Archives April 2023

April 19th, 2023:CLIRNET, India’s fastest growing community of doctors, has announced the launch of AiDA, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered Doctor’s Assistant. AiDA is designed to assist doctors and medical practitioners in their daily practice by providing a quick, probable, and accurate diagnosis. Built on top of the OpenAI platform, AiDA is a state-of-the-art tool that leverages advanced machine learning algorithms and natural language processing techniques to support doctors in making informed decisions, minimizing potential of human error, and providing the best possible care to their patients. The benefits will be reaped by doctors across India, including those practicing in the remotest areas.

AiDA in its first phase will help doctors with Differential Diagnosis (DDx) based on natural language queries, something the doctor community has sought for a long. Excellent results have been obtained from the initial usage tests with doctors pan-India. DDx will assist the doctor to make an informed diagnosis by suggesting a list of medical conditions (with associated probabilities) that share the same symptoms. Requiring minimal tech skills, AiDA will help doctors achieve diagnostic excellence. This will create a deep positive impact on patient outcomes and reduce mortality.

AiDA is built using the powerful AI technique called transformers. It is a large language model (LLM) trained on millions of published articles, CLIRNET content, clinical studies, PubMed papers, and other similar texts. Its Natural Language Processing (NLP) engine allows it to understand conversational English, while the LLM along with the Generative Pre-transformer finds relevant responses and explains them in plain English.

“CLIRNET is committed to improving healthcare outcomes by leveraging the power of technology. With AiDA, we are taking a big step towards achieving our goal. AiDA is designed to make life easier for doctors by providing them with the support they need to make accurate and informed decisions. The benefits will be reaped by doctors across India, including those practicing in the remotest areas. We are confident that AIDA will be a game-changer in the healthcare industry,” said Mr. Saurav Kasera, co-founder of CLIRNET.

“We believe that AIDA has the potential to revolutionize the way doctors practice medicine. By leveraging the power of AI, we can empower doctors with the tools they need to provide better patient care, reduce diagnosis times, and improve treatment outcomes. We are excited to launch AIDA within such a short time and look forward to seeing it make a positive impact on healthcare outcomes,” added Mr. Kasera.

The CLIRNET platform including AiDA is free for all verified doctors practicing in India.

Greater Noida, 19th April, 2023: Kalyan Jewellers, one of India’s leading jewellery brands, today announced that it will be launching its 11th showroom in the state of Uttar Pradesh, making a foray into the state’s largest market in Delhi NCR, at Greater Noida. The showroom is scheduled to be inaugurated on 18th April 2023 by Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor.

Kalyan Jewellers’ new showroom located in Gaur City Mall, Greater Noida is part of the company’s strategy to expand its retail footprint and operations in the region, providing customers with easier access to the brand. The showroom will feature an extensive range of designs from Kalyan Jewellers’ jewellery collections, presented in a world-class ambience. Additionally, the Kalyan Special Gold Board Rate, which is the lowest in the market and standardized across all company showrooms, will apply, ensuring a seamless and service-backed shopping experience.

In celebration of the showroom launch, Kalyan Jewellers is offering a unique promotion of 0% making charges on half the purchase value for customers shopping for a minimum of Rs. 1 lakh. These offers are valid for a limited period only.

Mr. Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director of Kalyan Jewellers, said, “We are delighted to announce our foray into Greater Noida, which is one of the largest markets in the region. Uttar Pradesh has always been an important market for Kalyan Jewellers, and our new investments in the region reflect our commitment to further strengthen our presence. We believe Greater Noida offers tremendous untapped potential and will help us boost the overall growth momentum, on the back of our strong foundations laid in the region.”

The jewellery retailed at Kalyan Jewellers is BIS hallmarked, and go through multiple purity tests. Patrons will also receive the Kalyan Jewellers 4-Level Assurance Certificate which guarantees Purity, Free Lifetime Maintenance of ornaments, Detailed Product Information Transparent Exchange and Buy-back policies. The certification is part of the brand’s commitment towards offering the very best to its loyalists.

The showroom will also stock Kalyan’s popular house brands such as Lila –diamonds & semi-precious stone jewellery, Tejasvi – Polki jewellery, Mudhra – handcrafted antique jewellery, Nimah – temple Jewellery, Glo – dancing diamonds, Ziah – Solitaire like diamond jewellery, Anokhi – uncut diamonds, Apoorva – diamonds for special occasions, Muhurat – wedding jewellery and Rang – precious stones jewellery.

Chennai, April 19, 2023: DSP Asset Managers announced the launch of DSP Gold ETF, an open-ended exchange-traded fund (ETF) replicating/tracking domestic prices of Gold. At a time when favorable macro factors and strong fundamentals indicate a good time to buy Gold, this new ETF offers investors an easier way to buy or sell gold compared to the physical version with the freedom to trade easily.

Investments in gold have typically done well at a time when there is a weakness in the dollar. With factors such as a global slowdown, the post – covid jump in the dollar, and expected monetary easing, the dollar is expected to weaken going forward, which could start a multi–year bull market in Gold. With global liquidity drying up, demand for Gold investments coming back and improvement in Central banks’ holding, the fundamentals are strong for a bullish gold outlook.

Holding gold in one’s portfolio can help to smoothen their investing journey as Gold is an asset class whose prices typically move in a different direction from other asset classes. Such diversification in their portfolio can help it fall lesser during times of a downturn. However, being a cyclical asset class, entering at the wrong time can impact returns in the short term.

The New Fund Offer for the DSP Gold ETF opens on April 17th, 2023, and closes on April 24th, 2023.

“Just as it is important to have a well-balanced diet for good nutrition, we should consider having a well-diversified portfolio with some Gold ETFs. Gold gives us an opportunity to hedge against a standard ‘equity-debt portfolio’ due to its low correlation with equity and often a negative correlation with debt as an asset class. Rather than taking a tactical view, I would suggest investors seek guidance from their trusted advisor and consider holding Gold ETFs on an ongoing basis, as a strategic asset allocation, in the range of 5 to 10% of your portfolio,” says Anil Ghelani, CFA, Head – Passive Investments & Products, DSP Asset Managers.

 

“With bulk of interest rate hikes likely behind us and continued volatility from global uncertainty, gold prices are expected to see upward movement. With China opening up their economy, and India seeing demand going back to pre-covid levels, Jewelry and Investment demand from the world’s two largest gold consumer nations is expected to pick up, building a good case for Gold,” says Ravi Gehani, Fund Manager, DSP Asset Managers.

New Delhi, 19th April 2023: Beyond Key, a global IT consulting and software services company, has been crowned the 2023 Gold winner of the TITAN Business Awards within the information technology (IT) category. The company’s efforts to establish itself as a pioneer in the fields of innovation and technology have reached yet another significant milestone with this accomplishment.

The Titan Business Awards are one of the most prestigious and well-respected accolades in the business world. Winning this award demonstrates Beyond Key’s dedication to providing its clients with the finest calibre IT consulting services. The company’s commitment to developing innovative solutions has earned it a well-deserved reputation as one of the leading players in the field, and this award is a testament to their hard work and dedication. By showcasing its ability to identify and address innovative solutions for complex technological challenges, Beyond Key has attained this significant milestone. The award recognizes the company’s outstanding contributions to the IT industry and its overall customer-centric attitude.

Beyond Key has been at the forefront of the IT industry for many years, providing cutting-edge solutions and services to its clients. With its superlative expertise, the company has been bridging the gap between technology and business while focusing on developing scalable software solutions that go above and beyond for its clients. The company has been able to operate with greater efficiency and provide its clients with top-notch solutions by utilizing the relevant technologies. Beyond Key has industry and technology professionals that can assist in developing the best solution to meet a company’s needs. Furthermore, to provide its clientele with satisfying solutions, it has been utilizing the most relevant and appropriate technologies.

The Titan Business Awards acts as a primary awards programme that mainly respects and appreciates exceptional innovations made by business units, companies, and organizations, as well as creative services, business technology solutions, goods and services, and business websites both locally and internationally. They give honor to organizations and people who have excelled in their professions. A group of business leaders who are specialists in the field examine the nominations for the awards, assessing each one according to performance, innovation, and customer service.

Commenting on the achievement, Piyush Goel, CEO at Beyond Key, said, “We are truly honored and thrilled to have been announced as the winner of this prestigious award. We will continue to innovate and push the boundaries of technology as we strive to make a positive impact on the world”. They anticipate providing their consumers with the same passion and sincerity while utilizing the latest technical developments, and they strive to progress with a unique method to reinvent the future by employing their imaginative creativity.

Asia, 18 April, 2023: Jump.trade, the flagship NFT marketplace of the 360° digital collectible technology enablement platform GuardianLink, announced its partnership with CoinSwitch, India’s largest crypto investing platform. CoinSwitch has entered into this partnership with Jump.trade through a unique proposition for brands to advertise in the Web3 space in the upcoming game by Jump.trade, RADDX Racing Metaverse.

Jump.trade announced the launch of its first racing game RADDX Racing Metaverse earlier this year, and its pre-booking of the RADDX Racing Metaverse NFTs has met with massive success. The game metaverse also opened opportunities for brands and individuals to purchase virtual real estate elements within the game that can be used for commercial purposes like advertising, event-hosting, and a lot more.

Brands like Flipkart and Thoughtworks have already expressed their interest in purchasing Digital Lands NFTs in RADDX Racing Metaverse. At this juncture, CoinSwitch, has also entered into a partnership with Jump.trade This goes in line with the endeavors of CoinSwitch to be an enabler of Web3 innovation in India.

The partnership between Jump.trade and CoinSwitch also shows how Indian brands in the Web3 space have strived to create a symbiosis between each other, so the overall positioning of India in this emerging technology can be strengthened. It is to be noted that Jump.trade, in the last week, surpassed brands like OpenSea to become the number one NFT marketplace on the Polygon Network.

Speaking of this partnership, Kameshwaran Elangovan, COO, Jump.trade said, “The purchase of Digital Lands by CoinSwitch shows how crypto brands, especially in the subcontinent, are getting into the NFT/Web3 space to expand their presence. This is a healthy show of how crypto and NFT brands can work with each other helping Web3 adoption and penetration in India!”

Swati Pincha, Head of Growth, CoinSwitch, added, “An essential principle of growth marketing is to meet users where they are. That is why the metaverse is quickly becoming a must-explore frontier. It is an interactive, collaborative online world that allows people to create, explore, and connect in previously impossible ways. We are thrilled to be part of this innovation wave and associate with RADDX Racing Metaverse. It is exciting to be part of an initiative that blurs the lines between physical and virtual realities, and we can’t wait to see where this immersive journey takes us.”

RADDX Racing Metaverse is to be an engaging and immersive game with elements like cop chases and high-octane races. The Digital Lands is likely to revolutionize advertising as the metaverse will be one of the most prominent hang-out joints, especially for the Gen-Z audience. This would mean that games like RADDX Racing Metaverse are ideal spaces for brands that would like to reach the newer segment of their target audience. CoinSwitch getting into this space proves that it is not only the traditionally rooted brands but even new-age business brands like crypto investing platforms can also capitalize on Web3 advertising.

Hyderabad, April 18, 2023: A quarter of the world’s population doesn’t have access to safe drinking water, and nearly half lack sources for sanitation. This gap in access to water is further expected to grow by 40% in the next seven years, as per a study by Morgan Stanley, bringing a new urgency to address water scarcity and sustainable water management.

In this context, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI, has sanctioned a research project on the desalination of brackish water for industrial uses, to Dr. Subhash Chandra from GITAM (Deemed to be University). Under the research project, Dr. Chandra received a grant of INR 48.61 lakh as part of the Water Technology Initiative plan in March 2023.

The growing water scarcity is a humanitarian crisis, but it also has striking economic implications. By 2050, water scarcity in some regions could impact GDP growth by up to 11.5%, the World Bank estimates. In this prevailing grim scenario, brackish water rejuvenation offers much hope! Brackish water — i.e. water that is more saline than freshwater but less saline than seawater — is commonly found in coastal areas, estuaries, and aquifers, and its desalination is crucial in addressing the water scarcity in many arid regions. Over the next several years, it’s anticipated that the desalination systems market in India will grow at a rate of more than 3% annually.

The project aims to develop sustainable carbon electrodes from biomass waste for use in membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) technology, which has become an up-and-coming water treatment technology for seawater desalination and is a greener alternative with low energy consumption, high efficiency, easy electrode regeneration, and no secondary pollution. MCDI technology is expected to have high desalination efficiency and salt rejection rates, making it a practical and low-cost technique for brackish water desalination.

As part of the project, Dr. Subhash Chandra, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering at GITAM (Deemed to be University), and Prof. Jayanta Bhattacharya of IIT Kharagpur will work in the field of Membrane Capacitive Deionization (MCDI) — which applies an electrical potential across a pair of porous carbon electrodes separated by a permeable membrane. When the electrical potential is applied, the salt ions in brackish water are adsorbed onto the electrodes, leaving behind fresh water. The electrodes are then discharged, releasing the salt ions, which are flushed away.

The project will culminate in a pilot-scale desalination plant, which will be tested for desalination in collaboration with Zelence Industries Private Limited. Industries with high water consumption, such as textile, pulp, paper and thermal power plants, stand to benefit from this project. The expected launch of the desalination unit is planned for late 2025 to early 2026.

Speaking about the project and the grant, Dr. Subhash Chandra from GITAM (Deemed to be University) said, “This project will help us develop a sustainable and cost-effective solution to the water scarcity problem in India’s arid regions. We will utilize functionalized biochar to grow carbon electrodes and design and develop the MCDI cell for desalination. This project also highlights the importance of sustainable practices and innovation in solving critical issues such as water scarcity and climate change. Creating sustainable carbon electrodes from biomass waste for brackish water desalination is a significant step towards achieving a sustainable carbon-neutral future.”

India  18th April’2023: PVR INOX, the largest and the most premium cinema exhibitor in India has announced the launch of a new 3-screen multiplex at NCS Square Mall, Guwahati today. The new cinema will augment PVR INOX foothold in Assam to a total of 4 cinemas across 14 screens, with its presence in Guwahati and Jorhat.

With this opening, PVR INOX consolidates its presence in East India with a total of 126 screens in 33 properties.

Strategically located at A.T Road, Adabari, in close proximity to the airport and surrounded by residential societies, the multiplex has a seating capacity of 688, with recliners available in one of the auditoriums. Additionally, each of the three screens is equipped with the best-in-class cinema technologies, including an advanced Laser Projection system for razor-sharp visuals, a great sound experience with Dolby Atmos for an immersive feel, and a vibrant 3D view powered by Volfoni Smart Crystal Diamond solution.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Ajay Bijli, Managing Director, PVR INOX said, “We are delighted to expand our presence in Guwahati, the biggest city of Assam, the vital gateway to North East India, which is poised to become a nodal point of India’s growth story. The state has adopted numerous investor-friendly policies and the launch of our fourth property in Assam has been driven by the conducive business environment. This launch reaffirms our commitment to promote the growth of multiplexes in underpenetrated markets across the country and address the growing demand for immersive big-screen experiences among movie enthusiasts exposing them to a world-class out-of-home entertainment destination.”

The cinema boasts a stunning contemporary design that is sure to impress. The sleek metal framing and use of glass elements further accentuate the space’s modern ambiance. Additionally, the wooden ceiling finish adds texture and warmth, creating a dynamic and inviting environment. Overall, the design perfectly captures youthful and vibrant energy while also incorporating luxurious and sophisticated elements.

The multiplex offers various customer-friendly features for easy and hassle-free servicing like digital check-ins with touchscreen, QR code-enabled ticketing, and interactive food ordering. While the in-house kitchen will offer a wide variety of food options to choose from, customers will also be able to enjoy these food options within the comfort of their homes by ordering through Swiggy and Zomato.

“Northeast India is a kaleidoscope of geographic, ethnic, and economic heterogeneity. We are proud to expand our presence in Assam, the largest economy in the northeast region. We are thrilled to open our third property in Guwahati, a rapidly growing city in India. We are certain that the people of Assam and cinema enthusiasts of Guwahati would surely derive pleasure from an extraordinary movie-watching experience in our multiplex, a perfect blend of comfort and class”, said Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director, PVR INOX.

With this opening, PVR INOX has strengthened its growth momentum and has opened 52 screens across 8 properties in 8 cities since the merger.

Odisha, 18 April 2023: LIC Housing Finance Ltd (LICHFL) under its CSR Initiative LIC HFL Sanjeevani sponsored an ambulance to Swasthya Swaraj Society for deploying in its project area Kaniguma, Kerpai, and Silet panchayat of Th. Rampur Block of Kalahandi district. Also, medical equipment Urine Analyzer and WBC Analyzer were also given to trace the diseases among the Tribal population.

On behalf of LIC Housing Finance, Shri. Y. Viswanatha Gowd, the MD & CEO handed over the ambulance and medical equipment to Dr. Aquinas Edassery, Executive Director of Swasthya Swaraj Society in a function held on 15th April 2023 at their head office in Bhawanipatna. Flagging off the ambulance, Shri. Gowd emphasized the nation’s growing healthcare infrastructure needs and LIC HFL’s commitment to contribute towards it in the best possible ways.

Shri Gowd further expressed, “It’s an important initiative under our CSR with the objective of reaching out to the tribal population and taking care of their well-being. It can also go a long way in the initial detection of ailments and to decide upon the course of treatment. We expect that the project will cater to 7500 beneficiaries especially pregnant Women in the remote areas of Kalahandi Odisha.”

The other dignitaries present were Mr. Ramesh Chandra Khora, Regional Manager, LIC HFL, East Central Zone, Dr. Girish Chandra Rout, CDM&PHO, Kalahandi and Mr. Abani Ranjan, DPM, NHM, Mr. Susmanta Kumar Panigrahi, Area Manager, LIC HFL Bhubaneswar, and Mr. Sourav Chakraborty, LIC HFL CSR Department, Eastern Region. The functionaries of various NGOs and local people of Bhawanipatna also attended the program.

India  18 April 2023: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India conducted the International Advisory Board of the Global Health program on 15th and 16th April 2023 followed by the Global Health Symposium.

The board is meeting under the aegis of MAHE and the occasion was graced on 15th April 2023 by Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice-Chancellor- Health Sciences, Dr. Giridhar Kini P, Registrar, Dr. Karunakar Kotegar, Director – International Relations and, Dr. Helmut Brand, Director – Prasanna School of Public Health. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Thijs Teeling, Director, Covalence, with representation from seven partner universities, including Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Thailand, India, and Sudan.

Dr. Thijs Teeling is presiding over the meeting and stated: “I am very happy to be in Manipal and grateful to MAHE for hosting the board and students for the symposium. I am impressed by the preparation and coordination of the events and am looking forward to meeting the students at the Symposium. To this point, the meeting has been a great success.”

Video greetings to the board and MAHE leadership were presented by the President of Maastricht University, Prof. Dr. Rianne Letschert, and the Dean and Vice-President of, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Prof. Dr. Paul M. O’Byrne. The Global Health International Consortium website and logo were presented by Dr. Agnes Meershoek from Maastricht University which was applauded as a step in the right direction.

Lt. Gen. MD Venkatesh, the Vice Chancellor of MAHE stated: ‘Global health is of paramount importance and is in accordance with the vision of the founder, Dr. TMA Pai who had worked towards the provision of quality healthcare, education, and development.” He also emphasized that the deliberations of the Advisory Board and the development of a website dedicated to the Consortium for Global Health were in line with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth. One Family. One Future.”

During the meeting, the guest speaker was Maj. Gen. (Dr. Prof.) Atul Kotwal SM, VSM (Retd)., Executive Director, National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and provided comprehensive insights on the topic of ‘Global Health Leadership and Partnerships in Health System Strengthening Efforts’ emphasizing the example of India’s efforts towards equity with impacts on the local and global platforms.

Following the Advisory Board Meeting, the annual Global Health Symposium will take place between 16th-28th April 2023 bringing together over 300 students and 37 faculty from partner institutions.

Bengaluru, 18 April 2023: The latest findings from the quarterly hiring tracker released by the world’s #1 job site, Indeed, reveal that a majority of Indian jobseekers (47%) are not looking to switch jobs in 2023. In what was considered to be the era of great resignation, employees are bucking the trend by choosing to stay put in their current organizations, with over 37% of all job seekers looking to prioritize their career growth in 2023.

The survey further reveals a considerable dip in hiring and suggests that only 53% of the employers surveyed had hired in this quarter, down from 64% in the previous quarter (October to December 2022).

Mr. Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India said, “Amidst the ongoing uncertainties, the overall sentiment of job seekers and employers seems to be cautious. However, some sectors like BFSI and healthcare are witnessing significant hiring, showcasing a strong future for these areas. Additionally, in 2023, the acceptance of the gig economy at large is also expected to strengthen the job market. Employers now need to focus on devising ways in which they can retain and continue to attract this talent pool.”

The BFSI sector witnessed the most significant hiring with 71% of the sector’s employers hiring during the quarter. Healthcare (64%) and Construction & Real Estate (57%) were the other two sectors that hired substantially. In contrast, Media & Entertainment (49%), IT/ITeS (29%), and Manufacturing (39%) sectors saw the least hiring during the quarter.

The findings further suggest that there was a substantial increase in the proportion of employers hiring for mid-level (27%, up from 23% last quarter) and senior-level roles ((12%, up from 9% last quarter). The proportion of jobseekers entering the job market for the first time has also risen to 23% from 16% in the previous quarter.

Workplace Trends in 2023

Interestingly, the survey reveals that working from the office has emerged as the favored work mode for current jobseekers, with 57% preferring to work from the office. Similarly, most employees are undertaking upskilling programs, professional developmental tools, and mentorship programs. About 47% of all employers are providing upskilling programs to their employees.

Certifications and learning platforms to boost skill sets (67% of jobseekers) is the prime strategy for jobseekers to remain competitive in the year 2023. This is followed by sharpening existing skill sets and performing better in their role (41% of job seekers).

Top Roles, skills, and employee job preferences

The most in-demand job role for the current quarter was for Retail Sales Associate (41% of all employers) followed by Project Engineer (23%) and Marketing Analyst (20%). In terms of the most hired skills in the current quarter, tech skills such as SQL, NoSQL & MongoDB, APIs, CCNA, CCNP, Zigbee, WiSUN, and Z-Wave are the top skills being sought after by employers. Communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making are the top three soft skills that employers are looking for. Most hiring during the quarter was in functional areas of Production/Manufacturing (31%, up from 29% last quarter) followed by Sales (29%, up from 17% last quarter) and Marketing (27%, up from 21% last quarter).

From an employee perspective, the following are the functions jobseekers prefer in the quarter of January 2023 – March 2023

Methodology

This survey was conducted by Valuvox on behalf of Indeed amongst 1,157 employers and 1,583 jobseekers and employees during the months of January and February 2023. The survey respondents were segregated into cities, and further categorized into large, medium, and small organizations, and then into sectors.