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British airports boost defences against drones
London, Jan 5 (IANS) British airports are boosting their counterdrone efforts after severe disruption during the holiday period, marking the first concrete sign that the three days of flight mayhem last month could be a catalyst for spending on systems to thwart the malicious use of unmanned aircraft.
Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second largest after Heathrow, said it had recently spent several million pounds to buy new equipment to handle disruptive drones. The system is on par with what the country’s military uses, the airport said without identifying the supplier, according to Efe news.
Counterdrone tools covered a range of technologies, including acoustic and radar sensors to spot the typically small aircraft. It can range to sophisticated devices to bring down drones, such as jammers that disrupt the communications link between the aircraft and operator.
Most sales of counterdrone equipment, which can be expensive, have so far been to the military, according to industry officials.
Troops increasingly face the threat of attack from small drones on the battlefield.
Repeated drone sightings forced Gatwick to close its single runway multiple times from late December 19 through December 21, affecting around 140,000 passengers after 1,000 flights were cancelled and many more were delayed.
The local police force was still searching for the perpetrators and said it had 93 credible witnesses.
Nobody was charged for the mayhem and authorities offered a 50,000 pound ($63,400) reward for information that leads to the arrest and convictions of those operating the drones.
The UK military deployed some of its counterdrone equipment to Gatwick to allow the airport to resume normal operations. Those systems were withdrawn this week.
Gatwick said the equipment it has acquired provides “similar level of reassurance” to that used by the armed forces.
London’s Heathrow, Europe’s busiest hub, stepped up patrols around its facility in December to mitigate the risk of drone disruptions that impacted Gatwick at the time.
The airport on Friday said it was working with authorities to address the risk from unmanned aircraft. “We are constantly looking at the best technologies that help remove the threat of drones,” a spokeswoman said. She declined to say whether the airport had invested in counter-drone equipment.
Regulators in the US and Europe have struggled to find ways to foster a commercial drone industry that promises to grow into a multibillion-dollar annual business and protecting the public from reckless use of the devices.
The British government, in the wake of the Gatwick events, said it made counterdrone equipment available to deploy throughout the country.
The government also said that it may recommend tightening rules on drone use this year and call for enhanced policing powers and guidelines to test and use counterdrone equipment, the report said.
In the UK, it is illegal to fly a drone within 1 km of an airport. Violators could face a fine and up to five years in jail.
–IANS
soni/
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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