Get Ready for a Magical Travelogue with the Premiere of ‘You Got Magic with Neel Madhav’

One man, seven cities and an exhilarating journey to find magical elements across India. Neel Madhav, India’s leading illusionist is back with a thousand new tricks up his sleeve in the new season of You Got Magic with Neel Madhav only on Sony BBC Earth. This time, the show will witness Neel bring to life the cultures and unravel the secrets across places like Dehradun, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Ahmedabad, Agra, Deogarh and Chandigarh and enthrall commoners with his tricks. ‘You Got Magic with Neel Madhav’ premieres on 19th November, 10 pm on Sony BBC Earth.

Travelling to the most vibrant corners of India, Neel unravels the cultural richness of India and explores magic in every element he stumbles upon. As magic becomes local and travel becomes fun, Neel Madhav weaves in an engaging travelogue where every episode brings in a marvelous combination of food, travel, and fun.  With each of the seven cities unwrapping new secrets – the show leaves back interesting facts about India’s varied cultures like never before.

Neel Madhav shares his experience saying, “From the spell binding hills in Uttarakhand to the most famous Kavanattinkara Boat Race in Kerala, the kite festival in Ahmedabad and the exquisite architecture, palaces and landscapes around Rajasthan, the show is a kaleidoscope of the colours and a rich tapastery of the magic of India! It has been humbling to understand my roots, a more than insightful experience to travel across places, meet people from all sorts of backgrounds and share my art as they did with me. With the premiere on Sony BBC Earth, I hope that the show manages to not just entertain and educate the audience but also leave them with a newfound love for India and magic like you've never seen before.”

Tune in to the new episodes of You Got Magic with Neel Madhav on and from 19th November, 10 pm only on Sony BBC Earth.

QuEST Global Announces Availability of Smart Defect Inspection Application for High-Precision Manufacturing Companies

QuEST Global, a global product engineering and lifecycle services company, today announced the availability of its GUI based Smart Defect Inspection (SDI) application powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The application, designed for high-precision manufacturing companies like semiconductor chip manufacturers, will enable real-time defect inspection & diagnosis, product quality inspections, and prognosis and ensure optimal equipment usage.

The platform-agnostic SDI application is built with Deep Learning (DL) technology for intelligent defect inspection and it can enable self-learning abilities for smarter decision making. The application aims to resolve three critical challenges for manufacturers – low yield/throughput, sub-optimal utilization of expensive equipment, and the health hazards faced by human inspectors. The SDI application also ensures maximum ROI from expensive equipment by targeting an ideal uptime of round the clock operations.

The company has successfully implemented the application as a Proof of Concept to a couple of semiconductor equipment OEMs. The application can help OEMs in detecting defects from Scanning Electron Microscope and optical inspection images, and classifying semiconductor wafer defects to reduce overkill by up to 30%, giving attention to underkill from conventional computer vision techniques. This all-in-one, real-time detection system with deep learning & edge computing is also compatible with existing image capturing devices, and offers enhanced decision-making capabilities using Deep Learning algorithms.

Elaborating further on its significance and value it will provide to the manufacturing industry, Piyush Jain, Vice President & Head of Delivery - APAC, QuEST Global, said, “We are delighted to make our new Smart Defect Inspection application available to the OEMs in the high precision manufacturing industry. Designed to empower human inspectors for automating inspection with a simple and intuitive GUI, the application can help OEMs increase yield and aims to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness - the gold standard for measuring manufacturing productivity. Along with business benefits to the OEMs, the SDI application also aims to reduce visual stress of the human inspectors, keeping health hazards at bay and improving their overall health.”

Over the years, QuEST has been working as a trusted thinking partner with the world’s most recognized companies in the Hi-Tech industry. The company is committed to enabling its customers to Create The Frontier by helping them stay ahead of the competition in areas like connected cars, connected devices, connected factories, and connected grids. With its expertise in new-age technologies, the company has been enabling some of the largest silicon companies in the world to launch chipsets embedded with the latest digital technologies like AI, DL, AR, VR, blockchain, and security.

About QuEST Global

For more than 20 years, QuEST Global has aimed to be a trusted global product engineering and lifecycle services partner to many of the world’s most recognized companies in the Aero Engines, Hi-Tech, Aerospace & Defense, Transportation (Auto and Rail), Power and Industrial, Oil & Gas and Medical Devices industries. With a global presence in 13 countries, 66 global centers, and 11,000+ personnel, QuEST Global believes that it is at the forefront of the convergence of the mechanical, electronics, software, and digital engineering innovations to engineer solutions for a safer, cleaner world. QuEST Global’s deep domain knowledge and digital expertise aim to help its clients accelerate product development and innovation cycles, create alternate revenue streams, enhance consumer experience, and make manufacturing processes and operations more efficient.

Have A Safe Diwali With Energy Efficient Smart Home Solutions

Diwali, the festival of giving and sharing is fast approaching. With this year’s celebrations expected to be subdued due to the ongoing pandemic, this should not stop us from celebrating the festival of lights within the said guidelines. With the pandemic having instilled financial savings in most of us, it has also led to a spike in demand for smart appliances that help conserve energy and save costs. Further, one can access these devices through voice commands, tablets, mobile phones etc. making them convenient and offering comfort at the same time. With this perspective, we have put together a list of 5 essentials that can help you in having a secure and happy Diwali!

1. Laser’s Robot vacuum cleaner

Ahead of Diwali, people begin prepping for the festival, starting with the ‘Diwali Cleanse.’ It is said that Goddess Laxmi only enters a clean house bringing in prosperity and happiness. Although, cleaning your home can be quite a chore, especially for people who have adopted work from home. Laser’s Robot vacuum cleaner is the ideal partner for your house this Diwali. This is a smart product that can be used via voice controls and customized according to your cleaning patterns. It brilliantly saves the map of your home and finds the best cleaning path. Further, if you have carpets laid on, it automatically switches to max mode with a suction power of 2000Pa for deep cleaning. Like other devices, you need not have to keep a check on the battery as it recharges automatically when the battery runs low. You can enjoy your Diwali galloping on calories as your little robot partner does all the cleaning.

2. Syska Smart Rainbow Strip Light

Decking your home up with sparkling lights is an integral part of the festival. Diwali should be accentuated with pomp and brightness, even if the manner of celebrations have significantly changed. If you are hunting for the latest innovative lights, look no further as we have the most attractive LED lights, called the Syska Smart Rainbow Strip Lights. These lights are offered under the smart lighting solution as they can be connected using Wi-Fi, and you can establish your desired festive lighting through your smartphone, tablet, and voice commands using Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, or with the assistant of the Syska Smart Home App. The Syska Smart Strip Lights 12W and 25W models are priced at Rs. 3,999/- and Rs. 4,499/- respectively and are available at leading retail stores and also on attractive discounts on Reliance Digital and Syska’s online store.

3. Goldmedal Electricals Crimson LED strip lights

Lights bring sparkle to your home and helps usher in the festive spirit. This Diwali, give your home a stylish touch with the help of Goldmedal Electricals Crimson lights. Spruce up your home with these shimmering lights consisting of six colour variants. These lights offer splendid lighting while consuming less energy and generating less heat. The Goldmedal Electricals Crimson LED strip lights are available in 5 meter packs at select retail outlets for a starting price of Rs. 580/- per unit respectively.

4.ADDMAX Extension Cord with USB Port

Decorating your home, along with remote working can get complex as you will require managing multiple connections. In order to meet the requirements of all the electrical equipment along with enhancing your convenience, we have found the perfect product to help you do just that. The ADDMAX Extension Cord will help streamline your everyday routine for a more efficient household. This cord secures complete protection to your devices from electrical short circuits, overheat, overcharging, etc. It includes four three Pin outlets, two two-pin outlets, two USB ports, 1.8 meter extension cord can reach most applications, and is fireproof.

5. Polk Audio Polk Assist

The power of music is a unique medium that aids in ushering in the festive vibe, and the Polk Audio Polk Assist is the best product for this purpose. Polk Assist can be controlled through voice commands. It also includes the Chromecast feature that enables you to stream your favourite music from compatible apps. The fabric used in this Polk Assist speaker is stain-resistant to ensure that it is easy to clean. The product is available on Flipkart for a striking price of Rs 9,999/- per unit respectively.

Gift Your Loved Ones a Healthy and 100% Organic Clean Indulgences Gift Box from Phalada Pure and Sure

Festive season is all about indulgence! Phalada Pure and Sure, India’s leading organic foods brand has curated a bespoke “Clean Indulgences Gift Box” to pamper your loved ones this festive season. The festive season is a reason to relax and enjoy with loved ones, at the same time, it is important to stay fit and healthy to overcome the ongoing pandemic. The Clean Indulgences guilt-free box is packed with healthy assortments and goodness. It is the perfect gift for friends and family! With this gift box, you can do both – stay fit and enjoy some of the most delectable and organic products.  

Made from the finest quality ingredients and sourced from certified organic farms across India, Phalada Pure and Sure is committed to providing a delightful and rich mix of products. The Clean Indulgences Gift Box has it all! You can satiate your sweet cravings with Organic Blueberry Almond Dark Chocolate, build your immunity with Organic Chyawanprash, Organic Honey, Organic Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil, and Organic Coconut Water, and enjoy the crunch with Organic Chakli!  

Priced at Rs 850/- the gift box is available at Phalada Pure and Sure stores in Bengaluru. The brand also retails nationally and internationally through their e-commerce website https://pureandsure.in/ and organic stores. 

FADA Releases October’20 Vehicle Growth Registration Data In India

 

* While Vehicle Registrations in October grows by 5.11% MoM, it continues to fall by -24% YoY.

* On YoY, 2-Wheeler degrows by -26.82%, 3-Wheeler by -64.50%, CV by -30.32% and PV by -8.80%. Only Tractor registration continues its positive momentum and grows by 55.53%.

* With only Navratri in October as compared to both Navratri and Diwali in October last year, October registrations did not show positive growth.

* As India enters the last leg of festivities, even though customer walk-in’s have improved, healthy conversions are yet to see light of the day. 

* Dealer Inventory for both 2W and PV are at its newest highs in this Financial Year. FADA requests all OEMs with a special request to 2W OEMs to assess the on-ground inventory level and curb production accordingly.

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) today released the Monthly Vehicle Registration Data for the Month of October’20.

October’20 Registration

Commenting on how October’20 performed, FADA President, Mr. Vinkesh Gulati said, “October continues to see positive momentum on monthly basis but on a yearly basis the negative slide continues to increase. The 9 days Navratri period witnessed robust vehicle registrations but could not save October to go in red as compared to last year when both Navratri and Diwali were in the same month.

While new launches continued to be in demand in Passenger Vehicle segment, entry level motorcycles witnessed a lean demand in 2-Wheeler segment. With supply side mismatch, most of the passenger vehicle dealers ended with limited stock of high selling items and odd variants which did not attract much demand. This coupled with lower discounts, compared to last festivals also played a spoilsport.

While Small Commercial Vehicles are seeing robust demand due to local goods transportation back to pre-covid levels, the Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles segment continued to bleed. FADA urges the Government to urgently announce an attractive incentive based Scrappage Policy. It also requests the Government to release funds for infrastructure projects which it has awarded as this will help demand generation and will lead to higher production of vehicles.

The Government’s continued procurement of Kharif crops at MSP from farmers is leading to a higher disposable income in rural India. This continues to show robust demand in Tractor segment which grew at a healthy 55% YoY.”

Near Term Outlook

As we enter the last leg of festivals and with Covid getting into its 3rd wave in many cities, there is a sense of cautiousness amongst customers. Due to the lockdown announced in few European Countries, procurement of spares will also be a cause of hinderance for smooth supply of vehicles in Indian markets. This will create a supply and demand mismatch thus affecting the passenger vehicle sales.

FADA once again cautions both OEMs and Dealers to keep a check on vehicle inventory as post festivals, demand may remain subdued. Since Inventory levels are at its highest during this Financial Year, it may impact Dealers financial health thus leading closures and job losses.

Tata Motors Supports Vijayawada Municipal Corporation’s Mission for Clean-Fuel Vehicles, Delivers 25 Ace CNG Models

 Key Highlights:

* The Tata Ace CNG fleet will be used for door-to-door waste collection in Vijayawada city

* Equipped with geo-positioning, public announcement and close-circuit camera systems for efficient use

* 3 cubic metre closed-box tipper effective and quick waste collection and disposal

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, delivers 25 Ace CNG models to Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, to support the corporation’s mission of using clean-fuel vehicles for municipal services. Minister of Municipality and Urban Development, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Bosta Satyanarayana flagged off the vehicles at a ceremony at Gandhi Maidan, Vijayawada. Dignitaries from Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, including the Municipal Commissioner Mr. Prasanna Venkatesh and central Vijayawada MLA, Mr Malladi Vishnu graced the occasion.

The Tata Ace tippers are specially designed for efficient waste collection and are equipped with 3 cubic metre closed-box tipper. With the high manoeuvrability and fuel efficient 700cc CNG engine, the Tata Ace Gold is the ideal vehicle for the application. The vehicles also feature geo-positioning system, public announcement system, wet and dry compartments and close-circuit camera system to further aid the effective operations. The vehicles were procured by the corporation through an open tender, wherein Tata Motors emerged as the top bidder.

On the momentous occasion, Mr. Vinay Pathak, Vice President, Product Line, SCV & PU, Tata Motors, said, “The Tata Ace is a versatile product that caters to a wide variety of applications for private and municipal use. After successfully serving several government bodies, we’re delighted to be associated with Vijayawada Municipal Corporation in their quest of efficient solid waste management for the prospering city of Vijayawada. Tata Motors is at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for its customers, and we’re confident that the Ace Gold will excel their requirement, while being cost effective.”

The Tata Ace is available with a wide array of load bodies, including 2, 2.6, 3 and 3.3 cubic metre capacity in open box and closed box variants to suit the need of the customers. It is available in fuel-efficient diesel, petrol and CNG BS6-compliant engine options to help increase the profit potential and reduce the total cost of ownership, with its low maintenance costs and high reliability. The Tata Ace brand celebrates its 15th anniversary and has remained the customers’ no. 1 choice throughout that period. It has emerged as the trusted partner for more than 22 lakh entrepreneurs and happy owners till date.

About Tata Motors

Tata Motors Limited (NYSE: TTM; BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 35 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups, trucks and buses. Part of the USD 113 billion Tata group, Tata Motors is India’s largest and the only OEM offering extensive range of integrated, smart and e-mobility solutions. It has operations in India, the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia through a strong global network of 103 subsidiaries, 10 associate companies, 3 joint ventures and 2 joint operations as on March 31, 2020.

With a focus on engineering and tech enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and amongst the top four in the passenger vehicles market. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, the company’s innovation efforts are focused to develop pioneering technologies that are sustainable as well as suited to evolving aspirations of the market and the customers. Tata Motors strives to bring new products that fire the imagination of GenNext customers, fueled by state of the art design and R&D centers located in India, UK, US, Italy and South Korea. Internationally, Tata commercial and passenger vehicles are marketed in countries, spread across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, South America, Australia, CIS, and Russia.

TECNO Announces ‘Moving Retail Shop’ Initiative to Strengthen its Aspirational India Connect

TECNO the global premium smartphone brand, today announced its unique “Moving Retail Shop” initiative in a bid to enhance the brand’s Aspirational Bharat Connect during the post pandemic festive season by reaching out to remote parts of the country. Operating out of a moving van, the initiative will first pilot in Western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where the Moving Retail Shop will travel across towns covering 15000+ km in 150+ markets and ensure presence in all popular weekly haats and local bazaars along the way. The unique ‘Display, Demonstration, and Delivery’ (D2D) campaign aims to provide the smartphone experience to our potential consumer base living in the interiors of the country and strengthen the brand’s vast retail network.

Commenting on the innovative activity, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of TRANSSION India, said, “TECNO commands substantial presence and market share in the greater Bharat on the back of our SPARK series, which focuses on battery, display, and camera in sub-10K smartphone category. With our unique ‘Moving Retail Shop’ initiative, our objective is to expand our retail presence to the smaller cities and towns of the Aspirational Bharat that have limited access. We are already receiving a strong response from consumers across the smaller towns during the first phase of the project held in Western UP and Rajasthan. We plan to take this initiative to other Tier 3 and 4 towns of Rural India. Following all the necessary hygiene and safety practices while regulating crowds and maintaining social distance, TECNO ‘Moving Retail Shop’ outlets will be fully safe for consumers to visit.”

TECNO has been aggressively building its offline business in India since 2017. In the first phase of the campaign, TECNO’s ‘Moving Retail Shop’ is expected to reach over 20,000 residents. With over 1,000+ demonstration sessions, the D2D campaign will assist retailers in selling smartphones directly to consumers across 22 towns in Western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The moving shop will showcase 6 best seller products from wide range of TECNO’s portfolio such as SPARK Go 2020 @6,499, Spark 6 Air (2+32) @7,699, Spark Power 2 Air @8,499, SPARK 5 Pro @10499, CAMON 16 @11,499, Hipods H2 @1,699, Minipod M1 @799. 

As per Counterpoint Reports for Q1 & Q2’20, on the back of the new products launched under Spark Series, TECNO has strengthened its position as one of the Top 6 offline smartphone brands in the sub-10K segment. The landmark 6-million customer milestone is a feather in TECNO’s cap and is a testament to its unwavering commitment to provide customers with a product that gives them access to premium features at affordable price points.  This resulted in substantial growth in demand in TECNO’s category segments. 

About TECNO Mobile

TECNO Mobile is a premium smartphone brand from TRANSSION Holdings. Upholding the brand essence of “Expect More”, TECNO is committed to giving the masses access to latest technology at accessible prices, allowing the consumers to reach beyond their current limitations and uncover a world of possibilities. TECNO understands the needs of consumers from different markets and provides them with localized innovations across a product portfolio. TECNO is a major global player with presence in around 60 emerging markets across the world. It is also the global Official Tablet and Handset Partner of Manchester City Football Club.