Bangalore Records – Karnataka First

INTERNATIONAL: KARNATAKA: ACQUISTION: IBM acquires Bengaluru SaaS firm Prescinto for renewables business

“The acquisition of Prescinto will enhance the capabilities of IBM Maximo Application Suite (MAS), IBM’s solution for asset lifecycle management…It will further IBM’s leadership in the energy and utility space, an industry undergoing significant transformation and seeking solutions to manage and optimise wind, solar, and other renewable energy storage assets,” IBM said in a statement.

Global software maker IBM has announced the acquisition of Bengaluru-based Prescinto Technologies (Prescinto), a solar monitoring and analytics platform that provides asset performance management (APM) software-as-a-service (SaaS) for renewables.

The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

“The acquisition of Prescinto will enhance the capabilities of IBM Maximo Application Suite (MAS), IBM’s solution for asset lifecycle management…It will further IBM’s leadership in the energy and utility space, an industry undergoing significant transformation and seeking solutions to manage and optimise wind, solar, and other renewable energy storage assets,” IBM said in a statement.

Founded in 2016 by first generation entrepreneur Puneet Jaggi, Bengaluru-based Prescinto leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to enable advanced monitoring, analytics and automation to streamline renewable energy operations and manage clean energy and storage assets. Its services help merge clean energy plant data with latest technology to deliver increased power generation.

The company has been backed by venture capital funds including startup incubator and accelerator Venture Catalysts, Inflection Point Ventures, Mumbai Angels and LetsVenture.

Prescinto works with and services global customers across 14 countries with 16 GigaWatts under management. Prescinto’s application performance monitoring (APM) capabilities aims to help organisations simplify operations and maintenance to maximise return on investment (ROI).

IBM has been acquiring businesses to build capabilities in software, cloud, consulting, automation, AI and data.

Quoting data from Allied Market Research, the IBM statement said, “The value of the global utilities asset management market is expected to grow from $4.3 billion in 2022 to $12.4 billion in 2031, with a CAGR of 11.3%.”

In September, IBM made two announcements including purchase of US-headquartered Kubecost led by co-founder & CEO, Webb Brown and co-founder & CTO, Ajay Tripathy, to broaden hybrid cloud cost management capabilities. It also proposed to acquire Accelalpha, a US-based global Oracle services provider.

source/content: economictimes.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: INDIA’s FIRST /AIR MOBILITY TO AIRPORT: ‘City to airport in 5 minutes’: Bengaluru airport, Sarla Aviation partner for India’s first advanced air mobility solution through eVTOL

According to Sarla Aviation, a journey of 1.5 hours to Bengaluru airport from the city can be reduced to just ‘five minutes’ through an electric powered seven-seater aircraft – eVTOL.

Travelling to Bengaluru airport amid the chaotic traffic of the city is going to be a thing of the past. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Sarla Aviation, an aerospace component manufacturing company, recently signed a statement of collaboration to explore a sustainable and advanced air mobility option to travel from city to the airport.

With this partnership, according to Sarla Aviation, a journey of 1.5 hours to Bengaluru airport from the city can be reduced to just ‘five minutes’ through an electric powered seven-seater aircraft – eVTOL.

Sarla Aviation on Monday announced its partnership with BIAL to make Bengaluru India’s first eVTOL-friendly airport. eVTOL or electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing uses electric power to hover, take off and land vertically, similar to a helicopter.

eVTOLs are being developed as part of the broader push toward advanced air mobility (AAM), aiming to offer urban air transportation solutions such as air taxis, cargo deliveries or medical emergency services. eVTOLS are often seen as part of the future of urban mobility, with the potential to reduce traffic congestion and create more efficient transportation networks, particularly in cities.

According to the company’s website, the aircraft is capable of covering distances up to 160km, but it’s optimally designed for the typical 20-40 kilometre inner-city commutes. “In our launch cities – Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi – passengers can expect to save up to 87% of their usual commute time, transforming the way you travel in the bustling urban landscape.”

It also states the with eVTOL the time taken from Electronic City to BLR Airport is set to reduce to under 20 minutes, compared to 152 minutes taken by road. “Equipped with four, double-isolated battery packs, our eVTOL powers seven electric motors. Sarla achieves speeds up to 250 km/h, transforming hour-long commutes into mere minutes. It is built to accommodate a pilot, and comfortable seating for 6 passengers, along with their luggage. It is also capable of performing back-to-back 40-kilometer trips with just 15 minutes of charging time in between,” the company has stated in its website.

The company in a statement said, “We are very excited to share that Sarla Aviation partners with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BLR) to make Bengaluru India’s first eVTOL-friendly airport! We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Bangalore Airport Ltd as we join forces to bring the future of air mobility to India’s tech capital. Bengaluru International Airport is not only our home base and one of the largest airports in India and the world but also a forward-thinking hub where #sustainability is at the heart of everything. Together, we aim to make Bengaluru India’s first eVTOL-friendly airport, setting a new standard for sustainable aviation.”

Adrian Schmidt, CEO and one of the co-founders of Sarla Aviation, said, “I am proud to partner with Kempegowda International Airport, marking a significant step in addressing Bengaluru’s congestion challenges. Currently, a journey from Indiranagar to the airport can take 1.5 hours—very soon, we will reduce that to just 5 minutes with Sarla’s fully electric flying taxis. I am truly inspired by the leadership at Bengaluru Airport, whose vision challenges young companies like ours to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible.”

He said that the collaboration represents a transformative journey towards reshaping how passengers travel, providing faster, cleaner, and more efficient air mobility options.

Last week, Sarla Aviation also met Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi to discuss India’s leadership in the Era of Urban Air Mobility, steps toward creating a Bharat-centric eVTOL policy and outlining the company’s steps to bring Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to India and ensuring smooth regulatory pathways.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospave (FWDA) announces successful maiden flight of indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft

Bengaluru-headquartered Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) on Tuesday announced the successful maiden flight of indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B.

Classified as a Medium Altitude (15,000 feet) Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the FWD 200B is equipped with optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing, the FWDA Founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda told reporters here.

“The aircraft’s aerodynamics design, airframe, propulsion systems, controls systems, electronics are all made in India at FWDA’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of 12,000 sq.ft built on 1.5 acre land, located at Electronic City, Bengaluru,” he said.

FWD 200B features a wingspan of five metres and a length of 3.5 metres. It has a maximum take-off weight of 102 kg and a payload capacity of 30 kg, the company said.

It can fly at a cruise speed of 152 kms per hour, with a maximum speed of 250 km per hour. Its runway requirement is just 300 metres allowing it to operate from shorter airstrips, Tejaskanda said.

“With an endurance of seven 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,” he said.

PTI GMS RS RS

source/content: thebengalurulive.con (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL: Epione Bengaluru branch celebrates one year in Bengaluru, treating over 1,200 patients

This milestone underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative and compassionate pain management solutions.

Epione, a pain relief centre, successfully completed one year in Bengaluru, providing care and relief to over 1,200 patients. This milestone underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative and compassionate pain management solutions.

With over 20 years of experience, Epione has treated more than 50,000 patients across its centres in South India and is recognised for introducing plasma therapy (PRP) for pain relief in the country.

The Bengaluru branch has been pivotal in offering specialised therapies that help patients manage chronic pain and enhance their quality of life through advanced, non-invasive treatments.

Founder and Managing Director and Chief of Pain Medicine Dr Sudheer Dara said, “Our mission has always been to enhance the lives of people suffering from chronic pain. Our first year in Bengaluru has exceeded our expectations in terms of patient response and clinical success.

We are committed to expanding our services to reach more people in need.” Moreover, to meet the growing demand for services, Epione plans to open two additional branches in Bengaluru next year. Clinical Head Dr Vidya Bandaru, highlighted the centre’s progress over the past year and the commitment to expanding patient-centric care.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPORTS / LIFTING: Pradeep Kumar, Shalan Pinto win Gold & Shalan Pinto Awarded ‘Best Lifter Title’ at 2024 Commonwealth Bench Press Championship,South Africa

Pradeep Kumar and Shalan Pinto made India proud by winning gold medals at the 2024 Commonwealth Bench Press Championship, held in Sun City, South Africa, on October 4.

Pradeep Kumar clinched gold in the 83 kg category, lifting an impressive 237.5 kg. His victory came after a tough contest with Tom Morgan from New South Wales, with Pradeep successfully clearing all his lifts to secure the top spot.

In the 47 kg category, Shalan Pinto also took home the gold, lifting 65 kg. In addition to her gold medal, she was awarded the ‘Best Lifter’ title. Shalan has been training under Pradeep Kumar at Kasharp Fitness.

Expressing his gratitude, Pradeep Kumar thanked the Karnataka Powerlifting Association for the opportunity, Kasharp Fitness for its world-class facilities, Balanjneya Gymnasium for their guidance from the start, and Team India for their unwavering support.

Shalan Pinto, daughter of the late Alexander Pinto and Lydia Irene Lobo from Yeyyadi, Mangaluru, has had a stellar year. Her selection for the 2024 Commonwealth Bench Press Championship followed a series of strong performances in key competitions. She secured first place in the 47 kg junior category at the National Bench Press Championship in Maharashtra in January 2023 and earned second place in the same category at the National Bench Press Championship in Bengaluru in November 2023. Shalan also finished second in the 47 kg junior individual bench press at the National Powerlifting Championship in Punjab in June 2024.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA FIRST: TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY / HOTELS: K Syama Raju, first from Karnataka to head Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India

K Syama Raju, Managing Director of Hotel Maurya, Bengaluru and President of the
Southern India Hotel & Restaurant Association (SIHRA), has been elected as the
President of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI).

He is the first person to be elected from Karnataka as FHRAI President in the last 50 years.

The election took place at the Federation’s Annual General Meeting held in Delhi, where Raju and other Managing Committee members were chosen for a one-year term.

In addition to his new position, Syama Raju also serves as President of the
Karnataka Tourism Society.

Upon assuming office, Raju outlined FHRAI’s priorities, including securing industry status for the hospitality sector, obtaining subsidies, and addressing human resource challenges.

He further stressed the Federation’s commitment to collaborating with state and union governments to support hoteliers and facilitate new investments, as the tourism industry is expected to witness rapid growth in the coming years.

FHRAI Office Bearers for 2024-25 are as follows:

President: K Syama Raju
Vice President : Pradeep Shetty
Vice President : Surendra Kumar Jaiswal
Vice President : Nitin S Kothari
Hon. Secretary : K Nagaraju
Hon. Treasurer : Garish Oberoi
Jt. Hon. Secretary : Nirav Gandhi
Jt. Hon. Secretary : Ashoke Singh, according to Jaison Chacko, Secretary General, FHRAI.

source/content: mysoorunews.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: INDIA / KARNATAKA: COMMUNICATION SATELLITES: NewSpace India (NSIL) and Malaysian firm (MEASAT)tie up to enhance satellite capacity for DTH, broadcasting services

Space sector reforms in India, announced by the Government of India in 2020, enable NSIL to own and operate its fleet of communication satellites and provide services to users from both the government and private sectors.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has entered an agreement with MEASAT Global Berhad (MEASAT), Malaysia’s premier satellite solutions provider, to provide satellite capacity for DTH and broadcasting sectors in India. The partnership was formalised during the recently concluded Bengaluru Space Expo 2024.

Under the new agreement, MEASAT will offer its MEASAT-3b and MEASAT-3d satellite capacity to the DTH operators and broadcasters, under provisions of the Indian Space Policy 2023, NSIL said on Friday.

NSIL, a Government of India company under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of ISRO, operates a fleet of 11 communication satellites that provide satellite capacity to various service providers in broadcasting, DTH, digital satellite news gathering (DSNG), very small aperture terminals (VSAT), in-flight and maritime communication (IFMC) and other domains.

A Arunachalam, director (Technical and Strategy), NSIL, said the agency was committed to meet the demands of users in the Indian market and would continue business activities with international satellite solutions providers.

“The success of our CONNECTme satellite broadband service in helping to close the connectivity gap in rural Malaysia could be replicated in India through this partnership. We are also keen to tap on NSIL’s satellite launch service capabilities and other services to support MEASAT’s initiatives in the region,” Ganendra Selvaraj, Chief Commercial Officer, MEASAT, said.

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: Bengaluru schools shine, bag spots in Top 10 in national rankings

The survey rates and ranks the country’s Top 4,000 schools in four main and 23 sub-categories.

Bengaluru schools have once again made a mark by securing several spots in countrywide ranking of schools surveyed by EducationWorld in association with Bengaluru-based AZ Research Partners Pvt Ltd. The annual report — Education World India School Rankings (EWISR) 2024-25 — was released Monday.

The Rashtriya Military School, Bengaluru, secured the first spot in the country under the category of government boarding schools, while the Air Force School, Hebbal, was awarded the fifth spot under the central government day school category. Brindavan Education Centre, Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism (ASHA) and Vidyaniketan Academy, Centre for Learning Challenges, are featured in the best special needs schools in the country.

The survey rates and ranks the country’s Top 4,000 schools in four main and 23 sub-categories. This year, a sample database of 8,700 respondents, including 5,150 parents and 3,550 education professionals across 34 cities in the country, were surveyed.

Schools were surveyed on 14 parameters of educational excellence, such as academic reputation, competence of faculty members, individual attention to students, leadership quality, curriculum and pedagogy (hybrid learning readiness), co-curricular education, sports and more.

“Schools are grouped in discrete categories to eliminate apples and oranges type comparisons. Another special feature of the annual EWISR is that it is a national survey based on field interviews with over 8,700 knowledgeable respondents, not on the opinions of a handful of selected jurors,” said DilipThakore, founder-editor of EducationWorld.

In the Vintage Legacy Co-Ed Day Schools category, St Joseph’s Boys High School stood at number two and Bishop Cotton Girls School secured the sixth rank. Smt Kamalabai Educational Institution achieved the seventh rank in the co-ed category.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SPORTS / CHESS: Atharv Venkatesh and Leah R Joseph are the champions of Karnataka State Under-11 Open and Girls 2024

Atharv Venkatesh (Bengaluru Urban) and Eshwar Veerappan Aiyappan (Mysore) scored 7.5/9 each at Karnataka State Under-11 Open Rating Championship 2024.

Atharv won the tournament on tie-breaks, Eshwar secured second place. Eight players scored 7/9. Out of them, top seed, Samaksh Ashok was adjudged third. In the Girls event, Leah R Joseph scored sole 7.5/9 to become the champion. Five players scored 7/9. Indusheetala N (Bengaluru Urban) and Anvita Sathi (Uttara Kannada) secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The total combined prize fund of the tournament was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹12000, ₹8000 and ₹6000 along with a trophy each respectively. The three-day nine-round rating tournament was organized by Giristuti Checkmate School of Chess Foundation from 30th August to 1st September Gujarat Bhavan in Belgaum, Karnataka. Photo: Praveena N

Bengaluru Urban players clinch the championships

Atharv Venkatesh, a student of Legacy School, Bangalore, scored 7.5/9 to win Karnataka State Under-11 Open. He was fourth seeded and suffered only one loss against Vyan Banchor in Round 3. Atharv won the tournament with better tiebreaks.

Leah R Joseph, a student of St. Pauls English School, Bangalore scored 7.5/9 and finished a half point ahead. She was fifth seeded and lost only one game against Aarna Jain in Round 5. This is Leah’s second State title. Last year she won Karnataka State Under-9 Girls Championship 2023.

Open Top 3 (L to R): 3rd Samaksh Ashok 7/9, 1st Atharv Venkatesh 7.5/9 and 2nd Eshwar Veerappan Aiyappan 7.5/9 | Photo: Praveena N

Eshwar Aiyappan from Amrita Vidyalayam, Mysore scored 7.5/9 and secured second place. He was seeded eleventh and suffered only one loss against Indrajit Majumdar. Eshwar drew with the eventual champion, Atharv in the final round. Indusheetala Natarajan from National Hill View Public School, Unit 2 Bangalore scored 7/9 and finished second. She was seeded sixth and her only loss was against Aadya Gowda. Indusheetala drew with the eventual champion in the Girls, Leah in the final round.

Girls Top 3 (L to R): 3rd Anvita Sathi 7/9, 1st Leah R Joseph 7.5/9 and 2nd Indusheetala 7/9 | Photo: Praveena N

A total of 153 players in the Open and 91 in the Girls took part from various districts of Karnataka. The nine-round Swiss league Rating tournament took place from 30th August to 1st September 2024 at Gujarat Bhavan in Belgaum, Karnataka.

It was organized by Giristuti Checkmate School of Chess Foundation, Belgaum.

The time control was 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

source/content: chessbase.in / Praveena N (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SPACE INNOVATION: Bengaluru Start-up Bellatrix Aerospace Unveils Groundbreaking Low Earth Orbit Satellite

Bellatrix Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based start-up, has unveiled an ultra low earth orbit satellite capable of operating at 200 km altitude, thanks to its in-house developed propulsion systems.

This breakthrough aims to significantly enhance satellite performance and could revolutionize satellite applications.

A Bengaluru-based space-sector start-up has set a new milestone by unveiling an ultra low earth orbit satellite capable of operating at an altitude of 200 km. This remarkable feat was achieved through advanced propulsion systems developed in-house.

The satellite, known as Project 200, was showcased by Bellatrix Aerospace. It was officially unveiled by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) Chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka.

Traditionally, Low Earth Orbit satellites are deployed at altitudes around 450 km to avoid atmospheric drag. Placing satellites in lower orbits typically results in them falling back to Earth more quickly. However, Bellatrix Aerospace’s co-founder and CEO, Rohan Ganapathy, stated that their cutting-edge propulsion technology enables satellites to maintain 200 km orbits for years, rather than deorbiting in a few days.

Ganapathy highlighted that operating at 200 km significantly boosts satellite performance, improving communication latency and image resolution while reducing costs compared to 450 km altitude satellites. This innovation promises to be a game changer, delivering new capabilities previously unachievable by satellites, according to Bellatrix’s co-founder and COO, Yashas Karanam.

Bellatrix Aerospace has also pioneered the use of water-fueled plasma thrusters and high-performing green propulsion alternatives, marking a pivotal step towards reimagining future space operations.

(With inputs from agencies.)

source/content: devidiscourse.com (headline edited)