Category Archives: Science & Technology

Wipro’s ‘AppThon 2014’ Challenges Young Technology Enthusiasts

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology

 

Wipro Ltd. held its first application building competition – ‘Appthon’, for engineering students across Andhra Pradesh, providing them with a unique opportunity to showcase their technical prowess. The objective of the event was to offer young technology enthusiasts a platform to build futuristic applications for consumer and enterprise segments.13 teams from across Andhra Pradesh were shortlisted from the entries received to compete in this two day marathon contest – ‘Appthon’.

The teams, comprising of 4 students and a faculty member, from each college developed their applications based on one of the 3 themes – enterprise productivity, public safety &utilities and mobile grid based applications. Wipro assigned a mentor to each of the teams to provide assistance and guidance in the development of the applications. The winning teams were felicitated with a cash prize from the chief guest and industry veteran, J A Chowdary, Founding Director of STPI Bangalore & Hyderabad and Former Chairman of Hyderabad Software Exporters Association (HYSEA renamed to ITsAP).

Mr. Srinivas Rao, Head, Hyderabad Center, Wipro said, “We at Wipro are delighted by the innovative applications the students have developed in such a rapid manner. Through this contest, Wipro has strived to offer an inspiring opportunity to these smart minds to expand their horizons and create pioneering technology applications using structured methodologies and become industry ready. It also speaks volumes about the high quality talent that is locally available in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh.”

Winners

The winners for Wipro’s application building competition – AppThon2014 are:

They happen to be joint winners, scored almost the same

Team 1: Avengers

College: MVSR Engineering College
Team members:

– D Charith, K Siddhartha, D Vamsheedhar Reddy and Mohd Mehmood Ali

Application: Mobile Security Watch

Team 2: Ideacabin

College: GITAM University Visakhapatnam
Team members:

– Raghu Teja, Mohan PSNS, Anirudh Upadhyayula, T Auro Lakshman and Sourabh Bollapragada

Application: Conferencing App

Shares of WIPRO LTD. was last trading in BSE at Rs.565.2 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 560.5. The total number of shares traded during the day was 225827 in over 5698 trades.

The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 572.4 and intraday low of 559.65. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 128283921.
Source: Equity Bulls

source: http://www,equitybulls.com / Equity Bulls / Home> Stock Report / April 02nd, 2014

Game developer strikes it rich

Business & Economy, Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

 

Yogesh Boppana, a second year engineering student of GITAM University, who has developed two games so far and recently bagged a plum job offer from Canada-based Rockstar Games./ The Hindu
Yogesh Boppana, a second year engineering student of GITAM University, who has developed two games so far and recently bagged a plum job offer from Canada-based Rockstar Games./ The Hindu

Yogesh Boppana (19),a second year engineering student of GITAM, has bagged an annual package of $ 360,000 (Rs 2.2 crore) from Canada-based Rockstar Games

Playing games may be fun, but for some developing them gives a different kind of kick. At the age of 19, Yogesh Boppana has not only designed and developed two games and but also bagged a plum offer from Canada-based Rockstar Games with an annual pay package of $ 360,000 (Rs 2.2 crore).

Passionate about game developing Boppana, second year engineering student of GITAM University, got initiated into the exciting world of gaming when he was in school. “I used to play all kinds of games and also keep a lookout for what’s the latest development in the gaming sector,” he says.

The young game developer’s first game was out when he was just 17 years old. Titled ‘Avoid Blades’ – it is a fun game suitable for any age group. “The game is simple and has unlimited levels in which the gamer has to protect rings from the blades to get the highest score,” he says. His second game ‘The Sky Fight’ was designed and developed in seven months.

Skill and creativity apart, game development has turned into serious business. Gaming across platforms (PC, mobile, social media, local networks) is set to grow exponentially over the next few years. India has 15 million social gamers at the moment and this is expected grow to 31.96 million by 2018, according to industry estimates.

Realising the potential of this growing sector, Boppana is now developing his third game which he says will be the “special highlight” of his works so far. A ‘story-based 3D game’, he plans to complete it by the fall of 2016. “The programming part is done but designing and developing the animation takes a lot of time. I am working on it now,” he adds.

Bopanna recently started his own enterprise called ‘YNations’ with a small young team. The team’s first project is on a unique product called ‘Digital Complaint Box’. “We have applied for patent for this. It is a gadget wherein complaints can be registered by the vocal medium as well,” says Bopanna.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – April 01st, 2014

New power plant in AP starts generation

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

The first unit of  Andhra Pradesh Government’s thermal power plant at Krishnapatnam in Nellore district has been synchronised with State power grid.

The first unit of Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station (2×800 MW) at Krishnapatnam has been synchronised with AP power grid, power generation entity Apgenco said in a statement today.

During the initial operation of about two hours, the unit reached a maximum load of 55.6 MW, generating about 0.086 million units (MU) of energy, it said.

“Generation of 38 MU/day can be realised after both the units are commissioned,” the company said.

BHEL  and  L&T were the major contractors for the coal-based power plant, while Navayuga Engineering Company took up seawater related works, the statement added.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Press Trust of India / Hyderabad – April 01st, 2014

Hands-on with robots, to improve basics

Education, Science & Technology
Children learning the basics of robotics at the Academy of Robotics in Visakhapatnam on Saturday./ Photo: by Arrangement / The Hindu
Children learning the basics of robotics at the Academy of Robotics in Visakhapatnam on Saturday./ Photo: by Arrangement / The Hindu

Growing awareness is encouraging, say experts

Imagine a chair that could fly and take you to school, or a smartphone that doubles up as your TV or AC remote!

All this is possible in the world of robotics.

With quite a few summer camps on robotics springing up in the city, parents are gradually warming up to the concept of practical learning, and there has been a growing awareness about it.

“Most children have high curiosity element for any toy or gadget. They like to dismantle it and see what is inside. But at home, they are stopped from doing so. The idea of robotics workshops is to nurture the curiosity in a child and nourish their own methodology of creation,” said M. Srikanth, director and national head, Academy of Robotics.

The academy has a two-week and a four-week programme for children of six years and above. By building and programming robots, the students explore fundamentals of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer programming.

The concept of reverse engineering is used widely in these summer camps, wherein the learning time is shortened considerably.

“This is because you are working on a prototype, instead of the real model,” Srikanth added.

The academy has branches all across India, including two in the city and three in Hyderabad.

It also offers one month to three months programme for engineering students.

The growing inclination towards the concept of robotics has seen young B.Tech graduates launching their own firms in the city.

V. Naresh, who launched his academy called Megarobotics Technology this year, has already tied up with six schools for conducting summer camps.

Closing gap

Interestingly, the gender ratio in a robotics class, which used to be largely skewed towards boys not so long ago, is today seeing a balanced mix with many girls coming forward to explore the world of robotics.

While the market for robotics in India is yet to mature up to the levels of western countries, where the emphasis is far more on practical learning than theory, industry experts feel that the growth in awareness for robotics is an encouraging sign. “The challenge is to shift the emphasis to practical learning, which today is largely absent in most engineering colleges in the country,” said Srikanth.

According to industry estimates, the Indian robotics industry is worth approximately $750 million and is expected to double over the next three years.

This year, the Academy of Robotics has tied-up with JNTU, GITAM University, and some other colleges to offer training.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatanam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – April 06th, 2014

SPDCL to be largest Discom in State

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

It is likely to be split into two companies post-bifurcation

The Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) is all set to become the largest power distribution company in the State, with the number of its operational circles touching eight as a consequence of the bifurcation, according to sources in the government.

A provision to this effect has been made in the A.P. Reorganisation Act, but SPDCL has not yet received guidelines on reassigning two Rayalaseema districts to it.

However, the company may be eventually split into two. One of them will have Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore circles under it, and the other will have Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool.

At present, SPDCL manages Guntur, Kadapa, Nellore, Ongole, Tirupati and Vijayawada circles to which Anantapur and Kurnool (now in CPDCL) will be added as they come under Seemandhra. CPDCL will be left with Hyderabad, Mahabubnagar, Medak and Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy circles after the ‘reassignment’ (of Anantapur and Kurnool to SPDCL) is completed.

Except that the merger of Anantapur and Kurnool will expand the operational jurisdiction of SPDCL, it will be of no benefit as it does not involve creation of any additional infrastructure at the moment. However, there will be proportionate reallocation of manpower on the basis of numbers of operational circles and posts in the Southern and Central Discoms.

SPDCL currently caters to a population of more than 2.25 crore, and it has nearly 57.50 lakh domestic and 44 lakh non-domestic and commercial connections. The number of low tension services stands at about 71 lakh and high tension nearly 3,000. The existing State of Andhra Pradesh has four Discoms – SPDCL, CPDCL, NPDCL and EPDCL based in Tirupati, Hyderabad, Warangal and Visakhapatnam respectively. NPDCL covers Adilabad, Karimnagar, Kha-mmam, Nizamabad and Warangal circles and EPDCL caters to Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East and West Godavari circles.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by V. Raghavendra / Vijayawada – March 20th, 2014

18 projects of RGUKT selected for NASA contest

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Students of RGUKT Nuzvid IIIT discussing on the space settlement projects, which were selected in NASA Contest. / The Hindu
Students of RGUKT Nuzvid IIIT discussing on the space settlement projects, which were selected in NASA Contest. / The Hindu

Budding engineers prepare projects on journey to space, different modes of transportation, facilities and space settlement

Eighteen projects designed by students of Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), Nuzvid International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), have been selected in the NASA Ames Space Settlement Design Contest – 2014.

The budding engineers prepared projects on journey to space, different modes of transportation, facilities and space settlement. About 57 students designed the projects, which would be presented at the 33rd Annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC), to be held in Log Angles, USA, from May 14 to 18, Nuzvid IIIT Director Ibrahim Khan told The Hindu on Tuesday.

Feather in the cap

“The achievement of the students reflects their interest in space technology and it is a feather in the cap of RGUKT. Last year 13 projects got selected, and this year 18 projects designed by IIIT students of Krishna district have been selected for ISDC,” said Prof. Ibrahim Khan.

Mentor in English and guide for the projects Saleem Babu said the projects selected were Al-Hasa, Aakasha, Minerva, Anthena, Ranimer, Eingana, Incredible Invaders, Ark, Tito, Prathisarga, Aarohi, Nithya, Chandrahas, Organo, Volos and Mapshn and others. The projects were designed by pre-university students, he said.

“We designed a project titled ‘Incredible Invaders’, which aims at creating a new society on space. I along with four other students – G. Lalitha, D. Malathi, M. Lahari and Sk. Rizwana – prepared the project, which bagged second prize in Grade-12,” said Sk. Ruksana, a native of Vijayawada.

Four other pre-university students prepared a project ‘Ark’, which got literary merit second prize. The mission explains how to make a successful journey despite facing hurdles and create a wonderful society in space.

“We created transportation to space by using solar energy, arranged communication between earth and space with tabs, and provided online shopping and banking in space,” said V. Pothana Kavya, who designed ‘Ark’, along with P. Anju, T. Suteja and V. Likitha Sirisha.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Guntur – March 25th, 2014

National symposium held at MITS

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Science & Technology

A day-long national-level technical symposium Mechonance’14 was organised by Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science (MITS) here on Saturday.

Interacting with students, JNTU Anantapur Vice-Chancellor K. Lal Kishore advised the participants to hone their technical skills along with interpersonal and interpretative skills. “Students are the future and they should work towards the development of the country. They should also be in touch with the latest technologies to keep a track of advancements in the field,” he added.

Prof. Kishore later visited the Project Expo organised by MITS mechanical department and appreciated their efforts. Principal K. Sreenivasa Reddy, Head C. Yuvaraj, programme convener G. Harinath Gowd, Deans M. Raja Reddy (Academics), B. Venkata Raman (R&D) and others took part.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Tirupati – March 29th, 2014

30 knee replacements held at Srikara

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Srikara Hospitals, Secunderabad claimed to have conducted 30 knee replacement surgeries on 20 patients on March 12. Of these 20 patients, 10 underwent replacement surgeries for both the knees while the remaining underwent surgeries for one knee each.

Knee replacement surgeon Dr. Akhil Dadi said the patients requested for surgeries on the day because it was an ‘auspicious’ day and fee was not charged.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / March 19th, 2014

Osmania Medical College team wins Hyderabad round

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

UnionBankHF30mar2014

Hyderabad :

A team from the Osmania Medical College pipped five other short-listed teams at the regional round of Cerebrations, The Hindu Business Line Corporate Quiz 2014, held here on Tuesday.

The winning duo, brothers Syed Murtuza Hashmi and Syed Mustafa Hashmi, first and fourth-year students at the medical college, took early lead and managed to retain it, with the team from Reckitt Benckiser coming a close second and Sai Constructions at the third place.

Of the 20 teams that took part in the quiz, six were short-listed after they fielded a general elimination round of 25 questions.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News  / The Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad – March 18th, 2014

NGA Human Resources to expand Hyderabad facility

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Tech focus Adel Al-Saleh (right), CEO, NGA Human Resources, and Mark Squiers, Senior Vice-President, address the media in Hyderabad on Tuesday. / - PV SIVAKUMAR / The Hindu
Tech focus Adel Al-Saleh (right), CEO, NGA Human Resources, and Mark Squiers, Senior Vice-President, address the media in Hyderabad on Tuesday. / – PV SIVAKUMAR / The Hindu

Hyderabad :

The UK-based NGA Human Resources will be expanding its global delivery centre here by adding 100 new employees.

The number of professionals working in the facility would be increased from present 400 to 500 by 2015 which could involve an investment of about half-a-million pounds, its Group Chief Executive Officer Adel Al-Saleh told newspersons here on Tuesday.

NGA HR had invested about Rs 58 crore in Hyderabad since 2005 and was committed to invest more in the days to come, he added.

“Hyderabad is a unique centre for us in view of its focus on technology. It is supporting us in application maintenance and all our own/client and third party capabilities are being built here. It has also has significant testing capabilities,’’ Saleh said.

The next stage of growth for the one billion dollar company would be driven by Indian customers. “Till now, multinational company with Indian operations have been our clients. We will be focussing on companies headquartered in India going forward,” he added.

NGA HR has seven global delivery centres including two in India in Hyderabad and Kochi. The Kochi centre, with 1,050 employees now and mainly focuses call-centre related works while Hyderabad facility focus on hi-tech operations.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by G. Naga Sridhar / Hyderabad – March 18th, 2014