Kennametal Completes The Devanahalli Lake Restoration Project In Partnership With United Way India

* Expected to benefit up to 5,000 people in local community

* Project inaugurated by Shri. Rajiv Ranjan, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Karnataka Forest Department

Kennametal India Limited, in partnership with United Way India (UWI), a n

on-profit organization held a special inaugural event today to mark the completion of the Devanahalli Lake restoration project at Bengaluru, India. The project spans nearly 17 acres of land, and the lake itself has  a capacity of over 535 million liters of water. This initiative , which is expected to raise the ground water table and improve the moisture content in the soil, should benefit up to 5,000 people living in and around Devanahalli. The project took place over 5 months with the help of UWI and its on ground implementation partner, Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI). 

Special guest Shri. Rajiv Ranjan, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Karnataka Forest Department was in attendance to inaugurate the project. 

Speaking at the event, Mr. Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Managing Director, Kennametal India Limited said, “Kennametal's CSR programs are aimed at securing a sustainable future and creating long-term value for the communities where we work and live. The Devanahalli lake restoration project is one such program aligned with our commitment towards “Protecting our Planet” and a positive step in reviving the lakes in Bangalore that are an integral part of our ecosystem.”

Citing the importance of such projects, Shri. Rajiv Ranjan, said, “With lakes depleting at a very rapid rate, it is the need of the hour to take actions that can enhance the green cover of Bengaluru. We appreciate Kennametal’s commitment to doing its bit for the environment that should lead the way for many such volunteering initiatives by corporates.”

Speaking on the significance of environmental conservation, Ms. Jayanti Shukla, CEO – United Way India said, “It is my pleasure to be a part of this program today and witness the implementation of the project. As philanthropy partners for Kennametal, we believe that this initiative will help in water conservation and enhancement of natural flora & fauna of the lake. The wider goal is to ensure water security, clean air, and healthy environment in and around Bengaluru in the years ahead for our future generations.”

About Kennametal

With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling, and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace, earthworks, energy, general engineering, and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in more than 60 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2 billion in revenues in fiscal 2022. Learn more at www.kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About United Way India

United Way India is a registered non-profit affiliated to United Way Worldwide, a 135-year-old volunteer led global movement of 1200 community chapters across 40 countries. As India’s leading philanthropy network driving social change, United Way in India mobilizes communities and helps individuals achieve their human potential through education, income stability, healthy lives, and a sustainable environment. Learn more at uwindia.org. Follow @unitedwayindia: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube | #LiveUnited.

Adaptive Learning Coaching- The Key To Successful Transformations?

By Richard Williams, Principal Consultant at Capco 

As operating environments become ever more complex and volatile, the rate and scale of the change required of organizations increases.  However, financial industry transformations continue to stall and fail at an alarming rate, whether their purpose is preparing the enterprise to face industry disruption, enhance innovation or reduce the overheads associated with bureaucracy. 

A key reason is that transforming an organization to a new, more dynamic, and adaptive form requires leaders who can take responsibility, shoulder great expectations and play a pivotal role in establishing the new culture – for example, through enabling collaborative innovation and nurturing high-performing teams. So how can organizations build a right-sized group of leaders with the capabilities and the desire to be catalysts for change throughout the enterprise? 

Coaching versus Training 

Organizations often provide aspiring leaders with opportunities for training, but we should see these sessions as primers and not the complete answer. A few days in a classroom will give leaders a new glossary of business language and an introduction to a toolbox of techniques. Creating a sustained shift in mindset of the sort needed for a truly enabling leader is usually a longer mission, requiring continuous improvement through practice, challenge, and reflection.  

Chris Argyris, who was a co-founder of organization development and emeritus professor at Harvard Business School, understood this well when he said that leaders “need to reflect critically on their own behavior, identify ways they often inadvertently contribute to the organization’s problems and then change how they act.” 

However, leaders faced with a multitude of daily challenges – handling budget pressures, encouraging staff, keeping alignment with changing company strategy – often find it impossible to prioritize the much-needed time for retrospection to gain meaningful insight into current challenges or plan for change. Cue the arrival of the adaptive leadership coach – a person who provides much needed structure for reflection and is the appropriate foil for a leader to safely challenge preconceptions and encourage growth.  

Three Key Qualities-  

So, what expectations should we have for an adaptive leadership coach?  

First, the coach should be ethical. The coaching process requires participants to be open, honest, and experimental. A leader will rightly expect their leadership coach to maintain confidentiality and to be non-judgmental. Trust is a must-have for the relationship to be successful. Whether you call them Chatham House or Vegas rules, what happens in the coaching room, stays in the coaching room, unless with express consent.  

Second, the coach should be credible and inspiring. Two coaching techniques help to deliver these qualities: consulting – providing plausible answers for problems where no other means is available; and mentoring – sharing the coach’s own experiences to better illuminate options for the leader to use in finding their own approach. For these techniques to be meaningful for the leader, the coach must have a deep understanding of the role, mindset, and behaviors of an adaptive leader. Mentoring works best when the coach has real insight into the challenges faced everyday by their mentee, and when the coach has real-world experience to draw from.    

Third, the coach should be able to hold up a mirror so that leaders can better observe themselves. The most sustainable change in any leader is identified and driven by the leader herself. A leadership coach’s strongest and most often used technique is the coaching conversation, carefully structured so that the answers and actions all come directly from the leader. The role of the coach is to ask powerful questions and illicit new thinking and perspectives that stimulate the leader’s own thought process. 

Unlearning from the past-  

A key aim for the coach is to help the leader challenge their own preconceptions and unconscious biases. We are all the result of our experiences and the organizational cultures that we have emerged from. Whether we like to predict rather than experiment, control rather than distribute authority, or act as an expert rather than as a catalyst for others to develop their expertise, our established mental models need to be examined and new paths forged. 

The futurist Alvin Toffler was, as usual, ahead of the curve when he commented, “The illiterate of the 21st Century won’t be those that can’t read and write. It will be those that can’t learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Leaders must seek to gain new understanding and adapt their behaviors and approach to the workplace to ensure they remain relevant.   

Producing Leaders 

Adopting a coaching approach isn’t a sign of weakness.  When transformation is critical to our future, creating transformative leadership is a necessity. To borrow and adapt a well-known internet meme, leadership coaching is product development, with the leader as the product.  

At Capco we understand the imperative for adopting organizational adaptivity and the crucial part that leaders play. As exemplars for behavior and a primary carrier of organizational culture, the role of leader is the single most impactful factor in establishing sustainable, resilient adaptivity – and leadership coaching is one of the best ways to produce transformative leaders.  

Vitesco Technologies Signs “UN CEO Water Mandate For Sustainable Water Management”

* Business leaders from around the world support development of sustainable solutions to global water crisis 

* By joining, Vitesco Technologies commits itself to the responsible use of water 

Andreas Wolf, CEO of Vitesco Technologies, has become one of the first representatives of the automotive supplier industry to sign the CEO “Water Mandate”. Underthe umbrella of the United NationsGlobal Compact, the initiative is supported by business leadersfrom around the world and aims to develop sustainable solutions to the emerging globalwater crisis. 

As a leadinginternational supplier of modern powertrain technologies and electricmobility solutions, Vitesco Technologies also operates sites in water-stressed areas, particularly in Mexico and the USA, and is therefore aware of its special responsibility. As part of its environmental strategy,it strives to continuously improveits sustainability, also with regardto water as a resource. 

“As a member of the CEO Water Mandate, we want to regularly discussbest practice solutionsand current opportunities and risks in the area of water management with other companies,” explains Andreas Wolf, CEO of Vitesco Technologies. “With our risk-basedapproach, we are focusing specifically on regions in the world where water is becomingincreasingly scarce.” 

To achievethis, Vitesco Technologies is primarily pursuingefficiency projects that focus on avoiding water waste and usingthe resource multipletimes. For example,the site in Juarez (Mexico)plans to implementa total of 30 efficiency projects from 2021 to 2024. These range from water conservation for sanitary applications to the use of condensate and rainwater for irrigation and toilet flushing. 

In Seguin (USA), there are plans todivert condensate water from air conditioning and ventilation systemsto cooling towers in 2022. In addition,the company plans to reuse sludge water from cooling towers as gray water for sanitaryfacilities and to collect rainwater. 

This will enable the company to reduce the drinking waterit uses  from the public water supply. 

All Vitesco Technologies sites are consistently and regularlyassessed against the World ResourcesInstitute’s updated risk assessment tools.For the corresponding public reporting on water risks,consequences and activities, the CEO Water Mandateprovides valuable guidance. In somecases, member companiesundertake to measure and monitor operational water performance. Theyformulate explicit goals and strategies for water management within the company,promote efficient water use and assess risks and effectson the respective river basinand their valuechain. The initiative provides an overviewof all member companies at: Endorsing Companies- CEO Water Mandate 

The Forging And Auto Component Industries “Anticipate Festive Cheer”; ‘Demand For EV’ Continues To Be The Major Challenge

·         As semi-conductor supply continues to ease, auto industry has grown by 21.2% in September 2022 

·         The increase in steel, aluminium, and nickel prices have hammered the Forging Industry in India this year  

·         EVs could have disruptive implications on the forging and auto component industry 

The high raw material prices continue to be a challenge 

The Indian forging and component industry is cheered with the festive season this year as auto sales rebound after a two-year slump. The Indian auto industry experienced strong sentiment across segments in September 2022, with an overall YoY growth of 21.2%. Even on quarterly basis, the industry rose by 18.3% YoY, closing Q2 FY22 with retails of 6,052,628 units, up from 5,115,112 units at the same time last year. Sales in all categories increased significantly with 2W, 3W, CV, PV and tractors growing by 52%, 115%, 48%, 70% and 58% respectively.The domestic passenger vehicle industry recorded its best-ever monthly sales performance in September due to strong festive demand which is a result of improved semiconductor supply and favourable production conditions. 

The auto industry witnessed significant growth in sales last month; 3,54,702 units were sold in September 2022 compared to 1,87,144 in the same month the previous year with an increase of 89.5%. Leading manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Tata Motors were able to boost their dispatches to dealers last month due to improved production with the easing of chip shortage situation.Thus, the overall Auto- Components and forging industry have seen an improvement in their order books. 

Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), the apex body of the Indian forging industry is pleased with the festive spirit but has raised concern over high costs for steel, aluminium, and nickel since steel price volatility has impacted the sector. As a result, rising production costs are having a negative impact on the forging industry. 

Mr. Vikas Bajaj, President, AIFI (Association of Indian Forging Industry) said, “The auto industry achieved the 10-lakh sales mark between July and September 2022. This is encouraging news for the Indian Forging Industry, as we primarily serve the Indian Automotive Industry, which accounts for 70-80% of forging production. Sales were hampered last year as a result of a global shortage of semiconductors. The auto sector has grown this year as chip shortages have eased. However, increased commodity prices, high interest rates, inflation, and high CNG expenses, as well as the Russia-Ukraine crisis, are cause for concern and may have an impact on the market in the coming quarters. Furthermore, the volatility of steel prices has harmed the Indian forging industry this year. While steel prices were unavoidable due to global trends, a more prudent and balanced approach would have been preferable for the business. We will need to monitor how the economy performs generally, as well as how inflation and interest rates move in the future”. 

Mr. Yash Jinendra Munot, Vice President, AIFI said, “A prosperous festive season is expected, and we are optimistic. We anticipate that this year's festive season will be the best in terms of vehicle sales. However, the electric vehicle sector remains a big concern for the forging and auto component industries since demand for moving parts used in vehicles will decrease significantly, resulting in considerable unutilized forging capacity. In the coming years, we estimate that EVs will eliminate 60% of the forging and casting industries, leading to job losses and business closures. It will take at least a decade in India to entirely shift to EV's. However, the forging industry must consider alternate options such as aluminum forging and expand into non-automotive sectors such as infrastructure, defense, healthcare and railways where the current government is also investing heavily. As an association we would be delighted if the government encouraged hybrid vehicles over electric vehicles (EV)”.  

The Impact of Electric Vehicles on the Forging Industry: The global electric vehicle (EV) market is expanding rapidly. The Indian EV market is also continually growing, with close to 0.32 million vehicles sold in 2021, marking a 168% increase YoY. The Indian automobile industry is the fifth largest in the world and is anticipated to become the third largest by 2030. The EV push in India will creates a slew of new business opportunities. As the industry is rapidly shifting towards EVs, the government is focusing more on safety regulations that will provide more stability, quality, and efficiency.  

The forging industry in India comprises 85% of the MSME sector. Over 3 lakh people are employed directly in the industry, with an equal number employed indirectly. Indian forging industry is the second largest in the world, next only to China. The forging sector has been identified by EEPC as one of the key sectors for export growth. The Indian Forging Industry has always been a growth driver of the Indian manufacturing sector and it is one of the important industries enabling and sustaining the success of the country's automotive, power, and general engineering sectors. The industry has been meeting the requirements of OFM’s under the Ministry of Defense by being a significant contributor to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. 

With an annual output of about 20 Lakh Metric Ton (FY 20-21 Approx.), the Indian forging industry has about close to 400 forging units, of which 80 to 82 % can broadly be categorized as Tiny and Small Enterprises. While 10 % are Medium Sized, the remaining being Large Scale.  

While SMEs contribute 30% of forging production, the Medium and Large-Scale units contribute 70 %. With a total production worth INR 45000-50000 crore the forging industry provides direct employment to more than 300,000 people in the country along with an additional 60000 contract labourers.  

ABOUT AIFI:  

Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) is the apex body of the Indian Forging Industry. At present, it consists of over 200 members, who command a large market share of the total production of the Indian forging industry. The role of AIFI is to promote and develop the Indian Forging Industry to meet the demands and expectations of forging customers and end-users, both domestic and global) by improving the business environment for its members and contribute in increasing their competitiveness through mutual co-operation and understanding of all parties concerned and constant updating of information and technology. 

CGI Offers Scholarships For Exceptional Girl Tech Students At IIITB

CGI has partnered with the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIITB) to provide scholarships for top-performing girl students. The scholarship aims to support girl students exploring careers in technology, an area where women are underrepresented.

The scholarship will support 20 girl students pursuing an integrated programme, which includes both graduate and post-graduate programmes, at the institute. As part of the scholarship, CGI will fully fund their tuition fee for the first semester.

The students will be selected based on their ranks in one of India’s most competitive college entrance exams, conducted by a government agency.

CGI will also provide knowledge-sharing seminars and career-mentoring sessions to the recipients, empowering them to be future technology leaders.

“At CGI, we are committed to build a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, not just in our workplaces but also in the communities where we work and live. This initiative is in line with our goal to inspire people in their careers and to encourage them to work in technology,” said George Mattackal, President of CGI’s Asia Pacific Global Delivery Centers of Excellence. “Through this impactful collaboration with IIIT-B, we are honoured to support and empower young talent.”

“We are delighted to have CGI as a valued scholarship partner,” said Professor Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT Bangalore. “These scholarships are a great way to support our talented girl students and strengthen our diverse and inclusive culture at the institute.”

Through several educational initiatives and partnerships with institutions, CGI in India actively works to drive education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), digital literacy and inclusion programs.

CGI employs 18,000 consultants across major cities in India and provides global delivery support to clients around the globe, ensuring close collaboration, accountability, flexibility, superior service and, most importantly, expected business results.

About CGI:

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 88,500 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2021 reported revenue is $12.13 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

Infiniti Mall Celebrates The Spirit of Diwali With Togetherness And Enthusiasm

Mumbai’s premier shopping, food & entertainment destination - Infiniti Mall had recently organised Fun Otsav, a diwali celebration that brings people together to enjoy the festivities. During the auspicious season of Diwali, Infiniti Mall had conducted fun activities and workshops for all their patrons reviving the community spirit after two years of hiatus. The celebrations kick started from the Diwali weekend till the subsequent weekend, 21st - 30th October, 2022. 

Commencing the festive celebration with a Shubh-Labh making workshop, followed by Paper plate rangoli workshop, Diwali greeting card making and many more including Diwali painting workshop for kids, the visitors at Infiniti Mall thoroughly enjoyed the creative sessions. Adding to the entertainment factor, multiple dance performances from different parts of the country were organised to make the celebrations more memorable and grand. The customers witnessed Chhau dance from Odisha, Ghumar from Rajasthan, Bihu from Assam as well as Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu to name a few.  

The mall was decorated with beautiful lights and decor. The captivating dances that were held at the mall attracted more crowd and cheer. Visitors could partake in flavourful food and the experience was further enhanced by the free games organised by the mall. 

The Beast: The BMW X6 ‘50 Jahre M Edition’ Launched In India

* Expressive and dominant from every angle: Head-turning looks of a coupe accentuated by the special 50 Jahre M Emblem & distinctive BMW ‘Iconic Glow’ kidney grille in high gloss black.

* Powerful six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and eight-speed steptronic transmission.

* Premium interiors with crafted clarity glass application, Harman Kardon Surround Sound and 4-zone Air Conditioning.

* Adaptive M Suspension for best-in-class dynamics and superior handling.

* #BMWM #50YearsOfBMWM #50JahreBMWM #WeAreM

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic BMW M GmbH, BMW India has launched an exclusive ‘50 Jahre M Edition’ of the BMW X6 in India today.

Available as a completely built-up unit (CBU), the BMW X6 blends agile and versatile driving dynamics with a crisply expressive design language, enduring the extrovert presence of an edgy Sports Activity Coupe (SAC). The X6 is available as an exclusive ‘50 Jahre M Edition’ in limited numbers and can be booked exclusively online.

BMW India had recently announced that it will launch 10 exclusive ‘50 Jahre M Editions’ to celebrate the M sub-brand that stands for high-performance adrenaline gushing cars.

The uniqueness of the BMW X6 comes from its modern expressive design which combines athletic and elegant coupe lines with the dynamism of a BMW X model. This vehicle is like no other, to the very last detail, the X6 offers a unique synthesis of luxury, sporting dynamics and powerful style creating an excitingly different driving experience. From the coupe-like roofline to the chiseled profile, this Sports Activity Coupe is marked by extraordinary craftsmanship and sends a message of power and prestige.

The limited edition is available at an attractive ex-showroom price of -

BMW X6 40i M Sport 50 Jahre M Edition           :           INR 1,11,00,000

*Price prevailing at the time of invoicing will be applicable. Ex-showroom prices inclusive of GST (incl. compensation cess) as applicable but excludes Road Tax, Tax Collected at Source (TCS), GST on Tax collected at source, RTO statutory taxes/fees, other local tax cess levies and insurance. Price and options are subject to change without prior notice. For further information, please contact the local authorised BMW Dealer.

The BMW X6 ‘50 Jahre M Edition’.

The extrovert design of the BMW X6 conveys a dynamic impression at first sight. The significantly larger BMW Kidney Grille, now in high gloss black makes for a powerful appearance. The iconic glow of the Illuminated Kidney Grille adds dramatic distinction. Sitting proudly above the BMW Kidney Grille is the iconic M Emblem along with ‘50 Years of M’ door projector inspired by the classic ‘BMW Motorsport’ logo. Visually distinct from the conventional BMW emblem, it signals passion for racing and for the roots of the BMW M brand. The 20” 740 M alloys, finished in orbit grey with M Sport Brake Callipers in Red High Gloss fit in seamlessly with the design, as does the distinctive front apron, enlarged air inlets and side sills with additional character line.

The X6 50 Jahre M Edition comes with BMW Laserlight offers selective beam and non-dazzling high beam function with a range of around 500 meters.  The air breather in body colour combines with striking wheel arches to underline the exterior’s dynamic look. The rear of X6 has an extremely athletic silhouette with powerful shoulders and is further accentuated by wide L-shaped LED rear lights. The automatic operation of tailgate further adds to the convenience quotient. 

The interior is designed to create an exclusive and dynamic driving experience. The X6 50 Jahre M Edition comes with Crafted Clarity, 4 zone air-conditioning, Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, Comfort Access System and Sport Seats as standard. The reconfigured and redesigned controls represent a modern re-interpretation of the classic, driver- focused BMW’s cockpit. The new model comes equipped with Temperature Controlled Cup holders (heated and cooled) and offers Wireless Charging as standard, maintaining focus on the driver while complementing everyday contemporary lifestyle. The interior excels with superlative workmanship and premium materials such as Sensafin with décor stitching upholstery in Tacora red.

The large Panorama Glass Roof fills up the cabin with natural light and brings in a sense of spaciousness. Elegant electronically adjustable sports seats in sensafin upholstery have a memory function and offer the driver optimum lateral support along with lumbar support. The standard ambient lighting creates a cosy atmosphere in the interior and includes Welcome Light Carpet. ‘CraftedClarity’ glass application makes the interior controls look more elegant.

The BMW X6 50 Jahre M Edition gets the M Leather Steering Wheel along-with the Sports Seats. It also comes equipped with M Sport Brakes, M Sport exhaust system, Adaptive M Suspension, M aerodynamics package and 20-inch M light alloy wheels Starspoke style in the standard profile. The X6 50 Jahre M Edition is being offered in two exterior colours, Black Sapphire Metallic & M Carbon Black Metallic.

Despite its elegant coupe character, the BMW X6 is uniquely, surprisingly spacious.  It offers 580 litres of storage space. Depending on various requirements, the three sections of the backrest can be folded in 40:20:40 split. This offers an impressive 1,530 litres of luggage space when rear seats are folded, making the vehicle suitable for all kinds of journeys.

Customers can add more equipment of their liking to the standard specifications and further enhance the car’s sporty looks and overall experience through optional offerings such as, Racer’s Pack which consists of accessories for exterior – side decals in frozen Black and rear spoiler and Motorsport pack which consists of accessories for interior – key fob in Alcantara and Carbon Fibre, exterior mirror caps in Carbon Fibre to name a few.

The innovative petrol engine from the BMW EfficientDynamics family offers spirited power delivery as well as spontaneous responsiveness even at low engine speeds, thanks to the unrivalled BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The three-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine produces an output of 250kW/340 hp and a maximum torque of 450 Nm at 1,500 – 5,000 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km/hr in 5.5 seconds and can attain a top speed of 250 km/h.

For greater driving pleasure, the 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission performs smooth, almost imperceptible gearshifts. At any time, in any gear, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine, enabling it to develop its full power and efficiency. The steering wheel paddle shifters, cruise control with braking function as standard and launch control function offer even greater driving pleasure.

A host of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies make for an enthralling and safe journey. The BMW X6 features BMW Live Cockpit Professional which includes a high-resolution 12.3-inch Central Information Display with iDrive Controller and Navigation with touch functionality. Wireless Apple CarPlay® ensures seamless smartphone connection with the car to access navigation, contacts, messages, music and other functions. An extremely handy wireless charging station also doubles up as a power bank. Parking and maneuvering in confined spaces is made easy by the parking assistant along with reversing assistant. The system remembers the last 50 meters covered and is able to automatically reverse the car along exactly the same route.

The standard BMW Gesture Control allows drivers to perform various actions through simple hand gestures. BMW Virtual Assistant, an intelligent digital character which responds to the prompt “Hey BMW” and helps drivers operate the car with access to various functions and information simply by speaking comes as standard. The BMW Display Key is available as an option with the BMW X6. 

BMW EfficientDynamics doubles Sheer Driving Pleasure with features such as Auto Start-Stop, Brake-Energy Regeneration, Electronic Power Steering, 50:50 Weight Distribution and Driving Experience Control systems enables drivers to choose between different driving modes (ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport, Sport+) to suit diverse driving conditions.

Cutting edge BMW Safety technologies such as six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Electric parking brake with auto hold, Hill Descent Control (HDC), side impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensor, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel ensure a safe drive at all times.

Wellbeing Nutrition Eyeing Funding Of $10M To Expand Globally

Wellbeing Nutrition, India’s leading plant-based nutrition company is looking to raise $8-10M in funding this quarter. The brand has received interest from some of the leading VC funds and a few strategic investors globally. They will use these funds to scale operations, build a senior global team and increase manufacturing capacity with new facilities in the USA and India, along with strengthening their R&D and research team while also building new categories 

The brand has expanded multi-fold since the last Series A fund raise of $2.2M from Fireside Ventures in July 2021. Without any additional capital, its expected ARR is 150cr, unlike all its peers. Wellbeing Nutrition has achieved a milestone of break-even in March this year and moved towards 5% profitability since.

The brand in the last year has been able to reach out to close to 30Mn audience in the country with a 400 % growth in net revenue over the previous year. The brand has already established the leadership position in the Melts Oral Thin Strips category already catering to a million plus consumers. To add to this the brand is already in final stages to close some partnerships in the sports category on the lines of the Disney Collaboration which consisted of Marvel and Frozen melts for Kids.

Mr. Avnish Chhabria, Founder said, “Ever since our inception, we have moved closer towards achieving new milestones. It makes us proud to be a homegrown brand that’s put India on the global map and present in over 5 countries with 50+ variants. We are looking forward to the new funding and plan to use the funds for our expansion globally.”

Previously, celebrities and wellness enthusiasts like Mira Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, and Dulquer Salmaan have also invested in Wellbeing Nutrition.

In the last 1 year Wellbeing Nutrition has scaled operations to over 3000+ stores across India and expanded its presence globally in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the Netherlands, UK and USA.

About Wellbeing Nutrition

A new generation of life supplements for the generation that wants more. These plant-based supplements are science-driven, using all natural ingredients of the purest form, in easy to consume formats with delicious taste and clean labels (no sugar, preservatives, or fillers of any kind). Ideal to fit in your daily routine, they address concerns like sleep, gut health, beauty, stress, immunity, throat, bone & joint, heart, cognition, weight management, eye, energy and detox.

To know more, visit: https://wellbeingnutrition.com/

Nikon Releases The Upgraded Firmware Version 3.00 For The Nikon Z 9 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

* Exciting new additions for both video and still functions have been added for the award-winning full-frame/FX-format camera

Nikon India Private Ltd. is pleased to announce the release of firmware version 3.00 for its flagship full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z 9.

Firmware version 3.00 further enhances the Z 9, offering exciting new features related to both video and still functions, as well as improved operability and display features that respond to user needs.

New video features include High-Frequency Flicker Reduction and Hi-Res Zoom1, a function that enables high-resolution zooming to effectively extend the telephoto range, regardless of the lens used.

New still features include the addition of a C60 option to High-Speed Frame Capture+2, enabling high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 60 fps in DX-format. Firmware version 3.00 also offers users a more comfortable workflow by improved playback options for images captured in bursts of continuous shooting.

To further satisfy the demands of professionals for enhanced display and operability, the number of buttons that can be used as custom controls and the extension of customisable functions have been increased. In addition, images and the i menu can be displayed in vertical orientation during playback mode, and new image-size options for DX-format have been added. Other improvements include an extended autofocus (AF) low-light limit and a reduction in the likelihood of the camera shifting the focus position to a foreground obstacle that momentarily obscures the intended subject.

Primary features of firmware version 3.00 for the Z 9

Addition of new video features, such as Hi-Res Zoom, that expand shooting possibilities

Hi-Res Zoom enables high-resolution zooming that effectively extends the telephoto range of a lens when recording video. When a 4K UHD option is selected, the video is actually recorded in 8K UHD resolution then cropped to the 4K UHD frame size in real time, effectively doubling the zoom focal length while maintaining native resolution that is not possible with digital zoom or the addition of zoom effects with post-production. Hi-Res Zoom is available regardless of the lens used, whether a prime or a zoom lens, for example, allowing users to take advantage of the extremely shallow depth of field of an f/1.2 maximum aperture lens.

Hi-Res Zoom can be assigned to the camera’s Fn1/Fn2 buttons, or the Fn ring or control ring on a lens. Using the buttons enables smooth zooming at a constant speed3 that is not possible with manual zooming, while the control ring allows users to zoom in or out as quickly or slowly as they like.

Furthermore, High-Frequency Flicker Reduction is now available with video recording and timecode synchronisation across multiple Z 9 cameras is now possible4, controlled by a single wireless remote control. ATOMOS UltraSync BLUE is now also supported over a Bluetooth connection, enabling the syncing of other companies’ recording-equipment and/or audio-device timecodes.

The benefits of this are enormous when editing videos recorded with multiple recording-equipment including external audio recorders.

A picture containing tree, grass, outdoor, person

C60 — covering a variety of user needs for continuous shooting

In addition to the existing C30 and C120 options, High-Speed Frame Capture+ now offers a C605 option that realises bursts of continuous shooting of approximately 19-megapixel still images at approximately 60 fps, satisfying the diverse needs of photographers, especially those in the fields of photojournalism, sports, and bird photography, who frequently use high-speed continuous shooting to photograph their subjects.

Playback operation for images captured with bursts of continuous shooting has also been improved. An Auto Series Playback function, which automatically displays images from the same burst of a continuous shooting group after the first image in the burst is displayed in playback mode, has been added, delivering a more comfortable workflow for photographers who frequently use high-speed continuous shooting for sports and bird photography.

In addition, the High-Frequency Flicker Reduction added with firmware version 2.10 is now available for video recording and has been made easier to use for still-image shooting by adding it to photo shooting menu.

Improvements in operability and display for smoother shooting experiences

The number of buttons that can be used as custom controls and the extension of customisable functions have been increased for smoother access to frequently used functions. The show effects of settings option in view mode (photo Lv), which shows exposure settings with photo live view display, has been improved, allowing users to choose whether the effects of exposure settings are reflected when a Speedlight is attached. As this function allows the user to check background exposure prior to shooting, they can confirm in advance that the resulting background exposure will not be affected by the flash from the Speedlight.

What’s more, new features, including image size (DX), which enables the selection of the size of images recorded at an image area setting of DX (24×16), and the ability to assign image area selection (switching between FX-format and DX-formats) and Hi-Res Zoom for video recording to custom controls have been added for increased flexibility.

Other display advancements include vertical display in playback mode for images and the i menu, as well as the addition of the file info option in the playback display.

4. AF-related improvements and other features

•              Improved AF low-light performance by 0.5 EV

•              When 3D-tracking is selected for AF-area mode, focus will less likely shift to a foreground obstacle that momentarily obscures the intended subject. In addition, a red option has been added for focus point colour, ensuring the visibility of the focus point even against a snowy background.

•              A new function, override other cameras, has been added, enabling easy switching between master cameras when multiple cameras are designated as masters.

•              Support for the FTPS protocol offers faster and safer image transfer with encryption.

Nikon will continuously meet users’ needs through firmware updates that expand the functionality of its cameras.

1 Hi-Res Zoom is available only with video recording in the following codecs: at ProRes 422 HQ 10-bit (MOV), H.265 10-bit (MOV), H.265 8-bit (MOV), or H.264 8-bit (MP4) -with image area set to FX (36×24). Restrictions apply to some camera features.

2 With AE/AF tracking at an image quality setting of JPEG normal only. The maximum number of frames that can be captured with a single burst is fewer than that possible with high-speed continuous shooting. Use of a Nikon-recommended memory card is recommended.

3 Zoom speed offers a choice of slower, standard, or faster.

4 A signal from the shutter-release button resets device timecodes. Therefore, still images cannot be captured during video recording by pressing the shutter-release button when timecode synchronisation is enabled.

5 Image area fixed at DX (24×16). If a DX lens is attached when C120 is selected, the high-speed frame capture+ setting will automatically change to C60 and image area will be fixed at DX (24×16). Pre-Release Capture is supported.

Specifications, design, product name, and supplied accessories may differ by country or area. Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.

About Nikon India

Nikon India distributes, markets and services the complete range of Nikon imaging products, Nikon Sport Optics and Nikon Biological range of Microscopes. The Nikon Imaging includes Nikon Mirrorless Z series, Nikon D-SLR, the Nikon COOLPIX and range of NIKKOR lenses & accessories. Nikon India operations also includes the sales, services, and application support for Nikon Biological range of Microscopes and its accessories. Headquartered in Gurgaon, Nikon has branch offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Delhi. Nikon India has total of five Nikon owned Service Centers (4 Branches and 1 Headquarter), 23 ASCs (authorized service centers), 14 Nikon Collection Centers and over 1500 dealer base for complete service & support for Nikon customers. Nikon has also set up 140 Experience zones pan India which showcases the entire range of Nikon Mirrorless series, D-SLR cameras, COOLPIX cameras and an elaborate range of NIKKOR lenses, Nikon Sport Optics and accessories.

For more information, visit www.nikon.co.in or discover the Z series mirrorless camera system and experience new possibilities here http://nikn.ly/Zseries_IN.  

Cyient Reinforces Its Position As A Major Contender In Everest's Industry 4.0 Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

Cyient, a leading consulting-led, industry-centric global technology solutions company, announced that it has emerged as a  Major Contender in Everest Group's Industry 4.0 Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2022. The PEAK Matrix is a proprietary framework for assessing service providers' relative market success and overall capability based on performance, experiences, ability, and knowledge. 

Cyient aims to address its customers' key business challenges by leveraging the right mix of digital technology capabilities, solutions, and platforms to accelerate time-to-value and maximize adoption and experience. 

Commenting on the achievement, Prabhakar Shetty, Chief Digital Officer, Cyient, said, "We think of Digital as not only a technology program but a mechanism that helps our customers evolve, accomplish higher velocity, increase agility & innovation, and foster new culture. Being recognized by Everest as a Major Contender in 4.0 services is a testament to our successful approach to helping customers' Digitize the old and Architect the new'. Our IntelliCyient suite of Industry 4.0 - coupled with a business and technology consulting framework, is helping organizations adopt new-gen technologies across the value chain of engineering – Design, Build & Maintain."

He further stated, "With Cyient's expertise in PLM, Digital Manufacturing & Operations, and Aftermarket services, intertwined with technology layers of Applications engineering and core digital technologies of Cloud, Dev-Ops, Robotics, RPA, UI/UX, and Analytics, we are uniquely positioned to help organizations evolve at every step of their Digital journey."

"Cyient has reinforced its position in the Industry 4.0 space through investments in creating IP/solutions and technology studio with lab environments to strengthen capabilities in IoT, cloud, automation, and analytics," said Nishant Udupa, Practice Director at Everest Group. 

He further added, "Acquiring Workforce Delta has further enhanced IntelliCyient's portfolio with strong front-end consulting capabilities for digital mobile workforce management solutions, primarily in the utilities and telecom sector. Clients have appreciated Cyient for its strong manufacturing domain knowledge, change management support and onsite testing capabilities. This has contributed to Cyient emerging as a Major Contender in Everest Group's Industry 4.0 Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2022."

Hero MotoCorp Partners With Terrafirma Motors To Commence Operations In Philippines

In keeping with its aggressive global expansion plans, Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, is set to commence its operations in the Philippines.

Terrafirma Motors Corporation (TMC), a part of the Columbian Group of Companies, one of the leading and most experienced automotive group is partnering with Hero MotoCorp in bringing its globally popular motorcycles to the country.

As part of the partnership, TMC will be the exclusive assembler and distributor of Hero MotoCorp motorcycles in Philippines. The Company will set up an assembly facility of 29,000 sq. mtrs in its existing state-of-the-art principal manufacturing facility situated in Laguna City and start its operations in the second half fiscal year 2024.

Sanjay Bhan, Head of Global Business, Hero MotoCorp, said “In keeping with our R4 (Recalibrate, Revitalise, Revolutionise and Revive) strategy, we are always keenly exploring new opportunities in global markets. Our partnership with Terrafirma Motors Corporation (TMC) to enter the Southeast Asian region is an integral part of this expansion strategy. The trust and technology prowess of Hero MotoCorp combined with TMC's automotive expertise and network in Philippines will definitely create an impact and strengthen our footprint in this key market.”

Bienvenido Sanvictores Santos, Chairman, Terrafirma Motors Corporation, said, “Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has been the most trusted brand partner for more than 100 million customers all over the world. Terrafirma Motors Corporation (TMC) is a customer-centric automotive company with the vision to be the ultimate choice for value-based products and services in the Philippines. This is a coming together of two visionary companies and the new partnership will lead us to new horizons by enabling us to deliver modern, technologically superior and eco-friendly mobility solutions to our customers here.”

Hero MotoCorp’ global footprint spans across 43 countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and South & Central America. Hero MotoCorp has eight state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, including six in India, and one each in Colombia and Bangladesh.

Earlier this month, Hero MotoCorp launched its first Electric Vehicle (EV), the VIDA V1 in India. Ushering in an era of sustainability and clean mobility, VIDA V1 – Powered by Hero – the new age fully- integrated EV is designed and developed at Hero’s state-of-the-art R&D hubs, the Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in the northern Indian city of Jaipur and the Hero Tech Centre Germany (TCG) near Munich.

The development and production of the VIDA V1 follows all-encompassing approach to sustainability involving compliance with strict environmental and social standards in the extraction of raw materials, plus the use of electricity from renewable sources and a high proportion of recycled materials in the mix.

VIDA, powered by Hero offers a comprehensive Charging package for maximum flexibility based on numerous customized programs for hassle-free charging at home, on the road and at work. VIDA V1 has been designed and tested for withstanding dusty environment, potholes and uneven roads, heavy rains, water logged roads and high temperatures.

WGSHA, MAHE Organises Internships For Students By Partnering With Official Hospitality Partners of FIFA 2022

* 261 students from WGSHA have secured internship opportunities to work with leading hospitality brands

* The students will be assisting the leading brands of hotels in organizing mega events in Qatar (FIFA World Cup 2022) and Abu Dhabi (Grand Prix Formula 1 Race)

Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA), a constituent of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, has successfully organised abroad internships for two hundred sixty-one (261) of its students of Bachelors of Hotel Management and B.A in Culinary Arts program. These students will be assisting the leading brands of hotels in organizing mega events in Qatar (FIFA World Cup 2022) and Abu Dhabi (Grand Prix Formula 1 Race).  

Internships form an essential part of the curriculum at WGSHA as they provide an important platform by which hospitality graduates can stand out. Through this opportunity the students will work with iconic international hospitality brands and gain hands on experience in popular mega sporting events like FIFA 2022 and the Grand Prix Formula 1 Race.

Speaking about the internship announcement Chef K Thirugnanasambantham, Principal, WGSHA, MAHE said “This is one great opportunity to showcase the skills and knowledge acquired by our students. I express my gratitude towards the representatives of these international properties for personally flying down to Manipal and completing the selection process. Two of the most iconic hotels in Qatar had selected more than 300 students for assisting them during the mega event. This kind of experiential learning will surely benefit our students in their future endeavours”.

He further added “The achievements of our alumni and our consistent effort in developing the budding hospitality professionals has resulted in the leading international brands of hotels directly approaching us for interns. This is just the initial leap for the young talented hoteliers of WGSHA”

Internships have now become a crucial part of every student’s education. A candidate needs the experience to get hands-on knowledge regarding their career field. In today’s labour market, employers rely heavily on resumes that demonstrate relevant work history, whether it is from actual job experience, volunteer work, or interning at a company.

Top Cardiologists Emphasize On The Need Better Stress Management To Curb Rising Incidences of Cardiac Arrests In India

In the backdrop of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) awareness month, leading cardiologists have laid emphasis on the need to create awareness around the condition. In India, there has been a major increase in cardiac arrest cases, particularly in younger age groups. As per estimates, there are more than 7 lac cases of sudden cardiac deaths being reported annually. As per World Health Organization (WHO), 86% of CVD deaths could have been prevented or avoided through prevention and treatment. Given this, many lifestyle habits have been linked with poor cardiovascular health.

Dr. Suraj Narasimhan A, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist And Structural Intervention Specialist, Manipal Hospitals says, “India is predicted to have the highest rate of cardiac fatalities worldwide by 2030. The main causes of this increase are unhealthy lifestyle choices and elevated stress. People are now consuming more processed foods with high amounts of calories and sugar which are detrimental to health. Smoking and alcohol consumption are major reasons causing heart disease. While working from home is comforting, it has reduced the daily physical activity for many. People need to take a break and go for a run, jog, or stroll as per their interest. Children and younger individuals must also develop a habit of exercising for at least 40 minutes regularly as this is healthy for one’s heart and overall health.”

Dr. Girish B Navasundi, Senior consultant, Apollo hospitals, Bannerghatta shared “The first study on SCD in India by Rao et al in 2012 put the overall mortality due to SCD in India at 10.3% (roughly estimated at 7 lakh cases of SCD annually) with 21% of the deaths in people who were below 50 years of age. It showed that SCD cases were 5–8 years younger compared to populations reported in the western hemisphere, with a high prevalence of major risk factors for CAD. At least 1 of 3 CAD risk factors — hypertension, diabetes, or smoking was observed in 80.6%. The trend toward increasing SCD events in developing nations is thought to reflect a change in dietary and lifestyle habits in these nations. Simple investigations like a surface ECG, ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, TMT, can give valuable clues to these conditions. Everyone over 30-35 years should have routine cardiac evaluation, especially if there are small elevations in risk factors, if there is a history of sudden death in the family or any episodes of unexplained fainting.”

It is important to realize that a sudden cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack, which happens when one or more of the patient's coronary arteries get blocked. A cardiac arrest is generally caused due to an abnormal heart rhythm, which occurs when our heart’s electrical system is not functioning properly. However, an acute heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance resulting in a sudden cardiac arrest.

Dr. Prakash V S Professor & HOD- Department of Cardiology, M S Ramaiah Narayana Heart Centre, says, “According to ICMR data from 2019, Karnataka ranks fifth on the list of states for cardiovascular disease mortality in India with about 250.94 deaths per 100,000 people. Although heart attacks have disproportionately affected men, it is noteworthy that a sizable proportion of women have also experienced cardiac problems.” He added, “Cardiac arrest, which results in abrupt death, occurs mainly due to dangerous rhythm abnormalities— ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Nowadays, everyone over the age of 30 must get a CT angiography or a heart scan. It will identify even minor coronary artery disease and prevent any possible cardiac arrest or heart attack in the future.”

Post a cardiac arrest episode, survival is possible with prompt and appropriate medical care. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using a defibrillator to shock the heart, or even just giving compressions to the chest can improve the chances of survival until medical help arrives.

Godrej & Boyce Contributes Towards Indigenisation of Defence Sector In India

~ The company is eyeing a double digit growth from its defence business~ 

Godrej & Boyce ('G&B'), the flagship company of the Godrej Group, is strengthening India's defence sector with its indigenous manufacturing prowess.  On strength of distinguished customer confidence, a healthy order book and excellence in execution, the business has experienced excellent growth in the recent past and expects to continue a double digit growth from its defence businesses. The company serves the defence sector through several of its businesses viz Godrej Material Handling, Godrej Tooling, Godrej Security Solutions, Godrej Aerospace, and Godrej Precision Engineering, the latter three of which were also present at the DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar to showcase their defence capabilities. 

Aligned with the government's goal of producing defence products worth Rs 1.75 lakh crore by 2025 including exports of INR 35,000 Crs, the flagship company of the Godrej group has been making significant investments in capacity expansion, technology partnerships and R&D. Godrej & Boyce is working on setting up a green field facility of over 100,000 sq. mts for the businesses at Khalapur in Maharashtra.

Godrej & Boyce has developed and supplied numerous mission-critical and complex equipment for Aerospace, Land & Naval applications such as Air-frames for programmes like Brahmos and MRSAM, Mine-munition Layer, Counter Mine Flail, variety of Launchers, Watertight and Pressure Tight Doors and Hatches for Vessels and Submarines.

Not very long ago, Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in India was supplied the first airframe assembly from the company for the air-launched variant of the prestigious BrahMos missile. Godrej is proud to have supplied & fitted close to 700 water-tight doors on INS Vikrant, where the company has also supplied Forklifts. The medical bay of INS Vikrant too is fitted with Godrej Health Care furniture. In the past, ruggedised heavy duty forklifts have been supplied for Army regiments.

By strengthening its capabilities in R&D, Godrej & Boyce caters to domestic requirements while providing state-of-the-art products to the world. The company has strong partnership with several boutique MSMEs, who specialize in categories like Power Sources, Air Conditioning Equipment, Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Controller etc to increase indigenous production of defence equipment in India. The product offerings of the business are enhanced with development of innovative solutions and integration of Robotics, IIoT and Control systems together with their partners.

Kaustubh Shukla, Head of Strategic Projects –  Industrial Products Businesses, Godrej & Boyce says,?“Supporting India’s autochthonous defence program presents us with excellent growth opportunities and we are building capabilities and right partnerships to benefit from it. All our businesses are actively engaging with customers, innovating, investing and expanding with the purpose of making India self-reliant in the defence sector.

In addition, we have also been serving global majors by supplying them complex precision systems. Over the years, exports have been very promising, ranging from 20% to 40% of our defence revenues. This gives us confidence to help achieve the government’s defence export goals.”

The Indian government has recently articulated a vision for defence production, outlining a strategy that would position 20 Indian defence manufacturing companies among the leading 100 defence corporations worldwide by 2047. In order to implement the vision to make India Atmanirbhar in Defence, the government has identified equipment that will be acquired from domestic companies and is committed to facilitate developing an appropriate ecosystem.

About Godrej & Boyce

Godrej & Boyce ('G&B'), a Godrej Group Company, was founded in 1897 and has contributed to India's journey of self-reliance through manufacturing. G&B patented the world's first springless lock and since then, has diversified into 14 businesses across varios sectors from Security, Furniture, and Aerospace to Infrastructure and Defence.

Godrej is one of India’s most trusted brands serving over 1.1bn customers worldwide daily.

To learn more visit: www.godrej.com

USISPF Honors “Shiv Nadar With Lifetime Achievement Award 2022”

* The award recognizes Shiv Nadar’s pioneering contribution to business and philanthropy 

The U.S. - India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), a bilateral non-profit organization focused on building the strategic relationship between India and the United States, felicitated Shiv Nadar, Founder, HCL and Shiv Nadar Foundation, with the USISPF Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the technology industry and his philanthropic initiatives to transform lives through access to educational opportunities. 

Shiv Nadar is the Founder of HCL and the Shiv Nadar Foundation. Under his guidance, HCL has continued to ride the waves of the changing IT landscape for over 45 years and remains at the forefront of the technological revolution since 1976. Throughout his career, he has acknowledged that successful institution building is dependent on forging result-oriented partnerships and creating new knowledge. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Nadar has invested US$1.1 billion through the Shiv Nadar Foundation towards philanthropic initiatives, particularly in the area of education. The impact of the Shiv Nadar Foundation institutions is reflected in the aspirations of meritorious students who started their journeys from humble, geographically, remote backgrounds, but are today pursuing their dreams in India as well as other countries. 

Commenting on receiving the award, Mr. Shiv Nadar said: “I am humbled to be recognized for what has been a deeply enriching journey that I embarked upon 47 years ago when I established HCL. Today, HCLTech is amongst the top technology companies in the world that operates across various sectors. During my journey of building HCL, I realized that we also need to create leaders and innovators for tomorrow. With this belief and my mother’s encouragement, I started my philanthropic efforts through the Shiv Nadar Foundation. The educational institutions under the Foundation are focused on nurturing transformative leaders who can go on to positively impact many more lives. I hope that this award will inspire many young people to become entrepreneurs and also give back to the society.” 

Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President & CEO of USISPF added “I am extremely grateful to Shiv Nadar & HCL Group for their deep commitment towards serving local communities and contributing to inclusive growth and social development in both US and India. Shiv is a true global statesman and his immense contributions in bringing the US and India closer together, and truly investing in the future of citizens of both countries is commendable.” 

About the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF): 

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India. As the only independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the U.S.-India partnership in Washington, D.C., and in New Delhi, USISPF is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organizations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States. 

USISPF Honors Shiv Nadar with the Lifetime Achievement Award 

Photo Caption 

Raj Subramaniam, Chief Executive Officer of FedEx; Shiv Nadar, Founder of HCL and the Shiv Nadar Foundation; Amb. Tim Roemer, Executive Director & Strategic Counselor, APCO Worldwide; Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President & CEO, USISPF.

36 OneWeb Satellites Successfully Launched By ISRO/ NSIL From Sriharikota

* All 36 satellites are operational, bringing OneWeb’s total Gen 1 LEO constellation to 462 satellites

* Launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, India marks the first dedicated commercial launch for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) using LVM3 rocket

* With this successful launch the LVM3 has become a  power horse of  the Indian Space Programme thus, opening new vistas for heavy payloads to the LEO

* Activates new phase of launch programme for OneWeb, with global coverage planned for 2023.  This will augment connectivity solutions in the zone north of 50 degrees latitude

OneWeb today confirmed the successful deployment of 36 satellites launched by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC- SHAR) in Sriharikota, India. This launch by ISRO and NSIL is one of the biggest commercial orders by India’s premier space organization, and the first using the LVM3 rocket.

The lift-off took place on Sunday, 23rd October 2022 at 00.07 hrs. OneWeb’s satellites separated successfully from the rocket and were dispensed in 9 phases over a period of 1 hour and 15 minutes, with signal acquisition on all 36 satellites confirmed.

This is the 14th launch of OneWeb, and the second this year. This launch brings the total of OneWeb’s constellation to 462 satellites, representing more than 70% of its planned 648 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity worldwide. With only four more launches to go, OneWeb remains on track to activate global coverage by 2023, while its connectivity solutions are already live in regions north of 50-degrees latitude.

This partnership with NSIL and ISRO demonstrates OneWeb’s commitment to provide connectivity across the length and breadth of India by 2023. From Ladakh to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, OneWeb will bring secured solutions not only to enterprises but also to towns, villages, municipalities and schools, including the hardest-to-reach areas across the country. OneWeb’s commitment to enhance connectivity in India is backed by Bharti Global- OneWeb’s largest investor. 

The LVM3 launch vehicle realized with complete indigenized technology had four consecutive successful missions, which includes critical Chandrayaan-2 mission.  The vehicle underwent several critical tests as a part of human rating for Gaganyaan programme.  The cryo stage was uniquely designed to orient and re-orient in orthogonal direction to meet the customer requirements of injecting satellites precisely and with a gap to avoid collision.  The vehicle was realized in a short span of time on demand driven basis to meet the user’s timeline.

Shri. Somanath S, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO said:  Today’s event is very historic to the country and the Indian Space Programme.  This is the first ever commercial launch of LVM3 with a heaviest payload to LEO.  The LVM3 was conceived primarily for launching geo-stationary satellites with a payload capacity of 4T, which can be used for launching 6T payloads for LEO.  The mission is very critical to meet the customer’s expectations to launch 36 satellites in 9 phases with precision.  The mission was designed in such a way, that C25 stage was to handle this operation using in-house built inertial navigation systems.  The injection of the satellites were so precise to the expectation of the customer.  NSIL, the commercial arm of ISRO entered into this contract and executed the same in a record time.  This will pave way for more number of such launches in the future.  The interaction with OneWeb was so seamless right from the receipt of the satellites till injection.  ISRO and OneWeb teams worked like a family.  I compliment all the ISRO centres and Indian industries for the commendable job and congratulate NSIL and OneWeb for the successful launch of LVM3 M2 / OneWeb India-1 mission.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Executive Chairman of OneWeb, said: “Today’s launch is a significant milestone for OneWeb. This new phase of our launch programme from India brings us a step closer to not only enhancing our global coverage but also delivering connectivity in India and South Asia, particularly to the communities who need it most.

“I am proud to be here in Sriharikota, with our partners, ISRO and NSIL. Today my dream of having an Indian element in the OneWeb constellation has been realized. This launch with ISRO and NSIL opens up the space sector in India with the possibility of billions of dollars flowing into the country.

“I would like to laud our Hon’ble Prime Minister for his visionary leadership in opening up of the space sector for private participation. I also extend my gratitude to ISRO, NSIL and the Indian authorities for matching the precise schedule for this launch which has been done in a record time.”

Radhakrishnan D, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NewSpace India Limited, added: “The successful launch of 36 OneWeb satellites via the GSLV-MkIII from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre is a historic moment for NSIL and ISRO. We worked closely with the OneWeb team to support this milestone launch which has been accomplished in a record time of few months, while also illustrating the opportunities for satellite connectivity in India. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with OneWeb and utilising the potential that LEO connectivity has to deliver broadband services across India.”

Over the coming months, OneWeb will continue its focus on the launch programme and will also work with key distribution partners and customers to roll out connectivity solutions where its services are live. OneWeb will advance innovative strategic partnerships with leading companies in the communications sector, and sign agreements in the coming months to support the rollout of its coverage solutions.

Neil Masterson, Chief Executive of OneWeb, commented: “I am delighted that we have been able to resume OneWeb’s launch programme. This launch was made possible thanks to the hard work by our team and our partners at ISRO and NSIL, as well as shareholder Bharti Global. The spirit of collaboration exemplified by this international effort is at the core of our strategy to scale up our global coverage network. At OneWeb, we remain laser-focused on removing barriers to connectivity, ensuring that we deliver for communities and customers globally.”

About OneWeb

OneWeb is a global communications network powered from space, headquartered in London, enabling connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities. It is implementing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites with a network of global gateway stations and a range of user terminals to provide an affordable, fast, high-bandwidth and low-latency communications service, connected to the IoT future and a pathway to 5G for everyone, everywhere. Find out more at http://www.oneweb.world

About New Space India

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), under Department of Space (DOS) is the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

NSIL major business areas include Building Launch Vehicles and Satellites; Providing Launch Services for Global satellite customers on-board ISRO’s Launch Vehicles; Providing Satellite based services through its fleet of in-orbit communication satellites; Mission Support Services and Transfer of ISRO developed Technologies to Indian Industry NSIL is striving towards creating better Space Eco-system in the country by enhancing the participation of private Indian Industry players in space related activities

Karnataka Governments' GramaOne Initiative Crosses The 1-Crore Mark

* A single-window centre for serving citizens at the village level

* Public sector gears up toward delivering good e-governance experience

The number of beneficiaries of GramaOne – the Government of Karnataka’s flagship programme delivering citizen services at villagers’ doorsteps across the State – has crossed the one-crore mark.

The landmark achievement comes within nine months of the launch of the scheme on January 17, 2022.

On achieving the one-crore mark, V Ponnuraj, Secretary, E-governance Department, GoK said, “Getting the government closer to the people's doorsteps is the objective of GramaOne. Also, most of the time, these citizen service centres become unviable. So, this time we have made it viable in such a way that the focus on the service remains simultaneously; it is also viable by providing the right combination of services.”

He added, “I foresee the future for this program is that this has to live as long as village people are digitally not as equipped as the urban population. Once the rural people also become equally competent in handling digital systems, the importance of this system will probably come down. But still, it is a long way to go. Till then, whether it is a service delivery or governance system, it should become a one-stop shop, and it should be able to improve the happiness of the citizens.”

Varaprasad Reddy B.N., Project Director, GramaOne, said the villagers’ ease of obtaining government services is at the core of the programme. “GramaOne is envisaged as a single-point assistance centre for all citizen-centric activities at the village level, and it has had a phenomenal success across all the 31 districts of the State, with as many as 1 crore people benefiting from the programme,” he said.

“GramaOne is, in fact, a realisation of the dream of Swaraj of Mahatma Gandhi and Suraaj of Atal Behari Vajpayee – two great visionaries who wanted each citizen of our country to be empowered. The scheme is at the frontend of the Karnataka government’s Seva Sindhu initiative,” he said. 

Mr. Reddy said that though the social welfare programme has achieved an exponential growth in such a short span of time, he asserts, “Much has been done, much more needs to be done. The government is planning to open another 1,600 GramaOne centres in addition to the existing 7,112 centres. The aim is to have at least one GramaOne in each gram panchayat in the State.”

“Currently, about 800 services – like G2C (government to citizens), B2C (business to citizens), banking services, and RTI (right to information) queries – are being delivered through the 7,112 centres in all the districts of the State,” he said.

The programme is being implemented in a public-private partnership model. Sanjay Kumar, Project Head, BLS International Services Ltd., the implementing agency, said, “The government has provided all possible facilities so that the franchises can deliver the best possible service to the citizens. Under the GramaOne programme, several qualified, skilled, and trained operators help the village residents or communities receive and comprehend the numerous services.”

Benefits for villagers

The primary reason for the government to initiate this programme is to help the villagers in availing of multiple government services without having to travel long distances to visit the district, taluk and Hobli offices. Thereby they save time and money. 

Mr. Reddy said time is of great importance for farmers. “Getting basic services without spending much time travelling long distances is a big advantage for them. Something that can even increase their productivity and make them and their families successful. Thus, saving on the transportation cost, opportunity cost, operational cost, and no nonsense value,” he said.

“These centres, operational from 8 am to 8 pm, also free the citizens from the menace of middlemen. Besides that, the timely delivery of quality service boosts socio-economic development,” he added. 

Highlighting the role played by each GramaOne centre in ushering in financial inclusion, Mr. Dileesh Sasi IAS said, “In a major economic initiative, the Union government on August 15, 2014, unveiled the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana as part of the National Mission on Financial Inclusion. This scheme – aimed at providing everyone, including the underprivileged, access to banking facilities – allows opening a bank account with zero balance. GramaOne centres acting as a micro-banking institution is a step in that direction. Since the opening of these centres, we have noticed a very interesting trend at the village level, as we see higher percentage of people applying for PAN card enrolment, which is being facilitated by GramaOne.” 

Employment opportunities 

This initiative encompasses a variety of communities and franchisees that help run the GramaOne centres, thus providing employment opportunities at the village level. Mr. Sasi said, “The budding entrepreneurs are fully trained to provide all services to the citizens. Periodic training is given to these franchises to update and upgrade their skill sets to provide better citizens’ services and be fully financially independent.”

This is the future

Thanking all the stakeholders, Mr. Reddy said, “We are seeing a new scenario wherein citizen services are provided in three ways – one, online; two, via franchises; and three, doorstep delivery.” He said, GramOne is the beginning of a new dawn, of a new future.