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Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Govt ropes in AI firm to speed up I4C's cybercrime response
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) is preparing to deploy an artificial intelligence system that will automatically classify complaints and detect emerging fraud patterns across the country's cybercrime reporting platform. The AI model, developed by firm S4AI, will be integrated into the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal following further formalities, officials said. The system addresses a critical challenge faced by victims filing complaints on the portal. 'When a complainant is under pressure to report on the NCRP, they often don't even know what kind of crime has happened,' said Nisarg Gandhi, co-founder of S4AI. 'They might file a complaint in their local language, sometimes they only have a call recording, or maybe just some evidence files.' S4AI's model can process audio complaints in 22 languages, scanned FIR copies and text descriptions to automatically identify crime types and methods of operation. The system was trained using real-life data from the NCRP. The technology emerged as the winner of an AI hackathon organised October 2024 by the Union IT ministry's India AI Mission and I4C, chosen from 20 shortlisted teams to claim a ₹25 lakh prize. 'We are facing numerous challenges in cybercrime. The volume, veracity and complexity of the problems that are posed to us can be addressed very successfully with AI models,' said Rajesh Kumar, CEO of I4C. The portal currently receives approximately 6,000 cases daily. The need for such technological intervention is stark. According to the National Statistical Office's 'Comprehensive Modular Survey: Telecom, 2025' released on May 29, only 12.6% of rural residents aged 15 and above know how to report cybercrime or fraud, compared to 27.8% in urban areas. Experts hope the AI system will not only improve efficiency but also bridge this awareness gap by simplifying the reporting process. A key feature of the model is its ability to flag emerging cybercrime patterns in real time. When similar complaints spike within a single day, the system alerts law enforcement agencies about potential new fraud methods, enabling investigators to respond quickly before scams spread. Once deployed, Gandhi said the model will operate entirely within the NCRP's infrastructure. S4AI will lose access to the system post-deployment, ensuring data security and control remain solely with the government.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
IIVR scientists reach out to 2,000 farmers across 6 dists under ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan'
1 2 Varanasi: In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to revamp and energize the agriculture sector, the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) in Varanasi organised a comprehensive farmer awareness programme on Thursday as part of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025'. According to the IIVR authorities, the programme reached 2,063 farmers across 33 villages in six districts of Uttar Pradesh. Over 50 scientists from the institute engaged in direct technical discussions with farmers through face-to-face interactions. The campaign was conducted in Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Bhadohi and Kushinagar districts, with the highest participation of 462 farmers recorded in Kushinagar. In Varanasi district, 160 farmers from villages Pratappatti, Edilpur, Karaulli, and Daulatiya in Harahua and Sevapuri blocks participated in the programme. During the programme, farmers shared major challenges including Nilgai menace, irregular rainfall, water quality issues, soil health problems, market prices, high water table, urbanisation pressure, and availability of quality seeds. Scientists provided detailed information on natural farming, integrated pest management, new varieties, soil health management, crop diversification, direct seeded rice cultivation, summer ploughing, and govt schemes. IIVR director Rajesh Kumar, who was present at the Karaulli village programme in Varanasi, said, "This campaign is a significant initiative towards doubling farmers' income and promoting sustainable agriculture. Establishing direct dialogue with over 2,000 farmers today is extremely encouraging. Our responsibility is not limited to research alone, but extends to delivering scientific techniques to farmers and solving their problems. The positive response received from this campaign is highly inspiring for us." The institute has also announced regular follow-up programmes and establishment of demonstration plots. Lauding Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a national campaign aimed at educating farmers about modern and sustainable agricultural technologies as well as practices, CM Yogi Adityanath had on Thursday said that this was the first time when agricultural scientist would come out of their labs and other big institutions to take stock of the agricultural land at the ground level and devise strategies to meet the challenges the farmers face. Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Yogi said that the initiative will prove to be a foundation of the 'Viksit Bharat Abhiyan' envisioned by PM Modi. He said that agriculture scientists, officials from the agriculture and the allied sectors and farmers would come together to wheel in measures for higher agricultural productivity and growth.
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India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Whinnying Whiskey Couriers: 2 Horses Crossed UP-Bihar Border With Booze Worth Lakhs; Cops Left Dazed By This Genius Smuggling Hack
West Champaran (Bihar)/New Delhi: Move over human smugglers, the Bihar Police has just busted two four-legged operatives who were running a solo liquor racket across state lines and doing it better than most humans. In a bizarre case that took place in Bettiah, the local police did not arrest a gang of smugglers, they seized two horses instead. Why? Because these two clever stallions were carrying liquor worth lakhs strapped to their backs and trotting freely from Uttar Pradesh into Bihar. The horses would cross the UP border solo in the dead of night, sneak into Bihar undetected and deliver their liquid cargo to waiting contacts. No smugglers in sight, no noise, just hooves and high-value booze. The Great Horse Heist Ever since liquor prohibition was enforced in Bihar, it seems even animals have been roped into the underground economy. These two horses, now in police custody, were busted while on a cross-border booze run through the Gandak River's diara (riverbed) route. The cops from Nautan Police Station, acting on a tip, caught one of the horses with a load of four cartons of premium English liquor – roughly 34 litres. These horses, according to reports, were specially trained for smuggling, taught the route and sent off on their own to complete the 'mission'. Horsepower With a Plan Liquor smugglers in the region, as it turns out, have upgraded their tactics. They now train horses to memorise cross-border paths. Once trained, the horses are loaded up with boxes of alcohol and sent off alone. With no human handler in sight, they are nearly impossible to stop or trace. On the night of March 11, 2025, during a routine patrol, Nautan SHO Rajesh Kumar and his team spotted a few horses near the banks of Gandak. Suspicious, they moved in only to discover that the animals were hauling alcohol. The cops were stunned: each horse had cartons of liquor slung across its back, neatly tied and secure. No smugglers were caught, but the sheer ingenuity of the trick left the police team reeling. Some Escaped Into the Night According to officials, a few horses managed to cross the river and escape, successfully completing their boozy border run. Meanwhile, border villages in UP adjacent to Bihar are reportedly seeing a spike in horse purchases. It has raised eyebrows. While the horses are in custody, the smugglers remain elusive. But the message is loud and clear: in Bihar's prohibition-era economy, even animals are being weaponised for liquor logistics. The case has left locals amused, officials baffled and smugglers – well, galloping free for now.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana – Karnataka calls for urgent reforms to ensure regular supply of free medicines to patients
Welcoming the Karnataka government's decision to close down Janaushadhi Kendras on the premises of government facilities, members of the Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana–Karnataka (SAA-K), a coalition of 30 networks advocating 'Health for All', has called for urgent measures to ensure uninterrupted availability and free access to essential medicines within public health facilities. Asserting that the closure of around 180 Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises is only a first step, SAA-K members said urgent measures must follow to guarantee that no patient is forced to buy medicines, whether from private pharmacies or Jan Aushadhi stores. Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, Rajesh Kumar, convener of SAA-K Bangalore Urban district, said: 'The closure of Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises corrects a contradiction: medicines should be provided free at public facilities, and their sale within the same premises undermined that very promise.' Reform KSMSCL 'The government must now focus on strengthening Karnataka State Medical Services Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) and ensuring uninterrupted supply of quality medicines in all government facilities,' said another member Ritash, a writer and an LGBTQIA+ peer counsellor. Asha Kilaru, a public health researcher with SAAK, said KSMSCL must match the efficiency, transparency, and quality of the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC). With better systems, KSMSCL can procure more medicines with the same budget and reduce dependence on Janaushadhi Kendras. It lowers out-of-pocket expenses, an SDG goal. 'NITI Aayog's claim that PMBJKs sold ₹935.25 crore worth of medicines in 2023–24 (reportedly saving people ₹4,680 crore) misses the point that this figure represents money spent by people out-of-pocket, much of which could have been saved by a robust public procurement and free distribution system similar to Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Kerala,' she said. Misinformation Pointing towards misinformation on the government's move to close Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises, Prasanna, public health researcher at SAAK, said these kendras outside government facilities remain operational. 'Over 1,400 stores continue to function across Karnataka, allowing continued access to affordable generic medicines for those who can buy it. Some vested interests are falsely claiming that this move denies people access to affordable medicines. In truth, the real issue is the lack of availability of free medicines inside government facilities, which forces patients to spend from their own pockets whether at retail drug stores or Janaushadhi stores, and urgent necessary reforms are needed to correct it,' he added.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Greater Noida: Two realtors fined ₹5 lakh each over pollution
GREATER NOIDA: The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has imposed a total penalty of ₹10 lakh on two construction projects for allegedly causing air and water pollution in residential sectors of the city, officials said on Wednesday. The action follows multiple complaints from residents through various social media platforms and the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS), and direct submissions to the authority office. Officials informed that a site inspection was conducted on May 24 at plot GH-05 in Sector Techzone 4 which revealed open transportation of sand, soil, and construction material in uncovered dumpers, contributing to widespread dust emissions. Authorities observed that basement construction work was underway without adequate measures to control airborne dust. The inspection report also noted the likelihood of damage to the 45-metre wide road in front of the project site due to constant dumping and water transportation using tractors and dumpers. Besides, residents living near the site had reported breathing difficulties due to the rising dust levels, officials said. 'The project lacked effective dust control mechanisms, which is a clear violation of NGT norms. The builder concerned has been directed to deposit an environmental compensation amount of ₹5 lakh at the earliest and submit the receipt to the authority's institutional and builders' wing', said senior manager, Greater Noida authority, Rajesh Kumar. In a separate inspection conducted on the same day, officials found that in plot 8 in Sector 1, untreated sewage water and basement water was being directly discharged onto the adjoining 60-metre wide service road. Senior officials, including deputy general manager (projects), senior managers from sewer and work circle-3 departments, were present during the inspection. The builder was found to have damaged the road and drainage infrastructure, prompting officials to direct the developer to immediately clean the area and ensure a proper wastewater disposal system, officials informed. 'A penalty of ₹500,000 has been imposed on the developer for damaging public infrastructure and tarnishing the image of the authority. The builder must not only deposit the fine but also bear the cost of repairing the road and drains,' said the senior manager. Developers are warned to adhere to environmental protocols and take corrective measures to prevent further pollution, officials said.
