Current Affairs Today 21-Aug-2024

The IndiaAI Mission’s Government Has Finalized the Tender for 1,000 GPUs

With the IndiaAI Mission, the Indian government is advancing its efforts to develop robust AI computing capabilities. They’ve decided to purchase one thousand graphics processing units (GPUs), which are essential for assisting government organizations, researchers, and start-ups.

Main Goals of the IndiaAI Mission

The mission has a budget of $10,370 crore and plans to use more than 10,000 GPUs. The objective is to build AI models with more than 100 billion parameters that are specifically designed to function with the main Indian languages, particularly in fields like agriculture and healthcare. The winning bidders will have to supply 100 hours of AI computing time right away, 500 hours in two days, and more than 500 hours in a week. This configuration will facilitate easier access to computer resources, which will support the increasing need for AI.

Details of the Tender

The tender allows groups of companies to bid together, but at least one partner must have an annual income of over $100 crore. All bids must ensure that user data stays within India’s borders, following data localization rules. The project will use a public-private partnership model, where the government will cover 50% of the cost to make building the necessary infrastructure more affordable. This computing infrastructure will be developed specifically with an allocation of around ₹ 4.564 crore.

What is AI computing capacity?

AI computing power has increased significantly, with GPUs and TPUs setting the pace. For instance, OpenAI’s GPT-3, the largest AI model in the world as of 2021, has 175 billion parameters. AI algorithms are becoming more efficient, yet training AI models can consume a lot of electricity. AI models are frequently trained on supercomputers like Fugaku, and new developments like quantum computing may boost AI’s speed and effectiveness even more.

About the IndiaAI Mission

Launched in 2020, the IndiaAI Mission aims to enhance AI research and innovation, focusing on ethical AI use and collaboration. In terms of the output of AI research, India is presently ranked third globally. The National AI Portal has been formed as a primary knowledge hub, and the objective is to provide money and resources to startups. It collaborates with international organizations like the Global Partnership on AI and advances AI in industries including agriculture, healthcare, and education. The mission also aims to train over 1 million AI experts by 2025, boosting workforce skills.

What are Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)?

When GPUs were initially created in the late 1990s, the way visuals are rendered on screens was completely changed. The GeForce 256 from NVIDIA is regarded as the original GPU. Although GPUs are most commonly associated with gaming, they are also essential to AI, mining cryptocurrencies, and scientific research. GPUs contain thousands of cores, but CPUs have fewer, which enables them to handle multiple tasks at once. The CUDA programming model from NVIDIA enables developers to use GPUs for a variety of purposes. AMD’s Radeon was the first to support Direct3D 11. NVIDIA first used the word “GPU” in 1999 to emphasize the crucial role that it plays in contemporary computing.

India, Sri Lanka Deploy K9s in Exercise Mitra Shakti

From August 12 to August 25, 2024, the Army Training School at Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka, will host the tenth iteration of Exercise Mitra Shakti, a combined military training exercise between India and Sri Lanka. This year has seen a significant increase in the use of military dogs, or “K9s,” demonstrating their significance in contemporary military operations.

K9 Deployment

Zac, a 2.5-year-old Belgian Malinois with expertise in executing cordon-and-search missions and exploring jungles, has been brought in by the Indian Army. Military canines with training, like as Zac, enhance military operations and are invaluable assets in combat.

Zac’s Abilities

Zac has received training in specialized abilities like as bomb detection, weapon retrieval, and laser-guided strikes. His training at the Remount Veterinary Corps Center has prepared him to handle complex tasks that support infantry soldiers in their missions.

Purpose of Exercise Mitra Shakti

Exercise Mitra Shakti aims to strengthen the joint military capabilities of India and Sri Lanka, especially in counter-insurgency operations that focus on semi-urban areas. Using cutting-edge surveillance techniques, establishing joint command centers, and simulating reactions to terrorism are all part of the exercise.

Tactical Drills
During the exercise, participants will practice different tactical drills, including:
Responding to terrorist actions
Setting up intelligence and surveillance centers
Securing landing sites
Carrying out special helicopter and ground operations
These exercises enhance cooperation and the capacity of the two armies to function as a unit.

Both forces can exchange best practices for tactics, techniques, and procedures in combined operations by participating in Exercise Mitra Shakti. As a result, the military ties between India and Sri Lanka are strengthened and mutual understanding is fostered.

About K9 Dogs

K9s have served a variety of purposes since the First World War. Because of their keen sense of smell, which is around 40 times stronger than a human’s, German Shepherds are the breed most frequently used in military operations. Like Zac, many people choose Belgian Malinois because of their agility. Dogs were deployed as messengers in World War II. Today, military dogs can perform search and rescue missions, saving many lives. They are frequently adopted when they retire, which emphasizes their significant contribution.

About Exercise Mitra Shakti

Workout In 2012, India and Sri Lanka started a combined military training exercise called Mitra Shakti. It focuses on strengthening the two forces’ capacity to cooperate, particularly when it comes to counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance. Throughout the two-week exercise, there will be tactical drills, cultural exchanges, and an opportunity to learn about the military hardware of each nation. As a sign of their shared commitment to peace and stability, it fortifies their partnership and improves their capacity to respond to crises in the Indian Ocean region.

Germany Joins the 18th Member State of United Nations Command in South Korea

Germany became the 18th member of the United Nations Command (UNC), which is commanded by the United States, in South Korea. This action demonstrates Germany’s dedication to international security and its conviction that stability in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe are intertwined.

What is UNC?

The UNC was established in 1950 to help restore peace during the Korean War and enforce the armistice agreement. Although it was created under the United Nations, it operates independently and serves as a communication link with North Korea. The command is mainly led by the U.S. military commander in South Korea.

Germany’s role in the UNC

The UNC’s capacities are strengthened by Germany’s admission, which provides new insights and resources. This move supports the objectives of the United States and its allies to increase security in the area, particularly in light of threats from authoritarian governments.

Impact on European and Indo-Pacific Security

Germany sees its participation in the UNC as essential for collective security, emphasizing that peace in Europe is connected to stability in the Indo-Pacific. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has highlighted the importance of unity in addressing global crises.

Reactions from Other Countries

China and North Korea, two countries that have traditionally opposed the UNC, have criticized Germany for joining. North Korea views the UNC as a tool for U.S. confrontation while China is concerned about NATO’s growing influence in Asia. Germany plans to reopen its embassy in Pyongyang which was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and is considering its role within the UNC. There is considerable debate over the precise responsibilities of German forces in Korea. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik has welcomed Germany’s involvement as a significant contribution to peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula.

Facts About Germany

Germany is home to the world’s oldest zoo, the Berlin Zoo, which was established in 1844 and has approximately 19,000 animals.
With over 1,500 types of beer produced and regulated by the Reinheitsgebot, or Beer Purity Law, the nation is well-known for its beer.
Speed fans are drawn to the stretches of Germany’s Autobahn that have no speed limits.
The divide of the Cold War was symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Munich’s Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival.
Germany is the largest economy in Europe and manufactures about a million automobiles annually mostly from manufacturers like Volkswagen.

Facts About the United Nations Command (UNC)

To aid South Korea in its conflict with the North, the UNC was founded in 1950 during the Korean War.
It is a coalition of member states rather than a standing army.
It functions by resolutions from the UN Security Council and has its headquarters in Seoul.
The UNC has maintained a ceasefire since 1953 but doesn’t have a formal peace treaty.
Major General Paul J. LaCamera is the current commander.
In the area, the UNC also carries out relief operations for natural disasters and humanitarian missions.

17th Divya Kala Mela in Raipur

In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar gave the 17th Divya Kala Mela its start. This festival which is sponsored by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, honors the artistic ability of Divyang or people with disabilities.

Purpose of the Event

By providing them with a stage on which to display their abilities and inventiveness, the Divya Kala Mela seeks to empower disabled artists and entrepreneurs. The fair features 100 Divyang artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs from 20 different states and union territories across India. They present a diverse range of products and cultural expressions. The week-long fair features cultural programs where attendees can express their abilities in dance, music, and theater in addition to product displays, enhancing the event’s diversity of cultures.

Facts About Divya Kala Mela

India’s Divya Kala Mela is a cultural festival that honors the abilities of individuals with disabilities.
It is put on by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and includes performances, artwork, and crafts.
The mela’s goals have been to empower disadvantaged artists and advance inclusivity ever since it began in 2012.
The event offers participants visibility and prospects for a living by housing vendors with handicrafts, food, and cultural events.
Additionally, it promotes engagement between the public and the disabled community and increases awareness of accessible art.

Facts About Raipur

Raipur Airport connects the city to major destinations, boosting its economic importance.

India’s Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh is well-known for its cement and steel sectors.

It is one of the biggest cities in the state with a population of over a million people and is home to the Mahant Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Medical College.

Raipur is home to historical sites including the Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Mandir and the Doodhadhari Monastery and Temple.

In addition, the city is a thriving center for trade and agriculture, particularly for tendu leaves and rice.