Why is it in the News?

Recently, a US-based startup Cognition has unveiled an AI-powered tool, Devin, which it calls the “world’s first fully autonomous AI software engineer”.

What is Devin?

• Devin is a super-smart computer program created by a company called Cognition.
• It's like having a clever assistant for software engineering tasks.
• With just a simple instruction, Devin can write code, build websites, and make software all on its own.
  • But Devin isn't trying to replace human engineers, instead, it's meant to work together with them to make their jobs easier.
• The special feature of Devin is its ability to think ahead and solve tricky problems.
  • It can learn from its mistakes and keep getting better over time.
  • Plus, it has all the tools that a human engineer needs, like a way to write code and browse the internet.
• Devin has been tested against other AI programs, and it did way better, solving almost 14 out of 100 problems compared to just under 2 for others.
• So, in simple terms, Devin is like a super-smart assistant that helps engineers do their work faster and better, without taking their jobs away.

How does Devin work?

• Devin works by using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to understand and execute tasks related to software engineering.
  • When given a prompt or instruction, Devin analyzes the request and uses its vast database of knowledge and problem-solving techniques to generate code, design websites, or develop software.
• One of Devin's key features is its ability to think ahead and plan complex tasks.
  • It can make thousands of decisions based on the given task and learn from its mistakes to improve its performance over time.
  • Devin also has access to essential tools like a code editor and web browser, enabling him to complete tasks from start to finish.
• It can learn new technologies, tackle a wide range of engineering challenges, and even train its own AI models.
  • Additionally, Devin can collaborate with human engineers in real time, providing updates, accepting feedback, and contributing to design choices.
• Overall, Devin works by harnessing the power of AI to automate routine tasks, streamline workflows, and empower engineers to focus on more complex problems.
• By combining human expertise with machine intelligence, Devin represents a significant advancement in software engineering technology.

Why is it in the News?

The Eri (tank) network in the Kazhuveli watershed region in the Villupuram district which comprises an incredible network of tanks created thousands of years ago is to be proposed for nomination to the World Monuments Fund Watch 2025 program.

About the World Monuments Fund (WMF)?

• The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a non-profit organization headquartered in New York, committed to safeguarding and conserving endangered ancient and historic sites worldwide.
• Collaborating with local partners globally, the WMF offers financial and technical assistance to support preservation efforts.
• With a track record of raising over $300 million and securing an additional $400 million from other entities, the WMF has successfully preserved over 700 sites and championed the protection of more than 800 cherished landmarks since its establishment.

World Monuments Watch:

• The World Monuments Watch, initiated in 1996, is a program centered on nominations, fostering a link between local heritage conservation and international engagement.
• Through this initiative, the WMF has allocated over $110 million towards projects at over 300 Watch sites, enabling communities to utilize the platform's visibility to secure an additional $300 million from various funding sources.

World Monuments Fund in India:

In India, the World Monuments Fund (WMF) has focused on conserving significant cultural and ecological sites, including:

• The Kazhuveli Watershed Region: Renowned for its ancient 'Eri' network, an intricate system of tanks dating back thousands of years.
  • Situated in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, spanning from Gingee to Marakkanam and extending to the Auroville plateau.
  • Proposed pilot projects in Munnur village aim to develop a heritage toolkit applicable across the watershed and beyond if the nomination is successful.
• Suranga Bawadi: An ancient water management system located on the Deccan Plateau in Karnataka.
  • Included in the World Monument Watch list for 2020, highlighting its significance for preservation efforts.

Why is it in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated the Government’s commitment to move towards self-sufficiency in edible oils production and harped on the importance of oil palm cultivation in the northeast region.

About the National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP):

• The National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) is an initiative launched by the Government of India in August 2021 to significantly enhance oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production.
• This centrally sponsored scheme prioritizes the North East region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, aiming to boost the area and productivity of oilseeds and Oil Palm.
• The targets of NMEO-OP include expanding the oil palm area to 10 lakh hectares by 2025-26, a substantial increase from 3.5 lakh hectares in 2019-20, along with elevating Crude Palm Oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26 from 0.27 lakh tonnes in 2019-20.
• Furthermore, the mission seeks to enhance consumer awareness to maintain a consumption level of 19.00 kg/person/annum until 2025-26.
• Implementation of NMEO-Oil Palm involves various stakeholders such as the State Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture, Central University, ICAR-Institutions, CDDs, SAUs, KVKs, Central Agencies/Cooperatives, Oil palm processors/ Associations, DD Kisan, AIR, DD, TV channels.
• The salient features of NMEO-OP encompass assistance for planting material, inputs for intercropping up to a gestation period of 4 years, the establishment of seed gardens and nurseries, micro-irrigation, bore well/pump set/water harvesting structure, vermicompost units, solar pumps, harvesting tools, custom hiring center cum harvester groups, farmers and officers training, and replanting of old oil palm gardens, among others.

Oil Palm Production in India:

• Originating in West Africa, Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a relatively recent crop in India known for its high vegetable oil yield per hectare.
• It yields two main oils, palm oil, and palm kernel oil, utilized in both culinary and industrial applications.
• The primary oil palm-growing states in India include Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala, which collectively contribute to 98% of the total production.
• Additionally, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and Mizoram also have significant areas dedicated to oil palm cultivation.

Why is it in the News?

India has moved up a rank on the global Human Development Index (HDI), according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report ‘Breaking the gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarised world’ released recently.

Highlights of the Recent Report:

• The latest report revealed that India's global ranking improved slightly from 135th in 2021 to 134th in 2022, with a total of 193 countries assessed in 2022 compared to 191 in the previous year.
  • In 2022, India exhibited progress across all Human Development Index (HDI) parameters, including life expectancy, education, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
• Notable advancements were observed in life expectancy, which increased from 67.2 to 67.7 years, while expected years of schooling reached 12.6, mean years of schooling rose to 6.57, and GNI per capita saw an uptick from $6,542 to $6,951.
• Despite these positive strides, India continues to lag behind its South Asian counterparts, such as Bangladesh (129th), Bhutan (125th), Sri Lanka (78th), and China (75th).

What is the Human Development Index (HDI)?

• The Human Development Index is published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• It is the most well-known index of human development.
• It is based on the idea that human development means that people have long and healthy lives, are knowledgeable, and have a decent standard of living.
• More specifically, these three dimensions are measured with four indicators:
  • A long and healthy life: measured by life expectancy at birth
  • Knowledge: measured by expected years of schooling (for children of school entering age) and average years of schooling (for adults aged 25 and older)
  • A decent standard of living: measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita
• Represented on a scale from 0 to 1, the HDI value reflects a country's level of human development, with higher values indicating greater development.
• Computed as the geometric mean of normalized indices for each dimension, it offers a nuanced understanding of a nation's progress.
• Furthermore, the HDI aligns with Amartya Sen's 'capabilities' approach, emphasizing the significance of achieving substantive ends in human well-being beyond mere economic indicators.
• Since its inception in 1990, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has annually published the Human Development Report, which incorporates the latest HDI findings and insights.

Why is it in the News?

The Maharashtra cabinet recently decided to ask the Ministry of Railways to rename Mumbai Central Station after Nana Jagannath Shankarseth.

Who was Nana Jagannath Shankarseth?

• Nana Jagannath Shankarseth was a social reformer, educationist, and philanthropist and often described as the “architect” of Mumbai (then Bombay).
• He made extremely valuable contributions in terms of both ideas and money to multiple sectors, to lay a strong foundation for the city.
• Shankarseth was greatly inspired by the legendary merchant and philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy.
• As a social reformer and community leader, Shankarseth earned the goodwill of both Indians and the British.
• He became the first Indian to be nominated to the Legislative Council of Bombay.

Shankarseth’s Most Significant Contributions:

• Education: Shankarseth was deeply committed to the growth and spread of education in Bombay, and donated land owned by his family for educational institutions.
  • Like many social reformers of his age, he believed that Indians could progress through education.
  • He also worked for the education of girls and women.
• Shankarseth founded the Native School of Bombay, which was renamed first as the Bombay Native Institution, and then as the Board of Education.
  • Finally, this institution evolved into the prestigious Elphinstone College.
• Museum, Temples: Shankarseth was among the wealthy donors who helped promote Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Byculla, which was designed by a famous London-based architect.
  • The Bhawani Shankar Temple near Nana Chowk was Shankarseth’s tribute to his late mother Bhawanibai Murkute.
  • He also built a Ram temple.
• Railways: The first train in India ran between Boribunder and Thane on April 16, 1853.
  • The 34-km project was undertaken by the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Company.
  • The committee that gave the project impetus included Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy and Nana Shankarseth.