New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) India’s security market, with biometrics and surveillance emerging as major segments, is predicted to surpass $15 billion by 2029, industry officials said.

Speaking at the Security and Fire Expo organised by Informa Markets in India, Bijoy Alaylo, Vice President, TP-Link Consumer, said that the surveillance market in the country is projected to boost at a “CAGR of over 16 per cent this decade, driven by the rapid evolution of technologies introduced year-over-year”.

“In India, the surveillance market is currently valued at about $4.3 billion with projections indicating it will exceed $15 billion by 2029,” he mentioned.

The video surveillance systems market in India is undergoing a significant change, with a focus on IP cameras and IoT (Internet of Things) integration in high-risk environments to enhance security.

Industry experts predicted that this shift will drive the market from $2.6 billion in 2024 to $7.4 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 14 per cent.

As per Ashish P. Dhakan, MD & CEO of Prama Hikvision India, the Indian security market is full of growth opportunities.

“As we embrace technological innovation and adapt to evolving societal needs, we are witnessing the convergence of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT and big data,” he said.

Last year, India’s smart home security camera shipments grew 48 per cent year-over-year (YoY) in the first quarter (Q1) — January to March, according to Counterpoint Research.

As per the report, there was a major increase in demand for home security products as offices started to reopen for working professionals during that time.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S Krishnan said that India has the talent and deep expertise to be a global player in the semiconductor industry, an important sector for the country.

Speaking at a conference organised by fabless semiconductor firm iVP Semiconductor, Krishnan said that the government is helping the industry to create the ecosystem to build semiconductors.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to creating an environment conducive to the industry’s growth, including providing necessary support and infrastructure.

The Secretary also mentioned that iVP Semiconductors plays an important role in creating demand to fill up the manufacturing capacity in the wafer fab.

“I would like to congratulate iVP Semiconductor on the creation of an Indian fabless chip company,” he said.

According to the global management consulting firm McKinsey, the semiconductor industry is expected to become a trillion-dollar industry globally, while the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) estimated the sector to reach $100 billion by 2030.

Meanwhile, a recent report by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship said that the country will require 2.5 lakh-3 lakh skilled professionals by 2027 across Research and Development (R&D), design, manufacturing and advanced packaging domains.

The report mentioned that the expansion is poised to generate approximately 1 million global jobs by 2025-2026, aligning with India’s broader economic and industrial growth objectives.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) The recent classification of talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the World Health Organization’s cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the safety of talcum powder, Dr Salil Patkar, Consultant-Medical Oncology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi (Navi Mumbai), said on Sunday.

According to the doctor, the use of talcum powder is widespread, and many people are unaware of the potential risks associated with it.

“While the evidence is not yet conclusive, it is essential to err on the side of caution when it comes to public health,” Patkar told IANS.

“The link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer is plausible, as talc particles can travel through the reproductive system and cause inflammation and damage to the ovaries. This inflammation can increase the risk of cancer,” he added.

The cancer agency classified talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans” on the basis of a combination of limited evidence for cancer in humans (for ovarian cancer), sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals, and strong mechanistic evidence that talc exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens in human primary cells and experimental systems.

According to the agency, numerous studies showed an increase in the incidence of ovarian cancer in humans self-reporting the use of body powder in the perineal region.

An increased rate of ovarian cancer was also observed in studies looking at occupational exposure of women exposed to talc in the pulp and paper industry, it added.

Patkar mentioned that it is crucial for individuals, especially women, to be aware of the potential risks associated with talcum powder use.

“Alternative products, such as cornstarch-based powders, can be used instead. Additionally, manufacturers should take responsibility for informing consumers about the potential risks and providing safer alternatives,” he said.

Based on the current evidence, the doctor suggested that it is essential to exercise caution and consider “the potential risks associated with talcum powder use”.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which comes under the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, on Sunday announced a call for Quantum Lab proposals to boost local R&D.

For the proposal titled ‘Quantum Standardisation and Testing Labs’, the DoT has invited submissions from Indian academic institutions or R&D institutions, either individually or in partnership.

The main objective of this initiative is to accelerate research and development in quantum technologies, ensuring the interoperability, reliability, and security of quantum communication systems.

The last date for submission of proposals is August 5.

“These labs will serve as innovation hubs, uniting quantum technology developers, testing equipment manufacturers, and academic researchers to explore and harness the full potential of quantum technologies for the benefit of all citizens,” DoT said.

The initiative, which aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for ‘Jai Anushandhan’, aims to support research and development in telecom products and technologies that directly enhance the lives of Indian citizens.

As per DoT, Quantum Standardisation and Testing Labs are the objectives of the proposed labs.

The first objective is to establish benchmarks and protocols essential for the seamless integration of quantum communication elements such as quantum key distribution, quantum state analysers, optical fibres, and components into existing and future communication networks.

The second objective is to develop reliable testing facilities to validate quantum concepts, processes, devices, and applications created by Indian industry members, including startups, R&D, and academic institutions.

“These labs aim at easy accessibility to industry, startups, and local telecom stakeholders at a nominal fee, ensuring that the benefits of advanced quantum technologies are available to all,” said DoT.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) As India sets the global discourse on democratising artificial intelligence (AI), former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the ‘Future of Britain Conference’ next week.

The BJP leader will speak on the central theme titled ‘Governing in the Age of AI — Reimagined State,’ hosted by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in London on July 9.

Chandrasekhar has been invited to share India’s experience and strategy in building the country’s digital initiatives like IndiaDPI Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), IndiaAI Mission and how technology can be used to transform governments and governance through Digital ID, DPI and technology.

He will also highlight how other countries can learn from India’s experience and how they can replicate India’s success in the Digital space.

Established by Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change advises governments and leaders on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three.

The conference will discuss and lay out a framework for transforming people’s lives for the better, putting forward a future-facing agenda, and a concrete plan for reimagining the State in the 21st century.

Last week, at the ‘Global IndiaAI Mission’ summit in the national capital, the Global South countries acknowledged and appreciated the role of India in giving voice to them at the global AI forum.

More than 2,000 global AI experts, policy-makers, artificial intelligence (AI) practitioners, industry/startups and academia joined the summit, with over 10,000 AI enthusiasts joining the sessions virtually.

The members came to a consensus about the future vision of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI).

The ‘IndiaAI Mission’ has been approved with an outlay of Rs 10,372 crore and out of this, Rs 2,000 crore would be utilised towards supporting the Indian startup ecosystem to develop indigenous AI-based solutions.

–IANS

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