Science & Technology – Karnataka First

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)

Machines to separate nuts from cashew fruits developed in Puttur

For the first time in the country, three types of machines that can separate seeds from Garcinia fruits have been successfully developed.

Under the leadership of the Cashew Research Directorate in Puttur, seed separation machines have been designed and inaugurated. These machines are expected to reach farmers in the coming days. They include a fully automatic machine, a semi-automatic machine, and a pedal-operated version.

Manually extracting seeds from cashew fruits is a tedious process that requires considerable human effort and time. The machines were jointly developed by the Cashew Research Directorate, Puttur, and the Regional Research Centre of the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal, located in Coimbatore. Dr Manjunath, a scientist at the Puttur centre, led the project. Dr Ravindra Nayak from the Coimbatore centre, along with Dr Balasubramanian and director Dr Dinkar Adiga from the Agricultural Engineering Division of the directorate, also contributed as co-researchers.

“These machines are highly effective in reducing labour, time, and cost. There is also a growing demand for compact machines suited to small-scale farmers, and we are actively considering this,” said Dr Manjunath.

“There is great potential for cashew cultivation in India. In line with that, crop variety development has been undertaken. With these machines, we aim to bring a modern technological touch to cashew farming,” said Dr Dinkar Adiga.

Made entirely of stainless steel, this machine separates seeds, pulp, and juice distinctly. It has the capacity to process 300 kg of fruit per hour. It requires 0.75 litres of petrol per hour and can also operate on electricity. Priced at Rs 1.95 lac, the machine has been commercialized by the directorate, and the production rights have been granted to Fission Agritech Pvt Ltd, based in Ramanagara, which will distribute the machines to customers.

This machine features four top openings with rotating blades inside. It operates on electricity or battery power. When the fruit is fed into the machine, the seeds are separated by the rotation. The intact seeds fall inside and are collected at a separate outlet. It is suitable for separating seeds of all sizes. Two people can work on the machine simultaneously by sitting on opposite sides. It can process 35 kg of seeds per hour and is priced at Rs 35,000.

This version features a sharp blade-like design. The portion of the fruit containing the seed is placed on the blade, and pressing the pedal cuts and separates the seed. The blade then returns to its original position. The fruit remains in hand, and one person can process the fruits using both hands. This machine can separate 15 kg of seeds per hour and is priced at Rs 15,000.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Mysuru’s Tejaswani, Class 9 student’s tech-driven ‘monkey repellent’ grabs eyeballs at hackathon

Tejaswini, a Class 9 student from Morarji Desai Residential School in Mysuru, is making waves at a hackathon with her innovative solution to tackle a common yet persistent problem — monkeys invading hostels and homes to steal food and clothes. Together with her five-member team, Tejaswini has developed a prototype that uses technology to drive away monkeys humanely.

Their project is one of 11 creative solutions being showcased at Hack to the Future 2025, organised by Quest Alliance from January 27 to 31 in the city.

The solution features a 360-degree camera to detect monkey activity, triggering an ultrasonic sound at 35 to 40 kHz frequencies. Inaudible to humans but irritating to monkeys, this sound deters them without causing harm. Powered by electricity and components like Raspberry Pi, the system was developed with the guidance of mentors during the event.

“This project is not just about protecting our belongings but also ensuring the monkeys are unharmed. We’re still fine-tuning the system and haven’t tested it yet, but we’re hopeful about its impact,” she said.

The hackathon has provided Tejaswini’s team with the tools and knowledge to refine their prototype, with mentors offering hands-on training and materials.

For mentor Roshan Ara Begum, the event has been transformative for the students. “Hackathons like these are golden opportunities for students to gain exposure to technology and build confidence,” she said.

Tejaswini and her team are among 57 students from five states participating in the event. The hackathon will culminate in a Shark Tank-style presentation before a jury, where students will pitch their solutions.

Beyond the event, participants are encouraged to apply their learnings to real-life challenges and explore government schemes to scale their projects.

source/content: thehindu.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)

Mangaluru pips Bengaluru to get Karnataka’s first Doppler weather radar

After Mangaluru, Bengaluru and a few other places are expected to get radars later this year.

Bengaluru’s long-pending wish to have a C-band Doppler weather radar (DWR) will have to wait for sometime, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided to install Karnataka’s first DWR in Mangaluru.

Installation of a DWR will significantly enhance the accuracy of weather forecasts, thereby providing early warning of severe weather conditions such as thunderstorms, heavy rains, and cyclones.

There has been a pending demand for one DWR to be installed in Bengaluru. However the IMD has not been able to zero in on a location for the installation of the radar. Owing to this, Shaktinagar in Mangaluru will get the radar which is expected to be commissioned soon.

“We had first planned to install the DWR in Bengaluru, but now it has been shifted to Mangaluru,” said N. Puviarasan, head, Meteorological Centre, Bengaluru, on the sidelines of a IMD stakeholders’ meeting in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Dr. Puviarasan added that IMD had initially identified Nandi Hills as the location for installing the DWR. However it did not go through. Subsequently it had scouted 17 to 18 locations but it did not work out as they were all “low lying places”, said Dr. Puviarasan.

“We also inspected the Air Force station, Yelahanka, and the HAL Airport but it did not work out. Now we have identified a plot inside the government school in Vishwaneedam and sought permission from the State government. At present, the file is pending before the Secretary of the Education Department,” Dr. Puviarasan. He added that Bengaluru’s DWR would be installed this year.

Karandlaje’s push

“We thought that we could complete the project in Bengaluru by November 2024, but could not do so owing to non-availability of land. Meanwhile, there was a request from Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje for installing the DWR in Mangaluru and we are going ahead with it,” he added.

Incidentally, it was Ms. Karandlaje who had demanded that a DWR be installed in Bengaluru. Ms. Karandlaje, who is also MP for Bengaluru North, in June, 2024, wrote to Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh seeking installation of the radar in Bengaluru.

Dr. Puviarasan added that one X-band radar will come up in Dharwad and that a proposal has been sent to the Centre for a S-band radar at Honnavar and a C-band radar at Ballari.

With regard to Kempegowda International Airport, he said an additional six runway visual range, four automated weather observing system, two ceilometers and wind profiler radars are in the installation stage.

source/content: thehindu.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)

Priyank Kharge highlights growing Indo-Swiss Biotech Collaboration

IT/BT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted the growing Indo-Swiss Biotech Collaboration as Anabio Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a pioneering force in femtech innovation has acquired the Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), a Zurich-based leader in microbial research and diagnostics.

The event was attended by Priyank Kharge, who lauded the acquisition as a reflection of Karnataka’s burgeoning biotech ecosystem.

Other key leaders from both India and Switzerland including Mr. Jonas Brunschwig, CEO and Consul General of Swissnex, Mithun Shah, CEO of Anabio Technologies, Prof Dr Hendrik Tevaearai, Chairman of the Board, MIS were also present at the event.

The minister, in his address, said “This acquisition is a testament to Karnataka’s thriving biotech ecosystem.

With initiatives like Elevate, Unnati, and world-class infrastructure such as the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), Karnataka is proud to provide a conducive environment for innovation.

“We are committed to supporting companies like Anabio Technologies, who are taking India’s biotech prowess to the global stage,” He emphasized the critical role of collaboration between India and Switzerland in advancing biotech research and addressing global challenges,” Kharge said.

The event also marked the launch of a refreshed MIS brand identity, including a new logo and website.

The acquisition is a significant milestone in strengthening the Indo-Swiss partnership in biotechnology, fostering greater collaboration between India and Switzerland in microbial diagnostics, microbiome research, and sustainable innovation.

It will allow Anabio Technologies to enhance its capabilities in areas such as entomology, microbiome research, and environmental sustainability.

With a renewed brand identity, MIS is now poised to scale its operations globally while continuing to drive innovation in microbial diagnostics.
This landmark acquisition signals a new era of collaboration between India and Switzerland, positioning both countries as key players in the global biotech landscape.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

PM launches Centre of Excellence in Ayurveda for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at IISc

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday digitally launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Ayurveda for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.

The launch of the CoE under the Union Ministry of Ayush coincides with the 9th National Ayurveda Day observed on Tuesday (October 29).

This year’s theme “Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health” emphasises the importance of integrating Ayurveda with modern science to address critical health issues like diabetes.

Led by principal investigator Navakanta Bhat (professor at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at IISc) and co-principal investigator Sona Rajakumari (assistant professor, Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics at IISc), the CoE is one of the six new ones in Ayurveda launched across India on National Ayurveda Day.

Apart from IISc, these centres – established under the “Ayurswasthya Yojna” programme, will be led by premier institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, and Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, Mumbai. Backed by a grant of ₹52.47 crore, the centres will spearhead cutting-edge research, education, and healthcare innovation in the field of Ayurveda, according to an official statement.

Additional investigators of this CoE from collaborating institutes in Bengaluru include Sulochana Bhat, who heads the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI); S. Srikanta, director of Samatvam: Science and Research for Human Welfare Trust and K.S. Nagabhushana, Prayoga Institute of Education Research.

Longitudinal study

As a part of this CoE, a randomised active comparator controlled clinical trial will be conducted, with a longitudinal study over two years, to assess the efficacy of two new Ayurvedic formulations (Mustadi Ghana Vati and Varadi Ghana Vati) in prediabetes and type II diabetes. A total of 444 patients, including 120 from CARI, will be enrolled for the clinical trials, stated an official release.

In conjunction with the clinical trials, systematic in vitro (cell lines and animal models) and in vivo (blood samples of participants) studies will be pursued to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of protein glycation and oxidation (through mass spectroscopy), the role of different adipose tissues (brown, white, beige), and response to therapy.

“This study builds on our prior work on albumin glycation and oxidation,” said Dr Bhat. “By generating scientific evidence for the efficacy of Ayurvedic approaches, the Centre will pave the way for its integration into mainstream healthcare,” she said.

Dr Rajakumari said this would perhaps be the first such comprehensive study on the interplay between Ayurvedic therapy and reprograming of adipose tissue function.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Bengaluru emerges as top market for GCCs, holds highest share in IT/ITeS

2024 marked a rebound in demand, attributed to global companies aiming to reduce costs while accessing India’s wide talent pool.

Bengaluru has emerged as the top market for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) occupying flexible office spaces, accounting for 41 per cent of GCC-focused flex seats across India’s major markets, according to Knight Frank India’s latest report.

Titled ‘GCC — Driving India’s Real Estate Growth Story’, the report shows that GCC flex space occupancy across eight cities rose from 17,380 seats in 2023 to 22,881 seats by September 2024, with Bengaluru’s large share underscoring its position as a tech and corporate hub.

The report also highlights a significant regional contrast in GCC flex space distribution — while Bengaluru holds 41 per cent of GCC occupancy in flex spaces, Kolkata claims just 1 per cent. This distribution suggests distinct regional preferences, with Bengaluru leading the way as the preferred market for flex space among GCCs.

Across India’s top six cities, GCCs occupy nearly 202.6 million sqft of Grade A office space, with Bengaluru and Hyderabad collectively accounting for three-fourths of this space. From 2018 through the second quarter of 2024, the IT/ITeS sector has consistently dominated the GCC landscape, followed by Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and consulting sectors. Specifically, Mumbai leads with the highest share of GCCs within the BFSI sector, while Bengaluru holds top position in the IT/ITeS sector.

The report points at several recommendations, including innovative financing strategies, exploring new micro markets, supportive government policies and flexible office space for enhancing GCC operations and growth in India.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)