Bengaluru to host inaugural edition of GITEX Ai India 2027
Bengaluru (PTI): GITEX GLOBAL, the world's largest technology and AI events network, will make its India debut with GITEX Ai India, to be held in April 2027 in Bengaluru, officials said on Thursday.
The event will be organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and KAOUN International in strategic partnership with Karnataka's Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, they said.
According to an official statement, the announcement was made at GITEX GLOBAL 2025 in Dubai, where the Indian tech community has consistently been one of the largest participating delegations, reflecting the strong and long-standing ties between Indian innovators and the GITEX ecosystem.
Recognised globally as India's technology capital, Karnataka contributes 42 per cent of India's software exports, houses over 50 per cent of the country's AI and deep-tech talent and is home to the largest concentration of unicorns and GCCs (Global Capacity Centers) in the nation, it said.
Bengaluru's thriving startup ecosystem, robust R&D infrastructure and strong academic-industry linkages make it the natural choice to host GITEX's first India edition, it added.
Speaking on the development, Information Minister Priyank Kharge said: "Welcoming GITEX Ai India to Bengaluru is a proud moment for us. Discussions around this began during GITEX Africa earlier this year, and I'm glad our Department and the GITEX team were able to make it possible."
"With our deep talent base, strong research ecosystem and global connectivity, Karnataka is the natural anchor for the inaugural GITEX Ai India 2027. We look forward to showcasing the best of our innovation to the world," he added.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
