Hero Motocorp Launches The Harley Davidson Sportster® S At India Bike Week 2021

Hero MotoCorp, the exclusive distributor of Harley-Davidson in India, has announced the arrival of the iconic American company’s all-new sport custom motorcycle, the Sportster® S, at the special edition of India Bike Week held in the beautiful Aamby Valley, India. The Sportster® S starting price is Rs. 15,51,000 ex-showroom Delhi.

Ushering in a new era of Sportster performance, the bike is designed to deliver extraordinary power and performance, elevating the entire riding experience. With a taut, lightweight chassis and premium suspension, riders can expect responsive, intuitive handling on a stylish and powerful ride. An addition to the 2021 Harley-Davidson motorcycle line-up, the Sportster S was unveiled recently at the global virtual launch experience “From Evolution to Revolution”.

Sajeev Rajasekharan, Managing Director, Asia Emerging Markets & India, Harley-Davidson, said “We look forward to seeing the bike on the roads of India as riders enjoy the enhanced riding experience that the Sportster S offers. Designed with premium features, outstanding performance, and innovative technology, the next generation Sportster S sets a new performance standard for the Sportster line.”

Ravi Avalur, Head - Harley-Davidson Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said “The Sportster models have been the foundation on which the Harley-Davidson brand was built in India. Along with the new Pan America 1250, the Sportster S will strengthen our portfolio of Harley-Davidson products and cater to a wider spectrum of Indian customers.”

Defined by Power, Performance, Technology and Style

At the mechanical heart of the Sportster S is a 121-horsepower Revolution® Max 1250T V-Twin engine that puts the Sportster S rider in command of unrelenting, on-demand torque. This new version of the latest Harley-Davidson liquid-cooled V-Twin engine is tuned to make tremendous torque at low RPM, with a torque curve that stays flat through the powerband – engine performance designed to deliver strong acceleration from a start with robust power through the mid-range.

On styling, every visual design element of the Sportster S model is an expression of the motorcycle’s raw power. In profile Sportster S model appears crouched and powerful, coupled with subtle yet purposeful details on texture, colors and finishes to give it the look of a custom show bike. The fuel tank and tail section frame the engine as the predominate centerpiece of the motorcycle, while the massive front tire recalls the fender-less front end of a classic bobber. Finally, the tail section, high-mount exhaust, and slim solo seat draw inspiration from the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat tracker. Celebrating self-expression, riders can choose from an array of Sportster S model accessories and paint colors - Vivid Black; Stone Washed White Pearl; Midnight Crimson.

More than an eye-catching ride, the Sportster S model is equipped with a host of technologies designed to the enhance the riding experience. Three pre-programmed, selectable Ride Modes (Sport, Road and Rain) electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle, and the level of technology intervention. Two Custom modes may be used by the rider to create a set of performance characteristics to meet personal preference or for special situations. Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson®, a collection of technologies intended to enhance rider confidence during unexpected situations or adverse road conditions, are designed to match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration and braking, in a straight line or while in a turn.

The India Team will be hosting a special preview of Sportster S for the customers at the Open House being organized at authorized dealerships across India. Find the nearest dealer at h-d.com/dealerlocator.

More information on Harley-Davidson Sportster S model can be viewed at www.harley-davidson.com. 

Atos Confirms Role As Global Leader In Quantum Hybridization Technologies At Its 8th Quantum Advisory Board

At the meeting of the 8th Atos Quantum Advisory Board, a group of international experts, mathematicians and physicists, authorities in their fields, Atos reaffirms its position as a global leader in quantum computing technologies. The quantum hybridization axis (convergence of high-performance computing (HPC) and quantum computing) in particular positions the company at the forefront of quantum research, converging its expertise. Atos has invested, along with partner start-ups Pasqal and IQM, in two major quantum hybridization projects in France and Germany.

Held at Atos' R&D centre, dedicated to research in quantum computing and high-performance computing, in Clayes-sous-Bois, in the presence of Atos’ next CEO, Rodolphe Belmer, and under the chairmanship of Pierre Barnabé, Chair of the Quantum Advisory Board, Interim co-CEO and Head of Big Data and Cybersecurity, this meeting of the Quantum Advisory Board was an opportunity to review Atos’ recent work and to take stock of future prospects.

Artur Ekert, Professor of Quantum Physics at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Founding Director of the Centre for Quantum Technologies in Singapore and member of the Quantum Advisory Board said “We are truly impressed by the work and the progress that Atos has made over the past year. The company takes quantum computing seriously and it gives us great pleasure to see it becoming one of the key players in the field. It is a natural progression for Atos. As a world leader in High Performance Computing (HPC), Atos is in a unique position to combine its existing, extensive, expertise in HPC with quantum technology and take both fields to new heights. We are confident that Atos will shape the quantum landscape in years to come, both with research and applications that have long-lasting impact.”

In the field of quantum hybridization Atos is the only player and the company is already enabling several applications - in the areas of chemistry, such as catalysis design for nitrogen fixation, and for the optimization of smart grids. Atos is also involved in two additional quantum hybridization projects, which are currently being launched:

The European HPC-QS (Quantum Simulation) project, which starts this December 2021, aims to build the first European hybrid supercomputer with an integrated quantum accelerator by the end of 2023. It is intended to be a first major brick of the French quantum plan. Atos is involved in this project alongside national partners including the CEA, GENCI, Pasqal and the Julich Supercomputing Centre. Pasqal will provide its analog quantum accelerator and Atos, with its quantum simulator, the Quantum Learning Machine (QLM), will ensure the hybridization with the HPCs at the two datacenters at GENCI and Julich.

The Q-EXA project, part of the German Government quantum plan, will see a consortium of partners, including Atos, work together to integrate a German quantum computer into an HPC supercomputer for the first time. Atos’ QLM will be instrumental in connecting the quantum computer, from start-up IQM (also part of the Atos Scaler program) to the Leibniz Supercomputing-LRZ centre.

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), one of the world’s largest and most respected research centres, based in Geneva, has recently acquired an Atos Quantum Learning Machine (QLM) appliance and joined the Atos User Club. The Atos QLM, delivered to CERN in October, will be made available to the CERN scientific community to support research activities in the framework of the CERN Quantum Technology Initiative (CERN QTI), thus accelerating the investigation of quantum advantage for high-energy physics (HEP) and beyond.

“Building on CERN’s unique expertise and strong collaborative culture, co-development efforts are at the core of CERN QTI. As we explore the fast-evolving field of quantum technologies, access to the Atos Quantum Learning Machine and Atos’ expertise can play an important role in our quantum developments roadmap in support of the high-energy physics community and beyond,” says Alberto Di Meglio, Coordinator of the CERN Quantum Technology Initiative. “A dedicated training workshop is being organized with Atos to investigate the full functionality and potential of the quantum appliance, as well as its future application for some of the CERN QTI activities.”

"Atos is the world leader in the convergence of supercomputing and quantum computing, as shown by these two major and strategic projects we are involved in in France and Germany. At a time when the French government is expected to announce its plan for quantum computing, the durability of our Quantum Board, the quality of the work carried out and the concrete applications of this research in major projects reinforce this position," comments Pierre Barnabé, interim co-CEO and head of Big Data and Cybersecurity at Atos.

The Quantum Advisory Board is made up of universally recognized quantum physicists and includes:

Alain Aspect, Professor at the Institut d’Optique Graduate School, Université Paris-Saclay and at Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris

David DiVincenzo, Alexander von Humboldt Professor, Director of the Institute for Quantum Information at RWTH Aachen University, Director of the Institute for Theoretical Nanoelectronics at the Juelich Research Center;

Artur Ekert, Professor of Quantum Physics at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford and Founding Director of the Centre for Quantum Technologies in Singapore;

Daniel Esteve, Research Director, CEA Saclay, Head of Quantronics;

Serge Haroche, Professor emeritus at the Collège de France, Nobel laureate in Physics.

As a result of Atos’ ambitious program to anticipate the future of quantum computing and to be prepared for the opportunities and challenges that come with it - ‘Atos Quantum’ - Atos was the first organization to offer a quantum noisy simulation module which can simulate real Qubits, the Atos QLM and to propose Q-score, the only universal metrics to assess quantum performance and superiority. Atos is also the first European patent holder in quantum computing.

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 107,000 employees and annual revenue of over € 11 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 71 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), listed on Euronext Paris and included in the CAC 40 ESG and Next 20 Paris Stock indexes.

The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

Honda Launches H’ness Anniversary Edition, Sets The Stage For New CB300R BSVI At India Bike Week 2021

* Ignites mid-size arena with a new breed of Neo Sports Café motorcycles while further fortifying its CB legacy in India

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India today unveiled its much awaited neo sports café inspired CB300R BSVI at India Bike Week 2021. The company also launched H’ness Anniversary Edition celebrating one-year completion of H’ness CB350.

Showcasing the new motorcycles at the event, Mr. Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Honda’s Neo Sports Café family represents a radical style of motorcycling which transforms mere travel into playful city riding. In its new-age BSVI avatar, CB300R carries forward the fun quotient in its signature style and beauty. Also, celebrating the love & trust of customers since its launch in the Indian market, the anniversary edition of H’ness CB350 will showcase the pride of its rider’s community.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “CB300R has delivered on its promise as a naked street sports bike, laden with best features in its segment and head-turning road presence. The new CB300R BSVI will be coming soon in 2022 with its revitalized energy. Taking forward our CB legacy, all new H’ness CB350 was globally unveiled in India last year. At IBW, it is the debut appearance of H’ness and we are glad to see the amazing welcome from the riding community. Today, we celebrate this tremendous response by thanking our customers and announcing the launch of H’ness Anniversary Edition which will inject new excitement among H’ness enthusiasts.”

New CB300R BSVI Unveiled

At the heart of CB300R BSVI ticks Bharat Stage-VI compliant 286cc DOHC 4-valve liquid cooled single cylinder engine with PGM-FI technology for a strong acceleration and linear response during city rides. The new motorcycle comes equipped with Assist & Slipper clutch which provides an assist function for clutch operations requiring less load compared to a regular clutch mechanism, while slipper function to reduce unpleasant shocks caused by sudden engine braking during downshifts, ensuring less fatigue and more comfort for a variety of rides.

A distinctive match of sophisticated engineering and premium aesthetics, the lightweight Inverted Front Forks offer utmost precision while further accentuating the universal value of the sports bike for city roads.

The 4-pot radial-mounted calipers with 296 mm hub-less floating disc for front brakes & 220 mm rear disc brake are modulated by dual channel ABS which works on Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for uniform front to rear ABS braking, optimum body weight distribution and minimal rear lift due to sudden braking.

The minimalistic instrument panel displays a plethora of advanced informatics along with new additional features - Gear Position and Side Stand Indicator with Engine Inhibitor. Positioned perfectly, fully digitalized liquid crystal meter allows for a quick glance down at the information – night or day. The new CB300R BSVI will be offered in two premium colors - Matte Steel Black & Pearl Spartan Red.

H’ness Anniversary Edition

Celebrating its first year of joy and excitement, the majestic looks of the anniversary edition are enhanced with golden themed emblems incorporated on the tank & side panel.

The Anniversary Edition logo sits atop the tank in a pin-striped fashion further substantiating the rider’s pride of ownership. Accentuating the overall theme is its Brown Colored Dual Seat for added comfort to both rider and pillion while its Chrome side-stand enhances premium appeal of the motorcycle.

Body colored Front & Rear Mudguards help the product theme to maintain one flow in terms of design uniformity. The reimagined Crown Handle synchronized elegantly with different color options maintains the motorcycle’s rugged image.

H’ness Anniversary Edition will be available in two color options - Pearl Igneous Black and Matt Marshal Green Metallic. It is priced at Rs. 2.03 lac (ex-showroom, Gurugram).

Bookings are open from today at Honda’s premium big bike dealerships – BigWing Topline & BigWing across India. For further details, customers can also visit the official website (www.hondabigwing.in).

Karnataka Secures 2nd Position In IndiaSkills 2021 Regional Competition, South

* Karnataka wins 29 medals: 15 Gold and 14 Silver medals

* More than 400 youth from five states competed in 51 skills at the four-day event

After a great display of skills, talent, passion and determination, winners from Karnataka received 15 Gold and 14 Silver medals and secured second position in the IndiaSkills 2021 Regional Competition- Southern Zone. Overall, 124 participants today were declared winners of the Southern chapter of IndiaSkills 2021. Shri Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Culture & Youth Advancement, Government of Andhra Pradesh felicitated the winners at the closing ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Of the total winners, 62 were awarded Gold medals with a cash prize of INR 21,000 and 62 received Silver medals along with INR 11,000.

The closing ceremony was also graced by the presence of Shri K.K. Raju, Chairman, New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP), Shri Challa Madhusudhan Reddy, Advisor to Government (Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation - Skill Development & Training), Shri Konduru Ajay Reddy, Chairman, APSSDC, Shri N. Bangara Raju, Managing Director, APSSDC; and Col. Arun Chandel, Senior Head, WorldSkills India.

The competition witnessed participation of over 400 young participants, aged between 19 and 24 years, from five states—Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala—come together and show their potential in 51 skills such as brick laying, autobody repair, welding, beauty therapy, hotel reception, mobile robotics, health and social care, landscape gardening, carpentry, painting and decorating, web technologies and more.  Kerala bagged the highest number of medals (32), followed by Karnataka (29), Tamil Nadu (21), Andhra Pradesh (18) and Telangana (2). The skill competitions were held at 11 Partner Institutes (PIs) located across Visakhapatnam – refer to Annexure 1.

Participants from other states also joined the competition through Wild Card Entry from Track 2 (in states where the competition was not held) and Track 3 (candidates nominated by Industry and corporates). 22 medals were awarded in the Wild Card category.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the IndiaSkills 2021 South Regional Competition were conducted at Andhra University Convention Centre. The winners of all four Regional Competitions (East, West, North and South) will get an opportunity to exhibit their skills at IndiaSkills Nationals to be held in for January 2022. IndiaSkills Nationals gold and silver medalists in each skill will represent the country at the WorldSkills Competition to be held in Shanghai, China (October 2022).

Col. Arun Chandel, Senior Head, WorldSkills India said, “Witnessing the performance of our very talented youth during the last two days of IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2021, South, it has been proven that their abilities can truly define their future. On behalf of NSDC, I would like to extend my gratitude towards the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, APSSDC, all state Governments, Industry Partners, Sector Skill Councils and our partners for their collaboration and inspiring the youth to develop a passion for skills. I congratulate all the winners and the participants for showcasing excellence through this competition. It is my belief that IndiaSkills and WorldSkills will provide recognition to our skilled youth around the globe.”

Participants for Regionals have been selected through competitions organised at the district/cluster and state levels in August-September 2021, which recorded over 250,000 registrations. This year, IndiaSkills Regional Competitions brought 1,500 participants from 26 states/union territories across four regions. Patna, Gandhinagar and Chandigarh successfully completed the Eastern, Western and Northern chapters of IndiaSkills Regionals. Visakhapatnam hosted IndiaSkills Regional Competition – South.

During these competitions, participants get multi-level industry training through boot camps and programs such as project-based training, industry and corporate training, exposure visits to industries, mind coaching, and personality development. NSDC, through its Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) and Partner Institutes, train the candidates for the competitions and for future endeavors as well.

NSDC has been leading India’s participation at the WorldSkills Competitions. WorldSkills, the gold standard of skill excellence, is a biennial event that records participation from over 80 nations. Skilled and talented youth from across the world compete on the global platform in multiple skills. In the previous edition of WorldSkills held in Kazan, Russia in 2019, India ranked 13 of 63 participating countries. More than 1,350 candidates participated in 56 skills, and team India gave its best-ever performance by winning four medals—one gold, one silver, two bronze medals—along with 15 Medallions of Excellence.

Tata Motors Delivers 60 Ultra Urban 9/9 Electric Buses To Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited

* The 24-seater zero-emission buses will run on Ahmedabad’s BRTS corridor

Strengthening its commitment towards promoting sustainable mobility, Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, delivered 60 best-in-class electric buses to Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL). The Tata Ultra Urban 9/9 AC buses were flagged off today at the Sabarmati River Front Event Centre, Ahmedabad by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel and Shri Kiritkumar Parmar, Hon’ble Mayor of Ahmedabad, in the presence of dignitaries from the Gujarat State Government, AJL and Tata Motors. The 24-seater zero-emission buses have been supplied under the FAME II initiative by means of a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) with AJL and will run on Ahmedabad’s Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor. Tata Motors will also be setting up required charging infrastructure and support systems to ensure smooth functioning of the buses.

Tata Ultra Urban 9/9 AC electric buses are powered by full-electric drivetrains, with a maximum power of 328hp and a maximum torque of 3000Nm. Their roomy interiors come with plush interior lighting, and can be customised as per application and regulations. Designed to provide a fatigue-free driving experience without clutch and gear shifting, the Ultra Urban 9/9 e-buses also come equipped with regenerative braking system, new-generation telematics and a high-security Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to offer smooth and efficient operations.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Rohit Srivastava, Vice President, Product Line – Buses, Tata Motors, said, “We are delighted to deliver Tata Ultra Urban 9/9 electric buses to AJL. With a steady commitment towards modernising public transportation and integrating sustainability in the designing of futuristic vehicles, Tata Motors has led the move towards electric mobility in the country. The Ultra Urban 9/9 has been built to provide enhanced comfort, safety and efficiency, with noiseless operations and zero emissions. The delivery of these buses will further cement our fruitful association with AJL and foster eco-friendly mass mobility in Ahmedabad.”

According to AJL, the new buses will cater to the new developing areas of Ahmedabad city and the new airport route. It will offer a comfortable travel experience for the passengers and zero-emission mobility for all the residents of Ahmedabad. Tata Motors has been a trusted partner and has delivered the electric buses as per the requirement. AJL is confident that this association will further strengthen the relationship with the company.

Tata Motors has been at the forefront of bringing environment-friendly mobility to India. Its state-of-the-art research and development facilities have steadily worked to design futuristic vehicles powered by alternate fuel technology, including battery-electric, hybrid, CNG, LNG and hydrogen fuel cell technology. The company has bagged an order to provide 15 hydrogen fuel cell buses to Indian Oil Corporation, and continues to work towards making sustainable mobility the norm. Till date, Tata Motors has supplied more than 600 electric buses across multiple cities in India, which have cumulatively clocked more than 20 million kilometres.

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 109 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (NYSE: TTM; BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 34 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups, trucks and buses, offering extensive range of integrated, smart and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and amongst the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that fire the imagination of GenNext customers, fueled by state of the art design and R&D centers located in India, UK, US, Italy and South Korea. With a focus on engineering and tech enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused to develop pioneering technologies that are sustainable as well as suited to evolving aspirations of the market and the customers. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by preparing a tailor-made product strategy, leveraging the synergy between the Group companies and playing an active role liasoning with the Government in developing the policy framework

With operations in India, the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia, supported by a strong global network of 103 subsidiaries, 9 associate companies, 4 joint ventures and 2 joint operations as on March 31, 2021, Tata Motors’ commercial and passenger vehicles are marketed in countries, spread across Africa, Middle East, South & South East Asia, Australia, South America, Russia and other CIS countries.

ASSOCHAM, DST & KDEM Presents The 2nd Edition Of SMARTecIndia2021, Asia’s Smart Technology Global Convention

* Set to boost a global dialogue on strengthening the policy framework and international business potentials 

* Guest of Honour Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Hon’ble Minister Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, and Minister for Higher Education, Skill Development, Government of Karnataka addressed the dignitaries on Bangalore’s tech advancements

* Global congregation of 12 smart technology sectors including State of Israel Ministry of Economy and Industry, Japan External Trade Organisation, World Health *Organisation, Wipro GE, IBM, PTC, DRDO, Hero Electric Vehicles, NASSCOM

The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM), the apex association of the country, in association with Department of Science & Technology of India, GoI, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) has announced the 2nd edition of its unique digital platform – SMARTecIndia 2021 from December 3 – 15, 2021. The 12-day event is set to reach out to the industry at an international level and showcase the strengths, growth, and potential of the Indian Industry on a global platform. In a bid to provide a necessary boost to the smart technologies sector and boost global dialogue on strengthening the policy framework, international business potentials, etc. ASSOCHAM, DST& KDEM has joined hands to make a mark in the global smart technology ecosystem. 

The event converged around the vision of recognizing the significance of smart technology in businesses and lives post-pandemic, the largest Smart Technology Convention platform in Asia was inaugurated at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru by a welcome address from Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM).

The Guest of Honour Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Hon’ble Minister for Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka, addressed the audience on Bangalore being the Gateway in Global Tech Advancements along with the state’s contribution to the country’s digital economy and growth.

Among others to address the inaugural session of this prestigious event were Ms. Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP & MD, SAP Labs India & Head, AP User Enablement, Mr. Rajesh Agrawal, Hon'ble Deputy Mayor of London for Business, UK, Mr. Takashi Suzuki, Director General, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Dr. Omkar Rai, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India.

Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Hon'ble Minister of Electronics, IT, BT, and S&T, and minister for Higher Education, Skill Development, Government of Karnataka  said "I welcome ASSOCHAM and SMARTecIndia Initiative to Bengaluru with a promise of wholeheartedly supporting their vision and contribution to the growth of the digital industry. The optimistic attitude of the world towards India is very encouraging and Karnataka has a huge role to play in this development. Under the Hon’ble Prime Miniter’s able guidance and leadership, we are very happy to create and promote a platform for  technology and the role it has played across indsutries, especially in education, finance. The pandemic presented us with a unique opportunity and I am proud to say that Karnataka was at the helm of upskilling and bridging the gap by adopting technology effectively. I believe that in order to connect with the society, system, industry alike, education and technology plays a huge role and a robust system has helped us navigate through these trying times despite geographical limitations, language barriers to transform the world “

"In the state of Karnataka, we are willing to support the requirement of the industry in the terms of the skilled manpower", he added.

“We are one of the first companies to get certified on the 3d secure 2.0 initiative from NPCI and from Visa MasterCard. All in all ISG partners with acquirers, issuers and, network operators and settling billions of transactions on an annual basis. We have large partnerships with group a MasterCard, Visa, and we are one of the largest processes of UPI transactions in India." Said Mr. Rachit Kumar, CDO, In-solutions Global Ltd  during the inaugural.

Event Partner ISG announced the launch of “ISG Pay”, #SmartMerchant an all-in-one mobile payments app with a mission to reach every last mile of merchants across India. The app was launched by Mr. Ranjeet Jaiswal, SVP Business Head, In-Solutions Global Ltd.

In ASSOCHAM 2nd Innovators’ Excellence Awards 2021 L&T Technologies Services won the award for Innovation in Overall Customer Experience, In Solutions Global Ltd for Best Process Innovation, Apeiron Techno Venture for Innovation in Service Sector, Blu Cocoon for Innovation in Environment and Sustainability, Tirupati Group for Innovation in CSR Initiatives and Smentor Solutions for Best Innovation by an SME.

Speaking on the occasion of the announcement, Shri BV Naidu, Chairman, The SMARTecIndia Initiative 2021 and Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission said, “It gives me immense pleasure to be at the SMARTecIndia Initiative inaugural session today. Our country has become the largest technology hub with 60,000 startups and India has the youngest start-up founders with an average age of 28. Further of all the 85 unicorns in India,  40-50% come from bangalore and of the 195 soonicorns in India, 85% are coming from Bangalore. This is a contributing factor in the country’s growth rate as India is racing to become the fastest growing economy in the world and we are on the right path to realising our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of $5 trillion dollar economy and a $1 trillion dollar digital economy. I am sure Karnataka will significantly contribute to this vision with platforms such as SMARTecIndia Initiative, Beyond Bengaluru and such accelerating events.

When ASSOCHAM approached us about curating an event such as this, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Despite the havoc the pandemic played in our lives and the industry in general, it was digital technology that brought in efficiency, stability and paved way for a productive and stronger future. Smart technology changed helped with supply chain efficiency, optimising manufacturing, enhancing services in a shorter span of time. In fact the McKinsey survey also revealed that 44% of the respondents believed that Industry 4.0 is what helped the industry bounce back and sustain in the times of adversity.The SMARTechIndia Initiative was conceptualised with the aim of maximum outreach globally to bring on board both domestic and international stakeholders while recognizing, rewarding and showcasing the smart tech capabilities and their role in making our businesses and lives smarter. After the tremendous success of its first event that was confined to being online due to the pandemic, we are thrilled to be partners for the second edition that promises to be bigger, better, and global and one that showcases the growth and contribution of young and smart India in the world’s technology space. We are honoured that under this event, we are seeing the growth of fintech and international investments from Japan, Israel and UK into our clusters in Karnataka. The encouragement from our international partners present here stands testimony to our commitment to digital growth.”

Speaking of Karnataka’s roaring contribution to the country’s digital economy, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, called upon the participants to leverage the SMARTecIndia Initiative that will witness more than 10,000 technology professionals participating. He emphasised the need for solving tomorrow’s tech problems today by putting the right digital innovations in place today. He also lauded the Hon’ble Minister Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan’s vision of ‘Beyond Bangalore’ which is based on the premise of creating emerging cities beyond Bangalore and the need for nourishing such cities for for technology and digital economy.

In his address, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, CEO, KDEM went on to add, “It gives me immense pride to stand before all of you and represent Bangalore and Karnataka in this global forum. We have established that India’s untapped opportunities in digitisation can play a vital role in the country’s vision of $1 trillion digital economy as said by our Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT. I believe that Karnataka as a whole can contribute  $250-$300 billion to this through its mature smart technology and digital ecosystem. Today, the entire world has started taking note of India’s start-up and innovation system as the country and emerges on the top with Karnataka leading the charge.

The entire digital economy rests on the shoulders of this very ecosystem and it is time we take on the leadership role under the guidance of our Hon’ble Minister Dr. Ashwath Narayan and his incredible vision of Beyond Bengaluru to create an even growth across the state in cluster cities such as Mysuru, Hubli, Mangaluru and nuture talent from here. I believe that a global platform such as SMARTecIndia will act as a catalyst in creating a dominant position for India in global smart tech and innovation. The success of this event can be measured by the number of IPs getting registered from India which is on an upswing. From growing to 40,000 IPs this year I hope this event encourages the industry to register 50,000 IPs by the next year. I once again congratulate everyone present here and look forward to a successful and encouraging event.” 

KDEM as a key enabler for building and scaling the digital ecosystem of Karanataka beyond Banaglore and is extensively focused on the five focus areas of IT Products & Services, BPM & GCC promotion; Innovations & Start-ups; ESDM; Beyond Bengaluru; and Talent Accelerator. In pursuance of these efforts, KDEM with its partnership with ASSOCHAM for SMARTecIndia 2021 aims at taking a lead in providing a timely and cost effective business development platform to businesses across the globe. The Convention will help the Indian smart technology industry drive and foster collaborations beyond the Indian ecosystems to advance and accelerate sector wide progress.

KDEM in association with ASSOCHAM is taking the lead in promoting the use of smart technologies in healthcare, agriculture, BFSI, transportation, education & MSMEs, with the SMARTechIndia Initiative. The SMARTechIndia Initiative was first organized in the year 2020 and created a successful global platform that witnessed impressive support of leaders from government and industry, stakeholders from around the globe taking the initiative to a global pedestal. 

About Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)

With an objective to increase the share of the Digital economy in the state, the Government of Karnataka set up the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), a Section-8 organization, which acts as a knowledge bridge between the industry and the government. To meet the objectives, KDEM has been working towards the five focus areas, viz. IT Products & Services, BPM & GCC promotion; Innovations & Start-ups; ESDM; Beyond Bengaluru; and Talent Accelerator.

KRAFTON Kickstarts iQOO "Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2021: With A Special Invitational, The Grind

* The matches for The Grind start today as India’s top gaming teams take on each other to qualify for the final showdown will take place on December 11th and 12th, 2021 

* The tournament will be streamed live on BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA Official, BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA Esports channels and iQOO Esports YouTube channel 

KRAFTON, Inc., the South Korean video game company announced the commencement of the first edition of iQOO "BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA Series (BGIS) 2021" with a special invitation, THE GRIND. BGIS 2021 is a one of its kind tournament in India which provides the biggest yet platform for the gaming enthusiasts to demonstrate their skills. The League stage “Grind Week,” will take place till December 10th, with the final showdown taking place on December 11th and 12th, 2021.  

The iQOO BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES, available to residents of India only, received an overwhelming response, with a total registration of 664,211 players including 101,571 4-member squads. This is the first esports tournament hosted by KRAFTON following the incredible response by fans to the official launch of BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA earlier in the year. The tournament will be streamed live on BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA official channel, BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA Esports Channel and iQOO Esports official YouTube channel 

The tournament will witness 32 teams divided into four groups battling to qualify for the crown. The Grind will determine which of the 32 invited teams, as well as the players that advanced via the In-Game Qualifiers, will compete in the main event.The tournament is scheduled in a “Round Robin” format, which gives every team a chance to play the other teams in their group once in the league stage. The 16 qualifying teams will again play a series of 10 matches, and the team at the top of the leaderboard will be crowned the BGIS 2021 The Grind champion. 

Commenting on the launch of this event, Mr. Aneesh Aravind, Head of Publishing, India at KRAFTON, Inc., said, “We are excited to kickstart iQOO BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES 2021 as our first esports tournament. Our players love showcasing their gaming skills at the highest level and this is our endeavor to help them do that. We have received a massive response from players with over 660k registrations for the tournament, and this is a testament to the need for bringing innovative and stimulating gaming events for our fans. We will continue strengthening the BGMI Esports ecosystem and providing a platform for gaming talent to flourish.’ 

KRAFTON has announced a prize pool of INR 1,00,00,000 for this inaugural series, with the winner taking home the lion’s portion of INR 50 lakh. The prize money for the second and third places will be INR 25 lakh and INR 10 lakh, respectively. Looking to provide the biggest platform for competitive gaming in the country, BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES 2021 is open to residents of India only.  

With this tournament, KRAFTON assures that Indian gamers will be in for some exciting times ahead, as it marks the start of a series of new content, collaborations, and esports tournaments that the firm will bring to the country. BGMI players will also be representing India in the Asian Games next year in a medalled event. From September 10th to September 25th 2022, competitors will play on a special BGMI Asian Games Version for their chance at a gold medal. 

KRAFTON, Inc. is committed towards promoting responsible gaming. In line with this commitment, the company recently  launched the ‘Game Responsibly’ campaign. Starting with a series of films, the campaign encourages gamers to take a pledge of taking care of themselves and their squad mates’ mental health as they take on the Battlegrounds. The campaign promotes safer and responsible gaming habits and builds awareness amongst players to cultivate safer and healthy gaming habits.