Archives September 2024

Authored by Dr. Narendra S. Hiregoudar, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli

Heart health is vital for our overall well-being as it is the central organ that pumps blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients to each part of our body. It is crucial to maintain good heart health to prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes which are one of the leading causes of death globally. The heart is affected by various diseases and peripheral artery disease is one of the common circulatory problems that affect millions of people worldwide. The disease is often undiagnosed and treated due to its nature.
What is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?

It is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to the limbs, particularly the legs, become narrowed or blocked due to cholesterol buildup in the arteries. This reduces blood flow, leading to symptoms like leg pain, cramping, and in severe cases, ulcers or gangrene. Primarily affecting older adults, with the risk increasing significantly after age 50, with high-risk patients falling under the 65+ age bracket, PAD is also seen among people with chronic smoking/tobacco, DM, hypertension, and a family history of cardiovascular disease.

5 crucial factors to know about Peripheral Artery Disease

1. PAD seldom shows any early symptoms

Peripheral Artery Disease can grow in our body without any symptoms and the plague can enlarge itself to become hard till it reaches a certain stage to block the blood flow in the arteries. One of the key symptoms of PAD is leg pain that occurs while walking and then feels better after we rest. This symptom is called claudication and occurs because our muscles don’t have enough oxygen-rich blood to support increased activity. In the advanced stage, PAD can present as gangrene of the leg/hand and may require amputation

2. PAD increases the risk of Heart Attack

If one suffers from peripheral artery disease, it is likely that the individual also has atherosclerosis in other arteries, including the coronary arteries. PAD alone significantly increases our risk of developing heart failure or having a heart attack or stroke.

3. PAD can be Prevented

Genetics plays a role in PAD, but most of the things that increase the risk of getting this disease are related to our lifestyle. Due to its link to lifestyle, we can identify what could be leading to the disease. Lifestyle risk factors have a big role and also form part of our treatment after we get diagnosed with PAD. Diabetes and smoking are known to be the leading causes of peripheral artery disease.

4. PAD can lead to Amputation

Untreated PAD can progress to an advanced stage called critical limb ischemia, a condition that occurs when blood flow is significantly blocked. Without enough blood, the tissues in your lower leg, ankle, and foot don’t get enough oxygen and start to die.
PAD if left without proper treatment can progress to an advanced stage called critical limb ischemia, a condition that occurs when blood flow is significantly blocked. Without enough blood, the tissues in our lower leg, ankle, and foot don’t get enough oxygen and start to die. Once an individual develops critical limb ischemia, they need immediate treatment to restore blood flow and preserve their leg.

5. PAD is treatable

PAD is treatable even at an advanced stage and it can be identified by a risk assessment, ultrasound screening to evaluate the arteries, and help with a lifestyle plan to prevent PAD. When a blockage is detected, minimally invasive interventional treatments that eliminate the plaque and restore normal blood flow are conducted. Procedures, such as angioplasty and atherectomy, are done from inside the arteries, using specialized catheters that only need a tiny cut to access the vein. However, the most important is control of risk factors as prevention is better than cure.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and treatment of PAD can prevent serious complications, including heart attacks. Different kinds of treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, surgical interventions to restore blood flow in the arteries. It is essential to have regular check-ups and screenings, especially for those at risk for early detection. Understanding peripheral artery disease and its connection to heart failure or stroke can help in managing risks and maintaining cardiovascular health.

NITI Ayog report predicted that the GIG workforce in India will rise from 7.7 million to 23.6 million or 6.7% of the non-farm workforce by 2029-30

Hyderabad, September 27, 2024: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) organised a full day The HR Evolution Summit-2024 on Thursday with the theme “Adapting to Evolving Workplaces, Workforce, Work Output and Work Ethos” at the Hotel Awasa at Madhapur.

The role and face of HR are changing so much that nobody would have imagined it. Flexibility will be as important as efficiency. Performance predictability will be critical as business cycles become shorter and more volatile. Measurement and modelling are the key to predictability said T. Muralidharan, Chairman of TMI while delivering a keynote address on The Future of HR: A Revolution in the Making.

The work, workforce and workplace are changing rapidly, he said and gave five huge counter-intuitive trends in India. More women are getting educated but fewer women want to work. Male youth prefer to sit at home than work. Real wages in the organized sector are stagnant due to excess supply. Population control has happened without coercion and income inequality is growing rapidly he said

He highlighted the shifting employment terms landscape. The current generation of employees are preferring from full-time to flexible working. The days of full-time and permanent employees will be over soon, he made a startling revelation.

T. Muralidharan who is a former President of FICCI Telangana State Council said a Flexible workforce, part-time, contractual, gig and outsourced workers is going to be the norm in future. HR function needs expertise to effectively hire, engage and compensate this diverse workforce, he added.

NITI Ayog report predicted that the GIG workforce in India will rise from 7.7 million to 23.6 million or 6.7% of the non-farm workforce by 2029-30. Is HR ready for that scenario, he asked 150 plus HR professionals in the hall.

Mr. Srini Raju Chintalapati, Vice Chairman, Young India Skills University, Telangana; Founder, and Chairman of iLabs Capital gave an overview of how HR transformed. It has evolved from basic personnel management to becoming a strategic partner in achieving organizational goals. He highlighted the supply and demand gaps in employment. How entry-level workers’ salaries were staged but salaries for other roles increased manyfold. He spoke about the disparity in the wage structure. He suggested a supply chain mechanism similar to the one in manufacturing for HR.

Dr D. Srinivasa Reddy, Founder and Director, Optimus Group in his special address said HR which used to be statutory compliant has now evolved and become a strategic partner in business development.

Malcolm Nicolson, Head of Sreenidhi School said the way we work has transformed over the past few years. How do we evolve with these changing times? he asked. The answer is leadership, collaborative leadership is the need of the hour, he stated. Collaborative leadership fosters innovation, creativity and engagement and builds, confidence and trust. This leadership can help employees feel heard and understood. They are the partners in progress of each other, he added. The transition from an ego-system to an eco-system approach to leadership is a shift we are witnessing now. They form an individual-centric mindset to one that focuses on the well-being of the whole, he stressed

MVV Rama Raju, Co-chairman of FICCI Telangana State Council while welcoming the gathering said the theme of the summit ‘Adapting to evolving workplaces, work output and work ethos provides insights into the subject and engages in meaningful dialogue. The amount of technology being used in HR has transformed the way we work.

The day-long summit attended by over 150 HR professionals had two panel discussions and a workshop on Future Proofing of HR; Mental Health and Wellbeing and a workshop on Labour Code Implementation

India, September 25, 2024 – a leading leading cyber security platform provider of AI-powered, cloud delivered solutions globally, recognised the top partners across the Asia Pacific region, during this year’s Check Point Asia Pacific Partner Conference 2024. Held in Phuket, Thailand from 2^nd – 5^th September 2024, this yearly conference saw attendance of 240 regional partners from 19 countries.

This year’s Partner Awards recognized the top-performing cyber security providers and distributors across the Asia Pacific region. These partners have been instrumental in helping customers build more secure business environments by embracing Check Point’s 3Cs of security—comprehensive, consolidated, and collaborative. By leveraging a prevention-first security architecture that covers all attack vectors, streamlining security operations, and fostering proactive collaboration, these award winners have consistently identified and nurtured new sales opportunities, enhancing revenue predictability even in a rapidly changing landscape.

Pankaj Narayan, Head of Channels for Check Point Asia Pacific, emphasized the significance of these partnerships: “Check Point Software is proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of our top business partners across Asia Pacific. These partners deliver unparalleled business value by adopting our 3Cs of security, which play a crucial role in consolidating a stronger security posture for our customers. Through an integrated partnership with Check Point, these award-winning partners are not only driving technology adoption but also ensuring ongoing customer engagement, particularly in areas like cloud and mobile security. Their efforts are vital in today’s digital landscape, where cyber security is more critical than ever.”

He continued, “These awards honour channel excellence in helping customers enhance their cyber security capabilities amidst the consistently rising tide of global cyberattacks, which are increasing in sophistication, leveraging new technology such as AI. With Check Point’s prevention-first approach and our partners’ dedication, we are poised to elevate our engagements, create more opportunities, and achieve our shared mission of securing the world.”

Check Point’s honoured partner award winners are :

Growth Partner of the Year Award was won by NCS Pte. Ltd in Singapore. NCS has consistently been the largest and most strategic partner for the Check Point business in Singapore, with a significant joint customer base across Government and Enterprise sectors, driving strong year-on-year growth.

Partner of the Year Award was given to NEC Australia. A long-time partner, NEC continuously partners with Check Point, with a focus on State and Federal Governments, and specialising in the health sector. NEC Australia and Check Point have strategically aligned their Sales, Presales, Post-Sales, Marketing, and Executive teams through a joint Go-to-Market Plan to mutually grow the business.

Harmony Partner of the Year Award was awarded to Softcell Technologies Global Pvt. Ltd in India. This partner is one of India’s leading System Integrators with over 30-plus years of experience, particularly in cyber security. With a 700-plus strong team, across six offices, they serve more than 2000 customers in IT Security, Mobility, Optimized IT Infrastructure & Cloud and Engineering Services. Over the past few years, Softcell has focused on upskilling in all Check Point products, especially the Harmony suite. They have been a top contributor to Check Point’s demand generation initiatives for Harmony Enterprise & Collaboration offerings, achieving significant joint business development success, including key wins in H1 FY24, with continued momentum in the second half of the year.

Cloud Partner of the Year Award was presented to ASF Consultancy Limited in Hong Kong. With their dedicated focus on Check Point cloud business, ASF has been the top cloud partner in Hong Kong for 2 consecutive years, as well as the trusted cloud security advisor in Hong Kong, enabling their client journey from on-premise to cloud-based security solutions.

Quantum Partner of the Year Award was handed to ST Engineering Info-Security Pte Ltd in Singapore. ST Engineering Info-Security has been partnering with Check Point for many years in key Defense, Government and Commercial customers in Singapore. With a deep expertise in network security services, ST Engineering has successfully deployed Check Point Quantum and Hyperscale solutions across a broad customer base, consistently choosing Check Point as their preferred cyber security partner for delivering turnkey security projects.

Infinity Partner of the Year Award was awarded to Vastcom Technology Limited in Macau. By leveraging Infinity Global Services’ offering and excellent collaboration with the Check Point account team, and upselling from a simple renewal project, Vastcom have won the first million-dollar Infinity deal in Macau in the first half of this year.

New Customer Partner of the Year Award was given out to Hitachi Systems India Limited. This Partner has seen significant growth due to its focus on creating value through customer collaboration. With deep industry expertise and a broad range of digital ecosystem management services, from cable to cloud, they offer customised, business-aligned IT services and solutions. A Premier Tier Partner of Check Point for over a decade, their close collaboration with Check Point in FY24 has led to successful upselling and new key customer acquisitions.

Distributor of the Year Award was presented to Tech Data Advanced Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. This distributor was recognised for its pivotal role in the technology partner ecosystem, leading as a solutions and ideas aggregator. Tech Data have demonstrated strong dedication to the Check Point partnership by heavily investing in joint go-to market strategies, building a robust technical team to support our presales and technology initiatives. In FY24, they achieved the highest annualized revenue for Check Point in India, and supported numerous implementations & POCs, enhancing the partner ecosystem’s GTM initiatives.

Growth Distributor of the Year Award went to Dicker Data Australia. One of Australia’s largest Distributors with over 45 years of experience, Dicker Data grew over 100% Year on Year in New Business with Check Point in 1H 2024. This growth was driven by Partner enablement, including the highest growth in new MSSP Partners, successful onboarding of New Partners, stocking Quantum Spark and innovative marketing strategies targeting Enterprise, Mid-Market and SMB Partners to expand Check Point’s presence in Australia.

 GSI Partner of the Year Award was clinched by NTT Ltd, with regional offices across APAC. A long-standing global partner for their exceptional performance and remarkable return to growth in the first half of 2024, NTT ANZ and NTT Taiwan achieved impressive triple-digit growth, while NTT Singapore and NTT China demonstrated substantial high double-digit growth, nearing triple-digits.  NTT has secured significant new customer bookings and played a leading role in winning ITP deals with large enterprise customers, highlighting the strong collaboration and shared commitment between our organisations to drive business success together.

ATC Partner of the Year Award was won by Red Education, based in Sydney, Australia. With a decade-long partnership, the ATC of the Year award underscores Red Education’s commitment to excellence in cyber security education to our customers and partners. This award highlights Red Education’s role in addressing the cyber security skills gap and have built a foundation for a more secure digital future, addressing their dedication to quality, innovation, and shaping the next generation of cyber security professionals.

APAC Technical Excellence Award was presented to Keystone Solutions, Inc., a long term and strategic Elite-tier partner of Check Point in Philippines. Keystone has strategically collaborated with Check Point and key FSI customers, particularly in advancing Infinity Total Protection contracts. Their contributions in planning technology blueprints, overseeing deployment and adoption and conducting technical reviews have been instrumental in driving business growth and ensuring customer success.

Navi Mumbai, Sept 25: TRASSIR India, the fully owned subsidiary of TRASSIR – a world leader in video surveillance systems and security solutions, hosted its inaugural ‘Tech Meet’ event in Ahmedabad on September 20, 2024, for its stakeholders including system integrators, regional distributors and consultants. The event showcased the company’s innovative product range and cutting-edge technology including AI-driven video management and analytics solutions alongside hardware offerings such as CCTV cameras and NVRs. The company also announced its ambitious expansion plans for India and specifically for Gujarat. Over the next year, TRASSIR India will establish captive experience centres across the country, starting with Gujarat. Additionally, TRASSIR India is set to expand its local manufacturing and R&D centres to drive innovation and meet regional market demand.

The event was inaugurated by Mr Nikita Golikov, Head of International Sales, TRASSIR and Mr Saikumar Sankar, Country Manager of TRASSIR India. Esteemed Chief Guest Mr. Deepak Kathiriya, alongside an expert panel featuring industry leaders such as Mr. Amit Pandya, Mr. Manish Bavishi, Mr. Nilesh Modi, and Regional Sales Manager Mr. Utkarsh Desai from TRASSIR, took the stage to discuss the groundbreaking role of AI in Video Surveillance. Their insightful discussions shed light on the future of security technology and its transformative impact on the industry.

“We are excited to showcase our diverse range of products to our stakeholders and explore new ways to expand our presence in Gujarat. Their role is pivotal in bringing our technology to a wider audience and we look forward to building successful partnerships. Over the coming year, we will establish the company’s experience centres and regional offices in Gujarat as well as in key markets across India. Moreover, we plan to expand local manufacturing facilities and R&D centres to focus on both software and hardware development, ensuring we meet the growing demand for innovation in the region,” says Mr Saikumar Sankar, Country Manager, TRASSIR India.

The event aimed to familiarize system integrators, regional distributors and consultants with TRASSIR’s latest offerings and technological advancements. Attendees were introduced to the company’s extensive product line-up and had the opportunity to network with TRASSIR’s team, gaining deeper insights into the company’s cutting-edge solutions.

“We proudly serve over 15,000 clients globally, offering advanced solutions tailored to their specific needs. Our innovations are driven by three dedicated R&D centres, continually pushing the boundaries of surveillance technology. Currently, TRASSIR’s systems are deployed in 50 countries, providing reliable, scalable installations worldwide. We are committed to equipping our dealers with the latest technological developments at competitive rates, backed by comprehensive support. Our goal is to empower our partners to address real business challenges effectively, ensuring mutual growth and success in this competitive market,” concludes Mr Sankar.

With over two decades of experience in CCTV surveillance since 2002, TRASSIR has established itself as a trusted name in the security industry. Headquartered in Vashi, Navi Mumbai; TRASSIR India currently serves to a diverse pool of clients across various sectors including banking, warehouses, HoReCa, education institutions, retail, manufacturing, smart cities, and the Government.

Chandigarh, India, 25^th September – SKINN, a renowned Indian fragrance brand by Titan, is delighted to announce the launch of its new affordable fragrance line, SKINN 24Seven. This strategic move marks a significant expansion for SKINN, aiming to cater to the growing demand for premium fragrances at accessible price points. This everyday fragrance collection seeks to make fine fragrances an integral part of daily grooming rituals, establishing a new category in the Indian fragrance market.

SKINN 24Seven introduces a range of Eau De Parfums designed to elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary. With the brand positioning “Make the ordinary special and every day magical with the new range of SKINN 24seven” it encourages consumers to embrace “fine fragrances for every hour, every day”.

The Indian perfume & Deodorant market is valued at roughly INR 10,000 crores, of which perfumes would be INR 4500 crores and Deodorants at INR 5500 crores. The organized size of the perfumes category would be INR 2500 crores out of INR 4500 crores which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12-13% over the next 5 years.

 SKINN, a pioneer in the Indian fine fragrance market, has long led the ‘Masstige’ segment. As consumer preferences evolve and disposable incomes rise, there’s a growing demand for high-quality fragrances at affordable prices. SKINN 24Seven is strategically timed to tap into this burgeoning market, offering a perfect blend of quality, affordability, and style to appeal to these discerning consumers.

 Mr. Manish Gupta, CEO, Fragrances and Accessories Division, Titan Company Limited, stated, “SKINN 24Seven is offering an excellent choice to consumers to enhance their Lifestyle choices. We’re inviting consumers to make fragrance an essential part of their daily ritual, ensuring they’re truly ready to meet every moment at their best. With its combination of premium quality, affordable pricing, and versatile fragrance options, we aim to make premium fragrances accessible to a wider, younger audience without compromising on quality. Our focus is pan-India markets, as we’ve identified a strong appetite for affordable premium products.”

 The fragrance notes in SKINN 24Seven evoke a range of emotions. Oceanic and citrus notes, combined with earthy and woody accords, create a sense of ease and simplicity. Meanwhile, floral and fruity notes, blended with amber and gourmand accents, evoke feelings of joy and warmth. The ergonomic bottle design ensures easy application, while the minimalist packaging complements the fragrances‘ understated elegance. Each fragrance is designed to last between 6- 8 hours, ensuring a consistent and pleasant scent throughout the day.

Potsdam, September 20th, 2024 – The first of October 2024, Germany’s first fully digital university will launch its initial MBA and Master’s degree programs as well as Open Courses and Micro-Degree Programs to train training professionals for the digital transformation worldwide. This is the vision of computer science professors Mike Friedrichsen and Christoph Meinel. The initiators of the innovative digital university concept expect approval as a state-recognized university in the first quarter of 2025. The private and non-profit “German University of Digital Science” (German UDS) is based in the media city of Babelsberg in Potsdam, where the headquarters and the so-called “Maschinenhaus”, hosting the servers for teaching operations, are located.

 German UDS – Germany’s First Globally Operating Digital University

Why does the German UDS call itself the first fully digital university? Since the COVID-19 pandemic at the latest, online lectures have become common practice for students and lecturers alike. However, most universities in Germany and abroad continue to offer in-person classes alongside online lectures.  At German UDS both studies and continuing education are entirely possible in a 100% digital format. Moreover, from the start, the new university positions itself as an explicitly global educational institution. This means that students and lecturers from around the world can become part of the German UDS, as all lectures, exercises, seminars, and exams are offered digitally and exclusively in English.

 German UDS Target Audiences

The German UDS is designed for all learners and teachers worldwide who want to actively shape the digital transformation. The initiators, Profs. Drs. Mike Friedrichsen and Christoph Meinel, particularly focus on the Global South: “We are not thinking exclusively, but emphatically, of people from the Global South for whom studying or further education in the western world is impossible for financial, professional, or family reasons. But even in Germany, in Europe, or other Western countries, not everyone is able to attend an in-person university.”

 Addressing the Global IT Skills Shortage

The shortage of skilled professionals in many sectors continues to grow nationally and internationally. Germany, in particular, will need more highly educated professionals in the coming years than any other European country. The increasing digitalization of all areas of life significantly raises the demand for IT experts. According to the U.S.-based Korn Ferry Institute, the global tech sector alone will face a shortage of 4.3 million IT specialists by 2030.

This is where German UDS positions itself: education and training for the digital transformation.

The clear goal of German UDS is to help alleviate the critical global shortage of IT professionals, a shortage that is stalling digital progress in many countries. “In Germany alone, almost 150,000 IT positions cannot currently be filled,” says Meinel, referring to the latest findings of the Bitkom Digital Association.

Artificial intelligence alone will not solve the skills gap, Friedrichsen emphasizes: “The future problem solvers and architects of digitalization need high-quality knowledge. German UDS intends to deliver this knowledge online, no matter where in the world people live and work.”

 The Academic Offering – Digital for Digital

Starting October 1, 2024, the following programs will be offered:

– MBA programs: Digital Technologies and Digital Transformation

– Master’s programs: Advanced Digital Reality, Applied AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Leadership

The launch of the first MBA and Master’s degree programs will be followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Digital World. “Open Courses” and ‘Micro-Degree Programs’ complement the digital learning offering in various digital topics. A course on the innovation method “Design Thinking” is also being developed.

Anyone interested can apply for the coming semester until end of September 2024.

 “We see our university’s unique selling point truly in the term ‘digital.’ It is the key to the future. That makes our offer coherent: we provide digital learning and teaching for the most central digital topics of our time – Digital Technologies and Transformation, Digital Reality and Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Digital Leadership Anyone wanting to dive deeply into these subjects should also apply digital technology practically during their studies. It’s not only our practical collaborations with companies and partners worldwide, but also the specially developed learning platform, German-UDS.academy, that synthesizes studies and practice through this study method. In our opinion, this significantly contributes to ‘learning by doing’,” Friedrichsen and Meinel explain. “After all, what better practice is there than to digitally tackle digital topics? Ultimately, we learn everything in a context – walking, speaking, reading, writing… We want to move, communicate, participate, and express ourselves. It’s no different in the digital world. Only by feeling at home in it can we dive deeper and shape it together.”

Students enrolled virtually at German UDS will pay moderate and affordable fees of €7,500 per academic year to obtain the Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees.

 German UDS aims to serve as a “beacon of digital education,” democratizing global access to high-quality, innovative knowledge essential for navigating digital transformation and alleviating the IT skills shortage. “At the same time, the future digital university is also committed to actively promoting freedom, equality, self-determination, tolerance, and the rule of law in the digital world,” emphasizes Friedrichsen.

The German-UDS.academy learning platform

The German-UDS.academy is a digital education platform offering a wide range of interactive online courses (MOOCs – Massive Open Online Courses) and additional services. Professors, lecturers and researchers from the German University of Digital Science and its partners create interactive Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on various digital transformation topics, regardless of location. These courses are then made available on the German-UDS.academy platform. With these activities, the German-UDS.academy, providing a global social learning network.

“Professors and other academics involved in our project have already prepared the first courses. They are aimed at anyone who wants to help shape the digital transformation and move confidently and self-determined in the digital world,” reports Prof. Christoph Meinel, the former Director of the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in Potsdam, who retired as HPI Managing Director in March 2023 and immediately dedicated himself to founding the German UDS.

“With the first online courses of the emerging German UDS, we are demonstrating that we don’t just talk the talk, we act,” adds Prof. Mike Friedrichsen, who previously taught at Stuttgart Media University (HdM) for 25 years.

Support from an international advisory board

According to the initiators, the project of a private digital university is supported by an international advisory board of academics. The eight-member advisory board includes experts from the universities of Stanford (USA), Monterrey (Mexico), Madrid (Spain) and Cape Town (South Africa).

Non-Profit Sponsoring Organization Already Active

Friedrichsen and Meinel have established a foundation for their project, which serves as the shareholder of the non-profit “German University of Digital Science gGmbH”. This resides in the so-called “CloudHouse”, the headquarters of the German UDS, in Potsdam’s media city Babelsberg. It provides the start-up funding for the digital university and is responsible for all its rights and obligations. According to the initiators, they are currently in intensive discussions with private individuals, companies, and institutions about contributions to the initial financing.

Bengaluru, 25^th September 2024: The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), an initiative of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), organized the SIAM – SAFE Technical Conference 2024 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, today. The Technical Conference was held under the theme “Smart Mobility: Integrating Safety with Sustainability”. This conference brought together Government officials, industry leaders and experts to discuss the latest advancements in vehicular technology, road safety, and sustainable fuels, aiming to pave the way for the future of mobility in India.

The SIAM–SAFE Technical Conference was graced by the Chief Guest, Mr B Dayanand, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, Karnataka, along with the Guest of Honour Mr V Anbukumar, IAS, Managing Director, KSRTC, and Mr C Mallikarjun, Addl. Transport Commissioner, Govt of Karnataka.  Several other distinguished dignitaries, industry experts, and OEMs also shared their valuable insights on the future of mobility and safety in the automotive sector.

Kicking off with an inaugural session on “Technology Advancements for Road Safety in India,” Mr Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, warmly welcomed the esteemed dignitaries and participants. Mr Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM said, “Smart mobility, driven by technological advancements, is making transport safer, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our transport department. As we navigate a period of significant transformation with connected, shared, autonomous, and sustainable mobility, we continue to face challenges in meeting our road safety targets. While aligned with the UN Decade of Action Plan, achieving these goals will require focused collaboration from the government, industry, and the community.”

On this occasion, Chief Guest Mr B Dayanand, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, Karnataka, said, “Road safety is a critical but overlooked issue in India, where every fatality is preventable. While Western countries aim for zero deaths, India lags behind. Responsible road behavior must become habitual, and we need better education to achieve this. Educating the younger generation is key, as reliance on enforcement alone is insufficient. I urge industry leaders to develop solutions like mandatory helmets and seatbelts to start vehicles and reduce noise pollution. Conferences like this are essential for advancing road safety, and I commend the industry’s efforts toward safer vehicles.”

Guest of Honour Mr V Anbukumar, IAS, Managing Director, KSRTC, said, “The future of public transport lies in innovation, and Karnataka’s vast network of 25,000 buses is at the forefront of this transformation. To meet the evolving needs of millions who rely on this network daily, we must focus on modernisation. This includes adopting 13.5-meter buses, implementing advanced designs, and improving vehicle aesthetics.”

On this occasion Mr C Mallikarjun, Addl. Transport Commissioner, Govt of Karnataka shared the message from Dr Shalini Rajneesh, IAS, Chief Secretary to Govt of Karnataka & Chairman (Road Safety Authority). In her message, Dr Shalini highlighted Karnataka Government’s comprehensive road safety action plan supported by a budget of ₹225 crores. This plan aligns with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ guidelines and focuses on infrastructure improvements, vehicle safety, and promoting responsible road behavior to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030. Key initiatives include eliminating blind spots, conducting road audits, implementing intelligent traffic systems, and employing smart enforcement technologies.

Mr Sushant Naik, President, SAFE and Global Head (Government & Corporate Affairs), Tata Motors, said, “I commend SIAM and the dignitaries for a successful day one of the annual convention. As a key industry, we must minimize negative impacts. Today’s theme, ‘Smart Mobility: Integrating Safety with Sustainability,’ underscores our focus on solutions that enhance road safety while aligning with environmental goals. The use of advanced and emerging technologies like AI, ML, Big data analytics, and Cloud computing in Intelligent transport systems will play a pivotal role in making our roads safer, greener and sustainable.

The session concluded with Closing Remarks by Mr Bhagwan K Bindiganavile, Executive Vice President, VE Commercial Vehicles. Mr Bhagwan said, “Let us reaffirm the critical link between road safety and sustainability. As technology evolves, it must prioritize our citizens’ safety and environmental protection. Public awareness and community engagement through educational campaigns are crucial for fostering safe driving habits and ensuring the success of our initiatives. I encourage everyone to actively engage in our discussions, focusing on advancing smart, safe, and sustainable mobility.“

Dr N V Prasad, Secretary Transport, Govt of Karnataka, Mr Uma Shankar, Addl. Commissioner Transport, Govt of Karnataka and Mr Mallikarjun, Addl. Commissioner Transport, Govt of Karnataka were also present in the inaugural session.

The first session titled, “Emerging Trends in Vehicular Technology” chaired by Mr D Balakrishnan, Vice President, (R&D), Ashok Leyland Ltd, highlighted the latest advancements in vehicular technology. The session included a series of insightful presentations, starting with Mr Anil Kumar, Sr GM – PV Engineering, Tata Motor “Overview of BNCAP & Safety Awareness amongst Vehicle Users”; Mr R Babu, Vice President, R&D on “Technology & Innovation for 2W Safety”;  Mr Gururaj Ravi, Vice President, Maruti Suzuki India Limited on “Enhancing Road Safety: Integrating Passive and Active Safety Features in Modern Automobiles”; Mr Subrata Mitra, Vice President, Ather Energy, on, “Overview on Indian Vehicular Technology – 2W Perspective”; Mr. Suresh Chettiar, Vice President, Volvo Bus Corporation, on “Sustainable Fuels in Transport for the Future” and Mr Sudhir Sathe, Dy. General Manager, Mahindra & Mahindra on “ Emerging Trends in Vehicular Technology”.

The second session titled,” Sustainable Fuels for the Future” was chaired by Mr. Alok Jaitley, Vice President, SAFE and EVP, Maruti Suzuki India.  The session included a presentation by Mr. Rajesh M Badhe, Chief General Manager, Indian Oil Corporation, titled “Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology: Potential and Challenges for the Indian Market,” followed by Dr M Murlidharan, Dy. General Manager, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, on “Innovations in sustainable fuel”. Dr Raja Munusamy, Sr. VP, Reliance Industries, on “Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program: The Road Ahead,” while Mr Yogesh Bolar, Vice President, Ashok Leyland, shared insights on the future of fuels in the transport sector.

The third session titled,” Circularity and End-of-Life Vehicle Management” was chaired by Mr Harjeet Singh, Executive Advisor (Technical), Hero MotoCorp, who set the tone by discussing the importance of sustainable vehicle lifecycle management. The session was graced by Guests of Honour, Dr N V Prasad, Mr Purshottam, Mr C T Murthy, Addl. Transport Commissioners, Govt of Karnataka. Mr Chandrababu, Director, CPCB (Regional Office) Bangalore, presented on “Ensuing Policy on End-of-Life Vehicle: Implementation, Challenges and Opportunities,” addressing regulatory frameworks. Mr Balraj Bhanot, Former Director, ARAI, discussed vehicle safety standards in his presentation, “Vehicle Inspection & Certification,” while Mr Sudershan S Gusain, Chairman, Safety Awareness Group, ATMA/ITTAC, emphasized tyre safety and recycling in “Importance of Tyres: Safety & Recycling.” The session concluded with Mr Ailoor Subramanian, Vice President (R&D), Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India, who presented “OEM Responsibility Towards Circularity and Sustainable Development”. SIAM solicitated four Senior Transport Department officers who have done exemplary service in Road safety.

The technical conference concluded on a high note, marked by a rich and insightful exchange of ideas, best practices, and strategies, fostering a collaborative spirit between government officials and esteemed industry experts.

Mumbai – September 24, 2024…CREDAI-MCHI, the apex body of the real estate industry in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), applauds the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, on being honored with the 2nd World Agriculture Prize. This recognition, awarded by the World Agriculture Forum, highlights his outstanding contributions to environmental protection and sustainable development. CREDAI-MCHI also actively supported the forum, reinforcing its commitment to initiatives that foster socio-economic growth and a green Maharashtra. The award was presented to Chief Minister Shri Shinde by Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan during a special program held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on World Bamboo Day.

Domnic Romell, President of CREDAI-MCHI, expressed his sentiments, stating, “The Hon. Chief Minister’s dedication to improving the rural economy and promoting sustainable, farmer-centric policies has made a significant impact, not only in agriculture but across industries like real estate. CREDAI-MCHI actively supports the World Agriculture Forum because we believe that sustainable agricultural practices and environmental stewardship are directly aligned with the real estate sector’s goals of fostering socio-economic growth. We are also committed to promoting eco-friendly materials like bamboo in construction, which offers a renewable and sustainable alternative to conventional building materials. By integrating green initiatives and supporting rural livelihoods, we aim to contribute to a greener, more sustainable Maharashtra, ensuring a harmonious balance between urban development and rural prosperity.”

Dhaval Ajmera, Secretary of CREDAI-MCHI, congratulated the Hon. CM, remarking, “This award reflects the Hon. Chief Minister’s remarkable commitment to empowering farmers and enhancing agricultural sustainability. Under his leadership, Maharashtra continues to shine as a beacon of innovation and development in the agricultural sector.”

A special session titled the Norman Borlaug Colloquy on Global Food Security and Sustainable Development highlighted critical issues surrounding food security and sustainable practices in agriculture.

The event attracted dignitaries from various sectors, underscoring the vital collaboration between the government and the private sector in promoting sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity. As a proud supporter, CREDAI-MCHI reaffirms its commitment to initiatives that drive socio-economic growth and build a sustainable future.

Hyderabad, September 25, 2024: JSW MG Motor India today has launched MG Windsor, starting at INR 13,49,800 (Ex-Showroom) at PPS Motors, LB Nagar Showroom in Hyderabad for the Telangana customers. India’s 1^st Intelligent CUV combines the comfort of a sedan and the expanse of an SUV offering a luxurious business-class experience to customers. The latest vehicle was launched by the Chief Guest Ms. Naina Jaiswal, National and South Asia Table Tennis Champion in the presence of officials from MG Motor and PPS Motors.

The CUV is offered with futuristic aerodynamic design, spacious and opulent interiors, reassuring safety, smart connectivity, driving comfort, and many hi-tech features. In addition, customers are ensured complete peace of mind through various initiatives such as a lifetime warranty on the battery for the first owner, assured 60% buyback after three years, and one-year free charging at public chargers using the eHUB by MG app. The MG Windsor will be available in four colour options: Starburst Black, Pearl White, Clay Beige, and Turquoise Green.

Ex-Showroom Prices of the MG Windsor

Satinder Singh Bajwa, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The MG Windsor will enable customers to upgrade to an EV lifestyle through its attractive packaging and pricing. We are confident that this will incentivize more potential customers to adopt electric vehicles, powering the transition to a greener future.”

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Rajiv Sanghvi, Managing Director, PPS Motors said, “We are very excited about the launch of the much awaited car MG Windsor, India’s 1st Intelligent CUV that combines the comfort of a sedan and the expanse of an SUV. With Industry First unique offering of BaaS (Battery As A Service) MG is set to revolutionize and disrupt the EV market .The contribution of EV’s in our overall sales currently stands at 40% and with the launch of MG Windsor it is set to surpass 50%.”

The Windsor features an AeroGlide design language, which is futuristic and transcends the concept of traditional segmentation. The interiors are opulent and luxurious with spacious Aero Lounge seats that can be reclined to 135°, coupled with the expansive Infinity View Glass Roof, adding to the business class experience. Immersive entertainment and smart connectivity features are powered by a massive 15.6” GRANDVIEW Touch Display in the central console.

MG Windsor comes with a 38 kWh Li-ion battery pack, which is IP67 certified, delivering an impressive performance of 100KW (136ps) power and 200Nm Torque through four driving modes (Eco+, Eco, Normal and Sport) that results in a 332 km** ARAI certified range on a single charge.

Mumbai/New Delhi, 26^th September 2024: Motorola, a global leader in mobile technology and innovation recently announced massive festive discounts and introduced new color variants for their most popular smartphones across price segments, ahead of Flipkart’s The Big Billion Days Sale. Motorola has introduced these new colours as part of its “Hello Colours, Hello AI” campaign showcasing its unique design and colour language in premium, stylish, and vibrant smartphones. The new colours will be available in the motorola edge50 Pro, motorola edge50 Fusion, motorola edge50 Neo, moto g85 5G, and moto g64 5G and will be available on sale on Flipkart.com. The products are now live for sale, starting from 26th September, for early access customers, and open for all customers from 27th September during the Big Billion Days sale exclusively on Flipkart.

Starting with the biggest Big Billion Days sale deal offered for a premium smartphone, the motorola edge50 Pro (12+256GB variant with 125W charger included in the box) which retails at 35,999 can now be purchased at a net effective price of just Rs. 27,999* (including bank offers), making it the most incredible deal on a premium smartphone this Big Billion Days.

The motorola edge50 Pro is the world’s 1st AI powered Pro-Grade Camera with color output validated by Pantone™ and will now be available in Caneel Bay colour as well. It features a moto AI powered camera which is also the world’s first true colour camera. Along with the camera, the display is validated by Pantone™ for true to life color output and comes with segment’s widest aperture f/1.4 to allow more light to pass through for better photos in all lights. It flaunts the world’s 1^st 1.5K 144Hz true colour display which allows the users to confidently view color and skin tone in the way the content creator intended. The motorola edge50 Pro comes with segment’s best charging owed to its 125W Turbo power charging, 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse power sharing. On the front, the smartphone boasts the segment’s only 50MP selfie camera with Auto Focus. Additionally, the motorola edge50 Pro introduced Style Sync, which uses AI to generate wallpapers based on the user’s outfit. Further, the 12GB RAM on the edge50 pro is ideal for AI features making it future ready for more moto AI features that are planned to come on the device through OTA updates in the near future.

Further strengthening Motorola’s edge portfolio, the motorola edge50 Fusion, can be purchased at never-before seen effective starting effective price of just Rs. 19,999* Rs 22,999 now. The motorola edge50 Fusion is equipped with segment’s best Sony LYTIA LYT-700C camera, a 50 MP camera with all pixel instant focus technology, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and 4K video recording. Other disruptive and segment first features are its display and design, as the motorola edge50 Fusion flaunts the segment’s best 144Hz 10-bit pOLED curved display with 1600 nits of peak brightness and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 Protection. With regards to design, the smartphone is the segment’s only IP68 rated device and also features Smart Water Touch for seamless running display. All this makes the edge50 Fusion the best smartphone under INR 20K featuring several segment-best and exclusive features, now made available in Forest Green colour along with the existing colour options.

The most durable all-rounder smartphone under INR 25K, the motorola edge50 Neo is available in 4 Pantone™ trending colours for an effective festive price of just Rs. 22,999* Rs 23,999 after bank discounts or exchange offers. The motorola edge50 Neo has the Segment best and most premium Flat display with Super HD LTPO technology , minimum bezels and 3000nits of peak brightness. It is India’s lightest IP68 MIL-810H Military Grade Certified smartphone while being the segment’s lightest at 171g and just 8.1mm thin. The device is also IP68 rated and has passed through 16 rigid MIL-STD 810H Military Grade tests, allowing this most durable all-rounder phone to withstand the toughest conditions.   Moreover, the motorola edge50 Neo captures breathtaking photos with the segment’s most advanced Sony sensor LYTIA 700C camera with segment’s best AI features powered by moto ai and google Photos AI features. It also features segment’s only 10MP telephoto camera with 30X AI super zoom and 3X optical zoom.

Moving to the g series devices, Motorola is offering a new Viva Magenta colour variant on its most popular 5g smartphone under 20k- the moto g85 5G. It is the first moto g series device with a 3D curved endless edge display and has segment’s best Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It also offers segment’s leading, shake free 50MP OIS – Sony LYTIA ™ 600 Camera for incredible pictures and videos in any light and captures sharper more vibrant photos owed to Quad Pixel technology for 4x better low-light sensitivity. Inter device connectivity has also been made easy and seamless with the inclusion of Smart Connect which comes out of the box and ensures effortless sharing of files, streaming phone apps and more across phone, PC, and tablet with just a swipe. The moto g85 5G is available in two variants 8+128 GB and 12+256 GB at net effective prices of just Rs. 15,999* and Rs. 17,999*.

The moto g64 5G is available in a new Berry Red colour at a disruptive price of just Rs. 13,999* Rs 16,999 for the 12GB variant becoming most powerful 5G smartphone under 15K. The moto g64 5G offers best in the segment battery life with a 6000mAh battery which allows heavy usage for hours on end. It also charges up fast with TurboPower™ 33W charger which allows for extended hours of video chatting, gaming, and binge-watching. Another segment best feature is its 12GB + 256GB RAM ROM setup, which can offer additional RAM boost of up to 24GB which is again the highest in the segment. Performance is also not an issue owed to the moto g64 5G carrying the world’s 1st MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Processor, a powerful octa-core processor offering frequencies up to 2.5GHz.

In addition to the above, the affordable moto g45 5G – with Snapdragon 6s Gen 3- the segment’s fastest 5G processor, a 120Hz display, Pantone curated colours and a premium vegan leather design are available in 4+128GB and 8+128GB variants at an effective price of just Rs. 9,999* 10,999 and 10,999* 12,999  respectively.

Further, the motorola edge50 which comes with MIL-810H Military grade protection, Curved 144Hz pOLED display, IP68 Underwater protection and a host of moto AI features is available at a disruptive starting price of just Rs. 24,999* 27,999.