November 2022 – Page 3 – Global Records India

ISRO carries out parachute airdrop test of Gaganyaan programme

The Gaganyaan deceleration system consists of three main parachutes, besides the smaller ACS, pilot, and drogue parachutes, to reduce the speed of the crew module to safe levels during its landing.

ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has conducted the Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Test (IMAT) of its crew module deceleration system for the much-awaited maiden Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme at the Babina Field Fire Range (BFFR) in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh.

The IMAT conducted on Friday marks a significant milestone toward realising the nation’s ambitious Gaganyaan project, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement.

The Gaganyaan deceleration system consists of three main parachutes, besides the smaller ACS, pilot, and drogue parachutes, to reduce the speed of the crew module to safe levels during its landing, the space agency said.

Two of the three main chutes are sufficient to land the astronauts on earth, and the third is redundant, ISRO said adding that the IMAT test simulated the case when one main chute failed to open.

The IMAT test is the first in a series of integrated parachute airdrop tests planned to simulate different failure conditions of the parachute system before it is deemed qualified to be used in the first human spaceflight mission.

In this test, a five-tonne dummy mass, equivalent to the crew module mass, was taken to an altitude of 2.5 kilometres and dropped using the Indian Air Force’s IL-76 aircraft. Two small pyro-based mortar-deployed pilot parachutes then pulled the main parachutes.

The main parachute sizes were initially restricted to a smaller area to reduce the opening shock. After seven seconds, the pyro-based reefing line cutters cut the area restricting line, allowing the parachutes to inflate fully.

“The fully inflated main parachutes reduced the payload speed to a safe landing speed. The entire sequence lasted about 2-3 minutes as the scientists watched the different phases of the deployment sequence unfold with bated breath. There was loud cheer and applause as the payload mass landed softly on the ground and the gigantic parachutes collapsed,” the statement read.

The design and development of the parachute-based deceleration system is a joint venture of ISRO and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

“The overall system design, analytical simulations of parachute deployment and crew module descent under various conditions, the design and development of ordnance devices for parachute extraction and ejection, assembly, mechanical and electrical integration of deceleration system, it’s instrumentation and avionics for conducting this drop tests are done at ISRO’s leading Research and Development centre, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram,” the space agency explained.

Senior ISRO and DRDO scientists and airforce officers were present when the crucial test was done.

“Besides proving the calibre of the scientists of ISRO and DRDO, the test also demonstrated the active coordination between the country’s premier agencies, namely ISRO, DRDO, the Indian Air Force, and the Indian Army,” ISRO said quoting a senior official.

telegraphindia.com

A Kolkata link to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

Transformers from BMC Electroplast in Behala’s Thakurpukur in Qatar stadiums.

A 66-year-old man in Uttarpara in the Hooghly district was among millions in West Bengal who watched on television the dazzling opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday evening.

But Subodh Kumar Banerjee is not just a football fan. He has had a crucial role in what is arguably the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet.

Transformers built by a firm founded by Banerjee are critical components of the power distribution system in the stadiums hosting the matches.

BMC Electroplast, which has a production unit in southwest Kolkata’s Thakurpukur, has supplied around 3,000 transformers to Qatar.

The transformers are not like the usual ones seen on Kolkata roads — which receive power from plants and supply it to domestic and commercial units.

“Called current transformers (the ones sent to Qatar), the instruments reside in the switchgear boards. They have two main functions. They keep track of the volume of electricity consumed in each feeder line. In case of a short circuit in a supply line, a current transformer helps in switching off supply to that feeder line,” said Banerjee, who did his electrical engineering in 1977, from what was then known as the Regional Engineering College, Durgapur (now called the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur).

The switchgear boards are usually in the underground electrical rooms below the stadiums, he said.

“When I saw the opening ceremony, I felt a sense of ownership. I knew everything would go off smoothly. But until it was over, there was a sense of anxiety,” said Banerjee.

He would have travelled to Qatar for the inauguration but an accident — he slipped and fell in his house — in 2021 led to a fractured left knee. He is still having to use a walker.

Between 2014 and 2018, Banerjee had to visit Qatar three times. “The stadiums were a heap of dust and construction material back then. I don’t remember if they had their names finalised. To see the stadiums now, all decked out, is a surreal experience. I can’t even recall the stadiums I went to,” he said.

But even back then, the scale of the work had Banerjee in awe. The men and machines kept working in the searing heat and amid a sea of dust.

“During the first trip, I was driving to a stadium when the car had a flat tyre. As the driver started to replace it, I rolled the window down. A gust of wind, that felt like fire, hit me. I felt my cheeks burning,” he said.

The transformers built in Thakurpukur were approved by Qatar Electricity & Water Corporation, commonly known as “Kahramaa”, in charge of the implementation of an integrated infrastructure for the tournament.

Banerjee’s firm supplied the transformers via Tamco Switchgear (Malaysia), an erstwhile L&T company but currently controlled by power equipment major Schneider.

“Our company is a vendor of Tamco. We have worked with them before,” said Banerjee.

Designing the prototype and getting the same approved was a tedious process because of the stringent norms of Kahramaa. Job done, now Banerjee wants to watch every bit of the Cup.

A regular at the Mohun Bagan ground in his school and college days, Banerjee played football and hockey in his youth. His money is on his favourite team this time.

“Brazil are the favourites. This World Cup might be the moment of glory for Neymar. He is Bohemian. But he has class,” said Banerjee, who lives with his wife and son. His daughter is settled in Pune.

Banerjee started the factory with his late friend, Santanu Mitra, in 1980. The two were roommates in the engineering college.

Now, the company has four directors, including Banerjee and Siddhartha Mitra, brother of Santanu Mitra. There are around 100 workers.

Banerjee said that Bengal used to be the hub of the electrical engineering industry when she started. It pains him to see the steady decline in the following decades.

“We are to blame. It is our collective fault,” he said.

telegraphindia.com

Anjan Luthra installed as new Cricket Scotland chair: “Major challenges and opportunities lie ahead”

The former Scotland Under-15, 17 and 19 international, Luthra will take experience in private equity and business into the role. In July, the governing body were found to be institutionally racist.

New Cricket Scotland chair Anjan Luthra has pledged to cleanse the organisation after it was found to be “institutionally racist”.

Luthra has been appointed as Tony Brian’s permanent successor on a two-year deal.

A former Scotland Under-15, 17 and 19 international, Luthra’s main experience comes in private equity and media.

He is the co-founder and chief executive of London-based global media company RAMP. Luthra also created Thrillz, a celebrity video and experience platform.

A chartered accountant having qualified with EY in Scotland, he has experience in restructuring high-profile Scottish firms.

In July, a Plan4Sport Changing The Boundaries report found the governance and leadership of the body, formed in its current guise in 1908, “enabled a culture of racially aggravated micro-aggressions”.

Investigations were triggered after allegations made by former Scotland off-spinner Majid Haq, the country’s leading wicket-taker, and teammate Qasim Sheikh.

Majid told The Cricketer last month the governing body “still don’t get it” after it emerged they were reluctant to suspend a person accused of racial discrimination from their coaching staff for the T20 World Cup.

Prior to the report being made public, the entire Cricket Scotland board resigned and installing a new board is among Luthra’s priorities.

“The Changing the Boundaries report highlighted serious institutional failings and I am committed to implementing the recommendations and findings from the report as we rebuild the organisation, starting with the appointment of independent board members,” he said.

“Major challenges and opportunities lie ahead and I am excited about what the future holds for Cricket Scotland.”

Interim CS ceo Gordon Arthur added: “The chair will lead the governance review that is one of the major recommendations emanating from ‘Changing the Boundaries’ and provides an important bridge to the International Cricket Council, sportscotland and our other stakeholders.”

thecricketer.com

India takes charge of G20 presidency

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday formally took charge of the G20 presidency from Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Bali, with the former assuring it will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented.

“Together with every country’s efforts, we can make the G20 summit a catalyst for global welfare,” Modi said at a brief ceremony. In the Bali Declaration to which India had constructively contributed, members deplored in the strongest terms Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and demanded its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the annexed territories. It also deplored Russia’s veiled threats on the use of nuclear weapons, saying it was inadmissible.

“Today’s era must not be of war,” the declaration said, echoing Modi’s remark during his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Samarkand in September. It acknowledged differences among members on the Ukraine war but emphasised the need to adhere to international law, including the protection of civilians caught in conflicts.

Earlier in the day, while addressing a session on digital transformation, Modi said it could be a force multiplier to fight global poverty. “Can we take a pledge together that in the next 10 years we will bring digital transformation into the life of every human being so that no person in the world will be deprived of the benefits of digital technology?’’ Modi added.

On the sidelines of the G20 meet, Modi held bilateral talks with six heads of state — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong and Australian PM Antony Albanese.

One interesting talking point was on how Chinese President Xi Jinping went after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the leaked reports of their bilateral meeting. An agitated Xi was seen saying, “Everything we discuss has been leaked to the paper, that’s not appropriate.” Trudeau responded, saying: “We believe in free and open and frank dialogue.” Xi retorted, “Let us create the conditions first.”

UK, India door opens for 3,000 grads
Britain on Wednesday announced the contours of the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme, under which the UK will offer 3,000 places annually to 18-30-year-old degree-educated Indian nationals to come to the UK to live and work for up to two years. The scheme will be reciprocal. The announcement was made after the first bilateral meeting Modi had with Sunak

newindianexpress.com

In a first, six women officers clear Staff Course

For the first time, six women officers have cleared the prestigious Defence Services Staff Course (DSSC) and Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC) exam, which is held every September, officials said on Thursday.

Four of these officers will undergo a one-year course at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu, alongside their male counterparts from all three services, they said.

The women officers will be imparted training and orientation on operational, military intelligence, operational logistics and administrative aspects of staff appointments.

The prestigious Staff Course gives adequate weightage while being considered for command appointments, they said.

Among the remaining two women officers, one is on the reserve list of Defence Services Technical Staff Course and the other is shortlisted for Administration and Logistics Management Course (ALMC)/Intelligence Staff Course (ISC), the officials said.

More than 1,500 officers of the Indian Army appear in the DSSC/DSTSC entrance exam, the army said.

This year, for the first time, 22 women officers of the army (from Army Service Corps, Army Air Defence, Army Ordnance Corps, Corps of Signals, Corps of Intelligence, Corps of Engineers and Corps of EME), who have been granted Permanent Commission in the respective arms and services, appeared in the exam, the officials said.

Officers, subsequent to passing the entrance exam, are nominated to attend the course based on merit which includes service profile and discipline as well.

“Out of four women officers nominated for DSSC, one is the spouse of an officer who has also cleared DSSC exam, thereby making history of being the the first couple from the army to attend the course together at Wellington,” an official said.

This milestone bears testimony to the transformation of the armed forces towards gender equality and women empowerement, the official added.

newindianexpress.com

India’s first private rocket Vikram-S built by Skyroot Aerospace lifts off from Sriharikota

he maiden flight of India’s first private launch vehicle, Vikram-S, has successfully lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 100 km from Chennai, on Friday.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Hyderabad-based space tech company Skyroot Aerospace proudly announced that “Mission Pararambh” was accomplished. Skyroot Aerospace become the first privately held company in India after the space sector was opened for the private players by the Centre in 2020.

Vikram-S was named in a tribute to the father of the country’s space programme Vikram Sarabhai.

The rocket outperformed its exceptions and achieved an apogee of 89.5 km at a hypersonic speed of Mach 5. The vehicle reached space in 155 seconds.

Pawan K Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Department of Space, said: “All the systems worked as planned. I congratulate Skyroot and all the centres of ISRO. This is a new beginning of Indian space sector.”

Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, who witnessed the launch, thanks Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing in the reforms and opening the space sector for private players.

Skyroot co-founder Pawan Chandana said the Prarambh mission symbolizes a new India. “This is a small step by our startup, but a giant leap for the Indian space sector.” He thanks ISRO and IN-SPACe for hand-holding Team Skyroot all through.

The 6-metre tall launch vehicle is one of the world’s first few all-composite rockets that has 3-D printed solid thrusters for spin stability of the launch vehicle.

The three payloads riding piggyback on the rocket are from Chennai-based start-up SpaceKidz, Andhra Pradesh-based N-SpaceTech and Armenian BazoomQ Space Research Lab. ‘Fun-Sat’, a 2.5 kgs payload belonging to Chennai-based aerospace startup Spacekidz, has been developed by students from India, the United States, Singapore and Indonesia.

According to Skyroot, Friday’s launch has successfully tested and validated most of the technologies in the Vikram series of orbital class space launch vehicles, including many sub-systems and technologies. It said rockets can be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any launch site.

Skyroot Aerospace become the first privately held company in India after the space sector was opened for private players by the Centre in 2020.

(With PTI inputs)

newindianexpress.com

PM Modi inaugurates Arunachal’s first greenfield airport, says ‘Era of ‘atkana, latkana, bhatkana’ gone’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Arunachal Pradesh’s first greenfield airport the Donyi Polo airport, in Itanagar and said that the government is dedicated to serving the North-East sector.

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“The Government is dedicated to serving the North-east sector, a separate ministry administers the jurisdictional requirements of NER,” the PM said

“From culture to agriculture, from commerce to connectivity, the development of North-East has become our top priority,” the prime minister said

Speaking at the inauguration event Prime Minister Modi said, “You know that we have brought a work culture where we inaugurate the projects of which we have laid the foundation stone. The era of ‘atkana, latkana, bhatkana’ is gone.”

In his address, he said that a gathering of such a huge crowd is a result of the efficient implementation of government policies in the state.

“The gathering of such a huge crowd with such a festive feel so early in the morning, is the result of implementing all the Government policies efficiently and on time,” said PM Modi.

Lauding the government for the timely completion of the project the prime minister pointed out that hindrance, pendency and diversion were not aspects of his government.

“We have ensured on-time completion of all the undertaken development projects. Hindrance, pendency and diversion are not aspects of the government,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that when he laid the foundation stone of the airport in 2019 political commentators were dismissive of the airport is completed and stated that it was just a poll gimmick.

“When I laid its foundation stone in 2019, polls were about to be held. Political commentators made a noise that the airport isn’t going to be built and that Modi is erecting a stone due to poll. Today’s inauguration is a slap on their faces,” said PM Modi.

With the inauguration of the first greenfield airport, PM Modi said that North-East is witnessing a dawn of new hopes and opportunities.

“Today Northeast is witnessing a dawn of new hopes and opportunities. Today’s event is a great example of New India’s approach towards development,” he said.

PM Modi added that the Donyi Polo Airport is the fourth operational airport of Arunachal Pradesh.

“Donyi Polo Airport is the 4th operational airport of Arunachal Pradesh. Within 8 years, the government has constructed seven new airports which have improved connectivity,” he said.

Reiterating the motive of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas PM Modi said that the government is dedicated to serving all the sections of society with the motive of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas.

“Today even the remotest corners of the North-Eastern region are electrified. And through Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY the treatment cost of up to Rs 5 lakh is made available to the NE Region,” he said.

Underlining the benefits the farmers received from PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana he said that today 85 per cent of the rural areas are covered under PM Gram Sadak Yojana. The farmers of the northeast are benefiting from PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.

“Bamboo has been an important part of the North-East’s livelihood, which was restricted during the colonial regime. We changed these restrictive laws to empower our bamboo farmers to cultivate, add value and sell their produce,” PM added.

PM Modi also heaped praises on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government which he said had made efforts to form a separate ministry for the development of the north east region.

“After Independence, the northeast became witness to a different era. For decades, the region remained a victim of negligence…When Atal Ji’s government came, for the first time efforts were made to change this. It was the 1st govt that made a separate ministry for northeast development,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi along with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu released the brochure of UDAN ( (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik).

Addressing the inaugural function, Rijiju said that dream of having a different airport has been fulfilled by PM Modi.

“It was our dream to have an airport in our state’s capital, today that dream has come true with the efforts of PM Modi. He gave special directions for building this airport,” said Rijiju.

newindianexpress.com

IGNCA holds photo exhibition on occasion of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’

The Government has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda on November 15 as “Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas”. On this occasion, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has organised a photography exhibition on ‘Tribes, Culture and Tradition’ in collaboration with Sathish Lal Andhekar at the “Darshanam” art gallery located in its premises.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Jual Oram, MP Lok Sabha, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Defence.

Expressing happiness over the decision to celebrate November 15th as “Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas” he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this.

Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA was also present on the occasion.

The photographs included in the exhibition are of Photo Journalist Sathish Lal Andhekar.

He took these photographs over a period of 12 years.

The culture and tradition of the tribal communities of ten states have been displayed in this exhibition.

The exhibition will run till November 21.

Speaking on the occasion, Jual Oram said: “Today, President Droupadi Murmu went to Birsa Munda’s village Ulihatu. I had tried to take the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee there years ago, but there were many tall trees and such a dense forest that three helicopters could not land at the same time. One helicopter landed, the other two could not land. That’s why Atal ji said that you go, as the car would not go there, so I reached some distance by motorcycle and thereafter walked two to three km. Birsa Munda raised such a huge movement from that remote jungle and shook the British in his life span of only 25 years.”

Oram said that no other movement such as this has happened in the history of India, but historians and others ignored it.

“By organising ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’, people will know about the legacy of Birsa Munda and his contribution to the history and culture of Indian tribal community,” he said.

He also said that now a lot of work has been done in Birsa Munda’s village.

“There has been development and Roads and schools have been built. People must go there and see the legacy of Birsa Munda, the great hero of ‘Ulgulan’.

“After seeing this photography exhibition, people will get a chance to know in detail about the tribal lifestyle and tribal society of India, their culture and tradition. Photographer Sathish Lal Andhekar has captured the tribal life with great subtlety and beauty in his camera”.

daijiworld.com

Shivamogga: 16-yr-old Tanmay Manjunath creates history, scores record 407 in a one-day match

Tanmay Manjunath, 16, has scored 407 runs of 165 balls in a 50-over limited overs match held here at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Grounds of PES Institute of Technology.

Tanmay Manjunath who played for Sagar Cricket Club hit 48 boundaries and 24 sixes in his knock of 407.

Tanmay, who is coached by Nagendra Pandit, helped Sagar Cricket Club reach a total of 583 runs in the stipulated 50 overs. The opponents Bhadravathi team could manage to score only 73 runs as the team lost all its wickets.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma holds the record for maximum runs of 264 in a one-day international against Sri Lanka.The Indian skipper had slammed 33 boundaries and 9 sixes in his knock. Rohit is also the only batsman to score three double centuries in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar was the first batsman to score a double century when he hit 200 against South Africa in Gwalior.

Although the Shivamogga boy Tanmay has not scored in an international match, he has broken Rohit Sharma’s record in a club cricket encounter.

Last year, Tanmay Manjunath had got selected into the Karnataka state team. But, Covid-19 put paid to his dreams as the KSCA cancelled the under-16 tournament.

Tanmay’s knock has raised eyebrows of cricket selectors and the spectators who watched him play were awestruck.

daijiworld.com

Permanent Indian residents can now be part of Canadian military

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has announced that permanent residents, which includes a large chunk of Indians, are now eligible to join the military.

The announcement came close to Remembrance Day, amidst reports that the Canadian military is struggling to recruit new members to fill thousands of vacant positions.

As of 2021, there were more than eight million immigrants with permanent residence living in Canada – roughly 21.5 per cent of the total Canadian population.

In the same year, nearly 100,000 Indians became permanent residents of Canada as the country admitted a record 405,000 new immigrants in its history.

As per data, Canada is likely to welcome more than a million new permanent residents between 2022 and 2024, which drastically widens the pool of candidates the military can choose from.

Permanent residents were previously only eligible under the Skilled Military Foreign Applicant (SMFA) entry programme, which was “open for individuals… that would reduce training costs or fill a special need… such as a trained pilot or a doctor,” according to the Royal United Services Institute of Nova Scotia, a non-profit body.

The Department of National Defence (DND) is expected to make a formal announcement in the coming days regarding the change to the policy, the CIC News reported.

In March, Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand said that the CAF needs to grow amid the changing global geopolitical landscape triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In September, the CAF sounded the alarm over a severe shortage of recruits to fill thousands of vacant positions

The Toronto Star reported that Canada is about 12,000 regular force troops short of it’s “full strength” of 100,000 regular force members.

Women make up 16.3 per cent of the Canadian military demographic; Indigenous peoples come in at 2.7 per cent; and visible minorities make up less than 12 per cent of the Canadian military. Three-quarters of its ranks are white men.

Recently, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced that they’re changing their “outdated recruitment process” to allow permanent residents, who have lived in Canada for 10 years, to apply.

Immigration targets have shot up in Canada with nearly a quarter of the population aging out of the workforce by 2030.

The shortage is made more acute by the gradual rise in the number of deaths and the relatively low fertility levels in Canada.

In such a scenario, immigrants become prime candidates for the military as they typically arrive in Canada during their younger working-age years where they are likely to be more physically active, according to immigration experts.

newindianexpress.com