Business & Economy – Page 13

GLOBAL: NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: Bengaluru becomes First Indian City to join World Cities Culture Forum

The network currently has 40 cities spanning six continents.

The network currently has 40 cities spanning six continents, and Bengaluru is set to join the league of cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Dubai among others.

Bengaluru has become the first Indian city to become part of the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF,) a global network of cities that share research and intelligence, and explore the role of culture in future prosperity.

The network currently has 40 cities spanning six continents. Bengaluru being the latest addition is set to join the league of cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Dubai among others.

The global consortium was founded in 2012 by Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture & the Creative Industries.

“We have been keen to have an Indian city and a lot of other cities that are part of the network have also been keen about it. Bengaluru is a fast-growing city. It’s very diverse and has got a big commitment to culture,” said Ms. Simons in an exclusive interaction with The Hindu.

“It feels like there is real ambition and drive in Bengaluru around the culture story. It is known as a tech city in the rest of the world. This is a fantastic opportunity for Bengaluru to bring the cultural story alongside the tech story, and to really grow its economy and its status as a global city,” she added.

Bengaluru’s entry into WCCF comes after several discussions that have been happening for over a year. Unboxing Bangalore, a participative project to create a new narrative around Bengaluru through multimedia properties, have been representing the city and leading the discussions.

“Bengaluru, in many ways, represents an aspirational India. There is a lot of culture to the city that is not being talked about,” said Prashanth Prakash, chairman of UnboxingBLR Foundation and founding partner at Accel India.

(Detailed interview in e-paper)

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: ENERGY / OIL & GAS: Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals (MRPL) Becomes Largest Single Location PSU-Refinery of India

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), a mini Ratna CPSE PSU refinery based in coastal Karnataka and a subsidiary of ONGC, has become the single largest PSU-refinery (single location) in the nation for the year 2022-23. The MRPL achieved this feat by processing 17.14 million metric tons of crude oil during the past financial year. This is also the highest-ever throughput processed by any single-location PSU refinery in India’s Petroleum refining history. The MRPL processes 10% of the total crude oil refined by the PSU petroleum refineries of the nation.

Set up as a joint venture refinery in 1988 with a 3.69 MMTPA capacity, the MRPL later underwent a second and third-phase expansion to raise its capacity to 15.00 MMTPA. The refinery configuration has a Nelson Complexity Index of 11.3, one of the highly complex PSU refineries. The MRPL Petchem intensity is currently at 9.5%, aiming to reach 15% in the medium term.

The MRPL can process more than 250 different types of crude from around the world. Crudes from the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Africa, South America and the US are the major ones processed in the MRPL. The MRPL is capable of producing almost a full range of petroleum products like Naphtha, LPG, Motor Spirit, High-Speed Diesel, Kerosene, Aviation Turbine Fuel, Sulphur, Xylene, Bitumen, along with Pet Coke and Polypropylene.

In recent times, the MRPL has taken significant steps to build its petrochemical profile. Its 440 KTA Novolen gas-phase polypropylene plant can produce a complete range of homopolymer grades. Its Aromatic Complex can produce 0.905 MMTPA of Para Xylene and 0.273 MMTPA of Benzene. This Aromatic Complex is in the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) and fully integrated with the MRPL. The MRPL has ambitious plans for the Retail business shortly. It has initiated to expand its coveted RO brand HiQ in 1000 locations in South India in the near future.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, managing director Sanjay Varma said, “The MRPL has made a strong bounce back after effectively countering the challenges posed by the pandemic. With the strong support of MOPNG and our parent organisation ONGC and through the dedicated efforts of all stakeholders, the MRPL is now poised to reach greater heights in the days to come. Our focus will be on meeting Atmanirbharata through producing precious petrochemicals while effectively focusing on environmental protection by concentrating on renewable energy solutions.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BENGALURU CITY: Karnataka Govt. Signs Agreement for suggestions from World Design Organization (WDO), Canada on building ‘Brand Bengaluru’ City

As part of the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds charge of the city, on Monday the State government signed an agreement with Canada-based World Design Organization (WDO) for suggestions for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to build the city.

Mr. Shivakumar said that 200 engineers from the WDO will be in the city to study and give suggestions on the city infrastructure including roads, flyovers, footpaths, junctions, and other infrastructure.

Earlier, Mr. Shivakumar had launched a ‘Brand Bengaluru’ campaign and also an online portal to invite suggestions on the city’s development by the public.

Mr. Shivakumar also met the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) officials on Monday to discuss various issues pertaining to the city.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: KARNATAKA: Bengaluru-based Drone Startup ‘Squadrone Infra & Mining’ Deployed in Indonesia’s Islands to Explore Critical Minerals

Its advanced system enables the mapping of shallow and deep-seated virgin mineral deposits, reaching depths of up to 1,500 metres below the ground.

City-based drone startup Squadrone Infra and Mining Pvt. Ltd. has deployed drone-based geophysical surveys for prospecting and exploration of nickel, gold, bauxite, coal and other critical minerals at Indonesia’s Kalimantan and Sulawesi Islands.

The startup has deployed MagArrow and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technologies, a UAV-enabled drone-based solution equipped with a non-radioactive laser-pumped cesium vapor total field scalar magnetometer.

This advanced system enables the mapping of shallow and deep-seated virgin mineral deposits, reaching depths of up to 1,000 to 1,500 m below ground level.

Geologists, geophysicists, and researchers can now conduct comprehensive studies of the earth’s strata for new and greenfield mineral discoveries in previously inaccessible areas, significantly enhancing efficiency and accuracy. The GPR adds great value to nickel, gold, bauxite and coal prospecting, with high precision.

Kalimantan Island, known for its unique and diverse ecosystems, poses significant challenges to traditional mining surveys due to its remote and difficult-to-access terrain.

With the introduction of MagArrow and GPR, Squadrone offers a revolutionary solution that allows for geophysical surveying without adversely affecting the ecology of the region and minimising the need for human intervention. This technology marks a significant milestone in the field of mineral exploration in such environmentally sensitive areas.

Squadrone Infra and Mining with its expansion into Indonesia and plans to enter other regions of Southeast Asia and Africa, is set to contribute significantly to Net Zero operations and the sustainable development of the global mining industry.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES /INNOVATION: Patent Won for Medicinal Patch by Scientists of BLDE University

A team of scientists from BLDE Deemed University has won a patent for an innovative method of administering drugs to patients.

The Patent Office, Union government, has granted patent for 20 years, under the Patents Act.

The patent has been granted for the development of “pharmaceutical formulations of electro-responsive smart hydrogel for transdermal drug delivery”.

The patent applicant is Raghavendra V. Kulkarni, Registrar of the university and pharmaceutical scientist.

His team from the Sri Sanganabasava Mahaswami College of Pharmacy includes Sudha B. Patil, Krishnacharya Akkamanchi and Kushal K. Das.

The patented method involves reaching medicine to targeted organs through the skin, at regulated timings, through a patch applied on the skin. The method is expected to ensure painless drug delivery at affordable prices. It is scalable, said a release.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: LOW-COST TELESCOPE BUILDER: 29-year-old Astronomy Enthusiast Bharat BR Builds low-cost Telescope in Chamarajanagar

A 29-year-old astronomy enthusiast in Chamarajanagar has built a low-cost telescope using books, the internet, and advice from others.

The telescope, which would cost ?70,000-80,000 in the market, was constructed for an estimated cost of ?20,000 using locally available materials. The inventor, Bharath BR, has used the telescope to observe planets, lunar eclipses, and has shown it to others.

He also obtained a ham radio licence for non-commercial purposes.

Bharath BR, a diploma graduate from Chamarajanagar city, said he made the telescope since he didn’t have the finances to buy an expensive telescope.

Since he was interested in observing astronomy, Bharath said he read the book ‘How to Build a Telescope’ by scientist PN Shankar and took advice from many people through phone calls, and succeeded in making the telescope on the first attempt.

The telescope he manufactured has an 8-inch diameter mirror with an 8.1 focal ratio of 1,660 mm. The same kind of telescope would cost at least ₹70,000-80,000 in the market.

However, with the help of a telescope kit, Bharath used locally available materials to construct it at an estimated cost of ₹20,000.

Bharat said he observes all the planets, sub-planets and lunar eclipses of the solar system through his telescope. In addition, he has shown the planets to the children in the neighbourhood, family members and friends.

‘’I read the book ‘How to Build a Telescope’ and got the advice of some experts on the Facebook page called ‘Amateur Telescope Makers’ and got guidance over the phone and built this telescope,” Bharath told HT.

He said he was happy that the telescope worked properly on the first attempt.

His mother, Nirmala, is happy about Bharat’s work and said in marriage halls, it is a custom to show Arundhathi star to newlywed couples.

“But my son showed me that Nakshatra. If all the children played other games, my son Bharat played games through science activities, and he was blessed that he would achieve more,” she said.

According to the mother, Bharath’s house is a laboratory for astronomical observation of Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, Saturn’s ring, stars, and moon, among others.

“When Bharath was studying in class 8, he made a small telescope and made a demonstration during the visit of the former President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to Suttur,” Nirmala said.

“Bharat has made good use of his time during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and made this telescope through patience and perseverance. The primary mirror glass, an important part of the television, has to be polished and prepared, and Bharat himself has diligently done the work like an expert,” she added.

In addition, Bharat gained attention by obtaining a ham radio licence for non-commercial purposes, wireless experiments, and to transmit messages in case of emergency.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

SOUTH INDIA: KARNATAKA: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): Meet Soundarya, South India’s First AI News Presenter by Kannada News Channel ‘Power TV’

The channel will also experiment with various news shows, featuring the new AI presenter, Soundarya.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) news presenters started entering into the Indian TV news industry, Kannada channel Power TV launched south India’s first AI news presenter. The management named the AI presenter Soundarya and on Tuesday, the first news show was rolled out, featuring her.

In the first show, Soundarya introduced self by saying, “Hello everyone. AI is leaving its footprint in every industry, and it has entered the TV news industry as well. A few of me colleagues (AI news presenters) started presenting news in some of the channels in north India. I am Soundarya, south India’s first robotic anchor by Power TV.” The channel will also experiment with various news shows, featuring the new AI presenter, Soundarya.

A few other channels in the country too have come up with their own AI powered news presenters.

Recently, an Odia channel called OTV launched state’s first AI news presenter Lisa. Lisa took the internet by storm after the flawless news presentation in both English and Odia impressed many people.

In March, India Today group launched country’s first AI news presenter Sana for their Hindi channel Aaj Tak.

Though there is a long way to go for the seamless AI news presenters to take over the human news presenters, the AI enthusiasts are calling it an interesting development in Indian TV journalism.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

INDIA & KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / RESEARCH: IISc. Scientists Develop Composite Semiconductor for Next-Gen Foldable Phones and Wearable Devices

Traditional semiconductor devices – such as transistors – are either made of amorphous silicon or amorphous oxides, both of which are not flexible and strain tolerant.

Scientists in the Department of Materials Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed a super flexible, composite semiconductor material that can have possible applications in next-generation flexible or curved display and foldable phones, and in wearable electronics.

Traditional semiconductor devices – such as transistors, the building blocks of most electronic circuits – used in display units are either made of amorphous silicon or amorphous oxides, both of which are not flexible and strain tolerant.

According to IISc, adding polymers to the oxide semiconductors may increase their flexibility, but there is a limit to how much can be added without compromising the semiconductor’s performance.

In the current study, published in Advanced Materials Technologies, researchers have found a way to fabricate a composite containing a significant amount of polymer – up to 40% of the material weight – using a solution-process technique, specifically inkjet printing.

In contrast, previous studies have reported only up to 1-2% polymer addition. Interestingly, the approach enabled the semiconducting properties of the oxide semiconductor to remain unaltered with the polymer addition. The large quantity of polymer made the composite semiconductor highly flexible and foldable without deteriorating its performance.

The composite semiconductor is made up of two materials – a water-insoluble polymer, such as ethyl cellulose that provides flexibility, and indium oxide, a semiconductor which brings in excellent electronic transport properties.

How researchers came up with the new material

To design the material, researchers mixed the polymer with the oxide precursor in such a way that interconnected oxide nanoparticle channels are formed (around phase-separated polymer islands) through which electrons can move from one end of a transistor (source) to the other (drain), ensuring a steady flow of current. The key to form these connected pathways, the researchers found, was the choice of the right kind of water-insoluble polymer that does not mix with the oxide lattice when the oxide semiconductor is being fabricated.

“This phase separation and the formation of polymer-rich islands helps in crack arrest, making it super flexible,” said Subho Dasgupta, Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Engineering, and corresponding author of the study.

Semiconductor materials are usually fabricated using deposition techniques, such as sputtering. Instead, Prof. Dasgupta’s team uses inkjet printing to deposit their material onto various flexible substrates ranging from plastic to paper. In the present study, a polymer called Kapton was used.

Potential use scenarios

Prof. Dasgupta adds that, in the future, such printed semiconductors can be used to fabricate fully printed and flexible television screens, wearables, and large electronic billboards alongside printed organic light emitting diode (OLED) display front-ends. These printed semiconductors will be low cost and easy to manufacture, which could potentially revolutionise the display industry.

The team has obtained a patent for their material, and plans to test its shelf life and quality control from device to device before it can be scaled up for mass production.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL – ASIA PACIFIC: NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: REAL ESTATE OFFICE SPACE: Bengaluru no. 1 City across APAC in Flexible Office Space Stock; Delhi-NCR 3rd: CBRE

Bengaluru retained the top spot in the Asia Pacific for flexible office space, while Delhi-NCR has become the third largest city, beating Beijing and Seoul.

Delhi-NCR has emerged as the third biggest city in the Asia Pacific in having flexible office space stock beating Beijing and Seoul, while Bengaluru has retained the top spot, according to real estate consultant CBRE.

In its report, ‘H1 2023 Asia Pacific Flexible Office Market’, CBRE mentioned that Delhi-NCR emerged as 3rd largest city among the 20 Asia-Pacific region (APAC) cities with a flexible office stock of 8.4 million square feet.

Bengaluru continues to top the list of APAC cities, having the highest flexible stock of 12.9 million square feet as of March 2023, followed by Shanghai at 10 million square feet.

Delhi-NCR overtook Beijing and Seoul in (Grade A) flexible office stock in the APAC region to become the third largest city in flexible office space stock.

The other Indian cities that made it to the top 10 were Hyderabad and Mumbai, with 6 million square feet and 4.7 million square feet of flexible office stock, respectively. Hyderabad is at 7th place while Mumbai is at 9th.

“In an environment of ongoing economic uncertainty, businesses are recognising the value of portfolio flexibility and cost management. This has resulted in a heightened demand for flexible office solutions as occupiers seek agility and cost-effective options,” Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa at CBRE, said.

The continued growth of the flex space market underscores its importance as a strategic choice for businesses navigating the evolving landscape of workspace requirements, Magazine added.

Beijing is at 4th position with 7.5 million square feet stock, followed by Seoul (6.5 million square feet), Tokyo (6.5 million square feet), Hyderabad (6 million square feet), Shenzhen (5.6 million square feet), Mumbai (4.7 million square feet), Singapore (4 million square feet), Hong Kong (2.8 million square feet), Sydney (1.8 million square feet) and Manila (1.1 million square feet).

In India, WeWork India, Smartworks, Simpliwork Offices, Awfis, Skootr, The Executive Centre, Urban Vault, IndiQube, 91Springboard, Incuspaze, 315Work Avenue, The Office Pass, Avanta India, BHIVE Workspace, Akasa Coworking and Enzyme Office Spaces are major players that provide co-working/managed office space.

Mukul Sharma – Head Corporate Leasing, Advance India Projects Ltd (AIPL), said cities like Gurugram, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and others are witnessing a strong demand for Grade A office spaces that exceed the current supply.

“Flexibility to scale up and scale down business, saving of capital expenditure and avoiding hassles to manage real estate are major considerations for corporates while choosing co-working space, Amal Mishra, Co-founder of Urban Vault, a Bengaluru based managed co-working space provider, said.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INDIA: KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY: Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals (MRPL) Wins Government e-Market (GeM) Star Buyer Award

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) has been selected by GeM as winner in ‘GeM Star Buyers’ category in the Kreta- Vikreta Gaurav Samman Samaroh.

T M Pai, GGM (Materials) received the award at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi on June 26, from Piyush Goyal, hon’ble minister of Textiles, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food and Public Distribution, who felicitated the awardees.

This event was organized to celebrate GeM’s vision of a transparent, inclusive and efficient public procurement landscape in India.

During FY 2022-23, MRPL has displayed exemplary commitment towards enhancing credibility of public procurement procedures by consistently relying on GeM to conduct business in the national public procurement market.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)