Archives April 2023

India’s premier online academia, The Class of One (TCO1), recently organized a Talent Show, “I am Ingenious – Talent Show”, for its primary school students from Standard 3rd to 5th. The students showcased their in-born and precocious talents in dance, vocal and instrumental music, painting, dramatics, poem recitation, public speaking and stand-up comedy. All the students participated in the program. They performed on Classical, Semi-Classical, Folk, and Patriotic music convivially.

The Talent Show professed richness and variety. Children displayed their unparalleled talent in playing a variety of wind, percussion, and string instruments like keyboard, Guitar, etc. Much to everyone’s amazement, the children also exhibited their skills in Acrobats, Karate, Martial Arts performance, shlokas recitation, and some magic tricks.

“We are immensely proud of all the participants and grateful to the parents who accompanied their children and supported them throughout the event. Young children have an ocean of hidden talent amongst them and we at The Class of One, believe in letting our budding enthusiasts come forward and shine. This activity provided limitless opportunities for the creative minds of TCO1. The talent show indeed proved to be a wonderful platform for the students to empower students to attain ingenuity, foster creativity and enhance their innate potential.”, Divya Jain, Founder, and Director, The Class of One.

The Talent Show participants received roaring applause from the audience, which gave them validation and recognition. ‘The Class of One has always endorsed equal importance to academics and extra-curricular activities which contributes in the all-rounder development of a child’s disposition and capabilities.” she added.

New Delhi, India – Shikhar Dhawan Foundation (SDF) is proud to celebrate its first anniversary, marking a year of commitment to making a positive impact in the community and beyond. To commemorate this milestone, SDF hosted “Unchaai” on March 30th, 2023, at The Dome by Da One Group, where over 200 attendees, including organizations, influencers, and community leaders, came together to celebrate.

The event featured an interaction with SDF’s founder, Mr. Shikhar Dhawan, Mr. Amitesh Shah (CEO of Da One Group), and Dr. Kanika Dewan (Director, Impact, and Strategy), highlighting the organization’s successes and plans for the future. “SDF’s first anniversary celebrates the progress we’ve made toward our vision. I am proud of our team, volunteers, and supporters who have dedicated themselves to making a positive impact in our community,” added Mr. Amitesh.

Eleven organizations were invited to Unchaai, and their participants performed various cultural acts, from dance routines to musical performances. SDF donated to each organization for their demonstrated commitment to making a positive impact and providing aid to disadvantaged communities and advocating for social justice.”We thank all our partners for their unwavering support and collaboration. Together, we have accomplished a great deal, and I look forward to continuing our shared mission of making a difference in the lives of those we serve” said Dr. Kanika.

The donations included resources from digital devices to equipment that promotes skill development (Sports and Sewing Machines) and Educational Supplies.

Looking ahead, Shikhar Dhawan Foundation has several exciting plans in the works to build on the organization’s successes and continue its mission. The event was a testament to the foundation’s commitment to positively impacting the community and supporting organizations that share the same values.

In a video call, Shikhar Dhawan expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the support the foundation has received in its first year. He also reiterated his commitment to the foundation’s mission and encouraged others to get involved in making a positive impact in their communities.

Shikhar Dhawan Foundation is excited to continue its work in the community and looks forward to another year of making a difference.

New Delhi– April 22, 2023: Esri India, the country’s leading location intelligence software and solutions provider, today announced the availability of ArcGIS Business Analyst, a location intelligence solution suite designed to aid organizations in making data-driven smart decisions. Some of the target markets for this solution are banking and financial services companies, manufacturing organizations, retail chains, real estate companies, insurance, transportation and logistics, healthcare, hospitality, etc. All such organizations have business data that has a location component attached to it and using ArcGIS Business Analyst they can realize the full value of their data in decisions and gain a competitive advantage.

ArcGIS Business Analyst for India will include a variety of location-based datasets, such as points of interest; road network; accurate boundaries at various levels like a village, PIN codes, district, state, etc.; socio-economic and demographic data; and data available from Esri’s Living Atlas. Live road traffic information will also be available. The solution can help in the identification of new markets, new sites for stores or outlets, understanding customers’ preferences better and getting better visibility about competitors.

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, said, “ArcGIS Business Analyst is a unique solution comprising data, maps, workflows, and infographics that will enable businesses to make smarter decisions. Using ArcGIS Business Analyst, businesses can gain invaluable insight into changing population, housing, demographics, consumer spending, competition, etc., and thus make more informed decisions for market planning, site selection, territory management and customer analysis. Such in-depth analysis will help them gain a competitive edge and improve operational efficiency.”

The power of location intelligence and analytics is being recognized all over the world. Data availability and sharing are now easier in India. With enabling policies like the National Geospatial Policy and the Geospatial Data Guidelines in place, the availability of geospatial data has improved. Being a leader in providing solutions based on geospatial technologies, Esri India has launched ArcGIS Business Analyst in India to enable Indian businesses optimally utilize Indian datasets for carrying out location-specific analysis and gain a competitive advantage.

New Delhi, April 22: The last date of online applications for admission to five PG Diploma courses at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has been extended from April 19, 2023, to May 5, 2023. Admissions will be done through the Central University Entrance Test (CUET), which will be conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). Aspirants can apply online at https://cuet.nta.nic.in/.

Admission to various courses will be subsequently held through a counselling process. Details of the same would be available in the IIMC Prospectus shortly. Admissions incharge Prof. Rakesh Goswami said that the entrance examination paper will have 100 questions, all of which will be mandatory. Question paper will be divided into two parts – Part A will have 25 questions based on language comprehension/verbal ability, general awareness, mathematical/quantitative ability and analytical skills; Part B will have 75 questions based on subject specific knowledge and will cover the following topics:

1. General Awareness of Indian Political and Economic Environment

2. International Developments (Political & Entertainment)

3. Awareness of Current Public Issues

4. Indian History & Social Science

5. Information Communication Technologies and its application in Media Industry

6. Mass Media & Society

Prof. Goswami said that students who have filled the CUET form earlier and did not opt for IIMC can opt for Indian Institute of Mass Communication when the correction window opens from May 6 to 8. If a student has previously opted for one of the courses affiliated to IIMC and now wants to opt for any other course, he can do the same during the opening of the correction window.

In the CUET (PG) information booklet, IIMC’s courses have been bunched under the ‘Common’ category and the question paper code is COQP17. The test paper codes of different courses at IIMC are at serial Nos. 1043 to 1047. Candidates are advised to keep visiting the NTA/IIMC website for latest updates.

Eligibility Criteria

He added candidates who have a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university can apply for admissions to the IIMC. Students who have appeared/are appearing for Final year/semester examination of their Bachelor’s Degree are also eligible to apply. If selected, their admission will be subject to their producing at least a Provisional marks-sheet/Certificate in original from their college/university latest by 30th September 2023, (extendable in genuine cases after ascertaining the reasons). On completion of the course, the Diploma will be awarded only if the Original Degree Certificate is produced for verification at IIMC office.

Age Limit

General Category candidates should be born on or after 1.8.1998 (maximum 25 years as on 1st August 2023). For OBC category, date of birth should be 1.8.1995 or later (28 years as on 1st August 2023). For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the date of birth should be 1.8.1993 or later (maximum 30 years as on 1st August 2023).

Mumbai, 22 April 2023: After announcing their India partnership with Reliance Brands Limited last year, Pret A Manger, the UK-based popular freshly made food and organic coffee chain, is all set to launch its first shop in the country. Opening its doors to the public on 21st April 2023, in Maker Maxity, Mumbai, it will be the first of many shops set to open later this year. The inaugural Mumbai shop is a recreation of Pret’s iconic London shops with a large dining space spread across 2,567 sq ft. Fresh food and organic coffee lovers in the city can drop by to dine-in with their family and friends or grab a quick takeaway.

The new Pret shop will offer customers a wide range of delicious and freshly made sandwiches, baguettes, salads, soups, as well as a variety of organic coffee, tea, shakes and smoothie options. Popular options like the Pret Pickle & Posh Cheddar Granary Sandwich, Avocado & Toms- Stone Baked Baguette, Smoked Salmon Protein Box Salad and a selection of freshly baked goods including Pret’s best-selling croissants and cookies constitute the food menu and will bring to India Pret’s classics without any additives to products. All freshly made food will be hand prepared in Pret’s onsite kitchen daily and never held over to the next day.

“We are thrilled to be opening the first Pret A Manger shop in India. Freshness of ingredients, authenticity of recipes, and a curiosity in processes defines the new Indian consumer. Our partnership with Pret A Manger aims to tap into this curiosity with an offering that we can proudly say – ensures traceability of coffee beans as much as a zero additive approach to food.” said Darshan Mehta, MD, Reliance Brands Limited “With a commitment to provide fresh, clean and sustainable offerings, customers in India can now enjoy the same exceptional food that has made Pret A Manger a beloved and successful chain around the world.”

Known for their 100% organic Arabica coffee, Pret’s drinks menu offers a range of brews, including the classic Espresso. Some of the popular freshly brewed hot coffee options include the classic Espresso, Americano and Latte, along with a range of iced coffee options which are perfect for hot summer days. Additionally, customers can choose from a variety of non-dairy milk options such as almond, oat, and coconut to customize their coffee order at no extra cost.

Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger, said: “We have been working closely with the RBL team to create an offer for Indian consumers that reflects the Pret brand, while also adapting to local preferences and food habits. People will recognize some of our freshly prepared lunch-time classics, our delicious croissants and 100% organic Arabica coffee. Coming to India has been a goal of ours for a long time, and the opening of our first shop in Mumbai is a landmark moment in our international expansion plans. We’re confident that with the support of RBL, the Pret brand will be a hit with consumers in India, and a welcome addition to the country’s growing food-to-go market.”

In addition to the freshest menu offerings, the Pret shop will feature an adaptation of the “Emanating Star”, a central element of the Pret logo, with traditional Warli patterns and modern design elements representing Mumbai. Reflecting Pret’s commitment to support local craftsmanship, the artwork is conceptualized and created by Guerrilla Art and the Vayeda brothers using coffee as the base – symbolic of the fresh organic coffee served at Pret around the world commemorating the fusion of cultures by combining traditional Indian art with modern-day Pret aesthetics.

Progress 64 West and YouthBridge Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis join forces to offer scholarships for aspiring entrepreneurs.

(St. Louis, Mo., April 21, 2023) Progress 64 West and YouthBridge Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis recently announced the establishment of the Progress 64 Entrepreneurial Scholarship Fund, which will assist high school seniors in achieving their educational goals.

The joint effort’s mission is to support, encourage, and foster young entrepreneurs by awarding scholarships to high school seniors living or going to school in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. The one-year awards can be used at trade schools, as well as two- and four-year colleges and universities.

To qualify for consideration, students must submit an executive summary of a business plan that includes a business concept description; market analysis, including market need, competition, and profit strategy; operations plan; and sales and marketing strategies. The application deadline is Oct. 23, 2023. Application details will be posted in August on Youthbridge Community Foundation’s website at youthbridge.org.

Founded in 1877, YouthBridge Community Foundation is a nonprofit that partners with individuals, families, and businesses to support charities and communities needs in the St. Louis region, especially those focused on children and families.

“It’s a great fit with our mission,” states Barbara Carswell, CEO of YouthBridge. “We focus on children and youth, and the scholarship program that has benefited students in West St. Louis and St. Charles counties is now expanding to all high school students in St. Louis City, County and St. Charles County.”

Progress 64 West was established in 1987 to promote the responsible growth of commerce in the greater St. Louis region, with a particular emphasis given to the I-64 corridor from I-270 west ward to I-70. A partnership of citizens, business and civic leaders, the organization’s vision focused on economic prosperity by championing workforce improvements and infrastructure projects.

In 2004, civic organization Progress 64 West initiated its scholarship program, then named in honor of St. Louis business leader Louis S. Sachs. Sachs was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to envision what could be. Renamed as the Progress 64 Entrepreneurial Scholarship Fund, the program is now positioned to provide more scholarships for a larger pool of candidates.

According to Michael Doster, of Doster, Nations, Ullom & Boyle, LLC and a member of the scholarship committee, “Our partnership with YouthBridge will provide the opportunity for more donors to come alongside our existing scholarship sponsors in making tax-deductible donations that enrich the lives of local students.”

For more information, visit youthbridge.org/p64fund/.

April 21, 2023 – The Asia Pacific market for Technical Consumer Goods faced some challenges in 2022 owing to the impact of the global economic situation, with inflation topping the list. With a number of issues continuing to weigh on economies and impact consumers, GfK forecasts 2023 to be a stable year backed by value-seeking consumers driving revenue growth.

Facing various challenges in 2023, brands and manufacturers need to consider the criticality of inventory management and pricing pressure. To achieve a competitive advantage, brands need agility in production cycles and innovation in product offerings and marketing. This will lead to the conception of smart devices and premiumization product offerings.

“India and Southeast Asian markets, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, continue to demonstrate opportunities with stronger growth, continuing the momentum from loosening lockdown restrictions. Additionally, overall sales of TCG goods are declining across most regions except for Emerging Asia recording year-on-year growth for five consecutive quarters,” said Mukund Tripathi, Head of Market Intelligence, APAC, GfK.

Rise in sales of photo and gaming products

Sales of photo products grew alongside the post-pandemic tourism recovery due to the reduction in Covid-19 travel restrictions, especially in Singapore and Malaysia at 33.1 percent and 32.8 percent respectively.

The gaming industry was also amongst the biggest beneficiaries during the pandemic, with lockdowns creating new gamers and expected to accelerate hardware expenditure and growth in 2023. Southeast Asia displays strong growth as a good potential market despite weathering the pandemic, experiencing the highest growth rate at 51 percent in 2021 and 12 percent in 2022 compared to other regions in Asia Pacific.

Online sales continue to gain significance post-pandemic

TCG goods sales keep growing across all sectors in Emerging Asia, with online channels outperforming offline ones for IT products and office equipment. In Japan, online sales rose for most sectors except for Major Domestic Appliances, while offline sales fell.

Sustainability is a priority among consumers

Sustainability is a key trend in the TCG sector that sets brands and manufacturers apart. Communicating sustainability actions is essential to connect with environmentally minded consumers. This was also highlighted at the GfK Insight Summit 2022, where consumers’ monetary concerns influence their buying attitudes. This means that brands can charge more for being green.

Looking ahead

Brands and manufacturers can benefit from more opportunities and favorable external forces in 2023. A tourism recovery in the post-pandemic world, a decrease in transportation and shipping costs, and the opening of the Chinese economy will enable growth with product innovation and differentiation that yield higher profits.

GfK. Growth from Knowledge.

For over 85 years, we have earned the trust of our clients around the world by solving critical business questions in their decision-making process around consumers, markets, brands, and media. Our reliable data and insights, together with advanced AI capabilities, have revolutionized access to real-time actionable recommendations that drive our clients and partners’ marketing, sales, and organizational effectiveness. That’s how we promise and deliver “Growth from Knowledge”.

Collecting antique and vintage jewelry is a unique activity. Each piece carries a deep sense of legacy and heritage due to its rarity. The immense responsibility of maintaining these classical items secure and well-preserved, regardless, comes on the edge of their singular beauty and uniqueness. Here are the top five strategies to maintain the perfect condition of these vintage jewels in your jewelry box.

How to care for your jewels: Because they have been around for an extended period, vintage and antique jewelry is subject to normal wear and tear. There can be a loose stone setting or a broken clasp. As a result, it’s crucial to regularly inspect your collections, for these indications of imminent harm. Additionally, the execution of these pieces is quite delicate, and some minor erosion frequently goes unnoticed. Therefore, it gives counsel to your antique and vintage jewelry examined at least once or twice a year by a professional jeweler.

Cleaning: Keeping your antique and vintage jewels in good condition requires regular cleaning. While most precious stones like sapphires, rubies, and diamonds can be cleaned at home with warm water and a soft brush, it is preferable to go with expert treatment, which includes extensive technical know-how, when it comes to fragile gems. For instance, emerald jewelry is prone to harm from most cleaning agents, as it should be cleaned with more awareness. Saturate your objects in liquid while cleaning is senseless because it could result in erosion. To remove the top layer of dust, one should also carefully wipe their antique jewelry with a soft cloth.

Storage: Antique and vintage jewellery is exceptional and frequently not worn. As a result, they spend a lot of time in storage. Therefore, having high-quality storage is necessary. One of the most crucial is to keep them out of the sun, which can lead to the tarnishing of metals and the cracking of stones. One can store their jewellery in comfortable velvet pouches or specially designed jewelle boxes with temperature and humidity control. It’s crucial to check that your accessories may not damage or bent as they sit ready to be worn. One needs to have a box specifically for the various components of the jewelry set, especially for complicated things like Parures. Exercise is crucial for your safety.

Maintaining Their Beauty and Quality While Wearing: A straightforward rule of putting on your vintage and antique jewelry and taking it off after wearing may go a long way in preserving its beauty and quality. In addition to making jewelry oily and prone to damage, products like perfume, deodorant, and lotions also tend to collect extra dirt and dust. The fact that they were worn last prevents these vintage items from becoming tangled in garments or
hairbrushes. Before donning vintage jewelry, one must also look for shaky stones and flimsy clasps to prevent losing them. Additionally, entering aquatic bodies while wearing jewelry is very harmful. Natural minerals and chemicals can discolor and rapidly harm valuable stones.

Restoration and repair:- These are unquestionably two distinct processes when it comes to vintage and antique jewelry. Due to the rarity and uniqueness of each piece of jewelry’s components, complete repairs are rarely possible. During restoration, the originality of the items is preserved by meticulously mending them with little adjustments. However, there is one thing that unites restoration and repair: neither should be attempted on one’s own; instead, it should be delivered to a specialized workshop in secure packaging.

According to Shefali Verma, director of House Of Goldsmith says-“Vintage and antique jewelry embodies timeless elegance and craftsmanship that simply cannot be relicated by modern designs. Each piece tells a unique story, reflecting the artistry and aesthetics of a bygone era. The intricate details, the fine materials, and the intricate designs all combine to create a sense of nostalgia and beauty that transcends time. Wearng vintage or antique jewelry is like wearing a piece of history, with every imperfection and flaw adding to its charm and character. These pieces are not just accessories, but true works of art that have stood the test of time and will continue to do so for generations to come.”

Delhi, April 21, 2023: Sri. Sidheshwar Brahmrishi Gurudev, Tirupati (Siddh Guru) met with the President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu to discuss non-violence, peace, and women’s empowerment. During the discussion, Gurudev presented his perspectives on non-violence and peace for a more harmonious society, as well as the need for empowering women with leadership opportunities. Taking Sri Gurudev’s vision of women empowerment forward, Sri Brahmrishi Ashram, Tirupati educates over 1 lac girl children. A book was presented to the President, which outlines the life journey of Sri Gurudev and his teachings.

President Droupadi Murmu praised Gurudev’s commitment to these values and ideals, noting that his work has had a positive impact on the community. She stressed the importance of working together to create a more peaceful and equitable society, where every individual can thrive and fulfill their potential.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and discuss these important topics. Giving back to society and serving humanity is the greatest form of service. I strongly believe in the philosophy of ‘Learning, Earning, and Returning,’ where we constantly strive to gain knowledge, work hard to earn our livelihood, and then give back to society in whatever way we can.“ said Gurudev.

“Gurudev’s teachings have inspired countless individuals to live a more compassionate and harmonious life. We fully support his efforts to promote non-violence, peace, and women empowerment, and look forward to working with him towards this noble goal.” – Sarla Bothra, Women Chairperson, Sri Brahmrishi Ashram, Tirupati.

Sri Brahmrishi Gurudev, an “Incarnate Sadguru” is amongst the most revered and accomplished saints of the current era. Sri Brahmrishi Ashram is a pious place of Pilgrimage located near the holy city of Tirupati, surrounded by hills, nestled in the lap of nature, clad with beautiful plantations, and can be rightly called a “Heaven on Earth”.

Despite progress in recent years, women are still underrepresented in tech, with many facing challenges such as unconscious bias, gender pay gaps, and a lack of female role models. However, there are many successful women in tech who have made significant contributions to the industry and serve as role models for anyone, especially young women, who are interested in pursuing careers in technology. Their success stories are an inspiration to many and highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

Here’s a listicle on 5 successful Indian women in tech that you need to know about:

Rupinder Kaur Kohli: Rupinder Kaur Kohli is the Chief Solutions Architect at Skill-Up Technologies.Technocrat with 15+ years of experience in IT solutions, software & product development, customization & integrations. Excel at building innovative learning solutions for clients. She is having specialization in Open edX installation, customization, and integrations.

Debjani Ghosh: Debjani Ghosh is the president of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), which is the premier trade body for the IT and BPO industries in India. She has been a strong advocate for diversity in tech and has worked to empower women in the industry.

Yogita Tulsiani: Yogita is the Director & Co-founder of iXceed Solutions. She is armed with a Master’s in Business Administration from ISB, Hyderabad. The versatile businessperson has more than a decade of experience in Business Development and Consultancy across various industries in the UK, USA, Europe, and APAC. Her repertoire includes an illustrious clientele in the Financial Services, Telecom, Retail, Information Technology, and Learning industries like Genpact Headstrong and HP.

Neha Narkhede: Neha Narkhede is the co-founder and CTO of Confluent, a company that provides a real-time data streaming platform. She has been recognized as one of the most successful women in the tech industry.

Aruna Jayanthi: Aruna Jayanthi is the CEO of Capgemini India, a global consulting and technology services company. She has over 25 years of experience in the industry and has been instrumental in driving Capgemini’s growth in India.