The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory was inaugurated by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary DAE & Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, at Hanle, Ladakh, on 4th October 2024. MACE is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia. Located at an altitude of ~4,300 m, it is also the highest of its kind in the world.
The telescope is indigenously built by BARC with support from ECIL and other Indian industry partners. The inaugural of MACE Observatory was a part of the Platinum Jubilee year celebrations of the DAE. The event commenced with the unveiling of commemorative plaques by Dr. Mohanty at the MACE site at Hanle, Ladakh, thereby officially inaugurating the MACE Observatory.
The MACE Observatory is a monumental achievement for India, placing our nation globally at the forefront of cosmic-ray research. This telescope will allow us to study high-energy gamma rays, paving the way for deeper understanding of the universe’s most energetic events.
Dr. Mohanty emphasised the significant role that MACE project plays not only in advancing scientific research but also in supporting the socio-economic development of Ladakh. Students were encouraged to explore careers in astronomy and astrophysics, with,he expressing hope that the MACE project would inspire future generations of Indian astronomers, scientists, and engineer
A special film on the MACE telescope was screened, showcasing the scientific and technological advancements made during the project. The day concluded with a guided tour of the MACE Observatory, giving attendees an exclusive look at the world-class observatory that establishes India on the global advanced astronomy map.
The inauguration of the MACE telescope marks a significant step forward for Indian astrophysics and cosmic-ray research. Situated at an altitude of ~4,300 m, the MACE telescope will observe high-energy gamma rays, contributing to global efforts to understand the most energetic phenomena in the universe, such as supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in physics has been awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks,” the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on October 8, 2024.
While many areas of research have used machine learning (ML) models and artificial neural networks (ANNs),
to process data, these terms have entered the household thanks to the explosion of chat AI apps, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
ANNs are collections of neurons, or more broadly nodes capable of processing data, connected to each other in specific ways. A connection between two neurons allows information to flow between them.
In a recurrent neural network, information can flow both ways.
Hopfield, a professor at Princeton University in the U.S., is credited with developing the Hopfield network, a type of recurrent neural network. Its neurons learn and process information based on Hebbian learning — an idea in neuropsychology that,
if one neuron repeatedly triggers a second, the connection between the two becomes stronger.
The rules of a Hopfield network are based on the physics of a group of atoms, each producing its small magnetic field. The processes the network performs to complete an incomplete pattern or to denoise an image are the same ones that, by analogy,
would reduce the total energy of the magnetic atoms.
Hinton, a professor at the University of Toronto, and his peers adapted another network called the Boltzmann machine to perform cognitive tasks, building on the principles of the Hopfield network among others.
He made a breakthrough in the 2000s by developing a learning algorithm for a modified ANN called a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM). A layer of neurons could be trained as an RBM and multiple layers could be stacked, creating the first ANNs capable of deep learning.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and the largest global development institution, is partnering with Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, to provide a $500 million loan to help develop a blue finance market and scale up financing of green projects in India.
This is IFC’s first blue investment in India and the first blue transaction by a financial institution in the country. Blue loans are financing instruments that raise and earmark funds for investments such as water and wastewater management, reduction of marine plastic pollution, restoration of marine ecosystems, sustainable shipping, eco-friendly tourism, and,
offshore renewable energy.
This transaction is also the largest green financing by IFC in the country. The funding will enable Axis Bank to expand its climate finance portfolio.
With India’s rapid urbanization and economic growth, there is a substantial opportunity to enhance water and energy efficiency.
The water and wastewater treatment market size was estimated at $1.6 billion as of 2022 and is expected to reach $3 billion by 2029. Additionally, the green buildings sector presents an investment opportunity of $1.4 trillion by 2030,driven by a need for sustainable infrastructure. Most of these investments need to come from the private sector to offset limited public fund.
Axis Bank is among the first banks in India to have a board-approved Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy for lending that adheres to IFC Performance Standards. The Bank remains committed to supporting India’s climate agenda with the public commitment of incremental financing of Rs 60,000 crores (approximately $7.2 billion)
in ESG-aligned sectors by 2030 (from August 2021), of which Rs 30,000 crores (approximately $3.1 billion) of incremental financing was achieved by March 2024.
As part of its advisory services, IFC will support Axis Bank in growing its green buildings portfolio, including for affordable housing projects and building capacity for impact reporting.
State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) said it proposes to sell its Oman operation to Bank Dhofar as part of rationalisation of a foreign operation.
The bank has accorded approval for accepting the offer for acquisition of the banking business of Bank's Oman territory operations by Bank Dhofar on a going concern basis, BoB said in a regulatory filing.
This is subject to approval from concerned regulatory authorities, it said.
The total business of BoB operation in the country was 113.35 million Omani Rial while the net worth stood at 25.54 million Omani Rial.
It is to be noted that the bank has been rationalising its foreign operations based on a comprehensive evaluation framework.
As part of this exercise, the wholesale branch in China was closed during 2020-21, and the entire stake in the wholly-owned overseas subsidiary at Trinidad and Tobago viz. Bank of Baroda (Trinidad and Tobago) Ltd was divested by way of sale to Ansa Merchant Bank Ltd.
As of March 31, 2024, the BoB's total business (net) from international branches was Rs 3,83,409 crore and constituted 16.02 per cent of the global business.
Total deposits were Rs 1,98,444 crore while net advances were Rs 1,84,965 crore.
Taking his government’s war against child marriage to a decisive phase, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma initiated the process of disbursing monthly financial assistance under the Nijut Moina scheme across the state. He presented cheques to girl students from Kamrup (M), Kamrup, and Morigaon districts at a function held in Khanapara.
Sarma launched the Nijut Moina scheme, a monthly financial assistance initiative, on August 8, 2024. The scheme aims to encourage girl students to pursue higher studies and combat child marriage. As part of the initiative, monthly financial assistance will be provided to girl students from HS to PG levels in government and government-aided educational institutions.
Financial support will be given for 10 months in an academic year.
A student in HS first year will be entitled to Rs. 10,000, which amounts to Rs. 1,000 every month for 10 months. A graduate-level student will receive Rs. 12,500, or Rs. 1,250 every month, while a PG-level student will be entitled to Rs. 25,000, which equals Rs. 2,500 every month for 10 months in a year.
Over the next three years, the state government aims to incorporate 10 lakh students under the scheme. An elaborate program has been organized in all Legislative Assembly Constituencies across the state to present cheques. Chief Minister Sarma distributed cheques to 24,384 eligible girl students from Kamrup (M), Kamrup, and Morigaon districts.
The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of the Home and Personal Care (HPC) division of Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL) by Patanjali Foods Limited (PFL). The proposed Combination involves the acquisition of PAL’s HPC business division (non-food business) by PFL.
PFL is engaged in the processing of oilseeds, refining of crude oil for edible use, production of oil meal, food products from soya, and value-added products from downstream and upstream processing. It is also engaged in the business of fast-moving consumer goods, and fast-moving health goods comprising mainly of food, biscuits, and nutraceutical products.
PAL is engaged in the business of manufacturing, trading, packing and labelling of ayurvedic medicines (by way of herbo mineral preparations, combining herbs and minerals); HPC items; dairy items bulk trading of rice, etc. Their offering includes a wide range of ayurvedic products, personal care items, and health supplements.
Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari launched the ‘Humsafar Policy’ in New Delhi to enhance convenience of travelling on National Highways and accelerate development of the Wayside Amenities in presence of Shri Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari said local marginal sections of the society will benefit from this initiative. He underscored that this scheme will help in facilitation of a smooth, safe, and pleasant journey for users. It will be environment friendly and has been prepared to keep the ecology and cleanliness in perspective.
He also said that water conservation, soil conservation, waste recycling, solar energy, etc have been kept in mind while formulating this policy. Nitin Gadkari asked the officials of the ministry to ensure quality service to the passengers through this policy. Several Green Highways of NHAI have been planned keeping several amenities in the perspectives.
The policy aims to provide a comprehensive framework to ensure that commuters have access to standardized, well-maintained, and hygienic facilities by onboarding both existing and upcoming service providers along National Highways and Expressways. Existing and upcoming service providers under the categories of Eateries, Fuel Station and Trauma Centres will be eligible,
to register under the Humsafar Policy. The policy aims to benefit all stakeholders. Registered service providers will benefit from waiver of fees for renewal for existing access permission and will be provided space on National Highways to put up signages of their establishment to increase visibility.
In addition, the service providers will be featured on NHAI ‘Rajmarg Yatra’, mobile app to boost their online visibility.
The ‘Humsafar’ policy will also benefit commuters by enabling access to standardized, well maintained and hygienic facilities. Commuters will be able to find details of relevant service providers near their location instantly on the ‘Rajmarg Yatra’ app.
The app will also empower commuters to report issues and rate the service provided and facilities. Registered service providers will be able to avail a waiver of renewal fees for access permissions, if they maintain an average rating of 3 or higher.
World Post Day, celebrated annually on October 9, highlights the significant role of the postal system in daily life, global communication, and economic development. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), established in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland, which paved the way for modern international mail exchange.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations.” The UPU was founded to streamline international mail services and create a unified postal system, making it easier for countries to exchange mail. World Post Day was declared at the UPU Congress in Tokyo in 1969 to emphasize the importance of postal services
Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd delivered survey vessel INS Nirdeshak to the Indian Navy, an official said. INS Nirdeshak is the second in a series of four such vessels being constructed by GRSE, with the first delivered to the Navy 10 months ago in December 2023.
These are the largest survey vessels for the Indian Navy to be built in the country, the GRSE official said.
At 110 metres long, INS Nirdeshak will join INS Sandhayak, the first Survey Vessel Large (SVL) delivered by GRSE, to keep the country's naval forces equipped with the latest survey data, which is essential for operations.
The Sandhayak-class SVLs can undertake surveys of maritime limits and collect oceanographic and geographical data for defence applications, which adds muscle to India's maritime capabilities, the GRSE official said.
"We are proud to deliver this ship 10 months after the first one in the series," GRSE chairman and managing director Cmde P R Hari (retd) said.
Cinema has always played a crucial role in shaping society, reflecting its values, and inspiring change. Over time, films and filmmaking have become more advanced. This remarkable journey of Indian cinema began in 1913 when the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, created the first indigenous film, Raja Harishchandra.
To honor this legacy and encourage the creation of high-quality storytelling, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confers the prestigious National Film Awards along with cinema's highest honor, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award each year. The 70th National Film Awards were conferred on 8 October 2024 by Hon. President Draupadi Murmu.
Winners Of National Film Awards 2022
Best Writing on Cinema Results
The Award for Best Book on Cinema has been given to "Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography," written by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar in English. The book was published by HarperCollins Publishers India Pvt. Ltd. Both authors received the Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 each.
The Award for Best Film Critic has been conferred upon Deepak Dua for his work in Hindi language. He received the prestigious Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000.
Feature Films - Results
The Award for Best Feature Film has been conferred upon Aattam (The Play) in Malayalam, produced by Joy Movie Productions LLP and directed by Anand Ekarshi.
Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award 2022.
Legendary actor Mr. Mithun Chakraborty was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2022. Mithun Chakraborty, also known as Mithun Da, is an iconic Indian actor, producer, and politician, recognized for his versatile roles and distinctive dancing style.
He earned the National Film Award for Best Actor in his very first film, "Mrigayaa" (1976). Mithun gained significant popularity in the 1980s with his role in "Disco Dancer" (1982), a film that became a major success both in India and internationally, establishing him as a dancing sensation.
Later, he won two more National Film Awards for his roles in Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998). Over his extensive career, Mithun has acted in more than 350 films across various Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri, and Telugu. He is known for his diverse performances, ranging from action to drama and comedy, and has won several awards.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved (i) acquisition of 42.99% of the total paid up share capital of JM Financial Credit Solutions Limited by JM Financial Limited, and (ii) acquisition of 71.79% of the total paid up share capital of JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Company Limited by JM Financial Credit Solutions Limited.
The Proposed Combination envisages two simultaneous acquisitions, i.e., (i) acquisition of 42.99% of the total paid-up share capital of JM Financial Credit Solutions Limited (JMFCSL) by JM Financial Limited (JMFL), and (ii) acquisition of 71.79% of the total paid-up share capital of JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (JMFARC) by JMFCSL.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for various development projects in Maharashtra worth over Rs 7600 crore via video conference. The projects include the foundation stone laying of the upgradation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur and the New Integrated Terminal Building at Shirdi Airport.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the upgradation of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur with a total estimated project cost of around Rs 7000 crore.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the New Integrated Terminal Building at Shirdi Airport worth over Rs 645 crore.
It will provide world-class facilities and amenities for the religious tourists coming to Shirdi. The construction theme of the proposed terminal is based on the spiritual neem tree of Sai Baba.
In line with his commitment to ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for all, the Prime Minister launched the operationalization of 10 Government Medical Colleges,
in Maharashtra located at Mumbai, Nashik, Jalna, Amravati, Gadchiroli, Buldhana, Washim, Bhandara, Hingoli and Ambernath (Thane). While enhancing the undergraduate and postgraduate seats, the colleges will also offer specialized tertiary healthcare to the people.
In line with his vision to position India as the ‘Skill Capital of the World’,
the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Mumbai, with an aim to create an industry-ready workforce with cutting-edge technology and hands-on training. Established under a Public-Private Partnership model, it is a collaboration between the Tata Education and Development Trust and Government of India.
Further, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) of Maharashtra. VSK will provide students, teachers, and administrators with access to crucial academic and administrative data through live chatbots such as Smart Upasthiti, Swadhyay among others. It will offer high-quality insights to schools to manage resources effectively, strengthen ties between,
parents and the state, and deliver responsive support. It will also supply curated instructional resources to enhance teaching practices and student learning.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. The project will be completed in two phases.
The Cabinet also accorded in-principle approval for Phase 1B and Phase 2, as per master plan by raising funds through voluntary resources/ contributions and,
and their execution after raising of the funds.
Construction of Light House Museum under Phase 1B will be funded by Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).
A separate society will be set up, for development of future phases, to be governed by a Governing Council headed by Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, under Societies Registration Act, 1860 for,
for implementation, and operation of NMHC at Lothal, Gujarat.
The phase 1A of the project is under implementation with more than 60% physical progress and is planned to be completed by 2025. Phases 1A and 1B of the project are to be developed in EPC mode and Phase 2 of project will be developed through land subleasing/ PPP to establish NMHC as world class heritage museum.
