Events, Exhibitions, Conferences

SJEC AERO team creates history by securing all India rank 1 in Micro Aircraft category

SJEC AERO is an aeromodelling club of St. Joseph Engineering College, established with an aim to create innovation in the field of aviation with regard to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (RC planes and drones). The tagline of the club is “The lower you fall, the higher you fly”, which is an epitome of how the club has taken shape over time.

SJEC AERO secured First Place in the Micro Aircraft Category at the SAEISS Drone Development Challenge 2025, held from March 28 to 30 at Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology, Tamilnadu, competing against 80+ teams from across India, the team showcased exceptional aeronautical engineering skills, emerging as champions in this prestigious competition. Additionally, the team secured Second Place in the Technical Presentation Category, further solidifying their expertise in drone technology and system design.

The success of SJEC AERO at this competition was a result of the dedication and expertise of the following members: Team Captain – Akshay Bangera, Pilot – Manvish M K, Theoretical Team -Jeevith G, Adithya R, Gurumadhava H, Rahul T P, Design Team – Jeevith G, Manvish M K, Akshay Bangera, Lekhna Shetty, Computational Team -Rijish A G, Renika Yathish, Stanzil Flemin Menezes, Akshay Bangera.

SJEC AERO’s aircraft stood out for its Innovative aerodynamic design, Lightweight yet efficient structure, Optimized flight stability and control, Superior real-world performance during flight tests. The aircraft featured a rectangular-winged design with an S1223 airfoil, ensuring excellent lift characteristics and energy efficiency, helping the team outperform its competitors. The aircraft was piloted by Manvish M K, who executed the flight tests with precision and control.

The team impressed the judges with a well-structured and insightful technical presentation, which focused on A scientific approach to design and development, Computational and experimental validation of their aircraft, Real-world applications of micro-aircraft technology and Future improvements and innovation potential. The presentation effectively demonstrated their technical depth, problem-solving skills, and research-based approach, earning them a well-deserved Second Place in this category.

About the Club: SJEC AERO was founded in 2019 by Varun Raj J and a team of passionate students, debuting at the SAE Aero Design Challenge Southern India 2019 with a 13th-place finish. Following this success, faculty coordinator Mr. Yathish officially established the club, initiating formal recruitment and setting the foundation for future achievements.

Technological advancements: The club has significantly improved its fabrication methods. Manual cutting has been replaced by laser cutting for precise components like wooden spars and Depron fuselage sheets, thanks to the support of the Idea Lab at St. Joseph Engineering College. Materials have also evolved—from heavy foam to lightweight Depron and Balsa wood, improving overall flight performance. Access to tools like 3D printers, soldering stations, and hot air guns has streamlined the building process.

Beyond competitions, SJEC AERO is actively developing an autonomous RC aircraft for medical relief and exploring autonomous quadcopters, emphasizing innovation in unmanned aerial systems. The club frequently conducts school visits and workshops, sparking interest in aeromodelling among students. It also hosts educational sessions at its workspace, engaging with aviation experts who offer valuable feedback and guidance. This success and growth are possible due to the Management’s commitment to support student technical clubs in terms of the infrastructure as well as financial support. SJEC AICTE IDEA Lab has been the platform for the skill development in terms of fabrication and building of aircraft models. SJEC Aero Team is grateful to Abdul Shamer and Shamanth Gowda from Ninetron Tech for their contribution in the success of the project.

Key achievements

13th Rank – SAEINDIA Aero Design Challenge 2019 (Team GRAPHENE)
Led by Varun Raj J with team members Meldrin, Vikas, Shashank, Sukumar, Adarsh & Puneeth.
2nd Place – Fluxus 2023, IIT Indore
Aircraft piloted by Manjunath Shetty. Team: Nikhith, Ismail Jaseem, Nikhil, Prathvish, Puneeth, Sushan, Vikyath & Yajnesh.
1st Place – Boeing National Aeromodelling (West Zone), IIT Bombay (Dec 2023)
The team set a record by transporting 40 golf balls with the fastest time. Pilot: Abhik L Salian. Team: Akash Acharya & Mayur. Qualified for nationals at RVCE, Bengaluru.

Current office bearers are Captain: Mayur, vice-Captain: Akshay Bangera, chief pilot trainer: Abhik L Salian. SJEC AERO continues to thrive as a hub of creativity, innovation, and excellence in aeromodelling and UAV technology.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

‘Longevity India Conference 2025’ explores translational research and clinical perspective

The second day of the ongoing Longevity India Conference 2025 focused on translational research and clinical perspectives in longevity science. Hosted at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, the day featured engaging discussions on cutting-edge innovations, diagnostics, health optimisation frameworks, and emerging technologies in longevity science.

Matt Kaeberlein, CEO of Optispan, emphasised the role of predictive analytics and AI in transforming aging research, highlighting their potential to measure, understand, and eventually control the biological processes that define longevity.

Deepak Saini, a professor at IISc, said, “Aging trajectories are highly personal. The “one-size-fits-all” approach will not address the demands of aging. Multidisciplinary data analytics will lead to the emergence of new ways to examine one’s health, which then can alter health span.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Mangaluru: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy announces honorary, book awards for 2024

The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has announced its honorary and book awards for 2024, academy president Stany Alvares said.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, March 13, he said the awards will be presented on March 23 at Konkani Bhavan, Vijayanagar, Mysuru, in an event organized by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy in association with the Konkani Christian Association, Mysuru.

Honorary awards:

Konkani Literature: Patrick Camil Moras
Konkani Art: Joel Pereira
Konkani Folk: Sobina Mothesh Kambrekar

Book awards:

Felcy Lobo – Palva Ponth (poetry)
Valerian Sequiera – Shetham Batam Thotamni (novel)

The honorary awards carry a cash prize of Rs 50,000, while the book awards come with Rs 25,000 each.

The award ceremony will be inaugurated by Chamaraja constituency MLA K Harish Gowda and presided over by academy president Stany Alvares. MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLC Dr Thimayya, Rajyotsava awardee Valerian D’Souza, and joint director of the Kannada and Culture Department, Mysuru region, V N Mallikarjuna Swamy, will be the guests of honor.

“We received Rs 58 lac in funding for the academy last year and have requested Rs 1 crore this year,” Alvares said.

He further mentioned that Rs 2-3 crore is needed to complete the construction of Konkani Bhavan at Urwa, which remains unfinished. “We are doing our best to secure the necessary funds to complete the work,” he added.

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy members Naveen Lobo, Ronald Crasta, Elias Fernandes, and others were present.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

India Paddle Festival 2025: Top global athletes to compete at Sasihithlu Beach

The much-anticipated India Paddle Festival, the country’s premier international stand-up paddling event, returns for its second edition from March 7 to 9 at the picturesque Sasihithlu Beach. This year’s event will feature a stellar lineup, headlined by World No. 2 Christian Andersen and former world champion Daniel Hasulyo, promising a thrilling three-day showcase of elite paddling talent.

Alongside Andersen and Hasulyo, the festival will also feature the defending women’s champion Esperanza Barreras, a four-time world champion, and South Africa’s rising star Chiara Vorster. The men’s category will bring fierce competition, with athletes like Spain’s Antonio Morillo and Denmark’s “Polar Bear” Christian Andersen battling for the top spot.

India’s own Sekar Patchai, the reigning national champion and a 25-time title-holder, will lead the home charge, representing the nation’s growing stand-up paddling prowess. He will be joined by Manikandan, one of the country’s most promising paddlers, as they take on international rivals in what promises to be an action-packed contest.

The festival is organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation and Mantra Surf Club, with support from Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India) and Karnataka Tourism. Sanctioned by the Association of PaddleSurf Professionals (APP) World Tour, the official World Championship Tour for stand-up paddling, the event will feature intense SUP racing across multiple formats, including sprint, technical, and distance races. In addition to the thrilling competitions, the festival will offer live music and vibrant cultural celebrations, creating an exciting atmosphere for spectators and participants alike.

With over 40 paddlers from across the globe set to compete in four categories—men’s open, women’s open, junior U-16 boys, and girls—the India Paddle Festival 2025 will further strengthen India’s reputation as an emerging hub for non-motorized water sports. This milestone event comes on the heels of India’s recent achievement in securing its first-ever surfing quota for the Asian Games, marking a new chapter in the country’s growing interest and success in water sports.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing felicitates meritorious students

The JSS Institute of Speech & Hearing (JSSISH) felicitated meritorious students during the Graduation Day ceremony held at Sri Rajendra Centenary Auditorium in JSS Hospital premises here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Suman Kumar, Director, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Mumbai, advised students to work towards building confidence among patients during their clinical practice.

Among the students who were felicitated included: C.M. Swetha for Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP) and G. Yashaswini for M.Sc (Speech Language Pathology) and D.M. Shrinidhi for M.Sc (Audiology). Best Student Clinician awards were given to V.S. Harshitha for BASLP, Nila Panchali for M.Sc (Speech-Language Pathology) and D.M. Shrinidhi for M.Sc (Audiology).

The Hegde Foundation Gold Medal, which promotes research in treatment efficacy, was awarded to L. Aishwarya and R. Mahanya for their Master’s thesis under the guidance of Dr. R. Suma and Dr. S.V. Narasimhan.

A total of 72 students, including 39 under graduates and 33 post graduates (21 SLPs and 12 Audiology) from 2023-24 batch were felicitated on the occasion.

JSS Mahavidyapeetha Executive Secretary Dr. C.G. Betsurmath presided. JSS Medical Education Division Director R. Mahesh was the guest of honour. JSSISH Principal Dr. R. Suma was present.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

Hoysala Award 2024 Ceremony, Mysuru on Jan. 5

The following 18 achievers from various fields have been selected for the State-level prestigious Hoysala Award for 2024 given by Hoysala Kannada Sangha and Savigannada Pathrika Balaga:

K.T. Veerappa (Literature); Dr. Aralumallige Parthasarathy (Spiritual and Dasa Literature); Dr. Gajanana Sharma (Literature); Dr. B.S. Pranatharthiharan (Literature and Akashvani Service); Dr. H.T. Shailaja (Literature and Education); Dr. T.R. Anantharamu (Science Literature); Dr. K.S. Sadananda (Medical); Dr. S.N. Hegde (Science Literature); Dr. K. Kumar (Dance); M.V. Roopa (Space Science); N.V. Dinesh (Education); Vidwan M.S. Naveen (Classical Music); Shringar Sanjivashetty (Industry and Social Service); Yashasvi Somashekhar (Industry and Rotary Service); Vidushi K.S. Ramamani (Classical Music); Dr. Janardana Bhat (Literature); R.A. Chetan Ram (Education and Personality Development) and S.K. Suresh (Social Service).

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

IISc alumni association remembers Ratan Tata, presents Entrepreneur Award to Kavyashree Manjunath Ph.D for her Research on Drug Delivery & Immunogen Development

During the first part of the programme, the association remembered Ratan Tata and his contribution to IISc.

S Mohan, Professor Emiritus (Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc) and M R Chandrashekar, ex-security officer, IISc, paid respects to Tata, while members of the executive committee and the audience paid homage.

At a programme hosted on Saturday, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) alumni association commemorated the birth anniversary of Ratan Tata and presented a young entrepreneur award.

The ‘Smt Shuba & Prof Dwarakadasa Young Entrepreneur Award’ was presented to researcher Kavyashree Manjunath, PhD, by Prof Eswarahalli Dwarakadasa. Kavyashree was recognised for her work in the field of drug discovery and immunogen development.

According to the association, during her nine years of academic research, Kavyashree has solved and deposited 20 protein structures in the Protein Data Bank and co-authored 13 research articles, two review articles and a book chapter.

It further said that Kavyashree transformed her expertise as a scientist to address “one of the most challenging but often ignored areas, the plastic pollution.”

“On the scientific side, I am sure the best work has been done,” Prof Dwarakadasa said. “However, if there is no audit of the material – how much is produced, how much is distributed and how is gotten back – any amount of scientific work is useless.”

During the first part of the programme, the association remembered Ratan Tata and his contribution to IISc. S Mohan, Professor Emiritus (Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc) and M R Chandrashekar, ex-security officer, IISc, paid respects to Tata, while members of the executive committee and the audience paid homage.

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

Kannada Sahitya Sammelana displays ancient scripts, celebrates heritage

The interactive gateway also proved to be an invaluable tool for scholars and educators attending the event.

A school going boy with curiosity leaned closer to a monitor, trying to decipher an ancient Kannada script displayed on the screen. Beside him, his friends lined up eagerly pointed out the characters, guiding him through the process.

This scene, a mix of wonder and camaraderie, was one of many at the Akshara Bhandara platform that captivated visitors during the 87th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Mandya on Saturday.

The Sammelana witnessed a vibrant spectacle on the second day as curious individuals from all walks of life thronged the Akshara Bhandara stall in the exhibition area. The interactive exhibits captivated attendees with its display of ancient Kannada scripts on large monitors, sparking a sense of pride and wonder in Karnataka’s linguistic heritage.

The Akshara Bhandara platform, aptly named “Treasure of Letters,” transformed the academic study of ancient Kannada scripts into an engaging experience. Developed as the first-of-its-kind software, the platform bridges the gap between history and modernity, offering users access to over 30,000 ancient Kannada characters, revealed a stall manager. “We are sensitising people about our initiative which acts as a platform providing a treasure trove of historical metadata, shedding light on Karnataka’s dynasties, regions, and rulers as well,” he said.

The platform became a focal point of attention, drawing an unending stream of visitors eager to explore its features. Children, many of whom were experiencing the ancient script for the first time, gazed in awe at the intricate characters displayed on the monitors. Meanwhile, elders shared stories of Karnataka’s cultural past, weaving a poignant connection between the past and present.

The interactive gateway also proved to be an invaluable tool for scholars and educators attending the event. Researchers praised its extensive database for providing a comprehensive insight into Karnataka’s epigraphic legacy.

Meanwhile, the Book Mela organised as part of the Sammelana added to the literary charm of the event. Over 150 publication houses and publishers set up stalls, offering Kannada books spanning genres such as novels, short stories, poetry, and essays at discounted prices.

The stalls also featured shirts, keychains, and other merchandise adorned with Kannada words, fonts, and letters, which attracted both young and old visitors alike.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Two Bengaluru students Arham Nilesh Gada & Atharva Shastry set to represent India in the ‘Wild Wisdom Global Challenge ‘(WWGC) international finals

Students from different schools worldwide participate to test their knowledge about nature and wildlife.

Two students from Bengaluru — Arham Nilesh Gada, a student of grade 9, and Atharva Shastry, a student of grade 7, from National Public School (NPS), Koramangala — recently won the Wild Wisdom Global Challenge (WWGC). The WWGC is an educational initiative organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India).

The WWGC challenges students to explore various aspects of wildlife, ecosystems, and sustainability through quizzes, activities, and interactive formats. Students from different schools worldwide participate to test their knowledge about nature and wildlife. The challenge also helps them build teamwork and enhance their problem-solving skills.

This year over four lakh students from across the country and more than 2,500 schools participated and six teams from Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu made it to the WWGC National Finals. Among them, Arham and Atharva representing Karnataka won the finals.

National winners will represent their countries at the WWGC international finals, set to take place on December 12.

Atharva explained how her fascination for nature and wildlife helped her win the quiz. “I have had an amazing and enjoyable time preparing for this quiz, reading about reptiles and discovering more astounding facts, skills, and myths about all kinds of reptiles. Every day, my interest grows as I explore the diverse world of reptiles,” she said.

For Arham it was Jurassic Park movie he watched seven years ago that fostered his dream of becoming a paleontologist. “My interests include math, photography and wildlife, and one of my favourite things to do is watching and photographing birds. It brings me a lot of joy to observe and learn about animals, and it has been my dream to become a paleontologist, ever since I saw Jurassic Park seven years ago.”

“Preparing for WWF’s WWGC was very insightful, and I got an opportunity to learn more about some of the most interesting creatures on this planet. It involved a lot of reading and watching videos about reptiles. I think the experience opened my eyes to a lot of things that I have never thought about,” he further added.

A statement from the school said, “The students’ journey to the national stage was a team effort, with teachers, parents, and peers providing constant encouragement. Regular mock quizzes were held to simulate the competition environment and hone the students’ quick-thinking and decision-making skills.”

The competition was hosted by the quizmaster, Gerry Martin, a distinguished herpetologist, conservationist, and founder of The Liana Trust.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Seven little bravehearts in Karnataka honoured with Shourya Award

Minister of Women and Child Development and Disabled and Senior Citizen Empowerment, Laxmi R Hebbalkar, presented the Shourya Awards to seven children.

A Class 9 student’s presence of mind and courage saved a woman and her two children who attempted suicide in Belagavi district in August this year. Spoorti Vishwanath Savwasheri was awarded the Hoysala and Keladi Chennamma Shourya (Bravery) Award, along with six other children for awards for bravery and saving the lives of others from danger.

The awards distribution ceremony was held at the Jawahar Bal Bhavan auditorium on Friday and Minister of Women and Child Development and Disabled and Senior Citizen Empowerment, Laxmi R Hebbalkar, presented the Shourya Awards to seven children.

Speaking to TNIE, Spoorti Vishwanath Savwasheri, who dreams of serving in the police department, said that on August 22, at around 8:30 pm, she was travelling in a car with her parents. She suddenly noticed a woman walking on the railway track with her two children near the railway gate on Congress Road in Tilakwadi, Belagavi district.

Suspecting that the woman was about to take a drastic step, Spoorti alerted her father, who was on a phone call. When he did not respond properly, Spoorthi immediately got out of the car and ran towards the woman. She also called passersby for help and pulled the mother and her children away from the tracks.

“I was able to save three lives through this small act. I am really happy and satisfied with myself. My parents work for the welfare of refugees and needy people. They are my inspiration and have always encouraged me to extend a helping hand to those in need,” she said.

Spoorti’s father, Vishwanath Savwasheri, expressed pride and happiness over his daughter’s brave act. For her bravery, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar awarded Spoorti Rs 5,000, which she gave for the treatment of one of the children who had broken an arm.

Additionally, she has also decided to give the woman, her cash prize of Rs 10,000, to help her clear her debts. It is alleged that financial problems drove the woman to attempt suicide with her children. Spoorti also tied a rakhi to the two young boys she saved, her father said.

Nishant L and Ashwini, two nine-year-old boys from Sagar taluk in Shivamogga, were also honoured with the Shourya Award for saving a man’s life.

Nishant told TNIE that he and Ashwini were friends and were playing near a 55-foot open well when a man trying to save a calf fell into the well. The rope he was using broke, and the man started to scream for help. The duo quickly rushed to the well, threw a rope to him, and alerted nearby villagers for help, he said.

Manikantha R, a second standard student from Hosanagara Taluk in Shivamogga, noticed a snake inside his classmate’s school bag. Without panicking, he calmly zipped the bag and safely released the snake outside the school premises.

Mahammad Sameer, a fifth standard student from Kalaghatagi taluk in Dharwad district, Vaibhavi, a seventh standard girl from Dakshina Kannada, and B Dheeraj Aital of Udupi were also honoured during the event.

Meanwhile, Aruni from Bengaluru was recognised with a special achievement award for her excellence in sports, arts, and education. She began performing in theatre at the age of three and has performed more than 100 times. Additionally, four social organisations and four individuals were honoured with state awards for their contributions to improving the lives of children in the state.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)