Predictions of Normal Monsoon Sparks Hopes to Agri Sector; Mahindra Unveils Yuvo to Revive Tractor Sales in India

By Manu Sharma
The tractor industry is set for a revival after a long de-growth in the agriculture sector across India. After two successive years of inadequate rainfall in most parts of the country, reports indicate that the south west monsoon will be normal or even above normal in 2016. With this good omen, Mahindra has unveiled Yovo, five agri specialists’ tractor in the range of 30-45 HP range hoping to revive sales in the market.

Mahindra and Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), the market leader in the tractor sector with about 41 percent market share are hoping for a revival of tractor sales and gain a bigger market share with a normal monsoon this year.

Speaking to this media, Ravindra Shahane, Head Marketing, Tractor and Farm Mechanization says, “It’s true that the tractor market has witnessed de-growth over the last two years but never before has the monsoon failed for three successive years. So we expecting a normal monsoon this year that will help the agri-sector back on its feet.”

Weather scientists say that they have spotted signs of a normal rainfall during the June-September monsoon season, if not a good, rainy season this year, sparkling hopes among farmers and others allied sectors.

“We have our fingers crossed and with a revival of good monsoon, it will help the entire agriculture sector. If this happens, then we can expect an 8-10 percent jump in the market,” remarks Shahane.

The present market size in 2016 is forecasted at 4,93,000 units while in 2011 it was 6.30,000 units. “This shows the potential this sector offers to the country’s growth. The de-growth over the last two years has led to a loss of about Rs 25,000 crore to the industry and a loss of tractor sales amounting to 10 to 20 percent during this period,” adds Shahane.

In fact, between 2003-04 and 2013-14, domestic tractor sales more than trebled from 1.9 lakh to over 6.3 lakh units, after averaging about 2 lakh units annually through the 1990’s and early part of the last decade.

Mahindra Unveils Yuvo Tractor in the 30-45 HP Category

Mahindra has raised the bar in farm technology with the launch of the Mahindra YUVO, a new age, superior technology, range of tractors in the 30-45 HP category which will be added to the company’s existing range of highly successful 15 – 57 HP tractors.

The YUVO range comes in five models – 265 DI (32HP), 275 DI (35HP), 415 DI (40HP), 475 DI (42HP) and 575 DI (45HP) respectively. It will be available in 15 states and will be priced starting at Rs 5.00 lakh for 265 DI (32 HP) ESR Bangalore.

The advanced technology of the YUVO range helps serve the diverse needs of farmers - from land preparation to harvesting as well as post-harvesting requirements, helps them do more, faster and better.

Built on a completely new platform with a unique and Industry first 12F+3R Full constant-mesh gearbox in the category, Mahindra YUVO is extremely versatile and can be used across more than 30 different farming applications.

“The Yuvo will cater to the evolving needs of the progressive farmer”, said Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd Executive Director, Pawan Goenka. “The YUVO range of tractors is developed at our state of the art research facility, Mahindra Research Valley at Chennai and has set a new benchmark in pioneering new technology and providing huge value to customers’. YUVO demonstrates the commitment of Mahindra to enable farmers to improve their yield and productivity and Rise in life. We are delighted to launch the YUVO, a definitive technology leader." 

Mahindra YUVO offers many new technology features to Indian farmers looking for tractors in 30 – 45 HP range. It is designed to deliver superior performance in farming operations in any soil condition and offers versatility to carry out over 30 applications, thus making it ideal for using in any part of India.

YUVO will be available across 15 states which are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telengana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa.

ZEVEN Jerseys for RCB T20 Players - Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB DeVilliers & Shane Watson

ZEVEN, the new sporting brand in India, announced its association with Royal Challengers Bangalore as the team’s Official Kit Partner for IPL Season 9. The Kit, with an exclusive Black and Red bold Team Jersey,was launched today in the presence of RCB’s marquee players Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB DeVilliers and Shane Watson, and the entire RCB team.   

Created with the #LiveToPlay Motto, the ZEVENRCB Kitdraws its inspiration from the passion for the sport and the immense love and support RCB fans have for the game. RCB also becomes the first IPL team to adopt separate kits for ‘Home and Away’. The Home and Away Jerseys alternate between a striking combination of red and black,with ‘temperature management Atmocool finish’ fabric specially designed by ZEVEN. While the fabric will help keep the players cool and comfortable, the style and fits have been designed for cricketing excellenceand is sure to stand out through the tournament!

Zeven is helping RCB fans join the IPL fever by offering an exclusive range of fan merchandise ranging from caps, replica team jerseys and running and gym shoes, for both men and women. The entire range has been designed keeping in mind style, comfort, trend and affordability and will be retailed across all big lifestyle stores and the top five e-commerce stores. The range is priced from Rs 595 to Rs 3299.

Commenting on the association, Mahesh Bhupathi, Co - Founder Zeven, said, “Zeven is privileged and thrilled to partner with a team as exciting as RCB. We are sure that the technology developed by ZEVEN for Indian weather conditions will help RCB players fight the battle on the field, while the designs will capture the hearts of the RCB fans”.

UL Launches Cybersecurity Assurance Program with New UL 2900 Series of Standards

UL, a global safety science organization, today announced its new Cybersecurity Assurance Program (UL CAP). UL CAP uses the new UL 2900 series of standards to offer testable cybersecurity criteria for network-connectable products and systems to assess software vulnerabilities and weaknesses, minimize exploitation, address known malware, review security controls and increase security awareness. UL CAP is for vendors looking for trusted support in assessing security risks while they continue to focus on product innovation to help build safer more secure products, as well as for purchasers of products who want to mitigate risks by sourcing products validated by a trusted third party.

As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, harder to protect against, and more costly than ever, security precautions are critical. There will be 21-50 billion connected devices by 2020, according to Gartner and other industry reports. By 2018, it is predicted that 66% of networks will have an IoT security breach*. The security and financial risks impacting products and services globally for public and private sectors and consumers alike are the key drivers to develop new safeguards in an ever-changing security threat landscape faced with growing risks.  

 “We’re aiming to support and underpin the innovative, rapidly iterating technologies that make up the Internet of Things (IoT) with a security program,” said Rachna Stegall, Director of Connected Technologies at UL. “The more devices become interconnected, the greater the potential security risks to products and services across all sectors. The Cybersecurity Assurance Program’s purpose is to help manufacturers, purchasers and end-users, both public and private, mitigate those risks via methodical risk assessments and evaluations.”

The new UL CAP was developed with input from major stakeholders representing the U.S. Federal government, academia and industry to elevate the security measures deployed in the critical infrastructure supply chain. The White House recently released the Cybersecurity National Action Plan (CNAP), designed to enhance cybersecurity capabilities within the US government and across the country. UL’s CAP services and software security efforts were recognized within the CNAP as a way to test and certify network-connectable devices within the Internet of Things supply chain and ecosystems especially relevant in critical infrastructures, such as energy, utilities and healthcare.

Asset owners from critical infrastructure can see the benefits of UL CAP as a means for evaluating the security posture of their supply chain.  “The availability and integrity of critical infrastructure is crucial to the safety and well-being of society. A comprehensive program that measures critical systems against a common set of reliable security criteria is helpful,” states Terrell Garren, CSO, Duke Energy.  UL CAP offers trusted third party support with the ability to evaluate both the security of network-connectable products and systems and the vendor processes for developing and maintaining products and systems with a security focus.

Asset owners know the significance of UL CAP being developed with Open Source technologies in mind as it aligns and simplifies their network-connectable products and systems, architectures, and cyber security strategies. “In the coming years, UL's role will be transformative in that it will provide cyber insurers with a common approach to evaluate and more efficiently price cyber risk for companies that adopt and promote the UL certified technologies and processes. In the short term, we expect the UL 2900 to become central to businesses delivering a more secure Internet of Things and government a more secure U.S. critical infrastructure. We believe that UL certification will carry significant weight, and differentiate our offering in the marketplace," states David Wallace Cox, President, Developer and Chief Architect at Reprivata, Corp.

UL's evaluation of security products and systems uses the UL 2900 series of standards which outline technical criteria for testing and evaluating the security of products and systems that are network-connectable. These standards form a baseline set of technical requirements to measure, and then elevate, the security posture of products and systems. UL 2900 is designed to evolve and incorporate additional technical criteria as the security needs in the marketplace mature. 

Building on the successful framework of the UL CAP pilot where initial vendors benefited from this innovative program, UL CAP can help vendors identify security risks in their products and systems and suggests methods for mitigating those risks in a wide range of industry functions, including: industrial control systems, medical devices, automotive, HVAC, lighting, smart home, appliances, alarm systems, fire systems, building automation, smart meters, network equipment, and consumer electronics. For increased flexibility for specific market requirements, vendors can select the UL CAP services best suited for their current needs.

Meeting the requirements outlined in the UL 2900 series of standards allows a product or system to be certified by UL as “UL 2900 compliant”. Additionally, since security is dynamic, UL 2900 can support the evaluation of a vendor’s processes for design, development and maintenance of secure products and systems.

Tata Communications Named an Aon Best Employer India 2016

Tata Communications, a leading provider of Communications, has announces its recognition as a 2016 Best Employer in India by Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc. The Aon Best Employers program measures and recognises employer excellence worldwide. Aon Hewitt has recognised Tata Communications for its organisational culture that ranks high on employee development and engagement, a compelling employer brand, effective leadership and an enabler of consistent high performance.

As a leading global organisation, the award is a testament to Tata Communications’ resolve on building an employee-centric culture that emphasises on driving curiosity and a passion for continuous learning. With over 8,500 employees across 30 countries and 40 nationalities, the company’s commitment to diversity is reflected through its workforce. Tata Communications’ HR practices recognise the ‘unconscious bias’, reassessing the approach to talent management, strategic decision making, inclusion and organisational culture. This allows the company to leverage the power of diversity, creativity and innovation to optimise the talent potential and employee experience - the key enablers of organisational success.

Aadesh Goyal, Chief Human Resources Officer, Tata Communications, says, “We are honoured to receive this recognition from Aon Hewitt. It is a validation of our people practices that are not only designed to deliver business results but to create immense value for the employees as well. We strongly believe that business results are driven by effective people practices. With our scale and truly global nature of operations, it is imperative for us to continuously reinvent ourselves. Being recognised for our efforts in India and winning the Best Employer award validates our commitment towards building a strong, diverse and inclusive global workforce.”

The Aon Hewitt study’s research methodology involves a rigorous process, conducted over a nine-month period that culminates in a solid, credible list of Best Employers. The Aon Hewitt award recognises and felicitates companies for robust people practices with key focus on career development and engagement through career opportunities, leadership development, internal communications processes, robust human resource policies and execution.

“We congratulate Tata Communications on being adjudged an Aon Best Employer. Tata Communications has embarked on a unique journey to align its Strategy, Culture and Employee experience with its focus on making their customers more efficient, agile and competitive. The organisation's emphasis on investing in leaders for tomorrow to drive the required Strategy and Culture gives it the edge,” says Tarandeep Singh – Partner, Talent and Performance Consulting, Aon Hewitt India.

The Aon Best Employers program is the most comprehensive study of its kind in Asia Pacific. It is run in 12 markets: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.

Indian Tourists Heading to Iceland to Double in 2016; Tourist Workshop Held in Three Indian Cities

With 30 million Indians expected to travel across the globe by 2018, tourism boards and tour operators companies are selling international destinations big time. Iceland, better known for its volcanic activities hosted a Tourists Workshop in Bengaluru on April 6, 2016, as part of a three city roadshow to promote tourism in Iceland.

Addressing the media, the Ambassador of Iceland, Thórir Ibsen says, “India has a very large tourists population looking for new destinations to visit and Iceland is the perfect place to visit. In terms of numbers, it’s only about 1000 tourists who visited Iceland in 2015 but expect the number to double each year. We are hosting the roadshow in Bangalore to build awareness among the tour operators and intern sell group packages.”

Iceland has become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. The number of global tourist arrival in 2015 was 1.2 million and are expecting it to touch 1.6 million or even 2 million in 2016, says Ibsen. In fact, it has grown three times the country’s population and it is growing rapidly.

Ideally group tourism is more popular in Iceland with 40-100 in a group. However, independent tourists also come as part of Euro trips. Lately, the number of Indian tourist visiting Iceland is steadily increasing as more and more people come to know about the country through films, tourism promotions and word of mouth. Indian travellers can reach Iceland by air from most European capital cities with flying time of three hours or less…

It’s stark landscape and amazing range of geological and natural phenomena with imposing glaciers, geysers, black sand beach makes for arresting visuals. Iceland also offers picturesque floating icebergs, majestic waterfalls, stark highlands and lava fields. Its yellow sulphur mountains, active and dormant volcanoes have been a treat for film makers from all over the world.

"The recent Shah Rukh Khan film Dilwale has helped us a lot in creating awareness about Iceland. We recognize India as a huge untapped market and we would like to be the pioneers."

Other prominent films shot in Iceland in the past are The Game of Thrones, Star Trek, Batman Begins, Thor, James Bond Films, Lara Croft, Tomb Raider, Nayak, Brindavana, Aadhavan etc. The spectacular locations, professional services and government incentive makes it indeed one of the best places to shoot a film in the world.

Iceland Wants to Assist India Develop Hydroelectric & Geothermal Renewable Energy

By Manu Sharma

Indian government has set a target  to have 100 GW solar power, 60 GW wind energy, 10 GW small hydro power, and 5 GW biomass-based power projects operational by March 2022. Since this a huge target to achieve, It’s time the Prime Minister Modi led government looks at getting technology expertise from advanced countries like Iceland to speed up the process.

Iceland is the world's largest electricity producer per capita. Ibsen says, “The presence of abundant electrical power due to Iceland's geothermal and hydroelectric energy sources has led to the growth of the manufacturing sector. We can assist India in building its renewable energy.”

By harnessing the abundant hydroelectric and geothermal power sources, Iceland's renewable energy industry provides close to 85% of all the nation's primary energy - proportionally more than any other country - with 99.9% of Iceland' electricity being generated from renewables.

The other major industries in Iceland include: fisheries and meat processing, food supplements, aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, tourism and services. “We don’t have a Free Trade Agreement in India yet but the negotiations are in progress. We have strong skills in food supplements like Omega3, cosmetics and mineral water technologies. The trade between Iceland and India presently amounts to about $70 million. 

"We were not focused on India so far but now are learning to deal with Indian businesses," he concludes.

Eminent US, Swedish & British Surgeons Share Experiences on Robotic Surgeons Meet in Delhi

Nearly 200 surgeons from India converge at New Delhi, this week, to update themselves on the latest developments in Computer Assisted Robotic Surgery. 

In this 2-day Robotic Surgeons Council meet, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Robotic Surgeons from the US, UK, Sweden and India will have intensive discussions across specialties. As Robotic Surgery has proven to be most efficacious in cancer cases, the meet will focus on Urology, Gynaecology, Thoracic, Paediatric, General Surgery, and Head & Neck cancers. Obesity reduction procedures in Bariatric surgery will also the subject of discussion. 

Prof. Peter Wiklund, Professor of Urology at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, one of the pioneers of robotic surgery, who has mentored over 100 robotic surgeons and fellows from around the world, since 2003, will be among the lead speakers. 

Prof Wiklund, a specialist in removal of cancerous urinary bladder, is among 2-3 urologists in the world to have mastered the technique of creating in situ a new urinary bladder robotically from parts of a patient’s intestine. 

Dr Nikhil Vasdev, a Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon at Lister Hospital, UK will hold an interactive session on cancers in Urinary systems. An accomplished minimally invasive surgeon Dr Vasdev is known for mentoring scores of Robotic Surgeons. 

“After establishing value for Robotic Surgery in India with documented superior patient outcomes and efficacy, India is posed for a quantum jump in Robotic Surgery. We can already see a huge momentum,” says Dr Mahendra Bhandari, Director, Robotic Research and Education, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, USA. 

“As Robotic Surgery has to cater to the needs of the masses to overcome scourge of cancer Vattikuti Foundation has worked with the Indian healthcare system to grow the number of just a handful of trained competent Robotic Surgeons in 2010 to 190 currently,” adds Dr Bhandari who is also the CEO of Vattikuti Foundation. 

Surgeons from Tata Memorial Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Medanta Hospital, Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, Max Hospitals, Amrita Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Mohak Hospital, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre among others will make presentations over the two days. 

A Surgical Robot 
Each surgical robot has 4 arms that can reach organs and areas where human fingers can’t. The 3-dimensional view, that can be magnified multi-fold, helps the surgeons achieve precision that is hard to match. Surgical Robots combine the best of science, engineering and medicine. 

Today Surgical Robots are being used in almost all specialties involving soft body tissues. Compared to conventional modes of surgery patients benefit by way of minimal blood loss, quick healing and less pain leading to shorter hospital stays. The patient can return to work faster. 

“In 2015 nearly 4000 procedures were performed in Indian hospitals equipped with Surgical Robots. In general most soft tissue body parts lend themselves to Robotic Surgery, says Gopal Chakravarthy, CEO, Vattikuti Technologies that makes Surgical Robots available in India. 

“By the end of the year, we expect Surgical Robots in India to grow to 40”,adds Chakravarthy. 

Many Indian surgeons have carried out procedures that have not yet been attempted. 

Vattikuti Foundation is working on a strategy to grow the trained pool of Robotic Surgeons to 300 from the current 190 through its Scholar and Fellowship programs. The Foundation has provided Vattikuti Fellowship to 9 doctors and plans to grow this number to 100. 

Vattikuti Foundation, that hosts Robotic Surgeons Council meet, is committed to train highly competent surgeons and will continue to motivate young surgeons. Vattikuti Foundation will offer Fellowships to select young surgeons, embarking on their journey to train themselves as Robotic Surgeons, at the meet on April 8 and 9, 2016.

The Foundation works with hospitals to make robotic surgery affordable to the masses in India. 

Vattikuti Foundation’s Fellowship Program 
Vattikuti Foundation is working on a comprehensive strategy to enhance the number of Robotic Surgeons in the country to 300 by 2020.

The strategy begins with a medical student engagement program where identified Vattikuti scholars (with a post graduate degree in surgery and a super specialisation) are exposed to webinars and Robotic Surgeons Council meets. About 10 scholars are awarded a 1-year paid fellowship, where they spend full year as an understudy to a Robotic Surgeon. From then on they are expected to become accomplished Robotic Surgeons capable of handling procedure independently.