Daily Archives: October 11, 2014

Get ready for some space trek

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Education, Science & Technology

Thiruvananthapuram :

Sounding rockets will sear the skies and high altitude balloons will climb new heights at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), coinciding with the observation of the World Space Week (WSW) – 2014 from October 4 to 10 this year.

An array of programmes will be organized for schoolchildren during the week.

The programmes planned include an essay competition for High School Students on the topic ‘Space – Guiding your Way’.

Essays can be in English, Hindi or Malayalam. Handwritten essays not exceeding 2,000 words along with a certificate from the head of institution should reach the WSW office of VSSC on or before September 26.

The envelope should be superscribed WSW-2014 Essay Competition’.

The best essay will win the GSLV gold medal.

During the week, resource persons from VSSC will visit educational institutions in Kerala to organize lecture Programmes at high schools, higher secondary schools, teachers’ training institutions and polytechnics.

Interested institutions can register online on or before September 19.

A ‘Space Quiz’ will be conducted for school students on October 4. Students of class 9 to 12 can register on or before September 24 at wswquiz@vssc.gov.in or by post. Applications shall be certified by the head of educational institution. Only one team consisting of two students from each school can participate.

Following that, an open house will be organised at VSSC space museum, which will be open to public from October 7 to 10 from 9 am to 5 pm. On production of any photo ID card, free entry passes will be issued at the Canal Gate of VSSC upon arrival.

Further information can be had on the web portal http://wsw.vssc.gov.in.

The postal address for registration is WSW-2014 office, TDAD, VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram? 695 022, Phone: 0471-2564271/4272.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / TNN / September 11th, 2014

When a lensman’s passion takes the driver’s seat

Amazing Feats, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives & Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion
Motor vehicle inspector Shefiq B.'s photograph of a leopard at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won a prize at the State-level wildlife photography competition. Photo: K.K. Mustafah / The Hindu
Motor vehicle inspector Shefiq B.’s photograph of a leopard at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won a prize at the State-level wildlife photography competition. Photo: K.K. Mustafah / The Hindu

A motor vehicle inspector’s commitment to wildlife photography

: His passion for photography almost cost him his life a decade ago when he was chased around by a herd of wild elephants in Thekkady. And that night in 2003, he stayed atop a tree to escape the wrath of the pachyderms.

For someone who took pictures with trembling hands and landed himself in trouble out of his ignorance about positioning, Shefiq B. has come a long way to grab the victor’s prize at the State-level wildlife photography conducted by the forest department.

A motor vehicle inspector by profession, Mr. Shefiq will receive the award from Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan on Tuesday at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady.

Motor vehicle inspector Shefiq B.'s photograph of a leopard at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won a prize at the State-level wildlife photography competition. Photo: K.K. Mustafah / The Hindu
Motor vehicle inspector Shefiq B.’s photograph of a leopard at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won a prize at the State-level wildlife photography competition. Photo: K.K. Mustafah / The Hindu

The picture of a leopard lying on a rock at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won him the prize.

“Initially, the animal was behind a rock and was not fully visible before it stepped on to the rock. From its stomach I could gauge that the animal had had its prey just then and would be resting there for a while,” he said.

Photography became his passion after he took a five-year break from his job as a vehicle inspector.

During this time, he took up a job in the Middle East which gave him the opportunity to travel to the wildlife sanctuaries of Kenya, a photographer’s delight.

So much was he consumed by the passion that he didn’t think twice before taking a loan for purchasing a professional worth Rs. 2.5 lakh.

Since rejoining duty at the Aluva Regional Transport Office last year, Shefiq puts in extra hours at work, so that he can go exploring nature in the company of his camera on weekends .

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by M.P. Praveen / Kochi – October 07th, 2014