Welcome to the fascinating world of drones – from golf course to weddings

Until recently, drones were associated with terrorism and law enforcement agencies used these UAVs extensively to track down and eliminate terrorists. Drones have proved their usefulness in tackling terrorism in Afghanistan and Syria. But – the concept is gradually changing and today commercial drones are available online and off the shelf at affordable prices.

A report in Dailymail dated 29 March 2016 (1) mentions drones on the golf course. Golfers usually have to make trips from the green to the clubhouse to get refreshments and that can be a pain. However, Rakuten, a Japanese firm is bringing drones also known as quadcopters) on the scene. The firm has unveiled a snack-delivery service for golfers.
Golfers can order anything by using their smartphones from drinks to replacement balls through an app and the items will be delivered by a quadcopter in minutes - the golfers need not leave the course.
This service is expected to be deployed sometime in May at a golf course in Chiba Prefecture southeast of Tokyo. Chiba is a city where the government will ease up on a few aviation restrictions.
Rakuten is an e-commerce platform, and it plans to team up with Yamato Transport and undertake field tests of the drones that will be used for home deliveries. It will be similar to how Amazon is going to proceed with their drones. Operations for delivery of packages will start only in 2020. It will begin by picking up packages from distributors and transferring them to large condominium complexes in the prefecture.
Incidentally, Amazon will also being using the deregulated zones of Chiba to test out their delivery drones.
In Sky News dated 25 March 2016 (2) there was news about the first federally authorized delivery by drone in the US.
The occasion was when a six-rotor drone delivered a package containing bottled water, food and a first-aid kit to an uninhabited address in Hawthorne, Nevada. The State governor Brian Sandoval has acknowledged that this was the first federally authorized urban delivery in the US.
The drone followed a pre-GPS programmed route for the half-mile journey as indicated by Flirtey chief executive. A pilot and visual observers were on standby during the flight but their services were not needed. The 'experiment' is proof that drones can safely navigate urban obstacles like power lines, rooftops and street lamps.
Flirtey had earlier conducted the first US rural drone delivery last July when it brought in medical supplies to a Virginia clinic.
Obviously, these herald a new era in business and the achievement is perceived as a major step towards making regular deliveries to your front doorstep.
Nevada is one of six states that the Federal Aviation Administration has designated as test sites for unmanned aircraft. NASA is working with the drone industry and the FAA on a low-altitude air traffic control system to prevent drone crashes.
The online retailer Amazon has been testing drone deliveries in other countries, including Canada and the Netherlands. And, Times of India dated 15 February 2016 has reported that in Indian weddings a trend is appearing where there is a clamor to capture those glorious moments of weddings on videos from the air – this aerial photography is done by using drones.
Many of the Indian weddings of the rich and famous are held at magnificent forts and palaces and drones add another dimension to make the event more regal. This trend is fast catching on as more and more couples are opting for aerial shots of their wedding.
Rajasthan is a state that provides a diversity in landscaping, clear skyline and open space to the lensmen who say that the demand for drone cameras has increased several times in the past two years. As a wedding planner admits - in Rajasthan, a drone can add grandeur to the images of the already plush wedding venues. ... The wide-angle and top-angle shots give a new outlook. The cameras are installed with ultra-high resolution (4K) cameras, zoom lenses and advanced stabilizers.
Such sophisticated drones provide a unique visual perspective of the ceremonies and can be purchased online from between Rs 75,000 to Rs 4 lakh, based on the demand and purpose. Of course, many photographers prefer to take it on rent for Rs 12,000 to 35,000 per day after depositing the identity proof and security money.
Photographers of Jaipur claim that last year there was a tremendous demand for drone photography. The photographers have their own code of conduct keeping in mind the security and safety aspects - they strictly say no to clients for drone shoots in city areas and the shooting are confined to farmhouses and outskirt areas.
Ref 1 - Forget using a caddy: Delivery drone will fly drinks and balls to golfers in minutes http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3514306/Forget-getting-golf-caddie-Delivery-drone-fly-drinks-balls-golfers-minutes.html Ref 2 - US Drone Makes History In First Urban Delivery http://news.sky.com/story/1667163/us-drone-makes-history-in-first-urban-delivery Ref 3 - Huge demand for drones at weddings http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Huge-demand-for-drones-at-weddings/articleshow/50990552.cms

World Sparrow Day on 20 March - Jaipur wants to bring back the sparrows

World Sparrow Day is on March 20 and, we all know that the house sparrows ae gradually vanishing from our midst - thanks to modern day construction of houses where there are no crevices or nooks and corners where these birds can nest. Also, with thanks to air-conditioners, there is hardly any opening through which the birds can enter any house.
Therefore, in Jaipur, a small group of conservationists is busy trying to make people realize the need for introducing minor changes around their homes so the environment becomes friendly to these little birds.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 26 February 2016.

The initiative started with free nest boxes that could be positioned on balconies and wait for the birds to make nests in them. The initiative did take off and the birds laid eggs. Once the chick was ready to spread its wings and take flight, they had to be fed high-protein insect diet. But, modern gardens do not sustain insect populations.
Sparrows are not birds that nest in trees but they need to be close to humans, and have evolved together with humans. Unfortunately, modern day families are small as are their living spaces - hence, they cannot allow the birds in because of the litters that they generate.
Therefore, it is necessary to work out a sort of comprise so that man and birds can coexist.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Latest trend in marriages - drone photography of weddings

The latest trend in Indian weddings is to capture those glorious moments on videos from the air and this aerial photography is dine by using drones. Many of the big, fat Indian weddings are held at magnificent forts and palaces and addition of drones adds another dimension to make the event more regal. This trend is fast catching on as more and more couples are opting for aerial shots of their wedding.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 15 February 2016.

In Rajasthan this is most evident - this state provides a diversity in landscaping, clear skyline and open space to the lensmen who say that the demand for drone cameras has increased several times in the past two years. As a wedding planner admits - in Rajasthan, a drone can add grandeur to the images of the already plush wedding venues. ... The wide-angle and top-angle shots give a new outlook. The cameras are installed with ultra-high resolution (4K) cameras, zoom lenses and advanced stabilizers.
Such sophisticated drones provide a unique visual perspective of the ceremonies and can be purchased online from between Rs 75,000 to Rs 4 lakh, based on the demand and purpose. Of course, many photographers prefer to take it on rent for Rs 12,000 to 35,000 per day after depositing the identity proof and security money.
Photographers of Jaipur claim that last year there was a tremendous demand for drone photography. The photographers have their own code of conduct keeping in mind the security and safety aspects - they strictly say no to our clients for drone shoots in city areas. The shooting are confined to farmhouses and outskirt areas.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Jaipur innovates - promotes roof top gardens for vegetables

Jaipur is setting a new trend in farming - it is promoting rooftop gardens to grow vegetables of daily needs, vegetables like ladies fingers, chilies, tomatoes etcetera. It is an initiative of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) and it wants people to grow fresh ladyfinger for lunch and take it with mint yogurt accompanied with pesticide-free tomatoes for salad. The veggies could be plucked from a roof-top vegetable garden and it could soon become a way of life for people of Jaipur.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 3 Fenruary 2016.

The work will be undertaken as a part of the Smart City project and the JMC is framing bylaws to make terrace vegetable farming mandatory in the city. It will be an effort to make the city terraces green. In some foreign countries, partially covering the rooftops of new buildings with plants or solar panels is a must. Jaipur plans to follow suit.
A kit has been developed - it is a plant-growing kit that consists of light-fibre `grow bags'. Several vegetables, including leafy ones, can be grown on the terrace with the help of the kit.
Vegetables consumed in the city are at present fed by the `polluted' waters of Dravyavati river. But, in the case of home grown veggies there would not be any need for using chemicals or pesticides. Rather, organic methods will be used for this green endeavor.


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Makar sankranti - enthusiasts ignore rising cost of kites and manjha and prepare to celebrate

It is Makar Sankranti and, ignoring the soaring price of kites and manjha and the widespread awareness on the adverse effects of kite flying, there was a huge rush at Handipura, Haldiyon Ka Raasta and other major markets that sell kites in Jaipur.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 14 January 2016.

Since this year Makar Sankranti falls on a Friday followed by another government holiday on Saturday, kite lovers are making a beeline to the markets to select and purchase their lot of kites and manjhas disregarding the increase in prices of the basic items namely, the kites and manjhas. These are almost 30% higher compared to the last year.
Kites that used to sell for Rs 60 per 20 pieces are now selling at around Rs 100 per 20 pieces. The Manjhas or threads are available for Rs 600 per 6,000 metres to Rs 800 per 6,000 metres.
Many people have opted for a casual leave on Thursday to get a four-day Holiday to fly kites. It is like an addiction - to see the kites flying and tying to down kites of others. It makes fr a friendly competition. The local administration has issued deadlines fr kite flying - no flying of kites between 6 am to 8 am and after 5 pm.

(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Thieves in Pink City Jaipur steal 4000-Kg of onions

Thieves in Jaipur, the Pink City, have decamped with 4000-Kg of onions from the wholesale market. They seized the golden opportunity to steal a product that will sell in no time. Police have arrested two persons in this regard from Muhana Mandi – they are a watchman of the mandi and a woman who provided place for the stock.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 2 September 2015.

Earlier, seventy sacks each containing 60-Kg of onions had been stolen from a shop in the Mandi on the intervening night of August 28-29 and the FIR was registered on August 30.
Thieves usually keep an eye open for easily disposable items and onions have presented them with an opportunity that no thief will pass over. It is an item in heavy demand, is easily disposable and untraceable to its source.
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Jaipur tragedy - 16 of marriage party electrocuted in moving bus

It was a tragedy of no mean proportions when a bus carrying a marriage party touched a live dangling wire resulting in electrocution and death of 16 members – eight of them were minors.
This has been reported in zeenews.com date 13 June 2015.

The bus was moving through a less traveled road when it came in contact with a live wire in the Pahewar area of Tonk. The bus was on its way to the nearby Morla village. It was an interior area and heavy vehicles like buses and trucks normally do not pass through that road.
The groom was in a separate vehicle and was not informed about the incident till late. The wedding ceremony was carried out in the presence of just a few people and the groom was informed later about the tragic incident.
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Palace On Wheels to get a new lease of life with a Gujarat link

The Palace on Wheels used to be a prestigious train for foreign tourists coming to India because while on board this luxurious train, one could feel like a Maharaja. It is a part of Rajasthan tourism but, of late, it was not able to attract tourists. Hence, it has been rented out to a firm in Ahmedabad and the Palace would now originate from Gujarat.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 3 June 2015.

The train will now be seen in an Indian avatar – it will be converted to host board meetings, product launches apart from marriage parties on the move. The new version would provide a new experience to the travelers.
A Gujarat-based travel company has concluded an agreement with the Rajasthan state tourism department and Indian Railways to bring the Palace on Wheels to Gujarat. The company would run the train, which includes finalizing its itinerary as per bookings.
The Palace on Wheels would make a new beginning in August when it would carry its first marriage party on board. The train has been booked initially for a year. The itinerary would be as per the needs of the clientele. The tentative plan is to begin from Ahmedabad, and head to Udaipur, Jaipur, Savai Madhavpur, Delhi and, finally, to Agra. There are also plans to host dinner for the passengers on the lawns near Taj Mahal, subject to permission being granted.
The company has indicated that even though the train will originate from Ahmedabad, it would have to market Rajasthan state tourism and, therefore, the guests would be booked into hotels run by the Rajasthan tourism department. (Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai and Jaisalmer are four Indian cities that globetrotters prefer

#globetrotters #TripAdvisor #Jaisalmer #NewDelhi #Mumbai Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai and Jaisalmer are the choice of globetrotters for attractive tourist destinations in India and have been featured in the top 25 destination in Asia as per TripAdvisor.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 5 April 2015.

Pink city Jaipur is 12th in the list with the capital New Delhi at 15th position, the financial capital Mumbai coming in at 20th place and Jaisalmer ranked 22nd – this is the result of data furnished in the 2015 TravelLers' Choice Asia list for Destinations according to the leading global travel website TripAdvisor.
These Indian cities are rich in history, culture and beauty and offer places of interest for all kinds of travelers – these include historical places, unique architecture, abundance of natural beauty spots like gardens and parks and varied lifestyles that have an attraction of their own.
The assessment is based on the millions of reviews and opinions from travelers.

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Women are not safe in India – can be stripped and paraded naked in villages

This bit of news from a village in Jaipur is enough to shock us beyond belief because we pride ourselves of being in a country where women are held in high esteem and respected as mother or sister. How then can local panchayat leaders take the law into their own hands and take such inhuman decisions? The woman was suspected to have committed murder – why not refer the matter to the police?
The shameful incident happened in Thurval village which is located some seven km from Charbhuja town in Rajsamand district when members of a community panchayat in a tribal area of the district accused a 45-year-old woman of killing her nephew.
The decision of the panchayat was to blacken her face, strip and parade her on a donkey's back.
The decision was taken in a meeting and the punishment was meted out instantly.
When her husband came to know of this, he lodged an FIR and the police have arrested 30 persons in this connection - nine of them are believed to be from the victim's family.
The traumatized woman has been shifted to a shelter home for the time being and she was being counseled.
Woman paraded naked in Bihar – in July-2014, a middle-aged woman of Sirwara village in Madhubani district of Bihar was paraded naked with blackened face in the village. Her crime was that she had allegedly helped the daughter-in-law of an influential person to escape.
Woman accused of witchcraft paraded naked in Odisha – another incident of July-2014 - a 60-year-old woman accused of practicing witchcraft was beaten, stripped, paraded naked and tied to an electricity pole in a village in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Villagers blamed the death of an 18-year-old boy on the woman, saying she had practiced witchcraft on him even though medical records showed that he had died of malaria.