A monthly house bulletin of Defence Research & Development Organisation ■ Vol. 34 No.1 ■ January 2014

Reaching out to masses Reaching out to masses DRDO Promotes Communication of Scientific Research in Hindi

Glimpses of the International Conference

3January 2014Glimpses of the International Conference

International Conference on Contribution of Science & Technology in Progress of the World

Raising Day Celebrations

Manpower Development Activities

Personnel News

Visits to DRDO Labs/Estts

DRDO Sports Round-up

Tejas gets Initial Operational Clearance

Inside the Issue

4

5

7

8

9

12

15

16

Societal Missions

Editor-in-ChiefSK Jindal

Assoc. Editor-in-ChiefAshok Kumar

EditorManoj Kumar

Local CorrespondentsAgra: Shri Vikas B Thakare, Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE); Balasore/Chandipur: Shri HK Ratha, Integrated Test Range (ITR); Dr AK Sannigrahi, Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE); Bengaluru: Smt Bala V, Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE); Dr Y Purushottam, Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS); Shri Nitin Rai, Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR); Ms Tripty Rani Bose, Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC); Shri Samrahara Prasad Patro, Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE); Dr G Sripathy, Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro-Medical Laboratory (DEBEL); Shri KM Veerabhadra, Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE); Dr Latha Christie, Microwave Tube Research & Development Centre (MTRDC); Chandigarh: Shri Niraj Srivastava, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory; Chennai: Shri S Murlidhar, Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE); Dehradun: Shri Atul Dev, Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL); Dr MK Pande, Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE); Delhi: Dr Rajendra Singh, Centre for Fire, Explosive & Environment Safety (CFEES); Mrs Kartiki Mishra, Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM); Dr Praveen Vats, Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS); Dr Vijay Prakash, Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR); Shri Ram Prakash, Defence Terrain Research Laboratory (DTRL); Dr Rajeev Vij, Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Science (INMAS); Shri Arun Dayal, Institute of Systems Studies & Analyses (ISSA); Shri Ajay Sharma, Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC); Shri Raj Kumar Jain, Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC); Smt Kamini Malhotra, Scientific Analysis Group (SAG); Dr Shankar Datta, Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL); Gwalior: Shri RK Srivastava, Defence R&D Establishment (DRDE); Haldwani: Dr Atul Grover, Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research (DIBER); Hyderabad: Shri Hemant Kumar, Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL); Shri ARC Murthy, Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL); Shri M Buchi Banu, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL); Dr K Nageswara Rao, Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL); Shri N Venkatesh, Research Centre Imarat (RCI); Kanpur: Shri Ashok Kumar Gautam, Defence Materials & Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE); Kochi: Shri S Radhakrishnan, Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL); Leh: Dr Somen Acharya, Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR); Mussoorie: Shri Jaydip Kanango, Institute of Technology Management (ITM); Mysore: Dr M Pal Murugan, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL); Pune: Shri AM Devale, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL); Shri SS Arole, Research & Development Establishment (Engrs) [R&DE (E)]; Tezpur: Dr Jayshree Das, Defence Research Laboratory (DRL); Visakhapatnam: Shri YSR Prasada Rao, Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL)Asst EditorGeeta SharmaDesign & Pre-pressAnjan Kumar Das

Multimedia RK Bhatnagar

PrintingSK Gupta; Hans Kumar

DistributionRP Singh

Printed & published byDirector, DESIDOC, Delhion behalf of DRDOTel: 011-2390 2474Fax: 011-2381 9151Website: www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/PubFrameset.htmlE-mail: director@desidoc.drdo.in; drdonl@desidoc.drdo.in

ISSN: 0971-4391 ■ Vol. 34 No.1 ■ January 2014

Since 1980

4 January 2014

“While the world has progressed at a rapid pace due to developments in science and technology, the people in the third world are still deprived of its benefits. The developments of science have not yet reached every person in the world and a lot needs to be done in this area”, said Shri Avinash Chander, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri (SA to RM) and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DG, DRDO. He was presiding over the inaugural function of the International Conference in Hindi on Contribution of Science and Technology in Progress of the World at Bhagvantham Auditorium, Metcalfe House on 5 December 2013. "The topic is very timely and is an opportunity to look at the work done by our great scientists and philosophers. The scientists, with their creative foresight have made great contributions in making the world in which we live today", he added further. The scientific literature in Hindi is scarce and I hope that this conference will lead to such literature which will help in removing this scarcity, opined Shri Chander. Highlighting the contributions made by the ancient Indian scientists in the field of astronomy, mathematics and medical science, he said that all their work was reported in Sanskrit or Hindi. Quoting from India’s former Prime Minister late Shri PV Narasimha Rao’s book, SA to RM said that no country could have original development in science and technology using a foreign language neither can it establish its own identity in the field. Thus in order to take fruits of science and technology to the common people, it is important that scientific literature is made available in Hindi.

The conference was inaugurated by Shri Arun Kumar Jain, Secretary, Department of Official Languages, Ministry of Home Affairs. In his inaugural address Shri Jain said, "The huge participation in this conference is befitting reply to those pessimists according to whom the studies on scientific topics can only be done through the medium of English. The real issue is not the suitability of Hindi as a medium but the required attention for generating sufficient scientific literature, so that there

are no obstacles in way of education in the areas of science and research". He expressed hope that the efforts made by organisations like DRDO, will provide a strong foundation for development of Hindi for scientific research and help in achieving the national goals. He also emphasised the need for coordination among all the concerned departments for effective implementation of official language. He also released the eleven volume compilation of the papers received for the conference.

Earlier, Dr G Malakondaiah, DS and CC R&D (HR&TM) in his address said that this is the first time that DRDO has organized an international conference in

Shri Avinash Chander lighting the lamp

Dr G Malakondaiah addressing the participants

International Conference on Contribution of Science and Technology in Progress of the World

International Conference on Contribution of Science and Technology in Progress of the World

5January 2014

Hindi on such a large scale. He said the conference and the concurrently held exhibition of products of DRDO as well as other scientific organisations such as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is the result of hard work by all concerned.

In his welcome address, Shri SK Jindal, Director, Defence Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC), Delhi, gave an overview of the conference. He said there was overwhelming response for the call of papers and the shortlisted papers will be presented in 36 sessions including poster presentations. Shri Sunil Sharma, Director, Rajbhasha, DRDO HQ, presented the vote of thanks and informed the gathering that the conference had set a record, by having the largest participation in terms of delegates.

Shri AK Anthony presenting the IOC to ACM NAK Browne

Shri SK Jindal addressing the participants

The function was attended by eminent scientists like Prof. Yashpal, Directors and scientists from DRDO HQ and laboratories apart from delegates.

Indigenously designed and developed multi-role supersonic light combat aircraft (LCA), Tejas, got second initial operational clearance (IOC) on 20 December 2013 at a function in Bengaluru. Raksha Mantri Shri AK Antony handed over the Release to Service Certificate of the LCA to the Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). The event was attended among others by

Shri Avinash Chander, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri; Shri GC Pati, Secretary Defence Production; Dr K Tamilmani, DS and DG (Aero) and Chief Executive Centre for Military Airwothiness and Certification (CEMILAC); Shri RK Tyagi, Chairman, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL); and Shri PS Subramanyam, Programme Director (CA)

Tejas gets Initial Operational ClearanceTejas gets Initial Operational Clearance

6 January 2014

and Director Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Antony said that during the last three years, the capabilities of the aircraft have been improved significantly and in recognition of the enhanced capabilities, IAF has decided to grant the aircraft a higher status, namely, the Initial Operational Clearance for induction into the Service. “The improvements to the aircraft have enhanced the flight envelope of the aircraft and also its weapon delivery capability. The reliability and serviceability of the aircraft have also been enhanced. The number of flights, nearing 500 within this year, provides an indication of this. There have also been occasions when the same aircraft has flown thrice on the same day, indicating the operational reliability of this home-bred fighter aircraft ”, added Raksha Mantri.

Describing the attainment of IOC as an important milestone in the long journey towards indigenisation through self-reliance, Shri Antony said, our public and private sector must work in tandem to develop and produce world-class military systems of the highest quality.

Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne in his address described the event as a proud day for the nation and particularly for the IAF as the grant of IOC acknowledges the capabilities of the LCA Tejas and paves the way for the induction of LCA Mk 1 into operational service. The CAS described the progress of such a challenging experimental project without any accident or major incident as unprecedented in the history of aviation.

Shri Avinash Chander described the event as a landmark on the roadmap of Indian military aviation

and said, "All the stakeholders of the programme, viz., ADA, HAL, IAF, DRDO, CEMILAC, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Director General Aeronautical Quality Assurance, many public/private industries and academia have worked together to create an excellent fighter aircraft which has successfully performed over wide variety of operational scenarios. This occasion marks a culmination of this effort of 2450 sorties leading to IOC-II."

Congratulating the team Tejas, Shri Avinash Chander said that the team will have to now sprint the last lap towards final operational clearance (FOC). The FOC will equip Tejas with in-flight refueling, beyond visual range missiles, new close combat missile, gun GSH2, additional weapons and new drop tanks for supersonic flight, elaborated Shri Chander.

Shri RK Tyagi, in his address, informed that initially HAL will produce eight aircraft in a year which will be increased to 16 aircraft per year in consultation with IAF and MoD. "HAL is fully geared up to meet the challenging production schedule and hopes to fulfil the requirements of the users in a time-bound manner”, said the Chairman, HAL.

Shri AK Anthony with team Tejas

7January 2014

Raising Day CelebrationsMTRDC, Bengaluru

Microwave Tube Research and Development Centre (MTRDC), Bengaluru, celebrated its 29th Raising Day on 30 October 2013. Dr KD Nayak, DS and DG (MED, CoS and CS) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dr Suranjan Pal, OS and Director, CHESS, was the guest of honour and delivered a talk on High Energy Lasers Technologies and Systems. Highlighting the achievements of the Centre during the last year, Dr Lalit Kumar, OS and Director, MTRDC, said that while Single High Band CW Transmitter has been handed over to Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), Bengaluru, the MPM has been productionised and delivered to Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad. Dr Nayak, in his address, highlighted the importance of microwave devices for various defence and civilian systems and expressed the need to start a Centre of Excellence in Academia in Microwaves in the country for the benefit of manpower training and test facilities. He also released the 3rd Volume of the in-house magazine Spandan. Dr Nayak along with Dr Suranjan Pal presented various DRDO-level laboratory and other awards to meritorious employees, sports persons and students.

Shri SP Dash (left) presenting memento to Shri N Divakar

Shri MR Singh receiving Proof Man of the Year 2013 award from Shri R Appavuraj

participated enthusiastically in various games organised on the occasion. Various DRDO lab-level awards were presented to the meritorious employees. Employees with 25 years of service were also felicitated. A cultural event was also organised to commemorate the day.

DLRL, Hyderabad

Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad, celebrated its 52nd raising day on 19 November 2013. Shri N Divakar, former Director, DLRL, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Shri SP Dash, DS and Director, DLRL, in his inaugural address, highlighted the contribution of the laboratory in design and development of EW systems installed on airborne, naval and ground-based platforms and expressed satisfaction over self-reliance achieved in critical technologies for indigenous EW systems with the partnership of Defence PSUs, academic institutions and industry. DRDO lab-level awards were presented to the meritorious employees. The employees with 20 years of service were also felicitated. The Chief Guest distributed merit scholarships to the employees’ children.

L to R: Dr Suranjan Pal, Dr KD Nayak and Dr Lalit Kumar releasing the Spandan magazine

PXE, Chandipur

Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur, celebrated its 119th Raising Day on 7 November 2013. Shri GC Das, former Director, PXE, was the Chief Guest of the function. Shri R Appavuraj, Director, PXE, congratulated the employees on the occasion and exhorted them to work with more dedication for further development of PXE and for taking up new technological challenges in relation to test and evaluation of armaments. Employees of PXE

8 January 2014

INMAS, Delhi

Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), Delhi, and Medanta, jointly organised free multi-specialty health check-up camps for the DRDO employees and their families on 20 November 2013 at DRDO Bhavan and on 2 December 2013 at Metcalfe House, Delhi. Medanta, one of India's largest multi-super specialty institutes located in Gurgaon, is envisioned with the aim of bringing to India the highest standards of medical care along with clinical research, education and training. Employees were screened for TSH (Thyroid), ECG, blood pressure, blood sugar, foot test, and heart scan. Mammography test for ladies above 45 years was also done by doctors from Medanta.

Medical Specialists from Medanta in the fields of Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Respiratory, Cancer, ENT, Urology, Obesity and Neurology provided free consultations. Besides, Dr Rajesh Puri, Interventional Gastroenterology, Dr Sandeep Batra, Consultant, Medical Oncology and Hematology and Dr Bornali Datta, Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, all from Medanta, delivered lectures on Symptomatic Liver Enzyme Cancer, and Lung Cancer and Prevention, respectively. Both Camps have stupendous response and more than 1000 employees attended the camp. Dr Rajeev Vij, Sc F, INMAS, coordinated both the camps.

Societal Missions

Health Camp at Metcalfe House

Health Camp at DRDO Bhavan

GTRE, Bengaluru

Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru, organised an invited talk on Cancer in India on 10 December 2013 to create awareness among the employees on. Dr BS Srinath, reputed Surgical Oncologist and Managing Trustee of Shri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bengaluru, delivered the invited talk. In his excellent oration Dr Srinath enlightened the audience about the causes of cancer, its detection and cure. He stressed upon everyone to compulsorily undergo annual medical check-up to prevent impending life devastation. He statistically bought out that in India, people in the age group of 45 to 60 are most vulnerable to develop cancer and deaths caused due to cancer in India can be mostly attributed to ignorance on this subject.

Dr BS Srinath delivering the invited talk

9January 2014

Conferences/Seminars/Symposia/Training Courses/MeetingsManpower Development Activities

CEP on Military Operations in DesertDefence Laboratory (DL), Jodhpur, organised a

Continuing Education Programme (CEP) course on Military Operations in Desert: Challenges and Solutions from 18-22 November 2013. The course was inaugurated by Dr Shashi Bala Singh, OS and Director, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Delhi. The objective of the course was to address the problems faced by personnel and equipment during their operations in desert environment.

Topics like effects of desert environment on military personnel and equipment, application of phase change materials (PCM) for heat management in desert environment, water quality problems and purification technologies, problems of camouflage and concealment in desert terrains, etc., were covered during the course.

Apart from the DRDO, invited lectures were delivered by Flt Lt Azad Shukla, 107 HU Air force; Maj KD Panwar, 20 INF Brigade; Shri NK Yadav, Dy Comd 103 BN BSF; Dr PC Pande, Principal Scientist, CAZRI; and Shri NK Bohra, Research Officer, AFRI. Twenty-three participants from DRDO laboratories, Army, Air force and BSF attended the course. Shri Ravindra Kumar, Sc G, was the Course Director.

Seminar for Young Scientists Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE),

Bengaluru, organised 12th In-house Seminar for Young Scientists (INSYS) on 7 December 2013. Dr S Sundaresh, DS and DG (ACE) and CC R&D (PC&SI), delivered the keynote address on MBT Arjun: Experiences and the Essence of Learning. In an excellent oration, he brought

CEP on Military Operations in Desert

out how the ambitious project started in 1974 overcame several challenges during development and integration of engine, transmission and sighting systems to make Arjun a state-of-the-art battle tank. He emphasised that one has to collect and utilise the legacy information and

data for translation of advance designs to meet the state-of-the-art requirements.

Later, Shri J Sankar Kumar, Sc D, shared his experiences of the course on Gas Turbine Technology, which he attended at Cranfield University, UK. He gave a gist of various international aircraft engine programmes. He also detailed his thesis work on Aerodynamic Damping Studies on Gas Turbine Blades, which is related to the blade flutter stability estimation.

Dr S Sundaresh delivering lecture during 12th INSYS

10 January 2014

CEP on Explosives, Environ-mental and Occupational Safety

High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, organised a CEP course on Explosives, Environmental and Occupational Safety during 25-29 November 2013. Shri TR Thomas, Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO, Nagpur, inaugurated the course. The topics covered during the course included explosives safety, electrical safety, fire safety, hazard analysis techniques, accident analysis, etc. A fire demo was also arranged during this course.

Shri B Bhattacharya, OS and Director, HEMRL, distributed certificates to the participants. Twenty-six participants, including 18 from outside HEMRL, participated in the course. Dr DB Sarwade, Sc F, was the Course Director.

inaugurated the programme. The course was designed for Sc B and Sc C of DRDO with an aim to sharpen their project management skills and to enable them to effectively manage time, cost and quality of project deliverables. Dr SB Singh, Director, ITM, welcomed the Chief Guest and the participants.

Dr Reddy also delivered a talk on Project Management and apprised the participants about the activities of RAC.

CEP on Microwave Tubes for Defence Systems

Microwave Tube Research and Development Centre, Bengaluru, organised a CEP course on Microwave Tubes for Defence Systems during 28-30 October 2013 for the benefit of service officers and system users. The course was aimed at refreshing the knowledge of personnel of the armed forces on the operating principles of different microwave tubes. Dr Lalit Kumar, OS and Director, MTRDC, inaugurated the course and also gave a lecture on Latest Trends in various Vacuum Electronic Devices. The topics covered during the course included latest trends in various vacuum electron devices, fundamentals of microwave measurements, testing of travelling wave tubes, development of TWT’s, etc.

As a part of the course, an interactive session was also conducted on the requirements of microwave tubes

Inaugural function of CIPM programme. Seated at the podium (L to R) are Dr SB Singh and Dr DN Reddy

Dr SN Asthana, OS and Officiating Director, HEMRL, welcoming the Chief Guest Shri TR Thomas (left)

Training Programme on CIPM Institute of Technology Management (ITM),

Mussoorie, conducted a five-day training programme on Certificate in Project Management (CIPM) in collaboration with International Project Management Associates (IPMA), India. Dr DN Reddy, Chairman, Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC), Delhi,

11January 2014

and related sub-systems for various services, problems faced related to microwave tubes, and life and reliability of microwave tubes. The session was chaired by Dr KD Nayak, DS and DG (MED, CoS and CS). Dr Suranjan Pal, OS and Director, CHESS, Hyderabad; Shri Chandrakumar, GM Military Radar, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru, and Dr Lalit Kumar, also participated in the session.

Thirty-nine participants from Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Army, BEL, and sister DRDO laboratories attended the course. The course faculty comprised

Dr AK Saxena, OS and Director, Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur, inaugurated the National Knowledge Network Access Centre and Centralised Internet Access Facility at DMSRDE's technical library on 28 October 2013. The facility will be used for centralised access of scientific and technical information by the officer/staff of DMSRDE. Centre will also be equipped with networked printer facility for hard copies of scientific papers.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr AK Saxena congratulated employees of DMSRDE and advised them to make optimal use of the material that is available in the Centre.

DMSRDE, Kanpur establishes National Knowledge Network Access Centre and Centralised Internet Access Facility

Dr AK Saxena (extreme left) being briefed about the facility

experts from the MTRDC. Dr Latha Christie, Sc F, was the Course Director and Dr Vishal Kesari, Sc D, was the Course Coordinator.

Hindi Workshop on Noting and Typing

Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, organised 2nd Hindi Workshop on Noting and Typing on 27 November 2013. Shri Adalat Ali, OS and Associate Director, RCI, inaugurated the workshop.

Shri Ram Singh Sheakwat, Principal Teacher, Hindi Teaching Scheme, Ministry of Home Affairs, was the guest faculty. He spoke about history and role of Rajbhasha and various steps needed to make Rajbhasha part and parcel of all noting and typing activities in Hindi. Shri Kazim Ahmed, Senior Hindi Assistant, RCI, spoke about importance of noting and typing in official work. About 20 staff members attended the workshop. Shri N Venkatesh, Sc F, member secretary, Official Language Implementation Committee (OLIC), RCI, presented various activities of Hindi Cell for 2013-14.

Participants with Dr Lalit Kumar (fifth from left), Director, MTRDC

12 January 2014

DRDO HQ

Dr Manas K Mandal, Outstanding Scientist and DG (LS), has been promoted to the rank of Distinguished Scientist wef December 2013. He was Director of Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Delhi, for about nine years.

Dr Mandal obtained his postgraduate and doctorate degrees from Calcutta University in 1979 and 1984, respectively. He completed his post-doctoral research programmes at Delaware University (Fulbright Fellow), USA, during 1986-87 and at Waterloo University (Shastri Fellow, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council Fellow), Canada, during 1993-94.

Prior to joining DRDO, Dr Mandal was a Professor of Psychology at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT, Kharagpur. He was also a Visiting Professor at Kyushu University, Japan in 1997 and during 2010-2011. During 2003, he was a Fulbright Visiting Lecturer, at Harvard University, USA. He is the recipient of various research fellowships and scientific awards at national and international levels. Some of these are: International Scientific Exchange Award (Canada), Seymour Kety Grant (USA), Career Award (India), Young Scientist Award (India), DRDO Spin-off Technology Award, National Association of Medical Sciences Award, etc. In 2005, Dr Mandal and his team was awarded Agni Award for Excellence in Self Reliance for the contribution towards the development of Computerised Pilot Selection System. In 2006, he was given Scientist of the Year Award by the Prime Minister of India for his contribution to military psychology. For his overall contribution to psychology,

he was elected as the Fellow of National Association of Psychology in 2012. He specialises in the areas of social cognition and experimental neuropsychology.

Dr Mandal has to his credit eleven books and 105 research papers (82 international and 23 national) published in peer-reviewed journals. These researches have been cited in more than 250 international journals and books.

LRDE, Bengaluru

Shri S Ravind, OS and Director, Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Bengaluru, obtained his BTech in Electronics from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad, in 1977 and MTech in Electronics and Instrumentation from REC, Warangal,

in 1983.

Shri Ravind has worked for multiple radar programme at LRDE. He was involved in the design and development of INDRA I and INDRA II radars and has also contributed towards the design and development of the first phased array radar of the country, Rajendra, for Akash Weapon System. He has also contributed for the development of long-range radars and multi-function fire control radars for ballistic missile defence.

His fields of interest are phased and active phased array radars, and real-time radar controller for radar and weapon systems engineering. He is working towards Netted Array Radars for Surveillance, Air Defence and Ballistic Missile Defence. He has expertise in conceptualising System of Systems. He has interacted with production agencies to realise the indigenously developed radars and applied system engineering concepts for effective product life cycle management. Shri Ravind is the recipient of the DRDO Scientist of the Year Award, IETE IRSI Award, DRDO Technology Leadership Award and Agni Award for Excellence in Self Reliance.

Personnel News

Promotions

Distinguished Scientists

13January 2014

DIPAS, Delhi

Dr Shashi Bala Singh, Director, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Delhi, has been promoted as Outstanding Scientist wef 18 October 2013. She has the distinction of serving in the immensely difficult terrain of Leh-Ladakh as Director, Defence Institute

of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh, before taking over as Director, DIPAS.

She obtained her PhD in Physiology from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, in 1986 and started her career in DRDO at DIPAS, Delhi. Dr Shashi Bala Singh has substantially contributed towards improvement in the quality of life of the soldiers deployed at high altitudes. Her innovative approach has ensured fresh food availability in the Ladakh sector, which resulted in close interaction between troops and local population providing insulation from security threats to this region. She pioneered research on permafrost-based germplasm conservation, climate change mitigation and development of herbal interventions for improving performance at high altitude. She has immensely contributed to the understanding of high altitude physiology and pioneered the development of nutraceuticals and prophylactics for several high altitude maladies that include hypophagia and cognitive impairment.

Dr Shashi Bala Singh was conferred DRDO Scientist of the Year Award by Prime Minister of India in 2010. She is also the recipient of Surg Rear Admiral MS Molhotra Prize in 2007 and 2012; Marico Innovation Award in 2010; DRDO Technology Spin-off Award in 2008; Prof. Baldev Singh Oration Award in 2007; DRDO Laboratory Scientist of the Year Award in 2006; Dr JN Maitra Memorial Oration Award in 2003 and Bharat Nirman Talented Ladies Award in 1995 amongst the various awards and honors to her credit. She also has more than 100 publications in national and international journals. Dr Shashi Bala Singh is the Fellow of National

Academy of Sciences, India; Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists and Indian Academy of Neuroscience. She is the President of Federation of Indian Physiological Societies, Jury Member of Marico Innovation Foundation Awards, Member of the Academic Council of the Central University of Tamilnadu, Member of the Project Review Committee of National Innovation Foundation, and Academic Board Member of Sri Ram Institute of Industrial Research. She is also Editor of Journal of Biomedicine (Physiology section) and Annals of Neuroscience.

RAC, Delhi

Shri RK Jain, Director, Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC), Delhi, has been promoted as Outstanding Scientist wef 18 October 2013. He obtained his MSc (OR) in 1980 and MPhil (OR) in 1981, both from University of Delhi. He joined DRDO as Sc B in Institute of Systems

Studies and Analyses (ISSA), Delhi, where he worked in the area of modelling, simulation, war gaming and software development and developed Manthan and Sagar software for naval war games.

In 2001, he joined Personnel Assessment Centre, now Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM), Delhi. He streamlined assessment procedure for Defence Research and Technical Cadre (DRTC) and formalized the Centralized Recruitment Scheme for Senior Technical Assistants, developed standard operating procedures for the smooth functioning of the establishment and brought transparency in the selection processes.

In July 2003, he joined RAC, where he was appointed Director on 1 March 2009. At RAC, he has introduced new selection system for Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) as Comprehensive Research Aptitude Test (CRAT) and its administration through an indigenously developed software Pariksha. Under his leadership, Defence Research and Development Service (DRDS) recruitment processes have been improved by incorporating the feedback mechanism and by using IT tools. Some of his modernisation accomplishments are: methodology/procedure for search committees

Outstanding Scientists

14 January 2014

HEMRL, Pune

Ms Purabi Garai Das, Sc C, has been awarded PhD (Chemistry) by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, for her thesis titled Studies on Parameters of

for identifying Directors for DRDO labs; reviewing of recruitment schemes; assessing problem solving ability of candidates appearing for DRDS interview; introduction of presentation format for the candidates appearing under lateral recruitment; evaluation of scientists recruited under different recruitment schemes, etc. His IT-based initiatives have augmented the online interaction with candidates/experts through video conferencing at all RAC centres (Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune); improved online Internet portal services for registration of candidates/scientists/external experts; established in-house SMS and auto fax/e-mail communication set-up for instant and automated notification to candidates, experts and chairpersons, DRDO labs and HQ; establishment of payment gateway for receiving online applications, creation of databank of candidates/scientists/experts; information bank on government orders and, registration of vacancies on DOP&T portal.

DRDS assessment programme is a regular activity and needs continuous improvement. Shri Jain made it more scientist-friendly and made efforts for forming the assessment boards as subject/sub-subject specific, preparing the panel for Chairman, introducing rating of experts by Chairman, making assessments job/function-centric, preparing external/departmental expert database, and introducing gold medal for outstanding performance in assessment.

He also modernized assessment procedure through software like Ankalan for evaluating the performance of the candidate, Chayan for monitoring status information for Chairman of Internal Screening Committee, and Nirnay for decision making for peer-review Committee. Modified assessment biodata format, the presentation template for the candidates, 360o feedback, deferred promotion scheme for DRDS, median-based methodology for performance evaluation, restricted decision on marginal cases are some of his key accomplishments.

His leadership and managerial initiatives have enhanced the visibility of RAC and resulted in technological growth, human resources development, and infrastructure development for the scientific fraternity at large.

DFRL, Mysore

Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore, bagged Food 360 Award for Best Innovator in Post Harvest Technologies for the outstanding contributions in the field of Post Harvest Technologies in the International Conference-cum-Exhibition titled Next Wave of Opportunities in Agri-Business and Food Processing organised by Hyderabad Chapter of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Hyderabad Convention Centre during 6-7 November 2013. Scientists of DFRL exhibited their product and technologies under DRDO-FICCI ATAC programme for commercialisation of DFRL products. Shri PK Mohanty, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, presented the award to Dr PS Raju, Sc G.

Shri PK Mohanty (extreme left) presenting the award to Dr PS Raju

Award

Higher Qualification Acquired

15January 2014

Heavy Metals Accumulation by Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae.

NSTL, Visakhapatnam

Shri Korada Suribabu, Sc C, Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, has been awarded PhD in Computer Science and

Engineering by Jawaharlal Nehru Technology University (JNTU), Kakinada, for his thesis titled A Model Based Approach for Speaker Recognition with Effective Speech Analysis based on Generalised Gamma Distribution.

South Zone Volley Ball Tournament

Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore, organised DRDO South Zone Volley Ball tournament for 2013-14 during 11-13 November 2013. The tournament was inaugurated by Dr K Radhakrishna, Additional Director, DFRL. Players from Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) all from Bengaluru; DFRL, Mysore; Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi; and Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai, participated in the tournament.

CVRDE, Chennai, won the championship and NPOL, Kochi, was the runner-up. Dr HV Batra, OS and Director, DFRL, distributed prizes to the winner and the runner-up.

Central Zone Table Tennis Tournament

Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, organised DRDO Central Zone Table Tennis Tournament-2013 during 6-8 November 2013. Apart from host team NSTL, teams from Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Research Centre Imarat (RCI) all from Hyderabad also participated in the tournament. Shri CD Malleswar, Director, NSTL, inaugurated the tournament. In his inaugural address, he emphasised the importance of sports in the day to day life for keeping good health and opined that DRDO is encouraging sports so that employees remain refresh and work with more dedication and enthusiasm.

In the team championship, NSTL was the winner and DMRL runner-up. In Men’s Singles Shri T Ravi from NSTL won the gold medal and Shri P Pramod from ASL won the silver medal. DMRL team won Men’s Doubles, Veteran's Singles and Doubles events. Women’s Singles as well as Double’s events were won by NSTL.

Dr K Radhakrishna inaugurating the tournament

DRDO Sports Round-up

Shri CD Malleswar presenting winners trophy to NSTL team

16 January 2014

CABS, Bengaluru

US Department of Defence delegation led by Mr Alan Shaffer, Assistant Secretary of Defence (Res. & Engg), Office of the Under Secretary of Defence (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), visited Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru, on 14 November 2013. A brief presentation on the various project activities was made to the visitors. Areas of mutual cooperation with US were also discussed.

Visits to DRDO Labs/Estts

Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, DS, CC (R&D), and CEO and MD BrahMos Aerospace has been awarded the highest Russian order 'Order of Friendship' in accordance with the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir V Putin, in recognition of his special merit in developing joint venture, strengthening peace, friendship, cooperation and understanding between nations, fruitful work on the convergence and mutual enrichment of cultures of cultures, of nations and peoples.

The Order of Friendship is a state decoration of the Russian Federation to reward foreign nationals whose work, deeds and efforts are aimed at the betterment of relations with the Russian Federation and its people.

Russia awards Dr Pillai with the Order of Friendship

Stop Press

Dr S Christopher, Director, CABS, briefing the American delegation

CAIR, Bengaluru

Maj Gen BS Das, SM, VSM, IG (OPS) and Brig Anil Chaudhary, DIG (COMN), visited Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru, on 25 November 2013.

NPOL, Kochi

Shri Avinash Chander, SA to RM, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, visited Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, on 23 October 2013.

Shri Avinash Chander being briefed about the NPOL products

Students from Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya at RAC

RAC, Delhi

A group of 50 students alongwith the faculty members from Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya, Amroha, UP, visited Darpan Exhibition at Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC), Delhi, on 26 November 2013.