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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.

The Original Shiv Sainiks

Shiv Sainik

In the Marathi-majority area of Kherwadi in Bandra East, Shrikant Sarmalkar was the quintessential Shiv Sainik—a fiery street fighter who had participated in various morchas, was allegedly involved the violence that erupted in Mumbai during the 1992 riots and was the man who carried bullets in his body. He died in January this year following a prolonged illness which kept him away from the political spotlight for several years. His legacy is being claimed by two parts of his family—nephew Kunal Sarmalkar and son-in-law Hari Shastri, albeit on two sides of the Shiv Sena. Just like the Shiv Sena was split, the Sarmalkar family has also seen a political split, right in the backyard of Uddhav Thackeray’s home.


Sarmalkar’s brother’s son, Kunal, went with Shinde and is contesting the assembly elections from Bandra East, offering quite a challenge to Thackeray’s nephew Varun Sardesai. For the past few years, Kunal has been a widely visible face in the area, organising sports tournaments, funding Ganpati mandal celebrations especially in the areas of the Marathi-dominated Government Colony and Kherwadi. His wife Pallavi lends him able support by organising social and cultural events with women, adding soft power to his efforts at an electoral debut. On the other side of the family is Sarmalkar’s son-in-law Hari Shastri, an advocate by education who stayed back with the Thackeray faction.


Sarmalkar had participated in several street agitations that the Shiv Sena was famous for during Bal Thackeray’s times. He was among those who led the ‘chaddi morcha’ who protested outside the house of actor Dilip Kumar who was advocating the screening of the film, Fire, which showed same-sex relationships. The topic was taboo for the Shiv Sena at that time. Sarmalkar became a corporator in the municipal corporation in 1985 and continued to be in the BMC until 1992. In 1996, he contested the by-elections to the state legislature and won but lost the polls after that. The MLA from Kherwadi was popular for being accessible to the people and was recognised as the man who drove cars in Thackeray senior’s convoy and even provided him security. Back then, Thackeray took pride in saying that his ‘sainiks’ provided him with security. In 1987, Sarmalkar was shot by unknown assailants and while a few bullets were removed from his body, there was a bullet that stayed inside him. He quit the Shiv Sena with Narayan Rane in 2005 but returned to be with Uddhav Thackeray in 2011.


The Gen Next of the family is now working with both sections of the Shiv Sena in an attempt to claim the goodwill he enjoyed over the years.

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