Education

IIIT Hyderabad takes a step forward in inclusive education, expanding learning opportunities for visually impaired learners.

Hyderabad: Researchers at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad have launched Drishti Library, an AI-powered initiative under the Bhashini mission aimed at improving access to higher-education resources for visually impaired students.

For years, visually impaired learners have faced significant challenges due to the lack of accessible study materials in higher education. Drishti Library seeks to bridge this gap by converting textbooks into Braille and audiobook formats across multiple Indian languages.

The initiative will begin with Punjabi and gradually expand to cover more languages and academic disciplines. Drishti Library was officially unveiled at a recent Language AI for Accessibility symposium, marking a key step toward more inclusive education in India.

Developed at IIIT Hyderabad by researcher Krishna Tulsiyan under the guidance of Prof C.V. Jawahar and Prof Gurpreet Singh Lehal, Drishti Library is part of the Central government–led Bhashini initiative, a national mission focused on building AI-driven language technologies for all Indian languages.

Bhashini’s core mandate—to strengthen optical character recognition (OCR), speech synthesis, and other language tools for Indian languages—forms the technological backbone of Drishti. The library is built on OCR systems developed by a national consortium and aligns with Bhashini’s broader vision of creating inclusive, language-first digital public infrastructure.

“Any book in an Indian language can be scanned, proofread, converted, and finally made ready for Braille embossers or audio delivery,” said Prof Lehal.

The generated audio content is delivered through an audiobook reader application developed by the Product Lab at IIIT Hyderabad, led by Prakash Yalla and Satish Kathirisetti, along with Meghana Tatavolu, Afrin Sayed, Sairam Bonu, Akhila Vennigalla, and Vidushi Garg.

Key features of the application include adjustable playback speed, intuitive audio-based navigation controls, and other accessibility-focused interface enhancements.

Despite significant progress, challenges remain—particularly in achieving natural-sounding speech across all languages. “For some languages, we have very good text-to-speech systems. However, for Punjabi, high-quality TTS is still lacking. That will improve with time,” Prof Lehal noted.

While the initial focus was on generating content for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, the scope has since expanded to support visually impaired students preparing for competitive examinations, including UPSC, with IIIT Hyderabad researchers actively working in this direction.

17 Hyderabad Students Build Payload For Upcoming ISRO Launch

17 Hyderabad Students Build Payload for Upcoming ISRO Launch

The students of Blue Blocks Montessori School have named their payload Project SBB-1 (Satellite Blue Blocks-1), which has now received official clearance from ISRO for launch aboard the PSLV-C62 mission.

Hyderabad: A team of 17 students aged between 12 and 15 from Hyderabad has achieved a remarkable milestone by designing and building a flight-ready CubeSat payload, scheduled for launch aboard an ISRO mission on January 12 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota.

The students of Blue Blocks Montessori School have named their payload Project SBB-1 (Satellite Blue Blocks-1). The project has received official clearance from ISRO and will fly on the PSLV-C62 mission.

Setting their work apart from conventional school-level STEM projects, the students independently designed, assembled, and programmed the CubeSat payload. They used commercial off-the-shelf sensors, soldered electronic components, and developed firmware capable of transmitting real-time telemetry. While experts from Take Me 2 Space offered mentorship and technical guidance, the entire engineering effort—from hardware integration to coding—was carried out by the students themselves..

“Debugging the code when the sensors failed to communicate was the most challenging part. We didn’t want to just witness a launch—we wanted our work to fly on the rocket,” said one of the students.

The project was developed at the Blue Blocks Micro Research Institute using a learning framework known as ‘Structural Autonomy,’ which promotes independent problem-solving with minimal adult supervision. Emphasising the achievement, co-founder Pavan Goyal said, “They are not engineers of the future; they are flight-ready engineers today.”

The Blue Blocks initiative has earned international recognition, with the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo inviting co-founder Pavan Goyal to present the programme’s methodology. In addition, the students are set to deliver a technical review at the AMI Conference in Mexico, showcasing their work on a global stage.

About the PSLV-C62 Mission

The PSLV-C62 mission will carry the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite, along with 15 co-passenger satellites from India and international partners. The mission will also feature a technology demonstration of the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID), a compact prototype re-entry vehicle developed by a Spanish startup.

ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is regarded as the organisation’s most reliable launch system, having completed 63 successful missions. Its legacy includes landmark launches such as Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, and Astrosat, and it holds a global record for deploying 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017.

With Swami’s Blessings, New Skill Development Batch Commences on 05 January 2026

Sri Sathya Sai Skill Development Center, Khairatabad

Pranaams to the Divine Feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba varu. 🙏

With Swami’s boundless grace, the Sri Sathya Sai Skill Development Center continues its mission of empowering unemployed youth through value-based, industry-relevant education.

After the successful completion of two batches of the Data Engineer course, where 220 unemployed youth were trained and 70 candidates secured placements in reputed organizations, we had planned to launch yet another Data Engineer batch. However, as always, Swami had other divine plans.

Recently, IBM Senior Management approached us with a special request—to design a focused training program for unemployed MBA Finance and Commerce graduates. Their requirement was clear: equip youth with strong foundations in

Financial Mathematics
Economics
Data Literacy (Excel)
Communication Skills
Positive Attitude and Professional Mindset

In response, our team has thoughtfully designed an intensive 3-week training program tailored specifically to meet IBM’s expectations and industry standards.

📅 Program Details

Course Start Date: 05 January (Monday)
Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: Sri Sathya Sai Skill Development Center, Khairatabad
Batch Strength: 25 unemployed youth

From this batch, 10–15 eligible and well-performing candidates are expected to be considered for opportunities aligned with IBM’s requirements.

We extend our heartfelt wishes to all the students embarking on this new journey of learning and transformation. May this program open doors to meaningful employment and a brighter future.

May Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba bless these students with knowledge, confidence, and success, and guide us always in our efforts to serve more youth.

Jai Sairam 🙏

21-Year-Old IIT Hyderabad Student Gets ₹2.5 Crore Job Offer, Highest Ever for the Institute 2-Jan-2026

Defying a challenging hiring environment, a 21-year-old Computer Science and Engineering student from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad has secured a staggering ₹2.5 crore annual job offer from a Netherlands-based firm during this year’s campus placements.

According to IIT Hyderabad officials, this is the highest package ever offered to a student since the institute was established in 2008.

The student, Edward Nathan Varghese, converted a two-month summer internship into a pre-placement offer (PPO). Notably, he emerged as the sole PPO recipient among the two interns shortlisted by the company.

‘First and only interview’

Speaking to The Times of India (TOI), Varghese described the moment he received the offer as unforgettable.
“This was the first and only company I interviewed for. I was ecstatic when my mentor indicated that the firm would be extending me an offer. So were my parents,” he said.

Born and raised in Hyderabad, Varghese completed his schooling in Bengaluru from Class 7 to Class 12. Despite the broader slowdown in the job market, he said he remained confident about securing a top offer, crediting consistent preparation and focus on core technical skills.

His achievement has drawn widespread attention and is being seen as a testament to IIT Hyderabad’s growing reputation in producing globally competitive talent.

NMDC–The Hindu FIC Chess Tournament to Be Held in Hyderabad on January 3

The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), in association with The Hindu, will organise the FIC Chess Tournament in Hyderabad on Saturday, January 3. The one-day tournament will take place at the State Art Gallery, Madhapur.

The competition will feature multiple age categories — Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 — for both boys and girls. Matches will be conducted on a Swiss League format and played under the latest FIDE Rapid Rules.

Players born on or after January 1, 2011, are eligible to participate. The tournament is being organised under the aegis of the Telangana Chess Association.

Registration Details

Registration is free of cost
Online registration only (no spot registrations)
Participants must carry a photocopy of their Aadhaar card, which is mandatory and must be produced on demand
Registered players are required to report at the venue by 9.30 a.m.

Prizes

The top three finishers in each category will receive prizes, certificates, and a shield.
The prize distribution ceremony will be held at the NMDC Office, Masab Tank, on January 26, 2026. Winners will be informed separately about the ceremony timings.

For further information, participants may contact the organisers at 9989912645.

Young minds explore gene cloning at CCMB

For a group of Hyderabad schoolchildren, the New Year began not with fireworks, but with microscopes and lab benches. Students from Classes 8, 9, and 10, representing both government and private schools, conducted gene cloning experiments at the CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for the first time as part of the Young Innovators Programme (YIP).

The five-day programme offered participants a rare opportunity to experience life as scientists. “Five of us from our school took the entrance exam. On the first day, we observed fruit flies and zebrafish. Later, we worked on bacterial cultures and polymerase chain reaction,” said Yash Ashwatha P, a Class 10 student from Telangana Model School, Suryapet.

Selected as the only government school student in this year’s cohort, Yash added that while he aspires to become a civil engineer, the programme has also encouraged him to seriously consider science-related courses in the future.

For many participants, the experience proved transformative. “We truly felt like scientists during these days. From observing bacterial growth to performing gene cloning, we gained microscopic insights into DNA and how these nearly invisible strands replicate,” said Nishka Joshi.

J. Nathan, a Class 9 student from St Andrews School, said the programme broadened his understanding of how artificial intelligence can support experiments in chemistry and biology. “I already use AI tools such as Gama AI,” he added.

Another participant, Bal Soham Banerjee, noted that the practical sessions covered topics typically taught in Classes 11 and 12, going far beyond the limited textbook exposure available at school.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr Somdatta Karak, Senior Scientist and Head of Science Communication at CSIR-CCMB, said the 13th edition of the Young Innovators Programme (YIP) included 25 to 30 students. “This year, our focus was on hands-on training in molecular biology, including gene cloning. Due to laboratory capacity, participation is limited, but we hope to explore ways to include more students next year if adequate funding becomes available,” she said.

Sanghamitra Meet – Release of Handbook for Volunteer Engagement | 28 December 2025

At the recent Sanghamitra Meet, hosted by Pragathi Welfare Society, the Sanghamitra Team proudly released the Handbook for Volunteer Engagement, published by Youth For Seva as part of the United Nations’ International Volunteer Year 2026 initiative.

This practical and insightful handbook serves as a valuable resource for NGOs and non-profit organizations, offering guidance on how to effectively engage volunteers in development and community-driven initiatives. It emphasizes building meaningful volunteer participation and integrating community engagement into the very fabric of organizational culture.

We encourage all NGOs, non-profits, and social sector organizations to explore this handbook and leverage its learnings to strengthen volunteer involvement and impact.

Handbook for Volunteer Engagement Download

Warm regards,
Team Sanghamitra

Celebrating 6 Years of I Can Volunteer – 21st December 2025

On 21st December 2025, I Can Volunteer proudly celebrates six years of compassion, consistency, and community.

Founded by Sheila ma’am, I Can Volunteer began with a simple yet powerful intention — to support children battling cancer and their families during one of the most difficult phases of their lives. What started as a heartfelt initiative has grown into an active and dedicated volunteer network.

Today, I Can Volunteer works across five pediatric cancer care centres in Hyderabad, including:

Ram Dev Rao Cancer Hospital

St. Jude India ChildCare Centres – Somajiguda

St. Jude India ChildCare Centres – Banjara Hills

Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital

Rainbow Children’s Hospital

Six years on, I Can Volunteer continues to stand for showing up where it matters most — with empathy, reliability, and heartfelt service.

As we come together on 21st December 2025 to mark this milestone, we celebrate every volunteer and supporter who has walked this journey with us. Your time, care, and commitment have made a lasting impact on countless young lives and families.

Your time and heart mean everything — come, let us celebrate YOU. ✨

Embade Ramesh Wins Big as Sarpanch of Pulimamidi Village-Dec-2025

Embade Ramesh Wins Pulimamidi Sarpanch Election with Thumping Majority

Embade Ramesh registered a resounding victory in the Pulimamidi village Sarpanch elections held under Kandukur mandal, winning with a clear majority of 154 votes and earning the strong trust and confidence of the people.

The elections, conducted on December 15, saw a large voter turnout, with villagers extending overwhelming support to Embade Ramesh. Soon after the results were announced, celebrations broke out across the village. Supporters, local leaders, and villagers congratulated the newly elected Sarpanch by garlanding him with flowers.

Speaking on the occasion, Embade Ramesh expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the voters for placing their faith in him. He assured that he would work tirelessly for the overall development of Pulimamidi village, focusing on strengthening basic infrastructure and ensuring effective implementation of welfare schemes. He emphasized that progress would be achieved with the cooperation of all villagers.

Mr. Krishna Reddy of the CSR Memorial Foundation congratulated Embade Ramesh on his victory and wished him success in his efforts toward the development of Pulimamidi. He also conveyed his best wishes to the newly elected Sarpanch team, expressing confidence that they would work collectively for the welfare of the village, including the development of community halls and residential facilities.

Mr. Krishna Reddy further congratulated the newly elected 6th Ward Member, Mallesh Yadav, on his success.

A Day of Devotion and Unity: Day 238 of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Pravahini Rath Yatra-18-Dec-2025

Day 238 of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Pravahini Rath Yatra was a vibrant and spiritually uplifting occasion for the devotees of Tarnaka Samithi.

The day began in the serene ambiance of Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka, with the early morning Suprabhatam and Nagara Sankirtan, setting a deeply devotional tone. The hall resonated with melodious chants, invoking Swami’s blessings for the day ahead.

Devotees then gathered for the Pooja of Swami’s Rath, a sacred ritual that filled the atmosphere with divine energy and collective prayer. This was followed by Likhit Japa Sadhana and Sai Literature Reading, which further deepened the devotees’ connection with Swami’s teachings.

The Rath then embarked on its sacred journey from Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka, to Railway Degree College, Tarnaka. The sight of the beautifully decorated Rath moving through the village roads was a moment of joy, reverence, and spiritual inspiration for all who witnessed it.

A major highlight of the day was the grand rally from Marri Krishna Hall to Railway Degree College, Tarnaka. The procession, accompanied by the Sathya Sai Seva Organization – Tarnaka Samithi, was a vibrant display of faith and unity. Devotees participated enthusiastically in the Dindi, while placards displaying Swami’s divine messages added special meaning and inspiration for both participants and onlookers. The dedicated Seva Dal volunteers efficiently managed traffic on the busy roads, ensuring the procession proceeded smoothly and without inconvenience to the public.

The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks, followed by melodious Bhajans and the Mangala Aarti, bringing the day’s spiritual journey to a blissful close.

As Swami’s Rath reached Railway Degree College, Tarnaka, the collective prayers, devotional music, and spirit of selfless service made Day 238 a truly memorable chapter in the Rath Yatra—strengthening the bonds of love, unity, and service within the Sai family.