Category: Records, India

KARNATAKA: FOOD & ECONOMY / AGRICULTURE, COFFEE: Coffee Board to Launch 4 Premium Varieties under ‘India Coffee’ Brand on Amazon

As international price volatility challenges prevail, the Coffee Board is strengthening the domestic appeal for pure coffee across the country.

Coffee Board of India, a body that represents coffee growers and coffee industry in the country, has decided to expand its reach by launching four premium coffees under the ‘India Coffee’ brand as well as two affordable coffees under the ‘Coffees of India’ brand on Amazon, said K.G. Jagadeesha, IAS, CEO & Secretary, Coffee Board on Monday.

“Now, we are expanding our reach by launching four premium coffees such as Coorg Arabica Coffee (GI), Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee (GI), 100% Arabica coffee and a blend of Arabica and Robusta under ‘India Coffee’ brand,’‘ he said.

The launch would also include affordable coffees such as 100% Arabica and a blend of Arabica and Robusta under the ‘Coffees of India’ brand, he said.

“Coffee Board’s collaboration with Amazon is expected to boost domestic coffee consumption. Our coffees are sourced from the best coffee estates to suit the taste of millions of coffee connoisseurs across the country,” Dr. Jagadeesha added.

As international price volatility challenges prevail, the Coffee Board was in the process of strengthening the domestic appeal for pure coffee across the country, Coffee Board CEO further stated.

Sourced from Karnataka

Coffee consumption in the country is on the rise. Through this association, a premium range of coffees will be available on Amazon.in, that are sourced from the coffee-producing regions of the country in Karnataka, as per Amazon.

“This is in line with our endeavour to offer flavours of Indian coffee at value offers to our customers,’‘ said Nishant Raman, Director – IN Consumables, Amazon India, in a statement.

The country’s coffee exports stood at a rise of 90% in April-June 2022 over the same period in FY 2013-14. As the seventh largest coffee producer in the world, India exports 70% of its coffee overseas. Acclaimed as a region known for the origin of high-quality coffee, India has created a niche for itself with seven GI-registered coffees that are offered globally, according to Coffee Board.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: EDUCATION: Bengaluru boy R.K. Shishir of Naryana E-Techno School Tops JEE(Advanced) Exam

R.K. Shishir, a student of Narayana E-Techno School, Vidyaranyapura, obtained 314 marks out of 360.

A Bengaluru student aced the JEE (Advanced) exam, the results of which were announced on Sunday.

R.K. Shishir, a student of Narayana E-Techno School, Vidyaranyapura, emerged as the top ranker in the Common Rank List (CRL) of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay zone. He obtained 314 marks out of 360.

Vishal Bysani, a student from Allen Carrier Institute, got a CRL 13 of IIT Bombay zone and is the second topper of the State.

Shishir got 109 marks in Chemistry, 96 in Physics, and 109 in Mathematics. He also got the first rank in CET-2022 pharmacy and fourth rank in the Engineering stream. He got second rank (AIR) in Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana, which was conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

Shishir wants to pursue Computer Science Engineering at IIT, Bombay. He shared his happiness with The Hindu: “It was really challenging, but I am very happy that I could make it. I would definitely thank the Narayana system, my parents, and my teaching faculty who were with me in and out during two years of my advanced preparation.”

“Narayana Micro Schedule, the weekly and cumulative exams, the rectification of errors list and national-wide analysis made me understand the pros and cons in every subject, which helped me understand my position and worked on it continuously. As my goal was to achieve a seat in top-notch IITs, COVID-19 didn’t affect me in any way. During the pandemic, I preferred self-study. In fact, it helped me to prepare well. IIT Bombay is the startup hub of India. I am interested to set up a startup and contribute to society,” he added.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai lauded Shishir’s achievement. In his tweet, he congratulated him, “Hearty congratulations to Shishir R.K, who got the first position in JEE (Advanced) examination and increased the fame of Karnataka. I wish you further success in the future.”

Vishal, who was also the fifth topper in CET 2022 and second topper in COMED-K in the Engineering stream, said, “The habit of performing consistently every year was due to my mentors. They had unquestionable faith in me, my preparation instincts and approach towards studies. During this entire period of preparation, my parents and my teachers’ unstinting support played a big role in my success.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: TRAVEL, TOURISM: French Hospitality Brand ‘ibis’ of the Accor Group opens its 4th Hotel in Bengaluru near Manyata Tech Park, Hebbal

Accor will have 100 hotel properties in India in the next five years

Global hospitality chain ibis announced its fourth and 21 hotel property in the city and in the country, respectively, near Manyata Tech Park at Hebbal on Wednesday.

The 154-room ibis Bengaluru Hebbal built-in 8-floors will have a fully-electric fireless kitchen, as per the hotel chain.

J.B. Singh, President & CEO, InterGlobe Hotels, a joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and Accor Asia Pacific, said, “This is the fourth ibis hotel in the city. ibis Bengaluru Hebbal has been designed with our ‘New Generation’ theme, which features highly dynamic, colourful and lively public areas coupled with a unique dining experience.’‘

Puneet Dhawan, Senior Vice President, Operations, Accor India & South Asia said, “Bengaluru is known to attract both business and leisure travelers, and this launch will provide them with a comfortable stay with a dynamic atmosphere to suit a globetrotter’s tastes.”

Accor is a French multinational hospitality company that owns, manages and franchises hotels, resorts and vacation properties under 40 different brands. It operates in 5,300 locations in over 110 countries.

Mr. Dhawan said the outlook for the hospitality sector in the country looked very positive for the next five to 10 years and Accor would have opened 100 hotels in the country in the next five years, up from 56 at present.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & HEALTH SERVICES: OPHTHALMOLOGY: SAP, CleaVision to Deploy Deep Tech to minimise Blindness in Premature Babies

The solution is currently being piloted at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute in Bengaluru.

The power of machine learning and data analytics can be explored to reduce blindness that occurs as a result of Retinopathy of Prematurity, a condition where abnormal growth of blood vessels inside the eyes of pre-term babies can cause bleeding, scarring and retinal detachment, as per SAP.

SAP and CleaVision, a social venture, on Thursday announced an initiative aimed at reducing the risk of preventable blindness as a result of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in pre-term babies.

A solution driven by machine learning and data analytics would help doctors to arrive at a more accurate diagnosis while treating such babies, said SAP in a statement. The solution is currently being piloted at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute in Bengaluru.

“We are piloting the software through the KIDROP (Karnataka Internet Assisted Diagnosis of ROP) programme, which performs up to 2,500 imaging sessions each month from 135 neonatal units across Karnataka,” said Dr. Anand Vinekar, Head, Paediatric Retina Department at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute.

Automating the screening process

Explaining the process, the company said, the CleaVision solution would integrate image data processing with SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP AI Platform, and SAP Analytics Cloud to automate the identification of retina and blood vessel features and to make a recommendation on plus disease – a severe manifestation of ROP in premature babies.

The screening data would then be served to hospitals and could be reviewed in the KIDROP telemedicine network.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION in AI : Australia’s AICRAFT and Bengaluru’s VALDEL Inks MoU on AI in Aerospace

One more memorandum of understanding was inked between India and Australia to use artificial intelligence and machine learning in aerospace, on the final day of the Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX), 2022. 

The MoU was signed between Bengaluru-based aerospace company Valdel Advanced Technologies and Australian artificial intelligence company AICRAFT. The MoU, which was signed in the presence of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientific secretary Shantanu Bhatawdekar and Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo, will work towards using the AI capabilities of AICRAFT to help Valdel with simulation and manufacturing capabilities through the use of advanced AI and machine learning.

“We are pleased that Australian industry has continued to explore tangible space collaboration with India over the past few days. Both parties have agreed to utilise AICRAFT’s advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capability and products to support Valdel’s modelling, simulation and manufacturing capabilities. Valdel’s facilities will also be used to test AICRAFT’s systems and platforms,” said Sarah Kirlew, Consul General for South India, who announced the MoU on Wednesday.

On Monday, as many as six MoUs were signed between several Australian and Indian companies, including two Bengaluru-based companies. In addition to this, Australia’s Space Machines Company, an aerospace company, opened a new research and development office in Bengaluru.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (edited)

GLOBAL: Infosys enters a five-year collaboration with Kansas, U.S. based ‘Spirit AeroSystems’ to Boost Aero Structural Services

IT services major Infosys on Wednesday announced a five-year agreement with Spirit AeroSystems, the manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defence platforms and business or regional jets.

The IT company will collaborate to provide aerostructure and systems engineering services for product development of commercial, business jet and emerging aircraft programs, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in the US, UK, France, Malaysia and Morocco.

As part of this engagement, Infosys said it will offer end-to-end product development services, including design engineering, sustaining engineering, systems engineering, stress engineering, manufacturing engineering, and repair and maintenance. 

“Our longstanding collaboration with Infosys means we are well-positioned to co-innovate on critical stages of product development. This strategic agreement will leverage mutual synergies to accelerate the development of sustainable aerostructures and services across our commercial and aftermarket business segments,” said Sean Black, Senior VP and Chief Engineer, Engineering and Technology, Spirit AeroSystems.

Infosys collaborates with 7 of the top 10 global aerospace companies.

Jasmeet Singh, Executive VP and Global Head of Manufacturing, Infosys, said, “Aerospace and defence organisations need to rapidly reinvent their digital foundation.”

The company has been investing in aerostructure engineering and next-gen technologies like artificial intelligence and the cloud.

source/content: newindianexpress.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)

KARNATAKA: EDUCATION: AMAZING ACTION: Teacher Umesh T.P. this year’s National-Awardee 2022 Built his School brick-by-brick the GLPS, Amruthapura,Chitradurga

This government lower primary school (GLPS) teacher, recipient of this year’s national award from the Union Ministry of Education, did not wait for the government to help him improve the school, but went the extra mile to do it with the help of locals and donor NGOs.

Over the last 12 years, Umesh T.P., teacher at GLPS at Amruthapura, Chitradurga, has built the school infrastructure slowly and steadily.

Mr. Umesh got transferred to Amruthapura, a village 35 km away from the district headquarters, in 2010. Most residents here belong to the backward Golla community. To this day, the village has no bus service and though there is a railway station here, hardly any trains stop here.

Mr. Umesh says the school was in a poor state when he arrived here, but it has slowly developed infrastructure, including a building, toilets, drinking water, school compound, and others, with the supports of various NGOs and other organisations.

Amidst pandemic

During the pandemic, he stayed back in school and taught classes in shifts whenever he could. He executed initiatives like Vidyagama, Jagali school and Gudi school, besides online classes for the students. He has also written six books and got the State’s Uttam Teacher Award in 2021.

“There is no point in just cribbing about a lack of infrastructure in the school. Twelve years ago, I was teaching students in tin sheds. Then, with the help of various NGOs, we constructed the building and then provided all the basic infrastructure. Today not only is our infrastructure good, our students are confident. They are giving programmes on All-India Radio.”

Social reform

Apart from teaching, Mr. Umesh has put in efforts to eradicate the system of segregation of women outside the village during menstruation in Golla community. “I created awareness in the community and finally the system is eradicated,” he claims.

Mr. Umesh will be presented the national award by the President on September 5 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: Udupi’s Sunil Rodrigues Bags Award for ‘Best Action Sequence for ‘Shershaah’at 67th Filmfare Awards 2022, Jio World Centre, Mumbai

Sunil Rodrigues bagged a Filmfare award for best action sequence for the film ‘Shershaah’ at 67th Filmfare awards which was held on August 30 at Jio World Centre here.

Sunil bagged the award along with Stefan Richter for the Shershaah. The film, directed by Vishnuvardhan, based upon the life of Capt Vikram Bathra starring Siddarth Malothra and Kiara Advani was released in the year 2021. The film also bagged the best film award at the awards.

Sunil was also nominated for the film ‘Sooryavanshi’ for best action sequence.

Sunil from Brahmavar is one of the most sought out action directors of Bollywood today. His prolific stunts are eye catchy and win the awe of the audience.

Specialised in creation, technical design, direction and production of action sequences, Rodrigues has worked with some of Bollywood’s most creative directors and producers for film, television, commercials and music videos for the last 25 years.

Sunil had bagged a Filmfare award earlier in 2019 for action in ‘Mukkabaaz’. He has directed and coordinated action sequences in films like Rocky Handsome, Golmaal Again, Dilwale, Drishyam, Zero, Simmba and many more.

Sunil has directed action sequence for Manmarziyaan, Karwaan, Nanu Ki Janu, Pari, Gurgaon, Phillauri, Dilwale, Badmashiyaan, and Himmatwala. He has also worked in many south Indian films also such as Zanvoy No. 1, 31 Divas, Sophiya and Ashem Zalem Kashem (all Konkani), Puli (Tamil), Neerali (Malayalam) among others.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES / CONVENTION: 3-day National Convention of Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) inaugurated at JSS, Mysuru- September 01-03

Focus of the convention is to empower academia and advance pharmacy education

The three-day annual national convention of Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) began here on Friday and will focus on empowering academia for advancing pharmacy education.

Hosted by the JSS College of Pharmacy, the objectives of the convention is to create a blue print for promoting research culture, develop strategies on adopting technology in education apart from describing the importance of accreditation and ranking for pharmaceutical institutions.

The convention is also expected to offer a collaborative platform for academicians, researchers, scientists, and students of pharmacy to adopt a vision to guide the future activities of the profession.

About two thousand pharmacy professionals, students, industrialists, pharmaceutical scientists, and pharmaceutical leaders from different states of the country are participating in the three-day event which was inaugurated by Mr. Sudarshan Jain Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). He said such conventions will not only strengthen the academia and pharmaceutical industry but will motivate and help pharmacy teachers and students to update their knowledge and skills in sync with the latest trend in the industry.

Milind Janrao Umekar, president, APTI, in his presidential address said that the healthcare profession was undergoing a rapid change and  the Indian pharma industry had registered a spectacular progress.

‘’The ever-expanding practice sectors need clinically and technologically trained pharmacy professionals who can face global challenges and compete with multinational companies. It is in that respect, that pharmacists play leadership roles to ensure optimum drug therapy, by contributing to the discovery, development, manufacturing, ensuring quality, supply, and regulatory control of medicines’’, said Mr. Umekar.

V. Muralidhar, organising secretary of the event, said pharmacy education played a pivotal role in preparing competent pharmaceutical care professionals to meet the healthcare needs of the public, and pharmacists had an essential role in ensuring the effective and responsible use of medicines. Pharmacists monitor medicine use and support patients to adhere to medication regimens and to use medicines responsibly, and pharmaceutical scientists can develop novel medicines and therapeutic strategies, he added.

C.G Betsurmath, executive secretary, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Mysuru, addressed the gathering and stressed on the importance of convention for the progress and advancement of the sector.

T.M. Pramod Kumar, Principal, JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru, S.P. Manjunath, secretary, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Surinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Montu M. Patel, President, Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi, B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor, JSSAHER, Mysuru, were among those present.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)