On Its First Anniversary, Mitron Launches Club, Academy And On-Demand To Help Creators Earn From Homes

* Scaling up by adding salient technological advancements and new services - Mitron Club, Mitron Academy and Mitron On-Demand

* App crosses 50+ million downloads mark on Google Playstore

* Mitron introduces all-new advanced video editor for the creators

India’s leading short-format video app, Mitron, completed one year of successfully providing entertainment to Indians. Mitron enables citizens to showcase their talent and share views and opinions freely in short videos. In a span of one year, Mitron TV has witnessed over 50+ million downloads on Google Play Store. With the success of its one-year journey, the app has propelled advancement by bringing new initiatives on the platform - Mitron Club, Mitron Academy and Mitron On-Demand, help in creating engagement and excitement between creators and users. 

In line with Mitron TV’s vision of creating micro-entrepreneurs, the Mitron Club service offering sees the short-format video app entering the monetization business. Furthermore, through the Club, the app gives creators a unique opportunity to create engaging content exclusively for users opting for the service. Moreover, the Club members can directly connect with their favourite creators and request to create content that they would like to view. Thus, the platform supports and encourages creators to create content and monetize their talent by reaching - a larger audience. 

Mitron TV is also introducing two more unique initiatives – Mitron Academy and Mitron On-Demand for its users. Through Mitron Academy, the creators get an opportunity to share educational videos to help users learn from the platform. Additionally, with Mitron On-Demand, users will be able to place requests for on-demand content like - Astrology reading, song dedication, tips and hacks, birthday wishes, amongst others..

Mitron TV has also advanced its technology and aims to offer users and creators with a friendly interface. The app has introduced technological initiatives that will help improve the user interface. 

●   Recommendation engine – This feature will allow the creator’s video to garner more views and automatically boost the videos basis its performance. The For-You section on the feed makes sure that a user sees what they like.

●  Editor Tool – This new feature helps remove creators’ dependency to log on to other video editor apps to edit their content. The tool supports unique features like PIP, sound modulations, transitions along with effects, filters, stickers, amongst others. 

●  Rendering and video quality – Improved the video compression and rendering capabilities, as a result of which less than 5% of its users suffer from the issue of video buffering.

Commenting on its first anniversary, Mr. Shivank Agarwal, CEO & Co-Founder, Mitron TV, said, “Since the launch of Mitron, the Indian audience has been extremely receptive towards the platform. We have observed a 2X increase in the interaction on our platform through likes and follow and approx. 3X increase through comments.”

He further added, “Mitron stands for compelling and versatile content with a major focus on infotainment and edutainment. With short-format content growing in the country, our vision is to connect with the heartland of India and provide them with a platform that is beyond entertainment. Our goal for the next six months is to add 100Mn (overall) users to the platform.”

Further talking about the one-year journey, Mr. Anish Khandelwal, CTO & Co-Founder, Mitron TV, said, “The past year has been a roller coaster ride for us, and we are truly grateful for the love shown by the Indian audience. Mitron has only grown upwards. We have evolved right from technological advancements to adding multiple features to our platform. Mitron TV users have started spending more time on the app, and the average session duration per user is approx. 10 minutes. After completing one year, we are now venturing into monetization through which we aim to provide our creators with a platform that allows them to monetize their talent and become entrepreneurs. We aim to take Mitron to the hinterlands of India and build a deeper connect with our audience.

Mitron TV is aggressively looking to grow its presence across India and has set up a goal to add more creators, users, and content partners to the platform. The app is steadfast in its belief that an Indian audience should be served by a home-grown app, with data firmly secured on Indian servers.

About Mitron TV:

Launched in April 2020, Mitron is a short-format video app that allows users to create, upload, view, and share one-minute videos. Founded by young entrepreneurs Shivank Agarwal and Anish Khandelwal, the ‘Made in India’ app was launched to support and showcase local talent across categories and to provide short-form entertainment to Indian smartphone users.

In just a few months, the app has crossed 50+ million downloads on the Android Play Store and has 9 billion video views per month. Recently, Mitron raised USD 5 million, in a fund-raising round, led by Nexus Venture Partners, 3one4 Capital, Let’s Venture, 9Unicorns, Venture Catalysts and other angel investors like Deep Kalra (MakeMyTrip), Amrish Rau (Pine Labs), Jitendra Gupta (Jupiter Money) and others.

To Accelerate Coding Literacy Across India, StayQrious Launches India’s First Kid-Friendly Coding Course Online

* The course has been created by India’s most trusted instructors with visual explanations that deepen a child’s intuition for the concepts

* Created according to the global CSTA standards, the course is a unique blend of explanation videos and hands-on activities specially curated for active learning rather than passive viewing

Realizing the absolute absence of quality coding content that Indian kids can learn from, India’s cutting-edge learning platform, StayQrious launches ‘Coding Foundations Season 1’, a 13 episode blended-learning course for free on YouTube.  Targeted at children between 8 to 14 years, the course has been created by India’s most trusted instructors with visual explanations that deepen a child’s intuition for the concepts. It delves into conceptual mastery, effective learning outcomes and is designed to make children curious to dig deeper and learn more.

This season will be followed by two more seasons on Youtube that will cover all the foundational concepts that can be carried forward and applied to any programming language. Concepts such as algorithms, debugging, variables, loops, nested loops, conditionals, and functions among others.

To make the learning experience more meaningful, StayQrious has designed the course such that many of the videos will have links to coding activities where kids can practice and free live masterclasses where they can interact with the instructors and ask their curious questions.

Speaking on the inspiration behind providing access to free coding content, Mr Aanand Srinivas, Founder and CEO, StayQrious said: “We never want the lack of access to quality information to be the barrier for children to learn. How children get introduced to a subject matters. It changes the way they feel about it for the rest of their lives. It’s like love at first sight. We want these videos to ignite the curiosity for coding and STEM subjects in millions of students and inspire many of them to pursue these subjects in a much more in-depth fashion.”

“With Summer around the corner and children getting a break before they enter the next academic year, this is the perfect time to provide the much needed exposure and understanding into the essential concepts of coding”

He also added that StayQrious is committed towards making students future-ready by teaching them essential learning skills across all core subjects by launching courses in coding, science, and math.

‘Coding Foundations Season 1’, a 13 episode blended-learning course for free on YouTube. - https://r.stayq.us/CodingFoundationsCourse

About StayQrious

Established in the year 2020, StayQrious is India’s revolutionary online learning platform for students focused on STEM foundations, technology and 21st-century skills. The brand believes that the Indian education system is at the cusp of revolution, led by rapid advancements in cognitive science and computing technology. Recognizing the opportunity, StayQrious aims to catalyze this revolution by designing the 'classroom of the future' from first principles of cognitive science that leverages an innovative learning format and uses technology to scale it to billions of students.

With the vision of being the most student-centric company in the world embedded in its DNA, the brand is on a mission to create millions of happy, independent learners for life.

Covestro Cooperating With AkzoNobel And MINE Technologies

In the growing market for consumer electronics, manufacturers are looking for new aesthetic and functional solutions. It’s no longer just about trendy shapes and bright colors: consumers have discovered a preference for velvety-soft products with luxurious matte surfaces. To meet their needs, Covestro worked with paints and coatings manufacturer AkzoNobel to develop a new type of waterborne coating system with adjustable haptics and a matt optics effect. It simultaneously meets the high demands on the quality and durability of today’s electronic products. Covestro is also cooperating with other partners along the value chain to quickly apply raw material innovations in end products and support the modernization needs of brands.

“The rollout of the 5G network in particular, will take the industry to a whole new level, but will also lead to higher consumer expectations regarding device performance,” says Dr. Miya Ma, Industrial Marketing and Business Development Manager for 5G Applications in the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment in the Asia-Pacific region at Covestro. “That's why we are working with partners and customers to develop innovative material solutions to bring trendy products to the market faster.”

Intelligent accessory

One current example is the functional Smart Mirror from the Chinese manufacturer MINE Technologies. The mirror cover is coated with AkzoNobel's waterborne soft-touch coating, which gives it a silky feel and a luxurious matte effect. It is highly resistant to abrasion and scratching and is based on the polyurethane raw materials Bayhydrol® and Bayhydur® from Covestro. The water-based coating is characterized by only low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing process.

The mirror also features compelling new electronic functions. If you swipe its edge, it begins to glow. The brightness can also be adjusted via swiping. The Smart Mirror can also connect to WiFi networks and is capable of recharging wirelessly. The product received an “iF Design Award” and an “International Design Excellence Award (IDEA)” in 2018.

Versatile material solutions

With pilot projects like this, Covestro is positioning itself in the growing consumer electronics devices market. In doing so, the company is supporting customers along the value chains in accordance with principles of CMF design (Color, Material, Finishing). In addition to the variant presented here, silk, velvet, and leather-like product surfaces with various degrees of matte and gloss can also be produced.

The mirror's back panel and light ring are made of Makrolon® polycarbonate from Covestro, which is characterized by its impact strength, heat resistance, flame retardancy and transparency. The company also offers post consumer recycled solutions and polycarbonate material with renewable contents to help consumer electronics customers achieve their sustainability goal. The mirror also includes a bag made by the Shanghai-based company Huafon Microfibre. It employs a microfiber leather solution for this purpose, using the polyurethane raw material Desmodur®.

About Covestro:

With 2020 sales of EUR 10.7 billion, Covestro is among the world’s leading polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. In doing so, Covestro is fully committed to the circular economy. The main industries served are the automotive and transportation industries, construction, furniture and wood processing, as well as electrical, electronics, and household appliances industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. At the end of 2020, Covestro has 33 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

Ashok Leyland Wins HCV, MDV And Cargo Carrier Of The Year Along With Bada Dost Winning CV Of The Year At Apollo CV Awards

Ashok Leyland, flagship company of the Hinduja Group and India’s second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, wins three prestigious Apollo CV awards 2021, including the ‘HCV’ Tipper of the Year for AVTR 3520 ,‘MDV’ Tipper of the Year for AVTR 1920 and ‘Cargo Carrier’ of the Year for Boss 1415 LX. The Apollo CV Awards are considered the most prestigious in the commercial vehicle (CV) business that recognises innovation, leadership, technological prowess and people talent in the CV business. 

The 12th edition of the Apollo CV Awards was held virtually on 10 April 2021. The awards recognised OEMs, fleet operators, dealers and Individuals across categories and business areas. 

Mr Vipin Sondhi, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, "We are delighted to receive the HCV Tipper of the Year award for AVTR 3520, MDV Tipper of the Year award for AVTR 1920 and Cargo Carrier of the Year award for Boss 1415LX. With the launch of AVTR last year, we achieved the dual challenge of meeting the BS-VI norms and development of a whole new platform, in one swift move. The customer centric AVTR, has taken our customers to the next level of trucking and helps them reap the benefits of modularity. This unique modular platform has put us on the global map of CV manufacturers and helps us in our journey of realising our vision of being amongst the Top 10 Global CV Makers. It truly stands for quality, reliability and backed with the extensive service network, it gives our customers a huge advantage. We dedicate these awards to each of our employees and our stakeholders who have made this possible.”

Mr Anuj Kathuria, Chief Operating Officer, Ashok Leyland, commented, "We are truly elated to have won the Apollo CV Awards for our HCV Tipper AVTR 3520, MDV Tipper AVTR 1920 and ICV Cargo Carrier BOSS 1415LX. Keeping to our brand promise of ‘Aapki Jeet. Hamari Jeet.’, our new Tippers 3520 and 1920 were introduced last year under the innovative AVTR modular platform. These new products help our customers to improve operational efficiencies and deliver the best Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). In the ICV segment our winner product BOSS 1415LX has further improved on the USPs of higher fuel economy and durability, making it a compelling choice for our customers. The Apollo CV Awards is a great motivator and re-affirms our efforts in introducing customer centric and innovative technology."

About Ashok Leyland:

Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja group, is the second largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India, the fourth largest manufacturer of buses in the world, and the 17th largest manufacturers of trucks. Headquartered in Chennai, 9 manufacturing plants gives an international footprint - 7 in India, a bus manufacturing facility in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), one at Leeds, United Kingdom and a joint venture with the Alteams Group for the manufacture of high-press die-casting extruded aluminum components for the automotive and telecommunications sectors, Ashok Leyland has a well-diversified portfolio across the automobile industry. Ashok Leyland has recently been ranked as 34th best brand in India. A US $ 2.30 billion company, and a footprint that extends across 50 countries, we are one of the most fully-integrated manufacturing companies this side of the globe. 

Ashok Leyland has a product range from 1T GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) to 55T GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) in trucks, 9 to 80 seater buses, vehicles for defence and special applications, and diesel engines for industrial, genset and marine applications. We are the first truck and bus manufacturer outside of Japan to win the Deming prize for our Pantnagar plant in 2016 and the Hosur Unit II being awarded the Deming Prize in 2017. Ashok Leyland manages driver training institutes across India and has trained over 8,00,000 drivers since inception. On-site service training for technicians are provided by Ashok Leyland’s service training institutes located in 9 locations across India. People, Planet and Profit for all stakeholders especially our customers is at the core of Ashok Leyland which resonates with our Philosophy of ‘AAPKI JEET, HAMARI JEET’.

Graduates, IT Professionals Are The Key Crypto Investors In Karnataka: CoinDCX Report

* CoinDCX introduces CoinDCX Go for new users eyeing investment in cryptocurrency

As per the internal data of CoinDCX majority of investors investing in cryptocurrency in Karnataka are graduates and working IT professionals. The company has witnessed spike in investments in cryptocurrency from the state of Karnataka. The data further states that large section of the investors fall under the age of 35. To ensure early adopters of cryptocurrency do not suffer fraud, CoinDCX has introduced CoinDCX Go, an easy investment platform in crypto backed by secured features.

As per Sumit Gupta, CEO CoinDCX, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad are some of the cities witnessing a rise in investment into crypto assets. Women from these cities are also increasingly investing in crypto assets, almost contributing to around 20% of the pie chart.

CoinDCX, via its recently launched app CoinDCX Go, is trying to bridge the gap between those challenged by knowledge on crypto and those concerned by their investments' safety and security. CoinDCX Go app is available for Android and IoS devices and has been downloaded more than 1,50,000 times since its launch is meant for new users to come on board the crypto space.

A user can buy or sell crypto on the app while quickly navigating through its secured backdrop and complete transaction on the platform as he finishes his coffee or tea. The app only features the very best of 14 out of some 4000+ crypto assets that exist in the market today.

The CoinDCX Go App incorporates a 7M framework- a stringent path to list selected crypto assets - while considering the Indian government's concern to safeguard investors. 7M framework consists of Model, Mechanics, Management, Market, Motivation, Momentum and Money. This framework's philosophy ensures that new crypto investors only invest in the safest and the best crypto assets.

Emphasising rising crypto investors in Karnataka, Neeraj Agarwal, Co-Founder, CoinDCX, said, "Ensuring safety and security is our topmost priority. CoinDCX has partnered with Bitgo, the most trusted crypto custodian globally, to ensure users' crypto funds are completely safe and insured on the Go app. Besides, CoinDCX also partnered with Onfido to protect users against user identification fraud last year."

The crypto industry has seen a significant jump in business since the pandemic started. More and more global investment firms and investors are beginning to invest in crypto assets in the last few months. In all of this, Bitcoin is leading the race. Today it has a market valuation of over USD 1.3 trillion. Globally many economists and investors view Bitcoin as digital gold. 

About CoinDCX

CoinDCX is India’s largest and safest cryptocurrency exchange and top liquidity aggregator in the world. The exchange has instant deposit and withdrawal facilities. The versatile wallet structure provides the best fee structure in the industry. Established in 2018, the exchange is today deemed by many market participants as India’s most trustworthy cryptocurrency exchange.

Vi Dials Up The Cricketing Excitement For T20 Fans, With Play Along While You Watch

 ·     Announces Vi T20 Dekho bhi, Khelo bhi, Jeeto bhi, exclusively on the Vi App

·      Vi Customers can play the game alone or with friends and win prizes along with each of the 60 Live matches that will be played over 52 days beginning April 9, 2021

·      Daily prizes to be won by gaming enthusiasts on each match, besides bumper tournament prize

·       Vi customers can also Play the ‘Vi Fan of the Match’ game during match breaks and win gifts including I-Phones on each match!

With the country’s biggest sporting extravaganza kicking off, Vi, the Associate Media Sponsor of Vivo IPL 2021 and India’s leading telecom brand, has announced an engaging and rewarding initiative based on the popular game concept ‘PLAY ALONG’ i.e. play while you watch the live T20 league wherein one can play solo or with friends every day for next 52 days, 60 matches and add some fun and excitement with loads of rewards. Vi is offering its customers an opportunity to participate in the Vi Dekho bhi, Khelo bhi, Jeeto bhi, online gaming initiative and win daily prizes as well as bumper tournament prize, from 9th April to 30th May 2021.

This announcement comes close on the heels of Vi’s partnership with Disney+ Hotstar giving Vi customers the opportunity to watch the IPL T20 games live from their mobile phones, from anywhere. 

About Vi Dekho bhi, Khelo bhi, Jeeto bhi:

* All Vi customers (pre-paid and postpaid) can register and play the game. It will need one time registration from the Vi App home page. No conditions, whatsoever!

* 4 stages for each game – pre-match, play along, strategic time-out & power play.

* There will be daily challenges based on day’s match.

* One can predict game outcomes - Who will win the toss, who will win the match, how many runs will be scored in the next over and so on. 

* Use your cricket knowledge to score extras.

* Each day’s match results (leader board) which will be published post the day’s play is over, i.e.  the winners will be announced every day for that day’s match(es)

* Participants can win any number of times over the 52 day period. No cap on number of wins.

* Invite friends, colleagues, relatives to play. Create own leagues and compete amongst each other.

* Share the standings on Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

* Each participant can earn booster points by inviting friends or recharge / bill payment through the Vi app

* There are daily prizes for top scorers of the match, bumper prizes for top scorers of the tournament and mega prizes basis draw of lots for those who have scored a certain minimum points.

o   Bumper Prizes: Phone, Bike, Car, Laptop, Scooter etc.

o   Daily Prizes: One can redeem their points with host of partners namely Myntra, Flipkart, Lenskart, Puma, Faasos, Zomato, Curefit, Grofers, Goibibo etc. 

As a separate initiative, Vi, invites customers to play the ‘Vi Fan of the Match’ contest during match breaks and win exciting rewards, including IPhones. 

Vi customers can play ‘Vi Fan of the Match’ on the Vi Facebook page, the Vi Instagram page and on Twitter during every match break. Participants will have to answer simple questions pertaining to the live match being played. There will be a total of 20 questions for each match. The gifts on offer for those giving the maximum correct answers:

o   Surprise Vouchers on every ad break

o   iPhones to be won at the end of every match – 60 matches, 60 winners, 60 I-phone

o   cid:image005.jpg@01D72E17.021C17C0Bumper prize at the end of the season

Additionally, the names and photos of each daily winner will get put up on Vi social media pages. So if you are a Vi customer, this IPL season is a win-win deal for you! Watch the games for free on Disney+ Hotstar, participate in the Vi Fan of the Match’ game to win gifts on each match and get popular on social media!

About Vi:

Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is India’s leading telecom service provider. The Company provides pan India Voice and Data services across 2G, 3G and 4G platform. With the large spectrum portfolio to support the growing demand for data and voice, the company is committed to deliver delightful customer experiences and contribute towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The Company is listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

The company offers products and services to its customers in India under the TM Brand name “Vi”.

Ookla® - the global leader in broadband testing and web-based network diagnostic applications, has verified Vi, based on analysis of Speedtest Intelligence® data as the fastest 4G network pan-India in Oct to Dec ’20.

Honeywell Automation India Wins Golden Peocock Award For Corporate Social Responsibility

* Honeywell’s program, which is focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as well as providing access to safe water, was named winner in the ‘Engineering’ category

Honeywell Automation India Limited (NSE: HONAUT) has been named winner of the Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for 2020. The award recognizes the company’s CSR work, which touches the lives of 2 million people across 46 districts in India. Honeywell received the award in the “Engineering” category.

“This award reaffirms our commitment to improving the world we live in by creating, supporting, and nurturing outstanding CSR programs that make a real, sustainable, and measurable impact on communities that Honeywell serves,” said Ashish Gaikwad, Managing Director, Honeywell Automation India Limited.

“As a technology company, we will continue to focus our CSR efforts on promoting STEM education, supporting tech incubation in deep science, and providing safe water access to water-stressed communities. We will also offer holistic rural development in communities where Honeywell is present,” he added.

Honeywell supports science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, including through the Honeywell Center for Advancing Girls in Science at Avasara Academy, Pune. Recently, Honeywell announced its partnership with the Society for Innovation and Development at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, to fund start-ups in deep science. The company has a longstanding partnership with Safe Water Network, with whom it has built 185 safe water stations in areas of Telangana and Maharashtra that suffer groundwater contamination. Honeywell was among the first companies to promote child safety in schools through its CSR programs.

In 2017, Honeywell received a “Special Commendation for Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility” for its safe water program.

The Golden Peacock Awards have become a hallmark of CSR excellence and are regarded as of the top prize in the field.

This year, the awards secretariat received 319 applications from corporations showcasing their CSR work for the period 2018-20. Of these, 119 applications were shortlisted for final selection. The award winners were announced after an intensive three-level independent and quantitative assessment, culminating in a final selection by a top-level jury chaired by Hon’ble Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India and former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission of India and National Commission for Constitution of India Reforms. Companies with the highest scores among contenders for each of the respective industrial sectors were adjudged winners.