Archive: December 8, 2022

ICRISAT a key actor in opening ceremony of International Year of Millets 2023

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) moderated the technical segment of the opening ceremony of the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome on 6 December 2022.

ICRISAT had a pivotal role in supporting the Government of India’s proposal in the FAO Council to celebrate the International Year of Millets, working with governments in its host countries in Africa to gather support letters.

Ms Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General, FAO of the United Nations moderated the opening ceremony which was led by the Director-General of FAO Mr QU Dongyu. ​ Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General, ICRISAT, and Vice Chair of the International Steering Committee for IYM2023 moderated the technical panel discussions.

Ms Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations who presented virtually, reminded the 4000 registered participants that the world is paying attention to millets.

Food choice of the future

Ms Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Agriculture, India, read out a message from the Prime Minister of India at the opening ceremony.

The Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi, emphasized on India’s ancient grain millets as the ‘food choice of the future’. India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) was cited in the context of sharing globally India’s millet heritage and research learnings.

Speaking virtually, Mr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of Nigeria, called for investment in millets for reduction of malnutrition and poverty and creation of jobs.

Mr Abubaker emphasized on the role of research institutes in developing varieties with higher yield, providing access to improved seed and developing the millet value chain.

Ms Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama and Ms Shobha Karandlaje in their messages reiterated the climate resilience of millets and the need to bring back millets to the table by making them a key component of the food basket.

Technical panel discussions

Mr Abdou Tenkouano, Executive Director, West and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) emphasized: “Millets were traditional foods in Africa; IYM2023 can help reinvigorate these crops which have largely been replaced by imported staples.”

Chef Anahita Dhondy from New Delhi gave examples of how millets can be prepared as tasty exotic and traditional dishes to increase consumption, while Mr Arnaud Petit of the International Grains Council (IGC) discussed opportunities for trade, and market transparency.

Dr Hughes summed up the technical session in four points:

1. Millets are a part of the solution to crop productivity in the drylands;
2. Global trade in millets is a pathway to prosperity;
3. Millets are highly nutritious and can help combat lifestyle diseases, and can be prepared in ways that are attractive, both familiar and exotic; and
4. They are indeed Smart Food for the future!

In the FAO atrium display accompanying the opening ceremony, ICRISAT displayed its research work on millets in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The coffee table book titled ‘Millet Movement in India’ developed by ICRISAT and endorsed by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was on display.

Fundamentals are gradually turning positive for yellow metal – Prithviraj Kothari, MD CEO of RiddhiSiddhi Bullions Limited (RSBL)

1. What is pushing the yellow metal higher?

– Fundamentals are gradually turning positive for yellow metal, as lower than US CPI print has changed FED monetary stance from hawkish to dovish which is pushing gold higher.

2. Do you think new highs are on the cards?

– When the FED will pause raising rates in 2023, safe-haven money will flow into gold. Central Bank gold demand is already strong from the last few quarters. Physical demand and gold ETF demand will follow rising prices in 2023. And technically, if prices break all physiological resistance and barriers, we might see a new high in Gold in 2023.

3. When should investors consider booking profit in gold?

– Prices have run up too much too fast in the last 15 days. We can see a small healthy correction or retracement in gold prices in coming days. Short-term traders can book profit here and buy again on dips, while long-term investors can continue to hold for higher price targets.

Kelley School of Business invites Applications for Masters of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)

Kelley School of Business is one of the most sought-after business schools in the US for its comprehensive set of courses, distinguished professors, global cultural exposure, multi-ethnic student community, state of art research amenities, and immersive learning experience. It has an unparalleled history of delivering business, technology, and management expertise through its prestigious MS in Information Systems program. Designed to meet the current industry needs, the MSIS program seeks to deliver high-quality education through its well-rounded curriculum.

Prospective students can visit this link to send their applications, without the need to pay any application fee. Admission seekers can also check their eligibility for GRE/GMAT test score waivers.

MSIS Program is a specialized one-and-a-half-year STEM-certified degree program that is built on core components including IT Strategy, IT Architecture, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Platforms, Design Thinking, Data Analytics, Product Management, Software Product Development, IT Governance, Risk and Controls, Agile, Processes and Automation, Collaboration, Teamwork and Ethics, and Business Transformation Strategy. The rigorous curriculum prepares students to apply IT skills to a plethora of business domains. The students opt for specialization courses, which cover:

Business Intelligence and Analytics:

– Business Analytics Concepts & Management

– Enterprise Data Management

– Big Data Technologies

– AI & Machine Learning

– Predictive Analytics & Data Mining

Enterprise Security and Risk Management:

– Information Systems Security

– Cyber Security Law and Policy

– Advanced IT Security

Digital Enterprise Systems:

– Business Process Integration with ERP (SAP S/4 HANA)

– Enterprise Data Management

– Big Data Technologies

– Machine Learning

– Artificial Intelligence

The course offers a jumpstart to business and technology foundations during the summer to prepare the students entering the core. The students are offered the flexibility to select a suitable course track: 1.5- year Internship track or 1-year full-time track, depending on their level of industry experience. The course kick starts with the EY case competition, where teams compete to solve business challenges and offer unique solutions. The students engage in projects and group work throughout the semester, which concludes with the final Core Project. The final experiential component of the program, the Capstone project is designed in association with corporate partners and it challenges the students to encapsulate their learning over the coursework to solve business problems through IT lenses.

The MSIS program offers a unique classroom learning experience, where experts and industry leaders engage with students through guest lectures, talks and interaction sessions. The immense networking opportunities and the rich- alumni base spread across the world are one of the most distinguished facets of the program.

The course prides itself on 97% placement rate of its graduating class of 2022 and its invaluable partnerships with prestigious corporate partners including EY, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, McKinsey & Company, Crowe, Milliman, Uber, Protiviti, Eli Lilly, Juniper Networks, J.P. Morgan Chase, Accenture, Plante Moran among many. The graduated students feel prepared to tap extensive career roles and opportunities expanding from Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Technology Analyst, Cyber Security Consultant, Strategy Consultant to Product Manager, IT Project Manager, Solution Architect, Program Analyst, Data Engineer, Data Analytics Developer, IT Audit Consultant and Software Engineer.

The estimated fee structure (including the jumpstart module) falls around $ 58000, with scholarship opportunities including merit-fee waivers and graduate assistantships for top-candidates.

The MSIS program is built on deep rooted values of perseverance, tenacity, and humility. The program’s commitment to professional development and learning sets it apart and enables holistic growth. Its innovative curriculum prepares the students for the future of business and technology, inculcating skills necessary for a successful and meaningful career.

Flipkart Marketplace continues to encourage and empower the seller ecosystem in the country

Bangalore – December 08, 2022: Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, this year introduced a host of new capabilities, programs, and benefits and provided a wide set of opportunities for business growth to the seller ecosystem during the recently held The Big Billion Days. As an effort to encourage sellers who have achieved tremendous growth on the platform, the FlipStars 2022 event was hosted at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Weightlifting Auditorium, Pragati Vihar, Delhi. The event witnessed participation from over 2500 sellers across the country hosted by popular celebrities.

‘FlipStars Award is an annual event that recognizes the achievements of sellers associated with Flipkart and celebrates their success. After two virtual editions of the event in 2021 and 2020, FlipStars 2022 was celebrated on the ground this year. Owing to the tremendous success of and participation from the sellers, the Flipkart marketplace doubled the Awards and Recognitions for the sellers this year. Sellers were being recognized across categories like Mobile, Fashion, Shopsy, and BGMH. Some of the key parameters considered to reward and recognize the sellers included GMV, Units, Reliability, Quality, and Speed.

The popular actor Anil Kapoor felicitated the top 60 performers with tokens of appreciation for their achievements. The FlipStars awards event conducted this year is a true testament to the tremendous growth showcased by sellers on the platform as a result of their consistent efforts to fulfill the evolving needs of consumers. This year, the number of sellers who achieved commendable growth in their entrepreneurial journey and felicitated by Flipkart were more than 2x in number compared to last year.

With ongoing consistent efforts and policy changes introduced this year such as  the 10-minute onboarding process to improve the ease of doing business online, greater ease of listing, and faster payments, Flipkart registered a 2x increase in the number of onboarded sellers and a 4x jump from the sign-up stage.

Kushagra Aggarwal, Managing Partner, Future Mobiles LLP, sharing his thoughts on being recognized at the event, said, “I am overjoyed to be recognized as a FlipStar amongst such esteemed guests. It is encouraging to be able to serve and receive positive feedback from millions of happy customers across the country. My aim to reach every household is finally a reality, all thanks to Flipkart. My sincere wish is that more sellers realize the potential of taking their businesses online and join the digital revolution.” 

Jagjeet Harode, Senior Director and Head – Of marketplace, Flipkart, said, “As a homegrown marketplace, we understand the needs and expectations of indigenous sellers and have always focused on driving positive change and assisting entrepreneurs in their journey. I wish to congratulate all our sellers, especially the winners, who are helping us realize the vision of providing quality, affordable selection and ease of shopping experience to our customers across the country. In line with Flipkart’s commitment to help strengthen India’s digital ecosystem, we will continue our efforts to cater to the evolving needs of our 450 million customer base with the support of our seller partners who are at the core of our business and our vision.” 

Flipkart, with a strong focus on inclusivity, has catalyzed and accelerated growth and prosperity across its value chain. A people-centric platform, Flipkart has empowered its stakeholders with business-friendly policies and helped in building a robust, tech-enabled MSME ecosystem. To encourage entrepreneurship among women, Flipkart has launched several programs to equip them with the capabilities to build opportunities in various categories including supply chain which is predominantly male-driven. The company’s efforts have helped in bringing a large and increasing number of female entrepreneurs into the digital fold of e-commerce and helped them in kick starting their entrepreneurial journey.

Shopsy Introduces Tamil and Telugu App Interfaces Furthering Its Made for Bharat E-commerce Innovations

Bengaluru – December 8, 2022: Shopsy by Flipkart, Bharat’s fastest-growing hyper-value e-commerce platform, has introduced Tamil and Telugu to its platform to widen its reach and serve more customers across different regions. This will allow customers to choose their preferred language for accessing the expansive range of affordable products available on the platform. Given that over 68% of Shopsy customers today come from Tier 2 and beyond cities, out of which close to 50% are first-time e-commerce shoppers, the introduction of new languages is key in addressing the growing demand of consumers that are based in different corners of the country.

As per Shopsy’s research, while customers residing in non-metros were able to navigate the app in English, they were more comfortable transacting in their regional language as browsing products and shopping online became easier. As a result, Shopsy introduced two new languages to cater to the soaring demand of its consumers. The recently published Flipkart-Bain & Company report on How India Shops Online 2022, also points to the growing preference towards vernacular language among regional users. Furthering its commitment to democratizing commerce, Shopsy’s initiative enables an even more seamless and convenient shopping experience for its customers.

Adarsh Menon, Senior Vice President & Head – New Businesses, Flipkart said, “Our core value proposition lies in offering a hassle-free shopping experience to customers who are looking for value-based products for their shopping needs. The launch of new languages will help serve the heterogeneous user population across the country, making their e-commerce journey even more fulfilling with Shopsy. Leveraging technology and innovation, we will continue to add more such features that will make digital commerce more inclusive and accessible for existing and potential customers. Over the last six months, we have observed tremendous traction across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu indicating the climbing customer base momentum. Rolling out regional app interfaces in Telugu and Tamil is a step ahead to enrich our connection with this audience. We are also delighted that the Shopsy App has recently been awarded the Google Play Best of Users’ Choice Award.”

Shopsy aims to continue working towards its vision to offer a wide range of engaging products for customers at affordable prices while being a value-based and reliable platform. It has strived to deliver on its commitment of building a community that truly levels the playing field of commerce in the country. Since its launch in July 2021, Shopsy’s aim has been to make digital commerce accessible across India through a zero-commission marketplace. Today, the platform has over 11 lakh sellers (including Flipkart) on the platform who provide 150 million products across 800+ categories for customers across India.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor develops 30 Model Anganwadi Centres in Ramanagara District

Bangalore, December 2022: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) announced the completion of implementation of Toyota Anganwadi Development Program (TADP) in 30 Model Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in Ramanagara, Karnataka. The project was handed over to the Women and Child Development Department in Ramanagara District in the presence of Mr. Digvijay Bodke IAS, CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Ramanagara, Mr. Sudeep S. Dalvi, Senior Vice President, Director and Chief Communication Officer and senior officials from TKM. These centres were selected in collaboration with the Women and Child Welfare Department to facilitate healthy growth and overall development among children.

Driven by the five main themes of Education, Environment, Health and Hygiene, Road Safety, and Skill Development, TKM continues to work towards a more holistic development of children by fostering various education-focused initiatives along with working towards their health and hygiene. As a part of this mission, the company along with the Women and Child Development Department of Ramanagara District, Government of Karnataka implemented TADP across 30 Anganwadi centres in the district.

Expressing his thoughts, Mr. Digvijay Bodke, IAS, CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Ramanagara, said, “Early childhood education and care is the foundation of a healthy childhood and early experiences influence the cognitive development of a child while directly impacting the development of learning skills, social and emotional abilities. Understanding this need, TADP initiative will not only help children’s growth but also equip teachers with innovative teaching skills that will have a significant positive impact on their ability to create a strong foundation for the future education of these children. We are happy that corporates like Toyota are constantly working towards better public health, and we are sure their efforts have gone a long way to improve the health and developmental outcomes of children at Anganwadi Centres in Ramanagara district thereby benefitting the entire community.”

Sharing his thoughts at the event, Mr. Sudeep S. Dalvi, Senior Vice President, Director and Chief Communication Officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “On this occasion, I would like to reiterate our appreciation to the Government of Karnataka for their commitment to facilitate right environment for holistic education of children. The primary objective of TADP is to focus on enabling an environment for creative learning, and cognitive development in children with child-centric infrastructure and quality education alongside improving health and hygiene standards. Through this programme, we initiated capacity development for pilot batch of teachers and process improvements in 30 model AWCs. The key stakeholders will further sustain and promote the knowledge and skill gained in a progressive manner to facilitate the healthy growth and development among children with support from TKM. We are happy to be handing over the project to Women and Child Development Department, Ramanagara who have strongly supported this initiative and we are sure their efforts will have immense positive impact to children in the coming years.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, over the years, has initiated several projects to accelerate access to quality education in Karnataka. Initiatives like school construction, education materials distribution and Toyota Anganwadi Development Program have cumulatively benefitted over 1,15,000 students. Toyota remains committed to bringing in more enriching and sustainable CSR projects for the holistic development of the community members, thus significantly contributing to the SDG3-Good Health and Well-being, SDG4-Quality Education goals thereby bringing about substantially change towards the larger community.

Overview of TKM

Overview of TKM 1st Plant:

Overview of TKM 2nd Plant: