by Svami Vivekananda Samskrithika Kendra, www.barkuronline.com and Shanthivana Trust, Dharmasthala will be held on 4th and 6th February the National Pre University College Campus in Barkur as announced by Ramabhat Sajangadde in a press release.

The 12h Children's Literary Convention, in succession, will be inaugurated at 4 pm on 4th and the valedictory function will be held at 4 pm on 5th February 2012. The collection of self written poems will be released during the convention and various symposiums on literature and poetry will be presented by famous resource people.

As the tradition of the Makkala Sahithya Sammelana, the convention will be presided over by Uttham Prabhu a student 8th Standard  at Viveka English Medium High School, Kota.  About 350 high school students from 8th to 10 standards from around 10 -15 high schools around Barkur are expected to attend this most awaited and unique annual event at Barkur.

Ramabhat Sajangadde, B.Ashok C.Poojari, Uttham Prabhu, Umesh Prabhu and Gangadhar Joshi were present for the press conference.

News and Pics : Franklin Fernandes

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