Category Archives: Records, All

Formula Manipal 2013 team returns with honours

Education, Records, All, Sports

The team of 25 students participated in competitions in Germany and Czech Republic; bagged second prize in cost and manufacturing.

Members of Formula Manipal 2013 team with the formula racing car designed by them. - DNA
Members of Formula Manipal 2013 team with the formula racing car designed by them. – DNA

Formula Manipal 2013, an annual student project of building their own formula racing cars for international racetracks students of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), has earned the second prize in a prestigious event in Germany.

This year, for the first time, the team comprising 25 students, participated in competitions in Germany and the Czech Republic. The team did well in both places and even bagged the second prize in cost and manufacturing in the content in Germany.

The team consists of 25 undergraduate students led by Aakhilesh Singhania (team leader) and Rishu Raj Singh (team manager). Over 23 countries participated in Germany. This was the first-ever podium finish for a Formula Manipal team.

This was the fifth time formula cars have been built and tested by the students of MIT on the international racetracks. The competition was been organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

Improving upon last season’s design, the team innovated and came up with a more compact design this year with reduced weight and lighter bodywork. The students used a Honda CBR 600RR engine and also incorporated a Drexler Differential along with electro-pneumatic gear shifting. The team also used a custom made  driveline and uprights, thus giving them a competitive edge.

Before participating in the competition, the team carried extensive testing on the FMX3 both in India and abroad. In India, they tested the car at a local karting track. Testing was also done in Austria at the Red Bull Ring with Joanneum Racing Graz of UAS Graz, which has helped the team perform at the competitions.

In the Cost Event, the team had to make a cost report including a bill of materials and components used. This report is then scrutinised by the judges and a discussion at the competition with the Cost Judges around the team’s vehicle is held.

This evaluates not only the cost of the car, but also the team’s ability to prepare accurate engineering and manufacturing cost estimates. And finally, a ‘real case’ scenario is held and students will have to respond to a challenge related to cost or manufacturing of the student vehicle.

The team cleared tech inspection on the very first day and also did quite well in the dynamic events. They achieved an acceleration of 4.62 seconds in the acceleration at FSG.

Formula Manipal also participated in Formula Student Czech Republic and made history by becoming the only Indian team to complete in endurance for the Formula Student Season 2013, fetching them an overall rank of ninth in the event.

Doing so, it also became the only Indian team to complete endurance with electro-pneumatic gear shifting.

The ambassadors were applauded and appreciated by renowned judges of the formula world including Claude Rouelle, the president of Optimum G and Pat Clarke, renowned bike racer.

Formula SAE (FSAE) is a competition organised by the SAE for students. The challenge for the students is to design and manufacture a formula race car with specific design and safety considerations as per the guidelines laid down by FSAE. The different cars competing at the event are evaluated on quality of design and performance.

Competitions is held in 10 different zones around the globe.

More than 2000 engineering students participate from over 23 countries to showcase their technical.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> / Report / by DNA , Place:Manipal, Agency:DNA / Tuesday – August 27th, 2013

The Higher Octave

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

In 1992, legendary Hindustani classical khayal-style vocalist Padma Vibhushan Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur was diagnosed with cancer. While doctors gave him 48 hours, he lived for another 15 days, in which he packed two concerts. He became one with his art and the last concert, which marked an end to a career spanning over six decades, was aired on the radio. Pandit Mansur sang in Raag Malhaar for his final performance.

To commemorate his death anniversary, sarod player Pandit Biswajit Roy Choudhury and vocalist Priyadarshini Kulkarni will perform at Rang Malhaar, an annual tribute concert being held today in the city. The concert is being organised by The New Age Foundation.

“I would undoubtedly rank him among the top five vocalists of all time,” says Roy Choudhury, who trained with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and then became associated with Mansur until the latter’s demise. Recounting his first encounter with Mansur, Roy Choudhury says, “I was training under Ustad Khan in Delhi. In 1981, Mansur came to Delhi for a concert and my guru asked me to take care of Mansur’s hospitality. I had gone to receive him at the station and on our way back, I asked him a few questions about music. Gregarious as he was, he engaged in an insightful conversation and made me feel as though we were on the same plane of knowledge and consciousness. He could simplify the most complicated things.”

Roy Chowdhury adds, “Mansur had a similar effect on music. He sang ragas that were rarely touched. Ragas such as Sakh and Bhaduri Todi, which are an amalgamation of ragas, were the kind of sounds Mansur dabbled with. He sang the signature ragas of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana and made them sound simple.”

Kulkarni says that the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, to which Mansur belonged, is known for intellectual singing. He adds, “Though the singing is intellectual, because of the complexity, it is aesthetic. Mansur simplified notes by singing them effortlessly. I became witness to his mastery when during a concert, he lingered on a higher octave of ‘sa’, and the sound that rose from his mouth was one with the note being played on the tanpura. Once could barely tell the difference.”

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / by Rushil Dutta / Sunday – September 01st, 2013

Star this week : Ekalavya Awardee : Roller skater Varshsa S. Puranik

Education, Records, All, Sports

VarshaBF

Mysore :

City’s Varsha S. Puranik, a talented roller skater who is a National Champion in the women’s category for the last five successive years, was awarded the prestigious Ekalavya award by the Govt. of Karnataka in a grand function at Raj Bhavan, Bangalore last week. She recently represented India in the World Games 2013 at Cali, Colombia and fared well (finished 16th in 500m road race). She is our “Star This Week.”

Varsha S. Puranik, 25, is a II Year M.D. Microbiology student, JSS Medical College, Mysore. She is the proud daughter of R. Srirama Krishna (retd. IOB) and Thara Srirama. Her elder brother Sri Harsha’s roller skating exploits inspired her also to take up to this sport.

Starting skating at a young age of 3, Varsha began her basics at Bal Bhavan Roller Skating rink under the guidance of Ravi in 1990. She jointed Vishwamithra Roller Skating Club in 1993 and started to train under the guidance of late K. Sridhar Rao at J.K. Grounds. Presently, she is trained under R. Srikanta Rao, a Ekalavya awardee at the Rao’s Roller Skating Club.

Varsha has represented Karnataka in 17 National championships and has emerged as a top roller skater in the junior and senior sections. She emerged as the fastest skater in the country in 2008 and 2010 Nationals.

Varsha first represented the country in the International level in 2001 in the World Inline Speed Skating Championships at France in 2001 (10km race- finished 16th). She got her first Intl. medal when she was part of the Indian relay team which won bronze in 5km relay at the Asian Roller Skating Championships.

In 2003, she represented India in the World Junior Championships at Venezuela (5km race-finished 15th). In 2004, representing India at the 10th Asian Championships at Japan, she finished 4th in the individual event. In 2010, she represented India in the 16th Asian Games at Guangzhou, China (3000m-finished 7th).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / September 08th, 2013

City student’s childhood dream takes flight to reality

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

AjaiRaghavendraBF14sept2013

Mysore :

At the age of two he was declared a winner at the Johnson & Johnson’s healthy baby contest, at three he was crowned the ‘Baby Prince’ at a competition in city and by the time he turned four, he, unlike other kids, was obsessed with planes. He would sketch pictures of aeroplanes and aircrafts every time he got a chance. It is from that tender age that his mind began developing an interest in the world of aeronautics.

“From a very early age he was inclined towards aeronautics,” says Suma Prakash about her 19-year-old son Ajay Raghavendra who has gone on to turn his dream into reality by pursuing studies in the interesting subject of Aeronautical Science in the USA.

Ajay Raghavendra is a youngster from city, who was always fascinated by the subject of aeronautics. He took to everything that was associated with the subject ever since he was in School. His first step towards it began with him joining the NCC air wing as a student at the city’s St. Joseph’s Central School.

“I remember he was declared the best cadet there,” recalls his mother Suma. “Ajay had further drawn inspiration from two of our acquaintances Captain S. R. Swaroop and Captain Aravind Sharma, whom he would meet occasionally when he was student here in Mysore.” And on watching him show so much interest in the field, parents B. M. Prakash and Suma decided to let him pursue higher studies in what interested him most — Aeronautical Science.

“It was totally Ajay’s idea and we in no way interfered as we neither had any idea about the subject nor did we intend to come in his way,” says Suma. Soon after his PUC at Vijaya Vitthala P U College in Mysore, Ajay flew to Florida in USA to pursue an under graduate programme at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), to satiate his craving for all things aviation and aerospace.

What’s more, now in the second year of the four year bachelor’s degree programme that he is pursuing, Ajay went on to prove his potential there too. Deemed the best student for his high scores and excellence in academics in the very first year, he has been declared an honours student, according to Suma, who proudly adds: “The subjects he specialises in are meteorology and mathematics and he is a certified flight instructor as well.”

That apart, Ajay is even multifaceted. He happens to be an excellent painter, a trained tabla artiste and a golfer too.

As happy and proud the parents are about their son, so does Ajay feel about his parents as well. When asked about his achievements, he says, “If I am doing something good and interesting today, it is all because of my parents who have stood by me and supported all my decisions wholeheartedly. They have always guided me to choose what I feel is best. I will do my best to live up to their expectations. I still have a long way to go.”

With such unlimited potential, Ajay could truly be an inspiration to many.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 08th, 2013

Improvised GPS collars to track pachyderms

Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

As a first step to address the issue of man-animal conflict, the Karnataka Forest Department has decided to put elephant tracking Global Positioning System (GPS) on four wild jumbos. In fact, an improvised version of the GPS collar developed by the Department of Electronics Study, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here, would be used.

With this, Karnataka would become the first Indian state to use GPS collars on jumbos, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) G S Prabhu told Express.

The four elephants are from the Bandipur National Park. They have been posing problems in Kodagu and Hassan districts, attacking people and damaging crops. More pachyderms would be collared if the present mission turns a success.

The GPS idea has been employed in Sri Lanka, where 10 elephants were collared. This helped the forest authorities to track their movements and alert villagers much before they entered human habitation, said Prabhu. The GPS is based on a network of satellites using which the location of an object on the ground could be obtained, within a few meters accuracy. So these collars obtain an extremely accurate location for the elephant every four hours, night and day. They then transmit that information (six locations per day) once a day to another satellite that relays it back to the ground. This way, they would give extremely precise data on elephant movements every four hours.

Prabhu said the improvised version of the GPS collars developed by Department of Electronics Study are water-proof, cost effective and have a  better battery life. The collars used by the South African forest authorities were not water-proof, but very expensive. Even the battery life was less. The cost of IISc-developed collar is `1.5 lakh and it weighs less than two kg. The collars would be fixed around the neck of elephants after tranquilising them. Once done, the movements of elephants could be monitored on computers, laptops and even on mobile phones.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Shyam Sundar Vattam – Bangalore / August 30th, 2013

Karnataka’s Sakala covers record number of 375 services now

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All

Photo Caption

Bangalore :

For the first time in the entire country, Karnataka has emerged as the path-breaker by offering the maximum number of 375 services under the Sakala scheme of providing guaranteed time-bound delivery of services to the citizens.

The State Government has included another 110 services under the Karnataka Sakala Services Act 2011 on August 16 taking up the total number of services to a record 375, which is the highest in the country.

Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra on Thursday released the progress report of the scheme for the month of July and said 69 services have been made available online.

The minister, however, clarified that the addition of the 110 services could not be announced in view of the election model code of conduct in operation in as many as 9 districts on account of the by-elections to Lok Sabha and Legislative Council.

Important services such as driving learning license, driving license, vehicle registration, duplicate copy of certification of registration, recounting of marks, revaluation of answer scripts, registration of new schools and land registration documents have been made available under the Sakala online.

Department-wise online services that are made available are:

Transport – 5, department of personnel and administrative reforms – 21, primary education and commercial department – 10 each, commerce and industry – 2, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike – 6, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board – 3, Bangalore Development Authority – 4, Karnataka Housing Board – 3 and Drugs Control Department – 5.

As many as 110 services of various departments such as public libraries, collegiate education, technical education, university constituent colleges, university post-graduate section, university examination section, university finance section, university academic section, exercise department, Karnataka State Warehousing Corporation, sericulture have been added on August 16.

The department has identified 1800 services to be provided under the scheme to ensure transparency in the delivery of services to the pubic, he said disclosing that the government proposed to add more services in the coming days.

Jayachandra said show-cause notices have been issued against 449 officials who defaulted on providing services within the stipulated time for more than seven times.

A highest number of employees of the Revenue Department (272) followed by Inspector General of Registration (37), Home (26) and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (11) have failed to provide services in time on than seven occasions, he said.

Chamarajanagar 1st , Udupi 28th

Chamarajanagar stands first while Bidar ranked last among the districts as far as implementation of Sakala scheme, which ensures time-bound service to the public under the Karnataka Sakala Services Act 2011.

The Department of Personnel and Administration Reforms (DPAR) published a report of July 2013 on all districts taking into account their performance.

Ranking is given to districts based on the number of applications received and disposal. While weightage is 70 per cent for number of applications received per lakh population, 30 per cent for disposal.

Jayachandra said 30 districts received 33.15 lakh applications and disposed off 32.45 lakh (98.43 per cent) in July. Delayed disposal for the month stood at 1.53 per cent.

Chamarajanagar continued to remain on the top of the table for the second consecutive month while Mandya and Uttara Kannada ranked second and third respectively while Udupi district was ranked 28.

Bidar secured 30th rank, Belgaum – 29th and Udupi – 28th.  Total number of applications received by Chamarajanagar district was 73,052, Mandya – 1,34,782, Uttara Kananda – 94,938, Bidar – 82,066, Belgaum – 210249 and Udupi – 49,649. The Minister said a competitive environment has been created among districts in the provision of services to the public.

Deputy Commissioners of top performing districts would be given certificates appreciating timely delivery of services, the minister said.

Sakala Mission Director Shalini Rajneesh was present.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by DaijiWorld Special Correspondent / DaijiWorld Media Network – Bangalore /  August 30th, 2013

Science is fun, kids learn at Edinburgh fest

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

Iconic international science festival receives warm response in city.

School children try their hands at Bubble Magic, one of the main attractions at the Edinburgh International Science Festival. - A Veeramani / DNA
School children try their hands at Bubble Magic, one of the main attractions at the Edinburgh International Science Festival. – A Veeramani / DNA

“Now I am sure I want to become a doctor and perform surgeries,” burst out an excited Pushpak R.

What made him decide on his future career was a visit to the Evergreen Room, a dummy operation theatre at the first ever Indian edition of the iconic Edinburgh International Science Festival at the Bhartiya City, near Hebbal here on Friday.

The venue of the 10-day science event teemed with young, would-be scientists accompanied by parents and teachers. The fest was inaugurated by Karnataka minister for agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda in the presence of EISF, Dr Simon Gage and British deputy high commissioner to India, Ian Felton. The fest kicked off with 17 exciting events.

On the first day there were over 15 workshops which were interactive, apart from live shows and exhibits which had a bit for every age group, such as aero modelling, chemistry experiments, evergreen room (dummy operation theatre), bubble magic workshop, splatastic, science circus, international photo exhibition, forensic science experiments, illusion room, smoke bonanza, lego robosports etc.
AT the dummy operation theatre, students helped to treat a deep leg wound and perform key hole surgery using a real surgical equipment. They also gained experience with a miner surgical procedure to remove a cyst and learn how and why blood samples are taken.

During Splatastic, students explored the properties of different polymers, making some of their own colourful snakes, observe liquid to solid chemical reaction, produce their own designer slime and test the slime on the splatometer. Other crowd pullers were ‘Adventure Robots’, wherein participants built lego robots, using basic computer programming software, and Math Masters, which saw students learn tips and tricks for super fast mental math circulations and solve puzzles to develop lateral thinking.

But easily the show stopper was Bubble Magic, hosted by Discovery India. Children indulged in creating interesting shapes out of bubbles ranging from the tiniest of them to unbelievably huge ones.

Children had great fun trying to catch smoke-filled bubbles in their palms, to standing inside a giant bubble, and even turning a ‘round bubble square’.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> Report / by DNA Correspondent / Place:Bangalore, Agency:DNA / Saturday – August 31st, 2013

City’s Chethan bags Natl. Muay Thai championship

Records, All, Sports

ChethanBF10sept2013

Mysore :

C. Chethan, employee of Cycle Pure Agarbathies, has bagged gold at the National Muay Thai Championship organised by Muay Thai India (MTI) National Federation at L.B. Stadium, Hyderabad from Aug. 25 to 29.

Chethan, who represented Karnataka State, defeated a Chhattisgarh opponent in the semi-finals and won against his rival from Tamil Nadu to clinch the title in the 75-81 kg Seniors category.

M.H. Abid, President, MTI, presented the certificate and medal to Chethan at the prize distribution ceremony. In all, 14 States participated in the Championship.

A fitness enthusiast, Chethan has been practicing at the Academy of Martial Arts under the guidance of coach Vikram Nagraj.

Earlier, Chethan had won a bronze medal at the National Level Championship-2012 and first place at the State-level event in 2011. He aims to take part in the International Championship to be held in Thailand in 2014.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / September 04th, 2013

IPRINT 3D: Country’s first 3D printer developed by city students

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
(1) iPrint 3D printer is seen printing a 3D design at the college. The gear wheels used in the printer was also printed using iPrint 3D printer developed by them ( 2) City's young innovators (from right) Nikhil Furtado, T.S. Rachith, M.S. Abhishek and Gaurav seen with Prof. Manjula, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering.
(1) iPrint 3D printer is seen printing a 3D design at the college. The gear wheels used in the printer was also printed using iPrint 3D printer developed by them
( 2) City’s young innovators (from right) Nikhil Furtado, T.S. Rachith, M.S. Abhishek and Gaurav seen with Prof. Manjula, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering.

Mysore :

Final year students of Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering in city have developed what they claim as the country’s first 3D printer called “iPrint 3D.”

Nikhil Furtado, a final year Mechanical Engineering student of the college, said that 3D printing is a process of making a three dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model which is achieved by using an additive process, where successive layers of materials are laid down in different shapes. 3D printing is also considered distinct from traditional machining techniques.

He said that this technology is used in the fields of jewellery, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental & medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering and many others.

Explaining about the process of printing, he said that 3D printing is also called “additive manufacturing” because it uses an “additive process” as opposed to what is called a “subtractive process.” To explain the difference, he gave an example of a sculptor chiselling a block of stone — he said that the sculptor chips away until he has the sculpture just as he wants it, and then throws out what’s been whittled away. The sculptor began with a block of material and then subtracted from it which is a subtractive process.

But in additive manufacturing, the 3D printer doesn’t take anything away — it simply creates each bit of the object where it needs it, layer by layer, successively, in an additive process.

He said they have just taken the technology and developed a low cost 3D printer that can print 3D models that are designed on 3D Modelling software (CAD). In its pure dimensions, this printer can print anything within a build area of 20x20x20cm with either PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and added that the 3D printer works on the same principle as a CNC machine.

Nikhil said that each 3D-printed object begins with a digital Computer Aided Design (CAD) file, created with a 3D modelling program. The digital file sends instructions that the 3D printer understands; the software then slices the design into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers. The 3D printer reads this file, and proceeds to create each layer exactly as per the specifications, resulting in a three dimensional object.

When asked about the inspiration behind this invention, the group said that the idea to build a 3D printer occurred to them a year ago , but started working on the project only in May and finished it by August. A major part of the time (2 months) taken was to procure the components, from India and abroad. The time taken to assemble the machine and calibrate it was three weeks.

The team which developed iPrint 3D are: T.S. Rachith, Gaurav and Nikhil Furtado, final year students of Mechanical Engineering with the able support of M.S. Abhishek, alumnus of the same college, Karan Seth, VP, Corporate Affairs & Marketing, Mumbai and Chetan M. Rao & and S. Manoj, final year students, Electronic Design & Deployment, NIE IT. The iPrint 3D printer will be launched in the college tomorrow.

When enquired about their future plans, they said that plans are “to commercialise the printer and make it accessible to the general public and to take 3D printing to the masses.” He further said that they will be creating awareness by conducting workshops and demos at various conferences and colleges, one of them being the ‘ZONAL NASA Conclave’ which will be held in city from Sept.5 to Sept. 7 at the University School of Design, Mysore University.

For details,email: contact@iprint3d.co

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / August 30th, 2013

Ekalavya Award for city skaters

Records, All, Sports
Sanjana, Varsha
Sanjana, Varsha

Mysore :

City Skaters Varsha S. Puranik and Sanjana Srinivas have been selected for the prestigious Ekalavya Award to be presented by the Government of Karnataka in Bangalore tomorrow.

Varsha S. Puranik, a 2nd year MD student at the JSS Medical College, is coached by Srikanth Rao, who himself is an accomplished roller skater.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Varsha expressed her happiness on being selected for the prestigious Ekalavya award.

Varsha is the daughter of Sriramkrishna, a retired Manager of Indian Overseas Bank and Tara.

Sanjana Srinivas, another roller skater from city, who is selected for Ekalavya award, is currently pursuing her engineering in Electronic and Communication (E&C) at PESIT, Bangalore.

Sanjana was part of the team which won the bronze medal at the Asian Ice Skating championship.

She has represented India at the world championships. She has also won national individual championship twice. She is the daughter of city-based businessman Srinivas and Savitha.

The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) is expected to make an official announcement of 17 names of sports personalities who have been selected for the Ekalavya award this evening.

The award carries Rs. 2 lakh cash prize and a citation. The award is presented every year to commemorate the National Sports Day (Aug. 29) which is observed to mark Hockey legend Major Dhyanchand’s birth anniversary.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 28th, 2013