Latest news with #Bhavani
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
‘We have been able to inspire many more women': How ‘drone didis' are transforming Telangana's agricultural fields
Wearing a green t-shirt over her saree and riding a three-wheeler with a large box strapped to the back, 33-year-old M Bhavani arrives at the training ground at 7 am every day. With a remote in her hand and glee on her face, Bhavani is learning to operate agricultural drones. Hailing from Esojipet village, about 30 kilometres from Telangana's Sangareddy town, Bhavani is one of 54 women selected to operate these drones under the Namo Didi Drone scheme. In his monthly Mann ki Baat radio address on May 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised these 'women who are working in the fields as well as touching the heights of the sky.' Referring to them as 'sky warriors', Prime Minister Modi said, 'These women are telling us that change comes when technology and determination go together.' Women in command As part of the initiative, the women underwent a nine-day training programme and continue to practice until the drones are officially handed over to them. The programme is still in its pilot stage, says Kranthi Valluru, Sangareddy's district collector. 'Initially, six drones are being deployed. Since the scheme is taken up as a pilot, the government will handhold them, and we will expand to other mandals later,' she says. Under the scheme, each woman receives a drone worth Rs 10 lakh for just Rs 2 lakh, thanks to an 80 per cent subsidy and bank linkage. 'We expect the drones to be delivered to the women in another two weeks. By skilling our women in drone operations, we can leverage the scheme's subsidies, providing them with a valuable and substantial income-generating opportunity,' says Kranthi. Each woman is projected to earn Rs 20,000 per month as profit. 'Ideally, each of the 28 revenue mandals should have two or three women pilots. They can charge up to Rs 500 per acre. Each acre can be sprayed in 10 minutes. Each day, they will be able to spray pesticide on around 20 acres,' she says. To address a challenge — transporting heavy drones to different fields — authorities are considering providing three-wheelers to women. Community-led demand The demand for the implementation of the scheme is community-driven. According to Kota Janga Reddy, additional district rural development officer and additional project director, due to the industrial nature of Sangareddy district and its proximity to Hyderabad, there is a massive shortage of labourers. 'Farmers are moving quickly towards mechanisation due to labour shortage. One or two private farmers are using drones for spraying pesticides. So we selected 12 mandals and prepared proposals and sent them to the state and centre,' says Reddy. Empowerment, freedom The sight of women confidently manoeuvring their hands at these drones in open fields has become a symbol of empowerment. Villagers often stop to watch in awe, and more women are enquiring about the programme after Prime Minister Modi's address. The women have also found support from family and friends. 'Earlier, people used to ask what a woman can do. After our training, all of them have realised what we can do. We have been able to inspire many more women,' says Bhavani. Forty-year-old P Balamani agrees. 'Before the training, I had seen a drone only at weddings, where they use it for photography. Now, I have not only learned to pilot a drone, but I have also learned to ride a three-wheeler to transport the drone around villages,' she says. Balamani and her husband, who cultivate about 3.5 acres of land, believe the benefits of using these drones are many. 'When expenses are lower, we can earn more profits. Moreover, using a drone is better for our health than manually spraying pesticides. We are going to buy a drone now,' says Balamani, adding her family and friends have been extremely encouraging. 'We cultivate paddy and cotton for seven to eight months. We can use the drone for our field as well as for the neighbours and villagers. This is definitely a good idea for earning revenues through what can be a part-time job,' she says. A manual labourer typically charges around Rs 1000 per day for spraying pesticides, Balamani explains, and the coverage is often inconsistent. 'With a drone, all you need to do is set the location, and you will not miss a spot. While you need 100 litres of water for spraying pesticide on a one-acre land using a manual pump, it takes only 10 litres of water per acre.' Balamani quips that the entire family used to work in the field earlier, and now only two women are required per field. While one of them will pilot the drone, the other will assist. 'We have sufficient water and electricity for farming. What we don't have is labour. We should move forward to adopt as much mechanisation as possible. It would be great if the government started a scheme for giving away seeds sowing and transplanter machines too. That will save a lot of time and energy for farmers,' she says. Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
A BIS standard specifically for bicycle helmets
Enjoy riding bicycles? Did you know the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has come up with a specific standard for helmets for cyclists, skate boarders and roller skaters — for the first time, and it is coded 'IS 18808'. The move by BIS to nudge all stakeholders to promote ISI-marked helmet is crucial for a country where helmet use for non-powered vehicles is only voluntary (bicycles do not come under Motor Vehicles Act). G. Bhavani, senior director and head of Chennai branch of Bureau of Indian Standards, says BIS has brought this standard in 2025 exclusively for bicycle riders, skateboarders and roller skaters. In April, the Bureau conducted its first awareness workshop in Chennai and continues to reach stakeholders including cycling groups such as WCCG - Chennai Cyclists, Cycling Yogis and Chennai Runners. 'Through Manak Manthan, a monthly initiative of BIS, we take up a standard that was recently revised or formulated or is under development. We reach out to all stakeholders including consumers, manufactures, regulators and laboratories for suggestions. Manufacturers of this product can apply for BIS certification for this new Indian Standard, for which BIS is in the process of reaching out to the relevant associations for raising awareness,' says Bhavani. BIS certification gives an assurance of quality of the product to the consumer. 'We certify after the manufacturers meet certain criteria. Later, the company is allowed to manufacture and market the helmet with an ISI mark,' says Bhavani. In Chennai, most cycling and running groups promote use of helmets. 'In all our group rides and events, one thing is clear — 'no helmet, no ride', says Sudarsana Rao of Vibrant Velachery. Rao notes that if there is a rule by the government then use of helmets and its standards will also improve. 'Unlike the helmets worn by motorcyclists, not everybody sells cycle helmets. They are only available in specialised shops and are different from the ones used by motorcyclists,' says Rao, adding that Clubs such as theirs can do a lot to promote helmet use. Most bicycle helmets are made using PVC, polystyrene and allied material. They are durable, lightweight yet robust and promise reliable performance. Bicycle retail outlets note a majority of helmets sold by them are imported and come with good safety standards, with prices from ₹3,500 onwards. 'Manufacturing helmets for cyclists is a niche market and unless there is good volume there may not be many takers,' says Ashwin G., partner, 5AM Bicycle Studio. Helmet manfacturing companies point out there will be a market in India as many cities are creating cycling infrastructure and there is greater awareness about the benefits of this eco-friendly mode of transport. 'Today, we are largely dependent on the foreign market for helmet design, which must change,' says Bijoy Bharathan, general manager, Turtle Helmet. The Government must also reduce the GST on safety gears such as helmets so as to encourage more people to buy one, says Bharathan.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The Tamil play Kalavu Neekkiya Padalam showcases the battle between ethics and law
Bhavani is a lawyer who doesn't have many cases coming her way. She is forced to settle for clients who can afford to pay very little. Ramanathan (Bhaskar), on the other hand, is a lawyer who makes money hand over fist. ThRee's Kalavu Neekkiya Padalam (script V Sreevathson; direction was about how dharma triumphs over the letter of the law, in two cases where Ramanathan and Bhavani face off. In the first case, an appalam supplier wants to get out of a contract with a multinational company, because he finds the terms unfavourable. Ramanathan, appearing for the MNC, argues that ignorance of the law is no excuse. But Bhavani works around the law, and makes some ethical points. She asks the executive of the MNC why he gets annual increments, while the poor appalam supplier has to stagnate on the same compensation for five years. Finally, the MNC withdraws the case, fearing negative publicity. In the other case, Meyyappan (Isaikavi Ramanan), the trustee of a private temple, accuses the temple priest of stealing temple jewellery. The jewels were in a cupboard, inside the sanctum. There was no break in, and the priest was the only one who had a key to the cupboard. Bhavani proves, however, that there was once a spare key, which was supposedly lost by Meyyappan's father. What if the key hadn't been lost? Cornered, Meyyappan withdraws his complaint against the priest. So came another victory for Bhavani. While Bhavani's successes may leave one feeling good, because it is nice to see the underdog winning against all odds, the court scenes and Bhavani's moral haranguing were unrealistic. The playwright had overdramatised the court scenes. A lawyer may be religious, but quoting incidents from Thiruvilayadal Puranam, and invoking god in a court were overboard. However, the LED backdrops for the lawyer's office, the court and Bhavani's house (Shiva, Disney, Sharath and team) were striking and well done.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
SPMVV Nursing College principal receives Nightingale award
Tirupati: Dr Ganga Bhavani, Principal of the College of Nursing at Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), was honoured with the Florence Nightingale Award for Best Nurse Researcher during the International Nurses Day celebrations held at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada. The award was presented by Health Minister Y Satya Kumar, recognising Dr Bhavani's remarkable contributions to nursing research and education. She has successfully led several research projects and organised professional development workshops funded by prestigious bodies such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU), and University Grants Commission (UGC). The Florence Nightingale Awards, newly introduced by the Andhra Pradesh Nursing Council, aim to honour outstanding professionals across various categories in the nursing field. SPMVV Vice Chancellor Prof V Uma, Registrar Prof N Rajani and Deputy Registrar Dr Geeta Vani congratulated Dr Bhavani on Wednesday applauding her dedication to advancing nursing practice and empowering future healthcare professionals.
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Homemaker's inspiring journey to become a successful entrepreneur
KADAPA: 45-year-old homemaker from Kadapa district has become a symbol of empowerment for women. Canara Bank-trained entrepreneur Annam Lakshmi Bhavani, a resident of Chinnamusalreddypalle, rose from modest beginnings to establish a successful jute bag unit. Her journey—from self-taught tailor to successful businesswoman—earned national recognition when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Bhavani during the 10th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY). A graduate in Bachelor of Arts, Bhavani spent 11 years as a homemaker after marrying Kiran Prasad, TVS showroom general manager. Determined to support her family, she began learning stitching with a group of neighbourhood women. Their initial interest in jute bag manufacturing faced hurdles, as they struggled to find proper guidance online. In 2019, she turned to the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) run by Canara Bank. Although the institute typically required 30 to 35 participants, Bhavani mobilised 21 women through her Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) group and convinced the bank to conduct the training. Following a 13-day programme, she secured a loan of Rs 2 lakh and launched her jute bag unit, employing local women. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought operations to a halt, Bhavani refused to give up. Instead, she leveraged her DWCRA network to fulfil mask stitching orders from government departments including the District Collectorate and District Rural Development Agency (DRDA). Backed by the lead bank manager, she oversaw the production of nearly 2.5 lakh masks—generating income for 40 neighbourhood women.
