Veranda K-12 Announces The Shortlisting Of Top-25 Entries For The Nationals Of Avinya

* Grand Finale To Be Held On December 7 At IIIT-Bangalore

Veranda K-12, part of Veranda Learning Solutions, announced the shortlisting of the top 25 entries for the Nationals of Avinya, a nation-wide initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing the next generation of young innovators. These exceptional students will compete in the Grand Finale on December 7, 2024, at IIIT-Bangalore, where their ground-breaking ideas will take centre-stage.

Avinya: A Hub for Young Innovators

Avinya is a platform designed to empower students from Grades 8 to 12 across India to tackle real-world challenges through innovative ideas aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative aimed to reach over 100 cities and towns, inspiring over 1 lakh young learners to think creatively and contribute towards a sustainable future.

Speaking about the program, Mr. Suresh Kalpathi, Executive Director and Chairman of Veranda Learning Solutions, said: “Avinya is not just a competition; it’s a movement to instil innovation and sustainability in the minds of our youth. These young minds hold the key to a better future, and it is heartening to see their creativity shaping solutions to global challenges."

The Grand Finale is being hosted in collaboration with IIIT-Bangalore, a premier technology, research and innovation institute in India. Speaking about the partnership, Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, said: “At IIIT-Bangalore, we are committed to cultivating a culture of innovation from an early stage. Our partnership with Veranda K-12 for the Avinya initiative has been both inspiring and impactful, as it resonates deeply with our mission to empower young minds to think critically, innovate boldly, and address global challenges with creativity and purpose. Together, we aim to shape the leaders and problem-solvers of tomorrow, equipping them to make meaningful contributions to society."

Journey to the Nationals

Avinya received an overwhelming response with over 350 ideas submitted from 14 cities and towns. Shortlisted entries went through a rigorous selection process conducted in collaboration with host schools and online platforms.

Physical evaluations were held at:

The Millennium School, Lucknow

The Khaitan School, Noida

BVM Global School, Chennai

Vista International, Hyderabad

BVM Global School, Coimbatore

Khaitan Public School, Ghaziabad

Shishya BEML School, Bengaluru

BVM Global School, Bengaluru

Meanwhile, ideas from Jaipur, Kolkata, Pune, Indore, Trichy, Chandigarh, and Anantnag were evaluated online.

Preparing for the Grand Finale

The top-25 finalists have already undergone two online masterclasses, and a Bootcamp will be held on December 6th, 2024, at IIIT-Bangalore. This session will feature experts from the innovation ecosystem and young entrepreneurs sharing insights into ideation, implementation, and the nuances of building a successful start-up.

Exciting Grand Finale Details

The Grand Finale on December 7th, 2024, will see these young innovators presenting their ideas to an esteemed panel, including:

Mr. Bhavin Shah, Director & CEO, Education World

Mr. Prateek Madhav, Co-founder & CEO, AssisTech Foundation

Ms. Gayatri Chauhan, Founder & CEO, BuzzOnEarth

Mr. Rajesh Pankaj, Chief Program Officer, Veranda Learning Solutions

The event will also feature:

Guest of Honour: Mr. Suresh Kalpathi, Executive Director & Chairman, Veranda Learning Solutions

Chief Guest (Inauguration Ceremony): Mr. Sunil Acharya, India & South Asia Lead, Amazon Web Services

Chief Guest (Awards Ceremony): Prof. Chandrashekar Ramanathan, Dean of Academics, IIIT-Bangalore

A Vision for the Future

Mr. Subramanyam Kantheti, CEO of Veranda K-12, emphasized the importance of this initiative:

"Avinya is a platform to empower young minds to dream big and think innovatively. Collaborating with IIIT-Bangalore ensures these ideas are fine-tuned with world-class mentorship and expertise, paving the way for future changemakers."

For more information, visit www.verandak12.com/avinya. 

Setting New Standards In Women’s Safety For Bus Travel Across India

Ensuring safe travel for women remains a critical priority in India, especially for those journeying alone. From bustling metropolitan areas like Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai to growing cities such as Bhopal and Agra, many women continue to express concerns about their safety while traveling. This is particularly evident during intercity journeys, highlighting the urgent need for transportation options that prioritize passenger security.

Recognizing this need, NueGo, a leader in the intercity bus travel sector, is placing women's safety at the forefront of its mission. Operating across more than 150 cities in India, NueGo is revolutionizing the travel experience for women by implementing an extensive range of safety measures, including a 24/7 dedicated women's helpline (1800 267 3366), high-definition CCTV surveillance, real-time GPS tracking, and mandatory driver Breathalyzer tests. NueGo’s staff undergo rigorous training, and its Driver Monitoring System ensures accountability and safety. Reserved seating for women is also available, featuring the PINK seat option, where female passengers are seated exclusively next to other women for added comfort. The buses offer clean and hygienic mid-point stops, supported by a 24x7 Command Control Centre, empowering women to travel with confidence.

NueGo's marketing campaigns emphasize women’s safety, empowerment, and an enhanced guest experience. The #UnloadYourWorries campaign highlights NueGo’s dedication to addressing women’s safety concerns through its comprehensive safety measures. The 'Breaking Barriers with NueGo' campaign on National Girl Child Day celebrated the achievements of women coach captains and cabin hosts, challenging stereotypes in traditionally male-dominated roles. NueGo has also undertaken guest-centric campaigns, including sports collaborations with the Haryana Steelers Kabaddi team and Delhi Capitals, movie tie-ups offering travel discounts, and services like fares starting from ?499 with food boxes on select routes—all designed to enhance the travel experience, promote gender equality, and build emotional connections with its guests.

By addressing the long-standing challenges faced by women travelers, NueGo is promoting greater mobility and independence for women across the country. As the company continues to expand its services, it sets a powerful example for the transportation industry, proving that safe and comfortable travel for women is both possible and essential for building a more inclusive society.

DPIIT, WinZO Sign MoU To Propel India’s Interactive Entertainment Ecosystem

* DPIIT signed a two year long MoU with WinZO to support over 2,000 interactive entertainment startups, students, influencers through mentorship, workshops, hackathons, and accelerator programs, aiming to grow India’s global share in the $300 billion global gaming market.

* The Center of Excellence (CoE), to be established by WinZO in partnership with DPIIT as part of this MoU, will foster a high-skilled, industry-ready workforce that aligns with PM Modi’s vision for fostering the growth of startups in online gaming. It will help enhance India's presence in the global market, further foster innovation in monetization of Indian gaming assets, develop 'Made in India' intellectual property for export, and drive growth in FDI.

In a landmark development poised to redefine India’s position in the global gaming industry, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has entered into a strategic partnership with WinZO, India’s largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform. The two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to accelerate the growth of India’s interactive entertainment sector by fostering innovation, creating skilled talent, and scaling startups to compete on a global stage.

This first-of-its-kind collaboration will focus on building a robust ecosystem of over 2,000 startups, innovators, and students, providing them with mentorship, industry insights, and access to global opportunities. By aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat in gaming and technology, this initiative seeks to establish India as a global leader in interactive entertainment, capturing a significant share of the $300 billion global gaming market.

Central to this partnership is the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE) by WinZO, in collaboration with DPIIT. The CoE will serve as a launchpad for startups and entrepreneurs, focusing on critical aspects such as building a skilled, industry-ready workforce, innovating monetization strategies for Indian gaming assets, developing ‘Made in India’ intellectual property for global markets of world-class quality, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and driving manufacturing of interactive technology products in India. By addressing long-standing challenges such as monetization and talent gaps, the CoE will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s gaming and interactive entertainment industry.

According to a recent USISPF report, India’s interactive entertainment sector is projected to grow to $60 billion by 2034, creating over 2 million jobs. The DPIIT-WinZO partnership is designed to harness this potential by nurturing startups through hackathons, workshops, accelerator programs, and curated pitch events.

Additionally, the MoU will expand WinZO’s flagship Tech Triumph Program (Bharat Edition), a platform for identifying and mentoring India’s top game developers. This program has already showcased India’s gaming talent at global forums such as the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and Gamescom LATAM, and will now scale its impact through DPIIT’s support.

Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, added, “This partnership is a significant milestone in harnessing India’s potential as a producer and exporter. Through our collaboration with WinZO, we aim to foster innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and empower startups to manufacture products of global standards. This initiative aligns with our vision of making India a leader in interactive technology, contributing meaningfully to PM Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India.”

The MoU also focuses on bridging the talent gap in the sector by equipping professionals with cutting-edge skills in coding, animation, game design, and development. The CoE will provide startups with opportunities to access WinZO’s $50 million fund for interactive entertainment ventures, mentorship from industry leaders, and direct connections with investors.

Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director (Startup India), DPIIT, emphasized, “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to building a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs by collaborating with the Industry partners. By providing resources, mentorship, and global exposure, we are not just creating startups but building a pipeline of talent and innovation that will place India at the forefront of the global gaming industry.”

Saumya Singh Rathore, Co-Founder of WinZO, said, “We are honored to partner with DPIIT, which has been a cornerstone in empowering entrepreneurs like us to dream, build, and scale from India to the world. This MoU is a transformative step toward creating an ecosystem that not only fosters innovation for India but also positions Indian products and intellectual property on the global stage. By fueling foreign direct investment, nurturing world-class talent, and driving the creation of future-ready IP, we are building the foundation for a new era of interactive entertainment. Inspired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call during the Startup Mahakumbh, we see this as our pledge to shape India into a global leader in gaming and technology innovation.”

Bangalore Consumers Show Strong Preference For Traditional As Well As Modern Value-Added Dairy Products: Godrej Jersey’s Milk Report

~Products like Curd at 83% and Ghee at 77% top the list

As India observes National Milk Day, Godrej Jersey's Milk Report reveals Bangalore’s strong preference not only for Milk but also for traditional as well as modern value-added dairy products.

Traditional dairy products dominate the Bangalore market, with Curd emerging as the most preferred product at 83%, followed   by Ghee at 77% .The data further shows that Bangalore’s strong connection to traditional dairy continues with Butter at 75% and Paneer at 65% consumer preference. Modern dairy variants are gaining acceptance too, with 52% of consumers incorporating yogurt into their diet and 59% expressing interest in flavored milk options.

Titled ‘Bottoms Up…India Says Cheers to Milk!’ the comprehensive study covering consumer responses from Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata, provides valuable insights into evolving consumer preferences and industry trends. Beyond understanding the preference towards dairy and dairy based products, the survey also tried understanding the quality preference and willingness to pay for farm-to-home premium milk.

Commenting on the distinct dairy preferences, Bhupendra Suri, CEO, Godrej Jersey said, “Indian consumers exhibit a unique blend of traditional preferences and openness to modern dairy options. From established favorites like curd, paneer and ghee, to emerging choices like yogurt and flavored milk, today’s dairy consumers are mindful of the quality and nutritional value in their selections. As India's dairy industry continues to grow and evolve, Godrej Jersey remains committed to understanding consumer preferences and delivering products that meet these evolving needs.”

India’s broader dairy landscape also shows a clear emphasis on quality. According to the report, over half of Indian consumers 54% prioritize milk quality when purchasing dairy products, with 59% of Bangalore consumers ranking it as a top priority. This growing awareness of unadulteration signifies a willingness among consumers to pay a premium for safe and superior dairy products.

The survey was designed and conducted by YouGov. Creamline Dairy Products Limited, a subsidiary of Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL), a diversified food and agri-business conglomerate of Godrej Group sells the products under the brand name Godrej Jersey.

By championing quality and transparency, Godrej Jersey continues to contribute to the growth and development of India’s dairy landscape. The company’s programs on integrated animal husbandry, and sustainable farming enable farmers to enhance their income levels by adopting best practices in Dairy farming.

About Godrej Agrovet

Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL) is a diversified, Research & Development focused food and agri-business conglomerate, dedicated to improving the productivity of Indian farmers by innovating products and services that sustainably increase crop and livestock yields. GAVL holds leading market positions in the different businesses it operates - Animal Feed, Crop Protection, Oil Palm, Dairy, Poultry and Processed Foods. GAVL has a pan India presence with sales of over a million tons annually of high-quality animal feed. Our teams have worked closely with Indian farmers to develop large Oil Palm Plantations, which is helping in bridging the demand and supply gap of edible oil in India. In the crop protection segment, the Company has strong presence in the B2B segment through its subsidiary Astec Lifesciences and through its extensive distribution, network pan-India delivers innovative agrochemical offerings catering to the entire crop life cycles. In Dairy, Poultry, and Processed Foods, the company operates through its subsidiaries Creamline Dairy Products Limited and Godrej Tyson Foods Limited. Apart from this, GAVL also has a joint venture with the ACI group of Bangladesh for animal feed business in Bangladesh.

For more information on the company, log on to www.godrejagrovet.com.

Expansion In South-Asia: tesa Opens New Hubs Across Indian Market

·         New locations in Mumbai and Bengaluru

·         Enhancing support and service capabilities for local customers

·         Accelerating market expansion for the business region Asia Pacific

tesa, an international manufacturer of innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions, proudly announces the opening of new offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru. This strategic expansion highlights tesa's commitment to enhancing its presence in India's manufacturing sector and aligns with its growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.

By investing in these new offices, tesa also demonstrates its long-term commitment to India, aiming to foster closer partnerships and enhance service capabilities for its rapidly expanding customer base across key industrial corridors.

Andreas Gunnestrand, President of Asia Pacific, remarked, "The opening of our new offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy for the Asia Pacific region. These locations will not only bolster our operational capabilities but also enhance our ability to innovate and engage more effectively with our customers.”

New spaces for close customer collaboration and innovation

The new corporate office in Mumbai spans 8,800 square feet, designed to meet global standards, and will strengthen tesa's foothold in western India, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Bengaluru office is strategically located to support the growing electronics and automotive sectors in South India, especially in Karnataka and Eastern Tamil Nadu.

Sustainability lies at the heart of tesa's operations in India, shaping all business activities at its various locations. Notably, the Chennai facility operates self-sufficiently thanks to solar panel installations. Recognizing India as a strategic growth market, this expansion highlights tesa's dedication to fostering a sustainable future while contributing to the broader development narrative within the Asia-Pacific region. With the addition of these new offices, tesa now operates from four key locations in India—Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Bengaluru—allowing the company to strengthen connections with its customers and markets while advancing its ambitious growth plans.

Visa Dispels Myths With Facts About Digital Payments

The surge in digital payments has promoted several myths around the security of digital payments. Visa clears common misconceptions for you to enjoy seamless and secure digital payment experiences. 

Myth: Payment apps store sensitive payment credential information on your phone! 

Fact: Modern digital payment systems like those from Visa, use measures like tokenization and end-to-end encryption to ensure user data security.

Myth: Strong passwords are enough to secure transactions! 

Fact: Strong passwords are a good first step, but multi-factor authentication that combine passwords with other verification methods like OTP, add layers of protection. 

Myth: Contactless payment is prone to frauds! 

Fact: Contactless payments involve a highly secure encryption process that follows global security standards. Contactless methods use advanced technology such as Near Field Communication (NFC) that secure transactions, by ensuring data is only transmitted across a very short distance, reducing interception risk.

Myth: QR codes are easily hackable! 

Fact: Only scan trusted QR codes; avoid sharing passwords/PIN/Personal information and make secure QR transactions. QR codes are a kind of link so be careful and do not share information if the QR code leads to a fraudulent website or requests personal information.  

Myth: Digital wallets are less secure than bank transactions! 

Fact: Digital wallets often include extra security features such as tokenization, biometric authentication and device-level encryption. Particularly, tokenization replaces sensitive card details with tokens, adding an extra layer of security. 

As digital payments become important to daily life, know your facts from myths. Stay updated and informed about robust security measures implemented by payment providers to embrace digital transactions confidently. 

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

Worker Housing Crucial For India’s Manufacturing Ambitions: Foundation For Economic Development Report

 

Our biggest imperative as a nation today is to create good jobs that would help our workforce transition out of low-productivity, low-paid work. To give a sense of the scale of the problem - 46% of India’s workforce is engaged in agriculture, even though the sector contributes just 18% to our GDP. Manufacturing is the only sector that can absorb relatively unskilled labour at the rate required to ensure sustained economic growth. Recognising the importance of manufacturing as a job-creating sector, Foundation for Economic Development has published a report titled “Worker Housing | Unlocking Labour-intensive Manufacturing in India”, underscoring the need for worker accommodation as a critical unlock for enabling large-scale, employment-intensive manufacturing. 

Jobs in manufacturing and services are 3-6 times as productive as agricultural work. These jobs are likely to be found in large industrial clusters, which allow for the concentration of related industries and help leverage economies of scale. In such clusters, the labour requirement is much more than what nearby towns and villages can provide. However, the report finds that one part of the explanation for lower manufacturing employment in India is that our clusters lack proper housing for workers which would induce workers to move closer to them. 

The report finds that worker housing is currently managed informally and often characterised by unauthorised slums or multi-storey settlements, which are both sub-scale relative to the number of ‘rooms’ required and of low quality. The lack of quality accommodation for workers near industrial clusters manifests in lower productivity and a shortage of workers for industries to rely on. Ultimately, the global competitiveness of India’s manufacturing exports is compromised, and job creation gets limited. 

The report argues that market responses for providing worker housing through the private sector, which should have ideally filled the gap, are hindered by regulatory bottlenecks – inflexible zoning regulations, illiberal building byelaws and approval processes, and high operating charges. Hence, it is critical for government to carry out reforms and investments in worker housing 

The report’s key recommendations on reforms for worker housing include the following: 

1. Zoning regulations: Mixed land zoning should be implemented to allow for the construction of worker housing in all zones without any restrictions

2. Building bye-laws: Worker housing should be set up based on residential building bye-laws. These regulations can be further liberalised to bring down land costs. A system of third-party certification, insurance and self-certification by chartered architects can replace the requirement for prior government approvals

3. Operating regulations: Worker housing should be exempted from paying GST and residential rates must be charged for property tax, electricity and water tariffs to bring down land costs

However, the report also points to a chicken and egg problem – housing alone will not bring in industry, so investors will be reluctant to invest in worker housing, and without workers, industry will be reluctant to come in. To truly unleash Indian manufacturing, we must think of dense, large-scale worker housing as infrastructure, that can reap coordination and externality benefits for several stakeholders and reap great public returns. Therefore, the report also recommends financial support from the government in the form of schemes that can subsidise the setting up of worker housing and rental vouchers that can be issued to workers to be exchanged for rent to subsidise housing.

About FED

Foundation for Economic Development (FED) is a non-profit that aims to facilitate a sustained and broad-based economic growth of over 10% to improve the lives of all Indians. With an approach to identifying high-impact opportunities for economic growth in India, FED works with central and state governments across the ‘value-chain’ of reform to help realise those opportunities.