Category: Records, Bengaluru (Bangalore)

NATIONAL: SAFETY: Bengaluru becomes 2nd City in India to have 90 mts Tall Aerial Ladder Platform for the State’s Department of Fire & Emergency Services

After India’s financial capital of Mumbai, Karnataka’s capital city of Bengaluru became the second city in the country to have a 90-meter tall aerial ladder platform vehicle for the State’s Fire Services.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who dedicated the aerial ladder platform vehicle in Bengaluru on Thursday, said: “Today marks an important day for the development of Bengaluru as well as infusing a biggest strength for the Department of Fire Services.’’

The Chief Minister also flagged off “Green Deepavali,’’ a public awareness campaign on the stairs of Vidhana Soudha.

The 90 meter aerial ladder platform is a most essential and important facility and this modern ladder will work as a real friend in need,’’ he said adding: The new ladder will be put into use in BBMP limits.

“The whole world is growing on a big scale and it is a most essential service especially in all important metropolitans without which building permission is not given.,’’ Bommai said.

The Chief Minister said Fire Safety and its rules are equally important. It was essential for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to have all facilities to reach hi-rise buildings during an emergency.

Ready to Serve

The State Government is capable of solving problems, he said pointed out that Bengaluru City is growing fast and several definitions are made without understanding issues.

“The recent rains had created floods only in two constituencies and not in all 26 Assembly segments. But it was projected as if the whole Bengaluru City had submerged. In fact, Bengaluru is an important city both in national and international level and the government is capable of solving any problems of the city. It is important to present facts correctly,’’ he said.

Bommai said there are over 100 personnel working in SDRF to deal with flood situations. The State Capital has both NDRF and SDRF teams and they are capable of rescuing anyone from any part of the city.

The government had already released Rs 20 crore to buy the new equipment and another Rs 20 crore was released recently. The governments intention is o strengthen SDRF.

Instructions are given to form another two companies of SDRF for which ex-servicemen will be appointed. Already, over 100 retired defense personnel were appointed and more personnel will be recruited directly for the proposed two companies, he said. Along with modernisation and increasing numbers, even training and empowerment are also given importance. The SDRF had helped during the recent floods in different districts, he added.

The Chief Minster said till now the Bengaluru Fire Department had only a 50 meter ladder and the State capital is growing fast both horizontally and vertically. “After Mumbai City, Bengaluru has become the second city in the whole country to have a 90 meter Aerial Ladder Platform system.

Efforts were made to procure this in the last two and a half years and while he was the Home Minister the grants had been released. But it got delayed due to some reasons such as Covid-19 and production problems,’’ he said.

Bommai said permission has been given to strengthen the Department of Fire Services by sanctioning various schemes and one of them was the procurement of 90 meter aerial ladder platform.

This department rescues people in any fire mishap that occurs in any corner of the city all the 24 hours, he said.

The Chief Minster said 5,000 new vehicles are added to the fleet of vehicles daily whereas the roads have remained the same. Despite this, the police department has been managing traffic by using several technologies including synchronizing for free flow of traffic.

“I will compliment Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Home Department and senior officials of Department of Fire Services for bringing this ladder to Bengaluru,’’ he said.

Potholes being filled up:

Steps are taken to fill up potholes across the city. New potholes have emerged due to incessant rain. Even they too are being filled up on the war-footing. It was possible to do quality works in case rain reduces. Whatever repair works done would not last long during continuous rain. But all the potholes will be filled up, Bommai said. The Chief Minister wished the people on the occasion of Deepavali festival and asked them to celebrate by using green crackers. The citizens must use the crackers of less than 125 decibels.

Earlier, the Chief Minister went in the newly dedicated aerial ladder platform along with others.

Asked about his experience, Bommai said: “I was surprised to see the design of Vidhana Soudha dome. In those days, they had taken this stone to the top of the building. I was elated to see the Ashoka Pillar from a close angle. The solace is that with the new ladder it is possible to save lives of people in fire mishaps.

As many as 7500 cameras are installed under the Nirbhaya scheme and it will be used to address the problems of traffic density and for women safety. They work on artificial intelligence and revolves 360 degree.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Ministers Kota Srinivasa Pujari, S T Somashekar, Shivaram Hebbar, MP P C Mohan, MLA Niranjan Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) Rajneesh Goel and DGP (Fire Services) A K Pandey were present.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPORTS / CRICKET: Roger Binny, First World-Cup Winner, Elected as President – Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at its 91st Annual General Meeting, Mumbai

Roger Binny becomes the first World Cup-winner to become the president of the BCCI.

Former Indian cricketer Roger Binny has been appointed as the new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The 67-year-old was elected unopposed during BCCI’s annual general meeting (AGM), which was held on Tuesday, 18 October, at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah, departing president Sourav Ganguly, treasurer Arun Dhumal and vice-president Rajeev Shukla were all present at the 91st annual general meeting of the board. With his appointment, Binny becomes the first-ever former World Cup-winning to become BCCI’s president.

Jay Shah has been re-inducted as the secretary of the board, while it now remains to be seen whether the BCCI will field a candidate for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) elections.

Among the other decisions taken during the meeting, Arun Singh Dhumal vacated his position as the treasurer of the board and was appointed as a member of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council. Avishek Dalmiya, the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), was also appointed as an IPL Governing Council member.

Ashish Shelar, the former chief of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), took over as the new treasurer, with former secretary of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), Devajit Saikia was appointed as the joint-secretary. Assam M Khairul Jamal Majumdar was appointed as an Apex Council member.

Besides confirming the new appointments, the BCCI also approved to conduct the inaugural edition of the Women’s IPL in 2023.

source/content: thequint.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION / DEFENCE / MANUFACTURING: PM Modi Unveils HTT-40, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) Indigenously Designed and Developed ‘Trainer Aircraft’ at DefExpo-2020,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled HTT-40, the indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at the India Pavilion during DefExpo-2020 in Gandhinagar, on Wednesday.

The Basic Trainer Aircraft would be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying and close formation flights, whereas its secondary roles would include navigation and night flying.

HTT-40 has cutting-edge technology designed to meet primary training requirements of the Indian defence services. Built around a meticulously tested, turbo-prop engine, it is equipped with the latest avionics, an air-conditioned cabin and ejection seats. HTT-40 boasts of unique features like running changeover of pilots, hot-refuelling and short turnaround time.

HAL receives DcPP certificate

Hal  also received a Development – cum -Production Partner (DcPP)/Production Agency (PA) certificate for ABHYAS – High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) System from DRDO at a programme held on the sidelines of DefExpo-2022.

The Aircraft Division of HAL is the first DcPP/PA identified organisation under ADE-DRDO’s new scheme for the procurement of a complex system.

HAL had formally handed over the first batch of two units of High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) System ABHYAS, an indigenous target aircraft, to Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) recently. HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan received the certificate from DRDO Chairman and secretary of the Department of Defence R&D Dr Samir V Kamat

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: Bengaluru’s Female Racer Pragathi Gowda wins the Asia-Pacific final of FIA Rally Star Programme

The first round of the 2020 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) held in Itanagar saw a young new talent blitzing her way through the competition to secure an overall top 10 finish on her debut. That day, motorsports veterans and enthusiasts felt that the newcomer was a future talent.

Within just two years, they were proved right when Bengaluru’s Pragathi Gowda won the Asia-Pacific final of the FIA Rally Star programme held at the Madras International Circuit early last week, beating 26 other drivers, from seven different national motorsport clubs across the continent.

Gowda says she developed her interest in motorsports driving in the city, along with some big encouragement coming from her father and brother. Having to travel often for races, Gowda explains that coming back home helps her re-energise. “Bengaluru is such a wonderful place to live; I adore it! When I’m away, I genuinely miss the city, and I cannot wait to return home,” she says, adding that her favourite way to unwind is with a cup of coffee.

Having started her motorsports career very recently in 2019, Gowda says that getting an opportunity to represent India in an international event has been a dream come true. “I made my country proud with that win, and I will always cherish that achievement,” she says. After a impressive debut in INRC in 2020, she has emerged as one of the most promising racers in the country. However, she says that her experience in INRC was of little to no use during the Rally Star final.

“It was a completely different challenge. The car was radically different compared to the ones I’m used to. It was tricky to drive, as I had no prior experience with a rear-wheel-driven car. Adjusting to the car was a difficult process and it took me a while to get the best times out of it,” shares Gowda, who is self-taught. Despite her struggles to adjust to the car, she says that her comfort with gravel stages gave her the upper hand. “I’m a gravel girl, I always loved driving on dirt.

And I’m hoping that it’ll give me an advantage during the finals next year,” she quips. Despite her achievements, Gowda says the environment in Bengaluru and the wider region are not very supportive of motorsports aspirants. Drawing on her own experiences, she felt that most people view motorsports as dangerous, despite the recent advances in driver safety. “The negative perception acts as a barrier to entry, especially to women,” she says.

“If we had more top-tier international sporting events such as Formula 1, and World Rally Championship happening in the country, it would probably help change people’s perception, while giving motorsports wider exposure.” One day, she hopes to land a seat in the FIA World Rally Championship. And as she prepares for the all-important Rally Star finals in Peru next year, Gowda says the process hasn’t been straightforward as she lacks access to a suitable practice car.

“All this while, it was just me alone trying to make the country proud. But now, I’ll need the country’s help to give me the best possible chance at the next stage. I definitely cannot do it alone,” concludes Gowda.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Both ‘Cubbon Park Walkers Association & Cubbon Park Walkers Forum’ Host the ‘ 2nd International Women Achievers Awards 2022’ at Ravindra Kala Kshethra

This week brought to this city its infamous dampness. Cloudy skies, busy roads and cold weather. However, unlike most days during the wet season, the weekend carried a certain warmth to Bengaluru’s air as the Cubbon Park Walkers Association and Cubbon Park Walkers Forum hosted the International Women Achievers Awards 2022 on Sunday at Ravindra Kala Kshethra.

The Young Star Award 2022 took place as well.

The mission behind this event was to empower, inspire and promote the works of women achievers and young talents, who have left a positive impact to the society and excelled in their fields of interest.

Some of the awardees from this year include Dr Pratima Murthy, director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Alyia Krumbiegel, famed landscaper and social worker, esteemed classical singer Archana Udupa, who also performed at the function, and beloved actor Bhavana Ramanna, among others.

Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Higher Education; IT & BT, Science & Technology, and Mysuru maharaja Yaddu veer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar were the chief guests of the event.

Starting in 2019, this is the second time this award show is being organised in South India. Besides our country, Australia and the United Kingdom have also taken part in the event.

“We started this to recognise women achievers and young talents, who have done substantially good work for our society’s wellbeing. There are so many examples of award shows where money is the key factor. People from the upper echelons of the social hierarchy just give money and take awards. That’s not good at all. Many deserving people don’t get recognised due to not being very affluent.

We wanted to create an award show that is purely for celebrating good work done by folks who gave their all for the rest of us,” says Dr Umesh Kumar, president of Cubbon Park Walkers Association and Cubbon Park Walkers Forum, who adds that the event, including the lunch, was free for all attendees.

The event, which was six months in the making, features multiple attractions, which include a Kuchupudi dance performance and a musical programme by film music director Srisuresh.

“In the maiden year of this event, in 2019, more than 21 countries participated. We had about 800 attendees then, but this year our footfall has increased to more than twofold with almost 2000 people attending the award function. We plan on doing this every year as the Bengaluru crowd has been very supportive of our initiative,” concludes Dr Kumar.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Indian Institute of Science (IISc) picks 5 Alumni: Dr.Bharat K Bhargava, Dr.Krishnan Nandabalan, Prof. Narasimha Murty, Col.(retd) HS Shankar & Dr Krishna M Vadrevu, all Scientists and Engineers for Distinguished Awards 2022

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, announced distinguished alumni awards felicitating five IISc scientists and engineers for their contributions to the society and the institution.


Prof Bharat Kumar Bhargava, professor of Computer Science at Purdue University, USA, Dr Krishnan Nandabalan, president and CEO of InveniAI LLC, IISc prof M Narasimha Murty, Col (retd) HS Shankar, Chairman and MD, Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Dr Krishna Mohan Vadrevu, Executive Director, Bharat Biotech International Ltd, IISc prof M Narasimha Murty, will be felicitated
 in December 2022.

Prof Bhargava has developed a system to assist visually-challenged people in navigating their environment and social interactions, using mobile phones and cloud computing. Dr Vadrevu contributed to the development of a typhoid conjugate vaccine, a novel low-dose rotavirus vaccine, and Covaxin.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: POSTS & TELEGRAPHS / ARTS & CULTURE: A Time to Share Love and Letters ‘Postal Week’ – October 09th – 16th

The Karnataka Postal department is set to celebrate Postal Week starting next week by bringing orphaned, underprivileged children and senior citizens together to spend time on October 14.

Speaking to TNIE, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka, S Rajendra Kumar said, “It will give everyone an opportunity to bond with each other in the traditional role of grandparents and grandchildren. We are in talks with NGOs to facilitate this by identifying the right people.”

Some retired postal employees will also take up the role of grandparents. “The seniors will be goaded to write letters to the children they are introduced to on the day. We expect a total of 100 participants. A senior and a junior will form a pair, who will also take part in a quiz event,” he added. The day-long event will take place at the GPO.

The Postal Week is an annual event held from October 9 to October 16.

Walking 7km every day
Kumar has been walking 7 km every day since October 2 to follow Centre’s Fit India Freedom Run 3.0 under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative observed from October 2 to October 31. “I have been walking 3.5 km from my residence at Museum Road to the CPMG office on Palace Road and back. I hope it also inspires staff in the Postal Department if they stay near the office,” he told TNIE. “I am enjoying it. I walk via Cubbon Park, and taking new routes to my workplace,” he said of his experience.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL RECORDS: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES: Aasra Hospital claims ‘World’s First Robotic Total Hip Replacement Surgery’ for a Polio-Patient who is now back on his feet

Aasra hospital claimed that it conducted the world’s first robotic total hip replacement surgery for a polio patient with a history of an unsuccessful girdle stone arthroplasty. A team of doctors conducted the surgery enabling the polio patient to walk after two years of being confined to a wheelchair.

The 48-year-old patient suffered from a fracture a few years ago and underwent a girdle stone arthroplasty at an orthopaedic hospital but was unable to move or walk after the surgery. A robotic total hip replacement surgery was done and a specially modified implant was placed in the hip joint. The surgery was conducted using MAKO Smart Robotics platform – one of the most advanced robotic surgery equipment available. With this precision surgery, a patient will be able to walk within a day post the procedure and return to normal life within 4-6 weeks.

Dr Jagadish Hiremath, Chairman, AASRA Hospitals, said, “There has been no documented evidence in any medical literature across the world of a total robotic hip replacement surgery conducted in such a complicated case. With conventional surgery, surgeons work based on the gut feeling and skills. With robotic surgery, everything can be planned in detail and hence perfect alignment of the implant can be achieved.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES: Jayadeva Satellite Centre at the State-run K.C. General Hospital is functional

Angiograms, angioplasties and stenting procedures apart from master cardiac evaluation can be done at the satellite centre.

Cardiac emergencies requiring the golden hour treatment in Central Bengaluru can now avail timely treatment at the State-run K.C. General Hospital. A 50-bed satellite centre of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR), which was inaugurated on Thursday, will start functioning from Friday.

The compact cardiac centre, set up on an equip, operate, and manage (EOM) model, has 20 ICU beds and 30 general wards. Facilities such as ECHO, treadmill, ECG and a cath lab are also available.

SJICSR Director C.N. Manjunath said angiograms, angioplasties, and stenting procedures apart from master cardiac evaluation can be done at the centre.

Work on setting up the centre that was announced during former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s tenure was delayed owing to COVID-19. The project was fast-tracked and completed within a year at a cost of ₹15 crore. While ₹8.7 crore has been given by the government, the remaining is through Jayadeva’s internal resources, he said.

“The required equipment and manpower (three cardiologists and supporting staff) has also been provided by Jayadeva. However, any cardiac emergencies that come after 5 p.m. will be shifted to the main Jayadeva institute as we cannot maintain two parallel emergency teams,” Dr. Manjunath explained.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who inaugurated the Jayadeva satellite centre and a 50-bed paediatric ICU that will be run by the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health on Thursday, said six regional command centres that will provide 24/7 support through telemedicine specialists to community health centres (CHCs) will be set up soon.

AB-ArK should cover high cost procedures

C.N. Manjunath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, suggested that the government should also include complex procedures costing above ₹2 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) health scheme.

“Although the total coverage is up to ₹5 lakh per family, many complex life-saving procedures or implants that cost above ₹2 lakh are not covered. This makes it inevitable for BPL patients to pay out of their pockets for such procedures,” he asserted.

Yeshaswini to be re-launched on November 1

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that the Yeshaswini health insurance scheme for farmers will be re-launched on November 1. It was earlier proposed to be re-launched on October 2.

Initially launched in 2003, Yeshaswini was one of the largest self-funded healthcare schemes.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Bangalore Metro Rail Corp Ltd (BMRCL), Bharat Electronics Ltd Bag 2nd Infra Awards

Director of business development and corporate communications, Urban Infra Communications Vinod Shah said that this is the second edition of the awards, and the first was held in 2020.

Karnataka agencies, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), have bagged awards in the second edition of Urban Infra awards in five categories, organised by a Urban Infra Communications, a specialised Infra PR company.

The Most Innovative Urban Mobility Leader award, under the industrial category, was bagged by V Manjula, commissioner of Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT).

Under the corporate category, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) won the Best Public Transport of Silicon Valley award and Bharat Electronics Limited won the Excellence in Indigenous Innovation for Rail and Metro Systems award.

Under the transit and mobility category- the most preferred transit system award was bagged by Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit Systems Limited.

DULT also bagged an award of the most admired city planning body for urban development under the City Infrastructure category.

Director of business development and corporate communications, Urban Infra Communications Vinod Shah said that this is the second edition of the awards, and the first was held in 2020.

He added that a five member jury chooses the winners, based on work done in the past and projects planned ahead. Manjula (DULT) told TNIE that the award will boost the morale of young staffers in organisation to strive and improve mobility in the state.

source/comment: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)