Author Archives: admin
25
NATIONAL: SOCIAL JUSTICE / COMMUNICATION : Online Self-Learning Course in Indian Sign Language launched; 260 Signs for Financial Terms
This initiative is aimed at bridging communication gaps between deaf and hearing individuals working in the financial and banking sector.
An online self-learning course in Indian Sign Language and a dictionary containing 10,000 ISL terms were launched on the International Day of Sign Languages on Saturday.
Around 260 signs for financial terms were also launched on the occasion.
In a statement, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry said the primary objective of the online course is to facilitate the acquisition of basic communication skills in Indian Sign Language among a wide range of individuals, including parents of deaf children, siblings, educators, and anyone interested in gaining fundamental knowledge of ISL.
The course comprises 10 modules, covering 30 essential topics, to ensure that learners acquire a comprehensive understanding of basic ISL communication.
Furthermore, the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), in collaboration with Societe Generale and V-Shesh, introduced a significant initiative by launching 260 signs for financial terms in Indian Sign Language.
This initiative is aimed at bridging communication gaps between deaf and hearing individuals working in the financial and banking sector.
The development of these signs is expected to enhance employment opportunities for deaf job seekers in these sectors, the statement said.
To provide an extensive resource for those learning ISL, the ISLRTC also announced the launch of a comprehensive ISL dictionary containing 10,000 terms.
This online resource will serve as a valuable tool for individuals seeking to expand their vocabulary and fluency in Indian Sign Language.
In addition to these initiatives, the ISLRTC announced the launch of ISL courses specifically designed for special schools catering to the hearing-impaired population, further strengthening the educational support available for this community.
To enhance communication accessibility and promote inclusivity, a video relay service for the deaf community was introduced, allowing individuals to use WhatsApp video calls to communicate with remote sign language interpreters, the statement added.
source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)
INTERNATIONAL: INDIAN MEDICAL EDUCATION RECOGNITION: Indian Medical Graduates can now Practise Abroad. Medical Colleges to become World Federation for Medical Education (WEME) Accredited.
All 706 existing medical colleges in India will become WFME-accredited. Medical colleges that will be set up over the next 10 years will also receive WFME accreditation.
Medical graduates from India will now be able to practise and pursue post-graduate studies abroad as the National Medical Commission, India’s top regulatory body for medical education and professionals, said it has received the coveted World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for 10 years.
“The National Medical Commission (NMC) has achieved the remarkable feat of being granted the coveted World Federation for Medical Education Recognition Status for a remarkable tenure of 10 years,” the Union health ministry said in a statement.
All 706 existing medical colleges in India will become WFME-accredited. Medical colleges that will be set up over the next 10 years will also receive WFME accreditation. Medical graduates from India can now practice or pursue post-graduation in countries like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the health ministry statement said.
“With NMC being WFME accredited, all the Indian medical students will become eligible to apply for the Education Commission on Foreign Medical Education (ECFMG) and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The recognition will further enhance the quality and standards of medical education in India by aligning them with the global best practices and benchmarks,” the ministry said. It will also facilitate academic collaborations and exchange, the statement said.
“WFME’s recognition underscores that the quality of medical education in India adheres to global standards. This accolade empowers our students with the opportunity to pursue their careers anywhere in the world,” Dr Yogender Malik, member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board and head of media at NMC, said.
The WFME is a global organisation dedicated to enhancing the quality of medical education worldwide. Its accreditation programme plays a pivotal role in ensuring that medical institutes meet and uphold the highest international standards of education and training.
source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)
INTERNATIONAL: SPORS / SWIMMING: Aryan Singh Dadiala, 21-year old Matches World Record, becomes Fastest Swimmer to cross Sea of Galilee
Aryan Singh Dadiala began his swim at 5:18 am on Friday and finished the swim at 11:33 am, equaling an existing world record of the fastest male swimmer to swim the Sea of Galilee in his very first attempt.
21 year-old Indian swimmer Aryan Singh Dadiala made history on Friday by matching the existing world record for the fastest male swimmer to swim the Sea of Galilee.
PTI reported that despite extreme weather conditions, the 21 year old swimmer braved the challenging waters of the Sea of Galilee. Interestingly, the Sea of Galilee is the second lowest water body in the world, approximately 214 meters below sea level.
He began his swim at 5:18 am on Friday and finished the swim at 11:33 am, equaling an existing world record of the fastest male swimmer to swim the Sea of Galilee in his very first attempt.
The event was observed and certified by Galilee Marathon Swimming Association, Israel, and flagged off by Indian diplomat Pawan K. Pal, who leads the public diplomacy division at the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv.
After the swim, while speaking to reporters, Dadiala shared that he took up the challenge to “strengthen India and Israel’s relationship.”
The 21 year old was accompanied by his family, his Coach, Rahul Chiplunkar, his Guide Subodh Sule, and crew Pavitra Poilkar.
Dadiala’s father, Surjeet Dadiala, told news agency PTI that the 21 year old swimmer had to face extreme weather during his swim.
“Aryan faced many weather-related and physical challenges during his swim, such as heavy winds and fatigue but was firm and focused on his swimming,” he told PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
source/content: businesstoday.in (headline edited)
INTERNATIONAL: 22 countries DEFENCE CONCLAVE: India to Host 2-day Conclave of Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs, September 26-27
Fifteen Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries will attend the event to be held in Delhi on September 26 and 27. The US Army is co-hosting the conference.
The Indian Army will host a two-day conference of Army chiefs of the Indo-Pacific nations next week with an aim to evolve a common strategy to ensure peace, prosperity and stability against the backdrop of growing global concerns over China’s increasing military muscle-flexing in the region.
Fifteen Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries will attend the event to be held in Delhi on September 26 and 27, officials said. The US Army is co-hosting the conference.
The Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conclave (IPACC) will deliberate on the role of military diplomacy in mitigating various crises, ways to enhance collaboration among the armed forces of the region and boosting interoperability. An exhibition of India’s indigenously developed weapons, military systems and platforms is also being organised on the sidelines of the event.
Alongside the 13th edition of the IPACC, the Indian Army is also hosting the 47th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF).
Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar said the event will provide a unique opportunity to build common perspectives towards a shared vision and that it will help strengthen friendships through the formidable and indelible “soldierly bond.”
The IPACC, instituted as a biennial event in 1999, is attended by Army chiefs of countries of the Indo-Pacific region, to discuss issues of mutual interest.
“The current edition of this conclave is very special, as it will witness participation of full spectrum of military ranks, from Army chiefs to non-commissioned Officers from 22 nationalities, and their spouses,” Lt Gen Kumar told reporters.
“Fifteen Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries will attend this event in Delhi. I take this opportunity to thank the US Army, especially US Army Pacific, who are our co-hosts,” he said.
The Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS), held annually, is one of the largest conferences for the land forces in the region which is organised annually by US Army Pacific, along with a co-host country.
In his remarks, the Vice Chief of Army Staff also underlined the importance of land forces to ensure the vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific that he asserted must be based on a rules-based international order.
“The Indian Army’s involvement in the Indo-Pacific mirrors this thought. As we delve into the region’s intricacies and our role within its development, the paramount importance of peace, security, and stability cannot be overlooked,” he said.
“Since Independence, the Indian armed Forces, particularly the Indian Army, have made significant contributions in promoting peace and stability in the region,” he said.
Lt Gen Kumar said the Indian Army’s commitment is not limited to security efforts alone but extends to humanitarian endeavours and relief efforts during natural disasters also.
The theme of the conclave is ‘Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region’.
“In the IPACC roundtable, the chiefs of Indo-Pacific Armies will address the issues of the role of military diplomacy in mitigating crises, enhancing military collaboration and interoperability through training and the need for self-reliance by modern armies,” Lt Gen Kumar said.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande will have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event.
“This gathering serves as a testament to the pivotal role this region holds in the global landscape, both economically and strategically,” the Vice Chief of Army Staff said.
“As we deliberate on the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, we are reminded that the Indo-Pacific is not just a geographical expanse, but a stage where nations unite to shape the narrative of our shared future,” he said.
source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)
INTERNATIONAL: ASIA : TITLE WIN: Siraj storm blows away the Sri Lankans, India Sprints to Title, lifts the ‘Super 11 – Asia Cup 2023’ Trophy
Riding on the speedster’s six-wicket haul, including four in an over, Rohit’s men shoot out the hosts for a paltry 50 runs, with only two batters getting into double digit; Gill and Kishan complete the formalities in just 6.1 overs.
The bright and sunny afternoon turned overcast 10 minutes before the scheduled start. Once the Asia Cup final finally got going 40 minutes late, a capacity crowd at the R. Premadasa Stadium had one eye on the sky, with a thunderstorm predicted to hit the Sri Lankan capital, on September 17.
While the dark clouds stayed away, the Siraj-storm struck Sri Lanka so hard that it literally blew the home team away. Riding on Mohammed Siraj’s sensational opening burst, India bundled out Sri Lanka for 50 in just 89 minutes.
It took India just 37 balls to overhaul the lowest team total in the Asia Cup’s four-decade history to seal an emphatic win and lift the trophy in style.
Minutes before the toss, when captain Rohit Sharma had a close look at the surface, sensing its dryness, he pointed to the dressing room with three spinners. It meant Washington Sundar, having been added to the squad in place of injured Axar Patel, was included in the XI.
But Washington virtually had no role to play in the game with India’s three pacers spoiling a Lankan band. The papare band hardly had a reason to cheer for the home team, with India’s pacers coming to the party right away.
Mohammed Siraj’s day out
Siraj’s five wickets off 16 deliveries is the joint quickest along with Chaminda Vaas’ effort for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh (2003)
He is the first Indian to scalp four wickets in an over in ODIs
Siraj is the second-fastest bowler to reach 50 ODI wickets (1002 balls) behind Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis (847 deliveries)
His six for 21 is the fourth-best bowling figures by an Indian (man), and 31st overall, in ODIs
6/4 Stuart Binny (vs Bangladesh, 2014)
6/12 Anil Kumble (vs West Indies, 1993)
6/19 Jasprit Bumrah (vs England, 2022)
Jasprit Bumrah struck off the third ball, thanks to K.L. Rahul stretching to his left to accept an edge off Kusal Peera’s willow. Siraj started off with a maiden to Kusal Mendis but the Hyderabad hurricane was unstoppable in his second over.
The fourth over saw Siraj sealing the fate of the game by picking four wickets. The pacer landed the ball in the perfect channel, and bowled perfect outswingers at will. He also jagged the ball occasionally to leave Sri Lanka batters dumbfounded.
Pathum Nissanka (caught by a lunging Ravindra Jadeja at point), Sadeera Samarawickrama (beaten on inside-edge to be adjudged lbw), Charith Asalanka (caught at covers by Ishan Kishan) and Dhanajaya de Silva (caught behind off an outswinger) all fell prey to Siraj’s masterclass.
List of records that tumbled
Records tumbled as India prevailed over hosts Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final of the Asia Cup to lift the title after a gap of five years. Here is a look at the records that were scripted during the match.
Sri Lanka registered its lowest ODI score against India after the fall of its fifth wicket (12 for 5).
At 12 for 6, Lanka recorded the lowest ODI score at the fall of the sixth wicket by an ICC full-member nation.
India grabbed six wickets in the opening ten overs of the contest, which is the most for the side in the format till date.
Sri Lanka’s total score of 50 in this fixture is the lowest versus India in the format. Also, it is the lowest in any ODI final to date.
It was only the second time in the competition’s ODI history that the pacers held all ten wickets in a clash. The other instance also happened in this edition when Pakistan seamers achieved the feat against India in a washed out group match.
Sri Lanka has became the full-member Asian side to be dismissed in the fewest overs of an ODI (15.2).
India has become the only team to win an ODI final by ten wickets on two occasions, with the other being against Zimbabwe in Sharjah in 1998 (197 for 0).
It is also the biggest ODI win for the Indians in terms of balls to spare (263), besides also being the biggest in an ODI final.
It is the briefest ODI involving India, with only 129 deliveries being bowled. — PTI
De Silva, despite saving a hat-trick with a flick off the fifth ball, perished off the next. Siraj returned in the next over to straighten up captain Dasun Shanaka to uproot his off-stump to complete his maiden ODI five-wicket haul in just 16 balls.
At 12 for six, the writing was on the wall. In his extended spell of seven over, Siraj added Kusal Mendis’ wicket, with the batter missing a wild heave to be bowled. Hardik Pandya then wound up the tail even before the spinners came into any real action. That Kuldeep Yadav could bowl a solitary over and only two Sri Lanka batters reached double-digit scores underlined India’s pace pack’s domination.
Rohit preferred to let Ishan Kishan have a hit in the middle along with in-form Shubman Gill. And the duo hardly dropped guard, with Kishan tapping the first ball of the seventh over to long-off for a single to complete the formalities just 27 minutes into the innings.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka Innings: Pathum Nissanka c Ravindra Jadeja b Siraj 2 Kusal Perera c Rahul b Bumrah 0 Kusal Mendis b Siraj 17 Sadeera Samarawickrama lbw b Siraj 0 Charith Asalanka c Ishan Kishan b Siraj 0 Dhananjaya de Silva c Rahul b Siraj 4 Dasun Shanaka b Siraj 0 Dunith Wellalage c Rahul b Hardik Pandya 8 Dushan Hemantha not out 13 Pramod Madushan c Kohli b Hardik Pandya 1 Matheesha Pathirana c Ishan Kishan b Hardik Pandya 0 Extras: (LB-2, W-3) 5
Total: (10 wkts, 15.2 Overs) 50
Fall of Wickets: 1-1, 2-8, 3-8, 4-8, 5-12, 6-12, 7-33, 8-40, 9-50, 10-50.
Indian bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 5-1-23-1, Mohammed Siraj 7-1-21-6, Hardik Pandya 2.2-0-3-3, Kuldeep Yadav 1-0-1-0.
India Innings: Ishan Kishan not out 23 Shubman Gill not out 27 Extras: (LB-1) 1
Total: (0 wkts, 6.1 Overs) 51
Sri Lanka bowling: Pramod Madushan 2-0-21-0, Matheesha Pathirana 2-0-21-0, Dunith Wellalage 2-0-7-0, Charith Asalanka 0.1-0-1-0.
source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)
NATIONAL: AMAZING INNOVATION IN AI: Indian engineering student builds AI model for real-time ASL sign language translation into English words
An Indian engineering student has developed an innovative AI model that can translate American Sign Language (ASL) into English words.
An Indian engineering student has developed an innovative AI model that can translate American Sign Language (ASL) into English words.
The model can recognize and translate six fundamental ASL signs like ‘Hello’, ‘I Love You’, ‘Thank You’, ‘Please’, ‘Yes’, and ‘No’.
The AI model, developed by Priyanjali Gupta, a student of Vellore Institute of Technology, was built using TensorFlow Object Detection API, utilizing transfer learning with the ssd_mobilenet model.
Gupta captured ASL gestures through a webcam that formed the basis for her AI model. In response to inquiries, Gupta acknowledged the complexity of building a dedicated deep learning model for sign detection.
As part of a comment on a LinkedIn post, Gupta stated “You are absolutely right there’s a long long way to go to make a perfect model which can be implemented in real life. Hopefully this happens in our lifetime”.
Gupta’s AI model helps people communicate across barriers, providing a more accessible way to connect with the world. In her GitHub post, she has shared her project and code.
source/comments: thehindu.com (headline edited)
NATIONAL: AGRICULTURE : SCIENCE : Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) Bhopal team conducts Genome Sequencing of Indian Gooseberry Plant (Amla)
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have for the first time unravelled the draft genome of the Indian gooseberry plant, popularly known as Amla.
Understanding the genetic composition of Amla can help us understand their origins, evolution, and how they create the biochemicals that are of medicinal value.
While Amla holds significant pharmaceutical and nutritional importance, its genetic composition has hitherto not been studied in detail.
“We analysed the genome and transcriptome of the amla plant using leaves from our campus. We employed advanced sequencing technologies, including 10x Genomics and Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) long-read sequencing, along with transcriptomic sequencing,” said lead researcher Dr Vineet Sharma, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at IISER Bhopal, in a statement.
Amla is a well-known plant indigenous to South Asian countries and has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine and home remedies for centuries.
The stone-fruit of the Amla tree is believed to have high Vitamin C content, in addition to being a rich source of various phytochemicals, minerals, and amino acids. Amla has been thought to be effective in treating conditions like unhealthy levels of fat, Type-2 diabetes, chronic gum diseases, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, and more.
Apart from obtaining the draft genome structure of the Amla for the first time, the researchers also identified genes responsible for vitamin C biosynthesis and compared them with genes in other plants that bear vitamin C-rich fruits.
The team found that Amla’s exceptional antioxidant power comes from the adaptive evolution of certain genes involved in the production of antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids.
Amla’s abundant vitamin C content and the remarkable capacity of each tree to yield up to 100 kg of fruits make it superior to other vitamin C-rich fruits such as the West Indian cherry from Mexico and the camu camu fruit found in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela and makes it a perfect choice for switching from the synthetic to a natural source of Vitamin C.
According to the research team, the adaptive evolution of this plant could be one of the key reasons for its easy adaptation to various climatic zones and environmental conditions.
“The analysis of the whole genomic landscape of the Amla also helped us in understanding its evolutionary descent in comparison with 26 other plant species. It will also help in developing improved nutraceuticals, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products, and for further horticultural and genomic studies,” Dr Sharma said.
The findings have been published recently in the open-access journal, Frontiers in Plant Science.
source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)
NATIONAL RECORDS: WORLD RECORD FOR AN INDIAN ARTIST: Amrita Sher-Gil’s ‘The Story Teller’ sets Record for Highest Price of Rs.61.8 crore, Achieved by an Indian Artist on September 16th, 2023 by-passing the Previous Record held by S H Raza’s ‘Gestation’ of Rs. 51.7 crore
Amrita Sher-Gil “sought inspiration in Pahari paintings” to paint The Story Teller.
Painted during an important period in her oeuvre, Amrita Sher-Gil’s 1937 canvas The Story Teller sold for a whopping Rs 61.8 crore ($7.44 million) on September 16, setting a world record for the highest price achieved by an Indian artist.
The iconic work led Saffronart’s Evening Sale: Modern Art, which featured more than 70 artworks from prominent artists, including significant works by modern masters V S Gaitonde and S H Raza, and early works by Tyeb Mehta, M F Husain, F N Souza, and Akbar Padamsee.
Before this sale, the most expensive Indian artwork sold at an auction was S H Raza’s Gestation, which had fetched ₹51.75 crore.
Describing the significance of the Sher-Gil artwork, a note released by Saffronart before the auction had pointed out it was executed “during an important formative period in the artist’s oeuvre that saw her European and Indian influences merge into a unique artistic language”.
In one of the “few works that she painted en plein air”, the release added, “The dominant subjects are women—who feature in many of her works—depicted as close-knit figures, crafting an inherent intimacy within the canvas. The work is an example of the artist’s most honest and expressive compositions, one that Sher-Gil herself was especially fond of as evidenced by the numerous mentions of this work in her letters.”
A note on The Story Teller on the Saffronart website quotes art connoisseur Karl Khandalavala suggesting that “it sought inspiration in Pahari paintings”. “The cows, the women folk, and the setting, though all far removed in technique from those of Basohli miniature, are pregnant with its lyricism and vivid colour,” states Khandalavala.
Born in 1913 in Budapest to an Indian Sikh aristocrat father and Hungarian-Jewish opera singer mother, Sher-Gil was eight when she moved to Shimla. Though she was already painting, her uncle Ervin Baktay encouraged her to develop her own vocabulary and pursue formal training.
source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)