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India’s First Agri Chatbot Ama KrushAI Launched in Odisha

India’s First Agri Chatbot Ama KrushAI Launched in Odisha

 

Why In News

 

Governor of Odisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal launched India’s first AI Chatbot for the Agricultural sector ‘Ama KrushAI’ at the valedictory session of ‘Krushi Odisha 2023’.

 

Key Points

 

·        Governor of Odisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal launched India’s first AI Chatbot for the Agricultural sector ‘Ama KrushAI’ at the valedictory session of ‘Krushi Odisha 2023’.

 

·        Ama KrushAI chatbot will help the farmers with the best agronomic practices, inform them about government schemes, and loan products from more than 40 commercial and cooperative banks.

 

·        Ama KrushAI will run under a pilot project involving more than 10,000 farmers and will be implemented in full-fledged in the next two months.

 

·        While addressing the gathering Prof Lal informed that civilization started with agriculture and the superstructure of civilization is based on agriculture. Only a farmer can do the magic in agriculture.

 

·        He stressed the need for coordinated efforts from all the stakeholders to help the farming community tide over the challenges they have been facing.

 

·        Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Ranendra Pratap Swain noted that agriculture is the only sector that was not at a halt during the pandemic times.

 

·        Odisha is now self-sufficient in many crops. The state is the fourth largest rice producer in the country and nearly self-sufficient in milk, egg, and fisheries.

 

·        More than 20,000 farmers and agri-entrepreneurs from across the state attended the three-day event organized by the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department in collaboration with FICCI to promote farm mechanization and enhancement in farmers’ income.

 

·        Women and Child Development Minister Basanti Hembram and principal secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee were present

 


Bharat Electronics signs MoUs with ADA, DRDO for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme

Bharat Electronics signs MoUs with ADA, DRDO for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme

 

Why In News

 

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) said, it signed a MoU with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO, for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

 

Key Points

 

·        Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) said, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO, for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

 

·        It also signed another MoU with Cisco for long-term strategic cooperation in the areas of networking, collaboration, and security among other associated services, the BEL said in separate press releases.

 

·        These MoUs were signed during the Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru from February 13 to 17, the PSU said.

 

Significance of these MoUs:

 

 

·        According to BEL, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft is a fifth-generation, multi-role, all-weather fighter aircraft designed with high survivability and stealth capability.

 

About Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA):

 

 

·        The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) was established under the Department of Defence Research and Development (DR&D), Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, at Bangalore, in 1984 to oversee the development of the nation’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.

 

·        The primary objective of ADA is the design and development of LCA to meet the Air Staff Requirements (ASR) specified by the Indian Air Force, and subsequently, the design and development of carrier borne naval variant and advance version of LCA (Mk1A, Mk2), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) Aircraft, etc.


Australia to conduct Malabar naval exercise for first time this August

Australia to conduct Malabar naval exercise for first time this August

 

Why In News

 

Malabar multilateral naval exercise will be hosted by Australia for the first time this year.

 

Key Points

 

·        Malabar multilateral naval exercise will be hosted by Australia for the first time this year, which includes participation from India, Australia, Japan, and the United States.

 

·        With Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong slated to visit India in early March, when new defence plans may be unveiled, the high level of bilateral interaction between the two countries will continue.

 

·        But, a final decision has not yet been made because the details are still being worked out, according to two different authorities.

 

·        On March 1 and 2, Ms. Wong will attend the G-20 Foreign Ministers conference, and on March 8, Mr. Albanese will travel to India on a bilateral visit.

 

·        A few months have passed since the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement went into effect before the visit.

 

·        The final Malabar exercise took place in Japan in November 2022, marking the 30th anniversary of the exercise, which started as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S. in 1988.

 

·        In fact, the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force also hosted an International Fleet Review and the 18th Western Naval Symposium before the naval war games, and the Navy Chiefs of the four nations that are also a part of the Quadrilateral grouping were present for the opening ceremony in Japan last year.

 

·        According to a then-issued official statement, the four Navies Chiefs also met and discussed “further increasing inter-operability” in subsequent runs of the Malabar multilateral naval exercise.

 

Malabar Naval Exercise: Anti-Submarine Warfare

 

·        Anti-Submarine Warfare training has become a major focus area for the exercise in recent years, especially in light of the Chinese Navy’s rapid expansion and increased forays into the Indian Ocean. As a result, the exercise has increased in size, scope, and complexity.

 

·        In addition to New Delhi signing these foundational agreements, India is increasingly purchasing military platforms from the United States, expanding the commonality of platforms.


World Scout Day 2023 celebrates on 22nd February

World Scout Day 2023 celebrates on 22nd February

 

Why In News

 

World Scout Day is observed to honours Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who founded the Boy Scout Movement, on the day of his birthday.

 

Key Points

 

·        World Scout Day is observed annually on February 22 by millions of Boy Scouts worldwide. It honours Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who founded the Boy Scout Movement, on the day of his birthday.

 

·        The day is observed by National Scout Organizations all over the world through events including fundraising campaigns, food drives, and other types of volunteer work.

 

World Scout Day: Significance

 

·        According to the Scout Movement’s official website, there are 172 National Scout Organizations with 57 million members as of 2022.

 

·        The entire scouting community should take note of this day. Several Boy Scouts renew their commitment to the organization’s principles in honour of the occasion.

 

·        These institutions’ daily operations are centred on promoting communal wellbeing. Many people do nice things and volunteer in the community.

 

World Scout Day: History

 

·        The Scouting movement began in the United Kingdom in 1907, more than a century ago. Lord Baden-Powell organised the first Boy Scout camp back then with a ragged bunch of 20 kids.

 

·        The camp, along with the founder’s book “Scouting for Boys,” were both huge successes. The movement quickly spread over the following few years, becoming an international phenomenon.

 

·        On February 22, World Scout Day, sometimes referred to as Founder’s Day, is observed to mark Lord Robert Baden-birthday.

 

·        Powell’s It is especially notable because it is his wife Olave Baden- Powell’s, the World Chief Guide, birthday anniversary.