MIT's unmanned aerial vehicle bags laurels abroad

[email protected] (CD Network)
October 4, 2011

Manipal, October 4: Following the successes of Formula Manipal cars in competitions overseas, another team of Manipal Institute of Technology students brought back laurels from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) AeroDesign 2011 competition held at Lockheed Martin Corporation, Georgia, USA between April 29, 2011 and May 1, 2011. They displayed the unmanned aerial vehicle at the Innovation Centre of MIT here on Tuesday.

AeroMIT team as they are called, built an unmanned aerial vehicle for the annual international SAE competition. SAE is an international body for engineering professionals in the aerospace, automotive and Commercial Vehicle Industries. Present on the occasion were vice chancellor of Manipal University, Dr K Ramnarayan and director MIT Dr Kumkum Garg.

Briefing the gathering, Ibrahim Kaleel, a third year aeronautical student said that the Team secured 13th in Oral Presentation Round and 15th in Design Round out of 75 teams. The overall position was 29th out of 75 after the flight rounds. The team received critical appreciation from NASA's next-generation transport aircraft engineers for its systems engineering report and was one among the top five teams. In this regards, team received a Certificate of Completion from NASA Headquarters.

The AeroMIT Project started towards the end of 2009 and the team was successful in turning a mere concept into reality in time for the AeroDesign Competition which was celebrating silver jubilee this year. The competition features 3 classes: Regular, Micro and Advances. The team entered the Regular Class, where the aim is to carry maximum payload.

Seventy five teams from across the globe took part in the competition. The AeroMIT team started on a high note with successful test-flights at Cobb County Radio Control Modeler's Club at Marietta. The competition kick started with technical inspection and design presentation at Hilton Conference Centre, Marietta, which the team cleared with great ease. The plane was evaluated by judges from US space agency NASA, aircraft manufacturers Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream and Dassault Systems.

The team comprises Parth Khare leader (fourth year, aeronautical) Shekhar Jha, (fourth year, mechanical), Samdarshi (fourth year, mechanical), Karan Bhise (third year, aeronautical), Ibrahim Kaleel (third year, aeronautical), Kumar Mrityunjay (fourth year, mechanical), Katayan Sinha (fourth year, mechanical) and Arun Kumar (third year, aeronautical). Sheikh Adil Anwar (third year, aeronautical), Pratik Mukherjee (Second year, mechanical) and Akash Budhia (fourth year, IT) looked into the management aspect. Dr. Ramamohan Pai and Mr. Manikandan M, Department of Aeronautical and Automobile were the faculty advisors for the team.

Project was sponsored by Aditya Birla Group and Anu Projects Consultants and Engineers. They sponsored an amount of 2.5 lakh and 1 lakh respectively.

The team is working to take part in SAE AeroDesign West 2012 to be held at California from March 16 to 18, 2012. Team has recruited new students to the team. This year the team is taking a great leap and would be entering two classes: Regular Class and Micro Class.


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Vice chancellor, Dr K Ramnarayan talks to the students who designed the plane for the competition in Georgia, USA

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The plane which was built by AeroMIT for the competition in Georgia, USA

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News Network
November 19,2024

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The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

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News Network
November 25,2024

Udupi: Six junior artists from the prequel of Kannada blockbuster film ‘Kantara’ were injured, when the bus they were travelling in overturned in the district, police said on Monday.

According to police, the accident occurred near Jadkal on Sunday night when the mini-bus carrying the crew of the film overturned.

“The incident happened while they were returning to Kollur after completing the shoot at Mudoor in Jadkal. The mini-bus was carrying 20 junior artistes when it met with the accident,” a police officer said.

The injured were rushed to hospitals in Jadkal and Kundapur for treatment, they said.

The Kollur police are investigating the matter.

"The news making rounds is completely false. The Kantara: Chapter 1 team began shooting at 06:00 AM today, and everything is proceeding as normal. A minor accident occurred 20 kilometres away from the shooting location, involving a local bus carrying some members of the Kantara team. However, no injuries were reported," a source close to the production said.

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News Network
November 17,2024

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Mangaluru: A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, November 17, at Vazco Resort (VAZCO), situated at Battappadi Cross Road in Someshwara on the outskirts of the city, when three young women drowned in the resort’s swimming pool. 

Disturbingly, an iPhone recording and CCTV footage captured their final moments, providing insights into the heartbreaking accident.

According to City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, the tragedy occurred at approximately 10:05 AM. The victims were identified as:

Keerthana N (21) from Devaraj Mohalla, Hebbal Second Stage, Vijayanagar Post.
Nishitha M.D (21) from 4th Cross, Kuribarahalli, Mysuru.
Parvathi S (20) from Ramanuja Road, K.R. Mohalla, Mysuru.

Sequence of Events

The three women had checked into Room No. 2 of the resort on the morning of November 16 and stayed overnight. On Sunday morning, around 10 AM, they entered the swimming pool to play. Reports suggest that they placed their clothes poolside and set an iPhone to record the activity.

Initial findings indicate one woman slipped underwater and began to struggle. When the second attempted a rescue, she too drowned, followed by the third woman. Within minutes, the tragedy claimed all three lives. CCTV footage from the resort corroborates the sequence, showing the young women struggling before succumbing to the water.

Investigation Underway

The resort staff discovered the lifeless bodies and immediately raised the alarm. Ullal Police Inspector H N Balakrishna and his team are conducting an investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the women were non-swimmers, and the lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy.

The resort is owned by Manohar, as per police records. While the formal case is yet to be registered, the incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols at resorts offering pool facilities.

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