IN PICS | From AI to Zionism, Here Are The Buzzwords That Dominated News In 2023

A — AI: In 2023, OpenAI's ChatGPT popularised AI, triggering widespread adoption by companies for cost-cutting and layoffs, culminating in the Global Partnership of Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) adopting the New Delhi declaration to address risks and promote access to resources for AI innovation.

A — Ayodhya: The birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodhya, is undergoing a makeover, culminating in the temple consecration ceremony on January 22; as 2023 ended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Maharishi Valmiki Internationals Ayodhya Dham Airport and revamped Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station on December 30, along with laying the foundation stone for other projects worth Rs 15,700 Cr.

A — Adani: In 2023, the Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, faced a staggering Rs 3 lakh crore decline in fortune following allegations of financial irregularities by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research, leading to a rapid drop in the conglomerate's value and raising concerns about sustainability and transparency, although Adani Group refuted all allegations, defending its practices and emphasising adherence to stringent governance standards.

B — Biohacking: Biohacking involves optimising the body's function through practices like a balanced diet, exercise, and technology such as smartwatches, but caution is needed as not all methods, including smart drugs and biologics, are universally safe.

C — ChatGPT: ChatGPT revolutionises tasks like cover letter writing and coding, enabling quick accomplishments; while it prompts job cuts for cost reduction, it aids startups with low-cost operations, finds utility in customer services, and offers a free version, though the longevity of its free access is uncertain.

C — Chandrayaan: On August 23, India achieved a historic milestone with Chandrayaan-3, soft-landing on the Moon's south pole and conducting groundbreaking experiments, including creating the first temperature-depth profile, confirming sulphur presence, and detecting potential lunar quakes, though Vikram and Pragyan went into sleep mode and did not wake up, possibly due to the extreme cold affecting their batteries.

D — Debt crisis: The US debt crisis arises when the national debt becomes unsustainable, posing economic risks as the government accumulates debt by spending more than it earns, leading to challenges in servicing the debt; the issue is compounded by the existence of a political debate around the debt ceiling established in 1917 to control government spending.

D — Deepfake: Deepfake videos flooded social media, featuring Bollywood stars like Rashmika Mandanna and Katrina Kaif, along with fake videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi singing viral songs; in response, the Prime Minister expressed concern and stressed the media's role in public education.

E — Economy: The global economy rebounded amid challenges, with advanced economies employing stimulus measures and emerging markets facing volatility due to uneven vaccination rates. In India, the resilient economy showed improvement post-pandemic disruptions, focusing on self-reliance, digitalisation, and infrastructure. Challenges in unemployment and inflation prompted policy adjustments, while global collaboration, sustainable practices, and technology adoption were emphasised for robust recovery and inclusive growth; the RBI revised its GDP growth forecast.

F — FTX: FTX's downfall in November 2022, stemming from an $8-billion deficit and revealed affiliations, marked one of the largest financial frauds in American history, freezing assets, wiping out the founder's $16-billion net worth, and leading to legal consequences, including a conviction in November 2023.

G — G20: India's diplomatic triumph at the G20 Summit included securing a unanimous joint declaration amidst Russia-Ukraine differences, successfully advocating for the African Union's permanent G20 membership, and launching the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, bolstering the country's global standing and reaffirming its role as the voice of the 'Global South,' while also highlighting cultural richness at the renovated Bharat Mandapam.

G — Gaza: The densely populated coastal strip along the Mediterranean Sea has faced relentless Israeli strikes since October 7 in response to surprise attacks by Hamas, resulting in over 21,000 Palestinian deaths, 55,000 injuries, and 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million people being displaced in what is termed as the second Nakba, with 90% of Gaza now experiencing starvation, according to a recent UN food security assessment.

H — Hamas: Hamas, founded in 1987 by Ahmed Yasin, gained international attention after its surprise attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 200 hostages; it controls the Gaza Strip and is designated as a terrorist organisation by Western nations, including the US and the UK, receiving support from groups like Hezbollah and Houthis.

H — Hindenburg: The Hindenburg Research report accused Adani Group of inflated capitalisation, aggressive accounting tactics, and governance lapses, raising sustainability and transparency concerns that impacted market credibility; however, Adani Group's chairman, Gautam Adani, dismissed the allegations, defending the conglomerate's practices and asserting adherence to stringent governance standards, refuting the charges as blatantly erroneous and mischievous, and stating that the Hindenburg report's claims were misleading and aimed at market manipulation.

I — Inflation: Inflation grips global economies, posing challenges as rates surge, particularly in India, where the Consumer Price Index reflects persistent upward trends driven by escalating costs of essential commodities like food and fuel, with the RBI projecting a decline below the 6 per cent threshold by the March quarter.

I — Israel: In 2023, the Gaza conflict escalated into a full-scale war between Israel and Hamas, resulting in 20,000 deaths, a humanitarian crisis, and mass displacement, with most of Gaza's population cut off from essential resources due to airstrikes and ground offensives.

JN.1: As 2023 ends, the emergence of the JN.1 subvariant of the Omicron Covid strain has raised concerns globally, leading to increased cases, renewed travel advisories, and mask mandates, with over 100 cases detected in India, especially in the southern states, highlighting potential immune-evading capabilities and emphasising the persistent nature of the Covid threat.

K — Khalistan: The Khalistan issue resurfaced as 'Waris Punjab De' Chief Amritpal Singh, arrested in Punjab's Moga after a month on the run, faced charges of attempted murder and police attacks; escalating tensions saw Khalistan radicals setting fire to the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, pulling down the Indian flag at the High Commission in London, and attacking the Indian Consulate in Brisbane on July 2.

L — LGBTQ+ Marriage: In October, the Supreme Court deferred the legalisation of same-sex marriage to Parliament, prompting the United States to urge India for equal legal protection, with Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasising the universality of queerness beyond urban, caste, class, or socio-economic boundaries.

M — Manipur: Since May, the demand for Special Tribe status in Manipur led to an ethnic clash, causing over 190 deaths, and displacing thousands; despite peace efforts, violence persists, with a shocking incident in August prompting PM Modi to address the issue in Lok Sabha, promising peace.

N — Naatu Naatu: The viral banger from SS Rajamouli’s film 'RRR' made history as the first Indian song to win both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, featuring music by composer M.M. Keeravani. The win was even marked by a live performance of the number at the Oscars.

O — Orry: Orhan Awatramani, dubbed India's Kardashian counterpart, gained fame as a social media sensation, known for his connections with star kids and frequent appearances at high society events alongside Bollywood stars, sparking curiosity about his profession.

P — Pathaan: Shah Rukh Khan made a triumphant return to the silver screen after four years with the blockbuster spy thriller ‘Pathaan’, grossing over Rs 1,000 crore worldwide, followed by another hit, Jawaan, and a decent opening for his latest film, Dunki.

Q — Quiet Hiring: Quiet hiring, a discreet method gaining prominence amid tech layoffs, involves confidentially recruiting talent without full-time positions, relying on targeted headhunting, direct communication, and selective processes, often avoiding public job listings in favour of referrals or private networks, as per Gartner.

R — Rahul Gandhi: Rahul Gandhi's political headlines in 2023 ranged from Lok Sabha expulsion in March to a critical Parliament return in August, where he vehemently criticised PM Modi and faced expunged remarks; now, gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he is set to lead the Congress's 'Bharat Nyay Yatra' from Manipur to Mumbai starting January 14.

S — Sam Altman: CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, named 'CEO Of The Year' by TIME, faced a surprising ousting in November 2023, but swiftly returned on November 20 after employee uproar, showcasing the impact he currently commands in the tech industry.

S — Seventy-Hour Work Week: Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, suggested working 70 hours a week to compete globally, sparking a debate; however, the Indian government clarified there's no proposal to consider the idea in Parliament.

T — Trudeau: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, leading to diplomatic tensions, and swift actions, including visa freezes and diplomat expulsions; while Trudeau sought cooperation, PM Modi assured an investigation.

U — Ukraine: For nearly two years, Ukraine has endured Russian military strikes since the invasion on February 24, 2022, resulting in over 10,000 civilian deaths, including 560 children, and more than 18,500 injuries, with the US supplying military aid to help Ukraine sustain and resist ongoing Russian attacks.

V — Vladimir Putin: Russian President Vladimir Putin faced an ICC arrest warrant for Ukraine war crimes, skipped the G20 in India, praised PM Modi, and battled a rebellion in Moscow led by Yevgeny Prigozhin (Wagner Group's then chief), but a truce was reached; two months later, Prigozhin died in a plane crash.

World Cup: India, despite an unbeaten run, suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Australia in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup finals held in Ahmedabad, where Pat Cummins led the Aussies to a convincing victory, securing their record sixth championship and capping off a stellar 2023 campaign that included winning the World Test Championship and retaining the Ashes.

W — Wrestlers’ Protest: The Indian wrestling scene faced a tumultuous year marked by controversies and internal conflicts within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), including allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, protests for his resignation, dissatisfaction among wrestlers, the controversial appointment of Sanjay Singh as WFI chief, leading to widespread dissent, protests, Sakshi's voluntary retirement, Bajrang Punia returning his Padma Shri, and ultimately the suspension of WFI by the sports ministry due to irregularities in the election process and planning of national championships.

X — X: After Elon Musk's hostile takeover in October last year, 2023 witnessed significant changes on Twitter, including a rebranding to 'X,' removal of genuine background checks for blue ticks, and the potential introduction of a complete paywall, transforming the platform from a reliable source of information to a more questionable space.

Y — Y-Break: The Centre launched the 'Y-Break' initiative, promoting stress relief through office yoga; the Ministry of AYUSH developed the Y-Break@workplace - yoga at chair protocol, encouraging officials to incorporate asanas, pranayama, and meditation during short breaks for enhanced well-being.

Z — Since the October 2023 conflict between Israel and Hamas, discussions on prominent Zionism, a Jewish nationalist movement founded by Austrian journalist Theodor Herzl, advocating for a sovereign Jewish state in Palestine, have surged.