Monthly Archives: March 2018

Centre’s help may be sought to get Kittur Rani’s sword

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

Bengaluru :

Running against time in fulfilling politically significant obligations days before announcement of the assembly elections, the government is likely to seek the Centre’s help to bring back 19th century queen Kittur Rani Chennamma’s sword, believed to be kept in the London Museum.
Lingayat community members, especially those from the politically dominant Pachamasali sect which the queen is believed to be from, have been demanding that the sword, reportedly used by Chennamma while fighting the Britishers, be brought back.

Sources said chief minister Siddaramaiah is likely to write to the ministry of external affairs about the sword after the state cabinet meeting scheduled on Wednesday. The meeting is expected to approve the report, recommending separate religion status to the Lingayat community.

The community members met Siddaramaiah at Koodalasangama in Bagalkot district on Monday, and urged him to expedite the process. “The issue will get complicated if the government fails to fulfil the procedural steps before the announcement of elections,” said Shivanand Jamdar, a former bureaucrat and general secretary of Lingayat Mahasabha Vedike.

Demanding initiation of diplomatic consultations between India and Britain in the matter, Jagadguru Jaya Mrutyunajya Swamy, pontiff of Lingayat Panchamasali Mahapeetha of Koodalasangama, said: “We’re ready to fulfil all formalities and mobilise required funds to bring back the sword.”

Earlier in 2012, the BJP government had set up a committee headed by scholar M M Kalburgi to look into the issue. But efforts came to a standstill after he was gunned down by unknown assailants in 2015.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News / by B V Shiva Shankar / TNN / March 13th, 2018

Foodpanda launches tech centre in Bengaluru, to hire 100 personnel

Business & Economy, Records, All

New Delhi:

Online food delivery marketplace Foodpanda on Tuesday announced the launch of its dedicated technology centre in Bengaluru, thus venturing into advanced technology such as machine learning and data analytics.

The state-of-the-art tech centre will be aimed to strengthen the technology infrastructure, product capabilities and end user experience for the company. A blueprint has been drawn to hire 100 team members with strong tech background in a span of six to nine months.

The tech center will be fully operational in a couple of weeks, and will be headed by Nitin Gupta, who was recently appointed as the Head of Engineering at Foodpanda.

The tech centre will extensively work on re-imagining the product, integrate functions and introduce specialised domains of machine learning and data sciences. This would be directed to develop more personalised offerings for the restaurant partners and millions of prospective customers in the country.

The tech centre is envisioned to become a hub for the best tech talent working in the food tech space in the country, and will also be used for aggressive R&D functions in the future while leveraging best practices from around the world.

“Through the technology centre in Bengaluru, we envision to bring together the best team of tech enthusiasts working on building a future ready product. Leveraging robust data sciences and machine learning, we intend to personalise offerings for all our stakeholders. Following the commitment to strengthen our delivery network, this is an instrumental step towards building a strong food tech ecosystem in the country,” said Foodpanda India CEO, Pranay Jivrajka.

With Foodpanda’s recent allocation of Rs. 400 crores for delivery logistics, the tech centre will ensure an aggressive push in the direction of building a seamless experience for all its stakeholders – partner restaurants, riders, and end consumers – and creating a significant long-term business value.

source: http://www.gadgetsnow.com / Gadgets Now / Home> News> Tech News / by ANI / March 14th, 2018

Goshanas unearthed at village near Dharwad

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GoshanasBF14mar2018

Archaeological evidences from the periods of the Shatavahanas, Rashtrakutas and Kalyana Chalukyas (9th century to 13th century AD) have been unearthed at Yadwad in the taluk.

Goshana inscriptions were found while digging the ground for the construction of a temple in a farm belonging to Vittal Dindalakoppa. Idols of Mahishasura Mardini, Saptha Mathrukas and two Shivalingas have also been unearthed.

Idols had been found here in the past also. R M Shadaksharaiah, retired professor at the archaeology department in Karnatak University, Dharwad, said, “Pots unearthed here are from thue Shatavahana period (2nd century).

Of the four Goshanas, two have been partially damaged and have Halegannada words carved on them. One of the Goshanas is a pillar-like structure with eight faces carved at its top. The objects of archaeological importance found here date back to a 1,000 years and a one-of-its-kind statue of Shivaji on horse back had been unearthed here in the past.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States / by DH News Service, Dharwad / March 10th, 2018

Indo-French centre of excellence

Business & Economy, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The Indo-French Centre of Excellence in Electricity Automation and Energy was inaugurated by French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation Frédérique Vidal on Monday at the New Horizon College of Engineering.

According to a press release issued by the Consulate General of France, this was an initiative of French company Schneider Electric, which would impart technical training to future professionals. It would have a combination of theoretical knowledge with practical use of tools and equipment, the release added.

At the same event, the Minister also witnessed the signing of a partnership between New Horizon College of Engineering and CMQ3M of Rouen, France, which is an institute specialising in electrical engineering and efficiency.

The Minister was on a three day visit to India. On Monday, she also visited the ISRO Satellite Integration and test establishment, and had a collective meeting with French companies which have research and development centres in the city.

She visited the Indian Institute of Science to focus on Indo-French collaborations in the field of scientific research undertaken at IISc. She met French scholars and students on the campus.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Staff Reporter / March 12th, 2018

Soulfood for craftsmen

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An artisan weaving a Gomi Teni sari | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
An artisan weaving a Gomi Teni sari | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Hemalatha Jain is reinventing ancient, forgotten weaves from India’s heartlands

The Gomi Teni sari from North Karnataka, was worn by women in the 12th century.

“They haven’t been worn in over 40 years, though their border styles are used in some versions of the Ilkal sari,” says Hemalatha Jain, who is bringing the sari to Bengaluru, after having worked on its revival through her Punarjeevana initiative which seeks to empower the weavers and sustain such crafts.

“The sari’s motifs (especially on the border) evoke the patterns of jowar seeds, a prominent crop in North Karnataka, and are represented by the herringbone stitch. Gomi Teni saris used to be gifted to pregnant women and were worn by married women during the Sankranti festival. The sari is gifted on these occasions because it represents prosperity.”

She has already revived the Patteda Anchu craft, in collaboration with local craftsmen in Karnataka. She began her work in the town of Gajendragarh (Gadag district).

“When I was working in Karnataka on these crafts, I came across historical evidence for seven saris. The Gomi Teni is among them. It is an everyday kind of sari worn by farmers and other locals. It died out because of power looms and the availability of cheaper material. I was able to get a worn out sample of the sari and I decided to stick with cotton for the revival because of the hot weather in these regions,” explains Hemalatha.

“The reason I took this up is that many weavers want to work with art and I wanted to help them increase the number of looms so more artisans can come together and create a prosperous cluster.”

Beginning with one weaver, she now has a team of 45, including over 35 weavers and other artisans associated with ancillary activities around weaving.

Through her intervention in the revival process, she has brought out saris featuring check body with 2/20 s × 2/40s count and a five-inch border with Gomi design. The saris are reversible with two different pallus (there is no right-side or wrong-side to the sari) and two different borders. They have been dyed using eco-friendly dyes.

“The saris were traditionally made in red, brown and yellow because those were the colours that were available there. They didn’t use colours like black. But now we have saris in a range of colours from navy blue to black and pastel shades, apart from red,” explains Hemalatha. “We are also working to use as little water as possible because North Karnataka doesn’t have much water. Our saris are low-maintenance, the colour fastness is good. They can be washed in the machine, they don’t need any starch, they don’t even need to be ironed.”

Hemalatha brought in these characteristics by keeping the yarn count thick, so the sari doesn’t normally wrinkle.

“I am working on more such saris but I don’t want to talk about them just yet because there is a high danger of replication and duplication in this field.”

The Gomi Teni sari will be brought to Bengaluru tomorrow at Kamalini, the craft store by Crafts Council of Karnataka.

The saris will be on display at Sri Bhooma, 17th Cross, Malleshwaram until March 10. For details, call 23567470.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Harshini Vakkalanka / March 08th, 2018

Karnataka takes historic decision to have separate State flag

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Records, All
Karnataka government took a historic decision to have separate State flag on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Karnataka government took a historic decision to have separate State flag on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The flag will be yellow, red and white with the State emblem in the middle

Karnataka government, on Thursday, took a historic decision to have separate State flag.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss the recommendations of the nine-member flag committee. The committee had recommended yellow, red and white with the State emblem in the middle. The meeting was attended by representatives of Kannada organisations, littérateurs and official representatives.

After arriving at a consensus with regard to accepting the flag recommended by the expert committee, an elated Chief Minister said: “The long pending demand of having separate State flag has finally been realised with the support extended by all the concerned.”

Exhibiting the State flag, he said the “government, which felt the need of having separate flag, lent voice to the demand by setting up expert committee to decide on colour and emblem of the State flag.”

An expert committee was constituted following representation from renowned journalist and writer Patil Puttappa.

After examining the legal and Constitutional provisions, the committee submitted its report on February 6. “When the report was tabled in the State Cabinet, it was unanimously accepted. This further empowered me to take a final call on the issue after consulting leaders of Kannada organisations. Leaders of Kannada outfits agreed to the recommendations on the design of State flag,” he added.

In the tri-colour Stage flag, white symbolises peace with State emblem. While yellow symbolises the auspiciousness and well-being of Kannadigas, the red colour symbolises courage.

“The state government had no power to announce its State flag. A proposal in this regard will be sent to the union government. We will urge the centre to approve the proposal and make an official announcement at the earliest,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

If centre agrees to the proposal, Karnataka will be second state in the country to have a separate State flag, after Jammu and Kashmir. This is due to J&K’s special status under the Constitution. “There is no opposition for States to have separate flag in the Constitution. But, the State flag will always fly below the National flag, as prescribed,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – March 08th, 2018

Xylem expands Indian operations, opens tech centre in Bengaluru

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bengaluru :

Xylem Inc, an NYSE listed global water technology company, has expanded its Indian operations by opening an India Technology and Customer Experience Centre in Bengaluru. Today’s launch will be followed by opening of a similar technology centre in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Xylem is bringing together a broad spectrum of competencies at these centres to accelerate the development of critical water and infrastructure solutions for its customers in India and around the world. The India Technology Centre in Bengaluru was opened by Mahendra Jain, Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, and Patrick Decker, President and CEO of Xylem.

The centre in Bengaluru will develop products and solutions with a focus on software and advanced infrastructure analytics. The centre will ultimately have over 400 engineers creating smart, innovative solutions to treat, analyse, monitor and return water to the environment, and to address critical energy resource infrastructure needs.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Specials / by Anil Urs / Bengaluru – March 06th, 2018

Bengaluru’s first helitaxi service takes off

Business & Economy, Records, All
At Electronics City, the helicopter will land in Thumby Aviation’s facility in Phase I, near the toll plaza. | Photo Credit: Email Handout
At Electronics City, the helicopter will land in Thumby Aviation’s facility in Phase I, near the toll plaza. | Photo Credit: Email Handout

Made two round trips on day one between KIA and Electronics City

App-based taxi service took on a whole new meaning on Monday when Bengaluru’s first helitaxi service took off, ferrying passengers from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to Electronics City in 15 minutes. The helitaxi made two trips, with the first one taking off at 6.30 a.m.

The helitaxi, touted to be the first such service in the country, was announced in August 2017 by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha. The service is being offered by KIA in partnership with Thumby Aviation Pvt Ltd, in an effort to reduce the time taken to travel to the city from the international airport.

According to Capt. K.N.G. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, Thumby Aviation, the helicopter can ferry six passengers. “On the first trip, we had four passengers from KIA. On the way back from Electronics City, we had five passengers. In the second trip, we had three passengers from KIA and two on the way back.” He added that they did not accept too many bookings for Monday as it was the inaugural service.

How does it work?

Those who want to avail the service can book a seat through the app (Heli Taxii). The fare is ₹4,130 per person, including GST. Once passengers exit the arrival lounge, the company has arranged vehicles to ferry passengers to its facility in the KIA premises, which would be a four-minute ride. For those heading to KIA, the company vehicle will drop passengers at the departure lounge.

At Electronics City, the helicopter will land in Thumby Aviation’s facility in Phase I, near the toll plaza.

More helicopters soon

At present, the company is operating only one helicopter. The number will increase depending on the demand. “Our service is not affecting any activities at the international airport. We have a different route, which is approved by the Ministry of Defence and Airports Authority of India, which does not interfere with the air force related traffic in Yelahanka or HAL either,” Mr. Nair added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru /  by Staff Reporter / March 05th, 2018

Cashew baron Gurpur Sadanand Prabhu no more

Business & Economy

Mangaluru :

Gurpur Sadanand Prabhu, cashew industry pioneer and founder of the city-based Achal Industries, passed away on Sunday. He was 93.

He is survived by his wife Rohini Prabhu and three children
He is survived by his wife Rohini Prabhu and three children

He is survived by his wife Rohini Prabhu and three children — son Giridhar Prabhu and daughters Prafulla Kamath and Anuradha Shenoy.

Prabhu had been the past president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He was actively associated with Mangalore Cashew Manufacturers’ Association.

According to his family, the last rites were held at his residence ‘Ananya’ at Bejai Kapikad followed by funeral at his hometown Gurpur.

Cashew industry leaders and past presidents of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association, Kalbhavi Prakash Rao, Bola Ramanath Kamath, Bola Rahul Kamath, and others have condoled the demise of Prabhu.

Prabhu, born in 1925, was a native of Gurpur town in the outskirts of the city. After matriculation, he started his career as a teacher and later moved into business.

He joined as a partner with his relative in Konchady Appayya Shabhogue and Company at Bunder in the city.

Subsequently, he started Sadananda Prabhu and Company, a groundnut oil manufacturing unit.

In 1981, he established Achal Industries, one of the first industries to start at the newly formed Baikampady Industrial Area. In 1983, he started his second unit Achal Cashews at Turkewadi, a small village in Maharashtra.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Mangalore News / TNN / March 05th, 2018

Mobile nanotweezers can pick, drop live bacteria

Records, All, Science & Technology
The work of Souvik Ghosh (right) and Ambarish Ghosh overcomes the earlier limitation of nanotweezers that were only able to trap and hold the molecules.
The work of Souvik Ghosh (right) and Ambarish Ghosh overcomes the earlier limitation of nanotweezers that were only able to trap and hold the molecules.

Can be used in microfluidics and in biomedicine.

A team from Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, has succeeded in designing a new class of mobile nanotweezers that can pick up, hold and move tiny cargo, the size of molecules, in a fluid. The work by Souvik Ghosh and Ambarish Ghosh of Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering, IISc, overcomes the earlier limitation of nanotweezers that were only able to trap and hold the molecules. Apart from nanoscale assembly – where tiny objects such as nanodiamonds or quantum dots need to be picked up and moved to a desired location — this has applications also in microfluidics, where live bacteria need to be manipulated and in biomedicine.

Limitations

Picking up and moving molecules suspended in a fluid, such as a colloid, is a busy area of research. Plasmonic nanotweezers — nanosized tweezers made of noble metals, which have been studied so far to trap cargo, have the limitation that they are fixed in position. When they are illuminated by light, they develop a ‘potential gradient’ around them. This is like a slope, and nearby particles get attracted to the potential’s minimum just as things roll down a slope. However, the limitation is that it can only capture particles that are within the range of the field.

In the new work, the robotic, mobile nanotweezer can pick up tiny particles and move them over a short distance when the microrobots are subjected to an external magnetic field. “We can tune our trapping and releasing mechanism by subsequently turning the incident illumination on and off. To move these nanotweezers, we use a rotating magnetic field which rotates the helix [of the nanotweezer] and [moves it] like a cork-screw,” says Souvik Ghosh, first author of the study published in Science Robotics.

Thermal fluctuations

The colloidal particles move due to thermal fluctuations, therefore it is very difficult to manipulate the nanoparticles. Also as the size of the particles decreases, so, too, does the trapping force. The researchers’ main challenge was to overcome this and generate sufficient trapping force using a small amount of laser power. To achieve this, small helical structures are grown on a pre-patterned substrate by electron beam evaporation of silicon dioxide (made of mostly glass). “The substrate is kept at an extreme angle to the incoming vapour flux and rotated slowly to achieve the helical shape. Apart from glass, we also combine silver (plasmonic properties) and iron (magnetic properties) nanostructures at appropriate places on the helical body,” explains Souvik Ghosh, in an email to The Hindu.

As a next step, the team is working on parallelising the process. Thus, a series of microrobots will work together like an assembly line. “This will allow us to scale up our technology and will surely have commercial impact, and initial results are promising,” says Mr Ghosh.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Science / by Shubashree Desika / March 03rd, 2018