Category Archives: Science & Technology

Dr Joshy John leaves behind his work in medicine and literature

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion

DrJoshyKERALA22dec2014

London:

Dr Joshy John, known for his work in the field of HIV and AIDS, died at the age of 71. He was a consultant physician at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.

Dr John left for London in 1967 after graduating from the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College with a gold medal. Though he wanted to specialise in cardiology, Dr Mckee, the dean at the University of Edinburgh, convinced him to opt for one of the emerging areas. Dr John selected venereology.

He started practice at the St Bartholomew’s Hospital, the oldest hospital in Europe. By the time he obtained his M.D., HIV and AIDS had emerged as one of the biggest health threats of the century.

Dr John became an HIV specialist. He became a consultant physician within eight years. He travelled around the world and attended numerous conferences on AIDS.

A hectic period followed as a member of the Royal Society of Medicine in London, the director of the AIDS and STD clinic at St Albans City Hospital and honorary professor at Sheffield University and other institutions.

The UK government entrusted him with the duty of preparing a report on the AIDS clinics in the United States in 1984. He was instrumental in designing the four hi-tech AIDS/STD clinics in the UK.

Dr John was equally deft in carrying on with the legacy of language inherited from his father. He started a research centre named after Prof. Ulahannan Mappila in St. Berchmans College, Changanassery. He also started a research library in the college in memory of his daughter Mary Anne John Stuttgen, who died in an accident in 2009.

The library is unique in Kerala. Dr John scouted the universities and libraries of London for rare classics and first editions. He bought the original edition of John Milton’s Paradise Lost for Rs 1.5 lakh. He brought to the library a rare collection of dictionaries, including a copy of Dr Samuel Johnson’s first dictionary. The library cost Rs 1 crore. Of these books worth Rs 35 lakh came from London.

Dr John is survived by wife Tresa (Thangamani) and sons Jaison and James. The late Prof. Aniyamma Abraham, Dr Lisy Nair and Jordy John are his siblings.

source: http://www.english.manoramaonline.com / OnManorama / Home> News> Kerala / by Manorama Correspondent / Friday – December 19th, 2014

City firms bask in GSLV MK III success

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Thiruvananthapuram  :

As ISRO successfully test-fired GSLV Mark III, two firms in the city are on cloud nine. Medium scale engineering firms based in Thiruvananthapuram — Kortas Industries and Intimate Machines Private Ltd — have been closely involved in the development and production of many of the key components of GSLV-Mark III. Thursday’s launch was an experimental suborbital flight of 630-tonne GSLC Mark III to validate its ability to carry heavier communication satellites and crew modules for future manned missions.

Kortas Industries at Kochuveli has supplied around 12 components for the mission. Intimate Machines Private Ltd, a small and medium enterprise in Manvila, has supplied a model of GSLV Mark III to ISRO in March last. The miniature model was precisely made for conducting wind tunnel test, a crucial prelaunch operation.

“One of the major components supplied by Kortas is flex seal assembly of the gigantic 200 tonne booster motor for its flex nozzle. This is the most critical item for controlling the mission trajectory,” said M Shahabudeen, MD of Kortas.

Kortas also supplied multi-layer thermal boots for two S200 boosters and L-110 engine, nozzle closure assembly with thermal protection cover for L-110 liquid engine, separation system hardware for S200 boosters, nose cone and AFT shroud assemblies of flexi nozzle control tanks, etc. “In case if the GSLV deviate from its trajectory, it has to be destructed before falling at inhabited locations. We have supplied destruction charge sheaths for S200 boosters which will destroy the vehicle on air,” he said. It has also supplied various other auxiliary and pyro systems of the vehicle.

Kortas Industries has been engaged in technology development and manufacturing of aerospace systems, mechanical systems and precision components for the last 14 years. It has earlier supplied critical systems and components for all satellite launch vehicles of ISRO such as Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV), Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions.

Intimate Machines’ MD K C Sanjeev said that the successful launch of GSLV Mark III was a proud moment for them. The company has been associating with ISRO since 2006. After the Mars Orbiter Mission, ISRO had congratulated Intimate Machines for their role in the mission.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / by Jisha Surya, TNN / December 19th, 2014

‘Mentoring calendar’ initiative to kick off

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

StartUpVillageKERALA22dec2014

Come March, and the country’s first technology business incubator in the private-public-partnership mode will launch its ‘mentoring calendar’ initiative. In the programme, IT stalwarts from the Silicon Valley and India’s leading Internet entrepreneurs will offer lesson plans to those incubated at the Startup Village here.

“This will be one of the major programmes to be launched in 2015. The aim is to provide the young founders of start-ups an opportunity to interact with mentors and learn from their rich experience,” said Pranav Kumar Suresh, Chief Executive Officer of Startup Village.

Explaining that the mentoring programme would be extended over a period of 10 weekends, Mr. Suresh pointed out that there were several issues that the young entrepreneurs needed to learn. “They may not know the intricacies of how to negotiate with an investor. Sometimes issues may crop up between a founder and co-founder or they may fall into a confused state after realising that the initial goals have not been met. Only a successful entrepreneur would be able to clear their doubts through the proposed face-to-face sessions,” he said.

Expanding space

Racing ahead of their expected target of incubating 1,000 start-ups in 10 years, the Startup Village will host 250 to 300 more ventures by next September.

Currently, over 50 start-ups are housed in the village located at the Technology Innovation Zone in the Kinfra Park. Work to add about 1.5 lakh sq.ft to the existing space is expected to be over in eight to nine months.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had recently opened an additional 10,000 sq.ft to the existing 15,000 sq.ft in the expanding incubator in view of the growing number of youngsters launching unique and innovative start-ups.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi /  by G. KrishnaKumar / Kochi – December 11th, 2014

Now Blood for Pregnant Women a Click Away

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Science & Technology

Kakkanad :

In a novel attempt to ensure blood for pregnant women in the state, the Ernakulam district panchayat, in association with the All Kerala Blood Donors Association (AKBDA), has launched a novel project named ‘Save Mother Save Baby.’

Excise Minister K Babu inaugurated the project at Lakeshore Hospital here on Saturday.

“The project will benefit thousands of women who have come across issues in getting blood from the banks. We have witnessed such cases many a times and that has inspired us to initiate such a project,” said district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappilly, while presiding over the function. To avail of the facilities of the project, people can register their names on the website: akbda.org/bloodforbaby mentioning the details of the pregnant woman including the blood group and its details, hospital to where she is going to get admitted etc. Likewise, they can register their names in a form available with the AKBDA.

“Based on the details, the AKBDA will store adequate amount of blood for the needy in the hospital before she get admitted to the hospital. Whenever the patient faces the urgency of blood, they can easily get it,” said Kunnappilly. For this, a vehicle facility with a seating capacity of 17 is also arranged for the patients and the hospital has donated `10 lakh from its CSR fund for the project.

source: http://www.newindianexpress. com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / December 14th, 2014

Spirited start to school science fete

Science & Technology
Muhsin Kasim from BSS Gurukulam HSS, Alathur, with the thread pattern work he made in the upper primary category of the work experience competition held at KHM Higher Secondary School, Alathiyur near Tirur, on Thursday. Photo Sakeer Hussain. / The Hindu
Muhsin Kasim from BSS Gurukulam HSS, Alathur, with the thread pattern work he made in the upper primary category of the work experience competition held at KHM Higher Secondary School, Alathiyur near Tirur, on Thursday. Photo Sakeer Hussain. / The Hindu

Displays of working models of projects draw huge crowds

The State School Science Festival began at various venues around Tirur on an enthusiastic note on Thursday morning.

Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb formally inaugurated the event at Government Boys Higher Secondary School. Director of Public Instructions (DPI) in-charge L. Rajan; MLAs C. Mammootty, Abdurahman Randathani, P. Ubaidulla, and N. Shamsuddin; district panchayat president Suhara Mampad; and Tirur municipal chairperson K. Safiya were present.

While the Government Boys Higher Secondary School (HSS) hosted the science fete, Devadhar Government HSS, Tanur, hosted the mathematical fete.

The social science fair began at Government Higher Secondary School, Niramarathur, and KHM Higher Secondary School hosted the work experience fete. The IT mela began at SSM Polytechnic College.

The working models of scientific projects displayed by students at Government Boys HSS and the live competitions in work experience held at KHM Higher Secondary School, Alathiyur, drew the maximum crowds. More people are expected on Friday and Saturday.

While the students of Ramavilasam HSS, Chokli, presented a working model of a self-sufficient flat system, those from St. Joseph’s HSS, Mathilakam, came up with a multi-functioning pedal power machine.

Safety LPG distribution system, free electricity generator, automatic cleaning toilet, biomass gas production, digital seismograph, high-tech auditorium, and auto headlight dimmer were some of the popular working models on display.

Among the still models, plasma degeneration plant, gas turbine, solar power plant, and Mangalyaan project were some of the popular ones.

The upper primary and the high school science exhibition took place on Thursday. The exhibition of the higher secondary and vocational higher secondary models will be held on Friday. There will be science seminars and quizzes on Friday.

The competition in live demonstration of work experience for high school and higher secondary school category will take place at the KHM HSS on Friday.

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Abdul Latheef Nahal / Malappuram – November 28th, 2014

Science literature awards announced

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology

AwardsKF13nov2014

The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has announced the winners of the Science Literature Awards for 2013.

C.P. Aravindakshan, K.V. Mathew, A. Achuthan, Aranmula Hariharaputhran, V.P.N. Namboothiri, and Sasidharan Mangathil won the awards in various categories for their science-related works in Malayalam published in 2013, an official press note quoting KSCSTE Director George Varghese said.

Best book award

Dr. Aravindakshan, who is well known for his efforts in popularising science, particularly among young students, won the award for the Best Science Book (Children’s Literature) for Madhuram Athimadhuram Rasathanthram .

Two awards were announced in the Best Book (Popular Science) category — Mr. Mathew bagged the award for Manushyan Oru Super Computer and Dr. Achuthan for Paristhithi Padanathinu Oru Aamukham .

Dr. Hariharaputhran and Dr. Namboothiri won the awards for the Best Science Book (In-depth Science) for their works Jeevasaasthrathinte Kadha and Prapancha Srishtiyude Padippurayil – Daivakanathinte Samkshiptha Charithram respectively.

Mr. Mangathil won the Science Journalism award for his articles on disaster management published in the Mathrubhumi daily in 2013.

The KSCSTE had instituted the annual award to recognise individuals who made substantial contribution to science literature in Malayalam.

Each winner would receive Rs.50,000, a citation, and a certificate, the press note said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu /  Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – November 13th, 2014

Meet Cicil Chandran, the Undisputed King of Hi-tech Farming

Agriculture, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

CicilKERALA 09nov2014

Aluva :

Speaking at the Global Agro Meet 2014, producer Cicil Chandran says that Hi-tech farming is the future for agriculturists the world around.

And this is no ordinary producer.

Winner of the Hi-tech farmer award consecutively in 2012 and 2013, not counting a plethora of other recognitions, Cicil Chandran is the owner of DJM Hi-Tech farm at Neyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram, adopting advance techniques using latest technology, where he nurtures different varieties of Cucumber, Capsicum, Papaya, Tomato and Bittergourd, just to name a few. When ‘Express’ contacted Cicil he said, “To venture into the Hi-tech agriculture field, proper training for the producer is imperative. Kerala is lagging behind in this regard. Hi-Tech farming yields more than 10 times the produce that is obtained by the conventional farming procedures,” he says. “Moreover, it ensures that the produce is pesticide-free and completely safe for consumption,” he adds. This is amply supported by the fact that he gained a staggering eight-and-a-half tonnes of produce within three months of farming in a 600-sqm field.

He nurtures an enviable Hi-Tech vegetable farm, high-breed, good quality vegetable seedlings, a banana plantation, heliconia, orchid anthurium, ornament plants, a goat farm, a coconut tree plantation, ginger and pepper plantations all under one roof. He also cultivates a particular variety of papaya, the Red Lady,  which he says is a highly profitable cultivation that requires minimal care and attention. His DJM Hi-Tech farm is divided into a fully controlled and protected sector and a naturally ventilated area which is covered by insect-proof nets.

The polyhouse in DJM Hi-Tech is also one of the only two farms in the state which uses the smart farm module developed by Centre for Development and Advanced Computing (CDAC). “The smart farm module senses humidity, water and air circulation, soil and carbon dioxide. It takes all these factors into account and makes the necessary changes in settings, all the while dispatching an sms of the changes that it has registered. It is completely automated in every regard. However, only certain crops like tomato, cucumber and chilli, which are self-pollinating, are grown in the sector,” he says, adding that polyhouses are subsidised by 75 per cent. He uses UV stabiliser sheets from Israel to spread sunlight evenly to every crop.

He says that Kerala possesses a huge potential for growth in the Hi-Tech cultivation sector, but is stunted by a lack of training for producers. “Several high quality seeds and fertilisers which are used here are currently imported from Netherlands. If we could provide proper manufacturing facilities of those products in the state, we would be able to cut down extra costs to a considerable extent,” he says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Vaisakh Hari / November 08th, 2014

Doctors at your door step

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology, Travel, World Opinion
DoctorsCabin.com team
DoctorsCabin.com team

Bid adieu to those days when you would have wait in line at hospitals to consult a doctor. Instead, you can now have video conference sessions with the doctors .

Mini Balaraman, President, DoctorsCabin.com had spent 14 years in the USA. After returning to India she realised how difficult it was to consult doctors. This triggered the idea of a web based cosultation service.

DoctorsCabin.com, a digital health website, helps people from all walks to life, to get in touch with a doctor with ease. The company does the needful to get in touch with doctors from various parts of India who offer video consultations to patients. Patients can get second opinions, follow up questions etc. by using the video chat service. The service also assures a certain degree of privacy as well.

At present, the firm has 20,000 doctors and 2000 hospitals under their registration.

Patients may also use the “Ask the Doctor” option to share their medical history, reports, get an opinion or ask a question to a doctor.

One can also know find out about the cost of treatments including surgeries like by-pass surgery , open heart surgery, liver transplant, cosmetic surgery etc. There are over 30,000 treatment procedure listings available in the website. Details about the treatment as well as getting their appointment confirmed before visiting the hospital can also be done online.

The firm has tie-ups with several companies to provide home health services. Doctors/Nurses/Physiotherapists visit the patient’s house and provide necessary care. This is beneficial to those patients who have difficulty in traveling, who seek new born care, post surgery care, suffering from chronic illness etc. The NRIs are also happy to have such facilities, as their dependents get convenient treatment in India.

Vikram Nair, CEO of the firm, Mini Balaraman, President, Prakash Sathyapalan, Chief Technology Officer said that their aim is to offer a transparent and comprehensive platform that has unique value in the healthcare space and eyeing for expanding it globally in the near future.

source: http://www.english.manoramaonline.com / On Manorama / Home> My News / by Sunil VP / Wednesday – October 29th, 2014

Welbound Too Played a Role in Mangalyaan Mission

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

Thiruvananthapuram  :

Kerala-based Welbound, a manufacturer of bookbinding machines, also played a role in the success of Mangalyaan mission.

Welbound had manufactured the PS4 fluid system components for the small motor aboard the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft which helped in placing it in the orbit around the red planet. Welbound, in fact, is one of the many small and medium enterprises, which builds components for ISRO and its units.

After the mission, Welbound managing director K C Sanjeev received a letter from K Sivan, director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), thanking the firm and adding that the fluid system components had performed as expected throughout the mission.

Welbound had supplied the fluid system components which went into the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) developed by the LPSC which raised the orbit of MOM around the earth, thrust it on its journey towars Mars and stopped it to be placed in the orbit around Mars.

“Welbound had also manufactured the components for the PSLV C-25 rocket which was used to launch MOM,” Sanjeev said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / November 04th, 2014

Appam, Prasadam Production will be Mechanised: TDB

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Science & Technology, Travel

Pathanamthitta  : 

Travancore Devaswom Board member Subhash Vasu has said that appam, prasadam production would be mechanised in the forthcoming pilgrimage season. Addressing a Meet-the-Press programme here on Saturday, the TDB member said that the plant would have a manufacturing capacity of 25,000 appams a day.

The cost of the project, estimated at ` 2 crore, would be met from sponsorship, Subhash Vasu said. The pilot run would begin during the pilgrimage season and the plant would achieve its full production capacity during the Vishu season, he said.

The TDB member added that 48 bio-urinals would be set up on the Swami Ayyappan Road during the coming season.

On the traditional trekking path, 48 additional bio-urinals would be set up during the season, he said. At the Sannidhanam, 120 bathrooms would be set up before the upcoming season, the TDB member added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / November 02nd, 2014