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Mumbai, 24^th October 2024– Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, Building Business Owners in India, is excited to announce its upcoming series of Management Development Programs (MDPs) meticulously designed empower working professionals with cutting-edge managerial skills & knowledge. Scheduled to run from November 1 to December 22, 2024, these programs aim to boost participant’s careers and contribute to the organization’s growth.

Prof. Ram Kumar Kakani, Director, IIM Raipur, said “As a premier management institution, we at IIM Raipur firmly believe in cultivating forward-thinking leaders dedicated to bringing positive and impactful changes in industry. Hence, our curriculum is a perfect blend of both academic insights and practical exposure. With this series of MDPs we aim to ensure that our participant’s growth aligns well with the rapidly evolving business landscape while fueling their long-term success. I welcome all the aspiring candidates on a career-altering journey with us.”

The courses will encompass a wide range of cutting-edge topics tailored to meet today’s industry demands including Industry 4.0 Management & Execution, Strategic Thinking, and Corporate Communication, Developing Leadership through Theatre performance, and creating Powerful presentations. Additionally, Unlocking Leadership Skills, Negotiation Skills, Finance for Non-Finance Executives: Unlocking Financial Management Skills for Business Success, Effective Marketing, Healthcare Management, Building Core Leadership Competencies are also included.

IIM Raipur is well known for its resolute commitment to academic excellence in management education. The MDPs will focus on key areas of management necessary for market leadership. These programs aim to provide students with practical knowledge, advanced strategies, and contemporary tools to effectively address the challenges of today’s management industry.

India-wide release, 24 October 2024: As storytelling became a staple part of his recipes, Actor and Chef Ranveer Brar is also making globally renowned dishes locally palatable. International chefs and food content creators are also taking cognisance of these innovative recipes. One such take by Ranveer Brar was an eggless French toast, to which Chef Brian Tsao and celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver reacted during the former’s YouTube show Pro Chef.

The video, ‘Chef Ranveer Brar SCHOOLS Jamie Oliver on FRENCH TOAST,’ sparked widespread interest. Chef Brar dove into the finer details of French toast preparation in his calm and composed style. However, the catch was that the French toast he was preparing would be eggless. This unusual decision made Chefs Brian Tsao and Jamie Oliver sceptical but intrigued as it is much easier to go with eggs.

In the video, Chef Brar emphasised key elements such as flavour, technique, and texture, enriching the conversation about the beloved comfort food. He replaced eggs with cream, powdered sugar, melted butter, and flour for binding, offering an expert breakdown of the techniques while comparing them to traditional methods. The two reacting chefs remarked that Chef Brar doesn’t leave any stone unturned and explained his choices in detail.

Likewise, when Chef Brar left the skin of the banana while caramelising it, Chefs Brian and Jamie Oliver noticed how it was clever as the banana then became easier to handle. Chef Jamie Oliver further remarked that it’s a new cheat code he has learnt.

When Brar finally plated and presented the dish, Chef Brian Tsao said, “Taking a classic, putting a spin on it but he’s still keeping it simple and clearly it looks delicious,” while Chef Jamie Oliver added, “It’s not traditional French toast; it’s better.”

The reaction video, an interaction between the three chefs, though indirect, underscores the value of cross-cultural learning in the culinary world. It has stirred discussion among foodies and culinary professionals, highlighting how chefs can blend creativity and tradition in their cooking. It also further highlighted how one can go beyond authenticity to adapt recipes to suit local tastes, bringing a rich cultural perspective and reflecting the global variations of this popular dish.

24 October 2024: The GSMA has elected new members of the GSMA Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning 1 January 2025 through 31 December 2026. The GSMA Board has also elected José María Álvarez-Pallete López, as Chair, and Gopal Vittal as Deputy Chair. As GSMA Chair, Mr Álvarez-Pallete López will oversee the strategic direction of the organisation, which represents the world’s mobile operators and companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.

“I am honored and excited to be re-appointed as Chair. I look forward to another term of working together with our talented team to achieve our goals and continue to make a lasting impact. Together, we will continue to stay at the forefront of trends and make a positive impact in our industry,” said José María Álvarez-Pallete López.

Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA commented; “The industry is going through rapid change, driven by advances in technology, digital transformation, and the rise of AI. It is a very exciting time to be part of this transformation, and I am confident that with the leadership of the Chair and our Board, the GSMA is well-positioned to successfully continue to advocate for our members and achieve our goals”. He added that “we are excited to welcome the new and re-elected Board members, and we thank the outgoing Board members for their outstanding support.”

GSMA Board Members for the 2025-2026 Term

There are 26 members of the GSMA Board. Members include senior representatives from global mobile operators as well as smaller independent operators. The GSMA Board for the 2025-2026 term includes, in alphabetical order:

1. America Movil, Carlos M. Jarque, Executive Director of Corporate, Government and International Relations
2. AT&T, F. Thaddeus Arroyo, Chief Strategy and Development Officer
3. Bharti Airtel, Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
4. BT (EE Ltd.), Allison Kirkby, Group CEO
5. China Mobile, Gao Tongqing, Executive Vice President
6. China Telecom, Li Jun, Executive Vice President
7. China Unicom[1]
8. Deutsche Telekom, Dominique Leroy, Board Member for Europe
9. e&, Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO
10. Ethio Telecom, Frehiwot Tamru, CEO
11. Globe, Ernest Lawrence Cu, President and CEO
12. GSMA, Mats Granryd, Director General
13. KDDI, Makoto Takahashi, Group CEO
14. KT, Young Shub Kim, Group CEO
15. Liberty Global, Mike Fries, CEO
16. MTN, Ralph Mupita, Group President and CEO
17. Orange, Bruno Zerbib, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer
18. Reliance Jio, Mathew Oommen, President and Member of the Board
19. Telecom Argentina, Roberto Nobile, CEO
20. Telefonica, Jose Maria Álvarez-Pallete, Chairman & CEO
21. Telenor, Benedicte Fasmer, President and Group CEO Elect
22. TIM, Pietro Labriola, Group CEO and General Manager
23. Turkcell, Ali Taha Koc, CEO
24. Veon, Kaan Terzioglu, Group CEO & Board member of VEON Group
25. Verizon, Joe Russo, EVP & President of Global Networks and Technology
26. Vodafone, Margherita Della Valle, Group CEO

Federal Bank is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation Scholarships for the academic year 2024-25. This scholarship program, instituted in memory of our Founder, Late Shri K P Hormis, aims to support students pursuing higher education in various fields.

The scholarships are available for students admitted in the first year of the following courses: MBBS, BE/BTech, BSc Nursing, MBA (Full-time) and BSc Agriculture / BSc (Hons) Co-operation & Banking.

Students from the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu are eligible to apply. Applicants must have secured admission under merit in Government/Aided/Government Recognised Self-financing/Autonomous colleges. Additionally, dependent wards of martyred armed forces personnel and students with speech, vision, or hearing impairments are encouraged to apply.

Eligible students can apply through the Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation Scholarship Portal. The application requires the submission of various documents, including admission letters, course fee structures, mark sheets, family income certificates, and more. The last date for submission of online applications is 18th December 2024.

Scholarship Benefits include 100% reimbursement of tuition fees and other educational expenses, subject to a maximum of ₹1 Lakh per year. Additionally, students are eligible for reimbursement for one PC/Laptop/Tablet during their course of study.

New Delhi–October 24, 2024: Cyclone Dana is forming over the Bay of Bengal, with a low-pressure system expected to intensify into a depression by October 24, 2024. This cyclone is projected to bring heavy rainfall to regions such as Odisha, southern West Bengal, and nearby coastal areas, with landfall anticipated between October 24 and 26, and the heaviest rainfall expected around October 24.

To provide critical insights about the movement of the cyclone to authorities and the public at large, Esri India has launched DANA CYCLONE MONITORING APPLICATION today. This application integrates the data coming from IMD weather bulletins, Windy’s dynamic data, and Indo ArcGIS Living Atlas and makes it available in the form of Esri’s live dynamic dashboards. The progress of the cyclone can be tracked using Esri’s configurable dashboards that enable the authorities involved in disaster management efforts to visualize data, communicate information, and analyze real-time data on a single screen.

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, said “Disaster preparedness helps protect lives, property, and livelihoods, while ensuring faster recovery and minimizing long-term impacts. Live data during disasters like Cyclone Dana enable the authorities to make critical decisions, such as where to issue evacuation orders, how to mobilize resources, and more. This ensures more effective monitoring and disaster response, ultimately saving lives and resources. We are keen to support these objectives with the Dana Cyclone Monitoring Application. This app can also be used by the public so that they can be better prepared.”

Bengaluru, 24 October 2024: Bengaluru-based RV University (RVU) has announced that it will accept applications for admission for the next academic year starting in August 2025. RVU has invited prospective students to apply for its 35+ undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by its nine interdisciplinary schools: The School of Business, School of Economics and Public Policy, School of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Design and Innovation, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Film, Media and Creative Arts, School of Law, School of Allied and Healthcare Professions and School for Continuing Education and Professional Studies (SCEPS).

On the occasion, the Chancellor, RV University, Dr. (h.c.) A.V.S. Murthy said, “What sets RV University apart is our pioneering approach to education, particularly evident in our newly launched healthcare and professional studies programmes. These courses represent a significant milestone in specialised education, offering unique opportunities that very few institutions provide. The exclusive nature of these programmes, combined with our industry partnerships and experiential learning approach, positions our students at the forefront of their respective fields. As we open admissions for 2025-26, we are not just offering courses; we are offering pathways to emerging careers with tremendous growth potential.”

The Pro Chancellor, RV University, Mr. D.P. Nagaraj, said, “RV University has witnessed remarkable growth since its inception, evolving from a modest beginning to becoming a comprehensive institution of higher learning. Our student body has grown significantly, now representing diverse backgrounds from across India and abroad. We have expanded from our initial programmes to now offering 35+ specialised UG and PG courses across multiple schools. This growth reflects not just in numbers but in the quality and diversity of our academic offerings. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our founding principles of excellence while embracing innovation in education.”

Prof. (Dr.) Dwarika Prasad Uniyal Vice Chancellor (i/c) said “RV University is preparing the students to thrive in an ever-changing world. We have expanded our offerings with a diverse range of programmes to choose from, encouraging students to discover and explore their passion. This year, RV University has expanded its academic portfolio with two new schools – the School of Allied and Healthcare Professions and the School for Continuing Education and Professional Studies (SCEPS). Our Allied Healthcare programmes, include specialised B.Sc. degree programmes which are designed to meet the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals. These programmes combine current technical training with hands-on clinical experience, preparing students for rewarding careers in the healthcare sector. Additionally, through SCEPS and our MineRVa Centre for Leadership and Executive Learning, we are revolutionising professional education by offering Executive MBA programmes that enable working professionals to enhance their careers while maintaining their current positions.”

Professor Uniyal further said, “RV University strives for excellence in teaching, research, capacity building and community engagement. Our innovative approach to education, combining academic excellence with practical industry exposure, ensures that our students are well-equipped to meet the challenges of their chosen field. RVU is strongly committed to providing a vibrant learning environment for its students. Our national and international collaborations seek to enhance learning opportunities for our students.”.

Candidates can apply through the online application form available on the University’s website https://admissions.rvu.edu.in/. The eligibility criterion for the undergraduate programme is a 10+2 or equivalent completion certificate from CBSE, ISC, IB, Cambridge, State Boards and other Government-recognized boards. The selection will be based on the applicant’s performance in RVU’s selection process. RVU offers merit scholarships to deserving students.

In 2024, RVU allocated Rs. five crore for merit scholarships which benefited over 550 students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. The University will continue its commitment to continuously improve its scholarship offerings, thereby supporting the academic dreams of high-performing students.

The aspiration of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences is ‘educate to excel’. The pedagogy is structured to enable the learners to successfully navigate complex realities. To enable this, RV University offer a four-year Bachelor of Liberal Arts (B.L.A.) in Environmental Science, Psychology, Philosophy, India Studies and Politics and International Relations with an exit option at the end of the third year with B.Sc. in Environmental Science/Psychology or B.A. in India Studies/Philosophy/ Politics and International Relations.

The School of Design and Innovation aims to ‘redefine design education’. It offers a four-year B.Des. degree with five specialisations to choose from – User Experience, Interior Environments, Communication and New Media, Product and Transdisciplinary Contexts. It also offers a two-year M.Des. degree with specialization in User Experience and Design Futures (Research-based). In addition, the school has a postgraduate diploma in Design Journalism. It incorporates the best methodologies from various pedagogical models and creates an environment where knowledge creation, knowledge dissemination and knowledge application co-exist and inspire each other.

The School of Computer Science and Engineering offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Keeping in line with the School’s motto, ‘Where ideas ignite minds’, it is focused on imparting 21st century skills through experiential, holistic learning rather than exam-oriented learning. The programmes offered are four-year B.Tech. (Hons.) Computer Science and Engineering, B.Sc. (Hons.) with Major in Computer Science/ Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning/ Data Science and B.C.A (Hons.)

School offers specialisations in AI, Machine Learning and Data Science, Full Stack Application Development in Cloud, High Performance Computing, Metaverse, AR/VR and Gaming, Networks, IoT and Cybersecurity.

The School of Economics and Public Policy emphasises on introspecting, analysing and solving, and offers both UG and PG programmes in the field of economics. Students pursuing undergraduate programmes can opt for a B.Sc Economics with data sciences/development studies/public policy analysis whereas the postgraduate students can choose for an M.Sc Economics with development studies/decision sciences/finance.

The School of Business aims at developing thought leaders with ‘original thinking, doing and innovating capabilities’. The School offers four-year regular UG programmes – B.B.A. (Hons.), B.Com (Hons.) with exit option after the third year. The three streams of BBA (Hons.) degrees are – BBA (hons) Regular, Digital Marketing and Professional (ACCA with 9 paper exemption). The specialisation or career tracks in B.B.A. (Hons.) include business analytics | entrepreneurship | finance | human resource management and marketing. The three streams of B.Com. (Hons.) degrees are B.Com. (Hons.)- Regular, Capital Market, Professional (CMA / ACCA with 9 paper exemption). The career tracks of B.Com. programme are in finance and accounting | banking and insurance | wealth management.

Postgraduate programmes

MBA Regular degree programme offers specialisation in business analytics | entrepreneurship | finance | human resource management and marketing.

MBA – Global Financial Markets is a super specialisation in Finance, Investment Management and Financial Markets. Industry Integration, International career opportunities and Professional certifications are the integral benefits of the programmes. School also offer a super specialised MBA in Data Science and AI

The School of Law believes in ‘Transforming legal education’ and offers a wide range of programmes to choose from. It offers five-year integrated B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) programmes at the undergraduate level along with a B.Sc. (Hons.) (Criminology, Cyber Law and Forensic Sciences). In addition, it runs two PG programmes – general LL.M. or LL.M. with specialisation in intellectual property and Technology Law. These programmes are fully compliant with the regulations outlined by the Bar Council of India for legal education.

‘Create what you dream’ is the motto of the newly instituted School of Film, Media and Creative Arts. It offers several UG programmes – a three-year programme in B.A. Acting (Film, TV and OTT) and four-year programmes in B.A. (Hons.) (Media Studies), B.Sc. (Hons.) (Animation and Visual Effects) and B.Sc. (Hons.) (Filmmaking). It also offers a one-year PG Diploma in Film Criticism and Curation as well as M.A. (Film, Media and Cultural Studies) programme. The uniqueness of these programs is that they come with a liberal and creative arts foundation, which is a first among film and media schools in India. The school aims to prepare students for existing and emerging careers in Filmmaking, New Media, OTT, and the creative industries, along with training in entertainment industry research.

School of Allied and Healthcare Professions (SoAHP) offers various courses like B.Sc Medical Imaging Technology (MIT), B.Sc Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), B.Sc Anesthasia and Operation Theatre Technology (OTT), B.Sc Cardiac Care Technology. SoAHP offers a combined degree that emphasises academic excellence alongside hands-on experience. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to prepare students to become exceptional medical professionals. They will apply their knowledge to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of diseases across individuals of all ages and specialisations.

The School for Continuing Education and Professional Studies is formed to facilitate various professional executive education programmes in various domains. The programmes under SCEPS are designed to empower working professionals seeking to elevate their careers through innovative and transformative learning experiences. The school would offer high-quality flexible Executive MBA for working professionals.

October 24, 2024: SOMANY Ceramics Ltd., a leading name in the ceramic industry, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD) on October 23rd for an innovative project titled “Transforming Broken Tiles into Trendsetting Style.” This initiative aims to promote the recycling of waste tiles into captivating pieces of art and murals, fostering a culture of sustainability while addressing waste reduction.

Ten talented architecture students showcased their art and technical expertise by repurposing discarded tiles into breathtaking works of art, exemplifying their commitment to sustainability and innovation. The students created stunning murals based on a seasonal theme, transforming what was once considered waste into an amazing display of creativity.

Anshuman Chakravarty, Head of Marketing at Somany Ceramics, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to witness such passion for recycling and sustainability among India’s future architects. At Somany Ceramics, sustainability is integral to our innovations. Our entire production of tile adhesives, for example, is sourced from recycled waste tiles. As responsible citizens, it is vital for us to raise awareness about reducing construction waste and promoting recycling. We extend our gratitude to the students and faculty of IIAD for joining us in this initiative, which beautifully combines artistic creativity with environmental stewardship.“

Prof. Usha Nehru Patel Director -Academics – at IIAD remarked, “The collaboration with Somany Ceramics Ltd. on this art installation project provided students with a unique opportunity to apply their design skills in a real-world context. Through this tile art project, students gained hands-on experience in sustainable design practices while making a positive impact on the environment.”

The SOMANY Ceramics and IIAD collaboration stands as a powerful testament to the role of partnerships in driving positive change. By harnessing the creativity and innovation of students, the initiative aimed to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and inspire future generations to become responsible stewards of the environment.

New Delhi, October 24, 2024 – Tenable, the exposure management company, has disclosed that its Tenable Cloud Security Research team has discovered a medium-severity Server Message Block (SMB) force-authentication vulnerability that exists in all versions of Open Policy Agent (OPA) for Windows prior to v0.68.0. OPA is one of the most widely used policy engines built on open-source software.

The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-8260, exists because of improper input validation, allowing users to pass an arbitrary SMB share instead of a Rego file as an argument to OPA CLI or one of the OPA Go library’s functions. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorised access by leaking the Net-NTLMv2 hash – or in lay terms, the credentials – of the user currently logged into the Windows device running the OPA application. Post-exploitation, the attacker could relay authentication to other systems that support NTLMv2 or perform offline cracking to extract the password.

Why It Matters:
Open-source software offers organizations of all sizes the ability to accelerate innovation and software development at little to no cost. However, relying on open-source software to build enterprise-scale applications does carry risk. Two prime examples of this issue are the Log4Shell vulnerability disclosed in December 2021 and the XZ Utils backdoor disclosed earlier this year.

Key Takeaway:
“As open-source projects become integrated into widespread solutions, it is crucial to ensure they are secure and do not expose vendors and their customers to an increased attack surface,” said Ari Eitan, director of Tenable Cloud Security Research, “This vulnerability discovery underscores the need for collaboration between security and engineering teams to mitigate such risks.”

With an inventory of installed software and a robust patch management process, organizations can ensure that vulnerable software on critical systems is updated as soon as a patch becomes available. Proactively managing exposure using a unified asset inventory allows teams to gain a holistic view of their environment and risks, enabling them to prioritise remediation efforts effectively. Additionally, organisations must minimise the public exposure of services unless absolutely necessary to protect their systems.

Styra fixed the issue in the latest release of OPA (v0.68.0). All older instances of OPA v0.68.0 running on Windows are vulnerable and should be patched to prevent exploitation. Organisations that deploy the OPA CLI or the OPA Go package on Windows should update to the latest version.

24 October 2024, New Delhi, India: Metro Brands Ltd. debuted its first Foot Locker India store at Nexus Select City Walk, Saket, New Delhi and Nykaa launched the Foot Locker India ecommerce sites on www.footlocker.co.in and the Nykaa Fashion platform. Foot Locker, a global leader in sneaker culture renowned for its curated selection of the latest sneaker trends and strong community connections, was introduced via an exclusive preview event held on 18th October for the city’s fashion forwards and sneaker enthusiasts. The store opens the doors for customers on 19th October with exclusive giveaways and customization experiences. Marking its entry into the Indian market through exclusive licenses with Metro Brands Limited and Nykaa Fashion, Foot Locker India is committed to offering global sneaker drops, premium apparel, and accessories.

Commenting on the launch, Alisha Malik, President, Metro Brands Limited said, “The response to Foot Locker’s launch in India has been incredibly exciting. Our focus has always been on meeting the evolving needs of the Indian consumer and creating a space where they can shop for globally aspirational products in a multi-brand environment. The overwhelmingly positive reception confirms that we are on the right path. We’re excited to elevate the sneaker culture in India – Game on!”.

Commenting on the launch, Adwaita Nayar, co-founder Nykaa and CEO Nykaa Fashion, “As Foot Locker makes its official debut in India, Nykaa Fashion is thrilled to empower all the sneaker lovers out there with unparalleled access through our advanced digital platforms. This partnership isn’t just about bringing a top global brand to India, it is about shaping the future of sneaker culture here by ensuring every enthusiast, right from metropolitan hubs to emerging markets, can access the latest trends and diverse collection with ease. This launch marks a significant stride in our mission to make global sneaker culture a cornerstone of Indian fashion, fostering a new era of digital-first retail experiences.”

At Foot Locker India’s launch event, different brands hosted immersive and interactive activities, including, one of its kind art customizations and interactive photo-op by adidas Originals, Nail Art by FILA, Daruma Doll live painting & fun photo-booth by Asics, and Digi-Basketball engagement & Nike Music Stage takeover ft. Fotty Seven and Ma Faiza, and New Balance DJ takeover ft. DJ Nina. This event also witnessed the PUMA India launch of the new drops by Fenty by Rihanna collection and a charm-customization zone.

New Delhi, 24 October 2024 – Youngun, the creative marketing agency known for curating campaigns that spark conversation across the internet, is excited to announce its expansion into video production services including ideation, scripting, onboarding talent and end to end production. This strategic move will allow Youngun to enhance its toolkit, offering a comprehensive suite of end-to-end production services while staying true to its core mission of generating engaging and organic content.

Founded on the principles of creativity and virality, Youngun has focused on producing social media-first content for brands. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Youngun recognizes the importance of video formats in driving engagement and organic reach.

“Our journey began with memes, and we’ve consistently focused on creating content that resonates with audiences. As we venture into video production, our commitment to executing ideas that compound organically remains unchanged,” said Saksham Jadon, Founder and CEO, Youngun. “This expansion is not just about adding a service but more so about our desire and ability to tell compelling stories through various formats that engage users across platforms.”

Youngun has already co-created multiple video campaigns for major brands such as AJIO (VDayNahiMeDay), and Zepto (Nahi Milega Campaign) and has stepped into end-to-end video production services recently with their latest work for Amazon Prime Video (The Rakhi School Of Reality – The Tribe), and Durex (Saccha Dost Ft. Anu Kapoor). With this move, the agency aims to strengthen its services and produce innovative video content that captures attention and drives conversation. Youngun’s foray into production will empower brands and enable them to connect with audiences in a more dynamic and engaging way. The agency is set to bring its signature creativity and strategic thinking to the forefront of video marketing in the industry.