IBM & MeitY Signed 3 MoUs to Advance AI, Semiconductor & Quantum Innovation in India
IBM(International Business Machines Corporation) signed 3 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 3 entities under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to advance and accelerate innovation in Artificial intelligence (AI), Semiconductor, and quantum technology in India.The 3 MoUs were signed with IndiaAI – Digital India Corporation, India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
Key Points:
- IBM and IndiaAI – Digital India Corporation collaborate to establish a world-class national AI Innovation Platform (AIIP) for India.
- To promote India’s scientific, economic, and human-capital development in AI technology, the platform will focus on AI skilling, ecosystem development, and integrating sophisticated foundation models and generative AI capabilities
- AIIP gains access to IBM’s Watsonx platform key features, such as the ability to use models in language, code, and geospatial science, with the intention of training models for more domains as needed.
About IBM:
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. It is known for its hardware and software products, including computers, servers, storage systems, and networking equipment.Chairman and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Arvind Krishna
Headquarters – Armonk, New York, United States of America(USA)
Established – 191
Mahsa Amini & The Women of Iran Won the 2023 Sakharov Prize of European Parliament
Roberta Metsola, President of European Parliament named Jina Mahsa Amini and Iranian women protest movement as the winners of Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2023 (Sakharov Prize), the EuropeanUnion’s (EU) top human rights prize.The prize will be given at a ceremony in European Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg, France on December 13, 2023.
Key Points:
- Jina Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman, was arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory hijab (headscarf ) law in September 2022. She died 3 days after arrest.
- Her death under suspicious circumstances led to the massive women led protests in Iran.
- The women are protesting under the slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ i.e. Iranian Women Protest Movement against the hijab law and other discriminatory laws.
Cirium’s Monthly Report: Bengaluru’s KIA tops as World’s Most Punctual Airport
- According to ‘The On-Time Performance Monthly Reports – Airports for September 2023’ published by aviation analytics firm Cirium, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru (Karnataka)has secured the top position as the world’s most punctual Airport for the past 3 consecutive months(July, August, and September 2023).
- KIA maintained an on-time departure experience for passengers, with 87.51% punctuality in July, 89.66% in August, and 88.51% in September
- As per the report, on-time departure ranking measures the percentage of flights that departed within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.
- Cirium conducts an extensive evaluation of flight data for global airports. Airports are classified based on seat capacity, gate departure coverage of 80% or more, and flight volume
- The classifications include Global Airport (25 – 40 million passengers), Large Airport (25 – 40 million passengers), Medium Airport (15 – 25 million passengers), and Small Airport (5 – 15 million passengers)
Padma Shri Awardee and Spiritual Leader Bangaru Adigalar Passed Away
Padma Shri Awardee Arul Thiru Bangaru Adigalar, a Spiritual Leader and the founder of Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peedam in Kancheepuram district (Tamil Nadu (TN)) passed away at the age of 82 in Melmaruvathur, TN. He was born on 3 March 1941 in Melmaruvathur village.
Key Points:
- G. Subramaniam, known as Bangaru Adigal, lovingly known as ‘Amma’ (mother) by his followers in Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peedam (referred to as Red-Clad Movement), is renowned for leading significant reforms in spiritual practices.
- He was by profession a school teacher in Arapeduvillage near Achirupakkam in TN. He gained recognition as the admired oracle of the Parasakthi temple.
- The year 1971 marked the establishment of his spiritual leadership from a modest, thatched cottage in Melmaruvathur.
- Initially, Swayambu (the self-generated) stood as the sole object of worship for many years. On 25 November 1977, the idol of Mother Adhiparasakthi was installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- The Adhiparasakthi spiritual movement founded by Adigalar is known by the Melmaruvathur temple near Chennai (TN) and its local worship groups across TN.
- His contributions have brought about noteworthy changes, including the admission of women into the inner sanctum of Arulmigu Aadhiparasakthi Temple in Melmaruvathur for regular worship.
National Solidarity Day 2023- October 20
- National Solidarity Day is annually observed across India on 20 October to honour, respect, andpromote the bravery and strength of the Indian armed forces.
- The day is dedicated to mark the national integrity displayed by India during the 1962 conflict with China(Indo-China War)
- The day is also plays tribute to all the brave souls who lost their lives during the Sino-Indian War which started on 20th October 1962 and ended on 21 November 1962
- 20 October 2023 marks the 61st anniversary of the India-China war.
Key Points:
- In 1966, a committee was set up under the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to honour the martyrs of the Indo-China War and to promote a sense of patriotism and solidarity among the citizens.
- The committee decided to designate October 20 as National Solidarity Day
Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves Establishment of STPF for Tiger Reserves
Arunachal Pradesh(AR) Cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister(CM) Pema Khandu approved the constitution of the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in three Tiger Reserves of AR namely, Namdapha, Pakke, and Kamlang.The STPF is constituted as per the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Thisdecision will result in the creation of 336 regular posts in Arunachal Pradesh
Key Points:
- STPF is a specialized force tailored to the needs of tiger reserves, comprising one company of 112 personnel each for 3 tiger reserves. Each company is subdivided into 3 platoons and 18 sections.
- The creation of STPF will lead to the protection of Tigers and their habitats, the protection of wildlife habitats, the assistance in scientific forest management, and the prevention of other illegal activities in these tiger reserves.
Note: According to the 2022 national tiger census, AR has a total of 9 tigers in the 3 reserves, a decline of 20 tigers from the previous census done in 2018.
About Arunachal Pradesh:
Chief Minister– Pema Khandu
Governor– Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
Airports– Tezu Airport and Itanagar Airport