Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛈️ Today’s weather: High: 38 ℃ | Low: 24 ℃ | Partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers.
🧐 Did you know? The first-ever Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Karnataka High Court in 1982 aimed to protect a building from demolition by the state, which ironically was the court itself.
🎧 Exploring Bengaluru’s past
A new podcast delves into Bengaluru’s history.
Past uncovered: Ramjee Chandran’s podcast, The History of Bangalore, offers a captivating exploration of the city’s past, driven by his quest to uncover and clarify historical myths and facts. Each episode is a deep dive into Bengaluru’s evolution, featuring stories from its early days to significant developments over the centuries.
- Chandran, a dedicated historian, has extensively researched Bengaluru’s history, studying archival material and reading over 88 books focused on the colonial period. His podcast aims to make the city’s rich history accessible and engaging to a broader audience.
- The first season consists of five episodes, each under 30 minutes, covering topics from Bengaluru’s foundation by Kempegowda to lesser-known historical details. Chandran highlights unique historical elements such as ancient water systems and the discovery of Roman coins in the city.
Book project: Beyond just recounting facts, Chandran’s podcast serves as an auditory history book, engaging listeners with stories like Winston Churchill’s lesser-known anecdotes in Bangalore and the pioneering urban developments in the city. His work is part of an ongoing book project, adding a scholarly depth to the podcast’s narrative.
🌎 Tata exports chips from Bengaluru
Tata starts semiconductor chip exports from Bengaluru.
The details: Tata Electronics has begun exporting semiconductor chips, packaged at its Bengaluru-based R&D centre, marking a significant step in enhancing India’s position in the global semiconductor market. These chips are now reaching partners in Japan, the US, and Europe.
- This move aligns with Tata’s ongoing projects, including new facilities in Assam and Gujarat designed to scale up production capabilities.
- The chips are versatile, and suitable for various products, not limited to specific applications. Tata is progressing towards commercial production with a scheduled start in 2027, following feedback from select customers on the initial chips.
Bigger strategy: The export activity supports Tata Group’s larger semiconductor strategy, which includes the construction of a $10 billion chip foundry in Gujarat and a packaging unit in Assam, initiated with a foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Additionally, Tata and Taiwan’s Powerchip are collaborating on India’s first AI-enabled semiconductor fab in Dholera, expected to start producing chips by the end of 2026 with a capacity of up to 50,000 wafers per month.
⚡ Innovative EV motor technology
Chara Technologies pioneers rare earth-free motors.
Innovative: Chara Technologies, a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup, is making significant strides in the electric vehicle (EV) sector by developing motors that do not require rare earth minerals. This innovation addresses key challenges associated with the typical permanent magnet motors used in most EVs.
- Co-founded by Mahalingam Koushik and Bhaktha Keshavachar, Chara is focusing on synchronous reluctance motor technology. This approach not only avoids the ecological and supply chain issues linked with rare earth minerals but also promises to reduce costs by 15-30% compared to traditional motors.
- Chara’s motors are being designed for a range of vehicles from two-wheelers to commercial vehicles and tractors.
Expanding focus: Despite facing challenges such as slightly lower power density, Chara’s motors are proving to be competitive for terrestrial applications. The startup is expanding its focus beyond EVs to include industrial uses where efficiency and sustainability are crucial.
🪖 First Southern Star Army Synergia Conclave
Bengaluru hosts inaugural military-industry meet.
What’s it about? The first Southern Star Army Synergia Conclave is taking place from May 7 to 9 in Bengaluru, gathering senior Indian Army officers, academics, strategic experts, and various industry stakeholders. This event aims to foster collaboration and innovation in defense technologies.
- Organised by the Indian Army’s Southern Command, Dakshin Bharat Area, and Synergia Foundation, the conclave will provide a crucial platform for dialogue between the military, defence public sector units (PSUs), startups, and venture capitalists.
- Discussions will focus on the future of conflict, the role of emerging technologies, and the opportunities for indigenization in defence.
Indigenisation focus: Participants will include members from the National Security Advisory Board and the National Security Council. The conclave aims to initiate research projects and partnerships that address specific defence challenges through indigenisation.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you listen to music while studying or doing deep work?
- I listen to music while studying or doing deep work.
- I don’t listen to music while studying or doing deep work.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which sport, according to you, is the most difficult to play?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru today.
- Casagrand has launched Vivacity, a collection of luxurious apartments in Bengaluru.
- Bengaluru records over 240 incidents of tree and branch falls attributed to rain.
- Bad weather forces the diversion of eight Bengaluru-bound passenger flights to Chennai.
- Karnataka achieves a pass percentage of 99.83% in the 2024 ICSE (class 10) exams and 99.49% in ISC (class 12) exams.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I like using a ballpoint pen: 62.5% 🏆
- I like using a gel pen: 37.5%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!