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New milestone technologies, new logo mark Platinum Jubilee, Foundation Day

The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), a premier laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), entered its 75th year on Monday, Oct. 21. A series of events and product launches marked the Platinum Jubilee and Foundation Day celebrations.

Located on the 150-acre historic Cheluvamba Vilas Mansion campus, donated by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, CFTRI was established on Oct. 21, 1950.

The 75th Foundation Day celebrations, held at the IFTTC Auditorium at CFTRI yesterday, were inaugurated by N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology.

The event saw the presence of CSIR-CFTRI Director Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, former Directors, Scientists and distinguished guests. Kalaiselvi unveiled a special logo to commemorate the 75th Foundation Day and a photographic display chronicled CFTRI’s illustrious history and global impact in food science.

In her address, Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh highlighted the institute’s achievements, noting that CFTRI has developed over 1,000 technologies since its inception, with 400 currently available for transfer to industry. The institute has issued more than 4,100 licences for its innovations.

he also emphasised CFTRI’s success in designing food processing machinery, particularly for traditional Indian foods. Notable innovations include the leaf cup-making machine, papad press, maize milling system, versatile dal mill, rice bran stabiliser, and automated machines for making dosa, idli, chapathi, vada, and ragi mudde.

AI-driven technologies

Looking ahead, Dr. Singh mentioned CFTRI’s future focus on AI-driven technologies, personalised nutrition, mobile food processing, 3D printing, and Ayur Ahar. Over the past 74 years, CFTRI has significantly boosted India’s food industry and established itself as a global leader in food science research and industrial services, she said.

Dr. Singh further noted that CFTRI’s work spans five key areas: Training, technology, translational research, testing, and engineering. The institute has formed partnerships with numerous national and international organisations to advance its goals.

CFTRI has conducted over 1,100 training programmes, benefiting nearly 20,000 participants, including 3,000 individuals trained under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme, aimed at enhancing livelihoods and ensuring food security.

A global pioneer

In his address, former CFTRI Director Dr. V. Prakash highlighted that CFTRI was a global pioneer in developing convenience and instant foods, which became a game-changer in food technology worldwide. Reflecting on the institute’s growth, he noted that CFTRI advanced rapidly, gaining global recognition for its basic research and breakthroughs in food biotechnology and engineering.

The introduction of short-term industry courses further solidified its leadership both nationally and scientifically, drawing the attention of policymakers and visionary leaders. This support led to significant funding, bolstering CFTRI’s infrastructure, including state-of-the-art facilities for instrument research, cell biology, and fundamental food science.

Humanitarian aid

Dr. Prakash also recalled CFTRI’s pivotal role in providing food relief during disasters, notably its 2004 efforts following the tsunami, where the institute delivered safe, hygienically processed food along the east coast for two weeks. Earlier, CFTRI responded within 24 hours to the Gujarat earthquake, showcasing its readiness to address food crises and earning international recognition for its swift action, even from critics.

Former CFTRI Director Dr. Ram Rajasekharan stressed the need for innovation in the field of nutrition, calling for a shift in approach. “We must focus on the nation’s nutrition, not as supplements but as integral food,” he emphasised.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who was the chief guest at the event, could not make it to the function but sent his message on the momentous occasion of the country’s premier food technology lab. Former CFTRI Director K.S.M.S. Raghava Rao was present.

Product launches at CFTRI

Biodegradable cutlery

Under Project SHREE ANNA – The Millet Mission, CFTRI has developed biodegradable cutlery and tableware using millet by-products, addressing plastic waste concerns. High tea was served on biodegradable plates as part of a trial. Future innovations aim to create edible cutlery.

Probiotic carrot nectar

A vegetable-based beverage enriched with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MCC5231, this probiotic carrot nectar offers a non-dairy alternative for probiotics. It meets FSSAI standards and provides over 50 percent of the daily Vitamin A requirement.

Gluten-free bread premix

This premix, made from proso, foxtail and barnyard millet, enables convenient gluten-free bread production. It meets rising demand for gluten-free products and supports millet utilisation.

Multigrain waffle

A healthier waffle variant made with whole wheat, pearl millet and finger millet flours. It offers higher fibre and minerals with lower calorie content than standard waffles, catering to the growing demand for nutritious snacks.

Instant masala tea premix

A convenient premix blending traditional Indian spices like cardamom, ginger, cloves and cinnamon, offering the rich flavour of masala tea in single-serve sachets. Available in multiple sweetener options, it’s ideal  for on-the-go use.

Ethylene scavenger technology

This innovation, using agricultural and industrial by-products, extends the shelf life of fruits by scavenging ethylene. It offers a sustainable, safe, and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical-based scavengers.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

The Tata family’s association with Karnataka goes back decades, when Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata along with the then Maharaja of Mysuru helped set up the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in the early 1900s.

Eminent industrialist Ratan Tata, who breathed his last on Wednesday, had a strong connection with Karnataka, something that he fostered over the years, keeping with the legacy of the Tata family.

The Tata family’s association with Karnataka goes back decades, when Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata along with the then Maharaja of Mysuru helped set up the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in the early 1900s.

This relationship would continue for years to come, with Ratan Tata, as chairman of Tata Sons, later becoming the president of the IISc Court, the highest decision-taking body of the prestigious institute.

But it didn’t end there.

A frequent attendee at Bengaluru’s Aero India air shows, Ratan Tata took audiences by surprise in 2007 when he flew a Lockheed Martin F-16 jet.

A few years later in 2011, Tata, then aged 74 years, flew in on an F/A-18 Super Hornet.

Commenting on his experience in flying the advanced fighter jet in 2011, Tata said at the time, “During the ride, we performed aerobatics. We flew low, high and went through some accelerations. I loved it and I would not mind doing it all again.”

“This is not my first time flying in fighter jets but definitely my favorite one. The Bengaluru aero show gave me a terrific experience,” he added.

Although the industrialist did not fly any sorties after 2011, he was still a frequent attendee, and was spotted at many editions thereafter.

As Bengaluru and Karnataka prospered, Tata also saw it as an opportunity, and highlighted the state’s potential in sectors such as information technology (IT) and aerospace, and pitched Karnataka as a state ripe for investment.

During the Invest Karnataka Global Investors’ Meet in Bengaluru in 2016—attended by then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister Arun Jaitley, among others—Ratan Tata asserted that the state “boasts remarkable human capital.”

“I’m not making this statement based on promises but on my own interactions and experiences with the state over the years,” he said.

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

When the researchers shined ultraviolet (UV) light on their supercapacitor, they noticed a huge increase in the capacitance, several times higher than previously reported supercapacitors.

Researchers from the Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics (IAP), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), along with other collaborators have designed a unique supercapacitor that can be charged by shining light on it. They can be used in various devices, including street lights and self-powered electronic devices such as sensors, said the research paper released on Thursday.

Capacitors are electrostatic devices that store energy as charges on two metal plates called electrodes. Super-capacitors are upgraded versions of capacitors – they exploit electrochemical phenomena to store more energy, said Abha Misra, IAP Professor and the co-author of the study. The research has also been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A. The electrodes of the supercapacitor are made of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanorods grown directly on Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO), which are transparent.

They were then synthesised. The two semi-conductors were then aligned to enhance the photo-recharging performance, explained Pankaj Singh Chauhan, co-author of the study paper and CV Raman postdoctoral fellow in Misra’s group at IISc. Chauhan added that since FTO is transparent, it allows light to fall on the optically active ZnO nanorods, which charge the supercapacitor.

When the researchers shined ultraviolet (UV) light on their supercapacitor, they noticed a huge increase in the capacitance, several times higher than previously reported supercapacitors. They also noticed two unusual properties. First, they found an increase in capacitance under light illumination with increasing voltage. This is called as necking behaviour, said AM Rao, Professor, Clemson University, USA, and co-author. Second, the team found that with the liquid electrolyte, the energy stored in the supercapacitor increased upon fast charging under UV light.

Mihir Parekh, a postdoctoral researcher in Rao’s group, developed theoretical models to explain these novel observations. To design their present supercapacitor, the team explored two key ideas. First, the surface area of the electrodes was increased by combining two optically active semiconductor interfaces in a way that maximises interaction with light, leading to higher charge generation. Second, a liquid electrolyte was used to ensure an effective electric double layer (EDL). Together, these resulted in superior performance, Misra said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

 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)