Latest news with #Agarwal
Technical.ly
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Technical.ly
After high-profile derailments, this founder turned his engineering skills toward improving rail safety
After two deadly train crashes made headlines in 2023, Tejas Agarwal was inspired to create rail infrastructure technology, but was unsure how to turn the idea into a startup. While Agarwal always had an interest in starting his own company, he faced unique challenges as an immigrant in the United States. But the East Palestine, Ohio, and Odisha, India, train accidents spurred his idea into action. In 2023, Agarwal founded Sahay AI, a robotics company that uses an AI-based system to inspect railroad infrastructure. Then, last October, Agarwal's advisor sent him an application for Unshackled Ventures, a VC firm that specializes in supporting immigrant entrepreneurs. He applied and got $150,000 in funding, pushing him to pursue Sahay AI full-time, and a few months later, it landed on 2025 RealLIST Startups list. Originally from India, Agarwal completed his undergraduate degree in electrical and electronics engineering. However, his main interest at the time was in aerial design and engineering, which he pursued as an extracurricular. As he continued his work in robotics, his specific interest in drones emerged. He used to watch online lectures from Vijay Kumar, the current dean of Penn Engineering, and decided he wanted to go to the University of Pennsylvania to study drones. He moved to Philly in 2021 to complete his master's degree, where one of his professors sparked his interest in self-driving cars. He got involved with the Autoware Foundation based out of Pennovation and started working there after graduating in 2023, eventually building up the skills to branch out on his own. In this edition of How I Got Here series, Agarwal discusses the current events that led to founding Sahay AI, why robotics seemed cooler than software and how his immigrant experience helped him found a company. This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. How did you become interested in robotics? In undergrad, I got the opportunity to work with this club at my university called Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs), where we started designing reconnaissance UAVs and inspection drones. That's basically where my first interest in robotics started. We won global competitions all around the world, even in the US. That made it clear to me that I wanted to do something in the technology space on the robotics side. I felt like software was great, but through robotics, I could actually change something in the world. It feels more gratifying — and it looked cool, honestly. 'Software was great, but through robotics, I could actually change something in the world.' Sahay AI founder Tejas Agarwal What led you to start your company? I knew I wanted to start a company because I felt like I couldn't do anything else. I wanted to do everything, the tech, the sales, the team building. I wanted to use all of my skills that I learned over the years. There were a couple of things that happened that pushed me into the idea for Sahay AI. The first one was a rail accident that happened in February 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio. Norfolk Southern, a freight train, got derailed due to faulty equipment on their side. In June of 2023, there was another train accident in India where three trains collided and 300 people ended up dying. I was curious about what's going on. I found out that the rail industry was very archaic. People were still walking on the track to do inspections. Now, this would be okay if the trains were not in operation, but because the trains are continuously in operation, and there are only specific intervals where these guys can actually go. I realized there might be a problem of just data abstraction, or people are not getting to see what they're supposed to see. How has being an immigrant impacted your entrepreneurship experience? The pros are that you come from the perspective of two different countries. You have those cultural learnings from when you were growing up, and now you have to adjust to a completely different cultural setting. You have to learn a bit of the lingo. In terms of cons, the visa issues are a thing. I think that's a common stress that immigrants have to face. Even if you're on a job here, it's a big issue. It's good to just keep on working and concentrate on what you're here to do. Unshackled Ventures has really been awesome on that front. They've taken care of all of the responsibility for the visas so that I can focus on the business. What lessons have you learned from starting Sahay AI? There's a big learning curve, especially coming from an engineering background; there's so much to learn. There is sales, there is business development, there is hiring, there's team management. It's not just tech. The biggest one is to keep learning. One thing I've felt is that the more I learn, the more I know about my own sector, the better I am in conversations and the better knowledge I can give to my teammates to grow the company better. Learn everything that you can about running a company. If you want somebody to do something for you, you need to have that bit of knowledge to actually hold a conversation, ask good questions and make sure they're doing everything right. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a company? Research, learn and do not hold back. In school, I felt that web development was not my cup of tea, and I would never need to do it. Actually, I've designed five websites since then. Play around with stuff, talk to as many people as you can, because people are the biggest sources of knowledge, and there's no better way you grow in life than talking to people. One thing that I tell myself every day is, nobody knows what they're doing, so don't put yourself down. You can do it.
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Bharti Singh on doing intermittent fasting to lose weight yet having a full plate breakfast: ‘Aapko lagega baarat aagayi hai'
In a recent interaction, Bharti Singh detailed her breakfast and diet, sharing that she ensures to have all three meals. 'I have also done intermittent fasting to reduce my weight. But I eat properly at all three times. I am hungry as soon as I wake up. After going to the washroom, I skip bathing but sit down to eat. So, in half an hour after I wake up, I have paratha, raat ki sabzi, and half-fried egg. No milk or curd. I have black tea with ginger. And white butter. Aapko lagega baarat aagayi hai (You will feel that you are at a wedding reception),' she said in a conversation with actor Ridhi Dogra on her YouTube channel, alongside her husband, Haarsh Limbachiyaa. As she further shared that she eats her last meal at 6-7 pm, Limbachiyaa added that it is on the recommendation of their Ayurvedic doctor that she stuck to the routine. 'Our Ayurvedic doctor said that the stomach's digestive fire is high in the morning. So, you can do intermittent fasting, but eat in the morning. That means you start your fast at 5 pm. So, the digestive fire will be so heavy at 8-9 am. But ultimately, it depends on the body,' Limbachiyaa contended. Taking a cue from Bharti's revelation, let's understand all about the benefits of having a heavy breakfast. Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Parel, Mumbai, said a hearty breakfast can significantly impact overall health and well-being, offering several benefits. 'Consuming a well-rounded breakfast, packed with essential nutrients, can jumpstart metabolism and provide the energy needed to navigate daily activities. A 'full plate' breakfast often includes a balance of proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates, which can help maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduce cravings later in the day. Research indicates that a nutritious breakfast can improve focus, cognitive function, and productivity, making it an essential part of a balanced diet,' said Dr Agarwal. However, too many carbs can inhibit weight loss. The key is to ensure portion control, said Dr Agarwal. Additionally, intermittent fasting, when done correctly, can complement your body goals. 'This eating pattern typically involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, which can enhance metabolic flexibility and improve insulin sensitivity. By eating a full breakfast and then abstaining from food for a prescribed period, individuals may experience weight management benefits, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular repair processes,' said Dr Agarwal. A structured eating routine that maximises nutrient intake while promoting a healthy lifestyle encourages mindful eating habits while leveraging the benefits of fasting, effectively supporting both physical and mental health. 'This balanced approach can lead to sustainable energy levels and improved overall wellness,' said Dr Agarwal. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Iran-Israel conflict: India halts tea exports to Tehran amid escalating tensions with Tel Aviv
India has suspended tea exports to Iran due to the escalating conflict with Israel, disrupting communication and business operations. This halt impacts premium orthodox tea shipments worth Rs 100-150 crore, with concerns rising over access to the Strait of Hormuz affecting overall West Asian tea trade. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India has halted tea exports to Iran amid an escalating conflict between the latter and exporters say erratic telecom connectivity and widespread business disruptions due to the conflict are making it difficult to reach out to their Iranian clients. This has impacted Rs 100-150 crore worth of premium orthodox tea shipments, for which contracts have already been signed.'It has been one week since the war began. The shipments for the past week are on hold as we are not able to establish contact with our buyers,' said Mohit Agarwal, director, Asian Tea Company. 'This is the time for Iran to buy premium second flush teas. We have no other choice but to wait and watch.'"Offices are closed in Iran, and therefore, the exporters are not able to contact the Iranian buyers. Connectivity has become a major issue in Iran due to the war situation,' Agarwal overall West Asian market, including Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE, consumes around 90 million kg of Indian tea, comprising about 35% of total tea price of Assam orthodox tea hit a record high of Rs 314 per kg at auctions this year, buoyed by strong demand from Gulf countries. Prices were Rs 15-20 per kg lower last tea prices have fallen by 5-10% in the past week due to suspension of shipments to Iran while other Middle East countries did not place fresh orders due to geopolitical tensions caused by the Iran-Israel Bhansali, partner of Bhansali & Company, a tea exporting firm, said, 'Exports to Iran have come to a standstill and prices may fall further. Moreover, uncertainty looms over exports to Iraq, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as these shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz , which Iran is controlling."As Israel and Iran continue to launch missile and drone attacks on each other, there is growing concern that Iran could restrict or block access to the Strait of Hormuz—something it has threatened in the past. Even the fear of this happening can send shockwaves through oil markets and disrupt global India Tea Exporters Association chairman Dipak Shah said exporters are taking a cautious stance since freight costs and insurance expenses for shipments are likely to increase if the Iran-Israel conflict prolongs for a long predominantly buys orthodox tea from north India, though it also buys limited quantities from south India. "There is apprehension among exporters about how the situation will pan out in the next few days. Nobody wants to venture into a country engaged in a military conflict,' Shah conflict comes at a time when the premium second flush teas have started arriving in the market. The second flush tea is the largest foreign exchange earner for the Indian tea exported about 255 million kg of tea worth Rs 7,111 crore in 2024, when it moved up to the third position from the fourth on tea exports, replacing Sri Lanka. Exports from Assam and West Bengal totalled 154.81 million kg, valued at Rs 4,833 crore. South India's share was 99.86 million kg worth Rs 2,278 crore.
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana HC notice to Naveen Mittal in evacuee property NOC case
In the second petition, Agarwal contested a decision of the trial court which had kept in abeyance the cognisance proceedings against Mittal and other public servants due to the pending sanction under Section 197 CrPC. The petitioner alleged that the NOCs were issued illegally to third parties in criminal collusion with other accused persons. She claimed that forged and fabricated documents were used and that the NOCs were issued with false recitals. She also alleged that objections raised by her were recorded without her being served any notice or given an opportunity to be heard. The NOC proceedings allegedly went so far as to declare the title and possession in favour of the applicants, effectively undermining her own claim to the property. Agarwal asserted that the entire process was aimed at misclassifying the disputed land as 'non-evacuee' property, thereby nullifying her title which is based on GO No 388 dated December 20, 1954. This government order had declared the subject land as evacuee property, forming the basis of her claim. The two writ petitions came up for hearing before separate Single Judge Benches — one headed by Justice K Lakshman and the other by Justice N Tukaramji. After hearing the submissions, both benches issued notices to Mittal.
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Ex-municipality chairman among five held for extortion of money from truckers
JHARSUGUDA: Lakhanpur police on Wednesday night arrested five persons including former chairman of Brajrajnagar municipality Kishor Agarwal for allegedly extorting money from truck drivers loading coal at Lakhanpur opencast mines. Apart from prime accused Agarwal (65) of Lamtibahal, his associates Stifen Paramanik, Amarendar Singh, Sujit Kerketta and Sashi Dhar Chouhan were arrested under sections 296, 308 (6), and 61 (2) of BNS. The arrests were made on basis of a complaint filed by one Sunny Ram (36), a truck driver of Simdega in Jharkhand, alleging coercion and threats by the accused. Ram filed the complaint on June 18 alleging that the accused demanded Rs 145 per truckload to affix a seal on loading slips, essential for issuing challans. The driver claimed he was transporting coal in his truck when Singh and two of his associates approached him and demanded money. When he refused, they reportedly manhandled him and threatened him with dire consequences. The accused also warned that his truck would be blacklisted if he did not pay. Ram further said the three accused claimed to be operating under Agarwal's instructions and boasted of high-profile connections. Fearing retribution, the driver paid the amount, and a seal marked 'LSS' was placed on his loading slip. Brajrajnagar SDPO Chintamani Pradhan said basing on the complaint, police registered a case and started investigation. Subsequently, the five accused were arrested and produced in court. Sources said around 400 to 500 trucks, each carrying 17 to 18 tonne of coal, are dispatched daily from Lakhanpur opencast mines to various industries like Vedanta, JSW, BPSL and Hindalco. Agarwal, who owns IB Valley transport, allegedly collected Rs 5 per tonne of coal from transporters. He had secured a tender of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) at 99 per cent discount to load 400–500 trucks daily at Lakhanpur mines using his payloaders. The illegal collection of money was going on for years. Contacted, general manager of Lakhanpur Area AK Pandey said they support coal dispatch by rail and oppose transport by trucks. Steps are being taken to stop illegal collection from truck drivers, he added.
