National
Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit and Systems (CPPICS) inaugurated
⇒ In a momentous event that marks a significant leap towards India’s technological advancement, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Shri S Krishnan inaugurated the Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit and Systems (CPPICS) in Chennair on 20 October 2023.
- The inauguration ceremony, held at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), was a testament to India’s commitment to fostering innovation and propelling the nation to the forefront of photonics and digital technology.
During the event, the Secretary of MeitY, released a commemorative souvenir to mark the momentous occasion and provided his best wishes for the centre in taking the technology to its full commercialization and starting PIC manufacturing in India. Intel has shown keen interest in the technology.
Background:
- Digital India, a pioneering initiative of the Government of India, has been the driving force behind the country’s remarkable journey towards a digitally empowered society and knowledge-based economy.
- The advent of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), promising faster and more energy-efficient data processing and digital computing devices, is poised to revolutionize various sectors in the coming decade. These sectors encompass Data and Telecommunications, Healthcare and Medicine, Automotive and Engineering, among others. Furthermore, PICs are positioned to play a pivotal role in making ambient temperature and affordable quantum technologies a reality.
- Under the visionary guidance of the MeitY, India is actively fostering the development of diverse PIC technology platforms, including silicon photonics, diamond photonics, polymer photonics, and lithium niobate photonics.
Key Points:
- One remarkable achievement of MeitY’s forward-thinking strategy is the establishment of the Silicon Photonics Centre of Excellence on Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit and Systems (Silicon Photonics CoE-CPPICS) at the prestigious IIT Madras.
- CoE-CPPICS has been established on 1st January 2021 under the leadership of Prof Bijoy Krishna Das, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras.
- In December 2020, this centre was founded in collaboration with industry leaders to spearhead the design, manufacture, and application development of Photonic Processor Chips using Silicon Photonics technology.
- Within the next five years, CPPICS is set to achieve self-sufficiency, drive product commercialization through startups, and provide essential training to bolster the future ecosystem of PIC manufacturing in India.
- CPPICS is forging critical partnerships, including a collaboration with M/s Si2 Microsystems in Bangalore, to deliver state-of-the-art System-in-Package solutions for silicon photonic processor cores.
- This transformative technology is primed to cater to a wide array of sectors, including quantum computing, quantum communication, 5G/6G communications, IoT, radar and avionics, and more.
MeitY Secretary launches “Made-In-India” 2KW DC Portable Charger
⇒ Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Shri S Krishnan has witnessed the launch of indigenous Technology of 2KW DC Portable Charger developed by Centre of Excellence at IIT Madras Research Park at IIT Madras on 20 October 2023.
- The “Made-In-India” 2KW DC Portable Charger will help Boost Electric Vehicle Adoption.
Background:
» The launch marks a significant step in contributing towards the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) mission of accelerating Electric Vehicle adoption in India, reducing the current dependence on imported charging solutions.
- Currently a substantial portion of portable chargers utilized by OEMs are imported and arrive pre-programmed.
- Hence, they are not customizable in terms of voltage and current settings. Thermal and mechanical design play a major role in ensuring the proper functionality of the chargers.
- This further underlines the importance of developing Make-In-India chargers to aid in the proliferation of EVs in India.
» To address this challenge and increase local manufacturing, the 2KW charger has been designed and developed.
About 2KW DC Portable Charger:
- The 2KW charger has been designed and developed by CEET, IIT Madras and industrial partner Flowtrik Technologies with funding by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Govt of India.
- The new 2 KW EV charger designed in the Park and using recycled material is an important step forward.
- These chargers sporting an efficiency of >95% and functioning at a maximum operating ambient of 50 Degree Celsius are built with over-load, over-voltage, reverse polarity and in-built EMI/EMC filter.
- The chargers are designed to meet safety Standard IEC 60950-11.
- Charger design also includes optional provision to communicate with battery for adaptive charging based on battery requirements and hooks for IoT to enable live tracking of charging related parameters.
- Power output settings can be customized based on the volume of the manufacturing to suit the requirement of individual OEMs.
15 New Khelo India Centres (KICs) in Haryana
⇒ CM of Haryana Shri Manohar Lal Khattar launched a total of 15 Khelo India Centres (KICs) in Haryana on 20 October 2023 in the virtual presence of MYAS Shri Anurag Singh Thakur.
- The Govt of India has already notified 1000 Khelo India Centres (KICs) notified across the country.
- These centres will engage 15 Past Champion Athletes who will be training the next generation of athletes in their pursuit for medals.
About KIC:
- In the KICs, Past Champion Athletes become coaches and mentors for youngsters, run the sports training centre in an autonomous manner and earn their livelihood.
- Under the Khelo India Scheme, initial and annual financial support is also provided to these past champions as well as these centres for running the sports training, coaching and operations.
International
Publications Division participates in 75th Frankfurt Book Fair
⇒ Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, as part of INDIA National Stand, participated in the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair.
- The Publications Division stall as well as the INDIA National Stand was inaugurated by Shri Vinod Kumar, Consulate Commerce, Indian Consulate, Frankfurt on 18th October, 2023.
- The Publications Division exhibited its publications at Stall No. B 35/34, Hall No. 6.0, Frankfurt Book Fair.
- Presenting its timeless literary treasures, Publications Division brought its rich collection of books on wide array of topics such as art and culture, history, cinema, personalities and biographies, land and people, Gandhian literature and children’s literature, among others to the fair.
About Publications Division:
- Directorate of Publications Division is a repository of books and journals which highlight the subjects of national importance and India’s rich cultural heritage.
- Established in 1941, Publications Division is a premier publishing house of Government of India offering books and journals in different languages and on diverse themes like development, Indian history, culture, literature, biographies, science, technology, environment, and employment.
75th Frankfurt Book Fair:
» Frankfurter Buchmesse, one of the world’s most acclaimed book fairs, was held in Frankfurt, Germany from October 18 to 22, 2023.
» The 76th Frankfurter Buchmesse will be held from 16 to 20 October 2024.