Team Manipal gearing up for Bulington off-road competition

May 1, 2012

Manipal, May 1: Team Manipal Racing (TMR) is all set for the Burlington, Wisconsin off-road competition, SAE BAJA Wisconsin to be held from June 7 to 10, 2012. Their vehicle, “TMR V3”, was formally launched by the Chancellor of Manipal University, Dr Ramdas M Pai at the Health Sciences Library of Manipal University here on Monday. This is the third time that the Manipal Institute of Technology students will be participating in this event, organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), USA. “It is a perfect platform to apply engineering knowledge and skills in a real world environment,” said team leader and captain, Siddharth Singh of 3rd mechanical, at the launch.

“We hope to do far better this time with a lot of improvement in our all terrain vehicle (ATV),” Siddharth said. It was at Wisconsin in 2009 that TMR made its first appearance. On that occasion, the team finished 97th out of 115 overall, and 14th in design. At Rochester in 2010 the team finished 62nd out of 94. Incidentally, TMR had been the best Indian team at both these meets. “Past experiences have helped us tremendously in the present venture to improve the vehicle in every way,” the team leader said.

TMR V3 features various technical advancements over previous designs; being one of India's lightest BAJA car through extensive use of advanced, lightweight materials. Besides, better electronics are being showcased on this year's car by the inclusion of an onboard speedometer, various instrumentation gauges permitting real-time monitoring of various vehicle performance parameters from the pit-crew. The incorporation of a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) has drastically improved turning performance and stability.

The team comprises 36 students divided into six technical and three management departments. The departments include suspension, steering, transmission, chassis, brakes and electronics under technical, while the management team is subdivided into finances, logistics and public relations. David Furtado, also a 3rd Mechanical student, is the manager of the team handling the various business aspects.

Preparations for this year's race began way back in 2010 after the team decided to skip the 2011 event in Illinois, USA. That time was utilised to develop the design and come up with a better vehicle. The final design was completed by mid-2011 and the fabrication began in October 2011. The team channelized more effort, squeezing in hours of work around college schedule to ensure the car's completion by mid-April. The vehicle has been extensively tested and found to be better in many ways than the previous ones. One hundred and fifteen teams from all over the world are expected to participate in this year's competition which will include other teams from India as well.

Some of the main sponsors of the vehicle which cost Rs 11 lakhs are: Sahara India, Polaris Industries, DHFL and Idea Cellular. Dr. Krishnamurty from Mechanical Engineering is the faculty advisor while Dr. Divakar Shetty S, HoD, Mechanical and Dr. B. Rammohan Pai, HoD, Automobile Engineering have lent full support through the duration of the project.

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Screen silence: Karnataka’s bold ‘switch-off’ strategy to boost SSLC scores

News Network

February 5,2026

In an era where digital distractions are the primary rival to academic excellence, the Karnataka Education Department is taking the fight directly to the living room. As the SSLC (Class 10) annual examinations loom, officials have launched a localized "digital strike" to ensure students aren't losing their competitive edge to scrolling or soap operas.

The 7-to-9 Lockdown

The department has issued a formal directive urging—and in some cases, enforcing via home visits—a total blackout of mobile phones and television sets between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This two-hour window is being designated as "sacred study time" across the state until the examinations conclude on April 2.

Key Pillars of the Initiative:

• Doorstep Advocacy: Teachers are transitioning from classrooms to living rooms, meeting parents to explain the psychological benefits of a distraction-free environment.

• Parental Accountability: The campaign shifts the burden of discipline from the student to the household, asking parents to lead by example and switch off their own devices.

• The Timeline: The focus remains sharp on the upcoming exam block, scheduled from March 18 to April 2.

"The objective is simple: uninterrupted focus. We are reclaiming the evening hours for the students, ensuring their environment is as prepared as their minds," stated a senior department official.

Student vs. Reality

While the student community has largely welcomed the "forced focus"—with many admitting they lack the willpower to ignore notifications—the move has sparked a debate on enforceability. Without a "TV Police," the success of this initiative rests entirely on the shoulders of parents and the persuasive power of visiting educators.

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‘Nothing for Karnataka’: DKS slams Union Budget, flags Bengaluru neglect

News Network

February 1,2026

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday criticised the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, claiming it offered no tangible benefit to the state.

Though he said he was yet to study the budget in detail, Shivakumar asserted that Karnataka had gained little from it. “There is no benefit for our state from the central budget. I was observing it. They have now named a programme after Mahatma Gandhi, after repealing the MGNREGA Act that was named after him,” he said.

Speaking to reporters here, the Deputy Chief Minister demanded the restoration of MGNREGA, and made it clear that the newly enacted rural employment scheme — VB-G RAM G — which proposes a 60:40 fund-sharing formula between the Centre and the states, would not be implemented in Karnataka.

“I don’t see any major share for our state in this budget,” he added.

Shivakumar, who also holds charge of Bengaluru development, said there were high expectations for the city from the Union Budget. “The Prime Minister calls Bengaluru a ‘global city’, but what has the Centre done for it?” he asked.

He also drew attention to the problems faced by sugar factories, particularly those in the cooperative sector, alleging a lack of timely decisions and support from the central government.

Noting that the Centre has the authority to fix the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce, Shivakumar said the Union government must take concrete steps to protect farmers’ interests.

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