Embedded with enhanced data integrity and safety measures, the blockchain mechanism would complement the existing Data Logger which is considered the ‘Black Box’ of rolling stock.

The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, is developing a tamper-proof signalling system based on blockchain technology for the Indian Railways. Embedded with enhanced safety measures, the new system would complement the existing Data Logger which is considered the ‘Black Box’ of rolling stock.

Acting on a request made by the Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, researchers in the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) stream are working on a robust system that would facilitate a mechanism to ensure safety, communication and control of train operations.

According to Professor Aurobinda Routray of IIT-Kharagpur, blockchain is a system of recording information which cannot be tampered, hacked or manipulated. The technology was being widely used in cryptocurrency and banking transactions.

“After Mr. Vaishnaw sought a proposal on a fool-proof signalling system based on blockchain, I am writing the programme along with some colleagues in IIT-Bhubaneshwar. Blockchain is being deployed in many developing countries and I think the technology can immensely benefit the Indian Railways as safety of train operations,” he said.

Enhanced transparency

Prof. Routray said the focus was to make the live movement of trains available for Station Masters, Section Controllers, Signal Engineers and others with all logs. On how different the initiative would be from the existing Data Logger, he said that the new system would provide enhanced data integrity, transparency and security. It would enable secure data sharing among stakeholders, automate processes with smart contracts and create tamper-evident audit trails.

The system would complement the Data Logger which was limited by its centralised storage facility, lack of tamper-evident data, and limited access control. The new blockchain system would address these limitations by storing data in a distributed ledger, using cryptography to ensure data integrity, and making data accessible to all stakeholders. This would make the new system more secure, transparent, and efficient than the current system.

In addition, Prof. Routray said, the blockchain system would provide several benefits, such as increased accountability, safety and efficiency. Overall, the new blockchain system would be a significant improvement over the current system. “All events occurring in the train and control room would be recorded securely and no one can tamper with it or bypass it.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The Indians, who were also Asian champions, defeated the current world champions in 43 minutes.

The Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty on Sunday won a historic men’s doubles title at the Indonesia Open here, becoming the first doubles pair from the country to claim a Super 1000 event.

The world No. 6 pair, who won a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and bronze at the world championships last year, thrashed Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yika of Malaysia in straight games 21-17, 21-18.

Earlier, the 2022 world championships bronze medallists had become the first ever Indian pair to reach the final of any Super 1000 tournament after a sensational comeback to get the better of the Korean combination of Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae 17-21, 21-19 21-18 in a thrilling semi-final.

The Indians, who were also Asian champions, defeated the current world champions in 43 minutes.

The BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Tour is divided into six levels, namely World Tour Finals, four Super 1000, six Super 750, seven Super 500, and 11 Super 300. One more category of tournament, the BWF Tour Super 100 level, also offers ranking points.

Each of these tournaments offers different ranking points and prize money. The highest points and prize pool is offered at the Super 1000 level.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Then came the year 2016 when the IAF’s first women fighter pilots entered service, convincing Ananya that her dream was coming true.

The month of May 2022 saw a rare record set in the sky: Air Commodore Sanjay Sharma and Flying Officer Ananya Sharma took off on their Advanced Jet Trainer Hawk-132 for a variety of manoeuvres together. They became the first pair of father-daughter who flew in the same formation at the Air Force Station in Bidar (Karnataka), where Ananya was training.

Ananya has been quite lucky. As a child when she showed interest in the combat jet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) did not have any plans for women to join the fighter stream. But, her father never said no to her. Whenever she would bug her dad about it, he would reassure her: “Don’t worry.”

Then came the year 2016 when the IAF’s first women fighter pilots entered service, convincing Ananya that her dream was coming true. For Air Commodore Sanjay Sharma, her decision to join the challenging career in the IAF came as a pleasant surprise as she had already begun her professional journey in the corporate sector.

After completing her BTech in Electronics & Communication, Ananya joined KPMG. Around the same time, she also filled out the form and cleared the written exam and the Services Selection Board (SSB) in 2020. She was commissioned into the force in December 2021.

The gruelling IAF training is divided into STAGE I, II and III. Each stage gradually takes you from fundamental to more complex levels of aviation. Before the training begins, a candidate is first exposed to technical training on the trainer aircraft. This involves imparting theoretical understanding and then a practical demonstration of all systems of the aircraft. This also includes undertaking a programme in aviation medicine.

Ananya did her pre-flying at Air Force Academy for six months before commencing STAGE-I–I 24-week training. She was allotted the fighter branch. It is at this stage that pilot trainees are trifurcated into fighter, transport and helicopter streams. Then comes STAGE-II 24-week training in their respective flying training establishments. After STAGE-II training, successful pilot trainees are commissioned as officers and undergo STAGE–III training. On completion of STAGE–III training, they begin operational flying at the squadrons/units assigned to them.

“Even if one wants to join the fighter branch, it doesn’t happen easily. A board does the tri-furcation which considers your preference, performance at the academy and the instructor’s recommendations,” says Air Commodore Sanjay Sharma.

“After getting commissioned as a fighter pilot, Ananya came and saluted me. It made me really proud,” says a beaming Air Commodore. “It was the biggest day of my life when I flew with Ananya,” he says in a video put out by the IAF. This year she completed her training in the AJT Hawk and has been lucky to get selected to fly frontline Sukhoi 30.

The Air Commodore vividly remembers the joint-flying with Ananya. “I was posted in Air HQ and she was undergoing Hawk flying and was to complete solo flying and enter the formation flying phase,” says Air Commodore. The Air Force permitted it and the rest is history as the two flew in one formation.

The Air Commodore was commissioned in the fighter stream in 1989. He has had an extensive experience in fighter operations, having commanded a MiG-21 squadron as well as a frontline fighter. He recently superannuated from the IAF.

Mother Sonal Sharma said, “I am extremely happy and proud. I can’t explain my feelings when both Sanjay and Ananya got airborne in the same formation… It was a feeling way beyond any happiness or satisfaction that I ever experienced.”

“She is a good flier; I can say without a doubt. I have seen her grow as a child; I can judge her capabilities. Self-motivation makes things easy, else it is hard. Ananya is self-motivated,” says her proud father. Ananya’s elder sister is also a part of the force; she is married to an Army Officer.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Google is celebrating the life and works of Indian scientist Kamala Sohonie, who was the first woman to get accepted into the top college IISc in India.

Google Doodle June 18: On June 18, 2023, Google is celebrating the life and works of Indian scientist Kamala Sohonie, who was one of the first prominent female scientists in India. Google is celebrating Sohonie’s life on her 112th birthday through a whimsical Google Doodle.

The Google Doodle today shows Indian scientist Kamala Sohonie as a colorful animated illustration on her 112th birthday, with illustrations of a microscope, scientific slides, and plants around her to signify her works in the field of science.

Scientist Kamala Sohonie was the first woman in India to get into the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc), which is considered to be the best institute in the country. Sohonie also became the first Indian woman ever to get a Ph.D. in a scientific disciple.

Celebrating her remarkable works and feat in Indian science, Google wrote, “Today’s Doodle celebrates Indian biochemist Kamala Sohonie, who was the first Indian woman to get a Ph. D in a scientific discipline, paving the way for women to pursue degrees in STEM.”

Dr Kamala Sohonie became a pioneer for all women in India and took a major step forward, diminishing gender bias in the field of science. She got accepted into the IISc Bangalore, but the authorities doubted her capabilities because she was a woman.

Despite the stringent conditions posed to her, she overcame gender bias and became one of the best students in IISc, paving the way for other women to follow in her footsteps. She later started exploring how different proteins in legumes could provide nourishment for children.

Dr Kamala Sohonie’s landmark work was developing an affordable diet and nutrition supplement made using palm nectar. This drink was called Neera, and was rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients, providing nourishment to pregnant women and malnourished.

source/contents: dnaindia.com (headline edited)

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj introduced the draft resolution titled ‘Memorial wall for fallen United Nations peacekeepers’.

The UN General Assembly has adopted a draft resolution introduced by India to establish a memorial wall in the UN Headquarters to honour fallen peacekeepers.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj introduced the draft resolution titled ‘Memorial wall for fallen United Nations peacekeepers’ on Wednesday in the UN General Assembly hall.

The resolution was co-sponsored by nearly 190 UN Member States and was adopted by consensus.

It welcomed the initiative of Member States to “establish at a suitable and prominent place at United Nations Headquarters in New York a memorial wall to honour the memory of fallen peacekeepers, giving due consideration to the modalities involved, including the recording of the names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice.”

While introducing the resolution, Ms. Kamboj said the memorial wall will be a testimony to the importance that the UN bestows on peacekeeping.

She said it will remind people of not only the sacrifices of the fallen but also be a “constant reminder of the cost of our decisions.”

The resolution was submitted by 18 countries including Bangladesh, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, Rwanda and the U.S..

“Peacekeepers are not born. They are forged through the crucible of sacrifice. Their unwavering commitment and selfless acts pave the way for a world where peace must triumph over conflict,” Ms. Kamboj said.

The resolution stipulates that the wall be completed within three years of the text’s adoption.

In 2015, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN launched a virtual memorial wall, dedicated to the Indian troops who made the supreme sacrifice while doing active service as UN peacekeepers.

The initiative was a precursor to the eventual construction of the Peacekeepers Memorial Wall. India had proposed the construction of the memorial wall as an appropriate way to commemorate all the troops from UN member states who had given their lives while on duty under the Blue Flag of the United Nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping hosted by then U.S. President Barack Obama at the UN Headquarters in September 2015 during the high-level General Assembly week, paid homage to the peacekeepers who laid down their lives in defending the highest ideals of the United Nations.

“It would be most fitting if the proposed memorial wall to the fallen peacekeepers is created quickly. India stands ready to contribute, including financially, to this objective,” Mr. Modi had said.

PM Modi thanks countries for support to resolution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the countries that supported the UNGA resolution.

“Delighted that the Resolution to establish a new Memorial Wall for fallen Peacekeepers, piloted by India, has been adopted in the UN General Assembly,” the Prime Minister wrote on Twitter.

“The Resolution received a record 190 co-sponsorships. Grateful for everyone’s support,” he said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)