3 Indians missing in Iran rescued by cops
India's Agni-V is a game-changing intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting targets in Asia, Europe and parts of Africa in minutes. Developed by DRDO, it features a solid-fuel, three-stage system, ensuring rapid launch readiness and superior reliability. With an impressive range of up to 8,000 km, Agni-V enhances India's nuclear deterrence by offering high-speed precision strikes at Mach 24. Its road-mobile, canisterized design allows flexible deployment while ensuring survivability against enemy threats. The missile is equipped to carry a 3,000–4,000 kg payload, and future upgrades could introduce MIRV technology, enabling multiple warheads from a single launch. As tensions rise in global geopolitics, Agni-V not only cements India's strategic defense capabilities but also positions it alongside major nuclear powers like the U.S., Russia, and China. Agni-V stands as a powerful symbol of India's military strength and evolving global influence.
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India Today
19 minutes ago
- India Today
Should you double-check your doctor with ChatGPT? Yes, you absolutely should
First, there was Google. Or rather Doctor Google, as it is mockingly called by the men and women in white coats, the ones who come in one hour late to see their patients and those who brush off every little query from patients brusquely and sometimes with unwarranted there is a new foe in town, and it is only now that doctors are beginning to realise it. This is ChatGPT, or Gemini, or something like DeepSeek, the AI systems that are coherent and powerful enough to act like medical guides. Doctors are, obviously, not happy about it. Just the way they enrage patients for trying to discuss with them what the ailing person finds after Googling symptoms, now they are fuming against advice that ChatGPT can dish problem is that no one likes to be double-checked. And Indian doctors, in particular, hate it. They want their word to be the gospel. Bhagwan ka roop or something like that. But frustratingly for them, the capabilities of new AI systems are such that anyone can now re-check their doctor's prescription, or can read diagnostic films and observations, using tools like ChatGPT. The question, however, is: should you do it? Absolutely yes. The benefits outweigh the harms. Let me tell you a story. This is from around 15 years ago. A person whom I know well went to a doctor for an ear infection. This was a much-celebrated doctor, leading the ENT department in a hospital chain which has a name starting with the letter F. The doctor charged the patient a princely sum and poked and probed the ear in question. After a few days of tests and consultations, a surgery — rather complex one — was recommended. It was at this time, when the patient was submitting the consent forms for the surgery that was scheduled for a few days later, that the doctor discovered some new information. He found that the patient was a journalist in a large media group, the name of which starts with the letter new information, although not related to the patient's ear, quickly changed the tune the doctor was whistling. He became coy and cautious. He started having second thoughts about the surgery. So, he recommended a second opinion, writing a reference for another senior doctor, who was the head of the ENT at a hospital chain which has a name starting with the letter A. The doctor at this new hospital carried out his own observations. The ear was probed and poked again, and within minutes he declared, 'No, surgery needed. Absolutely, no surgery needed.'What happened? I have no way of confirming this. But I believe here is what happened. The doctor at hospital F was pushing for an unnecessary and complex surgery, the one where chances of something going wrong were minimal but not zero. However, once he realised that the patient was a journalist, he decided not to risk it and to get out of the situation, relied on the doctor at hospital is a story I know, but I am sure almost everyone in this country will have similar anecdotes. At one time or another, we have all had a feeling that this doctor or that was probably pushing for some procedure, some diagnostic test, or some advice that did not sit well with us. And in many unfortunate cases, people actually underwent some procedure or some treatment that harmed them more than it helped. Medical negligence in India flies under the radar of 'doctor is bhagwan ka roop' and other other countries where medical negligence is something that can have serious repercussions for doctors and hospitals, in India, people in white coats get flexibility in almost everything that they do. A lot of it is due to the reverence that society has for doctors, the savers of life. Some of it is also because, in India, we have far fewer doctors than are needed. This is not to say that doctors in India are incompetent. In general, they are not, largely thanks to the scholastic nature of modern medicine and procedures. Most of them also work crazy long hours, under conditions that are extremely frugal in terms of equipment and highly stressful in terms of this is exactly why we should use ChatGPT to double-check our doctors in India. Because there is a huge supply-demand mismatch, it is safe to say that we have doctors in the country who are not up for the task, whether these are doctors with dodgy degrees or those who have little to no background in modern medicine, and yet they put Dr in front of their name and run clinics where they deal with most complex is precisely because doctors are overworked in India that their patients should use AI to double-check their diagnostic opinions and suggested treatments. Doctors, irrespective of what we feel about them and how we revere them, are humans at the end of the day. They are prone to making the same mistakes that any human would make in a challenging work finally, because many doctors in India — not all, but many — tend to overdo their treatment and diagnostic tests, we should double-check them with AI. Next time, when you get a CT scan, also show it to ChatGPT and then discuss with your doctor if the AI is telling you something different. In the last one year, again and again, research has highlighted that AI is extremely good at diagnosis. Just earlier this month, a new study by a team at Microsoft found that their MAI-DxO — a specially-tuned AI system for medical diagnosis — outperformed human doctors. Compared to 21 doctors who were part of the study and who were correct in only 20 per cent of cases, MAI-DxO was correct in 85 per cent of cases in its none of this is to say that you should replace your doctor with ChatGPT. Absolutely not. Good doctors are indeed precious and their consultation is priceless. They will also be better with subtleties of the human body compared to any AI system. But in the coming months and years, I have a feeling that doctors in India will launch a tirade against AI, similar to how they once fought Dr they will shame and harangue their patients for using ChatGPT for a second opinion. When that happens, we should push back. Indian doctors are not used to questions, they don't like to explain, they don't want to be second-guessed or double-checked. And that is exactly why we should ask them questions, seek explanations and double-check them, if needed, even with the help of ChatGPT.(Javed Anwer is Technology Editor, India Today Group Digital. Latent Space is a weekly column on tech, world, and everything in between. The name comes from the science of AI and to reflect it, Latent Space functions in the same way: by simplifying the world of tech and giving it a context)- Ends(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Trending Reel
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Skoda Kodiaq becomes first petrol SUV from India to reach Everest base camp
Škoda Auto India has set a record with its flagship SUV, the Škoda Kodiaq, becoming the first petrol-powered SUV from India to reach the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest. With this, the company has registered its name in both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records. The achievement not only highlights the vehicle's engineering prowess but also marks a symbolic win for Indian automobile performance on global terrains, the company said in an official statement. The expedition covered more than 6,000 kilometres across India, Nepal and China, passing through extreme altitudes, sub-zero temperatures, and rugged terrain. 'This achievement is a reflection of our strategy of relevance, differentiation and trust,' said Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India. 'It demonstrates the ambition of Indian consumers and the trust placed in our vehicles' reliability, performance, and safety.' Strong Momentum for Škoda India The Everest base camp expedition comes amid a strong performance by the company. In the first half of 2025, Škoda Auto India posted its highest-ever half-yearly sales of 36,194 units, a 134 per cent growth over H1 2024. The brand also expanded its footprint to over 300 customer touchpoints across 172 cities. Škoda Auto is actively pursuing its 'Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030', with India playing a central role. The company aims to be among the top three carmakers in Europe and is strengthening its presence in high-potential markets such as India, North Africa and ASEAN.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
BYD India faces roadblocks in India expansion amid political tensions
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD Co. is facing mounting hurdles in its attempts to expand operations in India, with lingering political tensions and regulatory bottlenecks stalling key business activities, including executive travel and local investments, Bloomberg reports. Since the deadly 2020 border clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the Himalayan frontier, relations between the two nations have soured. As a result, Chinese firms such as BYD have struggled to secure visas and work permits for senior personnel. Ketsu Zhang, Managing Director of BYD India, has reportedly been unable to obtain a work permit to return to the company's base in Chennai. Zhang has been operating from Tokyo, managing BYD's interests in Asia, including India, according to sources familiar with the matter. With direct operations in India hampered, BYD has resorted to holding board meetings and key business discussions in neutral territories such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, and even Singapore, sources said. A growing demand in the Indian market Despite the logistical challenges, BYD's vehicles have seen growing traction among Indian buyers. Sales in the first half of 2025 are already nearing the total for all of 2024. However, the company's expansion is limited by its inability to invest locally. The Indian government earlier rejected BYD's $1 billion proposal to establish a joint venture manufacturing plant in India, citing national security concerns. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated earlier this year that the Indian government remains cautious about Chinese investments in sensitive sectors, including automotive manufacturing. This stance leaves BYD ineligible for any import tariff concessions tied to local production. Currently, BYD operates an assembly facility in Chennai with an annual capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 units. However, the bulk of its vehicles are imported — making them subject to steep tariffs that can double their cost — and are constrained by local certification and volume restrictions. Earlier this year, an Indian delegation invited to a major BYD dealer conference in Shenzhen had to be reduced after most participants failed to secure travel visas. BYD India declined to comment on these developments. Tesla's foray in India The contrast with US-based Tesla is striking. Tesla recently launched physical showrooms in India and began accepting orders for its Model Y SUV, despite also lacking local manufacturing. Chief Executive Elon Musk met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, indicating a smoother diplomatic engagement. Tesla faces import duties as high as 110 per cent but has thus far avoided the regulatory and political entanglements stalling BYD's progress. India recently resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, signalling a slight thaw in relations. Still, it remains unclear whether broader business-related visa restrictions will be eased or if BYD will be granted a green light to fully tap into one of the world's fastest-growing EV markets. For BYD — which aims to sell 5.5 million vehicles globally this year amid cooling domestic demand in China — access to India remains critical. Yet without local manufacturing capabilities and full market entry, the company faces significant limitations in its South Asian growth strategy.
