India Observers

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2023 in Delhi on July 29, coinciding with the third anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In his speech,   PM Modi   emphasized the transformative power of education and the equal importance given to traditional and modern forms of learning. He praised the NEP 2020’s impact and highlighted the initiative to provide education in Indian languages, promoting inclusivity and talent-based evaluations. The two-day Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam aims to bring together stakeholders from the education sector, including academics, policymakers, teachers, and students, to strategize and advance the implementation of NEP 2020. The event comprises sixteen in-depth sessions addressing diverse topics, such as equitable and inclusive education, fostering high-quality learning, and preserving India’s rich knowledge heritage. The NEP 2020, introduced three years ago, focuses on developing  yo...

  Ayurveda, the ancient holistic healing system, is embracing   modern technology   through AI to revolutionize herb identification. This move is aimed at ensuring the production of Ayurvedic products with consistent quality and efficacy. By using AI-powered solutions, Ayurvedic producers can accurately identify herbs through image recognition, chemical analysis, and natural language processing, leading to enhanced wellness and product transparency. The integration of AI in Ayurveda comes at a time when the Indian Ayurveda market is predicted to witness significant growth. AI technology enables the identification of herbs with higher accuracy, leading to time and cost savings for manufacturers. It also promotes customization and innovation in product formulations, providing individualized care and improving overall health and well-being. The marriage of AI and Ayurveda holds great potential in transforming how Ayurvedic products are produced, ensuring better patient outco...

  Disney’s streaming service, Disney+ Hotstar, is set to curb password sharing among its premium users in India, following   Netflix’s   recent move to end password sharing in the country and other regions. Currently, Disney+ Hotstar permits premium account holders to log in from up to ten devices, despite stating a limit of four devices. However, the company plans to enforce the four-device login policy later this year to reduce password sharing and foster individual subscriptions. The decision comes as India emerges as a critical market for streaming services, with platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and JioCinema gaining significant popularity. The streaming sector in India is projected to become a $7 billion market by 2027. Disney+ Hotstar’s dominant position in the Indian streaming market, with a 38% share of viewership between January 2022 and March 2023, highlights its intention to maintain revenue growth and ensure a legitimate distributio...

  The ‘Red Diary’ controversy in Rajasthan has sparked a political clash between Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the   BJP   and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of the Congress. The controversy centers around a diary allegedly containing details of financial irregularities within the Rajasthan cabinet during a political crisis in 2020. However, Gehlot denies the existence of such a diary, dismissing it as a fictional creation. Ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly elections, the feud has escalated, with both parties using it to attack each other. Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of running a ‘loot ki dukan’ (shop of loot) and referred to the ‘Red Diary’ as evidence of corruption. On the other hand,  Congress  questioned the BJP’s priorities and alleged they lack substantial issues to address. Modi also took a jibe at the Opposition’s new coalition, claiming their name change from UPA to INDIA is an attempt to conceal past wrongdoings. He accused them of changing n...

  India has unveiled the renovated India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) building, located in the   Pragati Maidan Complex , to host G20 leaders’ meetings. The complex, now ranked among the top 10 in the world, boasts a seating capacity of 7,000 people and an amphitheater with seating for 3,000 people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly built International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC), named ‘Bharat Mandapam,’ and announced that it will host the G20 Summit in September. India is offering e-conferencing visas to over 160 countries, facilitating international participation. At the inauguration, PM Modi expressed confidence in India’s rapid growth under the BJP government, predicting even faster progress in their third term. He envisioned India among the top 3 economies globally, a significant leap from being the 10th largest economy when the BJP won the elections. Additionally,  PM Modi  shared plans for the construction of the world’s la...

Smart rings, the latest concept of  wearable products  in India, combine the functionality of traditional rings with modern technology, similar to smartwatches. These innovative accessories can track activity, monitor health, receive notifications, facilitate mobile payments, and more. Connected to smartphones via Bluetooth, they come in various designs and materials, providing a range of features to enhance user experiences. Smart rings have diverse uses, including health and activity tracking, receiving notifications, mobile payments, gesture control, emergency alerts, sleep tracking, access control, and even mood and stress monitoring. Two popular smart rings in the market are the bOAt Smart Ring and the Noise Luna Ring. Both are quite similar in features and specifications, with the Noise Luna Ring being slightly cheaper and currently available for pre-order. The smart ring market is continuously evolving, bringing improvements and new features to cater to users’ needs and...

  OpenAI, the tech company, has expanded the availability of its viral chatbot,   ChatGPT , to Android users in the United States, India, Bangladesh, and Brazil. Following its successful launch on Apple’s iOS platform, the ChatGPT app is now accessible on the Google Play Store for Android users. This AI-powered chatbot offers conversational answers to user queries through a simple interface, with voice input capabilities using OpenAI’s Whisper speech recognition system. OpenAI’s decision to expand to Android aims to democratize access to advanced AI tools for a broader audience, considering the significant market share of Android in mobile devices. The company plans to make ChatGPT available in more countries in the coming weeks, catering to a diverse global audience. The app is free to download and allows users to sync chat history across devices, providing convenient access to previous conversations even offline. The ChatGPT app for Android offers various useful features, in...

  A fascinating incident has been making waves on social media with an incredibly creative and out-of-the-box   resignation  letter. People are particularly enamored with the last line of the letter, calling it “super cute” and praising its uniqueness. Speculation abounds on whether the letter came from the company’s administrator or an employee. The letter has garnered so much attention that some even wonder if the company will accept the resignation after witnessing such creativity. The mysterious individual behind the genius letter is now being requested to share their resume, as people are impressed and eager to see their other talents. While the exact letter isn’t available, it’s evident that this resignation has left a lasting impact online. The unconventional approach to saying goodbye to a job has sparked curiosity and fascination among many. Whether this trend catches on remains uncertain, as it will likely depend on the company’s culture and the individual situa...

  Apple is rumored to be releasing the   Apple Watch   Ultra 2, featuring a lighter design compared to the current version. The current Apple Watch Ultra is considerably heavier than the lightest model in the Series 8 lineup. To address this issue, Apple plans to utilize 3D printing technology for some of the mechanical components of the Ultra 2. By replacing certain titanium parts with 3D-printed alternatives, the watch’s weight is expected to be reduced, although specific details on the extent of the reduction have not been disclosed. The release of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is anticipated in the second half of 2023, possibly coinciding with Apple’s September event, where the iPhone 15 might also be unveiled. The Ultra 2 is part of a joint venture called “Digital Connexion,” which includes Brookfield Infrastructure, Reliance Industries, and Digital Realty. Reliance Industries has expressed its intent to invest in data centers in India, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 could po...

  The Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple in Varanasi, India, is a remarkable ancient temple dedicated to   Lord Shiva , known for its incredible tilt of 9 degrees, surpassing the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Standing at an impressive height of 74 meters, the temple is taller than the Pisa tower, which is around 54 meters tall. Its unique location at Manikarnika Ghat, with the inner sanctum partially submerged in the Ganges River for most of the year, adds to its intrigue. Despite its significant lean and fascinating background, the Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple is relatively lesser known, both locally and internationally. Nevertheless, it has been gaining attention and popularity lately, becoming one of the most photographed temples in Varanasi. The temple’s history and the reasons behind its tilt are steeped in local legends and mysteries, with various stories attributing it to curses or other mythological events. The  temple’s  spiritual significance, combined with its remarka...

  A Private Members’ Bill allows a Member of   Parliament   who is not a Minister to propose a new law, addressing issues that may not be covered by government bills or highlighting gaps in existing laws. Despite their importance, only a few private members’ bills have become laws, with around 300 listed for discussion in the current session of Parliament. Some of these bills cover topics like abolishing caste identities in educational institutions and legalizing same-sex marriage. However, since 1970, no private members’ bill has been passed by Parliament, making their impact relatively limited. The process of introducing private members’ bills involves drafting the bill and providing one month’s notice, unless the Speaker permits a shorter notice. The Lok Sabha discusses these bills on Fridays during the last two and a half hours of a sitting, while the Rajya Sabha does so on alternate Fridays. The House secretariat examines the bill to ensure it aligns with constitutio...

  Reliance Jio, under the leadership of Mukesh Ambani, is gearing up to launch an affordable 4G-enabled laptop called JioBook, specifically aimed at students. The   laptop , previously showcased at the India Mobile Congress and available on the Government e-Marketplace for government officials, will soon be accessible to the public through Amazon and Reliance Digital Stores. Sporting a plastic body with the ‘Jio’ logo and weighing just 990 grams, the JioBook promises to be faster than its predecessor, running on the JioOS operating system. It boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, and a HD webcam. Scheduled for release on July 31, the JioBook operates on JioOS, a modified version of Android, offering 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity options. With an 11.6-inch HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage, the laptop aims to cater to budget-conscious consumers. Previously available in select cities at around Rs. 16,000, it...

  Bike taxis   have become a popular transportation option in urban areas of India due to their affordability and convenience. However, their legality varies from state to state, with some states permitting them while others consider them a safety hazard. Two-wheelers used for commercial purposes may lack proper safety features, and unlicensed drivers can pose risks. Supporters argue that bike taxis offer cost-effective and efficient transportation, especially in traffic-congested areas, while being environmentally friendly. The demand for bike taxis continues to grow, and more states may consider regulating and legalizing them. Rapido, founded in 2015, holds the distinction of being India’s first bike taxi service. Other companies like Jugnoo, Bounce, Ola Bike, UberMOTO, and Zoomcar have also entered the market, providing similar services across various Indian cities. While the Indian government issued guidelines in 2018 to ensure safety measures for bike taxis, the legality ...

  Director Nag Ashwin unveiled the first glimpse and official title of the movie “Kalki 2898 AD” at the San Diego Comic-Con. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including   Prabhas , Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Disha Patani, and Kamal Haasan. The teaser sets the stage in a futuristic world plagued by darkness, destruction, and violence, with orphaned children caught in the turmoil. The story follows warriors portrayed by Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan, who rise to confront the dark forces and bring hope to the world. Drawing comparisons to iconic sci-fi franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, the teaser generated excitement and anticipation among fans. Produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, the fantasy sci-fi film is set to release in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, with Deepika Padukone absent from the Comic-Con due to her support for SAG-AFTRA’s actors’ strike in Hollywood. The film “Kalki 2898 AD” will mark the first collaboration between Prabhas and Deepika Paduk...

  Fencing qualification for the World Cup varies based on age categories: Cadet, Junior, and Senior. For Cadet   fencers   (under 17), the top twenty US citizen fencers on the national rolling points list are eligible for designated World Cup events. They earn points through specific tournaments like NACs and Junior Olympic Fencing Championships, which stay on the list for a continuous 12-month period. Junior fencers (under 20) need to be among the top twelve US citizen fencers on the national rolling points list to qualify for World Cup events. They also accumulate points through specific tournaments, and like Cadet fencers, have a 12-month rolling points system. Similarly, Senior fencers (over 20) must be among the top twelve on the national rolling points list for World Cup qualification. They earn points in designated domestic and international tournaments, utilizing the 12-month rolling points system. Points earned in events remain on the national points list until t...

  In a shocking incident amid ethnic conflict in   Manipur , a distressing video emerged on May 4, showing two Kuki women being paraded naked by men believed to be from the Meitei community. The women were subjected to sexual assault and molestation during the incident. The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, expressed grave concern over this gross violation of human rights and condemned the use of women as instruments of violence. The Supreme Court gave the government time to intervene and act decisively, but asserted that if no action is taken, the court will step in to address the matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the incident, stating that the guilty would not be spared. The ethnic unrest in Manipur stemmed from clashes between the Meitei tribe, with a majority in the valley, and the Kuki tribe, with a majority in the hills. The Meiteis were demanding Scheduled Tribes (ST) status. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and calls for action, lead...