Rabindra, Author at Media Express24

7, Dec 2023

HPS Begumpet announces the Grand Finale of its Centenary year celebration, initiates the largest fundraiser in the history of schools in India

Hyderabad, 7th, December 2023: The Hyderabad Public School (HPS), Begumpet, has officially unveiled its plans for the Grand Finale of its highly successful year-long centenary celebrations. The school today announced an investment of 17.5 cr for a Multi-sport facility and an additional 10 cr for an innovation Centre (similar to T Hub) to foster entrepreneurship.

The finale that will be inaugurated on the 19^th of December will be held between the 24th and 27th of December, 2023. The finale celebration which comprises of more than 50+ activities curated for the HPS fraternity comprising of students, staff, alumni & parents,

The four-day Grand Finale will feature a monumental fundraising initiative, aiming to raise INR 17.5 crore for a state-of-the-art green field Multi-utility sports center designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor. This is part of the school’s audacious Vision 2050 to raising INR 150 Crores for monumental development plans. The school is one of the few schools in the country that provides donors with 80G Tax exemptions and has an FCRA license to accept foreign donations. It is actively promoting Educational Philanthropy and the concept of giving back, which is very popular in the Western world in most legacy not-for-profit institutions.

The school is in the process of constructing an Innovation Centre projected at a cost of 10 cr, similar to T-Hub to foster entrepreneurship and innovation culture at the school level itself, generously funded by HPS Alumni. Spanning 15,000 square feet, this unique facility stands as a pioneering project, making HPS the sole school in the country to boast such an achievement. The faculty will actively encourage hands-on learning experiences in robotics and AI within this center.

The Grand Finale week will be kickstarted with an HPS Centenary Dinner, an exclusive limited seating Fund Raising Dinner, on the 24^th of December, 2023 at the Taj Falaknuma Palace. The dinner is set to be attended by distinguished guests and alumni from around the world with the purpose of raising funds for the HPS Centenary Sports Center.

The ensuing three days, i.e. 25^th to 27^th of December will see the entire HPS universe of over 15,000 people culminate in the campus and celebrate 100 years of the school. This is expected to be perhaps the largest celebration held by any school in India. With the purpose of celebrating its centenary, exchanging ideas, sharing knowledge, networking, and strengthening the HPS family further, a series of events across the campus are planned. Some of the key highlights include a spectacular HPS Carnival, an HPS Museum – The Echoes of Time, HPS StartX – an Entrepreneurship Summit, a Sports Reunion, The Centenary Golf Tournament at the Hyderabad Golf Club, a regal Vintage Car Showcase, a Speed Networking sessions, a learning zone with Book Readings, Panel Discussions, Workshops, the depositing of a Time capsule, a stunning performance by the popular band “The Bartenders”, a Centenary Alumni Reunion dinner along with “Best Kept Secret” playing live, Art Competition, Photography Competition, a mock Parliament session, and many more activities. The finale concert will be held on the 27^th of December in the front field with the 100-year-old building as the backdrop. The renowned trio – Shankar Ehsan Loy is set to enthrall the audience at The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet.

The Hyderabad Public School Begumpet 1

Elaborating on the finale celebrations, Mr. Gusti J Noria – The President HPS Society said, “The Grand Finale of the HPS’s centenary year is a testament to our last 100 years of legacy, leadership, and excellence looking towards the future to lead, serve and soar. We look forward to the entire HPS family getting together and rejoicing on this landmark and momentous occasion”.

Key Highlights:

The HPS Connect Mobile Application

The celebrations are exclusive for the HPS community comprises of Students, Parents, Staff, Alumni, and their families. Access to the campus would be exclusively for the members of the HPS family. The HPS Connect Mobile Application has been developed to provide seamless access and connectivity to the HPS community to network, schedule, and participate in the various centenary celebrations.

The HPS Centenary Dinner at The Taj Falaknuma

24^th December, 2023 – 7 pm onwards

The HPS Centenary Fundraising Dinner at the historic Taj Falaknuma Palace is slated to be held on December 24^th – the Dinner is open to Alumni, Parents, Educationists, Philanthropists, or any other individual or body corporate willing to support the cause of education & sports.

A state-of-the-art Indoor Multisport Center, covering an expansive 50,000 square feet and estimated to cost INR 17.5 Crores is being built on the campus. The sports center has been designed by acclaimed architect Hafeez Contractor. This cutting-edge facility shall have 4 badminton courts, 8 table tennis tables, 3 squash courts, an indoor sports hall for Chess, Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, and Boxing, a full-fledged gymnasium, and a sports medicine center. The goal of this advanced facility is to serve as a source of inspiration and nurture a new generation of sporting leaders from HPS, with aspirations for participation in prestigious events such as the Olympics and other international championships.

The HPS Carnival

25^th & 26^th December – 10 am to 7 pm

A spectacular celebration of joy and wonder where the HPS family shall create lasting memories. The HPS Carnival shall be a kaleidoscope of colours with over 150 stalls of food, shopping, activities & games. The children of the school shall set up game stalls and marry the vintage carnival with the modern era. A host of live performances including live bands, dances, rope malkhamb, and yoga displays shall keep the audience engaged. An HPS has got talent program is also in the pipeline.

Echoes of Time: Looking back to look forward

25^th & 26^th December – 10 am to 6 pm

A 100-year-old legacy deserves to be displayed and preserved for generations to see. Presenting Echoes of Time, an immersive experience that will be housed in the century-old Shaheen Block and will take you through the legacy & historical journey of the school. Words will not do justice to the exquisite installations that have been carefully curated.

HPS StartX Entrepreneurship Summit:

25^th & 26^th December – 9:30 am to 6 pm

HPS is set to launch its IP two-day StartX Entrepreneurship summit with more than 30 startups, over 300 founders, 2000 attendees, 25 speakers, and 10 pitches. The StartX summit is a Shark Tank-inspired platform to encourage the HPS community entrepreneurs and hopes to support early venture startups with less than INR 25 cr revenue. Established HPS alumni will get a chance to give back to their alma mater, and support and fund these startups during the event. The summit will also involve masterclasses to empower entrepreneurs and students with partnership opportunities, tools, and insights to create successful and impactful ventures through innovative solutions, and creative problem-solving methods emphasizing empathy, collaboration, and ideation.

Speed Networking Circles

Innovative five-minute Speed Networking Circles will facilitate the pairing of mentors and thought leaders across various fields with aspiring individuals, encouraging the exchange of ideas and inspiration to contribute to the HPS community and shape the school’s future success stories. These dedicated circles will focus on areas such as entrepreneurship, performing arts, technology, content creation, law, finance and accountancy, creative arts, healthcare, and marketing.

The Hyderabad Public School Begumpet 3

Entrepreneurship Panel Discussions and Workshops

Future-oriented panel discussions covering a range of topics will provide a platform for students, entrepreneurs, and founders to interact with industry visionaries. Emphasis will be on driving growth and innovation, exploring India’s ascent in entrepreneurship and technology, including space exploration, defense technology, and Agritech. A segment titled ‘Cultivating Grit’ will unveil the secrets of entrepreneurial success and offer insights into the early stages of venture building. Participants will also gain valuable knowledge on navigating early-stage funding and establishing successful partnerships in the dynamic investment landscape through a dedicated session on Angel Investing. The ‘Creator Economy’ segment will delve into the role of digital platforms and the transformative impact of AI in content generation. Additionally, a segment on ‘Intrapreneurship’ will highlight strategies for staying competitive within large corporations and multi-generational businesses.

Speakers and Thought leaders

A stellar list of speakers and thought-leaders include Nandan Reddy – Cofounder, Swiggy; Satish Mummareddy – Product Leader AI, Meta; Ishan Chatterjee – MD, YouTube India; Nimisha Jain – MD & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group Rahul Tamada – Cofounder & CEO, Tamada Media; Vikas Jhabakh – MD, Motovault & Benelli India; Sanjeev Sisodia – VP Customer Success, Support & Sales – Postman; Raj Madangopal – Cofounder & COO, Banyan Nation; Sharat Potharaju – Cofounder & CEO, Beaconstac;; G. V. Sanjay Reddy – Chairman, Reddy Ventures; Sanjay Jesrani – Founder & CEO, Go North Ventures; Sarath Naru – Managing Partner, Ventureast; Rajesh Manthena – ED & CDO, Cancer Centres of America; Dr. Srikanth Sunderarajan – General Partner, Ventureast; Hari Buganna – Founder & Chairman, InvAscent; Kishore Kothaplli – Partner, SVP India.

Vintage Car Showcase

25^th December – 10 am to 1 pm

A grand Vintage Car display shall be held in the backfield of the school and will bring together over 100 vintage cars celebrating the legacy of the past. The show is being held in association with the Hyderabad Vintage Car Club.

Time Capsule

26^th December – 5 pm

A time capsule will be embedded to be opened in the 125^th year of the school.

Super Car Showcase

26^th December – 4 pm

A Super Car display shall be held on the campus and shall showcase to students the advanced technological advancements in the automobile sector.

Learning Zones

25^th & 26^th December – 10 am to 5 pm

A plethora of intellectual activities shall be held across the campus and will include:

Panel discussions:
- Technology – The Death of Libraries
- Social Media – Its impact of the behaviour of Students
- Mental Health in Education: Past, Present and Future
- How Gamification can transform education -Exploring fun and interactive learning
Workshops:
- Film making
- Photography
- Jewelry Making
- Scientific Temperament
- Mental & Physical Health
- Cooking
- Music
Book Reading
Mock Parliament

Sports Reunion

25^th December – All day

Sports have always been an essential part of HPS. Expect some friendly & some not-so-friendly competing matches of Cricket, Football, Tennis, Basketball, Table Tennis played between Alumni, Staff & Students. This year the newly built swimming pool is also expected to see a lot of races.

Photography Competition

25^th & 26^th December

A photography competition will be held in association with Canon with the theme “Spirit of HPS – The Emotional Connect”. The four judges for the competition would be Mr. Mani Shankar, Mr. Ricken Desai, Mr. Kishor Krishnamurthy & Mr. Ismail Sheriff.

The Bartenders – Live in Concert

25^th December – 7pm onwards

This would certainly be a night to remember as the HPS family welcomes Mike McCleary’s creation “The Bartenders” as they reinvents vintage iconic Hindi film songs with a modern twist. The concert is set to be held in the newly build Open Air Theatre of the school.

Centenary Alumni & Staff Reunion Dinner

26^th December – 7pm onwards

The Alumni Reunion Dinner hosted by the Jagirdars College & The Hyderabad Public School Old Students Association, now in its 19^th consecutive year, promises to be a night of nostalgia and reconnections. Over 2500 alumni and 500 former and present staff are set to celebrate 100 years of their alma mater. Popular pop band “Best Kept Secret” shall uplift the night with their performance as the guests enjoy their favorite school food.

Celebrate Art

25^th & 27^th December

The school campus shall be uplifted with art from the ages. Corners to allow artists to sketch will be created and the entire campus will be made lively with picnic corners and hangout zones.

Centenary Finale Concert

27^th December – 7 pm onwards

The Finale Concert by Shankar Ehsan Loy shall be held in the front field with the majestic century old buildings as the backdrop. This concert shall be the perfect conclusion to the year long celebration as the school pays gratitude to every member of the HPS community of the last 100 years.

Many more activities comprising of dances, music, art, craft will be held throughout the campus for the finale. Preparations are in full swing for the school to host its vast network of alumni, former & present staff, students, parents, global leaders, and dignitaries commemorate its centenary year finale.

7, Dec 2023

Rapido Captains Join Hands with Local Fishermen in Chennai to Assist with Relief Operations in the Aftermath of Cyclone Michaung

Chennai, Tamil Nadu,7 th December, In the aftermath of Cyclone Michaug’s impact on Chennai and its neighboring districts on December 04th, a team of 45 people comprising of Rapido’s city leadership team including 25 captains and 15 local fishermen, have been navigating across the flooded areas in Chennai via boats to help transport 500+ affected individuals to safety. They have also delivered food and dry rations to 300+ stranded residents.

Currently, with the help of 5 boats, the team is conducting its relief and rescue operations in the regions of Anna Nagar and Velachery, including its sublocalities Baby Nagar, Tansi Nagar, VGP Selva Nagar, and Bhuvaneshwari Nagar. Rapido is working hard to secure 5 more boats so that they can reach areas that have been rendered completely inaccessible, and securely transport the residents who have been stranded there to safety.

Rapido Captains and Local Fishermen in Chennai- to Assist with Relief Operations in the Aftermath of Cyclone Michaung

Thiru Nishant Krishna, Executive Director, Tamil Nadu Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau Govt. of Tamil Nadu joined the Rapido Captains and the local fishermen of Chennai to assist with the relief work. Rapido is continuing with its mission of offering effective mobility solutions, albeit through a different mode this time, to ensure that necessary aid and supplies reach individuals and communities in the affected areas promptly and effectively.

On this note, Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder of Rapido, said, “By ensuring the safe evacuation of affected residents and transporting essential supplies to them, the efforts of local fishermen in helping the Rapido team is truly remarkable. We are also extremely grateful to Mr. Nishant Krishna for consistently and tirelessly working with our team on ground to reach out and address the immediate needs of those adversely affected by Cyclone Michaug.”

Recognizing the imperative need for expanding the ongoing rescue and relief operations, he added, “In times of crisis like these, we need to tap into the unity and collaborative spirit of the community so as to significantly alleviate the immediate hardships faced by the affected residents. We are trying our best to give all the necessary support to our team at the frontline so that they can effectively navigate the flooded streets, bring people to safety and provide critical assistance to those in distress, laying the groundwork for recovery in the aftermath of the cyclone.”

While the rescue and relief operations go on, the Rapido team will continue to facilitate necessary aid and support to affected individuals. In doing so, the team aims to contribute significantly to the ongoing recovery efforts and help restore normalcy in the lives of those impacted by Cyclone Michaug.

7, Dec 2023

After 3 successful runs, the sixth edition of #JapaneseFilmFestivalIndia comes to Mumbai and Bengaluru, the “full-of-cinephiles” cities

Japan Foundation hosted the sixth edition of the Japanese Film Festival India in New Delhi, in association with PVR INOX from 12th-15th October. The opening ceremony was graced by Mr. Koji Yoshida, the Director of the Japan Information Centre, the Embassy of Japan in India, and Mr. Koji Sato, Director General of the Japan Foundation New Delhi. The event was attended by notable stalwarts, film critics, and members of the Japan Foundation and the Japan Embassy. Influencers and Delhi-based cosplayers attended the screening along with the members of the Delhi Anime Club and Delhi Film Club.

Following Delhi, the Japanese Film Festival was hosted in Chennai and Hyderabad from 2nd-5th November, experiencing similar success and praise. The event was attended by notable entities, including the Consul-General of Japan in Chennai, as well as members of popular groups like The Hyderabad Anime Club.

After these great turnouts, the Japan Foundation is all set to start the penultimate leg of the Japanese Film Festival in Mumbai and Bengaluru from 7th to 10th December. The festival will be held at PVR ICON, Infiniti Mall, Andheri West in Mumbai, and at INOX, Mantri Square Mall, Malleswaram in Bengaluru.

The highlight of this year’s annual JFF India is the screening of the popular anime from the ‘Detective Conan’ universe and the 4K remastered edition of ‘Lupin The 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro,’ the first anime film directed by Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki in 1979. The sixth edition of JFF will showcase 11 masterpieces, including ‘A Man’, ‘Anime Supremacy!,’ ‘Intolerance,’ ‘MONDAYS: See you “this” week!,’ ‘Father of the Milky Way Railroad,’ ‘Detective Conan: Episode “ONE”’ ‘Detective Conan the Movie: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital,’ ‘We Made a Beautiful Bouquet,’ ‘Detective Conan the Movie: The Last Wizard of the Century,’ and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest award-winning film, ‘Monster.’

During the inaugural speech, Mr. Koji Sato, Director General of the Japan Foundation New Delhi, expressed, “We are glad that the JFF, which began in 2017, is now in its sixth edition and has become an annual event for the people of India. It goes without saying that anime is very popular in India, but we hope that through this film festival, people will also discover the appeal of the latest Japanese feature films.”

Director of the Japan Information Centre at the Embassy of Japan in India, Mr. Koji Yoshida, expressed his appreciation for the film event, stating, “We congratulate Japan Foundation on the successful opening of the sixth edition of the Japanese Film Festival in India. We are confident that the relationship between the two countries will continue to grow through the medium of film.”

Following the Mumbai and Bengaluru editions, the last leg of the JFF India will take place in Kolkata and Pune from 18th-21st January 2024 at INOX South City, Kolkata, and PVR ICON Pavilion Mall, Pune.

Mr. Gautam Dutta, Co-CEO, of PVR INOX Limited remarked, “We are extremely pleased to host the 6th Edition of the Annual Japanese Film Festival yet again, now as a merger entity of PVR INOX and the largest and the most premium cinema exhibitor in India. Japan Foundation and PVR have shared a long association since 2017 and there has been no looking back ever since. We have taken inspiration from this new emerging trend of film festivals from Japan Foundation and our recent film festivals based on legends of Indian cinema have met with huge success.”

7, Dec 2023

LT Foods brand ‘DAAWAT ® ’ Basmati recognised as the ‘Top Brand’ in Canstar Blue’s dry rice ratings in Australia

New Delhi (India), December 7, 2023: LT Foods, the more than 70-year-old Indian-origin global FMCG Company in the consumer food space, is proud to announce that it’s flagship brand DAAWAT ® has been recognised as the ‘Top Brand’ in the Canstar Blue’s latest dry rice ratings in Australia.

Canstar Blue is a leading consumer review and comparison website that helps Australians make better-informed decisions about more than 300 different goods and services.

DAAWAT ® scored 5 stars in the rating encompassing parameters like taste, texture, packaging convenience, variety and range as well as overall satisfaction. The sample comprised of Australians who had bought dry rice from a supermarket or grocer in the last 3 months. The respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction on a scale of zero to ten, with zero accounting for ‘extremely dissatisfied’ and ten for ‘extremely satisfied’.

LT Foods offers multiple types of dry rice under the brand ‘DAAWAT ® ’ to Aussie and South- Asian consumers to choose from, with the majority of its range a variant of basmati rice, which is a long-grain rice that is considered more aromatic than traditional white rice.

In addition, the company also offers DAAWAT ® Quick Cooking Brown Rice, DAAWAT ® Sehat, a vitamin and iron-fortified rice, ‘DAAWAT ® Biryani Kit’ and ‘DAAWAT ® Cuppa Rice’ to meet the unique requirements of global consumers.

Mr. Ritesh Arora, CEO, India Business & Far East, LT Foods Ltd., said, “We are glad that our brand DAAWAT ® is recognized as a top brand’ in Canstar Blue’s dry rice ratings in Australia. This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality and satisfying culinary experiences to our consumers globally. At LT Foods, we remain focused on sustainably unlocking the goodness of food for community, country and planet, thereby creating superior shared value for our stakeholders.”

Separately, the market share of the DAAWAT ® brand in India stands at 30.2% (MAT September 23; AC Nielsen Retail Survey Audit). The number of DAAWAT ® consuming households stands at 48 lakhs (Source: Kantar Households Panel Branded Basmati Rice MAT September 23) in India. In the U.S., our brand, ‘Royal’ holds more than 50% of the market share in North America with more than 1.6 MM households consuming ‘Royal’ Basmati. In Israel also, DAAWAT ® holds a leadership position.

7, Dec 2023

LEAD Introduces First-of-its-kind AI-powered Assessment For Schools

India, 7th December 2023 – LEAD, India’s largest School Edtech company, today announced the launch of AI-powered assessments for its network of 9,000+ schools. LEAD’s AI-driven assessment program builds on academic insights gained from over 11 years of working with schools across India to enable each teacher to customize and administer assessments that suit her specific classroom needs.

Offline-enabled and auto-synchronized, LEAD’s AI-powered assessments are powered by customizable inputs such as question type, composition, and difficulty level, etc., with options for teachers to review and edit as required. The initiative aligns with LEAD’s vision to combine the latest technology with internationally benchmarked pedagogical methods to bring propulsive learning to 26 million school students over the next five years. With customization now enabled for each class and school, it also does away with the menace of exam paper leaks that schools have to contend with.

Sumeet Mehta, Cofounder & CEO, LEAD

Sumeet Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder, of LEAD, said, “AI represents the next frontier in School Edtech in India and is integral to LEAD’s mission of making excellent learning accessible and affordable for every child. Our AI-driven assessments have been designed to generate high-quality questions to match specific classroom learning requirements, while also saving teacher time and allowing her to focus on what matters most – students. We also use AI to help teachers identify classroom-level student learning challenges and administer personalized remedial for each class to bring all students up to speed.”

With traditional assessment methods proving increasingly inadequate to meet the diverse needs of today’s classrooms, schools grapple with the task of providing effective evaluations that accurately measure current conceptual understanding and student mastery levels. Limited resources and time constraints further exacerbate the situation, especially in schools in India’s small towns and villages.

LEAD’s AI-powered assessment is seamlessly integrated into its teacher app. With four formative assessments and two summative assessments (end-of-year evaluations), the program benefits more than 50000 teachers who can now choose the assessment type that best suits their needs. It not only enhances the overall teaching-learning experience but also prepares teachers for the digital challenges of the future. AI-powered assessments for classrooms also stand to accelerate digitalization in India’s schools.

LEAD’s commitment to advancing learning outcomes in India’s schools goes beyond the conventional, with a strong focus on nurturing well-rounded, technologically adept students who are well-prepared for 21st-century careers and challenges. LEAD’s Integrated School Edtech system is aligned with NEP 2020 and includes customized, AI-enabled offerings for all segments of schools.

LEAD’s holistic approach to education includes a Teacher Capability System to empower every teacher with internationally benchmarked tools and resources; Smart Class solutions to transform traditional classrooms into digitally-enabled, multi-modal teaching-learning spaces; an Integrated Curriculum to boost student learning and confidence; and Smart School systems to streamline administrative tasks, enhance operational efficiency and provide actionable data insights to schools.

With LEAD, schools are able to derive all the benefits of improved academic performance and admissions. Students of LEAD-powered schools are able to gain a deep conceptual understanding of subjects; and build critical 21st century skills such as Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking.

7, Dec 2023

Tantor Reduces Bank’s Manual Efforts by 30-35%, Gets Selected by Federal Bank

Translab Launches Tantor Data Platform (TDP) to Empower Enterprise
DataOps for Seamless Business Intelligence and Advanced Analytics

7th December, India:

Translab Technologies Pvt Ltd (Translab), a proven expert in the domain of “Good Data”, has announced the Tantor Data Platform to revolutionize how enterprises transform, utilize and manage enterprise data. Tantor’s data automation capability helps save banks 30 – 35 % of manual efforts.

Federal Bank, which has always aligned its IT innovation strategy with its business goals, selected the Tantor Data Platform to churn its huge volume of enterprise data to gain meaningful insights and make data-driven decisions.

The flagship product of Translab, Tantor is a comprehensive cloud-native data platform built for scalability, robustness, privacy, and security. This platform streamlines DataOps by unifying data silos and managing the data across its entire lifecycle.

TDP is a modular platform that enables organizations to select and implement the right features needed by them. Some of the modules are:

Tantor Data Integration for unifying data spread across various data sources.

Tantor Data Migration to migrate data from one database to another (SQL to SQL, SQL to NoSQL) using few clicks.

Tantor Data Lifecycle Manager for management of data throughout its lifecycle – from creation to disposal.

Tantor Entity Deduplication for application-aware deduplication of named entities.

With Tantor Data Platform, organizations are able to seamlessly create and consume Data as a Service (DaaS) for taking data-driven decisions.

Harbinder Singh Chairman Translab

Harbinder Singh, Chairman of Translab Technologies said, “We are excited to unveil the Tantor Data Platform, a significant step in our commitment to innovative data solutions. Tantor, representing strength and resilience, addresses the challenges of modern data operations by unifying data and fostering a robust DataOps culture. This launch marks our dedication to providing practical solutions for organisations navigating the complexities of data management.”

7, Dec 2023

Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal inaugurates ICSI Centre for Corporate Governance, Research and Training (CCGRT) in Kolkata

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India set up its 3rd Center for Corporate Governance, Research and Training (CCGRT) in New Town, Kolkata to facilitate research, training, and consultancy to the corporate sector.

Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal inaugurated this state-of-the-art Facility, spread across an area of 1.5 Acre in New Town, Kolkata, on 06 December 2023.

Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal inaugurates ICSI Centre for Corporate Governance, Research and Training (CCGRT) in Kolkata

Congratulating the Institute on this landmark occasion, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal said “I commend the Institute for developing this Research Facility. It speaks volumes about the foresightedness and futuristic approach of the ICSI. Company Secretaries, the Corporate Warriors of the Nation, have been undertaking an array of responsibilities while guiding and handholding the Corporate Boards of India Inc.”

Located in the Smart Green City of Kolkata, the ICSI CCGRT has an Educational Block of 27494 sq. ft. area and a Hostel Block of 21708 sq. ft. area. The Educational Wing houses classrooms, a library, two Moot Courts, a Conference Room, and an Auditorium with a capacity of 300 people. The Hostel Wing has 24 rooms and a Yoga/Meditation Center. Besides this, the world-class centre has a Badminton Court and an open-air theatre laden with beautiful lawns.

The Hon’ble Governor also awarded the meritorious students, FCS, as well as the members of the Institute who successfully completed their Post Membership Qualification.

Humbled by the acknowledgment and appreciation, CS Manish Gupta, President, of the ICSI said, “As the country moves ahead in its journey to becoming one of the strongest economies of the world, the role of Company Secretaries inevitably has increased many folds. By setting up this Centre, the ICSI has added further impetus to the overall growth and development of all its stakeholders while holding strong to the values, ethics, and morality ingrained in its motto”.

The ICSI also organized the Convocation Ceremony for the members of the Eastern Region for the year 2023, in the newly inaugurated CS Deepak Kumar Khaitan Auditorium at the ICSI CCGRT Facility.

7, Dec 2023

South Indian Bank Extends Application Deadline for ‘SIB Ignite – Quizathon’ till December 22

Mumbai, December 7, 2023: South Indian Bank, one of India’s leading private sector banks, extends the deadline for submitting application for ‘SIB Ignite – Quizathon’ till 22 nd December 2023. ‘SIB Ignite – Quizathon’ is a national-level quiz competition for students across the country. The decision to extend the registration deadline reflects the overwhelming enthusiasm and response received for the contest.

‘SIB Ignite – Quizathon’ has captured the interest of college students nationwide, drawing and motivating them to exhibit their general knowledge and enrich their understanding on diverse subjects. The quiz competition welcomes participation from college students representing various academic disciplines, offering them a platform to showcase their knowledge across a diverse spectrum of subjects. These subjects include current affairs, renowned individuals, sports, business, technology, arts, history, and geography. The nationwide competition enables students to showcase their quiz acumen. The competition welcomes multiple teams from each college, with a minimum team size of two members.

Ms. Azmat Habibulla, Chief Marketing Officer at South Indian Bank, said, “The SIB Ignite – Quizathon, a testament to South Indian Bank’s 94-year legacy, invites young minds to participate in a competition designed to connect with and empower the youth. Acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping India’s future, the quiz reflects the Bank’s commitment to fostering innovation, development, and societal evolution. With a deep belief in the dynamic force of youth, the initiative aims to ignite intellectual curiosity and knowledge. We extend a warm invitation to all vibrant and inquisitive college students nationwide to join this enriching competition, propelling positive change and laying the groundwork for a brighter future.”

The competition comprises of three rounds. The first phase is a preliminary qualifying round held online, allowing teams from eight regions across the nation to participate in the quiz. The top eight teams from each region will then progress to the zonal level. During the zonal round, the selected teams from the preliminary phase will be tested on their quick thinking and problem-solving skills through challenging questions. The top team from each zone will advance to the national-level grand finale. The teams that have successfully qualified from each zone will vie for the coveted title of national champion. The national champion will be honored with a cash prize of Rs. 1,50,000/-, the runner-up will receive Rs. 1,00,000/-, and the team securing the third place will be presented with a cash prize of Rs. 60,000/-.

The ‘SIB Ignite – Quizathon’ invites college students nationwide to showcase their talents and knowledge. Students can participate in the quiz competition by registering on the SIB Ignite Registration link – https://online.southindianbank.com/SIBIgnite/. The deadline for registration is extended to December 22, 2023. Pinnacle, a specialized provider of automated chat integration and communication solutions for enterprises, is the associate partner for the ‘SIB Ignite – Quizathon’.

7, Dec 2023

EY survey reveals that just 60% of music creators can pursue their careers on a full-time basis

Hyderabad/Mumbai, 7 December 2023: EY, the leading professional services firm, launched the first-ever comprehensive report on the state of the music publishing industry in India titled ‘The music creator economy: The rise of music publishing in India.’ The report aims to provide valuable insights into the current state, market potential, and perspectives surrounding music publishing in the country.

The report estimates that India generates over 20,000 original songs annually, contributed by 40,000 music creators. Music directly or indirectly generates over INR12,000 crore in revenues each year.

Commenting on the survey findings, Ashish Pherwani, EY India Media & Entertainment Leader, said, “Music is an important part of India’s media and entertainment sector and is an important contributor to India’s Soft Power. Both local and international labels have driven the music segment’s sound recording revenues for a long time. However, music publishing revenues remain much smaller, given the differing views on its applicability and litigation.”

Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA fame, now President of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), stated, “The works of songwriters and composers inspire our lives and enrich our cultures. With the support of publishers and authors societies, they are also a driver of economies that fuel other businesses and employ millions of people. This study can help improve many readers’ knowledge of our sector.”

The first-of-its-kind survey conducted by EY, in which 500 music creators participated, indicated that their financial income is unpredictable and often limited:

1. 87% of respondents would have liked to make a living off their music alone, but only 60% were able to do so.

2. Working outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship, one-time payments (upfront fees), live performances, and royalties were the primary sources of income for most creators.

3. A majority strongly believed that they needed to learn more about music production and monetization.

4. Only 56% of respondents had access to the equipment and infrastructure required to produce music.

5. 35% of respondents reinvested more than 50% of their earnings from music on equipment, gear, software, and other infrastructure required to create music.

While India consumes more music per capita than the world average, it ranks 14th in recorded music revenues. In contrast, publishing revenues are ranked 23rd due to various issues like lack of legal clarity and consequently, low compliance.

However, despite these challenges, India’s music publishing industry has grown, reaching INR884 crore (approx. US$100 million) in the fiscal year 2022-23. The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), with over 13,500 authors as its members, continues to expand its revenue, thanks to the support it has received from GOI, as more music users comply with publishing requirements.

Author: Rabindra

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023

7, Dec 2023