Three Mega Government Schemes Takes Off From June 1

The Government of India has recently announced the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) in Bangalore. Canara Bank has entered into MoU with LIC for offering PMJJBY insurance cover and United India Insurance Co Ltd (UIICL) for PMSBY insurance cover to eligible candidates. The coverage under these schemes will commence from June 1, 2015 and the coverage period for all subscribers would be from June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016.

This would be a path breaking initiative towards providing affordable universal access to essential social security protection in a convenient manner linked to auto-debit facility from the bank account of the subscriber. The two insurance schemes to be launched, namely Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) would provide insurance cover in the unfortunate event of death by any cause / death or disability due to an accident, whereas the pension scheme, Atal Pension Yojana (APY), would address old age income security needs. The convenient delivery mechanism of the schemes is expected to address the situation of very low coverage of life / accident insurance and old age income security products in the country.

PMSBY will offer a renewable one year accidental death cum disability cover of Rupees Two Lakh (Rupees One Lakh for partial permanent disability) to all savings bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 70 years for a premium of Rs. 12/- per annum per subscriber. The scheme would be offered / administered through Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) or other General Insurance companies willing to offer the product on similar terms on the choice of the Bank / RRB / Cooperative Bank concerned.

PMJJBY on the other hand will offer a renewable one year life cover of Rupees Two Lakh to all savings bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 50 years, covering death due to any reason, for a premium of Rs.330/- per annum per subscriber. The scheme would be offered / administered through LIC or other Life Insurance companies willing to offer the product on similar terms on the choice of the Bank / RRB / Cooperative Bank concerned.

APY, the third scheme to be launched, will focus on the unorganised sector and provide subscribers a fixed minimum pension of Rs. 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 or Rs. 5000 per month starting at the age of 60 years, depending on the contribution option exercised on entering at an age between 18 and 40 years. Thus, the period of contribution by any subscriber under APY would be 20 years or more. The fixed minimum pension would be guaranteed by the Government. While the scheme is open to back account bank account holders in the prescribed age group, the Central Government would also co-contribute 50% of the total contribution or Rs. 1000 per annum, whichever is lower, for a period of 5 years for those joining the scheme before 31st December, 2015 and are not members of any statutory social security scheme and are not income tax payers. 

70 Fresh Law Students Graduate From CMR Law School

The CMR Law School, which is part of the prestigious CMR Group of Institutions, celebrated its 8^th Graduation Day on Saturday, with 70 law students passing out of the institution successfully. Justice A.V. Chandrashekara, Judge, High Court of Karnataka, who was the chief guest, advised the students to maintain professional integrity, to emerge successful.

Touching upon some of the important aspects of litigation and constitutional law, Justice Chandrashekara emphasized and reminded the students on the magnitude of their responsibility, having chosen to be the care takers of law and Justice. “I also profusely thank the parents for having allowed their children to take up law with all encouragement as a profession,” he added.

Recollecting the brilliant performance of the students of CMR Law School in the National Moot Court competition held in 2014, Justice Chandrashekara heaped praises on the students and said why it is important for law schools to have a holistic approach to academics, which bring out the best in an individual. Acknowledging the efforts of CMR Law School in nurturing the best legal minds in the country, Justice Chandrashekara wished the organization to keep up its pioneering vision. 

Justice Srinivasa Reddy, former Judge, High Court of Karnataka and Chairman, Governing Council, CMR Law School, the Guest of Honour, administered the CMR Graduation Oath to the outgoing students – 8^th batch of B.A, LL.B (5 years) and 3^rd batch of LL.B (3 years).

K.C. Ramamurthy, Chairman, CMR University and CMR Group of Institutions, in his address, said, “The responsibilities of a legal professional is of noble in nature when administered with all sincerity and discipline and is vital towards cultivating social ethos and a better life environment for the mankind.” He reminded the graduating students the positive impact they could make in the legal ecosystem of the country.

In the past CMR Law School has had the honor to have distinguished legal luminaries, like H. R. Bharadwaj, former Governor of Karnataka, T.N. Chaturvedi, former Governor of Karnataka, Dr. Justice V.S. Malimath, Dr. Justice S.R. Nayak, Justice Santosh Hegde, Dr. Justice Rajendra Babu, Justice Cyriac Joseph and several judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court, address the students as a part of the CMR Memorial Guest Lecture Series. 

The Graduation Day address has been a constant feature designed to deliver parting advice and guidance to the youngsters on the verge of starting their careers.

Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy, President, CMR Jnanadhara Trust, was the Guest of Honor. Mr. K.C. Ramamurthy, Chairman, CMR Group of Institutions, presided over the event. Dr. Pratima Prabhakar, Principal, CMR Law School; Dr. C.M. Bhaskar Reddy, Director CMR Group of Institutions and Mr. K.C. Jagannath Reddy, Secretary, CMR Jnanadhara Trust, were present on the occasion.  

Marginal Net Profit Rise of Rs 417 cr for Syndicate Bank in Q4

State-owned Syndicate Bank today reported a marginal 2 percent growth in net profit to Rs 417 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2014-15.

The bank had posted net profit of Rs 409 crore in the January-March quarter of 2013-14.

The total income of the bank during the quarter increased to Rs 6,599.13 crore, compared with Rs 5,357.40 crore in the year-ago period.

It has recommended a dividend of Rs 4.70 per share (47 percent), for 2014-15, Syndicate Bank said in a statement.

For the entire fiscal 2014-15, the bank posted 11 percent decline in net profit to Rs 1,522.93 crore, compared with Rs 1,711.46 crore in the previous financial year.

The total annual income of the bank increased to Rs 23,724.75 crore, compared with Rs 19,945.21 crore in 2013-14.

The bank's Gross Non-Performing Assets rose to 3.13 per at the end of March 2015, from 2.62 percent a year ago. The net NPAs too rose to 1.90 percent against 1.56 per cent at March 2014.

Over 800 Teachers of Sri Chaitanya Schools Receive Training On MS Office 365

Microsoft India will train over 800 teachers of Sri Chaitanya Schools as the schools embark on their digital classrooms program. Sri Chaitanya Schools recently announced adopting Microsoft India’s Edu-Cloud infrastructure and 14,000 Windows-based tablets for their students and teachers of Class 3, 4 and 5 in 80 schools to connect, collaborate, create, and share content, with an aim to make teaching and learning fun. The teachers’ training will be as per the recommended guidelines of the Microsoft’s well-known, global ‘Partners in Learning’ (PiL) program.

Microsoft’s PiL program introduces innovative approaches to pedagogy, supports teacher professional development, and provides teachers with the tools to implement and manage change. To drive education reforms across their schools and build teacher capacity, Sri Chaitanya Schools will also use the Microsoft Innovative Schools Program and Microsoft Educator Network.

Neeraj Gill, General Manager – Public Sector, Microsoft India, said, “Technology is transforming education and empowering students, teachers and educational institutes the world over. Our Partners in Learning and other school programs equip teachers to use technology in pedagogy that bring out the best in students and help them prepare for the future. We are glad that Sri Chaitanya Schools have chosen these programs and adopted 14,000 Windows-based tablets to gain from Microsoft India’s Edu-Cloud, driving a holistic in-classroom experience in their schools.”

V Sricharan, Director, Sri Chaitanya Schools said, “We are excited to adopt Microsoft’s education offerings to drive digital teaching and learning across our schools. We believe Microsoft’s programs, tools and resources will empower our teachers with new approaches to teaching, and enhance the learning experience of our students.”

The Microsoft Innovative Schools Program helps district and school leaders embrace innovation and implement technology effectively to support teaching and learning. With this program, Sri Chaitanya Schools will gain access to resources that improve insights to teaching practice for school leaders and educators, as well as content, training and resources relevant to school leaders, with a focus on the most important issues facing education today, including personalized learning. They can also join the global professional learning community of committed school leaders from around the world who share and learn from their experiences by attending the Microsoft Global Forum, Virtual Universities, and other selected invitation only workshops and trainings.

The Microsoft Innovative Educator Program increases educator capacity to build crucial 21^st century skills for their students through the effective and innovative use of technology. Through this partnership,all educators from Sri Chaitanya Schools will be eligible to earn recognition as a Microsoft Innovative Educator on the Partners in Learning Network, seek certification as a Microsoft Certified Educator, and apply for the elite Microsoft Expert Educator program. Additionally, they will have access to digital literacy curriculum, Microsoft Teaching with Technology (TwT) workshop and curriculum, access to free tools and software, as well as online professional development programs.

Shell V-Power Petrol Hits the Indian Market

Shell India has announced the launch of Shell V-Power, its premium performance petrol, across all itsmajor outlets in India. The high grade petrol that costs Rs 8 more than the prevailingprice of the normal petrol can boost engine performance of all vehicles including cars and two wheelers, the company claimed.

Speaking to reporters here Ravi Sundararajan, General Manager, Shell Retail India said the company had 76 outlets in India and with de-control of diesel prices,the company would chalk out new and aggressive expansion plans. He said V-Power was inspired by Shells technological innovations for Ferrari. 

This special grade petrol had a unique double action for mulation designed to actively clean the engine and protect vitalengine parts to help deliver more power. Shell V-Power petrol is currently available at Shell outlets in Bangalore, Mysore, Chennai,Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Baroda, Surat and Pune. 

He said the 'globally acknowledged and successful fuel' had already marked its presence in 67 countries around the world. Our  customers have appreciated the quality of fuels at Shell, and V-Power will replace the existing Shell Super brand of premium petrol, he said.    

Indian Motorcycle Vrooms Into Indian IT Capital

Polaris India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc., the world leader in Off-Road and All-Terrain Vehicles unveiled its two new power-packed ultra-luxury 2015 Indian Roadmaster and the new Indian Chief Dark Horse alongside the opening of its second dealership in India in Bengaluru recently.  

The showroom inauguration and the unveiling of the bikes were done by Scott Wine, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer; Bennett J. Morgan, President & Chief Operating Officer; Michael Dougherty, Vice President – Asia Pacific & Latin America from Polaris Industries Inc.; and Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd.

The occasion was also marked by another symbolic milestone for the brand - handing over of the keys of the new Indian Chief Dark Horse to its first customer soon after its debut in the Indian market. Scott Wine and Bennett J. Morgan also handed over the keys of the legendary Indian Scout to their proud customers.

The ex-showroom prices (Delhi) are as follows:

2015 Indian Roadmaster: Rs 34.95 lakhs

Indian Chief Dark Horse: Rs 21.99 lakhs

A short, sneak peek of the new 2015 Indian Chief is available on the Indian Motorcycle website (www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-in).

“The launch of Indian Chief  Dark Horse and Indian Roadmaster coincides with the opening up of our second Indian dealership here in Bengaluru. We are bringing these two iconic products from the Indian Motorcycle stable to the Indian market. Since the introduction of these motorcycles in the Indian market in January 2014, there has been a lot of excitement amongst the motorcycle aficionados across the country. These luxury motorcycles are generating a lot of interest and demand due to their unmatched quality and dynamic looks. We are quite upbeat about the market here and have further plans for bringing these iconic machines close to your doorstep through more dealerships going ahead.’’ said Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd.

The showroom, located at Exquisite Moto LLP, Prestige Nugget, No. 126, Infantry Road, Bengaluru – 560001 will display the entire range of the Indian Motorcycle: Indian Roadmaster, Indian Chief Classic, Indian Chief Vintage, Indian Chieftain, Indian Chief Dark Horse and Indian Scout. The team at the dealership will comprise of trained professionals offering global standards of after-sales and service support to add to the overall experience of owning an Indian Motorcycle.

The state-of-the-art showroom combines global architectural standards and infrastructure synonymous with the reputed legendary brand under one roof. Besides being a visual delight with the entire range of Indian Motorcycle on display, the dealership also boasts of attractive merchandise to enthuse the visitors and customers.

INDIAN ROADMASTER:  The 2015 Indian Roadmaster reflects pure American luxury. Building upon the iconic Roadmaster name used by Indian in the 1940s, the new Roadmaster re-imagines Indian Motorcycle comfort, styling and performance out on the open road, for the long haul.

The Thunder Stroke 111 engine delivers an incredible 119 ft-lbs of torque and feature styling that pays tribute to legendary Indian Motorcycle engines of the past. It comes fitted with Horizon Power Windshield with push-button adjustability to customize airflow, provide weather protection, and reduce glare. Fitted with keyless ignition, the key fob of Indian Roadmaster offers security and convenience.

The comfortable rider and passenger seat feature new desert tan leather, designed to withstand the elements. This sealed, high-quality leather is strong and durable, and it complements the traditional Indian Motorcycle style. 

IT Essential For Growth Of Indian Healthcare

The 3rd Annual Healthcare IT India Summit (organized by Fleming India Conferences) commenced today at the Taj West End Hotel, gathering healthcare experts from across the region to address burning issues and challenges faced by the healthcare industry in the region and brainstorm on future of healthcare technology in the nation. The conference kicked off with an opening speech on ‘Healthcare future under current scenario and resilience with information technology,’ by Joy Chakraborty (Chief Operating Officer - P D Hinduja Hospital & M R C – Mumbai) who is the chair person for first day of the summit. It was followed by opening key note on ‘Healthcare under Modi Government’ by Rajendra Pratap Gupta (Advisor to Union Government).

Joy Chakraborty (Consultant- Health Funding Department - Dubai Health Authority), in his session focused on identifying new trends and analysis of the current market situation. The session was followed with a special address by U.T. Khader, Honourable Minister of Health and Family Welfare - State Of Karnataka.’ Niranjan Kumar Ramakrishnan (Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi) elaborated on Hospital Information Management System, Data Management/Data Governance, HCIT's opportunities and challenges. A presentation by Dr. Prabhat Tewari (MD - FIACTA, FTEE, SGPGIMS, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Anaesthesiology, Lucknow) on data mining in OR and ICU followed. The day concluded with a panel discussion on Strategic and Successful adoption of IT in healthcare – 'The Role of CIO’ was moderated by Puneet Kanodia (Ricoh India Ltd - Chief Operating Officer – Healthcare Vertical, India).

Second day of the summit has four sessions. First session of the day is dedicated to Digitization, Cloud based Healthcare and Smart Hospitals. During the session, Sandeep Saxena (Persistent Systems - Business Development Asia Pacific Region) will throw light on Building Smart Hospitals. Second session of the day will focus on Tele-medicine, Sustainable Healthcare and understanding the patient centric healthcare system in which Dr. Shankar Narang (Fortis Memorial Research Institute) will put forth his views on understanding the new age patient, the responsibilities of the healthcare organization towards the patient and responsibilities of patient towards the hospital. Third and fourth session will be on technology for better patient care and interoperability in Indian Healthcare, rationalizing IT in Healthcare and the future of IT in ever growing healthcare industry.

Several Healthcare technology solution providers like Vision Solutions, CSC Asia Middle East and Africa Region, Draeger Medical India Pvt. Limited, Attune Technologies, HID Global, Oracle Health Sciences,Tadiran, Diaspark, Merivaara, ABI Health, Ricoh India Ltd. showcased their solutions at the summit. The two-day forum is tailor-made with two years of industry feedback to open the floor to discussion for better understanding of Healthcare IT in India, its issues, challenges and the current technologies in use. The 3rd Annual Healthcare IT India Summit will conclude with closing remarks from the chair Niranjan Kumar Ramakrishnan (Chief Information Officer (CIO) from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital) and a networking session.