Latest news with #Bala
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
What is IIT-Delhi's quantum communications breakthrough?
The story so far: On June 16, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement that IIT-Delhi scientists together with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) demonstrated quantum communication over a distance of more than 1 km in free space. The development was hailed as a breakthrough in quantum cybersecurity. What is quantum communication? When two or more photons, the subatomic particles of light, are created in just the right way, measurements made on one photon will instantly determine the result for the partner photon, too — even if the photons are far apart. This phenomenon is called quantum entanglement. Ordinary or classical physics can't explain this correlation, it's a purely quantum phenomenon. Quantum communication is an umbrella term for any scheme that uses the concepts of quantum physics, but especially entanglement, to make a given communication channel leak-proof. In one scheme, like the one the IIT-Delhi team demonstrated, entangled photons carry information from a source to two stations. If any third party intercepts one of the photons, the other photon will immediately be disturbed as well and the channel will be revealed as insecure. In short, quantum communication can be used to create communication channels that are protected against computational attacks since any attempt to tap the quantum channel will itself be revealed. Thus they have great value in defence settings. An important method in quantum communication is quantum key distribution (QKD). How does QKD work? If Bala has a message for Selvi that he wants only Selvi to receive, a simple way is to send a letter. At the address, the postal worker will deposit the letter into a letterbox. The location of the letterbox is public knowledge, but only Selvi will have the key to access it. The key is private knowledge. Receiving email works similarly: Bala will send an email to Selvi's email ID (public knowledge) and Selvi will use her password (private knowledge) to access it. QKD is a specialised form of quantum communication whose sole purpose is to help Bala and Selvi possess identical secret keys. Once they both have the key, they can unlock and read the messages they send each other. Note that QKD doesn't encrypt the message itself: that's achieved using traditional algorithms like AES. Instead QKD helps both parties acquire the key to unlock that encryption in a secure way. There are two kinds of QKD. In the classic prepare-and-measure way, Bala prepares single photons in some predetermined states and Selvi measures them. In entanglement-based QKD, a source creates entangled photon pairs and sends one photon to Bala and the other to Selvi. What did the IIT-Delhi team do? The IIT-Delhi team, led by Prof. Bhaskeri Kanseri, transmitted keys through the air using entanglement-based QKD, across a distance of 1 km in the IIT campus. This is a step up from transmitting photons through an optical fibre. The greater goal here is to establish reliable QKD between a ground station and a satellite orbiting the earth hundreds of kilometres up. This way the satellite can distribute keys to receivers anywhere in India by beaming photons through the atmosphere. Notably, the test demonstrated 'a secure key rate of nearly 240 bits per second with a quantum bit error rate of less than 7%'. When the photons reach Bala and Selvi, they will measure each particle. Since they're entangled, the measurements have to match up. In this case the measurements disagreed <7% of the time, which is considered acceptable for the present scheme. Common sources of error include turbulence in the air, detector noise, and artificial lighting. Previously, Prof. Kanseri's team had demonstrated a quantum communications link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. The year after, they increased the distance to 380 km with a spool of standard telecom fibre and a quantum bit error rate of 1.48%. In 2024, they established a QKD scheme through more than 100 km of an optical fibre link. What next? The IIT-Delhi team demonstrated the technology in the presence of dignitaries from the DRDO, the institute, and the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management, including the director of the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence at the IIT. After the event, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh said India had 'entered into a new quantum era of secure communication which will be a game-changer in future warfare.' These changes entail a quantum network with multiple nodes maintaining quantum communications. In 2021, China created the world's first quantum network with two ground-to-satellite links and optical fibres together covering 4,600 km. Quantum communications has important civilian applications too, especially in the banking and telecom sectors. A future 'quantum internet' of the sort the U.S. expects to possess by the mid-2030s could also enable distributed quantum computing, ultra-precise sensing, and network-wide secure time synchronisation in addition to secure messaging. To help scientists develop such technologies, the Indian government approved the National Quantum Mission in 2023 with an outlay (2023-2031) of Rs 6,000 crore.
Emirates Woman
4 days ago
- Business
- Emirates Woman
How this fitness brand puts design and functionality at the forefront of its mission
We discuss changing the game in the fitness industry with Natalie Holloway, founder of Bala. How does your morning routine set you up for optimal success and how does this change or not according to your travel schedule? Sleep is incredibly important to me – especially with three little ones – so my mornings vary depending on how the night went. No two mornings look exactly the same, and I've learned to embrace that. I try to move my body, even if it's just ten minutes of stretching or breathwork. Movement really helps me feel grounded and ready for the day. What was the catalyst to founding Bala and how did you know it was the right time? Bala was born out of an idea during a yoga class while traveling to Asia with my husband. We started brainstorming how we could've made the class more challenging – and more fun. We saw a white space where workout equipment was either overly masculine or purely functional. We realised the market was saturated with overly serious equipment, but nothing seemed playful or aesthetic. It wasn't about the 'right' time, it was about the right feeling. The idea was drawn on a napkin and the rest is history! What learnings did you take with you to equip you for this from previous roles, and how much did you learn as you built the brand? I came from a background in advertising, which definitely helped – especially with branding and communication. But honestly, most of the real learning came on the job. Scaling a product-based business is a masterclass in resilience. From navigating manufacturing to understanding community engagement, operations, and logistics – it's been a hands-on education every single day. How would you differentiate Bala from what else exists and what are the key pillars the brand is built on? Bala is grounded in the idea that movement should be enjoyable and fun! At Bala, we believe beautiful, functional fitness equipment will change the way you move. Because we understand that your life includes exercise but is not exclusively defined by it. What are the core values of your brand? Creativity, inclusivity, intentionality, and joy. Those values are woven into everything from our product design to our partnerships. We want people to feel uplifted by the brand – like they're part of something personal and elevated. What was your approach to investment and what would you advise others if they are building a brand themselves? We were very scrappy in the beginning. Shark Tank was a pivotal moment for us – not just in funding, but in visibility. My advice to others: know your numbers, understand your customer deeply, and only bring in partners who align with your vision. What do you look for in terms of partnerships? We look for partners who share our values – wellness, creativity, and authenticity are big for us. But honestly, the most exciting collaborations are often the unexpected ones. Our partnership with PUCCI is a perfect example – playful, bold, and totally outside the box. We love when a collab brings a little surprise and sparks joy in a way people didn't see coming. The colourways you use are super aesthetic. How conscious was design as well as functionality in terms of brand positioning? Design has always been at the heart of Bala. We've said from the beginning,we're a design-led fitness brand. We approached our products the way a fashion or interiors brand might, thinking carefully about colour, material, and feel. But it wasn't perfect from day one – it's been a lot of trial and error, listening closely to our community, and evolving along the way. Over time, we've landed on core colours that really reflect who we are (Sea, Sage, Charcoal, Blush, Sand) and we're so proud of how they've become such a recognisable part of the brand. View this post on Instagram A post shared by bala (@bala) How do you approach scaling without compromising on quality? We're very hands-on with our manufacturing partners and have a strong internal team dedicated to quality control. We'd rather grow slowly and maintain integrity than scale fast and lose trust. Quality is non-negotiable for us! With social media constantly changing, how do you stay ahead of the curve? We try not to get caught up in chasing every trend – instead, we stay grounded by listening to our community. Platforms change, algorithms shift, but what doesn't change is the importance of showing up with intention and authenticity. We adapt where it makes sense, but we really focus on staying true to our brand rather than doing what's trendy. How has being LA-based helped or hindered the brand growth? LA has definitely helped. It's a wellnessforward city with a strong creative pulse. Being here has opened doors to great partnerships, studios, talent, and visibility. That said, we're conscious of creating a brand that resonates globally – not just in an LA bubble. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be? Keep working hard. Keep trusting your gut. You are on the right path and it will all pay off in the end to lead you to your dream job and life. This is The Self-Care Issue – how do you stay kind to yourself during challenging times? As a mother of three, staying kind to myself means giving myself permission to pause. Movement is a big part of how I reset – but so is rest. Whether it's a walk, a quick stretch, or just five quiet minutes to myself, I try to carve out little moments to recharge. I've learned that disconnecting when I need to is just as important as showing up. Taking care of myself helps me be more present – as a mother, a wife, and in my work – so I've learned to give myself a lot of grace along the way. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Bala expresses concern for ex-wife Dr Elizabeth Udayan after Air India plane crash on her medical college
On Thursday, an Air India plane headed from Ahmedabad to London crashed a few seconds after takeoff, leaving 241 of its 242 passengers dead. The aeroplane crashed into the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, where actor Bala's ex-wife, Dr Elizabeth Udayan, works. Bala and his wife Kokila buried the hatchet and expressed concern for Elizabeth after the crash. (Also Read: Unni Mukundan recalls growing up near Ahmedabad plane crash site: 'My school friends and I are in shock') Bala took to Instagram on Friday to write a note about the plane crash on behalf of himself and Kokila. He wrote, 'Shocking news Ahmedabad plane crash. How can we even console ourselves. My deepest condolences.' He then addressed Dr Elizabeth, writing, 'Doctor Elizabeth, my prayers r always with you, be safe. Seek gods blessings. Bala Kokila. (sic)' Bala married Dr Elizabeth in 2021; it's unknown when they split. Both hinted it wasn't an amicable divorce. He married Kokila in 2024. A post shared by Filmactor Bala (@actorbala) Elizabeth, for her part, marked herself safe on Facebook on Thursday but revealed that many of her colleagues and students at the college-cum-hospital are either dead or injured. She wrote, 'Plane crash at our college , please pray for those family's affected by these disaster,' adding, 'I am safe but many of our colleagues and mbbs students died and injured. Please pray for them. (sic)' Elizabeth is doing her PG in transmission medicine at the college. Air India released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) which read: 'The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin.'
Free Malaysia Today
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Attacks in central Nigeria kill at least 20
A spate of attacks across Plateau and neighbouring Benue left more than 150 people dead in April. (Boko Haram/AFP pic) JOS : Attacks in north-central Nigeria's Plateau state have killed at least 20 people this week, local government and humanitarian sources said Wednesday, in the region's latest flare-up of violence. The three separate assaults across the Mangu local government area followed a series of attacks and reprisals that appear to have started while people were mining in the tin-rich region, local government council chairman Emmanuel Bala told AFP. Muslim ethnic Fulani nomadic herders have long clashed with settled farmers in Plateau, many of whom are Christian, over access to land and resources. Attacks in the region often fall across ethnic and religious lines, leading to indiscriminate sectarian reprisals. 'Some time ago the natives were mining, they were attacked' with machetes, though no one died, Bala told AFP. Following a series of retaliations and counter-retaliations, three attacks took place Monday and Tuesday, leaving at least 20 dead, Bala said. Eight people were killed Tuesday night in the village of Chinchin by suspected Fulani assailants, Bala said. That attack followed an assault Tuesday outside Langai town, where five people were killed. On Monday, unknown attackers killed seven in Bwe district. Fulanis in the area have also been harassed and attacked in recent days following deadly assaults blamed on people from their ethnic group, Bala said. A Red Cross official confirmed the Chinchin toll and said the number of people killed across the 24-hour span could be as high as 21. Land used by farmers and herders in central Nigeria is coming under stress from climate change and human expansion, sparking deadly competition for increasingly limited space. Land grabbing, political and economic tensions between locals and those considered outsiders, as well as an influx of hardline Muslim and Christian preachers, have heightened divisions in recent decades. When violence flares, weak policing can mean reprisal attacks follow which often occur across communal lines. A spate of attacks across Plateau and neighbouring Benue state left more than 150 people dead in April alone. While high-profile killings blamed on herders have shocked the country, herders across the region say they are also the victims of deadly attacks by farmers, land grabs and cattle poisonings.
Cosmopolitan ME
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan ME
Reformer Pilates from home? Totally doable, and here's how
Reformer Pilates is no joke – and if you've ever glided, pushed, or pulsed your way through a class, you already know. It's the workout that tones your core, sculpts your legs, and gives you that slow burn *and* main character energy. While studio sessions are iconic (and let's be real, extremely Instagrammable), taking your reformer practice home is the ultimate flex. Whether you're skipping the commute or just want to move on your own time, home reformer Pilates is the way to go – and the good news? You don't need a studio-sized space or celeb trainer to get started. @theblondelubnanieh I'm not a trainer so take this with a grain of salt 🧂 ♬ Woman Like You – kryptogram Here's what you need to live your best reformer life at home: The Reformer Machine Whether you're short on space or building a full-on home studio, there are plenty of reformer options to suit your setup. From compact, foldable designs to full-size studio-style machines. We've spotted a few available to purchase in the UAE – so yes, your at-home Pilates era is totally within reach. Fold Reformer Click here to purchase. Pilates Academy Dubai Click here to purchase. Ultimate Pilates Click here to purchase. The Essentials Add on accessories like Pilates loop, small weights, resistance bands, Pilates balls, and grip socks. Think of it as your cute workout starter pack – functional *and* aesthetic. Here are some brands for inspo: Cyrenne Bala The Programs Download workout apps like Your Reformer or Forma Pilates, or browse YouTube for free routines that range from beginner to burn-your-core-off level. Pro tip: light a candle, throw on your fave set, and vibe. The best part? No bookings, no pressure – just you, your reformer, and that post-workout glow. ✨ Pilates a home not your thing? Check out these Pilates studio.
