News In Shorts: 25 November 2024

Humanoid teacher: NOVA

Context: Nova was introduced at Government LPGS, Punalur, on November 14.

About Nova

• It is an AI-powered humanoid.
• Clad in a brick-red sari, she uses her signature synthesized voice to engage with 74 lower primary students
• Purpose of Nova
  • Fostering Interest in Technology:
    • Exposure to AI prepares students for the digital era and encourages them to ask questions in multiple languages. 
• Multilingual Capabilities: Nova can speak English, Malayalam, Hindi, and Arabic, the latter included as it’s taught at the school.
• Key Benefits
  • Interactive learning improves language and technological skills.
  • Sparks curiosity and interest in AI among young students.

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What are humanoid robots?

• These are robots that look and move like robots. 
• It mimics the functions of humans. 
• Features
  • Equipped with  sensors, cameras, and microphones.
  • It can deliver  speech, respond intelligently and  recognize objects. 
• Applications

Ashtamudi Lake

Context: Recently, dead fish was discovered floating near the lake’s banks of Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam.

Initial Suspicions

• Cause Suspected: Thambi initially suspected illegal fishing practices using explosives and poison, locally known as ‘thotta’ and ‘nanchu’.

Ashtamudi Lake

• Spread over 5,700 hectares in Kollam, Kerala.
• Recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention (2002).
• Ashtamudi Lake, located in Kerala, is renowned as the “Gateway to the Backwaters of Kerala.”
• Historical Significance:
  • The lake holds historical importance, dating back to the 14th century.
  • It was a prominent port for Roman and Phoenician traders and one of five key ports used for Chinese trade.
• Major River Connection: The Kallada River, a significant river in Kerala, flows into the Ashtamudi Lake.
• Notable Islands:
  • Munroe Island: A cluster of eight small islands within Ashtamudi Lake.
  • Chavara South Island:
    • Noted for its rich deposits of minerals, making it geologically important.

Key Findings

• Causes of Fish Mortality
  • Algal Bloom: Overload of nutrients led to excessive algae growth, depleting oxygen and suffocating aquatic life.
  • Sewage Contamination:Presence of E. coli and streptococci indicated untreated sewage inflow.
• Pollution Sources
  • Plastic waste, poultry and abattoir waste, and untreated sewage from households.
  • Illegal dumping of solid waste and septic tank outflows.
  • Tourism and aquaculture activities contribute to microplastic pollution.

Impact on Fisheries and Local Livelihoods

• Declining Fish Yields
  • Significant drop in freshwater prawn exports from 12% to less than 5% over 15 years.
  • Extinction of several aquatic species due to sediment build-up and habitat degradation.
• Livelihood Challenges
  • Water hyacinth spread affecting fishing activities.
  • Loss of fish in cage farming operations due to algal bloom.
  • Reduced fish sales due to contamination fears.

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SEA VIGIL Exercise 24

Context: The fourth edition of the Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise Sea Vigil 24 concluded successfully on 21 Nov 24.

About the SEA VIGIL Exercise 2024

• Range: The Exercise was conducted along the entire 11,098 km coastline of India its Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.4 million sq. kms
• Participants: 21 agencies from 6 ministries including the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, State Marine Police, Customs, BSF, CISF, Port Authorities and Fisheries department etc participated.
• Focus Areas: The Exercise focused on enhancing country’s coastal defence and vital maritime assets such as,
  • Oil Rigs, Single Point Moorings (SPMs), Cable Landing Stations, and Non-Major Ports and Nuclear installations along the coast