Sony Launches New SRS-XV500 Portable Party Speaker With Powerful Sound And 25 Hours Battery Backup Especially Tuned For India

1.    Elevate your party experience with high quality sound and impressive bass with the SRS-XV500

2.    25 hours long-lasting battery and portable design delivering the power to party anywhere

3.    Sing in your style with karaoke and guitar input along with echo and key control on the rear panel

4.    Customize and light up the party with ambient lighting feature

5.    With newly added UI on rear panel command the party

6.    SRS-XV500 offers USB connectivity to play and charge smartphones

7.    With IPX4 Rating (splash proof) in SRS-XV500, the party never stops

8.    Enjoy Remote Control with Sony|Music Center and Fiestable apps from the App Store or Google Play

9.    New Environment friendly design

Sony India  announced the launch of the new SRS-XV500, a speaker to help people party louder for longer, anywhere. This speaker packs powerful sound, built-in lighting and a long-lasting battery, you can even plug in a karaoke mic and sing the night away. With the SRS-XV500, you have everything you need to entertain your friends and family.

1.    Elevate your party experience with high quality sound and powerful bass with the SRS-XV500

Experience great music on the SRS-XV500 thanks to its two X-Balanced Speaker Units which deliver strong, powerful bass with minimal distortion as well as two tweeters that provide clear vocals and an expanded sound field. The non-circular diaphragm not only maximizes the area of speaker diaphragm, but it also increases sound pressure for deeper and punchier bass, less distortion and greater vocal clarity. For a richer, clearer, and more rewarding listening experience. Plus, the SRS-XV500 adapts to any environment due its flexibility of being positioned either vertical or horizontal.

2.    25 hours long-lasting battery and portable design delivering the power to party anywhere

The SRS-XV500 is a speaker that will never let you down due to its long battery life. After being fully charged, the SRS-XV500 will offer up to 25 hours[i] of playback. Plus, quick charging of 10 minutes lasts for up to 2.5 hours of playing time. With the Battery Care Function, you never have to worry about overcharging your speaker, making it more dependable for longer.

3.    Sing in your style with karaoke and guitar input along with echo and key control on the rear panel

The fun does not stop there as you can belt out your favourite songs with the karaoke functionality. To sing your favourite song, simply plug in a karaoke mic and press play. A second input means you can duet with a friend on a second mic or even plug in a guitar to ramp things up even further. Both inputs have individual mixing. The Echo and Key Control on the rear panel of the unit let you adjust sound to your preference.

4.    Customize and light up the party with ambient lighting feature

In addition to delivering musically, the SRS-XV500 also helps to create a party atmosphere thanks to its ambient light feature. Whether you want to use the speaker for daily use or for party use, you can customise the illumination by the Fiestable mobile app.

5.    With newly added UI on rear panel command the party

Take control of your modes, settings, and lighting with the easy-to-use touch panel. It is intuitive and conveniently illuminated, so you can command the party even in a dark environment.

6.    SRS-XV500 offers USB connectivity to play and charge smartphones

Plug in and play music with USB connectivity additionally you can use SRS-XV500 to charge your up your other devices like smartphones.

7.    With IPX4 Rating splash proof) in SRS-XV500, the party never stops

<p>Don't stop your party</p>

The SRS-XV500 has an IPX4 water resistant[ii] rating, so you can use it outside with confidence, even if a few raindrops fall. The SRS-XV500 was built with portability in mind. The built in handle makes for easy transportation of the speaker. 

8.    Enjoy Remote Control with Sony|Music Center and Fiestable apps from the App Store or Google Play

The new SRS-XV500 is compatible with both Sony | Music Center and Fiestable apps. With Sony | Music Center, you can select playlists, change lighting patterns and sound modes all from the dance floor. Fiestable allows you to access fun features to help create the ultimate party atmosphere, such as making a playlist, karaoke functions including Voice Changer and Echo, plus DJ control to add sound effects.

9.    New Environment friendly design

These products are designed not only to offer outstanding sound quality, but also to be kind to the environment. Recycled plastic[iii] originally developed for Sony is partially used for the body of the SRS-XV500. This reflects how Sony strives to reduce the environmental impact of our products.

Pricing and Availability

The SRS-XV500 party speaker will be available across Sony retail stores (Sony Center and Sony Exclusive), the www.ShopatSC.com portal, major electronic stores, and other e-commerce websites in India from 23rd February 2024 onwards.

Model            Best Buy (in INR)             Availability Date

SRS-XV500      Rs.31,990/-                  24th Feb 2024 onwards

About Sony India Pvt. Ltd.

Sony India Private Limited (Sony India), a private limited company with its ultimate holding company as Sony Group Corporation, Japan, has established itself as a premium brand in various product categories including television, digital imaging, personal audio, home entertainment, gaming, car audio, and professional solutions. The company places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and maintains high standards in sales and services. Sony also prioritizes environmental sustainability, aiming to achieve a zero environmental footprint throughout the lifecycle of its products and business activities to contribute to a healthier and enriched life for all of humanity and future generations.

IIIT-Bangalore Hosted The 17th Edition Of ISEC 2024 From Feb 22-24

The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) successfully hosted the 17th edition of the Innovations in Software Engineering Conference (ISEC 2024) from 22nd to 24th of February. Formerly known as the India Software Engineering Conference, ISEC is the flagship annual conference of iSOFT, the India chapter of ACM SIGSOFT, under the esteemed umbrella of ACM India.

Prof. Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-Bangalore, speaking about ISEC 2024, said, “ISEC 2024 has once again showcased the remarkable strides being made in software engineering (SE). To host ISEC is a matter of pride for IIIT-Bangalore. The participation of SE scholars during the conference has shown a great potential to lead to future collaborations and recruitments in the area of software engineering. The primary objective of any research conference is exchange of niche technical knowledge, networking and community building. It is time IIIT-B asserted its position as an important institution which could be a meeting hub for SE researchers and a seat of many great projects in SE and help Indian community to remain as one of the super power in software research and development. I think hosting ISEC is a strong step in that direction.”

Software engineering has always been a hotbed of many hard problems of computer science. These emerged from the challenges of various software development activities like requirement analysis, design, coding, and testing. These problems had been addressed by software engineering researchers using classical computer science techniques for several decades with great success.

As General Chair of ISEC 2024, Prof. Sujit Chakrabarti of IIIT-Bangalore emphasised the significance of ISEC 2024 within the current context. Prof. Sujit stated, “Now, with the emergence of much-talked-about technologies like language models, generative AI, and ML, researchers are trying to address classical SE problems using these emerging methods. Further, software engineering techniques have upped their game to meet the challenges posed by the emerging applications of computing, be it cloud, IoT, ML, LLMs, or cybersecurity. Considering this trend, ISEC 2024 saw a fair spread of these ideas in the papers, workshops, tutorials, talks, panel discussions, and poster presentations. There was a balanced representation from academia and industry, in applied as well as fundamental topics, from faculty members and PhD students.”

Prof. K. V. Raghavan (IISc) and Dr. Raveendra Medicherla (TCS Research) served as the organising co-chairs of ISEC 2024. The conference featured an illustrious lineup of invited speakers who graced the event with their expertise and insights. Prof. Abhik Roychoudhury from the National University of Singapore, Dr. Akash Lal from Microsoft Research and Dr. Alessandra Gorla, from the IMDEA Software Institute, delivered keynote talks. 

The success of ISEC 2024 marks IIIT-B’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in software engineering. As the conference drew to a close, participants departed with fresh insights, renewed inspiration, and strengthened connections, poised to drive future advancements in the ever-evolving landscape of software engineering.

About IIIT-Bangalore

IIIT-Bangalore is a premier institute dedicated to undergraduate and postgraduate programs specializing in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), IT for Society, and broader fields of IT and research. Situated in the heart of Electronic City, Bangalore, it holds a prominent position in the academic landscape. IIIT-Bangalore is graded A+ by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for 2022, IIIT-B has secured 74th ranking. The institute was ranked number 1 among India's Best Technical Universities (Private) by India Today. IIIT-Bangalore contains state-of-the-art infrastructure, eminently qualified faculty, a vibrant alumni community, cutting-edge research facilities, and close industry collaborations.

The institute’s specially designed courses make the students’ cognizant of the current technologies. Experiential learning and practices followed in the institute equip them with the tools and knowledge to solve contemporary real problems. IIIT-Bangalore has consistently achieved excellent placement records every year since its establishment in 1998, thanks to the unwavering support of the industry and the expanding pool of highly skilled alumni.

For more details, log onto https://www.iiitb.ac.in

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Signs MoU With Govt of Karnataka, For Establishing Advanced Centre of Excellence

In a significant move towards fostering excellence in education and skill development, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Technical Education, Government of Karnataka. The MoU aims to establish Advanced Centres of Excellence (ACoE) in several colleges across the State and as a pilot aims to initiate a ACoE in Government Engineering College, Ramanagara, making it the first government engineering college to host  advanced technological equipments in a Centre of Excellence facility.

The signing ceremony took place at the State Higher Education Council, Gandhinagar, Bangalore, in the gracious presence of  Dr. M C Sudhakar, Hon’ble Higher Education Minister, Mr. Srikar M S, IAS, Principal Secretary, Higher Education Dept, Mr. Jagadish G, IAS, Commissioner Collegiate & Technical Education Dept, Government of Karnataka, and Mr. Sudeep S. Dalvi, Senior Vice President, Director & Chief Communication Officer, and Mr. Roshan R, General Manager, EA(State), CSR and BIA, TKM

The ACoE’s curriculum offers an extensive learning experience on mechanical, automobile, mechatronic, and advanced green electrified technologies (xEVs) including Strong Hybrids. The initiative aims to enhance quality of education and promote skill development for both engineering college teachers and students through practical learning with support from expert trainers using advanced equipment and facilities.

To support academic research and training as well as to enhance hands-on experience and gain knowledge about the latest in automotive technology, TKM will provide engine, transmission, powertrain cut sections for the ACoE facility. The company will actively organize and schedule training programs for teachers and students, ensuring comprehensive  learning and prepare them for the dynamic automotive industry.

Commenting on Toyota’s support in developing world-class infrastructure and skill programs, Dr. M C Sudhakar, Hon’ble Higher Education Minister, Government of Karnataka said, “We are delighted to be a part of the MoU signing between Toyota Kirloskar Motor and the Department of Technical Education, Government of Karnataka, marking a significant milestone in the realm of education and skill development in the State. As the automotive industry is witnessing a paradigm shift with technological advancements so is the demand for a skilled talent. The traditional syllabus and methods of learning need to be constantly upgraded to synchronize with rapidly evolving requirements of the Auto industry. With the establishment of this Advanced Centre of Excellence, we are confident that the hands-on training experience will strengthen their learning on advanced green technologies and create good career opportunities especially for our students thereby contributing to the overall development of Community, State, and the Nation.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Sudeep S Dalvi, Senior Vice President, Director & Chief Communication Officer, TKM said, “ This initiative underscores our commitment to enhance engineering students’ skill and knowledge, on advanced green electrified technologies which is the way forward for the  rapidly changing auto industry. Toyota being a leader in electrified technologies would like to create awareness to the young engineers about the future technologies through practical exposure and make them understand the benefits of embracing Greener electrified technologies. Hence this association with the Government of Karnataka through the Advanced Centre of Excellence, will bring about a transformational change in their Skill and knowledge pertaining to advanced greener electrified technologies and its contribution to Carbon Neutrality. TKM remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a world-class skill pool, while contributing to the larger goals of environmental sustainability, societal development, and Skill India mission.”

TKM is spearheading skill development activities in the state and across the country and have implement several activities. Recently the company had undertaken a major expansion of Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) with capacity going up from 600 to 1,200 students, which is a major boost to the existing skill facility in its Bidadi plant with focus on gender diversity and to scale-up students’ skill levels on advanced technology. Furthermore, the company has  collaborated with one Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in each of the 31 districts in Karnataka besides 11 Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC) institutes till date and plans to  cover all 33 GTTC institutes in Karnataka in a phased manner. Furthermore, the company continues to train students in 59 institutes across 26 States and 4 union territories through the Toyota Technical Education Program (T-TEP), and last year the company had introduced the STAR scholarship program under T-TEP for economically challenged students to purse their technical studies.

Looking ahead, TKM envisions development of future engineers, with the establishment of ACoE in various government educational institutions across Karnataka thereby contributing to building skilled and capable workforce for a sustainable tomorrow.

Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts Qualifies For Incentive Under PLI Scheme

Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts Pvt Ltd (TKAP), a part of Toyota Group of companies, today announced that it has received the Domestic Value Addition (DVA) Certificate for xEV Transaxle (e-Drive) under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products. This development renders TKAP eligible to avail incentives under the Scheme.

TKAP’s product has also met the Testing criteria of Advanced Automotive Technology, and it is certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

Established in 2002, TKAP is engaged in the manufacture and sale of automotive rear axles, propeller shafts, and transmission units. Over the years, the company has grown rapidly to emerge as a significant manufacturer of drive train parts and assemblies (xEV Transaxle) in the Toyota group.

Aligned with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and in resonance with Toyota Group’s commitment towards “mass electrification”, TKAP in 2022 set up an advanced manufacturing facility to produce xEV Transaxle (e-Drive) for domestic supply to Toyota Kirloskar Motor and export to Japan and other Asian countries, in a step towards making India Toyota Asia’s Electrification Hub. The new facility, fourth outside Japan, has an annual installed capacity of 135,000 units making it the best-case point of India’s emergence as a global manufacturing hub for EV parts. The product is a core component in all Electrified Vehicle technologies (xEVs) including Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV), Plus-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FFV-SHEV).

Furthermore, apart from the localization of the electrified parts/components, TKAP has also been successful in localizing its plant and machineries that are being used to produce these local parts/components to a large extent.

Commenting on the development and expressing his gratitude to the Government, K N Prasad, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts, said “Given the renewed capability of Indian auto industry and the strong continued Government support through schemes such as PLI, we have made visible progress in establishing India as a critical manufacturing hub of advance, clean and efficient vehicles aimed at attending competitive pricing in the future,”

For rapid electrification, it is necessary to localize and manufacture EV parts in India at a global scale and quality. Hence, the mandatory local value addition criteria set by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India enables further competitiveness in the locally manufactured Advanced Automotive Technology products.

The robust and thorough SOP established by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and IFCI in consultation with stakeholders has enabled applicants to prepare appropriately and meet the established criteria.”

Over the years, Toyota Group of companies has been a significant contributor to the country’s “Make-in-India” Mission. The Group, including Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts and Toyota Industries Engine India have invested more than INR 16,000 crores until December 2023.

PNB Partners With IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited To Finance Agriculture Drones

Punjab National Bank (PNB), nation’s leading public sector bank, has entered into a significant partnership with IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for financing Agriculture Drones under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme.

The signing ceremony witnessed exchange of agreements between Sh. Kuldeep Singh Rana (PNB General Manager - Agriculture Division) and Sh. Deepak Bhardwaj (Director - IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited), in the presence of Sh. Sunil Kumar Chugh (PNB Chief General Manager - RAM & FI Division).

IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited is manufacturer of advanced agricultural drones used for agricultural spraying, broadcasting, crop health monitoring, aerial survey for land mapping and data collection. The integration of drones in agriculture operations not only optimises resource utilisation but also improves productivity.­­­­­­

This MoU underscores the joint commitment of the Bank and IoTechWorld to reduce farming costs and integrate an advanced drone ecosystem in the Indian agriculture sector.

Photo Caption: Sh. Kuldeep Singh Rana (PNB General Manager - Agriculture Division), Sh. Sunil Kumar Chugh (PNB Chief General Manager - RAM & FI Division) & Sh. Deepak Bhardwaj (Director - IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited) during the MoU signing between PNB and IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited to Finance Agriculture Drones.

Stay Motivated To Be Your Best With All-New Samsung Galaxy Fit3

* Galaxy Fit3, with its all-new design, helps users to work out smarter, understand their health better and enjoy enhanced connected experiences

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the launch of Galaxy Fit3, its newest fitness tracker that democratizes Samsung’s advanced health-monitoring technology, inspiring everyone to feel their best and adopt a healthier lifestyle. The Galaxy Fit3 is Samsung’s latest wearable device and boasts an aluminum body with a wider display, allowing users to keep track of their health and wellness data — from daily workouts to peaceful sleep — straight from their wrists, around the clock.

“In this new era of wellness, users desire a more comprehensive understanding of their health and Samsung has committed to providing users with advanced health monitoring tools to help them along their wellness journey,” said Aditya Babbar, Senior Director, MX Business, Samsung India. “As our newest fitness tracker, the Galaxy Fit3 underscores our commitment to providing accessible resources that encourage everyday wellness and inspire everyone to work on their best self.”

A Durable and Compact Tracker with a Larger, More Stylish Display

The Galaxy Fit3 is designed with an aluminum body and a 1.6-inch display, 45% wider than the previous model, making it easier for users to check detailed insights at a glance. Galaxy Fit3 is also lightweight and sleek with a comfortable fit, making it ideal for everyday use around the clock. Users can incorporate the Galaxy Fit3 into their lifestyles with ease thanks to its long battery life that can last up to 13 days. They can personalize their tracker and make it more stylish by selecting their favourite watch face from over 100 presets or setting their own photos as the background. Users can also effortlessly mix and match bands to complement their fashion and daily routines with a one-click button.

Keep a Pulse on Your Health Metrics Day and Night

Samsung has always prioritized sleep for better wellness, empowering users to understand their patterns and build healthier habits with advanced sleep monitoring tools. This commitment is reflected in the Galaxy Fit3. Users can comfortably wear their Galaxy Fit3 throughout the night while it tracks their sleep patterns, even detecting snoring and monitoring blood oxygen levels to provide more detailed measurements. Based on individual sleep patterns, the Galaxy Fit3 provides users with personalized Sleep Coaching with meaningful insights that help them more intuitively understand their sleep, leading them to make positive changes.

During the day, the Galaxy Fit3 allows users to keep an eye on their daily activities. Users can track over 100 types of workouts anytime, anywhere and review their exercise records easily, encouraging them to stay motivated to achieve their goals.  The Galaxy Fit3 features a 5ATM rating and IP68-rated water and dust resistance, meaning users can enjoy outdoor activities in a variety of environments, as well. The Galaxy Fit3 gives users an even deeper understanding of their overall health, by delivering health metrics that include heart rate and stress levels.

Stay Safe and Connected in the Galaxy Ecosystem

To provide users with a safety net, safety features including Fall Detection and Emergency SOS have been newly added to the Galaxy Fit3. When an abnormal fall is detected, the Galaxy Fit3 gives users the option to call emergency services right away to get medical support in a timely manner. When users are in an emergency, they can send an SOS immediately by pressing the side button five times.

Galaxy Fit3 users can also access an array of capabilities within the connected Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, for an enhanced wearable experience. Users can utilize the Galaxy Fit3 as a controller right on their wrist, not only as a remote control for their smartphone camera when taking photos and setting timers with Camera Remote, but also to play and control media on their connected device. For a seamless experience, when users don’t want to be disturbed or get ready for bed, they can automatically sync modes between their Galaxy Fit3 and paired smartphone. If a smartphone is misplaced, users can easily locate it with the Find My Phone feature on the Galaxy Fit3, or vice versa.

Price and Availability

The Galaxy Fit3 will be available starting February 23 on Samsung.com as well as other on leading online and offline retail stores.

Galaxy Fit3  INR 4999

Instant multi-bank cash back INR 500

Sennheiser Joins AVPL initiative To Play Cricket And Bring Entire Industry Together On A Sporting Platform

Sennheiser, a premier provider of advanced professional audio solutions, took part in the AVPL league (Audio Visual Premier League) held on February 17th and 18th. The event stands as a unique and collaborative initiative within the Indian AV Industry. Through interactive activities, it fosters networking, and team cohesion, and promotes health and wellness among AV professionals, integrators, OEMs, consultants, and distributors nationwide. The events aim to cultivate a strong sense of camaraderie and community within the AV industry.

The cricket tournament featured 120 + players (10 teams + 22 sponsors) competing in a round-robin format cricket tournament, with matches taking place and after party. Sennheiser, a leading professional audio brand also owned the team called strikers where Naveen Sridhara, Director of Sales and Business Communication at Sennheiser India, was the part of the organizing committee. He spearheaded the tournament and ensured that everyone had a great experience and an enjoyable time, including the families who came to watch the game.

The other players that participated from the renowned brand teams are as follows:

·         Q-SYS

·         AVI SPL

·         Sigma AVIT

·         Unilumin

·         Wesco anixter

·         Epson

·         Crestron

"We're delighted to be a part of the AVPL tournament as it provides an opportunity to connect with top players in the AV industry," stated Naveen Sridhara, Director of Sales and Business Communication at Sennheiser India. "This event offers sports enthusiasts within the AV sector a fantastic chance to unite and relish high-level competition."

The AVPL is dedicated to promoting and growing the competitive sports scene by providing a platform for players to showcase their skills and connect with others who share their passion for sports.

About the Sennheiser brand

We live and breathe audio. We are driven by the passion to create audio solutions that make a difference. Building the future of audio and bringing remarkable sound experiences to our customers – this is what the Sennheiser brand has represented for more than 75 years. While professional audio solutions such as microphones, meeting solutions, streaming technologies and monitoring systems are part of the business of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG, the business with consumer devices such as headphones, soundbars and speech-enhanced hearables is operated by Sonova Holding AG under the license of Sennheiser. 

www.sennheiser.com

www.sennheiser-hearing.com

Dozee Unveils Fall Prevention Alert Feature For Enhanced Patient Safety

Dozee, India’s first AI-based contactless remote patient monitoring (RPM) & early warning system (EWS), announced the launch of its innovative Fall Prevention Alert (FPA) feature aimed at revolutionizing patient safety in hospitals. The unveiling took place at the prestigious 11th International Health Dialogue in Bengaluru, where healthcare professionals and experts gathered to discuss advancements in healthcare.

As per World Health Organization (WHO), patient falls are the most frequent adverse event in hospitals. They state that falls are the second leading cause of deaths due to unintentional injuries, and represent one of the most prevalent patient safety incidents in healthcare facilities worldwide. As a result, fall prevention needs to be the foremost parameter for improving patient safety. According to a recent study, falls occur at a mean rate of 6.6 per 1000 occupied bed days (OBDs) in the United States alone, with up to 30% resulting in physical injury, including fractures.

According to recent research, In India, the impact of falls is particularly significant, with an estimated 1.5–2 million older adults experiencing fall-related injuries annually, and 1 million succumbing to fall-related fatalities. Beyond the human toll, falls also impose substantial financial burdens, including increased patient care expenses and liability costs.

The Fall Prevention Alert (FPA) feature by Dozee revolutionizes patient safety with its real-time monitoring capabilities and proactive alerts. Leveraging advanced technology, including the Dozee Sensor Sheet's bed exit logging, FPA offers customizable alerts for high-risk patients, ensuring prompt intervention. With audio and visual cues, nurses are instantly notified when patients attempt to leave their beds, enabling timely assistance and reducing the risk of falls. Org-level configurations further streamline workflow, making FPA a comprehensive solution to enhance patient safety in healthcare settings.

Dozee enables healthcare workers to remotely monitor patients’ vital parameters such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, SPO2 levels, temperature, and ECG. Dozee’s Early Warning System (EWS) tracks the trends of vital parameters and provides alerts to healthcare providers for early detection of patients' clinical deterioration, enabling timely medical intervention. Dozee uses AI-based Ballistocardiography (BCG) for contactless vitals monitoring. Dozee’s technology is patented and made in India. Dozee’s innovative technology significantly impacts patient safety, clinical outcome, and operational efficiency. Research done by independent consulting firm Sattva shows that for every ~100 Dozee connected beds, it can save ~144 lives and ~80% of the time taken for vitals by nurses and reduce ICU ALOS by ~1.3 days.

Dr. Sandeep Reddy, Consultant, MS Ramaiah Hospital commented on the launched announcement stating ‘As clinicians, we've witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of falls on patients' health and well-being within hospital settings. The Fall Prevention Alert feature by Dozee offers a critical layer of protection, enabling healthcare teams to proactively monitor and intervene when patients are at risk of falls. This technology not only enhances patient safety but also streamlines our clinical workflow, allowing us to deliver more effective and responsive care”.

Mr. Mudit Dandwate, CEO & Co-Founder, Dozee, added, "The Fall Prevention Alert feature is another milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance patient safety. With real-time monitoring and proactive alerts, healthcare professionals can now intervene promptly, mitigating the risk of falls and improving patient outcomes. We are committed to leveraging technology to address pressing healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes. The Fall Prevention Alert feature is set to transform patient safety quotients in hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide."

The launch of the Fall Prevention Alert (FPA) feature by Dozee marks a significant stride towards enhancing patient safety in healthcare settings. With its cutting-edge technology and proactive approach to fall prevention, Dozee continues to demonstrate its commitment to revolutionizing healthcare practices in India and beyond.

About Dozee

Dozee is India’s first AI-based contactless Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) & Early Warning System (EWS) for Enhanced Patient Safety. With a mission to develop & deploy intelligent technologies, solutions, and networks, Dozee enables continuous patient monitoring to provide a continuum of care, early warning systems, and responses to save lives. Supported by the Government of India through BIRAC, Dozee is on a path to steer the trajectory of the public and private healthcare ecosystem.

With the aim of providing connected health in every bed, Dozee strives to improve access to quality healthcare and put patient safety first with its vision #HarBedDozeeBed. Dozee tracks vital parameters such as the Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure, Blood Oxygen Saturation, and Skin Temperature with clinical grade accuracy. By automating patient monitoring through Dozee, nearly 2.5 hours of nursing time is saved per day.

Dozee is a truly ‘Made in India’ innovation with global standards in patient safety, data security, privacy, and reliability - trusted by top-of-the-line healthcare providers across the country. The system is USFDA cleared, IEC 60601 -1-2, RoHS certified and CDSCO registered. Dozee has received ISO 13485:2016 certification for its Quality Management System (QMS) and ISO 27001:2013 for Information Security Management.

Dozee was founded in October 2015 by IIT graduates Mudit Dandwate and Gaurav Parchani. With breakthrough clinical innovations, Dozee continues to reimagine health and create a future where healthcare is smarter and connected.

Visit https://www.dozee.health/  for additional information.

Photo Caption: Mudit Dandwate, CEO & Co-Founder, Dozee, Dr. Sandeep Reddy, Consultant, MS Ramaiah Hospital & Gaurav Parchani, Co-Founder & CTO, Dozee at the launch of Fall Prevention Alert.

Doctors At Nethradhama Successfully Performs Rare Paediatric Eye Surgery; Restores Full Vision In An 8-Month-Old Baby

·         The baby’s mother also had the same condition when she was a year old, and the same doctor had successfully done the surgery to restore her vision 22 years back

Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, a pioneering institution in eye care, performed a high-risk paediatric cataract surgery for an 8-month-old baby in Bangalore. The phacoemulsification surgery was led by renowned eye surgeon - Dr Sri Ganesh, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospitals. The surgery was completed successfully on both eyes within 30 minutes.

The 8-month old female baby patient, was born with a case of congenital cataracts on both her eyes. This is a condition where the lens of the eyes is cloudy instead of being clear after birth, making them blind. The surgery was conducted at Nethradhama’s Centre of Excellence in Jayanagar. The 8-month old patient has regained full vision, and is reported to be recovering well as updated by the team of doctors, since the surgery. The baby’s mother also had the same condition, and the same doctor had successfully done the surgery to restore her vision 22 years back.

Speaking on the success of the rare surgery, Dr. Sri Ganesh added, “We are delighted to provide a new lease of life to this baby, by restoring her vision. For the first time in eight months, the baby was able to see her mother, and this gives us immense joy and satisfaction. At Nethradhama, our emphasis always lies on patient-centricity, quality and care. Keeping in mind our motto to provide vision care par excellence, we will continue making inroads in our surgical practice and expertise to stay at the forefront of technological advancements that enhance patient satisfaction.”

Explaining the medical condition, Dr Sri Ganesh said that the baby had bilateral posterior polar congenital cataract, which is a complex condition. The technique for operating on babies and IOL power calculation is different from adults. The cataract was aspirated with a micro-incision followed by a posterior capsulorehxis and anterior vitrectomy. The IOL power was calculated after performing scans under anaesthesia during the surgery and a foldable IOL was implanted.

The anaesthesia team is very important in managing such cases and the team headed by Dr Suman Shree was able to smoothly anaesthetise the child and monitor all the vital parameters, controlling the intraocular pressure during surgery, which was very important. 

Expressing her gratitude, the mother of the 8-month old baby said, “I am immensely thankful to Dr. Sri Ganesh and his team for their unwavering support throughout this journey. We were apprehensive at first, however, the medical team’s expertise and compassionate care reassured us every step of the way. Today, I am extremely happy that my baby can see the world. We truly feel fortunate to have received such remarkable care and hospitality.”

Nethradhama specialises in latest laser cataract surgical techniques and advanced paediatric eye care methods, has been ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients. Dr Sri Ganesh with his impeccable track record in high-risk surgeries, he has earned the trust of fellow ophthalmologists globally. He has performed over 100,000 Phaco surgeries and 50,000 Refractive surgeries till now.

Emirates To Expand Its South American Network With Launch Of Services To Bogotá from June 3

* Emirates to operate daily flights to Bogotá via Miami on widebody three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft

The airline’s flights on Bogotá-Miami sector to introduce premium services on popular route, including lie-flat seats in First Class and Business Class, generous baggage allowance, complimentary dining and in-flight entertainment

Bogotá to become Emirates’ fourth gateway in South America and airline’s network to expand to 19 points across the Americas

India – 21 February 2024: Emirates today announced it will launch a new daily service from Dubai to the Colombian capital, Bogotá, starting 3 June.

As well as connecting Colombia with the United Arab Emirates, the new services will establish a historic first-ever link between the greater Middle East region and the northern part of the South American continent. Emirates’ entry into Bogotá will expand its South American network to four gateways, complementing its scheduled services to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. The latest destination will also enhance the airline’s operations in the Americas to now serve 19 points across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.

The daily services will link Dubai and Bogotá via Miami, with Emirates set to become the first airline to offer a host of premium services on the popular route between south Florida and Colombia.

Commenting on the launch of the new route and destination, Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “We’ve long wanted to serve Colombia, and the addition of Bogotá to our network is part of our strategy to deliver better connectivity, expand options and choice for travellers and provide unparalleled premium experiences on the ground and in the air. The launch of our daily operations to the dynamic capital of Colombia also underscores our deep commitment to South America, and is poised to foster increased business and leisure travel opportunities for customers.

“There is a huge demand for travel to and from Bogotá and we can’t wait for customers to experience Emirates’ signature products and services on the flights between Bogotá and Dubai as well as between Bogotá and Miami. We would like to thank all the authorities involved for supporting our plans and making this new route possible. We look forward to adding value to the new communities served and building new partnerships to promote tourism and trade.”

The daily flights to Bogotá, South America’s second largest city by population, will help cater to strong and growing demand for air travel between Colombia and the United Arab Emirates as well as between Colombia and numerous destinations on Emirates’ global network beyond Dubai which are not served directly from Bogotá. It will also provide convenient flights between Bogotá and Miami, allowing travellers to fly between the two cities in unprecedented style and comfort. Due to the high altitude of the city of Bogotá, it is not possible to operate a non-stop flight from Dubai, deeming a stopover necessary. Miami was selected due to its tourism and trade links with Bogotá.

Passengers on flights in both directions between Dubai and Bogotá should meet entry regulations for the United States and hold the required documents, due to immigration procedures in Miami. Colombian and UAE citizens can enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days in Dubai and Bogotá respectively, thanks to reciprocal visa arrangements in place between both countries.

Tickets to Bogotá go on sale today for flights starting 3 June and can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via travel agents.

Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will offer 354 seats across three cabins and will raise the bar for premium services on the Bogotá – Miami route. Lie-flat seats in First Class and Business Class, complimentary food and beverage, and a generous free baggage allowance (conditions apply) are amongst the firsts that Emirates will introduce on the direct services connecting Colombia and the U.S.

Emirates’ customers can also sit back and relax with complimentary access to more than 6,500 channels of carefully curated global entertainment content, including in Spanish, featuring movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, games, audiobooks and more with ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.

The new Boeing 777-300ER services will also offer up to 20 tonnes tonnes of capacity for cargo on each flight, opening up access to more global markets for Colombian exports such as fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables and other perishable goods.  

Celebrating the launch of Emirates’ services to Colombia, His Excellency Germán Umaña Mendoza, Colombia’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism said: “The launch of the new route between Bogotá and Dubai marks a major milestone in expanding the connectivity of our country, allowing us to strengthen trade, investment and tourism. As part of the government of President Gustavo Petro, our goal is to guarantee opportunities for the development and prosperity of communities in all of our territories and, in doing so, we remain committed to providing the framework to support foreign investment.”

On the new route launch, His Excellency Sergio París Mendoza, Director General, Aerocivil Colombia said:  "In the realm of international relations, Colombia forges pathways to new realms of collaboration and understanding. Today, we rejoice in the inauguration of an air link with the vibrant city of Dubai, marking not only a connection between destinations but also symbolizing our nation's steadfast commitment to global integration. The Arab nations bear witness to a thriving and diverse Colombia, poised to cultivate bonds of friendship and prosperity transcending geographical boundaries. At this pivotal moment, we reaffirm our dedication to collaborating closely with our Arab counterparts towards mutual development and peace. May this new air route via Emirates Airline herald the commencement of a journey abundant in opportunities and shared successes. May each journey between our nations serve as a beacon of cooperation, dialogue, and empathy. May the bond between Colombia and the Arab countries endure eternally, flourishing in prosperity."

"Airlift expansion is crucial to increasing visitation and the economic impact tourism has on the state of Florida," said Visit Florida President and CEO, Dana Young. "We are thrilled that Emirates will now connect its daily Dubai to Miami flight with Bogotá offering additional opportunities for us to welcome Colombian travelers to the Sunshine State."

Bogotá’s status as a major centre for tourism, education and culture has earned it its nickname of the “Athens of South America.” It is also a thriving hub for finance, boasts a large presence of multinational companies, and has become a MICE destination due to its appeal as a central location in the Americas.

While Dubai is expected to be the final destination for the majority of travellers on the Bogotá-Dubai route, other top destinations for travellers include mainland China and Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Johannesburg, Cairo and Delhi. The Bogotá-Dubai flights are conveniently timed to provide seamless connectivity if travelling onwards from Dubai.

Emirates’ flights will also facilitate convenient inbound connections to Bogotá through Dubai from 78 destinations in its extensive network and generate new passenger flows to Bogotá from high-growth markets such as the UAE, India, China, the wider Middle East, Far East and Australasia.

Whether traveling to or through Dubai, travellers can enjoy sun-soaked beaches, heritage activities, world class hospitality and leisure facilities, and a variety of world-class experiences.

About Emirates

Emirates’ 37 years in India have been defined by progressive investment, partnership and growth. In October 1985, Emirates launched flights from Dubai to Delhi and Mumbai which formed the base of its initial route network. Since then, Emirates has grown its India operations to serve a total of nine destinations across India – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. For more information on Emirates’ current operations, network, travel support, guidance, customer and employee safety, visit www.emirates.com 

Centuary Mattresses Say SleepCooler Sleep Better WWith Qoolest Launch This Summer: Q-Gel Mattress Powered By CuSense Tech

 

* Introducing Two Qool Variants: Q-Gel Luxury and Q-Gel Comfort, offers Qool Sleep and comfort with a seven-year warranty

Introducing the Qoolest addition to Centuary mattresses’ portfolio, India’s Sleep Specialist, unveils its Q-Gel Mattress range to redefine the sleep experience with innovative CuSense Technology. Promising to elevate comfort to a whole new level, the evolutionary mattress leverages the latest in CuSense technology, addressing the need for a comforting and qool sleep experience. As customers increasingly prioritize the importance of good sleep, this innovation ensures enhanced rest and relaxation.

Crafted with precision, the mattress features a Viscose Fabric Cover with EuroTop Finish, offering a lavish feel and enhanced comfort. The Q-Gel Copper Crystal Memory Foam infused with CuSense Technology ensures effective heat management for a restful sleep experience. Designed with Ergo-soft Transition Foam and Centrik Pro Responsive Contour Foam, this mattress provides exceptional body support and airflow regulation.

The Q-Gel Mattress irresistible launch offer includes a Flat 10% off + Free special CuSense Pillow Set and Anti-microbial Bed Sheet with pillow covers with every purchase of Q-Gel Mattress with terms and conditions applying.

The Q-Gel Mattress comes in two variants – the Q-Gel Luxury and the Q-Gel Comfort

The Q-Gel Luxury, available in an 8-inch thickness, provides a soft and plush feel with its EuroTop finish and comes with a 7-year warranty. Crafted with CertiPUR-US certified materials, this foam mattress ensures a rejuvenating sleeping experience. Its unique features include CuSense Technology for a Qool and breathable sleep, Centrik Pro responsive cushioning with advanced airflow technology, an Grip+ fabric ensuring a disturbance-free sleep, a quilted designer border with Active edge support, shape-contouring memory foam for eliminating body pressure points, and Hi-Rez foam with X-Bounce Anti Sag technology. The Q-Gel Luxury comes in single, queen, and king sizes, with price points of INR 24938, 39465, and 47752, respectively.

The Q-Gel Comfort is a 6-inch foam mattress with a soft firmness level, tight-top finish, and a 7-year warranty. Its advantages include Q-Gel Copper Crystals, CuSense Technology, Centrik Pro Responsive Foam, Ergo-soft Transition layer, Anti-skid Base fabric, Certi-PUR US Certification, and antimicrobial properties integrated into its layers. The Q-Gel Luxury comes in single, queen and king sizes, with price points of INR 24,938, 39,465 & 47,752, respectively.

Centuary Mattress aims to make the Q-Gel Mattress accessible to consumers across the nation, targeting PAN India markets. Initially available offline and on centuaryindia.com, the mattress range will soon be accessible on various online platforms. This latest addition to Centuary's portfolio is a response to the market's demand for a cooler and more comfortable sleep experience in the mid-premium price range.

With a legacy spanning over three decades, Centuary Mattress is India's fastest-growing mattress brand, recognized as India's Sleep Specialist. This brand has consistently innovated in the mattress space, offering a comprehensive range of sleep solutions. For more information, visit Centuary Mattress at https://www.centuaryindia.com/.

About Centuary Mattress:

With a legacy spanning over 3 decades, Centuary Mattress, popularly known as India’s Sleep Specialist, is India’s fastest-growing mattress brand and the veritable pioneer of the comfort & bedding industry in India. With its roots in Hyderabad; Centuary brand has constantly innovated and established itself as a front-runner in the mattress space while exponentially expanding its product range and geographical footprint. Today, the brand offers a comprehensive range of sleep solutions such as spring mattresses, foam mattresses, coir mattresses, memory foam mattresses and orthopaedic mattresses. Centuary has a separate product range for the online customers under the brand name ‘Sleepables by Centuary’.

Apart from this, understanding that the needs of a growing baby’s body are different from adults, Centuary launched a special baby mattress collection under the brand name Beddy by Centuary. Centuary Mattresses is the first ISO-certified mattress brand in India. Centuary Mattress, has secured the CertiPUR-US certification for developing high-quality products and complying with the global agency CertiPUR-US’s quality standards and environmental norms.

The company has become one of the few Indian brands to get the CertiPUR-US certification. Shree Malani foams, (part of the Centuary group) is also one of the largest exporters of Mattresses and is recognized as a Star Export House by the Ministry of commerce and industry. The company has pioneered many innovative technologies in the country such as Copper Gel; Micro Springs; and more recently Centuary Protect – an Antimicrobial shield on all its mattresses (which is recommended by the National Health Academy).

Centuary Mattresses has established a strong presence in the country across 18 states with 4500+ dealers and 450+ exclusive brand stores. It has manufacturing plants located in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, company-operated sales depots in Pune, Bangalore, Warangal, Vizag, Vijayawada, Kurnool, Sambalpur and sales offices across South, East, and West India.

SonicWall Threat Data Exposes Depths Of Cyberattacks; Propels The Need For Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

India trends :

Decrease in Malware attacks from 2022 to 2023 by 12%

Ransomware Attacks up by 10% and is the 10th highest country for ransomware in the world

IOT attacks at a high of 327%

Overall attacks attempts climb (+20%), as threat actors diversify tactics - increase in attacks around the globe

Ransomware intensifies through the year (+27% in 2H) peaking during the summer months (+37%)

Total cryptojacking volume – spikes +659% globally 

IoT exploit (+15%) and encrypted threats (+117%) also on the rise

SonicWall discovered 293,989 ‘never-before-seen’ malware variants – 805 a day

SonicWall today released the 2024 SonicWall Annual Cyber Threat Report, which exposes all types of cyber behaviors and trends from digital adversaries to help partners build data-driven solutions to keep customers safe. 2023 proved to be a year of volatile, adaptive and creative digital threats, as threat actors continue to be relentless in their assault, leaving organizations looking for another layer of defense.

Organizations are increasingly turning to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to alleviate pressure on IT departments. Managed services have emerged as a game-changing solution, providing organizations with an additional human-layer of defense, addressing alert fatigue, and freeing up valuable resources and time for core business functions.

“The SonicWall 2024 Threat Report reveals that the threat landscape continues to grow in complexity and depth as threat actors adopt new tactics and platforms,” said SonicWall President and CEO Bob VanKirk. “It has become clear that conventional network security isn’t enough. Security professionals need assistance to cope with the overwhelming volume of cyberattacks and protect from the endpoint to the cloud. Especially as the cloud becomes an indispensable reality for businesses, the role of MSPs is shifting from technical maintenance to raising the bar on their customers security posture.”

Overall attack numbers climbed (+20%) totaling more than 1 billion attempts compared to the same time as last year. Global cryptojacking volume rose 659% and encrypted threat jumped 117%, as threat actors opted for a stealthier, less risky means of malicious activities. The data illustrates the tenacious and evolving state of cyber threats, underscoring the need for businesses to continually adapt their security strategies, and serves as a call for organizations to lean on MSPs to help identify and remediate threats quickly.

Evolved, Diversified Attack Vector

“When it comes to protecting your most valuable assets, organizations must remain alert, and deploy proactive cybersecurity measures, and focus on the threats that actually matter,” said SonicWall Executive Vice President of Managed Security Services Michael Crean. “Today’s organizations demand an integrated approach for end-to-end managed threat protection enabling MSPs to help customers navigate the cybersecurity landscape with confidence and resilience – giving them a distinct competitive edge.”

Cybercriminals and nation states are adapting their abilities to gain access to critical infrastructure, making the threat landscape even more complex and forcing organizations to reconsider their security needs. The second half of the 2023 saw a barrage of ransomware activity (+27%) and a variety of other attacks have trended up globally annually, including IoT exploit (+15%), intrusion attempts (+20%) and encrypted threats (+117%).

"In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, MSPs are the frontline defense protecting their customers and helping them spend more of their time managing their business’ needs,” said CTO of Compass MSP and longtime SonicWall partner Alex Tsukanov. “New threats are emerging every day, and MSPs use threat insights to build an actual plan with the necessary capabilities to keep our customers safe, like that found in the SonicWall’s threat report.” 

“The threat landscape continues to expand and threat actors continue to evolve their tactics and leverage all tools available to accomplish their nefarious means,” said Debasish Mukherjee, Vice President, Regional Sales, Asia Pacific Japan at SonicWall. “SonicWall continues to publish the Cyber Threat Report to provide threat intelligence to not only offer actionable insight, but to drive our roadmap and build solutions that help our partners. As the likelihood of being targeted continues to increase, yesterday’s safeguards are no longer enough.”

SMB to the Enterprise – The Surge Continues

While ransomware continues to be a threat, SonicWall Capture Labs threat researchers expect a broader set of actions in 2024, specifically targeting SMBs, governments and the enterprise. SonicWall sensors identify and prevent more than 19,000 threats per day.

The 2024 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report provides insight on a range of threats, including:

Malware – Total global malware volume rose 11% in 2023, with Latin America and the U.S. logging the biggest jumps – (+30%) and (+15%) respectively. Surprisingly, Europe saw a (-2%) decrease, with the UK seeing the steepest decline of -28%.

Ransomware – Overall ransomware numbers saw a -36% decline annually, the summer months and second half of the year suggests a strong rebound, as it spiked +37% during the summer months when compared to the same time last year.

IoT Exploit – Global volume rose 15%, as connected devices continue to rapidly multiply, bad actors are targeting weak points of entry as potential attack vectors into organizations.

Encrypted Threats – Yet another quieter approach embraced by bad actors in the last year was encrypted threats, which spiked (+117%) globally.

Patented RTDMI Discovered more than 294,000 ‘Never-Before-Seen’ Malware Variants

SonicWall’s patented Real-Time Deep Memory InspectionTM (RTDMITM) technology identified a total of 293,989 never-before-seen malware variants in 2023. The threat landscape remains complex, with almost 800 strains of new variants discovered each day.

To learn more about SonicWall and get the complete 2024 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report, visit www.sonicwall.com/threatreport.

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 is a cybersecurity forerunner with more than 30 years of expertise and is recognized as a leading partner-first company. With the ability to build, scale and manage security across the cloud, hybrid and traditional environments in real-time, SonicWall provides seamless protection against the most evasive cyberattacks across endless exposure points for increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled users. With its own threat research center, SonicWall can quickly and economically provide purpose-built security solutions to enable any organization—enterprise, government agencies and SMBs—around the world. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Tata Motors Empowers Women To Bring About A Socioeconomic Change With The Traditional Handicraft Of ‘Chikankari’

In a transformative journey unfolding in the rural heartland of India, women are intricately weaving threads of change to attain economic independence. Tata Motors Samaj Vikas Kendra (SVK) has helped these women master the craft of ‘Chikankari’ and organise themselves into groups to run a successful business venture basis this skill. The project has had an enduring impact on other women leading to active engagement of more than 150 women to form SHGs and actively engage in credit and thrift activities thus mobilising a remarkable Rs.25 lakhs over the past 16 years.

Tata Motors SVK began work on this project in 2007 wherein they worked on a two prong strategy, to revive the handicraft also linking it to social economic development of women. SVK established a dedicated training centre for women from 15 villages in and around, to equip them with the required skillset and apprise them of the market trends. In 2011, the scope of the SHG Federation programme was enhanced to include newer skillsets like production of jute bags, candles, herbal Gulal, cloth bags, artificial jewellery, etc.

Tata Motors also helped these women leverage various women welfare schemes run by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to enhance their skills and tap into opportunities to generate income. Now these women are serving as harbingers of change wherein they have not just attained financial freedom but fostered a social change breaking down societal barriers thus paving way for gender equality.

Mr. Vinod Kulkarni, CSR Head at Tata Motors, stated, "SHG Federation is a 360 degree programme wherein we help women join hands to develop their own enterprise as a group to attain financial freedom which in turn helps them uplift their socioeconomic status. It is believed that gender equality and empowerment of women is key to the success of the Millennium Development Goals. The success of the programme showcases our determination and commitment to pave way for an equitable society."

New One UI 6.1 Update Brings Galaxy AI To More Galaxy Devices

Samsung Electronics today announced the availability of Galaxy AI features on more Galaxy devices through a new One UI 6.1 update engineered to further the democratization of mobile AI. The update will be available across the Galaxy S23 series, S23 FE, Z Fold5, Z Flip5 and Tab S9 series, starting to roll out from the end of March. Aligning with the recently launched Galaxy S24 series, this update elevates the standard of users’ mobile AI experience through a hybrid approach that combines on-device and cloud-based AI.

“Our goal with Galaxy AI is not only to pioneer a new era of mobile AI but also to empower users by making AI more accessible,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “This is only the beginning of Galaxy AI, as we plan to bring the experience to over 100 million Galaxy users within 2024 and continue to innovate ways to harness the unlimited possibilities of mobile AI.”

Communication That Transcends Barriers

Even more Galaxy users will now be able to take advantage of the communication-enhancing Galaxy AI features available on AI-supported models. The features include the ability to adjust message tone and translate messages in 13 different languages using Chat Assist. Galaxy users can experience the power of real-time interactions through Live Translate, which provides voice and text translations for phone calls. With Interpreter, users can also engage in spontaneous conversations with locals while traveling as the split-screen feature generates text translations for live conversations.

Productivity Unparalleled

The broader integration of Galaxy AI across the Galaxy ecosystem also enables a seamless user experience in day-to-day tasks on AI-supported models, driving new levels of efficiency. Search functions are improved through Circle to Search with Google, which generates intuitive search results with a swift circle-motioned gesture. Life-enhancing organization features such as Note Assist allow users to create formats, generate summaries and translate notes, while Browsing Assist enables individuals to stay up to speed faster by generating comprehensive summaries of news articles. Transcript Assist can also easily transcribe meeting recordings and generate summaries and translations.

Unstoppable Creativity for Your Inner Artist

With Galaxy AI, Samsung is doubling down on its role in unlocking individuals’ creative potential. Galaxy’s latest update delivers a suite of Galaxy AI tools that encourages creative freedom even after a photo is taken. Through Generative Edit, AI-supported devices can easily resize, reposition or realign objects in photos to perfect a great shot. Users can also polish any photo faster and easier than ever with Edit Suggestion. No need for multiple re-shots as Instant Slow-mo10 can generate additional frames for slow-motion videos to capture action-packed moments.

Creativity and personalization do not stop there. Customizing Galaxy devices is even easier than before through AI-generated wallpapers, enabling AI-supported devices to bring users’ creativity to life.

Toyota Innova HyCross Surpasses 50,000 Sales Milestone Across India

* Launched in November 2022, The Innova HyCross - latest in the Innova family

* Innova Hycross celebrates Toyota’s globally recognized Quality, Durability and Reliability backed by advanced technology

* Achievement underscores unshakeable customer trust in successive generations of brand Innova

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), today, announced that cumulative sales of its popular model Innova HyCross has clocked sales of over 50,000 units since its launch in November, 2022.

Based on the latest Toyota Global Architecture (TNGA) the versatile Innova HyCross is a vehicle for every occasion owing to its glamor quotient, advanced technology, comfort along with safety and thrill to drive. Boasts of several first in segment features including Paddle shift, Powered Ottoman 2nd row seats, Front Ventilated seats, Air conditioner (Dual zone – front and rear zone), Rear Retractable Sunshade, Electrochromic Inner Rear View Mirror (EC IRVM), Power Back Door and Dual Function Daytime Running Light (DRL). 

The Innova HyCross is powered by 5th Generation Self-Charging Strong Hybrid Electric System with TNGA 2.0 Litre 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a monocoque frame with an e-drive sequential shift delivering a max power output of 137 kW (186 PS), providing rapid acceleration and best in segment fuel economy. The vehicle also comes with the option of a TNGA 2.0 Litre 4-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a direct shift CVT in select grades delivering an output of 129 kW (174 PS).

Being a Self-Charging Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV), the Innova HyCross is capable of running 40% of the distance and 60% of the time in electric (EV) or zero emission mode.***

Commenting on the success, Mr. Sabari Manohar, VP sales and marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We are thrilled that the Innova Hycross has achieved 50,000 units sales milestone within a short span of fourteen months from launch. We are extremely thankful for the response and confidence entrusted by our customers on this product. Innova HyCross was a success right from the day of its launch and the product has seen strong customer acceptance from our target audience. With its launch, The Innova Hycross has revolutionized the idea of comfort, convenience, performance, and safety within the MUV segment. Moreover, we are immensely proud of the Innova Hycross for carrying forward the cult legacy of the Innova brand

We are confident that the HyCross will continue to garner affection from customers and will consistently redefine mobility experience through its exceptional performance.

Looking ahead into 2024 and beyond, we look forward to delighting many more customers with our best-in-class products and services in the years to come that will steer us closer to our ultimate goal of delivering 'Mass Happiness to All.”

The success of the product can also be attributed to the awesome and class leading service benefits including warranty. The Innova HyCross offers the renowned Toyota experience through a warranty of 3 years/100,000 kilometers and an option of extended warranty of up to 5 years/220,000 kilometers, 5-years free roadside assistance, attractive financial schemes and 8 yrs/160,000 kilometers warranty on the Hybrid battery. In addition, the company also recently launched an industry-first “Awesome New Car Delivery Solution” that extends vehicle logistic services till delivery touchpoints by eliminating possible drive down of new cars by the dealer staff to the delivery location. As an industry first, the new initiative will enable Toyota dealers to transport new vehicles from dealer stockyards to their sales outlets on a flat-bed truck.

As a trusted mobility partner over the years, TKM has sold over 2.3 million units of vehicles in India with its strong and versatile product line-up. The journey began with the iconic Qualis to its recent offerings of the New Rumion, New Vellfire. Models produced include the iconic Hilux, Camry Hybrid and the Glanza, the people’s car Innova HyCross and the Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

*** Under specific test conditions for Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Stovekraft Celebrates Twin Achievements – Opens 150th Store; Bags Award For Retail Excellence

~Fosters employment in Tier II & III cities across India; overcomes intense competition to win the ‘Retailer of the Year’ award in the Kitchen Appliances category~

It’s double celebration time at Stovekraft Ltd. This leading name in the kitchenware industry announced the opening of its 150th retail store in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, and also bagged the prestigious ‘Retailer of the Year’ award in the kitchen appliances category at the Asia Retail Congress, Mumbai.

Embarking on its retail journey only 15 months ago in June 2022, Stovekraft expanded to 100 stores in September 2023, and now 150 stores in January 2024, a milestone in the company’s growing retail presence in India. Thus, in just 5 months, the company added 50 stores to its retail chain, which currently employs more than 350 people.

Announcing that it has bagged the prestigious Global Award for Retail Excellence, Stove Kraft Limited, a modern cookware and lighting solutions player with 1,000+ products under its belt, said in the race to the podium, it faced intense competition from prominent brands. Stove Kraft however, emerged triumphant, securing the coveted title of ‘Retailer of the Year’ in the Kitchen Appliances category in an exclusive event organized by Asia Retail Congress in Mumbai recently.

The two events mark a significant moment in the company's growth journey and also reinforce its dedication to empowering and supporting the Indian workforce. By extending its retail footprint into tier 2 and 3 cities, the company has aided employment opportunities in cities beyond metropolitan areas and increased accessibility of innovative kitchen essentials to all. At the same time, the award is a vindication of its efforts to make cooking a joyful experience for everyone.

Speaking on these milestones, Mr. Rajendra Gandhi, Managing Director, Stovekraft Ltd., said, “We are thrilled at expanding the reach of our range of kitchen essentials closer to consumers across cities in both metro and non-metro areas. Through this effort, our focus is to create numerous job opportunities, support local talent, and contribute to the overall economic growth.

“At the same time, winning the Global Excellence Award ‘for Retailer of the Year’ is a testament to our relentless dedication to delivering exceptional products and services to our valued customers.”

The Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE) estimates that the overall unemployment rate in India is 7.95 percent as of July 2023. As businesses expand, they act as catalysts for employment, providing new opportunities to individuals across regions. As the nation steers towards empowering women in the workforce, Stovekraft has been consistent with initiatives to provide skill development to women and make them an important part of the company’s workforce. Currently, 80 percent of Stovekraft’s workforce is women.

In the effort to promote a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation and inclusivity, Stovekraft had earlier rolled out an exclusive franchisee opportunity for women with zero capex investment. This initiative received a good response and more than 500 women entrepreneurs applied for the opportunity.

This pioneer in innovative Cookware, Kitchenware Appliances, and Consumer Lighting is also investing in creating more outlets through the Company-Owned, Franchise-Operated (COFO) model, which will ensure greater entrepreneurial participation at lesser capital outlay.

Stovekraft is now present across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and New Delhi. The brand recently expanded in the Northern market, with currently 4 stores in New Delhi. This has created a substantial number of employment opportunities for individuals with diverse skill sets and backgrounds. Next on the agenda is expansion in Western India and further penetration in the North.

Stovekraft acknowledges its role in contributing to the economic landscape of the regions in which it operates. The company remains steadfast in its mission to set new benchmarks in the kitchenware industry, and this milestone is a testament to the company's vision for the future. The brand continues to innovate, ensuring that it stays at the forefront of providing cutting-edge and reliable kitchen solutions to its valued customers.

Stovekraft Ltd

Stovekraft Ltd (NSE/BSE: Stovekraft) stands as India’s premier kitchen appliances brand, established by Mr. Rajendra J Gandhi. Evolving from kerosene wick stoves in 1994, it now offers 1000+ products under Pigeon, Gilma, Black & Decker, and Pigeon LED. With a turnover exceeding Rs. 1000 Cr., its presence spans the nation through 600 distributors, 75,000+ retail touchpoints, 150 company-owned Pigeon Exclusive retail stores, and 60 Exclusive GILMA stores. Stovekraft's global footprint encompasses 14 countries, including the USA, Middle East, and Africa, serving clients like Walmart and Big Lots.

Stovekraft has the largest manufacturing facility for kitchen appliances in the Harohalli Industrial Area, Near Bangalore. The second manufacturing unit is at Baddi, Himachal Pradesh.

Bank of Baroda Raises Rs. 2,500 Crores At A Coupon of 7.57% P.A. Through The Issuance of Basel III Compliant Tier II Bonds

* The issue received a strong response from investors with a total of 83 bids amounting to Rs. 6,237 Crores

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks announced that it has raised Rs. 2,500 Crores through the issuance of Basel III Compliant Tier II Bonds Series XXVI. The Bank received a strong response from investors, which allowed it to price the issue at a very competitive coupon of 7.57% p.a, with the spreads narrowing on government securities (G-Sec).

The Bank received a total of 83 bids amounting to Rs. 6,237 Crores against the base issue size of Rs. 1,000 Crores and a Greenshoe option to retain oversubscription up to Rs. 1,500 Crores (total issue size of Rs. 2,500 Crores). This translates to ~6 times of the base issue size and ~2.5 times of the total issue size. The Bank accepted bids for Rs. 2,500 Crores at a coupon of 7.57% p.a.

These bonds are unsecured, listed, rated, subordinated, non-convertible, taxable, redeemable having a tenor of 10 years from deemed date of allotment with a 5-year call option.

The bidding of the bonds took place on 21st February, 2024 while the allotment was done on 22nd February, 2024.

About Bank of Baroda

Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of ~165 million through over 70,000 touch points spread across 17 countries in five continents and through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank’s vision matches the aspirations of its diverse clientele base and seeks to instil a sense of trust and security in all their dealings with the Bank.

Visit us at www.bankofbaroda.in

Aakash BYJU’S Celebrates Remarkable Success As 41,263 Students Clear JEE Mains 2024

* 4,198 score an impressive 95 percentile and above; 939 scored 99 percentile and above

* Aakash BYJU’S proudly announces a momentous achievement as approximately 41,263 of its students successfully cleared the JEE Mains first session 2024 examination. The results, declared by the National Testing Agency recently, reflect the dedication and hard work of the students coupled with the exceptional guidance provided by Aakash BYJU’S.

Among the successful 41,263 students, an impressive 4,198 students attained a percentile score of 95 and above, while a remarkable 939 students secured a percentile score of 99 and above, further solidifying Aakash BYJU’S position as a leading educational institution in India.

The outstanding performance of Aakash BYJU’S students is exemplified by the top scorers in the Classroom programmes. Rishi Shekhar Shukla from Hyderabad achieved a perfect 100 percentile, while Abhiraj Singh from Karnal, Sri Ram A from Trinulveli, and Viswanath K S from Hyderabad secured an exceptional percentile of 99.99 amongst others. Notably, Sri Ram A also attained a flawless score of 100 in Chemistry and Physics both whereas Viswanath K S from Hyderabad, Soukarya Bhattacharya from Kolkata, Akshat Banzal from Pune and Archisman Dhar from Durgapur scored a perfect 100 in Physics showcasing their exceptional understanding and proficiency in these subjects.

Enrolling in Aakash’s classroom program with the aspiration of conquering the formidable IIT JEE, renowned as the most challenging entrance exam globally. The students credit their ascent to the top percentiles to their dedication to comprehending fundamental concepts and maintaining a disciplined study regimen. “We are thankful to Aakash for aiding us in both aspects. Without the institute’s comprehensive content and coaching, mastering the concepts of numerous subjects within a short timeframe would have been unlikely,” they said.

Mr. Anup Agarwal, Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Aakash BYJU’S, extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the students for their outstanding performance. He said, "We take immense pride in the outstanding achievements of our students in the JEE Main 2024 results. Their remarkable success is a testament to their unwavering dedication, perseverance, and the invaluable support they've received from their families and our esteemed faculty. At Aakash BYJU’S, we strive to provide the highest quality test preparation, equipping our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their academic pursuits. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our students and wish them continued success in their future endeavors."

JEE (Mains) is structured in two sessions to provide students with multiple opportunities to enhance their scores. While JEE Advanced exclusively facilitates admissions to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), JEE Main serves as the gateway to numerous National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and other Centrally-aided engineering colleges across India. Participation in JEE Main is a prerequisite for appearing in JEE Advanced.

Aakash BYJU’S offers comprehensive IIT-JEE coaching through various course formats tailored for high school and higher secondary school students. Recently, Aakash has intensified its focus on developing Computer-Based Training. Its innovative iTutor platform delivers recorded video lectures, enabling students to engage in self-paced learning and catch up on missed sessions. Moreover, mock tests simulate real exam conditions, equipping students with the necessary familiarity and confidence to tackle the examination effectively.

About Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL)

Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) is India’s leading test preparatory company that specializes in providing comprehensive and effective preparation services for students preparing for high stakes Medical (NEET) and Engineering entrance examinations (JEE), School/Board exams and competitive exams such as NTSE and Olympiads.

AESL has a pan India network of over 315 centres with over 400,000+ currently enrolled students and has established an unassailable market position and brand value over the last 35 years. It is committed to providing the highest quality test preparation services to unlock students’ true potential and achieve success in their academic endeavours.

AESL takes a student-centric approach to test preparation, recognizing that every student is unique and has individual needs. It has a team of highly qualified and experienced instructors who are passionate about helping students achieve their dreams. The company’s programmes are designed to be flexible and its teaching methodologies are backed by the latest technologies to ensure that students are well-prepared for their exams.

AESL is a subsidiary of Think and Learn Pvt Ltd.

www.aakash.ac.in

Akshayakalpa Organic Signs MoU To Finance Smallholder Organic Dairy Farmers

~ Up to 1,500 Akshayakalpa farmers, in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana will benefit from the partnership ~

Akshayakalpa Organic has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with British International Investment plc (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, and Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Private Limited (Samunnati) to provide financing to up to 1,500 smallholder dairy farmers in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

The partnership will see BII extend guarantees for new and existing Akshayakalpa Organic smallholder farmers, who are typically outside of the formal lending ecosystem, to enable them to access formal financing in order to scale up their organic dairy business. This commitment is made through BII’s £200 million Climate Innovation Facility, announced by the UK Government at COP26 to provide finance for the most pioneering climate solutions in developing countries.

The MoU underscores Akshayakalpa Organic’s commitment to foster sustainable agricultural practices and empower local farming communities. The company, which is renowned for its dedication to organic and ethical dairy farming, will leverage this partnership to enhance the betterment of the farmers. This will be achieved through the provision of infrastructure, advanced technologies, and comprehensive support to the farmers in its network.

Through Akshayakalpa Organic’s engagement, farmers are supported to transition to organic and sustainable and regenerative farming practices to diversify their income streams, which increases milk production per cow by 2.3 times and increases crop productivity per acre while obtaining organic certification. Transitioning to this organic model is expected to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions per litre of milk produced by Akshayakalpa Organic’s farmers and contribute to climate change mitigation and sustainability of the dairy industry in India. 

The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Shashi Kumar, CEO & Co-founder, Akshayakalpa Organic, Mr. Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner - Karnataka & Kerala and HM Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia, Mr. Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO of Samunnati and Mr. Srini Nagarajan, Managing Director and Head of Asia at BII.

Mr. Shashi Kumar, CEO, & Co-founder, Akshayakalpa Organic, in expressing his enthusiasm on signing the MoU, stated: "This association with British International Investment and Samunnati’s Agri Commerce and Finance Solutions marks a significant milestone for Akshayakalpa. It not only validates our mission to promote sustainable and organic farming but also amplifies our ability to make a positive impact on the lives of our dedicated farmers. This will help us accelerate our plans of providing consumers with the finest organic dairy products while promoting ethical and sustainable farming practices across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. We are excited about the possibilities that this collaboration opens up for the future of agriculture in India."

Mr. Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner - Karnataka & Kerala and HM Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia, said: “The UK is committed to supporting environment-resilient farming initiatives in India through British International Investment. We look forward to working with organisations such as Akshayakalpa that are closely working with smallholder farmers to ensure sustainable farming practices that will help to improve food security in India.” 

Mr. Srini Nagarajan, Managing Director and Head of Asia at BII, said: “Promoting inclusion and sustainable practices are key pillars of BII’s strategy in India. As the UK’s DFI, BII is well placed to provide guarantees through this partnership to improve access to finance for smallholder farmers which will help to sustainably increase their productivity and improve their livelihoods, while helping to mitigate climate impact of the dairy industry in India.”

Mr. Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO of Samunnati, emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating: “The signing of this MoU marks a pivotal moment in our mission at Samunnati. We are privileged to partner with British International Investment and Akshayakalpa Organic in this endeavor. This collaboration not only acknowledges Akshayakalpa Organic’s impactful work in the agricultural sector but also signifies a shared commitment to positive transformation. Together, we aim to benefit both the farmers associated with Akshayakalpa Organic and the broader agricultural landscape.”

Mr. Anil Kumar SG further highlighted the broader mission, stating: “Samunnati's commitment extends beyond financial partnership. The company is dedicated to fostering sustainable practices and empowering local farming communities.”

The MoU not only serves as a testament to Akshayakalpa Organic's impactful work in the agricultural sector but also signifies a shared commitment to fostering sustainable practices and supporting local farming communities. This collaboration is poised to bring about positive transformation, benefiting both the farmers associated with Akshayakalpa Organic and the broader agricultural landscape.