Saturday, November 5, 2022

MoUs Worth Rs 9.8 Lakh Crore Signed At Global Investors’ Meet : CM Bommai


* Do not use the MoUs as a tool to influence markets. Commitments are to be honoured, the Chief Minister said at the finale of the State’s three-day Global Investors’ Meet

Karnataka is able to see the silver lining among dark clouds even as the world in is reeling under recession and leading economies in particular are trying to meet both ends, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai here on Friday.

Karnataka put a foot forward and showed courage when the whole world was reeling under recession, inflation was on the rise, and the top world order countries were suffering and trying hard to meet their financial requirements, he said at the finale of the State’s three-day investment exposition, Global Investors’ Meet (GIM).

Changing times

He thanked investors for favourably responding to the State’s call for investment. “Times are challenging, but trust is an important factor,’‘ Mr. Bommai said. “Our strength is our people, talent, our policies, and tech-driven industries,’‘ he added.

The Chief Minister said this edition of GIM resulted in the signing of MoUs involving Rs 9.8 lakh crore (over $100 billion). This has been cleared under the State’s single-window clearance agency and high-level committee. However, how much of it would eventually convert to investments on the ground is critical. Of this, a chunk of Rs 2.83 lakh crore has already been cleared, he said.

Addressing investors, he said, “Do not use these MoUs as a tool to influence markets. Commitments are to be honoured. If you are ready to take the challenge, we will be with you. Within three months, these MoUs should become investment reality.’‘

Rate of conversion

He said investments received through GIM have only been on the rise over the years. For instance, the maiden edition of GIM in 2000 had MoUs involving Rs 27,057 crore of which 40% became a reality. In 2010, MoUs for Rs 3.94 lakh crore were signed with a 14% conversion. In 2012, of  Rs 6.77 lakh crore, there was 8% conversion. In 1016, of Rs 3.05 lakh crore, 15% saw conversion.

“With GIM 2022, we have changed gears to more than double the speed of its growth from 50 to 60 km speed to 120 to 140 km,’‘ the Chief Minister said.

Renewable energy.

On renewable energy initiatives Mr. Bommai said that Karnataka accounted for 63% of the total production in the country. “We are going ahead of the Gulf countries in terms of producing ammonia and green nitrogen based energy sources. I want our first hydrogen-based renewable energy project groundbreaking by February-March next year.’‘

Cummins India Limited Results For The Quarter And Period Ended September 30, 2022


Cummins India Limited (NSE: CUMMINSIND and BSE: 500480) The Board of Directors of Cummins India Limited (‘CIL’), at their meeting held & reviewed and approved the unaudited financial results (consolidated and standalone) for the quarter and period ended September 30, 2022.  

Performance Highlights (based on standalone financial results) for the quarter and period ended September 30, 2022: 

Total Sales for the quarter at ? 1,922 Cr. increased by 14% compared to the same quarter last year and by 16% compared to the previous quarter. 

Domestic sales at ? 1,391 Cr. increased by 11% compared to the same quarter last year and by 19% compared to the previous quarter. 

Exports Sales at ? 531 Cr. increased by 21% compared to the same quarter last year and by 9% compared to the previous quarter. 

Profit before exceptional items and tax at ?336 Cr. is higher by 15% compared to the same quarter last year and higher by 21% compared to the previous quarter. 

Profit before tax at ?336 Cr. is higher by 15% compared to the same quarter last year and higher by 27% compared to the previous quarter. 

Ashwath Ram, Managing Director, Cummins India Limited, said:  CIL reported a record revenue for the quarter with sustained demand visible across most of our domestic and exports end markets. Despite headwinds of inflation, geo-political issues etc. economic activities are sustaining growth momentum. Robust tax collections, softening of commodity cost, focus on infrastructure and continued efforts on digitizing the economy are auguring well for our products and services. While the supply chain constraint continues, we being part of a global integrated supply chain is enabling us to secure supplies to meet the demand. We remain cautiously optimistic about the short to medium term demand outlook. 

Future Outlook: 

The Company believes that in the near to medium term the strong demand from various end markets may likely sustain. We continue to closely monitor impact of rising inflation and consequential monetary policy action of raising interest rates and its impact on consumption across our end markets. The Company is well positioned to deal with these uncertainties as we have a strong Balance Sheet, integration with global supply chain and in-country world class infrastructure and human resources. Given the uncertain economic environment due to rising inflation and geo-political issues, the company is not providing guidance for FY’23.   

Aditya Birla Fashion And Retail Posts Highest Ever Quarterly Revenues With 50% Growth YoY; PAT Rises ~6 Folds


Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail has posted yet another outstanding quarterly performance. The company posted its highest-ever quarterly sales in Q2FY23 at Rs. 3075 Cr, up 50% YoY and 33% over pre-COVID levels. Strong performance across business segments led to a 24% YoY growth in EBITDA to Rs.418 Cr. Robust Like-to-Like and consistent E-commerce performance have been key drivers of growth in the quarter.

The key highlights of the quarterly performance are as follows:

Aggressive network expansion across brands, with Pantaloons adding 21 stores on a net basis and the Branded business adding 85 stores.

E-commerce sales grew 24% YoY across the portfolio

Consistent enhancement of Omni-channel coverage at over 1600 stores

Closed the quarter with net debt of Rs. 243 Cr. at consolidated level against Rs. 504 Cr. at the end of March’ FY22.

Lifestyle Brands: Best quarter for the branded portfolio as revenue grew 45% YoY (34% over pre-COVID levels) to reach Rs. 1680 Cr on the back of industry-leading retail L2L growth of 27%.

Pantaloons: Business achieved highest-ever quarterly revenues to grow 64% YoY to Rs. 1094 Cr. EBITDA margins now ahead of pre-COVID levels.

100 Days TO Ace Hyderabad E-Prix: The Countdown Begins To India’s First Formula E Race


·        Formula E’s first ever E-Prix in India will take place at a new street circuit in Hyderabad on February 11th, 2023

·        A Formula E car was unveiled and on display at the launch in New Delhi

·        The four-year association between Formula E, Government of Telangana and Ace Nxt Gen ensures the championship will take place in India until 2026, starting from 2023

·        Accelerated by Greenko, the 2023 Ace Hyderabad E-Prix will also be the first ever net zero carbon motorsport event in the country

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, accelerated by Greenko - the world’s leading energy transition and decarbonization solutions provider - is all set to debut in India, with Hyderabad being the host city.

To further build anticipation amongst fans, the 2023 Ace Hyderabad E-Prix today started a 100-day countdown untill 11th of February 2023, by previewing a Formula E show car in New-Delhi. The year 2023 marks the first year of India being one of the host countries for the world championship and will continue to do so until 2026.

The initial countdown was kicked off in the august presence of Shri Hardeep Puri, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, Shri Amitabh Kant, Former CEO of Niti Aayog, Mr. Alberto Longo, Co-founder, and Chief Championship Officer at Formula E, Shri Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty, Founder of Ace Nxt Gen, CEO & MD of Greenko Group and Shri Arvind Kumar I.A.S. Special Chief Secretary, MA&UD representing Govt. of Telangana.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has successfully enthralled global fans for eight seasons (years) now, completing 100 races in 21 cities. The championship focuses on accelerating the development, awareness and uptake of electric vehicles around the globe. For the coming season, Formula E fans will see 11 teams and 22 drivers racing the new Gen3 around the most iconicic world cities, including the Mahindra Racing Formula E team, part of the Indian-based Mahindra Group.

Hyderabad being one of the host cities will witness round 4 of the total 17 races for Season 9 of the championship taking place between January and July 2023. Fans will witness the electric Gen3 Formula E cars race past on the city circuit around the famous Hussain Sagar Lake.

Shri. K.T Ramarao, Hon'ble Minister of IT, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Government of Telangana conveyed from Hyderabad that, “It is an honour for us to welcome racing enthusiasts across the world for the Formula E championship in the city. It is also a proud moment for us, as Hyderabad is one of the 13 world-cities where the races are scheduled. Moreover, it is also aimed at raising awareness and inspire change in sustainable practices and adopting EVs in the state.”

Mr. Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, Formula E said, “We are thrilled to bring the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to India for the very first time and showcase our new Gen3 car to a thriving new audience. It has been a must have destination for us for some time, and so we cannot wait to be racing in Hyderabad on the 11th February. 

“India has a large and passionate Formula E fan base that continues to grow, and with the involvement of Mahindra Racing local fans have a home team to get behind and support. Racing in Hyderabad, one of India’s foremost technological hubs, is also the perfect location to not only display high-performance racing and cutting edge innovation, but educate people on the adverse effects of climate change and how the development and adoption of electric vehicles is part of that solution.”

Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty, Founder of Ace Nxt Gen and CEO & MD of Greenko said, “We are excited about hosting the planet’s favourite sport and India’s first ever Formula E Race in partnership with Govt of Telangana and support from the Govt of India. We share Hon’ble PM Shri Modi Ji’s bold and courageous vision to combat climate change and building the country as a reliable, sustainable source of technologies to propel global decarbonisation. Being a Hyderabadi, I’m delighted that my city which is one of the world’s greenest cities will host the greenest race, under the dynamic leadership of Minister K T Rama Rao. With just 100 Days to go for the first Net Zero carbon race, we will accelerate our race to ensure that India Drives the future of sustainability and decarbonisation.”

Hyderabad city, recipient of the “World Green City Award 2022”, brings innovation to the forefront in its pursuit to be the biggest tech hub in India. Formula E is the world’s only certified net zero carbon sport from inception, with the Hyderabad E-Prix becoming India’s first net zero motorsport event. Using the vision of sport, Formula E is sending a powerful and meaningful message to help alter perceptions and speed up the switch to electric mobility operating as a testbed to push the development of new technologies needed for an electric, low-carbon future. As a part of its core vision Ace Nxt Gen is accelerating its efforts to win the race against climate change and achieve Net Zero goals through innovative solutions. Formula E – the Planet’s favourite sport - is coming to India, accelerated by Greenko in partnership with the Government of Telangana.

About Formula E World Championship:

As the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation.

The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters and host cities are united by a passion for the sport and a belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and planet.

www.FIAFormulaE.com

For Formula E media enquiries, contact - media@fiaformulae.com

About Ace Nxt Gen:

Ace Nxt Gen is the official promotor of the Formula E Race in India in partnership with Formula E and Government of Telangana. Ace Nxt Gen is founded by Mr. Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty.

Tata Motors Takes A Marginal Price Hike On Its Passenger Vehicles


Tata Motors, India’s leading vehicle manufacturer has announced a marginal price increase across its passenger vehicles. Effective November 7, 2022, weighted average increase will be 0.9%, depending on the variant and model.

The company has been absorbing a significant portion of the increased costs but the steep rise in overall input costs has compelled it to pass on some proportion through this minimal price hike.

Friday, November 4, 2022

Hero MotoCorp Partners With Gurugram Police To Promote Women's Safety In India


Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, today handed over 50 motorcycles and 10 scooters to the Gurugram Police to enhance the mobility of police personnel responsible for ensuring the safety of women and controlling other crimes across the region.

As part of the company’s umbrella platform for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - ‘Hero WeCare’ – the initiative fulfils its larger mandate of enabling safe and secure environments for women across the country.

Receiving the motorcycles and scooters at the Police Commissionerate here today, Mrs  Kala Ramachandran (IPS), Commissioner of Police, Gurugram, said “We are thankful to Hero MotoCorp for this support as it will improve the reach and efficiency of our officers on the ground. The motorcycles will be used by them for active patrolling in their respective areas of jurisdiction and will go a long way towards enhancing people’s overall security, particularly women’s safety. This will also include making emergency services available during road-related situations.” 

Bharatendu Kabi, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Communication, Hero MotoCorp, said “As a responsible corporate citizen, Hero MotoCorp is committed to improving the overall wellbeing of the society, including women’s safety. We have been engaged in creating and spreading awareness on these key subjects through a series of initiatives at the national and regional levels. This support to Gurugram Police is a step forward in creating a safe environment and cementing a sense of security amongst all citizens, especially women. I am confident that the motorcycles and scooters will help in increasing the patrolling reach and speed of the team and ensure a quicker response time in case of emergencies.”

Hero MotoCorp – through its CSR platform ‘Hero We Care’ – has had a long-term commitment to the promotion of environment, road safety, women’s empowerment, healthcare, education and sports in the state of Haryana.

Birlasoft Appoints Angan Guha As New CEO And Managing Director


Birlasoft Ltd (BSE: 532400, NSE: BSOFT), a leading technology services and consulting company, announced today the appointment of Angan Guha as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective December 1, 2022 (subject to regulatory approvals). Angan joins the Birlasoft Board as a full-time Director and will be based in the US.

Angan will provide strategic leadership to Birlasoft, driving significant scale and transformation. He will focus on building the organization through innovation to strengthen niche capabilities, enhance customer intimacy, and significantly expand the revenue base and profitability in high growth and strategic focus areas for Birlasoft.

Amita Birla, Chairman, Birlasoft said, “I am delighted to welcome Angan as CEO and Managing Director of Birlasoft. With Angan at the helm at this pivotal time, I believe we are well positioned to meet the changing demands of the business. His extensive experience in scale and business transformation, brand building, strong customer engagement, and building high-performing teams aligns well with our growth ambition. Our commitment to stakeholders remains unwavering, and we look forward to Angan steering Birlasoft to its next chapter of growth and value creation.

I thank Dharmender Kapoor for his valuable contribution to Birlasoft.”

Angan joins Birlasoft from Wipro, where he was the Chief Executive Officer for the Americas 2 Strategic Market Unit and served on its Executive Board and Group Executive Council. He has extensive experience leading large transformational engagements and building strong global teams.

About Birlasoft

Birlasoft combines the power of domain, enterprise, and digital technologies to reimagine business processes for customers and their ecosystem. Its consultative and design thinking approach makes societies more productive by helping customers run businesses. As part of the multibillion dollar diversified CK Birla Group, Birlasoft with its 12,500+ professionals, is committed to continuing the group’s 160-year heritage of building sustainable communities. For further information, visit www.birlasoft.com

FICCI ARISE Is Organizing Its Annual Flagship Conference For School Education On The Theme ‘Reboot-Re-imagine- Rebuild’ On Dec 9–10


As we move towards self-reliance, it is imperative for schools to develop an ecosystem that instills resilience, encourages innovation, promotes sustainability and equips our students to be ready to face the disruptive future. While the pandemic has already accelerated transformational change at the institutional level, it is important for other stakeholders including the government, industry, and society to work towards making systemic changes and build a robust, resilient, student-centric and futuristic school education system. Through this conference, FICCI ARISE aims to bring forth solutions whereby K-12 sector can work along with the government to make a definitive difference and complement our nation’s priorities to facilitate a mindset needed to drive future-oriented teaching and learning. The conference will witness participation of more than 500 delegates including state and central government officials, regulators, prominent educators, think tanks, consulting firms and institutions from across India.

On the side-lines of the conference, FICCI ARISE has also organised focused Master Classes on School Improvement Framework and School Safety and Child Protection. The conference also features world-class keynote speakers: proven experts with contributions that will take you on a journey far beyond conference theme, bringing new perspectives and new impulses for innovation. Additionally, this edition has an exciting opportunity to visit top of the line schools in Delhi/NCR region and gain exposure to successful pedagogical tools and practices & innovative learning spaces.

For more details write to us at ficciarise@ficci.com

Sahasra Hospitals Celebrating Six Years Of Excellence & Announcement Of Free Health Checkup Camp


Sahasra Hospitals has announced on the occasion of completing six years of successful operations, a free check-up camp on 15th, 16th & 17th November at hospital premises. The following diseases will be screened on these days from 10 am to 2 pm;

1. Hernia

Umbilical Hernia - Inguinal Hernia - After surgery Hernia

2. Stones

Gall Bladder Stone - Pancreatic Stone - Kidney Stone

3. Acid Reflux

4. Blood in Stool 

We will be doing free GRBS test free of cost and 40% discount on all laboratory investigation, Endoscopy & Colonoscopy procedure

Dr. Srikanth Gadiyaram, a well-known surgical gastroenterologist, left his full-time career in high-paying corporate hospitals to establish Sahasra Hospitals. Sahasra Hospital in Jayanagar, Bangalore is a Gastroenterology and Minimal Access Surgery Centre. It aims at providing affordable cost & care and personalized attention to patients. It strives for excellence in treating patients with digestive diseases. The hospital has completed six years of service successfully.

The hospital aims to keep in-hospital stay to a minimum for the patients. The common day-to-day procedures are laparoscopic surgery for gallstones, hernia, and heartburn (reflux). The patients get admitted only on the morning of the surgery for these procedures. The hospital also provides weight-loss surgery. Cancer surgeries of the food pipe, stomach, colorectal, liver, and pancreas are performed routinely.

The hospital also offers endoscopy procedures – both diagnostic and therapeutic. They include upper GI endoscopy, colonoscopy, and ERCP. Besides, minimal access surgeries in urology and gynecology are also performed.

"Experience of two decades and over 12000 operations provided the confidence to start a standalone GI center." With more than 2000 procedures performed in six years using state-of-the-art cutting-edge technology, at Sahasra Hospitals, Jayanagar, Dr. Srikanth believes his stand is vindicated.

"The need of the hour is to have multi-disciplinary coordination. We strive to get patients active as soon as possible after surgery. Thereby plan discharge at the earliest possible time. The hospital provides minimal access surgeries for 90% of problems. The hospital provides affordable, individualized care through proper integration with treating teams. The large corporate hospitals could bring all the auxiliary facilities under one roof. However, there is a striking lack of coordination, personalized care, and undue delays in treatment. Also, prohibitive costs pose serious challenges for patients. The Centre dispels the myth that complex operations need a large facility. "

About Sahasra Hospitals

* First hospital is the first in India to get the latest fluorescence guided laparoscopy system from ERBE, the German giant in surgical equipment

* Largest experience in scarless surgery in the state of Karnataka (SILS or ‘No scar surgery’ for gallbladder, Speen, colon and bariatric)

* Recognized by ERBE, India as the ‘National Reference Centre for Advanced Laparoscopy'

* Highest number of international publications in renowned peer-reviewed journals of any Centre in the state of Karnataka over the past two years 

* Clinical research and the advancement of science.

* Newer techniques in laparoscopy

* Collective experience in all aspects of gastroenterology including GI cancers, including the foregut, colorectal, liver, and pancreas

The mission of our hospital is to provide, affordable, personalized care with cutting edge technology by harnessing the skills of highly trained super-specialists in the field of Gastroenterology and Minimal Access Surgery.

GreenCell Mobility, Drives Highest Standards For “Environment, Safety, Energy, And Quality Management


* Receives certifications from TUV INDIA (TÃœV Nord GROUP) post independent assessments 

* Becomes one of the first company in EV space to have achieved these certifications within six months of commercial operations 

GreenCell Mobility, offering electric mobility as service platform, has received ISO 9001(Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environment management system), ISO 45001(Occupation Health and safety) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management system) from TUV INDIA (TUV Nord Group), a reputed international provider of quality Certification. It is one of the first company in the Electric Mobility space to have achieved these certifications within six months of commercial operations.  

To receive the ISO certification, GreenCell Mobility underwent an evaluation process that included quality management system audit, system documentation review, pre-audit, initial assessment, and clearance of non-conformances, all of which work to identify corrective actions that eliminate non-conformance to the standards. GreenCell Mobility is promoted by EverSource, the fund manager of India’s pioneering climate impact fund and set up to become a leading pan-India shared electric mobility player.  

Of the milestone, Sumit Mittal, COO & Director- Finance, GreenCell Mobility says, “These certifications are the first of its kind in this sector and signify though leadership a major milestone in our efforts to develop and deliver clean energy solutions for the transportation needs of the country. This independent recognition demonstrates the group’s commitment through our policies, systems and processes focused on health and safety of all our stakeholders." 

To meet the requirements for the ISO certification, GreenCell Mobility has been able to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products that meet applicable statutory & regulatory requirements and continue to meet changing expectations of customers. While, also developing environmental and energy management programs to meet its policy, objectives and regulatory requirements and work towards continual improvement of the work environment and employee health & safety. 

On this coveted achievement, Manish Bhuptani, MD, TUV INDIA (TUV NORD GROUP), says, “GreenCell Mobility’s decision to work towards ISO accreditations, while being one of the first company in EV space to do so, proves its commitment to providing high-quality and continuous service to clients, as well as an ongoing investment in technology, development, and processes. We congratulate the team on this feat.”  

About GreenCell Mobility Pvt. Ltd: 

GreenCell Mobility (GreenCell) has been set up to become a leading pan-India shared electric mobility player by leveraging proven global experience, developments in e-mobility technology, and the Government of India’s strong push for electrification of transportation in India.  

GreenCell has been promoted by EverSource (www.eversourcecapital.com), India’s leading climate impact investor. Eversource is an equal joint venture between Everstone Group (www.everstonegroup.com), one of Asia’s premier investments manager with assets in excess of US$7 billion across private equity, sustainability and climate change, logistics, digital and venture capital.; and Lightsource bp, a global leader in development and management of solar energy projects. 

Eversource manages India's largest climate impact fund with anchor investments from India's National Investment & Infrastructure Fund and UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

GreenCell is building a platform to provide Electric Mobility-as-a-Service (eMaaS), initially using electric buses, and delivering the core value proposition of cheaper non-polluting on-demand shared transportation, charging infrastructure, and enabling products for the e-mobility value chain. For more information, visit www.greencellmobility.com  

Cure.fit Launches Gender-Neutral Parental Leave Program Across India


* Male, female, and non-binary parents to get 6 months of paid leaves

Cure.fit, India’s leading health, and fitness organization announced the launch of its gender-neutral parental leave program for employees. This is an update on the existing maternity and paternity policy of 6 months and would further expand the program to cover non-binary parents.

With this launch, employees who are opting for parenthood through natural birth, surrogacy, or adoption will be eligible to avail of the parental break, regardless of their gender.

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 prescribes a maternity break of 26 weeks.  If a woman adopts a child under the age of 3 months, then she is eligible for a leave of 12 weeks. Central government employees can avail of paternity leaves for up to 15 days, but no formal policy is in place for employees in the private sector. The leave program from Cure.fit strikingly differs in terms of equalizing the benefits for all parents. This break is a paid leave of 6 months and is followed up with flexible working models for those who’d like to opt for a longer break.

There are monthly check-ins by the team and project members, should the employee choose to get updates on their projects. This is designed to provide an option for the employee to be engaged with the organization during the break and smoothen the learning curve on their return. Once the employee is back, they can choose to continue the previous project that they were working on or be mapped to new projects. The program also addresses the commonly quoted pain point of decelerated careers during parental breaks, by not altering the employee appraisal cycles.

Ankit Gupta, Head of Product & Engineering at the organization said, “One of the core values at Cure.fit is ‘doing the right thing’. In an era, where we’re collectively on a journey to remove labels and enable all individuals to discover their best selves and be better every day, this program organically seemed like the right thing to do. The program empowers our employees to design a life best suited to their aspirations and eliminates bias”.

About Cure.fit 

Cure.fit Healthcare Pvt Ltd is well known for its brand ‘cult.fit’, India’s largest fitness chain . Founded in 2016 by Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori, cure.fit caters to living a healthy life through its critical dimensions — physical fitness & wellness. The platform named ‘cult.fit’ provides fitness-related services through a mix of online and offline channels. These include offline group workouts at cult.fit centres and other gym- or equipment-based workouts at partner gyms and fitness centers across the country. cult.fit also offers online personal training and live fitness classes across various formats. cult.fit is an app-based service provider and is available on Android and iOS. For more information on cult.fit, visit : www.cult.fit

Nitin Gadkari Appreciates IDPL For Rewarding Innovative Technology, Designs And Quality At Auto Awards 2022


* The event  included panel discussions on EV penetration and road safety in India

* Nitin Gadkari revealed plans on how Green Highways can boost Indian Tourism at IDPL’s Auto Awards 2022

IndiaDotCom Digital Private Limited (IDPL) hosted the second edition of the Auto Awards 2022, to celebrate the best launches, innovative technology, designs, marketers, and impactful campaigns in the Indian Automotive Industry. IDPL's Auto Awards 2022 appreciated the efforts of brands and individual achievers for the usage of innovative technology across 25 award categories.

To name a few winners- Montra Electric,  Hyundai Venue, Mercedes-Benz, Hyndai Tucson and Audi. The jury members consisted of Dr.Neharika Yadav- Superbike Racer, Mr.Sumit Garg – Co-founder and MD Luxury Ride, Mr. Nikhil Chawla- Tech Auto Journalist and Founder of Unbiased Blog, Ms. Garima Avtar- Rally Racer and Ms. Swati Khandelwal - Executive Editor Zee Business.

The second edition of the Auto Awards 2022 event was graced by Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, emphasized on how the Auto Industry is employing to the skilled youth of our country, decisions on 'E-highway' from Delhi to Jaipur, how Green Highways will boost India Tourism and his vision of India becoming the No.1 manufacturer of E-passenger buses in the world in the next two years. 

Leaders across the Industry shared insights on the EV charging infrastructure, perspectives on the advantages and challenges in reference to EVs, the need for the development and advancement of innovative technology, how consumer awareness is crucial in improving road safety etc.

Speaking at the IDPL Auto Awards 2022 event, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways said, “The Auto Industry truly has the potential to transform the future of the Indian economy. At present, it is experiencing a transformational revolution of converting from a cost-centric to a quality-centric industry. In the next 5 years, India is expected to be the No.1 manufacturing hub of automobiles in the world. This is encouraging emerging entrepreneurs, innovators and manufacturers to develop best-in-class products and designs, thus enabling growth-driven competition in the Industry.I am glad to see the consistent efforts put in by IDPL to encourage innovative technology and design, and other milestone achievements of the industry through the Auto Awards 2022.”

Mr. Devadas Krishnan, Chief Executive Officer of IndiaDotCom Digital Private Limited, further highlighted “India is poised to be the world’s third largest automotive market by 2030. India’s $222bn Auto sector is contributing 49% of the manufacturing GDP and generating 37 million jobs every year. Zee Auto Awards is IDPL’s humble tribute to the policymakers, captains, innovators and marketers of Indian Automotive industry who are making this happen. We also help this vibrant sector reach 300mn Indians every month through our performance marketing and brand solutions “

This event was co-powered by Montra Electric and OLX Autos. RedBus, Intel, and Canara Bank were the Special Partners and IGL was the Special Sponsor for IDPL’s Auto Awards 2022.

About IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited

IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited (formerly Zee Digital) is one of the largest digital media publishing company in India. IDPL’s distinctive digital Products are amongst the fastest-growing websites and applications worldwide, with over 32 digital properties; including Wion, Zee News, Zee Business, Zee Hindustan, DNA and more.

With A 4x Growth Momentum And Profitability, Amber Targets $1B In Gross Bookings Value By 2023


Amber, the leading global student housing platform, executed 1000% growth in team size and operations, securing the leading spot in the market with a gross booking value of $600M by 2022. 

More than 232 million students worldwide are looking for accommodation near their schools and universities. However, far fewer students find housing well within budget and matching their requirements. 

“If finding a place to stay can be so difficult and expensive in a city like Mumbai, imagine the struggle students must face finding one across borders,” said Saurabh Goel, IIT KGP alumni, Founder and CEO of amber. “Our friends’ struggling with student accommodation were the real eye-openers to a growing problem in the student housing market.”

Thus, two IIT KGP graduates, former batchmates and now co-founders, Saurabh Goel and Madhur Gujar launched amber in 2016. Born out of Google forms and Facebook groups, amber quickly grew as one of the world’s largest leading student accommodation platforms. 

In only six years, the company revamped the student rental space, grew into a 400-member team, made $600 million in gross booking value with 40% net margin, and carved a large presence in the global real estate market. Showing no signs of slowing down, the team tripled gross booking values even during the pandemic.

“There is no one man or one brain behind this success,” beamed Madhur Gujar, cofounder and Chief Business Officer. “The strategy is very simple - you have to have a great team with a vision for growth. So we decided to onboard the best minds in the country, built a solid team, and pushed through any hurdles the market threw at us. The last couple of years were especially tough for the industry, but we made it through simply because of the resilience and focus our team brought to the table.” 

Keeping with the momentum of growth and expansion, the team wants to scale to 100,000 bookings with a gross value of $1 billion by 2023. As a disruptor of the student rental landscape, it would be interesting to see how things evolve.

About Amber 

Amber is a leading global student housing platform, providing affordable housing options to students in more than 100 cities across the UK, US, Australia, and Ireland, with more than 1 MM beds on the platform. The company was launched in 2016 in Pune, Maharashtra, to offer cross-border students an easy house-hunting experience without the hassle of negotiations, credit scores, non-standardised paperwork, and broken payment processes. As a one-click platform, the company provides the comfort of secure online search, and 24/7 free and personalized customer service in locating the ideal student accommodation. 

View Badal De” Polycab India’s Latest Digital Film Promoting 3-In-1 LED Panel Light


Lighting has a profound impact on our lives, especially our moods and with modern day LED lighting, we can use the power of color to create a sense of warmth, vibrance, and creativity. Based on these insights, India’s leading electrical goods company, Polycab India Limited (PIL) has unveiled a digital campaign “View Badal De” showcasing its 3-in-1 LED Panel Light.

The launch of the latest campaign revolving around its LED lighting offerings, further aligns with Polycab’s focus of enhancing presence in the consumer segment. In recent years, LED lights have become a potent source of lighting. They have rapidly risen to popularity in the Indian lighting sector thanks to their many advantages over traditional lighting technologies.

Polycab’s new LED campaign takes up a common insight on how one’s state of mind changes when their favorite lights are turned. Building on this, the company’s slice-of-life films tell stories of everyday people and how Polycab 3-in-1 LED light helps them change their view on things in the most entertaining way.

The first film in the series centers around a bachelor who has invited his fiancée and in-laws over to show his apartment, only to find out that his friends have created a mess inside. The story is about how he manages to make an impression on the in-laws with the help of Polycab 3-in-1 LED Panel Light.

The second film begins with an awkward situation when a guy introduces his life partner to his grandparents. The story is about how he wins them over with Polycab light.

The last film features a family where a father serves lauki sabji for dinner and changes the family’s perspective towards lauki sabji by toggle switching the Polycab 3-in-1 LED Panel Light.

Nilesh Malani, President, and Chief Marketing Officer Polycab India Ltd. said, “The product benefits of LED lights have evolved to transform our lifestyles altogether. Polycab’s Scintillate 3-in-1 LED Panel Light goes beyond the typical illumination element. The product offers three colors using switch toggle and is available in two shapes and multiple wattages. Polycab personifies this transformation in one of the simplest but powerful ways. Our series of View Badal De digital films drive home the point of LED lights not only illuminating the surroundings but our lifestyles including outlook towards life.”

Prem Narayan Chief Strategy Officer, Ogilvy India said, "What makes good advertising is when you get that chuckle out of the consumer. That chuckle that yes, I get that joke or that yes, it happens with me! Our campaign is based on a simple truth - when people are in a good mood their perspective on things changes. Polycab with its 3-in-1 lights can bring that change in mood. The 3 films look at situations which would on any other day (or light) get a grumble from people, but now they 'see' things differently."

The film can be viewed on the following link:  

https://bit.ly/3WqPfYU

PNB Strengthens “vigilance management” By Introducing Digital Measures


* The bank inaugurated a Vigilance Dashboard, Staff Accountability Portal and PNB Vigilance Manual 2022 

Punjab National Bank, nation’s leading public sector bank, is proud to announce its latest measures to strengthen vigilance management at the organization and promote a culture of honesty amongst its staff members. This initiative is a part of Vigilance Awareness Week, being observed at PNB from October 31 to November 6, in line with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) directives.  

The new initiatives were inaugurated during a formal ceremony at PNB’s Corporate Office in Dwarka, New Delhi by Shri Suresh N Patel (Hon’ble Central Vigilance Commissioner) in the gracious presence of Shri Praveen Kumar Srivastava (Hon’ble Vigilance Commissioner),  Shri P Daniel (Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission) and Shri Atul Kumar Goel, MD & CEO, PNB. The event was also attended by EDs, Shri Vijay Dube and Sanjay Kumar along with CGMs, AGMs and rest of the staff members. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Atul Kumar Goel, MD & CEO, said, “We, at PNB strive to leverage technology to create the value of transparency and integrity. The newly inaugurated vigilance management initiatives will minimize manual intervention, empower the employees, save time, and bring more transparency in the process. The recent digital innovations of the Bank include the Revamped PNB One Mobile App, Pre- Approved Personal Loan in four clicks and single OTP, WhatsApp Banking, Online KCC Renewal etc.” 

Hon’ble CVC, Shri Suresh N Patel congratulated PNB for taking several digital initiatives for fighting corruption and increasing efficiency. 

Vijay Kumar Tyagi, CVO, stressed that all the new initiatives will help PNB to strengthen its efficiency and build an even more transparent and honest ecosystem. 

Vigilance dashboard 

The vigilance dashboard is developed to empower dealing officers with decision-making and focused analysis of staff accountability in an efficient manner. Arduous tasks have now been simplified by automated data presentation, real-time activity records and much more, all in a single click. 

PNB Vigilance Manual 2022 

The latest version of the vigilance manual book is expected to serve as a useful tool to enhance the quality of good vigilance administration / governance in the bank. The advanced manual introduces e- vigilance, consists of updated Guidelines and Circulars issued by the bank, and carries adequate information on areas such as Staff Accountability, Investigation, Disciplinary Action Proceedings, Fraud Risk Management, etc. to sensitize the employees. 

Portal for process of staff accountability examination  

It is a portal for an end-to-end staff accountability process with a focus on turn-around-time (TAT) reduction. The digitized process will help to systemize accountability and ownership at all levels. 

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Participate In Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited’s ‘Green Warriors’ Campaign & Stand a Chance To Win prizes Worth Rs 50,000/-


In line with the rising concerns towards climate change and global warming, Tata Power Delhi Distribution (Tata Power-DDL), the pioneer power utility providing electricity to over 70 lakh users in Delhi is giving you a chance to make your child a green warrior with its sustainability awareness campaign ‘Green Warriors’.

Through the campaign, Tata Power-DDL seeks to sensitize young minds about the emergency towards global warming and its adverse effects on the planet. It is in line with India’s climate change goals. The campaign is open for all school students from classes 3 to 10.

The campaign invites innovative ideas to help save the environment, reduce & control global warming, and build a greener tomorrow in the form of short videos (maximum duration 1 minute). Students can send their video entries in the form of poem, dance, act etc. The top 10 entries will win prizes worth 50,000 (maximum Rs 10,000 per winning entry) along with certificates of participation for every participant. The winning entries will also be featured across company’s social media platforms. The entries are to be sent to us via WhatsApp on +91 9871655629. You have to mention your Name, City and Contact Number while sharing the entry. The last date of submission of entry is 30th November 2022.

The campaign is a part of the energy conservation initiative under the company’s ‘Club Enerji’ program. Club Enerji is an Energy & Resource Conservation Club that focuses on bringing about a first-hand realization of the energy crisis and scarcity of natural resources in the country by sensitizing the torchbearers of tomorrow – the students.

The campaign will also spread awareness using Social Media and on-ground activities. The entries will be judged by an eminent jury comprising of senior officials from Tata Power-DDL.

Commenting  on the initiative, Mr. Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO of Tata Power-DDL, said, “We at Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited feel that young turks are the torchbearers of a greener tomorrow and hold immense power to shape a brighter future. Through Green Warriors campaign, we aim to encourage these young superheroes to share their innovative/ creative ideas around global warming and sensitize the young generation about the adverse effects of climate change. The prime focus of this initiative is to acknowledge the adverse effects of climate change and the need for being future-ready for a greener tomorrow.”

For more information and contest’s term and conditions please refer the poster. You may also contact us on +91 9871655629

·       Facebook: https://fb.watch/gxTrDnpcLl/

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/tatapower_ddl/status/1587359140132757504

Quest Global Acquires Adept, A Product Technology Design House


* Transaction scales Quest Global’s global operations and bolsters its semi-conductor capabilities

Quest Global, one of the world’s fastest growing engineering services firms, today announced the acquisition of Adept, a product design house with robust capabilities in the semi-conductor, automotive, and hi-tech verticals. This transaction accelerates Quest Global’s growth by scaling its operations and advancing its capabilities to provide innovative and digital solutions to its customers around the globe.

With locations in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Vizag and clients across India, China and the United States, the acquisition of Adept expands Quest Global’s footprint in India and strengthens its global presence. In particular, the company brings strong capabilities that will enable Quest Global to add significant capacity to its semi-conductor offerings. This allows Quest Global to provide its customers with deeper digital engineering expertise, greater choice and expanded services from additional semi-conductor capabilities, enhanced embedded services and new capabilities in prototyping, ADAS, Vehicle Connectivity, Integrated Cockpit, and AUTOSAR toolkits – all of which will put Quest Global in an even better position to deliver superior end-to-end global product engineering services to its customers around the world.

“At Quest Global, we strive to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest engineering problems – and today’s news moves us one step further on that journey,” said Ajit Prabhu, Chairman & CEO, Quest Global. “We are pleased to welcome Adept to the Quest Global family. Spending quality time with founders, Gopal Koreme and Madan Lolugu, we recognized how great the cultural fit was right out of the gate, and that alignment became the foundation of this agreement. Together, we will accelerate digital engineering capabilities to service the fast-growing semiconductor industry.”

“This is an exciting moment for Adept. As part of the Quest Global family, we now have a tremendous opportunity to leverage our unique capabilities to help solve the world’s hardest engineering problems for customers and communities around the world,” said Gopal Koreme, Co-Founder & CEO, Adept. “We have a shared vision for growth for our customers and for our people that will enable us to build on the success of our organizations to become the most trusted partner in the semiconductor industry.”

“We are thrilled to join the Quest Global family and become part of the best growth story in engineering services,” said Madan Lolugu, Co-Founder & Director, Adept. “With their support and resources, Adept looks forward to doubling down on our efforts to provide world class chip design and embedded services.”

About Adept

Adept is a product design house, providing world class chip design and embedded services.  Headquartered in Bengaluru, Adept has research and development offices in Hyderabad and Vizag, India and a global presence with clients across India, the United States and China. Founded in 2011, Adept is a full service IC design firm that specializes in team augmentation, turnkey solutions for end-to-end chip design, and product lifecycle management. A flexible and reliable partner with more than 480 talented engineers, Adept brings a wealth of technical capabilities scalable to multinational corporations. As of September 2022, Adept is now part of the Quest Global family.

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 14,000+ 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, 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 Semi-conductor industries.  

Emirates And Air Canada Activate Codeshare Partnership To Extend Global Networks And Enhance Customer Experience


* Emirates and Air Canada customers will have access to 46 points across North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa

* Frequent flyer members of Skywards and Aeroplan will soon be able to earn and redeem points or miles when flying with both airlines

* Enhanced customer offering implemented with the issuance of a single ticket and baggage transfers through to the final destination

* A plan for improved connectivity and seamless experience between the carriers at their respective hub airports in Dubai and Toronto to be implemented over the next six months

Emirates and Air Canada today announced the launch of their codeshare cooperation. The new partnership will allow customers of the carriers to enjoy seamless connectivity to 46 markets spanning three continents, including to destinations across the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

Beginning today, codeshare tickets will be available for sale to 35 markets for travel effective December 1 with 11 additional markets to be added pending final regulatory approval, and the potential for more markets to be included beyond that. Tickets are available via the carriers' websites at emirates.com and aircanada.com as well as via major GDS systems and travel agencies.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “We are delighted to establish a partnership with Air Canada, to expand our reach into more points in North America. Partnering with Canada’s flag carrier enables us to offer customers seamless connectivity when flying to domestic points within Canada via Toronto. Besides the added-value benefits and rewarding experiences that leisure and business travellers of both airlines can look forward to, the partnership allows Air Canada’s customers to travel to destinations across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, thanks to our expansive network via our hub in Dubai.”

"This exciting new partnership with Emirates will allow Air Canada to meaningfully broaden the choice of flight options for our customers. It will create easier connections between Canada and destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. As well, it will allow us to draw more connecting traffic through our Toronto global hub and expand our presence in these dynamic regions where demand for global travel is expected to grow," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada.

Emirates customers will be able to book codeshare flights to and from Canadian points beyond Toronto, including Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver.

Air Canada will place its code on routes operated by Emirates from its hub in Dubai, expanding the airline’s reach across the Indian subcontinent and unlocking more destinations, including Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore.

Seamless connectivity will also be enjoyed by Air Canada’s customers travelling to Southeast Asian destinations including Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore; the Middle Eastern cities Jeddah and Muscat; as well as destinations in Africa, namely Addis Ababa and Dar Es Salaam.

Coming soon, the airlines will introduce a reciprocal frequent flyer offering, allowing members of Aeroplan and Skywards to earn and redeem points on flights operated by Emirates and Air Canada, respectively. Eligible passengers will also soon be able to take advantage of reciprocal lounge access, along with select benefits for Aeroplan Elite and Skywards members when travelling on the partner airline. Further details and launch dates will be announced at a later date.

* Codeshare activities are subject to government approvals.

About Emirates

From its global hub in Dubai, Emirates serves customers on six continents, providing high quality air transport services that facilitate tourism and trade. The airline has earned customer recognition for its industry-leading services on the ground and in the sky, delivered by a passionate workforce representing over 160 nations. Emirates operates the world’s largest fleet of wide-body Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft, offering spacious cabins and iconic inflight features such as its A380 Shower Spa and Onboard Lounge, and its ice inflight entertainment system available in all seats across its fleet, which has topped “best in sky” awards for 14 consecutive years. Emirates is committed to environmentally-responsible operations and focusses on three areas: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly, and protecting wildlife and habitats.  For more information, visit www.emirates.com. 

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 50 airports in Canada, 47 in the United States and 69 internationally. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger flights and cargo-only flights with its fleet of Boeing 767-300 freighters. Air Canada has committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050. 

Les Roches Third Innovation Summit Highlights On The Impact of New Tech On Traditional Hospitality


The Spark Innovation Sphere Summit has gathered last week around 100 hospitality and tech experts on Les Roches Global Hospitality Education campus nested in the Swiss Alps, to discuss “The Impact of New Technologies on Traditional Hospitality”.

While travel and hospitality will always be essentially a ‘people’ thing, the industry is in quest for innovations. During the event, speakers from the hospitality & tech industries shared insights and discuss about how some technologies such as AI, robotics, VR, holograms, Web3 and others are changing the hospitality industry, especially to enhance customer experience and revenue. 

For Pablo Garcia, Director of Spark at Les Roches Crans-Montana, the key highlights of the summit are:

·         “Technology is here and there is no way back, we need to be educated around it, embrace it and lead it. It is a culture we need to foster among hospitality students.

·         The purpose of Innovation is not just about technology, is about making life easier to employees and customers.

·         Innovation and sustainability go together. We need innovation and innovators to create solutions to support a sustainable development.

·         Technology will not replace human being; it will enhance their added value.

·         Innovation is not just about technology; it is a process innate to human beings.

·         Covid 19 has changed our society. We live now in a new normality with hybrid realty and possibilities. Ever-changing business environments are part of this reality. No matter what the type of industry it is, all companies need to re-thinking how to deliver the best customer experience.”

Susana Garrido, Director of Spark Marbella recommended an: “open innovation and a co-creation approach in which Hospitality players have to learn to attract and retain talents to design solutions that ignite change and to choose only those innovative approaches that will be valuable to all stakeholders, avoiding technology just for the sake of technology. “

Carlos Díez de La Lastra, CEO of Les Roches has called for: “a collaboration between industry, education and public institutions, private actors and start-ups which is key to create a strong eco-system looking at adding value to businesses, employees and customers alike.”

With Spark, Les Roches has created a worldwide innovation platform to endorse hospitality invention which encompasses pre-incubation and incubation solutions for entrepreneurs that are delivering revolutionary ideas to the hospitality and tourism sector.

Spark empowers learners, graduates, and corporate allies to design and implement novel hospitality solutions in on-campus living laboratories.

Manipal College of Health Professions Celebrates World Respiratory Care Week 2022


* The event was organised by the Department of Respiratory Therapy of Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP)

* MoU signed between MCHP and Indian Association of Respiratory Care (IARC) to enhance academics and research

* The week included a workshop RESPICARE 2022 on the theme “Essential skills for respiratory therapist in critical care”

The Department of Respiratory Therapy of Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP), a constituent of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) conducted “World Respiratory Care Week” between 13 to 22 October 2022.

The inaugural ceremony was held on 21st October during which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between MCHP, MAHE and Indian Association of Respiratory Care (IARC) to enhance academics and research.  The ceremony had the presence of Dr. Narayana Sabhahit, Registrar, MAHE, Manipal as Chief Guest, Dr Jerry Paul, Professor of Anaesthesiology, AIMS Kochin and President of Indian Association of Respiratory Care as Guest of honour, Dr G. Arun Maiya, the Dean of MCHP, MAHE, Manipal, Ms. Pratibha Todur, Incharge HoD, Department of Respiratory Therapy, MCHP, MAHE, Manipal and Ms. Samruddha, Assistant professor as Organising Secretary of the event, Department of Respiratory Therapy, MCHP, MAHE, Manipal.

During the week, department also conducted CME and workshop “RESPICARE 2022”- on the theme “Essential skills for respiratory therapist in critical care”. About 200 delegates attended the event from Manipal and Mangalore regions. The department also held its first alumni meet in the campus on 22nd October.

Speaking about the event Dr. G. Arun Maiya, the Dean of Manipal College of Health Professions, MAHE said “With the signing of the MoU, the World Respiratory Care Week celebrations this year marked the beginning of an important collaboration between Manipal College of Health Professions, MAHE and the Indian Association of Respiratory Care (IARC). We are confident that this partnership will help in enhancing both academic opportunities and research for students and professionals in the field of respiratory care. We were delighted to see the enthusiastic participation in the RESPICARE 2022 workshop and the vigour with which the students showcased their talents in various competitions held during the week”

The entire week’s celebrations included various competitions like painting, collage making, poster presentation, cartooning competition, installation of 3D model, reels competition, Quiz, Cultural events such as dance, songs, music, MIME etc for the students of Respiratory Therapy.

The week ended with the valedictory function held on 22nd October where the students were rewarded with prizes and certificates for the showcase of their talents

Zee Digital Rebrands Itself As IndiaDotcom Digital; Focuses On Building A Tech-Centric Organization


·       Zee Media Corporation Ltd hired 300+ fresh talent to its workforce last quarter

·       The digital arm of the Zee Media Corporation Ltd., registers more than a billion page views per month

Zee Digital, one of India’s largest digital entities, has rebranded itself to IndiaDotcom Digital Pvt Ltd (IDPL) with a new logo, to redefine a host of Infinite Possibilities. It unveiled the new brand identity and fresh look through a short video on social media, thus symbolizing a well-thought manifestation of its relentless drive for innovation, excellence, empowerment, and growth.

The media Industry has been evolving with new-age innovative technology. To match the increasing demand of its viewers/readers, IDPL looks forward to converting into a technology-centric organization by investing in high-end technology, encouraging product talent & vibrancy, and boosting the entrepreneurial spirit. IDPL has implemented technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Speaking about the brand rebranding, Devadas Krishnan, CEO – IDPL says, “The new avatar of IDPL is a step forward towards encouraging innovation and adopting a tech-driven approach as per the market demand of the present day and age. As a brand, we are fast-paced, and encourage our employees to upskill and enhance their knowledge through an in-depth understanding of how content is consumed by our viewers/ readers. We look forward to attracting the best tech, product, and marketing talent in the industry. “ 

Furthermore, keeping in line with Zee group’s employee-friendly culture, IndiaDotcom Digital offers its employees the option to work onsite, remote, and hybrid. IDPL has also successfully initiated employee-friendly practices such as an in-house gym and library, crèch for working parents, and a ‘Well done’ initiative - where team members’ efforts are appreciated and rewarded by the company on the spot. This enables a better work-life balance and well-being of its workforce and encourages a collaborative culture of healthy employee relations.

IDPL has been aggressive in its hiring and recently added 300+fresh talent. As per the latest FICCI-EY report, the Indian media and entertainment (M&E) industry clocked Rs 1.61 lakh crore in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11% to Rs 2.32 lakh crore by 2024. 

Logo launch https://www.linkedin.com/posts/indiadotcomdigital_idpl-infinitepossibilities-indiadotcomdigital-activity-6978322202064506880-ZFQp/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

About IndiaDotcom Digital Pvt Ltd: IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited is one of India’s leading media technology companies with strong presence in the news, information and entertainment genres. It is India's second largest Digital Entity touching more than 300 million monthly users and owns 30 plus digital properties including India.com, Zee news, Zee Business, Zee Hindustan, WION news, Bollywoodlife.com and more.

NASSCOM Reports- Future Of Workforce: Decoding GIG Workforce 2.0


The dynamic business landscape and evolving operating models have ushered in an opportunity for the gig economy to become a key talent management strategy for enterprises. To highlight the rapidly evolving gig workforce landscape in the technology sector, The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and Indeed in partnership with AON have today released their study, titled “Future of Workforce: Decoding Gig Workforce 2.0”. The report aims to understand the prevalence of the gig workforce landscape in the Indian technology sector, its current and future trends as well as its role in addressing the tech talent demand and supply gap for the tech industry.

The gig economy over the last two years has evolved significantly. Focus on specialized skills requirement, employee demand elasticity and cost optimization are enabling organizations to embed gig for technology roles which traditionally were restricted to HR and support functions. Notably, Software Development, UI/UX Design, and Data Analytics have emerged as the top three in-demand giggable skills within the technology sector.

State of Gig Workforce in India

Talent continues to remain a key advantage for the Indian tech Industry. Globally, India has the 2nd largest annual supply of STEM graduates, 4x-4.5x higher than the USA, and is also a leader in terms of women diversity among STEM Graduates at 47.1%. Though the accelerated demand for digital transformation has intensified the talent crunch globally, the gig workforce has emerged as an important talent management strategy for organizations and can play a key role in closing the tech talent demand-supply gap. Notably, India has the lowest tech talent gap among top tech locations such as USA, China, UK. Strategies such as increased hiring of sub-contractors and external gig workforce especially for niche digital technologies and offering internal Gig platforms for better utilization of existing employees, amongst others, continue to support organizations in closing the gap faster.

As per the NASSCOM, Indeed and AON survey of over 70 organizations, nearly 2/3rd (65% of the surveyed organizations) of them are employing gig workers as of 2022, a higher share compared to 57% of the organizations in the year 2020. While the share of organizations employing Gig Workers has increased, their proportion remains less than 5% of the total workforce (For companies with more than 2000 FTEs). However, for smaller organizations with less than 2000 full-time employees (FTEs), gig worker proportion is more than 5%. Notably, none of the organizations have mentioned a decline in gig hiring. In about 15% of the surveyed organizations, the proportion of gig workers in the past two years has increased by more than 30%, proving the efficacy of the model.

Further, before the pandemic, gig workers were mostly hired for projects with a duration of up to 9 months, however, the duration of projects being offered to gig workers has increased significantly, post-pandemic. 25% of the surveyed organizations are open to hiring gig workers for projects with a duration of more than 12 months, thus indicating the growing demand for talent and their effective use to meet short-term talent needs.

In terms of compensation, a proven capability in the areas of expertise, qualifications and relevant years of experience are some of the top factors being considered by organizations while determining compensation for gig workers. Over 40% of the surveyed organizations decide on a Fixed Fee at the initiation of a Gig Contract. As many as 53% of the surveyed organizations have policies to absorb Gig Workers as full-time employees. Moreover, over 90% of the surveyed organizations remain open to re-hiring gig workers in the same or adjacent areas of work based on past performance evaluation.

Gig Workforce Creating Business & Social Impact

While the pandemic-induced remote work aided in recognizing the efficiency and specialized skills of gig workers, this shift also enabled increased efficiency in the completion of tasks, reduced time for hiring for new roles, and engaging with a more diverse workforce which includes retired professionals as well as women returning to the workforce.

Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM said, “The future workforce will indeed be a blended model wherein the Gig economy is expected to play an important role not only as a talent management strategy but also accelerate job creation and boost the country’s economic growth. As we navigate the new world order, multiple models will co-exist with trust and transparency at the core of it.”

The Future of Gig in the Indian Tech Industry looks promising

However, ensuring the quality of Gig Workers, hurdles in security checks & verification, lack of structured policies, and clarity on regulations or guidelines for Gig Workers are some of the key concern areas amongst organizations.

Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India said, “We are excited to partner with Nasscom and are grateful for joining our mission of helping people get jobs. I am confident our joint report will impact and empower the labour market.

Companies investing in gig work platforms and processes speak volumes about how critical talent is for enabling their next level of growth, especially now, given the global uncertainties. The report also indicates this positive growth, with 46% of organizations surveyed planning to increase the proportion of gig workers from current levels. Businesses that place gig workers at the core of their business strategies will continue to thrive in 2023 and beyond.”

Implementing a successful gig workforce model will require a concentrated focus on- People, Policy, Process, and Practice. This includes building structured industry policies for Gig workers, use of technology to solve security concerns and nurturing an inclusive culture that focuses on the amalgamation of both full-time and gig employees. Moreover, Gig workers will also need to invest in continuous upskilling and ensure that they are bringing the best skills to the table and at the same time build a relationship of mutual trust and partnership by following the highest standards of business ethics and data security.

About NASSCOM

The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM®) is the premier trade body and chamber of commerce of the Tech industry in India and comprises over 3000-member companies. Our membership spans across the entire spectrum of the industry from start-ups to multinationals and from products to services, Global Capability Centres to Engineering firms. Guided by India's vision to become a leading digital economy globally, NASSCOM focuses on accelerating the pace of transformation of the industry to emerge as the preferred enablers for global digital transformation. Our strategic imperatives are to reskill and upskill India's IT workforce to ensure that talent is future-ready in terms of new-age skills, strengthen the innovation quotient across industry verticals, create new market opportunities - both international and domestic, drive policy advocacy to advance innovation and ease of doing business, and build the industry narrative with focus on Talent, Trust and Innovation. And, in everything we do, we will continue to champion the need for diversity and equal opportunity.

Latest SonicWall Intelligence Reveals Unstable Cyber Threat Landscape Amplifying Concerns For Security Professionals


Highlights

Malware attempts dipped 8% in NOAM, dipped 5% in the U.S while it rose 38% in APJ

Ransomware attempts jumped in APJ (56%)

Crypto jacking numbers jumped 35% globally through three quarters, including a 160% increase in APJ.

Global malware volume tops 4 billion, flat through three quarters

Despite 31% decline in global ransomware attempts from 2021, volume exceeds full-year totals when compared to four of the last five years (623.3 million)

Customers saw an average 1,014 ransomware attempts through three quarters

91% of IT leaders cited financially motivated attacks as biggest concern

Capture ATP earns seventh consecutive 100% threat detection score in ICSA Labs Advanced Threat Defense (ATD) Q3 2022 testing

Accelerated reconfiguring of the international cyber frontlines on the rise in the Asia Pacific

SonicWall, publisher of the world’s most quoted ransomware threat intelligence, today released new threat data through the third quarter of 2022. SonicWall recorded more than 4 billion malware attempts globally while year-to-date ransomware attempts in 2022 have already exceeded full-year totals from four of the last five years. In the recent 2022 SonicWall Cyber Threat Mindset Survey, 91% of organizations reported that they are most concerned about ransomware attacks, indicating a rise of anxiety among security professionals.

“Being a security professional has never been more difficult,” said SonicWall President and CEO Bob VanKirk. “The cyber warfare battlefront continues to shift, posing dangerous threats to organizations of all sizes. With expanding attack surfaces, growing numbers of threats and the current geo-political landscape, it should be no surprise that even the most seasoned IT professional can feel overwhelmed. Armed with the latest cybersecurity tools, SonicWall partners can play a vital role in helping customers stay secure in even the most dynamic threat environments.”

“Regardless of the organization’s size or the industry, everybody is a target of cyberattacks,” said Debasish Mukherjee, Vice President, Regional Sales APJ at SonicWall Inc. “Additionally, digital attacks are not just targeting the enterprise; they are attacking governments, MSPs, retail and other organization types. These cyber criminals are confident that these organizations have limited recovery resources, and as such will be more willing to pay after a ransomware attack.”

Ransomware Attacks Shift, Tactics Intensify, Diversify

After a record-breaking 2021, overall ransomware attacks have trended down in the first three quarters of 2022 — especially in the United States (-51%). However, attack locations have continued to shift, as ransomware attempts jumped in the U.K. (20%), EMEA (38%) and APJ (56%) compared to the same time frame last year. Proprietary SonicWall threat intelligence also found that Q3 2022 was the lowest quarterly ransomware volume since Q3 2020. Even in decline, SonicWall recorded 338.4 million ransomware attempts since the beginning of the year.

It is easier than ever to perform ransomware attacks. With Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) offerings, even less technical cybercriminals can purchase ransomware kits on the dark web and target organizations with minimal experience.

Ransomware actors also are diversifying their business models and broadening their networks as demand for their services continues to grow, leading to an explosion in the variety of different tools and resources being offered via illicit marketplaces. According to SonicWall survey data, organizations are concerned with how easily ransomware attacks can be launched and 89% cited concern of financially motivated threats.

“Ransomware has evolved at an alarming rate, particularly in the past five years — not only in volume but in attack vectors,” said SonicWall Emerging Threat Expert Immanuel Chavoya. “The latest Q3 data shows how bad actors are getting smarter in the development of evolutionary strains and more targeted in their assaults.”

Crypto jacking, IoT Malware Volume Continue Upward Trend

Hackers are increasingly targeting financial firms, such as banks and trading houses, with cyberattacks designed to maliciously use computer systems to illegally mine cryptocurrencies. Cryptojacking numbers jumped 35% globally through three quarters, including a 377% spike in EMEA and 160% increase in APJ.

With more smart devices entering the digital space every day there is a growing need for Internet of things (IoT) security. IoT devices have multiple ways to connect to a network, offering multiple attack vectors to exploit. IoT malware climbed 92% globally, with 82% and 200% jumps in APJ and North America, respectively.

“With over 1.4 million endpoints collecting data around the globe, SonicWall has more data to uncover emerging threat trends and provide a true depiction of what is happening in the cyber threat landscape,” said Solutions Granted (SGI) CEO Michael Crean. “They say knowledge is power and SonicWall’s proprietary data helps SGI stay informed, which in turn helps us educate our customer base.  Leveraging SonicWall’s research helps SGI create actionable steps to help us keep our customers safer!”

Machine Learning Uncovering ‘Never-before-seen’ Malware Variants

SonicWall’s patented Real-Time Deep Memory InspectionTM (RTDMI) technology identified 373,756 never-before-seen malware variants during the first three quarters of 2022 — a 22% increase year-to-date.

One of these never-before-seen malware variants was Spyder Loader, which was observed targeting government organizations in Hong Kong in October 2022. SonicWall RTDMI proactively detected this malware strain and SonicWall Capture Labs threat researchers were the first to publish their analysis in a March 2021 SonicAlert —  a showcase of RTDMI’s machine learning-powered capabilities.

SonicWall Capture ATP Showcases ‘Perfect Threat Detection’

In October 2022, SonicWall Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) with RTDMI earned its seventh consecutive 100% threat detection score in ICSA Labs Advanced Threat Defense (ATD) testing for Q3 2022, the solution’s 11th consecutive certification. ICSA Labs is an independent third party that tested SonicWall's solutions using never-before-seen malware samples, many just hours old.

About SonicWall Capture Labs

SonicWall Capture Labs threat researchers gather, analyze and vet cross-vector threat information from the SonicWall Capture Threat network, consisting of global devices and resources, including more than 1 million security sensors in nearly 215 countries and territories. SonicWall Capture Labs, which pioneered the use of artificial intelligence for threat research and protection over a decade ago, performs rigorous testing and evaluation on this data, establishes reputation scores for email senders and content, and identifies new threats in real-time.

About SonicWall

SonicWall delivers Boundless Cybersecurity for the hyper-distributed era in a work reality where everyone is remote, mobile and unsecure. SonicWall safeguards organizations mobilizing for their new business normal with seamless protection that stops the most evasive cyberattacks across boundless exposure points and increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled workforces. By knowing the unknown, providing real-time visibility and enabling breakthrough economics, SonicWall closes the cybersecurity business gap for enterprises, governments and SMBs worldwide. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com

Medtronic Launches TruClear & HysteroLux System For Diagnostic And Operative Hysteroscopy In India


* Next-generation device, engineered to enable the treatment of intrauterine abnormalities without any incisions or electric shocks

India Medtronic Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), today announced the launch of the TruClear™ system, a mechanical hysteroscopic tissue removal system used for the safe and effective treatment of intra uterine abnormalities (IUA). Some of the commonly seen IUA includes fibroids, polyps, retained products of conception, adhesions, malignancies, or hyperplasia.

One of the symptoms of IUA is abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). AUB refers to any vaginal bleeding that is unrelated to the normal menstrual cycle, that may manifest in the form of small amounts of spotting in between periods, or unusually heavy periods. AUB is reported to occur in 9-14% women between menarche and menopause. The prevalence varies in each country. In India, the reported prevalence of AUB is around 17.9%.1 Watchful waiting and removal of the uterus (called a hysterectomy) are two common treatments to AUB. Between these two extremes is hysteroscopy, a minimally invasive treatment and the gold standard for allowing surgeons to look directly into the uterus and determine if AUB is related to fibroids, polyps, retained products of conceptions, or intrauterine adhesions.2 It does not requires incisions or electric shocks, and provides patients with a quicker recovery.

“TruClear system is a new addition to our GYN and women’s health portfolio and by introducing innovations like these we’re bringing choice, control and confidence to women’s healthcare in India. The system is built to facilitate a less invasive and effective way of treating intra uterine pathologies, giving patients the choice to retain the organ and go back to routine faster. Its precision and enhanced visibility provides gynecologists much needed comfort and helps avoid complications, yielding better patient outcomes,” said Abhishek Bhargava, director, Surgical, Patient Monitoring, Respiratory Interventions & ENT, Medtronic India.

TruClear™ is a next-generation device that provides practitioners with a clear operative field and patients with gentle mechanical resection during procedure to help efficiently execute a hysteroscopy. Unlike other intrauterine abnormality treatment options that use a high-frequency electric current, the TruClear™ system uses a simple mechanical approach to remove intrauterine tissue. Therefore, there is no scarring of the uterine lining from thermal energy or electrical energy, thus providing more hope of preserving the uterus for the future.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for all. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary.

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