India's Digital Startup Ecosystem A Catalyst For Global Healthcare Transformation: Union Minister- Piyush Goyal

* Robots make it to the healthcare conference panel, reflecting the future potential of technology. 

* Digital Health Summit brings the top global leaders for the first time to India 

India’s thriving start-up ecosystem, which is the third largest in the world has an immense potential to tackling pressing healthcare challenges on a global scale, stated the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal. 

Speaking virtually at the Global Digital Health Summit 2023 in Mumbai, Shri Goyal informed that the rise of digital healthcare holds the key to addressing healthcare accessibility issues—a mission that aligns seamlessly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of healthcare for all. 

Pointing out the potential of emerging markets, Goyal stated that India is well-positioned to harness this opportunity. “During the pandemic, India manufactured and provided almost 300 million vaccines to 100 countries showcasing India’s commitment to global healthcare crises,” he said. 

Shri Goyal spotlighted the potential of machine learning in revolutionising healthcare diagnostics, ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to the last mile. “India has also launched the world’s largest healthcare insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat which is a new benchmark in the healthcare space,” he pointed out. 

Dr Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer, Google stated that technology has made it possible for the healthcare system to meet the patients where they are.  

“The benefits should not be limited to a select few who have the ability to access information and services. Equity by design, privacy by design, and security by design are some of the core values on which our systems are built,” she explained. 

Dr DeSalvo informed that almost one- third of the world population come to google asking questions every day.  

“Hundreds of millions of those are related to healthcare. Where we realise that some of the frequently searched information is not available, we work with the partners such as hospitals to create desired content on platforms including YouTube.” She added. 

Dr DeSalvo spoke of the opportunities that digital tools like Artificial intelligence is providing to healthcare companies to scale up their operations today. “Such tools are helping companies working with the ecosystem to spur innovation for companies and caregivers. These digital tools are also helping provide healthcare access to people on the phones,” she said.  

She noted during her interaction that India has taken the lead in digitalisation and telemedicine. “Privacy and Governance frameworks will have to be in place” for the systems to scale, she underlined. 

Dr Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Chair, Global Digital Health Summit, Expo & Innovation Awards stated that this year's Digital Health Solutions Summit in Mumbai is set to be historic.  

“We are shifting our focus from thought leadership to practical implementation, he said that medical science and technology will lead to healthcare space in the future,” he said  

He also informed that this conference would have a Robot as a panellist for the first time in India, which is reflective of the future of medicine, he pointed out.  

About the Event: The Global Digital Healthcare Summit 2023 is a premier event at the forefront of healthcare innovation. This summit convenes global leaders, healthcare professionals, and tech pioneers to explore the latest trends and breakthroughs in digital healthcare. Attendees can expect engaging panel discussions, thought-provoking talks, and technology showcases covering topics like telemedicine, AI-driven healthcare, and remote patient monitoring. With ample networking opportunities and interactive workshops, this summit serves as a hub for collaboration and knowledge exchange. It's a must-attend event for those seeking to stay at the cutting edge of healthcare technology and make meaningful connections in the industry. 

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Recognized And Awarded For Exemplary Electrical Practices By Karnataka State Electrical Inspectorate

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), was recently honoured with the prestigious "Best Electrical Safety Practice & Compliance" award by the Karnataka State Electrical Inspectorate (KSEI), in recognition for its unwavering commitment to electrical safety and compliance in both, its manufacturing areas and company-wide operations. The award was issued in accordance with the Electrical Inspectorate Rating System set by the Chief Electrical Inspectorate to the Government (CEIG) and presented to TKM during the esteemed Electrical Safety Week Final Day Celebration.

The event was presided over by esteemed dignitaries including Mr. B Padmanabha, Associate Executive Vice President, TKM and Mrs. Aparna Pavate, Deputy Secretary, Energy Department, Karnataka State. Mr. Girish, Deputy Elec. Inspector, CEIG, Karnataka State, was also present to acknowledge and appreciate TKM's exemplary benchmark practices.

The KSEI has a vital mission to ensure that all electrical installations within the state adhere to the highest safety codes and standards. As part of this, the Electrical Inspectorate team recently embarked on promoting assessments to identify industries that exhibit exceptional electrical safety practices and performance, where TKM scored high thus receiving this esteemed recognition.

Mr. B. Padmanabha, Associate Executive Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "We at Toyota Kirloskar Motor would like to thank Karnataka State Electrical Inspectorate (KSEI) for the prestigious 'Best Electrical Safety Practice & Compliance' award. Safety is at the core of Toyota’s holistic approach through end-to-end operations from Manufacturing-to-Customers and society at large. Even our products boast of the highest safety standards. We take our responsibility of providing a safe and healthy workplace environment for all employees very seriously therefore every aspect of our operations is meticulously designed to ensure the benchmark standards. Our dedicated team of experts work tirelessly to create an environment where electrical hazards are proactively identified and effectively mitigated. This award serves as a motivation to further elevate our safety practices and reinforce our unwavering commitment to protecting the well-being of our workforce and stakeholders.”

Mr. T N Appachu, CEIG - Chief Electrical Inspector to Government, (KSEI) said "The Karnataka State Electrical Inspectorate places the utmost importance on the safety and well-being of its citizens and is delighted to recognize TKM for their exemplary electrical practices. We believe ensuring the highest standards of electrical safety in industrial operations is crucial to safeguarding the lives and property, of both employees and the surrounding communities. TKM's relentless pursuit of excellence in electrical safety aligns perfectly with our vision of creating a safe and conducive environment for all industries to thrive. Their dedication to adhering to relevant safety codes and standards sets a commendable precedent, and we hope that other companies will be inspired to follow suit. This award signifies the valuable partnership between the government and industry in ensuring a safe and sustainable business environment.”

TKM remains committed to creating a safe and secure environment for its workforce and stakeholders, ensuring that electrical installations are meticulously maintained as per the relevant safety codes and standards.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Launches ICICI Pru GIFT Pro

·         Offers increasing income or fixed income for up to 30 years

·         Designed to offer regular income along with lump sum benefits

·         Customers have  the flexibility to choose the amount as well as the timing of lump sum benefit as per their needs

·         Empowers customers to meet their short and long-term income needs

·         Built-in flexibilities enabling customers to customise the income plan to suit their needs

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched an innovative income plan, ICICI Pru GIFT Pro, which provides customers the option to receive either a year-on-year increasing income or a constant regular income. In addition, the life cover component of this non-participating savings product ensures the family has financial security.

ICICI Pru GIFT Pro allows customers to customise the product to their unique needs by providing a choice of income benefits and premium payment terms, among other flexibilities.

Along with assured long-term income, ICICI Pru GIFT Pro offers customers the option to receive a lump sum benefit. Customers have the flexibility to choose any amount up to 100% of the premiums paid as a lump sum benefit and also select the timing of receiving the benefit. With this feature, customers can plan for life's most cherished milestones, such as owning a house, leaving a lasting legacy for loved ones, or building a substantial retirement corpus.

This feature-rich product also ensures the nominee will continue to receive the income in case of the demise of the policyholder during the income period. ICICI Pru GIFT Pro effectively provides customers with the flexibility to meet both short and long-term income needs.

ICICI Pru GIFT Pro provides a range of premium payment terms from 5 to 12 years, letting customers save as per their convenience and goal timeline. Also from the 8th year onwards, they can start receiving income for as long as 30 years.

Mr. Amit Palta, Chief Distribution Officer, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance said, "We are excited to introduce ICICI Pru GIFT Pro, a long-term savings product with built-in flexibilities that will allow customers to adjust the product to suit their unique needs, thereby enabling them to better prepare for and achieve life goals. Besides the life cover component in the product provides financial security to the family.

ICICI Pru GIFT Pro has been designed to empower customers to receive income as per their financial needs. Significantly, the product will also enable customers to decide the time and quantum of lump sum funds they want, to ensure the fruition of their financial goals.

ICICI Prudential Life has institutionalised a 4D framework with customers at the core, offering ‘diversified product propositions’ as one of the pillars. Besides regularly engaging with our customers to understand their needs, one of the ongoing initiatives is to reimagine life insurance products well beyond the traditional constraints.

Today the customer is exposed to a wide array of products and services which offer the promise of hyper-customisation. Even in financial services, the customer is seeking the assurance that the financial product they are trusting will be tailor-made to their specific requirements and not just be a one-size-fits-all plan.

The other important point we picked up in our engagement with customers was the need to have benefits which could provide some cushion to inflation. Which is why, in ICICI Pru Gift Pro, we are providing customers with a choice to either receive increasing income every year or constant income, both for a period of up to 30 years.

This feature-packed product provides customers with a comprehensive long-term financial savings solution. We believe it offers a perfect blend of financial protection and income with maximum flexibility to tailor the plan to suit one's needs.”

About ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company (www.iciciprulife.com)

ICICI Prudential Life is promoted by ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited. The Company began operations in fiscal 2001 and has consistently been amongst the top private sector life insurance companies in India on a Retail Weighted Received Premium (RWRP) basis. The Company offers an array of products in the Protection and Savings category which match the different life stage requirements of customers, enabling them to provide a financial safety-net to their families as well as achieve their long-term financial goals. The digital platform of the Company provides a paperless on-boarding experience to customers, empowers them to conduct an assortment of self-service transactions, provides a convenient route to make digital payments for purchasing and making renewal premium payments, and facilitates a hassle-free claims settlement process. On June 30, 2023, the Company had an AUM of Rs 2,664.20 billion and a Total Sum Assured of Rs 30.4 trillion. ICICI Prudential Life is listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Limited and the BSE Limited.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Records Its Strongest Monthly Performance, Sells 22,910 Units In August 2023

 

·       Posts Y-o-Y growth of 53% compared to August 2022

·       TKM’s previous best ever performance was recorded in July 2023 with a total sales of 21,911 units

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today reported overall sales of 22,910 units in August 2023, which is a significant increase of 53% compared to the sales of 14,959 units achieved in August 2022. While domestic sales stood at 20,970 units, the company reported exports of 1,940 units in the month of August’ 2023.

TKM also achieved a remarkable sales growth in during the of January-August’23. The total sales accounted to 147,192 units, reflecting an exceptional growth rate of 34.2%, as compared to the same period last year when the company sold 109,669 units. In addition, the enhanced production capacity through three shift operations have enabled TKM to meet the ever-growing market demand.

 In the previous month of July 2023, the company achieved its highest monthly wholesale figures ever by selling 21,911 units, thus showcasing the company's strong performance by consistently maintaining an upward trend in recent times.

Commenting on the sales momentum, Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President of Sales, and Strategic Marketing at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "We are thrilled to report our best ever sales performance by selling 22,910 units in the month of August 2023. Strong sales volume and enhanced demand showcases customers’ ever-growing affinity for the brand. Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Innova Hycross continue to register a strong demand. The  Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Legender is witnessing sustained segment leadership. The Camry Hybrid and Glanza are also strongly contributing to the overall success. We are also elated with the continued strong performance of the Toyota Hilux, the growing customer base indicates the brand’s ability to create extraordinary experiences by nurturing unbreakable bonds with those who desire awesome driving experiences.

 Encouraged by the overwhelming response to our entire portfolio, we are constantly working on expanding our product portfolio to offer customers wider choices. In-line with the same , we announced two new launches in the month of August, The All New Vellfire and The All New Rumion were launched to give customers a choice that fits their lifestyle and  mobility needs and we are very happy with the initial response for both these exciting new launches.

In another benchmark product development in alignment with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’, we recently unveiled the prototype of the world’s first BS 6 (Stage-II) Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle as a testament to our unwavering commitment towards introducing cleaner and greener technologies to meet national objectives. This benchmark project strongly represents TKM’s steadfastness towards shaping a carbon-neutral mobility society in line with Government of India’s initiatives by adopting multiple pathways.

Furthermore, as we get closer to the festive season, we are dedicated to making this period a delightful and satisfying experience for all our customers by being a part of their celebrations and providing them with various offers & benefits.”

ManipalCigna Health Insurance Appointed As Lead Insurer For Karnataka To Create Insurance Awareness Under IRDAI Plan

ManipalCigna Health Insurance, one of India's fastest-growing standalone health insurance company has been appointed as lead health insurer under the State Insurance Awareness Plan in Karnataka by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to expand insurance coverage and create health insurance awareness across the state.

As health insurance expert, ManipalCigna will play a pivotal role in raising awareness, ensuring that citizens of Karnataka have access to insurance coverage. The company's rich expertise, extensive multi-distribution network and innovative approach to health insurance makes it the ideal choice to spread awareness about the importance of health insurance to the grass-root level in Karnataka.

Commenting on this strategic partnership, Prasun Sikdar, Managing Director and CEO, ManipalCigna Health Insurance, said, “We are honoured to take on the role of lead insurer for IRDAI's state insurance plan in Karnataka. Our mission aligns perfectly with the goal of the state insurance plan - to provide easy and lifetime access to quality healthcare to every citizen. By leveraging Manipal Group’s local presence and expertise in healthcare delivery, we are committed to help make IRDAI's visionary goal of 'Insurance for All 2047' a reality for all residents, thereby contributing to the overall financial well-being of the people of Karnataka."

Sikdar further added, “Manipal Hospitals is renowned for its exceptional medical expertise in the state of Karnataka and is a trusted name in the region. With a comprehensive understanding of the region's demographic and health profile, ManipalCigna Health Insurance in partnership with Manipal Hospitals we plan to conduct health camps and other on-ground awareness activities across the region to promote preventive health measures and drive insurance adoption.”

Health Insurance Avashyaka Logo with Kannada TaglineTo drive insurance penetration across the state and spread the message about the value of health insurance, ManipalCigna has also launched a new Kannada tagline “Health Insurance Avashyaka” (Health Insurance is a Necessity) to promote the fact that health and financial well-being isn’t complete without insurance. By assuming the lead insurer role, the company aims to amplify the importance of insurance by actively collaborating with government agencies, local healthcare providers, and community organizations to drive awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and enrollment drives. Further, by harnessing the power of strategic alliances, ManipalCigna is committed to making quality healthcare accessible and affordable to all segments of the population.

Commenting on the initiative, Sapna Desai, Chief Marketing Officer, and India Project Lead - State Insurance Plan for ManipalCigna Health Insurance, said “To cover rising medical expenses one thing in certain, ‘Health Insurance Avashyaka’. Thus, we at ManipalCigna, are proud to spearhead our efforts in creating insurance awareness and driving increased penetration in Karnataka. Through targeted strategic campaigns and community engagement, we are determined to bridge the gap in healthcare coverage, ensuring a healthier and more secure future for every individual in the state."

As per industry report, only a mere 32% of families have at least 1 member covered under health insurance in Karnataka. Additionally, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and respiratory ailments are on the rise, posing significant health risks. Thus, given the current health insurance landscape in Karnataka especially in remote areas, ManipalCigna is committed to raise health insurance awareness in the region.

In the upcoming months, the company plans to conduct several awareness engagement activities to sensitise citizens on the importance of Insurance. By working in close partnership with the insurance industry, the insurance regulator IRDAI, and the government, ManipalCigna aims to bring more citizens under the ambit of insurance, and ensure the benefits of insurance coverage reach each and every individual in the state, particularly in rural and underserved areas who are mostly vulnerable to the financial burdens of medical expenses.

About ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Limited

ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture between Manipal Group, an eminent player in healthcare delivery and higher education in India, and Cigna Healthcare, a global health services company with over 230 years of experience. ManipalCigna is headquartered out of Mumbai and has 77 branch offices covering significant metros and towns. The company has built a strong multi-distribution network of over 60,000 agents and 500+ distribution partners across the country. ManipalCigna also has presence in 400+ cities in India through its distribution network and has a network of over 8700 hospitals across cities including tier I, tier II, and tier III towns in India. To learn more, visit www.manipalcigna.com

o9 Solutions Issues Its ESG Impact Report, Showcasing Initiatives Taken In 2022 And Its Future Goals

o9 Solutions, a leading enterprise AI software platform provider for transforming planning and decision-making, today announced the availability of its most recent ESG Impact Report. The report highlights o9’s sustainability and social responsibility activities, metrics, and results during the 2022 calendar year.

Some of the report’s noteworthy sustainability and social responsibility initiatives include:

Joining the Climate Pledge and committing to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a full decade ahead of the Paris Agreement goal. Additionally, o9 has established its Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) goals, focusing on creating a decarbonization strategy and taking action to reach net zero across Scope 1, 2, and 3 by 2040.

Using o9 Sustainability Solution capabilities, the Company has calculated its carbon footprint and streamlined environmental data collection and analysis to make better, sustainable decisions.

Reaching a 14-point improvement in Work-Life Balance on o9’s annual Employee Satisfaction Survey.

Signing the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion™ pledge, committing to take actions that support a more inclusive workplace for employees, communities and society at large.

o9 began measuring the results of its ESG initiatives in 2021. Its inaugural report, which was released last year, set a baseline that the organization uses to develop yearly key performance indicators (KPIs) and measure the progress of its organization-wide sustainability and social responsibility initiatives. o9’s 2022 ESG Impact report was prepared using well-recognized sustainability frameworks (GRI, SASB, SDGs, or GHG Protocol), and an updated Materiality Analysis was conducted to ensure that the report includes the most impactful topics. To ensure continual improvement across ESG KPIs, o9 enlisted a third party to conduct a limited assurance on key ESG indicators.

Chakri Gottemukkala, Co-founder and CEO of o9 Solutions, said: “It is an undeniable truth that climate change poses a significant risk to both humanity and the planet. Therefore, it is imperative that we scale our actions of responsible stewardship to ensure the health and prosperity of future generations. Leveraging o9’s continued growth and expansion across the globe, our ambition is to become a net-positive business and to leave a positive handprint on the planet.”

Igor Rikalo, o9’s President and COO, added, “In today’s world, sustainability is not just a choice, it’s a responsibility. As a software company, we have the power to innovate and create solutions that not only drive profits but also benefit our planet and future generations. Sustainability is a core part of our business strategy. This means taking a holistic approach, from reducing our carbon footprint and minimizing waste to promoting social and economic justice.”

To learn more about o9 Solutions, visit www.o9solutions.com.

About o9 Solutions, Inc.

o9 Solutions is a leading AI-powered platform for integrated business planning and decision-making for the enterprise. Whether it is driving demand, aligning demand and supply, or optimizing commercial initiatives, any planning process can be made faster and smarter with o9’s AI-powered digital solutions. o9 brings together technology innovations—such as graph-based enterprise modeling, big data analytics, advanced algorithms for scenario planning, collaborative portals, easy-to-use interfaces and cloud-based delivery—into one platform. For more information, visit www.o9solutions.com.

EDII Southern Regional Office Celebrates A Decade Of Impacting And Empowering One Million Potential Entrepreneurs

EDII’s Southern Regional Centre has thus far implemented more than 25+ CSR projects & more than 10+ government livelihood generation projects, supported by HAL, ONGC, ICICI Foundation, Accenture, SBI Foundation, WeAct, Tata Communications, IFCI, Kone Elevators, Adani enterprises Ltd., Aditya Birla UAIL, NTPC, HSBC Bank, Tata Power, Xiaomi Technology, VAL, YES Bank, Walmart, Facebook, Bayer Foundation, ITC Ltd. HP, Reliance Foundation;  Government entities like, Sandhya Suraksha Yojana- Govt. of Karnataka, Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (KDISC)- Govt. of Kerala, MSE Clusters, SFURTI Clusters, NABARD, SIDBI, SVEP Government Departments/Ministries and other entities like NSRCEL IIM Bangalore.

While EDII reaches out to the entire country with its gainful entrepreneurship related activities, in the Southern Region, 18 states & 2 union territories are covered, registering a high incidence of New Enterprise Creation.

The New Mega Southern Regional Office gets inaugurated on 31st August 2023 at the hands of Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) established in 1983 amidst apprehensions about entrepreneurship as a conscious career option, is today the foremost National Resource Institute in Entrepreneurship Education, Training, Research, Institution Building, MSME Growth, Innovations and Incubation. The organization is governed by the Governing Board comprising policy makers, academicians, bureaucrats, entrepreneurs. The board is headed by MD & CEO of IDBI Bank Ltd. Since 1983, EDII has come a long way and is today the much-acclaimed Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

EDII, as the organization is commonly called, was set up with the support of apex financial institutions - the IDBI Bank Ltd., IFCI Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., SBI and the Govt. of Gujarat, in Ahmedabad. With seven regional offices, six international affiliates and 31 branch/project offices, across the country, EDII’s activities are bringing about transformative changes, nationally and internationally. In Southern Region, with a mega office in Bangalore, EDII is majorly working with corporates and government, and is implementing new enterprise creation activities across the region and beyond, thus impacting scores of people across different strata of society.

Under the visionary leadership of Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII, the Institute has achieved unparalleled success, establishing entrepreneurship as a preferred career option, and has also convinced corporates and government about adopting and implementing entrepreneurship related initiatives to achieve empowerment of diverse target groups, leading to inclusive growth.

As EDII’s new mega office gets inaugurated in Bangalore on August 31st, its worthwhile to emphasize some of the pioneering activities undertaken for the entire Southern India.

EDII is successfully associated with Corporates in implementation of several development projects, thus ensuring inclusive growth of communities. Under CSR initiatives, the Institute has targeted skill building and new enterprise creation in a host of sectors including, agro and food processing; handicrafts and handloom, non-farm and agri-allied entrepreneurship; rural entrepreneurship; tourism sector, and several more. Activities ensure a high incidence of New Enterprise Creation, generation of livelihood opportunities as well as employment opportunities. 68,950 People, including more than 10,000 women; representing 23 states; 138 districts and 741 villages have been impacted through CSR collaborations.