SACAA at St Aloysius College launches ‘Own a Tree’ Campaign
Mangaluru: St Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA) officially launched its initiative-themed ‘Own a Tree’ campaign at the campus of St Aloysius College, Autonomous on Saturday, October 2.
The campaign provides an opportunity to the alumni, students, and staff members of the college to own a tree on the campus and to get their name on the tree. It further allows them to have an option of tracking the tree through the use of Geo-tagging.
“The focus is to plant more fruit-bearing trees on the campus. We also have an option for the members to sponsor trees in the name of their dear ones,” an official press statement from SACAA stated.
“The funds collected by this initiative will be used for purposes like, 'Miyawaki Method of the plantation,’ Organic farming in the campus, QR Codes for trees in the campus (Plant Information). The Sponsorship Amount for the Campaign for alumni is Rs 3000 and for staff & students, it is Rs 2000,” it added.
Prashanth Kumar Pai, Range Forest Officer, launched the campaign and congratulated the college and SACAA for a wonderful green initiative. He emphasized the current situation where people are eager to chop the trees but are not passionate about planting one. He encouraged the college for this green initiative and promised full support to the college.
Rev. Fr. Melwin Pinto SJ, Rector, St Aloysius Institutions, and Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Principal, St Aloysius College were present at the event. The campaign was inaugurated with the plantation ceremony at Alvana - Arboretum (Centre for Sustainable Diversity). A token of appreciation was handed over to Prashanth Kumar Pai for his commitment to nature and the environment.
Vaishali Puthran compered the event. Fr. Cyril D'Mello SJ, Secretary, MJES, Arjun Mascarenhas, Coordinator of the programme, Richard Gonsalves, Treasurer, SACAA, Naveen Mascarenhas, Secretary, SACAA and other Executive Committee Members were also present at the event.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
_vb_21.jpeg)