Published on: July 18, 2024
Snippets : 18 JULY 2024
Snippets : 18 JULY 2024
- Children studying in government and aided schools will soon get boiled eggs six days a week, with the department of school education and literacy set to receive a Rs 1,500-crore grant from billionaire Azim Premji’s philanthropic arm
- Ten specially-trained Indian CAPF and special commando force dogs are in France to provide counter-terrorist and anti-sabotage security at the Paris Olympics. These 10 K9 teams will perform sniffing and patrolling duties at various Olympic venues. They underwent special 10-week training for this unique collaboration between the Indian and French governments. The teams, drawn from CAPFs like CRPF, SSB, ITBP, NSG, and Assam Rifles, include Belgian Malinois dogs known for their expertise in detecting bombs and IEDs. Handlers received refresher physical training and basic French language lessons. Two notable dogs are CRPF canine Vast and Denby, chosen after rigorous tests
- Shruti Hegde became India’s first Miss Universal Petite, a pageant that was started in 2009 to give opportunity to shorter women
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) kept its projection on India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the current financial year unchanged at 7%, but slightly raised its growth forecast for developing Asia and the Pacific for 2024 to 5% from a previous projection of 4.9% announced in April
- Bengaluru-based Cropin Technology has launched Sage, the world’s first real-time agri-intelligence solution, powered by Google Gemini, designed to convert the agricultural landscape into a detailed, grid-based map. By combining generative AI, climate data, crop knowledge graphs, earth observation data, and advanced crop models, Sage offers comprehensive data and insights for informed decision-making in the agri-food sector. This platform supports CPG players, seed manufacturers, food processors, financial institutions, and governments in optimizing cultivation practices, crop management, irrigation, and supply chain resilience. Sage aims to enhance the global food system by providing intelligence on 13 key crops and facilitating a dynamic global food and agriculture map for better crop performance and yield forecasts.
- The Srijan Portal, developed by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, facilitates the indigenization of defence items by enabling DPSUs, OFB, and SHQs to display items they import or plan to import, encouraging the Indian industry to design, develop, and manufacture these items. With the fifth Positive Indigenisation List of 346 items recently notified, the portal supports private sector engagement in indigenization, promoting self-reliance in defence procurement
- The Union Government recently launched two initiatives on languages: ASMITA and the Bahubhasha Shabdakosh Initiative. ASMITA(Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing), organized by the Ministry of Education and UGC, aims to produce 22,000 books in Indian languages over the next five years to integrate Indian languages into the education system and enhance the accessibility and quality of educational materials. It will be implemented by thirteen nodal universities with a structured SOP. The Bahubhasha Shabdakosh Initiative, developed by Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, provides a single-point reference for words in all Indian languages, supporting usage in IT, industry, research, and education to preserve and promote India’s language traditions
- The Indian government has drawn up a Rs 1,150-crore roadmap to indigenize EV technology, prepared by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor. The initiative aims to reduce vehicular pollution, achieve a 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030, attain energy independence by 2047, and reach net-zero emissions by 2070. The R&D roadmap focuses on next-generation batteries, new materials, electric motors, magnets, semiconductors, and charging infrastructure. With Rs 669 crore allocated for R&D and Rs 482 crore for a pilot program, the goal is to localize significant EV technologies within 5-7 years. Despite current heavy import dependency and technological gaps, the government targets substantial EV penetration by 2030, including 30% for private cars and 80% for two- and three-wheelers. Identified projects include high-priority areas like graphene manufacturing and new materials development. Emphasizing high-risk, innovative research, the roadmap aims to position India as a leader in future EV technology innovations.
- The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) and MS Swaminathan Research Foundation have signed an MoU to promote deep science innovation and entrepreneurship in food and agriculture through the Rural Agriculture INnovation (RAIN) program. C-CAMP, a Union government-supported initiative, focuses on high-end research and innovation. The RAIN program aims to deploy innovative agri-tech products developed by C-CAMP start-ups with local farmer groups, encouraging sustainable agriculture, enhancing livelihoods, and promoting biodiversity and agroforestry. The collaboration emphasizes technology adoption and direct involvement with farmer groups. Immediate action points include technical and field support, joint calls for innovations in food, agriculture, pisciculture, and animal husbandry, and a knowledge partnership with MS Swaminathan Research Foundation joining C-CAMP CoE for Agri Innovation.
- The World Bank Group (WBG) has launched a new guarantee platform through MIGA to enhance annual guarantee issuance to $20 billion by 2030. It aims to simplify, streamline, and provide comprehensive guarantee options for credit, trade finance, and political risk insurance. This initiative supports private capital flows, responding to the G20’s call for expanded use of guarantees. The platform leverages IFC’s support to drive impactful solutions in energy, pandemic preparedness, and climate action. Fiscal year 2024 saw $10.3 billion in new guarantees issued, marking a significant step towards achieving these goals.
