Category Archives: World Opinion

Lucknow scientists find molecule that fights lifestyle diseases

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technology, World Opinion

A wonder molecule, isolated from a Himalayan tree, may hold the key to a new and efficient drug against diabetes and obesity.

The adiponectin hormone was discovered more than 15 years ago. But despite a large number of laboratory studies demonstrating its potential as a drug candidate, the molecule could not be exploited because of the logistical problems in creating the drug in laboratories.

Indian researchers have now come up with a solution to the problem. They have isolated a molecule from the Himalayan Elm tree that mimics adiponectin. The molecule is orally active, which means it can be developed as an orally consumable medicine.

The drug candidate was isolated from the stem-bark of Kashmir Elm, a tree found in mountains from Afghanistan to Nepal, including Kumaon and Garhwal in India. The tree grows at elevations of 800-3,000 m.

“Initial studies suggest that our molecule (called GTDF based on its long and complicated chemical name) is non-toxic. But we would prefer to do preclinical trial jointly with a company in large animals,” team leader Sabyasachi Sanyal from the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, told Deccan Herald.

Laboratory studies so far have demonstrated the molecule’s ability to tackle lifestyle diseases like diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity. However, it is early days as the drug development process can take anything between 15 and 20 years from the initial leads.

“It is an interesting piece of work that shows GTDF is an orally active adiponectin-receptor activator. The studies will prove a panacea in treating obesity as well as diabetes,” said Avadesha Surolia, an Indian Institute of Science professor not associated with the study.

The CDRI findings have been accepted for publication in American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes.

The Lucknow team stumbled upon the new properties of GTDF while researching on it as a bone-fracture-healing agent.

The same CDRI team in 2012 had reported on the new-bone-forming properties of GTDF, because of which it is being developed as an oral medicine for bone fracture. The technology was transferred to a US company, Kemextree, for drug development.

“While trying to decipher how it conducts its bone-forming activity, we identified it as an orally active small molecule that mimics the action of the hormone adiponectin,” said Sanyal.

The CDRI scientists further studied the compound’s medicinal properties in collaboration with the Zydus Research Centre, Ahmedabad, and the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> National / by Kalyan Ray, New Delhi / DHNS – June 11th, 2014

IIT-K to demonstrate portable UAV today

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Kanpur :

IIT-Kanpur would demonstrate its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It has been developed indigenously.

This portable UAV is light and does not require a runway. It can prove to be of immense help to police, army and other security agencies for patrolling in border areas. Traffic can also be monitored with its help. It can fly at a low height and help in tracking wildlife in jungles.

It can be carried in a bag. In its edition of June 8, 2014, TOI had published that IIT-K has been working on developing a UAV. It now stands developed. IIT-Kanpur director will remain present during the demonstration of UAV at the flight lab situated on the campus.

The UAV can take off by running for just 30 to 50 metres. It is capable to fly at a height of 2,000 metres and keep an eye in a radius of 150 kms.

The wings attached on both sides of UAV can be detached and kept in a bag to be transported anywhere. The UAV uses gasoline and solid fuel. It can stay in the air for 10 hours continuously. Two cameras for functioning during day and night are installed. It can carry a payload of around 12 kgs.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / by Abhinav Malhotra, TNN / March 27th, 2015

With right click, city photog clinches Rs 75L in Dubai

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

Lucknow :

A sudden splash of green amidst a riot of colours and perfect timing in taking the shot helped Lucknow Arts College passout Anurag Kumar bag a prestigious photography award that came with a cash prize of Rs 75 lakh.

“Holi celebrations at Nandgaon and Barsana (Uttar Pradesh) are attended by people from all over the world in large numbers and it is tough to get the perfect shot,” Kumar told TOI on telephone from Dubai, where he won the Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA). “I had spent a lot of time at the scene, when suddenly a man threw greenish blue colour on the riotous crowd. That is when I got my shot,” added the 29-year-old on the making of the coveted picture. Officials at his alma mater from where he passed out in 2011 are set to honour Kumar for bringing fame to the college and the country.

A native of Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district, Kumar pursued graduation and post graduation from Lucknow Arts College and had photographed the Nandgaon Holi scene as part of his travel photography portfolio. In the fourth edition of the Dubai competition, 60,000 photographs from 166 countries had been submitted. The award constituted by the crown prince of Dubai has brought Kumar the opportunity to prepare his photography paraphernalia and portfolio much more professionally. “After the ceremony, winning photographs were put up on display. Many Indians living in Dubai came up and told me how proud they were of me. At that moment it became not just my prize, but India’s grand prize,” he said. Learning photography under Bhupesh Little, it was the appreciation he got that motivated him to keep clicking.

“It is a proud moment for all us. Our students have received national and international accolades, but this one in photography is huge and the biggest so far,” said Arts College principal P Rajiv Nayan, adding, “Once Anurag is back, we will honour him for the achievement and organise interactive sessions with him and the current batch of students.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Yusra Husain, TNN / March 20th, 2015

Lucknow University and Lucknow sub-chapter of TiE organise ‘My Story’

Business & Economy, Education, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion
(L-R) Simran Sahni, Rajesh Ramchandani and AK Mathur
(L-R) Simran Sahni, Rajesh Ramchandani and AK Mathur

The Department of Business Administration, LU, along with the Lucknow sub-chapter of TiE, an association of entrepreneurs, organised a seminar for college as well as school students, and budding entrepreneurs.

Titled, ‘My Story’, the event saw two successful entrepreneurs of the city, Rajesh Ramchandani and Pankaj Agarwal, addressing the gathering and sharing with them their journeys.

While Pankaj spoke about his experiences in the education sector, Rajesh narrated his remarkable journey from a small town boy to a globe-trotting industrialist. The speeches had their share of emotional as well as humorous moments, and were thoroughly appreciated by the audience.

The objective of the event was to inspire management students to take to entrepreneurship rather than pursue the time-honoured goal of getting a ‘good job’.

The event was well attended by students from LUMBA and other management institutes, as well as by members of Lucknow Management Association’s Young Managers Forum.

Sachin Sahni, member of TiE took care of the proceedings along with Khushal Bhargava. Prof Medhavi, the Head of the Department of Business Administration of Lucknow University also addressed the audience.

The event concluded with the students of a city school giving a presentation on entrepreneurship, led by their principal Dr Manjula Goswami.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Saloni Tandon, TNN / March 12th, 2015

BHU research associate recognized as Super Woman for contributions

Agriculture, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Varanasi :

To mark the International Women’s Day, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) recognised Chhavi Tiwari, senior research associate at Banaras Hindu University, as Super Woman for her dedication to empowering women farmers by making them aware of the value of micronutrient-rich wheat.

According to BHU spokesperson, she has been working with the Harvest Plus programme with active collaboration and support from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to empower women farmers by making them aware of the value of micronutrient-rich wheat. Her on-farm training programmes increase their understanding of crop and soil management techniques, aiding in the improved production of wheat varieties high in zinc content.

CIMMYT grew out of a pilot programme sponsored by the Mexican government and the Rockefeller Foundation in the 1940s-50s to raise Mexico’s farm productivity. The wheat specialist in this program, Norman Borlaug, worked with Mexican researchers and farmers to develop strong, short-stemmed varieties that resisted the rust diseases and gave much more grain than traditional varieties.

The relationship between India and CIMMYT is one of the longest and most productive in the world of international agricultural research and development. For more than 40 years, scientists from India and CIMMYT have been working together to improve food security and agricultural production systems.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) report, Zinc deficiency is attributed to 800,000 deaths each year and affects about one-third of the world’s population. It can lead to short stature, hypogonadism, impaired immune function, skin disorders, cognitive dysfunction and anorexia. Additionally, it causes approximately 16 per cent of lower respiratory tract infections, 18 per cent cases of malaria and 10 per cent cases of diaorrhea worldwide.

According to CIMMYT, enhancing the micronutrient content in wheat through bio-fortification is increasingly seen as an important tool to help improve the livelihoods of the most vulnerable, poorest and least educated sectors of society. Working closely with women’s self-help groups, Chhavi demonstrated the importance of wheat varieties high in zinc content through a participatory variety-selection approach, increasing the potential agronomic and nutritional benefit of these varieties for fast-track adoption.

Through her inclusive approach, a great deal of interest in high zinc wheat varieties has been generated among women farmers. Her efforts have contributed to the adoption of nutritious wheat varieties the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, leading to the potential for technology dissemination in neighboring states. Engaging with rural women farmers is a core interest of Chhavi’s. She consults women farmers on their views and gives them the opportunity to participate in a decision-making process that increases their investment in agriculture and nutrition. Her activities play a crucial role in uplifting women by alleviating malnutrition and hunger through nutritious wheat.

Chhavi is the recipient of the 2010 CIMMYT- Cereal System Initiative of South Asia (CSISA) research fellowship and the Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum Award from the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative in 2014.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / by Binay Singh, TNN / March 08th, 2015

Noted cancer specialist to enter into collaborative research with IIT-K

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Kanpur :

Celebrated tumour biologist, Prof Rakesh Jain of Harvard Medicine School, USA, during his visit to IIT-Kanpur on Monday said that he had held deliberations with department of science and technology (DST) and department of biotechnology (DBT) in Delhi on Saturday last to initiate research work on cancer in India, especially with IIT-Kanpur, which is also his alma mater. Prof Jain during the convocation ceremony of the premier institute on Monday was awarded the honorary degree ‘honoris causa’. He had come with his spouse and two daughters to receive the degree.

Director of IIT-K Prof Indranil Manna said, “Prof Jain spoke to me on collaborative cancer research and if DST or DBT proposes some research work on cancer, then it could be taken up”. Prof Jain had told TOI that he would like to enter into collaborative research with IIT-Kanpur.

Meanwhile, Prof Jain delivered a talk on ‘Cancer and its new treatment methods’ on Monday evening. He spoke in detail about the causes of cancer, possible treatment and what’s new in cancer research. He said that smoking which is the major cause of cancer among the people has hit millions of people across the world. He also spoke about his research contribution and latest cancer treatment by immune therapy.

Under ‘Immune Therapy’ special drugs are injected into the body of the cancer patient. The weak immune system of a human body also makes it difficult for proper treatment of the cancer as otherwise the cancerous tumour spreads further.

Prof Jain said that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in US has approved the drugs to be administered to the cancer patients, and his cancer treatment has been put to use by the doctors in US. The new method is expected to reach India soon, enabling cancer patients to get well completely.

Talking to TOI, Prof Jain said, “Though, at present there are treatments available for treating tumours but still a better clinical technique is needed in some types of cancers to provide relief to the patients. To evolve a new technique, we researched on the mirco-environment of the tumour and observed that there was abnormality in the tumour’s environment. This caused resistance to the treatment administered to the patient. Therefore, we decided to convert the abnormality inside the tumour’s environment to a normal environment. This proved to be successful.”

He said that cancer turns very aggressive when the abnormality in the micro-environment of the tumour causes resistance to the drugs. Giving deep insight into his research, Prof Jain said, “Such drugs have been developed in the US, and also approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which can reprogramme the microenvironment of the tumour. The patients suffering from skin cancer are being treated with immune therapy at present.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / by Abhinav Malhotra, TNN / February 25th, 2015

Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) launches EO Uttar Pradesh

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Lucknow :

The world’s largest peer-to-peer network of entrepreneurs have announced their arrival to Lucknow with the unveiling of the EO UP Chapter. Since 1987, EO has been transforming the lives of the entrepreneurs who seek to bring revolution in the world. As the global thought leader on entrepreneurship, EO plays an integral role in business, industry and the lives of leading entrepreneurs everywhere.

The latest entrant in the South Asia region, EO UP brings to the network a formidable array of entrepreneurs from across sectors: power, food, chemicals, dairy, leather, construction, auto and auto components, newspaper and railway components. With combined sales in excess of 4,000 crores, and total direct employee strength of more than 13,500 people, the chapter is charting a strategic growth plan for the next five years with the aim of bringing more entrepreneurs into the community.

EO undertakes several initiatives across its chapters to foster learning, development and inclusive growth within the entrepreneur community. It brings together the brightest minds across sectors and sparks intelligent discourse to drive the spirit of success, integrity and continued learning among its members. “With once-in-a-lifetime experiences and opportunities to engage with industry experts and mentors, EO brings its members closer to success”, said the company.

Speaking at the launch, Sanjay Jhunjhunwala, Founding President, EO UP said, “As entrepreneurs, we are all very busy building our own companies. EO serves as a binding force, bringing together entrepreneurs from different walks of life, drawing their individual strengths towards a shared goal of inclusive growth, learning and prosperity. We are very excited about the launch of the UP chapter and we hope to continue growing this network, building from one success to the next.”

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 10,000 influential business owners with 142 chapters in 46 countries. Founded in 1987, EO is the catalyst that enables leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow, leading to greater success in business and beyond.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Priyanka Singh, TNN / February 26th, 2015

Scot’s search for his roots

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
Nicholas Graves looking at one of the photos inside the carriage used by the Nizam State Guaranteed Railways at Lallaguda on Tuesday.– Photo: By Arrangement
Nicholas Graves looking at one of the photos inside the carriage used by the Nizam State Guaranteed Railways at Lallaguda on Tuesday.– Photo: By Arrangement

With just pension saving details dating to the era of last Nizam, Scottish national Nicholas Graves embarked on a search for his maternal ancestors at Lallaguda Railway Carriage Workshop.

On Tuesday, Mr. Graves looked for anything that could reveal information about his great grandfather from his maternal side, James Theodre, who worked for the Nizam State Guaranteed Railways (NSGR) as a loco fitter in 1932 at Lallaguda.

Mr. Graves has his ancestor’s pension saving details, couple of photographs of his maternal grandmother and grandfather who were married at a church in Lucknow, along with their marriage certificate.

“It started eight years ago when I developed interest in my ancestry. Researching my paternal ancestry, I have been able to track it back to four centuries. But I know very little about my maternal side,” Mr. Graves said during his tour of the workshop.

His ancestor James Theodre was born in India in 1897. The pension book with Mr. Graves shows that James earned Rs. 52 in 1932. His daughter and Mr. Graves’s maternal grandmother, Phyllis Margret Champion, was also born in India and later married an army man from England in Lucknow.

“After they got married in 1938, there is no record of my maternal grandparents visiting India or any clues about their parents, including James Theodre,” he said, pointing to an incomplete family tree he has put together.

Mr. Graves’s grandparents died when he was a child and there isn’t much he knows of them.

His mother and his aunt could only offer him the artefacts he has with him. But he knows it’s not much to go on.

His resolve to uncover his ancestry was motivated by Londoner Duncan Hart, who posted a video detailing his visit to Hyderabad to learn about his grandfather’s past more than two years ago. Though he did not meet Mr. Hart’s success at the workshop on Tuesday, Mr. Graves is optimistic.

Should he decide to persist with his search, Mr. Graves’s next stop would be St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lucknow, where he hopes to get details about his grandfather and grandmother, which would later help build a bigger picture of his maternal ancestry.

Nicholas Graves, a Scottish national, is in the city in search of his maternal ancestor who worked for the Nizam State Guaranteed Railways in 1932 at Lallaguda

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Rohit P S / Hyderabad – February 18th, 2015

Municipal Corporation to light up memorial of 257 freedom fighters

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinion

Bareilly :

The Bareilly Municipal Corporation is all set to light up the memorial of 257 freedom fighters who laid down their lives during the country’s first war of independence in 1857.

The tower built in their memory is situated in the compound housing the office of divisional commissioner.

Though the memorial was built in 2006, there are no lights at the venue, plunging the place into darkness after evening hours.

The municipal authorities will install high mast lights around the memorial so that the venue is well lit and easily visible to commuters on the road running in front of the park during late evening hours.

After divisional commissioner Pradyuman Yadav took over as Bareilly commissioner, he asked municipal authorities to light up the park where the memorial is situated

“It was disappointing to learn that the tower built in the memory of 257 freedom fighters is lying in darkness. A majority of the locals are unaware about the importance and historical significance of this place,” said Sheeldhar Yadav, municipal commissioner.

Teams of municipal corporation visited the park where the memorial tower is situated on Sunday to survey the area. “We will install white or cream-colour high mast lights around the memorial so that it is able to grab the attraction of commuters moving on the opposite side of roads,” said the commissioner, adding that the work will be completed in the next 10 days.

Explaining the significance of this memorial, Yadav said these 257 freedom fighters were hanged to death on the branches of the banyan tree situated next to tower. During the first revolt of Independence against the British, Bareilly was the headquarter of Rohilkhand region, which included districts of Bareilly, Moradabad, Badaun, Pilibhit, Bijnor, Rampur and Shahjahanpur. On May 31, 1857, the freedom fighters killed British officials, including the principal of Bareilly College, during the revolt.

After their victory, the freedom fighters had made Khan Bahadur Khan, who was the grandson of Hafiz Rehmat Khan, the ruler of Rohilkhand region. Khan formed his own government and ruled the region till May 5, 1858. However, on the morning of May 5, the army of British forces gheraoed the city from all four corners. The British forces defeated the freedom fighters the next day by bombarding the city.

“Khan, along with his trustworthy 257 sepoys, fled to Nepal but British forces, with the help of Nepalese, captured them,” said Abhay Singh, associate professor, department of ancient history and culture at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (MJP) Rohilkhand University.

On March 25, 1860, Khan was sentenced in the district jail of Bareilly, but 257 freedom fighters, who fought with him, were hanged to death with rope on the branches of the banyan tree in the presence of locals. The state government had constructed the tower next to the banyan tree in 2006 in memory of these freedom fighters.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bareilly / by Priyangi Agarwal, TNN / February 16th, 2015

79 tour operators from 27 countries to give global touch to UP’s first Travel Mart

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Travel, World Opinion

Lucknow :

The four-day long UP’s first Travel Mart, which would begin on February 22 is likely to witness participation of as many as 79 tour operators from 27 countries. This also includes 25 tour operators from India. Director general of tourism Amrit Abhijat said that the Travel Mart would be inaugurated by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, and would be held at La Martiniere Boys College ground.

He further stated that earlier the event used to be held in Jaipur under the name of ‘great Indian Travel Bazaar’, but under an agreement between FICCI and UP Tourism, the event has been slated for Lucknow, and for the next five years, it would be held in Lucknow.

“The Travel Mart would prove to be useful both for domestic and international tour operators, and at the same time, it would add another dimension to the different tourist places of the state,” Abhijat said, and added that it will also help the foreign tour operators to design better tour packages keeping in mind the historical monuments of the state.

A meeting was also held recently to formalise the preparations of the Travel Mart. The meeting was attended by Amit Gupta (of FICCI), ASI director PK Mishra, head of Heritage Hotel Association PND Singh and Salim Ali and Tariq Khan (of Roomi Foundation). A meeting was also held under the chairmanship of Mahesh Kumar Gupta, divisional commissioner of Lucknow, which was also attended by Amrit Abhijat and other senior officials.

The meeting which is jointly organised by FICCI and UP Tourism is likely to see maximum participation of 8 tour operators from United Kingdom, followed by 7 each from China and Australia, 6 each from Germany and Thailand, and 5 from the USA.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Arunav Sinha, TNN / February 17th, 2015