TNN | Sep 17, 2016,
Trichy: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is working on a wearable health monitoring system for soldiers, said P S Pandian, director-technology, DRDO, Bengaluru, explaining the varied scope of bio medical research for students.
Speaking at the inauguration of the instrumentation and control engineering department at the National Institute of Technology here on Friday, Pandian said that as long as we perform normal activities without much strain, we may not be able to identify or detect any serious health problem.
Gone are the days when we think about ailments affecting people in their 40s or 50s; even 20-year-olds with no such family medical history get diabetes and high blood pressure. A device that will keep track of a person’s health condition and send alerts much before an ailment becomes serious will help avoid crises. Such gadgets gain significance as they can save the lives of soldiers, he said.
Medical devices technologies have the potential to transform the world of healthcare as the internet did to the world of commerce. In future, people will be able to turn on tele-health products in their homes with a healthcare provider, acquire medical data and information and manage their wellness programme, said Pandian.
However, regular calibration, maintenance, testing and certification of the medical devices were needed on a regular basis to obtain the correct prognosis and treatment. He urged students to come forward and work on interdisciplinary areas to develop prototypes.
Pandian said the bio medical industry had grown in a big way and instrumentation and control engineering had become an integral part of our life. Citing the example of automated flight operations which mostly work on instrumentation, Pandian said the progress of control and instrumentation engineering was rapid and had vast scope in the future.
N Sivakumaran, head, ICE department, said students of the department need to work more on prototype developments in healthcare technology. The growth of electronics, electrical, mechanical, materials, computers, information technology and communications had led to a large number of medical devices being employed for health care purposes.
Advancements in computing and communications allowed for practices such as “telemedicine,” a system utilising the internet by which patients could be diagnosed and often treated by physicians from far away.
Tag Archives: DRDO
Government asks CBI to probe in allegations of corruption in purchase of three Embraer aircrafts
By Express News Service Published: 15th September 2016 – The New Indian Express
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started analyzing allegations of Brazilian aviation major Embraer hiring a UK-based agent and paying commissions to swing the $208 million deal for three Emb-145 aircraft inked with India during UPA rule in 2008.
The government had asked the agency to probe in allegations of corruption in the purchase of three Embraer aircraft for Defence Research and Development Organisation in 2008
The agency sources said officials are going through the reference and any decision to start a probe in the matter will be taken soon after analysing all the documents.
If the agency is satisfied that it has enough prima facie evidence to initiate an FIR, it will start or else it might register a preliminary enquiry to gather enough material for registering a regular case, they said.
Government had stated that the allegations were of a serious nature and the CBI will probe.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier this week said that, “If there is a criminal angle, then the CBI will probe as the Ministry cannot”. “If only procedural issues are involved, then the Defence Ministry can do an internal investigation,” he had said.
The deal for purchase of three Embraer aircraft during the UPA regime has kicked up dust with US authorities going into alleged payment of kickbacks. The deal has come under the scanner of the US Justice Department which has been probing Embraer for alleged payment of bribes to secure contracts.
Soon after, the reports of irregularity surfaced, the DRDO has already sought a report from the Brazilian firm, which has said it has been looking into graft allegations over the last five years.
DRDO investigation through report from Brazilian firm is a separate investigation. Parallel investigation has been started by CBI
The Special Investigation Team probing AgustaWestland bribery scandal will also probe this scam.
The deal was signed in 2008 between Embraer and the DRDO for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems). The first “modified” aircraft was delivered to DRDO in 2011, with the other two following later.
After several missed deadlines, the AEW&C project is now slated to be completed by December. Present DRDO chief S Christopher was the AEW&C programme director and head of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) before he was chosen to head DRDO in May 2015 by the NDA government.
Sources claimed that role of the committee, comprised of officials from IAF and DRDO is also under scanner, which shortlisted the Embraer deal.
Brazil’s top newspaper, the ‘Folha de Sao Paulo’, had reported on September 8 that the possible bribery in the 2008 Indian deal was under the scanner of the US justice department, which has been investigating Embraer since 2010, after a contract with the Dominican Republic raised suspicion. The scope of the investigation has now been widened to examine Embraer’s dealings with eight other countries, including India and Saudi Arabia.
Narayana Murthy named Director of RCI, DRDO
14 September2016 – BuisnessLine – The HIDU
HYDERABAD, SEP 14.: BHVS Narayana Murthy, an expert in Avionics has been appointed as Director, Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), Hyderabad.
During the past three decades he has made contributions towards design, development and delivery of onboard computers, Missile launch processors, real-time mission software etc
He is an alumni of NIT, Warangal. For his contributions to various defence R&D projects, he won several awards and recognitions. The Astronautical Society of India Rocket and Related Technologies Award, AGNI Award for Excellence in Self Reliance as a team Leader, DRDO Scientist of the Year Award being some of them.
The RCI is a premier DRDO laboratory of APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex spearheading the design, development and delivery of state-of-the-art Avionics Systems for entire Indian missile development programmes.
The Avionics Systems (Onboard computers, Navigation, Control) developed under the leadership of Narayana Murthy has played a key role in the success of the Indian ICBM class Agni 5 and other missions, said a DRDO press release.
Embraer aircraft deal: Defence Ministry asks CBI to probe allegations
By: PTI | New Delhi – September 14, 2016 -The New Indian Express
The deal for purchase of three Embraer aircraft during the UPA regime has kicked up dust with US authorities going into alleged payment of kickbacks.
The Defence Ministry has asked the CBI to probe allegations that kickbacks were paid in the USD 208 million Embraer aircraft deal that DRDO had struck with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer during the UPA rule in 2008. Government sources said that since the allegations were of a serious nature, the CBI has been asked to probe. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier this week said that, “If there is a criminal angle then the CBI will probe as the Ministry cannot”.
“If only procedural issues are involved, then the Defence Ministry can do an internal investigation,” he had said. The deal for purchase of three Embraer aircraft during the UPA regime has kicked up dust with US authorities going into alleged payment of kickbacks. The deal has come under the scanner of the US Justice Department which has been probing Embraer for alleged payment of bribes to secure contracts.
DRDO has already sought a report from the Brazilian firm, which has said it has been looking into graft allegations over the last five years. The deal was signed in 2008 between Embraer and the DRDO for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems).
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier this week said that, “If there is a criminal angle then the CBI will probe as the Ministry cannot”. (AP Photo)
DRDO sets timeline for fixing grievances to discourage direct complaint to PM Modi
By Pradip R. Sagar 14 September 2016 The New Indian Express
NEW DELHI: As scientists involved in defence research continue to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with their grievances, DRDO headquarters has asked all its department heads to take timely action on these complaints to avoid direct communication with PM or Defence minister.
Following series of complaints, the DRDO’s vigilance department has now fixed a deadline to complete probe into any grievance within in ten days of receipt of complaint.
Days after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked government officials to give their suggestions directly to his office. But, within months, the PMO’s desk handling grievances was flooded with hundreds of representations. To address complaints, Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, in August 2015 issued an instruction that writing directly to the PMO by violating the prescribed channel of communication has to be viewed ‘seriously’ and is liable for ‘disciplinary action’.
But, despite strict instructions from the Cabinet Secretariat, several scientists have been continuously approaching prime minister’s office and defence minister.
“In absence of appropriate action to be taken on such complaints, the complainant addresses his grievances to various authorities including the Raksha Mantri (defence minister) and Prime Minister’s Office,” according to an stinker from the vigilance department head of the DRDO, Dr. JP Singh, Director, Vigilance and security writes..
“It has been noted with concern that neither any timely action is taken by the head of Clusters or establishment on complaints which are addressed to them, nor any action taken report is forwarded by them headquarters,”
Vigilance department believe that because of in-action by concerned Clusters or Establishments in the DRDO, ‘copious correspondence among various government agencies take place as all the complaints were processed as per extant of guidelines of the DoPT.
“All heads of Clusters/ Laboratories/ Establishments and Units are requested to take timely action on complaint directly addressed to them and forward Action Taken Report to the Chief Comptroller with ten days of the receipt of complaint,” Dr. JP Singh, Director, Vigilance and security writes.
Citing a Cabinet Secretary note on official communication channel, the DRDO headquarters in August last year, had issued detailed instructions to all its laboratories for strict compliance regarding representations being sent directly to higher authorities bypassing the prescribed channel of communication.
CBI will probe Embraer deal if evidence of criminality found, says Parrikar
September 11, 2016 – THE HINDU
‘Will make a statement only after studying the DRDO report’
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said he might recommend a CBI probe into the Embraer aircraft deal if it displayed “criminal nature” after the DRDO wrote to the Brazilian company seeking details of the deal involving three EMB 145 aircraft.
“I have directed the DRDO to send a complete report on the deal by Monday. I will study the report first before making any concrete statement on the issue but I can tell you as of now that if it displays criminal nature, I will hand over the case for CBI probe,” Mr. Parrikar told media persons in Vadodara.
He said: “If there were procedural issues, then an internal inquiry will be ordered.”
The deal
India has asked an explanation from the Brazilian aircraft-maker Embraer following media reports of an international investigation into the alleged payment of bribes to secure an aircraft deal in 2008.
A U.S.-Brazil investigation into the Embraer deal, uncovered a bribery case, leading to a deal between the company and DRDO in 2008.
According to Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo, Embraer had been under investigation by the United States Justice Department since 2010 “when a contract with the Dominican Republic raised the Americans’ suspicions.”
India had signed a $208-million deal in 2008 for procuring three Emb-145 aircraft.
CBI may probe Embraer deal, if needed, hints Parrikar
ANI | Sep 11, 2016,- The Times of India
VADODARA: With the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) writing to Brazilian company Embraer, seeking details on a report that it employed an agent to sell three EMB 145 aircraft to the DRDO in 2008, defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday asserted that if the issues display a criminal nature, then it will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Speaking to the media here, Parrikar stated he has asked the DRDO to submit a complete report on the matter on Monday, and it will be only after that that he can make a concrete statement.
“I am not going to give a knee-jerk reaction and just make a statement based on rumours. I have asked for a report, which will be submitted on Monday, and if the issues are of a criminal nature, then we can forward this case to the CBI for a criminal investigation. If there are just procedural issues, then we can do an internal investigation,” Parrikar said.
Admitting that he was himself unaware on several nuances of the issue since it happened in 2008, the defence minister reiterated that he will make a composite statement on the case only after he gets the report on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked the Centre to probe the aircraft bribery allegations linked to manufacturers of the Embraer.
A joint US-Brazil investigation into Embraer has uncovered a bribery case leading to a deal signed between the company and DRDO in 2008 for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems).
The company has been under the scanner of the United States Justice Department since 2010 after a contract with the Dominican Republic raised suspicions.
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India-Embraer jet deal under scanner for graft, Defence Ministry seeks firm’s reply within 15 days
Jugal R Purohit, New Delhi, September 10, 2016 – Indiatoday.in
“We are as surprised as anyone else. If there was an investigation, they should have informed us. This is mentioned in the contract,” said a senior Defence Ministry source.
Rocked by allegations of corruption in its deal with Brazilian aviation firm Embraer, which is under investigation in Brazil and USA, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) responded by saying it had asked for an explanation from the firm over the matter.
“We are as surprised as anyone else. If there was an investigation, they should have informed us. This is mentioned in the contract,” said a senior source.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who was in Goa following his tour to the US had been briefed over the matter and with his concurrence, a communication was being sent at the time of writing this piece. “Within 15 days, they are to respond,” said the source.
On its side, the DRDO and MoD will begin re-examining their files for anomalies it was informed.
WHAT HAPPENED
The Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System is under-development by the Bengaluru based Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) for the Indian Air Force. As a part of the deal, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer modified its jet aircraft, EMB-145 to carry the Active Array Antenna Unit (AAAU), developed by the DRDO, on the aircraft’s fuselage. A total of three modified EMB-145 aircraft had been developed under this agreement.
The various sub-systems of the AEW&C Mission system were integrated into the ‘modified green’ aircraft by DRDO and the full-fledged EMB-145 based AEW&C tested from 2012. The AEW&C system comprises many sub-systems like Radar and communication links that are being designed and developed by DRDO.
WHAT IS AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING AND CONTROL SYSTEM
As the name suggests, this is a mobile, aerial platform to keep an eye on the enemy for any missile launches or fighter plane launches taking place and responding accordingly. It can also be used as a communications platform to direct own planes and missiles, in response.
As per reports which appeared in the Brazilian press, government agencies in Brazil and USA were looking into Embraer’s business deals. It was reported that the firm had hired the services of a UK-based agent for the Indian sale of EMB 145 plane, an arrangement which is disallowed as per the MoD rules.
The deal was concluded in July 2008. A DRDO release from then stated, “A few EMB-145 based AEW&C/AWACS versions are already in operation with Air Forces of Brazil, Mexico and Greece”.
IMPACT OF ALLEGATION
- Surprised, Defence Ministry asks Brazilian firm to explain.
- Critical project, IAF is awaiting delivery of three planes from DRDO.
- DRDO was keen to export this plane with own radar systems to friendly countries.
- No action till Embraer explains.
- If blacklisted, could curtail India’s options.
- India unable to build planes, relies on imports.
- IAF uses Embraer for VVIP travel also
After Agusta cloud, Embraer deal under scanner
NEW DELHI, September 10, 2016 – THE HINDU
Brazilian aircraft major Embraer is alleged to have resorted to bribes, used middlemen to secure contracts.
India has asked an explanation from the Brazilian aircraft-maker Embraer following media reports of an international investigation into the alleged payment of bribes to secure an aircraft deal in 2008.
Embraer is alleged to have used bribes and involved middlemen to secure contracts in India and Saudi Arabia. In India’s case, the payoff was made to a U.K.-based middleman in the deal for three Embraer aircraft ordered by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for building an indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AEW&C) aircraft for the Indian Air Force. A Defence Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday that the DRDO sought an explanation and details from the manufacturer within 15 days.
Under watch since 2010
According to Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo, Embraer had been under investigation by the United States Justice Department since 2010 “when a contract with the Dominican Republic raised the Americans’ suspicions.”
“Since then, the investigation has widened to examine business dealings with eight more countries,” the report said.
The newspaper reported that the company was cooperating in the investigations, and “is expecting to reach a deal soon with American authorities” and has even set aside $200 million to pay “any eventual fines that come about as a result of the process”.
The newspaper has quoted Albert Phillip Close, manager of Embraer’s defence area, as having admitted to the authorities as part of a plea bargain that in the case of India, the aircraft major had contracted a representative to assist in the sale of a surveillance system to the government.
$208-million deal in 2008
India had signed a $208-million deal in 2008 for procuring three Emb-145 aircraft. The planes were delivered beginning 2011 and the project is now nearing completion after a series of delays.
This is the second major defence deal under the scanner after the VVIP chopper case involving Agusta Westland and both the deals were signed by the previous United Progressive Alliance government.
Indian defence procurement prohibits the employment of middlemen in defence deals.
The Defence Ministry spokesperson when asked about the reports said the DRDO will seek explanation and details from manufacturers of Embraer aircraft on media reports on the 2008 deal.
“On receipt of information by the DRDO, further steps may be initiated,” he said.
DRDO to seek explanation from Embraer over kickback allegation
By: PTI | New Delhi | Published:September 10, The New Indian Express
The deal was signed in 2008 between Embraer and the DRDO for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems).
India’s defence research agency DRDO will seek explanation and details from Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer over alleged payment of kickbacks in the USD 208-million jet deal inked during the UPA regime. After receipt of information by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), further steps may be initiated, the Defence Ministry said today after it emerged that the 2008 deal has come under the scanner of US authorities which have been probing Embraer for alleged payment of bribe to secure contracts.
“DRDO to seek explanation and details from manufacture of Embraer aircraft on media reports on aircraft deal signed in 2008. “On receipt of information by the DRDO, further steps may be initiated,” the Ministry said. The deal was signed in 2008 between Embraer and the DRDO for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems). The company has been under investigation by the United States Justice Department since 2010 when a contract with the Dominican Republic raised the Americans’ suspicions.
Since then, the investigation has widened to examine business dealings with eight more countries. “Investigations that have been opened by the government of the United States to establish whether Embraer paid bribes in order to obtain contracts abroad have affected deals that the Brazilian company closed with Saudi Arabia and India,” Brazalian newspaper Folha De São Paulo reported. It is suspected that a leading Indian middleman based in UK was roped in for the deal. DRDO chief S Christopher, who headed the AEW&S programme earlier, did not pick up calls or respond to messages.
Embraer is cooperating with the investigations and announced in July that it was expecting to reach a deal soon with American authorities, the paper said. The company has put USD 200 million aside to pay any eventual fines that come about as a result of the process. The company has not released details regarding the state of the investigations, but three people who have been following the case have confirmed to Folha that the deals concluded in Saudi Arabia and India are being examined, the paper reported.
In both cases, suspicions were underlined in May this year when an employee with more than 30 years at the company reached a plea-bargain agreement in investigations being conducted by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in Brazil. Albert Phillip Close, Manager of Embraer’s defence area, told Prosecutor Marcello Miller that he had heard a former sales director who worked in Europe admit to American investigators the payment of commissions to facilitate the sale of aircraft to the Saudis.
In November of 2010, the company announced the delivery of two Embraer 170 executive jets to the Saudi Arabian
state-owned oil company Aramco. The amount of the deal was not announced at the time.