Category Archives: Science & Technology

ICRISAT research yields rich dividends

Science & Technology, World Opinion
ICRISAT Director General William D Darfelicitated by Former DG at 42nd Annual Celabrations at Patancheru in Medak. Photo: Mohd Arif / The Hindu
ICRISAT Director General William D Darfelicitated by Former DG at 42nd Annual Celabrations at Patancheru in Medak. Photo: Mohd Arif / The Hindu

The research taken up in the past four decades in the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) under Agriculture Research for Development (AR4D) in this mandal headquarters town has transformed thousands of lives in dry-lands in Asia and Africa.

“In a 2014 impact assessment study of ICRISAT’s highly successful breakthrough innovations – Jewels of ICRISAT- have yielded a return on investment of US$ 43 for every dollar invested with an internal rate of return of 41 percent. Average return on every dollar invested stood at US$ 70 if we include innovations spanning for four decades with an internal rate of 35 per cent return,” said William D. Dar, Director General, ICRISAT, while speaking to reporters here on Friday along with Deputy Director General C.L.L Gowda.

ICRISAT’s 42 anniversary celebrations concluded on Friday. The organisation also held a grand farewell function for Mr. Dar, who was retiring this month end and returning to Philippines . He has completed three five-years term as DG for ICIRSAT. Stating that they were able to improve the lives of lakhs of farmers from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Dar said that the investments into ICIRSAT by development partners have increased from US$22 million in 2000 to US$85 million in 2014. ICRISAT’s three top donors include Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Agency for International Development (USAID) and CGIAR, a consortium of global agricultural research.

To a question, Mr. Dar said that they had already held discussions with Andhra Pradesh Government which has promised to implement ‘Bhuchetana’. “We have asked the government to prepare preliminary section strategy based on which we will prepare translation of strategy into action plan,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by R. Avadhani / Patancheru (Medak District) – December 13th, 2014

Telangana gets 1 made in India phase shifting transformer

Records, All, Science & Technology

Indigenously developed, manufactured and commissioned by BHEL

The first indigenously developed and manufactured Phase Shifting Transformer (PST), a device that helps improve transmission efficiency, has been commissioned in Telangana by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.

Announcing the successful commissioning of its PST at the Kothagudem Thermal Power Station Stage-VI, the Central Public Sector Enterprise on Wednesday said it is an outstanding smart grid solution in the true sense considering the “remarkable benefits” it would have for transmission networks. “This is a major development and has opened a new line of business,” the company said.

BHEL received the order for the 400 kV/220 kV, 315 MVA rating PST, which is to be utilised to control and improve power flow between both the networks in either direction, from the Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Ltd.

A Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device, the PST, a release from the company said, is a combination of a shunt and a series transformer. With the commissioning, the existing overloaded 220 kV lines shall be relieved and power can be pushed through the 400 kV line, thus improving the transmission efficiency of both lines and also avoiding a grid collapse in case of system instability.

The PST has been manufactured at BHEL’s Bhopal plant, which is equipped to manufacture transformers up to 1,200 kV range. The plant also has its own ultra high voltage laboratory, one of its kind in the country, the release said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – December 04th, 2014

DLRL’s 53rd Annual Day Celebrated

Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

The city-based Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) on Wednesday commemorated its 53rd annual day on Wednesday. The state-of-the-art labs deliver with electronics warfare (EW) systems to the armed forces.

SP Dash, scientist and director, DLRL, recalled the achievements of the laboratory in delivering the state-of-the-art EW systems to the armed forces, and congratulated the employees for their contribution.

Jitender, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who was the chief guest, said that everybody should have passion to achieve the desired goals so that the country will march ahead.

The director presented mementos to employees who completed 20 years of service and also gave away DRDO Laboratory Awards-2014 to individuals and team members who excelled in their technical contributions. Meritorious sportspersons, who brought laurels to the laboratory, were honoured on the occasion.

The event was marked with cultural performances by the employees and their families. Girls from Vaidehi Ashram, Saidabad, performed a dance recital.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / November 20th, 2014

Telangana Doc Elected President of AMASI

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
Founder-president C Palanivela (left) presenting a badge to Dr Suresh Chandra, who has been elected president of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India, at a function held in Dubai.
Founder-president C Palanivela (left) presenting a badge to Dr Suresh Chandra, who has been elected president of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India, at a function held in Dubai.

Hyderabad :

Eminent city-based doctor Dr Suresh Chandra Hari was elected president of The Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India at a special conference held in Dubai on Sunday.

Hari, who took over from Dr Palanivelu, will hold the office for a term of two years. He is the first Telangana surgeon to become national president of this prestigious association whose primary objective is to bring advanced laparoscopic surgical treatment all over India. Earlier. in 2007, he was elected secretary of AMASI which has 7,200 members.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / November 17th, 2014

Best App in Asia award to Hyderabad entrepreneur

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
The Best App In Asia category of the digital winners 2014, Raghu Kanchustambham, explains about his application in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu
The Best App In Asia category of the digital winners 2014, Raghu Kanchustambham, explains about his application in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

The app helps coffee growers to get instant returns for their produce. Livelihood 360 is also capable of estimating quantity of the produce in the fields and sell the crop at fair price.

The coffee farmers of Araku valley these days get instant returns for their produce. Gone are the days when they had to wait for nearly a month till the buyers completed the weighing process of the produce and release money through co-operative society. Thanks to a mobile application developed by Hyderabad-based entrepreneur, Raghu Kanchustambham, there is no waiting period.

The app dubbed as ‘Livelihood 360 (L360)’ was adjudged the Best App of Asia in the Telenor Digital Winners Conference, a global competition held in Oslo, Norway this month. The award came with a cash prize of Rs. 9,79,000, which will be utilised by the developer to further “scale up” the concept.

It all started when Mr. Raghu, who has a start-up ‘Concept Wave’, met the officials of Naandi Foundation, which was already working with the coffee farmers of Araku valley. “The basic premise was to utilise technology and reach to those people not having access to technology and internet. I visited Araku valley and spent time with them and learnt a lot about their lifestyle and livelihood,” he said.

Mr. Raghu said the previous system of remittance to coffee growers in Araku was taking about a month. The coffee growers would take their produce to a prescribed ‘adda’ where the truck drivers would collect and transport coffee beans to another location for weighing and valuing. “We gave the truck drivers an application that would quantify the yield and also determine the quality instantly. The drivers will immediately remit the amount on the spot to farmers,” he explained.

Livelihood 360 is also capable of estimating quantity of the produce in the fields and sell the crop at fair price. “We have already adopted this application among 12,000 coffee farmers in 650 villages of Araku. Between 40 and 50 truck drivers from Araku were given training on using the application on a feature phone and not a smart phone,” he explained.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by M. Sai Gopal / Hyderabad – November 12th, 2014

Aviation conference takes off in Hyderabad on Wednesday

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Representatives from 15 countries and 20 international speakers from Defence and aerospace engineering global majors are pariticipating in the meet.

A three-day aviation conference showcasing Telangana State as an investment hub in defence and aerospace engineering opens in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The event, Defence & Aerosupply India, at the Novotel Hyderabad airport will bring the best in the aviation business to discuss new opportunities and challenges. There will be representation from 15 countries and 20 international speakers from defence and aerospace engineering global majors.

According to the organisers – Government of Telangana and Kenes Exhibitions – well known names globally in the sectors, including Airbus, Dassault, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, Bell Helicopters, Israeli Aerospace Manufacturing Federation, have confirmed participation.

The conference comes in the backdrop of the State government announcing its decision to set up a new aerospace park to promote defence and aerospace industries. These two, as a combine, figure in the list of 12 sectors identified by the State for promotion and expected to get impetus in the upcoming industrial policy.

Senior officials of Telangana State, who briefed presspersons here on Tuesday about the conference, said the State government is keen to promote difference industries and studied incentives offered by neighbouring States to stay competitive. Special Chief Secretary and Commissioner for Industrial Promotion and Mines K. Pradeep Chandra and Commissioner for Industries, Commerce and Export Promotion Jayesh Rajan addressed the meet.

Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao is scheduled to inaugurate the conference on Wednesday. On November 13 and 14, a host of sessions focussed on specific areas such as supply chain management, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) challenges, aviation systems and technologies besides company presentations would be held.

According to a press release, the conclave aims to bring global companies engaged in the supply chain of the aerospace arena with focus on technologies, high end products and expanding their supplier base to explore new business opportunities in the Indian market. It will provide broad coverage of the full supply chain in design and manufacturing of aero structures, engines, avionics, ECS, interior, MRO, engine refurbishment and sub-systems.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 11th, 2014

Microsoft hosts ‘Codess’ event in Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

IT major Microsoft said it had hosted ‘Codess’, a global community for women coders, at its Microsoft India Development Center campus in the city on Friday.

Codess was established by Skype in March 2013 to explore ways to promote gender diversity in the field of engineering. “Codess Hyderabad is one in a series of Codess events worldwide and second in the series to be organized in India. Codess entered India in May 2014 in Bangalore. Themed ‘Coding an Innovative Enterprise’, Codess Hyderabad provided the attendees an opportunity to interact with women achievers in the area of engineering,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Around 84 women coders from Hyderabad with experience in development, testing and project management participated in the event, the company release said.

The company pointed out that the theme of ‘Coding an Innovative Enterprise’ was relevant as India is seeing a steady rise in technology startups and is emerging as the third largest base for startups after the US and UK.

“Innovative thinking, enterprising approach and problem solving attitude are some of the key skills to build a startup. These skills are also important to be a great coder. The theme, therefore, aimed at aligning thoughts, drawing parallels and providing a common platform for the participants to share experiences as entrepreneurs and coders,” it added.

Microsoft India R&D Pvt Ltd managing director Anil Bhansali said, “The program aims to bring together women in engineering to share personal and professional experiences, network and learn from each other.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Swati Rathor, TNN / November 07th, 2014

Aviation conference takes off in Hyderabad on Wednesday

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Representatives from 15 countries and 20 international speakers from Defence and aerospace engineering global majors are pariticipating in the meet.

A three-day aviation conference showcasing Telangana State as an investment hub in defence and aerospace engineering opens in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The event, Defence & Aerosupply India, at the Novotel Hyderabad airport will bring the best in the aviation business to discuss new opportunities and challenges. There will be representation from 15 countries and 20 international speakers from defence and aerospace engineering global majors.

According to the organisers – Government of Telangana and Kenes Exhibitions – well known names globally in the sectors, including Airbus, Dassault, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, Bell Helicopters, Israeli Aerospace Manufacturing Federation, have confirmed participation.

The conference comes in the backdrop of the State government announcing its decision to set up a new aerospace park to promote defence and aerospace industries. These two, as a combine, figure in the list of 12 sectors identified by the State for promotion and expected to get impetus in the upcoming industrial policy.

Senior officials of Telangana State, who briefed presspersons here on Tuesday about the conference, said the State government is keen to promote difference industries and studied incentives offered by neighbouring States to stay competitive. Special Chief Secretary and Commissioner for Industrial Promotion and Mines K. Pradeep Chandra and Commissioner for Industries, Commerce and Export Promotion Jayesh Rajan addressed the meet.

Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao is scheduled to inaugurate the conference on Wednesday. On November 13 and 14, a host of sessions focussed on specific areas such as supply chain management, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) challenges, aviation systems and technologies besides company presentations would be held.

According to a press release, the conclave aims to bring global companies engaged in the supply chain of the aerospace arena with focus on technologies, high end products and expanding their supplier base to explore new business opportunities in the Indian market. It will provide broad coverage of the full supply chain in design and manufacturing of aero structures, engines, avionics, ECS, interior, MRO, engine refurbishment and sub-systems.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 11th, 2014

Liver transplant surgeries performed successfully

Amazing Feats, Nri's / PIO's, Science & Technology

Surgeons of Apollo Hospitals conducted three liver transplant surgeries and a kidney transplantation, all within a span of 40 hours, last month. Of the three patients who received liver, one received the organ from a brain dead victim in Visakhapatnam where the organ had to be flown-in in a commercial flight and transplanted immediately.

Mahendra Kumar Kar, Ketan Ramesh Patel and Dnyandev Warule underwent liver transplantations while Kareemullah Khan underwent kidney transplantation. Thanks to the Jeevandan programme, Kar, Patel and Khan received the organs from brain dead victims while Warule received a small part of liver from his son, Suresh Warule.

“It was a medical and logistical challenge because the liver had to be brought from Visakhapatnam. Mr. Patel had developed serious blood stream infection. We took the help of several experts to settle him down before transplantation,” said liver transplant surgeon Manish C. Varma.

While Mr. Kar, an NRI in US, came here for treatment, Mr. Warule is a farmer from Maharashtra. “We have a success rate of 99 per cent when it comes to liver transplants and 100 per cent success rate with live donor liver transplantation,” Dr. Varma claimed.

Mr. Khan (43), who underwent kidney transplantation, was a known diabetic and hypertension patient for the past eight years. “These were very complicated cases but we managed to complete the surgeries within 40 hours,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 06th, 2014

Joint Clinic on Wheels

Science & Technology

JointCareTELANGANA05nov2014

Hyderabad :

The Joint Care Express, a state-of-the-art clinic (on wheels), consists of a lounge that can accommodate 10 patients at a time, creating an informative environment for them, with a variety of patient education tools available to the surgeon on board. The initiative aims at creating awareness among the masses on the seriousness of arthritis, which is reaching epidemic proportions, during the World Arthritis month and will travel across the city. The express also consists of Augmented Reality App that enables the surgeon to show the patient a computer generated image of the joints, thus providing a composite 3D view of how the knee joint looks, what causes arthritis and the steps of joint replacement surgery in a simplified visual form.

Orthopaedic surgeons associated with the initiative are Dr Akhil Dadi at Srikara Hospital and Dr. Sudhir Reddy at Landmark Hospital.

The patients who walk into any of the free clinics on board the Joint Care Express will be addressed by a doctor and taken through the steps that include post-operative care and rehabilitation.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / November 04th, 2014