AGNI - V; A marvel on Engineers Day of India

On Sep 15, 2013 on which Engineers day is celebrated, India successfully test fired its inter-continental ballistic missile Agni - V (read as Agni 5) for the second time. Its maiden launch took place in April 2012. The following  are the major specifications of Agni V.

• Missile Type - Intercontinental surface- surface ballistic missile (ICBM)
• Strike Range - 5000 km ( 5000 Km - 8000 km)
• Nuclear Payload - over one ton
• Launching base - Wheelers Island, Orissa
• Dimensions - ( 17m * 2m)
• Launch Weight - around 50 ton

Agni V, developed by Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was tested on a predefined path of 5000 Km and it accurately hit the destination with expected precision. The missile is powered by three-stage solid rocket motors and has flawless auto mode launch. Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINS) which are most advanced navigational systems used ensured its accuracy. The navigation systems are also aided by high speed onboard fault-tolerant software. Avinash Chander, Secretary of Dept of Defence R&D guided the launch while R K Gupta, project director guided the personnel of DRDO.

Missile Range of Agni Series (click to enlarge)

By this, India has joined the club of countries having long range weapons; America, China, Russia, France , Britain and Israel. On the Occasion, DRDO chief Avinash Chander said that India already has ability to produce 10000 Km missile but accuracy aspect has yet to be worked out. Trails will be run next year on INS Arihant, India's first indigenously developed Nuclear Submarine. Two years from now, the production of Agni V will be completed and will be supplied to Indian army. Behold! Entire china comes under its target range.

The success of Agni V is no doubt a great milestone in the long range weapons of  India

Made in Hyderabad by India for India

It's a proud moment for Hyderabadis since 90% of Agni V development took place in Hyderabad  based Research centers. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Advanced System Labs (ASL), Defence Research Development Labs(DRDL) have contributed immensely towards missile development. Many small and significant jobs are outsourced to more than 100 private industries in and around the city.

Khairatabad Ganesh 2013

Happy Vinayaka Chavithi (Ganesha Chaturthi) to all :)

Here goes this year blueprint of Khairatabad Ganesh. 

Shri Go-Naga Chaturmukha Maha Ganapathi 

Khairatabad circle which occupies core place in Hyderabad, capital city of Andhra Pradesh is famous for its conduct of Ganesh Festival. Sri Ganesh Utsav Committee, Khairatabad organizes this sacred Hindu festival every year with a unique theme. This year vinayaka chavithi falls on 9th Sep. The Ganesh idol made under the supervision of this committee is usually the biggest and tallest in the state having an average height of 50 feet and above. This year idol is made 59 feet high as its been 59 years since the formation of this committee.

The concept of this year Ganesh idol is 'Sri Go-Naga Chaturmukha Maha Ganapathi'. Here, 'Gonaga' signifies animals Cow(Govu) and Cobra snake(with 5 heads), 'Chaturmukha' translates to having four faces which can be clearly seen in above picture. This theme is chosen in belief that, to protect cattle and to protects us from evil.

The foundation ceremony(Ankurarpana), the initial pooja for the Khairatabad Ganesh idol was performed on the 4th June'13. Since then nearly 120 workers have worked for 50-60 days to complete it. The chief sculptor of this project is 'Chinna Swamy Rajendran'. Total cost of making it is around Rs. 40 Lakh /-

Another interesting thing about Khairatabad Ganesh is its Maha Laddu prasadam, a traditional sweet in India. This year the Laddu is made in Tapeswaram near Kakinada by Suruchi foods which weighs over 4 ton. The festival is celebrated for 11 days and its attracts huge crowd of devotees throughout the period. At the end, the idol will be immersed in Hussain Sagar Lake.

Sri Ganesh Utsav Committee, Khairatabad, Hyderabad was founded in 1954 by Late Mr.S.Sankarayya, a freedom fighter. The idol is made taking support of Sankaraiah building which is 60 feet high.