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Neil Harbisson: The World’s First Cyborg, Color Blind Artist

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Humans have been using technology to improve the standard of their day to day lives and increase the efficiency of doing things. The rapid advances in technology have been met with criticism and support. One such development in technology allowed Neil Harbisson with an extreme form of color blindness “hear” visible and invisible wavelengths of light.

Neil Harbisson, a British born cyborg artist, is the world’s first legally recognized cyborg who has an antenna implanted in his head as a way to ‘cure’ his color blindness. Neil received official bionic status from the United Kingdom government officially making him a cyborg. At age 21, he co devised the antenna sensor implanted in his head that translates different wavelengths into vibrations in his skull, which he then perceives as sound.

At the World Government Summit which is a forum for government leaders to discuss technology, innovation and futurism Harrison said the antenna is not a device but an essential body organ. “I have an antenna that is implanted inside my head, which allows me to extend my perception of reality beyond the visual spectrum. I can sense infrared and ultraviolet. I also have internet connection in my head that allows me to receive colors from other parts of the world or connect to satellite so I can send colors from space,” he added.

Harbisson believes, the biggest challenge for the current generation would be designing ourselves and not the world around us. “The more we design ourselves, the less we will have to design the planet. If we had night vision when cities would be dark, we would not have to spend so much money and energy to create lighting systems. It would also be better for the environment. Also, if we could control our own temperature, we would not have to use air conditioning or heaters. We would not have to heat up the planet when it’s cold or vice versa.

In 2010, this cyborg activist also cofounded the Cyborg Foundation along with Moon Ribas to defend cyborg rights, promote cyborg art and support people who want to become cyborgs. In 2017, he co founded the Transpecies Society to represent those people who identify themselves as non human. The Transpecies Society aims to give a voice to people with non human identities, raises awareness of the challenges transspecies face, advocates for the freedom of self design and offers the development of new senses and organs in the community.

Harbisson is not just an advocate for the Transpecies. His art was also exhibited during the 54th Venice Biennale, at Palazzo Foscari, Savina Museum of Contemporary Art, ArtScience Museum (Singapore,) Centre d’Art Santa Mònica, Pollock Gallery, Museumsquartier (Vienna,) Pioneer Works (New York City) and at the American Visionary Art Museum, among others. He also published the Human Color Wheel in 2009 which is based on the hue and the light detected on hundreds of human skins from 2004 to 2009. The book was aimed to raise awareness and state that humans are not black or white, humans are different shades of orange, from very very dark orange to very light orange.

Ranked along with the works of Marina Abramovic and Yoko Ono, Harbisson’s work is considered to be one of the most shocking art performances ever. Pointing his antenna at different parts of a face, Harbisson writes down the different notes he hears and later creates a sound file to create a sound portrait. His work is focused on creating a new sense and creating external artworks through these new senses.

Looking at the immense work the world’s first cyborg has created, it is safe to say the future looks promising!

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Funding

Agritech Startup Gramik Raises INR 17 Crore to Expand Rural Commerce in India

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StartupStories
  • Gramik, a Lucknow-based agritech startup, has secured INR 17 crore in a bridge funding round ahead of its upcoming INR 56 crore Series A raise.
  • The funding round included investments via Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs).
  • Key investors include Sammaan Global Ventures, Money Creeper Investment, and prominent angels such as Balram Yadav (MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet), Gev Aryaton, Irfan Alam, Nikhil Bhagat, and Salvia Siddiqui.

Gramik’s Unique Peer Commerce Model

  • Founded in 2021 by Raj Yadav, Gramik empowers over 120 million small and marginal farmers in India through a technology-driven rural commerce platform.
  • The startup operates a dual-channel distribution network using Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and rural retailers to deliver high-quality agri-inputs to remote areas.
  • Gramik’s full-stack platform offers demand aggregation, logistics, embedded credit, and agronomy services, ensuring last-mile delivery and support for farmers.

Expansion Plans and Future Growth

  • Gramik currently operates in 12 districts, with 1,200+ active VLEs and 250+ rural retail partners, and plans to expand to 3,000 VLEs and reach 1 million+ farmers across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu.
  • The new funds will be used to expand Gramik’s private-label products, enhance agronomy-led farmer engagement, and scale operations in key states.
  • With a strong focus on supply chain efficiency, technology, and farmer advisory services, Gramik aims to become a leader in India’s $50 billion agri-input and rural commerce market.
  • Backed by previous seed funding of over INR 25 crore, Gramik is set to drive innovation and inclusive growth for rural communities.

 

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Reliance Jio Platforms Puts $100 Billion IPO on Hold to Focus on Growth

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Reliance Jio Platforms, the digital and telecom powerhouse led by Mukesh Ambani, has decided to postpone its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO), shelving plans for a 2025 listing. The IPO, which analysts valued at over $100 billion and expected to be India’s largest-ever stock market debut, will not take place this year. The company has yet to appoint bankers for the process, signaling that preparations for the public offering have not started in earnest.

According to sources close to the matter, Jio Platforms wants to give its business more time to grow before going public. The company is focusing on boosting revenues, expanding its telecom subscriber base, and scaling up its digital services—including apps, connected devices, and AI solutions—so it can achieve a higher valuation when the IPO eventually happens. Nearly 80% of Jio Platforms’ $17.6 billion annual revenue currently comes from its telecom business, Reliance Jio Infocomm, but the company is investing heavily in new digital ventures and partnerships, such as its collaboration with Nvidia on AI infrastructure.

The news of the delay impacted the market, with shares of parent company Reliance Industries falling by up to 1.8% following the announcement. Despite a strong IPO environment in India, Jio’s move is seen as a strategic decision to ensure stronger business fundamentals and a higher valuation before entering the public markets. Major investors, including Google and Meta, are said to support the decision, viewing it as a step toward long-term value creation.

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Starlink Receives Final Regulatory Approval to Launch Satellite Internet in India

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Elon Musk’s Starlink has received the final regulatory green light to launch its satellite internet services in India, marking a major milestone for the country’s digital connectivity. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) granted Starlink the crucial approval, making it the third company after Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio to secure full regulatory clearance for satellite broadband in India.

What Does This Mean for India?

  • Starlink can now move forward with commercial satellite broadband operations, aiming to bring high-speed internet to both urban and remote regions where traditional connectivity is limited or unavailable.
  • The approval allows Starlink to operate its Gen1 satellite constellation over Indian territory, using a mix of Ka and Ku band frequencies for reliable internet access.
  • The license is valid until July 7, 2030, giving Starlink five years to establish and grow its presence in the Indian market.

What’s Next for Starlink?

Before launching services, Starlink must:

  • Acquire satellite spectrum from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
  • Set up ground infrastructure such as gateway stations across the country
  • Complete security and compliance trials as required by Indian authorities

If all goes according to plan, Starlink’s commercial rollout could begin by late 2025 or early 2026.

Pricing and Partnerships

  • Starlink kits are expected to cost around ₹33,000, with monthly subscription fees likely ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹4,200.
  • The hardware and services will be distributed through major telecom partners like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, expanding Starlink’s reach across India36.
  • These rates are similar to those in neighboring countries where Starlink has already launched.

Why Is This Important?

  • Starlink’s entry is set to transform India’s internet landscape, especially for rural and underserved communities.
  • The move supports India’s broader goal of expanding digital access and bridging the connectivity gap across diverse regions.

In Summary

With this final approval, Starlink is poised to revolutionize satellite internet in India, offering new options for millions of users and supporting the country’s digital future. The next steps involve spectrum allocation, infrastructure setup, and regulatory compliance—after which Starlink aims to go live, potentially as soon as the end of 2025.

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