Archives February 2024

Pravin Puri says this at a capacity building workshop by NCPEDP in Pune

Pune, January 31: In an effort to promote inclusivity and empower the disabled students, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) partnered with Bajaj Finserv Limited in 2023 to introduce a scholarship program for disabled students in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. As part of its endeavor to raise awareness on the Scholarship, NCPEDP in collaboration with Centre for Disability Studies and Inclusive Education, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) organized a capacity building workshop on Wednesday.

The program, providing scholarships of up to Rs 1 lakh, aims to support 100 disabled students across various education levels, including Secondary, Senior Secondary, and Higher Education.

The event, supported by Bajaj Finserv, provided a platform for experts from different fields to share insights on disability laws in India. It also aimed to foster comprehension of various skills essential for excelling in both academic studies and professional careers among students with disabilities. The Pune workshop featured informative sessions led by experts.

While reaffirming the organization’s commitment to providing quality education to disabled students, Arman Ali, the Executive Director of NCPEDP, shared insights on the necessity of infrastructural accessibility. He stated, “Unless we change the infrastructure, it is difficult to convert persons with disabilities into assets. Given the substantial number of people with disabilities in India, they should be recognized as an important segment with the capacity to contribute to the country’s economy, and this is not possible without education.”

Pravin Puri, IAS, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Maharashtra, shared that the state has taken various steps to promote and implement the RPwD Act 2016, ensuring accessibility in public buildings.

Puri also mentioned that a comprehensive action plan has been prepared to make 1200 identified public buildings accessible. Additionally, concerned departments have been directed to allocate separate budgets within their respective domains. Since 2016, the department has issued an order to establish redressal cells in all government departments and agencies.

Highlighting the importance of seeking recourse through the disability court, Puri stated that the state has started adhering to the RPwD Act 2016 by identifying government employment posts and incorporating a redressal mechanism in future job advertisements to address the exclusion of persons with disabilities and uphold their rights. He also affirmed that in Maharashtra, local self-government has allocated a 5% budget for schemes and programs for persons with disabilities, underscoring the importance of public awareness regarding the implementation of these provisions.

Suresh Gosavi, Vice Chancellor of SPPU, shared that the institute is actively working to make the campus accessible and inclusive for all students. He also mentioned that the ideas and suggestions discussed in the workshop will contribute to the development of a white paper focusing on infrastructural and digital accessibility. While acknowledging existing drawbacks, Gosavi assured that efforts will be made to enhance campus accessibility.

The Pune workshop engaged over 100 participants, including students with disabilities, students without disabilities, teachers, and parents. The sessions offered valuable insights and facilitated knowledge-sharing, fostering a deeper understanding of disability rights and related issues.

The NCPEDP-Bajaj Finserv Scholarship program is a commitment to promote inclusivity and empower disabled students through education by providing them with all the necessary resources. It helps them be prepared to explore opportunities that come their way and excel in academics.

Visakhapatnam, February 03rd, 2024: Adani Gangavaram Port the deepest and the most modern port in the country has set a new record of cargo handling. The Port has broken its previous records and achieved its highest ever monthly handling volume of 4 MMT in January 2024. This has surpassed its previous highest monthly cargo of 3.51 MMT which was achieved in June 2023.

The port has achieved excellent performance due to strategic investment in infrastructure for cargo handling and railway facilities. The port expects to set further operational records and deliver Industry best Services to its customers.

Speaking on the achievement Adani Gangavaram Port Limited management said ‘We are extremely delighted to see the remarkable performance achieved by our team. We are confident that the port will scale new heights in future. We will continue to make strategic investments for capacity enhancement. Integrated warehousing, cargo handling equipment and technology will be further strengthened in this year.

Adani Gangavaram Port is committed to delivery best-in-class services through the best infrastructure.

Bengaluru, 03 February 2024: Air India has launched today a limited-period network-wide sale, Namaste World Sale, offering attractive discounted fares for its domestic and international destinations. Bookings under the sale are open for only four days, from 02 February to 05 February 2024, for travel between 02 February and 30 September 2024.

The all-inclusive one-way Economy class fares in the domestic sectors start from as low as Rs 1799 while it is Rs 10,899 on one-way Business Class. For the international sectors, the one-way all-inclusive Economy class fares start from Rs 3899 and the Return Economy class fares start from Rs 9600 on select destinations. The seats available on sale are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers will be able to save on convenience fees on bookings for tickets purchased through the Air India website and mobile app.

Besides domestic cities, the discounted fares will be available for the destinations the airline operates to in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, the Gulf & Middle East, Asia Pacific, and South Asia. Some of the fares (One-Way and Return Economy Class) on offer to international destinations start from:

• India to USA: Rs 31,956 (One-Way Economy) and Rs 54,376 (Return Fares Economy)
• India to Europe: Rs 22,283 (One-Way Economy) and Rs 39,244 (Return Fares Economy)
• India to Gulf & Middle East: Rs 7714 (One-Way Economy) and Rs 13,547(Return Fares Economy)
• India to Singapore: Rs6772 (One-Way Economy) and Rs 13, 552(Return Fares Economy)
• India to Melbourne (Australia): Rs 29, 441(One-Way Economy) and Rs 54,207 (Return Fares Economy)
• India to Kathmandu: Rs 3899 (One-Way Economy) and Rs 9600 (Return Fares Economy)

Special fares under the sale are also being offered in the Executive and Premium Economy Class. Discounted fares from international destinations to India are available under this offer. The fares may marginally vary due to the rate of exchange fluctuation. The sale is open on all channels, including Air India’s website (www.airindia.com), iOS and Android mobile apps, and through authorised travel agent.

Fundraiser to support the nonprofit’s period supply program.

(St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 3, 2024) — The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank will hold its fourth annual Bloody Mary Brunch on Sun., March 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its headquarters located at 6141 Etzel Ave. The event, open to those 21 years of age and older, will feature a Bloody Mary and mimosa bar plus light brunch. Tickets are $60 per person, and all monetary donations will support the Diaper Bank’s period supply program, which helps nearly 35,000 girls and women annually with period kits.

Attendees will have the interactive opportunity to count, sort, and pack period supply kits for local school partners. Other activities include raffles, a glitterati photo station, and a brief presentation about the agency’s efforts to end period poverty in St. Louis.

The period supply program distributes period supplies through community partners and advocates for the elimination of “period poverty”. In 2024, 900,000 period supplies will be distributed in St. Louis, with 20,000 period supplies allocated each week. Two-thirds of low-income women in St. Louis cannot afford menstrual hygiene products, with 46% of low-income women having to choose between food and period supplies.

The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, founded in 2014, provides diaper and period supply access to the region’s low-income families and raises community awareness about the causes and consequences of diaper need and period poverty. The nonprofit is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network and its sister organization Alliance for Period Supplies, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to eliminating diaper need and “period poverty” in America. The period supply program ensures access to menstrual hygiene products, which allows full participation in daily life with dignity.

For more information about the Bloody Mary Brunch or to donate, call (314) 624-0888 or visit their website.

Mumbai,3rd February 2024: Even as more Indian businesses eye global horizons each year, opportunities are scarce for C-Suite executives to forge international connections involving elite professionals, learn from industry leaders to push boundaries in their sectors, and draw learnings from newer business environments. In a bid to address all these needs and thereby contribute to stronger leadership skills among Indian executives, Emeritus, a global leader in delivering accessible and cost-effective high-quality education, announces the first-ever ‘Global Executive Immersion: Silicon Valley’ study tour program.

This world’s first ‘Global Executive Immersion: Silicon Valley’ program features a 6-day and 7-night immersive learning-filled experience, tailored specifically for C-Suite executives. It is designed for senior executives ranging from CEOs, CXOs, Managing Partner/Director, President, Founder/Co-Founder and Partner, with a minimum of 20 years of work experience. The program allows business leaders to glean first-hand insights from leading institutions working on cutting-edge technology such as Stanford University, Wharton University, and have personalized learning sessions and fireside chats with visionary business leaders from the world’s largest companies based in Silicon Valley, a hub renowned for its tech innovations. CXOs get the opportunity to expose themselves to all these opportunities, while travelling together and networking with each other as one cohort.

As of 2025, research conducted by Gartner indicates that approximately 80% of CXOs are expected to have a deep understanding of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT) (Source: Gartner). This immersion program helps C-Suite leaders build upon new-found connections with current and future leaders and imbibe practical takeaways from leading companies to implement in their own companies. Leaders will get to learn how tech giants leverage AI for innovation and adopt Design Thinking principles for unprecedented growth. Silicon Valley offers the best landscape for these learnings as it stands as the epicentre of technological innovation, serving as the incubator for cutting-edge ideas and breakthrough advancements. Home to the highest concentration of tech companies and Fortune 500 firms, Silicon Valley’s ecosystem has a lot to offer in shaping the future of business and technology.

The program will commence with an engagement with Steve Hoffman (popularly known as the Godfather of Silicon Valley venture investments), CEO, Founders Space, the world’s leading startup incubator and accelerator, to learn about the Silicon Valley ecosystem and AI investment and financing opportunities. Participants will then go on to the Wharton San Francisco for a campus visit, discover Silicon Valley’s ‘Perpetual Motion Machine’ at Stanford University, partake in an AI panel with a prominent VC fund, and engage with Professor Barry Katz, Stanford’s Former Professor and a key figure in Design Thinking. They will also interact with Pieter Abbeel, an advisor to OpenAI, as well as industry experts from the biggest cloud computing platforms. Business leaders will also make a visit to historical places like the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Museum, and top universities, besides networking events.

Introducing the inaugural batch of Silicon Valley study tour Mohan Kannegal, CEO, India and APAC, Emeritus, said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of this one-of-its-kind global immersion program in Silicon Valley. Through this program, we aim to create a well-curated environment of networking and collaboration among Indian as well as global CXOs, while allowing them to learn from some of the biggest and well-known AI and tech leaders of the world. From this experience, participants will be able to infuse transformative ideas on AI and Design Thinking from Silicon Valley into their organization’s DNA, as well as draw insights from global leaders and academics on how to transform business models using tech and expand their horizons for organizational success.”

The program is scheduled to commence on April 26, 2024. C-Suite leaders can apply now for the Global Executive Immersion program at a fee of USD 15,000. Applications are now open for the exclusive batch of the Global Executive Immersion program.

The program will include accommodation in 4-star or equivalent hotels, business meeting fees, expert and study venue fees, a business invitation letter, and an insurance of USD 300,000. Airfare and visa fees are to be borne by the participants. Participants can avail an early registration benefit if they apply before February 20, 2024. Find more information on the program here.

Mumbai, 3rd February 2024- On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, Reliance Jewels, one of the fastest-growing and trusted jewelry brands in India has come up with an exclusive collection. This occasion marks a celebration of companionship across the world. Celebrating the true spirit of Valentine’s Day, Reliance Jewels unveiled an exclusive Valentine’s Day collection of exquisitely crafted rings, couple bands, and pendants made in 14kt yellow gold, rose gold, and diamond, ideal for everyday wear, serving as a constant reminder of the shared love between the couple. Reliance Jewels’ distinct designs in this collection embody style and comfort for elevating everyday looks.

The collection is thoughtfully curated to embrace the spirit of brightness and beauty that a woman brings to relationships, thus honoring the resilience of women across diverse journeys. From bold to sophisticated and intricately designed pieces, it mirrors the strength women can invoke in a relationship with a fresh perspective of being stronger for their partner. The collection aligns with Reliance Jewels’ newest campaign #MyStrongerHalf, which advocates celebrating the moments when women are there to encourage and support men in all the ups and downs of life.

Valentine’s Day has always symbolized the essence of true love. It represents the bond shared by a couple, their love and appreciation for one another. Reliance Jewels have introduced this collection to represent the strength and accomplishments of women who play multiple roles in today’s world with utmost grace.

Reliance Jewels invite customers to explore the gorgeous collection online and in select stores.

New Delhi, 3rd Feb 2024 – Attron Automotive, a dynamic startup poised to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) industry, announced the launch of its cutting-edge electric motors and controllers at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2024. The unveiling was done by Shri Arvind Kumar, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt of India and Chairman STPINEXT, in the presence of Dr. Sanjay Kumar Gupta, Director STPI Pune and CEO MOTION CoE. The company has showcased three alpha series motors and one advanced controller designed to enable faster, more efficient, and higher-performance EVs. The new products are RM14530 electric motor, RM16070 electric motor, RM16045 electric motor series and the CTR072500 electric motor controller.

Attron is forging the future of sustainable transportation with its breakthrough EV propulsion technology. The company’s proprietary motors and intelligent controllers are transforming how EVs are powered and performed. Attron’s lightweight, compact solutions not only lower costs but also simplify EV operation, enabling longer range, quicker acceleration, and greater top speeds. Their integrated IPM PMSM motors and Eta framework guarantee optimal performance, showcasing perfect harmony. Tailored solutions, endless flexibility, and scalability for various power demands underscore Attron’s commitment to empowering industry growth. This precision control and dedication to a sustainable future distinguish Attron Automotive in contributing to the evolution of electric mobility.

“This launch marks a significant stride in electric mobility, as our innovative motor architecture, precision engineering, and commitment to cost reduction redefine industry standards. The scalable and versatile nature of our motors, coupled with peak efficiency exceeding 97%, positions Attron at the forefront of the electric mobility revolution. We are not just launching products; we are ushering in a new era of efficiency, performance, and sustainability in transportation.” said Shubham Pode, CTO of Attron Automotive.

Attron Automotive leads the electric mobility revolution with its unique Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPM PMSM) technology. Strategically placed magnets and a patented topology optimize torque delivery, achieving an outstanding peak efficiency surpassing 97%, setting industry benchmarks. Precision engineering minimizes energy losses, ensuring efficient propulsion. With scalability from 1 KW to over 200 KW, Attron’s motors cater to diverse needs, from micro-mobility to heavy-duty industrial applications. Significantly, Attron stands out by strategically placing its commitment to cost reduction at the heart of innovation. This approach makes their motors an affordable choice, supporting both economic viability and environmental sustainability in the electric mobility sector.

Attron recently achieved a significant milestone by delivering the first batch of its motors and controllers for defence applications. The successful production and delivery demonstrate the adaptability, durability, and reliability of Attron’s solutions. Three patents have been granted to Attron Automotive for their novel motor technology.

At the core of Attron’s innovation is the CTR072500 electric motor controller, featuring the groundbreaking Eta framework. This framework goes beyond conventional controls, incorporating advanced algorithms like Modified Field-Oriented Control (Modified FOC). This sophisticated algorithm precisely aligns the motor’s magnetic field, offering unparalleled control over torque and speed. Adaptability remains key, as the Modified FOC algorithm dynamically adjusts for optimal performance in various scenarios. The hardware components are meticulously optimized for seamless integration with the Eta framework, enhancing overall efficiency and responsiveness. Attron Automotive’s Eta framework and Modified FOC algorithm redefine precision, efficiency, and performance in electric motor control, setting new benchmarks in propulsion technology.

Attron Automotive raised Rs 4.75 crore in its maiden funding round led by Anicut Capital. The round also saw participation from Pontaq VC, Venture Catalyst, and Yashovardhan Shah. The company planned to use the funds to support the company’s key growth initiatives, including the setup of an assembly line, establishment of a prototyping facility, team expansion, and research and development.

3rd February 2024– After nearly three months of successful delivery of the GMAT™ Focus Edition, Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) confirmed that effective from February 1, it will become the only version of the GMAT exam available to prospective test takers around the world. GMAC, a global association representing leading business schools, delivered the updated version of the most widely used business school exam last fall in parallel with the existing GMAT to facilitate candidates’ in-progress preparation and applications for business school.

First launched seven decades ago, the GMAT has been the gold standard by continuously evolving to ensure it maintains its psychometric rigor while remaining a highly relevant indicator of candidate preparedness for graduate business programs. The test was revamped last year with more efficient test taking experience and flexible new features to better support candidates on their journey of business education and career.

“We have been reassured and encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received from many who have taken the latest edition of GMAT and gained newfound confidence to pursue advanced business education,” said Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC. “I believe that we have achieved what we set out to do at the inception of the redesign more than two years ago, allowing business school aspirants to best demonstrate their capabilities in the most relevant and in-demand skillsets like critical thinking and data intelligence. We are confident that business schools will benefit from the uptick of demonstrated interest and commitment from a more expansive and inclusive global applicant pool.”

GMAC revealed the GMAT Focus Edition after extensive research efforts involving hundreds of school professionals and in-depth concept testing with thousands of prospective students globally. With just three 45-minute sections, including the newly developed Data Insights section, it is nearly one hour shorter than the previous version of the GMAT and requires less content to prepare. While the last day to take the previous version of the GMAT exam is January 31, its scores will continue to be valid for five years. Test takers and schools have been provided with helpful information so that they can readily make use of scores from both exam editions during this period.

“The redesign makes the exam more focused, more accessible, and less daunting. But more focused doesn’t mean easier or less valuable. It just means smarter,” said Rodrigo Malta, managing director of MBA recruitment and admissions at University of Texas McCombs School of Business.

Sun Long, executive director of international MBA program at China’s Fudan University, noted that his school is amongst the many top business schools around the world with a positive view of the latest iteration of GMAT. “It has helped bring us closer to meeting the needs of MBA program candidates while improving upon business schools’ talent selection in the ever-changing business environment.”

Mumbai, 3rd February 2024– Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released a rom-com series, Badi Heroine Banti Hai. With a remarkable rating of 8.2 stars on IMDB, the series deftly depicts the essence of romance, drama, thrill, and mystery. It chronicles the journey of Kajal, a small-town girl who relocates to Mumbai to intern at Veer Singhania Designs, a prestigious fashion label run by Advait Singhania, in pursuit of her dreams. Kajal’s life takes an unexpected turn when Advait’s father, Veer Singhania, names her the heir to his company. This marks the beginning of a love-hate relationship between Kajal and Advait, two personalities so opposite that they are inevitably drawn to each other.

Talking about her rom-com series, Prerna Lisa, who essays the character of Kajal, spilled the beans on her Valentine’s Day experiences from her teenage days. She revealed, “Actually, I am not a person who celebrates Valentine’s Day. But it used to be fun back in school days. I used to get to know about all the patch-ups and breakups in that one week. I was not in a relationship then, but my friends and I used to really enjoy watching other people celebrate Valentine’s Day.”

Adding to this, Rajeev Siddhartha, who plays the heartthrob CEO Advait Singhania in the rom-com series spoke about his favourite rom-com series, he said, “I have seen countless rom-coms in my life. But the approach of Badi Heroine Banti Hai is a fresh take on the genre. As an actor, when I first read the script, I was taken by surprise over and over again. It’s one of those series where the audience won’t be able to predict what will happen next. Badi Heroine Banti Hai is definitely my favorite”.

Created by Gul Khan, Badi Heroine Banti Hai features Prerna Lisa, Rajeev Siddhartha, Nehal Chudasama, and Utkarsh Kohli in key roles. The series is now streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV for free, available on Amazon’s shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Play Store.

New Delhi, India – 3rd February 2024– Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced the next evolution of its partnership with Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), introducing an innovative suite of hybrid cloud services designed to address ongoing data management challenges faced by modern enterprises. The joint offering, Hitachi EverFlex with Cisco Powered Hybrid Cloud, is unique because it integrates automation solutions and predictive analytics to give organizations a future-proof portfolio for advanced infrastructure management, cost efficiency, and operational effectiveness.

While companies are increasingly relying on hybrid cloud environments to modernize their current infrastructure, they also face tightening budgets, rising costs, and heightened demand for innovation. A recent study indicates that these factors have pushed more than 70% of global leaders to embrace consumption-based models such as IT as a Service (ITaaS) to help them combat ongoing modernization issues – a trend that’s expected to rise. According to Gartner®, by 2028, consumption-based Storage as a Service (STaaS) will replace over 35% of enterprise storage capex, up from less than 10% in 2023.

Hitachi EverFlex with Cisco Powered Hybrid Cloud is purposefully crafted to confront these challenges head-on. By combining Hitachi Vantara’s proficiency in storage, infrastructure, managed services, and hybrid cloud management with Cisco’s expertise in networking and computing, the comprehensive offering provides a consistent experience whether used on-premises or in the cloud. Available in various levels of customization and through Hitachi Vantara’s partner ecosystem, it offers complete flexibility with a support and consumption-based model that delivers cost efficiencies through pay-per-use pricing and resilient, scalable solutions without requiring upfront investment. The diverse portfolio includes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), STaaS, Containers as a Service (CaaS) data protection, managed operations services, professional services, and learning services, among others.

Additionally, the offering brings together several key capabilities:

• HIOaaS and Intersight: Hitachi Infrastructure Orchestration as a Service (HIOaaS) and Cisco Intersight^® offer full observability, delivering cloud-like management for on-premises and cloud environments, enabling strong performance analytics, hybrid cloud observability, and efficient automation.
• Managed Services Operating Model: Leveraging extensive experience from numerous implementations, the managed services operating model ensures seamless operational transitions, informed decision-making, and expedited provisioning without the need for dedicated IT staff. Typically, Hitachi Managed Services has reduced customer total cost of ownership (TCO) by 30-50%.
• Hitachi EverFlex Consumption Model: Hitachi Vantara’s elastic consumption model ensures flexible, pay-per-use solutions for hybrid cloud and on-premises environments.

“According to a recent survey, nearly half of businesses are struggling to navigate complex cloud landscapes,” said Kimberly King, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partners and Alliances, Hitachi Vantara. ”Hitachi EverFlex with Cisco Powered Hybrid Cloud is a strategic response to modern enterprise needs. Our ability to deliver both through our partners and Cisco’s network directly tackles the complexity challenge by providing strong IT operational capabilities that can be scaled based on customer data management needs. This partnership enables businesses to establish a robust data foundation today so that they are prepared for future innovation.”

Hitachi EverFlex with Cisco Powered Hybrid Cloud delivers impactful outcomes for customers through:

• Hybrid Cloud Acceleration: Seamlessly facilitates a hybrid cloud environment, enabling data storage and processing across diverse locations.
• Efficiency through Automation: Automates routine tasks, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing human errors through IaaS.
• Security and Compliance: Implements comprehensive security strategies and compliance measures, ensuring data encryption, access controls, and threat prevention.

“Our joint efforts with Hitachi Vantara around hybrid cloud managed services support a holistic approach to achieving customers’ business outcomes,” said Alexandra Zagury, Vice President of Partner Managed and as-a-Service Sales, Cisco. “Our combined portfolio, including Hitachi Infrastructure Orchestration as-a-Service (HIOaaS), deliver the reliability, flexibility and insights that allow the customer to be more agile in today’s dynamic business environment. And the Partner-to-Partner model taps into one of the biggest growth drivers in the industry right now by providing customers with more choice and partners with the opportunity to build offers around their competencies.”

“Hitachi Vantara and Cisco, as two giants in data infrastructure, are together able to leverage their unique strengths to deliver a comprehensive managed services offering that empowers businesses navigating the dynamic digital landscape,” said Ashish Nadkarni, Group Vice President and General Manager, Worldwide Infrastructure Research at IDC. “These types of strategic offerings between trusted industry leaders are instrumental in effectively addressing the mounting complexities enterprises face on their hybrid cloud journeys.”

“As a long-time partner to both Hitachi Vantara and Cisco, we recognize the tremendous value this joint initiative brings to the table,” said Axel Heitmann, Director of Data Center and Networking, Computacenter. “This presents a compelling opportunity for partners and resellers, amplifying our ability to deliver customized hybrid cloud services for our customers.”