World’s 1st Vendor-Agnostic 5G IoT Aggregator Solution Launched By India’s Amantya Technologies, Cientra Techsolution

* ‘Make in India’ solution for the world to be released by Q3 CY23

* Groundbreaking partnership involving Amantya's advanced 5G Core with Cientra's IoT Access to pave the way for developing standards-based scalable platform targeted at global IoT market

* Solution to help seamless migration of legacy IoTs to 5G IoTs without additional capital expenditure; provide comprehensive Private 5G and IoT Solutions 

Amantya Technologies, a leading product engineering company with expertise in providing advanced 5G wireless solutions, and Cientra Techsolution, an engineering design and product solutions company, announced the launch of the world’s first indigenously developed vendor-agnostic 5G IoT aggregator solution targeted at developing standards-based scalable platform targeted at global IoT market. 

Amantya and Cientra have entered a strategic alliance aimed at unlocking unprecedented opportunities in the rapidly evolving realm of 5G-enabled Internet of Things (IoT). This solution will enable the industry to meet the exponential demand cutting across different industry segments including deployment in railways, agriculture, water management, smart cities, smart mobility, etc. The solution is also expected to provide thrust to Government of India’s aim to build future-ready robust systems that seamlessly connect the length and breadth of the country using technology as the backbone.  

"We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with Cientra towards realizing the full potential of 5G-IoT," said Sanjay Bisen, CTO at Amantya Technologies Pvt. Ltd." By leveraging Cientra’s cutting-edge IoT Access technology in conjunction with our robust 5G Core network, we are poised to deliver unparalleled capabilities to our customers and usher in a new era of connectivity and innovation," added Bisen.

Our partnership with Amantya reinforces Cientra’s commitment to driving IoT's evolution in the 5G era. By joining forces, we aim to create a powerful synergy that will enable businesses worldwide to seamlessly leverage 5G-IoT to redefine connectivity and unlock unparalleled opportunities for growth and transformation," said Anil Kempanna, CEO, at Cientra Techsolution Pvt. Ltd.

Amantya and Cientra seek to leverage the power of Amantya’s advanced 5G Core network and Cientra’s IoT Access technology, 5GIG, to transform traditional IoT systems into dynamic and seamlessly integrated 5G-IoT solutions. The alliance will revolutionize 5G network and IoT applications across industries, empowering businesses to integrate conventional IoT devices into the robust 5G network. Recognizing the immense potential of 5G technology, both companies are excited to continue expanding their horizons and exploring a wider domain of use cases across the globe.

Amantya and Cientra share a deep commitment to innovation, and this partnership represents a natural synergy of their complementary expertise and vision. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a connected world where the possibilities of 5G-IoT are boundless.

About Amantya Technologies

Amantya Technologies is leading product engineering and system integration company with proven expertise in next-generation technologies like 5G, IoT, AI ML, edge, and cloud services. The company specializes in building 5G-based solutions for its customers across 5G Labs and Private Networks. It creates positive business outcomes for its clients and helps them stay competitive by leveraging Amantya’s solution accelerators, partner solutions, and deep domain expertise in wireless protocols, integration, testing, and hardware design and development. Amantya works for some of the leading MNOs, ISVs and OEM’s globally and has offices in India (Gurugram, Bangalore and Nagpur) and the USA.

For more information, please visit amantyatech.com 

About Cientra Techsolution Pvt. Ltd.

Cientra is a Bangalore headquartered product engineering services & solutions company. It caters to leading global enterprises across the Consumer, Aviation, Semiconductors, Telecom, Wireless, and Automotive industries. The company has expertise across hardware (VLSI, ASIC, FPGA, SoC) and software (4G, 5G, IoT) engineering, development, and testing domains. It is committed to accelerating the delivery of customized solutions to its clients across the product lifecycle. Cientra has offices in India (Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Noida), the USA, and Germany.

For more information, visit: https://www.cientra.com/

Godrej Locks Revolutionizes Home Safety For Indians With Anti-Pick Technology To Prevent Burglary Attempts

* The new ‘Centaur’ lock features India’s first dual motion technology

The iconic Godrej Locks brand, a business unit of Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group, in an unwavering commitment to providing homeowners with cutting-edge safety solutions, has introduced Anti-Pick Technology across its locking solutions to thwart burglary attempts. Understanding the evolving landscape of security threats, Godrej Locks has harnessed the power of technology to create locks that offer unparalleled safety for modern homes.

As technology continues to evolve, the methods employed by criminals to gain unauthorized access to homes also advances.  Recognizing the importance of constantly updating their products to meet the challenges posed by burglars, Godrej Locks has curated a comprehensive range of innovative locking solutions through seamless fusion of expert craftsmanship, precision engineering, and rigorous testing that set new benchmarks for home safety.

India’s first dual motion Centaur lock is a true testament to Godrej Locks' unwavering dedication to safety. The Centaur lock utilizes dual-motion technology, combining horizontal and vertical latching, effectively performing the function of two locks in one. This groundbreaking design ensures double the safety, providing homeowners with enhanced protection and unparalleled peace of mind.

The Centaur lock incorporates EXS+ technology, combined with hybrid bolt motion, ensuring superior safety and crowbar resistance. The lock's deadbolts engage with the receptacle in two steps: the first throw, like a conventional rim lock, and the second throw, projecting the bolts vertically outward like the Vertibolt mechanism, securely anchoring them in place. To provide homeowners with added flexibility, the Centaur lock's easily reversible latch caters to both inside and outside opening doors. Additionally, the latch puller arrest function prevents accidental lockouts, ensuring convenience without compromising safety. Moreover, this lock is available in three attractive finishes - satin nickel, antique brass, and antique copper, complementing the aesthetics of any home while offering unmatched protection.

Shyam Motwani, Business Head at Godrej Locks & Architectural Fittings and Systems, said, “Our latest Centaur lock represents the culmination of extensive research, expert engineering, and meticulous testing. Its Anti-Pick Technology and hybrid bolt motion make it a formidable barrier against break-ins, setting new standards for home safety. With the rise of advanced burglary techniques, homeowners need safety solutions that can withstand even the most sophisticated break-in attempts. We understand the ever-changing landscape of security threats and strives to stay ahead of the curve by introducing advanced locking solutions. With such innovative design, homeowners can experience enhanced protection. Our campaign ‘Go Live Freely’ has been inspired from this sense of safety itself. We try to convey to our consumers that there is a certain freedom of movement, of lifestyle when one is not constantly worried about their home and its safety. That is the assurance we try to convey through each and every innovation.”

Adding on business aspect, Mr. Motwani said, “As a leading force in mechanical and traditional locks with a 33% market share, we have always prioritized design-led innovations and the seamless integration of technology to deliver exceptional safety. The market is evolving and so is Godrej Locks.”

Godrej Locks, a trusted name in the safety solutions industry, is dedicated to continuous innovation, which has solidified its position as the preferred choice for customers through its cutting-edge and advanced locking technology. The brand aims to ensure the safety and peace of mind of its valued customers with its Anti-Pick Technology and cutting-edge features, making it a formidable deterrent against burglary attempts.

Revolutionary Nano Solution From MAHE Researchers Paves The Way For Water Purification

In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) have unveiled a game-changing technology that harnesses the power of nanoparticles to cleanse contaminated water, yielding pure, safe drinking water. With a patented method, this innovation has the potential to eliminate pollutants from water sources. The exciting twist lies in its reliance on natural resources, rendering it independent of external energy sources.

Dr. Suresh D. Kulkarni, the lead researcher, underlines the distinct advantage of this approach. "What sets our method apart from existing techniques is its self-sufficiency—our process doesn't demand external resources. The purification process is seamlessly driven by naturally occurring elements," he explains. This discovery holds immense promise not only for creating affordable and portable water treatment devices for the next generation but also for revolutionizing water purification on a larger scale. Dr. K. S. Choudhari, a co-inventor, elaborates, "Our breakthrough can be utilized repeatedly, thanks to the magnetic field-driven collection of the purifying agent."

Given that more than 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water, Dr. Sajan Daniel George, Head of the Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, underscores the urgency for scalable solutions that can be economically viable. He stresses the need for innovations that can be readily transformed into commercial products. The researchers are currently on the lookout for industry partners who share their vision of bringing this technology to market. The next phase of their journey involves collaborating with enterprises to facilitate large-scale production. Prof. Narayana Sabhahit, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Technology and Science at MAHE, applauds the initiative, emphasizing the institution's commitment to impactful research that addresses societal needs.

Notably, the simplicity of the synthesis process and the utilization of natural resources open the possibility of involving local communities in the production and distribution of this nanotechnology-based solution. This development presents an opportunity to empower regions grappling with water pollution by engaging them in the creation and delivery of a sustainable solution.

In a world where access to clean water is a pressing concern, MAHE's breakthrough offers a ray of hope—a revolutionary leap toward a future where safe drinking water is a reality for all.

Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund Announces Launch Of Mahindra Manulife Business Cycle Fund

* An Open-ended equity scheme following business cycles based investing theme

* Scheme opens on 21st August 2023, closes on 4th September 2023 and reopens for continuous sale and repurchase from 13th September, 2023

Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund, a joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited ("Mahindra Finance") and Manulife Investment Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., unveils its latest investment opportunity - the 'Mahindra Manulife Business Cycle Fund.' This open-ended equity scheme shall follow business cycles-based investing theme, catering to investors with an appetite for long-term capital appreciation through equity and equity-related securities.

Mahindra Manulife Business Cycle Fund aims to generate capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related securities with a focus on investing in companies and sectors to participate in the business cycles through active portfolio allocation. The fund seeks to empower investors to make well-informed decisions that transcend business cycle divergences by astute monitoring and discerning the junctures using the economic and market cycle parameters.

Anthony Heredia, MD & CEO of Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund, highlighted the significance of this offering, stating, " Through a judicious alignment of economic shifts and market dynamics, we provide investors with an opportunity to add a long-term tactical play to their core fund portfolios. This fund complements our existing product portfolio and is well suited to both one time as well as SIP investments."

Mahindra Manulife Business Cycle Fund will be managed by Krishna Sanghavi, Chief Investment Officer – Equity, who brings over 28 years of experience in the Indian equity markets, along with Mr. Renjith Sivaram Radhakrishnan. Krishna Sanghavi emphasized the fund's core objective: "The fund strategically aims to integrate the economic cycle and market cycle  with a view to construct portfolio based on sectoral preferences depending upon stages of business cycles, in order to generate long-term capital appreciation. At Mahindra Manulife, we believe our new offering Mahindra Manulife Business Cycle Fund is tailored to seize opportunities across market capitalization in equity markets using a blend of top-down Business Cycle/Sector identification and bottom-up stock selection approach.”

The investment approach of Mahindra Manulife Business Cycle Fund amalgamates top-down and bottom-up methodologies, providing a comprehensive strategy. This process shall commence with a thorough identification of the prevailing business cycle and sectoral trends, providing a robust framework for portfolio allocation. During favorable business cycles, the fund will emphasize investments in high-quality companies, ensuring diversification across market capitalizations and exposure to diverse investment prospects. Additionally, the fund shall strategically focus on sectors that correspond with distinct business cycle stages. By integrating these methodologies, the Mahindra Manulife Business Cycle Fund endeavors to optimize returns while effectively managing risk through well-informed sector and stock selection decisions.

The Mahindra Manulife Business Cycle Fund invites investors to embark on a transformative investment journey that aligns with the fluid dynamics of economic and market cycles. The  'New Fund Offer' (NFO) is set to open on 21st August 2023, with the subscription window closing on 4th September 2023. The fund will subsequently reopen for continuous sale and repurchase from 13th September 2023.

NTPC Conferred With Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards 2023

NTPC Ltd has been conferred with the “Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards 2023” at the “Asia's Best Employer Brand Awards” held recently at Singapore.

The Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards 2023 features the top organizations from Asia region having exemplary people practices. The key criteria’s on which organizations are assessed include translating and combining vision with action by aligning HR Strategy, building line to mesh HR Strategy with business and developing competencies for the future to enable a future-ready organization.

The recognition signifies NTPC’s unflinching commitment towards achieving excellence in development and management of Human Resources through continuous process improvement, employee engagement, focussed learning and development, providing career and growth opportunity and employee welfare.

It is an outcome of NTPC’s “People Before PLF” approach which is the guiding philosophy behind the entire gamut of HR policies thus building an enabling and engaging progressive work culture.

NTPC has been in the forefront of adopting and institutionalising progressive and best HR practices in a proactive manner, which have been recognised by various prestigious forums at national and international levels.

In the past, NTPC has won the Gold award in Brandon Hall 31st Annual HCM Excellence Awards®, in the area of Leadership Development and Learning & Development. It was only Indian PSU to have secured this award in area of Leadership Development. NTPC was also bestowed with the prestigious ATD BEST Award instituted by Association for Talent Development, USA, where NTPC ranked best amongst Indian PSUs, besides being the only Indian PSU to have secured this award for the 6th time. NTPC was awarded Winner for "Excellence in Developing Leaders of Tomorrow" and "Excellence in Community Impact" in the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Excellence Awards 2022., NTPC was conferred with the prestigious ‘Role Model’ Award at the prestigious CII National HR Excellence Award In March 2021 and is one of the only three companies in the history of these Awards to have received the Role Model Award.

Such awards recognize NTPC's constantly evolving talent strategy and people practices that are in line with business and workforce requirements and work to create a meaningful environment that fosters business excellence.

Air India Partners AccesRail; Provides Seamless intermodal Travel To 100+ Cities In Europe

* Partnership enables Air India guests to access seamless, on-ground train and bus connections to over 100 cities and towns

* Guests will enjoy benefit of the same baggage allowance on these rail or bus operator services as offered by Air India on its own flights

Air India, India’s leading international carrier, has entered an intermodal interline agreement with AccesRail to boost connectivity options for Air India guests across Europe, including smaller cities without airports.

The agreement enables Air India guests to travel on a single intermodal ticket and take seamless, on-ground train and bus connections to more than 100 cities and towns in Austria, Belgium, Germany, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom via its European gateways of Amsterdam, Birmingham, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Milan, and Vienna. It also allows Air India guests to enjoy the benefit of the same baggage allowance on these rail or bus operator services as offered by Air India on its own flights.

AccesRail is an IATA travel partner with its own designator code (9B), thus making intermodal journeys on a single ticket possible.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer, Air India, said, “The expansion of our global network is one of our key priorities in the ongoing, comprehensive transformation of Air India. This partnership with AccesRail not only helps us to provide our guests easy access to an extended network of destinations across Europe, but also to bridge the gaps in connectivity between India and Europe.”

“Augmenting our network with an intermodal approach also underlines our commitment to environmental sustainability”, Aggarwal said.

Andrew Popescu, Vice President Business Development, AccesRail, said, “We are excited to be launching our Air India-AccesRail cooperation and look forward to continuing with Air India on a global scale with so many of our intermodal rail and coach partners. Through this enhanced AccesRail partnership, Air India will be able, now and in the future, to offer its customers more destinations and more possibilities in a more seamless fashion.”

AccesRail’s extensive network of rail and bus operators for Air India include Avanti West Coast (UK), Great Western Railways (UK), London North Eastern Railways (UK), National Express (UK), Trenitalia (Italy), ÖBB Austrian Railways (Austria), SNCB Belgian Railways, and Thalys (Netherlands/Belgium).

Currently, intermodal tickets with Air India are available for booking through travel agents globally. The airline also plans to extend the facility to its own sales channels progressively.

About Air India:

Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India pioneered India’s aviation sector. Since its first flight on October 15, 1932, Air India has built an extensive domestic network with non-stop flights to cities around the world, across the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Far-East, South-East Asia, Australia, and the Gulf. After 69 years as a government-owned enterprise, Air India and Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata group in January 2022.

Air India is navigating through a major five-year transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI, with an ambition to become a world class airline with an Indian heart. The first phase of this transformation, the taxi phase was recently concluded, and focused on fixing the basics. These included bringing back to service many long grounded aircraft, addition of talent across flying and ground functions, rapid upgradation of technology and strengthening of customer care initiatives amongst others. 

A member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium of leading international airlines, Air India offers seamless connectivity and facilities to passengers all over the world 

DBS Bank India Is Banking On India’s Badminton Stars!

* Partners with India’s trailblazers – Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand

In a move that underscores DBS Bank India's commitment to the country, the bank has announced its partnership with five exceptional badminton stars – Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Treesa Jolly, and Gayatri Gopichand.

DBS Bank has been a part of India's journey since 1994, and it is the largest foreign bank in the country by branch presence. The partnership enables the bank to enhance its brand presence within the country and effectively connect with its diverse audience. The sport of badminton embodies attributes such as precision, dedication, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence, closely aligned with DBS Bank’s core values of being purpose-driven, relationship-led, and innovative.

The partnership has kicked-off with an outdoor campaign, and it will be extended to the bank's social media platforms, official website, internal platforms, as well as throughout its branch network, targeting both customers and employees.

Commenting on the partnership, Shoma Narayanan, Managing Director - Group Strategic Marketing & Communications at DBS Bank India, said, “DBS Bank continues to break boundaries and reimagine banking; we like to think of ourselves as a different kind of bank, rather than fitting into the conventional notions of a 'traditional bank'. Badminton is gaining popularity across India, and this partnership provides a great opportunity for us to extend our support to five young athletes who truly have the potential to be the stars of tomorrow!

These players epitomise our core values both on and off the court, making them perfect partners to champion our brand. With this association, we aim to dial up customer engagement in India and bolster the narrative around our unique phy-gital proposition, suite of offerings, and strong Asian connectivity.”

Ramakrishnan R, Co-Founder and Director, Baseline Ventures added, “DBS Bank has always been a trusted partner, for small and large businesses as well as retail customers. We are excited to help the bank onboard some of India’s most prominent badminton stars as it increases engagement with its customers in India. We are confident that with DBS Bank India’s support, these players will elevate their careers and reach even greater heights, while serving as an inspiration for badminton enthusiasts.”

The five young and promising badminton stars have consistently climbed the global rankings, carving a niche for themselves on the international stage. Former world junior number one, Lakshya Sen, has clinched titles in various tournaments and earned a top-10 spot in senior rankings, with recent wins including the Canada Open and notable performances at the US Open, Japan Open, and the 2021 World Championships.

India's men's doubles duo, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, have reached World No. 2 in Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings. They won three BWF World Tour titles this year, including the Indonesia Open 2023 (Super 1000), Korea Open 2023 (Super 500), and Swiss Open 2023 (Super 300). India's young women's doubles sensation, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, made their mark at the All-England Championship 2022 by reaching the semi-finals in their debut season and repeating the feat in 2023. They clinched medals at the Commonwealth Games and played a pivotal role in winning India's first-ever medal at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023.

DBS Bank continues to break boundaries, and its campaigns have been seen as category-defying in the banking industry. For example, the bank introduced an industry-first online mini-series called "DBS Sparks," which is inspired by true stories and follows a group of young bankers as they navigate their work and personal lives. It showcases how these bankers challenge the status quo, go above and beyond to solve their clients' challenges, and genuinely make an impact in DBS' quest to be the best bank for a better world.

In 2018, DBS Bank introduced its brand promise, "Live more, Bank less." This year, the bank launched a clutter-breaking campaign to further strengthen this promise, while showcasing how it brings simplicity and seamlessness to banking. The campaign encapsulates how DBS Bank empowers customers to dedicate more time to cherish their dreams, pursue their passions, and nurture their relationships.

About DBS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia”  award by Global Finance for 14 consecutive years from 2009 to 2022. Additionally, DBS Bank was ranked among the top 3 on Forbes' list of the World's Best Banks in India for three consecutive years, from 2020 to 2022.

DBS Bank has been present in India for 29 years, opening its first office in Mumbai in 1994. DBS Bank India Limited is the first among the large foreign banks in India to start operating as a wholly-owned, locally incorporated subsidiary of a leading global bank. DBS provides a range of banking services for large, medium, and small enterprises and individual consumers in India. In November 2020, Lakshmi Vilas Bank was merged with DBS Bank India Limited. The bank now has a network of ~530 branches in 19 Indian states.

As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting social enterprises: businesses with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping communities with future-ready skills and building food resilience. In 2020, DBS introduced the "Towards Zero Food Waste" initiative as part of a global sustainability practice to encourage a shift in behaviours and mindsets to reduce food waste.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information,  visit: ?www.dbs.com/India.