Sci-Tech Archive

Mukherjee hopes for end to spectrum vacation tangle

Published: November 3, 2009Posted in: Business, National, Sci-TechTags:

New Delhi, Nov 3 – Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday said he hoped the ministries of defence and communications and IT would reach a consensus on vacation of third generation (3G) spectrum by the armed forces.

‘I do hope the decision will be taken as per the letter and spirit of the memorandum of understanding,’ said Mukherjee at the annual Economic Editors’ Conference here when asked about the delay in spectrum vacation.

The finance minister was referring to the agreement signed in May between the defence ministry and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) outlining the roadmap for the vacation of radio waves or spectrum.

The issue of the exact radio frequency to be released by the armed forces and the timing of the vacation has long been an issue of contention between the two ministries.

‘I am aware of the fact that there are certain areas of differences in regard to the vacation of spectrum,’ Mukherjee said.

‘The GoM (group of ministers) has given certain directions, and the ministry of communication sat as per the instructions given by the GoM so far the 3G auction is concerned.’

The auction of 3G spectrum was initially scheduled for December, but may have to be postponed.

The DoT had last month announced that the auction of the 3G spectrum would be conducted in four stages — invitation of the bid, pre-qualification, auction, and finally the grant of spectrum.

Allianz Insurance unit sets up third facility in Kerala

Published: November 3, 2009Posted in: Business, National, Sci-TechTags:

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 3 – ACIS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allianz Insurance Plc of the UK, opened its third facility at the Technopark information technology (IT) campus here Tuesday.

British Deputy High Commissioner in southern India Mike Nithavrianakis and Allianz Insurance chief executive Andrew Torrance inaugurated the new facility, which is spread over 40,000 square feet.

The first phase of the facility will seat 250 and be primarily used for global application development and maintenance projects for Allianz.

The facility will seat 600 when complete.

Nithavrianakis described ACIS as an ‘excellent example’ of Indo-British partnership in Kerala.

Torrance said ACIS was on its way to emerging as a shared services centre for Allianz globally.

ACIS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allianz Insurance and part of Allianz SE, a global player in the financial services industry serving more than 75 million customers in 70 countries.

Recognising the potential of tier-III cities in India, it launched its IT operations at Technopark in 2003.

In 2004, ACIS forayed into the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and was also the first to handle voice processes in Kerala.

With the new facility operational, ACIS currently employs 700 professionals.

Mite discovered by Indians is a new genus, say US scientists

Published: November 3, 2009Posted in: National, Sci-TechTags:

New Delhi, Nov 3 – US scientists say a new mite discovered by their counterparts at the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and christened Mangalaus represents ‘a new genus’.

The taxonomists of the ICAR Network Project on Insect Biosystematics, who discovered the new mite, named it after Director General Mangal Rai.

Renowned mites and ticks expert (acarologist) James Amrine of the West Virginia University said: ‘This mite has an eye-like ocelli and represents a new genus.’

‘The tibiae of legs I and II lack a seta, but all femora have a normal seta and tarsal setae, and it is sister to Notaceria,’ he added.

Ronald Ochoa of the US Department of Agriculture said there was no report of such structure in this mite family.

‘The round area, yes almost it does look like an eye…But as you know, there is no report of such structure in this mite family,’ he said.

The mite, which is too small to be seen by the naked eye, was found in the farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

The mite with an average length of 200 microns (one micron is 1,000th of a millimetre) feeds on a leaf called erineum on the fragrant plant manjarack or Indian cherry.

The scientists named it after Rai because of his ‘abiding interest’ in insect bio-systematics.

Get live news on your mobile as you get on TV

Published: November 3, 2009Posted in: National, Sci-TechTags:

New Delhi, Nov 3 – English news channel NewsX has now made its videos available on mobile phones with just a 30-second delay from what is seen on the TV. The service is primarily aimed at ‘tech-savvy’ and ‘corporate people’, says spokesperson Ajatshatru Singh.

‘This service is primarily for the urban and corporate people who are very tech savvy and who are happy using gadgets. It is for those who want news on the go – which is what we call the mobile generation… So as long as they have a device in their hands, the news can be delivered to them,’ Singh, head of Online, NewsX, told IANS.

As part of this service which was launched last week, viewers can access the same news content on their mobile device as they see it on NewsX TV channel and also its website. A special mobile URL – m.newsx.com/live – can be used to access the same.

Asked why the channel felt the need to introduce this concept, Singh explained: ‘The opportunity to do this has always been there given that India has the fastest growing mobile market in the world. It was about a year ago that we realised that with so many handsets floating around, people will want to get any kind of content delivered on their mobiles – so why not news?’

According to Singh, the video service will best work on phones such as the Apple iPhone and high-end models of all other companies like Motorola, Nokia, Samsung or HTC.

Also, there are no extra costs for availing the service, except for the basic expense of using mobile Internet.

‘We have no subscription charges, no fees attached with this. As long as you have a phone with Internet, you can log on to the URL and access news. There is also no specific operator we have tied up with. The service is cost independent and operator independent,’ he said.

Sony India targets 20 percent share in notebook market

Published: November 3, 2009Posted in: Business, National, Sci-TechTags:

New Delhi, Nov 3 – Consumer electronics company Sony India is planning to capture a fifth of the country’s consumer notebook market by the end of fiscal 2010, a top official said here Tuesday.

‘We are targeting to capture 20 percent share of the consumer notebook market by fiscal 2010,’ said company managing director Masaru Tamagawa.

‘We plan to do this by introducing unique products with cutting edge technology, expanding our distribution channels across the country and investing more in marketing,’ Tamagawa said at a press conference.

Sony India, which currently has a market share of 15 percent in the notebook segment, Tuesday launched three new laptop models – ultra slim VAIO X, colour coordinated VAIO CW and a new netbook VAIO W.

According to Tamagawa, VAIO X, which weigh 655 grams and is half inch wide, is ‘much lighter and thinner than Apple’s Macbook Air’, considered the slimmest laptop available.

The company is planning to invest Rs.15 crore (Rs.150 million) on marketing its new laptops, and engaged Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor to endorse VAIO X.

‘We have roped in Kareena for this slim and lightweight product because she is famous as being size zero. Besides, we will be marketing our new products heavily through mediums like print, cinema, radio, outdoor and online,’ said Tamagawa.

This apart, Sony is also planning to increase sales counters by 100 percent by 2010.

‘In fiscal 2008, Sony had 500 sale counters but we plan to double it to 1,000 by fiscal 2010. We are also looking at increasing exclusive VAIO counters to 20 across India,’ he added.

IGNOU to conduct B.Tech entrance test again in 10 days

Published: November 3, 2009Posted in: Education, National, Sci-TechTags:

New Delhi, Nov 3 – The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Tuesday said it will conduct an entrance test again in next 10 days, after its online test system for engineering courses collapsed Saturday.

The IGNOU Engineering Aptitude Test (IGNEAT) is the university’s first foray into online testing. The test determines entry into B. Tech and diploma programmes in engineering and technology. IGNOU is the country’s largest distance education university.

On Saturday, when around 9,800 aspirants sat for the test, the IGNOU server failed and the test could not be conducted.

‘The IGNEAT will be conducted within 10 days. We are still trying to ascertain the cause of server failure. We have roped in the cyber security cell (Delhi Police) to investigate the matter and have asked our technicians for a report which we would get in a week,’ IGNOU Vice Chancellor V. Rajashekharan Pillai told IANS.

The test was earlier to be conducted in five sessions – two on Oct 31 and three on Nov 1. But when the aspirants sat for the test Saturday, only two questions popped up on the screen.

IGNOU was using the Yahoo server for conducting the test.

Pillai ruled out the possibility of a major security breach. ‘I don’t think it is hacking, it was a server failure – and could have been due to load and congestion. We have thought of using our own server.’

Cost of bone grafting, dental filling to come down

Published: October 25, 2009Posted in: Health, National, Sci-TechTags:

Kolkata, Oct 25 – The cost of medical treatment involving bone grafting or dental filling could come down in India with the Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI) Sunday signing an agreement for low-cost application of the technology with private player IFGL Refractories Limited.

In the latest instance of institute-industry tie-up, the CGCRI – a constituent laboratory of India’s largest research and development conglomerate Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – signed an agreement with IFGL for the low-cost application.

The product was likely to be ready for commercial production within nine months, said IFGL director and chief executive Pradeep Bajoria, at the signing ceremony which coincided with the 67th CSIR foundation day.

‘The cost of the treatment using such coatings will be much less than the expenses involved in using similar substances imported from the US,’ said CSIR director general Samir Brahmachary.

Explaining the technology, CGCRI Bio-Ceramic and Coatings Division head Debabrata Basu said: ‘These coatings are made of bio-ceramic materials like synthetic hydroxyapatite and beta tricalcium phosphate and their combinations having the exact composition of bones. They will be long-lasting and free of wear and tear’.

Earlier, CGCRI had transferred know-how to IFGL for manufacturing a synthetic hydroxyapatite-based ocular implant developed as a substitute for lost natural eye ball.

‘It is becoming popular gradually. Now every month, 50 such implants are done. We are planning a series of events to sensitise the eye surgeons,’ said IFGL company secretary Rajesh Agarwal.

Brahmachari said CSIR now had 38 laboratories in various parts of the country and covers a large number of subject areas aimed at making the country self-reliant in science and technology.

‘It is striving forward along two main fronts. One is for competitive industrial growth through advanced engineering materials, smart materials, novel drugs and bio-therapeutics etc.

‘The second front is meant for sustainable inclusive growth through potable and affordable water, energy conservation and sustainable energy, affordable health care etc,’ he said.

The CSIR was also in the process of setting up six innovation centres in the country. ‘One of them will be set up at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district, where the leading edge scientific science and technology activities will be pursued by the CSIIR laboratories in West Bengal,’ he said.

Another possible venue is Delhi. ‘The proposal is now with the Planning Commission’.

Successful firing of cryogenic engine a challenge for new ISRO chief

Published: October 25, 2009Posted in: National, Sci-TechTags:

Bangalore, Oct 25 – Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman-designate K. Radhakrishnan, who takes over Oct 31, has said his first priority would be to see that the indigenously built cryogenic engine is made ready for the GSLV launch by the year-end.

He made the statement soon after he learnt about his appointment to the top post.

The successful firing of a cryogenic engine will take India into the exclusive space club, which has the US, Russia, China, France and Japan with such a capability.

‘The next test flight of the geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-D3) will be an acid test for the new chairman, as the indigenously built cryogenic engine will be used for the first time in the rocket’s upper stage,’ an official said, declining to be named.

The GSLV-D3 is slated to be launched in December from ISRO’s spaceport Sriharikota, about 80 km north-east of Chennai, to carry the GSAT-4 communication satellite into a geo-stationary orbit, about 36,000 km above the earth.

Radhakrishnan, director of the space agency’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, had played a key role in the country’s maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1.

‘Radhakrishnan played a key role in the realisation of India’s maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1. The rocket (PSLV-C11) that was used to launch Chandrayaan on Oct 22 last year, was designed and developed by him,’ the official told IANS.

Radhakrishnan will take over as chairman of ISRO and secretary, Department of Space, Oct 31 following his appointment to the top post Saturday by the government.

The present incumbent G. Madhavan Nair retires Oct 30 after six years at the helm.

ISRO had taken up the development of cryogenic stage in 1996 to achieve self-reliance in cryogenic propulsion technology.

‘Till now, we have used Russian-made cryogenic engines for the launch of GSLVs in the experimental flights,’ the official pointed out.

The indigenous cryogenic engine develops a thrust of 73 kilo Newtons (kN) in vacuum with a specific impulse of 454 seconds and provides a payload capability of 2,200 kg to geo-synchronous transfer orbit for the launch vehicle.

Radhakrishnan, while speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram late Saturday, said: ‘A huge responsibility has been placed on me. At this moment I would like to thank all my gurus (teachers) and among them are (Madhavan) Nair and former ISRO chairmen K. Kasturirangan and U.R. Rao.’

Radhakrishnan is not new to Bangalore, as he was director of budget and economic analysis at ISRO headquarters for over a decade in the nineties.

Starting his career with ISRO as an avionics engineer in 1971, Radhakrishnan held key positions, including director of regional remote sensing service centres under the umbrella of the national resources management system (1989-97).

After graduating in engineering from Kerala University in 1970, Radhakrishnan did MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM-B) in Bangalore and doctorate from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur, West Bengal.

For five years (2000-2005), Radhakrishnan was on deputation to the department of ocean development (now ministry of earth sciences) as founder-director of the Indian national centre for ocean information services and project director of the early warning system for tsunami and storm surges.

‘Radhakrishnan returned to ISRO and had a stint at the national remote sensing centre in Hyderabad before joining VSSC as director,’ the official recalled.

The rocket scientist was also vice-chairman of the inter-governmental oceanographic commission (IOC) of Unesco 2001-05.

Radhakrishnan was a member of the Indian delegation to the UN committee on peaceful use of outer space since June 2006.

K. Radhakrishnan named new ISRO chief

Published: October 24, 2009Posted in: National, Sci-TechTags:

Thrissur (Kerala), Oct 24 – K. Radhakrishnan, director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, was Saturday named the next chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Armed with a fax copy of his appointment Radhakrishnan, who takes over from G. Madhavan Nair, visited the famed Sree Krishna Temple Guruvayoor here Saturday evening.

Radhakrishnan said he was told of his appointment by phone from New Delhi. He then gave the number of the temple board office here where his appointment copy was faxed.

‘Religion and science go hand-in-hand. And when the two join it is nice,’ said Radhakrishnan, when asked about the official communication reaching him at the temple.

Radhakrishnan takes over from Nair Oct 31.

Radhakrishnan did his electrical engineering degree from Kerala University in 1970. He also holds an MBA from Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore and a doctorate from Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur.

He said that his first priority would be to see that the first indigenously developed cryogenic engine be made ready for the launch of the GSLV.

‘A huge responsibility has been placed on me and at this moment I would like to thank all my gurus (teachers) and among them are Nair and other former ISRO chairmen like Kasturi Rangan and U.R. Rao,’ Radhakrishnan told reporters.

Starting his career with the ISRO as an avionics engineer in 1971, he went on to hold key positions such as director of Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres under the umbrella of National Natural Resources Management System (1989-97).

In 2000-2005, Radhakrishnan was with Department of Ocean Development (presently Ministry of Earth Sciences) as the founder director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the project director of the Early Warning System for Tsunami and Storm Surges.

He was also the vice chairman of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of Unesco 2001-05.

Radhakrishnan is a member of the Indian delegation to the UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space since June 2006.

Our education policy is hostile to sports: Gill

Published: October 23, 2009Posted in: National, Politics, Sci-Tech, SportsTags:

Chandigarh, Oct 23 – Union Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare M.S. Gill Friday said the Indian education system is not sports-oriented and it does not aim at churning out quality sportspersons.

‘In my view, our current education is totally hostile to sports. I had also pointed out this fact during my meeting with Kapil Sibal (union human resource development minister) and also suggested him some ways to overhaul it,’ said Gill, while addressing a gathering here at Panjab University.

‘If we want to win medals in prestigious tournaments, we have to move our focus towards schools and colleges. All our schools and university federations of sports lie in the B category where funding is the main problem. I am trying my best to change this system,’ he said.

Gill was here to lay the foundation stone of indoor shooting range at the varsity campus in Sector 14.

‘I found it very absurd that there is no proper set-up given to sports in our schools and colleges. Kerala has started doing this but no other state is doing it. In America, there are sports scholarship. We also need to offer such incentives to motivate youngsters to join sports,’ the minister said.

‘I had also pointed out that no school, whether private or government should be sanctioned by the authorities till it has a sufficient-sized playground. We should offer various concessions and other facilities to those students who pursue sports,’ Gill said.

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