Karnataka CMi Siddaramaiah Unveiled "27th Edition Of The Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 Brochure" At Bengaluru

Mr. Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and RDPR, Government of Karnataka, announced the 27th edition of Asia’s largest Technology Show, Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2024, at a Press Conference held in Bengaluru. Scheduled from November 19-21 2024 at the iconic Bangalore Palace, BTS 2024 will once again position Bengaluru at the forefront of global tech innovation & collaboration.

Ahead of this press conference, a Breakfast Meet was held where Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, engaged in an interactive session with over 200 CEOs from India’s leading IT, Semiconductor & Electronics, AVGC, Biotech and Startup organizations. This 2-hour interactive meet also saw the presence of Shri D.K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka; Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and RDPR, Government of Karnataka, Shri Prashanth Prakash, Chairman, Vision Group on Startups, Govt. of Karnataka and Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Dept. of E, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka. The goal of this meet was to foster an open dialogue between government officials and tech leadership, centered on Karnataka’s vibrant tech ecosystem and future prospects. The discussions were facilitated by prominent industry associations including NASSCOM, IESA, TiE Bangalore and ABLE.  The Department of Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology Govt. of Karnataka, also presented an 'Action Taken Report' addressing the industry representatives' feedback from the 2023 Breakfast Meeting.

An overview of the upcoming BTS 2024 was presented, with the continued event theme "Breaking Boundaries," highlighting how technology transcends traditional sector, country, culture, and industry boundaries. Karnataka, with Bengaluru at its heart, is a global technology hub known for its vibrant ecosystem fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. BTS 2024 takes forward this vision, creating unbound opportunities for idea exchange, business growth, and international collaborations. The unique feature of BTS is that all the leading industry associations like NASSCOM, IESA, ABLE, TiE Bangalore, ABAI as well as USIBC and AMCHAM partner with the event.

The multi-stage Conference at BTS 2024 will serve as a vibrant hub for the exchange of new ideas. Spanning six focused tracks over 3 days, the Conference will cover IT & Deep Tech, Biotech & Healthtech, Startup Ecosystem, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave and newly added Electro-Semicon track. The Conference will host over 85 sessions featuring 460+ speakers. Each of these tracks are curated by a committee of experts from the industry, research and academia. Special programs like the CEO Conclave, Startup Conclave, and Fireside Chats with renowned personalities will also be featured.

The newly introduced Electro-Semicon track will spotlight cutting-edge advancements in sectors such as Telecom, Mobility, Manufacturing, Consumer Electronics, and Semiconductors. This track will emphasize breakthroughs in electronic components, semiconductor technologies, and integrated circuits, showcasing innovations that are driving the future of these pivotal industries.

This year, there will be an increased focus on B2B meetings, allowing delegates and companies to engage in more structured and productive sessions. Attendees can schedule meetings with the prospects well in advance and connect with participants seamlessly during the event. The exciting lineup for BTS will be conveniently accessible through a dedicated Event App. The app will also provide real-time updates and personalized recommendations to enhance the overall event experience.

In addition, BTS2024 will also feature a Hackathon where problem statements from various government departments will be presented. Industry partners will provide necessary infrastructure, support, and mentorship to startups pitching solutions. The selected startups will have the opportunity to present their innovative solutions at BTS2024.

Strategic Roundtables with GCCs, investors, startup ecosystem, Beyond Bengaluru and more will be held to create a roadmap for Karnataka’s continued leadership. The International Exhibition with over 700 Exhibitors at BTS2024 will be a major hightlight with focused pavilions on Corporate & Industry, Global Innovation Alliance, Startup Zone, STPI National Showcase, MSME Pavilion, R&D Pavilion (Lab to Market), Leading States of India, Karnataka Showcase and Technology Parks. This year there is a special emphasis for the sectorial pavilions such as Biotech & Healthtech, Electro & Semicon, Telecom, Spacetech, Mobility, Greentech, Edutech, BFSI & Fintech and Animation & Gaming.

BTS 2024 will honor achievement and excellence at a prestigious Awards Ceremony, featuring accolades such as the STPI IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards, Startup & Investor Awards, and more.

This edition marks a milestone for one of its key show elements- the TCS Rural IT Quiz- as it celebrates its silver jubilee. The Finale of the BioQuiz will also be held during the event. These national level quiz competitions are aimed at creating a talent pool in IT and Biotech Sector. Another initiative, the Bio Posters- Walkway of Discovery, provides a platform for research students and graduates to showcase their innovative concepts and ideas, fostering recognition of young talent.

Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and RDPR, Government of Karnataka said, “Karnataka serves as the headquarters for major tech giants, GCCs, and leading unicorns. This success stems not only from the State's industry-friendly policies and programs, but also from our active engagement and collaboration with the complete tech ecosystem. We also deeply value our close association with Global Innovation Alliance Partners and with them, BTS attracts the world’s foremost leaders, innovators, and disruptors, drawing over 50,000 tech enthusiasts from India and more than 40 nations.”

BTS 2024 anticipates hosting several international Delegations from Global Innovation Alliance Partner Nations. The Global Collaborations Track in the Conference will feature sessions curated by these GIA Partner Countries. Tech nations worldwide will showcase their technological prowess in the International pavilion in the Exhibition.

BTS 2024 is expected to have participation from 40+ Countries, with 460+ Speakers in over 85 Sessions, 5000+ Delegates, 500+Start-Ups, 700+ Exhibitors,  with an overall expo footfall of 50,000+.

The Press Conference was also address by Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of E, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka; Shri B.V. Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission; Shri Shailendra Tyagi, Director, Software Technology Parks of India- Bengaluru, Shri Darshan H.V, IAS, Director, Dept. of E, IT, Bt and Managing Director, KITS, Govt. of Karnataka and Ms. Ruchi Bindal, IAS, Deputy Secretary, Dept. of E, IT, Bt, and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka.

Photo Caption : Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah unveiling the 27th Edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 brochure along with other dignitaries at the Breakfast Meet with CEOs from the industry at Taj Westend, Bengaluru.

GCPL Introduces Patented India’s First Indigenously Developed Mosquito Repellent Molecule In Goodknight Liquid Vapouriser

India has achieved a groundbreaking scientific milestone in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases. Scientists at Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), along with its partner, has developed 'Renofluthrin' – India’s first indigenously developed and patented molecule which makes the most efficacious liquid vapouriser formulation for mosquito control.

The formulations made with Renofluthrin is 2X more effective against mosquitoes, compared to any other registered formulation in liquid vapouriser format currently available in India. Rigorous testing and approval by the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) underscore its efficacy and safety. GCPL, which is the leader in household insecticides category, is introducing the Renofluthrin formulation in its new Goodknight Flash liquid vapouriser which is India’s most efficacious liquid vapouriser.

Every decade or so, new molecule formulations are needed to enhance efficacy against mosquitoes. With over 15 years since the last innovation, many people in India turned to highly potent repellent formats such as incense sticks that uses unregistered and illegal Chinese developed molecules. This has also triggered the influx of unregistered and illegal Chinese developed repellent molecules into India from various channels.  

GCPL has always pioneered launching safe and effective new molecule formulations. Thus,

GCPL and its partner extensively invested in research & development for over 10 years to develop ‘Renofluthrin’ and its formulations. Patented by a partner, GCPL holds exclusive usage rights of this molecule in India till medium term.

Commenting on the breakthrough of the molecule, Sudhir Sitapati, MD & CEO, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), said, “With a 127-year legacy of innovation, Godrej has introduced many homegrown innovations in India. Notably, we observed widespread use of mosquito repellents like incense sticks, containing unregistered and illegal Chinese molecules entering India from various channels. Renofluthrin is India’s first indigenously developed mosquito repellent molecule which will deter people from using products with illegal molecules. This innovation makes India self-reliant as now we don’t have to import molecules from international markets. Renofluthrin is effective against the most founded mosquito species such as Anopheles, Aedes and Culex, among others.”

Dr Samir Dalwai, a Prominent Developmental Pediatrician & Senior Member, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), said, "Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue illnesses not only cause severe health issues but also pose significant economic burdens. Therefore, it's imperative to have highly effective protection against mosquitoes. When prescribing solutions to combat these diseases, I prioritize efficacy, safety, and long-term reliability. The introduction of new molecule like Renofluthrin, will only help to curb mosquito-borne diseases. Renofluthrin offers broad-spectrum efficacy, targeting common mosquito species responsible for malaria and dengue. Its instant knock-down effect and residual protection make it a formidable tool in reducing mosquito populations and, consequently, the transmission of these diseases.”

Research by Goodknight reveals that 63% of Indians prioritize liquid vapourisers as their top choice for protecting their families from mosquitoes. In response, GCPL is introducing the revolutionary molecule Renofluthrin in the Goodknight Flash liquid vapouriser. The new liquid vapouriser will drive away mosquitoes 2X faster and works for 2 hours even after being switched off.

Sudhir Sitapati, further added, “GCPL enjoys exclusivity to use this patented Renofluthrin molecule in the medium term. This makes Goodknight Flash liquid vapouriser formulation 2X more effective than any other formulation available in market. While Renofluthrin will be in India for now, we foresee great potential for this molecule in international markets where we operate.”

Goodknight Flash is economically priced at around ~ INR 100 for the complete pack (refill + vapouriser machine), with refills available at just INR 85 each, serving consumers in small urban cities, towns, and rural areas across the country.

About Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL): 

Godrej Consumer Products is a leading emerging markets company. As part of the over 125-year young Godrej Group, we are fortunate to have a proud legacy built on the strong values of trust, integrity, and respect for others. At the same time, we are growing fast and have exciting, ambitious aspirations.

Today, our Group enjoys the patronage of 1.2 billion consumers globally, across different businesses. We rank among the largest Household Insecticide and Hair Care players in emerging markets. In Household Insecticides, we are the leader in India, the second largest player in Indonesia and are expanding our footprint in Africa. We are the leader in serving the Hair Care needs of women of African descent, the number one player in Hair Colour in India and Sub-Saharan Africa, and among the leading players in Latin America. We rank number two in Soaps in India and are the number one player in Air Fresheners and Wet Tissues in Indonesia.

But for us, it is very important that besides our strong financial performance and innovative, much-loved products, we remain a good company. Approximately 23 per cent of the promoter holding in our Group is held in trusts that invest in the environment, health, and education. We are also bringing together our passion and purpose to make a difference through our 'Good & Green' approach to create a more inclusive and greener India.

At the heart of all of this, is our talented team. We take much pride in fostering an inspiring workplace, with an agile and high-performance culture. We are also deeply committed to recognising and valuing diversity across our teams.

www.godrejcp.com

Zee Kannada's Grand Movie Premiere: 5 Directors, 5 Films, And 5 Mahanati Finalists Dazzle The Silver Screen

Zee Kannada, renowned for its commitment to promoting regional talent, has once again demonstrated its excellence through its show Mahanati. This innovative show, dedicated to introducing aspiring actresses to the silver screen, has captivated audiences and provided a valuable platform for emerging artists. Recently, the channel organised a premiere show where five revered Sandalwood directors created five short films featuring the finalists of Mahanati. It was a gala affair attended by all the judges Ramesh Aravind, Prema, Tarun Sudhir and Nishvika Naidu along with the Anchor of the show Anushree with all the contestants. The event was also graced by other members of the film and TV industry.

The show, Mahanati, is an innovative initiative by Zee Kannada, which stands as the first television program in Kannada designed to introduce aspiring actresses to the world of cinema. This groundbreaking show has now reached its grand finale, marking a significant milestone in its journey of discovering and nurturing talent. To mark the finale, Gagana from Chitradurga, Shweta Bhat from Karwar, Aradhana Bhatt from Moodbidre, Priyanka from Mysore, and Dhanyasree from Tarikere, showcased their skills in five short films. These films were directed by some of Sandalwood’s most esteemed directors - Shashank, Jayathirtha, Mansoor, Alemari Santoo, and Pannagabharana.

The screening of these short films took place on 11th July, Thursday at Srinivasa Cinema, Uttarahalli, and was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience. Attendees were treated to an inspiring showcase of talent, creativity, and dedication, with each film reflecting the unique vision of its director and the remarkable abilities of the actresses. The event not only highlighted the achievements of the finalists but also underscored Zee Kannada's role in nurturing and promoting artistic talent. The presence and support of the audience and media made the occasion even more special, providing encouragement and inspiration to the talented actresses as they embark on their cinematic journeys.

Mahanati’s mission has always been to facilitate a seamless transition for talented actresses from the small screen to the silver screen. The show has also introduced exciting and innovative concepts to television, such as enacting fight sequences, performing directly to the camera, and shooting song sequences. Now, the grand finale promises to be a spectacular celebration. So, stay tuned and watch the grand finale unfold on July 13th and 14th, 2024, from 7 PM to 9 PM!

Mahanati to bring the curtains down with a bang on 13th and 14th of July 2024 from 7PM to 9 PM, only on ZEE Kannada!

MediSim VR Launches Chennai's first Virtual Reality-Based Center Of Excellence For Medical Training At SRIHER

MediSim VR, a leader in healthcare simulation training technology, is excited to announce the establishment of Chennai’s first Center of Excellence (CoE) VR lab at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER). This state-of-the-art facility offers access to immersive and interactive VR- training for medical students across the nation. Since its inception, MediSim VR has benefited over 4,000 students, providing unparalleled access to immersive, hands-on medical training. The innovative VR technology employed in the lab offers realistic medical scenario simulations in a safe and controlled environment to prepare upcoming medical professionals with procedural competency, skills, and the confidence needed to care for their patients.

MediSim VR uses Virtual Reality to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application to ensure that students are well-prepared for real-world medical situations. This Center of Excellence at SRIHER redefines medical education by incorporating VR-based learning, empowering students from across the state and all over the country to perfect their skills and improve patient outcomes.

Dr. K. Balaji Singh, Dean at SRIHER, stated, "We're passionate about giving our students the best medical education possible. Our partnership with MediSim VR blends advanced technology and traditional teaching methods to bridge the gap between classroom theory and clinical practice. This holistic approach to medical education is our commitment to producing physicians who will make a meaningful difference in healthcare."

Dr. Adith Chinnaswami, Co-founder of MediSim VR, emphasized the importance of the new VR-based Center of Excellence for medical students. “We aim to redefine medical education and empower the next generation of healthcare professionals. The facility unlocks exciting learning opportunities not only for students from within SRIHER but also from all over the country. By incorporating VR-based learning aids into the curriculum, we are setting a new standard for medical training and education that will positively improve patient outcomes.”

About Medisim VR: MediSim VR is a leading healthcare simulation company that offers patented technology designed to meet the unique needs of healthcare training worldwide. MediSim VR's AI-powered competency assessment tools and immersive virtual training environments improve the performance of nursing students, medical students, and healthcare professionals by offering unparalleled immersive experiences that redefine medical education.

DeepHealth Expands Operations In India With New Office In Bengaluru

·         DeepHealth's integrated portfolio aims to address challenges across the entire radiology value chain, from referral management, scheduling, and patient engagement to technologist and radiologist workflow. Advanced AI is deeply embedded, to improve operational efficiency, clinical confidence, and patient outcomes, with a focus on breast, lung, brain, and prostate health. 

·         The portfolio is anchored by a cloud-native operating system (DeepHealth OS) that unifies data across clinical and operational workflow and personalizes AI-powered workspaces for everyone across the radiology continuum.

·         DeepHealth has operations, partnerships, and customers in the US, UK, Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa.

·         The DeepHealth office in Bengaluru will serve as the company's technology hub in India, enabling purposeful innovation with global impact.

DeepHealth, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RadNet, Inc. (NASDAQ: RDNT) and a global leader in AI-powered radiology and health informatics, today announced the opening of its office in Bengaluru, marking its expansion in the Indian market. The technology hub will spearhead ground-breaking innovations to advance DeepHealth’s mission of empowering breakthroughs in care delivery.

DeepHealth in India

DeepHealth’s expansion in India reinforces its commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes through cutting-edge technology solutions. Through their operations in India, DeepHealth will continue to leverage the power of AI to empower radiologists in the detection and diagnosis of diseases, expanding the boundaries of what we can do with imaging technology in healthcare.

“India represents a fundamental part of the DeepHealth story. We recognize the country’s exceptional tech capabilities and its dynamic innovation landscape. This presents a great opportunity for us to drive the development of meaningful health tech solutions in India that benefit clinicians and patients worldwide. As we expand our presence in India, we also look forward to establishing new partnerships to advance innovation in health informatics,” said Sham Sokka, Chief Operating and Technology Officer DeepHealth.

The company’s India headquarters will be established in Cignus Tower, Bengaluru, serving as the hub for DeepHealth’s operations across the Indian subcontinent. The new office has commenced operations in Q3 2024.

As a part of its India expansion, DeepHealth will leverage local expertise and a network of strategic partners to enhance the development of AI-powered health informatics solutions. DeepHealth has already an established presence in India through its partnerships with Persistent and Infinx, focused on product development and service. As the company forges ahead with its ambitious expansion plans, it aims to broaden its collaborations and establish affiliations with prestigious institutions to undertake research projects and propel the Indian healthcare landscape to the forefront of global innovation.

About DeepHealth

DeepHealth, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RadNet, Inc. (NASDAQ: RDNT), is a global leader in AI-powered radiology and health informatics for real-world clinical settings and screening programs. DeepHealth’s integrated portfolio of solutions builds on the strengths of eRAD Radiology Information and Image Management Systems, Aidence lung AI, DeepHealth breast AI and Quantib prostate and brain AI, which are now rebranded and part of DeepHealth. DeepHealth aims to address challenges across the entire radiology value chain from referral management, scheduling and patient engagement to technologist and radiologist workflow, and leverages advanced AI to improve operational efficiency, clinical confidence, and patient outcomes.

DeepHealth technology is used in over 300 radiology departments and imaging centres in select countries. Over fifteen million exams are performed annually using DeepHealth solutions, resulting in more than two million AI-informed diagnoses. With a focus on leveraging AI for improved patient outcomes in breast, lung, brain, and prostate health, DeepHealth solutions power large-scale screening programs in Europe and the US, aiming to enable earlier, more reliable, and more efficient disease detection.

DeepHealth’s global operations are supported by teams across North America, Europe, and India, with algorithms trained on a diverse set of patient data to promote equitable healthcare. The company is committed to delivering breakthroughs in care delivery by focusing on four key areas: Enterprise Imaging, Population Screening, Integrated Diagnostics, and Real-World Data Insights. https://deephealth.com/    

About RadNet, Inc.

RadNet, Inc. is the leading national provider of freestanding, fixed-site diagnostic imaging services in the United States based on the number of locations and annual imaging revenue. RadNet has a network of 375 owned and/or operated outpatient imaging centers. In addition, RadNet provides radiology information technology and artificial intelligence solutions, teleradiology professional services and other related products and services to customers in the diagnostic imaging industry. For more information, visit http://www.radnet.com.

Keysight Joins The AI-RAN Alliance To Advance AI Innovations In Mobile Networks

* Joins new consortium focused on integrating artificial intelligence advancing into wireless communications technology to enhance radio access networks

* Brings measurement science expertise to artificial intelligence research areas such as improving spectral efficiency and optimizing radio access network performance

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) has joined the AI-RAN Alliance to advance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and innovations in radio access networks (RAN). Established in early 2024, the alliance is a collaborative initiative bringing together technology, industry, and academic institutions to integrate AI into cellular technology to enhance RAN performance and mobile network capabilities.

AI is a powerful tool with the potential to revolutionize wireless communications networks. The natural complexity of its architectures and operations make RAN an ideal application for AI in order to drive more optimal, reliable, and efficient mobile networks. In response to this opportunity, the AI-RAN Alliance wants to find ways to enhance mobile network efficiency, reduce power consumption, and retrofit existing infrastructure that will unlock new economic opportunities, facilitated by 5G and 6G. The alliance will do this with RAN-related AI research in the areas of improving spectral efficiency, using architectures more effectively, generating new AI-driven revenue opportunities, and deploying AI at the network edge to offer new services and increase operational efficiency.

Keysight understands the transformative power of AI and the role it will play in shaping the way future communications systems will be built and need to be tested. The company is active in a variety of early research projects ranging from optimizing wireless performance to advancing AI learning in wireless communications testing. Keysight is also part of NIST’s AI Safety Consortium and is engaged in multiple standards and research initiatives related to the nascent field of validation of AI systems. 

Ardavan Tehrani, Samsung Research, AI-RAN Alliance Board Director, said: “The AI-RAN Alliance is excited to welcome Keysight as a new member. As the wireless industry matures from AI model development to deployment, there is a need for rigorous testing of these models to ensure consistent and expected performance and reliability of AI models. The domain knowledge Keysight brings in these areas will help further the alliance's mission of bringing AI technology to the RAN.”

Giampaolo Tardioli, Vice President, 6G and Next Generation Technology at Keysight, said: “With our deep expertise in simulation, modeling, and measurement science, Keysight will provide valuable solutions to accelerate the deployment of AI in the RAN and to improve accuracy and trustworthiness of the models of AI in the RAN. Joining the AI-RAN Alliance is a natural choice and another proof point of Keysight’s commitment in enabling innovation across the communication and computing industries. We look forward to collaborating with the other alliance members to help fully realize the potential of AI for wireless systems.”

About Keysight Technologies

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.

TCS Records Steady performance; Macro Uncertainty Weighs On Growth Visibility

TCS noted a tad better than expected operating performance in Q1. Revenue grew 1.9% QoQ (2.2% CC) to USD7.51bn, slightly surpassing expectations and largely backed by higher than estimated revenue contribution from the BSNL deal (almost half of incremental revenue QoQ). EBITM fell by 130bps QoQ to 24.7% due to wage hike. Deal wins moderated sequentially owing to timing of deal closures, but remained healthy at USD8.3bn (book-to-bill: 1.1x) and well within the management’s guided comfortable range of USD7-9bn per quarter. Despite broad-based revenue growth, healthy deal wins, and strong pipeline, the Mgmt refrained from commenting on growth sustainability, considering the near-term demand volatility caused by weakness in discretionary spending and unabated pressure from the sudden pause/deferment of projects by clients amid macro uncertainty. The management reiterated FY25 revenue growth being better than that in FY24. We largely retain FY24-27E earnings and our REDUCE on TCS, as well as TP of Rs3,950/share at 25x Jun-25E EPS.

Results Summary

Revenue grew 1.9% QoQ (2.2% QoQ/4.4% YoY CC) to USD7.51bn, a tad above our estimate of USD7.48bn. Cost of equipment and software licenses rose by USD70mn QoQ, partly reflecting ramp up of the BSNL deal. EBITM fell by 130bps QoQ to 24.7%, ahead of our estimate of 24.5%. EBITM was impacted (-170bps) by wage hike and higher third-party costs and partially offset by operating efficiencies including better productivity, higher utilization, and lower subcontracting costs. Among geographies, North America, UK, and Continental Europe grew 0.9%, 2.5%, and 0.5% QoQ (in USD terms). BFSI, Manufacturing, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Technology & Services, Regional Markets & Others, and ERU grew 0.6%, 1.9%, 2.9%, 0.7%, 10.6%, and 1.9% QoQ respectively. Consumer segment saw flat growth, whereas Communications & Media declined 4.2%. Headcount grew 0.9% QoQ (on-boarded 11,000 freshers), after three straight quarters of decline. The company announced an interim dividend of Rs10/share. What we liked: Steady operating performance, broad-based growth with almost all verticals reporting sequential growth. What we did not like: Weak cash conversion (67% OCF/EBITDA).

Earnings Call KTAs

i) TCS continued to witness the dichotomy that it has being seeing in the past 6 quarters. While larger and strategic transformation programs with enterprise-wide scope continued apace, some smaller programs with narrower scope benefits are being scrutinized more stringently, and hence tend to get deprioritized. TCS is seeing clients prioritize spend on initiatives oriented towards cost optimization which offer an immediate ROI. ii) BFSI saw return of QoQ growth. Clients are attempting to balance their priority between transformation and cost optimization projects. iii) Consumer segment saw QoQ growth, led by demand for cost optimization, operating model transformation, and vendor consolidation programs. Consumer confidence improvement and moderation in inflation are likely to drive a demand uptick. iv) CME continues to face growth headwinds. Interest rate cuts may be a trigger for higher spending by clients. v) TCS rolled out double-digit wage hikes for top-performing employees; average salary hike for employees is 4.5-7% wef Apr-24. vi) Revenue growth was led by AI Cloud, Cyber Security, and Enterprise Solutions. vii) In Q1, >270 AI/GenAI engagements have been deployed or are in various stages of progress. The AI/GenAI pipeline has almost doubled QoQ to USD1.5bn. viii) Near-term margin levers are pyramid rationalization, improved productivity, and better utilization, whereas pricing and growth acceleration would assist in the medium term.

First Advantage Releases Q1 2024 India Employment Screening Trends Report - FMCG Sector Shows Discrepancy Trends In Q1-24

First Advantage Corporation (NASDAQ: FA), a leading provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions, announces the publication of its Q1 2024 India Employment Screening Trends Report. The 33-page document is a compilation of anonymized data and analytics from the Company’s background screenings performed for its customers in the Indian market during the first quarter of 2024.

In Q1-24, Industries such as FMCG, Healthcare & Pharma, Services and Telecom sectors had discrepancies percentages that were much higher than the overall average of 9.59 percent.

In the first quarter of 2024, there was a noticeable rise in discrepancies in the employment sectors of BFSI, Engineering & Infrastructure, Healthcare & Pharma, Retail, and Services compared to the previous quarter. Similarly, education discrepancies were higher in the BFSI, FMCG, E-commerce & Logistics, and Services industries. Employment verifications saw a shift, with sectors like IT, Consulting, FMCG, Engineering & Infrastructure, and Manufacturing increasingly favoring alternate modes of verification. This trend highlights evolving industry practices and the growing emphasis on thorough background checks.

For a complimentary copy of the “First Advantage Employment Screening Trends Report: India,” and for other queries contact:

DeepashriSunder

+918861013031

deepashri.under@fadv.com

About First Advantage:

First Advantage (NASDAQ: FA) is a leading provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions. The Company delivers innovative services and insights that help customers manage risk and hire the best talent. Enabled by its proprietary technology, First Advantage helps companies protect their brands and provide safer environments for their customers and their most important resources: employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants, and drivers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, First Advantage performs screens in over 200 countries and territories on behalf of its more than 30,000 customers. For more information about First Advantage, visit the company’s website at https://fadv.com/.

Samsung Launches New Foldable Phones Galaxy Z Fold6 And Z Flip6 To Elevate Galaxy AI To New Heights

Samsung has announced its all-new Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, along with Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro at Galaxy Unpacked in Paris. With the introduction of the new Galaxy Z series, Samsung is opening the next chapter of Galaxy AI by leveraging its most versatile and flexible form factor perfectly designed to enable a range of unique mobile experiences. Galaxy AI uses powerful, intelligent, and durable foldable experience to accelerate a new era of communication, productivity, and creativity.

“Samsung’s long history of innovation has allowed us to lead in the mobile space, creating the foldable form factor and ushering in the mobile AI era. Now, we are excited to bring these two complementary technologies together and unlock new possibilities for users around the world,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our foldables meet the unique needs of every user and now enhanced by the power of Galaxy AI, Samsung is delivering an experience like never before.”

Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip5 are the slimmest and lightest Galaxy Z series ever, optimized for portability. The perfectly symmetrical design with straight edge provides an aesthetically sleek finish while a new cover screen ratio on Galaxy Z Fold6 provides a more natural bar-type viewing experience. For your peace of mind, the latest Galaxy Z series is also equipped with enhanced Armor Aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making this the most durable Galaxy Z series yet.

Both the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 are equipped with the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, the most advanced Snapdragon mobile processor yet, combining best-in-class CPU, GPU, and NPU performance.

The Galaxy Z Fold6 offers a range of AI-powered features and tools such as Note Assist, PDF Overlay Translation, Composer, Sketch to image and Interpreter - that maximize the large screen and significantly enhance productivity.

Galaxy Z Fold6 offers an upgraded gaming experience, anchored by its powerful chipset and 1.6x larger vapor chamber for the ability to game for longer, while still maintaining performance.

The Galaxy Z Flip6 is not just optimized for portability, but it offers a range of new customization and creativity features so you can make the most of every moment.

The 3.4-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow has been enhanced yet again, enabling AI-assisted functions without even needing to open the device. Plus, FlexWindow offers more Widgets than ever, and allows you to check information from multiple Widgets simultaneously.

FlexCam continues to offer the most versatile camera experience and unlocks new creative options. With the new Auto Zoom, FlexCam automatically finds the best framing for your shot by detecting the subject and zooming in and out before making any necessary adjustments. That way, you don’t have to choose between your friends or an incredible backdrop being in the shot – and it’s all hands-free.

New 50MP Wide and 12MP Ultra-wide sensors provide an upgraded camera experience with clear and crisp details in pictures. The new 50MP sensor supports 2x optical zoom for noise-free photos, while offering AI zoom for an advanced shooting experience with up to 10x zoom.

You can continue using all the creative and customizable features of Galaxy Z Flip6 without worrying about battery life either, with longer usage time made possible by hardware and software optimization.

Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 are secured by Samsung Knox, Samsung Galaxy’s defense-grade, multi-layer security platform built to safeguard critical information and protect against vulnerabilities with end-to-end hardware, real-time threat detection and collaborative protection.

Galaxy Buds3 Series: Expanding the Connected Experience through Galaxy AI

With the power of Galaxy AI, the Galaxy Buds3 series brings a new communication experience. The Galaxy Buds3 series comes with a new computational design boasting a comfortable fit. The premium blade design also targets style-centric consumers with an ultra-sleek and modern style complemented with Blade Lights. This new design enables a more intuitive physical experience by allowing you to control the device by simply pinching or swiping up or down on the blade, thereby offering convenience and tasteful aesthetics at the same time. Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro offer two purpose-built design options. Galaxy Buds3 Pro is Canal Type for those looking for immersive sound, while Buds3 is Open Type for people who prefer to use the device in a variety of situations for an extended period of time.

JSW Group Signs MOU With MSRIT And SHARIKA To Establish Center of Excellence At Bengaluru

* The JSW Center of Excellence will foster research, training and development in Flexible Power Systems - Smart Grid

The US $24 billion JSW Group has entered into a triparty Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), an autonomous Private Engineering Institute, affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, and approved by the State Govt. of Karnataka  and Sharika Smartec, a division of Sharika Enterprises, a technical knowledge based consultancy & training company engaged in Design & Development of Smart Grid Technologies, to convert conventional power system into flexible power system through innovative solutions. This triparty collaboration will establish, at the MSRIT campus in Bengaluru, the JSW Center of Excellence (JSW-COE) for Smart Grid technologies. According to the Agreement signed, JSW Group shall provide  financial grant to the JSW-COE, MSRIT shall actively take on the pivotal role of establishing and hosting the JSW-COE and Sharika Smartec will be its knowledge partner and support in establishing, operating and maintaining the JSW-COE.

All the three parties to the MOU will leverage the collective strength of society to propel continuous learning, skill development and knowledge enhancement for operations staff, engineers and managerial professionals. The Center of Excellence  will provide a robust platform for learning, training, and development through the JSW Center of Excellence.  This state-of-the-art Center of Excellence is expected to introduce a radical change in learning & training modules by offering "Lab as a Service" to the next generation of engineering professionals, supporting startups while providing testing as well as consultative support. It will drive continuous learning, skill development, and knowledge enhancement in the rapidly evolving field of power systems.

With the advent of AI, deep learning, big data, blockchain, networking, and automation, the demand for innovative interventions in power & energy systems has become significantly critical. The JSW Center of Excellence at MSRIT will cater to this need by providing advanced learning, design, development, and implementation capabilities in Smart Grid or Flexible Power Systems.

Focusing on Smart Grid Power System training while equipping engineers, graduates and technical staff with advanced skills and knowledge, the JSW Center of Excellence at MSRIT will facilitate the upgrading and production of skilled manpower. In order to address the evolving needs of the industry, it will foster professional development within the energy sector.

Located at M S Ramaiah Nagar, MSRIT Post, Bengaluru - 560054, the JSW Center of Excellence will serve as a hub for innovative research, training, and development in power systems, ultimately contributing to the growth and advancement of the industry.

About JSW Group: The US$ 24 billion JSW Group is ranked among India's leading business houses. JSW's innovative and sustainable presence in various sectors including Steel, energy, infrastructure, defence, cement, realty, paints, ecommerce, sports, green mobility and venture capital. is helping the Group play an important role in driving India’s economic growth. The Group strives for excellence by leveraging its strengths & capabilities including a successful track-record of executing large capital-intensive & technically complex projects, differentiated product-mix, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and greater focus on pursuing sustainable growth. With a culturally diverse workforce spread across India, USA, Europe and Africa, JSW Group directly employs more than 44,000 people. It also has a strong social development focus aimed at empowering local communities residing around its Plant & Port locations. JSW Group is known to create value for all its stakeholders by combining its growth roadmap,  superior execution capabilities and a relentless drive to be #BetterEveryday.

National Skill Development Corporation And Visvesvaraya Technological University Forge A Partnership To Launch Futuristic Skill Programs

To revolutionize higher education and skill development in India, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This strategic partnership aims to introduce cutting-edge skill programs bridging the gap between academia and industry.

The collaboration marks a significant step towards strengthening the higher education landscape by integrating skill development programs tailored to meet the demands of the 21st century job market. NSDC is set to become a hub of excellence, offering a diverse range of innovative programs aligned with industry needs and technological advancements.

The partnership aims to establish Skill Hub centres in over 150 colleges affiliated with VTU and set up Centres of Excellence (CoE) in select engineering colleges. Through these initiatives, the aim is to enroll 240 students per college in the Future Skills programme under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY), the flagship scheme of Skill India Mission. This is an opportunity for the youth of the country to get trained under direct guidance from industry experts and NSDC will provide the necessary support and oversight for these courses, ensuring adherence to the scheme's guidelines.

Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International, said “This partnership with VTU is a landmark moment in our mission to future-proof India’s youth. By integrating advanced skill programs into the academic framework, we aim to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring our young talent is prepared to excel in the global marketplace.”

“This collaboration enhances the employability of India's youth while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. It empowers them to lead in fields such as AI, Machine Learning, and Robotics, driving the future of technology and industry. Together, we are setting the stage for a new era of workforce readiness and innovation.” He added.

Students participating in the PMKVY Future Skills Program will benefit from mentorship. Upon completing the training, students will undergo an assessment by the Sector Skill Council (SSC) NASSCOM and present their projects to industry experts. Successful candidates will receive an internship certificate from NASSCOM, recognized by VTU as fulfilling the internship or project requirements for final-year students.

Dr. Vidya Shankar S, Vice Chancellor, VTU- Belagavi, said "This partnership with NSDC will empower our students with industry-relevant skills, ensuring they are future-ready. Together, we are creating pathways for our students to excel in fields such as AI, Machine Learning, and Robotics, setting a new benchmark in higher education."

As part of the collaboration, VTU students will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Hack to Hire’ hackathon, where they can tackle AI-based problem statements and compete for job opportunities with some of India’s most innovative startups.

This partnership between NSDC and VTU marks a transformative step towards a more integrated and skill-oriented education system, setting a new benchmark for higher education and workforce readiness in India.

About National Skill Development Corporation

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is the principal architect of the skill ecosystem in the country. It is a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) enterprise working under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India. NSDC was established to catalyse the skilling ecosystem for private sector participation and be the strategic implementation and knowledge partner to Skill India Mission to build efficient vocational training initiatives, empowering India’s youth. NSDC provides support to enterprises, start-ups, companies, and organizations that are creating an impact by offering a world of opportunities in futuristic skills to the potential workforce. The organization develops appropriate models to enhance, support, and coordinate private sector initiatives in skilling by offering funding support to eligible entities, concessional loans to the candidates along with other innovative financial products and building strategic partnerships.

About Visvesvaraya Technological University

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is one of the largest Technological Universities in India with 24 years of Tradition of excellence in Engineering & Technical Education, Research and Innovations. It came into existence in the year 1998 to cater the needs of Indian industries for trained technical manpower with practical experience and sound theoretical knowledge. University has very successfully achieved the tremendous task of bringing various colleges affiliated earlier to different Universities, with different syllabi, different procedures and different traditions under one umbrella.

Indium Software Announces Basab Pradhan As New Chairman Of The Board

Indium Software, a rapidly growing, AI-driven digital engineering services company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Basab Pradhan as the new Chairman of the Board.

Basab Pradhan brings a wealth of experience and a stellar track record in leadership roles and board positions at prominent information technology companies. He has had an illustrious career, having spent over a decade at Infosys, where he rose from front-line sales roles to global Head of Sales and Marketing. More recently, Basab served as member of the Board of Hexaware and as Chairman of the Board of Coforge Ltd.

"I am honored to serve in this important role and look forward to collaborating with my board colleagues and the entire Indium leadership team to achieve our vision of becoming a global leader in Digital Engineering," said Basab Pradhan.

As Chairman, Basab will oversee the functioning of Indium alongside other board members, including Hari Gopalakrishnan, Partner at EQT, Vijai Raghavan, Head of Operations at EQT, Vijay Balaji, Co-founder of Indium, and Ram Sukumar, Co-founder and CEO of Indium.

"We are delighted to welcome Basab to Indium," said Ram Sukumar, Co-founder and CEO of Indium Software. "As an acknowledged leader with extensive experience in building and growing technology businesses, Basab’s insights will be invaluable as we continue to accelerate our growth, supported by EQT. His experience in advising boards and leaders of technology companies on their growth journeys to over $1 billion in revenue will provide our board with a unique perspective that will help us create lasting value and impact for our customers, partners, and employees."

Basab is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and IIM Ahmedabad. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

About Indium Software:

Indium Software is a fast-growing, AI-driven digital engineering services company, developing cutting-edge solutions across applications and data. With deep expertise in next-generation offerings that combine Generative AI, Data, and Product Engineering, Indium provides a comprehensive range of services including Low-Code Development, Data Engineering, AI/ML, and Quality Engineering.

With over 3,400 associates globally, Indium has established strong relationships with Fortune 500, Global 2000, and technology companies across various industries, including Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, Technology, and Gaming companies in North America, India, and the Asia Pacific regions.

Magicbricks Unveils PropWorth: Offers Instant Property Valuation For 50,000 projects Across 5,500 Localities

Magicbricks, India's leading real estate platform, has unveiled its instant property valuation tool, PropWorth. It is powered by an advanced machine learning algorithm to assist buyers and sellers evaluate the estimated price for any property. Trained on 15 years of data and over 30 million listings, PropWorth covers 50,000 projects in 5,500 localities across 30 cities, offering comprehensive valuations for various property types, including apartments, independent houses, and villas.

According to Magicbricks, residential demand has surged by 23.8% over the past three years, with property prices increasing by nearly 42.6% across major cities. In this context, PropWorth is a game changing tool that empowers homeowners to assess their property values, delivering an impressive accuracy rate of 98%.

Sudhir Pai, CEO Magicbricks, emphasized the significance of this launch: "In today's dynamic real estate market, accurate property valuation is more important than ever. PropWorth uses data-driven estimates to ensure quick and precise property valuation, eliminating guesswork. This clarity empowers buyers and sellers to make well-informed decisions confidently."

Video demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2IhVFMRdug 

PropWorth link: https://bit.ly/MBPropWorth

Empowered by sophisticated advanced machine learning systems, PropWorth as a tool analyzes vast amounts of data efficiently and identifies key factors to generate reliable property value estimates.

Users can provide comprehensive property information such as the project or locality name, property type (flat or house/villa), number of bedrooms, super area, floor number, and car parking spaces. Additionally, users can share specific details including property direction (as per Vastu), view from the property (e.g., road, garden, pool), additional rooms, and amenities (e.g., clubhouse, swimming pool, lift, park, gym) to further enhance the accuracy of the property valuation.

*Cities (in alphabetical order) Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Goa, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Surat, Thane, Vadodara, Vasai-Virar, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Zirakpur.

WinZO Partners With FGV EAESP, Sponsors 20 Indian Game Developers For The First Ever India Pavilion At Gamescom Latam

* The move will enable export of Made in India Technology & IP, especially games representing Indian mythology, culture, and content

* WinZO is committed to investing US $50 million to expand the presence of Made in India games, IP & Technology in the LATAM.

WinZO, India's largest vernacular interactive entertainment platform announced its strategic partnership with Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EAESP), LATAM’s premier educational institution, for research projects and hiring local talent to expand rapidly in Brazil and beyond. This is further to the launch of the product in Brazil last year which also enabled over 100 partner games to immediately export their Technology & IP to Brazil. The move, which will facilitate career opportunities for current and former FGV students, ensures that WinZO attracts top-tier talent familiar with the local market, enhancing its operational effectiveness and cultural integration in Brazil. The partnership is poised to significantly deepen WinZO's presence in Brazil, extending WinZO's commitment to invest US$50 million in LATAM to expand its presence.

"We are excited about the collaboration with WinZO, which presents a unique opportunity for FGV students and alumni to engage in a global technology ecosystem. By facilitating industry experience, and employment opportunities through this partnership, WinZO is not only enriching our students' professional prospects but also contributing to the global dialogue on technological innovation and cultural exchange," commented Dr.Umesh Mukhi, Professor of Management at FGV - Fundação Getulio Vargas.

WinZO has also established the first-ever India Pavilion in partnership with Startup India under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, at Gamescom Latam, a prominent gaming event in Latin America. The India Pavilion offers a platform for Indian content to shine on the global stage, showcasing 100 games from the game developer partners that are available on WinZO and 20 other diverse games from Indian developers, including genres like cricket, mythology, puzzles, racing, physics-based challenges, and chess. These developers, identified through WinZO’s Bharat Tech Triumph Program—a nationwide competition—have the potential to elevate India to a leadership position in the global gaming arena. The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Shri Suresh Reddy, Ambassador of India to Brazil and Marilia Marton, São Paulo's Secretary for Culture, Creative Economy, and Industries.

WinZO's expansion into the Brazilian market marks a significant milestone in its global growth strategy, aligning with India’s objectives of enhancing its tech prowess. The India Pavilion at Gamescom along with the partnership with FGV, will enable WinZO to further strengthen tech and trade in Latam.

"India and Brazil share a long-standing and cherished relationship strengthened by shared values of cooperation and sustainable development, reflected in our flourishing trade and investment ties. The launch of the India Pavilion at Gamescom Latam aims to connect our entrepreneurs and startups, fostering innovation, cultural exchange, and global expansion, especially in the gaming sector. Together, we continue to build a future of collaborative growth and mutual prosperity," said Suresh K. Reddy, Ambassador of India to Brazil, who was the Guest of Honor at the launch of the India Pavilion.

"Brazil places great emphasis on the creative economy, with online gaming serving as a powerful tool for creative expression, imagination, and innovation. It helps monetize content and showcases our culture, channeling the energy of our youth. With minimal investment, online games can be monetized globally, offering endless possibilities. Imagine Brazil’s festivals unfolding in Indian cities or games exploring ancient routes between India and Latin America. As Indian and Brazilian companies invest in each other’s gaming startups, we gain deeper insights into each other’s cultures and work ethics. Gamescom LATAM is a unique opportunity—let’s seize it,” said Marilia Marton, São Paulo's Secretary for Culture, Creative Economy, and Industries.

“Partnering with FGV Brazil marks a significant milestone in WinZO's journey to deepen its footprint in the Brazilian market. By hiring local talent and fostering research collaboration, we aim to not only enhance our operational capabilities but also integrate more seamlessly into the local culture,” said Paavan Nanda, Co-founder of WinZO. “The India Pavilion at Gamescom Latam showcases the rich talent of Indian game developers on a global stage, highlighting our tech prowess and facilitating strategic dialogues between India and Brazil, supporting the development of sunrise industries like gaming. By fostering these connections, we aim to bolster trade and contribute to the growth of both nations' digital economies. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring and look forward to a mutually prosperous relationship with the Brazilian gaming community,” Nanda added.

In India, WinZO partnered with Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D), Delhi Technological University (DTU), Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT), and IIIT-D to develop open-source technology to protect the internet users against cyber actors. WinZO has collaborated with professors from Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Madras, as well as Stanford University and California State University, among others, to establish a scientific methodology to accurately differentiate between gaming activities requiring the predominance of skill and those dependent on chance.

WinZO launched its app in Brazil in October 2023, enabling its 100+ partner game developers to export games and gain free access to Brazil, the fourth-largest mobile gaming market with over 90 million users. With the launch of the India Pavilion at Gamescom and collaboration with local institutes, the company plans to further expand its collaborations with game developers to export their games to the remotest corners of the world.

Our Focus On Premium Segment Is Driven By The Aspirational Middle Class: Embassy Group

As per a recent industry report by Knight Frank, Bengaluru’s housing sales register 4% growth in H1 2024; homes priced at ?Rs  crore and above witness 76% annual growth.  In line with the same, Embassy Group Reeza Sebastian Karimpanal – Executive President, Residential Business, Embassy Group. says that the recent surge in real estate sales in Bengaluru, particularly in the premium housing segment, is a testament to the city's robust economic growth and positive home buyer sentiment. According to recent industry reports, the premium segment has seen a remarkable 76% annual growth, accounting for 50% of the overall sales in the first half of 2024. This trend is not only a positive indicator for the real estate market but also reflects the changing preferences of homebuyers who are increasingly seeking high-quality, premium living spaces from branded developers. Additionally, the increase in fresh supply by 9% to meet this demand is a clear sign that developers are responding to the market's needs.

At Embassy Group, we are committed to catering to these evolving demands. Our focus on the premium segment is driven by clear market signals that this is where the volume and demand are. In the days ahead, we see the fast-rising aspirational middle class as our future customers and are poised to build for this dynamic demographic, recognising that they are at the core of the market's momentum.”

Jindal Stainless, Capital Goods & Strategic Skill Council Launch Participant Handbook-Press Note

Jindal Stainless, India’s largest stainless steel manufacturer, and skill development body Capital Goods & Strategic Skill Council (CGSSC) have joined forces to standardise one-of-its-kind skilling content for the stainless steel kitchenware industry that will benefit up to 20 lakh workers across India. The CEO, Capital Goods & Strategic Skill Council, Ms Shalini Singh; and Director, Corporate Affairs, Jindal Stainless, Mr Vijay Sharma jointly launched the Participant Handbook (PH) and the Qualification Pack (QP) titled ‘Operator-Stainless Steel Kitchenware Manufacturing’ at the 14th Indian Houseware Show here over the weekend. A Skill India initiative, the PH is designed to address the industry-academia skill gap by imparting essential skills and create a talent pool.

The newly launched Handbook will serve as the primary source of skilling content aimed at boosting productivity for both current and aspiring employees in the hollowware workforce. Additionally, the industry can utilise it for independent training sessions. By standardising training, the Handbook will help increase productivity by reducing errors and waste through well-defined guidelines and best practices. This will also ensure consistent product quality, meeting both domestic and international standards.

Commenting at the launch, CEO, CGSSC, Ms Shalini Singh, said, “We are happy to launch this one-of-a-kind Participant Handbook dedicated to the stainless steel kitchenware industry. We are hoping that as a first step, the regional kitchenware associations will circulate it in their regions or clusters. CGSSC takes pride in having developed structured training programmes focusing on stainless steel properties, manufacturing techniques, quality standards, and safety protocols specific to kitchenware utensils in association with downstream markets and players such as Jindal Stainless. In the next 3 years, we want to target around 5,000 fresh talent and upskill 30,000 operators annually in stainless steel kitchenware manufacturing, with support from the industry and various government schemes. Such initiatives should be explored to be implemented in the Karnataka state for the employment and entrepreneurial ventures under the flagship of Karnataka Skill Development Corporation.”

Adding to it, Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr Vijay Sharma, said, “As pioneers of stainless steel in India, we are pleased to introduce this Participant Handbook for the hollowware industry in collaboration with the CGSSC. Manufacturing stainless steel cookware demands precision, expertise, and meticulous attention to detail to produce high-quality products that meet consumer expectations for durability, performance, and safety. These initiatives are crucial for building a sustainable talent pipeline and ensuring the continued growth, competitiveness, and success of the stainless steel industry. Through this Handbook, we aim to emphasise on workforce skill training as part of our Stainless Academy. This initiative of Jindal Stainless serves as a hub for education, training, skilling and upskilling, research, and collaboration. It works on multiple fronts to ensure category recognition and awareness, thereby increasing the usage of stainless steel.”

These trainings will include basic sheet metal operations, polishing operation, material handling and machine maintenance, plate bending and forming operations, spinning and beading operations, joining operations etc. In the near future, these programmes will be introduced in Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) and CGSSC approved training centres as comprehensive training programs. On successful completion of the training course, candidates undergoing training (fresh skilling, upskilling and reskilling) will be awarded an industry- government recognized certificate. This is expected to have a cascading effect and increase the attractiveness of the stainless steel kitchenware industry and highlight its immense employment potential.

A Qualification pack is an essential document within India's National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), designed to standardise the skill requirements for various job roles across different industries. Along with every QP, a Participant Handbook (PH) is designed, having detailed contents, to enable training. The development of QPs & PH is a dynamic and iterative process that involves extensive stakeholder engagement, research, and validation to ensure that the resulting standards are robust, relevant, and practical for implementation in the vocational training ecosystem. 

Motorola Launches “moto g85 5G” With Its First 3D Curved pOLED 120Hz Display & moto Smart Connect

The moto g85 5G is the first moto g series device with a 3D curved endless edge, 120Hz pOLED display with segment’s best Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

It also offers the segment’s leading, shake free 50MP OIS – Sony LYTIA ™ 600 Camera for incredible pictures and videos in any light.

The moto g85 5G comes out of the box with the revolutionary Smart Connect feature which ensures effortless connectivity between devices to enable easy share of files, stream phone apps and more across your phone, PC, tablet and more just with a swipe.

The moto g85 5G also comes with the segment’s best in-built 12GB RAM + 256GB storage and is also available in 8GB + 128GB variant.

To ensure an immersive multimedia experience, the moto g85 5G offers dual speakers with the multidimensional sound of Dolby Atmos® and Hi-Res audio.

The device is extremely sleek (7.59mm) and lightweight (172gm) and comes in three premium colours and finishes, namely - Olive Green (Vegan leather) | Cobalt Blue (Vegan leather) | Urban Gray (Acrylic Glass - PMMA)

The device will go on sale starting 16th July, 12PM on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores at an effective starting price of just Rs. 16,999*

Consumers can either avail an instant bank discount of Rs.1000* OR exchange top-up of Rs. 1000* on the value of the old device to achieve the effective price. Further, consumers can also avail up to 9 month No Cost EMIs from leading banks – starting at just Rs. 1,889* per month.

Motorola, India’s best 5G smartphone brand^, announced the launch of the “moto g85 5G”. The first ever moto g series smartphone with a groundbreaking 3D curved, endless edge display. The moto g85 5G offers numerous segment first and best features, such as the segment’s best 3D curved 120Hz pOLED display with Gorilla Glass 5 protection and 1600 nits brightness.

egment’s leading shake free 50MP OIS camera with the incredible Sony LYTIA™ 600 sensor, a sleek, lightweight and super-premium design with pantone curated colours plus a disruptive software experience with the revolutionary Smart Connect. Along with this, the moto g85 5G also boasts the segment’s best 12GB RAM + 256GB storage and supports incredible 5G performance with 13 5G Bands, support for VoNR and much more at an effective price of just Rs. 16,999* (8+128GB) and 18,999* (12+256GB).

he moto g85 5G brings details to life with an immersive 6.7" pOLED endless edge display that gives a continuous view from edge to edge with infinite contrast and cinematic colour. The display delivers over a billion shades of film-quality colour owing to its 10-bit depth and DCI-P3 colour gamut and comes with the segment’s best Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Its FHD+ resolution delivers images that are remarkably sharp and detailed without any pixelation, moreover, a super-smooth 120 Hz refresh rate makes switching between apps, playing games, and scrolling websites smoother and seamless. The moto g85 5G’s display also comes with SGS Eye Protection and 1600 nits of peak brightness for a comfortable viewing experience and an on-display fingerprint protection.

The 50MP main camera on the moto g85 5G uses a powerful Sony LYTIA™ 600 sensor and Quad Pixel technology for 4x better low-light sensitivity, resulting in sharper and more vibrant photos, in all lighting conditions. Additionally, all-pixel focus provides 32x more focusing pixels for faster, more accurate performance in low-light environments and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) automatically compensates against blurred images and videos due to unwanted camera movement. The secondary rear camera is an 8MP ultrawide + Macro vision camera which fits 4x more in the frame as compared to a standard lens and macro vision camera brings users closer to the subject than a standard lens to capture details they would otherwise miss. On the front, users get a 32MP high resolution selfie camera with Quad Pixel technology that combines every four pixels into one for 4× better low-light sensitivity and brilliant results.

Google Photos is the home for all the photos and videos, which are automatically backed up and organised so they’re easy to view, edit and share. Plus, consumers get access to amazing editing and AI tools, including Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and more.

Consumers can make a statement with the moto g85 5G with its super sleek (7.59mm) and lightweight (172gm) form and its endless edge design, the curved display and rear inlay that blend seamlessly for a sophisticated look that feels as good as it looks. Users can choose from vibrant colors with a luxurious vegan leather finish or a refined acrylic glass PMMA finish.

To ensure seamless cross device connectivity and amplify the device’s capabilities, the moto g85 5G comes with Smart Connect. Smart Connect creates an immersive experience with the power of a lightning-fast processor letting users enjoy their favorite mobile games on their big screen TV. Users can also connect a Bluetooth® controller for an even more exhilarating gameplay. Smart Connect gives a desktop computing experience right from the smartphone by allowing users to use all their apps on an external monitor and even connecting Bluetooth® keyboard and mouse. Furthermore, Smart Connect also makes other features and functionalities of the phone integrate seamlessly with other devices such as PCs and tablets for video chats, file sharing, app streaming, and even access to the smartphone’s camera.

The moto g85 5G offers 13 5G bands with VoNR support, 4x4 MIMO, and up to 4 carrier aggregation for an exceptional 5G performance. Further, moto g85 5G eliminates all performance and storage worries with the segment’s best 12GB RAM + 256GB storage configuration along with the latest Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor from Qualcomm. Storage can be expanded up to 1 TB using a microSD card and the RAM boost 3.0 feature temporarily turns storage into virtual RAM of up to 24GB whenever extra speed and processing is required.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Mobile Business Group – India, said, "This launch truly embodies our commitment to offering consumers industry-first innovations at the most accessible price points, aligning with our goal of democratizing technology for all. The moto g85 5G offers exceptional features from our popular edge series at an even more compelling price point. This product surpasses the current offerings in the Indian smartphone market, empowering individuals to explore unparalleled smartphone experiences and connectivity effectively.”

The moto g85 5G is the first g series smartphone to feature Motorola’s groundbreaking endless edge design and curved rear inlay that blend seamlessly together. The device is extremely comfortable to hold with its light, ultra-thin frame and 2 premium finishes- a vegan leather finish for a soft, tactile feel with an added touch of luxury and a PMMA finish that exudes elegance.

To ensure an immersive multimedia experience, the moto g85 5G also offers the multidimensional sound of Dolby Atmos® along with its marvelous display. Two powerful stereo speakers produce high-quality audio output with incredible richness and clarity with 4x more powerful bass and crisp, clean vocals. Additionally, the moto g85 5G fuels up fast with TurboPower™ 33 W charging and a massive 5000mAh battery offering over 34 hours of battery life. The smartphone runs on Android 14 out of the box with assured upgrades to Android 16 with 2 OS upgrades plus 4 years of security updates.

Availability:

Moto g85 5G will be available in three premium pantone curated colours and finishes, namely – Olive Green (Vegan leather) | Cobalt Blue (Vegan leather) | Urban Gray (Acrylic Glass – PMMA). The device will be available in two storage variants – 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage or 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage and will go on sale starting 16th July 2024, 12PM onwards on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores across India.

Pricing & Launch Offers:

Launch Price:

8GB + 128GB: Rs. 17,999

12GB + 256GB: Rs. 19,999

Effective Price – Including Offers

8GB + 128GB: Rs. 16,999*

12GB + 256GB: Rs. 18,999*

Affordability Offers:

Rs. 1,000 Instant Discount on leading bank credit cards and credit card EMI transactions.

OR

Rs. 1,000 exchange top-up (only on Flipkart. Applicable only on exchange of old devices)

Upto 9 month No Cost EMIs starting at just Rs. 1,889 per month from leading banks.

o know more about the product visit: https://www.flipkart.com/motorola-g85-5g/p/itm1c4b849213a0e?pid=MOBHY9PQMNCMDVCD

Operator Offers:

Total Benefits worth Rs. 10,000 from Reliance Jio (Applicable on pre-paid plan of: Rs. 449)

- Cashback worth Rs. 2000

- Partner coupons worth Rs. 8000

To know more about the offer:   https://www.jio.com/en-in/jio-motorola-g85-offer-2024.

BMW Group Posts Strong Growth In Fully-Electric Vehicles And Upper Premium Segment In First Half Of 2024

With 179,557 fully electric vehicles delivered, the BMW brand achieved a +34.1% increase in BEV sales in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year. Overall, the BMW brand grew by +2.3% compared to the previous year's period with 1,096,486 units sold in the first half of the year. The brand thereby outperformed its traditional competitors and managed to significantly gain market share in Europe. In total, the BMW Group delivered 1,213,359 vehicles of the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands in the first half of the year.

“In the first six months of the year, we saw double-digit growth of our fully-electric vehicles and models from the upper premium segment,” said Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, Sales. “Despite a challenging market environment, we increased sales for the BMW brand in the first half of the year, thanks to our attractive product portfolio. The strong commitment of our BMW Group employees and our robust global retail network have made a significant contribution in this regard,” said Jochen Goller.

For the BMW brand, models from the upper premium segment are becoming increasingly popular with customers, in addition to fully-electric models. The BMW 7 Series achieved a sales growth of +22% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. Also, the BMW X1 and the BMW 3 Series saw strong growth compared to the previous year. BMW M GmbH also performed well, generating a great deal of interest when it unveiled the first M5* high-performance sedan with electrified drive train in June. With a total of 99,517 vehicles sold, BMW M recorded a sales growth of +5.1%. With the continuing model changeover of its complete product portfolio, the MINI brand delivered 114,054 vehicles in the first half-year. This includes the first MINI Cooper* cars from the New MINI Family, which received a very good response from customers. The further ramp-up of the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman*, as well as the market launch of the MINI Aceman*, will provide positive momentum in the second half of the year. A highlight for the Rolls-Royce brand was the launch of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II* – the most in-demand Rolls-Royce model in the brand's product portfolio. In the first half-year, the Rolls-Royce brand delivered a total of 2,819 motor cars to customers worldwide. BMW Motorrad handed over 113,072 motorcycles and scooters to customers worldwide during the same period.

The BMW Group is looking forward to the second half of 2024 with confidence. This is underpinned by the full availability of the BMW 5 Series models – including the new BMW 5 Series Touring* and the first BMW i5 Touring*, as well as the ongoing market launch of the New MINI Family. By providing a variety of drive train technologies across the product portfolio of the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands, as well as a high level of flexibility, the BMW Group is well positioned to meet varying customer preferences worldwide.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products. 

www.bmwgroup.com

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

*Fuel consumption and emissions data: 

BMW M5 Limousine mit M xDrive: energy consumption combined: 25,5 kWh/100 km and 1,7 l/100 km (WLTP); CO2 emissions combined: 39 g/km (WLTP); CO2 class: G

MINI Cooper E: WLTP energy consumption combined: 14,3 kWh/100 km; WLTP CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO2 class: A; WLTP electric range: 293 - 305 km

MINI Aceman E: WLTP energy consumption combined: 14,7 kWh/100 km; WLTP CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO2 class: A; WLTP electric range: 289 - 309 km

MINI Countryman E: WLTP energy consumption combined: 17,4 kWh/100 km; WLTP CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO2 class: A; WLTP electric range: 423 - 462 km

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II: WLTP energy consumption combined: 380-363 g/km; WLTP CO2 emissions combined: 16.8-17.7 mpg / 16.8-16.0 l/100km; CO2 class: G

BMW 520d Touring: energy consumption combined: 5,9 l/100 km (WLTP); CO2 emissions combined: 154 g/km (WLTP); CO2 class: E

BMW i5 eDrive40 Limousine: energy consumption combined: 16,3 kWh/100 km (WLTP); CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km (WLTP); CO2 class: A; electric range: 571 km (WLTP); performance: 250 kW (340 PS).

Genpact, ALDI Süd Enter Partnership To Reimagine ALDI’s Business Services, Leveraging Data, Technology, And AI Solutions

* Agreement aims to drive greater agility and cost leadership

Genpact (NYSE: G), a global professional services and solutions firm delivering outcomes that shape the future, announced a new multi-year engagement with ALDI SÜD to accelerate and support the continued transformation of its retail operations in the U.S. and Australia.

Genpact’s data, tech, and AI capabilities, coupled with its business and industry knowledge,?will help ALDI accelerate agility and cost leadership and aid in continued transformation in these markets.

By embracing digital transformation, retail organizations can more easily adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer preferences. This agility allows companies to quickly respond to emerging trends, competitor actions, and customer feedback, ensuring continued relevance and competitiveness in the market.

Genpact will leverage its data, tech, and AI solutions to streamline operations and help ALDI achieve significant efficiency improvements. Specifically, ALDI will harness Genpact's AI-first approach and digital expertise to help maximize the effectiveness and return on investment from existing deployed technology platforms like S/4HANA, Ariba, Blackline, and ServiceNow.

"By investing in digital technologies and exploring innovative business models, a retailer can differentiate itself from competitors and establish leadership in the industry," said Anil Nanduru, Global Business Leader, High Tech and Manufacturing and Consumer and Healthcare, Genpact. "At Genpact, our AI-first approach for ALDI’s business services aims to achieve a front-to-middle-to-back transformation to create exceptional customer experiences and drive competitive growth.”

Visit here to learn more about Genpact’s work in the retail industry.

About Genpact

Genpact (NYSE: G) is a global professional services and solutions firm delivering outcomes that shape the future. Our 125,000+ people across 30+ countries are driven by our innate curiosity, entrepreneurial agility, and desire to create lasting value for clients. Powered by our purpose – the relentless pursuit of a world that works better for people – we serve and transform leading enterprises, including the Fortune Global 500, with our deep business and industry knowledge, digital operations services, and expertise in data, technology, and AI. 

Get to know us at genpact.com and on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, and Facebook. 

Quest Global Wins PeopleFirst HR Excellence Award 2024 For Leading Practices In Talent Acquisition

Quest Global, a leading global product engineering services company, today was conferred the prestigious PeopleFirst HR Excellence Award for 2024 in the category of ‘Leading Practices in Talent Acquisition’. This accolade recognizes Quest Global's unwavering commitment to excellence in HR practices and innovative approaches towards talent acquisition.

The HR Excellence Awards, sponsored by PeopleFirst, celebrates outstanding achievements in the field of Human Resources, highlighting organizations that set benchmarks in HR practices worldwide. Receiving this award underscores Quest Global’s dedication to creating a dynamic and effective talent acquisition strategy.

“Our success in winning the PeopleFirst HR Excellence Award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Talent Acquisition team,” said Suresh Ramachandra-Global Head Talent Strategy, Quest Global. “Quest Global is committed to continuously improving the candidate experience and optimizing hiring processes. This recognition highlights the team's commitment to excellence and innovation in attracting and retaining top talent.”

Looking ahead, the Talent Acquisition team at Quest Global is focused on delivering exceptional candidate experience. The team is committed to enhancing the overall candidate journey while optimizing hiring processes to attract and retain top talent across the globe. Quest Global has identified and invested in a state-of-the-art talent platform that will revolutionize its hiring and talent management processes. This Platform will not only enhance hiring, but also transform how talent is managed at Quest Global.

About Quest Global

Founded in 1997, Quest Global is one of the world’s leading engineering research and development (ER&D) services companies. Quest Global believes engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. For more than 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, the team at Quest Global live and work in 18 countries, with 78 global delivery centers and offices, driven by 20,000+ extraordinary people who make the impossible possible every day. Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better and faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defence, automotive, energy, hi-tech, med-tech & healthcare, rail, communications, and semiconductor industries.