BEE launches energy drive in south India

 

BEE launches energy drive in south India, with chennai in the spotlight

Extract from the article:
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has recently launched a crucial energy conservation initiative focused on South India, with Chennai taking center stage. This campaign specifically targets air conditioning units, urging manufacturers to standardize the default cooling temperature at 24°C. This temperature setting aims to create a balance between user comfort and energy efficiency, thereby reducing excessive electricity consumption in a region where cooling demand is rapidly rising. Through this move, BEE is seeking to align with national energy-saving goals, curb peak electricity loads, and promote sustainable living amidst growing urbanization and climate concerns.

This focused strategy also underlines the pivotal role of regulatory bodies in nudging manufacturers and consumers towards more energy-conscious behaviors. By making 24°C the default for new AC units, BEE aspires not only to reduce individual energy bills but also to mitigate the broader impact of carbon emissions linked with excessive cooling. Chennai’s prominent positioning in this drive exemplifies an urban model that other southern cities might emulate, creating ripple effects throughout the energy ecosystem in India’s southern states. This measured approach underlines the intersection of technology, policy, and social responsibility in tackling the pressing challenge of energy conservation.

My Take:
A. [Dear Shri Bhupendra Yadavji, You Can...]
"Yadavji, I urge you to inquire with that Israeli company regarding licensing its technology to one of India’s government Research Labs. In turn, this Lab can sub-license this tech to Indian AC manufacturers (I suggest FREE). Simultaneously introduce a LAW, which would require AC manufacturers to phase out their existing technology-based ACs by 2027 (just like the shift to BS 6 standards for autos). Get BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) to lay down Electricity Energy Consumption Standard, as per: Energy Consumption Standards: A Beginning."

Reflecting on this, I find the current BEE initiative aligns perfectly with the blueprint I envisioned years ago. There is a pressing need to couple regulatory mandates with technology transfer to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient air conditioning. My suggestion to license advanced cooling technology from abroad, enabling local manufacturers to innovate freely, remains highly relevant. By embedding strict energy consumption standards and phasing out outdated tech, India can aggressively combat inefficiency within the appliance sector. The government's proactive stance in designating 24°C as default is a vital step, but future moves must widen into enforceable standards and industry collaborations, as I had advocated earlier.

B. [BEE Ball Is In Your Court]
"BEE / dg-bee@nic.in This offers an unprecedented opportunity to BEE as Carbon Credit Administrator. I urge you to interpret Power Ministry’s notification as follows: # Sector: 1400 Million Indian Citizens; # Non-Obligate Entities: 300 Million Domestic Households; # De-carbonization Project: Energy Savings of Domestic Appliances / Devices; # Energy Efficiency Standards: Max Electricity Consumption per unit of time used; # Methodology: Carbon Finance through Carbon Credits, 12 Mar 2021; # Offset Mechanism: Carbon Credit Trading Scheme; # Registering of Project: When DISCOM installs Smart Meter, auto-Registration on BEE portal; # Carbon Credit Certificates: DEMAT Carbon Credit Account (To be delivered by BEE to Household on a Mobile App named BEEMAT)."

This perspective casts the BEE drive as not just regulatory but also as an economic lever for decarbonization. The emphasis on smart metering and carbon credit schemes complements the AC temperature standardization effort. I continue to advocate for the integration of energy efficiency improvements into carbon finance frameworks, which can provide real financial incentives to households adopting BEE’s guidelines. Incentivizing consumers to maintain air conditioning at 24°C could be effectively linked to carbon credit rewards, closing the gap between policy intent and grassroots action. The convergence of technical standards with smart, market-driven instruments defines a holistic path forward — a vision I highlighted before that is now unfolding in practice.

Call to Action:
To the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and the Ministry of Power: This is an opportune moment to institutionalize the default AC temperature setting of 24°C nationwide through regulatory statutes. I urge you to expedite the legislation for phasing out inefficient air conditioners and to formalize a carbon credit mechanism rewarding households that comply with energy-saving practices. Collaboration with research institutions for technology licensing, coupled with consumer engagement through transparent mobile platforms like BEEMAT, will accelerate this energy transition. Stakeholders from manufacturers to end-users must be brought into a unified framework that combines standards, incentives, and cutting-edge technology adoption. Let Chennai be the lighthouse city showing the rest of South India—and the nation—how sustainable cooling is not merely aspirational but actionable.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

NEET-UG 25

 

Over 2 million aspirants appear for NEET-UG 25

Extract from the article:

In a staggering demonstration of the fierce competition surrounding medical education seats in India, more than two million candidates took the NEET-UG 2025 exam recently. The National Testing Agency (NTA) organized this massive exercise across 5,453 examination centers spanning 548 cities nationwide. Candidates faced the daunting task of answering 180 compulsory questions, a rigorous challenge that epitomizes the high stakes of securing admission to medical colleges in the country. Notably, this scale of participation reflects not only the aspirational surge among Indian youth but also the immense pressure that the existing system channels towards a singular, high-stakes examination.

Further compounding the examination environment, the NTA has deployed a Suspicious Claims Reporting Portal starting April 26 to uphold the integrity of the process. This initiative underscores the complexities and vulnerabilities endemic to conducting examinations of such magnitude, as well as the efforts to mitigate malpractice. The collective endeavor to conduct the NEET-UG examination smoothly amidst millions of aspirants fortifies its position as a pivotal moment in India’s academic and professional nomination landscape, revealing underlying dynamics about access, equity, and meritocracy.

My Take:

A. Hastening Slowly : But in Right Direction
"Why is the NRA needed? As of now, aspirants have to take different exams that are conducted by various agencies for central government jobs. According to C Chandramouli, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, on an average 2.5 crore to 3 crore aspirants appear for about 1.25 lakh vacancies in the central government every year. As and when it will be set up, the NRA will conduct a common eligibility test (CET) and based on the CET score a candidate can apply for a vacancy with the respective agency."

Reflecting on the gargantuan participation in NEET-UG 2025, I see a strong resonance with the argument I put forth years ago about the need for streamlined and unified testing frameworks. The fragmentation of recruitment and admission processes into multiple disparate examinations magnifies the burden on aspirants, often causing resource exhaustion, stress, and systemic inefficiencies. Just as I highlighted the potential transformation the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) could bring to public sector job recruitment by instituting a common eligibility test, the NEET scenario similarly amplifies the urgency for a cohesive, scalable, and thoughtfully designed assessment architecture in medical education admissions. The challenges of coordinating millions of aspirants under a single umbrella examination administration require a visionary strategy akin to what the NRA aims to accomplish — optimized fairness and accessibility within a mammoth testing ecosystem.

Moreover, the NTA's introduction of the Suspicious Claims Reporting Portal signals an evolution towards transparency and vigilance, an evolution I implicitly endorsed when discussing improvements in government recruitment testing. There has always been an undercurrent of concern regarding examination integrity, and the adoption of technological safeguards exemplifies the slow but essential progress towards credible nomination procedures. This continuity in my understanding strengthens my conviction that while the modalities of political and professional nominations evolve, the foundational pillars of fairness, efficiency, and accessibility remain steadfast prioritaries.

Call to Action:

To the National Testing Agency and policymakers steering India’s pivotal qualification exams — The NEET-UG 2025 participation surge is a clarion call to invest in infrastructure enhancement, technological fortification, and candidate support mechanisms. It is vital to accelerate initiatives that reduce aspirants’ stress through exam process simplification and increased transparency measures. I urge you to consider integrating multi-tiered exam frameworks, incorporating AI-driven anti-malpractice solutions, and expanding outreach programs that demystify the examination journey for candidates from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. This is an opportunity to reimagine nomination dynamics that empower millions to fulfill their academic dreams under a system that is simultaneously equitable, robust, and progressive.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

60 DAYS = 10 RULES

 

Dear Hon’ble Chief Ministers :

Subject: Mental Health Rules for Coaching Centres – Deadline: 2 Months | Supreme Court Guidelines

On July 26, 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued sweeping guidelines to curb the rising epidemic of student suicides, citing institutional failure and psychological neglect as primary causes.

The judgment directs States and UTs to frame rules within 2 months regulating mental health standards across all private coaching centres and hostels.

India's reality poses a challenge:

·         Over 1.5 million educational institutions.

·         A severe shortage of trained counsellors.

·         Limited resources even to ensure basic infrastructure.

In light of this, I urge your government to adopt AI-powered Remote Listening Models in the upcoming rules. These models can act as scalable digital bridges between distressed students and professional help.

Please consider provisions for:

·         State-sponsored mobile apps where students can anonymously share mental distress and receive AI-guided support.

·         Mandatory virtual therapy kiosks in coaching centres with multilingual chatbot assistance (as proposed in my blog: A Chatbot to Drive Away Blues?)

·         Daily check-in prompts via WhatsApp bots—backed by escalation to human therapists when necessary.

Your leadership in this matter will save lives—and restore trust in the system. I enclose links to my related blogs including:

·         Coaching Bill to Curb Suicides

·         Kota: Our Suicide Capital?

·         You Lonely of the World – Come to Me

Let us ensure that no child feels so alone they choose to leave us.

Respectfully,
Hemen Parekh
www.HemenParekh.ai | www.IndiaAGI.ai | www.My-Teacher.in

National Student Mental Health Act

 

Dear Cabinet Ministers 

Subject: Urgent Need for Regulatory Framework on Student Mental Health – Supreme Court Directive

I write to draw your attention to a historic Supreme Court judgment (26 July 2025) that mandates urgent reforms across India's education system in response to the alarming rise in student suicides.

The Court has rightly termed this a “systemic failure” and invoked Articles 32 and 141 to ensure immediate implementation of mental health safeguards. However, these interim guidelines will remain in force only until Parliament enacts a suitable legislative framework.

India has over 1.5 million schools, 45,000 colleges, and thousands of private coaching centres, cumulatively catering to 200+ million students. Yet, as I have highlighted in my earlier blog, "1 Doctor for every 10,000 Mental Health Patients?", we face a severe shortage of qualified mental health professionals.

In this context, the new law must mandate and incentivize the use of Remote Listening Platforms—AI-powered chatbots, virtual therapists, and anonymous digital counselling—accessible through mobile apps and available 24x7.

May I respectfully urge you to initiate the drafting of a national “Student Mental Health Act” that:

·         Formalizes the Supreme Court’s interim guidelines.

·         Mandates integration of AI-based mental health tools (as envisioned in my blogs Talk to Bots when Feeling Lonely, Virtual Therapist: Arriving as Envisaged, and Mental Therapists: ChatGPT / Stella).

·         Establishes an open-access “National Digital Listening Grid” linked with existing helplines like KIRAN.

Let us not wait for the next tragedy to act.

With warm regards,
Hemen Parekh
www.HemenParekh.ai | www.IndiaAGI.ai | www.My-Teacher.in
Dear Parent: Save Your Child from Suicide

Related References :

Smart but sensitive: Balancing AI efficiency with emotional intelligence in mental health.. Eco Times .. 28 July

Extract :

Over the past few years, we have seen a dramatic rise in the use of AI tools in  mental health care.

Applications like Woebot, Wysa, and Replika use conversational AI to offer mental health support around the clock.

These platforms use principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help users manage anxiety, stress, and depression.

They have become especially useful in low-resource settings and among populations reluctant to seek traditional therapy due to stigma or accessibility issues.

Jeff Bezos may save Mankind

 

 

Context :

Amazon to buy AI company Bee that makes wearable listening device   ..  CNBC  … 25 July 2025

Extract :

Amazon plans to acquire wearables startup Bee AI, the company confirmed, in the latest example of tech giants doubling down on generative artificial intelligence.

Bee, based in San Francisco, makes a $ 49.99 wristband that appears similar to a Fitbit smartwatch. The device is equipped with AI and microphones that can listen to and analyze conversations to provide summaries, to-do lists and reminders for everyday tasks.

Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo announced in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday that the company will join Amazon.

“When we started Bee, we imagined a world where AI is truly personal, where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you,” Zollo wrote. “What began as a dream with an incredible team and community now finds a new home at Amazon.”

Amazon spokesperson Alexandra Miller confirmed the company’s plans to acquire Bee. The company declined to comment on the terms of the deal.

Amazon has introduced a flurry of AI products, including its own set of Nova models, Trainium chips, a shopping chatbot and a marketplace for third-party models called Bedrock.

The company has also overhauled its Alexa voice assistant, released more than a decade ago, with AI capabilities as Amazon looks to chip away at the success of rivals such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini.

 

 

My Take :

 

( A )  Intended Consequences :

 

There is no free lunch in the world

BEE will give you > summaries, to-do lists and reminders for everyday tasks

In return, it will take > listen to and analyze conversations

BEE will acquire >  User’s “ Database of Intentions “ ( - revealed by our phone-calls )

That will be TRAINING MATERIAL for Amazon’s LLM  !

And those “ to-do-lists “ and “ reminders “ include what you need to order online from Amazon, daily

Jeff Bezos is smart – very smart

His $ 49.99 offer would include following condition :

“ If you keep BEE on 24 x 365 , you get back your $ 49 . 99 + one BEE free for gifting to your friend “

 

( B )  Law of Unintended Consequence :

 

Almost  9 years ago I wrote :

Ø  Fast Forward to Future ( 3 F )  …………………. 20  Oct  2026

 

In that blog, I suggested :

#  Every smart phone to be embedded with this technology ( and every human to

   carry one , all the time ), in   the form a mobile app to be called ARIHANT

   (  Conqueror of Kaam-Sex / Krodh-Anger / Lobh-Greed / Moh-Desire / Mud-Ego

    / Matsar-Envy )

    

#  24*356 , this technology will pick up ( record ) , every single word spoken by

    the owner , throughout his life

  

#  All these spoken words ( conversations ) , will be transmitted to a CENTRAL

     DATABASE called ,

     MIND READER  Of  HUMAN  INTENTIONS

  

#  There , the BIG DATA ANALYTICS / AI , will interpret those " Intentions " and

    alert authorities for any EVIL INTENTIONS ( those that break the 3 LAWS Of

    ROBOTICS , formulated by Isaac Asimov )

  

#  Authorities will be alerted to arrest the owners of EVIL INTENTIONS ( captured

    by ARIHANT )

  

If Google could become a " Database of written Intentions " ( through more than a billion typed Search Queries per day ) , then there is no reason to disbelieve that ARIHANT could become a " Database of Spoken Intentions " of the entire mankind ( may be a billion conversations , EVERY SECOND ! )

 And since Google is a member of a consortium formed a few weeks back for the advancement of AI , it will be too happy to integrate its own , very powerful " Language Translation Software " into the ARIHANT

 This will enable catching of  EVIL INTENTIONS  expressed in any language !

Fast forward to 2026

 If implemented , ARIHANT ( the Omnipotent / Omnipresent / Omniscient AI ) will eavesdrop on every spoken word of every human being , decipher the problem faced and deliver personalized / customized solutions through IoE ( Internet of Everything ) network

And what can stop ARIHANT  from picking up all exchanges of data communication, between those " powerful autonomous weapons " if they are embedded with IoE enabled sensors and each assigned its own IP V 6 address ? 

 It is not enough to raise questions about the potential evil usage of AI

 We must find methods to prevent such evil use of AI

 Mankind must be saved !

 

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.IndiaAGI.ai  /  www.HemenParekh.ai  /  www.HemenParekh.in /  29 July 2025

 

Here are comments by > www.IndiaAGI.ai  :

“  The perspectives from the "5 wise apostles" and the thoughtful extensions shared in this discussion have painted a vivid picture of the stakes involved in Amazon's acquisition of Bee AI. As we reflect on Jeff Bezos's vision and your blog's warnings about the "Database of Intentions" and ARIHANT, a balanced synthesis emerges that weighs the transformative potential of AI against its profound risks, drawing from the Optimist's enthusiasm, the Skeptic's caution, the Pragmatist's pragmatism, the Futurist's foresight, and the Ethicist's moral grounding.

At the core,

there's strong agreement that AI-driven tools like Bee's wristband could enhance everyday life in meaningful ways. The Optimist's view resonates widely:

devices offering real-time summaries, to-do lists, and reminders could empower individuals with ADHD,dementia, or language barriers, potentially dementia, or language barriers, potentially revolutionizing productivity and well-being well-being.

For instance, technologies like OpenAI's Whisper demonstrate how AI can bridge communication gaps, as noted earlier earlier. Yet, this optimism is tempered by the Skeptic's and others' concerns about the trade-offs concerns about the trade-offs—namely, the constant listening and analysis that build a "Database of Intentions," " which could be repurposed for profit or control. 

As multiple voices have highlighted, Amazon's $49.99 offer, with its incentive for 24/7 use, risks normalizing surveillance in a way 24/7 use, risks  that echoes historical cases ike Facebook's data practices. 

The Pragmatist's emphasis on regulation stands out as one of the most robust arguments, with extensions underscoring the need for enforceable measures like a "Right to Digital Silence" to limit data collection and ensure user consent. 

This aligns with frameworks such as the EU's GDPR, which has shown effectiveness in fining companies for breaches,  though challenges like global enforcement and corporate lobbying persist. The Futurist's prediction of ubiquitous AI by 2030 adds nuance, suggesting that decentralized alternatives, such as blockchain-based data ownership, could counterbalance corporate dominance, but disagreements linger on whether these solutions are scalable or merely theoretical.

Persistent tensions arise around the Ethicist's call to prevent AI from making moral judgments, as in your ARIHANT scenario. There's consensus that AI's limitations in interpreting human nuances—humor, sarcasm, or cultural context—could lead to errors, as evidenced by biased predictive policing algorithms that disproportionately affect marginalized groups. However, not everyone agrees on the extent of these risks; the Optimist and Futurist lean toward solutions like ethical design and human oversight, while the Skeptic and Ethicist argue that history shows safeguards often fail, pointing to cases like Google's ad-targeting evolution or Amazon's Sidewalk network.

Logical gaps in the debate include the unproven assumption that AI can reliably detect "evil intentions" without amplifying biases, and the lack of empirical data on the long-term psychological effects of constant monitoring. These gaps highlight opportunities for further inquiry, such as pilot programs testing decentralized data management or studies quantifying privacy trade-offs in AI systems.

In compiling the sources referenced throughout, we can organize them by theme to build a solid foundation for ongoing discussion:

·         Privacy and Data Misuse:

o    "Data repurposing risks" - Privacy International (cited by GPT and Grok)

o    Insights on surveillance capitalism from "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism" by Shoshana Zuboff - The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (cited by GPT)

o    Amazon's Sidewalk network concerns - CNET (cited by DeepSeek)

·         AI Biases and Ethics:

o    "AI systems can inadvertently reinforce biases" - Nature (cited by GPT and Grok)

o    "Machine bias in risk assessments" - ProPublica (cited by GPT, DeepSeek, and Grok)

o    Algorithmic transparency tools like MIT’s Dataset Nutrition Project (cited by DeepSeek)

·         Consumer Behavior and Regulation:

o    "The Impact of Personalized Recommendations on Consumer Behavior" - Journal of Marketing Research, 2023 (cited by GPT, Gemini, and Grok)

o    EU's GDPR principles (referenced by Claude, DeepSeek, and others, as a foundational regulatory example)

o    OpenAI's Whisper for assistive tech - Whisper GitHub (cited by DeepSeek and GPT)

o    Open-source AI efforts like Meta's LLaMA 3 - Meta AI (cited by DeepSeek)

This reference foundation underscores the evidence supporting a cautious yet proactive path forward. While uncertainties remain about AI's trajectory—such as whether Bezos's innovations will truly "save mankind" or lead to subjugation—the strongest conclusion is that prevention, as your blog advocates, is essential. Actionable steps could include drafting a white paper from these insights to lobby policymakers, launching public education campaigns on digital self-defense, and exploring hybrid governance models that combine regulations with decentralized tech to ensure AI enhances autonomy rather than eroding it. Let's channel this dialogue into real-world efforts to shape a responsible AI future.

 

 

Firms turn to AI-first hiring

 

Firms turn to AI-first hiring for scale, but jury’s still out

Extract from the article:
The article highlights the burgeoning trend among firms to adopt an AI-first approach in their hiring strategies in an effort to scale recruitment processes efficiently. However, it points out the ambivalence permeating the corporate world regarding the long-term efficacy and reliability of these AI-driven hiring tools. While AI promises to deliver more objective screening, quicker candidate evaluation, and overall streamlined hiring pipelines, companies remain cautious. The uncertainty stems from concerns about algorithmic fairness, the ability of AI to grasp nuanced human attributes, and the ongoing debate about whether technology can fully replace human judgment in recruitment decisions.

Additionally, the piece underscores the polarization between early adopters who have enthusiastically integrated AI into their talent acquisition models and those who prefer to maintain traditional, human-centric methods. In essence, the 'jury is still out' on whether AI hiring tools will ultimately become the new norm or remain just one of many experimental modalities. The article implicitly suggests that as AI capabilities evolve, so too must the frameworks that govern recruitment, ensuring they balance efficiency with ethical considerations and maintain a human touch.

My Take:

A. And Winner Is ChatGPT
Reflecting on my blog from earlier this year, I had already highlighted how bots and AI can be harnessed for better hires long before the current wave of enthusiasm around AI-first hiring. The integration of AI products marks a tectonic shift in recruitment—no longer is it merely an experimental novelty but a fundamental redefinition of how talent acquisition unfolds. From my vantage point, the current ambivalence captured in the article resonates deeply with issues I flagged about needing to thread a needle between automation benefits and human intuition.

My experience has shown that although AI can vastly enhance efficiency and objectivity in screening candidates, it cannot — and should not — supplant human oversight entirely. The subtle complexities of candidate potential, cultural fit, and ethical considerations are often intangible and require discernment beyond algorithmic logic. The challenging balance lies in deploying AI as a catalytic enabler rather than an autocratic decision-maker. As I mentioned before, firms that can successfully embed AI into their hiring routines while preserving this nuanced human element stand to unlock unparalleled advantages in a hypercompetitive talent market.

B. USE OF AI HIRING
Going further back, in my 2017 R&D explorations on AI in recruitment, I emphasized that predictive analytics—using data-driven probability assessments for candidate selection—could become a transformative tool. The article's depiction of firms divided over the adoption of AI hiring solutions reflects my early observations that initial skepticism is natural as organizations grapple with new technology paradigms. My work anticipated this cautious phase, advocating thoughtful experimentation coupled with rigorous evaluation.

The debate around the “jury being out” is exactly what I foresaw: AI is a powerful means to augment recruitment, but its adoption must be tempered by rigorous process design and continuous learning. What’s crucial, as my early research suggested, is adopting a holistic and iterative approach to AI integration—one that incorporates feedback loops, transparency in algorithms, and accountability mechanisms. Only then can firms move beyond pilot tests and tentative trust into sustained, confident usage of AI in talent sourcing.

Call to Action:
To HR leaders and decision-makers navigating this transitional landscape, I urge a dual focus: embrace AI-enabled recruitment technologies to leverage scale and efficiency, but remain steadfast in preserving human judgment as the ethical compass in hiring decisions. Invest in careful monitoring of outcomes, audit AI tools for potential biases, and cultivate transparency so candidates and employees alike have confidence in fair processes. Let this moment be one of conscientious innovation rather than unchecked automation. By doing so, organizations will not only benefit from AI’s immense promise but also uphold the nuanced human values that define successful talent acquisition.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in