Minister MB Patil And Infrastructure, Presides Over Groundbreaking Ceremony Of The Mamadapur Lake Rejuvenation Project

The project will benefit around 30,000 local community members from around 12 surrounding villages through enhanced water security, biodiversity conservation, and economic opportunities.

Mamadapur, Bijapur District, Karnataka | July 30, 2024 – In a significant step towards environmental restoration, Shri MB Patil, Minister for Commerce & Industries and Infrastructure, Govt of Karnataka, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mamadapur Lake Rejuvenation Project today. This initiative by the Sehgal Foundation with support from HCCB, one of India’s leading FMCG companies, aims to restore the historically important Mamadapur Lake, which has been central to the community and ecosystem since the 16th century. Once complete, the rejuvenated lake will benefit around 30,000 people from the local community through improved water security, biodiversity conservation, and economic opportunities.

Mamadapur Lake, originally built during the Adil Shahi period, once spanned a maximum storage height of approximately 7.6 meters with a submergence area of 864 acres and an irrigated command area of about 674 acres. Recent assessments have shown a significant reduction in its capacity due to sediment accumulation, affecting both its ecological balance and water availability.

The rejuvenated Mamadapur Lake will not only address ecological challenges but also bring numerous benefits to the local community. By increasing the water capacity through de-silting, strengthening bunds, and creating additional water control structures, the project would significantly improve the groundwater level of the surrounding villages through water recharge. This in turn would ensure a reliable water supply for domestic and irrigation purposes, enhancing agricultural productivity and food security.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Shri MB Patil, Minister for Commerce & Industries and Infrastructure, Govt of Karnataka, said, “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony not only marks the beginning of the restoration of Mamadapur Lake but also represents our government’s efforts to enhance our natural resources and the quality of life for our people. This project aligns with our vision to preserve our environmental heritage and ensure water security for generations to come.”

"We are glad to participate in the restoration of Mamadapur Lake, a vital resource for the local community. This project not only aims to rejuvenate the lake but also to foster long-term environmental stewardship and community engagement.” said Himanshu Priyadarshi, Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer at HCCB.

Restoration efforts will also promote local biodiversity, contributing to a healthier ecosystem and improved groundwater levels, essential for the community’s needs. The addition of new park facilities and public areas will provide spaces for recreation and leisure, enhancing community well-being. Moreover, the project will foster a culture of sustainability through community engagement and environmental education, while the enhanced aesthetic and recreational features of the lake will attract tourists, creating economic opportunities through ecotourism.

Among others present on the occasion were Shri T Bhoobalan, District Commissioner, Vijayapura, Shri Rishikesh Sonawane Bhagawan, Superintendent of Police, Vijayapura, and Shri Rishi Anand, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad. Vijayapura.

About HCCB

HCCB was incorporated on 14th February 1997. Since then, HCCB has come a long way in being able to serve over 23 lakh retailers, ~2,300 distributors, and 5,000+ employees. 2,50,000 farmers grow the agricultural produce that HCCB uses in making its products. The company is headquartered in Bangalore and its operations are spread in 12 states, and 236 districts in South and West India. Through its 13 factories spread across India, it manufactures and sells 37 different products across 8 categories. Its products include some of India’s most loved beverages - Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Sprite, Minute Maid, Maaza, SmartWater, Kinley, Limca, Fanta, and a lot more.

Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd Announces Q1 Results FY 2024-2025

Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited (KNPL), one of the leading Paint companies in India at the Board meeting announced its unaudited results for the first quarter of financial year 2024-25. For the quarter, the company declared Net revenue of Rs. 2050.4 Crores, a degrowth of 1% over the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

EBIDTA was at Rs.334.4 Crores, a growth of 0.2% over the same quarter of the previous year. PBT before exception item was at Rs 323.4 Crores a growth of 6.2% over the same quarter of the previous year.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Anuj Jain, Managing Director, Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd said, “The quarter continued to witness good demand for Automotive Coatings. Demand for Decorative was muted due to unprecedent heat wave, labor shortages and elections. Demand for Performance Coating was subdued however it picked up in June.

A combination of measures like cost control, product mix and procurement efficiencies helped improve gross margins over the corresponding quarter last year. Raw material prices have now gradually started to harden due to various geopolitical issues. The company is actively taking steps to mitigate this cost increase.  The company is also undertaking various initiatives in the digital space to improve its efficiency in the marketplace.

Looking forward, with a favorable monsoon demand should improve for decorative. Given the continued thrust on infrastructure growth, new project and order pipeline we believe demand for performance coatings should be strong.”

Outlook of Indian Paint Industry:

The size of domestic paint industry is estimated at around Rs. 75000 crores as of March 2024. The good growth in infrastructure, core sector as well as automobile and real estate is likely to have a positive effect on the overall demand of paint for the industry in the long run.

About Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd:

Kansai Nerolac Paints now in its 104th year has been at the forefront of paint manufacturing pioneering a wide spectrum of quality paints. Kansai Nerolac is one of the leading paint companies in India and is the leader in Industrial paints. The company has eight strategically located manufacturing units all over India and a strong dealer network across the country. The company manufactures a diversified range of products ranging from decorative paints coatings for homes, offices, hospitals, and hotels to sophisticated industrial coatings for most of the industries. visit www.nerolac.com .

HP Launches Its Powerful AI PCs With Copilot+ For Businesses & Retail Customers

* HP’s EliteBook Ultra & HP OmniBook X AI PCs come with Snapdragon® X Elite processors[i] for game-changing performance

·  Next-gen AI PCs deliver fast responsiveness with a dedicated NPU capable of 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS)

·  Equipped with upto 26 hours of battery life [ii], [iii], [iv]

·  HP introduces the world’s most secure next-gen AI PC2 to protect against AI-generated threats

Today HP unveiled its most powerful AI PCs aimed at empowering large enterprises, startups, and retail consumers to enable a never before PC experience. The newly launched laptops include the HP EliteBook Ultra and HP OmniBook X, being HP’s first Copilot+ PCs. Both laptops are designed and engineered around the Snapdragon® X Elite processor[v] and its dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU)6, capable of 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS) to run language models and generative AI locally on the device.

Ipsita Dasgupta, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, HP India, said, “We’re at the beginning of a new era of AI PCs that will redefine what a personal computer can do.  We believe this innovation is all set to unlock new possibilities and transform the future of work. Our next-gen AI PCs are designed to enhance work efficiency, boost security, and offer personalized experiences for hybrid workstyles. We are excited to see how these innovative devices will drive India's digital transformation and economic growth.”

As the way we live and work continues to evolve beyond the traditional desk, the EliteBook Ultra is crafted to be business-ready for the modern, on-the-go leader. These leaders, who interact with clients regularly, need stylish and mobile devices. They seek unique AI capabilities to boost productivity, enhance collaboration, and ensure top-tier security. The HP EliteBook Ultra features the thinnest design in its class and boasts a powerful battery. It is equipped with enterprise-grade endpoint security to safeguard data, especially in an era where cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated.

The HP OmniBook X is designed specifically for retail customers including creators and freelancers, who need a powerful and versatile device to support their dynamic lifestyles. The HP OmniBook X series is packed with advanced AI features, which significantly improve video quality and collaboration experiences. This makes them ideal for creators who are constantly on the move, needing reliable performance for tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and remote meetings.

“We are thrilled to unveil our first fully loaded AI PCs in India with the HP EliteBook Ultra and HP OmniBook X. These AI PCs are designed to create more personalized and meaningful user experiences, revolutionizing the way we interact with technology. By integrating advanced AI capabilities, we are setting a new standard in the industry, making technology smarter, more intuitive, and more responsive to individual needs,” said Vineet Gehani, Senior Director – Personal Systems, HP India. 

AI at fingertips

·       HP AI Companion: The new laptops come with built-in HP AI Companion, a personal AI-assistant for boosting productivity and creativity. With this, users will experience a personalized approach using generative AI to analyze and assess personal files to get more refined, focus responses or outputs.

·       Copilot+: Coupled with Copilot+ PC, these PCs supercharge creativity and productivity for a more personalized, powerful computing experience.

·       Poly Camera Pro: The new Poly Camera Pro[vi] uplevels virtual interactions across all collaboration and streaming apps[vii] across multiple cameras.[viii] Poly Camera Pro utilizes the NPU to power AI enhancements like Spotlight, Background Blur & Replace, Auto Framing, and more, allowing the CPU to maintain performance more efficiently while preserving battery life.

Uniquely designed for the modern workforce

·       Sleek & Powerful: The HP EliteBook Ultra and HP OmniBook X are designed for tech-savvy freelancers and on-the-go leaders with a sleek design and the perfect synergy of AI-enhanced power and mobility. Weighing 1.3 kgs, these laptops offer up to 26 hours of battery life [ix].

·       Modern Design: Both PCs feature HP’s new AI Helix Logo reflecting HP AI engineering that delivers optimized performance and security for AI today. As part of the world’s most sustainable PC portfolio[x], both devices incorporate 50% recycled aluminum[xi] in the covers and 100% sustainably sourced materials for packaging[xii], along with EPEAT® Climate+ Gold Registration and ENERGY STAR® Certification.

Work Securely

As AI advances, trusted security measures are essential for AI PCs. Commercial users can confidently do their best work from anywhere on the HP EliteBook Ultra, with Wolf Pro Security Next Gen Antivirus (NGAV),[xiii] which harnesses the power of machine learning to defend against new and known threats. As a Microsoft Secured-Core PC, the device is designed to protect the PC down to the firmware level with hardware security features that shield user credentials and other critical data.

Pricing & Availability:

·       The HP Elitebook Ultra is available in HP World Stores and HP Online stores at a starting price of Rs. 1,69,934 in Atmospheric blue colour.

·       The HP OmniBook X is available in HP World Stores and HP Online stores at a starting price of Rs. 1,39,999 in Meteor Silver colour. 

About HP

HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit: http://www.hp.com.

ICICI Lombard General Insurance And Karnataka Bank Limited Forge Strategic Bancassurance Partnership

ICICI Lombard, India’s leading private General Insurance Company, announces its collaboration with Karnataka Bank Limited, an esteemed 'A' Class Scheduled Commercial Bank in India, to introduce a dynamic Bancassurance tie-up. This alliance aims to grant Karnataka Bank's diverse clientele access to ICICI Lombard's extensive insurance portfolio, thereby enhancing penetration and reinforcing financial security across India.

With Karnataka Bank's expanding network and ICICI Lombard's innovative, agile, and digital solutions, this partnership seeks to elevate the bank's offerings significantly. The entire range of insurance products will now be accessible across Karnataka Bank's 915 branches, reaching over 13 million customers nationwide. These customer-centric solutions aim to provide long-term financial security, underscoring both entities' commitment to excellence through innovation and reliability.

Both the bank and the insurance company stand to benefit from this arrangement. While the bank earns a commission from the insurance company, the insurer gains from the distribution network of the bank. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had in 2022 widely opened the bancassurance channel for insurers as part of its overarching effort to increase insurance penetration in the country and achieve the long-term goal of ‘insurance for all’ by 2047, when the country will celebrate its golden jubilee of independence.

Mr. Anand Singhi, Chief - Retail and Government Business at ICICI Lombard, said, "We are delighted to partner with Karnataka Bank to bring our specialized insurance solutions to a broader audience. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering customer-centric products that cater to diverse needs. Through our tech-enabled services, we aim to provide Karnataka Bank customers with comprehensive coverage for their health and assets, ensuring peace of mind and security in an ever-changing world."

Speaking on the occasion Shri. Sekhar Rao, Executive Director stated, “We are committed to enriching the financial and banking experience for our customers with ease and choice. Our collaboration with ICICI Lombard underscores this commitment and reinforces our efforts to offer best in class insurance solutions. Further Bank is embarking on digital insurance initiatives, which will empower the Bank’s customers to conveniently access and manage their insurance policies through digital platforms. This includes online policy purchase, real-time claims processing, and personalized insurance advisory services, ensuring a hassle-free experience”.

About ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd.

ICICI Lombard is the leading private general insurance company in the country. The Company offers a comprehensive and well-diversified range of products through multiple distribution channels, including motor, health, crop, fire, personal accident, marine, engineering, and liability insurance. With a legacy of over 2 decades, ICICI Lombard is committed to customer centricity with its brand philosophy of ‘Nibhaye Vaade’. The company has issued over 36.2 million policies, honoured over 2.9 million claims and has a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of ?255.94 billion for the year ended March 31, 2024.  ICICI Lombard has 312 branches and 13,670 employees, as on March 31, 2024.

ICICI Lombard has been a pioneer in the industry and is the first large scale insurance company in India to migrate its entire core systems to cloud.  With a strong focus on being digital led and agile, it has launched a plethora of tech-driven innovations, including the industry first Face Scan on its signature insurance and wellness App - IL TakeCare, with over 10 million downloads. The company has won several laurels including ET Corporate Excellence Awards, Golden Peacock Awards, FICCI Insurance Awards, Assocham, Stevie Asia Pacific, National CSR awards etc. for its various initiatives. For more details log on to www.icicilombard.com

About Karnataka Bank Limited.

Karnataka Bank Limited, a leading 'A' Class Scheduled Commercial Bank in India, was incorporated on 18th February 1924 at Mangaluru, a coastal town of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka State. The bank took shape in the aftermath of patriotic zeal that engulfed the nation during the freedom movement of 20th century India. It has got 915 branches with 13 Million + customer base, 8500 employee strength & 235000 shareholders. They intend to bring about best of the banking practices through a blend of timeless values accompanied with cutting edge technology. For more details log on to https://www.karnatakabank.com 

Here Are Some Stunning New Lipsticks You Must Try This National Lipstick Day

With stunning shades and exceptional formulas, designed to delight and inspire every beauty enthusiast, Westside has a range of lipsticks that one must try this National Lipstick Day. Whether you're a fan of bold reds or subtle nudes, there’s an array of options to pick from.

Studiowest Seduce Intense 03 Rouge Red Lipstick - Rs.695/-

Achieve a bold and striking look with Studiowest lipstick in red. This lipstick is designed to make a statement, giving your lips a rich and vibrant colour that is perfect for those special occasions when you want to stand out.

Studiowest Amuse Shimmer 01 Rouge Lipstick - Rs.695/-

Elevate your look with Studiowest lipstick in the shade red. This lipstick does not just deliver a bold, red hue but also adds a touch of shimmer, making your lips the center of attention. Perfect for those special occasions when you want to stand out

Studiowest Pink Vivid Matte P-82 Lipstick – Rs.395/-

Find your perfect smile with this pink lipstick by Studiowest. This matte lipstick helps smoothen chapped lips and offers long-lasting wear. Plus, the highly pigmented formula delivers a rich color payoff.

Studiowest Nude Pink Praline Collagen Plumping Lipstick – Rs.395/-

Enveloped in soft and gentle nude pink hues reminiscent of sweet praline, this lipstick by Studiowest is a luxurious addition to your makeup collection. Infused with collagen, it not only enhances the natural fullness of your lips but also provides intense hydration for a soft and supple feel.

Studiowest Bloom Brown 03 Dahlia Lip Jelly – Rs.395/-

Brighten your smile with this lip jelly from Studiowest. This playful lip jelly adds a sheer, vibrant tint that perfectly enhances your natural lip colour. Infused with nourishing ingredients, it keeps your lips hydrated and glossy without any stickiness. Ideal for everyday wear, its lightweight formula feels comfortable and lasts all day.

Studiowest Bloom Brown 06 Caramel Lip Gloss – Rs.395/-

Give your lips the perfect hint of glamour with this lip gloss from Studiowest. This luxurious gloss offers a rich, caramel hue that enhances your lips with a stunning shine. Enriched with moisturizing ingredients, it keeps your lips soft and hydrated all day. The non-sticky formula ensures comfortable wear, making it perfect for any occasion.

Doctor Turned Musician Unveils Patriotic Anthem Vande Mataram

The rapturous tune joins the festivities. Dr CV Ranjith, the composer, seems a bit excited and enthusiastic as the moment approaches. A dental surgeon by profession, the passionate musician  from Kannur, has been striving hard, journeying through the heartlands of India, struggling against the ticking clock in the recording studios, setting and revising the tune to capture the imagination of the people through his innovative project – Vande Matharam – A feel of Patriotism– a patriotic song, looks excited as his dream project is all set to release during this Independence Day.

“I feel excited and a bit emotional to see that this musical journey has reached the final destination.  Though it was quite arduous, physically taxing and a race against time, it was also exciting and seemed like a journey of soul searching for me. I was enjoying the struggle and quite happy to see that the efforts have paid off well”, Ranjith said.  

"Vande Mataram," composed and directed by Dr. CV Ranjith, is slated to be released on 12 August ,a few days ahead of Independence Day. “Ever since the incomparable musical masterpiece of AR Rahman’s Vande Matharam, I think, no other patriotic song has come to inspire the Indians like this. This is my humble attempt in this direction as I have tried to portray the historical beauty and natural brilliance of this country through my musical production. This would surely inspire the patriotic Indians, I think”, Ranjith said. Shot in breath taking locations spanning from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, this song promises a fresh and captivating experience, he said.

Dr. CV Ranjith shared that he had dedicated a year to crafting this 6-minute-long anthem. The filming commenced in July last year, capturing diverse views of both rural and urban India, including Delhi, Agra, Amritsar, Kullu Manali, Ladakh, Kedarnath, Srinagar, Keran, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hampi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Jaipur, Ajmer, Meghalaya ,Kolkata, Varanasi, Baroda, Lucknow, Kanyakumari, Dhanushkodi, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kannur.

Dr. CV Ranjith recalled his unforgettable experience filming in Keran, noted as India's first village, where the borders of India and Pakistan are separated by a river.

“It was a challenge to come up with a new tune which would instil both patriotism and musical excellence as hundreds of such songs would come up during the Independence Day and Republic Day. It was a hard task to set a different track to meet the standards demanded by the aficionados. But, I believe, I have done full justice to the project”, he said. Ranjith, who also directed the video album alongside composing the tune. The lyrics for "Vande Mataram" was penned by Sumita Ayilliath, a Dubai-based radio host and lyricist, and the vocals were performed by Aslam, a singer based in Mumbai. The song's sound mixing and production was handled by Ashwin Sivadas, while cinematography credits go to Sanil Koothuparamp, PV Ranjith, and Dr. CV Ranjith himself. Editing was done by Deepti and Nived.

The song is produced under the banner of renowned Bollywood Producer Mayur K Barot’s White Measure Entertainment, Mumbai.

Dr. CV Ranjith, known for his earlier hit "The Song of Kannur: Heaven of Tourism," which was awarded the Babasaheb Dr. BR Ambedkar International Award, has also created songs in 20 Indian languages, including a tribute to cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

"Vande Mataram" will be released through the renowned music label Muzik 247, aiming to resonate with the youth and inspire a renewed sense of patriotism across the nation.   

ISACA Bangalore Chapter Hosts Conference With Theme “Fortifying The Future: Harnessing AI For Cybersecurity, Privacy, And Governance”

* 1-day complete power packed session held on July 27, 2024, at Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru

The 27th edition of the Annual Karnataka Conference with the theme “Fortifying the Future: Harnessing AI for Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Governance” inaugurated on July 27, 2024, at Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru.

The Conference was  inaugurated by  of Shri. P Robert, Deputy Director, URSC, ISRO, Government of India, Mohan Rao Goli, CVP & Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Samsung R&D India- Samsung Research India, Rajasekharan KR, President of the ISACA Bangalore Chapter, Mrs. Vijaya Vanitha and Mr. Deepak Bhaskaran of ISACA Bangalore Chapter with other dignitaries were present.

The Guest of honour address delivered by Shri. P Robert, Deputy Director, URSC, ISRO, Government of India presented session on Fortifying the Future: Harnessing AI for Cybersecurity - A Space Perspective. Keynote address  delivered by Mohan Rao Goli, CVP & Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Samsung R&D India- Samsung Research India who discussed the importance of Fortifying the Future: Harnessing AI for Cybersecurity. The conference edition of the ISACA newsletter was released by the Chief Guest. The theme of this year’s conference intends to explore the interesting opportunities for Information Security professionals, which stem out of the challenges in Cyber India and Artificial Intelligence. Senior industry professionals, Government representatives, and academicians shared their knowledge and insights at the Conference.

After a successful largest-ever conference held in 2023 with 300 delegates, the excitement to network and meet in person was high among all the delegates. With more than 400 registrations, it is the largest conference ever held by ISACA Bangalore since inception. With power-packed sessions, the conference is a huge knowledge boost.

Mr. Rajasekharan, President of the ISACA Bangalore Chapter welcomed all the delegates as for the largest ever conference held by ISACA Bangalore and shared the insights of outstanding chapter award received from Mr. Erik Prusch CEO of ISACA on behalf of Bangalore chapter during the ISACA 2024 North America Digital Trust World Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, USA in May 2024 and the power of artificial intelligence to protect our digital world.  The conference chair and VP of ISACA Bangalore Branch, Ms. Vijaya Vanitha gave an overview of the action-packed schedule and thanked the dignitaries, chief guest and the speakers for sharing their valuable time.

Post inauguration, as part of Plenary session Mr. Gopalan Oppillappan, Head AI delivered a session on Exploring the AI Frontier: Leadership Perspectives for the Next Decade.

Following this Prakash Rendu chintala, Manager, Cybersecurity Strategy and Risk Management and Mohammad Aslam, Cyber Security Consultant, Optiv delivered a session on Stronger Cyber Defenses: Integrating AI with human behavioral insights for enhance cybersecurity posture”.

Some of the interesting sessions delivered during the conference are

·         Quantum Computing and AI: Securing the Future by Dr. Nagendra Nagaraja, CEO, QpiAI

·         AI and Future of Humanity by Anand Murthy Raj, Director, Gladwell Academy

·         AI vs. AI: Harnessing AI Defenses Against AI-Powered Risks by

Manojkumar Parmar-Founder - CEO, CTO – AIShield

·         Intersection of AI and Web3: Data privacy, security, and regulatory considerations by Ayilur Ramanath, IT Expert

·         Building Resilient Digital Twins: A Security-First Approach by Shakeel Khan, Vice President, ColorTokens Inc and Amarnath Reddy , CTO, 22by7

Other multiple sessions were Womens panel discussion, Digital transformation, Privacy in the Age of AI: Balancing Innovation with Ethical Data Use, Building Resilient Digital Twins: A Security-First Approach, panel discussion on Data, Privacy and AI Dynamics: Shaping the Future Landscape of the Digital Economy and second panel focussed on The Future Relationship Between AI and Humans: Collaboration or Competition?

A gala party post conference was held to celebrate the Outstanding Chapter award with our members and conference delegates. Chief guest distributed the awards for the rank holders of the recent ISACA Certification exams, winners for white paper contest were also felicitated.

The conference also had display of insightful and interesting stalls by the sponsors, Optiv, CANARA Bank, Technologies, UPGUARD, Protiviti, Zscaler, 22by7, ColourTokens, TUV SUD and TSAARO

About ISACA Bangalore: ISACA is an international professional association focused on IT governance and Security. ISACA currently offers 8 certification programs as well as other stackable certificates. It has 1,85,000 strong members across 188 countries and cover a variety of professional IT-related positions in the disciplines of IS/IT audit, risk, security and governance as well as educators, consultants and regulators. ISACA Bangalore Chapter has more than 2,500 members and has the largest member base in India. The members have diverse expertise in domains on IS/IT audit, risk, security and governance.