Celonis Accelerates Its Process Mining And Execution Management Leadership In India

* Unveils a new Execution Management Initiative in India, the World’s Process Epicenter

Celonis, the global leader in execution management, today announced that it will expand its process mining and execution management operations into India. Celonis believes the opportunity for customers, global system integrators (GSIs), business process outsourcing (BPO) providers, consultants, and academics is as big as the shift from on-prem to cloud.

As part of its execution management initiative in India, Celonis has committed to investing over $100 million dollars into the Indian process industry and expects to create more than 1,000 jobs. The expansion into India enables the world’s leading business process professionals and experts to unlock billions in new process and execution value for both their customers and within their own companies. The Celonis execution management initiative was launched at a multi-day press conference and partner ecosystem event in Bangalore, India.

The opportunity for process mining and execution management in India is immense. To provide context, Everest Group reports that the India BPO market for financial services alone has the potential to grow from $18 billion to $250 billion and currently represents nearly half of the world’s global outsourcing market. Furthermore, IDC estimates that the Indian IT & Business Services[1] market will grow from $7 billion to $20 billion by 2025.

“Process mining should be at the core of digital transformation efforts and can play a critical role in helping to achieve greater scale, agility, and business value realization,” said Amardeep Modi, Vice President, Everest Group. “Celonis partners and customers in India will likely benefit greatly by having this new hub to assist, train, and promote best practices for the region. It would also help tap into India’s large talent base to fulfil the fast-growing demand for process mining skills globally.”

“India is undeniably a top global talent hub, and an IT and operations stronghold for Global 2000 enterprises,” said Reetika Fleming, Research Leader at HFS Research. “With this investment, Celonis is taking its technology right where it is needed. This will make it much easier for service providers to develop data-proficient workforces and presents an exciting opportunity for Indian students and consultants to work with process intelligence technologies.” 

The Celonis India execution management initiative is designed around three strategic pillars that will enable the entire India process industry, and eventually every company across all sectors, to immediately adopt the most state of the art technologies into their core operations: 

Execution Management Without Limits: The first pillar of this initiative is the rollout of the Celonis Execution Management Without Limits and the Celonis for BPO programs. These industry-first programs allow unlimited access to Celonis process mining and execution management technologies to any BPO, GSI and consulting professional.

Celonis Academy: The second pillar of this initiative is to provide free training and access to the best-in-class methods, processes, and programs for process mining and execution management to the entire India process consulting industry. Celonis plans to initially train more than 100,000 consultants, students and academics in India. This program is part of a global initiative where Celonis will train more than 1 million experts on process mining and execution management.

Celonis Center of Excellence: The third pillar is the new Celonis Center of Excellence (CoE) which will be the one-stop shop for customers, partners and service providers in India. The CoE combines partner enablement support, professional services and value advisory for customers, a dedicated product engineering team, and a customer support team to provide around-the-clock expertise and innovation.

“Every significant process innovation wave, from client server, to the internet, to the cloud has gone through the heart of the India business process industry,” said Bastian Nominacher, co-CEO and co-founder of Celonis. “Celonis is honored to help drive the next generational shift in process modernization in India by embedding our state-of-the-art process mining and execution management technologies into the world’s leading BPO, GCC, GSI and consulting firms.”

The Celonis partner ecosystem already includes many of the top tier consultancies, business process outsourcing (BPO) providers and consulting firms around the world.  Such as Accenture, Cognizant, Deloitte, EY, Firstsource, HCL, IBM, Infosys, KPMG, PWC, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, WNS and more. All of whom use the Celonis EMS to power digital and process transformation initiatives - for themselves and their clients.

“Celonis has removed all barriers for the entire India process ecosystem to put data to work and arm companies and organizations in every industry with our Execution Management System - which our customers call the “process brain” for their businesses,” said Malhar Kamdar, Chief Customer Officer for Celonis and Executive leader for India. “Celonis has fully opened our platform with the goal of unlocking billions of value for users, enterprises and society. We are thrilled to bring the power of data execution to all our customers and partners in India.”

"Celonis is a key partner for Bosch worldwide, as we work together to bring our software offerings and process analytics to the next level, required to foster our ambition to become a data-driven, leading AIoT company,” said Jens Bockholt, VP Regional Manager at Bosch. “We are delighted that Celonis is continuing their global expansion with a new Center of Excellence in India and we look forward to further collaborating and leveraging Celonis to better serve our customers. We believe this will be mutually beneficial for both Celonis and the growing Indian marketplace.”

At their 2021 World Tour, Celonis announced a series of investments across each of the three key imperatives of the Celonis Execution Management System (EMS) - data, intelligence and action. This included the acquisition of real-time streaming data technology Lenses.io; the launch of the Celonis Execution Graph, that connects events from different processes across the company to identify bottlenecks; and a planned market defining partnership with ServiceNow.

“India’s market and talent base represents an unparalleled opportunity to capitalize on the global adoption of process mining and execution management at a massive scale”, said Anitha Scaria George, VP and Head of Celonis India. “As with every movement, there are companies who trailblaze and leapfrog the competition, and those who find themselves at the back of the parade. Celonis will train the next generation of execution management leaders to apply data, intelligence, and action to every process, in every business, in every industry.”

About Celonis

Celonis helps organizations to execute on their data. Powered by its market-leading process mining core, the Celonis Execution Management System provides a set of applications, a developer studio and platform capabilities for business executives and users to eliminate billions in corporate inefficiencies, provide better customer experience and reduce carbon emissions. Celonis has thousands of global customers and is headquartered in Munich, Germany and New York City, USA with 16 offices worldwide.

Capri Global Capital Limited Partners With “State Bank Of India” For Co-Lending To MSMEs

* Co-lending partnership to disburse MSME loans across 100+ touch points pan-India

Capri Global Capital Limited (CGCL), a leading NBFC focused on lending to MSMEs, and affordable housing finance segment has entered into a Co-Lending agreement`with the State Bank of India (SBI), country’s largest public-sector bank, to offer MSME loans. Through this collaboration, CGCL and SBI aim to disburse MSME loans initially across 100+ touch points pan-India. The loan disbursement under this arrangement would commence from December 2021. 

This agreement is signed under the Co-Lending guidelines issued by RBI in November 2020 for Co-Lending to the Priority Sector. The collaboration will help MSMEs to avail customized lending solutions at a competitive rate of interest with a significant reduction in turn-around time. The Co-Lending agreement aims to enhance last-mile finance and drive financial inclusion to MSMEs by offering secured loans between ?10 lakhs to ?100 lakhs. The Co-Lending arrangement will entail joint contribution of credit to the prospective MSME customers in Tier II and Tier III markets.  

Speaking on the development, Mr. Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director, Capri Global Capital Ltd said, “We are delighted to partner with India’s largest bank. Our combined synergies are ideally placed to provide customized financial solutions to the borrowers. SBI’s wide reach and trust in the market, coupled with our connection with the underserved borrowers, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, increasing customer reach and underwriting functions will further enhance our distribution network. This collaboration will create win-win business opportunities for all stakeholders. To the borrowers, it would mean more choice to avail innovative offerings, including attractive loan rates and faster approvals.” 

Shri Dinesh Khara, Chairman, SBI said, "Banks are the backbone of India's economic growth and as the country pivots to sustainable growth, the banking sector will have to accelerate MSME lending. To improve the credit to the underserved and unserved, we are happy to associate with Capri Global Capital. We believe this collaboration will provide the nimble footedness of NBFC and quality credit to right set of population which will further deepen lending to MSMEs through the last mile connect. We are also confident that, in days to come, co-lending can generate employment opportunities through MSMEs which can translate into the country's GDP growth." 

The agreement was exchanged in the presence of Shri Dinesh Khara (Chairman-SBI), Shri C.S. Setty, (MD-Retail and Digital Banking-SBI), Shri S. Salee (DMD-Agri, SME & FI-SBI) and Shri Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director-Capri Global. Under this joint effort, the benefit of low-cost funds from SBI and efficient operations of CGCL would be passed on to the borrowers. 

About State Bank of India 

State Bank of India is the largest commercial bank in terms of assets, deposits, branches, customers, and employees. It is also the largest mortgage lender in the country which has so far fulfilled the home buying dreams of 30 lakh Indian families. The home loan portfolio of the bank has crossed the milestone of Rs. 5 lakh crore. As on September 30, 2021, the bank has a deposit base of over Rs. 38 lakh crore with CASA ratio of 46.24% and advances of more than Rs. 27 lakh crore. SBI commands a market share of nearly 35% and about 28% in home loans and auto loans segment respectively. SBI has the largest network of 22,230 branches and 64,122 ATMs / CDMs in India with 70,786 BC outlets. The number of customers using internet banking and mobile banking stand at 94.4 million and close to 21 million respectively. The integrated digital and lifestyle platform – YONO SBI, has around 43 million registered users, which witnesses 12 million logins per day. Accelerating the digital agenda, in excess of 27,000 new digital savings bank accounts were opened per day in the quarter ended September 2021. In terms of digital lending, the bank disbursed personal loans worth Rs. 43,000 crore through the YONO mobile app till Q2 of FY22. SBI also has the highest number of followers on Facebook and Twitter amongst all banks worldwide. 

About Capri Global Capital Limited 

Capri Global Capital Limited (CGCL) is a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE). The Company operates in two major verticals – MSME Loans and Affordable Housing Finance – through its strong network of 100+ branches spread across 10 states & Union territories and backed by a strong and committed workforce of 2450+ employees in the country. CGCL addresses the capital needs of MSMEs by offering tailor-made business loans to help them finance their capital and operational expenses. Capri Global Housing Finance Limited, a subsidiary of CGCL, operates in the affordable housing finance space is providing home loans to Lower and Middle-Income families and is a key contributor to the PM’s vision of “Housing for All” by 2022. 

Punjab National Bank Salutes The Nation & Celebrates “The Constitution Day”

Punjab National Bank (PNB) celebrated the 72nd Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India and to honour and acknowledge the contribution of the Founding Fathers of the Constitution of India. The celebrations marked the adoption of the Constitution of India on 26 November, 1949, which came into force on 26 January, 1950.  

This year the Constitution Day is being celebrated as part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.' PNB Staff members participated in an online quiz on Constitutional Democracy organised by Department of Financial Services (DFS).  

Commemorating the day, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Executive Director read the Preamble of India in Hindi, followed by Shri Vijay Dube, who read the Preamble of India in English. Shri Kalyan Kumar, Executive Director along with other top executives was also present at the ceremony.  

The Constitution Day was celebrated at PNB offices across the nation with utmost fervour, with over one lakh employees of PNB reading out the Preamble from their respective offices.  

The respective divisions of the PNB HO, Dwarka, New Delhi joined the leadership in reading the Preamble of India, while adhering to the COVID-19 precautionary guidelines.  

PNB passionately abides by the duties bestowed in the Constitution of India and encourages citizens to play their part in strengthening the Indian Democracy.  

Ronnie Screwvala Invests In Pre Series A funding Of $5 Million For 21K School

 

* First ‘online only Indian school’ raises Pre Series A funding

The first online-only school in India – 21K School – has recently raised Pre Series A funding of $5 million from Ronnie Screwvala, Co-Founder and Chairman, upGrad. 21K School was founded in 2020 by Santosh Kumar, Yeshwanth Raj Parasmal, Dinesh Kumar and Joshi Kumar to create a 100% online school offering children aged 3 to 18 years a choice of three curriculums – Indian, American and British.

21K School’s K-12 education model disrupts the EdTech space as a category creator with personalised, affordable and flexible schooling for students regardless of their location or time zone. The company already has over 2,750 students enrolled from over 400 cities across India and 23 countries. With 21K School, families no longer need to migrate to urban cities to give their children access to high-quality schools.

The company aims to deploy the funds raised to augment its outreach to students in India and abroad and strengthen its learning platform for data-driven instruction across all curriculums. 21K School is targeting to scale 10X to over 25,000 to 30,000 admissions in the next academic year.

Visionary EdTech Entrepreneur, Ronnie Screwvala, said, “The future of education is here, and it's changing the way we think about schooling. 21K School will offer great value to students while disrupting traditional schools in its own space with interactive technologies that engage learners on every level of development. I am excited to support Santosh and Yeshwanth as they aim to expand within India and internationally.”

Santosh Kumar, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, 21K School, said, “Online schools like 21K School can offer equal opportunity and access to millions of students in India or across the globe. The investment by Ronnie will help us reach out to over 18 million Indians living abroad with an opportunity to study the increasingly popular Indian Curriculum while they continue to live overseas."

Yeshwanth Raj Parasmal, Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer, 21K School, added, “The investment will help us strengthen our flexible, personalised and transparent education model, ensuring that students get the best possible learning experience. The 21K crew joins me in thanking Ronnie for their belief in our vision!”

21K School blends technology, neuroscience and AI to create data-driven instruction for students using proprietary LMS, Personalised Learning Engine, Assessment Engine and curriculum content. Intending to replicate the formal K-12 School experience online, 21K School teaches all core subjects and skill-based activities, without compromising on the academic rigour. Conducting regular assessments for its students, 21K School also includes computational thinking, coding, yoga, dance, music, etc. as an integral part of schooling.

This Pre Series A fundraise was facilitated by Loestro Advisors LLP, led by Rakesh Gupta.

About 21K School

Started in June 2020, 21K School offers Indian, American and British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18 years in India and abroad virtually. 21K School is the first online-only school in India that provides its learners with personalised, affordable and flexible education. 21K School has Stride Inc aRonnie Screwvala invests in 21K School.

Atos And Huma Support Symbiosis Hospital In Pune To Expand Care Capacity By Upto 60% With New Remote Patient App

Atos and Huma, the digital health innovator, are giving their technologies and services to the Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC), constituent of Symbiosis International University (SIU), in Pune, India. SUHRC patients are now starting to receive the latest medical care with a new remote patient monitoring system which uses smartphone technology, a pulse oximeter and includes a portal for clinicians. This ‘hospital at home’ will allow the SUHRC to expand its capacity by around 40-60%.

The ‘hospital at home’ system, delivered by Atos and built by Huma, is based on Huma’s award-winning[1] remote patient monitoring system that has already been used across England and Germany. The system effortlessly helps monitor blood oxygen levels, heart rate and symptoms through a smartphone, flagging potentially deteriorating and high-risk patients. Clinicians can manage multiple patients, and with the available inputs can conduct consultations and care for their patients remotely. The technology can help remotely manage patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and also post-COVID discharged patients. Additionally, the system reassures patients that help is always available, that they are being cared for and notifies them when a clinician has assessed their data. It will also help drive research into the impact of the virus.

“This symbiotic industry-academia partnership will help us deploy technology to provide healthcare services to patients in and around Pune. This will be in line with the National agenda as envisioned in the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) for India.” said Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, SIU. “India had a large COVID-19 caseload but has a limited awareness on post-COVID care monitoring. We still need to learn more about this disease and its long and devastating impact on people. Monitoring a large volume of patients will help us identify those in need of immediate care.”

Key features of the ‘hospital at home’ include an around-the-clock medical command center staffed by SUHRC clinicians and an integrated care team at SUHRC that delivers in-person care to patients who need to be admitted. Hospital staff will speak with the patients remotely and adjust care plans if necessary via telemedicine. This will not only avoid unnecessary travel and exposure but also help the SUHRC manage bed capacity.

Robert Vassoyan, Head of Healthcare and Lifescience, Atos, said: “Digital technology has proven to be a vital resource in the fight against COVID-19 and as a digital leader, we are proud to be able to help patients and frontline workers together with our partner Huma. Our project with the Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC) in Pune is replicable throughout India and we are open to bring this technology and services to other hospitals if needed.”

Dan Vahdat, CEO and Founder of Huma, said: “We want to make a difference for the people of Pune, with our fast-to-deploy technology, combined with Atos’ proven ability to deliver complex projects and SUHRC’s expertise in providing healthcare to citizens in and around Pune.  Evidence shows our digital approach can double clinical capacity and achieve high levels of engagement and adherence with patients, including older people.   This project marks the beginning of a 5-year strategic global partnership between Atos and Huma to shift healthcare and clinical trials from hospitals to homes, across many different chronic and episodic illnesses.”Atos and Huma support Symbiosis Hospital in Pune to expand care capacity by up to 60% with new remote patient app

Atos and Huma, the digital health innovator, are giving their technologies and services to the Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC), constituent of Symbiosis International University (SIU), in Pune, India. SUHRC patients are now starting to receive the latest medical care with a new remote patient monitoring system which uses smartphone technology, a pulse oximeter and includes a portal for clinicians. This ‘hospital at home’ will allow the SUHRC to expand its capacity by around 40-60%.

The ‘hospital at home’ system, delivered by Atos and built by Huma, is based on Huma’s award-winning[1] remote patient monitoring system that has already been used across England and Germany. The system effortlessly helps monitor blood oxygen levels, heart rate and symptoms through a smartphone, flagging potentially deteriorating and high-risk patients. Clinicians can manage multiple patients, and with the available inputs can conduct consultations and care for their patients remotely. The technology can help remotely manage patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and also post-COVID discharged patients. Additionally, the system reassures patients that help is always available, that they are being cared for and notifies them when a clinician has assessed their data. It will also help drive research into the impact of the virus.

“This symbiotic industry-academia partnership will help us deploy technology to provide healthcare services to patients in and around Pune. This will be in line with the National agenda as envisioned in the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) for India.” said Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, SIU. “India had a large COVID-19 caseload but has a limited awareness on post-COVID care monitoring. We still need to learn more about this disease and its long and devastating impact on people. Monitoring a large volume of patients will help us identify those in need of immediate care.”

Key features of the ‘hospital at home’ include an around-the-clock medical command center staffed by SUHRC clinicians and an integrated care team at SUHRC that delivers in-person care to patients who need to be admitted. Hospital staff will speak with the patients remotely and adjust care plans if necessary via telemedicine. This will not only avoid unnecessary travel and exposure but also help the SUHRC manage bed capacity.

Robert Vassoyan, Head of Healthcare and Lifescience, Atos, said: “Digital technology has proven to be a vital resource in the fight against COVID-19 and as a digital leader, we are proud to be able to help patients and frontline workers together with our partner Huma. Our project with the Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC) in Pune is replicable throughout India and we are open to bring this technology and services to other hospitals if needed.”

Dan Vahdat, CEO and Founder of Huma, said: “We want to make a difference for the people of Pune, with our fast-to-deploy technology, combined with Atos’ proven ability to deliver complex projects and SUHRC’s expertise in providing healthcare to citizens in and around Pune.  Evidence shows our digital approach can double clinical capacity and achieve high levels of engagement and adherence with patients, including older people.   This project marks the beginning of a 5-year strategic global partnership between Atos and Huma to shift healthcare and clinical trials from hospitals to homes, across many different chronic and episodic illnesses.”

MSDE Launches Pilot Projects To Revive And Catalyze The Traditional Namda Craft And Upskill The Artisans And Weavers Of Kashmir

• These projects were announced just two months back during the visit of MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar to J&K

• Narendra Modi Government is working with a laser focus for J&K’s development and is delivering on all promises to ensure strong growth of local economy : Rajeev Chandrasekhar

+ Focus on increasing carpet exports from 600 Crore to 6000 Crore and to create employment opportunities.

+ PMKVY RPL project aims at upskilling 10,900 artisans and weavers of Jammu & Kashmir

Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; and Ministry of Electronics and IT, today launched two projects— (i) Revival of Namda craft of Kashmir as a special pilot project under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 3.0 and (ii) upskilling of artisans and weavers of Kashmir under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), component of PMKVY. The objective of these projects is to boost and preserve the traditional Namda craft of Kashmir and upskill the local weavers and artisans to enhance their productivity through RPL assessment and certification. The Namda project will benefit 2,250 people of 30 Namda Clusters from 6 districts of Kashmir (Srinagar, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Budgam and Anantnag) and RPL initiative targets to upskill 10,900 artisans and weavers of Jammu and Kashmir.

Namda craft is a rug made of sheep wool through felting technique instead of normal weaving process. Due to low availability of raw material, lack of skilled manpower and marketing techniques, the export of this craft has declined almost 100 percent between 1998 and 2008. Therefore, through this special project under PMKVY, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has designed short-term training curriculum to preserve this endangered craft. The project will be implemented in 25 batches in 3 cycles of training. Each training program will be of approximately three and half months, which results in the cycles being completed in approximately 14 - 16 months.

The Namda project will be an industry-based training program with beneficiaries involved in Namda Crafts Production who will contribute towards preserving and reviving the rich heritage associated with Namda craft in Kashmir. This will also improve the access of existing artisans of Namda crafts cluster in Kashmir and will improve their prospects of employability.

Launching the initiative, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; and Ministry of Electronics and IT, said “India has a rich heritage and is home to several traditional art forms. It is an article of faith for the Narendra Modi Government to revive and promote traditional & heritage skills and to give them support to make them economically sustainable. Not only that, we should strive to offer them exposure to the international markets so that the world becomes aware of our vibrant culture. When I travelled to Jammu and Kashmir, people of J&K sought support to boost the local economy through customised skill training programmes. This prompted the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to come up with this programme in a bid to meet the economic aspirations of the local youth and take them on the path of development. I am confident that with the local industry coming on board with us, we will be able to increase the carpet exports from 600-crore to 6000 crores and create employment for 8 lac people.”

He further added, “The programme will also focus on continuously skilling, upskilling and reskilling local youth to create a ladder of career progression and make them strong pillars of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He further added that the Modi government is invested in increasing export and making artisans financially independent by boosting the traditional art. “The Government is working with a laser focus towards J&K’s development and is delivering on all promises” said Rajeev Chandrasekhar. He appreciated the efforts of officials at MSDE, National Skill Development Corporation and Sector Skill Councils as this custom designed programme was conceptualised, processed and sanctioned within a record time of just 2 months. The custom designed programme is symbolic of the New Approsch which the Government is mulling for its skill development programme. It is based on the principle of continuous skilling/upskilling/re-skilling, employment as an assured outcome, industry as an important stakeholder in skill training ecosystem,

Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said “Our team at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is working with new zeal on this special project under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has designed a short-term training curriculum to preserve Namda and I am confident that we will not only be able to revive this endangered craft, but also make it economically viable and generate jobs to help local artisans. The ministry is committed to upskilling the weavers and artisans’ clusters of Jammu and Kashmir. This project is an endeavour to uplift the tribal community and preserve the heritage and we will ensure that it is being implemented diligently. I wish all the stakeholders, including teachers, students and industry partners, all the very best.”

Further, the upskilling project under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is expected to improve the competencies of the unorganized workforce of the Handicrafts and Carpet Sector. The artisans and weavers shall be aligned to the standardized NSQF (National Skills Qualifications Framework). It will also improve the access of existing artisans and weavers to sustainable livelihoods and lead to increased skills and technical knowledge among them. Additionally, the pilot project will enhance the marketing skills and techniques that will promote traditional and local crafts by artisans and weavers. It will help them in making designs to match the current market demand. The initiative will be a value addition to the traditional handicraft products through Upskilling Bridge Module through Government of India certification. The training delivery partner for the upskilling initiative are Mir handicraft, Srinagar Carpet Training and Market Centre and there is special value addition for 10% high performers.

The entire programme will be implemented in different phases, which includes- Selection of Artisans and Weavers, Training of Trainers (ToT), and Upskilling of Artisans and Weavers through RPL with Bridge Module. First, the artisans and weavers shall be selected from the traditional crafts clusters of Jammu and Kashmir. Based on the crafts and existing experience and skills the selection shall be made. Secondly, trainers will be selected either from the SSCs database or a Training of Trainer (ToT) program shall be conducted for the existing artisans and weavers from the proposed clusters. The TOT will ensure focused skills in standardization techniques, soft skills, financial planning and other aspects of Enterprise Building along with crucial development of new markets. Lastly, the artisans and weavers shall be trained in innovative and upgraded techniques of making handmade products. Post training all the artisans and weavers will work in the micro units set up in their respective clusters. During this time the beneficiaries shall be encouraged to participate actively in external deliberation so that at later stage they are able to manage market linkages by their own self. Each batch shall run for 12 days with 12 hours’ orientation and 60 hours Bridge module.

Further, after the orientation program along with bridge module, the artisans and weavers shall be certified with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Type-1 (Bridge Module Certification). Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC) in close association with MSDE will monitor the day-to-day progress of the overall project.

The abrogation of the Articles 370 and 35A has put Kashmir on the same footing as the rest of India by infusing new life to all the projects across various sectors that were ignored during the previous political regimes. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, there are now 77 ministers working round the clock to put the Union Territory (UT) on the path of development. The Indian government is firmly committed to skilling, reskilling and upskilling the youth and has already forged a strong relationship with the private sector. In the field of Information Technology (IT), several initiatives like providing subsidies on rent to outside investors and building two mammoth IT parks in Jammu and Srinagar have been undertaken. Concerted and technology-based efforts have also been made to promote the agriculture sector for young startups in the region. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), under the guidance of the Modi Government, has also decided to train youth in the Valley in filmmaking, opening up new job roles for them.

Last month, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar visited Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir. Post his visit, he expressed the need to organise a project for the preservation and revival of dying traditional crafts of the region as the handicraft sector is the major employment generator there. It was observed that the heritage and traditional skill clusters required skilled artisans from villages to meet the demand for traditional crafts in Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative aims at industry and market linkage, encouraging micro-entrepreneurship.

A similar pilot project will also be launched next month in Nagaland to skill and upskill over 4,000 artisans and weavers to generate local employment opportunities and strengthen the craft clusters.

ACT Fibernet Launches New ACT Starter Plan For Rs. 549, Upgrades Other Plans In Coimbatore

* Increased speed and unlimited data at no additional cost

ACT Fibernet, one of India’s largest fiber broadband ISP (Internet Service Provider) recently introduced a new plan ACT Starter at Rs. 549 with 40 Mbps speed and 750 GB data limit in Coimbatore. The company also upgraded speed and data limits for all its existing fixed term broadband plans.

As more people turn to the internet during this unprecedented time, having dependable internet connectivity is an essential necessity. To ensure delivery of the best internet experience, ACT Fibernet has introduced a new plan - ACT Starter and has revamped its existing plans. The plan upgrades incused - ACT Basic has been upgraded to 1250 GB data limit with 60 Mbps speed from 1000 GB data limit and 50 Mbps speed. ACT Rush, ACT Sprint and ACT Race have been upgraded to 2000 GB, 3300 GB and 3300 GB data limits with 100 Mbps, 200Mbps and 250 Mbps speed compared to its previous offering of 1500 GB, 2000 GB and 2500 GB data limit with 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps and 250 Mbps respectively.  ACT Fibernet has also increased the speed of ACT Zoom and ACT Bolt from 250 Mbps and 300 Mbps speed to 300 Mbps and 350 Mbps speed respectively.

ACT Fibernet was recognised as the fastest broadband provider in Coimbatore Q3 2021 based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data for average download and upload speeds.