NEWSLETTER
A
House Journal of
IEEE
Kerala Section
Volume
13 Number 2
April
- June 2004
Contents
Chairman's Message
Dairy of Events
Fourthcoming Events
Students Activities
Annual Report
GOLD
Disruptive Technologies - N.T.Nair
Section Activities
Editorial
Global News
Dear fellow professionals,
We have now crossed the halfway point in the year 2004. We set out in the New Year with clear goals for ourselves. One of our priority actions was networking with our members in the northern regions of Kerala. As a result of our efforts, a steering team was constituted in Kochi. By the time this newsletter reaches your hands, this team would have successfully conducted a half-day seminar in Kochi titled “Trends 2004” on recent trends in computing, covering a variety of topics from open source software to mobile computing. Soon we would be activating a rejuvenated IA & IE chapter, which was on the verge of closure by IEEE headquarters for lack of technical activity during the previous two years. Preparations are now on, to conduct a national seminar on bio-informatics towards the yearend in Trivandrum. Volunteers are the strength of the IEEE. In a recent poll involving Section Chairs of Region 10, to which we in India also belong, among the top three problems and challenges listed was volunteer fatigue. What could be the possible reason for this? Could it be due to a membership, which is unresponsive to initiatives and overtures from the Executive team? I am sure the enlightened professionals of Kerala Section would never let that happen here. Would you not visit our Section web site www.ieee.org/kerala and spend the few minutes it takes to enter your interest profile. Please help us to serve you better.
Sincerely Yours,
E.E. Rajakumar
| 07-04-2004 | “Vaimanika Sastram”, a talk by D.K. Hari, Management Consultant, Chennai. |
| 21-04-2004 | “ 1XE VDO: A New Standard for High Speed Wide-area Mobile Networking”, Gopal Harikumar, Airvana, USA. |
| 28-04-2004 | “RRLT-NC Driers for Rural Applications”, P.P.Thomas, Scientist, RRL, CSIR. |
| 04-05-2004 | A seminar on “Complex Modeling”, by Sukhamay Kunda, Computer Science Department, Louisiana State University, USA, at Amphitheatre, C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram. |
| 05-05-2004 | “Buisiness I.T Academics – A Few Insights”, Aju Thomas, TCS, Thiruvananthapuram. |
| 07-05-2004 | “Seven Lessons of the Alleviation Programme in India”, a lecture by V.S. Vyas, Emeritus Professor, Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur organized at IMG, Thiruvananthapuram. |
| 12-05-2004 | “Indian Space Programme – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, S.S. Anand, Rtd Rocket Engineer, ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram. |
| 15-05-2004 | Executive Committee meeting of IEEE Kerala Section at 18.30 Hrs at Harmonieee, Thiruvananthapuram. |
| 19-05-2004 | “Road, Cars and Technologies – Global and Indian Scenarios”, N.T. Nair, CMS Computers, Thiruvananthapuram. |
| 26-05-2004 | “Road, Cars and Technologies – Global and Indian Scenarios”, N.T. Nair, CMS Computers, Thiruvananthapuram. |
| 02-06-2004 | “Air Disasters – How safe we – In our Skies”, N. Jayachandran |
| 08-06-2004 | “Object Oriented Technology – What’s inside an Object”, a seminar organized by IEEE GOLD and Computer Society at C-DAC Amphitheatre, Thiruvananthapuram. Speaker: Christopher T. Haynes, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA. |
| 16-06-2004 | “Hospital Kiosks: A Case Study of Service Deliveries in Local Self Governments”, P. V. Unnikrishnan, Executive Director, Information Kerala Mission. |
| 23-06-2004 | “Alcohol”, a talk by V.S.S. Nair, Consultant, Indian Medical Association. |
|
Robotics Workshop
A Robotics workshop was conducted by the IEEE Student Branch, College of Engineering Chengannur from 3rd April to 5th April, 2004. The workshop was conducted by Anil Ramachandran and Deepu John, student members of 8th semester. The main aim of the workshop was to familiarize the student members with robotics, and to help them to do projects in robotics, which was later named as the IEEE Robotics Initiative (IRI). Some of the projects which have been completed by other students under IRI were displayed during the workshop. The topics which were discussed during the workshop were: 1 Familiarisation and basic ideas of Robotics 2 Logical Programming 3 Familiarisation of ICs used in robotics 4 Familiarisation of stepper motors and their speed control 5 Parallel port control for interfacing 6 IR control - 4 level proximity sensor 7 Use of optocouplers in interfacing The workshop followed a hands-on approach to make the students really involved in the field. Many students attended the workshop and a good response was obtained from all of them.
Methods of etching and designing a PCB manually were also described. The speaker demonstrated with sample circuits and circuit boards prepared by him. The session was extremely useful to the participants in acquiring a basic knowledge on electronic circuit designing and implementation. They expressed their desire to attend similar classes in future.
Linux Workshop
The IEEE Student Branch of College of Engineering, Chengannur conducted a fourteen day Linux class for 1 st and 4 th semester students of the college. The classes began in the first week of April and were conducted by Binu Lal, who is a student of the 8 th semester.
The classes covered a wide range of topics like installation of Linux, Linux basics, system administration etc. The class was of superior standard and greatly impressed by all. The students felt so interested in Linux and under their strong request a Linux only lab was setup in our college. It turned out to be a trigger to many to throw away Windows and jump into the amazing world of Linux. Binu Lal was able to convince the lot that there is no need of being a slave to the windows, but rather transfer their work into a free Linux platform.
Report on Farewell for S8 passing out seniors
The IEEE Student Branch of College of Engineering Chenganoor conducted a farewell for the outgoing final year student members of IEEE. The chief guest for the day was Dipu Jose, the former chairman of the student branch. The farewell was organized by the EC members of the student branch and was attended by a majority of the student members.
The meeting started with a welcome speech by Siby P John, followed by a felicitation by the chairman. It then included a number of felicitations by many other student members and finally concluded with a vote of thanks by the General Secretary Alan George. Light refreshments were provided to all those who attended the function. Mementos were given to all the seniors who attended the function. The function was a successful and the seniors promised to offer any assistance the student branch requires in future.
Report from IEEE STUDENT BRANCH MES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
We are very happy to inform you that an IEEE Student Branch has been established in our college, [Branch Code: 31251; School code: 2531253]. The certificate to this effect has been received from the headquarters in New York, U.S.A. (Approval date 16th JANUARY 2004) The formal inauguration of the IEEE Student Branch of our college conducted at 11:30 a m, by the principal, M. Achuthan on Monday, March 22, 2004. Our IEEE Student Branch Counselor is BIJU N, Lecturer, Dept. of ECE and the Student Branch Chair is NYCIN PARRIT and the Secretary is PRASANTH C.P. Our Activities – A Report: 1. We conducted an IEEE awareness programs for students & faculty of our college. 2. NYCIN PARRIT, S6 ECE (B) & Mahesh R, S6 ECE (B) of our branch got Second Prize in the Student Paper Presentation Contest conducted jointly by IEEE Student Branch, NIT Calicut and the associations of concerned departments. 3. Conducted a seminar on Nano-technology by IEEE Student Members on 24-06-04. 4. A number of other activities for attracting students to the IEEE are being done. We hope to invite the eminent personalities from the IEEE Kerala Section for further guidance and other activities.
Nycin Parrit IEEE
Student Branch Chair
Continuation from the last issue…
Report for the year 2003
B.6 Awards
NT Nair has been selected for the R10 Outstanding Volunteer award for the year 2002. Jyothy Ramaswamy has been nominated as a member of WIE International board of IEEE, which is a great recognition for the WIE affinity group of IEEE Kerala section. S Meera, Chairman of GOLD affinity group of IEEE - Kerala section for 2002 has been selected for Leadership Recognition of IEEE Region 10 award for its activities and efforts during the formation years. Aju Thomas Abraham and Koshy P Vaidyan of GOLD affinity group received Section GOLD Leadership recognition award from Regional Activities Board of IEEE.
The Section has three Society Chapters and two affinity groups. They are
Computer Society
Computer Society chapter organized two workshops (half day each) and two Technical Talks (one hour each). Also, a talk was given at Chengannur Engineering College.
Power Engineering Society (PES)
PES chapter conducted programs at Trivandrum, Palakkad and Calicut giving motivation for engineering professionals/researchers and students. PES conducted or associated with four major programs at National level and organized four technical meetings.
WIE
The major activities of WIE during 2003 are:
IEEE Kerala Section is continuing its unique relationship with other sister professional Societies, namely, Institution of Engineers (India), Kerala State Centre, Computer Society of India (CSI), Trivandrum Chapter, Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), Trivandrum Centre and Aeronautical Society of India Trivandrum Chapter During 2003 the section actively participated in organising several joint activities with the sister societies.
IEEE Kerala section has been supporting the IT initiatives of Government of Kerala. Chairman, IEEE Kerala section is ex-officio member of the Executive Committee of Kerala State IT Mission, the technology and implementation wing of Department of IT, Government of Kerala.
As per the request from Kerala State IT Mission, IEEE Kerala section is associated with them in forming a center for E-Governance. The structure of the center includes an Apex committee, which provides guidance for the center and devises policies and programs. NT Nair Senior IEEE member represents the Section in the Apex committee.
Kerala State IT Mission has formed a society to promote the growth of free and open software in Kerala. Our Section member PM Sasi has been nominated to the executive committee of the society.
Secretary, Higher Education, Government of Kerala invited IEEE to a brain storming session on engineering education in Kerala. This was held at Technopark on 20 th Feb 2003, in which Principals of all engineering colleges participated. R Narayanan, Chairman, IEEE Kerala section, delivered a talk at the meeting.
2. Donation of technical books
Rane, Past Chairman and senior member of IEEE Kerala section, donated about 130 technical books to IEEE student chapter.IEEE computer Society
Seminar on Object Oriented Technology
A Seminar on “Object Oriented Technology – What’s Inside an Object?” was organized by IEEE Computer Society and IEEE GOLD on 08-06-2004 at the Amphitheatre, C-DAC (ER&DC), Thiruvananthapuram. The speaker was Christopher T. Haynes, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.
NEW SENIOR MEMBERS
The following nine distinguished IEEE members have been newly elected as Senior Members in Feb 2004.
| Pune Subsection | Hemant K Abhayankar | Bombay Section |
| Pune Subsection | Yogesh H.Dandawate | Bombay Section |
| Pune Subsection | Dattatary J Doke | Bombay Section |
| Pune Subsection | Mandar J.Khurjekar | Bombay Section |
| Pune Subsection | Shyamkant A Kulkarni | Bombay Section |
| Pune Subsection | Maratho A Shashishekar | Bombay Section |
| Pune Subsection | Anil S. Tavildar | Bombay Section |
| Bangalore | Vinod K Agarwal | Bangalore Section |
| Calcutta | Bangalore |
Disruptive Technologies
When the tiny transistor made its appearance around five decades back, not many thought that it would displace the vacuum tube ultimately from the latter’s home ground. In fact, much more happened very soon, as transistors were cheaper to mass produce, simpler, smaller, better performing, less power hungry and more convenient to use – a disruptive technology in action.
Disruptive Technology is a term popularized by Harvard Business School Professor Dr. Clayton M. Christensen in his book The Innovator's Dilemma.
Christensen believes that the main reason that successful and apparently well-run and well established organizations loose market share, and sometimes go out of business, is that they fail to recognize the distinction between sustaining and disruptive technologies.
Sustaining technologies improve the performance of established products. They are usually developed by successful and well established companies who are often seen as holding a leadership position in their industries.
Disruptive technologies have features that a few fringe (and generally new) customers value. Products based on disruptive technologies are typically cheaper to produce, simpler, smaller, better performing, and, frequently, more convenient to use.
In 1894, when Italian Marconi invented a way to send messages through the air, the Italian government turned down his offer of first rights because it saw no use for the technology. After all, Marconi’s crude prototype could only send signals a hundred yards – hardly a match for the increasingly popular telephone.
Who would have known such a weak transmission method would pave the way for everything from television to cellular phones? Even now, 100 years later, wireless is still opening up new markets and changing the way governments and businesses communicate and operate.
Marconi’s wireless invention represents yet another disruptive technology that not only continues to create new industries, but also changes the world. Such technologies often come from outside the mainstream. The light bulb was not invented by the candle industry looking to improve out put.
Digital camera is another disruptive technology that is on a rampage today to totally unseat film-based photography. Cellular phones continue to invade the communication scene, out placing land phones while Voice over IP (VoIP) using Internet as the backbone for voice communication is emerging as a low cost alternative for making long distance calls, posing threat to established methods like fixed line phones or even mobiles.
When minicomputers emerged on the computing scene, they took away a major chunk of business from mainframes; but then personal computers did the same thing to minicomputers and the story continues.
Another disruptive technology that has severely affected an age-old business line is the computerized preparation of hoardings with life-like features – rendering the conventional billboard writing a thing of the past. Digital cinema, fast entering the cine theatres, is a case of a new disruptive technology in action. The affected are manufacturers of conventional cameras, projectors, films, suppliers of chemicals to wash films, film distributors and the like. Under digital cinema, films will be distributed to theatres through CDs or satellites – eliminating several activities currently associated with film distribution.
DVDs shortening the business life of VCDs, mobile phones killing pager industry, telephone cards affecting STD/ISD booths etc are some other examples.
In the Information Technology front, two potentially disruptive technologies watched closely are open source software and Nanotechnology, each holding promise to change the landscape of IT.
There are also stories of disruptive technologies which appeared with much fanfare but failed to make any headway and vanished into oblivion. Sony’s Betamax video system, Laser discs, fifth generation computer systems from Japan are some examples.
Technology forecasting is a way to keep the finger on the pulse of disruptive technologies that may affect the established business lines. Those who are in charge of forecasting should keep constant vigil on the technology front to sense any new technology trend and help the management to draw up business plans to face the impending threats, if any.
On 25-02-2004 K. Jose, Executive Director, Kudumbasree, Thiruvananthapuram gave a talk on “Appropriate Technologies for Micro Enterprises”. He stated that with an investment ranging from Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 2.5 lakhs, having a turn-over between Rs. 1 and 5 lakhs annually and generating at least Rs. 1,500/- per cooperating member is now considered as a Micro Enterprise Technology, appropriate to the context is what is adopted in Kudumbasree programmes.
“Kudumbasree” is a multi-faceted, women based, participatory, poverty eradication programme, jointly initiated by the Government of Kerala and NABARD. This programme is implemented by Community Based Organisations (C.B.O) of poor women in Cooperation with Panchayati Raj institutions. The mission of Kudumbasree is to eradicate absolute poverty in 10 years through concerted community action, under the leadership of Local Government, by facilitating Organisation of poor, for combining self help with demand-led convergence of available services and resources, to tackle the multi-dimensions and manifestations of poverty holistically. Detailed criteria to classify a “Family at Risk” or “Poor Family” have been prepared. Suitable structure for the C.B.O’s has been developed.
A ten point multi focus programme has been chalked out which includes H.R.D., Community Health, Education, Micro Finance, Destitute Identification, Rehabilitation and Monitoring, Lease Land Farming and Micro Enterprise Development. C.B.O’s of the poor are becoming capable of finding out for themselves whatever scientific and technical information, they need to their particular field of enterprise. This is also helping to inform, inspire and motivate the women of the families leading to women-empowerment.
Mobile Phones in Hospitals
V.S.S. Nair Consultant, Indian Medical Association, Thiruvananthapuram, delivered a lecture on 03-03-2004 on the subject “Mobile Phones in Hospitals”. Mobile Phones (M.P), if used within close range of vital monitoring equipments in Hospitals are found to interfere with their readings. This interference of data causes distortion and results in faulty interpretation, ECG, Defibrillators are observed to be affected. Incorrect Oxygen values have been noted in Anaesthesia machines. Dialysis machines show distorted readings when M.P’s are operated close to them. At more them one metre away from these machines, M.P’s are unlikely to disturb them.
Regular and long duration listening to M.P’s could adversely affect the health of the users. Brain tumours, brain cancer affecting that side of the head close to which the M.P is held and premature onset of Alzheimer’s disease are some of the hazards observed. Holding the M.P’s a few centimeters away from the head may reduce the harmful effects. Protective pouches are recommending for reducing exposure to radiation.
Earth Retaining Structures
On 10-03-2004 T.S. Ramanatha Iyer, Former D.T.E, Kerala, gave a talk on “Earth Retaining Structures – Options”. Earth retaining structures are required when there is difference in level between adjacent utilities. Due to space constraints, increasing land costs and poor foundations, it may not be possible to go in for conventional gravity retaining walls which transfer the lateral pressure by increased vertical stress or sheet pile walls which act like beams. In such cases, it is necessary to go in for other options. These options are different forms of reinforced earth, use of geo-synthetics, gabion walls, anchored earth and soil nailing, to mention a few. The actual choice depends on site conditions, foundations and fill material, feasibility of construction, and restraints imposed by neighbouring boundaries cost. The factors affecting the choice are to be studied and appropriate structure selected for the specific requirement.
Clean Kerala
R. Ajayakumar Varma, Director, Clean Kerala Mission, on 17-03-2004 presented the topic “Clean Kerala – A dream”. Clean Kerala Mission is an initiative to facilitate the local self government institutions for implementing integrated solid waste management through appropriate technology in a campaign mode. The implicit objective is to enhance the environmental health status. The mission aims at raising the awareness of the community on the critical role of hygienic behaviour for improving environmental sanitation condition. The project envisages streamlining existing solid waste management systems, including collection and transportation, waste treatment and disposal systems. Every day a quantity of about 1200 tonnes of waste is left to decompose on road margins, drains, canals, water bodies and open space. There is also an alarming increase in the presence of substances like plastics, which are difficult to degrade or break down, in the waste stream. Bio medical waste is also a growing concern. Upgrading solid waste management through a systematic and comprehensive approach, in tandem with environmental and legal obligations, will need to consider the segregation of waste at source, proper storage, collection and transport, appropriate design of equipment and vehicles to avoid manual handling, resource recovery, developing secured land fill sites, training and capacitation of all solid waste management personnel, elected functionaries effective monitoring, and awareness for community participation. Solid waste Management is an activity in which public participation is the key to success.
TV to Homes
N.T. Nair, Vice President (R&D) CMS Computers, Thiruvananthapuram gave a talk on “TV to Homes – The Emerging Delivery Technologies” on 23-03-2004. Continued improvements in picture quality, sound, interactivity, varied choices and flexibility are expected in TV in the near future. Analog signals get weaker with distance. Better picture quality as digital signals can be compressed effectively to transmit more information using the existing 6 MHz band width. The emerging technologies are Multi Channel Multipoint Distribution System, Digital Subscriber Line technology and Internet Protocol TV.
Fluid- Structure
On 31-03-2004 Santhosh Sathyapal, Kerala Water Authority, delivered a talk on “Fluid- Structure Action Problems in Ocean Engineering”. Ocean Engineering deals with the development of a variety of structures and systems required for various operations in the ocean. The dynamic response of structures in fluid is influenced by the presence of the fluid. The structural motions constrain the fluid motion, which in turn load the structure. This mutual interaction is familiarly known as the Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI).
A large class of FSI problems can be unified by means of certain simplifying assumptions that would facilitate at least the numerical solution of complex real-life problems. An appreciation of such a unity among FSI problems would certainly help in the development of versatile numerical models, especially those based on the finite element method (FSM), and computer codes implementing them. The main thrust of this presentation was to review the linear FSI formulation and outline its range of application. The response of a floating structure is described using the well-known potential flow theory and the solution of the diffraction-radiation problem using a FEI approach was presented. The fluid dynamic (FE) model is integrated in to a structural dynamic (FE) model and the solution method was outlined. The application of absorbing boundary conditions in the form of boundary damper in FE modeling of unbounded fluid domain problems was highlighted. Finally, the general FSI equations based on the finite element technique were reviewed.
Vaimanika Sastram
D.K. Hari, Management Consultant, Chennai, gave a talk on “Vaimanika Sastram” on 07-04-2004. “Bharat Gyna” is an endeavour by the Speaker to collect information on the knowledge that existed in India through ages and to use an attractive medium for quick and easy sharing of that information. Vimana finds mention in epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. “Yantra Sarvaswa” by Maharshi Bharadwaj contain details about air travel short haul, long haul and interstellar. Details of construction, detains of metallurgy, details of fuel required, different types of Vimanas including technical sketches were described. Vaimanika Sastram is only one of the many modules developed in his search of “Bharath gyan”.
Mobile Networking
Gopal Harikumar, Airvana, USA., presented the topic on “1XE VDO: A New Standard for High Speed Wide Area Mobile Networking” on 21-04-2004. Some of the financial and sociological aspects with regard to mobile communication systems include useful function, Ubiquity, Reliability, Mobility, Affordability, ease of use. The expectation of the Service Provider is to make money by providing the service, efficient use of the spectrum, easy to expand / add capacity (scaleable), easy to deploy and manage, available support from vendors with minimal support for users. The technical challenges faced by a mobile network may be put in brief as follows. Where as the Radio / TV etc. is a single source multi listener (listeners are passive) system, the mobile network has many sources and many listeners. It is multi path, fading, Doppler and has certain resource constraints. In CDMA, the interference is put to work; everybody talks at the same time; different users’ signals coded with different noise-like waveforms. It has the advantage of expandability and “soft” handoff.
RRLT-NC Driers
On 28-04-2004 P.P. Thomas, Scientist, RRL, CSIR, made a talk on “RRLT-NC Driers for Rural Development”. One of the methods being adopted for preservation of food and agricultural products is drying. There are different types of drying, such as sun drying, mechanical artificial drying and natural convection (NC) drying.
RRLT-NC driers are low cost and low capacity improved natural convection driers developed at Regional Research Laboratory CSIR, Thiruvananthapuram. This works by utilizing the downward flow of hot air through the materials to be dried by natural convection, unaided by fan/blower. These are now used by farmers, cottage-scale industries and even houses for drying a variety of materials including coconuts and garcinia-cambogia.
Business, Information Technology and Academics
On 05-05-2004 Aju Thomas, TCS, Thiruvananthapuram delivered a lecture on
“Business, Information Technology and Academics”. After completion of the studies, one of the choice areas many students seek to work in is the field of Information Technology. Corporate companies spend a lot of time and money to get their new employees training on the finer aspects of business and soft skills, apart from project specific training. At the college itself, it ought to be possible to impart to the students detailed knowledge about many of the requirements such as etiquette, communication skills, personal grooming and effective team work.
Indian Space Programme
S.S. Anand, Former Rocket Engineer ISRO presented the topic Indian Space Programme – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” on 12-05-2004. The first sounding rocket was launched from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) on 21 st November 1963. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed under Department of Atomic Energy on 15 th August 1969. In the beginning ISRO concentrated on the development of rockets. Small size Rohini sounding rockets were developed and flight tested successfully. ARYABHATA and SLV-3 represent the experimental phase in the development of space hardware.
ISRO undertook also the Statellite Instruction Television Experiment (SITE) and the Satellite Communication Experiment (STEP). Even before perfecting the indigenous hardware, the experience gained through SITE, STEP and the communication satellite Apple (Ariane Passenger Payload experiment) facilitated obtaining hands-on experience in the use of space technology.
The Launch Vehicle development was taken up by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the development of satellites by the Indian Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore. Indian National Satellite (INSAT) series were realized indigenously though launched successfully from foreign countries. Indian Remote sensing satellites (IRS) systems which provide valuable data regarding forestry, ground water, geology, etc. are functioning well.
The important mile stone in this programme is India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-1 to carry a space craft of about 1500 kg launched on 18 th April 2001. There is the plan to use Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to launch India’s Geo-synchronous meterological Statellite, METSAT.
Sleep and Health Effects
On 26-05-2004 V.S.S. Nair, Engineering Consultant, Indian Medical Association, delivered a talk on “Sleep and Health Effects”. Till recently sleep was thought of as a passive dormant part of our daily lives. But our brains are very active during sleep. Sleep affects our everyday functioning and our physical and mental health in many ways.
Proper sleep is necessary for our nervous system to work properly. Sleep and sleep related problems, thus, play a role in a large number of human disorders and affect almost every field of medicine. Infants require about 16 hours sleep everyday. Teenagers need 9 hours on an average and for most adults 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
Air Disorders
N. Jayachandran, Managing Director, Imtope Pvt Ltd, Thiruvananthapuram, presented the topic “Air Disasters – How safe we are in our Skies” on 02-06-2004. Flying is one of the safest modes of transportation. According to a 1993-95 study by U.S National safety Council, flying is 22 times safer than traveling in a car in that country. In the year 2000, the world’s commercial Jet Airliners carried approximately 1.09 billion people on 18 million flights, while suffering only 20 fatal accidents.
There is a flight plan filed, preflight. Different persons are in control, flight data person, flight progress strip, ground controller and local controller. Air Traffic Control System at the Airports, Terminal Radar Control and Air Traffic Control Centre which does continues monitoring until the ATC at the destination takes over, all help, and the aircraft in safe flying.
Hospital Kiosks
P.V. Unnikrishnan, Executive Director, Information Kerala Mission, gave a talk on “Hospital Kiosks – A Case Study of Service Deliveries in Local Self Government” on 16-06-2004. Most of the E-Governance projects which have gained currency today, by and large give attention to front end processes only. Among these projects a majority emphasize on information access and transparency. There are some projects which concentrate on faster and efficient public transactions as well. Even in the few projects which undertake computerization of the backend, the focus is in general on automation of processes in government as they exist. Re-designing of business processes and creating knowledge bases for decision making are far beyond the scope of contemporary e-governance projects. The Information Kerala Mission programme for computerisation of Local Self government Institutions is a striking deviation from this almost universal paradigm.
An outstanding input to the e-governance methodology from the Information Kerala Mission, established in June 1999, had been the programme for reforming the civil registration system which has been shaped by drawing substantial contributions from best practices world over. E-governance programme for computerising birth, death and marriage tried out so far in the country, to all intents and purposes, give attention to improving the speedier and purposes, given attention to improving the speedier delivery of the certificates of registration. Improving the quality of statistical information on vital events, linking the registration process with community level identification systems, wiping out corruption in the processes etc. which are wider social objects of civil registration are quite often overlooked.
The mission had been for the last three years running pilot projects for computerising birth, death and marriage registrations in five Grama Panchayats and four Municipal Corporations. Data entry of past records had been underway in three Municipal Corporations, three Municipalities and five Grama Panchayats. Around twenty-one lakh records of registration have been so far handled by “Sevana”, the prestigious application of the Mission which has won the distinction of being the most coveted application for popular IT usage from the Computer Society of India (CSI_TCS Award 2001). District level pilots to handle another forty-two lakh records have been initiated recently in Kasargod, Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram Districts. Public access counters viz. “Janasevanakendrams” handling computerized issue of certificates had been in operation since January 2003 onwards in the four Corporations. In Malappuram District Akshaya kiosks are being tailored to facilitate this role.
The application has meanwhile gone through substantial revisions and a comprehensive “Sevana” product suite comprising six different applications has emerged. The applications handled by the suite comprise the Past Data entry module, Hospital Kiosk module, Local body Kiosk module, Local Self Government workflow module. District Registrar’s Office workflow module. These applications cover all the ninety-two odd different business process relating to civil registration including periodical reports to the Registrar General of Births and Deaths unlike several other applications developed by various other Total Solution Providers and agencies in the country which at the best cover only nine.
This is sought by linking the “Janasevanakendrams” with hospitals over the Internet. A programme for linking forty government hospitals and one hundred and forty-two private hospitals in the five Corporation areas with the respective “Janasevanakendrams” has been mooted. The objective shall be to make available birth and death certificates to the informants within twenty-four hours of registration through the hospitals reporting the event. The Corporations have taken the lead and have held preliminary consultations with the various hospitals and a partnership is steadily emerging. In order to clear the way for this momentous occasion in streamlining service delivery in Local Self Government Institutions, a campaign of wiping out backlog in issue of certificates for registrations done during the last ten years has been also planned.
Last but not the least another unique aspect of the project is the linkages with a programme for a community identity card linking Electoral ID data, Ration card data, Below Poverty Line data etc. This could later on be linked to the National Multipurpose Identity Card project as well. This aspect, very important from the point of view of building up a community database at the Local Self Government Institution level places the civil registration reform initiatives in Kerala on par with similar programmed in United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Uncertainty and confusion prevails in the higher education sector of Kerala even at the eve of counseling of the students seeking admission to the professional colleges. At the time of writing this note, discussion on a bill (“Piloting the Kerala Unaided Professional Colleges -Prohibition of Capitation Fees and Procedures for Admission and Fixation of Fees- Bill 2004”) to prohibit capitation fees and fixation of fee structure in unaided professional colleges in the State is in progress in the State assembly.
Apart from this, Kerala Self-financing Engineering College Management’s Association declared that the self-financing engineering colleges in the State will be closed indefinitely from 15 th July in protest of the Government decision to introduce the Bill regulating the fees for fifty percent merit seats in these colleges equivalent to that of government colleges.
Conversely, the demand of the Self-financing Professional College Government Merit Students and Parents Association is to enforce equality in fee structure for different professional studies irrespective of government, aided or unaided. Since the admission to various courses for 2002-03 had been made after the Supreme Court verdict, merit students have to pay higher fees. Hence they are demanding to introduce self-financing Bill to be made valid retrospective effect and also to refund the excess amount collected.
In this uncertainty excellent chances prevail in the State for the political parties to reap the situation through their conventional style. They seek support of the students as well parents for their political play and to win laurels. Action plan to organize ‘bandh’, ‘hartal’ and other tactical means are being forged and sharpened, and are ready to exercise at any time when needed. This is quite natural and inevitable in the political scenario for their existence.
What we could see above is the situation at the dawn of July and the days before us are crucial as far as the functioning of all new as well as old professional colleges is concerned. The very intension of the political parties is quite evident. As such, the inertia to organize an unpleasant political scene is painless for them.
In order to assess the situation realistically, one has to examine the Bill which provides for fee structure. The fee to be collected from the candidates admitted in the Government quota (fifty percent) shall be the same as the fee prevailing for the corresponding course in the Sate Government colleges. In spite of this, the fees to be collected from the candidates admitted in the management quota shall be determined by the management, considering the inevitable expenses for running the institution. In this particular case, the student admitted in the management quota would not only pay for his own seat but share the cost of his classmates also. This is a controversial point in the proviso and the legal experts opine this as arbitrary and discriminatory in character. Subsidizing education of one segment of society at the cost of another is impermissible in law. Also in effect it violates the fundamental rights guaranteed to the minority in the Constitution. There are yet many hurdles to pass through before the inclusion of the same in the Ninth Schedule.
There are amendments moved by the opposition parties against the controversial clauses in the Bill. Their main demand is to constitute a body by the Government consisting of one of the Vice-Chancellors, the Director of Medical Education or the Director of Technical Education, depending on the type of institution, for fixing and revising the fees for students getting admitted to the management quota in the self-financing professional colleges. Another point is to introduce a common entrance test to be conducted by the Government for those admitted to the management quota as the proposed managements entrance test is only rigged and farce even though a committee is appointed to ensure the tests for its fairness and transparency. They are hoping that Government would accept these points as the opposition support is required for getting the final approval by the Parliament to include the contents of Bill in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
The demand of the managements is a hike in the Government fees applicable for the merit quota seats. Government could not consider this. Recently, they issued an order that the management is bound to collect only the Government insisted fee in the last year for merit seats from the students admitted in the last year. In response to this order, the management association remarked that the decision would bring the functioning of the colleges to a stand-still. Also, the collection of fees at two rates from students would lead to financial disparity among them. Now the Government is in between the demand for a hike in fees by the management and against any hike by the student organizations. Recently some colleges barred students from attending the classes for having failed to pay the fees fixed in the last year. Demand for taking steps to disaffiliate the erring colleges for the blatant violation of Government order also prevails.
Unless unambiguous solution to meet the demands of various groups formulates, the situation becomes worst. The proposal of fee structure for students admitted in the management quota to be determined by the management casts dilemma among the management. If they fix higher fees rate from the candidates admitted in the management quota taking into consideration of the inevitable expenses for the running the institution, they fear that the students would attract and opt seats available at lower rates in the neighbouring States. Definitely this is practically impossible for all such students. The management is demanding total freedom in conducting entrance examination, selection and fixing fee structure under management quota. The students’ organizations threatened to disrupt the counseling if their demands are not accepted.
Finally, an amicable settlement among different groups in the State is desirable. All are in confusion. Political parties are always aiming to catch first from the troubled water. It is also obvious that the problem is not just simple to solve. However, the pathetic performance of the Government is largely due to the way in which it is to be tackled and propagated. Arriving at a daring decision keeping the spirit of the Supreme Court is also a Herculian task and probably is in between the devil and deep sea. Chances to move up identical crisis in other States in future are also held good. A unified policy for admission procedure and fixation of fee structure is a good proposal to solve the problem in national level. Even then the problem will be up in the air as ‘the position with regard to education changes from state to state, therefore, legislation on this aspect by Parliament seems to be impossible’…?
– News Around IEEEE
Global News – News around IEEE
1. Creator of Ctrl+Alt+Delete Reboots His Career
Hardly anyone is aware that the programming behind the PC's clever reboot function, Ctrl+Alt+Delete, is credited to a single person – IEEE Member David J. Bradley. But that's not the only contribution Bradley has made to PC development. Find out more at: <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org/portal/index.jsp?pageID=institute_level1_article&TheCat=1016&
article=tionline/legacy/inst2004/apr04/4w.profile.xml>
2. Society Explores the Effect of Technology
More than 30 years ago, a group of members were so worried about the effect that technology was having on society that they convinced the IEEE to form one of the organization's few non-technical councils. Learn more about The Society on Social Implications of Technology at: <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org/portal/index.jsp?pageID=institute_level1_article&TheCat=2201&
article=tionline/legacy/inst2004/apr04/4w.featuresociety.xml>
3. Five Sections Reach Century Mark
In 1904, the same year in which John A. Fleming was inventing the diode, members of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, one of the IEEE's predecessor societies, formed five sections around the United States. This year the Atlanta, Baltimore, Berkshire (Massachusetts), San Francisco and Seattle Sections celebrate their centennial anniversaries. <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org/portal/index.jsp?pageID=institute_level1_article&TheCat=2202&
article=tionline/legacy/inst2004/apr04/4w.newsanniversary.xml>
4. International Engineering Society Honors Members
At its Annual meeting, Eta Kappa Nu, the international electrical engineering honor society, presented awards to five IEEE members for their technical and humanitarian work. Learn more about why these members were honoured at :
<http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org/portal/index.jsp?pageID=institute_level1_article&TheCat=2202&
article=tionline/legacy/inst2004/may045w.newsekn.xml>
5. Foundation Awards Education Grants
The IEEE Foundation recently awarded two grants totaling US$25 000. One covers the expenses of a conference that will explore ways of teaching engineering concepts to college EE students, while the other grant is for developing a precollege curriculum that helps students better understand technology and its role in society. To read more, visit: <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org/portal/index.jsp?pageID=institute_level1_article&TheCat=2202&
article=tionline/legacy/inst2004/may04/5w.newsfoundation.xml>
6. Connect with Engineering Students Online
Help students explore career choices, licensing, technical topics, and more by joining the U.S. National Engineers Week's "Connecting the World to Engineering" online forum at: <http://forums.eweek.org/>
7. IEEE Xplore Adds Search Function
IEEE Xplore, the online document delivery system for the IEEE's publications, including its standards, is adding a new search function. With it, users can make a keyword search of an entire article instead of only the article's abstract, as was the case before. Read more at <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org/portal/index.jsp?pageID=institute_level1_article&TheCat=2202&
article=tionline/legacy/inst2004/june04/6w.newsxplore.xml>
8. Weekend Project: Build a Supercomputer
Member Greg Benson spent a Saturday in April building a supercomputer in a school gym with more than a little help from people he'd never met before. The University of San Francisco's computer science department assembled the world's first flash mob supercomputer by networking individual desktop and laptop computers. Find out how they did t: <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org/portal/index.jsp?pageID=institute_level1_article&TheCat=1016&
article=tionline/legacy/inst2004/jul04/7w.profilebenson.xml>
9. Marketplace of Ideas: Virtual Learning vs. Instructor-Led Training
Engineers turning to online courses to keep their skills up to date will often miss out on interaction with classmates and the instructor. Is Web-based training as effective as in-person, instructor-led classes? Weigh in at <mailto:institute@ieee.org>
10. Intel Developers Forum Discounts Registration Fee
The Fall 2004 Intel Developer Forum Systems Conference in San Francisco, from 7-9 September, is the premier event for getting a first look at advances in systems and communications technologies. Members can save up to US$700 by registering early. The fee for registering before 22 July is US$995; before 19 August, US$1195; and before 8 September; US$1395. To guarantee your discount, enter Priority Code: SGTEMSGB when registering at: <http://www.intel.com/idf/us>.