Archives August 2023

Puja Curtains go up with KHUTI PUJA at BHOWANIPUR 75 PALLI

KHUTI PUJA

Kolkata, 21st August 2023: Bhowanipur 75 Palli heralded the autumnal ritual with the Khuti Puja today on Sunday to mark the start of Durga puja proceedings this year at 1/1C, Debendra Ghosh Road located at Bhowanipur, near Netaji Bhavan Metro Station. Bhowanipur 75 Palli is one of the eye-catcher puja of the city for its innovative concept and celebration style. This Puja is particularly famous for its unique style of pandals and also for the social work which the committee carries out throughout the year. The Khuti Puja was followed by the performance from the star cast of Oh! Lovely who came to promote their upcoming film.

The occasion was glittered by the presence of various eminent personalities like Sri. Madan Mitra, MLA; Sri. Kartik Banerjee, Social Activist; Smt. Papiya Singh, Councillor; Sri. Sandip Ranjan Bakshi, Councillor; Sri. Ashim Basu, Councillor; Sri. Sayan Deb Chatterjee, State Secretary of West Bengal Trinamool Youth Congress; Smt. Kajari Banerjee, Councillor; Sri. Haranath Chakraborty, Director; Sri. Bablu Singh, Working President Bhowanipur 75 Palli and Social Worker & many other eminent personalities.

With Khuti Puja happening all over the city and Dhaks playing alongside, Bhowanipur 75 Palli marked the heralding of the Durga Puja with the presence of these renowned personalities. Bhowanipur 75 Palli takes immense pride to celebrate the 59th year with much opulence and creativity. The Committee has always tried to create a niche amongst all contemporary pujas by bringing about uniqueness through the concept and in the thought process that goes into the festivity like pandal creation, idol, ambience, safety and communal harmony. Bhowanipur 75 Palli has been known for its state-of-the-art presentation over the years and hopefully, this year will be even grander.

Speaking to the media, Sri. Bablu Singh, Working President of Bhowanipur 75 Palli and Social Worker said, “After the huge success over the years, where we received multiple awards from different segments, the entire team of Bhowanipur 75 Palli is fully charged up for this year also. In the past years, our puja has drawn many lakhs of visitors every day. In the midst of theme pujas all over, just wait and watch for our part of glitters. We are confident that people would appreciate our effort this year too.” he added inviting everyone to come to the puja with family and friends.

In the eagerness to have a grand Durga Puja, Bhowanipur 75 Palli has not forgotten their Social Responsibilities; they have always been in the forefront of social events and also to eradicate social-evils. A part of the donation and subscription that they collect in the Durga Puja is utilized in social works round the year. They have been associated with the local bodies in all forms and shapes for any mass oriented awareness activity. Some of these include – Complimentary health checkups & assistance for the local habitats round the year; Awareness programme run all through the year regarding socio economic hazards; Organizing Blood, Body and Eye Donation camps; Distribution of new sarees and clothes during the Durga Puja to the under-privileged ones; Giving educational kits and books to the children below poverty line; Giving blankets to needy during the winter season and many such CSR activities for welfare of the society.

Marquez and Mir keep their cool to challenge for points in Austrian Sprint

Marquez and Mir

Austria,21st August 2023 An incident-filled Sprint at the Red Bull Ring saw the Repsol Honda Team pair avoid major issues and collect valuable laps with HRC’s new aerodynamics package.

Aero work continued for Marc Marquez as he spent the day with the new package equipped on both his machines. Overnight work by the Repsol Honda Team and HRC engineers improved the #93’s feeling. A tricky Q1 saw Marquez unable to improve on a 1’29.479, lining up in 18th place as a result. When the lights went out for the Saturday Sprint, there was drama as soon as the first corner as a number of riders made contact and fell. Marc Marquez avoided the incident as he focused on chasing down the top ten. Sitting just behind Morbidelli for much of the race, Marquez put up a spirited defense as Viñales worked to recover from earlier problems. Crossing the line in tenth, Marquez narrowly missed out on a return to the points-scoring positions.

After a trying Friday, Joan Mir was able to unlock more of his potential on Saturday at the Red Bull Ring. The #36 led the Honda RC213V riders in Qualifying, earning 16th on the grid, two spots ahead of his teammate and prepared for the 14-lap dash. A good initial launch would see Mir gain several places but falling ahead into Turn One would force him to sit up and quickly lose those positions. From here it was a case of recovery for the 2020 World Champion, eventually crossing the line in 12th place. Just over two seconds behind his Repsol Honda Team stablemate, Mir was pleased with the progress made so far in the weekend.

Sunday’s Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich is scheduled to start at 14:00 Local Time. The Repsol Honda Team once again head into the weekend’s main event aiming to continue development work with an eye on the future.

Marc Marquez (10th)

“It was an interesting Sprint, when I tried the new aero yesterday I knew more or less what would happen in the Sprint – and it did happen. So it was good in a way to understand this new aero more. We’ve been working with a lot of different setups over the weekend, but we have a clear idea for what to do tomorrow. We benefitted a lot from the falls of others, we have to be honest. Without this we would have been in 15th position more or less. We keep on working and see what we can achieve in tomorrow’s main race.”

Joan Mir (12th)

“I think today we were able to make a step over what we have had. I had a bit of trouble in the first corner with the problems in front so I lost all the positions I made at the start. After this I settled into my race and I was able to recover many positions, keeping a similar pace for the riders fighting for fifth to tenth. This shows we have had some improvements and I was able to be faster, let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

 Austrian GP – Sprint Race

Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 BAGNAIA FRANCESCO 1 ITA 12 Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 21’01.844
2 BINDER BRAD 33 RSA 9 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 2.056
3 MARTIN JORGE 89 SPA 7 Pramac Racing Ducati 5.045
4 MARQUEZ ALEX 73 SPA 6 Team Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati 8.252
5 MILLER JACK 43 AUS 5 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 11.365
6 ESPARGARO POL 44 SPA 4 Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing KTM 11.816
7 ESPARGARO ALEIX 41 SPA 3 Aprilia Racing Aprilia 11.960
8 VINALES MAVERICK 12 SPA 2 Aprilia Racing Aprilia 11.984
9 MORBIDELLI FRANCO 21 ITA 1 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 13.634
10 MARQUEZ MARC 93 SPA 0 Repsol Honda Team Honda 14.435
11 DI GIANNANTONIO FABIO 49 ITA 0 Team Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati 15.251
12 MIR JOAN 36 SPA 0 Repsol Honda Team Honda 16.740
13 BASTIANINI ENEA 23 ITA 0 Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 18.825
14 FERNANDEZ RAUL 25 SPA 0 RNF MotoGP Team Aprilia 19.536
15 QUARTARARO FABIO 20 FRA 0 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 22.321
16 LECUONA IKER 27 SPA 0 LCR Honda Honda 25.593
17 FERNANDEZ AUGUSTO 37 SPA 0 Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing KTM 25.789
18 ZARCO JOHANN 5 FRA DNF Pramac Racing Ducati DNF
19 MARINI LUCA 10 ITA DNF Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati DNF
20 SAVADORI LORENZO 32 ITA DNF Aprilia Racing Test Team Aprilia DNF
21 NAKAGAMI TAKAAKI 30 JPN DNF LCR Honda Honda DNF
22 BEZZECCHI MARCO 72 ITA DNF Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati DNF
23 OLIVEIRA MIGUEL 88 POR DNF RNF MotoGP Team Aprilia DNF

 

Indian Bank hosts an exclusive asset fair in Chennai

Indian Bank

Chennai 21st August 2023: Indian Bank, in association with The Times of India, conducted an asset fair in Express Avenue Mall Chennai on 19.08.2023 for sale of properties mortgaged to the Bank.

The event was inaugurated by the Bank’s Executive Director Mr. Mahesh Kumar Bajaj in the presence of Chief General Manager Ms. V.N.Maya along with General Manager Recovery Mr. R K Das, General Manager Recovery and Legal Mr. S Senthil Kumar of the Bank and Mr. Siva Meiyappan General Manager Times of India, who was the media partner for the event.

The fair was subsequently visited by the Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Shri. S L Jain, along with Executive Director, Shri. Mahesh Kumar Bajaj and Shri Ashutosh Choudhury, in the afternoon and took stock of the progress of the fair.

Speaking on the EXPO Shri S L Jain, MD & CEO of Indian Bank said “This is an initiative to provide a wide array of investment possibilities from cities across India, carefully curated from our secured assets. one should not miss the upcoming mega e-auctions on August 23rd and September 20th, providing a transparent platform to acquire these valuable properties.”

In the fair 727 residential/commercial/ industrial properties and vacant plots were showcased. In addition, information regarding properties across the country, put for sale by the Bank, was also made available to prospective buyers.

For this purpose, the Bank has set up 12 stalls to provide detailed information regarding the properties to prospective buyers and these properties are coming for sale through mega e-auction on 23.08.2023 and 20.09.2023. The details of e-auction are available at Indian Bank’s website (www.indianbank.in)

This property fair has been welcomed by prospective buyers. The Bank targets to sell most of the properties showcased in the fair by utilizing this opportunity, as this creates a win-win situation for all concerned stakeholders.

Prospective buyers evinced interest in more than 232 residential/commercial/industrial properties in the first 4 hours of the fair. In order to facilitate the buyers to purchase any property, Bank has put up a stall for giving first-hand information regarding various loan schemes of the Bank.

The fair shall continue on 20.08.2023 as well. All the prospective buyers can visit the fair and utilize the opportunity.

Mangala Gauri Celebration at KORUM Mall Brings Community Together

KORUM Mall

Thane, 21st August 2023: KORUM Mall hosted the Mangala Gauri event to celebrate the rich Marathi heritage and rituals that have been passed down through generations. The event received enthusiastic participation from 277 women. The event included a variety of engagement activities that have been part of the age-old traditions. Women despite being decked up head to toe in ethnicity, enthusiastically participated in all the challenging tasks.

Timer-based games segment added an exciting element to the event, as participants raced against the clock to complete a series of challenging tasks. Contestants engaged in grating coconut for khaini and crafting vatan on pata variant. The event started at 12 p.m. and concluded at 6 p.m. The prize distribution ceremony was a heartwarming moment, as winners and their families celebrated their achievements.

The cultural event was a reminder that even in our fast-paced modern lives, the charm of tradition remains strong whilst preserving customs.

“Through the vibrant Mangala Gauri celebration at KORUM Mall, we aimed to weave the threads of tradition into the fabric of modern life. It is encouraging to witness our community coming together to celebrate our cultural heritage and fostering connections that enrich our lives. In fact, we recently hosted and concluded a simultaneous exhibition match with Vishwanath Anand. From movie promotions to indoor games, traditional events like Navratri, Diwali, Christmas to the recent Mangala Gauri, KORUM Mall continues to be the preferred platform where diverse activities thrive, offering a space for the community to engage.” Deva Jyotula, VP – Retail.

The celestial month of Shravan holds a spiritual significance in the hearts of women, and a time of deep devotion and reverence. The divine energy that permeates the month further enhances the sanctity of the Mangala Gauri observance.

Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad Partners with Kashmir Clinic Central, Srinagar to Launch Comprehensive Multi-Specialty OPD Services

Marengo Asia Hospitals

Srinagar, 21st August 2023: Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad, a leading healthcare provider in Delhi NCR, announced the launch of their exclusive multi-specialty OPD Services in partnership with the city-based Kashmir Clinic Central today. This partnership aims to redefine the healthcare landscape by bringing together exceptional clinical excellence combined with cutting-edge technologies to offer super-specialized healthcare across a wide spectrum of medical disciplines, signifying a monumental step forward in accessible, affordable high-quality medical services.

The multi-specialty OPD services will offer high-end treatment solutions, including Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery, Lung & Thoracic Surgery, and Paediatric Heart Surgery, providing state-of-the-art medical care at par with global standards and expertise to the local residents in their city without the hassle of travelling to metro cities for primary consultations.

Present on the occasion were Dr. Punit Singla Director & HOD- Liver Transplant and Biliary Sciences, Dr Kamran Ali, Senior Consultant- Lung & Thoracic Surgery and Dr. Tarun Ramman Raina, senior consultant Pediatric Cardio and Vascular Surgery from Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad, among various other eminent personalities.

The OPD services will be available at Kashmir Clinic Central, Karan Nagar, Srinagar, on 3rd Sunday of every month where experts from Marengo Hospitals Faridabad will be available for primary consultations.

Dr. Punit Singla Director & HOD- Liver Transplant and Biliary Sciences at Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad, underscored the critical nature of addressing the escalating prevalence of liver diseases and disorders. He said, “Liver diseases, including fatty liver, hepatitis, and pancreas-related issues, are witnessing a concerning upsurge. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment can be pivotal in preventing irreversible damage. While the last option for liver failure condition is a liver transplant, there is a wide gap between patients who need transplants and the organs that are available in India. People need to be aware that with advancements in technology of live donor liver transplant there is no need to wait for a cadaver liver donation, and many lives can be saved. Our joint efforts aim to provide patients with advanced interventions and treatments to significantly enhance outcomes.”

Dr Kamran Ali, Senior Consultant- Lung & Thoracic Surgery, Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad said “Making rapid evolution in the last few years, the robotic technique in thoracic surgeries have progressively become widespread particularly for the treatment of the mediastinal and pulmonary lesions. Patients afflicted with any complication in the Chest & Pulmonary system, the developments made in this field has better outcomes in intraoperative and post-operative results. There is an increase in the number of patients with end stage pulmonary diseases in the past few years, requiring a lung transplant. In comparison to open surgeries done in the past, the advanced thoracic robotic surgeries have paved way to safety and improved quality of life even in most complex cases.”

Dr. Tarun Ramman Raina, senior consultant Pediatric Cardio and Vascular Surgery, Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad said “Through this OPD services we would like to sensitize the public and parents about the congenital heart defects and the importance of early screening. We will take this partnership ahead to extend similar care for other specialties as well. Common causes of enlarged heart in children can be holes in the heart e.g. ASD, valvular heart disease, a disease which could be congenital or acquired, disease of heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and fluid around the heart. All children with blueness irrespective of the degree should have an evaluation by Paediatric Cardiologist to identify the underlying cause of enlargement and further management.”

The symbiotic partnership between Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad and Kashmir Clinic Central is a testament to their unwavering commitment to delivering excellence in healthcare services. With a shared vision of enhancing patient outcomes and fostering health awareness, this collaboration is poised to catalyse a substantial upliftment of medical services in this region.

Confluence: A memorable musical evening of Global Poetry and Rabindra Sangeet to Mesmerize Delhi

Confluence

Confluence, a blend of global poetry and Rabindra Sangeet opens in Delhi at India Habitat Centre this weekend. It promises an evening of soul-stirring melodies and thought-provoking verses, featuring acclaimed Rabindra Sangeet vocalist Srovonti Basu Bandyopadhyay. Being organised by Wanderers’ Footprints, The Travel Boutique on Sunday, August 20th, 6:30 pm, the event will witness the presence of Jawhar Sircar, MP Rajya Sabha as Chief Guest and Arpita Chatterjee, Actor, Director and Producer as Guest of Honour. Readings will be presented by interdisciplinary artist, Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee with Introduction by Parbati Bhattacharya.

Confluence is a work-in-progress production of exploring global poetry in a blend of Rabindranath Tagore’s song writing. The chosen poetries in these are by Khalil Gibran, Pablo Neruda, Elizabeth Bishop, Lorca, Taha Muhammad Ali Khan and many others. These poets have written at different time-zones and their politics are intrinsically different from each other. What the verses find in Rabindra Sangeet is a perceptive integration in ethos. That makes the project unique and a bit intriguing too.

The brainchild of Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee, Confluence seeks to bridge the gap between diverse poetic traditions and musical forms. Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee, the founder of SPCkraft, a pioneering interdisciplinary art collective, has been instrumental in using his art to express themes related to gender, sexuality, social issues, and humanity. He is also the artistic director of PHREEDOM4 EVER MONOLOGUES, India’s sole solo arts festival.

Srovonti is a trained Rabindra Sangeet vocalist and researcher. She has done playback for regional cinema apart from doing concerts, hosted by prestigious organizations in Bombay, Pune and Kolkata. She is an important resource person and a member of the Women’s Commission in West Bengal. Her passion for documenting rural crafts, gender emancipation stories have taken her to different parts of Bengal. An ace vocalist, Srovonti is currently working in the digital wing of a leading newspaper in the country.

Confluence has opened earlier for the prestigious Advertising Club, Calcutta and later for Baithak UK in London.

What: Confluence: A Blend of Global Poetry and Rabindra Sangeet

When: Sunday, August 20th

Timings: 6:30 pm onwards

Where: India Habitat Centre, Delhi

Organised by: Wanderers’ Footprints, The Travel Boutique

Entry: Free

Maximal Finance recognized as Most Influential NBFC of the Year at the 15th NBFC & Fintech Award 2023

NBFC Awards

Chennai, August 19, 2023: Maximal Finance, a trailblazing force in the realm of financial inclusion, has been distinguished with the coveted title of the “Most Influential NBFC of the Year” at the esteemed 15th NBFC & Fintech Award 2023. This prestigious accolade underscores Maximal Finance’s commitment to reshaping the financial landscape and propelling inclusive economic growth through innovative approaches.

The 15th edition of the NBFCs & Fintech Conclave and Awards explored the dynamic intersections of technology, from current advancements to future possibilities, and their profound impact. Focused discussions centered around the evolving landscape of Loan Management Software, the persistent challenge of Cyber Crimes, and the transformative role of Digital Payments in fostering inclusivity within organizations and society at large. Eminent experts from the NBFC and IT sectors engaged in thought-provoking dialogues, sharing their invaluable insights.

Certificate of Achivement

“Receiving the ‘Most Influential NBFC of the Year’ award at the 15th NBFC & Fintech Award is a moment of immense pride and humility for us,” commented Mr. R. Vignesh, CEO of Maximal Finance. He further added, “This recognition underscores the distinctiveness of our approach in driving financial inclusion through the strategic application of technology. We believe in ensuring that every individual has access to and benefits from the financial ecosystem, and we remain dedicated to innovation and leadership in this pursuit.”

Maximal Finance’s vision seamlessly aligns with the Government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at fostering self-reliance and financial empowerment among entrepreneurs.

Distinguished for pioneering a fully digitized loan disbursement and collection process, Maximal Finance sets industry benchmarks. This comprehensive system encompasses every aspect, from client prospecting and credit assessment to loan approval and repayment collection. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, Maximal Finance offers customers a seamless and secure experience, exemplifying the highest standards of efficiency.

Maximal Finance’s ambition is to redefine the existing model of financial partnerships within the MSME segment, playing an integral role in propelling the nation towards achieving its ambitious $5 trillion economy goal by 2024.

Hyderabad Runners Society unveils Finishers Medal of NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2023 powered by IDFC FIRST Bank

NMDC Hyderabad Marathon powered by IDFC FIRST Bank is the country’s second-largest marathon

Amitava Mukherjee_

Hyderabad, August 19, 2023: Hyderabad Runners Society and NMDC together with the Govt. of Telangana announced the 12th edition of the annual NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2023 powered by IDFC FIRST Bank. The run will have over 21000 registered participants. With thousands of outstation participants coming to run in this prestigious City Marathon, the annual sporting extravaganza is gaining massive appeal among serious and amateur runners across India and overseas.

The finishers Medal was unveiled by Shri Anjani Kumar, IPS, Director General of Police, Telangana, Shri Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director (Addl Charge) & Director Finance, NMDC Ltd, Shri Nirish Lalan, Head Branch Banking South, IDFC FIRST Bank in a press conference held on Thursday in a city hotel.

Addressing the gathering immediately after unveiling the Finishers Medal, Shri Anjani Kumar said, Hyderabad is competing with many cities globally on all fronts. Telangana is one of the top three states in India in per capita income. Mumbai is saturated. Hyderabad has a lot of scope to develop further Police are very much part of the event, It is our event. He promised full cooperation. We hope the participation will touch 30000 in future editions.

Shri Amitava Mukherjee said “As the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2023 approaches, we invite marathon enthusiasts and new runners from across the country to pay tribute to the Fit India Movement with NMDC. This year is special, we have demonstrated unprecedented resilience in overcoming the pandemic and as a society have become more health conscious. This edition of the Marathon will also be celebrated our resilience and a healthier India”.

The event days are the 26th and 27th of August 2023. The 5K- a curtain raiser will be held on 26th August at 7 AM at Hitex. On 27th August the runs will be flagged-off as follows: Full Marathon at 4.30 AM, Half Marathon and 5.30 AM (from People Plaza, Necklace Road) & 10K Run at 6.30 AM from Hitex, Madhapur.

The marathon route will traverse the important landmarks in the city giving the runners a picturesque view of the Hussain Sagar Lake, Raj Bhavan Road, KBR Park, Jubilee Hills Road No. 45, Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge, Bio-diversity Junction, University of Hyderabad and finishes at Gachibowli Stadium, while spreading the healthy lifestyle theme among Hyderabad citizens. The 10K Run will be starting from Hitex Grounds and will merge with the Half and Full Marathon route near IKEA Circle and will finish at Gachibowli Stadium.

“Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prashant Morparia, Race Director – NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, said, “Hyderabad Runners Society is proud to lead the active lifestyle movement and the 12th edition of the Marathon is a step in that direction.

This year, we have seen a growth in the number of participants to about 21000 plus, coming from almost 30 states and UTs as well as international participation. Out of this number, 5000 are women. 500 from 14 NGOs are also participating. We are eager to make them experience world-class race facilities on this AIMS-certified course. The Prize money across all categories is about Rs.27 lakhs.

It is going to be the green marathon. 250 volunteers are pressed into the service for the purpose of keeping it green as well as for recycling.

We are also proud to support runners from many NGOs, who are working with different underprivileged sections of society and have also facilitated fundraising for various Charity organizations under the aegis of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2023 powered by IDFC FIRST Bank. We call out to all sections of society to support this initiative and make Hyderabad the health capital of the country. We thank the Govt of Telangana, the City Police and our Sponsors for their backing in this active lifestyle movement.”

Naarayan TV – Chief Marketing Officer – IDFC FIRST Bank said “As the Associate Sponsor of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, IDFC FIRST Bank has an opportunity to connect with people in the dynamic city of Hyderabad. Participative sports have seen a growing interest in recent times, and being a part of this positive influence aligns with IDFC FIRST Bank’s philosophy of enabling social good in society. Through this partnership, we aim to promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle across all aspects – financial, physical and mental. We look forward to an event that is inspirational and promotes community building”

Arete’s Cyber Threat Report reveals 19% of cases involved ransom payments in the first half of 2023

New Delhi, 19th August 2023 –– Arete, a leading global cyber risk management company, released Turning Tides – Navigating the Evolving World of Cybercrime, a report highlighting trends and shifts in the cyber threat landscape observed by Arete in the first half of 2023. The report leverages data collected during Arete incident response engagements and explores the rise and fall of ransomware variants, trends in ransom demands and payments, industries targeted by ransomware attacks, and what may be coming next.

The report highlights several key findings. In the initial six months of 2023, LockBit has surged to claim the leading position, constituting 30.3% of all ransomware incidents monitored by Arete. Notably, the professional services sector has emerged as the primary target, experiencing an uptick of nearly 12% since the latter half of 2022. Although there is a general upward trajectory in ransom demands by cybercriminals, Arete’s data reveals that only 19% of cases during the first half of 2023 resulted in a ransom payment.

The report offers an in-depth analysis of the top five ransomware variants observed, as well as data on initial access vectors and post-exploitation toolsets. It also explores shifts in the threat landscape, including the lower barrier of entry into cybercrime that is powered by leaked resources, new business models, and AI tools. We also discuss the socioeconomic impacts of the Russia-Ukraine War and the increase in global law enforcement actions against cybercriminals.

“Cybercrime is constantly shifting in response to new vulnerabilities, developing technology, and global socioeconomic events,” said Arete’s Chief Data Officer, Chris Martenson. “Remaining aware of the latest trends and shifts allows organizations to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity and create data-driven strategies to protect their data and systems,” Martenson added.

UPL SAS signs MoU with NSL Sugars to enhance farmers yield and promote sustainable agri practices

Bangalore, 19thAugust, 2023: UPL Sustainable Agriculture Solutions Ltd. (UPL SAS), a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions, keeping the “Farmers First’ approach, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NSL Sugars Ltd (NSL), one of the leading sugar producers in the country, for Sustainable Sugarcane Production. The collaboration is also aimed at promoting green agriculture through optimized usage of natural resources. The MOU with NSL will indirectly add approx. 50000 beneficiaries across three states of Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra and will encompass an impacted area of nearly 1 lakh acres. This partnership between UPL SAS and NSL Sugars brings forth mutual benefits. UPL SAS gains market penetration while NSL Sugars reaps the advantages of sustainable sugarcane cultivation. This creates a win-win situation for the entire ecosystem of the sugar value chain, including customers seeking to purchase sustainable sugar.

The primary objective of this partnership is to achieve a minimum 15% increase in yield per acre, equating to approximately 5 metric tons per acre, resulting in an additional income of INR 12,000 to 15,000 for farmers. This also aims at significantly reducing input costs for farmers while promoting sustainable agri practices. This collaborative effort is expected to save an estimated 6 lakh liters of water and 50 kilograms of urea per acre thus promoting green agriculture practices and reducing environmental impact.

This collaboration serves as an extension of UPL SAS’s Shashwat Mithaas – Sustainable Sugar Program initiative, which has already made significant strides in Pune, Maharashtra, covering over 10,000 acres. Over the course of three years, UPL SAS and NSL will take this collaboration to the next level by implementing the program in a phased manner. The initial phase will cover 30,000 acres in the first year, gradually expanding to encompass the entire operational area.

The anticipated impact of the program on the initial 30,000 acres is significant. It is expected to conserve approximately 1,800 crore litres of water, amounting to approximately 6 lakh litres per acre. Additionally, the program aims to save 1,500 metric tons of urea consumption, approximately 50 kilograms per acre, resulting in a 25% reduction in nitrous oxide (GHG) emissions. Nitrous oxide is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. This collaboration between UPL and NSL demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable practices in sugarcane cultivation, highlighting their dedication to conserving resources, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable farming methods.

NSL Group Chairman, Mr. Govinda Rajulu Chintala, said, At NSL Group, our utmost dedication revolves around providing the best possible solutions to our farmers through strong engagement and collaboration. We firmly believe that adopting sustainable farming practices is crucial in addressing the challenges faced by our farmers in Sugarcane cultivation. By implementing environmentally-friendly methods, we aim to maximize cane production per acre, leading to improved yields and increased income for our esteemed farmers. This partnership signifies a significant stride towards empowering our farmers and securing a prosperous and sustainable future for Sugarcane farming.

President Global Corporate & Industry Affairs at UPL ltd , Mr. Sagar Kaushik said, Our unwavering commitment to sustainability continues to be at the forefront of our priorities. We remain steadfast in our dedication to the prosperity and welfare of our primary stakeholders: the farmers. Through the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, we aim to foster a harmonious relationship between farming and the environment. The introduction of our sustainable sugarcane program marks the initial phase of our expansive vision. Looking ahead, we are determined to extend these sustainable interventions to encompass a wider range of crops, as we endeavor to redefine sustainability across the entire food value chain.

Addressing the shortage of sugarcane in the market, this partnership will ensure sufficient cane availability to sugar mills, supporting the industry’s needs and stabilizing the supply chain. The MoU will also provide sustainable solutions to the Sugarcane farmers with end to end intervention in terms of advisory of Good Agronomical Practices (GAP), implementation of ProNutiva (Complete Crop protection and Nutrition Package), mechanization in terms of planters, earthing up machines and boom Sprayers, insurance and traceability through Nurture.farm app, to ensure implementation of sustainable sugarcane.

CEO, UPL SAS ltd- Ashish Dobhal said, “Through our collaboration, we aim to enhance the livelihoods of farmers, mitigate environmental impact, and ensure the availability of quality sugarcane to meet market demands. The Pronutiva package and the revolutionary Zeba’s technology play a pivotal role in increasing crop yield and improving soil health, thereby completely transforming the sugarcane harvesting process. This comprehensive package offers immense benefits to farmers, including increased productivity and profitability, while also contributing to environmental sustainability. By joining forces, UPL SAS and NSL Sugars are spearheading sustainable advancements in the sugarcane industry, benefiting farmers, the environment, and the entire value chain.”