Archives August 2024

Bengaluru, 2nd August 2024: Vizzhy Inc was honored with the Nasscom AI Gamechangers Award 2023-24 in the Healthcare & Pharma Startup category. The prestigious award was presented to Dr. Vishnu Vardhan, CEO of SML & Vizzhy and Founder of Hanooman AI, along with Harsha Vardhini, Co-Founder of Hanooman AI, at the Nasscom AI Confluence held in Bengaluru.

The award was handed over by Ankit Bose, Head of Nasscom AI, and Madhav Bissa, Program Director. This recognition marks a significant milestone for Vizzhy Inc, celebrating a year of remarkable achievements in the field of healthcare technology.

Expressing gratitude, Dr. Vishnu Vardhan, CEO of Vizzhy & SML, stated, “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award. It has been a landmark year for us in terms of new achievements. We are hopeful that our MultiOmics platform healthcare products will significantly benefit mankind.”

Vizzhy Inc continues to push the boundaries in healthcare innovation, leveraging AI to create impactful solutions for better healthcare outcomes.

Bengaluru – August 01, 2024 – Nutanix, a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, has been ranked #1 for market share hyper converged infrastructure (HCI) software vendor in the Indian market in Q4 2023 for the 8th consecutive quarter, according to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Converged Systems Tracker® (“IDC”).

Nutanix dominated the HCI Software market in India with a 53 percent share in Q4 2023 in the report, surpassing the combined market share of all other vendors in the country, according to IDC.

Reflecting on this significant achievement, Prasanna Ranade, Senior Director of Enterprise Sales, Nutanix said, “We thank all the organizations in India that use Nutanix Cloud Platform to help them modernize their datacenters. Their trust in us is the reason we continue to be ranked #1 for market share HCI software vendor in the country, and they look to us to help them with their cloud journeys.”

Nutanix collaborates with leading entities spanning banking, healthcare, the public sector, channel partners, and information technology/information technology enabled services industries in India. Notably, Nutanix supports eight of India’s top 10 banks, underscoring our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive digital transformation and operational excellence across diverse sectors.

Bengaluru, 1st August 2024: OnMobile Global Limited (“OnMobile”), the global leader in mobile gaming & entertainment, today announced the financial results for the First quarter of FY25 ended June 30, 2024.

Highlights:

• Q1FY25 revenue at INR 1,260 Mn, up 0.7% QoQ
• Q1FY25 EBITDA at INR 9 Mn at 0.7%
• ONMO costs amounting to INR 56 Mn which was earlier being capitalized is now charged off to P&L.
• Q1FY25 onwards, we started amortizing ONMO gaming platform which amounts to INR 53Mn additional depreciation.
• Substantial reduction in Opex : Q1FY25 opex down by 15.9% as compared to Q4FY24. Manpower down by 9.5% QoQ excluding capitalization on a normalized basis.
• Mobile Gaming revenue increased by 22.9% QoQ to INR 253 Mn during Q1FY25
• 7.61 Mn active subscriber base in mobile gaming in Q1 FY25; increase of 13% QoQ.
• DSO is at 91 days compared to 94 days in Q4.
• Q1FY25 Closing Cash at INR 688 Mn vs INR 637 Mn in Q4 FY24

Commenting on Q1FY25 results, François-Charles Sirois, Executive Chairman & CEO, OnMobile, said, “Mobile Gaming revenue has shown a solid growth this quarter. As we optimize our digital marketing across regions globally, we aim to continue this growth for multiple quarters. We also executed an important consolidation of the gaming teams, reducing costs significantly in line with our goal to bring gaming profitable by year end. We are now focusing on large strategic deals which will bring our business to the next level.”

Radhika Venugopal, Global CFO, OnMobile said, “Our revenue remained flat on a quarterly basis, while our Gaming Business continues to experience steady growth. Our cash balance increased this quarter due to improved collections. We anticipate further performance improvements throughout the remainder of FY25. We witnessed improved profitability this quarter considering ONMO Cost amounting to INR 56 Mn charged to P&L which was earlier being capitalized.”

1st August 2024: As the business travel landscape evolves, propelled by technological strides and dynamic industry shifts, the year 2024 promises to be a game-changer. Here, we explore key trends that will redefine how organizations navigate travel, expenses, and invoices in the coming year.

1. Virtual Payments: A Paradigm Shift in Reimbursement Dynamics

The year 2024 marks the advent of a transformative era in handling business expenses. The integration of AI, automation, and virtual payment methods is set to deepen, reshaping how employees manage transactions. Technology has helped employees to travel freely, instead of using a company credit card, employees will be able to expand their use of virtual payments for all business expenses, including travel.

With AI swiftly validating trusted transactions, the reimbursement process becomes quicker. Meanwhile, exceptions will trigger AI-driven, automated audits to ensure compliance. In both cases, payments will be issued faster with more ease, and employees will have more time to focus on what matters most to them and the organization.

2. Confidence Amplification through Technology and Flexible Budgeting

The theme of 2023 is doing more with less, and that will continue to be the case as economic uncertainty carries over into 2024. Realistic planning, coupled with flexibility, is advocated in response to global developments like inflation, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical unrest. Embracing emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and data analysis emerges as a strategic approach.

The upcoming year may witness the integration of generative AI into forecasting and budgeting, enabling finance teams to delegate routine tasks to machines. This shift promises to liberate valuable time, allowing teams to focus on quality control and decision-making, thus fostering a heightened sense of confidence amid uncertain terrain.

3. Predictive Analytics: Illuminating Pathways in Spend Management

Organizations today have access to a multitude of financial data, but they lack the resources to make sense of it easily and rapidly. The existing spend management tools offer dashboards that compile information in one place for an employee to analyze, which takes time and considerable skill.

Building on the technological progress that was witnessed last year, the role of AI especially generative AI will begin to change in 2024, creating an organizational ‘back office’ where computers work together to run the show.

More predictive analytics tools will emerge in the year ahead with the capability to analyze data and derive trends, insights, and solutions to inform, improve, and optimize business operations, in spend management and beyond.

For example, instead of manually analyzing the data to make informed guesses, someone in finance, travel, or operations could simply delegate that work to a computer. Using generative AI, the computer could then provide data-backed recommendations factoring in patterns that a human may never even notice like the ideal time to book a business trip or the optimal date for a team meeting to minimize travel costs, ensuring the company is using resources in the best way possible.

4. CSR, and AI forging the future of travel

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the New Distribution Capability (NDC), and AI take center stage in shaping the trajectory of the travel industry in 2024. Larger corporate initiatives focused on sustainability and diversity permeate into travel programs, ushering in new responsibilities for departments such as travel management, procurement, HR, and accounting.

As AI continues to evolve, its integration into various facets of the employee and traveller experience promises significant advancements. Beyond travel, this integration may extend to functions such as finance, procurement, HR, and other ERP functions.

Conclusion

The year 2024 unveils a dynamic landscape for business travel, where technology intersects with strategic initiatives to redefine resource management, budgeting, and employee-centric policies. As organizations embark on this transformative journey, the future of business travel beckons with promise and possibilities.

Thursday, 1st August 2024: The New India Foundation is pleased to invite applications for the 12th edition of its prestigious New India Foundation Book Fellowships for research and scholarship about Indian history after Independence.

With an award of INR 18 lakhs to each recipient, the New India Foundation Book Fellowships provide editorial, legal, and administrative support, along with the opportunity to join the diverse NIF Community. Open to Indian nationals, including those residing abroad, these Fellowships are granted for a period of one year.

Since its inception two decades ago, the New India Foundation has sponsored the publication of 34 critically-acclaimed, award-winning books across a wide range of topics detailing the trajectory of India after 1947.

According to Srinath Raghavan, Trustee, New India Foundation, “One of our objectives with the New India Foundation was to broaden the circle of people who write about India from a non-fiction perspective. We hope that the Fellowship will give an opportunity for people from a diverse range of careers and professions to write their book about India, because so many of us have different entry points into understanding this country.”

Fellowship-holders are expected to write original books. Proposals should be oriented towards publication, and outline a roadmap towards that destination. The Foundation is agnostic as regards genre, theme, and ideology: the only requirement is that the proposed works contribute to a fuller understanding of independent India. Thus, Fellowship-holders may choose to write a memoir, or a work of reportage, or a thickly footnoted academic study. Book proposals can focus on economics, politics, or culture, and can be either specific—like a single decade or region—or broad, covering a nationwide perspective.

Mumbai, 1st August 2024: Godawari Electric Motors, manufacturers of the Eblu range of electric 2 and 3-wheelers, today announced the launch of a new variant of India’s first family e-scooter, Eblu Feo X. This is the second product from the company in the EV two-wheeler segment in India. The Eblu Feo X was unveiled at Bharat Global Mobility Expo 2024.

Eblu Feo X will now be offered with 28 liters of storage space. The e-scooter will continue to feature 2.36 kW battery and offer a 110 km range.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Hyder Khan, CEO of Godawari Electric Motors, said, “Eblu Feo X has been designed with customer feedback on our existing product, featuring a timeless design and focusing on offering superior comfort. Feo X is a blend of performance and safety with great value for money. With our expansion into the EV two-wheeler segment, Godawari Electric Motors further strengthens its commitment to the next generation of mobility in India.”

He added, “We have been buoyed by the response to our existing EV products and with a robust retail network pan-India, we can cater to the demand of a wider customer base. EV two-wheeler segment has seen remarkable progress in the past couple of years in India, and we are confident that Eblu Feo X will exceed the expectations and aspirations of next-generation buyers. The 500 Eblu Feo X pre-orders testify to customers’ trust in our brand.”

Highlights of Eblu Feo X:

Performance:

· Features a 2.36 kW Li-ion battery generating 110 Nm peak torque for generous power

· Three driving modes: Economy, Normal and Power suit the rider’s driving style and add to the characteristics of the e-scooter

· Offers a comfortable 110 km range on a single charge for hassle-free commutes

· Top speed of 60 km/hr to cruise along a relaxed mile munching adventure

· Features regenerative braking to reduce stress on the battery and extend the driving range

Dimensions:

· Substantial length at 1850 mm gives Eblu Feo a striking presence

· 1140 mm height fully equipped to accommodate taller passengers

· 1345 mm wheelbase makes it a supremely accommodating family scooter

· 170 mm ground clearance to tackle bumps and undulations

Exterior:

· Five eye-catchy colors: Cyan Blue, Wine Red, Jet Black, Tele grey, Traffic White

· Telescopic front suspension and dual tube twin shocker for a guaranteed comfortable ride

· CBS disc brake in the front and rear for better passenger safety

· Hi-resolution AHO LED Headlamps and LED tail lamps for assured night driving

· Side stand features a sensor indicator

· 12-inch interchangeable tubeless tyres in the front and rear

Features and Comfort:

· 28 liters under seat storage space

· Ergonomically designed seat for a relaxed and secure travel

· Bluetooth connectivity for navigation

· Wide floorboard spacious enough to carry a gas cylinder

· Ease of storage with a convenience box

· Charge your phone on the go with a mobile charging point

· 7.4 inches digital full-color display with vehicle information which includes Service alert, Side Stand sensor, Bluetooth connectivity, Navigation Assistant, Incoming Message alert, Call alert, Mode display, Reverse indicator, Battery SOC indicator, Throttle fault sensor, Motor fault sensor, Battery alert and Helmet indicator

Charging:

· Home charger offered of capacity 60 V

· Charging time: 5 hours 25 minutes

Warranty and Financing:

· The company offers 3 years and 30,000 km warranty

· Customer convenience through financing tie-ups with leading institutions which include IDBI Bank, SIDBI, Bajaj FinServ, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Paytail, EZFINANZ, Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, Revfin, Amu Leasing Pvt Ltd and Paisalo

The company has invested significantly in network expansion with 74 dealerships across the country and aims to have 100 dealers by the end of this fiscal. The company currently retails the Eblu Feo (EV two-wheeler), Eblu Rozee (EV three-wheeler- L5M), Eblu Spin and Eblu Thrill (e-bicycle) range of cycles in the country.

New Delhi, 1st August 2024: ASSOCHAM organized a special session on ‘Bharat@100: Leveraging unprecedented opportunities’ Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, Government of India graced the event as the Chief Guest. A book titled India@100: Envisioning Tomorrow’s Economic Powerhouse authored by Dr K V Subramanian, Executive Director, IMF was launched by Hon’ble Commerce and Industry Minister.

Speaking at the event, Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, Government of India said, “We have the ability, we have the willingness, the desire, we have the talent, skill and capability. As policy makers we have the intent and are deeply committed to making India a developed nation by 2047. The focussed efforts towards self-sufficiency in defence, electric mobility and enhancing the quality of our manufacturing setups combined with enhanced transparency and technology adoption will help us have a stronger currency and a stronger macro-economy to get us to a $55 trillion economy.”

“Our economy will be at $5 trillion in the next 3-3.5 years making us the third largest economy in the world. As we increase our shipping, focus on electric mobility and become sufficient in defense, we are looking at a rupee appreciation. We can replicate, if not better, the China story between 2000-20.” added the minister.

Mr Krishnamurthy Subramanian examines this once-in-a-century opportunity that is knocking on India’s doors in India@100: Envisioning Tomorrow’s Economic Powerhouse. India@100 makes a strong case that India is at a turning point that cannot be disregarded, with a daring vision based in Indian realities. Four major pillars—the macroeconomic emphasis on growth, the microeconomic focus on social and economic inclusion, the vision of ethical wealth creation, and the strategy of a virtuous cycle sparked by investment—are examined by Subramanian through meticulous research and perceptive analysis. He thoroughly discusses the options for policy and the areas in need of reform within each pillar.

India@100 effortlessly ignites the reader’s imagination and inspires a collective drive towards a future where India emerges as a dominant economic force. This is an invaluable book for anyone interested in the rise of the Indian economy.

Addressing the august gathering Shri Deepak Sood, Secretary General ASSOCHAM said, “The significant strides that the country has made in the preceding years is not by chance, it’ is by design, and the last 10 years are a testament of that. India is a highly resilient economy. A few years ago, becoming the 5th largest economy was our dream and today we are talking about becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world and there’s a lot of work that needs to go in. India has successfully earned global trust and we did this by leveraging our demography, our large market and therefore building the right capacities for making things happen.”

Kolkata, 1st August 2024:  ZEE5, India’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and a multilingual storyteller, is set to deliver a pulse-racing Independence Day treat with the premiere of ZEE5 Original, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ on August 15. This edge-of-your-seat detective thriller, based on the iconic Narayan Sanyal’s ‘Sonar Kanta,’ promises to keep viewers glued to their screens as they unravel a murderous mystery alongside the brilliant advocate P.K. Basu. Created by the visionary filmmaker and actor Joydeep Mukherjee, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye boasts a stellar cast led by the versatile Saswata Chatterjee as the iconic P.K. Basu, National Award-winner Ananya Chatterjee as Rani Basu, and marking his electrifying OTT debut is the charismatic Soham Chakraborty. This powerhouse ensemble breathes life into a story that’s as much about solving crimes as it is about confronting personal demons. Stream the biggest murder mystery of Bengal, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ starting August 15 on ZEE5.

Set against the misty, storm-lashed backdrop of Darjeeling, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ plunges viewers into a world where nothing is as it seems. P.K. Basu [Saswata Chatterjee], haunted by the tragic loss of his daughter, finds himself in a race against time at the ominous Hotel Repose. As a killer stalks the halls, seeking their next victim, a savage storm cuts off all communication with the outside world. Trapped with a cast of suspicious characters, each harboring their own dark secrets, P.K Basu must rely on his razor-sharp intellect and uncanny observational skills to unmask the murderer before they strike again. But this is no ordinary whodunit. As bodies pile up and the tension ratchets to unbearable levels, viewers will be forced to question everything they think they know. Is the killer among the hotel guests? Or could it be someone closer to home? With each twist and turn, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ will keep audiences entertained, making every frame worth watching.

Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5, expressed, “At ZEE5, we’re thrilled to present our latest offering ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’, featuring some of the biggest talents of the Bangla creative ecosystem. Bengal as a market has been a key focus area for us with ZEE5 launching multiple originals in the last one year. Our content strategy has featured quality storytelling and some powerhouse local collaborations. This has led to the diversification of our library and has also resulted in incremental audience engagement and watch-time. We’ve witnessed immense popularity and dedicated fandom for murder mysteries and detective thrillers, especially in the Bengali market. ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ is not just a nod to Bengal’s rich literary tradition, but it is also a modern, high-octane thriller that we believe will captivate audiences across India. The series represents our commitment to delving deeper into regional content and expanding our reach to viewers who crave high-quality, locally resonant storytelling.”

Director Joydeep Mukherjee remarked, “Bringing ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ to life has been a journey very close to my heart. We’ve taken Narayan Sanyal’s beloved ‘Sonar Kanta’ and reimagined it for today’s audience, creating a thriller that’s as emotionally resonant as it is along with being suspenseful. Saswata Chatterjee breathing life into P.K. Basu, an advocate haunted by personal loss, and Soham Chakraborty making his OTT debut along with national award winner Ananya Chatterjee playing the role of Rani Basu. we’ve crafted a story that will keep viewers guessing until the final frame. Set against the wondrous backdrop of storm-ravaged Darjeeling, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ is more than a mystery – it’s a psychological rollercoaster that will test your nerves. We’ve poured our hearts into every aspect of this series, from the intricate plot twists to the haunting cinematography, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience the tension, drama, and emotional depth of this uniquely Bengali thriller.”

Saswata Chatterjee said, “Bringing P.K. Basu to life in ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye has been incredibly rewarding. Basu is a successful lawyer whose world crumbles when he loses his daughter due to a case he took personally. This tragedy transforms him, pushing him to use his keen observational skills to stop a criminal. What drew me to this role was Basu’s struggle to protect his loved ones from a dangerous killer while battling his own grief. It’s a character that requires both intellect and emotion, and I’m eager for viewers to follow Basu’s journey through our suspenseful story.”

Ananya Chatterjee shared, “Playing Rani Basu in ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ has been a touching experience. Rani is a mother and wife whose world is shattered by the loss of her daughter Mithu. She sees visions of her dead child, which adds an eerie element to her character. Despite her grief, Rani helps her husband with his cases, offering valuable insights. It’s been rewarding to portray this complex woman who balances her sorrow with a desire to be useful. I’m looking forward to viewers seeing how Rani’s story unfolds in this gripping thriller.”

Soham Chakraborty expressed his excitement, “Debuting on OTT with the role of Subir Roy in ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ has been incredibly thrilling. Portraying a character deeply enmeshed in a gripping and suspenseful storyline alongside P.K. Basu has pushed me to explore new facets of my acting. The series is packed with intensity and unexpected twists, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience this riveting story.”

1st August 2024 – F1 Authentics – the home of official F1® memorabilia, run by UK based memorabilia specialist and manufacturer, Memento Exclusives under licence with F1® – is hosting a special auction on its online platform, in partnership with McLaren F1® Team driver, Lando Norris.

The helmet, which has been signed by the British ace himself, was used for Lando Norris’ Qualifying session, in which he claimed pole position at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix. The beautiful helmet features a porcelain-style design, paying tribute to the podium trophies created by Herend Porcelain that get presented to the top three drivers at the Hungaroring. Lando Norris went on to claim second place, receiving one of the prestigious trophies that his helmet reflects.

This helmet, used by Norris in the Hungarian Qualifying, is now being auctioned in order to raise money for two charities, both supporting young people who struggle with visual impairment and blindness – The Hungarian National Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired & Royal Society of Blind Children.

Both charities do incredible work to support those whose lives are detrimentally impacted due to blindness, as they strive to make their lives easier and better. The Championship contender has generously donated this helmet so that 100% of the profits can go to charity and affect change for the better.

McLaren F1 Team driver Lando Norris commented:

“Claiming pole position in Hungary was a really special moment for me, so I’m excited to be auctioning this special helmet that I wore for that lap. The design of this one is really unique, and I’m proud to have joined forced with the incredibly talented Herend Porcelain
on it. All proceeds will be donated to two really great charities, and I can’t wait to see how much we can raise for them.”

Barry Gough, CEO & Founder of F1 Authentics and Memento Exclusives commented:

“We are proud to be collaborating with Lando Norris for the auction of this incredible Helmet. Worn to claim pole position, this striking design signed by Lando himself is undeniably iconic. We are pleased to be supporting Lando to raise important funds for his
two chosen charities. This helmet is an exceptionally rare piece that we know collector’s will want to get their hands on!”

The auction is now live on F1 Authentics and will close on 6th August with collectors able to place their bids for the chance to make this exceptional piece of memorabilia theirs.

Dubai, UAE, 1 August 2024: Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (PJSC), presented a Green Certificate to Tensor Engine Cloud Services L.L.C, a company specialized in artificial intelligence technologies in the field of cloud computing security and dedicated to innovation and sustainability. The Green Certificate was presented by Sultan Al Ali, Director, Digital Business at Moro Hub to Roman Konstantinov, CEO of Tensor Engine Cloud Services L.L.C.

 This initiative aims to recognize the company’s commitment to developing sustainable technologies that enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by hosting its state-of-the-art high-performance AI servers on Moro Hub’s Green Data Center, which is the world’s largest solar-powered data center in the world according to the Guinness World Records.

In this context, Mohammad Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Moro Hub said, “Moro Hub’s Green Data Center positively contributes to achieving sustainability targets for companies looking to advance in the digital realm. The choice of Tensor Engine Cloud Services L.L.C to utilize Moro Hub’s Green Data Center for hosting their IT workloads reflects their commitment to balancing innovation with environmental responsibility, thus ensuring a more sustainable future for the coming generations.”

The Green Certificate serves as an accolade, representing the concerted efforts of businesses in embracing eco-friendly practices and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. This initiative aligns with Moro Hub’s commitment to minimizing carbon footprints and contributing to the UAE’s green agenda 2030.

On his part, Roman Konstantinov, CEO of Tensor Engine Cloud Services L.L.C said: “We are honored to receive the Green Certificate from Moro, which reflects our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility. At Tensor Engine Cloud Services L.L.C, we continuously strive to develop innovative AI and cloud computing security technologies that support environmental preservation and achieve high efficiency in resource usage.”

As an integral part of Moro Hub’s mission to foster a greener future for institutions and companies in the public and private sectors in the UAE, this Green Certificate highlights the crucial role played by Tensor Engine Cloud Services L.L.C in supporting renewable energy initiatives. By recognizing the efforts of institutions that have chosen Moro Hub’s Green Data Center to host their IT workloads, the Green Certificate initiative reinforces the collective commitment to environmental protection and the development of sustainable digital practice