Bidadi Industries Association (BIA) Announces Formalization

* Achieves two more key milestones towards becoming the most admired industrial area

* Inaugurates New Office Building and a Centralized Solid Waste Management (CSWM) Facility

Bidadi Industries Association (BIA) today celebrated the official opening of its new state-of–the-art office building and a full-fledged Centralized Solid Waste Management (CSWM) Facility, at Bidadi Industrial Area, Ramanagara District. With this inauguration, BIA fortified its journey towards becoming the most revered industrial area in the state.

With an investment of about INR 65 Million, the new office building, with a total built up area of 12400 sq. ft. over 3 floors, is a state-of-the-art facility and provides a comprehensive foundation for Bidadi Industries Association (BIA) to pursue its mandate of maintenance and development of the industrial area for all its member industries. This new building will serve the purpose of hosting office space for its board members called the Executive Committee (EC) of BIA, staff of a Special Purpose Group (SPG) constituted to oversee the improvement of infrastructure in the area and also serve as a hub for interaction among its member industries and for enhancing fellowship, collaboration and solidarity. The building houses a 140 seaters Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH), a 30 pax conference room, an 8 pax meeting room, two fully furnished plug and play offices with Audio Visual systems, as well as a cafeteria and a sundeck. These facilities shall be made available for common use, at a nominal fee, by industries, generally MSMEs, who do not have their own facilities and have to look at costlier alternatives.

State of the Art New Office Building of BIA

The other dream project for BIA has been the CSWM Facility, which when it goes live in mid-October 2020, is expected to bring in the much needed cleanliness to keep the industrial area and its surroundings free from the nuisance of strewn municipal waste. Built at a cost of INR 54 Million, partly seeded by BIA and partly funded by CSR contributions from major corporates lead by Toyota & Bosch, the facility will have the capacity to scientifically process 10 tons per day (TPD) of dry waste, 3.5 TPD of wet waste and 1.5 TPD of reject waste, by collecting segregated waste from industries and villages in the industrial area. Mr. K V Rajendra Hegde, President of BIA, said, “We want to ensure that the unsightly menace of stinking garbage strewn on the streets should be managed properly and the area kept clean in our industrial area.”

Centralized Solid Waste Management Facility of BIA

The event was graced by senior bureaucrats from the Government of Karnataka, industry heads and Executive Committee Members from BIA, while the event was beamed live to 200 guests from member industries and special invitees who participated virtually, in accordance with the COVID-19 protocols.

Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, Vice Chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), who joined the event virtually, said, “BIA has been focusing on the development and upkeep of infrastructure in the Bidadi Industrial Area for more than five years now. The recognition

from the Government of Karnataka for the unique model of BIA, with Toyota and Bosch as lead companies supporting the initiatives, and the robustness of its functioning as an organization bears testimony to the progress seen on the ground, and the inauguration of these two projects marks a significant milestone for BIA.”

“It’s commendable the way, Bidadi Industries Association (BIA) has modeled itself to support its member industries, be Large Enterprises or MSMEs. The CSWM Facility showcases the commitment of BIA under a unified approach with proactive cooperation between Government authorities and Industry. This is a unique model of collaboration of industries under the umbrella of BIA to implement prioritized, single window, need-based Social Engagement Initiatives which will eliminate duplication and create synergies.” said Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, Managing Director, Bosch Limited and President of Bosch Group in India who attended the virtual event.

Bosch and Toyota have recently rejuvenated one lake each in the industrial area enriching the ground water table and increasing bio-diversity & lung space. As Mr. S. Rajendra, Vice President, BIA, outlines, “the CSR effort from BIA member industries in these past five years has resulted in significant improvement of social infrastructure for the community. In the fight against COVID-19, for Ramanagar District alone, the combined CSR spend of INR 19.5 Million and the combined relief-funds contributed of INR 80 Million, show that in these difficult times too, member industries have come forward in the true spirit of CSR”

As BIA emerges out of the shadows of COVID-19 to inaugurate these two key projects under difficult circumstances, with member industries, many of them MSME, struggling under the weight of diminishing returns and looking forward to a period of recovery and stability, BIA holds out a lamp at the end of the tunnel, as the President, Mr. Hegde concludes, “We will continue to provide development and sustainability in the best way that we know – by being vigilant, ear-to-the-ground, sensitive to member concerns, taking active support from government, and leveraging big business financial and moral support to take our MSME members along on the shared path to success.”

Office Leasing in Bengaluru Drops by 42% YoY; New Supply Declines by 48% YoY in H1 2020: Knight Frank India

 

* Rent growth tapers to single digit, weighted average rents see 6% YoY growth in H1 2020

* Worst half-year in this decade, home sales in Bengalurudecline by 57% YoY in H1 2020; launches fall 48%: Knight Frank India

* Price environment weakens, home prices in Bengaluru see marginal 3.3% YoY increase to Rs 4,980 per sqft

Knight Frank India today launched the 13th edition of its flagship half-yearly report - India Real Estate: H1 2020 - which presents a comprehensive analysis of the office and residential market performance across eight major cities for the January-June 2020 (H1 2020) period. The report showed that the office transactions in Bengaluru saw a 42% YoY decline to 0.44 mnsq m (4.8 mnsq ft) in in H1 2020. The new office supply in the city also saw a decline of 48% YoY to 0.37 mnsq m (4.0 mnsq ft) due to the adverse impact of COVID-19. The city has experienced a tapered rent growth with H1 2020 recording 6% YoY growth in weighted average rent.

In Bengalururesidential market, which had prominence in the country’s residential landscape, the home sales have witnessed a decline of 57% YoY to 12,177 units in H1 2020. Whereas, the home launches in Bengaluru saw a 48% YoY decline to 10,806 units. With a weaker pricing environment in the wake of pandemic and consequent disturbance on home buyer sentiments, the city recorded a  marginal 3.3% Y-o-Y increase in weighted average price.

OFFICE MARKET HIGHLIGHTS OF BENGALURU

Source: Knight Frank Research

·         Bengaluru has been at the pinnacle of office demand in the country for each year during last decade. The city’s office market has grown each successive year since 2013 and with 1.42 mnsq m (15.3 mnsq ft) the city recorded its highest ever tally of office transactions, cited as an achievement milestone for any market in the country.

·         Covid-19 induced tumultuous business environment has seen an influence on the transaction volumes in the market. Bengaluru saw office transactions decline by 42% YoY in H1 2020 to 0.44 mnsq m (4.8 mnsq ft),  The average deal size was reported at 5,130 sq m (55,214 sq ft), with number of deals at 86 in the analysis period of H1 2020.

·         In terms of sector-wise share of transactions, IT/ITeSwas on top of the table with 30%, followed by Co-working (23%), Manufacturing (19%), BFSI (13%). A combination of other services industries contributed 14% to the overall share. Manufacturing and BFSI significantly improved their space take up. Information Technology sector, the most prominent occupier group of Bengaluru, has reduced its space take-up by 64% YoY in H1 2020.

·         The vacancy level in Bengaluru office market has jumped to6.5% in H1 2020 from a much comfortable 4.1% level in H1 2019.

·         Rent growth has been strong in Bengaluru for the last 5 years and the similar trend was observed in the beginning of 2020, until March 2020. Since April, rents have stagnated with occupiers also seen reaching out to landlords for partial rent or maintenance cost waiver for the lockdown period. In this background, H1 2020 recorded a rental growth of 6% YoY. Bengaluru’s PBD East market saw the highest rental growth of 9% YoY in 12- moth change, followed by SBD (8%) and ORR (6%).

Shantanu Mazumder, Senior Branch Director, Bangalore, Knight Frank India said, “Bengaluru office market was on a very strong footing with a robust momentum in demand, supply and rent until the first quarter of 2020. However, as businesses faced disruptions in the wake of the pandemic in second quarter of 2020, Bengaluru office market also felt the pain. Information Technology sector, the most prominent occupier group of the city, saw demand decline by 64% YoY in first half this year. Ongoing deals faced delays and new office enquiries were put on temporary hold. While we do recognise the potential of Bengaluru office market, recovery will depend on the trajectory of the pandemic itself.”

RESIDENTIALMARKET HIGHLIGHTS OF BENGALURU

Source: Knight Frank Research

·         Bengaluru residential market recorded a home sales decline of 57% YoY in H1 2020.While all micro-markets were adversely affected, notable decline was seen in North and West where sales declined by an even greater magnitude of 70% YoY and 66% YoY, respectively.

·         The affordable housing segment, classified as house value up to INR 5 million, witnessed its share further shrink to 32% in H1 2020 compared to 38% in H1 2019.

The state government reduced the stamp duty rates from 5% to 2% for houses costing up to INR 2 million and from 5% to 3% for houses costing between INR 2.1 – 3.5 million. This was limited to first time registration of new apartment valued up to INR 3.5 million. 81% of sales in H1 2020 occurred in the segment of INR 2.5 - 10 million with 51% in INR 5 - 10 million segment. In this situation, we believe a broadersegment for stamp duty reduction would have helped the sector.

·         In terms of launches, H1 2020 saw 48% YoY decline compared to 20,894 units in H1 2019. While all micro-markets witnessed a sharp fall in launches, West and North were the most hit markets with a decline of 78% and 69% respectively.

·         In H1 2020, the pricing environment was strong until February 2020. However, prices have stagnated since the COVID-19 struck in March 2020. Overall, the city saw prices higher by 3.3% YoYin H1 2020. Whitefield and Hennur recorded a 5% price increase for 12-month period, till June 2020.  

·         With restrained launches compared to housing sales over the past year, unsold inventory level has come down by w0% to 77,043 units in H1 2020.

Shantanu Mazumder, Senior Branch Director, Bangalore, Knight Frank India said,“Despite being affected during H1 2020, Bengaluruemerged as one of the quickermarkets to come out of the state-imposed lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. During this period, although at a much lower level compared to pre-lockdown, May and June 2020 saw the resumption of project sites and customer visits. With pandemic induced market disruptions, the pricing environment has become weak now. However, instead of a headline price reduction, customers are being offered a variety of indirect price benefit schemes. Price protection and free cancellation schemes are also offered to assuage homebuyer concerns on job security and pay cut.

He adds that While the inherent strength of Bengaluru housing market is intact, COVID-19 induced threat to lives and livelihoods and recurrence of lockdown will have an overbearing impact on market and going forward, the intensity of pandemic will define the recovery trajectory.”

World Sight Day to Draw Global Attention on Preventable Blindness

 

By Dr.Bhanu Prakash M., M.S. Fellow (Cornea),Faico (Refractive Surgery),FICO Senior Consultant, Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Surgeon, MaxiVision Super Specialty Eye Hospital, Hyderabad

Eyesight plays the most important role among all senses in our day to day life, visual impairment hampers the ability to perform daily chores independently, most of the causes for visual impairment are avoidable, unfortunately, general public awareness about prevention and early detection is very low.

Today is world sight day, dedicated to global awareness, WHO theme for 2020 is “ hope in sight’, it is being observed that 1 billion people around the world have a preventable visual impairment or one that has yet to be addressed. The majority of people with vision impairment or blindness is above the age of 50, the most common causative factors are cataract, refractive error, or glaucoma, these are uncontrollable, however; regular ophthalmologist consultation can identify reasons behind visual impairment at appropriate time and prevent further deterioration before its too late and irreversible.

COVID pandemic has changed the entire world like never before, with the amount of casualties and infections, it is understandable that most of the people aren’t ready to come out of the house unless its life or livelihood threatening situation, however; one must understand that certain eye conditions need immediate attention to prevent permanent damage.

At first, pain or sudden vision loss is too startling and no individual ignores them, such patients usually seek immediate care and attention, this can happen in conditions like corneal infections, retinal detachment, however; some slowly developing conditions are easily ignored, a slow peripheral or side vision loss can be indicative of glaucoma, in glaucoma, pressure in the eye increases to more than normal scale resulting in permanent vision loss.

Diabetic patients need regular examination of eye, they are susaptable to retinopathy wherein eye sight is gradually lost because of bleeding into the eye cavity, this can only be detected through ophthalmic examination, long standing diabetic patients are at high risk and must undergo regular check ups.

Although; cataract surgeries are not an emergency; prolong delay causes increase in hardness of cataract and impair sight to an extent of disability, matured cataract makes surgery more complicated and yields suboptimal results with delayed recovery, moreover; the risk of extreme sight loss can increase accidental falls that could be determinential in elderly patients.

There is a condition called “ age-related macular degeneration” in this condition, elderly patients slowly lose sight at the center of the visual field, this condition is very common in smokers, diet deficient in antioxidants and some hereditary factors, unfortunately, many times this condition is irreversible, however; early doctor consultation can help to prevent further deterioration.

Another important factor for avoidable blindness is delayed consultation in eye infections, fungal, bacterial or viral infections cause corneal ulcerations, sometimes, it can happen with retained foreign body struck to cornea, it is a very painful condition, a delayed presentation can cause permanent scarring of cornea that can be treated only through corneal transplantation.

The key to healthy eyes are balanced diet, avoidance of smoking, regular checkups, and most importantly ‘no to self-medication’.

Garmin Strengthens Data Based Health Monitoring Mechanism with ‘Garmin Health Interfaces (API and SDKs)’

Garmin India, a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN) reinforces the data- driven health monitoring with its premium application Garmin Health API and SDKs. Specially developed & designed for corporate houses across the verticals, helping organisations in understanding the health and fitness of their employees and other vital information.

Every Garmin user can share his all-day health and fitness activity data logged by Garmin wearable and fitness devices via Garmin Health API with any partner programs

It helps in delivering detailed health metrics, making it the one API integration one needs to analyze data from their users. It delivers everything from the detailed sleep level classifications to the external sensors used during a workout. More than thirty types of activities are monitored including sleep, steps, respiration, SpO2, body battery and much more to the registered developers. Some premium applications, especially in the health environment, require highest resolution and real-time data for their analyzes and direct feedback to the user. Garmin Health Companion SDK (cSDK) is making that possible.

The Garmin Health Standard SDK is the right option for very specific healthcare application the need for limited user interaction for patients / participants and do not distract them by the full functionality of Garmin connect mobile.

Talking about Indian market scenario, Mr. Jörn Watzke, Senior Director Garmin Health Global Business Development & Sales at Garmin said “We at Garmin see huge potential for Garmin Health Interfaces (API and SDKs) in India due to the increased awareness and demand in health and wellness domain. The corporate houses and other organizations are deeply concerned about the well-being of their employees and customers, need a mechanism that can support them with data-driven information where Garmin’s Health API plays a vital role. Through our latest technology and inbuilt data monitoring system, we can provide every information from sleep to work-out activities of the users, which help companies in keeping track of the daily health routine of their employees. In India, companies working in insurance, medical and technology sectors are rapidly adopting this facility and develop a lot of new value adds. The high variance and quality of health data 24/7 and even in real-time available create completely new services and businesses. We are optimistic for many more collaborations in the future.”

Once on board with Garmin Health API and/or the Garmin health SDKs, partners can develop value-added services based on the ‘health and work-out data’ received. These services are bundled with Garmin devices and the data can further be utilized in the areas of healthcare, corporate wellness, consumer fitness, workers safety, insurances, etc.

The integration process with Garmin Health Interfaces is well supported. Upon approval by Garmin, the Garmin Health API users will receive integration support, including toolsets, documentation, sample code and an individual custom integration call. From this point on, a support team will be available to answer queries about technical details.

The health & work-out data displayed in Garmin Connect is shared with the user’s consent which is at utmost priority. If a Garmin Connect user gives their consent to share health and work-out data with a “partner” (for a program using the Garmin Health ecosystem), the data is automatically shared with the program after synchronizing with Garmin Connect. If the user does not synchronize manually, the data will be synchronized twice a day. In India, Garmin Health API has been able to help many corporates with their worker’s safety, insurance, health and wellness sectors with medical study creating an overall demand in the market.

About Garmin: Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, Instinct and Trackback are registered trademarks, and Garmin Connect, Garmin Explore, and UltraTrac is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

2 in 5 Indian Professionals are in Distress: Finds LinkedIn Survey

Towards World Mental Health Day 2020, LinkedIn, the world’s largest online professional network, has released key survey data from April to September 2020 to highlight how pandemic stress and remote work burnout have adversely impacted the mental health of professionals in India. Findings show that 2 in 5 (39%) professionals are experiencing increased stress or anxiety due to COVID-19, and as the pandemic took hold only 1 in 5 professionals were offered more time off for well-being.

The economic repercussions of the ongoing pandemic have made Indian professionals vulnerable to job uncertainty, financial instability, and bleak company outlook, while continuing to work remotely in social isolation. This special ‘mental health’ edition of the fortnightly LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index highlights the need for stronger employer support in these times of distress, and complements the vision of World Mental Health Day 2020, which aims to improve and democratize access to mental health services. 

3 in 5 Indian professionals have felt lonely at some point when working remotely

Findings reflect that 51% of the Indian workforce is working remotely due to COVID-19, and continues to question the effectiveness of remote work as professionals experience increased stress and anxiety. Findings also show that while 60% of Indian professionals had felt lonely at some point while working remotely, 37% still feel lonely doing it now. More than 1 in 3 Indian professionals also believe that working remotely is slowing down their career progression (41%), it is making them feel more lonely (37%), and harming their work-life balance (36%). 

Only 1 in 4 Indian professionals offered flexible work hours and well-being support

LinkedIn data displays the employees’ appeal for stronger well-being support as findings show that only 1 in 4 (23%) Indian professionals were being offered emotional well-being initiatives and flexible work hours by their employers in the early months of the lockdown. Findings also show that only 1 in 5 (21%) professionals were getting more time off through paid or unpaid leaves, while 42% think their companies will not continue to do so after the pandemic. Today, as industries attempt to bounce back, close to 40% of Indian professionals continue to experience financial instability, signalling towards high levels of financial stress and uncertainty prevalent amongst India’s workforce.

1 in 3 working mothers are working longer hours to provide childcare

The pandemic has taken a toll on working parents, especially working mothers, as findings show that around 1 in 3 working mothers in India are currently providing childcare full time (28%), and working outside their business hours to provide childcare (33%). Data further suggests that working mothers are more likely to cope with distractions from childcare, as 36% say they are unable to focus on work with children at home, compared to 25% of working fathers. Men are also more likely to seek support from friends and family as only 23% of working mothers rely on a family member or friend to take care of their children, compared to 31% of working fathers.

Risk of exposure, inadequate workplace safety measures worry Indian professionals

As India begins to return to work, 50% of professionals still express concerns about the risk of exposure to those who don’t take safety precautions seriously. More than 1 in 3 professionals are also worried about workplace sanitation (36%), exposure to large groups of people in meetings or in public (34%), and uncertain workplace safety guidelines (34%), which further compounds their distress towards an uncertain future of work.

Commenting on the findings, Ashutosh Gupta, India Country Manager, Linkedin said, “The ongoing stress around the 3 Rs — Remote work, Return to work, and Risk of exposure — are adversely impacting the mental health of Indian professionals. Companies in India are beginning to bolster their mental health programmes to support their employees in such times. At LinkedIn, we have enhanced our people initiatives to include increased professional counselling sessions and other well-being programmes. Your professional community can also be a pillar of strength right now, and we encourage our members to continue to reach out and seek help from others on the platform.”

To help professionals adapt to the new normal, LinkedIn has also made a few relevant LinkedIn Learning courses available for free. Learning paths like Master In-Demand Professional Soft Skills and Finding a Job During Challenging Economic Times can help professionals navigate their careers and develop resilience during these testing times.

Today, many business leaders, HR leaders, and influential voices on LinkedIn have spoken up about mental health on the platform. Hansi Mehrotra, The Money Hans; Sujoy Sengupta, Partner, McKinsey and Company; Adhil Shetty, CEO, Bankbazaar; Priyank Parakh, Director HR, GSK; and Hari TN, Big Basket, have shared posts about how their companies are supporting their employees during the pandemic. Their posts discuss how companies are helping employees take care of their mental health by seeding mindfulness in the workplace environment, extending counselling programmes, offering more wellness leaves, and listening more to empathise with their workers. Several companies are also enrolling in awareness and outreach programs to understand how they can help employees take care of their mental health in these times of distress.

Check out this storyline and member commentary on LinkedIn, and participate in this opinion poll (What has been the biggest challenge to mental well-being amid Covid-19 for you?) to see what India’s professionals are talking about on World Mental Health Day. 

Notes 

All findings around the mental health of Indian professionals are based on the online survey responses of 16,199 professionals over the past six months as part of the LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index, which is a fortnightly pulse on the confidence of the Indian workforce.

ŠKODA AUTO Digilab, Tech Mahindra & Tezos Partner for Century Program To Identify Blockchain Solutions in Manufacturing

Lumos Labs, an innovation management company, in collaboration with Microsoft India, announced the launch of the Century Program, an enterprise Blockchain Startup Program to evangelize, curate, and unearth 100 best enterprise-ready Blockchain solutions for industry-specific use cases. ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India and Tech Mahindra have partnered as the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and System Integrator (SI) respectively for the Discrete Manufacturing track of the Century Program. ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India, a division of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd aims to use its development expertise and knowledge in digitization to identify the problem statements for the start-ups to work on innovative Blockchain-based solutions. Platform partner Tezos India will guide and advise participants to the developer tooling to build their decentralized applications on Tezos, a secure, open-source, and self-amending blockchain protocol.

The Century Program spans over 18 months and will provide the selected startups with opportunities to regularly engage with industry experts and leverage the partner networks of Microsoft, Tech Mahindra, and ŠKODA AUTO Digilab India for business growth. Microsoft will help accelerate their startup journeys through mentorship, streamlined go-to-market (GTM) activities, and access to world-class technical resources. The program intends to identify and solve real-time business challenges and blockchain use cases faced across seven industry verticals including Media and Entertainment, Oil and Natural Gas, Trade Finance, Healthcare, Public Sector, Discrete Manufacturing, and Telecom sector using blockchain technologies. 

Mr. Pranav Kulkarni, CIO, ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited commented, “As the Automotive Industry continues to evolve, the onset of Blockchain technology will be a defining transformation in the development and manufacturing of the next generation of cars. Through the Century Program, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India will foster this ecosystem of innovation among startups and identify implementable solutions in the space of digital tools and mobility platforms”

Rajesh Dhuddu, Blockchain and Cybersecurity Practice Leader, Tech Mahindra, said, “As part of our TechMNxT charter, we are constantly looking to expand our partner ecosystem by connecting with industry-leading companies. Being one of the founding members of the Century Program, we are committed to the success of this program and look forward to collaborating with Microsoft and Lumos Labs to pave the roadmap for ‘next-gen’ blockchain solutions that will solve complex business problems in the real world. Our deep domain and technical expertise combined with extensive industry networks will help innovators become enterprise-ready and scale their operations globally.”

Sanjay Anand, General Manager, Azure Commercial Industry, Microsoft said, “The Century Program will accelerate possibilities to create great enterprise solutions for blockchain in India by scaling existing competencies, surmounting awareness bias, and making blockchain more mainstream across various sectors. Partners like Tech Mahindra, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India, and Tezos India will further help strengthen the blockchain adoption immensely by highlighting the secured, interoperable, and scalable environment that this technology provides. Microsoft is delighted to be able to provide the right platform to make this happen.”

Commenting on the Launch, Om Malviya, President, Tezos India added, “As an organization dedicated to supporting the Tezos ecosystem in India, we believe in partnering with innovators in the ecosystem to drive the industry forward. This collaboration with Microsoft, Tech Mahindra, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India, and Lumos Labs for the Century Program is a step forward in this direction. The next 18 months will be an exciting time for the Indian blockchain ecosystem - startups, developers, and enterprises alike; as they set the course in this journey of identifying implementable, enterprise-grade blockchain solutions. We are excited to be a part of this journey with them in extending the Tezos network and our in-house expertise to mentor and train the participating startups. ” 

According to the Nasscom Avasant India Blockchain Report 2019, the emergence of Blockchain 3.0 with its increased security, interoperability and scalability is set to accelerate enterprise adoption. However, there is a need for Indian service providers to expand their capabilities by implementing a diverse set of blockchain use cases across all major sectors. Century Program aims to address this need by defining the problem statements in each sector, identifying enterprises exploring solutions for these problem statements, and connecting them to relevant start-ups with an enterprise-ready use case solution.

Redesigned, Refreshed, Re-energized: The BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS Launched in a New Avatar

BMW Motorrad India launched the new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS in India today. India is the first country to witness the launch of the new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS. Both motorcycles are available at BMW Motorrad India dealerships from today onwards.

The new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS have been developed in Munich, Germany by BMW Motorrad and are locally produced as per BS-VI standards in Hosur, India by cooperation partner TVS Motor Company.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “Globally, BMW Motorrad has created a distinct position for itself in the fast-growing sub-500 cc segment with both BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS. For thousands of riders and enthusiasts, the BMW G 310 R has redefined pure urban motorcycling for everyday life. For those looking for adventure and fun, BMW G 310 GS has provided the perfect reason to take the off-beat track. In their new avatar, both motorcycles feature striking design modifications, new technology and enhanced riding dynamics. We have launched both bikes at an extremely attractive pricing, incredible EMIs and reduced cost of ownership. It is an enthralling invitation to become part of the close-knit and passionate BMW Motorrad community. It doesn’t get better than this! So, go ahead and ‘Make Life a Ride’.”

The ex-showroom prices are as follows –

The new BMW G 310 R - INR 2,45,000

The new BMW G 310 GS- INR 2,85,000

*Prices prevailing at the time of invoicing will be applicable. Delivery will be made ex-showroom. Ex-showroom price (inclusive of GST and compensation cess) as applicable but excludes Road Tax, RTO statutory taxes/fees, other local tax / cess levies and insurance. Prices and options are subject to change without prior notice. For further information, please contact your local authorized BMW Motorrad Dealer.

The new BMW G 310 R has been launched in the following colors - Cosmic Black, Polar White and ‘Style Sport’ in Limestone Metallic (additional INR 10,000 on ex-showroom price). The new BMW G 310 GS has been launched in the following colors – Polar White, ‘40 years of GS’ Edition in Cosmic Black and ‘Style Rallye’ in Kyanite blue Metallic (additional INR 6,000 on ex-showroom price for the ‘Style Rallye’ and ‘40 years of GS’ Edition).

The new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS will be sold and serviced through the premium dealer network of BMW Motorrad that is present across important centres in India including Delhi (Lutyens Motorrad), Mumbai (Navnit Motors), Pune (Bavaria Motors), Chennai (KUN Motorrad), Bengaluru (Tusker Motorrad), Ahmedabad (Gallops Autohaus), Kochi (EVM Autokraft), Hyderabad (JSP Motorrad), Indore (Munich Motors), Lucknow (Speed Motors), Chandigarh (Krishna Automobiles), Jaipur (Pratap Motorrad), Raipur (Mandhan Motors), Cuttack (OSL Prestige) and Ranchi (Titanium Autos).

The new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS are now available on attractive finance schemes through BMW India Financial Services with all-inclusive monthly instalments starting at INR 4,500 and INR 5,500 respectively (*calculation for a loan under the BMW Bullet Plan).

For complete peace of mind, BMW Motorrad bikes come with a standard warranty for ‘three years, unlimited kilometers. The warranty can be extended to fourth and fifth year at an additional cost of INR 16,250. The first 500 customers will avail a special price of INR 5,499.

Road-Side Assistance, a 24x7 365 days package further ensures prompt services in case of breakdown and towing situations.

An exclusive range of accessories and lifestyle merchandise has been developed specially for the new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS to add to the excitement.

The new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS

The new BMW G 310 R embodies the pure essence of a BMW roadster. It offers precisely what is needed for performance and comfort in the city. It masters a range of disciplines; it’s just as happy winding its way nimbly and flexibly through the narrow city streets as it is travelling along country roads. The new BMW G 310 GS has a high level of versatility that is unrivalled in the segment. Nimble and agile in traffic, yet supremely robust over tough terrain, its agility opens up a whole new world of riding experience. Extremely compact, yet mature and comfortable, it is the perfect companion for adventures of everyday riding.

The new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS now feature a full-LED headlight for even better visibility at night and LED flashing turn indicators and LED brake lights for increased visibility in traffic. This ensures particularly bright and homogeneous illumination of the road. The new LED headlight connections eliminate any light cone vibrations on uneven roads.

Both, the clutch lever and the handbrake lever are now adjustable in four stages. It provides ergonomic benefits, particularly for people with small hands. New high-end details such as the standard upside-down fork, quality materials, supplementary fittings and excellent workmanship all reflect the finest within the segment, clearly underscoring the premium aspiration of the BMW G 310 models.

The new BMW G 310 R features a ‘Style Sport’ color scheme in which special Limestone metallic color combines with red rims and a red frame to create a bold, sporty appearance. Similarly, the new BMW G 310 GS features an exclusive color scheme with ‘Style Rallye’ effect. Here, the red frame combines with Kyanite Blue metallic color to showcase the dynamic GS genes. The new BMW G 310 GS has another special ‘40 Years GS’ edition color scheme. It is based on a famous historical model from BMW GS history - the R 100 GS. This edition comes with basic cosmic black color and yellow graphics on tank side panels. 

In both bikes, the engine housing covers for the alternator, clutch and water pump are finished in new Titanium Grey metallic color. In the BMW G 310 R, this further extends to the footrest plates and rear grab handle, enhancing the modern look.

The new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS have a newly developed BS-VI engine. It is a 313-cc water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine with four valves and two overhead camshafts with electronic fuel injection. With an output of 34 hp at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm, the engine is an ideal partner for dynamic riding pleasure. A remarkable feature of the engine is its backward-tilted cylinder in open-deck design with the cylinder head turned by 180 degrees, making it possible to position the intake tract at the front, viewed in the direction of travel. The motorcycles accelerate from 0 – 50 km/hr in just 2.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 143 km/hr.

The 6-speed gearbox transfers the torque with an optimized transmission ratio. The slipper clutch with self-reinforcement provides precise actuation and smooth downshifts.

The newly introduced ‘Ride by Wire’ system passes on the rider’s commands directly from a sensor on the twist grip to the engine control system resulting in even finer control and improved throttle response. Thanks to the electromotive throttle controller, automatic idle speed increase when starting also prevents a possible sudden stalling of the engine.

The suspension has a torsionally stiff, highly robust tubular steel frame in grid structure with bolt-on rear frame. The front wheel suspension is taken care of by a solid upside-down fork while at the rear there is an aluminium swinging arm in conjunction with a directly mounted spring strut. The suspension geometry is designed for easy handling, stability and a neutral cornering response, which makes for an active riding character and maximum riding fun.

The high-performance brake system with 2-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ensures efficient deceleration and short braking distances. The standard multi-function instrument cluster has a large display that offers excellent clarity and a range of information.