Archives 2023

20th December 2023, DELHI- NCR: Pacific World School hosted an enthralling and vigorous two-day long Annual Sports Day Meet- ‘Enthusia 2023- ACE IT UP! Sports for all, all for sports’. The event was graced by a pantheon of dignitaries, including the Chief Guests, Mr. Santosh Bansal (Chairperson, Pacific World School), Ms. Nidhi Bansal (Pro Vice Chairperson), Mr. Abhishek Bansal (Distinguished member of Managing Committee) and Maj. Gen. Vikram Dev Dogra (the recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and three-times ‘Ironman’ of the Indian Army). General Dogra has been a recipient of the Sword of Honor and a Gold Medalist.

Both days encompassed a plethora of engrossing events featuring the Torch run symbolizing the fire of illumination to humanity, harmony and peace, followed by a mesmerizing welcome dance- Vande Bharat catering varied dance forms of India, a vibrant March past in unison with exhilarating drumbeats by three distinguished houses namely Fraser, Columbia and Daintree. The oath-taking was administered by the principal and the school song was sung by the participants with pride. A spectacular Taekwondo performance also drew applause from the spectators, curating the euphoric moments of the day.

Students engaged in a Yoga session, emphasizing holistic well-being and mental focus. The parents’ race was the melting pot for the parents who came together and drew thunderous cheers from the spectators. The event drew its curtain with a captivating Mass Drill when aestheticism and athleticism were blended into creating a spectacle of inclusivity. The overall trophy was bagged by Fraser House and all the participants of different houses broke into an unstoppable wave of claps for the winners who carried the day without any iota of malice in their minds.

Ms. Pooja Bose, Principal, Pacific World School, expressed her delight at the event’s success, stating, “I extend heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed Chief Guests, Teachers and Parents for gracing Enthusia with their presence. I feel immense pride, to commend our students for their outstanding dedication and exceptional display of enthusiasm to exemplify the true spirit of our school. The event has provided a valuable platform to our sports enthusiasts and we look forward to organizing similar events across all genres.”

20th December 2023, Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with iDreamCareer (iDC), has launched a career guidance initiative for students in government schools. This project serves as an extension to the existing Pankh Portal, which offers career awareness to students in government and government-aided schools.

While the Pankh Portal utilizes technology to reach all students, this new initiative, launched on October 9th, focuses on providing in-person counseling to students in five districts. A dedicated team of 31 counselors has been deployed in the districts of Varanasi, Meerut, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Ghaziabad, aiming to support students on their career journeys.

The project aims to help 14,700 students of classes 10th and 12th located in 5 districts of UP. This project is organized to spread educational awareness among students while helping them find their dream colleges with scholarships and learn about multiple career options available in the industry.

The project is supported by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

An analysis of Education for All in India states that Uttar Pradesh has a high dropout rate, especially for female students. Hence, the intervention is focusing on increasing the yearly Eligible Enrollment Rate (EER) by 5-10 % through this project. The project will ensure the maximum number of college admissions with scholarships by providing the students with in-person counseling sessions, career details, exam patterns, and a helpline number to support last-mile help till they get admission in a college or vocational program.

According to Shri Vishnu Kant Pandey, the Additional State Project Director, this initiative by the UP government will help students achieve a clear vision for their future. In India, Some of the major reasons for school dropouts are a lack of awareness about admission procedures, career options, and education funding. This project will target these issues and support the maximum number of students to get professional career counseling, admission to the best colleges, and the benefits of scholarships. Recently, the UP Government has increased the government school enrollment rate in the state. Now the government is aiming to increase the number of college enrollments in the state through this project in partnership with iDreamCareer.

Through personalized 1:1 counseling, educational awareness, and access to scholarships, this initiative aspires to increase enrollment rates as well as pave the way for a brighter and more promising future for the students of Uttar Pradesh. This collective effort will promote an educational environment that will nurture the upcoming leaders of tomorrow.

Hyderabad: 20th December 2023 –Leaders for India Organization (LIO), a members-only community founded by Mohnish Yerra in 2022, unites business leaders, entrepreneurs, and angel investors to harness their collective resources for mutual growth. LIO serves as a business accelerator and startup incubation platform, providing personalized one-on-one support based on unique professional needs and aspirations through effective networking and mentorship. The new ‘LIO App’ is launched to revolutionize community interactions and foster meaningful connections. With a visionary approach, the LIO App introduces an array of features designed to bring individuals closer within a shared space, enabling seamless networking and engagement.

In the past 18 months, Leaders for India Organization has evolved into a thriving community with 104 members comprising industry leaders, business veterans, recognized professionals, and influential figures with a combined net worth of ₹25,000+ crores. LIO has disbursed over ₹20 crores for 16 distinct business opportunities. Additionally, LIO has also excelled in wealth management, overseeing ₹19 Crores in financial products to ensure the financial health of members. LIO manages ₹9.05 crores in AUM in their wealth management arm and has facilitated ₹9.8 crores towards land projects. Mohnish also manages a

personal investment vehicle, MYCap Investments, with an impressive portfolio of 18 companies.

The unique platform, Leaders for India Organization, has firmly positioned itself as a trusted partner for wealth creation, extending financial support to members. LIO has transcended traditional angel investment models to evolve into a comprehensive consultancy firm. LIO offers tailored support, functioning as a Business Accelerator, Financial Advisor, Startup Incubator, and Technology Consultant, ensuring entrepreneurs receive customized guidance for success.

LIO’s three major services—Cohort Convergence, Investment Opportunities, and Extended Team—cater to diverse needs. Cohort Convergence involves grouping members into cricket teams for training and international competitions, while Investment Opportunities span a broad spectrum, including startups, hedge funds, VCs, movie projects, and more. Extended Team, featuring LIO Day, positions LIO as an integral part of the members’ wealth creation journey, supporting them in fostering the right synergies and providing continuous support. The monthly events by LIO are —LIO Business Shower, LIO Recreational Events, and LIO Day—serve as our tools to increase essential touchpoints, fostering networking opportunities. For example in “LIO DAY”, LIO team engages in one-on-one sessions to grasp the unique investment appetite of each member, exploring ways to compound their social capital.

According to Mr. Mohnish Yerra, the Founder and CEO of Leaders for India (LIO),” Through LIO, we’ve built a platform that not only invests but nurtures dreams, turning them into impactful realities, one venture at a time. The LIO app will help in seamless engagement between the members of LIO. The new LIO App has a flagship feature ‘LIO Buzz,’ empowering members to connect with fellow LIO enthusiasts within a 5KM radius. This unique functionality enables spontaneous meetups, enhancing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and personal connections.”

He further added, “LIO’s influence extends beyond borders, forging successful partnerships in pivotal cities like Chennai, Indore, Bangalore, Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad. In future we plan to expand operations into Bengaluru, Indore, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune within the country, while also considering international growth into London (UK), with the objective of nurturing business ties and broadening investment prospects. Through this we aim to build a vibrant community of over 1000 members in the next 3 years.”

New Delhi, 20th December 2023: Today, ONDC and Meta have partnered to help small businesses unlock the power of digital commerce by enabling and educating them to build seamless conversational buyer and seller experiences on WhatsApp through an ecosystem of Meta’s business and technical solution providers. Meanwhile, ONDC will help these business solution providers become seller apps, bringing the businesses they service onto the ONDC Network and helping them drive commerce.

To kick off the partnership, over the next two years, five lakh MSMEs will also be digitally upskilled through the Meta Small Business Academy. Born out of Meta’s commitment to up-skill 10 million small businesses across the country, Meta Small Business Academy offers a certification to empower entrepreneurs and marketers to gain critical digital marketing skills to grow on the Meta apps.

T Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, said, “At ONDC, we are committed to accelerating and democratizing the digital landscape and towards that, we aim to empower MSMEs, help them build digital visibility, and boost their businesses. Today, for any business to grow, it is critical for them to market themselves and reach a wider audience. Our partnership with Meta will not only digitally upskill these businesses but will also enable them to connect with a customer base far and wide. We are confident that our collaborative efforts will pave the way for millions of small businesses by providing them with the right impetus for growth.”

Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President, Meta in India, added, “India’s digital transformation story is unfolding at a revolutionary pace, and for this growth to continue, we need the right ecosystem and partnerships that enable millions of small businesses to build and deepen their digital presence. Meta has been a frontrunner in partnering with the government and the industry to advance digital inclusion, especially for MSMEs across India. Our partnership with ONDC builds on supporting the government’s vision for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and furthering our ongoing commitment to skilling small businesses and aiding this rapid digital transformation and growth story in the country.”

As part of the partnership, Meta will also support Sahayak, ONDC’s WhatApp chatbot, in enhancing the services offered on the bot as the single point of seller communication and customer communication for ONDC.

Earlier this year, Meta launched the ‘WhatsApp Se Wyapaar’ program to upskill 10 million traders across 29 states in 11 Indian languages on the WhatsApp Business app. Today, there are more than 200 million users of the WhatsApp Business app across the world, and more than 60% of people on WhatsApp in India message a business account.

Bengaluru, 20th December 2023: Suzlon Group, India’s largest renewable energy solutions provider, today announced the execution of definitive documents for securing working capital facilities with REC Limited. Suzlon will utilize this facility to meet working capital requirements for the execution of its current order book and future order pipeline.

This will enable the Company to ensure a faster ramp-up of its operations and improve the utilization of its installed capacities. Challenges in securing working capital for the last few years were a major constraint in increasing volumes and order book expansion. The current facility sanctioned by REC is a testament of the Company’s improved financial strength.

Himanshu Mody, Chief Financial Officer, Suzlon Group said, “We are delighted to partner again with REC Limited, one of India’s finest financial institutions with a deep understanding of power and renewable energy sectors. REC has a clear vision to support India’s ambitious renewable energy targets and has supported the Company’s initiatives in the past through debt refinancing, helping us become debt free. The current facility is non-fund based, which will primarily be off-balance sheet keeping us debt-free while significantly improving commercial terms with our customer and suppliers. This facility is rolling in nature and will allow the Company to execute current and future orders from its marquee customers.”Top of Form

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By Mr. Pravin Dubey- Founder, WebClixs

As we bid adieu to 2023, the pages of IT history turn with the resonance of transformative strides, notably fueled by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This epochal year witnessed the convergence of human intellect and technological innovation, unlocking unprecedented opportunities and challenges alike. In this in-depth exploration, we dive into the significant landmarks of 2023 and cast our gaze into the anticipated promises and challenges as we embark on the journey into 2024.

Government’s Orchestrated Symphony – Fostering Innovation and Safeguarding Ethics

In the intricate dance of progress, governments globally assumed a dual role throughout 2023 – that of an enabler and a guardian. Initiatives were meticulously crafted to fortify digital infrastructures, laying a robust foundation for the evolution of technology. Concurrently, regulatory frameworks took shape to grapple with ethical dilemmas surrounding AI, data privacy, and cybersecurity.

The AI Renaissance – Unveiling 2023’sPioneering Human-Tech Synergy

A defining feature of 2023 was the harmonious integration of human intellect and technological prowess. The convergence of AI and human expertise opened new dimensions, allowing humans to focus on tasks requiring emotional intelligence, creativity, and nuanced decision-making. In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostics achieved unparalleled accuracy, revolutionizing disease identification and treatment planning. The logistics and supply chain management sector experienced heightened efficiency through AI algorithms, minimizing errors and optimizing resource allocation.

This synergy between human and technological capabilities showcased a glimpse of the future – a future where the strengths of both entities harmonize to create a more efficient and effective world.

Prospects and Anticipations in 2024 – Charting the Trajectory

As we stand on the precipice of 2024, the IT sector is poised for a transformative period that builds upon the foundation laid in 2023. The synergy between human intellect and technology promises groundbreaking developments across education, public safety, transportation, and healthcare. AI’s predictive prowess is anticipated to refine traffic management, enhance energy efficiency, and bolster disaster response mechanisms, fostering the creation of smarter, safer communities.

In education, the evolution of AI-driven adaptive learning platforms is poised to reach new heights, catering even more precisely to individual learning styles and paces. Public safety initiatives are expected to harness the power of AI for advanced threat detection and improved predictive policing. The transportation sector may witness the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles, revolutionizing road safety and traffic efficiency.

Expanding on the Technological Odyssey – Unveiling AI’s Impact

The technological symphony of 2023 wasn’t confined to specific sectors but resonated across diverse fields, leaving an indelible mark on industries such as finance, entertainment, and customer service. AI-driven financial algorithms revolutionized investment strategies, enhancing accuracy and minimizing risks. In the entertainment world, AI-powered content recommendation systems took personalization to new heights, enriching user experiences. Customer service platforms, infused with AI-powered chatbots, delivered more efficient and personalized interactions.

The palpable impact of AI rippled through the fabric of daily life, making processes smoother, interactions more personalized, and decisions more informed.

Ethical Considerations and AI Governance – A Pivotal Discussion

While the strides in AI technology were groundbreaking, 2023 also saw an increased focus on the ethical considerations surrounding its deployment. Governments and industry leaders engaged in crucial discussions on AI governance, aiming to establish frameworks that ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness. Debates on responsible AI practices and the ethical use of data gained prominence, reflecting the collective acknowledgment of the need to navigate the AI landscape responsibly.

Empowering the Workforce – Upskilling for an AI-Driven Future

The transformative wave of AI in 2023 brought with it a realization – the need for a skilled workforce equipped to navigate an AI-driven future. Upskilling initiatives gained momentum across industries, with governments and businesses investing in programs to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the evolving demands of the digital era. Training programs focused on AI literacy, coding skills, and data analysis became integral components of workforce development strategies

The Road Ahead – Shaping a Human-Centric Tech Future

As we bid farewell to a transformative 2023 and step into the unknown of 2024, the canvas of possibilities unfurls. The government’s role, scrutinized for its delicate balancing act, sets the stage for collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. It is a call to ensure that the trajectory of AI aligns with ethical considerations and societal well-being. As we traverse the uncharted territories of the coming year, the narrative is in the hands of those ready to create a future where human ingenuity and technology entwine harmoniously.

In conclusion, 2023 was a pivotal year, a chapter that defined the trajectory of the IT landscape. The integration of AI, guided by governments and industry leaders, unfolded a tapestry of possibilities. As we embark on the journey into 2024, the question that echoes is not just about technological advancements but about how this fusion of human and technological capabilities will shape our collective future.

Mumbai, India,20th December 2023: Honeywell Automation India Limited (NSE:HONAUT)today announced that its Honeywell Building Solutions business has secured a contractfrom Reliance Life Sciences (RLS) for building management and safety technology.

Honeywell will assist Reliance Life Sciences with the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of integrated building management command and control and environment monitoring systems. It willalso integrate its current fire detection and voice evacuation systems with HoneywellConnected Life Safety Services (CLSS), for its multiple plants at Nashik, Maharashtra, India. Honeywell’s contract with Reliance Life Sciences encompasses a seven-year annual maintenance support commitment, providing sustained operational excellence.

“Honeywell is proud to partner with Reliance Life Sciences in its automation journey. Under the project, we will integrate and deploy Honeywell’s Enterprise Buildings Integrator (EBI) Command Control Suite and CLSS making it a significant win in the pharmaceutical vertical. Our superior building management and safety technology will enhance the overall safety, efficiency and sustainability across RLS” said Ashish Modi, President, Honeywell India.

Honeywell’s EBI Command and Control Suite empowers Reliance Life Sciences with a comprehensive overview of its building management and security systems that is seamlessly consolidated within a unified dashboard. This integration allows Reliance Life Sciences to oversee numerous operations and stations across a 160-acre facility more efficiently.

Honeywell’s CLSS cloud platform integrates data for secure, compliant, and efficient fire system management, offering connectivity, intelligence, and remote monitoring.

“Reliance Life Sciences has had a long-standing relationship with Honeywell in building- management technology solutions and is pleased to graduate this to the next-generation technology of connected life-safety services, and on a larger scale involving multiple manufacturing facilities in its second life sciences campus project at Nashik,” said K.V. Subramaniam, President, Reliance Life Sciences.

Gurugram, India, 20th December 2023 – Torque Pharma, a leading entity in the pharmaceutical industry, has introduced its Multipower Soft Gelatin Capsules, a Nutraceutical Endowment designed to promote health and wellbeing. This innovative product combines the advantages of Multivitamins with Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Minerals, and Ginseng. It helps to enhance immunity and energy, catering to daily nutritional requirements.

The Multipower Soft Gelatin Capsules contains Ginseng extract, vital vitamins like vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, B3 & minerals like Calcium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese and zinc that addresses nutritional deficiencies. These capsules not only help in increasing energy levels and enhancing stamina, but also help in bolstering immunity and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. It further helps in improving concentration and stress management.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Abhay Iqbal Singh Bedi, Director of Torque Pharma said, “We are elated to launch our latest offering, Nutraceutical under the brand ‘Multipower.’ This product signifies our dedication to improving the overall quality of life, transcending the boundaries of mere illness treatment. In addition to delivering essential nutrients like Zinc and Vitamin C, it also contributes to sharpening focus in the day-to-day activities of consumers within today’s fast-paced lifestyle. We are eagerly waiting for feedback from our valued customers.”

To cater to a wider audience, Multipower Softgel Capsules are reasonably priced at INR 110, providing 10 Capsules in 1 Strip. They are accessible at nearby retail outlets and the online store – Torqueonline.co.in.

Mumbai, 20th December 2023 – Škoda Auto India, in its endeavor to improve customer satisfaction, has launched its all-new Service CAM initiative. The Service CAM, a smartphone app-based tool allows Škoda Auto India customers to remotely approve service and repair jobs of their Škoda cars while it is in service.

Service CAM is an all-new digital tool that enables dealerships to send video documentation of the vehicle to customers. In case of unforeseen defects observed during the repair of the car, customers receive a personalized link via SMS or e-mail, which includes the video and cost calculations towards the repairs. Customers can decide from the comfort of their homes or offices, whether they would like the work to be carried out or not. Service CAM makes back-and-forth calls redundant and provides complete transparency to customers.

Škoda Service CAM is currently active across the entire network of Škoda Auto India dealerships in the country. Customers can contact the nearest dealership for more details.

For decades, traditional data centers have been the most predictable and controlled infrastructure to house high-risk and proprietary assets, such as personal information, medical records and financial information.[1] Widely distributed applications must adapt, resize, relocate, and reconfigure to meet evolving business requirements.

Moreover, as AI workloads tend to be resource-intensive, vast amounts of data are required for the training and inference of AI algorithms thus generating a lot of data.2 As a result, in today’s swiftly advancing digital landscape, businesses are persistently seeking inventive remedies to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and overall performance of their data infrastructure. Leveraging both on-premises storage and the elasticity of cloud storage can help build a seamless and efficient data management strategy.

This hybrid data center strategy represents a strategic fusion of conventional on-premises setups and cloud-based services, combining the reliability and control of traditional infrastructure with the flexibility and scalability of cloud solutions. With the right approach, businesses can optimize their IT environment and seamlessly integrate resources, applications, and workloads, ensuring efficient operations and adaptability to changing demands.

Why should you opt for hybrid data centres?

•  Flexibility and Scalability: The hybrid data storage infrastructure enables companies to adjust their IT resources in response to demand fluctuations. This adaptability is well-suited for managing varying workloads and seasonal surges in IT resources and infrastructure. For example, by investing in hybrid data storage infrastructure, a retail organization can swiftly scale up, capitalizing on the performance of cloud when needed, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers without the need to overcommit resources year-round. This approach maximizes both cost savings and performance optimization in a dynamic retail environment.

• Security and Compliance Adaptability: In a business environment characterized by fluctuating workloads, hybrid data storage provide organizations with the ability to quickly resize their infrastructure to accommodate changing demands, while maintaining a focus on security and compliance.  A financial institution can maintain sensitive customer data on-premises due to regulatory requirements while using cloud for data analytics and less sensitive data. With on-premises data centers, organizations can exercise greater control over their data, ensuring data security and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Cost–effectiveness: In the quest for cost optimization, businesses place it high on their priority list. Through the utilization of multiple cloud service providers, businesses can benefit from competitive pricing strategies, effectively optimizing expenses. Furthermore, transferring cloud data storage to a cost-efficient provider can lead to substantial reductions in cloud storage expenses. ³
• Resiliency: Unforeseen disasters can severely disrupt business continuity. By replicating data and applications between on-premises and cloud environments, businesses can establish robust redundancy and seamless failover mechanisms, mitigating the impact of disruptions and maximizing uptime. This strategy can come in handy across sectors like retail chains, hospitality, hospitals, or virtually any data-driven business.

• Right Storage options: Whether data is stored on-prem on in cloud, it is important to choose a hybrid approach- mix of HDDs and SSDs- as it offers the flexibility to fine-tune the storage infrastructure to align with specific requirements, ensuring that resources are allocated optimally. Western digital has recently introduced 24TB^* and 28TB ^*enterprise-class hard drives to help organizations efficiently store ever more data. Western Digital’s high capacity NVMe™ powered SSDs are an ideal solution for cloud and server providers who need performant, high-capacity, cost-optimized, read-intensive performance for their data-intensive applications.

Conclusion:

In the world of digital technology, where the pace of change is relentless, the focus is now on hybrid data storage infrastructure. It represents the next step in the ongoing evolution of data management. The hybrid approach offers a flexible and efficient solution for organizations, enabling them to thrive in today’s fast-paced business landscape.