Category Archives: Science & Technology

South India’s first double-decker train goes on trial run in Bangalore

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Chugging on: The Chennai-Bangalore Double-Decker AC train on a trial run in Bangalore on Sunday | Express Photo

The new Linke Holfmann Busch (LHB) double-decker train, which is the first of its kind to be introduced in South India between Chennai and Bangalore, made its trial run on Sunday.

The train, announced in the 2012-13 budget, is the third double-decker train in the country. The other two are running on the Jaipur-Delhi Sarai Rohilla and Howrah-Dhanbad routes.

Senior divisional commercial manager N Ramesh, who came to see the new rake (train) at the Bangalore City Railway Station, said, “Research Design and Standards Organisation will conduct trials by running the train for a week. This is to see if the new rake is compatible on the route before handing it over to the operations department. The operations department of the South Western Railways and Southern Railway will conduct trials for one week before introducing it as a regular train.”

The new train will have a composition of 11 coaches, each with a seating capacity of 120. Initially, the train is expected to run with eight coaches. Each coach will have a middle deck at the entry points and the middle deck will branch out to upper and lower decks.

At 4.366 metres, the new rake is marginally higher than the other LHB rakes, including the Shatabdi rake, which stands at 4.025 metres.

Ramesh said a tentative schedule had already been worked out and according to it, the train would leave Chennai at 7.25 am and arrive at Bangalore City Railway Station by 1.20 pm. On the return journey, the train would leave Bangalore city at 2.40 pm and reach Chennai at 8.45 pm.

As the train will take less than six hours for a one-way travel, this will be the fastest train between Bangalore and Chennai. The train will briefly stop at Bangalore Cantonment, Krishnarajapuram, Bangarpet, Jolarpettai, Ambur, Katpadi, Arakonam and Perumbur railway stations.

According to RDSO officials, who are conducting the trail run, the train did not have any problems while reaching Bangalore.

The present railway fare from Bangalore to Chennai in express trains is `440 for adults and `290 for male senior citizens and `250 for female senior citizens and children.

It has to be seen if the existing fares will be revised for the new train.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express News Service – Bangalore / February 25th, 2013

Indo-Canadian symposium on Nano science and technology

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Mysore, Feb.19 :

The two-day ‘Indo-Canadian Symposium on Nano-Science and Technology,’ jointly organised by the National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysore and McMaster University, Canada, will be inaugurated by Prof. Robert Pelton, Canada Research Chair in Interfacial Technologies and Scientific Director, SENTINEL, McMaster University at Prof. CNR Rao Rostrum, Diamond Jubilee Sports Complex, NIE here on Feb. 20 at 9.30 am.

The primary objective of this International symposium is to provide a platform for the participants from academia, research organisations and industry, who are actively involved in research on Nano-science and Technology, to present results from their ongoing work. This Symposium provides opportunities for the delegates to directly exchange new ideas and applications of Nano-science and Technology to foster business or research initiatives and to find global partners for future collaboration through their poster presentations, abstracts or full papers.

S.R.Subba Rao, Hon. President, NIE, will preside.

The proceedings of the Symposium will be released by Prof. G. U. Kulkarni, Dean – Academic, Chemistry & Physics of Materials Unit on Nano-science at JNCASR, Bangalore.

Prof. John S. Preston, Professor, Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, will be the guest of honour.

The Symposium features plenary talks by leading academic experts in Nano-science and Technology from McMaster University, JNCASR, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and other premier organisations. This is followed by oral presentations by research scholars working in the frontier areas like functional nanocomposites, nano-photonics and nano-electronics, advanced nano materials, synthesis of nanomaterials, nano-fluids, nano-materials for renewable energy applications and commercialisation of nanotechnology.

The Symposium has been organised in association with Ministry of Human Resources Development-World Bank’s Technical Education Quality Improvement Project (TEQIP) and Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

The Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, Government of Karnataka, has sponsored 35 faculty members of science colleges, science teachers of engineering colleges and faculty members of medical and pharmacy colleges for the Symposium. The mega event, which is of inter-disciplinary nature, is being organised by the Centre for Nanotechnology at NIE headed by Dr. G. L. Shekar, Principal, NIE.

It may be recalled here that NIE has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with McMaster University, Canada, to jointly work in areas of Nano-science, Energy and Water. In this regard, a few faculty members from NIE paid a visit to McMaster University and some of the well-known academicians from McMaster University have visited NIE.

One of the research students of NIE is pursuing Master’s at McMaster University and working on bio-active paper sensors developed by the SENTINEL Solutions under Prof. Robert Pelton. In fact, NIE has taken the responsibility of conducting a pilot study to test the water quality in nearby villages using these bioactive paper sensors.

As part of the academic cooperation, the first Indo-Canadian international Symposium on Nanoscience and Technology is being organised by the Centre for Nanotechnology (CNT) at NIE. The valedictory programme will be held on Feb. 21at 5.30 pm.

Prof. Peter Mascher, Professor and William Sinclair Chair in Optoelectronics, Associate Dean (Research and External Relations), Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University, will deliver the valedictory address.

Prof. Rajasekara Murthy, Emeritus Scientist, National Water Research Institute, Canada, will be the guest of honour. H.N.Ramathirtha, Past President and Director, NIE, will preside over the function.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / February 19th, 2013

Azim Premji transfers Rs 12,300 crore to his not-for-profit foundation

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Bangalore :

Azim Premji, chairman of the Azim Premji   Foundation, announced on Friday that he has transferred 295.5 million equity shares representing 12% of the total shares of Wipro Ltd , held by certain entities controlled by him, to an irrevocable trust. With this transfer (valued at about Rs 12,300 crore based on current market price), the trust’s shareholding in Wipro will go up to about 19.93%.

This trust will utilize the endowment to fund social, not-for-profit initiatives of the foundation, which are expected to scale significantly over the next few years.

The “Giving Pledge” campaign had recently announced that Premji was amongst the billionaires around the world to commit half their wealth to philanthropy. The campaign, led by billionaires  Warren Buffet, Bill Gates  and others, is a commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.

Azim Premji Foundation  is a not-for-profit organization set up in 2001 with the goal to create and sustain initiatives to contribute to a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. The foundation has worked largely in rural India, often in close partnership with various state governments, to help contribute to the improvement of quality and equity of school education.

Currently the foundation’s work is spread across Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

The foundation’s strategy focuses on creating and scaling up a network of institutions at various levels to contribute to improvement in the school education system and allied areas. As part of this strategy, over the last two years, the foundation has set up the Azim Premji University  at Bangalore, state level institutes in three states, district level institutes in seven districts and six demonstration schools associated with the district institutes. Seven more district level institutes are in various stages of formation.

The University has been established with the social purpose of developing outstanding professionals in the domains of education and development for the entire country. The University does this through offering various kinds of degree programmes, continuing education programmes and creation of knowledge in education and allied development areas. Currently, the university offers MA Education and MA Development programmes. It offers specializations in school leadership & management and curriculum & pedagogy under MA in education, and livelihood, public policy, health & nutrition and law & governance under MA in Development.

As part of scaling up of the institutional strategy, over the next 4 to 5 years, the number of district level institutions will expand to 50-60, state level institutions to 6-8 and the university will expand to have 3,500 students with 350 faculty members across multiple programs. The foundation will also have 50-100 demonstration schools associated with district level institutions. During this period, the team size is expected to grow from the current 800 people to about 4,000 people.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Tech> Tech News> Software & Services / by Sujit John, TNN / February 22nd, 2013

Infosys launches new analytics platform for BigData

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Will simplify the complex task of analysing BigData to discover relevant information

India’s second largest IT services company Infosys today announced the launch of new analytics platform called as BigDataEdge.

The company claims that the new platform will simplify the complex task of analysing Big Data to discover relevant information. With the new strategy ‘Infosys 3.0’  the company has started focusing on products and platforms and has already launched various platforms like Infosys BrandEdge, Infosys CommerceEdge, Infosys WalletEdge, Infosys TradeEdge among others.

Vishnu Bhat, Vice President and Global Head–Cloud, Infosys said, “Enterprises today cannot afford to spend an inordinate amount of time making sense of the data deluge that surrounds them. Infosys BigDataEdge draws upon our deep research and development capabilities and proven expertise in Big Data and analytics to help clients turn data into revenues faster. This unique platform is already enabling ten global organizations to develop actionable insights in a matter of days and act on them from day one.”

With Infosys BigDataEdge, enterprises can reduce the time taken to extract information by up to 40% and generate insights up to eight times faster, the company said in a press release.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> Companies> News> N ews / by Pradeesh Chandran / Bangalore, February 20th, 2013

Harman Opens Bangalore’s First Exclusive Harman Lifestyle Showroom

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Saturday, February 16, 2013:

HARMAN, a leading global provider of premium audio and infotainment solutions, unveiled its first exclusive store in Bangalore today. The exclusive Harman lifestyle showroom will feature a comprehensive range of its lifestyle products including JBL, Harman Kardon and AKG.

The store was inaugurated by Mr. Anand Ramamoorthy, Country Head and Managing Director, India Operations, Harman International (India) Pvt. Ltd., today in Phoenix Market City mall, Bangalore.

‘We are focused on providing customers access to our unmatched portfolio of speakers, headphones, docking systems and home theatre systems in India. At this exclusive Harman store, customers will have access to our audio/product experts and can experience our latest portfolio crafted to appeal to the needs of the Indian consumers” said Mr. Anand Ramamoorthy.

Harman recently launched the first ever JBL audio docks compatible with Apple iPhone 5, the first ever in the India market. In addition to this, several award winning Harman products including the Harman Kardon Soundsticks Wireless, JBL Flip, JBL Micro, JBL SoundFly, will be available at this exclusive store.

The store is located at G65, Ground Floor, Phoenix Market City mall, Whitefield, Bangalore. The first 100 customers can avail attractive discounts on their purchase**.

source: http://www.efytimes.com / Home> Infotech> Trends / Saturday, February 16th, 2013

Mylan to collaborate with Biocon to develop & commercialise three generic insulin analogue products

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Mylan, a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in health care, has entered into a definitive agreement with Biocon Limited for an exclusive strategic collaboration on the development and commercialisation of generic versions of three insulin analogue products.

Under the terms of this collaboration, Mylan will have the rights to develop and market Biocon’s Glargine (the generic version of Sanofi’s Lantus), Lispro (the generic version of Eli Lilly and Company’s Humalog) and Aspart (the generic version of Novo Nordisk’s NovoLog). Mylan and Biocon will share development, capital and certain other costs to bring the products to market.

Mylan will have exclusive commercialization rights in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and the European Free Trade Association countries through a profit-share arrangement with Biocon. Mylan will have co-exclusive commercialisation rights with Biocon in certain other markets around the world. All other transaction terms remain confidential.

According to public filings, reported worldwide net sales of Lantus, Humalog and NovoLog for 2012 were approximately $11.5 billion.

Heather Bresch, CEO, Mylan said, “This collaboration builds off of our existing successful partnership for generic biologics with Biocon and brings Mylan a portfolio of high-value insulin analog products. This collaboration further expands and diversifies our pipeline of complex, difficult-to-manufacture products with strong future growth potential. Importantly, we believe we have the opportunity to be one of the first generic entrants in developed markets into the rapidly growing diabetes area, helping to address unmet needs and reduce the economic burden to those battling the disease and to the global healthcare system.”

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon’s Chairman & Managing Director, said, “Mylan is a natural preferred partner for our portfolio of generic insulin analogues and this collaboration only further strengthens our existing successful partnership. We are excited to team up with Mylan to be able to cost effectively address the disease and economic burden that diabetes poses to global health. We are confident that together we can build a strong global presence in generic insulin analogs and provide access to affordable therapy options to physicians, healthcare providers and diabetes patients worldwide.”

source: http://www.pharmabiz.com / Home>News> Corporate / by PharmaBiz’s Bureau, Mumbai / Thursday, February 14th, 2013

MDI Labs opens its first unit in Karnataka

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Mangalore :

MDI LABS Germany, one of the world’s largest diagnostic testing services, has launched collection centers and processing units in Karnataka State, through its Indian subsidiary, MDI LAB India.

The first centre in Karnataka was launched in Mangalore’s Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute, bringing cutting edge German technology and advanced accuracy of diagnostic testing services.

According to studies conducted by MDI LABS, more than 90% of neonates and school girls and more than 80% pregnant women in India were found to be vitamin D deficient.

MDI LABS India will battle this epidemic of modern civilization by offering advanced German technology and highly accurate testing solutions to patients in Karnataka.

Dr Hans Rodger, MDI Berlin (Germany), Dr Yusuf Kumble, cardiologist, Indiana Hospital, Dr R Sathish, VP (operations), Indiana Hospital, MDI LABS India, Devendu Mehta, director, MDI LABS India, K Krishna Kumar, GM, MD LABS India, were present during the launch in Mangalore on Monday.

The company plans to set up over 2,000 collection centers and 50 laboratories across the country.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mangalore / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / February 12th, 2013

AMMA Award for Jallejade Madamma

Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

Caption: Naati Vaidye of BR Hills Jallejade Madamma honoured by Geetharaja Foundation in city recently.

Mysore, Feb.3 :

Popular native medicine practitioner (Naati Vaidye) of Biligirirangana Hills Jallejade Madamma was honoured with Amma award by Geetharaja Foundation at an event organised to mark its 10th anniversary at Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha on JLB Road here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, KEA Chairman E. Maruthi Rao Pawar pointed out that Amma or mother occupied the greatest position on the earth who could be equated to God. He added that nation and earth were symbolically referred to as mother but regretted that the youth today were aping the west ignoring the nation’s culture.

Prizes were distributed to students who had won various contests. Corporator R. Lingappa, Dist. Kannada Sahitya Parishat President M. Chandrashekar, photographer Pragathi Gopalakrishna and others were present.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com /Home> General News / February 03rd, 2013

Bangalore all set to host largest air show in Asia

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Aero India, the largest air show in Asia and one of the world’s most important military aviation exhibitions, is all set to kick-start at Yelahanka Air Force Station here, from February 6 to 11.

This biennial air show and aviation exhibition organised by the Defence Ministry along with Indian Air Force, DRDO, Department of Space and Union Civil Aviation Ministry, aims at showcasing the range of products and services offered by the Indian Defence Industry in the international market, a press release said.

Aero India also provides an exposure to the Indian Armed Forces, R&D personnel and young engineers to latest technologies and advancements in the aviation and aerospace industries, release said.

The ninth edition of Aero India would be inaugurated by Defence Minister A K Antony on February 6.

The participation in Aero India has grown exponentially by both Indian and international industry since the first edition in Dec 1996.

“This growth has immensely contributed towards modernisation of the aviation and aerospace sector of the three wings of the Armed Forces of India”, the release added.

While Aero India 2011 saw the participation from 29 countries with more than 600 companies and gross exhibition area of 75,000 Sqm, the ninth edition is expected to see participation of over 700 companies and 78 overseas delegations, covering an approximate gross exhibition area of 1,25,000 Sqm.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> National> Bangalore / by PTI  / February 04th, 2013

The biennial Bangalore air show

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Aero India has become a B2B hub for interested third world countries.

Once in every two years, in the month of February, the blue, hot skies of Bangalore reverberate with earth shattering decibels of fighter, transport, cargo, trainer and civil planes and helicopters. Come February 6, namma Bengaluru will once again be hosting the ninth edition of this international aero show, Aero India 2013 for a period of five days at the Yelahanka air force station.

The biennial air show and exhibition has been attracting the aviation who’s who from many countries including America, France, Germany, Russia, UK, Sweden, etc especially in the last nine years. Although it made a small beginning in 1996, it was only after 2005 that it grew in size and stature when manufacturers, defence dealers and users gave it the prominence that it slowly emerged as one of the most important and largest military aviation show in this part of the world.

Gaining international recognition and attracting exhibitors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Thales, SAAB, Eurocopter, Embraer, Dassault, etc, was not easy for the Bangalore air show as it took nearly a decade where participants finally took a call to extend the same importance as the Farnborough air show, RAF Waddington International Air Show, the Bournemouth Air Festival, the Berlin Air Show or the Miramar Air Show at California.

Over the years, the show has attracted the best of global companies from the aviation sector who have flown their products ranging from Sukhois, Super Hornets, Super Vipers, Rafale, Typhoons, Gripens, MIGs to Hawks, Advanced Light Helicopters, Flying Bulls and C-17 Globemaster  and demonstrated its prowess before a discerning experts and interested clients from many countries. In fact, the event has become a B2B hub for interested third world countries who are on the lookout for the latest advancements in the field of both passenger, transport, defence aircraft and avionics.

But this time, many aviation experts feel the show in the aftermath of the sealing of the `82,000 crore MMRCA (Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft) deal, may not attract the same attention with India selecting the Rafale from France to upgrade and strengthen the Indian Air Force fleet. Aerobatic display and demonstration of fighter planes especially from Russia, European union and Sweden may take a beating.

However, the ninth edition, exhibitors from 29 countries with 675 companies (380 overseas + 295 domestic) and 47 overseas delegations are participating who will be displaying on a gross exhibition area of 75,000 sqm (including outdoor). According to Defence Ministry sources, Aero India 2013 will be witnessing 57 per cent  more exhibitors compared to 2009. “It will provide a significant platform in bolstering business opportunities in the international aviation sector. Apart from this, it is favourably poised for an exponential growth over the previous edition.  A rapidly growing economy, defence preparedness challenges and opening up of defence production to private sector, has given a major fillip to the defence industry in India. It has also become a hub centre for defence business in the Asia region.”

While on the other hand, some exhibitors who had participated in previous shows say that they are not taking part because of the exorbitant hike in stall prices by FICCI. One exhibitor said, “Last time I had taken a stall space for Rs 2 lakh. But this year, FICCI is charging Rs 4 lakh for the same space. Therefore, many of the previous participants have backed out.”

With all the halls from A to H including the national pavilions, raw stands, chalet area and outdoor display stands already handed over to the respective exhibiting countries, hectic activity is going on at the air force station since January 25. A high security zone, it will be undergoing anti-sabotage and counter terrorist checks after February 3.

For watching the air display and viewing area as well as the exhibition, tickets will be available at Yelahanka air force station, FICCI Bangalore office and selected Axis Bank branches in the city.

The public is allowed only on two days on 9 and 10th and the tickets are priced at Rs 400 (Rs 500 on weekends) for the air display viewing area and Rs 1,000 for exhibition area only.

The general public can also visit the exhibition area between 6-8th February but only using a business visitor’s ticket.

It is mandatory for general public to bring one of the identification proofs like passport, driving license, voter ID, photo ID, or any other government issued identity card. On all days excepting the 6th (when it is 2-5 pm), the visiting hours for public on 9 and 10th is between 10 am to 5 pm. Children below 16 years are not allowed on business days from 6-8 February.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Meera Bharadwaj, ENS-Bangalore / February 02nd, 2013