For the first time in the country, a Hydrogen-powered automobile bus has been developed by Tata Motors and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) after several years of research. The hydrogen fuel-fitted bus was demonstrated at Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, an ISRO facility in Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu on Sunday. It's a CNG-type bus. Hydrogen in bottles at high pressure is stored at the top of the bus and there would be zero pollution.
The hydrogen cells were a spin-off of the cryogenic technology that ISRO had been developing for the last few years, the Bangalore-headquartered ISRO officials said. "That's not exactly the cryogenic technology... (It's) liquid hydrogen handling and that's where ISRO has some expertise," they said.
"This is a leap for automobile industry for future transportation. In this vehicle there will be zero pollution since the product of cold combustion is water. This is a result of great team work of Tata Motors and ISRO specialists with contributions from DSIR and PESO," said honorary adviser of ISRO V Gnana Gandhi, who led the technical team in this project.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sreedharan chosen for Lokmanya Tilak award
"Metro Man" E Sreedharan has been selected for the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak award for 2013 for his outstanding contribution to society. The name of Sreedharan, considered as the architect of the ambitious Delhi metro project, was announced by Deepak Tilak who heads the Lokmanya Tilak Trust.
India bag gold in world youth chess Olympiad
Fantastic performance by Kolkata based Sayantan Das and Diptayan Ghosh enabled India to regain the gold medal at the World Youth Chess Olympiad, which concluded Monday at Chongqing, China. India thrashed Iran 3.5-0.5 in the final round of the team event to win gold, after having started the Olympiad as second seed, according to information received here.
This is India’s third gold in this prestigious team event. India had won the event previously at Singapore in 2007 and in Turkey 2008. Sayantan and Diptayan won gold in the fourth and silver in the third board respectively.
Sayantan had a sparkling run to win the yellow metal by getting 7.5 points out of nine games in the ten-round event. Diptayan secured 8.5 points out of ten to win silver. Two other Indian representatives Shardul Gagare (6/9) and Murali Karthikeyan (6.5/10) won bronze in the first and second board respectively.
This is India’s third gold in this prestigious team event. India had won the event previously at Singapore in 2007 and in Turkey 2008. Sayantan and Diptayan won gold in the fourth and silver in the third board respectively.
Sayantan had a sparkling run to win the yellow metal by getting 7.5 points out of nine games in the ten-round event. Diptayan secured 8.5 points out of ten to win silver. Two other Indian representatives Shardul Gagare (6/9) and Murali Karthikeyan (6.5/10) won bronze in the first and second board respectively.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Government of Odisha announced Rice for Olive Ridley Conservation scheme for the year 2013
The Government of Odisha in July 2013 announced Rice for Olive Ridley Conservation (ROrC) scheme for the year 2013 in order to help the fishermen families affected by seven-month ban on marine fishing at Odisha coastal areas.
The identification of beneficiaries under Rice for Olive Ridley Conservation (ROrC) Scheme was announced on 22 July 2013.
The identification of beneficiaries under Rice for Olive Ridley Conservation (ROrC) Scheme was announced on 22 July 2013.
• The main aim of the ROrC scheme is to help the fishermen families who are affected by seven-month ban on marine fishing as an Olive Ridley turtle protection measure.
• ROrC is a livelihood supported package for poor fishermen communities to ensure them food security.
• Under the scheme, each family will be provided with 25 kg of rice at subsidised rate of Re 1 per kg every month.
• The fishermen will be provided with special eligibility cards to avail the subsidised rice. The cards will entitle them to get the rice from PDS retailers of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department each month.
• Out of the 10133 identified beneficiaries, 6255 families are from Kendrapara district. The rest of the targeted families are from Puri, Ganjam and Bhadrak districts.
Due to prohibition of fishing from 1 November to 31 May each year, the fishing communities are adversely affected with depletion of income sources.
The bulk of the affected families are from Kendrapara as the coastal district is home to the restricted sea corridors of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. The coast of Orissa in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley turtle.
The Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court had passed directions in April 2004 for protection of endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
• ROrC is a livelihood supported package for poor fishermen communities to ensure them food security.
• Under the scheme, each family will be provided with 25 kg of rice at subsidised rate of Re 1 per kg every month.
• The fishermen will be provided with special eligibility cards to avail the subsidised rice. The cards will entitle them to get the rice from PDS retailers of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department each month.
• Out of the 10133 identified beneficiaries, 6255 families are from Kendrapara district. The rest of the targeted families are from Puri, Ganjam and Bhadrak districts.
Due to prohibition of fishing from 1 November to 31 May each year, the fishing communities are adversely affected with depletion of income sources.
The bulk of the affected families are from Kendrapara as the coastal district is home to the restricted sea corridors of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. The coast of Orissa in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley turtle.
The Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court had passed directions in April 2004 for protection of endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
Central Data to be Used to Identify Beneficiaries of Food Security Scheme
The Planning Commission of India decided to prepare a comparative data for the Department of Food in order to roll out the National Food Security Ordinance in all the States. The comparative data will be based on NSSO Statistics, which covers the food consumption patterns and differential pricing in rural and urban areas in different States.
This step would help the Union Ministry of Food and Public distribution to take an immediate call on the basis of which, it will allocate food grain to different States for coverage of 75 percent of the rural population and 50 percent of the urban population under the National Food Security Ordinance.
The aim of the Central Government is to protect the current allocation to States under the Targeted Public Distribution System, which will be based on the average lifting of food grains by States in the last three years.
This step would help the Union Ministry of Food and Public distribution to take an immediate call on the basis of which, it will allocate food grain to different States for coverage of 75 percent of the rural population and 50 percent of the urban population under the National Food Security Ordinance.
The aim of the Central Government is to protect the current allocation to States under the Targeted Public Distribution System, which will be based on the average lifting of food grains by States in the last three years.
North-East of India Has Highest Per Capita Language in World: Survey
The People's Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) on 17 July 2013 reported that the North-East of India has the highest per capita language in the whole World. As per the survey, Arunachal Pradesh is a State that speaks 90 different languages.
Survey highlights:
• There are over 780 languages and 66 different scripts in India.
• Arunachal Pradesh is the richest among the States with 90 languages and West Bengal has the highest number of scripts at nine.
• In terms of languages spoken, researchers found that with 90 languages Arunachal Pradesh is by far the richest among States, Assam with 55 languages; Maharashtra with 39, Gujarat with 48 and West Bengal with 38 are among the most linguistically-diverse States of India.
• As per the 2011 census, there were about 122 languages spoken by more than 10000 people. Of them 22 were the scheduled languages.
• The survey has come up with languages that are spoken by less than 10000 people many of whom are from tribal areas, nomadic communities and from the interiors of North Eastern part of the Country.
This is the biggest linguistic Survey in this Century. Irish linguistic scholar George Abraham Grierson had conducted the Linguistic Survey of India from 1898 to 1928.
The survey revealed that the North-Eastern parts of India have one of the highest per capita language densities in the World. According to the report, the difficult topography of the region and the history of the tribal communities could have led to such a situation.
Survey highlights:
• There are over 780 languages and 66 different scripts in India.
• Arunachal Pradesh is the richest among the States with 90 languages and West Bengal has the highest number of scripts at nine.
• In terms of languages spoken, researchers found that with 90 languages Arunachal Pradesh is by far the richest among States, Assam with 55 languages; Maharashtra with 39, Gujarat with 48 and West Bengal with 38 are among the most linguistically-diverse States of India.
• As per the 2011 census, there were about 122 languages spoken by more than 10000 people. Of them 22 were the scheduled languages.
• The survey has come up with languages that are spoken by less than 10000 people many of whom are from tribal areas, nomadic communities and from the interiors of North Eastern part of the Country.
This is the biggest linguistic Survey in this Century. Irish linguistic scholar George Abraham Grierson had conducted the Linguistic Survey of India from 1898 to 1928.
The survey revealed that the North-Eastern parts of India have one of the highest per capita language densities in the World. According to the report, the difficult topography of the region and the history of the tribal communities could have led to such a situation.
SC appointed Panel Recommended an Indefinite Suspension on Genetically Modified Crops
A Technical Expert Committee (TEC) appointed by the Supreme Court of India recommended an indefinite suspension on open field trials of genetically-modified (GM) crops till the deficiencies in the regulatory and safety systems are effectively addressed.
In the final report submitted to the court on 3 July 2013, the panel did not mention 10-year suspension on field trials as suggested in the interim report in October 2012. Instead, it imposed four conditions for meaningful consideration for allowing trials.
The Panel suggestions were:
• Setting up of a think tank to look into Bio-safety issues.
• Housing the new Bio-technology regulatory in either Union Environment or Health Ministry.
• Identification of specific sites for conducting tests and mandatory stakeholder participation as part of risk management strategy.
On successful following of the recommended conditions, the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) suggested that the trials should be only allowed on land owned by GM crop application and not on leased land.
The Panel suggestions were:
• Setting up of a think tank to look into Bio-safety issues.
• Housing the new Bio-technology regulatory in either Union Environment or Health Ministry.
• Identification of specific sites for conducting tests and mandatory stakeholder participation as part of risk management strategy.
On successful following of the recommended conditions, the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) suggested that the trials should be only allowed on land owned by GM crop application and not on leased land.
Big B named greatest Bollywood star in UK poll
Amitabh Bachchan has been crowned as the greatest Bollywood star in a poll conducted in UK. According to British Asian weekly newspaper, the 70-year-old actor, who has won a number of awards at national as well as international film festivals, bagged major share of votes from critics, fans and the film fraternity in the survey '100 Greatest Bollywood Stars' .With a career spanning more than four decades, Bachchan gave blockbusters like ' Sholay' and 'Deewar' and hosted popular TV game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati.'
Bachchan, who was the first Bollywood star to be honoured with a statue at Madame Tussauds, recently represented India as the Olympic torch-bearer at the London 2012 Games. The survey was compiled via a combination of audience votes through social media, box-office figures, cinematic impact and critical acclaim.
Bachchan was followed by his own choice and yesteryears acting legend Dilip Kumar, while actor Shah Rukh Khan bagged the third spot. Madhuri Dixit was placed fourth in the overall list, but she topped the poll among Bollywood's female actresses. The actors in the top 10 list are: 1.Amitabh Bachchan 2. Dilip Kumar 3. Shah Rukh Khan 4. Madhuri Dixit 5. Raj Kapoor 6. Nargis 7. Dev Anand 8. Waheeda Rehman 9. Rajesh Khanna 10. Sridevi.
Bachchan, who was the first Bollywood star to be honoured with a statue at Madame Tussauds, recently represented India as the Olympic torch-bearer at the London 2012 Games. The survey was compiled via a combination of audience votes through social media, box-office figures, cinematic impact and critical acclaim.
Bachchan was followed by his own choice and yesteryears acting legend Dilip Kumar, while actor Shah Rukh Khan bagged the third spot. Madhuri Dixit was placed fourth in the overall list, but she topped the poll among Bollywood's female actresses. The actors in the top 10 list are: 1.Amitabh Bachchan 2. Dilip Kumar 3. Shah Rukh Khan 4. Madhuri Dixit 5. Raj Kapoor 6. Nargis 7. Dev Anand 8. Waheeda Rehman 9. Rajesh Khanna 10. Sridevi.
Bastian Schweinsteiger Won Journalists' Player of the Year Award by Kicker Magazine
Bastian Schweinsteiger, the German midfielder defeated his teammates Thomas Mueller and Franck Ribery to grab the Journalists' Player of the Year Award announced by the Kicker magazine on 28 July 2013. Bastian Schweinsteiger won 92 out of 527 votes. Franck Ribery won 87 votes, while Thomas Mueller won 85 votes.
Four Indian Americans won Simons Investigators Awards 2013
Four Indian-American Professors Kannan Soundararajan, Rajeev Alur, Salil P Vadhan and Senthil Todadri in fourth week of July 2013 won Simons Investigators Awards 2013. Apart from these, 9 other mathematicians, theoretical physicists and theoretical computer scientists were also selected for the Simons Investigators Awards for their cutting edge research.
The 2013 awards were announced by the New York-based Simons Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation. Its mission is to advance the lines of research in mathematics and basic sciences. The Simons Investigators program provides a stable base of support for outstanding scientists, enabling them to undertake long-term study of fundamental questions. The foundation was incorporated in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons.
The 2013 awards were announced by the New York-based Simons Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation. Its mission is to advance the lines of research in mathematics and basic sciences. The Simons Investigators program provides a stable base of support for outstanding scientists, enabling them to undertake long-term study of fundamental questions. The foundation was incorporated in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Barack Obama Nominates Indian-American Vince Girdhari Chhabria To Judiciary Post
On 26 July Indian-American legal luminary Vince Girdhari Chhabria has been nominated by US President Barack Obama to a key judiciary post in California..Chhabria, nominated to be US district judge for the Northern District of California, is currently deputy city attorney for government litigation and the co-chief of appellate litigation at the San Francisco city attorney’s office.Obama announced his nomination along with five other judicial posts, all of which requires Senate confirmation.
Paradip Port Conferred With the Major Port of the Year Award
Paradip Port was conferred with the Major Port of the Year award for its excellent performance in the year 2012-13. The award was received by SS Mishra, Chairman, Paradip Port Trust, at the SCOPE International Conference & Exhibition 2013 held in Chennai.
Paradip Port Trust (PPT) handled 56.55 million tonnes of traffic in the year 2012-13. There is an increase from 54.25 million tonnes of traffic in 2011-12. During 2012-13, the port also added 22 million tonnes of capacity, thus bringing the total to 102 million tonnes. It is important to note that the Paradip Port was also adjudged as the Major Port of the Year during 2009-10 at the Annual Indian Maritime Gateway Awards 2010 ceremony organised by Gateway Media Private Ltd
Paradip Port Trust (PPT) handled 56.55 million tonnes of traffic in the year 2012-13. There is an increase from 54.25 million tonnes of traffic in 2011-12. During 2012-13, the port also added 22 million tonnes of capacity, thus bringing the total to 102 million tonnes. It is important to note that the Paradip Port was also adjudged as the Major Port of the Year during 2009-10 at the Annual Indian Maritime Gateway Awards 2010 ceremony organised by Gateway Media Private Ltd
Delhi Government to launch Food Security Scheme from 20 August 2013
Delhi government is all set to launch food security programme from 20 August 2013. Delhi will be the first state in India to launch Union government’s food security programme. The state government has completed all preparations in this regard.
Over 32 lakh identified families will start getting benefit under the scheme from the 1 September 2013.In the first phase, BPL and APL families, Jhugi Jhopadi ration card holders and those under Antodaya ration yojana will be covered.
Rickshaw pullers, porters and rag-pickers would also be included in the scheme to make Delhi hunger free.
Friday, July 26, 2013
India ranked 3rd in Global Consumer Confidence Index
India has been ranked third in the Global Consumer Confidence Index. The latest survey by the Nielsen reveals that in the second quarter of the current financial year, India slipped one point behind Indonesia and Philippines in the overall consumer confidence levels.
Indonesia emerged as the most optimistic country with 124 points followed by Philippines with 121 points and India came third with 121 points.
According to the survey, 72 percent Indians are optimistic about their job prospects in the next 12 months. The job security is the major concern followed by the state of Indian economy. Analysts say that the pattern is a reflection of the concerns of the devaluation of the rupee and the continuing inflation for urban Indians over the past six months. The Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions measures is based on consumer confidence, major concerns, and spending intentions among more than 29,000 respondents with Internet access in 58 countries.
India's Advanced Weather Satellite INSAT-3D Successfully Launched
India's Weather Satellite INSAT-3D, carrying advanced weather monitoring payloads, was launched successfully in the early hours of July 26, 2013 by Ariane-5 (VA214) launch vehicle from Kourou, French Guiana.
After a smooth countdown lasting 11 hours and 30 minutes, the Ariane-5 launch vehicle lifted off right on schedule at the opening of the launch window at 01:24 hours IST today. After a flight of 32 minutes and 48 seconds, INSAT-3D was placed in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), very close to the intended one. The orbital parameters of INSAT-3D, as recorded, are:
After a smooth countdown lasting 11 hours and 30 minutes, the Ariane-5 launch vehicle lifted off right on schedule at the opening of the launch window at 01:24 hours IST today. After a flight of 32 minutes and 48 seconds, INSAT-3D was placed in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), very close to the intended one. The orbital parameters of INSAT-3D, as recorded, are:
| Parameter (Unit) | Targeted | Acheived |
| Perigee (km) | 249.9 | 249.9 |
| Apogee (km) | 35880 | 35923 |
| Orbital Inclination with respect to Equatorial plane (deg) | 3.501 | 3.495 |
Soon after the separation of INSAT-3D from the Ariane-5's upper cryogenic stage, the satellite's solar panel automatically got deployed. ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka took over the control of INSAT-3D immediately. Preliminary health checks of all the subsystems of INSAT-3D bus were performed and the satellite's health is satisfactory.
In the coming days, orbit raising manoeuvres will be performed on INSAT-3D using the satellite's own propulsion system to place it in the 36,000 km high Geostationary Orbit.
After placing the satellite at 82 deg East orbital slot, it is planned to turn on the meteorological payloads of INSAT-3D in the second week of August 2013 and to extensively test them.
With a lift-off mass of 2060 kg, INSAT-3D carries four payloads - Imager, Sounder, Data Relay Transponder and Satellite Aided Search & Rescue payload. Among them, the six channel imager can take weather pictures of the Earth and has improved features compared to the payloads in KALPANA-1 and INSAT-3A, the two Indian Geostationary Satellites providing weather services for the past one decade.
The 19 channel sounder payload of INSAT-3D adds a new dimension to weather monitoring through its atmospheric sounding system, and provides vertical profiles of temperature, humidity and integrated ozone.
Data relay transponder, the third payload carried by INSAT-3D, receives the meteorological, hydrological, oceanographic parameters sent by Automatic Data Collection platforms located at remote uninhabited locations and relays them to a processing centre for generating accurate weather forecasts.
INSAT-3D is also equipped with a search and rescue payload that picks up and relays alert signals originating from the distress beacons of maritime, aviation and land based users and relays them to the mission control centre to facilitate speedy search and rescue operations.
ISRO has taken up the responsibility of end-to-end reception and processing of INSAT-3D data and the derivation of meteorological parameters with India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi. An indigenously designed and developed INSAT-3D Meteorological Data Processing System (IMDPS) is installed and commissioned at IMD, New Delhi with a mirror site at Space Applications Centre, Bopal, Ahmedabad.
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