Category: Manufacturing

NATIONAL: AVIATION & AIRCRAFT / MANUFACTURING: ‘Saras Mk 2’, India’s very Own 10-seater Civilian Aircraft Indigenously Developed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in collaboration with CSIR may soon Dot Skies over tier 2, 3 cities by 2025

The 19-seater civilian aircraft is being developed by National Aerospace Laboratories in Bengaluru, in collaboration with CSIR.

One of the major attractions at this year’s Bengaluru Tech Summit is a model of the Saras Mark 2, the upgraded version of the first ever indigenously built civilian aeroplane, the Saras Mark 1.

Almost 20 years after its predecessor’s historic maiden flight, the Saras Mk 2 may soon become a common sight in the skies across the state.

The Saras Mk 2, a 19-seater multi-purpose civilian aircraft, is being developed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

“The aircraft is an upgraded version of the Saras Mk 1. It can be used for multiple purposes, including for medical emergencies or in the event of natural disasters. However, it can also help in transporting passengers from Tier-1 cities to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities,” said Naman Dugar, a senior scientist at NAL, who has been involved with the development of the aircraft. He also said that the aircraft will be used for defence purposes as well.

The aircraft has an additional five seats when compared to Saras Mk-1, which had only 14 seats. Dugar says the plane is ideal for carrying passengers to shorter distances, like to nearby cities. With Karnataka’s push towards developing Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in the coming years, the aircraft may become an ideal option for the state’s transport needs in this direction.

“There are many larger planes. However, they are developed for long-distance travel and are generally more expensive. In terms of travelling to closer cities by air, for example, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the Saras Mark 2 will become a sought-after plane. The aircraft does not need much space for take-off and landing,” said Dugar. The development of Saras Mk 2 is expected to be completed by 2024 and make its maiden flight by 2025.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: TRANSPORT /AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION / GREEN / ELECTRIC: Spotter Mobility a Startup Innovates Reverse Strike Electric Vehicle (EV) in Hubbali

 A Hubballi-based startup has innovated a fully-covered reverse trike electric vehicle, which comes with the comfort of a car and the manoeuvrability of a two-wheeler.

Spotter Mobility has developed a vehicle that has two wheels in the front and one in the back. The cabin has two seats and any person who rides a scooter can easily ride it.

The co-founders of the firm, Prasad Patil and Arun Agadi, who are from the engineering background and are showcasing the vehicle at the Global Investors Meet, said they have developed the EV for two years now.

“In all metro cities, people mostly use two-wheelers to go to work. While two-wheelers are convenient, they can’t offer the comfort of a car, especially when it rains. There is a vacuum in the segment between two-and four-wheelers and the reverse trike we have designed is expected to fill the void,” Patil said, adding, “When we did market research, many said that they were looking for something like that but there was no availability. Hence, we went ahead with the R&D and other processes.”

He said the vehicle offers safety, comfort and convenience besides ease of parking and manoeuvrability despite being cost-effective. “As parking space is a major constraint in cities, the vehicle is designed in such a way that it’s hardly a few centimetres wider than two-wheelers. Two vehicles can be parked in the space of one car,” he said.

“We are developing the vehicle to run at least 150 km per charge. Also, it will have an air-conditioning facility, reverse gear with a rear camera and an audio system like any other car,” Patil added.

Recently, the firm has obtained the intellectual property rights for the twin independent seater and the approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is pending. “We are expecting the ARAI approval at the earliest and we intend to hold the commercial launch in 2023,” said Arun Agadi, who said the price of the vehicle is not yet finalised but it will be around Rs 2.5 lakh.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Kannada Rajyotsava Award 2022 Winners List

The Karnataka government has announced the Kannada Rajyotsava Award winners for the year 2022 to coincide with the celebrations of the Karnataka formation day. Here’s a look at achievers from all walks of life who have won the award for the year 2022

Kannada Rajyotsava Awards 2022 winners

Complex Constituency -Subbaram Shetty (Bangalore), Vidwan Gopala Krishna Sharma (Bangalore), Mrs. Soligara Madam (Chamarajanagar) Soldier- Subedar BK Kumaraswamy (Bangalore) Journalism-HR Srisha (Bangalore), GM Shirahatti (Gadag) Agriculture-Ganesh Thimmaiah(Kodagu), Chandrasekhar Narayanapura(Chikkamagaluru) Science and Technology-K.Sivan, DR Baluragi Environment-Salumada Ninganna Civil Works Sector-Mallamma Vulaishadagali Administration-L.H.Manjunath, Madan Gopal Horanadu-Devidasa Shetty, Arvind Patil, Krishnamurthy Manja Overseas-Gulf Countries Rajkumar Medicine-Dr.H.S.Mohan, Dr.Basavanthappa Theater-Tippanna Helavar, Lalitabai Channadasar, Gurunath Hoogar, Prabhakar Joshi, Srishaila Huddar Sangeet-Narayana.M, Ananthacharya Balacharya, Anjinappa Satpadi , Ananta Kulkarni Folklore-Samadevappa Erappa Nadiger, Gudda Panara, Kamalamma Sulagithi, Savitri Pujar, Rachaiah Salimath,

A complex field
Subbarama Shetty (Bangalore),
Vidwan Gopal Krishna Sharma (Bangalore),
Mrs. Soligara Madam (Chamarajanagar)

Soldier
Subedar BK Kumaraswamy (Bangalore)

Journalism
H.R. Srisha (Bangalore),
GM Shirahatti (Gadag)

Agriculture
Ganesh Thimmaiah (Kodagu),
Chandrasekhar Narayanpur (Chikkamagaluru)

Science and Technology
K. Sivan (Bangalore)
D.R.Baluragi (Raichur)

The Environment
Salumada Ninganna (Ramanagar)

Civil Service Sector
Mallamma Flower Boat (Vijayanagar)

Administration
L.H. Manjunath (Shivamogga),
Madan Gopal (Bangalore)

Abroad
Devidas Shetty (Mumbai),
Arvind Patil (Overseas),
Krishnamurthy Manja (Telangana)

Abroad
Rajkumar of Gulf Country (Gulf Nation)

Medical
Dr. H. S. Mohan (Shivamogga)
Dr. Basavanthappa (Davanagere)

Social service
Ravishetti (South Kannada)
Kariappa (Bangalore Rural)
MS Cory Shetter (Haveri)
D. Madegowda (Mysore)
Balbir Singh (Bidar)

The Broadcasting industry
BV Naidu (Bangalore)
Jayaram Banan (Udupi)
Srinivas (Kolar)

Theater
Tippanna Helavar (Yadagiri)
Lalitabai Channadasar (Vijaypur)
Gurunath Hoogar (Kalaburgi)
Prabhakar Joshi (Udupi)
Srishaila Huddar (Haveri)

Music
Narayan.M (South Kannada)
Anantacharya Balacharya (Dharwad)
Anjinappa Satpadi (Chikkaballapur)
Ananta Kulkarni (Bagalakot)

Folklore
Samadevappa Erappa Nadiger (Northern Kannada)
Gudda Panara-Divine Dancer (Udupi)
Kamalamma Midwife (Raichur)
Savitri Pujar (Dharwad)
Rachaiah Salimath (Balakote),
Mahadeshwar Gowda Lingadahalli, Veeragase (Haveri)

Sculpture
Parushuram Pawar (Bagalakot),
Hanumanthappa Balappa Hukkeri (Belagavi)

Painting
Sannarangappa Chitrakar-Kinna’s Art (Koppal)

Movie
Duttanna (Chitradurga), Avinash (Bangalore)

Television
Bittersweet Moon (Bangalore)

Yakshagana
MA Naik (Udupi)
Subrahmanya Dhareshwar (Uttar Kannada)
Sarapadi Ashok Shetty (South Kannada)

Open
Advaiah Cha Hiremath-Doddata (Dharwad)
Shankarappa Mallappa Horpet (Koppal)
H. Pandurangappa (Bellary)

Literature
Shankar Chachadi (Belagavi)
Krishna Gowda (Mysore)
Ashoka Babu Nilagarh (Belgavi)
A. Ra Mitra (Hassan)
Ramakrishna Marathe (Kalaburgi)

Education-
Koti Rangappa (Tumkur)
MG Nagaraj – Researcher (Bangalore)

Sports
Dattatreya Govinda Kulkarni (Dharwad)
Raghavendra Annekar (Belagavi)

Judiciary
Venkatachalapathy (Bangalore)
Nanjundereddy (Bangalore)

Dance
Kamalakshacharya (South Kannada)

Amrita Mahotsava Rajyotsava Award of Independence-2022

Ramakrishna Ashram (Mysore)
Lingayat Progressive Organization (Gadag)
Agadi Tota (Haveri)
Thalassemia and Haemophilia Society (Bagalakote)
Amrita Shishu Niwas (Bangalore)
Sumana Foundation (Bangalore)
Yuva Vahini Organization (South Kannada)
Nele Foundation-Orphan Rehabilitation Center (Bangalore)
Nammane Summane – Refugee Ashram (Mangalmukhi Institute (Bangalore)
Uma Maheshwari Backward Classes Development Trust (MANDYA)

source/content: english.sakshi.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION / DEFENCE / MANUFACTURING: PM Modi Unveils HTT-40, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) Indigenously Designed and Developed ‘Trainer Aircraft’ at DefExpo-2020,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled HTT-40, the indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at the India Pavilion during DefExpo-2020 in Gandhinagar, on Wednesday.

The Basic Trainer Aircraft would be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying and close formation flights, whereas its secondary roles would include navigation and night flying.

HTT-40 has cutting-edge technology designed to meet primary training requirements of the Indian defence services. Built around a meticulously tested, turbo-prop engine, it is equipped with the latest avionics, an air-conditioned cabin and ejection seats. HTT-40 boasts of unique features like running changeover of pilots, hot-refuelling and short turnaround time.

HAL receives DcPP certificate

Hal  also received a Development – cum -Production Partner (DcPP)/Production Agency (PA) certificate for ABHYAS – High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) System from DRDO at a programme held on the sidelines of DefExpo-2022.

The Aircraft Division of HAL is the first DcPP/PA identified organisation under ADE-DRDO’s new scheme for the procurement of a complex system.

HAL had formally handed over the first batch of two units of High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) System ABHYAS, an indigenous target aircraft, to Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) recently. HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan received the certificate from DRDO Chairman and secretary of the Department of Defence R&D Dr Samir V Kamat

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Indian Institute of Science (IISc) picks 5 Alumni: Dr.Bharat K Bhargava, Dr.Krishnan Nandabalan, Prof. Narasimha Murty, Col.(retd) HS Shankar & Dr Krishna M Vadrevu, all Scientists and Engineers for Distinguished Awards 2022

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, announced distinguished alumni awards felicitating five IISc scientists and engineers for their contributions to the society and the institution.


Prof Bharat Kumar Bhargava, professor of Computer Science at Purdue University, USA, Dr Krishnan Nandabalan, president and CEO of InveniAI LLC, IISc prof M Narasimha Murty, Col (retd) HS Shankar, Chairman and MD, Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Dr Krishna Mohan Vadrevu, Executive Director, Bharat Biotech International Ltd, IISc prof M Narasimha Murty, will be felicitated
 in December 2022.

Prof Bhargava has developed a system to assist visually-challenged people in navigating their environment and social interactions, using mobile phones and cloud computing. Dr Vadrevu contributed to the development of a typhoid conjugate vaccine, a novel low-dose rotavirus vaccine, and Covaxin.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Bangalore Metro Rail Corp Ltd (BMRCL), Bharat Electronics Ltd Bag 2nd Infra Awards

Director of business development and corporate communications, Urban Infra Communications Vinod Shah said that this is the second edition of the awards, and the first was held in 2020.

Karnataka agencies, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), have bagged awards in the second edition of Urban Infra awards in five categories, organised by a Urban Infra Communications, a specialised Infra PR company.

The Most Innovative Urban Mobility Leader award, under the industrial category, was bagged by V Manjula, commissioner of Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT).

Under the corporate category, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) won the Best Public Transport of Silicon Valley award and Bharat Electronics Limited won the Excellence in Indigenous Innovation for Rail and Metro Systems award.

Under the transit and mobility category- the most preferred transit system award was bagged by Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit Systems Limited.

DULT also bagged an award of the most admired city planning body for urban development under the City Infrastructure category.

Director of business development and corporate communications, Urban Infra Communications Vinod Shah said that this is the second edition of the awards, and the first was held in 2020.

He added that a five member jury chooses the winners, based on work done in the past and projects planned ahead. Manjula (DULT) told TNIE that the award will boost the morale of young staffers in organisation to strive and improve mobility in the state.

source/comment: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / AEROSPACE : Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) integrated Cryogenic Rocket Engine Facility to be Inaugurated by President Murmu in Bengaluru

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL’s) state-of-the-art Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) in Bengaluru on Tuesday which will boost self-reliance in manufacturing of High-thrust Rocket engines.

As per the HAL the facility will cater to the entire Rocket Engine Manufacturing under one roof for Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). HAL in its statement said, “The Aerospace Division entering into manufacture of Cryogenic Engines is a major step in technology up-gradation cum modernization. Indigenous cryogenic technology is important as it will assist India to further develop its rocket programme for launching heavy satellites.

The facility is set up over an area of 4500 sq mts housing over 70 hi-tech equipment and testing facilities for manufacturing Cryogenic (CE20) and Semi-cryogenic (SE2000) Engines of Indian Space Launch Vehicles. The commissioning of all the critical equipment for the manufacturing and assembly requirement is completed. The pre-production activities which involve preparation of the process plans, drawings, quality plan etc. has also commenced. HAL will start realising the modules by March 2023.

HAL said, “HAL Aerospace Division manufactures liquid propellant tanks and launch vehicle structures of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) MK-II, GSLV Mk-III and also stage integration for GSLV Mk-II.”

In 2013, an MOU was signed with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) for establishing the facility for manufacturing of Cryogenic Engine modules at HAL, Aerospace Division. The MOU for the Cryogenic Engine facility was subsequently amended in the year 2016 for setting up of Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) with an investment of R208 crores.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: GREEN ENERGY: Shell enters Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Business, Starting with Bengaluru

The energy company has plans to install over 10,000 charging points across India by 2030.

Shell, an integrated energy firm, has chosen Bengaluru to set up its first sets of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for four-wheeler and two-wheeler segments in India.

To start with, the company on Thursday opened five Shell recharge stations at Yeshwanthpur, Marathahalli, Old Madras Road, Brookefield, and on Kanakpura Road.

Shell will provide customised charging solutions at on-the-go locations such as Shell fuel stations, standalone EV hubs, home charging, and destination locations.

For on-the-go and standalone EV hubs, the company will deploy 100 kilowatts (KW) and above direct-current (DC) fast chargers to enable fast charging and the lowest possible dwell time, as per company officials.

The company has plans to expand its EV charging infrastructure beyond its existing retail markets of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh.

Shell Energy said it has plans to set up over 10,000 such stations across the country by 2030. Shell recharge chargers would be 100% powered by green energy, it said.

Customers will be able to operate these chargers through the ‘Shell Recharge India app’, available on both Android and iOS operating systems.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE / ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Produced Gas Turbines to Power ‘INS Vikrant’, India’s First Indigenously Produced Aircraft Carrier

HAL has produced the Gas Turbines to power India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, IAC-1 Vikrant which was commissioned recently as INS Vikrant at Kochi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

INS Vikrant is powered by four General Electric LM2500 Gas Turbines supplied by HAL.

These Gas Turbines were assembled and tested at HAL’s dedicated facility at Bangalore. With the power of 88 MW and top speed of 28 Knots, INS Vikrant is truly enhancing the maritime capability of India.

HAL carried out critical activities towards readiness of IAC for basin trials.

HAL’s team was actively involved in the integration of the power plant to the IAC and was onboard IAC for all sea trials in the absence of foreign OEM representatives contributing substantially to the Make-in-India concept.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INDIA OVERSEAS: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Opens Office in Kuala Lumpur to Explore Business Operations both in Malaysian and all of Southeast Asia

HAL’s new office in Kuala Lumpur would take up the market promotion of the company’s range of products and services not only in Malaysia but also all of Southeast Asia.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will set up an office in Kuala Lumpur to tap business opportunities in Malaysia and the entire Southeast Asian region, the PSU said in a statement on Thursday.

The new office is expected to help the public sector firm to explore business around Fighter Lead-in Trainer (FLIT) LCA and other requirements of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) like Su-30 MKM and Hawk upgrades, as per HAL.

“It will reinforce the commitment of India in supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for sustainable aerospace and defence landscape in Malaysia,’‘ said a company communique.

According to HAL, the company had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Malaysia in October 2021 for the supply of 18 FLIT LCAs against a global tender issued by RMAF.

The final winner of the tender is expected to be declared soon by Malaysian authorities and LCA Tejas stands a fair chance of selection in the bid as it meets all the parameters sought by RMAF, as per the release.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)