Discovery Signs Superstar Rajinikanth for the First Episode of ‘Into The Wild with Bear Grylls’

Discovery, after featuring PM Modi in the first episode of Man Vs Wild, which was shot in India, has now signed Superstar Rajinikanth, to feature in the first episode of a new format series called ‘Into The Wild with Bear Grylls’ produced by The Natural Studios and Banijay Asia. The show marks the television debut for Rajinikanth, admiringly addressed as Thailavia, who has gained a cult status for being a Humane Superstar – simple, humble, generously loved – and adored by millions for more than four decades.  Rajinikanth will join world's most recognizable face of survival and outdoor adventure, Bear Grylls.

Into The Wild with Bear Grylls is an innovative new format inspired by Man Vs Wild, which is one of the most watched wilderness survival television series in the world. Last year, ‘Man Vs Wild with Bear Grylls & PM Modi’ episode disrupted the Indian media landscape, establishing itself as the TV event of the year. Beyond Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bear Grylls has also hosted prominent celebrities in the past such as then sitting American President Barack Obama, Kate Winslet, Roger Federer, Julia Roberts and many more.

“Into The Wild is a truly unique show – at one level it offers adrenaline pumping action, while at another, the show lends itself beautifully to driving a specific purpose for the larger good of society. So, when, officials from Discovery, a brand globally respected for offering inspiring real-life entertainment, approached me, I agreed to finally make my debut on TV after more than four decades of Cinema. Kavithalayaa, the iconic Production house founded by my guru, K. Balachander also played a significant role,” said, Rajinikanth. “Bear Grylls has tested the survival skills of multiple celebrity guests, pushing them to their limits; I look forward to the survival challenge in the mesmerizing wilderness of India.”

Talking about raising awareness about water conservation, Rajinikanth, said, “Every Indian will need to come forward and contribute in conserving water; this war has to be led at all levels including government, community as well as on the individual front. I believe this show on Discovery is a perfect platform to take the message of conserving water to every home across the country.”

“Our team is all very excited to work closely with Thalaiva! Much more than a cine star, Rajinikanth is a phenomenon who has captivated audiences across the world with his on-screen and off-screen work,” said, Bear Grylls. “He has always shown such energy and flair in all he does and he will need that courage and determination again on our journey into the beautiful wilds of India.”

“The combination of Rajinikanth in a never seen before avatar and Bear Grylls’ edge of the seat challenges, will make the show a must watch for every Indian,” said, Megha Tata, Managing Director – South Asia, Discovery. “We have decided to give a layer of purpose to each episode of the newly commissioned series, Into The Wild with Bear Grylls, as we aim to contribute to humanity in our unique way. Last year, the show featuring PM Modi, generated much desired attention on conservation of Wildlife; we are confident that the forthcoming episode featuring Rajinikanth will sensitize each one of us about conservation of water.”

Into The Wild with Bear Grylls is produced for Discovery Communications India by The Natural Studios and Banijay Asia, where Bear Grylls, Delbert Shoopman and Deepak Dhar are Executive Producers.

Tata Motors Ushers in a New Wave of e-Mobility in India, Launches the Nexon EV at Rs 13.99 Lakhs

Redefining the evolution of EVs in India, Tata Motors has announced the launch of India’s Own Electric SUV – the Nexon EV at an introductory price starting from INR 13.99 Lakhs (Ex- Showroom – All India). It is an aspirational SUV for personal car buyers looking for a thrilling, connected drive experience with zero emissions. Powered by the cutting-edge Ziptron technology, this vehicle promises zippy performance, an ARAI certified anxiety-free range of 312 km on a single charge, an efficient high voltage system, fast charging capability, extended battery life and class leading safety features. The Nexon EV will be available in three trim levels across 60 authorized dealerships in 22 cities. It will be available in three exciting colour options – Signature Teal Blue colour, Moonlit Silver and Glacier White.

In order to accelerate the adoption of EVs in India, Tata Motors is closely working with other Tata Group companies including Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Tata Autocomp, Tata Motors Finance and Croma, to create an e-mobility ecosystem, Tata uniEVerse.

Commenting at the launch, Tata Sons Group Chairman, N Chandrasekaran said, “E-Mobility is an irreversible mega-trend and an imperative for addressing pollution and generating job opportunities in India. Through Tata uniEVerse, our Group companies have synchronized their efforts to develop a holistic e-mobility ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of EVs in India. I am delighted that this ecosystem has come together with the launch of Tata Nexon EV, a path breaking electric SUV that can match the aspirations of mainstream Indian customers.”

Powered by Tata uniEVerse, consumers will have access to a suite of e-mobility offerings including charging solutions, innovative retail experiences and easy financing options. Tata Motors has partnered with Tata Power to provide end-to-end charging solutions at home, workplace and for captive and public charging. To develop the component supplier ecosystem, Tata Motors is collaborating with Tata Chemicals, which is working on manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells, exploring active chemicals manufacturing and battery recycling. The auto major is also working with Tata Autocomp for the localisation of battery pack assembly and motor assembly. As an extension to the consumer’s digital lifestyle, Tata Motors has partnered with Croma to provide a digital retail experience to its customers. The last piece of the solution involves introduction of affordable financing solutions for both personal and fleet segments, which will be provided by Tata Motors Finance.

Announcing the launch of Nexon EV, Mr. Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “After 16 months of strenuous effort, we are delighted to launch India’s Own Electric SUV, the Nexon EV. This high performance, connected vehicle is uniquely suited to address the aspirations of Indian customers, and making EVs mainstream. We are confident that this game changing product will further reinforce our commitment towards developing sustainable and responsible mobility solutions for India.”

Tata Motors is offering a hassle free ownership experience with a customized sales and service solution:

* Experience an immersive, visual experience of Nexon EV at select Croma stores in Mumbai, Delhi & Bengaluru
* Engage with the in-house trained EV product specialists across dealerships and Croma stores
* Avail doorstep service for both scheduled and corrective maintenance requirements to minimize the need for workshop visits
* 24x7 roadside & emergency assistance services along with the 24x7 call centre support will ensure round-the-clock support for any unforeseen or emergency service requirement

To know more about the Nexon EV or to book a test drive, customers can visit https://nexonev.tatamotors.com/ or follow social handles across:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TatamotorsEV,
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TatamotorsElectricMobility/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tatamotorselectricmobility/

Career in IT with Dual Degree in Computer Science from IIIT-B, Liverpool John Moores University

Leading online education company upGrad has taken up a significant initiative by launching a one-of-a-kind dual degree program in Computer Science. The program has been launched as a joint flagship initiative with IIIT-Bangalore and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), UK.

Owing to the evolution of the IT industry and emergence of new-age technology like Blockchain, AI, and Software programming, upGrad has launched this program with the purpose of upskilling working professionals for future careers in IT.

The 18-month dual-degree program enables learners to choose their specialization between two base PG diplomas- Full Stack Development or Blockchain Specialization. This program is an ideal fit for professionals looking to upskill in software development, website design, front end and backend development, dynamic programming, etc.

With this course, upGrad creates another significant milestone in the age of technological innovations, whilst bridging the skill gap in India and providing an array of career opportunities. Moreover, learners have the liberty to choose their specialization after building their foundation and programming basics for the first 6 months, and obtaining insights from industry experts from IBM, DCB Bank to decide the best fit for their profile.

Post completion of the program learners can pursue a Masters in Research with LJMU and graduate with dual credentials: M.Sc. and a specialized PG Diploma. The placement cell assures a minimum of three job interviews and job placement assistance with leading tech firms.

In each specialization, there are several job opportunities available including Full-Stack Developer, Backend/ Frontend Developer, Blockchain Developer, Ethereum Developer, Hyperledger Developer, Solidity Developer, and Javascript Developer.

This is the company’s second partnership with Liverpool John Moores University. Established in 1823, LJMU is rated among the top 20 engineering schools in the UK. The university is one of the largest, most dynamic, and forward-thinking institutes.

About upGrad:

Founded in early 2015, upGrad offers online programs for working professionals. In a short span of around 5 years, upGrad on-boarded over 21.5K paid learners and impacted more than 370K individuals globally, making it India’s largest online higher-education company, basis gross revenue generated from the Indian market in FY18-19.

upGrad provides programs in the areas of Data Science, Technology, Management and MBA to college students, working-class and enterprises. These programs are designed and delivered in collaboration with top-notch universities like IIT Madras, IIIT-B, BITS Pilani, MICA, NMIMS Global Access, Duke CE, Liverpool John Moores University and others. To further enhance the learning experience, a comprehensive ecosystem has been built which includes one-on-one mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, industry networking and most importantly expert career guidance providing learners holistic support to elevate their careers to the next level.

The company has been awarded the title of ‘Best Tech for Education’ by IAMAI in 2019. The company received the ‘Best Education Brands’ award by Economic Times and has made it to LinkedIn’s ‘Top 25 Startups’ two years in a row in 2018 and 2019.

Telecom Network Trends from R&M During the 2020s Including Ensuring 5G, Smart Cities

Reichle & De-Massari (R&M) the globally active Swiss developer and provider of cabling systems for high-quality network infrastructures presents again its market outlook for 2020.

In our recent 'Trends for 2020' article, we described several developments in Public, LAN and DC networks. Let's take a closer look at the challenges and trends, along with the solutions.

5G continues to drive the digital transformation

According to a prediction from Gartner, worldwide 5G network infrastructure revenues will touch $4.2 billion this year, recording 89% year-over-year growth. In 2019, Switzerland auctioned licenses for 5G services, as one of the first countries in Europe. The market is raring to go, but rollout is taking time. However, once fully rolled out, the 5G network will be capable of linking 100 billion devices simultaneously.

Carriers are increasingly deploying 5G, even as they keep densifying 4G LTE. According to Deloitte, telcos are starting to target enterprises for 5G applications in areas such as education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, transportation, and as an enabler for private networks. 5G's vast bandwidth and latency performance potential can be realized by bringing Fttx networks closer to the wireless connection point. Radio links will be increasingly replaced by antennas integrated into fiber networks and connected to local or regional edge data centers.

This is the only way the expected data load can be transported and processed in real time. Depending on location, this will require one and a half to three times as many base stations and two to three times more optical fiber than available today. Applications will rely on 5G's ability to enable edge computing, which will allow for greater reliability, better use if bandwidth, and lower latency. International Data Corporation predicts that in three years, 45% of all IoT-generated data will be stored, processed, analyzed, and acted upon close to or at the edge of networks.

Wireless and wireline networks are converging

Wireless access for fixed and mobile loops is resulting in dense short haul fiber capacity to wireless nodes, connected to more local hubs. Operators are deploying fiber closer to end users to support both wired and wireless access. Major telecom service providers are combining FTTx and 5G rollouts to benefit from using a common architecture for wireless and wired access that supports both platforms. Performance associated with 5G, such as low latency, high capacity and extreme reliability depend on having sufficient fiber. Operator's investment budgets will keep merging as they increasingly discover that it's not about choosing between wireless and wire line investments, but instead investing in both.

A well-designed solution should accommodate all current and near-future requirements, offer a lower cost per connection than existing platforms, and provide a pay-as-you-grow approach and flexible upgrade path for many years to come, allowing additional connections to be installed with minimal disruption to existing services. Initial investment in cabling infrastructure can be minimized, with the possibility to upgrade to expand the Fiber/Access network when required. Where 4G and 5G network densification results in moving baseband technology to central hubs, this process needs to be partly reversed as 5G low latency services at a later stage as it requires embedded baseband technology to be deployed at the edge. R&M offers innovative cabling and connectivity required for both scenarios with customized Fiber to the Antenna (FTTA) assemblies as well as with micro data center solutions. Thus, helping mobile communication suppliers to create their individual 5G infrastructures.

Wavelength-Division-Multiplexing (WDM) is one approach to increasing capacity without introducing huge amounts of new fiber. In spite of the upfront investment, the overall cost is lower than rolling out new fiber. WDM is generally regarded as a point-to-point solution, but add-drop multiplexer solutions make it possible to extract a small number of connections, for example in small cell deployment, whilst allowing the rest to travel on.

Smart Cities continue to evolve

The infrastructure supporting Smart City services consists of IoT-linked sensors connected by fiber extending deep into the network. This plays a crucial role as the backhaul network for connected and wireless networking. Infrastructures for smart cities require a well-thought-out, highly flexible approach to architecture and capacity for data traffic that will continue to develop dynamically for decades to come.

If there are bottlenecks between workstations, smartphones, cellular phone antennas, data centers, Cloud, IoT, WLAN, smart homes, or networked vehicles applications and services will not work as intended. According to research by Deloitte, carriers will be unable to support projected increases in mobile data traffic without additional fiber deployments that reach deeper into metropolitan centers.

R&M offers several unique, integrated and flexible products and services for safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly Smart Cities, and has developed several Smart City projects around the world, including Egypt, India, and Brazil. We have built up considerable experience in developing and customizing products according to the needs of customers, ensuring they are ready to be installed without hassle or delays. Our experience in areas from ceiling and façade deployments to data center infrastructure and close cooperation with learning institutions and governments all come in handy.

AI-as-a-Service, Big Data, RPA to Transform GRC Within Enterprises

By Anil D’Souza, Founder and CEO, Simpliance Technologies

The nature of risks is continuously changing and evolving at unprecedented levels and hence implementing a successful risk management program is the call for organizations looking to safeguard their hard-earned reputation. Failure to do so could be detrimental, as many organizations in the past have realized the hard way. Paul McNulty, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General was noted to have said that - “If you think compliance is expensive, try non-compliance”. And this can be validated by the fact that globally compliance costs organizations roughly around $5.47 million, while non-compliance costs, including fines, business disruption and losses in productivity and revenue, cost around $14.82 million, which is almost three times the cost of maintaining compliance requirements.

According to a recent industry report, the enterprise governance, risk and compliance (eGRC) market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% by 2025, backed by the fact that organizations need to increasingly meet the demands of the complex regulatory landscape. Integrated GRC platform is the only solution to help businesses manage risks across the organization while driving overall enterprise performance, while being flexible enough to keep pace with a rapidly changing environment– all with an industry-focus. As these platforms allow companies to meet their GRC targets by automating the workflow, the organizations are adopting GRC platforms to enhance their operational activities.

Compliance that is digitally enabled and data-driven provides a clear understanding on evolving regulations, so the industry leaders can anticipate risk. There are many regulations like - financial reporting regulations, export regulations, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), health and safety regulations etc., which companies must follow. Certainly, the business of doing business is not simple, and if the organizations are to achieve any measure of success by implementing GRC across the system, they need technology. Regulation technology (RegTech) plays an important role in strengthening the monitoring and management of risks in the organization. Industry pegs the GRC market value to exceed US$ 47.1 billion by 2024, making it a pivotal component within every organizations corporate framework.  Here are a few key technologies in GRC that will define the next chapter for the industry:

Artificial intelligence as a service
Artificial intelligence (AI) in GRC is the need of the hour.  As companies expand their digital footprints, cybersecurity vulnerabilities increase due to huge amount of data being produced. Surely, the demand for the intelligent use of accumulated risk data will only increase. GRC solutions that incorporate AI and its application machine learning (ML), will play a major role. The key players in GRC industry shall offer AI-as-a-Service (AlaaS), particularly to industries where data is too valuable.

Big data to reinforce risk management
Big data can be extensively used in frauds and money laundering management. With businesses becoming more and more interwove, the threat of risk has increased, and hence big data analysis has become an essential tool for risk management. Also, it significantly reduces the cost of risk management, with automation and lower risk of failure.

RPA eases legal compliance concerns
Robotic process automation (RPA) can be an important tool to build more robust and effective compliance programs. It will support continuous control monitoring as well as full sample-auditing, making it easier to detect anomalies. All these advancements will enable GRC functions to deliver greater value, and act as true strategic advisors to the business.

Finally, the potential impact of Blockchain on GRC cannot be undermined. Blockchain technology can be used as an addendum to the best practices within the vast realm of compliance. The immutability of blockchain records equates to a verified chain-of-trust and proof-of-process for compliance.

With the introduction of new technologies, comes a plethora of unknown risks but also a wave of new insights and solutions for businesses. Certainly, the businesses of the future shall embrace new technologies to support enterprises and their activities, to be ahead of the curve on GRC. 

Gartner Says Worldwide Smartphone Sales Will Grow 3% in 2020

Worldwide sales of smartphones to end users are on track to reach 1.57 billion units in 2020, an increase of 3% year over year, according to Gartner, Inc. In 2019, worldwide smartphone sales declined 2%, the first time since 2008 that the global smartphone market experienced a decline.

“2019 was a challenging year for smartphone vendors, primarily due to oversupply in the high-end sector in mature markets and longer replacement cycles overall,” said Annette Zimmermann, research vice president at Gartner. “However, in 2020, the market is expected to rebound with the introduction of 5G network coverage in more countries and as users who may have delayed their smartphone purchases until 2020 in expectation of price reductions begin buying again.”

Gartner forecasts that sales of 5G mobile phones will total 221 million units in 2020 — which will account for 12% of overall mobile phone sales — and more than double in 2021, to 489 million units. “The commercialization of 5G phones will accelerate in 2020. 5G phones costing under $300 have been announced, so sales growth of 5G phones is expected to exceed that of 4G phones over twelve months,” said Ms. Zimmermann.

From a regional perspective, the Middle East and North Africa, mature Asia/Pacific and Greater China (China, Taiwan and Hong Kong) will exhibit the highest growth rates in 2020, at 5.9%, 5.7% and 5.1%, respectively.

Strong demand for 5G phones in general, together with expectations of Apple’s first 5G iPhone, will bolster demand for smartphones, particularly in Asia/Pacific and Greater China. In terms of smartphone sales, Greater China and emerging Asia/Pacific will maintain their No. 1 and No. 2 positions globally in 2020, with respective sales of 432.3 million and 376.8 million smartphones.

“Smartphone sales will register growth in 2020 as the demand for mid-price smartphones rises in India,” said Anshul Gupta, senior research director at Gartner. “Premium features including improved camera, display at affordable price will remain key for growth in the Indian smartphone market in 2020.”

What to Expect at MWC 2020

“Attention at this year’s MWC will be drawn to 5G devices at either end of the price scale, some of which may be revealed before the event,” said Ms. Zimmermann. “The key focus for vendors will be access to 5G and enhancement of the camera technology within devices.”

JD Institute of Fashion Technology Conducted Seminar on ‘Social Responsibility of The Youth’

JD Institute of Fashion Technology, a pioneer in the field of design education for the past 31 years, hosted a seminar on ‘Social Responsibility of The Youth’ in collaboration with FOR ALL, NGO at their corporate office, Hauz Khas, New Delhi. The International fashion designer and chairperson of FOR ALL (NGO) Ms. Sonia Gurnani, and Retd. Major General P.K Sehgal was among those who attended the seminar.

The seminar witnessed discussions on ongoing social projects for the upliftment of underprivileged artisans and children. Students of JD Institute also trained children of FOR ALL, NGO learn design skills to improve their living standard.

Ms Rupal Dalal, Executive Director, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, said, “In India, 39% population is below 18 years of age. Being responsible citizens, it is our job to work towards bettering the lives of the deprived section of the society. Educational institutions are bridge for the mankind and with the growing time we have welcomed all the opportunities and interpretations of our students”.

About JD Institute of Fashion Technology:

JD Institute Of Fashion Technology, India, With 36+ Learning Centres, Is One Of The Top Institute Of Art And Design, Where The Dreams And Passion Of Students With Imagination Are Stimulated. Under The Eminent Experts From The Industry The Subjects In Fashion, Interior, Jewellery, Fashion Marketing & Communications, Visual Merchandising, Photography, Hair And Make-Up Will Be Elucidated With High Passion Giving The Young Aspirants The Much-Required Practical Experience And Classroom Training. JD As An Institution Helps The Students To Take Their Imagination To The Next Level, Giving Them A Platform Not Just To Upskill Their Creativity But Also To Prepare And Give Them The Confidence To Follow Their Dreams.