The System will use Artificial Intelligence(AI) to help improve the air quality over targeted sectors of Delhi /NCR.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas have begun setting up a decision support system (DSS) with web, GIS, and multi-model-based procedural and planning decision support tools. 

This tool will help immensely in capturing the static and dynamic features of the emissions from various sources. Using a chemical transport model, it will have an integrated framework to handle both primary and secondary pollutants. The System will also be able to take the source-specific interventions with the framework to estimate the benefits of interventions. It will focus on presenting the best results in a comprehensive, user-friendly, and straightforward format for different users.

The Commission has entrusted the task to expert groups from reputed knowledge institutions of the country given below for framework development of Air Quality Management DSS for Delhi:-

 The Air Quality Management Decision Support Tool (DST) integrates an emissions inventory development application and database; regional, local, and source–receptor modelling; and Geographical Information System (GIS) based visualization tools in a software framework to build a robust system to formulate and implement source-specific interventions to improve the air quality over targeted sectors of Delhi / NCR. Identification of source-specific interventions by the DST is deliberated with the involvement of stakeholders.

The covered sources will include industries, transport, power plants, residential, DG sets, road dust, agricultural burning, refuse burning, construction dust, ammonia, volatile organic compounds, and landfills. For instance, municipalities, industrial associations, industrial development authorities, etc., would be the stakeholders in identifying interventions related to waste burning and industrial source pollution.

Upon identification of feasible interventions, the artificial intelligence-based expert system has a hierarchical database of simulated scenarios, potentially assessing the impact of the identified possible intervention, which would be implemented by regulatory organizations such as CPCB and state PCBs. The on-field implementation is monitored independently by credible citizen watch groups and professional NGOs. Finally, air quality data collected near the area where the intervention is implemented will be analyzed to understand the real-world benefits of such intervention. Source: Press Release Release ID: 1691200 Date: January 22, 2021 PIB Delhi Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Indian Army celebrated its 73rd Army Day today. Every year, the Indian Army celebrates January 15 as ‘Army Day’ to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) K M Carriappa took over the command of the Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949 and became the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army post Independence.

The celebrations commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial, where CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and the three Service Chiefs paid homage to the Martyrs.

General MM Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff, reviewed the Army Day Parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment and was awarded 15 Sena Medals (including five posthumously) for individual acts of Gallantry and 23 COAS Unit Citations for commendable performance of their respective units. The Army Day parade was commanded by Maj Gen Alok Kaker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area. The leading contingent of the train was formed of the recipients of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees. This was followed by army contingents, which included T-90 tank BHISHMA, infantry combat vehicle BMP II, BRAHMOS missile system, PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System, upgraded SCHILKA Gun System, Bridge Layer Tank, international sports awardees, and seven marching contingents including mounted horse cavalry.

The Indian Army also conducted a live demonstration of Drone Swarming capability using 75 indigenously designed and developed drones that executed an array of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled simulated offensive missions and close support tasks.

Source: Press Release
Release ID: 1688778
Date: January 15, 2021
PIB Delhi
Ministry of Defence

• “Grandparent Scam” Targets Seniors with Phone Calls from Fraudsters Posing as Grandchild Asking for Money
• With Seniors More Isolated Than Ever Due to COVID-19 Restrictions,
• AG James Offers New Yorkers Tips to Protect Themselves

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued an alert to New Yorkers, warning them about the “Grandparent Scam,” a common phone scam that targets senior citizens with calls from fraudsters posing as a grandchild of the victim and asking for money. Attorney General James also shared a public service announcement in which high school students explain how the scam works and tips on avoiding becoming a victim to grandparents. The report features television personality Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who shares her experience about almost falling victim to the scam.

“Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many grandparents have not seen their grandchildren for months and maybe especially susceptible to this common and despicable scam,” said Attorney General James. “I urge all New Yorkers to be on the alert for this type of fraud and to protect themselves and their family members by following these tips. We should all be speaking with elderly family members and warning them that scammers are ready to prey on their love of family in an effort to take their money.”

The scam typically works as follows: A senior receives an unexpected call from someone who claims to be their grandchild. The caller then falsely claims an emergency and asks the grandparent to send money immediately. For example, the caller might say, “Grandma, I got arrested for drunk driving. I need bail money fast.” Or the caller may claim to have been mugged or that their car has broken down. The caller will often explicitly tell the grandparent not to call the grandchild’s parents because they will be mad or worry too much. The caller may also pose as an attorney, a bail bondsperson, or a law enforcement official contacting the grandparent on behalf of a grandchild.

The scammers often call in the middle of the night or early in the morning to take advantage of the fact that the victim may not be alert enough to ask more questions. Victims are often instructed to mail cash payments or go out and buy prepaid debit or gift cards and call back and read the serial number on the cards, allowing the scammer to transfer the funds immediately. Victims often lose thousands of dollars, and the money is rarely recovered, as the scammers can call from anywhere in the world. The scam is severely underreported, as many victims are often embarrassed and do not want to tell anyone they fell for it.

Attorney General James offers the following tips to protect against the Grandparent Scam:

• Take a pause. Scammers create a sense of urgency to prey on victims’ emotions and their love for family members.
• Verify any supposed emergency by calling friends and family before sending money. It is essential if a potential victim has been warned not to do so.
• A grandparent may think they would know whether they were speaking to their grandchild or an imposter, but it is easy to be fooled. The caller may be crying, the background may be noisy, or the caller may claim the connection is terrible.
• If the caller purports to be a bail bonds person, ask where the relative is being held and directly contact the facility. Grandparents can also call their local police department, where officers can reach the jail and confirm the story.
• Be suspicious of anyone who calls unexpectedly asking to be sent money.
• Never send cash through the mail.
• Never purchase prepaid debit cards or gift cards to transfer money.
• Develop a secret code or “password” with family members that can be used to verify family members’ identities over the phone.
• Ask a question to which only the real grandchild would know the answer, such as “What was the name of your first pet?”
• Set Facebook and other social media settings to private to limit the information available to scammers, such as grandchildren’s names.

In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission received 24,545 complaints of individuals impersonating family members and friends, up from 20,234 in 2019. New Yorkers alone filed 1,359 complaints in 2020.

Source: Press Release
Date: January 6, 2021
Attorney General's Press Office/212-416-8060 
nyag.pressoffice@ag.ny.gov