BNP Paribas Partners With Nasscom Foundation To Empower 300 Women Students From Marginalised Backgrounds

In a move to bridge the digital skill gap among women, BNP Paribas has partnered with Nasscom Foundation to train over 300 engineering women graduates through an employment-linked training project called Skill Development for marginalised Young Women towards Employment.

Marking its first year since launch, this hybrid program is designed for technical skilling of the next generation of women engineers in India from marginalised sections of society. The program is currently working with women engineering graduates from tier two and tier three colleges in Bengaluru, Tumakur, Mumbai and Pune.

“Women’s empowerment has been identified as key lever to a Viksit Bharat by the Government of India. By supporting women-centric skill development and enhancement programmes through philanthropic grants, corporates can lower barriers and carve out an accessible gateway for women to enter into various sectors of the economy and contribute to India's progress,” said Sanjay Singh, CEO and Head of Territory, BNP Paribas India.

“At BNP Paribas, we pursue an active policy of Diversity, Equity and inclusion. Our partnership with nasscom is another step in this direction to drive inclusion in India. Through this partnership, we aim to deepen access to technology skills for economically weaker sections, thereby enabling improved and more inclusive livelihoods in India's digital economy,” Sanjay Singh, added.

The hybrid programme trained students from select colleges on a range of technical skills. These include Python Developer and data analytics and soft skills including (verbal / non-verbal reasoning, numerical aptitude, logical reasoning, business etiquette, problem solving, time management, customer orientation and interview skills.

“The World Economic Forum's 'Future of Jobs' report highlights the urgent need for new-age skills, with 60% of companies recognizing a deficit among candidates. Aligned with the government's Skill India Mission, Nasscom foundation is dedicated to advancing the skills of the youth and fostering equal opportunities for all. In our partnership with BNP Paribas, we embarked on a journey to cultivate a young, digitally skilled talent pool. We are committed to train 300 dynamic young women in tech, empowering them with future-ready competencies that align with the dynamic needs of the job market,” said Nidhi Bhasin, CEO, Nasscom Foundation.

The women students are provided opportunities to secure job offers through placement drives and job fairs conducted by Nasscom foundation. A large percentage of these students, who are in the age group of 18-25 years, have already been placed with companies like IBM, CGI, Unisoft, etc.

About BNP Paribas:

BNP Paribas Group has been in India since 1860 and is among the leading international financial institutions providing a wide range of financial services covering corporate & institutional banking, and personal investment services for individuals. As the second oldest foreign bank in India, BNP Paribas has branches in key metros and has a rich and broad offering across the entire range of corporate and institutional banking products and services, covering flow banking (transaction banking), financing, hedging, global markets, derivatives and investments. Asiamoney has also accorded “Best International Corporate Bank for India” to BNP Paribas in 2023 and 2022.

About nasscom foundation:

Established in 2001, nasscom foundation has been witness to the transformative power of technology for the last 20 years. Part of the nasscom ecosystem, we are the only neutral not-for-profit organization representing the Indian tech industry. We remain rooted to our core philosophy of TechForGood, where our efforts are focused on unlocking the power of technology by creating access and opportunity for those who need it the most. We work on helping people and institutions transform the way they tackle social and economic challenges through technology. We have five key areas of intervention - Digital Literacy, Skilling and Employability, Women Entrepreneurship, Scaling Social Innovation and Empowering NGO Ecosystem.

NEC Face Recognition Technology Ranks First In NIST Accuracy Testing

NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced that its face recognition technology has been ranked the world’s most accurate in a benchmark test*1 conducted by the globally recognized U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)*2. 

In this benchmark test, NEC received the highest performance evaluation in “1:N Identification,”*3 which consists of still images of 12 million different people, by achieving an authentication accuracy rate of 99.88%. 

NEC also ranked first in three other tests*4 – including an aging effects test, in which photos taken more than 10 years prior were used for identification – and placed in the top three in all categories of the Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) 1:N Identification leaderboard that are posted on the NIST website. 

Since beginning participation in 2009, NEC has ranked first in the world multiple times in the “1:N Identification” test, which calls for the highest accuracy of all of the face recognition benchmarks conducted by NIST*5. While working to improve the performance of its core algorithm, NEC has simultaneously rolled out real-world implementations of face recognition, and its face recognition business now operates in more than 50 countries and regions around the world.

NEC face recognition technology has been implemented at approximately 80 airports worldwide and is used in applications including immigration, customs, boarding procedures and customer service. These applications have become one of the primary use cases of face recognition technology. In addition, more than 1,000 organizations have adopted NeoFace Monitor, a system that allows users to log in to their devices using face recognition, improving both security and convenience*6. NEC also continues to be an industry leader in the provision of face recognition cloud services, including more than 1 million registered users in Japan.

Teams

Going forward, NEC’s aim is to increase real-world adoption of its portfolio of biometric authentication systems, “Bio-IDiom*7” which includes face recognition as a core component. NEC will continue to develop and provide solutions for a wide range of use cases, including multimodal biometric authentication*8, which combines face and iris recognition to reduce false positive rates (the likelihood of authenticating the wrong person) to less than 1 in 10 billion, and gateless access control*9, which will improve ease-of-use by accurately authenticating multiple people at the same time. In addition, NEC anticipates the growth of a “self-sovereign society” in which people control their own personal information and will increase its commitment to new business in the web3 space, leveraging technologies such as decentralized identity and blockchain.

NEC is thoroughly committed to following the NEC Group AI and Human Rights Principles*10 in its use of AI, biometric data, and other data, placing the highest priority on privacy and respect for human rights. 

LG Electronics Introduces First Self-Laundry Service At Galgotias University

LG Electronics, India’s leading consumer durable brand,  has announced a new business venture - Innovative self-laundry service for University students. The first self-laundry service is being introduced at Galgotias University in Greater Noida. The ceremony, graced by esteemed dignitaries including Mr. Baek - Executive Vice President, Living Solutions, LG Electronics, Mr Jeon, MD, LG Electronics India, Mr. Kim Division Leader, B2B,LG Electronics India, Mr. Hwang-Division Leader Home Appliances-LG Electronics India, and Mr. Dhruv Galgotia- CEO, Galgotias University, marked the official commencement of this convenience for students. The new self-laundry facility will serve 1500 students.

LG's foray into the Commercial Washing Machine Multi-Housing business introduces a new line of services, bringing self-laundry solutions to college and university hostels. Students will have the convenience of utilizing LG Commercial Washing Machines through the user-friendly 'Laundry Crew' application, facilitating machine reservation, operation, and automated payments.

Commenting on the same, Mr. Hong Ju Jeon, MD, LG Electronics India said, “We, at LG, are committed to enhancing consumer’s lifestyle through innovative products & technologies. With self-laundry service at educational institutes, we are announcing a new business venture aimed at enabling convenience for young students. We will be investing USD 4M in this business & plan to open 200 self-laundry service centres by the end of 2024. We will continue to forge partnerships that drive innovation and help people enjoy a better life.”

Mr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to LG Electronics for introducing this valuable service on their campus and stated, “This partnership will significantly enhance our students' lives, allowing them to prioritize academics and extracurricular activities. We eagerly anticipate a sustainable relationship with LG, emphasizing our commitment to creating a lasting impact and continually improving the student experience on campus.”

LG looks forward to expanding its footprint in the education sector, providing students with convenient and time-saving solutions that align with the brand's reputation for cutting-edge technology and user-centric design.

About LG Electronics India Pvt Ltd               

LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. (LG Electronics), a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc, South Korea was established in January 1997 in India. It is one of the most formidable brands in consumer electronics - Home Entertainment, home appliances*, HVAC, IT hardware. In India, LG Electronics has earned a premium brand positioning and is an acknowledged trendsetter in the industry.  LGEIL's manufacturing unit at Greater Noida is one of the most eco-friendly units among all LG manufacturing plants in the world. The second Greenfield facility is located at Ranjangaon; Pune which manufacture LED TVs, air conditioners, commercial air conditioning systems, washing machines, refrigerators, and monitors.

*Home Appliances include- Refrigerator, Washing Machine, AC, Water purifier, Microwave, Fan, Dishwasher & Air purifier.

Tata Motors Creates Another Industry 1st : Launches Tiago And Tigor iCNG AMT - India’s 1st AMT CNG Cars

Tata Motors, India’s leading automotive manufacturer, today announced the launch of the Tiago and Tigor iCNG AMT - India’s 1st AMT CNG Cars. With an impressive mileage of 28.06 Km/kg, the cars will be available at a starting price of Rs 7.89 lakhs for the Tiago iCNG and Rs 8.84 lakhs for the Tigor iCNG (Ex-showroom Delhi). Adding to the current color palate, the company will be introducing an interesting new Tornado Blue in the Tiago, Grassland Beige in Tiago NRG and a Meteor Bronze in the Tigor. 

Commenting on launch, Mr. Amit Kamat, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, “CNG, known for its widespread availability and accessibility, has garnered considerable acceptance over the years. Tata Motors has revolutionized the CNG segment with various industry firsts like the twin-cylinder technology (helping provide no compromise boot space), high end feature choices and direct start in CNG. In the past 24 months we have sold more than 1.3 lakh CNG vehicles. In our effort to further drive volumes and provide our customers with the best, we are now proudly launching the Tiago and the Tigor iCNG in AMT—Introducing India to its 1st AMT CNG Cars.

“Tata Motors boasts of the widest CNG portfolio, including Tiago, Tigor, Altroz and the Punch. As one of the top 2 brands in the CNG market, we have experienced a remarkable 67.9% growth in CNG sales in FY24 compared to the previous year. With the introduction of these Intelligent, Safe and Powerful twins, we are confident to further improve demand for this fuel option, in turn continuing to sustain our growth momentum in passenger cars.”

For more details on the product, please visit your nearest Tata Motors authorized dealership or visit the company’s website at https://cars.tatamotors.com/

Narayana Health Unveils State-Of-The-Art Rehabilitation Centre

Narayana Health, one of India’s leading healthcare providers, proudly announces the inauguration of its advanced Rehabilitation Centre at Hebbagodi in Electronic City, today. This state-of-the-art facility shall provide comprehensive care for patients requiring advanced rehabilitation services following an acute illness, underscoring Narayana Health's unwavering dedication to healthcare excellence.

The inauguration ceremony, was graced by prominent dignitaries including Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Health and Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka.

In his address at the inauguration, Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao commended Narayana Health for its commitment to addressing the critical need for top-tier post-acute rehabilitation services in the state. He praised the institution's holistic approach and emphasized the importance of personalized care facilitated by a team of experienced specialists and support staff.

Highlighting the key features of the Centre, Dr Devi Shetty said, "Our rehabilitation facility is very unique. The centre offers cutting-edge, cost-effective rehabilitation, catering to both in-patient and out-patient needs. What sets us apart is the seamless integration of clinical support from our multispecialty centre with rehabilitation that is done in a very serene environment conducive to healing. This ensures a continuum of care rarely found elsewhere. The initiative is a hallmark of Narayana Health’s commitment to provide comprehensive care and to constantly improve our patient outcomes."

Dr Emmanuel Rupert, CEO of Narayana Health emphasized that the centre would fill the gap in rehabilitative services that is present in healthcare delivery. Dr Srikant Venkatakrishnan,  Head of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, said “Our strength lies in our multidisciplinary team, comprising Rehabilitation Physicians/Physiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, orthotists,  psychologists and clinical social workers. We provide customized care plans for our patients focusing on functional goal setting, seeking to maximise patient outcomes. We seek to incorporate advances in health care and facilitate community re-integration of our patients and their families. “

The Narayana Health Rehabilitation Centre offers a comprehensive range of services, including post stroke rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury care, spinal cord injury management, cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation, chronic pain management amongst others. The centre is managed with the latest rehabilitation protocols and clinical equipment such as gamified rehabilitation, body weight support systems, virtual reality, automated assistive technology in addition to standard rehabilitation devices. With a focus on enhancing functional independence and reducing caregiver burden, the Centre endeavors to empower patients and their families towards holistic recovery and societal integration.

In addition to providing expert medical care, the Centre is committed to community engagement and wellness.

About Narayana Health

Narayana Health, founded by the visionary cardiac surgeon Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty and headquartered in Bengaluru, is a leading presence in the global healthcare landscape. As one of the largest healthcare providers in India, Narayana Health offers a comprehensive range of super-specialty tertiary care facilities, establishing itself as the ultimate destination for healthcare needs. Narayana Health has grown exponentially, expanding its reach to include a vast network of 45 healthcare facilities, both domestically and internationally. This network comprises 18 owned/operated hospitals, one managed hospital, three heart centers, 21 primary healthcare facilities, and a hospital in the Cayman Islands. With a total bed capacity of 6,164 beds, Narayana Health is committed to its mission of providing high-quality healthcare services to those in need.

Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP) Makes Strides, Creating Road Safety Champions By Adopting ‘Child-To-Community Approach

In a concerted effort towards road safety, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has been actively working towards creating a safer road environment through its Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP) - "Road Safety – My Right My Responsibility’. In line with the same, the company announced the culmination of its TSEP annual event held at IISc, Bangalore, witnessing the presence of Chief Guest – Mr. M. N. Anucheth, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Government of Karnataka, Guests of Honour – Mr. C. Mallikarjun, Additional Commissioner of Transport Government of Karnataka, Dr. G. Gururaj, Former Director of NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences) & Consultant on Road Safety, Jury Members (incl. representatives from IISc, IIM, media, etc.) and TKM’s Senior Executive – Mr. Sudeep S. Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, and Senior Vice President & Director. With a mission to instil a sense of responsibility amongst future road users, TKM has strategically designed TSEP so that to reach out to the school children and transform them into road safety ambassadors.

TSEP adopts a distinctive ABC Approach – raising Awareness about road safety rules, promoting Behavioural Changes, and engaging in impactful Campaign. The program serves as a robust initiative designed to instil a profound understanding of road safety rules, induce positive and behavioural transformations, and further promote road safety. In addition, TSEP also benefits the schools by facilitating well-designed road safety training for the teachers and their capacity building, thereby enabling them to further train the children on this vital matter, while it also acts as a catalyst for the inclusion of this topic in school curriculum.

Following the roll-out of TSEP, 31 schools participated in the inter school club activity. In which, 25 clubs were finalised from across class 5th to 9th, wherein a team of 5 members each were formed by the participating schools’ basis grade-specific competitive road safety driven activities. Further, class-wise themes were framed covering Poster Making by Class 5 students, Road Safety Enactment by Class 6 students, Mad Ad by Class 7 students, Speech competition by Class 8 students, and Fact Video competition by Class 9 students. During TSEP club activities, participating schools submitted their top entries, and the best team were selected basis three primary assessment criteria: Knowledge Level, Behaviour Change Level, and School Interest. While the shortlisting for Classes 5, 7, and 9 completed during the implementation of TSEP at schools, Classes 6 and 8 were shortlisted on the event day via jury round. The TSEP winners represented by school children received exciting prizes, further recognised and awarded ‘Best Teacher’, ‘Best School’ and ‘Certificate of Association’, during TSEP annual event, presented by the chief guest along with the guests of honour and Toyota leadership, appreciating the enthusiasm, good learning, active participation, and contributions towards promoting road safety.

India with its huge population and diverse road networks, experiences a high road accident annually. The report for calendar year 2022* reveals that the number of road accidents, the number of persons killed, and the number of injuries has increased compared to previous years by 11.9%, 9.4% and 15.3% respectively. Further, young adults in the age group of 18 - 45 years accounted for 66.5 per cent of the fatal road accident victims during 2022.

(*As per the publication ‘Road Accidents in India 2022’, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways - Transport Research Wing, Govt. of India)

In this regard, TKM is actively addressing the issue through TSEP, adopting a visionary "Child to Community" approach that goes beyond manufacturing safe cars, to actively ensure the safety of individuals on roads. With specific focus on school children, TSEP aims to cultivate change agents to influence and facilitate road safety practices within their local communities as well.

Present at the TSEP Annual event, Mr. M. N. Anucheth, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) - Government of Karnataka, said, “We commend Toyota Kirloskar Motor for their proactive efforts in promoting road safety through the Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP), thereby contribute to the goal of zero road fatality. In a country grappling with rising road accidents and fatalities, initiatives like TSEP play a crucial role in fostering a culture of responsible road behaviour from an early age.

The 'Child to Community' approach adopted through TSEP is visionary, as it not only enables road safety learnings amongst school children, but also empowers them to become advocates of change within their local communities. TSEP well aligns with the urgent need for comprehensive road safety initiatives in the state.”

Speaking during the TSEP annual event, Mr. Sudeep. S. Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer & Senior Vice President and Director - Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “TSEP aims to empower the next generation to be the architects of change, instil good road behaviour that extends far beyond the steering wheel. Our goal is not only to encourage road safety learnings amongst the children, but to inspire and create a ripple effect that extends from schools to the larger community, thereby adopting a sustainable approach through effective road safety initiatives such as TSEP. As we look back at the success of having reached over 7,90,000 school children through various road safety initiatives, we envision a future where the school children are not just road users, but responsible ones.

Additionally, various road safety initiatives (such as Toyota Hackathon, TSEP, etc) undertaken by the company includes capacity building for teachers, improved school recognition, road safety contributions to national and global priorities (UN SDG3), and development of life skill sets amongst school children.”

TKM has collaborated with more than 44 schools in Bangalore, implementing interactive content, assessments, club activities for experiential learning, intra-school events, and a national championship. The program's learning outcomes includes comprehending safe road user behaviour, advocating for good samaritan behaviour during accidents and instilling awareness of responsible road behaviour among students. Apart from the primary audiences such as students and teachers, the TSEP continues to enhance its outreach to the secondary audiences i.e., community including school bus drivers, family members, and so forth. Furthermore, TKM’s partnerships with various Schools, Bangalore Traffic Police, Think Tanks, and Influencers have played a crucial role in the success of TSEP. The program covers schools across all eight educational blocks of Bangalore urban districts.

Through TKM's dedicated road safety initiatives, the company envisions a future where school children become a responsible road user and contribute significantly to the goal of ‘zero road fatality’.

Big Boy Toyz Targets INR 200 Crores With New Bengaluru Showroom

Big Boy Toyz, a trailblazer in the pre-owned luxury car sector, is thrilled to announce the inauguration of its fifth showroom in Bengaluru, strategically positioned in the city's bustling centre. This expansion marks a pivotal step towards amplifying the brand's digital success, with a focus on driving revenue growth in Karnataka.

Located at Richmond Circle, the new showroom offers an extensive range of high-end luxury cars, including Audis, BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Bentleys, Rolls-Royces and Porsches.

Having witnessed a robust digital business that has already surpassed the INR 100 Crores milestone in Karnataka,  Big Boy Toyz has cultivated a devoted clientele in Bengaluru, where luxury car aficionados have embraced the brand's digital platform for seamless transactions. The new showroom is a strategic response to the growing demand for an immersive, in-person luxury car buying experience.

In a market traditionally characterised by its unorganised nature, the used luxury car segment in Bengaluru has emerged as a goldmine for  Big Boy Toyz, showcasing remarkable growth. The brand's fifth showroom will capitalise on this trend, delivering a meticulously curated selection of pre-owned luxury luxury cars that cater to the astute, value-conscious consumer. In an era of escalating new luxury car prices, the brand is well aware of the discerning buyers who seek not just opulence but also value for their investments.

This strategic expansion aligns perfectly with the current industry landscape, where automotive sales are breaking records year after year.  Big Boy Toyz is primed to make a significant impact, leveraging its existing strong base, as it targets a revenue milestone of INR 200 Crores in FY25 in Karnataka alone.

“We are thrilled to expand our physical presence in Bengaluru. As a customer-oriented pre-owned luxury car brand, we believe our core values and relationship-based dealing are an assurance of superior quality and this trust is what we have are extending to Bengaluru as well with a physical showroom. This is our fifth store pan India and we look forward to providing car connoisseurs with the best luxury car experience from 30 exotic brands. This strategic expansion aligns perfectly with the current industry landscape as well. We are primed to make a significant impact, leveraging our existing strong base, as we targets a revenue milestone of INR 200 Crores in FY25 in Karnataka alone”, shared Jatin Ahuja, Founder & MD, Big Boy Toyz.

With a keen understanding of Bengaluru's demographics and the city's surpassing of Delhi in total car ownership,  Big Boy Toyz is strategically positioned to meet the diverse needs of the flourishing luxury car market in the Silicon Valley of India.

Going beyond mere transactions, Big Boy Toyz is committed to delivering an unparalleled ownership experience. The brand will offer a suite of value-added services, including warranties, buybacks, maintenance packages, body kits, and top-tier car detailing services, enhancing its revenue-driven approach.