“New Year Awards 2023” Four Eminent Personalities Of Udupi & Dakshin Kannada Districts Honoured

Academy of General Education(AGE), Manipal Academy of Higher Education(MAHE), MEMG and Manipal Media Network Ltd conducted “New Year Awards 2023” to honour eminent personalities of Udupi & Dakshin Kannada districts for their immense contributions to society, art, and culture. The awards were conferred to four achievers who have contributed in their own ways in different fields such as Agriculture, art, and banking and have even created awareness in this unprecedented situation. Dr Ranjan R Pai – Chairman-MEMG, President – MAHE, Registrar- AGE ; Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor - MAHE & President - AGE; Mr. T Sathish U Pai – Executive Chairman - Manipal Media Network Ltd. & Vice President-AGE; Sri T Ashok Pai, President, Dr TMA Pai Foundation, Manipal along with other dignitaries graced the occasion. The welcome address was made by Dr H S Ballal - Pro Chancellor MAHE & President, Academy of General Education.

The winners of this year were Shri Mahabaleshwara M S who had 38 years of banking experience at both operational and administrative levels and was also a member of the Managing Committee of IBA (Indian Banks’ Association), Mumbai. Dr Pushpa G Kini who was the school pupil leader and did PUC at St. Agnes College, Mangalore and also an active member of NSS involved in community work, adult literacy programs and tuition to students who were weak in academics. Shri Amai Mahalinga Naik single-handedly worked to irrigate his two-acre land and raised a small plantation. He also received a Padma Shri award in the other agriculture category, Dr. Pangal Sripathi Rao joined Kasturba Medical College, Manipal as a Dean to maintain the college among the top 10 medical colleges in the country and later among the top five.

Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE & President - AGE said, “We are honoured to be hosting this event, my heartiest congratulations to all of the four awardees. The current education seeks such spirit and acts of humanity, their remarkable contribution and achievements have moved our hearts today. We have nothing but love and respect for the awardees. I really am honoured to be a part of this celebration”

Dr Ranjan R Pai, Chairman-MEMG, President – MAHE, Registrar- AGE said, “This is one of the greatest moments for all of us. I feel privileged to honour these great achievers. We appreciate their individual contribution to the field of Banking, art, culture and much more. The aim behind honouring these achievers is to inspire the youth and set a milestone for them to achieve more. I wish the awardees who have made great contributions to our society and to mankind nothing but the best. Your efforts will be cherished forever.”

Expressing his happiness after receiving the award, Shri Mahabaleshwara M S, Managing Director and CEO, Karnataka Bank, Mangalore said, “I am elated and proud to be in the midst of dignitaries gathered here from different walks of life. About a couple of months back, I received phone calls from Dr. H. S. Ballal and Sri T. Satish U. Pai congratulating me on being chosen for the ‘New Year Award’. Naturally the Awards are a source of motivation to work in still greater measures towards the well-being of the society with a higher degree of responsibility. I feel elated as the ‘New Year Award’ has a history of over 82 years and is well respected and lauded by the Society on account of the fact that the recipients are judged and selected through independent search without seeking nominations from the aspirants.”

Expressing her happiness after receiving the award, Dr. Pushpa G Kini, Professor. Dept of Paediatrics, KMC Manipal said, “I stand before you with great humility and gratitude. I wish to place on record my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the management of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, The Academy of General Education, MEMG, Manipal Media Network Ltd. and Dr. T.M.A. Pai Foundation for identifying me as worthy of the New Year Award 2023. I think I have just done my duty sincerely and I have not achieved much.”

Expressing his happiness after receiving the award, Shri Amai Mahalinga Naik, farmer, Kepu Adyanadka said, “I am happy to hear that I have been selected for the Hosavarsha Award given by the prestigious Manipal Group of Organizations in recognition of our hard work. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the dignitaries and officials of Manipal who have chosen me for this award. I think my award is worth it. If we all fulfil our duties with honesty and skill, there is no doubt that our country will become a great power. Honourable HS Bal the officers of the Manipal Institutions for choosing me for this award of the year, who have assured me of my well-being with our love and respect.”

Expressing his happiness after receiving the award, Dr. Pangal Sripathi Rao Former Dean, KMC, Manipal Orthopaedic Surgeon said, “I am greatly honoured to receive this New Year Award instituted by Manipal Academy of Higher Education, the Academy of General Education, Manipal Education and Medical Group India Pvt. Ltd., Manipal Media Network Ltd. and Dr. T.M.A. Pai Foundation. My happiness in receiving this award is doubled by this one simple fact – Manipal, which made me what I am today, should have deemed it fit to bestow this honour on me.”

L&T Construction Awarded (Significant*) Contract For Its Buildings & Factories Fast Business

The Buildings & Factories (B&F) Fast Business of L&T Construction  has secured a significant repeat order from a reputed and prestigious commercial developer, one of India’s largest mixed-use developers and operators. The mandate is to construct two towers with commercial office space in Hyderabad with approximate built-up areas of 28.91 lakh sq. ft and 28.53 lakh sq. ft respectively.

The project scope includes civil work for the composite structure including MEP, finishes & façade to construct the towers in 6B+G+22 floors and 6B+G+41 floors configurations. The project is scheduled to be completed in 18 months.

“B&F Fast is a specialised unit that focusses on using innovative methods and deploying technology for ultra-speedy construction,” said Mr M V Satish, Whole-Time Director & Senior Executive Vice President (Buildings), L&T. “Securing this repeat order is a testament to our long- standing relationship with the developer and our strong capabilities to build fast and smart in this fast-growing segment.”

The B&F Fast unit had recently constructed a 7-storey, state-of-the-art Flight Control System Integration Centre for DRDO in just 45 days.

Background:

Larsen & Toubro is an Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing and Services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide. A strong, customer–focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality has enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.

FADA Concluded Its Flagship Event, The 12th Edition Of “Auto Summit 2023- Fit & Future Ready”

- Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairperson of INSPACe - Department of Space, Government of India, was given a lifetime achievement award for his enormous contributions to the Indian Auto industry

- Mr KVS Prakash Rao, a former president of FADA, received an award for his exceptional contributions to the automotive dealer community

The 12th edition of the Auto Summit 2023, the biennial flagship convention of the Federation of Automotive Dealers Association (FADA) concluded. The summit was themed "FIT & FUTURE READY," and it provided an overview of the Indian Retail Automobile Industry. The was attended by senior government officials as well as stalwarts of the Indian automobile industry and industry think tanks. 

The summit provided a common forum for industry, leaders, manufacturers, government officials, dealers, Industry analysts, academia, and various think tanks to discuss the changing dynamics of the Indian auto retail and service industry, upcoming business opportunities, and envisioning the industry’s future.

The event, themed "FIT & FUTURE READY," featured a lively discussion on the Indian automobile sector’s current and prospective challenges, the future of the Automotive retail business in India, new business prospects, and the industry's readiness for the changing dynamics of the mobility ecosystem solutions.

Shri Om Birla, Honorable Lok Sabha Speaker, Government of India, was the Chief Guest.

Recognizing the automotive industry’s contribution to the Indian economy, Chief Guest Shri Om Birla, Honorable Lok Sabha Speaker, Government of India, stated that automobile dealers are an integral component of the automotive ecosystem and act as the industry’s public face. The Indian government has been working tirelessly to cut carbon emissions and create a greener India. The automobile industry must play a key role in this inspiring endeavour. Dealers are key point of contact for customers, and they carry a big responsibility for raising awareness about this mission. We will soon be presenting the Auto Dealer Protection Act  and Model Dealer Agreement in the house for discussion, and I am optimistic that we will have a fruit discussion on the same.

He praised FADA for launching a road safety and green future campaign, noting that initiatives like “Buckle Up India” and “One sapling for every car sold” are noteworthy and will have a significant impact on the government’s efforts to promote safety and environmentally friendly mobility for generations. India has the potential to be a major exporter of cutting-edge technology and future fuel. India has made tremendous progress in developing new automotive technologies, future fuels, and as a production base for quality products for the Indian and global markets.

He urged dealers to educate customers about welfare schemes offered by the Central and state governments, as well as insurance coverage. Automobile manufacturers, dealers and customers must contribute to making the country a greener and safer environment for the future.

Mr Manish Raj Singhania, President, FADA, welcomed the distinguished guests and association members at the 12th Auto Summit and said: “Our dealer network is a key component of the automotive ecosystem, providing over 4.5 million jobs and a large ongoing investment in addition to being a key contributor to revenue generation for states and the Central governments. The automotive sector has been on a roller-coaster ride in recent years, but it has weathered the storm. The past few months have clearly shown signs of revival, with increased commitment and trust among customers and the members of the automotive industry. We are optimistic that this momentum will continue.

The 12th Auto Summit has addressed the important concerns, challenges and opportunities not only for the dealer community but for the entire automobile industry. We must all work together to make this business more adaptive and future-ready, in terms of technology, high-quality customer service, and global-quality products.

The Automobile Dealers, as a responsible community, launch the "BuckleUp" road safety campaign and the "Green Initiative," which involves planting a sapling for each vehicle sold, as part of their continued efforts to strengthen their commitment to society. as a Under the industry’s green mobility mission, we have come a long way in terms of technology and design advancement. It's time for the dealer community to collaborate with our manufacturing partners to provide customers with cutting-edge, user-friendly products and services. To ensure the success of this initiative, FADA and META (Facebook) have teamed up to provide digital training to over 3,000 dealers so that they can build a social media presence on various digital platforms.

Mr Singhania designated September 19, the FADA Foundation Day, as Auto Dealers Day, and urged all member dealers to observe this day with great pride in their contributions to the community and the industry.

He further added, "Model Dealer Agreement is an important part of the new age dealer association and management creating a level playing field for OEMs and Dealers working together to provide some of the most innovative, cutting-edge products and services to Indian customers. Nine OEMs have personally heard about the modern dealer agreement, and we are happy to report that each of them has responded in a very positive way. I'm pleased to announce that after two years of hard work by FADA, the MDA was accepted and approved by MG Motors today, marking the beginning of the journey's successful conclusion.

The summit featured 60+ speakers, 7 sessions, 6 workshops and 1500+ participants. The convention included extensive discussion on the future Auto retail business in India, emerging opportunities and disruptions in the Indian Automobile Industry, India’s journey towards future fuel, the future of the passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle, government policies, keynotes, panel discussions, one-on-one interactions, and many other interesting topics with industry leaders, key industry policymakers, and new market entrants.

Odisha To Be The Next Industrial Hub Of The Country Says MSME Minister At Startup Odisha’s First Ever Startup Mela 2023

* New Startup Policy to be announced soon; State to establish Mother Fablab to imbibe maker culture

Startup Mela 2023, the maiden effort of Startup Odisha, aimed at orienting youth toward startups, innovation and entrepreneurship by showcasing Odisha’s Startup Ecosystem was inaugurated today by Shri. Pratap Keshari Deb, Hon. Minister MSME, Government of Odisha in the presence of Shri. Saswath Mishra, Principal Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha and Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha, Government of Odisha.

Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon. Chief Minister, Government of Odisha in a written statement said, “I am happy that Startup Odisha has been recognized by Government of India as Top Performer. Startup Mela is a great platform that will motivate our students, innovators, and startups to demonstrate Odisha’s entrepreneurial zeal, and will inspire the startup culture at the grassroots and institute level. I wish the Startup Mela all success.”

In his keynote address, Shri. Pratap Keshari Deb said, “The mindset of the community should change. We want entrepreneurs in Odisha. We need to start manufacturing to compete at the national level. We cannot remain a service state. The west is providing us with a huge opportunity in terms of manufacturing and we should make the best of that opportunity. Incubators should think beyond the typical academia culture. The time has come to think big. There is no dearth of talent in Odisha, and it is now also time for us to create a breed of entrepreneurs who will create jobs here and bring the talent pool back home. We need to start working on marketing and branding and that is where the young generation should step in. Startup is the only gateway through which we can establish a thoroughbred self-made entrepreneur in Odisha.  In another five to seven years, the next industrial hub of the country will be Odisha. In the recently concluded Make in Odisha Conclave, we attracted an intent worth 10,48,000 crore rupees. The national average of conversion of the intent into grounding is 20%, however, our average of conversion in the two previously held MIOs has been 32%, which is 12% more than the national average. Even if we can ground 30% of the last MIOs intent, we would be effectively creating more than 2.5 lakh jobs, with an additional revenue generation of around 40,000 crores for the Government and opportunities for around a lakh of people in Odisha.”

Delivering the opening comments, Dr. Omkar Rai said, “It is the vision of our honorable Chief Minister for Odisha to be in the top three in the startup ecosystem of the country. Startup Mela 2023, is another step that we have taken to achieve that vision where students will be advised as to how to access the ecosystem and convert their ideas into products. We have also for the first time come up with the concept of Brand Ambassadors from carefully chosen academic institutions.  We believe it is the student community which will bring about the next transformation in the State. These ambassadors will not only be innovators themselves but also act as a bridge between Startup Odisha and academic institutions. When we launched our fund of fund program with commitment of one hundred crore from Government of Odisha, we received an overwhelming response from the investor community, and we are going to have over 1200 crore rupees fund of funds, which will be jointly operated by Government of Odisha and seven AIF fund managers. We are also in the process of revising our Startup Policy, which will be announced very soon. We are also going to establish mother fab labs, which will be capable of generating several other fablabs across the state. We believe that it is the maker culture, and the culture of creativity which will take the State forward.”

Advising the student community on how to avail startup incentives provided by the Government, Shri. Saswat Mishra said, “There is a misconception among many youngsters that any new business initiative is a startup and qualifies for startup incentives of the Government. We need to understand that every new business is not a startup as understood by the Government of India or State Governments. Any new business which predominantly uses science and technology, new process of manufacturing, any intellectual property or patent-based product is covered by the Startup Policy. Generally, the government provides financial support to startups, and it is very important to utilize funding prudently.”

Targetted at students of various institutes, B-Schools, and schools spread across the state, the inaugural day of the two day Startup Mela 2023  also witnessed a host of interactive sessions for students and featured special sessions including a hackathon, roundtable discussion with incubators, student startup quiz, panel discussion with investors, masterclass on legal and intellectual property compliances  and “Ask Subroto Bagchi”— a program where Shri Subroto Bagchi, Hon’ble Chairman Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA), a renowned business leader and entrepreneur, interacted with students and shared insights  and mantras to young entrepreneurs and students.

Advising entrepreneurs and students, Shri Subroto Bagchi said, “It is better to be boot strapped as a startup and seek investment only when you need to scale up, and when you choose an investor, you need to look at compatibility as well. As a startup, you will be truly valuable when you are of use to somebody else. Focus therefore on the customer and everything will fall in place. Entrepreneurship is not about smart people. It is about people who persistently handle the situation in a smart way. It is very important to be an ethical company and ensure proper payment of taxes to be successful.”

Government of Meghalaya Facilitates “Economic Liberation Through Gender Equality” Practices

A society cannot succeed until all its individuals are treated equally and given equal opportunities regardless of its gender, sex, socio-economic background, religious beliefs. Women empowerment is no longer a topic of discussion but a reality that the world is striving to achieve. India has always been a country where women have been treated with dignity and respect through centuries. Our customs and beliefs honour women and the place they hold in our society. Meghalaya as a state has always been ahead of the time when it comes to women empowerment. It is one of the few societies in the world that boasts of a matrilineal society where women lead the family and pass down their heritage through generations, unlike most of the world. Keeping true to its roots, the Government of Meghalaya in the year 2020 pledged to commit towards gender empowerment practices. Having the ability to generate money, owning one’s own tools of production, having a voice in economic policy decisions, and honing one’s ability to effectively manage one’s finances are all crucial components of economic liberation. 

Meghalaya also known as the Abode of Clouds is a state that exudes incredible natural beauty with its cascading waterfalls, pristine rivers, natural caves and a colourful cultural heritage. Meghalaya is inhabited by many distinct tribes, the most prominent being the Khasis, the Garos, and the Pnars. The State is blessed with unforgettable landscapes with its table-top heights and high plateau providing scenic views that are unparalleled. Despite its long history of matrilineal heritage, Meghalaya also has the highest female mortality and lowest gender equality rates in India. The 2020 reservation policy was designed to address this concern. 

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged in recent years as one alternative strategy for improving the lives of the poor and disenfranchised, notably in India's rural areas. Economic empowerment is taught through Self Help Groups. The State thinks that if more women participate in politics through microfinancing self-help groups (SHGs) and positions in Village Election Councils (VECs), it will lead to improved results in those areas as well as in the job market, health care, and academic performances. State-wide, the formation of SHGs and VOs (Village Organizations) is on the rise. The number of SHGs and VOs has been on the rise from the beginning of the current decade, roughly from 2019 to 2020. Capacity building for institutions was a priority from the outset, as seen by this. In the past two years, efforts have been directed at expanding the scope of the programme throughout the state. To address the relatively small number of VOs that have access to VRFs (Vulnerability Reduction Funds) and SHGs that have access to bank loans, the government implemented measures to enhance the size of loans to members and vulnerable families. There’s been a quantum jump in SHGs- from 5,814 SHGs in 2018 to 38,115 SHGs in 2022 which saw mobilization of women from about 3.16 lakh households. Since 2018, corpus to the tune of Rupees 97 crores has been disbursed to SHGs with about 2903 Vos promoted. There have been effective bank linkages of about 94.5% channelizing 36,070 SHGs. In another significant move, government announced 50% reservation for women in VECs to promote women leaders. 

Through a variety of programmes, the State Government is working to encourage and promote women entrepreneurs in areas such as Handloom, Piggery, Milk, Processing Units, Sanitary Napkins, and other Manufacturing Units. In addition, the Government has implemented several different initiatives within the handloom industry to promote local products.  

FC Goa Look To Return To Winning Ways Against NorthEast United FC

Coming from back-to-back losses against ATK Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad FC, FC Goa would be aiming for nothing less than the three points and a win on Sunday, when they take on NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.

The Gaurs, currently in sixth place on the standings with 19 points, may be in contention for the playoffs right now but need to step up in terms of performances to qualify for the next stage of the league - especially with seventh-placed Chennaiyin FC slowly catching up to them.

Having beaten NorthEast United in the reverse fixture in December, Carlos Pena and his boys will want to do the double over them come Sunday, as it would also help get their league campaign back on track.

The Gaffer Says

Carlos Pena, FC Goa’s head coach, opined that he expects a tough match against NEUFC.

“SInce the arrival of the new coach, they have improved. They also won against ATKMB and other teams have struggled against them at home. This month, they’ve also signed a few new players to add to their strengths. Overall, tomorrow’s game will be tough hence,” he said at the pre-match press conference on Saturday.

The 38-year-old also opined that his team has been playing without fear, an encouraging sign for themselves.

“I feel that we’re not far away from the best version of ourselves. We have been playing without fear. Even in games where we could not get positive results, we played bravely and fought hard till the end, and we’ll do more of this tomorrow as well.

“The remaining seven games in the season are all like finals for us. It all starts tomorrow, and we want nothing less than the three points,” the Spaniard concluded.

The Task Ahead

FC Goa began the Indian Super League 2022-23 season on a strong note winning three of their first four games. That said, they have not been able to fully capitalise on this fine start, and they currently are just three points ahead of seventh-placed Chennaiyin FC.

The Gaurs should now look to take home as many points as possible in their remaining seven matches, to ensure that they finish within the playoff spots.

As mentioned earlier, they have a fine opportunity to get their campaign back on track this Sunday, as they face a struggling NorthEast United side.

The Highlanders have managed just one win in 13 matches, and are at the bottom of the table right now. They also had to change coaches midway through their campaign following a disappointing run of results. All of these factors should give Goa confidence ahead of facing them.

When the two teams faced each other earlier in the season, the Gaurs kept a 2-0 lead till the last minute when a penalty goal from NEUFC cut short their lead. Pena’s boys still won, and rather convincingly too as they were able to play to their strengths for a greater part of the match.

Winning Sunday’s match will take FC Goa to 22 points, just one short of fifth place Odisha FC. It will also give the Men in Orange a boost to their mentality as they prepare for more challenges against Kerala Blasters and East Bengal FC later this month.  

About FC Goa

FC Goa is a professional football club based out of Goa that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL). Nicknamed the Gaurs, FC Goa has been one of the most consistently successful teams in the ISL - reaching 4 semi-?nals and 2 ?nals in 8 seasons.

Heading into the 2022-23 season of the HISL, FC Goa holds the record for most wins, most goals, most golden boots and most number of playoff appearances in the history of the competition.

FC Goa became the first team from India to qualify for the league stages of the AFC Champions League in 2021 by virtue of winning the first-ever Hero ISL League Winners Shield in the 2019-20 season. 

The Gaurs trophy cabinet is also adorned by the 2019 Super Cup, the 2018-19 GFA Pro League,  and the 2021 Durand Cup. 

Co-owned by Mr Jaydev Mody, Mr Akshay Tandon and Mr Virat Kohli, FC Goa is one of the few Indian Clubs to have a complete youth development ecosystem. Its U14, U16, U18 and Developmental Teams compete at the highest levels in Goa and India.

Airtel 5G Plus Now Goes Live In Shillong, Meghalaya

* Promises to offer massive speeds, best voice experience, will work on all 5G smart phones and be kinder to the environment

* No SIM change needed; existing Airtel 4G SIM is 5G enabled

* Existing data plans will work on 5G until roll-out is complete

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s leading telecommunications services provider today announced the launch of its cutting edge 5G services in Shillong.  

Airtel 5G Plus services will be available to customers in a phased manner as the company continues to construct its network and complete the roll out. Customers with 5G enabled devices will enjoy high speed Airtel 5G Plus network at no extra cost until the roll out is more widespread. Currently operational at Laitumukhrah, Lapalang, Nongrah, Governor House, Lummawbah, Jaiaw Laitdom, Pines colony (Laban Red Cross), Mawpat, Riat Sohkhlur and a few other locations. Airtel will augment its network making its services available across the city in due course of time. 

Commenting on the launch, Rajnish Verma CEO, Bharti Airtel, North Eastern States said, “I am thrilled to announce the launch of Airtel 5G Plus in Shillong. Airtel customers can now experience ultrafast network and enjoy speeds upto 20-30 times faster than the current 4G speeds. We are in the process of lighting up the entire city which will allow customers to enjoy superfast access to High-definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more.”

Airtel 5G Plus will bolster the entire portfolio of services that Airtel offers. In addition, it will allow superfast access to High Definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more. With this launch, India will get a fillip to economic growth as Airtel 5G Plus revolutionizes education, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, mobility and logistics.

In the last one year, Airtel has demonstrated the power of 5G with a host of powerful use cases that will change the way we lead our lives and do business. From India’s first live 5G network in Hyderabad to India’s first 5G powered hologram to India’s first recreation of a game changing world cup match played at a time when there was no TV coverage to India’s first 5G connected ambulance to India’s first private 5G network with Bosch for boosting manufacturing productivity, Airtel has been at the forefront of 5G innovation.

About Bharti Airtel Limited

Headquartered in India, Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 500 Mn customers in 17 countries across South Asia and Africa. The company ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally and its networks cover over two billion people. Airtel is India’s largest integrated communications solutions provider and the second largest mobile operator in Africa. Airtel’s retail portfolio includes high speed 4G/5G mobile broadband, Airtel Xstream Fiber that promises speeds up to 1 Gbps with convergence across linear and on-demand entertainment, streaming services spanning music and video, digital payments and financial services. For enterprise customers, Airtel offers a gamut of solutions that includes secure connectivity, cloud and data centre services, cyber security, IoT, Ad Tech and CPaaS (Airtel IQ). For more details visit www.airtel.com