The Vikram Hegdes of this world

I have come across some techies on Orkut, Facebook etc. with the same name as me and I can also think of a distant relative called Vikram Hegde. However, the latest Vikram Hegde to catch my attention has been the man who is legal counsel to the recently arrested B.V. Seetharam, editor of 'Karavali Ale'.

B.V. Seetharam has been arrested by the Mangaloor Rural Police Station. Cases have been booked against him under S 153 (A), 153 (B) and 29 (A) IPC. News of his extreme weakness and his life being in danger in Police Custody have filled the local media(here, here).

Now this other Vikram Hegde also being an advocate has led to a wee bit confusion which at current levels only amuses me. After receiving messages yesterday from 2 juniors in college who were just pulling my leg, I received 2 calls today from people who actually thought it was me. I had to remind them that I was still in college and wouldn't be able to undertake any such activity till the second half of 2010. To complicate matters, the Editor has now been shifted from Mangalore Sub Jail to Mysore Central Jail and one guy wanted me to know If I was handling it in Mysore.

Nonetheless I wish my namesake and his client all the best. I'll not make any comment on the merits of the complaint against him (not because of procedural impropriety of comments pending trial or anything but simply because I don't know enough about the exact nature of the complaint). However, I find the treatment meted out to the editor extremely disturbing. A friend has sent me a brief of the new Cr.P.C. amendment which he says would make such arrests illegal. Will have to wait till after exams. Best of luck to those who are writing exams with me.

the mysore stamp

On and off I have been a strong advocate of Mysore's greatness on this blog (A year and a half and I shall be a great advocate from Mysore, hyuk hyuk I crack myself up).

Inspired, of course by this which was flashing at the margin of this blog along with the other Mysore news. The piece lists out several items which hold geographical indications from Mysore and places near Mysore. Expectedly it includes Mysore Sandal oil, Mysore Sandal soap, Mysore Agarbatti, Mysore Silk, Mysore Mallige (Jasmine) and Mysore paintings.

I hadn't heard of Mysore betel leaves (the best ones are Mangalore ele) and if not given a tip off I would not have listed Mysore Rosewood Inlay work.

One registered item the author has missed are Mysore Ganjifa Playing cards (found in several places in India but only the mysore variety finds mention in the GI registry at Chennai). Not so popular themselves anymore, the patterns and designs from these cards occur just about everywhere from jewelry to sarees to carpets.

Some items which non mysoreans tell me mysore is famous for but aren't registered as GI include Mysore dosei, Mysore rasam (not sold commercially under these appellations and have more to do with the recipe than the place of making). Mysore Pak, though sold commercially by that name, doesn't hold a GI for similar reasons. Come to think of it I've never even had good mysore pak in Mysore. Other items in this category include Mysore Petha (or Jari petha) which is a style of wrapping a turban,

Jogging my memory a bit more I can also think of Mysore cattle (also called Kangayam cattle), which would be a prime candidate for GI though I'm not sure if they actually are from Mysore. Mysore Mallige rice, again denoting a rice variety from regions falling within the erstwhile Mysore state. Mysore Dal which I have merely heard of and have been told that it is a special variety of toor dal (those in the know will kindly throw more light). Mysore Badanekayi (alternative name: Eerangere badanekayi) which is a kind of brinjal grown in villages near Mysore and an essential component of the Vangibaath of my dreams. I've heard of Mysore Ivory carvings but we love our elephants here so don't even think about it.
Mysore kuri (two varieties Kurumbar and Shambliar both known as Mysore Sheep)

Something that will never qualify for GI is mysore weed (is this the Srirangapatna stuff some people here talk about?) but I have it from good authority (Gazetteer no less) that the State of Mysore sanctioned the sale of weed and opium and maintained depots for the purpose.

Will someone please tell me what mysore idli is?

Top 10 discoveries of 2008

Discoveries include rediscoveries

Dawn

Untamed cat

Freako

What I'm here for (One of the several theories, and here means Law School I'm not capable of thought more metaphysical than that)

What I like doing (as in what I REALLY like doing)

Avrekal Saaru, BeLe HoLige etc. thanks aayi

Treadmill, H Bar etc. (weight on 01/01/2008 = 86, weight on 01/01/2009 = 74 and that without being regular)

Mr. V K Patil (special public prosecutor when I first met him early 2008. Now Deputy Director of Prosecutions)

Convenership

Negotiations from the other side

Ten is too short a list. And these are in no particular order. Will post addenda soon.