8, Dec 2023
Top self-help author Dr Birbal Jha to address at Sandip University
Noted author and social entrepreneur Dr Birbal Jha is scheduled to address the students of Sandip University, Madhubani, on the subject of professional presentation skills. His day-long seminar will begin at 10:30 am on December 8, 2023.
Dr Birbal Jha, ranked among the ten top self-help authors in the world, expects his interactive session to help the attendees improve their communication skills and equip them with the art of presentation skills in professional settings in today’s world.
The session aims to cover the various facets of presentation skills, effective communication skills, and interview and behaviour skills in line with the objectives of the prestigious Sandip University.
Dr. Birbal Jha, who founded his social enterprise British Lingua in 1993, has a track record of imparting English skills training to more than three lakh and fifty thousand youth in India, beginning his educational journey in Patna.
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- By Rabindra
8, Dec 2023
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD) & Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) partner with Corporates to empower 3000 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to secure promising livelihood opportunities
Mumbai, December 8, 2023: The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, organized a Roundtable Meet for Corporates to ‘Support, Activate and Build Assured Livelihoods (SABAL) for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) under CSR Actions’.
Dr. Vineet Rana, General Manager, National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation, DePwD, Government of India; Shri Jagannath Sahoo, President, SBI Foundation; Shri Rajendra Nimbalkar, IAS, Managing Director, Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd., Mumbai; Shri Saumya Chaudhuri, CGM, IDBI Bank Ltd; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII; Dr. Raman Gujral, Director, Department of Projects (Corporate) at EDII, as well as senior officials from DePwD and CSR leaders from leading corporate entities attended this groundbreaking meet. The ‘Meet’ took up the agenda of sensitizing society at large and instituting interventions and measures that ensure the establishment of 3,000 new enterprises PwDs, including 1,500 technology-driven and 1,500 general enterprises.
This pivotal roundtable meeting brainstormed on creating a better world for PwDs through an effective synergy between government, corporates, and institutions. The discussions revolved around the specific objectives of ensuring empowerment of PwDs through sustainable enterprise creation; creating a set of best practices in the context of infrastructure, perception, environment, security, and other facilities to promote their complete inclusion in society; floating ways to ensure an integrative working environment; deciding on an inventory of business opportunities that PwDs could tap into to create own enterprises; aligning the project and its interventions with sustainable development goals and breaking the professional segregation in society that relegates disabled PwDs to lower-paying jobs.
Based on the discussions and takeaways, the participating corporates identified some primary areas of cooperation. Some of the activities identified to achieve the goal of creating 3000 PwD-led enterprises included an awareness Campaign to Ensure Community Integration of PwDs; Immersive Life Skills for Adolescents with Disabilities; Sourcing Business Opportunities for PwDs; Sensitization workshops for PwDs; Credit Linkage Support; Entrepreneur Growth-cum-Counselling Programme (EGCP) to Support PwD-led Enterprises and Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programme (MSDP) to enable unemployed PwDs to set up their business.
Dr. Vineet Rana emphasized the pivotal role of NHFDC in empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), stating, “Through NHFDC, we aim to facilitate financial development, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for PwDs in collaboration with EDII and corporate partners.”
Shri Jagannath Sahoo highlighted the collaborative efforts of SBI Foundation with EDII, stating, “SBI Foundation, in partnership with EDII, is committed to creating promising livelihood opportunities for differently-abled individuals through our collaborative ‘Support, Activate and Build Assured Livelihoods’ programme.” Shri Sahoo emphasized on the significance of equity and new possibilities for PwDs.
Shri Saumya Chaudhuri endorsed the role of IDBI Bank’s CSR wing, stating, “IDBI Bank, as part of its CSR initiatives, actively engages in sensitization workshops and credit linkage support aimed at fostering an inclusive environment where people from various echelons of society get multiple opportunities to thrive and prosper.”
A video was screened explaining the features of the newly launched DePwD PM Daksh portal for skilling and employment of Divyangjan.
Dr. Sunil Shukla, opined, “For the development process to deliver better outcomes, the approach has to be inclusive. Inclusive Development focusses on equity and social growth, which is important for any society. And, in this context, development opportunities for PwDs need to be curated on high priority, on a regular basis. We need to ensure that the PwDs get suitably trained and handheld. It is also important to establish best practices at workplaces and at various levels of the social framework to foster equality and inclusivity at all levels.”
Dr. Raman Gujral, discussing the various projects undertaken by corporates to empower PwDs, said that EDII has so far 8,653 PwDs through 272 skill training programs, leading to the establishment of 1,247 enterprises. EDII houses the Centre for Empowerment of the Differently Abled (CEDA), supported by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Directorate of Social Defence, Gujarat State Handicapped (Divyang) Finance & Development Corporation, Government of Gujarat, on its campus.
A brainstorming session was held between the officials and corporate leaders present in the conference room. The one-hour-long round table discussion included topics related to accessibility, aids, and assistive devices, AI for PwDs, Job mapping, entrepreneurship opportunities, and disability sensitization.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks and a group photo.
8, Dec 2023
India Adds 907 MW of Open Access Solar in Q3 2023, Up 20.6% YoY
December 08, 2023 – In the third quarter (Q3) of the calendar year (CY) 2023, India added 907 megawatts (MW) of solar open access. The installations rose 36.1% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) compared to 666 MW installed in Q2 2023, according to the newly released Q3 2023 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report.
Installations were up 20.6% year-over-year (YoY) compared to 752 MW installed in Q3 2022.
In Q3, developers increasingly commissioned projects to benefit from the lower power purchase agreement (PPA) tariffs due to the extension of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order until March 2024, and falling value chain prices have been driving capacity additions.
“The drop in solar project costs attracted consumer attention this quarter. Power purchase agreements that were on the back burner are now being signed. Emphasis on greening products and services has gained momentum in large and medium-scale enterprises and is pushing the growth of green energy open access market,” commented Priya Sanjay, Managing Director at Mercom India.
Maharashtra led the open access solar capacity additions in Q3 2023, with 26.5%, followed by Karnataka (20.3%) and Tamil Nadu (19.5%). The top five states accounted for 88.5% of the quarter’s installations.
In the first nine months (9M) of CY 2023, India added 2.2 GW of open-access solar, down 7.3% compared to 2.3 GW installed in 9M 2022. Installations were lower in the first half of 2023 as project development slowed in anticipation of further module price drops.
As of September 2023, the country’s cumulative installed open-access solar capacity was 11 GW.
Karnataka remained the top state, accounting for 33.3% of the cumulative solar open access capacity at the end of 9M 2023. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu followed with 14.1% and 10.3% of the cumulative installed open-access solar capacity, respectively.
The top five states contributed 72.8% of the cumulative open-access solar installations.
India had 12.5 GW of open-access solar projects under various stages of development at the end of Q3 2023.
“Carbon-intensive industries exporting to Europe need to report the emissions that occur in the manufacturing process, failing which they lose business. Several multinational companies and premium brands worldwide have mandated their suppliers to go green. These initiatives will additionally drive demand for renewables,” added Sanjay.
Karnataka was the leading seller in the Green Day Ahead Market (G-DAM) in short-term markets, accounting for 16.3%.
Maharashtra was the leading energy procurer from G-DAM, followed by Damodar Valley Corporation, accounting for 28.4% and 13.8% of total power purchased.
Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) trading in the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) was up 59% compared to the previous quarter.
According to the report, the volume traded in the Green Term Ahead Market (G-TAM) on IEX increased 55% QoQ.
A detailed analysis of the solar open access business overview, retail electricity tariffs, and open access charges and costs for seventeen states has been covered in the report.
Key Highlights from Mercom India Research’s Q3 2023 India Solar Open Access Market Report< /SPAN>
India added 907 MW of open-access solar capacity in Q3 2023, up 36.1% QoQ and 20.6% YoY
Maharashtra added the highest open-access solar capacity in Q3 2023
The top five states accounted for 88.5% of open-access solar installations in the quarter
Open access solar installations in 9M 2023 totaled 2.2 GW, down nearly 7.3% YoY
As of September 2023, the cumulative installed open-access solar capacity was 11 GW
12.5 GW of open-access solar projects were in the development pipeline at the end of 9M 2023
8, Dec 2023
Sri Rajarajeswari Bharatha Natya Kala Mandir bejewelled Sangeet Samaroh in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, 8 December 2023: Sri Rajarajeswari Bharatha Natya Kala Mandir, a home to many renowned dancers, marked its presence at the prestigious 51st Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroh Festival, held on 30th November 2023 at CCRT, Madhapur Kondapur Road, HITEC City, Hyderabad with a magical performance by its exceptionally talented student, Krishna Pranita.
Presented by Durga Jasraj and the Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation, this Festival in its 51st year is one of the most prestigious festivals presenting Indian Classical Music and Dance programs to the audience.
The event featured noteworthy vocalists such as Ankita Joshi, Ruchira Kedar, Rutuja Lad, and Dhanashree Ghaisas, as well as accomplished dancers such as Yamini Reddy (Kuchipudi), Arushi Mudgal (Odissi), Shinjini Kulkarni (Kathak), and Krishna Pranita (Bharatha Natyam).
The intricate expressions in Krishna Pranita’s Natya conveyed the profound emotions of the composition depicting Lord Krishna and Radha. The performance unfolded like a poetic dance, where each step resonated with the harmonious melody of raag and taal of Hindustani music, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of devotion and anticipation. Guru Harikrishna Kalyanasundaram’s choreography in interpreting this Khayal shows his prowess in traditional margams, different themes, and as a phenomenal music composer through his many compositions and innumerable choreographic work. Dhanashree and Rutuja added melodic beauty with their vocals along with the subtle yet very precise rhythmic support by Sri Vedakrishnaram on mridangam.
Krishna Pranita, a senior disciple of Guru Harikrishna Kalyanasundaram at Sri Rajarajeswari Bharatha Natya Kala Mandir, is known for her skillful performances, and her artistic journey is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of her Guru Parampara from Thanjavur, a lineage that spans 300 years. Krishna Pranita ardently upholds the tenets of this ancient tradition, embodying the cultural heritage and spiritual dimensions intrinsic to Bharatha Natyam.
8, Dec 2023
PNB urges its customers to update KYC details by 18.12.2023
New Delhi, 08 December 2023: In adherence to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, the Punjab National Bank, nation’s leading public sector bank, has asked its customers to update their Know Your Customer (KYC) information before 18.12.2023 to ensure smooth functioning of their accounts. This is applicable only for those customers whose accounts were due for KYC updation as of 30.09.2023.
As part of the KYC compliance exercise, PNB customers are requested to provide their updated information like identity proof, address proof, recent photo, PAN, income proof, mobile number (if not available), or any other KYC information to their base branch. It can be done through PNB One, Internet Banking Services (IBS), registered email/post, or in-person visits to any branch by 18.12.2023. Failure to update KYC details within the stipulated time may result in restrictions on account operations.
For any assistance, customers can visit their nearest PNB branch or check the official website https://www.pnbindia.in/.
8, Dec 2023
Get Ready to Rumble: Mumbai to witness G-SHOCK celebrate its 40th Anniversary with the Iconic ‘Shock The World’ Tour in association with Vh1 Supersonic on 16th December!
• Over the years, eminent global personalities such as Kanye West, Eminem, J.Balvinand James Marsden have lent their prestige to ‘Shock The World’ worldwide
• The legendary Kikuo Ibe, the Father of G-SHOCKto grace this prestigious event
• An incredible artist line-up featuringKrsna, Paradox, Kayan and OG Shez promises an electrifying experience perfectly resonating with the dynamic spirit of G-SHOCK
National 8th December 2023: G-SHOCK, the trailblazing force in unbreakable watches, is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of the ‘Shock The World’ tour to India after a hiatus of 11 years. In collaboration with Vh1 Supersonic, the spectacular celebration of music, culture, and the indomitable G-SHOCK spirit is set to unfold in the vibrant city of Mumbai on the 16th of December 2023.
In reaffirming our commitment to youth culture, G-SHOCK considers it a paramount mission to wholeheartedly support the flourishing endeavors of the younger generation. At the core of our values lies an unyielding commitment to foster the growth and success of the youth across various realms of real-life expression, encompassing music, sports, performing arts, street culture, and more. Through this steadfast resolve, we aim to be a catalyst for their achievements, contributing to and celebrating the dynamic spirit of youth culture.
Since its inception in 2008, the ‘Shock The World’ tour has evolved into a global phenomenon, showcasing the dynamic fusion of street culture, music, and the unyielding G-SHOCK spirit. Over the years, it has hosted performers whose electrifying acts have left an everlasting impact on audiences across 34 countries. The ‘Shock The World’ global event, which took place recently in Tokyo, New York, Berlin, London, Shanghai and Bali, is set to conclude in Mumbai this December.
This December, G-SHOCK’s ‘Shock The World’ promises an unforgettable night celebrating the brand ethos of absolute toughness along with cultural and musical brilliance in Mumbai. Featuring awe-inspiring feats by the Father of G-SHOCK, Kikuo Ibe, alongside headlining artists Krsna and Paradoxand DJ sets by Kayan and OG Shez, the event is set to create a spectacle that resonates with the core values of G-SHOCK—toughness, resilience, and innovation. The brand will also be announcing the culmination of the first-ever TEAM G-SHOCK in Indiaas part of these momentous celebrations.
Commenting on the unveiling for the G-SHOCK ‘Shock The World’ Tour in India, Hideki Imai, Managing Director, Casio India said, “As the pioneering force behind unbreakable timepieces, G-SHOCK thrilled to celebrate 40 iconic years of toughness by bringing back the electrifying ‘Shock The World’ tour to India after 11 long years, in collaboration with Vh1. The upcoming tour is poised to deliver a magnetic celebration spanning across some of the most definitive G-SHOCK models that have made history along with an amalgamation of the subcultures which it has inspired such as music, performing arts, street culture, all infused with the indomitable G-SHOCK spirit. This December, we are set to deliver an unforgettable night in Mumbai, featuring curated experiences with fascinating surprises that will bring ourcherished audience closer to the iconic G-SHOCK spirit in a grander way.”
Gaurav Mashruwala, Business Head, Viacom18 said, “We are thrilled to join forces with G-SHOCK ‘Shock The World’ Tour in India. In tandem with Viacom18 Live, known for creating magnificent experiential events like Vh1 Supersonic, this event blends the unparalleled energy of Viacom18 Live with the indomitable spirit of G-SHOCK. Together, we’re excited to redefine the very essence of time, and bring to Mumbai an experience that transcends the ordinary – a fusion of music and culture that resonates with fans and enthusiasts”.
Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to witness and explore the iconic and limited-edition G-SHOCK timepieces from across the world at a specially curated zone, allowing them to get up close and personal with some of the most sought-after G-SHOCK creations.
‘Shock The World’ stands as a cultural fest embodying G-SHOCK’s values—absolute toughness, resilient spirit, and constant innovation. The tour’s return to the vibrant Indian landscape, in association with Vh1 Supersonic, promises a magnetic euphoria through an irresistible lineup of performances and carefully curated presentations.
For all rap music and pop culture lovers, streetwear enthusiasts, and G-SHOCK fans, get ready to roll and experience the time of your life with G-SHOCK! Register on the link below and secure your tickets for the ‘Shock The World’ Tour now!
8, Dec 2023
Cantabil unveils the epitome of elegance with the all-new Winter and Wedding Collection
New Delhi, December 08, 2023: Cantabil Retail India Ltd., one of India’s leading apparel manufacturer and retailers, is thrilled to announce the launch of its much-anticipated Winter and Wedding Collection through a digital film in India. The film will be amplified across multiple digital touch points including Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Curated by Circle Models Management Private Limited, the digital film captures the tranquil and serene charm of Thailand. Showcasing a unique selection from the brand’s winter collection for men, women, and kids, as well as the wedding collection for both genders, the film unfolds against various picturesque backgrounds. The winter line is highlighted against stylish architectural settings, while the wedding collection takes center stage amidst celebratory setups. This fresh collection embodies the spirit of global fashion trends, carefully curated to offer consumers a wardrobe that not only keeps them warm in colder months but also enhances their style.
Unveiling the brand’s latest collection, Deepak Bansal, Director, Cantabil Retail India Ltd., expressed, “Our Winter Wedding Collection reflects Cantabil’s unwavering commitment to delivering fashion that embodies elegance, refinement, and comfort. To curate this season’s collection, we’ve drawn inspiration from global trends, offering a range that not only keeps you cozy during the colder months but also allows you to effortlessly make a stylish statement in the wedding season as well. This collection harmoniously blends timeless design with contemporary sensibilities, ensuring our customers always radiate their finest style. We extend an invitation to explore our latest offerings, exemplifying the perfect fusion of fashion and warmth, epitomizing what Cantabil represents.”
Cantabil’s Men Winter Wedding Collection promises classy, elegant, and sophisticated look this season. The overall color palette of the season includes – shades of deep Camel, Autumn Greys, Pine Greens, Olives, Warm Navys, Burgundy, and timeless Monochrome Neutrals. The Wedding Collection offers various styles, with a focus on an array of 3-piece suits and fashionable Band Galas. Notably, the 3-piece suits are innovatively designed with a contrast waistcoat, introducing an exciting mix-and-match element for the current season.
Additionally, Cantabil has introduced new colors such as purple and fawn to enrich this collection. For the upcoming wedding season, the 3-piece tuxedo emerged as a standout choice, adding a touch of grace and style to the discerning gentleman’s wardrobe. Blazers within the collection boast intricate designs such as English checks, herringbone, and corduroy, adding a further layer of sophistication to the ensemble. The winter collection highlights several key offerings, such as the reversible and travel-friendly Padded Puffer Jacket, renowned for its exceptional polyfill craftsmanship. Complementing the pre-winter ensemble are cozy lightweight jackets, stylish structured T-shirts, and fashionable quilted jackets with distinctive designs. For those seeking a suave appeal, must-have Suede jackets are available. The assortment also offers a wide range of Hoodies and Sweatshirts that takes inspiration from global fashion trends, featuring various neck styles, captivating prints, and extra-soft cushioning.
To keep warm while staying in vogue, trendy sweaters are included, featuring high and turtlenecks, crew necks, and other self-structured motifs, all crafted with precision. For essential comfort during harsh winters, the collection includes Hooded jackets with soft fur linings. Also, there’s a selection of wrinkle-free and stay-white shirts with finely taped seams, ideal for a flawless work ensemble.
In addition to these offerings, Cantabil launched athletic-inspired activewear jackets, featuring extra stretch and intelligent technology that cater to fitness enthusiasts, inspiring their active lifestyle. (Kindly suggest – as per Athleisure announcement timeline)
Women collection offers a versatile range of lightweight Padded Jackets, both reversible and non-reversible, catering to those who embrace trekking and camping and stylish long coats. Collections’s color palette blends seamlessly with deep winter hues with delicate pastel fabric touch. It features extra-soft fur jackets and hooded bomber jackets, adding layers of warmth and style to winter wardrobe.
Complementing these are body-hugging services designed to pair elegantly with jeggings and the brand’s signature fine winter blazers crafted from luxurious woolen fabrics. For a sophisticated nine-to-five look, Suede Blazers are the perfect choice, effortlessly matching with formal shirts and extra-fine formal trousers. The new sweaters exhibit elegant textures, while stylish hoodies and sweatshirts offer a variety of designs and colors, including features like color blocking and metal zippers. Long coats and tweed blazers become essential pieces for every fashion-conscious woman. Cantabil also offers warm woolen kurtis with lurex motifs for ethnic wear enthusiasts. Within the collection, one can also find cord sets crafted from high-quality jacquard woolen and woven fabrics, showcasing adaptable abstract prints in an array of stylish colors, spanning from maroons and wines to deep greens and fashionable lilacs. The collection is distinguished by its carefully designed silhouettes, emphasizing comfort, versatility, ease of wear, and a flattering appearance, all while remaining in fashion for this winter season.
Kids Autumn Winter Collection features a fusion of Indigo Hues, maroon, green, pink, and a flora- n-fauna theme. It includes modern color-block jackets, classic dresses with gathers and frills in bold colors, and trendy shirts that pair perfectly with eye-catching jeans. To combat the cold, the brand is offering quilted, layered, and warm clothing with soft quilted jackets, fleece sweatshirts, twill, and brushed shirts in winter hues with check patterns. The range encompasses polyfill puffers and fancy furs in jackets, providing a complete look with a seamless blend of comfort and style through stretchable trousers, multi-color checked shirts, joggers, and cargos.
8, Dec 2023
Happiest Minds Recognized as Procurement Organization of the Year at the CPO Awards 2023
Bengaluru, Dec 8, 2023: Happiest Minds Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a ‘Born Digital. Born Agile’, Mindful IT Company, today announced that it has been recognized as ‘Procurement Organization of the Year’ at the 8th Annual ISM-INDIA Conference and CPO Awards 2023.
ISM India recognizes and celebrates the outstanding collaborative efforts of individuals and teams in procurement and supply chain excellence. From around 18 submissions from IT companies, Happiest Minds has secured the title ‘Procurement Organization of the Year’. This award showcases the overall excellence of the organization in undertaking the most successful project. In addition to this, it has also been lauded for ‘Excellence in Supply Chain Initiatives’.
Venkatraman Narayanan, MD & CFO, Happiest Minds said, “This prestigious award mirrors the unwavering dedication and outstanding efforts of our talented team. It affirms our commitment to excellence in the field. I extend my gratitude to our team members and stakeholders who have played a pivotal role in making this achievement possible. Being awarded the ‘Procurement Organization of the Year’ has motivated us to set higher benchmarks and attain new milestones.”
Sriranga Krish, Vice President, of Happiest Minds said, “Our matured procurement processes and strong internal approval processes have helped us to achieve this. While we are working on further strengthening our internal processes, this award has really motivated us to look at higher levels. My appreciation to the entire team for exhibiting their good negotiation skills and combined efforts that have led us to attain this accolade.”
Happiest Minds has won multiple accolades including The Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance (2022) and Business Excellence (2021).
8, Dec 2023
New research: 54% of Indian domains are vulnerable to phishing and spoofing
8th Dec 2023 – New research has highlighted the level of spoofing and phishing vulnerabilities in top-level domains across India.
EasyDMARC, a cloud-native email authentication platform, examined 81,037 Indian domains, which revealed that the majority of them are inadequately protected against cyber threats.
Out of the total active domains surveyed, 54.7% lacked proper email authentication measures, leaving them highly vulnerable to spoofing and phishing attacks.
The research team at EasyDMARC identified the absence of DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) protection in 43,565 domains, leaving them entirely vulnerable to email-based threats.
Despite slow uptake, there were also positive findings:
37,472 active domains within the sample had implemented DMARC, showcasing a recognition of its importance in enhancing security. Despite this, among these domains, 23,123 had set their DMARC policy to ‘p=none,’ meaning that they only monitor their domain infrastructure without taking steps to restrict phishing attempts. Additionally, 6,838, or 8.4% of domains had implemented the ‘p=quarantine’ policy, meaning suspicious emails are sent to ‘quarantine’ rather than getting rejected. Only 9.2% of the total active domains implemented the ‘p=reject’ policy, the ultimate protection against phishing and spoofing attempts.
This research underscores a substantial gap in security awareness and implementation across Indian domains. The absence of DMARC protection leaves a majority of domains vulnerable to brand impersonation, business email compromise, and ransomware attacks originating from phishing and spoofing attempts.
Gerasim Hovhannisyan, CEO and co-founder of EasyDMARC commented on the findings, stating, “The research highlights the critical need for domain authentication in the Indian digital landscape. Without proper safeguards, Indian organizations, including governmental bodies and local businesses, are at risk of data breaches, cyber events, and financial losses. This issue calls for immediate attention to boost the security posture of Indian domains.”
8, Dec 2023
nurture.farm kickstarts its Sustainable Rice Program for Rabi’23, leading the transition to Sustainable Agriculture Practices
New Delhi, 08 Dec 2023: nurture.farm, India’s leading Agtech startup has rolled out its Sustainable Rice Program for the Rabi’23 season. Hundreds of farmers have pledged & joined the program to lead the change by transforming the way they cultivate rice. The program aims to make the rice value chain sustainable by implementing techniques that streamline cultivation practices, leveraging artificial intelligence & water conserving technologies to help farmers cultivate more from less, creating traceable data sets, improving soil health, and boosting farm productivity to deliver sustainable outcomes for the farmer, the buyer, and the environment.
The implementation of the program is being monitored with the help of agri-industry experts & researchers from Regional Agriculture Research Station, Marateru under the leadership & guidance of Dr M Bharatalakshmi, Associate Director at the Institute. In addition to the institute partnership, leading ag-industry leaders like Mr Ashish Dobhal, CEO UPL SAS, are lending their support, guidance, and committing their resources to help make the program a success.
Mr. Ashish Dobhal, CEO of UPL SAS, said, “India is the largest producer and consumer of rice, accounting for 21 per cent of the world’s total rice production. The rice cultivation alone contributes to 1.5% of total GHG emissions. Furthermore, rice cultivation requires a lot of water; flooded fields lead to the anaerobic decomposition of soil organic matter, which leads to methane emissions and impacts the soil quality, often leading to the leaching of nutrients and soil erosion resulting in reduced farm productivity. Thus making the transition to sustainable cultivation practices a necessity.
The Sustainable Rice Program is a testament to the core mission of building a resilient and sustainable agriculture ecosystem for a brighter, inclusive and more abundant tomorrow. The program is unique and ambitious as it promises to deliver end-to-end implementation, helping improve yield quality, soil health, acreage, optimize input usage and water consumption, shorten crop cycles, boost farm productivity, and reduce the cost of cultivation while ensuring profitability and measurable sustainable impact on GHGs.”
Mr Harshal Sonawane, Head of Sustainability at nurture.farm
“We are proud to launch the initiative as it is an opportunity to make history & contribute to the larger narrative of sustainable agriculture, helping usher in a new era of growth in harmony with nature. The program differentiates itself from other sustainable rice programs owing to its unique sustainability framework & the number of verifiable interventions we plan to deploy.
Farmers are on boarded to the program via physical & digital touch points on thAe nurture.farm app. We ensure that participating farmers are extensively trained on good agricultural practices and sustainable rice cultivation techniques and consistently monitor the implementation of the practices at the ground level. Furthermore, participating farmers will receive competitive financial incentives, learn about yield optimization techniques, gain insights on soil health and receive timely advisory & support from our fleet on ground to ensure profitable & sustainable cultivation of rice.
The sustainability impact on the ecosystem, be it water savings, implications for preservation of biodiversity, carbon sequestration, etc, will be measurable, verifiable & traceable. These data sets can be compared pre & post-implementation to test the efficacy of the program. The program will help mitigate up to 50% of methane emissions, reduce water usage in rice cultivation by 30%, reduce input costs for farmers by INR 500 /acre and improve yield by up to 10%.”
With a focus on driving change at the grassroots level, nurture.farm’s Sustainable Rice Program aims to educate and train smallholder farmers, improve their access to technology and know-how, and help them cultivate profitably without compromising yield, soil health, and the environment. The pilot is being implemented in AP & Telangana to the tune of 10,000 acres, with more than 5,000 farmers already signed up for the program, and it is set to scale to more than 1 million acres by 2030. The program is designed to make the entire rice value chain sustainable, ensuring fair value for farmers on a large scale.
