India to work with BRICS for Fourth Industrial Revolution: Modi
Johannesburg, July 26 : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India will work with other member states of the BRICS economic bloc to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution while reiterating India's commitment to multilateralism, international trade and rule-based world order.
Addressing the plenary session of the 10th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit here, Modi said that everybody knows the importance of working together to fight the challenges thrown up by cyber security.
"Industry 4.0 will further increase these challenges and needs," he said.
"India will like to work with the BRICS on the issue of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We need to together prepare best practices and policies in this connection."
Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab is credited with coining the term Fourth Industrial Revolution for having written a book by the same name.
It is the fourth major industrial era since the initial Industrial Revolution of the 18th century and is characterised by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.
It is marked by emerging technology breakthroughs in a number of fields, including robotics, artificial intelligence, block chain, nanotechnology, quantum computing, biotechnology, the Internet of Things, 3D printing and autonomous vehicles.
"Keeping in mind the importance the changes in technology taking place these days and in the future have for BRICS nations as well as the whole world, I would like to suggest to our ministers discuss this issue in detail," Modi said.
"And if need be, take the help of experts as required."
According to Modi, the world that is being created by new industrial technology and digital interface offers opportunities as well as challenges.
"New systems and products will open new roads for economic development," he said.
"People and human values are of utmost importance in development and progress."
Stating that Industry 4.0 will make the world flatter, the Prime Minister said that many deprived classes will be able to make big leaps with the help of technology and development.
At the same time, he said it is difficult to say what effect this will have amid growing inequalities, a fast changing society and human values.
"In the Fourth Industrial Revolution, talent will become more important than money," Modi stated.
"The new face of employment will be high skilled but temporary jobs," he said.
He was of the view that digital platforms, automation and data flows will reduce the importance of geographical distances.
"When digital platforms, e-commerce and and marketplaces will get linked with such technologies, a new kind of industry and business leaders will surface," he said.
Stating that the type and opportunities for employment will be an important issue, Modi said that though traditional manufacturing will continue to be an important means of job creation, it will become extremely important for workers to enhance their skills.
He was of the view that school and university curricula must be prepared in such a way that the youth can prepare for the future and said that it must be ensured that the changes in technology find place in such curricula.
"In India, because of this, the National Skill Development Mission has been started," the Prime Minister said.
"The intention is to impart to our youth relevant technical and vocational skills," he said, adding that his government is trying to ensure that quality technical, vocational and higher education is available to all sections of the society.
Modi also said that technological innovations can help in better service delivery, increase in productivity levels and better management of labour issues.
"In today's times, technology has become the biggest disruptor," he said. "The effects of Industry 4.0 just cannot be imagined.
Speaking on the occasion, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, host of this year's Summit, said that technology should not be allowed to change society.
"The needs of society should shape technologies," Ramaphosa said.
He also said that the Fourth Industrial Revolution should not be allowed to be the preserve of a handful of nations.
Prior to the plenary session, Modi attended the leaders' closed session of the Summit and presented the country statement of India.
"Reaffirming our commitment to reformed multilateralism, international trade and rules-based world order," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted referring to the statement.
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IPL first phase schedule announced amid travel concerns caused by war in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener in Bengaluru on March 28 as the BCCI announced the first phase of the tournament schedule amid concerns around players' travel arrangements due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
All matches scheduled at the Chinnaswamy Stadium remain subject to clearance from the Karnataka government appointed expert committee, which is scheduled to meet on March 13 to assess venue preparedness in the wake of the deadly stampede at the stadium last season.
The BCCI announced the schedule of the first 20 games on Wednesday and will unveil the full schedule once the dates of elections in three states -- Tamil Nadu, Assam and West Bengal -- are announced.
Besides the state elections, the escalating conflict in West Asia will also be at the forefront of BCCI officials' minds. The war has wreaked havoc to international travel with operations of major airports like Doha and Dubai being heavily restricted.
As a result of that, some of the squad members of South Africa and West Indies are yet to reach home a week after the completion of their T20 World Cup campaign.
It remains to be seen if IPL bound players of those two nations report to their respective teams in time.
"There was a substantial delay in departure of West Indies and South Africa players. It would be a tough task to get them back to India on time. Plus the airfares have gone up substantially due to the war in West Asia," a team official told PTI.
Additionally, hotels across India are facing cooking gas shortage due to the raging conflict and on Tuesday, the central government invoked Essential Commodities Act to ensure uninterrupted supply of domestic cooking gas.
Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanthan told PTI that he is expecting his players from the West Indies and South Africa -- Akeal Hossein and Dewald Brevis, to join the team well before their IPL opener.
"We are expecting no delays from their end," he said.
The second game of the opening weekend will see Mumbai Indians host Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium and the opening weekend will not feature any double-headers.
A total of 20 matches will be played across 10 venues: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
"During the season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play five home matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur. Punjab Kings will play four home matches in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala, while Rajasthan Royals will play three home matches in Guwahati and four in Jaipur," said the BCCI in a statement.
"During this period (the first 16 days), the tournament will feature four double-headers, with the afternoon matches beginning at 03:30 PM IST and the evening matches commencing at 07:30 PM IST.
"Following the opening encounter on Saturday, Mumbai Indians will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
"The matches scheduled in Bengaluru are subject to clearance from the Expert Committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka," the BCCI added.
