Mangaluru: Telescope Observatory & Astrophysics Club inaugurated at CFAL

Media Release

February 13, 2021

Mangaluru, Feb 13: CFAL’s Telescope Observatory and Astrophysics Club was inaugurated at its campus at Bejai-Kapikad today by Dr. Prajval Shastri, well-known Astrophysicist, Indian Institute of Astrophysics - Bangalore. Dr. Shastri specializes in the area of phenomenology of active galaxies driven by supermassive black holes using multi-wavelength observations ranging from radio to X-ray wavelengths. The main objective of the Astrophysics club at CFAL, one of its kind in Mangalore is to promote amateur astronomy through talks, classes, observations and discussions. The club will conduct evening and night sky observations through the telescope at the campus, telescope building and much more as part of its activities.

The institute’s observatory and club is dedicated to fostering communication and participation among students who are interested in astronomy & allied sciences and also assisting them in fulfilment of their curricular, educational, research and other such activities in form of observations, field trips etc. Astrophysics classes are conducted at CFAL for Grade 1 to Grade 12 students. The observatory is equipped with a 127mm Explore Scientific FD100 APO Refractor mounted on CEM60 iOptron mount. There photographs are taken on ZWO ASI071MC Pro cooled astro camera mounted with an Optolong 2" L-Enhance dual narrowband light pollution filter. A Skywatcher 10 inch motorized GoTo is used for visual astronomy.

Besides the inauguration of the Observatory and Astrophysics Club, Dr. Prajval also unveiled the 2021-22 Indian Women in Science Calendar. The event was followed by a brief interactive session with Ms. Nandita Jayaraj, Coordinator of The Learning Centre Library and Women in Science calendar. Present at the occasion were Vijay Moras (Program Coordinator CFAL), Smitha Hegde (Pteridologist & panellist) and other members of the CFAL team.

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Nati koli saaru, fry, idli, vada and pongal on Siddaramaiah’s breakfast menu at DKS’ residence

News Network

December 2,2025

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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