Category: Uncategorized

The company is set to deploy two advanced drones. The team is capable of manoeuvering drones within tunnels to map the area and assess the probabilities for safe rescue of 41 labourers trapped since November 12.

Squadrone Infra and Mining Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based startup that specialises in aerial intelligence for mineral exploration, mining, tunnelling and infrastructure, has joined the rescue operations in Uttarkashi where 41 workers are trapped in a tunnel.

The company is set to deploy two advanced drones, operated by a team of six skilled mining engineers, drone pilots and geotechnical experts. They are capable of manoeuvering drones within tunnels to map the area and assess the probabilities for safe rescue of 41 labourers trapped since November 12.

Squadrone will employ its drone-based geophysical and Emesent Hovermap technology that is used for underground applications and for mapping remote and inaccessible areas.

The company stepped in following a request by Brigadier Vishal Varma, DDG, Border Roads Organisation, who is spearheading the Silkyara Tunnel rescue mission.

Cyriac Joseph, founder and CEO, Squadrone, said, “The deployed drones are equipped with cutting-edge Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. These features enable the generation of comprehensive data on the structure and geotechnical disturbances within tunnels and mines. This technology is utilised for underground and tunnel geotechnical applications, and it is instrumental in mapping the tunnel site to formulate an effective rescue plan.”

The integration of drone technology with AI and Machine Learning ensures accurate and enhanced visualization, enabling swift and effective decision-making for tunnelling operations.

“This innovative approach not only expedites the rescue process, but also enhances overall operational efficiency,” Mr. Joseph said.

Squadrone’s onsite team will work in tandem with a dedicated backend team that will operate from the company’s headquarters in Bengaluru to provide crucial support and coordination to ensure seamless integration of data and insights.

The team will provide real-time feedback to the geotechnical and rescue teams.

Indian Air Force is transporting special equipment from Bengaluru.

”Op #UttarkashiRescue.Today the #IAF flew in a further 18 tonnes of load from Rourkela to Dehradun. Specialist equipment is also being flown in from Bengaluru,” IAF posted on X (formerly Twitter).

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The X-ray polarimetry method used by Indian scientists has opened up new dimensions to investigate and understand the nature of astrophysical black hole sources.

In a major breakthrough for space science, four researchers from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) for the first time in 52 years, have detected polarized emissions from a black hole source that exists beyond our Milky Way Galaxy using a technique called X-ray polarimetry. 

This feat has been achieved for the first time since the discovery in 1971 of the Large Magellanic Cloud X-3 (LMC X3) star system which is binary in nature and consists of a black hole and a ‘normal’ star that is much hotter, bigger, and more massive than the Sun.

For over half a century the star system was observed by many satellites but there has been a gap in understanding the polarization properties of X-rays emitted by highly energetic objects like stellar mass black holes in the universe.  The LMC X3 is located in a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way, nearly 200,000 light-years away from Earth. 

The X-ray polarimetry method used by Indian scientists has opened up new dimensions to investigate and understand the nature of astrophysical black hole sources. The researchers studied LMC X-3 using the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), the first mission of NASA to study the polarization of X-rays from celestial objects. They also made use of the simultaneous broad-band coverage of the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) Mission and Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) Mission to constrain the spin of LMC X-3. 

Reflecting on the importance of this research, Professor Santabrata Das, Department of Physics, IIT Guwahati, said, “X-ray polarimetry is a unique observational technique to identify where radiation comes from near black holes. LMC X-3 emits X-rays that are 10,000 times more powerful than those from the Sun. When these X-rays interact with the material around black holes, specifically when they scatter, it changes the polarization characteristics, that is degree and angle.” He added that this helps in understanding how matter is drawn toward black holes in the presence of intense gravitational forces.”  

Dr Anuj Nandi, Scientist, UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), ISRO, explained that the intense gravitational fields can cause the emitted light from black holes to become polarized. “Our observations indicate that LMC X-3 likely harbors a black hole with a low rotation rate, surrounded by a slim disc structure that gives rise to the polarized emissions,” he added. 

The study was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters and was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, India. The research team was led by Santabrata Das from IIT Guwahati and Nandi from URSC, including research scholars, Seshadri Majumder (IIT Guwahati), and  Ankur Kushwaha (URSC).

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Certificates issued to seven private parties for adoption, restoration of monuments: H.K. Patil.

Karnataka Tourism Minister H.K. Patil said that several organisations have evinced interest in adopting and restoring ‘neglected’ monuments in the State.

Under the PPP mode, the Minister said, certificates have been issued to seven private parties for adoption and restoration of monuments in Bidar, Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts of Kalyana Karnataka region. “Priority would be given for cleanliness, protection and promotion of tourism at historical monuments,” he said.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Mr Patil said the government has been seeking the support of people and volunteers to protect historical monuments across the State.

A team led by the Minister, and comprising local legislators and officials, visited some monuments to publicise the the ‘Namma Smaraka Dattu Yojane’ (adopt a monument scheme), which was launched with the objective of collaborating with the public, NGOs and entrepreneurs to develop historical sites in different parts of the State.

The team inspected the rich art, architecture and cultural heritage of Karnataka at various protected national monuments, such as Narasimha Jharni temple, also known as Jharni cave in Bidar, Vijaya Vittala temple in Hampi, Bidar fort, Bhoganandeeshwara temple in Nandi Hills, Gol Gumbaz in Vijayapura, Badami caves, Anubhava Mantap at Basavakalyan, Nagavi Yallamma temple at Chittapur in Kalaburagi, Mulkhed fort in Kalaburagi district, and Shiravala village in Yadgir district.

The team learnt about the karez, a water harnessing system that originated in Iran. It uses deep underground channels to tap and distribute ground water. The team inspected ancient water supply systems.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

In a significant development for reproductive health and infertility treatment in Africa and Asia, twelve doctors from countries including Burundi, Gambia, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana and Nepal have completed their specialized training in IVF Embryology at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India. This milestone was achieved through the collaborative effort of the Merck Foundation’s ‘Merck More Than a mother’ campaign and MAHE’s Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology.

The vice chancellor of MAHE, Lt Gen Dr MD Venkatesh, highlighted that the training program is a beacon of hope for childless women in Africa who face severe social challenges due to infertility. This initiative is expected to bring about a positive change in societal attitudes and provide much-needed medical assistance to infertile couples in Africa.

Since 2017, approximately one hundred African doctors have received training at the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, making significant strides in improving healthcare in this sector. “MAHE is committed to scaling up the Embryology training program to also include Southeast Asian countries and to strengthen industry participation in our programs,” said Dr. Sharath Rao, The Pro Vice Chancellor of MAHE.

The beneficiaries of this program, like Dr Tomusange Simon, a Gynecologist from Uganda, express immense gratitude for the opportunities provided by Manipal. This training has been instrumental in shaping their careers in IVF and enabling them to make a profound impact in their home countries.The event, which also saw the distribution of certificates to the graduating doctors, Dr Satish Kumar Adiga, the coordinator of IVF Embryology training gave overall brief about the program. Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, Dean of KMC Manipal, welcomed the gathering, while Dr Prathima conducted the master of ceremony and rendered the vote of thanks.

This initiative by MAHE and the Merck Foundation is a significant step towards enhancing reproductive health services in Africa and beyond, empowering doctors with the knowledge and skills to combat infertility and make a lasting impact in their communities.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headlines edited)