Luminous Celebrates World Nature Conservation Day 2023, With 2500 Trees Under Their CSR Initiative

Luminous Power Technologies, India's leading power and energy brand, celebrated World Nature Conservation Day 2023 in a significant way by bringing together its employees from across the country to observe this important occasion. With an unwavering dedication to the planet's well-being, Luminous has embraced 'Project LIFE' (Luminous Initiatives For Environment) under which they run many such initiatives for a sustainable environment.

Through Project L.I.F.E., Luminous has set three year targets for planting trees to help combat deforestation, mitigate climate change, and restore the ecosystems. The initiative embodies the company's core values of corporate social responsibility and social impact, serving as a beacon of hope for environmental stewardship.

In collaboration with the Green Dream Foundation, this conscious effort aims to contribute to local, national, and global conservation efforts while addressing multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During the past year, under Project LIFE, Luminous and the Green Dream Foundation successfully planted over 7500 trees across Gurugram, Baddi, Gagret, Hosur and Haridwar. Continuing with the same fervour, Luminous has continued its commitment by planting an additional 6500 trees this year. The commitment extends to nurturing these trees and ensuring their survival, too.

Speaking on the occasion, Niharika Mohan Vohra, Chief Human Resource Officer, Luminous Power Technologies, expressed gratitude to all the Luminous employees who voluntarily participated in this activity. Adding further she said, “As we look to the future, Luminous Power Technologies remains unwavering in its commitment to environmental preservation. World Nature Conservation Day 2023 is a testament to our dedication as our employees united under this cause for a greener Earth, through 'Project LIFE.' By harnessing innovation and collaboration, we envision a world where sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our partnership with the Green Dream Foundation exemplifies our mission to create a positive global impact, setting an example for the industry and inspiring a collective effort towards a thriving, green future.”

About Luminous Power Technologies:

Luminous Power Technologies is a powerful and trustworthy brand with a wide range of innovative products in the power backup and residential solar space that covers inverters Batteries & Solar solutions. Luminous has been in business for 35 years now. Recently CRISIL has upgraded its credit rating to AAA+. With 6 manufacturing units, more than 28 sales offices in India, and a presence in over 40 countries, our 6000 employees serve more than 60,000 channel partners and millions of customers. Our motto has always been Customer Delight through Innovation & Passion with a focus on Execution & teamwork.

Lam Research And Indian Institute of Science Announce Pilot To Upskill Engineers In Semiconductor Fabrication Technology

Lam Research India today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. This MoU is aimed at jointly developing a customized course offering for Indian universities to teach semiconductor fabrication technology utilizing Lam Research’s SemiverseTM Solutions virtual fabrication software, SEMulator3D®.

With the agreement, Lam reaffirms its commitment to fostering the semiconductor ecosystem in India and collaborating with academia to solve industry challenges. Since opening its first facility in India two decades ago, Lam continues to build on its role in the country’s semiconductor industry, most recently opening a state-of-the-art India Center for Engineering in Bengaluru dedicated to the creation of new technologies needed in a time of rising semiconductor manufacturing complexity.

The program, scheduled to start in August 2023 with a cohort of 30 students, will focus on device integration, including physical design learning, process flow development and virtual metrology. IISc and Lam Research will work on the framework Pilot Course syllabus with the first stage expected to be completed by December 2023 and the second stage by June 2024.

The agreement follows an announcement by governments of the United States and India in June 2023. Lam Research targets to utilize the Semiverse Solutions portfolio to deliver a virtual nano fabrication environment to help train up to 60,000 semiconductor engineers in India over the next 10 years.

Commenting on the partnership, Rangesh Raghavan, Corporate Vice President & GM, India at Lam Research said, “IISc has been a longstanding partner for Lam Research in India and we are happy to extend our relationship to help spur talent development in the semiconductor industry. We anticipate that our relationship with IISc will play an instrumental role in helping to upskill engineers and address workforce requirements as India evolves as a semiconductor manufacturing hub.”

IISc and Lam Research intend to work with the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka to explore possibilities of extending the collaboration with other universities within and outside India once the Pilot Course proves successful. After the pilot with IISc, Lam Research aims to align this curriculum with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) curricula with the aim to meet its target to upskill up to 60,000 engineers over the next 10 years.

“India’s commitment to delivering 85,000 engineers by 2030 requires a transformative approach towards how we educate and train semiconductor engineers. The resources required to build a 2nm fab within a university are cost prohibitive. Training engineers in nanofabrication technologies in a virtual environment using industry-leading tools is a welcome step that will help address India’s semiconductor talent requirements in future. We are happy to partner with Lam Research in this regard. Lam Research has been our Industry Affiliate for many years, and this collaboration is an extension of our commitment to solving industry challenges through academic research and technological innovations,” said Prof. Srinivasan Raghavan, Chairperson of CeNSE, IISc.

As part of the course, students will get a chance to train on Lam Research’s SEMulator3D, a powerful 3D semiconductor process and integration modelling platform. The program is used by the world’s largest semiconductor companies, manufacturers, and foundries to model complete process flows and predict downstream ramifications of process changes that would otherwise require build-and-test cycles in the fab. Using SEMulator3D will help students learn to develop process flows and perform automated virtual experiments not feasible in the actual fab.

“As the criticality of semiconductors increases, the industry faces a major talent shortage to meet anticipated future demand. Educating the next generation of semiconductor engineers is even more daunting as it is cost-prohibitive for academic institutions to provide physical access to the most advanced nanotechnologies. This course will bring a paradigm shift for the education and training of the future Indian semiconductor workforce at greater speed and significantly reduced cost,” said David Fried, Corporate Vice President of Semiverse Solutions at Lam Research.

Lam India has been a part of CeNSE’s Industry Affiliate Program (IAP) since 2014 and is continuously engaging with the centre to collaborate on multiple innovative projects to advance the state of semiconductor technologies.

About Lam Research

Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Lam's equipment and services allow customers to build smaller and better performing devices. In fact, today nearly every advanced chip is built with Lam technology. We combine superior systems engineering, technology leadership, and a strong values-based culture, with an unwavering commitment to our customers. Lam Research (Nasdaq: LRCX) is a FORTUNE 500® company headquartered in Fremont, Calif., with operations around the globe. Learn more at www.lamresearch.com. 

Maharashtra Tourism All Set To Showcase Their Rich And Diversified Heritage At IITM

The Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra, has undertaken an extensive trade fairs participation and outreach across India to establish a dynamic platform to let traders showcase their tourism products while promoting the Maharashtra as a wholesome destination; at The India International Travel- IITM Bengaluru Hall-A, TripuraVasini, Place Grounds in the city. This trade fair was a window of opportunity to begin new trade relationships with regional and global partners in the tourism industry. The Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra pavilion saw participation of 18 tourism companies.  Mr. Vijay Jadhav, Deputy Director (Addl. Charge) And Ms Preeti Vanage Pawar, Tourism Specialist Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra inaugurated the exhibition stall in the presence of prominent representatives of companies from across Maharashtra.

This fair presents an exceptional opportunity to start new trade relationships with regional and global partners. The event will feature the participation of 17 esteemed tourism companies offering the wide array of tourism services like hotels, tour operators and hotel promoter etc.

Maharashtra Tourism will showcase, how it has been embarking on an unprecedented journey across India to establish a dynamic platform that enables traders to feature their products and also promote the tourism in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Tourism has been focusing upon of doing a series of events that include conclaves, road shows and trade fairs. In the process, DoT is expected to participate in  different trade fair events in 7 cities till March 24, covering East West, North and South regions of the country.

Speaking about the exclusive platform, Dr. B.N. Patil, IAS, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra  said that “ Maharashtra Tourism wants to promote Maharashtra as a wholesome destination which offers beaches, leisure, adventure, jungle, religious festivities and culinary. The state takes pride in its vivid landscape, great history, heritage and culture. He added that the we are thrilled and enthusiastic to welcome all the travelers for their exciting, value driven and action-packed itineraries in the state of Maharashtra. 

Some of the key participants in this fair are- Plaisir Hospitality Services, Hazel Tours, Xpova Destinations Pvt Ltd, Mahalakshmi Hospitality, Rhythm Hospitality,Travnet tourism services Pvt ltd, Veena World, Mani Holidays and Management Pvt ltd, Hotel Sai Chhatra, Mumbai and around, Hotel Sai Jashan, Sai Baba Travels, TL Hospitality (I) Pvt Ltd, MTDC(Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation), Kesari Tours Pvt Ltd, TDS Tiger.com, Tripbanao and Travevl.in.

About - Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra:

Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra is the official state tourism department dedicated to promoting the rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and diverse cultural experiences that Maharashtra has to offer. The Directorate of Tourism in Maharashtra focuses on implementing various tourist campaigns, initiatives, and publicity to boost tourism. Since its establishment, the state has achieved numerous milestones and victories through various projects.  With an array of historical sites, spiritual destinations, breathtaking nature reserves, vibrant festivals, and warm hospitality, Maharashtra is a destination that caters to all traveler’s interests and preferences. Follow Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra on social media for updates and insights into this captivating state.

Coca-Cola And The ICC Team Up To Bring Refreshing Delight To The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

Coca-Cola and The International Cricket Council (ICC) once again team up for the upcoming 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The exciting collaboration is a part of the four-year global strategic partnership agreement between the ICC and the iconic beverage company. The partnership entails Coca-Cola becoming the exclusive non-alcoholic beverage partner of the ICC.

With this, Coca-Cola will use its iconic global reach to connect with fans around the world, cultivate a legacy of unity and inculcate true sportsmanship through a series of online and offline activations. It will continue to engage with its consumers and resonate with them on their favourite sporting passion.

Arnab Roy, Vice President, Marketing Coca?Cola India and Southwest Asia at Coca-Cola India said, “We believe that the ICC Cricket World Cup is the biggest cricket event for the country. Partnership with the ICC provides us with a great opportunity to bring together our customers, consumers, brands, and cricket. Our brand activations will engage consumers through innovative offline and online promotions and create memorable experiences for sports fans”.

Coca-Cola will embark on many exciting brand activations with its beverage portfolio, including fan engagements, social media campaigns, and promotions to win tickets to the World Cup alongside unique on-ground experiences during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

The four-year agreement includes all ICC events around the world including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales, the ICC men’s and women’s T20 World Cups in Australia in 2020, the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021 in New Zealand and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India in 2023 amongst other global tournaments.

The partnership has strategically aligned both, ICC and Coca-Cola for the long term by combining the strength of The Coca-Cola Company’s diversified portfolio of over 500 brands and worldwide retail reach with ICC’s unwavering focus to expand the sport’s footprint globally.

Coca-Cola has been globally committed to supporting local sporting events & organizations around the world. The Coca-Cola Company has an eight-decade-long association with the Olympics. Moreover, for over four decades, it has been associated with the FIFA, T20 World Cup, and using the power of sport to bring people together and transform lives. The recent association of ThumsUp with the Olympics and Paralympics in India is a testimony to the Company’s belief in sports and its long-lasting journey toward making a refreshing difference. 

"Anurag Dahiya, Chief Commercial Officer, ICC said “The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the pinnacle event in the cricketing calendar, will feature the world’s best teams competing for ultimate glory. We are excited about our partnership with Coca-Cola, which promises to deliver a refreshing cricketing experience set to captivate audiences and present a grand showcase of their emotions.”

Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as Coca-Cola and the ICC join forces to create an extraordinary ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 experience.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Becomes The First Private Life Insurance Company To Join Metaverse In India

Introduces a virtual 3D platform, InsureVerse, to provide an immersive & interactive policy buying experience

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (“ABSLI”), the life insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (“ABCL”), announces the launch of a 3D virtual lounge in Metaverse InsureVerse, becoming the first life insurance company to enter Metaverse offering its customers a multisensory experience by enabling them to interact with Life Insurance experts & agents.

The launch of InsureVerse will empower the company to make 'customer servicing' omnipresent. The ability to meet with the customer servicing representatives in Metaverse will enable ABSLI’s customers to cut through the inconvenience of visiting a physical branch.

In the InsureVerse experience users can sign up with their personal email IDs. Further, the platform provides security features for the host/moderator for a seamless experience and provides several features for interactions such as the ability to sit down on a seat, raise hands for doubts/questions, like and dislike reactions, sticky notes, opening up portals to digital worlds and the ability to screen share.

Features & Benefits:

Virtual Lounges: ABSLI introduces interactive displays and digital walls in the virtual space, providing customers with an immersive showcase of their life insurance solutions.

Digital Avatars: Customers can create their own digital avatars, enhancing engagement as they interact with Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance representatives in a more personalized manner.

Financial Education: The unique physical branch experience in InsureVerse fosters financial education, particularly among young customers, facilitating early exposure to crucial financial concepts.

Convenient Access: In addition to the virtual lounge, customers can access services through various digital self-service channels like WhatsApp Bot and the Web portal, ensuring a seamless experience.

Personalized Assistance: Customers can explore financial products and schemes at their convenience, receiving personalized advice from representatives in a secure and interactive environment

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance, MD & CEO, Mr. Kamlesh Rao said, “As one of the largest and most respected life insurance companies in the county, it is our responsibility to constantly explore platforms that fulfils our goal of rendering maximum customer satisfaction. Our InsureVerse will empower us to leverage the world’s most advanced virtual platform and establish a tech-led ecosystem designed to provide an enhanced & improved customer service experience.”

ABSLI’s 3D virtual lounge InsureVerse will consist of digital displays with product videos & interactive access to products and schemes creatives for different product segments. The company has introduced its recently launched ABSLI Nishchit Ayush Plan on the virtual platform.

The users will have the choice to select from high or low bandwidth of Metaverse Space and can access the platform through Laptop, Desktop, Mobile (Android/iOS) & Oculus headset. Moreover, the users can access InsureVerse on Metaverse through its website and create their own digital avatars by taking selfie / uploading photo.

Apollo Hospitals In Bengaluru Successfully Removed A 7.0+ Cm Kidney Stone From A Patient With “Moses technology” (Moses2.0)

·         The kidney stone was busted using an innovative new minimally invasive Holmium laser with Moses technology (Moses2.0)

·         The patient has multiple co-morbid conditions like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, and a cardiac condition with a post TAVI procedure (cardiac procedure) and was on blood thinners (Antiplatelet agents: ecosprin and clopilet) 

Doctors at Apollo Hospitals in Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, successfully removed a 7.2 cm kidney stone using an innovative new minimally invasive Holmium laser with 'Moses Technology (Moses2.0). According to doctors at Apollo Hospitals, it is the most unusual case in which a large kidney stone has been removed using RIRS and Moses technology.

The patient, a 65 + year-old lady, used to have recurrent flank pain for 1 year, and on evaluation, she was found to have large kidney stones measuring 7.0 + cm, producing a staghorn pattern calculus. Her case was a challenging one, as she had four other co-morbid conditions like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, and a cardiac condition with a post TAVI procedure (cardiac procedure) and was on blood thinners (Antiplatelet agents: ecosprin and clopilet). Her condition was challenging in that the stone was large (occupying 2/3 of the kidney and upper ureter) and associated with comorbidity as mentioned above, and moreover, the patient was taking blood thinners (which makes the invasive surgery next to impossible).

Dr. T. Manohar, Chief Urologist & Transplant surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram said, "We took up this challenging case at our hospital and promised her a ray of hope. With our team and technical experts, we have decided to go ahead with the procedure using the new Moses 2.0 technology. The huge kidney stone was cleared with only minimal incisions and minimal blood loss. The patient is doing well after the operation and is on the path to recovery.”

The currently available treatment for such large stones is PCNL (where the kidney is punctured and stones are removed through 2-3 holes), which might lead to severe bleeding and incomplete clearance. She was advised to undergo conservative management by several other specialists. Also, it requires multiple staged procedures if done via conventional methods. On seeing the success rates and benefits of "Moses technology" (Moses 2.0), Dr. T. Manohar added, "The new stone age era has arrived for Uro Sciences."

Speaking on the success of this urology case, Mr. Uday Davda, COO, Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, said, "The doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, have been at the forefront in using advanced technologies in medical science. Till date, we have successfully removed more than 1200 kidney stones, and among them, more than 500 were large kidney stones, varying in size from 2.5 cm to 6.2 cm. This large stone (7.0 + cm) is treated by RIRS and Moses technology."

Bidadi Industries Association (BIA) Celebrates Environment Month, Promoting ‘Beat The Plastic’ Campaign

* Involved various industry members along with strong participation from Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) employees, actively taking part in the clean-up drives and various other eco-initiatives

Bidadi Industries Association (BIA) successfully concluded their month-long clean-up drives in the Bidadi Industrial Area, marking the environment-month celebration, reaffirming their commitment to community and sustainability initiatives. The campaign, centred around the theme of "Beat the Plastic Pollution," aimed to create awareness among the community and promote eco-friendly practices.

Plastic pollution emerges as a grave menace, disrupting the delicate balance of our environment and its inhabitants. The repercussions are far-reaching as plastic pollution disturbs the harmony of ecosystems, tainting the purity of soil and water. Recognizing the severity of the issue, BIA centred the plastic clean-up drives, which garnered an overwhelming response from Bidadi’s industry-based employees and volunteers showcasing their collective dedication towards environmental conservation. These initiatives also witnessed the strong active participation of the employees from Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) contributing to the good cause of the environment. More than 500 employees, from various industries located in BIA, along with their families voluntarily & enthusiastically participated in multiple eco-driven activities.

Furthermore, a range of engaging activities were also organized, such as eco competitions, including essay writing, environment posters, and best eco practices, to educate and inspire the participants and the community at large, about the significance of preserving our planet. In addition, the campaign featured a street play by engineering students to raise awareness about plastic pollution and its detrimental effects. Community dustbins were also installed to facilitate proper waste disposal and contribute to maintaining a clean and safe environment. The joint efforts of BIA along with TKM reinforces the commitment to building a safe and sustainable industrial area, creating opportunities for growth, and contributing to the overall development of the region.

This month-long environmental campaign culminated with a Valedictory Session including prize distribution to the participants, appreciated for their strong eco-efforts. This also served as an opportunity for participants to reflect on their joint efforts and the positive impact they have made in creating a cleaner and safer environment in Bidadi Industrial Area. This important occasion was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including the Chief Guest, Shri. H. C. Balakrishna, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly representing the Magadi Constituency, Karnataka, and the Guest of Honour, Mr. V. C. Mohan, Senior General Manager at Bosch Limited. The campaign's impact will continue to resonate, inspiring individuals and organizations to take proactive steps towards a more sustainable future.

BIA has taken proactive measures to minimize its environmental impact and align with sustainability objectives. In 2020, under the guidance of TKM and with the collaboration of other industries, BIA established the Centralized Solid Waste Management Facility (CSWMF), capable of processing 10 tons of municipal waste per day. Presently, in addition to collecting segregated waste from designated pickup points in 11 neighbouring villages, BIA has successfully onboarded 121 member industries who utilize CSWMF for the disposal of their non-industrial, non-hazardous municipal solid waste in compliance with KSPCB (Karnataka State Pollution Control Board) regulations. This initiative ensures that no waste is directed to landfills, thereby fostering a clean and waste-free environment in the industrial area.

Present at the occasion, Shri. H C Balakrishna, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly representing the Magadi Constituency, Karnataka, said, "We commend the continued efforts of Bidadi Industries Association, including their month-long eco initiatives conducted in the Bidadi Industrial Area. The plastic pollution is a serious concern that requires collective action, and this campaign to 'Beat the Plastic Pollution' is a progressive step towards raising awareness and promoting eco-friendly practices. Such collaborative endeavours play a crucial role in preserving our ecosystems and maintain a plastic-free, safe environment for the community to live. We strongly support such initiatives and encourage more industries to join forces, making a positive impact on the environment and society at large".

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. V. C. Mohan, Senior General Manager, Bosch Limited said “We firmly believe that the path to progress lies in harmony with nature. We believe that environmental conservation and sustainability are not just the responsibility of individual organizations, but a collective duty of all stakeholders. We take pride in being a part of the solution, and our partnership with BIA, along with Toyota Kirloskar Motor is a testament to our commitment to building a sustainable, prosperous, and environmentally conscious future for all. Together, we can create opportunities for growth while preserving the sanctity of our surroundings, leaving a positive legacy for the region's development and the well-being of our communities.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor said “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we firmly believe in the power of collective action and the responsibility we hold towards preserving our environment. The eco initiatives in the Bidadi Industrial Area represented by various industry members including Toyota Kirloskar Motor, is a testament to our sustainability mindset, unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility and environment conservation. Through this campaign, we are not only supporting the cleanliness of the Industrial Area but also fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment.  Through active involvement of our employees, the aim has been to create awareness about plastic pollution, to inspire, change, and instil a deep-rooted sense of environment consciousness”.

The Bidadi Industries Association (BIA) is an independent body, registered under the ‘Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960,’ formed by the industries of the Bidadi industrial area. This has been done under the eminent leadership of Toyota & Bosch, with the support of other large, medium, and small industries operating in the region.

With TKM's ongoing support and collaborative approach, BIA aims to develop Bidadi into an important manufacturing hub in Karnataka. The association together with TKM and other industries, implements need-based social interventions for the benefit of community, where it operates. The partnership functions under the concept of "FOR THE COMMUNITY, BY THE COMMUNITY," and focuses on industry connect, government connect, estate management, community connect, and environment, health, and safety (EHS).