Tag: thellv

  • IIT Delhi Launches Generative AI Certificate Program for Future Skills!

    IIT Delhi Launches Generative AI Certificate Program for Future Skills!

    IIT Delhi has introduced a new course called the Certificate Programme in Generative AI. This programme is created to meet the growing need for skills in Generative AI around the world. It is part of their Continuing Education Programme (CEP) and lasts for six months, aiming to provide professionals with deep knowledge in artificial intelligence.

    In this course, participants will learn about advanced AI techniques, especially focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT, BERT, and T5. They will also study subjects like Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) and Vision-Language Models (VLMs), along with how to use AI responsibly.

    The course is divided into six special topics:

    1. Mathematical Foundations for Machine Learning (ML)
    2. Machine Learning Basics
    3. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
    4. Generative AI for Text
    5. Generative AI for Images
    6. Responsible AI

    Students will get hands-on experience with popular tools like Python, NumPy, Pandas, PyTorch, and TensorFlow. They will also learn to work with NLP tools like NLTK and spaCy for better data handling.

    The programme will be taught through live online sessions that allow everyone to interact. It will include case studies, projects, and even a special one-day visit to the IIT Delhi campus for practical experience.

    Professor Tanmoy Chakraborty, an expert in AI at IIT Delhi, said that this course will help professionals gain skills needed for the future and make India a leader in AI technology. He believes Generative AI has the power to change how we work and improve industries.

  • Indian Banks Suffer Major Cash Shortage Amid Tax Payments

    Indian Banks Suffer Major Cash Shortage Amid Tax Payments

    Recently, Indian banks are facing their biggest money shortage in nearly six months. This problem is mainly happening because companies are paying their taxes and the central bank is selling dollars to keep the value of the Indian rupee stable.

    Right now, banks are short about 1.5 trillion rupees (that’s around 17.7 billion dollars). This is the worst it has been since June 24. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been selling dollars since October, which is making it harder for banks to keep enough money available.

    The RBI is likely to keep trying to manage the dollar’s value, especially since India’s trade deficit is growing and the dollar is getting stronger. Recently, the rupee fell to a new low, reaching 84.9337 per dollar.

    Even though the RBI has made some efforts to help increase how much money there is in the banking system—like lowering the cash-reserve ratio and providing more funds through special loans—it’s still not enough. According to Anubhuti Sahay, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank, more actions like buying bonds or offering different types of loans are needed to keep money available.

    The money shortage is making it more expensive for banks to borrow money from each other. The interest rate for overnight loans has gone up by 35 basis points, which is higher than the RBI’s main interest rate of 6.50%.

    Also, the end of the year is a busy time for banks, as companies have to pay their taxes. This extra money demand is adding to the cash shortage. According to Gaura Sengupta from IDFC First Bank Ltd, the latest tax payments have pulled 1.4 trillion rupees out of the banking system.

    In simple terms, banks in India are currently facing a significant money shortage because of tax payments and actions from the central bank.

  • World Test Championship News: South Africa Leads in 2023-25 Standings!

    World Test Championship News: South Africa Leads in 2023-25 Standings!

    The ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 is entering a crucial stage! Recently, New Zealand and England wrapped up a three-match Test series, with both teams no longer in the race for the title. Right now, India and Australia, the finalists from last year, are competing hard in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while South Africa is preparing for a tough series against Pakistan at home.

    Australia briefly claimed the top spot in the 2023-25 standings after South Africa won against Sri Lanka, but South Africa managed to take the lead with a strong victory. They are looking like the favorites to make it to the final at Lord’s next year!

    In the recent England vs. New Zealand series, both teams faced penalties for a slow over-rate, leading New Zealand to drop in rankings. Despite winning the final Test by 423 runs, New Zealand finished fourth in the overall standings.

    Here’s how the teams currently stand:

    – 1st – South Africa: 63.33% of possible points
    – Remaining matches: 2 against Pakistan
    – Best possible finish: 69.44%

    – 2nd – Australia: 60.71% of possible points
    – Remaining matches: 2 against India and 2 against Sri Lanka
    – Best possible finish: 71.05%

    – 3rd – India: 57.29% of possible points
    – Remaining matches: 3 against Australia
    – Best possible finish: 64.04%

    – 4th – New Zealand: 48.21% of possible points
    – Finished with a strong win, but still ended 4th overall.

    – 5th – Sri Lanka: 45.45% of possible points
    – Remaining matches: 2 against Australia
    – Best possible finish: 53.85%

    – 6th – England: 43.18% of possible points
    – Finished below the top teams, ending up 6th.

    – 7th – Pakistan: 33.33% of possible points
    – Remaining matches: 2 against South Africa and 2 against West Indies
    – Best possible finish: 52.38%

    – 8th – Bangladesh: 31.25% of possible points
    – Finished their matches but need better results in the future.

    – 9th – West Indies: 24.24% of possible points
    – Remaining matches: 2 against Pakistan
    – Best possible finish: 35.90%

    It has been an exciting series so far, and we can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds!

  • Freeland Resigns: Trudeau’s Government Faces Major Leadership Crisis

    Freeland Resigns: Trudeau’s Government Faces Major Leadership Crisis

    In a big political surprise, Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, stepped down from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet on Monday. She mentioned that she could no longer agree with the government’s plan for handling U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threats of new tariffs. Her resignation has caused more chaos within Trudeau’s Liberal Party, as almost 60 out of 153 MPs are asking for new leadership.

    Freeland is the first important Cabinet member to quit, raising questions about Trudeau’s control. She turned down Trudeau’s offer to move her to a different position, stating, “I feel the only honest choice is to resign.”

    Party Struggles and Opposition Calls for Change

    The Liberal Party is deeply divided now, with about one-third of its MPs wanting Trudeau to resign. Jagmeet Singh, who leads the New Democratic Party (NDP) that has been supporting Trudeau, also asked him to step down. The Conservative Party, the main opposition, hasn’t directly called for Trudeau to resign but is eager for an election.

    Trudeau wants to lead the Liberals in the next election, but many party members doubt his chances of winning again. An election must happen before October, but if the NDP withdraws support, an election could be called sooner.

    Freeland’s Concerns About Tariffs

    In her resignation letter, Freeland pointed to big disagreements with Trudeau’s plans, especially over how to deal with Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. She warned that Canada was facing a serious threat and stressed the need to prepare for possible economic troubles. Freeland criticized government plans like tax holidays and cash rebates, saying they were too expensive.

    What’s Next for Trudeau and His Party?

    Trudeau has named Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc as Freeland’s replacement. LeBlanc will focus on addressing rising living costs and building a positive relationship with the new U.S. government. Trudeau admitted it’s a tough time for him and his party.

    The Liberal Party is still divided. MP Chad Collins noted, “Many of our members want a leader change, including me.” Analysts have called Freeland’s resignation a “political earthquake” that could shake Trudeau’s minority government.

    Trudeau’s Leadership Under Threat

    Trudeau, who became Prime Minister in 2015 with promises of progressive change, is now struggling with lower public support due to rising costs and immigration issues. His successes, like legalizing cannabis and introducing a carbon tax, are being overshadowed by growing economic problems.

    Freeland’s resignation marks a significant moment for the future of Trudeau’s leadership, leading to talk about possible new leaders, including former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney.

  • Christmas Light Controllers Recalled: Safety Alert for Shoppers

    Christmas Light Controllers Recalled: Safety Alert for Shoppers

    More than 44,600 Christmas light controllers sold at stores like Cracker Barrel, Target, and Walmart are being recalled because they can cause fires. The warning comes from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Mr Christmas LLC.

    These light controllers, made by Mr Christmas LLC in Memphis, Tennessee, have wireless receivers that can overheat when plugged in, creating a fire hazard. The company reported at least ten cases of overheating, with one resulting in a fire. Luckily, no injuries have been reported.

    Mr Christmas is recalling these light controllers for safety and is asking customers to stop using them. If you return your controller, which costs between $25 and $40, you will get a full refund.

    The controllers sold at Cracker Barrel and Walmart are called “Christmas Light Controller.” At Target, they are sold under the brand name “Tree Lighting Switch.”

    If you bought one of these products, please stop using it and go to the Mr Christmas website or the CPSC website for details on how to return it.

    Leslie Hermanson, the President of Mr. Christmas, said, “As a 91-year-old family business, nothing is more important than the safety of families. If you bought one of these products this season, we urge you to return it.”

    Remember, controllers made before 2024 are not part of this recall.

  • Iran to Reopen Syria Embassy Amid Safety Concerns

    Iran to Reopen Syria Embassy Amid Safety Concerns

    On Tuesday, Iran’s foreign ministry announced that it plans to reopen its embassy in Syria once certain conditions are met. The Iranian embassy in Damascus was damaged after rebel groups took control of the city, forcing diplomats to leave.

    Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei mentioned that before the embassy can reopen, the safety of the staff and the embassy itself must be ensured. He did not provide a specific timeline for when this would happen. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Iran has supported Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria.

    After Assad’s fall, Iran is now trying to separate itself from him and focus on the long-standing friendship between the two countries. Baqaei emphasized that Iran’s presence in Syria is not about supporting any specific person or group but is based on principles and an invitation from the Syrian government.

    He also criticized Israel for conducting air strikes in Syria and claimed that this action has violated Syria’s territorial integrity. Recently, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas stated that Russia and Iran should not have a role in Syria now that Assad is gone. Baqaei responded, calling her comments a “joke,” stating that foreign powers can no longer dictate policies in the region.

  • less than 80 characters)”Exploring the December Effect: Why Stocks Often Rise in December

    less than 80 characters)”Exploring the December Effect: Why Stocks Often Rise in December

    Have you ever noticed that the Indian stock market seems to do better in December? It feels like the markets catch the holiday spirit! This special trend is called the December Effect, and it has been discussed by investors for a long time. Let’s explore why December is often a great month for the stock market, look at past trends, and learn what makes this month so special.

  • NCERT Textbooks Set to Drop Prices and Boost Production for Students!

    NCERT Textbooks Set to Drop Prices and Boost Production for Students!

    New Delhi: The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, announced on Tuesday that school textbooks from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will be cheaper next year. Right now, NCERT prints 5 crore (50 million) textbooks each year, but they plan to increase that number to 15 crore (150 million) from next year.

    The new textbooks, following an updated curriculum, will be ready for students in classes 9 to 12 by the 2026-27 school year. Next year, NCERT will publish 15 crore affordable and quality books.

    There have been some worries about not having enough textbooks in the past, but this will be fixed with the larger printing numbers, Pradhan said. He promised that since more textbooks will be printed, prices for some classes will go down. Importantly, there will be no price increases for any class, so parents will not feel any extra financial pressure.

    The minister also shared that the updates to textbooks are based on the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF), and this work is currently ongoing. The new books for classes 9-12 will be ready by 2026-27, making learning easier and more affordable.

  • Nadda Slams Congress: Article 370, Emergency & India’s Constitution Explained

    Nadda Slams Congress: Article 370, Emergency & India’s Constitution Explained

    Union Health Minister JP Nadda criticized the opposition, especially the Congress party, during a discussion marking the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution. He used the now-abolished Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir to show how past Congress governments tried to change the Constitution. Nadda praised the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for fully integrating Jammu and Kashmir with India.

    He explained that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru allowed Article 370 despite concerns from law minister B.R. Ambedkar. Nehru also imposed Article 35(A) through a presidential order without following proper parliamentary procedures. Nadda highlighted that Sardar Patel united most princely states into India, while Nehru was responsible for Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that Ambedkar believed Article 370 was harmful to India, but Nehru pushed it through.

    Nadda pointed out that the Jana Sangh party, which is the precursor to the BJP, opposed having two separate laws and governments in India when Article 370 was in place. He mentioned the sacrifices made by leaders like Syama Prasad Mookerjee for this cause, emphasizing the BJP as the “good lot” in contrast to the “bad lot” of previous governments.

    He accused Congress of keeping central laws out of Jammu and Kashmir, denying benefits like reservations and voting rights for refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Nadda also criticized Congress for the Emergency declared in 1975, saying it was meant to protect Indira Gandhi’s position rather than the country.

    Nadda urged Congress to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Emergency in 2025 by joining the “Anti-Democracy Day” to reflect on past wrongs. He discussed how the Congress added terms like “secular” and “socialist” to the Constitution for political gain, arguing that they were not needed. He emphasized that many governments were unfairly removed using Article 356 under Congress rule.

    He questioned why practices like triple talaq were not banned when many Islamic nations had done so. Nadda spoke about the original Constitution’s symbols, including the lotus, representing resilience and strength in democracy.

    Nadda also highlighted Nehru’s failures in managing national security and international relations, especially during the 1962 India-China war. He recalled how India lost significant territory due to diplomatic mistakes.

    In conclusion, Nadda remarked that the Constitution creators understood India wasn’t just becoming a nation; it was already established, rooted in its rich culture and history.

  • Newcastle University: A Top Choice for Indian Students!

    Newcastle University: A Top Choice for Indian Students!

    Newcastle University is an excellent choice for students! In the new QS World University Rankings, it stands at 129th place for 2025. It’s also 157th in the Times Higher Education Rankings. Additionally, it is recognized for its efforts in sustainability, making it one of the top 100 universities in the world for sustainable development.

    With impressive education and research, Newcastle University tackles global issues. It’s known for helping students find jobs and has strong partnerships with businesses.

    The university has around 29,000 students from 145 different countries, including more than 550 students from India. Some of its partners in India are the Indian Institutes of Technology (Delhi and Bombay), the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad), and the Indian Institute of Science.

    Popular Programs for Indian Students

    In 2024, Indian students enrolled in over 110 courses at Newcastle University. The most popular programs for Indian postgraduate students include:

    – MSc International Business Management
    – MSc Advanced Computer Science
    – MSc Business Analytics
    – MBA Master of Business Administration

    For undergraduate courses, the favorites were:

    – BA Business Management
    – BSc Computer Science with Industrial Placement

    Scholarships for Indian Students

    Newcastle University offers several scholarships for Indian students. These include:

    – VC Excellence Scholarships: 30% to 50% off tuition fees
    – Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships: £6,000 for undergraduates and £7,000 for postgraduates

    There are also merit scholarships that can cover up to 50% of the course fees.

    Job and Internship Support

    The Careers Service helps students secure internships. In the 2023-24 year, 485 students found internships, including 47 from India. The university also has “Jobs on Campus,” where students can work at various temporary jobs.

    Newcastle University offers resources for students looking to start their own businesses and encourages participation in over 100 clubs and societies.

    Commitment to Sustainability

    Newcastle University declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. They want to cut carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030. They are actively working on projects related to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as gender equality and quality education.

    Student Life and Costs

    Newcastle is one of the most affordable cities in the UK. Living costs average around £1,112.50 per month, with accommodation prices starting at about £500. Tuition fees for international students range from £25,000 to £30,000 but can be lower with scholarships.