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NATIONAL / KARANTAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY : Ramesh Kunhikannan, Founder of Kaynes Technololgy Makes It To Forbes List Of Billionaires 2024

He is the Founder of Mysuru’s Kaynes Technology that supplied power systems for the Chandrayaan-3’s lander and rover.

India reached a huge milestone last year, as the country became the first nation to land a spacecraft near the unexplored south pole of the moon.

Ramesh Kunhikannan, whose company contributed largely to the historic space mission, was named on the Forbes Billionaires List 2024 for the first time this year, thanks to the historic space mission. He is presently placed among the richest people across the globe along with Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mukesh Ambani with a whopping 1.2 billion US Dollars (approx. Rs. 10,011 crore) net worth.

Ramesh Kunhikannan is the Founder and Managing Director of Kaynes Technology India, headquartered in Mysuru.

The company is famous for manufacturing electronic products. The 60-year-old billionaire graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysuru.

He started his company in 1988 as a contract electronics manufacturer. His spouse and current company Chairperson, Savitha Ramesh, joined the company in 1996. The company presently hold a market capitalisation of Rs. 17,156 crore with its stocks priced at around Rs. 2,700, according  to Value Search.

The 36-year-old company mainly supplies electronic systems and design services to automobile industries, aerospace, medical and defence. Kaynes’ services are mainly used for electronic controls in EVs, railway signals, etc.

The shares of the company have given a return of about 234 percent since its debut. The company assembles printed circuit boards and has eight factories in India.

Kaynes supplies 350 clients across the globe in the auto, aerospace and medical industries.

It is also one of the multiple companies which largely contributed to the achievement of Chandrayan 3. The company provided power systems for the Chandrayaan-3’s lander and rover. Following the successful completion of the mission, Kaynes Technology India’s shares skyrocketed from Rs. 1,719 in August 2022 to Rs. 2683.85 as of today.

Presently, Kunhikannan holds 64 percent of the company which is around 1.1 billion US Dollars (approximately Rs. 8.3 thousand crores) to his net worth.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: DEFENCE / NAVY: Kochi becomes US Navy’s latest docking station

Cochin Shipyard has signed a Master Shipyard Repair Agreement with the US Navy as part of an agreement reached during last year’s G20 summit for India to support the US Navy’s forward deployment.

US Naval ships will now dock at, and undergo repairs, at Cochin Shipyard according to a new agreement, part of a broader naval cooperation framework agreed between India and the US during last year’s G20 summit.

Officials of Cochin Shipyard, a Government of India undertaking, signed a Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the United States Navy effective from April 05, 2024 as part of a larger plan for India to support the US’ forward naval deployment in Asia.

The move, along with similar agreements signed by L&T for Kattupalli Port near Chennai and Mazgaon Docs in Mumbai, will help the U.S. Navy to establish maintenance hubs for its assets in the Indo-Pacific region.

The agreement with L&T and Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders was signed last year. These shipyards are renowned for constructing some of the Indian Navy’s most advanced and largest warships.

The U.S. Navy’s decision to partner with Indian shipyards for maintenance and repair of its vessels is driven by the limited availability of suitable facilities within the Indo-Pacific region. Currently, the shipyards capable of servicing U.S. vessels are in East Asia and South East Asia, within range of Chinese forces, posing a potential security risk.

While facilities in Hawaii and the Continental United States are available, they are not easily accessible for forward-deployed assets.

The move comes in the wake of deepening security and defense ties between the two nations, particularly in the face of shared concerns regarding China’s activities in the region. India has taken a more proactive role in regional security, engaging in multilateral initiatives such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia.

The U.S. Navy operates a vast fleet of approximately 290 ships and submarines, as well as over 3,700 aircraft, deployed across the globe.

It has significant presence in the Indian Ocean, with the U.S. 5th Fleet headquartered in Bahrain. The fleet is responsible for US’ naval forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

In addition to the agreements with Indian shipyards, the U.S. has also been exploring the possibility of using private Japanese shipyards for maintenance and repairs.

The first instance of a U.S. vessel being maintained and repaired in an Indian shipyard occurred in 2022, when USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) docked at L&T’s Kattupalli shipyard in Chennai.

This event marked a new dimension in the growing Indo-U.S. strategic partnership, according to the Indian Ministry of Defence. Since then, two more U.S. vessels, USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE-9) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), have undergone maintenance and repairs at the same shipyard.

The two countries have also been holding several joint exercises and engagements. They have also signed defense agreements such as the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for sharing of logistics support, secure communications, and geospatial intelligence.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: DEFENCE : SPAIN: C-295 Aircraft order could increase to over 100 units, says Spanish Ambassador

These aircraft, which will be delivered as a part of the Indian Air Force’s Rs 21,935 crore deal with Spain will replace IAF’s ageing Avro-748 fleet.

The second C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space, which is expected to be delivered shortly, is a part of Spain’s commitment to deliver 56 such aircraft to the Indian Air Force, after a deal worth Rs 21,935 crore was signed.

Spain’s Ambassador to India, Jose Maria Ridao, in an exclusive interaction with this newspaper said that this order could be increased upto 100 units or more.

“We are happy to collaborate with India on this project and as you may recall that the first aircraft was delivered in September last year. The first 16 will be built in Seville and the remaining 40 in Vadodara. However, I am optimistic that this order will increase upto 100 units or more,’’ Ambassador Ridao told this newspaper.

These aircrafts will replace IAF’s ageing Avro-748 fleet.

Spain is also pitching for an order of submarines and has invited Indian naval officials to Spain. It may be recalled that in July 2023, Spanish company Navantia and engineering major Larsen and Tubro signed a teaming agreement for submitting techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s P75 submarine programme.

“The Indian navy officials, when they visit Spain, can see for themselves the technological advancement of the submarines,’’ said Ambassador Ridao.

Project 75 requires the Indian bidder to tie up with a foreign collaborator and execute the delivery of six conventional submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) while achieving targeted indigenous content. Expected to be valued at Euro 4.8 billion (Rs 43,000 crore), this will be amongst India’s largest defence projects.

Meanwhile, Spain is India’s sixth largest trading partner in the European Union. India’s exports to Spain in 2023 were Euro 5.847 million while Spain’s export to India were Euro 1.7779 million

“There are over 250 Spanish companies in India, and we have bilateral trade visits with India. These include delegations from West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, while Punjab and Gujarat too are likely to send their delegations for possible collaborations,’’ the Ambassador added.

Speaking about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India, Ambassador Ridao said that being a democracy is the extraordinary value that India holds.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICAL SCIENCES: INNOVATION: IIT-Guwahati researchers develop solutions based on Regenerative Therapies for Knee Tears

IT-G has created three hydrogel formulations that are blends of silk fibroin and other polymers, which can be used by doctors in clinics, to treat the meniscus injury.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology- (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, has formulated three treatment solutions for a knee injury that has proven difficult to treat.

By developing these key regenerative therapies, the researchers have provided possible alternative solutions to manage the problem of a knee meniscus tear, an injury to tissue in one’s knee joints, the IIT-G said in a release.

“We have developed regenerative treatment approaches that would be tailored for the patient and help in rapid healing meniscus tears or replacing parts of the damaged tissue,” Professor Biman B Mandal, department of biosciences and bioengineering, IIT-G, said.

Trauma to the knee meniscus, a cushioning tissue in the knee joint, is a common yet complex problem. A tear in the tissue can make it difficult to walk, run or perform daily activities.

The 3 hydrogels

The IIT-G team has created three hydrogel formulations that are blends of silk fibroin and other polymers, which can be used by doctors in clinics, to treat the meniscus injury.

These components, especially silk, are well known for their strength, bioactivity and flexibility. They are also cost-effective compared to other materials such as commercially available polyurethane and collagen meniscus implants, the release said.

Out of the three, one is an injectable hydrogel, which can be injected in a minimally invasive manner directly into the meniscus site to expedite the healing of smaller injuries.

For treating larger full thickness complex meniscus tissue injuries, the researchers have created two 3D bio-printable inks that can be 3D printed into implants.

In the two bioink formulations, one carries commercially available growth factor loaded microspheres, the second carries patient derived factors which are released in a sustained manner aiding faster meniscus healing. Both formulations can be 3D printed into a partial or full sized meniscus and used for healing large portions of the meniscus.

3D printing, or bioprinting, has recently emerged as a popular futuristic method for tissue engineering. Here, the implant is customized as per the patient’s requirements.

The research aims to provide a more personalised and effective treatment for meniscus injuries, potentially improving the quality of life for millions of people.

The developments signal a significant advancement, providing solutions custom-made for each patient and could also potentially prevent future complications such as osteoarthritis.

The three approaches have been published in three manuscripts in international journals Applied Materials Today and Advanced Biology, co-authored by Mandal and his team of research scholars — Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay, Baishali Ghibhela, and Sayanti Shome and Dr Debajyoti Pal, Dr Samsamul Hoque and Professor Samit K Nandi from the University of Animal and Fishery Sciences.

source/content: moneycontrol.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: MEDIA : AWARD :17th Ramnath Goenka Awards for Excellence in Journalism: Celebrating Fearless Stories

Eminent personalities graced the event that acknowledged the best work from print, digital and broadcast media.

The 17th edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards was held on March 19 to celebrate outstanding work from print, digital and broadcast media. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was the chief guest at the event in New Delhi , where a total of 44 winners from 2021 and 2022 were felicitated.

Highlighting the importance of a free press , Gadkari said, “In this fast-changing world, the media has an important role to play. Beyond economic progress, convictions and principles are also important to live by in a democracy.” Describing the Emergency as a “very painful phase”, he recalled, “Newspapers were censored and Ramnath Goenka became a symbolic inspiration for all of us in the struggle against Emergency.”

Speaking at the event, Viveck Goenka, Chairman and MD of The Indian Express Group, said, “Nothing renews journalism more powerfully than celebrating it each year. And more so as we head into the general elections. The pursuit of excellence becomes incumbent on us because it’s our duty to ensure that the citizens’ right to know is addressed in a manner that’s fair and accurate.”

Instituted by the Ramnath Goenka Memorial Foundation, the awards acknowledge and honour the best across 13 categories including investigative journalism, sports, politics and government, books, feature writing and regional languages. The prize-winning stories revolved around ecological damage in the Himalayas, poverty in tribal regions, a recruitment scam and the hardships faced by healthcare workers during the pandemic, among others.

The jury comprised Justice BN Srikrishna, jurist and former judge, Supreme Court; Prof. (Dr) C Raj Kumar, Founding Dean, Jindal Global Law School and Director, IIHEd Dr SY Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner; and KG Suresh, VC of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal .

Those present included Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, BJP leader and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, JDU leader KC Tyagi, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: GI Tags / ASSETS : Over 60 products from across India earn GI tags

More States are filing applications to get a GI tag for some of their traditional and historic products.

Over 60 products from across India, including the famous Banaras Thandai, have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This is the first time such a large number of GI tags have been given at a go, a senior official from the Geographical Indications registry said. He also said that more States were coming forward and filing applications to get a GI tag for some of their traditional and historic products.

Six traditional crafts from Assam — Asharikandi terracotta craft, Pani Meteka craft, Sarthebari metal craft, Jaapi (bamboo headgear of rural Assam), Mishing handloom products, and the Bihu dhol — have bagged the GI tag.

Thirteen other products from Assam have been given tags, including the Bodo Dokhona, the traditional attire of Bodo women; and Bodo Eri silk, referred to as the fabric of peace or ahimsa (non-violence), which comes from the silkworm Samia ricini that feeds mostly on the leaves of the castor plant (Ricinus communis), and cassava. Bodo Jwmgra (a traditional scarf), Bodo Gamsa (traditional dress of Bodo men), Bodo Thorkha (a musical instrument), and Bodo Sifung (a long flute) are also on the list.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, said it was a big win for Assam’s heritage in a post on social media platform X. “Six prestigious GI Tags have been granted to traditional crafts with support from NABARD, RO Guwahati, and facilitated by Padma Shri Dr. Rajani Kant, GI Expert. This includes iconic items like Assam Bihu Dhol, Japi, Sarthebari Metal Craft, and more. These products, deeply rooted in history, support nearly one lakh people directly,” he posted.

The famous Banaras Thandai, a drink made by blending milk with a nutritious mix of nuts, seeds and spices, also got the tag. Details in the GI filing mentioned that on any given evening, in the heart of the city, in areas such as Gaudaulia Chowk, Lahurabir, and the old lane of Pakka Mahal, traditional Banaras Thandai shops attract large crowds. The drink was first introduced many centuries ago as an offering to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath deity on the occasion of Mahashivaratri, Rangbhari Ekadasi, and Holi. The Banaras Tabla, Banaras Shehnai, Banaras Lal Bharwamirch and Banaras Lal Peda are among the products that walked away with GI tags in this region.

The Tripura region secured two tags — one for the Pachra-Rignai, which is a traditional dress worn on special occasions, and the other for the Matabari Peda, a sweet preparation. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also took to X to laud the self-help groups for putting the State on the global map.

‘Meghalaya Garo Textile’ weaving, which is linked to socio-cultural and religious rituals, and the ‘Meghalaya Lyrnai Pottery’ and ‘Meghalaya Chubitchi’, have also secured GI tags.

The Geographical Indication is awarded to products that have a specific geographical origin, and that have characteristics related to a particular location. Till date, around 635 products in India have been given the GI tag. The first GI tag in the country was given two decades ago to the famous Darjeeling tea.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: ARTS & CULTURE / MUSIC: Kerala woman Suchetha Satish Creates Guinness World Record, sings in over 140 languages

A Kerala woman has created a world record by singing in 140 languages in a Dubai concert on 24 November 2023. She shared the video on her Instagram handle.

Kerala women created a Guinness World Record after singing in over 100 languages. Suchetha Satish performed in a total of 140 languages in a Dubai concert on November 24, 2023. The concert is titled Concert for Climate. The video of her performance was shared on Instagram. She could be seen singing melodious songs, and it was a complete treat to ears.

Ms Satish shared the news on her Instagram handle. She captioned, “Happy to share the news that by God’s grace, I have set a new Guinness World Record by singing in 140 languages in 9 hours, on Nov 24th 2023, during my concert by climate. Thank you all for your wishes and support.”

According to the official Guinness World Records page, Ms Satish broke the record by performing 140 languages raising awareness about climate change at the Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai. There are over 140 representing over 140 nations attending the COP 28 summit in Dubai.

The stage was set for the 75th anniversary celebrations of India’s independence and the 50th formation of the UAE.

Suchetha Satish is a 16-year-old who attempted the feat during ‘Music Beyond Borders’ in Dubai on August 19 and broke the record of another Indian who sang in 76 languages in 2008.

Ms Satish sang in 29 Indian languages and 91 international languages. She attempted at 12 oms and with a rendition of a Sanskrit song called “Janki Jane” from Dhwani which is a Malayalam movie. She ended her streak with a Hindi song which is written by her mother, Sumitha Ayilliath, and composed by Bollywood composer Monty Sharma.

Many users commented on her post and applauded her for creating this record. 

One of the users,  “Congratulations Suchetha. Incredible! A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. I am proud to be part of this beautiful journey. Well done.”

Another user wrote, “Glorious achievement. May you have many more such achievements in the years to come. Kudos.”

One of the users praised Sucheta and commented, “That achievement was incredible. The entire mankind would be proud of you Suchetha. My hearty congratulations.”

source/content: business-standard.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: FOOD : India’s Ras Malai ranked ‘2nd Best Cheese Dessert’ Globally by Taste Atlas.

Indian delicacy Ras Malai has been ranked as the second best cheese dessert in the world by experiential food guide Taste Atlas.

Ras Malai, an iconic Indian dessert, has been ranked second in the ‘Top 10 Best Cheese Desserts’ list released by Taste Atlas, a renowned experiential food guide. This delicacy, known for its delicate cheese dumplings soaked in saffron-infused milk syrup, originates from West Bengal.

The dessert is crafted from simple ingredients like white cream, sugar, milk, and chenna, a type of paneer cheese with a subtle cardamom flavour. It is often garnished with saffron, cashews, and almonds, and is best enjoyed during festive occasions like Holi, Durga Puja, or Diwali.

The dessert, which is crafted from simple ingredients like white cream, sugar, and milk, has been recognised for its delicate cheese dumplings soaked in saffron-infused milk syrup. The best ras malai in India can be had at Mumbai’s Farzi Cafe, as per Taste Atlas. 

The list was topped by Poland’s Sernik, a dessert made with twarog, a special type of curd cheese, eggs, and sugar, often enjoyed with fruits and jellies. The third position was held by Greece’s Sfakianopita, a pie dish filled with creamy local cheese, served with honey and cinnamon.

Other cheese desserts that made it to the top 10 are New York-style cheesecake (USA), Japanese cheesecake (Japan), Basque cheesecake (Spain), Rakoczi turos (Hungary), Melopita (Greece), Kasekuchen (Germany), and Misa rezy (Czech Republic).

Other cheese desserts that made it to Taste Atlas’ catalogue of best rated desserts are Kalitsounia (Greece), Cartola (Brazil), Romeu e Julieta (Brazil), Quesada pasiega (Spain) Mel i mato (Spain), Kohupiimakreem (Estonia), Placinta cu urda (Romania), Paskha (Russia), Halawat el-jeben (Syria), Martin Fierro (Uruguay), Topfentorte (Austria), Fiadone (France), Ostkaka (Sweden), Hosmerim (Turkiye), and Postre vigilante (Argentina). 

source/content: businesstoday.in (headline edited)