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India Takes Lead in Global Space Economy

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.

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Defence India News Technology

Goa Shipyard launches first indigenous frigate Triput

The ship was launched by Adv. Rita Sreedharan, in the presence of PS Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa, the Chief Guest for the occasion….reports Asian Lite News

In a significant milestone, Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) successfully launched the first indigenous P1135.6 Frigate on Tuesday.

According to an official statement, the vessel is the first of the two Frigates of the P1135.6 Class being constructed at GSL. It is the first time these vessels are being constructed indigenously.

With the launch of this frigate Triput, the Indian Navy and GSL continue their march towards self-reliance, making ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ a reality. This strategic move adds another Defence Shipyard to the league of yards capable of building weapon-intensive platforms.

The ship was launched by Adv. Rita Sreedharan, in the presence of PS Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa, the Chief Guest for the occasion.

The launching ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, and Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director of GSL, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence, senior flag officials of the Indian Navy, and GSL employees.

Since the plate-cutting ceremony of the ship on 20 September 2020 and keel laying on 29 January 2021, the shipyard has made exceptional strides in achieving this milestone. This import substitute is a hallmark of indigenization, incorporating multiple complex and advanced indigenous technologies and systems. The hulls of these vessels are made from indigenous steel, a specialized low-carbon micro-alloy grade steel, as per the release.

The construction of these ships is based on the Indian Navy’s specific requirements to meet the entire spectrum of naval warfare in all three dimensions. The 124-metre-long and 15.5-metre-wide ship is propelled by four gas turbines, designed to achieve a maximum speed of 28 knots at a displacement of approximately 3200 tonnes. The ship is fitted with a potent combination of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, an integrated platform and bridge management system, and a host of other advanced features. The ship’s air defence capability, designed to counter enemy aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles, revolves around a vertical-launch long-range surface-to-air missile system. Additionally, the ship is equipped with indigenous power generation and distribution systems, an AC system, a steering system, and stabilizers designed and developed by private industry.

This project contributes to the nation’s prosperity by developing the local ecosystem and supporting the workforce, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs. It is likely to generate substantial employment for local industry and MSMEs engaged in production activities at various factories and within Goa Shipyard Limited.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor of Goa appreciated the efforts of the MoD, the Indian Navy, and the industry in ensuring that all shipbuilding requirements of the Indian Navy are fulfilled indigenously. He congratulated the employees of GSL on achieving this critical milestone and overcoming all odds, urging everyone present to ensure that the march towards ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defence production continues earnestly to meet the targets.

The launch of Triput is an exemplary testimony to our nation’s warship-building capability and propels Goa Shipyard Limited into the league of Indian shipyards capable of producing state-of-the-art frigates for the Indian Navy. (ANI)

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India News Tech Lite Technology

BARC to build reactor to produce medical isotopes

The technology for hydrogen production is developed indigenously by BHEL and has high local material content…reports Asian Lite News

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is set to build an isotope production reactor exclusively for medical purposes, its director Vivek Bhasin has said.

Speaking at the launch of AKTOCYTE, a food supplement for cancer patients, Bhasin also said that the BARC and Tata Memorial Centre hospitals will be providing guidance for setting up nuclear medicine departments in all the medical colleges in the country over the next 20 years, news agency PTI reported.

“The BARC is going to build a new reactor…an isotope production reactor dedicated only for medical isotopes,” he said.

The volume of production will be so high that India will not need to import these isotopes, Bhasin added.

“This will be a novel type of reactor and its design is more or less complete. The project will start soon,” he said.

Last month, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) had signed an agreement with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre for 50 kW alkaline electrolyser system to produce hydrogen.

“Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has entered into a Technology Transfer Agreement (TTA) with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for 50 kW alkaline electrolyser system for Hydrogen production” said BHEL.

The technology for hydrogen production is developed indigenously by BHEL and has high local material content.

BHEL through this collaboration with BARC intends to scale up Indigenous Alkaline Electrolyser Technology and commercialise it for application in sectors such as refineries, fertiliser, steel, transportation, etc.

By leveraging indigenous technology, BHEL aims to contribute significantly for the development of sustainable hydrogen production methods, supporting India’s transition towards cleaner energy sources.

The collaboration between BHEL and BARC represents a crucial step in advancing hydrogen technology and promoting a greener future for the country.

Earlier, BHEL was honoured by POWERGRID at the CEO Meet 2024 for its remarkable achievement in commissioning three critical substations under the Neemuch REZ TBCB project ahead of the contractual schedule, despite facing initial challenges.

The projects aimed at evacuating renewable energy generated by RUMS (Rewa Ultra Mega Solar) under the Neemuch Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) comprised three substations: 400/220 kV Neemuch (New), an extension of 400 kV Chittorgarh, and an extension of 400 kV Mandsaur.

The shares of BHEL have also joined the other PSU’s in the recent rally at the stock market, the company’s shares have surged more than 89 per cent in the last 6 months and on Tuesday’s trading session, stands at Rs 294 at the time of filing this report.

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India News Tech Lite Technology

CERT-In finds multiple vulnerabilities in Android

The affected software includes Android versions 12, 12L, 13, and 14….reports Asian Lite News

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which comes under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, on Friday warned users of multiple vulnerabilities in Android which could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information, gain elevated privileges and cause denial-of-service (DoS) conditions on the targeted system.

The affected software includes Android versions 12, 12L, 13, and 14.

“Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Android which could be exploited by an attacker to obtain sensitive information, gain elevated privileges and cause a denial of service condition on the targeted system,” said the CERT-In advisory.

According to the cyber agency, these vulnerabilities exist in Android due to flaws in the Framework, System, Google Play system updates, Kernel, Arm components, MediaTek components, Imagination Technologies and Qualcomm closed-source components.

CERT-In advised users to apply appropriate updates when made available by the respective OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).

Last week, CERT-In warned about a vulnerability in Checkpoint Network Security gateway products, which could allow hackers to compromise users’ data.

According to its advisory by the national cyber-security agency, attackers can use the vulnerability to access certain information on “internet-connected gateways configured with IPSec VPN, remote access VPN, or mobile access software blades.”

Warning over bug in Checkpoint gateway products

CERT-In has warned about a vulnerability in Checkpoint Network Security gateway products, which could allow hackers to compromise users’ data.

According to its advisory by the national cyber-security agency, attackers can use the vulnerability to access certain information on “internet-connected gateways configured with IPSec VPN, remote access VPN, or mobile access software blades”.

This, in certain scenarios, could potentially lead the attacker to move laterally and gain domain admin privileges, warned the agency.

The vulnerability exists in Checkpoint Network Security gateway products due to the unrecommended password-only authentication method.

“The vulnerability (CVE-2024-24919) is being exploited in the wild,” said CERT-In, urging users to apply fixes issued by the company.

Checkpoint has discovered the vulnerability and issued the fix.

“Following our security update, Check Point’s dedicated task force continues investigating attempts to gain unauthorised access to VPN products used by our customers,” said the company in its security update.

“Exploiting this vulnerability can result in accessing sensitive information on the Security Gateway,” it added.

CERT-In, which comes under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, last week warned users of vulnerabilities in Google Chrome and Siemens products, which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system.

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India News Tech Lite Technology

Blue Origin to Launch Captain Gopichand Thotakura to Edge of Space

The launch window by billionaire Jeff Bezos-owned space venture for the 11-minute flight opens at 6.30 a.m. PT (7 p.m. India time)…reports Asian Lite News

Captain Gopichand Thotakura, along with five others, is set to fly to the edge of space on Blue Origin’s crewed flight mission on Sunday evening.

The launch window by billionaire Jeff Bezos-owned space venture for the 11-minute flight opens at 6.30 a.m. PT (7 p.m. India time).

“We’re ‘Go’ to proceed to launch, Sunday, May 19. The #NS25 launch window opens from Launch Site One in West Texas,” the company posted on X social media platform.

The reusable New Shepard rocket is set to take the six-person crew to space above the Karman line which is an internationally recognised boundary of space that lies 100 km above the Earth’s surface.

It’s been more than two since Blue Origin’s last crewed flight.

The six travellers include 90-year-old Ed Dwight, Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, Carol Schaller and Thotakura.

With this mission, Thotakura will become the second Indian to visit space, after Rakesh Sharma’s journey aboard Russian Soyuz T-11 in 1984.

After Sharma, three people of Indian origin have reached space — Kalpana Chawla (1997), Sunita Williams (2006), and Raja Chari (2021) as NASA astronauts.

Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission is set to lift off from Launch Site One in West Texas in the US.

The company has undertaken six human flight missions to date, and launched 31 people to the Karman line.

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Business Tech Lite Technology

Ola Founder Takes on Big Tech Bullying

Ola Founder further said that he will work with the Indian developer community to build a digital public infrastructure (DPI) social media framework….reports Asian Lite News

In a hard-hitting post, Ola Founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal on Saturday said that Big Tech platforms like LinkedIn will bully Indians into agreeing with them or cancel them out and if they can do this to him, “I’m sure the average user stands no chance”.

After a sour experience with Microsoft-owned LinkedIn which deleted his posts where he shared his thoughts on “gender pronouns”, Aggarwal took on the professional networking platform.

“Clearly, Linkedin has presumed Indians need to have pronouns in our life, and that we can’t criticise it,” he wrote on a blog post.

“They will bully us into agreeing with them or cancel us out. And if they can do this to me, I’m sure the average user stands no chance.”

He further said that he will work with the Indian developer community to build a digital public infrastructure (DPI) social media framework.

“DPIs like UPI, ONDC, Aadhaar etc., are uniquely Indian ideas and are even more needed in the world of social media. The only ‘community guidelines’ should be the Indian law. No corporate person should be able to decide what will be banned,” said Ola CEO.

Ola has one of the largest ‘women only’ automotive plants.

“Regarding gender inclusivity, we don’t need lectures from Western companies on how to be inclusive. Our culture didn’t need pronouns to be inclusive for thousands of years,” he noted.

He pitched about the need to build homegrown Indian tech platforms.

“I’m not against global tech companies. But as an Indian citizen, I feel concerned that my life will be governed by western Big Tech monopolies, and we will be culturally subsumed,” said Aggarwal.

Taking on Satya Nadella-run Microsoft after a frustrated experience with LinkedIn, Ola Founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal on Saturday announced to leave the tech giant’s Azure cloud services and move the entire workload of his company to his own artificial intelligence (AI) venture Krutrim.

The decision came after Aggarwal slammed the Microsoft-owned professional network LinkedIn for deleting his posts without notifying him.

“Since LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft and Ola is a big customer of Azure, we’ve decided to move our entire workload out of Azure to our own Krutrim cloud within the next week,” he said in a blog post.

“It is a challenge as all developers know, but my team is so charged up about doing this,” the Ola CEO added.

Aggarwal also told developers who want to move out of Microsoft’s Azure cloud to offer them “a full year worth of free cloud usage, “as long as you don’t go back to Azure after that”.

He had criticised LinkedIn, saying their AI tool was imposing a political ideology on Indian users which is unsafe and sinister.

There was no immediate word from either Microsoft or LinkedIn on Aggarwal’s announcement to drop Azure Cloud for his own Krutrim cloud.

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-Top News Technology World News

Warren Buffett compares AI with nukes

Buffett shared a personal experience where he encountered an AI-generated image and voice capable of deceiving others by using his identity….reports Asian Lite News

Warren Buffett, renowned investor and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, shared his concerns about the potential impact of generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) during the company’s annual meeting.

He said, “I don’t know anything about AI, but that doesn’t mean I deny its existence or importance or anything of the sort.”

Despite acknowledging the importance of technological advances, particularly in AI, Buffett admitted to having limited knowledge on the subject. He drew parallels between AI and the development of nuclear weapons, describing both as powerful entities that have been unleashed with uncertain consequences.

He said, “Last year I said that we let a genie out of the bottle, when we developed nuclear weapons and that genie has been doing some terrible things lately and the power of that genie is would you know scares the hell out of me and under that I don’t know way to get the genie back in the bottle and AI is somewhat similar. It’s out. It’s part way out of the bottle and it’s enormously important and it’s going to be done by somebody”.

Buffett shared a personal experience where he encountered an AI-generated image and voice capable of deceiving others by using his identity.

artificial intelligence.(photo:Pixabay.com)

“I had one experience that does make me a little nervous and I’ll just explain it that very recently I saw an image in front of my eyes on the screen and it was me and it was my voice and wearing the kind of clothes I wear, and my wife or my daughter wouldn’t have been able to detect any difference and I was delivering a message that no way came from me so it when you think of the potential for scamming people if you can reproduce images that I can’t even tell,” he said.

Reflecting on historical events, Buffett drew comparisons between the decision to test nuclear weapons during World War II and the current advancement of AI technology.

He referenced the cautionary warnings of scientists like Edmund Teller, who raised concerns about the potential catastrophic consequences of nuclear testing. Similarly, Buffett expressed uncertainty about the long-term societal implications of AI, cautioning against its unchecked proliferation.

“I’m certainly not the person that can evaluate that and I probably wouldn’t have been the person that could have evaluated during World War Two whether we tested the 20000 ton bomb that we felt was absolutely necessary for the United States and would actually save lives in the long run. But where we also had Edmund Teller I think it was it was on a parallel with Einstein in terms of saying you may with this test ignite the atmosphere in such a way that civilization doesn’t continue and we decided to let the gene of the bottle and it accomplished the immediate objective but whether it’s going to change the future society we will find out later now,” said Buffett.

While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI, Buffett emphasized the need for careful consideration and evaluation of its impact on society. He stressed the importance of regulatory oversight and responsible use of AI technology to mitigate potential risks and ensure positive outcomes for humanity. (ANI)

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Social Media Technology USA

X to Pause Ad Sharing For Creators Using Bots to Earn More

Elon Musk.(photo:IANS/Twitter)

Elon Musk also reiterated that people are spamming the X platform to earn more ad money, as the social media platform cracks down on bots.

Elon Musk on Saturday threatened that advertisement revenue sharing will be paused for some creators “pending investigation into use of bots to spam likes, replies and direct messages (DMs).”

He also reiterated that people are spamming the X platform to earn more ad money, as the social media platform cracks down on bots.

In a post, the tech billionaire said that the point of creator payouts is to incentivise high-quality content on X.

“In some cases, we are seeing the opposite, where people are spamming the system to generate ad money. That is obviously not ok,” the X owner commented.

Musk said ad revenue sharing will be paused for such creators.

A follower reacted, saying “The goal could be to maximise legitimate, quality, accurate, informative and entertaining content.”

X pays creators on a regular basis as it struggles to tackle a surge of spam and porn bots on its platform.

According to Musk, people running huge bot operations are reducing the content quality to a great extent.

The ban on fake engagement refers to those who use bots to artificially inflate their engagement.

The social media platform started the exercise to remove bots earlier this month.

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Arab News Technology UAE News

Etihad WE is expanding high-speed EV charging stations

Etihad WE is collaborating with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and will host a conference in May to unveil all details pertaining to EV chargers…reports Asian Lite News

CEO Yousif Al Ali announced that Etihad Water and Electricity (Etihad WE) is launching a significant initiative to expand the availability and construction of high-speed EV charging stations across the Northern Emirates.

In statements to Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the first day of the World Future Energy Summit, hosted by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), Al Ali stated that the company is actively replacing old chargers with high-speed alternatives and has ambitious expansion plans in this area.

Regarding the anticipated investment for this initiative, Al Ali explained that EtihadWE is collaborating with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and will host a conference in May to unveil all details pertaining to EV chargers.

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Lite Blogs Tech Lite Technology

Fashion’s AI Revolution

AI’s impact on fashion design is nothing short of revolutionary. McKinsey’s analysis suggests that within the next three to five years, generative AI has the potential to significantly boost operating profits in the apparel, fashion, and luxury sectors…writes Mamata Roy

In recent years, the fashion industry has undergone a significant transformation, where technology is making waves and stealing the spotlight, with artificial intelligence (AI) at the epicenter of this transformation. This dynamic duo of fashion and AI is not just tweaking design processes and redefining our shopping experiences; it’s also prompting some big questions about sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry.

Think about predicting fashion trends, and you have AI. Take IBM’s Watson Trend App, for example. This intelligently designed tool analyzes heaps of online data to predict what styles are going to be trendy. So, instead of designers relying solely on gut feelings, they can use AI insights to create collections that match what people are buzzing about.

AI’s impact on fashion design is nothing short of revolutionary. McKinsey’s analysis suggests that within the next three to five years, generative AI has the potential to significantly boost operating profits in the apparel, fashion, and luxury sectors. Conservatively estimated, this could mean an addition of $150 billion, with the possibility of reaching up to $275 billion.

Furthermore, AI stepping into design processes has put creativity on autopilot. Whether it’s crafting design twists or playing with patterns and textures, AI is stretching the limits. The upshot? Speedier, more efficient design workflows, enabling fashion houses to stay nimble in keeping up with changing tastes.

Revolutionizing the Shopping Experience

AI is on the verge of revolutionizing industries, already making a significant impact across all sectors. According to Statista, global artificial intelligence in the fashion market amounted to 270 million U.S. dollars in 2018 and is expected to reach 4.4 billion U.S. dollars by 2027.

In the realm of online shopping, AI is revolutionizing personalization. It tailors your shopping journey based on preferences and behaviour, offering recommendations that boost engagement. Moreover, AI-driven virtual try-on experiences bridge the gap between online and in-store shopping, allowing real-time product visualization. 

But AI goes even beyond personalization; acting as your digital stylist, analyzing past purchases and trends to curate outfits tailored to your taste. Platforms like Heuritech leverage AI to analyze social media images, helping brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior anticipate trends and align production.

AI’s Impact on Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing has emerged as a cornerstone of marketing strategies for brands across all industries. With the rise of social media, consumers are increasingly turning to influencers for product recommendations and lifestyle inspiration. These digital tastemakers, with their large and engaged followings, have the power to sway consumer behaviour and shape purchasing decisions.

In the fashion sector, where trends change rapidly and consumer tastes are diverse, AI is playing a crucial role in optimizing influencer collaborations. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI identifies the most relevant influencers for brands, based on audience demographics, engagement rates, and content preferences. 

This targeted approach ensures that brands collaborate with influencers who resonate with their target audience, maximizing the impact of their marketing efforts. Additionally, AI-powered tools help track and measure the effectiveness of influencer campaigns, providing valuable insights for future strategies.

Sustainability and Ethical Considerations

The fashion industry ranks as the second most polluting sector, responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater, according to MDPI. In response to growing environmental worries, AI is becoming a crucial partner in promoting sustainability within the industry. AI algorithms can optimize supply chains, reduce waste, and aid in the creation of eco-friendly materials. By predicting demand more accurately, fashion brands can minimize overproduction and contribute to a more sustainable industry.

As technology progresses, ethical concerns take center stage, especially in AI’s role in fashion. Questions arise about data privacy, labour ethics, and the perpetuating of biased beauty standards. Balancing innovation with ethical responsibility becomes crucial. Despite its transformative potential, integrating AI into fashion faces hurdles. Challenges include data security, algorithm biases, and the demand for skilled professionals to manage AI systems.

What Future Holds for the Duo

As AI advances, we’re looking at a future where it plays a bigger role in making fashion more sustainable. With AI getting better and better, more companies might join in to tackle environmental issues and find new ways to be eco-friendly. This means we could see AI used more in designing clothes, running stores, and making fashion greener.

The blend of tech and fashion, especially AI, is changing things in big ways. AI helps predict trends, makes shopping cooler, and pushes for greener practices. As fashion keeps up with these changes, it’s important to be smart and ethical about how we use technology.

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