Category: Manufacturing

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: AMAZING CONSTRUCTION FEAT: India’s First 3D-Printed Post Office Built in just 43 days, Opens in Bengaluru

The structure cost Rs 26 lakh to erect, which is 40% less than the conventional construction process.

 India’s first post office building using 3D printing technology was declared open by Communications and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday at Cambridge Layout in the city.

Built in just 43 days, the structure cost Rs 26 lakh to erect, which is 40% less than the conventional construction process.

The built-up area of the post office is 1021 square feet with Larsen & Tourbo Limited constructing it under the technological guidance of IIT Madras.

Speaking after launching it virtually from the General Post Office, Vaishnaw lauded the giant strides India has taken in new technology like the 4G, 5G and the Vande Bharat Express making full use of indigenous talent. “The noise level inside the Vande Bharat is 100 times less than that inside an aeroplane. While the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) takes 54 seconds to achieve an acceleration of 100 kmph, the Vande Bharat does it in 52 seconds,” he said.

Chief Postmaster General S Rajendra Kumar billed the new technology as cost-effective and environment-friendly. Explaining the 3D construction process, he said there are two types involved. “One construction process involves printing of building elements at a manufacturing facility and assembling at site. The other process is to do the building construction on-site, as per the input design. The new PO building falls under the latter category,” he said.

Operations Head of L & T, South and East, George Abraham said the total digital workflow eliminates human error. “The construction cost involved is just 40% of the conventional construction method. Since it is a fully automated process, it assures excellent product quality and is sustainable,” he said.

Elaborating on the construction technology, a release said, “A robotic printer deposits the concrete layer by layer as per the approved design. Special grade concrete which hardens quickly is used to ensure bonding between the layers for printing the structure.”

Later, fielding queries from newspersons, Vaishnaw assured that the Centre was committed to the implementation of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project as soon as possible. On the Vande Bharat Express not touching the promised speed limit in Karnataka, the minister said that it would happen when the railway tracks are upgraded.

Asked if next year’s election process was delaying the framing of rules for the personal data protection law introduced recently, the Information Technology Minister replied in the negative.

Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan, Postmaster General, Bengaluru Region, L K Dash, and Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, IIT Madras, Manu Santhanam were present.

Minister’s visit to post office marred by protest

The Communications Minister’s visit to the new post office post-launch was marred by protests from supporters of Shanti Nagar MLA N A Haris who alleged that the local MLA was shown disrespect by not being invited to the function and not having his name printed on the invitation. They were dressed in black, blocked a portion of the road and raised slogans in support of Haris.

A top postal official, however, said, “Postal officials had gone in person to invite him on Thursday. His grouse was that he had been invited late for the function. He told us yesterday itself that a protest would be organised by his supporters. Moreover, only the minister’s name was printed on the invite. The name of the MP or top officials was not printed.”  

The protest forced Vaishnaw to leave the venue immediately. “Many BJP workers were waiting with bouquets to meet the minister and have a brief chat with him. We are really disappointed with the behaviour of the Congress workers,” said a local BJP leader.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: National Handloom Day: Lambani Tribal Women Weave Dreams of better Future

With rampant poverty, alcoholic husbands and the sword of migration hanging over their heads, the Lambani community women of Arakeri have recently found a new lease of life in age-old art.

Adorned in ivory bangles up to her arms and clothes with sparkling bits of mirror work, 30-year-old Sunanda Jadhav of the nomadic Lambani community in Karnataka’s Vijayapura carries off her traditional attire with grace and embroiders exquisite designs on fabric effortlessly.

Jhadav, a single mother to four young children, is among 60 odd women working with Banjara Kasuti — an all-woman NGO working to revive the age-old textile art.

Their lives and livelihood, up till a few years ago, were hanging by a thread.

Rampant poverty, alcoholic husbands and the sword of migration — in search of back-breaking jobs in agriculture or construction — hanging over their heads, the Lambani community women of the nondescript village of Arakeri have recently found a new lease of life in the age-old art.

This year is ushering in a new hope for them.

Armed with confidence, skill and some hard-earned money, these women are now weaving the threads to a brighter future for themselves and perhaps, their dying traditional art.

Not for nothing, a shy and quiet Jhadav, hesitant to take most questions, parrots the names of various geometric-pattern Lambani stitches — from ‘Kilan’, ‘Vella’ to ‘Pote’ and ‘Nakra’ — with great aplomb on cue.

“My husband abandoned me and our four children nine years ago. With nowhere to go, I came to Banjara Kasuti in October 2017. It is because of this job that I am somehow able to feed my children and fund their education. Everything I know of Lambani art, I learnt it here,” she uttered as her fingers adeptly sewed stitches on a mirror-embellished black patch.

Lambani art, for the unversed, is a form of textile embellishment practised by the Lambani or the Banjara community, a nomadic group inhabiting several states of India, including Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka.

It involves an elaborate use of colourful threads, stitching of mirrors, decorative beads, small cowries shells and even low denomination coins and a rich array of stitch patterns on loosely woven fabric.

According to the 2011 Census, the population of Karnataka’s Lambani tribe, listed as a Scheduled Caste community, stood at about 12.68 lakh.

The money they make, Rs 250 per day, might seem like loose change to city-dwellers but to these women, it means “financial independence” and “self-reliance”.

Asha Patil, who founded Banjara Kasuti in 2017 with Seema Kishore, said money in their pockets ensures that the women are no more reliant on their husbands for their well-being.

“Earlier, some of these women would embroider these Lamabani patches at home and their husbands would sell them on beaches of Goa or flea markets in nearby towns. That way, the money always remained with the husbands. Now, the money is with the women and as a result, the decision on how to use that money is theirs. In many households, this newfound financial independence is giving women their well-deserved seat at the table,” Patil told PTI.

Besides money, the opportunity of escaping harsh field jobs in the scorching heat of Vijayapura — also called the ‘Jaisalmer of Karnataka’ due to its hot weather — for the safe environs of home or well-equipped centres of Banjara Kasuti is lucrative enough for these Lambani women to pick up the thread and needle and save their art from an existential threat.

For 32-year-old Kavita Rathore, this is the “best job” available in her village as she can share a laugh, shed tears and even indulge in the occasional gossip with other women of her age while creating the “best-in-class” Lambani art.

Her favourite is the ‘Tera Dora’ stitch, and given a chance, she would like to sew something for her favourite singer Himesh Reshammiya.

“We are allowed to work from home also. But I make it a point to come here and do the six-hour shifts and go home only for lunch breaks. This is a good distraction from household chores, plus there is always someone to help if you get stuck somewhere,” Rathore, who recently stitched a ‘Phetiya Kanchali’ — the traditional outfit of Lambani women — for her mother-in-law, said.

Though founded in 2017, it was only in October 2022 that the NGO entered the market with its line of apparel and bags ranging from Rs 1,200 to 10,000.

It has showcased products in five exhibitions, four in Bengaluru and one in Mangaluru, and is already in talks with Dastkar, a prominent organisation working to support traditional Indian craftspeople, for collaboration and furthering the business.

Happy with the response in the market so far, Kishore, a diploma holder in fashion designing, admitted the “immense competition” from cheap machine-made goods they face and urged people to realise what might be a “fashion statement” for them is the “livelihood” of these artisans.

The NGO aims to scale its workforce to 100-150 artisans this year or latest by March 2024.

“These artisans are in dire need of our support. We all have to take care of them and the fading Lambani art form. Machines can take over the world but we, human beings, too need to live, right? Please save the planet and these artisans,” Kishore said, adding that Banjara Kasauti would soon come out with its home furnishing collection as well.

And the Lambani women know the truth rather too well, which is why most of them, even after earning their bread and butter from this traditional art, don’t want their children to take it up.

The irony was not lost on Patil and Kishore, even though the duo are hopeful that their stitch in time would save both the Lambani art and the tribe.

National Handloom Day is observed on August 7 every year to pay tribute to the handloom-weaving community of India and highlight the contribution of this sector to the socio-economic development of the country.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY: Bolas Agro Pvt Ltd. receives’Karnataka State Exports Excellence Award 2021′ for Udupi District

Bolas Agro Pvt. Ltd., Karkala, a manufacturer specialised in dry fruits and nuts, has received the Karnataka State Exports Excellence Award 2021 for Udupi district.

Directors of the company Rajat Kamath Bola and Anjani Kamath received the award at a ceremony organised by the Karnataka State Export Excellence Awards Committee at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru recently in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, a company release said.

“This recognition fuels our passion to explore new horizons, innovate, and contribute further to the world of exports. We vow to continue our pursuit of excellence, upholding the highest standards in the industry and delivering the finest quality products,” Mr. Rajat Kamath said on the occasion.

source/content; thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY / TEXTILES: G.I tagged Udupi Sari dyed with Arecanut ‘chogaru’ Natural Dyes to be launched tomorrow

In addition, the GI tag enjoying Udupi sari has been made using natural dyes from leaf of wild almond, root of ‘manjistha’.

The Udupi handloom sari, which enjoys Geographical Indication (GI) tag, dyed using natural arecanut ‘chogaru’ is set to be launched on Monday.

The ‘chogaru’ is a reddish-brown liquid obtained during the processing of arecanut. After harvesting the unripened arecanut, farmers boil the kernel or tender nuts and later dry the nuts for selling. The water thus boiled is called ‘chogaru’ in Kannada. Farmers discard or throw away this liquid.

Now Talipady Primary Weavers Service Cooperative Society Ltd., Kinnigoli, Dakshina Kannada, under the guidance of Kadike Trust, a non-government organisation based at Karkala in Udupi district, promoter of Udupi sari, has used the ‘chogaru’ for colouring the Udupi saris woven by it. The society is among the five weavers’ cooperative societies which has obtained the authorisation certificate to use the GI tag for Udupi sari.

Mamatha Rai, president, Kadike Trust, told The Hindu that arecanut ‘chogaru’ dyed saris with brown and pink shades will be launched at a function on the premises of the society at Kinnigoli on July 31. “It is for the first time arecanut ‘chogaru’ has been used for colouring Udupi sari,” she said.

In multiple shades

In addition, she said, Udupi sari naturally dyed after processing leaf of wild almond tree has been woven in yellow and black shades. The weavers of the same society have produced sari dyed using the root of ‘manjistha’ (Indian Madder), which is a climbing or scrambling herb. These saris are in orange, pink and red shades. “All the three (arecanut ‘chogaru’, leaf of wild almond tree and ‘manjistha’ root) are new natural dyes used in making of Udupi sari,” Ms. Rai said adding that the latter two will also be launched on Monday.

She said that these initiatives are expected to boost the recognition for Udupi sari further. The Udupi sari received GI tag first in 2016. The Talipady Society was the first authorised user of the GI tag for the sari. The trust arranged training programmes for weavers with the help of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

At Charaka earlier

Earlier, Charaka Women’s Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Heggodu, in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district and some other garment makers have used arecanut ‘chogaru’ as the natural dye in their garment products.

According to the trust, the Udupi sari is woven using the best quality single ply combed cotton yarns for both warp and weft. Artificial zari or cotton yarns are used to create design in body, border and pallu portion using extra weft technique. The sari has plain or checked design in the body and dobby or plain design in the border. Light shades are used for the body, bright and contrast colours for the border and pallu.

Ms. Rai said that SELCO India has arranged solar equipment to the Talipady Society. They include dryer, pulveriser, winding device, water heater and lighting system.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: ENERGY / OIL & GAS: Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals (MRPL) Becomes Largest Single Location PSU-Refinery of India

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), a mini Ratna CPSE PSU refinery based in coastal Karnataka and a subsidiary of ONGC, has become the single largest PSU-refinery (single location) in the nation for the year 2022-23. The MRPL achieved this feat by processing 17.14 million metric tons of crude oil during the past financial year. This is also the highest-ever throughput processed by any single-location PSU refinery in India’s Petroleum refining history. The MRPL processes 10% of the total crude oil refined by the PSU petroleum refineries of the nation.

Set up as a joint venture refinery in 1988 with a 3.69 MMTPA capacity, the MRPL later underwent a second and third-phase expansion to raise its capacity to 15.00 MMTPA. The refinery configuration has a Nelson Complexity Index of 11.3, one of the highly complex PSU refineries. The MRPL Petchem intensity is currently at 9.5%, aiming to reach 15% in the medium term.

The MRPL can process more than 250 different types of crude from around the world. Crudes from the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Africa, South America and the US are the major ones processed in the MRPL. The MRPL is capable of producing almost a full range of petroleum products like Naphtha, LPG, Motor Spirit, High-Speed Diesel, Kerosene, Aviation Turbine Fuel, Sulphur, Xylene, Bitumen, along with Pet Coke and Polypropylene.

In recent times, the MRPL has taken significant steps to build its petrochemical profile. Its 440 KTA Novolen gas-phase polypropylene plant can produce a complete range of homopolymer grades. Its Aromatic Complex can produce 0.905 MMTPA of Para Xylene and 0.273 MMTPA of Benzene. This Aromatic Complex is in the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) and fully integrated with the MRPL. The MRPL has ambitious plans for the Retail business shortly. It has initiated to expand its coveted RO brand HiQ in 1000 locations in South India in the near future.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, managing director Sanjay Varma said, “The MRPL has made a strong bounce back after effectively countering the challenges posed by the pandemic. With the strong support of MOPNG and our parent organisation ONGC and through the dedicated efforts of all stakeholders, the MRPL is now poised to reach greater heights in the days to come. Our focus will be on meeting Atmanirbharata through producing precious petrochemicals while effectively focusing on environmental protection by concentrating on renewable energy solutions.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES /INNOVATION: Patent Won for Medicinal Patch by Scientists of BLDE University

A team of scientists from BLDE Deemed University has won a patent for an innovative method of administering drugs to patients.

The Patent Office, Union government, has granted patent for 20 years, under the Patents Act.

The patent has been granted for the development of “pharmaceutical formulations of electro-responsive smart hydrogel for transdermal drug delivery”.

The patent applicant is Raghavendra V. Kulkarni, Registrar of the university and pharmaceutical scientist.

His team from the Sri Sanganabasava Mahaswami College of Pharmacy includes Sudha B. Patil, Krishnacharya Akkamanchi and Kushal K. Das.

The patented method involves reaching medicine to targeted organs through the skin, at regulated timings, through a patch applied on the skin. The method is expected to ensure painless drug delivery at affordable prices. It is scalable, said a release.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INDIA & KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / RESEARCH: IISc. Scientists Develop Composite Semiconductor for Next-Gen Foldable Phones and Wearable Devices

Traditional semiconductor devices – such as transistors – are either made of amorphous silicon or amorphous oxides, both of which are not flexible and strain tolerant.

Scientists in the Department of Materials Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed a super flexible, composite semiconductor material that can have possible applications in next-generation flexible or curved display and foldable phones, and in wearable electronics.

Traditional semiconductor devices – such as transistors, the building blocks of most electronic circuits – used in display units are either made of amorphous silicon or amorphous oxides, both of which are not flexible and strain tolerant.

According to IISc, adding polymers to the oxide semiconductors may increase their flexibility, but there is a limit to how much can be added without compromising the semiconductor’s performance.

In the current study, published in Advanced Materials Technologies, researchers have found a way to fabricate a composite containing a significant amount of polymer – up to 40% of the material weight – using a solution-process technique, specifically inkjet printing.

In contrast, previous studies have reported only up to 1-2% polymer addition. Interestingly, the approach enabled the semiconducting properties of the oxide semiconductor to remain unaltered with the polymer addition. The large quantity of polymer made the composite semiconductor highly flexible and foldable without deteriorating its performance.

The composite semiconductor is made up of two materials – a water-insoluble polymer, such as ethyl cellulose that provides flexibility, and indium oxide, a semiconductor which brings in excellent electronic transport properties.

How researchers came up with the new material

To design the material, researchers mixed the polymer with the oxide precursor in such a way that interconnected oxide nanoparticle channels are formed (around phase-separated polymer islands) through which electrons can move from one end of a transistor (source) to the other (drain), ensuring a steady flow of current. The key to form these connected pathways, the researchers found, was the choice of the right kind of water-insoluble polymer that does not mix with the oxide lattice when the oxide semiconductor is being fabricated.

“This phase separation and the formation of polymer-rich islands helps in crack arrest, making it super flexible,” said Subho Dasgupta, Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Engineering, and corresponding author of the study.

Semiconductor materials are usually fabricated using deposition techniques, such as sputtering. Instead, Prof. Dasgupta’s team uses inkjet printing to deposit their material onto various flexible substrates ranging from plastic to paper. In the present study, a polymer called Kapton was used.

Potential use scenarios

Prof. Dasgupta adds that, in the future, such printed semiconductors can be used to fabricate fully printed and flexible television screens, wearables, and large electronic billboards alongside printed organic light emitting diode (OLED) display front-ends. These printed semiconductors will be low cost and easy to manufacture, which could potentially revolutionise the display industry.

The team has obtained a patent for their material, and plans to test its shelf life and quality control from device to device before it can be scaled up for mass production.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INDIA: KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY: Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals (MRPL) Wins Government e-Market (GeM) Star Buyer Award

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) has been selected by GeM as winner in ‘GeM Star Buyers’ category in the Kreta- Vikreta Gaurav Samman Samaroh.

T M Pai, GGM (Materials) received the award at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi on June 26, from Piyush Goyal, hon’ble minister of Textiles, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food and Public Distribution, who felicitated the awardees.

This event was organized to celebrate GeM’s vision of a transparent, inclusive and efficient public procurement landscape in India.

During FY 2022-23, MRPL has displayed exemplary commitment towards enhancing credibility of public procurement procedures by consistently relying on GeM to conduct business in the national public procurement market.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL & INDIA / KARNATAKA: SPACE TECHNOLOGY: 4th edition ‘G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting (SELM) in Bengaluru: ‘Space technology has entered every household in one way or the other’

G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting begins in Bengaluru.

The 4th edition of G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting (SELM) commenced in Bengaluru on Thursday July 6.

This is the first face-to-face meeting under the G20 umbrella, with the previous meetings organised in virtual and hybrid formats. Heads of national space agencies from 18 of the G20 countries and nine of the 11 invited members are participating in the two-day meet whose theme is ‘Towards a New Space ERA (Economy, Responsibility, Alliance)’.

Senior representatives from 32 global industries, and 53 local industries, are also participating in the meet.

During the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, PMO; MoES; S&T; Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance & Pensions; Dep. Of Space; Dept. of Atomic Energy, said that this gathering (G20 countries along with partner countries) represents nearly two-thirds of the world’s population, the best brains across the world in the space sector, 85% of the global GDP, and 75% of the world trade.

“You are not only spearheaders, torchbearers but also opinion-makers, and I am glad that India is in a position to share its inputs with other member countries as well. The new chapter of public-private participation is going to make it a value for all of us to learn the virtues of an integrated approach. An era of partnership is in the offing. Our concerns are common and our efforts have to be common. Therefore, the time has come to carry forward the collaboration to discover wider horizons in the times to come,” Dr Singh said.

“I hardly need to reiterate the importance that space technology has gained of late across the world. Rather, I would put it in a single sentence saying that space technology has virtually entered every household in one way or the other.”

He added that every aspect of human life, be it disaster management, agriculture, education, health, navigation, defence, is connected to space technology.

G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, said the space economy is experiencing rapid growth with increasing revenues and more commercial actors entering the industry. “Studies project that space could become a trillion dollar sector in the coming decades. This exponential growth necessitates support from governments worldwide. That is why, we are discussing space as a formal element in the G20,” Mr Kanth said.

Round-table meetings for the heads of space agencies, panel discussions, bilateral meetings and a plenary session are a part of the first day of the event.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: HEALTH & PHARMACEUTICALS: Biocon Biologics’ HULIO, a Humira biosimilar now available in US for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

The company also offers a robust patient support programme — HULIO360, providing benefits like verification and prior authorisation support, copay assistance, a bridge programme for eligible patients.

Biocon Biologics Ltd has announced that HULIO (adalimumab-fkjp) injection, a biosimilar for Humira (adalimumab) — used to treat rheumatoid arthritis — is now available for patients in the US, after five years of experience in Europe and two years in Canada.

HULIO meets the rigorous biosimilar approval standards of the FDA. Like Humira, HULIO is citrate-free and is made without natural rubber latex (to help reduce hypersensitivity reactions). The company also offers a robust patient support programme — HULIO360, providing benefits like verification and prior authorisation support, copay assistance, a bridge programme for eligible patients, and at-home nurse injection training.

“The launch of HULIO, our biosimilar adalimumab, is an important milestone as it expands our well-known biosimilar product offering to patients in the United States. This launch builds on our strong presence in oncology and diabetes and reaffirms our commitment to enabling affordable access to biologics,” said Shreehas Tambe, CEO and MD, Biocon Biologics Ltd.  

“We are pleased to make HULIO, a patient-friendly, two-click, pre-filled pen available in the US for patients with certain inflammatory diseases,” said Mathew Erick, Chief Commercial Officer of Advanced Markets, Biocon Biologics Ltd.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)