My Scribles

It was a truly historic moment for India as the country's first Mars Orbiter Mission, popularly known as Mangalyaan was successfully placed in the red planet's orbit on Wednesday morning. September 24, 2014 will go down as a red-letter day in the annals of space exploration as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved which no space agency in world including the USA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) managed to do in their first attempt. Even as crores of Indians were just waking up, hundreds of ISRO scientists were busy manoeuvering the Mangalyaan towards the Martian orbit. With this stupendous achievement, ISRO has become only the fourth space agency which has successfully launched a Mars mission. After carrying out the procedure, ISRO said, "All engines are going strong. Burning of fuel happening." Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were at ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRA...

Young IIT engineers have come up with an affordable solution to the wastage of agricultural produce by developing a unique solar-powered cold storage system which works at almost zero running cost. Developed at the Science and Technology entrepreneurship Park (STEP) of IIT-Kharagpur by mechanical engineering student Vivek Pandey and his team, the micro cold storage system has been successfully tested in a Karnataka farmland. "It is a first of its kind product developed anywhere in the world as there are no running costs for the farmer and works on clean and sustainable technology for all 12 months. We have even applied for four patents for technologies used in the product," Pandey said. IITians create solar-powered cold storage with no running cost The solar-powered cold storage system has been developed at IIT-Kharagpur by mechanical engineering student Vivek Pandey and his team. Under the banner of Ecofrost Technologies, the young graduates are now ready to move out o...

Today's major media event saw the unveiling of two new iPhones, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. Along with larger screens and a completely new iPad-style design with an ultra thin body and rounded corners, the two new phones offer faster processors, better cameras, and NFC integration with Apple's new ApplePay payment system. Apple's new iPhones are available in Gold, Silver, and Space Gray, and are available in 16, 64, and 128 GB capacities. The iPhone 6 pricing starts at $199, while the iPhone 6 Plus pricing starts at $299. While both models include the same 64-bit A8 chip and the same general design, there are several differences between the two phones. The iPhone 6 measures in at 6.9mm, while the iPhone 6 Plus is slightly thicker at 7.1mm. Apple's iPhone 6 Plus also has three major differentiating factors: optical image stabilization for the camera, and a longer battery life, and an iPad-style landscape mode that displays more content on t...

As computerised wristwatches go, the upcoming Apple Watch looks impressive. I like that it will come in two sizes, so the watch won't feel giant on smaller hands, as some competing watches do. I also like that Apple will offer a variety of straps and materials, so fitness buffs can get a strap that's stronger and sweat-proof, while those seeking a fashion accessory can opt for an 18-karat gold edition. Apple Watch review: Its first smartwatch points to another winner for Apple As computerised wristwatches go, the upcoming Apple Watch looks impressive. Beyond looks, it's great that the Apple Watch isn't simply adopting the smartphone way of doing things. The operating system, Watch OS, was designed specifically for the watch, and its interface relies heavily on the dial to the right, known as the digital crown. Competing watches tend to emphasize the voice and touch controls found on phones. Of course, it's premature to conclude that you need an Apple Watch. I...

Intuition-ImaGine: Nimble IntuGine Technologies presents you Nimble, a tiny and flexible RING shaped device designed to magically transform 15 ft in front of the computer into a highly accurate interactive space (sub-mm accuracy within 1 m and sub-cm within 5 m). Just plug in our USB SENSOR in the computer, get the nimble in your finger and leave the rest on our software. The product comes with three nimble rings, a USB sensor and a software. Nimble tip This ring is designed for finger tip. It is less than 2 cm long and fits in most fingers. There are two such rings , one each for index finger and thumb. Software starts tracking the rings as soon as you wear them.These two rings alone can effectively replace mouse and keyboard. You can paint and write, point, pinch to zoom, interact with 3D MODELS, play games and do much more. Nimble Tip works anywhere within 15 ft. of sensor. These tiny devices are rechargeable – that means eternal hours of painting, gaming, music and whatever y...

Vistara, the Tata-Singapore Airlines joint venture, which is awaiting flying permit from the aviation regulator DGCA, has inducted a senior pilot from IndiGo to head its safety team, according to sources. Besides, the carrier has also picked up JetLite quality manager Deepak Joshi to be a part of its safety wing, sources familiar with the development told PTI. Vistara is likely to take off next month subject to issuance of the air operator permit (AOP) by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). "IndiGo senior Commander Ashutosh Verma has moved to Vistara where he has been made head of the safety wing," the sources said. Mr Verma is a DGCA-approved examiner, trainer and instructor, a mandatory requirement for the key job in an airline, they said. Mr Joshi, who was handling some key responsibilities as quality control manager at JetLite, including aircraft deliveries, joined Vistara early this month, they said. The private airline has already appointed C S Var...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appeared before millions of India's schoolchildren, answering respectful questions with an avuncular twinkle for an hour and a half and telling stories about his own school days. Yet behind the seeming informality of the format was an elaborate, labor-intensive operation that had been put together in barely a week. Modi's opponents said the event betrayed the heavy-handedness of his government. The frantic planning began once Modi's aides made clear late last month that they wanted gatherings of students in every state for a broadcast to mark the annual Teachers' Day. More than 1 million students watched the program at their schools in Delhi alone, a representative of the Directorate of Education, which monitored the program's attendance, told The Press Trust of India. Modi has had few encounters with reporters since becoming prime minister and has instructed top government officials to avoid journalists, but he seeme...

The Home Ministry has ordered several states on Thursday to be on increased alert in response to al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahri announcing the formation of a branch of his militant group in India and its neighbourhood, a senior government official said. In a video posted online, al Zawahri promised to spread Islamic rule and "raise the flag of jihad" across the Indian subcontinent. The government believes it is authentic and has warned local governments, said an official who attended a security briefing in which the video was discussed with the home minister. "This matter has been taken very seriously," the official told Reuters. "An alert has been sounded." The timing and content of the video suggests rivalry between al Qaeda and its more vigorous rival in Syria and Iraq, Islamic State, which has started gathering support in South Asia. Zawahri's announcement also made two references to Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi....

Andhra Pradesh's new capital will be located in the fertile and largely agricultural region of Vijayawada, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has announced, describing the decision as "a reflection of popular sentiment." Opposition parties disagreed with loud protests in the state legislature. They say the decision on the new capital must be debated and voted upon. Vijayawada, in Coastal Andhra Pradesh, houses the powerful and affluent Kamma community, an important support base for Mr Naidu. Leaders from the far poorer region of Rayalaseema say that basing the new capital here would impel much-needed development. In June, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated to create India's youngest state, Telangana. For 10 years, Andhra Pradesh has been given the right to share the prosperous IT hub of Hyderabad as its capital with Telangana. But after that, the city, developed as a Silicon Valley of sorts by Mr Naidu nearly a decade ago when he was last in power, will belong to Tela...

In a bid to woo Japanese investors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured them there was no red tapism but only red carpet in India. Giving a key note address at Japan-India Association event hosted by Jetro and Nikkei, Modi said, "Like 'Made in Japan', we aim to turn 'Made in India' into a brand." Modi also assured that the Indian government has eased a lot of regulations for trade. "I have come to assure you that there is no Red Tape but Red Carpet in India. We have eased off lot of regulations," he said. In a fully-packed hall, Modi told investors that there was no better place for Japanese investors than India. "India is the only place which has democracy, demography and brain at one place. I have come here to assure you that if you have to look anywhere outside Japan, you do not need to look here or there." Just like 'Made in Japan', want to turn 'Made in India' into a brand: PM Modi to investors Modi assure...

Arsenal confirmed they had signed England forward Danny Welbeck to a long-term deal from Premier League rivals Manchester United as the transfer window closed on Monday. The 23-year-old Welbeck, who can play as a centre forward or winger, scored 20 goals in 90 appearances for United and has won 26 caps for England since making his debut in 2011. "Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Danny to the club and looks forward to his contribution in an Arsenal shirt this season," the team said on its website.