India Lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024

India beats South Africa by 7 runs and lifts the India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024 for 2nd time after 2007. India has ended an 11-year trophy drought by defeating South Africa in the T20 World Cup final by a margin of 7 runs. This victory marks India’s second T20 world cup title. At the end of their 20 overs, South Africa managed to reach 169/8, chasing India’s 176/7.

T20 World Cup Winners List from 2007 to 2024, India Wins the Finals

Here, we are discussing about the winners of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from 2007 to 2024. The last tournament was in 2022 in Australia. England won against Pakistan in the final match on November 13th at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They became the 2022 champions. Below is a list of all the past winners of the T20 World Cup.

T20 World Cup Winners List from 2007 to 2024, India Wins the Finals

The table provides a comprehensive schedule for the semi-finals and finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. It includes details such as the event, date, venue, local time, UTC time, and Indian time for each match, making it easy to follow the tournament’s crucial knockout stages. India and South Africa face each other in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. India Beats South Africa by 7 runs.

Event Date Matches Results Venue Time (India)
1st semi-final Wednesday, June 26 South Africa v Afghanistan South Africa Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago  6:00 AM
2nd semi-final Thursday, June 27 India v England India Guyana National Stadium, Guyana 8:00 PM
Final Saturday, June 29 South Africa vs India India Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados 8:00 PM

T20 World Cup Winners List from 2007 to 2024

ICC T20 Cricket World Cup is a global tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It debuted in South Africa in 2007, with the most recent Men’s ICC T20 Cricket World Cup taking place in Australia from October 16th to November 13th, 2022. In this article, we are providing the T20 World Cup Winners List from 2007 to 2024.  Let’s have a look at the T20 World Cup Winners List from 2007 to 2024:

T20 World Cup Winners List from 2007 to 2024
Year Host Country Winner
2007 South Africa India
2009 England Pakistan
2010 West Indies England
2012 Sri Lanka West Indies
2014 Bangladesh Sri Lanka
2016 India West Indies
2021 UAE/Oman Australia
2022 Australia England
2024 USA and West Indies India

T20 World Cup Winners List Year Wise

The T20 World Cup winners list year wise will help you to increase your general sports knowledge. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions, runners-up, Players of the Series, leading run-scorers, top wicket-takers, and host locations.

Year Winner Runner-Up Player of the Series Top Run Scorer Highest Wicket Taker Venue
2007 India Pakistan Shahid Afridi Matthew Hayden Umar Gul South Africa
2009 Pakistan Sri Lanka Tillakaratne Dilshan Tillakaratne Dilshan Umar Gul England
2010 England Australia Kevin Pietersen Mahela Jayawardene Dirk Nannes West Indies
2012 West Indies Sri Lanka Shane Watson Shane Watson Ajantha Mendis Sri Lanka
2014 Sri Lanka India Virat Kohli Virat Kohli Ajantha Mendis Bangladesh
2016 West Indies England Virat Kohli Tamim Iqbal Mustafizur Rahman India
2021 Australia New Zealand Mitchell Marsh Babar Azam Adam Zampa UAE/Oman
2022 England Pakistan Sam Curran Virat Kohli Wanindu Hasaranga Australia
2024 India South Africa Update soon Update soon Update soon US and West Indies

T20 World Cup Winners List- Country-wise

When it comes to the top-performing cricket team in the T20 World Cup, West Indies stands out as the most successful. West Indies is the sole nation to have secured the ICC T20 World Cup championship twice, in 2012 and 2016, while India, Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka have each claimed victory once.  Let’s have a look at the country-wise World Cup winners list from 2007 to 2022.

Country Name No. of times Winner Year
West Indies 2 2012, 2016
India 2 2007, 2024
Pakistan 1 2009
England 2 2010, 2022
Sri Lanka 1 2014
Australia 1 2021

ICC T20 World Cup Winners List

The T20 World Cup 2022 has concluded, and England emerged as the new champions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In the first semifinal, Pakistan competed against New Zealand, and Pakistan emerged victorious, becoming the first team to secure a spot in the final of the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup 2022. The second semifinal featured a match between India and England, with England winning by 10 wickets and becoming the second team to qualify for the finals.

ICC World Cup Winners List

Here, we are sharing the T20 world cup winners list in detail from 2007 to 2022.

T20 World Cup 2022 Winner- England

In the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2022, England emerged as the new champions. Pakistan secured their spot in the final by winning the first semifinal against New Zealand. England followed suit by defeating India with an impressive 10-wicket victory in the second semifinal. The final showdown saw England clinch the title, marking a significant achievement in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

T20 World Cup 2021 Winner- Australia

Australia secured victory in the T20 World Cup 2021 by defeating New Zealand in the final. Dominating the match, Australia triumphed by 8 wickets, claiming their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. Mitchell Marsh of Australia was named the player of the match in the final, adding to the team’s historic win.

T20 World Cup 2016 Winner- West Indies

In the T20 World Cup 2016, West Indies achieved a remarkable feat by winning the tournament for the second time. They outplayed England in the final, securing victory and becoming the first team to clinch the T20 World Cup trophy twice. Virat Kohli received the Player of the Series award, while Tamim Iqbal emerged as the highest run-scorer.

T20 World Cup 2014 Winner- Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2014, defeating India in the final by 6 wickets. This marked Sri Lanka’s first T20 World Cup win, with Virat Kohli of India earning both the top run-scorer and Player of the Series accolades.

T20 World Cup 2012 Winner- West Indies

In the T20 World Cup 2012, West Indies secured their first title by defeating host nation Sri Lanka in the final. Shane Watson of Australia excelled as both the Player of the Series and the top run-scorer, while Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka claimed the highest wicket-taker title.

T20 World Cup 2010 Winner- England

England made history in the T20 World Cup 2010 by becoming the first non-Asian team to claim the title. They defeated Australia in the final, with Kevin Pietersen named the Player of the Series for his outstanding contributions.

T20 World Cup 2009 Winner- Pakistan

After being runners-up in the inaugural T20 World Cup, Pakistan redeemed themselves by winning the 2009 edition. Hosted by England, Pakistan emerged victorious by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka was the Player of the Series and top run-scorer.

T20 World Cup 2007 Winner- India

In 2007, India won the first T20 World Cup, with MS Dhoni as the captain. They defeated Pakistan in an exciting final match. Throughout the tournament, India lost only once, to New Zealand in the Super 8 stage. India’s path to the championship was highlighted by their strong team performance, defeating teams like England and South Africa along the way.

In the semi-final against Australia, Yuvraj Singh was spectacular, scoring 70 runs from just 30 balls. He also famously hit six sixes in one over in an earlier match against England. Other key players included Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, who played well, especially against South Africa. The bowlers, including RP Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Sreesanth, were consistent throughout the tournament.

The final match against Pakistan was very close. Gautam Gambhir scored 75 runs, and a quick score from Rohit Sharma helped India set a target of 158 runs. Irfan Pathan was excellent in breaking through Pakistan’s batting, and RP Singh bowled well at crucial times. The match reached a tense moment when Joginder Sharma bowled to Misbah-ul-Haq, who tried an unusual shot but ended up being caught by Sreesanth, clinching the win for India.

History of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an international cricket tournament that happens every two years. However, if there is a Cricket World Cup scheduled in the same year, the T20 World Cup happens the year before.

  • The first T20 World Cup was held in 2007 in South Africa. India won the final by defeating Pakistan. Kenya and Scotland had to qualify for the tournament through a 50-over competition called the 2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One.
  • Later, it was decided to have a qualifying tournament with a 20-over format to better prepare the teams for the T20 World Cup. The top two teams from this qualifier would receive $250,000 each.
  • Pakistan won the second T20 World Cup in 2009 by defeating Sri Lanka in England.
  • In 2010, the tournament was held in the West Indies, and England defeated Australia in the final.
  • The 2012 T20 World Cup was won by the West Indies, who defeated Sri Lanka in the final. This was the first time a host nation played in the T20 World Cup final. There were 12 teams participating, including Ireland and Afghanistan, who qualified through the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. It was also the first time the T20 World Cup was held in an Asian country.

T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy

  • The trophy given to the winning team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final was made by Links of London.
  • It is made of silver and rhodium metals. The trophy weighs about 7.5 kilograms (17 pounds) and is 51 centimeters (20 inches) tall. At the top, it is 19 centimeters (7.5 inches) wide, and at the bottom, it is 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) wide.

T20 World Cup 2024 Final Rules

World T20 2024 Final: Rain Interruption Rules

Extra Time:

  • 190 minutes additional time allocated on Saturday
  • Aim: Ensure a 20-over game for fair results
  • Overs reduction implemented after this time

Complete Abandonment:

  • If no ball bowled, match moves to reserve day
  • Super over to determine the winner in case of a tie
  • If abandoned after tie, teams declared joint winners

Reserve Day Ground Treatment:

  • Covering/uncovering: As per Clause 10 of playing conditions
  • Mowing/rolling: As for day 2 of Test match (Clause 9, ICC Test match conditions)

Scenarios for Reserve Day:

a) Instance 1:

  • Match starts (20 overs)
  • Interruption occurs
  • Overs reduced to 17
  • Match abandoned without further play
  • Reserve day: Restart with 20 overs (reductions if needed)

b) Instance 2:

  • Match starts (20 overs)
  • Interruption occurs
  • Overs reduced to 17
  • One over bowled, then abandoned
  • Reserve day: Continue with a 17-over format

 

India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024_5.1

SpaceX Wins $843-Million NASA Contract to Destroy the International Space Station

NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to construct a spacecraft aimed at safely deorbiting the International Space Station (ISS) by around 2030. While SpaceX will build the vehicle, NASA will oversee its operation and take ownership of the craft once completed.

The space agency report

According to the space agency’s plans, SpaceX’s specially designed deorbit vehicle will drag the football field-size ISS back to Earth sometime after the end of its operational life in 2030. The ISS will smash into our planet’s atmosphere at a speed of more than 17,000 mph (27,500 km/h) before landing in a crashdown spot in the ocean.

The floating laboratory’s first parts were launched in 1998, and it has been occupied by astronauts from the U.S., Japan, Russia, Canada and Europe since 2000, who have completed more than 3,300 scientific experiments in a close orbit above Earth. But the space station is showing its age: technical faults and leaks continue to cause issues for crews, and the contracts between the five participating national space agencies, which marked an era of global cooperation in space following the end of the Cold War, will end by 2030.

ISS Deorbiting Mission

Weighing approximately 430,000 kilograms (950,000 pounds), the ISS stands as the largest structure ever constructed in space, symbolizing a collaborative effort among the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, and Russia since its inception in 2000. While the US and its partners plan to maintain operations until 2030, Russia’s commitment extends only until 2028.

Growing problem of space junk

The ISS also faces risks from the growing problem of space junk – orbital debris made of other defunct satellites, whipping around Earth at high speeds. On June 27, nine astronauts aboard the ISS were forced to take shelter in the docked Boeing Starliner crew capsule after hundreds of pieces of debris from a shattered Russian satellite threatened the space station’s safety. The crew were allowed to return to the ISS after about an hour, and operations continued as normal. But it’s still unclear exactly when the space station will be brought crashing back to Earth. These include Axiom Space’s Axiom Station, and the Orbital Reef designed by Blue Origin and Sierra Space. Both stations are slated to come online by the end of this decade.

Responsibility of all five space agencies

When the ISS is ready to be destroyed, it is also unclear how much other space agencies will shoulder the burden. NASA said in its statement that “the safe deorbit of the International Space Station is the responsibility of all five space agencies,” but the extent of their financial or technical involvement in SpaceX’s drag-and-dump is unspecified. The ISS’s fiery descent won’t be the first performed by a decommissioned space station. In 2001, Russia’s Mir space station was sent plummeting back to Earth, and its surviving fragments were swallowed by the Pacific Ocean.

 

India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024_5.1

India vs South Africa, T20 World Cup Head-to-Head Record

India vs South Africa: T20 World Cup 2024 Final Preview

The 2024 T20 World Cup final is set to be a thrilling encounter between India and South Africa at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday. As these two cricketing powerhouses prepare to face off, let’s take a look at their head-to-head record and key statistics from their past encounters in T20 World Cups.

Head-to-Head Record

India and South Africa have met six times in T20 World Cup history, with India holding a slight edge. Here’s a breakdown of their record:

Statistic Number
Matches played 6
India won 4
South Africa won 2

The last time these two teams met in a T20 World Cup match, South Africa emerged victorious, winning by five wickets in Perth in 2022. However, in their only knockout stage encounter—the 2014 semifinal—India secured a comfortable six-wicket victory.

Past Encounters

Here’s a chronological list of all India vs South Africa matches in T20 World Cups:

Year Venue Result
2007 Durban India won by 37 runs
2010 Gros Islet India won by 14 runs
2012 Nottingham South Africa won by 12 runs
2012 Colombo India won by one run
2014 Mirpur India won by six wickets
2022 Perth South Africa won by five wickets

Key Performers

Top Run-Scorers

Batter Team Matches Runs Average Strike Rate Highest Score
Suresh Raina IND 4 170 42.50 151.78 101
Rohit Sharma IND 5 143 35.75 117.21 50*
Faf du Plessis SA 2 123 61.50 155.69 65

Top Wicket-Takers

Bowler Team Matches Wickets Economy Average Best Bowling
RP Singh IND 2 5 5.66 6.80 4/13
R. Ashwin IND 3 5 7.66 18.40 3/22
Lungi Ngidi SA 1 4 7.25 7.25 4/29

As both teams gear up for this crucial final, they’ll be looking to their star players to make an impact. India’s batsmen, particularly Rohit Sharma, will be key to setting or chasing a competitive total. For South Africa, the bowling prowess of players like Lungi Ngidi could prove decisive.

With their rich history of encounters and the ultimate prize at stake, the 2024 T20 World Cup final promises to be an exciting clash between two of cricket’s giants.

India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024_5.1

Portugal’s António Costa, The European Council’s Next President

Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has been formally appointed to take on the second highest job in the European Union, that of President of the European Council. Ursula Von der Leyen has been reinstated for a second term as President of the European Commission.

Historic moment for Portugal and the European Union (EU)

It was a historic moment for Portugal and the European Union (EU) as former prime minister of Portugal, António Luís Santos da Costa, has been elected as the President of the European Council in Brussels. He became the first Portuguese leader to hold this position, and the appointment marks a significant milestone in European politics. The appointment was “almost” a certainty but was only confirmed during the leaders’ meeting in Brussels.

Who is Antonio Costa?

Born in 1961, António Costa was a lawyer turned pro-politician with a strong socialist background and a member of the Partido Socialista or Socialist Party (PS) of Portugal. During his tenure as the prime minister of Portugal, he carried out packages to revitalize Lisbon and Portugal as a whole. His leadership style combines pragmatism with a commitment to social justice, making him a respected leader both locally and internationally.

Known as Gandhi of Lisbon

Before becoming the prime minister, he served multiple terms as a cabinet minister in Portugal, became the vice president of the European Parliament, and later the mayor of Lisbon. Nicknamed “Gandhi of Lisbon” for his frugal lifestyle and his Indian roots, in 2017, he was presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India. He also holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

What does his presidency mean for the EU?

Notably, Costa’s name wasn’t initially on the table. The council chose him despite his absence from the initial list of candidates, signalling a willingness to consider unconventional options and also Portugal’s growing influence in the EU. He considers it a strong sign of European democracy and unity. Diplomatic sources report that the decision was made during a meeting of the European Council in Brussels, where leaders of the European Union (EU) also put forward a proposal for Ursula von der Leyen to lead the European Commission for a second term.

Treaty of Lisbon

The roles of the President of the European Council were established by the Treaty of Lisbon, signed on December 13, 2007. Herman Van Rompuy, also former Belgian prime minister, was the first to hold this position for two terms, from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2014. Now, the former PM António Costa is all set to succeed the Belgian Charles Michel (in office since 2019).

 

India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024_5.1

RBI Announces SAARC Currency Swap Framework For 2024-27

The Reserve Bank of India with the concurrence of the Government of India has decided to put in place a revised Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC countries for the period 2024 to 2027. Under this Framework, the Reserve Bank would enter into bilateral swap agreements with SAARC central banks, who want to avail of the swap facility.

INR Swap Window

Under the Framework for 2024-27, a separate INR Swap Window has been introduced with various concessions for swap support in Indian Rupee. The total corpus of the Rupee support is ₹250 billion. The RBI will continue to offer swap arrangement in US$ and Euro under a separate US Dollar/ Euro Swap Window with an overall corpus of US$ 2 billion. The Currency Swap Facility will be available to all SAARC member countries, subject to their signing the bilateral swap agreements.

SAARC Currency Swap Facility

SAARC Currency Swap Facility came into operation on November 15, 2012 with an intention to provide a backstop line of funding for short term foreign exchange liquidity requirements or balance of payment crises of the SAARC countries till longer term arrangements are made.

Under this framework

Under the Framework for 2024-27, a separate INR Swap Window has been introduced with various concessions for swap support in Indian Rupee. The total corpus of the Rupee support is Rs 250 billion. The RBI will continue to offer swap arrangement in US$ and Euro under a separate US Dollar/ Euro Swap Window with an overall corpus of US$ 2 billion. The Currency Swap Facility will be available to all SAARC member countries, subject to their signing the bilateral swap agreements.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams

  • RBI Governor: Shaktikanta Das
  • RBI was founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
  • Subsidiary of RBI: Structured Financial Messaging System
  • Founder of RBI: British Raj

 

India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024_5.1

Dr. Usha Thakur Receives Prestigious 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman

In a heartwarming celebration of linguistic and cultural ties between India and Nepal, Dr. Usha Thakur has been honoured with the 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding contributions to Hindi literature and her efforts in strengthening the bonds between Hindi and Nepali languages.

The Award Ceremony

A Unique Setting

The award was presented during a Hindi Samvad event, specially organized by the Embassy of India in Nepal. This event took place at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, creating a fitting academic backdrop for this literary honour.

Behind the Scenes

Originally, the award was to be presented at the 12th World Hindi Conference held in Fiji in 2023. However, due to Dr. Thakur’s inability to attend the Fiji event, this special ceremony was arranged in Nepal, bringing the celebration closer to home for the accomplished linguist.

Dr. Usha Thakur’s Contributions

A Bridge Between Languages

Dr. Thakur’s work stands as a testament to the power of translation in bringing cultures together. Her achievements include:

  • Translating over 40 literary works between Hindi and Nepali
  • Significantly contributing to the development of Hindi literature
  • Strengthening the position of Hindi as a language of cultural exchange

Hindi’s Role in Nepal

During the ceremony, Dr. Thakur highlighted an important aspect of Hindi’s presence in Nepal:

  • Hindi serves as a widespread contact language for tourists and locals in Nepal
  • This underscores the practical importance of Hindi in fostering communication and understanding between the two nations

Understanding the Vishwa Hindi Samman

A Global Celebration of Hindi

The World Hindi Conference, from which this award stems, is more than just a ceremony. It’s a global event that:

  • Celebrates the Modern Standard Hindi register of the Hindustani language
  • Brings together Hindi scholars, writers, and laureates from around the world
  • Promotes the development and global reach of the Hindi language

Historical Significance

  • The conference was first inaugurated on January 10, 1975
  • It has since become a key platform for discussing and advancing Hindi on the world stage

The Importance of This Recognition

Strengthening Indo-Nepal Ties

This award to Dr. Thakur serves multiple purposes:

  1. It recognizes individual excellence in literary contributions
  2. It highlights the cultural and linguistic ties between India and Nepal
  3. It promotes the importance of translation in fostering international understanding

Promoting Linguistic Diversity

By honouring work that bridges Hindi and Nepali, the award also:

  • Celebrates the rich linguistic diversity of the region
  • Encourages further work in translation and cross-cultural literary exchange

About Nepal: A Brief Overview

As the setting for this significant event, it’s worth noting some key facts about Nepal:

  • Government: A landlocked country in South Asia, formerly a kingdom established by the Shah dynasty
  • Leadership:
    • Prime Minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal
    • President: Ram Chandra Paudel
  • Capital: Kathmandu
  • Currency: Nepalese Rupee

The Bigger Picture: Language as a Cultural Bridge

Dr. Thakur’s award reminds us of the crucial role that language plays in international relations and cultural understanding. Her work in translating between Hindi and Nepali serves as:

  • A bridge between two rich cultural traditions
  • A tool for fostering greater understanding between neighbouring nations
  • An inspiration for future generations of linguists and translators

Looking Forward: The Future of Hindi Literature

This recognition of Dr. Thakur’s work points to a bright future for Hindi literature:

  • It encourages more scholars to engage in translation work
  • It highlights the global relevance of Hindi as a language of literature and communication
  • It strengthens the cultural ties between India and its neighbours

India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024_5.1

Global Chess League to Hold Second Edition in London in October

After a successful first season in Dubai, the Global Chess League will return for another edition, this time in London. The highly anticipated second edition of Tech Mahindra Global Chess League will take place in London, England from 3rd to 12th October 2024. It will take place at Friends House in central London.

The Global Chess League

The Global Chess League, a joint initiative between the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Tech Mahindra, a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, is set for a highly anticipated second edition in London.

The league aims

Following the success of the first edition, the league aims to unite the world’s top chess players in one of the most historic cities. Through this innovative league, FIDE and Tech Mahindra aim to revolutionize the fan experience of chess through a new format and ecosystem, providing an inclusive platform for fans to support their favourite teams and stars, similar to major global sports leagues.

Top players will take place at Friends House

The 10-day, one-of-a-kind chess league featuring top players will take place at Friends House, located in the heart of central London, from October 3rd to 12th, 2024. Based on the feedback from fans worldwide, London was selected as the venue for this season to connect with the fast-growing fan base and enthusiasm for chess in the European region.

What is GCL?

GCL is the world’s first and largest official franchise league of its kind, with chess players competing in a unique joint team format. GCL will feature male and female chess champions competing on the same team. The league’s joint male-female teams will have the rare distinction of being the only joint team in a professional sports league.

Success of its first session

Building on the success of its first season, the league aims to further broaden the viewership base through live broadcasts, interactive fan experiences, and community engagement activities like soon to be launched Global Chess League Trophy Tour. In the tournament, the players will compete in a unique joint team format consisting of six players, including two top women chess players and a prodigy player per team. Each team will play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system.

Second Season

The second season will see FIDE and Tech Mahindra collaborate to tap into the growing chess fan base, build a larger audience for chess viewing, and engage in exciting fan activities such as the ongoing all-inclusive hackathon. The hackathon engages with participants of all chess skill levels and technical expertise and collates ideas for improving the way chess is experienced, played, and consumed. Participants can propose ideas in various categories, including education, digital innovation, social impact, business, and arts, among others. The second edition will feature top players from around the world, including reigning world champions and rising stars, competing in a unique team format that emphasizes strategy, collaboration, and high-stakes play.

About FIDE

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions. Constituted as a non-governmental institution, it was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999.

  • FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne, but it was initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens una Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”).
  • It was one of the very first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of the sports of Football, Cricket, Swimming, and Auto Racing. It is now one of the largest, encompassing 201 countries as affiliate members in the form of National Chess Federations.
  • Chess is a truly global sport nowadays, with dozens of millions of players on all continents and more than 60 million games on average played every day.

About Tech Mahindra Global Chess League

The Global Chess League is the world’s first and largest official franchise league of its kind, with chess players from all over the world competing in a unique joint team format. It is a joint venture between Tech Mahindra, a part of the Mahindra Group, and FIDE.

  • The league will feature male and female chess champions competing in the same team. Playing on the popular Rapid format, the league’s joint male-female teams will have the rare distinction of being a unique multiplayer team in the world of professional sports.
  • In addition, the league is a one-of-its-kind live televised chess event offering fans a unique viewing experience.
  • Tech Mahindra and FIDE will explore innovative ways to promote the game through interactive technology-enabled platforms by leveraging next-generation technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, among others.

India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024_5.1

Pench Tiger Reserve Embraces AI for Enhanced Forest Fire Protection

The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has taken a significant step forward in wildlife protection by introducing an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for early forest fire detection. This innovative approach marks a new chapter in conservation efforts, combining cutting-edge technology with traditional wildlife management practices.

Understanding the AI System

High-Tech Camera

The heart of this new system is a high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera with impressive capabilities:

  • 15 km visual range
  • Covers over 350 sq km of the reserve
  • Installed on a tower near Kirringisarra village
  • Control room located in the West Pench range office

Satellite Integration

What makes this system truly unique is its integration with satellite technology:

  • Combines live camera footage with data from 15 commercial satellite services
  • First-of-its-kind approach in wildlife conservation

Benefits of the AI System

Faster and More Accurate Alerts

  • Distinguishes between smoke and clouds
  • Provides firefighters with quicker and more reliable information

Predicts Future Fires

  • Uses weather data and past fire history
  • Helps park rangers prepare in advance

Tracks Firefighting Resources

  • Locates fire trucks and water tanks using GPS
  • Enables faster response times

Weather Analysis and Forecasting

  • Analyzes temperature, precipitation, and wind data
  • Forecasts potential future fires

24/7 Monitoring

  • Night vision capability allows for round-the-clock fire detection

Rapid Response

  • Pantera AI platform analyzes data in real-time
  • Provides fire alerts within 3 minutes

Improved Resource Management

  • Integrates with GPS-equipped firefighting equipment
  • Facilitates efficient deployment during emergencies

Enhanced Forest and Wildlife Protection

  • Faster detection and accurate alerts
  • Better chances of containing fires early
  • Protects vast forest areas and diverse wildlife

Pench Tiger Reserve: An Overview

Geographical Span

  • Stretches across Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra

Key Components

  1. Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park
  2. Pench Mowgli Sanctuary
  3. Buffer zone

Namesake and Climate

  • Named after the Pench River
  • Characterized by extreme and tropical weather

Conservation Status

  • Declared a National Park by Maharashtra in 1975
  • Granted tiger reserve status in 1998-1999 (Maharashtra section)
  • Madhya Pradesh section became a tiger reserve in 1992-1993

Ecological Significance

  • Part of the Satpura-Maikal ranges in the Central Highlands
  • Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) of India

Cultural Connection

  • Real-life setting for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”

The Impact of AI on Conservation

The introduction of this AI system represents a significant leap forward in wildlife conservation efforts. By harnessing the power of technology, the Pench Tiger Reserve is setting a new standard for protected area management.

Proactive Fire Management

With its ability to predict and detect fires early, the AI system allows for a more proactive approach to fire management. This can potentially save countless acres of forest and numerous animal lives.

Efficient Resource Utilization

By tracking firefighting resources in real-time, the system ensures that manpower and equipment are used most effectively during emergencies.

Enhanced Wildlife Protection

Faster fire detection and containment mean less disruption to wildlife habitats, offering better protection to the diverse species that call Pench home, including its famous tigers.

Setting a New Standard

This innovative approach could serve as a model for other wildlife reserves, potentially revolutionizing conservation efforts across India and beyond.

India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024_5.1

Thales Inks Pact With Adani Defence To Manufacture 70mm Rockets In India

Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed an agreement with Thales Group to manufacture 70mm rockets locally. This strategic collaboration aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, aiming to enhance self-reliance in defence production.

Adani’s Defence & Aerospace?

Earlier this month, Adani Defence and Aerospace signed a landmark agreement with EDGE Group – one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups in the UAE. The Drishti-10 Starliner is an Indian medium-altitude long-endurance UAV based on the Israeli Elbit Hermes 900, manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace for the Indian Armed Forces. The UAV reportedly has an indigenous content of over 70%.

Aim

The agreement aims to establish a global platform leveraging the defence and aerospace capabilities of both companies to bring together their respective product portfolios and cater to the requirements of global and local customers.

About Thales Group

Thales Group is a French multinational company that designs, develops and manufactures electrical systems as well as devices and equipment for the aerospace, defence, transportation and security sectors. The company is headquartered in Paris’ business district, La Defence, and its stock is listed on the Euronext Paris.

India’s LCH Prachand

India operates the HAL Rudra – attack variant of the Dhruv chopper, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, the Apache AH-64 and the Mi-35 choppers in its attack fleet. In 2022, the indigenously built LCH Prachand were inducted into the Air Force. Prachand can perform a range of roles including combat search and rescue destruction of enemy air defence and counter-insurgency (CI) operations. The 70mm unguided rockets from Thales have been successfully integrated and deployed in the current fleet of ALH and LCH. These rockets have been combat proven across the world and Indian Armed forces have been supplied with sizeable quantum of same under global buy in the past.

Requirement of these rockets

The requirement of 70mm rockets, similar to ammunition, is recurring and will be the main stay of India’s combat capabilities for rotary wing assets. These rockets shall be integrated in ALH(WSI) and LCH class of helicopters as well. The 70 mm unguided rockets are based on launchers each fitted on either side of the helicopter and deploying a total of seven, 12 and 19 tube configurations ready-to-fire rockets.

 

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