Creator of 'Indian comics' no more

February 25, 2011

Mangalore, February 25: Ananth Pai (81), popularly known as Uncle Pai, the creator of 'Indian comics,' in particular the Amar Chitra Katha series in 1967, which retold traditional Indian folk tales, mythological stories and biographies of historical characters, passed away in Mumbai on Thursday.

Born in Karkala

Born in Karkala to Venkataraya and Susheela Pai, he lost his parents at the age of two. At the age of 12, he went to Mumbai, where he studied in Orient School, Mahim. He studied Chemistry, Physics and Chemical Technology at the University of Bombay Department of Chemical Technology and was a dual degree holder from the University of Bombay.

Endowed with a passion for publishing and comics, his failed attempt at creating a children's magazine (Manav, 1954) was followed by a career as a junior executive in the Times of India books division, putting him in the thick of affairs when Indrajal comics was launched by the Times Group.

In 1967, he left his job and started Amar Chitra Katha, with the help of late G L Mirchandani of India Book House, when most other publishers from Allied Publishers to Jaico had rejected the concept. Later, he took on the role of writer, editor and publisher. The series went on to become a publishing milestone for the Indian comic book scene, selling over 86 million copies of about 440 titles.

In 1969, Anant Pai founded Rang Rekha Features, India's first comic and cartoon syndicate, and started the children's magazine Tinkle in 1980. His involvement with the above, and the rapport he shared with his readers earned him the title 'Uncle Pai'.

Other works

Ramu and Shamu, Kapish, Little Raji, Rekha, Fact Fantasy, Funland and Funtime are some of the comic strips created by Pai, most of which continue to appear in newspapers and magazines. He has written and produced two video films, Ekam Sat (the Vedic Concept of God) and The Secret of Success, in English and Hindi. Pai's other works include a number of books on personality development for children and teenagers.

pai

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News Network
May 15,2020

Bengalur, May 15: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan on Friday said that stern action will be taken against the persons responsible for organising the village temple fair in Ramanagara district.

"Stern action will be taken against the person responsible for organising the festival. This should not have happened," the Deputy CM said.

Flouting all social distancing norms, people had gathered in large numbers for a temple fair in Kolagondanahalli village of Ramanagara. People were even not wearing masks.

They had taken permission for gathering from Panchayat Development Officer NC Kalmatt.

Kalmatt has been suspended by Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner following a report by the Tehsildar.

Meanwhile, 45 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Karnataka, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 1,032 on Friday, according to the state Health Department.

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coastaldigest.com News Network
April 25,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 25: Bajrang Dal's former Karantaka satate convenor Mahendra Kumar, who dedicated last decade of his life to expose the misdeeds and lies of Sangh Parivar, passed away today due to cardiac arrest here. He was 47 years old.

Kumar was undergoing treatment at Ramaiah hospital Bengaluru where he breathed his last today (April 25) morning. His final rites will be held in his hometown, sources said.

Kumar, who hailed from Koppa in Chikkamagaluru was a resident of Bengaluru.

He had reportedly involved in the 2008 attacks on Christians' places of worship in Mangaluru and Chikkamagaluru and had faced arrest for that. 

However, he quit Bajrang Dal same year and the apologized to Christians. He joined Janata Dal (Secular) in 2011.

After quitting Bajrang Dal and adopting left ideology, he openly attacked the ideology of right-wing outfits. 

He founded Jana Dhwani movement as a voice for the oppressed classes of the state. He used social media to attack the "manuvaad" for past one decade.

Comments

AA
 - 
Sunday, 26 Apr 2020

Rest in peace.....Sir

who will take over his job, who will fulfill his wishes to free this country from manuvad..?

Angry Indian
 - 
Saturday, 25 Apr 2020

GOD will turn the table for his good work at the last moment...we really lost good voice who is to support humanity...

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News Network
July 16,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 16: Rattled by the spurt in Covid-19 positive cases, a Karnataka minister on Wednesday said only god would save the people from coronavirus pandemic.

"Only god has to save us from the virus or the people should be made aware of the infection so that they wear mask and maintain social distancing," state Health Minister B Sriramulu told reporters in Chitradurga, 205-km northwest of Bengaluru.

Noting that the infection does not differentiate between rich and poor, police, doctors, politicians or legislators, Sriramulu said the communicable disease could rise to alarming level in the ensuing two months, as the cases were rising daily the world over.

"Who can control coronavirus? In the present situation, only god has to save us. Otherwise, the people should become aware of its (virus) consequences. If we have made mistakes, we are ready to face punishment for them," said Sriramulu, who is the ruling BJP's legislator from the Molakalmuru reserved assembly segment in the district.

Refuting the opposition Congress charge that the cases were rising in the state due to negligence by ministers, officials and legislators, Sriramulu said Karnataka was performing better than other states till the cases began to steadily rise since unlock started and the people were moving in violation of the guidelines.

A record 3,176 cases were reported from across the southern state during the day, taking the Covid tally to a whopping 47,253, including 27,853 active cases after 18,466 were discharged, with 1,076 during the day, while 928 succumbed to the virus, with 87 in the last 24 hours.

In Bengaluru, which is under 9-day lockdown since Tuesday night till July 22 morning, 1,975 positive cases were registered, taking its tally to 22,944, including 17,051 active after 5,455 were discharged so far, with 463 during the day, while 437 died of the infection, with 60 in the last 24 hours.

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