Archives May 2023

Mumbai /16th, May 2023: The C20 Summit on Technology and Security for One World concluded at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore with 52 Indian and international experts shedding light on various aspects of technology and security. The five plenary sessions and ten policy breakouts across two days led to ideas and a roadmap that will directly impact the policy recommendations to be launched at the C20 Summit in July 2023. The two-day event was hosted by the official Engagement Group of C20 on Technology, Security & Transparency (TST).

Addl. Secretary (G-20) with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Sous-Sherpa, G-20 India Ambassador, Abhay Thakur, was the Chief Guest at the valedictory session, which also saw the presence of Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Vice Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math and Troika Member C20. Yigal Unna, Former DG of Israel National Cyber Directorate, and Alessandra Nilo, C20 Troika member, addressed the delegates virtually.

Making a strong pitch for treating technology as a public good and turning India’s digital public goods into freely available global assets, Sous-Sherpa, G-20 India Ambassador, Abhay Thakur, said: “The world needs a completely non-commercial, public-service approach to technological advancement, and India can take a lead in facilitating the use of digital technology as a global public good which is free and easily accessible to all. The country is among the fastest digitizing economies in the world and is expected to add USD 1 trillion of economic value from its digital economy in the next 2 years. India today is in an exclusive position to help other countries build their digital public infrastructure. We need to transform our national digital public goods like UPI, Aadhar, and DigiLocker into global digital public assets. If universalized, these carry immense potential to contribute to global economic development and ease of living. A key priority of India’s G20 presidency is to share its model of digital public infrastructure across the world as open, inter-operable, inclusive, secure, and market-friendly public digital platforms.”

Said Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, National Coordinator of C20 Summit on Technology, Security & Transparency and Dean, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham: “With this summit, we have taken a very successful first step towards technology and security policy changes. The use of technology and creation of policies surrounding it must be grounded in compassion for civil society. This summit has come up with several recommendations. First, to bridge the digital divide, we must create incentives for investment in under-served communities and fund community technology centers, while ensuring that government services are accessible online. We must also re-skill and upskill people to rethink the future of work and become capable of working jobs that utilize AI.”

Recounting the recommendations of experts, she added: “For safe internet practices, we must organize digital literacy campaigns to educate citizens on safe use of technology. Multi-language models will help promote equitable access to technology. Countries need to lobby for the right to repair and use refurbished technology while strengthening technical skills of youth and workers. Policy makers must take a human-centric approach to design cybersecurity policies so that they don’t infringe on fundamental human rights. Regulations should be drafted to assign liability for harm arising from AI tools. We also need to establish global regulations on how social media platforms should identify and regulate disinformation while safeguarding freedom of speech.”

Three significant initiatives for technology and security were announced at the Summit. The Global Internet Governance, Digital Empowerment and Security Alliance (GLIDES), a grouping of civil society organizations, was formally launched to enable inclusive, open, non-discriminatory, and fair digital societies. It is intended as a launching pad for evolving multi stakeholder policy-making process for security and internet governance and other pressing issues like digital access, safe harbor, net neutrality, data privacy, fake news, multilingual Internet, and digital rights.

The Technology Advancement & Capacity Building Initiative (TACTICS) for CSOs is a step towards enhancing the cybersecurity posture of civil society, according to Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan. It is a cyber-awareness training program created to educate its members about common cyber threats and attack techniques. It provides information about best practices for securing personal and professional data and the safe use of social media and email.

The third initiative, a collaboration between the C20 Working Group on TST and How Women Lead (USA), has been started by women for women. It is led by top executive women for the digital empowerment of other women through personal leadership, investment, and philanthropy.

Hyderabad,16th, May 2023– CriticalRiver has taken a major stride towards revolutionizing eCommerce solutions with its latest partnership announcement. The global digital and technology consulting services company has joined forces with Spryker, the leading composable commerce platform for Sophisticated Commerce Use Cases in B2B, Enterprise Marketplaces, and Thing Commerce. This partnership will enable CriticalRiver to expand its eCommerce capabilities, providing headless and composable commerce solutions to B2B and B2C clients worldwide.

Anji Maram, CEO of CriticalRiver, said, “Our partnership with Spryker will enable us to deliver advanced eCommerce solutions and help merchants streamline and automate financial, inventory, and order management processes. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to helping clients excel in the ever-evolving digital landscape.”

Spryker is known for its exceptional track record in driving digital transformation and sophisticated transactions for enterprises across B2B and Enterprise Marketplaces. This is further validated by Gartner® recognizing Spryker as a visionary in the 2021 and 2022 Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Commerce.

Boris Lokschin, Co-founder, and CEO at Spryker, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re excited to announce our new digital commerce partnership with CriticalRiver. By joining forces, we’re able to offer our customers an even wider selection of high-quality products and streamline their shopping experience. This partnership is a win-win for both companies and, most importantly, for our valued customers.”

CriticalRiver has already taken the first steps in preparation for this partnership by developing a manufacturing accelerator based on Spryker’s B2B Marketplace model. By using a fully headless approach with Next.js and React, CriticalRiver empowers manufacturers to incorporate Spryker’s Composable approach or create a complete headless commerce solution using modern technologies.

“At Spryker, we are thrilled to join forces with our partners in technology consulting to shape the future of digital commerce and empower our customers to reach new heights of success and compose outcomes beyond technology. This strategic partnership will not only enhance the tech stack for our customers but also provide them with a solid foundation for business growth and expansion,” added Boris Lokschin, Spryker.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in delivering cutting-edge eCommerce solutions to clients globally. With CriticalRiver’s technology consulting expertise and Spryker’s intelligent composable commerce platform, clients can now create new revenue streams and elevate customer experiences with unparalleled precision and efficiency.

New Delhi, India –16th, May 2023: Staqu Technologies, a leading artificial intelligence solutions provider, has unveiled a new heat mapping feature for their JARVIS platform is poised to revolutionize video analytics. The heat mapping feature uses a real-time camera feed to track human movement and has a wide range of potential applications across various industries.

One industry that could greatly benefit from this technology is retail. The JARVIS heat mapping feature offers insightful data on customer behavior, demographics, consumer preference, and store layout optimization. In addition, it can also enhance inventory management, analyze sales and customer metrics, and identify potential revenue generators.

According to Mr. Atul Rai, founder, and CEO of Staqu Technologies, ” Empowering offline players with the JARVIS heat mapping feature is a game-changer across industries, bringing them on par with their online counterparts. By providing comprehensive data analysis and insights, we can help businesses enhance their customer experience and create effective business strategies to achieve the best revenue growth for their business. At Staqu Technologies, we believe in tailoring to use the existing camera to use it deduce the insights which are helpful in revenue growth. With JARVIS heat mapping, we are revolutionizing the way businesses operate and grow, one insight at a time.”

An illustrative example is a retail store with clearly defined sections for things like clothing, shirts, and trousers. In a conventional format, the store’s owner might not be aware of how much time each customer spends in these areas. Additionally, the owner is unaware of the reasons why a particular section—perhaps a coat—is selling out so quickly while many customers are browsing another section, perhaps a shirt.

However, it is now possible to study consumer behavior and gather useful data thanks to the use of AI-powered video analytics with heat mapping technology. The retailer may then alter the cost or the quality of its goods to better suit consumer preferences. Heat map analysis is a helpful tool for retailers, allowing them to track foot traffic in each section, gauge customer dwell time, and assess sales conversion rates.

In addition to JARVIS, a heatmap feature for the retail industry, JARVIS is further used in smart cities, real estate, manufacturing, and airports for safety hazard prevention, as well as to track unlawful activities, fire hazards, and other analytics.

JARVIS has more than 90+ analytics being used to provide businesses with valuable insights and cost-saving operational benefits in real time along with a Video management (VMS) feature. JARVIS further is capable of performing audio analytics using audio coming from a camera mic.

Staqu Technologies’ JARVIS platform continues to set new standards in the AI industry with innovative features like heat mapping technology. The company is committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that address the complex challenges faced by businesses in today’s fast-paced world.

New Delhi, 16th, May 2023: House of Wok, the popular Pan-Asian food chain known for its delicious food and exceptional customer service, is taking its customer experience to the next level with the opening of its first franchisee-owned dine-in outlet in Baani Square, Gurugram. Since its inception in 2019, the brand has been making a name for itself in the Pan-Asian category and with its acclaimed kitchens in Vasant Kunj, Greater Kailash 1, and Gurugram, House of Wok has now become a household name.

“Bringing the authentic and diverse flavours of Pan-Asian cuisine to the table is no easy feat,” says Mr. Sajat Jain, founder of House of Wok. “But with our passion for food and commitment to quality, we have managed to do just that. Our blends of ingredients and flavours from across Asia have won over the hearts and taste buds of countless customers.” The brand is now offering a franchise opportunity to food enthusiasts to become business owners and call themselves ‘Foodpreneurs’. The opening of the first franchise-owned dine-in outlet at Baani Square is a testament to the success of this business model, as experienced by franchise owners Mrs. Jasleen Kaur Chadha and Mr. Gorky Chugh.

The franchise owners Mrs. Jasleen Kaur Chadha & Mr. Gorky Chugh stated, “We are not only glad but in deep contentment after being a part of the growing Pan Asian chain, House of Wok. We wanted to invest in the food business for quite some time, but perfection and authenticity are never too easy to find, however, after we tasted the food by House of Wok. It was an immediate and excited nod. We are grateful to Sajat for supporting us throughout the process and making it seamless for us.”

House of Wok also has expertise in intimate catering events, which has become increasingly popular among customers. With the new dine-in outlet and franchise opportunities, the brand is poised to continue its expansion and serve even more customers across India.

Regards,

Gurugram, 15th  May 2023: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) launched a new range of engine oil – “Pro Honda” for Honda two-wheelers in India.

Pro Honda, a genuine global oil brand of Honda Motor Co. Ltd, Japan, is exclusively formulated, tested and approved by Honda engineers to help maintain the “designed-in performance” of Honda 2Wheelers. Noteworthy, HMSI is first to introduce Pro Honda brand among all Honda network countries for its customers.

The 5 in 1 technology of range provides better anti rust properties, longer engine life, higher fuel efficiency, low viscosity which reduces friction & environment friendly-low emissions. Pro Honda is a pioneer in low viscosity with low friction technology.

Speaking on the launch of new engine oil, Mr. Yogesh Mathur – Director, Sales & Marketing – Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, “At Honda, our emphasis has always been in providing our customers with the best products and services consistently. Continuing to create new value for customers, we have launched a new range of engine oil ‘Pro Honda’ which will ensure supreme health for all Honda 2Wheelers. These oils are now available at our authorised network across India, promising a smoother ride for our customers.”

The two-exclusive grades of the new engine oil are Pro Honda – 10W30 & Pro Honda – 5W30. The Pro Honda 10W30 is available in 10W30 MA (for motorcycles) & 10W30 MB (for scooters) can be used for all Honda 2Wheelers. Whereas 5W30 MA (for motorcycles) and 5W30 MB (for scooters) of the Pro Honda – 5W30 are exclusively and specially developed for BSVI compliant Honda2Wheelers.

Both grades are now available at all authorised HMSI touchpoints and open market in packs of 600 ML, 800 ML, 900 ML, 1000 ML & 1200 ML. The Pro Honda 10W30 grade is priced starting Rs. 333 (800ml) and Pro Honda 5W30 grade is priced starting at Rs. 311 (600ml).

Mumbai, 16th May 2023: Color Bangla Cinema has already been entertaining movie lovers across the region with ultimate evergreen and captivating movies. The go-to- destination for the biggest Bengali blockbusters, Colors Bangla Cinema now brings the new primetime of 8:00 pm to screen a series of super hit movies for the audience.

Kicking off with a seven-day movie festival, starting from 29th May to 4th June, the first two movies would feature the Dada of the Bengali & Hindi Film industry, Mithun Chakrabarty in the lead role in the films ‘MLA Phatakeshto’ and ‘Minister Phatakeshto’ respectively, followed by Superstar Jeet & Srabanti starrer superhit blockbuster, ‘Wanted’ and ‘Refugee’ starring, the megastar of Bengal, Prosenjit Chatterjee. ‘Phande Poriya Boga Kande Re’, starring Soham Chakraborty & Srabanti, ‘Challenge’ starring Superstar Dev & Subhashree Ganguly and ‘Josh’ starring Jeet and Srabanti are other names of the movies which adds to the list of films for the seven-day movie festival.

Sagnik Ghosh, Business Head, Colors Bangla and Colors Bangla Cinema said, “We are excited to announce the launch of our new primetime lineup on Colors Bangla Cinema, featuring the biggest Bengali blockbusters on television. As the go-to destination for high-quality entertainment, we ensure to provide our viewers with the best possible cinematic experience. With this new lineup, we are enriching the experience of the big screen to the comfort of your home, allowing our viewers to enjoy the greatest and the most entertaining Bengali films with your family and loved ones. In tune with our vision to satiate the entertainment appetite for family viewing every day at 8’o’clock, we believe this small step would strike the right chord with our audiences and would further hook them to the small screen especially post the 2 months of Cricket fever.”

To build awareness and tune-ins, the movie festival will be heavily promoted on air and on social media platforms for better reach and engagement.

Block your calendar and enjoy this series of Blockbusters from 29th May to 4th June at 8pm only on Colors Bangla Cinema!

16th, May 2023  Nestlé India, in partnership with GreenLine, pioneers of LNG-fuelled heavy trucking logistics in India, has taken one more step towards a sustainable future with an LNG-powered fleet. The partnership will help reduce the carbon footprint of the logistics operations of Nestlé India. GreenLine has custom created 46 feet long containers which will be deployed between Nestlé’s factory in Sanand, Gujarat, and Bhiwandi, Maharashtra.

GreenLine’s LNG-powered fleet, comprising state-of-the-art trucks manufactured by Blue Energy Motors, significantly reduces Carbon dioxide, Sulphur Oxides, Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon monoxide and Particulate Matter emissions, thereby enabling emissions reduction from road logistics operations.

Commenting on this initiative, Mr. Sanjay Khajuria, Director, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nestlé India said, “We are accelerating our sustainability initiatives. We are committed towards net zero emissions and sustained logistics is a step in that direction. With this aim we are deploying different modes of transportation using alternate fuel and using bigger vehicles to optimize vehicle capacity utilization. We are hopeful that the association with GreenLine would help us to achieve our objectives.”

Commenting on its partnership with Nestlé India, Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine, said, “We are delighted to partner with Nestlé India to help them achieve their emissions reduction goals through adoption of our green mobility solution. Our mission is to enable companies in achieving their sustainability objectives by providing innovative green mobility solutions to decarbonise their road logistics operations. We are committed to creating a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

GreenLine is working towards decarbonizing heavy trucking in India and the widespread adoption of LNG-fuelled long-haul trucks by showcasing its immense advantages for corporates. GreenLine has collaborated with multiple organizations to create an integrated green mobility ecosystem to make low-emission LNG trucking a reality in India.

Mumbai, 16th May 2023: Sunprotek brand offers an ultimate sun protection range of products designed to provide a long-lasting shield against harmful UV rays.

“We are excited to present Sunprotek, a brand that has been carefully designed to meet the needs of our customers. With a rise in the number of skin cancer cases and other skin-related conditions, it is more important than ever before to use a reliable sun protection solution. We believe Sunprotek will make a significant difference to the lives of our customers by providing long-lasting protection from harmful UV rays” says Mr. Ajay Kakar, CEO and Founder, Salve Group of Companies.

The Sunprotek range has been formulated using advanced technology, combining a blend of active ingredients that work together to offer superior sun protection. The products are non-comedogenic, water-resistant, and sweat-proof and have a lightweight formula that does not leave a greasy residue on the skin. The products are cosmetically accepted, scientifically validated & authenticated formulations for all the label claims.

The Sunprotek range includes

•  Sunprotek 30+ Gel
•  Sunprotek 50+ Gel
•  Sunprotek 30 Lotion

The Sunprotek range is based on a USFDA-compliant sunscreen solution and is an ideal, smooth and elegant protection for all skin types. It is a gel-based, broad-spectrum sunscreen introduced in India with unique water-in-oil-emulsion encapsulation nanotechnology.

India is a land of diverse cultures and cuisines, but one thing that unites all households is the use of cooking oil. With a wide range of options available in the market, choosing the right cooking oil for your family’s health can be a daunting task. Rice bran oil, with its numerous health benefits, has emerged as a popular choice among health-conscious Indian households. It is suitable for traditional Indian dishes, Asian & Continental dishes, and dressings for salads.

Rice bran oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the outer layer of rice grains. It has gained popularity in recent years as a healthy cooking oil option due to its high nutritional value and health benefits. For India, rice bran oil will become an important part of many households.

Rice bran oil is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin E and gamma oryzanol, which help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. This is important for maintaining good health as oxidative stress is a major cause of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Speaking at the recently held International Conference on Rice Bran Oil (ICRBO), Dr. Rohini Sharma, Ph. D. Food Science and Nutrition, Consultant Food Technologist, Consultant Nutritionist, and Life Coach said, “Rice Bran Oil is a very healthy oil and more people should know the benefits of using the Rice Bran Oil. Rice Bran Oil has a balanced fatty profile with PUFA and MUFA in the ratio of 1:1, and very low saturated fatty acids. It is rich in nutraceuticals – Oryzanol, tocopherol, and tocotrienols which are natural Antioxidants. Gamma-Oryzanol present in Rice Bran Oil reduces Bad Cholesterol (LDL) and maintains Good Cholesterol (HDL). Furthermore, rice bran oil has a high smoke point, which means that it can be used for high-temperature cooking, such as deep frying, as it remains stable and retains nutrients at high temperatures, ideal for cooking food in the Indian Kitchen. We suggest people shift to rice bran oil for daily cooking and make a healthier choice.”

Health Benefits of Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that provide numerous health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of rice bran oil

•  Lowers Cholesterol Levels: Rice bran oil is rich in plant sterols, which have been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood. This helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
•  Improves Heart Health: The high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in rice bran oil can help to reduce the risk of heart disease by improving blood lipid levels and reducing inflammation in the body.
•  Helps with Weight Loss: Rice bran oil contains compounds that can help to boost metabolism and increase fat burning. This makes it a useful addition to a weight loss diet.
•  Supports Brain Health: The vitamin E and gamma-oryzanol in rice bran oil have been shown to improve cognitive function and memory. This makes it a valuable addition to the diet, especially for older adults.
•  Anti-inflammatory Properties: The high levels of antioxidants in rice bran oil can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is a major cause of chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

Adding to this, Dr. Sheryl Salis, Registered Dietician (RD), Certified Diabetes Educator, Insulin Pump Specialist, and Founder -of Nurture Health Solutions, said, “We recommend people to use Rice Bran Oil, as it is Made in India and ideally suited to our Indian palate. The National Institution of Nutrition (NIN), ICMR, WHO, and several heart organizations have regularly promoted the use of Rice Bran Oil. In clinical practice, we are witnessing a lot of young people suffering from diabetes and heart diseases. We are constantly copying Western countries and are not focusing on our own products like Rice bran oil, which offers immense health benefits and is ideal for Indian household daily usage. We recommend people to lead an active lifestyle and eat food cooked in rice bran oil to lead a healthy life.”

Adding to this Mr. P. Chandra Shekhara Reddy, Sr. Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Freedom Rice Bran Oil said, “According to experts, physically refined rice bran oil contains over 10,000+ parts per million (PPM) of Oryzanol. Oryzanol helps to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the body by blocking the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the intestines. This helps to lower bad cholesterol levels and maintain good cholesterol levels in the body, which is essential for maintaining heart health. Also, tocopherol in rice bran oil is important because it can help to increase the oil’s antioxidant properties, making it even more beneficial for human health. Freedom Rice Bran Oil is also stable at high temperatures and has a neutral taste, making it the best choice for Traditional Indian Cooking. Rice bran oil is healthy oil suitable for the Indian household’s daily cooking needs. Therefore, we urge people to #Switch to Freedom for a healthy life.”

In conclusion, rice bran oil is an important cooking oil option for Indian families due to its high nutritional value and health benefits. Its antioxidant properties, unique fatty acid profile, and rich vitamin and mineral content make it a healthy choice for cooking. In India, where heart disease and diabetes are prevalent, switching to rice bran oil can be particularly beneficial. The high levels of antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamin E in rice bran oil make it a great choice for reducing the risk of heart disease and other chronic ailments.

16th, May 2023  India’s leading stock exchange, National Stock Exchange (NSE), post receipt of approval from the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has launched the rupee-denominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas futures contracts in its Commodity derivatives segment, on May 15, 2023.

Earlier, NSE had signed a data licensing agreement with CME Group allowing NSE to list, trade and settle rupee-denominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas derivatives contracts on its platform. The addition of these contracts has expanded NSE’s product offering in the Energy basket as well as its overall commodity segment. The launch of these contracts will provide effective trading and hedging opportunities to the market participants, with the availability of key energy products on a single trading platform.

Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE said: “It gives us immense pleasure to inform the market participants that NSE has launched the NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas futures contracts today. NSE has been the trusted exchange of market participants for close to three decades, due to its robust technology platform with high levels of safety and resilience for trading. With NCL providing settlement guarantee and ease of collateral fungibility across all NSE market segments, we hope that these two contracts will provide market participants with an efficient avenue to hedge their price risk and meet their trading objectives.”