Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛅ Today’s weather: Partly sunny.
🧐 Did you know? The Janata Bazaar in Gandhi Nagar, formerly the Asiatic Building, was built by German botanist Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel, popularly known for his efforts in designing Lal Bagh. The building composes of wooden floors and stairs, semi-circular arches, and narrow cast-iron spiral staircases.
🛬 ISRO’s successful landing experiment
India’s space agency successfully conducts its second experimental RLV-TD programme.
Story so far: On Sunday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully executed the landing experiment of the Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD) programme at the Aeronautical Test Range in Challakere, Chitradurga. The RLV resembles an aircraft and combines the configuration of aircraft and launch vehicles.
- It took off at 7:10 am using a Chinook helicopter of the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) and flew at an altitude of 4.5 km.
- After attaining the predetermined pillbox parameters, the RLV released mid-air and performed an autonomous landing at 7:40 am.
Why it matters? The experiment marked the first time a winged body was carried to an altitude of 4.5 km by helicopter and carried out an autonomous landing on a runway. A key objective of tinkering and experimenting with RLV technology is to achieve inexpensive access to space.
- ISRO plans to develop the RLV for the first stage of India’s reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle.
🚇 Metro beyond midnight
On IPL match days, metro services will operate beyond midnight to accommodate the fans.
Story so far: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced that metro trains would operate beyond midnight on days when Bengaluru hosts the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 cricket matches in April and May. Trips from any station to Cubbon Park and MG Road will be through tokens, QR tickets, and smart cards at standard fares.
- The last trains from terminal stations at Baiyappanahalli, Kengeri, Nagasandra, and Silk Institute will leave at 1 am. The Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station in Majestic will have trains running in all four directions at 1:30 am.
- On Match days, BMRCL will issue return journey paper tickets from 3 pm. Priced at ₹50, they will be valid for a single trip from Cubbon Park and MG Road to any stations on the Purple and Green line.
Tell me more? The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is also chipping in to accommodate IPL fever. It will operate 25 trips to and from the Chinnaswamy Stadium between April 2 and May 21.
⚛️ Breakthrough in quantum communication
Raman Research Institute demonstrates secure quantum communication.
Story so far: In March, researchers at the Raman Research Institute’s (RRI) Quantum Information and Computing Lab, in collaboration with ISRO, secured a significant breakthrough in using satellites for secure quantum communication. It involved displaying secure communication between a stationary device and a moving receiver.
- RRI’s breakthrough will make the “uplink” or a ground-to-satellite communication link more flexible.
- A moving vehicle is aligned to the receiver through attendant optomechanics and electronics.
Why it matters? While RRI demonstrated the transmission of quantum keys between two stationary modules in 2021, the latest breakthrough is a first of its kind in India. According to Dr Urbasi Sinha, quantum communication has applicability in online banking and elections.
🖼️ An exhibition to remember
Bengaluru’s three-day tryst with eclectic artists came to an end on Sunday.
Story so far: Yesterday marked the end of the third edition of Art Bengaluru Collective’s (ABC) three-day group exhibition at the Rangoli Metro Art station. The curators displayed 250 artworks by 25 artists traversing three galleries. The event housed discussions on techniques and ideas behind great pieces of art.
- Artist Sameer Ahmed said that Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’ retrospectively vindicates the artist who used to draw stars in circular motions much before physicists proved they were hot, swirling masses.
- Visitors confessed their admiration for the art gallery. They could paint on canvases and goof around with different colours and ideas.
Why it matters? Art is used for expressing powerful ideas, standing as a mirror to society, and depicting everyday life. Apart from being a passion, it is a strong medium of communication. According to one of the featured artists, the government should build more such spacious locations for exhibitions.
📊 Today’s Poll
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Have you read the Harry Potter books?
- Yes, I’ve read Harry Potter.
- No, I haven’t read Harry Potter.
❓ Today’s Question
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What’s a piece of news that shocked you recently?
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🗞️ In other news…
- IMS Foundation launched “Clinic on Wheels,” a moving health clinic, on Saturday.
- Bengaluru’s poll awareness drive comes in haste.
- Activists oppose FIRs against protesters at Sankey and call it undemocratic.
- External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met the youth at Cubbon Park on Sunday morning.
- The Old Madras Road stretch closed for white-topping should open in a week.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!