Bengaluru-based Artelus India wins Qualcomm Design in India Challenge 2018

Tech Shorts

Artelus India focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technologies like deep learning and AI to increase the capacity of healthcare providers.

IANS

Twitter / @qualcomm_in

Bengaluru-based medtech firm Artelus India Pvt Ltd took home $100,000 after winning chipset maker Qualcomm's challenge for start-ups in India, the company said on Wednesday. Artelus India focuses on leveraging cutting edge technologies like deep learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase the capacity of healthcare providers. It has developed Diabetic Retinopathy Intelligent Screening System Integrated (DRISTi) -- a deep learning based AI algorithm that reads digital images to detect and identify early signs of diabetic retinopathy that could lead to permanent blindness. Biometric device maker Mobiusworks Pvt Ltd and medtech firm Chingroo Labs Pvt Ltd -- both based in Bengaluru -- secured first and second runners-up spot, respectively, in the competition called Qualcomm Design in India Challenge 2018. Mobiusworks developed Wagr, a smart wearable and a mobile app that helps keep your dog safe and fit. Chigroo Labs Private Limited developed Cradlewise, which is a smart-cradle for baby sleep management and health monitoring. The first and second runners-up received $75,000 and $50,000, respectively, Qualcomm said. Launched in 2016, the Qualcomm Design in India Challenge is an incubation programme that encourages start-ups to develop innovative hardware products using Qualcomm's advanced technologies. It has been inspired by the tremendous potential of Smart Devices and products that can be built in the domains of Smart Infrastructure, Biometric Devices, Payment Terminals, Agricultural Technology, Medical Technology and Rural IoT. With the 2018 edition coming to an end, the programme has supported 39 start-ups with an overall investment of over $12.3 million, the company said. Currently, The Qualcomm Design in India Challenge 2019 is underway with applications open until April 21. Upto 15 startups will be shortlisted, which will be announced in May 2019 and each startup will be awarded with a prize money of $10,000 each. Post shortlisting, they will be incubated at the Qualcomm Innovation Lab and the winners will be announced in March 2020.

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Former Cong leader Umesh Jadhav to be BJP candidate from Gulbarga

Politics

If Umesh's selection is approved by the party's central unit, he is likely to go up against Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge in the Lok Sabha elections.

TNM Staff

BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa on Wednesday announced that former Congress leader Umesh Jadhav, who joined the BJP last week, may contest the Lok Sabha elections from Gulbarga constituency. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Yeddyurappa said, "Umesh Jadhav will definitely contest elections. There is no problem at all. He has every right to contest elections and he will contest elections from Gulbarga". If Umesh's selection is approved by the party's central unit, he will likely go up against Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge in the Lok Sabha elections. Yeddyurappa revealed that the state leadership will finalise the list of preferred candidates in a core committee meeting scheduled for Friday. Yeddyurappa will then travel to New Delhi to confirm the names selected with the party's central unit. "We will announce the first list of candidates from 20-22 constituencies by 16 March (Saturday),” he added. Incumbent MP and Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge has retained a vice-like grip on the Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency, having won back to back elections. He defeated BJP candidate Revunaik Belamagi in 2014 and 2009. Umesh was elected as the MLA from Chincholi in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections but he submitted his resignation to the Speaker on March 4. He defected to the BJP from the Congress on March 6. However, his resignation is yet to be accepted by the Speaker. Umesh was one of the four Congress MLAs that the party wanted to be disqualified for failing to follow the order of the party whip in attending the budget session of the State Assembly. He had also missed several party legislature meetings in the run-up to the budget session and was also missing when the Congress party MLAs gathered at the Eagleton resort in Ramanagara in January in response to the threat of BJP attempting to prise their MLAs away. Umesh had earlier made his displeasure known to senior Congress leaders, particularly regarding the decision to induct Priyank Kharge, son of Mallikarjun Kharge, a first-time MLA, into the Cabinet in 2013 during the tenure of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Even HD Kumaraswamy, who succeeded Siddaramaiah, inducted Priyank into the Cabinet as the Social Welfare Minister.

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Over 3000 trees to be axed, lakes will be impacted by Bengaluru elevated corridor: EIA

Environment

Despite stiff opposition from a section of citizens, a tender was called on the same day a conditional environmental clearance was accorded.

Soumya Chatterjee

Representational Image

A 2017 study conducted by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science using satellite imagery, remote sensing data and multi-criteria decision-making techniques had predicted that Bengaluru, once known as the Garden City, will have a tree cover of only 2.96% by 2020. This, as opposed to 68.2% in 1973 and 38.7% in 2002. But now, the situation might deteriorate further if the contentious 96 km long elevated corridor project criss-crossing the city sees the light of day. In fact, not only will the loss be as high as 3009 trees but the project will also cut through a section of the city’s remaining untouched green cover, which had escaped concretisation. Another 601 trees will be pruned in addition, due to the project, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment report. The study conducted by consultants Aecom, Deloitte and Infra Support, accessed by TNM, says that 858 trees in “sensitive wooded stretches” including Cubbon Park and Coles Park, will be sacrificed for the project. Cubban Park, Kasturabha Road 120 Near Bengaluru Palace, Jayamahal Road 356 Coles Park, Promenade Road  47 IISc Campus to Mekhri circle, CV Raman Road 195 IISc Campus to Yeshwanthpur circle, CV Raman Road 32 Raja ram Mohan Roy Road 108 Despite stiff opposition from citizen activists, the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited had called for a hurried tender for the first phase of the project on the same day a conditional environmental clearance was issued by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority. A mega protest like that against the steel bridge, consisting of a 8,000-strong human chain will be formed on Saturday by different citizen activist groups. Even though the EIA has stipulated that every tree that is cut should be replaced with minimum 10 new trees as per the compensatory afforestation policy under Forest Conservation Act (1980), activists remain skeptical since no trees have been planted by any government authority in the city in the last two years. Urban eco-conservationist Vijay Nishanth said, “The 3,000 trees figure seems very understated. During steel flyover project only, we saw that there were 2,000 trees in a 7km stretch when the government said there are 800 trees. This time also we will count the trees and in no way we will let this project continue. They cannot do this as there was no mandated meeting with the Tree Committee.”  Not only trees but lakes too The EIA said that other than impacting the tree cover, the city’s already dwindling lakes will be further impacted due to this project. In fact, the proposed alignment will violate the National Green Tribunal ruling on buffer zone of lakes, rajakaluves on 10 counts. Lake Distance in metre from lake boundary Hebbal Lake 5 KR Puram Lake 20 Pond near Sarvagna Nagar 20 Ulsoor Lake 5 Varthur Lake 5 Vrishabhavathi Nalla 5 Agara Lake 30 Challkere  30 Banaswadi rajakaluve 1 Shantinagar Rajakaluve 1 The report reads, “There are many water bodies along the proposed route of elevated corridors. Construction of the project corridor and the associated activities will impact the water bodies and its ecology. The debris generated from the demolition of structures and excavation for pile foundation could potentially find its way to the nearby water bodies adjacent to the project corridor. This will not only silt up the lakes but also impact the aquatic life in these water bodies.” ‘Illegality’ Senior advocate and member of Environment Support Group, Leo Saldanha said the entire project proceedings is a subterfuge of law.  “The project is illegal as it has not been formulated in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act. The environmental clearance has been given under duress. Both the tender and EC given are invalid in law. This is a typical case of subterfuge of law. Both the government and regulatory authority have subverted the law. It is a case of corruption in decision making,” the senior lawyer told TNM. Read: No trees planted by BDA in Bengaluru in 2 years: Green cover to reduce to 2.96% in 2020  

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Shooting for ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ begins, aims to release in summer 2020

Sandalwood

The ‘KGF’ filmmakers are also in discussions with Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt to star in it.

TNM Staff

The shooting for KGF: Chapter 2, the sequel to the blockbuster hit KGF: Chapter 1 began on Wednesday. Popular actor Yash, who starred in the wildly popular first chapter of the film, confirmed the development on social media. And it begins.. After KGF 1 being loved by u all, CHAPTER 2 is all set to create double the Dhamaka!! Need your love and blessings as always pic.twitter.com/yI1Xb2r3Aa — Yash (@TheNameIsYash) March 13, 2019 The cast and crew of the film prayed at the Kodandarama Temple in Vijayanagar in Bengaluru to mark the start of their journey. "Today at 9:30, with the blessings of god and love and support of all of you, we are starting the shooting of KGF Chapter 2," tweeted Vijay Kirgandur, the producer of the film under the banner Hombale Films.  Today @ 9:30 with the blessings of god and love and support of all of you, we are starting the shooting of KGF Chapter 2. #KGF2 @TheNameIsYash @hombalefilms @bhuvangowda84 @SrinidhiShetty7 @excelmovies @AAFilmsIndia @VaaraahiCC @gumediacompany @VffVishal @BasrurRavi pic.twitter.com/eJojXmCrxb — Vijay Kiragandur (@VKiragandur) March 13, 2019 Rocking Star @TheNameIsYash , @VKiragandur , @prashanth_neel, @SrinidhiShetty7 and @bhuvangowda84 at #KGFChapter2Muhurtha  pic.twitter.com/Tc2y8wxmyZ — Hombale Films (@hombalefilms) March 13, 2019 Journey of #KGFChapter2 begins today...@TheNameIsYash@VKiragandur @BasrurRavi @bhuvangowda84 @Karthik1423 @hombalefilms @SrinidhiShetty7 pic.twitter.com/OP4S912mHt — Prashanth Neel (@prashanth_neel) March 13, 2019 Speaking to TNM, the film's executive producer Karthik Gowda said, "We are geared up to start the second chapter of our magnum opus KGF. It gets bigger and more announcements will be on the way". The filmmakers are aiming to complete shooting by January 2020 and release the film in the summer. They are also aiming to rope in Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt to play the role of the villain opposite Yash in KGF: Chapter 2. He is currently reading the script of the film "We are in discussions with him and we will announce the update soon," added Karthik.  KGF: Chapter 1 released in December 2018 to an ecstatic response from the audience breaking several box office records. It became the first Kannada film to enter the Rs 200-crore club worldwide and was dubbed in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam. It was also released in several countries including Pakistan and became the first Kannada film to be commercially released in the neighboring country.  Alongside Yash, the film starred Srinidhi Shetty, Achyuth Kumar, Malavika Avinash, Nassar, Anant Nag and Vasishta N Simha.

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No license for firearms in Bengaluru ahead of Lok Sabha elections

Lok Sabha 2019

City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said the ban will be in force till May 27, after the end of vote count on May 23.

IANS

Representational image

With the model code of conduct in place for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka on April 18 and 23, the issuance of licenses for fire arms and their possession have been banned in Bengaluru, an official order said on Tuesday. "All the fire arms of license holders in Bengaluru shall be deposited with the jurisdictional police station with immediate effect," said the order dated March 11 from Bengaluru City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar. The ban will be in force till May 27, after the end of vote count on May 23. However, the State and the Central government departments, public and private sector agencies to whom firearms were issued for security, sportsmen who are part of the National Rifle Association and communities entitled to display weapons by long standing law and custom, are exempted from the ban. The Lok Sabha elections in the southern state will be held in two phases -- on April 18 for 14 seats and on April 23 for another 14 seats. The seats going for polls on April 18 are  Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada,Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Central, Bangalore North, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore South, Chikkballapur, Kolar The other 14 seats—  Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga,Raichur, Bidar,  Koppal .Bellary. Haveri. Dharwad. Uttara Kannada, Davanagere and Shimoga will go to polls on April 23. The counting of ballots for the Parliamentary Election will take place on May 23. If you have not registered to vote or if you have found that your name is not on the electoral rolls, then you have only a few days left to register and fill appropriate forms. If you are registered to vote in the seats which are going to see elections on April 18, you need to register your vote before March 16. .The last date for voter registration is March 29 for the other 14 seats which are going to polls on April 23.  

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London-based student and boyfriend held for Bengaluru rowdy sheeter's murder

Crime

Police say the motive behind the murder was alleged interference in her love affair.

TNM Staff

  Less than a week after one of Bengaluru’s most notorious rowdy-sheeters Lakshmana was hacked to death in broad daylight, police have arrested a 21-year-old psychology student who is pursuing her Master's in a London institution. Police say the accused— Varshini Harish, daughter of another alleged habitual offender and JD(S) leader, plotted the murder.   Police say the motive behind the murder was alleged interference in her love affair by Lakshmana who was acting on behalf of Varshini’s parents.   Lakshmana and Varshini’s parents, who were neighbours in Bengaluru, knew each other well. Her parents were against her relationship with a name called Roopesh, claim the police.   “When Varshini's parents learnt she was in love with Roopesh, they requested Lakshmana to warn Roopesh to keep away from Varshini. But Lakshmana tried to become close to Varshini instead,” a police officer told The Times of India.    According to reports, Varshini, who had just arrived in the city on Monday was arrested before she could reach her residence, on the way from the airport.    Along with Varshini, the Central Crime Branch have arrested seven others in connection with the case including her 25-year-old history-sheeter boyfriend Roopesh R aka Roopesh Gowda and another JD(S) leader Padma. Others arrested in the case include Cat Raja, Decaraj, Varunkumar, Madhukumar, Aloka and a contract killer Hemanth Kumar.    The murder   TNM had earlier reported how Lakshmana, who has multiple cases of murder and land-grabbing registered against him at various police stations in Bengaluru was hacked near the ISKCON temple on March 7. He was out on bail and was travelling in an SUV when a gang of men in another SUV waylaid him and attacked him with machetes resulting in his death.   According to police, Varshini had called Lakshmana to a hotel near the temple asking him to meet her, in order to set him up for the crime.   “On March 7, acting on Roopesh’s instructions, Varshini called Lakshmana on his mobile phone and asked him to meet her at a hotel in Mahalakshmi Layout. He went to meet her, but she wasn’t there. As Lakshmana was driving back, a gang of armed men in an SUV intercepted his car near the ISKCON temple and hacked him to death,” a senior police officer told The Hindu.

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Cancer institute director named acting FDA commissioner

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