Bengaluru startups revamp business for a post-COVID-19 world

Business & Economy

The product is becoming popular with employers including educational institutes, said chief mentor Dr. Joseph Rasquinha.

Mobility solutions startup Royal Brothers, which rents out vehicles by the hour, is also offering rentals by the month.
Mobility solutions startup Royal Brothers, which rents out vehicles by the hour, is also offering rentals by the month.

Bengaluru :

Many Bengaluru-based service-sector startups are finding ways to revamp their businesses to suit a post-COVID-19 economy. While some have moved online, others have found new uses for existing products.

With biometrics-based attendance becoming a passe due to COVID-19 precautions, attendance solutions firm BlueLeaf Cyberspace is offering GPS-based attendance applications for both work-from-home and field staff.

The product is becoming popular with employers including educational institutes, said chief mentor Dr. Joseph Rasquinha. The team of women engineers who created a non-contact sleep and breathing monitor for babies, has redeployed its product for monitoring Covid-19 patients.

Co-founder of RayIoT Solutions Ranjana Nair said, “The same device is used in isolation wards and quarantine facilities. All the devices are connected to a central database from where the government health workers and doctors can monitor people who require ventilators or ICU facilities. The video/audio facility helps doctors assess patients without having direct contact.”

Mobility solutions startup Royal Brothers, which rents out vehicles by the hour, is also offering rentals by the month.

It has also thrown in incentives such as free home delivery of sanitised bikes for those booking for 15 days and more. Corporate gifts company, OffiNeeds.com has added a range of products that cater to whatever one needs when working from home. BE-IVY, which grooms IVY-League aspirants at its Hennur campus, has partnered with institutes in Paris to widen its horizon of mentorship, while also facilitating online-learning.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Pearl Maria D’Souza / Express News Service / May 11th, 2020

HR Bhargava: ‘He was a genius in masking and trick photography’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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The director remembers his friend and colleague, cinematographer SV Srikanth who passed away on May 8

Noted Kannada film cinematographer SV Srikanth passed away on May 8. Srikanth worked in over 70 films and is best known for his work in the epic Babruvahana, featuring Dr Rajkumar. Srikanth was instrumental in capturing Rajkumar in a double role in a single frame. Srikanth was known as a master trick photographer during an era when graphics were non existent.

Some of his other noted works include Bahadur Gandu, Ade Kannu, Na Ninna Bidalaare, Shravana Bantu, Edakallu Guddada Mele. Srikanth won the Karnataka State Award for cinematographer for Gejje Pooje and Upasane. His friend and colleague, director HR Bhargava, known for films such as Olavu Gelvau, Avala Hejje and Bhagyavantharu, recalls the man behind the camera..

“Srikanth lived in Madras. He was a good friend of another cinematographer, Rajaram. Srikanth used to work with Golden Studios. I am not sure if he formally trained in cinematography, but I know for sure that he gained immense experience and knowledge on the job. In the 1960s, Srikanth branched out as an independent cinematographer. A gentleman, Srikanth was always calm and patient. He worked with Puttanna Kanagal extensively — some considered it tough to work with Puttanna as he was a task master and a perfectionist.

While he produced a few films with Jayaram, Rajkumar’s co-brother, later on he focussed on cinematography. When we worked together I would pick him up from his house and we would drive down together to the studios. I still remember his work in Húnsur Krishnamuthy’s Babruvahana. I was an associate director then and we worked together for the entire film. Those days there were no graphics. Srikanth shot everything on his camera, be it triple masking or using five masks. Everything that you saw on screen was created by Srikanth on his camera. He was a genius in this and also trick photography.

After years of success, he slowly withdrew, because of his age. Soon he stopped working completely. Í have never heard him criticise others nor was he ever criticised and he never refused any work asked of him. Though he will be missed deeply, his work will continue to live on.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Movies / by Shilpa Sebastian R / Bengaluru / May 11th, 2020

Former engineer’s bid to help Bidar farmers

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

This engineer-turned-farmer has ensured technological convergence in farming after developing an online platform for consumers to place orders for vegetables and fruits so that the required quantum could be sourced from farmers and delivered at their doorsteps.

Chetan Dabake, 30, an active member of Bidar Horticultural Farmers Producers Company Limited, has developed www.raithanamitra.in. “Consumers can place their orders with a minimum purchase of ₹100. The orders are in the four categories – vegetables, leafy vegetables, fruits, and ripen-yourself-mangoes under which consumers can buy green mangoes and ripen them at their homes through traditional methods,” he says. “The door-delivery system on behalf of the FPO began on April 14 in Bidar and we are about to extend it to Belagavi.” According to him, there are about 2,300 consumers for the organisation so far in Bidar.

Mr. Dabake, a civil engineer with an MBA degree, says he took to farming as it was his passion. Earlier in February, he was honoured by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) with the ‘innovative farmer award’.

“I have realised that 10% is growing crops while 90% is marketing. Hence direct and innovative marketing is the key to make agriculture a profitable venture,” he says.

He is planning to extend the scope of door-delivery to all parts of the State.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – May 10th, 2020

Varsity develops bio-safety devices to combat COVID-19

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

Mysuru-based JSSAHER has come up with ICU on-wheels, low-cost ventilator, DentiSafe, multimode air sanitizer and hand-held UV surface sanitizer

The research team of the Mysuru-based JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), the health sciences-focussed deemed university, has developed new bio-safety technologies in support of the global initiatives for research to prevent the spread and impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

The university said it has developed five technologies/products including ICU on-wheels; low-cost ventilator; DentiSafe; multimode air sanitizer; and hand-held UV surface sanitizer.

The new safety devices were launched here on Friday in the presence of Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami of Suttur Mutt, Minister in-charge of Mysuru district S.T. Somashekar, Minister for Large and Medium Industries Jagadish Shettar and Minister for Urban Development B.A. Basavaraj.

The ICU on-wheels ensure the isolation and ICU facility in remote sites of disaster and supports the golden hour of treatment – be it pandemics or disasters. The facility can be made available at home. The approximate cost of this set-up at the present development stage is about ₹4 lakh and the cost will get reduced in large-scale manufacture, a press release from the university said.

The low-cost ventilator is a portable device with adjustable tidal volume and provides positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) “which is not apparently found in other low-cost ventilators”. The cost of this ventilator is ₹30,000 and can be reduced further, according to the research team.

DentiSafe is an application to ensure the practice of dentistry safe for both patients and dentists. The application is a mobile device developed to sterilise dental chairs and treatment areas in less than 20 minutes using a non-chemical intervention and relies on the specific wavelength of UV light for safety. The approximate cost of the device is ₹30,000 and can be reduced in large-scale manufacture, the release stated.

“The multimode air sanitizer has a three-step sanitisation process – UV treatment at a specific wavelength to kill the virus; ionisation that kills all microbes, including virus; and lastly a HEPA filter that reduces the particulate matter in the air. The cost of the device is ₹4,500 which can be reduced further if produced in bulk,” the release said.

The University Registrar said lithium-ion battery-operated hand-held UV surface sanitizer device uses UV radiation for sanitising small surfaces frequently used by others such as lift buttons, keyboards etc. This sanitizer can be carried by individuals in their pockets. The cost of the device is ₹1,250 and can be reduced further on bulk production.

The release said JSSAHER will continue to work on these technologies and make them more cost-effective, robust, and highly efficient.

The JSSAHER has thanked Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami for his support to develop the technologies besides C.G. Betsurmath, Executive Secretary; B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor; and Surinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor. The research team is led by S. Balasubramanian, Director-Research.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – May 08th, 2020

Reva varsity unveils affordable ventilator

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

RevaUnivBF07may2020

Addressing the shortage of ventilators in the country, the Bengaluru-based Reva University has launched ‘Jeeva Setu’ — an affordable medical ventilator.

According to Chancellor of Reva University P Shyama Raju, the ventilator is the university’s contribution to help the fight against coronavirus.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to the scientific community to work on innovative modes of building scientific power and support, a team of faculty members at Reva University got together an affordable model of medical ventilator — Jeeva Setu.

The launch of Jeeva Setu proves the strength of the university and its capacity for innovation in a short period, the university officials said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City> Top Bengaluru Stories / by DHNS, Bengaluru / April 28th, 2020

Mysuru-Born UK Doctor Gets Accolades In COVID-19 Fightback

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

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Indian doctors have often been referred to as the backbone of the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), with an estimated 60,000 medics from India working for the State-funded health service.

It is doctors like Mysuru-origin Sankeerthana Subramaniam who are the ones leading the fight against COVID-19. The frontline in this war has a few thousand doctors of Indian origin. Some of these people were born in India but migrated in search of the UK dream after completing professional education.

They still have strong family connections in the country of their birth. And, naturally, they have to share the risks associated with their profession. Dr. Sankeerthana Subramaniam has come to the limelight at the Torbay Hospital, South Devon’s main hospital, managed by the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. She has treated many COVID-19 patients and has got appreciation from both patients and her team of senior doctors.

Over the past few decades, thousands of Indian doctors and nurses have moved to the UK. They serve in remote areas where British doctors refuse to go. Second and third-generation doctors of Indian origin here have specialised in key areas such as emergency medicine and pulmonary diseases. They are now at the frontline of treating the COVID-19 pandemic in hospitals even in remote areas.

Agrarian roots

Dr. Sankeerthana is the daughter of Shivasubramaniam and Vasanthi who have an agrarian background. The couple resides in K.Hemmanahalli village near Bogadi in Mysuru Taluk. The family still depends on agricultural income for sustenance. Dr. Sankeerthana completed her MBBS in 2015 from JSS Medical College, Mysuru and worked at the JSS Hospital till 2017.

Later she migrated to the United Kingdom and joined Torbay Hospital. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Devon has emerged as the worst affected area for the Coronavirus outbreak. Devon and Torbay Councils have reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of patients in intensive care units at many hospitals and healthcare units.

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 Professionalism and commitment

Doctors at Torbay Hospital are fighting a relentless battle against the killer virus. “There is a lockdown till the end of May and there is a sense of fear among people here. Our team has been following professionalism and commitment to this noble profession and we have been saving lives and I am proud to do this service,” Dr. Sankeerthana told ‘Star of Mysore’ over phone from her hospital.

On the attacks on doctors and healthcare workers in India, she said, “I have seen on TV and have read in newspapers that doctors are being attacked in India and patients are showing unruly behaviour in hospitals. This is sad. Doctors, especially Indian doctors, have great respect in foreign soils like in the UK and the USA. It is very unfortunate that they are treated shabbily and their lives are threatened in their own country.”

Concerned parents

During the course of conversation, Dr. Sankeerthana said that her parents are concerned about her health and well-being. “Every day my mother Vasanthi calls me and asks me to take care. She is worried and asks about the work environment,” she said.

Dr. Sankeerthana stays at a distance of 9 kilometres from the hospital. “For doctors and nurses who stay far, the hospital has provided daily transport and accommodation. Sometimes I work for 8 hours and sometimes it stretches to 16 hours. All the doctors and healthcare staff have to compulsorily take a shower inside the hospital and then leave to their homes,” she says.

United as a team

“We work as a united team here and there is no barrier of nationalities and seniorities. We constantly exchange ideas and discuss always with an ultimate aim to make the patient comfortable,” she says.

Back in Mysuru, her teachers recall that Dr. Sankeerthana was a studious girl. “She was my student in PUC at De Paul International Residential School and Junior College. I am proud of her achievement and it is a matter of honour for all of us,” said Dr. Mamatha Sathyanarayana, a faculty at De Paul.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Covid-19 Feature Articles / by M.Y. Yogesh Kumar / May 04th, 2020

Bengaluru researchers eye static electric masks to repel COVID-19

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

One of the researchers told TNIE that as a virus has a negative-charge surface, and as the outer layer of the mask also gets negatively charged, the virus repels.

A tailor makes protective masks. (Photo | BP Deepu, EPS)
A tailor makes protective masks. (Photo | BP Deepu, EPS)

Bengaluru :

A group of scientists from Bengaluru-based Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have proposed using static electricity (Triboelectricity) to make COVID-19 masks more effective.

One of the researchers told TNIE that as a virus has a negative-charge surface, and as the outer layer of the mask also gets negatively charged, the virus repels.

One has to vigorously rub the mask, made out of non-woven polypropylene cloth (a material used often as grocery store bags), with nylon or silk or wool cloth to create the electrostatic energy.

However, this proposal is based on theories and are yet to be tested in laboratories.

The team of Dr Pralay Santra, Dr Ashutosh Singh, and Prof Giridhar U Kulkarni from CeNS has developed a simple three-layered face mask that holds electric charges to restrict the entry of infections.

It uses no external electricity and is called ‘Tribo E mask’ (derived from Triboelectricity).

It can be stitched at home with just a nylon/silk/woollen cloth placed between polypropylene layers.

The outer layer of the three-layered mask, when rubbed together, develops negative charge while nylon holds a positive charge, say the researchers, thereby creating double-electric-wall protection against viruses.

The cloth mask is washable. It reduces dependence on surgical and other technical quality masks. The mask is expected to reduce transmission of micro-droplets that linger in the air, the researchers explained.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Pearl Maria D’Souza / Express News Service / May 04th, 2020

International powerlifter from Udupi digs well for water needs

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Akshatha’s brothers Arun, Ashok and Aravind started digging the well. Akshatha’s job was to remove the soil from the pit.

Akshatha Poojary hard at work digging a well in Karkala taluk | Express
Akshatha Poojary hard at work digging a well in Karkala taluk | Express

Udupi :

She isn’t well-versed in it: of digging a well. But this 33-year-old achiever dug a 25-foot deep well along with her brothers and nephews and ensured that there will be no scarcity of water during this summer for her family.

For international powerlifter Akshatha Poojary Bola in Karkala taluk, who has won several gold medals in international championships, the lockdown turned into an occasion to work out to maintain her fitness.
Akshatha used to trek for about 10 minutes to bring water from a nearby site during the peak summer months.

Akshatha Poojary (not in pic) was helped by her brothers and nephews to dig the well in Udupi
Akshatha Poojary (not in pic) was helped by her brothers and nephews to dig the well in Udupi

Her nephew Sumith, who is in 9th standard, triggered the project to dig a well near their house by drawing a circle and motivated the family to take up the task. Akshatha’s brothers Arun, Ashok and Aravind started digging the well. Akshatha’s job was to remove the soil from the pit. This work began on April 18 and the water sprung in the well on April 24 evening.

We dug for 10 hrs every day: Udupi’s powerlifter 

As Akshatha Poojary could not continue her practice at Veeramaruthi Vyayama Shaale, Kinnigoli, due to lockdown, this work involving manual labour made her happy. Akshatha told TNIE that they engaged in digging the well from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm with half an hour lunch break. ‘’There was a tree which gave us some shade, so we did not get too tired. My nephew, 20-year-old Sushanth, also joined our venture and finally we have a well of our own now,’’ she said.

After completing her post-graduation in Human Resource Development (MHRD) from Alva’s College, Moodbidri, in 2010, her dream of getting a job in Indian Railways (under sports quota) did not materialise. However, she managed to get a job as a data entry operator (on contract basis) at NMPT, Mangaluru.
Akshatha said that the well will be dug a little deeper next week as soft mud has collapsed a bit.

“We have decided to contract the job of placing pre-cast concrete rings in the well to an outsider, so that this well will continue to help us in the future,’’ she said. Akshatha, has been investing all her time in powerlifting since 2008, is waiting to participate in the state-level powerlifting championship scheduled to be held in August.

GOLDEN GIRL

  • Ekalavya award in 2014
  • 8 gold medals at London Commonwealth Games in 2011
  • 2 gold medals in International Open Power Lifting Championship in the US in 2014
  • 2 gold medals in the Asian Bench Press Championships in Dubai in 2018

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / by Prakash Samaga / Express News Service / May 02nd, 2020

Hubballi students develop automatic sanitiser dispenser

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
Students of KLE Technological University handing over an automatic sanitiser dispenser to KIMS Director Ramalinga Antaratani. | Photo Credit: Kiran Bakale
Students of KLE Technological University handing over an automatic sanitiser dispenser to KIMS Director Ramalinga Antaratani. | Photo Credit: Kiran Bakale

At a time when the use of sanitisers has become crucial, Hubballi-based engineering students have developed an automatic sanitiser dispenser unit to help those engaged in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authorities emphasise using masks and social distancing to help fight the infection, but equally important is the use of sanitisers regularly.

However as holding the bottle of sanitiser itself has become a bit risky, the engineering students from KLE Technological University, Hubballi, have devised a simple technique to make it automatic.

Karthik V.R., Abhilash G., Vinayak, Praveen, Santosh and Abilash K. have designed the automatic sanitiser dispenser unit which is sensor-based.

The students said that as it would be difficult for doctors and nurses, serving in isolation wards to use the sanitiser without touching the bottle, they thought of developing an automatich dispenser.

As the new unit operates on sensor, the doctors and nurses will not have to touch or press it. They place their hand below the nozzle and the unit will automatically dispense a stipulated amount of the sanitiser, they said.

The students were guided by Ravi Guttal of KLE Technological University and S.V. Mulkimath of KIMS.

The students recently handed over the sanitiser unit to Director of KIMS Ramalingappa Antaratani for use at the KIMS isolation ward. Minister for Large and Medium Industries Jagadish Shettar and Deputy Commisioner of Dharwad Deepa M. have lauded the students’ innovation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Hubbali – May 02nd, 2020

Bengaluru-based doc invited to help UK manage corona crisis

Science & Technology, Uncategorized, World Opinion

An MBBS graduate from Bangalore Medical College, she went to the UK in 2002 for her post-graduate degree and has lived there for 15 years.

DrRoopaBF01may2020

Bengaluru :

A Bengaluru-based doctor is getting ready to leave for the UK after the government of that country gave a call for doctors to help the nation manage the COVID crisis and also sent a personal email to her. Dr Roopa Venkatesh, who has a UK residence permit and the licence to practice as a general practitioner there, is making plans to leave for the UK with her 13-year-old son Skanda, who wants to work there as a volunteer.

The Regional Passport Office is viewing this as a special case and is renewing her passport in a very short period. She will travel via any of the special flights that the UK government is organising. Roopa has been living in Bengaluru since July 2016 and has plans to open her own clinic. She lives in Rajarajeshwari Nagar with her husband Venkatesh, also a doctor with a license to practise in the UK. The couple has another son who is eight years old and a three-year-old daughter.

An MBBS graduate from Bangalore Medical College, she went to the UK in 2002 for her post-graduate degree and has lived there for 15 years. “With my years of experience as a frontline staffer in UK hospitals, I really think I can contribute much right now. So I have taken this tough decision to leave. I will not be recklessly risking myself though.

There is a huge demand for experienced staff on the teleconsultation front too and I have decided to opt for that role. It will not involve face to face meeting with patients,” Dr Roopa told The New Indian Express.
She has treated countless swine flu patients as well as victims of chemical warfare during the Iran-Iraq war in the UK. The UK wants her to work there until September at least.

Regional Passport Officer Bharat Kumar Kuthati said, “Her passport was to expire in July. She submitted her completed application on Monday. Though we are not dealing with public requests, we are doing it for her as a special case bearing in mind the emergency involved in her trip. It will be given to her in a day or two.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by S Lalitha / Express News Service / May 01st, 2020