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IIT Roorkee partners with Coursera to offer online courses

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Roorkee,  Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has partnered with Coursera, the world’s leading online learning platform, to launch new online programs and certifications for a global audience. IIT Roorkee plans to launch high demand programs like Advanced Certification in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) and Certification in Data Science, with a goal to expand its online program portfolio on Coursera as part of a commitment to make the coveted institution accessible to learners around the world.

The Advanced Certification in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning program will enable learners from around the world to learn AI/ML skills from India’s top technology institute. It is a six months program and is a unique combination of expert lectures, hands-on labs, tutorials, team projects, and workshops ensuring fast-track learning along with building knowledge on coding and mathematics necessary for building expertise in AI/ML besides equipping with classical ML techniques and algorithms, programming with TensorFlow for easy model building, robust ML production and powerful experimentation among others.

Certification in Data Science program is designed to equip professionals with competencies in the core focus areas of Data Science, Machine Learning, Critical Thinking, Data Collection, Data Visualisation and Data Management. The course will develop programming skills in Python and SQL relevant, help learners understand the algorithms used in data analytics, and build knowledge about the selected machine learning algorithms such as linear models, kNN, SVM, Trees, Random forest, and neural networks and much more. The program requires no prior knowledge of coding in Python, R or SQL.

With this partnership, IIT Roorkee joins the ranks of 170 top universities, including Yale, University of Michigan, Stanford and Imperial College of London — that offer programs on Coursera. Coursera’s 67 million learners across 190 countries will now be able to access IIT Roorkee’s highly sought-after and job-relevant programs.

“Coursera is a leading online learning platform. We are delighted to partner with Coursera to help fulfil the goal of inclusive education of the New Education Policy. Further, this partnership will help us reach out to a global audience of students and professionals aspiring for quality teaching in these sought after areas,” said Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee.

Jubin Nautiyal makes his international debut with Aatishbaazi

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Tania Saili
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Dehradun; Here, in his homestate of Uttarakhand since the first lockdown came into place in March 2020, Jubin Nautiyal has been keeping himself busy. From distributing ration kits in Jaunsar Bawar to his much-loved digital live concerts from Dehradun his fans cant seem to get enough of Jubin’s melodious voice.

Tomorrow, that is the 12th of August, the much-loved and adored singer Jubin Nautiyal is set to release “Aatishbaazi.” This is the singer’s first international collaboration with a Hollywood thriller film ‘Initiation,’ while Jubin also makes his foray into directorial video, with this song.

Exploring a new soundscape, this soulful rock number has been composed by Rocky Jubin, written by Rocky Khanna and produced by a India-USA entertainment startup, Malsons.

Delighted about the project, Jubin adds, ‘Aatishbaazi is extremely special to me as it’s the first time I got to direct my music video. Following strict film guidelines with a small crew we were able to capture the beauty of Uttarakhand which amplified the new sound that I have created with Rocky Khanna and 13-year-old Abhrahim Khanna, the youngest music producer in India for ‘Malsons’ first American project.”

Shivam Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Malsons states “Jubin has an amazing international music sensibility that has not been explored yet, and with this project his fans will be experiencing him in a new avatar.”

The film’s director John Berardo had this to say about the song, “Together, we have brought a level of musical sophistication to our film “Initiation,” with the bopping tracks they’ve produced. The songs will get stuck in your head for days, they’re all that good! Jubin just has this fluidity with his beats.”

On a roll, first but definitely not the last, it seems there is no stopping Jubin Nautiyal who promises to create fireworks with his latest release, ‘Aatishbaazi.’

Rain brings Uttarakhand to a dripping halt

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Tania Saili
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Dehradun: Three days of torrential downpour brought Uttarakhand to a dripping halt. Riddled with landslides, mudslides and retaining wall collapsing, the roads leading to the hills were shutdown for traffic on and off.

Power and water supply lines have been disrupted in many places due to landslides and fallen trees. Sub-montane rivers along with major rivers flowing through the plains of Uttarakhand are in spate. Locals living in low-lying areas have been advised to move to higher grounds, as there seems to be hardly any respite from rains in the foreseeable future.

Speaking to Newspost, Director Met Department Vikram Bakshi said, “There will be light to moderate rainfall in the State for the next 24 hours. From the 12th-14th heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicated in isolated places both in Kumaon and Garhwal region.”

If the Met Department is to be believed, the trend of heavy to very heavy rainfall will lash the hill-state with orange alert highlighting the latest weather chart until the weekend.

Videos of the State capital Dehradun inundated with water and the hills plagued with landslides have been doing the rounds on the social media, keeping the administration on its toes. Last evening, a major portion of the Mussoorie-Dehradun road caved in due to heavy rains. This led to long queue of vehicles lined-up on either side which officials have tried to ease by releasing smaller vehicles, and that too, one at a time.

District Magistrate Dehradun, Ashish Srivastav assures us, “All systems are in place. The District administration including State Disaster Response Force and Police have been activated 24×7. We are keeping a close watch on the weather pattern and monitoring everything closely.”

 

Planting trees for posterity: Uttarakhand’s Dev Van

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Tania Saili
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Bageshwar; A dozen womenfolk from the village of Shama in Bageshwar under the SHG ‘Saas Bahu Swayam Shayta Samooh,’ banner successfully planted fifty seedlings of Oak and Angu (Fraxinus micrantha), towards the end of July.

The initiative taken by Chinar (Central Himalayan Institute for Nature and Applied Research) for developing a ‘Dev Van’ or Sacred Grove by the community has made its mark on Google maps: Laudato Si’ Gardens which already has major global presence.

Talking more about the project, Dr. Pradeep Mehta of Chinar fills us in, “Conservation without community involvement is impossible. Faith and conservation is an old age practice in Himalaya.
 Sacred groves is one such example where the community devotes a specific area around their home to local god or goddess for conservation.” Adding, “The barren area around Shama is being developed as Dev Van. We are encouraging some two hundred families of Shama to plant tree seedlings on any auspicious occasions in the village be it birth, marriage or even in the memory of their loved-one.”

At an altitude 2100 mtrs, the women folks of the village are more than eager to do their bit. What makes the initiative more heartening is the number of women, across ages, coming out in the heart of monsoon to plant the seedlings.

Planting trees for posterity, the villagers hope to inspire many more over the coming seasons as CHINAR plans to replicate this conservation model in other parts of Uttarakhand as well.

Uttarakhand Recipes make it to UN Mountain Recipe Book

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Tania Saili
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Nainital: Traditional cuisines of Uttarakhand have gained global recognition. Rich in nutrients and taste Thadwani (Ras) from Kumaon along with Chaulai Ka Ladoo have found a place in Mountain Recipes: Cooks in High Places, as part of the Mountain Partnership Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations.

In early December, on the occasion of International Mountain Day, a competition was organized by FAO inviting entries for traditional and nutritious dishes from mountainous regions of countries all over the globe.

Over seventy entries from twenty seven countries sent in their recipes, out of which thirty recipes find mention in the Mountain Recipe Booklet, two being from the hill-state of Uttarakhand.

Dr. Pradeep Mehta, President of Nainital-based Himalayan Research and Development Institute, Chinar, tells us that the recipe of Thadwani was sent by him while Chinmaya of Inhair Organization, based in Chaukhutia Masi, ​​Almora district sent the recipe for Chaulai Ka Ladoo.

Much to everyone’s delight, on 29thJuly this year, United Nations FAO released Mountain Recipes: Cooks in High Places in which Thadwani recipe finds mention under the ‘Main’ category and Chaulai Ka Ladoo under ‘Desserts’.

Ras or Thadwani as it is indigenously called is a healthy dish relished by habitants of Kumaon spread over Nainital to Almora to Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Champawat. Rich in nutrients such as copper, protein, iron, vitamins along with fat, makes the dish a complete meal. It is made from five traditional lentils i.e. black soya bean, kidney beans, gram, horse gram and black gram.

As for Chaulai Ka Ladoo, it is made from Amaranth an ancient grain grown locally and is found to be rich in fibre, protein, iron, and magnesium while jaggery adds sweetness to the Ladoo. It makes for the perfect dessert, a must-have comfort food in every Uttarakhandi household, especially during winter months.

IIT alumnus bags Zinnov Award 2020 for Contribution to AI and Big Data analytics

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Roorkee, Dr. Sunil Kumar Vuppala, an IIT Roorkee alumnus 2004 batch of Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, has won the prestigious Zinnov Award 2020 for his contribution to the field of Artificial Intelligence – AI and Data Analytics.

The objective of the award is to recognize the contribution of individuals as well as organizations that have enabled business continuity driven innovation along with diversity. Dr. Sunil Kumar Vuppala is currently serving as Director – Data Science, Ericsson and Co-chair, Industry Engagement, IEEE Bangalore Section. He has been conferred the award in the Technical Role Model-Emerging Technology – AI & Big data analytics award category in a virtual ceremony on 31st July 2020.

“We extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Vuppala for winning this prestigious award. It is a proud moment for IIT Roorkee. His achievement will inspire other alumni as well as current students,” said Prof. Ajit K Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee

“I am elated to receive the award. I would like to thank my family, my alma mater- IIT Roorkee and well-wishers for their support and guidance. The tech-driven education at IIT Roorkee laid the foundation for my strong fundamentals in the emerging technologies domain. Equally relevant is the role of the faculty at IIT Roorkee, who has been a constant pillar of support,” said Dr. Sunil Kumar VuppalaDirector – Data Science, Ericsson R&D

Other notable recipients of the 2020 Awards included Manish Bhide Chief Architect, IBM Watson OpenScale and Shibi Panikkar Distinguished Engineer from Dell Technologies.

The 11th edition of the annual award witnessed participation from over 600+ companies in 10+ countries. In the past 11 years, Zinnov Confluence Series has honoured numerous individuals as well as entities for their contribution to global technology and for making a difference in the global ecosystem.

Green, Greener, Greenest: Chhayani

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Tania Saili
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Dateline Almora. Braving the torrential monsoon downpour, women folk from the village of Chhayani, Block Syaldey, Almora came out in full strength to plant five hundred  and fifty one tree saplings on the occasion of Harela.

Continuing the annual tradition, these smiling faces did not mind getting their hand and clothes dirty planting indigenous tree saplings of Oak, Rhododendron, Bamboo, Ringaal, Deodar, Banyan along with Reetha, Neem, Kaafal, Jamun, Bay Leaf in and around the village periphery.

The idea was simple. Plant cash crop trees so that it becomes a sustainable and self-reliant model for villagers as well as trees that would help in replenishing the slowly disappearing natural springs or naulas around Chhayani.

Speaking to Newspost, Dev Bhandari, one amongst the many team members of DNCR said, “It’s a humble offering that will definitely have a ripple effect of benefit for the coming generations. 2019 plantation drive saw a survival rate of 70% saplings. We used the left over funds collected from residents of the village working in Delhi and NCR  last year to plant more trees this season.”

The DNCR team led by Devi Singh Rawat, a village elder, along with young men from Chhayani working in Delhi NCR not only worked on the outline of the tree plantation drive, but also collected funds and coordinated with family back home imploring them to do their bit. At the village level, Sarpanch Shrimati Anandi Devi along with the village-folks did their best to deliver the project on ground. A nominal sum was also handed out to those who went about digging holes for the saplings to be planted in.

The DNCR team is now working towards planting close to a thousand trees in the 2021 monsoon season.

He who plants a tree, plants hope. And in these troubled times of COVID-19, vowing to plant and more importantly to nurture a tree is what we all need to re-learn.

‘Barishien’ by Neeru Pal: Your song, this monsoon season.

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Tania Saili
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Dateline Dehradun: Inspired by the rains in the Doon Valley, Niranjali Pal a.k.a Neeru Pal, launched her latest Hindi hip-hop track today, entitled “Barishien,” a commercial hip hop romantic track.

Talking to Newspost the young talent shares the theme behind her latest composition, “The song is all about missing your loved one, over a hot cup of tea, looking into the rain and wishing they were somewhere around.”

The duration of the song is approximately three minutes and has been shot by Safar in picturesque Thano, in the outskirts of Dehradun. Adding, “the beautiful hook have been given by Divya Dhyani and Mix by Makk.”

The budding 23-year-old graduate from Dehradun made her debut on an International platform in MTV हसल show, last year. One amongst lakhs of rappers who auditioned from all over India, Neeru Pal made it to the Top 15 rappers.

While balancing a full-time job, the self-taught rapper dedicates two hours daily to her passion About the lyrics, Neeru adds, “the lyrics were composed by me within half an hour flat! It was pouring outside and I was in full vibe. I couldn’t stop writing, until I had the complete song in front of me.”

The singer, composer and lyricist is very happy with the end result. Within hours of its launch on YouTube, the artist has garnered great support. Her growing number of fans have appreciated the team’s hard work and enjoyed the musical track.

To listen to the song, click here:

https://youtu.be/RNkQPmWSL7U

Priyanka, Rongpaz and Badshah create magic with Pahari ‘Genda Phool’

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Tania Saili
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Dateline Dehradun: Within hours of its online release today, ‘Genda Phool’ by Rapper Badshah and artists from Uttarakhand, Priyanka Meher and Rongpaz has broken all records.

The two and half minute song was shot in Dehradun and Rishikesh by a talented motley five member crew, including Priyanka and Rongpaz Vivek Pal DOP, Director Mohit Siswal and Costume Designer Aishwarya Bilwal who all gave a regional flavor to the pahadi rap remix.

Priyanka Meher and Rongpaz are an elated duo. Dream comes true for the artists who have made a niche for themselves in the world of rap music. Talking to Newspost, Priyanka Meher said, “It was a great experience working on the song. We have a lot of Garhwali songs in the pipeline, but if all goes as planned, we might soon be working on another song with Badshah.”

Talking about the outfits of the artists, Aishwarya Bailwal of Agnipadma Fashion stated, “the outfits we chose for the song was a fusion of traditional and western. As the artists are young they wanted to make their onscreen image unique and different. So we gave them that exact look as per the requirement for the song.”

In an interview Rapper Badshah had called him self a ‘mountain soul’ and mentioned how he would love to collaborate with artists from Uttarakhand. The rapper kept his word and this latest release ‘Genda Phool’ is both an audio-visual delight for the people of the hill-state.

Director Mohit Siswal, a resident of Pauri in Uttarakhand and here since the lockdown directed the video shoot, and he shares with us, “we have tried to bring out the beauty of Uttarakhand through the song lyrics, locales, dance steps, costume and jewelry. We have shot in locations, with the mountains as our backdrop.”

By the look of it, the pahadi version of Genda Phool is all set to make new records in the days to come.

https://youtu.be/IKi8m6E8ZZ8

The Hans Foundation steps in to help during Covid-19

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New Delhi: The Hans Foundation (THF), one of India’s largest public charitable trust has stepped up its efforts in the fight against COVID-19. Renowned spiritual leader Bhole Ji Maharaj and Mata Mangla Ji have been the guiding force behind The Hans Foundation’s COVID-19 relief work during the pandemic. The relief drive has especially targeted the underprivileged communities impacted with the pandemic and lockdown. Since March, lakhs of people have been extended help and support in terms of food supplies, medicines, ventilators, hospital beds and other forms of support in 17 states across the country through the foundation.

According to The Hans Foundation’s Founder & Chairperson Ms Shweta Rawat, in the last three months alone, “The Foundation has contributed more than 16.5 crore rupees to help and empower people in distress affected by COVID-19. THF has donated INR Four crores in PM Corona Cares Fund and INR One crore fifty-one Lakh in the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s fund during the pandemic.” The Chairperson while talking about the COVID-19 relief drive of the Foundation shared that” in collaboration with our partners, we have benefitted more than three lakh families by providing nutritional kits/ration kits to the families of migrants, daily wage earners, informal sector workers. Also, the foundation helped several state and govt. hospitals by providing lifesaving ventilators, setting up isolation centres, distributing healthcare kits were for the frontline health workers and partial salaries as well.”

THF also presented PPE kits, sanitizers and gloves to the State Home Minister Mr Reddy and Delhi Police Commissioner. “The Foundation has assisted in setting up quarantine centres with a capacity of 10,000 for migrant workers in Udhamsingh Nagar and Champawat District Administration in Uttarakhand. A total of 6000 beds, electric fans, iron folding beds, fishing etc. have been provided in these centres. Such quarantine centres were also established in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh,” added Shweta Rawat.

Commenting on the COVID-19 initiatives, Shweta Rawat, The Chairperson, The Hans Foundation said ‘The Hans Foundation is proactive and propelled towards the fight against COVID-19. The Foundation through close cooperation and collaboration with governments, partners and public health providers are providing food security, livelihood development in these tough times across the country to ensure that the marginalised communities survive through this crisis. We are more convinced than ever that we have the resilience, the grit and the resourcefulness to get through this together.’

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