Total Lunar Eclipse to Dazzle Indian Skies on September 7, 2025

Public encouraged to witness the rare celestial event safely

Press meet held at press club of bengaluru

Bengaluru, Karnataka – September 2025:
A total lunar eclipse will be visible across India, including Karnataka, on the night of 7 September 2025. The event, observable with the naked eye, will showcase the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun in a rare astronomical spectacle. The Platform of Astronomy Communicators of Karnataka (PACK) has urged the public to step outdoors with family and friends to witness the phenomenon.

What Happens During an Eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the lunar surface. The shadow has two parts: the umbra, a darker region, and the penumbra, a lighter one. When the Moon moves completely into the umbra, it glows red or coppery, commonly known as the “blood moon,” caused by Earth’s atmosphere bending red wavelengths of sunlight onto the Moon.

Key Timings (IST)

Penumbral phase begins: 8:58 PM

Partial eclipse begins: 9:57 PM

Total eclipse: 11:01 PM – 12:23 AM (82 minutes)

Partial eclipse ends: 1:26 AM

Penumbral phase ends: 2:25 AM


Safe to View

The eclipse is completely safe to watch without special equipment, though binoculars or telescopes can enhance the view. Astronomers stress that eclipses are natural events, long understood since Aryabhata’s time, and not harmful—contrary to myths that have sometimes led to unsafe practices.

Public Events & Livestream

Residents are encouraged to watch from open terraces or backyards. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics will livestream the event from Bengaluru, Ladakh, and Kodaikanal, while the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru, will host public viewing.

More details and livestream link: https://bit.ly/astropack

Next Eclipse

The next total lunar eclipse visible from India will occur on 31 December 2028.

For more information contact:

Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Indian Institute of Astrophysics
7798680084 | p@iap.res.in

B.R. Guruprasad, Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
9448397700 | director@taralaya.org

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KASSIA to Celebrate Platinum Jubilee on May 17, 2025

Bengaluru, May 13, 2025 — The Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) is all set to mark a historic milestone as it celebrates its Platinum Jubilee, commemorating 75 years of dedicated service to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in Karnataka.

The grand celebration will take place on May 17, 2025, at the Gnana Jyothi Auditorium, Palace Road, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru. The event will be inaugurated by Sri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka. He will be joined by several dignitaries including Sri D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister, Sri Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, Hon’ble Minister for Small Scale Industries, and Sri T. Raghu Murthy, MLA, Challakere & Chairman, KSSIDC, as Guests of Honour. Sri Priya Krishna, MLA, Govindarajanagar will also grace the occasion.

Top bureaucrats from the Government of Karnataka, including Dr. S. Selvakumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Sri Ramandeep Chowdhary, IAS, Secretary (MSME & Mines), Smt. Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development, and Sri Nitesh Patil, IAS, Director, MSME, are among the invited special guests. Sri A.L. Ravindran, CGM & Chief Business Officer, SIDBI, will also participate along with other departmental heads.

The celebration will commence at 5:00 PM, with the Hon’ble Chief Minister launching the Platinum Jubilee Logo, KASSIA’s 75-Year Journey, and several key digital initiatives including the B2B Portal, Udyog Portal, and e-Commerce Portal. He will also release the KASSIA Platinum Jubilee Industrial Directory and felicitate past presidents of the organization.

Established in 1949 by freedom fighter Sri R.S. Aradhya, who served as Founder President for 18 years, KASSIA has been a cornerstone in the development of MSMEs across Karnataka. Over the last seven decades, 54 Presidents have helmed the organization, guiding it through phases of growth and transformation.

Today, with over 13,000 direct members and 132 affiliated associations, KASSIA stands as one of the most influential voices for MSMEs in the region. The association continues to champion policies and initiatives that foster innovation, generate employment, and contribute to the state’s industrial progress. Karnataka’s MSME sector currently contributes 2.2% to India’s GDP, underscoring its national significance.

The Platinum Jubilee is not only a celebration of legacy and leadership but also a moment to spotlight future policy directions and digital transformation in the MSME sector. The event is expected to witness wide participation from MSME units, industry leaders, policymakers, and government officials.

For more information, visit http://www.kassia.in

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Alliance University Invites Applications for Undergraduate Admissions; Last Date to Apply is April 30, 2025

BENGALURU | 15 APRIL, 2025: Alliance University, Karnataka’s first private university established in 2010 and recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is pleased to announce the opening of undergraduate admissions for the academic year commencing in July 2025. The university offers a diverse array of programmes across various disciplines, including Business, Engineering, Law, Liberal Arts, Design, Media Studies, Sciences, Public Policy and Performing arts all designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their chosen fields.

Prospective candidates can submit their applications April 30, 2025, through the university’s application portal at apply.alliance.edu.in. The application process requires candidates to register with a valid email address and mobile number, complete the application form, upload requisite documents, and pay the application fee. Admissions will be based on merit, as well as performance in entrance exams (where applicable) and personal interviews.

Dr. B. Priestly Shan, Vice-Chancellor of Alliance University, expressed enthusiasm for welcoming new candidates to pursue their undergraduate studies, Alliance University, stated, “At Alliance University, we are committed to nurturing future leaders by providing a transformative educational experience that blends academic excellence with industry relevance. Our diverse undergraduate programs are structured to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and global perspective needed to thrive in their careers. We look forward to welcoming bright young minds to our dynamic and vibrant campus.”
The undergraduate programmes offered include a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Hons.) focused on developing managerial competencies, and a Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech.) with specialisations in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence. New additions include B. Tech. in Biotechnology and B. Tech. in Production Engineering, responding to shifts in scientific and industrial domains. Integrated law programmes such as B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) combine humanities with legal studies. The B. Des. programme is curated by top minds from the design industry and academia.

Alliance University offers up to 100% scholarships across all academic programmes under clearly defined categories: merit-based, category-based, alumni, sports, women-specific, and international. Each category follows a structured set of eligibility criteria, including academic record, demonstrated ability, financial context, and social background. Full tuition support is extended to students from marginalised communities in Karnataka as part of a broader commitment to social responsibility. Women-specific scholarships form part of an ongoing effort to address structural barriers in access to higher education. The scholarship framework functions as an integrated system of support, aligned with the university’s approach to inclusion and long-term educational impact.
For those interested in the performing arts, the Alliance School of Performing Visual and Creative Arts offers a one-year full-time Diploma in Performing Arts, with specializations in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Carnatic Vocal, Indology, Contemporary Dance, Kathak, and Odissi.

The deadline for submission of application forms is April 30, 2025. For more information about admissions and eligibility criteria, prospective candidates are encouraged to visit Alliance University’s programme application page at apply.alliance.edu.in.

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Amity University Bengaluru to Host International Pharma Conference on March 7-8, 2025

Bengaluru: Amity University Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), is set to host a two-day international conference on “Fostering Industry-Academia Synergy for Transformative Pharma Innovations” on March 7-8, 2025, at its campus in Devanahalli.

The conference aims to serve as a premier platform for industry leaders, academicians, researchers, and regulatory experts to discuss advancements in pharmaceutical research, drug development, and industry-academia collaboration. Given India’s crucial role in global healthcare, the event is expected to provide key insights into strengthening research and development (R&D) capabilities while maintaining affordability in the pharma sector.

Key highlights of the conference include keynote addresses by national and international pharma experts, panel discussions on emerging collaborations, scientific presentations, poster sessions, exhibitions, specialized workshops, and networking opportunities.

Eminent personalities such as Dr. Montukumar M. Patel, President of PCI, and Mr. Namit Joshi, Chairman of Pharmexcil (Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India), will be the chief guests. Other distinguished speakers include Dr. Deependra Singh, Chairman-PERC, Central Council PCI members Dr. M. Niranjan Babu and Dr. Akash Ved.

Renowned experts from the pharmaceutical industry and academia will deliver keynote speeches, including:

Dr. Ravindra Vikram Singh, Director & Head-R&D, Merck India

Dr. Kailash C. Petkar, Senior Scientist, DSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology

Dr. Arun Kumar Pandey, Senior VP-R&D, Alkem Laboratories Ltd.

Dr. Aljosa Bolje, Expert (AS & T), Novartis, Slovenia

Dr. Pranab K. Patra, Head-R&D, ADAMA

Ms. Medha Pratap, Senior Director-Clinical Network, EME Morley, UK

Dr. Ravindra Rawal, Principal Scientist (CS&T Division), CSIR-NEIST, Assam

Dr. Chew Yik Ling, Associate Professor, UCSI University, Malaysia


Prof. (Dr.) D Subhakar, Vice Chancellor of Amity University Bengaluru, emphasized that the conference would provide a unique platform for delegates to network, exchange groundbreaking insights, and foster innovation through strategic industry-academia collaborations.

Dr. P.S. Sali, Vice President-Academics, highlighted India’s role in meeting global healthcare demands through pharmaceutical production, stating that the conference would be highly relevant in addressing challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Prof. (Dr.) Amit Verma, Director-Research (i/c) and Organizing Secretary of the conference, announced that delegates would have the opportunity to participate in a specialized workshop on computational chemistry and molecular modeling. He also revealed that over 250 research papers have been received, and the conference is expected to attract more than 500 delegates from India and across the globe.

The event is anticipated to drive discussions on the future of pharmaceutical innovations and regulatory advancements, strengthening India’s position as a global leader in the pharma industry.

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