Archives 2024

21st December 2024: Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, has been recognized among the Top 50 Companies with Great Managers in India for 2024. This recognition presented by People Business Consulting further bolsters Hindustan Zinc’s position as a preferred equal-opportunity employer reflective of the company’s continued dedication to building a high-performance organization.

The companies with the ‘Great Managers Award’ is one of the most highly acclaimed recognitions that enables organizations to compare & benchmark people practices across the industry. In addition to being amongst India’s Top 50 Companies with Great Managers, three of Hindustan Zinc’s leaders have been named in India’s Top 100 Great Managers for 2024. The awarding process involved a meticulous evaluation that included comprehensive team feedback and rigorous interviews conducted by an esteemed jury panel comprising of industry experts. This recognition underlines the company’s commitment to fostering an organization that offers an environment for high-quality learning and rapid growth opportunities to its employees, enabling them to have both fulfilling professional careers and well-balanced lives beyond the workplace.

Arun Misra, CEO and full-time director, of Hindustan Zinc Limited, stated, “We are proud to be recognized as one of the Top 50 Companies with Great Managers in India. At Hindustan Zinc, our employees have the unique experience of working with the stability of a global giant, leveraging the best business practices globally, while working for an organization that has the agility of a start-up. This, combined with our gender-agnostic, merit-first practices is the secret sauce that has resulted in a strong cadre of great managers. As we continue our journey to excellence, Hindustan Zinc continues to deepen its talent pool with future-ready skillsets to create leaders of tomorrow. ”

As India’s premier metals company, Hindustan Zinc remains at the forefront of fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. The company has long prioritized initiatives aimed at breaking barriers and setting new standards by ensuring a standardized work experience powered by rapid digitalization and automation that is breaking the misconception of heavy & physical labor associated with the sector. Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to supporting employees at every stage of life—both personally and professionally—has led to rich job content, career-enhancing, equal opportunities, including night shifts, flexible-work hours, and progressive workplace policies like spouse hiring, year-long sabbaticals for childcare, and leave policies prioritizing mental and physical health. The company also promotes talent mobility for job satisfaction for those who want to work in different business function depending on their interest and aptitude. In addition, the company has institutionalized several programmes for skilling, upskilling and re-skilling employees to ensure they are at the absolute cutting-edge of job-enrichment. These programmes include classroom training, mentoring & training from global experts, behavioural programmes and a plethora of practical, technical training programmes.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. The company also launched EcoZen, Asia’s first low carbon ‘green’ zinc brand that has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 2.41 times Water-Positive company and is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. As a world leader in the metals and mining industry, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for the global energy transition towards a sustainable future.

21 December 2024—Meril Academy recently hosted the KeySurge Knowledge Bridge program in Bangalore, marking the culmination of a successful series of events across Delhi and Mumbai. The Bangalore edition, the largest yet, brought together over 100 delegates, including OT Store Managers, OT Heads, Supply Chain Managers, and Purchase Heads from premier healthcare institutions across the country.

The program featured renowned speakers who delivered impactful sessions. Dr. Prabhu Nasergikar, Surgical Oncologist at HCG Hospital, and Dr. Ganesh Shenoy, Director of GI Surgery at Kauvery Hospital, shared critical insights into the latest advancements in inventory management and supply chain optimization. Dr. Abel Asirvatham led a focused session on quality assurance in operation theatres, highlighting the importance of precision and collaboration in surgical environments. Nitin Thakur – Business Head of Sales & Marketing – Meril’s presentation on “Healthcare Trends & How Meril is Partnering with India’s Healthcare Mission” highlighted the company’s role in shaping the healthcare landscape.

In Mumbai, speakers like Dr. Manmohan Kamat from Max Nanavati Hospital and Mrs. Neeta Pawar from Godrej Memorial Hospital offered critical perspectives on surgeons’ expectations and inventory management. These programs collectively drew over 250 healthcare professionals, fostering knowledge-sharing across cities. The Delhi edition featured distinguished speakers, including Dr. Shagun Agarwal, Surgical Oncologist from Sir Gangaram Hospital, Mr. Vikas Goyal, SCM Head from Fortis Gurugram, and Mr. Sudhir Verma, Consultant Material Management from RGCI, who shared valuable insights into the latest advancements in healthcare operations.

The program concluded on a high note, with participants commending the event’s practical relevance, actionable takeaways, and professional value. Meril remains committed to its mission of advancing healthcare in India by fostering innovation, sharing expertise, and creating platforms for meaningful dialogue.

21th December 2024: Interarch Building Products Limited, a leading player in the Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) Industry, has projected a 50% growth in North India for FY 25-26, with the majority of this growth coming from Uttar Pradesh. The North region is expected to contribute 30% to the company’s overall business volume during this period.

Mr. Manish Garg, CEO of Interarch Building Products Limited, said, “Our growth in North India highlights the region’s potential for industrial development. We’ve executed major projects for brands like Hindustan Unilever, PepsiCo, Addverb Technologies, Yamaha Motor and more, which have driven our success in the region.

Today, Mr. Garg is in Lucknow to visit the Ashok Leyland facility and oversee preparations for the erection of one of the largest PEB structures in the region. The company is involved in engineering, manufacturing, and erecting a large PEB facility for Ashok Leyland in Uttar Pradesh, focused on electric bus production, marking a significant step in sustainable transportation

He said ”The Ashok Leyland project further reinforces our commitment to sustainable growth and innovation. We were born in Uttar Pradesh, and the state holds a special place in our hearts. Our connection to UP is not just professional but deeply emotional, and we are proud to contribute to its industrial growth.”

In addition, Mr. Manish Garg will be the main speaker at the upcoming CGI (Closed Group Interaction) event, which the company is organizing. The event will be attended by leading architects, consultants and end users from the city and will be held at the Hotel Hyatt, Gomti Nagar.

Interarch is also undertaking significant capacity expansion at its Kichha plant to enhance its regional footprint.

December 21th, 2024: Global communications platform Infobip has reported record-breaking communications interactions during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Cyber Week. India has emerged as a key growth market for Rich Communication Services (RCS) and WhatsApp interactions, underscoring the rising importance of conversational experiences. Globally, the platform recorded 3.4bn interactions on Black Friday – a 26% increase – with Cyber Week (Friday, 29 Nov to Monday, 2 December) witnessing a remarkable 41% surge, compared to last year.

This Black Friday marked a seismic shift in how Indian consumers prefer to engage with brands. RCS interactions surged by an extraordinary 1162%, while WhatsApp engagement grew by 113%, proving that conversational channels are now a must-have for brands. Cyber Monday data for India also mirrored similar growth trajectories as WhatsApp interactions grew by 74.7%, while RCS interactions surged by 1455.2%. The momentum continued, with RCS growing by 542.59% and WhatsApp by 111.14% during Cyber Week.

Offering enhanced multimedia capabilities, RCS is enabling businesses to connect with customers in a way that is more engaging and hyper-personalized. Globally, RCS interactions on Black Friday increased by 394% with an impressive 349% rise during Cyber Week compared to last year, solidifying its role as a fastest growing channel for retailers worldwide. Infobip further reveals that, in this year’s Black Friday, Retail & eCommerce and Finance industries are among the top 5 sectors driving interactions on its platform, recording year-on-year growth of 42% and 35%, respectively.

Harsha Solanki, VP GM – Asia, Infobip, said, “This Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we saw a four-fold increase in RCS interactions in India – a testament to the growing preference for conversational engagement. As customers demand more meaningful and seamless experiences, RCS has proven to be a game-changer, driving sales, offering end-to-end journeys, and enhancing customer satisfaction throughout the shopping period. In today’s cost-conscious and digitally-driven market, adopting RCS is not just an option – it’s essential for businesses looking to stay ahead and meet the evolving needs of their customers.”

December 21, 2024 – OPAL-RT Technologies, the global leader in PC/FPGA-based real-time simulation solutions, proudly wrapped up its first-ever RT24-IN Conference on December 17th and 18th, in Bengaluru 2024. They witnessed the participation of over 350 experts from academia, government organizations, and industries like Aerospace, Power Systems, Energy Conversion, eMobility, and more. This event marks a significant milestone in OPAL-RT’s ongoing expansion into the Indian market and highlights the growing interest in cutting-edge real-time simulation technologies in the region.

The conference, which focused on innovations in real-time simulation, featured a range of exciting presentations, product demonstrations, and networking opportunities. A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of OPAL-RT’s newest product – the OP1400-BM Bench, a specialized system designed to meet the needs of the academic market. This addition to the OP1400 product family is compact, low-power, and integrates seamlessly into academic teaching and research platforms. Powered by a standard single-phase socket, the OP1400-BM Bench is a safe and efficient Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) system, designed to make real-time simulation more accessible for students and researchers. This product is a result of a collaboration with Bitlismen a leading brand specializing in cutting-edge digital solutions and innovation in blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies.

In addition to the product launch, attendees had the opportunity to engage in product displays and demos, showcasing the latest developments in real-time simulation. Industry leaders and clients who had been using OPAL-RT products for the past several weeks shared their insights, providing valuable feedback and recommendations.

The event also hosted a distinguished lineup of speakers. Eminent academicians like, Prof. Dr. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay, IIT Kharagpur, Assoc.Prof.. Dr. Sarasij Das, IISc, Prof. Dr Faruk Kazi; VJTI, & Dr R K Singh; Professor, IIT (BHU). Leading Non-Academia leaders like Mr. Rajesh Karvande; Scientist, RCI-DRDO, Ms. Ujjwala Karle; Deputy Director, ARAI, Dr. Himadri Bhushan Das, Chief Solution Architect, Electra EV and Mr Reji Kumar Pillai, President, ISGF.

Girish Nanjundaiah, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, OPAL-RT Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. – India, shared his pride in marking a significant milestone for OPAL-RT in India: “Today, as we conclude our first-ever real-time simulation event in India, I am proud to see how far we’ve come. Just this morning, I came across a job posting on LinkedIn from a company actively seeking professionals who are familiar with OPAL-RT and know how to operate our systems. It’s incredibly gratifying to see our efforts in advancing real-time simulation technology come to fruition, and we’re excited to continue driving innovation and growth in this space.”

RT24-IN not only provided a platform for learning and knowledge-sharing but also highlighted the growing demand for skilled professionals familiar with OPAL-RT products. In today’s competitive market, brands are actively seeking individuals with expertise in real-time simulation and OPAL-RT’s advanced products. The conference served as a vital job-seeking platform where students, academics, and industry professionals could connect and explore new opportunities. With its successful inaugural event, OPAL-RT Technologies has cemented its position as a key player in the Indian market and remains committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth in real-time simulation technologies.This has effectively bridged the gap between job seekers and employers in the real-time simulation industry and ecosystem.

December 21: Edutest Solutions, a leader in the computer-based testing (CBT) examinations space, has developed end to end encryption technology to ensure the integrity of examinations while also enhancing the overall exam experience. The proprietary CBT examination software EVALUATE is a comprehensive solution designed to safeguard the exam process with robust security features.

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the integrity of examinations has become a critical concern for academic institutions, certification bodies, and recruitment agencies. With the shift toward CBT platforms, ensuring exam security and preventing malpractice has become more complex. From hacking and impersonation to cheating via external devices, the risks are vast.

To combat these malpractices, Edutest has designed EVALUATE with state-of-the-art technological features that ensure both the security and fairness of every examination.

At the heart of EVALUATE is end-to-end encryption that ensures exam content, candidate data, and answers are protected from unauthorized access. With data protection being a major concern in digital exams, Edutest uses advanced encryption techniques to guarantee that all communications between candidates and the exam system are secure. This prevents data leaks, protects sensitive information, and ensures that the integrity of the exam is never compromised.

The software also integrates AI-powered anti-cheating algorithms designed to detect irregular behaviors during the exam. These algorithms analyze candidate actions, such as excessive screen switching or unusual response patterns, to flag potential cheating. Real-time monitoring by exam proctors, coupled with AI detection, creates a comprehensive safeguard against dishonest practices.

To combat impersonation, EVALUATE employs biometric authentication—facial recognition and fingerprint scanning—to verify the identity of the candidate before the exam begins. This multi-factor authentication process ensures that only authorized individuals take the exam, providing an additional layer of security.

To prevent question leakage or pre-exam access to content, EVALUATE features a dynamic question bank where questions are randomly generated and presented to each candidate in a unique order. This makes it nearly impossible for students to share answers during the exam. Additionally, all question generation processes are encrypted to prevent any unauthorized access to the question database.

Speaking on the development, Ms. Maya Patankar, Chief Operating Officer of Edutest, said, “At Edutest, we are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the education and certification industries. Our dedication to innovation goes beyond technology—it encompasses every aspect of our operations, from content generation to project management. We are committed to delivering solutions that are not only secure and reliable but also adaptable to future challenges. As we continue to innovate, we are focused on providing the best possible experience for candidates, examiners, and all our stakeholders. We remain resolute in our pursuit of excellence, ensuring that the integrity of every exam is upheld.”

She added, “By continually refining its technology and processes, and with a forward-thinking leadership team, Edutest is poised to tackle the future challenges of exam integrity head-on while providing a seamless experience for all stakeholders involved.”

New Delhi, 21 December 2024: The Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF) celebrated a significant milestone with the successful conclusion of its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in New Delhi on 20 December 2024. The AGM was chaired by Mr. Rajat Sharma, Chairman of India TV, in his capacity as Vice President of IBDF, following the recent resignation of Mr. K. Madhavan as President of the Foundation.

Key Appointments to the IBDF Board:

During the AGM, the following appointments to the IBDF Board were announced:

Mr. Gaurav Dwivedi, Prasar Bharati
Mr. Jayant M. Mathew, MMTV
Mr. Aroon Purie, TV Today

The other board members include:

Mr. Rajat Sharma, India TV
Mr. I. Venkat, Eenadu TV
Mr. Kevin Vaz, JioStar
Mr. R. Mahesh Kumar, Sun Network
Mr. Gaurav Banerjee, Culver Max
Mr. Nachiket Pantvaidya, Bangla Entertainment
Mr. Punit Goenka, Zee Media
Mr. Ashish Sehgal, Zee Entertainment

Addressing the members during the AGM, Mr. Rajat Sharma reflected upon IBDF’s 25-year journey, emphasizing the Foundation’s role in shaping the Indian broadcasting landscape. He said “This milestone highlights the steadfast contributions of our members in transforming the broadcasting industry. As we move forward, IBDF will continue advocating for a regulatory framework that fosters innovation, supports creators, and ensures fair competition. Together, we will drive the industry toward a sustainable and prosperous future.”

Mr. Sharma also expressed gratitude to the outgoing President, Mr. K. Madhavan, for his visionary leadership, which had been instrumental in navigating the organization through pivotal times.

Board Meeting and Election of Office Bearers:

Following the AGM, a meeting of the IBDF Board of Directors was convened, during which the following members were co-opted to the Board:

1. Mr. Sumanto Bose, JioStar

2. Mr. John Brittas, Kairali TV

The Board also elected the new office bearers of IBDF:

President: Mr. Kevin Vaz
Vice Presidents: Mr. Rajat Sharma, Mr. Gaurav Banerjee & Mr. R. Mahesh Kumar
Treasurer: Mr. I. Venkat

The newly elected President, Mr. Kevin Vaz, remarked, “It is an honour to take on this responsibility at such a transformative time for the media and entertainment sector. India’s appetite for content is unmatched, making it a unique market where all forms of media continue to grow, while Indian content increasingly gains international recognition furthering India’s soft power globally. As we increasingly embrace technology to scale up, it is imperative that we democratize content creation so that it is not demographically or geographically limited. While India consumes content from anywhere, driven by the proliferation of 5G, smartphones, connected TVs and better Pay TV infrastructure, we must ensure that opportunities to create professional content from locations beyond the current hotspots is a viable future for the industry.”

He further emphasized that “the media and entertainment industry has a multiplier effect that extends to sectors like sports, creating significant opportunities for growth at scale. To ensure that this growth can be sustainable we need to look at business models rooted in equitable collaborations that foster value creation for all stakeholders across the ecosystem.

I also look forward to work with the government and industry in developing progressive, soft-touch regulations that empower the sector to innovate and harness its full potential for sustainable growth.”

Mr. Vaz urged all IBDF members to collaborate in building a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable ecosystem that captivates audiences and propels the growth of India’s media and entertainment industry.

21st Dec 2024: Prama India has introduced its wide range of indigenously manufactured video security products and bespoke vertical solutions at the IFSEC India Security Expo 2024. Cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IoT Security Technologies, products, and solutions were on display at the PRAMA booth. The PRAMA booth at the IFSEC India displayed a wide range of indigenously manufactured products and innovative solutions at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. These included a wide range of newly launched Video Security Cameras and vertical solutions were on display.

PRAMA India spokesperson said, “PRAMA had displayed it’s Indigenous Video Security products and solutions at IFSEC India. We are following our indigenous manufacturing roadmap by adapting advanced technologies. By moving forward with the core belief to put India on the global map for video security products, PRAMA is committed to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. The indigenous brand, PRAMA manufactures high quality video security products in its indigenous manufacturing facility near Mumbai. PRAMA is expanding its manufacturing facility to cater to the ever growing demand for video security products and solutions.”

The products displayed at the PRAMA booth included Ai Sense Series Cameras, RanginView Series, ATMS (Advanced Traffic Management Solution) Series Cameras, DVRs and NVRs, Network Switches & Cables, etc. Prama Video Management Software is available for demonstration for security professionals.

There is a wide range of vertical solutions on display at the PRAMA booth. These included Education-School Surveillance Solutions, Transportation-Advance Traffic Management Solutions, homeland security-mobile Enforcement Solutions, Smart Cities & Safe Cities: City Surveillance Solutions, Transportation-Transportation Surveillance Solutions, Defence Sector Solutions, Real Estate- Building Sector Solutions, Retail- Retail Stores Solutions, Tourism- Religious & Cultural Heritage sites Security solution, Hospital-Healthcare Sector Solution and BFSI-Banks Sector Solution. The ornately designed spacious PRAMA booth displayed myriad products and vertical solutions.

The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) applications into video surveillance technologies is bringing a big transformation in its outcomes. The AI has made Video Content Analytics (VCA) more accurate and added empowering predictive capabilities. Security Industry is entering into a new era of video surveillance, with AI-based technology applications, helping video monitoring to entirely new use cases that provide more tangible benefits across the verticals. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning technology continue to make waves across the security market. The growing number of Deep Learning

technology and AI applications in the security industry clearly indicates that AI and Deep Learning are now well-established security tools. The forward-looking industry stakeholders are embracing them quickly. PRAMA AI Sense Solutions, include AI Sense Cameras, DVRs, and NVRS.

In the IFSEC India conference on 12th December, Vinay Mishra, Senior Vice President, Projects, Prama India Private Limited, gave a presentation on ‘Indigenous Security Tech Innovations for a Smarter and Empowered India‘. Prama India participated in an insightful panel discussion on the theme of ’Corporate Security in the Age of Transformational Tech Like AI/ ML and GenAI’. The fresh insights were shared by Himanshu Jain, AVP, Projects, Prama India Private Limited.

At the IFSEC India Expo PRAMA India booth was the key attraction due to its CUBE LED display and thematic graphics. The display of vertical solutions and product portfolio impressed the visitors. IFSEC India Expo concluded on a high note with high volume visitor footfall and business networking

Dec. 21, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) has launched LG Radio+, the company’s ad-supported audio streaming service, now available on LG smart TVs running webOS 6.0 and above. This new service allows users to effortlessly access a diverse selection of podcasts and radio programs. For a streamlined user experience, LG Radio+ will work with the LG ThinQ app,1 providing users with a convenient way to access and enjoy their favorite audio content no matter where they are in the room.

To offer a curated list of audio streaming content, LG has partnered with global radio and audio provider Radioline, giving users an all-in-one audio platform allowing effortless access to news, sports, music, and more. Available in the US and Korea, LG smart TV users can explore a range of live stations and podcasts, with options such as NPR, CNN Radio, Fox Radio or The Joe Rogan Experience in the US, or popular local stations and podcasts in Korea.

The LG Radio+ app can be accessed from the Content Store or Apps or by using the voice search function of the LG Magic Remote, providing a fast and convenient way to discover new listening content.

For quick and easy exploration, LG Radio+ has an intuitive interface with a comprehensive channel list, presenting popular audio channels on the On Air page, alongside a personalized selection of favorite channels. Users can navigate the On Air and Podcast pages to access their desired audio streaming content, while the Featured page provides a dynamic view of trending music, updated in real-time to highlight the most popular or season hits. This enables users to search, discover and enjoy their preferred audio content with ease out of a large library of over 14,500 channels in US and over 440 available in Korea.

As part of LG’s commitment to enhancing user convenience and connectivity across the company’s life-enriching products, listeners will be able to access LG Radio+ through the LG ThinQ app,2 enabling enjoyable audio streaming on LG audio devices with minimal effort. What’s more, LG Radio+ will also be available to access through the My button on xboom speakers in 2025.

LG continues to elevate the user experience with a broad range of content and an intuitive user interface, making it effortless to explore and enjoy audio entertainment. To learn more about how LG is enhancing the audio experience, visit LG Newsroom.

December 21th, 2024: Funskool India Limited, India’s leading toy manufacturer, organized the first-ever India CATAN National championship at Dublin Square, Phoenix Market City, Mumbai recently.

Shobhit Kasera from Kolkata emerged as the India CATAN National Champion. He will represent India at the CATAN World Championship to be held in Stuttgart, Germany from April 4th to 6th, 2025. Shobhit Kasera, when asked about his experience said, “I absolutely love playing CATAN, and my journey with it has been nothing short of amazing! Winning the competition in India was a dream come true, and playing in Bombay was such a blast—the organizers Funskool did an incredible job making it a truly memorable experience.”

The India CATAN National championship followed a series of qualifying tournaments held in four locations – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Funskool in association with Meeplecon, India’s largest board games convention, hosted the India CATAN National Championship in Mumbai. Players from different parts of India participated in the competition.

CATAN is the powerful, universal story of the quest to explore the world, to discover, trade and build. Rooted in strategy and exploration, it’s all about mastering the variable landscapes and making the right moves to build and thrive.

Funskool under license from Asmodee International manufactures and distributes the globally acclaimed board game CATAN in India. Since its launch, CATAN has received an overwhelmingly positive response from Indian audiences, marking a significant milestone in the board game landscape of the country. This partnership aims to bring the joy of strategic gaming to an even wider audience in India. The toy major is nurturing associations with international brands for an impressive growth trajectory. Funskool India is seen as a perfect partner by international toy manufacturers to manufacture their iconic games in the BIS certified Funskool factories.