Monsoon Rainfall Increased In 55% Of Indian Tehsils In Last 10 Years Amid Climate Change: CEEW

–Climate change is impacting monsoon patterns across India, with short-lived, heavy rainfall on the rise

–Drier areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, central Maharashtra saw significant increase in rainfall over last 10 years

–11% tehsils saw a decrease, which are located in rain-fed Indo-Gangetic plain, NE India & upper Himalayan region

Majority of India is seeing a surge in southwest monsoon rainfall, with 55 per cent of ‘tehsils’ or sub-districts seeing a significant increase of more than 10 per cent in the last decade (2012-2022), according to a new independent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) released today. This includes tehsils in traditionally drier regions such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, and parts of Tamil Nadu. Out of these, nearly a quarter of the tehsils are seeing a pronounced rainfall rise of over 30 per cent during the June to September period. The CEEW study, Decoding India’s Changing Monsoon Patterns—which is a first-of-its-kind granular analysis of rainfall in more than 4,500 tehsils across India spanning 40 years (1982-2022)—finds fast-shifting and erratic monsoon patterns in the last decade. This can be attributed to the accelerating rate of climate change.

Moreover, the CEEW study finds that the increased rainfall in these tehsils is frequently coming from short-duration, heavy rainfall, which often leads to flash floods. For instance, 31 per cent of Indian tehsils experienced an increase of four or more days of heavy rainfall per year in the last decade (in comparison to the previous 30 years) during the southwest monsoons. As 2023 was declared the hottest year on record globally, and 2024 is expected to continue that trend, the impacts of the climate crisis will be seen in the form of increased extreme weather events. For instance, in 2023, Chandigarh received nearly half of its total annual rainfall in just 50 hours, while Kerala encountered a near 60 per cent deficit in June (IMD 2023).

The monsoons are crucial for the Indian economy and are often regarded as the backbone of the agricultural sector, which employs over half of India’s population. However, the CEEW study finds that while only 11 per cent of Indian tehsils saw a decrease in southwest monsoon rainfall in the last decade, but they are located in the rain-fed Indo-Gangetic plain, northeast India and the upper Himalayan region. These areas are crucial for India’s agricultural output and contain fragile ecosystems particularly vulnerable to extreme climate events.

Dr Vishwas Chitale, Senior Programme Lead, CEEW, said, “As India readies for the 2024 Union Budget, it will be crucial to focus on future-proofing the economy against increasingly erratic rainfall patterns. The monsoons impact the food we eat, the water we drink and also our energy transition. CEEW’s study not only maps monsoon variability—both southwest and northeast—over the past 40 years across India, but also provides openly-accessible tehsil-level rainfall information for decision-makers to assess risks at the local level. With increasing extreme weather events, hyper-local climate risk assessments and action plans are the way to go for India to keep leading in climate action and disaster risk reduction. This will help save lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.”

Further, the CEEW study finds that the increase in rainfall is not well distributed throughout the seasons and months. Out of the total tehsils that saw a decrease in southwest monsoon, 87 per cent of them, located in states such as Bihar, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Meghalaya, saw a decline in rainfall during the initial monsoon months of June and July, which are crucial for sowing kharif crops. On the other hand, 48 per cent of tehsils in India saw an increase in October rainfall by more than 10 per cent, which could be due to the delayed withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the subcontinent. This has direct implications for the sowing of rabi crops during this time.

The study also shows changing patterns in the northeast monsoon—from October to December—which is particularly crucial for peninsular India. The northeast monsoon rainfall has increased by more than 10 per cent in the last decade in approximately 80 per cent of tehsils in Tamil Nadu, 44 per cent in Telangana, and 39 per cent in Andhra Pradesh. Further, Odisha and West Bengal on the East coast and Maharashtra and Goa on the West coast are seeing an increase in rainfall during this period.

Shravan Prabhu, Research Analyst, CEEW, said, “The occurrence of extreme weather events in India such as droughts and floods is closely linked to Indian monsoons. Our research reveals that the Indian monsoons, which inherently show high variability, are seeing even more intense changes over the last decade, showcasing a swapping pattern. To effectively address these emerging challenges, the impacts of monsoon variability on key sectors such as agriculture, water, and energy should be mapped and integrated into climate action plans at all levels — from states to districts.”

Finally, while India experienced 29 ‘normal’ southwest monsoons in the last 40 years, the CEEW study demonstrates the need to analyse it at a more granular district or tehsil level. Using the finest resolution data from the National Monsoon Mission by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the study finds that approximately 30 per cent of India’s districts witnessed a high number of deficient rainfall years and 38 per cent witnessed a high number of excessive rainfall years over the last 40 years. Of this, 23 per cent of districts such as New Delhi, Bengaluru, Nilgiris, Jaipur, Kachchh, and Indore, witnessed both a high number of deficient as well as excessive rainfall years. Therefore, the development of district-level climate action plans incorporating tehsil-level climate risk assessments is crucial to implement adaptation strategies at the sub-national level.

About CEEW

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions and among the world’s top climate think tanks. The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain — and change — the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. The Council addresses pressing global challenges through an integrated and internationally focused approach. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research, develops partnerships with public and private institutions, and engages with the wider public. CEEW has a footprint in over 20 Indian states and has repeatedly featured among the world’s best-managed and independent think tanks. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @CEEWIndia for the latest updates.

Maxivision Super Specialty Hospital Honors Army Day With Specialized Eye Checkups For Armed Forces Personnel And Their Families

* Commemorating the valor and sacrifice of the Indian Army in Hyderabad and Telangana.

In a noble gesture towards the guardians of our nation, Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals, a prominent eye care institution based in Hyderabad, will be conducting free eye screenings for Indian Army personnel as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The screenings are scheduled to take place from January 16th to January 31st, 2024, across all the branches of Maxivision. Maxivision has also received approval for inclusion in the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) in Telangana.

Indian Army Day is commemorated annually on January 15th to honor the brave soldiers who have made supreme sacrifices in safeguarding India and its citizens. Recognizing the pivotal role played by the armed forces, Maxivision aims to contribute to their well-being by offering complimentary eye checkups on this significant occasion.

Mr. Sudheer VS, Group CEO of Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals, expressed the hospital's commitment to supporting the country's defenders. He stated, “It is the responsibility of all Indian citizens to extend their support to our army personnel who keep the country safe. Maxivision would like to boost their morale by offering free eye screenings and checkups.”

Dr. KP Reddy, Founder and Chief Mentor, Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals said “In recognizing the sacrifices of the Indian Army, Maxi Vision is proud to offer complimentary eye screenings. Through this initiative, we hope to contribute to the health and resilience of our soldiers, expressing our gratitude in action”

Dr. C Sharat Babu, Medical Director and Managing Partner, Sharat Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals added “Diversity in health initiatives is as crucial as in any other aspect of society. Maxivision's strategic decision to provide free eye screenings on Indian Army Day is a testament to our commitment to the health and readiness of our soldiers.”

The free eye screenings and checkups will be available at all Maxivision branches, including locations in Hyderabad & Telangana (Somajiguda, Attapur, Begumpet, Madhapur, Kukatpally, Madinaguda, AS Rao Nagar, Dilsukhnagar, Santosh Nagar, Kothapet, Tarnaka, Warangal, Manikonda, Karimnagar, Khammam, Vanasthalipuram), Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Bhimavaram, Narasaraopet, Macherla, Guntur), Tamil Nadu (Trichy, Perambalur, Salem, Tanjore, Madurai), and Gujarat (Rajkot, Jamnagar, Morbi, Surat).

The Retired Army personnel, Amy Personnel, and their family can avail of these services from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm by presenting their ID cards. For those residing in other states and unable to visit the hospital, remote consultations can be arranged by contacting the doctors over the phone with prior appointments.

Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting the well-being of the armed forces and expresses gratitude to the Indian Army for its unwavering dedication and sacrifice.

About Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals:

Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, founded by Dr. Kasu Prasad Reddy in 1996 and subsequently acquired by Dr. GSK Velu in 2011, stands as one of India's foremost and rapidly expanding eye care chains. Maxivision has consistently upheld its unwavering dedication to delivering top-notch and affordable eye care services. Since its inception in 1996, it has proudly served over 5 million patients. Presently, the network has expanded to include over 46+ centers, with continued growth, covering six states in South and West India. Maxivision has its network of hospitals in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat and now entering Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Maxivision Eye Hospital employs a comprehensive approach, featuring four distinct models of care: Super Tertiary Centres of Excellence, Tertiary Care Eye Hospitals, Secondary Care Eye Hospitals, Primary Eye Centers, and Vision Centres: Maxivision Eye Hospitals are equipped to provide the most advanced and critical eye care services.

www.maxivisioneyehospital.com

Bengaluru GAFX With Theme ‘Augmented Intelligence: Powering AVGC’ Is Powered By The Government of Karnataka & ABAI

India’s flagship event in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics (AVGC) sector, organised by the Ministry of ITBT, Karnataka and ABAI; Bengaluru GAFX is all set to be held in the city from 29 – 31 January 2024 at the Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.  

With a focal theme of Augmented Intelligence: Powering AVGC, Bengaluru GAFX will bring together the Animation, Visual Effects, Games & Comics (AVGC) industry for a congregation of knowledge exchange like no other. The event will see the industry, academia, and government, come onto a common platform to deliberate the learnings, trends, challenges and future roadmap of their sector and continue Karnataka’s leadership in powering holistic growth & development of AVGC in India. 

Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon'ble Minister for Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka, expressed “As pioneers in the formulation of India’s 1st AVGC policy and initiative, Karnataka continues its leadership in this rapidly growing sector and has been the home to the world leaders in the AVGC space having left an indelible trail of success and awards on the world stage. It is our vision that Karnataka becomes the skilling epicentre for the global AVGC community as we provide a career pathway through the establishment of more incubators and accelerators in this sector. Bengaluru GAFX is a key convention for us to propagate our plans and schemes to promote our ever-expanding vision in this sector.” 

The ABAI President & Country Head Technicolor India, Shri Biren Ghose said: “The sessions at Bengaluru GAFX 2024 shall celebrate the enormous successes of the past year and identify new vistas of growth and opportunity for the holistic growth & development of AVGC in India. Packed with multiple conference tracks, masterclasses, student competitions, e-Sports competition arena, B2B networking sessions, an exhibition track and much more, Bengaluru GAFX is a must-attend event for anyone involved with imagery, animation and simulation and with the new tech in the audio-visual space has applications in several new areas. Above all ABAI members have helped build an ecosystem taking India’s prowess in storytelling and entertainment to become a recognized “soft power” from India to the world”. 

In the decade-plus of Bengaluru GAFX, several global giants including Walt Disney Animation, Nickelodeon, Paramount, DreamWorks Animation, Netflix, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and many others have chosen Bangalore as their production and programming hub for their creative technology activities. The city has become home to the best talent in the country and has made significant contributions to bring an increasing global work share in the creation of games, movies, and episodic content for these media & entertainment majors among many others. 

The event's past editions have left an indelible impact on the industry, drawing over 4,500+ attendees, 120+ companies, and featuring a spectrum of activities from live conferences to student competitions. With the participation of 40+ colleges, the event featured 18 live conferences, 45 panel speakers, 10 virtual sessions, and 30 virtual speakers across the world, with renowned speakers from Epic Games, MPC, Gamitronics, Hombale Groups, The Mill, Technicolor Games, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts, Netsport Media and many more.  

As Bengaluru GAFX gears up for its latest edition, it aligns strategically with the launch of the Karnataka Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy 3.0 (2023-28). Karnataka, renowned as India's IT hub, is a dominant force in the AVGC-XR sector, commanding a robust 20% share of the Indian Media & Entertainment industry. The state boasts over 300 specialized AVGC studios and a workforce exceeding 15,000, providing a solid foundation for industry growth. Education is pivotal, with Karnataka housing 5 animation institutes, 3 visual effects institutes, and 12 gaming-focused institutes. Initiatives like Digital Art Centers in 27 colleges and an AVGC Finishing School further bolster the state's commitment to nurturing talent.  

This visionary policy endeavours to position Karnataka as a global innovation leader in AVGC-XR technologies, create a robust talent pool, generate 30,000 jobs, and foster sustainability within the AVGC industry. The policy's strategic pillars, spanning skill development to global market access, resonate with the core discussions expected at Bengaluru GAFX, making the event pivotal for shaping the future of AVGC in Karnataka and beyond. 

This edition of Bengaluru GAFX will witness a stellar lineup of speakers comprising industry veterans and thought leaders- including the winners of multiple Oscars, British Arrows, VES Awards, Cannes Golds and prestigious Indian awards.  

Event Registration Link: Bengaluru GAFX India 2024 

For more information, visit: http://gafx.in/  

Coca-Cola India And Reliance Retail Team Up For “Bhool Na Jana, Plastic Bottle Lautana” PET Collection And Recycling Initiative

~Pilot initiative commenced in 36 Reliance Retail stores in Mumbai and Delhi

~ PET collection and recycling initiative to be expanded to 200 Reliance stores in India by 2025

~Aims to collect 5,00,000 PET bottles annually in the pilot phase

Coca-Cola India and India’s largest retailer, Reliance Retail announced the launch of a sustainability initiative titled “Bhool Na Jana, Plastic Bottle Lautana”, focused on post-consumer PET collection at Reliance Retail stores in Mumbai through Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and collection bins. With a vision for a circular economy, this pilot project, aligned with the Government’s Swachh Bharat Mission, has commenced in 36 stores of Reliance Retail including Smart Bazaar and Sahakari Bhandar stores in Mumbai and Delhi, and will expand to 200 stores across the country by 2025 with a target of collecting 5,00,000 PET bottles annually in the pilot phase.

The initiative was launched in the presence of Kazi Irfan, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Solid Waste Management, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), at Reliance Retail’s Smart Bazaar store in Santa Cruz.

The installed RVMs and collection bins will give consumers a convenient way to deposit used PET bottles in exchange for compelling discounts on Coca-Cola India products. The disposed PET bottles will be collected and recycled by Reliance Industries (RIL), a leader in the recycling of polyester and plastics. This initiative will facilitate smooth waste collection by engaging consumers in responsible waste management - transitioning away from a traditional linear economy.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Damodar Mall, Chief Executive Officer, Grocery Retail, Reliance Retail Ltd, said, “Indian families have had the habit of not trashing milk pouches, plastic bottles, even newspapers, daily. We clean, collect them, and hand them over to raddiwalas, who in today’s world are the unique front-end army of recyclers. SmartBazaar, as a modern retailer continues to encourage this habit, with modern methods. Our pilot with our store shoppers, with the support of Coca-Cola India and Reliance Industries, is one such attempt we plan to pursue with our wide network of stores.”

Ms. Greishma Singh, Vice President – Customer and Commercial Leadership, Coca?Cola India and Southwest Asia said, “Through this partnership and platform, we are delighted that we can generate awareness and provide shoppers a convenient way to recycle their PET bottles while they are shopping at their Reliance store.  Partnerships with retail, government, civic societies, and consumer-centric ideas like this one are a powerful multiplier for progress on collection, recycling, and reuse.” 

Mr. Hemant D Sharma, President - Growth and Strategy, Polyester, RIL, said, “Reliance stands as a trailblazer in sustainability and circularity, leading India's charge in transforming waste into valuable resources. Recycling 2 billion PET bottles annually, with a plan to scale it to 5 billion, RIL epitomizes a commitment to sustainability that predates current trends and sets the standard for eco-friendly manufacturing. For over two decades, RIL has championed recycling post-consumer PET bottles, demonstrating a foresighted dedication to a greener, circular future.”

This initiative is a key step toward Coca-Cola’s commitment to collect and recycle the equivalent of 100% of the packaging the company produces as part of its World Without Waste strategy. It will act as an anchor, retaining the sustainability momentum activated by Coca-Cola India’s 'Return and Recycle' initiative in collaboration with Zepto which has witnessed participation from 50,000 households in India and the successful RVM installations across 75 cities in the country, collecting 1 Tonne of PET waste.  

About Coca-Cola India:

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’ offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Charged by Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca Sportz, Smartwater, Kinley, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. Premium products constitute Schweppes and Smartwater. In addition, it offers Costa Coffee- a range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 4 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture initiatives and carbon emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 7,00,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Reliance Retail Ventures Limited:

Reliance Retail Limited is a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), the holding company of all the retail companies under the RIL (Reliance Industries Limited) group. RRL and other subsidiaries and affiliates of RRVL, operate an integrated omni-channel network of over 18,650 stores and digital commerce platforms across Consumer Electronics, Fashion & Lifestyle, Grocery and Pharma consumption baskets. RRVL has partnered with over 3 million merchants through its New Commerce initiative. Reliance Retail Limited is the only Indian retailer in the global Top 100 and amongst the fastest growing retailers globally as per Deloitte's Global Powers of Retailing 2023.  RRVL reported a consolidated turnover of Rs 260,364 crore ($ 31.7 billion) and net profit of Rs 9,181 crore ($ 1.1 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2023.

Adya.ai Raises INR 10.5 Crore In Pre-Series A Round By IAN & Others

Adya.ai, a digital commerce & technology solution provider, has raised INR 10.5 crores in its pre-series A funding round. The round was led by Indian Angel Network’s investors Uday Chatterjee, Romesh Sobti, Sri Prakash, and Hari Balasubramanian. Out of the entire money, INR 3.75 Cr has been raised by the Indian Angel Network (IAN). Other strategic investors also participated underscoring the widespread industry belief in the company's trajectory.

Adya.ai represents a convergence of diverse expertise and visionary leadership. Founded in May 2023 by Shayak Mazumder, CEO and CTO, Archana Mazumder, COO, and Angad Singh Ahluwalia, CBO. Together, they lead Adya.ai's charge toward reshaping India's digital landscape. This latest infusion of capital will empower Adya.ai to further enhance its innovative solutions, strengthen its market presence, and accelerate the development of groundbreaking AI technologies.

Adya.ai goes beyond being a startup; it acts as a catalyst for India's digital transformation. As the Technology Service Partner for ONDC, Adya.ai is at the forefront of a monumental implementation across key sectors such as retail, mobility, F&B, logistics, credit, insurance, and finance. The company envisions a connected, inclusive digital ecosystem that redefines commerce in India.

Adya.ai’s Founder, Shayak Mazumder, commented: “ONDC stands as a testament to India's digital prowess, following the impactful implementation of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar. We at Adya.ai are thrilled to harness our technological expertise to contribute to this transformative force, fostering a digital ecosystem that is not only inclusive but truly transformative for India's economy."

Adya.ai's technology marketplace has facilitated over 10 large enterprise contracts, including collaborations with Canara Bank, Aditya Birla Financial Limited, Hindustan Unilever, and others. With a focus on sectors like CPG, financial services, retail, and mobility, Adya.ai is poised to reshape the digital landscape for major enterprises.

Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder at IAN, said “Adya.ai has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence. We are impressed with their vision, leadership, and the impact their solutions are making. IAN is proud to lead this funding round, and we look forward to supporting Adya.ai on their journey towards greater success."

Uday Chatterjee, Angel Investor & Business Leader, said “Adya.ai is a pioneer providing ONDC ATMA (Atmanirbhar Technology Marketplace by Adya.ai) - an end to end solution built on the ONDC protocol across four domains (retail, logistics, financial services and mobility) in the form of a self serve app studio that will enable enterprises to create their own Apps on ONDC, customise design and UX, manage cloud, security and access controls, integrate inside their existing apps and connect to their existing tech stack.

ONDC is the next master protocol or Digital Public Good which is likely to see explosive growth in the next few years. Adya.ai is ideally positioned to benefit from this growth and has already onboarded a number of public and private sector banks, fintechs and large consumer goods companies as their clients. We are delighted to support Adya.ai in the current fundraising and we hope to energise India's digital story through Adya.ai.”

About IAN Group:

IAN Group is the country’s single largest platform for seed and early stage investment platform with IAN Angel Group, BioAngels and IAN Fund I, the first in the series of VC Fund enabling entrepreneurs to raise from Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 50 crores from quality investors who provide funds, mentoring and global market access. The platform brings money, mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and dynamic CEOs. The platform is sector-agnostic and has funded innovative start-ups across 19 sectors in India and 7 other countries, thereby growing the global footprint of companies. IAN has been listed by Forbes as one of iconic business and economic events of Independent India, over 75 years along with LIC, NASSCOM, RBI, Naukri.com amongst others.

Zee Media Corporation Limited And Greenply Unite To Honour Craftsmen

* Greenply partners with Zee Media to launch the Season 2 of Hindustan Ki Shaan Awards

In a momentous collaboration that amplifies the essence of creativity and recognition, Zee Media Corporation Limited proudly joins forces with Greenply to present the highly anticipated Season 2 of Hindustan Ki Shaan Awards, 2024. This joint endeavour is a shared commitment to pay tribute to the skill and dedication of carpenters and contractors, shaping the aesthetics of our living spaces. The event will telecasted on Zee Media channels along with its digital properties.

Stepping boldly into the digital age, Zee Media Corporation Limited, in collaboration with Greenply for Hindustan Ki Shaan Awards Season 2, is not only primed to unveil a grand celebration of craftsmanship, but also dedicated to amplifying this spectacle across the digital landscape. In the contemporary hub of connectivity, Zee Media Corporation Limited looks forward to orchestrating a meticulously curated promotional extravaganza.

Through strategically shared stories and showcases of the extraordinary creations by carpenters and contractors, their talent is poised to resonate widely. This digital facet of the collaboration adds a dynamic layer, underscoring that Hindustan Ki Shaan Awards Season 2 transcends traditional boundaries, offering an immersive and inclusive experience. Central to Season 2 is the release of the official anthem, ‘Humein Aage Badhna Aata Hai’, a soul-stirring composition by the legendary Padma Bhushan awardee, Shri Udit Narayan. Composed by the highly acclaimed Nilotpal Bora, the anthem serves as a lyrical celebration of the indispensable role played by carpenters in shaping the spaces we call our own.

Yatnesh Pandey, VP of Marketing, Greenply  Industries, speaks on the essence of the awards, stating, "Hindustan Ki Shaan (HKS) Awards is an immersive tribute to the carpenter & contractor community, the heartbeat of the interior design industry. Through various programs, we engage, support and upskill them. With HKS, our endeavour is to recognize the immense talent of the carpenter community and give them a platform to showcase their craftsmanship.”

Echoing this sentiment, Anindya Khare, Marketing Head of Zee Media Corporation Limited, highlighted, "Our partnership with Greenply for Hindustan Ki Shaan Awards Season 2 is more than a collaboration; it’s a collective effort to recognize and honor the craftsmen whose hands create the magic within the walls of our homes. This collaboration is a testament to our joint commitment to fostering an environment that appreciates and applauds the artisans behind the scenes."

To know more about Hindustan Ki Shaan Awards, visit: https://www.greenply.com/hindustan-ki-shaan-awards

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India's leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 16 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528+ million viewers through its linear and digital properties.

Greenply Industries Limited (GIL) is a leading Indian interior infrastructure brand, producing superior quality plywood and allied products , decorative veneers, and Medium Density Fibre (MDF) boards.  It has always been in forefront driving product innovations, ensuring a steady supply of health safe products to its discerning consumers. The Company provides world class interior products for the domestic and global markets and introduced Zero Emission plywood in the country. Greenply is always committed towards developing eco-friendly products and services. With a vision of a greener tomorrow, Greenply will be actively engaged in the environmental and social well-being of the community.

Manipal Institute of Technology Bengaluru Hosted A Faculty Development Program On Universal Human Values

* Over 60 participants enthusiastically registered for this Faculty Development Program (FDP)

Manipal Institute of Technology at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education Bengaluru (MAHE B’LRU) campus hosted an enlightening program on Universal Human Values in collaboration with the National Coordination Committee - Induction Program (NCC-IP), Southwest Region, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). This event, held from January 11th Jan to 13th Jan 2024, The FDP aimed to equip the teachers with the skills and knowledge to impart value-based education to their students.

The program was spearheaded by Dr. Jagannath Korody, Director of MIT, Bengaluru, Prof. T G Sitharam AICTE Chairman,  Dr. Ujjwal Verma, Head, Dept of ECE, & AICTE team members: Dr. Yashvant Patil, Mrs. Priya C V, Dr. B Suryakanth, participants from various institutes, and program coordinators.

The Program commenced with an impactful speech delivered by Dr. Jagannath Korody, Director of MIT, Bengaluru, talk on the importance of involving both faculty and students in fostering human values and honing essential skills. He emphasized the initiative to enhance the impact of education by developing values and skills crucial for personal and societal growth”

Prof. T G Sitharam, AICTE Chairman, said “ Knowledge alone wasn't deemed sufficient; skills were recognized as crucial. India had honed its focus on the skill development of 500 million young people." In line with this philosophy, Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, organized a three-day faculty development program on Universal Human Values (Introductory) from January 11th to January 13th, 2024”

The FDP is a small networking and learning exercise where the participants will learn about the Holistic vision of life, Socially responsible behavior, Environmentally responsible work, and Ethical human conduct. Besides, the participants will also engage in discussions during the sessions on harmony, empathy, and ethical principles that excel in cultural, religious, and geographical boundaries serving as guiding light to human behavior. The Faculty Development Program (FDP) proved to be a successful initiative, drawing participation from both faculty and non-teaching members of numerous colleges in and around Bengaluru.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

Established in 1953, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence and a Deemed to be University. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, honoured MAHE with the prestigious designation of Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. Currently ranked sixth in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience.

MAHE Bengaluru, an off-campus of MAHE, excels in delivering comprehensive education to students, supported by highly qualified faculty, and dedicated mentors. The MAHE Bengaluru campus has an inspiring, future relevant learning ecosystem, on a new age tech enabled living campus. Here, the students immerse themselves, transform and discover multiple choices and opportunities. At MAHE Bengaluru, the potential for growth and the opportunities available are boundless.