SAP Labs India Collaborates With Akshadhaa Foundation To Boost Digital Learning For The Neurodiverse Community

* The program will help neurodivergent individuals build technical and job-readiness skills. 

SAP Labs India announced today its collaboration with Akshadhaa Foundation to launch a digital learning program tailored to the needs of neurodivergent individuals, under its CSR initiative, Code Unnati. The program aims to create employment opportunities for the neurodiverse community by equipping them with not just technical skills, but also job-readiness skills necessary to pursue meaningful careers.  

This digital learning program reaffirms SAP Labs India’s commitment to promoting skill development and employment equity, spearheading a movement towards a more inclusive workforce. Code Unnati serves the youth in the age group of 14-30 years, and provide them with skills, knowledge, and values for a rapidly changing world. This comprehensive skill set empowers youth for lifelong learning and success in an evolving global business landscape. With this, SAP aims to address income inequality by connecting beneficiaries to employment or entrepreneurship opportunities. 

On the occasion, Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director, SAP Labs India; Head of Customer Innovation Services, SAP, said, “At SAP, our vision revolves around creating an inclusive future where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources. We have several initiatives in place to empower neurodivergent community, and this partnership with Akshadhaa Foundation will help us further extend our efforts to the larger community. The digital learning program aims to unlock the full potential of neurodivergent talent by helping them break down employment barriers and enter the workforce. I am confident we will witness an organizational culture that not just empowers but celebrates all of us.” 

On the occasion, Sumana Dutta, Founder & Executive Director, Akshadhaa Foundation said, “The collaboration between SAP and Akshadhaa Foundation epitomizes the power of partnership in fostering inclusion and empowerment. By leveraging SAP's expertise and Akshadhaa's dedication, we are paving a path of opportunity for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism, in the IT industry. Together, we are not only building skills but also breaking down barriers, ensuring that everyone has a chance to thrive and contribute meaningfully. We envision our partnership as a catalyst for positive change, inspiring others to join us in creating a more inclusive and equitable future.”  

SAP's dedication to the neurodiverse community extends beyond its organization to the larger ecosystem. In addition to its ‘Autism at Work’ program, which is aimed at recruiting and supporting neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it has also pioneered a network community of corporates to come together and advocate for neurodiverse employment. The ‘India Autism at Work Summit’ is one such initiative by SAP Labs India that aims to celebrate the success of neurodivergent individuals and create a collaboration platform for the community.  

About SAP  

SAP’s strategy is to help every business run as a sustainable intelligent enterprise. As a market leader in enterprise application software, we help companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: 87% of the world’s total global commerce touches an SAP® system. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers’ businesses into sustainable intelligent enterprises. We help by providing people and organizations with deep business insights and foster collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. SAP simplifies technology for companies so they can consume SAP software the way they want – without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improve people’s lives. 

For more information, visit www.sap.com 

About Akshadhaa Foundation 

Akshadhaa Foundation, an 80G and FCRA registered organization, has been dedicatedly serving the neurodevelopmental disability community for over a decade. Through a range of comprehensive therapy services, special education, vocational training, and community outreach initiatives, we aim to empower individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives and integrate into mainstream society. From early intervention to vocational skill-building, we prioritize holistic development and inclusivity. Our community projects extend the impact beyond our walls, reaching families, caregivers, mainstream schools, and underserved communities. With a proud legacy of impacting the lives of 22 thousand beneficiaries, Akshadhaa Foundation’s “Life cycle Approach” bridges the gaps and fosters a more inclusive society for all. 

For more information, visit www.akshadhaafoundation.org/

First Advantage Releases Q4 2023 India Employment Screening Trends Report

* IT Sector Shows Discrepancy Trends in Q4-23.

First Advantage Corporation (NASDAQ: FA), a leading provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions, announces the publication of its Q4 2023 India Employment Screening Trends Report. The 32-page document is a compilation of anonymized data and analytics from the Company’s background screenings performed for its customers in the Indian market during the fourth quarter of 2023.

In Q4-23, Industries such as IT, Consulting, Manufacturing, Education, and Telecom sectors

had discrepancies in percentages that were much higher than the overall average of 10.53 percent.

Other notable findings include:

·         Employment - IT, FMCG, Staffing and BPO sectors led to a rise in discrepancy in Q4-23 compared to Q3-23.

·         IT, Telecom & Services Industries had higher discrepancies compared to Q3-23.

·         For Employment Verifications - IT, BFSI, Consulting, BPO, and Services

sectors have shown a higher inclination towards alternate modes of verification.

About First Advantage:

First Advantage (NASDAQ:FA) is a leading provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions. First Advantage delivers innovative services and insights that help customers manage risk and hire the best talent. Enabled by its proprietary technology, First Advantage helps companies protect their brands and provide safer environments for their customers and their most important resources: employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants, and drivers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, First Advantage performs screens in over 200 countries and territories on behalf of more than 30,000 customers. For more information about First Advantage, visit its website at https://fadv.com/.

Explore The Fossil Spring 2024 Collection For Fresh Fashion

~Dive into Elegance and reinvent your style with exceptional Timepieces and Accessories~

Get ready to step into the spring season with the Fossil Spring 2024 collection, inspired by the effortless elegance of Kriti Sanon and Varun Dhawan. With a range of classic timepieces, timeless accessories, and leather goods, each piece is designed to elevate your look and ignite your springtime spirit. Whether you're exploring the blooming outdoors or enjoying cozy indoor moments, these captivating accessories are your perfect companions on every journey, effortlessly infusing sophistication and craftsmanship into your ensemble.

FOR HER

Sharing her thoughts on the Fossil Spring 2024 Collection, Kriti Sanon, brand ambassador for Fossil India, stated, “The latest collection from Fossil is truly a dream for every woman." She further expresses, "With accessories ranging from style-forward to timelessly classic, there's something to suit every personal style. Each piece in the collection, be it the iconic timepieces, the innovative watch rings, or the wear-everywhere bags, exudes charm and confidence, making it the perfect companion for the modern woman.”

Timepieces

Introducing our versatile Carlie collection, perfect for any occasion, blending casual flair with a touch of elegance. Boasting a revamped '90s-inspired T-bar and a captivating bracelet design, this watchpiece showcases a sleek 28MM stainless steel case complemented by a silver sunray dial adorned with luminous hands, Roman numeral, and stick indices. Priced at INR 11,995, it's the epitome of affordable luxury and features in gold, rose-gold and silver tones.

Telling time has never been more stylish—or more giftable, introducing the Raquel Watch Ring. These statement-making trendsetters are coveted for their compact size and unique design, making them an instant favorite. Available in rose gold, silver, and gold tones, the Raquel Watch Ring features a rectangular shape, metallic sunray watch face and a flexible band to fit any finger, each adding a touch of glamor to your daily OOTDs. We assure you that these delightful treasures of timeless joy are sure to leave a lasting smile on your face

Accessories

Our Jessie Bucket Bag is every woman's delight, combining space, versatility, and luxury in one elegant package. Crafted from quality rich brown & black leather that softens with time, this modern take on the iconic silhouette exudes sophistication. Enhanced with Fossil's signature Knurling and an engravable Legacy Charm, it comes in two versatile sizes. Priced at INR 19,995, it represents a timeless investment in both style and quality.

Our woven neutral Jessie Bucket Bag , priced at INR 21,995, is an ideal choice for those inclined towards understated luxury. Featuring a central zipper compartment and a detachable shoulder strap, it seamlessly blends practicality with refined elegance, catering perfectly to the needs of the modern woman on the go.

This Jessie Bucket Bag is our reinterpretation of the iconic silhouette, crafted in captivating woven neutrals and adorned with distinctive Fossil design elements including our Signature Knurling and customizable Legacy Charm.

FOR HIM

"When it comes to choosing accessories like watches, I prioritize designs that seamlessly blend functionality and versatility with effortless style, which is why Fossil stands out as the perfect brand for me and every modern man," shares Varun Dhawan, Fossil India brand ambassador. "As someone who enjoys reinventing his personal style and experimenting with new looks, I find the distinctive, well-crafted watches of the Fossil Spring 2024 Collection to be the perfect companions for all occasions."

Timepieces

Rev up your style and make a bold statement with Fossil Sport Tourer watches, where functionality meets the adrenaline rush of racing. These refined timepieces are more than just accessories, they're an ode to the spirit of automotive culture. With a Japanese center second chronograph movement, high-performance tachymeter bezel, and lume hour markers, each watch in this collection is engineered for the road ahead. Can't decide? Take a cue from Varun's favorites—the rugged brown leather strapped timepiece with an off-white sunray dial, or the sleek silver stainless steel watch boasting a bold black sunray dial. Join the race and let your wrist be the ultimate statement of speed and style.

So, what accessories and classic timepieces are you bringing home this Spring season?

Available at select online and offline stores

ABOUT FOSSIL

Fossil is a leading global lifestyle accessories brand inspired by creativity and ingenuity, dedicated to connecting people to what matters most: time. Fossil takes pride in creating timeless and exceptionally crafted watches, leather goods and jewelry—designed to accompany you on every journey life presents. As a trailblazer in the industry, Fossil brings innovation and style to its accessories, while also working diligently to Make Time For Good™, a platform created to enact positive change for the brand’s people and communities. 

GE Aerospace To Invest Over INR 240 Crore In Expanding Its Manufacturing Facility At Pune In 2024

*  Cutting-edge equipment will support planned production increase.

Close on the heels of launching as a standalone company listed on New York Stock Exchange, GE Aerospace has announced an investment of over Rupees 240 crore (~USD 30 million) to expand and upgrade its manufacturing facility in Pune.

The investment will allow the facility to add new projects and manufacturing processes by acquiring machines/equipment and specialized tools along with capacity enhancement of existing products.

“Our team at are Multi-modal Manufacturing facility at Pune has a strong focus on safety, quality and delivering for our customers. I am delighted to see the expansion at this site which has already become a strong contributor to our global supply chain of aircraft engine components,” said Mike Kauffman, vice president, Global Supply Chain at GE Aerospace.

“This investment helps us to continue our growth in aerospace in India, giving us the resources, we need to meet increasing customers’ demand,” said Amol Nagar the managing director for GE Aerospace’s Pune facility.

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in February 2015, the factory produces components for commercial jet engines. These are supplied to GE’s global factories where they are used to assemble G90, GEnx, GE 9X, which is the world’s most powerful commercial jet engine, and the LEAP engines by CFM, a GE and Safran joint venture. The facility has been instrumental in developing local aerospace manufacturing talent having trained over 5000 people since inception in specialized aerospace precision manufacturing processes.

Certified under ISO14001 & ISO45001, the facility has built environmental best practices and stewardship in the community.  For example, 30% of its power consumption comes from renewable sources, it has zero liquid discharge, recycles and reuses 1 crore litres of water(100 million litres) every year and recycling 20 metric tons of plastic.

About GE Aerospace in India

GE Aerospace has been a partner to India's aviation industry for over 40 years. 700 GE Aerospace and partner engines are in service, powering major Indian airlines. GE Aerospace’s defense engines and systems power Indian Airforce’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk 1 and helicopters and Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier battleships and frigates. Its Pune manufacturing facility and 13 local India partners are part of the company’s global supply chain. Researchers and engineers at the company’s 24-year-old John F Welch Technology centre in Bengaluru are building the latest aviation technologies. Learn more about GE Aerospace at https://www.geaerospace.com/in

IBM, Microsoft Collaborate To Launch Experience Zone In Bangalore

* New Experience Zone will enable clients to explore joint solutions and engage with experts that can help them scale their business

IBM Consulting and Microsoft today announced the opening of the IBM-Microsoft Experience Zone in Bangalore, India – a first of its kind for the collaboration. The Experience Zone provides a dedicated space for clients to explore how generative AI, hybrid cloud and other Microsoft products and technologies can accelerate their business transformation journeys and help them gain a strategic advantage.

At the Experience Zone, clients from around the globe and across industries can work with IBM Consulting, in various technology zones, to co-ideate and co-create generative AI powered solutions that leverage Azure OpenAI Service, Copilot and other Microsoft technologies. Within the technology stations, clients can explore business solutions for cloud modernization, data, analytics and advanced AI, customer relationship management, employee experience, finance and operations, IoT and edge, and emerging technology including augmented reality and virtual reality. The Experience Zone also highlights industry solutions for the government, retail and energy sectors.

The IBM-Microsoft Experience Zone will provide clients with access to learn more about how to elevate employees’ talents with next-generation skills and access best-in-class case studies. Clients will have opportunities to connect with peers who are harnessing the power of generative AI in today’s competitive marketplace.

“The Experience Zone represents the shared commitment of IBM Consulting and Microsoft to the co-investment, co-creation and co-delivery of joint solutions for our clients,” said Amit Sharma, Managing Partner - Global Delivery, IBM Consulting. “It brings our ‘better together’ philosophy to life, serving as a hub to foster collaboration and creativity. We are excited to present our clients with the opportunity to leverage the joint capabilities of IBM Consulting and Microsoft under a single roof and help them unlock the full potential of AI and hybrid cloud across the enterprise.”

“We are excited to launch the new Experience Zone in collaboration with IBM, bringing together IBM Consulting’s expertise and Microsoft Cloud technologies and services to deliver value for clients,” said Dinis Couto, General Manager of Global Partner Solutions for Microsoft. “Partners like IBM are key to helping businesses deploy AI and hybrid cloud solutions at scale. This brings us closer to clients and underscores our progress as partners.”

About IBM Consulting

IBM Consulting helps accelerate business transformation for our clients through hybrid cloud and AI technologies, leveraging our open ecosystem of partners. With deep industry and business expertise spanning strategy, experience design, technology, and operations, we have become a trusted partner to the world's most innovative and valuable companies, helping them modernize and secure their most complex systems. Our 160,000 consultants embrace an open way of working and apply our proven co-creation method, IBM Garage, to scale ideas into outcomes. As the only major global systems integrator inside a technology company, we don't just advise – we invent and build what's next together with our clients. Find out more at IBM.com/consulting.

Adventure Awaits: Wonderla Presents Exciting Offers For All Ages!

Wonderla Holidays Ltd, India’s largest amusement park chain, is ready for the celebrations with the festivities around.  With the festivities of Ramzan around, Wonderla has announced a unique offer where visitors can avail tickets + biryani combo starting at just Rs.1899. This limited ticket offer is valid only for online bookings from 11th to 14th April 2024 and visitors can pre-book their tickets from 3rd April onwards.

That’s not it, Wonderla is also back with their Hall ticket offer. The Hall Ticket Offer is a unique discount offer available to students who have taken their 10th, 11th, and 12th exams for the 2023-2024 academic year. By presenting their original exam hall tickets, students can receive a 35% discount on Wonderla park entry tickets. This offer can be claimed both online and offline, but students must have their current year's hall ticket verified at the park before they can enter.

Also, Wonderla Bangalore has announced a Special Combo offer exclusively for college students to unwind and relax starting from 6th April 2024. The special combo ticket of park entry with food starting at Rs 1,550 is available both online & offline bookings. Students between the age of 16 – 24 years can avail the offer and are requested to carry their college ID card to avail the offer during park entry.

Wonderla encourages visitors to book their entry tickets in https://bookings.wonderla.com/ advance through online portal or customers can buy the tickets directly from the park counters or can contact Bengaluru Park - +91 80372 30333, +91 80350 73966.

GenAI Platform Hanooman Enters Into Strategic Partnership With 3AI Holding; Targeting To Reach 200 Million Users In India

·         To be launched on May 01, 2024, Hanooman (now jointly owned by SML India, that unveiled Indias homegrown Multimodal, Multilingual LLM at Nasscom NTLF in Feb 2024 and 3AI Holding, that launched QX Lab AI and Ask QX in Feb 2024) aims to be the most affordable and accessible GenAI platform for Indian users

·         ‘Hanooman’ targets to reach 200 million users in the first year of its launch in 22 Indian languages

·         3AI Holding’s homegrown proprietary patent pending Omega generative AI will now add its capabilities to  ‘Hanooman’ to increase its capabilities and strengths which will have then the potential to develop solutions across diverse industries

·         Hanooman will be a multimodal, multilingual platform that will bring together Text , Voice , Image and Code

3AI Holding Limited, a global AI investment firm from Abu Dhabi, that invests in AI infrastructure and AI foundational companies, today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with SML India, allowing them to jointly own ‘Hanooman’, India’s largest and most affordable, accessible, and attainable multilingual GenAI platform. Seetha Mahalaxmi Healthcare (SML) introduced Hanooman in Feb this year in NASSCOM’s NTLF Techade conference. 3AI Holding’s homegrown proprietary patent pending Omega generative AI will make ‘Hanooman’, bigger and more powerful, which is set to launch on May 01, 2024.

With the newly formed strategic partnership between 3AI Holding and SML, Hanooman aims to reach 200 million users in 22 Indian languages within the first year from the day of its launch. India's 142 crore population has 80% non-English speaking. Hanooman will empower everyone and will be within the reach of masses by coming up with local languages. It will be jointly owned by both parties, each holding a 50% share. With this joint venture, Hanooman will offer its multimodal and multilingual capabilities, including Text, Voice, Image and Code to its users. Through this joint collaboration, Hanooman, a foundational model built in India for India, will create a generative AI ecosystem for the world, enabling budding generative AI platforms to build their applications. It will also be offering the platform to startups and incubate them along with NASSCOM to ensure that Generative AI space thrives and India gets the required boost to lead this space. With its multilingual capabilities and collaboration with NASSCOM, Hanooman aims to benefit both end users and corporations.

SML India and 3AI Holding believe in the fundamental mission of ‘AI for All’, and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two companies is a testimony to this commitment by democratizing the generative AI space for the Indian masses, under the brand name of ‘Hanooman’. This comes at a time when global generative AI companies are eyeing India, making it one of the critical markets for the development and consumption of AI products.

Speaking on the collaboration, Arjun Prasad, Managing Director, 3AI Holding, said, "We are committed to pushing the boundaries of AI innovation to enhance human well-being and societal development. The partnership with SML to power Hanooman, is a step towards our shared vision to provide equitable AI access to the Indian masses. We are focusing on catering to a diverse range of users through our advanced multilingual text capabilities. This collaboration is aligned with our vision of bridging the gap between India and Bharat. We are driven towards making AI inclusive and accessible to everyone in a language of their choice, reaching the remotest corners of the country."

Dr. Vishnu Vardhan, Co-Founder & CEO, SML India, said, "We are excited to partner with 3AI Holding to introduce a more advanced avatar of 'Hanooman,' which will revolutionize how Indians interact with technology. With this strategic partnership, we aim to reach 200 million users in 22 Indian languages within 12 months. 3AI Holding’s proprietary, patent-pending Omega generative AI will further help us expand our reach to the masses in a way that has never been possible before. This will make India a pioneer in the adoption and usage of AI, benefiting a vast majority of people in our country. This collaboration underscores our commitment to India by delivering advanced AI solutions for the Indian masses with application across industries like healthcare, legal services, and education, among others." Dr Vishnuvardhan, MIT alumni has many research projects and collaborations with IITB, MIT, OSU, UIUC and other eminent academic institutes of India and across the world.

Led by Arjun Prasad, a serial entrepreneur, 3AI Holding Limited, an Abu Dhabi based investment firm, is developing the next advanced version of Omega with 665 billion parameters and 20 trillion tokens that will compete with global generative AI platforms. 3AI is backed by the Patel Family Office, a third generation family office from the United States. 3AI Holding Limited recently launched Ask QX, a generative AI platform available in 100+ global languages and 12 Indian languages with 372 billion parameters, garnering more than 14 million users in the first 2 months of its launch. 

Founded by Indian founders, SML India is India's pioneer and one of the first globally to develop multilingual LLMS. Its groundbreaking work includes building India's first full-stack, enterprise-ready Gen AI models, setting a new benchmark in the Gen AI industry.

This joint venture embarks new era of repatriation of technology and talent and both Dr. Vishnu Vardhan, MIT alumnus and Arjun Prasad based out of Abu Dhabi are leading by example. This venture clearly indicates very promising reverse brain drain and holding and settling new talent within the country taking India to its technology prowess positioning. Both the founders were pretty confident that this is the definitive step in unlocking Trillion dollar economy potential from Generative AI for the country.

About 3AI Holding:

3AI Holding is an Abu Dhabi based investment firm whose primary mission is to invest in and create advanced AI systems, with a core focus on building platforms that are reliable and built for the masses. This is achieved through a combination of cutting-edge research, the development of safety measures, and the practical application of these systems through partnerships and products. For more information, visit: https://3aiholding.com/

About SML India:

SML India is an India based company in the generative AI business and is in the process of building a series of large language models (LLMs) that can respond in 11 Indian languages, like Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi, with plans to expand to more than 20 languages. For more information, visit: https://www.smlgen.ai/