Wrap-up: Ring in the new way of life

Come 2017 and several of the things which over a period of time we have become so used to are likely to undergo massive changes. Some major ones have been elaborated upon here:  

Biometric security at airports
Fliers may soon be able to use biometric details for security checks at airports as the government works on putting in place such systems after receiving ‘good feedback’ for a pilot project. Giving strong indications, Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that having biometric systems for passengers at airports appears to be a good idea.

The innovative idea, close on the heels of authorities doing away with tagging requirement of hand baggages at select airports, comes at a time when efforts are being made to ensure that aviation security procedures are more efficient and less intrusive. “Biometric access was experimented at Hyderabad (airport). The feedback was good... Biometric system is appearing to be a good system security-wise,” the civil aviation minister said.

Aadhaar to double up as DoB proof as well
Sadhus and sanyasis can now mention names of their spiritual gurus instead of biological parents under new passport rules announced in the national capital on Friday which also eliminate the mandatory requirement of birth certificate as the proof of date of birth (DoB).

The rules, which were announced by minister of state for external affairs V.K. Singh, also provides a provision for government servants, who are not able to get “no objection certificate” from their respective ministries/departments. In case of proof of DoB while filing an application, it has now been decided that all applicants of passports can submit any one of the documents — transfer/school leaving/ matriculation certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar card/E-Aadhaar having the DoB of applicant, copy of the extract of the service record of the applicant, driving licence, Election Photo Identity Card or LIC policy bond.

Marriage with robots too not ruled out
Sex with robots is “just around the corner”, an expert told a global conference in London this week featuring interactive sex toys and discussions on the ethics of relationships with humanoids.

“Sexbots” are a staple of science fiction — the idea of robots as sex partners is explored, for instance, in recent films and television series like Ex-Machina and Westworld. But some specialists believe the first animated lovers made of metal, rubber and plastic, programmed to provide sexual bliss, will take a step into reality just months from now.

“Sex with robots is just around the corner, with the first sexbots coming... some time next year,” Artificial Intelligence expert David Levy told the International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots at Goldsmiths, University of London. US California-based company Abyss Creations next year will start marketing sex robots that are billed as life-like, with the ability to talk and move like humans. Ultimately, Levy said, people should entertain the thought of marriage with robots as early as 2050.

Buying A vehicle? show proof of parking space
In a bid to decongest roads, the Centre is likely to make a parking space availability certificate mandatory for registration of cars and other vehicles. Speaking at an event in the national capital, Union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said, “In the future, no car or vehicle should be registered without parking space availability certificate.

“I am holding discussions with Nitin Gadkari (minister for road transport and highways) in this regard and also sensitising the states. We are moving in that direction (to get such a mechanism implemented),” he said.

CBSE makes Class X exam must
Board exams for Class X will become compulsory for all CBSE students from 2018. The CBSE’s governing body “unanimously approved” a proposal in this regard at its meeting on Tuesday.

The members agreed that from the academic session 2017-18, compulsory board exams should be introduced for all students of Class X, sources said. The decision will have to be approved by the Union government before it is implemented. Currently, it is optional for CBSE students to choose either the board exam or a school-based examination.

In another key decision, the CBSE decided to recommend to the HRD ministry that the three-language formula, under which Hindi, English and an Indian language are taught, should be extended to Class IX and X as well from the current VI to VIII.

Officials said that the board also favoured sending a recommendation to the Centre that the languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution should be taught under the ‘Three language formula’, while languages which are “purely foreign” should be taught as a “fourth language as an elective subject”.

Age take
Switch from cash payments to digital is not the only change one might soon get adapted to in a big way. Several other new things having a potential to significantly alter our way of life and thinking are possibly on the anvil. Security at airports is one of the crucial issues debated time and again. With biometrics, it might soon become more potent. Another issue is proof for parking. An increasing number of vehicles has been cited as a threat to traffic as well as environment.