Latest news with #Ashwathnarayan
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Samarthanam Sisters shine on World Music Day
Bengaluru: In a vibrant celebration of World Music Day, the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled launched Samarthanam Sisters — Anusha and Vasundhara, visually impaired Hindustani vocalists — at White Petals, Palace Grounds, in front of over 1,000 guests. Their soulful debut, featuring performances in multiple regional languages, was headlined by the premiere of 'Sounds of Bharath', a signature track composed by Padma Shri Ricky Kej. The event was graced by dignitaries including Ashwathnarayan, V. Harikrishna, R. P. Patnaik, Subu Kota, and others from politics, cinema, and music. 'Their voices are divine,' said R P Patnaik. 'Art knows no boundaries,' observed V Harikrishna.'They carry a powerful message — that inclusion is transformative,' said Ashwathnarayan, also lauding Samarthanam's work in education, skilling, and disability empowerment. Samarthanam also launched its 'Music for Inclusion' campaign, with a USA tour kicking off in July, following an invite from Shri Subu Kota, Patron, Samarthanam USA. 'This is a defining moment for inclusive art,' noted Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, founder, Samarthanam.'We sing for every artiste with a dream,' shared the Samarthanam Sisters. The evening ended with a standing ovation, heralding a new chapter in inclusive music — one song, one soul, one stage at a time.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Centre gives Rs 900 per meter subsidy, says Karnataka Congress; calls BJP allegations misleading
BENGALURU: The Congress has defended the State government on the issue of smart meters under the Central government's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and called the recent allegations by BJP leader and ex-minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan 'factually incorrect' and 'politically motivated'. The party's media cell chairman Ramesh Babu said, 'The government is implementing smart meters in a transparent manner. It is part of a nationwide effort to improve energy efficiency, reduce transmission and distribution losses. Under RDSS, the Central government provides a subsidy of Rs 900 per meter to all states.'' He said that Ashwathnarayan had accused the government by claiming that other states procure them at Rs 900 per unit. Dismissing the claims as misleading, he clarified that Rs 900 refers to the central subsidy, and not the cost of the meter. Ramesh Babu claimed that despite knowing the facts, Ashwathnarayan had deliberately misled the public. He pointed out the irony in the BJP's stance, that it was the BJP-led Karnataka government in 2020-21 that had rejected the same RDSS scheme. According to the KERC directive, smart meters are mandatory only for new connections, excluding irrigation pump sets. For around 3 crore consumers, the adoption of smart meters are optional.
