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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Proud moment for Shivaji University researchers

Indian patent for portable sound absorption testing device Kolhapur: Researchers from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, have developed a portable sound absorption testing device that can scientifically assess whether an installed sound system and its acoustic treatment are functioning effectively. The innovation has been granted an Indian patent, marking a first-of-its-kind development in this field, the university said on Thursday. The patented device, named the Portable Sound Absorption Tester,...

Proud moment for Shivaji University researchers

Indian patent for portable sound absorption testing device Kolhapur: Researchers from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, have developed a portable sound absorption testing device that can scientifically assess whether an installed sound system and its acoustic treatment are functioning effectively. The innovation has been granted an Indian patent, marking a first-of-its-kind development in this field, the university said on Thursday. The patented device, named the Portable Sound Absorption Tester, has been developed by senior chemist Dr Kalyanrao Garadkar of Shivaji University, along with Dr Sandeep Sable and Dr Rohant Dhabbe of Jaysingpur College, and Dr Chandrala Jatkar of the D K T E Society’s Textile and Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji. The device is designed to test the sound absorption capacity of professional acoustic systems used in recording studios, theatres, auditoriums and soundproof chambers. Until now, the effectiveness of such sound-absorbing installations has largely been assessed through experience and trial-and-error after installation. The newly developed portable tester allows for immediate and scientific evaluation of sound absorption performance once the system is installed. Sound-absorbing sheets and panels are widely used in theatres, studios and vocal recording rooms to absorb echo around microphones and create a controlled acoustic environment, enabling cleaner and more professional audio output. The new device can be used to evaluate a wide range of absorbers, including perforated foam, fibre, fabric, membranes, panels and resonant absorbers, helping improve the quality and effectiveness of acoustic materials. Explaining the working of the device, Dr Garadkar said that the human audible frequency range extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The device generates sound waves within this spectrum and projects them onto the acoustic material under test. The sound waves that are not absorbed are detected by a microphone and displayed on the screen in the form of current or voltage readings. This enables users to instantly determine whether the sound absorption system is functioning as intended and make corrective interventions if required. The researchers said the device would also be useful for those engaged in acoustic fabrication and sound absorption research. Apart from being portable and easy to transport, the device is also cost-effective, making it suitable for field applications. The team expressed confidence that it would prove highly useful in the sound system testing sector. Shivaji University’s in-charge Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi and in-charge Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Jyoti Jadhav congratulated the research team on securing the patent.

Ballot Beckons

Maharashtra’s voters face a critical choice on November 20. With the State Assembly elections unfolding this time against a backdrop of political turbulence and deep regional disparities, the stakes have never been higher. The Election Commission of India (ECI), mindful of past voter indifference, has unleashed a flurry of campaigns to stir the electorate, particularly in urban bastions like Mumbai. Yet the question looms: will these efforts inspire citizens to exercise their franchise or will Maharashtra be shackled by the malaise of voter apathy?


Mumbai, the financial capital, has long struggled with dismal voter turnout, rarely crossing the 50 percent mark. Pune, too, has seen similar voter apathy. The middle and upper classes, often disillusioned by the complexities of coalition politics and uninspired by candidates, have shunned their civic duty in such cities. The same electorate, however, often cries foul over governance. This paradox must be confronted head-on in this Assembly poll. If urban elites remain disengaged, the state risks ceding political power to narrow, sectional interests.


The election also underscores a proliferation of independent candidates. A record 2,087 independents are in the fray this year, a staggering increase from 1,400 in 2019. While independents can inject fresh perspectives, many are likely ‘dummy candidates,’ planted to confuse voters or siphon votes.


A divided vote could further complicate governance in a state already grappling with fragmentation. The split in the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has muddied the waters, turning allies into adversaries and blurring ideological lines. Alliances on both sides - the Mahayuti and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) - are fragile, often at odds with their own histories and bases. If voters fail to deliver a decisive mandate, the state risks descending into the chaos of opportunistic coalitions and political paralysis. Maharashtra embodies a tale of two states. Urban centers like Mumbai and Pune boast infrastructure projects and high per capita income, while rural regions such as Vidarbha and Marathwada are plagued by droughts, farmer suicides, and economic stagnation. This dichotomy demands leaders who can bridge the gap, but a fractured mandate would embolden populist quick fixes over long-term solutions.


Maharashtra’s future hinges on its electorate’s ability to prioritize governance over identity politics. The State contributes 13.3 percent to India’s GDP and holds immense sway in national politics. Yet, its political future hinges on whether voters can rise above apathy, sectarianism and the temptation to reject candidates via NOTA.


In 2019, over 7 lakh voters chose this option, reflecting their dissatisfaction. While symbolic, NOTA does little to change the political landscape; engaged voting does.


The electorate must confront this reality: a fractured mandate will deliver fractured governance. The task is clear. Maharashtra’s voters must turn out in record numbers and cast their votes with discernment. Only then can the state hope to transcend its divisions and harness its immense potential.

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