Super computer to be used for agricultural research
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), which pioneered supercomputing in India, is now assisting the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in establishing a national agricultural bioinformatics grid.
This initiative, the first of its kind here, will help scientists enhance agricultural productivity and also address problems like food security. As part of the project, a three-day training-cum-workshop programme on ‘Parallel and High Performance Computing’ began on Monday.
The workshop will provide an insight into the different aspects of high performance computing (HPC) with the goal of capability building in solving complex problems in agriculture and biotechnology. Speaking to DNA, Goldi Misra, group coordinator and head, HPC Solutions Group, C-DAC, said the use of HPC would help scientists address the problem of food scarcity at the grass-root level.
“Now scientists have to wait for a production cycle to get over to analyse various issues like quality of seed, produce, and weather pattern. But with HPC, the same can be done using simulation. This is the first time in the country that a national agricultural bioinformatics grid is going to be started,” he said.
In the first phase, the World Bank-funded project will connect the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources Karnal, Haryana, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, and National Bureau of Agriultural Important Insects, Bangalore.
“These institutions will be connected with high-speed networks. Agricultural universities and research centres across the country can also be added to the grid. Researchers will be able to perform complex analytical processes,” said Misra.
Anil Rai, principal scientist, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, said the establishment of such a grid would provide computational support for high-quality research in areas of agricultural and biotechnological research.
“This will lead to the development of superior varieties seeds, the right fertilisers, and will help various other processes to enhance agricultural productivity on sustainable basis. This will help the scientific community to meet food security challenges in the country,” he said.
Reference Link : http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_super-computer-to-be-used-for-agricultural-research_1505238
Courtesy : Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.
India Art fair in bigger avatar next year
The India Art Summit is set to get bigger in its third year with more countries expected to participate and the number of exhibiting galleries doubling from previous year in the event scheduled to be held here in January 2011.
Held annually in August since 2008, the third edition of the art fair would take place in the national capital from January 21-23 next year. This, organisers say was done to enable India find a permanent slot on the global art fair map.
With 84 galleries shortlisted out of 150 for the edition, and the inclusion of 34 leading international galleries (double the number that participated in 2009), India’s importance as an emerging global centre for art is further confirmed, organisers said in a statement.
Top galleries from around the world will include Lisson Gallery (UK), Sundaram Tagore Gallery (Hong Kong), Galerie Kashya Hildebrand (Switzerland), Aicon Gallery (US) Grosvenor Gallery (UK), Thomas Erben Gallery (US), Galerie Frank Elbaz (France), Die Galerie (Germany), The Drawing Room (The Philippines), Greenaway Gallery (Australia), and others.
“We are thrilled to be back at this exciting event and privileged to play a role in the internationalisation of the Indian art world,” says Michelle D’Souza, Director, Lisson Gallery which is returning for the third time.
At the last fair there were over 40,000 visitors and a total sales of Rs 260 million according to estimates given by the organisers.
The total area of the art fair has increased almost two-fold to approximately 8000 sq metre of exhibition space, and the total number of galleries has increased by 55 per cent from the previous edition.
“We’re very pleased with the quality of galleries that have been selected and the breadth of Modern and Contemporary Art that will be presented at the upcoming fair” says Neha Kirpal, Director, India Art Summit.
“India has never seen this selection of art and galleries come together from around the world, I’m very excited to see that our country’s art fair is shaping up to be of a truly international standard,” says Shireen Gandhy, Gallery Director, Mumbai.
The third edition would see a greater curatorial focus in the gallery booth plans with strong group shows in the general exhibition section, and individual artist displays in the new solo projects section of the art fair.
Further, an extended sculpture park surrounding the entire art fair venue at the Pragati Maidan here and the dedicated spaces for video and performance art is expected to give galleries a much wider stage to present an array of art practices and mediums.
Reference Link
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/art/article529894.ece?homepage=true
Courtesy
The Hindu
India unveils Rs 1,500 tablet PC
New Delhi: India unveiled a Rs 1,500 (around $ 30) tablet PC designed specifically for students.
“If more companies decide to manufacture a similar device, prices will come down automatically,” Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said after unveiling the low cost-access-cum computing device here.
The device would be made available to students in 2011.
When the ministry floated the concept of a low cost laptop some years ago, officials said it would cost Rs 500 ($ 10). It will now cost about three times the initial projections.
The ministry expects the prices to drop to Rs 1,000 ($ 20) and reach Rs 500 ($ 10) as innovations are introduced.
The device, no bigger than a conventional laptop, is a single unit system with a touch screen and a built in keyboard along with 2GB RAM, Wi-Fi connectivity, USB port and powered by a 2-watt system to suit poor power supply areas.
“This is real and tangible and we will take it forward. Sun will rise for the Indian students in 2011,” he said.
The ministry also invited private players to produce similar low cost computers.
“When we started the project, the response from the private sector was lukewarm. Now many are willing to join the innovation,” Sibal said.
The ministry started its efforts by holding discussions on this concept with a group of experts at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras and IIT Bombay, a ministry official said.
The low cost tablets will be distributed in institutions by the HRD ministry. The final price will depend on the transportation cost.
“We will give some subsidy on the device. As far as transport is concerned, if the transport cost in less, the government can bear that as well,” Sibal added.
Reference Link
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-unveils-rs-1500-tablet-pc/127289-11.html?from=tn
Courtesy
IBNLive.com India
Young musician enthrals audience
Wooing hearts: Classical guitarist Shashwat Silas.
NEW DELHI: Eager to promote upcoming artistes, Sahitya Kala Parishad organised a performance by 17-year-old classical guitarist Shashwat Silas at India Habitat Centre here over the weekend. The performance left the audience spellbound as Shashwat played the works by such composers as Domenico Scarlatti, Isaac Albeniz and Villa-Lobos with great maturity and finesse.
The programme started with a masterful rendition of Ferdinando Carulli’s Seranata op.96, a duet which he played with his teacher. This particular piece had been recorded by masters like John Williams and Julian Bream. The artiste also played the three Villa-Lobos works with tremendous poise.
Including new pizzicatos in his rendition of the 4 {+t} {+h} Prelude by Villa Lobos, which added to the tribal-music inspired piece, Shashwat presented a lively and enthralling performance of Roland Dyens’ Tango en Skai, which he described as one of his favourites. Though right now his academic ambitions are more important to him, Shashwat insists he is dedicated to his instrument and may pursue music as a career if the opportunity so presents itself.
At a time when the Western classical repertoire on the guitar is capturing the attention of audiences in Delhi and young musicians are enriching the cultural scene here, Shashwat’s performance also showed that playing before many discerning musicians does a whole lot of good to the morale of young artistes.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/05/stories/2010050557470200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Looking beyond disability
Film festival highlights problems faced by differently-abled persons
NEW DELHI: More than 32 films on issues concerning differently-abled persons were screened at the two-month-long “We Care Film Festival on Disability Issues” that ended with an award function at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre here on Monday.
The films were made ostensibly to make people understand disability and its everyday manifestation in their life. Professional film-makers, students of mass communication and non-government organisations working in the disability sector had given their own perspective to issues concerning the physically challenged.
The award-winning films were selected from over 50 entries received on various issues of disability from different countries. Besides the host country, the festival also received films from the US, Israel and Belgium.
Organised by Brotherhood in association with the National Trust, Asian Academy of Film and Television, United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, the international film festival awarded films in different categories — up to one minute, up to five minutes, up to 30 minutes and up to 60 minutes.
The festival, aimed at promoting the rights of persons with disabilities as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, was held in educational institutions and universities to get public opinion where audience and students had rated each and every film and documentary through a unique participatory rating process.
The awards were finalised by a jury that included film-maker Anwar Jamal, educationist Shambhu Nath Singh, media consultant B. B. Nagpal and festival director Satish Kapoor. The jury was head by eminent film-maker Mike Pandey.
Bollywood actor and social activist Nandita Das was among those who conceptualised the event that was pioneered by Brotherhood.
“Inclusive Education” from Delhi won the first prize in the one-minute category, “Waiting for you” from Manipur emerged the winner in the five-minute category, “Where to?” from Israel came with flying colours in the 30-minute category and “White Balance” from Israel was the winner in the 60-minutes category. A special jury award went to the film “Tees” by Pankhuri Wadhwa, Akash Jain and Abhiraj Singh Shatawat for the manner in which it depicts how an attitude of perceived pity can lead to virtual mental disability.
The jury also made a special mention of the film “Delicate Patterns” by Reji Syne for imparting crucial knowledge on cerebral palsy and related mental disorders.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/04/stories/2010050457540200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
IGI Airport-New Terminal-Accessible to persons with disabilities
NEW DELHI: To ensure that T3 is inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities several measures have been taken to make the terminal barrier free.
For instance there are no level changes for passengers flying out of Delhi. The departure drop off area, check in area, security clearance and immigration zones along with the gate hold areas are on a single level. Starting from the gate hold area to the passenger boarding bridges to the aircraft, access is through gently sloped ramps.
Similarly disembarkation from the aircraft, proceeding to immigration and baggage claim areas before exiting on to the taxi / bus boarding ramp are all laid out on the same level.
Specially marked drop off points along with tactile strips would guide passengers from the drop off area to the terminal. Strategically located help phones on the curb side would enable passengers to contact the DIAL help desk. At this help desk, passengers can contact their respective airlines for a reserved wheelchair service.
Special needs
A separate area would also be earmarked for passengers with special needs in the check-in hall. Some of the check-in desks and all information desks would have reduced counter top heights to make things easier for wheelchair passengers.
The width of the security check points and the passage ways through immigration would be designed for easy wheelchair access. Writing podiums of a reduced height would also be provided for completing the immigration forms. Within the terminal, the flight information screens would be at a suitable height for easy reading.
The DIAL help desk assistance facilities would also be extended to unaccompanied minors travelling via IGI airport.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/26/stories/2010042656950400.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
New programmes at AIIMS proposed
NEW DELHI, India: The recently-constituted Research Advisory Council at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences here has recommended establishment of joint M.D.-Ph.D and M.Sc.-Ph.D. programmes to strengthen human resources in biomedical research in the country.
The Council met over the weekend under the chairmanship of the Director of the Institute, Prof. R. C. Deka.
“At the meeting the need for a monitoring system and rewarding the researchers with adequate incentives was emphasised,” said a note issued by the Institute on Saturday.
The Council was created as a follow-up action on recommendations made by the Prof. M. S. Valliathan Committee for improving the functioning of the Institute.
Innovation centre
The Council members emphasised the need for creation of an innovation centre, central bio-medical instrumentation facility, central bio-repository facility, co-ordination centre for collaboration with industry and facilitation centre for intellectual property rights to strengthen the research infrastructure.
The Council has also recommended that the Institute identify four or five areas of national importance which require urgent attention for research while not discouraging focused research by individual researchers in the area of their interest.
Accepting the important research contributions of the Institute, the members of the Council expressed their opinion on steps to strengthen biomedical research activity at the Institute to ensure that it emerges as one of the leading global biomedical research organisations, noted the release.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/25/stories/2010042558700300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Handicrafts exports post positive growth
NEW DELHI, India: All seems to be finally getting to be well for the handicrafts sector. After registering massive slips of 19 per cent in 2007-08 and 41.6 per cent in 2008-09, the export of handicrafts from India has registered an increase of 6.55 per cent during the just ended 2009-10 fiscal year.
According to the provisional data released by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the exports have gone up to Rs. 8,718.94 crore as against Rs. 8,183 crore during 2008-09.
In a press release here on Saturday, EPCH Chairman Raj Kumar Malhotra noted that the increase in the export had been across nearly all product categories.
The highest increase was recorded in imitation jewellery exports, where there was a growth of 18.03 per cent. It was followed by woodwares (15.17 per cent), shawls as artware (10.64 per cent), embroidery and crocheted goods (6.12 per cent), zari and zari goods (5.61 per cent), hand printed textiles and scarves (5.6 per cent), and art metalware (4.88 per cent).
Country-wise, the U.S. was the single largest market for the Indian handicrafts during the year, accounting for 29 per cent of the exports. But, as a region, the European Union topped the list, accounting for 40.33 per cent of the exports.
Within the European Union, the U.K. took the lead, buying handicrafts worth Rs. 928 crore from India. It was closely followed by Germany (Rs. 783 crore).
Mr. Malhotra conceded that much more, however, needed to be done to catch up with the momentum achieved by handicrafts exports before the global economic meltdown hit the markets for non-essential items like handicrafts.
For several years, Indian handicraft exports had been consistently clocking a growth of 10 per cent per year until 2006-07, when it reached a peak of Rs. 17,288 crore only to fall to Rs. 14,012 crore in 2008-09 and subsequently to Rs. 8,183 crore in 2009-10 as a result of the global economic problems.
Noting that the government had been taking several measures to promote handicrafts exports, he said the EPCH expected to regain the 10 per cent growth rate this year.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/25/stories/2010042562371000.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Onboard housekeeping in trains
CHENNAI, India: The Chennai division of Southern Railway on Friday introduced onboard hygienic/housekeeping services on long-distance trains based at Chennai Egmore for train number 6127/6128 Chennai Egmore-Guruvayur-Chennai Egmore expresses.
A Southern Railway press release said that similar services on trains based at Chennai Central would be introduced on train number 2615 Chennai Central New Delhi Grand Trunk Express on Monday.
The service includes provision of the toiletries in the A.C. coaches and regular cleaning of toilets and passenger bays for all reserved coaches. The payment is linked to feedback from passengers and TTEs, the release said.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/18/stories/2010041856570500.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Initiative to bridge yield gaps
| 400-crore plan with target to get results from next kharif |
NEW DELHI, India: The Union Agriculture Ministry has taken an initiative for a Rs.400-crore programme to bridge the yield gap in six states including West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh (27 districts) and Jharkhand.
“For starters, States have been asked to identify the reasons for low productivity in wheat, rice, pulses and oilseeds. Each State has been asked to come back by the end of April with action plans,” Agriculture Secretary P.K. Basu told The Hindu.
The States that have been identified as having below national average in productivity are Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh in wheat, and Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Bihar in rice.
Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Orissa and Rajasthan have a yield below the national average in pulses, while Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa have a below national average productivity in oilseeds.
Average production
Against the country’s average productivity in wheat of 2802 kg per hectare, West Bengal has a yield of 2602 kg/ha, Bihar has yield of 2058 kg/ha, Uttar Pradesh has an average yield of 2817 kg/ha.
As against an average yield of 2202 kg/ha in rice Orissa has a yield of 1694 kg/ha, Chattisgarh has a yield of 1446 kg/ha, Bihar of 1237 kg/ha and West Bengal has a yield of 2573 kg/ha.
The thrust in these states would be on replacing seed varieties, giving more certified seeds, bridging the nutrient deficiency and strengthening water and irrigation structures. Special focus would be on improvement of application of balanced use of fertilisers and improvement of farm power. Rural electrification and provision of power tillers and such equipment is also part of the scheme.
“Our target is to achieve results from next kharif,” the Secretary said.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/16/stories/2010041659140300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
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