Monthly Archives: August 2016

GI spotlight on saddleries of Kanpur, Kannauj perfumes

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion

Kanpur :

Among the most famous small industries from this part of UP are Kanpur saddleries and Kannauj perfumes. To its fame, Kanpur is the only centre in the country, and even in Asia, producing harnesses and saddlery products. Saddlery goods are made in only a few countries like the US, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Australia, Argentina and Taiwan.

Harness and saddlery goods or ‘Horse riding and driving equipments’ have been manufactured under the small industries umbrella in Kanpur since more than 100 years, obtaining a Geographical Indication (GI) tag only in 2014.

“It was initially started in the 19th century by the British India Corporation (BIC) in the ‘Harness Factory’ presently known as the ‘Ordnance Equipment Factory’ at Kanpur, to cater to the needs of the British Army and Police,” said Taj Alam, Convener Harness and Saddlery Panel, Council for Leather Exports, and who had been regularly participating in SPOGA, one of the important and oldest International Trade Fair for Equestrian Sports, in Germany. Similarly, Kannauj, traditionally referred to as the Grasse of the East or Perfume capital of the World, has been a thriving centre for natural fragrances. In a major boost for the famous perfume industry of Kannauj, which obtained GI tag in 2014, the state government is working to set up an international perfume museum and park at Kannauj.

The project would provide a world-class platform to the ‘attar’ (perfume) manufacturers to showcase their age-old skills and to upgrade their skills according to the changing times. Once the project is completed it would rejuvenate Kannauj’s old glory of Kannauj as a fragrance hub, besides boosting the export of locally made perfumes.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kanpur / by Faiz Rahman Siddiqui / August 30th, 2016

From Kaif to Danish Mujtaba, a legacy of sportspersons from Sangam city

Sports, World Opinion

Allahabad :

Sangam city is famous not only for its brilliant academicians and towering political personalities, but also because of its sportspersons who have made it big on the national and international stage in various disciplines. Cricketers, gymnasts, hockey players or shuttlers, Allahabad lads have always made their presence felt whenever they have got an opportunity.

Heading the list is Mohammad Kaif who made it to the national squad and soon found a place in the record books with his match-winning knock at NatWest trophy in 2002 where he scored an unbeaten 87 in partnership with another cricket hero, Yuvraj Singh, to clinch the trophy for India at Lord’s cricket ground.

Kaif was the most successful captain of UP in the Ranji Trophy, as under his leadership the home team won their maiden Ranji Trophy title, beating Bengal in a thriller played at Lucknow in 2006. Kaif has played 13 Tests, 125 one-day internationals and 177 first class matches. However, donning a new role Kaif will now lead his new state, Chattisgarh, which will make its debut in Ranji Trophy in the 2016-17 domestic season.

Another cherished moment for Allahabad was when five of its cricketers including Ashish Winston Zaidi, Obaid Kamal, Jyoti Yadav, Mohd Saif and Mohd Kaif represented UP in the 1998 Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka.

The history of gymnastics in Allahabad dates back to 1989 when the National Sports Academy (NSA), headed by its chief patron Dr UK Mishra, made a beginning in the sport with a handful of boys. His efforts bore fruits when the 2010 Commonwealth Games made gymnast Ashish Kumar an instant star, as he created history and became the first Indian to win medals in gymnastics for the country.

In badminton, the city has produced number of outstanding players like Suresh Goel, Damayanti Tambe, TN Seth, Abhinn Shyam Gupta, Sushant Saxena and few others. Goel was the men’s national singles champion on five occasions from 1962 to 1970 and he also won national titles in men’s doubles and mixed doubles.

The story of local sporting heroes’ march to glory would be incomplete without the mention of Danish Mujtaba who became the captain of Indian team at the young age of 23 and produced some memorable performances at international level. He was the only player from the city who participated in the Rio Olympics, 2016.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / August 29th, 2016

IVRI researcher develops safer, more effective vaccine against livestock disease

Agriculture, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bareilly :

A research scholar from the city-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) has developed a safer, more effective version of the currently available vaccine against brucellosis, a disease that inflicts 20% of livestock in India.

Brucellosis causes infertility and reproductive disorders among livestock. Pallab Chaudhury, head of the genetic engineering laboratory at IVRI, told TOI, “The disease is caused by the brucella bacteria. It occurs primarily in livestock, including cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats. Brucellosis can also be transmitted to humans through contaminated milk and unpasteurised dairy products. In humans, it causes fever, headache, joint pain and sweating.”

Chaudhury said the modified version of the vaccine is safer and provides greater immunity against the disease. “This has been proved in a laboratory model. The research scholar who developed the modified version, Jonathan Lalsiamthara, was conferred the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research in Agriculture last month for his work. However, we will continue to pursue research on the vaccine to establish that it can be administered to cattle and buffaloes,” he said.

“Lalsiamthara, who pursued his PhD under my guidance, generated brucella with defective lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through genetic manipulation as part of his research. The modified organism is less virulent than the original bacteria,” said Chaudhury.

Chaudhury said the vaccine available at present is not very safe and cannot be used in adult animals. “A project has been under way at the genetic engineering laboratory for developing a safer and more potent vaccine.

It has been funded by the department of biotechnology.”

Lalsiamthara’s research paper was published in a reputed international journal. He is currently pursuing his post-doctoral research at Chonbuk National University, South Korea. IVRI director R K Singh congratulated Lalsiamthara for upholding the institute’s tradition of excellence by winning the Jawaharlal Nehru award.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bareilly / Priyangi Agarwal / August 16th, 2016