ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Meet from February 25-27, 2019

The first edition of ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Meet 2019 will be held here from February 25 to 27, Karnataka Minister for large and medium scale industries K J George.

Speaking at the curtain raiser of the event, George said, "The event will showcase Karnataka to the ASEAN and special invitee countries.

It will also make trade and industry of Karnataka aware of the opportunities for trade and investment in ASEAN and special invitee countries." 

George said the government's endeavour will be to bring together the chambers of commerce, business persons, exporters and importers of ASEAN countries along with some special invitee countries on one platform to promote trade, business and investment.

The event will be hosted by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

The FKCCI said in a statement that the three-day summit will be the first of its kind as there has not been any meet of the major chambers of commerce of ASEAN and that too in Bengaluru.

It will create a high-level networking ground for people to explore new collaborations and showcase new products to stakeholders, it said.

The business body was optimistic that the event would raise over Rs 2,000 crore investments and attract industry bodies from over 23 countries.

JNCASR Scientists to Conduct 40-Months Study on Radiation Fog at the Kempegowda International Airport

Fog disruptions could soon be a thing of the past at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB). Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) – operator of the BLR Airport – has entered into an agreement with Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) to conduct a collaborative study on atmospheric conditions in the vicinity of the Airport. This study will develop a Numerical Simulation Tool capable of predicting onset, intensity and dissipation of fog. The outcomes of this study will come as a huge relief for passengers, flying in and out of Bengaluru during the winter months, when fog is at its peak. The Agreement was signed at a function held at the JNCASR campus, in the presence of Bharat Ratna Professor CNR Rao.

The JNCASR Team – led by Prof. Sreenivas – will conduct extensive Research & Development on the microphysics of radiation fog and transport processes in the nocturnal atmospheric boundary layer over the next 40 months, leading to improved weather forecasting at BLR Airport. Factors influencing the occurrence of fog, such as atmospheric variability, ground temperature, atmospheric aerosol loading, radiative fluxes, water vapour and energy transport in the surface layer will be monitored during the fog season and the preceding months. To ensure accuracy of the study, specific instruments, including a Wind Cube, Humidity Temperature Profiler, Net Radiation Meters, Total Sky Scanner, Data Acquisition Switches and Velocity and Temperature Probes would be set up at designated areas in the vicinity of the Runway at the BLR Airport.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Nagaraja, President, JNCASR said “JNCASR is pursuing and promoting world-class scientific research and we possess necessary ingredients and capabilities to support BIAL in this exercise that will not only benefit air travelers & airlines, but also data from this research would have several other uses over the long term. I am optimistic that JNCASR team led by Prof. Sreenivas along with BIAL will succeed in this endeavor.”

"Fog-related flight delays in Bengaluru have caused delays and diversions, inconveniencing our passengers during this season, as well as resulted in huge financial losses for the aviation industry. As the second fastest growing Airport in the world, BIAL’s aim is to provide facilities and amenities to make the travel experience both efficient and seamless. We believe that BIAL’s agreement with Professors V Nagaraja and Sreenivas and the team from JNCASR will enable the availability of data that would facilitate flight planning and scheduling, directly bringing in relief to our passengers," said Mr. Hari Marar, MD & CEO, BIAL.

"In about eight months from today, we will open our second runway for operations. It will be CAT III B-compliant, with an advanced navigation system that empowers aircraft to land and take off under conditions of heavy fog. However, fog can still significantly affect operations, and, hence, the prediction of fog is very important to adequately support enabled aircraft to operate under low visibility conditions. With this in mind, we have approached Technical Research Centre (TRC) of JNCASR to undertake this collaborative research with joint funding," Mr. Marar added.

Controlled laboratory experiments will be conducted to help in developing parametrisation of energy transport in the nocturnal atmospheric surface layer. Based on analysis of such data- sets, a Numerical Simulation Tool will be developed capable of predicting onset of radiation- fog over the airport region. The effort would also include indigenisation of critical hardware components required for weather forecasting. Once the Numerical Simulation Tool is developed, the Airport will be able to receive visibility information well in advance. This will further enhance the operational efficiency of the BLR Airport. The prediction mechanism will hugely benefit airline operators, who incur additional financial losses owing to diversions and lengthy delays.

Acer Cloud Technology Launches Being Device Management Platform

Acer Cloud Technology announced the debut of Being Device Management (BDM), a device management platform for system integrators and managed service providers. BDM looks to address the device management needs of a growing number of IoT-integrated devices for business.

Acer Cloud Technology has joined forces with smart system suppliers Axiomtek, NEXCOM, IBASE, Shuttle, and AOPEN to provide an all-in-one device management platform across a variety of industries, such as retail, health, and transportation. Together, Acer Cloud Technology and its partners plans to offer an integrated hardware and software device management solution to help system integrators save costs and improve their operational efficiency through features such as automatic software provisioning, remote troubleshooting, and more.

"Acer develops cloud solutions with service-oriented, cloud-based technology to solve device management problems that arise in this new, highly integrated era," said Maverick Shih, Chairman of Acer Cloud Technology. “In launching Being Device Management, we are providing a centralized management portal for better operational efficiency and control of devices. As such, we are excited to partner with these vendors to preload Being Device Management onto more devices for complete and fully integrated solutions.”

A Comprehensive Device Management Platform

With BDM, system integrators and service providers will be able to remotely manage and control any number of devices through a centralized management portal. Businesses will further be able to deploy, organize, monitor, update, and troubleshoot their connected devices at any scale, whether they are a small, local retail shop or an international chain of department stores. BDM’s wide breadth of centralized cloud device management services saves businesses the hassles and costs of having to deal with multiple operating systems (i.e. Windows, Android, or Linux) across their devices.

Initial Rollout to Focus on Digital Signage Applications

BDM was developed as a combination of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), for a flexible management platform. It’s adaptable in different device implementation scenarios such as digital signage, point-of-sales systems, airport kiosks, and more.

Initial rollout of BDM-preloaded devices will be focused on digital signage applications to meet the growing demand by retail owners and system integrators for more comprehensive signage management solutions. Acer Cloud Technology will be directly supporting partners at industry events such as ISE (Integrated Systems Europe), EuroCIS, and Embedded World all happening this February to promote mutual growth.

Toyota Sets-Up Centre of Excellence at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) in continuation to its long standing commitment towards Skill Development, inaugurated the Toyota Centre of Excellence at Dayanand Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru. The concept of establishing Toyota Centre of Excellence at various colleges and institutes is in line with Toyota’s commitment to scale-up the skill sets and offer well expertized workforce to the automotive industry.

To aid in depth knowledge-base of engine composition at the grass-root level, Toyota handed over one cut section of the vehicle engine and an assembled engine. The key focus is to provide comprehensive learning opportunities for the students, offering them a first-hand experience of the vehicle engine. The engine cut section will showcase the component set-up in an engine and its related functioning. While the engine assembly section enables the students to gain an insight of the real orientation of the assembled engine including the dismantling and re-assembling techniques, thus achieving high quality skill sets in engine operating mechanism as part of the Skill Enhancement program.

This initiative is basically incorporated to pursue Toyota’s main objectives to promote, setup, monitor, govern and regulate institutions and academies for skill excellence through development of core employability skills, competency standards and to train on advanced technologies to meet the industry demands globally.

The event was graced by Dr. D. Hemachandra Sagar, Chairman - Dayanand Sagar Institutions [DSI], along with Sri. Galiswamy, Secretary, DSI, Dr. C P S Prakash, Principal - DSCE, Vice Principals - Dr. H Ramakrishna and Dr. D. R. Ramesh Babu, All Head of Departments, Staffs and Students. Also, present were the senior management representatives from Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Mr. Naveen Soni - Vice President and Mr. Sailesh Shetty - Vice President.

Commenting on this initiative, Dr. D. Hemachandra Sagar, Chairman, Dayananda Sagar Institutions said, “Toyota has led by example being a responsible corporate citizen through its various initiatives to cover broader societal issues.  With Quality and Excellence as the basic DNA, over the years Toyota has pioneered in manufacturing cars of global standards. It is our absolute privilege to partner with Toyota through this corporate social initiative which aims to impart high quality of education amongst engineering students. Through this program, we are confident that the students would gain a better insight into the complexity associated with the engine, which is an essential part of a vehicle, while enriching their learning experience and making it more practical and interactive.”

Expressing his views on the occasion, Mr. Naveen Soni - Vice President - Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Skill Development is one of the key pillars of our core CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility] and we are committed to offer the industry more skilled workforce with advanced technical expertise, developing future ready manpower. Toyota’s scalable and sustainable skill approach focuses to bridge the gap underlying India’s rapidly growing industrial sector with evolving technologies and availability of skilled workforce. Through these concerted skill efforts, we provide more comprehensive learning opportunities for the students at the grass-root level. Our objective at Toyota is to enable the students to be industry ready with desired skill sets and competencies, while contributing to the nations’ growth and Industry’s employability ratio.

We are confident that such practical exposure would enable the students to cope with different levels of operations associated with automotive functional mechanisms, while making classroom learning more interesting and exciting.” He added.

The company has been tirelessly working towards enhancing the employability quotient in the automobile manufacturing industry across India, by promoting unique skill sets.

As a part of its commitment towards developing world class skilled workforce for the emerging Indian Auto Industry, Toyota in 2007 established the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) which offers a three-year rigorous full-time training in – Automobile Assembly, Automobile Paint, Automobile Weld and Mechatronics (a combination of mechanical and industrial electronics) to financially challenged students hailing from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families from across Karnataka. This institute exclusively emphasizes on over all development of the trainees as per industry requirements & towards “Perfecting people” and there by contributing young multi skilled, energetic, ideal students to the nation. Training Curriculum is a unique blend which focuses on the holistic development of Knowledge (16%), Skill (34%), Body and Mind (50%) of the students. Last year Toyota’s TTTI institute accomplished the key milestone of being selected for “Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme” under the MoU signed by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Government of Japan (METI) and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Government of India (MSDE).

Some of the key highlights of TKM’s other skill initiatives follows:

·         Gurukul is a well-equipped learning center at TKM imparts diverse training to employees at all levels which helps them to improve their abilities and thoroughly fulfill their roles. Everyone who works in Toyota experiences 70% of their development through the job itself; and the experience serves as a driving force in developing the next generation.

·         Toyota Technical Education Program (T-TEP) provides technical know-how training to ITI students across India along with providing hands-on real-time experience within Toyota dealerships

·         Toyota Apprentice Scheme (TAS) – Under TAS, TKM has trained over 12,000 Apprentice Members (ITI, Diploma and Engineer) since 2002, which makes it one of the largest sources of providing such manpower to the industry.

·         National Skill Contest– Launched in 2014, National Sales & Service Skill Contest is an initiative that provides Toyota’s dealer sales & service personnel to showcase their skill levels with a view to identify gaps and improvise. Held at three levels – across dealership, regional and national levels, the contestants are evaluated on various parameters such as knowledge, process demonstration, soft skills and role plays among others. Continuous training skills are imparted to hone the dealer personnel skill sets to meet the growing expectations and deliver Toyota’s best-of-all Quality, Durability & Reliability for ultimate customer delight.

Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru Pledges For A ‘Cancer Less Future’

In an attempt to raise awareness and build cancer care capacity for a future without cancer, Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru today launched “Centre of Excellence for Immunotherapy, Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC)” at its premises today.

Aimed at educating people on early screening to detect and defect cancer, the hospital also unveiled a Dream Catcher, which is a positive element to signify Good Health on World Cancer Day. The Centre of Excellence for Immunotherapy and the campaign were launched by Ms. Manisha Koirala, Actress, Model and Cancer Survivor in the presence of Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman Manipal Hospitals, Dr. Somashekhar S.P, Chairman & HOD Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru & Dr. Amit Rauthan, Medical Oncologist, Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru.

Cancer is a disease caused primarily due to environmental and genetic factors. It can affect almost any part of the body. According to National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), an estimated number of around 2.25 million people are living with cancer.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman Manipal Hospitals said, “The reason behind the alarming statistics of cancer is the ignorance and denial of people, which often leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, problem lies in management of cancer and not the disease. In order to resolve the issue, Manipal Hospitals aim is to invest in best of technology in terms of treatment and create opportunities to make them accessible to public thereby reducing the burden of transportation. In fact, we have been supporting the cause of cancer awareness for years now with various initiatives. This year in order to take control of one’s health with the latest in cancer care; Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre has launched the Centre of Excellence for Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) as well as Centre of Excellence for Immunotherapy which are game changers in management of cancer.”

Speaking on the occasion renowned Model, Actress and Cancer Survivor Ms. Manisha Koirala said, “Cancer is deadly and very traumatizing. However, we can overcome it by adapting a positive attitude and healthy lifestyle. Being a cancer survivor myself, I learnt that having a positive mind and attitude towards could help us overcome our fears. However, there is need for creating awareness on cancer, early detection and working towards preventing the disease. I am glad to be a part of this initiative by Manipal Hospitals where I can encourage people and contribute towards the cause to some extent.”

Though cancer is a major cause of mortality, it can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle. Consumption of tobacco, alcohol and junk food can also enhance risk of cancer. It is important to follow a regular fitness regime. Significant proportion of cancers can be cured by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy and immunotherapy, especially if they are detected early.

Elaborating on Immunotherapy and HIPEC & PIPEC, Dr. Somashekhar S.P, Chairman & HOD Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru said, “Ensuring the availability of and access to, early detection programs for cancer can significantly reduce the cancer burden in all countries. For many low- and middle-income countries, the provision of a skilled cancer workforce to diagnose and manage cancer is a key barrier to the delivery of early detection. However, with advancements in cancer treatments like Immunotherapy and Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC), the burden of cancer care has reduced. In fact, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center at Manipal Hospital is the referral Center for HIPEC and PIPAC across Asia for advanced ovarian cancer and GI peritoneal cancers and highest number of HIPEC and PIPAC in entire Asia are done here”.

Considering this year’s theme for World Cancer Day, “I am and I will”, Manipal Hospitals have also launched a campaign called ‘Cancer Can Be Defeated’ as a personal positive commitment. The rationale behind this campaign is to raise awareness about cancer and encourage public to lead a healthy lifestyle, which is signified by unveiling a Dream Catcher in the premises of Hospital & other public places across the city.

In addition, a cancer troop created by Manipal Hospitals has been initiated with NGOs across 31 districts in Karnataka in order to promote the fight against cancer. The hospital even plans to organize a series of events for the next 6-7 months.

Present at the event Dr. Amit Rauthan, Medical Oncologist, Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru said, “Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps body’s immune system to fight cancer which now is expanding in many kinds of cancers. It not only helps cancer patients survive longer with good quality of life but also potentially cures some advanced cancer patients. On the other hand, while Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a minimally invasive therapy, Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment option for people who have advanced surface spread of cancer within the abdomen, without disease involvement outside of the abdomen. Both of which have lot of advantages like reducing chemotherapy side effects, improving chemotherapy absorption and susceptibility of cancer cells and so on.”

“Immunotherapy is the most recent advance in cancer management and is now being used in the treatment of many cancers. It works by allowing the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer cells. The major advantage is that it does not have the side effects of chemotherapy; and in patients who respond, the response can last for very long. Thus it not only helps cancer patients survive longer with good quality of life, but can also potentially cure some advanced cancer patients. “ Dr. Amit added.

Manipal Hospitals has always been on the forefront in providing world-class oncology treatment. Be it Digital Mammography with Tomosynthesis technology used in breast cancer care or Linear Accelerator (LINAC) used in general cancer management or robotic minimal invasive cancer surgeries, its endeavor to make a difference in cancer treatments has enabled the hospital to emerge as one of the prominent healthcare providers in the country. Now with Immunotherapy in unleashing the power of the immune system against cancer, Manipal Hospitals has added one more feather in cap of Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Employee Volunteers Drive the Clean-Up & Beautification of Bangalore City

In line with the philosophy of “Respect for the planet”, the employees of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) volunteered for a cleanliness drive under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to beautify Bangalore city and make public places cleaner.

In an endeavor to create better surroundings, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today conducted its sixth activity under ‘ICARE’, an employee voluntary initiative to paint the Nayandahalli flyover and spruce up the junction. Toyota aims to spread awareness on the importance of clean environment and undertake clean-up activity in one of the busiest and largest junctions in Bengaluru. More than 150 Toyota employees jointly participated towards making Bangalore city cleaner and beautiful. This CSR move by TKM has been in partnership with The Ugly Indian group to bring out a larger gathering [a total of 300 volunteers including Toyota employees and Ugly Indian volunteers] for a common social cause, transforming the select city junction into a clean environment.

The activity was divided into two phases. Firstly, beautification of the flyover walls and pillars through painting and designing murals and secondly repairing of the space below the flyover which is mainly used as parking space. In order to provide a feel-good factor to the road users, the volunteers also blocked the visibility of the drains around to ensure clean space around.

With a view to scale-up the active implementation contributing to nation’s mission of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”, TKM concerted efforts enhances the spirit of cleanliness in the community around and provides optimum developmental benefits from such initiatives.

Speaking on this initiative, Naveen Soni, Vice President - Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “At Toyota, we believe in giving back to the society we live in through integrated strength. Our objective is not only manufacturing ever better cars, but also enrich community lives.

As a responsible corporate citizen, we want to instill cleanliness as a mindset among the citizens of Bengaluru through this fun-filled activity. Cleaner public places and a beautiful city is desirable to all and we are trying to achieve that in our own ways. We believe in the philosophy ‘Grow together’ and thus focus on the community around us. We at Toyota would like to further enhance the Beauty of the Garden City which Bengaluru is known as, to its true sense.

‘ICARE’ is driven solely by the passion of our employees and shared responsibility to make a big difference in the society we live in. These kinds of activities empower our employees to be the change makers in the community and support them grow as individuals with real understanding of the social issues around them. Our employees have been actively involved to drive many CSR interventions in the areas of health, environment and education.” He added.

One of Toyota’s global CSR priorities is to protect the environment and reduce the amount of harm done to it, by instilling eco-mindsets in children and the community. Under its Environment initiatives, Toyota has developed an Eco Zone to create a biodiversity zone where children can observe and learn about the environment beyond classroom, while communities will evidence the environment conservation in person. With Eco Zone, Toyota Kirloskar is promoting “Harmonious co-existence” of humans and nature through various eco-activities.

Eco-Zone has been developed in the premises of TKM manufacturing plant. It is an open-air learning center, designed for eco-experiential learning for students. It is spread across an area of 25 acres alongside 500KW solar park.

As a part of the water conservation and environment drive, TKM adopted a lake (Abbanakuppe) in the vicinity - a first of its kind project, with an objective to protect the natural resource. This Lake Rejuvenation project is planned to run in collaboration with local community to ensure the sustainability of the lake. The objective is for the community to take ownership of the lake to ensure they have a supply of safe drinking for years to come. Four villages in the vicinity will be benefitted by this lake.

With GreenMe initiative, TKM is working with students, teachers and community to create pro-environment behavior in terms of water, waste, climate change issues, using environment education as a tool. Children are engaged through activity-based module focusing on the change in the mindset.

Our CSR’s main objective is to nurture the young minds and to spread the awareness from child to community in various focus areas of Education, Sanitation, Health, Road Safety and Environment.

Through varied CSR projects, Toyota has touched more than 11,00,000 lives. Toyota will further continue its various CSR interventions from a longer-term perspective and development of socio-economic stature of the society, touching many more lives to make a difference in each one’s well-being.

Popular American Brand Cold Stone Creamery Opens in Forum Shantiniketan Mall

Tablez, the organised retail arm of LuLu Group International, is ringing in the summer season with the opening of a new outlet of Cold Stone Creamery at The Forum Shantiniketan Mall, in Whitefield Bengaluru, today. This is the 6th store of Cold Stone Creamery in Bengaluru, with expansion plans of adding 6 more outlets in the city by the end of 2019.

Completing 30 years in 2018 and a presence in over 30 countries worldwide, Cold Stone Creamery is a force to reckon within the ice-cream industry. A pioneer in fresh ice-cream with delicious ingredients and unique customer service, Cold Stone Creamery is well known for crafting the freshest and 100% vegetarian ice-cream products.

Speaking on the launch, Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director, Tablez said, “Since introducing Cold Stone Creamery three years back, this brand has set itself apart with unique flavours and unmatched experience to become a consumer favourite across India. We are delighted to start this new outlet in Forum Shantiniketan Mall and believe that it will bring ice cream lovers together in an interactive store experience unlike any other.”

Cold Stone Creamery has “Signature Creations” and “Create Your Own” concepts, with over 20 toppings, where the ice-cream is customised for each guest by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. New flavours of the season are Rose Faluda, Dark Indulgence and Hazelnut Crunch. The chosen flavour-scoops are put on the slab and the mix-ins - which can be of a variety of nuts, chocolates, candies - depending on the choice of the customer, are mixed with the ice cream to create a blended treat. The store also offers signature ice cream cakes, shakes, smoothies and sorbets.

Cold Stone Creamery’s trained crew guide the customers through different aspects of the experience to help them give an ‘Ultimate ice-cream experience’. Crew members are trained in not just serving ice cream, but also break into songs, dance and sometimes juggle the ice-cream to entertain their guests. Cold Stone’s delicate ‘chop-chop-fold-fold’ process ensures quick and gentle mixing to prevent the escape of air from the ice-cream.