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Human activities and their urban expansion are increasingly intruding upon wildlife habitats. This has forced animals into dangerous proximity with human infrastructure, resulting in a tragic surge of accidental deaths among animal populations. The situation is no different in Tamil Nadu, which has been grappling with the issue of <keyword id="21240191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elephant-deaths" source="keywords">elephant deaths</keyword> on and near its railway tracks. The southern state has recorded at least 36 fatalities from train collisions over the past decade. In response to this pressing issue, the state's high court mandated collaborative efforts between the forest department and railways to curb these incidents. To address this issue, Tamil Nadu has now sought help from the phenomenon that promises to change the world as we know it: <keyword id="19904566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="keywords">artificial intelligence</keyword> (<keyword id="6355999" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="AI" source="Orion">AI</keyword>). Installing 12 towers equipped with advanced <keyword id="7885611" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-cameras" source="Orion">AI cameras</keyword> along two key rail tracks near Madukkarai, the state forest department aims to detect and prevent elephant-train collisions, particularly along routes intersecting the elephants' migratory paths. Each tower is outfitted with AI cameras capable of thermal and visible light imaging, comparable to those deployed by the Indian Army along the nation's borders. These cameras are programmed to detect elephants and humans near railway lines. When elephants are spotted within 100 feet of the tracks, alerts are swiftly relayed to forest and railway authorities, enabling them to mitigate risks by slowing down trains and guiding the animals away from harm's way. The project has been executed at a cost of ₹7.2 crore since its launch in February this year, Supriya Sahu, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, told the BBC. But the AI-based surveillance system has proved its worth by demonstrating promising results, detecting nearly 400 instances of elephants approaching railway tracks and facilitating timely interventions to prevent potential accidents. This proactive approach marks a significant improvement over traditional methods, such as regular patrols by forest personnel, which often proved inadequate in ensuring elephant safety. Encouraged by the success of this initiative, Tamil Nadu plans to expand the AI-based system to five additional vulnerable areas across the state, including Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Hosur and Gudalur. This strategic expansion underscores the state's commitment to safeguarding wildlife and mitigating <keyword id="20694291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="human-wildlife-conflicts" source="keywords">human-wildlife conflicts</keyword> through innovative technological solutions. Moreover, Tamil Nadu's adoption of AI technology reflects a broader trend in India, where initiatives like the Gajraj project — spearheaded by the federal railway ministry — aim to protect wildlife in elephant corridors across multiple states. By leveraging AI-based surveillance systems to monitor animal movements near railway tracks, these initiatives strive to prevent accidents and foster better coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Tamil Nadu is using army-grade AI surveillance to prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks, and it’s working!

Defence Research and Development Organisation (<keyword id="19948662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="DRDO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="DRDO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="DRDO">DRDO</keyword>) will collaborate with <keyword id="19906424" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Institute-of-Technology" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Institute of Technology" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Institute of Technology">Indian Institute of Technology</keyword> (<keyword id="19906425" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iit" source="keywords">IIT</keyword>) Bhubaneswar for artificial intelligence (AI) driven surveillance and other projects, officials said. A meeting was held between DRDO and <keyword id="19971391" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT-Bhubaneswar" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="IIT Bhubaneswar" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="IIT Bhubaneswar">IIT Bhubaneswar</keyword> officials here on Tuesday. Binay Das, director general (DG) of Electronics and Communication Systems (ECS) cluster, DRDO, and many senior scientists and officials of both institutions were present in the meeting. During the meeting, nine sanctioned projects of the ECS Cluster of DRDO were handed over to IIT Bhubaneswar while another 7 projects are in process to be sanctioned with Rs 18 crore funding. IIT Bhubaneswar will work on the sanctioned projects, which would be beneficial in electronics warfare, <keyword id="21571619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-driven-surveillance" source="keywords">AI-driven surveillance</keyword>, power systems, radar systems etc, officials said. S R Samantaray, head of the School of Electrical sciences of IIT said the collaboration of IIT Bhubaneswar and DRDO will contribute to the emerging research and development need of defence applications, creating a platform for 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat'. This form of collaboration will enhance the sustainability of defence research programmes and will be part of the eco-system for nation building, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Binay Das advised researchers and faculty members associated with various DRDO-sanctioned projects to work systematically with proper review and risk management systems to complete the projects in time and come up with unique solutions. He said that DRDO is going through a transformation from technology chasers to become technology enablers and trendsetters. "The goal is now to move beyond attaining self-reliance to setting standards for the Indian armed forces, for others across the globe, to emulate. In this context, this collaboration, and the further opportunity to set up a Centre of Excellence at IIT Bhubaneswar would prove crucial," he added. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank">Aadhar Housing Finance IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank">Top-selling cars in India in April 2024 – Tata Punch continues to dominate</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank">Worldwide tablet shipments grow in Q1 2024 after two years of decline</a>

DRDO to collaborate with IIT Bhubaneswar for AI-driven surveillance, other projects

<ul><li><keyword id="20940216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Synology" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Synology" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Synology">Synology</keyword> has showcased its upcoming enterprise solutions in India.</li><li>The Taiwanese <keyword id="20653112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="storage-solutions" source="keywords">storage solutions</keyword> provider has revealed its enterprise-level solution blueprint for India.</li><li>The company has announced new GenAI-powered features for its Office Suite.</li></ul> Taiwanese storage solutions provider Synology has launched its new enterprise-level solution blueprint in India at its Synology Solution showcase held in India. The announcement comes as the first enterprise application blueprint in India and is a significant part of the company’s expansion plans in India. Since 2021, the company has recorded a 600% growth in business sector revenue in India, contributing to a total revenue growth of 350%. The company showcased its latest offerings in data protection, storage, and surveillance, emphasizing solutions designed to address the growing demands of modern enterprises. <h2>Synology showcases new products</h2>The company showcased its upcoming products, including the ActiveProtect appliances, which were first<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/synology-introduces-new-products-aimed-at-data-protection-and-scalability/articleshow/110711086.cms"> announced</a> during the company’s Synology Solution Exhibition 2024. The ActiveProtect lineup includes dedicated backup systems that are optimised for rapid deployment and scalability. This backup solution is aimed at simplifying deployment and it can manage up to 2,500 multi-server environments across multiple sites. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111748677" title="Synology bets big on the Indian market amid strong growth, growing demand" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> “The ActiveProtect series focuses on data recovery and immutability, making it a reliable tool for IT professionals to ensure data security. Its multi-site friendly design aligns perfectly with India's business structure,” said Russell Chen, country manager, SAARC Region, Synology. The company also showcased its scale-out storage solutions and advanced surveillance solutions at the event. “Driven by the demand of technology trends, such as AI, IoT, digital transformation, and so on, Synology has performed exceptionally well in the Indian enterprise market, especially in sectors like government, manufacturing, and media and entertainment. Moving forward, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to meeting the modern storage needs of growing enterprises,” said Michael Chang, APAC sales head, Synology. The developing scale-out solution delivers scale-out storage, supporting both file and object storage and performance growth when adding additional storage servers. Synology also introduced its C2 Surveillance Station, which is a cloud-based video surveillance solution with edge AI and multi-layer encryption. The company is enhancing its <keyword id="19999884" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-capabilities" source="keywords">AI capabilities</keyword> with the Synology AI Console, integrating GenAI into the Office Suite. According to the company, this will allow organisations to use the latest large language models (LLMs) while maintaining strict control over data privacy and security. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/diwali-gift-zomato-platform-fee-increased-to-rs-10-ahead-of-the-festive-season/articleshow/114493617.cms">Diwali gift from Zomato – Platform fee increased to ₹10 ahead of the festive season</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/afcons-infrastructure-ipo-gmp-risk-factors-and-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/114490954.cms">Afcons Infrastructure IPO – GMP, risk factors and all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/snapdragon-8-elite-announced-to-power-iqoo-13-oneplus-13-xiaomi-15-series-and-more/articleshow/114463844.cms">Snapdragon 8 Elite announced, to power iQOO 13, OnePlus 13, Xiaomi 15 series and more</a>

Synology introduces new enterprise solutions, reports significant growth in India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>China's Xi Jinping negotiated a truce with India's leader, Narendra Modi.</li><li>They agreed to a patrolling arrangement on a disputed Himalayan border.</li></ul>At the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-hosts-brics-summit-defy-west-us-economy-china-dollar-2024-10">BRICS summit</a> in Russia this week, China's leader Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shook hands for the first time in five years.The symbolic moment came after a deal was struck to resolve a long-standing feud between the Asian superpowers.In the lead-up to the summit, the countries announced they had reached a patrolling agreement that would reduce tensions along a disputed <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-china-buying-new-light-tanks-for-himalayan-mountain-warfare-2023-6">Himalayan border.</a>The dispute had led to deadly hand-to-hand combat in recent years, taking the lives of 20 Indian troops and at least four Chinese soldiers.After their meeting at the summit hosted by Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Xi and Modi said they would continue discussions on resolving the issue.<h2 id="997cee52-7fd6-4283-bf77-94e40a12b5cc">A setback for the US</h2>Some analysts believe it is a development that's unlikely to be welcomed in Washington, DC.The US has sought to recruit India to help it contain China's growing regional aggression alongside other members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a security pact that also includes Japan and Australia."So definitely, this is a setback for the United States of America's Indo-Pacific outlook, given the kind of rapprochement we are seeing in India-China relations, and particularly India, China and Russia coming together," Jagannath Panda, head of the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, told Business Insider."Putin, Xi, and Modi meeting definitely signals that there is a kind of understanding under the carpet that has happened, which is quite subtle," he said.It's an assessment echoed by Zhiqun Zhu, professor of political science and international affairs at Bucknell University."The thaw in India-China relations is a boon to both countries. This is particularly significant for China because India may now be less inclined to confront Beijing as part of Quad," Zhu told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.voanews.com/a/india-china-deal-raises-questions-about-us-indo-pacific-strategy-/7838623.html">Voice of America. </a>"In this sense, the effectiveness of Quad would be diluted with a less enthusiastic India."<h2 id="baf534cf-4366-41b8-b9ef-d526ffe91fda">Competition between Asia's rival powers intensifies</h2>Tensions have been building between China and India for years.As the two biggest economies in Asia, the countries have long jostled for regional power, with the dispute over the Himalayan border a flashpoint that led to clashes in 2020, 2021, and 2022.Amid the stand-off, Chinese vessels have reportedly surveilled the Indian Ocean in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/another-chinese-research-vessel-spotted-off-india-fuelling-unease-2024-03-11/">what experts told Reuters</a> was a likely intelligence-gathering operation, while India has strengthened its security ties with China's chief global rival, the US.In 2017 India played a key role in restarting the Quad, an alliance designed as a bulwark against growing Chinese influence and aggression in the Asia-Pacific region.But India has long sought to balance its relationship with rival superpowers the US and China, and does not at this point want to tie itself too closely to either side, say analysts.In addition to being a member of the Quad Alliance, it is a founding member of the BRICS, an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-asia-countries-flaunt-russia-putin-diplomacy-relationship-brics-2024-9">association of non-Western economies </a>that China has sought to transform into an alternative global economic power base to the US.<div type="image" title="India-China border" height="683" width="1024" msid="114594056" hostid="261" sizebytes="158650"></div>"This explains why it remains part of multilateral groupings with contradictory goals," said Praveen Donthi, a South Asia analyst with the Eurasia Group in Washington, DC, pointing to both its membership of the US-aligned Quad and China-dominated BRIC group.The truce comes with China on the back foot diplomatically, said Panda, pointing to its damaged relations with Europe and the US after its support f<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-and-china-anti-us-coalition-is-growing-more-threatening-2024-9">or Russia's invasion of Ukraine.</a>"One could draw a conclusion at this point that probably the Chinese are more interested to rebuild the ties with India than the other way round," said Panda.He said there's also the possibility that Xi has reached an agreement with Modi behind the scenes for India to remain silent if China acts on its longstanding ambition to seize back control of Taiwan.Such a move would likely draw in the US and its other regional allies, who have pledged to help defend<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-taiwan-drone-swarms-uav-us-playing-catch-up-production-2024-10"> Taiwan's independence.</a>"I think China's bigger ambition and target is the Taiwan issue, and therefore they would not really like to continue the kind of tensions they were engaged in with India for the last three to four years," he said."Therefore, they would like to rebuild, and they would like to ensure that India does not react to the Taiwan issue so sensitively."In any case, its a setback in US attempts to include India in a deeper security alliance, he said."For a long time, the US has tried to develop security and defense ties with India," said Panda.For the time being, a truce suits both Russian and Chinese interests, Rahul Bhatia, an analyst at the Eurasia Group, said. But, he added, tensions remain.He said that though both parties have opened discussions about the border dispute, the underlying problem remains unresolved, and future flare-ups are likely.Donthi said the progress between the leaders could also be derailed if tensions between the US and China increase."This comes as a relief after four years of eyeball-to-eyeball troop deployment in the Himalayas. However, it's only the beginning," he said.

Xi undercut the West by negotiating a truce in China's long feud with India

In order to enhance <keyword id="182124" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="safety-standards" source="Orion">safety standards</keyword> in the <keyword id="34987" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aviation-industry" source="Orion">aviation industry</keyword>, Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Wednesday said that a total of 542 <keyword id="6641634" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="enforcement-actions" source="Orion">enforcement actions</keyword> were taken in the year 2023 which was a 77 per cent increase as compared to the 305 enforcement actions carried out in 2022. In a statement, <keyword id="6354787" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dgca" source="Orion">DGCA</keyword> informed that, in a significant move towards enhancing safety standards in the aviation industry, DGCA has taken stringent measures to ensure compliance with regulations through the conduct of <keyword id="1808201" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="surveillance-activities" source="Orion">surveillance activities</keyword> on airlines, aerodrome operators, approved organisations, and aviation personnel under its regulatory control to meet laid-down safety obligations. Extensive surveillance mechanisms play a pivotal role in safety by mitigating potential safety risks and enhancing safety margins across the industry. During the year 2023, DGCA intensified its safety oversight efforts and conducted a staggering 5745 surveillances (4039 planned surveillances, 1706 spot checks and night surveillance), which is an all-time high. This marked a notable increase of 26 per cent in surveillance activities compared to the year 2022, emphasising the commitment to ensure compliance and safety within the aviation landscape. Consequent to the findings of the surveillance conducted, enforcement action on non-compliant personnel, airlines, and other operators was taken. A total of 542 enforcement actions were taken in the year 2023 witnessing a 77 percent increase as compared to the 305 enforcement actions carried out for the year 2022. Significant enforcement actions for the year 2023 included the suspension of the Approved Training Organisation of Air India and financial penalties on airlines like Air India, Air Asia, Indigo and Spice Jet for various non-compliances. Enforcement actions were also taken against erring pilots and cabin crew, ATCOs, non-scheduled airlines, flying training organizations and aerodrome operators. DGCA's unwavering commitment to enforcing compliance underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety regulations within the aviation sector to ensure safer skies.

DGCA took 542 enforcement actions on Airlines in year 2023 to enhance safety standards

<ul><li><keyword id="20940216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Synology" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Synology" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Synology">Synology</keyword> launched several new products at the Synology Solution Exhibition 2024.</li><li>The company has registered double-digit growth in India in the last three years.</li><li>We speak to the company’s <keyword id="22416016" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="joanne-weng" source="keywords">Joanne Weng</keyword> to learn more about the company and its plans in India.</li></ul> Taiwanese <keyword id="20653112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="storage-solutions" source="keywords">storage solutions</keyword> provider Synology<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/synology-introduces-new-products-aimed-at-data-protection-and-scalability/articleshow/110711086.cms"> introduced</a> several new products aimed at offering <keyword id="20285436" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="data-management" source="keywords">data management</keyword> and protection needs of business organisations at the Synology Solution Exhibition 2024 held in Taiwan. The company announced products such as ActiveProtect, the new GS Series and surveillance solutions at the event. The company also offers Network-attached storage (NAS) devices. Business Insider India spoke with Joanne Weng, Director of International Business, Synology during the event about the company’s operations in India and its future plans. To start, can you tell us about Synology's mission and its recent focus on the Indian market? Synology's mission has always been to simplify IT management, making it accessible for everyone from tech-savvy users to those with minimal technical expertise. Recently, we've been focusing on expanding our presence in India, recognising the country's immense potential as a key market for our solutions. Can you share some insights into Synology's performance in India? Our performance in India has been impressive, with consistent double-digit growth over the past three years. The Indian market is among the top five for Synology in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting the growing demand for reliable and scalable data storage solutions. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for our products has remained strong, highlighting their relevance in supporting business continuity. How has Synology built its local presence and support in India? We recognise the importance of being present in the market. We've invested in building a dedicated team to look after the Indian market, working closely with local partners to provide on-ground support and consultation. Our strategy of selling through channels ensures that customers can get the help they need from partners familiar with their specific requirements. How does Synology ensure ease of management for its users? Our solutions are designed for easy setup and management, ensuring minimal hassle for users. We focus on user-friendly interfaces and pre-configured settings, making our products accessible for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as large enterprises. This approach helps streamline IT management, allowing users to focus on their core business activities. What steps does Synology take to set itself apart in terms of flexibility and scalability? One of our core strengths is the flexibility and scalability of our solutions. As businesses grow, their data storage needs evolve, and Synology offers scalable solutions that can adapt to these increasing demands. This makes us an ideal choice for enterprises experiencing rapid growth, especially with emerging technologies like AI that require robust data management capabilities. Security is a major concern for businesses today. How does Synology address this? Security is a top priority for us. Our solutions come with end-to-end encryption and other advanced security features to protect data. We have a dedicated PSIRT Team that collaborates with global security organisations and ethical hackers to ensure our products remain secure against evolving threats. Additionally, to strengthen our backup solutions, the upcoming ActiveProtect appliances will include features like air-gapping and isolating backup copies in a secure environment to protect against ransomware attacks. How does Synology maintain a customer-centric approach? Customer feedback is extremely valuable to us and drives our continuous improvement efforts. We work with organizations like Gartner for peer reviews to ensure we are meeting customer expectations and delivering high satisfaction levels. This customer-centric approach is a cornerstone of our strategy, ensuring that our products and services evolve in line with user needs. What can we expect from Synology in the future, especially in the Indian market? Looking ahead, we plan to continue focusing on the Indian market, leveraging our robust product portfolio to meet the growing demands of enterprises. Our upcoming products are set to offer even greater scalability and performance, catering to businesses with extensive data management needs. We're excited about the future and are committed to supporting the evolving needs of businesses in India. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/the-biggest-ipos-in-indias-history-lic-to-paytm-companies-that-have-raised-the-most-funds/articleshow/111690863.cms">The biggest IPOs in India’s history – LIC to Paytm, companies that have raised the most funds</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/its-raining-discounts-maruti-suzuki-hyundai-tata-motors-and-others-offer-discounts-on-cars-as-sales-slowdown/articleshow/111688501.cms">It’s raining discounts – Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors and others offer discounts on cars as sales slowdown</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-vs-airtel-vs-vi-prepaid-plans-comparison-plan-benefits-and-price-comparison-after-tariff-hike/articleshow/111512587.cms">Jio vs Airtel vs Vi recharge plans comparison – plan benefits and price comparison after tariff hike</a>

Synology bets big on the Indian market amid strong growth, growing demand

<ul class="summary-list"><li>India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi had his power pegged back in elections this week. </li><li>It was also the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in China. </li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/narendra-modi-won-already-seeing-cost-him-allies-cabinet-funding-2024-6">Narendra Modi's strongman ambitions</a> suffered a setback this week.His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party fell<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/narendra-modi-win-bjp-india-election-explained-2024-6"> short of the landslide victory </a>many had predicted in the Indian elections.As Modi becomes India's prime minister for a third time, his party will have to enter into a power-sharing agreement with alliance partners.It's a chastening lesson from the Indian electorate for Modi, who, while boosting India's global standing, has been accused of stoking division and weakening India's democracy.On the same day as the Indian election results, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.state.gov/on-the-35th-anniversary-of-tiananmen-square/">the world marked the 35th anniversary </a>of the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, which saw a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing.In the decades since, China has slid back into Maoist-style authoritarianism.The events this week highlighted how the competition between India and China is about more than raw power. It's also a competition between two very different political ideologies.<h2 id="6acd91a8-36b3-408f-85c1-259d5944f4e0">India is a flawed but thriving democracy</h2>India is the world's largest democracy. Its first elections were held in 1951-52 after it gained independence from Britain. Free elections have been held in nearly every election cycle since, with a coup in 1975 briefly threatening India's democratic status.It is a rare bright spot in a world where democracy seems to be in retreat. Even in the US, the global champion of democracy, former president Donald Trump is accused of launching an attempt to cling to power illegally after losing the 2020 election.<div type="image" title="Indian voters" height="683" width="1024" msid="110819479" hostid="261" sizebytes="88454"></div>"India isn't a perfect democracy but it is still a role model for developing nations, large or small. And given trends in some Western democracies, I would have to say that there are several things they, too, should be learning from India," said Jabin T. Jacob, an expert on India-China relations at Shiv Nadar University, India.India's democracy, though, faces a stern test under Modi, say critics. Global democracy watchdog <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-56393944">Freedom House in 2021</a> downgraded India's democratic status, saying Modi's Hindu nationalist movement had menaced journalists, attacked Muslims, and corroded civil liberties.Jacob said this week's results showed India's democracy remained resilient despite the pressures, while dealing a blow to a leader seen to have overstepped his authority."We have just seen an election in which the Indian electorate decided that their interests are best served by power shared more evenly among a set of political formations that represent diverse interests and aspirations. That is the essence of democracy," he said."The Indian electorate is a very mature one, and it has always intervened in a timely fashion against authoritarian tendencies in its rulers."It's unclear whether Modi will now double down on the nationalism he's championed or seek a more moderate path based on economic reform.<h2 id="c1fe728e-200a-4edb-8d77-94ea6111c952">China's rise comes at a high cost</h2>There are those in India, though, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/daa87f88-ae0e-11e3-974d-00144feab7de">who have been astonished</a> at the speed and efficiency of China's rise to economic superpower status.China has become the world's second-largest economy, and the lives of millions of ordinary Chinese people have been transformed. Though India has made huge economic progress under Modi, it still lags behind.<div type="image" title="China high speed rail" height="644" width="1024" msid="110819477" hostid="261" sizebytes="117068"></div>"Perhaps the greatest challenge democracy faces in India is that is has failed to deliver the kind of sustained economic development enjoyed by neighbors like China over the last four decades. It has also failed to eliminate extreme poverty," wrote Chatham House <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/04/democracy-india">analyst Gareth Price in 2022.</a>But with prosperity in China, has come reduced freedom.Since Tiananmen Square 35 years ago, China's Communist Party has rolled back many of the freedoms its citizens once had.Its current leader, Xi Jinping, has imposed a draconian surveillance state and is considered <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-xi-jinping-ai-wreak-havoc-america-world-economy-2024-6">China's most authoritarian ruler</a> since Mao Tse Tung.Dominic Chiu, an analyst with the Eurasia Group, told Business Insider that China's system had given it an economic advantage — but at a cost."China's one-party rule in the reform era enabled consistent long-term policymaking and economic planning," he said. "This benefited China's economy immensely when the leadership decided to liberalize markets, privatize industries, and open the country up to foreign investment." But, he said, China's repressive one-party system was also deterring investors. And with China's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-falls-out-of-love-with-natural-diamonds-industry-struggles-2024-6">economy experiencing a steep </a>downturn, this poses a serious problem for its future growth.<h2 id="ebafe111-fa5e-49b8-95d3-f92a674d0da2">China and India vie for dominance</h2>Having achieved economic superpower status, China is now seeking to assert its power more aggressively both regionally and internationally.Tensions with India are increasing. In 2020, clashes along the countries' Himalayan border resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese.<div type="image" title="India-China border" height="683" width="1024" msid="110819475" hostid="261" sizebytes="158650"></div><a target="_blank" href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/modi-mission-assert-indias-global-123002908.html">Analysts told BI</a> that building stronger alliances to counter Chinese aggression will be one of the core aims of Modi's third term.And its commitment to democracy hands it an important advantage, said Jacob."India's democratic status is critical for its international standing. It is an opportunity to develop a model of economic and political development that is both equitable and democratic and thus distinct from the aggressive capitalism of the US or the authoritarianism of the PRC," he said.In 2021, India entered<a target="_blank" href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/modi-went-straight-reelection-needling-103142130.html"> into the "Quad" partnership </a>with democracies the US, Japan, and Australia, to counter what is perceived as growing Chinese aggression in the Pacific and Indian Ocean.It's a political alliance that would've been more difficult to broker if India was ruled by an authoritarian government,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/democracy-and-the-us-india-relationship/"> say observers.</a><h2 id="b9b7d5ac-0c25-43f4-adf2-9128d9242020">Competing nationalist visions</h2>Some analysts, though, say that the competition between India and China is not, at its core, about competing political systems but about competing nationalist visions.According to this interpretation, both Xi and Modi are committed to restoring what they see as their nation's rightful place at the top of the global order.But in his quest to strengthen India, critics are warning Modi not to undermine the commitment to democracy and pluralism they believe is at the heart of its post-independence success.Jacob said those in India jealous of China's economic might should look more closely at the reality."Indians who argue against democracy using the China comparison clearly don't understand anything about the reality of China and the Chinese people," he said.

The competition between India and China is about more than raw power

The <keyword id="19905108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-defence" source="keywords">Ministry of Defence</keyword> has sanctioned over Rs 300 crore through its <keyword id="20416767" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="technology-development-fund" source="keywords">Technology Development Fund</keyword> (TDF) to create an ecosystem aimed at enhancing capabilities in cutting-edge technology and promoting '<keyword id="20460685" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aatmanirbharta" source="keywords">Aatmanirbharta</keyword>' in defence, an official statement said on Thursday. The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Defence, executed by <keyword id="19948662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drdo" source="keywords">DRDO</keyword> under the '<keyword id="20018809" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="make-in-india" source="keywords">Make in India</keyword>' initiative. Under this initiative, the government provides grants-in-aid to Indian industries, including <keyword id="19910977" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="msmes" source="keywords">MSMEs</keyword> and <keyword id="19945815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="keywords">startups</keyword>, as well as academic and scientific institutions, for the development of defence and dual-use technologies that are currently not available in the Indian defence industry. With these initiatives, the Ministry aims to engage private industries, especially MSMEs and startups, to foster a culture of design and development in military technology and support them with grants-in-aid. The TDF seeks to enhance the capacity and capability of Indian industries for the design and development of defence technologies in the country. It aims to create an R&amp;D ecosystem where industry and academia work together to meet the current and future requirements of the Armed Forces and the defence sector. The government aims to achieve 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence technology by building a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country. The <keyword id="19910956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="defence-ministry" source="keywords">Defence Ministry</keyword> on Wednesday highlighted several successful startups benefiting from the scheme. Pune-based startup <keyword id="22281521" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Combat-Robotics" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Combat Robotics" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Combat Robotics">Combat Robotics</keyword>, with the help of the scheme, has successfully developed an innovative simulator for <keyword id="20146841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="unmanned-vehicles" source="keywords">unmanned vehicles</keyword>. This multi-domain simulator supports unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), serving as an excellent development tool for agencies working on autonomous systems. Another Pune-based defence equipment startup, ChiStats Labs Private Limited, is developing virtual sensors for aero gas turbine engine health monitoring, which helps to increase the operational reliability and longevity of the engines. The system is built on modern artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) technologies. Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt. Ltd., under the project titled 'Autonomous Drone as First Responder for Search and Report Operations in Enclosed/Indoor Environments', has created a cutting-edge UAV capable of exploring indoor environments under various conditions, including zero light. The success of this project will open up various applications, including search and rescue operations, surveillance, industrial inspections, environmental monitoring, and hazardous environment exploration, contributing significantly to technological advancements in unmanned aerial systems, the Ministry added. The technology has been developed under the technical guidance and mentorship of CAIR, Bengaluru.

Defence ministry allocates Rs 300 cr for technology development fund to promote Make in India products

As many as 290 cases of <keyword id="21545939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KP-2" source="keywords">KP.2</keyword> and 34 cases of <keyword id="21748081" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KP-1" source="keywords">KP.1</keyword>, both sub-lineages of COVID-19 that are responsible for surge in cases in Singapore, have been found in India, according to official data. However, a source in the Union health ministry told PTI that they are all sub variants of <keyword id="20115417" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JN1" source="keywords">JN1</keyword> and there is no associated increase in hospitalisation and severe cases. "So there is no reason for concern or panic. The mutations will keep happening at a rapid pace and this is the natural behaviour of viruses like SARS-CoV2," the source said. The source further said that the INSACOG surveillance is sensitive and is able to pick up the emergence of any new variant and samples are also picked from hospitals in a structured manner to detect any change in the severity of disease due to virus. Data compiled by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) showed that 34 cases of KP.1 have been found across seven states and UTs with 23 cases registered from West Bengal. The other states are Goa (1), Gujarat (2), Haryana (1), Maharashtra (4) Rajasthan (2) and Uttarakhand (1). As many as 290 cases of KP.2 have been registered with Maharashtra reporting the highest number at 148, according to the data. The other states and Union territories are Delhi (1), Goa (12), Gujarat (23), Haryana (3), Karnataka (4), Madhya Pradesh (1), Odisha (17), Rajasthan (21), Uttar Pradesh (8), Uttarakhand (16) and West Bengal (36). Singapore is seeing a new COVID-19 wave as the authorities recorded more than 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11 with KP.1 and KP.2 accounting for over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. Globally, the predominant COVID-19 variants are still JN.1 and its sub-lineages, including KP.1 and KP.2. KP.1 and KP.2 belong to a group of COVID-19 variants scientists have nicknamed 'FLiRT', after the technical names of their mutations. The strains in FLiRT are all descendants of the JN.1 variant, an offshoot of the Omicron variant. KP.2 was classified by the World Health Organization as a Variant Under Monitoring.

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