Pramesh Jain

Amidst the coronavirus epidemic,the country’s prestigious aerospace and defence exhibition Areo India 2021’was launched in Bengaluru on Wednesday.In this, the effect of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ will be seen.

Defence Minister,Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 13th Edition of Aero India 2021,In the presence of Chief Minister of Karnataka,BS Yediyurappa,Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda,Chief of Defence Staff,General Bipin Rawat,Chief of Naval Staff,Admiral Karambir Singh,Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal,Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria,Chief of Army Staff,General M M Naravane,Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar,Secretary,Department of Defence R&D and Chairman,DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy,Civil Aviation Secretary Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola,Chief Secretary of Karnataka,P Ravikumar,and Defence Ministers,service chiefs and ambassadors of various countries were also in attendance.The event concluded with a glorious fly past as patriotic tunes played in the background,enthralling those in attendance.

This exhibition will be in both direct and digital medium.With the start of the exhibition, the aircraft of the Indian Air Force showed many tricks in the sky.

The 13th edition of Aero India -2021,the country’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition,is being held at Yelahanka Airforce Station in Bengaluru.

Addressing the gathering,Raksha Mantri,Shri Rajnath Singh expressed his happiness at the attendance of delegates from around the world at Aero India 2021.

He said that the existing supply chains developed over the years by aerospace and engineering firms and an investor friendly government with simplified procedures and single window clearance mechanism makes Karnataka an attractive destination for industry.

He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri BS Yediyurappa,Air Force Station Yelahanka staff,and other departments as BBMP,Fire and emergency service,Health,Police,MOD Staff from Delhi and Bengaluru’s MOD Staffs,as PRO,Ms.Punitha and her team as,Madhusudan,for extending full support in organising Aero India 2021 in Bengaluru at Air Force Station Yelahanka,

The Defence Research and Development Organization(DRDO) is organizing it.Through this show,India is showing its strength to the world in the defense sector.This three-day show was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He targeted Pakistan and China.

He said that India is facing threats and challenges on many fronts.He is the victim of terrorism sponsored by a country,which has now become a global threat.We have seen unfortunate attempts to change the status quo on our borders.

Rajnath also said that the country is vigilant and ready to fight and defeat any daring to protect its people and territorial integrity at all costs.

The three Air Force chiefs were present on the occasion.Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was also present.During this time, the Ministry of Defence handed over the contract of 83 LCA Tejas fighter jets to HAL.

The contract was handed over by Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence,VL Kantha Rao to Chairman and Managing Director of HAL,R Madhavan,at the inaugural ceremony of Aero India-2021,the country’s premier defence and aerospace show in Benagaluru in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

“New India aims to focus on new goals”.

Defence Minister,Rajnath Singh said that today when the world is changing so fast and a new world order is emerging in front of us.We have to focus on new goals for our New India.I am happy to see that DRDO is constantly developing technology,which will help us achieve these goals.

In view of these goals,recently we have conducted many successful tests like Akash NG missile,Anti-radiation missile-Rudram,MRSAM etc.In many tests,we have found success in our first attempt.This is a huge achievement.

“DRDO’s big role in self-reliance”.

The recent decision by the government to induct 83 Tejas aircraft into the Indian Air Force.The successes of indigenously developed systems such as bombs,sonar radars,communication systems,armaments etc.reflect the role of DRDO in the country’s self-reliance.I have come to know that last year,DRDO signed 225 license agreements with the industry.This reflects the confidence of industries in the technologies developed by DRDO.

American bomber aircraft B-1B Lancer arrived to attend the air show.The aircraft are part of the 28th Wing of Ellsworth Airforce Base in South Dakota.It arrived here by flying for 26 hours.The long-flying supersonic aircraft has completed its operations from its permanent base to every corner of the world.

The Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter jet is displayed at the Aero India show.It is an air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.A dedicated squadron of the Air Force is equipped with these missiles that can hit targets at distances of more than 400 km.

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has showcased the fifth generation fighter aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft at Aero India.The work of making it is in progress.According to DRDO, the aircraft will be equipped with all the capabilities of the multirole fighter plane.

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was on display at the Aero India Show in Bengaluru in a coastal defence role.The Indian Navy is going to include its fleet.

Aero India Show debuted in Bengaluru.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa were present during the flypast.

Government took steps to strengthen the security apparatus of the country:

Rajnath Singh also said that the government has taken steps to strengthen the security apparatus of the country.Domestic manufacturing of large and complex defense platforms has now become focused on our policy under the ‘Atmanibhar Bharat Abhiyan’.It is planned to spend $ 130 billion on military modernization over the next seven-eight years.

“Aero India will boost investment 2021”.

Rajnath Singh said that despite the obstacles caused by the global epidemic,it is heartening to see such a large number of participants in this year’s event.Aero India 2021 will showcase India’s vast potential and diverse opportunities in the field of defence and aerospace in our country.

It will boost investment,expand manufacturing,support enterprises,appreciate and increase the level of technology and promote economic development for the country.

“The biggest ‘Make in India’ defense contract ever”.

The Defence Minister also said,’I am very happy that HAL has received orders for the development of 83 new indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).The Tejas MK1A is worth more than Rs 48,000 crore from the Indian Air Force.

This is the largest”Make in India’ defence contract ever.I am told that about 540 exhibitors including about 80 foreign companies,Defence ministers,representatives,service heads and officials from more than 55 countries are participating in the event.

This reflects the growing optimism of the global community.I express my gratitude to the Defence Ministers of Maldives,Ukraine,Equatorial Guinea, Iran,Comoros and Madagascar who attended the event and also to those who participated in the event virtually.

“83 LCA Tejas fighter aircraft contract awarded to HAL”.

Defence Minister,Rajnath Singh said that the Indian government has increased FDI in the defence sector by 74% through automatic route and 100% through government route, as a catalyst for foreign players to invest in India.Will Work.Prior to the Defence Minister’s address,the Ministry of Defence handed over the contract of 83 LCA Tejas fighter jets to HAL.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India offers unlimited potential in defense and aerospace.Aero India is a wonderful platform for cooperation in these areas.The Government of India has brought reforms in these areas in view of the future.

“The three-day aero show will be attended by three thousand people every day”.

Explaining that the physical and virtual exhibition will be included for the first time in this hybrid air show, which emphasizes ‘Self-reliant India’ and ‘Make in India’ campaign.The show is also being attended by a US government delegation and defense industry officials with the intention of partnering with India in the defence sector.

This three-day aero show will be attended by three thousand people every day. A total of 601 companies are participating in the exhibition.Of this,523 are Indian and 78 foreign companies. While 14 countries have confirmed their involvement.

Chief Minister of Karnataka,Shri BS Yediyurappa said it was a matter of pride for people of Karnataka and Bengaluru for being selected to host yet another edition of Aero India.

He said that the holding of Aero India this year was an expression of confidence in the ability of the state administration to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and assured that his government has taken measures to ensure the safety of participants and delegates.

The Chief Minister said that Karnataka made a significant contribution to the nation’s aerospace and defence sector of India and was the first state to announce an aerospace policy with a proposed investment of close to Rs 14,700 crore and employment potential for about 10,600 people.

He highlighted the role of Micro,Small and Medium scale enterprises in the growth of thecountry’s industry.The Chief Minister said that “Laghu Udyog Bharati”and IMS foundation with the support of Government of Karnataka would be organising the MSME,Aerospace and Defence expo in Bengaluru from 27th to 29th September, 2021 to realise the potential of MSMEs and requested the support of the Ministry of Defence in this endeavor.

He thanked Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh for reposing faith in the Karnataka Government for Aero India.

Bengaluru The country’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition, Aero India 2021 takes off here on Wednesday amidst the COVID-19 pandemic with buzz around “AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan” and “Make in India” push.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the decision to organise Aero India amid COVID pandemic and security challenges along northern borders was “not easy”, as the event, dubbed as Asia’s largest military aviation exhibition, will kickstart in the city on February 3.

Crediting the country’s soldiers unrelenting spirit along the borders for stabilisation of the situation, he said, India thereby showed its resolve to defend its sovereignty and integrity.

“The decision to organise Aero India in these testing times forced by the twin challenges of the COVID pandemic and also the security challenges thrust up on us along the northern borders was not easy,” Singh said.

Speaking at the curtain raiser event of Aero India, he said he has no hesitation in saying that the country’s robust stand, immediate and celebrated response and unrelenting spirit of the soldiers on the borders led to stabilisation of the situation.

“We showed our resolve to defend the sovereignty and integrity of our country,” he said, adding that the resolve of the government led by the Prime Minister to put the country back on the path of revival combined with hard work of officials and other stakeholders besids Karnataka government’s support has made it possible to organise Aero India 2021.

The three-day long event commences here on Wednesday amid the COVID-19 pandemic with buzz around “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India” push.

With a combination of both physical and virtual exhibition, the 13th edition of the biennial international event at Air Force Station Yelahanka will be the world’s first hybrid aerospace show, according to sources.

The Defence Minister said Aero India this time, unlike many in the past, will witness the new initiatives of the new India that have begun to change “potential into reality”.

He said the President of India has consented to attend the valedictory function.

“Aero India would spark a renewed sense of pride in India’s defence manufacturing and take defence cooperation to the next level,” he added.

Further noting that since 2014, the government of India has relentlessly pushed policy reforms to boost indigenous manufacturing, Singh said the world has now started to recognise India as a trusted defence investment destination.

He said conclave of Defence Ministers of Indian Ocean region, conclave of Chiefs of Air Staff of various countries, India Russia military industrial conference, Startup Manthan are some of the highlights of the Aero India event.

“More than 200 MoU partnership agreements are likely to be signed during the Bandhan event,” he said, as he mentioned that the conclave of Defence Ministers of Indian Ocean region would reinforce the relevance of the region and its continued importance for stakeholders for trade, security and freedom of navigation.

Over 600 exhibitors, including 80 foreign companies, are expected to showcase their defence manufacturing prowess during the event.

Aero India will help forge enormous global engagement with Indian defence industry in the form of partnership and investment paving the path for transformation of the world’s largest democracy into the world’s most powerful defence economy, Singh added.

Bengaluru: Anti-Corruption Bureau raids against seven government servants at 30 places across Karnataka on Tuesday led to recovery of huge cash and gold besides huge investment in property, officials said.

According to ACB officials, cases of disproportionate assets were registered in Bengaluru, Ballari, Kolar, Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga and Kalaburagi and subsequently the searches were carried out under the supervision of superintendents of police.

The officers whose houses were raided were Devaraj Kallesh, Pandurang Garag, Jayaraj K V, Dr S N Vijay Kumar, Dr Srinivas, Channabasappa Avat and Srinivas, they said.

Rs 56.5 lakh in cash and 400 gm of gold have been seized from one location alone.

According to an ACB official, one of the officers had invested hugely in flats in Kalaburagi and owned 23 acres of land, which he had purchased recently.

Defence PSU BEML is slated to showcase a host of its prime products at Aero India 2021

BENGALURU: Defence PSU BEML is slated to showcase a host of its prime products at Aero India 2021. With the theme ‘Atmanirbharata’, the company’s niche product line-up such as Transporter Landing System (TLS) and variants of unmanned aerial vehicles, will be on display. In the indoor stall, it is displaying various equipment and critical components in the aerospace sector, such as the BEML Primoco UAV- ‘One 150’, which is designed for civilian and military use. 

“BEML’s focus at the air show is to display its capability, promote Aerospace & Defence products and interact with potential customers and explore collaborations. BEML would be signing MoUs, to enter into collaborations with major players… The company would also be using the opportunity to network with MSMEs and startups to maximise its localisation/indigenisation efforts,” a release said.

Meanwhile, MV Rajasekhar, Director (Mining & Construction) and member of the board of BEML Limited took additional charge as Chairman & Managing Director of the company as on February 1, 2021. He succeeded Dr Deepak Kumar Hota. 

BENGALURU: Coming out against the Union Budget, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah on Monday said though the Budget mentioned Aatma Nirbhar (self-reliant) Bharat a number of times, it was actually a ‘Aatma Barbaad (ruinous) Budget’. Siddaramaiah said the Budget was nothing but an extension of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat announcements which Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had made earlier.  

He said the Centre had not come out with any reassuring measures for the farmers. The Budget has disappointed the farmers as they were expecting waiver of interest on loans as well as interest-free loans. The government decided to impose agriculture cess, but has not announced any new programme for farmers’ welfare, he said.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramiah said that instead of proposing to impose agri cess, the Finance Minister should have focused on farmers’ loans.He also questioned the move to privatise the power sector and increase the FDI limit in the insurance sector from 49% to 74%. He said privatisation of the power sector would only add to the burden of the farmers. There was nothing in the Budget for students, unemployed youths, minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, he said. He said Karnataka did not get much but the Budget was benevolent to poll-bound states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

KPCC president D K Shivakumar said no sector or people got benefited from the Budget.  Though the Centre announced earlier that two crore jobs would be created, it did not get any mention in the Budget, he said.

Balan Engineering Launches Electric Vehicles Focussed To Benefit Rural Economy

Announces Six Variants – Electric Loader-Vishwas; Electric Garbage Vehicle-Swach Rath; Electric Passenger Ricksaw B5; Electric Sanitizing Vehicle; Electric Fumigation Vehicle and Electric Push Cart-Kamala

Bengaluru, Thursday, January 28, 2021: Balan Engineering Private Limited based in Bengaluru  today announced the launch of six variants of Electric Vehicles that would benefit individuals and companies focussed on Cargo transport, Agriculture, Civic Amenities amongst others. The Evs were today unveiled by Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Shri.Jagdish Shettar at an August gathering at Hotel Lalith Ashok Bengaluru and were joined virtually by Shri. Sadananda Gowda, Hon’ble Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers, Govt. of India and Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Minister of MSME, Govt. of India.

The Electric Vehicles that were unveiled today included the  Electric Loader-Vishwas, Electric Garbage Vehicle-Swach Rath, Electric Passenger Ricksaw-B5, Electric Sanitizing Vehicle, Electric Fumigation Vehicle and Electric Push Cart-Kamala. These are more elevant in boosting rural economy and in large civic corporations and institutions. The EVs are durable and sturdy. The Company will offer 4 years warranty on battery and motor controller.

Balan Engineering will be engaged in the manufacture, assembly and sale of various types of Electrical Vehicles and has received the licence to set up a large manufacturing facility in Bagalkot District, Karnataka.

Currently production is in Bengaluru with a capacity of about 300-400 vehicles a month. The factory operations will shift to Bagalkot on completion of the factory in 6-9 months and the Bengaluru facility will then be converted into the city service centre.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Balakrishnan N, Director, Balan Engineering Pvt. Ltd. said, “We have acquired 25 acres land for setting up the Manufacturing Facility at Bagalkot and the land development activities have been completed. We are awaiting financial closures to start the construction work.”

Balakrishna added, “The investment is over Rs. 50 crores which will be done in two phases to set up the state of the art Manufacturing plant.  We will be manufactuirng various types of EVs under our own brand as well as for others who are interested to partner with us. Some major players are already in discussion with us for a tie-up of production in their names.”

The capacity of the factory in the initial phase will be about 25,000 vehicles per annum of all types. The expanded capacity will be more than 50,000 vehicles. 

The promoters have a passion and deep conviction for manufacturing vehicles to boost rural economy as it saves significant transport costs and as they are good value for money, helps saves costs. The promoters believe that Value for money and Durability of the product will be two guiding principles of the Company.

Balakrishna further added, “The Company’s key focus at present is to manufacture vehicles that would be used for Cargo Transport, Rickshaws for rural population, rural economy relevant vehicles for use in Agriculture, and in forest areas and resorts, for civic amenities and inside large corporate campuses and educational institutions. We are committed to manufacture products that would ease the lives of even the street vendors through our Electric Push Carts which would help espeically the fruit and vegetable sellers in their daily work.”

The vehicles are 100 pc made in India and in line with Atmanirbar Bharat. The company has tied up with very good and reputable motor and lithium battery suppliers. The company’s products will inspire confidence in the minds of the users. 

Some of the products will be very unique. They are very useful in the civic administration. The products will be export worthy. They have gone through practical full load trials in the road conditions prevalent in India. 

Balakrishna shared, “Bagalkot is one of the few places in Karnataka that has not had much opportunity to be industrialized. Our proposal to set up our plant in Bagalkote received very good support from the Government of Karnataka.  The factory in Bagalkot will generate 200 jobs in the full size directly and about 300 more indirectly. The surrounding area will also develop with  individual workshops in plenty to support the large factory. The location is also at a tri-junction from Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai and hence the 6 states below Maharashtra will be our focus.”

Balan Engineering is promoted by young entrepreneur, Mr.N. Balakrishnan, an Electrical Engineer- 27 years, with about 7 yrs of entrepreneurial experience and Mrs. Usha Nandaa Kumar, an experienced entrepreneur who has successfully promoted a food processing MSME unit in Bengaluru for 20 years employing more than 200 people. 

The company is professionally run by a team and supervised by a board. Shri Kuljeet Singh Popli former CMD of IREDA is also on the board. The company has some very experienced advisors from the industry.

Chamarajanagara RCHO  said that the first dose alone does not give protection to the beneficiaries and the immunity against the virus builds up only after the second dose.

CHAMARAJANAGARA: Amidst tepid response to the ongoing COVID vaccination, four doctors who got inoculated with the first dose of vaccine have tested positive for COVID-19 in Chamarajanagara.

Notably, this include two doctors who took the indigenous Covaxin shots a week ago. Apart from the four doctors who were inoculated, three other doctors have also tested positive and all of them were working at the designated Covid hospital in the district .

Sources say that the doctors are having only mild symptoms and are not hospitalized.

It may be recalled that few health care workers were reported positive after taking the vaccines first dose.
However authorities have not revealed as to how these doctors contracted the pandemic at a time when the designated Covid hospital has just 22 active patients currently, a miniscule figure compared to few months ago and reported only 4 fresh cases on Friday .

When asked about this, Chamarajanagara RCHO Vishweshwaraih said that the first dose alone does not give protection to the beneficiaries and the immunity against the virus builds up only after the second dose of the vaccine.

Asked about how these doctors were detected for the virus, he said that they showed minor symptoms of Covid and were tested .

Bengaluru, Jan 29: A bill providing for imposition of penalty for contravention of rules under the Epidemic Diseases Act and for compounding of such offences was tabled in the Karnataka Assembly on Friday.

Besides, ten other bills, including one authorising the state government to investigate complaints in fraudulent transactions, were also presented.

The Karnataka Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020, tabled by Health Minister K Sudhakar, considers it necessary to amend the act to make provisions for imposition of penalty for contravention of rules and regulation made under act and for compounding of such offences.

According to the bill, whoever contravenes the provisions shall be punished with such fine as may be prescribed in rules or in regulations, which may extend to Rs 50,000 or with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to three months or both.

The Karnataka Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments (Amendment) bill, 2020 was tabled by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

The bill to amend the act of 2004 in its statement of objective states that it is to authorise the government or the District Magistrate or public authorities to cause investigation on the complaint or fraudulent transaction and to empower the Revenue Secretary or any government authority to investigate.

It also seeks to empower the Secretary to government or competent authority with powers of civil court to summon persons and documents, and empowers the government to appoint a competent authority in cases pertaining to any financial establishment which is spread over in more than one district.

Among the other bills tabled today are Karnataka Municipalities and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, Karnataka Municipalities (Second Amendment) Bill, Karnataka Lokayukta (Third Amendment) Bill among others.

Karnataka is at rank 10 among better performing states in vaccination coverage of registered Health Care Workers (HCW), as per data released by the central ministry of health.

BENGALURU: Karnataka is at rank 10 among better performing states in vaccination coverage of registered Health Care Workers (HCW), as per data released by the central ministry of health.Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday said the number of people vaccinated against Covid-19 in India since the nationwide drive was rolled out, reached 25,07,556 till 2pm Thursday.

“Lakshadweep (83.4 per cent), Odisha (50.7 per cent), Haryana (50 per cent), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (48.3 per cent), Rajasthan (46.8 per cent), Tripura (45.6 per cent), Mizoram (40.5 per cent), Telangana (40.3 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (38.1 per cent), Karnataka (35.6 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh (35.5 per cent) are among the better-performing states with over 35% vaccination coverage of healthcare workers,” he said.

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu (15.7 per cent), Delhi (15.7 per cent), Jharkhand (14.7 per cent), Uttarakhand (17.1 per cent), Chhattisgarh (20.6 per cent) and Maharashtra (20.7 per cent) have less than 21 per cent coverage and need to improve, Bhushan said. The government has been urging healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, not to hesitate to get vaccinated, stressing that it is their social responsibility.

Meanwhile, the Union health ministry has issued detailed guidelines to states to ensure there is no wastage of Covid-19 vaccines and for that purpose, vaccinators at session sites have been allowed to add additional beneficiaries.

Gowda said he has written to the State Government to get final clearances within six months for the project so the scheme can be implemented without delay. 

BENGALURU: Two days after he announced that the Union Government had cleared the setting up of a plastic park in Mangaluru, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, DV Sadananda Gowda, urged the state to submit a detailed project report at the earliest. 

Pointing out that the Centre will fund 50 per cent of the project cost, with Rs 40 crore to be released in four instalments, Gowda said he has written to the State Government to get final clearances within six months for the project so the scheme can be implemented without delay. 

“The plastic park will be an ecosystem enabling common facilities – like characterisation, prototyping and virtualization, non-destructive material testing, incubation, training, warehousing, plastic recycling, tooling design, research & development, etc – to assist the plastics sector move up the value chain and contribute to the economy more effectively,” Sadananda Gowda said. 

“The Union Government will fund 50 per cent of the project cost, up to Rs 40 crore. The rest can be funded by the State Government via its existing entities like Karnataka State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) or through a new special purpose vehicle,” he added. 

According to the Union government’s scheme guidelines, the equity contribution of the State Government shall be at least 26 per cent of the cash equity of the SPV (excluding value of any land given as equity).