Category Archives: World Opinion

World’s first official airmail was delivered in Sangam city in 1911

Amazing Feats, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

Allahabad :

Sangam city had been witness to a historic occasion when the world’s first official airmail delivery took place on February 18, 1911. French pilot Henri Pequet took off on a bi-plane from Parade ground with 6,500 letters for the satellite town of Naini to raise funds for charity. The plane covered five miles in around 13 minutes to land at Naini. It was later termed as the world’s first official airmail

“The chaplain of Holy Trinity Church (presently situated on Sarojini Naidu Marg) required money to raise funds for a new hostel. In a unique coincidence, British commander Walter G Windham was in the city with airplane related machines and an imported aeroplane to participate in a cultural and handicraft exhibition on Parade Ground,” said R N Yadav, senior post master, Allahabad region.

“Later, fate brought the clergyman to Windham. He persuaded Windham to perform an aerial show to raise fund for the construction of a hostel. Windham later conceived the aerial show as as an airmail delivery event, which became historic due to its importance,” Yadav said adding that it was the world’s first officially documented airmal delivery.

“Windham felt that it could be advertisement for the exhibition as well as a demonstration of rapid and safe transportation of mails. Thus, the idea of the world’s first official airplane mail was born. Those interested in availing the service were asked to send their mail addressed and stamped to the chaplain of the Holy Trinity Church,” Yadav told TOI.

Philatelist Suryakant Awasthi said, “The clergyman had asked nominal sum of six annas per letter as a contribution for building the new hostel building. Only cards or letters weighing under one ounce in weight were accepted. A large number of people participated as the occasion was unique and letters addressed to people all over the globe were received.”

The letters include those addressed to Jawaharlal Nehru, King George V and several maharajas.

He said pilot Pequet was entrusted with the task of flying the Sommer bi-plane, which had a rotary Gnome engine of 50 horsepower. Pequet started at 5 pm and the landing took place after 13 minutes near Naini junction. When Pequet descended, there was no crowd to greet him. He merely handed over the mail bag to the only post department official present there and returned to Allahabad.

Pequet flew the plane at the speed of 60 miles per hour at a height of 120-150 feet.

The postal department, alongwith the Air Force, enacted the flying of world’s first air-mail as part of centenary celebrations on February 18, 2011, with equal number of letters but from Bamrauli airport to Naini.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Allahabad / Vinod Khanal / TNN / October 15th, 2016

Stories of UP attract travel writers

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel, World Opinion

Lucknow:

For travel blogger NP Prasad, Uttar Pradesh is a “land of many Indias in one place.” “Everything you can think about India is there is Uttar Pradesh. “Each of these has an interesting story behind,” said Prasad.

Prasad is a part of a team of 44 travel writers and bloggers from across the world who were here to participate in the second edition of the UP Travel Writers’ Conclave.

Organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Worldwide Media Private Limited, the effort aims at promoting places of interest in and around Agra, Varanasi and Lucknow – the three destinations in the Heritage Arc, the tourist corridor being developed by UP government.

The itineraries, which span four days, cover the length and breadth of the three cities that form the core of Uttar Pradesh’s cultural heritage.

The participants would get to explore the various facets of the state — from food, heritage to wildlife, textiles and landscapes. The travels will culminate into a travel writers’ conclave in Varanasi on October 16.

Fourteen persons of the large group chose Lucknow over Varanasi and Agra. Their journey began on Wednesday with the inauguration ceremony at chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s residence here. In his interaction with team, the chief minister said: “Historic places in UP are interesting because of interesting anecdotes of existence besides their living traditions. I think you will have enough material to pen down.”

“I have come to see the heart of Uttar Pradesh,” said Lakshmi Sharath from Bengaluru. She has been to Agra earlier but is convinced that the land of the Taj is not UP’s heart. “It’s too touristy,” she remarked adding, “I look forward to the crafts and culture and their stories in Lucknow.”

Travel journalist from Delhi Malavika Bhattacharya confessed that Lucknow appeared to be more beautiful than her expectation. “I can feel a good mix of architecture and food in Lucknow,” she said.

Award-winning travel journalist from Ireland Isabel Conway was also impressed by the partly-Colonial nature of Lucknow’s heritage. “I have to visit the Residency,” said the resident of Ireland.

Anita Raokashi is another foodie travel writer from Bengaluru. “I look forward to the original Tundey (famous kebab makers in Lucknow),” she said . Sejal, editor of Mumbai based nature and focus portal, was more interested in getaways from Lucknow. All set for Dudhwa and Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuaries, she said, “Wildlife in UP is being talked about.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Lucknow / by Shailvee Sharda / TNN / October 14th, 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

UP sets world record for planting 5cr trees in 24 hours

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion

Lucknow :

Uttar Pradesh now holds a world record for planting maximum, 5 crore, trees in a single day. On Saturday, Guinness gave the certificate to state government for planting 5core trees in 24 hours on July 11.

It was on July 11 that more than 5.3 crore trees were planted at 6,166 plantation sites, and 81,000 hectare, in 80 forest divisions of UP. The campaign started with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav planting two Verna trees at his residence.

While chief minister planted trees in Kanpur dehat, SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav planted eight saplings at Kukrail forest division.

Students and teachers, people from different communities, PAC battalion, army jawans, NCC cadets, farmers participated in the plantation drive apart from ministers and MLAs all over the state.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / by Neha Shukla / TNN / August 13th, 2016

Kanpur boy develops Web app, wins global competition

Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Kanpur :

Simran Singh, a student of Class 12 of Sheiling House School, brought laurels to his parents and the institution by winning a global competition, ‘Imagine Cup-Earth’ which was conducted by Microsoft. Simran, who had been learning the basics of coding since 13 years of age, managed to design a web application (app) on algae named, ‘Project Vision’ which predicts algae levels and plots it in the form of an image on the desktop monitor or laptop screen.

Simran won the first prize in the competition and was awarded a cash prize of $3000 and a gift hamper. He also had the privilege of meeting Satya Nadella, CEO Microsoft at an event of the company in New Delhi on May 31 where he introduced his web app to him. Simran had never thought of that he would ever get a chance to meet CEO of Mircosoft and when he got a mail from Mircosoft in which he was apprised about his meeting with the top boss of Microsoft, the boy could not believe this. He even practised for days what to say upon meeting Microsoft CEO.

The school which earned a name because of Simran, ensured felicitating this meritorious boy in the morning assembly. The parents of Simran are an extremely delighted lot who see a bright career for their son in coming future. Simran is now both preparing for his Class XII board exams and JEE Mains scheduled to be held next year.

“One day in the month of October 2015, I got a mail from Microsoft in which there was a mention about the global competition named ‘Imagine Cup-Earth’. As I knew coding, I decided to take part in the event and informed my parents about it. Due to my exams, I had to leave the task of developing the app in the midway. It was just two days before the deadline that the app could be readied. Once it was ready, I gained confidence of winning this competition and this proved to be true”, said Simran while talking to TOI.

He mentioned that there was a requirement of developing the web application and posting its three images and a video along with the link to access it on given website address for taking part in the competition. He also said that the friends proved to be of a great help in developing the web application.

On being asked about what this web application can do, Simran said that this app can predict the level of algae in the sea by providing certain details such as weather, level of salt in the water etc.

“I was asked by Microsoft CEO during our meeting in Delhi on May 31 about the future use of this web application to which I had apprised him that this app could be integrated with the computerised machines that do weather forecast. Along with the weather forecast, the level of algae could also be known. I told Satya sir about the functioning of the app,” Simran said.

He added that the level of algae in sea has to be at optimum level. “If algae increases in water it prevents the sunlight from penetrating deep inside the sea and this is harmful for the aquatic life. If the level of algae decreases, it reduces the dissolved oxygen in water,” informed Simran while talking to TOI.

“It was wonderful meeting Satya sir. I had never thought of getting this moment in my life. The school also felicitated me during the morning assembly. My parents are a proud lot and now I look forward to pursue BTech in Computer Science engineering from renowned IIT next year for which my preparations are underway,” said Simran, whose parents own a business in Jawahar Nagar.

Simran’s parents Jaspal Singh and Harvinder Kaur and school principal, Vanita Mehrotra could not stop praising this meritorious boy on achieving this feat.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kanpur / by Abhinav Malhotra / TNN / August 06th, 2016

New batch of IITKanpur students attempt to make a world record of flying maximum paper planes

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

Kanpur :

The new lot of undergraduate and postgraduate students who have just taken admission in IIT-Kanpur, attempted to make a new Guinness world record of flying maximum number of air planes. A total of 2100 paper planes were flown in the air on Tuesday afternoon by 1050 students. The unique activity undertaken was aimed at giving a social message to the students. The entire process was filmed by the drone cameras and was also manually monitored so that the authenticity of the paper flying event could be established before the office bearers of Guinness World Records. The event had been organised a day before the commencement of the classes of the new students by the ‘Counselling Service’ of IIT-Kanpur. The previous record attempted by was students of a college in Indore in 2015 in which 2000 air planes were flown.

Talking to TOI, head, Counselling Service, IITKanpur, Prof MK Ghorai said, “We attempted to break the record of flying 2000 air planes by a college in Indore last year. A total of 1050 students participated in the World Record bid of flying 2100 planes. Each student had been given two paper planes to fly and on each paper plane a unique social message was written. After the planes came down on the ground they were picked by the students who participated in the event. They then came across the messages that were written on them. The students vowed that they will follow these messages as a practice in their life.”

Prof Ghorai said that while students had written messages that they will donate their eyes, others had written that they will donate blood. He said that students wrote that they will help the poor and ensure that they teach students free of cost.

During the event senior officers of SBI and Union Bank of India were present as observors. On each participating first semester student, student guides (senior of second year) was appointed by the counselling service to monitor the attempt made to make a world record of flying maximum number of paper planes. This was done to maintain transperancy and to ensure that all the 2100 air planes took flight in air.

Dean of Students Affairs, Prof AR Harish said that the main purpose of the event was to give social message to the students who have just joined the institute and would be staying here for a duration of four years during their BTech course.

Prof Ghorai said that the soon the entire set of documents including the footages shot by the drone camera to the Guinness World Record office so that they could cross-check our game.

The event was held in the auditorium ground of the institute. The event turned out to be colourful one with 2100 paper planes taking flight. From Wednesday, the first semester students will have their first class and this activity had been planned in such a way that it could be executed a day before the start of the classes.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kanpur / by Abhinav Malhotra / TNN / July 27th, 2016

The Fairfield by Marriott opens in Lucknow

Business & Economy, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

Global hospitality major Marriott International today opened The Fairfield by Marriott, Lucknow, the second property of the company in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

Marriott is already operating ‘Renaissance Lucknow’ in the city, which opened in September, the firm said in a release.

The Fairfield by Marriott offers the largest room inventory in the city with 222 rooms.

“We are excited to bring the Fairfield By Marriott brand to North India, we believe the market is ideal for a brand like Fairfield which sets the standards of delivering a great hotel experience at an affordable price point.

“With the opening of this hotel we continue to strengthen our relationship in Lucknow. This hotel will help us gain a formidable presence in the market, along with providing a strategic advantage of having a multi-brand presence in the city,” said Marriott Market Vice-President (South Asia) Neeraj Govil.

The Fairfield by Marriott brand is a front-runner in the moderate tier segment catering to a target guest looking for a comfortable stay and ‘international’ service at great value.

Considered a growth engine for the company’s expansion in Asia with 13 hotels signed in India and additional properties signed in Nepal and Indonesia, Fairfield By Marriott represents an opportunity for Marriott International to move into new locations and markets.

Marriott International is a global lodging company based in Maryland, US, with more than 4,400 properties in 87 countries and territories.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National / Press Trust of India, Mumbai / July 05th, 2016

Indian students win 5 medals at Olympiad

Education, Records, All, World Opinion
With flying colours:The Indian contingent at the 47th International Physics Olympiad at Zurich, Switzerland. —Photo: Special Arrangement
With flying colours:The Indian contingent at the 47th International Physics Olympiad at Zurich, Switzerland. —Photo: Special Arrangement

Five Indian students, who participated in the 47th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Zurich in Switzerland, last week, have got three gold medals and two silver medals, officials from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) said on Monday.

Debaditya Pramanik from Kolkata, Preey Hiten Shah from Mumbai, and Gowtham Amirthya S.N. from Hyderabad won gold, while Divyansh Garg from Jaipur and Manan Bhatia from Lucknow got silver, showing a 100 per cent result at this year’s Olympiad. They will be felicitated at a ceremony at TIFR’s Mankhurd office on Tuesday.

The 47th edition of the IPhO was held from July 11 to July 17. A total of 398 students from 84 countries took part. The competition had a theoretical and an experimental examination, each of five-hour duration.

The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, a national centre of TIFR, is the nodal centre in the country for all science Olympiads (physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and astrophysics and junior science) and the mathematical Olympiad. The centre selects and trains the Indian teams.

The five winners were selected through a three-stage process. The first one consisted of a nationwide physics examination for which over 44,000 students appeared across 1,300 centres. The remaining two stages had a series of selection tests: theoretical and practical.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mumbai Local / by Special Correspondent / Mumbai – July 19th, 2016