AGS Transact Technologies Appoints Vinayak R Goyal As Managing Director Of Digital Payment Subsidiary India Transact Services Ltd

AGS Transact Technologies Limited (BSE: 543451 & NSE: AGSTRA), one of the largest integrated omni-channel payment solutions providers in India in terms of providing digital and cash-based solutions to banks and corporate clients, announces the appointment of Vinayak R Goyal as the Managing Director of its wholly owned subsidiary India Transact Services Limited (ITSL), which offers digital payment solutions. Vinayak previously served as Non-Executive and Non-Independent Director at ITSL, from June 9, 2021 up to June 16, 2024.

Vinayak R Goyal has been an Executive Director on the board of AGS Transact Technologies Limited since 2021. He has been instrumental in developing the growth roadmap for the company’s digital payment business, focusing on driving the Issuance business with initiatives such as Ongo open-loop prepaid cards. Under his guidance, the company is currently pilot testing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the Ongo app, enhancing its capabilities for seamless transactions. Additionally, Vinayak is overseeing the development of a contactless open-loop fuel payment solution within the Ongo app. Furthermore, under his leadership, the Company has made significant headway through strategic collaborations in its Prepaid business.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Ravi B. Goyal, Chairman & MD, AGS Transact Technologies Limited said, “Vinayak’s appointment reinforces our commitment to strengthening our leadership team and driving sustained growth in the rapidly evolving digital payment landscape. As a representative of the new generation, Vinayak brings a unique viewpoint and innovative approach to our digital payment strategy. I am confident that his leadership will be pivotal as we continue to expand our digital payment solutions and enhance our offerings to better serve our customers.”

Mr. Vinayak R Goyal, MD, India Transact Services Limited, said, “Stepping into this role, I'm humbled to lead our digital payments business forward into a new era of innovation and growth. Together with our exceptional team, we're dedicated to shaping the future of digital transactions, focused on delivering seamless experiences for customers across the sectors."

Vinayak R Goyal brings a total work experience of over 9 years across areas such as Business Strategy, Investment Banking, and Fund Raising. He has previously worked with Avendus Capital Private Limited as an Analyst. He holds a degree from Purdue University, USA.

About AGS Transact Technologies Limited (AGSTTL)

Established in 2002, AGS Transact Technologies Limited (BSE: 543451| NSE: AGSTRA) is one of the largest integrated omni-channel payment solutions providers in India in terms of providing digital and cash-based solutions to banks and corporate clients. AGS Transact provides customised products and services comprising ATM and CRM outsourcing, cash management and digital payment solutions including merchant solutions, transaction processing services and mobile wallets. The company operates in three broad business segments, namely, Payment Solutions; Banking Automation Solutions; and Other Automation Solutions.

Ongo is a fast-growing omnichannel digital payment platform by AGS Transact Technologies, which offers convenient payment solutions. Launched in 2015, Ongo offers merchant Acquiring and Prepaid Issuance services. Ongo is a non-bank prepaid payment instrument and offers dedicated open-loop Prepaid solutions for consumers in segments.

AGS Transact Technologies serves diverse industries such as banking, retail, petroleum, toll and transit, cash management and fintech in India and other select countries in Asia. As of March 31, 2024, the company has deployed 248,585 payment terminals and was one of the largest deployers of PoS terminals at petroleum retail outlets in India, having rolled out 41,756 terminals at various petroleum retail outlets.

For more information, visit www.agsindia.com

Introducing Dobra Tapioca Crisps: A Tail Of Modern Recipes With A Traditional Twist

Oxbow Brands is ecstatic to present a premium range of kettle cooked range of Dobra Tapioca Crisps, a gourmet collection with a twist of Indian and Global Flavours for indulgent snacking. Drawing inspiration from the celebrated dishes of Kerala, where tapioca chips are a staple in every house hold, this new offering is the epitome of the brands commitment to high quality, and authentic taste.

Tapioca crisps are naturally gluten-free, high on protein and nutritious substitute for regular potato chips.

Dobra Tapioca crisps offer the Tapioca crisps in exciting Plain Salted, Extra Cheesy, Spicy Kari, Garlic Pickle, Smoky Barbeque, Tangy Tomato, Desi Wasabi flavors to entice all kinds of taste pallets

The exquisite range of Dobra Tapioca Crisps is a celebration of nostalgia and unique flavors, curated to elevate your snacking experience of indulgence, ensuring great taste and nutrition on-the-go.

"We are thrilled to introduce Dobra Tapioca Crisps, a fun twist to traditional recipes offering a nutritiously fulfilling experience" said Rahul Johar Founder & CEO of Oxbow Brands. "With Dobra Tapioca crisps, we aim to elevate the snacking game and offer the real flavours of kettle cooked chips.

Not only a satisfying snack made with freshly sourced tapioca, Dobra Tapioca crisps also serve as an excellent appetizers or side options with your main meal adding a unique twist to your home cooked food.

Pocket FM Teams Up With ElevenLabs; Launches AI Audio Series To Build World’s First Voice AI Capability To Empower Writers

* AI Audio Series has improved its production efficiency multi-fold, and empowered writers to turn their stories into audio series on Pocket FM with one simple click.

Pocket FM and ElevenLabs have joined forces to revolutionize content creation with the launch of AI Audio Series, a cutting-edge Voice AI capability now accessible worldwide. This groundbreaking partnership marks a new chapter in storytelling, empowering writers to effortlessly convert their narratives into compelling audio series with remarkable ease.

The partnership between Pocket FM and ElevenLabs signifies a significant leap forward in Voice AI technology. By harnessing ElevenLabs' expertise in this field, Pocket FM has achieved remarkable milestones in its experimental phase, slashing costs by up to 90%. With this integration, the company has multiplied its production efficiency as well. These advancements not only make audio series creation more accessible but also foster inclusivity within the writing community.

“This is a game-changing, industry-first innovation, disrupting the norm by enabling writers to seamlessly transform their stories into captivating audio series with a single click of a button" stated Prateek Dixit, CTO and Co-founder of Pocket FM. "By enabling this, we've not only empowered the writing community but also made audio series creation faster and simpler, making storytelling accessible  for everyone.”

Pocket FM has successfully produced over 30,000 hours of audio series during its experimental phase and anticipates tripling its content library this year. Currently boasting a collection of over 100,000 hours of audio series, the platform has garnered positive user feedback on its AI Audio Series, with engagement levels matching that of human voice quality.

The platform has empowered writers to bring their stories to life through audio series. By simply navigating to the "Write" tab in the Pocket FM app and selecting "Series," writers can initiate the storytelling process. After ensuring it meets the minimum word count, they can effortlessly convert their story into an audio series with a mere tap, with an option to choose their preferred voice and background music.

“We are excited to collaborate with Pocket FM in shaping the future of audio entertainment,” stated Mati Staniszewski, CEO, and Co-founder of ElevenLabs. “Combining our Voice AI expertise with Pocket FM’s innovative approach to audio series promises to take content production to new heights of efficiency and creativity. It’s an exciting journey ahead, one that we believe will set new standards in the entertainment industry.”

As Pocket FM continues to redefine entertainment with its innovative audio series, and with the company's expansion into various regions across Europe and LATAM, this collaboration will accelerate content strategy and enhance efficiency in content generation. Currently, Pocket FM boasts strong leadership positions in the U.S. and India, drawing audiences from more than 20 countries worldwide.

Beyond publishing, ElevenLabs delivers lifelike, realistic, and emotionally rich AI voices for various applications across 29 languages: from conversational AI and gaming to movie dubbing, as well as medical and accessibility uses. The company offers these capabilities through a number of proprietary audio AI models optimized for specific purposes, such as long-form and multilingual speech generation, AI dubbing, or latency-sensitive tasks.

About Pocket FM:  

Founded in 2018, Pocket FM was built with a vision to redefine the audio OTT space by pioneering the audio-series category. We pride ourselves in embedding the storytelling elements with a layer of content personalization in the longer format that resulted in the emergence of “binge listening” as a consumption habit. Being the only audio entertainment OTT, we have emerged as the preferred digital audio destination for a refined storytelling experience with the audio-series format, riding on our diverse and engaging content. 

The Pocket FM app is available on iOS and Android. To learn more, visit www.pocketfm.com. Write to us for more information - communications@pocketfm.com 

About ElevenLabs

ElevenLabs researches and builds audio AI tools for creators, media, and businesses. Their models use proprietary methods for context awareness and high compression to deliver lifelike, compelling, and nuanced speech, voices, and sound effects across 29 languages. The company’s AI tools are used to voice audiobooks and news articles, animate video game characters, help in film pre-production, localize media in entertainment, create dynamic audio content for social media and advertising, and train medical professionals. It has also given back voices to those who have lost them and helped individuals with accessibility needs in their daily lives.

MAHE-UNB Preceptorship Program Welcomes Second Cohort In Canada

Fredericton, Canada – As part of the academic collaboration between Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and the University of New Brunswick (UNB), the second cohort of seven students commenced the MAHE-UNB Preceptorship program, a key component of UNB's Summer Institute. This initiative, aimed at earning a dual nursing degree, qualifies students to practice in both India and Canada.

The preceptorship program began with a warm welcome ceremony on June 17 at the Harriet Irving Library on UNB’s Fredericton campus. The students, accompanied by faculty members Dr. Linu Sara George, Professor, and Mr. Vinish V, Assistant Professor-Senior Scale, were greeted enthusiastically.

The dual degree program represents a significant opportunity for India and Canada to enhance their healthcare systems through preceptorship pathways. Each cohort at MAHE consists of 25 students, with the program's first cohort accepted in 2022. A third cohort, also comprising 25 students, is set to begin in August 2024.

Graduates of this dual degree program are qualified to work in both India and Canada, and Indian students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), expediting their accreditation process in Canada. During the two-week preceptorship, students will gain practical training and observation experience by working alongside nurses at Horizon Health Network and Shannex Incorporated care facilities. This immersive experience allows them to understand the nuances of Canadian healthcare while sharing insights from the Indian healthcare system.

UNB President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paul Mazerolle highlighted the program’s international recognition and the strong partnership it has fostered between MAHE and UNB. He also noted a joint publication in the Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership on the dual degree model.

Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Health Sciences at MAHE, addressed the gathering via video link, emphasizing the need for cross-border collaboration to tackle healthcare challenges and the joint research opportunities arising from the partnership.

Siddhartha Nath, Consul General of India in Toronto, reassured the students of the consulate’s support and acknowledged New Brunswick’s welcoming attitude towards its growing Indian community. Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training & Labour Greg Turner underscored the government’s commitment to recruiting and retaining nurses, praising the initiative for its potential to reduce employment barriers for immigrant nurses and offer immediate job opportunities to graduates.

During the ceremony, Dr. Linu George, along with Turner, Nath, and Dr. Mazerolle, presented the seven students with red lab coats bearing the UNB logo.

The event saw attendance from prominent figures, including Dr. Lorna Butler, Dean of UNB; Margaret Melanson, President and CEO of Horizon Health Network; Michel Rod, UNB Vice Provost Strategic Enrolment; Catherine MacPherson, COO of Shannex Incorporated; Kate Sheppard, Interim CEO of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick; Dr. Judith Angelitta Noronha, Professor and Dean at Manipal College of Nursing (via video link); Dr. Petra Hauf, UNB Provost and Vice President Academic; Eric Megarity, Councillor Ward 6, Fredericton; and Cheyenne Joseph, UNB Piluwitahasuwin and Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Engagemen.

Tata Motors Launches Fleet Verse, A Digital Marketplace For Its Entire Range Of Commercial Vehicles

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicles manufacturer, today announced the launch of Tata Motors Fleet Verse - a comprehensive and innovative digital marketplace for Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles. The platform offers features like new vehicle discovery, configuration, acquisition, financing, and is future-proofed to include a range of additional services and features, making Fleet Verse a one-stop digital destination for all commercial vehicle needs.

Built on five key pillars, Fleet Verse is designed to consolidate all aspects of commercial vehicle ownership onto a single platform. The Smart Search Vehicle Discovery, enriched with advanced semantic search features allows users to explore Tata Motors’ full range of commercial vehicles of 900+ models and 3000+ variants. With Product Configurator, users can key in their business needs, application, and choices to get the most appropriate vehicle recommendation. The 3D Visualizer offers an immersive experience to view vehicle exteriors and interiors in realistic detail. With Vehicle Online Finance, Fleet Verse partners with major financiers to offer fast and smooth finance applications and approvals. Finally, the Vehicle Online Booking feature enables users to book their desired vehicles in a few easy clicks and get prioritized fulfillment, simplifying the acquisition process.

Launching the Fleet Verse platform, Mr. Bharat Bhushan, Head – Digital Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, With the launch of Fleet Verse, we are setting a new benchmark in the commercial vehicle industry by providing  customers with an all-encompassing digital platform. We aim to streamline the commercial vehicle ownership experience, ensuring it's fast, intelligent, safe, and reliable. This initiative underscores our commitment to innovation and enriched customer excellence, driving growth and convenience for both dealers and customers through digitalized value chains. We are excited to bring this transformative experience to our customers and look forward to continuously enhance the platform with new features and capabilities.”

All transactions on Fleet Verse are rendered through Tata Motors’ extensive pan-India dealership network, using a direct-to-dealer payment ecosystem. Serving as a digital bridge, the platform connects dealerships and financiers directly with customers, streamlining processes from enquiry to vehicle delivery. This enables a transparent, prompt and convenient procurement process for customers and Tata Authorised Dealerships —a true win-win scenario.

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 150 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 44 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fuelled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2024, Tata Motors’ operations include 90 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, five joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.

Robotic Urology Forum Conducts National Conference And Masterclass On Robotic Surgery In Bengaluru

·         The three – day conference had 210 attendees, including surgeons, post graduates, and researchers from across the country

Robotic Urology Forum, a national organization of surgeons practicing the art of robotic urological surgeries, collaborated with Karnataka Urology Association, Bangalore Urology Society, leading medical institutions and technology leaders in robotic – assisted surgery to conduct the 6th Robotic Urology Forum Conference and Masterclass in Bengaluru. The conference was aimed to bring together leading experts, surgeons, and healthcare professionals specializing in the field of urology and robotic-assisted surgery. The three-day conference featured sessions showcasing live operative surgeries focused on urological procedures including partial nephrectomy, renal transplantation, and prostate cancer surgery.

The conference was organised under the leadership of Dr. Raghunath S.K, Organising Secretary, Dr.  Kinju Adhikari and Dr. Ravi Taori, Joint Organising Secretaries. Dr Mahesh Desai, Head of Robotic Surgery & Medical Director at Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital, and Dr N P Gupta, former head of urology department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, were the chief guests at the event. The sessions at the conference were attended by top urologists, surgeons, and researchers exploring cutting-edge robotic urological surgery techniques.

Commenting on the successful conclusion of the conference, Dr.  Raghunath S.K, Organising Secretary of RUFCON said, “This year marked the 6th consecutive year, where urologists and surgeons across India gathered to network, share insights, and delve into emerging technologies in robotic – assisted surgery. This year, we received 210 registrations, with attendees ranging from surgeons and researchers to postgraduates. We also demonstrated 15 live robotic surgeries over three days using different robotic surgical systems like da Vinci. Besides live robotic-assisted urologic procedures, there were informative sessions on Robotic Renal Transplantation, Robotic Partial Nephrectomy in complex cases, Retroperitoneal RPLND, Robotic Uretero Calicostomy etc. These sessions were led by experienced urologic surgeons from different hospitals. The conference was a huge success and all this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our partners.”

Emphasising on the need to train more surgeons in robotic – assisted surgery, Dr. Kinju Adhikari, Joint Organising Secretary of RUFCON said, “India has been witnessing a significant rise in the incidence of urological cancers like kidney cancer and prostate cancer. A lot of patient cases which were considered impossible to operate are now possible with advanced technologies like robotic- assisted surgery. Therefore, it is paramount that surgeons gain expertise in performing surgeries using such technologies. On the first day of the conference, Dr. Ravi Taori, Consultant Uro- Oncologist and Robotic Surgeon, HCG Hospital Bengaluru conducted a very detailed session on how to perform partial nephrectomy in complex patient cases. Sessions like these will inspire budding surgeons to learn the techniques used to perform complex surgeries and thereby enhance the adoption of RAS in India.”

Highlighting the need to organise more such conferences, Dr. Ravi Taori, Joint Organising Secretary of RUFCON said, “RUFCON served as a platform for fellow surgeons from across different hospitals in India to come together and discuss the advancements in the field of urology. These conferences become platforms, where surgeons can network, discuss their achievements, share insights into unique patient cases they have treated, and exchange knowledge about the latest surgical techniques they have explored and learnt. As more surgeons become familiar with advanced surgical technologies like robotic-assisted surgery, conferences like this has the potential to drive increased adoption of robotic-assisted surgery within India's healthcare system, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes.”

By bringing together healthcare professionals, technology leaders, and passionate surgeons, RUFCON played a significant role in promoting the growth of robotic surgery in India and contributing to better patient care. With live operative international minimally invasive surgery workshops showcasing cutting-edge procedures performed with state-of-the-art robotic systems, the conference offered an invaluable opportunity for the attendees to learn from the experts in the medical industry.

Strengthening Bangalore’s Last Mile Connectivity With The Tata Magic Bi-Fuel

From bustling city streets to rural landscapes, the Tata Magic has successfully transported lakhs of passengers across the country on their last mile journeys. Now, the recently launched Tata Magic Bi-Fuel is set to elevate the journey even further. Combining a 60-litre CNG tank with a 5-litre petrol tank, the vehicle offers a cumulative range of approximately 300 kilometers on a single fill, making it ideal for longer routes and varied terrains. This innovative variant offers a seamless switch between CNG and petrol, helping save time and reduce fuel consumption.

The Tata Magic Bi-Fuel caters to the evolving needs of passengers as well as drivers. With the highest seating capacity of 9+D in its segment and features including radial tyre, gearshift advisor and enhanced driver ergonomics, the vehicle optimizes fuel consumption, thereby offering a low cost of ownership.

Backed with an exceptional two-year or 72,000 kilometers warranty, the Tata Magic Bi-Fuel reiterates the company’s promise of offering reliable and durable vehicles, ensuring peace of mind for fleet owners and individual operators alike.

About Tata Motors:

Part of the USD 150 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 44 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fuelled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2024, Tata Motors’ operations include 90 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, five joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.