NATIONAL NEWS
PM Modi virtually inaugurates Biplobi Bharat Gallery in Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Biplobi Bharat Gallery at Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas. The inauguration was done virtually via video conferencing. The purpose of this new gallery is to provide a holistic view of the events that led up to 1947 and highlight the important role played by the revolutionaries. The newly built gallery depicts the contribution of the revolutionaries towards the freedom struggle of India and provides a holistic view of the events that led to 1947, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The gallery displays the contribution of the revolutionaries in the freedom struggle and their armed resistance to British colonial rule. This aspect has often not been given its due place in the mainstream narrative of the freedom movement. The gallery will also showcase the revolutionary movement, formation of significant associations by revolutionary leaders, spread of the movement, formation of the Indian National Army, and the contribution of Naval Mutiny.
Government set the target to create 220 new airports by 2025
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the Government has set a target of building 220 new airports by 2025, citing the Civil Aviation industry as a critical component of India’s economy. In response to the Civil Aviation Ministry’s requests for grants for 2022-23, Scindia stated that India has made progress in both domestic and foreign travel during the COVID-19 period. Cargo flights for perishable food items will be boosted by 30% in the next few years, with 133 new flights, he stated.
Kerala becomes first state to introduce carbon-neutral farming methods
Kerala is set to become the first state in the country to introduce carbon-neutral farming methods in selected locations, for which the government has set aside Rs 6 crore in the 2022-23 Budget. In the first phase, carbon-neutral farming will be implemented in 13 farms under the Agriculture Department and tribal areas, and steps are on to convert the State Seed Farm at Aluva to a carbon-neutral farm. In the second phase, model carbon-neutral farms will be developed in all the 140 Assembly constituencies. The Agriculture Department was involved in a process of adopting new farming methods in phases, which would reduce carbon emissions and help the carbon to be stored in the soil. The government had already initiated discussions with experts in this regard. Improving soil health through integrated farming methods, rotation of crops, adoption of fertigation, precision farming methods, changing the ways in which the soil is irrigated and limiting the indiscriminate use of fertilizers were important for preventing soil degradation and thus reducing carbon footprint in agriculture.
IIT Madras established Policy Centre along with AquaMAP Water Management
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras builds a new interdisciplinary water management and policy centre known as ‘AquaMAP’ to address India’s water issues. The centre will build scalable models employing novel technology to provide smart solutions for water concerns. As proof of concept, these models will be installed in various areas across the country. The capacity is one of the primary outputs that AquaMAP is projected to deliver in the medium or long term. The ability to address complex real-life water problems through consortia approaches, establish as an entity that can deliver solutions with wide impact and application, address at least three chronic water issues through grand challenges and their successful translation into pilot projects, and complete pilot studies in at least six water innovation villages or towns that can be replicated are among the key outcomes expected from AquaMAP in the medium or long term.
TCS partnered with IIT Madras to launch M. Tech in Industrial Artificial Intelligence
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has teamed up with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to offer a web-based, user-friendly programme on Industrial AI, aimed at upskilling employees and incorporating AI applications to industrial concerns. IIT M will provide the 18-month programme, which was developed in collaboration with TCS, in a wholly online live teaching method via virtual classrooms. TCS students will make up the program’s initial cohort. This programme, established in conjunction with TCS, will offer strong theoretical courses and labs covering significant issues in data science and AI. Theoretical courses will address essential mathematical approaches needed to comprehend data science algorithms, time series analysis, multivariate data analysis, machine learning, deep learning, and reinforcement learning.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NATO extended Jens Stoltenberg’s term by a year
According to a NATO statement, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) extended Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s tenure by a year until September 30, 2023. After a NATO conference in Brussels, US President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders decided to extend Stoltenberg’s tenure. In October 2014, Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister, was named NATO Secretary-General. In September 2021, his term was set to end. I am honoured by #NATO Heads of State and Government’s decision to extend my term as Secretary-General until September 30, 2023. We remain united to keep our Alliance strong and our people safe as we face the greatest security crisis in a century, Stoltenberg tweeted.
First wildlife bond issued by World Bank to save Africa’s black rhino
The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD) has issued the Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) to support of South Africa’s efforts to conserve endangered species of Black Rhino. Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) is also known as Rhino Bond. It is a five-year $150 million Sustainable Development Bond. It includes a potential performance payment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The bond will contribute to protecting and increasing black rhino populations in two protected areas in South Africa namely the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) and the Great Fish River Nature Reserve (GFRNR).
