[Newsbits] 10-13.03.2024 – NAMASTE Scheme, Inflection 2.5, Oscar Awards & More

The Centre’s notification of rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on March 11, 2024, sets forth the framework for granting Indian citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, facing religious persecution. This move comes after the act’s passage in December 2019 and amidst significant controversy and opposition, particularly regarding its perceived discriminatory nature. The CAA aims to simplify the citizenship process for persecuted non-Muslim minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, and introduces an online application system to modernize and facilitate access to citizenship applications.

The recent test of the Agni-5 missile, dubbed Mission Divyastra, is a significant advancement for India’s defense capabilities. It represents the first user-trial of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Agni-V, successfully conducted from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. This test is a crucial step toward the likely early induction of the system into the Indian armed forces, a process that was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The missile is equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, allowing it to hit multiple targets with a single launch, making it more challenging to intercept than conventional missiles. With a range of 5,500 to 5,800 kilometers and capable of traveling at speeds 24 times faster than the speed of sound, Agni-V enhances India’s strategic deterrence capabilities and places the country among a select group of nations with advanced ICBM capabilities ​​​​.

Amitav Ghosh, an Indian writer, has been awarded the prestigious Erasmus Prize for 2024, thanks to his profound engagement with the topic of climate change through his literary works. His efforts have been particularly noted for their passionate contribution towards “imagining the unthinkable,” where he addresses the unprecedented global crisis of climate change not just as an environmental challenge but also as a cultural one. By intertwining compelling historical narratives with journalistic essays, Ghosh has made significant strides in making the abstract issue of climate change more tangible and understandable. His works, including notable titles like “The Great Derangement” and “The Nutmeg’s Curse,” delve deep into the intricacies of climate change, its impact on humanity, and the urgent need for a collective cultural and imaginative response to this crisis​​​​​​​​​​.

The world’s first 3D-printed mosque, unveiled in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marks a significant milestone in construction and architectural innovation. Named after Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly, the mosque is a tribute by his wife, Wajnat Abdulwahed, and spans 5,600 square meters in the Al-Jawhara suburb. This project, completed in just six months using cutting-edge 3D printing technology from the Chinese company Guanli, demonstrates the vast potential of modern techniques to reshape traditional architectural practices. The design of the mosque, which reflects Hejazi architectural heritage, is centered within a circle for accurate orientation towards the qibla, with attention to the relationship between the building’s mass and natural light. This innovation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives for economic diversification and represents a bold step towards a more sustainable and technologically-driven future​​​​​​​​.

The Dwarka Expressway, an under-construction 29.10 km long project, is set to become India’s first access-controlled 8-lane expressway, expected to be ready by April 2024. With the primary goal to decongest the National Capital Region (NCR) and reduce pollution levels, this ₹9,000 crore project extends through 18.9 km in Haryana and 10.1 km in Delhi. It’s designed to significantly cut down travel times between Dwarka in Delhi and Gurugram in Haryana, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion and improve overall connectivity. Managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and receiving directives from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the expressway demonstrates a significant advancement in India’s infrastructure development.

The NAMASTE Scheme, officially known as the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem, aims to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers in India by promoting mechanized cleaning, providing occupational safety training, and enhancing their livelihood. Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 2022, the scheme intends to cover all urban local bodies across India with an outlay of Rs. 349.70 crore. It addresses the critical need for safer sanitation practices, reducing direct human contact with faecal matter, and aims to achieve zero fatalities in the sector. By equipping workers with necessary skills, protective gear, and offering health insurance, it seeks to transform the sanitation ecosystem into a safer, more dignified, and economically viable sector for its workforce​​​​​​​​​​.

The Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub (MATH) encompasses groundbreaking research and developments in automating decision-making under uncertainty, as well as enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of solving university-level mathematics problems. Recent advances from MIT have introduced tools like ADEV for simplifying the use of probabilistic models in various fields including climate modeling and financial modeling, and a new machine-learning model capable of solving and generating university math problems with high accuracy. These innovations underscore the potential of machine learning and AI to transform educational methodologies and improve decision-making processes in uncertain scenarios.

Inflection 2.5 is the latest version of the large language model developed by Inflection AI, aimed at powering the Pi chatbot to enhance its capabilities significantly. Announced on March 7, 2024, this model seeks to provide a highly efficient, versatile, and personal AI assistant capable of engaging users across a wide range of topics, from STEM subjects to casual conversations. It achieves nearly 94% of GPT-4’s performance while utilizing only 40% of the computational resources required for GPT-4’s training. With over one million daily and six million monthly active users, Inflection 2.5 has shown a marked improvement in user engagement and retention, signaling its potential to become a strong competitor in the AI space. It combines advanced algorithms and optimizations in model architecture with unique empathetic fine-tuning, setting a new standard for personal AI assistants​​​​​​​​​​.

The 96th Academy Awards, celebrated for films released in 2023, took place on March 10, 2024. The event was marked by the dominance of “Oppenheimer,” which won seven awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. This year highlighted the inclusion and recognition of diverse talents, with notable firsts such as the first Native American actress nominee, Lily Gladstone, and the first Osage Nation member nominated, Scott George. It also recognized female directors and celebrated the achievements of young talents Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, who won Best Original Song. The awards underscored the film industry’s ongoing efforts toward diversity, inclusion, and recognition of outstanding achievements in cinema.

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain Campaign 2024 is a nationwide initiative launched by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, focusing on water conservation and sustainable management of water resources. Running from March to November, this campaign encompasses both urban and rural areas across all districts, highlighting the role of women in water conservation with the theme “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti”. It aims to involve a wide array of activities such as water conservation, rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of water bodies, and afforestation, among others. The initiative seeks to engage community stakeholders, including Women Water Champions, in these efforts, emphasizing the significant role of women in this domain​​​​.