Airbus to double sourcing from India to $2 billion over next couple of years

Speaking at the same event, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu reiterated the government’s ambition to design and manufacture commercial aircraft in India, and said that Airbus has a role to play in that endeavour.

European aerospace giant Airbus expects its component and services sourcing from India to nearly double to $2 billion annually over the next couple of years as the company’s engagement with the country is “gaining a new momentum” at a time when the aerospace and defence industry is taking off in India, Airbus India and South Asia President & Managing Director Rémi Maillard said Thursday. Airbus currently sources components and services worth 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) from India.

India is the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market and also among the fastest-growing major aviation markets globally. With Indian airlines having over 1,200 commercial aircraft on order—a bulk of those with Airbus—the country is slated to emerge as a global aviation hotspot over the coming years. The country is also pushing the allied sectors of domestic aerospace and defence manufacturing.

“In the next couple of years we will further grow our sourcing footprint and touch the $2-billion mark, Airbus direct employment numbers will cross 5,000, we will set up a second pilot training centre in a JV (joint venture) with Air India, we will invest in setting up a 5,000-seater Airbus Campus in Bengaluru, we will deliver the first Make in India aircraft from the private sector—the C295 (and) we will deliver the first Make in India helicopter from the private sector—the H125—both programmes in partnership with Tata,” Maillard said at the inauguration of Airbus’s new India and South Asia headquarters.

Airbus currently sources components and services from dozens of Indian suppliers and service providers. It currently employs around 3,500 people in India, where it also operates an engineering centre. Airbus has also tied up with the Tata group to set up final assembly lines (FALs) for the C-295 military aircraft and the H-125 helicopters in India.

Speaking at the same event, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu reiterated the government’s ambition to design and manufacture commercial aircraft in India, and said that Airbus has a role to play in that endeavour.

“We are actively pursuing the dream (of designing and manufacturing commercial aircraft in India), and we feel that Airbus has a very big role to play. They have already been doing their bit over the years, expanding their footprint in manufacturing the important components that go into manufacturing aircraft,” Naidu said.

Last month, Naidu had said that the government plans to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to devise and build a roadmap for development and manufacturing of an indigenous commercial aircraft in India, and is looking to involve multiple stakeholders including large planemakers like Airbus and Boeing.

“We are actively pursuing the dream (of designing and manufacturing commercial aircraft in India), and we feel that Airbus has a very big role to play. They have already been doing their bit over the years, expanding their footprint in manufacturing the important components that go into manufacturing aircraft,” Naidu said.

Last month, Naidu had said that the government plans to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to devise and build a roadmap for development and manufacturing of an indigenous commercial aircraft in India, and is looking to involve multiple stakeholders including large planemakers like Airbus and Boeing.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

Prabhakar Raghavan, IIT-Madras Alumnus Appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist

Prabhakar Raghavan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras), has been appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist. He was previously the Senior Vice President at Google, responsible for overseeing a broad spectrum of products including Google Search, Assistant, Geo.

Prabhakar Raghavan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras), has been appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist. He was previously the Senior Vice President at Google, responsible for overseeing a broad spectrum of products including Google Search, Assistant, Geo, Ads, Commerce, and Payments. His new role marks a significant shift in Google’s leadership, especially as the company undergoes core business restructuring.

Early Career and Education

Educational Background:

  • BTech in Electrical Engineering from IIT-Madras (1981): Raghavan’s educational journey began at IIT-Madras, one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, which laid the foundation for his illustrious career in technology.
  • MS and PhD from the University of California: He continued his academic pursuits at the University of California, Berkeley, earning his MS in 1982 and completing his PhD in computer science in 1986. His doctoral work in computer science solidified his expertise in areas such as algorithms, data mining, and machine learning.

Academic and Professional Achievements

Prabhakar Raghavan is a highly respected figure in the global tech community. He has received numerous accolades for his contributions to computer science and technology:

  • Member of the US National Academy of Engineering: This prestigious title is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to engineering research, practice, or education.
  • Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bologna, Italy: In recognition of his achievements in technology and leadership.
  • UC Berkeley Distinguished CS Alumnus Award: Acknowledging his outstanding contributions as an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley.
  • Fellow of the IEEE and ACM: These fellowships are awarded to individuals with exceptional accomplishments in electrical and computer engineering, as well as computing machinery

Career Before Google

Before joining Google, Prabhakar Raghavan had already established a stellar career, holding leadership roles in some of the world’s top tech companies.

  • Yahoo! Labs: Dr. Raghavan founded and led Yahoo! Labs, where he spearheaded major advancements in search and ad ranking algorithms. He played a pivotal role in ad marketplace design and served as Yahoo’s Chief Strategy Officer.
  • CTO at Verity: Raghavan also served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Verity, a leading company in enterprise search technology.
  • 14 Years at IBM: During his long tenure at IBM, Raghavan worked extensively on algorithms, data mining, and machine learning. His work at IBM solidified his reputation as an expert in developing technologies related to data management.

Career at Google

Raghavan joined Google in 2012 and has since held various key roles within the company. His journey at Google is marked by leading teams that have developed and managed some of the company’s most critical in-house products:

  • Google Cloud and Google Apps: Raghavan initially managed Google Cloud and Google Apps, overseeing vital tools like Gmail and Google Drive. His leadership contributed to the growth and success of these products, making them integral to Google’s broader ecosystem.
  • Google Search and Related Products: As Senior Vice President, Raghavan was responsible for overseeing Google Search, one of the company’s most essential products, along with Google Assistant, Geo, Ads, Commerce, and Payments. His efforts helped improve the functionality and relevance of these products, enhancing Google’s role as a global leader in technology and innovation.

Transition to Chief Technologist

In October 2024, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced in an internal note that Prabhakar Raghavan would take over the position of Chief Technologist. This shift in leadership came at a crucial time for Google, which is currently undergoing significant business restructuring to address increasing competition and changes in user behavior.

Raghavan’s role as Chief Technologist will focus on driving technical innovations, overseeing key strategic initiatives, and guiding the company through the evolving landscape of technology.

  • Nick Fox will take over Raghavan’s previous role, leading Google Search, Assistant, and related products.

Importance of His Appointment

Raghavan’s appointment as Google’s Chief Technologist is a testament to his decades of experience in computer science, leadership, and technical expertise. His deep knowledge in areas like machine learning, data mining, and algorithms is expected to further enhance Google’s technological capabilities and strategic direction.

This leadership transition also highlights Google’s commitment to innovation and technical excellence, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of global technology advancements.

source/content: currentaffairs.adda247.com / Adda247 (headline edited)

PM Modi, Spanish counterpart to inaugurate Tata aircraft complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft, making it India’s 1st Private Sector final Assemly line for Military Aircraft.

The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement, said this will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, will inaugurate the Tata aircraft complex in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Monday for manufacturing C-295 aircraft by Tata Advanced Systems.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in a statement on Saturday, said this will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.

During the visit to his home state, Modi will also launch development projects worth more than Rs 4,900 crore in Amreli.

The PMO said 40 aircraft will be built in the Vadodara facility as part of the agreement, while aviation behemoth Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly.

Tata Advanced Systems is responsible for making these 40 aircraft in India and this facility will be the first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military planes in India.

It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem, from manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete life cycle of the aircraft, the statement said.

Apart from the Tatas, leading defence public sector units, such as Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, as well as private micro, small and medium enterprises will contribute to this programme.

Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara final assembly line in October 2022.

In Amreli, the prime minister will inaugurate the “Bharat Mata” Sarovar in Dudhala. This project was developed through a collaboration between the state government and the Dholakia Foundation under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Various rail, road, water and tourism projects, among others, to be inaugurated by Modi will benefit the citizens of Amreli, Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, Kachchh and Botad districts of the state, the statement 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)

OpenAI appoints Aaron Ronnie Chatterji as first chief economist, an Indian-American

OpenAI has appointed renowned economist Aaron Chatterji as its first Chief Economist, who is an Indian-American. He aims to ensure that the economic advantages of AI are widespread and that the transition to AI-driven systems is smooth. Here is everything you need to know.

In Short

He aims to ensure that the transition to AI-driven systems is smooth

OpenAI has appointed renowned economist Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji as its first chief economist

He is an Indian-American, who will be looking at how AI can reshape industries

OpenAI has appointed Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji, a business and public policy professor from Duke University, as its first-ever Chief Economist. This move comes as the company aims to explore the economic implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on global markets, job creation, and growth across industries. Chatterji brings vast experience from both academia and government, having served under the Obama and Biden administrations.

Chatterji’s role will involve leading research into how AI is reshaping the economy, particularly focusing on its impact on employment and long-term productivity. With his experience, he is expected to guide both businesses and policymakers in navigating the opportunities and challenges posed by AI technology.

Prior to joining OpenAI, Chatterji played a key role in the Biden administration as the CHIPS coordinator, managing the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act. His background includes serving as Chief Economist for the US Department of Commerce and contributing to economic strategy on President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers. Given his strong expertise in innovation and economic development, his appointment is seen as critical to OpenAI’s ambitions.

OpenAI’s hiring of Chatterji comes at a time when the company is ramping up efforts to understand how AI can drive sustainable growth across multiple sectors. As AI continues to evolve, concerns about its effect on jobs and industry shifts are growing. A study co-authored by OpenAI suggested that up to 80 per cent of U.S. workers might see AI affect at least 10 per cent of their job tasks, and a significant portion could face more disruptive impacts. Chatterji’s work will be essential in addressing these issues and helping businesses adapt.

In addition to Chatterji, OpenAI has made other prominent appointments recently, including Chris Lehane, a former White House lawyer, as Vice President of Global Affairs, and Paul Nakasone, a retired four-star US Army general, to boost its leadership team.

source/content: indiatoday.in (headline edited)

India launches fourth nuclear-missile submarine as a leap in maritime defence, says report

The launch of India’s fourth SSBN, S4*, at Visakhapatnam boosts its nuclear deterrence. 

India launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) this week at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, enhancing its nuclear deterrence capabilities against potential adversaries, Hindustan Times reported.

The country’s second SSBN, INS Arighaat, was commissioned by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 29, 2024, while the third SSBN, INS Aridhaman, is set to be commissioned next year. Additionally, on October 9, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved plans for the Indian Navy to construct two nuclear-powered attack submarines, aimed at bolstering deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a message to the neighbouring countries who share maritime boundaries with India that maritime security is a collective effort and inviting “outside forces” to the doorstep would dent efforts for unity, PTI reported.

“Maintaining peace in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region should be top priority. Cooperation of India’s friendly nations is essential in this effort, as even if one country is left out, the nation’s security wheel breaks,” Singh said.

Hindustan Times reported that the newly launched S4* SSBN features nearly 75% indigenous content and is armed exclusively with K-4 nuclear ballistic missiles, which have a range of 3,500 km and can be launched through vertical systems. In contrast, the first submarine of its class, INS Arihant, carries K-15 nuclear missiles with a range of 750 km.

The report further noted that the newer submarines are upgrades, exclusively equipped with K-4 missiles. These SSBNs have unlimited range and endurance, limited only by food supplies, crew fatigue, and maintenance needs. Both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat are currently on deep-sea patrols, and a Russian Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine is expected to join the fleet on lease in 2028.

India’s first leased nuclear attack submarine, INS Chakra, was designated as S1, leading to the naming of subsequent submarines: INS Arihant as S2, INS Arighaat as S3, and INS Aridhaman as S4. The newly launched submarine is designated S4*, with its formal name yet to be announced. Future classes of Indian SSBNs are expected to have a displacement of 6,000 tons, double that of the Arihant class, and will carry nuclear missiles with ranges exceeding 5,000 kilometers and beyond, reported Hindustan Times.

source/content: livemint.com (headline edited)

Work on 10 more nuclear reactors underway in country, parliamentary panel told

According to sources, the new nuclear reactors coming up in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana are of 700 MW capacity and will start operating in the next few years.

At least 10 nuclear reactors are being installed in the country while two reactors in Gujarat’s Kakrapar have started generating power commercially, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology was informed on Monday.

According to sources, the new nuclear reactors coming up in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana are of 700 MW capacity and will start operating in the next few years.

The details of the new nuclear reactors were provided to the members of the Standing Committee of Parliament on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change during a meeting here.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who is a member of the committee as well as its former chairman, said members of the panel were informed during the meeting that the Kakrapar-3 and Kakrapar-4 nuclear reactors in Gujarat have been fully synchronised with the grid and are generating power commercially.

This is a major accomplishment since these are indigenously designed 700-megawatt reactors that were approved in 2007. Construction had begun in 2010. More such reactors are being installed at different locations,” he said in a post on X.

“Another example of how much continuity there is in our development – which is never acknowledged by ‘El Supremo’,” Ramesh said, stressing that it was during the Congress regime when the two nuclear reactors in Kakrapar were approved.

In another post on X, Ramesh said the standing committee was also informed that Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has turned around significantly and it has resulted in its becoming eligible for ‘Mini Ratna’ status which will raise its market value.

“This is good news,” he said.

“A public sector company set up in 1974 first stood condemned, and now it gets applauded. This shows how cavalierly public sector companies have been treated since 2014,” the Congress leader said.

He said CEL was at the cutting edge of solar energy systems in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 2017, the government of India decided to sell off CEL.

“CEL was then sold off to some company called Nandal Finance and Leasing. Serious questions were then raised about the bona fides of this company.

“Finally, in response to the controversy that had been generated in Parliament as well, the Union Government terminated the sale in September 2022,” Ramesh added.

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)

India surpasses China to become largest two-wheeler market globally

India has surpassed China to become the largest two-wheeler market in the world, driven by rising demand in rural areas, supported by favourable monsoon conditions and government initiatives for rural development, a report showed on Friday.

Globally, two-wheeler sales grew 4 per cent (year-on-year) in the first half of 2024, according to Counterpoint Research.

Although India, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa saw growth, China and Southeast Asia (SEA) experienced a decline.

Senior analyst Soumen Mandal said that India’s two-wheeler market saw a remarkable 22 per cent YoY growth in the first half this year.

“This strong performance allowed India to surpass China and become the world’s largest two-wheeler market,” he mentioned.

Two-wheelers saw strong double-digit growth (year-on-year) in the second quarter of this fiscal in India.

In China, two-wheelers under 125cc remain popular, but consumers are increasingly opting for e-bicycles over motorcycles and scooters for daily commuting. This shift has led to a temporary slowdown in the Chinese two-wheeler market, particularly in the electric segment.

In South East Asia, major markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia saw a decline in two-wheeler sales due to geopolitical trade tensions, stricter lending criteria, and cautious consumer spending amid economic uncertainty.

The top-10 global two-wheeler manufacturers captured over 75 per cent of sales during H1 2024.

Honda maintained its leading position in the global two-wheeler market, followed by Hero MotoCorp, Yamaha, TVS Motor and Yadea.

TVS Motor was the fastest-growing brand (up 25 per cent YoY) among the top-10 brands while Yadea declined the most (down 29 per cent YoY), slipping to fifth position.

Neil Shah, Vice President of Research, said that electrification is on the rise, and by 2030, we expect four out of 10 two-wheelers sold to be electric.

“This shift is also accelerating the adoption of embedded cellular connectivity in the two-wheeler segment. As the automotive industry advances toward C-V2X technology, the two-wheeler segment will follow suit,” he noted.

source/content: business.ians.in (headline edited)

GLOBAL: Indian Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan Elected As Publications Director Of World Medical Association

Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan, a distinguished figure in the field of medical science has been recognised for his outstanding contributions in health care.

The World Medical Association (WMA) has elected Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan as the new Publications Director of the WMA Junior Doctors’ Network. The appointment took place during the recent WMA General Assembly in Helsinki, Finland.

Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan, a distinguished figure in the field of medical science and public health, has been recognised for his outstanding contributions and leadership in health care. With a robust background in Community and Family medicine, Dr. Karthikeyan will oversee the publication activities of JDN aimed at shaping the future of medical science globally.

The World Medical Association, now encompassing 114 member countries, is dedicated to the highest standards of medical education, science, and ethics, ensuring quality health care for all people worldwide. Dr Karthikeyan’s election as Publications Director underscores his formidable reputation as a leader capable of steering the international medical community towards these lofty goals.

In addition to his new role at WMA, Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan is already serving as the National Convenor for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at the Indian Medical Association. This election  signifies India’s rising prominence as a global leader in healthcare.

The World Medical Association (WMA) is an international organization representing physicians. It was founded on 17 September 1947, when physicians from 27 different countries met at the First General Assembly of the WMA in Paris. The organization was created to ensure the independence of physicians, and to work for the highest possible standards of ethical behaviour and care by physicians, at all times. This was particularly important to physicians after the Second World War, and therefore the WMA has always been an independent confederation of free professional associations. 

source/content: ndtv.com (headline edited)