Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala Inaugurates Advanced Cybersecurity Operations Centre (SOC)

by Latest UpdatesTechnology

Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala Inaugurates Advanced Cybersecurity Operations Centre (SOC) of Kerala Police developed by C-DOT to safeguard Police Systems & Critical Infrastructure through video conferencing.

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has designed and developed TRINETRA a cyber security operation centre for Kerala police.

C-DOT’s TRINETRA solution is an AI-powered, indigenous, integrated cybersecurity platform, tailored to meet the cyber security defence of enterprises and critical sectors. It facilitates the establishment of a comprehensive SOC within an enterprise to monitor endpoints, network traffic, and user behaviour, while proactively identifying vulnerabilities, detecting anomalies, and mitigating cyber

The SOC will focus on securing computers and critical infrastructure at the police headquarters, city commissionerates, and affiliated police stations. This 24×7 SOC will play a crucial role in cyber threat monitoring, identifying vulnerabilities, and ensuring robust data protection. This initiative marks a major leap in safeguarding digital infrastructure of Kerala Police and enhancing cybersecurity resilience.

The offline inaugural function was attended over by Kadakampally Surendran Hon MLA , Dr. Pankaj Kumar Dalela, Executive Vice President C-DOT, Councilor Sridevi. A, Technopark CEO, Sanjeev Nair, G. Tech Secretary Sreekumar. V, Cyber Operation SP Ankit Ashokan, DySP Arunkumar. S, and Cyber Dome Inspector Krishnan Potty KG.

Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT, expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to Shri Pinarayi Vijayan Ji Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, for motivating and inspiring C-DOT scientists. Dr Upadhyay also assured that C-DOT remains committed towards providing support for development and scalability of Indigenous telecom technologies

 

DRI busts major gold smuggling racket with seizure of 14.2 kg foreign-origin gold worth Rs. 12.56 crore and other assets worth Rs. 4.73 crore

by Banking & FinanceLatest Updates

In a significant operation against gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), successfully intercepted a passenger carrying foreign-origin gold bars valued at Rs. 12.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted an Indian lady passenger aged around 33 years, who had arrived from Dubai to Bengaluru via Emirates flight on March 3, 2025. Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on person. The contraband, valued at Rs. 12.56 Crore was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Following the interception, DRI officers conducted a search at her residential premises located at Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she resides with her husband. The search resulted in the seizure of gold jewelry worth Rs. 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs. 2.67 crore. The lady passenger has been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and remanded to judicial custody.

The total seizure in the case stands at Rs. 17.29 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks. The haul of 14.2 kg is one of the biggest seizures of gold at Bengaluru International airport in recent times.

Defence Tejas

DRDO conducts high-altitude trials of Indigenous Integrated Life Support System for LCA Tejas

by Latest UpdatesTechnology

The Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), a Bengaluru-based lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully conducted high-altitude trials of the Indigenous On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)-based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft.

The OBOGS-based ILSS is a cutting-edge system designed to generate and regulate breathable oxygen for pilots during flight, eliminating dependence on traditional liquid oxygen cylinder-based systems. The ILSS underwent rigorous testing on the LCA-Prototype Vehicle-3 aircraft of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)/ Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), meeting stringent aeromedical standards in varied flight conditions, including altitudes of up to 50,000 feet Above Mean Sea Level and high-G maneuvers.

Performance evaluations covered critical aspects such as oxygen concentration, demand breathing, availability of 100% oxygen, aerobatic maneuvers at required altitudes for full functional testing of Anti – G Valve, Breathing Oxygen System (BOS) ON during taxying, Take off, Cruise, G turns and rejoin approach & landing. Following flight clearance from Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), the system successfully met all specified parameters. Beyond OBOGS, the ILSS integrates 10 Line Replaceable Units, including the Low-Pressure Breathing Regulator, BOS, Emergency Oxygen System, Oxygen Sensor, Anti-G valve, and other advanced components. This would ensure real-time oxygen generation, enhancing pilot endurance and operational effectiveness.

The system has been manufactured by L&T as a Development cum Production Partner, reflecting a significant collaboration between DRDO and Indian defence industries. Notably, the ILSS has 90% indigenous content, furthering India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology. With appropriate modifications, the system can also be adapted for use in MiG-29K and other aircraft. This milestone has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of DEBEL, ADA, HAL, CEMILAC, National Flight Test Center, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance, and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, IAF, Public Sector Undertakings, and industry partners on this remarkable achievement, emphasising that this development reinforces India’s commitment to cutting-edge defence technologies and aligns with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also lauded the DRDO team, the IAF, and industry partners for their contributions towards the successful high-altitude trial of the Indigenous ILSS for LCA Tejas

Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M.Scindia Showcases India’s Telecom Transformation at MWC 2025

by Latest UpdatesTechnology

Minister for Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia visited the prestigious Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, engaging in top level meetings with CEOs, addressed key sessions and witnessed major tech innovations in one of the world’s largest gatherings for the mobile and telecommunications industry.

This visit showcased India’s telecom transformation at Mobile World Congress 2025, with Bharat’s rapid 5G rollout, world’s lowest data tariffs, indigenous 4G/5G stacks & robust cybersecurity measures highlighted in the prestigious event.Participation in MWC 25 underscores the global standing of India’s telecom revolution and reflects India’s commitment to tech governance.

The Minister addressed key sessions on ‘Global Tech Governance: Rising to the Challenge’ and Balancing Innovation & Regulation: Global Perspectives on Telecom Policy’ at the event.

He said that “Innovation, Inclusivity, Sustainability & Trust forms the core of India’s guiding principles towards tech governance”and highlighted the success of Aadhaar, BharatNet in serving every citizen of the country.

The Minister also spoke about the four steps ofIndia’s efforts towards balancing innovation with regulation such as spectrum management; ensuring market stability; introducing telecom regulation to ease up various processes; and bringing cybersecurity measures for consumer protection.

During the MWC 2025 visit, Shri Scindia unveiled the curtains of India Mobile Congress 2025 and inaugurated Bharat Pavilion organized by the Telecom Equipment & Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) with the support of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, featured 38 Indian telecom equipment manufacturers showcasing their state-of-the-art products, both hardware and software.

The Minister also inaugurated VVDN’s indigenously designed & manufactured AI based Wi-Fi-7 during his visit to Bharat Pavillion. He also visited other booths such as Meta and Google Cloud, catching a glimpse of their various technological solutions.

As part of the visit, the Minister interacted with top industry leaders from Qualcomm, Cisco, Mavenir, Ericsson, Nokia, AMD, AT&T, Airtel, BSNL, CDOT, TEPC, during dinner with CEOs, enabling strategic partnerships and innovation in Telecom.

The event also featured bilateral meetings with FCC,along with booth visits to Companies exploring cutting-edge developments in 5G, artificial intelligence, and next-generation mobile technologies.

The Minister’s participation in MWC 2025 highlights India’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for enhancing digital infrastructure. This engagement also reflects India’s strategic focus on strengthening international partnerships, driving investments in the telecommunications sector, and shaping global policies to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth. Through active dialogue and collaboration, India aims to play a key role in shaping the future of global connectivity and technological advancements.

About Mobile World Congress 2025

MWC 2025, themed “Converge. Connect. Create.”, is taking place from March 3–6 in Barcelona, bringing together 101,000+ attendees, 2,700+ exhibitors, and leaders from 200+ countries to showcase the latest in 5G, AI, IoT, and digital transformation. With 1,200+ speakers, including top executives and policymakers, key themes include 5G Inside, AI+, Connect X, Enterprise Re-invented, Game Changers and Digital DNA.. MWC 2025 is the world’s leading platform for mobile innovation, networking, and future connectivity.

Gene Bank to be established to ensure food security and genetic resources for future generations: Shri Narendra Modi

by Latest UpdatesTechnology

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, during a post-budget webinar held via video conferencing today, has announced that a Gene Bank will be established to conserve the country’s genetic resources. This initiative aims to ensure genetic resources and food security for future generations.

The webinar fosters collaboration among government, industry, academia, and citizens encouraging discussions to help translate the transformative Budget announcements towards the same into effective outcomes. With a key focus on empowering citizens, strengthening the economy, and fostering innovation, the deliberations will aim at paving the way for sustainable and inclusive growth; leadership in technology and other sectors; and a skilled, healthy workforce working towards realising the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The key themes of the webinar include Investing in People, the Economy, and Innovation

A gene bank is a repository of genetic material, such as seeds, pollen or tissue samples, collected from different plant species in order to protect them from potential extinction and preserve vital varieties for future generations.

India’s first gene bank was set up in 1996 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in New Delhi. This bank is comprised of 12 regional stations across the country for collection and storage of vital crop germplasms. These germplasms are the genetic constituents of plants or animals that is used in research, conservation and crop breeding.

As on January 15, 2025, the bank currently stores 0.47 million accessions (plant material stored and used for breeding) — according to the database maintained by ICAR-NBPGR. These include cereals (0.17 million accessions), millets (more than 60,600 accessions), legumes (over 69,200 accessions), oilseeds (more than 63,500 accessions) and vegetables (nearly 30,000 accessions).

The Ministry of Finance has announced the establishment of a second National GenBank in the 2025-26 budget to safeguard India’s agricultural biodiversity. This facility will house 10 lakh (1 million) germplasm lines, offering critical conservation support for both public and private sectors involved in genetic resource management.

India is recognized as a biodiversity-rich country with a wide variety of cultivated crop species and their wild relatives. With over 811 cultivated crop species and 902 crop wild relatives, the nation plays a pivotal role in preserving plant genetic resources (PGR), which are essential for agricultural resilience, food security, and combating the challenges posed by climate change. The existing National GenBank, led by ICAR-NBPGR, conserves over 4.7 lakh accessions and supports the global effort of PGR conservation through partnerships and distributions to researchers, breeders, and scientists.

The establishment of the second GenBank will strengthen India’s position as a leader in global biodiversity conservation. This new facility will not only safeguard India’s invaluable plant genetic resources but also support international biodiversity initiatives, especially for countries in SAARC and BRICS regions, offering conservation assistance to those lacking well-established PGR networks.

With growing threats like climate change, natural disasters, and geopolitical challenges that jeopardize the security of genetic diversity worldwide, the creation of the safety duplicate GenBank is vital. This redundancy structure will provide a fail-safe for India’s irreplaceable germplasm, ensuring long-term sustainability and global food security.

This initiative reflects India’s commitment to preserving agricultural biodiversity, securing the future of food, and supporting sustainable farming systems both domestically and internationally.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal emphasises mutual funds industry’s role in India’s growth at AMFI Summit 2025

by Banking & FinanceEconomyLatest Updates

The mutual funds industry has played a pivotal role in India’s growth story by encouraging financial literacy and taking innovative financial ideas to the industry and the investors. This was stated by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal during his address as a Chief Guest at the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) Mutual Fund Summit 2025 today in Mumbai.

The Minister further complimented the domestic investors for filling the gap created by the foreign institutional investors (FIIs) post-Covid. “Collective investment methods like SIPs along with domestic investors supported the market. They helped in spreading financial awareness and financial products to every part of the country, he said.

Highlighting the importance of safeguarding the importance of small investors and other key stakeholders, Shri Goyal urged the industry leaders to reflect on ways to minimise volatility in the stock market. Large fund inflows, compulsions of the market to deploy capital, fear among investors on missing out on attractive stocks brought crises among investors during rightsizing. There has been a lot of misinformation flow about the unending ability of the market to go on a one-way street, he noted, and described the unpredictability of the stock market as a wakeup call for the industry and its small investors.

AMFI should also become conscious of its duties by isolating misguided investors from the rest. Companies with mettle have maintained reasonable prices at the stock market during recent turbulence, he noted. He said that duties and responsibilities of the industry towards the market are larger than the profitable returns investors enjoy in the short term. He also added that government spending and private capex are showing signs of comeback.

Elaborating on the responsibilities of the mutual funds industry towards its investors, the Minister urged the participants to be more diligent in cautioning investors from taking risks. He hoped that initiatives as such will spur India’s growth story for the next 22 years. Shri Goyal urged the industry to support and handhold investors, look at financial inclusion as a collective responsibility and take up financial education as its duty.

Shri Goyal asserted that assets under management (AUM) in the mutual funds industry at nearly Rs 70 lakh crore and soon to be Rs 100 lakh crore will dominate the market and domestic investors will determine India’s future not the foreign institutional investors. He also highlighted the need for the industry as wealth creators to have a fair and organised market.

Birth Defects Claim About 300 Children Under Five Daily In South-East Asia: WHO

by Health and CommunityLatest Updates

Birth defects claim about 300 children under five daily in South-East Asia: WHO
Birth defects claim the lives of approximately 300 children under the age of five every day in the South-East Asia region, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Saturday, ahead of World Birth Defects Day.

Observed annually on March 3, World Birth Defects Day aims to raise awareness about prevention programs and improve the quality of care and services for individuals with congenital anomalies, disorders, or conditions.

“Over the past two decades, the contribution of birth defects to under-five mortality in our region has increased from 3.9 percent to 11.5 percent,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, in a statement.

“Birth defects are now the third leading cause of death (11 percent) among children under five in our region—affecting approximately 300 children daily. Additionally, they cause severe morbidity, which is often overlooked or underreported,” she added.

The global health body has urged countries to raise awareness about birth defects and strengthen health systems to address the specific health, developmental, and psychosocial needs of affected individuals. This effort must be complemented by actions to prevent, detect, and manage congenital anomalies, Wazed emphasized.

Birth defects have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life and place a considerable burden on families, communities, society, and healthcare systems.

Wazed noted that while genetics play a major role, many birth defects are preventable through health system interventions.

“Rubella vaccination, early identification and management of sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy, and addressing environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants, lifestyle choices, and socioeconomic conditions that affect pregnant women and fetuses are some key preventive measures,” she said.

Furthermore, Wazed called on countries to “reaffirm investment in women, girls, adolescents, and vulnerable populations.”

In addition to prioritizing birth defects, she stressed the need to enhance the health system’s capacity for early detection and management by introducing and scaling up newborn screening tests for birth defects and other conditions.

“Countries need to invest in establishing or strengthening birth defect surveillance systems, with a particular focus on improving the availability, analysis, and utilization of relevant data for programmatic decision-making,” the Regional Director added.

C-DAC’s HIMASHIELD 2024 grand challenge concludes on national science day at Thiruvananthapuram, showcasing India’s climate mitigation efforts

by Latest UpdatesTechnology

The HIMASHIELD 2024 Grand Challenge, organized by (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology research initiatives, successfully concluded on National Science Day in Thiruvananthapuram. Aimed at fostering innovation in Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) mitigation, the challenge provided a platform for young researchers and innovators to develop indigenous, sustainable solutions to tackle this critical environmental challenge.

This nationwide grand challenge was launched on August 24, 2024 by Shri. S Krishnan IAS, Secretary, MeitY. The initial round of Himashield witnessed the participation of 151 teams. Thirty teams advanced to the next round. A total of seven teams participated in the final round.

The details of the winners are given below:

Winner (Rs 5 lakhs, Trophy & Certificates): GlofsenseTeam consist of Venkatesh R, Naveen Krishnaa S and Nithish T from Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu.

First Runners up (Rs 3 lakhs, Trophy & Certificates): CryoWizardsTeam consist of Sourabh Anand(Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology,Dehradun) and Sunil Mahato, Sudip Banerjee, Nikita Roy Mukherjee(Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra)

Second Runners up (Rs 2 lakhs, Trophy & Certificates): CryoSenseTeam consist of Dr.Ashim Sattar, Dr.Sudipta Saha, Dr.Debajyoti Biswas, Abhinav A, Kattamuri Mohan Krishna, Kartick Cherukuri (IIT Bhuvaneswar)

Distinguished Experts and Officials Preside Over Award Ceremony

The award ceremony was presided over by Ms. Sunita Verma, Scientist G & Group Coordinator, R&D, MeitY. Dr. Kalai Selvan A, Director, C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram, Shri. Arvind Kumar, CCA, MeitY. For awareness creation for the community and to embark Science-day technical talks were offered by Dr. D. D. Ray, Former Outstanding Scientist-H, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Shri D. G. Shreshta, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Sikkim and Dr. Manoj Khare, Scientist-G & Group Head, High-Performance Computing – Earth Science Engineering and Geospatial Applications Group, C-DAC Pune.

About HIMASHIELD 2024 grand challenge

HIMASHIELD 2024 is a grand challenge dedicated to tackling the growing threat of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) caused by climate change-induced glacier melting. Organized to foster innovation, the challenge provides a platform for researchers, engineers, and innovators to develop cutting-edge solutions for monitoring and managing glacier lakes, designing early warning systems, and implementing effective engineering measures to mitigate flood risks. The goal is to create practical, scalable, and indigenous solutions that can safeguard vulnerable communities, protect critical infrastructure, and enhance disaster resilience. Through this challenge participants are invited to register their teams through the official HIMASHIELD website and submit proposals detailing their innovative systems, capabilities, and societal impact. Entries are evaluated based on innovation, technical feasibility, and real-world applicability. HIMASHIELD 2024 is an opportunity for visionary thinkers to push the boundaries of climate resilience and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chairs high-level review meeting on the security situation of Manipur in New Delhi

by Health and CommunityLatest Updates

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired a high-level review meeting on the security situation of Manipur in New Delhi today.

The meeting was attended by the Governor of Manipur, Union Home Secretary, Director, Intelligence Bureau, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Army Commander of the Eastern Command, Directors General of Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Assam Rifles, Security Advisor, Manipur and senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Army and Manipur administration.

During the meeting, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, remains fully committed to restoring lasting peace in Manipur and is providing all necessary assistance in this regard.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah directed that free movement to be ensured for people on all roads in Manipur from March 8, 2025. He also directed that strict action should be taken against anyone attempting to create obstructions.

Shri Amit Shah directed that the fencing work on both sides of the designated entry points along Manipur’s international border should be completed at the earliest. He said that to make Manipur drug-free, the entire network involved in the drug trade should be dismantled.

NCL Turns Homemakers to First-responders: Over 8,000 Homemakers to Turn into First Aiders by June 2025

by EconomyLatest Updates

In a landmark initiative, Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited known for its highly mechanized mines and critical role in ensuring the Nation’s energy security, has launched the ‘First Aid Training Program for Homemakers’ on a large scale. By extending awareness about first aid beyond the workplace and into the homes of its workforce, NCL is fostering a primary-care-conscious community and reinforcing a culture of preparedness. This initiative aims to cover 8,000 homemakers of NCL Family by June 2025.

Launched on 26th January 2025, the First Aid Training Program for Homemakers, in just one month, has successfully trained about 1,500 homemakers in different sessions held at all Projects. The turning of NCL’s Homemakers into First-Aid bolsters the welfare and wellness of their families and, at the same time reduces the burden on medicos.

Since Housewives are often the first responders to medical emergencies at home, the training program is designed to give them the knowledge and confidence to act promptly and effectively in critical situations. The program emphasizes practical skills and awareness, ensuring participants can apply first aid measures in real-life scenarios.

One of the largest community first-aid drives ever undertaken, this initiative holds particular significance in the coal mining region where healthcare and well-being are of paramount importance.

The program aims to train housewives with practical knowledge to manage common medical situations, including burns, cuts, choking, poisoning, minor injuries, heat-related ailments, and even cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Conducted by NCL’s in-house medical professionals, the training enhances the confidence and competence of participants, enabling them to provide timely medical care.

NCL’s commitment to community welfare and women-led development is evident through this large-scale initiative. By empowering homemakers, NCL is not only addressing a critical first assistance need but also championing women’s empowerment in Singrauli region.