Category Archives: Science & Technology

XLRI award for Narayana Murthy

Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
Kolkata, MARCH 30:

XLRI School of Business and Human Resources, Jamsedhpur, will confer the Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal to Infosys Technologies chairman emeritus and chief mentor, Mr N.R. Narayana Murthy, during its annual convocation.

The Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Social and Industrial Peace is awarded to heroic leaders who have contributed towards the growth of their respective organisations.

Mr Jaspal Singh Bindra, group executive director and chief executive officer, Asia, Standard Chartered, will be present as chief guest at the convocation.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Industry & Economy / by Hindu Bureau / March 30th, 2012

XCyton Launches New Diagnostic Tool – Syndrome Evaluation System

Science & Technology

Over the next twelve months XCyton plans to expand across all metros in India

(From L-R) Dr Latha Lakshaman, Director and Dr BV Ravi Kumar, Chairman & MD, both of XCyton Diagnostics , Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman & MD, Biocon, Dr Prem Pavoor, Associate Director FIL Capital Advisor (India) and Dr Ketan Patel, Principal, Fidelity Bio-sciences

XCyton Diagnostics has launched Syndrome Evaluation System (SES) which will result in the effective treatment and saving of lives.

XCyton’s Syndrome Evaluation System (SES) allows for the immediate identification of multiple organisms inclusive of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, in a specific test from a single sample. This process provides the clinician with a fast, definitive assessment of a patient who is presenting a set of symptoms common to multiple pathogens.

Dr BV Ravi Kumar, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of XCyton Diagnostics says, “My belief that lives can be saved and disabilities can be prevented if the diagnosis is made early during the infection led to the creation of SES. It is inhuman not to apply available scientific knowledge to counter oppressive illnesses. In life style diseases, people can take complete control of their health. In case of infections it is not possible. I empathise with that
fact. ”

In one sample, one test, all the probable causative agents that can cause a syndrome can be diagnosed through SES, in a short duration of just seven hours, thus leading to early initiation of appropriate therapy and reduction of death and disability.

Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw who heads leading biotechnology enterprise, Biocon, has personally invested in XCyton. She believes that molecular diagnostics is the medical technology of the future and development of SES is a significant milestone in the history of molecular diagnostics.

XCyton is now backed by Fidelity Growth Partners India (FGPI) which is the India focused private equity arm of Fidelity Worldwide Investment.

Features of SES:

  • Fast – Takes seven hours while conventional tests take more than 72 hrs
  • Accurate – Higher detection rates , 4 times more than the conventional tests i.e 15 per cent vs 75 per cent
  • Direct demonstration of the pathogen can be treated straight away
  • Physician can rule out or rule in an infection, as they test for spectrum of bugs at once
  • Cost effective – Reduces multiple tests and reduces ICU stay
  • Specific – All studies showed that it does not detect false positives among various types of controls

EH News Bureau

source: http://www.ExpressHealthcare.in / Home> Market> Article / April 2012

Kalam moots integrated healthcare

Records, All, Science & Technology

Bangalore:

India’s Missile Man, former president APJ Abdul Kalam has some advice for the healthcare sector. He wants the entire sector to integrate itself so as to evolve a specialized healthcare system. “Medical colleges normally deal with diagnosis and treatment of diseases only when the patient is ill. I feel the university has to specialize in integrated healthcare system. Every doctor, every dentist, nurse, pharmacist, traditional practitioner , paramedical staff has to be equipped with knowledge of the integrated medicare system. RGUHS should consider this and transform the syllabus accordingly,” Kalam said in his speech at the 14th convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences here.

Regarding medical education, Kalam said in a competitive environment, the focus should be research and teaching. “Institutions should promote research and teaching. Good teaching emanates from research. The teacher’s love for research and experience in research are vital for the growth of an institution. A university is judged by the level of research work it accomplishes. This sets in a regenerative cycle of excellence,” Kalam added.

Dr C N Manjunath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, and retired DIG H F Naicker, a yoga expert , were awarded ‘Doctor of Science’ honorary degrees. The function was attended by governor H R Bhardwaj, who is also Chancellor of Universities, and 82 medals were given to students who excelled in medicine, dental science, pharmacy , nursing and Ayush.

Toppertalk

They were all smiles. Their hard work has finally paid dividends, and they had the honour of receiving medals from former President APJ Abdul Kalam. Toppers Dr Vishwanath K Pai and Dr M Joshi Arun Bharat had some commonalities: both studied in Mangalore and both secured eight gold medals each. While Pai studied medicine at AJ Institute of Medical Sciences, Gujaratbased Bharat studied dental science at AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences.

“I want to do MD in medicine,” said Pai, acknowledging the support of his family members and faculty. Bharat wants to do an MDS in periodontics.

Dr Pooja Prakash Prabhu has the distinction of getting four gold medals, the highest in female category. A student of JSS Medical College, Pooja hails from Mangalore. While crediting her success to her parents, both doctors, Pooja wants to study MD (Paediatrics).

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / April 01st, 2012

‘Bhramara Awards’ presented to eminent Scientists

Records, All, Science & Technology

Caption: Scientists Dr. Tej Pal Singh and Dr. Debashis Mitra being presented with the Bhramara Awards at a function held at Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Bhavan in JSS Medical College last evening. Others seen are (from left) JSS Medical College Principal Dr. H. Basavana Gowdappa, Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, KSOU VC Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Bhramara Trustee Prof. R. Srinivasan, Managing Trustee Madhuri Thathachari and Director of National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Prof. K. Vijayaraghavan.

Mysore, Mar. 29

Dr. Tej Pal Singh, Distinguished bio-technology research professor of AIIMS, New Delhi, was conferred with the prestigious Bhramara’s Lifetime Achievement Award instituted by the city-based Bhramara Trust of Y.T. & Madhuri Thathachari at a function held at Dr. Shivarathri Rajendra Auditorium in JSS Medical College on Mysore-Bangalore road here last evening.
Dr. Debashis Mitra, Scientist in National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, was presented with the Prof. Y.T. Thathachari Prestigi-ous Research Award for Science while JSS Medical College Principal Dr. H. Basavana Gowdappa was presented with the endowment prize for the Best Research Paper. This endowment prize is for the faculty or PG student of JSS Medical College who present the best research paper.
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa spoke as the chief guest.
Prof. K. Vijayaraghavan, Director of National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, delivering the presidential address, praised the initiative of Bhramara Trust for creating a link between the society and the achievers in the field of science and fine arts.
“Researchers and artists get to do what they love to do and get paid for it too. But, despite being paid by the people, they seldom get the due recognition. This drawback has been made good by organisations like the Bharama Trust,” he said.
He also praised the JSS institutions for grooming the younger generation into useful citizens of India. “India has the largest population of Under-15 who need proper education and jobs. If groomed properly, they would be a boon for the world; if not, they might be a disaster for the world,” he opined.
Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, who inaugurated the programme earlier, said in his benediction address that the scientists were noble souls who dedicated their entire lives to the service of mankind. Mentioning about the general notion that researchers cannot be good administrators, the Seer lauded the administrative skills of Prof. Rangappa as the KSOU Vice-Chancellor, despite being a chemistry research scholar.
The Seer also appreciated the presence of some well-known personalities of the city among the audience by naming some like industrialist K.V. Murthy, Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Mysore Kendra Chairman Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, danseuse Dr. Vasundhara Doreswamy, art critic S.R. Krishnamurthy, litterateurs, auditors, etc.
Yesterday being the 30th wedding anniversary of Dr. Tej Pal Singh, he and his wife Dr. Meera Singh, Deputy Director General, Indian Council for Medical Research, were felicitated by the Seer.
Managing Trustee Madhuri Thathachari welcomed. Trustee Prof. R. Srinivasan explained about the selection process. Annapurna Srikanth rendered the invocation. Jyothi proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 29th, 2012

Geek fest: Indian tech innovations on display in Bangalore

Science & Technology

Bangalore:

About 20 Indian whiz kids will showcase their innovations in diverse fields, including a special shoe for the visually impaired, at the fourth Emerging Technologies (EmTech) India event on Tuesday.

“The innovations to be demonstrated by geeks below 35 years at the event are in the areas of web, computers, biomedicine, energy, materials and transportation,” CyberMedia publisher Pradeep Gupta, who is hosting the two-day conference, said in a statement.

Reuters

Among the innovators, 24-year-old Bangalorean Anirudh Sharma will demo his Haptic shoe for the visually impaired, while 28-year-old Chennai-based social activist Venkatesan Oosur Vinayagam will unleash his mobile ‘antakshari’ (singing competition) and 35-year-old Delhi-based Somnath Ray will display a recreated para-transit mode of mobility for the physically challenged.

 

he festival is also focused on generating technology relevant to demands and specific situations.

In recognition of the craze for cricket in the Indian sub-continent, for instance, the organizers have dedicated a session to ‘Technology in Cricket’.

“Siddharth Khullar, a doctoral candidate in imaging science from Rochester Institute of Technology, MIT Media Lab, and Chinmaya Joshi from Pune College of Engineering will flag advances in cricketing technology that will hopefully reduce appeals and controversies in the sport,” Gupta said.

And in view of the rising crude oil prices, special sessions will also be held on biofuels, clean-tech, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Sessions on sustainable development, innovations in engineering, design and technology ventures will explore solutions to spread the culture of innovation in India.

Six top scientists and research scholars from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will also share their insights into the work in digital transformation; network designs of the future and the innovation ecosystem at the conference.

The noted scientists, including two Indian Americans — Shiladitya Sengupta and Rahul Sarpeshkar — will speak on concepts and interplay between medical imaging, manufacturing inspection and video analytics, energy efficient systems in biology and the emerging nervous system of ubiquitous sensing.

The other four scientists are George Westerman of the MIT centre for digital business, Marie-Jose Montpetit of the MIT research lab of electronics, Brian Anthony of MIT’s engineering in manufacturing programme and Joseph Paradiso of the MIT media laboratory.

Sengupta works at the Harvard-MIT division of health sciences and technology and Sarpeshkar at the MIT department of electrical engineering and computer science.

Global head of General Electric (GE) research and development Mark M. Little will deliver a keynote address on emerging technologies in computing to communication, clean-tech and materials to biomedicine.

Eminent scientist Y.S. Rajan will share details of India’s technology mission and spin-offs from space and nuclear programmes with about 500 innovators at the event.

IANS

source: http://www.FirstPost.com / Technology / March 26th, 2012

 

VONTIKOPPAL PANCHANGA: Five Generations of expertise in Almanac

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology

Caption: Siddanthi Tammaiah Shastry, Siddanthi T.V. Krishna Shastry, Siddanthi V. Ramakrishna Shastry, Siddanthi R. Kumar, Siddanthi K. Mohan

By M.S. Apuurva

Most of us will have memories of our childhood with our grandfathers reading from a book full of tables and text in small font, which we could never understand. The ease with which they would decipher the information in the book remained a mystery to us. The book — Panchanga — has been a part of Hindu household since ages and no ritual is held without referring to it.

During Ugadi (tomorrow), which marks the start of a new Hindu year, it is a tradition to read Panchanga (Panchanga Shravanam). The Panchanga reveals the forces that will rule various aspects of life in the coming year. This forecast deals with the transition and effect of constellations on the social life of people. It is a belief that those who read the Panchanga as well as those who listen will be rid of their sins and blessed with a long, prosperous and happy life.

Panchanga’s importance

Dharma plays a very vital role in Indian culture. Sages have allotted a specific time for every work (rituals) and this is defined in Dharma Shastra. Unlike in western traditions wherein for example, Dec. 25 every year is celebrated as Christmas, in Hindu customs, every festival has a fixed start time. Every ritual, be it naming or house-warming ceremony, must compulsorily be carried out within the designated span of time. This calculation of time is done using Panchanga. In simple words, the five attributes of Panchanga (Pancha-Anga) are: Vara – Time from one sunrise to the next sunrise; Tithi – It is the distance between the sun and moon; Nakshatra – It is the movement of the moon; Yoga – It involves the movement of both sun and moon; Karna – It is half of Tithi. The Pancha-nga has two systems — Chandramana and Souramana. The former is calculated based on the moon and the 12 months span from Chaitra to Phalguni, the latter is based on sun with the 12 months where sun travels from Mesha rashi to Kumbha.

Consisting of complex calculations mainly based on spherical trigonometry, Panchanga is propounded with the theories in Surya Siddantha. It is said that demon Maya meditated and Surya appeared before him to grant him a wish. Maya asked Surya to explain all the effects of the movement of Sun. Surya explained them through Sanskrit Shlokas. This was followed by Vakya, Aryabhatiya Siddantha and Dru Ganita (western). Vakya is followed by Tamilians and those who follow Souramana system; Aryabhatiya is used by Vaishnavas; Dru Ganita is mainly followed by people of South Kanara and Surya Siddantha by the remainder of Karnataka.

Vontikoppal Panchanga

One family from city has the pride of writing and printing Pan-changa continuously for the past 126 years. The Vontikoppal Panchanga, as it came to be known, was started by Siddanthi Tammaiah Shastry in 1887-88. Presently, the fifth generation of the family is carrying on the work.

Over the years, Vontikoppal Panchanga has been widely used across Karnataka and even abroad. When asked the reason for this popularity, Siddanthi R. Kumar says, “Ours is the only Panchanga in the world to print information in detail. We print according to all four categories — Surya Siddantha, Aryabhatiya Siddantha, Vakya and Dru Ganita — along with Chandramana and Souramana systems. Presently my son K. Manohar and I are its authors and my father is the verifier. Its printing has not stopped since it was first started by my great great grandfather.”

The Vontikoppal Panchanga has been accepted as the official Panchanga by the Government of Karnataka. The dates for all utsavs under Muzrai Department and govt. holidays are given by the family during June-July and the gazette notification is given during October.

Five generations of expertise

Siddanthi Tammaiah Shastry: This panchanga was started by him. He was born in 1862 at Agara of Yalandur and started learning astrology, literature, philosophy and dharma shastra from the age of eight years. He became the President of Sri Chamarajeshwara Sanskrit Pathashala, Chamarajanagar, in 1914. During 1887-88, he started writing the panchanga and printing it in Madras. In 1925, he was named as the Asthana Vidwan by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. In 1942, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar honoured him with the title Jyotishya Ratna and presented a golden bracelet. For 38 years he published the Panchanga before he passed away in 1944.

Siddanthi T.V. Krishna Shastry: Born in 1892, he learnt medicine, astrology, literature and Veda from his father. In 1932, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar appointed him as the Head Master of Vontikoppal Middle School and requested him to compile Vakya Panchanga for the Palace. Since he resided in Vontikoppal, the Panchanga got its name. He passed away in 1946.

Siddanthi V. Ramakrishna Shastry: Born in 1918, he continued the publication for 80 years after the death of his father. He set up a press in city for printing the Panchanga. He was also the Hon. Member of American Astronomical Society. He retired after his son took over the responsibility.

Siddanthi R. Kumar: Born in 1950 at Kanuru, Hassan, he practiced law for a few years. He started learning from his father since the age of 14 years and lent a hand with the Panchanga since 1965. In 1980, he set up Bhagirathi Printers in memory of his mother. He started printing using offset method and recently shifted to web offset.

Siddanthi K. Mohan: Has been learning Sanskrit, astrology and panchanga calculation from his father since childhood and is presently helping his father with the preparation and printing.

When asked why no daughter of the family had continued the tradition, Kumar said, “It is not the question of son or daughter. Learning this knowledge should come in one’s horoscope. I have two brothers and four sisters but only I could continue this.”

American Panchanga

Vontikoppal Panchanga is the first in the world to bring out a Panchanga exclusively for America. “Many Mysoreans living in America would take this Panchanga. But this cannot be used to prepare horoscope there. Hence I started preparing one according to America latitude and longitude in 2001. Since America has 10 zones along with daylight saving, I have prepared this for New York City and have given conversions for other places,” says Kumar.

Publications: Apart from Panchanga, they also print pocket calendars, wall calendars, Ready Reckoner and Muhurtha Manjari. The Ready Reckoner Nitya Kundali Mattu Grahasputa is for professionals who write horoscope, etc. Muhurtha Manjari is an advanced Panchanga. It helps in fixing dates one year in advance. The work usually begins during June-July. Their press is presently located in Hebbal Industrial Area. The printing and sales is completed one month prior to Ugadi. “We need 6 to 7 months to prepare the Panchanga. We don’t use any software or computer and rely only on hand calculation,” says Kumar.

Panchanga can never be repeated

“Some allege that the same Panchanga published some 100 years back is repeated. But this is impossible because the position, speed and distance of stars will keep vary hence changing our calculations. We can never use the same Panchanga and write for another year,” says Kumar.

“If you want to check its accuracy, then the position of the moon or the occurrence of eclipse can be tallied with that mentioned in the Panchanga,” he adds.

Today, Vontikoppal Panchanga has become a household name in Mysore and across the State. Let us hope that the tradition is carried forward by the family for generations to come. [Kumar and Manohar can be contacted on e-mail: manohar13@gmail.com]

SOM was printed here

Remembering the time when Star of Mysore office was in Saraswathipuram, Kumar says, “On two or three occasions, when there was power failure at SOM office just before the paper was printed, it was brought to us for printing. Both had the same Mercedes printing press and it was a time when SOM sister publication Mysooru Mithra was yet to be started.”

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Articles / by M. S. Appurva / March 22nd, 2012

Presentation of Science Awards on Mar. 28th

Records, All, Science & Technology

Mysore, Mar. 24

The Prof. Y.T. Thathachari Science Award function will be held on Mar. 28 at 5.30 pm at Dr. Shivarathri Rajendra Auditorium, JSS Medical College, Shivarathrishwara Nagar here.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji will light the lamp and deliver the benediction. Prof. K. Vijayaraghavan, Director of National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, will preside.

Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Vice-Chancellor, Karnataka State Open University, Mysore will be the chief guest. Dr. B. Suresh, Vice-Chancellor, JSS University and Dr. H. Basavana Gowdappa, Principal, JSS Medical College, will be the guests of honour.

Prof. Tej Pal Singh, Distinguished Biotechnology Research Professor, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi will receive Bhramara’s Lifetime Achievement Award while Dr. Debashis Mitra, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, will receive the Prof. Y.T. Thathachari Prestigious Research Award.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 24th, 2012

 

Eminent Scientists chosen for ‘Thathachari Memorial Awards’

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Mysore, Mar. 19

The city-based Bhramara Trust of Y.T. and Madhuri Thathachari has announced the awardees of the Thathachari Memorial Science Awards for the year 2011.

Prof. T.P. Singh, distinguished Biotechnology Research Professor, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi will be the recipient of Bhramara’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Science — 2011 and Dr. Debashis Mitra, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune will receive the Prof. Y.T. Thathachari Prestigious Research Award for Biological/Medical Sciences, said Trustee Madhuri Thathachari, in a press release.

Dr. Singh has made significant contributions in the field of Rational Structure based drug design, Protein Structure biology and X-ray crystallography. Prof. Singh is carrying out elaborate structural studies of proteins from several systems which are important potential drug targets.

He has submitted more than 400 protein structures in the Protein Data Bank. He has published more than 400 research papers in leading international journals. He is a fellow of national and international academies — The Third World Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences, Indian Academy of Sciences, Alexander von Hum-boldt Foundation and Biotech Research Society of India.

Dr. Singh is the recipient of many national and international awards.

Dr. Debashis Mitra is an outstanding immunologist who has contributed greatly to the understanding of modulation of host cell factors during HIV-1 infection. His laboratory has been able to identify several novel HIV inhibitors which are being worked upon as anti-HIV lead compo-unds to develop potential micro-bicides for HIV prevention.

In recognition of his work, Dr. Mitra has received several aw-ards such as American Foundation for AIDS Research Award in 1995 and DBT Overseas Associateship Award in 2007. He was elected as a Fellow of the Maharashtra Academy of Science, India, and the National Academy of cience, India.

The Award for Science consists of a memento, citation and a cash prize of Rs. one lakh. The award would be presented at a function to be held in city. The date, venue and other details will be announced soon, stated Madhuri Thathachari.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 19th, 2012

 

Prof.R.L. Narasimhaiah Award presented

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology


Caption: Physicist Prof. Roddam Narasimha presenting Prof. R. L. Narasimhaiah award to Dr.B.N. Satyanarayana Rao as Mysore University Registrar Prof. P.S.Nayak and Prasaranga Director Prof. Prabhu Shankar look on.


Mysore, Mar. 15

Mysore University has the distinction of publishing four editions of science literature under the stewardship of K. L. Srimali while he was the Vice-Chancellor, said former Prasaranga Director Prof. Prabhu Shankar here this morning.

He was speaking after inaugurating a function organised by Prasaranga at Rani Bahadur Auditorium in city for presenting Prof. R. L. Narasimhaiah award and a seminar on Science literature in Kannada.

The award was presented to Dr.B.N. Satyanarayana Rao by Physicist Prof. Roddam Narasimha. Science writer Prof. J.R. Lakshman Rao was present.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 15th, 2012

An Entrepreneur with a Difference

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

“I Can,” says Pandu Ranga Rao

By S. Kenneth Shishir


 

The problems faced by the disabled is gaining more and more importance all over the world. The government of India and also State governments have lent a helping hand to the differently abled by framing various policies like reservation in jobs, concession in traveling, special training institutions etc.

However, a major role is played by the family members who need to fill the affected person with strength to face the world. Here is the story of one such person who has gone beyond his disability and is telling the world “I Can.”

Meet Pandu Ranga Rao, a young entrepreneur who wants to take the world of web and software to new horizons.

Born to Sunanda and Nara-yan Rao couple on Aug. 24, 1975, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a disorder of movements, at birth. His brave parents did not lose heart and got him admitted to a normal school.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Pandu Ranga Rao said that tho-ugh he completed SSLC with flying colours, it was difficult for him to enter PUC. His mother got him admitted to CPC Polytechnic and he later obtained B.Sc. in Information Technology from KSOU.

After completing his Diploma in Computer Science from CPC Polytechnic, he joined as a Lab Instructor in JSS Polytechnic for Differently Abled in SJCE campus here. While working there, he developed two softwares for JSS Polytechnic and gained vast experience at Excel Soft Technologies.

He says that he is grateful to D. Sudhanva, Managing Director of the company, for his encouragement to develop softwares on his own and added that he never went to any special classes but learnt through the opportunities given at Excel Soft.

Pandu Ranga Rao says that he was humiliated a few times during his education and was frustrated with the experiences in life all because of him being specially abled. He says that he wanted to show the world that people like him can achieve anything and teachers should have an open mind and heart to help students like him.

While working as a Lab Instructor, he came across Yathish, who is also disabled. He involved Ya-thish in his activities of flash developing and founded the company I Can Technologies (www. icantech.in) which offers services like website development, web hosting, software development and product development.

Inspired by the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepathi, he develo-ped a small programme called Quiz Master for a CD brought out by PC-Quest. He has also developed alerts which act as reminders of scheduled works on the computer desktop.

Pandu Ranga Rao says that he aims to provide jobs to people like him, not because they are disabled, but for their talents. He wants to help them enter into mainstream as they need more opportunities than sympathy.

He says that nothing is impossible and computers bore him to some extent. Smiling, he says he loves travelling.

Pandu Ranga Rao got married to Jyothi of Shimoga in 2011 and she has been supporting him in all his activities.

His mother Sunanda says that she faced a lot of problem in the beginning and it was a young doctor from All India Institute Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation, Mumbai, who advised her to admit Pandu Ranga Rao to a normal school. On his advice, she admitted him to a convent at Udupi. The teachers there said that she has to be with her son in the school for a few days as they needed time to study his behaviour.

Sunanda says she enjoyed being with him in the school during his studies. In 1985-86, they shifted to Mysore to provide him speech therapy at AIISH.

Pandu Ranga Rao is presently working from home as he cannot move about on his own.

He was honoured by AIISH on World Disability Day in 2006 and won the ‘Achiever Award’ by GSB Bankers Educational and Welfare Trust in 2008 apart from being felicitated during Teachers’ Day celebrations. He says that he is looking for a place to start an enterprise so that he can provide employment to persons like him.

I Can Technologies is presently running its own online tutorial (www.programming basics.in) in programming for children who want to be programmers. Product development is the key area of their focus and they will be developing and releasing a product which will target educational institutions. Through this, one can bring the entire student community and all their activities like payment of fees, borrowing of library books, etc. under one roof.

Pandu Ranga Rao can be contacted on 9341856071 or e-mail: info@icantech.in.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Article / March 05th, 2012