IRGMA Calls for Ban on Non-Compliant Imported Gloves to Enhance Safety In Hospitals And Healthcare Sector

The Indian Rubber Gloves Manufacturers Association (IRGMA) in its latest bid to mitigate safety and health risks of medicos has sought directives through communications to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to ban the import of chlorinated gloves and has also notified the Customs (Imports) Department of the violation of bio-waste disposal rules by importers especially of the phased out chlorinated gloves, and non-compliance of gloves manufacturers sending chlorinated gloves to India, some making way into India spuriously. IRGMA is seeking the use of only BIS Approved Gloves, through GEM, for Government Hospitals, conforming to the consideration and implementation of QCO (Quality Control Order) aligned with MDR 2017 Compliance of CDSCO Gazette Notification which was to come into effect from 1st Oct 2022.

In their communications to the aforesaid authorities, IRGMA has brought to notice that the Central Pollution Control Board had issued a letter to phase out the use of chlorinated gloves by 27th March 2019; that West Bengal State Pollution Control Board has issued directives to ban the use of chlorinated gloves and that CPCB has issued directive not to allow imports in violation of guidelines that ban chlorinated gloves.

In yet another communication to the Malaysian Rubber Council, IRGMA has specified that chlorinated gloves of all kinds are not allowed by the Indian authorities owing to violation of the guidelines, and that they do not require test to be validated in the view of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India, and Biomedical Waste Rules 2016.

In their communication to AIIMS, IRGMA has issued a disclaimer to ensure that the healthcare industry procures the right quality of Disposal, Latex and Nitrile gloves to comply with the expected standards and rules prevalent.

The continuation of spurious import of examination gloves has serious safety and health risks. Many countries (US and Europe) have already banned the use of powdered, coated Nitrile Gloves, in their respective countries. The procurement of BIS Approved Gloves is very convenient because there are already many BIS certified companies manufacturing the gloves, and these companies are capable of supplying the quality product to the Hospital Staff.

Speaking about the directives on chlorinated gloves, Mr Sunil Patwari (President – IRGMA) said, “It is time that these spurious imports and usage of chlorinated gloves be curbed as it is detrimental to the health of both the healthcare providers and the patients, and for their safety the Government and the authorities must make firm implementations that impede the spurious circulation and import of chlorinated gloves.”

Mr Konda Anindith Reddy (Managing Director – Wadi Surgicals Enliva Gloves) added, “We need to ensure that we are providing the right quality gloves to the medical practitioners for the safety of them and the patients as well. This kind of trust will come only if there is a stringent regulation on the spurious circulation and import of chlorinated gloves.”

Medicos working in acute medical care units are at maximum risk of contracting infection with defective gloves. Even patients are equally at risk of contracting cross-infections if exposed to any open areas from a torn surgical glove worn by medical staff.

In order to implement the ban on noncompliant gloves and their spurious circulation, IRGMA has identified the urgent need and therefore requesting the for the FINALISATION OF QCO, through Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers; DIRECTING CDSCO to IMPLEMENTATIN of RULE 2 of CHAPTER 7; DIRECTING CDSCO, to ban the import of spurious/ loose gloves AND import of Chlorinated Gloves; DIRECTING the Govt Hospitals to procure only BIS approved Nitrile Gloves. IRGMA has urged the Govt to immediately consider that poor quality surgical gloves in hospitals need a check which is possible through FINALISATION OF QCO in compliance to CDSCO Gazette Notification (Rule 7 of Chapter 2).

playR: Revolutionizing Sports Apparel For Healthy, More Meaningful Life

playR, a brand that has consistently upheld the philosophy of "Encouraging a healthier, meaningful life through sports," is proud to announce its latest range of innovative sports apparel. Since its inception, playR has been committed to keeping the PLAYER FIRST, creating products and services that enhance the health, meaning, and pleasure of everyday life.

"Our goal has always been to integrate sports into daily life, work, and our way of living, Ravi Kukreja, co-founder playR and Director iCOREts Private Limited said "By combining our expertise and innovative ideas, we have developed apparel that not only meets the high demands of athletes but also promotes a healthier lifestyle for everyone."

playR’s new collection includes a diverse range of sports apparel such as T-shirts, polos, jackets, shorts, track suits, lowers, and socks. Each product is designed with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring maximum comfort and performance. The products embody the perfect blend of technology and style, providing athletes with the infrastructure and support they need to excel.

In addition, playR is the official merchandise partner of several leading Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, including Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings. Fans can now purchase apparel supporting their favorite teams, ensuring they can show their allegiance in style.

The Indian Sports Equipment and Apparel Market is projected to reach over $40 billion by 2027. playR is poised to be a leading provider in this rapidly growing market. Its focus on quality and innovation positions the brand to take India to a global stage, driving economic and social development.

About playR: 

playR’s philosophy since its inception has been, “Encouraging a healthier, meaningful life through sports. “With this as our starting point, and with the focus on keeping the PLAYER FIRST, we strive to create “real” products — products that help make our everyday lives healthier, more meaningful, and much more pleasurable. Our products and services embody every ounce of our expertise and ideas. We are always mindful that sports are part of our daily life, part of our work, and even our way of life.

Website: http://playr.in/

Innovative Minds Converge At MiQ Bengaluru’s HackiQ 2024

~ HackiQ an annual IP of MiQ witnessed an incredible display of talent, innovation, and collaboration between 27 teams

MiQ, A programmatic media partner for marketers and agencies, concluded its annual Hackathon, HackiQ; at MiQ’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. The hackathon brought together over 180 participants organized into 27 teams, tasked with developing pioneering ideas for products and solutions over a span of 24 hours. HackiQ ’24 featured thorough ideation sessions, and two rounds of presentations judged by an esteemed panel of industry leaders.

The hack ideas explored a diverse range of challenges and problem statements addressing the programmatic and ad tech industry. Participants competed across two tracks: Product and Technology, and Data & Analytics, each focusing on themes such as Automation with Gen AI, Sustainability and green tech, New Channels, Efficiency, tackling MFA, and Future-proofing solutions.

Two teams emerged as winners from both tracks, the winning teams were Code Phoenix from the Tech and Product Data Science track, demonstrating exceptional innovation in automating content creation and improving productivity using GenAI, and Team KRtrima-PraJA from Data and Analytics track won for their Gen AI application enhancing market research capabilities. Runner-up teams were Neural Navigators from the Tech and Product Data Science track and Team Trade Flow from the Data and Analytics track. 

Reflecting on their success, Sravan Kumar from team Code Phoenix expressed “The problem we tackled was familiar to developers: creating presentational components takes time, even with an in-house design system and rich component library. Our simple workflow using GenAI boosts productivity by 20-30%, reduces repetitive work, and improves QA. Our live demo, where judges sketched a wireframe and converted it to working React code, was the icing on the cake and clinched our success.”

Abhay Kumar from team KRtrima-PraJA said “HackiQ-24 provided an excellent platform to explore a significant opportunity within our Sales division, potentially impacting MiQ's top and bottom lines. We developed a comprehensive Generative AI application to support Market Research, aiding our Sales team in planning discussions with new clients. Our focus on maximizing Generative AI capabilities and addressing challenges resulted in a reliable, consistent, structured, and scalable application.”

Speaking on the success, Anish Roy, Director of Analytics, MiQ,  highlighted “HackiQ showcased incredible talent, innovation, and collaboration. The dedication to solving challenges through technology was truly inspiring. Teams formed, ideas flourished, and prototypes came to life, demonstrating the limitless possibilities of technology. Projects addressed industry challenges such as MFA's impact on advertising, digital advertising sustainability, and AI in campaign management, each leaving a lasting impression. Beyond competition, HackiQ was a platform for learning and growth. We forged new friendships, expanded networks, and gained valuable insights from mentors and participants, shaping our journey in technology and innovation.”

HackiQ’24 not only showcased technological prowess but also fostered a spirit of collaboration and learning among participants. The event underscored MiQ’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in programmatic advertising which makes MiQ’s tech and solutions consistently outperform. 

About MiQ: We’re not your average programmatic media partner, and it’s because better is in our DNA. Since 2010, our co-founders committed to delivering first-class service and out-of-this-world performance on ad campaigns. It's this way of thinking that inspires us to lead the programmatic industry and make it better. That’s why we leverage the very best buying platforms, ad inventory and audience intelligence. And our technology puts sophisticated AI in the hands of our industry experts to make the best decisions without bias. This agnostic approach means we never compromise on reach, return on investment, quality and insight, and you always get the best outcomes - and the best service. It's not your average programmatic.

ABB India Supports Educational Programs In 148 Government Schools In Karnataka

•     As a part of its community-led efforts, ABB supports two programs covering around 10,000 students in Peenya and Nelamangala.

•     The STEM Awareness, Foundational Literacy and Numerical Skills Program (FLN) aims at bridging the learning gap, ensuring inclusive and equitable education

•     The Paryavaran Mitra Program focuses on creating future sustainability leaders

•     Programs being implemented in select Govt Higher Primary schools in urban and rural Bengaluru

ABB India today announced the expansion of two educational programs as part of its CSR initiatives to support inclusive and equitable education. These programs, which were being run in 98 schools in Nelamangala, will now also expand to 50 schools in Peenya starting this academic year reaching a total of 148 schools and around 10,000 students from Peenya and Nelamangala.

The STEM Awareness and Foundational Literacy and Numerical Skills Program is aimed at supporting young students with essential scientific concepts and foundational and age-appropriate skills in literacy and numeracy alongside STEM topics. Integrated within the school timetable, it provides hands-on learning opportunities, making learning interactive and highly engaging. Run in partnership with Sikshana Foundation, the program aims to elevate the education level by equipping primary and higher primary students with the much-needed competencies essential for their cognitive development.

Paryavaran Mitra, the other program, will be launched soon, and run in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE). It aims to prepare higher primary school students to face environmental sustainability challenges by engaging them in eco-friendly activities in school and its surroundings. The state’s Department of Education is actively involved in the program design and implementation covering critical themes such as water and sanitation, waste management, energy, etc. This would help students move beyond schools and classrooms, connecting them with nature, society, and communities.

Commenting on the expansion of the initiatives, Sanjeev Arora, President, Motion Business, ABB India said, “ABB remains committed to support inclusive education and environmental sustainability. While we continue to learn and adopt sustainable ways in our operations, we feel the next generation must be aware of the impact they have on the environment. We hope through these well-designed programs, they equip themselves with the required competencies and learn to make more sustainable choices in life.”

These initiatives, launched in 2022, have successfully raised awareness levels among students, bridging the aspiration gap in key scientific concepts. Thorough assessments, done periodically, signal a gradual progress in the students’ capabilities and awareness levels. 98 teachers from Nelamangala block have been trained and provided with upgraded concepts and supplemental resources to effectively deliver the programs. Students across all grades participate in STEM activities under teacher supervision. A similar teacher training and orientation program shall be implemented in the current initiation year in the Peenya block.

ABB also supports women’s education in STEM through an engineering scholarship, instituted in partnership with the Lila Poonawalla Foundation. Two batches have so far graduated through this program.

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered, and operated. Building on over 140 years of excellence, ABB’s more than 105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com

Cleartrip Introduces Corporate Benefits For Business Travellers With Cleartrip For Work

* Save up to 10% on flights while travelling for work

Cleartrip, a Flipkart company, announced the launch of its latest offering, ‘Cleartrip for Work’ (CFW). This solution, specifically curated for business travelers, urban entrepreneurs, and startup founders, provides access to exclusive corporate flight fares and additional benefits.

How is Cleartrip for Work different?

Save up to 10% on travel expenditures through exclusive fares and GST input credit

Avail complimentary in-flight meals, low/zero cancellation fees and free seat selection

Earn Supercoins, an exclusive reward benefit available only to Flipkart, Cleartrip and Myntra users on every transaction and use them to make your CFW booking further beneficial

For the first time in the industry, compare all fare types in one place for easy decision-making

CFW stands out for its hassle-free, one-click onboarding process and ease of use. Users can sign up using their mobile number and access its features directly from the  Cleartrip home page, making it incredibly convenient, especially for frequent fliers.

Speaking on the occasion Anuj Rathi, Chief Business and Growth Officer stated, “Of the 30mn+ micro-entrepreneurs in India, most travel often and need flexible travel benefits including cancellation, seat selection and meals at affordable prices. With CFW, Cleartrip has brought all the flexibility along with special airline fares, combining it with Supercoins to make it the most flexible and affordable destination for business travellers. We will continue to invest in CFW and are committed to introducing innovative and value-based offerings to our customers.”

CFW allows users to make multiple bookings with the same login, offering flexibility and convenience for frequent travelers. It is available on Cleartrip's Android and iOS app and on the mobile web. The desktop version will be launched soon.

About Cleartrip

Launched in July 2006, Cleartrip Pvt Ltd., a Flipkart company, has emerged as India’s fastest-growing online travel technology company. In April 2021, Flipkart acquired a majority stake in Cleartrip. Cleartrip recently emerged as the no. 2 OTA player as per a study by VIDEC. With an aggressive plan to emerge as a leading innovator in the industry, Cleartrip is on its way to building a differentiated value proposition for its customers looking for end-to-end travel solutions. With industry-first offerings including ClearChoice Plus, ClearChoice Max and Cancel for No Reason’, Cleartrip has a clear vision to provide innovative solutions in the OTA segment. Combining intuitive products with a customer-centric approach and a wide selection of flights, hotels, and buses, Cleartrip brings a unique selling point to the market, offering its customers convenience, choice, competitive prices, and premium content.

Cummins India Expands IT Capabilities With Global Competency Center Launch In Pune

* A powerful hub for driving innovation across global operations through specialized talent and cutting-edge technical capabilities.

* The center will enable the company to scale operational efficiencies and speed up the time-to-market of its products and services.

* Aims to harness India's rich talent pool in software engineering and emerging digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Robotic Process Automation (RPA).

Cummins Group in India (“Cummins India”), one of the leading power solutions technology providers, today opened its first IT Global Competency Center (GCC) at its India Office Campus in Balewadi, Pune, Maharashtra. The center was inaugurated by Earl Newsome, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Cummins Inc., and Annapurna Vishwanathan, Chief Information Officer, Cummins India, in the presence of other senior Cummins India officials.

The GCC is an integral part of the company’s multi-year IT transformational strategy and will focus on scaling up the operational efficiencies and speeding up the time-to-market of its products and services. It will house software engineers, product owners, architects, technology leads, and process experts to drive innovation impacting the automobile, engineering research and development (ER&D), manufacturing, and energy sectors. With 55% women employees, the GCC is leading the charge in gender diversity, and strengthening it further across all tech roles will be a key focus area.

Expressing his excitement on the launch, Earl Newsome, Vice President, and Chief Information Officer, Cummins Inc., said “The Cummins success story in India is one of people, progress, and possibilities. For more than six decades, we have invested in our people here, and together, we have powered the growth of both our company and this nation. As we position for the future, our inaugural IT GCC in India is a strategic move in building our IT capabilities to deliver an exceptional business experience for our stakeholders globally. Pune’s thriving software landscape, robust engineering infrastructure, and solid educational ecosystem will help us attract the country’s top-notch talent. I am very excited about the potential of this GCC to drive our business growth and innovation capabilities.”

Commenting on the launch, Annapurna Vishwanathan, Chief Information Officer, Cummins India, said, "The launch of Cummins’ first GCC in India has a strategic imperative, as in the last few years, we have witnessed fast-paced changes in the technology landscape and its impact on the business environment. This GCC aligns with our aspirations for business growth and India's continued progress. We will achieve this by leveraging our country’s exceptional talent pool to enhance digital enablement and process transformation, boosting our competitive edge. I am confident that the India IT GCC will be a key contributor to Cummins’ global growth strategy."

In addition to regular employment, the GCC will also offer internship programs for young talent and employment opportunities for veterans, individuals with special needs, women returning from maternity leave, and those re-entering the workforce. The IT GCC will also collaborate with educational institutions and offer programs to develop future leaders.

About Cummins Group in India:

Cummins Group in India is a leading provider of integrated power solutions for the industrial and automotive sectors. The Cummins Group operates in India through thirteen companies. With a wide-ranging portfolio, the group is engaged in designing, manufacturing, distributing, and servicing diesel and natural gas engines and powertrain-related component products, including drivetrain, braking, after-treatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, transmissions, and electrified power systems solutions for commercial vehicles, and industrial markets. The Cummins Group has a remarkable presence with state-of-the-art manufacturing plants, assembly, and distribution facilities, and employs over 10,000 employees in India.

Acer Unveils “New Exclusive Store” At The Opulent Phoenix Mall Of Asia Bengaluru, Strengthening Its Retail Presence In India

Acer, one of the leading technology brands in the world, has announced the grand opening of its “new exclusive store at Phoenix Mall of Asia” in Bengaluru. This newly opened exclusive store will offer an immersive environment, bringing Acer's latest cutting-edge PCs and Acerpure's range of consumer appliances and electronics closer to the consumers. The mall is renowned for its contemporary design, diverse retail options, and significant foot traffic, making it an ideal location for the Acer Exclusive store.

The store will offer an extensive collection of sleek laptops, powerful desktops, monitors, immersive gaming devices, Acerpure’s consumer electronics and appliances such as TVs, water and air purifiers, air circulator fans, and a wide array of accessories from Acer.  Currently, Acer India boasts a retail footprint of over 200 stores spread across India. This significant addition marks a pivotal step towards Acer's ambitious goal of establishing over 300 exclusive stores across India by early 2025. This launch marks the 10th store in Bengaluru.

At the launch event, Harish Kohli, President and Managing Director, Acer India said, “The inauguration of our new store at Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru, renowned as one of India's most opulent shopping destinations, signifies a pivotal milestone in our retail expansion strategy. This new store underscores Acer's dedication to expanding its presence and enhancing customer experiences by making its products more accessible and convenient. Our commitment is enriching our customers' journey by providing seamless access to our pioneering products and unparalleled service. This launch also marks an important step for Acerpure India, reflecting our mission to offer innovative and high-quality products that cater to the evolving needs of our customers.”

As Acer continues its journey towards achieving its 2025 retail vision, each new store is carefully planned to cater to the diverse technological needs of customers across various cities in India. With this strategic growth, Acer aims to ensure that its cutting-edge technology and solutions are within reach of all its consumers, fostering a stronger connection and delivering value-driven experiences.

Photo Caption: Sanjeev Mehtani, Chief Sales Officer, Acer India; Harish Koli, Managing Director & President, Acer India; Sooraj Balakrishnan, Associate Director & Head of Marketing, Acer India along with the Acer Team at Phoenix  Mall of Asia, Bengaluru.