Archive: June 29, 2023

Protean and NBBL join hands to increase trust in payments & settlements on the Open Network for Digital Commerce

Mumbai, June 2023: Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure), a technology leader in creating digital public infrastructure solutions at the population scale, announced yet another building block for the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) with the launch of its Recon & Settlement Product (RSP) in partnership with the NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited’s (NBBL) NOCS platform as a Settlement Agency (SA).

This collaboration between Protean and NBBL brings together their technological expertise to ensure secure, transparent, and seamless fund settlements on the ONDC platform. ONDC and Protean had ideated and conceptualized the RSP along with a few select banks and have successfully tested this first-of-its-kind de-centralized settlement framework between two participants on an open network without the need for any manual intervention or supervision. Network Participants on ONDC are entities that are responsible for enabling Buyer or Seller experiences for their end customers.

The Network Participants who have been early adopters of Protean’s RSP include Addble, Bizom, Eksecond, Esamuday, GrowthFalcons, Jakkur Technoparks Private Limited, Kotak Bank App, MyStore, ndhgo, nStore, placeorder.com (Rapidor), Bech.app and OrderDe.com (SignCatch), Spice Money, Snapbizz, Uengage, Vanghee besides many more NPs who are in early stages of integration.

Protean’s RSP is built to handle transaction volumes at population scale. This incorporates a number of features including an automated rule-driven transaction reconciliation processing system to cater to the dynamic terms of the ONDC order contract and an integrated support for tax calculations. It further provides a 360-degree view admin panel and dashboard for buyer and seller network participants to have complete visibility of their settlement payouts & receivables for transactions originating or terminating on the open network. It also offers exception handling capability and control reports for both Banks and NPs to have operational control and governance.

T. Koshy, CEO and MD at ONDC said, “This marks another significant milestone for ONDC with the launch of Protean’s Recon & Settlement Product on NBBL’s NOCS platform. It will empower participants to focus on their core business activities, confident in the knowledge that their payment settlements are streamlined, accurate, and hassle-free. By embracing this advanced solution, our participants can enhance operational efficiency and ultimately strengthen their trust in the ONDC network, propelling digital commerce to new heights of success.”

Suresh Sethi, MD & CEO, Protean eGov Technologies said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with NBBL and continue to build trust in the ONDC network through products which truly make a difference to the network participants. The introduction of a powerful, decentralized, fully automated Recon and Settlement Product from Protean will ensure elimination of hours of manual effort and reconciliation errors in the payment settlement process in the network. It will ensure seamless funds movement and predictability given the dynamic nature of ONDC contracts. We remain committed to our promise of building population-scale interventions that continue to delight & enhance the ease of doing business.”

Noopur Chaturvedi, CEO of NBBL, said, “We aim to redefine trust in payments and settlements on the Open Network for Digital Commerce. By leveraging our technological expertise and ONDC’s decentralized settlement framework, we are empowering network participants with secure and transparent transactions. We are delighted to collaborate with Protean to further develop the NOCS platform. This partnership marks a significant step towards building a future where trust is embedded in every digital interaction.”

Protean, a pioneering technology company committed to building digital public infrastructure, continues to launch innovative products and interventions on ONDC since the network’s inception.

Minister Jagdish Reddy inaugurates FTCCI’s IITEX-2023

Hyderabad, June 2023……… Mr Jagadish Reddy, Minister for Energy, Govt of Telangana inaugurates the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FTCCI) maiden three-day exhibition Industrial Innovation and Technology Expo – 2023. It is being jointly hosted by FTCCI and Govt of Telangana.

Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, IFS, Spl Secretary, Investment Promotion & NRI Affairs and Jt MD TSTPC; Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research; Dasari Balaiah, Regional Passport Officer; Srinivas Rao Mahankali, CEO, T-Hub have also joined the Minister in the inaugural function.

It is a three-day expo. Entry to the exhibition is free. It is open from 11 am to 6.30m at Hitex in Madhapur.

The Expo also celebrated MSME Day.

A fourteen-member Vietnam Business Delegation visited the expo.

The response to the B2B meeting with the Vietnam delegation was overwhelming. Over 100 B2B meets were already scheduled and more were requested, informed Mr. Anil Agarwal, President of FTCCI in his welcome address.

Speaking further he added that it was their maiden expo and more are in the offing. Expo on this subject was long pending and is the need of the hour. The expo has 120 stalls. It is supported by ICICI, FOUR SOLAR, Quantum Energy, Standard Kitchens, World Trade Centre and Pokarna, the Government of Telangana, TSIIC, TSREDCO, IIMR, Ministry of MSME, ICRISAT, BNI, T HUB, IIP, GRID CLUB, T Works and TSTPC.

Both international and domestic exhibitors are participating. Some of the key international exhibitors include Cet Power Solution (Belgium), the Economic Development Board Mauritius (East Africa), and the Government of Ras Al Khaimah (UAE)

A few key domestic exhibitors include Gujarat Informatics Limited GIL and Hypercube Analytics Pvt. Ltd, Automation Solutions, Jarsh Innovations Private Ltd, Four Solar Energy Systems Pvt Ltd, Sadhguru Audit and GRC Solutions pvt ltd

Jarsh Innovation Private Ltd, a Hyderabad-based, company known for producing the world’s first air-conditioned helmet will showcase its wide range of products.

Greenko, one of India’s leading Renewable Energy companies, replacing fossil fuels with integrated decarbonized energy

Ecolastic Company of Vishwa Samudra group is known for manufacturing biodegradable products made of 100% natural substances like tapioca corn, and vegetable starch.

Four Solar Energy Systems Pvt Ltd is a professional EPC company that has undertaken projects totaling more than 35 MW in India and other countries.

Addressing the gathering immediately after the inauguration, Mr Jagdish Reddy said, 90 years of development is achieved in 9 years in Telangana. And it was possible because of the foresighted policies and governance of Chief Minister, K. Chandrashekar Rao, he said.

Speaking further he added that the development was unimaginable. Power cuts have become things of the past. Power holidays are unheard of in our state now. These are few achievements, not many states can boast of in India, he said.

Minister appealed to FTCCI to organize similar kinds of exhibitions in district headquarters.

Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, IFS, Spl Secretary, Investment Promotion & NRI Affairs, and Jt MD TSTPC said that it was happy to note that FTCCI ensured international participation in the very first edition of the expo. It is a matter of pride.

The Telangana state has witnessed unprecedented growth. The growth is holistic, and inclusive, on every front be it water, power, resources, or employment, he added

The state is focusing on Innovation, Infrastructure, and Inclusive Growth. Innovation is essential in all spheres. We must cultivate innovative thinking., For a state to be a knowledge economy innovation is a crux, So the traditional industries must spend more energy and resources on R & D. He appealed to all present to support the state government in making Telangana the state of an industrialised economy.

Dr (Mrs) C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research said ‘We have been marching from food security to nutritional security. We have replaced millet with rice, wheat, and refined floors. They are doing more harm than good. We must go back to the old system of nutritional food. Millets are the most nutritional food. Millets have very good export potential.’

IIMR has Nutrihub a Technology Business Incubator that provides, supports, and grows agri-business startups in the nutri-cereals (millet) industry. ICAR – IIMR, Hyderabad. Nutrihub is a unique and first-of-its-kind organisation to cater to start-up needs in the Nutri cereals sector. We encourage budding Entrepreneurs to promote the growth of Nutri cereals (millet), the Climate Resilient Future Crops.

Dasari Balaih Regional Passport Officer said they made 14 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras open on Saturdays to ensure the processing of a rising number of passport applications in the city.

Mr. Srinivas Rao Mahankali, CEO of T-Hub said he would like to work with FTCCI to build a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem. Let us build a strong ecosystem for scaling startups, he told the gathering.

Mr. Meela Jayadev, Senior Vice President, Mr. Suresh Kumar Singhal, Vice President, Ms. Khyati Narawane, CEO of FTCCI, and others participated in the inauguration.

Safety Insurance Group Selects One Inc to Provide Digital Claims Payments

-Implementing Digital Solutions Remain a Top Priority for Insurance in 2023-

FOLSOM, CA — {June 28, 2023} – One Inc, the leading digital payments network for the insurance industry, announced today that Safety Insurance Group (Safety) has selected One Inc’s ClaimsPay® to modernize the consumer experience and provide instant claims payment functionality to its customers. This partnership underscores the industry’s emphasis on digital payment solutions and eliminating physical check reimbursements. One Inc currently enables more than 240 insurance carriers to process over $51 billion in payments annually.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Safety provides a full range of property and casualty insurance products and operates exclusively in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. As part of the company’s goal to provide industry-leading ease of doing business and maximum efficiency, Safety selected One Inc’s ClaimsPay solution to streamline its entire claims disbursement process.

Through One Inc.’s ClaimsPay platform, Safety customers will have the option to receive digital payments through popular payment platforms like Venmo and PayPal, in addition to direct payment options. With integrated mobile and web platforms, Safety seeks to provide customers with a modern claims experience that uses familiar mobile technology.

“Integrating One Inc’s ClaimsPay was a natural choice as we sought to innovate this vital area of our business,” said Steve Varga, Vice President of MIS. “We are focused on modernizing property and casualty insurance and are always looking for partners that deliver modern tools to improve the customer experience. Security, speed, and ease of the process are our top priorities, and ClaimsPay will help us meet and exceed those benchmarks.”

“Instant payments deliver a required customer value proposition and a competitive advantage to insurance carriers,” said Ian Drysdale, CEO at One Inc. “As Safety Group looks to prioritize efficiency, many insurers are eyeing their claims technology to provide digital infrastructure that can help them rapidly adapt to the ever-changing needs of customers and stay ahead of the competition. We are proud that leading carriers like Safety are choosing One Inc for claims payment transformation.”

About One Inc
One Inc is modernizing the insurance industry through a unified and frictionless payment network. Focusing only on the insurance industry, One Inc helps carriers transform their operations by reducing costs, increasing security, and optimizing customer experience. The comprehensive end-to-end digital payments platform provides expanded payment options, multi-channel digital communications, and rapid digital claim payments, even for the most complex insurance use cases. As one of the fastest- growing digital payments platforms in the insurance industry, One Inc manages billions of dollars per year in premiums and claim payments.

About Safety

Safety Insurance Group, Inc., based in Boston, MA, is the parent of Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Safety Northeast Insurance Company, and Safety Northeast Insurance Agency. Operating exclusively in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, Safety is a leading writer of property and casualty insurance products, including private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, umbrella, and business owner policies.

Team “Black Justice” Launches Trailer at Press Club of India

# Acclaimed actor Mukesh Khanna lends his voice to ‘Black Justice’
# The web series aims to provoke thought and spark meaningful discussions on judicial issues

New Delhi, June 28, 2023 –

The highly anticipated trailer launch of the groundbreaking art web series, “Black Justice,” took place on June 27th at the Press Club of India in New Delhi. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Ms. Neha Singh Rathore, a renowned Folklore Bhojpuri Singer who sang the Signature Song of “Black Justice,” and Dr. Kapil Kakar, the visionary producer behind this thought-provoking project. Mr. Mukesh Khanna, an accomplished actor who provided Dialogue Narration for the series, sent a Video Message as he was unable to join in person.

It is worth mentioning that this web series has already been nominated for 11 awards before its release, while in 2022, it emerged as the winner at the Blackboard International Film Festival and Moonlight Films International Film Fest (MWIFF).

“Black Justice” is a web series that talks about the crucial aspects of our society, offering a fresh perspective on pressing issues that resonate deeply with the interests of our country. The series has the potential to be a game-changer, addressing topics that affect our government, judiciary, and society as a whole. Under the brilliant guidance of Dr. Kapil Kakar, the writer and producer of “Black Justice,” the series has been crafted with an intent to shed light on these critical matters, provoking thought and encouraging discussions.

In his video statement, Mr. Mukesh Khanna expressed his heartfelt wishes to the entire team behind “Black Justice.” He acknowledged the potential of the webseries to bring about a positive change and commended Dr. Kapil Kakar for his profound storytelling and concept. Dr. Kakar said, it may not be Judiciary Files like Kerala File and Kashmir Files, but this Webseries has given groundbreaking reforms as a solution which is not difficult to implement. Reforms like Running courts in 2-3 Shifts which runs with additional Judges as it saves money on infrastructure and also generates employment. Mr. Khanna emphasized the impact of “Black Justice” and its ability to stimulate dialogue on the pressing issues faced by our society. His support further solidifies the series as a significant step towards social awareness and transformation.

Bhavin Wadia, the esteemed director of “Black Justice,” has a proven track record of delivering exceptional cinematic experiences. Having directed notable films such as “Marathwada” in 2016 starring the late OM Puri Ji and “Made Superstar” in 2017, Wadia brings his expertise and unique vision to this art web series, ensuring an immersive and thought-provoking narrative for the audience.

The lead actor, JP, is portrayed by the talented Vedish Zaveri, who is also set to grace the screens soon in the highly anticipated movie, “SARDAR,” where he portrays the iconic Sardar Patel.

The trailer launch of “Black Justice” marks the beginning of a journey that promises to captivate and inspire viewers with its poignant storytelling and powerful performances. As the series unfolds, audiences can expect an exploration of complex societal issues, urging them to reflect and engage in conversations that can bring about positive change.

Mr. Ashwani Upadhya, the Supreme Court Lawyer known for filing more than 50 PILs, also came out in support of the web series by addressing the media. Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, the Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, also addressed the media on men’s rights issues and parental alienation as portrayed in the web series, highlighting a helpless father’s fight for justice and access to his children. Additionally, Mr. Dhruv Kumar, a Supreme Court Lawyer and International Activist, previously a Journalist with BBC London, shared profound insights on judicial reforms with the media.

“Black Justice” promises to be a thought-provoking and socially impactful web series, shedding light on pressing matters that demand our attention and discussion. The team behind the series is dedicated to delivering an engaging and transformative viewing experience. Stay tuned for the release of “Black Justice” and join the conversation on critical societal and judicial issues.

Britain On The Cusp Of Change As Truss Resigns And Sunak Steps In

By Ramnath Narayanswamy*

Britain’s cup of woes and that of her remarkably undistinguished Prime Minister has reached a new peak. Even while the embattled Prime Minister, Liz Truss, bravely declared that she was a fighter and not a quitter, there was a humiliating volte-face within the next twenty-four hours. In just 44 days, the tenure of Britain’s new Prime Minister came to an abrupt unceremonious end. She lasted just 45 days, the shortest term of any British Prime Minister.

 It was a terrible week of reversals. After firing her Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, the next to go was the inimitable Suella Braverman. Britain’s former Home Secretary, who won no laurels with her thoughtless and intemperate remarks. While the ostensible reason was her leaking of secret files into her private email, her outbursts on Indians over-staying the period stipulated in their visas, and her equally mindless remarks on the projected free trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom that should have been signed by Diwali could certainly have contributed to her dismissal. The truth is that Indians are universally respected in the UK. In sharp contrast, Indians generate employment, respect the law, create wealth and pay their taxes. Why did these truths escape Ms. Braverman’s attention? Disturbingly, she is on record to have said that she dreamt of airlifting migrants to Rwanda.

Her undisguised admiration of the alleged accomplishments of the British empire (that were quite simply outrageous), was not grounded in history as we know it. The fact that she is an immigrant of Indian origin born in Goa, (of a Goan father and a Tamil mother) moving to the UK from Mauritius rankled both the Indian diaspora in the UK and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs back in New Delhi. The Indian High Commission in London gave a fitting rebuttal to her provocative remarks. The free trade agreement that would have benefitted Britain in the wake of Brexit has now been indefinitely shelved.

Ms. Braverman’s ignorance of Britain’s colonial atrocities is understandable. Even today, British kids are completely unaware of Britain’s colonial past. It has been wiped out of history textbooks in British schools. Even if British adults – let alone kids – are told that Britain owes 45 trillion dollars to India in reparations most of them will either be in shock or open their eyes wide in disbelief.

They will get a similar shock if they are informed that India accounted for 23% of world GDP before British rule and this figure was reduced to 4% when they left Indian shores. There is little to crow about. But this is beyond Ms. Braverman’s ken; she is not competent to occupy a role that requires effective communication, circumspection, and tact. Her remarks on the immigration clauses of the free trade agreement were likewise baffling and betrayed a startling ignorance of the provisions related to immigration.  She was assuming that India had demanded open and free migration that migrants from Central and Southeast Europe had enjoyed in Britain before Brexit when in fact that was not the case at all.

Astonishingly, neither Truss nor Kwarteng initially showed any inclination to remedy the damage they had done or reassure markets that measures would be taken to arrest the slide. Instead, the Chancellor was at a champagne party with managers of hedge funds on the very day when the mini-budget was presented. There is public anger against 70,000 Tories who voted for Liz Truss. Tory party members cannot be relied upon to make a sound judgment. A number of them still support Boris Johnson, who is a personality who has serious difficulty facing up to the truth.

Amazingly, both Truss and Kwarteng refused to express remorse or apologize. Further announcements of price increases in electricity and gas bills led to large-scale protests in London. The rail and postal unions went on strike. The situation soon became precarious. There is a touching faith in a British version of Reaganomics; the underlying belief of this Trussonomics is that if it can deliver in the USA, why can it not bail out Britain?

The problem is that the UK is not the USA; their contexts are hugely different. The nominal GDP of the US stands at 24.88 trillion USD, while the nominal GDP of Britain stands at 3.198 trillion USD by the end of 2022. And India’s GDP stands at 3.469 trillion USD, making it the fifth-largest economy in the world today.

Nonetheless, the strong backlash from backbenchers and the public invited a complete volte-face.  The same Prime Minister who said she would continue to defend her policies suddenly backtracked and effected a complete U-turn by announcing the government’s decision not to proceed with the tax cut on the super-rich. It was reversed just like that. But the Prime Minister swore that she still stood by her mission to usher in higher growth. However, the truth remains that she was elected by 0.01 % of the British population.

Reports soon began to emerge of powerful right-wing lobby groups that were working tirelessly to further their private agendas. Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng are closely associated with these think tanks. Driven by market fundamentalism, several of their members held positions in the government. Some of these organizations include the Adam Smith Institute, the Tax Payers Alliance, the Free Enterprise Group, the Centre for Policy Studies, and the Institute of Economic Affairs. It is alleged that the now-discredited mini-budget was the brainchild of these entities. The charge is credible if judged by the warm reception the mini-budget was accorded by them. They are funded by the tobacco industry and other interest groups in the United States.

Economic reforms are a tricky business. The core of reform economics consists of redistributing power from the few who wield it to the many who do not. Those threatened by loss will resist and those likely to benefit will welcome it. But there is more. Before radical change is initiated, it is essential to ensure that institutional wherewithal is established. The patient needs to be prepared before conducting the surgical operation.

Macroeconomic stability needs to be secured. Curbing fiscal spending, balancing the budget, reducing inflation, stabilizing the currency and a slew of other measures need to be undertaken. This takes time. For them to collectively impact growth comes much later if it does come at all. Given this backdrop, Truss’s refrain from her commitment to embark on a high growth path without a tangible plan on how that was to be accomplished raised questions about her credibility to deliver. There was no reasoned explanation of the maxi-blow dealt by the mini-budget. Her competence was in serious doubt.

Who then will rescue Britain from the unprecedented crises that stalk the country? This challenging enterprise now rests squarely upon the shoulders of Rishi Sunak who is the first Prime Minister of Asian origin in Britain. While his impressive credentials will doubtlessly serve him well, the reappointment of Suella Braverman as Home Secretary by the new Prime Minister has justly invited widespread dismay and criticism. Mr. Sunak will have to skilfully navigate the rough edges of not only his colleagues in the opposition benches but equally within his divided party. He will have to be the glue to bring Britain out of the worst economic crises that it has faced since the end of the second world war. It is a daunting task. There is no gainsaying the fact that Britain is unquestionably in for the long haul.

*The author is a Distinguished Professor at FLAME University, Pune [https://www.flame.edu.in/faculty/ramnath-narayanaswamy]

(Disclaimer)
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy. The information provided in this article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge.

Celebal Technologies recognized as the winner of 2023 Microsoft AI Partner of the Year

Bangalore, June 28, 2023: Celebal Technologies today announced it has won the 2023 Microsoft AI Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

Expressing gratitude on receiving the award, Anirudh Kala, CEO and Co-founder of Celebal Technologies said, “Winning the 2023 Microsoft Global AI Partner of the Year Award is a momentous achievement for Celebal Technologies. We are thrilled to be recognized as a leader in the industry for our pioneering work in leveraging GPT/OpenAI, NLP, and other cutting-edge AI solutions. This Award reaffirms our commitment to driving the AI revolution and delivering innovative solutions to our clients. I am immensely proud of our team’s achievements and excited about the future as we continue to shape the world of AI.”

Highlighting the company’s vision of advancing AI technology, Anupam Gupta, Co-founder, and President, Celebal Technologies, said, “The recognition of Celebal Technologies as the 2023 Microsoft Global AI Partner of the Year Award winner is an exemplary testament to our unwavering dedication and groundbreaking advancements in leveraging Open AI for industry-specific efficiency. As pioneers of SAP Extend and Innovate on Azure and avid adopters of Microsoft Technology solutions, we have harnessed a unique leverage that positions us at the forefront of innovation. With this monumental achievement, we are propelling ourselves to new heights, driving disruptive change, and reshaping the landscape of AI-enabled efficiency.”

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognizes Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services, and devices during the past year. Awards were classified into various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide.

Celebal Technologies was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in Artificial Intelligence. The award acknowledges Celebal’s commitment to delivering impactful solutions by leveraging Microsoft’s platform and celebrates their deep expertise in Industry solutions on Open AI, encompassing a diverse range of innovative applications.

“Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards!” said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. “The innovative new solutions and services that positively impact customers and enable digital transformation from this year’s winners demonstrate the best of what’s possible with the Microsoft Cloud.”

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the company’s global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 18-19 this year. Additional details on the 2023 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog: https://aka.ms/POTYA2023_announcement. The complete list of categories, winners, and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/inspire/awards/winners