27, Nov 2023
Odia Samaj Tripura celebrates Karthik Purnima Boita Bhasani 2023
Tripura, Nov 27: On the auspicious day of Karthik Purnima, the members of Odia Samaja Tripura and Prabasi Odisha celebrated Boita Bhasani 2023. All the family members have joined the boat sailing ritual and prayer. Karthik Purnima is one of the major festivals of Odisha that is celebrated in the month of Karthik (November). Boat sailing is an ancient festival and ritual that has been observed for many years for the well-being of the traders of Odisha who used to sail to various countries across the globe to trade their goods.
All the family members worshiped the boats and performed rituals like Boita Bandana. All the members and kids prayed to Lord Jagannath for peace and prosperity. All Odia people living in Tripura joined the festival celebration and greeted everyone.
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- By Rabindra
27, Nov 2023
NMIMS Bengaluru Hosts an Interactive and Youthful Y20 Talk on ‘Shared Future: Youth in Democracy and Governance’
Bengaluru, 27th November 2023: SVKM’s NMIMS Bengaluru hosted an insightful Y20 Talk on the topic ‘Shared Future: Youth in Democracy and Governance’ featuring Ms. Surabhi Hodigere. The transformative session was hosted in association with INDGenius and Y20 India.
The guest speaker at the enriching session, Ms. Surabhi Hodigere, is a prominent public policy specialist on technology policy and is currently a top research fellow at the prestigious Aapti Institute in Bangalore. The eminent speaker has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Honors) from the acclaimed Christ University and a Master’s in Public Policy from the globally renowned Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. She is a well-known advocate of responsible use of technology in improving public service delivery and public administration. Ms. Surabhi has vast experience working as a civic-technology entrepreneur and is also a recipient of the noteworthy LAMP fellowship.
Established by students, alumni, and professors from premier educational institutions across India, INDGenius is a platform for youth, scholars, and young academicians across premiere private universities, eminent institutes, and top boarding schools in India and aims to act as a network for students offering holistic growth of an individual with a development-oriented outlook.
Meanwhile, Y20 is the official engagement platform of the G20 and comprises prominent young leaders and changemakers from the G20 countries. The platform is aimed at encouraging dialogue and knowledge exchange among top youth leaders of India and across the world over the challenges facing our generation and for them to collectively strive to make a positive impact on the world. Together, the top youth forums hosted the session as part of their ‘Project I-Leads’, an effort to envision India’s leadership at G20 with a global perspective.
At the enthralling Y20 session, Ms. Surabhi touched upon a range of important topics, from her experiences in politics to her return from the United States with a desire to serve the country. She spoke about India’s leadership at the G20 and the massive success of the G20 Summit held in New Delhi earlier this year. The guest spoke extensively about the importance of social entrepreneurship and appealed to the young audience to take the lead in bringing social change. During her interaction with the young attendees at the session, she stressed the need for reading.
The Y20 Talk at NMIMS Bengaluru was an enriching experience for keen students, who were provided with an exclusive opportunity to network with professionals and explore new ideas and perspectives, helping them broaden their horizons. Expressing her thoughts at the insightful session, Ms. Surabhi Hodigere said, “In order to bring about social change, the youth of today will have to play a transformative role and take important responsibilities in governance and drive public policy.”
Appreciating the initiative taken up by INDGenius and Y20 India and thanking Ms. Surabhi for her gracing the occasion, Dr. Narayani Ramachandran, Deputy Director, NMIMS Bengaluru, said, “We welcome the initiative taken up by INDGenius and Y20 India to empower the youth and students of India with interactive and insightful programs like the Y20 Talk. Additionally, we would like to thank Ms. Surabhi for gracing our campus and providing her rich insights to our students.”
27, Nov 2023
Sakra World Hospital Unveils an Advanced New Dialysis Unit to Enhance Patient Care
Bangalore, November 27, 2023 – Sakra World Hospital, a high-tech medical center supported by Secom and Toyota Tsusho in Bangalore, inaugurated its new Dialysis Unit, covering an area of 1800 sq. ft. within the hospital premises. The unveiling event was hosted by Mr. Yuichi Nagano, Managing Director; Mr. Naoya Matsumi, Deputy Managing Director; and Mr. Lovekesh Phasu, Group COO. Notably present were Dr. Sushma Rani Raju, Senior Consultant in Nephrology, and Dr. Gowrugari Venu Madhav, Senior Consultant in Nephrology at Sakra World Hospital. The new dialysis unit will operate under the able guidance of Dr. Sushma Rani Raju.
The new Dialysis Unit at Sakra World Hospital features 10 beds, each meticulously designed for optimal comfort during dialysis treatment. This expansion is a commitment to enhance medical services, especially in chronic kidney diseases (CKD). This state-of-the-art facility will be instrumental in our commitment to deliver excellent care for patients suffering from any health condition. The advanced technology and expanded capacity will enable the Hospital to reach out to a larger number of individuals, positively influencing the health of the community.
Dr. Sushma Rani Raju, Senior Consultant Nephrology, Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru, “End-stage kidney disease has a profound impact on the lives of patients as well as their families. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment modality. It is a pleasure to expand our services by opening a new unit. We are committed to providing quality care to CKD and dialysis population.”
Mr. Yuichi Nagano, the Managing Director, of Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru, “With the inauguration of our advanced new Dialysis Unit, Sakra World Hospital will continue to show its dedication to providing exceptional healthcare services and improving the well-being of our patients”.
Mr. Naoya Matsumi, the Deputy Managing Director, of Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru, “I take great pride in the launch of our new Dialysis Unit, a clear reflection of our ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare and ensuring the well-being of our community”.
27, Nov 2023
Essential Medical Ethics Every Student Should Grasp
Healthcare professionals’ beliefs and practices are greatly influenced by medical ethics. It is essential for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine to comprehend and uphold ethical principles. The following are essential components of medical ethics with which all students should be acquainted to:
1. Independence and Knowledgeable Assent:
Patients are entitled to make choices regarding their own medical treatment. Students need to understand how crucial it is to get patients’ informed consent and make sure they are fully aware of the advantages and disadvantages of any medical procedure.
2. Nondisclosure:
It is essential to respect patient confidentiality. Medical students need to know how to protect private information and recognize the rare circumstances in which it might be required to be disclosed.
3. Non-maleficence and Beneficence:
A fundamental ethical precept is balancing the pursuit of benefit from harm with the avoidance of it. Pupils should minimize hazards while placing a high priority on the health of their patients.
4. Fairness in Medical Care:
It’s critical to guarantee equitable access to healthcare resources and to prevent discrimination. The ethical ramifications of resource allocation and unequal access to healthcare must be understood by students.
5. Boundaries in the Workplace:
It’s critical to comprehend the boundaries that exist between patients and healthcare providers. Keeping a relationship that is morally and professionally appropriate benefits patients’ trust and well-being.
6. Honesty and Truthfulness:
Honest communication with patients promotes trust. Students ought to understand the value of honesty even in trying circumstances.
7. Care at the End of Life:
Making decisions regarding end-of-life care demands empathy. Pupils need to understand the moral implications of decisions like advance care planning and treatment withholding or withdrawal.
8. Cultural Competence:
It’s critical to acknowledge and honor the various cultural practices and beliefs that exist. The influence of cultural factors on healthcare decision-making should be understood by students.
9. Research Ethics:
Medical students participating in studies must have a thorough understanding of the ethical conduct of research. This entails getting consent with full knowledge of the risks involved, keeping research findings valid, and so forth.
10. Global Health Ethics:
Students should be aware of the moral dilemmas that arise when tackling infectious diseases, health inequalities, and humanitarian crises across the globe because healthcare is a global issue.
According to Dr. Ranjana Singh, MBBS, MD, Prof & HOD, NIIMS Hospital– “The moral compass that directs healthcare workers is medical ethics. It highlights the sacred trust that exists between patients and caregivers and demands confidentiality, compassion, and integrity. Students need to understand the concept of beneficence, which puts the health of the patients first. Respecting patients’ rights to make educated decisions about their health is emphasized by autonomy. Non-maleficence urges careful attention and caution against doing harm. Justice promotes equitable distribution of resources and medical care. When negotiating the complex terrain of medical ethics, compassion is essential. Recall that moral decisions shape the foundation of dignity, respect, and trust that characterizes healthcare professionals. Maintaining these principles guarantees a moral, patient-focused medical practice.”
27, Nov 2023
Getting Around the Cloud: Information Security and Navigation Go Hand in Hand
Information security and cloud computing go hand in hand in today’s quickly changing technological landscape. This essay explores the complex relationship between these two domains, showing how cloud computing not only changes the way we manage data but also offers opportunities and challenges for protecting sensitive data.
1. The Cloud Shown Off
Cloud computing provides previously unheard-of levels of scalability, flexibility, and accessibility. It is frequently compared to a virtual playground for data. The traditional limits of data processing and storage are being redrawn as businesses move their operations to the cloud. To understand how cloud technology affects information security, it becomes necessary to look at its underlying theories.
2. Cloud Security
Security issues are brought to light as data moves across the cloud’s digital thoroughfares. In this ever-changing environment, identity management, access controls, and encryption stand out as essential components of information security. This section examines the strong security protocols that cloud service providers have put in place as well as the joint accountability that providers and users share to guarantee a strong defense against cyberattacks.
3. Problems and Their Fixes
Although the cloud offers many advantages, it also presents a unique set of difficulties. Organizations face a variety of security challenges, ranging from data breaches to compliance problems. This section tackles these issues head-on and looks at creative solutions to strengthen the cloud against emerging cyber threats, such as continuous monitoring and sophisticated encryption algorithms.
4. Cloud and Information Security Integration
Information security and cloud computing must work together seamlessly; this is not just a goal. This section explains how companies can build a strong and resilient technology infrastructure by utilizing the synergies that exist between these domains. It talks about how important it is to take a proactive approach to security, stressing that businesses must be alert and flexible to deal with constantly changing threats.
5. Looking Ahead
Both the technological landscape and the way cloud computing and information security interact are always changing. This last section looks into the future and discusses new developments like edge computing, quantum-safe cryptography, and artificial intelligence’s role in strengthening the cloud. It emphasizes how crucial it is to keep up with the times in order to guarantee data security in a digital ecosystem that is getting more and more complicated.
According to Prof.(Dr.)cDirector & Principal FoE & CCSIT, TMU Moradabad
It’s critical to comprehend the complex relationship that exists between cloud computing and information security as the world grows more interconnected. This piece acts as a compass, assisting readers on their journey through the cloud’s transformative potential and offering guidance on overcoming its obstacles.
27, Nov 2023
Winpe and Russell Reynolds Associates chart a path to gender diversity in senior leadership roles with the Winpe ProClub
Mumbai, November 27, 2023— Winpe ProClub, a leading 1:1 mentorship programme from Winpe in partnership with Russell Reynolds Associates, for women entrepreneurs and mid- senior-level investors, is set to put into motion Cohort IV, comprising 12 mentees from private equity, venture capital, startups, and related sectors.
This is a curated mentorship programme spanning 12 months, dedicated to empowering mid- senior-level women in the industry and propelling them towards unprecedented success. Among the mentees from the first two cohorts, more than 70% have achieved tangible career progression, including promotions, increased funding, and substantial business growth. Some of the remarkable women who have benefitted from this mentorship are Asha Krishnan, Vice President, of General Atlantic; Rochelle D’Souza, Managing Director, of Lighthouse Advisors; Sakshi Chopra, Managing Director, Peak XV Partners; and Vineeta Singh, CEO, of SUGAR Cosmetics.
Nupur Garg, Founder and CEO, Winpe, said, “We are thrilled to witness the transformative journey of our mentees and the positive impact our programme has had on their professional lives. Winpe ProClub remains committed to providing unparalleled mentorship experiences, shaping the future of women in business and investment.”
Vinita Katara, Managing Director, Russell Reynolds Associates, said, “We have been in this journey of facilitating mentorship for women in the investing ecosystem with Winpe for 3 years. Our learning is that supportive, fostering environments enable growth – both professional and personal. Our aim has been to create an objective, unbiased platform to do so, which has resulted in a positive impact. We remain committed to doing our bit around enabling professional and personal growth for the next generation of leaders.”
Winpe ProClub’s Cohort III is on track to graduate in November 2023, with a remarkable third of the cohort already experiencing significant professional growth. About 15 women investors and entrepreneurs were selected for the third cohort and matched with eminent industry leaders. Winpe ProClub’s advisory mentors include Matangi Gowrishankar, Independent Director, Strategic Advisor and Certified Coach, and Shyamala Gopinath, Non-ExecutiveChairperson, HDFC Bank Ltd. Notable mentors in the cohort include Arvind Thakur, Member, Board of Management, NIIT University; Deepak Kapoor, Independent Director, Tata Steel, HCL Technologies, Nayara Energy, and Delhivery; Nithya Easwaran, Managing Director, Multiples Alternate Asset Management; Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder and President, Indian Angel Network; Roshini Bakshi, Managing Director, Private Equity, Everstone Capital Asia; Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC India; Soumya Rajan, Founder and CEO, Waterfield Advisors; Vivek Gambhir, Chairperson, boAt Lifestyle, and VT Bharadwaj, Co-founder and General Partner, A91 Partners.
Some figures who were part of the third cohort are Aishwarya Vikram, Principal, Blackstone; Bhavna Suresh, Co-Founder and CEO, 10club; and Jayshree Kanther Patodi, Co-Founder and Partner, Enzia Ventures.
Commenting on the programme, Adhunika Premkumar, Counsel, Trilegal, said, “The mentorship programme offered by ProClub was truly enriching – it made me self-aware and prepared me to overcome challenges that affected my growth personally and professionally. The one-on-one mentoring over a period of one year allowed me to be more candid and speak about issues that I was otherwise hesitant to discuss.”
Neha Mishra, Co-Founder and CEO, The Fin Lit Project, said, “Full of gratitude to Winpe and RRA for selecting me as part of the ProClub mentorship programme. This one-year journey is a transformational experience focused on inclusivity, as it brings women like me who are new to the VC/PE space and handholds them through the entire experience, making the journey not just supportive but creating an exponential impact.
Parita Ashar, VP, Oman India Joint Investment Fund, said, “Over the course of the last year, the mentorship programme has helped me grow both professionally and personally and progress to being a lot more mature and strategic in my thoughts and decisions. The discussions with my mentor have also enhanced my understanding of the various nuances of our industry.”
Mentorship has been acknowledged as one of the most powerful tools driving professional success. In the case of women, mentorship is a key success factor, as women deal with workplaces largely dominated by men. Winpe believes that this initiative will help create a long pipeline of female leaders for the industry, fostering much-required gender parity in leadership positions and shaping the future course of the industry.
Cohort IV is set to start on November 28, 2023, and it will comprise 12 participants, including Ankita Balotia, Vice President, Fireside Ventures; Neha Gupta, Vice President, NIIF; Sushma Kaushik, Partner, Aavishkar Capital; and Tushara Garg, Vice President, True North.
The Winpe ProClub mentorship programme continues to make a profound impact, fostering a community of empowered women who are breaking glass ceilings and reshaping the landscape of their respective industries. What sets this programme apart is its bespoke approach, meticulously matching mentee needs with mentor experience. Russell Reynolds Associates, a leading New York-based management consulting firm, is the knowledge partner for the Winpe ProClub mentorship programme.
27, Nov 2023
Data and Digital Marketing roles remain popular in upGrad’s H1 Placement Report
Mumbai, 27th November 2023: upGrad, Asia’s leading integrated learning skilling and workforce development company witnesses an impressive placement record for its learners in the first half of 2023, with the highest CTC hikes crossing the 300% mark in both Q1 (January-February-March) and Q2 (April-May-June) of the current calendar year. Data and Digital Marketing saw the highest salary jumps and remained the two most sought-after domains, retaining their popularity amongst Indian employers.
The YoY placement counts have overall remained strong as compared to the corresponding two quarters of 2022, with a 16% increase in the first quarter alone. This further reflects upGrad’s commitment to maintaining a stronger placement runway for their talent amid hiring and market uncertainties. Roles like Data Analyst, Digital Marketer, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, and Business Analyst have remained popular amongst employers with Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Mumbai seeing the most number of placements. Other cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad also ranked on the list.
Commenting on the development, Mayank Kumar, Co-founder & MD, upGrad said, “The amount of opportunities talent has today is in abundance, but the process is getting tougher. One needs to be a specialist and understand market-ready tools to be able to make the cut. That’s where upskilling comes in and allows one to assess the skill demand coming out of Indian organizations. It’s interesting to see our talent getting armed with new-age capabilities and record exceptional milestones for themselves. At upGrad, we believe that we are not just shaping careers but contributing to the larger vision of making India a skills-first nation and the unparalleled Talent Center of the world.”
The brand recently unveiled its India Career Upskilling Report citing trends from India Inc. indicating that 48% of professionals self-sponsored their upskilling in the last 3-5 years, with professional certifications and online courses taking the lead. The current placement statistics underscore the increasing acceptance of constant learning amongst the working class for stronger career growth.
“As we navigate through a dynamic job market, it is imperative for us to enhance our placement services every 6 months and add newer elements to be in sync with India’s hiring pulse. Technologies and innovation-induced roles are progressing at a faster pace, and the only way we can make our talent stand out is through top-class pedagogy and hands-on placement support. Our strategy of enhancing operations reaffirms our commitment towards empowering our learners and ensuring that talent not only meets but exceeds the expectations of today’s dynamic workforce. And the current statistics demonstrate the same,” concluded Husain Tinwala, Co-Founder of upGrad Rekrut.
27, Nov 2023
You Care Lifestyle announces the Launch of You Balance Powder: A Breakthrough in Immunity & Metabolic Health support
You Care Lifestyle proudly unveils its first in-house product. This remarkable product is the first gem in a series of health powders meticulously crafted through the fusion of science, ancient wisdom, and Team Luke’s years of expertise in addressing various health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, thyroid issues, and gut disorders.
Tackling Chronic Inflammation: The Root of Health Issues
As we continue to grapple with health-related diseases, due to unhealthy lifestyles – the importance of balance becomes increasingly clear. In 2019, terms like “Coronavirus,” “pandemic,” and “immunity” became integral to our lives. Strengthening immunity isn’t a one-day project; it’s a continuous effort that demands an in-depth examination of the underlying causes of low immunity, lifestyle choices, habits, and overall health. A pivotal element in this endeavor is addressing the root cause of many health issues: chronic inflammation.
You Balance and Chronic Inflammation:
Chronic inflammation, often called the silent epidemic, is an underlying culprit in many health issues. Unlike acute inflammation, which is the body’s natural response to infections or injuries, chronic inflammation persists over an extended period and can silently wreak havoc on your overall well-being. It’s been linked to a host of diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. One of the silent impacts of chronic inflammation is on your immune system. Your immune system, responsible for safeguarding your body against pathogens, can become compromised due to persistent inflammation. It hinders the growth and functioning of immune cells, making them less effective in fending off infections and diseases.
Chronic inflammation is also a major contributor to metabolic disorders such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. The inflammatory molecules released during chronic inflammation can disrupt metabolic pathways, leading to insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities. Therefore, addressing inflammation is crucial for managing and preventing these diseases.
This is where You Balance steps in. With its blend of 11 scientifically proven ingredients, You Balance serves as your partner in managing chronic inflammation and preventing associated diseases. It supports your immune system, modulates inflammatory responses, and helps in reducing the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, ultimately promoting a healthier and more robust immune system and YOU. The Unique Approach of “You Balance”
Powered by Science & Tradition:
Team Luke’s approach to metabolic health and disease revolves around cellular nutrition, angiogenesis, DNA repair, stem cell regeneration, microbiome gut and immunity, and inflammation
This herbal spice blend is the result of years of research and expertise, carefully selecting 11 scientifically studied ingredients, including Turmeric Powder, Black Pepper, Cumin Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Coriander Seeds, Ginger Powder, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cardamom, Methi Seeds, Amla Powder, and Clove. Each ingredient is chosen for its anti-inflammatory properties, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant as well as its potential to support overall health.
Many of these ingredients support this solid approach towards prevention and recovery in conjunction with Team Luke’s medical treatments and lifestyle medicine .
“What sets ‘You Balance’ apart is the holistic approach. The real difference lies not only in the ingredients but in how they are incorporated into the formulation,” by Luke Coutinho – Holistic Nutrition – Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine and Co-founder, You Care Lifestyle.
The manufacturing process significantly influences the ingredient’s bioavailability. “You Balance” embodies this principle. Through slow roasting and precise spice grinding, it maximizes nutrient absorption, ensuring 100% bioavailability. With 11 premium, sustainably sourced ingredients, it’s a holistic metabolic health solution. Meticulous production enhances their healing potential, free from additives, offering unmatched efficacy.
Eco-Conscious Packaging:
You Balance not only benefits your health but also supports a healthier planet. We have embraced eco-conscious packaging, saying no to harmful plastics and ensuring that our product is packaged in food-grade pouches.
Pure and Natural:
We believe in the power of natural ingredients, and that’s why You Balance contains no preservatives, additives, binders, or fillers. It’s a pure, chemical-free, plant-based, and non-GMO blend that’s as good for your body as it is for your peace of mind.
For All Age Groups
One of the remarkable features of “You Balance” is its versatility. It’s suitable for everyone, from children to the elderly. Whether you’re managing diabetes, striving to improve your immunity, or simply aiming for optimal wellness, this herbal spice blend can make a significant difference in your health journey.
We are excited to introduce You Balance Powder, a product that symbolizes our unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of life through holistic wellness.
“This launch reflects our dedication to providing our community with superior, science-backed solutions,” says Narendra Firodia, Social Entrepreneur and Co-founder of You Care Lifestyle.
You Balance Powder is now available for purchase on You Care Lifestyle and is set to revolutionize the way people approach their health and well-being.
25, Nov 2023
A Successful Road Safety Awareness Campaign by Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India at Thane (Maharashtra)
Thane, 25th November: HMSI considers the safety of every individual as its priority. It has leveraged its expertise significantly to ensure every ride is safe. To enhance its people-centric approach, HMSI recently held one of its road safety awareness campaigns in the city of Thane leaving a lasting impact on the participants. In the grounds of Saraswati Vidyalaya High School and Junior College of Science, HMSI achieved one of its milestones where it saw an active participation of more than 2500 school students and staff members. The innovative activities such as slogan writing, poster-making contest, road safety quiz, and article writing competitions kept the participants engaged throughout the campaign leaving a lasting impact on the participants.
HMSI strongly believes that children are the future of this society and their awareness of road safety at an early stage can contribute to making the roads accident-free. It frequently conducts road safety awareness programs that are interactive and engaging, catering to a wide range of age groups, from children to youth, and are conducted in schools, colleges, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
For 22 years, in the state of Maharashtra, HMSI has imparted education to over 3.7 lakhs adults and children, focusing on promoting responsible road usage and cultivating safe riding habits.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s CSR Commitment towards Road Safety:
In the year 2021, Honda globally made a vision statement for the year 2050 where it will strive for zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles. In India, HMSI is working in line with this vision and the Government of India’s direction of reducing fatalities to half by 2030.
One critical aspect of achieving this goal is inculcating a positive mindset towards road safety in our children by the year 2030 and continuing to educate them thereafter. Road safety education at schools and Colleges is not only to create awareness but to inculcate a safety culture in young minds and turn them to be safety ambassador. It empowers future generations to become responsible and significantly contribute to a safer society.
HMSI wants to be a company that Society wants to exist and is strongly focusing on Road safety awareness to all sections of society with unique ideas catering to each segment from school kids to Corporations and society at large.
HMSI’s set of skilled safety instructors conducts daily programs at our 10 adopted traffic training parks (TTP) across India and 6 Safety Driving Education Centers (SDEC) to make road safety education accessible to every part of society, and the initiative has already reached over 5.7 million Indians. HMSI’s National Road Safety Awareness program made learning fun yet scientific through:
Scientifically Devised Learning Module: Honda’s skilled instructors set the foundation with theory sessions on road signs & markings, driver’s duties on the road, riding gear & posture explanation, and safe riding etiquettes.
1. Practical Learning: A special training activity on Honda’s virtual riding simulator was executed for all to experience over 100 possible dangers on the road before actual riding.
2. Interactive Session: Participants were given danger prediction training known as Kiken Yosoku Training (KYT) which helps in enhancing rider/driver’s sensitivity to danger and ensures safe driving behaviour on roads.
3. Existing Drivers Honing Riding Skills: Students & school staff members who are already existing riders tested & honed their riding skills through slow riding activities and riding on narrow planks.
25, Nov 2023
Streaming allows every story to find its own audience – Sushant Sreeram
GOA—November 25, 2023— Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, participated in an insightful OTT roundtable session on ‘What’s the secret ingredient that gives Indian content its global appeal?’ at Film Bazaar at the ongoing 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa. Sushant Sreeram, country director, Prime Video, India joined the conversation that was moderated by Rajeev Masand, COO at Dharma Cornerstone (DCA). The panel also featured Shri Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Managing Director, NFDC, as one of the co-panelists, along with other eminent leaders from the industry.
“I believe we are very close to having that definitive breakout hit internationally because the signs are all there when you see your stories travel so brilliantly,” shared Sushant Sreeram, country director, of Prime Video, India, talking about when India will have its own breakout moment on the international stage. He also spoke about the need for authentic local storytelling; these are stories that resonate with local audiences and then become breakout hits across the country with audiences outside the country eventually discovering and loving these rooted narratives, giving examples of Pushpa: The Rise and Kantara. He underscored that 50% viewership of Prime Video’s local language content comes from outside the home states, while 25% audience of Indian titles comes from outside India.
Continuing in the vein he said, “I think our storytelling has gotten incredibly rich. We have creators, studios, and talent imagining a world of great storytelling, and with streaming providing the reach for every story to find its own audience, we are already breaking out internationally.” He cited examples of Prime Video’s Original series like Farzi, Jubilee, and Made in Heaven that were loved not just within the country but also outside. While Farzi was streamed by viewers in 170 countries and territories just over the launch weekend and entered the top 10 trending titles lists on Prime Video in multiple countries beyond India, including the U.S., UK, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia, Made in Heaven in its launch weekend it entered the top 10 trending titles lists on Prime Video in over 20 countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. Jubilee has been on a winning spree at every award show, including the Best Series award at the International Film Festival of Melbourne.
Responding to a question on independent, low-budget, or experimental filmmakers not finding a home for their films, Shri Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Managing Director, NFDC, elaborated that just a few years ago, when streaming services did not exist, an independent filmmaker would have found it tough to go to an exhibitor and even conceptualize distributing their films. However, he added, streaming services have enabled such films and filmmakers finding a home for their films on OTT.
Elucidating further on this point, he added that streaming services have helped content producers dream big, even if they have smaller budgets, something that they were unable to do in the pre-streaming era. He highlighted that from the government’s perspective, the sector is doing fairly well and getting investments into India.
Responding to the question of whether streaming is becoming the domain of big-budget star vehicles exclusively, Sushant cited Prime Video’s content slate released in 2023, emphasizing the diversity of titles and talent, from Farzi and Jee Karda to Happy Family Conditions Apply to docuseries like Cinema Marte Dum Tak, Dancing on The Grave, among others, emphasizing that the diversity made for interesting storytelling. He added, “Many of the shows that we have launched this year and over the past 7 years have been with new upcoming creators. We have over 100 projects in various stages of production and development. While we will continue to bring back the successful franchises – Mirzapur, The Family Man, Pataal Lok, our conscious effort has been to ensure that we also continue to work with new and upcoming creators.” He also spoke about streaming not only providing access to content, or expanding the linguistic palette for customers, but it also acting as a window into many cultures.
While discussing the impact of the Direct-to-Streaming (DTS) model on the overall creative ecosystem, as well as on the customers Sushant said, “Our approach has been pretty straightforward, if it is a good story that we think we ought to bring to customers, in 240+ countries and territories, we find a way to make it work. DTS is a part of our repertoire of being able to bring stories to customers”. He elaborated how Prime Video has not just pioneered the DTS model, but also produces Original movies like Maja Ma, Ammu, and the upcoming Ae Watan Mere Watan, and co-productions like Ram Setu, Neeyat, the upcoming Yodha as well, which premiere first in theatres before coming on the service. “We actually started off with the DTS approach in India during the pandemic and in over 3-4 years, we have had over 60 DTS releases,” he added, “I believe that direct-to-streaming has been a win-win for customers globally, as well as for the creators to be able to think untethered of the distribution.”
Making a point on the longevity of streaming content, Sushant said, “It’s an incredibly diverse landscape of entertainment. There is no one language, genre, or one type of customer. We had that epic realization very early on. Our programming across 10 languages, across a very diverse state of genres, for very different customer types, keeps us rooted in the reality.” Giving an example of the longevity of a show, he spoke of Mirzapur, Pataal Lok, The Family Man, and Made in Heaven. He said, “If you look back to 2018-19, Mirzapur was this show that nobody had heard of. Now we get to call it a culture-defining show, but back then it was just a story well told. I think if we back the right creators and honest storytelling, then the shows go on to become these large culture-defining moments. Today, 6 of 10 shows on IMDb’s list of highest-rated Indian streaming shows are from Prime Video.”
Prime Video’s participation at IFFI is a testament of the pivotal role the video streaming sector is playing in enabling the growth of India’s creative economy and acting as a robust platform to showcase Indian stories, talent, and creators in the global arena.
Over the years, IFFI has established itself as a melting pot of myriad rich cultures and cinematic excellence, as it brings the world’s most outstanding films and shows, as well as stellar creators, talent, and storytellers together under one roof. As one of Asia’s oldest film festivals, it celebrates the rich cinematic excellence, creativity, and innovation that embodies the rich and vast entertainment ecosystem within India and from around the world.
