Dynatrace Names New Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan

India, 7th March 2024Dynatrace, the leader in unified observability and security, announced today the appointment of James McCready as Vice President of Asia Pacific and Japan. Based in Singapore, McCready will chart the company’s overall growth strategy across the region while supporting customers with tangible business value through innovative observability, security, and business analytics and automation solutions.

McCready is an industry veteran with over 25 years of sales management and leadership experience. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Managing Director at ServiceNow. He drove the company’s regional business strategy for growth and diversification and led the partner strategy with distributors, resellers, and global systems integrators across the region.

Before ServiceNow, McCready was hired by Adobe as President of Japan. During his tenure at Adobe, he took on additional responsibilities and served as President of Asia Pacific and Japan. During his four-plus years with the company, his teams grew the business by over 200%. McCready also worked for EMC Corporation and Dell for over two decades in multiple senior leadershiproles, with the most recent position as Vice President of APJ, Converged Platforms.

James McCready said, “Dynatrace is committed to serving the region’s customers with the best technology available, helping organisations optimise cloud costs, enhance data observability, and reduce carbon footprint. I look forward to empowering organisations across the region to drive digital transformation at scale and help teams build and operate software faster and more efficiently.”

Victorinox India welcomes the IDCA team to their Gute Reise Store in Aerocity, New Delhi

New Delhi, 7th March 2024: Victorinox, maker of the original Swiss army knife, welcomed the India Deaf Cricket Association Team to their Gute Reise Store in the national capital to wish them luck before they proceeded to Sharjah for the World Cup 2024.

A tour of the store included a stop at the history wall, where all the players were fascinated to discover the 140-year-old legacy of Victorinox, a fourth-generation family run company. Fun and camaraderie presided over high tea, hearty laughter, and huge smiles.

VICTRONIX

Mr. Debraj Sengupta, Chief Marketing Officer – Brand & Country Head – Watch at Victorinox India, presented the IDCA Team with personalized Swiss Army Knives to be prepared for any circumstance and outfitted the players with suitcases for their journey.

Present on the occasion at the store along with the team were:

  • Debraj Sengupta, CMO — Victorinox India
  • Priyanka Sippy, Vice President PR Communication — Victorinox India
  • Sumit Jain, President — IDCA
  • Reena Jain Malhotra, Patron — IDCA
  • Roma Balwani, CEO & Brand Custodian — IDCA
  • Vineet Malhotra, Vice Chairman — IDCA
  • Ajay Kumar, Secretary — IDCA

Mr Debraj Sengupta, Chief Marketing Officer-Brand & Country Head – Watch said, “Victorinox is very honoured to welcome the IDCA Team to the Gute Reise Store at Worldmark, Aerocity, New Delhi. We hope our products empower them on their journey and we wish them the absolute best for the World Cup!”

On the occasion, Roma Balwani, CEO & Brand Custodian, IDCA said, “IDCA India team is delighted to collaborate with Victorinox India as our support partner for the IDCA India team participating in the DICC T 20 World Cup 2024, UAE in Sharjah. The teams are very thankful for the opportunity to visit to their store at Worldmark, Aerocity. It was a special occasion as the leadership team felicitated our national team with their signature Swiss knife engraved with their names & also gifted all players suitcases which they will all carry during their travel to Sharjah.”

She added, “We hope to have a long-term collaboration with the brand, which will motivate our teams and help promote diversity and inclusion for disability sport specially cricket.”

The Indian Deaf Cricket team will participate in the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) T20 Champions Trophy 2024 to be held in Sharjah (UAE) from March 6th to March 12th 2024.

Teams from six countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka — will compete at Vision Cricket Center, Sharjah, UAE to win the title of world champion.

Jyoti Narang Appointed as Chairperson of Heidelberg Cement

Directors’ Institute World Council Of Directors, an esteemed entity under the World Development Corporation (WDC), is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Jyoti Narang as the Chairperson of Heidelberg Cement. Ms. Narang’s appointment underscores Heidelberg Cement’s commitment to strong governance and leadership. The Directors’ Institute congratulates Ms. Narang on her new role and looks forward to her contributions to the industry.

Heidelberg Cement, AG, began its India journey in 2006 with the acquisition of erstwhile Mysore Cement, Cochin Cement, and a joint venture with Indorama Cement. Post- restructuring and expansion at its Central India plants, its installed capacity increased to 5.5 Million Tonnes from 2.3 Million Tonnes. Following the acquisition of Italcementi in 2016, the Group has more than doubled its presence in India, with 4 Integrated Cement plants, 4 Grinding Units, and a Terminal, bringing its installed capacity in India to about 14 Million Tonnes. Currently, cement is sold in 12 states where it’s brands are well accepted by its loyal customers.

“We are pleased to announce that Ms. Jyoti Narang has assumed the role of Chairperson at Heidelberg Cement,” said Mr Zeeshaan Pathan, Group managing director World Development Corporation. “Jyoti Narang’s appointment as Chairperson of Heidelberg Cement is a testament to her exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision. Her appointment will undoubtedly drive positive change within the organisation, fostering innovation and diversity in leadership.”

Ms. Narang, aged 63 years, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in BA Economics (Honours) from Lady Shriram College for Women, University of Delhi, and an MBA in Finance from the University of Delhi. She has also completed her executive education in Advanced Management Programme from Harvard Business School, Strategic Marketing from International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne, and Brand Management from Wharton University of Pennsylvania.”The Directors’ Institute, known for its commitment to excellence in corporate governance, is proud to have facilitated this appointment,” added the spokesperson.

Ms. Narang’s appointment as Chairperson of Heidelberg Cement is effective immediately, and she is poised to lead the company towards its goals of long-term profitability and sustainable growth.For more information, please find Ms Narang profile and photograph attached below.

PropTech Firm Reloy Surpasses Rs 1,200 Crores in Referral Sales in CY23

Mumbai, March 7th, 2024: Reloy, a homeowner loyalty and referral platform for builders, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Rs 1,200 Crores in referral sales in the calendar year 2023. This remarkable achievement underscores Reloy’s commitment to fostering trust and nurturing enduring relationships with its clients and partners.

Reloy is a unique, RERA-compliant, business model because it is built on revenues from homeowners’ love for real estate builders. Referral sales can only originate from happy homeowners, incentivizing builders to treat their homeowners better.

The platform manages close to 1.5 Lakh apartments coming up for possession, valued at Rs. 1.30 Lakh Cr+. Its clientele includes national partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Godrej Properties, DLF, M3M, Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate, Kolte Patil, Embassy Residential, Mahindra Lifespaces, K Raheja Corp, Brigade, Piramal, Rohan Builders, L&T Realty, Arvind Smartspaces, Smartworld, JP Infra, BPTP, Purti Realty to name a few.

“We are thrilled to have achieved this milestone, which reflects the trust and confidence that our clients and partners place in us. Our focus on developing innovative customer loyalty programs has resonated well with the market, driving our success in referral sales,” said Akhil Saraf, Founder & CEO of Reloy.

Central to Reloy’s success is its extensive network of 30,000 channel partners, carefully selected for their commitment to excellence. These partners play a vital role in Reloy’s growth strategy, contributing to its outreach and influence in the real estate sector.

In addition to its quantitative achievements, Reloy is distinguished by its focus on crafting unparalleled experiences for homeowners. Through curated events, exclusive deals, and a seamless moving-in experience, Reloy ensures that each customer’s journey is exceptional from start to finish.

Reloy’s impact in the market has positioned it as the preferred partner for renowned developers across the country. As a trailblazer in the Proptech landscape, Reloy continues to redefine the standards of excellence through its innovative solutions and customer-centric approach.

Scaler introduces DevOps & Cloud Computing Program to empower IT Professionals

Mumbai, 7th March 2024: Scaler, a leading tech education start-up in India, has today announced the launch of a new upskilling program for IT professionals looking to specialise in DevOps and cloud computing. The curriculum has been carefully designed after research conducted with 100+ Senior DevOps leaders in the industry.

Abhimanyu Saxena & Anshuman Singh - Co-Founders, IB & Scaler

The curriculum covers topics essential to these roles, including Python, Data Structures and Algorithms, DevOps Tools, and AWS, and provides numerous real-world assignments to facilitate hands-on learning. Enrollment in the program requires no prior coding experience and is open to beginners with an interest in entering the industry as a DevOps engineer or a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE). The course will run for a duration of 12 months and will equip learners for positions across the following categories: DevOps Engineer, Cloud Engineer and Cloud Associate. The program also offers optional electives that will prepare learners for SRE, Infrastructure and Platform Engineering roles.

The role of DevOps in the tech landscape has only grown in significance in the years since its inception. In the last phase of 2023 alone, India saw a 60% surge in demand for DevOps roles, with 75% of companies in the industry hiring for these roles. A 70% increase in developer productivity was also witnessed in this time period. Noting these market trends, Scaler has designed the DevOps & Cloud Computing program to equip learners with the relevant skills that will help them become proficient and competitive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Speaking on the launch of the new program, Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-founder – InterviewBit & Scaler, said, “A DevOps engineer serves as the vital bridge between software development and IT operations. The growing demand for DevOps and SRE is a testament to its necessity in modern technology environments, with companies willing to pay between INR 8 Lakhs and INR 15 Lakhs per annum and beyond to competent experts. We are pleased to offer this program, crafted in consultation with senior professionals, to help learners progress in their careers. At Scaler, it is our mission to empower learners and bridge the gap between industry demand and talent scarcity. We are confident that the introduction of our new DevOps and Cloud Computing program will do just that by training engineers to thrive and flourish in this critical and rapidly evolving field.”

Notably, the Scaler DevOps & Cloud Computing program stands out as the sole course that covers concepts for SRE job profiles while preparing learners for certifications up to the Architect level, significantly improving their employability. The program offers 1-on-1 mentorship as well as teacher assistance, providing personalised guidance and supporting learners through their academic journey. This is the only DevOps course that offers sandbox environment assignments where learners will be exposed to over 50 real-world case studies to hone their skills.

In 2023, Scaler joined forces with NSDC, aligning with the #SkillIndia mission to address India’s growing need for tech talent. They launched Scaler Topics, a unique and free, gamified learn-to-code platform offering high-quality tech content for anyone with a spark of interest in software development. Simultaneously, Scaler launched its ambitious undergraduate program, the Scaler School of Technology, which witnessed phenomenal acceptance, receiving over 54,000 applications for its inaugural batch. This success further fuels Scaler’s mission. Additionally, its established upskilling programs – Scaler Academy and Scaler DSML – continued to flourish, empowering over 30,000 working professionals in their pursuit of successful careers in software development, data science, and machine learning.

Coding Ninjas Partners Social Beat for Brand Awareness Campaign

Chennai, March 7, 2024: Intending to reduce its blended customer acquisition cost (CAC), Coding Ninjas, a prominent player in the tech education sector, has assigned its digital mandate to Social Beat, a leading digital marketing agency known for its innovative strategies and outstanding results. As part of this mandate, which was won after a multi-agency pitch, Social Beat will implement a brand awareness campaign for Coding Ninjas.

Social Beat will design targeted brand campaigns to boost brand recognition as well as efficiently minimize the blended Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC).

Mr. Vikas Chawla, Co-Founder of Social Beat, said, “Our goal is to strengthen Coding Ninjas’ position in the industry via multi-channel media planning and execution. The company’s digital-first approach allows us to completely leverage our digital marketing prowess. Our team will meticulously strategize and execute media plans across various channels. This will include a daily reporting mechanism to ensure transparency and real-time insights into campaign performance. These collaborations will authentically endorse Coding Ninjas, further expanding its reach and credibility.”

Kannu Mittal, Coding Ninjas

Mr Kannu Mittal, Co-Founder of Coding Ninjas, said, “This is the first time we are doing a brand campaign with the objective of driving awareness and consideration for the brand among both college students and working professionals looking to upskill themselves in their tech careers. Almost 15 million engineering college students graduate every year and enter the workforce. Unfortunately, only a handful of them do so from top colleges that get easier access to coveted tech roles in top companies. The rest of them start the race from behind and have to toil harder to get access to the same privileged placement opportunities that Tier 1 college students and graduates take for granted. Our campaign celebrates those learners who, despite their circumstances, are not afraid to challenge the status quo, believe in themselves, and take ownership of making things happen. We as a brand help those aspirers get the tech careers they deserve faster with the right guidance at the right time. Our unique 3 Stage Learning Model is designed to help learners Learn, Excel & Stand Out through various upskilling offerings that enable them to build strong foundations and leapfrog their peers. Everything we do at Coding Ninjas is centred around how best we can add value to our students.”

NPCI Joins Hands with IISc Bangalore for Joint Research on Blockchain and AI Technology

Bangalore, 7th March 2024: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced the signing of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, for conducting joint research on Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The association will also propel further innovation through the establishment of the “NPCI–IISc Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Deep Tech Research & Development”.

ncpi

The partnership will focus on scalable blockchain platforms and multi-modal analytics over fintech data. Faculty members from five departments at IISc will work with NPCI researchers on practical challenges related to these areas.

IISc is one of the oldest and premier institutes for pioneering advanced technological research in science, engineering, design and management in India. NPCI’s collaboration with the reputed institute is aimed at solving complex technological and engineering problem statements in the areas of scalability, privacy preserving designs, neural networks, Graph AI, Large Language Models (LLM), etc.

Speaking on the path-defining association, Vishal Kanvaty, Chief Technology Officer, NPCI, “At NPCI, we continuously explore new possibilities to augment the consumer experience by leveraging emerging technologies. This latest development marks an important step towards achieving that goal, and we take immense pride in collaborating with IISc. As our nation progresses towards digital sustainability, we recognize the significant potential for research in deep technologies such as blockchain and AI to further enhance the payment landscape, and we are grateful to have the bright minds assist us in this ambitious endeavour.”

Prof Navakanta Bhat, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, IISc, said, “We are delighted to partner with NPCI in the emerging areas of deep tech and fintech analytics. This partnership will not only foster cutting-edge research and the development of models and software prototypes, but also nurture professional development through workshops and training programmes. We look forward to the exciting outcomes that will emerge from this new Centre of Excellence.”

“The joint research envisioned between NPCI researchers and IISc faculty members working on distributed systems, cryptography and machine learning provides a unique opportunity for translational research that can enhance the scalability and effectiveness of the billion-scale platforms managed by NPCI,” said Prof Yogesh Simmhan, Associate Professor at the Department of Computational and Data Sciences, IISc.

Mitsui’s Umezawa Nobuyoshi joins EKA Mobility as Chief Strategy Officer

Mumbai, Wednesday, 7th March 2024: EKA Mobility, a leading player in the electric mobility sector with Mitsui Co., Ltd. (Japan) & VDL Groep (Netherlands) as equity partners, is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Nobuyoshi Umezawa as Chief Strategy Officer.

Mr. Umezawa brings extensive experience and knowledge in international business, project management, and investment portfolio management. Mr. Umezawa began his professional career in 1996 with Mitsui & Co. Ltd, where he played a key role in a variety of infrastructure and mobility projects throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and elsewhere. His primary areas of competence are project management of turnkey EPC contracts, investment in PPP/PFI projects, and project financing.

Throughout his career, Mr. Umezawa has served on the boards of several prominent organizations, including passenger railway operators in the United Kingdom, commercial vehicle leasing companies in Latin America, industrial machinery distributors in the United States, and logistics and finance entities in India, among others.

Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman, EKA Mobility, said, “We welcome Mr. Umezawa to the EKA Mobility family. With his wealth of experience, strategic insight, and having undertaken various overseas assignments, Mr. Umezawa has garnered invaluable insights and a global perspective that will undoubtedly contribute to the strategic growth and development of EKA Mobility.”

Mr. Umezawa Nobuyoshi, EKA Mobility’s Chief Strategy Officer, stated, “I am honored to join the dynamic team at EKA Mobility.” I am looking forward to using my knowledge to drive strategic initiatives that will advance the company’s development both in India and overseas markets. “

Manipal Institute of Technology Partners with Altair for Advanced Mechatronics Training and Research

Manipal, March 7, 2024 – The Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), under the aegis of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), has announced a strategic collaboration with Altair, Bangalore, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership aims to set a new benchmark in engineering education and research, with a focus on the burgeoning field of mechatronic systems. Altair, a global leader in simulation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), joins hands with MIT to fuse industry-leading technological prowess with academic excellence. The collaboration is designed to enrich the learning and research environment for students and faculty by providing them with access to state-of-the-art software solutions and training programs from Altair. This initiative will enable practical exposure to mechatronics design, analysis, and optimization processes.

Signing of MAHE-Altair MoU

The formalization of this partnership was commemorated with a signing ceremony attended by esteemed representatives from both organizations. Dignitaries included Dr. P. Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE, Manipal; Dr. Harish S. Kumar, Director-Corporate Relations, MAHE; Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, Director, MIT; Dr. Somashekar Bhat, Joint Director, MIT; Dr. D. V. Kamath, Head of the Mechatronics Department; and Mr. Sushil Mane, Senior Technical Director at Altair; Mr. Ranjith Kumar H S, Sr. Sales Manager, Altair, among others.

Coinciding with the partnership, a new Postgraduate Laboratory in the Department of Mechatronics at MIT was inaugurated by Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, marking the beginning of this promising alliance. The inauguration was accompanied by a traditional Sharada Pooja, signifying the auspicious start of the collaboration.

A key component of this partnership is the training program on “Design of High-Performance Mechatronic Systems using Altair’s Simulation and Artificial Intelligence Platform,” scheduled from March 4th to 8th, 2024. This program, inaugurated at the M V Seminar Hall in MIT Manipal, seeks to upgrade knowledge in the design and development of mechatronics systems, touching upon critical areas such as AI-assisted simulation, IIOT, and digital twins. Mr. Sushil Mane, representing Altair as the chief guest, alongside Mr. Ranjith Kumar H. S. and Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, highlighted the significance of this collaboration in preparing students for the future challenges of engineering.

Both MIT and Altair have expressed great enthusiasm for their joint venture, emphasizing its potential to significantly narrow the gap between academic knowledge and industry practice. This collaboration is not just a step towards enhancing the quality of engineering education but also a milestone in ensuring that students and faculty are equipped to drive innovation and tackle complex challenges in the field of mechatronics.

Flute Maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia to be the face of TRU Realty’s Kekarav Project at Pune

Pune…March, 2024… Kekarav, Pune’s most esteemed gated villa community at Bavdhan City-front by TRU Realty, is proud to announce its groundbreaking collaboration with Flute Maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia for an inspiring campaign that celebrates the harmony of nature and lifestyle. TRU Realty leverages both sector expertise and cutting-edge technology to unite visionaries, creators, and clients, empowering every participant in the real estate ecosystem.

Tru Realty

The campaign, titled “Discovering Life’s Harmony with Nature,” embodies the essence of enrichment and rhythm, two pivotal elements that define Kekarav’s unique living experience. With a focus on reimagining elevated living, the campaign aims to resonate with individuals seeking a harmonious blend of luxury and nature.

“Life matching the energy with nature” is the core message of the campaign, encapsulating the melody of nature that transforms life into a melodious symphony. Through captivating visuals and evocative storytelling, the campaign invites individuals to embrace the rhythm of nature and discover the enriching lifestyle offered by Kekarav. Spanning an expansive 45 acres, Kekarav promises to be a sprawling haven amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. Divided into 4 distinct sectors/phases, this visionary project offers a total of 300 exclusive units, ranging from 2000 sqft to 7000 sqft in plot size.

“We believe in creating spaces that resonate with the rhythm of nature, elevating the living experience to new heights,” said Sujay Kalele, Founder, TRU Realty said. “Our collaboration with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia signifies our commitment to fostering a lifestyle that harmonizes with the natural world.”

The campaign will unfold through a series of multimedia initiatives, including films that capture the serene beauty of Kekarav’s amenity spaces. The precursor film sets the tone for the campaign, offering a candid glimpse into the enchanting world of Kekarav, where Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia’s mesmerizing flute tunes intertwine with the symphony of nature.

In subsequent films, viewers will be treated to immersive experiences in Kekarav’s amphitheater and pet park, where the rhythm of life finds expression through music, dance, and playful interactions.

With a staggering 166 units already sold out, the demand for this harmonious lifestyle enclave is palpable, setting a new standard for luxurious living intertwined with nature’s melody. As the campaign “Finding the Rhythm of Life with Nature” takes flight, it is evident that Kekarav not only captures the imagination but also fulfills the desires of those seeking a sanctuary where modernity meets tranquility.