The rising incidence of cross-border and internal terrorism resulting in bomb detonations which take a heavy toll of human lives, prompted two Chennai-based engineering students- S. Devadurai and J. Maria Alen Dioney Biju- to design a computer-controlled multi-functional bomb defusing robot. This electronic robot employs video and audio surveillance to investigate remote locations hazardous to human beings, viz war zones and nuclear reactors, atomic research centres etc.

The duo’s invention won them the National Innovative Student Project Award 2005 sponsored by the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), New Delhi. “We wanted to build a state-of-the-art robot which would help bomb disposal squads and defence personnel save human lives. We worked on this project for six months. Therefore there is a justifiable feeling of pride that our invention has been chosen as the best from among 2,000 submitted by students from engineering colleges across the country,” says Devadurai. Both S. Devadurai and Dioney Biju are information technology students at St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Chennai.

The award winning robot incorporates a powerful video camera which transmits audio-video information to a computer which controls it. Programmed in Java software its platform-independent modules perform functions like cutting wires and lifting objects. Its functions can be extended by adding further modules. “Our robot uses the latest technology and can be built indigenously at lower cost,” says Dioney Biju.

Encouraged by the top-level recognition they’ve received from INAE and President A.P.J. Kalam, the duo has set their sights on upgrading and perfecting the revolutionary robot in collaboration with software engineers of the Mumbai-based Patni Computer Systems (PCS).

This month (January), the two will present a paper on the multifunctional robot at the International Conference of Robotics to be held in Germany- a trip sponsored by the St. Joseph’s College of Engineering. “We hope to acquire new ideas and meet with talented inventors from other countries. Continuous perfection of our robot could well create an international market for it,” enthuses Dioney Biju.

Hemalatha Raghupathi (Chennai)

Also read: Scientists bag Infosys-Educationworld Young Achievers Awards 2006 

Jenny Bhatt

Anno Domini 2005 has been a memorable year for Mumbai-based artist Jenny Bhatt. She received a commendatory letter from legendary artist M. F. Husain, hot on the heels of being awarded a trophy in the visual arts category at the sixth Indo American Society’s (IAS) Young Achievers Awards. The annual IAS Young Achievers Awards were launched in 2000 and are given to those making significant contributions in their chosen vocations ranging from business and sports to theatre and art. On December 3, IAS felicitated 19 individuals based in India and the US with its Young Achiever Awards.

An applied fine arts graduate of the Sophia Polytechnic, Mumbai, Bhatt describes her current crop of canvases as quasi-abstract, though she’s done figurative work in the past. “I paint out of an inner need. This is not just what I do; it’s who I am,” she professes.

Quite evidently her inner need has commercial value. She has seven solo exhibitions of paintings to her credit, and her work has also been showcased in New York, San Francisco, Austin, Singapore, Mauritius, Dubai and Hong Kong. “The Indian art scene is very vibrant currently and there is tremendous interest in Indian art. To compete in the global art scene, it’s critical for artists to be rooted in the Indian tradition, especially when globalisation is eroding national cultures and identities,” says Bhatt.

Born into a family which has been producing/directing mainstream feature films for several generations, Bhatt’s interest in cinema is in the area of animation. A multimedia artist, she is also on the rolls of book publishers such as Tata Infomedia and India Book House for whom she has illustrated nine children’s books. Moreover as a graphic designer she has worked with big names such as Kodak India, J Walter Thomson, Ogilvy & Mather, The Times of India group, Sunday Observer, Verve and Life Positive magazines. “I like to paint, write, draw cartoons, caricatures and comic strips, and design books for children. I reckon I like painting and cartooning best. Maybe someday I’ll figure out a way to combine the two!” she says.

Her advice to aspiring young achievers: “Pursue you dreams. If you believe in yourself, you can make them come true,” says Bhatt whose own wish list includes showing in more art exhibitions, writing a book and developing computer animation projects.

Ronita Torcato (Mumbai)