NITTE selected as Technology Enabling Centre in Karnataka

Mangaluru, Oct 27: NITTE, deemed to be a University, has been chosen by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, to host the Technology Enabling Centre (TEC) for Karnataka.

This is one of 10 such centres established at the national level. DST and other national funding agencies realise that most of the academic research lies on the shelves of the academic institutions though they have the potential to lead to the development of technologies.

The level of maturity of technology is indicated in terms of 'Technology Readiness Level' (TRL). Research Leads may be at TRL 1 or 2. There may be need to continue research to demonstrate the feasibility and this moves the research lead from TRL 2 to TRL 4.

NITTE Senior Director (International Relations) Dr Iddya Karunasagar said that Technology development will lead to progress from TRL 3 to TRL 6, technology demonstration from TRL 5 to TRL 7 and so on.

Technology Enabling Centres are expected to create an ecosystem for academic research leading to technology development by networking with institutions, national laboratories and industry, he added.

The newly-developed Centre was inaugurated by Chancellor Vinay Hegde in the presence of Dr Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, Vice-Chancellor and Dr Moodithaya, Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

Dr Indrani Karunasagar, director of TEC and Dr Smitha Hegde, the coordinator explained the newly-created facilities, which includes patents, IPR and technology transfer cell headed by Dr Iddya Karunasagar; state-of-the-art training facility with smart board, networking and discussion rooms, webinar and video-conferencing facility.

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Who is Ramachandra Rao? Karnataka DGP, actress Ranya’s stepfather suspended over viral ‘obscene’ video

News Network

January 20,2026

Karnataka DGP (Civil Rights Enforcement) K Ramachandra Rao was suspended with immediate effect, as per a state government order issued on Monday, 19 January. The order cited conduct unbecoming of a government servant and causing embarrassment to the state administration.

The Karnataka government suspended Rao after a purported video showed him in a compromising position with a woman inside his official chamber. The video went viral on social media. Rao rejected the videos outright, terming them "fabricated and false".

Who is K Ramachandra Rao?

Rao is a DGP-rank officer who was heading the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement until his suspension. He was promoted to DGP in September 2023 and assumed office in October 2023, the Sunday Guardian reported.

He also served as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.

His stint as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Southern Range was also marred by controversy. In 2014, during a cash seizure near Mysuru’s Yelwal, officials claimed the seized amount was ₹20 lakh, while the accused (Kerala-based merchants) claimed it was around ₹2.27 crore.

Rao, who was present during the seizure, denied all allegations. However, he was transferred soon after.

Allegations of collusion with a businessman surfaced, and a senior police officer was quoted by The Sunday Guardian as saying, “In Rao’s case, the CID has clearly mentioned that there was a great degree of lapse on the part of Rao and a deputy superintendent of police after it was brought to their notice that a few policemen, including a gunman attached to the IGP, were involved in the robbery.”

Rao had denied all wrongdoing in that incident. Despite past controversies, he rose to the state’s top police position, the Sunday Guardian reported.

Ranya Rao’s stepfather

Rao is the stepfather of Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya alias Ranya Rao, accused of orchestrating the illegal import of gold worth over ₹12.56 crore from Dubai to India along with two others — businessman Tarun Raju, and jewellery dealer Sahil Jain.

‘Obscene video’ controversy

A viral video showed Rao behaving inappropriately with a woman inside his office while in uniform.

The Karnataka government said in its Monday order that “vide videos and news reports widely broadcast on public news channels and media platforms, it is observed that Dr K Ramachandra Rao has acted in an obscene manner which is unbecoming of a Government Servant and also causing embarrassment to the Government.”

The order said the matter was examined by the state government, which found that the officer's conduct amounted to a violation of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968.

The government said it is prima facie satisfied that "it is necessary to place Rao under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry".

During the suspension period, Rao will be entitled to subsistence allowance as per Rule 4 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.

The order also places restrictions on his movement, stating that during the period of suspension, the officer must not leave headquarters under any circumstances without the written permission of the state government.

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