Edutech NGO Meghshala App to Help Over 50,000 Teachers in 2017

Meghshala, a non-profit edutech organisation founded by former teacher Jyoti Thyagarajan and entrepreneur Sridhar Ranganathan, has launched its 'Android App' and ‘Pinut’ server.

By setting up 50 low-cost offline content distribution hubs called ‘Pinut’, Meghshala, which is supported by Tata Trusts, allows a teacher to visit a block resource centre near their school and download the app and the Meghshala ‘TeachKits’ for free. Meghshala has close to 500 active users.

The app and server aim to reach over 50,000 teachers in the country, going beyond Karnataka. Teachers with a smartphone and Internet connection can download the app and lessons free of cost.

The organisation partners with Makkala Jagriti, ISHA Foundation, MYRADA and Anthyodaya that helps them communicate with the teachers in the most remote parts of India.

The content is multilingual and has lessons in Kannada, English, and Hindi. The teach kits will have new pedagogical techniques, teaching ideas, activities, videos, and pictures that help teachers engage with students. The app, launched on Friday, also has a discussion forum, which allows exchange of teaching techniques as well as content. Teachers can also post videos, pictures and even ask for help.

Jyoti Thyagarajan, founder and trustee of Meghshala, said that with the increasing penetration of smart phones, the app could be downloaded on the smart phones for free and is easy for teachers to use in their classrooms. Ullas Kumar, vice-president-Education Operations of Meghshala, said the content can be filtered based on the subject, class, lesson, and titles. There are over 2,500 lessons available on the app.

Mallikarjun M.R., an elementary school teacher at a government school in Kodathi in the city, said he had tested the app prior to the launch.

“There could be times when we are not able to ideate on how to teach a particular chapter. The app comes in handy at such times,” he said. He recently taught a lesson on elements, compounds, and mixtures to class 6 students and he said he was able to win the concentration of his students as there were many pictures that helped students visualise.

Rajeev Gowda, Rajya Sabha MP, G. Raghuram, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru and VR Mehta of Tata Trust were present at the launch of the app at an event in Bengaluru.

Full Scale Participation by Karnataka State at the World Food India 2017 in New Delhi

Karnataka will be the Focus State with full scale participation at the World Food India 2017 event approaching shortly in New Delhi. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) held Roadshow in Bengaluru on Friday.

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Karnataka Minister for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda addressed the industrialists and business persons from the state, seeking their active participation in World Food India. More than 250 delegates participated in the Roadshow.

 
The three-day event, with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) being the National Event Partner, will be held in New Delhi from November 3-5, 2017.

Addressing the industry leaders at the roadshow, Ms Badal said ''We are eyeing to get $US10 billion investment in food processing sector in next few years. The food processing industry can grow multifold in coming years as government has come up with numerous schemes & initiatives to create the conducive business environment. 

Setting up of 42 Mega Food Parks will lead to direct employment for up to 5 lakh and benefit 25 lakh farmers.'' 

''The aim of these Mega Food Parks and SAMPADA scheme is to double farmers’ income. Reducing the plight of India farmers and making India a global food factory, centre has launched Scheme for Agro-Marine Produce Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters (SAMPADA) with increase in output 2.5 times by year 2020.

Food processing sector can help to achieve this goal as currently we are only processing 10% of entire raw products,'' she added.

Ms Badal said ''We need to reduce the food wastage in the country. We lost 1 Lakh crore worth of post-harvest annually which can be saved if we set up the proper food processing facilities across the country.''

She briefed the business community about the Government schemes related to food processing industry and highlighted the benefits of Kisan Sampada scheme of the Central Govt for Farmers, FPOs, Corporates etc. Kisan Sampada scheme will benefit 20 lakh farmers and generate 5,30,500 direct/indirect employment in the country by the year 2019-20. 

She urged the business community of Karnataka for maximum participation in the event and look for new opportunities and collaboration with other Indian and global companies.

Speaking at the roadshow and highlighting the growth prospects in Karnataka, Byre Gowda said '' Karnataka will participate in this initiative at full scale and lend all the required support to make it successful. World Food India will be a platform to showcase the strengths and opportunities of food processing sector of the country. Karnataka has a huge potential in the food processing industry as the state produces variety of fruits, vegetables and grain and is the top five producer of sunflower, coffee, onion, tamarin, tomato, cinnamon, papaya, mango, etc. in the country.''

''Farmers will be benefited when food retail becomes organized and we need to push for policies for promotion of organized food retail in the country,'' he added. 

(With Agencies inputs)

Lakshmi Vilas Bank Provides Ignition to NSLV Kalam-2 Project of Space Kidz India

Lakshmi Vilas Bank, one of India’s fastest growing Banks, announced its support to Space Kidz India’s new project titled ‘NSLV Kalam-2’ selected by NASA.  This is a 48 hour mission in which apayload, twice the size of Empire State building will be created. This payload will be flown in NASA's scientific balloon that will be sent into the stratosphere. This project is aimed at understanding the feasibility of space tourism in India by equipping it with sensors to collect data and human DNA samples. It is also intended at devising a functional space printer in the honor of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Eight students including six from Chennai have designed and developed this payload. The said balloon is set to be launched from NASA’s Langley Research Centre on August 24 or 31, depending on the presence of eclipse.

Applauding the efforts put in by children, P Mukherjee, MD & CEO, Lakshmi Vilas Bank, said “Our support to NSLV Kalam project is one of the many ways of LVB to reinforce its commitment to encourage the spirit of innovation among children. We decided to join hands with Space Kidz India with an objective to fuel young minds’ aspiration to reach the skies.  Feats such as these ought to be recognized and motivated so that youth across the country take interest in science. Nurturing such talents will go a long way in creating a pool of innovators and scientists who would guide the nation to the forefront of the technological revolution that the world is witnessing”.

Srimathy Kesan, CEO, Space Kidz India, said, “We thank Lakshmi Vilas Bank for their support. Commitment by premier organizations such as LVB will not only boost morale, but will also provide buoyance to children’s wings who can reach the sky”.

LVB runs various initiatives such as education, development of girl child, rural sports, homes for elderly focus and supporting Government’s Swachh Bharat mission. The Bank is highly supportive of the involvement of its employees in its CSR initiatives and community activities of their choice and therefore proactively encourages their support to bank’s CSR activity.

Space Kidz India, is an organization creating international experimental leaning for students in the field of science, technology, art and culture. Space Kidz India, headquartered in Chennai, has conducted various contests for identifying young scientist to lead its projects. Its recent endeavor “Kalam Sat”, world’s lightest and first 3D printed satellite, has received large support world over, which stands testimony to its dedication and excellence. Space Kidz India team has won a spot in The NASA’s Balloon Challenge, 2017 conducted by “idoodleedu inc”.

India’s Favorite SUV Just Got More Desirable: Audi Drives in Audi Q7 Design Edition

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer has announced the introduction of the Audi Q7 Design Edition in India with a host of new features to supplement the class defining features of India’s favorite SUV. The new features, which make the Audi Q7 even more appealing, include Audi Smartphone Interface, Full Paint Finish with Smoked Tail Lamps, Running Boards, Exhaust Trims in Gloss Black, 50.8 cms (20") Cast Aluminum Alloy Wheels with 5-Spoke-Star design, and Door Puddle Projection Lamps with Audi logo in front and quattro logo in the rear. The powerful 45 TDI (3.0 TDI) engine churns out 249 hp (183 kW) of power and 600 Nm of torque, propelling the Audi Q7 from  0 to 100 kmph in 7.1 seconds. The Audi Q7 with Design Edition package is available at Rs 81,99,000; limited stocks only.

“We have been at the forefront of creating the luxury SUV segment in India and the Audi Q7 has been the model that set the ball rolling for us. The Audi Q7 has always been for luxury connoisseurs who appreciate the finest in life and I am confident that the Audi Q7 Design Edition will appeal to India’s best,” said Mr. Rahil Ansari, Head Audi India. 

“We are celebrating 10 years of successful journey of Audi in India and there is no better way to celebrate this than by listening to our customers and make their favourite SUV even better. With limited offer of the Audi Q7 Design Edition, we have tried to make India’s popular SUV even more desirable by accentuating the sporty and progressive aspects of the car and making it truly #MyKindOfAudi for the connoisseurs in the country,” added Mr. Ansari.

Design Edition features

·       Audi Smartphone Interface 

·       50.8 cms (20") Cast Aluminum Alloy Wheels, 5 Spoke star design 

·       Full Paint Finish 

·       Smoked Tail Lamps 

·       Door Puddle Projection Lamps with Audi logo - front 

·       Door Puddle Projection Lamps with quattro logo - rear 

·       Running Board

·       Exhaust Trims in gloss black

Exterior

·       Audi Matrix LED Headlamps with dynamic indicators 

·       Exterior Mirror housing in body color 

·       Exterior Mirrors, electrically adjustable, heated, folding, dimming and memory function

·       Panoramic Sunroof 

·       High Gloss Package

 Interior

·       Upper inlays in brushed aluminum 

·       Lower inlays in Walnut terra brown 

·       Ambient Lighting Package 

·       Interior mirror with automatic anti-glare action 

·       Upholstery in Cricket leather 

·       Leather-covered multifunction plus steering wheel, 4-spoke with paddle shifters

·       Electromechanical power steering 

·       Electric Steering Wheel Adjustment 

·       Cruise Control 

·       Adaptive Air Suspension with All-road and off-road modes

·       Audi Drive Select

·       Electrically adjustable front seats with Driver seat with memory function

·       4-Way Lumbar Support 

·       Electrical sun blind for rear, manual sun blinds for rear side windows 

·       4-Zone Deluxe Automatic Air Conditioning

·       Electric opening & closing of luggage compartment lid 

Infotainment

·       MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch

·       8 Specific favorite buttons, configurable for music, contacts, radio and Navigation POI

·       BOSE® Surround Sound system with revolutionary 3D sound 

·       Audi Virtual Cockpit 

·       Bluetooth Interface 

·       Voice Dialogue System 

Safety & Assistance Systems 

·       Cruise Control System with Speed Limiter function

·       Audi Pre Sense Basic 

·       Automatic Anti Slip Differential with electronic stabilization control 

·       Electronic Vehicle Immobilization Device 

·       8 Airbags 

·       Space-saving spare wheel 

·       Auto Park Assist with 360 Degree Surround Camera 

CSS Corp Wins Silver Stevie in 2017 International Business Awards

CSS Corp, a new age IT services and technology support company, was named the winner of a Silver Stevie Award in the Best New Product or Service of the Year – Software – Platform as a Service category at The 14th Annual International Business Awards 2017. CSS Corp was conferred the recognition for its proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform, Yodaa.

Yodaa is a highly personalized virtual assistant, which integrates with all customer channels like voice, email, chat and website across devices, and offers context-driven, real-time support with a human-like interaction to resolve customers’ needs.

Speaking on the recognition, Manish Tandon, Chief Executive Officer, CSS Corp said, “Winning Stevie International Business Awards is a milestone for CSS Corp. We are honored to be recognized as an industry leader in innovation. Automation and AI are becoming major game changers in the world of technology and business. At CSS Corp, we are leading this change by developing technology tools and platforms that give us a distinctive advantage in delivering transformational results to our clients.”

Sunil Mittal – EVP, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer said, “Our primary focus lies in building technology solutions that make a critical difference to our clients’ business, while strengthening our technology pillar. Amongst CSS Corp’s many innovative solutions, Yodaa stands tall, and to have been recognized as the Silver Stevie winner is indeed a great honor for us.”

The International Business Awards are the world’s premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2017 IBAs received entries from more than 60 nations and territories.

A record total of more than 3,900 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Company of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Startup of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year, and Executive of the Year, among others.  Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 executives worldwide who participated on 12 juries.

“The IBA judges from across the world were highly impressed with the nominations they reviewed this year. With the level of achievement documented in the nominations from 60 nations, the Stevie Awards are proud to honor organizations that demonstrate a high level of achievement in a variety of industries” said Michael Gallagher, President and Founder of the Stevie Awards. “We look forward to sharing many of these stories with people around the world over the coming months, through the Stevie Awards blog and social media channels, with the hope to inspire others to high achievement.”

Mobile Manufacturers Need to Outline Steps Taken for Data Security: IT Ministry

The government has asked all smartphone companies, majority of them Chinese manufacturers, to outline the procedures and process:es adopted by them to ensure security and privacy of users’ data.

The directive comes amid standoff between India and China over Doklam, as also rising concerns over imports of Chinese IT and telecom products.

“The ministry has given time till August 28 to all companies to furnish their responses,” a senior IT Ministry official said.

The official pointed to international and domestic reports about data leaks from mobile phones and said that in the first phase, devices and preloaded software and apps will be under scrutiny.

Penalties may follow

Based on the response of the companies, the ministry will initiate verification and audit of devices where required.

It has also warned of penalties under provisions of IT Act 43 (A) in case stipulated processes are not being followed.

The official said the objective of the exercise is to ensure that required data security measures are being taken with regard to hardware and software in mobile phones.

In all, the IT ministry has written to 21 smartphones makers, the official said.

“Any device sold in the country should be compliant with global security standards. If companies fail to comply, further action will be taken,” said the official who did not wish to be identified.

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had called a meeting of senior officials in the department, and representatives of Cert—In and others on August 14 to take stock of the situation, the official added.

The official added that the issue was critical given surge in e-commerce transactions and digital payments.

‘Buy One, Get One’ Offer this Independence Day from Lenskart.com

Lenskart.com, India’s leading eyewear brand, celebrates Independence Day with its exclusive offer.

Reflecting the richness and celebrations of freedom in every corner of India, Lenskart.com’s collection consists of flamboyant and elegant eyewear as well as sunglasses with exquisite designs.  Consistently striving to offer the most exceptional and enticing offering for its customers, Lenskart celebrates the spirit of independence by offering an attractive ‘Buy one, Get one’ offer which will allow consumers to pick any two eyewear/sunglasses for the price of one across “Vincent Chase” and “John Jacobs” brands

The ‘Buy one, Get one’ offer will be effective till Wednesday, August 16, 2017. To avail the special offer, all one has to do is log on to the app and website, add both products to the cart and the discount applies automatically. The offer is also applicable at Lenskart stores across the country.