Category: Uncategorized

 Somappa Jathanna (89), a weaver and director of the Udupi Weavers Society, has been weaving Udupi Sarees continuously for the past 74 years. He is still creating beautiful small checkered 60-count Udupi Sarees. Sanjeeva Shettigar (84), a weaver and president of the Shivalli Weavers society, has been weaving Udupi Sarees for the past 64 years.

He is renowned for his now-extinct muthu border 60-count saree and continues to weave traditional checkered Udupi Sarees. Both were lauded by the guests for their commitment to preserving the pride of the twin districts against all odds.

The awardees were honored with naturally dyed shawls, a citation plaque, and a cash component of ?10,000 each. Aneel Hegde, former Rajya Sabha MP and khadi activist, congratulated the awardees and praised Kadike Trust’s dedication to reviving Udupi Saree weaving in the two districts. Guruprakash Shetty, DGM of Selco India, expressed his company’s readiness to cooperate with the trust in supporting rural livelihoods.

Santhosh Kaulagi, managing trustee of Janapada Khadi, spoke about the lack of government support, fake products, and customer ignorance in identifying genuine products as reasons for the decline of the handmade sector, leading to rural unemployment, social unrest, and climate crisis. He congratulated the trust for supporting sustainable rural livelihoods without any government support.

Mamatha Rai, president of Kadike Trust, narrated the journey of the Udupi Saree revival and introduced the young weavers of Talipady Weavers Society and team Bagal Bandhugalu of Yelajith Byndoor, both trained by Kadike Trust. She added that senior weavers, who had expressed concern about youngsters drifting away from the profession, are now happy to see the younger generation joining in and continuing the tradition.

Weaving trainer Prabula Chandran from Trivandrum, who trains new weavers across the state and initially trained the Bagal Bandhugalu team, along with Saroja and Annapa Marati, who arranged the training at their home, were honored for their service. Sadhana, a new weaver from Kinnigoli, proudly recited her poem ‘Nekararu Navu Nekararu’.

The programme concluded with a scintillating Veena recital by the Vipanchi Team of Vidushi Pawan Achar. Dr Vani showcased a few Bharatanatyam poses to the lyrics of the songs performed by the veena.

Managing directors, directors, and members of Udupi, Shivalli, Talipady, Padupanamboor, and Brahmavar societies, trustees of Kadike Trust, and dignitaries from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts were present. Titus Noronha of Rahul Advertising compered the programme. Handmade refreshments were served in an eco-friendly manner to the guests. The weaver centric programme, organized in a simple and eco-friendly manner, was appreciated by the participants.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The FWD 200B is equipped with optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing.

Bengaluru-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and component private manufacturing company, Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA), on Tuesday announced its successful maiden flight of India’s first indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B, marking a milestone in the country’s defence sector.

The UAV is classified as a Medium Altitude (15000 ft), Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) . The FWD 200B is equipped with optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing.

FWD 200B features a wingspan of 5 meters (16.4 feet) and a length of 3.5 meters (12.1 feet), making it compact yet powerful. Despite its size, the aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 102 kg and can carry a payload capacity of 30 kg, making it capable of conducting significant missions with precision.

Operating at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet and reaching an absolute ceiling of 15,000 feet, the FWD 200B can fly at a cruise speed of 152 km/h, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h. Its operational versatility is further highlighted by its runway requirement of just 300 meters, allowing it to operate from shorter airstrips.

With an endurance of 7 hours and a range of 800 km, the FWD 200B ensures extended mission capabilities, providing substantial coverage without the need for frequent refueling or landing.

The FWS 200B was tested at a classified location, and the first flight is touted as the fulfillment of India’s long-awaited dream of producing a combat UAV domestically right from the subsystems.

Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder & CEO of FWDA, told reporters, “India is the world’s largest importer of arms in the last five years, and has often paid up to ten times the cost for military technology from countries like the US and Israel. The successful flight of the FWD 200B is not just an achievement for our company, but a victory for the entire nation.”

Turkey’s denial of the Bayraktar UAV to India and the US Predator deal on hold for two years, the indigenous aircraft has come as a significant development.

The aircraft’s aerodynamics design, airframe, propulsion systems, controls systems, and electronics are all made indigenously at FWDA’s 12,000 sq.ft manufacturing facility at Electronic City in Bengaluru.

“This landmark achievement follows years of persistent efforts to develop a combat UAV indigenously, overcoming challenges which had previously hindered similar initiatives by leading defence agencies,” Tejaskanda added.

FWD 200B specifications

Wingspan: 5 meters (16.4 feet)

Length: 3.5 meters (12.1 feet)

Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW): 102 kg

Payload Capacity: 30 kg

Cruise Altitude: 12,000 feet

Absolute Ceiling: 15,000 feet

Cruise Speed: 152 km/h

Maximum Speed: 250 km/h

Runway Requirement: 300 meters

Endurance: 7 hours

Range: 800 km

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

This initiative was further bolstered in 2021 with incentives for all stakeholders.

Karnataka is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution in India. According to a recent report by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, the state has the highest number of public electric vehicle charging stations (PEVCS) in the country, most of them in Bengaluru.

As per the report, there are 5,765 PEVCS in the state, of which 4,462 are in Bengaluru Urban alone. Similar reports released by Vahaan and Yatra portals in 2023 and 2024, respectively, also showed Karnataka taking the lead in EV charging stations. 

Energy department officials said this achievement underscores the state’s commitment to sustainability and clean energy. “According to recent data, Karnataka has set a remarkable benchmark with its electric vehicle infrastructure, and Bengaluru city is leading the charge. Bangalore Urban District alone boasts 4,462 EV charging stations, representing over 85% of the state’s total. This highlights Bengaluru’s pivotal role in Karnataka’s impressive achievement, underscoring the city’s commitment to advancing sustainable transportation,” a release from the department said. Karnataka was also the first state to introduce an EV policy in 2017. This initiative was further bolstered in 2021 with incentives for all stakeholders. 

The energy department is working to develop model EV cities across Karnataka, a strategic move aimed at significantly boosting EV adoption and establishing a sustainable transportation framework for the future, officials said.

“Karnataka has set a new benchmark in the nation with 5,765 PEVCs as per BEE statistics. The initiatives and policies implemented by the state reflect a concerted effort to build a robust EV infrastructure and promote sustainable transportation,” Energy Minister KJ George said. 

The charging stations have been funded through a variety of sources. These include the Union government’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, Bescom’s own investments, green cess funds from the state transport department, and public-private partnerships, said Bescom Managing Director Mahantesh Bilagi. 

To boost Karnataka’s EV ecosystem, the state government, in the February 2024 budget, proposed the establishment of nearly 2,500 new EV charging stations across the state under the public-private partnership model. The government plans to invest Rs 35 crore in setting up 100 charging centres in collaboration with power supply companies, the release said. 

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The airport has made a 95.6% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions, attaining highest emission elimination by an Indian airport.

Kempegowda International Airport operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has marked a significant milestone by becoming the first airport in Asia to receive Airports Council International’s (ACI) the highest Level five accreditation, officials said on Friday.

Bangalore Airport has made a remarkable 95.6 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, attaining the highest emission elimination by an Indian airport, achieved seven years ahead of the initial target of 2030, they said.

The accreditation comes into effect from May 5, 2024.

“BLR Airport has made significant strides in its decarbonisation journey and set new benchmarks by transitioning to 100 per cent renewable electricity and implementing initiatives focusing on sustainable mobility and green infrastructure.

“To offset its residual emissions, BLR Airport has procured Airports Council International (ACI) approved carbon units from verified carbon removal projects. Looking ahead towards 2030, BLR Airport has committed to offsetting residual emissions through in-house green landscape projects, further demonstrating its dedication to build a sustainable future,” BIAL said in a statement.

“We are delighted to be the first airport in Asia to attain ACI’s Level five accreditation and to lead the way with the highest emission elimination by an Indian airport. Achieving Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions seven years ahead of our target is a testament to BLR Airport’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. This accomplishment not only sets a new benchmark for us but also reinforces our dedication to creating a greener future for all,” Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of BIAL said.

According to BIAL, looking forward, BLR Airport’s commitment transcends beyond Scope one and two emissions. Aligning with the stringent standards of the Airports Council International (ACI) carbon accreditation programme at Level five, the airport is steadfast in its goal to attain Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050, encompassing Scope three emissions.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)