INTERNATIONAL: NATIONAL & KARNATAKA : Udupi’s Dr Naveen Salins is New Commissioner of Lancet Commission; to Lead Study on Cancer Crisis

The Lancet Commission has proudly announced the appointment of Dr Naveen Salins as their new Commissioner. Dr Salins, known for his exceptional contributions to the field of Palliative Medicine and Cancer Care, will spearhead a comprehensive study addressing the humanitarian crisis of cancer in low-resource regions across the globe. The commission has a distinguished body of experts hailing from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania as its members.

The Lancet Commission will convene its inaugural meeting in London from November 15-17, 2023, followed by a subsequent gathering in Toronto in 2024. Over the next two years (2023-2025), Dr Salins and his esteemed team will diligently analyse the underlying factors contributing to the disparity between the biomedical and humanitarian aspects of cancer care. Their mission encompasses devising strategic approaches to rectify this imbalance while examining the intricate interplay of political economy, value systems, and commercial drivers that impact resource allocation for cancer research, education, and clinical care.

As a professor and head of the Palliative Medicine Department at Kasturba Medical College Manipal, coordinator of Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, and associate dean of Research, Dr Naveen Salins brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this critical endeavour. His recent receipt of the prestigious international palliative care award from the European Association of Palliative at Rotterdam, Netherlands, underscores his immense clinical impact of research in the field.

This initiative marks a pivotal moment in addressing the global health burden imposed by cancer and presents a unique opportunity for India to lead and guide international efforts in mitigating the suffering caused by this debilitating disease. His leadership and the collective efforts of the Lancet Commission are poised to significantly influence international health policies concerning cancer care, resource allocation, and the alleviation of financial strains associated with cancer treatment.

Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Dr M D Venkatesh, vice-chancellor of MAHE, have congratulated Dr Naveen Salins on this remarkable achievement. Dr Sharath Rao, pro vice Chancellor – Health Sciences, MAHE, Manipal and Dr Padmaraj Hegde, dean of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal have commended Dr Salins’s for his dedication and expertise in advancing cancer care and research. They have expressed confidence that Dr Salins’s role as the commissioner of the Lancet Commission will yield transformative outcomes in the field of cancer care and beyond.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: MANUFACTURING / DEFENCE & NAVAL AIR FORCE / : Maiden flight of LCA Naval Trainer NP5 from HAL Airport Successful in Karnataka

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Naval Trainer Prototype NP5 successfully completed its maiden flight.

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Naval Trainer Prototype NP5 successfully completed its maiden flight on Friday. The aircraft, which took off from HAL airport, was airborne 57 minutes with all parameters normal, according to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)..

The aircraft, which incorporates the production standard airframe and rainwater compliance, maintainability improvements as well as futuristic system advancement, was captained by Capt Amit Kawade (Indian Navy) with Wg Cdr Siddarth Singh (Retd) in the rear cockpit.

Capt Kawade said the handling qualities were extremely satisfactory and all test points envisaged have been successfully completed. LCA Navy is designed and developed jointly by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore.

The first trainer prototype NP1 was flown on April 27, 2012, and the fighter prototype NP2 on February 7, 2015. Both Naval Prototypes (NP1 and NP2) have achieved major milestones such as ski-jump take-off and arrested landing demonstrations on Shore Based Test Facility at Dabolim Airport, Goa, and operations from indigenous aircraft carriers. 

LCA Navy can operate day and night

“The aircraft demonstrated 18 arrested landings and ski-jump takeoffs from INS Vikramaditya in January 2020, including hot refuelling capability. Recently, LCA Navy participated in the carrier trials from INS Vikrant and performed 10 ski-jump take-offs and arrested landings on February 6.

LCA Navy has completed the landmark achievement of being the first indigenous fighter aircraft landing on the indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant,” DRDO said in a statement. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as a fly-by-wire flight control system, glass cockpit and advanced mechanical systems, LCA Navy can be operated seamlessly day and night.

It features advanced hands-free ski-jump take-off and landing flight control modes. LCA Navy Prototypes are carrier compatible and can operate with Air-to-Air weapons for combat missions. “The new prototype NP5 will soon undertake field and carrier operations from INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. LCA Navy NP5 incorporates all improvements identified during the testing of NP1 and NP2 is a production-ready aircraft,” the statement added.

The addition of NP5 aircraft to the LCA Navy prototype fleet will help accelerate flight testing activities which will provide designers vital inputs towards the design and development of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), the country’s prestigious futuristic carrier aircraft programme. LCA Navy can also serve as an effective training platform for Indian Navy pilots for operations from the aircraft carriers, the release said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: AMAZING CONSTRUCTION FEAT: India’s First 3D-Printed Post Office Built in just 43 days, Opens in Bengaluru

The structure cost Rs 26 lakh to erect, which is 40% less than the conventional construction process.

 India’s first post office building using 3D printing technology was declared open by Communications and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday at Cambridge Layout in the city.

Built in just 43 days, the structure cost Rs 26 lakh to erect, which is 40% less than the conventional construction process.

The built-up area of the post office is 1021 square feet with Larsen & Tourbo Limited constructing it under the technological guidance of IIT Madras.

Speaking after launching it virtually from the General Post Office, Vaishnaw lauded the giant strides India has taken in new technology like the 4G, 5G and the Vande Bharat Express making full use of indigenous talent. “The noise level inside the Vande Bharat is 100 times less than that inside an aeroplane. While the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) takes 54 seconds to achieve an acceleration of 100 kmph, the Vande Bharat does it in 52 seconds,” he said.

Chief Postmaster General S Rajendra Kumar billed the new technology as cost-effective and environment-friendly. Explaining the 3D construction process, he said there are two types involved. “One construction process involves printing of building elements at a manufacturing facility and assembling at site. The other process is to do the building construction on-site, as per the input design. The new PO building falls under the latter category,” he said.

Operations Head of L & T, South and East, George Abraham said the total digital workflow eliminates human error. “The construction cost involved is just 40% of the conventional construction method. Since it is a fully automated process, it assures excellent product quality and is sustainable,” he said.

Elaborating on the construction technology, a release said, “A robotic printer deposits the concrete layer by layer as per the approved design. Special grade concrete which hardens quickly is used to ensure bonding between the layers for printing the structure.”

Later, fielding queries from newspersons, Vaishnaw assured that the Centre was committed to the implementation of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project as soon as possible. On the Vande Bharat Express not touching the promised speed limit in Karnataka, the minister said that it would happen when the railway tracks are upgraded.

Asked if next year’s election process was delaying the framing of rules for the personal data protection law introduced recently, the Information Technology Minister replied in the negative.

Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan, Postmaster General, Bengaluru Region, L K Dash, and Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, IIT Madras, Manu Santhanam were present.

Minister’s visit to post office marred by protest

The Communications Minister’s visit to the new post office post-launch was marred by protests from supporters of Shanti Nagar MLA N A Haris who alleged that the local MLA was shown disrespect by not being invited to the function and not having his name printed on the invitation. They were dressed in black, blocked a portion of the road and raised slogans in support of Haris.

A top postal official, however, said, “Postal officials had gone in person to invite him on Thursday. His grouse was that he had been invited late for the function. He told us yesterday itself that a protest would be organised by his supporters. Moreover, only the minister’s name was printed on the invite. The name of the MP or top officials was not printed.”  

The protest forced Vaishnaw to leave the venue immediately. “Many BJP workers were waiting with bouquets to meet the minister and have a brief chat with him. We are really disappointed with the behaviour of the Congress workers,” said a local BJP leader.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Lifetime Achievement Award For Dr. H. Basavanagowdappa, Physician & Principal/Dean of JSS Medical College, Mysuru

The Association of Physicians of India, Karnataka Chapter, presented the “Lifetime Achievement Award” to Dr. H. Basavanagowdappa, a Senior Physician, Principal of JSS Medical College and Dean, Faculty of Medicine at JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, at the awards ceremony held on Aug. 11 at Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences, Ballari, during the Annual State Conference of the Association of Physicians of India, Karnataka State Chapter. 

The award was given in recognition of his 36 years of dedicated teaching experience in Medical education and his commitment to health services to several thousands of needy patients.

He was honoured with a plaque and a citation.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL/ KARNATAKA: AUGUST 15th, 2023 : Benglauru’s Manekshaw Parade Ground Decks up to Welcome the Nation’s 76th Independence Day 

At 8.58 am on August 15, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will arrive at the Manekshaw Parade Ground, and hoist the Tricolour by 9 am.

 The stage is set for the 76th Independence Day celebration at Manekshaw Parade Ground, which is expected to see around 8,000 people in attendance. Nearly 1,800 police personnel will be deployed to guard the venue. BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, along with Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda and Deputy Commissioner (Bengaluru Urban) Dayananda KA, inspected the venue and oversaw the final rehearsal of the event on Sunday morning.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Girinath said, “The stage is set for the Independence Day celebration. Around 1,500 children from different schools across the city will be taking part in cultural programmes on Tuesday. For the general public, VIPs and VVIPs and special invitees, 8,000 seats have been arranged to witness the parade.” 

At 8.58 am on August 15, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will arrive at the Manekshaw Parade Ground, and hoist the Tricolour by 9 am. He will get on an open vehicle and receive the guard of honour from various wings of the state police. 

Including the armed platoons of the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Goa State Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police, and unarmed platoons of Excise, Fire Service, and school groups, a total of 38 platoons, with 1,350 people, will take part in a parade. 

“There will be tight security on Independence Day with 1,786 police personnel on duty. The general public will be allowed to carry only their mobile phones, wallets and handbags (women). Hundred CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the ground, along with 20 door frame metal detectors. There will be three baggage scanners and 40 hand-held metal detectors,” the police commissioner said.

Articles prohibited
Meanwhile, matchboxes, cigarettes, pamphlets, knives, black cloth, food items, sharp objects, water bottles and cans, firecrackers and explosives, liquor, colour powder, and cameras are prohibited. 

Parking restrictions
Traffic will be diverted from 8 am to 11 am from BRV Junction to Kamaraj Road Junction on Cubbon Road. Further, people are advised not to park around Central Street from Anil Kumble Circle to Shivajinagar Bus Stand, Cubbon Road, from CTO to KR Road and Cubbon Road Junction, and MG Road from Anil Kumble Circle to Queens Circle.

Bannerghatta Park to be open on August 15
The Bannerghatta Biological Park will remain open on August 15. Usually, the zoo, safari and butterfly park are closed every Tuesday, however, the BBP said the park will be closed on August 16, instead of Tuesday.

Teachers, fishermen, artisans from K’taka to witness I-day fete in delhi
Teachers, fishermen, artisans, and beneficiaries of various programmes are among the 31 special invitees from Karnataka who will witness the Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi. The special guests include six teachers, four fishermen, three artisans, three beneficiaries of the Jal Jeevan mission, two each beneficiaries of Amrit Sarovar and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and representatives of 13 farmer produce organisations in Karnataka. The initiative to invite people from all walks of life from across the country to be a part of the celebrations was taken by the Centre in line with its vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’, said a statement. Around 1,800 special invitees from across the country will witness the Independence Day celebrations in the national capital, the statement added. 

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Eminent Scientist Padma Shri Prof. MRS Rao passes away in Bengaluru at 75. He was the First Scientist to initiate Chromatin Biology Research in India. 

Prof Rao was working as an Honorary Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and was actively running the Chromatin Biology laboratory in the institute.

Manchanahalli Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao, popularly known as MRS Rao, an eminent Indian scientist and Padma Shri awardee, died of cardiac arrest at 7 pm at his residence in Tata Nagar in Bengaluru on Sunday.

He was well known for his discipline, scientific knowledge, patience, soft-spoken nature and mentorship of PhD students.

The former Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research president is survived by his wife Padma S Rao and two sons Sharat and Rohan.

MR Satyanarayana Rao’s colleagues told TNIE that his last rites will be conducted on Tuesday after one of his sons returns from Brisbane. 

Born on January 21, 1948, in Mysuru, the 75-year-old scientist, was the first scientist to initiate Chromatin Biology research in India. 

Prior to his demise, he was working as an Honorary Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and was actively running the Chromatin Biology laboratory in the institute.

He was honoured with the Padma Sri award in 2010 for his contributions to the field of science and engineering.

He was also honoured by the Karnataka state government with the Sir MV Visvesvaraya Award for his contribution to the field of science and research.

He was the President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, from 2003-13.

He was also the chairman of many central government science committees. He was also on all committees of the Indian Council of medical research. 

Prof Rao completed his BSc in 1966 and Msc in 1968 from Bengaluru University. He did his PhD in biochemistry from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru in 1973.

He then did his postdoctoral research at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston from 1974–76, where he also worked as an assistant professor.

When he returned to India, he joined the Department of Biochemistry at IISc.

In over 30 years of his research career, Prof Rao has mentored and guided over 35 PhD students and hundreds of trainees. 

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: ENGINEERING: Mangaluru’s Rajendra Kalbavi Elected Secretary General of Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India)

Consulting civil engineer from Mangaluru and executive director of Dakshina Kannada Nirmiti Kendra was elected the secretary general of the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) for two years.

Association president Vijay Kishan Sanap installed Mr. Kalbavi as the secretary general during the annual general body meeting on July 17 at Hyderabad, said a release.

Chief Returning Officer M.U. Ashwath had announced the results of the annual central committee elections held on April 26 at Nagpur and issued the certificate of election to Mr. Kalbavi for 2023-25.

Over 700 members attended the AGM at Hyderabad.

Mr. Kalbavi was conferred with the “Eminent Engineer Award” by the association in recognition of his achievement in the field of civil engineering during the Association’s Foundation Day at Nagpur recently.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

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)

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 & INDIA / KARNATAKA: SPACE TECHNOLOGY: 4th edition ‘G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting (SELM) in Bengaluru: ‘Space technology has entered every household in one way or the other’

G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting begins in Bengaluru.

The 4th edition of G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting (SELM) commenced in Bengaluru on Thursday July 6.

This is the first face-to-face meeting under the G20 umbrella, with the previous meetings organised in virtual and hybrid formats. Heads of national space agencies from 18 of the G20 countries and nine of the 11 invited members are participating in the two-day meet whose theme is ‘Towards a New Space ERA (Economy, Responsibility, Alliance)’.

Senior representatives from 32 global industries, and 53 local industries, are also participating in the meet.

During the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, PMO; MoES; S&T; Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance & Pensions; Dep. Of Space; Dept. of Atomic Energy, said that this gathering (G20 countries along with partner countries) represents nearly two-thirds of the world’s population, the best brains across the world in the space sector, 85% of the global GDP, and 75% of the world trade.

“You are not only spearheaders, torchbearers but also opinion-makers, and I am glad that India is in a position to share its inputs with other member countries as well. The new chapter of public-private participation is going to make it a value for all of us to learn the virtues of an integrated approach. An era of partnership is in the offing. Our concerns are common and our efforts have to be common. Therefore, the time has come to carry forward the collaboration to discover wider horizons in the times to come,” Dr Singh said.

“I hardly need to reiterate the importance that space technology has gained of late across the world. Rather, I would put it in a single sentence saying that space technology has virtually entered every household in one way or the other.”

He added that every aspect of human life, be it disaster management, agriculture, education, health, navigation, defence, is connected to space technology.

G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, said the space economy is experiencing rapid growth with increasing revenues and more commercial actors entering the industry. “Studies project that space could become a trillion dollar sector in the coming decades. This exponential growth necessitates support from governments worldwide. That is why, we are discussing space as a formal element in the G20,” Mr Kanth said.

Round-table meetings for the heads of space agencies, panel discussions, bilateral meetings and a plenary session are a part of the first day of the event.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)