Monthly Archives: October 2015

AU researcher working on new age solar cells

Science & Technology, World Opinion

Allahabad :

A young researcher from the Allahabad University’s (AU) department of physics has come up with breakthrough research in new age solar cells that could revolutionize the photovoltaic technology that harnesses solar energy.

Lokendra Kumar, an assistant professor at AU’s department of physics, worked with the US scientists at Purdue University on plastic solar cell technology under India-US 21th Century Knowledge Initiative of the University Grants Commission (UGC). His research centres around emerging solar technologies and is in collaboration with the network for photovoltaic technology in the US which is a world leader in the field of solar cells.

He has already worked in the US for a year under Raman fellowship programme and designs emerging solar cells.

“Emerging next generation solar cells are different from conventional inorganic-silicon solar cells and a topic of great interest for potentially low cost solar energy conversion into electrical energy and possibility of many novel applications,” Lokendra told TOI. “Portable solar cells, building-integrated solar cells (BISC), etc., are such new age solar cells. As the name suggests, building-integrated solar cells (BISC) electric power systems not only produce electricity, they are also part of the building,” he informed.

“Simply put, having an entire building made of solar panels which would not only serve the purpose of window of the outer structure but will also harness the unlimited power of solar energy, would be reality in near future,” he informed.

“The key advantage of building-integrated solar panels is the marginal additional cost in installation. But it can be possible only if architects and principals have sufficient knowledge about solar cells technologies and appropriate design tools to assist them. Emerging photovoltaic technologies including plastic solar cells and inorganic-organic hybrid solar cells have a unique feature of making flexible foldable semi-transparent solar panels with easy and low cost building integration,” he added.

“These solar cells are like plastic paint and solar have unique feature for some specific uses in remote areas too,” said the young physicist.

“Future belongs to technology called ‘Pervskite’ which are inorganic-organic solar cells as these are very cheap in comparison to present silicon based cells and have shown to be very efficient,” said Kumar.

Kumar also worked on some unanswered questions on design and operation of these technologies. He demonstrated some efficient solar cells and studied their properties while working at the Purdue. He delivered invited lecture on photo-physics of organic semiconductors and a fundamental challenge for economic viability of organic solar cell technology, in an international conference at Boston and also participated in other international workshops and meeting during his stay in the US.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Allahabad / by Rajeev Mani, TNN / October 27th, 2015

Jugal Kishore, city’s theater star, passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lucknow :

City based theatre veteran and former director of Bhartendu Natya Akademi Jugal Kishore passed away suddenly here on Sunday evening. He breathed his last at his residence at 7.30pm. He was 61.

Family and close friends shared that Kishore started complaining of restlessness around 6pm while he was watching TV. His wife took him to a private nursing home from where he was referred to the King George’s Medical University where he was declared dead on arrival.

Theatre and film fraternity mourned his death as a great loss. “He was the bridge between progressive theater movement and the realm of cultural acting,” reflected Deepak Kabir a theater person, adding that it was not just through films and theater he established an identity, he was equally a part of all social movements related to women issues, communal harmony, etc.

“In 2011, we had organised a national assembly in Bhopal on gender issues and even though he was famous with Peepli Live, after flying down to Bhopal, he returned with the rest of us in the sleeper class of a train. Such was his simplicity and connect to social change,” reminisced Kabir.

“I met him last week at a programme to felicitate young girl leaders and he had arrived from Bhopal after performing ‘Barefoot in Athens’, his last show,” recalled Veena Rana, adding, “He was already at the venue before we reached. Such was his simplicity and humility.”

A Lucknow University and BNA alumnus, Kishore acted in a number of films including Peepli Live and Dabang-2, besides playing the lead in many theatre productions. He also featured in Bhojpuri films.

His friends remember him as a perfectionist with a love for modern technology. Rang Mandal chief Chitra Mohan said Kishore was a teacher who emphasized on practical understanding of subject rather than rote learning.

BNA director Arun Trivedi said Kishore lived every character he played. Close family friend Punit Asthana said Kishore presented social messages through his acting.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / October 26th, 2015

This 62-yr-old covered 1,000 miles inside 24 hours

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports, Travel

Agra:

When Suresh Pal Singh took his first long distance trip on a motorcycle from Agra to Kolkata on a Royal Enfield motorcycle at the age of 19, little did he realize that his passion for riding would make him set a record 43 years later. Meet 62-year-old Singh, a retired mechanical engineer, who has become one of the very few senior citizens from the country to have accomplished the “Saddle Sore” endurance ride, certified by the Iron Butt Association of USA. This competition requires a motorcyclist to cover 1,000 miles (1,610 km) in less than 24 hours.

Astride his Royal Enfield 500, he commenced his ride on October 10 from Agra at 10pm. He traversed the Yamuna Expressway, Delhi, Gurgaon, Jaipur Ajmer, Beawar, Pali and Dingai, before returning by the same route to arrive at the start point on October 11 at 8:40 in the evening. He travelled the requisite 1,000 miles in less than 23 hours, stopping only for fuel and nourishment every 250-300 km during the course of the ride.

“As per my calculation, I was aiming to complete this challenge in less than 22 hours, but for a traffic jam at Gurgaon and refueling problem in Rajasthan,” said S P Singh, adding that he will now be pursuing for Limca Book of Records as well.

The Saddle Sore challenge conducted by the Iron Butt Association is a strong group of 50,000 toughest motorcycle riders worldwide, who share their experience on safe long distance motorcycle riding.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Agra / TNN / October 15th, 2015

Bharat Sewashram Sangha: Celebrating traditions since 1936

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Varanasi :

The city wore a festive look as Ashtami, the eight day of Navratri, was celebrated on Wednesday. The celebrations were visible at Bharat Sewashram Sangha (BSS) as several devotees thronged the sangha to witness the traditional Durga puja celebrations here.

Established in 1936 by Acharya Swami Pranabananda Maharaj in Varanasi, Bharat Sewashram Sangha has been celebrating Durga Puja in traditional and grand way ever since. Devotees from all across the country as well as from abroad have been visiting the Sangha to attend various cultural programmes held as a part of the puja celebrations.

“I have been coming to BSS during Durga Puja since 1996 and the celebrations are much like my hometown Kolkata. After marriage I am living here and I miss Kolkata. Like every Bengali I feel the craving to visit pandals of my hometown, but after visiting here I feel the same essence of puja celebrations here. Besides, unlike Ramkrishna Mission in Kolkata, there are no limitations or time constraints here at BSS. The ancient ‘Laathi Danda Khela’ is my favourite,” said Anjana Rani Saha, resident of Kamaccha area.

“Every devotee has his own traditional beliefs and those who have been associated with Sangha always make it a point to be here during Durga puja celebrations. Every year, a three-day programme is organised along with a grand ‘Hindu Dharma and Sanskriti Sammelan’ in evening. Prior to the Sammelan, the revelers can witness one of the ancient art form, an exquisite ritual of our pandal – acrobatic performances ‘Laathi-Chhura-Talvar’ and display of yogic asanas,” general secretary of BSS, India, Swami Biswatmananda told TOI on Wednesday.

Earlier, a ‘shobhayatra’ from Kamaccha to BSS in Sigra was taken out on Mahashashthi on October 19, witnessing participation of scores of number of people. Like previous years, the display of symbolic warfare by volunteers of math-mandir added to the glamour. “The procession has always been a significant part of Durga puja celebrations as the idol of goddess Durga is brought to the Sangha with pomp and show. The Trishankha puja aarti in the evening also witnesses a huge crowd of devotees,” said Swami Biswatmananda.

A dhrama sammelan was held on ‘Importance of Sangha on National Integration’ on Wednesday. Earlier, on Tuesday, the sammelan was held on the topic, ‘Importance of sacrifice and religion in ancient culture’. The final sammelan on ‘Contribution of Swami Pranabanandaji in Social Solidarity’ will be held on Thursday. A grand idol immersion procession will be taken out on the tenth day of Navratri on October 23.

On the recent idol immersion row, Swami Biswatmananda said, “I believe that as a citizen we must adhere to HC’s order on ban of idol immersion in the Ganga. But, at the same time I think the administration could have followed something on the lines of immersion done in Kolkata. In that way, the age-old tradition and beliefs of people would not have been affected.” “We have spoken to district administration and would immerse the idols in a pond near Rajghat area where Ganga water would be sprinkled on the idols,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Varanasi / by Punkhuri Kapoor, TNN / October 22nd, 2015