Information Pasteboard
Weekly reports of meetings at NAL, snippets of R&D activity, conference announcements and other features of popular interest
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#IP 754 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2007
Dr M R Nayak, Advisor M & A warmly welcomed the gathering. In his welcome address he stated, that the discovery of the Raman Effect is celebrated as National Science Day just goes to show how important ‘Sir C V Raman is even today’. He further added ‘India, sadly is yet to produce another C V Raman’. Prof C V Vishveshwara, is truly a very delightful speaker. His narrative journey of COSMOS and culture was simple yet profound and was sprinkled with good humour. Prof C V Vishveshwara, took us through a guided tour with kaleidoscopic He narrated exciting stories of the brave and handsome Greek hero Orion the hunter identified with demi god prajapati, Mohini set out to distribute the amrutha, rahu- ketu chasing the sun and moon … . He further said astrology and palmistry are the pseudo science which depends upon planets and constellations. According to him seeing a solar eclipse is ‘indescribable’. His audio and video representation was a feat for the sensory perception. His talk included breathtaking graphic presentation of brilliant paintings by celebrated artists like Van Gogh (Starry night), Jacopo Robusti Tintoretto (Origin of milky way) William Turner (The Fighting Téméraire), Vincent Van Gogh (The Sower), Claude Monet (Impression, Sunrise), marvelous quotations from He concluded his talk by quoting Albert Einstein “Out yonder there is an immense cosmos that stands before us like a great eternal riddle, at least partially accessible to our inspection and thinking. The contemplation of this cosmos beckons like a liberation” and a verse from Rig veda. Dr A R Upadhya, Director, NAL in his presidential remarks stated that sitting through a lecture from a gifted speaker like Prof C V Vishveshwara was a real exhilarating experience. Talking about science he said in today’s life, science plays a crucial role in governing all aspect of our life and dependency on science, is only going to be more in the years to come . He said, Science is important for many reasons, to create knowledge, invention and Dr Ranjan Moodithaya, Head, KTMD, while thanking one and all, reminded the fact that we are 24 hour scientists and emphasized the need of devoting time to science beyond office hours. Ranjan and Shailaja Menon 'The Crescendo, Aftermath and Back to Serious Business..' The engineering expertise and maturity that went into the building of SARAS was all the more visible at the air show. The warm hugs of triumph, accolades and handshakes has gradually tapered down at the Yelahanka airbase. Now, the main-stream focus is once again back at the C-CADD hangar. The progress on the second version of SARAS has not lost its momentum inspite of NAL’s stupendous achievement at Aero India 2007. Deadlines are coming closer towards the commencement of another major milestone, i.e. engine Stringent checks on the aircraft with regard to hydraulics, electrical, avionics and FCS is nearing completion. The process of obtaining the formal clearances from DGCA is under progress and the airframe structure, power plant, fuel system and hydraulics system has been cleared by DGCA so far. After the DGCA clearance of FCS, electrical and avionics system, the 2nd baby would roll-out to ASTE. Then begins a series of full fledged engine runs and low-speed taxi tests eventually leading to the first flight. R Guruprasad with Suju Thomas
#IP 753 19-25 Feb 2007 National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Larsen and Toubro Limited, e-Engineering Solutions (L&T e-ES), Bangalore signed an agreement on 19 Feb 2007 for Co-operation in Engineering Design Services and Training.
Prof C V Vishveshwara to deliver 2007 NAL National Science Day Lecture Prof C V Vishveshwara, Emeritus Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore will deliver this year's NAL National Science Day Lecture titled Cosmos and Culture. The lecture is at the S R Valluri Auditorium on 28 February 2007 at 10.30 a.m.
#IP 752 12-18 Feb 2007 A delegation from ONERA visited NAL on 12 February 2007. ONERA (Office National d'Etudes et Recherches A‚rospatiales) is a French national aerospace research center. ONERA is both an active participant in aerospace research and a coordinator of this research. Dr A R Upadhya, NAL Director warmly welcomed the delegation. The officials from ONERA made a brief presentation. The team of Directors from ONERA had a lively interaction with NAL team regarding collaborative research projects under Indo-French relationship pro-grammes.
”The Beauty(s) and the Beast(s)” SARAS and HANSA went through ‘rigorous air drills’ before they moved onto the Yelahanka Air Base to be in fine shape for Aero India 2007. This year’s air show was professional in all aspects in view of the efforts of Ministry of Defence, FICCI and Farnborough International Ltd. to host this event. SARAS was piloted by Wg. Cdr. R S Makker, the chief test pilot of ASTE and his crew. Speaking to him, I learnt that SARAS had sorties on all the days of the show. However, on the first day it made three sorties. To keep the audience enthralled it flew as low as 500 ft and the well-noticeable ‘banking’ angles were about 60-65°. Most importantly, it flew with max.all up weights and to the delight of every Indian completed its 100th test flight during the course of this air show. The 100th milestone was aptly rejoiced through prominent announcements made on the public broadcasting system and a pastry distribution ceremony in the NAL stall. SARAS ground operations were ably handled by Mr. Radha-krishnan. As the Aero Exhibition finally culminated into a grand finale on the 11th, our own ‘two little flying birds’ touched the hearts of many proud Indians. In a way, the ‘Beauty(s)’ had truly overcome the ‘Beast(s)’ with their own ‘poise’ ‘grace’ and ‘maneuvering elegance’. R Guruprasad with Suju Thomas
The Beauty(s) and the Beast(s)’ ‘My Capabilities on display at Aero 2007’SARAS flying display at Aero India 2007 Archives-Aero India 98 | Aero India 01 | Aero India 03 | Aero India 05 #IP 751 5 - 11 Feb 2007 Inauguration of Wind Turbine Blade Fabrication Facility and Wind Turbine Laboratory
At the inaugural ceremony, Prof V S Ramamurthy, DAE Homi Bhabha Chair Professor, Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi and Chairman, Monitoring Committee (MC), NMITLI Project, who unveiled the Wind Turbine Blade Fabrication Facility and Wind Turbine Laboratory of NAL appeared very ecstatic about the new projects. The two new buildings which were inaugurated one is to house the blade development programme of FRPD and the other for Wind Turbine Laboratory of the WED.
Dr Issac, Head, Wind Energy Programme, promised the gathering, that 'before the wind stops blowing NAL's blade will be rotating in the coming season.' Dr RMVGK Rao, Head, FRP Division, explained to Prof V S Ramamurthy, and Dr D Yogeswara Rao about the uniqueness and cost effective approach contemplated in the indigenous development of these blades. Ranjan and Shailaja Menon The Aero India 2007, As in the past, this year's event also included, a large number of exhibitors from the leading industries in the field of civil and military aviation. The show included both air displays and static exhibitions, of a wide variety of military and civil aircrafts. The visitors enjoyed the spectacular flying performances and static exhibitions. The magnificent flying machines gripped Bangalore's eyeballs in rapt attention. A power packed aerial fiesta, was provided by F-18 E and F-18 F Super Hornets, Gripen JAS 39, F-16, Falcon, Mig-35 AKA, MiG 29M OVT, Sukhoi, ALH Dhruv, Sarang team, Surya Kirans, Jaguar, TEJAS, IJT, et al The main attraction about the 6thInternational Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, for NAL was to see the SARAS PT 1 and HANSA take their rightful place in the Indian skies. The metallic birds mesmerized everyone with its poise, flexibility and grace. NAL stall looked beautiful with colorful posters spread out aesthetically, models and mockups neatly displayed and NAL 's facilities as a multimedia presentation on the well fitted plasma screens. Ranjan and Shailaja
SARAS flying display at Aero India 2007 Aero India 2007 - International Seminar :Photographs Archives-Aero India 98 | Aero India 01 | Aero India 03 | Aero India 05 Light Weight Helicopter appears in the list of USPTO Patents
Earlier, Great Britain patent #GB2384224, was granted for lightweight helicopter on January 19, 2005 and subsequently Australian patent #AU 2001248731 was granted on June 15, 2006. Now, with this additional patent, NAL has a total of 13 foreign patents. Vasant Pilare and Shailaja #IP 750 29 Jan - 4 Feb 2007 Twenty third Annual Day of the NAL Vidyodaya Nursery School
The occasion was graced with the presence of Prof Vinod K Gaur, the chief guest, Dr A The tiny tots flagged off the program, with an invocation song. The young ones, in multihued costumes, anchored the whole show with great aplomb and ease of a professional. Dr Shubha welcomed the gathering and introduced the Chief Guest Prof Vinod K Gaur, Honorary Emeritus Scientist, C-MMACS & Distinguished Professor, IIA, Bangalore. In her welcome address, she said, the school largely focuses on high quality education and provides a homely atmosphere, for the overall development of the students. Prof V K Gaur, the chief guest, a teacher himself, advised one and all to uphold the value system and endowed the audience with words of wisdom. Dr Upadhya expressed happiness with the overall performance of the school due to which, he said, there is a great demand for admission. He added he would be too delighted to see the little ones join NAL as scientists in the future. He congratulated and complimented the school staff and NAL committee members for the brilliant management of the school. Ms Reshma Parvez proposed the ceremonial vote of thanks. The budding artists displayed their prowess in dancing and acting. The cultural program was a visual treat with the little ones swaying to the beats of jingle bells. Boomboom dance, patriotic dance, kolata. and tribal dance were some of the dances performed by these tiny tots. The children won acclamation and applause from the audience. Ranjan and Shailaja Menon Nursery School Function Archives Familiarization Programme concludes
The valedictory function of the familiarization programme for the two groups was arranged on 19 and 24 January 2007. In the closing session, the new entrants were invited to share their experience and provide feedback about the programme. Some of the reactions were - Can the programme be Dr M R Nayak, Adviser, M&A and Head, ALD advised the new recruits that the familiarization programme, was only the Dr Ranjan Moodithaya, Head, KTMD advised all the youngsters to improve their communication skills and requested the new entrants to never pay heed to rumors, citing the example of the first story of panchatantra. Mrs Rama Mahadev, Head of Administration, Dr Satyanarayan Jt. Head, KTMD, Dr Goudar, Head, ICAST wished all the participants the very best and assured them all support from the management. Mr Somnarayan, the main anchor behind the Familiarisation Programme, proposed the vote of thanks. Sathyanarayana and Shailaja Menon
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NAL has now made it a tradition to have an eminent scientist to address on the National Science Day. This year Prof C V Vishveshwara Emeritus Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore, delivered a brilliant and scintillating lecture on COSMOS and Culture. 
illustrative examples to show the relation between cosmos and culture . He said he was not analyzing the role of cosmos in culture but giving examples to illustrate cosmos in culture. He gave a brief outline about early ideas of Aristotle, the impact of Copernicus and Galileo, and the scientific revolution begun by Newton and theoretical structure introduced by Einstein. Then he brought in the Indian notion of Universe from the puranas and the constellations having influence on humans in different ways and being associated with different parts of the human body. 
Shakespeare. And to point up how music is related to cosmos, he played Music of Heaven.
novelties and most importantly to drive away superstition. He further added as Indians our brain power is the best and we are good at analysis, modeling and simulation but lagging behind in creativity and invention. He said as scientists we should adopt some programmes to reach out to rural children who have no access to many facilities. 
It was without any doubt in the minds of the aviation experts and enthusiasts that NAL’s HANSA and SARAS asserted their position in the recently concluded Aero India 2007. Both static and flying displays sent the crowds into an euphoria. SARAS’s fly past on 7 February 2007 along with 21 other aircraft was indeed a delight to watch and would go down as one of the most memorable events in the history of Indian civil aviation in the years to come. A performance, immensely credible, in view of the fact that SARAS is still very much a prototype, with barely 65 hours of flight testing. 
ground runs on the SARAS which will start in a few days from now.
On a bright Saturday morning of 3 February 2007, two huge buildings were formally inaugurated at a brief and simple function in NAL. 
Dr A R Upadhya Director, NAL, welcomed and introduced the distinguished dignitaries. He stressed the relevance of wind energy programme as an alternate source of energy in India. Prof V S Ramamurthy and Dr D Yogeswara Rao, Head, TNBD, CSIR respectively expressed their happiness about the programme, they felt it is on the right track and also hoped that the programme will be successfully completed on time.
a premier biennial air show opened at the Yelahanka Air Force Station on 7 February 2007. Aero India has over the years neatly carved out a niche in the global aerospace map as one of the prestigious air shows in the world. Five editions have been successfully held between 1996 and 2005. Aero India, in less than a decade, has built a sizeable brand equity in the aviation world and has been instrumental in showcasing India's ability to be in the forefront of the technology spectrum.
An 
The Annual Day of the Vidyodaya Nursery School was held at the S R Valluri Auditorium on 25 Jan 2007. It was a sight to behold, to see the tiny tots indulge in fun and frolic, as they were showcasing their talent in the presence of their doting parents.
R Upadhya, Director, NAL, Mrs Shakuntala Pai, Dr S R Valluri former Director, NAL (whose vision resulted in the establishment of the school) with Mrs Shyamala Valluri, former principal of the Vidyodaya Nursery School (who nurtured the school from inception), Dr M R Nayak, Adviser M&A and Dr V Shubha, the Chairperson of the School's Management Committee. All the distinguished guests were welcomed with floral basket by the little ones.
Orientation programme for the 67 new recruits, who were divided into two batches, was conducted in the third and fourth week of January 2007. 
extended for at least five days? Can participants be restricted to 10-15 in a batch? Could they have a closer look at their areas of interest as they have only got a bird’s eye view? A few of them opined that they were so very impressed with the facilities of NAL; they plan to make a career in this lab. NAL’s initiative in organizing a familiarization programme was well received by the entire team of the fresh entrants
beginning of their career. He counseled the new recruits, to maintain high level of integrity and character in work and participate actively in sports and games. He also added if some one has any concerns; please feel free to ‘break my door’.
