Karnataka - Leader in Silk Production
- Karnataka ranks first in India’s silk production.
- Contributes about 40% of the country’s total silk output.
Recent Production Data:
- 2020–21: 33,770 tons
- 2021–22: 34,903 tons
- 2022–23: 36,582 tons
- 2023–24: 38,913 tons (estimated)
- 2024–25: 30,614 tons (targeted)
Reasons for Growth:
- Central and state government support.
- Quality seeds, financial subsidies, training, and better infrastructure.
Key Facts:
- Karnataka’s direct contribution: 29%.
- Special focus on expanding mulberry farming and increasing productivity.
Financial Support:
- ₹650/m² for mulberry sheds.
₹500 for silk seed production infrastructure.
Dr. K. Kasturirangan
- Passed away: Aged 84, due to age-related illness at his residence in Bengaluru.
- Last rites: Scheduled at Raman Research Institute (RRI), Sadashivanagar.
- Family: Survived by two sons.
Space Science:
- Project Director for Bhaskara-I & II (India’s first experimental Earth observation satellites).
- Expanded Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) program (IRS-1C, IRS-1D).
- ISRO Chairman (1994–2003); led major missions like INSAT, IRS, operationalised PSLV, and initiated GSLV
- Chandrayaan-1 (India’s first lunar mission) conceived during his tenure.
- Supported development of AstroSat (multi-wavelength astronomy mission).
Education:
- Chaired committee for National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Environment:
- Chaired Western Ghats High-Level Working Group (Kasturirangan Committee) for conservation efforts.
Other Positions:
Member of Planning Commission, Rajya Sabha (2003–09), and Chairman, Karnataka Knowledge Commission.
Pt. P.D. Kumaradas
Award:
- Awarded the prestigious Mallikarjun Mansoor National Award for excellence in Hindustani singing.
Background:
- Belongs to Yalamanchi, Bellary district.
- Came from a very poor family; studied only till 5th grade.
- Early musical exposure through bhajans in the village.
- Trained under Puttaraja Gawai at Veereshwara Punyashram, Gadag.
- Learned music alongside Venkatesh Kumar for 15 years in guru-shishya tradition.
Career:
- Specialized in Hindustani classical music (Kirana-Gwalior Gharana).
- A Grade artiste of All India Radio (AIR), served at AIR Dharwad for 30 years.
- Expert in classical music, vachanas, devaranamas, and abhangas.
- Favorite ragas: Bhageshree, Thodi, Bairagi Bhairav, Shuddha Saranga, Yaman Kalyan.
Notable Achievements:
Famous for devotional compositions on Hanuman like “Kadala Dantida Veera Hanuma” (Raga Bhageshri).
