Home Blog Page 220

PM Modi Passes G20 Presidency Baton to Brazil’s Lula as Delhi Summit Concludes

0

G20 Presidency Transfer to Brazil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi passed the G20 Presidency Baton to Brazil’s Lula as the Delhi Summit concluded yesterday. This symbolic transition of leadership marked the conclusion of the Delhi Summit.

During a ceremony at the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi extended his warm congratulations to President Silva and symbolically transferred the G20 Presidency by presenting the ceremonial gavel to him. Expressing his delight, PM Modi said, “I want to congratulate Brazil’s president and my friend Lula da Silva and hand over the presidency’s gavel to him.”

President Silva lauded Prime Minister Modi for his effective leadership during India’s G20 Presidency. He commended the meticulous preparations made for the summit under PM Modi’s guidance. President Silva stated, “I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for efficiently leading the Indian G20 Presidency and for the excellent work done in preparing this summit.”

Brazil’s Focus Areas

President Silva revealed the key areas of focus for Brazil’s upcoming G20 Presidency, including social inclusion, the fight against hunger, and energy transition, among others. The motto guiding Brazil’s Presidency will be ‘Building a fair world and a sustainable planet.’ Brazil is set to officially assume the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2023. Here’s a tweet from PM Modi:



Under Brazil’s G20 Presidency, President Silva unveiled two significant initiatives: the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and the Global Mobilization against Climate Change. President Lula sensed an urgency in tackling iequality. He further stressed about of tackling disparities in income, healthcare, education, food access, gender equity, racial equality, and fair representation.

Brazil’s Vision for the Future

President Lula da Silva’s visit to Raj Ghat held profound significance as he paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, whom he considers a guiding light. Drawing deep inspiration from Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, President Lula expressed his commitment to emulating Gandhi’s principles during Brazil’s G20 Presidency. This dedication reflects Brazil’s aspiration to promote peace, justice, and equitable progress on the global stage.

Conclusion

The transition of the G20 Presidency from India to Brazil witnessed during the Delhi Summit, marks a historic milestone in global diplomacy. This transition underscores the collective determination to address pressing global challenges collaboratively. Brazil’s forthcoming Presidency will prioritize inclusivity, sustainable development, and the battle against inequality, contributing significantly to global progress.

WhatsApp Introduces Private Channels for Important Updates

0

WhatsApp Channels

WhatsApp is introducing a new feature called Channels, offering a private and efficient way for users to receive vital updates from individuals and organizations within the app.

Now, Channels are accessed through a dedicated tab called “Updates,” which separates them from regular chats with friends and family. This feature serves as a one-way broadcasting tool that allows admins to send various types of content, including text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. WhatsApp already has communities. The addition of channels increases the similarity however still distinguishable based on the user’s requirement. 

Privacy Protection along with Content Expiry

WhatsApp places a strong emphasis on user privacy. As a channel admin, your phone number and profile photo remain hidden from followers. Similarly, when you follow a channel, your phone number is not disclosed to the admin or other followers. Privacy is paramount, allowing users to choose their channels discreetly.

WhatsApp believes that channel updates shouldn’t linger indefinitely. To address this, channel history will be stored on WhatsApp’s servers for a maximum of 30 days. Additionally, WhatsApp plans to introduce features that will enable updates to disappear even faster from followers’ devices. Admins will also have the option to block screenshots and message forwards within their channels.

Check Out: Jio & TCS to Replace ZTE, Huawei Telecomm Gear in the US

Opportunities

Admins will be granted control over who can follow their channel and whether their channel should be discoverable in the directory. The major aim of channels is to reach a broader audience it is not end-to-end encrypted.

Wrap Up 

Thus, this is about the latest announcement from WhatsApp about WhatsApp Channels. The introduction of channels is a step forward to make it a private broadcasting tool. With channels, WhatsApp ensures that users can stay informed while maintaining their privacy. What do you think about Channels from WhatsApp? 

ISRO and NASA Collaborate for Indian Astronaut’s ISS Mission in 2024

0

Indian Astronaut’s ISS Mission 

ISRO has made commendable progress in space exploration through the successful launcher of Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1 Solar Probe Mission. Further, ISRO is in the works to embark on an ambitious project of sending an Indian astronaut to the ISS (International Space Station) by 2024. This endeavor is part of ISRO’s ‘Gaganyaan’ mission.

India’s space journey has been marked by impressive achievements, and the ‘Gaganyaan Mission’ is poised to be a landmark event. The mission aims to send a crew of three members into orbit, where they will spend three days before safely returning to Earth by landing in Indian seawater. The target launch window for this mission is late 2024 or early 2025.

Collaboration with NASA

According to the joint statement after Bilateral Talks:

“Determined to deepen our partnership in outer space exploration, ISRO and NASA have commenced discussions on modalities, capacity building, and training for mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, and are continuing efforts to finalize a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023.”

“India and the United States also intend to increase coordination on planetary defense to protect planet Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects, including US support for India’s participation in asteroid detection and tracking via the Minor Planet Center,”

Training and Technology

As part of the collaboration, NASA will provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas. This training will prepare them for the challenges of space travel and the ISS mission. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, designed for Earth observation, is set for launch from India in 2024.

ISRO’s Tests & Preparations

ISRO is diligently preparing for the Gaganyaan Mission, conducting various tests, including AirDrop Test, Pad Abort Test, and Test Vehicle flights. The LVM-3 would be modified into an HRLV i.e. Human-Rated Launch Vehicle which enables the capability to carry astronauts into space.

Check out: Indian Road Transport Minister Proposes 10% ‘Pollution Tax’ on Diesel Vehicles

The agency initially began working on a human space mission in the mid-2000s, with significant progress achieved through experiments like the Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE) and thermal shield experiments.

Wrap Up

Thus, this is a great collaborative effort between ISRO and NASA. India has come a long way in its space exploration journey. If successfully achieved, India would be one of the few nations capable enough to send an astronaut to the ISS. So far, Rakesh Sharma is the only Indian who traveled to space.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max: Titanium Design, A17 Pro Chip with advanced camera system.

0

Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max Launched

Apple unveiled the latest iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max just recently yesterday. These models host a range of features that are designed to enhance the user experience. Both of these phones feature a titanium design that is robust yet lightweight.

The strength-to-weight ratio makes these new iPhones the lightest ones ever. The design has an ultra-thin border along with contoured edges. Further, the devices feature Super Retina XDR Display along with ProMotion and Always On technologies.

Apple stated during the event that: 

“This is the most pro lineup we have ever created, with a state-of-the-art titanium design, the best iPhone camera system yet that enables game-changing new workflows, and the A17 Pro chip, which ushers in a new chapter of performance and games never before seen on iPhone,

The following is the summary of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max launch event

  • Aerospace Grade Titanium Design: Allows a lightweight frame along with durability. 
  • Customizable Action Buttons: The button replaces the traditional ring/switch which provides more functionality.
  • A17 Pro Chip: Industry’s first 3nanometer processor along with 10% faster CPU, 2x faster Neural engine, and 20% faster GPU. Additionally, the chip also supports ray tracing and immersive AR.
  • Advanced Camera System: 48MP Camera along with three focal lengths of 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm. 5x Telephoto camera exclusive for iPhone 15 Pro Max.
  • Wireless Performance: USB-C connectors, Precision finding for Find My Friends, Wi-Fi 6E and much more. 
  • iOS 17: Features contact posters, NameDrop, StandBy, etc.
  • Environment: Made with recycled and sustainable materials. No leather and fiber packaging.

Pricing

The preorder for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max starts from 15th September post which the devices would be available from 22nd September. 

Check out: John Cena’s WWE Return Sparks Heated Rivalry with Grayson Waller

The devices are available in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium finishes. The storage options range from 128 GB to 1TB.

Thus, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max push forward Apple’s lineup of products. What do you think about the new devices launched from Apple? 

AR Rahman Concert Chaos: Here’s what went wrong at the Maestro’s concert!

0

AR Rahman Concert Chaos:

AR Rahman’s concert in Chennai on September 10 turned into a chaotic and distressing event. Some of them started shedding light on the pressing need for world-class infrastructure in the city. Allegations of overselling tickets, overcrowding, and mismanagement have surfaced, prompting an investigation by the police.

The Marakumma Nenjam Concert

AR Rahman’s much-anticipated concert, titled “Marakumma Nenjam,” took place at Adityaram Palace City in Chennai on September 10. However, the event was marred by several issues, leading to discontent among the audience.

“It was a tsunami of people and love that we were unable to handle,” Rahman told The Hindu after the event turned into utter chaos. He said as a composer, he thought his only job was to give a terrific show and he thought the rest would be taken care of.”

Overcrowding and Overselling Tickets

Overcrowding was one of the major reasons for the chaos. The venue could host 20,000 to 25,000 people but 50,000 people arrived with valid tickets. As a result, they did not get any space to enter the venue. AR Rahman said in the interview that:

“Right now, we are just terribly disturbed. Safety was the primary issue, especially because there were women and kids. I don’t want to point fingers at anyone, but we have to realize that the city is expanding, and the passion to consume music and art is also expanding,” 

VIP tickets were sold at exorbitant prices, reaching ₹50,000, but attendees soon realized that there was no designated VIP section at the venue, raising concerns of mismanagement and dissatisfaction among high-paying ticket holders.

Misconduct Allegations 

While some women in the crown also alleged molestation during the event. However, there are no formal complaints received by the police.

AR Rahman took responsibility and responded to the chaos. He also pledged to refund the ticket money to the ones who could not make it. Later, he shared his thoughts on Twitter and Instagram:

“Some people call me G.O.A.T …………let me be the sacrificial goat this time for all of us to wake up ..let Chennai’s live art flourish with a world-class infrastructure, increase in tourism, efficient crowd management, traffic management, refining audiences to follow rules ..creating a safe and surreal experience for children and women ..Triggering a cultural renaissance at Chennai celebrating our deserving, illuminated local and international talent,”

ACTC Events also issued an apology on social media. They acknowledged those who could not attend and took responsibility for the issues.

Further Actions

Following the chaos, Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police ordered a detailed inquiry into the mishap. As a result of the inquiry, Deepa Sathyan, IPS, Pallikaranai Law and Order, was placed under compulsory wait due to her failure to manage the crowd during the event.

The turmoil at AR Rahman’s concert in Chennai underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure and crowd management in the city. It serves as a wake-up call for authorities to address these challenges and create a safer and more enjoyable environment for cultural events and performances.

C-295 Aircraft: Indian Airforce takes delivery in Spain

0

C-295 Aircraft: Indian Airforce

On Wednesday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) took the delivery of its C-295 Aircraft. The delivery was attended by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari along with handling over ceremony at Seville in Spain by Airbus Defense and Space.

The first in the lot is supposed to fly to India soon. 56 such planes are ordered under an Rs. 32,935 crore project which aims to modernize the fleet of the Indian Air Force. The 16 European Planes are supposed to be delivered in ready-to-fly condition, while the rest would be required to assemble at the Tata Facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited & Airbus

The C-295 delivery came 2 years after the ministry signed a contract. This contract was between Airbus. Tata Advanced Systems Limited along with Airbus are executing the program in a joint fashion.

Further deliveries would be taken in May 2024. While the last C-295 is expected to be delivered by August 2025. Also, the first “Made in India” C-295 would be ready by August 2031.

The C-295 Aircraft is going to replace the Avro-748 planes which have been running since the 1960s. The manufacturing in India by a private one paves the way to make India the largest operator of C-295 aircraft.

Check out: Asian Games 2023: India Cricket Jersey along with kit design details

About Airbus C-295 Aircraft

The following are the capabilities of C-295:

  • 9 tonnes of payload carrying capacity
  • 71 personnel or 45 paratroopers’ accommodation 
  • Maximum Speed: 480kmph
  • Operation from short or unprepared airstrips
  • Rear ramp for para-drooping troops & cargo

The engines, landing gear, and avionics would be provided by Airbus. Other 13,000 parts and 4,600 subassemblies would be carried out in India itself. Further, it includes support for 5 years and spare supply for 10 years across the operating bases. Also, ground support and test equipment are included as well.

16-year-old NEET Student commits suicide in Kota Rajasthan. 24 cases in 2023

0

16-year-old NEET Student commits suicide

The suicides in Kota, Rajasthan are at an all-time high. Recently, a 16-year-old student committed suicide and was preparing for NEET Exam (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). This exam is to pursue MBBS and other medical streams in India. 

According to police records, the cases are highest since 2015, which is very concerning. 24 cases and 7 cases were reported in this year and month respectively. 

Suicide Case Details

A police officer spoke about the case matters as follows:

“The teen was a native of Jharkhand’s Ranchi who arrived in Kota for medical preparation last May and had been staying in a hostel accommodation sharing with another girl in the Vigyan Nagar area”

He further added that:

“She locked herself in her room last night when her roommate stepped out to speak to someone on the phone. Later her roommate called the other people and the hostel warden when the victim didn’t respond to her repeated knocks.”

Later she was found hanging from the fan when the door was broken open by the warden. She was declared dead when taken to a local hospital. 

 “No suicide note was found and a preliminary report did not suggest any behavioral changes after speaking to her roommates and parents. The body has been sent to the district medical college hospital for an autopsy and her parents were also informed.”

Life in Kota

Kota is the Education Hub where people from all across India come for Entrance Test Exam preparation. It is expected to be worth 10,000 crores. Students come here post Class 10 and register for Medical or Engineering Entrance Exams i.e. NEET and JEE respectively. 

Check out: Nipah Virus: Two deaths in Kerala; Team of experts called by center.

The grind is definitely stressful for a lot of students as they are away from their families as well. In some meetings, the institutes were asked to conduct several fun activities for the students as well. It is with the aim that it will help the students to de-stress. They have also asked to reduce the syllabus.

Thus, it is very concerning to see young students taking their lives away amidst the pressure of competitive exams. If one needs support, please reach out.

Apple Unveils Apple Watch Series 9: A step up in the game!

0

Apple Watch Series 9

Apple has launched the Apple Watch Series 9 which is a successor to the previous models. With each year, Apple is moving forward towards its carbon neutrality and environmental concerns of materials. 

The Apple event put forth a range of new Apple devices including the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. During the launch event, Jeff Williams from Apple stated that:

“Apple Watch is an indispensable companion that helps millions of people with their health, fitness, communications, and safety. We’re introducing our best Apple Watch lineup, with incredible new capabilities and technological advancements, including a new double tap gesture, brighter display, on-device Siri, as well as our first-ever carbon-neutral products. Whether users are upgrading from earlier models or buying their first, there’s never been a more compelling time to experience Apple Watch.”

Following is the summary of specifications of the newly launched Apple Watch Series 9

  • Powerful S9 SiP: The most potent chip with a 4-core neural engine.
  • Innovative Double Tap Gesture: Allows one-hand operation for basic tasks like answering calls, media controls and much more.
  • Brighter Display: Goes from 1 nit to 2000 nits of brightness which is doubled from Series 8.
  • Battery: 18-hour battery life.
  • On-Device Siri with Health Data Access: Users can ask Siri about their health such as sleep duration and all health logging data can be accessed.
  • Precision HomePod Integration: Features UWB chip for distance and direction guidance.
  • WatchOS 10: Redesigned apps along with Smart Stack, and new watch faces.
  • Compass Waypoints, Maps, and mental health support through the Mindfulness app.
  • Carbon Neutral Models: No leather in any Apple products including watch bands.

Check out: Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan to stream on Netflix as soon as they acquire streaming rights.

Pricing & Availability

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch SE starts at $399 and $249 respectively. The Watch includes several models and sizes which are available in different case materials and finishes. 

From 18th September Watch OS 10 would be rolled out for Apple Watch from Series 4 onwards.

Thus, the newly launched Apple Watch Series 9 brings in more features and performance along with a focus on sustainability. Apple has always managed to lead the smartwatch industry forward. Let us know your thoughts about the newly launched Apple Watch Series 9 in the comments below.

Putin Commends PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ Policy and Backs India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

0

Putin Commends PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ Policy

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin has propounded elevated praise for the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative during a speech at the 8th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF). Putin accentuated the importance of using domestic manufactured products and signified the admiration of India’s policies under PM Modi’s leadership as a positive example.

“You know, we didn’t have domestically made cars back then, but we do now,” said Putin. Although they do have a more trivialised appearance than the luxurious brands like Mercedes or Audi vehicles we purchased in large quantities in the 1990s, this is unimportant. I believe we ought to model ourselves after many of our allies, including India. They are concentrating on the production and use of automobiles built in India. In my opinion, Prime Minister Modi is acting adequately by promoting the Make in India initiative. He is correct.

Russian President’s take

The Russian President also stressed the importance of using Russian-made automobiles, particularly for state purchases. He highlighted that such a move would not violate Russia’s WTO obligations and proposed the creation of a system to determine which classes of officials should use domestically made cars.

Check out: Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan to stream on Netflix soon as they acquire streaming rights.

Putin asserted his support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and focused on that it will not be detrimental to Russia but rather help the nation on a broader aspect. India, the United States, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union are all scheduled to actively engage themselves in the IMEC, which is destined to develop into a gigantic infrastructure and trade network. By upgrading the connectivity and trade between these regions, this corridor hopes to promote economic integration with a scalability range among the various nations.

Putin stated, “I believe that this will only benefit us. I believe that this will only help us develop logistics. Firstly, this project has been discussed for a long time, for several years.”

Wrap Up

The development comes after India, the US, and several other nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. This initiative, involving key global players, is expected to reshape trade dynamics and enhance economic cooperation across three continents.

In a summarised sequel, it is concluded that Putin’s endorsement of the ‘Make in India’ program and his assertive support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor reflect growing collaboration between Russia and India in both economic and geopolitical spheres. These developments and upgradation in this self-reliant manufacturing sector, hold the potential to strengthen trade ties benefiting not only India but also the broader international community.

Ancient Temple Remains and Idols Unearthed During Ram Janmabhoomi Excavation in Ayodhya

0

Ancient Temple Remains 

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: As the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya enters its final stages, significant archaeological discoveries have been made during excavation at the site. These discoveries include several idols and pillars from an ancient temple.

Champat Rai, the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, shared this exciting news. While details about the exact time period and dynasty to which this temple belonged remain scant, it adds a layer of historical significance to the ongoing project.

Construction works

Rai stated, “Remains of an ancient temple have been found during excavation at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. It includes many statues and pillars.” The artifacts have been arranged under protective shelters, preserving them for future study and display.

The construction of the grand Ram temple is progressing meticulously, with a focus on quality and adherence to the stipulated time frame. Over 17,000 granite stones, each weighing 2 tons, are being used in the construction. The foundation comprises 4 lakh cubic feet of pink stones from Mirzapur, while the spire is sculpted from 1 lakh cubic feet of intricately carved marble from Rajasthan’s Bansipahadpur.

More Details

The temple is being built following the Nagar style of temple architecture, which is prevalent in northern India. This architectural style involves the construction of a temple on a raised platform known as Jagati.

Additionally, preparations are underway for significant rituals at the Ram Temple site, including the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla and the final installation of the Ram Lalla idol at the sanctum-sanctorum. These rituals are scheduled to take place in January 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend the grand inauguration event.

The discovery of ancient temple remnants adds a layer of historical significance to the construction of the Ram temple, solidifying its place in India’s rich cultural and religious heritage. As work on the temple progresses, it continues to capture the imagination of millions worldwide.