Category: Amazing Feats

Mangaluru: Supreme Bajaj launches world’s first CNG bike ‘Freedom 125’

 Supreme Bajaj unveiled the world’s first CNG bike, the Freedom 125 NG04, under the theme ‘Freedom Ride the Change’ on Wednesday, August 14, at its showroom in Balmatta.

During the launch event, Col Nitte Sharath Bandhary, president of Mangaluru University College Alumni Association, expressed his admiration for the innovative vehicle, stating, “Riding two-wheelers has always been a pleasure for me. The Freedom 125 is special because it runs on both CNG and petrol, making it economical and environmentally friendly. I’m delighted that this dealership has thrived for 57 years, thanks to the exceptional leadership at Supreme Bajaj Motors. As they continue to grow, focusing on service will help expand their reputation across the state.”

Aroor Kishore Rao, director of Supreme Auto Dealers Pvt Ltd, emphasized the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction, remarking, “Bajaj vehicles are trusted nationwide for their innovation and service. My father founded this showroom, and it has grown over 57 years to include four dealerships across the state, with immense support from our customers. The Freedom 125 CNG bike can cover up to 300 kilometers on a single fill, and with around 30 CNG filling stations available, it’s set to become a game-changer.”

Aroor Arjun Rao, director of Supreme Auto Dealers Pvt Ltd, Sai Shankar, GM of GAIL Gas Ltd., Shiva Prasad (DGM), Guruprasad (DGM Service), Raghavendra Prasad (AGM 3 Wheeler), Shankar Bhat, Manager, and other dignitaries were also present at the event.

Key features of Bajaj Freedom 125 NG04:

  • World’s first CNG bike, featuring a 125cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine compatible with both CNG and petrol.
  • Equipped with two tanks: a 2 kg CNG tank and a 2-litre petrol tank.
  • Available in three variants: NG04 Drum, NG04 Drum LED, and NG04 Disc LED.
  • First-in-Class Mono Linked type Suspension and a fully digital speedometer with Bluetooth connectivity.
  • Priced from Rs 95,000 for the base NG04 Drum variant to Rs 1,10,000 for the NG04 LED Disc variant.
  • Tested rigorously for customer safety, passing 11 additional safety tests.
  • Customers can enjoy up to 50% savings on rides and up to Rs 1.34 lakh in overall savings with the CNG bike.

“We have received over 120 bookings, and today, we are proud to deliver the first batch of these vehicles to our esteemed customers,” Aroor Arjun Rao announced.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SPACE & SATELLITES: Pixxel opens new spacecraft manufacturing facility in Bengaluru

Pixxel has launched three of its satellites – Shakuntala, D2, and Anand – in collaboration with ISRO and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Bengaluru-based space data company Pixxel inaugurated its first spacecraft manufacturing facility in Bengaluru on Monday. The new facility holds significance as it targets to launch six satellites this year and 18 more by 2025, further advancing its mission of building a “health monitor” for the planet.

Spread across 30,000 square feet, the facility, at its full capacity, is equipped to handle more than 20 satellites simultaneously that can be turned around within a timeframe of six months, making possible a total of 40 large satellites per year.

The facility was inaugurated by S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who said, “Space sector is something very tough in terms of technology, market penetration, profitability… Coming into the sector and creating an impact is difficult, as it requires determination, resilience, and time. I congratulate Pixxel for having envisioned, created, and sustained the business for the last five years without losing momentum.”

Pixxel has launched three of its satellites – Shakuntala, D2, and Anand – in collaboration with ISRO and Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The Bengaluru startup further plans to launch Firefly, a constellation comprising six high-resolution hyperspectral satellites, in June. This would be followed by the so-called Honeybees constellation, another satellite constellation that will improve image resolution and the wavelength range of Pixxel’s satellites.

“The inauguration of the new facility marks a momentous milestone as Pixxel nears its fifth anniversary since inception. It will bolster our mission to build a health monitor for the planet. By increasing our capacity to build more satellites, we will deliver even more critical data to our customers faster so they can make informed decisions and address the needs of key industries such as agriculture, energy, forestry, and environmental monitoring,” said Awais Ahmed, CEO, Pixxel.

Additionally, Pixxel will also be rolling out its geospatial analytics platform, Aurora, by June 2024. The company’s satellites are used in the environment, agriculture, and mining sectors to detect oil spills, vegetation, and other geographical issues, respectively.

Pixxel has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture to provide hyperspectral imagery. Pixxel said 98 per cent of its customers are global, including clients such as British Petroleum, Google, and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Talking about customers, Awais said that the total customer base is divided into three divisions as of now – 40 per cent agriculture, 30 per cent resource companies, and 30 per cent government. Pixxel expects 85 per cent of the revenue to be generated from its commercial side and the rest from the government’s side by 2025.

“We expect 15 per cent of the revenue to come from the government’s side in 2025… We expect this to go up to 40 per cent in 2026,” said Ahmed.

Backed by Google and Lightspeed, Pixxel started operations in 2019 and last raised $36 million in a funding round in June 2023.

source/content: business-standard.com (headline edited)

INDIA @ PARIS OLYMPICS 2024 : Mysuru City’s Sanjana Kiran Mentors Athletes To Olympic Success At Paris 2024

Sanjana Kiran, Mysuru-born sports psychologist, who has made a name for herself as a Mind Coach for athletes world over is now in Paris. Sanjana is currently handling 53 athletes, including those from India and other countries, at the Paris Summer Olympics 2024, mentoring them. Sanjana Kiran spoke to Star of Mysore from Paris. Excerpts…

Star of Mysore (SOM): What brings you to the Paris Olympics?

Sanjana: I have been working with sportspersons since the 2004 Athens Olympics. This is my 10th Olympic event, which includes seven Summer Olympics and three Winter Olympics. I have handled about 300 athletes, and more than 150 of them have achieved podium finishes. Currently, I am working with 53 athletes, including 11 from India and others from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the USA, and the Netherlands, at the Paris Olympics.

SOM: How different are the athletes to handle, especially in an event like the Olympics?

Sanjana: It depends on individual sports, countries, and the Olympic cycle. During the London 2012 Olympics, my clientele consisted of athletes aged 20 years and above, except for gymnastics. Things have changed since then. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, the age group of the athletes dropped considerably, with 70-80 percent of my clientele under 20 years and 60 percent within the age group of 17 years. I have been working with elite athletes since my first Olympics, and the success I have achieved over the years has only increased my clientele.

SOM: There are comparisons made between athletes from India and other countries. What do you think about this?

Sanjana: Comparing one athlete to another is not beneficial. Every athlete I work with presents a different challenge. The more elite the athlete, the greater the challenge. Managing their emotions at different levels is crucial.

In my opinion, wisdom gained through experience is not always the best friend for an elite athlete. The more you know, the more you tend to focus on minute details. While they may be happy with their performance, they are often not satisfied because they overthink. Motivation and focus are not issues for them, but converting their high and low emotions into positive results requires a lot of courage.

SOM: You have seen athletes from various countries competing at the highest level. How do you rate the progress of Indian athletes?

Sanjana: Progress has been good with a new approach and an increase in representation. However, more can be done to tap into our country’s abundant talent. Over the past year, we have been implementing new strategies based on our experiences. While winning a bronze medal is an achievement, getting a podium finish at the Olympics is a different                                        experience altogether.

SOM: Tell us about your preparations before an important event such as the Olympics.

Sanjana: Sports psychologists work in close physical proximity with the athletes. Taking on the responsibility of handling athletes involves a lot of running around and constant discussions with coaches and support staff. A sports psychologist must always observe the players and ensure they perform their tasks to the best of their abilities.

SOM: What, according to you, is the success mantra for an athlete competing at an international level?

Sanjana: An athlete needs to be fit both mentally and physically. Every sport is designed differently, and athletes are tested each time they compete. There is a lot of maths and physics involved in developing new strategies and game plans. Maintaining a calm head and applying the mind effectively is crucial. The battle with oneself is often more intense than battling external factors.

SOM: What is the success mantra for a sports psychologist?

Sanjana: Firstly, a person aspiring to be a sports psychologist must be ready to work behind the scenes. Efficiency comes with experience. Importantly, understanding the nuances of the sport is essential. Only someone with a calm head can be a good sports psychologist, capable of working with some of the best athletes in the world. Sports psychology is not for those seeking the limelight. —VNS

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: TRANSPORT / METRO RECORDS: Bengaluru Metro’s TBM ‘Tunga’ sets new tunnelling record

‘Tunga’ tunnelled 308 meters in July, surpassing the previous record of 273 meters set by ‘Urja’ in May 2022.

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Tunga’ of Bengaluru Metro has set a new record for tunneling in the city. In July, ‘Tunga’ successfully tunnelled 308 meters, surpassing the previous record of 273 meters set by TBM ‘Urja’ in May 2022.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Bengaluru Metro, highlighting the project’s progress and the efficiency of the tunneling operations. The record-breaking performance of ‘Tunga’ is expected to expedite the completion of the metro’s underground sections, providing a much-needed boost to the city’s transportation infrastructure.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated event, the city of Manali has been cut off due to heavy rains and landslides, affecting connectivity and causing disruptions. Efforts are underway to restore access and ensure the safety of residents and tourists in the region.

This record-breaking achievement by ‘Tunga’ reflects the advancements in engineering and the dedication of the Bengaluru Metro team, setting a new benchmark for future tunneling projects in the city.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

13th edition of ‘Bengaluru INDIA NANO’ 2024 event: All you need to know

Theme: Nanotechnology for sustainability: Climate, energy, and healthcare.

The 13th edition of ‘Bengaluru INDIA NANO’, the country’s flagship event in the Nanotech sector, will have the theme Nanotechnology for Sustainability: Climate, Energy, and Healthcare.

The three-day event which will take place from August 1st – 3rd, 2024 in Bengaluru is expected to attract 25 sessions, more than 75 speakers, over 700 delegates and 3,500 attendees. The event is being organised by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). 

“Sustainability is now an impending necessity. The impacts of climate change are increasingly visible, manifesting in rising temperatures, natural calamities, and widespread displacement. Simultaneously, the world is grappling with severe economic and environmental consequences of energy crises. While industries are striving to develop green and clean energy solutions, these efforts alone may not be sufficient to achieve true sustainability. Health challenges, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, have exposed critical vulnerabilities in healthcare systems globally. This pandemic was neither the first nor will it be the last; thus, our preparedness and resilience are of utmost importance,” observed N. S. Boseraju, Minister of Minor Irrigation and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka. 

Nanotechnology has the promise to deliver small-sized but high-impact solutions, which can potentially revolutionise our approach to these global issues, he added. 

The event will have speeches and engaging panel discussions by eminent experts from around the globe and the conference will address cutting-edge developments in nanotechnology and its applications in climate, energy, healthcare, electronics and semiconductors. 

Professor Pulickel Ajayan – Chair, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Balajee Sowrirajan – Managing Director, SSIR;  Professor Neetu Singh – Professor & Head, Center of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi; Professor Dhirendra Katti – Director, Indian Institute of Technology Goa; Professor Nitash Balsara – The Charles W. Tobias professor in Electrochemistry, University of California, Berkeley besides others will be the main speakers at the conference. 

Pre-conference Tutorials will offer in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in various aspects of nanotechnology, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals. The Pre-conference Tutorial will delve into topics such as Nano Fabrication and Nano Characterisation, The Poster Showcase at the event is expected to give an opportunity to more than 175 young researchers from academia and research institutions to display their research posters. The exhibition at the event will showcase the latest innovations, products, and technologies from leading companies, research institutions and startups in the field of nanotechnology. More than 50 organisations will also be showcasing their Nanotech products & services. 

It was announced that the event will also witness the bestowing of the  ‘Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award’ for making meaningful contributions to Nanoscience.

Additionally the ‘Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award’ will be presented for Innovative and Disruptive Technology Development in Nanotech.

There will also be other awards such as the Nano Excellence Award- to the best researchers in the realm of Nanoscience; Best Poster- The Best Students for revolutionary research; and Exhibitor Awards- For the best showcase across various categories during the event. 

There would also be the National Nanotech Quiz which will feature participation of students from across the country. The first 2 rounds of the Quiz will be held digitally while the final showdown will take place in person at the event for the first time. The event will also host an array of programmes such as NanoSparX- a startup pitching initiative, as well as B2B partnering meetings. 

source/content: theweek.in (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AUTHOR: Mangaluru girl Reshel Bretny Fernandes authors book on ‘Bharat @2047 – Role of youth’

Reshel Bretny Fernandes, a young author, writer, and orator who has achieved acclaim at international, national, and other levels, has published her second book, BHARAT @2047 – Role of Youth.

Released on the occasion of Independence Day, this book is published by Taneesha Publications and delves into the vital role of youth during India’s Amritkal, as the nation approaches its 100th year of independence. Fernandes is the first young author to tackle such a significant topic, exploring how the contributions of youth in the past and present shape the future across various fields.

The book, spanning 376 pages, serves as a tribute to her grandfather, SGT Alex Monis Moodbidri, who served in the Indian Air Force for 36 years and participated in major conflicts such as the last phase of World War II, the Indo-China conflict of 1962, the Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971, among other services.

Rajesh Padmar, a lecturer, author, and thinker from Bengaluru, has penned the foreword, praising Fernandes for inspiring youth through her insightful thoughts and ideas.

Fernandes has been honored with the Rabindranath Tagore Literature Award and the Bharatiya Sahitya Sanmaan by Dawn Research and Development Council, along with other prestigious awards from various organizations.

The book is available worldwide and in many libraries and will be released at different platforms and locations.

Fernandes, the daughter of teachers Ronald and Nancy Fernandes, who have always encouraged her literary pursuits, completed her schooling at DPS MRPL Mangaluru, her PU studies at Ladyhill PU College, and her graduation from Sri Mahavira College. She is currently pursuing an LLB at SDM Law College, Mangaluru, and has also completed a BA in Hindi from Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Madras.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: AMAZING: Two Karnataka babies Arvi Bharath & Eshanwige Kevalata set international records for early identification skills

Two remarkable infants from Karnataka have achieved international recognition for their extraordinary ability to identify a variety of objects at a very young age.

Arvi, a 5.5-month-old baby from Channapattana, Hassan district, has set a world record by identifying more than 125 pictures of fruits, animals, birds, and other objects. The achievement is registered in the Nobel World Record and the International Book of Records. Arvi is the daughter of Bharath and Ranjita, both of whom are employed with the Indian Army. By identifying various objects in pictures, she has earned the title of ‘Super Talented Kid’. Her parents shared that Arvi’s remarkable ability to recognize objects was evident when she was just five months old. They recorded her talent and sent the video to the Nobel World Record, which then confirmed and honoured her achievement.

In a similar astounding feat, 5.5-month-old Eshanwige Kevalata from Bengaluru has also created a world record. Eshanwige, the daughter of Sneha and Prajwal, can identify over 125 different types of objects, including vegetables, animals, and birds, through flashcards. Her exceptional ability was first noticed when she was just two months old. Her mother, Sneha, observed that Eshanwige could accurately identify two flashcards and then decided to document her skill. With the help of her family, Sneha made a video and submitted it to the Nobel World Records. Eshanwige’s accomplishment has since been officially recognized, surpassing a previous record set by Kaivalya, a baby girl from Andhra Pradesh who identified 120 flashcards at four months old.

Both Arvi and Eshanwige’s remarkable talents highlight the incredible potential and cognitive abilities of very young children, making them record holders and sources of inspiration.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: BOEING’s LARGEST : PM Modi inaugurates Boeing’s largest campus outside US in Bengaluru

Boeing’s new campus will also serve as the hub for Indian startups and universities.

While inaugurating the Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Bengaluru is a city that connects aspirations with innovation and achievement.

“Bengaluru connects India’s technological capability with global demand,” said PM Modi in Bengaluru.

This is Boeing’s largest centre outside the US, built with an investment of Rs 1,600 crore which is also Boeing’s largest such investment. Modi also launched Boeing’s Sukanya Program that aims to support the entry of more girl children from across India into the country’s aviation sector. The program will provide opportunities for girls and women from across India to learn critical skills in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and train for jobs in the aviation sector.

Boeing’s centre in Bengaluru will house engineering, test, research and technology teams, performing advanced high-quality aerospace engineering works. It includes support in structural and systems design, manufacturing, aircraft testing system development, and digital solutions that drive sustainability in aviation. The centre will also work in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet-of-Things, Cloud Solutions, Model-Based Engineering, and Additive Manufacturing to enhance quality, safety, and productivity.

Boeing’s new campus in Bengaluru will also serve as the hub for Boeing’s work with Indian startups and universities. Currently Boeing has collaborated with seven incubators, including Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – IIT Mumbai, Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer – IIT Delhi, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center – IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, Society for Innovation and Development – IISC Bengaluru, T-Hub Hyderabad, and Technology Business Incubator – KIIT Bhubaneshwar. Together, they host the Boeing University Innovation Leadership and Development program (BUILD) annually in India.

The Boeing’s Sukanya Program was launched in the backdrop that India leads the world with women comprising 15 percent of all pilots, exceeding the global average of 5 percent. The Indian aviation sector is also witnessing a surging demand for pilots. More than a doubling of the current roster of 9,000 pilots will be required. Under this program Boeing is establishing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Labs in girls’ schools, especially in tier 2 and 3 towns, to expand awareness, knowledge, and exposure to careers in aviation.

With around 150 locations planned, local program managers will engage with as many as 75,000 students through these STEM labs, with the intent of reaching 60 percent of the young girl students. The initiative will support learning through various digital products, including Virtual Procedure Trainer, Virtual Airplane, and Private Pilot License ground school courses. Boeing will also provide scholarships for training, covering aspects such as foundation, jet bridge, type rating, and more.

Besides this Boeing will have full-flight simulator capacity to support the women’s pilot program and collaborate with customers to ensure candidates are airline-ready. These investments – both hard assets, and Competency-based Training and Assessment (CBTA) courseware aim to produce a large pipeline of female pilots entering the airlines annually.

During the inauguration PM Modi was joined by the Governor of Karnataka Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Leader of the Opposition – Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka and Stephanie Pope Boeing’s Chief Operating Officer, along with other senior Boeing executives. 

source/content: theweek.in (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: IISc designs device to make infrared light visible, with diverse applications in defence and optical communications

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have fabricated a device to increase or up-convert the frequency of short infrared light to the visible range. This up-conversion of light has diverse applications, especially in defence and optical communications, said IISc.

“The human eye can only see light at certain frequencies (called the visible spectrum), the lowest of which constitutes red light. Infrared light, which we can’t see, has an even lower frequency than red light. IISc researchers have now fabricated a device to increase or up-convert the frequency of short infrared light to the visible range,” IISc said.

2D material used

The institute added that in a first, the IISc team used a 2D material to design what they call a non-linear optical mirror stack to achieve this up-conversion, combined with widefield imaging capability. The stack consists of multilayered gallium selenide fixed to the top of a gold reflective surface, with a silicon dioxide layer sandwiched in between.

It said that traditional infrared imaging uses exotic low-energy bandgap semiconductors or micro-bolometer arrays, which usually pick up heat or absorption signatures from the object being studied.

However, existing infrared sensors are bulky and not very efficient. They are also export-restricted because of their utility in defence. There is, therefore, a critical need to develop indigenous and efficient devices.

The method used by the IISc team involves feeding an input infrared signal along with a pump beam onto the mirror stack. The nonlinear optical properties of the material constituting the stack result in a mixing of the frequencies, leading to an output beam of increased (up-converted) frequency, but with the rest of the properties intact. Using this method, they were able to up-convert infrared light of a wavelength of around 1,550 nm to 622 nm visible light. The output light wave can be detected using traditional silicon-based cameras.

Going forward, the researchers plan to extend their work to up-convert light of longer wavelengths. They are also trying to improve the efficiency of the device by exploring other stack geometries.

Worldwide interest

“There is a lot of interest worldwide in doing infrared imaging without using infrared sensors. Our work could be a game-changer for those applications,” said Varun Raghunathan, associate professor, Department of Electrical Communication Engineering.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: WIND ENERGY: Karnataka ranks 02nd in All-India Wind Power Generation

The event highlighted significant advancements and achievements in the wind energy sector across the nation.

Karnataka secured second place in the all-India wind energy generation capacity commissioned for the year 2023 -24. The state stood second after Gujarat, while Tamil Nadu ranked third, a release said on Wednesday.

Karnataka was honoured by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as part of Global Wind Day celebrations in Delhi on June 15, with the central theme of ‘Pawan-Urja: Powering the Future of India’. The event highlighted significant advancements and achievements in the wind energy sector across the nation.

As per data from the energy department, the commissioned capacity for wind power generation for financial year 2023- 24 is 724.66MW. Gujarat’s commissioned capacity is 1743.8MW, while Tamil Nadu’s is 586.37MW. KP Rudrappaiah, managing director, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) received the award from Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik and MNRE secretary Bhupinder S Bhalla.

Reacting to this, Energy Minister KJ George said Karnataka’s significant strides in the wind energy sector reflect its dedication to renewable energy and its vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Gaurav Gupta, additional chief secretary, energy department, said the achievement reflects the commitment towards sustainable energy and efforts to harness wind power.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)