Around-A Global View

  Abstract This report reviews recent evidence on digital literacy among Indian secondary school students, synthesizing primary studies, national surveys, and policy documents to describe current levels, determinants, and implications for schooling. Findings show uneven access and skill levels across states, urban–rural divides, and clear links between school infrastructure, teacher readiness, and students’ digital competence. National policy (NEP 2020) emphasizes 21st-century skills but implementation gaps remain. The report concludes with recommendations for curriculum integration, teacher professional development, targeted infrastructure investments, and future research directions. ([ASER: Annual Status of Education Report][1]) Keywords Digital literacy, secondary school, India, NEP 2020, digital divide, ICT readiness 1. Introduction Digital literacy — the ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information using digital technologies — is increasingly essential for e...

In our current digital landscape, the concept of beauty is undergoing a profound transformation. What used to be a matter of human presence, talent and expression has increasingly become a matter of algorithmic creation, high-end rendering and social-media metrics. At the heart of this shift lies the phenomenon of AI-generated beauties or “virtual influencers” — digitally created models and personalities whose purpose is often to capture attention, drive engagement, and monetize youth and desirability.  The Rise of the Virtual Beauty One of the most prominent examples is Lil Miquela (Miquela Sousa), a “19-year-old Brazilian-American” digital character created in 2016 by the startup Brud. ([virtualhumans.org] Though she appears as a human on social-media feeds, she is entirely computer-generated. [Moody College of Communication] Her following is in the millions, and she has appeared in campaigns for luxury brands such as Prada and Calvin Klein. [cut-the-saas.com] More broadly, the c...

  Building Smarter Slopes: Technical Insights on Landslide Early Warning Systems A focused technical review of instrumentation, remote sensing, AI forecasting, and operational lessons for implementing robust LEWS in complex regions such as the Western Ghats . Target audience: geotechnical engineers, disaster management professionals, and researchers Introduction: complexity of slope hazards Landslides are a highly nonlinear geotechnical hazard. In steep, monsoon-dominated regions such as the Western Ghats, failure is typically triggered by a combination of antecedent saturation, intense rainfall, and anthropogenic stressors (deforestation, excavation, drainage obstruction). Modern Landslide Early Warning Systems (LEWS) combine multisource monitoring, predictive models, and tailored dissemination to provide timely, actionable lead time for evacuation and mitigation. Figure 1 — LEWS architecture: four pillars — Risk Knowledge, Monitoring & Forecasting, Dissemination, Response. ...

1. Introduction: The Metaphor of the Unfading Fire The enduring spirit of India, its profound resilience, and its unwavering journey to independence are eloquently captured by the metaphor of "The Fire That Never Fades." This report posits that this metaphorical fire encapsulates India's inherent capacity for resilience, its unwavering pursuit of truth, its profound ability for transformation, and its persistent drive towards self-determination. This fire is not merely a symbol of political struggle but a deep-seated spiritual and cultural force that has burned brightly through millennia. This report aims to meticulously explore the historical, philosophical, and cultural roots that nurtured this enduring spirit, tracing their manifestation through various periods of challenge and, ultimately, in the Indian independence movement. By synthesizing these diverse threads, the analysis illuminates how India's foundational elements forged a collective identity capable of re...