The Budget Was With A Clear Aim To Empower India: Yogendra Kashyap, CEO, RapiPay Fintech

Reaction from Mr. Yogendra Kashyap, CEO, RapiPay Fintech Pvt. Ltd, an SK Narvar promoted entity.

“Today’s budget was with a clear aim to empower India with a special focus on building infrastructure and creating a digital ecosystem to enhance the economy. As a  push towards growth in last mile delivery of financial inclusion, the Finance Minister has proposed a Rs 1,500 crore-scheme, which will be marked as financial incentives.  India has witnessed speedy growth in assisted payments post the pandemic, especially from the marginalized population of Tier II & III areas. Further, the government has also proposed to set up a world-class fintech hub near Gandhinagar to augment India’s fast-growing fintech market and boost self-employment under the Prime Minister's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. This would help in growing the payments infrastructure in our country.”

Healthcare At forefront Of India’s Growth, Says Vishal Bali Of Asia Healthcare Holding

Healthcare At forefront of India’s Growth, “Healthy India is core to India’s economic growth reflects in the 137% increase in  outlay for health at Rs 2,23,846 cr in budget 2021. The focus on healthcare with Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana with an outlay of Rs 64, 180 CR over 6 years shows that healthcare capacity building is now a key priority for the Govt. The 35000 cr earmarked for COVID 19 vaccination drive will create the safety net for the country. The overall capital expenditure increase of 26% should drive infrastructure acceleration, the much needed GDP growth driver. Insurance sector which is an important pillar for any country should see an exponential growth with enhancement of FDI limit to 74% from 49%. Overall a forward looking budget to drive the 11% GDP growth for India in FY22 as pegged in the Economic survey 2020.”

Dubai Forms Vaccine Logistics Alliance To Speed Up Distribution Of COVID-19 Vaccines

The move follows a World Health Organization (WHO) campaign to equitably distribute two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021

Dubai has launched a vaccine logistics alliance to expedite the distribution of vaccines around the world, with a focus on hard-hit developing countries.

The move follows a World Health Organization (WHO) campaign to equitably distribute two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.

The alliance harnesses the capabilities of several Dubai-based companies including Emirates, DP World, and Dubai Airports.

“Each alliance partner brings to the table a specific and complementary set of strengths and capabilities in vaccine distribution,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and CEO of Emirates said in a statement.

The distribution, the statement added, will focus on “emerging markets, where populations have been hard-hit by the pandemic, and pharmaceutical transport and logistics are challenging.”

The alliance is also working with manufacturers, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to achieve its goals.

Dubai is an ideal hub because of its central location, CEO of Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths said.

“Dubai’s central location means it is easily accessible to almost 80 percent of the world’s population within just four hours, making the decision to join forces and develop the world’s preeminent distribution hub a very strategic one,” he explained.

Tata Motors Logs Domestic Sales Of Over 57k Units In Jan 2021 Rising By 28% YoY

* The total domestic sales in January 2021 were at 57,742 up by 28% from 45,242 units last year in January 2020.

While it registered domestic sales of 57,742 units in January 2021, a growth of 28% over last year.

In the commercial vehicles segment, total domestic sales were at 32,909 units lower by 3% from 33,860 units in January 2020.

Total passenger vehicle units in January 2021 stood at 26,978 up by 94% from 13,894 in January 2020.

Koo Parners With Jan Ki Baat To Deliver The Election Options In Indian Languages

India’s largest micro-blogging platform ‘Koo’ announces its partnership with Jan Ki Baat to further reach and encourage Indian audiences to express their thoughts and opinions on everyday trending news.

As part of the partnership, Pradeep Bhandari will use Koo, as a platform to run opinion polls, post the latest updates on election analysis and allow followers on Koo to express their thoughts and opinions on the elections. All you need to know about the upcoming elections in Bengal, Tamil Nadu and other states will be shared by Pradeep Bhandari on the platform. This election year Jan Ki Baat will initiate conversations in regional languages, set the agenda & shape the narrative on Indian politics and Indian elections through factual, educative, data driven on-ground analysis through the Koo platform. Koo and Jan Ki Baat partnership will be seen on the Koo App and across Jan Ki Baat platforms starting 1st February 2021.

Aprameya Radhakrishna, Co-Founder and CEO of Koo, said “Pradeep is the master of election result predictions and his on the ground approach is what the youth of India would love to follow. The tie up with Pradeep and Jan Ki Baat will allow a vast audience who love local Indian languages to connect with him as he travels across India to bring the latest on elections in Indian languages on Koo.”

Pradeep Bhandari, Founder and CEO, Jan Ki Baat said, “As India completes 75 years of independence in 2022, Indian languages will strongly shape & dominate the discourse of patriotic youth of India. I have personally experienced the power of Indian languages while travelling across 400 constituencies & connecting with people. Collaboration with 'Koo' will help 'Jan Ki Baat' reach the masses and involve them in this patriotic journey.”

Jan Ki Baat and Koo will collaborate with Koo editorially and seamlessly integrate their content. Koo is an award winning app which has won the Aatmanirbhar Bharat App award, Google Play Store’s Best Daily Essential App of 2020 and has had a special mention by the Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat. Koo is a perfect example of the quality of product and team that has taken up the call to build India’s own tech ecosystem. 

About Koo:

Koo was founded in March 2020, as an inclusive micro-blogging platform in Indian languages where people from across different regions in India can express themselves in their mother tongue. Just 10% of India speaks English. 90% prefer Indian languages. There’s no place on the internet for them to express themselves in their native language and discover others from the same community. Koo provides a voice to Indians who prefer Indian languages. This is how Koo has become a game-changer that is available in multiple languages such as Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, etc. 

About Jan Ki Baat:

'JAN KI BAAT' is India's youngest and most followed brand on psephology, political analysis and data insights. It was founded in the year 2017 by the dynamic and popular media entrepreneur, PRADEEP BHANDARI. Since its inception in 2017, JAN KI BAAT led by PRADEEP BHANDARI has predicted 16 out of 18 elections in India accurately. As the name suggests, 'JAN KI BAAT' is strongly connected with citizens on the ground, it understands, analyses and decodes their pulse to predict its impact on Indian polity. 'JAN KI BAAT', a unique brand, has gained immense popularity among masses because of  PRADEEP BHANDARI's electrifying TV presence. His sharp political analysis and accurate prediction rate even earned him the 'election wizard' moniker on National Television. 

Aditya Birla Education Academy Launches PG Diploma In Global Education In Association With B. K. Birla College

* The unique online course helps educators and working professionals from other sectors to upskill themselves to make a career in International Education

Aditya Birla Education Academy (ABEA), India’s leading professional development institute for teachers, today launched a Post Graduate Diploma in Global Education (PGDGE) in association with B. K. Birla College of Arts, Science, and Commerce (Autonomous), Kalyan to provide educators with an opportunity to carve a career in international education through a blended learning curriculum that integrates rigorous and contemporary academics with the application through school-based practice.

The goal of this course is to help educators develop teaching skills and knowledge in accordance with best global practices and become more effective teachers. This online program also provides an opportunity for working professionals to transition into the education space and make a smooth career switch. As the course is developed and delivered by globally renowned academicians, it promises academic excellence. The salient features of PGDGE are practicum based teaching and learning, internship opportunities in reputed Indian schools, and campus placement assistance.

Commenting on the launch of PGDGE, Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson, Aditya Birla Education Trust said, “The pandemic severely disrupted everything including the education system. While teachers were not ready for the unexpected shift to online, they ensured that learning doesn’t stop for their students. Educators today need to be equipped with a teacher-training-program that is more hands-on in its approach to tackle the dynamic landscape in international education. With this aim in mind, we are happy to announce the Post Graduate Diploma in Global Education in association with B.K. Birla College (Autonomous), Kalyan. It is an absolutely remarkable step for us to be able to provide this platform for teachers and help them acquire practical learning and teaching skills within a global context.”

The participants from PGDGE will be able to develop their skills and learn to teach with the best global methods, acquire relevant experience through internships to operate in institutions, learn the use of educational technology in teaching and learning and, bring in reflective practices for self-development. The course structure consists of 8 modules of 12 hours each. There is action research-based work in every module. While the course allows the participants to access study material online, post queries, and practice their skills at their convenient time, it requires attendance at scheduled sessions or classes. At the end of every session, non-graded assignments are conducted, and at the end of every module, graded assignments are conducted.

The course offers an internship program in reputed schools across the country and offers campus placement assistance towards the end of the academic year. At the end of the course, final examinations are conducted to test the learnings inculcated from the program. The online classes are held on weekends for this year-long PGDGE that commences on 15th April 2021. To be eligible for the course, the applicant must be a graduate in any discipline. The course fee is Rs. 75,000 (inclusive of taxes) payable in 3 installments and merit-based scholarships are available. 

About Aditya Birla Education Academy

Aditya Birla Education Academy is India’s leading professional development institute for teachers. Aditya Birla Education Academy aims to engage educators in the new-age global processes of education and empower them to evolve into the best knowledge-givers they can be, as they nurture young minds and contribute towards shaping the future. Aditya Birla Education Academy is providing a platform for educators to further their professional development through relevant and uniquely structured courses that meet their needs across the spectrum of education.

About Aditya Birla Education Trust

Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET) is an organisation committed to the cause of education and mental health, with an objective to nurture young minds. Right from establishing the Aditya Birla World Academy, an International School with an Indian soul, to The Aditya Birla Integrated School, which acknowledges the need to cater to children with different learning needs, ABET has always prioritised the importance of a child’s overall development. Further under the aegis of ABET, the Aditya Birla Education Academy provides professional development opportunities for educators, and engages, empowers and equips them to contribute towards shaping the future of young minds. In an endeavour to stamp out stigma surrounding mental health concerns, ABET has established Mpower, a holistic mental health care initiative, which has become the pioneer of mental health awareness in the country. Aditya Birla Education Trust runs under the zealous leadership of its passionate and committed Founder & Chairperson, Mrs. Neerja Birla.

About B. K. Birla College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Autonomous), Kalyan

B. K. Birla College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Autonomous), Kalyan affiliated to University of Mumbai was established in 1972, by Kalyan Citizens’ Education Society with the blessings of Late Syt. B. K. Birla ji and Late Smt. Sarala ji Birla. The college has accomplished a spectacular growth over the last four decades and grown as a multi-faculty premier institution of higher learning with an enrolment of more than 11,000 students (7,000 plus students for UG, PG and Research Programmes and 4,000 plus students in Junior College). The college is reaccredited by NAAC (3rd Cycle) and awarded ‘A’ Grade (CGPA - 3.58) in 2014. The College has been granted ‘College of Excellence’ status (2015 - 2020) by UGC, New Delhi. The College has been certified with the ISO 9001: 2015. The college has been awarded the ‘Best College Award’ (in the Urban category) by the University of Mumbai (2009). The College has also been awarded the ‘IMC - RBNQ Performance Excellence Trophy - 2011’ in Education. B. K. Birla College has a vibrant work-culture with holistic approach to education. The teaching - learning process is supported using ICT, interactive exercises, projects, assignments, etc. in addition to traditional teaching - learning method. The college has been granted ‘Autonomous Status’ by University Grants Commission and University of Mumbai from the Academic Year 2018 - 19. This autonomy has enabled the college to enhance the quality, innovation in curricular content, pedagogy, evaluation methods, etc in order to make students globally competent, more skilled and job-ready. Under Autonomous Status the college has introduced M.Sc. in Data Science and Big Data Analytics and M.Sc. in Finance in the academic year 2019-20, and M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and M.Com. Accounting Finance in the academic year 2020-21. These courses have been envisaged to cater to the diverse needs of the market. B. K. Birla College stands committed to the cause of higher education, catering to the diverse needs of the students and enabling them to develop as intellectually alive and socially - responsible citizens ready for continuous and professional growth.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Registers 92% Growth In Domestic Sales In January 2021

* Clocks total sales of over 50,000 units of Toyota & Suzuki Alliance models, ever since its first launch in India

Toyota Kirloskar Motor today announced that the company sold a total of 11126 units in the month of January 2021, thereby clocking a growth of 92% in domestic sales, when compared to its wholesales in the month of January 2020. For reference, TKM had sold a total of 5804 units in the domestic market in January 2020.

Wholesales January 2021 2020 Month on month Growth

Domestic 11126 5804 92%

Commenting on the month’s performance, Mr. Naveen Soni, Sr. Vice President TKM said, “The new year started on a positive note for us and our sales growth stands testimony to the same. Our wholesales have been very encouraging and the booking orders have also witnessed a significant rise. We launched the new Fortuner and Legender in the New Year to cater to the growing aspirations of our loyal customers who are seeking more style, comfort, and performance. We are humbled by the tremendous customer response for both the models, which shows in the continued trust and confidence in the Fortuner, which has been the segment leader since its launch more than a decade ago. Moreover, the new Innova Crysta launched in November last year, has also received an overwhelming response from the market.

Last month, we also achieved a significant milestone of clocking total sales of over 50,000 units for the Toyota-Suzuki alliance models, Glanza & the Urban Cruiser, ever since the launch of Glanza in June 2019. Both the models have proved their popularity in their respective segments and have also allowed us to welcome many new customers into the Toyota family”, he concluded.