Latest news with #IIT-K
Time of India
17 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Girl overcomes debilitatingdisease to make it to IIT-K
Lucknow: She was denied admissions into mainstream schools in her early years. But, now 19-year-old Riddhima Paul, daughter of a policeman from Malda city in West Bengal, has secured a berth at the premier IIT-Kanpur. Admitted under the persons with disabilities (PwD) quota for the academic session 2025-26, she will pursue BS in Mathematics and Scientific Computing. Born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a debilitating condition that affects voluntary muscle movement, wheelchair-confined Riddhima defied all odds to become a beacon of hope for many. "I am delighted to be part of IIT-K. My admissions prove that 'where there is a will, there's a way," said Riddhima, sitting in her hostel room at IIT-K. Citing Riddhima's journey through higher education as a powerful testament to her resilience, extraordinary courage, and determination, IIT-K's dean of student affairs Prof Pratik Sen said, "Riddhima has not just faced challenges, she has embraced and mastered them. Her remarkable strength inspires those around her." Riddhima took JEE in 2024 and had a PwD rank of 12, but was one mark short for admissions to formal courses at IITs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Thereafter, she undertook a mandatory one-year preparatory course at IIT-Indore. At the course, she cracked the qualifying esam to make it to IIT-K's BS course this year. "My parents never wanted me to go to a special school. After many denials, I got through one mainstream pre-school where I topped the nursery exams. The teachers were astonished at my performance and told my parents that I was fit for class 1. Every year till class 4, I stood as class topper," recalled Riddhima. Despite her whole body, right from the limbs, digestive system, respiratory system and spine, being affected, Riddhima had extraordinary cognitive abilities. When she was in class 8, she watched the Bollywood movie Super-30 starring Hrithik Roshan, which inspired her for IITs. In her class 10 and 12, she performed brilliantly, securing 94.8% and 90.8% respectively. "Her dedication and positive attitude were truly inspiring. Seeing her succeed in such a prestigious exam reaffirms my belief that with the right support and perseverance, no limitation is insurmountable," said Dipanka Shekhar Sanyal, who guided Riddhima in her JEE preparations. The Pauls first noticed indications of the disease when Riddhima, like other kids, could not crawl or roll. They consulted local doctors who hardly knew about the malady. With the suspicion of a genetic component, the Pauls were advised to take Riddhima to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, when she was barely three years old, the time to go to school. The NIMHANS report confirmed SMA. "Doctors told us that Riddhima would not live longer than 10 years. But we believed that there is hope as long as she breathes (saans hai to aas hai)," said Riddhima's mother Arunita Paul, who is her biggest pillar of support and stays with her on the IIT-K campus. Growing up to be an attractive, intelligent, and articulate baby, Riddhima could already sing in tune when she was 18 months old and showed interest in chess at five. A year before, at four, she could raise herself from a sitting position. "With limited resources, we could organise physiotherapy sessions for her weekly. When she was eight years old, the first symptoms of scoliosis (spine bending) began to appear," said Riddhima's father, Rajib Paul, ASI, Malda police. Despite her mental stamina, she could not walk, which attracted insensitive remarks from relatives and neighbours — an irritant Arunita learnt to live with. "There was not a single day without struggle. People mocked her and us for making her study. Many even told us to get rid of her, which made us stronger, and we rose to the challenge, keeping our morale high," said Arunita. Finally, in 2022, a team of doctors in Bengaluru performed a scoliosis surgery that lasted for almost 10 hours. "The surgery gave me strength to pursue higher studies. My love for mathematics is from an early age of three. I used to sit with my uncle when he took tuitions for elder students, and that helped me learn numbers quickly," said Riddhima.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Four IIT-Kanpur profs to impart AI training to Uttar Pradesh MLAs, schedule worked out
Professors from the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) will conduct classes over two days for members of the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly in order to introduce them to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential use in governance. The workshop will feature hands-on demonstrations, as well as examples of software solutions developed at IIT-Kanpur, to showcase indigenous efforts in AI. (PICTURE FOR REPRESENTATION) In its July 17 edition, HT was the first to report ('AI to help UP MLAs with digitisation of files, reports') that the upcoming monsoon session of the UP assembly will see a special IIT-Kanpur designed class on artificial intelligence for legislators, aimed at motivating them to use technology for various legislative works. Now, the details of the training schedule have emerged. The sessions will be held on the assembly premises and they will involve four faculty members from IIT-K's department of computer science and engineering. The programme aims to familiarise legislators with AI tools, their practical applications, and the ethical and technical nuances involved in their use. Prof Nitin Saxena, who is leading the initiative, said the workshop will cover a range of tools, including ChatGPT, and show how public representatives can deploy them in their day-to-day responsibilities such as drafting official notes, organising surveys, conducting constituency research and enhancing public communication. 'One of the key aspects of the training is to inform legislators that not everything generated by AI tools is accurate,' Prof Saxena said. 'Equally important is knowing how to spot such errors and exercise human judgment when using platforms like ChatGPT.' Through Saxena and his team, legislators will also be introduced to a curated list of AI tools that can support governance, improve transparency, and make decision-making more data-driven — a skill set increasingly relevant in public administration. The workshop will feature hands-on demonstrations, as well as examples of software solutions developed at IIT-Kanpur, to showcase indigenous efforts in AI. Following the initial session, MLAs interested in delving deeper into the subject will be invited to the institute for further training. Prof Saxena added that the material being shared is already available in the public domain. 'The idea is to make this knowledge accessible and actionable in legislative contexts. We will also touch upon the economics of AI and its emerging role across governance.' The state government's initiative has drawn appreciation for attempting to bridge the technological literacy gap in politics at a time when AI is reshaping policy-making across the world. The schedule for the sessions has already been finalised, with professors set to begin instruction in the coming weeks.
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
IIT-K launches brochure to facilitate UG students
Kanpur: The Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IITK) launched 'Your IIT-K Academic Compass,' a brochure crafted to provide a comprehensive, experience-based roadmap for undergraduate students. The brochure responds to a long-standing issue identified by the faculty: although students enter IIT-K after clearing one of the toughest exams, many arrive disoriented, uncertain about how to navigate the academic system, adjust to hostel life, or where to get guidance when needed. This booklet aims to ease that transition and help students begin their journey with clarity, confidence, and direction. Deputy director professor Braj Bhushan said, "Academics at IIT-K are demanding, and through this brochure, we want to acknowledge this reality, while also providing a roadmap that facilitates proper involvement of students in academics, enjoying the learning process, and growing holistically. It is about making academics meaningful and helping students see the bigger purpose of their journey here." The initiative is a part of a broader institutional effort as a part of the Centre for Educational Research and Teaching Excellence (CERTEX) recently launched by the institute. The Centre is dedicated to enhancing the quality and effectiveness of teaching and student engagement. Professor-in-charge, CERTEX, Manoj K Harbola said "The idea emerged from years of observing and interacting with students. We decided that we needed a friendly, informal guide. Not a rulebook, but something born out of our day-to-day interactions, insights, and shared experiences with the students. Every word is written by faculty who understand these challenges and care about the students. ." Dr Ashesha Sinha (curator and editor for the brochure) shared, "Being part of the writing process, I felt that the key concerns students usually have were being addressed directly. Students can easily find exactly what they are looking for from the start." The brochure is now available in print across all academic departments and hostels.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Azamgarh UP's most polluted district: IIT-K report
Lucknow: With a score of 202.1, Azamgarh is the most polluted district, having the highest PM 2.2 level in Uttar Pradesh in 2024, shows an analysis done under the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring over Rural Areas using Indigenous Technology (AMRIT) programme. Spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) Centre of Excellence – Advanced Technologies for Monitoring Air-quality iNdicators (CoE-ATMAN), the AMRIT programme addresses significant gaps in air quality data and analysis in rural areas, which account for a large proportion of India's population. A report by the IIT-K on Transforming Air Quality Monitoring in UP shows Bhadohi and Shamli having the highest recorded pollution levels after Azamgarh. The PM 2.5 recorded in these two districts in 2024 stood at 168.7 and 122.9, respectively. The report pointed out that, unlike urban centres, rural areas often lack systematic air quality monitoring, despite facing pollution from sources like agricultural burning, traditional cooking methods, and industrial emissions. Under the AMRIT project, 826 sensors have been placed across the state, ensuring robust coverage of both rural and urban areas. By leveraging indigenous low-cost technologies, the AMRIT project provides real-time, actionable data that empowers policymakers and local authorities to implement targeted solutions. Leading the project, Prof Sachchi Nand Tripathi said the air quality data reveal substantial seasonal fluctuations in PM 2.5 levels, with the highest pollution levels recorded during winter months, particularly in Nov and Dec. The findings show that winter conditions exacerbate the impact of emissions due to temperature inversions and stagnant air conditions. The year-on-year analysis shows notable air quality improvements in the state during the ongoing winter season in 2024. The average PM 2.5 levels decreased from 101μg/m³ in Oct 2023 to 76 μg/m³ in Oct 2024, reflecting a 25% decrease. The trend in improvement continued in Nov and Dec 2024, as a 26% and 30% decrease in PM 2.5 levels were observed compared to the respective months in 2023, shows the report. "The AMRIT project's robust sensor network makes such granular analysis possible, enabling evidence-based decision-making for sustainable air quality management," said Prof Tripathi.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IIT-Kanpur, IBM to harness AI to fight air pollution in UP
Lucknow: IIT-Kanpur's Centre of Excellence in AI for Sustainable Cities and IBM , a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, have joined hands to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) to fight against air pollution in Uttar Pradesh . The collaboration aims to enable data-driven, localised solutions that balance economic development with environmental sustainability, aligning with the national vision of Viksit Bharat. A first-of-its-kind implementation in UP, the AI-powered solutions will support India's airshed strategy. The project is led by dean, Kotak School of Sustainability and project director of Airawat Research Foundation, IIT-K's CoE in AI for Sustainable Cities, Prof Sachchida Nand Tripathi, whose team pioneered the use of low-cost indigenous sensors. These sensors overcome the limitations of expensive imported alternatives to map pollution sources across every block in UP. This foundational work led to the development of India's first airshed-based framework for air quality management. IIT-K director Prof Manindra Agrawal said, "Today marks a powerful convergence of vision and technology. With the AI-powered Air Quality Stack, we will empower policymakers to take precise, location-specific action that safeguards public health and sustains economic momentum. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Our collaboration with IBM exemplifies how world-class science and global tech leadership can drive forward the national vision of Viksit Bharat—creating cleaner, smarter cities that balance growth with environmental stewardship. " According to the vice-president, IBM India Software Labs, Vishal Chahal, the collaboration demonstrates how govt, academia, and industry can come together to co-create impactful, scalable innovations for environmental governance. "At IBM, we are committed to applying our strengths in AI, data and automation to solve real-world challenges. By integrating domain expertise from IIT Kanpur with our software capabilities, we aim to enable smarter decision-making and help accelerate India's clean air goals, starting with UP," he said. IBM, with its global leadership in GenAI, scalable software platforms, and urban technology, will contribute to enabling real-time monitoring and evidence-based policy action towards this initiative. Experts from IBM India Software Lab in Lucknow will design the system architecture, develop dashboards for monitoring air quality indicators, and integrate AI/ML technologies for real-time sensor data ingestion and air quality forecasting. "The partnership underscores the power of combining cutting-edge science with global technology leadership to address one of India's most urgent environmental challenges," Prof Tripathi said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
