NEW DELHI: An online authentication project of the Union government would enable SMSs to be used as documentary proof for various registrations and payments. The project, which has been in the core development stage for the past six months, is likely to be rolled out by June next year. This could be a big step towards e-authentication services in the country.
“Look at how the railways have done it. Your PNR code on SMS is valid proof instead of paper when you are travelling. We need more services along the same lines,” said J Satyanarayana, secretary of the department of electronics and information technology (DeitY). He was speaking at an event for an overview of the national mobile governance initiative on Monday. The DeitY is an agency of the ministry of communication and information technology. The SMS authentication is part of the e-Pramaan project which has an overall outlay of Rs 23 crore.
The levels of authentication will vary from user ID and passwords to biometric authentication, depending on the level of security required for these services. Enabling mobile-based digital signatures are also a part of this project. “A prototype for this is ready,” said Kumar. “Aadhaar-based credential verification” is also a component of this project.
Officials see a roadblock before these services take off in their entirety: the legal recognition of SMSs. Satyanarayana suggested bringing them under the IT Act. “For mobile messages to be accepted for commercial and legal purposes, they need to have a legal status. For example if you have a caste certificate with a code on SMS, it should be acceptable,” he said, pointing out that there are currently around 950 million mobile subscriptions in the country.
The “Mobile Seva” initiative started in 2011 and was notified by DeitY in February 2012. 826 central and state government departments are currently integrated under this, using mobile governance apps and SMS-based services. As the project stands currently, many services are centered on sending information to citizens via SMS. “Information services for citizens in certain sectors are already in operation. For example, the health ministry has a project under which it sends SMSs on immunization to registered pregnant women. The ministry of agriculture sends out SMSs regarding mandi prices, pesticides and weather,” said Rajendra Kumar, joint secretary of the e-Governance projects division. 539 million push SMSs (or outgoing SMSs from government departments) have been sent already under these programmes.

LG Electronics recently unveiled the new lineup of AI-powered Home Appliances which includes a range of Smart Home Appliances. The latest products from LG aim to raise the bar as they have sophisticated designs for a premium lifestyle. The 2022 lineup consists of new stylish refrigerators - InstaView Door-in-Door™ and Frost Free Refrigerators, AI Direct Drive Washing Machine, Puricare™ Wearable Air Purifier, VIRAAT Air Conditioners, UV+UF Water Purifier and a new range of Charcoal Microwave.
2022 Refrigerators by LG

LG has revamped the design of the 2022 range of LG Side-by-Side and Frost Free Refrigerators to elevate the user experience and add elegance to the kitchen. With a new flat design and loaded with metallic decorations, the new refrigerators are minimal yet elegant.
The new range of LG Frost Free Refrigerators is equipped with E-micom, which can conveniently control the temperature settings without opening the door, significantly reducing the cold air loss. With the LG ThinQ, you can control key features and remotely access the appliance. The latest LG refrigerators also come with Smart Learner powered by AI, which analyses the usage pattern of the refrigerator and optimizes cooling accordingly. With the help of various algorithms, the latest range of LG refrigerators monitors the hourly, daily and weekly data to deliver higher energy efficiency and long-lasting freshness for fruits and vegetables.
The Frost Free Refrigerators also come equipped with an all-new powerful Hygiene Fresh air filter. As confirmed by TUV Rheinland, this latest technology not just eliminates up to 99.99#% of bacteria but also deodorizes and purifies the air inside.
Hyoung Subji, Director, Home Appliances & Air Conditioners, said, “At LG, our objective has always been to provide the finest product offerings to our customers that aid their needs and lifestyle; keeping that objective in mind, we are thrilled to introduce the new Home Appliances lineup of 2022.”
The new InstaView Side-By-Side Refrigerator now has a 23% Bigger InstaView Window for a wider view of what’s inside. Knock twice on the tinted glass, and it will illuminate the inside of the refrigerator. The New Dispenser with UVnanoTM keeps the nozzle of the dispenser clean regularly. It automatically reduces 99.99#% of bacteria from the water nozzle with UV Light so that users can get clean, fresh water every time.
Deepak Bansal – Vice President-Home Appliances & Air Conditioners, said, “At LG Electronics, we are committed to offer products based on consumer insights which make everyday life comfortable & healthy. Apart from functional usage, Appliances are a lifestyle statement too, and our product designers have introduced refreshing new-age designs across the range. Our new offering includes products with AI LGThinQ® Technology. AI is the next frontier in technology which aims to make machines intelligent and adds comfort & convenience to consumer’s daily life. Being a leader in home appliances and consumer electronics, we have a responsibility to make AI more approachable to consumers and less intimidating. Health & hygiene has also become a key priority for consumers post-Covid. Our new products have inbuilt features like hygiene fresh in Refrigerator, inbuilt heater in washing machines for allergen care which cater to healthy living. We are confident our consumers will appreciate the better and healthier lifestyle these products will offer. We aim to further strengthen our market leadership with this product portfolio.”
2022 Air Conditioners by LG
LG has launched Air Conditioners Powered by AI. The latest range of smart air conditioners comes with multiple in-built sensors and a superior varied speed dual rotary compressor giving optimal cooling by automatically analyzing the inputs from the sensors.
LG recently launched LG VIRAAT Super 5 Star Air Conditioners. The air conditioner comes with 5.2 ISEER ratings & improved efficiency by 11^% as compared to conventional 5-Star Air Conditioners with 4.7 ISEER ratings. Designed to use less power and reduce electricity bills, LG’s VIRAAT AC comes with a 35% bigger outdoor unit due to which heat exchange is optimized, and it can operate in high ambient heat conditions while still consuming 11^% less energy.
2022 Air Purifiers by LG

To provide consumers with a comfortable yet hygienic experience, LG has introduced PuriCare Wearable Air Purifiers, which are equipped with a set of HEPA Filters, Dual Fans, Voice ON, IPX4 technology, and much more. The Wearable Air Purifier is an innovative solution for breathing clean and pure air without hassles.
2022 Washing Machines by LG
LG AI Direct Drive Series in Front Load & Top Load Washing Machine is equipped with AI Direct Drive Technology and LG ThinQ, which gives better wash performance and makes washing convenient for customers. The AI feature in washing machines can recognize fabric type and weight and chooses optimal wash patterns for better wash performance and fabric care.
The Front Load has Direct Drive Motor with 6 Unique motions that improve the overall wash performance and lead to less vibration and noise, along with a bigger Drum capacity for heavy loads like curtains, sofa covers & bed sheets etc.
The New Top Load Washing Machine range uses the best-in-class TurboWash feature with the TurboDrum™ to help save time, energy, and water while protecting their clothes and lowering their carbon footprint. It also comes with an In-Built Heater to reduce the allergens and bacteria from the clothes, improving the overall hygiene.
2022 Microwave by LG
LG Healthy Microwave Oven boasts India’s only Microwave oven with Charcoal Lighting Heater and Healthy Heart™ Autocook Menu, which offers a healthier and versatile cooking experience for the customers while retaining natural flavours and nutrition. LG Microwave Oven NeoChefTM series, powered by AI, allows powerful & accurate control up to (1200W), which enables faster and more even cooking performance, unlike other Microwave Ovens. LG Microwave Oven comes with 401 Auto Cook Menu feature in the largest range; the DietFry™ feature lets up to 88^^% less usage of oil, is a perfect treat for the health-conscious.
2022 Water Purifier by LG
LG’s complete range of AI-powered Water Purifiers make the product smart and is equipped with stainless steel storage tank, and the customer also gets an Assured Maintenance Package under which the cleaning of the water purifier is done digitally with a Digital Sterilization Kit. The water purifier comes with an Enhanced water recovery feature, recovering More than 60**% water. Expanding the health and hygiene portfolio, LG recently launched its first UF+UV Water Purifier.
2022 Dishwasher by LG

LG Matt Black dishwasher is the latest addition to its dishwasher range. Equipped with True Steam ® and Quad Wash feature, the latest AI-powered model ensures sparkling clean dishes from every angle. The dishwasher has smart features like Inverter Direct Drive which gives silent, efficient, yet reliable performance. Easy RackTM Plus adds convenience by cleaning various kinds of utensils at one go; also, it is LG ThinQTM enabled.
Designer Series by LG

Designer Series of new home appliance products designed with a focus on the interest of Indian consumers. The series comprises new Refrigerators, Washing machines, Microwaves, and Water Purifiers. New LG Refrigerators include single-door and double-door designs offering features like Multi Air Flow, Moist 'N' Fresh, Smart Connect/Solar Smart, Toughened Glass Shelf, and Smart Inverter Compressor.
LG Washing Machine is a perfect amalgamation of distinctive design and most demanded features like Jet Spray+, Auto Pre-Wash, and Smart DiagnosisTM, to name a few.
This new LG Charcoal Microwave Oven model comes with Neo Chef Design loaded with key features like Healthy Heart Dishes, 360-degree MOTORISED ROTISSERIE, Diet Fry, 301 Auto Cook Menu, Indian Rot Basket and Ghee in 12 Minutes.
LG Water Purifier comes with some great features like Dual protection airtight stainless-steel tank, digital sterilizing care, mineral booster, and In-tank UV.

Disclaimer: The article has been produced on behalf of LG India by the Times Internet's Spotlight team.

KOTTAYAM: Head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Baselium Marthoma Paulose II on Monday denied reports that he had backed Narendra Modi's candidature for the Prime Minister's post during an interaction with local BJP leaders.
Making a clarification within hours after some of Malayalam TV channels flashed reports in this regard, the Catholicos said the church had "no political line" and he had not made any statement supporting Modi.
"The reports that I have supported Modi are not correct. The church does not have any particular political line. We do not suport or oppose anybody ... They asked me how we look at a scenairo of Modi becoming the Prime Minister. I told them there is a general impression that Modi is not a leader of secular tolerance," he told a news channel.
The Catholicos said he was not personally familiar with Modi as he did not have an opportunity for that.
Media reports quoting local BJP leaders, who called on the Catholicos to extend him Christmas greetings, said he had told them that he supported Modi's candidature.

AMRITSAR: A high level delegation of Border Security Force (BSF) led by director general, BSF, Subhash Joshi would cross over to Pakistan to hold meeting with his counterpart, director general, Pakistan Rangers, Sindh at Lahore from December 24th to December 28th.
Deputy inspector general, BSF, RPS Jaswal informed on Monday that during the five-day meeting, both sides would discuss matters of bilateral concerns such as defence constructions, border incidents and trans-border crimes like drug trafficking, infiltration, smuggling of arms, ammuniation, fake Indian notes, inadvertent border crossings and other matters of mutual interest for effective border management.
He said that the Indian delegation would also include special director general BSF (Western Command), Chandigarh, inspector general from Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat Frontiers and BSF headquarters New Delhi adding that this was the highest level border meeting between BSF and Pakistan Rangers. Notably, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries are also scheduled to meet on Wednesday at Wagah, Pakistan to find ways and means to de escalate tension along Line of Control.