AU Small Finance Bank To Launch 75 AU Study Centers In Karnataka

* Benefitting 1,500 underprivileged children with quality education and extra-curricular activities with life skills training

AU Small Finance Bank, India’s largest small finance bank, has launched 75 study centers across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, benefiting over 1,500 underprivileged children aged 8-13 in South India. This initiative provides comprehensive education support through coaching classes and extracurricular activities, empowering young minds to reach their full potential.

The initiative will establish 75 study centers across rural villages in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, each staffed by a dedicated teacher. These centers will provide two hours of after-school academic coaching on weekdays, offering extra support to students, and sports training on Saturdays to promote physical development and teamwork. Additionally, students will receive essential life skills education, covering health and hygiene, child rights and protection, and more, empowering them with comprehensive knowledge and skills for their future.

Speaking at the occasion, Sanjay Agarwal, Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “Education is the foundation of a thriving society, and today's children are the architects of our nation's future. At AU Small Finance Bank, we are dedicated to nurturing this future by focusing on both foundational education and skill development. Our commitment to skill education is rooted in empowering young minds, improving grassroots education, and equipping students with essential skills to thrive. We're committed to enhancing academic performance, raising awareness of life skills and child rights, and promoting extracurricular activities like sports for underprivileged children in rural Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Through these initiatives, our mission is to empower the future of these children."

AU SFB supports 2,500 ambitious youth across India in their pursuit of success, through expert online coaching, preparing candidates for competitive entrance and recruitment examinations. Through AU Ignite skill training initiative, we have so far trained 21,962 and placed 17,037 candidates.

About AU Small Finance Bank

AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) is India's largest Small Finance Bank, established in 1996 by Sanjay Agarwal and commencing banking operations in April 2017. With 29 years of experience serving rural and semi-urban markets, AU SFB operates a sustainable business model, providing credit to underserved retail and MSME segments and complete banking solutions to customers. As a tech-led bank, AU SFB offers innovative digital products and services, with a strong online presence and a highly rated mobile app. With 2,414 touchpoints across 21 states and 4 UTs, AU SFB serves 1.08 Cr customers with 46,000+ employees. As of June 30, 2024, the bank has a shareholders' fund of ?15,516 Cr, deposits of ?97,290 Cr, loans of ?99,792 Cr, and a balance sheet size of ?1.26 Lac Cr. AU SFB is listed on NSE and BSE, with high external credit ratings of 'AA/Stable' and 'AA+/Stable' from leading rating agencies.

Website:www.aubank.in 

Lam Research Breaks Ground On Cutting-Edge Systems Lab In Bengaluru

* Addition to Lam’s India Center for Engineering to accelerate research and development, foster supply chain expansion, and workforce training

Lam Research Corp. (Nasdaq: LRCX), at a ceremony held earlier today, broke ground on a new systems lab at its India Center for Engineering in Bengaluru. The systems lab will expand on Lam’s existing India Center for Engineering that was opened in September 2022. As part of a global network of leading-edge labs, Lam’s R&D operations in India play a critical role in the creation of new technologies needed in a time of rising semiconductor manufacturing complexity. The lab is expected to be one of the most advanced of its kind in the country, with a fully functional semiconductor manufacturing equipment development environment.

“As chipmaking becomes ever-more complex, there is growing need for greater collaboration and global engagement of expertise, intellectual property and materials,” said Sesha Varadarajan, senior vice president at Lam’s Global Products Group. “The addition of a systems lab allows us to further capitalize on the quality of technical talent in India and build on the value we deliver at our India Center for Engineering.”

The new facility will enable Lam engineers in India to design, test, and validate semiconductor manufacturing processes and equipment on site and on tool with active chemistries and realistic test parameters, enabling significantly shortened design cycles. The lab is intended to play a critical role in Lam’s current and future research and development (R&D) and foster workforce development.

The lab will also provide valuable infrastructure to enable collaboration with customers and supply chain partners. Earlier this year, Lam announced an initiative to expand its semiconductor supply chain network to India. 

“Lam has been a leader in the Indian semiconductor ecosystem for over two decades, and an expanded R&D presence will help catalyse collaboration and innovation for advanced chipmaking,” said Rangesh Raghavan, Lam Research's India corporate vice president and general manager. “In this context, we are grateful for the ongoing support and partnership extended by the Government of India and the State of Karnataka.”

About Lam Research

Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Lam’s equipment and services allow customers to build smaller and better performing devices. In fact, today nearly every advanced chip is built with Lam technology. We combine superior systems engineering, technology leadership, and a strong values-based culture, with an unwavering commitment to our customers. Lam Research (Nasdaq: LRCX) is a FORTUNE 500® company headquartered in Fremont, Calif., with operations around the globe. Learn more at www.lamresearch.com.

Honda Power Pack Energy India And Bhago Mobility Team Up For Providing Green Fleet Management Services For The EV Segment

* Powered By Honda's Cutting-Edge Battery Swap Technology

* Incorporating eco-friendly practices to ensure the highest levels of efficiency and reliability

Honda Power Pack Energy India Pvt Ltd (Honda e:Swap) a Subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Japan and Bhago Mobility an Indian innovator in sustainable transportation solutions have teamed up for providing state of the art Green Fleet Management Services aimed at revolutionizing last-mile delivery solutions for the EV segment. These services incorporate Honda e:Swap’s cutting-edge battery swap technology where discharged batteries can be replaced with fully charged batteries within minutes  to enable  EV fleets with maximum Uptime   Bhago Mobility’s electric cargo vehicles powered by Honda e:Swap’s  innovative  technology offers quick battery swaps resulting in higher levels of reliability and lower downtime for EV fleets., Bhago Mobility will deploy Honda e:Swap-powered electric vehicles at strategic locations in Bangalore and Delhi. These would be a boon to e-commerce fleets as well as vehicles engaged in passenger mobility.

Bhago Mobility’s dedicated hubs will provide electric cargo vehicles round the clock. These vehicles with swappable battery packs will be stationed within a 10km radius of every metro station, guaranteeing access to reliable, convenient and sustainable mobility services whenever needed, effectively providing a truly green choice for commuting and carrying cargo. With carefully chosen partners, Bhago mobility will launch 100 vehicles within the next few months of 2024 and aims to reach 10,000 vehicle in the next three years by 2028.

"We are excited to mark World EV Day by starting our Honda e:Swap service for Bhago Mobility in Bangalore. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing sustainable, efficient, and cutting-edge solutions for urban mobility. We believe this step will not only enhance the seamless delivery solution, but also contribute significantly to the city’s transition towards a greener future." said

Mr. Takuya Taniguchi, President and CMD, Honda Power Pack Energy India Pvt ltd. (Honda e:Swap)

“It is an honour to partner with Honda e:Swap in this ground breaking initiative. Our shared vision for sustainable transportation aligns perfectly with our goal to revolutionize fleet management and last-mile delivery in India. With the support of Honda e:Swap’s advanced battery swapping technology, we are confident in delivering superior service to our clients while significantly reducing our carbon footprint,” said Mr. Aditya Goyal, founder of Bhago Mobility.

Apart from fleet operations Bhago mobility’s another  forward looking initiative  is its upcoming dedicated “Solar-Powered Hub” with 360-Degree Green Operations.  the 360-degree green operations is expected to be powered by the Solar powered Hubs. Mr. Goyal said, “We integrate sustainable practices throughout our entire process, ensuring an eco-friendly approach from start to finish. These hubs will not only support our operations but also reflect our dedication to sustainable practices.”

Other key features of the services include –

·         Advanced Fleet Tracking and Monitoring: Real-time GPS tracking and data analytics provide comprehensive insights into fleet performance, helping businesses make informed decisions and optimize routes.

·         Predictive Maintenance: Using AI-driven algorithms, the system predicts potential maintenance issues before they occur, ensuring vehicles remain operational and reducing downtime.

·         Sustainability Focus: Bhago Mobility's Green Hub integrates electric and hybrid vehicles into fleet operations, reducing carbon footprints and promoting greener practices.

·         24/7 Support and Assistance: A dedicated team of experts is available around the clock to provide support and ensure maximum uptime for all fleet operations.

By introducing these services, Bhago Mobility is not just providing fleet management solutions but is also paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future. Businesses that partner with Bhago Mobility can look forward to reduced costs, improved operational efficiency, and a smaller environmental footprint. 

About Bhago Mobility 

Bhago Mobility is a forward-thinking company dedicated to sustainable transportation solutions. The Company is dedicated to providing the highest levels of uptime for e-fleets thereby becoming an integral part of ensuring superior last mile mobility efficiencies, reliable last mile connectivity and deliveries.   With a mission to transform the way people and goods move, Bhago Mobility offers a range of innovative products and services designed to enhance mobility while reducing environmental impact. Bhago Mobility has a vision for carbon neutrality and towards this end is in the process of setting up green powered hubs to provide charged batteries through green energy. Bhago Mobility has been promoted by a tier1 engineering organisation with pan India presence and long standing relationships with Honda, BMW, Yamaha Aisin and Musashi.

About Honda Power Pack Energy India Pvt Ltd

Honda Power Pack Energy India Pvt Ltd (Honda e:Swap) offers an innovative battery-swapping technology tailored for electric two and three-wheelers. Addressing the critical challenges faced by EVs – limited range, long charging times, and high battery costs – Honda e:Swap emerged as a ground-breaking solution to accelerate the penetration of electric vehicles in India. The service offers efficient and convenient battery swaps, reshaping the landscape of electric mobility.

Honda e:Swap has already established   77 stations and 144  Honda Power Pack Exchanger e:  across Bengaluru as on 9th September strategically located to enable easy access to users. The company aimed to extend its presence to other tier-1 locations in India in this fiscal year, ensuring widespread access to sustainable mobility solutions through hundreds of Honda Power Pack Exchanger e:.

Samsung’s Bespoke AI Appliances: Now Made In The Indian Maret

* The new range of Samsung’s Bespoke home appliances are now Made in India at its Sriperumbudur factory near Chennai

* Samsung’s new range of Bespoke appliances are powered by AI, allowing consumers to step in to the new era of modern homes

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today said that its latest Bespoke home appliances, powered by AI, are now manufactured in India.

Designed to meet the specific needs of Indian consumers, these AI-powered Bespoke home appliances are set to revolutionize the way Indian households manage their daily tasks by offering smart, personalized, and energy-efficient solutions. Moreover, with advanced inbuilt Wi-Fi, and AI chips, these Bespoke AI appliances adapt to user preferences, making everyday chores easier, faster and more efficient.

By manufacturing these appliances locally, Samsung is ensuring that Indian consumers have access to world-class products that are tailored to their needs.

Samsung recently launched 10 new Bespoke AI washing machines that are being manufactured at the Chennai plant in India. These new 12 KG Bespoke AI washing machines are ideal for Indian consumers since they come with AI intervention at every step of the washing process. The new modern washing machines come in Bespoke design with Flat Glass Door and advanced AI features such as AI Wash, AI Energy Mode, AI Control and AI Ecobubble. The AI Wash feature uses advanced sensing technology that senses the wash load, fabric weight and softeness, water level, detergent level and soil level to give the most optimum wash. With AI Energy Mode available through the SmartThings App, users can further manage the energy usage of their home appliances and save money in the process. Additionally, SuperSpeed option reduces the wash time to 39 minutes, without compromising on the wash performance. 

Equipped with artificial intelligence technologies and SmartThings capabilities, the new Bespoke AI washing machines are a milestone in consumer convenience thanks to a hyper-connected ecosystem.

Samsung is also manufacturing its Bespoke Side-by-Side (SBS) refrigerators in India, showcasing its commitment of exceeding customers’ expectations in the fast-growing premium appliances market.

As Samsung continues to scale its operations in India, the company’s long-term vision remains focused on empowering Indian consumers with cutting-edge technology that is both accessible and sustainable. By integrating advanced AI features, the company is also delivering personalized, high-quality products that cater to the evolving needs of Indian households, while also contributing to the country’s economic growth and technological advancement. Some examples of Samsung’s India specific home appliances innovations during its 29-year journey in India include,

Tanishq's New Film Celebrates Equal Partnership In Marriage

Rivaah by Tanishq, India's leading wedding jewellery destination from the house of TATA, launches a heart-warming campaign that celebrates the modern bride who charts her own narrative. Conceptualized by Lowe Lintas, the campaign highlights her progressive mind-set, beliefs, and how it holds true for her wedding as well. Marking a new milestone, Tanishq is launching its first-ever 3-minute-long multilingual film on Television, representing India’s diversity and adding to the brand’s legacy of compelling and expansive storytelling. This multi-starrer film features actors from various regions, further emphasizing Tanishq's deep connection and resonance with diverse audiences from across states in India.

For Marriages Crafted by You is the essence of this campaign, underscoring the idea that the modern bride plays an active role in shaping her wedding journey. Today’s bride is a trailblazer, merging the old with the new, placing herself at the heart of her story. Embracing traditional values and modern upbringing in equal measure, she steps into this new chapter with her groom as an equal partner. Together, they share the journey of adaptation and change, thus reflecting the shifting landscapes of modern relationships and marriages. The film celebrates not just the warmth and relationships shared by the bride and her family but also shines a spotlight on the bride's agency in navigating her wedding journey. In true Tanishq style, the storytelling remains charming, endearing, and filled with emotion, continuing the brand’s legacy of crafting heart-warming narratives with a modern, progressive take on traditional values and this time in the wedding context.

This film, through a poignant yet subtle narrative, makes a bold and powerful statement and challenges expected societal norms. As the bride reflects on the changes marriage brings forth, she poses a question: why should the responsibility of adapting and adjusting fall solely on her? The film then reveals the groom as an equal partner, ready to share the responsibility and navigate their new life post-marriage, together. Through a light-hearted yet emotional tone, the film thus portrays marriage as a beautiful union of equals, where both partners embrace change. It establishes the deeper message of equal marriages and focuses on the new age bride charting her own narrative.

As the guiding force of her wedding, the bride takes her loved ones through a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, crafting a day that reflects her unique journey — for marriages crafted by you, for you.

The narrative features brides and jewellery from across major regions of India and highlights not only the rich diversity of traditions and cultures but also the shared emotions of love, understanding, and playful banter between the bride and her family.

The film features an ensemble cast including Tanishq’s brand ambassadors, Nayanthara for the Southern region and Mimi Chakraborty for Bengal, as well as the acclaimed veteran actor Shobha Khote.

Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFcXEUDDA7w

Pelki Tshering, CMO, Tanishq, said, "Rivaah by Tanishq sees marriage through the eyes of modern brides from regions across India. Today, with the evolving dynamics of relationships, our brides play an active role in crafting marriages that are uniquely theirs. Our campaign highlights the significance of equal partnerships, where both individuals embrace change together. Through this narrative, we celebrate every bride’s ability to create a marriage that reflects her identity, her path, and the future she and her partner will build together."

Speaking about the campaign, Kopal Naithani, Founder & Director, Superfly Films, said “The new Rivaah film raises the question of what modern marriages should look like. Traditionally, the burden of change and adjustment in a marriage has often been placed on the bride, reflecting societal expectations of women. However, the Rivaah film reimagines these norms by suggesting that the responsibility of change should not rest solely on the bride. Instead, it presents a more balanced and equitable vision of marriage, emphasizing mutual respect and shared responsibility.”

Arpan Bhattacharyya, Head of Creative, Lowe Lintas, Bangalore said, “A marriage is a new chapter for all involved. Why then should the onus of changing, adapting, and compromising rest with the woman and her side of the family? A marriage of equals should mean that both sides take up the responsibility for change. Equally. That’s the message this campaign is designed to convey.”

Rivaah by Tanishq's latest collection features stunning wedding trousseaus for all regional brides, beautifully balancing traditional charm and contemporary appeal. For brides in metro regions, the collection showcases some stunning modern polki and diamond designs. Crafted for the bride who knows her worth and celebrates her journey, experience the warmth, elegance, and empowerment of the new age bride with Rivaah by Tanishq – where every piece tells a story of love, equality, and timeless elegance.

Samsung ‘Solve For Tomorrow’ 2024 Reveals The 10 Finalist Teams For The Grand Finale

* The top 10 teams, represented by 22 students from across the nation, will now gear up for the finale event where they will pitch their innovations to a grand jury of Samsung and industry leaders

* The shortlisted teams come from some of the country's remotest regions, including Golaghat in Assam, Jhalawar in Rajasthan, Udupi in Karnataka, and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh

* The young innovators earlier attended an Innovation Walk at Samsung offices in Delhi/NCR, Noida, and Bengaluru

Samsung India today announced the Top 10 teams of ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ 2024, its flagship CSR programme. The top 10 teams will now advance to the grand finale where they will present their unique ideas to a grand jury comprising Samsung leadership and other key industry leaders. The shortlisted teams come from some of the country's remotest regions, including Golaghat and Kamrup Rural in Assam, Jhalawar in Rajasthan, Udupi in Karnataka, and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, highlighting the programme’s deep regional penetration.

These finalists underwent a rigorous selection process involving multiple rounds of pitch presentations to Samsung jury members and mentoring sessions by experts from Samsung and Foundation for Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi.  As a reward, each of these 20 teams received a grant of INR 20,000 for prototype development. In addition to this, the shortlisted teams from the youth track received latest Samsung Galaxy laptops while the teams from the school track received Galaxy tabs.

In the 3rd edition of the programme, students submitted their ideas under two overarching themes: ‘Community and Inclusion’ and ‘Environment and Sustainability.’ Under these broad themes, most of the ideas focused on tackling key issues such as education and resource access for underprivileged communities, challenges in experiential learning, digital literacy, water conservation, and arsenic pollution.

The teams also participated in an ‘Innovation Walk’, designed to provide mentoring, expert sessions and exposure to the students. This was held at various Samsung offices including Samsung R&D Centres in Bengaluru, and Noida, as well as the regional headquarters in Gurugram. The students participated in sessions that were instrumental in providing insights to the product development process, which also helped them improve their ideas. This was followed by a National Pitch Event, where the final 10 teams were selected.

“We are thrilled to witness the journeys of these 10 shortlisted teams from across the nation, which are nothing short of remarkable. The ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ programme has been able to expand the boundaries of creativity and capability for all participants, ultimately preparing them not only for the finale but for their future endeavours as well. Through the programme, we aim to equip the participants with technical skills, instill them with confidence and help them in thinking innovatively. As we approach the grand pitch event, we are excited to see how these participants will bring their path-breaking ideas to life and create positive social change,” said SP Chun, Corporate Vice President, Samsung Southwest Asia.

“The innovation and creativity displayed by these young minds are truly inspiring. Samsung’s ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ programme has been a substantial contributor in providing these students with the right mentorship and training needed to refine, elevate and nurture their ideas. FITT takes immense pride in being a part of this esteemed platform, where young innovators are empowered with the skills and confidence that will remain integral to their future journeys,” said Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director, FITT, IIT Delhi.

This edition of the 'Solve for Tomorrow' 2024 programme has seen participants from some of the country's most remote regions, including Imphal in Manipur, East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. All students were inspired to develop ideas aimed at addressing societal issues, fulfilling Samsung’s mission to leverage technological innovation to improve the lives of people, particularly those in underprivileged communities.

Here are the finalist 5 teams of the School Track and the problems they are solving

SkyGuard Wildfire Monitoring: Reduce the adverse impact of air pollution and wildlife risks on communities, especially those in peri-urban, rural, and forested areas by developing  solutions that focus on environmental monitoring and public health improvement by providing real-time data to mitigate the adverse effects.

Eco Tech Innovator: The team is developing a solution to reduce the ill effects of arsenic contamination in drinking water sources, leading to reduction of essential minerals.

Praetor VR: The team envisions developing affordable VR-based learning solutions for students who cannot afford the expensive ones.

You: Provide support to the LGBTQ community by offering legal, and educational initiatives to encourage acceptance and equality.

HamaraLabs: Developed an app that gives course information, breaking it down to make decision-making easy.

Here are the finalist 5 teams of the Youth Track and the problems they are solving

Metal: Finding a solution to the problem of arsenic contamination, particularly in groundwater.

Team Hemta: Developed solutions to reduce the burning of agricultural waste.

BioD: Offering solutions to help the overdependence of single-use plastics that contribute to carbon footprint as well as oceanic and landfill pollution.

Ramdhan Lodha: Addresses agricultural challenges by offering sustainable and farmer-friendly solutions.

EnvTech: Offering groundwater solutions to help reduce overdependence on borewells.

Samsung India, for Solve for Tomorrow 2024, partnered and collaborated with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi; the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY); Manthan, Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India and the United Nations in India for the 3rd edition of the programme in India.

This year, the ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ programme introduces two distinct tracks – School Track and Youth Track, each dedicated to championing a specific theme and targeted towards different age groups. Both the tracks will run simultaneously, ensuring equal opportunity and a level playing field for all students. The programme also introduced a new learning module – design-thinking workshops in over 100 schools across India to train and mentor students in school track. These workshops aimed at nurturing their problem-solving mindsets by providing them situational challenges and inducing them to build solutions.

What do the winners get:

School Track: The Winning Team will be declared as the “Community Champion” of Solve for Tomorrow 2024 and will receive a seed grant of INR 25 Lakh for prototype advancement. The schools of the winning teams will also receive Samsung Products to boost educational offerings, encouraging a problem-solving mindset.

Youth Track: The Winning Team will be declared as the “Environment Champion” of Solve for Tomorrow 2024 and will receive a grant of INR 50 Lakh for incubation at IIT-Delhi. The colleges of the winning teams also receive Samsung products to boost their educational offerings, encouraging social entrepreneurship.

First launched in the US in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow is currently operational in 63 countries globally and has seen over 2.3 million young people participate worldwide.

With the global CSR vision of ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People’, Samsung Electronics is committed to provide education to young people around the world to empower the leaders of tomorrow. Read more stories on Samsung Electronics’ CSR efforts on our CSR webpage http://csr.samsung.com

About Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter @SamsungNewsIN.

Pre-Launch Bookings For The All-New BMW CE 02 Across India

#MoveYourWay

Available for pre-booking at all BMW Motorrad authorized dealerships.

#CE02 #PluggedToLife #MakeLifeARide #BMWMotorrad #UrbanMobility

BMW Motorrad India will open bookings for the all-new BMW CE 02 from 12:30 Hrs, 07 September 2024 onwards. The all-new BMW CE 02 is the first locally produced BEV in India from BMW Motorrad, for the world.

The all-new BMW CE 02 symbolizes not just a shift in mobility but also in attitude. The CE 02 appeals to those who take a different path, make bold statements, and stand out while being #PluggedToLife.

The all-new BMW CE 02 is created for the city and the urban environment. It is nimble, practical and robust, which makes riding fun.

The all-new BMW CE 02 is Revolutionary, Iconic. It’s visually attractive and electrically quiet at the same time. Being environmentally conscious can be stylish now.

Customers can contact their nearest authorised BMW Motorrad dealership to book the all-new BMW CE 02. To locate an authorised BMW Motorrad dealership, click here: https://bit.ly/4d4iWXv.