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India Can Become World Leader in AI & ML: TRAI Chairman Dr. P D Vaghela

New Delhi, February 21, 2023: India has a demographic advantage in IT talent and a fast-growing start-up culture that can be used to its utmost potential for the country to become a world leader in AI and ML. Dr. P D Vaghela, Chairman, of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), said this at the 17th India Digital Summit (IDS 2023), being organized here by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), in association with Google and MessageBird, on February 20-21, 2023. Quoting a PwC research, he said, Artificial Intelligence (AI) could boost the world economy by up to USD 15.7 trillion by 2030.

In his address, Dr. Vaghela extensively spoke about 5G and 6G use cases and how the government was increasingly supporting R&D for different use cases. “The road ahead is full of exciting challenges and opportunities and one thing is certain the future of India rests on our ability to embrace new technologies, respond to technology disruptions, and seize the right opportunities,” he said.

“The Government is already promoting start-up ecosystem and with over 5 billion IT professionals, India already boasts the largest IT talent in the world. And with startups capitalizing on digital governance, I am sure that India@2047 will be a force to reckon with,” Dr. Vaghela added.

Dr. Vaghela in his address said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) intended to regulate the sector with transparency while also promoting competition and safeguarding the rights of citizens.

Referring to the theme of IDS 2023, Amrit Kaal: Digital India@100, Dr. Vaghela pointed out the need to re-emphasize the eight crucial governance issues for India’s journey over the next 25 years. These include: 1) how to revamp our digital governance infrastructure, 2) challenges arising out of convergence and reduced investment cycles due to technology disruptions, 3) identifying appropriate technologies, keeping in mind our demographic advantage, the strength of our IT skills and strength of the SME sector, 4) boosting local manufacturing of digital equipment, 5) keeping technology at the core of policy formulation, 6) practical implementation of whole of the government approach through a collaborative approach, 7) pursuing sustainable and equitable whole of society approach and ensuring socio-economic, digital inclusion and 8) strengthening cybersecurity, bringing in vibrant privacy law and protecting citizens from spam and frauds.

The 17th India Digital Summit will bring together over 150 speakers, including policymakers, regulators, industry captains, and subject stalwarts in more than 60 sessions, with a representation from over 500 digital brands, and the participation of over 3000 delegates.

Halp.co is providing absolutely FREE End-to-End Counselling to Indian students seeking admission abroad.

New Delhi, February 21, 2023: Halp, one of the world’s largest tech-enabled international college admissions coaching platforms backed by the tennis legend Serena Williams, is providing end-to-end personal coach support to Indian students aspiring to study abroad. Halp entered the Indian education sector by setting up Mumbai, Delhi, and Punjab offices. With its 1:1 digital assistance model, Halp’s end-to-end free admission assistance model has earned it a trusted reputation among students worldwide.

Along with admissions counseling, Halp coaches assist the students with end-to-end support in setting up a new life in the new country; including flights, phone plans, bank accounts, accommodation, visas, scholarships, loans, and everything that they need to start their education in that country. “We want students to save their money so they can afford to study abroad at their desired institutions. We are the only company offering premium, end-to-end coaching for free”, said Matthew McLellan, Co-founder & CEO, of Halp.

Halp’s strong partnerships enable students to apply to 15,000+ programs across Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia – they can study their favorite subject in their preferred country at the right institution for them.

Over 18, 000 students from all over the country are being actively placed in more than 3,000 colleges across Canada, UK, US, and Australia. Some of the top programs include – the University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario, and Queen’s University in Canada; the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of California Irvine, and Johns Hopkins University in the United States; University of Salford, University of Edinburgh and University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom; Edith Cowan University, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Australian National University in Australia.

Varanium Cloud Ltd announces the launch of its first container data edge centre in Kudal, Sindhudurg

21, Feb 2023: Varanium Cloud Ltd, an Indian digital technology company, has announced the launch of its second Edge Data Centre in Kudal, Sindhudurg, under its brand Hydra.

The Edge Data Centre is built in a container and enhances the accessibility of the data centre and facilitates efficient data sharing and communication even in the country’s most remote corners. It is designed to be compact and thus can easily be transported to any part of the country easily.

Speaking of the launch, Mr Harshawardhan Sabale, MD, Varanium Cloud Ltd said, “We at Varanium Cloud Ltd aim to bridge the gap between the urban and the non-urban population, and access to technology and information sharing and communication is the key to this. Our container edge data centre enables this and allows us to facilitate connectivity and equitable development, thus, aiding us in our mission to ‘build the phy-gital ecosystem for the #nextbillion’.

This initiative by Varanium Cloud Ltd follows the launch of its first data edge centre in Goa in the month of December. The company also plans to launch another data centre in Mumbai by March 2023.

BharatPe Group appoints Aparna Kuppuswamy as Chief Risk Officer

New Delhi, February 21, 2023: BharatPe Group today announced a new addition to its leadership team with the appointment of Aparna Kuppuswamy as its Chief Risk Officer. A seasoned leader with almost 3 decades of experience in the Consumer Banking Industry with extensive expertise in managing portfolios across all major product lines including credit cards, mortgages, and unsecured personal loans. Aparna will be leading the risk portfolio across the BharatPe Group of companies, including the merchant and consumer businesses. She will be working closely with the CFO and interim CEO, Nalin Negi, to further build a robust lending vertical at BharatPe.

Aparna is one of the highly respected professionals in the banking and financial services industry. Prior to joining BharatPe, Aparna was the Chief Risk Officer at SBI Cards for 14+ years, where she led a number of key projects. Under her able leadership, the company’s portfolio grew by more than 20X. She was also a part of the leadership team that took SBI Cards public. Aparna managed the entire spectrum of risks facing the company in a fast-changing and unpredictable environment. She also defined the risk appetite framework for the company in partnership with frontline business and operational groups as well as working closely with the Risk Management Committee of the Board. She also ensured that Credit, Operational, Fraud, Regulatory, and Information security risks are defined, measured, reported, and monitored closely. Aparna also managed the Technology Risk function through the CISO organization by managing the physical and cyber security policies and practices. She also worked extensively on improving the security architecture and posture of the company. Prior to working with SBI Cards, Aparna was Director, Credit Policy, at Ameriprise Financial. She has also held leadership roles at ABN AMRO Bank and Bank of America. Aparna is a Master’s in Finance & Control from the University of Delhi.

Commenting on the appointment, Nalin Negi, CFO, and interim CEO, BharatPe said, “ At BharatPe, we are committed to addressing the US$ 380bn credit gap for MSMEs and small merchants. In the coming months, we will aggressively focus on building the lending business across Bharat as well as roll out a range of credit products for our merchant partners and consumers. Aparna with her in-depth understanding of all facets of risk strategy, credit policy, and portfolio management, as well as extensive industry and product knowledge, will play a vital role in the next phase of our growth story as well as helping us in becoming IPO ready. Additionally, Aparna’s understanding of the consumer side of financial services will help us build cutting-edge products that are not only relevant but also are risk aversive. Lastly, her expertise in managing technology risk will ensure we build highly secure products for our merchant partners and consumers. On behalf of the leadership team at BharatPe, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Aparna.”

Amit Jain, who is currently the Chief Risk Officer of BharatPe will be working closely with Aparna and will be investing more of his time in collections and underwriting, from a merchant standpoint.

Added Aparna, “BharatPe’s success story in the fintech industry is a case study in itself. In just 4+ years, the company has emerged as one of the biggest flag bearers of digital payments and B2B lending in the country. Today, it has an entrenched network of over 1 crore merchants in 400+ cities. The company has also done phenomenal work in facilitating credit to merchants – with over Rs. 8000 crores worth of loans facilitated to lakhs of merchants across the country. I am really excited to be a part of the promising organization and spearhead the risk and credit strategy for the BharatPe Group of companies. I look forward to working with the team to build new products, that will make a huge impact on millions of unbanked and underserved businesses and play a key role in making India a truly Digital economy.”

KAYAK reveals the most searched travel destinations for Indian Couples and Solo travellers in 2023

New Delhi, India: Travelling and sharing new experiences are among the best ways to draw loved ones closer. Whether planning a trip with your beloved to your favourite beach, setting out on a solo trip to a remote destination or simply checking in to a hotel with a view, consider travelling to one of these must-visit locations to celebrate and experience the true meaning of bonding, serenity, and love.

According to Tarun Tahiliani, India Country Manager, KAYAK, “Travel searches on KAYAK paint an interesting picture in 2023. This year, we’re seeing people excited not only to travel with their partners but also with their friend groups and even by themselves. While couples are excited to visit the most romantic and relaxing destinations like Bali and Maldives, solo travellers are looking forward to adventures in exciting Singapore or Bangkok. Evidently, above all else, people are choosing to embrace their love for travel in 2023!”

The top 10 most searched destinations for couple travel present a variety of domestic and international destinations that are perfect for blissful sojourns. Within India, couples are looking for the perfect mix of romance, seclusion and adventure at beach destinations like Goa, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Kochi. Walking hand-in-hand down the urban locales of New Delhi and Mumbai are also on the Valentine’s Day itineraries for Indian couples. Overseas destinations that Indian travellers are considering include some decidedly dreamy destinations for starry-eyed pairs such as London, Bali, Dubai, Bangkok and the Maldives, where they can revel in some alone-time, admire picturesque backdrops together, or even sneak-in some shopping!

Even if you don’t have a particular someone to travel with this year, Oscar Wilde once said “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” Many people do not consider travelling alone. However, if done correctly, solo excursions can be just as enjoyable.

The top 3 most searched destinations by solo travellers – Kochi, New Delhi, and Goa – indicate an interest in quick domestic getaways that solidify self-love with a variety of experiences. The fast-paced, solo traveller-friendly destinations like Singapore, Bangkok, and Maldives remain preferred destinations for Indian travellers as they look to treat themselves to eclectic cuisines, cutting-edge entertainment, or just a relaxing break.

KAYAK travel tips:

• Use a travel search engine: KAYAK has the tools and filters to help you find great deals, including the Explore feature, which shows destinations by price. Before planning your journey, check the latest travel restrictions in your destination. KAYAK’s travel restrictions map provides real-time updates on COVID-19 restrictions and entry requirements of individual countries.
• Set a price alert: As one of KAYAK’s most popular features, price alerts help travellers save money by alerting them when prices change for a flight or hotel they want. If a flight you’re eyeing drops in price, KAYAK will alert you so they can lock in that new price, instantly saving you both time and money.
• Manage and stay up to date with your travel: KAYAK has built the trips feature on its app and website, that allows users to plan, build and manage their itineraries for travel of any length, in any location. The platform allows users to get real-time updates on any cancellations, stay informed about unexpected changes, delays or gate changes that may arise and even find their luggage on the right conveyor belt after landing at the airport

Naredco Mahi Announces Its 2nd National Convention

New Delhi, 21 February 2023: NAREDCO Mahi established with a vision to enrich, empower, educate, and encourage the participation of women in real estate and allied industries, announces its second national convention on 3rd March at New Delhi.

The Convention will have a diverse range of seminars with a focus on four distinct themes. The conversation will be based on Water Saving, Empowering Real Women in the Real World, Green Building & Sustainability, And Start-ups. It will spark lively debates about how the Real Estate Industry can successfully recycle WasteWater and transition to net zero water waste, as well as how the sector can provide sustainable, energy- and water-efficient solutions. It will also shed light on the essential components of gender integration, how society is moving in the direction of Empowering Women, Gender Pay Equity in the Real Estate Industry, and Underrepresentation.

The Convention’s goal is to highlight the contributions and potential of women in real estate while also engaging in meaningful discussion about some crucial issues facing the sector, such as sustainability, environment-conscious practices and industry-wide policy frameworks, and innovative technology in Real Estate Development.

The Themes for the Sessions will include: ways to go Jal Bachao Kal Bachao, Empowering Real Women in the Real World, Green Building & Sustainability, and Entrepreneurial Mindset: Scale & Growth of Indian Start-up.

The convention will bring together executives from the public and private sectors as well as the management of NAREDCO and NAREDCO Mahi. Shri Parveen Jain, Chairman, NAREDCO; Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Vice Chairman, NAREDCO, Shri Rajan Bandelkar, President, NAREDCO; Dr. Ananta S. Raghuvanshi, President, NAREDCO Mahi will grace the occasion. Some well-known dignitaries and keynote speakers who will likely address the gathering are Mr. Gurmit Singh Arora, President, of Indian Plumbing Association; Mr. Ramveer Tanwar, Pond Man of India; Mr. Sanjay Dutt, CEO, of Tata Housing; Padmashri Popatraoji Pawar; Smt. Sampat Devi, Gulabi Gang, and Mr. Kavindra Taliyan, Ex CEO, Atal Incubation Centre, NITI AAYOG and Member Steering Committee, Ministry of Communications. Professionals, service providers, and business owners from all across the country will also have the chance to network and gain from the sessions.

“Over the past decade, the Real Estate Industry has undergone substantial upheaval. The industry has changed from being mostly informal and unorganized to becoming more structured and organized. Some good talent, regardless of gender, has emerged as a result of the sector’s formalization and consolidation. The entry of large corporations into the sector has also increased opportunities for professional women. This does not negate the fact that there are still areas of the Real Estate market where women find it difficult to get into. Therefore, it will be beneficial to see women in top positions in the Real Estate Sector since they will act as mentors and role models for the subsequent wave of female workers. Furthermore, women have acquired the trust of their peers, bosses, and clients in order to prove their worth in the real estate industry, or any other profession for that matter.” said Dr. Ananta S. Raghuvanshi, President, NAREDCO Mahi.

“Women have been breaking free from the constraints of a patriarchal society in recent years, reaching new heights in a variety of fields, including real estate. The fact that the industry is now much more organised and provides equal opportunity for everyone is one of the major paradigm shifts. Businesses are increasingly considering adopting a more inclusive workplace culture. Additionally, more and more women are ascending to executive roles in the Real Estate Sector, shattering the adage about the “glass ceiling.” Moving forward, we must maintain our focus and create ‘Policy Frameworks’ that can draw a broad workforce to real estate careers. To create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce, organisations must continue to prioritise Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) efforts.” Stated Mr. Rajan Bandelkar, President, NAREDCO.

The skill and ingenuity that Women possess have been well recognized, and women are building their repertoires in Real Estate and various asset classes, as executives, promoters, architects, designers, developers, realtors, lawyers or consultants, among others.

The main goal of NAREDCO Mahi is to provide women leaders and business owners with a platform that will further enable inclusion, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and networking in order to advance the Real Estate and housing industries by empowering women to participate in the creation of National Policies, Programmes, and Fiscal Reforms. The mission of NAREDCO Mahiis to advance equality of opportunity and professional competence. A new wave of Female Entrepreneurs is emerging in the Real Estate Sector as more and more women actively participate in all facets of Real Estate Development, purchase, and sale.

IPRS: Shaping the Future as a Music Copyright Society

The IPRS has gone on to become the most invaluable and desired support system of the Indian music industry today. Standing strong for owner’s rights, royalties, and promoting the creators’ causes, have been driving IPRS while keeping it invigorated and focused over the years.

The amendments in the Copyright Act in 2012 cleared the way for a new beginning for IPRS and the fraternity of Music Creators & Publishers. IPRS set forth on its new journey in 2017 with a clear task in hand, led by the new board and Javed Akhtar as the Chairman. The same year IPRS got registered as a Copyright Society by the Government of India. The IPRS has since then grown from strength to strength to become the leading music copyright society in India, representing the authors, composers, and publishers of music. In 2018 the re-admittance of the IPRS as a Copyright Society in the apex Paris-based International Confederation of Societies of Authors & Composers (CISAC) further led to the wider acceptance of the IPRS as a top global copyright society.

The following years saw IPRS signing strategic licensing deals with major International Digital Service Providers (DSPs) and significant players in the Indian music industry shooting the IPRS revenue from INR 46 crores in FY2017-18 to a whooping INR 314 crores in FY21-22. A jump of over 500% in 5 years. IPRS went on to be recognised as the fastest-growing music collection society in the world by CISAC. During the recent pandemic, the critical role of copyright societies like IPRS became even more evident when the regular sources of income from the music industry were severely hit. By distributing royalty amounting to INR 210 crores, along with regular grants and aids, IPRS has proven its pivotal role in the sustenance and welfare of the Music community. FY22-23 IPRS is expected to touch INR 400 crores in revenues and surpass INR 300 crores in royalty distribution.

With the growing role of copyright societies in the digital era, there’s little to benefit and everything to lose without embracing technology in its ever-evolving avatar. Being the progressive society it is, it was only expected that IPRS would readily adapt to new-age technology for the benefit of its members. The launch of the Backoffice backed Members Portal has been a major milestone in terms of technology advancement and has brought increased transparency to the overall system. IPRS members, today, unlike in earlier years, are in control of their data and have the convenience of checking their data online thus flagging off errors and helping in efficient data management.

Today, music is created, distributed, and consumed digitally. But tracking, matching, processing, and distributing billions of usages is incredibly complex and requires massive investments in IT and specialised human resources. Better licensing and improved data management & processing backed by technology have been the secret sauce of IPRS’ success. The result of this development is visible through increased income, robust data processing along with frequent and increased royalty distribution. IPRS will continue to improve its systems for greater transparency and a better experience for its members and licensees.

On the membership front, IPRS has been very active in speaking to members and listening to them. Advancement in technology has made it mandatory for the modern-day creator to be hand in hand with the need to upgrade to rapid changes. IPRS’s ongoing forays to help music creators and publishers achieve their goals through knowledge and know-how are efforts to help them deduce how the music business works at an everyday level. It has also emerged as a strong voice for its members on issues plaguing the music industry, on various platforms, and in multiple institutions. Such and many other visionary initiatives have seen the IPRS membership mount up to over 10K. More and more music composers, authors, and publishers have begun investing their implicit faith in IPRS.

The coming times will see a fully geared-up IPRS shinning amid emerging opportunities and challenges, adhering to the highest levels of commitment while remaining true to its core values of Solidarity, Equality, Resilience, and Transparency to serve the interests of its members and the music community at large.

Commenting on IPRS’s journey so far, legendary poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and IPRS Chairman Javed Akhtar Sahab said, “I am pleased with the IPRS’s initiatives, led by the CEO, Mr. Rakesh Nigam, to not only safeguard the rights of music creators but also consistently reach out to them through various initiatives to ensure they are aware of their rights over the music they create. I am happy that the IPRS not only survived the pandemic but could also distribute frequent royalties to the members and financial aid to many struggling to make ends meet. And all these were made possible due to the commendable increase in revenues and our ability to do what was necessary during a calamity. Concerted efforts by IPRS at problem-solving in vexing matters have shown visible gains that have brightened the prospects of our members and stakeholders. For further progress and development, I hope our government will appreciate our efforts and give us a helping hand in building a more compliant music ecosystem, which we will always need.”

Commenting on IPRS’s role, music maestro A. R. Rahman said, “As an IPRS member, I am glad to see IPRS evolving as a strong pillar of the music industry. It has not only emerged as a prominent voice upholding its members’ rights and ensuring their due credit and royalties but has been actively working to support its members with the required knowledge and guidance, to help them make the most from the music they create. With its expanding footprint and rapid advancements, the role of IPRS has gained considerable significance in the burgeoning Indian music industry.”

Commenting on the IPRS initiatives legendary lyricist and IPRS Board member, Sameer Anjaan said: “As an author myself, I am happy to state that IPRS has worked hard to guarantee that music creators are acknowledged and credited for their work and that their creativity is respected. I appreciate the efforts made to raise awareness of copyrights and licensing matters through various initiatives that will help drive compliance and bring about a mindset shift. Non-compliance with music licensing norms continues to plague the nation, draining the music industry of huge revenues and depriving the creators and music owners of what is rightfully theirs.”

Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS said: “Our five-decade journey has been incredible, and we feel privileged and honoured to continue on this path of collective growth with our members and business partners. We are thrilled to be setting a new benchmark with every passing year and want to smash the ceiling in revenues and royalties for our members. However, compliance with music copyright remains a big concern for CMOs like IPRS. Although our efforts to develop a more compliant music ecosystem continue, we invite all key stakeholders and industry groups to join us in paving the way for a prosperous future for music and its makers.”

“IPRS is a not-for-profit Society owned by its members, working to ensure fair remuneration for the utilisation of their music. Music is more than an industry. It is a cultural powerhouse. I take this opportunity to thank all who have joined us in our efforts to promote music and its creators and leave a message for the rest that denying royalties to those deserving will dampen creativity and ultimately weaken the cultural fabric of the nation.” added Mr. Nigam