Microsoft Developed New Sign Language Translator-KINECT

US software company Microsoft recently developed a new cost-effective sign language translator that converts signs into spoken and written language - and vice versa. 

In collaboration with researchers in China, Microsoft created the Kinect Sign Language Translator, a prototype system that understands the gestures of sign language and converts them to spoken and written languageand vice versa. 

The translator uses a computer and a Kinect camera that recognises signing gestures, then gives a spoken and written translation of languages for people who can hear. 

The system captures a conversation both sides: the deaf person is shown signing, with a written and spoken translation being rendered in real-time, while the system takes the hearing person's spoken words and turns them into accurate, understandable signs. The system takes a person's spoken words and translate them into accurate signs carried out by an on-screen avatar.

The Kinect's sensors read a user's body position and movements and, with the help of a computer, translate them into commands. The project was collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Union University, and Microsoft Research Asia.

Bangladeshi Court sentenced to Death 152 Soldiers

A Bangladeshi court on 5 November 2013 sentenced to death 152 soldiers for their role in a 2009 mutiny. The life includes massacre of 74 people, including top army officers.  The trial is considered one of the world’s biggest ever mass criminal trials.

Besides, a total of 820 ex-paramilitary soldiers and 26 civilians were put on trial and Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman gave life imprisonment to 158 rebel soldiers and jail terms of three to 10 years to 251 others, while 271 were acquitted.

Bangladesh paramilitary border guards had staged a two-day mutiny over pay and other grievances against military leaders during 25-26 February 2009. The mutiny had taken place two months after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assumed office. Then BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed was killed during the mutiny and the mutineers hacked to death, tortured and burnt alive 74 people.

New Delhi to host 12th Edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2014

The 12th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas will be held in New Delhi from 7th to 9th of January 2014. This was announced by Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs on 5 Novemeber 2013 in New Delhi.

The theme of the convention is -Engaging Diaspora - Connecting across Generations- with a special focus on the younger generation.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the convention and President Pranab Mukherjee will give his valedictory address. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman will also be bestowed on 15 persons during the convention. 

The PBD Convention provides a unique platform for overseas Indians to interact among themselves and with the Government of India and the Governments of various Indian States. It is a forum where the Government of India showcases investment opportunities in India and its potential in various sectors. The 11th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held at Kochi, Kerala from 7th to 9th of January 2013.

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every yearto mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India’s growth. The event also provides a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora.

India successfully launched its Maiden Mars Mission from Sriharikota

India's premier space agency, ISRO, on 5 November 2013 successfully launched its historic mission to Mars from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 100km from Chennai. It was India’s first mission to the red planet. The mission follows India’s successful 2008-2009 Chandrayaan-1 moon probe, which discovered water molecules in the lunar soil. The total cost of the Mars mission is 73 million US dollars.

The main features of the Mars mission are as following:
• The main objective of the mission is to develop the technologies required for design, planning, management and operations of an interplanetary mission.
• The main objective of the mission is to explore Mars surface features, morphology, mineralogy and search for methane in the Martian atmosphere using indigenous scientific instruments.
• The satellite carries instruments such as Lyman Alpha Photometer, a methane sensor, a composition analyser, a camera and an imaging spectrometer for studying the atmosphere, particle environment and surface imaging. 
• The satellite is scheduled to reach the Mars orbit in September 2014 and is designed to circle the Red Planet in an elliptical orbit of 366 km X 80000 km.

IICT, Hyderabad received samples for detection of Chemical Weapons from OPCW

The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, recently received over 50 samples for detection of chemical weapons from the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The samples in the form of soil, water and organic solvents were sent twice a year since 2008 when IICT attained the status of designated laboratory for off-site analysis of weapons.

OPCW had been sending to IICT for analysis only blank samples collected from different parts of the world. Six samples which were coded to hide the identity of the substance and the originating country were sent by courier every six months as part of continuous evaluation of the lab. The report of the institute should be cent per cent accurate to be eligible to get three ‘A’ grades in succession and pass the proficiency test every year.

The institute has already got the proficiency certificate for this year (2013), but it was yet to enter into a technical agreement with OPCW to get authentic on-site samples.It had the technique to identify chemicals at parts per million (PPM) levels. A dedicated centre for analysis of chemical toxins was set up at the institute to attend to OPCW.

The IICT was one of the 21 labs in 17 countries that were designated by OPCW for off-site analysis of chemical weapons.

Apart from IICT, the Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also one of the 'designated laboratories' of the OPCW. 

A 'designated laboratory' has to participate every year in the OPCW proficiency test and consistently attain the 'A' grade benchmark to retain its status. From 2008, IICT has retained its status though it has been associated with OPCW since 1998.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)on 11 October 2013 won the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

About Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT)

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, (established in 1989) is a national-level research center located in Hyderabad, India under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India.

IICT conducts research in basic and applied chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemical engineering and provides science and technology inputs to the industrial and economic development of the country.

CV Wigneswaran Sworn in as the Chief Minister of Northern Province- Sri Lanka

Former Supreme Court judge of Sri Lanka C.V. Wigneswaran was on 7 October 2013 sworn in the first Tamil chief minister of Northern Province.

Justice CV Wigneswaran took oath before President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The swearing in ceremony was held in Temple Trees, the official residence of Sri Lankan President.

Tamil National Alliance has won a landslide victory, securing 30 seats out of 38 in the first ever provincial elections in the North. CV Wigneswaran, the Chief Ministerial candidate of Tamil National Alliance for the Northern Province secured the most votes for an individual candidate from Jaffna.

The elections in the province were held following intense international pressure on Colombo to devolve power to the minority Tamil community under the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which contested the elections as the Illangai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) under the house symbol, swept to victory securing 67.52 percent of the votes in 21 September 2013 polls

FDI inflows into the Service Sector declined by 47.5 Percent

As per the data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) on 4 November 2013, Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the service sector declined by 47.5 percent to 1.19 billion US dollars during the April-August 2013 period. The service sector, which includes banking, insurance, outsourcing, R&D, courier and technology testing, had received FDI (foreign direct investment) worth 2.28 billion US dollars in April-August 2012 period.

The services sector contributes over 60 percent to India’s GDP. In 2012-13, foreign investment in the segment declined to 4.83 billion US dollars from 5.21 billion US dollars in 2011-12.The other sectors where foreign inflows declined during the first five months of this fiscal as compared to the previous year include construction development (township and housing), power and metallurgical industries. On the whole, during the April-August 2013 period, FDI has increased by only 4 per cent to 8.46 billion US dollars, from 8.16 billion US dollars in the same period last fiscal.

Foreign investments are considered crucial for India, which needs around 1 trillion US dollars in the next five years to overhaul its infrastructure sector such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth.

Abraham K Techi Appointed International Weightlifting Referee

Indian Weightlifting Federation Joint Secretary Abraham K Techi on 4 November 2013 appointed as an international Weightlifting referee. Budapest–based International Weightlifting Federation issued the honour to Abraham, making him the fourth international referee from North East India.

Abraham K Techi, President of the Arunachal Weightlifting Association (AWA), is the first international referee from Arunachal Pradesh and fourth from the North East.

The other three referees from the region include Sunil Elangbam of Manipur, Birendra Prasad Baishya (IWF president and Rajya Sabha member) and Bhabajyoti Goswami both from Assam.

Besides being the Eastern Indian Body Building Association vice president, Abraham was member of the organising committee, in charge of sports presentation and medal ceremony (weightlifting) during the 2010 Commonwealth Games and manager of the Indian weightlifting teams that went to Cyprus, Uzbekistan and Malaysia.