Tag: Records of India

Mangaluru pips Bengaluru to get Karnataka’s first Doppler weather radar

After Mangaluru, Bengaluru and a few other places are expected to get radars later this year.

Bengaluru’s long-pending wish to have a C-band Doppler weather radar (DWR) will have to wait for sometime, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided to install Karnataka’s first DWR in Mangaluru.

Installation of a DWR will significantly enhance the accuracy of weather forecasts, thereby providing early warning of severe weather conditions such as thunderstorms, heavy rains, and cyclones.

There has been a pending demand for one DWR to be installed in Bengaluru. However the IMD has not been able to zero in on a location for the installation of the radar. Owing to this, Shaktinagar in Mangaluru will get the radar which is expected to be commissioned soon.

“We had first planned to install the DWR in Bengaluru, but now it has been shifted to Mangaluru,” said N. Puviarasan, head, Meteorological Centre, Bengaluru, on the sidelines of a IMD stakeholders’ meeting in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Dr. Puviarasan added that IMD had initially identified Nandi Hills as the location for installing the DWR. However it did not go through. Subsequently it had scouted 17 to 18 locations but it did not work out as they were all “low lying places”, said Dr. Puviarasan.

“We also inspected the Air Force station, Yelahanka, and the HAL Airport but it did not work out. Now we have identified a plot inside the government school in Vishwaneedam and sought permission from the State government. At present, the file is pending before the Secretary of the Education Department,” Dr. Puviarasan. He added that Bengaluru’s DWR would be installed this year.

Karandlaje’s push

“We thought that we could complete the project in Bengaluru by November 2024, but could not do so owing to non-availability of land. Meanwhile, there was a request from Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje for installing the DWR in Mangaluru and we are going ahead with it,” he added.

Incidentally, it was Ms. Karandlaje who had demanded that a DWR be installed in Bengaluru. Ms. Karandlaje, who is also MP for Bengaluru North, in June, 2024, wrote to Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh seeking installation of the radar in Bengaluru.

Dr. Puviarasan added that one X-band radar will come up in Dharwad and that a proposal has been sent to the Centre for a S-band radar at Honnavar and a C-band radar at Ballari.

With regard to Kempegowda International Airport, he said an additional six runway visual range, four automated weather observing system, two ceilometers and wind profiler radars are in the installation stage.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Dalai Lama arrives at Bylakuppe Camp, Jan 2025

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, arrived this morning at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement Camp in Mysuru district, for an extended stay. His last brief visit to Bylakuppe was in 2017.

The Dalai Lama departed from his Thekchen Choeling residence in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, on Jan. 3. After a day’s stay in New Delhi, his special flight arrived in Bengaluru on Jan. 4 at 2 pm.

Following his stay at a hotel where he was welcomed by over 600 Tibetan students from various colleges and Tibetan businessmen, the Dalai Lama’s helicopter took off from Bengaluru at 9.30 am and landed at Tibetan Dickey Larsoe (TDL) in the Tibetan First Camp, Bylakuppe, at 11 am. A basketball court at TDL was converted into a helipad.

His Holiness was received according to protocol by Mysuru Assistant Commissioner Vijay Kumar, Mysuru SP N. Vishnuvardhana, Kushalnagar Tahsildar J. Nisargapriya and other officials.

Thousands greet their Guru

The Dalai Lama was escorted in a procession from the helipad to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery — a four-kilometre route — where thousands of monastics, Tibetan monks, nuns, schoolchildren and Bylakuppe residents lined both sides of the road to pay their respects.

They were holding ceremonial scarves and incense sticks to greet His Holiness and seek his blessings. People in their finest traditional attire had lined up hours in advance to welcome their Guru.

Upon reaching the fully adorned and artistically painted Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the Dalai Lama was guided by Abbot Zeekyab Rinpoche to an elevated seat resembling a throne, where a prayer in his honour was scheduled for 15 minutes as per Tibetan rituals and culture. Lunch was arranged at the monastery, followed by rest.

Accompanying the Dalai Lama at the Tibetan Camp are 400 Police personnel and teams of officers from Dharamshala who have been accommodated inside the Tibetan Camp as they will stay till the spiritual leader leaves Mysuru. Hundreds of monks have arrived from Ladakh and Dharamshala in preparation for his stay.

Prayer sessions, interactions

The prayer sessions, visiting schedules and blessings sessions have not yet been finalised. After a two-day rest, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to hold prayer sessions, interactions and enlightenment sessions with a 15,000-strong crowd of monks.

This is the Dalai Lama’s first trip outside Dharamshala since his return on Aug. 28 following knee surgery in New York City. Officials at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery stated that His Holiness would spend the majority of his time in the settlements at this monastery. It was also mentioned that he may remain in Bylakuppe until Tibetan Losar (New Year) which falls in February.

Subject to his health, he may conduct teachings and grant some audiences at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Bylakuppe hosts the second-largest population of Tibetans living in exile after Dharamshala.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

Udupi: Manu Shetty selected as ‘Specially Invited Youth Icon’ for national dialogue in Delhi

 Manu Shetty, a resident of Inna village in Karkala taluk, has been selected as a ‘Specially Invited Youth Icon’ from Karnataka to participate in the two-days ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ organized by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The event will be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on January 11 and 12.

Manu is the daughter of entrepreneur Uday Shetty and former zilla panchayat member Reshma Uday Shetty. She is currently a first-year BA student at MGM College, Udupi, and an active member of the student organization ABVP and the international organization JCI Padubidri.

The two-day national convention aims to ensure the participation of youth in building a developed India. The event will bring together 3,000 young talents from across the country.

The agenda includes discussions, presentations, and dialogues on various sectors contributing to India’s development. Invited participants will have the opportunity to present their ideas. Additionally, there will be exhibitions by various government departments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with union ministers, officials, and nationally and internationally recognized experts, will engage in discussions during the event.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Udupi: Sharina Alisha Mathias crowned Miss South India 2024

Sharina Alisha Mathias, a 20-year-old from Perampalli, Udupi, has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the prestigious Miss South India 2024 title.

The event, hosted by CLM Modeling Agency, took place at Poornima Regency in Bengaluru on December 29, 2024. Sharina emerged victorious among 13 contestants, impressing the judges with her poise, confidence, and charismatic personality.

Sharina, the daughter of Sunil and Anitha Mathias, is a final-year student at Poornaprajna College, Udupi. Her journey to the crown includes notable achievements, such as being crowned Miss Tulunad 2023 2nd runner-up and Miss Coastalwood 2023 1st runner-up.

The event celebrated beauty, grace, and talent, with contestants from across South India competing for the coveted title. Sharina’s impressive performance secured the top spot, bringing immense pride to her hometown.

Speaking about her victory, Sharina expressed gratitude to her family, friends, and mentors for their unwavering support throughout her journey.

Sharina’s achievement has brought pride to her college and community, solidifying her position as a rising star in the world of beauty and talent.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: KARNATAKA: ACQUISTION: IBM acquires Bengaluru SaaS firm Prescinto for renewables business

“The acquisition of Prescinto will enhance the capabilities of IBM Maximo Application Suite (MAS), IBM’s solution for asset lifecycle management…It will further IBM’s leadership in the energy and utility space, an industry undergoing significant transformation and seeking solutions to manage and optimise wind, solar, and other renewable energy storage assets,” IBM said in a statement.

Global software maker IBM has announced the acquisition of Bengaluru-based Prescinto Technologies (Prescinto), a solar monitoring and analytics platform that provides asset performance management (APM) software-as-a-service (SaaS) for renewables.

The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

“The acquisition of Prescinto will enhance the capabilities of IBM Maximo Application Suite (MAS), IBM’s solution for asset lifecycle management…It will further IBM’s leadership in the energy and utility space, an industry undergoing significant transformation and seeking solutions to manage and optimise wind, solar, and other renewable energy storage assets,” IBM said in a statement.

Founded in 2016 by first generation entrepreneur Puneet Jaggi, Bengaluru-based Prescinto leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to enable advanced monitoring, analytics and automation to streamline renewable energy operations and manage clean energy and storage assets. Its services help merge clean energy plant data with latest technology to deliver increased power generation.

The company has been backed by venture capital funds including startup incubator and accelerator Venture Catalysts, Inflection Point Ventures, Mumbai Angels and LetsVenture.

Prescinto works with and services global customers across 14 countries with 16 GigaWatts under management. Prescinto’s application performance monitoring (APM) capabilities aims to help organisations simplify operations and maintenance to maximise return on investment (ROI).

IBM has been acquiring businesses to build capabilities in software, cloud, consulting, automation, AI and data.

Quoting data from Allied Market Research, the IBM statement said, “The value of the global utilities asset management market is expected to grow from $4.3 billion in 2022 to $12.4 billion in 2031, with a CAGR of 11.3%.”

In September, IBM made two announcements including purchase of US-headquartered Kubecost led by co-founder & CEO, Webb Brown and co-founder & CTO, Ajay Tripathy, to broaden hybrid cloud cost management capabilities. It also proposed to acquire Accelalpha, a US-based global Oracle services provider.

source/content: economictimes.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA : VALIMIKI AWARDS: Five achievers to be conferred Valmiki award

As per a government order, the achievers are Kilari Jogayya, Dr Ratnamma S, Rajashekhara Talwara, K S Mrutyunjaya and Ratnamma B Sogi.

A native of Chitradurga, Jogayya has worked towards social progress as a cattle conservator.

On the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti, five achievers from different fields who have worked for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities will be awarded the Maharshi Valmiki Award 2024 on Thursday.

As per a government order, the achievers are Kilari Jogayya, Dr Ratnamma S, Rajashekhara Talwara, K S Mrutyunjaya and Ratnamma B Sogi.

A native of Chitradurga, Jogayya has worked towards social progress as a cattle conservator.

Hailing from Chamarajnagar, Dr Ratnamma is an educationist who has strived for the education of tribal children.

Belagavi’a Rajashekhara has been creating awareness in the community about health and hygiene.

A Bengaluru resident, Mrutyunjaya has been striving to ensure that the community gets government facilities and has been endeavouring to organise the community.

Vijayanagar’s Rathnamma is a renowned theatre artist who has popularised the art in rural areas. She has played a pivotal role in the survival of theatre in rural areas.

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: INDIA’s FIRST /AIR MOBILITY TO AIRPORT: ‘City to airport in 5 minutes’: Bengaluru airport, Sarla Aviation partner for India’s first advanced air mobility solution through eVTOL

According to Sarla Aviation, a journey of 1.5 hours to Bengaluru airport from the city can be reduced to just ‘five minutes’ through an electric powered seven-seater aircraft – eVTOL.

Travelling to Bengaluru airport amid the chaotic traffic of the city is going to be a thing of the past. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Sarla Aviation, an aerospace component manufacturing company, recently signed a statement of collaboration to explore a sustainable and advanced air mobility option to travel from city to the airport.

With this partnership, according to Sarla Aviation, a journey of 1.5 hours to Bengaluru airport from the city can be reduced to just ‘five minutes’ through an electric powered seven-seater aircraft – eVTOL.

Sarla Aviation on Monday announced its partnership with BIAL to make Bengaluru India’s first eVTOL-friendly airport. eVTOL or electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing uses electric power to hover, take off and land vertically, similar to a helicopter.

eVTOLs are being developed as part of the broader push toward advanced air mobility (AAM), aiming to offer urban air transportation solutions such as air taxis, cargo deliveries or medical emergency services. eVTOLS are often seen as part of the future of urban mobility, with the potential to reduce traffic congestion and create more efficient transportation networks, particularly in cities.

According to the company’s website, the aircraft is capable of covering distances up to 160km, but it’s optimally designed for the typical 20-40 kilometre inner-city commutes. “In our launch cities – Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi – passengers can expect to save up to 87% of their usual commute time, transforming the way you travel in the bustling urban landscape.”

It also states the with eVTOL the time taken from Electronic City to BLR Airport is set to reduce to under 20 minutes, compared to 152 minutes taken by road. “Equipped with four, double-isolated battery packs, our eVTOL powers seven electric motors. Sarla achieves speeds up to 250 km/h, transforming hour-long commutes into mere minutes. It is built to accommodate a pilot, and comfortable seating for 6 passengers, along with their luggage. It is also capable of performing back-to-back 40-kilometer trips with just 15 minutes of charging time in between,” the company has stated in its website.

The company in a statement said, “We are very excited to share that Sarla Aviation partners with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BLR) to make Bengaluru India’s first eVTOL-friendly airport! We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Bangalore Airport Ltd as we join forces to bring the future of air mobility to India’s tech capital. Bengaluru International Airport is not only our home base and one of the largest airports in India and the world but also a forward-thinking hub where #sustainability is at the heart of everything. Together, we aim to make Bengaluru India’s first eVTOL-friendly airport, setting a new standard for sustainable aviation.”

Adrian Schmidt, CEO and one of the co-founders of Sarla Aviation, said, “I am proud to partner with Kempegowda International Airport, marking a significant step in addressing Bengaluru’s congestion challenges. Currently, a journey from Indiranagar to the airport can take 1.5 hours—very soon, we will reduce that to just 5 minutes with Sarla’s fully electric flying taxis. I am truly inspired by the leadership at Bengaluru Airport, whose vision challenges young companies like ours to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible.”

He said that the collaboration represents a transformative journey towards reshaping how passengers travel, providing faster, cleaner, and more efficient air mobility options.

Last week, Sarla Aviation also met Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi to discuss India’s leadership in the Era of Urban Air Mobility, steps toward creating a Bharat-centric eVTOL policy and outlining the company’s steps to bring Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to India and ensuring smooth regulatory pathways.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / FILMS :‘Will have 50 per cent women in team’, Filmmaker Kiran Rao on her feature film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ being India’s offical entry for the 2025 Oscars, and more

Ladies, go for it! Go for it!” says film director, producer, and writer Kiran Rao, giving a message to young women joining the film industry and looking to make strides. Rao has recently been in the news for her film Laapataa Ladies which has surpassed 28 other Indian films to be the country’s official entry in the Best International Feature Film category for the 2025 Oscars.

“India’s entry in itself is an award for me. I am so humbled and we will do our best to make everyone proud,” says Rao. The film, set in rural India, explores themes such as marriage, patriarchy, and societal norms. Two veiled, red saree-donning brides, Phool (Nitanshi Goel) and Jaya (Pratibha Ranta), undertake an adventurously arduous journey of self-discovery after being mistakenly exchanged during a train ride to their respective homes after marriage.

Though both of them go through very different experiences, they learn, unlearn, and wake up in their own ways. Rao says, “The idea of the veil is a great physical metaphor showing that there is a dayra or limit that circumscribes their potential. We did not critique any type of veil; at the end of the film, they are still wearing veils and it doesn’t matter because it is their choice.”

The original story, called Two Brides, was written by Biplab Goswami. Rao tweaked several aspects of this story for her film and also introduced a character called Manju Mai, a quirky middle-aged woman Phool meets at a train station. “Manju Mai symbolises women’s independence, living on her own terms.

The women in our lives our mothers, aunts, grandmothers, sisters have done so much for us. Yet their work is not valued and Manju Mai really essays that as a character,” says Rao, who, going forward ‘plans to have 50 per cent of women in her filmmaking team’.

Further, Rao highlighted the need for more women, queer people and those from marginalised backgrounds to be in filmmaking. “But I do believe there are sensitive male directors as well; just look at The Great Indian Kitchen! And as someone raising a son, the human that he is speaks about who I am! So, raising empathetic boys is important,” she says.

Rao is also working on films in the comedy, dark drama and supernatural horror categories. Signing off she says, “When you have humour, it creates a space for conversation.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospave (FWDA) announces successful maiden flight of indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft

 Bengaluru-headquartered Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) on Tuesday announced the successful maiden flight of indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B.

Classified as a Medium Altitude (15,000 feet) Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the FWD 200B is equipped with optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing, the FWDA Founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda told reporters here.

“The aircraft’s aerodynamics design, airframe, propulsion systems, controls systems, electronics are all made in India at FWDA’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of 12,000 sq.ft built on 1.5 acre land, located at Electronic City, Bengaluru,” he said.

FWD 200B features a wingspan of five metres and a length of 3.5 metres. It has a maximum take-off weight of 102 kg and a payload capacity of 30 kg, the company said.

It can fly at a cruise speed of 152 kms per hour, with a maximum speed of 250 km per hour. Its runway requirement is just 300 metres allowing it to operate from shorter airstrips, Tejaskanda said.

“With an endurance of seven hours and a range of 800 km, the FWD 200B ensures extended mission capabilities, providing substantial coverage without the need for frequent refueling or landing,” he said.

PTI GMS RS RS

source/content: thebengalurulive.con (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL: Epione Bengaluru branch celebrates one year in Bengaluru, treating over 1,200 patients

This milestone underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative and compassionate pain management solutions.

Epione, a pain relief centre, successfully completed one year in Bengaluru, providing care and relief to over 1,200 patients. This milestone underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative and compassionate pain management solutions.

With over 20 years of experience, Epione has treated more than 50,000 patients across its centres in South India and is recognised for introducing plasma therapy (PRP) for pain relief in the country.

The Bengaluru branch has been pivotal in offering specialised therapies that help patients manage chronic pain and enhance their quality of life through advanced, non-invasive treatments.

Founder and Managing Director and Chief of Pain Medicine Dr Sudheer Dara said, “Our mission has always been to enhance the lives of people suffering from chronic pain. Our first year in Bengaluru has exceeded our expectations in terms of patient response and clinical success.

We are committed to expanding our services to reach more people in need.” Moreover, to meet the growing demand for services, Epione plans to open two additional branches in Bengaluru next year. Clinical Head Dr Vidya Bandaru, highlighted the centre’s progress over the past year and the commitment to expanding patient-centric care.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)