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India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Gujarat: Anti-Drone Guns Deployed For 148th Rath Yatra In Ahmedabad As Part Of Tight Security Measures
As part of heightened security measures for the 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, the Crime Branch has deployed anti-drone guns developed by Bangalore-based AXISCADES Aerospace & Technologies Pvt Ltd to monitor the 16-km procession route, officials said on Friday. According to officials, the advanced equipment is designed to detect and jam unauthorised drones, ensuring that only drones authorised by the administration remain operational along the yatra route. Speaking to ANI, Prashant Sharma, Anti-Drone Gun Operator at AXISCADES, said, "This technology is a detection and jamming unit for drones. We have supplied 100 of these units to the Indian Army Northern Command. It was successfully used in Operation Sindoor... We add the department's drones to our list. Other drones are highlighted in red colour (in our cameras), so we ask the official whether to jam them or not." Meanwhile, a large number of devotees participated in the procession on the occasion of Ashadhi Bij (Kutchi New Year) in Ahmedabad on Friday. Officials said that the deployment of the anti-drone system is part of broader efforts to ensure safety during one of the city's major religious events, which draws massive crowds each year. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi also spoke to ANI about the scale of the security arrangements in place. "Lakhs of devotees come for Darshan during the Rath Yatra along its 16-km route. More than 23,800 security personnel have been deployed. A few elephants lost control this morning, but within minutes, forest officials, the police team, and the AMC managed to bring the situation under control. Forest and medical teams are present with all the elephants," he said. Meanwhile,the grand annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Odisha's Puri on Friday, as thousands of devotees began pulling the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, amid chants, drumbeats, and spiritual fervour. Following the completion of key rituals, including the sacred 'Chhera Pahanra' (sweeping ceremony) performed by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the deities were ceremonially placed on their respective chariots -- Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana. With the blowing of conch shells and rhythmic beating of cymbals and mridangas, the pulling of the chariots began along the Grand Road (Bada Danda), marking the start of the deities' annual journey. The 'Chhera Pahanra' is one of the most significant customs of the Rath Yatra, symbolising humility and equality before the divine. During the ritual, the Gajapati Maharaja, the erstwhile King of Puri and chief servitor of Lord Jagannath, swept around the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra with a golden broom, sprinkling sandalwood water and flowers, and invoking blessings to purify the path of the divine journey. Dressed in traditional attire, the Gajapati Maharaja arrived in a royal procession from the Puri royal palace to the Grand Road, where the deities were placed on their respective chariots. His ceremonial act represents the deep intertwining of royalty and devotion in Jagannath culture.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Hillhouse-Backed India Startup's Founder Taps Private Credit
A founder of Indian workspace startup Table Space raised about 2 billion rupees ($23.3 million) from private credit funds to finance the purchase of a stake in the company ahead of its planned initial public offering, according to people familiar with the matter. Kunal Mehra, president and co-CEO of the Bangalore-based company, is buying the stake from an angel investor, the people said, who asked not to be identified because the information is confidential. Mehra raised the funds from creditors including Avendus Group, the largest lender to the deal, and InCred Alternative Investments Pvt, they added.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Indian banks still prefer funding fossil fuels project amid rising risk to investment: Report
NEW DELHI: Even as India aggressively pushes for a clean energy transition, Indian banks have substantially financed fossil fuel and coal-fired power projects—totalling approximately USD 29 billion between 2016 and 2023—which could hinder and complicate the path to achieving net-zero emissions, states a recent report. Prepared by Climate Risk Horizon, a Bangalore-based non-profit organisation that monitors climate-related risks for investors, the report highlights that the State Bank of India (SBI) and private lenders such as Axis Bank and ICICI Bank were among the top financiers of coal. Titled 'Stuck in the Past: Coal Ties Hinder Indian Banks' Energy Transition' the report indicates that India's leading banks invested around USD 29 billion in coal during the specified period. Of this amount, approximately USD 15.2 billion was provided as coal loans, while USD 13.5 billion was allocated to coal underwriting services Further segregating the data, the analysis shows that public banks provided roughly 75% of the coal loans while private banks financed roughly 83% of the total underwriting. According to the report, over these eight years, the amount of coal loans fluctuated significantly. Still, coal underwriting by Indian banks remained relatively stable with an average of USD 1.7 billion per year. Underwriting service is a process of mitigating risk for financial transactions by financial institutions by guaranteeing repayment in case of damage or financial loss.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
How To Keep Spinach, Methi And Coriander Fresh During The Monsoon Season
The monsoon season brings much-needed relief from the heat - cooler winds, the scent of wet earth, hot chai and those golden, crunchy pakoras. But it also brings a big headache to your fridge: leafy vegetables that wilt, slimy or blacken overnight. From spinach and coriander to methi and lettuce, these delicate greens cannot handle the damp, humid air. If you have brought home a fresh bunch only to find it limp and unrecognisable the next day, you are not alone. The moisture-heavy monsoon air plays a key role in accelerating spoilage. Refrigerators often trap this excess humidity, especially in vegetable bags, leading to sogginess and rot. But that is not the whole picture. Bangalore-based nutritionist Dr Anju Sood says, "The monsoon creates ideal conditions for microbes and bacteria to thrive, which can easily contaminate leafy vegetables. Since these greens often grow in potentially contaminated soil, harmful microorganisms can seep into the leaves, especially in varieties with more surface area." Also Read: Food Getting Spoiled In Monsoon? Here're Quick Tips To Keep Moisture At Bay Can You Eat Leafy Greens During The Monsoon Season? You do not have to ban leafy greens from your kitchen altogether - you just have to handle them more carefully. Nutritionist Dr Rupali Datta shares, "Much depends on how you source, clean, store, and cook your greens." She strongly advises against eating greens served outside, where hygiene is uncertain. "At home, make sure to wash them thoroughly and always cook them well. The heat from cooking destroys most bacteria and germs, making the vegetables safe to consume," she adds. Also Read: Expert Tips to Stay Healthy And Boost Immunity During Monsoon Photo Credit: iStock Monsoon Vegetable Shopping Tips: How To Buy Fresh Greens Storing leafy vegetables correctly begins with smart buying. Here is what to keep in mind the next time you go shopping for palak, methi or lettuce: 1. Avoid Buying In Bulk: Greens spoil quickly, especially in humid weather. Buy small quantities even if it means more frequent trips to the market. 2. Inspect Before You Pick: Skip any bunches that look soggy, discoloured, or have drooping stems. 3. Check The Texture: Rub a leaf gently between your fingers. If it feels crisp and holds shape, it is fresh. If it tears too easily or sticks to your fingers, it is best avoided. Should You Wash Leafy Vegetables Before Storing Them In The Fridge? The short answer is no. Washing greens before storing only adds more moisture, which accelerates spoilage. Instead, shake off visible dirt, remove any wilted or yellowing leaves, and store as dry as possible. How To Store Leafy Vegetables During Monsoon: A Step-By-Step Guide Here is a simple, three-step technique that works well for Indian kitchens - no fancy equipment needed. Step 1: Wrap The Greens: Sort through the bunch, discard damaged leaves, and wrap the rest in a clean cotton cloth or kitchen tissue. This helps absorb excess moisture. Step 2: Use A Container Or Zip-Lock Bag: Place the wrapped greens inside a storage container or zip-lock bag. Do not seal it completely. Leaving room for airflow helps keep them fresh. You can also poke a few holes in the bag for ventilation. Step 3: Store In The Right Fridge Drawer: Place the bag in the vegetable crisper section of your refrigerator. This drawer usually has the right humidity balance to preserve leafy greens. Also Read: Don't Make These 5 Mistakes While Sipping Chai During Monsoon Photo Credit: iStock Bonus Kitchen Tips To Keep Greens Fresher For Longer Do not mix greens. Store methi, spinach, coriander, etc., separately. Use within 3-4 days. Even with perfect storage, greens are best eaten fresh. Avoid keeping them in plastic bags. Unless ventilated, they trap humidity. Leafy vegetables like spinach, methi, and coriander are nutrient-rich and versatile, but they demand extra attention when the skies open up. From how you shop to how you store, every step matters. So, the next time you bring home a fresh bunch of greens, give them a little extra care. Your meals - and your wallet - will thank you. Advertisement About Somdatta Saha Explorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Monsoon Tips Vegetable Storage Tips Leafy Greens Show full article Comments
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Indian Assistive Technology Pioneer Prateek Madhav Champions Global Disability Tech Reform with The Royal Society of London Report Launch
Bengaluru: Co-Founder and CEO of Bangalore-based AssisTech Foundation (ATF), Prateek Madhav, who is establishing the largest AT innovation ecosystem in India has said that he would put up The Royal Society, London's Global Disability Technology Report on How Data and Digital Assistive Technologies can Support Independent, Fulfilled lives, launched on Monday, to the Government, think-tanks and civil society in the country to initiate action to radically better the lives of Persons with Disability (PwDs) and ensure practical and positive outcomes for the community. Madhav expressed his views while speaking at the launch of the Report at The Royal Society London. He holds the distinction of being the sole Indian member on the Royal Society's Steering Committee who came out with the report. The Committee is chaired by renowned Professor of Statistics from Oxford University, Sir Bernard Silverman FRS, and includes the legendary co-founder of the Internet, Dr Vint Cerf, FRS. Articulating his views on the Report and Disability Technology, Madhav said: 'There is a clear need for accurate data collection in India relating to disability. India is a land of 1.4 billion people, including 90 million PwDs, 22 official languages with around 1600 dialects. Every 100 miles, the language changes in India. The country is a vast geography with high cultural diversity and nuances. Hence, collecting data to build solutions and technology to help PwDs is challenging'. He also commented on internet access within the Indian context. 'We are aware that internet access in India and the Global South is expensive, and accessible mostly to the English-speaking. Making the Internet affordable and responsive to diverse cultural idioms and languages will ensure that PwDs would use technologies developed for them to their best.' Madhav noted that India's rapidly growing start-up ecosystem offers a promising pathway for advancing Assistive Technology and driving inclusive innovation. 'When we started building the AT ecosystem in India, we just had 15 start-ups who were trying to bridge the gap of accessibility. Today we have 500+ startups just in India, building Assistive Technology for the world. We are in fact well set to establish reverse innovation and bring technologies from India to the West for PwDs.' He added that digital exclusion is not just a technological issue but a failure of design, policy and imagination. Designing technology for limited people is not the right approach and co-design should be a method. Madhav, who contributed to the conceptualization and direction of the report, emphasized that despite cultural nuances and contextual specificities, certain technologies—such as voice-control—hold universal value for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across the world. He particularly highlighted voice-control as a feature he greatly appreciates for its empowering potential. The Report outlines a forward-looking vision for enhancing the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through inclusive policy, technology, and design practices. It recommends that national statistics bodies shift from focusing solely on disability identity to collecting data on functional limitations, enabling more nuanced and effective policymaking. It also urges governments to recognize smartphones as legitimate and powerful forms of Digital Assistive Technology (DigAT), given their built-in accessibility features such as voice-to-text, screen magnifiers, and navigation tools. The Report underscores the importance of meaningful involvement of disabled individuals in the entire lifecycle of digital product development—from ideation to deployment—to ensure accessibility is embedded from the outset. Additionally, the Report calls for the promotion of low-cost, interoperable, and sustainable DigAT solutions through collaborative initiatives involving governments, technology companies, and research funders. It stresses the need to preserve high-quality analogue alternatives and human support systems, acknowledging that digital solutions may not suit all users. Finally, the Report emphasizes that the effective use of DigAT requires skill-building; thus, training programs for disabled people and caregivers must be prioritized to ensure they can fully benefit from both mainstream and assistive technologies. Sir Bernard Silverman, FRS, who rendered the concluding remarks at the event, observed in the Forward for the Report that the vision of Stephen Hawking was crucial to the development of disability technologies. 'Some fifty years ago, I was introduced to Stephen Hawking and told that he would be lucky to live another year. In fact, he had a long and influential life ahead of him and became one of the Royal Society's most famous Fellows. Writing in his own foreword for a 2011 World Health Organization report, he described the removal of barriers to participation for disabled people as a 'moral duty'. In his view, achieving this would unlock the vast potential of disabled people and, as exemplified by his own life as a highly accomplished disabled academic, technology can play an important role. This report aims to push forward Hawking's vision by considering how we can accelerate the development of digital technologies to help disabled people live independent, fulfilled lives.' The Royal Society's Global Disability Technology Report marks a pivotal moment in the global discourse on disability inclusion and digital equity. Grounded in data, design thinking, and a deep understanding of lived experiences, the report sets a clear agenda for governments, technology developers, and civil society to act with urgency and empathy. Prateek Madhav's powerful intervention underscores India's unique position—rich in cultural diversity yet poised for leadership in assistive innovation through its burgeoning startup ecosystem.
