The processor will give India a huge edge as both government and private sector can move away from their dependence on the American Global Positioning System, says founder of Elena Geo Systems.
In a step towards expanding usage of indigenous satellite-based Navigation, NavIC, a chip that can form the core of the Navigation, Positioning and Timing applications developed by Elena Geo Systems, a Bengaluru-based space technology company, was unveiled at the Defence Space Symposium on Thursday. The chip works using Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) or the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) satellites.
A chip was formally handed over by Lt. Col. V.S. Velan (retd.), founder and Chief Technology Officer of Elena Geo Systems, to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan.
“We are thrilled to present India’s first fully designed and developed NavIC chip. The processor will give India a huge edge as both the government and private sector can move away from their dependence on the American Global Positioning System (GPS). Elena is in the process of patenting the technology and the product which has been developed by our dedicated R&D team,” Lt. Col. Velan said.
The chip has many cores that service the requirements of signal acquisition, regeneration, processing and the output interface and hence it is has been named as the NavIC processor, he stated. “We will be manufacturing 10,000 chips in the first batch,” he told The Hindu. He said they had demonstrated several of their products to the armed forces and were supplying 200 NavIC receivers to the Army through Bharat Electronics Limited.
High precision
The chips will enable high precision and accuracy for all the three types of applications such as navigation, positioning and timing, providing self-reliance, Lt. Col. Vasan said, adding that they have been pursuing advance technologies to manufacture these chips and modules; some of which have been supplied to the Indian Army and some private entities.
Elena Geo Systems was incubated at IIT-Kharagpur in 2012 and is now a member of the Delhi-based Indian Space Association (InSA) which organised the symposium in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Elena demonstrated its first processor in April 2019, which could receive and process signals of NavIC S-band, L5 band, GAGAN, GPS and Russian GLONASS. In the last two years, Elena successfully demonstrated its capability across devices and applications for reference stations, DSM map display system with IRNSS for the Army, map display system for patrol boats, marine NavIC receivers, intelligent vehicle tracking devices, NavIC drone navigation units and NavIC-based atomic clock, Lt. Col. Velan added.
Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi launched ‘Project Tiger on April 1, 1973, at Bandipur to protect the big cats and promote their conservation in India. Since then, the project has helped in increasing their population and strengthening conservation efforts.
Fifty years later, all eyes are on Bandipur Project Tiger Reserve again, not only because Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming there to inaugurate the celebrations to mark 50 years of Project Tiger, but bacause the reserve is recognized as the prime tiger habitat in the world today.
According to official statistics, the number of tigers when Project Tiger began in 1973 was 12. Due to rampant poaching and no protection, the big cat was pushed to the brink of extinction. As per the statistics by the National Tiger Conservation Authority the number of tigers has now been recorded at 126. The Authority has mentioned the number under the title “Status of Tigers Co-predators and Prey in India for 2018”. However, the number of tigers in the park is pegged at 173 today.
Modi will release the latest statistics of tiger estimation (2022) at the “Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger” programme, which will be held in Mysuru on April 9.
The Bandipur National Park was formed by including most of the forest area of the then Venugopala Wildlife Park established by the government of India on February 19, 1941. The area was enlarged in 1985 extending over 874.20 square kms and was named the Bandipur National Park.
This reserve was brought under Project Tiger in 1973. Subsequently some adjacent reserve forest areas were added to the reserve extending it to 880.02 square kms. The present area under the Bandipur Tiger Reserve is 912.04 square kms.
In 2007-08, an area of 39.80 square kms attached to the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation plantation area was handed over to this division. During 2010-11 the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary was also handed over to the wildlife division.
In old Mysore State, a forest department was established on January 11, 1864 and an army officer Major Hunter was appointed Conservator of Forests. The state’s rulers realizing the significance of the preservation of wildlife, passed the Mysore Game and Fish Preservation Act in 1901.
The Mysore Gazetteer recorded that tiger blocks were identified and restrictions were imposed on shooting them.
The Bandipur Tiger Reserve along with the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu including the Wayanad forest region in Kerala is home to the highest number of tigers in the country (724) and the largest Asian Elephant population.
The Bandipur Tiger Reserve has become a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers from across the world because of its rich biodiversity. Anti-poaching patrols, habitat management and community based conservation programmes have yielded good results.
The authorities are dealing with the challenge of encroachment in buffer zones by the local communities. The development has resulted in man-animal conflict.
Environmentalist Dr A.N. Yallappa Reddy, talking to IANS, stated that Karnataka even today remains the leading state in preservation measures. The tiger population here is the highest in the country. The politicians and earlier the maharajas here paid attention to conservation, he added.
Karnataka was the first state to implement Project Tiger. Because of the Mysuru rulers, the state was the first in the country to declare Bandipur Sanctuary to protect tigers and elephants, he said.
Late former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs was also concerned about wildlife, nature, forests and tree protection. He implemented the guidelines of Project Tiger and abolished the “Pre-Paid license” scheme which allowed people to go into the forests by paying Rs 2 or Rs 3 for a pass. Hundreds of bullock carts entered the forests and people stayed there for one or two days, he explained.
Yallappa Reddy said that when he was deputy conservator of forests in Hunsur, he took Devaraj Urs to see the plunder of the forests. “He banned the practice. Simultaneously Project Tiger was implemented,” he stated.
Well-known Konkani writer Stan Ageira’s anthology of short stories ‘Cathillaacho Anamik’ has been selected for the prestigious Dr TMA Pai Appreciation Award for 2021. The award carries Rs 10000 and citation. This was announced recently by the foundation in Manipal.
The book was published by Udupi diocese’s Uzvaad Prakashan.
A prolific writer in Konkani, Stan Ageira from Mulki has written 18 novels and over 250 short stories.
Over 50 short stories are translated to Kannada, Telugu and English.
Woman’s Era from New Delhi have been regularly publishing his stories in English for over 20 years. His collection of short stories ‘Tea, Coffee and Cheesecake’ was published by US based Raider publication.
He is recipient of several literature awards including twice Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award.
His short stories are available online under the Red Chillis column in Daijiworld.
Konkani poems, ‘Gayathri Devi’, written by Professor Sudhir Manohar Tadkodkar from Panji, Goa, has been picked for the ‘best Konkani work’ award for the year 2021. This is given with Rs 25000 and citation. B Shantharam Baliga’s ‘Shachatushyaka Subashitha Ganga’ was given the consolation award with Rs 10000 and citation.
Dr TMA Pai Foundation, a Konkani linguistic minority trust, was established in 1981 to preserve the memory of (Padmashree) Dr TMA Pai, physician, educationist, banker, philanthropist, Konkani lover, one of the greatest visionaries and the founder of the internationally famous Manipal Educational Institutions. The trust was established with an objective to support and promote the advancement of educational activities and promote the Konkani Language and the culture of Konkani speaking people.
Modi interacts with camp staffers for 15 mins, who explained the nature of their duty and challenges.
PM Narendra Modi, who launched a three-day mega event to mark 50 years of Project Tiger, is likely to declare Karnataka the ‘Tiger State of India’. As per a recent assessment by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India, it is expected that Karnataka has overtaken Madhya Pradesh in tiger population.
As per the 2018 tiger estimation, Karnataka came second with 524 tigers, while Madhya Pradesh with 526 tigers took first place. The country has 2,967 tigers, and efforts of forest officials in protecting wildlife and forests are expected to have increased the tiger population in the state and country.
The rapid increase in human population over the centuries led to a decline in wildlife in the country. There was large-scale hunting of wildlife, especially tigers, for pleasure during the period of the Mughals, Maharajas and Nawabs, as well as to save people from attacks of wild animals. During British rule between 1895 and 1925, it is reported that over 80,000 tigers, more than 1.50 lakh leopards and 2 lakh wolves were hunted in the country.
According to the Kanara District Gazetteer 1883, the British government gave incentives for killing tigers — Rs 24 for hunting an adult tiger, Rs 12 for a sub-adult tiger and Rs 6 for a tiger cub. As a result, in the 27 years between 1856 and 1882, 640 tigers were shot dead in Kanara, 158 tigers from 1856 to 1866, 350 tigers between 1867 and 1877, and 130 tigers between 1878 and 1882.
As per the 1954-55 Administrative Report of the forest department of the Government of Mysore, Kakanakote State Forest, Begur State Forest, Berambadi State Forest, Bandipur State Forest and Chamarajanagar State Forest in Mysore District, Lakkavalli State Forest in Chikkamagaluru District, Shankar State Forest in Shivamogga district and Hessaraghatta Grass Farm in Bengaluru district were declared game preserves, and Puduvakote Forest Block, Manche Gowdanahalli forest block and Bale Gowdananakatte forest block in Mysuru District, Gurupura forest block in Chikkamagaluru, Kadathikere and Devabu blocks in Shivamogga district were declared tiger preserves.
The first comprehensive legislation regarding wildlife protection was passed by Parliament and the President on September 9, 1972, called Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Then PM Indira Gandhi launched Project Tiger, providing assistance to states for tiger conservation.
However, before the WPL 1992, a number of wildlife sanctuaries — Venugopala Wildlife Park (1931), Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (1940), Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary (1941) and Jagger Valley Wildlife Park (1951) in Mysore state, Nagarahole Wildlife Sanctuary (1955) in Coorg state and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (1956) in Bombay Presidency — established by princely states were merged into Karnataka in 1956.
As per the Karnataka State Gazetteer, 1982, when Project Tiger was launched, Bandipur National Park was brought under it in 1973. Nagarahole National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary were made tiger reserves in 1999. However, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park were brought under Project Tiger in 2007 under the name Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.
It was later renamed Kali Tiger Reserve. Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 2011. The forest department has sent a proposal to the central government to include Kudremukh National Park, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Belagavi district in Project Tiger. Bhimgad Sanctuary is a critically important tiger corridor between Karnataka and Goa.
ACCURATE NUMBERS Former Mysuru honorary wildlife warden and Wildlife Conservation Foundation founder Rajkumar Devaraje Urs told TNIE that as tiger estimation was done based on pug marks in the past, there was no accuracy in counting tigers. “After camera traps were introduced, foresters achieved accuracy. The major threat to tigers is forest fires and poaching. If reserve foresters and island pockets are included in the tiger reserve, India has a chance to have a tiger population of 10,000 in future. If there is a good tiger population, forests will be healthy which increases rain, resulting in an increase in groundwater table and rivers.
90% of rivers originate in tiger reserves
As I conclude a memorable visit to the Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves, I want to acknowledge the hard work of all forest officials, guards, tiger reserve frontline staff and everyone else working on tiger conservation. Words can’t do justice to their passion and effort. What a delight to meet the wonderful Bomman and Belli, along with Bommi and Raghu. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi
‘No conflict of economy, ecology’ Mysuru: Wildlife protection is a universal issue, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday at the Karnataka State Open University convocation hall in Mysuru. Stating that India contributes to around eight per cent of the known global biodiversity, he said that India has not only saved the tiger population from declining but also provided an ecosystem where they can flourish, and was delighted that the tiger population has increased by 75 per cent. “India does not believe in a conflict between ecology and economy, and gives importance to their coexistence,” Modi said, adding, “India is a country where protecting nature is a part of our culture”. “India has the largest tiger range in the world, the largest Asiatic elephant range with around 30,000 elephants, and also the largest number of single-horn rhinos with a population of roughly 3,000,” he said. India’s Asiatic lion numbers have increased from around 525 in 2015 to around 675 in 2020, he said, adding that the leopard population has jumped by more than 60 per cent over 4 years.
Appe midi is a traditional pickling variety of mango from Karnataka, which is grown in the Malnad region of the State-especially in Sirsi, Sagara, Siddapur, Thirthahally, Kumata, Sakleshpur, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru.
Thanks to the growing popularity of ‘appe midi ’ (tender mango in Kannada), the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR) in Hesaraghatta for the first time will conduct an exclusive ‘appe midi’ mango fair, where 100 varieties of such mangoes will be displayed.
Appe midi is a traditional pickling variety of mango from Karnataka, which is grown in the Malnad region of the State-especially in Sirsi, Sagara, Siddapur, Thirthahally, Kumata, Sakleshpur, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru.
The fair will be held on April 12 and 13 on the IIHR campus in Hessarghatta.
Creating awareness
Speaking to The Hindu, M. Sankaran, Principal scientist, division of fruit crops, ICAR-IIHR, said, “Appe midi mangoes have a unique position with respect to the diversity of pickling mango varieties. Appe midi is the king of all tender mangoes as far as its use in the pickle industry is concerned. Since there is a demand and awareness has to be created on this variety of mangoes, we thought of conducting an exclusive fair.”
The IIHR will display 100 varieties of tender mangoes at the fair, which are preserved by IIHR and also grown by farmers in various parts of the State. “The custodian farmers from across the State will participate at the fair where 100 appe midi mango genotypes will be displayed. The pickle manufacturers will also sell their products made of tender mango. Apart from this, we will also distribute limited appe midi mango saplings to farmers,” Mr. Sankaran added.
According to IIHR, the pickles prepared from appe midi mangoes make for an exquisite culinary experience. The demand for pickles varies from 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes per year, translating to ₹100 crore per year.
Unorganised market
“A good quality tender mango costs ₹2 to 3; the price for a quintal could go up to almost ₹6,000, depending on demand and availability. Since the supply of appe midi meets only one-tenth of demand in the market, they are often mixed in with ordinary tender mangoes. This is not an organised market compared to others. Appe midi products have a high potential for marketing and need attention for conservation. The mango’s unique size and taste make its pickle one of the best in the country, with its fragrance so strong that adding just a few midis to an ordinary pickle can change its taste and smell,” Mr. Sankaran explained.
A wild appe midi tree can yield several tonnes of tender mango, with features varying from tree to tree. In Karnataka, 100 farm households are engaged in making appe midi pickles producing at least 100 tones of pickle a year. ICAR-IIHR has so far surveyed, collected and conserved more than 250 accessions of appe midi mangoes. These mangoes have a huge market in Goa, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, according to IIHR.
The supercapacitor is fully functional and can be deployed in energy-storage devices like electric car batteries or any miniaturised system by on-chip integration.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a new type of supercapacitor that can replace batteries in streetlights, electric cars and medical devices.
The supercapacitor, developed by researchers from IISc’s Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics (IAP), is different from others, as it is smaller or ‘ultra-micro’, but capable of storing larger amounts of energy. Hence, the supercapacitor can be easier to use in smaller electronic devices, eliminating the need for batteries, while ensuring that the device stays charged for a longer time.
“Most of these devices are currently powered by batteries. However, over time, these batteries lose their ability to store charge and therefore have a limited shelf-life. Capacitors, on the other hand, can store an electrical charge for much longer, by their design. Supercapacitors, on the other hand, combine the best of both batteries and capacitors — they can store and release large amounts of energy, and are therefore highly sought-after for next-generation electronic devices,” the researchers said.
Abha Misra, an IAP professor and a corresponding study author, said the supercapacitor used Field Effect Transistors (FETs) instead of metallic electrodes, which are more commonly used, as charge collectors. “Using FET as an electrode for supercapacitors is something new for tuning charge in a capacitor,” she said.
During their tests, they found that the ultra-micro supercapacitor, due to the materials used, was able to increase capacitance (ability to store energy as electricity within the device) to 3,000 per cent. This was compared to a regular supercapacitor, which showed only an 18 per cent increase. The key was the use of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) and graphene in increasing the mobility of electrons within the supercapacitor.
“In future, we are planning to explore if replacing MoS2 with other materials can increase the capacitance of the supercapacitor even more. The supercapacitor is fully functional and can be deployed in energy-storage devices like electric car batteries or any miniaturised system by on-chip integration. We are also planning to apply for a patent on the supercapacitor,” they said.
The technology could help India design secure communication channels, especially for defence and strategic purposes, enhance cyber security and make online transactions safer.
For the first time in India, researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) have successfully demonstrated secure communication established between a stationary source and a moving receiver using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).
Prof. Urbasi Sinha, who led the team of researchers, said that this breakthrough demonstration could pave the way for ground-to-satellite-based secure quantum communication.
The successful experimental demonstration, which was performed at the institute in March, could also help India design and provide secure communication channels, especially for defence and strategic purposes, enhance cyber security and make online transactions safer.
In order to achieve this feat, Prof. Sinha and her team at the Quantum Information and ComputingI (QuIC) lab deployed an indigenously deployed Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) system.
This PAT system assisted the ground-based source in tracking the moving receiver, in this case, a terrestrial vehicle, a few metres apart.
Prof Sinha added that the present demonstration is in continuation to the QuIC lab’s February 2021 demonstration of QKD between two buildings using an atmospheric free space channel.
“Just like our team achieved the first secure quantum communication between two buildings for the first time in India, we are equally delighted to be the first Indian team to achieve secure quantum communication between a stationary source and a moving platform, a critical milestone in our quest towards satellite-based quantum communications,” Prof Sinha added.
Relevance of quantum technology
While present-day classical cryptography follows the encryption and decryption of messages, its security gets challenged by quantum computers and other revolutionary algorithmic breakthroughs.
According to RRI, the obvious solution then is to use quantum cryptography.
“Security based on laws of quantum mechanics is a paradigm change from the current means of security based on mathematical hardness of problems. Quantum Key Distribution is currently the most secure means of facing any threats from algorithmic breakthroughs in classical computing as well as the advent of quantum computers,” Prof Sinha said, sharing the relevance of quantum technology in the increasing online mode of transactions.
This research by Prof Sinha’s team is part of Quantum Experiments using Satellite Technology (QuEST), for which RRI has been collaborating with the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) since 2017.
Interested parties were advised to submit their proposals by April 17.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) called upon Indian industries to develop 100 technologies and products, which will be required for its launch vehicles, satellites, application sectors, human space flight, and space exploration.
Inviting an Expression of Interest (EoI) from prospective industries towards self-reliance in development of technologies, products, systems for Indian space programmes, the space agency has listed 100 technologies and products.
The list includes design, realisation and flight testing of sub-scale Hybrid Drone Prototype for DroneNet, development of a Head Mount Display (HMD) for Gaganyaan crew for providing situational awareness, space debris surveillance and tracking radar, urban flooding surveillance system using multi-radar and sensor network.
ISRO is pursuing multidisciplinary R&D programmes related to its major verticals — space transportation, space infrastructure, space applications, ground systems and human space exploration.
The EoI states: “Currently, ISRO is in the need of developing certain potential technologies/ products/ systems for its programmes in a time-bound manner. In this context, an invitation for Expression of Interest (EoI) is hereby floated to identify suitable Indian industries for the development of identified technologies/ products/ systems in a time-bound manner.”
The main objective of this EoI is to engage eligible Indian industries to develop the technologies, products, systems for space programmes of ISRO.
Prospective industries were advised to submit their proposals by April 17.
VST has been designing and manufacturing multi-functional tillers and tractors for the domestic and international markets for the last five decades.
VST Tillers Tractors Ltd (VST), a farm equipment manufacturer, has crossed the production milestone of 500,000 power tillers from its plant at Malur, on the outskirts of the city.
Antony Cherukara, CEO, VST, said on Thursday, “This is a testimony to the customer confidence in VST power tillers and it will be a stepping stone to many more accolades for us in times to come.’‘
Currently, the power tiller industry in India is around 60,000 units and it is expected to grow to 100,000 units by the year 2025. VST is the leader in the segment and holds a market share of over 65% in the country, as per VST. “We are focusing on small farm mechanisation and have introduced a wide range of smart farm machines for small and marginal farmers,’‘ said the firm.
The company has introduced the electric start power tiller in the 16 HP and 9 HP category, a range of power weeders, which start from 3.5 hp to 8 hp, a range of brush cutters, multi-crop reaper, for the segment.
VST has been designing and manufacturing multi-functional tillers and tractors for the domestic and international markets for the last five decades. Some of its smart farm machines are used for puddling, inter-cultivation, bund formation, earthing up & de-weeding mainly for crops like Sugarcane, Paddy, Cotton, Vegetables, Horticulture, Turmeric, and Ginger.
Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.
Indian Wells :
India’s Rohan Bopanna became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he and his Australian partner Matt Ebden claimed the men’s doubles crown at the BNP Paribas Open here.
The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden, 35, defeated top-seeded Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neil Skupski of Britain 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the final on Saturday.
“Truly special. It’s called Tennis Paradise for a reason,” said Bopanna, who was playing in his 10th ATP Masters 1000 final.
“I’ve been, over the years, coming here and seeing all these guys win for so many years. I’m really happy that Matt and I were able to do this and get this title here.
“It’s been some tough matches, close matches. Today we played against one of the best teams out there. Really happy that we got the trophy.”
Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.
“I spoke to Danny Nestor and I told him sorry I’m going to beat his record,” he joked.
“Winning the title, that stays with me, so really happy with that. ” It was the 43-year-old’s fifth Masters 1000 doubles title and first since he won in Monte Carlo in 2017.
This was the third final of the year for the Indo-Australian duo.
He now holds 24 tour-level trophies in his cabinet.
The Indo-Australian pair stunned defending and two-time desert titlists John Isner and Jack Sock in the semi-finals, while getting the better off Canadian singles stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov in the quarters.
Bopanna and Ebden had defeated Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez in their opening match.
A former World No.3, Bopanna jumped four places to No.11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Rankings.
