Why is it in news?

Recently, the Ministry of Culture has started the initiative “India Ki Udaan” in collaboration with Google. The initiative seeks to celebrate the unwavering and immortal spirit of India and its achievements over the past 75 years.

Introduction      

• India's Udaan initiative is a celebration of India's undying and immortal spirit. India's flight initiative was organized under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

• The joint initiative will take internet users (netizens) into India's rich culture and heritage through its rich archives and artistic illustrations.

• Significantly, India's UDAN project is based on the theme 'India's unwavering and immortal spirit in the last 75 years'.

• India's UDAN initiative is being implemented by Google Arts & Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.

Highlights

• It is worth noting that under this initiative, users will be provided with a unique view to see India's remarkable moments virtually.

• Users will be able to know more about the eminent personalities of Indian history, prominent women personalities as well as scientific and sports achievements of the country.

• Google plans to create informative online content in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.

• Through this Google will showcase the contribution of Indians in changing the country before and after independence. Google will also launch a series of special initiatives on its products and services to provide rich content and immersive experience to its Indian users.

• It will include artists from India and the world to provide a rich unique experience through online collections.

• This initiative will offer a unique view for users to witness India's remarkable moments virtually.

• If users venture more into the collection, they will be able to know about eminent personalities in Indian history, scientific and sports achievements and prominent women personalities of the country.

Why is it in news?

Recently the Indian Army has conducted an all India satellite communication exercise named 'X Skylight' in the last week of July. The main objective of the exercise was to test the operational readiness and robustness of its hi-tech satellite communication systems in the event of an adversary attack.

Highlights

 It is worth noting that in this exercise named 'Skylight', conducted from July 25 to 29, all the satellite communication assets of the Army were tested. More than 200 static satellite platforms, more than 80 vehicle based and man portable systems were tested throughout the exercise.

• In Exercise 'Skylight', the army also saw how the satellite system helps the soldiers deployed on the front line in the midst of heavy rain, snowfall and bad weather. Along with this, it was also tested how the command and control system works without any hindrance.

• It is noteworthy that the army has also done a study based on the communication, cyber and electromagnetic effects encountered during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. He said that the Indian Army is using the services of various satellites belonging to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

• Indian Army is studying it closely to learn communication technology from the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to sources, the main focus of the army's study on the Ukraine war is 'Military Communications and Electronic Warfare'.

• He said that the Indian Army has learned from this war that the proper return of an operational strategic communication system to enemy territory is also important.

Emphasis attacks on developing anti-encryption measures against quantum computer

• Meanwhile, sources in the defense establishment said on Friday that the Indian Army is focusing on developing anti-encryption measures against quantum computer attacks to maintain the confidentiality and security of its sensitive information.

• He said that traditional cryptographic systems that ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information can be either partially or completely breached in a matter of minutes with the help of quantum computers.

• Be aware that such military capability can prove to be a major weapon to damage the sensitive systems of any country, which can threaten national sovereignty in many ways.

• Keeping this threat in mind, he said there is an urgent need to replace traditional cryptographic systems with quantum-resistant cryptographic systems.

• It is noteworthy that the Indian Army is focusing on using quantum computing to ensure the confidentiality of information.

• He said that the Army is also actively partnering with major industries and academia to develop quantum computing applications for communications and cryptography.

Why is it in news?

Recently the 7th Governing Council meeting was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center in New Delhi. It was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was the first personal meeting of the council after July 2019.

Highlights

Meeting’s Agenda

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a presentation on India's G20 Presidency from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.

• Several states raised concerns over Minimum Support Price for farmers, review of GST, shortage of IAS officers etc.

• They discussed reducing the dependence on imported edible oils from 50% to 25% in the coming years.

• During this meeting, PM Modi said that every state played an important role in the fight against COVID-19. India's federal structure and cooperative federalism has become a model for the world during the COVID pandemic.

• In addition, emphasis was laid on achieving self-sufficiency in pulses, oilseeds and other agricultural communities.

• Apart from urban governance, issues of crop diversification and National Education Policy were also discussed.

Governing Council of NITI Aayog

The members of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog include :

•        prime minister of India

• Chief Ministers of all the states and union territories along with the legislature

• Ex-officio Member

• Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories

• Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog

• Whole time member of NITI Aayog

• Invited members