President Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest at an event to celebrate Human Rights Day here on Tuesday, an official statement said.

The theme for this year’s Human Rights Day, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” emphasises that human rights are not just aspirational but also a practical tool for empowering individuals and communities to create a better future, it said.

To mark Human Rights Day, the NHRC will organise a programme at the Plenary Hall of the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The event will be followed by a day-long National Conference on ‘Mental well-being: Navigating stress from classroom to workplace’.

The conference will have three sessions including ‘Stress among Children and Adolescents’, ‘Mental health challenges in institutions of higher learning’ and ‘Stress and burnout at workplaces’, said the statement.

More than 23.14 lakh cases of human rights violations have been registered and Rs 256.57 crore recommended as a relief by the National Human Rights Commission to victims of human rights violations since its inception in 1993, it said.

Human Rights Day is observed on December 10 every year to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

The UDHR serves as a global benchmark for the protection and promotion of human rights. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India views Human Rights Day as an opportunity for various stakeholders worldwide to reflect on their actions and responsibilities, ensuring that they do not contribute to the violation of human rights.

The UDHR embodies the principle that all human beings are born free and equal, with the right to life, liberty, and security, equality before the law, and freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion, and expression.

This principle is also reflected in India’s Constitution and the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, which provided the legal framework for the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India on October 12, 1993.

The President will be the Chief Guest, in the presence of the NHRC Acting Chairperson Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, Secretary General Bharat Lal, along with senior officers, members of statutory commissions, SHRCs, diplomats, civil society, and other dignitaries.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

India, along with its friendly countries, believes in ensuring that maritime trade in the region remains safe and secure: Rajnath

India and Russia will enter a new era of cooperation by taking advantage of each other’s expertise in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, cyber security, space exploration and counter-terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday  (December 9, 2024) as stealth guided missile frigate INS Tushil was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Kaliningrad, Russia.

Mr. Singh termed Russia’s support to India’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as another important example of deep friendship between the two countries. “Made in India content is continuously increasing in many ships including INS Tushil. The ship is a big proof of the collaborative prowess of Russian and Indian industries. It exemplifies India’s journey towards technological excellence through jointmanship,” he said at the commissioning ceremony.

The commissioning ceremony commenced with a joint Guard of Honour presented by the personnel from the ship’s crew and Russia’s Baltic Fleet crew. The Commanding Officer designate of Tushil Captain Peter Varghese symbolically accepted a ceremonial ship’s baton from his Russian counterpart. He read out the Commissioning Warrant of the ship addressed to him by the Chief of the Naval Staff. The ship was commissioned with the hoisting of the ‘colours’ – the Indian Naval ensign.

INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate of the Project 1135.6 of which, six are already in service – three Talwar class ships, built at Baltiysky shipyard, St. Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships, built at Yantar shipyard, Kaliningrad. All Krivak frigates are powered by engines from Zorya Nashproekt of Ukraine.

INS Tushil, the seventh in the series, is the first of the two additional follow-on ships under construction in Russia. In October 2016, India and Russia signed a deal for four stealth frigates, two to be built in Russia and two to be constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited under technology transfer. The second frigate Tamal is expected to be delivered to Indian Navy in Russia in the first quarter of next year. The construction saw repeated delays initially due to COVID and then the war in Ukraine.

The Defence Minister reiterated Indian Navy’s commitment to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). “Our Navy has foiled the designs of piracy, arms and drug smugglers and non-state actors in various hotspots. From the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden, from Suez to Malacca & from Australia to Madagascar, the Indian Navy is playing the essential role of a net security provider in IOR. India, along with its friendly countries, believes in ensuring that maritime trade in the region remains safe and secure, thereby promoting unhindered trade across the sea.”

As a first responder, the Indian Navy is always prepared to provide quick and timely humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its friends in the region, Mr. Singh added.

INS Tushil is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic. It is armed with a range of advanced weapons, including the jointly-developed Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, vertically-launched Shtil Surface-to-Air missiles with enhanced ranges, upgraded medium-range anti-air and surface gun with advanced stealth features, optically-controlled close-range rapid fire gun system, anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets and advanced electronic warfare and communication suite, the Navy said in a statement.

The ship is also capable of embarking the upgraded anti-submarine and airborne early warning helicopters, the Kamov 28 and Kamov 31. The ship is powered by an advanced gas turbine propulsion plant with state-of-the-art controls and is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots.

The ship’s keel was laid on July 12, 2013 and was launched in water in October 2021. The ship sailed out for her maiden sea trials on January 25, 2024, and completed an exhaustive schedule of factory trials followed by State Committee Trials and finally the delivery acceptance trials, both in harbour and at sea, by September 24, 2024. The ship has successfully carried out firing trials of all Russian weapon systems and would reach India in near combat-ready condition, the Navy stated.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Similarly, SSI Milkha Singh Sprint Champion award was given to Odia sprinter Lalu Prasad Bhoi and Nithya Gandhe.

 Committed to boosting the sporting culture in the country, Odisha-based Sports Science India (SSI) on Saturday hosted a gala award ceremony here at Kalinga Stadium and felicitated more than 17 international-level athletes and sportspersons.

This year, SSI Karna award was conferred on Karnataka swimmer Aneesh S Gowda, Arjuna awardee weightlifter Sathish Sivalingam, Odia cyclist Swasti Singh, racer Aditya Thakur, sprinters Sandeep Kumar and Sneha SS, Olympian gymnast Pranati Nayak and badminton sensation Anmol Kharb.

Similarly, SSI Milkha Singh Sprint Champion award was given to Odia sprinter Lalu Prasad Bhoi and Nithya Gandhe. The SSI Emerging Player award was given to Chhattisgarh sprinter Animesh Kujur and the Dilip Tirkey hockey best player award was received by Shilanad Lakra, while the SSI Paika team award was conferred on the Indian Hockey team.

The SSI Best Coach and Grassroots Coach awards were received by national badminton coach Vimal Kumar and Indian women Ice Hockey team coach Abdul Hakim Giri respectively.

Similarly, SSI Sports Development and Sports Journalism awards were received by JSW Sports and Dipti Ranjan Samal respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, SSI founder Dr Sarthak Patnaik said “Our award ceremony is a step towards promotion of sports in the country. We want to celebrate the achievements of our sportspersons so that thousands of other aspiring athletes are inspired.”

The award ceremony was inaugurated by deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo in presence of Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, Olympic weightlifting medallist Karnam Malleswari, former Indian football team captain Bruno Coutinho and SNM group director Prabodh Mohanty.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The award is in recognition of her work to improve gender equality, human rights and democracy.

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2024 will be conferred on former Chilean president and prominent human rights voice Michelle Bachelet, a statement issued by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust said on Friday (December 6, 2024).

The international jury for the award was chaired by former National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.

“President Michelle Bachelet is one of the world’s most prominent voices for human rights, peace, and equality. In her various roles as the founding director of UN Women, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and as President of Chile, she has spoken strongly for gender equality and the rights of the most vulnerable sections of the population at home and across the world,” the statement read.

“Her personal courage and example in standing for peace and the rights of marginalised people continue to inspire men and women around the world,” it added.

The prize honours her work to improve gender equality, human rights, democracy and development in difficult circumstances, the statement said, also noting her contributions towards fostering India’s relations with Chile.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The Australia India Business Council (AIBC), the leading organization dedicated to enhancing trade and investment between Australia and India, appointed Deepak Raj Gupta as the National Chair of the council.

He is a former MLA of the Labor Party in Australia.

Deepak-Raj Gupta has been appointed as National Chair and Amritha Zacharia as National Vice Chair, each serving a two-year term.

An alumnus of DAV College in Sector 10 of Chandigarh, Deepak did his schooling at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16 in 1983 and went to Australia in 1989 where he was involved in several community initiatives.

He had earlier remained as the president of the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) and was also a member of the AIBC National Executive Board of Directors.

In October 2015, Gupta was awarded the Community Service Excellence Award and Business Awards in Sydney in recognition of his work in promoting multicultural harmony, acceptance, mutual respect and understanding.

He had been earlier elected as the MLA from Gungahlin constituency.

“Over the years of active involvement with AIBC, I have witnessed its evolution into a trusted platform for fostering meaningful connections and creating mutual opportunities,” said Gupta.

“Together, we will ensure that AIBC continues to thrive as a cornerstone for our members— enabling collaboration, driving growth, and unlocking new opportunities,” he added.

He expressed his commitment to work closely with the members, amplifying their voices and forging impactful partnerships to strengthen the Australia-India relationship.

Zachariah said that her focus us to enable AIBC to deliver high impact opportunities for members—from small businesses to large enterprises—through purposeful partnerships and actionable innovation.

“With a clear emphasis on measurable outcomes and commercial growth, I aim to bring fresh perspectives, foster deep engagement, and build a dynamic platform that empowers our members to play a pivotal role in advancing the Australia-India business relationship,” she said.

Established in 1986 by the governments of Australia and India, AIBC has been instrumental in fostering bilateral relations through its chapters across six Australian state capitals and its presence in India.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

“India and Africa sharing a significant bilateral trade relationship across various key sectors will play a vital role in shaping trade ties between the two regions,” said Ajmal Fawad, Country Director – CWEIC (India) & Deputy Director – International (Africa) Confederation of Indian Industry.

Speaking at the event organised by CII to discuss the existing and emerging business opportunities in Africa here on Thursday, Mr. Fawad said, “Bilateral trade of India and Africa grew by 9.26% in 2022-23 and stood at about 98 billion dollars. India and Africa have a history of trade and cultural exchange that dates back centuries.” 

Further, he said, CII began its Africa-focused initiatives more than 29 years ago and was now linked with more than 95 counterpart organisations in 44 African countries to facilitate exchange of information between Indian and African industries.

A.K. Pramod of ARISE IIP India, speaking at the event, said India’s substantial investment in Africa had been a cornerstone of the region’s development. “In 2021, India emerged as one of the foremost inbound investors. Bilateral trade reached almost 100 billion dollars in 2022–23, a significant growth of 9.26% over the previous year,” he added.

“Africa’s geographical proximity to European and U.S markets adds an extra layer of advantage for Indian investors looking to expand their reach globally. The continent’s abundance of natural resources, coupled with a steadily growing working population, further position Africa as an attractive destination on the global business map,” Mr. Pramod noted.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System, a camouflage tech, could help dodge satellite detection & provide protection from missiles. It also promises non-military applications.

India’s first indigenously developed stealth initiative, created by scientists at IIT-Kanpur, marks a significant advancement in stealth technology for defense applications. Experts believe it will enhance the operational capabilities of India’s armed forces and bolster their ability to maintain strategic superiority, thereby strengthening national security.

Launched in November, the Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System is a textile-based broadband metamaterial microwave absorber which offers near-perfect wave absorption across a broad spectrum, significantly enhancing stealth capabilities against Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging.

Simply put, this innovation is a camouflage technology that will help the defence forces dodge satellite detection and provide effective protection from missiles that use radar guidance. Once commercially viable, it also promises non-military applications.

ThePrint explains the new technology and its applications:

What it is

Air Vice Marshal Praveen Bhatt—Managing Director and CEO of Meta Tattva Systems Pvt Ltd, the industry partner for this project—said that the Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System is a comprehensive multi-spectral camouflage system, which is effective in visual, near-infrared, thermal infrared (IR), and radiofrequency spectrum.

A metamaterial uses small structures to create resonances and interact strongly with radiation.

“This technology uses such properties to create strong absorption over broadbands of frequencies. The biggest challenge was to create the absorption in thin layers compared to the wavelength to ensure microwave stealth,” Bhatt said.

He said that the inclusion of emissivity control structures, and paints yield the desired performance against thermal infrared imaging.

Experts said that this technology—which will eventually be developed into multiple end-use products like cloaks, asset covers, clothing etc—will give a major boost to the Indian defence services.

Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson (retd), former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, said that the biggest threat to military movements was the SAR. He said that developments in stealth technology—like the latest development from IIT-Kanpur—can greatly assist defence applications.

“When we realised in 2019 that the biggest threat to military movements is SAR, it was unbeknownst to us that the teams at IIT-K had already developed this ground-breaking invention,” Mathson said.

But the technology also holds promise for non-military applications.

Bhatt said that this technology will be valuable in environments requiring protection against microwave radiation, effective EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) shielding, and improved electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

Some of the areas where the technology could be useful are wearable medical devices to enhance signal accuracy by shielding against external electromagnetic noise; enhancement of worker safety by developing it as protective cloaks for workers on mobile phone towers and masts to shield against prolonged microwave radiation exposure; and in test labs by providing radiofrequency (RF) shielding in testing environments to protect sensitive equipment during calibration.

Indian-made stealth technology

While the use of metamaterial for its camouflaging abilities has been experimented with for the first time by IIT-Kanpur, research around this technology has been happening in many countries.

However, scientists claim that despite early initiatives in the field of metamaterials, limited success has been achieved, even by advanced nations, in mitigating the SAR challenge from the military satellites using RF-wide bands.

Researchers from IIT-Kanpur said that Anālakṣhya offers near-perfect wave absorption across a broad spectrum, significantly enhancing the ability to counter SAR imaging. It also provides protection from missiles that use radar as guidance.

“Tailored for modern warfare, this cutting-edge innovation strengthens operational capabilities, providing India’s armed forces with advanced tools to maintain strategic superiority and ensure national security,” a senior scientist at IIT-Kanpur said, requesting anonymity.

In a statement, IIT-Kanpur said that the design is tailored for “operational imperatives, making it a crucial asset in modern warfare and surveillance.”

“The technology underwent extensive laboratory and field testing between 2019 and 2024, proving its efficacy across diverse conditions,” the institute said in the statement.

How does SAR foil military operations?

SAR satellites are powerful military tools that help locate enemies and decide engagement strategies. The SAR satellites are designed to penetrate conditions like thick clouds and the night sky to provide clear images of military assets in any part of the world.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) documents explain that unlike optical imagery, which is a passive data collection technique based on emitted energy, SAR imagery is created from the reaction of an emitted pulse of energy with physical structures (like mountains, forests, and sea ice) and conditions like soil moisture.

The SAR technology is extensively used to study Antarctic icebergs, track oil spills, and map wetlands. However, as this technology is gaining popularity, it is also making it increasingly difficult for armed forces to conceal assets and avoid military movement detections.

Bhatt said that India’s innovation comes at a time when the relevance of SAR-enabled ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems) is evident in global conflicts.

“For instance, in the Ukraine-Russia war, despite being an inferior force, Ukraine has effectively leveraged SAR-based intelligence from the western systems to target and disrupt Russian operations. This has underscored the immense power of ISR and the urgent need for effective countermeasures,” he said.

(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)

source/content: theprint.in (headline edited)

Unnat Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), shares that the intellectual property guidelines are being revamped and inputs are being sought from various stakeholders for the new norms.

Around 92,000 patent applications were filed in India during the last financial year, signifying India’s growing maturity as a hub for technological and scientific development, a top official said on Tuesday.

Unnat Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), also shared that the intellectual property (IP) guidelines are being revamped and inputs are being sought from various stakeholders for the new norms.

“Around 92,000 patent applications have been filed in the last financial year, that means every six minutes one new technology is seeking IP protection in India,” Pandit said on the sidelines of an Assocham event here.

“We are revamping the IP guidelines which were formed for the protection of IP in different sectors. This exercise is going on, a contribution can be made by industry associations also and the IP stake-holders for further strengthening the impact of such guidelines,” he added.

Pandit highlighted the need to create an IP system which is vibrant.

“We are working towards efficient IP filings. This rapid growth in granted patents underscores the efficiency of India’s patent office in processing applications and granting IP rights. It also reflects the rising quality of applications being filed, with many innovations meeting global standards,” he said.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

.

After its Cannes win, All We Imagine as Light premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 in September.

Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light won the Best International Feature trophy at this year’s Gotham Awards held in New York’s Cipriani Wall Street on Monday.

The drama film competed with Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border, Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, Pham Thien An’s Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell and Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio in the category.

Prior to the win at the Gotham Awards, All We Imagine as Light clinched the Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2024 on Sunday.

All We Imagine as Light grabbed headlines after winning the Grand Prix award at Cannes Film Festival in May.

Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light won the Best International Feature trophy at this year’s Gotham Awards held in New York’s Cipriani Wall Street on Monday.

The drama film competed with Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border, Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, Pham Thien An’s Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell and Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio in the category.

ADVERTISEMENT

Prior to the win at the Gotham Awards, All We Imagine as Light clinched the Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2024 on Sunday.

All We Imagine as Light grabbed headlines after winning the Grand Prix award at Cannes Film Festival in May.

After its Cannes win and drawing a full house at Jerusalem Film Festival earlier this year, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 in September.

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, All We Imagine As Light was the first Indian film in competition since 1994 and was one of only four female-directed features in the lineup.

Set in Mumbai, the film revolves around two nurses who are also roommates. Prabha’s usual schedule is disrupted when she unexpectedly receives a gift from her estranged husband. Meanwhile, her younger roommate, Anu, struggles to find a private place in the bustling city to spend time with her boyfriend. A getaway to a seaside town provides them with the perfect opportunity to fulfil their desires.

The film, however, was snubbed by India for Oscars this year.

All We Imagine As Light features Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam and Hridhu Haroon in key roles. The film is produced by France’s Petit Chaos along with co-producers including India’s Chalk & Cheese, France’s Arte France Cinema, the Netherlands’ Baldr Film, India’s Another Birth, Luxembourg’s Les Films Fauves and Italy’s Pulpa Film.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)