Godrej Security Solutions Expands Its Physical Security Products Range; Launches ‘SmartFog’ And ‘AccuGold’ In Karnataka

~ The brand unveiled ‘SmartFog’ and ‘AccuGold’ at the IIJS Tritiya, the latest innovations for financial institutions and Jeweler Community ~

Godrej Security Solutions, a division of Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group, today launched their latest innovations ‘SmartFog’ and ‘AccuGold’ at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru. The company displayed and demonstrated their innovative offerings at the ‘India International Jewellery Show – IIJS Tritiya’ between March 17th – 20th. The event was organised by The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

The ‘SmartFog’, is a powerful fogging security system enabled to stop intruders in their tracks, whereas the ‘AccuGold’ is equipped to determine gold purity with the highest accuracy without damaging the ornament. Both these innovations are designed to take the brand’s physical security range of products to the next level establishing them as leaders in the space of institutional security. Godrej Security Solutions is keen on transforming the financial institutions and the jewellery sector through such technology and products. 

The growing presence of regional rural bank branches in rural areas and private banks targeting rural customers in Karnataka has triggered a massive growth in the state. Moreover, gold jewellery shops  have a strong demand for storage of gold and other valuables i.e., safes and strong room doors. In addition to this, the late rise in crime rates has created awareness among Jewellers with respect to higher grade of safes and doors and technologically advanced security systems.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pushkar Gokhale, Business Head, Godrej Security Solutions, said, “At Godrej Security Solutions we are committed towards continuously innovating and delivering effective solutions to meet the security needs of our customers. Over the last few years, we have witnessed the growth and demand for physical security products range in Karnataka and we are expanding our physical security product offerings in the institutional security segment. Currently, we are at the early adoption stage and going by the overwhelming response shown during our roadshows and demonstrations, we expect annual sales of 2500 units nationally (for both products) in next 2 years horizon and an expected growth of 25%in revenue.

Mr Gokhale further added “Karnataka is the one of the fastest-growing major state economy. It has been one of emerging markets for institutional security with equal focus from both public sector undertakings (PSU’s) and private banks in terms of branch expansion and roll-out of new banking services, witnessing one of highest GDP growth in last 3 years. Known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is the home to the most successful technology based companies. It is the  centre of economic activities, a hub for HNIs and many manufacturing facilities including gold and precious stones. It is one of fastest growing branches of south zone.   In order to reach-out to new segments of the market, our focus is to build a robust network of channel partners and ASPs especially in the rural part of Karnataka. We are confident that both these innovative offerings will aid the brand to successfully spearhead and play a significant role in growth across Karnataka’s fast growing physical security products category.

SmartFog is one of a kind and first ever concept to be introduced in Indian market. This revolutionary product adds extra layer of protection to the overall security ecosystem of banks and jewellers. It utilizes advanced technology to detect unauthorized attempts to open any vault or safe. It is equipped with remote cloud based application as well as wireless technology for triggering the system. When triggered, Smart Fog emits a thick fog made of concentrated liquefied glycol – harmless to humans but capable of causing panic and immobilizing the culprit owing to zero visibility, allowing ample of time to the on-site personnel to take necessary measures.

AccuGold is the most advanced and accurate gold purity-testing machine. AccuGOLD is designed to give the accurate composition of any ornament under testing, without damaging the ornament in any way, making it a perfect choice for jewellers, banks, and financial institutions who seek the highest accuracy to determine gold purity.

Secure 4.0 is a continuation of the initiative by Godrej Security Solutions to spread awareness around the change in type of threats and making users conscious about upgrading to the best security measures. The previous edition in 2021, the Secure Spaces Banking Conclave bought together banking industry stalwarts to discuss how the banking industry needs to transform their institutional security.

YouGov Survey Finds Four Out of Five Digital Users In India Consider Snapchat As Their Fun, Happy Place

~Survey shows 97% of users associate the terms Happy, Fun, Creative or Trendy with Snapchat ~

~The survey also confirms that creative lenses, filters are Snapchat’s #1 feature that helps users celebrate festivals and special occasions with loved ones~

On the occasion of the International Day of Happiness, YouGov, an international Internet-based market research and data analytics firm, and Snap Inc, published the results of their joint study, which was undertaken to assess consumer views and key trends that make the digital generation happy.

Key Survey Findings:

97% of users associate the terms Happy, Fun, Creative or Trendy with Snapchat.

87% users consider Snapchat as 'the best' platform compared to other platforms among the competition for using creative lenses/ filters, sharing special/happy moments with dear ones.

80% of users prefer Snapchat for celebrating festivals with loved ones.

AR lenses are Snapchat’s #1 feature that helps celebrate festivals and special occasions with loved ones.

The wide assortment of lenses and filters on Snapchat was also the most recommended feature for non-users to share happy moments with dear ones.

As Snapchat has become a natural fit for brands to leverage a community that feels happy, the survey revealed that Snapchat plays a vital role in connecting brands and users as the platform helps them discover new and relevant products in a fun and trendy way.

According to the report, there is a lot of interest among users for Snapchat’s AR shopping try-on lenses. These try-on lenses add a playful twist to their shopping experience enabling them to find new and relevant products in a fun and practical way. Moreover, shopping using AR lenses aid in decision-making, with 4 in 5 users stating that they would be less likely to return clothing if they could try it on first.

The respondents for the survey comprised an equal mix of males and females in the age group of 18-29 years. Respondents from 17 cities participated in the survey, including Tier 1 cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore, as well as Tier 2 cities like Bhopal, Surat, Patna, and Kanpur among others.

Commenting on the collaboration with Snapchat for the survey and current consumer trends, Deepa Bhatia, General Manager, YouGov India said “Our survey shows that compared to general social media users, Snapchat users show a stronger likelihood to share personal stories and pictures, and also enjoy adding filters and using lenses when it comes to pictures. The use of creative filters and lenses is a standout feature for Snapchat users. But it also goes beyond this for users. Many seeing the platform as a mode that helps them connect with their community and celebrate festivals with loved ones.”

Speaking about the findings of the survey, Kanishk Khanna, Director, Media Partnerships for APAC, Snap Inc. said, “At Snapchat, our mission is to enhance real relationships with friends, family, and the world and empower Snapchatters to live in the moment and have fun together. It is wonderful to see that Snapchat is helping spread happiness across India through the use of innovative AR technology for visual messaging. ”

In the digital domain, freedom of expression is key to increasing happiness for users to be their authentic selves. According to the report, 63% of users feel secure sharing stories and photographs on Snapchat, which enables them to express their creativity and have fun while building relationships with friends and family.

This survey by Snapchat conducted with YouGov India comes at the back of the announcement of its inaugural Digital Well-Being Index (DWBI) to understand the digital safety of Gen Z wherein India registered the highest DWBI count at 68. The findings from both studies reinforce how India’s digital generation continues to thrive in a safe and happy environment.

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar Delivers The 29th Leadership Lecture At T A Pai Management Institute , MAHE

T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), which is a constituent institution of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, hosted Dr S. Jaishankar, Hon'ble External Affairs Minister, Government of India, who delivered the 29th Leadership Lecture on the topic ‘India in the Amritkaal. The leadership lecture was attended by over one thousand students, faculty, as well as senior functionaries from various academic institutions of MAHE. During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar also interacted with students at the campus and participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the TAPMI New Academic Block.

Addressing the students at Manipal, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and External Affairs Minister of India, said, “It’s an honour to be a part of the 29th TAPMI Leadership Lecture with Manipal Academy of Higher Education is a highly reputed institution for research and innovation around the world. The last 75 years have been a period of considerable achievements, and challenges. Now, we are looking at 25 years, so that during the period ahead leading up to the centenary of India, we can strive to become a developed country. To all the students here, I would say that these 25 years are your years to realize history. Look at the next 25 years and ask yourself, what awaits you.”

Dr Ranjan R Pai, President, MAHE Trust and Chairman Manipal Education & Medial Group (MEMG), said, “Dr. Jaishankar has built an illustrious career, first as one of the best diplomats not just in India but across the globe, and then as an external affairs minister. It’s a great opportunity for students to hear his valuable insights on foreign policy and how he sees the bright future of India.”

Speaking on the Occasion Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), said “It’s an honour to welcome a stalwart like Hon'ble External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. Our students will certainly benefit from his wisdom gained from years of experience throughout his stellar career. It was indeed a pleasure to hear Dr. Jaishankar’s insightful words on why India is poised to rule over the next decades.”

Dr H.S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), said, “Beyond academics, it’s critical for students to hear from diverse personalities and experts to help shape their worldview and bring conviction in their decisions. I’m sure that the wonderful talk by Dr. Jaishankar was enlightening and thought-provoking for our students.”

Speaking at the Event, Professor Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Management, Law, Humanities and Social Science), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) said, “It was a great honour and privilege to welcome Dr. S Jaishankar to TAPMI. The student community at TAPMI and other constituent institutions of MAHE have gained immensely from the interaction. Dr. Jaishankar has inspired them to pursue greatness in India's Amritkaal.”

Over the years, TAPMI has invited leading luminaries from the world of business, government, and academics to share their wisdom with the young minds at TAPMI. Previous leadership lectures have been delivered by eminent personalities such as Shri. Ratan Tata, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Dr. Gerd Gigrenzer, Shri. Nithin Gadkari, and Dr Y V Reddy.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

(Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University)

MAHE is recognized as a leading quality academic and education service provider and has significantly contributed to continuously improving the standards and penetration of higher education in India. The Manipal Academy of Higher Education has, as its genesis, an enthralling story of a genius, the late Dr. T. M. A. Pai who had the vision of making society rid of the three major ills of illiteracy, ill health, and poverty. It provides a great variety of graduate and postgraduate skill enhancement educational courses covering several important disciplines like medicine, engineering, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, allied health, management, communication, life sciences, hotel administration, etc. through its 25 Professional Higher Education institutions. It has also taught and researched departments in Statistics, Commerce, Geopolitics & International Relations, European Studies, Philosophy & Humanities, Atomic & Molecular Physics, etc.

Over 35,000 students from all over the world pursue undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in diverse subjects. The finest of infrastructure facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, well-equipped laboratories, and dedicated and competent faculty have enabled the MAHE to be reckoned as one of the best-deemed universities, attracting students from all over India and 60+ countries of the world. The MAHE currently has 3000+ faculty and 10500+ support and service staff. The MAHE is a Wi-Fi-enabled campus and has excellent facilities for sports and games. MAHE has been accredited by NAAC with an A++ Grade and its technical programs are also accredited by NBA. MAHE’s quest for excellence is best exemplified in national and international recognitions. As per the National Institutional Rankings Framework (NIRF)-2022 of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, MAHE has ranked 7th in the ‘Universities’ Category.

The MAHE has an Off-Campus, each at Mangalore, Bengaluru, and Jamshedpur, and has two Off-Shore campuses, one in Dubai (UAE) and the other in Melaka (Malaysia). The MAHE and its Off-center Campuses and Off-shore Campuses have world-class infrastructural facilities and follow pedagogy, which is constantly reviewed and upgraded to reflect the latest trends and developments in their respective disciplines.

For further information log on to: https://manipal.edu/mu.html

KISNA Hosts Cluster Meeting For Its Retail Partners In Karnataka

KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery from Hari Krishna Group hosted Karnataka cluster meet for its key retailers in Karnataka. The main objective of this cluster meeting was to offer a platform for insightful discussion on industry trends and to collaborate with its loyal and long standing business partners for successful roll out of KISNA franchise stores. 

Kisna from Hari Krishna Group is a reputed jewellery brand since 2005, with a wide distribution to 3,500+ retailers across the country making it the largest distributed diamond jewellery brand in India. KISNA has been growing exponentially by driving business growth through a retailer-enabled franchise model.  In 2022, KISNA began its expansion by launching its first store in Siliguri followed by Hyderabad, Hisar, Ayodhya and Bareilly. 

The business cluster was graced by Mr. Ghanshyam Dholakia, Founder & Managing Director, Hari Krishna Group and Mr. Parag Shah, Director, Kisna Gold & Diamond Jewellery. Engaging discussions took place on the industry overview and KISNA’s product offerings, services and business development. A jewellery exhibition was also organized to showcase a new range of impeccable and unique designs by KISNA for the retailers of Karnataka with an intent to make certified and affordable diamond jewellery accessible to their consumers in the state. Through this meet, various retailers in Karnataka have expressed interest in creating KISNA brand corners in their stores. 

Mr. Ghanshyam Dholakia, Founder and Managing Director, Hari Krishna Group. said, “Karnataka possess huge potential for the growth of Indian economy and it was a privilege to host a cluster meeting for our valued retailers in this region.  We are optimistic that the business synergies discussed during the meeting will lead to the expansion and development of the company and the retailers.’’

Mr. Parag Shah, Director, Kisna Gold & Diamond Jewellery said, “With this business conclave, we aim to bring together our retailers of Karnataka under one platform to interact, learn, grow and explore more business opportunities with KISNA. The company is focusing towards rapid expansion of its franchise operations and to have the widest KISNA Franchised Retail Chain across the country. We take this opportunity to invite our business partner to become a franchise partner of KISNA Diamond & Gold Jewellery’’

Zolo Scholar Joins Hands With Manipal Academy of Higher Education To Elevate The Student Experience

*  Zolo To Exclusively Manage Three MAHE Campuses In Bengaluru, Mangaluru, & Manipal, With More Than 20,000 Beds

Zolo Scholar, India’s largest Student Living platform by ZoloStays backed by Investcorp, Nexus Ventures Partners, IDFC Alternatives, Trifecta Capital, and Mirae Assets has partnered with Manipal Academy Higher Education (MAHE), one of India's leading academic with a long-standing legacy of over 65+ years, to provide world-class hostel facilities with a learning experience.

With an intention to nurture the student experience, MAHE is refining the student hostel experience, to ensure students are at ease to focus on their studies while the stay is designed to be comfortable and well-equipped. The partnership between Zolo and MAHE is a significant step towards enriching the student experience.

Zolo Scholar will exclusively manage three MAHE campuses in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, & Manipal, with more than 20,000 beds. The experience is designed to create a comfortable and supportive student living environment, focusing on amenities promoting wellness, learning, and socialising.

Zolo Scholar’s proprietary “Brand 360” program leverages technology, operations & community building expertise to help students thrive and make the most of their college experience. In its student housing hubs, the company provides modern amenities such as well-appointed rooms, sports facilities, a gym, a modern kitchen, professional housekeeping, and 24x7 security.

At this event, Dr Nikhil Sikri, Co-founder & CEO, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and elevate the student living experience.” In the field of education, the Manipal Group has been at the forefront of embracing innovation and technology. In our previous partnerships, we have consistently achieved mutually beneficial outcomes where we not only improved the financial performance but also significantly enhanced the student experience and generated positive word-of-mouth.

Lt Gen  (Dr.) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said,” The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is committed to providing students with a supportive and inclusive environment, and this partnership with Zolo scholar aligns with that mission. We understand that a holistic campus experience is essential to a student's success, and this partnership will help us meet that need,"

Zolo Scholar is India’s biggest Student Living platform. It serves 50,000+ students across 20+ campuses in 10 cities.

About Zolo Stays

Headquartered in Bengaluru and founded in 2015, Zolostays is India’s largest co-living and student-housing platform. At the company's helm are three young entrepreneurs, Nikhil Sikri, Akhil Sikri, and Sneha Choudhary - all fiercely passionate about making a difference in the overcrowded co-living market by keeping customer experience and technology as their core focus. Zolostays’ offerings are divided into three verticals: Coliving Spaces, Student Housing, and Pre-leased Real Estate Investment. And underpinning all these three verticals is the company’s core philosophy of providing hassle-free living with freedom, flexibility, and functionality.

Quest Global Reinforces Commitment To Encourage India’s Future Engineers, Concludes 11th Edition of Ingenium In Kochi

* Winners will receive an all-expense paid educational trip to an Alstom facility in Europe

Quest Global, one of the world’s leading engineering services firms, has concluded the 11th edition of Quest Global Ingenium 2023 in Kochi, Kerala. The contest is a platform that offers engineering students a chance to bring their unique tech solutions to life, further strengthening Quest Global’s belief that innovative engineering solutions are significant in building pathways to a brighter future.

India’s brightest young minds from top engineering colleges took part in the contest. There were 1800+ submissions from across the country in the 11th edition of Quest Global Ingenium, reflecting the widespread appeal of this innovative platform for aspiring engineers. The jury selected the team from Jayawantrao Sawant College of Engineering, Hadapsar, Maharashtra as the winners of the 11th edition of the contest. The team focused on multipurpose EVs and worked on an innovative solution intended to make commuting easier for elderly and disabled. The group comprised of Surana Sanyam Nilesh, Ankit Sahal, Abhinandan Jain and Aditya Malapure.

The winning team will visit the Alstom facility in Europe, and experience first-hand cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions developed by the company. This educational trip will provide students with valuable industry exposure and insights into rail signalling systems and next-generation trains. The mentorship and networking opportunities that come with this visit will prove to be a great asset for the students, helping them build relationships and contacts that will benefit them in furthering their careers as engineers.

Speaking at the occasion, Lakshminarayanan Ramalingam, Chief Operating Officer, Quest Global said, “Quest Global is in the business of engineering solutions for the real world, but what we’re really building is a brighter future. We believe engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. Quest Global Ingenium is a platform that brings innovation in engineering to the forefront and has the potential to internalize revolutionary ideas and find solutions across industries. I take this opportunity to congratulate all the winners. Seeing various innovative ideas from the young engineering talent was undeniably remarkable.”

He added, “We thank Alstom, for their support and encouragement in making this contest a success. Due to their support, we can provide experiential learning to these young engineers. Our shared vision of fostering innovation and providing a platform to the young talent leaves me excited for the future, where I will witness this level of creativity from the next generation of engineers.” 

The team from School Of Engineering And Technology Jain University Bangalore, emerged as the first runner-up. They prioritized artificial intelligence and developed a project that proposes to be a unique platform to detect and prevent diseases in plants. The team was comprised of Diksha Chakravarty, Aakash Rajaraman, Yashas S, Nishtha Jain. Meanwhile, the second runner-up was the team from Chandigarh University, which focused on carbon emissions. Their project aims to improve air quality for the future generation. The team was composed of Abhilash Gaurav and Abhigyan Pal.

Quest Global Ingenium, in the past, has impacted the lives of many talented students by offering a pathway to their dreams through proper mentorship and global exposure. With an objective to make students industry-ready, the contest is designed to let the participants get a first-hand experience from industry leaders. Quest Global, as an organization, strongly believes in nurturing talent to drive innovative solutions to modern problems. Through these events, the company wants to help the next generation of engineers explore their innovative side, addressing the industry's acute talent shortage.

About Quest Global

We are Quest Global. We’re in the business of engineering, but what we’re really building is a brighter future. It’s not just what we do, but why we do it that makes us different. We believe engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. For 25 years, we have strived to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest engineering problems. As a global organization headquartered in Singapore, we live and work in 17 countries, with 56 global delivery centers & offices, driven by 17,000+ extraordinary employees who make the impossible possible every day.

Quest Global brings deep industry knowledge and digital expertise to deliver end-to-end global product engineering services.  We bring together technologies and industries alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise to solve problems better, and faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most important and large-scale challenges across the Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Energy, Hi-Tech, Healthcare, Medical Devices, Rail, and Semiconductor industries.

iCreate Announces iTERF, A Global Fellowship Programme To Promote Research In Tech Entrepreneurship During Startup20 Sikkim Sabha

* iTERF is an essential component of the Startup20 Engagement Group that encompasses countries within the G20.

* Each research fellow will receive USD 1000 per month for 12 months and lifetime recognition as ‘iTERF Fellow’.

iCreate (International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology), India's leading technology innovation-based startup incubator, today announced the launch of a one-of-its-kind global research fellowship programme, iTERF (??iCreate Technology Entrepreneurship Research Fellowship). Aimed at initiating interdisciplinary inquiry into technology entrepreneurship, the iTERF programme is an intrinsic part of the Startup20 Engagement Group of G20 countries, under the Indian Presidency in 2023. iTERF will present an opportunity for selected researchers to become part of the engagement activities of the Startup20.

Commenting on the launch, Avinash Punekar, CEO, iCreate said, “We are thrilled to launch iTERF which has been part of our charter and a fond wish of our founder, Late Dr. H. Anil Kumar. We believe that it will facilitate the creation of a strong knowledge ecosystem that will serve the common objective of iCreate and Startup20, which is fostering innovation and supporting emerging entrepreneurs. By bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives, we hope to develop a holistic understanding of the technology entrepreneurship landscape, and this will become a vital input in building, nurturing and growing innovation ecosystems. We look forward to welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds and from across the world, and supporting them in their pursuit of new ideas and insights.”

With iTERF, iCreate and Startup20 seek to initiate interdisciplinary inquiry into technology entrepreneurship using lenses that range from anthropology, economics, engineering, management, philosophy, psychology, sciences, sociology, and technology, among others. Areas of inquiry would be on the following themes:

Startup ecosystem harmonization, institutional mechanisms & G20

Startup funding & ecosystem wealth creation

Startup ecosystem in the context of inclusion & sustainability

Startup ecosystem & effects on global culture

Startup ecosystem, economy development & global outlays

According to iCreate, while the iTERF programme aims to democratise research in the rapidly evolving domain of innovation and entrepreneurship, a rigorous evaluation process has been put in place to ensure that the research output is world class. Following a stringent screening and selection process, the two winning proposals will be announced at the Startup20 Summit, scheduled on 3rd July 2023, at Gurugram. The researchers would be reviewed quarterly and given a lifetime recognition as ‘iTERF Fellows’ on completing their research project.

About iCreate

Winner of the National Award for Technology Business Incubator 2020, iCreate (International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology) is an autonomous centre of excellence of the Government of Gujarat and is India’s largest institution for transforming start-ups based on tech innovation into successful businesses. Located in a state-of-the-art 40-acre campus at Dev Dholera in Ahmedabad, it has supported over 544 innovations and 47 patents with a ‘high-touch, entrepreneur first model’, connecting them with mentors, markets, and money. Embedded systems and IoT are a focus area for iCreate, in domains like electric vehicles, agritech, smart cities, health tech, industrial automation, and renewable energy, among others. It is home to Cisco's largest Innovation Lab in India and has partnerships with leading institutions in the US, Israel, and other countries. It has a strategic partnership with CSIR, India's apex organisation for science and technology, and with leading institutions worldwide.