Phantom energy
Technology

Phantom Energy

Phantom Energy: The Sneaky Power Thief

Ever notice that your electricity bill seems to have a mind of its own? You’re not alone. Even with your best efforts to turn off lights and power down devices, there’s a hidden culprit at play—phantom energy. Yes, your home is haunted… by appliances.

What Is Phantom Energy?

Phantom energy, often referred to as vampire power, is the electricity consumed by devices that are turned “off” but still plugged in. Imagine your TV, charger, or microwave quietly drawing power from the outlet like a midnight snack. While the energy used by each device may seem minimal, it adds up significantly when multiplied across multiple gadgets.

The Usual Suspects

Here are the most notorious offenders in your home:

  • Mobile & Laptop Chargers: Still draw power even when not connected to a device.
  • TVs & Set-Top Boxes: Remain in standby mode, waiting for your remote.
  • Microwaves & Ovens: Keep their digital clocks lit 24/7.
  • Game Consoles: “Rest mode” is just a fancy term for continued power consumption.
  • Wi-Fi Routers: Operate continuously, whether you’re awake or asleep.

How Much Power Are We Talking About?

A single device on standby typically consumes between 1 and 10 watts. While that may seem harmless, with 10 to 20 devices in an average home, you could be wasting 50 to 200 watts around the clock. Over a year, this can lead to 300 to 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of wasted electricity. At an average cost of ₹7 per unit, that translates to ₹2,100 to ₹3,500 lost annually.

Phantom Energy at a Glance

| Appliance (on standby) | Average Standby Power | Units Wasted per Year* | Approx. Cost (₹7/unit)
|——————————–|———————————-|———————————|———————————
| Mobile Charger               | 0.5 – 1 watt                           | 4 – 9 units                           | ₹30 – ₹65
| Wi-Fi Router                    | 6 – 10 watts                          | 52 – 88 units                      | ₹365 – ₹615
| TV + Set-Top Box            | 8 – 15 watts                          | 70 – 131 units                     | ₹490 – ₹915
| Microwave                        | 3 – 5 watts                             | 26 – 44 units                      | ₹180 – ₹310
| Game Console                 | 10 – 15 watts                         | 88 – 131 units                     | ₹615 – ₹915

*Assuming 24/7 standby use for one year.

The Prepaid Meter Effect

If you use a prepaid electricity meter, phantom energy can be even more frustrating. Instead of receiving a surprise bill at the end of the month, you watch your balance dwindle as devices sit idle. Chargers, routers, and TVs on standby slowly chip away at your prepaid units, much like a leaky bucket that never stays full.

The One Watt Initiative

To combat this issue globally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) launched the One Watt Initiative, aiming to ensure that all new appliances consume less than 1 watt in standby mode. Some modern devices even target 0.5 watts, demonstrating that energy-efficient designs are achievable. Reducing standby power waste means saving both money and energy.

How to Banish These Power Vampires

Fortunately, you don’t need garlic or holy water—just a few simple strategies:

1. Unplug chargers when not in use.
2. Use power strips—one switch can cut power to multiple devices.
3. Invest in smart plugs for remote control.
4. Activate energy-saving modes on TVs and consoles.
5. Make it a family challenge with prepaid meters: see who can keep daily consumption the lowest.

Phantom energy is like that friend who says, “I’ll just take a bite of your fries” and ends up devouring half the plate. Those small sips of power can add up, and you’re the one footing the bill.

So, unplug, switch off, and take charge of those energy vampires. Your wallet, your prepaid meter balance, and the planet will all benefit.

Flybrary
Education & Banking

Flybrary: Fly Through Stories

What is a Flybrary?

The term “Flybrary” cleverly combines “flying” and “library,” representing mobile book-sharing spaces that appear in unexpected locations—airports, parks, trains, and neighborhood corners. Rather than being confined to traditional buildings, Flybraries spread the joy of reading by making books accessible on the go, often through simple borrow-and-return systems. This concept is rooted in the belief that stories should be free to travel, reaching new readers and embarking on fresh adventures.

Where to Find Flybraries

Flybraries take various forms depending on the community and setting:

  • Airports & Airplanes: Many airports now feature small book stations for travelers, and some airlines provide in-flight libraries.
  • Trains & Bus Stops: A quick commute can turn into an engaging reading experience.
  • Pop-up Parks & Beaches: Ideal for enjoying a book on a sunny day.
  • Digital Flybraries: E-books and audiobooks available for download via QR codes in public spaces.

Flybrary at Bhubaneswar Airport: India’s First “Take-a-Book” Library in Transit

In a world dominated by screens and fast-paced travel, Flybrary offers a serene alternative. Located at Biju Patnaik International Airport, this pioneering “take-a-book” library allows passengers to pick up a book—no membership or fees required—and return it at any Flybrary shelf during their next visit.

This initiative, a collaboration between the Bakul Foundation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), features two unmanned bookshelves in the Departure and Arrival areas, stocked with a diverse selection of English, Hindi, and Odia books, including novels, children’s literature, self-help guides, coffee-table books, and magazines like National Geographic.

Every day, volunteers maintain the shelves, restocking and organizing around 600 books donated by readers, ensuring the literary spirit thrives. With the motto “To Read Is to Fly,” Flybrary turns airport waiting into a moment of discovery, relaxation, and connection, with words serving as anchors of stillness amid the hustle.

Why Flybrary Matters

  1. Accessibility: It eliminates physical and financial barriers to reading.
  2. Community Spirit: It fosters book exchanges and ignites conversations among strangers.
  3. Sustainability: Reusing books minimizes waste and promotes eco-friendly practices.
  4. Spontaneous Discovery: You might find a book you never would have chosen otherwise.

How to Start or Support a Flybrary

  • Start Small: Set up a weatherproof box of books in your neighborhood.
  • Partner with Public Spaces: Collaborate with schools, cafés, transit hubs, or airports.
  • Spread the Word: Encourage others to donate books and utilize the Flybrary.
  • Go Digital: Create QR codes linking to free e-book platforms.

Flybrary – Benefits at a Glance

  1. Transform idle wait times into literary adventures
  2. Relax & de-stress before boarding
  3. Discover new authors & cultures
  4. Enjoy free & light reading – no bulky books
  5. Options for all ages (kids, teens, adults)
  6. Encourage a reading culture
  7. Give a platform to local & regional writers
  8. Multilingual & accessible formats (ebooks, audiobooks)
  9. Build a sense of shared global stories

Flybrary is more than just a unique idea; it’s a movement that brings literature to life in unexpected places. Whether you discover one while waiting for a train or establish one in your community, it serves as a reminder that reading knows no boundaries. After all, books are meant to soar.

Land Pooling
Political Awareness

Land Pooling Policy in India

Land Pooling Policy in India: A New Approach to Urban Development

India’s swift urbanization necessitates sustainable, inclusive, and efficient city planning strategies. Traditional land acquisition methods have frequently resulted in legal conflicts, displacement, and social unrest. To address these issues, the Land Pooling Policy (LPP) has emerged as a forward-thinking alternative, particularly in metropolitan areas like Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat. This policy fosters a collaborative and participatory approach to urban development, transforming landowners into active stakeholders rather than passive victims.

What is Land Pooling Policy?

Land Pooling is a strategic policy that allows a group of landowners to voluntarily combine their land parcels for organized urban development. Rather than selling their land outright to the government or private developers, these landowners contribute their properties to a development authority, such as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

Once the necessary infrastructure—such as roads, sewage systems, parks, and public facilities—is established, the land is returned to the original owners in a smaller but more valuable and serviced form. For example, if a farmer contributes 1 hectare of land, they might receive back 0.6 hectares after development. The remaining land is utilized by the government for public infrastructure and to recoup development costs through sales or commercial use. Read More

Interceptor Drones
Technology

Interceptor Drones: Future Sky Shield

In an era where drone technology has become both a boon and a threat, the rise of interceptor drones marks a significant milestone in modern defence and surveillance. Designed to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized or hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), interceptor drones are rapidly becoming a crucial asset in military, homeland security, and critical infrastructure protection domains.

What Are Interceptor Drones?

As a type of UAV, interceptor drones are designed for the specific purpose of locating and neutralizing other drones. Unlike other combat or surveillance drones which operate independently to gather information or deliver payloads, interceptor drones are employed with the singular mission of neutralizing drone threats. These defensive drones are designed to protect airspace from unauthorized drone incursions, whether for espionage, contraband, or terrorist activities.

They are fitted with sensors, high-speed motors, and various other systems for interception, including nets, kinetic projectiles, jammers, or even kamikaze-style self-detonation. Some models are equipped with AI to make independent decisions while pursuing and tracking targets.

The Growing Need for Drone Interceptors

As the commercial and recreational use of drones becomes increasingly common, incidents involving rogue or weaponized drones are on the rise. Unauthorized drone flights over airports and public events, as well as drones used for smuggling contraband into prisons or by insurgents in conflict zones, pose significant and growing threats.

Several notable incidents underscore the urgency of addressing this issue:

  • Gatwick Airport Disruption: A series of drone sightings near the runway led to a 36-hour shutdown of the UK’s second-busiest airport, affecting over 1,000 flights.
  • Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Both sides have extensively utilized drones, including interceptor drones, marking a significant shift towards large-scale drone warfare.

These incidents reveal the limitations of traditional defense systems in detecting and countering small, fast-moving UAVs. As a result, there is a growing global demand for specialized counter-UAV technologies, particularly interceptor drones. Read More

Hantavirus
Health

Hantavirus: A Rising Concern in Global Health

Hantavirus

Hantavirus: An Overview

Hantavirus is a family of viruses transmitted to humans through contact with rodents, primarily their droppings, urine, or saliva. The virus can lead to serious diseases, including Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). While these diseases are relatively rare, they are very serious, and the conditions caused by the virus can be fatal without proper treatment.

Transmission and Risk Factors

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted to humans by inhaling dust or aerosols contaminated with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. The virus can also be contracted through direct contact with infected rodents or their secretions.

People who are most at risk include those who:

  • Work in occupations that involve exposure to rodent habitats (e.g., farming, construction, and pest control).
  • Live in rural or forested areas where rodents are common.
  • Spend time in areas with high rodent populations.

Hantavirus is not spread through human-to-human contact, which makes it different from some other viral infections like the flu or COVID-19.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

HPS is the most common form of hantavirus infection in the Americas, especially in the United States. It is often severe and can be fatal. The symptoms of HPS typically begin with:

  • Fever
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches

Within a few days, the virus can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, and coughing as the lungs fill with fluid, leading to difficulty breathing. In severe cases, the disease can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), where the lungs stop functioning properly, and death can occur within days.

Read More