Today's Brief 27-28/01/2024

1. Budaun CBG plant to produce 14 Metric tonnes of biogas per day: In a momentous event, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, inaugurated Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) pioneering Biomass-based Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant in Budaun today i.e. on January 27, 2024 in the august presence of Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Rameswar Teli, State Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Labour and Employment, Govt. of India, Shri Dharmendra Kashyap,  MP, Aonla, Shri Rajeev Kumar Singh, MLA, Dataganj, Shri Mahesh Chandra Gupta, MLA, Budaun Sadar and Senior officials from MoPNG and UP Govt along with C&MD – HPCL and Senior officials from HPCL.

• The Inauguration of this CBG Plant aligns with the Government of India’s emphasis on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. As part of the National Biofuel Policy 2018, this initiative contributes to the government’s goal of reducing import dependency by 10%, with a focus on second-generation (2G) bio refineries and Compressed Bio-Gas Plants.

• In the coming time, more than 100 such bio gas plants will be set up in UP, the Union Petroleum Minister added.

• The Minister lauded the performance of Uttar Pradesh in various schemes of Government of India including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Smart Cities Mission, PM SVANidhi scheme etc.

What is CBG Plant?

 Transforming Waste into Clean Fuel

A compressed biogas (CBG) plant is a facility that converts organic waste into clean, renewable fuel. This fuel can be used in various applications, including transportation, cooking, and industrial processes.

Here's how a CBG plant works:

1. Feedstock collection: The plant gathers organic waste such as agricultural residues, livestock manure, food waste, and sewage sludge.

1. Pre-processing: The collected waste is shredded, sorted, and mixed to create a homogenous feedstock.

2. Anaerobic digestion: The feedstock is fed into a digester, a large airtight tank where microorganisms break down the organic matter in the absence of oxygen. This process produces biogas, a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, and other gases. 

3. Upgradation: The biogas is then purified to remove impurities like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. This upgraded biogas, primarily methane, is called compressed biogas (CBG).

4. Storage and transportation: The CBG is compressed into cylinders or transported through pipelines for use in various applications. 

Benefits of CBG plants:

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions: CBG production reduces methane emissions from organic waste decomposition, contributing to climate change mitigation.

• Provides clean and renewable energy: CBG is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

• Improves waste management: CBG plants divert organic waste from landfills, reducing pollution and promoting sustainable waste management practices.

• Boosts rural economy: CBG plants create job opportunities in rural areas, particularly for farmers and entrepreneurs involved in feedstock collection and plant operation.

Applications of CBG:

• Transportation: CBG can be used to power vehicles like buses, trucks, and even airplanes.

• Cooking: CBG can be used for cooking in homes and restaurants, especially in areas with limited access to LPG.

• Industrial processes: CBG can be used in various industrial processes, such as heating, power generation, and manufacturing.

The future of CBG:

The CBG industry is rapidly growing worldwide, driven by increasing environmental concerns, government policies promoting renewable energy, and technological advancements. India, with its abundant organic waste resources and supportive government initiatives, has the potential to become a major player in the global CBG market.

In conclusion, CBG plants offer a promising solution for waste management, clean energy production, and rural development. As the technology matures and the industry expands, CBG is poised to play a significant role in transitioning towards a more sustainable future.

2.Krutrim : Krutrim, Ola's AI platform, claims the throne as India's first AI unicorn, soaring to a $1 billion valuation after a $50 million funding round. But what exactly is a unicorn? In the venture capital realm, it's a mythical moniker bestowed upon privately held startups reaching a mind-boggling valuation of over $1 billion. These rare gems, like their namesake, represent singularity and exceptional promise. They often boast rapid growth, disruptive business models, and an uncanny ability to attract hefty investments.

India's unicorn stampede, fueled by the pandemic's work-from-home surge and a thriving digital ecosystem, has birthed 111 unicorns with a combined valuation exceeding $349 billion by 2023. A potent cocktail of factors – a booming digital payments scene, a massive smartphone user base, and innovative digital-first ventures – has lured investors and catapulted Indian startups to new heights. These high-value companies, spanning sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and logistics, hold the potential to significantly impact their respective industries.

But unicorns aren't the only mythical creatures in the entrepreneurial jungle. Decacorns, valued at over $10 billion, are emerging as the next evolutionary stage. India boasts five of these behemoths, including Flipkart, BYJU's, Nykaa, and Swiggy. Their rise signifies a maturing ecosystem and a potentially lucrative future for Indian innovation.

The rise of unicorns isn't just a vanity metric, it's a boon for the Indian economy. These companies create jobs, foster innovation, attract foreign investments, and inspire aspiring entrepreneurs. Their global recognition paints India as a vibrant hub for technology and business, propelling economic growth across diverse sectors.

To nurture this burgeoning ecosystem, the government has implemented crucial initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission, offering financial support and fostering research and development. Schemes like the Startup India Seed Fund and Fund of Funds for Startups provide early-stage entrepreneurs with the vital fuel they need to take flight.

While challenges remain, like stringent listing norms for public debuts, India's entrepreneurial spirit is indomitable. As the global economy stabilizes and investor confidence rebounds, we can expect an uptick in investment activity, further solidifying India's position as a top investment destination. The future is bright for Indian startups, with unicorns and decacorns leading the charge towards a thriving and innovative economy.

I hope this rewrite effectively avoids plagiarism while retaining the key information and spirit of the original paragraph. It also incorporates some concise transitions and additional context to enhance the flow and comprehension.Rewritten paragraph without plagiarism:

Krutrim, Ola's AI platform, claims the throne as India's first AI unicorn, soaring to a $1 billion valuation after a $50 million funding round. But what exactly is a unicorn? In the venture capital realm, it's a mythical moniker bestowed upon privately held startups reaching a mind-boggling valuation of over $1 billion. These rare gems, like their namesake, represent singularity and exceptional promise. They often boast rapid growth, disruptive business models, and an uncanny ability to attract hefty investments.

India's unicorn stampede, fueled by the pandemic's work-from-home surge and a thriving digital ecosystem, has birthed 111 unicorns with a combined valuation exceeding $349 billion by 2023. A potent cocktail of factors – a booming digital payments scene, a massive smartphone user base, and innovative digital-first ventures – has lured investors and catapulted Indian startups to new heights. These high-value companies, spanning sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and logistics, hold the potential to significantly impact their respective industries.

But unicorns aren't the only mythical creatures in the entrepreneurial jungle. Decacorns, valued at over $10 billion, are emerging as the next evolutionary stage. India boasts five of these behemoths, including Flipkart, BYJU's, Nykaa, and Swiggy. Their rise signifies a maturing ecosystem and a potentially lucrative future for Indian innovation.

The rise of unicorns isn't just a vanity metric, it's a boon for the Indian economy. These companies create jobs, foster innovation, attract foreign investments, and inspire aspiring entrepreneurs. Their global recognition paints India as a vibrant hub for technology and business, propelling economic growth across diverse sectors.

To nurture this burgeoning ecosystem, the government has implemented crucial initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission, offering financial support and fostering research and development. Schemes like the Startup India Seed Fund and Fund of Funds for Startups provide early-stage entrepreneurs with the vital fuel they need to take flight.

While challenges remain, like stringent listing norms for public debuts, India's entrepreneurial spirit is indomitable. As the global economy stabilizes and investor confidence rebounds, we can expect an uptick in investment activity, further solidifying India's position as a top investment destination. The future is bright for Indian startups, with unicorns and decacorns leading the charge towards a thriving and innovative economy.

3.Diamond Jubilee celebration of Supreme Court of India to be inaugurated by Prime Minister in New Delhi: Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi today. Mr. Modi will launch citizen-centric multiple technology initiatives, which include Digital Supreme Court Reports, Digital Courts 2.0 and a new website of the Supreme Court. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

The Digital Supreme Court Reports (SCR) will make Supreme Court judgments available to the citizens of the country free of cost and in electronic format. The key features of digital SCR are that all 519 volumes of the Supreme Court reports since 1950, covering over 36 thousand cases will be available in a digital format and with open access. Digital Courts 2.0 application is a recent initiative under the e-Courts project to make court records available to the Judges of the district courts in electronic form.

4.AISHE Report 2021-22: The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) is a quinquennial survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to provide comprehensive statistics on the higher education scenario in the country. The 12th edition of the survey, AISHE 2021-22, was conducted from July 2021 to December 2021.

The main findings of the AISHE 2021-22 report are as follows:

• The gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education increased from 27.1% in 2019-20 to 27.5% in 2021-22.

• The number of institutions of higher education increased from 99,865 in 2019-20 to 1,03,521 in 2021-22.

• The number of students enrolled in higher education increased from 41.3 million in 2019-20 to 42.6 million in 2021-22.

• The number of teachers in higher education increased from 2.7 million in 2019-20 to 2.8 million in 2021-22.

The report also provides detailed data on the following aspects of higher education in India:

• The distribution of institutions and students by type, level, and region

• The distribution of teachers by level and subject

• The expenditure on higher education

• The admission and placement scenario

The AISHE report is an important source of information for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders in the higher education sector. It provides a comprehensive overview of the state of higher education in India and helps to identify areas for improvement.

Here are some of the key trends and challenges highlighted in the AISHE 2021-22 report:

Key trends

• The growth of higher education in India is continuing, with the GER increasing from 27.1% to 27.5%.

• The expansion of higher education is being driven by a number of factors, including the growing demand for skilled workers, the increasing availability of financial aid, and the government's focus on promoting education.

• The growth of higher education is also leading to a more diverse student body, with increasing numbers of women, students from rural areas, and students from disadvantaged groups enrolling in higher education.

Key challenges

• The quality of higher education in India remains a challenge. There is a need to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and research in higher education institutions.

• The government needs to invest more in higher education to ensure that all students have access to quality education.

• The government needs to address the issue of quality assurance in higher education.

The AISHE 2021-22 report provides valuable insights into the state of higher education in India. It is a useful resource for policymakers and other stakeholders who are working to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education in the country.

5.Captain Shweta Singh becomes 1st woman CFOI of DGCA

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