Author: Rabindra

CarDekho Group Welcomes Sudarshan Sarma as Chief Business Officer, New Auto

September, 12th, 2024: CarDekho Group’s New Auto business unit that operates India’s top automotive platforms such as CarDekho.com, BikeDekho.com, ZigWheels.com, and PowerDrift, has appointed Sudarshan Sarma as the Chief Business Officer.

With the Indian automotive industry growing aggressively and car ownership increasing rapidly, CarDekho Group, with its massive 60 million monthly reach in the auto sector, is poised to drive significant value for consumers & businesses alike. Sudarshan’s role will focus on market expansion, revenue growth and building strategic partnerships in the Indian auto industry.

“We’re excited to welcome Sudarshan as CBO in our New Auto Business. With a distinguished career spanning two decades in the automotive and technology sectors, Sudarshan is the perfect fit to spearhead strategic business development and drive innovative growth initiatives” said Mayank Jain, CEO – New Auto.

Before joining New Auto, Sudarshan served as Senior Director at Flipkart, where he played a crucial role in leading third party monetization and agency relationships. Sudarshan has held prominent positions at Facebook, Google, Carzonrent and General Motors. Sudarshan began his career with General Motors India as a sales manager followed by roles at Google and Facebook where he was instrumental in digitizing the India auto industry.

Sudarshan Sarma, CBO, said, “CarDekho Group has significantly transformed the automotive sector, creating a seamless connection between consumers and the broader ecosystem. The platform’s strong brand recall and organic growth are a testament to the trust it has earned from consumers. I’m excited to enable the company into its next phase of innovation, working with the talented team to harness technology and data, delivering exceptional value to both our consumers and industry partners.”

Go Spiritual India Launches Suicide Prevention Campaign on World Suicide Prevention Day

Mumbai: Go Spiritual India, a prominent charitable organization dedicated to promoting spirituality and holistic well-being, has launched a comprehensive Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Campaign on World Suicide Prevention Day. The campaign focuses on the transformative power of spirituality in addressing mental health challenges and preventing suicides, particularly among vulnerable populations such as senior citizens and the youth.

With a mission to foster resilience, hope, and a deeper sense of purpose, Go Spiritual India’s campaign highlights the importance of spiritual practices in improving mental well-being and combating the rising tide of suicides. By integrating ancient Indian wisdom with modern mental health approaches, the organization aims to offer a holistic and accessible solution to this critical issue.

The campaign includes a series of interactive workshops and webinars, featuring insights from spiritual leaders, mental health professionals, and wellness practitioners. These sessions are designed to provide practical tools for managing stress, anxiety, and depression through spiritual practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Participants will learn how these practices can foster emotional resilience and inner peace, offering a lifeline to those struggling with mental health issues.

A dynamic social media awareness and digital outreach initiative will also form a key part of the campaign, disseminating information about the intersection of spirituality and mental health. This outreach aims to reach a broad audience with messages of hope and healing, sharing inspiring stories of individuals who have found strength through spiritual practices. Additionally, the campaign will provide tips on incorporating spirituality into daily life as a preventive measure against mental health challenges.

Recognizing the unique mental health challenges faced by senior citizens, the campaign will extend its outreach to elderly communities, offering specialized sessions that address issues such as loneliness, grief, and the sense of purposelessness that often afflict older adults. By promoting spirituality as a source of comfort and connection, Go Spiritual India aims to reduce the incidence of depression and suicidal thoughts among seniors.

The campaign also provides access to a range of support resources, including a dedicated helpline for spiritual counseling, online mental health services, and guidance on incorporating spiritual practices into daily routines. These resources are designed to offer immediate support to individuals in crisis, as well as ongoing guidance for those seeking to improve their mental well-being through spirituality.

Go Spiritual India Intro Film

In addition to its focus on senior citizens, the campaign will target youth and educational institutions, addressing the alarming rates of suicide among young people. Through partnerships with schools and universities, Go Spiritual India will conduct sessions that teach students the value of spirituality in coping with academic pressures, social challenges, and personal setbacks, equipping them with the tools to navigate these critical phases of life.

Sonu Tyagi, Founder of Go Spiritual India & Approach Entertainment, stated: “Mental health issues and suicides are complex problems that require multifaceted solutions. At Go Spiritual India, we believe that spirituality can play a crucial role in prevention by providing a sense of purpose, community, and inner peace. Our campaign is dedicated to spreading the message that no matter the challenges one faces, there are always paths to healing and recovery, guided by the timeless wisdom of spirituality.”

Go Spiritual India’s Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Campaign is part of its broader commitment to promoting spiritual awareness, mental health, and holistic wellness. The organization’s initiatives aim to integrate spiritual teachings into modern life, providing a unique perspective that addresses the root causes of mental health issues.

Go Spiritual India is a charitable spiritual organization committed to philanthropy, spiritual awareness, mental health, wellness, organic living, spiritual tourism, and various social causes. The organization works to foster holistic well-being and compassionate living, inspired by the principles of ancient Indian spirituality. Through its initiatives, Go Spiritual India seeks to make a positive impact on society, addressing some of the most pressing mental health issues of our time.

Go Spiritual India is the charitable spiritual arm of Approach Entertainment Group, a leading entity renowned for its expertise in Celebrity Management, Film Productions, Advertising & Corporate Film Solutions, Film Marketing, and Events & Entertainment Marketing. Supporting these core services, Approach Communications functions as a top PR & Integrated Communications agency, serving a wide range of sectors including Corporate, Healthcare, Entertainment, Finance, Education, and Social domains. The group’s dedication to excellence has been acknowledged with numerous prestigious awards, such as The Biz India 2010 Award from the World Confederation of Business, the Service Excellence Award from the Worldwide Marketing Organization, the PR Agency of the Year Award, and the Yuva Ratn Award.

At the helm of Approach Entertainment Group is Sonu Tyagi, an award-winning writer, director, and producer with a deep spiritual inclination. With extensive experience collaborating with top advertising agencies and media houses across India, Sonu Tyagi has a solid academic background, having graduated in Psychology and further pursued courses in Advertising Management, Journalism, and Filmmaking. Under his visionary leadership, the group has established a significant presence in key cities, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Gurugram, Goa, Kolkata, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.

Additionally, Approach Entertainment Group operates a dedicated Bollywood Newswire & Content Dissemination unit, Approach Bollywood, which amplifies its influence within the entertainment industry. Beyond its commercial endeavors, the group is passionately committed to spiritual and social causes through its non-profit initiative, Go Spiritual India.

New Commission on Asian Philanthropy to unleash the full potential of Asian philanthropy for social good

Delhi, 12 September 2024 – The Commission on Asian Philanthropy (“the Commission”) was officially launched at the Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum 2024 today, bringing together prominent philanthropic organisations (“Commissioners”) from across Asia with the vision of accelerating the change in the trajectory of Asian Philanthropy to unleash its full potential for social good.

With Asia being home to 60% of the world’s population and facing formidable domestic and regional challenges, the need for impactful philanthropy has never been greater. The region’s wealth is growing at a rate 1.7 times faster than the global average and now constitutes 36% of global wealth — a trend expected to persist. While the new wealth has made Asian philanthropy increasingly active, a collaborative, sector-building effort is crucial for it to truly flourish. The Commission on Asian Philanthropy aims to establish a framework that will enable this to happen.

The Commission will champion multi-year research efforts designed to define the scope and opportunity of Asian philanthropy and establish an “in Asia, for Asia” ecosystem. This work will advance the professionalisation of the philanthropic sector in the region and broaden its influence across sectors. The research efforts will culminate in a landmark report planned for release in 2027, featuring recommendations and calls for sustained action and transformation.

While acknowledging Asia’s inherent heterogeneity given its size and cultural diversity, the founding Commissioners firmly believe in the potential for philanthropic practitioners to learn from each other given the region’s many shared characteristics, and they are committed to jointly create an ecosystem tailored to the region’s needs. In this way, the Commission seeks to drive lasting change by convening key stakeholders and spearheading collaborative efforts to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Alongside co-convenors the Asia Philanthropy Congress (“APHIC”) and the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”), the Commission comprises influential philanthropic organisations including China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, IDEAS Dompet Dhuafa Republika, King Khalid Foundation, The Nippon Foundation, Piramal Foundation, Rainmatter Foundation, Tanoto Foundation, Tata Consultancy Services and Tencent Charity Foundation, who are all founding Commissioners. The Commission is supported by AVPN and Voyage as co-secretariats.

Mr Lester G Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy, and Club Steward at The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “Asian philanthropy has witnessed remarkable growth, but significant challenges remain, which may curtail the impact of existing programmes. Asia needs its own infrastructure to ensure that philanthropy has a recognised and valued role across its diverse contexts and to address the urgent social needs of the region. The Commission will play a key role in building and sharing knowledge that is truly relevant to the Asian context, professionalising the sector, driving scalable and sustainable solutions, and thereby amplifying Asia’s voice on the global stage.”

Representing APHIC, Mr Ichiro Kabasawa, Executive Director of The Nippon Foundation, commented, “The potential for growth in Asian philanthropy is immense, but it requires a shift from fragmented, individual efforts to a cohesive, strategic approach. By uniting philanthropic leaders to tackle social challenges and strengthen sector capabilities, the Commission will harness the collective vision, expertise, and resources of our Commissioners to create evidence-based strategies and foster long-term systemic change that meet the needs of the Asian philanthropic landscape.”

2024 Indian Racing Festival Returns to Madras International Circuit for Round 3 after Chennai Night Race Success

New Delhi, September 12, 2024:
The 2024 Indian Racing Festival (IRF), presented by Kingfisher Soda, will return to the Madras International Circuit (MIC) for Round 3 of the Indian Racing League (IRL) and Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC), following the triumphant first edition of the night street circuit race in Chennai. The MIC, which hosted Round 1 of the IRF 2024, will welcome the drivers, teams, and fans back on September 14 and 15, promising even more thrills.

Sprawled across 3.7 kilometres of rapid stretches and sharp turns, the Madras International Circuit sits in Irungattukottai, Chennai. The racetrack hosted the opening weekend of IRF 2024 on August 24 and 25, when fans witnessed Jon Lancaster and Alister Yoong give their teams a head-start in the Indian Racing League by winning Race 1 and Race 2, respectively. In the Formula 4 Indian Championship, young Indian racer Jaden Pariat took the opening race before Hugh Barter claimed Races 2 and 3.

Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd., said: “We are delighted to return to the Madras International Circuit for Round 3 of the Indian Racing Festival. The circuit was a fantastic host for Round 1 and It was a bonafide thrill to witness Jon Lancaster and Alister Yoong take top honours in the IRL and several youngsters shine in F4IC. Following the incredible success of the Chennai night street race, we are even more excited for another exhilarating weekend of racing at MIC as the competition intensifies.”

The IRF returns to MIC just two weeks after the thrilling debut of the Chennai night street race, which delivered several nail-biting moments under the floodlights. Goa Aces JA Racing’s Gabriela Jilkova made history as the first female pole-sitter in the Indian Racing League. In the Formula 4 Indian Championship, Hugh Barter extended his winning streak in Race 1, edging out India’s Ruhaan Alva, while Aqil Alibhai clinched victory in Race 2.

In the IRL Race 1, Jilkova proceeded to finish P2 behind Raoul Hyman, the teammates combining to add 44 points to their team’s tally. Alvaro Parente-led Speed Demons Delhi made a sensational comeback in Race 2; the Portuguese racer fetched the maximum number of points possible by bagging the pole position, the fastest lap, and, ultimately, P1. However, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers’ consistency across all races meant they were the weekend’s big winners, continuing to occupy the top spot in the Teams’ Championship (107 points) and the top two spots in the Car Championship.

Promoted by RPPL, the IRF aims to engage India’s rapidly growing motorsports fanbase through two thrilling championships: the Indian Racing League and the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship. These high-octane events are designed to support burgeoning talent and heighten the motorsport experience for petrolheads nationwide.

JK Tyre-FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship

Round 2 of the 29th JK Tyre-FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship happened at the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, thus becoming the first domestic motor racing competition to run a night street circuit race.

Spread over two races, with 24 competitors competing in the Formula LGB4 Class, the event witnessed Dark Don Racing continue their brilliant start to the season, courtesy of Diljith TS’s victory in Race 1. Diljith retained a podium finish in Race 2, finishing P2 behind second-time winner Tijil Rao, who, with 31 points, leads the Drivers’ Standings after two rounds. Meanwhile, Dark Don Racing extended their lead at the top of the Teams’ Standings to 65 points, nearly twice as much as their closest challenger MSport.

Furthermore, Neythan McPherson’s twin P1s in the LGB4 Rookie segment saw him tie Abhay M at the summit of the leaderboard, both drivers accumulating 34 points until now.

India Recommits Itself To Building A Sustainable Future This World Green Building Week

New Delhi, 12 Sept 2024: CII-IGBC, India’s premier body for green building certification and related services, is participating in the Green Building Week from 9-13 Sept 2024. The 2024 campaign, #BuildingTheTransition, is calling on the building and construction sector to follow three steps for a resilient and zero-carbon future – reduce, electrify and adapt.

The annual campaign is supported by over 75 Green Building Councils (GBCs), plus partners, hosting over 100 events around the world to spotlight solutions to industry stakeholders for a resilient and decarbonised built environment. By REDUCE, it aims at improving energy efficiency and minimise energy use; by ELECTRIFY, it aims at shifting to electricity for essential functions and ensuring electricity generation is from low-carbon sources such as renewables; and, by ADAPT, it aims to ensure the built environment is capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change.

Speaking at the inaugural of the Green Building Week, Mr. B Thiagarajan, National Chairman, CII-IGBC said, “The Green Building Week is a global initiative by the World Green Building Council. Indian Green Building Council is recommitting itself to Building the Transition along with all our stakeholders and partners – developers, builders, architects. Aligned with WorldGBC in its mission in transforming the building and construction sector together we are playing a constructive role in creating built environments which are sustainable and resilient to climate change.”

Now in its 16th year, the World Green Building Week is led by WorldGBC and the global network of GBCs, their over 46,000 members, and international industry leaders, to build momentum and drive the local action necessary for people and the planet to thrive. The GBC network is uniquely placed to drive action. Present in over 75 countries around the world, GBCs cover 60% of the world’s building stock, plus 65% of global GDP, in countries that account for 72% of global built environment emissions.

The Indian Green Building Council, an integral part of the World Green Building Council is one of the most active Councils in the world. As part of the Green Building Week, IGBC is conducting a series of events promoting environmental sustainability in the construction and building sectors. These include a national webinar series highlighting the solutions for climate change; waste management sessions in partnership with Eastern Railways; and the launch of IGBC student chapters in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mysuru and Bengaluru to sensitise young minds to blend traditional and modern architecture designs for a sustainable future.

Speaking at the inaugural of the Green Building Week, Mr. C Shekar Reddy, National Vice Chairman, Indian Green Building Council said, “The Green Building Week is a very important and relevant global movement which aims at promoting ways and means to build sustainable infrastructure and buildings which minimize their environmental impact and enhance the quality of life for their occupants. Through multiple initiatives, IGBC along with its partners is looking at responsible and sustainable development practices which balance human needs with environmental stewardship.”

IGBC encourages innovation in building technologies, materials, and design practices that support net zero goals. It promotes research and development in sustainable building solutions and technologies. It also fosters collaboration among various stakeholders, including industry experts, government bodies, and academic institutions. This collaborative approach helps in sharing knowledge, experiences, and solutions related to net zero buildings.

CII-IGBC’s Mission on Net Zero envisions to achieve 100% net zero embodied carbon by 2050, for new buildings and infrastructure and work towards making all buildings including existing buildings, net zero operational carbon. Its Net Zero Carbon Rating System promotes the use of low-embodied carbon materials and technologies and on-site or off-site renewable energy sources, and adherence to a Whole Building Life Cycle Analysis. The rating system addresses projects in both ‘Design & Construction’ and ‘Operations’ phases. This approach allows tailored strategies for minimising or eliminating carbon emissions at different project stages.

The Net Zero Energy, Water, Waste and Carbon rating systems present an excellent opportunity for the Navi Mumbai building sector to lead the adoption of Net Zero practices and facilitate India’s transformation into one of the foremost countries achieving Net Zero by 2070.

Sparx expands its global footprint with a retail partnership in Morocco

New Delhi, September 11, 2024: Sparx, the most trusted footwear brand among Indian youth, expands its international footprint with a retail partnership in Morocco, a country in North Africa. This marks a significant milestone for the brand as it further expands beyond Indian borders, taking its innovative designs, unparalleled comfort, and youthful spirit to new international markets.

The stores showcase an extensive range of products, from trendy sports shoes to versatile closed and open footwear. Positioned strategically in key locales across five cities in Morocco, Sparx is swiftly strengthening its presence in the region, offering an exhilarating choice of footwear for consumers.

The brand aims to broaden its presence by rapidly expanding in physical stores, in addition to extending its reach on e-commerce platforms. By streamlining logistics and optimizing production processes, Sparx ensures that its products are readily available for customers in-store and online, further enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Mr. Ritesh Dua, Executive Director, Relaxo Footwears Ltd. said “The collaboration with Olympe, a Multi-Brand Outlet in Morocco marks a significant milestone in our global growth strategy, reflecting the increasing stakes and expectations of our consumers. Through Relaxo’s strategic efforts and Sparx’s unwavering commitment to comfort, quality, and style, we are set to redefine customer experiences in Morocco and beyond. This expansion exemplifies Relaxo’s dedication to forging strong partnerships and extending its reach to new customers around the world. Moving forward, we aim to sustain our international growth by broadening our presence in the global market over the next couple of years.”

Landmark Circular Economy Initiative to Recycle 32,000 Tonnes of Plastic Waste and Reduce 15,000 Tonnes of CO2 Annually

Mumbai, 12th September 2024 – In a historic move towards sustainable waste management in India, Re Sustainability, Asia’s leading integrated sustainability solutions provider and Sharrp Ventures, the investment office of the Harsh Mariwala family, proudly announce their collaboration to launch a pioneering Plastics Circularity Initiative in Hyderabad, Telangana, and Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

The goals of this initiative are twofold: to increase the supply of very high-quality recycled polyolefins for the FMCG industry and to create sustained environmental and social impact. Currently, the FMCG sector in India faces a critical challenge in sourcing high-quality recycled materials, which limits their ability to meet sustainability targets and reduce reliance on virgin plastics. By capturing and processing 32,000 tonnes of waste and reducing 15,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, this project aims to produce over 9,000 tonnes of superior recycled polymers each year, providing a reliable supply of these materials for various FMCG and other applications. Over the next five years, this initiative intends to evolve into a nationwide, large-scale recycled polymers enterprise, reducing environmental impact and setting a new standard for responsible waste management practices.

Hyderabad and Raipur have been strategically chosen for this initiative due to their unique demographics and waste management challenges. Hyderabad, as a major metropolitan city, generates a significant amount of plastic waste, making it an ideal location to implement large-scale recycling processes and demonstrate the impact of advanced waste management technologies. Raipur, representing smaller urban centers, faces different but equally critical waste management issues. By implementing the project in both cities, the initiative can address diverse challenges, create scalable solutions, and set a replicable model for other cities across India.

This landmark circularity project will commence with the setup of infrastructure now in both cities, with facilities expected to be operational by early FY26. Setting up this infrastructure involves building advanced recycling facilities equipped to handle large volumes of waste efficiently. From 2026 onwards, high-quality recycled polymer is likely to be available for purchase by the FMCG and other industries, providing a new revenue stream for the project. This infrastructure setup aims to achieve nearly 100% diversion of dry waste from landfills through comprehensive recycling processes.

Collaborative Effort: Sharrp Ventures, Re Sustainability, and Marico Innovation Foundation

Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF), subsidiary of Marico Limited, identifies and supports the scale up of disruptive Indian innovations with the potential to create long-lasting socio- economic and environmental impact in India. In 2022, MIF embarked on a mission to address plastic waste through its playbook “Innovation in Plastics: The Potential and Possibilities,” which highlighted the urgent need for a resilient circular economy in India. Further to the same, Re Sustainability and Sharrp Ventures have come together to launch Plastics Circularity Initiative, with MIF being the knowledge partner.

Re Sustainability, with over 30 years of experience in waste management across 11 countries, brings its extensive expertise and innovative approaches to this initiative. Their commitment to sustainable practices has positioned them as a global leader in the field, managing over 8 million tonnes of waste annually. Sharrp Ventures, the investment office of the Harsh Mariwala family, is involved by providing the necessary risk capital and strategic support, ensuring the initiative’s scalability and success. Together, these entities are leveraging their collective expertise, resources, and innovative approaches to set new standards in sustainability through this project.

Social Impact

Beyond waste management, the initiative also aims to drive social inclusion by providing direct jobs for over 370 people in the first phase of this initiative, with a projected 75% target of women in the workforce, and indirect livelihoods for 2,000 people. By involving local communities in effective waste segregation and recycling through various engagement programs, the initiative promotes active participation and responsibility at the grassroots level.

Closing the Circular Loop

The essence of this Circularity Initiative lies in creating a self-sustaining, at-scale, zero-waste-to-landfill, circular economy business model in the plastics waste management industry. The initiative includes 100% digital end-to-end traceability, ensuring transparency and accountability. It also aims to include citizens in creating an impact through sustained and effective segregation of waste at the household level in Hyderabad and Raipur. Furthermore, the project leverages indigenous and global technology innovations across the value chain of plastics waste management to ensure scalability in the future. One of the facilities in Hyderabad is intended to be a fully automatic sorting facility, utilising advanced technologies such as AI-driven optical sorting provided by Ishitva Robotics Systems. This cutting-edge technology ensures precise sorting, significantly reduces manual labor, and sets a new standard for efficiency. The ultimate goal is to replicate this project in several Indian cities and the Global South, creating an even larger social, environmental, and economic impact.

Mr. Harsh Mariwala, Founder and Chairman – Marico Limited, said, “This initiative represents a significant step towards building a circular economy that benefits both the environment and society. By increasing the supply of high-quality recycled materials and creating sustainable waste management practices, we are setting a new standard for innovation and responsibility in the industry. Our goal is to inspire other regions to adopt these scalable models, fostering a more sustainable future for all.”

“This pioneering circularity initiative is a significant milestone in India’s circular economy journey”, said Mr. Masood Mallick, MD and CEO of Re Sustainability Limited, “By leveraging state-of-the-art technology, together with social inclusion, we aim to tackle the challenge of increasing plastic waste and avoid recyclables from reaching landfills. There is untapped economic value, resource conservation, carbon abatement opportunity as well as pollution mitigation impact associated with every kilogram of waste we generate; harnessing this ‘value’ across all these dimensions by way of this initiative is a significant step towards achieving a more circular FMCG industry in India. By re-evaluating how we manage and repurpose waste, we can transform it into valuable resources, ignite innovation, and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable environment and a better future for generations to come” he added.

Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates SEMICON India 2024, Signaling India’s Rise as a Global Semiconductor Hub

Delhi, India, September 12, 2024: SEMICON India 2024, the region’s premier semiconductor event, commenced today with a grand inauguration presided over by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Exposition Mart Ltd. (IEML) in Greater Noida. Organized by SEMI in partnership with Messe München India, MeitY, India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Digital India, the event underscores India’s emergence as a global semiconductor powerhouse. SEMICON India 2024 brings leading global semiconductor industry companies to exhibit and present on addressing key challenges such as talent shortages, supply chain redesign, and sustainability concerns.

As part of its ongoing efforts to accelerate India’s semiconductor growth, SEMI has officially launched its Workforce Development Program in India with a recent workshop on Semiconductor Manufacturing, held in partnership with ESSCI at IIT Delhi. The program emphasizes collaboration with educational institutions to create specialized curricula for semiconductor design roles and co-develop skill development initiatives. Addressing the global talent gap in the semiconductor industry, the launch aims to equip India’s robust engineering pipeline with the necessary skills to be job-ready for the fast-growing sector.

SEMICON India features additional SEMI programs to advance industry growth, such as Sustainability and Smart Manufacturing, supporting the favorable regulatory policies by the ISM and the Government of India and facilitating global investments to strengthen India’s position in the industry. Representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Karnataka, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu will showcase their vision and policies designed to attract significant investments and drive growth, further highlighting India’s collective ambition to become a key player in the global semiconductor landscape.

In his address, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the semiconductor industry’s critical role in India’s technological advancement and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the sector.

Echoing this sentiment, Ajit Manocha, SEMI President and CEO, said, “India is on the path to becoming the next semiconductor powerhouse in Asia, and the stars are now aligned to create an ecosystem that enables growth for India and the world. With AI fueling global semiconductor demand, around 150 new fabs will be required to meet the industry’s ambitious $1 trillion target by 2030. India will need to achieve exponential growth to maximize its share, and SEMICON India will help to catalyze this market, augmenting ISM’s roadmap and favorable policies.”

“India is projected to face a workforce shortage of 250,000 to 300,000 professionals by 2027; upskilling India’s raw talent to meet this demand is crucial, and global players have a vital role in this effort,” Manocha said. “In partnership with leading Indian institutions, SEMI aims to address this talent gap by equipping the future workforce with the necessary skills and expertise to thrive in the evolving semiconductor landscape.”

“India Semiconductor Mission, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and Government of India are committed to a diversified and resilient semiconductor supply chain,” said ISM CEO Shri Akash Tripathi. “In the last 32 months, ISM has placed India in the semiconductor manufacturing map of the world, with four semiconductor manufacturing facilities coming up with a total investment of over USD 17 billion. With a very strong talent pipeline and strong resolve of GoI to support the development of the semiconductor industry in India, I am sure we will be successful in becoming a trusted partner in the global value chain of semiconductors in the coming years.”

SEMICON India 2024, co-located with electronica India and productronica India, features over 250 exhibitors, of which over 140 are international exhibitors, including global leaders such as SEMI, NXP, Foxconn, PSMC, Renesas, Tata Electronics, CG Power, Applied Materials and Cadence. Attendees will explore innovations in smart manufacturing, supply chain management, sustainability, and workforce development during the three-day event.

Program Sessions and Participating Companies

• Advanced Packaging – Experts will discuss how 2.5D and 3D integration enable chiplets to be optimized for different functions while highlighting the role of heterogeneous integration in developing next-generation devices for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and other demanding applications. Participating companies include AMD, Applied Materials, BESI, KLA and Western Digital.
• Design / EDA – This session will explore the march of technology in chip design and how tool vendors are evolving to equip designers with the capabilities needed to create and verify the next generation of chips. Participating companies include Breker Verification Systems, Cadence, Micron, Real Intent, Siemens and Synopsys.
• Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) – Speakers will delve into the latest advancements in FHE, focusing on advanced packaging techniques and healthcare applications while exploring market opportunities and the importance of environmental sustainability. Participating companies and organizations include Elephantech, ITC Packaging, MeitY, National Centre for Flexible Electronics, and Reddy Laboratories Ltd.
• Smart Manufacturing – This program will feature presentations showcasing real-world applications of technology areas like automation, data utilization with AI and machine learning, and digital twins, providing attendees with a clear path towards integrating them into their own operations. Participating companies include Ansys, Applied Materials, Lam Research, Micron and Tata Electronics.
• Smart MedTech – Experts will explore how advanced medical electronics and semiconductors are transforming patient care and healthcare supply chains, featuring insights into cutting-edge technologies and solutions for preventative care.
• Supply Chain Management – This session aims to provide a holistic overview of the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities in the semiconductor supply chain in India, featuring insights from industry leaders in device manufacturing, semiconductor equipment manufacturing, and materials providers. Participating companies include Applied Materials, Lam Research, Tata Electronics, and TechInsights.
• Sustainability – Experts will analyze sustainability vulnerabilities in the semiconductor industry, highlight existing resources that can be readily implemented, and explore innovative solutions to unsolved challenges. Participating companies and organizations include Applied Materials, Electramet, MeitY, and Merck.
• Workforce Development –This session will offer a comprehensive overview of semiconductor workforce development in India with insights from industry leaders, educators, and government officials. Participants will review and adapt successful global initiatives to the Indian context and explore potential partnerships with local educational institutions, government agencies, and NGOs. Participating companies and organizations include AICTE, Applied Materials, ESSCI, and Micron.
• In addition to the above, parallel sessions are planned themed around design ecosystem by Qualcomm, R&D for advanced packaging, and taxation regime of India.

For more details, please visit www.semiconindia.org and connect with SEMI India on LinkedIn and X (#SEMICONIndia).

SEMICON India Organization and Partners

SEMICON India 2024 is organized by SEMI, the global industry association representing the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, in partnership with India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), and Messe München India, the Indian subsidiary of Messe München GmbH and a leading organizer of trade fairs in India. The SEMICON India 2024 program has been developed in partnership with the Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA) and with support from the India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) and India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA).

Mindgate Solutions: Leading the Way in UPI with Robust Infrastructure Readiness for Banks & Merchants

Mumbai, September 12, 2024 – The recently concluded Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 highlighted the transformative journey of India’s fintech industry and influence of India’s fintech solutions in the global market, especially the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which became one of the global benchmarks of digital payments. Graced by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RBI Governor Shakhtikanta Das, the three-day event witnessed several power-packed panel discussions where industry experts shared their thoughts on a variety of topics.

Leveraging the event, Mindgate Solutions, a leader in payments technology and transaction processing, demonstrated the robust readiness of its UPI, CBDC and Merchant platform as well as showcased a series of innovative use cases launched by NPCI. The groundbreaking products & solutions highlighted Mindgate’s commitment to revolutionizing the landscape and solidifying its position as a leader in the Digital Payment industry.

Developed in close collaboration with leading banks, Mindgate’s tailored solutions integrate seamlessly with them, enabling customers with advanced payment capabilities. These use cases include Programmable CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency), Delegate Payments under UPI Circle, e-Rupi P2P voucher, Contextual Payments, UPI Lite Auto-Topup, and UPI-ICD (Interoperable Cash Deposit using UPI).

Appreciating the opportunity provided by NPCI, George Sam, Co-Founder & Business Head of Mindgate Solutions, stated, “We are thrilled to serve as a TSP, contributing to NPCI’s broader mission of making digital payments accessible to every Indian. Each feature launched at GFF is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and convenient financial ecosystem. This is a golden age for financial inclusion where UPI is evolving into the central nervous system of our financial ecosystem. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to be able to support banks in rolling out these unique features, further empowering users across the country.”

Adding further and elaborating on the technology infrastructure behind these use cases, Guhan Muthuswamy, Co-founder & Software Architect at Mindgate Solutions said, “India’s Digital Public Infrastructure is fuelling an explosion of financial innovation. Considering these developments, our platform’s scalability and high transaction capacity aligns perfectly with the forward-thinking approach taken by the leading banks we work with, making us a preferred partner for this groundbreaking venture.

In addition to the new used cases showcase at GFF, Mindgate demonstrated its platform’s capabilities and scalability with its Merchant Payment Platform & XPRESS UPI —an intuitive, one-step payment solution that simplifies transactions without requiring app switching. Customers can now make UPI transactions directly within the merchant’s app, eliminating the need for any additional apps. This will help merchants and TPAPs to provide superior customer experience and help increase customer retention.

Mindgate’s Merchant Offerings play a critical role in addressing changing market dynamics and meeting demanding customer expectations.

With India handling half of the world’s digital payment transactions, the payment landscape is always buzzing with new technologies and fresh market players. Mindgate is right at the heart of this dynamic scene, processing around 50% of UPI transactions and partnering with India’s top banks.