RapiPay Fintech And Jana Small Finance Bank Limited, Partner To Unveil The Future Of Hybrid Consumer Banking With NYE Mobile App

* The partnership aims to make financial services accessible to all by combining RapiPay’s vast distribution network with Jana’s digital banking services.

RapiPay Fintech Private Limited, a leading assisted financial service company has partnered with Jana Small Finance Bank Limited to offer digital banking experience to the customers through its financial mobile app, NYE.

NYE App, a B2C digital banking initiative of RapiPay Fintech has integrated wide range of financial services under one user-friendly platform.

Jana Small Finance Bank's mission of transforming traditional banking services through cutting-edge technology and robust security aligns seamlessly with RapiPay's commitment to driving innovation in the fintech realm.

Leveraging RapiPay's distribution network, which digitally serves locations across the country, this partnership brings together the best of both worlds, offering users an extensive range of banking products and services right at their fingertips, ensuring convenience and comfort.

Jana's product line-up, including Savings and Current Accounts, comes with attractive features such as competitive interest rates, auto sweep-in and sweep-out facilities, and unlimited cash withdrawals on current accounts. Now, users can avail themselves of these services without leaving the comfort of their homes/shops.

Furthermore, RapiPay’s payment platform adds an extra layer of security and ensures user-friendly transactions for all customers.

This partnership also aims to empower budding MSME entrepreneurs with the financial resources, flexibility, and management capabilities necessary to drive business growth and expansion successfully.

Commenting on this groundbreaking collaboration, Nipun Jain, CEO of Rapipay Fintech Private Limited, expressed that "We are thrilled to partner with Jana Small Finance Bank in our relentless pursuit of financial inclusion. We aim to transform banking services for our customers through NYE. Our partnership with Jana Small Finance Bank is a testament to our shared dedication of empowering individuals with the necessary financial tools to build a brighter future."

Ashish Saxena, Chief Information and Digital Officer of Jana Small Finance Bank Limited said, "Through our collaboration with RapiPay, we added another opportunity to drive digitalization in the banking sector. This alliance brings us closer to our vision of extending seamless digital banking services to those who remain underserved."

IIM Lucknow And Emeritus Launch CTO Programme To Empower India’s Aspiring And Upcoming Strategic Technology Leaders

* This 10-month programme is designed to help leaders deploy technology effectively and achieve exceptional results at their organisations

With the rapid technological integration and digital innovation taking place around the world, the role of Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) has been increasingly widening, and encompasses a whole-scale technological transformation, ranging from streamlining business models, and modernising technology for digital dividends, to enhancing customer experience. Recognising the pivotal role of a CTO in today’s world, the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow), a leading business school in India, has partnered with Emeritus, a global pioneer in offering accessible and affordable high-quality education to individuals and organisations, to launch the Chief Technology Officer Programme.

This high-impact 10-month programme is curated for new and evolving CTOs and CIOs who want to acquire the nuts and bolts of strategic acumen and innovation to unlock strategic technology leadership. The programme can also help seasoned technology leaders who want to establish strategic tech alignment to drive positive organisational impact and claim a C-suite position as well as business owners and leaders who want to harness technology and innovation to drive digital disruption, achieve and maintain competitive advantage, and spur business growth.

According to the Deloitte 2023 Global Technology Leadership Study, 36% of tech executives say they are generating revenue from data or technology, and another 16% plan to do it in the next two years. The role of CTOs is actively expanding and becoming fundamental not just for business growth but also for supporting the ESG functions of the company along with their sustainability goals. Keeping this expanding role in mind, IIM Lucknow’s Chief Technology Officer Programme’s module has been very carefully designed to acknowledge and train leaders for this role. The module includes Data Strategy, and Data Science Pipeline, Innovating for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics at the Cutting Edge, Leading in Generative AI, Blockchain, and Metaverse, Mastering Cloud Strategy and Adoption, Digitalization of Value Chain, Addressing Algorithmic Bias and Ethical Considerations Sustainability and imperative of ESG Cybersecurity among other topics.

This programme is designed to provide flexibility in learning for participants and includes 100% live online classes conducted by the esteemed IIM Lucknow faculty. It also includes a 3-day campus immersion for networking with CXO peers along with a capstone project, business simulations and real-world case studies. This programme has been designed to help professionals not only gain knowledge and learn about the leading technology functions but also to teach them how to use this knowledge to develop strong strategies and achieve organizational goals.  

Commenting on the launch of the programme, Mr. Mohan Kannegal, CEO, India and APAC, Emeritus, said, “We are committed to bringing high-impact programmes for professionals to upskill, gain in-depth industry knowledge, and learn about the new developments integrating various sectors. The role of CTOs has expanded in the past few years, and we have confidence in the design and module of this programme, and its uniqueness in including essential learnings such as developing a CTO playbook and various new and essential technology integrating various sectors. We are confident that this programme will help these C-Suite leaders with actionable, objective insights to not just play catch-up in this rapidly evolving business world but enable alignment, smarter decisions and robust performance for their teams, drive innovation within their organisation and achieve long-term sustainable business growth. We are excited to partner with prestigious institutions such as IIM Lucknow to drive this growth among CTOs and thereby their organisations.”

The eligibility for this programme includes Graduates/Diploma holders/Postgraduates with a minimum of 10 years of work experience. This programme will commence on December 30, 2023, with a fee of INR 5,00,000 plus applicable taxes. Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded a certificate of completion and will be eligible to receive IIM Lucknow’s Executive Alumni Status which includes various benefits such as executive alumni status, and access to IIM Lucknow’s newsletters, among others. 

About IIM Lucknow

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow is one of the premier national-level institutes of management in India, involved in generating and imparting knowledge in the field of management. IIM Lucknow stands tall on the foundation of an excellent, committed and profoundly knowledgeable faculty, innovative and unique pedagogical tools, and an eclectic and diverse student community with a burning desire to make new paths of its own. The Association of MBAs (AMBA) has accredited the Institute's PGPM, IPMX, and PGPWE programmes. IIM Lucknow is among the five B-Schools in India to achieve the coveted dual accreditations by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). Worldwide, only about 5% of the institutes have acquired AACSB’s accreditation. IIM Lucknow ranks 72nd globally and has a career progression rank of 44 in the prestigious Financial Times (FT) 100 List of Global Business Schools for its flagship PGP (MBA) Programme. The Institute scored high on student employability, career progression and research.

About Emeritus

Emeritus Executive Education offers customised and open programmes in India, Singapore, Dubai and other global locations in collaboration with IIM Lucknow Executive Education, IIM Calcutta Executive Education, ISB Executive Education, Harvard Business School (HBS), MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School, Kellogg Executive Education, Berkeley Executive Education, and Wharton Executive Education, amongst other leading Institutes. Our world-class executive education programmes, supported by eminent programme experts, provide an immersive learning experience integrated with actionable insights and practical business applications. The meticulously curated programmes are delivered in a different range of formats; in-class, online, as well as blended programmes. Our extensive portfolio also includes short 2-4 day in-class workshops, online courses of 2-3 months duration as well as comprehensive learning journeys that run over 6-9 months, customised to an organisation’s requirement. The Emeritus Group has more than 1,750 employees globally and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Palo Alto, Mexico City, New York, Boston, London, and Dubai. Following its $650 million Series E funding round in August 2021, the company is valued at $3.2 billion, and is backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Leeds Illuminate, Prosus Ventures, Sequoia Capital India, Bertelsmann, Accel and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Learn more at emeritus.org/in

Sony India Announces Next-Generation APS-C Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera a6700

* High-precision subject recognition by AI and the latest still image and video performance are condensed into a compact APS-C body for the first time

1.       Highly accurate subject recognition with AI

2.       Excellent video performance compatible with 4K120p1

3.       Mobility, operability, and connectivity unique to a compact and lightweight device

4.       Environmental conscious and accessibility

Sony India today announced the release of its newest APS-C mirrorless camera, the ?6700 (ILCE-6700). This new offering combines the cutting-edge still image and video capabilities found in the latest full-frame Alpha™ and Cinema Line series with the compact and lightweight design of the ?6000 series, resulting in a Sony’s most advanced APS-C mirrorless camera to date. Combining an APS-C back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS image sensor boasting 26.0 effective megapixels with the speed and power of Sony’s advanced BIONZ XR® processing engine, the ?6700 achieves exceptional imaging performance while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.

The camera supports high-resolution 4K video recording at up to 120fps[i], a wide latitude of 14+ stops[ii] for capturing details in harsh or under-lit conditions and features the S-Cinetone™ picture profile found in Sony’s professional Cinema Line for refined movie imagery that doesn’t require colour grading, and it delivers stunning representation of human skin tones.

“With the launch of the ?6700, Sony is steadfast in its commitment to empower creators at every level in India. We are dedicated to providing cutting-edge tools that empowers their creativity. Sony will continue expanding its APS-C lineup, catering to the diverse image production needs of creators across the nation." said Mukesh Srivastava, Head of Digital Imaging Business, Sony India.

1.       Highly accurate subject recognition with AI

The latest APS-C size, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor boasts approximately 26.0 effective megapixels, paired with our advanced BIONZ XR engine for exceptional imaging performance. Standard ISO sensitivity spans 100 to 32000 for both stills and movies, allowing high-sensitivity, low-noise shooting. Enhanced colour reproduction ensures subjects like people and plants are captured with natural hues, while Creative Look features allow unique visual expressions. The AI processing unit is inherited from the "?7R V," enabling high accuracy "Real-Time Recognition AF (autofocus)." Beyond the ?6000 series' human and animal recognition, it now accurately identifies various subjects such as human, animal, bird, insect, car/train, and airplane, catering to diverse creative expressions. When paired with recently launched FE 70-200mm F4.0 G Macro OSS II [iii], it offers 105 mm to 300 mm focal lengths in 35mm full-frame equivalent, leveraging the power of telephoto zoom for high-quality shooting. Additionally, it's compatible with a broad array of E-mount lenses, and Sony’s E-mount lenses covering full-frame and Cinema Line cameras with a single mount.

2.       Excellent video performance compatible with 4K120p1

Harnessing data equivalent to 6K, the ?6700 outputs superior 4K video, including support for high-frame-rate recording at 4K 120fps. It features S-Log3, offering a latitude of 14+2 above, for stellar gradation. Also equipped with S-Cinetone, the ?6700 offers impressive skin tone depiction and subject highlighting, technologies honed through our Cinema Line development, while its AI-driven Auto-Framing[iv] smoothly tracks subjects, eliminating the need for manual camera movement. The body houses a Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe compatible with digital audio interfaces.

3.       Mobility, operability, and connectivity unique to a compact and lightweight device

With a compact design (approx. 4 7/8 × 2 3/4 × 3 in. and weighing about 1 lb 1.4 oz[v].), the ?6700 is highly portable. It claims a user-friendly, touch-operable vari-angle LCD monitor, coupled with a modern touch menu for effortless operation. Customisable front dial and a switching dial for still images, movies, and S&Q modes are also featured. It is also equipped with optical 5-axis in-body image stabilisation system with 5.0 stops[vi] of shutter speed advantage for stills and an Active Mode[vii] ensures stable footage. In terms of connectivity, the camera now supports the Creators' App[viii] for seamless uploads of videos and still images to cloud services.

4.       Environmental conscious and accessibility

Over the past 10 years, Sony has replaced approximately 379 tons[ix] of virgin plastic with recycled plastic in digital cameras and digital video cameras. Recycled materials, including SORPLASTM[x], are actively used for the camera body, reducing environmental impact without sacrificing functionality. In addition, it is equipped with a Screen Reader function[xi] that reads menus and video playback screens aloud to assist operations, supporting the creative activities of a wide variety of creators.

Pricing and Availability

The a6700 camera will be available across all Sony Camera Lounge, Sony Center, Alpha Flagship stores, Sony authorized dealers, ecommerce websites (Amazon and Flipkart) and major electronic stores across India.

Breaking Ground in Academia: MAHE Honors Innovators And Researchers At Grand Convocation

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence, deemed to be University, one of India's leading research focused educational institutions, held a conference to discuss various aspects of its plans to align its academic approaches with the National Education Policy 2020. The discussion was led by Dr H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE, Lt Gen (Dr) M.D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor of MAHE, and Dr Giridhar Kini P, Registrar of MAHE. The MAHE leadership shared the framework for the institution's future operations and academic planning.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)—one of India’s prominent educational establishments and research centers and an Institution of Eminence—hosted a conference addressing various aspects of its intentions towards academic approaches in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The discussion was helmed by Dr H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, Lt Gen (Dr) M.D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, and Dr Giridhar Kini P, Registrar, MAHE. MAHE Leadership shared the framework for the institution’s operations, & academic planning going ahead.

The leadership of MAHE has announced plans for the 31st Convocation ceremony, which will take place over four days, 18th and 19th November and 25th and 26th November. The chief guests for each of the days will be: Lt Gen (Dr.) Narendra Kotwal, SM, VSM, Director and Commandant, Armed Forces Medical Colleges, Pune for Day 1 – 18th Nov; Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), Govt. of India (New Delhi) for Day 2 – 19th Nov; Prof. (Dr.) T G Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi for Day 3 – 25th Nov and Mr Vinod Easwaran, MD & CEO, Jio Payments Bank, Mumbai for Day 4 – 26th Nov. The convocation will facilitate the graduation of more than 7000 MAHE students over the four-day event.

MAHE's leadership highlighted MAHE's plans to transform research and the institution's efforts to internationalize with a focus on changing the paradigm of higher education worldwide. MAHE aims to innovate and foster entrepreneurship on a wider scale. The implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 at MAHE and its anticipated results were also discussed at the well-attended event. MAHE has received accreditation with an A++ Grade from NAAC, and its technical programs hold accreditation from NBA. MAHE's pursuit of excellence is best shown through national and international recognition. MAHE has been making considerable advancements in international rankings.

Chief Guest, Lt Gen (Dr.) Narendra Kotwal, SM, VSM, Director and Commandant, Armed Forces Medical Colleges, Pune, commented, “It is my honour and privilege to be here on this momentous occasion of convocation ceremony at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). Today marks the significant milestone in your lives as you transit from being graduates to professionals who will shape the future of health care.

As you are aware, we are witnessing a period of great transformation, both within our country and across the globe. India’s position and image within the global order today is one of a nation which is

proud of its heritage, confident of its capabilities and certain of its aspirations and goals. For our Nation to achieve its aspirations and goals, it is incumbent upon each one of us to commit to the philosophy of ‘Nation First’.”

Speaking at the Press Conference Dr H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, said, “Our founder Dr TMA Pai, in 1942, established the Academy of General Education as a society to provide technical and commercial education to all interested individuals. He was a visionary leader who excelled in multiple fields. He was a doctor, banker, and educationist all rolled into one. His initial goal was to train those who failed 10th grade in vocational skills like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and masonry. The Academy went on to establish professional colleges in medicine, pioneering the country's first private self-financing medical colleges in 1953 despite opposition. Concurrently, colleges were started in engineering, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture, law, education, management, and more.

Kasturba Medical College, the flagship institution of MAHE, was the first private self-financing medical college founded by Dr. TMA Pai in 1953. It was the 29th medical college in the nation at the time. Today, India boasts over 600 medical colleges, and we are proud that Kasturba has consistently ranked among the top 10 for over 20 years.

Dr. TMA Pai's dream of establishing a university was not realized during his lifetime. His beloved son Dr. Ramdas M Pai, the current Chancellor of MAHE, took over in 1979 and established Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in 1993 by attaining deemed university status from the Government of India under UGC Act 1956. Dr. Ramdas Pai transformed Manipal into an international university township and pioneered Indian higher education abroad. His steadfast integrity has been the foundation on which today's Manipal is built.”

During the Press Conference Lt Gen (Dr) M.D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said “Legacy of our university is built on pioneering efforts of visionary academicians, professors, thinkers, and perhaps, most importantly people who have dared to demand change. MAHE always benchmarks itself against global standards and sets time-bound action plans to achieve its stated goals and objectives. We are counted among the best academic institutions and our strong focus on internalization follows years of building relations with some of the best universities in the world to exchange ideas, cultures and best practices. We are looking into redefining our expertise for further connecting people and thoughts across an international network for the benefit of all our stakeholders”.

While the institution’s top-notch research infrastructure caters to our imminent needs, we will continue to fund and prioritise research in our latest phase of transformation. The Research defines our mindset and has been a hallmark of our excellence over the years. Moving ahead we will seek to continue our research journey with renewed vigour using our formidable national and international collaborations to take our scholarly output to the next level.

Dr Giridhar Kini P, Registrar, MAHE, spoke about the upcoming changes in academics, stating, "We envision MAHE evolving and adopting innovative ideas that address a wide range of academic challenges and provide solutions to overcoming them. Education is at a transformational point: Teaching methods are changing, and education systems are shifting from classroom concepts to more practical, experiential learning. Today's job market demands more from graduates, so we have stepped up our efforts and refreshed our academic assessments to increasingly emphasize innovation and entrepreneurship. This is the age where innovators are valued, and MAHE aims to provide an environment where students don't just learn course content but develop an enterprising mindset. We believe this will define our legacy in the coming years and make a mark on the country's educational landscape. We are also seeing a good placement and admission season and are hopeful that things will further improve. The implementation of the NEP policy is a welcome change and will definitely help build a stronger, value-based higher education system."

Aditya Birla Sun Life US Treasury Bond ETFs Fund of Funds NFO Collects Nearly Rs 200 Crore

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited (ABSLAMC), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited and investment manager for Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, collected nearly Rs 200 crore for its Aditya Birla Sun Life US Treasury Bond ETFs Fund of Funds NFO from 16th October 2023 to 30th October 2023.

Aditya Birla Sun Life US Treasury 1-3 Year Bond ETFs Fund of Funds is suitable for investors with shorter investment horizon and who have a relatively conservative risk profile. Aditya Birla Sun Life US Treasury 3-10 Year Bond ETFs Fund of Funds is suitable for investors with long term investment horizon and who have a higher risk profile. The benefits of investing in these instruments include locking in multi decade high yields for long-term, adding duration to portfolio and an opportunity to earn capital gains.

Notably, when investing through Indian mutual fund schemes, the exposure is not treated as an overseas investment under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and there is no limit to investment value along with non-applicability of Tax Collected at Source (TCS) that makes this a compelling investment option. It also creates a currency hedge i.e. protects against INR depreciation. Lastly, asset class and geographical diversification can also be achieved by investing in these funds.

As per the current regulatory provisions, Mutual Funds can make overseas investments in Exchange Traded Fund (ETF(s)) subject to a maximum of US $ 300 million per Mutual Fund, within the overall industry limit of US $ 1 billion.

Commenting on US Treasury fund of funds NFO collection, A. Balasubramanian, Managing Director & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd, said, "I am happy to share that almost 7000 investors have capitalized on this unique opportunity and invested in Aditya Birla Sun Life US Treasury Bond ETFs Fund of Funds NFO. At ABSLAMC we believe the Federal Reserve is unlikely to hike rates going forward and any increase in yields should be looked upon as an opportunity to buy US treasuries as rate cuts to start from end of next year or early 2025. I firmly believe this passive offering is an excellent tactical opportunity to diversify your investments in US denominated assets. Both funds are open for continuous investment being part of the open-ended product suite." 

Tata Chemicals’ Mambattu Facility Recognised With Gold IGBC Certification For Green Practices

Tata Chemicals Limited, Mambattu Plant, was awarded the Gold rating for the second time in a row under the Green Factory Building project by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Hyderabad. The IGBC Green Factory Building Rating System is designed to promote sustainable and environmentally responsible practices within the industrial sector, addressing critical national priorities such as waste management, water efficiency, energy conservation, and the preservation of natural resources.

The IGBC rating, in effect from September 2023 to August 2026, covers a three-year span. The evaluation encompassed five key environmental categories: Site Selection and Planning, Water Conservation, Energy Conservation, Material Conservation, and Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupational Health, supplemented by an additional category focusing on Innovation in Design.

The IGBC Green Factory Building Rating System incorporates non-negotiable mandatory requirements. These include meticulous documentation of legal clearances, adherence to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards, and the implementation of soil erosion control measures in accordance with the National Building Code (NBC). Tata Chemicals Limited, Mambattu, proactively addressed these prerequisites, demonstrating their commitment to compliance with environmental regulations and standards.

About Tata Chemicals Ltd. 

A part of the US $150 billion Tata Group, Tata Chemicals Limited, is a leading supplier of choice to Glass, Detergent, industrial and chemical sectors. The company has a strong position in the crop protection business through its subsidiary company Rallis India Ltd. Tata Chemicals has world-class R&D facilities in Pune and Bangalore.

Another Mega Order Win For L&T Energy Hydrocarbon In Middle East

The Hydrocarbon business (L&T Energy Hydrocarbon – LTEH) of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has received a Letter of Intent for mega Offshore order from a prestigious client in the Middle East.  

The scope of work comprises engineering, procurement, construction and installation of a new large offshore platform and brownfield work of integration with existing facilities.

Commenting on the award, Mr Subramanian Sarma, Whole-time Director and Senior Executive Vice President (Energy), L&T said, “This mega order from a new customer reaffirms global acknowledgment of our capabilities and marks a key milestone for our offshore business. Our focus continues to be on enhancing competencies and leveraging opportunities arising from our core markets.”

The Hydrocarbon Business is executing several domestic and international offshore projects and is committed to expanding its regional presence across adjacent and business-conducive geographies.

Organised under Offshore, Onshore EPC, Modular Fabrication, Advanced Value Engineering & Technology (AdVENT) and Offshore Wind Farm Business Groups, LTEH offers integrated design-to-build solutions across the hydrocarbon sector to domestic and international customers. With over three decades of rich experience, LTEH has been setting global benchmarks in all aspects of project management, corporate governance, quality, health safety environment (HSE) and operational excellence.

Background: 

Larsen & Toubro is a USD 23 billion 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 have enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.