There are around 150 students getting trained at Chennai Rifle Club
Until a year ago 17-year-old T. Vigneswaran did not know anything about rifles or shooting. After his father S. Tirupathi, a second-hand book vendor, enrolled him in the student membership programme at Chennai Rifle Club, the youngster has been winning medals.
“For the past one week I did not get any income and it is hard to meet the household expenses. However I want my son to shine and I am sure he will win gold for the country in the Olympics if he continues his practice,” says Mr. Tirupati.
Many youngsters like Vigneswaran, a plus-two student in a government school in Kodambakkam, benefited after the Chennai Rifle Club opened its door to students in March 2018. “As on date, there are around 150 students, aged between 10 and 17 years, and some are from financially weaker sections of the society too,” said D.V. Seetharama Rao, honorary secretary of the club.
“I have won medals in school and national-level competitions and it would not have been possible without the support of my coaches Rajat and Prem Sai who allowed me to use their gun. I want to purchase my own weapon, but my father cannot afford it,” says Vigneshwaran, a first-group student, who aims to join the Indian Air Force.
There are a few students who are willing to do all they can, to excel in the sport. Kavin Vendhan, a 10th standard student, travels from Villupuram to Chennai daily to practice for competitions. “For me shooting is a divine experience. I leave Villupuram at 11 a.m. and reach Chennai at 2 p.m. After two hours of practice, I return home,” says Kavin.
Gopinath Ganesan says he will do everything to help his daughter Saahitya pursue the sport. “She is performing well. I am very happy to invest in a weapon that will help her win medals. This sport helps in her overall development,” he says.
D. Kumar, convenor, student’s coaching scheme, Chennai Rifle Club, said that the club funds the training of students from the weaker strata of the society. “All the students are put through a structured training programme at the club,” he says.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Vivek Narayanan / Chennai – February 11th, 2019
Nutpam builds virtual reality-driven training content for people working in large corporations and sectors like healthcare and education. Its VR simulators train people to not just learn but also get used to machines.
When we hear the term virtual reality (VR), our first thought might be of a sci-fi movie or a video game. However, many people are now realising the application of immersive technology to skill people in various sectors such as healthcare and other industries to train people. With platforms such as IBCricket, which brings the popular sport to your living room, and VRDevotee, which lets you immerse yourself in devotion at any place, VR is also garnering a lot of attention in India.
Meanwhile, Senthil Sarguru and Karthik Bavanandan, both 28 years old, set up Nutpam in 2016 at Mylapore, a suburb in Chennai, which builds solutions using VR. Its product uses immersive technologies to train industrial labour, doctors and students. The team says it uses AR, VR, internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to bring immersive experiences into the app or even into the physical world.
“We strongly believe that our strength is in content making for immersive experiences. We have been developing VR/AR content in healthcare, enterprise, education, and other immersive experiences based on the client’s requirement,” says Senthil.
Nutpam’s 10-member team has expertise in scripting, modelling as well as programming for virtual reality.
Karthik Bavanandan, Co-founder of Nutpam
The early inspiration (and setbacks)
The founders say they were very inspired by Google and Facebook’s VR work. However, the team initially started off by offering 360-degree videography services for companies. But their common interest was VR technologies.
In 2016, when they were marketing their skills and looking for new projects, they were discovered by a client from Brazil. The project was about Human Anatomy VR training for medical students in Brazil. Hence, the trio bought their first VR hardware and began building modules, which they sold to the client in Brazil.
“For a year we were able to work on various 360 degree projects, and then we started using VR for companies,” says Senthil.
Simultaneously, they also started focusing at NGOs to deliver training and education to students using VR. Unfortunately, it did not work, and they ended up burning most of the money. Their first success came from one of the corporates, which asked the team to build a VR module to train employees to collaborate effectively. The results were good, and this deal proved to be lucky for Nutpam and it started making profits.
It is currently focusing on medical and industrial training with VR simulators. The founders claim that their unique selling proposition is integration of VR content, and leasing of VR headsets. The company presently competes with Tesseract, a Delhi-based startup which specialises in AR experiences.
The founders say it was challenging for them to find the right talent to build the technology, create image recognition, processing the content and regenerating a real world in the virtual world.
Senthil Sarguru, Co-founder of Nutpam
The training product
Nutpam’s product aims to simplify the effort for its clients and builds virtual reality-driven content for training. For example, it provides simulators to people to get used to machines in a thermal power plant, and avoids the risk of training them in a live thermal station.
“This kind of simulator-based training will make a huge impact on the society because it can take risks off industrial training, and make people perfect with their skills,” says Senthil.
Similarly, in healthcare, if a trainee doctor needs to understand the different cases of polyps that grows in the gut, it can be created using virtual reality and the doctors can be trained to insert an endoscope and guided to lift tissues for biopsy.
The company also operates in industrial training, facility management training and construction. Some of its prominent clients include L&T, Uber and Swiggy. Apart from India, it has clients in the US and Brazil.
The numbers game in VR
According to the founders, Nuptam is yet to gain substantial revenues as it believes the market for virtual reality will only pick up from 2020. The company’s revenue at present is less than Rs 50 lakh, said one of the founders. “Our revenue model is a services model. For any client who wants R&D services for VR, we manage that,” says Senthil.
The company has so far raised $500,000 from an undisclosed angel investor. It aims to double its clients by 2020, and plans to increase its revenues to Rs 3 crore or more and also turn profitable in the coming years.
According to research firm Statista, the VR industry is growing at a fast pace globally. The market for virtual reality hardware and software is projected to increase from $2.2 billion in 2017, to more than $19 billion by 2020.
The world of virtual reality is filled with opportunities as it is a new area of interest for corporates to train its employees, to connect with consumers and also build immersive content. As India is brimming with ideas about changing the nature of reality itself, it is only a matter of time before people end up living their digital avatars, and less of their human self.
Purasawalkam is home to many heritage buildings and so it is not surprising that there is one celebrating its bicentenary year.
CSI Missionary Chapel located at Mookathal Street, Purasawalkam, is commemorating the bicentenary of its consecration. It was established on December 25, 1819 and is considered to be the oldest church in Purasawalkam and Vepery.
A commemoration tablet with a brief narrative on the history of the chapel was recently unveiled marking the year-long celebrations.
Several eminent persons from London Missionary Society shepherded the Missionary Chapel.
It was Anna Drew (wife of William Hoyles Drew, presbyter of Missionary Chapel) who started a small boarding school, ‘London Mission Female School’ for deserving children at Kellys. It is now known to be Bentinck Girls Higher Secondary School, Vepery.
I. Samuel Prabhakar, Presbyter and Chairman, CSI Missionary Chapel, recalled his childhood days when he was a member of the church. He considers serving at his mother Church as a rare opportunity and honour especially during its bicentenary year. Several social activities, including free medical camps, have been conducted through the church.
This year, the church’s medical team has started veterinary services.
The building has some additions. In 1957, a belfry was added and the rear portion of the church was extended to accommodate growing congregation in 1975. There are plans to renovate the church without making any structural changes. At present, nearly 450 families regularly worship at the church.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by K. Lakshmi / February 08th, 2019
Tracing the journey of historian and author A.R. Venkatachalapathy, speakers discussed his contributions to the social and cultural history of Tamil Nadu at a seminar on Saturday.
Organised jointly by Kalachuvadu, Kadavu, and The Hindu Lit for Life, the second day of ‘Viruvum Aazhamum’ seminar had sessions on Mr. Venkatachalapathy’s many avatars as historical researcher, translator, author, teacher and scholar.
Tamil writer Perumal Murugan said Mr. Venkatachalapathy had compiled and brought out 17 books, including ones on freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, poet Bharathiyar and Tamil writers Maraimalai Adigal and Pudhumaipithan, to fill gaps in historical accounts. He also threw light on lesser-known personalities like A.K. Chettiyar, a Tamil travelogue writer, and contributed to new perspectives in history, he added.
Style of writing
Speakers also discussed his style of writing and his contributions to the literary field through prefaces and Dalit writings. His prefaces were distinct and could be compiled and published as books, some of the speakers said. Describing his captivating style of writing as more typical of fiction, speakers suggested that he write a book tracing the history of Tamil proverbs.
Mr. Venkatachalapathy has published 41 books in English and Tamil and has authored about 200 articles in various newspapers and magazines.
He is currently a professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – February 09th, 2019
Southern Railway general manager R K Kulshreshtha has appreciated the efforts of Perambur Loco Works which wrapped vinyl sheets in the interiors of 351 diesel power cars recently.
Southern Railway GM KR Kulshreshtha inspecting an overhauled diesel power car in Perambur on Friday. (Photo | Express)
Chennai :
Southern Railway general manager R K Kulshreshtha has appreciated the efforts of Perambur Loco Works which wrapped vinyl sheets in the interiors of 351 diesel power cars recently.On Friday, he along with principal heads of departments conducted annual inspection of Loco Works, Perambur and reviewed the various developmental works being done there.
A release said Perambur Loco Works, one of the oldest premier workshops of Southern Railway has progressed from carrying out repairs to Steam Locomotives in its formative years to upgrade itself with the latest technological advancement and become a modern workshop with its focus on repairs to coaches, diesel power cars, electric locomotives, self-propelled accident relief train and tower wagons. Chief Workshop Manager, Loco Works, explained to the General Manager all improvements and achievements by loco works team, including many innovations done by the staff.
The General Manager suggested that workshop should study and explore the possibilities of providing larger lookout glass in Diesel Power Cars for better visibility to drivers. Better sun visors should also be provided for the ease of drivers to avoid glare during train operation, he said.
During the visit to the electrical loco POH shop, improvements made in the re-cabling section, contactor section and the loco in which crew friendly features were provided for the comfort of the loco pilots and assistant loco pilots were also inspected.
Many locos have been provided with crew-friendly features such as air conditioner, increased moving space and improvement in drivers seat. A new cable cutting machine which cuts the power cables to required length so as to avoid strain to employees was commissioned during the visit, the release said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / February 10th, 2019
Paying tribute to Western classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven, a new Indian classical raga Veetavanam has been created by Chitravina N. Ravikiran.
The name lends itself to multiple translations such as desired abundance, desired spring or desired forest. It forms the improvisatory prelude to his latest video Beethoven on 21 strings, which features the evergreen Fur Elise.
The musician’s creation, close to the Western minor scale that Fur Elise is composed in, draws from the Carnatic Keeravani. “Fur Elise actually uses several other phrasings and also every one of the 12 notes in a descending flourish at one point,” said Mr. Ravikiran, who has created a number of ragas, including Mohini, celebrating Mahatma Gandhi, and Choodamani, named after his mother.
“This raga is more a suggestive salutation to the great composer than an attempt to mimic him. I hope that this tribute is welcomed by musicians and music lovers of both the East and West,” he said.
On the challenges involved, he said that Indian classical has evolved along melodic lines and does not employ harmony. But even melody sections that may seem elementary on a piano (since 10 fingers are used) can be enormously challenging to negotiate with just one slide. “But the ‘singing’ quality of the Chitravina and its ability to execute enchanting micro-tonal nuances and also create dazzling effectscan bring out a completely different flavour of the piece, without affecting its integrity,” he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Music / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – January 29th, 2019
Carrots cooked in alcohol may soon be a popular source of lasers.
Chennai :
Carrots cooked in alcohol may soon be a popular source of lasers. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) have demonstrated the possibility of generating laser in an eco-friendly way, by using carrots as a lasing material, according to a statement issued by the institute.
The laser, generated through this technique, has immense potential in the field of bio-imaging.
Currently, the most common lasing materials, such as Indium-Gallium-Arsenic and Gallium-Nitrates, are manufactured using toxic chemical processes which are harmful to the environment. The new technique that the researchers have come up with uses just minimally processed carrots.“We fondly call this kitchen laser,” exclaimed Sivarama Krishnan, one of the guides of the research.
The research was undertaken by a team comprising Prof C Vijayan, Assistant Professor Sivarama Krishnan, and Venkata Siva Gummaluri, a PhD research scholar, from the Physics department of IIT-M.
The discovery itself was a result of the after-work-hours fun experiment, said Sivarama Krishnan. “We were pumping light through various organic materials and found that carrots have lasing properties. For example, we also tried orange juice and tomato juice,” he said. What set the humble carrot apart was the optically active bio-pigment called carotenoids present in the vegetable.
Although the fluorescence quantum yield of carotenoids is much less, compared to standard organic laser dyes, the vibrational spectra can be obtained even with extremely low concentrations of carotenoids, said Sivarama Krishnan. “We could easily increase the concentration of caretenoids on the surface of the carrots, by simply cooking it in alcohol. Then we pump light through a slice of the surface to get laser,” he said.
While the traditional polymers used were toxic and non-biodegradable, there has been search for more eco-friendly fluorescent polymers. In this search, the team looked at biological molecules as probable lasing sources.
Speaking about the importance of this research, Vijayan said, “There is now a move towards development of green, sustainable materials for various applications, including in photonics. The need for green photonic technologies is obvious in the current times where sustainability, bio-compatibility and degradability are of paramount importance.”
Carrots, in addition to having carotenoids, also have cellulose fibres that contribute to multiple scattering of photons and resultant optical amplification for Raman random lasing. The demonstration uses a process, first discovered by CV Raman, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930.
The researchers plan to advance their research to make the material more commercially viable. Currently, this material has potential as it is natural, bio-compatible, safe to handle and highly reliable.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Sushmitha Ramkrishnan / Express News Service / February 05th, 2019
Chennai-born, US-based social entrepreneur and impact investor Kunal Sood talks about instigating further futurism via tech-vestments
Having spent the past 20 years of his life in the US, Kunal Sood, the Founder of X Fellows and Partner at X Impact Group, uses technology to drive change. A TED Resident and Ambassador to Singularity University NYC, the 41-year-old empowers entrepreneurs and innovators to turn their dreams into reality.
Kunal’s expertise ranges from psychology degrees to being a global health scientist to, of course, entrepreneurship. All this culminates in two important bodies: X Fellows and Novus Summit.
X Fellows, a privately-held community of entrepreneurs, is considered the inner-circle of innovators with companies.
Excerpts from an email interview:
Working with world leaders
My work with world leaders is primarily about building extraordinary citizens. The men and women shaping the future of our planet can find common ground around solving our global challenges.
People sometimes ask me ‘what do the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid have in common?’ I’ve been fortunate to play an important role in helping them unite around solving our world’s most urgent problems. Leaders that live their values in action help drive real-world results.
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Hear it from the leaders
As the founder and chairman of Novus Summit launched at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in 2016, Kunal has put the world’s most accomplished and exponential leaders together.
Such figures include Peter Diamandis, Anousheh Ansari and Astro Teller on stage, alongside tech titans like Sunil Mittal, Reid Hoffman and Marc Benioff.
Expect stories of transformation with a global audience of delegates representing 193 countries, consisting of Heads of State, UN Ambassadors and Youth Leaders.
While 2019’s summit on July 20 – to celebrate man’s landing on the moon – is invite-only, Kunal shares there will be a line-up of astronauts, influencers, artists, policy-makers and storytellers present.
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My hope is to make X Fellows and Novus Summit the pre-eminent gatherings at the UNGA, for exponential leaders to unite in action and work to achieve the 17 UN Global Goals.
The Indian influence
Growing up in Chennai was my toughest lesson in life early on, and given where I am today, the biggest blessing. My life, when I was around eight years old, shifted drastically, and I suffered both physically and mentally. While others excelled academically, I was left behind — often lost and without an understanding of why I was not able to keep pace.
My experience taught me how to relate to people with compassion and extraordinary resilience. India continually influences me because my late mentor Dr T J Cherian was a renowned cardiologist and served as a father figure in my life.
The birth of X Fellows
The idea of X Fellows was born out of the extraordinary courage of people like Dr Cherian. The programme was also born out of the need I see in the world to create a new league of extraordinary citizens. It is focused on the vision that we are all gifted, even when seemingly cursed.
Given the fast and accelerated pace at which exponential technology is outpacing our lives, I have learnt that the right community with sparking the right kinds of stories can bring about real impact. Together, they drive a sense of urgent action and offer a genuine opportunity to learn, connect and create something that is larger than us and truly extraordinary at its core.
We have entities such as Astro Teller of Google X, Anousheh Ansari of X Prize and Craig Hatkoff, founder of Tribeca Film Festival and Disruptors to name a few involved with X Fellows.
Tech talk
X Fellows is unique in technology because we believe in the power of mass customisation. Exponential technologies, be it Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing, or life-saving drones, can help us design individual solutions at an unparalleled scale. For example, a child who needed a prosthetic limb 20 years ago would face a lifetime of extremely expensive, poor-fitting choices. Today, tailor-made solutions are available at a fraction of the cost.
Sustainable solutions that are customised to the individual experience is where humanity is heading. By 2020, IDC analysts expect 3D printing global revenues to exceed $35 billion. It is human nature to want to create something that improves your life.
Human beings by nature are drawn to stories. Novus gives the youth a voice, as much as we give our elders a platform to share practical wisdom.
(As told to Akila Kannadasan)
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Internet / by Akila Kannadasan / February 04th, 2019
At 59, the medical doctor qualified in hospital administration is fit as a fiddle.
At 59, Major General Dr AVK Mohan is a cyclist, mountaineer, runner and rider
Chennai :
What would be a more apt venue for a tete-a-tete with a passionate endurance and adventure sports enthusiast than a bicycle store? We are at Pro-Bikers, OMR — the city’s go-to shop for professional cyclists — to meet Major General Dr AVK Mohan. It’s hard not to notice Mohan with his walrus moustache and crisp-casual attire. At 59, the medical doctor qualified in hospital administration is fit as a fiddle. “I have always been conscious about having a healthy lifestyle. I think everyone should focus on their fitness and well-being,” he says.
Amid a plethora of cycles and spares mounted on the walls, we find a quiet spot, and one of the most admired personalities in the city’s cycling and endurance sports circuit talks to us about his zest for life. The self-confessed ‘daredevil’ goes by the principle — ‘Never wait for opportunities to come your way. You create it, and seize the moment.’
Mohan has done it all — from going on mountaineering expeditions to Mount Satopanth with Italians in 1991, being the first in an Army brigade to climb a live volcano in Mount Nyeiragango in Congo in the early 2000s, to motorbiking to Siachen Glacier to commemorate the Army Medical Corps reunion, and biking to all the eight states on the Northeast including two China borders at Nathu La in Sikkim, Bumla in Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar border at Moreh, Manipur and Bangladesh border at Agartala, Tripura.
His second-self is diverse, and he has a hard time picking a favourite. “From mountaineering, motorbiking, to cycling and running, they are all my favourites. Each one compliments and empowers the other. For instance, I cycle as cross-training for running,” he explains.
After traversing the country, Mohan moved to Chennai in December 2014 — a shift he never imagined would change his life. “I came to Chennai with inhibitions. The culture here was entirely different in comparison with my previous placements. I have served and commanded in Military hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir, Tezpur and so on,” he says.
But, what happened next was serendipitous. In June 2015, during one of his usual morning rides to OMR, he met Ashish Thadani and Kirtanya Krishnamurthy, who encouraged Mohan to join the Chennai Joy Riderz, a popular cycling group in the city. “My love for cycling tripled, and we went on several long distance rides. I met many like-minded people after my initiation into the group. I will treasure these memories forever,” says Mohan.
The tetra super randonneur has completed several long-distance rides including the 1,000km brevet event from Chennai to Vijayawada and back, a 900km tour of Nilgiris cycling — in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in 2015, and the 4,500 km Tour de Rotary K2K from Kashmir to Kanyakumari as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan in 2016.
Mohan’s day starts at 3 am, where he runs or cycles for a minimum of 70 km, before heading to work. Recently, despite an ankle fracture, Mohan went on a 15-km run on the Marina circuit. “It’s healing, but I don’t think the fracture will stop me from doing what I love,” he shares.
Mohan is an unofficial mentor and inspiration for budding cycling and fitness enthusiasts not only in Chennai but across the country. “I make sure I push and motivate others to take steps towards a better living.
To be a role model is a big responsibility, but I enjoy being one,” he shares.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Roshne Balasubramanian / Express News Service / February 04th, 2019
Pritesh Asher and Megha Asher | Photo Credit: M.Periasamy
Juicy Chemistry hopes to spread the good word about their certified organic range of skin care products at the prestigious trade fair, Vivaness 2019
City-based Juicy Chemistry that is an organic skincare brand gets ready to participate in Vivaness 2019. In association with BIOFACH, Vivaness is the world’s largest trade fare exhibition for organic/natural personal care, skin care and organic food products. It is to be held between February 13 and 16 at Nuremberg, Germany. Explaining its significance for Juicy Chemistry, its co-founder and Managing Director, Pritesh Asher says that it is the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in this fair that is in its 30th consecutive year. “As Juicy Chemistry is a 100% Certified Organic Skincare brand, we will co-exhibit with Ecocert (the worlds largest organic certification body). We will present over 100 products that are certified by the Cosmetic Organic Standard (COSMOS).”
Megha Asher, founder and CEO of Juicy Chemistry, reiterates, “This expo onlyshowcases brands that are 100 per cent natural/organic.” She explains the stringent screening process that preceded their participation and adds, “Every product we want to showcase here is screened for various parameters. Exhibitors are required to keep the necessary documentation to validate the products on display comply with these standards.” (see box)
The fair expects over 50,000 visitors and 2,900 exhibitors from 154 countries over four days and “gives us a chance to represent India and present to the world that we are built on a simple philosophy that emphasises on ‘less is more’,” says Megha. It is all a matter of pride for the country, says Pritesh.
“We are a clean, environmentally-friendly, sustainable, cruelty-free, certified organic brand. More importantly, we want to show the international buyers that we can deliver world class products, which comply to the highest international standards. And all of them are made right here, in India.”
Juicy Chemistry is a very young company, just four and a half years old. Says Megha, “We started with ₹5,000 and the rice and green tea scrub (it is still a bestseller). We then built up our brand one product at a time and here we are today with over a 100 items and going to this prestigious international fair. I am excited.”
Stringent screening
The products should contain only natural or organic raw materials
There should be no petrochemical-based raw materials
There should be no synthetic ingredients including synthetic fats, oils, waxes or silicones. The list of no-nos is long
All ingredients used should be declared on the products
The natural raw materials must not be produced from genetically modified organisms
Products should be manufactured without using ionising radiation
Products are, as far as possible, produced and processed to the latest technical standards in an environment-friendly way
The products must be cruelty free
Beauty, naturally
Juicy Chemistry is preparing to launch a complete range of organic care for athletes and an intimate care line for women. They also have a range for junior care. “The aim is to bring simplified chemical-free solutions in anything that we use in our day to day life,” says Megha
Find out more on www.juicychemistry.com
The range is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.in
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style / by Pankaja Srinivasan / February 01st, 2019
