GT Foundation News

GT Foundation is involved in various events. The news of some of them are listed as follows:

KSTA - Fourth Annual Conference

January 29th 2012, Mangalore: Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), an autonomous organization in the Department of Science and Technology under the Chairmanship of distinguished space scientist Prof. U R Rao, Former Chairman, ISRO recently concluded its Fourth Annual Conference which was organized in collaboration with Mangalore University on January 28th and 29th at the University Campus. The function was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. D. V. Sadananda Gowda on January 28, 2012. Mr. Anand Vasanth Asnotikar, State Minister for Fisheries, Science, and Technology was also present during this occasion.

The theme of the Conference was “Frontiers of Science and Technology Development: Challenges and Opportunities”.

Dr. V. Ravichandran, C.E.O of GlowTouch Technologies was invited to be one of the lead spokesperson to deliver a talk on the topic “ICT for Development of e-Inclusive Society: Future Perspective”.

Coastal Business Development Summit

January 4th 2012, Mangalore: The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) in association with the Department of Industries & Commerce, Department of Infrastructure Development (Govt. of Karnataka), NRI Forum, Karnataka and Coastal Development Authority had organized a “Coastal Business Development Summit” at Sri. T. V Ramana Pai Convention Centre on January 4th & 5th 2012 respectively. The function was inaugurated by Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, Hon’ble Union Minister – Corporate Affairs, Govt. of India and presided by Mr. D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The Coastal Region Development Committee was formed for the first time in the FKCCI, to look after the interest of the Commerce, Industries & Trade in the region and contribute for the overall Economic Development of the region.

Dr. V. Ravichandran was the Chairperson and he also delivered a talk on “IT, BT and Knowledge based Sectors in the coastal region”. During his talk he mentioned about the success story of GlowTouch Technologies/Diya Systems in Mangalore.

This summit was organized to showcase the potential of the region for investment & development and to motivate the existing enterprise and also to attract investors and new entrepreneurs to the coastal districts. Infrastructure, Tourism, Connectivity and Financial Services were the main topics of discussion for the summit.

Public Transport Services

The Foundation is attempting to get public transport services introduced in the Mary Hill area from various parts of the city. Discussions with all the appropriate authorities and transport operators are in very advanced stage. The Foundation has offered the City Corporation of Mangalore to put up a traffic circle and a bus shelter for the public at Mary Hill in the above connection. The Foundation has been striving hard to address to the said long felt need of the residents of Mary Hill area of Mangalore. The Foundation is hopeful of taking its efforts to a logical conclusion with the help of all the authorities concerned, who have been responding very favourably.

Tejodiya 2011 (Friday, December 20, 2011)

Encouraged by the applause and accolades on “Tejodiya 2010”, the Foundation enlarged the scope of operation and enhanced the scale of the annual event and held “Tejodiya 2011” on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at the Town Hall, Mangalore. Dr. Balipa Narayana Bhagawatharu, a renowned exponent of Tenkutittu tradition of Yakshagana and eminent senior folk researcher and scholar, Dr. Amritha Someshwar were honoured. The two stalwarts were recognized for their six decades of service to the culture, literature and performing arts of Dakshin Kannada District. Both the doyens were offered floral tributes, fruits, shawls, plaques and Rs. 25000/- each.

Ms. P Ramaa, an artiste of renown, holding a masters degree in music from the Mysore University, and known for her mellifluous voice and charismatic blend of melody, depth of understanding and soul-stirring rendition, was also honoured with shawl, saree and cash. She was a Staff Artiste with All India Radio for fifteen years till she gave up the job to pursue music as her career. She has been placed uniformly by All India Radio in ‘A’ grade for devotional music; classical vocal and light music rendition which vouch for her professional versatility and supremacy. Every Bharathanatyam dancer of eminence enjoys performing with Ramaa’s rendition. She has performed in every cultural festival of eminence

Also honoured at the function were special children from Dakshin Kannada and Udupi Districts who had done the country proud by winning medals at the 14th Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens 2011. Ms. Dhanya S Rao, Ms. Pramila Pinto, Mr. Royston Pinto and Mr. Anil Mendoca received certificates, plaques, mementos and cash for their path breaking performances.

Four children from U.S.A who recently had their Arangetram there, Ms. Anjali Chadha, Ms. Neha Srinivasan, Ms. Sanjana Mahesh and Ms. Shyama Iyer were warmly felicitated and honoured with certificates, plaques, mementos and cash. They staged Bharatha Natyam dance performances on the occasion.

Voice and Vision India (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)

Dr. V. Ravichandran, Managing Trustee of GT Foundation had recently organized a Special School Meet at the GlowTouch campus. The Director Ms. Sampada Shevde and the Deputy Director Ms. Anindita Mukherjee, from Voice and Vision India visited GlowTouch Technologies and met the faculty members of around 20 special schools in and around Mangalore. The purpose of their visit was to have a face to face interactive session with the teachers and trainers and understand the various challenges faced by them. They also visited some of the specially challenged schools in and around Mangalore and discussed about the possibility of opening a Resource Center in Mangalore. Voice and Vision India works in partnership with Government agencies and NGOs to train Master teachers, teachers, CBR workers, aanganwadi workers, supervisors and families of children with VIMD in all regions and states of India. The activities of Voice and Vision India are supported by the international program of Perkins International School for the Blind, USA.

Rotary meet at GlowTouch campus (Thursday, March 10, 2011)

The Rotarians meet which is normally held at Taj Gateway every Thursday at 7.00 p.m. was for a change, recently held at GlowTouch Technologies / Diya Systems Campus on March 10, 2011 under the GT Foundation Sponsorship Programme. GT Foundation is involved in a variety of philanthropic activities in Mangalore and surrounding areas. GT Foundation individually and also in affiliation with the Rotary Club of Mangalore has built orphanages, schools, computer training facility and participated in a wide variety of social entrepreneurship and awareness projects. Dr. V. Ravichandran C.E.O of Diya Systems / GlowTouch Technologies who is an active Rotarian invited the members of the Rotary Club of Mangalore to see his new campus located at Maryhill, Mangalore. Dr. V. Ravichandran and Mrs. Indira Ravichandran graciously received The Rotarians and The Anns.

The meeting began with an invocation by IPP Rtn. Ranganath Shenoy, brief introduction by the President Rtn. Satindra Rao, speech by Rtn. V. Ravichandran wherein he spoke about his company’s modest beginnings, his achievements over the years and the employment opportunities to various people especially his commitment towards the local people of Mangalore. He also committed towards building another classroom for the children of the Navachethana School at Neermarga whereby he’s previously sponsored 2 classrooms. Mr. Sushan K provided a presentation on Smart phones, Social networking and cloud computing to demonstrate the evolvement of Technology in 2011.

The meeting ended with vote of thanks by Secretary Rtn. Shridhar, followed by a Tour of the IT Campus, and a sumptuous dinner hosted by Rtn. V. Ravichandran and Ann Indira Ravichandran.

Meeting with the Special School Authorities (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)

Dr. V. Ravichandran, Managing Trustee of GT Foundation had organized a meeting recently with the faculty members of around 20 special schools in and around Mangalore. He had a very good interactive session with all the teachers to know and understand more about their school and their specially challenged children. He was informed that in Mangalore and Udupi (South Kanara District) alone, there are around 1000 children with multiple disabilities such as mentally challenged, physically handicapped, deaf and dumb, autistic, cerebral palsy and so on.

Dr. Ravichandran tried to understand from the teachers, their shortcomings in helping the specially challenged children, their various necessities in terms of aids and also discussed the importance of more training to be imparted to the teachers. Dr. V. Ravichandran discussed about his first meeting with Mr. Steven M. Rothstein, President of the Perkins International School for the Blind, USA and thereafter his association with Perkins International and Voice and Vision India. He briefed the faculty more about the various training programmes the Institute undertakes for the teachers and families of the physically challenged children. The Director of Voice and Vision India will also be visiting Mangalore on March 16th & 17th respectively and the faculty members of various Institutes will have an opportunity to discuss their requirements face to face with the Director.

Vishshtarigagi Vishishta Mela (Wednesday, January 9, 2011)

Dr. V. Ravichandran, Managing Trustee of GT Foundation, an Organization undertaking philanthropic activities was the chief guest at "Vishshtarigagi Vishishta Mela" held on January 9, 2011. The Event was organized by Seva Bharathi and Asha Jyothi, Forum for the Challenged children of the society. The Event was their sincere effort to give the Challenged children an experience of the world outside.

Vasundharotsava 2010-11 (Sunday, December 26, 2010)

Dr. V. Ravichandran, C.E.O GlowTouch Technologies, was invited to be one of the chief guests on occasion of “Vasundharotsava 2010-11”, a seven days cultural event organized by Vasundhara Performing Arts Centre, Mysore, an initiative of Bharatanatyam exponent Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy. The centre, which organizes dance and music festivals to keep the flame of culture glowing, is celebrating its silver jubilee. The festival marks the culmination of 25 years of promoting classical dance and providing a platform for budding artistes.

TEJO DIYA 2010 (Friday, December 10, 2010)

In the year 2010, the Foundation has embarked on honouring venerated Gurus and renowned exponents of various arts/vocations. “Tejodiya 2010” was successfully held at Town Hall, Mangalore in December 2010 where Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy a danseuse of repute, a Bharathanatyam Guru and exponent of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was honoured.

A Braille typewriter was presented to the Roman and Catherine Lobo School for the blind on the occasion. The students of the said school and various dance schools of Mangalore for afforded an opportunity to show case their talents.

The cultural event was co-sponsored by The Corporation Bank, The Indian Overseas Bank and The Karnataka Bank.

Certificate of Appreciation from Father Muller Medical College Hospital (Thursday, April 15, 2010)

Diya Systems (Mangalore) Pvt. Ltd. (GT Foundation Technologies), in joint association with Fr. Muller Medical College Hospital had organized a Blood Donation Camp on March 31st ’10 at our Campus. About 100 employees from our organization had volunteered to donate their blood for a noble cause. As recognition of our gesture of goodwill, the Father Muller Medical College Hospital has awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Diya Systems and offered their sincere gratitude to all the donors.

Visit to Palaiyur Village, Tamil Nadu (Thursday, February 18, 2010)

Dr. V. Ravichandran, CEO of GlowTouch Technologies and Mrs. Indira Ravichandran, Managing Director, visited their native village Palaiyur in Tamil Nadu and spent sometime with the Management and Children of Palaiyur School. They officially inaugurated the new School playground and two classrooms for which they have donated Rs. 1.60 lakhs. They also made a generous contribution in terms of school books worth Rs. 10,000, dictionaries for the children of Class VIII, IX and X, library books and also sponsored the prizes for the various sports events. They also planted samplings in the school campus.

Visit to the Bala Samrakshana Kendra (Friday, December 25, 2009)

The Management of GlowTouch Technologies recently organized free lunch for the residents of the Bala Samrakshana Kendra on account of the Christmas Feast. Bala Samrakshana Kendra consists of approx. 90 children and is located at Kuttarpadavu. Mrs. Vidya Ravichandran, Dr. V. Ravichandran, Mrs. Indira Ravichandra, Mr. Vikram Chadha and Ms. Anjali were present during this occasion.

Display of handicrafts by Little Sisters of the Poor

GlowTouch Technologies, a Louisville, KY-based IT/ITES Company having its development center located in Mangalore, Karnataka recently helped the Little Sisters of the Poor (Home for the aged) by providing space at their office campus to display the handicrafts made by the residents of the home for the aged. The handicrafts displayed were specifically designed and made by the old people residing at the center. The employees of GlowTouch Technologies showed keen interest in the handicrafts and helped the Little Sisters of the Poor by purchasing these items.