According to the report, the number of patents filed in India in 2023 was 64,480. The country’s growth rate in patent filing was 15.7 per cent compared to 2022…reports Asian Lite News
India’s patents and industrial design filings for Intellectual Property rights doubled between 2018 and 2023, taking the country to the sixth rank, according to the latest World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) annual report.
For the first time, India was included in the top 10 countries of the world for three main intellectual property (IP) rights: patents, industrial design applications, and trademark applications. The patent filing in India has shown the fifth consecutive year of a double-digit growth rate.
According to the WIPO report, the number of patents filed in India in 2023 was 64,480. The country’s growth rate in patent filing was 15.7 per cent compared to 2022.
The report states that more than 35 lakh patents were filed worldwide in 2023 and this was the fourth successive year that global patent filing has shown positive growth.
In 2023, the maximum patent filing was in China (1.64 million), followed by the United States of America (518,364), Japan (414,413), South Korea (287,954), Germany (133,053) and India (64,480).
Asia remains the top spot for patents, accounting for 68.7 per cent, 66.7 per cent, and 69 per cent of global patent, trademark, and industrial design filing activity, respectively, in 2023.
Intellectual Property Rights refer to the creation by human minds, which do not exist in nature. They include inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce. Intellectual property Rights are protected by law to prevent their illegal use.
Intellectual property rights include Patents, Copyright, Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Geographical Indications, and Trade Secrets.
Patented stamp
Patents refer to the exclusive rights given to an invention by a human being, such as the discovery of medicine while copyright refers to creators’ rights to their literary and artistic works, such as songs, music, books, etc.
A trademark is a legal term that distinguishes one company’s goods or services from those of others. It could be a symbol, design or name that the company uses on its products.
An industrial design constitutes the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of mass-produced goods.
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) was established in 1967 as a United Nations’ agency. Based in Geneva in Switzerland, the organisation’s main function is to promote the protection of Intellectual Property rights worldwide.
With massive battery life realme C61 improves the user experience through a variety of innovative artificial intelligence capabilities and technology, reports ASIAN LITE NEWS
MUSCAT : With the latest trend in mobile phones, realme, a rapidly expanding global brand in the smartphone sector, recently launched the cutting-edge “realme C61” model across the Oman market.
The new smartphone “realme C61” is designed to empower you to live life to the fullest, allowing you to take stunning photos while enjoying smooth, responsive productivity, games, and media—all in a slim, fashionable, and affordable phone.
Designed for the youth and other dynamic users, the “realme 61” is one of the most durable mobile; with an IP54 dust and water resistance rating, it can weather the numerous challenges of a hectic lifestyle.
Harsh Vardhan Shukla, realme Country Manager for Oman, said: “C61 is a smartphone that will be your companion for many years, offering plenty of storage for your media, an unprecedented battery guarantee, and the performance you need to multitask across your favorite personal and work apps. All this power comes packed into a phone thinner than ten credit cards stacked together”, adding further, the GCC incharge Shukla says, “It’s a device you can trust, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.” Battery life The C61 comes with an innovative long-term battery, ensuring that it retains a significant portion of its original capacity, even after four years of regular use and it can also power through two full days on a single charge.
The screen is designed for pleasing eye comfort, providing a crisp display that enhances responsiveness to scrolling, animations, and transitions, making it suitable for various activities such as watching series, gaming, or browsing social feeds.
The C61’s 50MP camera sensor is a high-resolution device that captures detailed, sharp images with rich colors and excellent dynamic range. It allows for vivid video and photo capture for preserving memories and easily sharing them on social media.
Innovative Features:
realme C61 improves your user experience through a variety of innovative artificial intelligence capabilities and technology. With the Air Gestures control function, you can answer and mute calls or switch between video streams on social media without touching your device, which is ideal when both hands are occupied.
AI Noise Reduction intelligently detects, isolates, and suppresses background noise, improving call quality in noisy environments like wind, traffic, or chatter.
Meanwhile, the AI Boost Engine dynamically optimizes the performance of your phone based on what you’re doing at any given time. Smooth Boost and Game Boost optimize the system’s resources to match the needs of various workloads.
realme C61, which comes in dazzling gold & dark green, makes a dramatic fashion statement is distributed by reputed MHD group in Oman. Premium materials and sophisticated production techniques work together to create a device that is both visually appealing and tactilely satisfying. The finish contains millions of small mirror components. This produces a mesmerizing effect in which the light appears to dance across your phone’s surface.
Profee has been recognised as the fastest-growing money transfer service in Europe, according to Global Banking & Finance Review, a leading financial magazine. As an EU-licensed and fully regulated Electronic Money Institution (EMI), Profee is supervised by the Central Bank of the Republic of Cyprus. Visit www.profee.com or download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store
Do you know how much money Indians in the UK lose each year on money transfers home? Millions and millions! And the only reason is that many do not know how to do it in a smart way, so they keep on paying ridiculously high fees to traditional banks and remittance services. But no more! To take advantage of new technology and save the hard-earned money, look no further than Profee, an online money transfer service.
First, what options are there for Indians working in the UK to send money overseas, including home?
Cash. Perhaps the most obvious, and surely the oldest way to transfer money to another country is sending cash with someone who is travelling appropriately. However, it is also the slowest (add to the duration of the trip the time needed for the cash to change hands on both ends), rather expensive (most probably, the courier needs a remuneration), and not particularly safe even if your courier is a trusted person. Luckily, the times when this was the only available option have long gone.
Wire transfer. Until recently, this was one of the most popular channels for international money remittance. Sending money via bank is surely safe but is it fast? Not really, as bank transfer processing can take days or even weeks. Is it cheap? It is definitely not the cheapest option available today. Plus, there might be numerous, and sometimes quite substantial hidden fees which transpire only when the transfer has already been delivered.
Cryptocurrency. The demand for cryptocurrencies as a vehicle to move money across boards has been steadily growing in recent years. Nevertheless, it largely remains an option for the ‘chosen ones’ with advanced skills and knowledge about the crypto market’s operations. Moreover, those skills and knowledge are required on both the sending and the receiving sides of an international payment, which excludes, for example, many elderly people who might rely on their children supporting them financially from abroad. Thankfully, today money transfers do not have to be that complicated.
Money remittance services. One of ‘traditional’ methods which has been radically transformed to embrace the latest technology. What in the past was a kiosk where you had to bring cash to, perform an impressive amount of paperwork, and then pay a small fortune in fees for your money to be sent to a recipient abroad, is nowadays an… app. Online money transfer services are the simplest, fastest, cheapest, and most convenient solution for sending money overseas. With the right provider, of course, such as Profee.
Choosing your provider
There are dozens of money transfer services on the market. Keep the following in mind when choosing the one suitable for your needs:
Credentials. To avoid fraud, always verify the legitimacy of the provider first: its registration with the supervising authority, licences, industry certifications, and so on. With proper services this information is easily located (usually on their website) and crosschecked. Turning to user review platforms also helps.
Registration process. Legitimate online money transfer services are strictly regulated and by law required to know certain basic information about their customers such as their phone number, full name, date of birth, and such. However, for larger amounts the sender has to prove their identity, address, and sources of income. The difference is that while some providers keep it simple and would only ask for additional details once certain limits are reached, others demand all of it when signing up, that is, even before the service is used.
Fees and charges. Commonly, there are two types of fees attached to a money transfer. One is a fixed fee, that is the amount you pay per transaction regardless of how much you send. The other is a flexible fee which is a share of the amount sent. Besides these, providers also profit from foreign exchange for multicurrency transfers. Their margin is included in the money transfer charges from the UK to India, for example, where pounds are converted into rupees. What matters is the overall charge comprising these three elements.
Ease of use. There is a growing number of providers that offer other features in addition to money transfers, such as cards, tiered subscription plans, and even investment tools. So, ask yourself whether you need all those around a simple money transfer transaction.
How to send international transfers
The fastest growing money transfer service in Europe according to Global Banking & Finance Review, an influential financial magazine, is Profee. It is an EU-licensed and fully regulated Electronic Money Institution (EMI) which is supervised by the Central Bank of the Republic of Cyprus and implements all industry standards and regulations including the GDPR, PCI DSS, 3DS, and so on. On Trustpilot, a popular user review platform, Profee has over 3,000 reviews with an ‘Excellent’ rating of 4.4/5.
The service allows users to instantly send money from the countries of the European Economic Area to over 60 destinations globally, including online money transfers from the UK to India. A state-of-the-art solution, Profee uses a unique monitoring system to ensure its customers get the most competitive currency exchange rates on the market.
What do you need to send money via Profee? Only a bank card issued by a European bank and a smartphone with a European phone number. Available as a web-based service and an iOS/Android app, signing up with Profee and sending your first transfer only takes a couple of minutes. Here is how it works:
Verify your phone number and provide basic personal details such as your full name, mailing address, and email.
To send a transfer, select the UK as your home country in Europe, enter the amount you want to transfer, and select the destination. In the converter, you will immediately see the final amount your recipient gets with no hidden fees.
Provide the recipient’s full name and bank card number and your payment details (either a bank card, Sofort, Apple Pay, or Google Pay).
Confirm the information entered is correct and tap ‘Send’. The money will be deposited to the recipient’s card within minutes.
As you can see, sending money with Profee is simple, profitable, and convenient which truly makes it the most beneficial money transfer service for Indians in the UK.
From its early days as a mere academic curiosity to its current status as a powerhouse of innovation, AI has undergone significant transformations, shaping the world as we know it, writes Chetanya Mundachali
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come a long way since its inception, transforming from a fledgling concept to a revolutionary technology that permeates every aspect of our lives. From its early days as a mere academic curiosity to its current status as a powerhouse of innovation, AI has undergone significant transformations, shaping the world as we know it. Pioneers like Alan Turing, Marvin Minsky, and Frank Rosenblatt laid the groundwork for AI’s future advancements that had an impact on the world as we see today. Following are the various sectors where AI has brought in significant changes:
AI in Education
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the education sector, enhancing the learning experience, and improving outcomes. AI’s applications in education range from personalized learning to intelligent tutoring systems.
AI integration enhances student engagement, improves learning outcomes, increases accessibility, reduces teacher workload, and provides personalized learning experiences.
Challenges and Future Directions
While AI transforms education, challenges remain, including data privacy, equity, bias, and teacher training. Examples of AI-powered educational tools include Carnegie Learning’s Cognitive Tutor, DreamBox Learning’s Math Platform, Coursera’s AI-driven Course Recommendations, IBM’s Watson Education, and Google’s Classroom and Expeditions. By embracing AI, educators can create a more inclusive, effective, and inspiring learning environment.
Personalized Learning Paths: Recommending customized learning routes based on students’ strengths and weaknesses. This is very important since all students from the school to the university level have varied potential with strengths and weaknesses. AI can measure IQ learning curves and can potentially come up with specific digital learning tools to improve learning.
For example, AI-powered learning tools can help and enhance the performance of students with low aptitude for mathematics and similar quantitative subjects
AI in Cryptocurrency and Stock Market
AI has revolutionized stock market predictions, offering tangible results and a decisive edge in the financial landscape. AI-based systems accurately predict stock prices, executing trades within milliseconds, and reducing human bias. AI models provide objective perspectives, free from cognitive biases and human emotions, leading to optimal investment decisions.
WorldCoin by Sam Altman
AI’s predictive capabilities also enhance market analysis, risk management, and portfolio optimization. Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms gauge market sentiment trends, providing traders with valuable insights. AI-powered bots assist users with stock trading queries, streamlining the investment process. AI-powered bots assist users with stock trading-related tasks and queries, quickly understanding and responding to requests. By leveraging AI, the stock market experiences improved efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
Enhanced Security and Fraud Detection
The application of Artificial Intelligence in the cryptocurrency market has greatly enhanced security measures. Structurally, AI systems monitor transaction data tendencies and identify potentially fraudulent activities. Despite increasing threats from hackers, such as the ‘WinX’ crypto defraudation by Korean hackers, AI protects and prevents security risks.
The integration of AI in cryptocurrency is a game-changer, offering unparalleled opportunities and challenges. From enhanced market analysis and automated trading to advanced security measures and predictive maintenance, Artificial Intelligence has reshaped the crypto market.
AI in Finance
AI-based high-frequency trading accurately predicts stock prices, executing trades within milliseconds and capitalizing on minuscule price discrepancies. AI models provide objective perspectives, free from cognitive biases and human emotions, leading to optimal investment decisions.
AI offers personalized financial recommendations, considering individual preferences, financial goals, and risk tolerance. AI models analyze historical market data and volatility, adjusting portfolios in real-time to align with changing market conditions and suggesting diversification strategies to mitigate potential risk.
Warfare and Defence
The significance of AI in modern warfare is growing rapidly. The Responsible Use Of Artificial Intelligence In The Military Domain (REAIM) conference in Seoul highlighted the need for responsible AI deployment. AI applications in warfare include autonomous weapons systems, predictive maintenance, intelligence gathering, cyber warfare, and command and control.
Israeli forces have utilized AI-powered programs such as ”Lavender” and ”The Gospel” to detect enemy movements and monitor enemy territory using AI-powered drones. AI-enhanced sensors improve battlefield awareness, and AI-driven tools detect and respond to cyber threats. Military experts have opined that AI will be instrumental in creating ‘super soldiers’ or military robots in future.
Revolutionising the Gaming Industry
AI has already transformed the gaming industry, with remastering old games using AI being a notable trend. AI algorithms enhance graphics, upscale textures, and improve lighting. AI generates new textures based on original game assets and recreates 3D models from 2D assets.
Famous remastered games using AI include GTA San Andreas (Definitive Edition), Resident Evil series, and Call of Duty series.
As AI continues to expand into new sectors, it drives innovation, creates new opportunities, and demands specialized skills. The responsible development and deployment of AI remain crucial across industries.
Accelerating Human Progress and Growth
The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to accelerate, fostering innovative opportunities and skills. As the culmination of human intelligence and potential, AI relentlessly reshapes the world. AI’s pervasive integration across industries expedites workflows, boosting efficiency and productivity. This surge in AI adoption has sparked unprecedented demand for AI-specialized professionals, fueling a significant expansion in the AI job market. In response, esteemed universities worldwide have introduced cutting-edge AI courses, equipping the next generation with the expertise to harness AI’s transformative power.
As AI assumes a pivotal role in driving human progress, its potential to revolutionize the world becomes increasingly evident. By embracing AI’s limitless possibilities, we can propel societal advancement, redefining the future of various industries and disciplines in the world of tomorrow. Artificial Intelligence has proven itself to be the driving force behind technological advancements and global progress in the 21st century.
These frameworks will lay out their plans to tackle the most severe potential AI risks, including if the technology was misused by bad actors….reports Asian Lite News
The UK will host a conference in San Francisco for discussions with AI developers on how they can put into practice commitments made at the AI Seoul Summit.
To be held across the 21 and 22 November, the event will feature a number of workshops and discussions focused on AI safety ahead of France hosting the AI Action Summit in February 2025.
Earlier this year, 16 companies from across the globe including those from the US, EU, Republic of Korea, China and the UAE, agreed to publish their latest AI safety frameworks ahead of the next Summit.
These frameworks will lay out their plans to tackle the most severe potential AI risks, including if the technology was misused by bad actors. As part of these commitments, companies also agreed to stop the deployment or development of any models if their potential risks cannot be sufficiently addressed.
The event will be a moment for AI companies to take stock and share ideas and insights to support the development of their AI safety frameworks through a targeted day of talks between signatory companies and researchers.
Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said, “The conference is a clear sign of the UK’s ambition to further the shared global mission to design practical and effective approaches to AI safety. We’re just months away from the AI Action Summit, and the discussions in San Francisco will give companies a clear focus on where and how they can bolster their AI safety plans building on the commitments they made in Seoul.”
Attendees are also urged to share thoughts on potential areas of discussion at November’s conference, including existing and current proposals for developer safety plans, the future of AI model safety evaluations, transparency and methods for setting out different risk thresholds.
Co-hosted with the Centre for the Governance of AI and led by the UK’s AI Safety Institute (AISI), discussions will help build a deeper understanding of how the Frontier AI Safety Commitments are being put into practice.
The UK’s AI Safety Institute is the world’s first state-backed body dedicated to AI safety, and the UK has continued to play a global leadership role in developing the growing international network of AI Safety Institutes – including its landmark agreement with the US earlier this year.
The conference has been designed as a forum for attendees to exchange ideas on best practice in implementing the commitments, ensuring a transparent and collaborative approach for developers as they refine their AI safety frameworks ahead of the AI Action Summit.
It follows the US government yesterday announcing the first meeting of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes, which will take place in the days before from 20-21 November 2024, in San Francisco. The UK launched the world’s first AI Safety Institute at Bletchley Park last November, and since then nations around the world have raced to establish their own AI safety testing bodies.
The convening hosted by the US will bring together technical experts on artificial intelligence from each country’s AI safety institute, or equivalent government-backed scientific office, in order to align on priority work areas for the Network and begin advancing global collaboration and knowledge sharing on AI safety.
Customers in India will be able to pre-order iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max beginning this Friday (September 13), with availability beginning September 20…reports Asian Lite News
Tech giant Apple on Monday introduced its much-anticipated iPhone 16 series with Apple Intelligence, larger display sizes, camera control, innovative pro-camera features and a big leap in battery life.
Powered by the A18 Pro chip, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature a new 48MP Fusion camera with a faster quad-pixel sensor that enables 4K120 fps video recording in Dolby Vision, the company said in a statement.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in black titanium, natural titanium, white titanium and desert titanium colours, in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities. iPhone 16 Pro starts at Rs 119,900 and iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at Rs 144,900.
Customers in India will be able to pre-order iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max beginning this Friday (September 13), with availability beginning September 20.
“Customers who are looking for the best possible iPhone will be able to take advantage of this huge step forward, whether they’re applying edits to a photo without lifting a finger, rewriting meeting notes for a more professional tone, or using the advanced camera system to capture their next masterpiece in 4K120 fps in Dolby Vision,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be available in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities. iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900 and iPhone 16 Plus starts at Rs 89.900. Pre-orders will begin on September 13, with availability beginning September 20, said the company.
The tech giant unveiled Apple Watch Series 10, featuring a refined design and new capabilities. It also features new sleep apnea notifications, faster charging, water depth and temperature sensing and new health and fitness insights and intelligence in watchOS 11.
Apple Watch Series 10 is available in both aluminum and titanium, in an array of stunning colors and finishes. Jet black is a new polished aluminum finish that is distinctively reflective and sleek, while new titanium cases — available in natural, gold, and slate — have a spectacular jewellery-like shine.
The users in India can now pre-order Apple Watch Series 10, with availability in stores beginning September 20. Apple Watch Series 10 starts at Rs 46,900 and Watch SE is available starting at Rs 24,900.
Apple Watch Series 10 is nearly 10 per cent thinner than Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, and Series 9.
The company also introduced Apple Watch Ultra 2 in a new black titanium finish and enhanced with features in watchOS 11 that make the most rugged and capable Apple Watch even better.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 features most accurate GPS in a sports watch, the brightest display of any Apple product, and up to 36 hours of battery life with regular use or up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
Customers can also pre-order AirPods 4 for Rs 12,900, with availability beginning September 20. They can also pre-order AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation for Rs 17,900. AirPods Pro 2 are available for Rs 24,900, said the company. They can also pre-order AirPods Max with USB-C charging for Rs 59,900, with availability beginning September 20.
Apple Intelligence Arrives Next Month
The iPhone maker on Monday announced that Apple Intelligence, its personal intelligence system, will start rolling out next month with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, with more features launching in the coming months.
In addition, the company introduced the new iPhone 16 lineup, built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence and featuring the faster, more efficient A18 and A18 Pro chips.
Apple Intelligence will be available as a free software update. The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in beta next month. It will be available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with M1 and later.
Apple Intelligence first launches in US English, and will quickly expand to include localised English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December, with additional language support — such as Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish — coming next year.
“Many of the models that power Apple Intelligence run entirely on device, and Private Cloud Compute offers the ability to flex and scale computational capacity between on-device processing and larger, server-based models that run on dedicated Apple silicon servers,” said the company.
With systemwide Writing Tools powered by Apple Intelligence, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarise text nearly everywhere they write.
In Photos, the Memories feature now enables users to create the movies they want to see by simply typing a description.
In addition, natural language can be used to search for specific photos, and search in videos gets more powerful with the ability to find specific moments in clips. The new Clean Up tool can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo — without accidentally altering the subject.
The Clean Up tool in Photos can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo — without accidentally altering the subject.
In the Notes and Phone apps, users can record, transcribe, and summarize audio. When a recording is initiated while on a call in the Phone app, participants are automatically notified, and once the call ends, Apple Intelligence also generates a summary to help recall key points.
Siri becomes more natural, flexible, and deeply integrated into the system experience. It has a brand-new design with an elegant glowing light that wraps around the edge of the screen when active on iPhone, iPad, or CarPlay, said the company.
TRAI urged all stakeholders to comply with the directives and contribute to a cleaner and more efficient telecom ecosystem….reports Asian Lite News
TRAI urged all stakeholders to comply with the directives and contribute to a cleaner and more efficient telecom ecosystem….
In a bid to curb spam calls and messages, telecom service providers have blocked over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh mobile numbers and telecom resources, the government informed on Tuesday.
The action was taken after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued stringent directives to all access providers last month to immediately stop promotional voice calls from unregistered senders or telemarketers.
“Access Providers have taken stern measures against misuse of telecom resources for spamming and blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources,” said the TRAI.
These steps, the telecom regulator added, are expected to have a significant impact on reducing spam calls and providing relief to consumers.
TRAI urged all stakeholders to comply with the directives and contribute to a cleaner and more efficient telecom ecosystem.
“Any unregistered telemarketer found to be misusing these resources will face severe consequences, including disconnection of all telecom resources for up to two years and blacklisting,” it noted.
In the January-June period, the TRAI observed a significant rise in spam calls, with over more than 7.9 lakh complaints reported against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs).
Meanwhile, the regulator has granted a one-month extension to access service providers to comply with its direction regarding the whitelisting of URLs, APKs and OTT links. TRAI had earlier asked major telecom operators in the country to regulate such messages by September 1.
The move is aimed at curbing the number of spam and phishing attempts by scammers who try to dupe people using SMS service. The telecom regulator has now directed all access providers to furnish to the authority an updated status on action taken within 15 days and a compliance report within 30 days from date of issue of this direction.
The TRAI has also introduced punitive measures for non-compliance. Content templates registered under the wrong category will be blacklisted, and repeated offenses will lead to a one-month suspension of the sender’s services.
As per the Economic Survey 2023-24, it is expected that more than 40 per cent of the population will live in urban areas by 2030….reports Asian Lite News
The government on Wednesday revealed recent figures on internal migration which demonstrate that rural-to-urban movement of household members stood at 18.9 per cent of the population, while urban-to-rural migration was 10.2 per cent.
According to Minister of State (Independent Charge), Statistics and Programme Implementation, Rao Inderjit Singh, the information on migration is collected from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the Ministry during the July 2020–June 2021 period.
The percentage of internal migrants has been deciphered by four types of rural-urban migration streams — rural to rural areas, rural to urban areas, urban to rural areas, and urban to urban areas.
In the case of rural-to-rural, the migration was reported at 55 per cent while urban-to-urban was recorded at 15.9 per cent according to the survey period, the minister said.
As per the Economic Survey 2023-24, it is expected that more than 40 per cent of the population will live in urban areas by 2030. This estimation has been made on the basis of studies and reports of NITI Aayog.
Meanwhile, the revival of rural spending has turned out to be one of the bright spots in the evolution of demand conditions, according to the central bank. With rural spending outpacing urban segments, the rural-urban divide is narrowing, as the recent monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) survey of the NSSO highlighted. According to the report, the rural recovery is yielding better results for companies in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment, with earnings upgrades boosting stock valuations.
Meanwhile, the Ministry said that various measures have been taken to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of data collected by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). It includes the adoption of scientific sampling design, and the supply of structured instruction sets to the field functionaries for uniformity in concept and definition. Further, a multi-layered training system is adopted to ensure thorough training of primary field workers, supervisors and all officials associated with a survey. Regular inspection of fieldwork and scrutiny of data is undertaken by supervisory staff to ensure the quality of data.
Concern is rising among China’s more than one billion internet users over the government’s proposal….reports Asian Lite News
Following the Chinese government’s decision to come up with a proposal to create a virtual ID system, portrayed as a step to protect their personal information, many people are fearing that the plan would do the opposite, reported Voice of America (VOA).
Concern is rising among China’s more than one billion internet users over the government’s proposal.
China’s Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration issued the draft “Measures for the Administration of National Network Identity Authentication Public Services” on July 26.
According to the proposal, Chinese netizens would be able to apply for virtual IDs on a voluntary basis to “minimise the excessive collection and retention of citizens’ personal information by online platforms” and “protect personal information.”
Meanwhile, many netizens agree in their posts that companies have too much access to their personal information, others fear the cyber ID proposal, if implemented, will simply allow the government to more easily track them and control what they can say online, reported VOA.
Beijing lawyer Wang Cailiang said on Weibo, “My opinion is short: I am not in favour of this. Please leave a little room for citizens’ privacy.”
Shortly after the proposal was published, Tsinghua University law professor Lao Dongyan posted on her Weibo account, “The cyber IDs are like installing monitors to watch everyone’s online behaviour.”
Her post has since disappeared, along with many other negative comments that can only be found on foreign social media platforms like X and Free Weibo, an anonymous and unblocked search engine established in 2012 to capture and save posts censored by China’s Sina Weibo or deleted by users, as reported by VOA.
A Weibo user under the name “Liu Jiming” said, “The authorities solemnly announced [the proposal] and solicited public opinions while blocking people from expressing their opinions. This clumsy show of democracy is really shocking.”
Beijing has a wide network of censors to block and remove politically sensitive content, called the Great Firewall by critics.
Since 2017, China has required internet service and content providers to verify users’ real names through national IDs, allowing authorities to more easily trace and track online activities and posts to the source.
According to Chinese internet experts, netizens can make that harder by using others’ accounts, providers, IDs and names on various platforms. However, critics fear a single cyber ID would close those gaps in the Great Firewall, VOA reported.
Zola, a network engineer and well-known citizen journalist originally from China’s Hunan province, who naturalised in Taiwan, said that having control over cyber IDs is a superpower as it will give access to not just their names but to the connection between the netizen and the cybersecurity ID.
“The control of the cyber IDs is a superpower because you don’t only know a netizen’s actual name, but also the connection between the netizen and the cybersecurity ID,” Zola said.
Li, a Shanghai-based dissident who did not want to disclose his full name because of the issue’s sensitivity, told VOA that the level of surveillance by China’s internet police has long been beyond imagination.
He said the new proposal is a way for authorities to tell netizens that the surveillance will be more overt, “just to intimidate and warn you to behave.”
Meanwhile, some netizens fear China could soon change the cyber ID system from a voluntary program to a requirement for online access, as reported by VOA.
A Weibo user under the name “Fang Zhifu” warned that in the future, if “the cyber ID is revoked, it will be like being sentenced to death in the cyber world.”
Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Public Security and Cyberspace Administration said that they are soliciting public opinion on the cyber ID plan until August 25. (ANI)
The approach aims to position India as a significant player in future space exploration and capacity expansion….reports Asian Lite News
India’s space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), is embarking on a transformative journey to revolutionise its space sector through two key strategies. Firstly, ISRO is enhancing collaborations and partnerships to advance space research and technology, driven by space diplomacy.
This approach aims to position India as a significant player in future space exploration and capacity expansion.
Secondly, ISRO is focusing on increasing efficiency and reducing costs by incorporating private sector involvement, a move facilitated by recent reforms in Indian Space Policy, The Times reported.
ISRO’s expanding international collaborations are a result of its long-standing expertise, efficiency, and the political will to boost the global space economy through effective diplomacy. Since its modest beginnings in 1969, ISRO’s remarkable journey has garnered international respect. Having proven its capabilities with numerous successful missions, ISRO’s global role is a natural progression.
ISRO set to transfer ‘Shwaas’ technology to industries
Currently, ISRO is working on notable projects such as the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), a flagship collaboration with NASA. NISAR aims to map the Earth every 12 days, providing critical data on ecosystems, biomass, sea levels, groundwater, and natural hazards. Another significant project is the TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment) mission, a joint venture with France’s CNES. TRISHNA will monitor Earth’s surface temperature and other variables to address water and food security challenges and assess climate change impacts.
According to The Times reports, ISRO is also collaborating with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), involving both rover and lander development. Additionally, ISRO has established cooperation mechanisms for earth observation, satellite navigation, and other space activities with various countries, including Australia and Israel.
India has agreed to expand space cooperation with Italy by tapping opportunities in earth observation, space science, robotic and human exploration, the state-run Indian space agency said on Thursday. (Twitter)
India’s open space economy policy, introduced through the Indian Space Policy 2023, allows private sector involvement in all aspects of space activities, including satellite communication and launches. This shift is expected to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and expand India’s space capabilities.
With over 230 agreements with more than 55 countries and multinational bodies, ISRO is not only advancing its space sector but also shaping global space policies. India aims to grow its space economy to $40 billion by 2040, with international observers suggesting a potential expansion to $100 billion in the next 15 years. Thus, ISRO and its partners are poised to make significant contributions to space exploration and policy development.
