Blog

Valuable Sprint finishes for Repsol Honda Team pair

Austin, April 17, 2023: Joan Mir and Stefan Bradl collected important data over the course of the Americas GP Sprint race, taking 12th and 18th place respectively.

Saturday at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas brought the third weekend of the new 2023 MotoGP World Championship format, with morning Qualifying followed by the Sprint race in the afternoon. The 10-lap battle was again a thrilling affair over the 5.5 kilometers of the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Q1 saw Mir again on the brink of passing through, the #36 setting the second-fastest lap of the session with just moments left on the clock. A final flying lap from Zarco knocked Mir out of the crucial top-two spots with Mir ultimately securing 13th on the grid for the Sprint and feature race.

From the head of the fifth row, Mir made a strong start and immediately began to battle with the likes of Oliveira and Morbidelli. After running wide early in the race, the Repsol Honda Team rider focused on his recovery and steadily picked his way back up the field to cross the line in 12th place. While Mir was aiming for more, the Sprint race did yield important information to continue his adaption to the Honda RC213V.

On the other side of the garage, Stefan Bradl continued to make improvements and qualified in 21st. The German then headed into his first-ever MotoGP Sprint race aiming to gather as much data as possible and avoid any unnecessary risks. This attitude saw Bradl achieve his target of finishing as the top Test Rider in the race as he crossed the line in 18th position.

Alex Rins scored his debut podium finish on the Honda RC213V as the LCR Honda rider put in an impressive performance to take second place – equaling his qualifying result. This is Honda’s second Sprint podium of the season.

Sunday will see the full 20-lap Americas Grand Prix, scheduled to start at 14:00 Local Time, take place. Both Repsol Honda Team riders are eager to return to the track and put their learnings into action and take advantage of today’s result.

Joan Mir (12th)

“The Sprint today shows us that there is still work to do, especially with being able to really ride how I want on the bike. But we are learning and improving all the time, this is the important point and what we are focusing on. It was really important to finish the Sprint today after two difficult and unlucky ones at the start. As a result, we have a better idea of what to expect tomorrow so we can prepare better. It was a really demanding race in this heat and with the conditions out on track.”

Stefan Bradl (18th)

“We arrived here with realistic expectations, and we were able to achieve what we set out to do. The Sprint is very intense, it’s what I expected and especially here it’s really demanding in this weather and with this physical track. I lost a bit of ground in the first high-speed braking, but I am not in a situation or a position to take a lot of risks. We were able to learn some good things about the bike for tomorrow and the objective is to again have another consistent race.”

Americas GP – Sprint Race

Rider standings

…

Cargill appoints Aparna Rao as India Leader for Cargill Business Services

Bengaluru, April 17, 2023: Cargill today announced the appointment of Aparna Rao as the India leader for Cargill Business Services (CBS), the shared services division of Cargill. As a part of her role, she will provide strategic leadership for CBS in India, spearhead critical initiatives, and drive a people-first culture. Additionally, she will be an integral member of the CBS global leadership team based in Bengaluru, India. Aparna takes over this role from Sumit Gupta, who recently transitioned to another leadership role within Cargill.

“We are thrilled to have Aparna joining us in our global leadership team. India is a strategic location for Cargill Business Services and a critical enabler of our Global Operations. As we continue to strengthen our shared services capabilities, Aparna’s extensive leadership experience in the shared services industry will further help us generate significant value for our employees and customers globally.” said Kim Skanson, President and Global Leader for Cargill Business Services.

With over two decades of experience managing large cross-functional teams, cultivating, and nurturing global teams, and leveraging distinct talent pools within multinational corporations, Aparna brings a wealth of knowledge to her role at Cargill. Prior to joining Cargill, she was heading Bayer’s Shared Services Center in Bengaluru and was a member of their South Asia country leadership team. Aparna has extensive expertise in finance, operations, knowledge management, and talent development and has previously worked with Monsanto Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Tesco HSC, and Hewlett Packard.

“I am thrilled to be part of Cargill which has been nourishing the world in a safe and sustainable way over the 156 years. I am impressed with the breadth and scale of Cargill Business Services in India with two centres in Bangalore and Gurgaon that provides a wide range of services including Finance, IT, Data, Analytics, Human Resources, Procurement, Transportation and Logistics, Trade Execution, Ocean Transportation, Compliance, Project Management amongst others. I am looking forward to working with colleagues and the organization to drive our strategic, people and culture priorities while continuing to position CBS as a Great Place to Work,” said Aparna Rao, India Head of Cargill Business Services.

Based in Bengaluru, Aparna holds an ACMA in Cost and Management Accounting from the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI), Bengaluru, and holds a Commerce degree from Bangalore University.

Cargill Business Services (CBS) India is a global multi-function shared services hub providing services across multiple business functions and processes – finance, IT, source to pay, transportation and logistics, and HR. It currently operates out of two centers in Bengaluru and Gurugram and has over 3,500 employees.

5 car rental apps for that last minute Goa trip

When the Goa trip with your friends that has been on your bucket list forever is finally happening, spirits are sure to be high. One of the best ways to make that vacation more fun is by doing a road trip. Or even doing a self-drive after reaching Goa. And for that, renting a car is the perfect option. It comes without added commitments and is cost-effective.

Car rental services can be a practical choice especially if you’re making last-minute travel plans to Goa or want to explore the city without using your own vehicle. You may choose from a variety of vehicles, including hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and luxury cars, through car rental services, giving you the freedom to find one that meets your demands and your budget.

Also, you can book a car through their user-friendly apps in a matter of minutes. It offers customer service that is available around the clock so that you may contact them in case of problems. In general, using a car rental service is a practical and economical method of transportation that gives you the opportunity to explore your destination at your own speed.

Zoomcar – With a large selection of automobiles and various rental options, Zoomcar is one of the most popular car rental platforms in India. The company offers hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and premium automobiles available, and the app provides round-the-clock customer service. Zoomcar has also become India’s first self-drive mobility platform. With more than 10,000 vehicles in its fleet, Zoomcar is currently the market leader in the self-drive sector.

Revv – Another well-known car rental app, Revv, provides a variety of vehicles at reasonable prices. The app’s user-friendly layout allows you to book a car quickly. Revv is a new automobile rental company in India that provides a variety of options to satisfy all of your self-drive demands.

Drivezy – A peer-to-peer car rental service called Drivezy enables you to rent vehicles from nearby car owners. A variety of vehicles, including bikes, cars, and scooters, are available through the app, and you can book one in a matter of clicks.

Myles – The auto rental app Myles provides a variety of vehicles at affordable rates. You can choose from sedans, SUVs, luxury cars, etc., and the app offers 24/7 customer support.

Avis – A large selection of automobiles is available from the international car rental company Avis in India as well. The app’s user-friendly layout allows you to book a car quickly. Besides having pick-up and drop-off sites at all significant Indian airports and cities, Avis also provides 24/7 customer service.

vlogging line-up with new ZV-1F, the vlog camera that boosts creative power :: Media Release

Mumbai, 17th April 2023: Sony today announced the new vlog camera ZV-1F. Packed with creative power, ea y-to-use vlogging functions, advanced connectivity, and eco-friendly features, it is the new go-to camera for vloggers and creators who want to capture stunning stills and video. The pocket-size camera has been optimized for vlogging with Sony’s latest technology to make content stand out.

“ZV-1F is a compact camera designed to elevate the vlogging experience of next-gen content creators. With ever-increasing demand for high-quality content, creators need an all-in-one camera that delivers superior quality output whilst being easy to use and designed specifically for wireless content sharing. We have also incorporated eco-friendly features in the ZV-1F with an aim to achieve a zero environmental footprint as sustainability is one of the key focus areas for Sony” said Mukesh Srivastava, Head of Digital Imaging Business, Sony India.

1. Ultra-wide-angle 20 mm 1 prime lens, ideal for group selfies and background scenery The ZV-1F has been designed to let the subject shine in any scene with an ultra-wide 20mm prime lens for optimum selfie shooting and wide field of view to capture more background. The vlog camera also offers background bokeh in both stills and video to further highlight the subject or create a softer look.

2. Vari-angle LCD for selfies
The ZV-1F has been designed for total ease of use, so that vloggers can focus on content capture and intuitively use the camera without difficulty. Weighing only approx. 229g 2 it is compact and lightweight enough for everyday use and can be carried everywhere. It also features a Vari-Angle LCD touch screen with features and settings changed by
touch, including the ability to zoom 3 , so operation is instinctive. The new vlog camera includes a Bokeh Switch button to allow users to quickly switch between background bokeh when they want to highlight the face and without, even whilst recording video. It also features a Product Showcase setting to allow users to seamlessly shift focus between face and products – perfect for reviews. The ZV-1F also features a self-timer 4 and recording lamp to make video content even easier to capture.

3. ZV-1F accurately captures your skin tone, ensuring you a healthy and natural look With the ‘Soft Skin Effect’ option the camera smooths and reduces wrinkles when shooting video and creates a natural skin tone effect for stills. Face Priority AE automatically adjusts the brightness when shooting so that faces can be captured with optimal brightness, even in situations where the light changes.

4. 425 contrast-detection AF frame points for high-precision focusing The ZV-1F also boasts high precision focusing and Eye AF for both humans and animals 5 which allows the autofocus to fix tenaciously on the face and eyes without getting diverted by other subjects. Users can easily change subjects via the camera’s touchscreen. What’s more, when shooting video, image stabilization is available in Active Mode 6 (electronic) to ensure footage is steady and smooth when walking. The newly available Creative Look function gives users several preset options to create desired atmospheres in both stills and video with differences in tone, brightness, color depth, and more. A total of 10 modes are available to enhance creativity and allow users to share content immediately with no need for editing. The ZV-1F also features S&Q mode 7 to shoot in both slow motion at 5 x slower speed 8 and quick motion at 60 x faster 9 hyper-lapse speed to achieve the desired effect.

5. Windscreen for clear voice recording outdoors In addition to stills and video, high-quality sound is vital to capture perfect content. Windscreen provides clear voice recording and reduced noise in windy outdoor conditions.

6. Built-in Directional 3-Capsule Mic for high-quality audio ZV-1F has an in-built Directional 3-Capsule Mic which ensures high-quality sound for your videos.

7. Connectivity and Accessories The new vlog camera, ZV-1F, has been optimized for use with a smartphone. Sony’s new smartphone app Imaging Edge Mobile Plus™ 10 allows users to connect to the camera via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and transfer images and video. Content captured can be easily transferred to a smartphone and then uploaded to social platforms. Users can even mark shots for posting on social using shot marks 11 during shooting or on the camera. Additionally, users can cut out and transfer specific 15, 30, or 60-second 12-marked clips to their smartphone and post directly to social without the need to edit the length to suit the platform. The Imaging Edge Mobile Plus™ app also allows users to control many of the camera’s settings like date, time, and area as well as software updates and support guides. It can also operate the ZV-1F remotely and display the battery level and remaining storage capacity. Users can even use the ZV-1F as a high-quality live-streaming device 13. With an appropriate video conference application or similar software, the ZV-1F can function as a high-performance web camera when connected to a computer or smartphone via USB 14 . The ZV-1F is compatible with the GP-VPT2BT 15 Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander which offers cable-free control of zoom, recording and more, and expands into a mini-tripod for stable hands-free shots. An external microphone can also be easily attached to the accessory shoe 16 for clear sound recording.

8. Supporting a Sustainable Future The ZV-1F was designed with environmentally friendly features and technology to ensure a sustainable future. Recycled materials 17 including SORPLAS TM 18 are used in both the camera body and bundled accessories like the newly developed wind screen 19 that have been adapted to maintain performance. Plant-based non-woven fabrics are used for product bags to reduce plastic packaging.

Price and Availability
The ZV-1F will be available across all Sony Center, Alpha Flagship stores, Sony authorized dealers, ecommerce websites (Amazon and Flipkart) and major electronic stores across India from 6 th April 2023 onwards. Model Best Buy (in Rs.) Availability ZV-1F 50,690/-  6th April 2023 onwards

Trimming The Light

April 17 2023 Janus Art Gallery has announced its upcoming xhibition, “Trimming the Light,” which features artworks by emerging practitioners who have broken their academic boundaries and are engaging with their practice in unconventional ways. The exhibition will take place in the white cube of the gallery and will showcase the physical embodiment of non-physical enlightenments through various mediums such as printmaking, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and more. The exhibition is curated by a young and talented curator who aims to explore the journey of physicality from the non-physical dilemma that art practitioners face. The exhibition’s concept is deeply rooted in Roland Barthes’ “denotation and connotation” model, which opens up a connotative path to communicate with the works and understand their meanings beyond a singular way. The artists participating in the exhibition include Khokon Giri, Kumar Krishna, Ranojay Sarkar, Suraj Gorai, Faruque Ahmed, Partha Saha, Debi Prasad Bhunia, Shubhankar Chakrabarty, Surajit Mudi, Raja Boro, Dibendu Roy, Santanu Dey, and Amit Dey.

“Trimming the Light” is an inquiry into the digital age of the 21st century, exploring how emerging practitioners have transformed light into a physical body through conventional and non-conventional ways of making artwork. The exhibition is a challenge to communicate physical embodiment with non-physical thoughts, and it aims to share the idea with the viewers through the white cube space. The Janus Art Gallery is committed to promoting emerging contemporary practitioners, and “Trimming the Light” is its latest initiative in that regard.

After overcoming the pandemic situation, the Janus Art Gallery is once again ready to showcase new faces of emerging practitioners and provide them with a platform to exhibit their work. The gallery is optimistic about the future of art and plans to bring more exhibitions and events that showcase the best of Indian modern and contemporary art. They are committed to engaging with their audience in new and innovative ways, including hosting virtual exhibitions and events in the coming months, as well as physical exhibitions that will allow visitors to experience the artworks in person. The Janus Art Gallery also plans to collaborate with other art institutions and galleries to bring a diverse range of modern and contemporary Indian art.

The exhibition is curated by Manik Barman, and the collection of artworks represents a diverse range of styles and mediums, each one created by some of the most talented and innovative young artists of our time. The exhibition will take place in the white cube space of the Janus Art Gallery.

House of Goldsmith: Jewellary that intense the world

April 17, 2023, Jewellery has been used for thousands of years as a way to express personal style and social status. In addition to being worn for personal adornment, jewellery can also be used as a symbol of religious or cultural significance, as well as a form of currency or investment. House of Goldsmith has been started in 2021 post lockdown with the motive of making people save more in the Gold industry by launching minimalist jewellery and light weighted everyday wear in 22 – 10 carats. Our forte would be working on the designs which are defining India and its culture to its Architectural designs. Representing India in a small piece of art and customizing miniature art by the best artists in the jewellery market. Shefali R Verma is the director of House Of Gold as she was born into a Goldsmith family originating from Jind (Haryana). As she was born into a goldsmith family, she has in her genes to identify gold and diamonds. She has finished her dissertation on the subject “Import & Export” Of Bullions from The University of Westminster, London. She is honoured with Gemologist Degree from GIA. She has got versatile experience in several sectors whereas her dominant forte is Jewellery as Priorly She was already excellent in the field of Gems and diamonds. Her excellency in the field of the occult is remarkable as she has been an Astrologer partially. Her intuitive sight is a god gifted. Today, jewellery is often purchased as a gift or as a way to commemorate a special occasion, such as a wedding or anniversary. It can also be used as a way to add a finishing touch to an outfit, or as a statement piece to showcase a personal style.

Tata Power Discoms achieve top ranking among Indian Power Utilities

Bangalore, 17 April 2023 — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), the distribution arm of Tata Power Co Ltd (Tata Power), entered into an agreement to subscribe to non-convertible debentures for 1.5 billion Indian Rupees (equivalent to $18.2 million) to enhance Delhi’s power distribution through grid enhancements, and a $2 million grant to partially finance the purchase and integration of a pilot battery energy storage system (BESS).

The senior secured financing will be used to commission a new 66/11-kilovolt grid, augment and expand transformers, substations, feeder lines, and switching stations, install smart meters, and replace obsolete electrical equipment and meters.

The 10-megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS is South Asia’s first grid-scaled energy storage project at the distribution transformer level. It will enable electricity to be stored and delivered on demand, reducing grid instability, and providing the flexibility to integrate intermittent solar and wind energy resources. The grant to finance the BESS is provided by Goldman Sachs and Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Climate Innovation and Development Fund (CIDF) and administered by ADB.

“Power distribution is a crucial link in the electricity supply chain, and at times one of the most vulnerable. Mainstreaming a battery energy storage system at the distribution transformer level will better integrate renewable energy sources and contribute to a more disaster-resilient power distribution system for Delhi,” said ADB’s Director General for Private Sector Operations Suzanne Gaboury. “As Asia’s Climate Bank, ADB supports India’s climate goals through innovative technologies and the catalyzing of private capital to finance green projects.”

“The battery energy storage system plays a crucial role in building a resilient grid and paves the way for a future-ready power distribution network. We thank ADB for administering this grant for the integration of the pilot BESS with TPDDL’s network. This will enable us in ensuring high-quality power supply for consumers and help integrate clean energy into the power supply mix,” said Tata Power CEO and Managing Director Dr. Praveer Sinha.

In 2022 India’s Ministry of Power targeted a battery storage capacity of 4% of total electricity consumption by 2030. To reach that goal, India would need a total battery energy storage capacity of 182 gigawatt-hours by 2030. ADB’s financing through CIDF for the pilot BESS will provide proof of concept and lessons learned by TPDDL to implement a planned additional 50 MWh of BESS capacity.

Launched in September 2021, CIDF is a blended finance facility managed by ADB, established with an initial $25 million philanthropic commitment from Bloomberg Philanthropies and Goldman Sachs. The fund has the potential to unlock up to $500 million in the private sector and governmental investments in support of sustainable low-carbon economic development and help catalyze a clean energy transition in South and Southeast Asia.

TPDDL is a joint venture between Tata Power Company Limited and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. TPDDL supports over 3200 employees and has a customer base of 1.9 million connections. Its operational area spans 510 square kilometers with customers across industrial, commercial, household, and agricultural segments. In 2002, TPDDL was awarded a 25-year license to distribute and transmit electricity in Delhi’s north and northwest regions. Tata Power is one of India’s largest integrated power companies.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.