Author: Rabindra

IIT Roorkee Hosts SPARC Workshop on Futuristic Hydropower Monitoring – Advanced Sensors and AI Tools

Roorkee, Uttarakhand, September 09, 2024: The Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) successfully concluded an international workshop on “Futuristic Hydropower Monitoring: Advanced Sensors and AI Tools.” The event, held under the SPARC initiative and funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, focused on pioneering health monitoring for hydraulic turbines in the context of climate change.

The workshop commenced with an inauguration ceremony graced by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, Prof. M.K. Singhal, Head of the Hydro and Renewable Energy Department, Shri Ratish Kumar, former Director of NHPC Ltd., Prof. Alexandre Presas, Director of CDIF at UPC, Spain, and Prof. C.S. Pant, the workshop coordinator. The event also saw the participation of eminent faculty members such as Prof. Arun Kumar and Prof. S K Singal.

The workshop featured five comprehensive sessions led by Prof. Alexandre Presas, focusing on hydropower health monitoring. Topics covered included sensor-based measurements, advanced signal analysis, condition monitoring, and the application of artificial intelligence in wear assessment, strain prediction, and instability detection. The sessions provided participants with valuable insights through case studies on fluid-structure interactions, resonances, and hydraulic instabilities.

Shri Ratish Kumar lauded the initiative, highlighting the potential to harness approximately 15 GW of hydropower in India, which he noted as “a substantial contribution to establishing a dependable and efficient renewable energy source.”

“Our department is at the forefront of driving innovation in renewable energy, with cutting-edge research and projects that empower both faculty and students to make a tangible impact on sustainable development,” said Prof. M.K. Singhal.

Prof. C.S. Pant reflected on the success of the workshop, stating, “This event has successfully bridged the gap between academic concepts and practical applications, paving the way for innovation in the hydropower sector.”

The workshop attracted a diverse group of participants, including representatives from key government agencies like JKSPDC and UJVNL, industry leaders such as Flovel and Ritmeyer, and academics from institutions including IIT Delhi, NIT Warangal, NIT Patna, BITS Pilani, SMVD University, University of Kashmir, Terna Engineering College, and IIT Roorkee.

In his address, Prof. K.K. Pant underscored the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This workshop is a critical step towards joint research efforts between UPC, Spain, and IIT Roorkee in Hydro and Renewable Energy, in line with SPARC’s vision. It marks a pivotal moment for advancing the hydropower sector, fostering sustainable growth through the integration of academic expertise, industry innovation, and governmental support.”

The successful conclusion of the SPARC Workshop on “Futuristic Hydropower Monitoring” at IIT Roorkee underscores the institute’s pivotal role in advancing India’s renewable energy goals, aligning with the government’s initiatives to foster sustainable development and technological innovation. By bringing together leading experts, industry leaders, and academic institutions, IIT Roorkee continues to lead the charge in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in the hydropower sector, while contributing to the nation’s vision of a self-reliant and sustainable future.

Ingka Centres Unveils its Second IKEA-anchored Meeting Place in India, Lykli Noida

Sept 09, 2024: Testament to its long-term commitment to India and redefining the retail landscape, Ingka Centres, part of the Ingka Group (which also includes IKEA Retail and Ingka Investments) today unveiled its second meeting place in India, Lykli, in the heart of Noida. The event took place in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, Shri. Nand Gopal Gupta, Minister for Industrial Development of Uttar Pradesh, His Excellency Mr. Jan Thesleff, the Hon’ble Ambassador of Sweden, Sebastian Hylving, Global Expansion and Development Director, Ingka Centres and Susanne Pulverer, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA India.

With a total investment of about INR 5,500 crores (approx. 607 mn Euro), Lykli Noida is expected to generate over 9,000 jobs to create a positive impact on the many people of Uttar Pradesh. The Noida meeting place slated to open in a few years, will represent a new era of retail destinations, designed to bring people and communities together in a vibrant and sustainable environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Yogi Adityanath, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh said, “The unveiling of Lykli in Noida marks a significant step forward in the development of Uttar Pradesh as a hub of modern urban living. The project not only reflects the growth and development of Noida but also aligns with our vision of creating sustainable, community-focused spaces across the state. I am confident that it will become a landmark destination, contributing to the prosperity and well-being of our citizens.”

Shri. Nand Gopal Gupta, Minister for Industrial Development of Uttar Pradesh said, “We are happy to welcome Ingka Centres and IKEA to the state of Uttar Pradesh. Lykli will be a one-of-its-kind destination for the people of Uttar Pradesh to live, work, shop, and engage. UP’s investor-friendly policies will help the project reach its maximum potential and benefit the state.”

Anchored by an IKEA store, Lykli Noida will be spread across 47,833 sq. m and will be one of the biggest retail projects in Delhi NCR. The Meeting Place is set to become a cornerstone of Noida and Delhi NCR, offering a blend of retail, dining, hospitality, co-working spaces, entertainment, and cultural experiences tailored to the needs of modern urban residents. It is expected to attract more than 25 million visitors.

Sebastian Hylving, Global Expansion & Development Director at Ingka Centres said, “The unveiling of Lykli in Noida is a landmark in our journey to create meeting places that resonate with local communities while embracing exceptional standards of innovation and sustainability. We envision Lykli as a vibrant hub that will meet the needs of Noida’s growing population where people can shop, eat, sleep, live, and play and set a new benchmark for future urban developments in India.”

In line with Ingka Centres’ commitment to sustainability, Lykli incorporates green building practices and eco-friendly materials, creating an environmentally responsible and aesthetically pleasing space. The meeting place will follow sustainable construction techniques, using sustainably sourced materials with less carbon emissions. The building will be environmentally friendly and will pursue LEED Platinum certification for the whole building and WELL Gold certification for offices. This will mean an energy-efficient building that maximizes the use of renewable energy, aims for 100 percent water recycling, and zero waste to landfill. Direct connection to 2 metro stations and 4500 parking slots with more than 70 EV charging stations will encourage sustainable mobility. In addition to this Lykli will also implement social and environmental initiatives with local communities to have a positive impact and be a good neighbour.

Susanne Pulverer, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA India said, “IKEA has a long-term commitment to Delhi NCR to create a positive impact on the local economy through our business. The unveiling of Lykli Noida is a major milestone in our India growth journey. Together with Ingka Centres, we will become a strong contributor to increase the overall home furnishing market and bring a unique retail experience for the many people. We look forward to meeting and inspiring our customers with our beautiful, affordable, well-designed, and sustainable home furnishing products and solutions.”

LeadSquared partners Admitad to expand global reach, boost marketing innovations

Bangalore, 9th September 2024 — LeadSquared, a leading CRM and marketing automation platform, has partnered with Admitad, a global performance marketing provider, to expand its international presence and strengthen its partner network. This partnership will help both companies grow. Admitad will list LeadSquared on its platform, boosting its visibility and assisting with brand collaborations, while LeadSquared will promote Admitad in the Indian market through referrals and increased exposure.

 The partnership will allow LeadSquared’s clients to access Admitad’s affiliate marketing tools, while Admitad will offer LeadSquared’s CRM and marketing solutions to its global brand network, including exclusive discounts. This collaboration aims to help both companies grow and enhance their offerings for clients.

 Speaking about the partnership, Anand Dhand, Head of Alliances and International Markets, LeadSquared said, “We are thrilled to welcome Admitad as our partner. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in expanding our reach and enhancing our partner ecosystem. By integrating Admitad’s extensive network we will drive significant value for our clients and elevate our brand’s visibility on a global scale.”

 Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad said, “Adding LeadSquared to our partner roster is great news for Admitad clients seeking to optimize their programs’ performance. LeadSquared’s marketing automation features can help affiliate advertisers to nurture leads, monitor conversions, manage communications, and automate payouts, thus streamlining the whole affiliate management process. This is precisely the added value we want to deliver to our clients by partnering with the best companies across the whole digital marketing spectrum.”

 This partnership marks a significant milestone in both companies’ growth strategies, combining their expertise to offer enhanced value to clients and brands worldwide. By leveraging each other’s strengths, the collaboration is set to open new opportunities for businesses looking to optimize their marketing and sales efforts. Both companies, through this partnership, will drive mutual success and pave the way for future innovations in the digital marketing and CRM space.

Empowering Future Tech Innovators, Tally Solutions concludes the fourth edition of CodeBrewers engaging 26,000 students.

National, 09th September 2024: Tally Solutions, a leading technology company providing business management software, announced the successful conclusion of the fourth edition of Tally CodeBrewers, a national-level coding hackathon for engineering students, focused on bridging industry skill gaps and fostering domain capabilities in India’s emerging tech talent. This year’s event marked the largest-ever Tally CodeBrewers, with an overwhelming engagement from over 26,000 students, with more than 17,000 team registrations from 1,300+ colleges nationwide. Overall, 6 teams comprising 18 future engineers were awarded in the 2024 edition. These students belonged to some of the key technology colleges in India including IIT Roorkee, IIIT Sri City, VIT Pune, GEU Dehradun, MSRIT Bangalore, ABV IIIT-Gwalior, Academy of Technology Kolkata, and IIITDM Kancheepuram.

The hackathon was open to engineering students from the second year onwards pursuing a full-time B.Tech./B.E./Dual-Degree across India. In round one, participants tackled a time-bound multiple-choice round and a coding challenge. 198 teams were selected to compete in an intense 48-hour weekend hackathon across two problem statements that participants could choose between. Commander of Full Stack which required participants to create an online coding platform that enables users to write and execute code and Wizard of System Programming which required designing an efficient file-sharing system that allows administrators to initiate file transfers to a group of systems within the organization efficiently and securely. 13 finalist teams from round-two were invited to Tally office in Bangalore for a live demo before a distinguished panel of jury followed by a felicitation ceremony for the winners.

Sharing his views, Mr. Nabendu Das, Head of Engineering & Product Management, Tally Solutions, said, “At Tally, we have always been focused on fostering equitable skills and domain capabilities for emerging engineering talent in the country. Over the years, we have been anchoring multiple initiatives through our robust campus program to connect academia to the industry, thereby enhancing the tech skill capital in the nation. Tally CodeBrewers, our annual flagship is another constituent in this journey, and over the years, we have engaged with over 40,000 engineering students. The objective has been to inculcate and promote the passion for innovation, creative thinking, and problem-solving in the next generation of engineers.”

In the Wizard of System Programming, Team Echelon from VIT, Pune, which consists of Manglesh Nimbalkar, Jayant Patil, and Rutvik Kachgunde, bagged the position of winner. In the Commander of Full Stack, team Hacksmiths from ABV IIIT, Gwalior, including Kshitij Gupta, Akshitha Mittpally, and Harsh Dalwadi, were the winners. These teams distinguished themselves through their innovative solutions and exceptional coding skills, emerging as the top performers in their respective categories. The winning teams in both the Wizard of System Programming and Commander of Full Stack tracks were awarded a cash prize of INR 75,000 for their outstanding performances followed by 1st runners-up who received a cash prize of INR 40,000 and INR 25,000 for the 2nd runners-up. Additionally, all winners and runners-up were offered internship opportunities and a chance for direct job interviews.

This edition of Tally CodeBrewers not only showcased the talent and potential of India’s future tech leaders but also reaffirmed Tally Solutions’ commitment to nurturing the country’s next generation of innovators.

NTT DATA Payment Services India appoints Syed Mohammad Zafar Alam as Chief Business Officer

Mumbai, September 09, 2024 – NTT DATA Payment Services India Private Limited, a leading end-to-end payment service provider, is delighted to announce the appointment of Syed Mohammad Zafar Alam as Chief Business Officer (CBO), effective from today. This strategic move aims to drive and boost the company’s payment business further.

With over two decades of experience, Zafar Alam will spearhead strategic initiatives, business growth, expanding the client base and strengthening partnerships in this ever-evolving fintech space.

Speaking on the appointment, Takeo Ueno – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTT DATA Payment Services India said, “We are pleased to welcome Zafar Alam, who brings comprehensive experience in the payment and banking industry. His profound understanding of the Indian financial ecosystem will provide us with his rich expertise to further empower NTT DATA Payment’s vision on becoming one of the top three payment service providers in the country. With Zafar’s appointment, we are confident that our company will continue to thrive and attain new milestones”.

Commenting on his joining, Syed Mohammad Zafar Alam – Chief Business Officer (CBO) of NTT DATA Payment Services India said, “India’s payment industry is growing at a faster pace and will continue to have a robust growth trajectory. I am excited to be a part of NTT DATA Payment Services where I can leverage my expertise and support the company’s growth journey. The organization’s firm commitment to providing innovative payment solutions and focus on customer-centricity is encouraging and setting a new benchmark in the industry”.

Previously, Zafar Alam was associated with Paytm Payment Services Ltd as Sr. Vice President and Business Head for two years. Over the course of his career, he worked with leading banks such as Axis Bank heading ecommerce business and ICICI Bank where he was instrumental in driving business growth and fostering strong client relationships. Zafar Alam holds a bachelor’s degree in arts from Calcutta University.

Airtel Finance introduces fixed deposits at industry-leading interest rates of 9.1%

Bangalore, September 9, 2024: Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), one of India’s leading telecommunications services providers, today, announced the launch of a fixed deposits marketplace under its digital arm, Airtel Finance. These fixed deposits come at an attractive interest rate of up to 9.1% per annum.*

The marketplace enables Airtel Finance to provide an assured return and fixed-income investment option on the digital platform that is built on top of Airtel’s Thanks App framework. It strengthens its portfolio offering of Personal Loans, Airtel Axis Bank Cobrand Credit Cards, Airtel Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI cards, Credit Cards marketplace and Gold Loan.

Anshul Kheterpal, Chief Business Officer, Airtel Finance said, “We are consistently innovating to offer products that are customer centric and, in this endeavor, today, we are excited to announce the launch of our Fixed Deposits proposition. The FD comes at an attractive interest rate that will help our customers manage their funds better and meet their financial goals. We have partnered with the best banks in this venture and promise to offer customers a completely transparent, seamless and digital journey.”

On the Airtel Thanks App platform, customers can book and manage fixed deposits directly without opening a new bank account with a minimum investment of INR 1000.

It is entirely a digital process with three simple steps:

1. Compare and select FD.
2. Enter details and complete KYC.
3. Make payment via existing bank account.

Airtel Finance has offered the Fixed Deposit service via a partnership with multiple small finance banks and NBFCs including Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Shivalik Bank, Suryoday Small Finance Bank and Shriram Finance. This will help customers lock in assured returns at high rates of interest.

Bank FDs are insured up to INR 5 Lakh per PAN per bank by DICGC- Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (a 100% RBI subsidiary). This will help customers invest in Small Finance Bank deposits with greater assurity. Airtel Finance is also offering fixed deposit options with withdrawal any time after seven days which will put to rest all customer concerns about lock in and lack of liquidity.

Airtel Finance, trusted by more than eight lakh customers, is a financial services platform with an evolving portfolio of offerings aimed at providing personalised, simplified and secured financial solutions to its customers. Currently, Airtel Finance offers multiple products including Airtel Flexi Credit Personal Loan, Co-brand Credit Card, Co-brand Insta EMI card and Gold Loan with financial institutions, all easily accessible on its Thanks App, with additional product offerings like Business Loan and Secured Lending Products in the pipeline. Airtel Finance is on its way to becoming a one-stop solution for all the financial product needs of its 350 mn+ customers across the country.

Prateek Group Marks 20 Years of Excellence, Celebrates 20th Foundation Day with Grandeur

Noida, September 09, 2024: Prateek Group, a leading name in the real estate industry, celebrated its 20th Foundation Day, marking two decades of outstanding achievements. The event was a celebration of the Group’s remarkable journey and the unwavering trust, excellence, integrity, quality, and craftsmanship it has achieved over the years.

Founded in 2005, Prateek Group is built on benchmark quality standards, rock-solid values, and, above all, transparency. From innovative design concepts to the meticulous execution of construction, every project reflects the group’s steadfast pursuit of superior quality. Setting the benchmark in the industry with each project built and delivered, Prateek Group has delivered 15 million sq. ft and continues to thrive. With 20 years of expertise, the Group has delivered homes to 50,000+ happy customers with 100% satisfaction.

Prashant Tiwari, Chairman of Prateek Group, expressed his gratitude and said, “Today marks a milestone for the Prateek Group as we celebrate nineteen years of growth and achievement. In the early days, we faced numerous challenges. We started from the bottom, with no competition or market presence. Today, after nineteen years, we reflect on our journey with pride. As we move forward, we remain committed to excellence, constantly learn from our experiences, and strive to better our services.”

Prateek Tiwari, Managing Director, Prateek Group, added, “Our journey from humble beginnings to industry leadership reflects our dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. As we mark the anniversary of our inception on September 5, 2005, at that time, we could not have imagined the extent to which this family would grow and the size of the team that would emerge. Our position as a leader in the real estate industry reflects our commitment and efforts. We have created a space where we are not only recognized for our legacy but also for the quality project delivered on time with 100% customer satisfaction.”

With projects like Prateek Fedora, Prateek Laurel, Prateek Wisteria, Prateek Stylome, Prateek Carnesia, Prateek Edifice, Prateek Grand City, Prateek Canary, the group has earned great value and reputation amongst stakeholders. Embarking on the next chapter of its journey, the group gears up to announce some new developments soon raising the bar high in the real estate landscape of NCR.

As it looks to the future, it continues to enhance its processes to ensure they meet customer expectations, deliver quality, and maintain the highest standards to serve its customers better and lead the industry.

Naukri Jobspeak: AI-ML, Pharma, and FMCG Shine Despite Extended Holiday Impact in August

Mumbai, 09 September 2024: The Naukri JobSpeak Index, India’s leading indicator of white-collar hiring activity, experienced a slight correction in August 2024 vs August 2023 witnessing a 3% decline, ending at 2576 points. While the job market performed steadily in the first half of the month, a unique clustering of holidays in the latter half significantly impacted the overall index. Key holidays such as Independence Day, Janmashtami, and Raksha Bandhan coincided with weekdays, resulting in extended weekends. This anomaly has led to reduced recruitment activity, causing a pronounced dip in the back half of August.

Despite the overall dip, several sectors demonstrated resilience and growth. AI-ML led the pack with a robust 14% year-on-year increase, followed by FMCG (+11%), Pharma/Biotech (+9%), Auto (+7%), and Oil & Gas/Power (+5%). These sectors stood out amidst an otherwise subdued job market.

AI-ML and IT Sector: A Tale of Two Trajectories

While the overall IT sector showed a modest 1% year-on-year growth, AI-ML jobs continued their impressive run with a 14% increase. This divergence highlights the growing importance of specialized AI skills in the job market. Interestingly, IT unicorns bucked the trend with a 5% growth, even as foreign MNCs and Global Capability Centers (GCCs) experienced a correction. Kochi emerged as a bright spot in IT hiring, recording a significant 22% year-on-year growth.

FMCG and Pharma Sectors Show Strength

The FMCG sector maintained its momentum with an 11% year-on-year growth, primarily driven by strong performances in Bangalore and Kolkata, both witnessing a remarkable 40% increase. Similarly, the Pharma sector grew by 9% year-on-year, with Baroda standing out with an impressive 44% growth.

Senior Roles and High Salaries Defy Market Trends

Despite market corrections, senior professionals remain in high demand. Hiring for those with 16+ years of experience grew 11% year-on-year and saw positive growth across all cities, while strategic and top management roles surged by 30%. Higher salary brackets also showed resilience, with positions offering 13-20 LPA increasing by 6% and those above 20 LPA growing by 19%. These trends indicate a strong market for experienced professionals and high-paying roles, contrasting with overall hiring patterns.

Shifting Hiring Landscapes: Emerging Cities and Startups Lead the Way

Kochi, Baroda, and Coimbatore emerged as key centers for fresher recruitment, signaling a geographical diversification of talent acquisition. Bangalore solidified its position as a startup powerhouse, with startups and unicorns outpacing foreign MNCs and Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in hiring. Chennai showed signs of following a similar trajectory, while Hyderabad presented a mixed picture with startups and GCCs leading in recruitment over MNCs. These shifts highlight the growing influence of domestic tech ecosystems and the changing preferences of both employers and job seekers across India’s tech hubs.

Dr. Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer of Naukri.com, commented, “Hiring in August is a story of two halves. While the first half of the month showed typical patterns, the second-half experienced an impact due to extended holidays. Still, key sectors like AI-ML, FMCG, and Pharma continue to show robust growth, which gives us reason not to worry about the job market.”

OCA elects Randhir Singh as President at General Assembly

New Delhi, India, September 9, 2024: The Olympic Council of Asia has a new President – Raja Randhir Singh of India.

The 77-year-old five-time Olympian was elected unopposed for the term 2024-2028 at the 44th OCA General Assembly in New Delhi on Sunday.

When the result was announced, the hall was filled with applause and delegates queued to congratulate Raja Randhir.

The post of President, five Vice Presidents for the five zones and five Executive Board members were all uncontested.

The electronic voting, by tablet, required a simple majority of 50 percent plus one from the 45 National Olympic Committees.

Raja Randhir received 44 of the 45 votes, with one abstention and no “No” votes.

“Thank you very much and we are very honoured for the love and affection you have shown us,” said Raja Randhir on behalf of the new Executive Board.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With your support you have shown Asia is one, Asia is one family. We are always there for you.”

Raja Randhir had special words of thanks to the OCA Director General, Mr. Husain Al Musallam, for his support for over 30 years, and for Deputy Director General Vinod Kumar Tiwari.

Mobec Launches TakeChargeForTheFuture Campaign, On World EV Day

September 9th, 2024, New Delhi, India: Mobec, a pioneering leader in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, is proud to announce the launch of its latest initiative, the #TakeChargeForTheFuture campaign. With the rise of electric mobility and the urgent need to address climate change, Mobec aims to inspire individuals and communities to make a meaningful impact by taking a sustainability pledge to reduce their carbon footprint by switching to electric vehicles (EVs).

The #TakeChargeForTheFuture campaign invites participants to sign the sustainability pledge through an interactive Instagram post. Visitors can engage by commenting on the post and sharing the pledge across their social media channels, urging their friends, family, and followers to join the movement towards a greener future. For each pledge received, Mobec will either plant a tree or contribute to a green initiative, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

Incentives for Participation

As a token of appreciation, Mobec is offering exclusive discounts on its range of EV chargers and accessories to all participants who take the pledge. Additionally, Mobec encourages EV owners and enthusiasts to share their stories and experiences on how Mobec’s portable and on-the-go charging solutions have enhanced their journeys. Selected stories will be featured on Mobec’s social media platforms, further promoting the message of sustainability and the benefits of transitioning to EVs.

Harry Bajaj, CEO and Founder of Mobec, shared his excitement about the campaign, “The future of mobility is electric, and the future of our planet depends on how quickly we can adapt to sustainable practices. With #TakeChargeForTheFuture, we’re not only asking people to switch to EVs but to make a conscious effort to be part of the solution. Every pledge represents a step towards a cleaner, greener tomorrow, and at Mobec, we’re thrilled to incentivize this change by contributing to green initiatives and offering rewards to our dedicated community.”

How to Participate in #TakeChargeForTheFuture

1. Follow Mobec on Instagram.

2. Comment on the campaign post with your pledge to reduce your carbon footprint by adopting electric vehicles.

3. Share the post on your social media channels to inspire others to take the pledge.

4. Mobec will donate a tree or contribute to a green initiative for every pledge.

5. Receive exclusive discounts on Mobec chargers or accessories and share your EV journey for a chance to be featured on Mobec’s platforms.

By participating in the #TakeChargeForTheFuture campaign, individuals are not only making a pledge for a more sustainable future but also contributing to tangible environmental change through Mobec’s green initiatives.