Category: Infotext

  • The recipe for Earth’s sustainable development is One World One Grid: R Velraj

    The recipe for Earth’s sustainable development is One World One Grid: R Velraj

    Ritesh Ranjan, INN/Chennai, @Royret
    Human use of fossil fuels for energy is the main cause of the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. For hundreds of years, humans have been re-emitting carbon into the atmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuels like coal and oil, which are derived from carbon that is taken from plants.
    As of May 2022, the average global concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is 421 parts per million, or 0.04%. It’s crucial to comprehend that “parts per million” refers to the number of carbon dioxide molecules in one million molecules of dry air. When CO2 levels rise from 365 parts per million (ppm) in 2002 to more than 420 ppm this time, here is how the colours shift.
    When CO2 levels rise from 365 parts per million (ppm) in 2002 to more than 420 ppm this time, here is how the colours shift. From 280 ppm 10,000 years ago to the mid-18th century, when the Industrial Revolution started, this indicates a 50% growth. This rise is the result of human activity. Life on Earth is impossible if atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations rise to 800 parts per million.
    The former vice chancellor of Anna University, Prof. R. Velraj, asserts that adhering to the precepts of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is essential if we hope to preserve human life. We can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by utilising renewable resources and altering the way we consume energy. Examples of renewable energy sources are the sun, wind, and other biomass sources.
    Utilising renewable energy sources efficiently requires energy storage because it closes the gap between supply and demand. Because renewable energy is highly intermittent, the source and demand are not in line. The current focus should be on promoting energy storage technology in order to merge renewable energy with storage technology and meet all of our energy needs with renewable energy.
    The needs for movement and electricity are satisfied by fossil fuels. There’s a chance that if these devices run on renewable energy, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 will drop. Solar energy can be utilised to create hydrogen and can also be used to charge electric and hydrogen-powered automobiles. Right now, there isn’t enough storage capacity to support major power generation, such producing a lot of electricity from power plants. Thus, pumped hydro storage systems are the only feasible technique.
    Since storage technology is expensive, we can employ “one world one grid” in its place. Anywhere in the world can produce solar energy, so if the entire planet is wired into a single transmission grid, the countries that don’t receive any sunshine must get their energy from the other half of the planet through this grid. It is feasible to link the entire planet to use solar energy if it is connected to a single grid and storage technology is nonexistent. The globe will become greener, more sustainable, and have less CO2 in the atmosphere because to this technology.
  • An indigenous vessel traffic service was created by IIT Madras

    An indigenous vessel traffic service was created by IIT Madras

    Ritesh Ranjan, INN/Chennai, @Royret

    Without a doubt, our nation had to rely on other nations for a long period after gaining independence for everything from science to technology. However, in recent years, this reliance has been reducing daily thanks to the commitment and diligence of Indian experts.

    IIT Madras professor K. Murali and his team has created an indigenous shipping service as part of this endeavor to make India self-sufficient. It is important to remember that up until now, our nation has been dependent on technologies created by other nations. Nevertheless, given its complexity and the issues it causes for consumers, our nation has now produced fresh, simple, and domestic technology in this area.

    It is important to note that the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Safety of Life-at-Sea (SOLAS) Convention requires Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). In addition, the VTS system uses direction-finding devices including radar, AIS, VHF, and other services to generate traffic images in order to aid in future planning.

    Sources claim that this contemporary technology was created with an efficient maritime traffic management and communication system in mind, in addition to its practical usability. If necessary, any additional technology can be easily and affordably attached to it in addition to integrating all the information in the same operator working environment. It is important to remember that foreign technology comes with a high cost and a lengthy process.

    Existing system

    There are currently around 15 VTS systems operating on the nation’s coastlines, however they are not all uniform because each one has its own unique VTS. Port officials claim that the VTS software system has limited accessibility and that the user must rely entirely on the system’s supplier. In addition, it is prohibitively expensive to maintain, upgrade, and integrate with other port operational systems.

    Notably, the major ports of India entrusted the task of developing cutting-edge technology to the National Technology Center for Ports and Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), which conceptualized indigenous VTS software development to address the challenge of standardization and uniformity. Following this, IIT Madras was added to the project. Under the direction of Professor K. Murali of the Department of Ocean Engineering, work on the project began in 2021, and by the end of 2022, this indigenous technology had been produced.

    An estimated 1.5 crore rupees will be saved yearly by implementing this indigenous technique. Actually, contracts to deploy this technology have already been given to six of the nation’s major ports, with Villinajam Port of Thiruvananthapuram being the name of the first project. Mature ENC map engine, zone monitoring and alert, weather forecast service, current port and terminal operating system, interoperability, secrecy in the context of national security, etc. are all features of the indigenous system created by NTCPWC.

    It is currently licensed to IITM Startup Maritime Technology Pvt Ltd and has been commercialized.

    We have currently created the necessary software and are in the process of producing the sensors needed for this technology domestically, which should be finished in a few years. Professor K Murali, IIT Madras, Ocean Engineering Department

    The primary benefit of this domestic technology is its affordability. In addition, purchasing this technology from outside requires full payment up front, however purchasing this Indian technology domestically allows for payment to be done in installments.

    The main benefit of this is that it can be improved based on recommendations or needs. Doing this with other nations comes at a high cost. Sunil Paliwal, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust

    The Ministry of PSW’s officials affirmed that all Indian ports will use the same technology as soon as the foreign contract expires. Depending on their needs, this technology may eventually be sold to other nearby nations.

  • A technology that can save precious lives

    A technology that can save precious lives

    INN/New Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

    A technology that can warn us before natural disasters strike is of immense value as it can help save precious lives. Esedios a startup company from Tamil Nadu has come up with a technology that can alert us much before the natural disasters wreak a havoc.

    There is no hesitation in saying that every time natural disasters strike us, a lot of loss is caused to human life, property. Whole world is bothered about storms, heavy rains or natural disasters in any form. It is indeed true that no nation on the globe is immune to the risks posed by natural disasters.

    It may take years to recover from the loss that follows occurrence of natural disasters. There is a limited possibility of avoiding natural disasters. However, a technology that warns us before hand about forthcoming storms, heavy rains is a blessing for all of us.

    Technology developed by Esedios can be of immense help. It has developed AIoT sensing device that can warn us very early about various types natural calamities. AI and ML based sensing system data transmission, data processing play a lead role in decision making. It can make the job of alerting the general public and authorities concerned very easy.

    EW-AWLR IoT based alerting software, web servers are connected to electric remote functional smart IoT pole through which alert messages can be transmitted.

    AWLR alert system can trigger the flash lights and sound on siren to remind everybody nearby to move to safer places. Blue, Orange and Yellow alerts messages can be sent, says Muthu Kumar Ramalingam, founder of Esedios.

    His career began at Anna University’s Centre For Disaster Mitigation and Management unit. It was then that idea of developing this technology that can alert well-in-advance about natural calamities came into my mind, he says. He established his company in 2018 and came out with the prototype for this system in 2019.

    The special feature in this technology is that there is enough scope for decision making. It has been quite encouraging for this entrepreneur. His company displayed their technology in G-20 Climate Conference held in Chennai recently. The technology managed to generate great amount of interest in foreigners. There is a good demand from foreign countries for the technology he has developed.

  • COVID-19 will bring challenges and opportunities as well

    COVID-19 will bring challenges and opportunities as well

    S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs03

    The outbreak of COVID-19 in India more than three months ago has brought the entire nation to a standstill. Economic progress has considerably slowed down while affairs on the academic front refused to surge ahead.

    Infodea spoke to vice president of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Sankar Viswanathan on the challenges bothering the education sector currently and the road map ahead for it. Here the excerpts from the interview

    Q: What impact will COVID-19 have on the education sector in general and how will it impact your institution on a broader level.

    A: This pandemic situation has created both negative impacts and opportunities in the educational sectors. A multi-pronged stratagem is necessary to accomplish the
    catastrophe and build a resilient Indian education system in the long term.

    Facing a crippling pandemic, technology has emerged as a major elixir. Communication becomes a major key to our consistent existence and technology is the driving force that maintains our connections.

    In general, the swift, unexpected change from conventional learning to online learning seems to be difficult for countries like India.

    Since online learning was not equipped fully and the curriculum was not designed for such a template. This situation has created the risk of most of the students becoming passive learners and they appear to be losing interest due to the low degree of attention span.

    The online teaching-learning pedagogy is not new to VIT. We are pioneers in the paradigm shift. It is not just about altering the academic calendar but also pushing for new modes of learning, pedagogy, and teaching that will lead to bigger, fundamental
    changes going forward. A large number of academic meetings, seminars, and virtual conferences are moving online at VIT.

    We are practicing approaches like integrated learning and experiential learning, with greater implementation of technology.

    Q: How long will the COVID 19 situation delay the commencement of admissions and classes subsequently this academic year?

    A: We are waiting for the directions from the regulatory agencies mainly for preparing the academic calendar for the forthcoming year.

    We will be able to fix the dates for the admission process and subsequent counseling. The admission for all our PG programs will be based on their Bachelor’s (Under Graduate) degree performance, instead of conducting an entrance exam (VITMEE).

    For the 5 year integrated programs like M.Tech. (Software Engineering) and M.Sc., once the 12 th standard exam gets over, the students can apply for the same.

    However, all these admissions will be only through online counseling mode. VIT has enhanced its online visibility via. engaging through online chats, the use of social media, and through e-mails.

    We have also arranged for virtual campus tours to showcase the campus life and facilities available.
    For our UG admissions, we are working out to provide the flexibility in terms of test centers, the extended window for test period with appropriate time periods for ensuring the sanitation of test centers and social distancing.

    Q: Will the delay in the starting of the present academic year have an impact on the commencement of next year? If yes what will be the impact?

    A: We hope this pandemic situation will come to an end soon. Of course, if the situation prevails, there will be a minor delay in the commencement of the next year as well.

    This delay will further alter the academic calendar and the duration of summer internships.

    Q: Taking the present situation as a lesson, what should educational institutions do to prepare themselves to handle such situations in a better manner in the future?

    A: The teaching-learning pedagogy and the way curriculums are taught should change. Features that were once considered essential to education maybe
    reviewed to principally accommodate life skills of the future.

    There must be a shift required from conventional learning models to a model of mixed learning where both face to face delivery along with an online model
    will become the norm.

    There is a great opportunity for universities and colleges to start improving the quality of the learning material.

    This mixed learning will be the new format of learning and finding new ways to design and deliver quality content especially due to the fact that the use of learning management systems will bring about
    more transparency in academics

    Q: What impact will be there on placements this time owing to COVID 19 situations?

    A: Amidst this pandemic situation, more than 100 M.E. and M.Tech. Students have been offered a 10-month internship program. Nearly 25 companies have confirmed their participation in the remote internship process.

    Virtual onboarding across the world is working well for many companies. The senior leadership is continuously monitoring the situation and leveraging technologies like telepresence and video conferencing to
    ensure business continuity.

    Though the situation appears to be slightly abnormal, it will change in the course of time.

    Q: Some top companies are said to have rescinded job offers already made due to COVID 19? How do you take this situation?

    A: I can say that the rescinded job offers are not too high. The IT giants and another tech
    giants who are visiting regularly VIT for campus hiring assured that they would honor those candidates whom they have already rolled out the offer letter.

    The commitments made to campus hired-freshers as well as lateral are being honored by our recruiters. Soon after the pandemic situation, many industries from Europe.

    The USA will be starting off their plants in India and there are rays of hope regarding the placements.

    Q: And how can students be prepared to handle such situations and how educational institutions can boost the morale of the students under such critical circumstances?

    A: Not just careers, but residents of the future as well, the students should acquire skills like resilience, adaptability, collaboration, communication, empathy, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

    This pandemic situation has revealed that quick responses to cataclysms and quick implementation of alternative solutions in trying times are important for continuity and resilience.

    This is also a momentous cue to the education community that the skills the students most need in this unpredictable world are an ability to handle unexpected realities, making informed decisions, creative problem
    solving, and perhaps above all, adaptability.

    Q: There is a wide spread opinion that syllabus must be reduced this time for both school and college education? Will that not impact quality of learning? If not how can quality be maintained even after reducing the syllabus? 

    A: In my opinion, there is no need of compressing or reducing the syllabus. Already, we are conducting online classes and there are so many ways to complete the syllabus.

    We should not compromise on the quality of education.
    As far as the school education is concerned, the students coming from the rural background may not be able to have the access to internet sources.

    For few subjects like Social Science and languages, the syllabus may slightly be compressed and not for Maths, Science courses.

    Q: Do you see new learning and teaching methods in our education due to COVID 19 impact?

    A: Yes. Many universities and schools prefer to conduct the teaching-learning process through online mode. Continuing education through alternative learning pathways, as soon as possible, must also be a top priority right now, The platforms like Coursera and edX have a good reach amongst millions of students in India.

    Some institutions have already started edX MicroBachelors and MicroMasters programs into their on-campus IT and computer application degree.

    However, online teaching-learning will not be an effective solution for the courses related to skill development – the laboratory and the project-oriented courses.

    The adoption of technology in education has led to an unprecedented transformation from teacher-centric education towards student-centric education.

    Virtual classrooms and various online tools are helping to continue and enhance the engagement between the
    teacher and students are as close to the classroom-type experience.

    Q: Will COVID 19 also give rise to new courses in the fields of engineering which can help students in the future?

    A: Definitely. There are more chances of arising new courses both in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary fields of engineering. A collective effort of engineering teams across the disciplines resolved many disasters and it will become more now.

  • Now,Indian firms to get Professional help to avoid Business Failures

    Now,Indian firms to get Professional help to avoid Business Failures

    K.V. Lakshmana, INN/New Delhi, @kvlakshman

    can be contacted on [email protected]

    Industry leaders from across sectors – from private equity to telecom to retail to academics – have been brought onto a single platform to advise companies in risk and crisis management.

    Most often, it has been seen in India, also in some parts of the world, risk management as a strategic tool for business growth was missing. And in fact, its importance gets heightened in the number of business failures in India.

    And in fact, its absence has been telling on the life and longevity of some firms that have gone down under.

    Given the newest threat posed by the ongoing Covid19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of risk vision, and because of the increase in business failures in the country, the companies have realized the need for risk and crisis management as a tool to help sustainable business growth.

    Now, help is at hand for the Indian companies from the Indian affiliate of the Institute of Risk Management – UK (IRM India). It has formed a Strategic Advisory Board comprising industry leaders from a range of sectors to provide expert and impact-led insights to nurture a forward-thinking risk community in India.

    A virtual meeting of the advisory board held recently, it reaffirmed its support for risk management in India, which they will render through thought leadership, research, and mentoring collaboration with IRM India.

    The Board also unveiled the India vision of the global professional body and discussed ways and means to go forward amidst the ongoing pandemic.

    In the discussion, the table was the implications of the current pandemic on India’s economy, and the importance of enterprise risk management as a key component of Indian business strategies, for a successful recovery and future direction.

    The board also discussed threadbare the risks and challenges that lie ahead for various sectors and ways for companies to overcome them.

    Hersh Shah, CEO, India Affiliate of Institute of Risk Management – UK (IRM India) said, “We are thrilled to have on board this group of seasoned experts, whose collective knowledge and experience we can leverage, to drive a healthy risk culture among organizations in India.”

    Enterprise risk management provides companies with a path towards improving outcomes and accelerating growth, and at IRM India, our aim is to nurture an ecosystem that blends global standards with local insights and creates a pool of qualified and visionary risk professionals to guide Indian companies into the future, he added.

    Strategic Advisory Board member Paul Sobel, Chairman, Committee of Sponsoring Organisations (USA), said, “India is rapidly becoming a major force in the global economy, but ineffective risk management could derail that progress. Together, we can help IRM India foster good risk management principles that can be applied to help Indian students, professionals, and businesses be more successful. I believe the thought leadership that can come out of IRM India will help advance the art and science of risk management, create tomorrow’s risk thought leaders in India, and help put IRM India at the forefront of global risk thinking”.

    VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE STRATEGIC BOARD 

    Dhanpal Jhaveri, Vice-Chairman, Everstone Capital Group added, “In the investing business, ‘Risk is the flip side of Return’. Risk management is core to our business while evaluating investment opportunities and managing our portfolio companies.”

    “The Institute of Risk Management is the leading global educational institute for risk managers,” said Ian Livsey, Global CEO, IRM UK. “We have a growing global customer base and membership in all regions of the world and across all economic sectors. We are sure that our work together will enhance the education and professional recognition of risk management in India.”

    Some of the members of the Strategic Advisory Board include Hersh Shah, CEO, IRM India; Rui Bastos, Group Head of Audit & Risk Management, Reliance Industries Ltd.; and V. Swaminathan, Head of Corporate Audit & Assurance, Godrej Industries Limited; Mehul Shah, Managing Director, Encube Ethicals Private Limited; Dinesh Kanabar, CEO, Dhruva Advisors; Jyoti Ruparel, Enterprise Risk Leader, Genpact; Kartikeya Nath, Chief Risk Officer, Jindal Steel & Power Limited; Sunder Natrajan (IRM Level 4 Qualified), SVP & Head of Risk, India First Life Insurance; and Amit Sharma, Head of Corporate Risk and Insurance Management – SAARC & Vietnam, Bosch Group.

    IRM India is undertaking various initiatives to broaden risk knowledge in India.

    The organization recently partnered with the Government of India’s Startup India initiative, to mentor the country’s budding businesses on managing risk and crisis. Strategic Advisory Board members Jyoti Ruparel and Kartikeya Nath served on the panel and helped mentor

  • Hyderabad-based Fintech player, Zaggle planning to go global

    Hyderabad-based Fintech player, Zaggle planning to go global

    K.V. Lakshmana, INN/New Delhi, @kvlakshman

    can be contacted on [email protected]

    In midst of news of economic gloom and doom and job losses across sector, this here Hyderabad-based tech company has paid Covid bonus to employees, and more important ‘expanding’ talent pool from good resources let go by other companies.

     

    Yes, Zaggle, one of India’s leading B2B FinTech company, has not done any downsizing of its employee strength and rather is recruiting. “There is a vast pool of rich talent that has been let go by some firms and we intent to make full use of the opportunity,” said Avinash Godkhindi, CEO, Zaggle in an exclusive interview with Infodea.

    “We are hoping to go global in a big way and have plans to target the Western world, the Gulf and the Pacific belt,” Godkhindi said adding “soon we will start our office in London.”

    For a company with a staff strength of two persons in 2011 when started as a tech star up by Founder and Chairman Raj N, today boasts of over 250 employees in 10 cities in India and, hold your breath, a turnover of Rs 1800 crore last year and is targeting a turnover of Rs 3500 crore in financial year 2019-20.

    Zaggle uses Deep Tech and Artificial Intelligence to provide Expense Management and Employee Reimbursement solutions to Corporates and SME’s.  It is amongst the EBIDTA Profitable B2B FinTech companies in India.

    What does the company do to be reverse swinging, earning profits when many are posting losses?

    It provides innovative and disruptive FinTech solutions to over 3500+ Corporates Clients and has Merchant Partner Relationship with over 8500 + merchants and has 3.5 million users. A list of few clients reads like the who’s who of the corporate world –Microsoft, Vodafone, Samsung, Zydus, Star Health Insurance, Hiranandani and many others.

    Did the company know it was onto a growth trajectory like this when it started off a Corporate gifting company?

    “Yes, we were confident of success, but frankly were groping around. At least 35 percent of our ideas bombed, but we were quick to analyse, see where we went wrong and course corrected,” said the CEO recalling the days when handful of persons were brainstorming. From a gifting company to a serious Fintech player is a journey that was well worth it.

    “And the best is yet to come,” he said launching into an excited account of the company future plans. “There is a tremendous demand for our product – that helps lots of SMEs keep track of their accounts – from across the globe.

    We are looking at the US and Canada markets and even have plans to have a go at the Middle East and Far East, said Avinash Godkhindi said. 

  • 4.5 magnitude mild-intensity earthquake felt in Haryana; strong tremors felt in Delhi-NCR

    4.5 magnitude mild-intensity earthquake felt in Haryana; strong tremors felt in Delhi-NCR

    Dharshana Kathiresan, INN/Chennai, @Infodeaofficial

    A mild intensity earthquake of 4.5 magnitude on the Ritcher scale jolted parts of eastern Haryana and Delhi-National Capital Region on Friday (May 29) at 9.08 pm.

    The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said the quake’s epicentre was Rohtak in Haryana and the depth was 5 kilometres.

    “An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 on the Richter Scale hit 14 km East-Southeast of Rohtak in Haryana at 21:08 hours today,” said the NCS. However, there were no reports of any casualties or damage.

    The report also stated that strong tremors were felt in parts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Greater Noida, Rohtak, Jind, Sonepat and surrounding areas of the national capital. Meanwhile, in Chandigarh and Punjab mild tremors were reported. This created panic among the local residents, who rushed out of their houses for their safety.

    Yesterday, on May 28, a low-intensity earthquake was felt in Haryana’s Faridabad, bordering the national capital. According to the NCS, the low-intensity earthquake measured 2.5-magnitude on the Richter Scale with its epicentre in Nacholi in Faridabad. The epicentre of the earthquake was 8km East of Faridabad, Haryana, according to the seismologists.

    So far, this was the sixth earthquake to have hit the national capital territory since April 13 and the fourth one in the month of May alone.

  • Foreign biz delegates make it to Sri City

    Foreign biz delegates make it to Sri City

    S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @infodeaofficial

    Sri City, Andhra Pradesh based well known integrated business city turned hub of activity when a five-member business delegation visited its premises recently. The team comprising Mr. K. Mahalingam, TSM Group, Chennai, Mr. Srinivasan Ramakrishnan, Ipath Technologies, Chennai, Mr. Sundar Krishnamurthy, Rakuten Inc., California, USA, Mr. Bala Elango, Cox Communications Inc., Georgia, USA and Mr. Seetharaman Narayanan, Adobe Systems, California, USA, went around the industrial park and visited the production units of CETC, Foxconn and Hunter Douglas.

    They received a warm welcome from Ravindra Sannareddy, founder managing director of Sri City on their arrival. The delegation visited the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Sri City (IIIT-S) located on the premises of the integrated business city.

    Dr. G. Kannabiran, director briefed them on the new curriculum that supports practice-based learning through semester-long industry-based projects, co-curricular development, and opportunities for creating research bent of mind.

    The delegates interacted with the students. They discussed issues related to higher studies, opportunities in emerging technology areas, career options, entrepreneurship. One of the team members emphasized on ‘DAC.’ It comprises three skills namely Design Thinking, Analytical Skills, and Communication. DAC is essential to thriving in any walk of life, said the member.  

  • Women professionals, make it to Bengaluru on 9 November

    Women professionals, make it to Bengaluru on 9 November

    S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @infodeaofficial

    There is happy news for women professionals, thanks to TechGig, the IT learning community. TechGig is conducting a job fair on 9 November in Bengaluru, which is a day after its marquee event ‘TechGig Goddess 2019.’

    Sources further say about half a dozen companies will take part in the fair and recruit women engineers for their firms.

    Companies like American Express, Hexaware, JetBrains, Automation Anywhere, Capgemini, Goldman Sachs and others. These companies are looking for experienced professionals in a wide range of new-age skills as Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Distributed Systems, REST, JSON, AWS production, Docker among several others.

    The vacancies at the career fair are open for junior to middle-level professionals. The job positions range from front-end developers, mobile engineers, infrastructure development, migration/modernization among others.

    Sanjay Goyal, Business Head, TimesJobs and TechGig said they host TechGig Geek Goddess every the goal of providing an unbiased platform for women technologists to rise and shine based on their coding talent and helping progressive companies to spot innovative ideas crafted by their enthusiastic participants.

    ‘This year, we have taken the excitement to another level by including an offline career fair as part of the final day celebrations. This will help the participating companies meet talented programmers face to face and hire the right fit for their firm on the spot,’ he said.

    TechGeek Goddess is an annual hackathon hosted by TechGig which brings together women technologists to compete and showcase their coding skills.
    This year the hackathon enters its fifth edition and it noted  73,387 registrations. All the code submissions by over 73,000 participants are said to have undergone many checks and only 375 participants, or 0.51 percent of the total participants, have been invited for the finale offline hackathon on 8 November in Bengaluru.

    The live hackathon on November 8 will help select the winners, and all these finalists get to be a part of the career fair where exciting job opportunities are waiting for them, said Ram Awasthi, Vice President-Technology, Times Internet Ltd.

  • ICG into action mode, Rs 300 crore worth ketamine seized

    ICG into action mode, Rs 300 crore worth ketamine seized

    S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @infodeaofficial

    The day on 19 September will be ever rememberable for Indian Coast Guard, for that is the day when it tasted victory once again in its efforts to curb illegal activities again saw tasted success.

    Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Rajveer apprehended 1160 kgs of ketamine in a sea-air coordinated operation on 19 September. Sources from Defence Ministry say ketamine apprehended is worth Rs 300 crore.


    ICG aircraft on routine surveillance on 18 September sighted a suspicious vessel operating in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and not responding on VHF.

    Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajveer was directed to intercept the vessel and carry out investigation. It intercepted the vessel near Car Nicobar island at 9:00 am on 19 September.

    The vessel was unlit and tried to evade ICGS Rajveer, on being directed to stop. ICGS Rajveer finally forced the vessel to stop and it was boarded by Coast Guard.

    Upon interrogation it was revealed that the boat carrying the drug began its journey from Damson Bay in Myanmar on 14 September. They were going to deliver the drug filled in gunny bags to another ship at
    the maritime border Thailand-Malaysia.

    The apprehended vessel contained 57 bags of ketamine, the drug was moved to ICGS Rajveer. On the return journey to Port Blair the apprehended boat began experiencing water penetration.

    Sources say, Coast Guard’s efforts to prevent flooding in the apprehended boat did not yield desired results and the vessel sank. Coast Guard Ship Rajveer resumed its journey along with six Myanmarese crew and reached Port Blair on 21 September.

    A joint interrogation with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and local police in attendance took place. NCB’s analysis revealed the drug was ketamine. It is worth recollecting that ICG has apprehended narcotics and psychotrophic substances to the tune of Rs 6000 crores (excluding the current operation) in the last five years.