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Girl develops first android app on Kashmir

January 25, 2016Business & Economy, Science & TechnologyDial Kashmir, Kashmir, Mehvish Mushtaq, Srinagarmpositiveone@gmail.com

Screenshot of the 'Dial Kashmir' app. The application has witnessed an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 with a thousand plus downloads on Google Play. — Screenshot of the ‘Dial Kashmir’ app. The application has witnessed an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 with a thousand plus downloads on Google Play.

Srinagar, KASHMIR :

23-year-old girl becomes first Kashmiri to develop Android application ‘Dial Kashmir’ with over 500 contacts of government and private departments — a one stop source for ‘essential information’.

“I don’t want to be a second someone, I want to be the first me,” this is how a 23-year-old ambitious computer engineer, who has become the first Kashmiri to develop an Android application, describes herself on her Facebook page.

The Android application named ‘Dial Kashmir’ contains over 500 contacts of government and private departments — a one stop source for ‘essential information’.

‘Dial Kashmir’ contains important contacts of different departments, officials and public utilities and would be of immense help to the locals and tourists alike, says Mehvish Mushtaq, who holds a Bachelors (B.E.) in Computer Science.

“I felt a need to develop such an application because unlike outside where there are many apps and websites which contain such information, Kashmir had none. ‘Dial Kashmir’ would provide information easily to the people here. There are many users of Android platform based mobile phones here,” Ms. Mehvish, a resident of uptown Barzulla in Srinagar, told PTI.

Ms. Mehvish claims that the application has witnessed an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 with a thousand plus downloads on Google Play.

Ms. Mehvish did an online course on Android application designing in January and put together her skills and desire to develop a “helpful Kashmir centric application” and with an “actually, I can” attitude — as her display picture on Facebook suggests — developed ‘Dial Kashmir’. “I did this online course at the end of which I had to develop something, as part of the project. It took me about 2 weeks to develop this application,” she said.

‘Dial Kashmir’ provides users detailed information like addresses, phone numbers and email ids of various essential services and other departments in Kashmir. It is a one stop source for information on healthcare, education, transport, police and so many others and one does not need to surf through internet pages, official websites and directories,” she said.

A music lover and an ardent Atif Aslam fan, Ms. Mehvish says technology fascinates her and her love for “any-thing-tech” was the sole inspiration behind her “dream of developing something which would help the people of my native place”.

Ms. Mehvish, who did her B.E from SSM College of Engineering and Technology in Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, says girls in Kashmir are “second to none” and “can achieve anything“.

“We just have to keep a dream alive and start working towards realising it. We are second to none and once we set on something, we can achieve it,” she said.

The response to the application, she says, has been “encouraging”.

“Heartening to see a Kashmiri girl develop an android app when everyone claims to be a geek in Kashmir. Good work although app is simple. Keep it up,” one Android user, Rais Bhat, who downloaded the app from Google Play, wrote as feedback.

Another user, Wani Kamraan, wrote, “SPEECHLESS..! Well the application should be improved but this work of you should be appreciated by me, by your own people…So 4 stars for your outstanding work and extra one for being citizen as well as sister of me from my Kashmir… Thank You!“.

Ms. Mehvish says she is now working on making the application “much better” and trying to add “as more details and information as possible”.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Technology> Gadgets / PTI / Srinagar – April 16th, 2013

Toppers bask in glory

January 25, 2016EducationAiman Jan, Bushra Amin, Tehneez Bashirmpositiveone@gmail.com

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Srinagar :

The toppers of this year’s class XII examination have attributed their success to hard work and support from parents and teachers. They also shared their desire to continue the winning streak in their professional lives.

Bushra Amin has secured first position in Science stream with 489 marks (97.8 percent). A resident of Khanaqah Bagh Pampore, she wants to be an ideal daughter and honest professional.

“This is a small success in life. I want to shine in every sphere of life-social as well as professional. My first priority would be to see my parents happy,” Bushra told Rising Kashmir.

A student of Muslim Educational Institute Pampore, Bushra said she relied more on self study rather than coaching classes, and credited her teachers for the success.

“Coaching classes only helped me to complete certain portions of my curriculum but real supporters were my school teachers as they would treat me with affection like their own sibling,” she said.

COMMERCE TOPPER

Tehneez Bashir of Green Valley Educational Institute, Illahi Bagh has topped the Commerce stream. She dreams to become honest and successful business woman.

“I am yet to decide whether to go for academic or professional course. However, I have a dream to become a successful businesswoman and to break all taboos and stereotypes,” she said.

Tehneez lost her father when she was in class 3. She said her father was always encouraging. “My elder sister who shouldered many responsibilities after my father’s death is my inspiration as she has shown me how to overcome tough times,” she told Rising Kashmir over phone.

ARTS TOPPER

Aiman Jan Habib, who topped Arts stream with 486 marks (97.2%), credited the teachers of her school, Jamiat ul Banaat for her success.

“Though I never compromised on hard work but the consistent support of teachers in the school has proved fruitful,” she said.

Resident of Tral in south Kashmir, Aiman said her parents supported her in the decision of not opting for private tuitions. “I want to become an administrator as I always dreamt of it,” she said.

source: http://www.risingkashmir.in / Rising Kashmir / Home / by Manzoor-ul-Hassan (muhassan@risingkashmir.com / Srinagar – January 21st, 2015

Kundapur mosque hopes to become a peace beacon

January 24, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, UncategorizedBadriya Jum'a Masjid, Bearys Group, Indian Green Building Association, Karnataka, Kundapur, Syed Mohamed Beary, World's First Zero Energy Mosquempositiveone@gmail.com

ECO-FRIENDLY ABODE : The Rs 2-crore mosque built by the Beary Group aims to promote harmony among all communities.

Udupi, KARNATAKA :

The Badriya Jum’a Masjid, a landmark on Kodi beach in Kundapur, holds out a new hope. Termed an ecofriendly mosque, it exemplifies sustainable technologies and also presents a modern face of Islam.

The green mosque, a typical Islamic architectural structure, aims to promote harmony among all communities in the world. There is a hope that the mosque will become a place of worship where people from all over the world will come and pray. It has already begun attracting non-Muslims.

Syed Mohamed Beary of the Indian Green Building Association’s state president told TOI that Badriya Jum’a Masjid is the world’s first `zero-energy’ green mosque. The Beary Group, with the help of locals, constructed the mosque at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Situated on two acres, the 1,500 sqft building can accommodate 2,000 people. It also has a library.

The Beary family built the mosque in memory of their grandfather. “Years ago, he wanted to go on the Hajj pilgrimage, but fell ill and couldn’t go. He used the same money to build a small mosque.It was renovated 40 years ago, but it wasn’t satisfactory . Now, using improved technology , we’ve come up with an eco friendly mosque,” he added.

Architects Sandeep and Manoj from Bengaluru have designed the mosque in such a way that the entire energy requirement is met through hybrid renewable energy , both wind and solar.

Their grandfather had planted a huge mango tree and a coconut palm on the premises. While the orientation minimizes solar heat gain, natural elements keep the inside of the building cool. The Lshaped building plan and elevated prayer hall, vegetation and water tanks around cool the environment naturally.

Natural cooling is accentu ated by a wind scoop on the 70-ft multifunctional minaret, from where the azan, or prayer call, is given. It forces down a draught of cool breeze into the prayer hall and also supports the tower structure of a wind turbine mounted atop it. The solar heat-reflecting terrace floor laid with white china mosaic and fitted with turbo vents not only keeps the prayer space cool but also reduces warming of the local micro climate.Non-conducting glass reinforced concrete jaalis with over 50% openings, maximize natural ventilation and supplement the design effort to reduce heat gain.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / January 15th, 2016

Jain University to host running gala on Jan 31

January 23, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Sports, UncategorizedGul Mohammed Akbar, Race Directormpositiveone@gmail.com

Bengaluru, KARNATKA :

Bengaluru :

Fitness enthusiasts in the city can add one more event to their workout calendar with JGI-Jain University announcing the launch of ‘My Country Run 2016’, which will see thousands of runners stream through the picturesque Cubbon Park as they compete in the 5k and 10k events on January 31.

The Sree Kanteerava stadium will be the hub of the activity as the races, which begin from 4pm, start and finish at the venue. “We have had an enthusiastic response so far as more than 3,000 people have already registered for the race. Though there are many road races in Bengaluru, we still need to do a lot more to get more and more people running,” race director Gul Mohammed Akbar told TOI.

Akbar said the first prize of Rs 1 lakh has attracted many elite runners, including athletes from Ethiopia and Kenya.

“Some of them are staying back after competing in the Mumbai marathon,” he said. Athletes who have finished the 10k in less than 60 minutes will fall in the elite category.

JGI Group chairman Chenraj Roychand said the proceeds generated from the race will go towards supporting the 30-35 athletes from below-poverty-line families, which are being looked after by the Jain Group. The money will be used to give them foreign exposure. “After looking at the savings, the trust will put in an equal amount to create a corpus that will be used to help these kids,” he said.

Uthappa lauds Jain College Returning to his alma mater along with ace cueist Pankaj Advani as the brand ambassador of the race, star cricketer Robin Uthappa recalled how the institution helped him through his college days. “I was frantically looking to get an admission for a degree course when I got a call from Jain College, expressing their willingness to start even a new course. Shankar sir was very helpful throughout my college days and the college even conducted special classes for all the sportspersons.

Now they want me to complete my MBA and I’ve promised to do that. I can confidently tell that Jain College is the best any sportsperson can aspire for,” recalled Uthappa, in the presence of his fiancee and former tennis player Sheetal Goutam.

The marriage is scheduled on March 3.

Roychand, meanwhile, recalled how he helped Uthappa to get back his focus after he was on the verge of quitting cricket.

“Robin once called up and said he wanted to quit the game but I told him that he was born to play cricket and put him through a few meditation sessions. Eight days later, he was back with a bang, cracking 165 runs,” the JGI chairman said.

He said the college has supported not only cricket but other sports as well, involving more than 300 international sportspersons, which included seven Olympians. “I’ve told Gul to reach out to rural schools and identify talent who can be nurtured to become top-class athletes. If we put in the hard work for the next 10-15 years, we can get more gold medals at the Olympics,” Roychand added.

UV Shankar, Director of Sports, Jain University, said the race will be an annual event. “The idea is to get everyone (men, women and kids) on one platform.”

The total prize money is Rs 5.35 lakh with Rs 1 lakh for the winner of the elite race. The registration fee is Rs 1,000 (Rs 800 for students) for Open 10K and Rs 700 (Rs 600) for the 5k race.

For online registrations, log on to www.mycountry.run.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Biju Babu Cyriac, TNN / January 19th, 2016

Science fiction comes alive as Indian startup grows human liver in lab

January 22, 2016Amazing Feats, Science & Technology, Uncategorized, World OpinionAbdullah Chand, Dr, Dr.Abdullah Chand, Senior Scientistmpositiveone@gmail.com

Liver team at Pandorum Technologies: Dr. Abdullah Chand, senior scientist (left); Arun Chandru, co-founder and managing director (centre); and Dr. Sivarajan T., senior scientist / @ABHINAV_MAURYA

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Pandorum Technologies, a Bengaluru-based biotech startup, has developed an artificial tissue that performs the functions of the human liver.

Pandorum said these 3D printed living tissues made of human cells would enable affordable medical research with reduced dependence on animal and human trials. It will also eventually lead to full scale transplantable organs.

Arun Chandru, 30-year-old co-founder of Pandorum, said liver toxicity and drug metabolism are the key hurdles, and contributors to failed human trials.

Pandorum’s 3D bio-printed mini-livers that mimic the human liver will serve as test platforms for discovery and development of drugs and vaccines. The firm said these drugs would have better efficacy, less side-effects and be developed at lower costs.

“We developed everything here in India,” said Mr. Chandru. “We can grow thousands of these tissues in the laboratory and test the efficacy of drugs on them for diseases including cancer.”

He said large pharma companies on an average spend about $10 billion (Rs. 66,290 crore) and 10 years on research and development to get a single new drug to the market.

Tuhin Bhowmick (34), another co-founder of Pandorum, said development of artificial organs has numerous clinical uses. The cell-based miniature organs can be used to develop bio-artificial liver support systems for preserving life in patients who have developed liver failure.

“In the near future, such bio-printed organs will address the acute shortage of human organs available for surgical transplantation,” said Dr. Bhowmick, who holds a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science.

Pandorum was founded by a group of friends in 2011 who were pursuing their higher studies at IISc. They came together to work on the development of artificial human organs after winning a business competition.

Surviving initially on money from friends and family, the team approached the Department of Biotechnology with their vision. The company was awarded funding support by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council in 2012. The same year, the company got incubated by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms in Bengaluru.

Mr. Chandru said they created the innovation with a funding of about Rs. 1 crore, more than half of which came from the government.

Scientists and startups across the globe are growing artificial organs made of human cells to better study diseases and help test drugs. A team of researchers led by Hebrew University professor Eduardo Mitrani is growing pancreas in a petri dish to better regulate blood sugar in diabetic patients.

The global artificial organ and bionics market is expected to reach $38.75 billion (Rs 2.5 lakh crore) by 2020 at an estimated CAGR of 9.3% from 2014 to 2020, according to a study by Grand View Research.

Pandorum’s ultimate aim is to make personalised human organs such as lungs, liver, kidney and pancreas on demand, according to Mr. Chandru.

Pandorum’s innovation takes the area of making artificial organs to the next level. Bengaluru-based bioinformatics firm Strand Life Sciences founded by IISc. professors had earlier developed a virtual liver that mimics the functions of liver through software simulation. It is a predictive method that integrates data and insights for deeper understanding of the impact of a drug on the liver. The platform can predict the toxicity of several known drugs and toxins and explain the mechanism.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech / by Peerzada Abrar / Bengaluru – December 23rd, 2015

MIT professor covers 1,500 km on bicycle from Bengaluru to Koraput

January 22, 2016Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Sports, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

S.S.S. Shameem, Assistant Professor in Computer Application, Manipal Institute of Technology, with his cycle at Semiliguda in Koraput district of Odisha on December 26, 2015.

Manipal (Udipi) , KARNATAKA :

He began his journey on December 18 and concluded it in nine days

S.S.S. Shameem, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Application, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), has just completed the first leg of solo cycle expedition, a passion he has been pursuing since two years, and calls it as “Bharat Bhraman: Ride-4-Pride.”

According to a press release issued by the Manipal University here on Thursday, Prof. Shameem had covered a distance of 1,500 km on a high-end bicycle from Bengaluru to Koraput in Odisha. Mr. Shameem, who is very lanky, proudly says, “I completed it in nine days.”

“Eastern Ghats was a bit tough, otherwise I enjoyed the first leg and plan many more such solo rides. My aim is to see and know the diversity of our country and do whatever I could. Going around the country on a bicycle gives me a great pleasure and satisfaction. Moreover, I will be, when I finish the journey, sit and look back with pride my achievements,” Prof. Shameem said.

“I began my journey from Bengaluru on December 18, 2015, and reached Koraput on December 26, 2015, via Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Vishakapatnam and Salur,” he said.

“I have been preparing for this trip for the last two years. The next cycling trip would be again taken up in December this year,” he said.

Prof. Shameem had to spend a few nights, sleeping at railway stations, police stations and religious places etc. Prof. Shameem, who is also a marathon runner, plans to alternate his cycling expeditions with running.

Therefore, he is planning to do running during summer and cycling in December. Being ambitious, Prof. Shameem is keen to get into Limca Book of Records with half marathon (21.1 km) runs.

Accordingly, he plans to do 111 half marathons in 70 days and is working on that. He calls it, “Bhaag-run Project.” He has sought details from Limca and is in touch with the athletic associations of Udupi and Mangaluru for assistance.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Ganesh Prabhu / Manipal – January 22nd, 2016

Sheik Ali gets first Kalburgi award

January 21, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Uncategorizedmpositiveone@gmail.com

KARNATAKA :

The Kannada Book Authority (KBA) has instituted the Dr. M.M. Kalburgi Award, which carries a cash prize of Rs. 75,000 and citation, for writers in humanities. This year’s award, in memory of the renowned scholar, has been conferred on historian B. Sheik Ali.

Announcing the awards, KBA chairperson Banjagere Jayaprakash said Prof. Sheik Ali served as Vice-Chancellor of the Mangalore and Goa universities and was responsible for the emergence of a number of History scholars.

Research work

A major share of his research work relates to the period of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Prof. Sheik Ali has around 40 major works to his credit, including eight in Urdu.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Muralidhara Khajane / Bengaluru – January 20th, 2016

Bigg Boss: Imam Siddiqui says he’s laughing his way to the bank

January 21, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economympositiveone@gmail.com

Imam Siddiqui at Rohit Bal’s fashion soirée.

Banswara, RAJASTHAN / Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Fashion stylist Imam Siddiqui has always been vocal about his thoughts and when it comes to the popularity he got post participation in the sixth season of Bigg Boss, he is more than happy to talk about it.

“The kind of popularity I got post the reality show has been enormous. I am already signing Hindi films left, right and centre. My film will release in April, in which I play a double role. For heaven’s sake, I am laughing my way to the bank now!!,” says Siddiqui and adds, “My life has changed 180 degrees.”

Siddiqui, who recently participated in the reality show for a week, says the current participants don’t know the worth of the show. “The current lot needs to make better use of the opportunity. They don’t understand the importance of the platform that they have been provided with. The audience does not wish to see just aggression, they also need to give complete entertainment,” he says.

Imam Siddique enters the Bigg Boss house, and that spells trouble for all the contestants, especially Prince Narula! (COLORS)

He does have a word of advice for the participants. “This show can propel their career in the stratosphere like it has done to mine. They must try hard to keep the audience hooked on to them. Otherwise they will lose out on the chance and will regret it,” he says.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / by Yashika Mathur, Hindustan Times, New Delhi / January 20th, 2016