When did the world come to an understanding about uniform 7 days a week

 I have always wondered as to when did the world come to an understanding about uniform 7 days in a week, not withstanding the adjust ment factor of leap year and Adhika Maasa.

While I lived in Mysore, I wanted to raise this issue with Prof. Adyanadaka Krishna Bhat but could not do so. Now perhaps the venerable Professor may throw light on this aspect in greater detail.

The Gulmohar tree not suited for narrow Indian roadside planting

The Gulmohar tree has many admirers everywhere.  The Karnataka Forest Department has planted them all over Bangalore and Mysore. This tree, a native of Madagascar is exotic and  not suited for planting as  ornamental trees in narrow streets of India.

The branches grow far and wide from the trunk and get entangled in electric wires. The base of the tree just above the ground is supported with huge lateral root structures  which not only occupy a lot of space, but also break open the  pavements around it. The brief efflorescence period is a feast to the eyes; beware, after a few months, the sword like fruit(ಕತ್ತಿ  ಕಯಿ) will swish like  the Democles Sword in the summer dust storm, and fall with a lot of force to strike on the  unwitting passers by.   This tree is suceptible to many viral, fungal, parasitic afflictions and come down with a thud without prior notice.  Instead of planting exotic tree varieties, which are more harmful in one way or the other, the Karnataka Forest Department would do well to identify indegenous shady  trees most suitable for planting in narrow city roads which need less space and do not pose danger to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.  The Neem, Honge, Ashoka  and the like may be considered as suitable for the purpose.

History of Yelwal Road, Mysore

Star of Mysore columnists K. Vijaya Kumar and Dr. Javeed Nayeem keep the unique culture of the evening daily newspaper vibrant.

Reading K. Vijaya Kumar’s suggestions in SOM recently regarding Kuvempu’s house Udaya Ravi, my thoughts went back to my school days when I used to cycle along Vinoba Road, also known Yelwal Road. Being a student of history, I was keen to know why it was named so. I found out with a lot of thrill that President Dr. Rajendra Prasad addressed the Gramdan Conference at Yelwal (Mysore) on Sept. 23, 1957 and that President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, members of the Planning Commission, Praja Samajwadi Party President Ganga Sharan, Jaiprakash Narayan, Joint Samajwadi Dal representative Z. Ahmed and Namoodripad were also present along with Gulzarilal Nanda. In memory of this great event, Yelwal Road was re-named Vinoba Road.

I am very sure that many Mysoreans would be equally thrilled to know that Chakravarthi Rajgopalachari visited Mysore after landing in a small aircraft at Mandakalli Airport in 1950s.

Another interesting piece of history is about Sayyaji Rao Road in Mysore and Chamarajendra Road in Baroda. There are many more interesting historical facts about Mysore. Perhaps the venerable Professor A.V. Narasimha Murthy and other columnists will continue to keep the readers of SOM delighted.