Category Archives: Education

IISc scientists get their Bhatnagar desserts

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

Bangalore :

Three IISc professors have added more feathers to the institute’s cap. Whether for unearthing synthetic bones and cardiovascular patches or providing a breakthrough in cancer  treatment, Bikramjit Basu, Dr Sathees Chukkurumbal Raghavan and Vijay Balakrishna Shenoy are among eight eminent scientists who’ve bagged the Swarup Bhatnagar Award for the year 2013.

Dr Sathees Chukkurumbal Raghavan (Biological Science)

Over 20 years of hard work finally paid off for this associate professor in the department of bio-chemistry at IISc. Dr Sathees received the honour for discovering a cancer therapeutic agent and the cause of cancer in human cells.

“I got the award for discovering SCR7. It’s a chemical compound that blocks DNA repair in cancer cells. This accumulates DNA damage inside the cell, causing its death,” explained Dr Sathees, who’s been working on two types of cancer, leukaemia and lymphoma, and the modalities of how cancer cells are generated.

“The basic cause of cancer is chromosomal abnormality and translocation. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy break the DNA inside the cancer cells, causing their death. Our research says if SCR7 is used alongside radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the rate of recovery can be doubled and doses of radiation cut to half.” Said Dr Sathees. Tests have been done only on animals, and human trials could take at least a decade.

Bikramjit Basu (Engineering Sciences)

This engineer bagged the honour for his work in the field of medicine. Research by Bikramjit Basu, 40, associate professor at Materials Research Centre, concerns the heart, nerves and bone disease. Basu has come up with lab-grown synthetic bone, cardiovascular patches and bio-material for damaged nerves and orthopaedic surgeries.

“My work highlights the interface of material science and biological science. The outcome of the research helps in orthopaedic surgeries, neural tissue engineering like nerve repair and cardiovascular implantation, and also expanded our understanding of cell functionalities,” said Basu.

“The polymeric and ceramic materials (bio-material) are non-living patches that can be used in case heart or nerve tissue gets damaged. A part of my research is also based on ‘socket acetabular’, which can be called an advancement in the field of hip replacement surgery,” said Basu.

Vijay Balakrishna Shenoy (physical science)

The era of super computers could end, and quantum computers may be a reality soon.

“Many technological marvels — from supercomputers to phablets – are based on condensed matter physics. I work on its theoretical aspects. There are many open and challenging problems in this area such as understanding systems with high temperature superconductivity, a state where electrical resistance goes to zero! One example can be quantum computers which can solve more difficult problems in a much shorter time as compared to computers of this generation,” says Shenoy.

In the past decade, a traditionally different branch of physics — atomic-molecular-optical physics — has provided new opportunities to simulate condensed matter systems with atoms. This area is called “cold atom quantum emulation”.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / October 01st, 2013

At 9, Nidhi Prakash set to launch her own book

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Nidhi Prakash’s first book, Animation World, will be launched on Saturday in the garden city of Bangalore.

- A Veeramani / DNA
– A Veeramani / DNA

Bangalore’s youngest author at nine years, Nidhi Prakash (see picture) is set to launch her book on Saturday.

Nidhi, a 5th standard student of Bangalore’s Bishop Cotton Girls’ School, started writing the book Animation World when she was eight years old.

The 50-page book, published by Goa-based CinnamonTeal Publishing, will be officially launched at the Easy Library in Koramangala on Saturday.

Animation World is about 10-year-olds Annie and Sarah who see a number of shooting stars as they walk near the woods. Both enter the woods to see the stars  disappearing into a mysterious blue portal.

Do they jump into the portal? What do they find at the end of the portal? Will they ever be able to come back home or will they be stuck there for eternity? To find out one has to read the book.

What motivated Nidhi to write this book? “My cousin Sona wrote a book, A Slip in the Summer. Sona’s hard work motivated me to write this book,” Nidhi said with a smile.

She claimed that it took her a week to write Animation World. She thanked her English teacher Priscilla for going through the draft and making necessary corrections. “I am grateful to Insha Ummehani, the art faculty at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore, for illustrating the book. I also thank my class teacher Priscilla for helping me write this book.”

She acknowledged the support of her parents and sister. Her father K Prakash is director, postal services department, and mother Durga Rani Prakash is the GM, BSNL, Bangalore.

Nidhi’s favourite author is Mary Pope Osborne. “My second book Old Creek Mansion will be published shortly… I am working on my third book. It’s about a girl living in Korea,” she said.

Nidhi is fond of story books and wants to pursue writing as a hobby. But she wants to become a civil servant. “I want to become a deputy commissioner to serve the people.”

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> Report / by Y Maheswara Reddy / Place:Bangalore, Agency:DNA / Thursday – September 12th, 2013

Challenges for young minds

Education, Records, All

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The ‘54th Annual Ramnarayan Chellaram Shield RotoQuiz’ was held at the Rotary Club of Bangalore, Lavelle Road recently. With interesting and intriguing questions spread into a format which consisted of three rounds, including questions for the audience, the quiz was a refreshing experience. 

This quiz, which is held every year, saw four teams in the finals — National Law School of India University, RV College of Engineering, BNM Institute of Technology and St Joseph’s College of  Commerce (Autonomous).

The first round of the quiz was ‘Potpourri’, where a mix of questions like ‘What does ‘Al-Qaeda’ mean?’, ‘Which animal has the most similar set of fingerprints to human
beings?’ were asked, which helped pep up the participants. The second round ‘Connection’ included different images projected on one screen. It had one thread connecting the images, which was the answer to the question. The last and most challenging round was ‘The Last Picture Show’, which had only a part of a face showing and the participants had to guess the person.

The audience was very excited and appreciated the participants with applause, and the quizmaster made sure that the participants never crossed the time set by the buzzer.
About the quiz, president Rotarian Purnimaa Ranganath, said, “We’re very proud to host this quiz every year. As I’m told, it is one of the longest running quizzes. Although there are many quizzes nowadays, when this quiz was started, there were not many events held for the youth and it stands apart because of the same.” Rotarian Suri Menon, the quiz master, said that he was happy to have hosted the quiz for the fifth consecutive year. About the competition he saw this year, he said, “The scores were a bit low compared to last year, but the reason could be that the quiz was more challenging.”The team comprising Jeydev CS and Abhishek from NLSIU won the first prize.

An elated Jeydev said, “It’s an honour for us to have won it. Most quizzes are unique, but this one has professionalism and seriousness to it, compared to others.” The team from St Joseph’s College of Commerce (Autonomous), won the second place. BNMIT bagged the third place.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / DHNS / September 25th, 2013

City student’s prize-winning photo on Dasara-2012

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

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Mysore :

V. Chiranth, a 3rd Sem EEE student of NIE- Institute of Technology, Mysore, has won a place among top 5 winners out of 68 shortlisted entries from all over Karnataka for the “Shutter Bug Photo Contest” conducted by Bangalore Press Association under the theme “Glimpse of Karnataka – Namma Nadu” in view of bringing together the youth to preserve the culture and heritage of Karnataka.

This was an online competition through Facebook during April 2013 and results declared during June 2013.

His prize-winning photo was on the glimpse of Dasara-2012 celebrations at K.R. Circle captured with Nikon camera.

He is the son of Vinod Kumar, a businessman and Sujatha, residents of Kuvempunagar in city.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 27th, 2013

Meet records for Chethan, Bharath

Education, Sports

Bangalore : 

Chethan B and Bharath KA set new meet records in boys’ high jump and 800m on the opening day of the Bangalore University inter-collegiate athletics meet at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Thursday.

While Chethan, representing Govt College KR Puram, improved his own record by seven centimeters to 2.10m, Bharath eclipsed V Rohith’s 2004 record clocking a time of 1 minute, 53.7 seconds in the two-lap race.

Kolar boy Arun Kumar V emerged as the fastest athlete of the meet winning the 100m dash in 10.8 seconds. The women’s title went to Meghana Shetty of St Joseph’s College of Commerce. Meghana won in 12.3 seconds.

Results (winners):

Boys: 100m: Arun Kumar V (Govt. College, Kolar; 10.8 seconds), 800m: Bharath (KA Gupta College of Managemt, 1:53.7s NMR; OMR – V Rohith 1:54.5s, 2004), 5000m: Sudhir Sharma S (Surana College, 16:09.1s), High jump: Chethan B (GFGC, KR Puram, 2.10m NMR; OMR Chethan 2.03m, 2012), Discus throw: Venkatesha C (Al-Ameen College, 36.81 metres)

Girls: 100m: Meghana Shetty (St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, 12.3s), 800m: Gracey A (SEA College, 2:39.9s), 5000m: Pavithra (Maharani’s Arts, Com. & Mgmt. Coll, 21:58.5s), High jump: Neethi (Mount Carmel College, 1.24m), Discus throw: Diana ( Jyoti Nivas College, 24.45m).

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> More Sports> Athletics> Kolar / by Biju Babu Cyriac, TNN / September 19th, 2013

Meet city’s budding Physicist …who is also an excellent singer

Education, Science & Technology

PreetiBF26sept2013

Mysore :

She is 17 years old. But she already knows what she wants to do. Meet Preethi Prakash Prabhu, daughter of doctor couple Dr. Prakash Prabhu and Dr. Roopa Prabhu, who wants to be a physicist. Preethi, who has been obsessed with Physics and Albert Einstein, feels ‘Physics has answers for everything in life.’ A II PU student at city’s Vidya Vardhaka PU College, she wants to take up research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bangalore.

In order to realise this, Preethi has already cleared Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), a national programme of Fellowships in basic sciences, initiated and funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, for students studying in XI standard to 1st year degree, who are highly motivated to study and pursue research in Science subjects. KVPY is one among the four tests mandatory for those willing to study at IISc.

But when asked as to what really drove Preethi towards the subject, she came up with an interesting narrative: “It all started while I was reading Dan Brown’s famous novel The Lost Symbol, where the female character Katherine Solomon is fascinated with Albert Einstein.

“Even as I read the book, I began wondering as to what is so special about Einstein that makes Katherine like him so much. I began reading about Einstein and his scientific theories on the internet and it really fascinated me. I then decided to be a Physicist.”

Ever since, Preethi has kept a constant watch on the IISc. website to learn about their undergraduate programmes. “I have qualified in KVPY and now have to see if I can get a seat at IISc., after my PU. The competition is tough as they have only 120 seats,” she adds.

While Einstein is her most favourite scientist, Preethi says almost every scientist irrespective of the subject of his/her research fascinates her, because the thought of introducing something entirely new and unknown to the world flashes only across the minds of scientists and is a captivating thought in itself. “And if I have come up with these positive ideas today, it’s all because of my parents,” says Preethi.

Along with pursuing her dream of being a Physicist, Preethi also has a keen interest in fine arts. She is a good singer and was a participant of Ede Tumbi Haaduvenu conducted by the ETV Kannada. She has also performed on Madhura Maduravee Manjula Gaana aired on DD Chandana. Preethi has won the Vishwa Kala Ratna award at the State-level music contest at Akhila Karnataka Makkala Sahitya mattu Saamskruthika Sammelana-2007 at Bangalore. A regular participant in the annual Doctor’s Musical Nite Geeth Gaatha Chal, she has also presented dance recitals during Dasara.

When asked if she will peruse fine arts or Physics, she readily says: “I want to be a physicist, dance and music are hobbies that help me relax.”—AN

Programmes to drive youngsters towards Natural and Basic Sciences

There are several exams that youngsters can take up to class X, if they are interested in studying and pursuing research in the Basic Science subjects.

• The Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology conduct a scholarship programme called Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) under which 10,000 scholarships of Rs. 80,000 are provided every year.

• The scholarship is offered for only bachelor and master degree Natural and Basic Science courses.

• Students having secured top 10,000 ranks in the Joint Entrance Examination of JEE-Advance, JEE-Main (top 10,000 ranks) plus those clearing NEET (top 10,000 ranks), and those who opt to study Natural and Basic Sciences in any academic institute or University leading to graduate and post-graduate degree are eligible for this scholarship.

• Students admitted to Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Basic Sciences (DAE-CBS) at the University of Mumbai or happen to be Kishore Vaigyanik ProtsahanYojana (KVPY), National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), Jagadish Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS) scholars and Science Olympiad Medallists, opting to undertake courses in the Natural & Basic Sciences leading to B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees will be eligible for Scholarship For Higher Education (SHE) – a component of INSPIRE.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 20th, 2013

City trio wins ‘Most Innovative’ Award

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
Photo 01: Young Innovators: Kirthi Sudhir (left), Aditya Vikram and Nidhi Ashok. Photo 02 :The trio with their award winning model ‘Cloud Charger Extractor.’
Photo 01: Young Innovators: Kirthi Sudhir (left), Aditya Vikram and Nidhi Ashok.
Photo 02 :The trio with their award winning model ‘Cloud Charger Extractor.’

Students of this generation have great understanding of science and also possess capabilities to come out with good experiments, which in most cases mesmerise their teachers and parents.

After Shreesha, a student of Vijaya Vittala PU College, who has invented a self-sustained wheelchair, here is a group of students from Vidhyaashram PU College, who have come out with a new model which known as ‘Cloud Charger Extractor.’

The team comprising Aditya S. Vikram, Nidhi Ashok and Kirthi Sudhir, all II PU students, recently participated at the Amateur Scientist-2013, a national-level science competition organised by PESIT, Bangalore, where they won ‘The Most Innovative Award.’

As Aditya explains, the main aim of their project was to show how electrodes from clouds could be extracted to produce electricity. “The clouds have negatively charged electrons which we attract to our apparatus that is charged positively. The electrons are made to pass through the apparatus to produce electricity”, he said.

When asked about the project for the competition, Nidhi said that before they could decide on the project they held discussions on various subjects.

“The idea was to come out with a project which could address the needs of the shortage of energy. Currently we are facing shortage of electricity. Through our experiment we wanted to show people that electricity could be produced using the clouds”, added Nidhi.

Winning an award at the national level has not stopped the trio. They are determined to continue with the experiment to take the same to a higher level.

Kirthi, another team member, said, “We want to conduct further researches on our project and make it successful. There is much more to be added to our project since it is still in the basic level. We will now concentrate on enhancing the project since we are looking forward to apply for a patent.”

The trio is determined to make the project successful so that the product they are working on becomes self-sustained. With encouragement extended to such talented students, more such innovations are sure to spring up.

Aditya Vikram is the son of Dr. S.B.Vikram of Vikram Hospitals and Rathi Vikram. Nidhi Ashok is the daughter of Ashok, Superintendent of Central Excise and Padma Ashok while Kirthi Sudhir is the daughter of Dr. Sudhir, Surgeon and Professor, JSS Hospital and Naidele Sudhir.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by S. N . Venkatnag Sobers /  September 20th, 2013

City’s Shreesha invents self-sustained wheelchair

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

WheelChairBF23sept2013

 Mysore :

Wins II place at Natl-level Amateur Scientist contest

by S.N.Venkatnag Sobers

At a time when most students aspire to become software engineers or doctors, here is a student who wants to get into Research and Development (R&D) in the field of basic science.

Shreesha, a Ist year PU student of Vijaya Vittala Pre-University College has set an example for the other students through his new invention, a ‘Self Sustainable Wheelchair’, which is a boon for the differently-abled and elderly citizens.

Most of the self-sustained wheelchairs available in the market are limited to only basic movements; but Shreesha’s wheelchair is different. He has added more features into the wheelchair. No wonder he won the second place at ‘The Amateur Scientist – 2013,’ a National level science competition organised by PESIT, Bangalore recently.

The wheelchair is powered by battery and runs on motors. People using it need not depend on others’ physical assistance and can easily move around by themselves.

Features

1. Rain Sensitive convertible roof-top: The top cover of the wheelchair covers automatically in case of a rainfall.

2. Darkness-sensing front headlights: In case of a power cut during night hours, the headlights of the wheelchair switches on automatically to help the user move around with ease.

3. Temperature-sensitive fans: There are two fans fixed on either sides of the wheelchair that turn on automatically when the temperature increases.

4. Self-deploying fire extinguisher: In case of fire, the fire sensor installed in the wheelchair sends a signal to the controller and automatically starts sprinkling water on the wheelchair to extinguish fire.

5. Solar Charger: Solar panels are fixed at the backside of the wheelchair to assist in charging the battery.

6. The system is completely portable and can be fixed into any other ordinary wheelchair to make it completely self-sustained.

Shreesha has invented a sensor-equipped footwear to be worn by the caretaker who when unable to push the wheelchair in case they are carrying bags in their arms, the wheel chair will move according to the feet movement of the caretaker. Which means, the wheelchair will move as the caretaker moves.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Shreesha said that the wheelchair was invented keeping in mind the need for the differently-abled and the elderly citizens. “I want to help the needy using technology to make their lives comfortable. The inventions which I make should be economically viable so that it reaches every person who is in need of it,” added Shreesha.

When asked about his inspiration, Shreesha said that more than inspiration, it was the encouragement of his parents. His father S.R. Ramaswamy, a retired science teacher, always motivated Shreesha in all his endeavours, while his mother S.Srimathi gave him moral support.

When asked about his future plans, Shreesha said that he wanted to study basic science for now and later specialise in Mechatronics which would help him become more inventive. ‘Mechatronics’ is a design process that includes combination of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, control engineering and computer engineering.

Elaborating on the wheelchair, he said that for now he was using a 12V battery for its operation and added that it could be further enhanced to make it more efficient. Shreesha also said he would add a blood pressure monitor and make the wheelchair completely computer programmed for better efficiency.

Other Inventions

This is not all. Shreesha has also invented ‘Rain Sensitive Clothing Line’. What does it do? As Shreesha himself explains, “when you put your clothes to dry on this clothes line, it rings an alarm when it senses rain and automatically pulls the clothes towards one corner of the line which is covered.”

For now, Shreesha is very proud of his new invention and says “the wheelchair is affordable compared to those currently available in the market. I have spent around Rs. 8000 (excluding the wheelchair’s cost) to make it self-sustained.”

Speaking on Shreesha’s achievement, R. Vasudev Bhat, Secretary, Vijaya Vittala Education Trust, said he was proud of Shreesha and added the management would continue to help such students in their endeavours. Vijaya Vittala Pre-University College Principal H. Satyaprasad mentioned that Shreesha was an example of a student using his knowledge, understanding, application and skills in a scientific way to come out with such innovative products.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by S.N. Venkatnag Sobers / September 17th, 2013

Varsity plans to conserve every drop of rainwater

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment

Comprehensive watershed system to be adopted on UAS-B campus

The University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore has taken up an ambitious project to convert its entire 1,300-acre campus into a comprehensive watershed system using scientific method so that not a drop of rainwater goes waste.

Under the proposed comprehensive watershed system, said to be the first of its kind in the country’s agricultural sciences universities, the UAS-B will build eight new ponds. At present there are six major and six minor watershed ponds.

UAS-B Director of Research M.A. Shankar said different catchment areas have been identified within the campus based on the nature of terrains, contour divides and water flow pattern. The project is said to become a watershed model for others especially the institutions with campuses, he says.

The project, which is being taken up at a cost of Rs. 40 lakh, would be completed in about six months from now, he said. The university has taken the services of retired soil conservators of the State Agriculture Department to implement the scheme.

UAS-B Vice-Chancellor K. Narayana Gowda, who conceptualised the project, says the intention is to put in place a highly efficient system of watershed where every drop of rainwater is put to use.

“We decided to develop the entire university campus into a watershed system after our terrible experience during summer this year when there was severe water shortage. With the increasing number of big and luxury apartments mushrooming around the university campus, the groundwater level has depleted in the campus as these apartments account for a large number of borewells which go as deep as 1,500 feet. Such was the water shortage that we took Cauvery water connection. That made us think seriously about the comprehensive watershed model,” Prof. Gowda said.

Head of UAS-B’s Horticulture Department B.N. Sathyanarayana, who monitored the task of reviving this huge watershed tank, says that the tank got filled up now after nearly two decades.

“Water is becoming increasingly precious. Unless we try to preserve it and recharge the groundwater through the above methods, we will have to face a tough time,” he says.

The works related to the revival of the above watershed system was inaugurated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Director-General S. Ayyappan before the commencement of the monsoon.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by B.S. Satish Kumar / Bangalore – September 15th, 2013

Treading on a different path …

Education

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Children mean life to many. But she restructured her life for them. From pursuing Master’s in one of the most interesting Science subjects and working in a renowned scientific firm to taking a U-turn with the idea of doing something else altogether and establishing a playschool of her own, she has come a long way. Doing it all at a young age of 28 is what makes it an achievement.

Manasa Rao, a budding achiever from city, is based at Bangalore where she went chasing her dreams about six years ago. Having completed her schooling at Mysore and Masters in Biochemistry at Manasagangotri here, she too like many youngsters in city relocated to the Garden City in search of a job. And in the year 2009, she found herself placed as a junior scientist at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and two years later went on to become a scientist in a world renowned healthcare company at Bangalore. But a little while later did she realise that her interests were something else altogether — children, child growth and the edification of early growers and thus decided upon coming up with something of her own for them.

In 2011, she set up a preschool of her own with the franchise of a leading preschool group, thus turning out to become a young and budding entrepreneur. “Starting up a business of your own with no prior experience is no mean task and it took me quite a bit of time to understand and get into the swing of things,” says Manasa, adding, “But as I learnt the art of managing things, it all turned out to seem exciting. Waking up each day to see the smiling faces of little learners full of enthusiasm is a feeling so wonderful that I forget everything else around me as I enter the centre.”

While she initially started with the admission of less than six children for day care, play group, nursery, junior and senior KG education programmes, the centre began picking up with time with over 70 children pursuing various programmes at it currently.

Ask her what she feels about the growth of herself and the education centre in these two years and she replies, “I am happy and it gives me a sense of satisfaction. However, having blend with so many little ones all of different nature, I now yearn for more knowledge in the area of child growth and education.”

Married to Vishnu Kumar, an engineer and a mother of a one-year-old, Manasa feels she is still quite young to be known the ‘principal’ of a school, and says, “I might have achieved things but I still have a lot more to learn and a long way to go. I have a sense of responsibility towards these children and their parents who come to me with loads of questions about children and their growth and education.”

Hence, the young entrepreneur’s next venture is to research upon the area of child education, child psychology, special children and their needs. “With that I will get to know children even better and can provide for them better,” she says.

But does she miss being a scientist? “At times, yes. I miss working as a scientist and learning new things in the area of Science. But guess this is a field that has been teaching more than what I would have learnt as a scientist. The little ones teach me so many things that I have not known as an elder myself in all these years,” she gushes.

The playschool is based at HSR Layout in Bangalore. —AN

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 17th, 2013