Myanmar Army surrenders to hot jelabis, lakes & Mysore sarees!

Brig Gurdip Singh, Commandant, MEG&C greets Maj Gen Hla Shwe, Vice Adjutant General of the Myanmar Army in Bangalore on November 25.
Photo: Nagesh Polali

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: They came. They saw. And, they got conquered, literally. There were 33 in all – five officers and 28 soldiers – strong and handsome. While boarding a special flight back home on Saturday evening, ending their five-day sojourn to Bangalore and Mysore, the Myanmar Army delegation had a definite yeh-dil-maange-more-looks written all over. After all, it was not just the warmth of Madras Engineer Group & Centre (MEG&C) that alone floored them. The beautiful lakes, tempting jelabis, Mysore silk sarees and many more!
“Very nice city. This our first visit to Bangalore. We have come to India (Siliguri) before in 2008. We heard a lot about Bangalore. It's the IT city, you know? Nice lakes all around, beautiful people,” Maj Gen Hla Shwe, Vice Adjutant General of the Myanmar Army, told Express in broken English and bold Burmese accent. Stepping in with help and smile was Capt (Dr) Yan Nanny Tun, the interpreter-cum-liaison officer.
Maj Shwe says that Bangalore is very much like Maymyo City in Myanmar. “The weather is same like here. We are at home. Even the Indian Army is like Myanmar Army. Our cultures are similar. Your city is very famous in Myanmar,” he said. “We liked the chapatis, hot-hot jelabis and poori bhaji (laughs). Very tasty it is,” the Major said.
The Major found time to buy silk sarees from Mysore for his wife, while his team bought bagful of handicrafts. “We enjoyed Mysore. We bought horses, elephants and tigers (just toys!). We visited the famous St Philomena's Church too,” said Major Shwe, to whom even the Myanmar air force and navy also reports to.
While his boys had friendly bout of boxing and a game of hockey with the Indian Army team, the Major & Co were given a brief on the training aspects. According to Brig Gurdip Singh, MEG&C  Commandant, the Myanmar delegation was a given a presentation on the philosophy of training in the Indian Army. “Some of the technological advancements in the training by the Indian Army, including NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) warfare, were discussed. These kind of exchanges help increase the bonding between the two countries. We need more such exchanges with world armies,” Brig Gurdip said.
While, Express team was about the leave, Maj Shwe called back and said. “You know... I am a front-line soldier since I was 21 years. I will comeback to Bangalore again,” he said.

Copyright@The New Sunday Express

R.I.P. HEROES | 3 years after 26/11 | We're living to fulfil Sandu's wishes: Parents | Special prayers at Taj today

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore:  “Every second of my life, I remember him. He is there with us always. He was very particular that I dress well. He too presented himself in grace. He observed the way I dressed and insisted how I should. He gave me directions what saree I must wear. What colour. He had a say in the size and colour of my bindi. He loved me so much. And, like a small child he always followed me whenever he was at home,” late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's mother Dhanalakshmi spoke in a voice etched in emotion.
Speaking to Express on the eve of the 3rd anniversary of 26/11, Dhanalakshmi said that she is fulfilling all that 'Sandu Mon' (Sandeep is fondly called at home) wanted. “He has probably left us with a mission to help others. He was a very helpful soul and now he has given me the task of helping others. I am happy that every day I am living for him,” she said.
Sandeep's father K. Unnikrishnan have emerged more stronger over the years since he lost his son, but he says his job is far from over. “I am not a man in a hurry. I take time for everything in life,” he said, amidst preparing to head to Mumbai. “We have a special prayer meeting at the Taj on November 26. It's going to be a special gathering, including a candle-light prayer. We will stay at Taj on November 27 and 28 and will not come out. I wan't to be with Sandeep... I know the place he was killed...First floor of Taj,” Unnikrishnan said.
In Bangalore, the Rotaract Club and Rotary Club of Yelahanka is organising a condolence march to remember the martyrs of 26/11. “We are touched by the love of people. In the last three years we have traveled extensively, meeting thousands of people. We have only one mission in life. To help the needy and I have many options with me. I don't want anyone erecting Sandeep's statue in his memory. It will gather dust out in the Sun. The best way to remember Sandeep is to help others,” said Unnikrishnan.
Among the many who were saved from the terrorists' onslaught at Taj, one family have become very close to Sandeep's parents. “We will be meeting them and they don't want any publicity. They are grateful to our son,” says Unnikrishnan.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

Cricketer to Colonel! Dhoni to report to Territorial Army in Bangalore?

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Lt Col (Hon.) Mahindra Singh Dhoni, India's Cricket team captain and lone gloveman, might soon land in Aviation Capital spotting the olive green. It might also be his first official roll call to a regiment as an Army man. Dhoni was pipped-in by Army Chief Gen V K Singh on November 1 and commissioned to Territorial Army (TA). Along with Dhoni, ace shooter Abhinav Bindra too had joined the ranks as TA's brand ambassador.

Army sources told Express that in all likelihood Lt Col (Hon.) Dhoni will 'report' to 106 Infantry Battalion  (TA) Parachute Regiment in Bangalore. “We have got nothing in writing, but there are very high chances that he will be reporting to TA Para here. Since his is an honorary appointment by President, he doesn't come under the SOPs (standard operating procedures) of Indian Army,” sources said.

Army had officially communicated that Dhoni set an example through his unstinted hard work, discipline and supreme dedication.  “His leading the team from the front, remaining ultra cool in adversities, maintaining excellent physical standards, and giving all credit to his teammates, is very synonymous to the Army way of leadership,” Army spokesperson had said in a release on November 1.

Dhoni had said that he always wanted to join the Indian Army and his long-cherished dream came true with the TA call along with Bindra, who is posted to the TA battalion of the Sikh Regiment. An Army spokesperson who spoke to Express from Delhi on Thursday wasn't sure about Dhoni's place of posting. “Is it not Agra?” he asked.

While TA is confident that Dhoni will inspire youngsters, what remains to be seen is whether 'Captain Cool' will find time to propagate TA's mission. “We are hoping that Dhoni will devote some time soon after the West Indies tour. We are excited roping in a true leader and TA needs more inspiring souls,” Army sources said. The WI tour in India ends on December 11 and India's tour to Australia begins on December 26.

A soldier in TA is known as a 'Terrier' and any Indian between the age group of 18-42 is eligible to be inducted after finishing the mandatory formalities. Popularly called as Citizen's Army, TA job is a part-time opportunity to serve the Indian Army, purely undertaken on a voluntary basis. The primary job of Terriers is to back Indian Army during natural calamities, emergencies and internal conflicts. The Bangalore unit of TA is situated in Benson Town and comes under Zone-IV, headquartered in Pune.

Whether Dhoni reports to Bangalore or elsewhere, TA has got a precious catch after Kapil Dev as its brand ambassador.

(Copyrigtht@The New Indian Express)

Society under scanner! Retired radar rajas rev up their spirits for a rare cause

The core members of the 'Forum for former LRDEians' during a recent reunion.
By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: Radars built by them have been virtually scanning the skies for 50 years, effectively tracking the good, the bad and the unwanted flying objects. Their radars Indra and Rajendra have stood ground doing the duties in 2D and 3D modes for the Indian armed forces for a long time. Now, retired scientists and employees of the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) –  a Defence Research and Development Organisation lab making radars and associated technologies --  are panning their hearts from skies to society. Their mission: Give it back to society, what ever it takes.

Called the 'Forum for former LRDEians,'  the three-year-old silent movement is all set to  get propelled with the likely formation of a Foundation embedding scientific temper and societal sensibility. Started with six people in 2009, the movement has now grown in strength with over 250 former scientists, engineers, technical staff and administration officers signing up officially.

A K Sugunan, secretary and the brainchild of forum told Express that the regrouping of LRDE employees after retirement, is steadily showing signs of progress. “To all of us, it's an inspiring move in our life. Though we are all aged, we don't want to fade away just like that. While we might have taken care of ourselves ensuring a safe retired life, there are many out in the society not sure of what the next morning would look like. We want to touch their lives,” says Sugunan, a retired technical officer from LRDE.

Eradication of child labour is one area that will fall under the scanner of these retired, yet raring radar men.  “We are going step by step. To start with, we are focusing on limited areas in Bangalore, where children are employed as labourers. We might have entered the last leg of our visit to Earth, but then we want to go back as spirited souls who gave something back to the society,” says 72-year-old P N H S Mani, forum's advisor and former senior scientist with LRDE.

Once the forum transforms into a Foundation, then these scientific souls in their sunset also plan to don the role of mentors. “We have a huge knowledge bank available with us and we are keen that the public benefit from it. Be it getting into DRDO or any other defence establishment, we will counsel the students on the road ahead,” says M C Padakannaya, former senior scientist with LRDE and forum president.

As a pilot project, the forum has brought a Corporation School in Bangalore's Suddaguntapalaya under their radar and has already provided books to the library, in addition to donating storage facilities. “So far, so good. With more awareness, we are confident of helping more people,” says Sugunan, from whose house the mission control room for the forum's dream project operates. (For more info email: aksugunan@gmail.com)

(Copyright@The New Indan Express)

Tech treat awaits IAF; EMB-145I to ward-off conflicts in the region

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: India's foray into developing a homegrown Airborne Early Warning Control System (AEW CS), being built on a modified Embraer aircraft (EMB145 I), is seen as an ideal opportunity to ward off conflicts.

The Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), a Defence Research and Development Organisation lab in Bangalore, has made inroads into the indigenous development of systems for a compact AEW CS, which would complement the IL76 AWACS, currently being operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

"The EMB145 I will add more teeth to us (IAF) with our network-centric warfare operations warding off any potential conflicts. Hence, all our assets will now get a new dimension and their operations a new meaning - be it on the ground or while flying," sources told The New Indian Express.

With the maiden flight of EMB145 I scheduled in Brazil on December 7, Embraer is ensuring stringent safety tests.  One of such tests is to put aircraft in steep drive or in a stall condition. Putting in stall condition means to reduce the aircraft speed to such an extent that the aircraft will no more sustain the flying and will start falling down. “When the aircraft starts falling due to any reason, then it falls rapidly owing to the earth’s gravity. Hence during the stall and spin tests, the test pilots then will have to respond fast and reverse the stall process to recover the aircraft flight,” sources said.

Hence in order to slow down the diving of the aircraft due to stall or spin during the testing, the modern aircrafts are tested with parachutes. These parachutes are deployed when the aircraft enters into steep dive, which then slows down the dive process, giving the pilots adequate time to increase the throttle, bring the aircraft out of the dangerous dive process.

Tech marvel: Once operational, the EMB-145 I will be a multi-sensor system providing for all aspects of air-borne surveillance. Here is a quick glance at some of the features:

1. ·   The primary radar (PR) detects, tracks and identifies targets, the other sensors carry out different functions.
2. ·       The secondary surveillance radar (SSR) helps identify the target as friend or foe. The electronics support measures (ESM) provides the bearing and location of hostile emitters and analyses their characteristics.The communication support measures (CSM) intercepts communication signals and scrutinizes them.
3. ·    The mission communications system (MCS) provides air-to-air and air-to-ground V/UHF voice and data channels.
4. ·   The self protection system (SPS) warns of enemy radars as well as approaching missiles and offers countermeasures.
5. ·       The data handling and display system (DHDS) facilitates total interfacing with the AEW&CS  and deriving operational information.
6. ·    The Line-of-Sight ‘C’-Band and SATCOM  Ku-Band data links (DL) help inter-operate with friendly fighters, other AEW&C aircraft and air-defence systems on the ground.
7. ·      The mission system controller (MSC), the heart of the AEW&CS, integrates data from all the sensors and facilitates the surveillance operations. 

In In addition to CABS, the AEW&CS programme is pursued by a core team comprising various DRDO laboratories, including Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE),  Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) and Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) with close participation of Indian air force (IAF), Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA). Embraer, ANAC (the Airworthiness Certification Agency of Brazil) and a number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for the aircraft are linked to the programme.

Copyright@The New Indian Express 

NAME INDIA'S EYE-IN-THE-SKY

While chasing the EMB-145 I story (post here), the blogger was informed by IAF sources that they have asked the DRDO to name the platform before it enters the Indian airspace next June. Tarmak007 invites its members and visitors to name the aircraft keeping in mind the role the tech beast would play, once operational. It has to be an Indian name and if your suggestion(s)  is selected finally, you will receive some books in the form of prizes from the blogger. Email the names with your full address and telephone number to anantha.ak@gmail.com. Tarmak007 will forward the names to IAF/DRDO. (In the last two days, the blogger has received 65 names.)

Your turn now! Name India's eye-in-the-sky

While chasing the EMB-145 I story (below post), the blogger was informed by IAF sources that they have asked the DRDO to name the platform before it enters the Indian airspace next June. Tarmak007 invites its members and visitors to name the aircraft keeping in mind the role the tech beast would play, once operational. It has to be an Indian name and if your suggestion(s)  is selected finally, you will receive some books in the form of prizes from the blogger. Email the names with your full address and telephone number to anantha.ak@gmail.com. Tarmak007 will forward the names to IAF/DRDO. 

EMB-145 I: India's prying plane's first flight likely on Dec 7 in Brazil

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: India's prying plane is ready. Called the Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&CS), this tech beast comes in the form of a modified Embraer aircraft (EMB-145 I). Sources confirm to The New Indian Express that the first flight is officially scheduled on December 7 in Brazil. The Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), a Bangalore-based less-talked-about wing of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is developing systems to make the EMB-145 I a mean machine.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive three such platforms in the next three years. The integration on ground-based systems on the lines of specifications, including the seating arrangements, is currently on at CABS. The first aircraft will make a touchdown in Bangalore coming June, with the second and third expected in October 2012 and December 2013 respectively.  “They (CABS) will need at least six months to integrate the sub-systems (total seven), after the first EMB-145 Iarrives,” sources said.

Once operational, India will join an exclusive club of nations owning home-grown eye in the sky systems. Currently, Wedge Tail (USA-Boeing), Phalcon (Israel-IAI) and Erieye (Sweden-Ericsson) are world leaders in prying-from-the-top-technology. India had inked a pact with Brazil in 2008 to modify the Embraer so as to integrate the Active Array Antenna Unit (AAAU) on the aircraft's fuselage. The platform could detect, identify and classify threats present in the surveillance areas and act as a command and control centre to support air operations. The project comes with an updated price tag of (to include new features for the IAF) of Rs 2,157 crore.

In an extremely crisp response to an Express email query, CABS Director S Christopher could only confirm that an Indian delegation is traveling to Brazil in the first week of June. When this paper spoke to G. Elangovan, DRDO's Chief Controller (Avionics) in Delhi, he said that the EMB-145 I will be a very cost-effective and cheapest platform, carrying mission systems, radar, communication units and electronic warfare systems.

The EMB-145 I will boost India’s network-centric warfare capabilities. Apart from surveillance duties, it could track aircraft, UAVS and even detect radar signals. It has the ability to scan up to 400 km, giving the IAF recognized air situations thereby enabling battle field management. The aircraft can operate with a maximum crew of 12 people, including operators, rest crew, pilot, co-pilot and flight test engineer. It can fly non-stop for 10-12 hours with mid-air-refueling. 

DRDO's earlier attempt to make a surveillance platform (Project Guardian/Airawat) met with disaster when the HS-748 turboprop test-bed aircraft crashed in 1999, killing several scientists and engineers.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express. The above report appeared in Express on Nov 19.)

NAME THE PLANE NOW!

YES WE CAN: Saraswat dedicates Agni-IV success to youngsters in DRDO

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is on Cloud 9 following the success of the long-range, surface-to-surface missile Agni-IV on November 16. Often battered and bruised by the users for not delivering what has been promised, the DRDO is hogging all the limelight – thanks to the big-bang strike by Agni-IV.

Known for his inimitable straight-forward comments, DRDO chief Dr V K Saraswat dedicated the success of the launch to the young DRDO.  “I dedicate this success to all the youngsters who have contributed with a large heart. I am not playing to the gallery as I have already communicated this internally. The mentoring we started a couple of years back is paying rich dividends. Give it to them (youngsters) as they deserve all the laurels,” Saraswat told The New Indian Express.

Making mincemeat of technology control regimes, Saraswat said that Agni-IV virtually made these  powers futile at one go. “Nobody can stop us and nobody can dictate terms to us. Nobody can get us. It is not DRDO we are talking about, but India. We have shown the world how indigenous new-age technologies can be transferred efficiently on to a top-class product,” he said.

The DRDO chief went on to say that the missile technology nuances mastered by his team has put India on par with the best in the world. “We will soon tell another story when Agni-V comes out. It's a constant process and we are all geared up. We have got the momentum and we will get it going,” Saraswat said.

The mood in the Missile Complex in Hyderabad too is ecstatic with a strong sense of 'yes-we-can-belief' settling in among various teams that have been working on Agni-IV.

Speaking to Express from Hyderabad over phone, G. Satheesh Reddy, Associate Director, Research Centre Imarat (RCI),  said that DRDO's patience have finally paid off. “After last year's failed campaign, we got on to the basics and dissected every system that went onboard. Today, with the success of Agni-IV we have witnessed the quantum jump in the state-of-the-art technologies in missile-making. We are now steadily moving towards our inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) dream and all efforts will now go into making of Agni-V,” says Sateesh, a young DRDO brain, who got recently elevated to the 'Outstanding Scientist' status.

It was Satheesh's team that developed ring-laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (RINS) and micro-navigation system (MINGS) for Agni-IV. “We are thrilled by the telemetry results of the missile and we couldn't have asked for a better launch,” he said.

DRDO sources who were part of the Agni-IV campaign said that the missile could go up to a maximum of 3,700 km and during the maiden launch it touched between 3,200-3,400 km, before hitting with target.

Copyright@The New Indian Express
(Tarmak007 welcomes Niranjan onboard, blog's 450th registered member.) 

Mom ‘n’ Missiles: Agniputhri keeps her word with A-IV launch | Tessy says it's her birthday gift to mother

THE RIGHT CALL: Tessy Thomas, Agni-IV, Project Director, at the launch site in Wheeler Island. This photo was taken on December 9, 2010, a day before the missile's (then called as A2 Prime) failed mission. 

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Her big-ticket nuke-toy Agni-IV hit the target bang in 20 minutes after cruising over 3,000 km from the launch pad in Wheeler Island on Tuesday, November 15. Inside the Block Office (a special concrete shelter that can withstand a nuclear explosion or the impact if a missile misfires and falls over it) 48-year-old Tessy Thomas, Project Director, Agni-IV, was closely tracking her surface-to-surface pet, obediently following the trajectory as per the text book plans. Moments later, India’s first woman scientist to head a sensitive missile project broke down with joy. Very few knew that she had finally kept her word given to her mother Kunjamma Thomas, a qualified teacher, who lives alone in Allapuzaha (Kerala).

“It was a beautiful launch. My colleagues lifted me and it was a very emotional moment in my life. I called my mother immediately. It is my birthday gift and she turns 75 next month,” Tessy told The New Indian Express. Last year, the maiden launch of Agni-IV (then called as A-II Prime) clashed with her mother’s birthday. “I had promised that it would be my birthday gift to her. Unfortunately, the connector snapped just seconds after the lift-off and the mission failed,” Tessy told this correspondent, who too witnessed the launch from Wheeler Island, then.

Since the failure last year, Tessy and her team had gone through an hectic schedule ensuring that everything, including the missile, fell in place. “It’s an exciting feeling now. I owe it to my mother and my colleagues who believed in me. Everyone writes us off, the moment something goes wrong,” says Tessy, who works with Defence Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Hyderabad-based Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL).

On Tuesday, she was at the launch site till 2 am and was back at the site by 4 am. “My mother told me that there’s always a second chance and I really prayed hard. The success is the result of team work and there are hundreds who worked for the project,” she said.

DRDO chief Dr V K Saraswat says that Tessy is a simple soul, but a go-getter. “Her dedication inspires all of us. She is a role model for youngsters in DRDO. Her commitment is matchless and India needs more Tessys,” he says. Echoing his sentiments was Avinash Chander,  Chief Controller (Missiles and Strategic Systems), DRDO. “I am lucky to have such a pupil. She treats me as her guru and her zero-attitude has definitely done wonders,” says Avinash.

So how's the Agniputhri celebrating the success of Agni-IV? “Life continues as usual. I will be with my mother for her birthday,” says Tessy.

(A similar version of the above report appeared in today's The New Indian Express.)
Also recommended to read: Agni 2 Prime failed, but nobody died! 

Video of Agni-IV trajectory display

Courtesy: DRDO

Photo & video of Agni-IV launch

Agni-IV launch photo (above) and video below: Courtesy: DRDO

(Official Release)

India has successfully test fired the most advanced long range missile system Agni-4 on 15th November 2011. The missile was launched from a Road Mobile System at 9.00AM from Wheelers’ Island off the coast of Odisha.

The missile had a text book trajectory and reached a height of about 900kms and reached the pre-designated target in the international waters of Bay of Bengal. All mission objectives were fully met. All the systems functioned perfectly till the end encountering the re-entry temperatures of more than 3000⁰C.

This missile is one of its kinds of world class, proving many new technologies for the first time, giving a quantum leap in technology. The Missile System has opened a new era in the class of Long Range Missile having capability to carry Strategic Warheads for the Forces and has provided a fantastic deterrence to the country.

The Missile is lighter in weight and has two stages of Solid Propulsion and a Payload with Re-entry heat shield.  The Composite Rocket Motor which has been used for the first time has given excellent performance. The Missile System is equipped with modern and compact Avionics with Redundancy to provide high level of reliability.

The indigenous Ring Laser Gyros based high accuracy INS (RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINGS) complementing each other in redundant mode have been successfully flown in guidance mode for the first time. The high performance onboard computer with distributed Avionics architecture and high speed reliable communication bus and a full Digital Control System have controlled and guided the Missile to the target. The Missile has reached the target with very high level of accuracy.

All the Radars and electro-optical systems along the Coast of Odisha have tracked and monitored all the parameters of the Vehicle.  Two Indian Naval ships located  near the target have witnessed the final event.

Dr V.K. Saraswat, SA to RM has congratulated all the Scientists and employees of DRDO and the Armed forces for the successful launch of AGNI-4. Avinash Chander, Chief Controller (Missiles & Strategic Systems), DRDO and Programme Director, AGNI has overseen all the preparations and launch operations and congratulated all the Scientists. Tessy Thomas, Project  Project Director AGNI-4 and team prepared and integrated the Missile System and launched the Missile successfully. Commander in Chief of Strategic Force Command Air Marshal K.J. Mathews has witnessed the launch. S.K. Ray, Director RCI, P. Venugopalan, Director DRDL, Dr V.G. Sekaran Director ASL, S.P. Dash Director ITR were present during the launch and reviewed all the activities.

Breaking on Tarmak007: Agni-4 missile successfully launched

India's maiden launch of Agni-4 missile (A4-001) is a success. The missile was test-fired (using a  Road Mobile launcher) from Wheeler Island at 8.55 am today. It hit the target after 20 minutes of flights, probably travelling around 3,000 km. DRDO chief Dr V.K. Saraswat, C-in-C of SFC Air Marshal K.J. Mathews and other senior officials witnessed the launch. DRDO has renamed and modified its A2 Prime missile as Agni-4. 

His name is Rupert: Baldwinians to honour World War-II veteran, who worked with RAF & Indian Railways

 (Above) World War-II veteran Rupert Menaud (85) with his daughter Karen. Photo Nagaraj. (Below) Young Rupert, during his stint with Indian Railways. 

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: When 85-year-old Rupert T. Menaud walks into the Taj Vivanta Hotel in Trinity Circle on Saturday (November 19), holding his daughter Karen-Ruth Meneaud’s hands to receive a rare honour, he will probably carry priceless memories of an era, often seen by you and me in Sepia colours.
He along with his friends from Baldiwn Boys’ School were picked up on every Sundays by a military truck and dropped at the Garrison Military Church (now called as Trinity Church) for their choir. “We got four Annas every for the choir every Sunday,” recalls the 6.2-feet-long, trim and handsome Rupert when City Express caught up with him at his abode on Gospel Street in Thomas Town.

Rupert, a World War-II veteran, is the oldest living Baldwinian (1934 to 1942) and the alumni are honouring him during a special reunion in the presence of N. Achutha Rao, DG&IG of Police, Karnataka and DCP (East Zone) M. Chandrashekar. There will be music, wine and dance, all dipped in emotion and sandwiched between stories. And, there be Baldwinians and Baldwinians!

Rupert’s story is inspiring in many ways as he was hired by the Royal Air Force during the WW-II. “It was 1943 and I just finished by +2. WW-II was waging badly and I saw an advertisement in Madras Mail English daily. The recruitment was held at Bezwada (now Vijayawada) and we were trained at Jalahalli for three months. My first posting was at the Air Gunnery Training School in Bhopal as an aircraftman,” Rupert captured images from the past with such ease, clarity and speed. “I have a good memory, you know,” he said.

When the war became history, his brothers returned to the UK and the young Rupert, then 22, decided to make a safe landing. He jumped on to a rail wagon, straight from air! “For every year of War service, we were given one year of railway service. I joined the Indian Railway at Rajahmundry as a fireman and was promoted as a ‘Special A Grade’ driver over the years,” he said. Rupert graduated from trains running on steam to diesel to electricity. He drove them with tones of passion and at a max speed of 110 km per hour, for long 39 years, till his retirement in 1984. His route: Vishakapatnam-Vijayawada, Vijayawada-Madras.

On Rupert’s VVIP guest lists are former Presidents Fakhruiddin Ali Ahmed and V.V. Giri in 1977. “In 1972, Fakhruddin came to inaugurate the second Godavari rail-cum-bridge. After the event, he called us to his salon (coach) for a cup of tea. He greeted us and said – Well done. Today’s trains are much faster, you know,” he says.

Suddenly, Rupert decides to change tracks and stops his memory wagon at Baldiwn Boys’ School. “I was a good boy who loved racing pigeons. I was caught once for throwing stones at a colonel’s house so that I could see his pigeons flying all over my head. I loved it. His house was next to boys’ toilet and I excused often from the class to check pigeons.”

He religiously practices, what he learnt from Baldwin School as a border boy. He polishes his shoes every day, he makes his bed after getting up at 5 in the morning and he cleans his brass and silver cups. When Rupert lost his wife Olive Barnes while he was 80, there were still some marriage proposals pouring in through a Railway marriage bureau! “Well, it happened and I said no,” Rupert said, looking at Karen, who bursts into laughter.

He stays with his daughter Karen, who works with TCS. His son Marcellus works with Oberoi as a senior captain. Karen says her father loves country music, simple food and plays around with their one-month old kitten Miget. “I love Miget and I am always engaged now,” signs off the smart Cancerian of 1926.

(Copyright City Express/The New Indian Express)

Koodankulam N-plant formula: Spotlight on Dr Kalam's Man Friday Ponraj

(Above) Dr Kalam's Man Friday V. Ponraj at work. (Below) Dr Kalam celebrates his 79th birthday in the company of Ponraj (centre, Ash colour shirt) and his longest serving private secretary R.K. Prasad (extreme right) at the Government Guest House in Allapuzha in Kerala on October 15, 2010. Photo Courtesy: Billion Beats

By Anantha Krishnan M.

Express News Service

Bangalore: His is a story that has envied many in the last 10 years. Hailing from Thonugal village in Kariapatti thaluk of Virdhunagar district in Tamil Nadu, Ponraj, a retired policeman’s son, has stunned everyone with his meteoric rise. This 46-year-old Computer Science post-graduate from Bharathidasan University in Trichy, is today one of the vital member of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s inspiration team. Hence, “I know Ponraj,” has become one famous line you get to hear from all those who have interacted with Kalam. Be it politicians, scientists, technocrats, tech gurus and academicians! It’s not surprising that he is back in the news again with the Koodankulam nuclear plant issue, with his 10-point formulae giving possible solutions.

So what makes Ponraj special? What did Kalam see in him? Technically, he is as Scientist-G, with Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the makers of India’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. “He was sent on a deputation to Rashtrapathi Bahvan in 2002 when Dr Kalam became the President. We have now posted him to our Delhi office and extending his services to Kalam,” ADA sources tell Express. At Raisina Hills, Ponraj was made Director, Technology Interface to the President, and then on he has never looked back.

Ponraj captured Dr Kalam’s heart when the former visited ADA in early 2000. “He was a Network Services specialist and Dr Kalam wanted someone to put together his thoughts. Their wavelength matched and the rest is history,” sources said. Ponraj was first tasked with creating a website (abdulkalam.com) for Kalam. His tech-savvy touch and speed floored Kalam the website became a hit within no time.

This Correspondent met Ponraj in June 2002, while he was about to board a bus to Chennai from Bangalore, soon after Kalam’s name was finalized for the presidentship. “He wanted to update the website following the recent developments. I am going there to assist him answer the flood of mail. He is particular about answering queries from youngsters,” was Ponraj’s response.

Today he travels with Dr Kalam to all major programmes and propagates his Mission 2020. Interestingly, soon after the Jayalalitha came to power in TN this year, Ponraj was given the task to inspire the MLAs on various aspects of good governance for two days. His power-point presentation to Jaya’s team is said to have been a smashing hit.

While Ponraj’s is a story of spotlights, then R.K. Prasad’s, private secretary to Dr Kalam, is just the opposite. Prasad, the longest serving aide of Dr Kalam, is probably an unsung hero in the Missile Man’s Mission Possible team!

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

Lots of care in drafting 10-point formula: Speaking to The New Indian Express in Bangalore, V. Ponraj said that he took extreme care in drafting the 10-point formula considering the sensitivities involved with the Koodankulam issue. “I have visited many nuclear plants along with Dr Kalam and it gave rare insights for me while making the report. In the last three months, ever since I was given the task to script the report by Dr Kalam, I have been interacting with a numbers of nuclear scientists and experts. We have gone into lots of details and analyzed the issue threadbare,” Ponraj said.

Dr Kalam’s team also interacted with various members of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) before finalizing the report. “In addition, we have also taken suggestions from the people and activists,” Ponraj said told Express, soon after landing at the Bangalore airport along with Dr Kalam. The team was heading to Chitradurga for an event organized by the Indian Institute of Science.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

The Radiant Tejas: Tarmak007 member Aditya Agrawal makes a 17-minute documentary on LCA

Copyright@Aditya Agarwal

(Aero-modeler & Mech Engineer)

108 MMRCAS will roll out from Bangalore; cool HAL waits for the big winner

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Serivce

Bangalore:  Plane-maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) chose not to jump into the MMRCA madness, even as aviation pundits world over are tracking every bit of news on the opening of a bumper commercial bid. While the Ministry of Defence officials scanned macro price points along with Typhoon (Eurofighter) and Rafale (Dassault) representatives in Delhi, senior officials of HAL remained cool as a cucumber. They probably knew, who ever bags the $10.4 b order, they will be the biggest winner.
Out of the 126 combat MMRCA fighters, HAL will manufacture 108 aircraft (make category) at the Aircraft Division in Bangalore, while the first 18 (buy category) will come in a fly-away condition from the hangars of the winner. “First we will make few planes from a semi-knocked-down kit, then from completely knocked-down kit and finally from absolute raw material phase. Once, we are clear with the rules of the game, we will start parallel activities,” HAL sources said.
When asked how significant will be the MMRCA project to HAL, the official said: “It will be a huge learning curve for us as we lay our hands on the next-level of fighter jet. It will also give us some learning points for our Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project. We will be able to extrapolate the MMRCA knowledge to FGFA. Definitely it is an exciting prospect to get involved with Western aircraft technology.”
Currently HAL’s Hawk production line is abuzz with activities and they are hoping to complete the delivery of the remaining 15 aircraft (out of a total 42 made under licence) by the end of 2011-2012. “This line will be busy for couple of years more as we have an additional order of 57 aircraft. So, MMRCA will be a separate production line, with likely additional manpower,” sources said. HAL’s Engine Division in Bangalore will also play a key role in the MMRCA project.
While it is very sketchy to predict when the Indian Air Force will get the first HAL-built MMRCA, the company is seeing this as an opportunity to raise the bar of professional work sphere. ”We need to possibly empower our managers and encourage them to take risks fearlessly. Risk-taking and ability to take swift decisions are vital when we work on a massive project like MMRCA,” the official said.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express. The above piece
appeared on November 5th edition of Express.)

Flying Soon: New low cost carrier Air Pegasus to connect 9 Southern cities

Shyson Thomas, MD, Air Pegasus. Photo Yugesh Kumar

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: When 10-year-old Shyson Thomas was sent to the Sunday school at the Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi in Kerala, he sneaked out with his friends to test-fly hand-made paper planes in the backyard. Result: Early lessons in the science of flying, plus stunning stares from the nuns.

At the age of 32, Shyson started De’Cor Aviation in Bangalore, supporting various airlines with ground-handling activities. Result: Close encounters with plane truth and eye-witness account on how money came and went in aviation industry.
Later at 49, he stared fixing wings to his dreams, silently painting them with his favourite red colour. Result: Air Pegasus, a regional low cost carrier (LCC) connecting major South Indian cities, is ready for take-off.
“I am inspired by Jet Airways boss Naresh Goel. In aviation you need long-term vision,” Shyson, MD, Air Pegasus, said during a one-to-one with Express. Air Pegasus will be a no-frill airline, but he promises that the thrill will still stay. “The minimum fare will be around Rs 2,000 (including taxes) and the maximum Rs 3,000, unless the ATF (aviation jet fuel) prices really go up. My USPs will be fare advantage and good connectivity in South,” he claims.
The airline will operate in Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Hubli, Mangalore and Goa sectors.
Civil Aviation Ministry sources confirm to Express that a high-powered committee, during its 154th meeting in New Delhi on September 14 had recommended a no-objection certificate (NOC) for Air Pegasus. “Once the formal NOC is issued, the airline will have to import the aircraft, obtain AOP (Airline Operating Permit) and file engineering, operational and security manuals. The schedule will then have to be approved by the Director General of Civil Aviation,” sources said.

Set to begin operations in 2012, touching 26 sectors daily, Air Pegasus fleet will consist of a total 10 aircraft in the next five years. “We have Bombardier Q400 (78-seater) and ATR72-500 (70-seater) on our radar and will finalise one soon. Two aircraft will operate from Kochi, our engineering base, and one from Bangalore, our corporate headquarter,” he says.Is Air Pegasus hitting the skies at a wrong time, when many have burnt their fingers and even portion of hands! “Not at all,” says Shyson, adding: “There is enough space in South left for a LCC. On-time performance, lesser cancellation and low fare are vital for survival. I have hand-picked a young, lean and mean team to handle various portfolios.”Shyson’s confidence probably comes out from the lessons he learnt as a start-up ground-handling agent for Air Deccan in southern sector from 2003-2008. “I have seen in and out of Air Deccan,” he says.

LIKELY FARE*

Bangalore-Chennai: Rs 2,000
Bangalore-Hubli: Rs 2,000
Bangalore-Coimbatore: Rs 2,000
Bangalore-Kochi: Rs 2,500
Bangalore-Mangalore: Rs 2,500
Bangalore-T’puram: Rs 2,850
Bangalore-Hyderabad: Rs 3,000
Bangalore-Goa: Rs 3,000

(*Not final)

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

(Now on, you will occasionally find stories related to civil aviation on Tarmak007, as the blogger needs to keep an eye on that sector too in the new profile at Express.) 

Desi Sukhoi performs supersonic ballet on debut | Aircraft built from complete raw material phase makes a silent entry

  

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Serrvice

Bangalore: The made-in-India Sukhoi (Su-30MKI) is up and flying. Amidst the Diwali light and sound show around, the Ozar air base in Nasik witnessed a silent, yet stellar affair. The desi Sukhoi, a 4.5 generation fighter, took to the skies for the first time and performed a 55-minute supersonic ballet. Also flying high was the swadeshi pride considering that this was the first aircraft manufactured from a complete raw material phase. The striking feature was the pilots pulling 9g at the first attempt itself, a strong pointer towards its structural integrity.

Indian Air Force (IAF) sources confirmed to Express that the Sukhoi was piloted by Wg Cdr S C Sharma with co-pilot Wg Cdr S S Mallick in the rear. The Aircraft Manufacturing Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Nasik, produced this metal bird with close to 28,000 parts and using 1,20,000 tools.

“This flight was undertaken with full confidence in the technical prowess and expertise of HAL. It went smoothly as planned without any hitch. The aircraft handled beautifully and all the systems behaved as required. We cloaked an excellent flight,” the pilots were quoted by sources, from their debrief session, soon after the touch-down.

HAL has so far delivered 99 Sukhois to the IAF, out of a total order of 180 aircraft, produced under licence from Russia at an approximate cost of Rs 250-300 crore each. The raw material phase Sukhoi is the first from Phase-IV of the project. The avionics and accessories have come from HAL’s Lucknow, Hyderabad and Korwa Divisions, while the engine was produced at the Koraput Division.

“As per the original compressed programme, they (HAL) will have to complete the deliveries by 2014-15. It is unlikely that this deadline will be met now and we expect a delay of three years,” IAF sources said. Express has learnt that the delay in design and development phase of Sukhoi in Russia impacted the receipt of technology and tooling in India. In addition, HAL too had issues in absorbing new technologies and setting up of capital infrastructure.

The Sukhoi’s powerplant (AL31FP) -- a technology marvel by itself -– is specially modified with vector thrust jet nozzle (for high flexibility and maneuverability of the aircraft). It has modular construction ensuring higher technological characteristics of assembly, operation and flexibility at the IAF bases.

The icing on the cake of this India shining story is that 90 per cent of engineers, designers, technicians and managers part of this homegrown project are youngsters in the average age group of 25 to 40 years. The IAF pilots will now test-fly all the profiles before the final acceptance of the aircraft.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)