Mangaluru, July 19: A four-day free software orientation programme organized by the Bearys Institute of Technology and the Free Software Movement Karnataka (FSMK) to create awareness on free software, its need, importance and usage was inaugurated at the BIT here on Thursday. The programme would continue till July 22.

Presently more companies in the world have been adopting free software to have more flexibility to meet their demands. The main objective of the programme was to mobilize thoughts, create awareness of tools for making a positive impact on the world using digital medium and spread knowledge for the benefit of the humanity. Along with this, the programme was also aimed at spreading philosophy of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and its key role in bringing positive thought to the world, the organizers said.

On the first day, various sessions were held by Free Software Movement in India general secretary Kiran Chandra, Abhinava of FSFTN, Arun Isaac and Rameseshan of FSMK, Rizma of FSMK and alumni of BIT, industry professionals, software enthusiasts are participating in the programme. More than 100 delegates from various engineering colleges across the state are participating in the programme.

Senior advisor Dr Raikar SK, BIT principal Dr Antony AJ, Dean (Academics) Dr Mahabaleshwarappa, BIT polytechnic principal Dr Azeez Mustafa, department heads and faculty were present during the inaugural programme.



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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.

Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.

In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.

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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.

According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.

"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.

The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.