Archives January 2024

Gurugram, India, 10th January 2024: Airtel Business – the B2B arm of Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers – today announced that it will power over 20 million smart meters for Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL).

Airtel, through its robust nationwide communications network, will deliver reliable and secure connectivity for all AESL’s smart meter deployments. In addition, Airtel’s transformative smart metering solutions that are powered by NB-IoT, 4G, and 2G, will help AESL to ensure real-time connectivity and uninterrupted transfer of critical data between smart meters and headend applications. The solution will also come powered with Airtel’s IoT platform – ‘Airtel IoT Hub,’ which enables smart meter tracking and monitoring with advanced analytics and diagnostic capabilities in addition to real-time insights and services that empower customers with enhanced control over their energy consumption. Adani Energy Solutions has an order book of over 20 million smart meters from the power utilities of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand.

Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, CEO – Airtel Business (India), said, “India’s smart metering programme is one of the most significant policy reform measures undertaken by the Government. These meters are critical building blocks for smart grids and fundamental enablers for the digitalization of the power sector. Airtel expects its NB-IoT technology to play a significant role in the Utilities space to connect and manage smart meters at scale with enhanced coverage, high reliability and security. We look forward to a long and fruitful association with the Adani Group, supporting them in their endeavours to digitize utilities”.

Kandarp Patel, CEO – Adani Energy Solutions Ltd., said, “India’s ambitious Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) is transforming the way we deliver power, and AESL is proud to be at the forefront of this revolution. Our partnership with Airtel marks a critical step towards realising the vision of a smarter, more efficient grid for all. This strategic tie-up leverages the best of both worlds: our deep domain expertise in the T&D sector and Airtel’s robust nationwide network and comprehensive suite of IoT offerings, including NB-IoT and 4G LTE. This powerful combination will enable us to seamlessly deploy our current order book of over 20 million smart meters across India, empowering millions of consumers with real-time consumption data and control, while simultaneously driving down inefficiencies in the distribution network”.

Bangalore, India, 10th January 2024: In a transformative move designed to bridge the academia-industry gap and empower students with cutting-edge skills, Gopalan Foundation, a premier center of learning with a mission of pursuing excellence in education and research in India, has cemented a strategic partnership with Whitefield Area Commerce & Industries Association (WACIA), a powerhouse non-profit organization propelling business growth in Whitefield since 1973. This dynamic alliance transcends geographical development, prioritizing the holistic development of future-ready professionals equipped with industry-relevant expertise.

WACIA’s deep industry connections and wealth of practical knowledge will equip Gopalan Foundation students with invaluable opportunities like: Immersive Industry Workshops, Hands-on Industrial Visits and Real-World Project Collaborations. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, students will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with WACIA member companies on real-world projects. These collaborative projects will hone critical thinking, problem-solving, and project management skills, while providing invaluable industry context.

Dr Bhaskar Reddy C.M, CEO, Gopalan Foundations stated that, “This partnership with WACIA is a game-changer for our students. We’re not just preparing them for exams, we’re preparing them for careers. By providing access to industry expertise and practical exposure, we’re empowering them to become not just qualified graduates, but industry-ready professionals who can hit the ground running.”

Beyond empowering individual students, this strategic alliance between Gopalan Foundation and WACIA cultivates a thriving ecosystem of knowledge exchange and industry-academia collaboration. This translates into tangible benefits for all: Gopalan Foundation graduates, equipped with industry-forged skills and hands-on experience, will be primed to secure coveted jobs and soar in their chosen fields. WACIA member companies, enriched by the infusion of fresh talent and innovative ideas from our students, will experience a vibrant culture of continuous learning and a significantly bolstered talent pool. Finally, the partnership fosters a two-way flow of knowledge and expertise, ensuring academic programs remain relevant to industry needs while students graduate with the skills employers crave.

Rajesh Mallya. K, President, WACIA on the occasion said,”We’re thrilled to collaborate with Gopalan Foundation and invest in the future workforce. Our industry network and expertise will provide students with invaluable real-world learning opportunities, fostering mutually beneficial growth for both academia and industry. We believe this collaboration will not only empower students but also contribute to the continued success of Whitefield’s vibrant business ecosystem.”

The Gopalan Foundation-WACIA alliance is a beacon of hope for aspiring professionals, promising a future where industry knowledge and academic rigor blend seamlessly. This collaboration paves the way for a generation of industry-ready professionals, equipped with the skills and experience to not only excel in their careers but also contribute to the growth and progress of the Indian economy. By prioritizing experiential learning and industry exposure, this partnership sets a new standard for academia-industry collaboration, one that promises to empower students, benefit businesses, and ultimately shape a brighter future for all.

Bengaluru,10th January 2024 The Buildings & Factories (B&F) Business of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Construction has secured an order from HITES (A Mini Ratna PSU) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The Health Business Unit of the HRC SBG has secured an order to construct a new AIIMS at Rewari (Haryana) on a Design, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) basis in Q3 FY’24. The facilities will include a 720-bed Teaching Hospital, a 30-bed AYUSH Hospital, a 100 students’ annual intake Medical College, Nursing College, a 500-seat Auditorium, a Hostel, and residential facilities to be executed within stringent timelines. The total built-up area is 1.5 Mn Sq. ft.

The scope of work involves Civil structure, Finishes & allied MEP services including built-in Furniture, Supply, Installation, Testing & commissioning of Medical Gas Piping, Modular OT, Pneumatic Tube System, Nurse Call System, Central Sterile Supply Department & external development works including landscaping.

Background:

Larsen & Toubro is a USD 23 billion Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing and Services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide. A strong, customer–focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality have enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.

* Project Classification

Bengaluru,10th January 2024 – Infibeam Avenues Ltd, an AI-powered fintech company, is pleased to announce its participation in the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2024. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Government, with a proposed investment of Rs 2000 crore by the financial year 2030 in its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub for developing cutting-edge vision AI-technology for payments and platforms specifically tailored for retailers.

This MoU with the Gujarat Government underscores Infibeam Avenues Ltd’s steadfast commitment to strengthen India’s AI landscape and promote collaboration to facilitate the growth and adoption of AI technology among retailers in the country.

The signing ceremony took place at Swarnim Sankul, New Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, and was presided over by the Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Bhupendra R Patel, along with other distinguished ministers and top government officials.

Mr. Vishal Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of Infibeam Avenues Ltd, expressing the company’s enthusiasm for the collaboration with the Gujarat government, said, “With this MoU, we aim to fortify our partnership with the Gujarat government, opening up avenues for growth for retailers across the country. The incorporation of AI technology will not only elevate the competitiveness of retailers but also position Gujarat as a leading AI Hub for innovative solutions in the rapidly expanding Indian retail sector.”

In a recent development, Infibeam Avenues Ltd has officially named its AI-Hub located at GIFT city, Gandhinagar, as ‘Phronetic.ai.’ This hub is set to play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration among the government, private enterprises, tech enterprises, tech start-ups, AI technology developers and retailers.

The company’s AI solutions will be sector agnostic and predominately be Visual AI based solutions, wherein it cutting-edge technology will be used for detection, prevention and increasing the security. The company’s visual AI solutions initially begins with financial & businesses sector, but plans to spread to other sectors that has an intrinsic need of visual AI solutions including the lucrative defence space by 2030.

Currently, the company aims at transforming retailers through its in-house developed Vision AI technology, a tool designed to significantly assist retailers by tracking products, customers, and payments through image and video analysis. The focus is on addressing the evolving challenges faced by retailers, particularly in the areas of stocking and inventory management, security, and pilferage.

The company is actively engaged in the development of its first AI solutions tailored for retailers, with the flagship product named ‘Theia’—a user-friendly video intelligence platform. There are six features of ‘Theia’, combinedly works to benefit a retailer as if it has a personal assistant. Theia does the inventory management using the AI video technology by finding the products and listing it. It also works as a third eye by detecting and analysing customers activities within the video footage, helping identify potential theft incidents, thus enhancing security.

The third feature provides a comprehensive heatmap, highlighting the areas of high customer interaction zone within the CCTV video footage, allow businesses to strategically plan its product layouts and placements based on the heatmap, thus optimizing the utilization of space to enhance customer engagement. Theia also allows explore video using chat, demand detail explanation of the video footage and provide video search within the database for enhancing decision-making.

Notably, Theia is designed to be economically priced, making advanced technologies accessible to retailers. Video AI technology for retailers will be the initial focus of this collaboration.

Infibeam Avenues Ltd plans to collaborate with around 100,000 retailers to achieve several objectives: (a) enhance operational efficiencies, (b) improve security measures, (c) elevate the overall customer experience for retailers, and (d) advocate for policy development tailored to the needs of small retailers. Additionally, the company anticipates creating employment opportunities for over 5,000 individuals through both the gig economy and full-time employment in next five years.

The newly signed MoU signifies the long-term relation with the Government of Gujarat, where the government will play a facilitative role, assisting Infibeam Avenues Ltd in obtaining necessary permissions, registrations, approvals, and clearances from relevant state and central government departments, in accordance with existing policies, rules, and regulations.

Over the past two decades, the Vibrant Gujarat Summit has been a driving force for economic growth and development. The current edition reaffirms its status as a trailblazer and trendsetter, consistently proving that ambitious thinking is the first step towards making a substantial impact.

Metaverse, where digital realms and reality converge. As we embark on this journey of boundless possibilities, it’s crucial to navigate the virtual landscape with security in mind. From safeguarding your virtual identity to protecting your digital assets, here are ten cybersecurity tips to ensure your safety in the vast expanses of the Metaverse.

LANEIGE, 10th January 2024, Celebrated actress and two-time Emmy Award nominee Sydney Sweeney has joined Laneige as their first-ever global brand ambassador.

Sweeney, who has been signed to Laneige US as their brand ambassador for the past 18 months and risen to super-stardom with remarkable leads in projects including Euphoria, White Lotus, and more recently Anyone But You, will star in a series of new skincare campaigns for the internationally acclaimed K-beauty brand. Their global partnership is now extended to cover around 40 countries all over the world.

The impact that Sweeney’s partnership have on Laneige US during their partnership? “A great example of the magnitude of our partnership with Sydney would be our social follower growth. Since the first announcement of Sydney as our US ambassador in spring 2022, we experienced an immediate 227% surge in TikTok followers and 53% growth in Instagram followers. One behind-the-scenes video of Sydney on a Laneige production set went viral three times over, accumulating 72 million views across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. That’s the type of influence and reach Sydney has,” says Julien Bouzitat, Brand General Manager for Laneige US.

“Over the past few years, we have seen Sydney transform into a global superstar at the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist. Since the beginning of our partnership, Sydney and Laneige experienced a similar global acceleration as she cemented her status as one of the most promising actresses in Hollywood, while Laneige continued to break records for its viral Lip Sleeping Mask and barrier-boosting skincare, sweeping every award imaginable from Allure’s Best of Beauty to Amazon’s Customer Obsession Award. We were also crowned the #1 Lip Treatment Brand In The US* which is an astounding achievement for the brand. It’s been an incredibly rewarding trajectory for both parties and we are looking forward to reaching an even broader audience worldwide with Sydney as our new global brand ambassador.”

Both Sweeney and Laneige have an exciting year ahead with the release of her much-anticipated projects such as Marvel Studio’s Madame Web, and Laneige launching brand new innovations in the sleep care and lip treatment categories through spring and summer, accompanied by a global campaign creative starring Sweeney. Expect to see Sweeney across the globe through a full-funnel media activation launching from out-of-home advertisements, paid and organic social media content, and personal appearances.

Through the expanded partnership to all major markets, Laneige is looking to continue gaining more global mass awareness on their barrier-boosting skincare portfolio including Lip Sleeping Mask, Lip Glowy Balm, Water Bank Cream, Cream Skin CerapeptideTM Refiner, Water Sleeping Mask, as well as the brand’s exciting new innovations in 2024.

“I couldn’t be more excited to announce my extended partnership with Laneige as their first-ever global ambassador,” says Sweeney. “It all started very organically after finding the absolute best skincare routine with Laneige products after years of trial and error. After creating so many fun memories on multiple campaigns together, I’m looking forward to our continued collaboration. There are some phenomenal innovations on the way for this spring that will make Laneige’s expertise in sleep care shine through, and I’m thrilled to share this next generation of overnight masks with the rest of the world!”

”We are thrilled to welcome the radiant and talented Sydney Sweeney as our global brand ambassador. Her genuine charm, unwavering dedication to self-care, and commitment to embracing individuality mirror our values in nurturing healthy, luminous skin that reflects the beauty within ,” says Mr. Paul Lee Managing Director and Country head of AmorePacific Group India.

Laneige is available on Nykaa, Myntra, Amazon, Tira and other leading E-commerce websites

WorkIndia, India’s leading tech platform for blue-collar recruitment, has recently analyzed the trends and growth patterns in the job market for the year 2023. The data showcases a dynamic environment with substantial growth in job opportunities and candidate applications.

WorkIndia reported a 4% increase in job openings, resulting in an impressive addition of 7.5 lakh live job opportunities. Simultaneously, there was a notable 9% rise in the supply of candidates, reflecting an increase of 67 lakh applicants actively seeking employment. This data exposes a palpable mismatch between the escalating demand for employment and the growth in job opportunities.

Among the standout revelations are the impressive growth rates observed in these job sectors. Noteworthy expansions include a remarkable 11% increase in Accounts positions, a 10% surge in Telecalling roles, and a significant 28% growth in the HR sector. Receptionist and Retail positions both experienced a commendable 7% and 10% expansion, respectively.

Conversely, certain sectors faced declines, including a 3% reduction in Back Office roles, a 5% decrease in Driver positions, and a 15% downturn in Typist roles. Unexpectedly, shifts in demand were observed in sectors such as Beautician (41% growth), Online Marketing (31% growth), Nurse (30% growth), and Hardware Engineer (34% growth).

The study explores hiring trends across various experience levels, revealing notable shifts in the preferences of job seekers. Among fresher candidates, the sectors that garnered the most interest were Receptionist (15.91%), Back Office (12.63%), Telecalling (8.26%), Office Boy/Peon (5.26%), Accounts (4.74%), and Delivery (3.75%). In contrast, experienced candidates exhibited a preference for Back Office (17.53%), Receptionist (13.09%), Accounts (6.49%), Telecalling (5.42%), Driver (5.27%), and Delivery (4.93%), highlighting distinct patterns in occupational choices based on experience levels.

The report further dives deep into hiring trends varied across different city tiers. Tier 1 cities experienced a 5% increase, tier 2 cities observed a 3% rise. Tier 3 cities witnessed the most substantial growth with a remarkable 13% increase in hiring activities indicating that individuals from towns and villages are open to migration. Spread across Pan India, WorkIndia’s platform has provided meaningful opportunities to blue-collar workers even in the remotest areas of India. Over 12.1K candidates applied for jobs from Arunachal Pradesh, 3.4k from Himachal Pradesh.

Commenting on the report, Nilesh Dungarwal, CEO and Co-Founder, WorkIndia said – “This report is a testament to the dynamic growth potential of the blue-collar job market in India, these findings demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of the Indian workforce, as well as the evolving preferences of job seekers and recruiters. We believe that these growth numbers and behavioral traits, will serve as a valuable resource for businesses, policymakers, and job seekers to make informed decisions in this ever-changing job market landscape.”

The report underscores the varied growth trends across major Indian cities, focusing on individual job seekers conducting multiple searches in a single city. Delhi leads the pack as the frontrunner with a staggering 1,72,08,698 job searches. Following closely, Mumbai recorded 12,38,756 searches, Bengaluru with 5,03,476 searches, and Pune with 3,96,462 searches, showcasing the dynamic employment landscape and search activity in these prominent urban centers.

The report also highlights the time spent by a candidate on the platform with a maximum of 3650 minutes and 1500 minutes on average on the platform annually. Furthermore, the report delves into candidates’ language preferences. Hindi emerged as the dominant language preference, constituting 45%, followed by English at 30%. Other language preferences included Kannada at 5%, Marathi at 10%, and Telugu at 5%.

WorkIndia remains dedicated to providing invaluable insights into the job market, empowering

both job seekers and employers with the information needed to navigate these challenges.

Spread across 772 cities in India, the platform caters to the critical hiring needs of over 15 lakh SMBs and multiple large corporates. Driven solely by technology, the platform has built a recruitment ecosystem that eliminates middlemen, and fraudulent jobs, providing job seekers with a platform they can trust when it comes to finding genuine job opportunities.

India– 10th January 2024 Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) through its Growth Markets Fund I (CI GMF I) have taken the final investment decision (FID) on a 300 MW onshore wind project in India together with Viviid Renewables (Viviid), an Indian developer and balance-of-plant service provider. The project is located at Karnataka with favorable wind conditions, good site accessibility, and an existing grid connection in relative proximity and construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

CIP and Viviid will develop and construct the wind farm jointly. Alongside the FID, CIP has signed a turbine supply agreement for the EN 156 3.3MW turbines with Envision Wind Power Technologies India Private Limited and a foundation and crane supply contract with Sanghvi Movers. Vivid will provide balance-of-plant works and services and hold minority ownership in the project.

“Achieving FID is a significant milestone for CIP and for our partnership with Viviid. It is testament to our industrial approach and ability to deliver large scale renewable energy projects with highly competent partners”, said Peter Sjøntoft, Associate Partner in CIP. “We look forward to continuing the successful collaboration and realizing these projects which contribute to local growth and job creation while delivering attractive returns for our fund investors.”

India targets 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, up by 250 GW today, and is a core market for CIP and CI GMF. Since entering the Indian market in 2021, CIP has partnered with AmpIn Energy Transition and Viviid and opened an office in Mumbai. CIP intends to continue to grow its activities in the Indian market with existing and new potential partners and expects to build and commission several GW of renewable generation capacity over the coming years. CIP also explores opportunities in adjacent technologies such as offshore/nearshore wind, hydrogen, and other related projects.

RPV Prasad, CEO, Envision Wind Power Technologies India said, “It is a proud moment for us as we partner with CIP to leverage the enormous wind energy potential in Karnataka. As part of our commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, we would be assembling the Nacelle and Hubs at our Pune factory, Blades from our own / vendors factory, and sourcing tower components from our manufacturers in Maharashtra. The booming Indian wind energy landscape would play a pivotal role in propelling the country towards net-zero.”

Mr. Kane Xu, Global Vice President of Envision Energy and Chairman of Envision Energy India, said, “It has become imperative for us to collaborate and accelerate green energy transition to avert the climate crisis. This partnership is a testament to our long-term commitment in solving the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can develop reliable renewable energy solutions in India.”

In India, Envision has successfully installed over 650MW of wind projects and has been awarded >5.5 GW of projects by its esteemed customers. To maintain this growth trend, the company has investment INR 500 crore to establish an annual manufacturing capacity of 3GW for Nacelle & Hub in Pune, and a 2.5GW capacity for blades featuring 9 molds at its Trichy plant. Envision has strengthened its presence in India across 6+ States for 15+ customers and 24+ project sites.

New Delhi, January 9, 2024 — Lava International, a leading Indian Smartphone brand, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur and Amity University in an agreement aimed at advancing research in the fields of Mobile Technology, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and Cyber Security etc.

The MoU signing ceremony between Lava International and IIT Kanpur, held on January 8, witnessed the presence of notable dignitaries, including UC-San Diego Chancellor Prof Pradeep K. Khosla and other esteemed officials from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Recently, Lava International has entered into a similar collaboration with Amity University further solidifying its commitment to fostering innovation and research in mobile technology. The partnership between Lava International and Amity University will focus on joint research projects in the dynamic field of mobile technology and software design.

The collaboration goes beyond the MoU, as the parties are engaged in discussions regarding various initiatives, such as organizing a Ideathons, Hackathon, and conducting research to build a secure Indian operating systems.

Speaking on signing the MoU, Dr. Rishi Mohan Bhatnagar, President, Lava International said, “These strategic partnerships signify a pivotal moment for Lava, aligning with our vision to push the boundaries of mobile technology. By joining forces with renowned academic institutions, we are strategically positioning ourselves at the forefront of innovation. This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to advancing research and development but also provides a unique platform for knowledge exchange and exploration. Together, we are poised to shape the future of mobile technology in India, fostering a synergy to drive strategic growth for Lava.”

The joint efforts of Lava International and the respective institutions promises to shape the future of mobile technology, creating a synergy that brings together the strengths of both academia and industry.

Ahmedabad, 9th January 2024: Howden Broking (India), a premier specialist broker in bespoke risk management solutions, announces the opening of its Gujarat regional office, a significant step in its growth journey. As a valued part of Howden Group, Europe’s leading insurance intermediary, Howden has left an indelible mark on India’s insurance sector since its inception in 2004.

In the dynamic landscape of resilience and progress, Howden’s unwavering dedication to excellence shone brightly in 2023. Ranking as the 6th Largest Specialty Broker in India, it showcases the company’s dedication to creating unmatched solutions for its diverse clientele. With a robust presence across 11 locations and a dedicated team of 335 professionals, Howden has expanded both its reach and human resources substantially.

Amit Agarwal, CEO & MD of Howden India, shared his excitement, saying, “Our Gujarat office’s launch embodies our dedication to delivering innovative risk solutions tailored to local needs. Our growth journey, powered by our exceptional team, aligns with our mission to offer premier insurance services.” This ethos highlights Howden’s commitment to provide value-centric solutions, promote collaboration, and harness cross-selling opportunities.

The 2022 IRDAI approval for Howden India’s 100% ownership further cements the company’s vision of forging a premier broking enterprise in India, emphasizing long-term client relationships and investments in people, technology, and data. Eager to embrace future prospects, Howden India is set to utilize its Gujarat office, further extending its reach and enhancing insurance solutions for its regional clients.