Archives January 2025

Hyderabad, 24th January 2025: The research teams at LV Prasad Eye Institute under the Centre for Ocular Regeneration (CORE) at the Brien Holden Research Centre, organized the second edition of the ‘Future is Here’. The conference brought together over 200 participants ranging from basic scientists, graduate students, engineers to ophthalmologists from 31 institutes over the four days, marking the confluence of a young and interesting set of teams coalescing around research ideas and practices on the frontiers of ophthalmology. Participants came from USA, Germany, Australia, and the IITs, CSIRs, and central universities across India for the conference. With a focus on animal models; in vitro diseases models; cell, gene, and stem cell therapies; biomaterials; and diagnostics; the event also discussed funding and collaboration activities for these research areas.

“The conference has brought together some of the brightest minds working on ocular regeneration and ancillary technologies from around the world,” said Dr Vivek Singh, Senior Scientist and Head, Center for Ocular Regeneration, LVPEI and one of the key organisers of the Future is Here II conference. “The research showcased, and the ideas discussed at this event will set the pace for the future.”

The second edition of the ‘Future is Here’ conference began with sessions discussing the funding, collaborations, and translational roadmap for research. Dr. Kapil Bharthi, Senior Investigator and Head of the Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section at the National Eye Institute (NEI), USA and Dr. Stefan Schräder, Director of the University Clinic for Ophthalmology at the Pius-Hospital Oldenburg, Germany, shared insights on the funding prospects in their countries for Indian researchers. LVPEI alumni, Dr. Virender Sangwan (Consultant, Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi) and Dr. Geeta Vemuganti (Dean of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad) emphasized the pivotal role that collaborations played in shaping their successful research careers.

At the forefront of CRISPR-based gene editing technologies in India is Dr Debojyoti Chakraborty, head of RNA Biology Lab at CSIR – Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi showcased collaborators from across medical contexts who have benefited from his lab’s work on CRISPR, and this includes eye care. Teams from the Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru and LVPEI discussed the headway they are marking despite the regulatory and translatory challenges of CRISPR-powered stem cell research.

The sessions were interspersed by poster presentations by PhD students, allowing them to showcase their work and receive feedback from their peers. 9 best poster awards were given out at the end of the conference.

Singapore (24th January 2025) : Lighthouse Canton, a global investment institution headquartered in Singapore, announces its fourth consecutive recognition at the esteemed Asian Private Banker 14th Awards for Distinction 2024. The institution received the title of “Best Independent Wealth Manager – Singapore” and earned a “Highly Commended” recognition in the “Independent Wealth Manager – India” category. The APB Awards, recognized as the industry gold standard since 2011, celebrates top performers in private banking, wealth management, and family offices across the Asia Pacific and connected regions.

2024 was a transformative year for Lighthouse Canton. The institution made significant strides in strengthening its global leadership teams and enhancing its financial services offerings. It made strategic appointments in London and Singapore, expanding its client coverage across North Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe, further bolstering capabilities and offerings for UHNWI and institutional clients. On the back of these appointments, the institution also actively enhanced its operations and headcount globally, demonstrating its commitment to regional expansion and regulatory compliance. Additionally, investments in technology and infrastructure have improved operational efficiency and client experiences. These achievements collectively underscore the institution’s forward-looking approach and dedication to delivering value across its global ecosystem.

“I am incredibly proud to see Lighthouse Canton recognized again at the Asian Private Banker Awards. These accolades reflect our relentless drive to push boundaries and redefine the wealth management landscape,” said Shilpi Chowdhary, Group CEO of Lighthouse Canton. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without our exceptional team, whose dedication to excellence drives our success. A heartfelt thank you to Asian Private Banker, our clients, and partners for their trust and support”

Sumegh Bhatia, MD and CEO of Lighthouse Canton India, shared: “It is an honor to see Lighthouse Canton India recognized for the second consecutive year at the Asian Private Banker Awards. Over the last five years, we have built a strong foundation in India, and this recognition is a testament to the impact we have created in the region.”

The awards mark four consecutive years of industry recognition for Lighthouse Canton at the Asian Private Banker Awards. The company received the “Best Independent Wealth Manager – Asia Pacific” title and was similarly recognized as “Highly Commended Independent Wealth Manager – India in the 2023 awards. These achievements build on earlier wins, including the “Best Independent Wealth Manager – Asia Pacific” title in 2022 and victories in “Best Independent Wealth Manager – Wealth Planning Services” and “Best Independent Wealth Manager – Investment Advisory” categories in 2021.

Operating from key global financial hubs including Singapore, India, the UAE, and the UK, Lighthouse Canton manages nearly USD 4 billion in assets and advisory. Its innovative approach is powered by proprietary platforms, advanced analytics, and integrated solutions, ensuring clients benefit from seamless access to global investment opportunities. The institution operates across two primary business verticals- Wealth Management serves individuals, family offices, and institutional investors, providing them with tailored investment advisory, portfolio management, treasury, business & family office solutions. Its Asset Management business works with international institutional investors and comprises strong internal product capabilities in hedge funds, private equity, and traditional fundamental analysis. It manages several in-house funds investing through multiple strategies in real estate private equity, venture capital, venture debt, direct lending, public equities, and global macros.

As Lighthouse Canton continues its journey of growth and success, it remains firmly committed to its three foundational pillars: investment acumen, which drives innovative and tailored client solutions; people excellence, ensuring a world-class team that delivers exceptional service; and digital agility, leveraging advanced technology to create seamless, data-driven investment experiences. These pillars form the bedrock of Lighthouse Canton’s vision to transform the future of wealth and asset management while delivering value through innovative investment solutions.

Chennai, January 23, 2025 — Amber Connect, a global leader in vehicle tracking and telematics solutions headquartered in Jamaica, plans to open a 4000-seat office in Coimbatore. This innovation center will build vehicle telematics software that will be exported worldwide. The construction of the office is currently underway, with the company planning to open it by the end of 2025.

Hiring for the new innovation center will take place in a phased manner. Amber Connect plans to onboard 1,000 people over the next 2 years for various roles including technology development, sales, and customer support needed to expand operations across the country. Currently, Amber Connect’s office in Coimbatore comprises 1,200 skilled professionals across various roles including product development, software engineering, operational support, sales, logistics, demand generation, data science, and AI expertise. The team in India has been instrumental in building Amber Connect’s innovative solutions popular in key markets around the globe, and is the foundation for its expansion in India.

India is an important market for Amber Connect, which aims to increase its market share in the country by partnering with leading automotive OEMs, and distributors to enable advanced telematics and fleet management solutions into vehicle offerings. Through these partnerships, Amber Connect will focus on offering seamless vehicle tracking, AI-powered analytics, and enhanced security features which will drive significant value for Indian consumers and businesses.

“India’s increased digitization, rapid growth and the rise in adoption of premium technology solutions make it the right market for Amber’s Connect’s advanced telematics solutions. With a dynamic automotive ecosystem and progressive regulations like AIS-140 compliance, the demand for intelligent fleet and vehicle management solutions is growing in India and Amber Connect is excited to contribute to this smarter, safer, and more connected future,” said Dushyant Savadia, Founder & CEO, Amber Group, “Amber Connect chose a tier-2 city like Coimbatore to expand operations owing to its rich engineering talent. For us, India’s tier-2 markets are a reflection of the country’s potential growth, which makes it the ideal choice for us to open a new innovation center.”

Nation-wide expansion and growth in India

Amber Connect has set a revenue target of Rs 100 crore in India and Rs 500 crore globally over the next 2 years. The company aims to install its telematics solution on over 200,000 vehicles over the next two years. With strong and significant global growth, Amber Connect is driving a huge part of its revenue from Africa, the Caribbean, East Asia, West Asia and North America. After establishing its presence globally, the company is entering India with vast experience in economies of scale. Its expertise and growing focus on telematics and fleet management make it the ideal contributor to the rapidly growing Indian market.

A strong foothold in the Indian market will enhance Amber Connect’s revenue and market valuation, which will be a strategic advantage for a successful IPO.

The journey comes a full circle

From a disrupted teen to a technology disrupter! From being abused to becoming an alcoholic, from an angry person to a meditation teacher at the Art of Living Foundation, to being the Founder & CEO of Amber Group — Dushyant Savadia’s journey is one of resilience and success.

Amber Connect began in 2015 with the goal of fulfilling Dushyant Savadia’s philanthropic goals. As a part of the humanitarian envoy for the Art of Living Foundation led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Dushyant was sent to the Caribbean to teach Art of Living workshops with a purpose to reduce crime and stress in the region.

Dushyant’s commitment to philanthropy was driven by his transformation at Art of Living, when he entered the foundation as a troubled youth. He went on to carry out philanthropic activities for the foundation in India and Europe, after which he was sent to the Caribbean. When the funding for his charitable works dwindled, Dushyant started Amber Connect which later became a large technology conglomerate of 13 businesses known as Amber Group — all to sustain his philanthropic enterprise.

The company’s first product, Amber Connect, identified a major gap in vehicle security and developed the world’s most powerful AI-powered solutions for fleet management and consumer vehicle tracking. Since its inception, Amber Connect has expanded its operation to 100 countries.

“India holds a special place in Amber Connect’s journey. Hailing from Gujrat, I grew up in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha and India is deeply tied to our existing Coimbatore-based development team, whose brilliance has been the foundation of our innovation. Entering the Indian market on a large scale feels like a heartfelt homecoming, as we’re bringing our expertise back to where it all began,” Dushyant Savadia, added.

MUMBAI, India – January 23, 2025 – Today, Prime Video released ten first-look images for The Wheel of Time’s upcoming third season, which will debut globally on March 13, 2025. This release is part of #WOTWednesdays, a fan-favorite weekly reveal of series news and assets leading up to the season premiere. The Wheel of Time is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios, and is based on Robert Jordan’s best-selling and epic fantasy book series of the same name.

In The Wheel of Time, a humble farm boy, Rand al’Thor, learns he is The Dragon Reborn—a dangerous figure from history destined to save the world … or break it. The Wheel of Time turns, and the Last Battle approaches.

After defeating Ishamael, one of the most powerful of the Forsaken, at the end of Season Two, Rand reunites with his friends in the city of Falme and is declared the Dragon Reborn. But in Season Three, the threats against the Light are multiplying: the White Tower stands divided, the Black Ajah run free, old enemies return to the Two Rivers, and the remaining Forsaken are in hot pursuit of the Dragon… including Lanfear, whose relationship with Rand will mark a crucial choice between Light and Dark for them both. As the ties to his past begin to unravel, and his corrupted power grows stronger, Rand becomes increasingly unrecognizable to his closest allies, Moiraine and Egwene. These powerful women, who started the series as teacher and student, must now work together to prevent the Dragon from turning to the Dark…no matter the cost.

The Wheel of Time series on Prime Video has solidified its place as a monumental success for the platform. Based on Robert Jordan’s beloved and epic fantasy book series, the show weaves a tale of magic, destiny, and adventure that has captured the imagination of fans worldwide. In 2021, Season One launched as the biggest original series debut in Prime Video history at the time, excelling in both reach and subscriber acquisition. It continues to remain among the top three series debuts of all time on Prime Video behind The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Fallout. Overall, the show has generated more than 100 million viewers worldwide to-date. Additionally, both Seasons One and Two are Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, further cementing the show’s critical acclaim. The Wheel of Time serves as a cornerstone of Amazon MGM Studios’ suite of successful, high-quality tentpole fantasy series, and together, these series underscore the studio’s leadership in delivering premium storytelling to a global audience.

The Wheel of Time stars Rosamund Pike (Saltburn, Gone Girl) as Moiraine Damodred, Daniel Henney (Criminal Minds) as al’Lan Mandragoran, Josha Stradowski (Gran Turismo) as Rand al’Thor, Zoë Robins (Power Rangers Ninja Steel) as Nynaeve al’Meara, Madeleine Madden (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) as Egwene al’Vere, Marcus Rutherford (Obey) as Perrin Aybara, Dónal Finn (Rogue Heroes) as Mat Cauthon, Ceara Coveney (Young Wallander) as Elayne Trakand, Kate Fleetwood (Harlots) as Leandrin Guirale, Natasha O’Keeffe (Peaky Blinders) as Lanfear, Ayoola Smart (Killing Eve) as Aviendha, Kae Alexander (Game of Thrones) as Min Farshaw, Sophie Okenedo (Hotel Rwanda, Slow Horses) as Siuan Sanche, and Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Saddam, The Penguin) as Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan.

The Wheel of Time was adapted for television by executive producer and showrunner Rafe Judkins (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Hemlock Grove). Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon of iwot productions (Winter Dragon), Ted Field of Radar Pictures (Jumanji: The Next Level, Winter Dragon), Mike Weber (Jumanji: The Next Level, Beirut), Marigo Kehoe (Outlander, The Crown), Ciaran Donnelly (Kin), Justine Juel Gillmer (The Survivor, Halo), Dave Hill (Game of Thrones) and Rosamund Pike (Saltburn, Gone Girl) also serve as executive producers. The Wheel of Time is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios.

New Delhi, January 23, 2025: ZEISS, a global leader in optics and optoelectronics, recently hosted the Wildlife Conservation Summit 2025 at the India International Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. This prestigious evening event brought together some of the most influential names in India’s wildlife and nature conservation community for an evening of recognition, insightful dialogues, and collaboration.

The Summit, a marquee gathering of the year, celebrated the invaluable efforts of scientists, researchers, and influencers dedicated to preserving and nurturing the natural world. ZEISS India reaffirmed its commitment to wildlife conservation by providing a platform to foster connections and honor these trailblazers.

The summit brought together over 80+ distinguished figures from India’s wildlife community, including scientists, researchers, forest officers and ZEISS Ambassadors. Participants hailed from esteemed institutions such as the Wildlife Institute of India, WWF India, Wildlife Trust of India, and Corbett Tiger Reserve. This gathering served as a landmark event, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing in wildlife conservation.

This was followed by a special award ceremony recognizing 25 outstanding contributors to wildlife conservation in India. These individuals were celebrated for their tireless dedication and innovative approaches to preserving biodiversity.

Present at the event, Mr. Chris Howard, Regional Head of Sports Optics & Mobile Imaging, ZEISS Group (UK, IE, Southern Europe, ANZ, RSA, SEA, SAARC, LATAM, MENA) said, “At ZEISS, we are deeply committed to empowering the wildlife conservation community with cutting-edge optical technology that enhances observation and research efforts. The Wildlife Conservation Summit is our way of celebrating the extraordinary individuals who dedicate their lives to preserving biodiversity and inspiring meaningful action for a sustainable future.”

Mr. Kunal Girotra, Regional Head, Photonics and Optics Division, ZEISS India added, “The Wildlife Conservation Summit 2025 is a platform to celebrate the tireless efforts and achievements of nature enthusiasts, scientists and government as well as private institutes who continuously inspire a collective commitment to preserving our planet’s biodiversity. At ZEISS we continue to work with these inspirational minds to increase an individual’s capacity for exploration. We remain committed to providing an unmatched viewing experience and enable the consumers to connect with nature.”

Adding to the significance of the event, Mr. Miguel Gonzalez Diaz, Managing Director, ZEISS India, and Ms. Petra Kregelius-Schmidt, Global Partnership Manager ZEISS Nature, Nature Conservation Ambassador were also present. ZEISS Sport Optics is a pioneering division at ZEISS which combines the brand’s knowledge of optics & precision to provide exceptional clarity and reliability. It offers unmatched performance for both professionals and enthusiasts with high-precision binoculars, spotting scopes and smart phone camera lenses.

Hosur, Tamil Nadu, 23rd January 2025: The Maharishi Institute of Creative Intelligence (MICI), a newly established centre of knowledge and personal growth, is delighted to announce its three-day residential course, “Maharishi’s Insights into Vedic Science,” to be held from February 7th to 9th, 2025. This transformative program offers participants a unique opportunity to explore the profound wisdom of the Vedas under the guidance of Dr. Girish Momaya, an internationally renowned Vedic scholar and the director of Maharishi European Research University (MERU).

Dr. Momaya, celebrated for his expertise in Vedic philosophy, Maharishi Ayurveda, and the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, brings decades of experience to this enriching course. Known for his ability to demystify complex Vedic principles, Dr. Momaya will illuminate timeless insights, demonstrating their relevance to modern living. Participants will delve into the key tenets of Vedic science, with a special emphasis on their practical applications for personal well-being and balance. Highlights of the program include exploring the subtleties of Maharishi’s teachings, gaining a holistic perspective on health through Maharishi Ayurveda, and discovering ways to foster harmony in everyday life.

The course will take place at MICI’s state-of-the-art, Vastu-compliant facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, located just a two-hour drive from Bangalore. Nestled in serene surroundings, this tranquil environment is designed to align with natural principles of harmony, offering an ideal setting for deep learning and self-reflection.

The course coordinator, Mr. Aalok Shrivastava, will oversee the program’s smooth execution, ensuring a fulfilling experience for all participants. Participants will also have a chance to discuss with Aalok their experiences of meditation and gain from his expertise as a teacher of advanced meditation programs and the TM-Sidhi Program.

The three-day course will run from February 7th to 9th, 2025, at the Maharishi Institute of Creative Intelligence International Course Facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

Mrs. Aditi Shrivastava, Senior Teacher at Transcendental Meditation and Academic Advisor at MUIT, shared her thoughts on the upcoming event “This course is a remarkable opportunity for individuals to deepen their understanding of Vedic knowledge and experience the transformative wisdom of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Through practical insights into Vedic science and holistic health, participants will gain the tools to lead a more harmonious and balanced life, fostering personal growth and collective well-being.

Sony Entertainment Television’s homegrown format, India’s Best Dancer vs Super Dancer: Champions Ka Tashan is a high-energy dance competition hosted by Haarsh Limbachiyaa. The show pits two talented teams against each other, with Malaika Arora leading Team IBD and Geeta Kapur leading Team SD with ace choreographer/ director Remo D’Souza at the helm as Judge for the show.

This week, IBD vs SD: Champions Ka Tashan is celebrating India on its 76th Republic Day. Your favourite stars from Celebrity MasterChef, which premieres on Sony Entertainment Television on 27th January at 8PM, come to support their favourite teams. Team Super Dancer—Anuradha and Tejas—give a tribute to India’s iconic Bollywood superstar – King Khan.

Geeta Ma says, “Every girl expects that if it’s romance, it must be like Shah Rukh’s Khan romance. Every girl wants that boy to be like that. And every mother wants their son to be like him,” she adds. She believes Shah Rukh Khan has made a huge impact on the country, world, and the industry.

Malaika also shows her love for SRK and says, “No matter where you go, everyone knows Shah Rukh Khan. For me, he is the epitome of romance.”

Remo added, saying, “To praise SRK, we’d need 2-3 seasons of OTT. But all I want to say is, Shah Rukh Sir, we all love you.”

Kochi, India – 22.01.2025: The India-Africa Trade Council successfully hosted the India-Sierra Leone Trade Conference in Kochi, bringing together key stakeholders from the South Indian business community. The event marked a significant step in advancing bilateral trade relations and fostering new economic opportunities between the two nations.

Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the Indian Economic Trade Organization, extended a warm welcome to H.E. Rashid Sesay, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to India, who was accompanied by a diplomatic delegation, including the Information Attaché from the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Abu Dhabi. Addressing the gathering, the High Commissioner emphasized Sierra Leone’s potential as a strategic trade partner, highlighting key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT development, and industrial growth. He acknowledged the enduring friendship between India and Sierra Leone and expressed appreciation for India’s continued support in Sierra Leone’s development journey, stressing the mutual benefits of strengthening economic cooperation. Speaking at the conference, Dr. Asif Iqbal remarked, “This trade conference is a significant step in realizing the untapped potential of economic collaboration between India and Sierra Leone. We believe this partnership will lead to new opportunities for businesses in both countries.”

During the event, C Krishna Shankar, Chairman and Managing Director of Finovest Group, was officially appointed as the Trade Commissioner for Sierra Leone to India. In his acceptance speech, Shankar commented, “ Strengthening the trade ties between India and Sierra Leone would be the primary focus. Our upcoming business delegation from Kerala and Chennai in May 2025 will focus on exploring key sectors like mining, tourism, poultry, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure development. This visit is a pivotal opportunity to unlock new investment avenues, foster partnerships in agriculture and healthcare, and pave the way for deeper economic engagement between our two regions.”

The conference underscored India’s expanding role in Sierra Leone’s economy. In the fiscal year 2019-20, bilateral trade reached US$139.86 million, marking a 12.80% growth, with India ranking among Sierra Leone’s top five trading partners. India’s key exports to Sierra Leone include pharmaceuticals, plastics, non-basmati rice, and industrial machinery, while imports from Sierra Leone, such as ferrous waste, wood pulp, and titanium ores, witnessed a 108.86% increase over the previous year.

New Delhi, 23 January 2025 – LG Electronics India Limited announced the launch of its new Soundbars – the LG S95TR and LG S90TY with Wireless Dolby Atmos® and true wireless rear surround speakers. Designed to improve home entertainment with good sound quality, innovative features, and a sleek, modern design, these models offer a synergy with LG TVs, ensuring an improved cinematic and audio experience.

LG’s S95TR Soundbar has 810W of power output, and this flagship model contains 17 precisely arranged speakers, orchestrating an enveloping surround sound experience. Its acoustic brilliance elevates the three-dimensional soundscape, broadening the horizon of the soundstage while delivering crystal-clear dialogue.

Commenting on the launch Brian Jung, Director, Home Entertainment LG Electronics India said, “The introduction of our flagship soundbars marks a significant step in our commitment to delivering technology that improves home entertainment for our customers. These soundbars are designed to offer an immersive audio experience with features such as center-up-firing speaker, 3D Spatial Sound Technology, and wireless connectivity with LG TVs. We have combined performance with innovations to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers.”

Key features

The LG S95TR features 9.1.5 channels with 5 up-firing speakers upgraded tweeters and integration of passive radiators. With this, the Soundbar pushes the low-frequency response down to an earthy 120Hz for balanced sound, and refined tweeters ensure that the highest frequencies are delivered with clarity for an improved audio experience. WOWCAST enables the Soundbar to connect wirelessly to select LG TVs, making the enjoyment of cinematic technologies like wireless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X®2 easier. LG’s WOW Interface provides an intuitive and user- friendly way of navigating through LG TV sound settings and, with the press of a button, utilizing LG’s WOW Orchestra technology. This alliance between the Soundbar and select LG TV orchestrates a fusion of audio channels, expanding the soundstage and adding layers of depth that improves the auditory imagery. LG’s 3D Spatial Sound Technology applies channel analysis through a 3D engine to captivate listeners with lifelike sound and an immersive sense of space. In addition, LG AI Room Calibration assesses the room’s environment and fine-tunes the settings to enhance the audio in harmony with the room’s acoustics. The AI Room Calibration introduces an extended capability to calibrate the audio of rear surround speakers, improving audio immersion and providing flexibility for installation.

The LG S90TY, on the other hand, offers a 5.1.3 channel setup with a 570W output. While it also features the center up-firing speaker, it does not include the wireless rear surround speakers found in the S95TR.

Nellore: 23rd January, 2025: Adani Skill Development Centre (ASDC), the skilling arm of Adani Foundation, celebrated a significant milestone recently with the culmination of a 90-day training program at Krishnapatnam port. This is the first time that international participants joined ASDC’s maritime training course, which embodies the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — The World is One Family. The batch comprised 10 trainees from Tanzania and 20 students from India, creating a diverse and enriching learning environment.

“The achievements of our Tanzanian trainees exemplify our belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. This initiative reinforces our mission to empower individuals across borders and build a skilled workforce equipped for the challenges of modern maritime industries,” Mr Jatin Trivedi, CEO, ASDC, said.

Launched in October 2024, the port training programs were designed to equip participants with world-class maritime skills. The curriculum is a mix of theoretical and practical modules on industry-grade simulators. The program trains participants in rubber tyred gantry (RTG) crane operations, heavy motor vehicle (HMV) driving and marine engine and mechanical systems (MEMS).

“The training program was more than just learning for us. From mastering RTG cranes to understanding the details of port operations, we’ve gained skills and confidence that will shape our future,” Frank Daud Mgendi, a Tanzanian trainee, said.

Tanzania resident Lameck Rojas Kidasi said this was his first visit to India. “Coming to India and getting a chance to learn and work along with other students was so much fun. I am very excited about future opportunities,” he said.

A certification ceremony for the students was held at the Krishnapatnam facility and Mr Vijay Singh Rathod, dry cargo head at Adani Krishnapatnam Port Limited (AKPL), was the chief guest for the event. Mr Koushal Singh, head of safety and environment, AKPL, and Mr Siddharth, head of marketing, AKPL, were the guests of honour.

ASDC’s Krishnapatnam facility, spanning over 20 acres and offering 21 simulation-based programs, is a hub of excellence in skilling. Since 2016, ASDC has trained over 1,60,000 youth, with 68% securing sustainable livelihoods, collectively generating an economic impact exceeding Rs 1,400 crore annually.