Sexuality minorities meet
Bangalore, DHNS: The second annual convention of the Karnataka State Sexuality Minorities will be held in the City from March 18 to 20 at Benson Town. ‘Mobilisation, Collectivisation and Empowerment’ will be the theme for the meet organised by Sangama, Suraksha and Samara, groups working for the empowerment of this community. 

Briefing mediapersons Praveen Kumar of Sangama said the programme aims at raising issues of sexuality minorities to the State-level. The meet will be inaugurated by renowned theatre director Prasanna at 9.30 a.m. at the Indian Social Institute on Benson Road.  A public rally will also be organised.

Academy award for Bhagavan?
Writer K S Bhagavan is said to have been selected for honourary fellowship of Karnataka Nataka Academy for the year 2007. Bhagavan, retired professor of English, has translated Shakespeare’s many plays into Kannada.
According to sources Panchakshari Gavayi has been selected for K Hirannaiah award. Karnataka Nataka Academy will be announcing the list of theatre personalities selected for annual awards on Tuesday. Pushpamala Andageri and Sadashiva Brahmavara are among personalities selected for the annual awards.

Kannadiga in UK poll battle
Dr Neeraj Patil, Indian doctor in the UK, will be contesting for a Parliamentary seat in Britain as a Labour Party candidate. He was elected to Lambeth Council in May 2006. The Parliament elections are due in May 2009. Dr Patil will be fighting the poll battle against Conservative Education Minister Michael Gove.The 38-year-old Dr Patil is a native of Gulbarga. He is consultant at the Kingston Hospital in South-East London and working in the UK for the last 14 years. Thirty eight per cent population of Lambeth, which is represented by Dr Patil, has ethnic minorities.

KSIC mulls challenge to Chinese silk
State Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao urged the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) to enter the global market by bringing out novel products. Giving a pat to KSIC MD N Vijayan for the Corporation’s turn around in the last couple of years, he suggested promoting Mysore silk as a brand ambassador of Karnataka’s heritage.Inaugurating a workshop on “Vision-Mission for KSIC” here on Saturday, Rao said that all support will be extended to Mysore silk.