Latest news with #Kamakoti
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Auroville and IIT-M working to fast-track sustainability campus project
Auroville and IIT-Madras are looking to fast-track the project to establish a state-of-the-art sustainability campus on a 106-acre expanse of land in Sedarapet area that will be dedicated to incubating green technology solutions. The initial focus of the proposed Research and Development facility will be to harness cutting-edge green tech towards developing green energy solutions and electric vehicles, particularly for commercial applications and high-load carriers with long-range capabilities. A high-level delegation from IIT-Madras (IIT-M) led by its Director V. Kamakoti was in Auroville this week to take the project forward. The 69th meeting of the Governing Board (GB) of the Auroville Foundation that convened earlier this month had approved the draft MoU for the partnership, also involving the Ministry of Education, in this regard. The Ministry of Education, which has oversight over Auroville, also cleared the proposal to set up the entity on a piece of leased land inside the township. The IIT-M, with its primary campus at Guindy in Chennai, envisions the proposed facility in the international township as its fourth campus. The premier institution has established two satellite entities — the NTCPWC-Discovery campus in Thaiyur and the international campus at Zanzibar, Tanzania. In March, Mr. Kamakoti had stated that it was proposed to earmark 20 acres of the sustainability campus to set up a world class zero-emission test track for electric trucks under the roof of a Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET). While this is in alignment with the broader national policy of guiding the logistics sector (where freight vehicles account for about 45% of transport emission) in transitioning to Zero Emission Technologies, the mandate of the sustainability campus is also to work on projects focused on achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The IIT-M has found a convergence of these missions with Auroville's ideals. Auroville has also signed a separate MoU to establish an IIT-M research park and a Centrally-supported Innovation Hub in Auroville as a tripartite partnership that involves the Ministry of Education. 'We expect the campus to deliver sustainable solutions that are relevant not just to India but to the world at large,' said Jayanti S. Ravi, Auroville Foundation Secretary, who serves as Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, Gujarat. The partnerships harmonise well with one of Auroville's founding purposes at the time it was conceived by The Mother — that of steering the world on to a path of conscious living, she said. Meanwhile, the IIT-M delegation undertook a site visit to Sedarapet to assess the land earmarked for the campus as part of preparing a Detailed Project Proposal. During feasibility study, the officials outlined the ambitious scope and objectives of the initiative, Auroville said in a press note. Addressing global supply challenges pertaining to rare-earth shortage through R&D innovations is among the plans. 'The sustainability campus will provide a significant boost to emerging startups from Auroville, Puducherry, and the broader bio-region,' said G. Seetharaman, OSD, Auroville Foundation. The IIT-M Director noted that the collaboration represented a significant step toward integrating sustainable technology education with community development in the Auroville region. The proposed campus is designed to serve as a hub for research and development in sustainable technologies while providing educational pathways for local students and supporting the growth of eco-friendly startups in the region. The partnership is also expected to create new opportunities for innovation in sustainability and green technology, Auroville said. The IIT-M Director, who was accompanied by associates Rajnish Kumar and R.G. Robinson, visited the Matrimandir and the Matrimandir Lake project, and assured Auroville of extending IIT's technical support for the endeavour, the press note said. Earlier, the IIT-M team was welcomed by an Auroville team that comprised the OSD, Venugopal (Senior Consultant), Sindhuja Jagadeesh, from the Auroville Town Development Council (ATDC), and Antim S from The Admissions and Terminations Scrutinising Committee (ATSC). The visit also featured community interaction, including a presentation of Mr. Kamakoti on 'IIT for Everyone Programme', the note added.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Ladakh's Sindhu Central University gets transit campus
The Sindhu Central University in Ladakh, the world's highest university situated around 3,500 metres above sea level, now has a transit campus which will function as an academic centre till the construction of the permanent campus is completed, according to officials. The transit campus of the university was inaugurated on Sunday by V Kamakoti, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, and the Chair of the Executive Council of Sindhu Central University, paving the way for the establishment of Ladakh's first central university. According to university officials, this transit facility will function as a temporary academic centre until the construction of the permanent campus is completed. The main building, once ready, is expected to be operational within 36 working months. "India has often spoken about sustainable development through deep-sea research. With Sindhu Central University coming up at over 3,500 metres above sea level, we now have a rare opportunity to lead high-altitude research in atmospheric and climate science, environmental sustainability and renewable energy," Prof. Kamakoti said. He emphasised the academic potential of Ladakh's geography and culture. "This university is located in one of the highest regions in the world and is surrounded by the rich heritage of Buddhism. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this university, it felt like a golden opportunity to bring focused scientific and cultural research to this region," he said. IIT Madras is the mentor institute for Sindhu Central University. "We (IIT Madras) have been working in the areas of atmospheric and climate science, environmental sustainability, and renewable energy for some time now. We also have strong centres in Physics and Astronomy, which can support world-class research from this campus," Prof. Kamakoti said. "The university is in the process of signing MoUs with six Indian research and academic institutions. We hope that some truly out-of-the-box research will emerge from Sindhu Central University, work that will make Ladakh proud and contribute significantly to India's scientific growth," he added. As part of the broader academic vision, officials said the university also aims to provide cutting-edge medical infrastructure in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, making it relevant to the local community. Sachin S Gunthe, faculty member at IIT Madras and Faculty Coordinator at Sindhu Central University, said, "We are working on designing a more organic and context-based academic curriculum for Ladakh. This region demands specialised courses and that is what we are trying to build." Prof. Gunthe explained that the university has already launched programmes like MTech in Atmospheric and Climate Science and MA in Public Policy, both hosted at IIT Madras, and MTech in Energy Technology and Policy at IIT Kanpur. "We are happy to share that a student who pursued an degree through Sindhu Central University has secured a Ph.D. opportunity at IIT Delhi. That's the kind of academic quality and outcome we are striving for," he added. In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi digitally inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various projects sanctioned at Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions under the Ministry of Education, including Sindhu Central University. The university is named after the ancient river Sindhu and is also India's first trans-Himalayan central university. Its campus spanning 110 acres will be built in Khaltsi village, situated between Leh and Kargil.
NDTV
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Weighing At 8.5 Kg, IIT Madras Launches Lightest Active Wheelchair
New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Wednesday launched India's lightest active wheelchair -- YD One -- weighing just 8.5 kgs. YD One is also the country's first indigenously developed precision-built monu-tube rigid-frame wheelchair destined to match the world's best. While the current wheelchairs weigh about 17 kgs, YD One, certified by ISO, weighs just 8.5 kgs. "With YD One, we have achieved 50 per cent weight reduction," Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director IIT Madras, told reporters. "To reduce the weight, researchers and scholars from mechanical to metallurgy got together and built a very interesting composite of carbon fibre plus aluminum," he added, noting that the product has undergone a lot of modelling and stress tests. "It will be available in the market from tomorrow, and is priced at Rs 75,000," Kamakoti said. He noted that a similar 8.5 kg-weighing chair, if imported, will cost around Rs 2,40,000. Importantly, being lightweight, YD One will enable quick movement, quick rotation, and enable people with disabilities to effortlessly lift, handle, and stow in cars, autos, or public transport. YD One will also enable people with disabilities to participate in the Paralympics, the Director said. "I think YD One is going to become very important, and being low-cost, it has the potential to reach rural India," he added, noting that the government may also pitch it, paving the way for a wider reach. Citing the Cabinet's recent fund approved for research, development, and innovation (RDI), Kamakoti stressed the need for supporting startups. IIT Madras currently has 103 startups, and the institute aspires to launch 100 startups every year. "By 2032, we'll have 1,000 startups. I think we will be the most important beneficiary of the RDI scheme. I think Viksit Bharat by 2047, as our honourable Prime Minister says, is going to be a product nation. It's going to be a startup nation. We have to prepare ourselves for that and ensure we are in the right direction," Kamakoti said.
Mint
15-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia slams IIT-Madras director's comment on the benefits of cow urine
Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia has raised concerns over scientific credibility after a video of IIT-Madras Director V Kamakoti claiming cow urine has 'anti-bacterial and anti-fungal' properties went viral on social media. Reacting to the clip on X (formerly Twitter), Bhatia wrote, 'Shocked by IIT Madras Director's viral video claiming cow urine is 'anti-bacterial, anti-fungal' with digestive benefits. If educated leaders spout this, how can we trust their decisions for elite institutions?' The video in question, from a Maatu Pongal event held in Chennai earlier this year, shows Kamakoti narrating an anecdote about an ascetic who allegedly cured his fever by drinking cow urine. 'In 15 minutes, his fever subsided,' he said, adding that the practice has 'scientific backing'. The remarks, originally made during the 'Go Samrakshana Sala' event on January 15, resurfaced online, reigniting criticism over pseudoscientific claims being made by heads of academic institutions. Kamakoti also spoke at the event about the importance of organic farming and the role of indigenous cow breeds in agriculture and the rural economy. Bhatia's comment has triggered fresh debate on social media, with many questioning the line between tradition and science, while others defended Kamakoti's views as part of cultural belief systems. A user wrote, 'Andh bhakti knows no borders …it thrives across regions, classes, and age groups.' Another user commented, 'They have become educated by studying but their brain has not developed as expected. They have become so engrossed in religious faith that they have not been able to get out of the swamp of superstition.' Soon after his tweet went viral, Bhatia asked, 'After my tweet on the IIT Director's cow urine wisdom went viral, I thought it was an isolated case. But wait — now I see a cop sipping straight from the source, actors endorsing it, and a guru swearing by it. Seriously… did I miss the national memo? Is this the new elixir of India?' Earlier, the director's remarks had also drawn flak from political leaders and academics, who warned that such statements, made without medical consensus, risk undermining public trust in scientific research and education.
News18
14-07-2025
- Health
- News18
'Shocked': Hotmail Co-Founder Sabeer Bhatia Reacts To IIT Madras Director's Cow Urine Claim
Last Updated: Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia criticized IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti's viral video on cow urine's health benefits, sparking social media debate on its scientific credibility. Reacting to an old video of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Director V Kamakoti, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia on Monday raised concerns over the credibility of elite academic institutions. The video of IIT-Madras director had gone viral earlier this year. In the video, Kamakoti had claimed that cow urine has 'anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties" and aids digestion. In response to the viral video, Bhatia wrote on X, 'Shocked by IIT-Madras Director's viral video claiming cow urine is 'anti-bacterial, anti-fungal" with digestive benefits. If educated leaders spout this, how can we trust their decisions for elite institutions?(sic)" Shocked by IIT Madras Director's viral video claiming cow urine is 'anti-bacterial, anti-fungal" with digestive benefits. If educated leaders spout this, how can we trust their decisions for elite institutions? 😲🇮🇳 #CowUrine #IITMadras #ScienceVsSuperstition — Sabeer Bhatia (@sabeer) July 14, 2025 His post has sparked widespread debate on social media as many netizens defended Kamakoti's view about cow urine, pointing to traditional practices and alternative medicine systems. While some backed Bhatia's concern, arguing that such statements undermine scientific credibility. Supporting Kamakoti's claims, a user on X that goes by the name @AyurvedaMonk wrote, '@sabeer ji is shocked that #IITMadras Director claimed the antibacterial & antifungal qualities of #CowUrine & he is very much worried about the scientific temper of this country & such elite I request you not to worry because entire world has been publishing large numbers of researches about cow urines' health benefits. I hope you'll find this attached tweet helpful & will share with others.(sic)" In the viral video, Kamakoti shared an anecdote about a person who reportedly cured his fever by consuming cow urine. 'An ascetic was having high fever and was thinking of calling a doctor. I forgot the sanyasi's name, but he said, 'Gomutran pinami' and immediately drank cow urine. In 15 minutes, his fever subsided," Kamakoti said in the video. While the IIT Madras director asserted that such practices have scientific grounding, critics argued that claims lacking consensus from the medical community can be misleading, especially when made by senior academic figures. Kamakoti had made the remarks during the 'Go Samrakshana Sala' event held on January 15 in Chennai as part of the Maatu Pongal celebrations. At the event, he had also emphasized the benefits of organic farming and the importance of indigenous cattle in agriculture and the economy. However, his comments drew sharp criticism from several political leaders. While critics had questioned the appropriateness of such claims coming from the head of a premier technical institution. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
