New Delhi, February 21, 2023: BharatPe Group today announced a new addition to its leadership team with the appointment of Aparna Kuppuswamy as its Chief Risk Officer. A seasoned leader with almost 3 decades of experience in the Consumer Banking Industry with extensive expertise in managing portfolios across all major product lines including credit cards, mortgages, and unsecured personal loans. Aparna will be leading the risk portfolio across the BharatPe Group of companies, including the merchant and consumer businesses. She will be working closely with the CFO and interim CEO, Nalin Negi, to further build a robust lending vertical at BharatPe.

Aparna is one of the highly respected professionals in the banking and financial services industry. Prior to joining BharatPe, Aparna was the Chief Risk Officer at SBI Cards for 14+ years, where she led a number of key projects. Under her able leadership, the company’s portfolio grew by more than 20X. She was also a part of the leadership team that took SBI Cards public. Aparna managed the entire spectrum of risks facing the company in a fast-changing and unpredictable environment. She also defined the risk appetite framework for the company in partnership with frontline business and operational groups as well as working closely with the Risk Management Committee of the Board. She also ensured that Credit, Operational, Fraud, Regulatory, and Information security risks are defined, measured, reported, and monitored closely. Aparna also managed the Technology Risk function through the CISO organization by managing the physical and cyber security policies and practices. She also worked extensively on improving the security architecture and posture of the company. Prior to working with SBI Cards, Aparna was Director, Credit Policy, at Ameriprise Financial. She has also held leadership roles at ABN AMRO Bank and Bank of America. Aparna is a Master’s in Finance & Control from the University of Delhi.

Commenting on the appointment, Nalin Negi, CFO, and interim CEO, BharatPe said, “ At BharatPe, we are committed to addressing the US$ 380bn credit gap for MSMEs and small merchants. In the coming months, we will aggressively focus on building the lending business across Bharat as well as roll out a range of credit products for our merchant partners and consumers. Aparna with her in-depth understanding of all facets of risk strategy, credit policy, and portfolio management, as well as extensive industry and product knowledge, will play a vital role in the next phase of our growth story as well as helping us in becoming IPO ready. Additionally, Aparna’s understanding of the consumer side of financial services will help us build cutting-edge products that are not only relevant but also are risk aversive. Lastly, her expertise in managing technology risk will ensure we build highly secure products for our merchant partners and consumers. On behalf of the leadership team at BharatPe, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Aparna.”

Amit Jain, who is currently the Chief Risk Officer of BharatPe will be working closely with Aparna and will be investing more of his time in collections and underwriting, from a merchant standpoint.

Added Aparna, “BharatPe’s success story in the fintech industry is a case study in itself. In just 4+ years, the company has emerged as one of the biggest flag bearers of digital payments and B2B lending in the country. Today, it has an entrenched network of over 1 crore merchants in 400+ cities. The company has also done phenomenal work in facilitating credit to merchants – with over Rs. 8000 crores worth of loans facilitated to lakhs of merchants across the country. I am really excited to be a part of the promising organization and spearhead the risk and credit strategy for the BharatPe Group of companies. I look forward to working with the team to build new products, that will make a huge impact on millions of unbanked and underserved businesses and play a key role in making India a truly Digital economy.”

New Delhi, India: Travelling and sharing new experiences are among the best ways to draw loved ones closer. Whether planning a trip with your beloved to your favourite beach, setting out on a solo trip to a remote destination or simply checking in to a hotel with a view, consider travelling to one of these must-visit locations to celebrate and experience the true meaning of bonding, serenity, and love.

According to Tarun Tahiliani, India Country Manager, KAYAK, “Travel searches on KAYAK paint an interesting picture in 2023. This year, we’re seeing people excited not only to travel with their partners but also with their friend groups and even by themselves. While couples are excited to visit the most romantic and relaxing destinations like Bali and Maldives, solo travellers are looking forward to adventures in exciting Singapore or Bangkok. Evidently, above all else, people are choosing to embrace their love for travel in 2023!”

The top 10 most searched destinations for couple travel present a variety of domestic and international destinations that are perfect for blissful sojourns. Within India, couples are looking for the perfect mix of romance, seclusion and adventure at beach destinations like Goa, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Kochi. Walking hand-in-hand down the urban locales of New Delhi and Mumbai are also on the Valentine’s Day itineraries for Indian couples. Overseas destinations that Indian travellers are considering include some decidedly dreamy destinations for starry-eyed pairs such as London, Bali, Dubai, Bangkok and the Maldives, where they can revel in some alone-time, admire picturesque backdrops together, or even sneak-in some shopping!

Even if you don’t have a particular someone to travel with this year, Oscar Wilde once said “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” Many people do not consider travelling alone. However, if done correctly, solo excursions can be just as enjoyable.

The top 3 most searched destinations by solo travellers – Kochi, New Delhi, and Goa – indicate an interest in quick domestic getaways that solidify self-love with a variety of experiences. The fast-paced, solo traveller-friendly destinations like Singapore, Bangkok, and Maldives remain preferred destinations for Indian travellers as they look to treat themselves to eclectic cuisines, cutting-edge entertainment, or just a relaxing break.

KAYAK travel tips:

• Use a travel search engine: KAYAK has the tools and filters to help you find great deals, including the Explore feature, which shows destinations by price. Before planning your journey, check the latest travel restrictions in your destination. KAYAK’s travel restrictions map provides real-time updates on COVID-19 restrictions and entry requirements of individual countries.
• Set a price alert: As one of KAYAK’s most popular features, price alerts help travellers save money by alerting them when prices change for a flight or hotel they want. If a flight you’re eyeing drops in price, KAYAK will alert you so they can lock in that new price, instantly saving you both time and money.
• Manage and stay up to date with your travel: KAYAK has built the trips feature on its app and website, that allows users to plan, build and manage their itineraries for travel of any length, in any location. The platform allows users to get real-time updates on any cancellations, stay informed about unexpected changes, delays or gate changes that may arise and even find their luggage on the right conveyor belt after landing at the airport

New Delhi, 20 February, 2023: Undergraduate and postgraduate students from across India can learn the ropes of academic research by signing up for the upcoming ‘Summer Research Internship Program’ at the prestigious Goa Institute of Management.

The purpose of the program is to prepare highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students for research projects under the guidance of GIM faculty members across a variety of fields.

The GIM faculty will train the participating students about the working methodology and processes involved in writing research papers i.e methods, analysis, drawing conclusions, sampling, etc. Students can choose from a variety of subjects like Big Data Analytics, Finance & Accounting, General Management & Economics, Healthcare Management, IT & Operation Management, Marketing, and Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management which are all part of the extensive and intensive curriculum offered by GIM.

GIM-SRIP seeks to advance outstanding students early in their careers by giving them access to a wide range of research experiences and knowledge. The GIM, a research-intensive institution, has experienced faculty who have been a part of multiple international research collaborations with the likes of WHO and Harvard University. The institute’s professors have also won accolades for their research at prominent management conferences in India and abroad.

“The objective of the ‘Summer Research Internship Program is to provide a window to the world of intensive academic research and to familiarise them with the process. The next generation of business leaders need to participate in the overall contribution to the body of knowledge. That is not what has been occurring in the country lately. Grand theories, innovative ideas, and goods coming from India are not something we see often and that needs to change. The research culture has definitely improved but we have a very long way to go,” says Dr. Ajit Parulekar, Director of GIM.

The eight-week-long program will run through the second week of April to the third week of June and the students will receive a weekly stipend along with free accommodation and food at GIM. The final date of receiving applications is 28th February 2023.

Mumbai, 21  February 2023: eye square, an innovative market research company, recently carried out a survey with its partner Oculid, inviting 100 US participants to record data by making use of real InContext Research and eye-tracking analysis on the participant’s personal smartphones at home to explore different usage scenarios.

Additionally, the report highlighted that Americans spend 200+ minutes daily on social media, which is increasingly relevant for advertising and online shopping. It also provided insight showing that 66 percent of all searches on social media platforms tend to happen on mobile phones.

Volga Benjamin Fernandez, Director (India), eye square, said, “The case study presents us with the opportunity to highlight several benefits of mobile eye-tracking software to brands and how it can enable them to grow without breaching any privacy concern of the customers. Further, it sets the right tone for the brands present in India and how they can use the expertise of eye square and get insights into what the customers see, think, feel and do and what makes the difference.”

The report showcased how eye-tracking software can enable brands to see the real consumer behavior of customers on their personal devices. The use of eye-tracking software presents brands with quality control and analysis beforehand so that the results can be accessed immediately, reducing the waiting time since all recordings can be done simultaneously.

The report lays down a strong map filed for the eye tracking software to be utilized in the Indian digital advertising ecosystem from the brands due to the increase in internet and smartphone penetration, rising e-commerce and online transactions, favorable government policies, increased consumer trust in online shopping and growing middle-class with higher disposable income.

Furthermore, the report highlighted combining implicit methods and in context technology environments like Amazon, Instagram, or YouTube sandboxes make eye-tracking live up to its best, allowing brands to measure the effects the ads compare them automatically over groups and designs instantly.

According to recent studies, the average time an Indian spends on social media daily is approximately 3 hours. Online shopping and advertisements account for a large portion of social media usage in India, according to some studies. In India, social media usage has seen a rapid increase in recent years. This is estimated that a considerable amount of screen time is dedicated to viewing advertisements and shopping online.

In the context of the Indian market, eye square will present brands with insights on digital advertising platforms like Google, Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc., allowing them to customize their ads in accordance with the specific target audience and advertising goals of the business consumer preferences on the respective platforms.

New Delhi, 21 February 2023: NAREDCO Mahi established with a vision to enrich, empower, educate, and encourage the participation of women in real estate and allied industries, announces its second national convention on 3rd March at New Delhi.

The Convention will have a diverse range of seminars with a focus on four distinct themes. The conversation will be based on Water Saving, Empowering Real Women in the Real World, Green Building & Sustainability, And Start-ups. It will spark lively debates about how the Real Estate Industry can successfully recycle WasteWater and transition to net zero water waste, as well as how the sector can provide sustainable, energy- and water-efficient solutions. It will also shed light on the essential components of gender integration, how society is moving in the direction of Empowering Women, Gender Pay Equity in the Real Estate Industry, and Underrepresentation.

The Convention’s goal is to highlight the contributions and potential of women in real estate while also engaging in meaningful discussion about some crucial issues facing the sector, such as sustainability, environment-conscious practices and industry-wide policy frameworks, and innovative technology in Real Estate Development.

The Themes for the Sessions will include: ways to go Jal Bachao Kal Bachao, Empowering Real Women in the Real World, Green Building & Sustainability, and Entrepreneurial Mindset: Scale & Growth of Indian Start-up.

The convention will bring together executives from the public and private sectors as well as the management of NAREDCO and NAREDCO Mahi. Shri Parveen Jain, Chairman, NAREDCO; Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Vice Chairman, NAREDCO, Shri Rajan Bandelkar, President, NAREDCO; Dr. Ananta S. Raghuvanshi, President, NAREDCO Mahi will grace the occasion. Some well-known dignitaries and keynote speakers who will likely address the gathering are Mr. Gurmit Singh Arora, President, of Indian Plumbing Association; Mr. Ramveer Tanwar, Pond Man of India; Mr. Sanjay Dutt, CEO, of Tata Housing; Padmashri Popatraoji Pawar; Smt. Sampat Devi, Gulabi Gang, and Mr. Kavindra Taliyan, Ex CEO, Atal Incubation Centre, NITI AAYOG and Member Steering Committee, Ministry of Communications. Professionals, service providers, and business owners from all across the country will also have the chance to network and gain from the sessions.

“Over the past decade, the Real Estate Industry has undergone substantial upheaval. The industry has changed from being mostly informal and unorganized to becoming more structured and organized. Some good talent, regardless of gender, has emerged as a result of the sector’s formalization and consolidation. The entry of large corporations into the sector has also increased opportunities for professional women. This does not negate the fact that there are still areas of the Real Estate market where women find it difficult to get into. Therefore, it will be beneficial to see women in top positions in the Real Estate Sector since they will act as mentors and role models for the subsequent wave of female workers. Furthermore, women have acquired the trust of their peers, bosses, and clients in order to prove their worth in the real estate industry, or any other profession for that matter.” said Dr. Ananta S. Raghuvanshi, President, NAREDCO Mahi.

“Women have been breaking free from the constraints of a patriarchal society in recent years, reaching new heights in a variety of fields, including real estate. The fact that the industry is now much more organised and provides equal opportunity for everyone is one of the major paradigm shifts. Businesses are increasingly considering adopting a more inclusive workplace culture. Additionally, more and more women are ascending to executive roles in the Real Estate Sector, shattering the adage about the “glass ceiling.” Moving forward, we must maintain our focus and create ‘Policy Frameworks’ that can draw a broad workforce to real estate careers. To create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce, organisations must continue to prioritise Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) efforts.” Stated Mr. Rajan Bandelkar, President, NAREDCO.

The skill and ingenuity that Women possess have been well recognized, and women are building their repertoires in Real Estate and various asset classes, as executives, promoters, architects, designers, developers, realtors, lawyers or consultants, among others.

The main goal of NAREDCO Mahi is to provide women leaders and business owners with a platform that will further enable inclusion, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and networking in order to advance the Real Estate and housing industries by empowering women to participate in the creation of National Policies, Programmes, and Fiscal Reforms. The mission of NAREDCO Mahiis to advance equality of opportunity and professional competence. A new wave of Female Entrepreneurs is emerging in the Real Estate Sector as more and more women actively participate in all facets of Real Estate Development, purchase, and sale.

The IPRS has gone on to become the most invaluable and desired support system of the Indian music industry today. Standing strong for owner’s rights, royalties, and promoting the creators’ causes, have been driving IPRS while keeping it invigorated and focused over the years.

The amendments in the Copyright Act in 2012 cleared the way for a new beginning for IPRS and the fraternity of Music Creators & Publishers. IPRS set forth on its new journey in 2017 with a clear task in hand, led by the new board and Javed Akhtar as the Chairman. The same year IPRS got registered as a Copyright Society by the Government of India. The IPRS has since then grown from strength to strength to become the leading music copyright society in India, representing the authors, composers, and publishers of music. In 2018 the re-admittance of the IPRS as a Copyright Society in the apex Paris-based International Confederation of Societies of Authors & Composers (CISAC) further led to the wider acceptance of the IPRS as a top global copyright society.

The following years saw IPRS signing strategic licensing deals with major International Digital Service Providers (DSPs) and significant players in the Indian music industry shooting the IPRS revenue from INR 46 crores in FY2017-18 to a whooping INR 314 crores in FY21-22. A jump of over 500% in 5 years. IPRS went on to be recognised as the fastest-growing music collection society in the world by CISAC. During the recent pandemic, the critical role of copyright societies like IPRS became even more evident when the regular sources of income from the music industry were severely hit. By distributing royalty amounting to INR 210 crores, along with regular grants and aids, IPRS has proven its pivotal role in the sustenance and welfare of the Music community. FY22-23 IPRS is expected to touch INR 400 crores in revenues and surpass INR 300 crores in royalty distribution.

With the growing role of copyright societies in the digital era, there’s little to benefit and everything to lose without embracing technology in its ever-evolving avatar. Being the progressive society it is, it was only expected that IPRS would readily adapt to new-age technology for the benefit of its members. The launch of the Backoffice backed Members Portal has been a major milestone in terms of technology advancement and has brought increased transparency to the overall system. IPRS members, today, unlike in earlier years, are in control of their data and have the convenience of checking their data online thus flagging off errors and helping in efficient data management.

Today, music is created, distributed, and consumed digitally. But tracking, matching, processing, and distributing billions of usages is incredibly complex and requires massive investments in IT and specialised human resources. Better licensing and improved data management & processing backed by technology have been the secret sauce of IPRS’ success. The result of this development is visible through increased income, robust data processing along with frequent and increased royalty distribution. IPRS will continue to improve its systems for greater transparency and a better experience for its members and licensees.

On the membership front, IPRS has been very active in speaking to members and listening to them. Advancement in technology has made it mandatory for the modern-day creator to be hand in hand with the need to upgrade to rapid changes. IPRS’s ongoing forays to help music creators and publishers achieve their goals through knowledge and know-how are efforts to help them deduce how the music business works at an everyday level. It has also emerged as a strong voice for its members on issues plaguing the music industry, on various platforms, and in multiple institutions. Such and many other visionary initiatives have seen the IPRS membership mount up to over 10K. More and more music composers, authors, and publishers have begun investing their implicit faith in IPRS.

The coming times will see a fully geared-up IPRS shinning amid emerging opportunities and challenges, adhering to the highest levels of commitment while remaining true to its core values of Solidarity, Equality, Resilience, and Transparency to serve the interests of its members and the music community at large.

Commenting on IPRS’s journey so far, legendary poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and IPRS Chairman Javed Akhtar Sahab said, “I am pleased with the IPRS’s initiatives, led by the CEO, Mr. Rakesh Nigam, to not only safeguard the rights of music creators but also consistently reach out to them through various initiatives to ensure they are aware of their rights over the music they create. I am happy that the IPRS not only survived the pandemic but could also distribute frequent royalties to the members and financial aid to many struggling to make ends meet. And all these were made possible due to the commendable increase in revenues and our ability to do what was necessary during a calamity. Concerted efforts by IPRS at problem-solving in vexing matters have shown visible gains that have brightened the prospects of our members and stakeholders. For further progress and development, I hope our government will appreciate our efforts and give us a helping hand in building a more compliant music ecosystem, which we will always need.”

Commenting on IPRS’s role, music maestro A. R. Rahman said, “As an IPRS member, I am glad to see IPRS evolving as a strong pillar of the music industry. It has not only emerged as a prominent voice upholding its members’ rights and ensuring their due credit and royalties but has been actively working to support its members with the required knowledge and guidance, to help them make the most from the music they create. With its expanding footprint and rapid advancements, the role of IPRS has gained considerable significance in the burgeoning Indian music industry.”

Commenting on the IPRS initiatives legendary lyricist and IPRS Board member, Sameer Anjaan said: “As an author myself, I am happy to state that IPRS has worked hard to guarantee that music creators are acknowledged and credited for their work and that their creativity is respected. I appreciate the efforts made to raise awareness of copyrights and licensing matters through various initiatives that will help drive compliance and bring about a mindset shift. Non-compliance with music licensing norms continues to plague the nation, draining the music industry of huge revenues and depriving the creators and music owners of what is rightfully theirs.”

Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS said: “Our five-decade journey has been incredible, and we feel privileged and honoured to continue on this path of collective growth with our members and business partners. We are thrilled to be setting a new benchmark with every passing year and want to smash the ceiling in revenues and royalties for our members. However, compliance with music copyright remains a big concern for CMOs like IPRS. Although our efforts to develop a more compliant music ecosystem continue, we invite all key stakeholders and industry groups to join us in paving the way for a prosperous future for music and its makers.”

“IPRS is a not-for-profit Society owned by its members, working to ensure fair remuneration for the utilisation of their music. Music is more than an industry. It is a cultural powerhouse. I take this opportunity to thank all who have joined us in our efforts to promote music and its creators and leave a message for the rest that denying royalties to those deserving will dampen creativity and ultimately weaken the cultural fabric of the nation.” added Mr. Nigam

Hyderabad, 21 Feb 2023:Today, Mangal Industries Limited, a part of the Amara Raja Group, entered into a strategic partnership with AXISCADES Technologies Limited, a leading technology solutions company. The MOU covering engineering, digital, and manufacturing collaboration was signed today by Mr. Harshavardhana Gourineni, Director, of Mangal Industries, and Mr. Arun Krishnamurthi, MD and CEO of AXISCADES.

Having evolved as a design-led manufacturing company, Mangal Industries serves a broad spectrum of industries with deep domain expertise in auto components, metal fabrication, tool works, storage solutions, and custom fabrication. With this partnership with AXISCADES, Mangal Industries is geared up to address the digital engineering and manufacturing needs of global companies in the fields of aerospace, defense, medical and heavy engineering as well. Globally, digital engineering is fundamentally changing the nature of ER&D (Engineering Research & Development) spending and driving its robust growth with the market size pegged at $1 Trillion.

Mr. Gourineni on the occasion said “Our three decades of capability building in precision manufacturing are complemented well by the digital technology expertise of AXISCADES. Together, our industry-centric approach and comprehensive product engineering solutions will allow us to address and support our customers across their full value chains.”

Mr. Arun Krishnamurthi, CEO & MD of AXISCADES, commented “This strategic collaboration with Mangal Industries leverages AXISCADES’ proven capabilities and takes it to an advanced level with cutting-edge product design, manufacturing engineering, and Industry 4.0 solutions for our combined clientele, and allows us to tap new sectors as well. With a common long-term goal, we are confident of adding value and edge that our customers seek through the combination of our expertise areas.”

AXISCADES currently has over 2,700 engineers and 17 state-of-the-art Global Engineering Centers spread over North America, Europe, India, and APAC.

Mumbai’s premier shopping, food, and entertainment destination – Infiniti Mall associated with Sunset Cinema Club to create an indelible movie-watching experience with Holly Bolly Evenings for its customers. Indulging in resplendent outdoor screenings, Infiniti Mall keeps its patrons engaged with a fascinating experience of watching movies under the stars over the weekend. Infiniti Mall commenced with open-air movie screenings in partnership with Sunset Cinema Club (SCC) in April 2022 and has completed over 40 open-air screenings at Infiniti Mall Malad and is the flagship venue partner.

Sunset Cinema Club kick-started operations in 2017, adding an element of freshness to the saturated market with its outdoor movie screenings. Open-air screenings present an opportunity for viewers to experience something out of the ordinary, watching engaging films in an exuberant environment together as a community.

 by Dr. Ravi Kumar C P, Consultant – Paediatric Neurology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore

Every year on the 2nd Monday of February, International Epilepsy Day is celebrated globally to raise awareness about the disease. This year the theme for International Epilepsy Day is ‘Stigma,’ which aims to highlight the stigma that people living with epilepsy have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Many people in our country consider epilepsy as a curse, due to which, people with epilepsy are unable to find suitable jobs, children don’t get admissions to schools and support in education and several marriages are broken because of a stigma of epilepsy.

Many myths and misconceptions also contribute to the stigma surrounding epilepsy and deprive patients of appropriate treatment and management. For instance, people consider epilepsy as a mental disorder that limits a person’s ability to perform certain activities and even think that it is contagious.

To dispel such myths and misinformation and help patients with epilepsy get timely treatment, with this article we aim to increase public awareness on International Epilepsy Day.

What is Epilepsy?

Commonly known as fits, Epilepsy is a disorder that affects the central nervous system due to which our brain shows abnormal electrical activity and causes recurrent and unprovoked epileptic seizures. It is a chronic neurological behaviour which is identified as seizures.

It is one of the most common neurological disorders that roughly affects over 65 million people worldwide. While anyone can develop epileptic fits, it is generally found among people who have a history of brain injury or have inherited it from their family members. In children most of the times, it is of unknown cause.

Even though the exact cause of epilepsy remains unknown, this condition affects more men than women and is commonly seen in children rather than adults. If you or your child is having a series of two unprovoked seizures then you must immediately consult a doctor.

What is a seizure and how is it different from epilepsy?

A sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain is known as a seizure. People who undergo an epileptic attack undergo mild and self-remitting seizures with the following characteristics –

● Loss of consciousness while undergoing a violent episode

● Drooling and or incontinence of bladder

● Abnormal or jerking movements of limbs

People often get confused between epilepsy and seizure. A stark difference between the two is that seizure is a single occurrence of fits whereas epilepsy is recurrent and unpredictable incidents of seizures.

What are the symptoms and causes of Epilepsy?

Symptoms of epilepsy vary from person to person and depend on the type of seizure a person is undergoing. The most common signs and symptoms include –

● Difficulty in movement and stiffness of muscles and joints

● Disruption of senses, or other cognitive functions depending on the severity

● Unavoidable jerks/convulsions in the body

● Psychological symptoms include anxiety and déjà vu

While the exact cause of epilepsy remains largely unknown, some of the pervasive causes of epilepsy are:

● Brain damage, severe head injury or a stroke during birth or gestation causing causes a lack of oxygen transfer to the brain

● Some specific genetic syndromes and abnormalities or associated brain malformations such as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and cavernous malformations

● Brain tumour or an infection like meningitis, encephalitis, or neurocysticercosis leading to epileptic episodes

What are the common myths associated with epilepsy?

The common myths, misconceptions, and social stigma attached to epilepsy include –

● Epilepsy is contagious – However, the fact is that you cannot simply catch epilepsy like the common cold from one person to another

● People with epilepsy can swallow their tongue – Most people think that people with epilepsy can swallow their tongue during an episode, and try to force things in the mouths of the patients. But, the fact is that you must avoid putting something in the mouth of the patients while they are undergoing a seizure as they recover within a minute.

● Epilepsy makes you disabled and people with epilepsy can’t work – These are the commonest myths that have prevented several people from taking timely treatment. People need to understand that epilepsy is not a mental illness and that patients living with epilepsy possess the same skill sets and intelligence as the rest of us. While some people with epilepsy are unable to work, others are successful and can be found in every sphere of life and at all levels of the business including government, the arts, and the professions.

Why do we need to embrace awareness and encourage early prevention?

It is critical to eradicate these misconceptions associated with the disease and normalize people with epilepsy. If all of us promise to work towards spreading awareness about the disease then we can empower several epileptic patients and their family members to take timely action and specialist care. This can help save the lives of several patients who are dealing with this dreadful disease.

India, February 21, 2023: Universal Robots (UR), the global leader in collaborative robots (cobots), demonstrated how cobots of various payloads can safely and efficiently support the automation of sought-after tasks in manufacturing and industrial settings, when integrated with end-effectors from the UR+ ecosystem, in the recent India Industrial Automation Robotics and Electronics Expo (IIAREE), held at the Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 16 to 18 February 2023.

Visitors to the booth experienced first-hand the ease of control and deployment of UR cobots in industrial applications such as machine tending and pick and place, and the power and force limiting characteristics of UR cobots, which enable humans and cobots to work in close proximity safely.

Fast-to-Deploy Cobot Solutions on Display

UR created UR+, an ecosystem of partners with application kits and plug-and-play components compatible with UR cobots, to provide users with ready access to a collection of certified peripherals for fast deployment. Today UR+ is the industry’s largest ecosystem, with over 300+ UR partners and over 400+ certified UR+ components. Users can easily seek out the right tool for their UR cobots to meet their unique and evolving business needs.

At the booth, UR showcased proven automation solutions, integrating UR cobots of various payloads with plug-and-play end-effectors from UR+ ecosystem partners. These include:

• UR3e: The UR3e cobot carries a payload of up to 3 kg, with a small footprint of only 128 mm. At the expo, UR3e was mounted with a 2-finger gripper from SMC, providing a plug-and-play configuration for immediate use.

• UR5e: With a payload of 5 kg, the UR5e cobot is a lightweight robot arm that tackles medium-duty applications with ultimate flexibility. At the event, the cobot was fitted with OnRobot’s 3-finger gripper, an ideal component for gripping a wide range of cylindrical objects in machine tending applications such as CNC lathe machines. It has a strong and stable grip, and is designed to automatically centre the workpieces for precise placement, enabling fast deployment.

• UR10e: Carrying a payload of up to 12.5 kg, UR10e is a versatile cobot with 1300mm reach. At the expo, the cobot was fitted with a pneumatic, a universal pneumatic gripper interface that can plug and play two pneumatic grippers from any brand. UR showcased how the cobot can effectively accomplish the job of machine tending tasks.

• UR16e: The UR16e cobot handles an exceptional payload of 16 kg. At IIAREE, the cobot was fitted with the PHD Flexion gripper, a new technology inspired by the motion of a human hand. The gripper consists of finger modules with multiple joints and can be assembled in radial or parallel hub arrays with one to five fingers in each position. Built for industrial strength for heavy or awkward lifting, yet with human hand adaptability for more delicate and sensitive product handling, the UR cobot and Ph.D. The flexion gripper combination can conform and adapt to various workpieces, offering a high level of versatility and application potential.

“Manufacturing sector is emerging as one of India’s high-growth sectors and the shift towards automation is expected to increase efficiency and boost production in the manufacturing industry. At IIAREE 2023, we are honored to showcase the many advantages cobots can bring to the factory floor, and to present a variety of proven automation solutions for better efficiency and a safer workplace,” Mr. Sougandh K.M, Country Manager of India, Universal Robots commented.