Archive: May 2, 2023

TiEcon Mumbai 2023 at Jio World Convention Center, BKC on 1st & 2nd June 2023

Block your date for One of India’s Biggest Entrepreneur’s conference at Jio World Center on 1^st & 2^nd June, 2023

We are thrilled to unveil the much-awaited 16th edition of TiEcon Mumbai 2023.

This year’s theme is “Unboxing India 3.0: Anti-Fragile | Conscious | Innovating,” TiEcon is focusing on how businesses can thrive in India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. With a line-up of renowned industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries, TiEcon Mumbai 2023 promises to be a platform for game-changing ideas, strategic collaborations, unparalleled networking opportunities, masterclasses, workshops, and a lot more.

1^st June 2023 – There will be special tracks on Fintech,  D2C & Foodtech, Edtech, Sustainability and AI.

2^nd June 2023 – Will be the Mega event on “Unboxing India 3.0: Anti-Fragile | Conscious | Innovating,”

5 NGOs Changing the Lives of the Disabled Population in the Country

The current state of the disabled population in India is complex and multifaceted. According to the 2011 Census of India, there are over 26 million people with disabilities in the country, representing 2.21% of the total population. Persons with disabilities in India face a range of challenges, including discrimination, stigma, and lack of access to education, employment, and healthcare. Many also struggle to access basic services such as transportation and infrastructure, which can further limit their ability to participate fully in society. Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in recent years. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is a landmark legislation that provides greater legal protections and rights for persons with disabilities. Additionally, there are many organizations and NGOs working tirelessly to improve the lives of the disabled population in India. In this listicle, we will highlight five such NGOs that are making a significant impact in the lives of persons with disabilities, including Enable India, CBM India, The Ability Foundation among others.

1. Enable India: Enable India is an NGO that works towards the economic independence of persons with disabilities. They provide job training and placement services, and work with companies to create more inclusive workplaces.
2. CBM India: CBM India Trust is a leading Indian not-for-profit development organisation committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and other marginalised communities. It has been working alongside persons with disabilities to remove cultural and environmental barriers to their full participation in health, education, and livelihood in over 25 states. It promotes inclusive development models that break the vicious cycle of poverty and disability.
3. Amar Seva Sangam: Amar Seva Sangam is an NGO that provides a range of services to persons with disabilities, including healthcare, education, and vocational training. They also run a rural rehabilitation center that provides long-term care for persons with severe disabilities.
4. Mobility India: Mobility India is an NGO that focuses on assistive technology and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. They develop and distribute a range of devices such as wheelchairs and prosthetics, and provide training to healthcare professionals.
5. The Ability Foundation: The Ability Foundation is an NGO that works towards the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life. They provide support in areas such as education, employment, and accessibility, and also raise awareness through advocacy and events.

Despite the challenges faced by the disabled population in India, the work being done by organizations such as CBM India, Enable India, Amar Seva Sangam, Mobility India, and The Ability Foundation is making a real difference. Through their tireless efforts and dedication, they are helping to create a more inclusive and accessible society for all. As we continue to work towards greater equality and opportunity for all, we must ensure that the needs and rights of persons with disabilities are front and center.

Reliance General Insurance to offer insurance protection to Swiggy’s Delivery Partners

New Delhi/Hyderabad/Mumbai, 2nd May 2023: Reliance General Insurance, one of India’s leading Private General Insurance Companies, announced today that it has partnered with Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand convenience delivery platform to cover its Delivery Partners with a tailored Insurance Protection plan. Reliance General Insurance is providing a unique health insurance product along with personal accident and mobile phone insurance coverage to Swiggy’s fleet of 3 lakh delivery partners across the country through Gallagher Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd.

The insurance coverages offered by Reliance General Insurance come loaded with several essential benefits. With the Group Mediclaim policy, Swiggy’s delivery partners can avail OPD treatment, medical hospitalization, maternity cover, and many more benefits as per the eligibility criteria of the master policy. Under the Group Personal Accident policy, the delivery partners will be covered in the unfortunate event of accidental death and accidental permanent partial disablement. In the case of accidental temporary total disablement, the insured partner will receive a loss of pay benefit during recovery.

For a delivery partner, his/her mobile phone is the most important device used constantly throughout the delivery journey. To enhance the financial protection of the delivery partners, Reliance General Insurance is also providing coverage for damage to mobile phones due to an accident.

Excited about the initiative, Anand Singhi, Chief Distribution Officer, Reliance General Insurance, said, “We are proud to have associated with Swiggy and Gallagher to offer insurance protection to the delivery partners. The delivery partners represent India’s fast-growing gig economy. We jointly recognized the need for a robust insurance product for the gig workers and developed just that together. Our insurance coverage ensures gig workers’ financial protection and increases their propensity to avail timely healthcare. This will further help pave the way for a healthier population that is vital to our country’s long-term prosperity.”

“The safety and well-being of our delivery partners is at the front and center for Swiggy. Swiggy was one of the first platforms to offer a well-rounded insurance product spanning accident and hospitalization, Covid and other illnesses, maternity cover, paid recovery time-off, and mobile insurance to name a few. To continue these industry-best benefits, we have now partnered with Reliance General Insurance so our partners know that Swiggy will always have their backs,” said Kedar Gokhale, VP of Operations, Swiggy.

Yashesh Sampat, Head – Affinity & Association, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are immensely proud of our association with Reliance General Insurance and Swiggy in providing insurance coverage to gig workers. We are sure this product will protect the gig workers’ financial liability on account of healthcare costs, and in case of any damage to mobile phone and devices. The aim is to introduce the concept of insurance for delivery partners that will positively impact their lives and support their livelihood. The simplicity of the product and easy access to claims service, the technology platform will help them to experience insurance in the best possible way.”

NMDC records the best ever April month performance in company history

Hyderabad, 2 May 2023: India’s largest producer of iron ore NMDC, reported a production of 3.51 MnT and sale of 3.43 MnT in April 2023, recording the best ever performance for any April month in NMDC history.

Iron ore production in April 2023 is 11.42% more than April 2022 and the growth in sales is 9.93% over CPLY. Building on the momentum from the 40 MnT surpassed consecutively in FY22 and FY23, the mining major is on a record-breaking spree as it achieves the highest production and sales for any April month since inception.

Congratulating his team on the spectacular performance, Shri Amitava Mukherjee, CMD (Additional Charge), NMDC said, “Our dedication and consistency is displayed in NMDC’s back-to-back grit to outperform itself as seen in April’s solid figures. We are continuously adopting new processes and technologies to strengthen our supply-chain and continue to meet the growing iron ore demands of the nation. We are now aiming at becoming a 100 MTPA mining company by 2030 and are treading confidently on the road map laid for achieving the same.

Infosys Foundation Collaborates with GoSports Foundation to Launch Girls for Gold Program

Bengaluru, India  May 2, 2023: Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic and CSR arm of Infosys, today announced that it is collaborating with GoSports Foundation to build the ‘Girls for Gold Program’, a high-performance excellence program for junior and emerging women athletes. This program, spanning an initial term of four years, will identify and support progression of talented Indian women athletes between 13 to 19 years of age through collaborations with high potential academies and coaches in India. The program will include scholarships, coaching, access to academies, and performance recognition. 

The program will follow a three-pronged approach. First, it will establish a strong cohort of women athletes who will be equipped to compete at the international level, help them build sustainable careers, and nurture them to become role models for the next generation. Secondly, it will build a pipeline of qualified and capable coaches who will help realize the aspirations of athletes and create an atmosphere of sustained sporting excellence. Third, it will help tech-enable the identified academies to make them world class training centers. 

The first cohort of supported academies range across five sporting disciplines, that comprise shooting, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis and badminton. The academies identified as the inaugural beneficiaries of the program are:

·       Lakshya Shooting Club

·       Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation

·       Sathish Sivalingam Weightlifting Foundation

·       Raman TT High Performance Centre

·       Yadav Pro Badminton Academe.

More academies may be considered for support as the program expands. A Champions Advisory Board has been created, comprising sports personalities that include former Indian shooter and Arjuna awardee Suma Shirur, former national table tennis champion B Bhuvaneswari, and amateur boxing champion and Padma Vibhushan awardee MC Mary Kom. 

“We truly appreciate Infosys Foundation’s commitment to creating cutting-edge avenues for girls and young women to become sporting champions for India. The holistic model of the ‘Girls for Gold Program’ builds the ecosystem by investing in human and institutional capacity and creating talent pathways for future generations. We are confident of the impact that this unique program will have on the lives and careers of women athletes we will support and, more broadly, on Indian sport”, said, Deepthi Bopaiah, CEO – Go Sports Foundation. 

Sumit Virmani, Trustee, Infosys Foundation, said, “At Infosys Foundation, a deep-rooted focus on education and women empowerment have been a key priority over the years. Collaborating with GoSports Foundation furthers this long-standing commitment to empower aspiring women athletes with a holistic ecosystem that can help nurture their dreams. Excellence in sports is a driver of social change and we are confident that this collaboration will help these talented young women realize their potential in sports, in an environment amplified with scientific, and tech-enabled processes.”

NTPC registers growth of 148% in coal production from captive mines

Mumbai/Bengaluru May 02, 2023: NTPC Ltd., India’s largest integrated power producer has registered a growth of 148% coal production from its captive mines as compared to production registered in April 2022. NTPC recorded 2.75 Million metric tonnes (MMT) of coal production during the month of April 2023 as compared 1.11MMT recorded for the month of April 2022.

India’s largest power producer achieved highest-ever monthly coal despatch of 2.95 MMT in April 2023, 140% increase on coal despatch volumes of 1.23 MMT achieved in the month of April 2022.

NTPC recorded a coal production of 23.2 million tonnes in FY23, witnessing a 65% growth against 14.02 million tonnes a year ago from its four operational coal mines -NTPC Pakri-Barwadih (Jharkhand), NTPC Chatti Bariatu (Jharkhand), NTPC Dulanga (Odisha) and NTPC Talaipalli (Chhattisgarh).

The implementation of digitized initiatives by the coal mining teams has helped raising the bar in operational excellence in the mining operations. The improved processes have helped in enhancing safety in mining operations and has also led to the implementation of e-SMP, a digitalized safety management plan and a mobile app for safety, Sachetan.

NTPC Group installed capacity stands at 71,644MW.

Counter the scorching heat with Somany Temp Shield tiles

May 2023: Somany Ceramics Limited, is amongst the global leading companies specializing in ceramics and allied products and is recognized to be a leader in design & innovation. Brand SOMANY has built its legacy with innovative solution-driven products and Somany Temp Shield Tile is another distinctive offering from the marquee brand.

Somany TempShield Tiles are specially designed to make the Roof/Terraces, Balconies, and Exteriors facades repel excessive heat and keep the insides of your space cooler and energy efficient — thus also helping in reducing the carbon footprint. Owing to its high reflectance and emittance, the Temp Shield tile effectively reduces both surface temperature and inside room temperatures. It not only protects your building from damage due to high heat but also saves energy by reducing high electricity consumption and thus helping you save on electricity bills. Lowering of room temperatures also helps in reducing carbon footprints by contributing to the environment.

The Temp Shield tiles come with a Vitrified body which makes them highly durable and long-lasting. They are also effective in combating the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) by reflecting sunlight and heat. Furthermore, they protect buildings from heat-related damage and contribute to reducing carbon and energy footprints, thereby playing a vital role in reducing global warming and in saving the environment.

The Unmatched Contribution of Indian Instructional Designers in EdTech – by Soniyaa Murhe

In recent years, education technology, or EdTech has revolutionized the education sector, and India has played a significant role in it. Indian instructional designers have been at the forefront of this change, making invaluable contributions to the field. In this blog, we will delve into the facts behind their unmatched contribution to EdTech.

India’s Growth in EdTech

India has a rich history of education, with ancient institutions like Takshashila and Nalanda dating back to the 6th century BC. However, with the emergence of EdTech, the country has taken a leap in education in recent years. As per a report by RedSeer, the Indian online education industry is expected to grow to $10.4 billion by 2025, and the Covid-19 pandemic has further accelerated this growth.

The Role of Indian Instructional Designers in EdTech

Instructional design is the process of creating effective and engaging learning experiences for students. Indian instructional designers have played a pivotal role in making EdTech accessible, engaging, and effective for learners worldwide. They have applied their knowledge of pedagogy, technology, and design to develop innovative EdTech solutions that cater to the diverse needs of learners.

Indian instructional designers have brought a unique perspective to EdTech by integrating cultural sensitivity, language localization, and regional content to the platforms. This has made learning more inclusive and effective, breaking the language barriers for learners in India and beyond.

Some Indian instructional designers have even been recognized globally for their contribution to EdTech. One such example is Karthik Venkatesh, who won the prestigious Brandon Hall Group Gold Award for Excellence in Learning in 2020 for his work on a mobile learning app.

Future of EdTech and Indian Instructional Designers

With the increasing demand for EdTech, Indian instructional designers have a crucial role to play in the future of education. As the industry evolves, there will be more opportunities for them to develop innovative solutions and transform the education sector.

Indian instructional designers need to continue to be at the forefront of this change by upskilling themselves and keeping up with the latest trends and technologies in EdTech. With their unmatched contribution, they have shown that they can transform the education sector and make learning accessible, engaging, and effective for all.

Conclusion
Indian instructional designers have made an indelible impact on the EdTech industry, making learning more accessible and effective for learners worldwide. Their contributions have made EdTech solutions more inclusive, breaking down barriers for learners in India and beyond. As the industry grows, Indian instructional designers need to continue to innovate and push the boundaries of EdTech to transform the education sector.

Shemaroo partners with Near Foundation to enhance Web3.0 digital infrastructure in Media & Entertainment

Mumbai, May 02, 2023: Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd, one of the major players in India’s media and entertainment industry with a long-standing legacy of 60 years, has teamed up with the Near Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports funding and ecosystem development on Near Foundation, the world’s fastest-growing, open source, climate neutral blockchain.

In response to exciting new advancements in Web3.0 and the rising demand for enhanced user experiences, Shemaroo is using this partnership to establish a Web3.0 innovation cell that will concentrate on discovering the possibilities of blockchain technology and unlocking new opportunities for decentralization, transparency, and immutability in the media & entertainment industry. In particular, Shemaroo will tap into Near Foundation’s scalable blockchain infrastructure and smart contract capabilities to develop new solutions and services for its users.

“We are excited to use Near Foundation to launch our innovation cell and explore the potential of blockchain technology to transform the entertainment industry,” said Hiren Gada, CEO – Shemaroo. ” As a forward-thinking business, we always seek out fresh approaches to innovate and improve our offerings to better serve our users. We believe that blockchain technology has the potential to unlock new possibilities and create new revenue streams for the industry. With Near becoming a Blockchain Operating System (BOS), it also makes it very easy for us to adopt Web3 faster and reduce time to market for projects.”

Near Foundation’s cutting-edge blockchain technology will enable Shemaroo to provide its users with enhanced security, faster transaction speeds and lower costs. The partnership will also enable Shemaroo to explore new use cases for blockchain technology in areas such as content distribution, rights management and audience engagement.

Shemaroo has a huge cumulative subscriber base and receives millions of views every day on their respective channels. With this level of audience reach, this partnership provides significant visibility for Near in an important market, something that will help move it towards its broader vision of bringing 1 billion people to Web3.

“We are thrilled to partner with Shemaroo Entertainment to explore the potential of blockchain technology in the media and entertainment industry,” said Marieke Flament, CEO of the Near Foundation. “Shemaroo has a rich history in Indian cinema and is known for its innovative approach and extensive market reach that will expose Near to a completely new audience. The brand currently has a collection of over 3700 movie titles in multiple Indian languages and offers services to customers in over 30 countries including the US, the UK, Singapore, the UAE and Australia. The company’s partners for content distribution include Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube among others, which gives Near major exposure to a mass audience.”

Flament added, “With the support of Near, Shemaroo will benefit from a robust and infinitely scalable foundation that can help India’s premier entertainment company bring Web3 innovation to life and truly enhance the user experience.”

One place where this innovation will be felt is in the creation of new forms of digital content. Shemaroo’s vast library of content across different formats combined with Near Foundation’s technology will enable Shemaroo to create innovative digital content including NFTs and metaverse experiences.

Commenting on the partnership, Rahul Mishra, Head – Web 3.0 initiatives, Shemaroo said, “At Shemaroo, we believe that partnerships and collaborations are the key to unlocking new opportunities, and our association with Near Foundation is a testament to this belief. The expertise and technological prowess of Near Foundation, combined with Shemaroo’s deep understanding of the entertainment industry, will create a unique synergy that can drive innovation and transform the industry’s landscape. With the advent of blockchain technology, we see an opportunity to reimagine the way media and entertainment is consumed, distributed and monetized. This partnership is a significant step in this direction, and we are excited to embark on this journey together. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, we remain committed to delivering exceptional content and experiences that resonate with our audiences.”

Arpit Sharma, MD (India, SEA & Middle East) of the Near Foundation believes the strategic partnership with Shemaroo marks a significant milestone for the media and entertainment industry. He said, “Through our collaboration, we aim to leverage our cutting-edge innovations in blockchain technology and Shemaroo’s extensive industry expertise to create new opportunities for consumers to engage with content.”

Arpit added, “Shemaroo is poised to make a significant impact in the web3 ecosystem, and this partnership comes at the right time for both companies to exponentially scale adoption and delight consumers and the industry with many new offerings. We are confident that this partnership will result in game-changing developments that will benefit both organizations and the industry as a whole.”