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#IP 911, 1 - 7 Feb 2010

Magic of Aerofest

Aerofest 2010 was jointly organized by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore and BLDEA’s V P Dr P G Halkatti College of Engineering and Technology, Bijapur at Bijapur on the 19-20 February 2010.

Dr. Arwikar, Principal, BLDEA, welcomed the gathering. This was followed by formal introduction of persons on dais (Dr V Mudkavi, Mr Giriraj, Dr. Khincha, Vice Chancellor, VTU and Mr. Patil, President, BLDEA and MLA). Mr. Giriraj gave a programme overview. He stated the objectives of Aerofest and detailed on the components of the same, viz., technology exhibition, one day seminar, paper plane contest and aeroquiz.

Next Dr V Mudkavi spoke on activities of NAL. He said that NAL was started in 1959 at Delhi and moved to Bangalore and was housed in Maharaja's stables to start with. The mission of NAL was to develop technologies. However, the mission has changed recently and NAL has started to build civil aircraft as well as a major focus in recent years. Then he said that the aerospace sector is highly interdisciplinary and requires high science content. Switching to related topic, Dr Mudkavi said that while aviation has received a boost in our country, aeronautics has still not received the same kind of boost.  There are several opportunities for all engineering students since the country has embarked on major aerospace projects in the recent years.

Dr. Khincha spoke on learning perspectives. He dealt with student perspective and faculty perspective. He spoke on the important role of the faculty and the institution. He also said that aerospace is highly

multidisciplinary in nature. He was very appreciative of the fact that NAL has come to regions like Bijapur which should provide a good exposure.

As part of Aerofest 2010 on February 20, 2010 a one day seminar on NAL technologies was held.  I chaired the first technical session. The papers presented were How Things Fly presented by  Dr V Y Mudkavi, Failure Analysis and Aircraft Accident investigation, Programme  by Dr Subir Kumar Bhaumik, Wind Tunnel Testing of Aerospace Structures  by  Mr Gireesh Yanamasheeti and Flosolver Technologies by  Dr T N Venkatesh. The papers were very much appreciated and well received by the delegates. The student community evinced great interest in NAL’s technologies and they were mighty impressed with our technologies, programmes and exhibits. They were eager to know if they could pursue projects at NAL. It was not only the students even the faculty were keen to do doctoral and post doctoral under our scientist. The magic of Aerofest was so much that I found a few   teachers telling me   they want their kids to grow up and become scientist. For me personally to be part of the Aerofest team was a very satisfying experience. I hope, in future we could organize programmes like these periodically in different universities for students. A comprehensive and systematic presentation of our technologies programmes and facilities in different   areas will immensely help the student community.

The programme was very well organized by Dr V Mudkavi and Mr C V Giri Raj.

Girija Gopalrathnam with Vidyadhar Mudkavi

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Aero fest – Educating aerospace programme

The Bijapur chapter of aero fest 2010 was an eventful and knowledge focused event. Though the climate was dry but not the hearts of the organizers. The flying show of NAL MAVs/UAVs not only attracted the students community but also had imported the objectives of NAL mission into their mind, that their contributions would be very much essential for the growth of aeronautics in the country.

Exhibition stall were informative in the sense they had displayed the various technologies and expertise NAL has had developed in the past; as well as they conveyed the road map to go further in our future mission. Technical session had covered both basic and applied aerospace technologies; interestingly, the engineering students/faculties were more responsive and attentive.

In totality, this event has brought immense satisfaction in me, seeing that we at NAL are doing research that could motivate young minds.

S Raja

    

      

       

        

                                      

 

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NAL retains the Volley Ball Championship

The finals of the 41st SSBMT for Cricket and Volley ball were held at CSIR-CSIO, Chandigarh from 19-21 Feb 2010. NAL participated in Volley ball tournament and won the match and the tournament. NAL team has successfully retained the Volley Ball Championship which it had won for the first time in Jan 2008 at RRL, Jorhat.

Prof Samir K Brahmachari, DG-CSIR was the chief guest for the finals. Dr P G Rao, Director - RRL, Johrat, Dr Pawan Kapur, Director - CSIO, Members from SPB were the delegates who witnessed the match. Mr Raghavendra Swamy M of NAL was adjudged “THE BEST PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT”. This is the second time he has achieved this title in the SSBMT tournament.

The Tournament concluded with a Valedictory Function and prize distribution on 21st Feb.2010 with Mrs Dr Vani Brahmachari as the chief guest.

A Hearty Congratulations from Director and staff of NAL to  all the volleyball team members for winning the 41 SSBMT Volleyball finals.

The Team : Mr. Vardharajan R - Captain, Mr. Ramanaiah B - Vice Captain, Mr. Raghavendra Swamy  M, Mr. Suresh V,  Mr. Mohan Kumar  K , Mr. Nataraj T S, Mr. Pradeep M S 

Mr Pradeep

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Dr S Srikanth has assumed charge as Director, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur from 2 Mar 2010

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