Category Archives: Science & Technologies

Solar energy soon to power Koyambedu Market, CMDA and TNHB buildings

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies

 Minister R Vaithilingam planting saplings at Koyambedu on Thursday as the Mayor looks on | P Jawahar

In a green initiative, the State government is exploring the possibility of tapping solar power for Asia’s largest perishable goods wholesale market.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department, Phanindra Reddy, told Express that Housing and Urban Development Minister R Vaithilingam is keen on exploring solar energy for Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as well as Tamil Nadu Housing Board buildings. Currently, talks are going on with Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency in this regard, the official said.

Meanwhile, Vaithilingam along with mayor Saidai Duraisamy planted saplings near the flower market. The drive to plant 1,000 saplings is part of an initiative to redevelop the market, which also includes landscaping, construction of a compound wall and rainwater harvesting. CMDA sources said a tender has already been floated for the construction of the compound wall.

Also, tenders have been floated for laying concrete in the open area between the flower and fruit markets. Interestingly, CCTVs are also to be installed in the complex, officials said.

But, garbage and lack of water and bathroom facilities are some of the major issues still plaguing the market. Traders also complained about illegal parking of omni buses, which affects the movement of vehicles in the area.

Sources said work to develop the omni bus stand opposite the Koyambedu market is progressing and four acres of land has been identified.

Sources also said one acre of land behind the flower market has been identified for processing garbage from the market.

Interestingly, MMC officials say that although CMDA had allotted land acquired by it in the 1980s from Tamil Nadu Housing Board for vermin-compost, separation of garbage for the nearby bio-methanation plant as well as banana stem process, the plant could not be put to use due to a court battle over the rights of the land.

Meanwhile, traders also brought to light the lack of water in Koyambedu market. CMDA officials said the market is without water as the traders are yet to pay dues to Metro Water, which cut its connection. “The issue could be sorted out through discussions with Metro Water as well as traders who should be willing to pay their dues,” a senior CMDA official said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Chennai / by C. ShivaKumer – Chennai / November 16th, 2012

Cancer awareness programme at SRM Medical College

Education, Science & Technologies

Chennai:

SRM Medical College and Research Centre in the city’s suburb organised a cancer awareness programme on Sunday. The programme was aimed to raise awareness and understanding about cancer that is affecting more and more people across the world.

Addressing the gathering, chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute Dr V Shantha said, in India, cancers are more often associated with tobacco use, but lifestyle changes are also aiding cancer in a large number. Shantha distributed prizes for the ‘Pathology Prize Competition’ , organised as part of the awareness programme. SRM University vice-chancellor (VC) M Ponnavaikko, pro-VC (Medical) P Thangaraju attended the programme.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / November 12th, 2012

Tiruchi hospital ropes in specialist to remove tumour in woman

Science & Technologies

A view of the Srirangam Government Hospital in Tiruchi. / Photo: M. Srinath / The Hindu

Doctor cites provisions under Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme

Notwithstanding the lack of an in-house facility for cancer surgery, the taluk-level government hospital at Srirangam has hired the services of a specialist to successfully remove a malignant ovarian tumour weighing two kilos in a woman diagnosed with borderline cancer.

Surgical treatment of cancer being unavailable even in the government medical college hospital here, the taluk-level hospital was able to perform the surgery by hiring the services of private oncologist, thanks to the provisions under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, T.Selvaraj, told The Hindu.

Chitra, a 55 year old housewife, was admitted to Srirangam Government Hospital last month with complaint of pain in the abdomen and abdominal mass (swelling) for six months, said Samsadh Begum, head, obstetrics and gynaecology department, Srirangam government hospital.

Diagnostic tests confirmed early stage ovarian cancer.

Surgical oncologist Ravi Iyengar, who operated on the patient with the assistance of general surgeon Srikanth, said the patient had a malignant ovarian tumour of a borderline nature. After the tumour weighing two kilos was taken out, biopsies of the lymph nodes, ovaries, appendix and uterus were also carried out for signs of cancer. “This was important to decide course of further treatment. The woman was diagnosed to be in the initial stage of cancer. If there was advanced malignancy, she may have had to undergo chemotherapy.”

The patient is recovering and the chances of cancer spreading have been ruled out, according to the doctors.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Olympia Shilpa Gerald / Tiruchi, November 09th, 2012

TTDC eyes Marina for maritime heritage museum

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technologies

The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) is seriously contemplating setting up a maritime heritage museum either in Mamallapuram or on the Marina by making use of decommissioned submarine, INS Vagli, which is now in Visakhapatnam.

According to official sources, the government order for erecting submarine INS Vagli on a special platform at Mamallapuram was issued on June 11. A sum of Rs.10 crore was sanctioned for shifting the vessel. The submarine, decommissioned after 36 years of service on December 9, 2010, is currently docked at the Naval base in Visakhapatnam.

Talking to The Hindu, sources said “We have received a no-objection certificate from the Defence Ministry to get the decommissioned vessel to be towed from the Visakhapatnam dockyard. As it is our maiden attempt, we will be seeking the help of experts to bring the vessel, haul it ashore and erect it on a special platform. Some modifications will have to be carried out on the vessel to enable the visitors to enter and have a look at the engineering marvel. Tenders will be floated soon for this purpose.”

“If everything goes as per plan, the proposed museum should be ready within 18 months. The proposed museum will be executed in a phased manner under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer mode. It will have facilities such as marine technology, food courts, audio-visual studio, souvenir shops and aquarium,” the sources said.

While it might not be difficult to set up the maritime heritage museum in Mamallapuram as it owns 30 acres of land abutting the beach near the Shore Temple, the TTDC has to get the State government’s help to acquire some piece of land on the Marina, the sources indicated. It may be pointed out that Visakhapatnam has the distinction of converting a decommissioned submarine (INS Kursura) into a museum a decade ago. Taking a cue from it, representatives of chambers of commerce and industry in Chennai have been urging the State government to grant them a piece of land to set the museum-ship on the Marina.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> TamilNadu / by N. Anand / Chennai, November 05th, 2012

Misericordia University Honors Angela Asirvatham

Education, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technologies
                                                           Dr. Angela Asirvatham
 DALLAS, Penn., United States
  • Misericordia University recently honored Dr. Angela Asirvatham for excellence in scholarship, teaching and service to the campus and community.  Asirvatham, an associate professor of biology, was presented the Judge Max and Tillie Rosenn Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to student learning and development.
  • According to the Dallas News, the award is given annually to an outstanding faculty member elected by a vote of the students.Asirvatham joined the Misericordia faculty in 2003 as an assistant professor.
  • The Indian American holds a doctorate in physiology from the Department of Biological Sciences at Kent State University and a master of science degree in reproductive physiology from the Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wyoming.She also holds a bachelor of veterinary science, the equivalent to a doctorate of veterinary medicine, from the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Chennai.
  • source: http://www.indiawest.com / Home> News> US Indian> News Dispatches / October 29th, 2012

Voltech, NanoPV venture to build solar module plant near Chennai

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies

Chennai, OCT 30:

The Voltech group of Chennai and the US-based NanoPV have joined hands to put up a 100 MW solar module manufacturing plant near Chennai and a solar park near Tuticorin.

Voltech is a medium-sized group that is into the manufacture of transformers.

Setting up a cell and module manufacturing plant may appear foolhardy at a time when global majors are being toppled by the Chinese companies’ onslaught and the slowdown in the European economy. But NanoPV’s President and CTO, Dr Anna Selvan John, says that the company has unique and patented technology that enables it to be competitive even in this market.

“NanoPV has unique technology based on amorphous and nano-crystalline silicon and proprietary light-trapping and ‘transparent conductive light-trapping oxide’ technologies,” says the company’s Web site. Because of this, compared with conventional solar cells, NanoPV’s cell manufacturing involves one-third the process and takes one-third the cost, and “300 times less amount of material consumption.”

Voltech’s Managing Director, M. Umapathi, said that the group has near Chennai a factory building where it once produced textiles. NanoPV intends to bring in plant and machinery from the US and set up a production line here.

The initial capacity would be 10 MW and would gradually be ramped up. Umapathi estimates the cost of the project to be Rs 100 crore.

Solar farm near Tuticorin

Another joint venture of Voltech and NanoPV is putting up a 100 MW solar farm near Tuticorin. The project will be implemented in phases, and work has begun on the first 10 MW.

In this venture, a UAE-based company called Arab Gulf Pearl Trading is also participating. It has taken 50 per cent of the equity. This project too would cost Rs 100 crore.

Work has commenced on the first 2 MW, which will be completed by March 2013. The other 8 MW will be ready to produce power by the end of 2013, Umapathi said.

NanoPV says that its modules can generate 1.8 million units of electricity per MW each year.

The joint venture intends to enter into power purchase agreements with industrial consumers in the state, forming a ‘group-captive’ structure.

ramesh.m@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Companies / by M Ramesh / Chennai, October 30th, 2012

Capgemini opens new BPO centre in Tamil Nadu

Business & Economy, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Chennai:

 French IT major Capgemini on Wednesday  announced commissioning of a 300-seat BPO facility in  Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu.

Photo: Reuters

Spread across an area of 18,000 sq ft, the new facility would increase Capgemini’s BPO strength in India where more than 6,500 full time staff are now employed.

Capgemini pioneered a hub-and-spoke delivery network model in India when it opened a spoke location in Salem in 2008 and based on its success, the company has now expanded its delivery network with the opening of the Tiruchirappalli centre that will serve as another spoke location for the hubs in Bangalore and Chennai, a company release said here.

“The new facility is part of Capgemini India’s ongoing expansion strategy for its BPO services,” B L Narayan, Head of BPO Capgemini, said. All operations at the new centre, like most of
Capgemini’s BPO services in India, will be non-voice based, the statement said.

PTI

source: http://www.FirstPost.com / Home> Firstpost> Fwire / PTI / Photo: Reuters  / October 25th, 2012

Aavin vouches for purity of its milk

Business & Economy, Science & Technologies

Though the Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Welfare Association has expressed concern over the health of the citizens in the wake of the Centre’s submission on adulterated milk, the state government owned Aavin has asserted that it is providing 100 per cent hygienic and pure pasteurised milk to consumers.

“The milk and all our products are clean and there is no scope for adulteration at any stage as the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federa­tion Ltd (familiarly known as Aavin) procures milk in a scientific way,” a senior Aavin official said.

Apart from educating the milk producers’ societies on rearing cows, Aavin strictly conducts 19 types of tests to ascertain the quality of the milk.

Milk obtained from the societies, if found substandard, face rejection. “Since we strive to live up to our motto: No profit, no loss, Aavin does not compromise on quality.

Even the pricing is within the reach of common man,” the official maintains.

However, the Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Welfare Asso­c­iation has called upon the state government to immediately constitute an expert committee at state level and tighten the noose on “ad­u­lterators.”

“Next to me­dicine, milk is considered as life saving food and this precious commodity should be supplied in a wholesome manner,” says S.A. Ponnusamy, state pre­sident of the association, citing the Centre’s submission before the Supreme Court.

Although, the private producers do not permit public to view their dairy activities, Aavin conducts educative trips to its dairies for the benefit of school and college students.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Cities> Chennai / by J. V. Siva Prasanna Kumar, DC, Chennai / October 23rd, 2012

Foldable vehicles dominate design expo

Education, Science & Technologies

An effort to transform future of surface transport

Will ‘foldable, transformable’ vehicles revolutionise the road surface transport scene for passengers in the years to come?

The answers seems ‘Yes’, going by three young Engineering students teams from across the country stealing the show at the just concluded ‘India Inventor Student Design Competition’ at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras here.Varad Patil and Ameya Ganapatye of the Fr C Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, walked away with the first prize for innovatively designing a ‘foldable bicycle’, amid global concerns to go green by reduction of carbon monoxide (a greenhouse gas) releases into the atmosphere.

A digitalized 3-D model of a ‘foldable three wheeler’ by three students of PSG College of Technology Coimbatore, – Messrs L P A Shanmuganathan, T Manojkumar and B Aravind-, grabbed the second prize in the All-India competition.Not to be left behind was a two-member students team from the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar,- Messrs.

Shashank Agarwal and Dhwanil Shukla-,  who were adjudged the third prize for their innovative design of a ‘transformable car’, namely a four-wheeler that can be made into a two-wheeler.

The competition was organized by IIT-Madras and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in association with engineering design software maker Autodesk, B Nagarajan, Deputy Registrar, IIT-Madras said.

Competition

While over 1100 teams from various Engineering colleges in India registered for the competition, more than 400 designs were received for the meet, he said.

The participating ‘student teams’ this year “digitally designed a futuristic or innovative foldable / transformable vehicle using Autodesk products.”

A renowned five-member Jury comprising industry and academic experts evaluated the new designs submitted by the student teams, from among whom the top 12 teams were short-listed in an intensely creative competition.

The three top winners were chosen from that list, pointed out Nagarajan.

Vision

The objective of this All-India competition was to “sensitize young minds to India’s Design requirements and engaged them in developing innovative solutions. In doing so, we hope to nurture budding talent in our country with a focus on the design needs of the Nation,” said Prof M Ramanathan, Department of Engineering Design, IIT-Madras.

While the selected National finalists will take part in a four-day ‘boot camp’ to be held at Singapore from Nov 5, the winners will compete for ‘World Skills India In Mechanical Engineering Design (CAD – Computer Aided Designing)’ at the forthcoming ‘World Skills Competition (WSC)’ the largest skills competition, to be held in Germany in July 2013, Nagarajan said.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> National / Chennai, DHNS / October 23rd, 2012

Drip irrigation helps Dindigul farmer reap bumper harvest

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technologies

Madurai:

A farmer in Dindigul says he has achieved a bumper harvest by reaping an additional tonne of maize per acre, by adopting the drip irrigation system.

Chinnasamy, of Semmadaipatti in Reddiyarchathiram is a happy man as he has made a profit even after investing a lesser amount. Chinnasamy’s farm lies in a dry and drought-prone region and he feels that drip irrigation is the answer to their problems. “Most of us here have been using drip irrigation for various horticultural crops, like gooseberry and pomegranate, but I was the first to try it on corn in Reddiyarchathiram union,” he says.

Usually, drip irrigation is successful in crops where the plants are spaced apart at a distance of five to 10 feet. In the case of maize, the plants are seen close to one another and Chinnasamy had approached the department of agriculture, seeking subsidy for setting up a drip irrigation system in his farm. His success in reaping a good harvest this year has set an example for others in the region.

Chinnasamy says that he was able to use the water meant for irrigation in one acre in an additional one and a half acres using the drip irrigation system. According to agriculture officials, Chinnasamy has been able to reap four tonnes of maize this year against three tonnes last year. Joint director for agriculture, Dindigul N T Sampathkumar and other officers visited the farm on Friday and inspected it. Farmers in the area were also advised to add specific nutrients as some plants showed signs of needing additional iron supplements.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / by Padmini Sivarajah, TNN / October 21st, 2012