Category Archives: Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021)

‘TruthIn͏͏ is India’s First Consumer Product Intelligence App’: Dr Aman Basheer Sheikh, Co Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Natfirst

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Leaders, Science & Technology, Scientists (wef. August 27th,m 2023), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

In an exclusive conversation with CXO News and APAC News Network, Dr Aman Basheer Sheikh, Co founder and Chief Medical Officer, Natfirst outlines how they are leveraging AI and data science to disrupt the health tech industry  

How͏͏ does͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ leverage͏͏ AI͏͏ and͏͏ data͏͏ science͏͏ to͏͏ provide͏͏ personalized͏͏ nutrition͏͏ guidance,͏͏ and͏͏ how͏͏ do͏͏ you͏͏ ensure͏͏ the͏͏ recommendations͏͏ are͏͏ both͏͏ accurate͏͏ and͏͏ actionable͏͏ for͏͏ users?

NatFirst is the parent company of the TruthIn͏͏ app, India’s first consumer product intelligence app, which is the go-to source for understanding packaged food labels. It employs advanced AI,͏͏ including vision models and optical character recognition,͏͏ to͏͏ decode͏͏ product͏͏ labels͏͏ and͏͏ provides consumers with insights͏͏. It analyses the nutritional͏͏ content,͏͏ additives,͏͏ processing level and͏͏ ingredient͏͏ quality by decoding the information disclosed on food labels. A simple barcode scan allows users to access this information. At͏͏ the͏͏ heart͏͏ of͏͏ this͏͏ is͏͏ the͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ Rating͏͏ System,͏͏ which͏͏ translates͏͏ the data͏͏ from labels into͏͏ clear,͏͏ science-backed͏͏ health͏͏ scores.͏͏ These͏͏ insights͏͏ help͏͏ users͏͏ navigate͏͏ a͏͏ market͏͏ flooded͏͏ with͏͏ ultra-processed͏͏ foods͏͏ (UPFs)͏͏, ensuring͏͏ that they͏͏ can͏͏ confidently͏͏ distinguish͏͏ between͏͏ genuinely͏͏ healthy͏͏ options͏͏ and͏͏ deceptive marketing claims.

Natfirst comprises of a multi-disciplinary team of experienced doctors, nutritionists, and tech engineers. This team of experts has developed the TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) by studying best practices of global systems such as Nutri-Score, a nutrition labelling adopted by a few EU countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. Other international systems studied include the Health Star Rating system used in Australia and NZ, and Nutri-Grade utilised in Singapore. It has also empanelled an advisory board of eminent multi-disciplinary experts who include, K. Sunitha Premalatha, MSC, RD, PHD, (Cancer Nutrition) and Padmashree awardee Dr Manjula Anagani MBBS, MD (Pathology), MD (Obstetrics & Gynecology), FICOG to ensure the TruthIn Rating methodology is as scientifically accurate as possible. Features in the TruthIn app such as the Match Meter help consumers access personalised guidance by aligning portion sizes with individual health goals, making choosing healthier products much easier.

As͏͏ a͏͏ startup͏͏ aiming͏͏ to͏͏ disrupt͏͏ the͏͏ health͏͏ tech͏͏ industry,͏͏ what͏͏ specific͏͏ challenges͏͏ have͏͏ you͏͏ encountered͏͏ in͏͏ differentiating͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ from͏͏ other͏͏ companies͏͏ in͏͏ the͏͏ market?͏͏ How͏͏ do͏͏ you͏͏ overcome͏͏ these͏͏ obstacles?

The innovations͏͏ being developed at Natfirst coincide with the evolving needs of consumers and the demand for healthier, cleaner food products.͏͏ Unlike͏͏ the͏͏ USA or͏͏ EU,͏͏ India͏͏ lacks͏͏ a͏͏ centralized͏͏ database͏͏ of͏͏ packaged͏͏ food͏͏ products. This forced NatFirst͏͏ to build its product dataset͏͏s manually from͏͏ scratch which was a significant challenge but also differentiates Natfirst as one of the few startups in India with such an extensive database.͏͏ With millions of products circulating in the Indian market, the user base of TruthIn has also played an extremely vital͏͏ role in grassroots data͏͏ collection to͏͏ form͏͏ a͏͏ dynamic͏͏ database͏͏ of over͏͏ 16,000͏͏ products which is now set to grow exponentially.͏͏ In that sense, Natfirst is a pioneer in the Indian market with many industry firsts.

Natfirst has also differentiated itself by building a loyal community of users based on trust and consistently promotes its scientifically validated scoring system. Today its flagship product TruthIn, has more than 5 lakh downloads. The brand ambassador of TruthIn is Revant Himatsingka (Food Pharmer), a staunch promoter of scientifically validated information, who has embarked on a mission to educate the average Indian consumer on label literacy. The TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) was specifically designed to help consumers with the most accurate and validated information available to make healthier food choices.

Lastly, to accelerate the process of ensuring that consumers have access to transparent information about all the products, a feature innovation which is very technically challenging is currently being beta-tested. It will enable consumers to analyse products in real-time and TruthIn will become the first app globally to launch such a feature once it goes live.

With͏͏ the͏͏ vast͏͏ amount͏͏ of͏͏ conflicting͏͏ nutritional͏͏ advice͏͏ available͏͏ online,͏͏ how͏͏ does͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ ensure͏͏ that͏͏ its͏͏ platform͏͏ offers͏͏ clear,͏͏ reliable,͏͏ and͏͏ easy-to-understand͏͏ guidance͏͏ for͏͏ individuals?

The 2024 Healthy Snacking report showed that consumers In India are increasingly scrutinising labels. However,  the findings of an ICMR NIN report highlighted͏͏ that͏͏ while͏͏ many͏͏ Indians͏͏ read͏͏ food labels,͏͏ they͏͏ rarely͏͏ look͏͏ beyond͏͏ manufacturing͏͏ and͏͏ expiry͏͏ dates—leaving͏͏ them͏͏ vulnerable͏͏ to͏͏ misinformation, unwanted additives͏͏ and͏͏ inaccurate claims.͏͏ This underscores the importance of tech-driven consumer-focused solutions like TruthIn to navigate hundreds of complex food labels that consumers encounter daily.

By analysing product labels͏͏ factoring in things like fats,͏͏ sugars,͏͏ salt,͏͏ chemical additives,͏͏ artificial flavourings, the͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ Rating͏͏ System͏͏ helps users understand their food better. The product rating system developed by TruthIn analyses a lot of complex information and distils it into a 0-5 score that is easily understandable and helps consumers save countless hours deciphering͏͏ complicated͏͏ labels.

An example of this is the flavoured͏͏ yoghurt category; which is very often͏͏ marketed͏͏ as͏͏ a healthy͏͏ snack. However, it may contain synthetic͏͏ colours such as e102, or͏͏ an excess of added sugar.͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ clearly lists all such information,͏͏ connects͏͏ it to͏͏ reputable͏͏ research,͏͏ and͏͏ offers͏͏ healthier alternatives.͏͏ By emphasising transparency, accuracy,͏͏ creation of simplified visuals and decoding complex jargon, TruthIn͏͏ empowers͏͏ consumers to cut͏͏ through any confusion while choosing products.

In͏͏ the͏͏ realm͏͏ of͏͏ health͏͏ and͏͏ nutrition,͏͏ personal͏͏ data͏͏ security͏͏ is͏͏ crucial.͏͏ What͏͏ measures͏͏ does͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ take͏͏ to͏͏ ensure͏͏ user͏͏ data͏͏ is͏͏ protected͏͏ and͏͏ handled͏͏ responsibly?

NatFirst͏͏ places͏͏ data͏͏ privacy͏͏ at͏͏ the͏͏ forefront,͏͏ employing͏͏ robust͏͏ encryption͏͏ and͏͏ AWS-backed͏͏ secure͏͏ processing͏͏ to͏͏ safeguard͏͏ user͏͏ information.͏͏ Complying͏͏ with͏͏ both͏͏ Indian͏͏ and͏͏ international͏͏ data͏͏ protection͏͏ standards,͏͏ the͏͏ platform͏͏ collects͏͏ only͏͏ what͏͏ it͏͏ needs—dietary͏͏ preferences͏͏ and͏͏ health͏͏ objectives—to͏͏ deliver͏͏ personalized͏͏ guidance. By͏͏ maintaining͏͏ transparency͏͏ in͏͏ how͏͏ data͏͏ is͏͏ used͏͏ and͏͏ stored,͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ aims to build user͏͏ trust.͏͏ Consumers͏͏ can͏͏ feel͏͏ confident͏͏ that͏͏ their͏͏ personal͏͏ information͏͏ is͏͏ protected͏͏ as͏͏ they͏͏ benefit͏͏ from͏͏ tailored͏͏ recommendations,͏͏ fostering͏͏ a͏͏ secure͏͏ and͏͏ supportive͏͏ environment͏͏ for͏͏ informed͏͏ health͏͏ choices.

How͏͏ does͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ integrate͏͏ human͏͏ expertise͏͏ with͏͏ technology͏͏ to͏͏ create͏͏ a͏͏ balanced͏͏ approach͏͏ to͏͏ nutrition͏͏ and͏͏ health͏͏ guidance?

The importance of tech-driven tools such as TruthIn is becoming evident where over 11% of the population suffers from diabetes and 25% are classified as obese as per the ICMR. NatFirst͏͏ marries͏͏ cutting-edge͏͏ AI͏͏ with͏͏ the͏͏ insights͏͏ of͏͏ doctors,͏͏ nutritionists,͏͏ and͏͏ engineers͏͏ to͏͏ ensure͏͏ that͏͏ health͏͏ recommendations͏͏ are͏͏ both͏͏ scientifically͏͏ solid͏͏ and͏͏ easy͏͏ to͏͏ understand.͏͏ While͏͏ AI-driven͏͏ vision͏͏ models͏͏ decode͏͏ labels͏͏ in͏͏ real-time—exposing͏͏ harmful͏͏ additives͏͏ like͏͏ INS͏͏ 102,͏͏ a͏͏ coal-derived͏͏ dye͏͏ linked͏͏ to͏͏ hyperactivity—human͏͏ experts͏͏ validate͏͏ the͏͏ nutritional͏͏ frameworks͏͏ that͏͏ power͏͏ these͏͏ evaluations. The synergistic approach ensures the recommendations are accurate, easily understandable, and actionable. The nutritional framework under which the TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) has been developed by an expert team of nutritionists and doctors and output including the score is further validated by empanelled experts on an ongoing basis. This is the unique way in which TruthIn blend͏͏s human͏͏ expertise͏͏ and͏͏ AI͏͏ innovation͏͏ to help users͏͏ make͏͏ truly͏͏ informed͏͏ choices͏͏ tailored͏͏ to͏͏ their͏͏ unique͏͏ dietary requirements.

Looking͏͏ ahead,͏͏ what͏͏ are͏͏ the͏͏ key͏͏ innovations͏͏ or͏͏ trends͏͏ in͏͏ AI͏͏ and͏͏ health͏͏ tech͏͏ that͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ is͏͏ excited͏͏ to͏͏ explore?

NatFirst͏͏ is͏͏ pushing͏͏ boundaries͏͏ by͏͏ developing͏͏ real-time͏͏ product͏͏ analysis͏͏ and͏͏ looking ahead integrating͏͏ it with Generative͏͏ AI͏͏ (GenAI)͏͏ for͏͏ conversational͏͏ interfaces is something we’re all looking forward to exploring.͏͏ GenAI will enhance the user experience by automating responses, providing instant feedback, and improving decision-making capabilities. This͏͏ will allow users to interact with it seamlessly for real-time guidance. This will solve for efficiency at scale  enables͏͏ instant͏͏ insights͏͏ into͏͏ nutritional͏͏ content,͏͏ ingredient͏͏ implications,͏͏ and͏͏ personalized͏͏ dietary͏͏ recommendation. The tech architecture at Natfirst has been developed for quick category expansion to support the rapid addition of new product categories, ensuring timely updates to meet evolving user needs. Expanding͏͏ on the features of the MatchMeter͏͏ and͏͏ adding͏͏ more͏͏ nuanced͏͏ dietary͏͏ filters͏͏ will͏͏ help͏͏ users͏͏ navigate͏͏ the͏͏ explosive͏͏ growth͏͏ of͏͏ UPFs͏͏ and͏ aid consumers to make much more informed decisions.͏͏

By͏͏ staying͏͏ at͏͏ the͏͏ forefront͏͏ of͏͏ AI-driven͏͏ transparency,͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ aspires͏͏ to͏͏ set͏͏ new͏͏ industry͏͏ standards͏͏ and͏͏ guide͏͏ Indian͏͏ consumers͏͏ toward͏͏ healthier,͏͏ more͏͏ informed͏͏ choices. By focusing on these priorities, NatFirst will ensure it stays ahead of trends while remaining aligned with its vision of enabling healthier, more informed choices.

source: http://www.apacnewsnetwork.com / APAC Media / Home> Healthcare & Wellbeing> Interview / by Bhavya Bagga, APAC News Network / December 21st, 2024

Youth innovation takes wings in Tiruchi with the help of STEM programme

Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Science & Technology, , , , , , ,

Tiruchi, TAMIL NADU :

Propeller Technologies’ Youth Innovator Programme is enabling children from different backgrounds to bond together over science

A student with a prototype of a robotic animal at Propeller Technologies, Tiruchi.

On this sunny Friday afternoon, the classrooms of Propeller Technologies in Tiruchi’s Karumandapam area is packed with dreamers and thinkers. Children from government and private schools are huddled around workstations, trying to create products that may one day change the world.

The Tiruchi-based edutech company has been conducting outreach programmes for school children in rural areas to increase awareness about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts and their use in the real world.

Aided by the launch of Atal Tinkering Labs in schools, and a desire to make the city a hub for regional innovators, Propeller Technologies has teamed up with bigger educational and scientific institutions to actively promote STEM education through its Young Innovator Programme.

Students from private schools in Tiruchi — Montfort School, Kamala Niketan Montessori School, Sri Sivananda Balalaya, Alpha Wisdom Vidyashram and The Indian Public School — are collaborating with kids from Thiakesar Alai Higher Secondary School, Manapparai; Government Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur; Government Higher Secondary School, Manachanallur and Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ariyalur, as part of the summer outreach programme.

“After interacting with thousands of students from government and private schools, we have realised that there is a wealth of talent among rural communities. And to ensure that promising rural candidates get an equal opportunity to grow, we have requested parents with children in city schools to sponsor them, and follow their progress alongside that of their own kids,” says Aashik Rahman, founder-CEO, Propeller Technologies. “Our in-house team of engineers will be mentoring the children in the projects.”

A student working on a project.

“I am part of a team designing robotic animals, and I got interested in this field through the Atal Tinkering Lab in our school,” says Lingesh Kumar, a 17-year-old student of Thiakesar Alai Higher Secondary School in Manapparai. The youngster, whose father runs a teashop, has been travelling 40 km from home everyday during vacations to work on creating a robotic dog.

With the extension of the programme to Saturdays, the students can keep working on their ideas on the weekends.

“Studying how animals move their limbs is crucial to understanding how they can be made mobile and agile. Our robotic dog could be a pet animal or a mechanical bodyguard for those living alone,” says Lingesh.

Eight-year-old S.N. Shayan, got inspired during the lockdown to start working on an autonomous delivery drone that could help people get medicines or food from nearby shops without human interaction.

“Our drone will be able to hold 200 grams of food and fly in the range of 25 km. We are still calculating how the load can be adjusted to the mechanism’s movement. It can be programmed for pre-set flight distance and destination, but we will also have a person monitoring the drone’s progress from the ground,” says the precocious Shayan, an alumnus of The Indian Public School.

R Boobathi Raj, 16, (Class 12, Thiakesar Alai Higher Secondary School) and A Aadhav, 13, (Class 8, Kamala Niketan Montessori School) are working on a hybrid e-bike that will run on both petrol and electrical charge. “The driver can shift fuel options according to their travel requirements on our bike. The main challenge is to find the space to fit in all the components in the chassis,” says Aadhav. “We are now actively looking for spare parts that can be used in our vehicle, on authorised online dealerships.”

Tutors at the academy say that the courses can be challenging on many levels, especially for children who have never owned or seen a computer. “The first few weeks are spent in orientation, literally from how to switch on the machine,” says Salman, one of the mentor-engineers. “Then to keep the interest levels high, we set aside some time for practicals before going on to the theoretical part of the project. The transformation you see in the students is rewarding in itself,” he adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Technology / by Nahla Nainar / June 23rd, 2022

3 events in 1979 changed Islamic world, led to extremism, says author Iqbal Hasnain

Amazing Feats, Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri Award (since January 01st, 2024), Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Business & Economy, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Leaders, Science & Technology, Scientists (wef. August 27th,m 2023), World Opinion, , , , , , , , ,

UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI :

Padma Shri awardee Iqbal Syed Hasnain’s ‘Fault Lines in the Faith: How Events of 1979 Shaped the Islamic World’ was the topic of an animated discussion at Delhi’s IIC earlier this month.

The ‘Fault Lines in the Faith’ book discussion at IIC | Photo: Heena Fatima | thePrint

New Delhi: 

A series of three momentous events irrevocably changed the social, religious, and political fabric of the Islamic world. And they all took place in 1979. This is the central argument of Padma Shri awardee Iqbal Syed Hasnain’s book Fault Lines in the Faith, which became the topic of a lively discussion among academics and history buffs at Delhi’s India International Centre on an early February evening.

Presiding over the panel discussion in IIC’s conference room, Hasnain, who is also an eminent glaciologist, elaborated on the three “fault lines” that sent shockwaves far beyond their immediate contexts.

First, the Islamic Revolution in Iran cleaved the Muslim world along sectarian lines with the establishment of the first Shia state. Second, the siege of Mecca ignited the conservative Sahwa (Islamic awakening) movement in Saudi Arabia, blending Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist ideologies. And third, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to the birth of violent extremist groups like al-Qaeda and its offshoots.

“All these three pivotal points led to the surge of fundamentalist or Islamist jihad,” said Hasnain. He added that what began as a “normal struggle between invading forces and local communities” warped from nationalism to a violent ideological shift with devastating repercussions.

Iqbal S Hasnain | Photo: Twitter/@Rupa_Books

Hasnain further elaborated on the global impact of these events by sharing personal anecdotes from his time studying in the UK. He said he encountered strong anti-Western sentiment among students from Middle Eastern countries during his glaciology programme at the University of Manchester in the 1990s. 

During Friday prayers in a large hall, he said, student speakers often delivered khutbahs (sermons) against Western culture and American exploitation of their regions, with some even advocating for jihad. As American involvement in the Middle East increased, especially with the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq in the early 2000s, this hostility intensified.

pix: amazon.in

During the book discussion, audience members raised questions about Hasnain’s narrative. One participant, Sumanjeet Choudhary, a retired corporate executive, inquired why there wasn’t more opposition to jihadist activities despite Islam’s rich history and the presence of prominent leaders.

Hasnain countered this view with the example of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, who has urged Moroccans worldwide to embrace tolerance and reject Islamist extremism.

“King Mohammed VI came out and he stopped the funding [of madrasas] from Saudi Arabia. He changed the whole narrative in the madrasas,” Hasnain said. He acknowledged, however, that while there is an ongoing debate within Muslim communities and their leadership about how to address extremism, it is “not very visible”.

Ripple effects

Hasnain’s book traces the rise of anti-pluralism, misogyny, and severe intolerance within the Arab world. The 1979 Shia Islamic Revolution in Iran, he said, shook the Sunni Arab world. In response, Saudi Arabia, fearing a Shiite revival, actively promoted puritanical Wahhabi Salafism, a strand of Islam that’s deeply hostile not only to Shias but also to Sunni Sufis. He, however, implicates the West as well. In February 1989, after nearly a decade of occupation, the Soviet army left Afghanistan, leaving behind a fractured nation, where tribal warlords and mujahideen groups engaged in an intense tussle for power. The US, having lost interest, “abandoned” the region, he added, leaving a vacuum for the likes of Osama bin Laden to fill.

Ultimately, Hasnain argues that the events of 1979 triggered a chain reaction, including 9/11, the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the rise of al-Qaeda and ISIS. In 2021, in what seems like an eerie echo of the past, the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, leaving it with no democratic foundation and back in the grip of the Taliban.

When a participant asked about the impact of the 1979 events on India, Hasnain answered that the after-effects “were not limited to West Asia”, with radicalisation spreading to all corners of the world. “In India, to some extent, it was [mitigated] because India practiced a more moderate form of Islam , Hanafi Sufi Islam, which emphasised trade,” he added.

However, as more Indians went to work in Saudi Arabia, they were influenced by Salafi ideology, Hasnain said. For instance, those who’d grown up celebrating Eid-e-Milad (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) stopped doing so after stints in Saudi Arabia, where Wahhabis do not observe such festivities.

One of the panel’s members was former Indian ambassador to Qatar KP Fabian. Chiming in, he said that it was important tomonitor developments in Muslim-majority countries, given India’s sizeable Muslim population. There may be political borders but “ideas come without a visa”, he pointed out, and vigilance is essential. He also claimed that Arab countries are keeping an eye on India’s Muslims. “They are watching us,” Fabian said. “They are also discreet.”

(Edited by Asavari Singh)

source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> Features> Around Town / by Heena Fatima / pix of book edited – source amazon.in / February 29th, 2024

A pioneering effort to translate the holy book of Islam into Tamil in full

Amazing Feats, Books - Holy Quran, Koran / Translations, Commentaries / by Indian Muslims (wef. February 11th, 2025), Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Attur (Salem) / Karaikal / Chennai , TAMIL NADU :

On February 19, 1926, A.K. Abdul Hameed Baqavi started off on a journey that would take him over two decades to complete. His translation of The Quran, which is written in classical Arabic and organised in 114 chapters, took time. But the elegant style of the work, published in 1949, has made it one of the most enduring versions.

Painstaking work: The Tamil translation of The Quran by Islamic scholar and freedom fighter A.K. Abdul Hameed. | Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY

On February 19, 1926, Tamil Islamic scholar and freedom fighter A.K. Abdul Hameed Baqavi (1876-1955) embarked on a literary journey that would take him over two decades to complete. His chosen subject: translation of the meaning of The Quran from Arabic into Tamil.

Abdul Hameed was not the first; nor was he the last to attempt the Tamil translation. But his effort, published as Tarjumat-ul-Quran bi Altaf-ilbayan (Translation of the Quran with a Glorious Exposition) in 1949, was the first complete translation of the Islamic holy book into Tamil. The Quran, written in classical Arabic, is believed by Muslims to have been revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel over 23 years. It is organised in 114 chapters, known as surah.

Despite the presence of a sizeable Muslim population in southern India, The Quran was translated into Tamil quite late, at least a thousand years after Islam came to the region, mostly due to opposition from the ulema or scholars of the day on account of fears that a Tamil version might be wrongly considered a substitute for the original. Ironically, it is the ulema who later entered the field of translation.

Hybrid language

The earliest translations were done in the 17th Century, in Arabu-Tamil, a hybrid language that used a modified Arabic alphabet to express ideas in Tamil. Scholars began attempting fragmentary Tamil translations (of selected sentences or verses) in the 19th Century. Abdul Hameed Baqavi’s effort was noteworthy because it made Quranic study more accessible to both lay and scholarly readers. That is probably why it has been reprinted innumerable times, despite the presence of at least 17 complete Tamil translations done by other scholars after its publication.

‘Baqavi’ is the title given to students of Madrasa Al-Baqiyat-us-Salihat, a well-regarded Islamic college in Vellore established in 1857.

Abdul Hameed was born at Attur, Salem, and showed an early interest in writing on religious subjects.

The founders of Jamal Mohamed College in Tiruchi played a key role in getting Abdul Hameed’s translation project off the ground, funding the publication of the first volume, a copy of which is available at the college’s Centre for Islamic Tamil Cultural Research. “I began the translation project on February 19, 1926, after the Friday (Juma) prayers at the bungalow of Janab Khan Sahib and N.M. Khaja Mian Rowther in Tiruchi. It has been three years since I started it,” he writes in the foreword to the first volume of the translation, published in 1929. “If the first section can take me three years, readers may have to wait longer (at least 89 years) for each of the remaining 29 sections to be completed,” he adds. Imported printing equipment was commissioned by college founder M.J. Jamal Mohamed. The press, Islamiya Nool Prasura Sangam, at Palakkarai published the first volume, priced at ₹2.

Decades of work

It is a mystery as to why the translation that began in Tiruchi with much fanfare petered out after 1929. A. Nihamathullah, retired professor of English at Sadakatullah Appa College in Tirunelveli, who has done a comparative study of 12 Tamil Quran translations (including the Abdul Hameed version) for his doctorate, said a lack of documents in the public domain had added to the blind spot.

“In 1938, scholar Abdul Qadar Hazrat introduced Abdul Hameed Baqavi to Nawab Naseer Yaar Jung Bahadur, the father-in-law of the Nizam of Hyderabad. On the recommendation of the Nawab, the translation of The Quran resumed, with financial backing from the Nizam,” Mr. Nihamathullah told The Hindu. An office was set up for the project in Karaikal and the work was eventually completed in 1942. In order to get the Ulema’s approval, Baqavi approached his Vellore alma mater to constitute a panel of theologians to check the manuscript.

In the later stages, he was helped by his son, Indian Union Muslim League leader and Tamil writer A. K. A. Abdul Samad (1926-1999). However, it took five more years for Abdul Hameed to secure funding for printing. A contribution of ₹50,000 by Ceylon-based businessman Nagore Meera Mohamed Haniffa helped to publish the two-volume translation in 1949. As the project expanded, the printing unit was shifted from Karaikal to Chennai.

A winning combination

German scholar Torsten Tschacher, a Heisenberg Fellow of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and Tamil lecturer at the University of Heidelberg, said in an email interview that the popularity of Abdul Hameed Baqavi’s translation owes much to its presentation.

“It did not have any readings of The Quran that would have made the translation appear sectarian. The fact that [Abdul Hameed] Baqavi avoided giving too much of commentary, along with the translation, may have helped in this regard,” he said. “While the style may appear somewhat clumsy and old-fashioned, I think he hit the right spot between the exact translation and the quality of language. It was also important because it made The Quran finally accessible to non-Muslims who had not been able to read the earlier translations that used the Arabic script and a lot of Arabic vocabulary,” Mr. Tschacher added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Tamil Nadu / by Nahla Nainar / January 03rd, 2025

New ground-breaking Book on Gynaecological and Obstetric Care co-authored by Dr Fahmeeda Zeenat of AMU & Hakim Mohd Afsahul Kalam, Research Scientist at RRIUM

Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Science & Technology, Scientists (wef. August 27th,m 2023), Useful / HEALTHCARE, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Aligarh :

The Department of Niswan wa Qabalat, Faculty of Unani Medicine at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has announced the release of a new book, Mualajat Amrad-i-Niswan-o-Qabalat, authored by Dr. Fahmeeda Zeenat, and Hakim Mohd Afsahul Kalam, Research Scientist at RRIUM, Kashmir.

The book presents comprehensive treatment regimens for various gynaecological disorders and obstetric complications, offering a unique integration of Unani medical principles with modern healthcare approaches. It is poised to be an essential reference for medical practitioners and students specializing in women’s health.

The launch coincided with the National Workshop on Managing Menopause, organized by the Department of Niswan wa Qabalat on February 24.

The event was presided over by Professor Asfar Ali Khan, with Dr. Kausar Usman, a distinguished physician from KGMU, Lucknow, as the Chief Guest. His keynote address provided an in-depth analysis of contemporary challenges in menopause management, blending clinical expertise with evidence-based insights.

Dr. Zeenat’s work represents a significant advancement in the field of Unani medicine, exhibiting AMU’s commitment to research and innovation in healthcare.

source: http://www.amu.ac.in / Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) / Home> News / by Public Relations Office, AMU (headline edited) / February 25th, 2025

Bearys Innomark unveils India’s first Net-Zero Retail Experience Centre

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Science & Technology, , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

India’s first Net-Zero (on-site solar energy) Retail Experience Centre, curated by Bearys Innomark, has set a new benchmark in sustainable architecture and green innovation. The project, which houses the globally renowned furniture brand MillerKnoll, is a testament to Bearys’ longstanding commitment to eco-friendly development and responsible urban design.

The launch event, attended by industry leaders, architects, project management consultants (PMCs), and clients, marked a significant milestone in India’s journey toward sustainable commercial spaces. The occasion was graced by Chief Guests N A Haris Nalapad, MLA of Shanthinagar and Chairman of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Kartik Shethia, Managing Director for APMEA, International Contract, MillerKnoll, Syed Mohamed Beary, Founder & CMD, Bearys Group and Mazhar Beary Executive Director, Business Development & Retail, Bearys Group. Their presence highlighted the importance of sustainable infrastructure in shaping the future of urban development.

For decades, Bearys has been at the forefront of green building initiatives, blending innovation with environmental responsibility.

The MillerKnoll Experience Centre is a reflection of this ethos, demonstrating how cutting-edge design can coexist with sustainability. With on-site solar energy ensuring a Net-Zero footprint, the space is more than just a retail hub—it is a model for the future of responsible commercial development.

The event was not just about unveiling a new retail space but reinforcing a collective vision for a greener tomorrow. By championing sustainable design, Bearys continues to inspire the industry, proving that business growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand, the group said in a press statement.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karnataka / by Vartha Bharati / February 15th, 2025

Patent for ‘Device for Monitoring Gynaecological Disorders’ published

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Education, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Karnataka (under research project), Science & Technology, Scientists (wef. August 27th,m 2023), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA :

Developed by KMC Mangalore team led by Dr. Haroon, Dr. Sameena, Dr. Chiranjith

Mangalore: 

A patent application for a groundbreaking medical device, Device for Monitoring Gynaecological Disorders, has been officially published, marking a significant achievement for the team of doctors and student inventors from Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Mangalore.

The device is designed to enhance early detection and diagnosis of gynaecological disorders. It incorporates a flexible probe, a rotational brush for effective sampling, and an enzyme-coated detection system, improving precision and efficiency in clinical examinations.

The innovation is credited to Dr. Haroon H, Dr. Sameena H, and Dr. Chiranjit Ghosh from MIT, along with student inventors Krisha Janaswamy, Shashank Sanjay, Adithya Harikrishnan Namboothiri, and Shubham Bhusari.

The official Twitter handle of KMC Mangalore also recognized the accomplishment, congratulating the team for their work in medical innovation.

Dr. Haroon is son of M. Hussain and late Akhila Begum from Arehalli village in Hassan while Dr. Sameena Haroon is daughter of KA Sadiq and Maimoona.

https://twitter.com/KMC_Mangalore/status/1896526335897727289/photo/1

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / March 03rd, 2025

Solapur Boy Abdullah Imran Modifies Bicycle to Run on Solar and Battery Power

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Products, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Science & Technology,

Solapur, MAHARASHTRA :

Solapur :

In a remarkable display of innovation, 12-year-old Abdullah Imran Mangalgeri from Solapur has converted a regular bicycle into a hybrid model that runs on battery and solar power, eliminating the need for pedaling.

A Class 7 student of M.A. Pangal Anglo-Urdu High School & Junior College of Arts and Science, Abdullah received the bicycle as a prize for excelling in a district-level speech competition on ethics. Instead of using it conventionally, he invested ₹9,000 and spent six months modifying it into a three-mode bicycle that can be powered by pedaling, a rechargeable battery (lasting up to 25 km), or solar energy (for continuous daytime use).

Abdullah incorporated a solar panel, battery, voice controller, speedometer, central lock system, GPS, and a network controller, giving his bicycle features akin to modern e-vehicles. His passion for science and innovation has driven him to attempt similar experiments in the past, including efforts to create a solar-powered air cooler.

Expressing gratitude for his success, Abdullah stated, “I love inventing. My next project is a solar-powered motorcycle.”

Recognizing his achievement, the school organized a felicitation event where Principal Dr. Haroon Rashid Bagban lauded his potential, calling him a bright mind with a promising future.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / March 03rd, 2025

Indiana Hospital achieves coastal Karnataka’s first AI-driven leadless pacemaker implantation

Amazing Feats, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Science & Technology, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA :

Mangaluru :

In a ground-breaking medical achievement for coastal Karnataka, doctors at Indiana Hospital & Heart Institute have successfully implanted the region’s first-ever artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, leadless pacemaker in an elderly woman. This milestone marks a significant advancement in cardiology and reinforces Mangaluru’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge healthcare services.

The patient, who had been suffering from Tachybrady syndrome, a condition where the heart alternates between dangerously fast and slow rhythms, had been hospitalized multiple times over the past year due to heart failure. After extensive evaluation, doctors recommended a radiofrequency ablation and pacemaker implantation.

However, a traditional pacemaker was not a viable option due to the patient’s pre-existing infection and high risk of recurrent sepsis. Conventional pacemakers use leads connected to the heart and positioned on the chest wall, which can pose serious infection risks for vulnerable patients.

To overcome these challenges, a team of experts, led by Dr Yusuf Kumble, chief interventional cardiologist at Indiana Hospital, along with Dr Maneesh Rai (Electrophysiologist), Dr Garry Valerian Pais (Consultant Interventional Cardiologist), Dr Sukhen Shetty (Cardiac Anaesthetist), and Dr Pradeep, opted for an innovative, leadless pacemaker solution.

Unlike traditional devices, this self-contained pacemaker is implanted directly into the heart through a minimally invasive procedure via the groin, eliminating the need for external leads or chest wall placement. This significantly reduces infection risks and complications, making it a safer, more effective option for patients prone to infections. Following the successful implantation, the team also performed radiofrequency ablation to treat the patient’s arrhythmias.

“This achievement underscores the exceptional expertise of our cardiology team and our commitment to bringing cutting-edge medical technologies to Mangaluru and beyond,” said Dr Yusuf Kumble. “By implanting the first AI-driven wireless pacemaker in coastal Karnataka, we have further established Indiana Hospital as a leader in interventional cardiology, not just in Karnataka, but across India.”

The leadless pacemaker is smaller, more efficient, and less invasive than conventional devices, providing patients with enhanced quality of life while minimizing associated risks.

With this pioneering procedure, Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute continues to set new benchmarks in advanced cardiac care, further cementing Mangaluru’s position as a center for innovative medical interventions in India.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Media Release / February 18th, 2025

Bilal Mir’s Solar Car ‘RAY’ Set for Launch in Srinagar

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Products, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Science & Technology, , , , , ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Photo Credit: Basit Zargar

Srinagar:

After three years of relentless efforts, mathematics teacher Bilal Ahmad Mir is set to launch his solar-powered car, RAY, revolutionizing eco-friendly transportation. The much-anticipated vehicle will hit the roads on Monday, February 10, marking a significant step in clean energy innovation.

Mir, who entirely self-funded his project with an investment of ₹20-22 lakh, embarked on this journey in 2022. He extensively studied automobile designs from the 1950s to modern-day luxury cars, incorporating cutting-edge technological advancements into his solar vehicle. His research, published in six countries, has earned him the moniker ‘Elon Musk of Kashmir’.

The RAY solar car boasts a 1 kW solar-powered engine, a high-tech Battery Management System (BMS), and autonomous parking sensors. Its gull-wing doors, embedded with solar panels, enhance both aesthetics and energy efficiency. Unlike traditional electric cars that require sunlight for charging, RAY can charge itself even in cloudy or snowy conditions.

Mir initially caught the attention of Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, but a potential collaboration fell through due to technical constraints. Despite this, Mir remains optimistic about his prospects in the global market.

While Indian manufacturers are producing electric vehicles, Mir believes his solar innovation faces no domestic competition. Instead, he aims to compete with international firms like Lightyear and Aptera Motors, both pioneers in solar-powered vehicles. His research continues to receive global recognition, further strengthening his reputation in the field.

The prototype of RAY was developed by modifying a 1988 Nissan Micra, a process that took Mir 13 years of dedication. The car, which features a dual power system—solar energy and a rechargeable battery—will officially launch on February 10 and is expected to hit the roads by June 2025. However, Mir remains tight-lipped about future production plans.

As the world shifts toward sustainable solutions, Bilal Mir’s innovative solar car serves as an inspiration for India’s clean-energy future.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation / by Radiance News Bureau / February 11th, 2025