Latest news with #Nand
Business Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Micron sees new Singapore plant as key in plan to meet rising demand for AI-enabling chips
[SINGAPORE] A new will underpin Micron Technology's plans to produce advanced semiconductors needed for artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The facility, which is adjacent to Micron's existing plant in Woodlands, was announced earlier in 2025 and will initially create 1,400 jobs, with that increasing to around 3,000. Production at the plant will start in 2026, allowing the American chipmaking giant to increase its output of what are known as AI-enabling high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, according to Sumit Sadana, its executive vice-president and chief business officer. The chips contain several layers that make a cube able to store and process large amounts of data faster while consuming a lot less power than conventional chips. They enable graphics processing units and other accelerators made by companies such as Nvidia and AMD to process generative AI workloads at data centres. The HBM market is worth about US$35 billion, but Micron expects that it will approach US$100 billion by 2030. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up 'That's a massive amount of growth in the HBM market, and in order to meet the growth expectations that we have, we have been making plans for HBM capacity expansion,' Sadana told an online briefing on Jul 2. Micron is expanding its existing HBM output in Taiwan, but that capacity is likely to be used up quite quickly, so it will need more facilities to meet the expected demand in the coming years. 'We are rapidly going to run out of space in our facility in Taiwan. So, the Singapore facility will be very important to continue our HBM growth,' said Sadana. 'We are super excited about the AI opportunity, and Singapore will certainly have a strong role to play in a lot of the AI-based innovation that we are doing.' Micron has also announced plans to start producing HBM chips in the United States; however, the Singapore plant will be up and running by the time production there kicks off. The firm – the top memory-chip maker in the US – unveiled a 'strategic reorganisation' of its business units in April designed to capitalise on the growth driven by AI, from data centres to devices such as computers and mobile phones. The reorganisation will make the company structure more market-focused rather than product-focused. The new four business units will include a cloud memory business unit focused on large hyperscale cloud customers and HBMs for data centre customers. There will be a separate mobile and client business unit, and one for automotive, industrial and consumer segments. 'This new structure will increase our resources towards data centres and allow us to have the end-to-end capability to serve AI in all segments,' said Sadana. He said Singapore will continue to be the company's main production base of Nand flash memory chips used in solid-state drives, USB drives and mobile phones. Nand constituted 22 per cent of Micron's total revenue of US$9.3 billion in the third quarter of 2025, with turnover from data centres more than doubling year on year to hit a quarterly record. Sadana said revenue from Singapore would keep increasing, especially when HBM output starts, noting: 'That's going to be a very big positive for us to be able to leverage Singapore for HBM sales that are, you know, very high-value sales that are growing rapidly.' THE STRAITS TIMES
Scroll.in
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
Listen: How tabla players accompany specially choreographed kathak works
In the last instalment of our series on tabla accompaniment to Hindustani vocal music and dance, we look closely at specially choreographed works that form a part of kathak performances and require a different skill from tabla players. Given the fact that these are largely precomposed works often using vocal forms like taranas that are interspersed with dance, pakhawaj or tabla compositions, the tabla players have to rehearse these compositions in order to be well-acquainted with the sequence of changes within each work. At times, the music ensemble may have a tabla player who does not usually accompany the dancer. In such cases, dancers may choose to have an additional tabla player or pakhawaj player who regularly accompanies them, as these musicians have memorised the sequences and can take the lead in guiding the rhythmic accompaniment. On other occasions, especially when dancers travel overseas, the usual ensemble does not accompany them. In such cases, they may even choose to use a recorded version of the music for their dance recitals. The track in today's instalment features a tarana in the raag Nand set to the 12-matra Ektaal. It is sung by well-known vocalist and composer Ashit Desai and is interpreted by the renowned dancer Durga Lal. Listeners will note the manner in which the tabla follows the footwork and dance compositions as well as the syllables of the tarana. Play
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Family mourn ‘hero' Auckland heart surgeon Dr Parma Nand
Speaking publicly for the first time, his daughter, Komal Nash, told the Herald it had been an overwhelming experience to see and hear about the many lives her father had touched in his work as a surgeon. 'He's always been a hero to me, growing up. He came from nothing and made sure that I had everything in my life - he supported me with my education and gave me absolutely everything,' Nash, a lawyer, said. 'So seeing how many other people consider him their hero has been really touching and overwhelming. 'In a time of intense grief, it brings me a lot of comfort to know that he's changed a lot of lives and saved a lot of people. 'My heart is broken, but I know he mended a lot of other hearts. I'm just a very proud daughter.' Nand was also the father of 16-year-old twins Thomas and William and grandfather of Sierra, 3, and 1-year-old Rumi. Nand worked as a cardiothoracic surgeon - specialising in surgeries on the heart, lungs and other structures in the chest - for about 30 years at Mercy Ascot and Auckland City hospitals. His philanthropic work and drive to give back to his homeland of Fiji and other parts of the Pacific made him a well-respected figure in the region. In 2006, Nand organised a team of medical staff - including surgeons, specialists and nurses - to travel to Fiji to give free operations to locals who would otherwise not be able to afford it. That first trip turned into the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation NZ and over the years, a total of 15 missions to Fiji have taken place - resulting in more than 770 surgical treatments and 4200 screening assessments and associated services for Fijian residents. From extreme poverty to sought-after surgeon At yesterday's service, many of the audience included members of the medical profession and those from different parts of the Indian, Fijian and Fijian-Indian communities. Fellow cardiothoracic surgeon and friend, Dr Krish Chaudhuri, described Nand as more than a mentor - he was a brother. Chaudhuri shared how Nand had emailed him an autobiographical summary of his life a few years ago. Reading out his friend's words, mourners heard about Nand's humble beginnings in Fiji. 'I lived in extreme poverty with 10 siblings. We sometimes struggled to have food on the table. 'Our parents were small-time tailors with limited income. Our family income was supplemented by a small volume of 5 litres of milk to sell daily to township households. 'The milk was delivered approximately 4km away by bicycle every morning before school by my eldest siblings and later by myself.' Despite school fees costing $3 per term, Nand was often dragged out of the classroom as his parents could not afford to pay them. 'We were probably the poorest family in the community.' Chaudhuri acknowledged how Nand's humble beginnings had pushed him to work hard in life - and never forgetting to give back to those in need. 'When we look at his life story, we see that he may have started off as a pawn, but he made it to become the most significant piece on the chessboard - the king.' A new scholarship for surgeons in Fiji Chaudhuri revealed that over the years, he and Nand had discussed how financially difficult it was becoming to fund the annual missions to Fiji. Instead, Nand thought it would be a good idea to start training doctors and surgeons from Fiji here in New Zealand, to improve their skills and ultimately carry out the life-saving operations themselves. Nash said the family was passionate about that idea and organising a scholarship under Nand's name. 'It's like you're teaching them to fish, so they can set up their own unit and be sustainable and not have to rely on these missions every year. 'He always spoke about going back to Fiji and helping the less fortunate.'
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Patients pay tribute to Auckland heart doctor Parma Nand after shock death
The Herald shared Nand's story on Thursday. Former patients and their family members were quick to come forward to share how Nand had impacted them - many thanking him for saving their lives. Among those was Aucklander Aaron Cooper, who suffered critical injuries in a speedway accident on New Year's Eve in 2007. 'Dr Nand had just finished a double shift when I was wheeled in' 'I rolled my stock car and landed upside down on the wall. I broke my back and had a leak in an artery in my heart. The sac was full up with blood,' Cooper said. While being rushed to hospital in an ambulance, Cooper's heart stopped. A paramedic drained the blood from around his heart as they arrived at the hospital. 'Dr Nand had just finished a double shift - I believe 18 hours. He was in the (emergency room) about to go home when I was wheeled in,' Cooper said. 'He jumped straight in and took over. I was awake at some point as he was explaining he was going to operate. I looked at him and said: 'Okay. If you're the last face I ever see, I know you did your best'. 'When I woke up, he was sitting in the chair next to the bed. I held his hand and thanked him.' 'I wouldn't have been in anyone's life' Cooper spent the rest of his time in hospital recovering in the spinal unit. On the day he was discharged, he had a chance encounter with the man who saved him. 'I was leaving the hospital and he was walking towards me. He stopped. I put my hand out to shake his hand. 'He said: 'I've had your heart in my hand. I'll have a hug.'' When the accident happened, Cooper had just become a new dad - his newborn daughter was 10 days old. 'She's 17 now and just gone to her high school prom.' He also has another daughter, who came into his life when she was 11 years old in 2014. 'She's just now had her own daughter. Without Dr Nand saving me, I wouldn't have been in anyone's life, let alone get to be a Poppa to Shaylee.' Friends and colleagues of Nand are organising a memorial service for him later this month.
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Auckland surgeon Dr Parma Nand, known for Fiji missions, dies at 64
The 64-year-old died on Sunday after a short illness. Friend and colleague Kirit Patel paid tribute to a doctor who had a heart for people and service. 'He was quite exceptional,' Patel said. 'He came from a very poor family and back in 2006, he wanted to go to Fiji to give free heart operations – particularly rheumatic heart valve replacement surgery, which is quite complex but pretty prevalent in Fiji.' Nand reached out to his medical colleagues and professional friends, including Patel, a banker, for help to get to Fiji that year. He organised fundraising efforts and medical equipment to carry out the operations. Dozens of people, including fellow surgeons, doctors and specialists, stepped up and offered their services for free. A giant among surgeons That first trip turned into what became the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation NZ, which Nand founded. The services they have carried out include open-heart surgeries, pacemaker implants, screenings, angiography and angioplasties. Since 2006, 15 missions to Fiji have taken place, resulting in more than 770 surgical treatments and 4200 screening assessments and associated services for Fijian residents who would otherwise not be able to afford those operations or treatments. The foundation's last mission was in 2023. Achievements on that trip included 25 patients being implanted with a total of 45 valves, 312 people receiving pacemaker checks and 39 patients being given new implants. Nand's achievements have been recognised by the Fijian Government. Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Professor Bisman Prasad said the island nation had lost a giant among surgeons. 'Dr Nand achieved name, fame and acclaim – but he never, for once, forgot that Fiji was his land of birth.' A 'deeply humble' leader Prasad said Nand 'was not only an embodiment of wisdom in his profession; but was deeply humble, kind, caring – a true son of Fiji'. 'Fiji is poorer for his passing.' On the RateMDs website, where patients rate their doctors, Nand's 71 reviews have a 99% five-star rating. Among the comments are patients who have thanked him for a second chance at life. 'Four years since you gave me a mechanical aortic heart valve. What a wonderful journey at life you have given me. Your skill has allowed me... to see my family and grandchildren.' Patel, who is also a trustee for the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation, said thousands of lives were changed because of Nand's service. 'But he was the humblest of all souls. 'On one of the rare occasions that we got him on stage, he said, 'Don't shine the light on me. There are many others behind me'. That's how he was.' A private funeral service is due to be held this week for Nand, while a memorial service is being organised for friends and colleagues.
