Archives November 2024

Bengaluru, 20th Nov 2024: During the 27th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), Shri Siddaramaiah, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, presented a special recognition to Sriharsha Majety, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Swiggy, celebrating the newly listed company’s exceptional 10-year journey and its impactful contributions to Karnataka’s tech ecosystem. Founded in 2014 in Bengaluru’s Koramangala, Swiggy (now Swiggy Ltd.) has grown from a food delivery platform to India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform. Today, Swiggy serves millions of customers nationwide, with its rapid growth fueled by innovation and an unwavering commitment to bringing unparalleled convenience to consumers. This success has positioned Swiggy as one of Bengaluru’s most notable homegrown startups.

Sriharsha Majety, CEO and Co-Founder, Swiggy expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Being recognized at the Bengaluru Tech Summit feels like a full-circle moment for me and the entire Swiggy team. Ten years ago, we chose Bangalore not just because it was a great city, but because it was a city that empowered entrepreneurs to dream big and build even bigger. The city has always been at the heart of innovation and entrepreneurship, and we have been fortunate to be part of this vibrant community. The support we have received from Bengaluru’s startup ecosystem has been fundamental to our success. This recognition belongs not just to me, but to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.”

Recognizing Sriharsha Majety for his groundbreaking efforts in enhancing consumer convenience and driving significant growth, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah, and Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri D.K. Shivakumar felicitated him. Majety was congratulated on Swiggy Limited’s new milestone and successful stock market debut and listing. The gathering and dignitaries also applauded Majety for revolutionizing the food delivery industry, transforming India’s culinary landscape and empowering countless restaurants and delivery partners.

The Hon’ble CM and Hon’ble Dy. CM were also joined by other eminent personalities and dignitaries including Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka, Rizwan Arshad, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Shalini Rajneesh, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Karnataka, Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Dept. of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Govt. of Karnataka, Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, Keonics, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson and Founder – Biocon Limited Chairperson – Vision Group on Biotechnology- Government of Karnataka, Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman – Axilor Ventures Chairman – Vision Group on Information Technology & Electronics- Government of Karnataka, and Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner – Accel India Chairman- Vision Group on Startups- Government of Karnataka.

The Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, organised by Karnataka’s Department of Electronics, IT, and BT, continues to serve as a premier global platform for innovators and thought leaders to collaborate on advancing technology and has elevated the central theme to ‘Unbound’ this year.

Hyderabad, November 20, 2024– The Bio Agri Inputs Producers Association’s (BIPA) 4th edition of Bio Agri 2024, a premier conference and expo dedicated to sustainable biological agriculture began on Tuesday at Ramoji Film City. The theme of the two-day meeting is “Biological Agriculture: Harnessing Nature’s Wisdom”. 

Over 250 delegates from the Agri-input industry across India, the USA and other countries are participating. 35 speaker sessions and panel discussions are lined up during the two days, said Dr KRK Reddy, President of BIPA in his opening remarks.

Delivering the first keynote address on ‘Soil and Water Management Solutions for Agriculture Transition in the Age of Climate Change,’ Dr V Praveen Rao, Vice Chancellor of Kaveri University, asked the industry to produce more with fewer resources.

From 1960 to 2023, there is no success story parallel to Indian agriculture. India’s global dominance extends across agricultural commodities. Agri-exports stand at 53.15 billion US $.  India has the potential to produce 550 million tonnes of food grains. But, this success has a cost. We have many challenges.  The food demand has increased from 71% from 2010 to 2050.  He asked why food nutritional security and sustainability matter today.?

India experienced extreme weather events on 255 of the 274 days (Jan 1st to Sept 30, 2024) or little ever 93% of the days in the first nine months of the year.  Extreme weather events killed 3,238 people and affected 3.2 million hectares of crop area and killed over 9457 animals.  Nearly 80% of smallholder farmers in India could be affected by at least one climate hazard.  The global freshwater demand will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030. The water demand will be 1195 billion cubic meters

Climate change is impacting crop yields. A lot of food is wasted.50 kg of food is wasted per person per year in Indian homes. Around 6.7 crore tonnes of food is wasted which is valued at around Rs 92,000 crore. We stand third in the world after the USA and China in terms of food wastage.  On a global scale, over one billion tons of food is lost or wasted each year. 24% of the world’s calories go uneaten due to food loss, he said.

I not only speak about problems.  I will also suggest a few solutions, said Dr Praveen Rao.  He gave many solutions for sustainable agriculture and innovations in Agri-Food Systems.  He suggested Smart Agriculture and fertigation(a technique that involves applying liquid or water-soluble fertilizers to crops through an irrigation system), crop shifting, Regenerative Agriculture and others.

The varietal shift in Rice in Telangana resulted in increased yield and made it India’s top-producing state.  He suggested strategies for decarbonisation technologies to enable the transition to sustainable rice-based cropping systems.  Sensors for higher water and fertilizer use efficiency. He spoke about Cover Crops.  A cover crop is a crop grown for the soil, instead of for our plate, he explained.

In conclusion, Dr Praveen said our food basket also must be in tune with our national target, but which is not so as of now.  To highlight this point he gave an example of 300 trucks full of sheep being transported to Hyderabad every day for the meat requirement of the people and the number goes to 500 on Sundays. And imagine how much this adds to carbon footprint, water etc he said.

Another keynote speaker Dr Roger Tripathi, Founder & CEO, of Global BioAg Innovations, US said Agro Biological is gaining focus. Biologicals will be the next agricultural technology revolution. Biological agricultural products are expected to replace chemical pesticides and fertilizers in the $240 billion crop protection and fertilizer market in future.   

An exhibition was also inaugurated and it has 40 stalls showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions.

Dr D.R. Venaktesh, Secretary of BIPA while giving his annual report said India is a global biological hub. He spoke about why biologicals are important and why India is important.  The Government of India has taken a step towards ensuring the quality and safety of bio-stimulants used in agriculture by way of a regulatory framework.  Unfortunately, Microbials were not included in it.  BIPA has prevailed on the government and ensured that biologicals are also included in it, he informed

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan. Kane Xu, Senior Vice President of Envision Energy and President of International Business Product Line, was invited to the conference and participated in panels on global climate governance as a representative of leading global renewable energy enterprises.

At the panel The Great Wind Re-set: Getting Wind Energy Back on Track for a 1.5°C World, organized by the Global Wind Energy Council(GWEC), Kane Xu highlighted that technological innovation was the key to accelerating the clean energy transition. The 1.5°C target, proposed by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2023, advocates for a tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030 to limit global warming within 1.5°C. However, according to GWEC, achieving the target of 2.7 TW of installed wind capacity by 2030 will be challenging due to the current slowdown in global wind power growth.

Kane emphasized that continuous innovation in renewable energy technologies is key to reaching this goal. This includes making wind turbine designs more modular to address transportation challenges posed by larger turbines, ensuring that turbine raw materials are more environmentally friendly, improving the efficiency of renewable energy generation, and ensuring grid stability and security when integrating renewable energy at large scale – all of which are achievable through technological innovation.

“To build global support for wind energy’s mission, we must unite innovation, policy, and people—driving equitable access to clean power, fostering cross-border collaboration, and ensuring every turbine turns for both progress and the planet, all while tackling the global climate crisis and addressing the challenges of energy transition.” said Kane.

Additionally, at the invitation of Azerbaijan, the host country of COP29, Kane attended panel Driving Sustainable Water and Energy Transitions, where he shared his insight on how innovations in wind energy and energy storage are already paving the way for enhancing renewable energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions from desalination, and driving a sustainable global transition. He emphasized Envision’s commitment to contributing to the global green transition by offering innovative solutions in wind turbines, energy storage, and green hydrogen, all aimed at the mission to solve challenges for a sustainable future.

Chennai, 20 November 2024: Building on its ‘One Car, One World’ philosophy, Nissan Motor India has commenced exporting its recently launched SUV, the New Nissan Magnite to South Africa. In line with the announcement made during the New Nissan Magnite launch in October this year, the company is now rolling out its latest offering from Nissan’s Alliance JV plant in Chennai to international markets, with South Africa becoming the first country to receive the New Nissan Magnite.

Over 2700 units of the New Magnite SUV have been shipped from the Chennai port within a month after its international launch in India. The Nissan Magnite remains a testament to Nissan’s ‘Make-in-India, Make for the World’ vision, surpassing cumulative sales of 150,000+ units till date and making a powerful impact in both Indian and international markets since its December 2020 debut.

The launch of the New Nissan Magnite took place recently in October 2024 at New Delhi, India, underlining Nissan’s commitment to the domestic and export markets as part of its renewed strategy under ‘The Arc’ plan. The introduction of the New Nissan Magnite B-SUV is a significant step in reinforcing India’s position as an export hub for Nissan. Considering the continuing demand and popularity of the ‘Made-in-India’ Magnite across international markets, Nissan is set to expand its total export footprint to over 65+ international markets now including Left-Hand Drive markets.

Frank Torres, Divisional Vice President-AMIEO Region Business Transformation & President-Nissan India Operations said on the occasion, “Ever since the Nissan Magnite’s launch in 2020, we have seen a resounding acceptance and demand from customers in the South African market for the Made-in-India compact SUV. Our focus on the domestic and export market both are crucial parts of our strategy to deliver outcomes in line with ‘The Arc and India remains a key part of the growth strategy for the company. The export of the New Nissan Magnite will further enhance India’s position as an export hub and drive Nissan’s growth in the AMIEO region, exemplifying Nissan India ‘One Car, One World’ philosophy.”

“We are delighted to receive the shipment of New Nissan Magnite SUVs from India and glad that they will be available for the local customers. With its bold aesthetics, enhanced safety and advanced tech features, catering to a wide range of preferences and customer needs, our customers in South Africa and other African markets are sure to like the New Nissan Magnite B-SUV,” said Jordi Vila, Nissan Africa President.

Building on its previous success, the New Nissan Magnite UV exemplifies MAGNITE-ness with a tougher, bolder and more robust exterior that enhances its commanding road-presence. A strong road presence with a redesigned premium new exterior and interior design, and 20+ Segment-First features in India, the New Nissan Magnite personifies its ‘Bold Inside Out’ philosophy. Engineered to meet global standards, the New Nissan Magnite SUV offers enhanced safety with reinforced body structure, 40+ Standard Safety Features including six Airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control System and Hydraulic Brake Assist.

Hyderabad, 20th November 2024: Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) a registered non-profit organization has met the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri. Revanth Reddy and discussed the situation of Thalassemia in Telangana and the need for a G.O to prevent Thalassemia. MLA Makkan Singh Raj Thakur from Ramagundam, and Mr. Tej Narayan, owner of Mahalaxmi Jewellers were also present on the occasion.
During this meeting, TSCS shared the progress and impact of our Thalassemia Prevention Project, which currently spans three districts, and reminded the CM of his recent visit to our Society— a memory he warmly recalled. The Chief Minister attentively listened to the briefing on the urgent need for expanded Thalassemia prevention. He assured the society of his commitment to addressing this critical issue as a priority, conveying his determination to provide the best possible support for the cause. CM further instructed Dr. S. Sangeeta Satyanarayana, IAS – Joint Secretary to Chief Minister to provide best support.

Speaking about the meeting TSCS President Shri. Chandrakant Agarwal said, “We are extremely honoured to get this privilege of meeting our Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Revanth Reddy and explaining to him about the situation of Thalassemia is our state of Telangana and the need of a bill for its prevention. He has extended his best support to us for the prevention of Thalassemia in the state.. Thalassemia is an easily preventable disorder and if controlled properly it can also be eradicated. We have all been working towards children suffering with Thalassemia and understand the suffering one has to go through. We have also shared all the relevant details to the Health Ministry & Secretary for the way forward plan.”

New Delhi 20th November 2024: In an inspiring step towards fostering future-ready skills, NeoFusion, an NGO School, has partnered with Zamit, a leading EdTech platform, to conduct its proprietary ZQ (Zamit Quotient) analysis for over 100 students. This unique collaboration aims to assess and enhance students’ essential skills across Zamit’s iSKiL framework, a structured approach that evaluates critical abilities required for success in the modern world.

Out of the total 120 students registered for the ZQ analysis, 100 have successfully completed the assessment, with the remaining students expected to finish in the coming weeks. The preliminary results reflect NeoFusion students’ strengths across several dimensions, including Learning Power, Universal Awareness, and Technological Skills, among others.

Archana Chopra, Chief Business Development Officer “As a future-ready learning platform, Zamit is proud to support NeoFusion’s mission to provide inclusive and empowering education for all students. Through the ZQ analysis, we offer NeoFusion students an in-depth look at their individual strengths and growth areas across essential skills, enabling a learning experience that is both personalized and impactful. By equipping students with a clear roadmap for development, Zamit fosters confidence and ownership of their educational journey, preparing them to succeed in a dynamic world.”

The ZQ analysis, a comprehensive skills assessment program, evaluates learners on over 70 key skills across 9 core dimensions known as the iSKiL framework. These dimensions include Learning Power, Cognitive Ability, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Emotional Intelligence, and more, offering a holistic perspective on each student’s competencies and areas for growth.

Dr. Anubhooti Bhatnagar – Founder and director – NeoFusion Creative Foundation, shared her enthusiasm- “NeoFusion students have shown remarkable promise through the ZQ analysis, scoring strongly in core competencies that align with the demands of today’s evolving world. This partnership with Zamit allows us to tailor our support for each child’s unique strengths and developmental needs, bringing our mission of empowering underserved communities to life.”

The scores achieved so far suggest that students are not only adaptable and tech-savvy but also possess a well-rounded understanding of their environment and learning capabilities. Through Zamit’s support, NeoFusion students will receive targeted insights and practical steps for improvement, boosting their readiness for future academic and professional pathways. Through the iSKiL framework, NeoFusion aims to provide each student with the resources to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Bengaluru, India – November 20th, 2024 – Leading global hospitality company Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of a strategic licensing agreement (SLA) with Olive by Embassy to open 150 Spark by Hilton hotels across India, marking the brand’s debut in Asia Pacific. The agreement comes as a result of Hilton’s long-standing partnership with The Embassy Group, owners of Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park. This agreement reinforces Hilton’s ambitious growth in South Asia and brings a new premium economy brand to the dynamic Indian market. The first Spark by Hilton hotels will open in Southern India with a focus on Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

“This landmark signing with Olive by Embassy underscores Hilton’s bold ambition in and long-term commitment to South Asia,” said Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific at Hilton. “Spark by Hilton will address a gap in the Indian market, offering affordable stays without compromise, and capturing unmet demand for value and consistency across major and smaller cities. Not only will this partnership set the stage for record-breaking growth, but it also positions Hilton to achieve a commanding presence in one of the world’s largest lodging markets.”

Launched in 2023, with 100 hotels at various stages of development, Spark by Hilton is the fastest launch-to-open brand in Hilton’s history. The conversion-friendly, premium economy brand is aimed at the aspirational and value-seeking traveler and is renowned for delivering reliable essentials and friendly service for every guest at an accessible price point.

Spark by Hilton hotels in India will be characterized by thoughtful simplicity and reliable service. The public spaces will feature multi-functional seating from communal tables to rocking chairs, offering plenty of options for guests to enjoy breakfast, socialize or work throughout the day. Spark by Hilton will add value to the guest experience by offering a complimentary breakfast, featuring local items, so guests can fuel up before hitting the road. The brand will also offer a 24-hour retail market for on-the-go travelers.

As travel demand surges and the middle-class segment in India rises, Hilton plans to scale its focused service brands, such as Spark by Hilton, exemplifying the company’s dedication to bringing hotel brands that cater to every guest and every stay occasion. The brand will join Waldorf Astoria and Curio Collection by Hilton as newly introduced brands into South Asia, expanding the company’s portfolio in the region to eight distinct brands.

“We are committed on expanding our presence in South Asia,” said Kevin Jacobs, chief financial officer & president, Global Development, Hilton. “Rapid middle-class formation continues to take place across this dynamic region, where we see tremendous long-term growth prospects for Hilton. Following international debuts for Spark in the United Kingdom and Canada, there is a compelling opportunity for the brand’s flexible model, coupled with Hilton’s powerful network and commercial engine, to capitalize on the fast-growing premium economy segment in India. Alongside our longtime partner, The Embassy Group, we look forward to accelerating Hilton’s growth across this key market and welcoming many new guests into our network.”

Jitu Virwani, Chairman & Managing Director, Embassy Group, said, “Today’s agreement marks an important step forward in our partnership with Hilton. Spark by Hilton is the ideal brand to capitalize on the country’s growing middle-class, its infrastructure investment push, and its burgeoning hospitality sector. With Embassy’s deep understanding of the market, and the local expertise of our franchise partners, we believe that this is the beginning of an exciting journey to redefine the premium economy segment.”

Hilton’s recent signings across its luxury, full-service, and focused-service segments underscore the strength of its brand portfolio as the company expands into India’s major states and cities. Notable signings include the introduction of the award-winning Curio Collection in Bengaluru, Jaipur’s first Conrad, and the entry of the Hilton flagship brand into Udaipur and Lucknow. Waldorf Astoria in Jaipur, anticipated to open by 2027, further highlights the appeal of Hilton’s luxury offerings and reinforces the company’s commitment to growth in Tier II and III cities.

Kahraman Yigit, Co-founder & CEO, Olive by Embassy, says, “We are seeing a huge demand in the country for premium economy accommodation and reliable quality stay experiences. This gap is currently unmet. With no other product quite like it in the premium economy segment, Spark by Hilton is a much-needed, consistent brand that will provide an impetus for the overall market to grow. We believe that this disruptive offering is the right one for investors, developers, and owners looking to maximize their returns.”

In 2024 alone, Hilton has made significant strides across South Asia. The company made its debut in Nepal with the opening of Hilton Kathmandu and expanded its full-service portfolio with the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield. Hilton Gurugram Baani City Centre, Hilton Garden Inn Surat, and Hilton Garden Inn Jabalpur are also on track to open by the end of the year.

Hilton’s accelerated growth in South Asia is fueled by its award-winning workplace culture, which positions the company as an employer of choice, attracting and retaining top talent in the industry. Hilton was recently recognized as the 1 Company to Work For in India by ‘Great Place to Work’ for the second consecutive year, and remains the only hospitality company in the market to achieve this prestigious recognition in both 2023 and 2024

Hyderabad, November 20, 2024- Pedigree Pro HyCan’24 – A Grand pet show of Dogs, Cats, and Pet Lovers to be held in the city on Sunday 24th at OM Convention at Narsingi in Hyderabad. It will be organised by the Hyderabad Canine Club. The Hyderabad Canine Club is dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals and responsible pet ownership through events that bring together the pet-loving community.

The show will bring together pet enthusiasts, industry leaders, and families for a day filled with excitement, education, and celebration.

This year show will be bigger and better. The Kennel Club of India Championship Dog Show and the Indian Cat Club Cat Show, showcasing the finest dogs and cats from across the country will be held.

In the Kennel Club of India Championship Dog Show visitors can witness top dogs competing for championship titles under the guidance of internationally reputed judges.

The Indian Cat Club Cat Show will showcase many varieties of breeds, including some rare breeds, British Shorthairs, Ragdolls, and Maine Coons.

Top 10 Breed Awards will be held Featuring popular breeds like German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Shih Tzus in a specialty-style competition.

HyCan Groomania Grooming Competition will also be held. It will showcase some of India’s best groomers competing for top honours.

There will be Fun Pet Activities such as Interactive games, live demonstrations of dog sports, and engaging competitions for pet lovers.

Pet Registration and Microchipping Campaign will also take place along with the show. It will be a special drive to help dog owners register and microchip their pets for better identification and welfare.

An awareness Program called Be SAFE with Dogs: Educational sessions on how to safely approach a dog, react when a dog runs towards you, and interact responsibly with pets to prevent
accidents etc is also planned.

The show will be Celebration with a Cause. Pedigree Pro HyCan’24 is not just about fun – it’s a platform to promote responsible pet ownership, ethical breeding practices, and the welfare of animals. The event offers an opportunity for pet lovers and industry professionals to connect, share, and learn while enjoying a family-friendly atmosphere.

Hyderabad, 19thNovember 2024: After completing a successful tour in Bangalore and Chennai, ITC Sunfeast Dark Fantasy’s iconic Fantasy Spaceship made its way to Hyderabad for the next leg of its journey, continuing the brand’s innovative campaign “Big Fantasies: Give Wings to Your Imagination.” The event took place at Nagarjunaa Montessori IIT Concept School on the 19th of November and was met with excitement vibrant group of students witnessed their imagination come to life.

Commenting on the launch of the new initiative, Ali Harris Shere, COO, Biscuits and Cakes Cluster, Foods Division, ITC Limited shared, “At Sunfeast Dark Fantasy, we believe that the power of fantasy and imagination is critical for transforming kids’ life from the ordinary to something truly extra-ordinary. With ‘Big Fantasies,’ we are proud to bring a never-seen-before tech on wheels in India, offering kids a unique platform to express themselves and see their fantasies come alive. It was delightful to witness the excitement and reactions of the students in Hyderabad as they interacted with their drawings on the screen. Over the next one month we aspire to provide this experience to many more children in the city”.

The Fantasy Spaceship—a specially designed bus outfitted with advanced interactive screens. Powered by a combination of cutting-edge technology, it transforms children’s hand-drawn designs into vibrant digital creations, preserving their original charm. Once scanned, their artwork is digitally transformed into 3D interactive characters, displayed on large touch enabled screens thus immersing themselves in a world where imagination met innovation.

This initiative by ITC Sunfeast Dark Fantasy aims to inspire young minds by blending art, science, and technology, with the ultimate goal of sparking limitless creativity. The campaign also carries an exciting opportunity, where select children will be granted a chance to visit NASA, turning their imaginative dreams into reality.

Hyderabad, November 20, 2024- Hyderabad Runners Society organized the Gaudium Stadium Run 2024. The 4th Edition of the Hyderabad Run was conducted as a 24 Hours Run at the athletic tracks at Gaudium Sportopia. The run categories were 24 Hours Solo Ultra, 12 Hours Solo Ultra, 6 Hours Ultra, and 12 Hours Team Relay.

It was flagged off by Ms. K. Kirthi Reddy– Founder Director of Gaudium and CEO of Gaudium Mr. Ramakrishna Reddy and Hyderabad Runners President Mr. Abhijeet Madnurkar.

It commenced on 16th Nov, Saturday at 6 pm and was completed by 17th Nov Sunday at 6 pm. Over 600 runners from all across the twin cities and outstation locations have taken part in the race. About 85 teams consisting of 6 runners/team ran in relay sequence for 2 Hours each. The teams had a mandatory male and female mix to participate as a team. Many kids, friends, and families came together to cheer the runners at the stadium throughout the 24 Hours. The total prize money for the 4th edition is Rs.3,04,000/- The objective of this run is to promote team spirit and gender inclusivity in running as a preferred form of fitness activity.