Catchy!

By B S Ranganath I f you’ve ever wondered how products reach you in shiny boxes, sturdy bottles, or smartly designed wraps, you’re already brushing up against the world of Packaging South Asia. It’s a lively industry hub covering everything about packaging—from creative design ideas to powerful machines stamping labels across the region. With trends that keep switching up, clever solutions for tricky problems, and a dedicated group of people pushing things forward, this platform keeps anyone connected to packaging up to speed. Even if your only connection is picking out a snack off the shelf, you’re part of this packaging adventure. I see Packaging South Asia as a group that picks up on every little detail behind the scenes of bagged chips, glass jars, online orders, and shelf-ready cartons. They dig into packaging trends, fresh tech, and the rules that affect everyone from manufacturers and graphic designers to shoppers. If you’ve spotted a sustainable pouch in your supermarket or fou...

  By Chaitra H V O n a quiet August afternoon, myself sat with a pen in hand, looking at a lined page dated August 21, 2026. Inspired by the festival of Varamahalakshmi—the goddess known for bestowing blessings—I felt moved to write a poem that captures both national pride and a deep, reflective concern for society. In my handwritten Kannada verse, I reflect on how much India has achieved. I write with awe about the country's progress in science and technology, its formidable defense strength, achievements in sports, and reach into outer space. I note how tall skyscrapers touch the sky while ancient traditions like yoga and timeless philosophy spread across the globe. By all visible measures, the nation is thriving. Yet, as my pen moves to the second half of the page, my tone shifts to an intimate, heartfelt concern. I write that despite all this outer success, something inside feels restless. Observing everyday life around me, I worry about a growing lack of patience and tolerance...

ಲೇಖನ: ಬಿ. ಎಸ್. ರಂಗನಾಥ್ ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಕಾಫಿ ತೋಟಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊರತುಪಡಿಸಿ, ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಕೊಡಗಿನ ವೈವಿಧ್ಯಮಯ ಬೆಟ್ಟಗುಡ್ಡಗಳು ಸಣ್ಣ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ವೈನ್ ತಯಾರಿಸುವ ಒಂದು ಆತ್ಮೀಯ ಪರಂಪರೆಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿವೆ. ಮಡಿಕೇರಿ ಬಳಿಯ ಕಾಲೂರು ಗ್ರಾಮದ ಪ್ರದೀಪ್ ಅವರಂತಹ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳು ಪೀಳಿಗೆಯಿಂದ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಗೆ ಹಸ್ತಾಂತರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದಿರುವ ಈ ಕಲೆಯು ಆತ್ಮೀಯತೆ, ಆತಿಥ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಈ ಮಣ್ಣಿನೊಂದಿಗಿನ ಆಳವಾದ ಬಾಂಧವ್ಯವನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿಹಿಡಿಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಂದು, ಕೈಯಿಂದ ತಯಾರಿಸಿದ ಈ ವೈನ್‌ಗಳನ್ನು ಭಾರತದಾದ್ಯಂತ ಹಾಗೂ ವಿದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಸವಿಯಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಕೊಡಗಿನ ಗೃಹ ತಯಾರಿಕೆಯ ವೈನ್‌ಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಘಟಕಾಂಶಗಳು, ಸಂಸ್ಕರಿಸಿದ ವಿಧಾನಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ವೈವಿಧ್ಯಮಯ ರುಚಿಯ ಪ್ರೊಫೈಲ್‌ಗಳಿಂದ ಎದ್ದು ಕಾಣುತ್ತವೆ. ಸಾಂಪ್ರದಾಯಿಕ 'ರೆಡ್ ಗ್ರೇಪ್' (ಕೆಂಪು ದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಿ) ತಳಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊರತುಪಡಿಸಿ, ವೈನ್ ತಯಾರಕರು ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಉತ್ಪನ್ನಗಳಿಂದ ಸೃಜನಶೀಲ ಮಿಶ್ರಣಗಳನ್ನು ತಯಾರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಕೊಡುಗೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಖಾರವಾದ ಮೆಣಸಿನಕಾಯಿ (ಚಿಲ್ಲಿ) ವೈನ್, ಕ್ಯಾರಮೆಲ್ ಸುವಾಸನೆಯ ಖರ್ಜೂರದ ವೈನ್, ಮೂಲಿಕೆಗಳ ಗುಣವಿರುವ ವೀಳ್ಯದೆಲೆ ವೈನ್ ಮತ್ತು ಮೃದುವಾದ ಅಂಜೂರದ ವೈನ್ ಸೇರಿವೆ. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಪ್ಯಾಷನ್ ಫ್ರೂಟ್ ಅಥವಾ ಪನ್ನೇರಳೆ ಹಣ್ಣಿನಿಂದ ಮಾಡಿದ ಆಯಾ ಋತುವಿನ ವಿಶೇಷ ವೈನ್‌ಗಳೂ ಲಭ್ಯವಿವೆ. ಈ ಅನನ್ಯ ಬಾಟಲಿಗಳು ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಪ್ರಾದೇಶಿಕ ಸಮಾರಂಭ...

By K S Shyamsundara F or over three decades, Madhav Rao had lived by a strict, unyielding moral compass. As a government school teacher in a bustling town, he had shaped thousands of young minds, teaching them geography, history, and more importantly, integrity. He belonged to a rare, vanishing breed of individuals who believed that a clean conscience was the greatest wealth a human being could possess. When he finally hung up his chalk and retired, his entire life's earnings culminated in a modest monthly pension and a rented flat on the second floor of a high-rise apartment complex. He lived there quietly with his wife, Sharada. The apartment building was a microcosm of modern society. While Madhav Rao lived on the lower floors—accessible by stairs and filled with modest, working-class families—the upper floors scaled heights of unimaginable luxury. The penthouses and higher storeys were occupied by the town’s elite: influential politicians, wealthy contractors, and high-ranking ...

  By B S Ranganath H is affectionate smile faded on Sarva Ekadashi in 1956, when his physical journey came to a close. His mortal remains were consigned to the sacred flames at the MCC Crematorium at Harishchandra Ghat, nestled near the Guha Temple at the Chamundi Foothills, Mysuru. I am writing this overdue tribute today, honoring his memory as I've performed his yearly rituals this month.  For many families in India, special days on the lunar calendar carry a mix of spirit, tradition, and comfort. I found myself swept up in this feeling one morning in July, when my family in Bengaluru gathered for my father's annual remembrance ceremony. The house was alive with scents of sandalwood, the sound of soft devotional tunes, and a sense of peace. The occasion? Sarva Ekadashi, that fell due on July 10 this year. To some, it might seem like just another festival, but for us, there’s a deeper story woven into this eleventh lunar day; its layers only become clearer with each family ce...

By B S Ranganath M onthly and annual rituals are a core part of many families’ observances after losing a loved one. I’ve found them to be more than simple customs; they offer real comfort and a sense of structure during a period that can often feel unpredictable. The Hindu tradition, for example, outlines a specific calendar of rituals, including masikas and oonamasikas, to help families honor and remember the deceased. These ceremonies are meaningful, with each one serving a particular purpose as the year unfolds. The tradition of performing sixteen monthly (masika) and extra (oonamasika) ceremonies in the first year after a death stems from the Hindu lunar calendar. Unlike the standard twelve-month English calendar, these ceremonies are based on the tithi, or the lunar day, which means the actual dates can switch up each year. Here is an example: Reference Date: January 22, 2026 (Graphic Above) Panchanga mentions towards Shukla Chaturthi tithi for the coming 12 months: Phalguna Shuk...