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India’s Digital Transformation
Rtv News
15 Sep 2024, 10:00
Photo: Collected
India's digital evolution has progressed significantly, expanding from the foundational Aadhaar system to a wider range of innovations aimed at improving governance and service delivery.
Launched in 2015, the Digital India program is the backbone of this transformation. Its mission is to provide electronic access to government services, strengthen online infrastructure, and enhance internet connectivity. The program is built on three pillars: digital infrastructure as a utility for every citizen, on-demand governance, and empowering citizens through digital means.
Aadhaar: The Digital Identity Revolution
Aadhaar, the world’s largest biometric identification system, is central to India’s digital framework. It provides a reliable digital identity to Indian residents, enabling access to services like banking, mobile connectivity, and government subsidies. By simplifying bureaucratic processes and reducing fraud, Aadhaar exemplifies how digital tools can improve governance.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
UPI has revolutionized India’s payment systems. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India, UPI enables seamless money transfers between banks. Its user-friendly design and efficiency have driven mass adoption, making it a cornerstone of India’s fintech growth.
Digital Health Innovations
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is transforming healthcare by creating a digital health ecosystem. This initiative aims to provide universal health coverage by offering unique health IDs, maintaining digital health records, and improving system interoperability.
Advancing Education Through Digital Tools
The National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes digital technologies to expand educational access. Platforms like Diksha, which offers extensive educational resources, and the National Digital Library of India highlight efforts to improve education through technology.
Connecting Rural Areas
The BharatNet project is bringing high-speed internet to rural Gram Panchayats, ensuring that even remote areas benefit from digital services. Additionally, the Digital Village initiative seeks to boost technology access, digital literacy, and essential services in rural regions, helping close the urban-rural divide.
Addressing Challenges
Despite these advancements, challenges like digital literacy, privacy concerns, and cybersecurity threats persist. Policies like the Personal Data Protection Bill, along with enhanced cybersecurity measures and digital literacy programs, demonstrate a commitment to overcoming these hurdles.
India’s digital transformation over the past decade showcases the potential of technology to reshape governance and society, paving the way for a digitally empowered future.
(Based on an article written by Rishi Suri published on digilah.com)
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Royal Enfield Launches 4 Models in Bangladesh, Starting at Tk3.4 Lakh
The long-awaited 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycles are now available for purchase in Dhaka, marking a major moment for motorbike enthusiasts.
The models, including the Bullet, Meteor, Hunter, and Classic, come in 12 different colors and were officially unveiled at Royal Enfield's flagship store in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Ifad Motors, the manufacturer and sole distributor of Royal Enfield motorcycles in Bangladesh, today (21 October) launched four 350cc models — Hunter, Classic, Bullet, and Meteor — of the iconic motorcycle brand, priced between Tk3.4 lakh and Tk4.35 lakh.
Hunter
The price of Hunter 350 will start from Tk3.4 lakh and may vary based on color variants.
Classic
The highest-selling and most popular Royal Enfield bike in India, the Classic 350's price will start from Tk4.05 lakh.
Bullet
Bullet 350's price will start from Tk4.10 lakh.
Meteor
The price of highway riders' favorite Meteor 350 will start from Tk4.35 lakh.
Pre-booking for the locally manufactured motorcycles started from today morning (22 October).
According to insiders, Ifad Motors, which opened the Royal Enfield flagship showroom in Dhaka city's Tejgaon area, will start delivering the motorcycles after 45 days.
Elon Musk's 8 Top Innovations: From Tesla to SpaceX
Elon Musk is a name synonymous with innovation, often likened to the real-life Tony Stark from Marvel. Throughout his career, he has led groundbreaking projects that have transformed entire industries and promise to redefine our future. From electric cars that drive us toward sustainability to ambitious ventures in space travel, Musk's vision is nothing short of extraordinary.
Here’s a look at 8 of his most remarkable contributions that showcase his commitment to creating a sustainable and technologically advanced world! Top 8 contributions by Elon Musk:
Tesla electric vehicles
Perhaps Musk's most well-known contribution is the Tesla electric vehicle line. Under his leadership, Tesla has revolutionized the auto industry by proving that electric cars can be both high-performing and desirable. The Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y have garnered attention not just for their eco-friendliness but also for their impressive technology, including Autopilot, which offers semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
SpaceX and the Falcon rockets
SpaceX is an aerospace firm founded by Musk in 2002. It aims to reduce space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars. The Falcon 1, Falcon 9, and Falcon Heavy rockets have set numerous records, including being the first commercially developed rocket to launch humans into orbit. SpaceX's ability to land and reuse rockets has changed space travel's economics, making it more accessible.
The Boring Company transport solutions
After being stuck in traffic in Los Angeles, Elon thought of launching a firm to address urban transportation issues. The Boring Company mainly focuses on building underground transportation systems.
Musk's vision includes a network of tunnels that could reduce traffic congestion in major cities. The company’s projects, including the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, showcase potential solutions for metropolitan transport challenges.
Neuralink brain chips
Neuralink aims to bridge the gap between humans and machines through brain-machine interfaces. This ambitious company seeks to improve cognitive abilities and potentially help treat neurological disorders.
Recently, its first-ever brain chip implant patient Noland Arbaugh revealed how this technology helps him to communicate. By allowing direct communication between the brain and devices, Neuralink could develop revolutionary gadgets and treatments for neurologically challenged people.
Starlink's internet
SpaceX's Starlink initiative is focused on delivering global internet coverage by deploying a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites. Designed to provide high-speed internet access, Starlink aims to connect even the most remote areas. As of September 2024, the company has reported surpassing 4 million subscribers.
With nearly 6,000 satellites in orbit and services available in approximately 100 countries, Starlink has the potential to bridge the digital divide, ensuring connectivity for remote regions worldwide.
Tesla Energy products
Musk expanded Tesla's mission beyond electric vehicles with Tesla Energy, which focuses on energy storage solutions. With products like the Powerwall and Powerpack. the firm allows residences and businesses to store solar energy for later use, promoting sustainability. Note: Tesla Energy discontinued the sale of Powerpack in 2022.
Mega Gigafactories
To support Tesla's ambitious production goals, Musk has initiated the construction of Gigafactories worldwide. These massive manufacturing plants are designed to produce lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles at scale, significantly reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
The Gigafactory in Nevada, for example, is expected to be one of the largest buildings in the world by area and plays a critical role in Musk's vision for sustainable energy.
OpenAI Though
Musk is no longer directly involved, he co-founded OpenAI to promote and develop friendly AI for the benefit of humanity. In its early days, the organization focused on developing safe Artificial general intelligence (AGI) tools. After Elon's exit, the non-profit company soon received a $1 billion fund from Microsoft in 2019. Fast forward to today, OpenAI is one of the biggest AI startups in the world with popular AI tools such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, etc.
Closing thoughts
Elon Musk's visionary contributions are not just shaping the present—they're redefining our future! His focus on sustainability, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology opens the door to a world brimming with possibilities. While some of his projects are still in the pipeline, their potential impact is truly game-changing. As we move forward, Musk’s endeavors will undoubtedly ignite innovation across numerous fields, heading humanity toward a brighter tomorrow.
By: Aasma Khan
Researchers Discover Ancient Mayan City Using Laser Technology
A huge Maya city was discovered centuries after it disappeared under a jungle canopy in Mexico.
Archaeologists found pyramids, sports fields, causeways connecting districts and amphitheatres in the southeastern state of Campeche.
Experts analysed lidar data, a method of scanning the land from above using lasers.
The Maya were one of the most dominant civilisations in Mesoamerica and built cities with elaborate ceremonial buildings and massive stone pyramids in what we now know as Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Pyramids - like those in Calakmul, in the Mexican state of Campeche - were found by researchers led by Luke Auld-Thomas from Tulane University, New Orleans.
"For the longest time, our sample of the Maya civilisation was a couple of hundred square kilometres total... by archaeologists who painstakingly walked over every square metre, hacking away at the vegetation with machetes," he said.
But instead of deploying teams on the ground, archaeologists in his team analysed existing mapping data over an area of 47 square miles.
They uncovered anomalies in the landscape - revealing pyramids, houses and other Maya infrastructure.
Their results, published in the journal Antiquity, showed a dense, diverse array of totally unstudied Maya settlements dotted throughout the region.
It included an entire city which the team called Valeriana, named after a nearby freshwater lagoon.
The urban centre included two major hubs of "monumental architecture, linked by continuous dense settlement and landscape engineering".
"We didn't just find rural areas and smaller settlements," Mr Auld-Thomas said.
"We also found a large city with pyramids right next to the area's only highway, near a town where people have been actively farming among the ruins for years."
"The government never knew about it; the scientific community never knew about it," and he predicted, "there's a lot more to be discovered".
Last year a Mexican team found an ancient Mayan city thought to date back to 1,000AD in the same region.
But unlike the US researchers, that group did not benefit from lidar technology. They trekked through 60km of roads covered in thick vegetation to discover the ancient site.
Rolls-Royce Enters EV Market with High-End Electric “Spectre”
Rolls-Royce has launched its first all-electric vehicle, the “Spectre,” marking its entry into the electric car industry with a luxurious $420,000 price tag, placing it among the elite in EVs.
The Spectre is powered by two high-performance electric motors, delivering 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Despite its size and weight, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, providing impressive power for a luxury EV.
It offers a range of around 266 miles per charge, with a particularly quiet ride—a unique touch compared to typical EV sounds under acceleration.
Engineered for smooth handling, the Spectre features cutting-edge steering and braking systems, rear-wheel steering, and a 360-degree camera for easy maneuvering.
Inside, it includes a top-tier infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 16-speaker audio setup for an immersive experience.
Tesla Stock Extends Rally As Musk-Trump Alliance Fuels Gains
Tesla shares extended last week's sharp rally with a jump of over 8% on Monday, fueled by bets that the automaker would benefit from CEO Elon Musk's close ties with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
If gains hold, Tesla is expected to add nearly $87 billion to its value at $348.30. The stock has jumped nearly 28% since Trump's election victory was declared on Wednesday, surpassing $1 trillion in market value for the first time in two years. Tesla's year-to-date gains were just over 1% before Trump secured his second term at the White House.
Musk has been supporting Trump for months in the hopes that his close ties to the now President-elect would position his companies to benefit under the new administration, analysts have said. The billionaire contributed at least $119 million to a pro-Trump spending group, federal records show.
"As an 'efficiency Czar', Musk is likely to see this as an opportunity to sweep away red tape and streamline regulation", potentially helping his companies that are "at the forefront of technological innovation", said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.
Tesla's self-driving technology has been under scrutiny from safety regulators as Musk attempts to shift the company's focus towards autonomous driving and robotaxis.
In September, Trump said he would establish a government efficiency commission headed by Musk to cut federal spending.
Musk's potential influence in the government could be significant for his other ventures, such as the Starlink broadband system, owing to his role as a major contractor with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Streeter said claims of "preferential treatment" have the potential to end up in court, but given the litigation route is long and difficult, Musk's businesses have plenty of time to benefit.
Tesla shares extended last week's sharp rally with a jump of over 8% on Monday, fueled by bets of the automaker benefiting from CEO Elon Musk's close ties with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
At $348.30, Tesla is expected to add nearly $87 billion to its value if gains hold. The stock has jumped nearly 28% since Trump's election victory was declared on Wednesday, surpassing $1 trillion in market value for the first time in two years. Tesla's year-to-date gains were just over 1% before Trump secured his second term at the White House.
Musk has been supporting Trump for months in the hopes that his close ties to the now President-elect would position his companies to benefit under the new administration, analysts have said. The billionaire contributed at least $119 million to a pro-Trump spending group, federal records show.
"As an 'efficiency Czar', Musk is likely to see this as an opportunity to sweep away red tape and streamline regulation", potentially helping his companies that are "at the forefront of technological innovation", said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.
From Tesla's electric vehicles to SpaceX rockets and Neuralink brain chips, Musk's business ventures depend heavily on government regulation, subsidies, or policy.
Tesla's self-driving technology has been under scrutiny from safety regulators as Musk attempts to shift the company's focus towards autonomous driving and robotaxis.
In September, Trump said he would establish a government efficiency commission headed by Musk to cut federal spending.
Musk's potential influence in the government could be significant for his other ventures, such as the Starlink broadband system, owing to his role as a major contractor with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Streeter said claims of "preferential treatment" have the potential to end up in court, but given the litigation route is long and difficult, Musk's businesses have plenty of time to benefit.
Trump has also vowed to pare back certain EV incentives of the Biden administration, but startups are likely to take a bigger hit than Tesla because of the automaker's heft in the market, analysts have said.
Source: Reuters
New AI Tool Uses Microorganisms to Track Recent Locations
Researchers have unveiled an innovative AI tool that can pinpoint recent locations by examining microorganisms collected from a person’s body. Published in Genome Biology and Evolution, the study shows that each environment hosts unique microbial communities, which act like "microscopic fingerprints" with distinct geographical signatures.
By analyzing these microbes, the tool can determine if someone has recently visited places like beaches, train stations, or parks.
Developed at Lund University in Sweden, this tool—unlike traditional GPS—relies on the Microbiome Geographic Population Structure (mGPS) model. It leverages AI to examine microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, which differ by location and leave clues about where a person has been.
According to researcher Eran Elhaik, “By tracing where your microorganisms have been, we can track disease spread, identify infection sources, and even aid criminal investigations.”
To train the AI, scientists gathered extensive microbiome data from diverse environments, including urban and soil samples across 18 countries and marine samples from nine water bodies.
Remarkably, the mGPS tool accurately identified the city source for 92% of urban samples. It even distinguished samples from two Hong Kong subway stations only 564 feet apart, though accuracy was lower in London, potentially due to the Underground’s less maintained stations.
This advancement opens doors to applications in medicine, epidemiology, and forensics, with accuracy expected to improve as more data is gathered.
NVIDIA and SoftBank Conduct World’s First AI-Powered 5G Network Test
NVIDIA and SoftBank have achieved a telecom milestone by conducting the first-ever test of a 5G network driven by AI technology. This pioneering network, built to support AI-powered radio access (AI-RAN), is designed to facilitate high-speed applications, including remote vehicle control and advanced robotics.
For this project, NVIDIA developed its Blackwell chip specifically for SoftBank, now powering AI supercomputers. SoftBank has launched the initial outdoor testing setup in Fujisawa City, Japan, where NVIDIA’s GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip allows a single server to manage baseband processing for 20 5G cells, each with 100 MHz bandwidth.
Using the 4.9 GHz frequency band, the test reached impressive speeds of up to 1.4 Gbps. This trial marks a significant step toward AI-optimized 5G networks, paving the way for faster, more intelligent telecommunications in the future.
