Midwest Energy Inaugurates Its Giga Watt Scale Manufacture Facility for Manufacturing Battery Energy Storage Systems

• Integrated Cell-to-Container production strengthens India's advanced energy storage manufacturing capabilities

Midwest Energy, the technology and clean energy arm of the Midwest Business House, today announced the commencement of commercial production at its 1.2 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.

The facility has been established with integrated Cell-to-Container manufacturing capabilities, enabling production of battery modules, trays, racks and fully integrated containerised Systems to serve commercial, industrial, renewable energy and utility-scale applications.

The commissioning of the facility marks an important milestone in Midwest Energy's journey in expansion of its capabilities at a time when battery storage is becoming an essential component of modern power infrastructure.

As renewable energy deployment accelerates and grid flexibility becomes increasingly important, Battery Energy Storage Systems are expected to play a significant role in supporting reliable power supply, renewable integration and energy resilience.

Facility Highlights

• Annual manufacturing capacity of 1.2 GWh
• Integrated Cell-to-Container manufacturing
• Wide capacity range from 3 kWh to 6 MWh (48V–1500V)
• Applications across commercial, industrial, renewable and utility sectors
• Advanced quality assurance, traceability and end-of-line testing
• Products aligned with UL 1973, UL 9540 and UL 9540A. 
• Customised solutions

Soumya K, Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Energy Limited, said, "India is pursuing an accelerated transition towards a cleaner energy future driven by renewability, sustainability, decarbonisation and decentralisation. The increasing integration of renewable energy into the power grid is fundamental to achieving these objectives. While, it present challenges such as demand-supply mismatch, grid instability and supply uncertainties.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) provide a reliable, effective and fast deployable solution to address these challenges and enabling a resilient, stable and decarbonised energy ecosystem. Through this facility, we are building indigenous capabilities to design, manufacture and deploy advanced energy storage solutions that are proudly designed and made in India. Our vision is to become a trusted long-term partner in supporting the country's clean energy transition."

Midwest Energy will focus on supplying advanced Battery Energy Storage Systems across domestic and international markets while expanding its portfolio of customised energy storage solutions for diverse customer requirements.

The facility has been designed to support scalable manufacturing, high product reliability and globally benchmarked quality standards, in line with its stated objectives.

About Midwest Energy

Midwest Energy is the technology and clean energy arm of the Midwest Business House, a Hyderabad-headquartered industrial group established in 1981 with diversified operations spanning mineral exploration, mining, mineral processing, engineering and advanced materials.

The company is developing manufacturing capabilities across Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), rare earth permanent magnets and critical materials that support electric mobility, renewable energy, grid infrastructure and strategic industries.

Midwest Energy has commissioned an integrated 1.2 GWh Battery Energy Storage manufacturing facility in Bengaluru with end-to-end Cell-to-Container capabilities for manufacturing battery modules, battery trays, battery racks and fully integrated containerised Battery Energy Storage Systems.

The company is further building rare earth permanent magnet eco-system first time in India and has established a commercial scale magnet manufacturing unit with a capacity of 500 TPA and expanding the same to 5000 TPA in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Midwest Energy strives continuously to bring in improvements in the entire value system including but not limited to materials, process, products and production systems to support its core purpose i.e., cleaner air, water, food chain and public health.

FOUNDER’S MESSAGE

K Raghava Reddy, Founder Midwest Business House

This project is in sync with our stated objectives and purpose to contribute towards improving the quality of;

Air,
Water,
Food chain and consequently public health by contributing towards energy transition goals of renewability, sustainability, decarbonization & decentralization.

Paninian Unveils Yantur, India’s First Private Compact Turbofan Engine for Next‑Gen Autonomous Aerospace Systems

Paninian India Private Limited has unveiled the Yantur 4.5 kN Turbofan Engine Programme, believed to be India's first privately developed turbofan engine in its class. The programme represents a significant step towards establishing indigenous private-sector capability in compact aerospace propulsion for next-generation autonomous systems.

Yantur 4.5 kN Turbofan Engine for Cruise Missile Applications from Paninian Aerospace

The Yantur engine is being developed to power Svayatt L1, Paninian's long-range autonomous cruise missile platform, conceived to address the operational requirements of the Indian Ministry of Defence's Make-I programme for the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). The programme has successfully completed its conceptual and detailed design phase and is now progressing towards subsystem testing, validation and full engine certification.It is worth noting that the same Engine core could be expanded further up to 12.5 KN for powering the Svayatt CCAV platform. 

The Yantur programme seeks to establish a sovereign Indian capability in compact turbofan propulsion—one of the most strategically important technologies underpinning future long-range autonomous aerospace systems. By developing critical propulsion technologies within India's private sector, the programme aims to strengthen national self-reliance while contributing to a resilient indigenous aerospace ecosystem.

Commenting on the programme, Dr G. Gouda, former Group Director (Propulsion), CEMILAC, who has supported and overseen certification of numerous propulsion systems over the past four decades, including the GE404 and GE 414 programme review for India’s LCA program, said, "The programme represents an important step towards establishing sovereign Indian capability in compact turbofan propulsion, engine controls, accessory systems, advanced manufacturing and propulsion-airframe integration. It complements the pioneering efforts of DRDO scientists, whose work has laid a strong foundation for indigenous propulsion development."

The Yantur and Svayatt L1 programmes incorporate five patent claims covering innovations in engine family architecture, combustor and diffuser-nozzle design, compressor technology, digital-twin health monitoring and advanced manufacturing techniques. These technologies are intended to support a scalable family of propulsion systems for future autonomous aerospace platforms.

The programme brings together expertise across propulsion engineering, autonomous systems, materials science, advanced manufacturing and digital engineering through Paninian's multidisciplinary team, supported by distinguished advisors and an expanding ecosystem of technology, manufacturing, incubation, testing and supply-chain partners. Notable contributors include propulsion specialist Dr G. Gouda, engine controls and sensors expert Mr Vaman Kulkarni, and materials and advanced manufacturing specialist Dr Vikas Kumar Saxena.

Raghu Adla, Founder of Paninian India Private Limited, said, "Yantur represents a pioneering private-sector effort to build sovereign Indian propulsion capability for future strategic autonomous systems. This milestone belongs to our young engineering team, advisors and partners who have transformed an ambitious vision into a credible engineering programme. We are now seeking strategic support from government, industry and investors to accelerate engine testing, subsystem qualification and full-system validation while helping establish a sustainable indigenous propulsion ecosystem."

Paninian is initiating a USD3 million funding round to accelerate engine testing, subsystem qualification, full-engine validation and integration with the Svayatt L1 platform.

The Yantur programme reflects Paninian's long-term vision of developing a family of indigenous propulsion systems for next-generation autonomous aerospace platforms, contributing to India's growing strategic aerospace capabilities.

NetApp Acquires DataPelago to Eliminate AI Data Bottlenecks

• Embedding GPU-accelerated intelligence enables enterprises to easily discover, govern, and activate data for AI and analytics at the source

NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, today announced it has acquired DataPelago, a California-based AI data infrastructure company recognized for its innovative approach to eliminating data processing bottlenecks for AI and analytics workloads. The acquisition marks a foundational expansion of NetApp's portfolio, enabling GPU-accelerated data processing aligned directly with the storage layer. With this acquisition, NetApp establishes itself as the company that makes zero-copy activation of enterprise data for AI real.

AI is the defining platform shift of our era, but enterprises are discovering that their greatest bottleneck is preparing, governing, and activating their data fast enough to put AI into production. The key to accomplishing this objective is to enable accelerated computing where the data is created and stored. DataPelago solves this challenge by fundamentally reimagining where accelerated compute happens: at the data layer, not above it.

"As AI models and the chips that power them get ever more effective, enterprises need data infrastructure that is just as intelligent and powerful to harness the potential of their data," said George Kurian, Chief Executive Officer at NetApp. "NetApp is leading the industry in helping customers drive innovation and generate business value by giving them full command of their most important asset: their data. With DataPelago, we are extending our ability to help customers understand and process their data with the agility required to unleash competitive advantage.”

DataPelago's core technology, Nucleus, is a universal data processing engine that uses heterogeneous accelerated computing across CPUs and GPUs to process data where it lives. By processing data at the storage layer rather than moving it to external compute clusters, Nucleus reduces infrastructure costs by up to 80 percent and delivers performance up to 10 times faster than conventional approaches. In addition, by not requiring customers to copy their data from their operational systems to AI-systems, DataPelago eliminates the single biggest bottleneck in enterprise AI deployment. DataPelago’s technology is delivering value at large enterprises across multiple industries, accelerating demanding workloads while improving infrastructure efficiency at scale.

"DataPelago is on a mission to eliminate the data processing bottlenecks that prevent AI innovation from reaching its full potential," said Rajan Goyal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DataPelago. "Joining NetApp gives us the opportunity to combine our breakthrough processing technology with the industry's best data infrastructure portfolio. Enterprises have invested billions in GPUs and AI models, but their data remains fragmented, leaving valuable computing resources to sit idle rather than putting these investments to work. Together, we’re positioned to help customers simplify and accelerate AI deployment at scale."

"DataPelago's Nucleus engine brings software-defined acceleration directly to the storage layer, processing data across CPUs and GPUs so enterprises can prepare, govern, and activate their data for AI without moving it. This is true zero-copy activation," said Syam Nair, Chief Product Officer at NetApp. "NetApp manages more enterprise data across more environments than anyone in the industry. The next phase of AI will be won by those who make that data work at the source, and the DataPelago team brings the technical depth and velocity to get us there faster."

Following the acquisition, DataPelago will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of NetApp. This news signals a continued growth trajectory for NetApp, following recent industry-leading partnerships with Cisco, Google Cloud, Red Hat, and SK Telecom, among others.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of DataPelago, including the ability to align GPU-accelerated data processing with the storage layer and enable zero-copy activation of enterprise data for AI; the ability of the technologies to reduce infrastructure costs, accelerate performance, and eliminate data processing bottlenecks for enterprise AI deployment; our business, economic and market outlook; our overall future prospects; demand for our AI solutions and other offerings; and our ability to deliver increasing results and value for our stakeholders. These and other important factors are described in reports and documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described under the sections titled "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q. All statements made in this release are made only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this release. We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Statement of Product Direction

This press release discusses NetApp's vision for future innovation, including the anticipated alignment of DataPelago's technology with NetApp’s portfolio. This information is shared solely for informational purposes and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. NetApp makes no commitment and has no obligation to develop or deliver any products, services, integrations, or any related features, material, code or functionality described herein, including any capabilities resulting from the acquisition of DataPelago. The development, release and timing of any features or functionality for NetApp products and services, including those offering DataPelago's technology, remains at the sole discretion of NetApp.

NetApp's strategy and possible future developments, product and platform directions, and functionality, including plans related to DataPelago's technology, are all subject to change without notice. We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

India Now the World’s 3rd Nation With Private Orbital Launch Capability

Image via ~ Skyroot@X

India has officially become the world’s third nation—after the U.S. and China—with private orbital launch capability, thanks to Skyroot Aerospace’s successful Vikram‑1 mission. This milestone not only elevates India’s private space sector but also positions it strongly in the booming global small‑satellite launch market.

A country with private rocket launch capability can fundamentally alter its trajectory in space, economics, and geopolitics. Economically, it enables the nation to participate in the commercial satellite launch market, attracting global contracts and fostering a thriving space startup ecosystem. This drives investment, creates high‑skill jobs, and strengthens domestic manufacturing chains.

The first private orbital launch in the United States came in 2008 when SpaceX successfully flew its Falcon 1 rocket into orbit. This was the first time a privately developed, liquid‑fueled rocket reached Earth orbit, proving that commercial firms could compete with national space agencies.

China followed in 2019 when iSpace launched its Hyperbola‑1 rocket, becoming the country’s first private company to place satellites into orbit. That success validated China’s emerging private space sector and encouraged rivals like LandSpace and Galactic Energy to accelerate their own programs.

Together, these milestones marked the beginning of a new era where private companies in both nations became central players in the global launch market, paving the way for India’s entry with Skyroot Aerospace in 2026.

Geopolitically, private launchers provide strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on foreign providers, allowing faster deployment of defense satellites and enhancing national security. They also increase a nation’s influence in space geopolitics, positioning it as a partner in international collaborations rather than a dependent participant.

Technologically, private firms often pioneer innovations such as reusable rockets and advanced propulsion systems. This accelerates space innovation and produces technology spinoffs that benefit industries beyond aerospace, from energy to healthcare.

Finally, in terms of market positioning, countries with private launch capability can offer affordable space access, making them attractive to small satellite operators worldwide. This secures a share in the rapidly expanding space economy and ensures long‑term competitiveness against established players like the U.S. and China.

In essence, private launch capability transforms a nation from being a space participant into a space enabler, driving growth, innovation, and global influence simultaneously.

India’s Breakthrough: Vikram‑1 and Skyroot Aerospace

• Founded in 2018 by ex‑ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot Aerospace became India’s first space tech unicorn.
• Investors: Sherpalo Ventures, GIC, BlackRock funds, Playbook Partners, Arkam Ventures, and Greenko Group founders. Ram Shriram (Sherpalo, Alphabet board member) also joined Skyroot’s board.
• Government support: Enabled by the Indian Space Policy 2023 and IN‑SPACe reforms, leveraging ISRO’s infrastructure.
• Vikram‑1 Rocket: 22‑metre, four‑stage launch vehicle with carbon composites and 3D‑printed engines, capable of carrying 350 kg payloads to 450 km LEO.
• Mission Aagaman (July 18, 2026): Successfully deployed multiple payloads, including commercial and symbolic ones.

Global Private Orbital Launch Landscape

Country	Key Companies	Milestones
United States	SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Firefly Aerospace	SpaceX reached orbit in 2008; Rocket Lab in 2018; Firefly in 2021
China	iSpace, LandSpace	iSpace reached orbit in 2019; LandSpace succeeded in 2023 with methane‑fueled Zhuque‑2
Japan	Interstellar Technologies	Suborbital MOMO flights; orbital attempts ongoing
South Korea	Innospace	Suborbital launches; orbital rockets in development
India	Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos	Vikram‑1 orbital success (2026); Agnibaan in testing

Global Rocket Launch Market & Predictions

• Market Size: Global space economy projected to grow from $8 billion (India’s current share) to $44 billion by 2033.
• Trends: Rising demand for Earth observation, communication constellations, and defense satellites.
• Reusable rockets: SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Bellatrix in India are reducing costs.
• Government backing: Worldwide support for domestic startups to secure independent access to space.
• India’s Advantage: Lower manufacturing costs, ISRO’s infrastructure, and private innovation give India a competitive edge.

Strategic Implications

• Commercial: Opens India’s private sector to global satellite contracts.
• Geopolitical: Strengthens India’s position in Asia’s space race, balancing China’s advances.
• Innovation: Demonstrates India’s ability to achieve orbital success on first attempt, unlike SpaceX’s early failures.

Everything You Should Know About Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar is not only a heritage site but also a scientific marvel — a set of giant masonry instruments built in the 18th century to measure time, track celestial bodies, and refine astronomical tables. While its essence has been overshadowed by political protests in Delhi since the late-20th century or 1993 to be precise, the observatories remain extraordinary examples of naked-eye astronomy.

Built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jantar Mantar is one of India’s most fascinating scientific and cultural landmarks having a set of monumental stone observatories. Spread across Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura (now lost), these structures were designed to measure time, track celestial bodies, and predict eclipses with remarkable accuracy, all using the naked eye.

A Lost Essence

The essence of Jantar Mantar has been steadily eroded since the 20th century. Once a pristine scientific marvel, it became entangled in India’s political life. As Delhi grew into the nation’s capital, Jantar Mantar’s open grounds turned into a rallying point for major political protests. Crowds, dust, and litter transformed this observatory into what many describe as the “metaphorical murder of Indigenous ancient science” — a place where astronomical instruments now stand as silent witnesses to slogans and demonstrations rather than celestial calculations.

To your surprise, Mathura once had its own Jantar Mantar built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century, but unlike Delhi and Jaipur, it did not survive. The observatory was eventually lost due to neglect, urban encroachment, and centuries of invasions and temple destructions that devastated Mathura’s scientific and cultural landscape.

Scientific Foundations

Nadivalaya Yantra, a double equatorial sundial located at the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur. The structure features two circular discs inclined to the equatorial plane, allowing for precise time measurement during different seasons of the year.

• Purpose: To compile accurate astronomical tables (Zij-i Muhammad Shahi) and predict planetary movements.
• Systems Used: Instruments operate across three classical celestial coordinate systems:
  • Horizon-Zenith Local System (altitude and azimuth).
  • Equatorial System (declination and right ascension).
  • Ecliptic System (longitude and latitude along the Sun’s path).
• Innovation: Jai Singh II enlarged traditional brass instruments into architectural-scale masonry devices, reducing observational errors.
• Accuracy: Sundials like the Samrat Yantra in Jaipur measure time to within 2 seconds.

Jantar Mantar Delhi (1724)

• Samrat Yantra: Giant sundial, 70 ft high.
• Jai Prakash Yantra: Hemispherical bowls mapping celestial positions.
• Ram Yantra: Cylindrical towers for altitude/azimuth.
• Misra Yantra: Calculates solstices and local noon.

Modern Role: Heritage site + protest ground.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur (1728–1734)

Samrat Yantra (Supreme Instrument) located at the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur. It is a massive stone sundial designed to measure time and track celestial bodies.Standing 27 meters tall, it is known as the largest stone sundial in the world and can measure time to an accuracy of two seconds. 

• UNESCO World Heritage Site (2010).
• 19 instruments spread across 18,700 sq. m.
• Highlights:
  • Vrihat Samrat Yantra: World’s largest stone sundial (27 m high).
  • Laghu Samrat Yantra: Smaller sundial, 20-second accuracy.
  • Ram Yantra: Measures altitude and azimuth.

Rama Yantra - It accurately measures the altitude and azimuth of celestial objects (planets and stars).

• • Jai Prakash Yantra: Inverted celestial map.
  • Digamsa: Predicts sunrise/sunset.
  • Nadivalaya: Represents Earth’s hemispheres.

Prakash Yantra, tracks movement of the Sun. It 
includes two hemispherical bowls like sundials with graded marble slabs. The elevation, azimuth, hour angles and exact position of heavenly bodies are detected using the inverted image of the sky, and the movement of the inverted shadows on the slabs.

Delhi vs Jaipur

Feature	Delhi Jantar Mantar	Jaipur Jantar Mantar
Year Built	1724	1728–1734
Number of Instruments	4 major	19
Highlight	Samrat Yantra sundial	Vrihat Samrat Yantra (largest sundial)
UNESCO Status	Not listed	World Heritage Site (2010)
Modern Role	Heritage + protest site	Heritage + tourism hub

Legacy and Significance

• Scientific Value: Demonstrates pre-telescope astronomy with naked-eye precision.
• Cultural Value: Fusion of Rajput architecture and scientific innovation.
• Tourism: Jaipur’s observatory is a global attraction; Delhi’s remains politically symbolic.
• Legacy: A reminder of India’s knowledge traditions, where geometry, shadow, and stone revealed the cosmos.

In short, Jantar Mantar is both a scientific masterpiece and a cultural paradox — a place where astronomy once thrived, but where politics now dominates