Month: July 2021

** Self-taught vector artist turns passion into profession

Ananth Talam spotted vector art on Pinterest and instantly fell in love with it.

A pencil and paper might sound like a good start for anyone who wants to create visual art.  But not for 27-year-old Ananth Talam. He makes life-like vector art that has been lauded by thousands of people, including celebrities, with just a mouse and a computer. To top it all, Ananth did it without any formal training and taught himself to do vector art through YouTube videos. What began as a hobby is now a full-fledged profession for Ananth.

However, the skill and recognition did not come easy. Hailing from a middle-class family in Hyderabad, Ananth did a Bachelor of Science and worked in the digital marketing field since 2012. 

Hyderabad, Telangana

** IITH develops cheaper COVID-19 testing kit ‘COVIHOME’

This test kit can produce results within 30 minutes for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, a release said.

An Artificial Intelligence-powered COVID-19 test that can be performed at an affordable cost at home has been developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IITH) led by Prof. Shiv Govind Singh of the department of electrical engineering, it was announced on Thursday.

** India’s National Plastic Surgery Day gets global acceptance

July 15 to be celebrated as World Plastic Surgery day

The concept of observing July 15 as National Plastic Surgery Day in India has been adopted by the leaders of top bodies in the speciality across the globe as World Plastic Surgery Day.

The Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI) announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday.

Coimbatore-based plastic surgeon S. Raja Sabapathy introduced the concept of National Plastic Surgery Day when he was the APSI president in 2011 to create awareness of plastic surgery. Every plastic surgeon in the country did one free surgery to mark the inaugural year.

“Plastic surgery originated from India and Sushruta is hailed by all as the founder of plastic surgery. Now we can also be proud that from India we conceptualised World Plastic Surgery Day,” said Dr. Sabapathy, Chairman, Division of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Burns at Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore.

** India to make best of its 2-year term in UNSC to establish the right to be a permanent member: Harsh Vardhan Shringla

** Ian Cardozo, who amputated his own leg on the battlefield, writes about the 1971 Indo-Pak War

Indian Army officer Major General Ian Cardozo marks 50 years of the war that defined him and India in his book ‘1971 – Stories of Grit and Glory from the Indo-Pak War’

It is one of the 14 stories that Cardozo, a recipient of the Sena Medal (he was India’s first) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, has penned for his latest 1971 – Stories of Grit and Glory from the Indo-Pak War (published by Penguin).

Cardozo, who was the first National Defence Academy cadet to win the gold and silver medals for best all round performance and merit — a rare feat.

 first war-disabled Indian Army officer to command a battalion, brigade and a division.

Goa/Bombay

** In search of everything desi

Sundeep Bhutoria’s ‘The Global Desi’, is an account of his travels abroad looking for Indian connections

Author Sundeep Bhutoria’s book The Global Desi: Reflections on Home and Away is a compilation of his travel memoirs; made unique by his constant search for the Indian connect. Be it Norway, Poland or Chile, Sundeep manages to search for and connect with people of Indian origin (PIO), wherever he travels.

** Gira Sarabhai, co-founder of NID, passes away at 98

Along with her brother Gautam Sarabhai, she laid the foundation for design education in the country.

Gira Sarabhai, co-founder of the renowned National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad and a pioneer of design education in India, passed away in Ahmedabad on Thursday. She played a crucial role in setting up several other institutions and contributed immensely in the field of art and architecture.

With her brother Gautam Sarabhai, she founded the NID and also prepared its academic curricula, which laid the foundation for design education in the country.

Besides NID, another notable institution both Gira and Gautam were involved in setting up is the Calico Museum, one of India’s most famous private museums. The Calico was one of the textiles mills run by their father Ambalal Sarabhai, along with a range of other businesses in Gujarat.

** Senator Logistics donates 100 oxygen concentrators

Philanthropists have resumed donating to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to help fight COVID-19.

Senator Logistics India will donate 100 oxygen concentrators costing ₹1.43 crore. Its managing director Oliver Nees handed over the letter to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat on Wednesday.

Medical and Family Welfare Minister Ma. Subramanian handed over ₹77 lakh to Mr. Stalin. The amount was donated by various organisations and individuals. Chennai Nadar Peravai chipped in with ₹30 lakh, and district president Ernavur A. Narayanan handed over the sum to the Chief Minister. Nellai-Thoothukudi Nadar Magamai Paripalana Sangam, Chennai Vazh Nadar Sangam and Perambur Vattara Nadargal Aikkiya Sangam contributed ₹25 lakh. Tirunelveli Dakshan Mara Nadar Sangam chipped in with a like sum. Kovai and Madurai Nadar Sangam Trusts donated ₹20 lakh.