Category Archives: Science & Technology

World’s biggest gene bank of medicinal plants to come up at CIMAP, Lucknow

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

Over 300 other spices and medicinal plants will have their genetic information profiled and saved at CSIR-CIMAP(Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), Lucknow.

Indian mint, Iranian saffron, Sri Lankan black pepper and mace from Indonesia, along with over 300 other spices and medicinal plants will have their genetic information profiled and saved at CSIR-CIMAP(Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), Lucknow. Once established, it will be the biggest gene bank of medicinal and aromatic plants in the world.

These plants are native to the 23 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. The countries are represented by their consortium Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

The member countries have begun efforts to build the gene bank, with their first across the table training programme currently underway at the premier research institute located near Kukrail in the state capital.

Genetic bank refers to a collection of genetic information that is unique for all living species.

The programme titled, ‘Diversity, documentation, gene banking and database for medicinal plants’ is being attended by representatives of 11 IORA member countries.

“One of the primary objectives of the programme is to establish a detailed gene data bank of the medicinal plants that can be shared among the members countries,” said Prof Anil K Tripathi, Director, CSIR CIMAP.

The member countries have agreed to share their knowledge of medicinal and aromatic plants found in their respective countries. They have also agreed to submit genetic data of such plants, turning the endeavour into a one of its kind conservation effort by member countries. “The genetic data bank will not only help in conservation but also act as a source of information for future generations,” said Fereshteh Moradi, chief coordinator of the programme.

Dr Ajit K Shasany, head-convener of the programme said, “The gene data bank that can only be accessed by the member countries will also help to identify fake products sold in the black market.”

The programme is being organised by the science and technology transfer wing of IORA. The wing has chosen the CIMAP as one of its regional centres for science and technology transfer. The programme is being funded by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The members include countries of the gulf-Iran, Oman, UAE, Yemen- African sub continent, South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya- other south east Asian countries and Australia.

The programme also aims to make trade of these medicinal plants easier among the member countries. “Sharing knowledge and technology involved in harvest of these plants is also a part of the programme,” Shasany said. Elucidating further, he cited the example of the trade of saffron. “Iran is a leading exporter of safforn but the Iranian saffron in the Indian market comes via Europe where it is processed. This is set to change under this initiative,” he said.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Education / by Chandan Kumar, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / November 30th, 2018

43 years on, Doordarshan Lucknow still going strong

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Science & Technology

Serials produced by Lucknow Doordarshan were considered to be the best. Our serials like ‘Neem Ka Ped’, ‘Bibi Natiyon Wali’, ‘Bandhuji’, ‘Akkad Bakkad’ and ‘Hatimtai’ won national awards. ‘Bibi Natiyon Wali’ was praised internationally as well.

It started with the beaming of Ustad Bismillah Khan’s shehnai recitation on November 27,1975. Doordarshan Lucknow begun operations at 22 Ashok Marg, with a temporary studio. Today, at 43, the television channel is going strong with programmes like ‘Namaste UP’, ‘Once more’ and ‘Krishi Darshan’ — all of which have good ratings.

“The building of Doordarshan studio at Ashok Marg is a witness to many historical programmes,” said senior programme executive and deputy director, Lucknow Doordarshan, AP Mishra.

“We can proudly say that serials produced by Lucknow Doordarshan were considered to be the best. Our serials like ‘Neem Ka Ped’, ‘Bibi Natiyon Wali’, ‘Bandhuji’, ‘Akkad Bakkad’ and ‘Hatimtai’ won national awards. ‘Bibi Natiyon Wali’ was praised internationally as well,” he said.

Recalling the talent nurtured by the channel, Mishra said, “The old faces of Lucknow Doordarshan, such as Shobhna Jagdish (news reader) and Nirmala Kumari were very good singers. In fact, they were trained classical singers!”

“The popularity of veteran journalist and news reader Mohammed Noor Baksh and Naresh Srivastava was no less than that of cine stars of the eighties. Both of them are no more, but their legacy continues,” he added.

Former director Vilayat Jafri, who has worked with Lucknow Doordarshan and written the serial ‘Neem Ka Ped’ for it, said, “I came from Delhi to Lucknow in 1986. In Delhi, I had made projects like ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ (directed by Shyam Benegal) and ‘Tamas’ (by Govind Nihlani). In Lucknow, serials were notbeing made. I decided to do something for the city — something that could be remembered for long. I had written this story in 1956 (Neem Ka Ped), and decided to make a serial based on it.”

He said he contacted Dr Rahi Masoom Raza for working on the serial’s script and dialogues. “He (Raza) agreed. He wrote the dialogues without charging a single penny because the story was close to his heart — it was about a ‘zamindar’ (landowner) and his people . Dr Raza came from a family of zamindars of Ghazipur, so he was able to understand the subject better than others,” said Jafri.

However, Dr Raza died after writing 24 episodes of the serial. “After that, I decided to pen the dialogues for the next 34 episodes. Interestingly, no one noticed any difference in the writing style. People thought Dr Raza died after completing the serial,” he said.

Mishra said ‘Neem Ka Ped’ is a part of Doordarshan’s glorious past and is still one of the most watched serials ever. “All artists except two were from Lucknow. Doordarshan is still the best medium to promote local talent,” he said.

In the years gone by, Doordarshan went through its own journey of evolution. The channel, which started in black and white, became coloured on August 15, 1982, during the then Asian Games. The first coloured OB van, equipped with four coloured cameras, was introduced in 1987, during the Cricket World Cup (Reliance Cup).

“Today, despite stiff competition from private channels, ‘Namaste UP’ and ‘Once More’ by Lucknow Doordarshan are among top-rated programmes,” said Mishra, adding that DD had also succeeded in maintaining its unique identity, especially when it came to programmes that created awareness on culture, heritage, literature and knowledge.

“Programmes like ‘Vigyan Se Dhyan’ have recorded the highest number of hits on YouTube,” he said.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Lucknow / by Anupam Srivastava / Hindustan Times,Lucknow / November 28th, 2018

Now, a Guinness record for ‘largest first aid lesson’

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

Breathtaking feat: As many as 3,540 students of Lucknow come together under one roof to learn lesson on first aid.

Students from 15 public and private schools in Lucknow created another Guinness World Record when 3,540 of them came together under one roof for a training session on first aid in the ongoing India International Science Festival-2018 (IISF) here at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan on Sunday afternoon.

Union minister for science and technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan and secretary, department of biotechnology, government of India, Dr Renu Swarup jointly received the certificate of Guinness World Record from its adjudicator Rishi Nath in the presence of participants.

Dr Vardhan and Dr Swarup congratulated students on this accomplishment.

The previous record was held by a group of 2,580 people at an event that took place at the directorate of emergency and public safety, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi on April 18, 2018, said coordinator Dr Omkar Tiwari (DBT).

The pandal reverberated with a thunderous applause when chief instructor Shweta Singh of St John’s Ambulance at Red Cross announced that Lucknow students created a new record.

“I was excited to be a part of this event and liked the way first aid techniques were explained,” said Ritika, student of Class 8 in Pioneer Montessori Inter College. Ayushi, a student of Class 9 from the same school said it was a dream for her to be a part of Guinness World Record.

On Saturday, 550 students of GD Goenka Public School, Lucknow had also created a Guinness World Record for simultaneously conducting DNA isolation experiment of banana.

“It takes only six minutes for the human brain to expire due to lack of oxygen. First aid helps ensure that the right methods of administering medical assistance are provided,” informed Shweta Singh. After this training session, these students will always be ready to come forward and extend help in rushing the injured to hospital in the right manner, she added.

The final part of the training included identifying fractures and providing first aid in such a situation. The students acquired hands-on learning on how to provide first aid in case of head injury, jaw injury, collarbone injury or spinal fractures by administering first aid to their fellow student volunteers post demonstration by Shweta.

The ‘Largest First Aid Lesson’ involved lesson explanation with slides support and demonstration with volunteers on stage. GD Goenka Public School, Shaheed Path, Lucknow roped in 300 students and invited Shweta Singh from Indian Red Cross Society, UP, state branch to train students how to administer basic first aid techniques.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Lucknow / by Rajeev Mullick, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / October 08th, 2018

550 Lucknow Students Extract DNA Simultaneously, Set Guinness Record

Amazing Feats, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The students, from G D Goenka School in Lucknow, participated in a massexperiment to extract DNA at the ongoing India International Science Festival or IISF, and completed the task in a mere 90 minutes.

Lucknow :

For 550 students of a private school in Lucknow, no moment so far could have been this special. After all, they all just set a world record, acknowledged by none other than the prestigious Guinness World Records.
The feat these teenagers achieved – being the highest number of people in the world to simultaneously extract DNA from bananas.

The students, from G D Goenka School in Lucknow, participated in a mass experiment to extract DNA at the ongoing India International Science Festival or IISF, and completed the task in a mere 90 minutes.

On the successful completion of the experiment, participant Anand Agarwal said he was very happy at seeing the DNA — the universal genetic material of living organisms.

Applauding the students, Guinness World Record official Rishi Nath said, “Congratulations we have a new world record, you have done it children.”

The earlier record was set up in 2017 in America when 302 students performed a similar experiment.

Dr Saroj Barik, director National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, said, “Children have created a world record and done India and Lucknow proud. DNA the children extracted can be seen as a white globule at the end of the stick.”

In 2015, the same festival when held in IIT-Delhi won a Guinness Record for the single largest chemistry experiment.

Last year, at the third edition of the IISF in Chennai, the city students created a huge Guinness record of the single largest biology class.

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV.com / Home> Lucknow> Sections / by Pallava Bagla / October 06th, 2018

Lucknow Metro First From India To Get This International Award

Records, All, Science & Technology, Travel, World Opinion

Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation has been given the Silver Award for its Phase 1A (North-South Corridor) in the Project/Infrastructure category for the year 2018.

Lucknow :

The Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) has become the first ever metro rail corporation from India to bag the International ‘Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents’ (RoSPA) Award, an official said.
Sanjay Mishra, Director (works and infrastructure), received the award on September 13, at a function held in Glasgow, UK.

LMRC has been given the Silver Award for its Phase 1A (North-South Corridor) in the Project/Infrastructure category for the year 2018.

The RoSPA Awards scheme, which receives entries from organisations around the world, recognizes achievement in health and safety management systems including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Section> Lucknow / by Indo-Asian News Service / September 21st, 2018

Power of transformation wins laurels for Meerut company

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

The zeal to excel can transform fortunes. This is proven in the case of Transtron Electricals, a transformer manufacturer, which is among the country’s top 100 small and medium enterprises.

The zeal to excel can transform fortunes. This is proven in the case of Transtron Electricals, a transformer manufacturer, which is among the country’s top 100 small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The company’s motto, “It has to be ‘The Best’ because it has our name on it”, inspires the owners and the staff.

Situated in Meerut’s Partapur industrial area, the unit won the ‘India SME 100 Award’ in August. It is among the four SMEs of Uttar Pradesh to have made it to the list of the country’s top 100 such firms.

Transtron managing director (MD) K N Singhal says the company was selected for the honour out of over 33,102 SMEs of the country.

“It was indeed a matter of pride for us, receiving the award from union ministers in Delhi,” he says.

Singhal claims he has never compromised on quality. He says he has refused to accept advice to use raw material of an inferior quality to bring the cost down.

He reiterates, “Quality is our biggest strength and that is why we proudly announce ‘it has to be ‘The Best’ because it has our name on it.”

The Singhal family has deep roots in Meerut and has been living here for over 100 years.

After graduating in science from Meerut College in 1970, Singhal obtained a Bachelor of Electrical degree from Agra University in 1975. He received job offers from various government organisations but because of his bond with his native place and his father’s ill health, he chose to stay here and joined a transformer manufacturing unit ‘Electra India’ in Partpaur as assistant engineer (quality control).

Soon, he was promoted as director (technical) and got an opportunity to travel to many countries on business before he resigned in 1997.

Singhal says he took the step so that he could utilise his experience to start his own venture.

After providing consultancy in transformer design for a year, he established ‘Transtron Electricals Pvt. Ltd.’ in Partapur in 1998 with a seed capital of Rs 10 lakh.

His contacts with clients of his previous unit helped him build his own network and Transtron got its first order to supply transformers to Nepal in 1998.

Initially, the company manufactured 200 KVA transformers. By 2005, the company was making 5000 KVA transformers. For the last four-five years, it has been making 10,000 KVA transformers.

Singhal says, “Success is not far if your vision is clear and if you don’t fall prey to greed.” The company has 80-plus employees. He claims Transtron`s transformers are ‘energy efficient’ and many skilled workers of Electra India joined him after closure of the company.

He also says his wife Renu Singhal contributed a lot to his success but she died in 2008. Now his sons Sidharth Singhal and Abhinav Singhal help him in his business.

He minces no words in saying that delay in payment by government departments is the biggest hurdle in growth of SMEs in UP. He explains that 80% business of SMEs depends on government orders and they receive payments in six months, instead of 45 days, as prescribed under the rules.

The SMEs have to procure raw material by paying cash and it takes more than two months to manufacture a transformer and complete the testing procedure, he says.

Appreciating the union government’s ‘ ‘Make in India’ policy , Singhal says, “It has the potential to change the country’s industrial scenario.”

“Our aim is to make a genuine contribution in government policies for ‘electrification of India’, especially in the rural areas. We insist on giving trouble- free service to clients at least for 25 years with each transformer.”

After serving as executive council member of the Indian Transformers Association for years, Singhal has now been elected its treasurer.

He also believes in serving society and bears expenses of many underprivileged girls.

He is also involved with an NGO which conducts eye operations for marginalised sections of the society.

“I do it for my satisfaction. I don’t want any publicity for it,” he says.

“Be honest and dedicated to your mission and Mother Nature will help you in every possible way,” he advises budding entrepreneurs.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Lucknow / by S. Raju, Hindustan Times,Meerut / September 07th, 2018

Lucknow diary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Science & Technology

Two medicos brought laurels to Lucknow by their selection for Dr BC Roy Award in the category of eminent medical teachers.

Gau Raksha Bandhan

Muslim women marked the occasion of Raksha Bandhan by tying rakhis to cows at the Lord Shiva temple near Kudiya Ghat in Rumi Gate area. To encourage Muslims to protect cows, BJP MLC Bukkal Nawab organised the event. “We have taken the vow to protect the cow as ‘Gau Raksha’ is important. The time has come to work in this direction,” said the women. They felt that it was a high time that the poor and the farmers were educated about the significance of rearing cows for social, economic, religious, environmental and health benefits.

Lucknow connect to Mars Mission

Lucknow will have its own pie to contribute to the prestigious Mars Mission India as two students of APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) have been selected in the astrobiology section of the project. Satyam Pratap Singh and Utkarsh Singhal will be working on the project where the model fulfils the demand of a Rover, weather information and self-protection system of the project. As per Utkarsh, the duo will be taken to the University of Edinburgh, the UK for a week to test their models in the Mars-like atmosphere. The prototype developed by Satyam will study the environment like temperature and humidity, while Utkarsh’s prototype will try to capture a 360-degree view of Mars.

Medicos bring laurels

Two medicos brought laurels to Lucknow by their selection for Dr BC Roy Award in the category of eminent medical teachers. Director, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Prof Rakesh Kapoor and King George’s Medical University vice-chancellor Prof MLB Bhatt were selected for the prestigious and highest recognition for medical practitioners in India. The award was instituted by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 1976 in memory of renowned physician and former West Bengal CM Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. “It is one of the most prestigious awards in the medical fraternity, and I am honoured to have been selected for it,” Prof Rakesh Kapoor said. Prof Bhatt attributed his success to the cooperation of his faculty members at the KGMU.

Gelling through drums

It was an opportunity to get synchronised with peers, colleagues and teammates in a unique way through ‘Drum Jam’ in the city. Organised by CII and conducted by Young Indians, Lucknow chapter, it was the first session of its kind to distress colleagues while gelling together. The session offered some great amount of listening. It focused on strategising skills, problem-solving approach and creating vibrations for colleagues to rhythmically align with organisational goals. During a two-hour session, members played the drum spontaneously without any prior training. No formal introduction session of participants was organised but once the session began, everyone coordinated with each other and played the drums in a synchronised manner.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Nation / by Namita Gajpai / September 02nd, 2018

Scent per cent: Temple floral waste to be put to fragrant use

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology

The Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad, on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the famous Naka Hanuman Garhi temple, Faizabad, for collection of floral waste from the temple for producing exotic itra (traditional, natural perfume), incense sticks and fertilisers.

The university would collect the floral waste for this purpose, said Mahant Ramdas of the temple after signing the MoU.

Prof Manoj Dixit, vice chancellor of Avadh University, said the university will soon help recycle bio degradable refuse into exotic itra (traditional natural perfume), incense sticks and even scented havan ingredients.

Devotees offer about 200 kg flowers and 50 kg tulsi (basil leaves) at the temple every Tuesday and Saturday.

They offer 50 kg flowers on the remaining five days.

Mahant Ramdas said he was delighted that the university had come forward to sign this pact with the temple as it was becoming difficult to dispose of such a large volume of floral waste.

“We are happy that students will collect the floral waste and produce itra out of the flower juice,” he said.

The university had already signed an MoU with the Kannauj-based Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), he added. Production of itra and incense sticks will begin anytime this year, he said.

“We are waiting for the machines to come from Kannauj,” said prof Dixit.

“The students will learn to produce itra from flower juice, incense sticks from dry flowers and fertiliser from leaves. The move will not only help in disposal of floral waste but also generate employment for locals,” said prof Dixit.

The Avadh University has prepared a detailed proposal in association with FFDC, Kannauj, for this purpose. with whom they signed MoU earlier this month.

There were nearly 10,000 big and small temples in Ayodhya that accounted for 10-12 quintal floral waste daily, said Jaswant Singh, professor in environmental sciences department of the university. He is in touch with FFDC for the project.

“The idea is to use discarded flowers and leaves by traditional methods for making fragrance and flavour (itra, incense sticks, etc) with the help of local people and the finished product will be given back to the temples,” he further said.

source:http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Cities> Lucknow / by Rajeev Mullick, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / August 23rd, 2018

Apollo Hospitals acquire 50% stake in Lucknow-based healthcare project

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

“The acquisition of the 50 percent equity stake is through a primary issuance of shares by Medics for a consideration of Rs 91 crore which would be utilised towards hospital commissioning and related expenses,” Apollo Hospitals said.

Apollo Hospital

Apollo Hospitals today said it has acquired 50 percent stake in a Lucknow-based 330-bed super speciality hospital project for a consideration of Rs 91 crore. The acquisition of 50 percent stake in Medics Super Speciality Hospital would help the Chennai-based healthcare major to consolidate its position in Uttar Pradesh, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise said in a regulatory filing.

The project, which is spread over a 3.5 lakh square feet area in Lucknow, is expected to be commissioned by the third quarter of the current financial year, it added.

“The acquisition of the 50 percent equity stake is through a primary issuance of shares by Medics for a consideration of Rs 91 crore which would be utilised towards hospital commissioning and related expenses,” Apollo Hospitals said.

Apollo Hospitals Managing Director Suneeta Reddy said, “In order to strengthen Apollo’s position in the UP region, Apollo was on the lookout for acquisitions to grow inorganically and considers the acquisition as the right choice given the promoter’s background and expertise in healthcare services in Lucknow.”

The healthcare provider expects to leverage its proven track record of performance and operational capabilities to drive growth and profitability at Medics and create long term value for the shareholders, she added.

Medics Super Speciality Hospital’s founder and chairman Sushil Gattani said there is a potential to develop Lucknow as a cost-effective medical travel destination.

Lucknow already attracts around 5-8 percent of its patients from Nepal, he added.

Shares of Apollo Hospitals today ended 3.11 percent down at Rs 1,044.55 on the BSE.

source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / Money Control / Home> News> Business> Companies / by PTI / July 05th, 2018

Now, India’s first paediatric orthopaedic department at KGMU

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
KGMU VC MLB Bhatt and other office-bearers felicitate the department’s first head Prof Ajai Singh (third from right)

Lucknow :

King George’s Medical University (KGMU) has become the first medical institute in the country to have a paediatrics orthopaedic department after the state government gave its nod on Wednesday.

The super-speciality department will also start an MCh degree in paediatrics orthopaedic, currently nowhere else in the country.

The out patient department (OPD) will be functional from June 15 at limb centre and 30 beds would be available for admission of patients from July.

The government sanctioned posts of five faculty members and three senior residents in the department. KGMU had applied for the super-speciality department in April-May 2016. “It took us one and a half year to get MCI’s consent. In November 2017, we asked the state government for manpower,” said Prof Ajai Singh, the first head of the department.

Prof Singh had been running a single faculty unit since 2008, receiving patients from several states. “The department will help in creating a policy for injured children and treatment protocol,” he said.

Around 36% of the patients coming to KGMU Trauma Centre are children with orthopaedic and associated injuries.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Lucknow News> Schools & Colleges / TNN / June 14th, 2018