I’m So Excited I Don’t Want To Go Back To College: B-School Virtual Intern At Samsung

Yashjeet Varshney, a first year student at MDI Gurgaon has spent the last few days toggling between managing affairs at home and attending virtual meetings with business leaders at Samsung India, where he is doing his summer internship.

“I learn new things here every day and many new perspectives that a business school can never provide. Frankly, even though this internship is virtual and I may not be as fortunate as some of my seniors to get an in-office experience, the last two weeks have been absolutely exciting and I don’t know how I’d ever go back to routine college life,” he says.

Yashjeet is among 34 interns from India’s top B-Schools who got selected for the prestigious IGNITE (Inspiring Growth & Nurturing Interns Towards Excellence) internship program – a springboard for many young B-school grads aspiring for a coveted corporate career.

It’s a motley group of students from IIM-Ahmedabad, IIMs – Lucknow, Calcutta, Bangalore and Kozhikode, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon and FMS Delhi. As the offices are shut for safety of employees as per Covid protocols, the young students are leaving no stone unturned to make the two-month long summer internship program ignite their spirits.

“Our spirits are high. Unfortunately, we are not able to raise a toast together because of this program going virtual this year too,” says Sameer Wadhawan, Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Samsung India. “At Samsung, we believe that young talent, like in this lot will be Powering Digital India – Samsung’s vision for India,” he adds.

The people managers at Samsung have been working from home too, and it has been quite a challenge to keep the flock together but they have ensured the interns go back as empowered or more as any of their seniors. There are some misses for them surely, but the gains will outshine them.

First, let’s see what they have been missing: their first stride and warm welcome into Samsung’s plush Corporate Office on the 24th Floor of Two Horizon Center in Gurugram, the in-person meetings with Samsung leaders, a tête-à-tête with them over coffee, the first office pal, the visits to the exciting break out areas, the gym and cafeteria where ideas abound as much as the delicious spread of food. And of course, the after office parties. 

But there are plenty of firsts in a virtual office as well: The first cloud meeting, with patchy connection issues at times, first virtual catch-up, the first virtual brainstorming session, virtual meetings and ideation sessions. And it seems our bunch is enjoying it too.

“I was really hoping to have an in-person internship experience. I have always been passionate about new places, people, and culture so would have loved to see the Samsung office and meet colleagues,” says Sejal Sinha from IIM Kozhikode. “But the virtual mode has been just as intriguing. I absolutely love how the Samsung culture has kept it all so alive even through the current situation and its challenges.”

Anushka Dhawan from XLRI Jamshedpur says the best part about this internship for her is that even the senior most leaders are so readily available, “when we need any inputs from them.”

“Everyone has been keen on sharing their experience and insights with us making all the learning so much more fun. I am yet to fully believe that I am interning for a brand that is so omnipresent. Samsung is a part of almost every Indian home,” she says.

Samsung Newsroom link: I’m So Excited I Don’t Want to Go Back to College: B-School Virtual Intern at Samsung.

Spinny Signposts 1 MG Labs’ On-The-Spot RT-PCR Drive-Through Collection Points Across Delhi, Bengaluru And Gurgaon

In view of the dramatic upswing in infection rates through the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, with diagnostics services and testing facilities being over-burdened, Spinny, a new age pre-owned car end-to-end platform has tied up with 1MG Labs to provide on-the-spot RT-PCR collections across Delhi, Mumbai and Gurgaon from the safety of one’s car. 

Spinny has now provided delivery trucks used to deliver cars to its customers to 1MG Labs to conduct speedy on-the-spot drive-through collections in Sectors 29, 21 and 56 in Gurgaon; and select locations in Delhi and Bengaluru. Anybody experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms can avail of sampling at these select locations, starting today.

Spinny is supporting 1MG labs in organizing sample collections on the spot as per ICMR guidelines and reports within 36 hours as per subsidised and government approved rates. Currently, there are around 2.6 Cr COVID cases in India, claiming around 2.91 Lac lives.

Says Niraj Singh, CEO and Founder, Spinny - “The need of the hour is to be there, on the road, in plain sight and aid our nation’s diagnostics and healthcare system. 

Also, driving to a test centre in one’s personal car is comparatively less riskier than visiting a more crowded space, at this juncture.  We at Spinny do not think of this as a service, but as a necessity and laud 1MG’s efforts.

Locations of drive-through collection centers:

Sector 29, Gurgaon: https://lnkd.in/eKV5gV9

Sector 21, Gurgaon: https://lnkd.in/eQGUAtZ

Sector 56, Gurgaon: https://lnkd.in/eta6S6z

Coventry University, L&T Technology Services Join Forces To Develop New-Age Solutions For Automotive And Manufacturing

 * Partnership deepens R&D in Autonomous technologies, EVs and Software Defined Vehicles

L&T Technology Services Limited, a global leading pure-play engineering services company, announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with UK’s Coventry University to build and deliver new generation engineering solutions for the automotive and manufacturing sectors.

The partnership will see research undertaken in autonomous mobility solutions and vehicle dynamics with the aim of strengthening LTTS’ technology capabilities for their global customers. In particular, LTTS and Coventry University will collaborate towards developing technologies and deepening skillsets in Autonomous Driving, EVs and Software Defined Vehicles.

In addition, the university will enable LTTS engineers to acquire advanced knowledge in Automotive and Manufacturing Technologies and Sustainability, empowering them to face myriad challenges around technology upgrades.

The partnership is expected to result in the joining of like-minded experts to research and develop new products, processes and services; the building of a talent pool that will impact local and global economies; and a working relationship that connects two global organizations to create change in the transport sector. The University’s  contribution is being led by the IFTC which conducts research in transport design, electric, connected and autonomous vehicles, cyber security and manufacturing technologies.

Abhishek Sinha, Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Board, L&T Technology Services, said: “The potential of technology and engineering to positively disrupt our lives is limited only by imagination. LTTS’ GLOCAL (Global + Local) strategy has helped in strengthening relationships across the globe by breaking barriers and deepening the regional ecosystem comprising talent pool and local economy. The IFTC-LTTS alliance aims to fast track the new-age mobility solutions for the transportation industry across the globe, including aspects of safety and comfort that can benefit millions of commuters. LTTS is delighted to collaborate with Coventry University in scripting a new chapter for transportation engineering services both in UK and globally.”

Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Coventry University said, “This partnership with LTTS underlines the university’s commitment to research with impact, directing the scope of our academic expertise to support the areas where we can make a real difference. As one of the world’s leading engineering and technology service providers, LTTS is a natural partner for Coventry University and I look forward to supporting this relationship as it grows to encompass all relevant themes within our research portfolio.”

“IFTC is proud to work alongside leading industry partners to deliver our vision of transport solutions fit for the cities of the future. LTTS integrates perfectly with this aim and with work already well underway in key collaboration areas and a number of other topics of interest already identified, I am confident that this will be of immense long-term benefit to both partners,” said Professor Carl Perrin, Chief Executive of IFTC, Coventry University.

About L&T Technology Services Ltd

L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS) is a listed subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited focused on Engineering and R&D (ER&D) services. We offer consultancy, design, development and testing services across the product and process development life cycle. Our customer base includes 69 Fortune 500 companies and 53 of the world’s top ER&D companies, across industrial products, medical devices, transportation, telecom & hi-tech, and the process industries. Headquartered in India, we have over 16,400 employees spread across 17 global design centers, 28 global sales offices and 69 innovation labs as of March 31, 2021.

3i Infotech Charters New Growth Path Through The Digital And Cloud-First Focus

 

* Looks to achieve a revenue growth of $1 billion by 2030, leveraging the power of 5G, AI/ML, Analytics and Blockchain 

3i Infotech Limited (BSE: 532628, NSE: 3IINFOTECH), a global Information Technology company, committed to accelerating business transformation, is positioning itself to be a future-ready enterprise through a multi-pronged approach of ‘Invent-Incubate-Innovate’. Based on a ‘Digital’ and a ‘Cloud-first’ approach, the cognitive services solution-oriented company will help in accelerating technology and product startups across the ecosystem. With strong tailwinds supporting its business and growth levers in place, the company looks to achieve an organic revenue growth of $1 billion by 2030. The company, with the agility of a startup and backed by high performing teams, aims to achieve this by creating products, platforms and services for its clients that harness the power of 5G in Edge Computing, Cognitive AI/ML, Data Science and Analytics and Blockchain. 

The new proposition at 3i Infotech is to create a future where digital transformation and business process management converge, and where technology and automation execute strategies at the highest efficiency. The growth-oriented and now debt-free company aims to be a partner of choice for clients looking to transform their digital strategy and disrupt their niches with automation. The focus will be on value to a customer, orchestrating solutions, incubating companies that harness the power of 5G. Instead of prescriptive selling to a customer the pivot will be towards solutioning Real-time. 

Thompson P. Gnanam, Managing Director & Global CEO, 3i Infotech, the company’s newly appointed leader and under whose dynamic leadership 3i Infotech is poised for the next phase of growth said, “3i Infotech is at the cusp of a new growth story, and our aim is to be a one-stop digital transformation resource for our global clientele, with a customer-first approach and a human-centric outlook. As we step into a new decade of 5G data and technology, 3i Infotech envisions being the steady force to lead our clients into the new dawn of digital business services. I am a strong advocate of the fact, that what worked for the last decade will not work in future unless we realign ourselves to digital transformation. We believe that the only way to do this is through the adoption of disruptive technology, whether it is - Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Machine Learning and so on to pave the way for cognitive transformation in all businesses.”  

“We are looking to Run, Grow and Build. Run with the existing services, Grow with disrupting digital and Build with a differentiator. We look to position digital inside our Altiray solution stack, work on Security as a Service (SASE). We want to think like a ‘Startup’ with a huge backing of our existing customers base to whom we offer our Cloud-first, Digital Inside services and work with strategic partners to build the business”, he further added.

The company, backed by a strong global talent pool of over 4000 employees spread across 4 continents, has recorded a robust performance at the bourses this recent quarter, with its consolidated net profit seeing an exponential 1652.96% rise in the quarter ended March 2021 against corresponding quarter ended March 2020. 3i Infotech continues to expand its footprint in its current markets and is now increasing its focus on advanced markets.  

Airtel Takes Another Step In "Delivering The Best Network For Customers" In Karnataka

* Deploys additional 11.2 Mhz spectrum in 1800 band that will boost network capacity for high speed data services 

* At 68.8 Mhz, Airtel has the largest spectrum bank in Karnataka and is well positioned to serve the booming demand for data services     

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s premier communications solutions provider said that it has upgraded its mobile network in Karnataka to deliver the best network experience for its customers. 

Airtel has deployed an additional 11.2 Mhz spectrum in the 1800 Mhz band along with advance network software tools across its network in the state to significantly bolster high speed data capacity. The deployment will strengthen an already superior network for Airtel customers across the state. It will enable improved network availability and data speeds along with better coverage inside homes and buildings in cities and urban areas. The deployment also allows Airtel to offer wider coverage along highways and rail routes as well as increase footprint in villages as more people access high speed data services.    

Airtel had acquired the 11.2 Mhz spectrum for Karnataka during the recent auctions conducted by the Government of India. With this fresh spectrum, Airtel has the largest spectrum bank of 68.8 Mhz in Karnataka. With its diverse spectrum holdings across 2300/2100/1800/900 bands, the company is well positioned to serve the growing demand for high speed data services and its network is fully ready for 5G. 

Sharan Shetty, CEO - Karnataka,  Bharti Airtel said,  “We are obsessed with delivering a world-class service experience to our customers and continue to invest aggressively in new spectrum and network upgrades at a time when our customers need it the most. Airtel now has the largest spectrum bank in Karnataka and our future ready network is well positioned to meet the surging demand for high speed data.” 

Following the pandemic, the adoption of the work from home, online classes, video streaming has witnessed a massive surge. Airtel’s intervention to build additional capacities will go a long way in helping customers stay connected. 

Airtel has also deployed advanced network technologies and tools such as pre-5G Massive MIMO, 4G Advanced and Carrier Aggregation to step up high speed network capacity and coverage.       

Airtel has over 3.03 crore customers in Karnataka and its network  covers 97.5% population of the state. 

Singapore Airlines Commits To Net “Zero Carbon Emissions” By 2050

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group today announced its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, reinforcing its long-standing strategy of working towards decarbonisation and environmental sustainability across its operations. 

The Group’s airlines, Singapore Airlines, Scoot and SIA Cargo, will use multiple levers to achieve this goal. These include investing in new-generation aircraft, achieving higher operational efficiency, adopting low-carbon technology such as sustainable aviation fuels, and sourcing for high quality carbon offsets.  

SIA Group has pursued multiple projects in support of its sustainability goals even amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, the Group completed the installation of solar panels on all of its office buildings in Singapore. This generates renewable energy that provides up to 18 per cent of its electricity demand, or enough to power around 2,300 four-room apartments in Singapore for a year. 

In 2020, SIA rolled out a new regional Economy Class meal concept that offers increased food choices for customers. It features tableware comprising sustainable paper packaging and bamboo cutlery, reducing the amount of single-use plastics in the cabin. This packaging weighs 50 per cent less, helping to lower fuel consumption. Everything from the tableware to the food waste will be sent to an eco-digestor to be converted to refuse-derived energy pellets that can replace fossil fuels and coal. 

Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “We have remained focused on our sustainability goals even as we navigated the Covid-19 pandemic. We know that this is also an increasingly important issue to both our customers and staff. With today’s pledge to achieve net-zero emissions, we buttress the SIA Group’s leadership position on this topic and reinforce our commitment to finding ways to tackle our impact on the environment. 

“Today, the most effective and direct way for an airline to materially lower carbon emissions is by operating a young fleet of aircraft. The SIA Group’s fleet has an average age of under six years, making it one of the youngest in the world. Over the last year, we have retired 45 older aircraft. We will be gradually replacing them with new-generation aircraft that are up to 30 per cent more fuel efficient, and will substantially lower our emissions in coming years. 

“However, we can’t achieve our goals on our own. We will continue to collaborate with governments, the airline industry, and partners such as aircraft manufacturers, technology providers, and fuel suppliers, both in Singapore and around the world. We must work together to push the envelope, and find innovative solutions that help us meet our targets on this journey.”  

How the SIA Group aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 

The SIA Group’s aircraft fleet has an average age of five years 10 months, and it continues to invest in the latest technology. The Group’s order book comprises new-generation models such as Airbus’ A350-900 and A320neo Family and Boeing’s 777-9, 787 Family and 737-8 Max. These aircraft are up to 30 per cent more fuel-efficient and have reduced carbon emissions compared to older models. 

There is also a relentless focus on increasing fuel efficiency through improvements in operational procedures. For example, the SIA Group has invested in engineering improvement packages for airframes and engines which help to reduce drag and improve engine efficiency. The Group’s airlines continuously aim to improve fuel productivity through initiatives such as reducing fuel usage through aircraft weight management, and optimisation of flight routes. Innovations in technology and data analytics will also pave the way for more significant improvements, and the Group will continue to engage research institutions to explore such ideas.  

Singapore Airlines has been an active member of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG) since 2011. In 2017, SIA launched a series of green package flights from San Francisco to Singapore that incorporated sustainable aviation fuels, fuel-efficient aircraft and optimised air traffic management measures. In 2020, SIA worked with Stockholm’s Swedavia Airport to uplift sustainable aviation fuels on flights departing from the city. These activities have helped to improve the Group’s understanding of the logistics and procurement of renewable fuels. SIA is actively working with partners and stakeholders to explore opportunities to scale up the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels across our network. 

Beyond reducing direct emissions, carbon offsetting can play an important and complementary role. The SIA Group is a participant in the International Civil Aviation 

Organisation’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which seeks to cap the industry’s growth in carbon emissions from 2020. 

While offsetting is particularly important in the mid-term, it is also expected to remain relevant in the long run to mitigate residual emissions. In order to secure high quality carbon offsets, the Group will continue exploring pathways through partnership that will allow us to source high quality carbon offsets. 

As the SIA Group embarks on this journey towards net zero emissions by 2050, it will continue to collaborate with like-minded partners to develop a robust sustainable aviation fuel supply chain and carbon market. This includes working together with stakeholders in Singapore to develop a holistic decarbonisation plan, which complements Singapore’s goal of strengthening the country’s air hub and maintaining its competitive advantage into the future. 

HCL Expands “COVID-19 Support Efforts For Employees” Across India

HCL has expanded its COVID-19 mitigation efforts for employees, to help them navigate the challenges from the second wave of pandemic that has struck India. HCL’s efforts are focused on two broad areas including COVID Care Support and devising a holistic "Family Assistance program to help employees and their families" emerge out of the health crisis.  

HCL’s COVID Care Support initiatives involve providing assistance to meet immediate needs for employees and family members who test COVID positive. This includes access to COVID helplines and isolation facilities.  

HCL Healthcare’s 24x7 COVID Care helpline is supporting employees and their families with doctor consult and life coach services to support both physical and emotional wellbeing of employees.  

HCL has partnered with Hospitals in Delhi, Noida, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Nagpur, Madurai and Kolkata to provide employees easy access to treatment and isolation facilities.  

To ensure that employees and their families with mild symptoms are able to manage care within their homes, HCL has partnered with organizations to provide services including home delivery of medicines, medical care at home services, food delivery services, RTPCR and lab services, thermometers and oximeters. For more severe cases ambulance services, oxygen concentrators and access to critical medicines is also provided.  

HCL has launched vaccination drives for employees and their dependent family members since 24th March ’21 in its campuses as well as with partner hospitals. 

To support the dependents of employees who unfortunately lost their lives due to COVID, HCL has introduced a holistic Family Assistance Program. This includes: Compassionate Assistance Allowance: this is a lump sum amount which is released to the bereaved family quickly to help them manage immediate expenses. 

Child Education Support - introduced retrospectively (effective from April 1, 2020) to support deceased employees’ school going children continue their formal education without gap. 

Medical Insurance Coverage: HCL will pay the medical insurance premium for the dependents of the deceased employee for two more policy terms to help them manage any unforeseen medical expenses. 

Gratuity: this will be paid to employees’ families, irrespective of defined minimum five-year continuous service eligibility criteria. 

Employment Opportunity: To ensure the deceased employees’ family is cared for and have a financially secure future, HCL has decided to offer employment opportunities to the unemployed spouse or dependent children above the age of 18 years, basis their qualifications, open positions and trainability. 

HCL’s has built a carefully planned support system to help employees and their families deal with the pandemic as effectively as possible. Efforts are constantly reviewed to ensure that assistance offered is up to date and in line with Government mandated protocols to curb the infection rate across the country.