Organic India Felicitates The Heroes Of Indian Agriculture With Dharti Mitr Award At The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2022

Recognizing the contribution of farmers towards strengthening the entire ecosystem of organic farming, Organic India Private Limited (“Organic India”), in association with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival felicitated the top 5 organic farmers with Dharti Mitr Awards while celebrating the grandeur of Indian Cinema and commemorating 75 years of Independence (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav).

The Dharti Mitr awards instituted by ORGANIC INDIA in the year 2017 to honor and recognize the efforts of organic farmers across the country, not just in growing crops without chemical inputs but also in balancing the ecosystem and creating innovative self-sustaining models. The Dharti Mitr awards also provides a platform for organic farmers across the country to share their innovation and cross populate their learnings. The winner of the first Dharti Mitr award 2017 Mr. Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, was bestowed with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India in 2019.

The winners of the Dharti Mitr awards 2021, felicitated by Bollywood actress Lara Dutta and Col. Tushar Joshi during the Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival, were Nathani Upendrbhai Dayabhai from Gujrat who won the first prize of INR. 5 Lakhs, Malleshappa Gulappa Bisirotti from Karnataka who won the second prize of INR. 3 Lakhs the third prize of INR. 1 Lakhs each went to Devaraddi Agasanakoppa from Karnataka, Rawal Chand and Urmila Ur Rubi Pareek from Rajasthan.

Speaking at the event and expressing gratitude towards the relentless efforts made by the farmers, Subrata Dutta, Group Managing Director, Organic India said, “Our farmers play a very crucial role for the ecology, economy and the society, at large. We conceptualized the Dharti Mitr Awards to celebrate our relationship with individual farmers that is built on interconnectedness – an approach that seeks to boost their confidence and the core objective of the event is to highlight the farmer’s exceptional innovations in the field of organic farming.”

Speaking on the efforts of Organic India, William Nanda Bissell, Chairman, Fabindia, said, “Organic India instituted the Dharti Mitr Awards four years ago and this year, it has returned bigger and brighter in collaboration with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF). Organic farming plays an important role in the sustainable and environment-friendly growth of India. This appreciation and recognition by Organic India will strengthen the confidence of farmers and further build the organic farming ecosystem in India. Organic India is a very critical part of our efforts to establish new benchmarks for growth driven by ESG values.” 

Organic India is currently working with over 2,200 farmers across the country to create favorable economic, environmental and social ecosystems, as well as to promote healthy lifestyles and conscious living via sustainable and regenerative organic agriculture. In the past years, Organic India has been rigorously working towards training the farmers and providing educational opportunities that enable self-sufficiency and the development of skills that can be passed on to future generations.

Expressing delight about the initiative, Dr. Ashok Yadav, Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture said, “The event has recognized the outstanding effort of organic farmers. We would like to congratulate all the participants and winners who are the unsung heroes of the agricultural landscape. Over the past 4 years of my association with Dharti Mitr, we have witnessed the participation and enthusiasm increasing and we are looking forward to witness more innovation in the segment which will add to the global organic farming movement to help the world in achieving the true meaning of sustainable development.”

Organic India received over 100+ nominations from farmers across the country, post which a rigorous screening process involving reviewing each entry followed by a farm visit and personal interview were undertaken by the jury.

About Organic India

ORGANIC INDIA is involved in the business of manufacturing, trading, exporting and importing all kinds of herbal infusions, ayurvedic medicines and preparations, herbs, herbal products, tea, food products and organic products. At the heart of ORGANIC INDIA is their commitment to being a living embodiment of love and Consciousness in action. Their products are made in India and reach consumers worldwide with a message of interconnectedness and oneness with Nature. https://www.organicindia.com/

Organic India is part of Fabindia Group, a consumer lifestyle platform with an established 62-year legacy focused on authentic, sustainable and Indian traditional lifestyle products. Fabindia is a unique business model of sustainable rural employment that has created a base for over 50,000 artisans through Contract Manufacturers and over 2,200 farmers engaged directly and 10,300 farmers engaged through associates in India. For more information, visit http://www.fabindia.com

Mainstreaming NFTs Will Open Up Huge Opportunities, Opine Industry Leaders

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are the latest craze in India’s digital space. An NFT is a digital asset like real-world objects such as art, music, in-game objects and videos, to name a few. Opportunities are tremendous. But challenges are also numerous, in terms of regulation, taxation and acceptance of NFTs in the mainstream. Blockchain and Crypto Assets Council (BACC), a council under the aegis of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), organized a major virtual conference, NFTIndia, on February 24, to discuss such opportunities and challenges in the way ahead for mainstreaming NFTs in India. Leading figures of the NFT and metaverse world took part in the conference. 

The world of NFTs is truly diverse. India’s digital art space, for example, is witnessing a revolution through NFTs. Indian celebrities, including movie stars, sportspersons, musicians and people from various other fields are increasingly creating and selling digital arts. Artists are creating their own exclusive NFT collections. As Om Malvia, president, Tezos India, pointed out, “Artists won't have to worry about galleries, they have the convenience of exhibiting and selling their art with NFTs in open market places.''

Highlighting the potential of NFTs for the sports industry, Harsh Jain, co-founder and CEO of Dream11 and Dream Sports said, “With the largest number of sports fans in the world and over 140 million already within Dream Sports’ platforms, India has the potential to become the world’s largest NFT industry.  Sports NFTs will help every member of the sports ecosystem namely boards, leagues, teams and players to unlock and monetize tremendous value in the near future.”

Among others who put forward their valuable thoughts on the subject were Ankit Wadhwa, CEO and co-founder of Rario, Preeti Syal, Senior Specialist, NITI Aayog, Kristin Boggiano, President and Co-Founder, CrossTower, Swaneet Singh, CEO Xfinite, and Yat Siu, CEO, Outblaze, Animoca Brands.

In general, speakers discussed in details why we needed NFTs, why it was valuable and what were the regulatory impediments that such a nascent industry might encounter.

About Blockchain and Crypto assets council (BACC)

BAAC, is a council under the aegis of the Internet and Mobile Association of India. It represents the interests of the crypto ecosystem in India. With over 30 members from the crypto and NFT space in India, the committee has been in the forefront of crypto advocacy today and creates thought leadership content for the industry from time to time. BACC has also set up a self-regulatory code of conduct for the industry.

About Internet and Mobile Association of India

Established in 2004, the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body and the country's only organization representing the digital services industry with over 350 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, which include established companies in diverse sectors of the digital ecosystem as well as start-ups. Its mandate is to expand and enhance the online and mobile value-added services sectors. It is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers and other stakeholders. IAMAI represents varied sectors such as digital advertising, digital entertainment, TravelTech, online gaming, digital payments, Fintech, digital commerce, Edutech, Healthtech, Agritech, blockchain, Big data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/ VR, LogisticsTech and so on.

Union Bank Launches ‘Union MSMERuPay Credit Card’ In Indian Market

* The card will be a new digital payment tool available to the MSME Customers of Union Bank of India for meeting their Business related operational expenses with interest free credit upto 50 days.

* MSMEs will also be benefitted with accidental insurance coverage, lounge access, and other rewards being offered by NPCI on RuPay cards.

Union Bank of India in association with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) today launched ‘Union MSME RuPay Credit Card’ with an aim to provide digital delivery of Finance to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) in the current phase of progression towards a digital economy. The dedicated card for MSMEs is available to eligible borrowers of Union Bank of India and will provide a simplified payment mechanism to MSMEs to meet their business-related operational expenses.

With Union MSME RuPay Credit Card, the MSME borrowers will be able to enjoy an interest-free credit period of upto 50 days on their business spends. The Card also offers EMI facility to the Customers on their business-related purchases. MSMEs will also get specially curated efficient business services on this Card which will help them in taking their business on most of the digital platforms. Additionally, they will  also  be   benefitted   in   the    form   of accidental insurance coverage of upto Rs. 10 Lacs, domestic airport lounge access of 2 per quarter and other rewards using this Card.

Sepaking on the occasion, Shri Nidhu Saxena, Executive Diector, Union Bank of India said “To improve the digital delivery channel in servicing the MSME clientele in fast growing tech savvy economy, Union Bank of India, in partnership with NPCI, has launched Union MSME Credit Card, a first of its kind in the Industry. This Credit Card will reduce the demand for cash withdrawal by MSME for business expenses besides simplifying their payment mechanism. With the newly launched Credit Card facility coupled with the regular working capital limits, MSMEs can reap the benefits of best in class products being made available to them by the Bank.”

NPCI “We are pleased to partner with Union Bank of India to launch Union MSME RuPay Credit Card. We believe this initiative will digitally empower MSMEs and help them streamline their regular business expenditure and finances. MSMEs are considered to be the backbone of the economy and we are confident that this Card will address the existing credit gap in the MSME sector so that they can continue to contribute towards economic growth. We are also excited to witness the portfolio expansion of RuPay from retail users to business users. At NPCI, we are committed to providing a safe, seamless and delightful purchase experience to all our RuPay users.”

About Union Bank of India

Union Bank of India is one of the leading public sector banks of the country having its headquarters at Mumbai (India).Today, it has a network of 9113+ domestic branches, 11455 ATMs, 8216 BC Points, serving over 120 million customers with 78000+ employees. Union Bank of India is the first large public sector bank in the country to have implemented 100% core banking solution. The Bank’s total business as 31.12.2021 stood at Rs.16,06,986crores, comprising Rs.9,37,455 crores of Deposits and  Rs.6,69,531 crores of Advances. The Bank has received several awards and recognition for its prowess in Technology, Digital Banking, Financial Inclusion, MSME and development of Human Resources.

About NPCI:

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) was incorporated in 2008 as an umbrella organization for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. NPCI has created a robust payment and settlement infrastructure in the country. It has changed the way payments are made in India through a bouquet of retail payment products such as RuPay card, Immediate Payment Service (IMPS),Unified Payments Interface (UPI),Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), BHIM Aadhaar, National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC Fastag) and Bharat BillPay.

NPCI is focused on bringing innovations in the retail payment systems through the use of technology and is relentlessly working to transform India into a digital economy. It is facilitating secure payments solutions with nationwide accessibility at minimal cost in furtherance of India’s aspiration to be a fully digital society.

FedEx ‘SME Connect’ Empowers Small Businesses To Leverage Global E-Commerce Opportunities

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, launches the fifth edition of ‘SME Connect’, as a part of its ongoing commitment to support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SME) in India. The virtual ‘SME Connect’ series is a thought leadership and knowledge sharing platform for SMEs to interact with industry and subject matter experts for solution-oriented discussions that benefit their business.

According to a Morgan Stanley report, the Indian e-commerce industry is expected to reach $200 billion by 2027[1]. On an average India adds 40 million new internet users every year[2], this coupled with increased smartphone penetration and improved digital payment infrastructure have been a catalyst in driving e-commerce sales, which was further accelerated with the onset of the pandemic.

Global cross-border commerce is fast emerging as the next big growth opportunity for the Indian e-commerce industry. According to a recent survey by PayPal India, 94% medium small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) recognized that transcending borders results in growth and are making cross-border trade a business priority[3].?

Seeking to connect SMEs with the immense opportunities that lie ahead, the virtual FedEx SME Connect session focused on ‘Cross-Border E-commerce’, includes industry thought leaders sharing business insights on e-commerce trends, opportunities, and challenges. The session highlights the importance of building supply chain resilience, technology enablement, and deciphering regulatory requirements.

Mohamad Sayegh, Vice President, India Operations for FedEx Express said, “FedEx plays an important role in connecting SMEs to a world of possibilities through the strength of our global network, tailored solutions, and valued-added services. We are delighted to launch the fifth edition of the SME Connect series, focused on the booming e-commerce industry in India.”

“The Indian e-commerce industry is growing at an exponential rate with cross-border sales being a key contributor. FedEx empowers SMEs in India to expand their e-commerce capabilities to new markets and grow their customer base. “SME Connect” provides a great knowledge-sharing platform for SMEs to gain insights on accessing global opportunities.” added Sayegh.

FedEx has a long history of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses and is committed to helping them succeed. FedEx Express recently enhanced its cross-border e-commerce capabilities in India with FedEx® International Connect Plus (FICP), and FedEx International Priority® Express (IPE) to help SMEs achieve their global ambition.

About FedEx Express

FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $90 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its 600,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about.

KDEM Enables 18 New ESDM Companies To Set-Up Operations In Karnataka

* Creates 15000 new jobs across the state

* Government of Karnataka (GoK) and KDEM to set-up an ESDM Task Group under the chairmanship of Shri Jitendra Chaddah, Country Manager, Global Supply Chain, Intel India

* Over 50 Global & Indian ESDM Industry Leaders converge to support KDEM’s goal of consolidating Karnataka’s position in the global ESDM space

* KDEM in association with IESA and IIT-B launches VLSI Design Skills, a platform that will bolster skill availability in the sector

The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission’s (KDEM) efforts to underpin the growth of the Electronics, System, Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) Industry has received wide acceptance from the industry as 18 large corporations have given their Letter of Intent (LoI) to set up operations in the state. This comes at a time when the Government of India recently announced its Semiconductor Policy to promote the manufacturing of semiconductor chips in the country.

Over 50 top global and Indian ESDM leaders, bureaucrats, and officials from KDEM, India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) along with the Dept of Electronics, IT BT S&T, and Industries department with Lahari allied at an event in Bengaluru to share their views on fortifying Karnataka’s position in the ESDM space. Proxelera Pvt. Ltd, Wuerth Electronic India Pvt. Ltd., Virtulive Technologies Pvt Ltd, Gopalan aerospace Pvt Ltd, Teccheren batteries and Kaynes Technology, Rapture Innovation Labs, Physics Motors, Astr Defence, nanoPix Integrated Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and SLN Technologies are some of the renowned companies that feature in the LoI list.

Congratulating KDEM on receiving the LoI from reputed companies, Dr. E V Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Electronics, Information Technology (IT) & Bio-Technology (BT)and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka said, “Over the last few years, the demand for superior technology products has seen significant growth, encouraging the need to strengthen the ESDM sector. Karnataka has always been at the fore of the technology space, contributing significantly to the country’s digital growth. This has been the basis of the KESDM Policy 2017-22 to develop Karnataka into a global ESDM hub and an epicentre for innovation.  These Letters of Intent and the industry-wide acceptance of the ESDM initiative demonstrates the trust that global industry leaders have in Karnataka’s commitment to be a leader in the IT and ESDM space.”

The event also laid emphasis on ESDM focus clusters like Mysuru and Hubli to leverage the existing talent and ecosystem while reinforcing KDEM’s role of skill development for the sector, thereby championing growth beyond Bengaluru. Furthermore, to provide added impetus to growth and talent availability for the ESDM sector in the State, KDEM in association with IESA and IIT-B announced the launch of VLSI Design Skills. Expected to be launched on 15 April 2022, the new program aims to develop world-class talent pool in Karnataka in a structured manner.

In addition, Lahari, a Government of India, Govt of Karnataka and Indian Electronics Industry Initiative that aims at providing advance electronics test facility of electronics products, also signed a MOU with Electronics Sector Skill Council (ESSC) India to further boost Karnataka’s ability to become a sustainable and scalable talent hub for the ESDM sector.

Speaking at this momentous occasion Shri B V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission said, “As an enabler of conducive business environment in the State of Karnataka, KDEM was established with the vision of acting as a knowledge bridge between the industry and the Government with a strong focus on innovation, start-ups, ESDM among others. It gives me immense pride to see this vision being realized as we invite industries to set up operations in Karnataka and reaffirm the state’s contribution to the country’s economic growth. We are delighted to have received an outstanding response from industry players, 18 companies have joined forces with us and have shared the Letter of Intent (LoI) to set up operations with significant investments directed towards building the ESDM ecosystem and generating over 15,000 employment opportunities for the local talent in the state.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ruchir Dixit, Vice President & Country Manager - Siemens EDA said, “While we are delighted with the reception from the industry and the outcome, we expect significant traction in the coming months with more companies coming forward to build a robust ESDM infrastructure in the state. The Karnataka Government and KDEM have given us a roadmap through the KESDM Policy and simplifying and streamlining policies to enhance the ESDM ecosystem.” 

Karnataka has been a hub for technology and R&D-based institutions in India and boasts of adequate infrastructure to support its vision. With its Beyond Bengaluru, Talent Accelerator, Start-up, Innovation, and ESDM-led programs, KDEM has strived to promote Karnataka as the most preferred destination for frontier technologies and is led by industry anchors with the core objective of ‘By the industry and for the industry.

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. 

Give Your Bathroom Freshness Of Lime With Godrej Aer Power Pocket’s New Variant, Tangy Delight

A musty, damp-smelling bathroom is one of the most unpleasant things to enter. The right fragrance can turn your bathroom experience from a smelly, dirty place to a refreshing retreat! A clean, fresh-smelling bathroom is also an important indicator of it being clean and hygienic.

Understanding that lemon is one of the most powerful ingredients to combat bad odour, Godrej Aer Power Pocket launches their new variant, Tangy Delight to give your bathrooms a boost of lime freshness.

The new power gel technology ensures that Godrej Aer Power Pocket works 24x7 for up to 30 days without any effort, so you revel in the citrusy fragrance every time you step into your bathroom. It is so easy to use, that you simply have to unwrap the packet and hang it with the hook provided. That's it, you are done!

Godrej Aer Power Pocket is a power packed bathroom fragrance brand which is available in Tangy Delight and other 5 delightful fragrances, namely, Sea Breeze, Fresh Blossom, Berry Rush, Lavender Bloom and Floral Delight.

Price – INR 60/-

Available in general and modern trade stores near you.

ADW To Provide Platform For Growth, Funding To 47 Defence Startups

The third edition of Ahmedabad Design Week – ADW 3.0 – which is being organised by Karnavati University, will become a big platform for defence sector start-ups to be able to showcase their ideas and breakthrough innovations before the investors and experts. Some 47 startups are set to benefit from this opportunity. This year’s theme for ADW 3.0 is Design and Innovation in Defence and Aerospace – a topic of strategic importance. The event will be inaugurated by the Honourable General MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army; along with Shri Hari Babu Srivastava, Outstanding Scientist and Director General – Technology Management (TM), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on February 26.

Some of these startups work in Augmented Reality-based solutions for Remote Assistance; electro-optic surveillance systems, UAV heavy lifters, holographic solutions, drone technology, surveillance equipment and sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor-enabled systems for industrial health applications, cyber security, among others.

“Startups are known for bringing about breakthrough innovations in technology. This year’s theme of ADW 3.0 is very much in line with the Government of India’s vision of achieving Atmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing. Startups, known for breakthrough innovations and disruptions, have a major role to play here. The ADW 3.0 will see a host of defence industry experts in addition to industry thought leaders who understand precise requirements of the sector. We at Karnavati University aim to bridge this gap between investors, industry experts and startups,” said Mr Ritesh Hada, president, Karnavati University.

“Identifying the right technology and fund it at the right stage, will go a long way in helping these new ventures scale up their innovations and aid in attaining self-reliance in defence manufacturing in India,” Mr Hada further went on to say.

Representatives from industry organisations such as Monarch Networth Capital, GVFL, CII and GCCI, will evaluate the ideas of the startups and forge partnerships through funding and mentorship support.