Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Monthly Coverage Dossier January 2019
Prepared by
IIT Madras is a campus of choice for
high ranking JEE students
Date: 11th January 2019
Publication: The Indian express
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Student: Niranjana Prasad Moleyar
Headline: CAT 2018 topper aspires to be like Mukesh Ambani
URL: https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cat-2018-topper-from-udupi-wants-
to-be-next-ambani-5532445/
CAT 2018 topper aspires to be like Mukesh Ambani
Karnataka-born Niranjana Prasad Moleyar has scored 100 percentile in Common
Admission Test 2018 in his first attempt itself. Unlike many management aspirants, he
prefers self-studies over coaching. Moleyar shares the first rank with 10 others engineering
students and is the only one from Karnataka to secure 100 percentile score. Currently, he
is pursuing B.Tech-M.Tech integrated course at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-
Madras. This 22-year-old finds inspiration in the work of business tycoon and chairman of
RIL, Mukesh Ambani as he believes he has brought telecom revolution in India.
“I want to pursue finance and do something which can disrupt the Indian economy for
good just like Mukesh Ambani did with Jio. I want to see myself as a CFO of a company
so that I can do something which can benefit Indians,” Moleyar told indianexpress.com.
The CAT topper aspires to join the Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Ahmedabad
because he believes that the institute has a case-study based curriculum which is unique.
He has already received a call letter from IIM-Calcutta.
He prepared for the Common Admission Test (CAT) only during December 2017 and
January 2018 and secured a perfect score. “The CAT dates coincided with my college
tests so I prepared for it well in advance and then revised it a week before the exam. In
the last 2-3 days before the entrance exam, I practised previous year papers,” he said.
The Udupi-born enjoys playing chess and solving puzzles during free time. “After
appearing for competitive exams like JEE, I have realised the core of every test is time
management and subject knowledge. I had a hang of the subject knowledge as I opted
for finance and economics classes during my course, I worked on time management
skills,” he said. “I started by identifying my weak areas. Instead of blindly solving the
questions one needs to see how different is the approach taken by others, it would
enhance your subject knowledge and also feel rewarding,” suggests Moleyar.
In his case, told Moleyar, re-touching base with calculations for the data interpretation
section was the tough part. The avid reader and thriller novel enthusiast found verbal
abilities and logical reasoning to be his strong points. “Our school encouraged reading
which inculcated the habit of reading books in me since childhood. Because of it, I have
always been good at verbal abilities and logical reasoning. I had to practice to gain
speed in the quantitative ability section. I found it to be relatively difficult than other
sections and wished to have been faster in solving it,” he said.
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: Help Biotech
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras Biotech Summer Fellowship Program-2019 for Final Year Students
URL: http://www.helpbiotech.co.in/2019/01/iit-madras-biotech-summer-fellowship.html
IIT Madras Biotech Summer Fellowship Program-2019 for Final Year Students
The IITM - Summer Fellowship Programme of two months with stipend is designed to
enhance awareness and interest in high quality academic research among young
Engineering, Management, Sciences and Humanities students through a goal oriented
summer mini-project undertaken at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Eligibility:Candidates pursuing 3rd year of B.E./B.Tech./B.Sc. (Engg) or 3rd or 4th year of
Integrated M.E./M.Tech. programme, 1st year of ME/M.Tech/M.Sc./M.A, MBA with
outstanding academic background in terms of high ranks in university examinations are
encouraged to apply, highlighting their academic performance and achievement
including papers presented at seminars, projects executed, design contests participated,
score/rank in Mathematics Olympiad and any other awards/distinctions obtained. [IIT
students are not eligible to apply].
Period of the Project: Duration of the programme may commence from 20th May 2019
to 19th July 2019. (Schedule may be flexible to suit student’s convenience.)
Stipend: A sum of Rs.6000/- per month will be given as a stipend for a maximum period of
2 months.
Bonafide :Letter from the Institute: Should certify that you are a bonafide student issued
by the Head of Institution (download template of UG/DD bonafide and PG Bonafide
Participating Departments:
Engineering Departments:
Aerospace Engineering
Applied Mechanics
Bio Technology
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Science & Engineering
Engineeing Design
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
Ocean Engineering
Science Departments:
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Humanities & Social Sciences
Management Studies
How to apply:
Application should be submitted online in this portal.
There is no need to send hard copy to IIT Madras.
Generate a pdf file and keep it for your reference.
Please ensure that all the relevant data and enclosures are uploaded online.
Incomplete applications will be rejected.
For any clarification, send mail to [email protected]
Date: 21st January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: Venkatesh Ramakrishanan
Headline: IIT Madrasa sterling institute that attracted the finest in academics
Date: 25th January 2019
Publication: English Matrubhumi
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Summer Fellowship Programme of IIT Madras: Apply by February 28
URL: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/education/news/admissions/summer-fellowship-
programme-of-iit-madras-apply-by-february-28-1.3510709
Summer Fellowship Programme of IIT Madras: Apply by February 28
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai-600036, has invited applications for
admission to the IITM Summer Fellowship Programme 2019. The IITM-Summer Fellowship
Programme is a two months Program with stipend, designed to enhance awareness and
interest in high quality academic research among young Engineering, Management,
Sciences and Humanities students through a goal oriented summer mini-project
undertaken at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras The participating departments
are the following: Engineering Departments: Aerospace Engineering, Applied
Mechanics, Bio Technology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science
& Engineering, Engineering Design, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering,
Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, Ocean Engineering Science Departments: Physics,
Chemistry, Mathematics; Humanities & Social Sciences & Management Studies Eligibility:
Those pursuing 3rd year of B.E./B.Tech./B.Sc. (Engg) or 3rd or 4th year of Integrated
M.E./M.Tech. programme, 1st year of ME/M.Tech/M.Sc
Period of the Project: Programme is likely to commence on 20th May 2019 ad may
continue till 19th July 2019. Schedule may be flexible to suit student’s convenience.
Stipend: A sum of Rs.6000/- per month will be given as a stipend for a maximum period of
2 months Application: Applications are to be submitted online at https://sfp.iitm.ac.in/
latest by 5 pm on 28.2.2019
All the relevant data and enclosures are to be uploaded online. Letter from the Institute
should certify that applicant is a bonafid.
For any clarification, send mail to [email protected]
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India -Education Times
Edition: Hyderabad/Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: Rajlakshmi.Ghosh
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: IIT-M to have 2000 courses by 2020
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/by-2020-iit-m-is-
expected-to-have-700-strong-faculty-and-2000-courses/articleshow/67722688.cms
IIT Madras is a multi-cultural campus
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Mid day
Edition: Online
Journalist: Snigdha Hasan and Shunashir Sen
Headline: Looking Ahead 2019: Here's How The Stage Is Set For Music And Dance
URL: https://www.mid-day.com/articles/looking-ahead-2019-heres-how-the-stage-is-set-
for-music-and-dance/20182197
Looking Ahead 2019: Here's How The Stage Is Set For Music And Dance
For someone who straddles the worlds of Bollywood and indie music with equal élan,
Benny Dayal's debut album with his band, Funktuation, has been a long time coming. But
he's announced a January release for the record, titled Funk Katcheri. Dayal has stuck to
his Tamil roots, since all the lyrics are in his native language. What's more, the band will
be launching the album at Saarang, the annual festival at IIT Madras, on January 13.
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: The Times Of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Headline: Innovation sports to be hot topics at Shaastra 2019
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: The Hindu - Tamil
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras Tech-Fest Shaastra to begin from Jan 2019
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 3
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Prof. Sivakumar Srinivasan, Prof. Vamsi Krishna Mula
Headline: Discussing Shaastra
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 3
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Shaastra 2019 to focus on experiential learning
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Tech test of IIT-M to begin on January 3
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: IIT M shaastra from January 3
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Hindustan Times
Edition: Mumbai
Page No: 11
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-Madras Tech Fest to begin on January 3
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: News Today
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 3
Journalist: NA
Headline: Shaastra from 3 Jan
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Daily Thanti
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 10
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurth
Headline: IIT Madras Tech-Fest Shaastra to begin from Jan 2019
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Rajasthan Patrika
Edition: Online
Journalist: Santosh Tiwari
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Prof. Sheikh Farooq Ali
Headline: Tech Fest Shaastra from 3 Jan
URL: https://www.patrika.com/chennai-news/techfest-shashtra-in-iit-madras-3912878/
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Education Times
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: IIT Madras tech-fest ‘Shaastra’ to begin on January 3
URL: https://www.educationtimes.com/article/1/201812312018123115275146318bfad3b
/-IIT-Madras-techfest-Shaastra-to-begin-on-January-3.html
IIT Madras tech-fest ‘Shaastra’ to begin on January 3
IIT Madras’ technical festival ‘Shaastra’ will begin on January, 3, 2019. The four-day event
is set to host a wide range of events across the spectrum.
Many influential personalities will be delivering lectures in areas as diverse as science,
technology, policy and sports through its spotlight lecture series. Shaastra 2019 will see
five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand, Nobel Laureate Venkatraman
Ramakrishnan and renowned computer scientist and pioneer of artificial
intelligence Jürgen Schmidhuber, among others.
The theme for this year's Shaastra is ‘Breakthrough’ which aims at celebrating and
appreciating the numerous path-breaking discoveries and inventions that humanity has
come across ever since it set foot on the planet.
Addressing a press conference, professor Bhaskar Ramamurthi, director, IIT Madras, said,
“Shaastra 2019 will be an eye opener to school students on what are the possible
opportunities that await them. This event is an experiential learning one for school
students. Shaastra is going on for 20 years now and features many interesting events.
Besides technical events, it has workshops on ‘hot topics’ such as Artificial Intelligence
and Blockchain. Further, this year we are also taking participants and school students to
IIT Madras Research Park and giving them an exposure on how a startup is set up.”
Shaastra 2019 covers as diverse fields of impact as technology can endure. Technology
has brought about several transformations in the field of Sports. Consequently, Shaastra
presents the SportsTech Summit 2019, a four-day conference on Sports Technology, from
January 3-6. The summit will host many experts such as Ramky (Former Performance
Analyst Indian Cricket Team), Ramji Srinivasan (Former S&C Coach of the Indian Cricket
team), and J Krishnan (ex-CEO, Deccan Chargers), demos, workshops and also
competitions such as a Mock IPL Auction.
Yet another attraction this time, is the LawTech Conference on January 4. The
conference will bring out how technological advancements are influencing the field of
law and also topics such as governance where laws affect new technologies. These
events are ideal for students, professionals, inventors and entrepreneurs.
Date: 1st January 2018
Publication: Life 365
Edition: Pune
Page No: 1
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT students up-cycle cardboards into desks
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Tech test of IIT-M to begin on January 3
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Infodea
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: One of the largest in South India Tech-Fest Shaastra begins on 3rd Jan in IITM
URL: http://www.infodea.in/one-of-the-largest-in-south-india-tech-fest-shaastra-begins-
on-3rd-jan-in-iitm/
One of the largest in South India Tech-Fest Shaastra begins on 3rd Jan in IITM
IIT Madras’ Shaastra, one of the largest technical festivals in South India, will begin on 3rd
January 2019. The four-day event is set to host a wide range of events across the
spectrum
Shaastra welcomes many influential personalities to deliver lectures in areas as diverse as
science, technology, policy and sports through its Spotlight Lecture Series. Shaastra 2019
will see five-time world Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, Nobel Laureate Dr.
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and renowned computer scientist and pioneer of artificial
intelligence Dr. Jürgen Schmidhuber, among others.
Addressing a Press Conference today (31st Dec 2018) on salient features of Shaastra
201,9 Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Shaastra 2019 will be an
eyeopener to school students on what are the possible opportunities that await them.
This event is an experiential learning one for school students. Shaastra is going on for 20
years now and features many interesting events. Besides technical events, it has
workshops on ‘hot topics’ such as Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain. Further, this year
we are also taking participants and school students to IIT Madras Research Park and
giving them an exposure on how a startup is set up.”
Every year, Shaastra rolls out unique, impactful and lasting social campaigns, aimed at
bettering the life of common people. This year’s initiative – ReACH – converted discarded
cardboard boxes into desks for school students studying in government schools. ‘ReACH’
is aimed at improving the conditions of rural schools in an eco-friendly manner.
Puducherry Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi, former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble, first Indian to
travel in space Rakesh Sharma and others were impressed by the idea and extended
their support to the campaign.
Every edition of Shaastra features a wide variety of events encompassing the entire
spectrum of innovation which keeps getting better.
Speaking later, Prof. S.M. Sivakumar, Dean (Students), IIT Madras, said, “Shaastra has
grown to be one of the largest national student run festivals that is also ISO certified. What
is exciting is that the Shaastra team has concocted a recipe that combines fun,
entertainment and technology to cater to not just the geeks but to everyone who wishes
to come taste the feel. With so much happening in the Insti research and outreach, open
house is sure to trigger inspiration and interest in many who visit this year, the Diamond
Jubilee Year of IIT Madras.
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: Dinamani
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Headline: Woman Ph.D scholar ends life in IIT-Madras
Date: 3rd December 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Headline: Shaastra to begin today at IIT-Madras
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Online
Journalist: R. Sujatha
Headline: IIT-M’s tech fest begins
URL: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/iit-ms-tech-fest-begins-
venkitesh-ramakrishnan-and-scientist-and-former-head-of-the-defence-research-and-
develpment-organisation-vk-aatre-will-interact-with-the-students-today-kerala-
governor-p-sathasivam-and-geneticist-k-vijayragha/article25903773.ece
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Headline: How tech masters are playing new cricket on Shaastra ground
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tech-masters-play-new-cricket-
on-shaastra-ground/articleshow/67373116.cms
Date: 4th December 2019
Publication: The Times Of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: R Ramesh Shankar
Headline: Taking Wing (Photo Only)
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: India Today
Edition: Online
Journalist: Ms. Megha Chaturvedi & Ms. Tanya Saihgal,
Headline: IIT Madras Tech Fest Shaastra features a host of innovations
URL: https://www.facebook.com/indiatodaygroupeducation/videos/380750479364900/
?fref=gs&dti=127345920611332&hc_location=group
IIT Madras Tech Fest Shaastra features a host of innovations
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Headline: Chess teaches you life skills in a fun way
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: India Today
Edition: Online
Journalist: Ms. Megha Chaturvedi & Ms. Tanya Saihgal
Headline: Third day of IIT Madras Tech Fest Shaastra features hover crafts made by
students
URL: https://www.facebook.com/indiatodaygroupeducation/videos/1674465805987156
/?notif_id=1546675108925449¬if_t=live_video_explicit
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai/Kochi
Page No: 4
Journalist: Ram Sundaram
Student: Aneesh Jaganath
Headline: Gadgets for differently abled wow viewers at tech fair
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras and Phoenix Market City to conduct car race for tech enthusiasts
Date: 6th January 2019
Publication: News 18
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Shaastra 2019
URL: https://tamil.news18.com/videos/tamil-nadu/students-established-their-
performances-in-technical-festival-held-at-iit-madras-91679.html
Date: 7th January 2019
Publication: Swarajya
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-M College Fest 2019: Schoolkids Now Wield The ‘Bot’; Challenge
Engineering Students To ‘Match Up’ If They Can
URL: https://swarajyamag.com/insta/iit-m-college-fest-2019-schoolkids-now-wield-the-
bot-challenge-engineering-students-to-match-up-if-they-can
IIT-M College Fest 2019: Schoolkids Now Wield The ‘Bot’; Challenge Engineering Students
To ‘Match Up’ If They Can
A group of school kids from Kerala are ‘feared ones’ in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Madras’ four-day technical fest Shaastra 2019.
While hundreds of students from technical colleges are ready for the competition, these
school students from Choice School in Kochi have marked their presence amongst ‘big
brothers and sisters’ from colleges. The school kids won the event last year, dominated
Day 1 of the event on 3 January (Thursday) and are expected to emerge the winners,
reports Times Of India.
Choice School allows students from Classes III to IX to study robotics for one hour a week
and is among the 2,400 schools to set up an Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) - an initiative by the
Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry in 2015. The teachers from the private
school attributed this to dedicated innovation and their design lab and the fact that
robotics was introduced in the primary curriculum from Class III.
Three years since, 50 students from this lab have participated in robotics competitions
worldwide, and many have made their own robots.
The kids, who made an impact at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut and Road
Rave, India, and are now at IIT-M.
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-Madras cultural fest Saarang to get underway on January 9
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jan/08/iit-m-cultural-fest-
saarang-to-get-underway-on-jan-9-1922116.html
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: Infodea
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: विद्यार्थियों द्िारा, विद्यार्थियों का और विद्यार्थियों के लिए ही है सारंग: भास्कर राममरु्त ि URL: https://goo.gl/nSp4WE
विद्यार्थियों द्िारा, विद्यार्थियों का और विद्यार्थियों के लिए ही है सारंग: भास्कर राममरु्त ि
आईआईटी मद्रास का साांस्कृतिक महोत्सव सारांग ववद्यार्थियों द्वारा, ववद्यार्थियों का और ववद्यार्थियों के लिए
महोत्सव है। यहाां आयोजिि एक सांवाददािा सम्मेिन को सांबोर्िि करि ेहुए आईआईटी मद्रास के तनदेशक प्रोफेसर भास्कर राममतुि ि ने कहा कक सारांग के आयोिन के लिए 1,200 से ज्यादा ववद्यार्थियों ने काम ककया है िो उनके
लिए एक बेहिर अनभुव रहा है। यह कायिक्रम ववद्यार्थियों द्वारा, ववद्यार्थियों का और ववद्यार्थियों के लिए ही है। इस कायिक्रम का आयोिन वर्ि 70 के दशक से ही ककया िा रहा है।
बिाि ेचिें कक 9 िनवरी से शरुू होने वािे इस कायिक्रम में 100 से ज्यादा कायिक्रम होंग ेजिसम े500 कॉिेिों से
िकरीबन 70 हिार िोगों का इस कायिक्रम में शालमि होना िय माना िा रहा है। ववददि हो की कनािटक के मशहूर सांगीिकार तनत्याश्री महादेवन के सांगीि से 9 िनवरी को कायिक्रम की शरुूआि होगी। उक्ि आयोिन में शालमि
आईआईटी मद्रास की साांस्कृतिक सिाहकार प्रोफेसर नांददिा दास गपु्िा ने बिाया कक हर साि ववद्याथी अपने रुर्च
के दहसाब से इसके आयोिन और कायिक्रम में बदिाव करि ेहैं।
कायिक्रम में ववलभन्न क्षेत्रो से प्रमखु हजस्ि, रत्न पाठक शाह, िु ु्रव सेहगि, अजववन सांघी, एस. सौम्या, प्रिक्िा कोलि, अन ुअग्रवाि और लशप्रा खन्ना िैस ेनाम शालमि हैं। ज्ञाि हो आईआईटी मद्रास अपने िकनीक के बारे जिस
प्रकार से ववख्याि है उसी प्रकार से इस कायिक्रम द्वारा सांस्थान के ववद्यार्थियों के किा व किाकार को भी ख्यािी लमििी है। दक्षक्षण भारि का इांटर कॉिेजिएट, सेमी प्रोफेसनि डाांस काजम्पदटशन 10 िनवरी को आयोजिि ककया िाएगा।
वही आईंआईटी मद्रास के डीन एमएस लशवकुमार ने कहा कक सारांग बनैर के अांिगिि प्रत्येक साि हम इस कायिक्रम
के दौरान बाि कल्याण, कैं सर िागरुकिा, िि सांरक्षण आदद समेि सामाजिक अलभयान भी चिाि ेहैं। इस साि भी हम ितनिग एांड एिुकेशन एक्सेलसजलिदट प्रोिके्ट चिा रहे हैं जिसका मकसद उन गरीब और असहाय बच्चों को लशक्षा सांबांर्िि उन सवुविाओां को पहुांचाना है जिसस ेवह अबिक वांर्चि रहे हैं।
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Headline: More than 100 events lined up for IIT-M’s cultural fest
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras cultural fest to begin on January
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: Marthrubhumi
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: ‘Saarang’, annual cultural fest of IIT Madras to commence on 9th January
2019
URL: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/education/news/news-updates/saarang-
annual-cultural-fest-of-iit-madras-to-commence-on-9th-january-2019-1.3462957
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: News Today
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Saarang: 5-day cultural extravaganza at IIT-M from tomorrow
URL: https://newstodaynet.com/index.php/2019/01/08/saarang-5-day-cultural-
extravaganza-at-iit-m-from-tomorrow/
Saarang: 5-day cultural extravaganza at IIT-M from tomorrow
Saarang, the annual cultural fest of IIT Madras with the theme for this year ‘Lost Cities’
promises to be fresh and phenomenal.
The five-day festival kicks off with the Classical Night tomorrow. The show will begin with
an electrifying performance by the Indian Jam Project, leading the way for the
enthralling voice of award-winning Carnatic singer Nithyasree Mahadevan.
Addressing at a press conference here Monday, IIT-Madras Director Prof Bhaskar
Ramamurthi said, “More than 1,200 students are working on this event. It is a great
learning experience for them. It is a festival by, of and for students.”
Another feather in Saarang’s cap is the spotlight lectures, for which the line-up includes
illustrious names in a variety of fields like Ratna Pathak Shah, Dhruv Sehgal, Ashwin Sanghi,
S Soumya, Prajaktha Koli, Anu Aggarwal and Shipra Khanna to name a few. Saarang is
also venturing into new avenues; Vernacular Fest, India Fest and the Film Fest.
The night of 10 January will witness the largest inter-collegiate, semi-professional dance
competition in south India, the Choreo Night. On 12 January, there will be homegrown
band Parikrama taking the lead and 13 January night will see Benny Dayal’s band
Funktuation entertaining the students.
Every year students run a social campaign. This year, the Saarang team has undertaken
a Social Responsibility Campaign named LEAP – Learning and Education Accessibility
Project which aims to create awareness about the stark reality of inequalities in access
to education as a first step and to eradicate illiteracy and empower the underprivileged
by bridging this gap through sustained efforts.
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-Madras conducts Shaastra Relaunch for women
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jan/09/iit-conducts-
shaastra-relaunch-for-women-1922568.html
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: The Quint
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-Madras Cultural Fest Saarang to Get Underway on 9 January
URL: https://www.thequint.com/news/india/latest-chennai-news-sc-refuses-to-stay-ngt-
order-to-reopen-sterlite
IIT-Madras Cultural Fest Saarang to Get Underway on 9 January
Saarang, the annual cultural fest of IIT Madras, in which the institute hosts more than 100
events, will start on Wednesday, 9 January according to a statement issued by the
institute on Monday.
The festival, which will see a range of technology, cultural and literary events, will go on
until Sunday night.
The theme for this year’s Saarang is ‘Lost Cities’. The festival will kick off with the ‘Classical
Night’ on Wednesday with a performance by the Indian Jam Project and award-winning
Carnatic singer – Nithyasree Mahadevan.
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: Rajasthan Patrika
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: More than 100 culture fest in SAARANG
URL: https://www.patrika.com/chennai-news/cultural-festival-sarang-will-be-organized-
in-iit-madras-3948318/
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Headline: Music masti at Saarang 19
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Headline: Fresh theme for Saarang
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: Dinamalar
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 15
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-Madras cultural fest Saarang to get underway on January 9
Date: 11th January 2019
Publication: DD Pdhighai
Edition: Electronic
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi (C), Director, IIT Madras, On Saarang 2019
Date: 13th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Headline: In A Trance
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: What IIT Madras kids imbibed from SHAASTRA
URL: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/130119/what-iit-
madras-kids-imbibed-from-shaastra.html
What IIT Madras kids imbibed from SHAASTRA
SHAASTRA 2019, one of the largest annual technical festivals in India, hosted a mega
exhibition called ‘U.S. – India Campus Tech Connect’.
It showcased U.S. India collaboration in science, technology, innovation and research
and development from 3 different perspectives – Academic, Government and Business.
Various research projects in healthcare, environment, sanitation among others were a
part of the exhibition.
Some of the projects which garnered attention included Ultra-Thin Wires Drag
Enhancement System (UWDES) (Design and development of systems for space debris
mitigation), Multiplex biomarker assay for detection of all forms of Mycobacterium
Tuberculosis (a platform for detecting tuberculosis using blood sample in the shortest time
possible) and Cognizant Technological Solutions (Handheld Quantum Wireless Solution
for Secure Financial Transactions and sensitive information) PES University and Tuskegee
University, under the guidance of Dr. Sharan Asundi, have come up with a novel research
idea on mitigating the space debris.
“We are trying to address the space debris problem, like we are trying to address the
environment problem. Unlike environment, if space debris become too much, the space
will be unusable. We want every satellite being launched with a payload like this, which
will bring it down and create space for more satellites,” he said.
Mr Puneet Gupta, CEO of NextGen Invitro Diagnostics, says his company has developed
a platform for detecting tuberculosis using blood sample in the shortest time possible and
is affordable, in collaboration with University of California as well as AIIMS. The main
objective is to ensure that it reaches to the smallest village possible and to the places
where there is no proper system to detect tuberculosis.
Similarly, under business collaboration, Cognizant presented the project on their ground-
breaking work on quantum cryptography. Anand Kumar, Senior Manager of Global
technology office, Cognizant Technology Solutions says: “When you try and do a
transaction in an ATM, you enter an ATM Pin and that sends a certain encryption to the
back end bank server, which then decrypts it and authorises you. With a quantum
computer, this kind of AES encryption is very easy to break it down and any hacker with
a quantum computer can easily break-in. The system being developed gives an
advanced level of hack proof encryption. The key area of focus is the quantum key
distribution.”
Exhibitors from Universities in India and America such as IIT Madras – UC San Diego, MG
University – Caltech, PES University – Tuskegee, eminent researchers and scientist working
on US- India jointly funded projects such as 21st Century Knowledge Initiative and IUSSTF’s
Endowment Fund awards, and American companies such as GE, Cognizant, ETS,
showcased their projects at SHAASTRA.
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 11
Journalist: NA
Headline: At the fest ends on a high note!
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 22
Journalist: NA
Headline: What IIT Madras kids imbibed from SHAASTRA
URL: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/130119/what-iit-
madras-kids-imbibed-from-shaastra.html
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 11
Journalist: NA
Headline: Chennai gets grooving at IIT-Madras
Date: 15th January 2019
Publication: Trinity Mirror
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 7
Journalist: NA
Headline: US-India campus tech connect hosted at IIT Madras ‘Shaastra
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: India Today
Edition: Online
Journalist: Tanya Saihgal
Headline: World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand answers 5 questions at a fireside
chat during Shaastra, IIT Madras
URL: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/how-i-made-it/story/viswanathan-
anand-interview-1432988-2019-01-17
World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand answers 5 questions at a fireside chat
during Shaastra, IIT Madras
Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan 'Vishy' Anand participated in a fireside
chat during Shaastra, the annual technical festival of IIT Madras on January 3, 2019. Vishy,
as we like to call him, is not only an inspiration for every budding chess player out there,
but also for every ambitious youngster who needs a relatable idol to look up to. The
conversation at IIT Madras titled 'The Madras Tiger: From Prodigy to King' was with student
coordinator Sai Krishna, at the jam-packed Central Lecture Theatre inside the green-
capped campus.
1. Did you face any confusion about which career to choose during your high school
years
Success came to me at the right moments. I received the International Master norm when
I was 15 and became the national chess champion when I was 16, which was right before
the time I hesitated the most. If these successes came a year later I would have hesitated
more. Also, my parents were very supportive throughout my journey.
2. What is the most important skill for someone who wants to pursue chess as a career?
There used to be a time when one would read chess books, spend a lot of time studying
numerous games present in the database. But now, with the advent of Artificial
Intelligence, one can easily and quickly find the most accurate move. Since getting to
know the right answer has become easier, it is important for one to have the interest to
analyze and understand why that is the right answer. A computer might, in today's time,
give you all that books could give you -- or even more. But the most important skills of all
is whether or not can you execute something on the board better than your opponent.
Therefore, practice is the most important.
3. Few words of wisdom for someone who wants to become a successful chess player?
Continuous practice and the willingness to adapt to new styles is the key to become
successful if one wants to pursue a career in chess.
4. You became the first grandmaster to represent India in international chess, which was
dominated by the Russians. How did you feel at that moment, were you hesitant or
confident that you will make it bigger than the Russians?
I had no idea how life was going to shape up, for me it was just an exciting journey -- I
remember it very fondly. I didn't know or think that I was going to overcome the Russians;
you don't think that way at the time. I simply had my goal set and thought let me see
how far I can go, I didn't plan too much. Obviously, you want to be successful in what
you do. Though I wanted to become World Champion, I wouldn't have necessarily been
able to define success at that point. Also, just when I became a candidate, Soviet Union
had broken up. But yes, everybody had a name ending with an 'O-V' or an 'S-K-Y' -- so
anybody would be careful and scared!
5. 100 years later, who would you rather play with: The then World Chess Champion, or
Bobby Fischer?
Even though playing against the World Chess Champion 100 years from now is a very
exciting thing to do, I would still go with Bobby Fischer. We all grew up watching him play
and he has been a very big inspiration to me.
Date: 29th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 3
Journalist: NA
Headline: Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and The Office of International
and Alumni Relations,IIT Madras
Date: 30th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Swarnalatha Rangarajan and Prof R Sreejith Varma ,Prof. Mahesh
Panchagnula
Headline: Biography on tribal leader Mayilamma now in English
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/jan/30/biography-on-
tribal-leader-mayilamma-now-in-english-1931755.html
Date: 30th January 2019
Publication: Skill Outlook
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Prof. Swarnalatha Rangarajan and Prof R Sreejith
Varma
Headline: IIT Madras Professor translates ‘Mayilamma: The Life of a Tribal Eco-Warrior’
book into English
URL: http://skilloutlook.com/alert/iit-madras-professor-translates-mayilamma-the-life-of-
a-tribal-eco-warrior-book-into-english
IIT Madras Professor translates ‘Mayilamma: The Life of a Tribal Eco-Warrior’ book into
English
Indian Institute of Technology Dean (International and Alumni Relations) Prof. Mahesh
Panchagnula, released a book today, 29th January 2019 titled ‘Mayilamma: The Life of
a Tribal Eco-warrior,’ which was translated from Malayalam into English by Dr.
Swarnalatha Rangrajan, Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT
Madras, and Dr. Sreejith Varma R., Assistant Professor, Department of English, VIT
Vellore. Dr. Sreejith Varma was also a former research scholar at IIT Madras.
Speaking during the release of the book, Prof. Mahesh V. Panchagnula said, “I have
always believed that humanities is the pursuit of research of humanities, it is the
culmination of all efforts towards creating and perfecting technology. The quest for
understanding who we are and what the society around us is, are questions central to
the pursuit of this group of faculty.”
Providing a brief overview of the book, Dr. Swarnalatha Rangarajan and Dr. Sreejith
Varma R. said, “The English translation, Mayilamma: The Life of a Tribal Eco-Warrior, seeks
to bring a very important regional text in Malayalam – Mayilamma: Oru Jeevitham (2012)
(transcribed by Jyothibai Pariyadath) into the domain of international environmental
justice writing. In a typical Goliath-David kind of struggle, Mayilamma- the frail, fifty-year-
old adivasi widow, who fought for the cause of the small village of Plachimada on the
Kerala-Tamil Nadu border became the symbol of the global resistance against Coca-
Cola. The book maps the rise of environmental activism in Kerala and it also weaves into
its rhetoric the realities of consumption, globalisation, widening socio-economic
inequalities and rising ecological burdens borne by the marginalised poor.”
During the occasion, Dr. Rajendra Singh, eminent water conservationist and
environmentalist known as the ‘The Waterman of India’ delivered a lecture on ‘Global
Warming and Climate Change Solutions via Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems’
Mayilamma’s life narrative simply put is that of an earth carer from the fringes of the pan-
Kerala struggles, who was intensely involved in the protection of livelihoods and local
neighbourhoods. This life-story translates the mantra of ecology (everything is connected)
into a web of concrete relations that includes not only the ecological, but also the
cultural, economic and political processes.
The manner in which an Adivasi woman’s life is rhizomatically enmeshed in the rich
cultural material of oral lore and tradition as well as the politics of water wars throws open
a more expansive understanding of the word ‘environment.’ The ecological thought that
we see in this text is contextual thinking since explaining things in terms of their contexts is
really about explaining them in terms of their environment. Mayilamma’s life narrative
stands testimony to the fact that the subalterns can indeed speak and that when they
do so, they come into possession of an angelic strength that can defeat behemoths and
giants.
Dr. Swarnalatha Rangarajan is a Professor of English at the Department of Humanities
and Social Sciences, IIT Madras. She is the founding editor of the Indian Journal of
Ecocriticism. Her work includes the co-edited volumes Ecocriticism of the Global South
and Ecoambiguity, Community and Development: Toward a Politicized Ecocriticism,
Ecocriticism: Big ideas and Practical Strategies and the forthcoming Routledge
Handbook of Ecocriticism and Environmental Communication.
Dr. Sreejith Varma R. is an Assistant Professor at the Department of English, School of
Social Sciences, VIT Vellore. He was a former PhD research scholar at IIT Madras. His
English translations of three short stories by Narayan, the tribal fiction writer from Kerala,
have appeared in the reputed journals Postcolonial Text, Muse India and eDhvani. He
has also presented research papers at several national and international conferences.
Date: 30th January 2019
Publication: DD Podhighai
Edition: Electronic
Journalist:NA
Headline: IIT Madras Professor translates ‘Mayilamma: The Life of a Tribal Eco-Warrior’
book into English
URL: https://we.tl/t-GQMwCj3S6t
Date: 31st January 2019
Publication: Infodea
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Mahesh V. Panchagnula, Prof Swarnalatha Rangrajan and Prof Sreejith
Varma R.
Headline: Humanities is the pursuit of research of humanities
URL: http://www.infodea.in/humanities-is-the-pursuit-of-research-of-humanities/
Humanities is the pursuit of research of humanities
I have always believed that humanities is the pursuit of research of humanities, it is the
culmination of all efforts towards creating and perfecting technology. Speaking during
the release of the book, Prof. Mahesh V. Panchagnula said, The quest for understanding
who we are and what the society around us is, are questions central to the pursuit of this
group of faculty.”
Indian Institute of Technology Dean (International and Alumni Relations) Prof. Mahesh
Panchagnula, released a book on Tuesday titled ‘Mayilamma: The Life of a Tribal Eco-
warrior,’ which was translated from Malayalam into English by Dr. Swarnalatha
Rangrajan, Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, and Dr.
Sreejith Varma R., Assistant Professor, Department of English, VIT Vellore. Dr. Sreejith
Varma was also a former research scholar at IIT Madras.
Providing a brief overview of the book, Dr. Swarnalatha Rangarajan and Dr. Sreejith
Varma R. said, “The English translation, Mayilamma: The Life of a Tribal Eco-Warrior, seeks
to bring a very important regional text in Malayalam – Mayilamma: Oru Jeevitham (2012)
(transcribed by Jyothibai Pariyadath) into the domain of international environmental
justice writing. In a typical Goliath-David kind of struggle, Mayilamma- the frail, fifty-year-
old adivasi widow, who fought for the cause of the small village of Plachimada on the
Kerala-Tamil Nadu border became the symbol of the global resistance against Coca-
Cola. The book maps the rise of environmental activism in Kerala and it also weaves into
its rhetoric the realities of consumption, globalisation, widening socio-economic
inequalities and rising ecological burdens borne by the marginalised poor.”
During the occasion, Dr. Rajendra Singh, eminent water conservationist and
environmentalist known as the ‘The Waterman of India’ delivered a lecture on ‘Global
Warming and Climate Change Solutions via Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems’
Mayilamma’s life narrative simply put is that of an earth carer from the fringes of the pan-
Kerala struggles, who was intensely involved in the protection of livelihoods and local
neighbourhoods. This life-story translates the mantra of ecology (everything is connected)
into a web of concrete relations that includes not only the ecological, but also the
cultural, economic and political processes.
The manner in which an Adivasi woman’s life is rhizomatically enmeshed in the rich
cultural material of oral lore and tradition as well as the politics of water wars throws open
a more expansive understanding of the word ‘environment.’ The ecological thought that
we see in this text is contextual thinking since explaining things in terms of their contexts is
really about explaining them in terms of their environment. Mayilamma’s life narrative
stands testimony to the fact that the subalterns can indeed speak and that when they
do so, they come into possession of an angelic strength that can defeat behemoths and
giants.
Dr. Swarnalatha Rangarajan is a Professor of English at the Department of Humanities and
Social Sciences, IIT Madras. She is the founding editor of the Indian Journal of Ecocriticism.
Her work includes the co-edited volumes Ecocriticism of the Global South and
Ecoambiguity, Community and Development: Toward a Politicized Ecocriticism,
Ecocriticism: Big ideas and Practical Strategies and the forthcoming Routledge
Handbook of Ecocriticism and Environmental Communication.
Dr. Sreejith Varma R. is an Assistant Professor at the Department of English, School of Social
Sciences, VIT Vellore. He was a former PhD research scholar at IIT Madras. His English
translations of three short stories by Narayan, the tribal fiction writer from Kerala, have
appeared in the reputed journals Postcolonial Text, Muse India and eDhvani. He has also
presented research papers at several national and international conferences.
IIT Madras is an industry friendly
Institute
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Win TV
Edition: Electronic
Journalist: NA
Professor: Thillai Rajan
Headline: Policy analysis of WASH by Prof. Thillai Rajan of IIT Madras
URL: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/1059ecc92c214273cd0fa63c23d640a72019010
2065425/06793bb8605a1b7c9fb754f655faf97520190102065425/13f698
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Editio: Bangalore / Chennai
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Krishnan B, Prof. SR Chakravarthy & Prof. L S Ganesh
Headline: ‘From Space-tech to waste management, IIT-M incubation cell firms are
solving real-world challenges’
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/from-space-tech-to-
waste-management-iit-m-incubation-cell-firms-are-solving-real-world-
challenges/articleshow/67341477.cms
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: Hindustan Times
Edition: Delhi / Faridabad / Noida
Page No: 19
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Alumni contribution for IIT Madras
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Prof Mahesh Panchagnula,
Headline: 300 IIT-M alumni contribute to research fund
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: 3D Grenzenlos Magazine
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Saudi Arabia prints its first house with a 3D printer in just two days
URL: https://www.3d-grenzenlos.de/magazin/3d-objekte/saudi-arabien-erstes-haus-aus-
3d-drucker-27471553/
Saudi Arabia prints its first house with a 3D printer in just two days
The project serves to demonstrate the feasibility of 3D printing houses and to encourage
private companies to invest in technology. According to Minister Majed bin Abdullah Al-
Hogail, the experiment would give you an idea of the future of construction over the next
few years and the role of the Kingdom in using modern technologies to bring prosperity
to its citizens.
From the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras early November 2018 was within three
days printed a detached house with 30 square meters. An overview of 110 other 3D
printing projects in the construction industry and houses from the 3D printer offers our
topic page " 3D printing in house building ", as well as free and regularly updated our 3D
printer newsletter .
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 1
Journalist: Ram Sundaram
Headline: These ‘robot kids give jitters to big brothers
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/these-robot-kids-give-jitters-to-
big-brothers-at-iit-m/articleshow/67373688.cms
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Jurgen Shmidhuber
Headline: Al will exceed humans in solving problems
Date: 4th December 2019
Publication: Nyoooz
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: ‘Robot’ kids give jitters to big brothers at IIT-M
URL: https://www.nyoooz.com/news/chennai/1295115/robot-kids-give-jitters-to-big-
brothers-at-iitm/
‘Robot’ kids give jitters to big brothers at IIT-M
“The credit should go to the teachers and school for training us on these lines from a
young age,” he said. The interested get to spend more time working on scientific themes
of their choice. “They are taken to various local competitions before bringing them to IITs
and NITs. Asked how the young ones had managed to gain an edge over their college
counterparts, Sunil Paul, a teacher, said they allowed the children to fail and learn from
it. CHENNAI: While hundreds of students from the country’s top technical institutions are
ready for battle at Shaastra 2019, IIT Madras’s four-day technical fest, a group of school
kids from Kerala are the ‘feared ones’.Students of Choice School in Kochi, who won the
event last year, dominated Day 1 of the event on Thursday and expect to emerge the
winners.
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: R. Sujatha
Headline: Aerial robotics on display at fest
URL: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aerial-robotics-on-display-at-
fest/article25915860.ece
Date: 6th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Online
Journalist: Ram Sundaram
Headline: Smart city challenges, ways to tackle them dominate ideation contest
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/smart-city-challenges-ways-to-
tackle-them-dominate-ideation-contest/articleshow/67401631.cms
Date: 7th January 2019
Publication: Moovefy
Edition: Online
Journalist: Edward Rupert
Headline: Smart city challenges dominate ideation contest
URL: https://moveefy.com/2019/01/06/smart-city-challenges-dominate-ideation-
contest/
Smart city challenges dominate ideation contest
College students from Tamil Nadu dominated the challenge, an ideation and prototype
development contest introduced for the first time in Shaastra, IIT-M’s annual technical
fest.
As part of the contest, five different problem statements involving various aspects of the
smart city mission, the central government’s urban renewal and retrofitting programme,
were given to participants.
Of the 99 students who registered from across the country, 19 were shortlisted by experts
from Honeywell, a private software firm, and IIT faculty based on the feasibility, cost
effectiveness and project description, said A Ajiynka, a student-organiser from IIT.
All the teams presented their ideas and a prototype at Shaastra on Friday and six teams
shared the top three positions. Of them, five teams were from Tamil Nadu. IIT (BHU)
Varanasi was the only team from another state to win a prize. A team from Trichy shared
the first place with them.
The Trichy team, from Saranathan College of Engineering, developed an Internet of
Things (IoT)-based intelligent transportation system. This device was aimed at assisting
government and other agencies in transport and traffic management on a real-time
basis, said N Muthu Karuppan, one of the students from the team.
Another interesting project which caught the attention of visitors was a water leak
prevention system developed by , . S Suvetha, one of the project developers, said a
typical home can lose 7,500 litres to 75,000 litres of water a year due to leaky faucets.
Though taps fitted with sensors to detect human presence are available, they are costly
and can’t detect or stop leaks.
“Our device can detect leaks and fix it by closing the gate valve in the tap,” she added.
The winners were awarded with cash prizes worth 80 lakh.
Date: 7th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: U.Tejonmayam
Headline: Students ready plan to remove space debris
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu Business Line
Edition: Online
Journalist: (Authored article by Prof RK Amit and Mr Shankar Venugopal
Professor: Prof RK Amit
Headline: India and the economics of ideas
URL: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/india-and-the-economics-of-
ideas/article25942476.ece
India and the economics of ideas
Why do some nations grow faster than others? This question has motivated generations
of economists. The initial research on economic growth started with two seminal papers
in the 1950s by Robert Solow, Nobel Prize winner for Economics in 1987, who had focussed
on capital-based theories of economic growth. The relevance of technology was
emphasised but was not modelled.
In 1990, Paul Romer published a paper, ‘Endogenous Technological Change’, in the
Journal of Political Economy that brought ideas as an engine of economic growth. Ideas
improve the technology of production. For this research, Romer shared the Nobel Prize
for Economics in 2018 with William Nordaus.
There are multiple examples where ideas had propelled economic growth. The idea of
economies of scale — mass production and assembly lines — changed manufacturing
in the US. Similarly, lean manufacturing methods made Japan, with minimal natural
resources, as one of the richest nations. Japan’s per capita converged to the US level
within three decades after the usage of Just-in-Time in manufacturing.
The objective of this article is to decipher the research of Paul Romer on economics of
ideas and its relevance to India.
In ‘Endogenous Technological Change’, Romer characterised ideas as “non-rivalrous”
and “excludable” goods. Non-rivalrous means that the use of an idea by one will not
reduce the value of idea to others. For example, lean manufacturing ideas developed
in Japan have been adopted across the globe. An idea has spillover effects on the
industry and economy.
Excludable means that the owner of an idea can restrict the use of the idea through
patents or copyrights. These characteristics of ideas lead to increasing returns to scale
and imperfect competition. Excludability incentivises the firms to invest in R&D.
Paul Romer’s theory has substantial impact in the age of “exponential technologies” for
emerging economies like India. The twentieth century saw a slow evolution of technology
through a series of incremental innovations spread over many decades. Many of these
technologies have crossed their initial linear growth phase and have entered the
exponential growth phase at the advent of the twenty-first century.
The technologies are exponentially growing in performance and their cost is falling non-
linearly. The convergence of such exponential technologies can disrupt entire industries.
These exponential technologies, if they are recognised and leveraged appropriately,
can lead to exponential economic growth.
India is expected to grow to be the third largest economy by 2030 only after the US and
China. Disruptive technologies and innovative ideas will be the key enablers for this
economic growth. The convergence of exponential technologies such as mobile
internet, Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine
learning, robotics, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, renewable energy,
energy storage batteries, etc., can create abundance of resources that would fuel the
economic growth of India.
Growth enablers
Innovative ideas at the intersection of these domains will further accelerate economic
growth. Let us look at the three key growth enablers for India: mobility, urbanisation, and
agriculture.
Mobility: Moving people and goods around, in an efficient and sustainable manner, is at
the heart of any high growth economy. Clean, safe and convenient mobility will be soon
within the reach of all Indians. This is enabled by the rapid progress in electric,
autonomous and connected vehicles. The adoption of shared vehicle ownership model
extends the reach of these technologies even to those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Urbanisation: Large-scale movement of people from rural to urban regions is commonly
observed in fast growing economies. Urbanisation leads to the emergence of smart cities
that are powered by smart and connected technologies. Energy self-sufficiency of smart
cities is enabled by distributed power generation, advances in renewables (especially
solar PV), battery energy storage, etc. Digital technologies such as data analytics and
IoT are key to, among others, water resource management and solid waste
management for these smart cities.
Agriculture: A growing economy has to feed growing populations and keep its workforce
healthy and fit. The shift from improving farm productivity to increasing the farmer’s
income is a crucial step. The deployment of precision farming, farm automation
(including autonomous tractors), smart agricultural implements, etc., will improve the
penetration of technology into traditional Indian agriculture.
Analytics and IoT can also help reduce the wastage of food during its journey from the
farm to the consumer.
Disruptive technologies and innovative ideas will be at the heart of the new economic
growth model. Growing economies like India can greatly benefit by proactively
recognising the disruptive potential of new technologies and by investing in innovative
ideas.
To achieve this, India needs to provide the right institutions for innovation and knowledge
transfer. To align the social and private benefit of innovation, collaborative mechanisms
for innovation of ideas should be encouraged.
The writers are Associate Professor, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras, and
Vice-President (Innovation) at Mahindra & Mahindra, respectively.
Date: 12th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 8
Journalist: Ram Sundaram
Headline: IIT-Madras ties up with Italian company Sotacarbo for research in Sustainable
Energy
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/iit-madras-ties-up-with-italian-
company-sotacarbo-for-research-in-sustainable-energy/articleshow/67492240.cms
Date: 12th January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-M ties up with Italian firm for research on sustainable energy
Date: 13th January 2019
Publication: NDTV
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Underwater Robotics Team From Chennai Joins Meghalaya Mine Rescue Ops
URL: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/underwater-robotics-team-from-chennai-joins-
meghalaya-mine-rescue-ops-1977037
Underwater Robotics Team From Chennai Joins Meghalaya Mine Rescue Ops
A team sent by a Chennai-based company that specialises in submersible robotic
inspections joined the operation to rescue the 15 miners trapped for a month now, inside
a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya.
The company, Planys Technologies, is an IIT Madras-incubated company that provides
submersible robotic inspections and survey solutions using Remotely Operated Vehicles
(ROV). One ROV and a six-member team of the firm have joined the operation, a
company official said.
"The team joined the rescue operation on Sunday. They are working with the Navy," he
told news agency PTI.
The miners have been trapped inside a 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's
East Jaintia Hills district since December 13, 2018 after water from a nearby river gushed
in, puncturing the mine wall.
Even as a multi-agency effort to rescue them is underway, the Supreme Court is hearing
a plea in the matter for urgent action.
The Centre on Friday told the top court it has to "believe in miracles" and see if the miners
come out alive. The Indian Navy and planes and helicopters of the Indian Air Force have
been deployed in the rescue operations.
Date: 13th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Submersible robotic inspection firm joins Meghalaya mine rescue operation
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/submersible-robotic-inspection-firm-joins-
meghalaya-mine-rescue-operations/articleshow/67511709.cms
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: Eastern Mirror
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Month after mishap, NGT asks Meghalaya police to crack whip on illegal
mining
URL: http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/month-after-mishap-ngt-asks-meghalaya-
police-to-crack-whip-on-illegal-mining/
Month after mishap, NGT asks Meghalaya police to crack whip on illegal mining
A month after 15 miners were trapped in a coal mine, search operations for which are
still underway; a three-member committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has
asked the Meghalaya Police to investigate into nearly 1200 cases of illegal quarrying
across the state.
The green tribunal had imposed a blanket ban on coal mining and transportation in
Meghalaya in 2014, citing unscientific methods and absence of safety measures.
The three-member NGT committee, constituted in August last year, is currently studying
the environmental aspects of rat-hole mining in the state.
An official said the police have been told that their probe should reach a logical
conclusion after taking into account all 1200 cases of illegal rat-hole mining in East Garo
Hills, South-West Khasi Hills and West and East Jaintia Hills districts.
Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to
enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed “rat-holes”, as each just
about fits one person.
On December 13, water from nearby Lytein river flooded a network of tunnels in a coal
mine in Lumthari village of East Jaintia Hills, trapping 15 men and prompting a rescue
attempt that has failed to yield any result so far.
That mining goes on unabated in the state can be gauged from the fact that heaps of
freshly dug coal is dumped on both sides of the road that approaches Lumthari from
Khliehriat, the district headquarters of East Jaintia Hills.
Meanwhile, official sources said the NGT committee, which has sought police
investigation into the registered cases of illegal mining, is set to visit the state by January-
end.
The committee, headed by retired judge Justice (Retd) B P Katakey, will conduct a field
visit to South Garo Hills on January 30-31 to study the ground-level situation, they said.
Katakey told PTI that 98 cases of illegal quarrying have been registered in East Jaintia Hills
district alone since the ban.
The committee, after a thorough study, will prepare a report and present it before the
tribunal by March 31, he said.
“We have directed investigation into nearly 1200 cases of illegal mining and
transportation of coal since the 2014 ban. In East Jaintia Hills, the SP has been asked to
submit a report at the earliest in connection with the 98 cases recorded in the district,”
Katakey added.
An official in the state mining and geology department said Meghalaya does not
maintain statistics on mining and mishaps.
“As there is no study or statistics on the prevalence of mining in the state, the three-
member NGT panel has asked district deputy commissioners to furnish all available data
in connection with the illegal practices,” he added.
Submersible robotic inspection firm joins Meghalaya mine rescue operation
A team of a city-based company that specialises in submersible robotic inspections on
Sunday joined the operation to rescue 15 miners trapped for a month now inside a
flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya.
According to the website of the company, Planys Technologies, it is an IIT Madras
incubated company that provides submersible robotic inspections and survey solutions
using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV).
One ROV and a six-member team of the firm have joined the operation, a company
official said.
“The team joined Sunday. They are working with the Navy,” the official, who did not want
to be named, told PTI.
The miners have been trapped inside a 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s
East Jaintia Hills district since December 13, 2018
Even as a multi-agency effort to rescue them is underway, the Supreme Court is hearing
a PIL in the matter for urgent action.
The Indian Navy and planes and helicopters of the Indian Air Force have been deployed
in the rescue operations.
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: Dinamalar
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: கல்லுாரி முாணவரக்ளுக்கு பயிற்சி (Training for college students)
URL: https://www.dinamalar.com/news_detail.asp?id=2191345
கல்லுாரி முாணவரக்ளுக்கு பயிற்சி (Training for college students)
தேசிய தேொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி நிறுவனமொன, தென்னன, ஐ.ஐ.டி., ெொரப்ில், ஐ.ஐ.டி.,
அல்லொே கல்வி நிறுவனங்களில் படிக்கும் மொணவரக்ளுக்கு, தகொனட கொல
ஆரொய்ெச்ி மற்றும் பயிற்சி வகுப்புகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளன. இந்ே வகுப்பில்,
அதிகபட்ெம் இரண்டு மொேங்கள் பங்தகற்கலொம்; மொேம், 6,000 ரூபொய் உேவிே ்
தேொனக வழங்கப்படும்.பி.இ., - பி.தடக்., மூன்றொம் ஆண்டு, ஒருங்கினணந்ே,
எம்.இ., - எம்.தடக்., மூன்றொம் ஆண்டு, எம்.பி.ஏ., - எம்.எஸ்சி., - எம்.ஏ.,
படிப்புகளில், முேலொம் ஆண்டு படிக்கும் மொணவரக்ள்
விண்ணப்பிக்கலொம்.தமலும் விபரங்கனள, https://sfp.iitm.ac.inஎன்ற,
இனணயேளே்தில் தேரிந்து தகொள்ளலொம்.
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: DNA
Edition: Delhi/Mumbai
Page No: 12/14
Journalist: NA
Headline: Crack whip on illegal mining, NGT tells Meghalaya Police- Tamil Nadu firm
joins rescue operations
Date: 15th January 2019
Publication: The Economic Times
Edition: Delhi/Mumbai/Pune/ Bangalore / Hyderabad / Chennai /Kolkata
Page No: 1
Journalist: Rica Bhattacharya
Headline: IIT alumni loosening up purse strings for alma mater
URL: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/iit-alumni-
loosening-up-purse-strings-for-alma-mater/articleshow/67534655.cms
Date: 15th January 2019
Publication: India Today
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras ties up with Italian company for sustainable energy research
URL: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/iit-madras-ties-up-with-
italian-company-for-sustainable-energy-research-
IIT Madras ties up with Italian company for sustainable energy research
Indian Institute of Technology Madras has entered into Research collaboration on
sustainable energy with Italian company, Sotacarbo - Società Tecnologie Avanzate
Carbone SpA. As part of this tie-up, researchers from both the organizations will take up
three main projects: Biomass Gasification, catalysts for CO2-to-methanol and syngas-to-
methanol and Combustion and Oxy-Combustion.
Research groups from Department of Chemical Engineering, National Centre for
Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) and the National Centre for Catalysis
Research (NCCR), IIT Madras, already visited the Sotacarbo campus in Italy and
interacted with their team. The agreement is expected to spearhead extensive
collaborative research projects that will explore synergies between the groups.
A Joint Development Agreement between IIT Madras and Sotacarbo Società Tecnologie
Avanzate low Carbon SpA was signed recently, aimed at fostering collaborative
research work between the two institutions in the areas of biomass and coal energy.
Speaking about the collaboration, Dr. Gianni Serra, Sotacarbo Director of International
Relations, said, “It was a no brainer to begin working together (with IIT Madras)as we have
so many areas of interest in common. It’s early stages to say but the first signs are all
promising. This JDA will be beneficial to both sides, paving the way for new projects and
exchange of both young researchers and students.”
Prof. Preeti Aghalayam, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, is coordinating
this tie-up. The agreement and meetings were facilitated by Dr. Bhima Sastri, an IIT
Madras Alumnus.
Highlighting the importance of this collaboration, Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial
Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, said, “Energy is an important focus of
research in IIT Madras, and we welcome this opportunity to collaborate on the various
identified areas on sustainable energy. We are grateful for your time, and confident that
our faculty teams will work very well and deliver beyond expectations.”
Through this collaboration, the two organizations will also look at some additional areas
such as other energy technologies and carbon capture and storage.
Sotacarbo is a public owned limited company based in Sardinia, Italy, which has been
working in the area of sustainable energy research and has been a vibrant contributor
to the landscape for the past several decades. IIT Madras faculty from various
departments have wide expertise in biomass and coal gasification, combustor design
and diagnostics and catalysis.
Dr. Alberto Pettinau, Sotacarbo Scientific Director said, “We picked IIT Madras because
we appreciate their high level of experience in the same fields of research that are
strategic for Italy and the Sardinian Region. This research needs a multidisciplinary
approach and Sotacarbo and IIT Madras bring to the table different expertise and know-
how, which can easily complement themselves.”
Date: 15th January 2019
Publication: Swarajya
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras To Enter Into Research Collaboration With Italian Company; Will
Work On Sustainable Energy Projects
URL: https://swarajyamag.com/insta/iit-madras-to-enter-into-research-collaboration-
with-italian-company-will-work-on-sustainable-energy-projects
IIT Madras To Enter Into Research Collaboration With Italian Company; Will Work On
Sustainable Energy Projects
In a boost, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has entered into a research
collaboration on sustainability with Sotacarbo - Società Tecnologie Avanzate Carbone
SpA, which is an Italian company. Researchers from both organisations will take up three
projects: Combustion and Oxy-Combustion, Biomass Gasification, catalysts for CO2-to-
methanol and syngas-to-methanol, as part of this tie-up, reports India Today.
Research groups from the National Centre for Catalysis Research (NCCR), the
Department of Chemical Engineering and the National Centre for Combustion Research
and Development (NCCRD), IIT Madras, have already visited the Sotacarbo campus in
Italy and interacted with their team.
"Energy is an important focus of research in IIT Madras, and we welcome this opportunity
to collaborate on the various identified areas on sustainable energy. We are grateful for
your time and are confident that our faculty teams will work very well and deliver beyond
expectations," said Ravindra Gettu, a professor at IIT Madras, while highlighting the
importance of this collaboration.
"It was a no-brainer to begin working together (with IIT Madras) as we have so many areas
of interest in common. It's early to say, but the first signs are all promising. This JDA will be
beneficial to both sides, paving the way for new projects and exchange of both young
researchers and students," said, Dr Gianni Serra, Director of International Relations,
Sotacarbo.
"We picked IIT Madras because we appreciate their high level of experience in the same
fields of research that are strategic for Italy and the Sardinian Region. This research needs
a multidisciplinary approach, and Sotacarbo and IIT Madras bring to the table different
expertise and know-how, which can easily complement themselves,", said Dr Alberto
Pettinau, Sotacarbo Scientific Director, while explaining why IIT Madras was selected for
this project.
Date: 19th January 2019
Publication: The Indian Wire
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Mitesh M Khapra and Prof Pratyush Kumar
Headline: IIT Madras’ One Fourth Lab to let Non-IITians have opportunity to study AI at
PadhAI portal
URL: https://www.theindianwire.com/education/iit-madras-one-fourth-lab-let-non-
iitians-opportunity-study-ai-padhai-portal-95521/
IIT Madras’ One Fourth Lab to let Non-IITians have opportunity to study AI at PadhAI
portal
The Indian Institute of Madras faculty has launched a start-up to prepare the eligible
Indian students interested in studying Artificial Intelligence by training students at minimal
cost. Their startup called ‘One Fourth Labs’ has launched an online school ‘PadhAI’ that
offers affordable India-specific courses on AI.
Every year, the top performing students from courses on the portal will be invited to a
“summer garage”, an AI residency program at IIT-Madras Research Park where they can
work on research, tackle problems of societal impact, or find solutions to commercial
value.
The four-month course comprises 80 hours of lecture content. The course will begin on
February 1, 2019. The registrations for the course are open until January 24, 2019.
Interested candidates can apply at padhai.onefourthlabs.in
Further, the start-up will also create AI-driven apps by collaborating with Small and
Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the industry. The startup has been founded by Mitesh M
Khapra and Pratyush Kumar, assistant professors in the Department of Computer Science
and Engineering, IIT Madras, and incubated by the IIT Madras Incubation Cell.
“Candid will learn monthly contests and a capstone challenge that trains participants to
build an app that works like Google Lens for a few Indian languages. The mathematical
and programming know-how for solving the complex capstone challenge will be
sequentially built up with simplified explanations and interactive tools through the
course,” said the IIT-faculty in a statement. Participants will receive scores based on their
performance on these contents and certificates on successfully completing the course.
The course is open to all students, faculty, and professionals with a basic background in
mathematics and Python. The fee for students and faculty is Rs 1000 and for working
professionals, Rs 5000.
Date: 22nd January 2019
Publication: The Hindu Business Line
Edition: Kolkata
Page No: 2
Journalist:( Authored Article by Prof Thillai Rajan A )
Professor: Prof Thillai Rajan A
Headline: What should start-ups go after for better venture returns
URL: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/emerging-entrepreneurs/what-
should-start-ups-go-after-for-better-venture-returns/article26052752.ece
Date: 24th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 3
Journalist: NA
Headline: Australia institute to partner with IIT-M, help India draft cyber security policy
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/jan/24/aus-institute-to-
partner-with-iit-m-help-india-draft-cyber-security-policy-1929268.html
Date: 25th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Headline: City hosp, IIT-M to hold engagement programme
Date: 29th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Mitesh Khapra and Prof Pratyush Kumar
Headline: AI Training Startup
Date: 31st January 2019
Publication: The Mint
Edition: Delhi / Mumbai / Pune / Bangalore / Hyderabad / Chennai / Kolkata /
Ahmedabad / Chandigarh
Page No: 15
Journalist: (Authored article by Prof Thillai Rajan)
Professor: Prof Thillai Rajan
Headline: Opinion | How funding from multilateral agencies aids road projects
URL: https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/opinion-how-funding-from-
multilateral-agencies-aids-road-projects-1548613444238.html
IIT Madras is a research-focused
Institute
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 7
Journalist: Praveen Paul Joseph
Headline: IIT-Madras experts studying possibility to deepen VOC Port
Date: 1st January 2019
Publication: Chennai Patrika
Edition: Online
Journalist: Santosh Tiwari
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Prof. Sheikh Farooq Ali
Headline: Tech Fest Shaastra from 3 Jan
URL: https://www.patrika.com/chennai-news/techfest-shashtra-in-iit-madras-3912878/
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: Infodea
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Prof H N Mahabala
Headline: IITM Winter course on Machine Intelligence and Brain Research begins
URL: http://www.infodea.in/iitm-winter-course-on-machine-intelligence-and-brain-
research-begins/
IITM Winter course on Machine Intelligence and Brain Research begins
The Center for Computational Brain Research (CCBR) at Indian Institute of Technology
Madras is conducting a Winter Course on Machine Intelligence and Brain Research from
2nd to 9th January 2019. This course is at the intersection of Neuroscience and Artificial
intelligence.
The course aims to educate students in the interdisciplinary area by combining lectures
from neuroscientists as well as computational researchers working across disciplines. It is
open to students outside IIT Madras for auditing. IIT Madras students are offered credits
for this course. It also focusses on understanding the inner workings of the Human Brain
and Intelligent Machines and understand the common underlying principles.
Addressing the inaugural session, Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures and
Co-Founder, Infosys, said, “This is an area that has tremendous scope and opportunity to
impact our lives. I believe in using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to address
several problems that hitherto were unsolvable. We should look at issues such as
understanding the use of AI and ML, which problems should be addressed, where do we
use these tools, can we create the capacity and capability in these fields in India, can
we create global partnerships and can we bring unique Indian views in this area.”
Further, Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan added, “AI and ML are the next wave of computing as
they allow us to address a different set of problems, just like the advent of earlier digital
computing. It is a new paradigm in computing. We have huge amounts of data and
unless we have the tools, we cannot make sense of the data. it is humanly impossible to
look at the data and draw inferences. We throw the computer at it and see what
patterns it can make out. Cloud computing provides an almost infinite amount of
computing and storage space. The workshop should also discuss issues surrounding
privacy and algorithmic bias.”
The course was initiated in January 2018 and has seen strong growth in demand.
Registrations for this year course topped 400 including 30 students from IIT Madras (out of
200 applications). This number is expected to increase during the coming years.
Addressing the Winter Course, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, “This
is an area in which a lot of capacity building is required in the country and these
workshops are one way to build this capacity. Eminent researchers from across the world
are attending this workshop and students can learn from them. In a short period of next
few years, we will have good results to show from our work here. We have people who
are becoming experts in this cutting-edge field.”
This year’s event maintains continuity with the last year’s format and consists of a broad
spectrum of international lecturers, who are world-renowned experts in the fields of
Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience. The CCBR Chair Professors (Prof Partha Mitra
from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA, Prof Mriganka Sur from Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, USA and Prof Anand Raghunathan from Purdue University, USA) along
with world-renowned will deliver lectures on brain science and Artificial Intelligence.
Speaking about the Winter Course, Prof. Partha Mitra, Crick-Clay Professor of
Biomathematics at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, H N Mahabala Chair Professor, CCBR,
IIT Madras, said, “The way we have set up this course is to pair the engineering lectures
with the biological side so that we can look at them side by side. These two communities
must interact with each other.”
In addition to free registration for the workshop, CCBR also offered travel and housing
scholarships to 20 students from other cities.
CCBR at IIT Madras is supported by Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan and aims to provide a two-
way interface between the growing fields of artificial intelligence and neuroscience. The
centre fosters collaboration between the various faculties within IIT Madras and the
leading eminent scientists around the world.
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: NDTV
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Alumni: Kris Gopalakrishnan
Headline: IIT Madras Winter Course On Machine Intelligence And Brain Research Begins
URL: https://www.ndtv.com/education/iit-madras-winter-course-on-machine-
intelligence-and-brain-research-begins-1971713
IIT Madras Winter Course On Machine Intelligence And Brain Research Begins
The Center for Computational Brain Research (CCBR) at Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT) Madras is conducting a Winter Course on Machine Intelligence and Brain Research
from January 2 to 9, 2019. This course is at the intersection of Neuroscience and Artificial
intelligence, said a statement from the Institute.
The course aims to educate students in the interdisciplinary area by combining lectures
from neuroscientists as well as computational researchers working across disciplines.
It also focuses on understanding the inner workings of the Human Brain and Intelligent
Machines and understand the common underlying principles.
"This is an area that has tremendous scope and opportunity to impact our lives. I believe
in using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to address several problems that
hitherto were unsolvable. We should look at issues such as understanding the use of AI
and ML, which problems should be addressed, where do we use these tools, can we
create the capacity and capability in these fields in India, can we create global
partnerships and can we bring unique Indian views in this area," Kris Gopalakrishnan,
Chairman, Axilor Ventures and Co-Founder, Infosys said while addressing the inaugural
session.
The course was initiated in January 2018 and has seen strong growth in demand.
Registrations for this year course topped 400 including 30 students from IIT Madras (out of
200 applications).
This number is expected to increase during the coming years, the statement said.
Addressing the Winter Course, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, "This is
an area in which a lot of capacity building is required in the country and these workshops
are one way to build this capacity. Eminent researchers from across the world are
attending this workshop and students can learn from them. In a short period of next few
years, we will have good results to show from our work here. We have people who are
becoming experts in this cutting-edge field."
CCBR at IIT Madras is supported by Kris Gopalakrishnan and aims to provide a two-way
interface between the growing fields of artificial intelligence and neuroscience. The
centre fosters collaboration between the various faculties within IIT Madras and the
leading eminent scientists around the world.
Date: 2nd January 2019
Publication: The Indian Express
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Alumni: Kris Gopalakrishnan
Headline: IIT-Madras winter course on machine intelligence and brain research begins
URL: https://indianexpress.com/article/education/iit-madras-winter-course-on-machine-
intelligence-and-brain-research-begins-5519914/
IIT-Madras winter course on machine intelligence and brain research begins
The Center for Computational Brain Research (CCBR) at the Indian Institute of
Technology Madras is conducting a winter course on machine intelligence and brain
research from January 2 to January 9. This course is at the intersection of neuroscience
and artificial intelligence.
The course aims to educate students in the interdisciplinary area by combining lectures
from neuroscientists as well as computational researchers working across disciplines. It is
open to students outside the institute for auditing. IIT Madras students are offered credits
for this course. It also focusses on understanding the inner workings of the human brain
and intelligent machines and understand the common underlying principles.
The course was initiated in January 2018 and has seen strong growth in demand.
Registrations for this year course topped 400 including 30 students from IIT Madras (out of
200 applications). This number is expected to increase during the coming years.
Candidates register for the workshop for free and CCBR also offers travel and housing
scholarships to 20 students from other cities.
This year’s event will consist of international lecturers, who are world-renowned experts in
the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience. The CCBR Chair Professors (Partha
Mitra from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA, Mriganka Sur from Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, USA and Anand Raghunathan from Purdue University, USA) along with
world-renowned will deliver lectures on brain science and Artificial Intelligence.
Kris Gopalakrishnan, chairman, Axilor Ventures and co-founder, Infosys, said, “This is an
area that has tremendous scope and opportunity to impact our lives. Using artificial
intelligence and machine learning to address several problems that hitherto were
unsolvable. We should look at issues such as understanding the use of AI and ML, which
problems should be addressed, where do we use these tools, can we create the
capacity and capability in these fields in India, can we create global partnerships and
can we bring unique Indian views in this area.”
Bhaskar Ramamurthi, director, IIT Madras, said, “This is an area in which a lot of capacity
building is required in the country and these workshops are one way to build this
capacity. Eminent researchers from across the world are attending this workshop and
students can learn from them. In a short period of next few years, we will have good
results to show from our work here. We have people who are becoming experts in this
cutting-edge field.”
Date: 3rd January 2019
Publication: The Economic Times
Edition: Delhi / Mumbai / Pune / Bangalore / Hyderabad / Ahmedabad / Kochi
Journalist: Mr. Hari Pulakkat
Alumni: Anant Raheja
Headline: Entrepreneurs born under the microscope
URL: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/features/entrepreneurs-
born-under-the-microscope/articleshow/67359180.cms
Date: 3rd January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Machine Intelligence course under way at IIT Madras
Date: 3rd January 2019
Publication: Dinamani
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: IIT Madras Winter Course On Machine Intelligence And Brain Research Begins
Date: 3rd January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 16
Journalist: Sindhu Hariharan
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Alumni: Kris Gopalakrishnan
Headline: Registrations double for IIT-M brain research course
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/registrations-double-
for-iit-m-brain-research-course/articleshow/67355827.cms
Date: 3rd January 2019
Publication: Your story
Edition: Online
Journalist: Sutrishna Ghosh
Professor: Prof. Kamakoti Veezhinathan
Headline: IIT innovations that made headlines: from detecting breast cancer to curing
chikungunya
URL: https://yourstory.com/2019/01/iit-breakthroughs-research-2018/
IIT innovations that made headlines: from detecting breast cancer to curing
chikungunya
Usually, the idea behind most of these innovations is to develop something novel or find
a solution to a persistent problem. While AI and machine learning are certainly the
newest subjects on the block, researchers also dedicated their time towards the
treatment of viral diseases like chikungunya last year. Transmitted via infected mosquitos,
the disease saw an outbreak in 2005-2006 and later in 2016, which prompted scientists
and researchers to come up with something more substantial to treat this disease.
Incidentally, there are no drugs or vaccines for chikungunya at the moment. However,
the biotechnology laboratory at IIT-Roorkee may have discovered a possible solution – a
molecule exhibiting antiviral activity against the disease. Carried out in collaboration with
local pathologies, the research - in developmental phase – is expected to be an
advance in this field in the future.
Another chronic illness plaguing India is diabetes. According to the International
Diabetes Federation, by 2040, the number of people with this condition would rise to a
staggering 123 million. Given these dire figures, students at IIT Madras focussed towards
an inexpensive wound dressing material, specially designed to help diabetic patients
heal faster.
The dressing material was developed using a carbon allotrope and psyllium husk.
According to Vignesh Muthuvijayan, assistant professor at IIT-M and the researcher
associated with the project, the aim is to cut down the cost of these fast-healing materials
50-60 fold and bring it to around Rs 1,000.
Overall, the year was particularly fruitful, if all the novel ideas and innovations are taken
into account. While the older and more established institutes continued to make progress
across disciplines, the newer ones also made their presence felt in 2018, one
breakthrough idea at a time.
Date: 3rd January 2019
Publication: Franchise India Education
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: IIT-Madras Starts Winter Course On Machine Intelligence And Brain Research
URL: https://news.franchiseindia.com/education/iit-madras-starts-winter-course-on-
machine-intelligence-and-brain-research.n17529
IIT-Madras Starts Winter Course On Machine Intelligence And Brain Research
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras’ (IIT-M) Center for Computational Brain
Research (CCBR) is conducting a winter course on machine intelligence and brain
research from January 2-9.
The course is targeting at educating students in the interdisciplinary area by combining
lectures from neuroscientists as well as computational researchers working across
disciplines. It is also open for the students outside the institute for auditing.
Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures, and Co-Founder, Infosys, said, "This is an
area that has the tremendous scope and opportunity to impact our lives. Using artificial
intelligence and machine learning to address several problems that hitherto were
unsolvable. We should look at issues such as understanding the use of AI and ML, which
problems should be addressed, where do we use these tools, can we create the
capacity and capability in these fields in India, can we create global partnerships and
can we bring unique Indian views in this area."
Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, stated, "This is an area in which a lot of capacity
building is required in the country and these workshops are one way to build this
capacity. Eminent researchers from across the world are attending this workshop and
students can learn from them. In a short period of the next few years, we will have good
results to show from our work here. We have people who are becoming experts in this
cutting-edge field."
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: Teles Relay
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Rajnish Kumar
Headline: India: Only 10 Indians on the list of the world's 4,000 most eminent scientists
URL: https://teles-relay.com/inde-seulement-10-indiens-sur-la-liste-des-4-000-
scientifiques-les-plus-eminents-au-monde-inde-nouvelles/
India: Only 10 Indians on the list of the world's 4,000 most eminent scientists
India boasts of prominent institutes of science and social sciences such as IISc, IIT, TIFR,
JNU and Tiss. Yet only 10 Indians are among the top 1% of researchers in the world (HCR)
in both fields. To top it all, some of the 10 do not come from the main institutes of the
country. The list, which has over 4,000 of the world's most influential researchers, was
published by Clarivate Analytics.
An eminent scientist and former head of the Prime Minister's scientific council, CNR Rao,
is on the list. More than 80% of the names in the list, which covers more than 60 countries,
come from only 10 countries. Remarkably, 70% come from just five countries. Among the
institutions, Harvard University is the most represented on the list, with 186 names.
While the representation of India is negligible, China with 482 names is the third on the list.
The United States tops the list with 2639 names and the United Kingdom comes in second
with 546 names.
Dinesh Mohan of the UNJ, who is on the list, said that until last year, fewer than five Indians
would be on the list. "This year, they added an extra category of" cross-field ", bringing
the number to 10," he said. Rao said India needed to improve the quality of its research,
as well as its quantity to improve the citations. "About 15 years ago, China and India were
at the same level. But China contributes 15-16% of the world's science and ours only
represents about 3-4%, "he said. Ashok Pandey, of the Institute of Toxicology Research of
the CSIR, is the only UNHCR of the CSIR, with a network of 5,000 scientists. "This is a concern
that needs to be addressed by the government and stakeholders, including scientists,
"he said. Avinash Agarwal, a professor at IIT-Kanpur, who is on the list, said applied
research was not sufficiently respected in a country like India, obsessed with basic
research. "We need to improve our research ecosystem ... Predatory journals, in which
you pay and publish, must be penalized. "
The other Indian names on the list are: Alok and Jyoti Mittal (a married couple, Jyoti is the
only female researcher on the list) from NIT Bhopal; Rajnish Kumar of IIT-Madras; Sanjeeb
Sahoo, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar; Rajeev Varshney of the International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad; Sakthivel Rathinaswamy
from Bharathiar Coimbatore University .
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: The Times Of India
Edition: Delhi / Faridabad / Gurgaon / Noida / Pune /Bangalore / Chennai / Kolkata
Page No: 8
Journalist: Yogita Rao
Professor: Prof. Rajnish Kumar
Headline: Only 10 Indians on list of worlds 4000 top scientists
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/only-10-indians-on-list-of-worlds-4000-top-
scientists/articleshow/67374084.cms
Date: 4th January 2019
Publication: Nav Bharat Times
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Rajnish Kumar
Headline: Only 10 Indians on list of worlds 4000 top scientists
URL: https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/india/only-10-indians-on-list-of-worlds-4000-
top-scientists/articleshow/67376139.cms
Only 10 Indians on list of worlds 4000 top scientists
भारि में कई प्रख्याि साइांस और सोशि साइांस इांजस्टट्यटू हैं, िैस ेआईआईएससी, आईआईटी, टीआईएफआर, िेएनय ूऔर टीआईएसएस। इसके बाद भी दतुनया के बेहिरीन एक प्रतिशि ररसचिसि की लिस्ट में भारि के महि
10 िोग ही अपना नाम दिि करा सके हैं। यहाां िक कक इनमें से भी कुछ देश के टॉप इांजस्टट्यटू से नहीां हैं। क्िरैरवेट
एनालिदटक्स द्वारा दतुनया के सबसे प्रभावी 4000 ररसचिसि एक लिस्ट िारी की गई है।
प्रलसद्ि वजै्ञातनक और पीएम की वजै्ञातनक सिाहकार सलमति के पवूि प्रमखु प्रतिशि नाम लसफि 10 देशों से हैं। वहीां 70 प्रतिशि नाम लसफि 5 देशों से हैं। इांजस्टट्यटू की बाि करें िो लिस्ट में 186 नाम ऐसे हैं, िो हाविडि यतूनवलसिटी से
िाल्िकु रखि े हैं।
िहाां भारि का प्रतितनर्ित्व बेहद कम है, वहीां लिस्ट में 482 नाम के साथ HYPERLINK "https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/topics/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A8" चीन तीसरे नंबर पर ह।ै 2,639 नाम के साथ HYPERLINK "https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/topics/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A
4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE" अमेररका टॉप पर ह,ै वहीं 546 नामों के साथ यूके दसूरे नंबर पर ह।ै
जेएनयू के ददनेश मोहन, दजनका नाम इस दिस्ट में ह,ै ने कहा दक दपछिे साि तक इस दिस्ट में 5 से भी कम नाम भारत सेे थे। उन्होंन ेकहा, 'इस साि उन्होंने 'क्रॉस
फील्ड' नाम की एक और कैदटगरी शादमि की ह,ै दजसके बाद ये नाम आग ेहैं।' राव ने कहा दक भारत को उद्धरणों को बेहतर बनान ेके दिए मात्रा के साथ, अपनी ररसचच
की क्वॉदिटी पर काम करन ेकी जरूरत ह।ै उन्होंन ेकहा, 'करीब 15 साि पहिे, भारत और चीन एक स्तर पर थे। िेदकन चीन ददुनया भर के दवज्ञान में 15-16 प्रदतशत
भागीदारी करता ह,ै वहीं भारत दसफच 3-4 प्रदतशत करता ह।ै' आईआईटीआर के अशोक पांडे ने कहा दक यह दचंता का दवषय ह,ै सरकार और भारत के वैज्ञादनकों को इस पर ध्यान देन ेकी जरूरत ह।ै आईआईटी कानपरु के प्रफेसर अदवनाश अग्रवाि का नाम भी इस दिस्ट में ह ैने कहा दक अप्िाइड ररसचच को भारत जैसे देशों में ज्यादा
महत्व नहीं दमिता ह।ै उन्होंन े कहा दक हमें अपना ररसचच इकोदसस्टम बेहतर करन े की जरूरत ह।ै
इस दिस्ट में एनआईटी भोपाि के अिोक दमत्ति और ज्योदत दमत्ति (आिोक और ज्योदत पदत-पत्नी हैं, दिस्ट में ज्यादत अकेिी मदहिा ररसचचर हैं), आईआईटी मद्रास
के रजनीश कुमार, इदंस्टट्यूट ऑफ िाइफ साइसं भवुनेश्र के संजीब साहू, इटंरनैशन कॉपच ररसचच इदंस्टट्यूट के राजीव वार्ष्णेय और कोयंबटूर की भारदतयार यूदनवदसचटी के
सदक्थवेि रादथनास्वामी का नाम शादमि ह।ै
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 13
Journalist: NA
Headline: India-US researchers develop drought monitoring system
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: The Asian Age
Edition: Delhi/Mumbai
Page No: 10
Journalist: NA
Headline: ‘Robots will soon become more intelligent than humans’
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: Haribhoomi
Edition: Delhi
Page No: 14
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Rajnish Kumar
Headline: Only 10 Indians on list of world’s 4000 top scientists\
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: The Quint
Edition: Onlin
Journalist: NA
Headline: Metro water Plans to Use Recycled Water for Supply
URL: https://www.thequint.com/news/india/latest-chennai-news-thiruvarur-dmk-ttv-hiv-
election-velumani-corruption
With freshwater resources becoming scarce in the wake of a failed monsoon, Chennai
Metrowater plans to use tertiary treated waste water for city water supply on a trial basis.
It may not happen this summer though. The agency has called for bids to construct 10
mld capacity tertiary treatment plants each in Nesapakkam and Perungudi and release
the recycled waste water into the Porur and Perungudi lakes.
The project is being implemented based on the IIT-Madras model use of reclaimed water.
The government recently sanctioned ₹79 crore for various projects to augment water
resources infrastructure, officials said.
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: International Business Times
Edition: Online
Journalist: Ashish Shukla
Professor: Prof. Rajnish Kumar
Headline: Eye opener: Only 10 Indians feature in the list of world's Top 4,000 scientists
URL: https://www.ibtimes.co.in/eye-opener-only-10-indians-feature-list-worlds-top-4000-
scientists-789364
Eye opener: Only 10 Indians feature in the list of world's Top 4,000 scientists
Only 10 Indians feature among the world's top 4,000 scientists, according to a shocking
report published by Clarivate Analytics, an academic research firm. The interesting part
about the list is that not all of the scientists who have managed to make a cut belong to
the prestigious institutions like IITs, IIMs, JNU, IISC etc. The list shows how the research is
confined to a few nations, globally.
English daily, The Times of India reported that more than 80 percent of the scientists come
from only 10 countries. Interestingly, 70% are from just only five countries. With 186 names,
Harvard University has the highest number of representation on the list among the
institutions. The list highlights India's sorry performance in the field of research. In contrast,
China is on the third position with 482 names in the list. Scientists from the United States of
America have dominated the list with 2,639 names followed by the UK that comes
second with 546 names.
Eminent scientist and Bharat Ratna, CNR Rao is one of the few Indians to have featured
on the list.
JNU scholar, Dinesh Mohan, who is also on the list, said that there has been an
improvement in the presence of Indians on the list as till last year less than 5 scientists
would feature on the list.
Ashok Pandey, from CSIR's Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, called for greater
attention from government and other stakeholders. "It is a matter of concern and needs
to be addressed by the government, and stakeholders, including scientists," he said.
The other Indian scientists who have been featured on the list includes Avinash Agarwal,
IIT-Kanpur professor, Alok and Jyoti Mittal from NIT Bhopal; Rajnish Kumar from IIT-Madras;
Sanjeeb Sahoo from Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar; Rajeev Varshney from
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad and Sakthivel
Rathinaswamy from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: Loktej
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Rajnish Giri
Headline: Only 10 Indians feature in the list of world's Top 4,000 scientists
URL: http://www.loktej.com/india/four-thousand-scientists-of-the-world-only-10-of-india-
48596
विश्ि के नामचीन चार हजार िजै्ञार्नकों में भारत के मात्र 10 ही
भारिीय मेिाएां वसै ेिो वववव में देश की काति ि पिाकाएां फहरािी रहिी है पर ववज्ञान और अनसुांिान के क्षेत्र में हम
अभी भी वपछड ेहैं। हािाांकक, भारि में कई प्रख्याि साइांस और सोशि साइांस इांजस्टट्यटू हैं, िैस ेआईआईएससी, आईआईटी, टीआईएफआर, िेएनय ूऔर टीआईएसएस। इसके बाद भी दतुनया के बेहिरीन एक प्रतिशि
अनसुांिानकिािओां की सचूी में भारि के केवि 10 िोग ही अपना नाम दिि करा सके हैं। यहाां िक कक इनमें से भी कुछ देश के टॉप इांजस्टट्यटू से नहीां हैं। क्िरैरवेट एनालिदटक्स द्वारा दतुनया के सबसे प्रभावी 4000
अनसुांिानकिािओां की एक सचूी िारी की गई है। प्रलसद्ि वजै्ञातनक और पीएम की वजै्ञातनक सिाहकार सलमति के
पवूि प्रमखु सीएनआर राव को इस सचूी में शालमि ककया गया है। सचूी में 80 प्रतिशि नाम लसफि 10 देशों से हैं। वहीां 70 प्रतिशि नाम लसफि 5 देशों से हैं। इांजस्टट्यटू की बाि करें िो सचूी में 186 नाम ऐसे हैं, िो हाविडि यतूनवलसिटी से
िाल्िकु रखि ेहैं। िहाां भारि का प्रतितनर्ित्व बेहद कम है, वहीां सचूी में 482 नाम के साथ चीन िीसरे नांबर पर है। 2,639 नाम के साथ अमेररका टॉप पर है, वहीां 546 नामों के साथ यकेू दसूरे नांबर पर है।
िेएनय ूके ददनेश मोहन, जिनका नाम इस सचूी में है, ने कहा कक वपछि ेसाि िक इस सचूी में 5 से भी कम नाम
भारि से थे। उन्होंने कहा, ‘इस साि उन्होंने ‘क्रॉस फील्ड’ नाम की एक और कैदटगरी शालमि की है, जिसके बाद
ये नाम आगे हैं।’ राव ने कहा कक भारि को उद्िरणों को बेहिर बनाने के लिए मात्रा के साथ, अपनी ररसचि की क्वॉलिटी पर काम करने की िरूरि है। उन्होंने कहा, ‘करीब 15 साि पहि,े भारि और चीन एक स्िर पर थे। िेककन
चीन दतुनया भर के ववज्ञान में 15-16 प्रतिशि भागीदारी करिा है, वहीां भारि लसफि 3-4 प्रतिशि करिा है।’
आईआईटीआर के अशोक पाांड ेने कहा कक यह र्च ांिा का ववर्य है, सरकार और भारि के वजै्ञातनकों को इस पर ध्यान
देने की िरूरि है। आईआईटी कानपरु के प्रोफेसर अववनाश अग्रवाि का नाम भी इस सचूी में है ने कहा कक अप्िाइड
ररसचि को भारि िैस ेदेशों में ज्यादा महत्व नहीां लमििा है। उन्होंने कहा कक हमें अपना ररसचि इकोलसस्टम बेहिर करने की िरूरि है। इस सचूी में एनआईटी भोपाि के अिोक लमत्ति और ज्योति लमत्ति (आिोक और ज्योति पति-
पत्नी हैं, सचूी में ज्योति अकेिी मदहिा ररसचिर हैं), आईआईटी मद्रास के रिनीश कुमार, इांजस्टट्यटू ऑफ िाइफ
साइांस भवुनेश के सांिीब साहू, इांटरनेशन कॉपि ररसचि इांजस्टट्यटू के रािीव वार्ष्णेय और कोयांबटूर की भारतियार यतूनवलसिटी के सजक्थवेि रार्थनास्वामी का नाम शालमि है।
Date: 5th January 2019
Publication: Navbharat Times Education
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Rajnish Kumar
Headline: Know who all are from India in the list of 4k world's top scientists
URL: https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/photomazza/education-career/know-10-
indian-scientists-secured-position-in-top-4000-scientists/photoshow/67378994.cms
Know who all are from India in the list of 4k world's top scientists
ग्िोबि ऑगिनाइजेशन clarivate analytics ने दतुनया के सबसे काबबि 4000 वजै्ञातनकों की लिस्ट िारी की है। इस लिस्ट में भारि के भी 10 वजै्ञातनकों ने अपना स्थान बनाया है। वपछि ेसाि इस सचूी में भारि के महि 5
वजै्ञातनक ही अपना नाम दिि करवा सके थे। इस साि यह सांख्या डबि होकर 10 हो गई है। हािाांकक इस मामिे में भारि का र्चर प्रतिद्वांद्वी पडोसी देश चीन काफी आगे तनकि गया है। चीन ने 482 वजै्ञातनकों के साथ अमेररका और बिटेन के बाद िीसरा स्थान प्राप्ि ककया है। अमेररका के सवािर्िक 2639 वजै्ञातनक और बिटेन के 546 वजै्ञातनक
इस सचूी में शालमि ककए गए हैं। आइए िानि ेहैं भारि की ओर से कौन हैं वे 10 वजै्ञातनक, जिनको इस सचूी में िगह दी गई है
प्रलसद्ि वजै्ञातनक और पीएम की वजै्ञातनक सिाहकार सलमति के पवूि प्रमखु सीएनआर राव (84) को इस लिस्ट में शालमि ककया गया है। सवोच्च नागररक सम्मान 'भारि रत्न' से नवाि ेिा चुके राव केलमस्री में सराहनीय कायि के
लिए कई देशों की 60 यतूनवलसिटीि से भी डॉक्टरेट की उपार्ि लमि चुकी है। उनके अभी िक 1600 ररसचि वकि और 51 पसु्िकें पजलिश हो चुकी हैं। मौिाना आिाद नशैनि इांस्टीट्यटू ऑफ टेक्नॉििी, भोपाि में कायिरि आिोक लमत्िि को भी इस सचूी में शालमि
ककया गया है। 52 वर्ीय आिोक ने आईआईटी रुढ़की से पीएचडी की है। उन्होंने इन्वाइरनमेंटि साइांस, वाटर रीटमेंट, सरफेस केलमस्री और कफजिकि केलमस्री में सराहनीय कायि ककया है। ज्योति भी आिोक लमत्िि के साथ मौिाना आिाद नशैनि इांस्टीट्यटू ऑफ टेक्नॉििी, भोपाि में कायिरि हैं। 48
वर्ीय ज्योति ने रािीव गाांिी टेजक्नकि यतूनवलसिटी से पीएचडी की है। उनका स्पेशिाइिेशन भी इन्वाइरनमेंटि
साइांस, वाटर रीटमेंट, सरफेस केलमस्री और कफजिकि केलमस्री में है। आईआईटी कानपरु के 46 वर्ीय अववनाश कुमार अग्रवाि ने आईआईटी-ददल्िी से पीएचडी की है। इसके साथ ही इन्हें wisconsin university से भी डॉक्टरेट की उपार्ि प्राप्ि है। इनका स्पेशिाइिेशन इांिन कॉम्बस्टन
इन्वजेस्टगेशन, अल्टरनेदटव फ्यिू, बायोडीिि डडवेिवमेंट आदद है।
Date: 6th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Delhi/Bangalore/Hyderabad/Chennai/Kolkata/Kochi
Page no.: 12
Journalist: Dr. R. Prasad
Professor: Prof. T. Pradeep
Ph.D student: Papri Chakraborty
Headline: Silver atoms of nanoparticles are mobile, IIT Madras team finds
URL: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/silver-atoms-of-nanoparticles-are-
mobile-iit-madras-team-finds/article25920352.ece
Date: 7th January 2019
Publication: Campus Varta
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Only 10 Indian making in the rundown of top 4,000 Scientist
URL: https://www.campusvarta.com/youth-mauka/only-10-indian-making-in-the-
rundown-of-top-4000-scientist/
Only 10 Indian making in the rundown of top 4,000 Scientist
With just 10 Indian researchers making in the rundown of 4,000 exceedingly specialists
over the globe, the nation falls a long ways behind China in new commitments towards
science and development, said an ongoing report by Clarivate Analytics — an
organization that names individuals with numerous papers positioning in the best 1% by
references for their field and year.
Curiously, the vast majority of the science specialists recorded don’t originate from
exceptionally positioned foundations in India that are continually making buzz for their
logical development. In any case, an educator from each IIT-Kanpur, IIT Madras, JNU,
and NIT-Bhopal are on the worldwide rundown.
In the mean time, China is among the main three nations with 482 science specialists.
India couldn’t influence it to up to the best 10 nations.
Sweden (53%), Austria (53%), Singapore (47%), Denmark (47%), China (43%) and South
Korea (42%) are among the countries that have 40% of their Highly Cited Researchers
chose in the cross-field classification.
India and China used to be in agreement regarding commitment around 15 years back
however now China represents about 16%
This could be viewed as a triumph for India since the quantity of researchers on the
rundown has multiplied since 2017. In any case, Dinesh Mohan, one of the researchers
on the rundown, says that is simply because the report incorporates an extra class of
‘cross field’ analysts.
The rundown features the need to enhance the exploration environment in India and
manage issues like ruthless diaries. As indicated by specialists, Indian academicians need
center around quality research.
Ashok Pandey, a scientist highlighted on the rundown, guarantees that poor portrayal in
science involves national concern and should be tended to by administrators,
government and other individual partners.
Experts include that India has an insignificant portrayal on the planet’s exceedingly
refered to scientists essentially in light of the fact that the idea of research is hypothetical.
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Delhi/Mumbai/Bangalore/Hyderabad/Chennai/Kolkata/Kochi
Page No: 18
Journalist: R Prasad
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT Madras team produces gas hydrates under ‘space’ conditions
URL: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/iit-madras-team-produces-gas-
hydrates-under-space-conditions/article25934300.ece
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu Business Line
Edition: Chennai / Delhi / Mumbai / Pune / Bangalore / Hyderabad / Kochi /
Ahmedabad / Chandigarh/Kolkata
Page No: 1
Journalist: T V Jayan
Headline: Mimicking space, IIT-M scientists cage methane in water
URL: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/mimicking-space-iit-m-scientists-
cage-methane-in-water/article25934012.ece
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: Deccan Herald
Edition: Bangalore
Page No: 9
Journalist: Kalyan Ray
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: Gas hydrates offer new window at the origin of life
URL: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/gas-hydrates-offer-new-window-
711925.html
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: NDTV
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: Methane Can Exist In Interstellar Atmosphere: IIT Madras Researchers
URL: https://www.ndtv.com/science/methane-can-exist-in-interstellar-atmosphere-iit-
madras-researchers-1974819
Methane Can Exist In Interstellar Atmosphere: IIT Madras Researchers
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) have formed clathrate
hydrates in an environment similar to that of interstellar medium (ISM), according to a
statement issued by the institute.
According to IIT-M, such hydrates, especially that of methane, are thought to be the
future sources of fuel. Many nations across the world, including India, have programmes
to explore hydrates in the ocean bed.
Gas hydrates such as methane hydrate can release combustible gases which could be
used as a fuel, the IIT-M said.
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide...trapped in well-defined
cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids," said the statement, adding these are
formed at high pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean floor,
hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such as in Siberia.
"IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times
below the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature close
to minus 263 degree Celsius (10 Kelvin). These are the conditions present in deep space,"
the statement said.
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres,
the statement said.
Detailing the discovery, IIT-M said, an experimental UHV was specially built for such
studies, which housed several spectroscopic probes.
"Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared by condensing a mixture of
the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium metal. The ruthenium metal
surface was cooled to low temperatures initially," IIT-M said.
According to IIT-M, the formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. At first, when
the gases were deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of methane and
water ice.
However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the molecule became
'free' as in the gas phase.
"The observed changes were compared with theoretical simulations which confirmed
the hydrate formation. The results were verified with the hydrate formed by standard
methods," IITM said.
Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as the water molecules
are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures. Therefore, when they did the
experiments initially, nothing surprising was seen.
"Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
maybe an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years." Professor
Thalappil Pradeep, a senior author of the study was quoted as saying in the statement.
"The excitement happened after 3 days. New features started coming. Then, of course,
several experiments were done under controlled conditions. The problem went through
several PhD students over a period of five years. Now, a number of opportunities have
opened up." Mr Pradeep said.
Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide.
"Trapping carbon dioxide in hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can
sequester carbon dioxide gas as solid hydrates under the sea bed," Rajnish Kumar, co-
author of the study was quoted as saying in the statement.
In hydrates, molecular confinement can result in new chemistry, especially in presence
of cosmic light present in interstellar environment.
This may have relevance to the origin of life. The work was performed by Jyotirmoy Ghosh
and colleagues under the guidance of Mr Pradeep and Mr Kumar of IIT-M, the statement
said.
The paper was published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of
the United States of America (PNAS).
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: Hindustan Times
Edition: Delhi / Faridabad / Noida
Page No: 10
Journalist: Anonna Dutt
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT-M researchers explore fuels of future in space
URL: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iit-m-researchers-explore-fuels-of-
future-in-space/story-0yqZzpSdfiKhi1yqClBv0L.html
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: Business Standard
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: Methane in interstellar atmosphere can exist, say IIT Madras researchers
URL: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/methane-in-interstellar-
atmosphere-can-exist-say-iit-madras-researchers-119010800961_1.html
Methane in interstellar atmosphere can exist, say IIT Madras researchers
Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) have formed clathrate
hydrates in an environment similar to that of interstellar medium (ISM), according to a
statement issued by the institute.
According to IIT-M, such hydrates, especially that of methane, are thought to be the
future sources of fuel. Many nations across the world, including India, have programmes
to explore hydrates in the ocean bed.
Gas hydrates such as methane hydrate can release combustible gases which could be
used as a fuel, the IIT-M said.
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide...trapped in well-defined
cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids," said the statement, adding these are
formed at high pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean floor,
hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such as in Siberia.
"IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times
below the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature close
to minus 263 degree Celsius (10 Kelvin). These are the conditions present in deep space,"
the statement said.
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres,
the statement said.
Detailing the discovery, IITM said, an experimental UHV was specially built for such studies,
which housed several spectroscopic probes.
"Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared by condensing a mixture of
the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium metal. The ruthenium metal
surface was cooled to low temperatures initially," IITM said.
According to IIT-M, the formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. At first, when
the gases were deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of methane and
water ice.
However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the molecule became
'free' as in the gas phase.
"The observed changes were compared with theoretical simulations which confirmed
the hydrate formation. The results were verified with the hydrate formed by standard
methods," IITM said.
Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as the water molecules
are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures. Therefore, when they did the
experiments initially, nothing surprising was seen.
"Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
maybe an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years." Professor
Thalappil Pradeep, a senior author of the study was quoted as saying in the statement.
"The excitement happened after 3 days. New features started coming. Then, of course,
several experiments were done under controlled conditions. The problem went through
several PhD students over a period of five years. Now, a number of opportunities have
opened up." Pradeep said.
Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide.
"Trapping carbon dioxide in hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can
sequester carbon dioxide gas as solid hydrates under the sea bed," Rajnish Kumar, co-
author of the study was quoted as saying in the statement.
In hydrates, molecular confinement can result in new chemistry, especially in presence
of cosmic light present in interstellar environment.
This may have relevance to the origin of life. The work was performed by Jyotirmoy Ghosh
and colleagues under the guidance of Pradeep and Kumar of IITM, the statement said.
The paper was published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of
the United States of America (PNAS).
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: Outlook India
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: Methane in interstellar atmosphere can exist, say IIT Madras researchers
URL: https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/methane-in-interstellar-atmosphere-can-
exist-say-iit-madras-researchers/1454306
Methane in interstellar atmosphere can exist, say IIT Madras researchers
Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) have formed clathrate
hydrates in an environment similar to that of interstellar medium (ISM), according to a
statement issued by the institute.
According to IIT-M, such hydrates, especially that of methane, are thought to be the
future sources of fuel. Many nations across the world, including India, have programmes
to explore hydrates in the ocean bed.
Gas hydrates such as methane hydrate can release combustible gases which could be
used as a fuel, the IIT-M said.
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide...trapped in well-defined
cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids," said the statement, adding these are
formed at high pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean floor,
hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such as in Siberia.
"IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times
below the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature close
to minus 263 degree Celsius (10 Kelvin). These are the conditions present in deep space,"
the statement said.
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres,
the statement said.
Detailing the discovery, IITM said, an experimental UHV was specially built for such studies,
which housed several spectroscopic probes.
"Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared by condensing a mixture of
the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium metal. The ruthenium metal
surface was cooled to low temperatures initially," IITM said.
According to IIT-M, the formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. At first, when
the gases were deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of methane and
water ice.
However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the molecule became
'free' as in the gas phase.
"The observed changes were compared with theoretical simulations which confirmed
the hydrate formation. The results were verified with the hydrate formed by standard
methods," IITM said.
Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as the water molecules
are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures. Therefore, when they did the
experiments initially, nothing surprising was seen.
"Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
maybe an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years." Professor
Thalappil Pradeep, a senior author of the study was quoted as saying in the statement.
"The excitement happened after 3 days. New features started coming. Then, of course,
several experiments were done under controlled conditions. The problem went through
several PhD students over a period of five years. Now, a number of opportunities have
opened up." Pradeep said.
Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide.
"Trapping carbon dioxide in hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can
sequester carbon dioxide gas as solid hydrates under the sea bed," Rajnish Kumar, co-
author of the study was quoted as saying in the statement.
In hydrates, molecular confinement can result in new chemistry, especially in presence
of cosmic light present in interstellar environment.
This may have relevance to the origin of life. The work was performed by Jyotirmoy Ghosh
and colleagues under the guidance of Pradeep and Kumar of IITM, the statement said.
The paper was published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of
the United States of America (PNAS).
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express- Edex
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: Fuel from space? IITM researchers find ways to use methane hydrates present
in space as future source of fuel on Earth
URL: https://www.edexlive.com/campus/2019/jan/08/fuel-from-space-iitm-researchers-
find-ways-to-use-methane-hydrates-present-in-space-as-future-sourc-4970.html
Fuel from space? IITM researchers find ways to use methane hydrates present in space
as future source of fuel on Earth
Researchers from IIT Madras have found that methane in the interstellar atmosphere can
exist as clathrate hydrate, thought to be a future source of fuel on earthEdex
IIT Madras Scientist Space Fuel The work was performed by Jyotirmoy Ghosh and
colleagues under the guidance of Prof. Thalappil Pradeep and Dr. Rajnish Kumar
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc., trapped in well-
defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids. They are formed at high
pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean floor, hundreds of metres
below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such as in Siberia. Such hydrates
especially that of methane, are thought to be the future sources of fuel. Many nations
across the world including India have programmes to explore hydrates in the ocean bed.
IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times below
the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature close to
minus 263 degree Celsius (10 Kelvin). These are the conditions present in deep space.
The paper was published on Tuesday in Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres.
An experimental UHV was specially built for such studies, which housed several
spectroscopic probes. Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared by
condensing a mixture of the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium metal.
The ruthenium metal surface was cooled to low temperatures initially.
The formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. At first, when the gases were
deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of methane and water ice.
However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the molecule became
‘free’ as in the gas phase. The observed changes were compared with theoretical
simulations which confirmed the hydrate formation. The results were verified with the
hydrate formed by standard methods.
Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as the water molecules
are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures. Therefore, when they did the
experiments initially, nothing surprising was seen.
“Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
maybe an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years.” Professor
Pradeep, a senior author of the study said. “The excitement happened after 3 days. New
features started coming. Then, of course, several experiments were done under
controlled conditions.”
“The problem went through several PhD students over a period of five years. Now, a
number of opportunities have opened up,” he added.
Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide, one of his younger colleague, Dr.
Rajnish Kumar, co-author in this study suggested that “Trapping carbon dioxide in
hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can sequester carbon dioxide gas as
solid hydrates under the seabed”.
In hydrates, molecular confinement can result in new chemistry, especially in presence
of cosmic light present in the interstellar environment. This may have relevance to the
origin of life. The work was performed by Jyotirmoy Ghosh and colleagues under the
guidance of Prof. Thalappil Pradeep and Dr. Rajnish Kumar of IIT Madras.
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT-M researchers stumble upon future source of fuel
URL: https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2018/10/14035605/1092066/IITM-plans-to-
improveresearch-activities-by-2020.vpf
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: Outlook India
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT-M create 'space fuel' in lab
URL: https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/iitm-create-space-fuel-in-lab/1454726
IIT-M create 'space fuel' in lab
IIT Madras scientists have created what they call 'space fuel' by simulating interstellar
conditions in the lab, a method that may be used to convert atmospheric CO2 into a
next generation energy source on Earth.
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(PNAS), could help curb greenhouse gases as well as provide a new, sustainable source
of energy.
"What we have found is that molecules like methane and ammonia in space could exist
in a completely different form than what is known to us," Thalappil Pradeep of Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras told .
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc, trapped in well-
defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids.
They are formed at high pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean
floor, hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such as in
Siberia.
Such hydrates especially that of methane, are thought to be the future sources of fuel.
Many nations across the world including India have programmes to explore hydrates in
the ocean bed.
IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times below
the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature close to
minus 263 degree Celsius. These are the conditions present in deep space.
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres,
Pradeep said.
An experimental UHV was specially built for such studies, which housed several
spectroscopic probes. Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared by
condensing a mixture of the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium metal.
The ruthenium metal surface was cooled to low temperatures initially.
The formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. At first, when the gases were
deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of methane and water ice.
However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the molecule became
'free' as in the gas phase. The observed changes were compared with theoretical
simulations which confirmed the hydrate formation. The results were verified with the
hydrate formed by standard methods.
Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as the water molecules
are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures.
"Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
may be an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years," said
Pradeep.
"The excitement happened after 3 days. New features started coming. Then of course,
several experiments were done under controlled conditions," he said.
Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide, researchers said.
"Trapping carbon dioxide in hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can
sequester carbon dioxide gas as solid hydrates under the sea bed," said Rajnish Kumar,
co-author in this study.
In hydrates, molecular confinement can result in new chemistry, especially in presence
of cosmic light present in interstellar environment. Understanding this chemistry may be
important to better understand the origins of life.
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: Zee Business
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: Fuel from space? IIT Madras researchers make this big discovery
URL: https://www.zeebiz.com/technology/news-fuel-from-space-iit-madras-
researchers-make-this-big-discovery-79181
Fuel from space? IIT Madras researchers make this big discovery
Indian researchers from IIT Madras have found that methane in the form of clathrate
hydrate in interstellar atmosphere can release combustible gases, which can be used as
fuel. India, among many other nations, have programmes to explore hydrates in the
ocean bed. The researchers said molecular confinement in hydrates may have
relevance to the origin of life.
What is clathrate hydrates?
Clathrate hydrates are generally found on the ocean floor, hundreds of metres below
the sea level, and in glaciers such as in Siberia. formed at high pressures and low
temperatures, clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc,
trapped in well-defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids. Such
hydrates are thought to be the future sources of fuel.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) researchers specially built
experimental ultra-high vacuum (UHV) for such studies, which housed several
spectroscopic probes.
They formed such hydrates in a vacuum, one thousand billion times below the
atmospheric pressure UHV and temperature close to minus 263 degree Celsius (10 Kelvin).
These are the conditions present in deep space.
“Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
may be an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years.” said
Professor Pradeep, a senior author of the study.
Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide, one of his younger colleague,
Rajnish Kumar, co-author in this study suggested that “Trapping carbon dioxide in
hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can sequester carbon dioxide gas as
solid hydrates under the sea bed”.
The study was conducted by Jyotirmoy Ghosh and colleagues under the guidance of
Prof Thalappil Pradeep and Dr. Rajnish Kumar of IIT Madras and the paper was published
today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of
America (PNAS).
Date: 8th January 2019
Publication: India Today
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: This IIT Madras girl's research is revolutionary, shows nanoparticles 'dance'
URL: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/iit-madras-girl-
research-revolutionary-nanoparticles-1426095-2019-01-08
This IIT Madras girl's research is revolutionary, shows nanoparticles 'dance'
Atoms in small particles of metals move between each other within a blink of an eye, T
Pradeep and colleagues at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras have found.
Atoms in metals such as gold and silver practically stay at their locations for eternity which
make them stable and noble. Chemical and physical processes do not move atoms
between particles easily, which explains their stability. However, in nanometre scale
particles, this is completely different, recent studies have shown.
The work was published on January 3 in the journal Science Advances.
Who conducted the research?
The research was undertaken by Papri Chakraborty, Research Scholar, IIT Madras and
her colleagues under the direction of Professor T Pradeep and Chair Professor Deepak
Parekh from the Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras.
How the research was conducted
In the experiment, researchers prepared 1 nanometre particles of silver composed of 25
atoms, protected with molecules called ligands
Such protected metal particles are called clusters and they are made by solution
chemistry
To test the hypothesis of atom transfer, researchers made identical 25 atom clusters with
two isotopes of silver (107Ag and 109Ag)
What are isotopes?
Isotopes are elements with the same atomic number but different atomic masses, and
they are identical in chemical properties
Common examples are hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D), which are isotopes of hydrogen
with same chemical properties
However, they have different atomic masses
H2O and D2O are waters with the same chemical properties, formed with hydrogen and
deuterium
The two isotopes of silver
In isolated state, Ag25 made of 107Ag isotope and Ag25 made of 109Ag isotope are
equivalent in chemical properties
They have the same colour, reactivity and structure, but different molecular masses
In an instrument called mass spectrometer, these two clusters show different masses
However, upon mixing these two clusters in solution and measuring the mass spectrum in
solution, researchers found that the parent clusters disappeared completely and a new
cluster of 25 atoms (mixture of 107Ag and 109Ag atoms) emerged.
This was identical to the formation of a molecule of HDO from H2O and D2O when they
both were mixed
Atoms of H and D exchange each other when normal water (H2O) and heavy water
(D2O) are mixed
Atom transfer rate is similar to that in water
Spontaneous atom transfer in nanoparticles implies their molecular nature
Atoms at the surface of such particles may be interacting with neighbouring particles
similar to that in molecules
The properties of nanoparticles such as catalysis, drug delivery, biological sensing, etc,
may all be viewed differently in view of this rapid atom exchange.
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: DNA
Edition: Delhi / Mumbai
Page No: 9
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T. Pradeep
Headline: IIT Madras scientists create space fuel in lab
URL:https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-iit-madras-create-space-fuel-in-lab-
2705918
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Hyderabad / Chennai
Page No: 12
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T. Pradeep
Headline: IIT-Madras creates 'space fuel' in lab
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/jan/09/iit-madras-
creates-space-fuel-in-lab-1922744.html
Date: 9th January 2019
Publication: The Economic Times
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Thalappil Pradeep
Headline: IIT-Madras scientists create 'space fuel' in lab
URL: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/iit-madras-create-space-
fuel-in-lab/articleshow/67450033.cms
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: The Sentinel
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT Madras scientists achieve new feat creating ‘space fuel’
URL:https://www.sentinelassam.com/news/iit-madras-scientists-achieve-new-feat-
creating-space-fuel/
IIT Madras scientists achieve new feat creating ‘space fuel’
The IIT Madras scientists claim that they have created a particular kind of fuel, called as
the ‘space fuel’. As claimed by the scientists, they created this new fuel by simulating
interstellar conditions in the lab. This method of fuel creation may be used to convert
atmospheric CO2 into a next-generation energy source on Earth. With this new
achievement, the IIT Madras scientists have now achieved another new feat which is
pretty commendable.
Details on the research and its findings have been mentioned in the journal Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The best part of this research is that the
creation of space fuel could now help in curbing greenhouse gases along with also
providing a new, sustainable source of energy.
Thalappil Pradeep of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, stated, “What we have
found is that molecules like methane and ammonia in space could exist in a completely
different form than what is known to us.”
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc, trapped in well-
defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids. These molecules are formed
at high pressures and low temperatures at particular places such as the ocean floor
which lays hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such
as in Siberia. Hence, the creation of these molecules is very a difficult and complicated
task along with also being very quite tough. In that case, the feat achieved by the
scientists in IIT Madras is out-of-the-box and praiseworthy.
For creating these molecules, the IIT Madras researchers formed hydrates in a vacuum
which is one thousand billion times below the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high
vacuum (UHV) at a temperature close to minus 263 degree Celsius. As such conditions
prevail in deep space; the atmosphere for the creation of these molecules too will have
to be simila.
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: News 18
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT-Madras Scientists Create 'Space Fuel' to Curb Global Warming, Hope to
Solve Fuel Crisis
URL: https://www.news18.com/news/india/iit-madras-scientists-create-space-fuel-to-
curb-global-warming-hope-to-solve-fuel-crisis-1996315.html
IIT-Madras Scientists Create 'Space Fuel' to Curb Global Warming, Hope to Solve Fuel
Crisis
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras scientists have created what they call 'space fuel'
by simulating interstellar conditions in the lab, a method that may be used to convert
atmospheric CO2 into a next generation energy source on Earth.
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(PNAS), could help curb greenhouse gases as well as provide a new, sustainable source
of energy.
"What we have found is that molecules like methane and ammonia in space could exist
in a completely different form than what is known to us," Thalappil Pradeep of Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras told PTI.
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc, trapped in well-
defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids.
They are formed at high pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean
floor, hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such as in
Siberia.
Such hydrates especially that of methane, are thought to be the future sources of fuel.
Many nations across the world including India have programmes to explore hydrates in
the ocean bed.
IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times below
the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature close to
minus 263 degree Celsius. These are the conditions present in deep space.
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres,
Pradeep said.
An experimental UHV was specially built for such studies, which housed several
spectroscopic probes. Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared by
condensing a mixture of the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium metal.
The ruthenium metal surface was cooled to low temperatures initially.
The formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. At first, when the gases were
deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of methane and water ice.
However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the molecule became
'free' as in the gas phase.
The observed changes were compared with theoretical simulations which confirmed the
hydrate formation. The results were verified with the hydrate formed by standard
methods.
Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as the water molecules
are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures.
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: Zee News
Edition: Online
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: Methane in interstellar atmosphere can exist, say IIT Madras researchers
URL: http://zeenews.india.com/science-environment/methane-in-interstellar-
atmosphere-can-exist-say-iit-madras-researchers-2169200.html
Methane in interstellar atmosphere can exist, say IIT Madras researchers
Civil surgeon sacked after kissing video with nurse inside operation room goes viral
Sushmita Sen teaches Bengali to boyfriend Rohman Shawl and the video is adorable-
Watch Air tickets, identity cards to become redundant; flyers can use facial recognition
to enter airport Pakistan puts major CPEC power project on hold, asks China to delete it
from list Woman crashes Republic Day rehearsal at India Gate, shouts 'Pakistan
Zindabad' slogans
Chennai: Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) have formed
clathrate hydrates in an environment similar to that of interstellar medium (ISM),
according to a statement issued by the institute. According to IIT-M, such hydrates,
especially that of methane, are thought to be the future sources of fuel. Many nations
across the world, including India, have programmes to explore hydrates in the ocean
bed.
Gas hydrates such as methane hydrate can release combustible gases which could be
used as a fuel, the IIT-M said. Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon
dioxide...trapped in well-defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids,"
said the statement, adding these are formed at high pressures and low temperatures at
places such as the ocean floor, hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also
found in glaciers such as in Siberia.
"IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times
below the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature close
to minus 263 degree Celsius (10 Kelvin). These are the conditions present in deep space,"
the statement said. This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low
pressures and ultra-cold temperatures and may have several implications for the
chemistry of such atmospheres, the statement said.
Detailing the discovery, IITM said, an experimental UHV was specially built for such studies,
which housed several spectroscopic probes. "Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane
were prepared by condensing a mixture of the gases on a specially made single crystal
of ruthenium metal. The ruthenium metal surface was cooled to low temperatures
initially," IITM said.
According to IIT-M, the formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. At first, when
the gases were deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of methane and
water ice. However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the
molecule became 'free' as in the gas phase.
"The observed changes were compared with theoretical simulations which confirmed
the hydrate formation. The results were verified with the hydrate formed by standard
methods," IITM said. Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as
the water molecules are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures. Therefore,
when they did the experiments initially, nothing surprising was seen.
"Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
maybe an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years." Professor
Thalappil Pradeep, a senior author of the study was quoted as saying in the statement.
"The excitement happened after 3 days. New features started coming. Then, of course,
several experiments were done under controlled conditions. The problem went through
several PhD students over a period of five years. Now, a number of opportunities have
opened up." Pradeep said. Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide.
"Trapping carbon dioxide in hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can
sequester carbon dioxide gas as solid hydrates under the sea bed," Rajnish Kumar, co-
uthor of the study was quoted as saying in the statement.
In hydrates, molecular confinement can result in new chemistry, especially in presence
of cosmic light present in interstellar environment. This may have relevance to the origin
of life. The work was performed by Jyotirmoy Ghosh and colleagues under the guidance
of Pradeep and Kumar of IITM, the statement said.
The paper was published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of
the United States of America.
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: Quiris
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: Can the fuel of the future be found in space? IIT Madras finds out
URL: https://qrius.com/can-the-fuel-of-the-future-be-found-in-space-iit-madras-finds-
out/
Can the fuel of the future be found in space? IIT Madras finds out
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) created a ‘space fuel’
by simulating interstellar conditions in the laboratory, achieving a breakthrough in the
exploration of cleaner and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel.
The method, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(PNAS) this week, has the potential to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into a next
generation energy source to curb greenhouse gases and global warming.
A study of hydrates
With this research, IIT-Madras is one step closer to determining if fuels of the future exist in
outer space. The study is focused on water molecules containing methane-like gases,
which are usually found in permafrost (frozen soil) inside the earth or on the ocean floor.
Also known as clathrate hydrates, these molecules contain gases like methane and
carbon dioxide trapped in well-defined cages of water molecules, forming crystalline
solids. They are also found in glaciers such as in Siberia.
Such hydrates especially that of methane, are thought to be the future sources of fuel.
Numerous programmes to explore hydrates in the ocean bed are underway, including
one by India.
Usually thriving in high pressure and lower temperature, IIT-M researchers recently
discovered these molecules in permafrost-form in the vacuum and freezing conditions of
outer space, which led them to explore the possibility of extracting fuel from them.
Metane exists in interstellar atmosphere
In an unprecedented outcome, the team were able to form methane-containing
clathrate hydrates in ultra-high vacuum (1000 billion times below the atmospheric
pressure) and at a temperature close to -263oC. These are the conditions present in deep
space.
Cages of water don’t normally form under such conditions owing to the frozen state of
water molecules, which cannot move at such low temperatures.
“What we have found is that molecules like methane and ammonia in space could exist
in a completely different form than what is known to us,” chemistry professor and co-
author of the study, Thalappil Pradeep, told PTI, adding that this may have several
implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres.
Molecular confinement in hydrates can often result in new chemistry, especially in the
presence of cosmic light in outer space. Understanding this chemistry may yield a better
and new understanding of the origins of life.
How was this studied?
The formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. A special Ultra-High Vacuum
(UHV) was constructed with several spectroscopic probes. Thin layers of ice and methane
were prepared by condensing a mixture of the gases on a specially made single crystal
of ruthenium metal. The experiment was then repeated with carbon dioxide which too
yielded such hydrates, researchers said.
When the gases were deposited at first, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of
methane and water ice. As the formation of the hydrate cage began and methane got
trapped in it, scientists observed that the molecule became ‘free,’ entering its gaseous
phase. This observation was later confirmed by drawing a comparison with theoretical
simulations. The results were also verified and the resulting hydrate compared to that
formed by standard methods.
What the authors said about their breakthrough
The study was conducted by Jyotirmoy Ghosh, a research scholar at IIT-M, under the
guidance of Professor Pradeep and Dr. Rajnish Kumar.
“Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
may be an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years,” said Prof.
Pradeep.
“The excitement happened after 3 days. New features started coming. Then of course,
several experiments were done under controlled conditions,” he said.
Another author of the study, Dr. Rajnish Kumar expressed greater joy with the CO2 leg of
the experiment, saying “Trapping carbon dioxide in hydrates is a way to reduce global
warming. One can sequester carbon dioxide gas as solid hydrates under the sea bed.”
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: Daily Excelsior
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT-M create ‘space fuel’ in lab
URL: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/iit-m-create-space-fuel-in-lab/
IIT-M create ‘space fuel’ in lab
IIT Madras scientists have created what they call ‘space fuel’ by simulating interstellar
conditions in the lab, a method that may be used to convert atmospheric CO2 into a
next generation energy source on Earth.
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(PNAS), could help curb greenhouse gases as well as provide a new, sustainable source
of energy.
“What we have found is that molecules like methane and ammonia in space could exist
in a completely different form than what is known to us,” Thalappil Pradeep of Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras said.
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc, trapped in well-
defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids.
They are formed at high pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean
floor, hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such as in
Siberia.
Such hydrates especially that of methane, are thought to be the future sources of fuel.
Many nations across the world including India have programmes to explore hydrates in
the ocean bed.
IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times below
the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature close to
minus 263 degree Celsius. These are the conditions present in deep space.
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres,
Pradeep said.
An experimental UHV was specially built for such studies, which housed several
spectroscopic probes. Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared by
condensing a mixture of the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium metal.
The ruthenium metal surface was cooled to low temperatures initially.
The formation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy. At first, when the gases were
deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of methane and water ice.
However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the molecule became
‘free’ as in the gas phase. The observed changes were compared with theoretical
simulations which confirmed the hydrate formation. The results were verified with the
hydrate formed by standard methods.
Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as the water molecules
are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures.
“Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
may be an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years,” said
Pradeep.
“The excitement happened after 3 days. New features started coming. Then of course,
several experiments were done under controlled conditions,” he said.
Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide, researchers said.
“Trapping carbon dioxide in hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can
sequester carbon dioxide gas as solid hydrates under the sea bed,” said Rajnish Kumar,
co-author in this study.
In hydrates, molecular confinement can result in new chemistry, especially in presence
of cosmic light present in interstellar environment. Understanding this hemistry may be
important to better understand the origins of life.
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: City Today
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT Madras scientists create 'space fuel' in lab
URL: https://citytoday.news/iit-madras-scientists-create-space-fuel-in-lab/
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: The News Recorder
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT-M develops ‘space fuel’ inside the laboratory, CO2 may be the future source
of energy on Earth
URL: https://thenewsrecorder.in/iit-m-develops-space-fuel-inside-the-laboratory-co2-
may-be-the-future-source-of-energy-on-earth/
IIT-M develops ‘space fuel’ inside the laboratory, CO2 may be the future source of energy
on Earth
It is claimed that this could address effectively to curb greenhouse gases at the same
time providing a fresh, sustainable source of energy.
Chennai: IIT Madras scientists have developed something that they claim as ‘space fuel’
by simulating interstellar conditions in the laboratory. This is a method that is claimed to
be having the ability to be used for the conversion of atmospheric CO2 into a next-
generation energy source on Earth.
As per the research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences (PNAS), it is claimed that this could address effectively to curb greenhouse
gases at the same time providing a fresh, sustainable source of energy. “What we have
found is that molecules like methane and ammonia in space could exist in a completely
different form than what is known to us,” Thalappil Pradeep of Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Madras told PTI.
Clathrate hydrates are the molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc., captured in
perfectly made cages of water molecules leading to the formation of crystalline solids.
These are developed at greater pressures and nominal temperatures at different zones
like the ocean floor, hundreds of meters under the sea level. These can be found within
the Siberia like glaciers as well.
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: The Hitavada
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: IIT-M creates ‘space fuel’ in lab
URL: http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2019/1/10/IIT-M-creates-%E2%80%98space-fuel--in-
lab.aspx
IIT-M creates ‘space fuel’ in lab
IIT-Madras scientists have created what they call ‘space fuel’ by simulating interstellar
conditions in the lab, a method that may be used to convert atmospheric CO2 into a
next generation energy source on Earth.
The research, published in ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ (PNAS),
could help curb greenhouse gases as well as provide a new, sustainable source of
energy.
“What we have found is that molecules like methane and ammonia in space could exist
in a completely different form than what is known to us,” Thalappil Pradeep of IIT-Madras
told PTI. Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc, trapped in
well-defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids.
They are formed at high pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean
floor, hundreds of metres below the sea level. They are also found in glaciers such as in
Siberia.
Such hydrates especially that of methane, are thought to be the future sources of fuel.
Many nations across the world including India have programmes to explore hydrates in
ocean bed. IIT-M researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion
times below the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature
close to minus 263 degree Celsius. These are the conditions present in deep space.
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres,
Pradeep said. An experimental UHV was specially built for such studies, which housed
several spectroscopic probes. Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared
by condensing a mixture of the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium
metal. The ruthenium metal surface was cooled to low temperatures initially. The results
were verified with the hydrate formed by standard methods. Cages of water are not
expected to form under such conditions.
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: The Hans India
Edition: Hyderabad
Page No: 7
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T. Pradeep
Headline: IIT-M creates ‘space fuel in lab
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: Andhra Jyothi
Edition: Hyderabad
Page No: 17
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T. Pradeep
Headline: అంతరిక్ష ఇంధనం సృష్టి (Space energy creation)
Date: 10th January 2019
Publication: DB Post
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof T Pradeep
Headline: To curb global warming, IIT Madras scientists create ‘space fuel’
URL: https://dbpost.com/to-curb-global-warming-iit-madras-scientists-create-space-fuel
To curb global warming, IIT Madras scientists create ‘space fuel’
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(PNAS), could help curb greenhouse gases as well as provide a new, sustainable source
of energy.
Chennai: IIT Madras scientists have created what they call ‘space fuel’ by simulating
interstellar conditions in the lab, a method that may be used to convert atmospheric CO2
into a next-generation energy source on Earth.
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(PNAS), could help curb greenhouse gases as well as provide a new, sustainable source
of energy.
“What we have found is that molecules like methane and ammonia in space could exist
in a completely different form than what is known to us,” Thalappil Pradeep of Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras told PTI.
Clathrate hydrates are molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, etc, trapped in well-
defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids.
They are formed at high pressures and low temperatures at places such as the ocean
floor, hundreds of metres below the sea level.
They are also found in glaciers such as in Siberia.
Such hydrates especially that of methane, are thought to be the future sources of fuel.
Many nations across the world including India have programmes to explore hydrates in
the ocean bed.
IIT Madras researchers formed such hydrates in vacuum, one thousand billion times below
the atmospheric pressure called ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and temperature lose to minus
263 degree Celsius.
These are the conditions present in deep space.
This discovery of hydrates is highly unexpected at extremely low pressures and ultra-cold
temperatures and may have several implications for the chemistry of such atmospheres,
Pradeep said.
An experimental UHV was specially built for such studies, which housed several
spectroscopic probes.
Nanometre thin layers of ice and methane were prepared by condensing a mixture of
the gases on a specially made single crystal of ruthenium metal.
The ruthenium metal surface was cooled to low temperatures initially.
Theformation of hydrates was studied by spectroscopy.
At first, when the gases were deposited, the spectroscopic features resembled solids of
methane and water ice.
However, as the hydrate cage formed with methane trapped in it, the molecule became
‘free’ as in the gas phase.
The observed changes were compared with theoretical simulations which confirmed the
hydrate formation.
The results were verified with the hydrate formed by standard methods.
Cages of water are not expected to form under such conditions as the water molecules
are frozen and cannot move at very low temperatures.
“Normally, in UHV experiments, spectroscopic changes are monitored only for minutes,
maybe an hour. I thought that why not wait for days and keep observing the changes.
After all, ice and methane have been sitting in the space for millions of years,” said
Pradeep.
“The excitement happened after 3 days. New features started coming. Then of course,
several experiments were done under controlled conditions,” he said.
Such hydrates were also formed with carbon dioxide, researchers said.
“Trapping carbon dioxide in hydrates is a way to reduce global warming. One can
sequester carbon dioxide gas as solid hydrates under the sea bed,” said Rajnish Kumar,
co-author in this study.
In hydrates, molecular confinement can result in new chemistry, especially in presence
of cosmic light present in the interstellar environment.
Understanding this chemistry may be important to better understand the origins of life.
Date: 13th January 2019
Publication: Morning India
Edition: Kolkata
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Headline: Methane in interstellar atmosphere can exist
Date: 13th January 2019
Publication: The Statesman
Edition: Kolkata
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-M creates ‘space fuel in lab
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: Telangana Today
Edition: Hyderabad
Page No: 7
Journalist: NA
Headline: ‘Space fuel created in lab conditions
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 6
Journalist: NA
Headline: Centre sanctions Rs 490-cr loan to IIT-M for research infra
URL: https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/01/13012746/1102655/Centre-
sanctions-Rs-490cr-loan-to-IITM-for-research-.vpf
Date: 15th January 2019
Publication: Mail Today
Edition: Delhi
Page No: 13
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras Breaktrhough in Clathrate Hydrates
Date: 20th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page no.: 5
Journalist: Pushpa Narayan
Professor: Prof R Krishnakumar
Headline: Study on heart pumps gives insight into brain strokes
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/prevention-for-complications-in-
patients-with-mechanical-pumps-gave-insight-to-stroke-
prevent/articleshow/67606571.cms
Date: 20th January 2019
Publication: WION TV
Edition: Electronic
Journalist: M Siddharth
Student: Vamsi Krishna
Headline: Students exhibit projects, build robots, fly drones at IIT Madras's tech fest
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QvzxTDp0w0&feature=youtu.be
Date: 22nd January 2019
Publication: Edex
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Alumni: Mr Fidal Kumar
Headline: This IITM alumni-founded start-up is developing microbial fuel cell tech to
generate electricity by treating textile wastewater
URL: https://www.edexlive.com/campus/2019/jan/21/this-iitm-alumni-founded-start-up-
is-developing-microbial-fuel-cell-tech-to-generate-electricity-by-5077.html
This IITM alumni-founded start-up is developing microbial fuel cell tech to generate
electricity by treating textile wastewater
A startup founded by an Indian Institute of Technology Madras Alumni has developed
microbial fuel cells that can generate electricity by treating textile wastewater.
JSP Enviro, which ventured into the cleantech business in 2016, is involved in treating and
recycling industrial wastewater, restoration of polluted water bodies, landscaping and
beautification projects besides treating wastewater for reuse. They are restoring a 30-
acre lake located in the Integral Coach Factory premises at Villivakkam, Chennai.
JSP Enviro also became the first Indian startup to bag funding from ‘EIT Climate-KIC’,
Europe’s largest Climate-based Accelerator in November 2018. The startup has
established a dedicated Research and Development team based at IIT Madras to
create new technologies for water treatment.
ICF Villivakkam lake chennai
Generate electricity from wastewater: JSP Enviro, which ventured into the cleantech
business in 2016, is involved in treating and recycling industrial wastewater, restoration of
polluted water bodies, landscaping and beautification projects
Speaking about the uniqueness of this technology and future plans, Dr V T Fidal Kumar,
Founder of the Startup and an IIT Madras alumnus (2017 Batch / Dept of Biotechnology),
said, "Microbial Fuel Cells are relatively a new technology and if implemented for all
major industrial effluents, we can aim to achieve high energy savings. I am hopeful that
this technology will create a great impact on the waste and energy sectors."
The current target segment for the startup is the dyeing industry. They aim to target the
small dyeing units in India which cannot afford large Common Effluent Treatment Plants.
The unique aspects of this technology developed by JSP Enviro include:
Energy positive effluent treatment technology – net zero OPEX (Operational Expenditure)
and carbon neutral process
Typical payback time is 5 years, contributed by energy savings, reduction in excess
sludge quantity and tax/carbon credits
Suitable even for small installations, with an organic load as low as 100 Kg BOD/Day
Product can be scaled up/down based on requirements with minimal maintenance, and
Currently, JSP Enviro is in the process of joining the IIT Madras Bioincubator to augment
R&D for its product. They are planning to launch a demonstration model by early 2020.
Dr Fidal Kumar is also Project Officer for Centre for NEMS & Nanophotonics, IIT Madras.
Elaborating on the technology, JSP Enviro Co-founder Dr Priyadharshini Mani, who has a
PhD from University of Westminster, London, said, "This product is based on environment-
friendly microorganisms that degrade the waste and produce electricity in the process.
The distinctive feature of our technology is that it is energy positive as opposed to the
energy-intensive technologies available in the market. The product requires minimal
maintenance and is targeted at dyeing, printing, leather, dairy industries in India. The
current systems used are expensive and have a high maintenance cost. Therefore, our
technology is expected to significantly reduce the cost, making it accessible to the small
industries."
JSP Enviro was one of the four Indian teams selected to represent the country in the
world’s largest green-business event called ‘Climate launchpad’ held in Scotland in
November 2018. They won the Second Place in an event that featured 135 teams from
50 countries and won prize money of 5000 Euros.
They pitch their ideas in front of leading investors and entrepreneurs. The event creates
a stage for people who have great clean tech ideas and helps them develop those
ideas into startups making a global impact. Climate KIC has supported more than 2000
start-ups making it one of the largest, worldwide.
Speaking about the business potential of the product, Co-founder Mr Suresh Paul, an
MBA graduate from London School of Commerce, UK, and a member of the startup,
said, "In an industrialized country like India, there is a high demand for environmental
solution technologies to meet the regulations imposed on industries to improve
environmental standards. Our MFC technology, which is low-cost and energy-efficient, is
one of the perfect solutions for these industries."
The company has a strong team of scientists, businessmen, and experienced
professionals to undertake various environmental projects. The founders of JSP Enviro
have a strong profile, bringing in expertise from various fields.
Dr Fidal Kumar has nine years of R&D experience in nanotechnology and product
development at IIT Madras and brings in sound technical knowledge to the team. Dr
Priyadharshini Mani’s PhD was based on developing enzyme-based water treatment of
textile effluents. She has considerable experience in working with industrial wastewater
and is proficient with water treatment methods. Mr Suresh Paul Jones brings in more than
10 years of marketing experience in various companies in India and UK. He has
experience in managing lake restoration and landscaping projects.
Date: 22nd January 2019
Publication: The Financial Express
Edition: Delhi / Mumbai / Pune / Bangalore / Hyderabad / Chennai / Kolkata / Kochi /
Ahmedabad / Chandigarh
Page No: 7
Journalist: NA
Alumni: Mr Fidal Kumar
Headline: Start-up’s fuel cells generate power from textile waste water
URL: https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/start-ups-fuel-cells-generate-power-
from-textile-waste-water/1450846/
Date: 22nd January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 9
Journalist: NA
Alumni:Mr Fidal Kumar
Headline: City start-up develops microbial fuel cell tech
Date: 23rd January 2019
Publication: Hindustan Times
Edition: Delhi /Faridabad/Noida
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-Madras offers AI-based tech to help army predict stone pelting in Jammu
and Kashmir
URL: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iit-madras-offers-ai-based-tech-to-
help-army-predict-stone-pelting-in-jammu-and-kashmir/story-
nFpvW68m42WNLXmu2AnIBN.html
Date: 23rd January 2019
Publication: India Education Diary
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Alumni: Dr. V.T. Fidal Kumar
Headline: IIT Madras Alumni-founded Startup developing Microbial Fuel Cell technology
to generate Electricity by treating Textile Wastewater
URL: http://indiaeducationdiary.in/iit-madras-alumni-founded-startup-developing-
microbial-fuel-cell-technology-generate-electricity-treating-textile-wastewater/
IIT Madras Alumni-founded Startup developing Microbial Fuel Cell technology to
generate Electricity by treating Textile Wastewater
A startup founded by an Indian Institute of Technology Madras Alumni has developed
microbial fuel cells that can generate electricity by treating textile wastewater.
JSP Enviro, which ventured into the clean tech business in 2016, is involved in treating and
recycling industrial wastewater, restoration of polluted water bodies, landscaping and
beautification projects besides treating wastewater for reuse. They are restoring a 30-
acre lake located in the Integral Coach Factory premises at Villivakkam, Chennai.
JSP Enviro also became the first Indian startup to bag funding from ‘EIT Climate-KIC’,
Europe’s largest Climate-based Accelerator in November 2018. The startup has
established a dedicated Research and Development team based at IIT Madras to
create new technologies for water treatment.
Speaking about the uniqueness of this technology and future plans, Dr. V.T. Fidal Kumar,
Founder of the Startup and an IIT Madras alumnus (2017Batch / Dept of Biotechnology),
said, “Microbial Fuel Cells are relatively a new technology and if implemented for all
major industrial effluents, we can aim to achieve high energy savings. I am hopeful that
this technology will create a great impact in the waste and energy sectors.”
The current target segment for the startup is the dyeing industry. They aim to target the
small dyeing units in India which cannot afford large Common Effluent Treatment Plants.
The unique aspects of this technology developed by JSP Enviro include:
Ø Energy positive effluent treatment technology – net zero OPEX (Operational
Expenditure) and carbon neutral process
Ø Typical payback time is 5 years, contributed by: energy savings, reduction in excess
sludge quantity and tax/carbon credits
Ø Suitable even for small installations, with organic load as low as 100 Kg BOD/Day
Ø Product can be scaled up/down based on requirements with minimal maintenance,
and
Currently, JSP Enviro is in the process of joining the IIT Madras Bioincubator to augment
R&D for its product. They are planning to launch a demonstration model by early 2020.
Dr. Fidal Kumar is also Project Officer for Centre for NEMS & Nanophotonics, IIT Madras.
Elaborating on the technology, JSP Enviro Co-founder Dr. Priyadharshini Mani, who has a
PhD from University of Westminster, London, said, “This product is based on environment
friendly microorganisms that degrade the waste and produce electricity in the process.
The distinctive feature of our technology is that it is energy positive as opposed to the
energy intensive technologies available in the market. The product requires minimal
maintenance and is targeted towards dyeing, printing, leather, dairy industries in India.
The current systems used are expensive and have high maintenance cost. Therefore, our
technology is expected to significantly reduce the cost, making it accessible to the small
industries.”
JSP Enviro was one of the four Indian teams selected to represent the country in the
world’s largest green-business event called ‘Climate launchpad’ held in Scotland in
November 2018. They won the Second Place in an event that featured 135 teams from
50 countries and won a prize money of 5000 Euros.
They pitch their ideas in front of leading investors and entrepreneurs. The event creates
a stage for people who have great clean tech ideas and helps them develop those
ideas into startups making global impact. Climate KIC has supported more than 2000
start-ups making it one of the largest, worldwide.
Speaking about the business potential of the product, Co-founder Mr. Suresh Paul, an
MBA graduate from London School of Commerce, U.K., and a member of the startup,
said, “In an industrialized country like India, there is a high demand for environmental
solution technologies to meet the regulations imposed on industries to improve
environmental standards. Our MFC technology, which is low-cost and energy-efficient, is
one of the perfect solutions for these industries.”
The company has a strong team of Scientists, Businessmen and experienced professionals
to undertake various environmental projects. The founders of JSP Enviro have a strong
profile, bringing in expertise from various fields.
Dr. Fidal Kumar has nine years of R&D experience in nanotechnology and product
development at IIT Madras and brings in sound technical knowledge to the team. Dr.
Priyadharshini Mani’s PhD was based on developing enzyme-based water treatment of
textile effluents. She has considerable experience in working with industrial wastewater
and is proficient with the water treatment methods. Mr. Suresh Paul Jones brings in more
than 10 years of marketing experience in various companies in India and U.K. He has
experience in managing lake restoration and landscaping projects.
Date: 23rd January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Alumni: Dr. V.T. Fidal Kumar
Headline: Power from waste water, IIT-M alumni’s new idea
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jan/23/power-from-waste-
water-iit-m-alumnis-new-idea-1928840.html
Power from waste water, IIT-M alumni’s new idea
An IIT-Madras alumni has found a way to generate electricity from waste water
generated by the textiles industry. A statement issued by the institute says VT Fidal Kumar
and his start-up JSP Enviro have developed microbial fuel cells, which can generate
current by treating the waste water.
“Microbial fuel cells are relatively a new technology and if implemented for all major
industrial effluents, we can aim to achieve high energy savings.” The current target
segment for the start-up is the dyeing industry. They are looking to target small dyeing
units in India which cannot afford large common effluent treatment plants.
“This product is based on environment-friendly microorganisms that degrade the waste
and produce electricity in the process. The product requires minimal maintenance and
is targeted towards dyeing, printing, leather, dairy industries in India. The current systems
used are expensive and have high maintenance cost. Therefore, our technology is
expected to significantly reduce the cost,” says co-founder Priyadharshini Mani.
JSP Enviro is the first Indian start-up to bag funding from EIT Climate-KIC.
Date: 23rd January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Alumni: Dr. V.T. Fidal Kumar
Headline: IIT-M startup uses effluents to generate power
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/iit-m-startup-uses-effluents-to-
generate-power/articleshow/67647972.cms
Date: 23rd January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 2
Journalist: NA
Alumni: Dr. Priyadharshini Mani and Dr. V.T. Fidal Kumar
Headline: Chennai: Technology developed to produce electricity from textile
wastewater
URL: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/230119/chennai-
technology-developed-to-produce-electricity-from-textile-wast.html
Date: 24th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India - Tamil
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT-Madras startup uses effluents to generate power
URL: https://tamil.samayam.com/latest-news/technology-news/iit-madras-student-fidal-
kumar-has-invented-a-machine-to-control-effluents-and-generate-
power/articleshow/67653062.cms
IIT-Madras startup uses effluents to generate power
தென்னன ஐஐடி-யில் 2017ம் ஆண்டு பதயொ தடக்னொலஜி படிே்து பட்டம் தபற்ற
ஃபிடல் குமொர ் என்ற மொணவர ் மின்ெொரே்னே கண்டுபிடிக்க புதிய முயற்சி
ஒன்னற தமற்தகொண்டுள்ளொர.்
கொற்றொனல, சூரிய மின்ெக்தி, ேண்ணீர ் மின் ெக்தி தபொன்ற பல இயற்னக
வழிகளில் மின் ெக்தினய ேயொரிக்க விஞ்ஞொனிகள் முயல்கின்றனர.் நிலக்கரி,
அணு மின் நினலயங்களொல் கினடகுக்கும் மின்ெொரம் ஒருநொள் அழிந்துதபொவது
நிெெ்யம். மொணவரக்ள் பலர ் இயற்னக மின் ெக்தினய ேயொரிே்து அறிவியல்
கண்கொட்சிகளில் கொட்சி படுேத்ுகின்றனர.்
இந்நினலயில் நுண் உயிரிகனள உனடப்பேொல் மின்ெொரம் உருவொக்கும்
முனறனய கண்டறிந்துள்ளொர.் தென்னன ஐஐடி பதயொதடக்னொலஜி மொணவர ்
ஃபிடல் குமொர.்
ெொயே் தேொழிற்ெொனல, பிரிண்டிங் தேொழிற்ெொனல, தேொல் தேொழிற்ெொனல
கழிவுகள் ஆற்றில் கலந்து ேண்ணீர ் மொசு ஏற்படுே்துகின்றன. இேனனே ்
ேடுக்கவும் மின்ெொரம் ேயொரிக்கவும் பயன்படுகிறது இந்ே இயந்திரம். நீரில்
கலக்கும் ரெொயனேன்ே நுன் உயிரிகள் தகொண்டு உனடே்து அேன்மூலமொக
மின்ெொரம் ேயொரிக்கலொம். இேனொல் நீரில் உள்ள ரெொயனங்கள் தகொல்லப்பட்டு
ஆற்று நீரும் சுே்ேமொகும் என்கிறொர ் குமொர.் இந்ே இயந்திரே்துக்கு பரொமரிப்பு
தெலவு மிகமிகக் குனறவு. இேனன நொடு முழுவதும் தகொண்டுவந்ேொல் குனறந்ே
தெலவில் மின்ெொரம் ேயொரிக்க முடியும் என்கிறொர.்
Date: 24th January 2019
Publication: Study Buzz
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Alumni: Dr. V.T. Fidal Kumar
Headline: IIT Madras alumni founded startup developing microbial fuel cell technology
URL: https://www.studybuzz.in/education/iit-madras-alumni-founded-startup-
developing-microbial-fuel-cell-technology
IIT Madras alumni founded startup developing microbial fuel cell technology
A startup founded by an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Alumni has developed
microbial fuel cells that can generate electricity by treating textile wastewater. JSP
Enviro, which ventured into the clean tech business in 2016, is involved in treating and
recycling industrial wastewater, restoration of polluted water bodies, landscaping and
beautification projects besides treating wastewater for reuse. They are restoring a 30-
acre lake located in the Integral Coach Factory premises at Villivakkam, Chennai.
The startup has established a dedicated Research and Development team based at IIT
Madras to create new technologies for water treatment.
Speaking about the development, Dr. V.T. Fidal Kumar, Founder of Startup and an IIT
Madras alumnus (from Dept of Biotechnology /2017 Batch/ ) said, “Microbial Fuel Cells
are relatively a new technology and if implemented for all major industrial effluents, we
can aim to achieve high energy savings. I am hopeful that this technology will create a
great impact in the waste and energy sectors.”
Startup’s USP
The current target segment for the startup is the dyeing industry. They aim to target the
small dyeing units in India which cannot afford large Common Effluent Treatment Plants.
The unique aspects of this technology developed by JSP Enviro include:
Energy positive effluent treatment technology – net zero OPEX (Operational Expenditure)
and carbon neutral process.
Typical payback time is 5 years, contributed by: energy savings, reduction in excess
sludge quantity and tax/carbon credits.
Suitable even for small installations, with organic load as low as 100 Kg BOD/Day.
Product can be scaled up/down based on requirements with minimal maintenance.
Joining IIT Madras Bioincubator
Currently, JSP Enviro is in the process of joining the IIT Madras Bioincubator to augment
R&D for its product. They are planning to launch a demonstration model by early 2020.
Dr. Fidal Kumar is also Project Officer for Centre for NEMS & Nanophotonics, IIT Madras.
Elaborating on the technology, JSP Enviro Co-founder Dr. Priyadharshini Mani, who has a
PhD from University of Westminster, London, said, “This product is based on environment
friendly microorganisms that degrade the waste and produce electricity in the process.
The distinctive feature of our technology is that it is energy positive as opposed to the
energy intensive technologies available in the market. The product requires minimal
maintenance and is targeted towards dyeing, printing, leather, dairy industries in India.
The current systems used are expensive and have high maintenance cost. Therefore, our
technology is expected to significantly reduce the cost, making it accessible to the small
industries.”
JSP Enviro was one of the four Indian teams selected to represent the country in the
world’s largest green-business event called ‘Climate launchpad’ held in Scotland in
November 2018. They won the Second Place in an event that featured 135 teams from
50 countries and won a prize money of 5000 Euros.
Date: 25th January 2019
Publication: Swarajya
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras Students Create AI-Based Crowd Analysis Technology; Offer It To
Indian Army To Take On Stone Pelters
URL: https://swarajyamag.com/insta/iit-madras-students-create-ai-based-crowd-
analysis-technology-offer-it-to-indian-army-to-take-on-stone-pelters
IIT Madras Students Create AI-Based Crowd Analysis Technology; Offer It To Indian Army
To Take On Stone Pelters
Students from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Madras have created
an artificial intelligence (AI) - based technology which can predict crowd behaviour.
They have offered this system to the Indian Army for potential use in Jammu & Kashmir to
take on violent stone pelters, reports Hindustan Times.
“Using action recognition algorithms, crowd density maps and analysis of live images
coming in from CCTV cameras, it is possible to predict abnormal events including stone
pelting. We think it could help the Indian Army that faces such attacks regularly in J&K,”
the student executive head, Centre for Innovation, IIT-Madras, S Raghav Vaidyanathan
stated.
Stone pelters routinely target security forces during anti-terror operations in order to
enable terrorists to escape.
Recently, four of the IIT Madras students who were part of the project group travelled to
Delhi to participate in the Army Technology Seminar-2019. This programme aims to bring
together military, academia and industry on the same platform to come up with
indigenous solutions to military needs.
The Army Design Bureau manages the initiative and acts as a connector between the
army and the private sector to fulfil requirements of the former.
A group of army officers will be travelling to Chennai soon to take stock of the different
solutions that offered by IIT Madras.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu Business line
Edition: Mumbai/Pune/Hyderabad/Chennai/Kolkata/Ahemdabad
Journalist: NA
Headline: DST Mission Centres at IIT-M
URL: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/dst-mission-centres-at-iit-
m/article26092869.ece
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 6
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Prof Ligy Philip and Ramachandra Rao
Headline: Three tech mission centres on solar energy and water treatment
at IIT Madras
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/three-tech-mission-centres-on-
solar-energy-and-water-treatment-at-iit-madras/articleshow/67689652.cms
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 7
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Prof Ravindra Gettu
Headline: Three solar energy, water treatment mission centres launched at IIT-M
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jan/26/three-solar-energy-
water-treatment-mission-centres-launched-at-iit-m-1930161.html
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: The Indian Express
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras gets three DST mission centres on solar energy and water treatment
URL: https://indianexpress.com/article/education/iit-madras-gets-three-dst-mission-
centres-on-solar-energy-and-water-treatment-5555268/
IIT Madras gets three DST mission centres on solar energy and water treatment
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has established three mission centres
at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) at the collective cost of Rs 50 crore.
The centres were aimed at research and development in the field of solar and water
treatment.
Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister for Science and Technology, inaugurated the three
DST mission centres, namely, DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, DST- IITM Centre
for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and
Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER), and DST-IITM-KGDS
Test-bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur, Ramanathapuram
District, Tamil Nadu.
The IIT-Madras already has a DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre set up at the tune
of Rs 16 crore, which has been expanded with an investment of Rs 39 crore to become
one of the three DST mission centres. It will also be available to other institutes including,
IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, and BHEL for research and development purposes.
In his presiding lecture, Vardhan said it was of utmost importance to address the water
and energy-related challenges faced by India. He asked the students and scientists to
“make breakthroughs in the fields through research and position India at the frontiers of
global innovations”.
He said the dependence of rural and semi-urban India on unprotected surface or
groundwater for drinking purpose and need for proper waste-water management to
avoid contamination can be addressed only through concerted and holistic inter-
disciplinary research.
The DST – IITM Water – IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER will be available for CSIR-CLRI
Chennai, Anna University, VIT Chennai, PRIST University, Indian Institute of Toxicological
Research-Lucknow, IIT Tirupati, Kumaon University, IISER Bhopal. This Centre has been
supported at a cost of Rs 9 crore.
The DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions is being established in
collaboration with Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customised technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the
shores of the Bay of Bengal. The facility is being set up at a cost of Rs 3 crore to
demonstrate the Solar powered Forward Osmosis in this coastal village to benefit
approximately a population of 10,000 who face severe drinking water scarcity.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Edex
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: MS Ramachandra Rao
Headline: Surya Bhagwan is showing his blessing: Science Minister Harsh Vardhan while
unveiling solar energy project at IIT Madras
URL: https://www.edexlive.com/news/2019/jan/26/surya-bhagwan-is-showing-his-
blessing-science-minister-harsh-vardhan-while-unveiling-solar-energy-p-5146.html
Surya Bhagwan is showing his blessing: Science Minister Harsh Vardhan while unveiling
solar energy project at IIT Madras
Solar is the new cool. While scientists are pushing their frontiers to increase energy
conversion outcomes and look for sustainable solutions to Earth's impending energy crisis
by look skyward, Union Minister for Science, Technology, Earth Science, Environment,
Forests and Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan also looked skyward to the sun, but with
his trademark hat doff to India's glorious past, "Surya Bhagwan had always been there.
He is showing his blessing and we should utilise it the right way," he said to a room full of
researchers, scientists and industry leaders from the solar energy spectrum, gathered at
IIT Madras.
The Minister, whose comments on how ancient Indians had invented the Pythagoras
Theorem before the Greeks took undue credit and that we had a handle on Algebra
before the Arabs got there have met with a lot of trolling online, appears unfettered by
all of it. His support of a paper presented at a previous Indian Science Congress where
the author said that ancient Indian sages had planes that were 60x60 feet and had an
array of tiny engines, also came in for a lot of criticism.
Harsh Vardhan was unveiling three cutting-edge research centres helmed by the
Department of Science of Technology. The DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre,
coordinated by Prof MS Ramachandra Rao with a team of 29 faculty members from IITM
and 6 collaborating institutions, was set up as a result of successful completion of several
competitive grants to the tune of Rs. 16 Crore from the DST to carry out various solar
energy research and development projects under the Solar Energy Research Initiative of
DST. The impactful, fundamental and applied research carried out over the last four years
has resulted in networking of various departments of IIT Madras, academic institutions
and solar industry. This has culminated in the establishment of DST- IITM Solar Harnessing
Centre with additional Central Government funding support of about Rs 39 crore. The
network of researchers engaged in the centre comprises of scientists from IIT Madras, IIT-
Guwahati, Anna University, and BHEL, which is further expanding.
The Union Minister also lavished praise on the Prime Minister and his dint for scientific spirit
and temper, "Our Prime Minister has unusual capabilities of taking India back to its glorious
past and he is always reminding us of our scientific social responsibility," he explained.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Business Standard
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Three DST Technology Mission Centres launched
URL: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/three-dst-technology-
mission-centres-launched-119012501088_1.html
Three DST Technology Mission Centres launched
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan Friday launched three DST Technology Mission Centres,
which will undertake Research and Development in solar energy and water
management, among others.
Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences and Environment,
Forests and Climate Change, lauded Indian scientists for their contributions, even as he
noted that science had the potential to 'virtually' solving every other problems faced by
the country.
He launched the DST-IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, DST-IITM Centre for Sustainable
Treatment, reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and Synergistic Solutions for
Water and the DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar Thermal Desalinsation Solutions, set up
in Ramanathapuram district.
Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT, Madras, said the centres were focussed on critical
technologies for sustainability like harnessing of solar energy in myriad ways, and
scientific recycling and conservation of water.
The solar thermal desalination solution is being set up by IIT-M and Empereal KGDS
in Ramanathapuram district to deliver customised technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village.
Speaking at the event, Harsh Vardhan lauded the Indian scientific community and
hailed the rapid strides made by India in the field of Science and Technology, including
advanced early tsunami warning mechanisms.
"Science has the potential to virtually solve every other problem," he said.
Harsh Vardhan referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on areas like clean
energy, including solar power and asserted that the country was on its way to achieve
various targets in these areas.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said the world was lauding Modi for his contribution on
issues like climate change and pointed to the Prime Minister's ambitious Solar Alliance
and said 71 countries had joined the effort.
With LPG connections reaching 60 million women and fast paced electrification efforts,
among others, the country was marching ahead in a progressive manner, he said.
He also recalled his Ministry's 'Green Good Deeds' movement initiative, which aims at
protecting the environment and promote good living in the country.
To a question on a possible nation-wide plastic ban, as being enforced in Tamil Nadu and
Maharashtra,he said the issue of reducing or even eliminating single use plastic was not
only a plan of India, but even a goal of the United Nations.
The government had earlier 'revisited' all waste management rules including that of
plastic, he said.
It had regular interaction with relevant stakeholders to do the required changes and
improvements, he said.
"We have to make society aware of the fact that these single use plastics, as soon as we
eliminate them, it is going to help is in a big way," he added.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: The Week
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: TN-HARSH VARDHAN
URL:https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/business/2019/01/25/mes6-tn-
harshvardhan.html
TN-HARSH VARDHAN
Three DST Technology Mission Centres launched
Chennai, Jan 25 (PTI) Union Minister Harsh Vardhan
Friday launched three DST Technology Mission Centres, which
will undertake Research and Development in solar energy and
water management, among others.
Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science, Technology and Earth
Sciences and Environment, Forests and Climate Change, lauded
Indian scientists for their contributions, even as he noted
that science had the potential to 'virtually' solving every
other problems faced by the country.
He launched the DST-IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre,
DST-IITM Centre for Sustainable Treatment, reuse and
Management for Efficient, Affordable and Synergistic Solutions
for Water and the DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar Thermal
Desalinsation Solutions, set up in Ramanathapuram district.
Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT, Madras, said the
centres were focussed on critical technologies for
sustainability like harnessing of solar energy in myriad ways,
and scientific recycling and conservation of water.
The solar thermal desalination solution is being set up
by IIT-M and Empereal KGDS in Ramanathapuram district to
deliver customised technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village.
Speaking at the event, Harsh Vardhan lauded the Indian
scientific community and hailed the rapid strides made by
India in the field of Science and Technology, including
advanced early tsunami warning mechanisms.
"Science has the potential to virtually solve every other
problem," he said.
Harsh Vardhan referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
focus on areas like clean energy, including solar power and
asserted that the country was on its way to achieve various
targets in these areas.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said the world was
lauding Modi for his contribution on issues like climate
change and pointed to the Prime Minister's ambitious Solar
Alliance and said 71 countries had joined the effort.
With LPG connections reaching 60 million women and fast
paced electrification efforts, among others, the country was
marching ahead in a progressive manner, he said.
He also recalled his Ministry's 'Green Good Deeds'
movement initiative, which aims at protecting the environment
and promote good living in the country.
To a question on a possible nation-wide plastic ban, as
being enforced in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra,he said the issue
of reducing or even eliminating single use plastic was not
only a plan of India, but even a goal of the United Nations.
The government had earlier 'revisited' all waste
management rules including that of plastic, he said.
It had regular interaction with relevant stakeholders to
do the required changes and improvements, he said.
"We have to make society aware of the fact that these
single use plastics, as soon as we eliminate them, it is going
to help is in a big way," he added.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Economic Times
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
URL: https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/three-tech-
missions-on-solar-water-treatment-to-be-launched-at-iit-madras/67684433
Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change will launch three technology mission centres
at IIT Madras on Friday to address various issues around solar energyand water treatment,
a government statement said on Thursday.
"All the three centres will be set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST),"
Vardhan's office said in a release.
The first, it said, is the DST-IIT Madras Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
"The centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development
activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian
conditions. It is likely to be a true change agent in the energy landscape of India. The
consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability requirements in the spirit of
Make in India," the release said.
Scientists from IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited (BHEL) and KGDS Renewable Energy Private Limited will be engaged
in the activities of the centre.
Second in line is the DST-IIT Madras Water Innovation Centre for sustainable treatment,
reuse and management which has been established with the aim to undertake
synchronized research and training programmes on various issues related to wastewater
management, water treatment, sensor development, stormwater management and
distribution and collection systems.
"This multi-institutional virtual centre will be looking into a sustainable approach for water
resources protection and augmentation through wastewater treatment and reuse and
stormwater management.
"The centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in different premier
organizations working in the area of wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development and stormwater management to collaborate and work in synergized
manner to ensure adequate and safe sources of drinking water for rural and urban India
and process water for highly polluting industries, through research, technology
development and capacity building," the Science and Technology Ministry said.
The third one would be the test bed on solar thermal desalination solutions which are
being established by IIT Madras and KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal villages located on
the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Eletimes
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Government to launch Technology Mission Centre on Solar Energy
URL: https://www.eletimes.com/government-to-launch-technology-mission-centre-on-
solar-energy
Government to launch Technology Mission Centre on Solar Energy
Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests &
Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan will be launching three important centre’s set up by
Department of Science and Technology (DST), nucleated at Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras (IITM) on 25th January 2019 at IIT Madras in Chennai.
The first of these is the establishment of DST –IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre. The
Centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development activities
such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.
The network of researchers engaged in centre comprise of scientists from IIT Madras, IIT-
Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, BHEL and KGDS, which will be further expanded.
The objective is to create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the
knowledge eco-system .The centre is likely to be true change agent in the energy
landscape of India. The consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability
requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’.
Second in line is the DST-IITM Water –IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER (DST- IITM Water
Innovation Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable and Synergistic Solutions) which has been established with an aim to
undertake synchronized research and training programs on various issues related to
wastewater management, water treatment, sensor development, storm water
management and distribution and collection systems. This multi institutional Virtual Centre
will be looking into a sustainable approach for water resources protection and
augmentation through wastewater treatment and reuse and storm water management.
The Centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in different premier
organizations working in the area of wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development and storm water management to collaborate and work in synergized
manner to ensure adequate, safe, reliable and sustainable sources of drinking water for
rural and urban India and process water for highly polluting and water intensive industries,
through research, technology development and capacity building.
The third one would be the Test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions which are
being established by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the
shores of the Bay of Bengal. The development would provide customized technological
water solution to provide potable water to coastal areas using solar energy.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: UNI
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Harshan Varhan launches 3 DST centres at IIT -M
URL: http://www.uniindia.com/~/harsh-vardhan-launches-3-dst-mission-centres-at-iit-
m/States/news/1478789.html
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Techi Expert
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Prof. M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Prof. Ligy
Philip
Headline: 3 DST Technology Mission Centres On Solar Energy & Water Treatment
At IIT Madras
URL: https://www.techiexpert.com/3-dst-technology-mission-centres-on-solar-energy-
water-treatment-at-iit-madras
3 DST Technology Mission Centres On Solar Energy & Water Treatment At IIT Madras
Hon’ble Union Minister for Science, Technology & Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests
& Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan today (25th Jan 2019) launched three Department
of Science and Technology’s (DST) Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water Treatment
at Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
These centres, which have been established at a collective investment of Rs 50 Crores,
have the mission of providing state-of-art research led innovative technological solutions
for prevalent and emerging water and energy challenges facing the country.
Delivering the Presidential Address, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “I urge Scientists and
technocrats, to aspire to achieve breakthroughs through cutting edge research which
could position India at the frontiers of global innovations. Development and application
of advanced tools and techniques by leading Indian institutions for water and energy is
of utmost importance to address the critical scientific challenges involved. The current
endeavours are few such steps in this direction.”
Dr. Harsh Vardhan emphasised the commitment of the Government to harness science
and technology for the societal challenges through roping in extra ordinary capabilities
of scientists and scientific institution under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri
Narendra Modi. The national missions namely ‘Namami Gange,’ ‘Swachch Bharat,’
‘Solar Mission’ and ‘Swastha Bharat’ are directed towards sustainable solutions
Dr. Harsh Vardhan also spoke about the dependence of rural and peri-urban India on
unprotected surface or groundwater for drinking purpose and need for proper
wastewater management to avoid contamination of emerging pollutants like
pharmaceuticals and personnel care products into water sources. The need for
minimising loss of water in distribution systems, harnessing storm water and greater water
use efficiency for water intensive industries like textile and tanneries was also
highlighted. He added that these complex and formidable challenges in water sector
can be addressed only through concerted and holistic inter-disciplinary research.
The three centres that have been established by the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India, and nucleated at IIT Madras are:
• DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
• DST- IITM Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable & Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER).
• DST-IITM-KGDS Test bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu
Speaking earlier, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras is
honoured that the Hon’ble Minister for Science, Technology, and Earth Sciences, and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan is launching three
important DST Technology Mission Centres at its campus today. The Centres are focussed
on critical technologies for sustainability – harnessing of solar energy in myriad ways, and
scientific recycling and conservation of water. IIT Madras is grateful to the Department of
Science and Technology for its generous support to establish these world-class Centres
of Excellence and is committed to deliver new knowledge and solutions to address
India’s sustainable development goals.”
Dr. Sanjay Bajpai, Head (TMD), Department of Science and Technology, Government of
India, gave an introduction to the Mission Initiatives. Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial
Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, also spoke.
The DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, coordinated by Prof. M.S. Ramachandra
Rao with a team of 29 faculty members from IITM and 6 collaborating institutions, was set
up as a result of successful completion of several competitive grants to the tune of Rs. 16
Crore from the DST to carry out various solar energy research and development projects
under the Solar Energy Research Initiative of DST. The impactful, fundamental and
applied research carried out over the last four years has resulted in networking of various
departments of IIT Madras, academic institutions and solar industry. This has culminated
in the establishment of DST- IITM Solar Harnessing Centre with additional Central
Government funding support of about Rs. 39 crore.
The network of researchers engaged in the centre comprises of scientists from IIT Madras,
IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, and BHEL, which is further expanding. The objective is to
create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the knowledge eco-
system. The consortium will be duly poised to address the energy sustainability
requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’. More details about the centre can be viewed
at https://dsehc.iitm.ac.in which was also launched by the minister.
The DST – IITM Water – IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER (DST-IITM Water Innovation Centre
for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and
Synergistic Solutions), coordinated by Prof. Ligy Philip, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT
Madras, has been established to undertake synchronized research and training
programs on various issues related to wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development, storm water management and distribution and collection systems. The
lead organisation is IIT Madras with eight partnering institutions: CSIR-CLRI Chennai, Anna
University, VIT Chennai, PRIST University, Indian Institute of Toxicological Research-
Lucknow, IIT Tirupati, Kumaon University, IISER Bhopal.
Building upon generous project support to a plethora of water projects at IIT Madras, this
Centre has been supported at a cost of Rs. 9 crore by Department of Science and
Technology. More details on the centre can be viewed
at https://web.iitm.ac.in/sutramforeasywater
The DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions, coordinated by Prof.
T. Sundararajan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, is being established
by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur, Ramanathapuram
District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the shores of the Bay
of Bengal. The facility is being set up at a cost of Rs. 3 crore to demonstrate the Solar
powered Forward Osmosis in this coastal village to benefit approximately a population
of 10,000 who face severe drinking water scarcity. This test bed will aid developing and
demonstrating the technology to produce high quality drinking water from sea water for
the benefit of local people utilizing Forward Osmosis.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Thanthi Tv
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: சுற்றுச ்சூழலக்கு உகந்த மின்சுார இலக்கு(An environmentally friendly
target destination)
URL: https://www.thanthitv.com/News/TamilNadu/2019/01/25170742/1022997/chennai-
IIT-University-Electric-target.vpf
சுற்றுச ்சூழலக்கு உகந்த மின்சுார இலக்கு
தென்னன ஐ.ஐ.டி. வளொகே்தில் சூரிய மின்ெக்தி மற்றும் நீர ்சுே்திகரிப்பேற்கொன
அறிவியல் தேொழில் நுட்பே் துனறயின் 3 னமயங்கனள மே்திய அனமெெ்ர ்
ஹரஷ்வரே்ன் இன்று தேொடங்கி னவேே்ொர.் பின்னர ் தெய்தியொளரிடம் தபசிய
அவர,் நொட்டின் தமொே்ே மின் தேனவயில் 40 ெேவீே மின்ெொர ேயொரிப்பு சுற்றுெ ்
சூழலுக்கு மொசு ஏற்படுே்ேொேேொக இருக்க தவண்டும் என்பது இலக்கு என்றும்,
அதில் ேற்தபொது 35 ெேவீேே்னே எட்டி உள்ளேொகவும் கூறினொர.்
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Careers 360
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Ravindra Gettu
Headline: Three DST Technology Mission Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment
established at IIT Madras
URL: https://news.careers360.com/three-dst-technology-mission-centres-solar-energy-
water-treatment-established-iit-madras
Three DST Technology Mission Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment established
at IIT Madras
Union Minister for Science, Technology & Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests &
Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched three Department of Science and
Technology's (DST) Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water Treatment at Indian
Institute of Technology Madras.
These centres, which have been established at a collective investment of Rs 50 Crores,
have the mission of providing state-of-art research led innovative technological solutions
for prevalent and emerging water and energy challenges facing the country.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “I urge Scientists and technocrats, to aspire to achieve
breakthroughs through cutting edge research which could position India at the frontiers
of global innovations. Development and application of advanced tools and techniques
by leading Indian institutions for water and energy is of utmost importance to address the
critical scientific challenges involved. The current endeavours are few such steps in this
direction.”
Dr. Harsh Vardhan emphasised the commitment of the Government to harness science
and technology for the societal challenges through roping in extra ordinary capabilities
of scientists and scientific institution under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri
Narendra Modi. The national missions namely ‘Namami Gange,’ ‘Swachch Bharat,’
‘Solar Mission’ and ‘Swastha Bharat’ are directed towards sustainable solutions
The three centres that have been established by the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India, and nucleated at IIT Madras are:
Ø DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
Ø DST- IITM Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable & Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER).
Ø DST-IITM-KGDS Test bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu
Speaking earlier, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras is
honoured that the Hon’ble Minister for Science, Technology, and Earth Sciences, and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan is launching three
important DST Technology Mission Centres at its campus today. The Centres are focussed
on critical technologies for sustainability - harnessing of solar energy in myriad ways, and
scientific recycling and conservation of water. IIT Madras is grateful to the Department of
Science and Technology for its generous support to establish these world-class Centres
of Excellence and is committed to deliver new knowledge and solutions to address
India’s sustainable development goals.”
Dr. Sanjay Bajpai, Head (TMD), Department of Science and Technology, Government of
India, gave an introduction to the Mission Initiatives. Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial
Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, also spoke.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Devdicourse
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Three DST Technology Mission Centres launched
URL: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/346112-three-dst-technology-
mission-centres-launched
Three DST Technology Mission Centres launched
Union Minister Harsh VardhanFriday launched three DST Technology Mission Centres,
which will undertake Research and Development in solar energy and water
management, among others. Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science, Technology and Earth
Sciences and Environment, Forests and Climate Change, lauded Indian scientists for their
contributions, even as he noted that science had the potential to 'virtually' solving every
other problems faced by the country.
He launched the DST-IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, DST-IITM Centre for Sustainable
Treatment, reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and Synergistic Solutions for
Water and the DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar Thermal Desalinsation Solutions, set up in
Ramanathapuram district. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT, Madras, said
the centres were focussed on critical technologies for sustainability like harnessing of solar
energy in myriad ways, and scientific recycling and conservation of water.
The solar thermal desalination solution is being set up by IIT-M and Empereal KGDS
in Ramanathapuram district to deliver customised technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village. Speaking at the event, Harsh
Vardhan lauded the Indianscientific community and hailed the rapid strides made by
India in the field of Science and Technology, including advanced early tsunami warning
mechanisms.
"Science has the potential to virtually solve every other problem," he said. Harsh
Vardhan referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on areas like clean energy,
including solar power and asserted that the country was on its way to achieve various
targets in these areas.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said the world was lauding Modi for his contribution on
issues like climate change and pointed to the Prime Minister's ambitious Solar Alliance
and said 71 countries had joined the effort. With LPG connections reaching 60 million
women and fast paced electrification efforts, among others, the country was marching
ahead in a progressive manner, he said.
He also recalled his Ministry's 'Green Good Deeds' movement initiative, which aims at
protecting the environment and promote good living in the country. To a question on a
possible nation-wide plastic ban, as being enforced in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra,he
said the issue of reducing or even eliminating single use plastic was not only a plan of
India, but even a goal of the United Nations.
The government had earlier 'revisited' all waste management rules including that of
plastic, he said. It had regular interaction with relevant stakeholders to do the required
changes and improvements, he said.
"We have to make society aware of the fact that these single use plastics, as soon as we
eliminate them, it is going to help is in a big way," he added.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Energy infra Post
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Three Tech Missions On Solar, Water Treatment To Be Launched At IIT Madras
URL: http://energyinfrapost.com/three-tech-missions-solar-water-treatment-launched-iit-
madras/
Three Tech Missions On Solar, Water Treatment To Be Launched At IIT Madras
Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change will launch three technology mission centres
at IIT Madras on Friday to address various issues around solar energy and water treatment,
a government statement said on Thursday.
“All the three centres will be set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST),”
Vardhan’s office said in a release.
The first, it said, is the DST-IIT Madras Solar Energy Harnessing Centre. “The centre will focus
on a wide range of research and technology development activities such as silicon solar
cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Surya .Com
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
URL: https://www.suryaa.com/64038-three-tech-missions-on-solar-water-treatment-to-
be-launched-at-iit-madras.html
Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change will launch three technology mission centres
at IIT Madras on Friday to address various issues around solar energy and water treatment,
a government statement said on Thursday.
"All the three centres will be set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST),"
Vardhan's office said in a release.
The first, it said, is the DST-IIT Madras Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
"The centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development
activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian
conditions. It is likely to be a true change agent in the energy landscape of India. The
consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability requirements in the spirit of
Make in India," the release said.
Scientists from IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited (BHEL) and KGDS Renewable Energy Private Limited will be engaged
in the activities of the centre.
Second in line is the DST-IIT Madras Water Innovation Centre for sustainable treatment,
reuse and management which has been established with the aim to undertake
synchronized research and training programmes on various issues related to wastewater
management, water treatment, sensor development, stormwater management and
distribution and collection systems.
"This multi-institutional virtual centre will be looking into a sustainable approach for water
resources protection and augmentation through wastewater treatment and reuse and
stormwater management.
"The centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in different premier
organizations working in the area of wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development and stormwater management to collaborate and work in synergized
manner to ensure adequate and safe sources of drinking water for rural and urban India
and process water for highly polluting industries, through research, technology
development and capacity building," the Science and Technology Ministry said.
The third one would be the test bed on solar thermal desalination solutions which are
being established by IIT Madras and KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal villages located on
the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Study Buzz
Edition: Online
Journalist: Priyanshi
Professor: Prof. M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Prof. T.
Sundararajan
Headline: 3 DST Technology Mission Centres Launched at IIT Madras
URL:https://www.studybuzz.in/education/3-dst-technology-mission-centres-launched-
at-iit-madras 3 DST Technology Mission Centres Launched at IIT Madras
Union Minister for Science, Technology & Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests &
Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan on January 25, 2019 launched three Department of
Science and Technology’s (DST) Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water Treatment at
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
These centres, which have been established at a collective investment of Rs 50 Crores,
have the mission of providing state-of-art research led innovative technological solutions
for prevalent and emerging water and energy challenges facing the country.
Speaking about the development, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “I urge Scientists and
technocrats, to aspire to achieve breakthroughs through cutting edge research which
could position India at the frontiers of global innovations. Development and application
of advanced tools and techniques by leading Indian institutions for water and energy is
of utmost importance to address the critical scientific challenges involved. The current
endeavours are few such steps in this direction.”
About Centres
The three centres that have been established by the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India, and nucleated at IIT Madras are:
DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
DST- IITM Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable & Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER).
DST-IITM-KGDS Test bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu
“The Centres are focussed on critical technologies for sustainability – harnessing of solar
energy in myriad ways, and scientific recycling and conservation of water,” said Prof.
Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras.
DST-IITM-KGDS
The DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions, coordinated by Prof.
T. Sundararajan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, is being established
by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur, Ramanathapuram
District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the shores of the Bay
of Bengal.
The facility is being set up at a cost of Rs. 3 crore to demonstrate the Solar powered
Forward Osmosis in this coastal village to benefit approximately a population of 10,000
who face severe drinking water scarcity. This test bed will aid developing and
demonstrating the technology to produce high quality drinking water from sea water for
the benefit of local people utilizing Forward Osmosis.
DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre
The DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, coordinated by Prof. M.S. Ramachandra
Rao with a team of 29 faculty members from IITM and 6 collaborating institutions, was set
up as a result of successful completion of several competitive grants to the tune of Rs. 16
Crore from the DST to carry out various solar energy research and development projects
under the Solar Energy Research Initiative of DST. The impactful, fundamental and
applied research carried out over the last four years has resulted in networking of various
departments of IIT Madras, academic institutions and solar industry. This has culminated
in the establishment of DST- IITM Solar Harnessing Centre with additional Central
Government funding support of about Rs. 39 crore.
Researchers Engaged in Centre
The network of researchers engaged in the centre comprises of scientists from IIT Madras,
IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, and BHEL, which is further expanding. The objective is to
create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the knowledge eco-
system. The consortium will be duly poised to address the energy sustainability
requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Trending 360
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras Gets Three DST Mission Centres On Solar Energy And Water
Treatment
URL: https://trending360.in/2019/01/25/iit-madras-gets-three-dst-mission-centres-on-
solar-energy-and-water-treatment/
IIT Madras Gets Three DST Mission Centres On Solar Energy And Water Treatment
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has established three mission centres
at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) at the collective cost of Rs 50 crore.
The centres were aimed at research and development in the field of solar and water
treatment.
Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister for Science and Technology, inaugurated the three
DST mission centres, namely, DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, DST- IITM Centre
for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and
Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER), and DST-IITM-KGDS
Test-bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur, Ramanathapuram
District, Tamil Nadu.
The IIT-Madras already has a DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre set up at the tune
of Rs 16 crore, which has been expanded with an investment of Rs 39 crore to become
one of the three DST mission centres. It will also be available to other institutes including,
IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, and BHEL for research and development purposes.
In his presiding lecture, Vardhan said it was of utmost importance to address the water
and energy-related challenges faced by India. He asked the students and scientists to
“make breakthroughs in the fields through research and position India at the frontiers of
global innovations”.
He said the dependence of rural and semi-urban India on unprotected surface or
groundwater for drinking purpose and need for proper waste-water management to
avoid contamination can be addressed only through concerted and holistic inter-
disciplinary research.
The DST – IITM Water – IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER will be available for CSIR-CLRI
Chennai, Anna University, VIT Chennai, PRIST University, Indian Institute of Toxicological
Research-Lucknow, IIT Tirupati, Kumaon University, IISER Bhopal. This Centre has been
supported at a cost of Rs 9 crore.
Advertising
The DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions is being established in
collaboration with Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customised technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the
shores of the Bay of Bengal. The facility is being set up at a cost of Rs 3 crore to
demonstrate the Solar powered Forward Osmosis in this coastal village to benefit
approximately a population of 10,000 who face severe drinking water scarcity.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Global Villages
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Indian Army seeks technology to avoid stone pelters
URL: https://www.globalvillagespace.com/indian-army-seeks-technology-to-avoid-
stone-pelters/
Indian Army seeks technology to avoid stone pelters
Students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Madras have introduced
a tool powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to aid the Indian Army in avoiding stone
pelters in Jammu and Kashmir. It is an AI-based technology that will allow the Indian Army
soldiers to understand crowd behavior and identify “hostile” stone pelters who “attack
security forces”.
Raghav Vaidyanathan, the executive head at the Centre of Innovation in IIT Madras
campus revealed that technology employs the use of “action recognition algorithms,
crowd density maps, and analysis of live imagery from CCTV cameras”. He specified that
it will help the Indian Army “predict abnormal events like stone pelting”, which is one of
the common “attacks that the Indian Army regularly faces in J&K”.
The report revealed by the SMHS hospital further reveals that in the past year, there has
not been a single month when the Indian police did not use the deadly metallic
ammunition to disperse the protestors.
The Indian Army claims that stone pelters disrupt the military operations conducted in the
valley, in attempts to “distract them and aid the militants in escaping”.
The Army Technology Seminar 2019 is a recent imitative undertaken by the Indian Army
to “find indigenous solutions” through academic, corporate and military institutions
aimed at fulfilling the requirements of the security forces. This initiative has been planned
under the leadership of the Army Design Bureau, a department created for research and
development purposes and fulfilling the army’s needs within the private sector.
Read more: Pakistan needs a consistent policy on Kashmir; Says Ambassador (r) Abdul…
While the Indian Army has found a solution to avoid being a victim of stone pelting, recent
statistics released by the SMHS hospital in Srinagar reveal that 363 Kashmiris have
sustained severe eye injuries due to the brutal metallic pellets over the course of 2018.
The Pellet Victims of Kashmir
The report revealed by the SMHS hospital further reveals that in the past year, there has
not been a single month when the Indian police did not use the deadly metallic
ammunition to disperse the protestors. The month of April 2018 is termed as the
“deadliest” month of the year as 70 Kashmiris sustained severe pellet injuries to their eyes.
More recently, in November, a 19-month baby girl, Hiba Jan from Shopian district of
Kashmir, sustained a terrible pellet injury in her eye. She is now the youngest pellet victim
of Kashmir, having lost one eye to the deadly pellet gunfire by the Indian police during
the street protest.
The Hindustan Times quoted a comment made by a senior official from the Indian home
ministry, “A couple of thousand bullets have been sent to the security forces on an
experimental basis.
Recently, The Wire conducted a report on the use of pellet guns and its legitimacy during
the unrest, and it revealed that the Indian government and its security forces have
“experimented with a variety of weapons in the Kashmir”. These weapons include
“teargas shells, rubber bullets, chili-based PAVA shells and now, pellet guns”. The report
shed light on the Indian government’s response that all these weapons fulfill the criteria
of being “non-lethal weapons”.
The report mentioned a comment made by Ali Muhammad Sagar, former law minister,
and leader of the National Conference, “Every new weapon is being experimented on
the people of Kashmir.”
He argued that massively large scale protests occur in states like Uttar Pradesh and
Rajasthan, which result in deaths of the security personnel and public property damage.
“But they never have to face pellet guns.” He added, “It is only the people of Kashmir
who are treated as guinea pigs”.
Earlier this month, the Indian government has announced its decision to replace the
notoriously deadly pellet gun with a plastic bullet. New Delhi considered adopting plastic
bullets back in April 2017 as well, after reports from Kashmir revealed that pellets have
injured over 12,000 Kashmiris and blinded many victims.
The Hindustan Times quoted a comment made by a senior official from the Indian home
ministry, “A couple of thousand bullets have been sent to the security forces on an
experimental basis. The plastic bullets are non-penetrative, and thus less lethal than pellet
guns”.
Date: 26th January 2019
Publication: Swarajya
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: From Effluents To Electricity: Startup By IIT-Madras Alumni Uses Microbes To
Treat Waste Dumped By Tanneries
URL: https://swarajyamag.com/insta/from-effluents-to-electricity-startup-by-iit-madras-
alumni-uses-microbes-to-treat-waste-dumped-by-tanneries
From Effluents To Electricity: Startup By IIT-Madras Alumni Uses Microbes To Treat Waste
Dumped By Tanneries
A startup by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras alumni has managed to efficiently
treat the effluents discharged by tanneries and dyeing units using microbial fuel cell. The
technology uses micro-organisms to break down the chemicals in effluents and produce
electricity.
The startup JSP Enviro ventured into cleantech business two years ago in 2016, and has
orchestrated Research and Development (R&D) teams at the institute in order to
produce new technologies for water treatment.
The startup is involved in the treatment and recycling of industrial wastewater,
landscaping and beautification projects, restoration of polluted water bodies, etc.
Currently, the startup is restoring 30-acre lake at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in
Chennai.
“It will create a great impact in waste and energy sectors. If implemented on a large
scale, we can aim to achieve high energy savings,” said V T Fidal Kumar, the founder of
JSP Enviro, as reported by Times of India.
The company now aims to step into the dyeing industry where they would seek to target
small dyeing units in India, which cannot afford sizeable common effluent treatment
plants on their premises.
Date: 27th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Prof Sanjay Bajpai
Headline: 3 science centres launched at IIT-M
URL: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/3-science-centres-launched-at-iit-
m/article26101811.ece
Date: 27th January 2019
Publication: Dinamalar Digital
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Faculty: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: ஐ ஐ டி யில் 3 ஆருாய்சச்ி மமயங்கள் (Three Research centres at IIT)
Date: 27th January 2019
Publication: Swarajya
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. T. Sundararajan
Headline: IIT-Madras: Union Minister Inaugurates Three Research Centres To Address
Tamil Nadu’s Energy, Water Concerns
URL: https://swarajyamag.com/insta/snapdeal-shopclues-urge-timely-implementation-
of-new-e-commerce-rules-amazon-flipkart-seek-extension
IIT-Madras: Union Minister Inaugurates Three Research Centres To Address Tamil Nadu’s
Energy, Water Concerns
Union Minister for Science and Technology, Harsh Vardhan, inaugurated three
Department of Science and Technology Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water
Treatment, reports The Hindu.
The centres are an establishment of over Rs 50 crore and would now research wastewater
management and solar technology. One centre shall work on solar thermal desalination
technology in order to make river water potable.
The centres for sustainable treatment, solar energy harnessing, affordable and synergistic
solutions, reuse and management for efficient have been curated with an objective to
overcome energy and water scarcity challenges faced by the state.
A solar thermal desalination plant in Naripaaiyur of Ramanathapuram district through the
solar thermal centre is being established by a group of scientists headed by Prof. T.
Sundararajan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT-Madras.
Furthermore, Vardhan lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s faith in the ability of the
scientists in alleviating power and water problems.
Date: 27th January 2019
Publication: News on Air
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardha inaugurates 3 specialized centres
at Madras IIT
URL: http://www.newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=358715
Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardha inaugurates 3 specialized centres at Madras IIT
Union Minister for Science, Technology & Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests &
Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan on January 25, 2019 launched three Department of
Science and Technology’s (DST) Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water Treatment at
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
These centres, which have been established at a collective investment of Rs 50 Crores,
have the mission of providing state-of-art research led innovative technological solutions
for prevalent and emerging water and energy challenges facing the country.
Speaking about the development, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “I urge Scientists and
technocrats, to aspire to achieve breakthroughs through cutting edge research which
could position India at the frontiers of global innovations. Development and application
of advanced tools and techniques by leading Indian institutions for water and energy is
of utmost importance to address the critical scientific challenges involved. The current
endeavours are few such steps in this direction.”
About Centres
The three centres that have been established by the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India, and nucleated at IIT Madras are:
DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
DST- IITM Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable & Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER).
DST-IITM-KGDS Test bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu
“The Centres are focussed on critical technologies for sustainability – harnessing of solar
energy in myriad ways, and scientific recycling and conservation of water,” said Prof.
Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras.
DST-IITM-KGDS
The DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions, coordinated by Prof.
T. Sundararajan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, is being established
by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur, Ramanathapuram
District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the shores of the Bay
of Bengal.
The facility is being set up at a cost of Rs. 3 crore to demonstrate the Solar powered
Forward Osmosis in this coastal village to benefit approximately a population of 10,000
who face severe drinking water scarcity. This test bed will aid developing and
demonstrating the technology to produce high quality drinking water from sea water for
the benefit of local people utilizing Forward Osmosis.
DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre
The DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, coordinated by Prof. M.S. Ramachandra
Rao with a team of 29 faculty members from IITM and 6 collaborating institutions, was set
up as a result of successful completion of several competitive grants to the tune of Rs. 16
Crore from the DST to carry out various solar energy research and development projects
under the Solar Energy Research Initiative of DST. The impactful, fundamental and
applied research carried out over the last four years has resulted in networking of various
departments of IIT Madras, academic institutions and solar industry. This has culminated
in the establishment of DST- IITM Solar Harnessing Centre with additional Central
Government funding support of about Rs. 39 crore.
Researchers Engaged in Centre
The network of researchers engaged in the centre comprises of scientists from IIT Madras,
IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, and BHEL, which is further expanding. The objective is to
create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the knowledge eco-
system. The consortium will be duly poised to address the energy sustainability
requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’.
Date: 27th January 2019
Publication: Clipper 28
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Govt to launch Technology Mission Centre on Solar Energy, know more
URL: https://www.clipper28.com/en/govt-to-launch-technology-mission-centre-on-
solar-energy-know-more/
Govt to launch Technology Mission Centre on Solar Energy, know more
Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests &
Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan will be launching three important centre’s set up by
Department of Science and Technology (DST), nucleated at Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras (IITM) on 25th January 2019 at IIT Madras in Chennai.
The first of these is the establishment of DST –IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre. The
Centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development activities
such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.
The network of researchers engaged in centre comprise of scientists from IIT Madras, IIT-
Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, BHEL and KGDS, which will be further expanded.
The objective is to create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the
knowledge eco-system .The centre is likely to be true change agent in the energy
landscape of India. The consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability
requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’.
Second in line is the DST-IITM Water –IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER (DST- IITM Water
Innovation Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable and Synergistic Solutions) which has been established with an aim to
undertake synchronized research and training programs on various issues related to
wastewater management, water treatment, sensor development, storm water
management and distribution and collection systems.
This multi institutional Virtual Centre will be looking into a sustainable approach for water
resources protection and augmentation through wastewater treatment and reuse and
storm water management.
The Centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in different premier
organizations working in the area of wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development and storm water management to collaborate and work in synergized
manner to ensure adequate, safe, reliable and sustainable sources of drinking water for
rural and urban India and process water for highly polluting and water intensive industries,
through research, technology development and capacity building.
The third one would be the Test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions which are
being established by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the
shores of the Bay of Bengal.
The development would provide customized technological water solution to provide
potable water to coastal areas using solar energy.
Date: 27th January 2019
Publication: India Education Diary
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi,Dr. Sanjay Bajpai and Prof Ravindra Gettu
Headline: Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches Three DST Technology Mission
Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment at IIT Madras
URL: http://indiaeducationdiary.in/union-minister-dr-harsh-vardhan-launches-three-dst-
technology-mission-centres-solar-energy-water-treatment-iit-madras/
Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches Three DST Technology Mission Centres on
Solar Energy & Water Treatment at IIT Madras
Union Minister for Science, Technology & Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests &
Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan today (25th Jan 2019) launched three Department
of Science and Technology’s (DST) Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water Treatment
at Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
These centres, which have been established at a collective investment of Rs 50 Crores,
have the mission of providing state-of-art research led innovative technological solutions
for prevalent and emerging water and energy challenges facing the country.
Delivering the Presidential Address, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “I urge Scientists and
technocrats, to aspire to achieve breakthroughs through cutting edge research which
could position India at the frontiers of global innovations. Development and application
of advanced tools and techniques by leading Indian institutions for water and energy is
of utmost importance to address the critical scientific challenges involved. The current
endeavours are few such steps in this direction.”
Dr. Harsh Vardhan emphasised the commitment of the Government to harness science
and technology for the societal challenges through roping in extra ordinary capabilities
of scientists and scientific institution under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri
Narendra Modi. The national missions namely ‘Namami Gange,’ ‘Swachch Bharat,’
‘Solar Mission’ and ‘Swastha Bharat’ are directed towards sustainable solutions
Dr. Harsh Vardhan also spoke about the dependence of rural and peri-urban India on
unprotected surface or groundwater for drinking purpose and need for proper
wastewater management to avoid contamination of emerging pollutants like
pharmaceuticals and personnel care products into water sources. The need for
minimising loss of water in distribution systems, harnessing storm water and greater water
use efficiency for water intensive industries like textile and tanneries was also highlighted.
He added that these complex and formidable challenges in water sector can be
addressed only through concerted and holistic inter-disciplinary research.
The three centres that have been established by the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India, and nucleated at IIT Madras are:
Ø DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
Ø DST- IITM Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable & Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER).
Ø DST-IITM-KGDS Test bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu
Speaking earlier, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras is
honoured that the Hon’ble Minister for Science, Technology, and Earth Sciences, and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan is launching three
important DST Technology Mission Centres at its campus today. The Centres are focussed
on critical technologies for sustainability – harnessing of solar energy in myriad ways, and
scientific recycling and conservation of water. IIT Madras is grateful to the Department of
Science and Technology for its generous support to establish these world-class Centres
of Excellence and is committed to deliver new knowledge and solutions to address
India’s sustainable development goals.”
Dr. Sanjay Bajpai, Head (TMD), Department of Science and Technology, Government of
India, gave an introduction to the Mission Initiatives. Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial
Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, also spoke.
The DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, coordinated by Prof. M.S. Ramachandra
Rao with a team of 29 faculty members from IITM and 6 collaborating institutions, was set
up as a result of successful completion of several competitive grants to the tune of Rs. 16
Crore from the DST to carry out various solar energy research and development projects
under the Solar Energy Research Initiative of DST. The impactful, fundamental and
applied research carried out over the last four years has resulted in networking of various
departments of IIT Madras, academic institutions and solar industry. This has culminated
in the establishment of DST- IITM Solar Harnessing Centre with additional Central
Government funding support of about Rs. 39 crore.
The network of researchers engaged in the centre comprises of scientists from IIT Madras,
IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, and BHEL, which is further expanding. The objective is to
create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the knowledge eco-
system. The consortium will be duly poised to address the energy sustainability
requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’. More details about the centre can be viewed
at https://dsehc.iitm.ac.in which was also launched by the minister.
The DST – IITM Water – IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER (DST-IITM Water Innovation Centre
for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and
Synergistic Solutions), coordinated by Prof. Ligy Philip, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT
Madras, has been established to undertake synchronized research and training programs
on various issues related to wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development, storm water management and distribution and collection systems. The
lead organisation is IIT Madras with eight partnering institutions: CSIR-CLRI Chennai, Anna
University, VIT Chennai, PRIST University, Indian Institute of Toxicological Research-
Lucknow, IIT Tirupati, Kumaon University, IISER Bhopal.
Building upon generous project support to a plethora of water projects at IIT Madras, this
Centre has been supported at a cost of Rs. 9 crore by Department of Science and
Technology. More details on the centre can be viewed at
https://web.iitm.ac.in/sutramforeasywater
The DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions, coordinated by Prof.
T. Sundararajan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, is being established
by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur, Ramanathapuram
District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the shores of the Bay
of Bengal. The facility is being set up at a cost of Rs. 3 crore to demonstrate the Solar
powered Forward Osmosis in this coastal village to benefit approximately a population
of 10,000 who face severe drinking water scarcity. This test bed will aid developing and
demonstrating the technology to produce high quality drinking water from sea water for
the benefit of local people utilizing Forward Osmosis.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Headline: Union min calls for coordination among scientists
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: News Today
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 3
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Solar thermal desalination plant to come up at IIT-M ♦ Three DST Technology
Mission Centres launched
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: Morning India
Edition: Kolkata
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Headline: Three tech m solar water t be launched at IIT Madras
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: 3 DST Technology missions centres launced at IIT-M
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: Dianamani
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Prof Ravindra Gettu
Headline: Top Scientific research institutions: India occupies 9th place,
says Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu Tamil
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 5
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Prof Ravindra Gettu
Headline: Banning single use plastic is a courageous decision, Dr. Harsh Vardhan lauds
TN Government
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: Outlook
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
URL: https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/three-tech-missions-on-solar-water-
treatment-to-be-launched-at-iit-madras/1464938
Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change will launch three technology mission centres
at IIT Madras on Friday to address various issues around solar energy and water treatment,
a government statement said on Thursday.
"All the three centres will be set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST),"
Vardhan's office said in a release.
The first, it said, is the DST-IIT Madras Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
"The centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development
activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian
conditions. It is likely to be a true change agent in the energy landscape of India. The
consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability requirements in the spirit of
Make in India," the release said.
Scientists from IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited (BHEL) and KGDS Renewable Energy Private Limited will be engaged
in the activities of the centre.
Second in line is the DST-IIT Madras Water Innovation Centre for sustainable treatment,
reuse and management which has been established with the aim to undertake
synchronized research and training programmes on various issues related to wastewater
management, water treatment, sensor development, stormwater management and
distribution and collection systems.
"This multi-institutional virtual centre will be looking into a sustainable approach for water
resources protection and augmentation through wastewater treatment and reuse and
stormwater management.
"The centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in different premier
organizations working in the area of wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development and stormwater management to collaborate and work in synergized
manner to ensure adequate and safe sources of drinking water for rural and urban India
and process water for highly polluting industries, through research, technology
development and capacity building," the Science and Technology Ministry said.
The third one would be the test bed on solar thermal desalination solutions which are
being established by IIT Madras and KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal villages located on
the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: ANI News
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor:
Headline: Technology centres on solar energy, water treatment to be
launched in Chennai
URL: https://www.aninews.in/news/national/technology-centres-on-solar-energy-water-
treatment-to-be-launched-in-chennai20190124074444/
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: Skill Outlook
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Sanjay Bajpai,Prof Ravindra Gettu,Prof. M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Prof.
T. Sundararajan
Headline: Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches Three DST Technology Mission
Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment at IIT Madras
URL: http://skilloutlook.com/alert/union-minister-dr-harsh-vardhan-launches-three-dst-
technology-mission-centres-on-solar-energy-water-treatment-at-iit-madras
Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches Three DST Technology Mission Centres on
Solar Energy & Water Treatment at IIT Madras
Hon’ble Union Minister for Science, Technology & Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests
& Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan today (25th Jan 2019) launched three Department
of Science and Technology’s (DST) Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water Treatment
at Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
These centres, which have been established at a collective investment of Rs 50 Crores,
have the mission of providing state-of-art research led innovative technological solutions
for prevalent and emerging water and energy challenges facing the country.
Delivering the Presidential Address, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “I urge Scientists and
technocrats, to aspire to achieve breakthroughs through cutting edge research which
could position India at the frontiers of global innovations. Development and application
of advanced tools and techniques by leading Indian institutions for water and energy is
of utmost importance to address the critical scientific challenges involved. The current
endeavours are few such steps in this direction.”
Dr. Harsh Vardhan emphasised the commitment of the Government to harness science
and technology for the societal challenges through roping in extra ordinary capabilities
of scientists and scientific institution under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri
Narendra Modi. The national missions namely ‘Namami Gange,’ ‘Swachch Bharat,’
‘Solar Mission’ and ‘Swastha Bharat’ are directed towards sustainable solutions.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan also spoke about the dependence of rural and peri-urban India on
unprotected surface or groundwater for drinking purpose and need for proper
wastewater management to avoid contamination of emerging pollutants like
pharmaceuticals and personnel care products into water sources. The need for
minimising loss of water in distribution systems, harnessing storm water and greater water
use efficiency for water intensive industries like textile and tanneries was also highlighted.
He added that these complex and formidable challenges in water sector can be
addressed only through concerted and holistic inter-disciplinary research.
The three centres that have been established by the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India, and nucleated at IIT Madras are:
1DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
DST- IITM Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable & Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER).
DST-IITM-KGDS Test bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu
Speaking earlier, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras is
honoured that the Hon’ble Minister for Science, Technology, and Earth Sciences, and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan is launching three
important DST Technology Mission Centres at its campus today. The Centres are focussed
on critical technologies for sustainability – harnessing of solar energy in myriad ways, and
scientific recycling and conservation of water. IIT Madras is grateful to the Department of
Science and Technology for its generous support to establish these world-class Centres
of Excellence and is committed to deliver new knowledge and solutions to address
India’s sustainable development goals.”
Dr. Sanjay Bajpai, Head (TMD), Department of Science and Technology, Government of
India, gave an introduction to the Mission Initiatives. Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial
Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, also spoke.
The DST – IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, coordinated by Prof. M.S. Ramachandra
Rao with a team of 29 faculty members from IITM and 6 collaborating institutions, was set
up as a result of successful completion of several competitive grants to the tune of Rs. 16
Crore from the DST to carry out various solar energy research and development projects
under the Solar Energy Research Initiative of DST. The impactful, fundamental and
applied research carried out over the last four years has resulted in networking of various
departments of IIT Madras, academic institutions and solar industry. This has culminated
in the establishment of DST- IITM Solar Harnessing Centre with additional Central
Government funding support of about Rs. 39 crore.
The network of researchers engaged in the centre comprises of scientists from IIT Madras,
IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, and BHEL, which is further expanding. The objective is to
create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the knowledge eco-
system. The consortium will be duly poised to address the energy sustainability
requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’. More details about the centre can be viewed
at https://dsehc.iitm.ac.in which was also launched by the minister.
The DST – IITM Water – IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER (DST-IITM Water Innovation Centre
for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and
Synergistic Solutions), coordinated by Prof. Ligy Philip, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT
Madras, has been established to undertake synchronized research and training programs
on various issues related to wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development, storm water management and distribution and collection systems. The
lead organisation is IIT Madras with eight partnering institutions: CSIR-CLRI Chennai, Anna
University, VIT Chennai, PRIST University, Indian Institute of Toxicological Research-
Lucknow, IIT Tirupati, Kumaon University, IISER Bhopal.
Building upon generous project support to a plethora of water projects at IIT Madras, this
Centre has been supported at a cost of Rs. 9 crore by Department of Science and
Technology. More details on the centre can be viewed at
https://web.iitm.ac.in/sutramforeasywater
The DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions, coordinated by Prof.
T. Sundararajan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, is being established
by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur, Ramanathapuram
District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the shores of the Bay
of Bengal. The facility is being set up at a cost of Rs. 3 crore to demonstrate the Solar
powered Forward Osmosis in this coastal village to benefit approximately a population
of 10,000 who face severe drinking water scarcity. This test bed will aid developing and
demonstrating the technology to produce high quality drinking water from sea water for
the benefit of local people utilizing Forward Osmosis.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: PTI News
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi
Headline: Three DST Technology Mission Centres launched
URL: http://www.ptinews.com/news/10337588_Three-DST-Technology-Mission-Centres-
launched.html
Three DST Technology Mission Centres launched
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan Friday launched three DST Technology Mission Centres,
which will undertake Research and Development in solar energy and water
management, among others.
Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences and Environment,
Forests and Climate Change, lauded Indian scientists for their contributions, even as he
noted that science had the potential to 'virtually' solving every other problems faced by
the country.
He launched the DST-IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, DST-IITM Centre for Sustainable
Treatment, reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and Synergistic Solutions for
Water and the DST-IITM-KGDS test bed on Solar Thermal Desalinsation Solutions, set up in
Ramanathapuram district.
Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT, Madras, said the centres were focussed on critical
technologies for sustainability like harnessing of solar energy in myriad ways, and scientific
recycling and conservation of water.
The solar thermal desalination solution is being set up by IIT-M and Empereal KGDS in
Ramanathapuram district to deliver customised technological solutions to address
prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village.
Speaking at the event, Harsh Vardhan lauded the Indian scientific community and hailed
the rapid strides made by India in the field of Science and Technology, including
advanced early tsunami warning mechanisms.
"Science has the potential to virtually solve every other problem," he said.
Harsh Vardhan referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on areas like clean
energy, including solar power and asserted that the country was on its way to achieve
various targets in these areas.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said the world was lauding Modi for his contribution on
issues like climate change and pointed to the Prime Minister's ambitious Solar Alliance
and said 71 countries had joined the effort.
With LPG connections reaching 60 million women and fast paced electrification efforts,
among others, the country was marching ahead in a progressive manner, he said.
He also recalled his Ministry's 'Green Good Deeds' movement initiative, which aims at
protecting the environment and promote good living in the country.
To a question on a possible nation-wide plastic ban, as being enforced in Tamil Nadu
and Maharashtra,he said the issue of reducing or even eliminating single use plastic was
not only a plan of India, but even a goal of the United Nations.
The government had earlier 'revisited' all waste management rules including that of
plastic, he said.
It had regular interaction with relevant stakeholders to do the required changes and
improvements, he said.
"We have to make society aware of the fact that these single use plastics, as soon as we
eliminate them, it is going to help is in a big way," he added.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: Live Chennai
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Launching of 3 solar energy centres done for a superb purposes
URL: https://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=46450
Launching of 3 solar energy centres done for a superb purposes
To bring researchers together from important academic institutes, scientists from national
labs, experts from various industries and government departments to perform a work is
not an easy task at all. On Friday, 25th of January 2019 to bring together the above
mentioned personalities, launching of 3 solar energy centres was carried out. The purpose
was to undertake research and development so that they could come out with
customised solutions in the field of solar energy and water management.
Mr. Harsh Vardhan who is the minister for science, technology, earth sciences and
environment, forests and climate change, launched 3 DST Technology mission centres
set up at an amount of Rs 50 crores.
For the sake of getting better results at a faster rate, Mr. Harsh Vardhan urged scientists
working across various academic institutes and other national laboratories to ensure
coordination among themselves and with other researchers in foreign nations. He spoke
about how the scientists could benefit from each other’s knowledge and experiences.
The minister added that the presence of many science programmes present with the
department of science and technology and how these programmes would be of high
benefit for the scientists who wants to conduct research abroad or within India itself.
The important piece of information collected is one of the three DST centres is a test bed
for solar thermal desalination solutions established by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS in
Narippaiyur in Ramanathapuram District to develop customised technological solution
for water challenges in the arid coastal village. It was set up at an amount of Rs 3 crores
is known. The objective of this was to produce good quality drinking water from sea water
by solar powered forward osmosis.
It must be taken into account that the other 2 centres include the DST-IITM Solar Energy
Harnessing Centre that would take up R& D activities such as silicon solar cells etc. Other
areas where the centre would be working are solar thermal technologies, energy storage
systems and utilising solar energies to produce fuels etc.
The superb information is researchers from IITM, IIT Guwahati plus from other important
educational institutions like Anna University, Chennai, ICT Mumbai, BHEL, KGDS etc would
be working together in the centre.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: New Kerala
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
URL: https://www.newkerala.com/news/read/93551/three-tech-missions-on-solar-water-
treatment-to-be-launched-at-iit-madras.html
Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
All the three centres will be set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST),"
Vardhan's office said in a release.
The first, it said, is the DST-IIT Madras Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
"The centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development
activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian
conditions. It is likely to be a true change agent in the energy landscape of India. The
consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability requirements in the spirit of
Make in India," the release said.
Scientists from IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited (BHEL) and KGDS Renewable Energy Private Limited will be engaged
in the activities of the centre.
Second in line is the DST-IIT Madras Water Innovation Centre for sustainable treatment,
reuse and management which has been established with the aim to undertake
synchronized research and training programmes on various issues related to wastewater
management, water treatment, sensor development, stormwater management and
distribution and collection systems.
"This multi-institutional virtual centre will be looking into a sustainable approach for water
resources protection and augmentation through wastewater treatment and reuse and
stormwater management.
"The centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in different premier
organizations working in the area of wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development and stormwater management to collaborate and work in synergized
manner to ensure adequate and safe sources of drinking water for rural and urban India
and process water for highly polluting industries, through research, technology
development and capacity building," the Science and Technology Ministry said.
The third one would be the test bed on solar thermal desalination solutions which are
being established by IIT Madras and KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal villages located on
the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: Clipper
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Govt to launch Technology Mission Centre on Solar Energy, know more
URL: https://www.clipper28.com/en/govt-to-launch-technology-mission-centre-on-
solar-energy-know-more/
Govt to launch Technology Mission Centre on Solar Energy, know more
Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests &
Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan will be launching three important centre’s set up by
Department of Science and Technology (DST), nucleated at Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras (IITM) on 25th January 2019 at IIT Madras in Chennai.
The first of these is the establishment of DST –IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre. The
Centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development activities
such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.
The network of researchers engaged in centre comprise of scientists from IIT Madras, IIT-
Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, BHEL and KGDS, which will be further expanded.
The objective is to create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the
knowledge eco-system .The centre is likely to be true change agent in the energy
landscape of India. The consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability
requirements in the spirit of ‘Make in India’.
Second in line is the DST-IITM Water –IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER (DST- IITM Water
Innovation Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient,
Affordable and Synergistic Solutions) which has been established with an aim to
undertake synchronized research and training programs on various issues related to
wastewater management, water treatment, sensor development, storm water
management and distribution and collection systems.
This multi institutional Virtual Centre will be looking into a sustainable approach for water
resources protection and augmentation through wastewater treatment and reuse and
storm water management.
The Centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in different premier
organizations working in the area of wastewater management, water treatment, sensor
development and storm water management to collaborate and work in synergized
manner to ensure adequate, safe, reliable and sustainable sources of drinking water for
rural and urban India and process water for highly polluting and water intensive industries,
through research, technology development and capacity building.
The third one would be the Test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions which are
being established by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological
solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the
shores of the Bay of Bengal.
The development would provide customized technological water solution to provide
potable water to coastal areas using solar energy.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: The Economic Times - ETEW
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Three centres for solar energy research launched
URL: https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/three-centres-for-
solar-energy-research-launched/67707306
Three centres for solar energy research launched
Three centres that bring together researchers from premier academic institutes, scientists
from national laboratories, experts from industries and government departments to
undertake research and development and come up with customised solutions in the field
of solar energy and water management were launched on Friday.
The three DST Technology Mission Centres, set-up at a cost Rs 50 crores, were launched
by Harsh Vardhan, minister for science, technology and earth sciences and environment,
forests and climate change.
Speaking at the launch, the minister urged scientists working across various academic
institutes and national laboratories to ensure optimal coordination among themselves
and with researchers abroad, as it can yield better results faster. “There is a need for
optimal coordination, as scientists benefit from each other’s experiences. The
department of science and technology too has several science programmes that help
and support scientists who want to conduct research abroad or within the country,” he
said.
One of the three DST centres is a test bed for solar thermal desalination solutions
established by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS in Narippaiyur in Ramanathapuram district
to develop customised technological solution to address water challenges in the arid
coastal village. The facility is being set up at a cost of Rs 3 crores to demonstrate solar
powered forward osmosis to produce good quality drinking water from seawater that
would benefit approximately 10,000 people in the village, who are facing severe drinking
water crisis. This customised solution would involve using solar energy partially to convert
seawater into potable water.
Brand Solutions
5 Simple Steps to Maximize your AMI Software Stake
Perfecting the next Generation Utility Platform
Other two centres, include the DST-IITM Solar Energy Harnessing centre, which will focus
on a wide range of research and technology development activities like silicon solar cells.
The centre will also work on solar thermal technologies, energy storage systems and
utilising solar energy to produce fuels. A network of researchers from IIT Madras, IIT
Guwahati, Anna University, ICT Mumbai, BHEL and KGDS would be jointly working in the
centre. The DST-IIT-M Water Innovation Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and
Management of Efficient, Affordable and Synergistic Solutions (SUTRAM) of Easy Water
will undertake research and training programmes on issues related to wastewater
management, water treatment, sensor development, storm water management and
distribution and collection systems. Led by IIT Madras, eight partnering institutions like
CSIR-CLRI and Indian Institute of Toxicological Research, Lucknow will be conducting
research.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: PV Magazine
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Government to launch Solar Energy Harnessing Centre at IIT Madras
URL: https://www.pv-magazine-india.com/2019/01/24/government-to-launch-solar-
technology-mission-centre-at-iit-madras-in-chennai/
Government to launch Solar Energy Harnessing Centre at IIT Madras
Government to launch Solar Energy Harnessing Centre at IIT Madras
Set up by Department of Science and Technology (DST) at Indian Institute of Technology,
Madras (IITM) in Chennai, the Solar Energy Harnessing Centre will focus on a wide range
of research and technology development activities such as silicon solar cells that promise
high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.
The Centre will have a network of scientists from IIT Madras, IIT-Guwahati, Anna University,
The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) Mumbai, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL)
and KGDS Renewable engaged in R&D activities, which will be further expanded. The
objective is to create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the
knowledge eco-system.
The centre is likely to be a true change agent in the energy landscape of India. The
consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability requirements in the spirit of
‘Make in India.’
At present, the production capacity in the Indian PV industry is largely based on
crystalline silicon. The installed capacity of solar cells and modules is said to be 1.4 GW
and 5.7 GW, respectively. The slow growth trend in cell manufacturing capacity additions
may be attributed to the unavailability of raw materials, lack of technological know-how,
lack of large-scale demand for domestically manufactured cells, and an unskilled
technical workforce.
A recent study by the European Union’s Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI) Project in
India highlights that process innovation can reduce primary demand of resources for
India’s solar PV manufacturing sector.
By adopting resource efficiency measures, the Indian PV solar manufacturing sector can
reduce its material requirement from an estimated 12 million tons to 8.2 million tons by
2030. The resource-efficient approach will also increase efficiency to more than 30% from
6% in 2018, according to the study.
Alongside the Solar Energy Harnessing Centre, the minister would also launch a test bed
on solar thermal desalination solutions that are being developed by IIT Madras and
Empereal KGDS with the aim to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal
villages located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. It would come up with customized
technological water solution to provide potable water to coastal areas using solar
energy.
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: DD Podhighai
Edition: Electronic
Journalist: NA
Headline: Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan Launches Three DST Technology Mission
Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment at IIT Madras
URL: https://we.tl/t-RosCgogPeM
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: SUN News
Edition: Electronic
Journalist: NA
Headline: Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan Launches Three DST Technology Mission
Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment at IIT Madras
URL: https://we.tl/t-4Ku7iSLNTa
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: SUN TV
Edition: Electronic
Journalist: NA
Headline: Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan Launches Three DST Technology Mission
Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment at IIT Madras
URL: https://we.tl/t-zHPxBaTpos
Date: 28th January 2019
Publication: Thanthi Tv
Edition: Electronic
Journalist: NA
Headline: Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan Launches Three DST Technology Mission
Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment at IIT Madras
URL: https://we.tl/t-lyxkE5J6Mi
Date: 29th January 2019
Publication: Hindustan Times
Edition: Delhi
Page No: 25
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Prof Ravindra Gettu
Headline: 3 tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
Date: 29th January 2019
Publication: Mercom
Edition: Online
Journalist: Nitin Kabeer
Headline: Ministry of Science & Technology Sets up Solar Energy Harnessing Center
at IIT Madras
URL: https://mercomindia.com/ministry-of-science-solar-harnessing-center-iit-madras/
The Ministry of Science & Technology has set up a solar energy harnessing center at the
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM).
The center will have a network of scientist from IIT Madras, IIT-Guwahati, Anna University,
ICT-Mumbai, BHEL, among others and these scientists will focus their research on
developing high efficiency silicon solar cells that are suited for Indian conditions.
“The objective is to create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the
knowledge eco-system. The center is likely to be a true change agent in the energy
landscape of India. The consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability
requirements in the spirit of Make in India”, said the government release.
IIT Madras has also established a ‘test bed on solar thermal desalination solutions’ which
will help to provide technological solutions to arid coastal village on the shores of the Bay
of Bengal and provide potable water to coastal areas using solar energy.
Apart from working with the government in developing technological solutions, IITs are
also collaborating with private companies to create R&D facilities. For instance, IIT
Roorkee is working with ABB to create smart grid resource center, SCADA, ring main unit
(RMUs) etc.
Recently, Mercom reported that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has
invited project proposals for research, development and demonstration in areas of new
and renewable energy from R&D organizations/institutions, universities and industries.
Earlier, the Assam Energy Development Agency also invited proposals from independent
institutions and organizations to set up a R&D facility in the state. The facility will be in the
field of renewable energy and will be supported by the Science and Technology
Department of the Government of Assam.
Date: 29th January 2019
Publication: Infodea
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: शोध ि शोध सबंरं्धत विषयों की जानकारी के लिए एकिपटि की आिश्यक्ता: डा. हषििधन(The
need for a single line of research and research related topics: Dr. Harshavadhan)
URL: https://bit.ly/2sUbgD6
शोध ि शोध सबंरं्धत विषयों की जानकारी के लिए एकिपटि की आिश्यक्ता: डा. हषििधन
समय आ गया है कक हम इन शोिों को एक पटि पर िाएां और िोगों से िानकारी साझा करें िाकक शोि के आगे या उसकी खालमयों को समझकर दसूरी टीम उसपर काम करे। इस सवुविा से समय बचेगा और हम शोि पर बेहिर िरीके से काम कर सकें गे। यही नहीां शोि के निीिों को बहृद स्िर पर समाि व िोक कल्याण के लिए व्यवहार में िाया िा सकेगा।
आईआईटी मद्रास में शकु्रवार को शोि कें द्रों का उद्घाटन करि ेहुए कें दद्रय ववज्ञान एवां िकनीक मांत्री डा. हर्िवििन ने
कहा कक देश में काफी शोि ककए िाने हैं और कई चीिों पर काफी िोग काफी समय से शोि कर रहे हैं। उन्होंने कहा प्रिानमांत्री मोदी का सपना है कक वर्ि 2030 िक भारि की र्गनिी वववव में टॉप वजै्ञातनक देशों में से हो।
वर्ि 2030 िक हम अपेक्षा करि ेहैं कक भारि में पारम्पररक बबििी पर तनभिरिा में कमी आएगी और देश में 30
प्रतिशि बबििी क्िीन एनिी से आएगी। ववज्ञान व िकनीक की मदद से हमें आमिन के लिए रोटी, कपडा, मकान,
दवा व अन्य चीिें सस्िी दरों पर उपिलि कराने के लिए काम करना चादहए।
डॉ. हर्िवििन ने कहा कक मैं आशा करिा हूां कक आईआईटी इस िक्ष्य को प्राप्ि करने में बहुि हद िक सरकार की मदद
करेगा। पयािवरण की सरुक्षा और स्वच्छ बनाए रखन ेके उपायों को अपने िीवन में शालमि करने का आग्रह करि े
हुए कें द्रीय मांत्री ने िोगों से आग्रह ककया कक वह ग्रीन गुड डीड्स व बबहेववयर को िीवन में अपनाएां। इसके िहि
पयािवरण हिरै्ी ककसी भी अलभयान के दैतनक कायि का दहस्सा बन सकि ेहैं।
इस मौके पर आईआईटी मद्रास के तनदेशक प्रोफेसर भास्कर राममतूि ि ने कहा कक कुि 50 करोड रुपए के तनवेश से
स्थावपि इन कें द्रों का िक्ष्य अत्यािुतनक शोि के बि पर अलभनव प्रौद्योर्गकी सािन प्रदान करना है िो देश में व्याप्ि िि एवां ऊिाि सांकट और नई-नई चुनौतियों को दरू करने में सहायक होंगे।
ये कें द्र देश के सिि ववकास के लिए अहम प्रौद्योर्गककयों िैस ेववलभन्न माध्यमों से सौर ऊिाि के सदपुयोग और वजै्ञातनक पद्िति से पानी के पनुचिक्रण एवां सांरक्षण पर कें दद्रि हैं। वववव स्िर के इन कें द्रों की स्थापना के लिए हर ममुककन सहयोग देने के लिए आईआईटी मद्रास भारि सरकार के ववज्ञान एवां प्रौद्योर्गकी ववभाग का आभारी है
और यह सांस्थान वििमान सरकार के सिि ववकास के िक्ष्यों को परूा करने के लिए अलभनव ज्ञान और सािन प्रदान
करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ि है।
इस मौके पर ववज्ञान व िकनीक मांत्रािय के टेक्नोिॉिी लमशन डडवीिन के प्रमखु डा. सांिय वािपेयी, डीएसटी-आईआईटीएम सोिर हानेलस ांग सेंटर के समन्वयन प्रो. एम एस रामचांद्र राव समेि कई अन्य िोग मौिूद थे।
Date: 31st January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Chennai Today : Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and The Mehta Family
Foundation, US: 3rd PAN IIT Biotech Meet 2019, ICSR Auditorium
URL: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-
today/article26132292.ece
Chennai Today : Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and The Mehta Family
Foundation, US: 3rd PAN IIT Biotech Meet 2019, ICSR Auditorium
Mahabharatham: B. Sundarkumar, Asthika Samajam, Venus Colony, Alwarpet, 6.30 p.m
Naishkarmyasiddi: Satyavratananda, Mylapore Club, Luz Church Rd., Mylapore, 11 a.m.
Guru Parampara: Velukkudi Krishnan, Kothandaramar Temple, West Mambalam, 6.30
p.m.
GENERAL
Tamil Nadu Police: Presentation of President of India Medals and Tamil Nadu Chief
Minister Medals, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami participates, Rajarathinam
Stadium, Egmore, 4 p.m.
The Department of Museums, Government of Tamil Nadu and INTACH: Talk on Henry Irwin
by Mark Tathell, Grandson of Henry Irwin, Centenary Exhibition Hall of Government
Museum, Pantheon Rd., Egmore, 4.30 p.m.
Organising Committee: Staffan Lindberg memorial meeting, M.S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation, 3rd Cross St., Taramani, 3 p.m.
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and The Mehta Family Foundation, US: 3rd PAN IIT
Biotech Meet 2019, ICSR Auditorium, Taramani, 9.20 a.m.
Alliance Francaise of Madras: Study in France - education fair, Hyatt Regency, 3 p.m.
Organising Committee: Erode Thamizhanban Kavithaigal lecture, Kaviko Arangam, 2nd
Main Rd., CIT Colony, Mylapore, 5.45 p.m.
Youth Forum For Gandhian Studies and Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan: Sarvodaya Day
programme, Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Gopalapuram, 10.30 a.m
S.A. Engineering College: Programme on ‘Assembling and Dismantling of Automobile
Engines’, 8.30 a.m. and lecture on ‘Analytics and business performance metrics’,
Thiruverkadu, 10 a.m.
Prince Dr. K. Vasudevan College of Engineering and Technology: Inauguration of
symposium on ‘Shrishti - 2019’, Ponmar, 9 a.m.
M.O.P. Vaishnav College For Women: Valedictory of paper presentation competition
and intercollegiate competitions, Nungambakkam, 4 p.m.
S.S.S. Jain College For Women: Programme on ‘Shakala Utsav 19 - Sarit Samrakshanam,
Kamarajar Arangam, Teynampet, 10 a.m.
D.R.B. Calavala Cunnan Chetty’s Hindu College: Programme on ‘Empowering the
college towards exellence in teaching, learning, research and extension activities’,
Pattabiram, 9.30 a.m.
G.S.S. Jain College For Women: 28th annual day, Vepery High Rd., Vepery, 5.30 p.m.
Kumara Rani’s Chettinad Vidyalaya: 33rd annual day celebration, Kumararajah M.A.M.
Muthiah Hall, R.A.Puram, 5 p.m.
Sri Krishna Sweets and YACD Gopalapuram: Programme on ‘Kanivu Kodukkum Nalla
Pattu’, Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore, 6 p.m.
Narcotics Anonymous: Meetings, Keep It Simple Group, St. Joseph High School,Vepery
High Rd., Vepery, 7 p.m.
Al-Anon: Meetings, Caring and Sharing Group, Divine School, Perumal Koil St., S.V. Nagar,
Padur;
Alcoholics Anonymous: Meetings, Church of Christ, Anna Nagar; Police Boys Club, Elango
Nagar, Virugambakkam; Victory Child Development Centre, Muthalamman Koil St.,
Selaiyur; Church of Victorious Cross, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Ashok Nagar; St. Joseph
Church, Cholapuram Rd., Ambattur; St. Sebastian Church, Madhavaram; C.S.I, Church,
Tollgate; Good Shepherd Church, MMDA, Madhuravoyal; St. Joseph Church,
Balayakarar St., Porur; Santhome HSS., Santhome High Rd., Mylapore; V.G.P. Pbhilominal
School, Injambakkam; St. James Church Primary School, Ayanavaram, 7 p.m.
Date: 31st January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Headline: Conference on cancer at IIT-M today
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jan/31/conference-on-
cancer-at-iit-m-today-1932322.html
IIT Madras is an innovation and
entrepreneurship hub
Date: 12th January 2019
Publication: Your Story
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: How crowdfunding saved my startup from an early death: IIT Madras student
entrepreneur speaks
URL: https://yourstory.com/2019/01/crowdfunding-saved-startup-early-death/
How crowdfunding saved my startup from an early death: IIT Madras student
entrepreneur speaks
My organisation was dying. We were in college and all our operating expenses were then
covered by the tutoring that and Samyak and I were doing. Before we knew, our team
grew from a couple of undergraduates at IIT Madras to 5 full-time employees in just three
months and we needed to pay salaries. When all other funding options looked far, I relied
on the strong community of people who believed in our cause. Crowdfunding was our
only way to swim through that ocean and not drown. But when I looked at the stats, I
realised India had less than 26 percent successful campaigns (the stats for the US are not
that promising either). Planning for six months runway, I had to raise Rs 6 lakh, and that
was a huge amount of money. The only thing that could save was an efficient strategy.
I am writing this today because I want to share our story on how we raised 25 percent
more than what I had planned to. The idea is to develop a framework that would enable
other social entrepreneurs to leverage the platform and multiply their impact.
The way I structure it, there are three parts to the campaign:
Strategic planning
Execution
After connect
Planning is by far the most important component to go about this. Do it well, and you
can see funds pouring into your campaign. I had spent more than four weeks in planning
our campaign and developing tools that will help.
Ask this to yourself: why should people give you money? There are hundreds of
campaigns that we see every single day, so why you? Your cause might be genuine, but
if it doesn’t move me much, I am not going to put a penny in it.
A lot of times, we try to justify what we are doing from a logical framework and forget
about the emotional aspect and the intuition part. For crowdfunding, it matters how
people connect to your cause. Psychologist Daniel Kahneman says that most of the time,
our fast, intuitive mind is in control, efficiently taking charge of all the thousands of
decisions we make each day.
Understand the power of big and small. Small enough to help people visualise how their
money is going to make a difference for that particular child, and big enough for them
to see how they are a part of your grand vision. Learn the art of storytelling and create a
compelling story around your programme.
The next task is to understand the amount that we could raise. Here is how I did it. I
created a database of everyone I knew in a column and put the amount of funds that I
could expect from them. I asked both Sam and Awnish, my founding members, to do the
same.
This is one place where you really have to evaluate the networks around you and note
down your realistic expectations. When you complete that list, you will get an idea of the
total amount. Double that amount and that’s the kind of money that we generally raise
for our projects.
After this exercise, you must identify ambassadors who really believe in your work and
would go on to ensure their networks contribute too. I was fortunate to have that kind of
support as they raise about 20 percent of the entire funds for you.
As a final step, line up a couple of people who can be your first supporters. Remember,
crowdfunding is all about getting individuals to contribute, but nobody wants to
contribute to a campaign with zero supporters. In that case, it becomes incredibly
important to have people who support the campaign the instant it goes live.
Typically, this is how a general trend of a campaign looks like. You need to have a grand
opening, which should provide you with 30 percent of the funds within the first week.
Understand that it is difficult for you to sustain people’s interest in your campaign as time
goes. They make waves in the beginning, but then people forget about them. And the
last step of planning is to ensure you have enough marketing collaterals to support
yourself during the flat period. We had kept ready around 20 social media posts to put
out either daily or on alternate days.
Execution is all about timing, getting your channels right and ensuring everyone has a
chance to contribute. And, of course, some amount of luck.
Well, as they say, it’s all about timing. You need to figure out the best time to launch the
campaign unless you have come to a dead end. Never start a campaign during the last
weeks of the month when people have less money in their accounts. Festival times when
people receive bonuses are a good time too.
Once your campaign has been launched, ensure that you publish it on all the social
media channels reach out to everyone you know. One of the strategies that worked for
us was that every time someone would contribute, we will thank them on their Facebook
wall and tag a couple of their friends. You have to realise the power of network of
networks - this is where the rest 50 percent comes from.
Make sure your ask is customised for each person. It must have a bracket that ensures
you get large contributions but also should allow others to add value. This is how we did
it.
It helped us because there were lots of my connections who initially didn’t know about
Involve, but contributed a small amount because they saw themselves making a
difference. What people look for is two things: If this is something worth contributing to
(which comes from the story you tell), and if the money they contribute adds significant
value.
Pro tip: Get one of your relatives to contribute to your campaign and then share it on
your family WhatsApp group praising that relative. You know how it works then!
Luck played a huge role too in our campaign:
Case 1: One of my close friends “A” asked another friend “B” to contribute a small
amount. B liked the idea and shared with his father “ C” who runs a school. Realising the
importance of peer teaching in today's’ education, he instantly gave us Rs 1 lakh to
design the complete programme.
Case 2: Our campaign was going through the flat phase and we needed a high. We still
needed to raise Rs 3 lakh more. Our campaign got an offer for 1.2x impact and suddenly
it tipped. We ended up raising Rs 1.5 lakh in a single day. We had lots of anonymous
contributions ranging from Rs 250 to Rs 15,000 and well, trust me I had no idea how.
After-connect: A lot of people think that once you have successfully raised the amount,
the campaign gets over. I think the other way. The after-connect is an essential part of
long-term relationship building with your supporters. These are people who have
contributed to your programme and if they know that their money has been utilised well,
they are going to spread the word about you. Most importantly, they might come back
next year and contribute again. So continuously update them on what is happening and
stay connected.
Wish you happy fundraising. Feel free to write to me in case you want some more tips.
Date: 14th January 2019
Publication: Analytics India Magazine
Edition: Online
Journalist: Abhijeet Katte
Headline: Our Innovative Tech Products For Conversational AI Will Drive Transformation
In 2019, Says Samith Ramachandran Of Uniphore
URL: https://www.analyticsindiamag.com/our-innovative-tech-products-for-
conversational-ai-will-drive-transformation-in-2019-says-samith-ramachandran-of-
uniphore/
Our Innovative Tech Products For Conversational AI Will Drive Transformation In 2019,
Says Samith Ramachandran Of Uniphore
Uniphore Software Systems is a global Conversational AI technology company that builds
transformational customer engagement solutions for businesses. Uniphore offers software
for Conversational Analytics, Conversational Assistant and Conversational Security.
Uniphore has served over 100 enterprise clients and 4 million end users. It has offices
worldwide including in USA, Singapore and India. Uniphore was founded in 2008 at IIT
Madras, India. The company was recognized as a Technology Fast 500 company in the
Asia Pacific by Deloitte in 2014 and ranked 10th in Deloitte’s Fast 50 in 2015. Uniphore’s
Co-founder & CEO, Umesh Sachdev, was named in 2016 as one of the ’10 Millennials
Changing the World’ by TIME Magazine, and ‘Innovators Under 35′ by MIT Technology
Review. Uniphore’s investors include John Chambers, IDG Ventures India, IIFL, Kris
Gopalakrishnan, Ray Stata, YourNest Angel Fund and India Angel Network. Uniphore has
many marquee clients in India, APAC and US across BFSI, Healthcare, BPO and Hospitality
sectors.
AIM: Can you share what’s the roadmap for 2019 for Uniphore and its products?
SR: The primary driver of Customer Experience will be Customer Service and
Conversational AI is poised to fundamentally transform customer service. Uniphore and
our innovative technology products for conversational AI will drive that transformation.
While, we cannot talk about the specifics of product roadmap, at a high level we will be
super-charging our flagship product, auMina – the Conversational Analytics Platform with
AI, with additional features to deliver both business outcomes and operational efficiency.
We are also planning to launch an upgraded version of our versatile, multi-modal and
omnichannel conversation assistant solution – AkeiraTM.
AIM: What are the expansion plans going ahead and new updates for our readers?
SR: Last year we established our footprint in the APAC market. We have exceeded our
own expectations with key wins from the BFSI sector. This year Uniphore entered the US
market and we have already bagged some early major wins. Both regions will continue
to be the focus markets for future growth of the company. Our future plans will be to
expand our footprint across these markets in terms of Sales, BD, Delivery and R&D.
AIM: What advancements have you achieved in the speech technology?
SR: Our Core Tech R&D team has been working on many areas ranging from
Speech/Audio Enhancement to NLU-NLG solutions to the development of Automatic
Speech Recognition (ASR) Engine. Just this year we have filed close to 4 to 5 new patents
in the aforementioned areas.
AIM: How has the speech and speech analytics markets changed over the years?
SR: Uniphore has always been the first to anticipate market transitions and align our
solutions and strategies accordingly. We pioneered conversational Analytics for Business
Outcomes in India and APAC markets about 2 years ago. We have been working with
Opus Research for the last 3 years, commissioning a Survey for identifying key trends and
customer needs in the conversational Analysis market for different regions. Our findings
from these surveys have been that each region has different priorities in terms of drivers
for implementing conversational Analytics. While India and APAC markets are still quite
excited about applying conversational Analytics to drive Business Outcomes, the West
especially the US which is a mature market is looking at Real-time solutions for driving
Operational Efficiency and Customer service excellence.
AIM: How much do you invest in R&D activities in AI and speech processing every year?
What are the plans for 2019?
Also Read No Digital Ecosystem Is Self-Sufficient; Collaboration Is The Key, Says Dattatri
Salagame Of Bosch
SR: We have always believed in serious investments in building AI and Core Speech tech
capacity every year. We are looking at both organic as well as inorganic capacity
building aimed at imbibing AI-ML into our R&D DNA and building a strong AI-ML over the
early part of next year. From a spend perspective, we are looking at doubling it in 2019.
AIM: What has been the reaction from your clients over the years to Uniphore product?
How much is the demand for speech analytics grown?
SR: Uniphore has always garnered great support and feedback from our clients. We listen
to our clients and understand real business problems and provide insights which solve
these problems for our clients. The demand for conversational analytics has significantly
grown over these years. Uniphore has always been keen in identifying newer application
areas for its products Conversational Analytics, Conversational Assistant and
Conversational Security. Conversational AI will soon become the core to successful
customer engagement for enterprises across verticals. In the last year, we have been
able to move conversational Analytics from a peripheral offline analytics solution to a
real-time, inline and core conversational analytics platform which will redefine Customer
Service of the future!
Date: 16th January 2019
Publication: News Jizz
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: IIT-Madras solar technology lighting homes in remote parts of India
URL: https://newsjizz.com/132382-iit-madras-solar-technology-lighting-homes-in-remote-
parts-of-india.html
IIT-Madras solar technology lighting homes in remote parts of India
Solar-Direct Current (DC) Inverterless Technology, pioneered by researchers at Indian
Institute of Technology - Madras, is lighting up homes in remote parts of the country which
are beyond the reach of electricity grids.
Cygni Energy Private Limited, a startup that was incubated by the Rural Technology
Business Incubator (RTBI) of IIT-Madras, is now installing 3,026 units in Manipur villages and
another 25,000 units in Assam.
Speaking about the importance of the project, Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT-M, who lead
the research on this technology, said, "Solar-DC system makes the equipment much
smaller in size and cost. It has helped us in these difficult terrains where carrying anything
would have been difficult."
Also, powering homes with DC powerline reduces the power-consumption and would be
increasingly deployed with solar in urban and rural India homes, he added.
The said technology uses DC solutions to remove alternate current (AC) to DC and DC
to AC conversions. Removing the need of conversion helps in saving 30% to 40% of
energy, according to an official release.
This later provides more power backup with lesser size of batteries and solar panel which
thus also contributes in reducing the cost of the system, it added.
Date: 16th January 2019
Publication: Thanthi TV (Content by BBC Tamil)
Edition: Electronic
Journalist: Mr. S. Jeyakumar
Alumni: Mr. Deekshith
Headline: ஐ.ஐ.டி. முாணவரக்ளின் புதிய கண்டுபிடிப்பு (New invention
by IIT Madras students)
URL: https://www.thanthitv.com/News/India/2019/01/16123309/1021871/IIT-students-Air-
Polluction.vpf
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: NDTV
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: IIT Madras Solar Technology Startup Lights Up Remote Villages
URL: https://www.ndtv.com/education/iit-madras-solar-technology-startup-lights-up-
remote-villages-1978477
IIT Madras Solar Technology Startup Lights Up Remote Villages
Solar DC Inverterless Technology, pioneered by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
Researchers, is lighting up homes in remote parts of the country where the terrain is so
foreboding that they are beyond the reach of Electricity Grids, said an official statement.
Cygni Energy Private Limited, an innovative Solar-DC solutions startup that was incubated
by the Rural Technology Business Incubator (RTBI) of IIT Madras, is now installing 3,026 units
in villages located high up in remote corners of Manipur and another 25,000 units Solar
inverters and lights in the villages of Assam.
"It is of great importance that we have played major role in taking power to remote
villages in Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir. Solar-DC system makes
the equipment much smaller in size and cost," Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Institute
Professor, IIT Madras, who lead the research on this technology, said while speaking
about the importance of this Project.
"It has helped us in these difficult terrains where carrying anything would have been
difficult. Powering homes with DC power-line reduces the power-consumption and would
be increasingly deployed with solar in urban and rural India homes," he added.
The Manipur Project, taken up at a cost of Rs.11.5 crore, was funded by Manipur
Renewable Energy Development Agency. Installation has been completed in 2,800
Homes. Most Beneficiaries are situated in remote, inaccessible mountainous regions of
Manipur. This project resulted in electrification of 96 villages in places such as of Senapati,
Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Chandel, Phrezawl, Thoubal and Tamenglong.
Out of the 44,854 total installations planned, 30,828 have been completed so far.
With Solar-DC solution, people are able to use power for 8 hours full load and close to 12-
14 hours in reserve mode [only basic appliances like bulb and mobile chargers], the
statement said.
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 3
Journalist: Ram Sundaram
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: Tech pioneered by IIT-M helps light up remote villages
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/iit-madras-solar-technology-
lighting-up-homes-in-remote-parts-of-india/articleshow/67559814.cms
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: The New Indian Express
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 6
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: Firm incubated in IIT-Madras spreads light to remote Indian villages
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/jan/17/firm-incubated-
in-iit-madras-spreads-light-to-remote-villages-1926176.html
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 6
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: IIT-Madras solar DC tech to light up villages
URL: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170119/iit-madras-solar-
dc-tech-to-light-up-villages.html
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: UNI
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: IIT-M incubated firm install solar units in remote terrains of Manipur
URL: http://www.uniindia.com/~/iit-m-incubated-firm-install-solar-units-in-remote-
terrains-of-manipur-assam-meghalaya-j-k/States/news/1469345.html
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: EDEX
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: This IITM start-up is lighting up villages in remote corners of the country
URL: https://www.edexlive.com/news/2019/jan/16/this-iitm-start-up-is-lighting-up-
villages-in-remote-corners-of-the-country-5046.html
This IITM start-up is lighting up villages in remote corners of the country
Solar DC Inverterless Technology, pioneered by Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Researchers, is lighting up homes in remote parts of the country where the terrain is so
foreboding that they are beyond the reach of Electricity Grids.
Cygni Energy Private Limited, an innovative Solar-DC solutions startup that was incubated
by the Rural Technology Business Incubator (RTBI) of IIT Madras, is now installing 3,026 units
in villages located high up in remote corners of Manipur and another 25,000 units Solar
inverters and lights in the villages of Assam.
Speaking about the importance of this Project, Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Institute Professor,
IIT Madras, who lead the research on this technology, said, “It is of great importance that
we have played major a role in taking power to remote villages in Manipur, Assam,
Meghalaya and J&K. Solar-DC system makes the equipment much smaller in size and
cost. It has helped us in these difficult terrains where carrying anything would have been
difficult. Powering homes with DC power-line reduces the power-consumption and would
be increasingly deployed with solar in urban and rural India homes.”
The Manipur Project, taken up at a cost of Rs.11.5 crore, was funded by Manipur
Renewable Energy Development Agency. Installation has been completed in 2,800
Homes. Most Beneficiaries are situated in remote, inaccessible mountainous regions of
Manipur. This project resulted in electrthe ification of 96 villages in places such as of
Senapati, Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Chandel, Phrezawl, Thoubal and Tamenglong.
Speaking the project implementation, Venkat Rajaraman, CEO, Cygni Energy Private
Limited, said, “In 2018, India achieved its dream of electrifying every village and we are
privileged to be a part of this challenging effort. Now, we have set our target on 100 per
cent electrification of rural households. Our Solar-DC Inverterless product is a unique,
disruptive product that is bringing about a paradigm shift in the way energy is generated
and consumed. Our 48V DC was made a Standard for Low Voltage Direct Current
(LVDC) electrification by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and also approved by the
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, for on-grid and off-
grid solar applications.”
With Solar-DC solution, people are able to use power for 8 hours t full load and close to
12-14 hours in reserve mode [only basic appliances like bulb and mobile chargers]. IIT
Madras worked closely with Cygni to develop Inverterless technology. This product was
built ground up with high efficiency and affordability in mind. The Challenges faced
include:
Last mile Transportation: This is one of the biggest challenges the implementation team
faced while installing in the remote locations in Assam, Manipur and Jammu & Kashmir.
Educating Customers to prevent System Tampering. The team is implementing Customer
Training programs to counter it.
The project does not stop with just installing the units. There is also a Customer Training
Program to educate the beneficiaries on the usage of the product. The sessions are
generally conducted at a commons place like Village Chief’s home or a community hall.
A Cygni Authorized Trainer demonstrates the good practices and basic user instruction
on how to handle the Inverterless system. This includes details on how to turn the System
ON and OFF and what each LED and buzzer sound indicate. This also includes how to
reach the Cygni helpline in case of any issues and how to provide information to Cygni
Service Personnel for easy identification and resolution of the problem.
The Solar-DC Inverterless technology, conceptualised and ideated by IIT Madras, uses
complete DC solutions to remove AC to DC and DC to AC conversions. Removing the
need of conversion helps in saving 30% to 40% of energy. This later provides more power
backup with lesser size of batteries and solar panel which thus also contributes in reducing
the cost of the system.
The Solar DC products are designed and developed in such a way that it can be easily
installed in off-grid or near off-grid homes. This solution can also be seamlessly integrated
with the AC grid power supply providing 24x7 power backup.
A large number of homes (some estimates are up to 60 million homes) are still off-grid,
and taking power-lines to these homes may be just too expensive. Many more have long
power-cuts and could be categorized as near off-grid.
While decentralized solar at the roof-tops to generate power could be an option for such
homes, the costs of a conventional solar PV system to provide basic light and fans (and
cell-phone charger) have been high primarily because of (i) poor design, (ii) high AC to
DC and DC to AC conversion losses associated with such solar and battery systems and
(iii) high costs of batteries.
Solar-DC systems would save about 35-40% of the power as compared to a solar-AC
system. Add to it the energy-savings associated with DC appliances, huge gains in
efficiency becomes possible. This efficiency gains translate to lower sized solar panel and
smaller battery and therefore cost-savings when compared to a solar-AC system. Such a
set-up offers an economical and affordable solution for off-grid/ near off-grid homes
(homes with large power-cuts), and could also be useful for grid-connected homes in
saving power-bills as well as providing back-up power.
This is achieved by Solar-DC Inverterless technology, conceptualized by IIT Madras. The
Institute has implemented such decentralized Solar-DC systems within its campus as well
as outside locations. In a nutshell, Solar-DC Inverterless Technology will aid homes
gradually move towards a more DC world tomorrow.
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: DT Next
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 8
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: IIT Madras takes solar energy to remote parts
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: The Economic Times
Edition: Delhi/Mumbai/Bangalore/Hyderabad/Kolkata/Kochi
Page No: 11
Journalist: NA
Headline: No stopping these dynamic entrepreneurs
Date: 17th January 2019
Publication: Live Chennai
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Headline: Remote villages to get electricity due to IIT Madras Solar DC tech
URL: https://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?catid=&newsid=46305
Remote villages to get electricity due to IIT Madras Solar DC tech
There are few villages in northeastern parts of India that are beyond the reach of
electricity grids and people present in these villages live without electricity. The
sensational news is the remote places in Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya etc would soon get
electricity due to Solar DC Technology developed by Indian Institute of Technology
Madras or IITM.
It is known that Cygni Energy Private Ltd is innovative Solar DC solutions start up that was
incubated at the IITM. This company is involved in installing 3026 unit in the villages that
are present high up in the remote corners of Manipur. In addition to this the company
would also be installing 25000 unit solar inverters and lights in the villages belonging to
Assam.
Popular professor belonging to IITM, Mr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala expressed his views. He
spoke about how IITM has played a huge role in taking the electricity to remote villages
belonging to Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir etc. He appreciated
the efforts of Solar DC system in making equipments that are smaller in size and cost. The
IITM professor then spoke about how the equipments have helped them in difficult
terrains. The main advantage of powering homes with DC power lines is it reduces power
consumption effectively. Finally he hinted that DC power lines would be increasingly
deployed with solar in both urban as well as in the rural homes in India.
Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency had funded an amount of Rs 11.5
crores for the Manipur project and the installation has been completed in 2800 homes.
The target of 100 percent electrification on rural households has been set by Cygni Energy
Private Ltd.
As per Mr. Venkat Rajaraman, chief executive officer of Cygni Energy Private Ltd, the
solar inverter-less product made by his company was unique, disruptive product that is
bringing about paradigm shift in the way energy is generated and consumed. He then
spoke about how people would be able to use power for 8 hours to full load and close
to 12 -14 hours in reserve mode with Solar DC solution with basic appliances like mobile
charges and bulbs etc.
Date: 18th January 2019
Publication: News Today
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 3
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: IIT-M lights up villages in remote areas
URL: https://newstodaynet.com/index.php/2019/01/17/iit-m-lights-up-villages-in-remote-
areas/
IIT-M lights up villages in remote areas
Solar DC Inverterless Technology, pioneered by Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Researchers, is lighting up homes in remote parts of the country.
Cygni Energy Private Limited, an innovative Solar-DC solutions startup that was incubated
by the Rural Technology Business Incubator (RTBI) of IIT Madras, is now installing 3,026 units
in villages located high up in remote corners of Manipur and another 25,000 units solar
inverters and lights in the villages of Assam, a press release said.
Speaking about the importance of the project, Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Institute
Professor, IIT Madras, who lead the research on this technology, said, “It is of great
importance that we have played major role in taking power to remote villages in
Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya and J&K. Solar-DC system makes the equipment much
smaller in size and cost. It has helped us in these difficult terrains where carrying anything
would have been difficult. Powering homes with DC power-line reduces the power-
consumption and would be increasingly deployed with solar in urban and rural India
homes.”
The Manipur Project, taken up at a cost of Rs 11.5 crore, was funded by Manipur
Renewable Energy Development Agency. Installation has been completed in 2,800
homes.
With Solar-DC solution, people are able to use power for 8 hours at full load and close to
12-14 hours in reserve mode (only basic appliances like bulb and mobile chargers), the
release said.
Date: 19th January 2019
Publication: Your Story
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: Solar tech from IIT-Madras is lighting up remote villages across India, one
home at a time
URL: https://yourstory.com/2019/01/iit-madras-solar-tech-villages/
Solar tech from IIT-Madras is lighting up remote villages across India, one home at a
time
Incubated at IIT-Madras, Cygni Energy is installing solar units and improving the quality of
life in remote villages where people did not have access to electricity till now.
Electric power is something most of us take for granted, but there are a few remote
villages in India that continue to do without electricity. But unfavourable terrains and
isolated locations don’t stand a chance in front of innovation.
Pioneered by researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, Solar-DC
Inverterless Technology is lighting up homes in remote regions across India. These include
isolated villages in Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Cygni Energy Private Limited, a Solar-DC solution startup incubated by Rural Technology
Business Incubator (RTBI) of IIT-Madras, is now set to install 3,026 units in Manipur. Another
batch of 25,000 units of solar inverters and lights will also be installed in villages across
Assam.
In a conversation with NDTV, Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, IIT-Madras, who led research
on the project, said, “It is of great importance that we have played a major role in taking
power to remote villages in Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir. Solar-
DC system makes the equipment much smaller in size and cost.”
Manipur Renewable Development Agency provided the funding for installing the solar
units in Manipur. So far, 2,800 homes have been covered; 96 villages have been
electrified. According to the official statement, the Solar-DC solution lets people use
power for 8 hours full-load and close to 12-14 hours in reserve mode (only basic
appliances like bulb and mobile chargers).
Cygni Energy’s website showcases a few interviews with people who have benefited
from the innovation.
“We are happy now with the solar power in our village. Now we don’t have to use
kerosene anymore that we used to buy for Rs 20 per litre. Now, it helps us in having great
savings. We couldn’t have imagined this in our dreams, but we are seeing it now,” one
of them said.
Till date, 30,828 installations of the total 44,854 planned have been completed.
Date: 20th January 2019
Publication: DNA
Edition: Delhi
Page No: 9
Professor: Prof Mitesh M Khapra and Prof Pratyush Kumar
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras launches new startup to train professionals in AI
Date: 21st January 2019
Publication: Bharat Shakhti
Edition: online
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT Madras Launches Startup to Train Students in AI, at Affordable Costs
URL: https://bharatshakti.in/iit-madras-launches-startup-to-train-students-in-ai-at-
affordable-costs/
IIT Madras Launches Startup to Train Students in AI, at Affordable Costs
Faculty of the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT-M) have launched a startup
which aims to prepare the workforce in India for the dawn of the Artificial Intelligence
(AI) age by training students at affordable costs, India Today reports.
The startup, One-Fourth Labs, includes an online school known as ‘PadhAI’, which will
offer India-specific courses in AI at nominal rates. Students with the top performance from
the courses in PadhAI will receive invitations to an AI residency programme ‘Summer
Garage’ at the IIT Research Park, every year.
Students will then work on researching and tackling social problems as well as find
solutions of commercial value. Fourth Labs will further collaborate with small and medium
enterprises in the industry to create various AI-driven applications, generating value for
the economy in India.
Date: 21st January 2019
Publication: Tech expert
Edition: Online
Journalist: Srikanth
Professor: Prof Mitesh M Khapra and Prof Pratyush Kumar
Headline: IIT Madras Offers Affordable AI Courses
URL: https://www.techiexpert.com/iit-madras-offers-affordable-ai-courses/
IIT Madras Offers Affordable AI Courses
Artificial Intelligence is a classification of computer science that emphasises on the
artificial behaviour of the computer and its functioning. Resulting in expertise to preside
over a computer to braze with knowledge, reasoning, problem solving, perception,
learning, planning and ability to manipulate object. Artificial Intelligence is therefore, a
break-through for researching and skilling a computer, designed for:
Speech recognition
Problem solving
Planning
Learning
To increase the apprehension and knowledge to Artificial Intelligence, Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras(IIT-Madras), offers on online portal, ‘PadhAI’, by faculty of computer
science department for the students to develop skills through online training. The online
portal was founded by Mitesh M Khapra and Pratyush Kumar who are acclaimed
assistant professors at Department of Computer Science and Engineering, at IIT-Madras.
‘PadhAI’ will offer a 4-month course starting from February 1,2019 constituting 80 hours of
lecture and assignments that are to be solved by individual candidates.This method
includes affordable India-specific courses on AI for the Indian students and faculty for
1,180 INR and working professionals for 5,900 INR. The registrations for the course are open
until January 24, 2019. Candidates willing to learn AI related courses can apply at
padhai.onefourthlabs.in for an affordable range.
Highlights to the course involves invites to a summer Garage, an AI residency program,
at IIT-Madras Research Park for the candidates who rank high in the course while they will
have the choice to work on research, problems of societal impact or solutions with
commercial value. This course is a head start with the underlying knowledge of
mathematics and python. Hence, this course is open for anyone including students,
faculty or professionals who have the idea to these skills.
This course as an essential step also involves full fee waiver scholarships for professionals
who are unable to pay and women who are returning form a break. ‘PadhAI’ follows the
mission to combine theoretical knowledge with targeting experience, emphasising on
limited pre-requisites to unfolding a challenging problem throughout.
“We hope to build a community around PadhAI by continuing to engage with you after
the course through the DL garage, subsequent courses, and also through our startup One
Fourth Labs which will build solutions on Deep Learning,” specifies the ‘PadhAI’ website.
Hence, this masterly online portal for developers and AI seekers explains a way to new
and digitalised Indian platform carrying out excelling ideas on Artificial Intelligence.
Date: 22nd January 2019
Publication: Swatantra Vartha
Edition: Hyderabad
Page No: 4
Journalist: NA
Headline: IIT pioneering solar dc technology lights up villages in remote corners of the
country
Date: 22nd January 2019
Publication: The Hindu Business Line
Edition: Chennai / Delhi / Mumbai / Pune / Bangalore / Hyderabad / Kochi /
Ahmedabad / Chandigarh
Page No: 2
Journalist: N Ramakrishnan
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: Designing and packaging the technology for EV battery makers
URL: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/emerging-
entrepreneurs/designing-and-packaging-the-technology-for-ev-battery-
makers/article26052802.ece
Date: 23rd January 2019
Publication: Life 365
Edition: Pune
Page No: 10
Journalist: NA
Delhi / Faridabad / Noida/Mumbai
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: Solar tech is lighting up remote villages across India
Date: 24th January 2019
Publication: The Times of India -Chennai Times
Edition: Online
Journalist: Purnima Sah
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: With solar DC technology project, IIT Madras lights up remote villages in the
country
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/with-solar-dc-technology-
project-iit-madras-lights-up-remote-villages-in-the-country/articleshow/67673354.cms
Date: 25th January 2019
Publication: Business Standard
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Headline: Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
URL: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/three-tech-missions-on-solar-
water-treatment-to-be-launched-at-iit-madras-119012401350_1.html
Three tech missions on solar, water treatment to be launched at IIT Madras
Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and
Environment, Forests and Climate Change will launch three technology mission
centres at IIT Madras on Friday to address various issues around solar energy and water
treatment, a government statement said on Thursday.
"All the three centres will be set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST),"
Vardhan's office said in a release.
The first, it said, is the DST-IIT Madras Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.
"The centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology
development activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are
suited for Indian conditions. It is likely to be a true change agent in the energy
landscape of India. The consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability
requirements in the spirit of Make in India," the release said.
Scientists from IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited (BHEL) and KGDS Renewable Energy Private Limited will be engaged
in the activities of the centre.
Second in line is the DST-IIT Madras Water Innovation Centre for sustainable treatment,
reuse and management which has been established with the aim to undertake
synchronized research and training programmes on various issues related to wastewater
management, water treatment, sensor development, stormwater management and
distribution and collection systems.
"This multi-institutional virtual centre will be looking into a sustainable approach for water
resources protection and augmentation through wastewater treatment and reuse
and stormwater management.
"The centre will provide a unique opportunity for the various groups in
different premier organizations working in the area of wastewater management, water
treatment, sensor development and stormwater management to collaborate and work
in synergized manner to ensure adequate and safe sources of drinking water for rural and
urban India and process water for highly polluting industries, through
research, technology development and capacity building," the Science and
Technology Ministry said.
The third one would be the test bed on solar thermal desalination solutions which are
being established by IIT Madras and KGDS as solution providers in
Naripaaiyur, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver
customized technological solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid
coastal villages located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
Date: 25th January 2019
Publication: Medianama
Edition: Online
Journalist: NA
Professor: Prof Mitesh M Khapra and Prof Pratyush Kumar
Headline: NAMA Digest: Developments at Ola, IIT-Madras, Facebook, Google and more
URL: https://www.medianama.com/2019/01/223-nama-digest/
NAMA Digest: Developments at Ola, IIT-Madras, Facebook, Google and more
IIT-Madras has launched a startup called ‘OneFourthLabs‘ to train students and
professionals in AI, reports the Economic Times. The startup was founded by Mitesh M
Khapra and Pratyush Kumar, both of who are assistant professors at the department of
computer science and engineering at the institute. The startup has been incubated by
the IIT Madras Incubation Cell.
IIT-Madras faculty also runs an online school called “PadhAI” which offers affordable
courses on AI. For OneFourthLabs, top performers from PadhAI will be invited to a
residency program at IIT-Madras. The startup will also create AI-driven apps with small
and medium enterprises.
Date: 25th January 2019
Publication: The Hindu
Edition: Chennai
Page No: 9
Journalist: NA
Headline: Innovators’ programme
