Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for development of human centric systems specific to the Human Space Mission (HSM) under the Gaganyaan project. Some of the critical technologies to be provided by the DRDO to ISRO include space food, space crew health monitoring and emergency survival kit, radiation measurement and protection, and parachutes for safe recovery of crew module. The aim of the ISRO is to demonstrate human spaceflight capability before the 75th anniversary of India’s independence in 2022.

Notes:
The 5th edition of International Ramayana Festival (IRF-2019) was organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi on September 17-19. In the festival, which is generally organised before Navaratra, artists showcase cultural interpretations of the epic. The artists from 17 countries participated in the fest & rendered their versions of Ramayan.

Notes:
The Telangana government has decided to declare 2020 as Year of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by organizing various activities related to the emerging technology. The state government has also signed pact with NITI Aayog, which released the ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence’ to run pilot projects in the state.

Notes:
In Bengaluru, the National Centre for Clean Coal Research and Development (NCCCR&D) has been launched at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) by the Department of Science & Technology (DST). The NCCCR&D is a national consortium that will address opportunities and challenges in the development of clean coal technologies. The target beneficiaries of NCCCR&D include organisations such as the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL), Bharat Heavy Electronics Ltd. (BHEL), Tata Power, and Triveni Turbines Ltd.

Notes:
Renowned Indian photographer Raghu Rai has been chosen as the first recipient of the first edition of the prestigious French Award of the Acadmie des beaux-arts Photography Award – William Klein . The prize of 1,20,000 euros will be presented to Rai in the Palais de l’Institut de France on 30th October 2019. As a consecration award, this prize is intended to reward a photographer for his/her entire career and commitment to photography. The award is in honour of the celebrated American-born French photographer and filmmaker William Klein, who was best known for his unusual photography techniques. Raghu is the photojournalist who captured with his lens the stark after-effects of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) and brought to viewers the hard-hitting visuals during the Bangladesh War (1971).