Category Archives: Records, All

Meerut youth bags Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award for developing ‘black box’ of cars

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

Meerut:

A 23-year-old Meerut youth has bagged this year’s prestigious Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award for developing “black box” for vehicles, a low-cost device which will alert emergency services at the time of accident.

On Board Diagnostic Data Analysis System (OBDAS) will not only send the location of the vehicle to the emergency services at the time of accident, but will also help automobile and insurance companies to track “real-time data” of the vehicle which can further be used in knowing the performance evaluation of the car to settle claims.

Archit Agarwal, a fourth year engineering student of University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Uttarakhand was given the award on March 19 at Festival of Innovations (FOIN) organised in Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was chosen for this award under the ‘Most Innovative Product’ category.

According to Archit, the device will help in preventing deaths in vehicular accidents.

A resident of Meerut’s Sadar area, Archit is pursuing B.Tech in Electronics Engineering from UPES. He has four patents published in the field of automotive electronics and consumer electronics.

“After carefully examining the data of accidents in India, I found that majority of deaths took place because emergency services could not reach the spot on time. So, I planned to make OBDAS. It has a black box, which will be fitted below the steering wheel and another device that will be fitted on the dash board,” he told TOI.

“In case of an accident, the moment the air bags open, it will send an SMS alert to the emergency services and police with the location of the accident, name of the owner and the car number, thereby reducing the response time for them,” he said.

“The device will also fetch all the performance parameters of the car from over 200 sensors already fitted in the vehicle. It will convert them into information, which can be accessed from the cloud server,” Archit added.

The device will also reduce the number of fake claims that people make, he said.

Archit completed his schooling from Dewan Public School, Meerut and went on to pursue engineering from UPES.

Talking about his experience, Archit said, “To be at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was an overwhelming experience for me.

The competition was extremely tough with close to 13,000 projects from over 500 colleges across India. OBDAS is a low-cost universal solution for vehicles and it has many benefits.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Meerut News / by Ishita Bhatia / TNN / March 27th, 2018

Lucknow: KGMU develops customised, cost-effective knee braces

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

The department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the King George’s Medical University has developed cost-effective knee braces for patients suffering from joint problems due to osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can cause knee joints to become weak and bent, giving one’s leg bow-shaped appearance.(Representative image)

The department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) has developed cost-effective knee braces for patients suffering from joint problems due to osteoarthritis.

“These braces correct joint deformity too. We developed these on the basis of patient feedback. One brace costs just about Rs1,000, while those being sold in the market are priced at around Rs20,000,” said Arvind K Nigam, in-charge arthrotec and prosthetics at the department.

Explaining how the braces work, he said, “The key benefit of these braces is their three-point pressure mechanism, which gives immediate relief from pain.”

Osteoarthritis can cause knee joints to become weak and bent, giving one’s leg bow-shaped appearance. Injuries can also impact the performance of the knee joint. Experts say when the gap between the femur and the tibia gets disturbed at the joint, it causes pain and discomfort while walking.

A common solution suggested by orthopedic surgeons is knee replacement that can sustain for up to 20 years. However, not all patients can afford the procedure, which costs around Rs2.5 lakh per knee.

On the other hand, knee braces can help patients recover faster from their injuries or function better in their everyday lives despite osteoarthritis.

“The load of the body gets shared at different points in the limb. So, the deformity is corrected, bringing relief to the patient,” said Nigam.

“I am not comparing knee braces with knee replacement surgery. But what I can say is that our knee braces are custom made, cost-effective and bring quick relief to patients. They can also support quality life for years,” he said, adding, “Moreover, if the patient is aged over 80 and a major surgery is considered risky, knee braces are the best solution.”

Story behind the Innovation

Nigam said he had been working on a knee brace model for some time when one of his acquaintances called on him last week. “He had come to seek consultation regarding his knee pain. I improvised the model I was working on and created a customised knee brace for him in just a day,” he said.

“With the help of this brace, the patient could walk for over 2.5 hours in our department. Before that, he was hardly able to walk for any appreciable length of time,” he added.

Nigam said that looking at his acquaintance’s improved condition, he thought of making customised knee braces for others too. “At present, 45 patients are registered with our department for these braces,” he said, adding that he would now start compiling patient data for research and development purposes.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Cities> Lucknow / by Gaurav Saigal,Hindustan Times, Lucknow / March 26th, 2018

Allahabad: First Researcher’s Day observed at IIIT-A

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

Allahabad :

The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) celebrated its first ever Researcher’s Day at its Jhalwa campus here on Saturday.

Eminent academicians and former director of the institute Prof Somenath Biswas from IIT-Kanpur along with Prof BN Chatterjee from IIT-Khargpur and Prof P Nagabushanam, director, IIIT-A jointly inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp in a ceremony held in the main auditorium.

On this occasion, director of the institute Prof P Nagabhushan announced that from next year onward, ‘Researcher’s Day’ would be celebrated at IIIT-A on the first Saturday of the month of March which would follow the celebrations of the National Science Day, which is on February 28.

Addressing the students of the institute, the director asked the students to develop their scientific attitude to promote science in India. He asked the students to learn ‘how to answer?’ rather than ‘what to answer?’. He further said that researches should be for scientific purposes, but not for positions or to make money. Everyone should feel free to ask questions and have passion on researches. One should respect their own feelings and work according to them.

In his address, Prof Somenath Biswas presented his research work namely Computational Lens and Natural Algorithm. He stated that computational lens is used to model a phenomenon. He explained about natural algorithm that the myriad of algorithmic processes evolved by nature. He gave a short note on virus evolution.

Prof B N Chatterjee gave a power point presentation on planning and implementation of researches. He gave a short note on types of researches and stressed on academic researches. He said that one should select their research area according to their interest, passion and experience. He also explained importance of planning in research field.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Allahabad News / by Rajiv Mani / TNN / March 24th, 2018

Teen inventer of garbage collection machine dines with minister

Amazing Feats, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Agra :

Shikanto Mandal, 15, from Mathura, who had developed a unique machine to collect garbage, was invited by the President for dinner on Tuesday. However, it was cancelled at the last moment and the dinner was hosted by science and technology minister Dr Harsh Vardhan at the CSIR centre at Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi.

Mandal, who hails from West Bengal, had showcased his innovative machine at the Festival of Innovation being held in Delhi from March 19 to 23. Earlier speaking with TOI while on his way to New Delhi, Mandal said he had dined with then President Pranab Mukherjee during the Festival of Innovation.

The young inventor said hopes to become a successful engineer one day and fulfil all wishes of his parents and give them every comfort of life. Mandal’s parents are daily wagers. Talking with TOI, Mandal’s teacher Manoj Kumar, who helped him in his project and under whose guidance he built the machine, said he had developed the manual waste lifting and dumping machine when he was in Class IX at Jai Gurudev Balya Balak Vidyadan Higher Secondary School in 2016. He is presently studying in Class XI at KR Inter College, Mathura.

Mandal’s invention, inspired by Swacch Bharat Mission, was chosen for display at the district-level exhibition organized by the department of science and technology in 2016. His machine’s model was then showcased at a state-level exhibition held in Lucknow and later, at the national level.

His model has been patented by a Gujarat-based company, where he holds a 50% stake of the market share.

In January, Mandal was invited by film star Akshay Kumar his movie, “Padman”, screened at the Innovation conclave in which 16 innovators from across the country participated and received Rs 5 lakh each for their innovation.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Agra News / TNN / March 21st, 2018

Haldar’s legacy to be revamped for arts students in Lucknow

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Lucknow :

Students of the college of arts and crafts at Lucknow University will no more have to organize cultural and literary events in their classrooms.

Lying neglected for over a decade, the 106-year-old Haldar Hall, named after legendary painter and first Indian principal of the college Asit Kumar Haldar, will get a fresh lease of life in a month.

With the capacity of around 200 students, the historical hall is being revamped and its doors will be open to students in a month. The hall was out of use for years due to its poor condition. “The Rashtriya Uchhatar Shiksha Abhiyan has granted Rs 50 lakh to restore the auditorium named after the famous Indian painter,” said director for internal quality and assurance cell Prof Rajiv Manohar.

He added that the state-of-the-art multi-purpose hall-cum-auditorium will have advanced lighting and seating facilities. Initially known as the boys’ dining and lecture hall, it was renamed Haldar Hall in 1957.

“Asit Kumar Haldar’s paintings had made a mark across the globe. His talent was not confined to India but reached all parts of the world. The British government had appointed him as the principal of the Government School of Arts and Crafts in 1925,” said record-keeper Desraj.

“The hall has been in a dilapidated condition for four years. We did not have any auditorium to showcase our artwork or organize our fest. We are happy that now, we will have an auditorium which will not only exhibit our creativity but also unfold the glorious history of arts college, which gave so many famous artists to the country,” said Prashant Tiwari, a student of fine arts.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News> Schools & Colleges / by Mohita Tewari / TNN / March 20th, 2018

Lucknow boys shine in international academic test

Education, Records, All, World Opinion

Lucknow :

Two students from the city have secured top positions in the International Benchmark Test – an international programme of assessments conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research.

Class IV student Ayush Shukla (10) and Class IX student Atharva (14) have scored 100 percentile in the test. Both are students of City Montessori School.

While Atharva scored 100 percentile in science, Ayush has topped in all five different skills of English language which includes comprehension, grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary.

Both students have been awarded prize money of Rs 50,000 each.

The programme tests knowledge of students in subjects like English, mathematics, science and Arabic.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News>> Lucknow News> Schools & Colleges / TNN / March 19th, 2018

From pilots to TTEs, it was women’s day at railways

Amazing Feats, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel
At reservation counters, too, it was women on duty for the day

Lucknow :

Women piloted express trains in Lucknow division of both Northern Railway and North Eastern Railway on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Thursday.

At reservation counters, too, it was women on duty for the day. The all-women staff on Lucknow-Prayag Intercity Express included one assistant loco pilot, five travel ticket examiners (TTEs) and sanitation staff.

The train was flagged off by divisional railway manager (DRM) Northern Railway Satish Kumar from Charbagh station around 7.30am. At NER station, Gorakhpur-Nautanwa Express was driven by a woman assistant loco pilot. With four women TTEs, the train departed from Gorakhpur around 11.30am.

According to Kumar and DRM NER Vijaylaxmi Kaushik, this was the first time in the history of NR and NER’s Lucknow divisions that maximum operational work, including piloting the train, ticket checking and reservation, was carried out by women.

For assistant loco pilot Mamta Yadav, it was the first opportunity to pilot an express train. A graduate from Gorakhpur, Mamta said, “It was a dream come true. Since childhood, I had wanted to drive a train. It felt daring to take such a responsibility.”

TTE of Lucknow-Prayag Intercity Express Vijayalaxmi said, “I have been a TTE for five years. For the first time, I have seen an all-female staff on the train.” TTE Mundri Devi said, “Incidentally today, there were around 150 female passengers on my reservation list. I felt like all women had come out to support us. I am thankful to the railways.”

Riyansha, who had come to board the train for Prayag, said, “When I woke up this morning, my husband wished me for women’s day. At the station, I saw women everywhere, even my loco pilot and TTE were females. I felt very proud.”

Gulnaaz, another passenger, said, “My friends and cousins had planned to celebrate women’s day in my hometown. On knowing that a woman will pilot my train, I immediately sent a message of thanks to railways on social media.

Rahul, who had no reservation and demanded Mundri Devi a seat, was turned by her. “I have realised that not only at home, but even outside, women uphold values of honesty and integrity. I will have to adjust in a general coach, but I also proud somewhere,” said Rahul.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / by Urooj Khan / TNN / March 09th, 2018

IIT Kanpur researchers find why babies need to move in the womb

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
“We are now investigating if osteoarthritis is also associated with appearance of BMP signalling in the wrong place,” says Amitabha Bandyopadhyay (left) | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Permanent cartilage is formed in an embryo due to the mechanical movement.

Formation of joints in the developing embryo and their maintenance after birth is sensitive to mechanical movement. Now, researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have deciphered the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon. They have demonstrated how permanent cartilage is formed in an embryo due to mechanical movement. They also found out how permanent cartilage is lost and temporary or transient cartilage is formed in its place in the absence of movement.

While permanent cartilage lines the joint, the transient cartilage is a bone-forming one. Earlier this group demonstrated that during embryonic development, a bipotential cartilage population gives rise to both permanent and transient cartilage. BMP and Wnt are two major signals regulating this process. While BMP promotes transient cartilage formation, Wnt promotes permanent cartilage formation.

In patients with osteoarthritis, the permanent cartilage acquires all the characteristics of a temporary cartilage, which affects joint function. Currently, in people with osteoarthritis, it is not possible to reverse the fate of permanent cartilage that has become a temporary-like cartilage. The work done by a team led by Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay from the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at IIT Kanpur suggests that it might be possible to prevent osteoarthritis from worsening if intervened at an early stage. The results were published in the journal Development. The work was carried out in collaboration with the laboratory of Prof. Paula Murphy of Trinity College Dublin.

On-off switches

BMP signaling — which helps in the formation of transient cartilage — is normally not present in permanent cartilage cells in a joint. That transient cartilage forms in the place of permanent cartilage due to joint immobilisation was already known. And independently, the team had shown that BMP signalling promotes transient cartilage formation. “So we wanted to find out if immobilising the joints in a chick embryo allows the BMP signaling to come up in the joint cartilage cells. We did find that happening,” Prof. Bandyopadhyay says.

The investigation into what causes the BMP signaling to be present in future permanent cartilage cells when the joint is immobilised led them to a surprise finding. The lead author, Pratik Singh, found out that an inhibitor of BMP signaling (Smurf1) is absent in the joint that is immobilised resulting in increased BMP signaling. “The role of the Smurf1 inhibitor is to maintain a BMP-free area thereby enabling the progenitor cells to become permanent cartilage. But due to increased BMP signaling the permanent cartilage gets converted into transient-like cartilage,” says Prof. Bandyopadhyay.

The Smurf1 inhibitor is not directly involved in joint cartilage formation but creates an environment that permits the formation of permanent cartilage by keeping the BMP signalling under check. Mechanical movement seems to act like a toggle switch. In the presence of it, Wnt – the signal that promotes joint cartilage – is on and BMP signalling is off in the joint cartilage cells. The opposite is true when the joint is immobilized. This is the reason why immobilisation of joints causes greater disturbance to permanent cartilage than even inhibition of Wnt signalling.

“We are now investigating if osteoarthritis is also associated with appearance of BMP signalling in the wrong place. If so, we can block the BMP signaling in these cells during the early-stage of osteoarthritis to possibly prevent the condition from worsening,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Science / by R. Prasad / Chennai – March 13th, 2018

This Lucknow Woman Singlehandedly Took down 30 British Soldiers in 1857!

Amazing Feats, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

Hiding in a tree, she carefully took aim at the approaching British

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British rule saw some of the most ferocious battles fought across the nation. The soldiers were courageous and fought tooth and nail. While the revolt did not succeed, it went down in history as a righteous struggle.

Amongst all the illustrious freedom fighters, Uda Devi’s name stands out for leading one of the fiercest battles in Lucknow against the British.

Uda Devi hid in a tree, and took out more than 30 British soldiers without batting an eyelid.Representative image only. Image Courtesy:Wikimedia Commons

Born to a Dalit family in Awadh, Uttar Pradesh, Uda Devi at an early age, recognised the dissent the local people showed against the British Raj. She decided to contribute to the cause, and approached Begum Hazrat Mahal to seek help, in order to prepare for the battle against the British.

Begum Hazrat Mahal was kind and helped Uda Devi form a woman’s battalion, which the latter would lead herself. Thus, when Awadh was attacked by the British, Uda Devi and her husband became a vital part of the armed resistance.

The Battle in Sikandar Bagh

The Sikandar Bagh gate, where the battle took place.Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

In autumn 1857, north India was in a state of practical anarchy. A general revolt against the growing authority of the British East India Company consumed the cities of Delhi, Jhansi and Kanpur.

In Lucknow, a small British garrison clung stubbornly to life at the Residency (a collection of buildings) on the banks of the Gomti River.

Surrounded by rebels and bereft of adequate supplies, the small British contingent teetered on the edge of annihilation throughout the summer of 1857.

In November, General Colin Campbell broke through the enemy lines and managed to save the trapped garrison. This was the ‘Second Relief of Lucknow’, during which Campbell’s 93rd Highland Regiment advanced along the Southern bank of the Gomti, proceeding toward the Palace of Sikandar Bagh.

Here, the rebels fought desperately, after fortifying their position. A pitched battle ensued, leaving over 2000 rebels and soldiers dead, after a fierce hand-to-hand combat. It was during the battle that Uda Devi’s husband was killed. Enraged, the brave soldier decided to avenge his death.

On seeing the British army approach Sikandar Bagh, she climbed up a banyan tree, disguised as a man, and took aimed, killing 32 British soldiers.

Once the dust had settled, an officer noticed that many of the British casualties had bullet wounds that indicated a steep, downward trajectory.

The needle of suspicion naturally pointed to a sniper, who could be hidden in the nearby trees. British officers fired at a nearby pipal tree, and a rebel fell out of the tree, dead, her body riddled with bullet wounds. Upon investigation, it was found that the rebel was, in fact, Uda Devi.

The British were shocked when they realised the soldier was a woman. It is said that even British officers like Campbell bowed their heads over her dead body, in recognition of her bravery.

Uda Devi is indeed an inspiration, especially to women from non-dominant castes. Befittingly, on November 16th each year, the members of her Pasi caste gather at the site of her fall and celebrate her as a brave rebel, who defied all odds to take British lives, for a cause. It has been over a century since she was martyred, yet the memory of her sacrifice is kept alive by her community, which celebrates her unwavering and courageous spirit.

Uda Devi is also one of the inspirations behind an all-women battalion, of the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary. The government is keen on recruiting women from OBC and Dalit communities in these battalions.

The women PAC battalions will help the government in crowd control, and during agitations where the participants are mostly women. The government is currently identifying land in Uttar Pradesh, where centres for training these women cops can be built.

The raising of women PAC battalions is an excellent step towards empowering the women from the weaker sections of society, and it is only fitting, that one of the units, derives its name from a ‘Dalit Veerangana’ like Uda Devi.

source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> Inspiration> Women / by Rayomand Engineer / March 01st, 2018

Brigadier Kapil Mohan didn’t just build Old Monk brand, he was true architect of Indian liquor industry

Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All

It was not an in-your-face impression that one got when entering the sprawling office of the chairman and managing director of Mohan Meakin Ltd at Mohan Nagar in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of Delhi. The ambience was simple, somber, friendly even — with none of the frills of modern-day corporate offices. Brigadier (retd.) Kapil Mohan, sat in this office for more than four decades, and presided over one of the oldest liquor companies of our country.

My last meeting with the grand old man of the Indian liquor was a couple of years ago. As usual, the patriarch of Mohan Meakin was sitting in his unassuming office — lined with trophies, shields and certificates — and surrounded by about half a dozen people. He was regaling them with interesting anecdotes. He was a known treasure trove of such stories, featuring politicians, bureaucrats and colleagues of all hues.

During one such favourite storytelling trip, I suggested (rather, asked) he write these down as first-person accounts — where all such stories could find a place; he laughed it off, saying that would rub several people the wrong way.

Man behind Old Monk rum, Brigadier (retd.) Kapil Mohan dies of cardiac arrest at 88; was awarded Padma Shri in 2010

Even for his own team, he was never the stiff corporate boss. Senior personnel who have worked closely with Brig. Mohan said his most significant strategy and strength was that he involved the entire labour team for any discussions about company-related issues, and paid due heed to their suggestions. Intensely philanthropic and empathetic, he always showed keen interest in the welfare of labourers — at times even more so than that of his executives. Through his brilliant man-to-man personal skills, he created an environment of friendship for the labourers, and went the extra mile to encourage his staff to do the same.

Brigadier (retd.) Kapil Mohan, and the iconic squat bottle of Old Monk rum. File Photo

This was possibly the biggest reason why Mohan Meakin remained — till the 1990s — the only company in India that never had a labour strike.

The current COO of Khoday India Limited Satpal Chaudhry too had been on receiving end of Brigadier Mohan’s large-heartedness. Chaudhry worked with Brig Kapil Mohan for 19 years before moving on to bigger things. “I joined Mohan Meakin in 1971. I wanted to improve my qualifications, and in 1974 appeared for an entrance test for IIT Delhi for MTech. I approached the brigadier to allow me to do the course; he didn’t even bat an eyelid and gave me permission, that too on full-term basis.”

Chaudhry was emotional while remembering the brigadier. According to Chaudhry, Brig. Mohan was a great visionary who always looked for excellent brands, and better quality for liquor products and beer. “The brigadier went on to modernise the distilleries and breweries, while we could not even meet the demand for liquor, which exceeded that of our supply. At that point, Mohan Meakin was the only liquor producer in India which had such a large number of popular brands,” Chaudhry said.

Brig. Kapil Mohan also had an eye for spotting talent. Chaudhry was among those headhunted by the brigadier. He recollected the time while he employed with Mohan Meakin and received a call from the boss; Chaudhry was asked by Brig. Mohan to come in for a promotion.

“I was working in Lucknow for about seven years, looking after the distillery, brewery and soft-drink plant. One day I got a call from Brig. Mohan to join as ‘Works Manager’ of the company in Mohan Nagar. This was a dream job for anybody: it was a designation next to the managing director himself. Brig. Mohan did not even bother with the senior people who were quite close to the management, but offered me to opportunity to run the operations of the brewery, distillery, malting plant and juice factory. He also made me the engineering chief of Mohan Meakin, which was a personal milestone,” Chaudhry said.

There are many who will remain forever indebted to this man with a golden heart. Not many know that it was under Brig Kapil Mohan’s stewardship that the group was rechristened Mohan Meakin Limited. Brig. Kapil Mohan was the person who modernised the plants and machinery, and brought in new technology and undertook major diversification of three distilleries in India, two breweries and a host of franchises.

Although the iconic Old Monk rum was launched by his father, Narendra Nath Mohan, in 1954 and brought to prominence by his brother Colonel VR Mohan, it was Brig. Kapil Mohan who made it into the instantly recognised and largest-selling rum in India.

Before Indian single malts came into the picture, Old Monk was the one of the most recognised brand available in all foreign liquor stores and airport duty shops across the world. Till 2012, Old Monk was undisputedly the No.1 rum brand, but began to slide in volume, and lost its top position to other brands such as McDowell’s Celebration Rum by USL.

However, the slide has not dimmed the charm of “Boodha Padri” (Old Monk transliterated into Hindi, and fondly called so by its fans) and the iconic squat bottle it comes in.

“I don’t think there is any other person in the liquor industry that can match Brig. Mohan. He was a true architect of the Indian liquor industry,” says Chaudhry.

source: http://www.firstpost.com / FirstPost / Home> Latest News> Living / Bishan Kumar / January 16th, 2018