Latest news with #VCFarm
Hindustan Times
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka pigeon Abhimanyu completes 1,790 km flight, wins race from New Delhi: Report
A young pigeon from Mandya has captured the admiration of enthusiasts by completing a remarkable 1,790-kilometre flight from New Delhi. Taking part in its first professional race, the one-year-old bird named Abhimanyu accomplished the daunting journey in just over seven weeks — discounting the dispatch and arrival days — to clinch victory in the prestigious competition organized by the Karnataka Homing Pigeon Federation. Only 14 of the 22 pigeons returned home, with Abhimanyu celebrated for his stamina and accuracy in the long-distance challenge. The race, which kicked off from Delhi on April 5, saw 22 well-trained pigeons from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu released into the skies, each equipped with an ID ring for tracking, The Times of India reported. Of these, only 14 successfully made their way back home. Abhimanyu, the youngest contestant in the line-up, triumphantly returned to his home in Mandya on May 28, earning accolades for both his stamina and accuracy in the long-distance flight. READ | 'Highest road tax, highest road torture': Bengaluru doctor's viral post reignites outrage over bad traffic The bird's proud owner, Sridhar from V C Farm in Mandya, shared insights into months of rigorous preparation. They reportedly started training the pigeons with just 5 kilometres of flight, and slowly ramped up their endurance to 10, 15, and eventually up to 1,000 kilometres. Sridhar had entered two birds in the contest — Abhimanyu and a second pigeon named Punyakoti. While Abhimanyu found his way home, Punyakoti remains missing, the report said. Currently sheltered indoors for protection, Abhimanyu is being kept away from potential threats. READ | Bengaluru's BBMP introduces 75 clearance centres at zonal offices for Ganesha festival organisers: Report Despite the uncertainty surrounding Punyakoti's whereabouts, Sridhar remained hopeful of his return. There have been rare instances where pigeons have found their way back years later, he said, as quoted by the publication. Encouraged by this inspiring outcome, Sridhar has now shifted gears toward preparing a fresh batch of 21 pigeons for a major race scheduled for December.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
22 took off, 14 made it: Pigeon flies 1,790km from Delhi to Karnataka's Mandya in 52 days; wins South India's federation race
MANDYA: The pigeon in Bollywood flick 'Delhi 6 (2009) was quite a rage, as depicted in the film through A R Rahman's masterful score 'Masakali', named after the bird. Or for that matter, the white pigeon 'Handsome' in the blockbuster 'Maine Pyar Kiya' (1989), delivering love letters to smitten souls. Even World War narratives are replete with pigeon tales of valour, with the avians delivering critical communication in times of strife. But here we have a pigeon from Mandya that has flown back home all the way from New Delhi in 52 days - excluding the start and end days of the flight - to win South India's homing pigeon federation race. In an extraordinary feat of endurance and instinct, this one-year-old male pigeon named Abhimanyu completed its maiden competitive flight over the 1,790-km distance without ever losing track of the aerial route. The long-distance homing race was organised by the Karnataka Homing Pigeon Federation, with 22 pigeons in the fray from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. All the birds, fitted with identification rings, were released in Delhi on April 5. Abhimanyu, the youngest in the group and owned by Sridhar of V C Farm in Mandya, completed the journey on May 28. 14 birds managed to return home Representing the Mandya Homing Pigeon Association, Abhimanyu's performance is being hailed as a milestone in India's pigeon racing community. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Earn a Global Degree BITS Pilani Digital Apply Now Undo For the record, Abhimanyu was among the 14 avians that managed to return home. Sharing details of the bird's rigorous training programme, Sridhar told TOI : 'We began with short-distance flights — 5 km, 10 km, then 15 km — and gradually went up to 1,000 km. For this race, I entered two pigeons: Abhimanyu and Punyakoti. While Abhimanyu returned on May 28, Punyakoti is still missing.' Sridhar, who has kept Abhimanyu indoors since his return to ensure his safety, said the journey wasn't easy. 'These birds face many dangers during the flight, especially attacks from predatory birds like falcons. The fact that Abhimanyu made it home safely is a testament to his strength and instincts,' he said while sounding a note of optimism about Punyakoti's return. 'There have been cases where pigeons have returned home even after eight years. I still believe Punyakoti will be back.' Buoyed by Abhimanyu's success and with an eye on an upcoming competition in December, Sridhar is now training 21 pigeons. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Farm to plate summer camp bridges gap in agri education for students
Mandya: Many children today lack opportunities to learn where their food comes from or understand the basics of farming, nutrition, and mindful eating. To bridge this gap, Polygnan, a non-profit founded by US-returned NRIs and ex-tech professionals Chandana Shivanand and Prajwal Rajendra Prasad, organised the Farm to Plate summer camp in Mandya from May 26 to June 1. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The free week-long camp brought together students from classes 7–10 from various backgrounds to explore the full journey of food—from farm to plate. The camp began with fireless cooking to create a warm, collaborative environment. They took a deep dive into agriculture at the Mandya-based VC Farm, which is attached to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. Here, students engaged with professors and field experts, learning about various crops, agricultural implements, soil testing, composting, biofertilisers, irrigation methods, and rare fruits and vegetables, the organisers said. Children also sowed maize seeds and helped prepare the land, experiencing the rhythm and labour of farming first hand. Students explored mushroom cultivation, recognising its nutritional and entrepreneurial potential. At a traditional 'ale mane', students witnessed the labour-intensive process of boiling sugarcane juice to prepare jaggery. Milk was explored from start to finish. Children visited a cattle rearing farm near Arkere and visited the Mandya Milk Union plant at Gejjalgere, which processes over 13 lakh litres of milk every day.
