Honeywell Launches Indoor Air Quality Monitor, To Help Building Owners Identify Improvement Opportunities

* Device measures key IAQ parameters and provides indexed results to help gauge the health of indoor environments

* Developed by engineers at Honeywell Technology Solutions in India

Honeywell today announced the launch of its Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitor, which alerts building owners and operators of potential issues to proactively improve indoor air quality, thereby potentially decreasing the risk of transmitting airborne contaminants. A Make in India offering, the compact, touchscreen-enabled device measures key IAQ parameters including temperature, relative humidity, and indoor air pollutants, and provides an IAQ index based on the readings.

Studies show that viruses can spread faster in stale and compromised air, and poor IAQ can also cause symptoms such as asthma, fatigue, irritation or headache.[1] Honeywell’s IAQ monitor can be installed in buildings to help provide actionable insights, portfolio analytics and contribute to the site’s Healthy Buildings score, enabling building owners to make informed decisions to increase occupant well-being and comfort.

A recent survey by Honeywell shows that an overwhelming majority of surveyed workers in India (86%) say it is very to extremely important to be kept informed of their building’s air quality, a 20-percentage point increase from the global average of 65%, and 82% of office workers in India say the will leave their jobs if employers do not provide a healthy workplace.

Ashish Modi, President, Honeywell Building Technologies (HBT), Asia, said, “The pandemic has brought renewed attention to indoor air quality, which remains a significant yet invisible threat to building occupants. The ‘new normal’ demands building owners to constantly monitor IAQ and course-correct in real time. Hence, Honeywell’s IAQ monitor becomes a strategic investment in helping to create healthier spaces for occupants and also helping building owners to better adhere to safety guidelines as well.”

Developed by engineers at Honeywell Technology Solutions (HTS) in India, Honeywell’s IAQ monitor uses an array of sensors for better accuracy. Optional sensors for formaldehyde (HCHO) and ozone (O3) can be added to the unit. In addition to analyzing the air and displaying readings on the device’s touchscreen, the monitor can also communicate to any building management system (BMS) via Modbus protocol, further providing actionable insights to facility managers.

“Our engineers incorporated customer insights to develop an intuitive IAQ device that can be used as a standalone product or be integrated into an existing BMS. It provides facility managers with insights to make informed decisions on how to adjust key systems to create a healthier environment,” said Rajeev Bhandari, Senior Director of Engineering, HTS-HBT.

The monitor, available in white and black housings, is easy to install and can be mounted on the wall, ceiling or placed on a table. It comes with two options: with complete display and with color-coded LED lights.

The IAQ monitor complements Honeywell's Healthy Buildings solutions that integrate air quality, safety, and security technologies along with advanced analytics to help building owners improve the health of their buildings, operate more cleanly and safely, comply with new guidelines, and help reassure occupants. Honeywell’s advanced indoor air quality portfolio can help improve occupant well-being, meet energy efficiency goals, and importantly, change the way that occupants experience a building. To learn more about the product, visit https://hwll.co/a7qe5h

India Post Budget Seminar: Fostering Strong Industry-Skill Linkage

The Budget 2022 for the education and skilling sector rightly focused on expanding reach, improving quality education, building capacity, and strengthening the digital skill ecosystem. Further, to brainstorm and discuss ways for effective implementation of initiatives announced in the Budget, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Education, along with other ministries, is organising a session in Skill India webinar themed- ‘Towards Fostering Stronger Industry-Skill Linkage,’ on Monday, February 21, 2022 from 12:15 PM to 2:15 PM. The webinar will be attended by the government officials, industry experts and representatives of key associations. The session is a part of a series of seminars being inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He will be addressing the first webinar themed on ‘Digital University: Making World Class Higher Education Accessible for All’.

The Skill India webinar will be co-chaired by Shri Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, MSDE, and Shri Anurag Jain, Secretary, DPIIT. The panellists for the session are Shri N.S Kalsi, Chairman, National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET); Shri Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Shri Manish Sabharwal, Vice Chairman, Teamlease Services. The session will be moderated by Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, COO, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

During the session, broader aspects on strengthening the skill ecosystem by enhancing digital skills will be discussed. The panellists will share their views on the recent announcements made by our finance minister in the Budget 2022 including deliberations on DESH stack that aims to empower citizens to skill, reskill or upskill themselves through digital training. Further, the session will cover aspects of successful implementation of National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) targeted to fulfil the dynamic industry needs, expansion of emerging technologies and training through Drone Shakti scheme, helping increase domestic manufacturing and creating employment. The facets related to PM Gati Shakti programme will also be discussed during the discourse. The session will also put spotlight on sectors like Tourism and Logistics.

The participants who will join the interactive mode of the session are:

Col Pankaj Fotedar, COO, Geokno

Dr. Shankar Goenka, Managing Director of WOW Factors India

Rachit Bhatnagar, CEO – Aerospace and Aviation SSC

Capt Gaurav Nath, CEO ClearSkies Aviation OPC Pvt Ltd

Smit Shah, Director of Partnerships, Drone Federation of India

Sujith Nair, Beckn Foundation

Anand Gautam, EkStep Foundation

Sujeet Suryawanshi, Protean eGov Technologies Limited

Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur

Dr. Satender Arya, CEO - Agriculture Skill Council of India

The participating ministries and departments in the webinar are- The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education (MoE), Dept. of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Skill Development &  Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dept. of Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Dept. of Telecom, Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), Ministry of Tourism, Dept of Economic Affairs, Academia and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

To join the session please https://youtu.be/RAk0cgw8itY

TECNO Launches SPARK 8C, A 6GB RAM And 90Hz Refresh Rate Smartphone At Launch Price Of Rs.7499

* Available in exciting colors including Magnet Black, Iris Purple, Diamond Grey and Turquoise Cyan

* The all-new TECNO SPARK 8C can be purchased on Amazon.in as Amazon Specials starting 24th February 2022

* Interested buyers can click Notify Me tab on Amazon.in

TECNO, the global premium smartphone brand, is once again poised to disrupt the market, with its latest offering, TECNO SPARK 8C under its reputed Spark 8 series.

TECNO SPARK 8C is a premium smartphone with all-rounder capabilities especially in memory, processor, display, camera, and battery. All these collectively gives it an edge over its counterparts. TECNO SPARK 8C is a true value for money product.

The smartphone boasts of best-in-the-segment features such as Octa-core Processor, 90Hz higher Refresh Rate, 6.6 HD+ Rich Display, Massive 5000mAh Battery, and 13MP AI Dual Rear Camera. Speed and agility are the two key features that are indispensable to most users today. In line with the same, TECNO SPARK 8C offers up to 6GB* RAM with Memory Fusion and 64GB ROM. In addition, the smartphone packs in various smart features such as IPX2 Splash Resistant, DTS Sound, Soplay 2.0, HiParty, Anti-oil Smart Fingerprint, Face Unlock, 3-in-1 SIM slot with Dual 4G VoLTE and many more – all in a premium design and vibrant colors. The phone is powered by HiOS 7.6 based on Android 11.

Commenting on the launch, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of TRANSSION India, said “Our aim has always been to deliver the best possible smartphone experience at competitive pricing to our customer base. The launch of Tecno Spark 8C testifies our commitment towards this aim. We hope, with the all-new Tecno Spark 8C hitting the markets, premium smartphone experiences will now be more accessible and affordable.

Key USPs of TECNO SPARK 8C:

6GB* RAM with 64GB ROM for quick and seamless operations

TECNO SPARK 8C is equipped with 6GB* RAM for faster speed and lag free operations. It offers up to 6GB* RAM with the help of memory fusion technology. It comes with 3GB installed RAM which can further be extended up to 3GB with memory fusion. With this bigger RAM, you get ultra-fast speed, up to 45% improvement in launching the apps and up to 15 apps support in the background thus, enhancing your multitasking experience. Memory Fusion will allow users to borrow additional RAM from storage capacity to offer a better experience. Its 64GB eMMC 5.1 internal ROM with up to 256GB expandable support through SD card, is sufficient for your daily multimedia needs.

Octa Core Powerful Processor

The smartphone features an ultra-efficient Octa-Core Processor with AnTuTu score of 144753. The Octa-core Processor is made up of eight processor cores that powers Tecno Spark 8C. The processor enables the smartphones to carry out more advanced tasks such as handling high resolution videos and graphic-heavy games without draining the battery, making the devices capable and efficient. The Octa-core processor also gives Tecno Spark 8C devices faster load times.

The smartphone features Superboost for system optimization to enjoy lag free experience for long use. Superboost basically optimize your application launching time, sliding operation, switching operations and gives the user smooth experience of multi-tasking. 

90Hz Refresh Rate with 6.6 HD+ Dot Notch Display

With an 89.3% screen to body ratio and 269PPI Pixel Density, the 16.66cm (6.6) HD+ display of TECNO SPARK 8C give users a premium display experience, vis-à-vis its counterparts in the market. Its 480nits max Brightness makes the display easy to see, even under bright sunlight. The SPARK 8C’s 90Hz high refresh rate delivers users an unmatched touch experience in the category.

13MP AI Dual Rear Camera for clear images

TECNO SPARK 8C’s 13MP AI rear camera with F1.8 wide aperture, Samsung image sensor and brilliant image processing technology enables you to click clear and vivid photos every time. Various modes like AI Beauty 3.0, Portrait Mode, Wide Selfie, HDR, Filters etc. add more flavors to your photos. Users can click outstanding selfies either in the day or at night with its 8MP selfie camera with front flashlight. The phone also features 1080P Time lapse video and Slow Motion video.

5000mAh mega Battery for unstoppable entertainment

TECNO SPARK 8C provides an ultimate battery backup with 5000mAh mega battery. The user will get a standby time of upto 89 days and can talk for up to 53 hours or enjoy music for up to 137 hours. Additionally, the Battery Lab features like Ultra Power Saving, Sleep Mode Optimization, etc. provides longer battery backup with need-based intelligent optimizations.

Trendy and stylish design with attractive colors

The glossy finish with Iconic Design and Punchy Colors including Magnet Black, Iris Purple, Diamond Grey and Turquoise Cyan of TECNO SPARK 8C makes it a flaunt-worthy smartphone. With various attractive and energetic colors with bolder brand logo further enhances the premium appeal of the smartphone.

Other Segment Breaking Features

TECNO SPARK 8C is IPX2 Splash Resistant and promises a 90Hz high refresh rate and 180Hz touch sampling rate to provide faster touch inputs and zero lag experience to users while playing games.  The phone offers localized features such as Vault 2.0, Smart Panel 2.0, Kids Mode, Social Turbo, Anti-Theft Alarm, Phone Cloner, Voice Changer, Peek Proof, Game mode, and many more.

Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM radio, GPS/ A-GPS and a 3.5mm Jack. A perfect smartphone for the Gen Z in the sub 10K segment. Tecno Spark 8C comes with Soplay 2.0 for customizing music where in a user can customize and produce the music without need of Internet connectivity. The smartphone comes with powerful Octa-core Processor. Super boost for system optimization which will optimize your application launching time, sliding operation, switching operations and give you smooth experience of multiple operations. Tecno Spark 8C comes with 3-in-1 SIM slot with Dual 4G Volte to give its users multiple connectivity options.

*With 3GB Extendable Virtual RAM. Memory Fusion may need OTA update.

Commenting on the launch Mr. Nishant Sardana Director- Mobile Phones, Amazon India said, “We are happy to partner with TECNO for another stellar product from their 8 series. The smartphone promises to bring premium features in the affordable category while focusing on performance. We look forward to the launch of the much-awaited TECNO SPARK 8C.”

Product Shots - https://we.tl/t-2YIndYAWpl

IIHM Launches Institute Of Pastry And Culinary And The First Ever Chocolate Hotel

The International Institute of Hotel Management has launched a world-class Pastry School, IIHM Institute of Patisserie and Culinary (IIPC) headed by renowned Pastry Expert, Chef Avijit Ghosh, Brand Ambassador the Belgian chocolate company Callebaut and former Corporate Pastry Chef, Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts.

IIPC’s first ever unique “Chocolat Hotel” is all set to open doors in Bangalore. A hotel, café, banquet, rooms and buffet designed, inspired and themed on chocolate is an incredible and unexplored area.  The new hotel will have its own chocolate café and chocolate buffet with the best international chocolate brands displaying their products here. Chocolate-lovers will also get to see, taste and buy a variety of items that will be available at the chocolate exhibitions that will be held here from time to time.

The good news for young culinary talents who aspire to become pastry chefs or homemakers who want to master the art of making chocolates is that IIPC will start special classes to learn chocolate-making. Interested people are welcome to come to the hotel, stay for six days and learn the art of chocolate making. It’s a residential programme open to all interested candidates.

The hotel rooms, too, will be themed on chocolate. Chocolate exhibitions displaying the best chocolate brands and their products. This is the very first Institute in India promoting culinary tourism. The attempt is to make The Chocolate Hotel a destination for holiday – goers.

IIPC will be offering nine months and a six months certificate course in patisserie which also have the residential option. IIPC will also offer weekend courses and customised residential courses for the matured students.

Chef Avijit Ghosh said, “This is a unique and innovative idea of starting a Chocolate Hotel. This will be the first of its kind and people will experience chocolate in so many forms like never before. At IIPC, people interested in learning the art of chocolate-making will find a lot of inspiration for making various kinds of chocolates and pastries.”

Dr Suborno Bose, the Chairman and Chief Mentor of IIHM said, “This is going to be the first Chocolate Hotel in India where everything will be themed on chocolate. Everyone loves chocolate and it is a way of expressing a lot of emotions for most people. I think this new concept will provide a unique opportunity to taste and experience chocolate in various forms. We are starting IIPC as well where the very talented and renowned pastry chef, Chef Avijit Ghosh will lead the pastry and chocolate-making classes.”

Tech Cluster Like Mysuru Attracting Deep Tech VLSI Offshore Design Centre First Time In India

* The synergy will initiate a Global Entrepreneurship Centre to harbour more than 100 start-ups for innovation and enterprise establishment

* Focus on innovative technologies in the areas of Rural Livelihoods, Healthcare and Education, Energy, Waste Management and Sanitation among others

The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) in its endeavour to augment India’s start-up ecosystem and collaborative innovation, today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering-Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (SJCE-STEP) in Mysuru. This MoU highlights KDEM’s prowess in intensifying its drive to build a robust start-up ecosystem while spotlighting skill development, employment generation, and overall development across Karnataka.

Signed today in Mysuru, this MoU will help KDEM and SJCE-STEP to create a symbiosis of investment support, mentorship, start-up incubation, and rural entrepreneurship. KDEM will function as a knowledge bridge between the Government of Karnataka and the industry and will facilitate the setting up of a Global Entrepreneurship Centre in order to accommodate more than 100 start-ups. Together, KDEM and SJCE-STEP will provide unsurpassed facilities for enterprise establishment and innovation.

Speaking on this important development, Shri B V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission said, “The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission has been unwavering in its commitment to harness the limitless potential of the state’s digital economy in order to transform the lives of the people. This MoU with SJCE-STEP is a stride in this direction and with their expertise, it will surely give us leverage in reinforcing talent building, stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation throughout Karnataka.”

Dr. E.V. Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary- Department of Electronics, IT-BT & S&T graced the event virtually and said, ”I congratulate KDEM and SJCE-STEP for creating this platform for all of us to connect and boost an innovation ecosystem in the city of Mysuru. Global players like Infosys, Wipro, IBM, L&T, etc have played a vital role in nurturing the talent and providing global exposure to the local ecosystem. We now look forward to PROXLEERA furthering the ecosystem of Mysuru and Karnataka and supporting the initiatives of the Government of Karnataka to keep reaching global heights. With the VLSI design expertise and IT projects in the Digital and Analog domain, Mysuru will learn a lot from the companies. PROXLEERA will also benefit from the rapidly increasing skilled workforce. Karnataka has always been at the forefront in promoting the idea of innovation and a tech-focused ecosystem and we can further accelerate this by supporting the smaller cities and thereby facilitating their transformation into an economic powerhouse.”

Commenting on this partnership, Mr Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, MD & CEO Lahari said, “KDEM and SJEC-STEP will leverage our unique strengths to proliferate the growth of world-class digital ecosystem in the state of Karnataka. Our mission is to go beyond attracting investments, Together, we aim at strengthening the deep tech ecosystem in cluster markets by creating a scale infrastructure and robust skill-poll of global standards. This initiative will play a pivotal role in furthering skill development in the technology space for the youth and boost employment while stimulating talent. Our purpose will be to go above and beyond the purview of this MoU in creating a robust entrepreneur ecosystem.”

Established in 1985, the SJCE Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) has evolved and groomed entrepreneurs while promoting more than 300+ enterprises. Over the years, SJEC-STEP has successfully collaborated with R&D centres, industries, and institutions to leverage skill and knowledge for the rising student community.

Commenting on the MoU and its association with KDEM, Shiv Shankar, CEO, SJCE-STEP said, “On behalf of SJCE-STEP, it gives me immense pleasure to partner with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission and be a part of their game-changing mission. With KDEM’s reach and our expertise, we are very hopeful of enabling an enriching platform to the ascending start-up environment of Karnataka.”

SJCE-STEP has a wide range of entrepreneurs, mentors, and expertise from all sectors on board along with strong support from industry partners such as ALTAIR, METI, Rang-Sons, Vinays, Design Tech and Ecosystem Partners such as MSME, K-Tech, TiE, DST, CII, MEITY, EDII, CFTRI. SJCE-STEP has impacted over 20,000 people, conducted more than 1,000 training programs, and incubated to establish 150+ enterprises.

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.

Landmark Moment In India-UAE Trade & Investment Relations: FICCI

* SMEs & Start-ups will benefit from India-UAE CEPA

The signing of the CEPA between India and UAE is a major step towards strengthening the bilateral relations and boosting trade and investment between both countries, as India-UAE commemorate the Golden jubilee of our Diplomatic Relations. The completion and signing of this document happened in record time, even amid a pandemic demonstrating the strong commitment towards strengthening the ties between both countries.

CEPA will lead to opening doors to new opportunities for trade and investments. It may be kept in mind that UAE also acts as a gateway for our industry to get market access to the expanded GCC markets, West Asia, Africa, and even the CIS region.

Commenting at the signing of the agreement, Mr Sanjiv Mehta, President, FICCI said, “We in FICCI applaud the leadership of our two countries in making CEPA a reality in record time, even amid a pandemic. There are many areas which will benefit from this agreement. However, one area of the great mutual interest is innovation and start-ups, led by technology driven processes. We can visualise partnerships in health-tech, edu-tech, fin-tech, Industrial Revolution 4.0 and many more areas. Indian Industry feels such engagements will also help in tapping global opportunities together, particularly in the GCC and African markets.”

With this FTA there will be an immediate boost in people to people contact too. The relationship will transition from traditional to tech-led business and enhance prosperity of our people as a natural consequence.

Capri Global Capital Ltd Receives “Great Place To Work® Certification”

Capri Global Capital Ltd. (CGCL), a diversified NBFC focusing on MSME lending and housing finance has received the “Great Place to Work® Certification”. The distinguished honor reflects the company’s present employee’s and their working experience as well as a testament to CGCL’s commitment to building a diverse and supportive workplace. 

Driving innovative people-centric practices, the company has meticulously invested in its people and workplace culture. The recognition highlights the Company’s sustained focus on fostering a culture of high trust, integrity, growth, and care for the employees. The company has built a strong network of 2800+ employees across 110 branches located in ten States and Union Territories of the country. 

In celebration of the momentous occasion Mr. Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director, Capri Global Capital Ltd said, “We are truly honored for being certified as Great Place to Work by the world's most coveted study of workplace excellence. The certification is a testament to our continual efforts in ensuring people across the level, genders, departments are valued, heard, and empowered. Since inception, we have endeavored to create a workplace of choice and pride, offering equal opportunities and zero discrimination. We will continue our passion for people-first organization and try excelling the bar of better organization.” 

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. The organization has been studying employee experience and people practices across businesses for over three decades. In India, the institute partners with more than 1100 organizations annually across over 22 industries to help them build High-Trust, High-Performance Cultures™ designed to deliver sustained business results. Hundreds of CEOs and CXOs from India Inc. are part of the great place community that is committed to the vision of making India a great place to work FOR ALLTM.    

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. 

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) and is part of the NIFTY Smallcap 100 Index. The Company operates in two major verticals – MSME Loans and Affordable Housing Finance – through its strong network of 110 branches spread across 11 states & Union Territories and backed by a strong and committed workforce of 2,800+ 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 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.