Category Archives: Education

NATIONAL: SOCIAL JUSTICE / COMMUNICATION : Online Self-Learning Course in Indian Sign Language launched; 260 Signs for Financial Terms

This initiative is aimed at bridging communication gaps between deaf and hearing individuals working in the financial and banking sector.

An online self-learning course in Indian Sign Language and a dictionary containing 10,000 ISL terms were launched on the International Day of Sign Languages on Saturday.

Around 260 signs for financial terms were also launched on the occasion.

In a statement, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry said the primary objective of the online course is to facilitate the acquisition of basic communication skills in Indian Sign Language among a wide range of individuals, including parents of deaf children, siblings, educators, and anyone interested in gaining fundamental knowledge of ISL.

The course comprises 10 modules, covering 30 essential topics, to ensure that learners acquire a comprehensive understanding of basic ISL communication.

Furthermore, the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), in collaboration with Societe Generale and V-Shesh, introduced a significant initiative by launching 260 signs for financial terms in Indian Sign Language.

This initiative is aimed at bridging communication gaps between deaf and hearing individuals working in the financial and banking sector.

The development of these signs is expected to enhance employment opportunities for deaf job seekers in these sectors, the statement said.

To provide an extensive resource for those learning ISL, the ISLRTC also announced the launch of a comprehensive ISL dictionary containing 10,000 terms.

This online resource will serve as a valuable tool for individuals seeking to expand their vocabulary and fluency in Indian Sign Language.

In addition to these initiatives, the ISLRTC announced the launch of ISL courses specifically designed for special schools catering to the hearing-impaired population, further strengthening the educational support available for this community.

To enhance communication accessibility and promote inclusivity, a video relay service for the deaf community was introduced, allowing individuals to use WhatsApp video calls to communicate with remote sign language interpreters, the statement added.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: INDIAN MEDICAL EDUCATION RECOGNITION: Indian Medical Graduates can now Practise Abroad. Medical Colleges to become World Federation for Medical Education (WEME) Accredited.

All 706 existing medical colleges in India will become WFME-accredited. Medical colleges that will be set up over the next 10 years will also receive WFME accreditation.

Medical graduates from India will now be able to practise and pursue post-graduate studies abroad as the National Medical Commission, India’s top regulatory body for medical education and professionals, said it has received the coveted World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for 10 years.

“The National Medical Commission (NMC) has achieved the remarkable feat of being granted the coveted World Federation for Medical Education Recognition Status for a remarkable tenure of 10 years,” the Union health ministry said in a statement.

All 706 existing medical colleges in India will become WFME-accredited. Medical colleges that will be set up over the next 10 years will also receive WFME accreditation. Medical graduates from India can now practice or pursue post-graduation in countries like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the health ministry statement said. 

“With NMC being WFME accredited, all the Indian medical students will become eligible to apply for the Education Commission on Foreign Medical Education (ECFMG) and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The recognition will further enhance the quality and standards of medical education in India by aligning them with the global best practices and benchmarks,” the ministry said. It will also facilitate academic collaborations and exchange, the statement said.  

“WFME’s recognition underscores that the quality of medical education in India adheres to global standards. This accolade empowers our students with the opportunity to pursue their careers anywhere in the world,” Dr Yogender Malik, member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board and head of media at NMC, said.

The WFME is a global organisation dedicated to enhancing the quality of medical education worldwide. Its accreditation programme plays a pivotal role in ensuring that medical institutes meet and uphold the highest international standards of education and training.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: AMAZING INNOVATION IN AI: Indian engineering student builds AI model for real-time ASL sign language translation into English words

An Indian engineering student has developed an innovative AI model that can translate American Sign Language (ASL) into English words.

An Indian engineering student has developed an innovative AI model that can translate American Sign Language (ASL) into English words.

The model can recognize and translate six fundamental ASL signs like ‘Hello’, ‘I Love You’, ‘Thank You’, ‘Please’, ‘Yes’, and ‘No’.

The AI model, developed by Priyanjali Gupta, a student of Vellore Institute of Technology, was built using TensorFlow Object Detection API, utilizing transfer learning with the ssd_mobilenet model.

Gupta captured ASL gestures through a webcam that formed the basis for her AI model. In response to inquiries, Gupta acknowledged the complexity of building a dedicated deep learning model for sign detection. 

As part of a comment on a LinkedIn post, Gupta stated “You are absolutely right there’s a long long way to go to make a perfect model which can be implemented in real life. Hopefully this happens in our lifetime”.

Gupta’s AI model helps people communicate across barriers, providing a more accessible way to connect with the world. In her GitHub post, she has shared her project and code.

source/comments: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: 05 September – TEACHERS DAY / Exploring the Pinnacle of Education, the Greatest Teachers of all time.

Top Indian teachers: Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Savitribai Phule, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Chanakya, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda.

Teaching is one of the most noble professions. It is a career that not only helps a child gain knowledge about various subjects and domains but also helps a child recognise his strengths and weaknesses, helping him/her to become a better human being.

India has a deep-rooted history as far as the field of education is concerned and the contribution, talent and skills of our very own educationalists, teachers and lecturers have been acknowledged globally. Here are the top teachers of all the time.

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Each year, on September 5th, India observes Teachers’ Day in honour of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the country’s inaugural Vice-President and its second President. Dr. Radhakrishnan was a renowned scholar and was bestowed with the prestigious Bharat Ratna award. This date holds significance as it commemorates his birthday.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was an ace student and received various scholarships throughout his life. He studied philosophy at the Christian College, Madras.

After Dr. Radhakrishnan completed his degree, he became a Professor of Philosophy at Madras Presidency College and then subsequently a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore.

He served as the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936. In 1936, he was named Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford and was also elected a Fellow of All Souls College.

Savitribai Phule

The first female teacher at India’s inaugural women’s school, she is also acclaimed as the pioneer of contemporary Marathi poetry. In an era when women’s capabilities were often undervalued, she passionately advocated for the empowerment and education of women throughout the nation. Collaborating with her husband, she established a school specifically for girls belonging to the untouchable caste.

Despite facing ridicule and even physical attacks by orthodox upper-caste individuals who opposed her efforts, she remained steadfast in her commitment to education. Her dedication eventually garnered recognition from the British government, which honoured her for her exceptional contributions to the field of education.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

A P J Abdul Kalam, the ‘missile man’ who came to be known as ‘People’s President’, a distinguished scientist and the 11th President of India, he fervently championed education as the foremost catalyst for individual development. His conviction lay in the notion that education should not solely revolve around acquiring academic qualifications but should also encompass the enhancement of personal skills and capabilities, which play a pivotal role in shaping one’s career and life.

In addition to his presidential duties, he served as a guest lecturer at esteemed institutions such as IIM Shillong, Ahmedabad, and Indore. He also held the honorary status of a fellow at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.

 Moreover, he shared his expertise by teaching Information Technology at IIIT Hyderabad and technology at both Banaras Hindu University and Anna University.

Chanakya

Renowned by the alias Kautilya, this distinguished figure stands as India’s earliest celebrated scholar. His academic journey began as a professor of political science and economics at Takshila University, situated in the region that is now part of Pakistan. Subsequently, he continued to impart knowledge as a teacher at the same prestigious institution.

He is best known for his authorship of two influential texts: “Arthashastra” and “Neetishastra.”

Swami Dayanand Saraswati

The founder of the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement rooted in the Vedic tradition, was a renowned scholar deeply versed in the Vedic scriptures and Sanskrit language. His efforts were dedicated to advocating for gender equality, including women’s rights to education and access to Indian scriptures. His commentary on the Vedas, presented in both Vedic Sanskrit and Hindi, remains highly acclaimed.

Swami Vivekananda

The individual responsible for establishing the ‘Ramakrishna Mission,’ an organization that united monks and laypeople in the dissemination of Practical Vedanta and diverse forms of social service, was a visionary leader. His teachings and philosophical outlook applied this reimagined interpretation to numerous facets of education, faith, character development, and pertinent social matters in India.

He was also an advocate for the Gurukula system, which emphasized the integration of educational institutions and the home environment. In this system, teachers and students coexist in close and harmonious relationships, fostering holistic learning and growth.

source/content: hindustantimes.com(headline edited)

NATIONAL: LANGUAGE: 31 August -World Sanskrit Diwas 2023: Know the date, history, significance and more

Sanskrit is thought to be around 3500 years old, making it part of the ancient Indo-Germanic or Indo-Aryan language family.

Sanskrit Diwas, also known as Vishwa Samskrita Dinam, is celebrated annually on the full moon of Shravana. The 31st of August is Sanskrit Diwas this year. This annual event honours Sanskrit, one of the world’s oldest living languages and a cultural treasure in India.

Sanskrit, sometimes called the “Mother of All Languages,” is an important part of human history and culture. The traditional works in several disciplines, including Literature, Philosophy, Mathematics, and Science, were originally written in Sanskrit, giving the language immense importance.

History

The Government of India’s Ministry of Education proclaimed the World Sanskrit Day. In 1969, on the day of Shraavana Poornima, people began commemorating this special day. Sanskrit is thought to be around 3500 years old, making it part of the ancient Indo-Germanic or Indo-Aryan language family. It is the source of the Latin and Greek languages and has the most extensive vocabulary. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, not only in India, consider it to be their native tongue.

Sanskrit has influenced Europe as much as the Indian subcontinent. Sir William Jones, an English scholar who admired Indic languages, travelled to India in 1783 and started researching the language. This makes Sanskrit one of the oldest languages throughout the globe.

Sanskrit linguist Panini developed the Ashtadhyayi, the eight-chapter grammar manual. He led the world in spoken Sanskrit. India honours Panini on World Sanskrit Day. This day sees several Kavi Sammelan activities for authors and students throughout and beyond.

Significance

The historic event in India honours Sanskrit’s rich cultural history and scientific accomplishments. It tries to expand the language beyond Vedas and other Hindu religious texts. World Sanskrit Day promotes this ancient form of communication. Sanskrit Diwas is celebrated to bring attention to and revitalise the ancient language for the modern world.

The Europeans also gave the day its importance in the language. William Jones established the Asian Society and created the English translation of works including Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntala, Ritu Samhara, and Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda.

In addition, harmony and acceptance are honoured on this special day. Sanskrit is a powerful tool for unity and connecting individuals across the globe.

Sanskrit is fading in India despite its significance in history. The language existed from 1500 to 500 BCE, although it is now lost. Therefore, Sanskrit Diwas was created to restore the language.

source/content: newsroompost.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / HEALTH & MEDICAL/ RESEARCH: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ( IIT) Roorkee, Pioneers unveil Innovative Catalyst to Alleviate Environmental Impact of Antibiotics

‘This increased usage of antimicrobials and their accumulation in the environment has exacerbated the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among microbes.

In a significant breakthrough, scientists at IIT Roorkee have unveiled an innovative catalyst designed to tackle the burgeoning concern of antibiotic pollution in the environment.

This pioneering strategy aims to effectively detect, mitigate, and disintegrate prevalent antibiotics such as tetracycline and erythromycin that pervade aquatic ecosystems, the researchers said.

The team noted that recurrent waves of the COVID-19 virus and its variants have resulted in a huge increase in the use of antimicrobials to control infections. These antibiotics and other antimicrobials end up accumulating in the water bodies.

This increased usage of antimicrobials and their accumulation in the environment has exacerbated the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among microbes, they said.

Addressing this crucial concern, the team led by Naveen Kumar Navani from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, devised a simple but effective strategy by merging nanotechnology and biology.

The innovative strategy addresses three major events in the process —detection of antibiotics using biosensors, removal of antibiotics and related xenobiotics using a carbon nanotubes-based magnetic system, and degradation of antibiotics using a catalytic process within 3-4 hours.

The research, published in the Chemical Engineering Journal, tackles the challenge of identifying, minimising, and breaking down two of the most commonly used antibiotics, i.e. tetracycline and erythromycin, in aquatic environments.

The team used carbon-based nanotubes and modified them to be magnetic in nature for easy extraction. Carbonaceous surfaces provide amazing sticking sites for antibiotics, which can be removed or degraded further.

They genetically engineered bacteria for biosensing these particular antibiotics in such a manner that the biosensor bacteria start to glow in the presence of antibiotics.

The team found that these bacteria are really good at their job, detecting even trace amounts of these particular antibiotics.

Followed by detection, these antibiotics can be broken down by a simple strategy, which triggers a specialised free radical-based chemical reaction, according to the researchers.

This special chemical reaction was like a key that unlocked the potential of the modified carbon nanotubes and facilitated the degradation of more than 93 per cent of the antibiotics within a time frame of 3-4 hours, they said.

The researchers found that the strategy’s versatility extends beyond antibiotics. It proved effective in addressing a spectrum of hazardous compounds, encompassing dyes, pharmaceutical chemicals, and other antibiotics, that may be present within the water bodies.

The research was funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). In addition to Navani, the team comprises Shubham Jain, Ankita Bhatt, Shahnawaz Baba, Pinakshi Biswas, Kiran Ambatipudi, and Vinod Bisht, all from IIT Roorkee.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com / PTI (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: GLOBAL NETWORK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT: CBI Academy joins Interpol Global Academy Network

The network supports academic collaboration among law enforcement training institutions across the world.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Academy on Tuesday joined the Interpol Global Academy Network at a virtual event. The network supports academic collaboration among law enforcement training institutions across the world.

The event was organised by the agency and the Singapore-based Interpol Global Complex for Innovation. The Letter of Acceptance was signed by Mohit Gupta, Deputy Inspector-General (Training), CBI Academy, and his counterpart at Interpol, Glenn Martindale, Director (capacity building & training directorate).

The signing ceremony was held subsequent to the negotiations with Interpol in consultation with the Ministries of Home and External Affairs and the Department of Personnel and Training.

The CBI Academy had become the 10th member of Interpol Global Academy Network. According to the agency, over the years, it has emerged as a major police institution of the country and South Asia.

Since 2005, it has imparted training to over 50,000 police officers, including around 1,432 foreign nationals from SAARC nations, Africa, South East Asia, Central Asia and West-Asia.

Several programmes have been conducted in collaboration with foreign agencies such as U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, French Embassy, National Cyber Crime Unit and National Crime Agency (United Kingdom), Interpol and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Canada), the CBI said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: RIVERS OF INDIA / SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: IIT(ISM) in Dhanbad develops ‘Online Real-Time River Health Monitoring System’

Based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, IRHIS is the result of a joint effort by departments of environmental science and engineering at the IIT(ISM).

The IIT(ISM) in Dhanbad has developed an online real-time river health monitoring system called the Integrated River Health Investigation System (IRHIS) that can send early signals on flooding and pollution.

Based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, IRHIS is the result of a joint effort by the departments of environmental science and engineering at the IIT(ISM).

“The system developed by faculty member S.K. Gupta in association with his research scholar Sujoy Gupta in 2021-23 is inbuilt with safety alarms and video cameras to facilitate early signals to the decision makers against flooding, theft, and critical pollution locations,” said IIT(ISM) dean (media and branding) Rajni Singh.

Singh said the system was demonstrated last week during a mega exhibition of the Union ministry of education held on the occasion of the third anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the second edition of the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam in New Delhi.

“The event was held from July 29-30 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi and only deep-tech and high-impact innovations were selected for demonstration,” Singh added.

“IRHIS is one of the most advanced AI and IoT-based online real-time river health monitoring systems developed to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-6) keeping in view its vital application in the Namami Gange mission,” Gupta said.

He said IRHIS, which is equipped with advanced sensors, can help in real-time monitoring of the discharge of any toxic material in the river.

“The patent for the system has already been published,” Gupta added.

On the selection of his system for demonstration at the exhibition, Gupta said: “The education ministry’s innovation cell and the All India Council for Technical Education selected 150 Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL-7) or above early-stage startups, edutech growth stage startups, innovations and institutions to demonstrate their contributions towards achieving the overall goal as envisioned under NEP 2020.”

“The collaboration with the Telecom startups-MSMEs Mission, SRI, DoT and the ministry of communications is in progress for its implementation in rural development, river monitoring and industrial surveillance,” Gupta added.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: EDUCATION: Government launches ‘Study in India’ Portal to attract Foreign Students

Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar jointly launched the portal in Delhi on Thursday, in the presence of ambassadors of over 10 countries.

The government on Thursday launched the Study In India (SII) portal to offer a one-stop solution for student registrations and visa applications, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of establishing India as a global education hub. Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar jointly launched the portal in Delhi on Thursday, in the presence of ambassadors of over 10 countries.

While addressing the gathering, Jaishankar said that the portal would help the country establish a strong international footprint in the education sphere. “The integrated approach of the portal enables user-friendly application processes for international students from registration to visa approval. This simplifies their entire journey, facilitating the choice of desired courses and receiving offers from relevant institutions,” he said.

Pradhan said that the portal is guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. “With PM Modi’s vision of making education transcend geopolitical boundaries, the SII portal is going to be a pivotal step,” he said.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HISTORY: New Book Launched: ‘Indians: Histories of a Civilization’. Root of the matter.

Launched by Ramachandra Guha, this book offers a peek into the Indian subcontinent’s history over the last 12,000 years.

Indian culture today is so varied, it needs to be called cultures. The roots go back to ancient times and it has developed through many races and people. Hence, among its ingredients, it is impossible to say surely, what is native and what is alien, what is borrowed out of love and what has been imposed by force.

If we view Indian culture thus, we realise there is no place for showmen,” said renowned author and historian Ramachandra Guha, quoting polymath and Jnanpith awardee Kota Shivaram Karanth.

Speaking of the book Indians: Histories of a Civilization, during its launch at the Bangalore International Centre in Domlur on July 18, Guha felt the spirit of Karanth’s perspective “hangs over the book”.

A brainchild of author and literary critic, GN Devy, Indians: Histories of a Civilization is a comprehensive volume that collates the many histories of the Indian subcontinent over the past 12,000 years. Jointly edited by Devy, journalist Tony Joseph and archaeologist & adjunct professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Ravi Korisettar, the book is a culmination of inputs by over 90 historians globally. 

“What was worrying in recent years is that a few autonomous institutions such as the Indian Council of Historical Research and a committee constituted by the Ministry of Culture, GOI had initiated steps to ‘rewrite’ Indian history…History expects a conversation about a society’s past while keeping a safe distance from fantasy and wishful nostalgia. The main objective should be to provide justice to society at large. With these objectives in mind, we embarked on this project,” said Prof. Korisettar, about the book’s ideation. 

According to Guha, the book’s generational, disciplinary and international range is unprecedented, at least in the sphere of Indian publishing. “What is truly impressive about this work is the range of themes and contributors. It explores wide-sweeping disciplinary themes, from biology, ecology, language, culture, and sociology. The contributors are of different generations and from different parts of the world, but all are acknowledged specialists in their respective fields,” he added.

While Indians: Histories of a Civilization explores a wide range of themes through its diverse contributors, Prof Korisettar says the chapters of the book are merely a synopsis and hopes to expand on each theme in the future. “We plan to obtain full-length articles, spanning 50-60 pages each and publish them into a series of 30-40 expanded volumes. Our aim is to work consistently over the next decade, closely adhering to the scientific method and with judicious use of recent data and finding, so that we may produce the magnum opus,” he added. 

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)