14, Dec 2023
Celebrate Christmas with beautiful home décor items from Shopclues
It’s that time of the year when all the fairy tale aspirations come gushing out. Warm fireplaces, decked-up trees, gleaming lights, shopping for loved ones, and having friends and family around to celebrate the holiday season. After all, it is time for Christmas, a season of joy, love, and giving. This Christmas decorate your home with some amazing products from Shopclues while you call in your loved ones to celebrate with you. Below are some products from the brand which you must have to lit up your space.
14 LED Honey Bee String Indoor/Outdoor Fairy Lights for Garden Home Patio Lawn Party and Diwali
14 LED Honey Bee String Indoor/Outdoor Fairy Lights for Garden Home Patio Lawn Party and Diwali, Christmas, New Year, Decoration (11 Feet/3.5 m, Warm White)
Scent Valley – Apple Cinnamon Scented 3Oz Red Jar Candle
Complex scent that utilizes a number of aromas that would stretch the imagination and allow your nose to build its ability to perceive unique scents in a most pleasing and relaxing way.
Vivient Women White Plain Red Kali Flair Georgette Maxi Dress
A Touch of Wondrous Chic To Your Evening Look With This Gorgeous Dress From Vivient Femme. This Will Add Eyesome Charm, The Fabric Assures Pure Lightweight Comfort. Look Perfect Wearing This Dress. Designed To Impress Fashion-Conscious Women, This Short Dress Will Lend You A Look Worth Flaunting. Regular-Fit Dress Will Help You Stay Relaxed All Day Long. Look gorgeous at an upcoming family function wearing the A-line Dress from Purple coloured dresses. Featuring an eye-catching print, this dresses will be a great pick this season.
Stick LED String Fairy Light 16 LED 4 Meter Night Light for Home Decor
Indoor & Outdoor Decoration Lights – Designed with IP44 which makes this Decorative String lights water-resistant for easy use indoors and outdoors. A great and attractive home decor lights for all your events. Please note that the plug and the controller are not waterproof, and keep it dry.
Energy Efficent & Safe – Works on AC 220v comes with Two PIN Indian Power Plug. Since the LED Light do not get hot, they are the perfect choice for flower and indoor decoration or even in children’s rooms
Shubhanjali Natural Amethyst Tree 100 Beads Reiki Healing Crystal Healing Purple Stone for Vastu, Christmas Gifts
Amethyst promotes calm, balance, and peace at the emotional, spiritual, and physical level. assists in improving concentration encouraging inner strength and open view, Protection, Purification, and Spirituality. Amethyst carries a high frequency that protects the energy field, clears the aura and chakras, and purifies the individual, removing any negative energy and allowing them to move forward in life, into higher states of consciousness.
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- By Rabindra
14, Dec 2023
Gen Z Power and Digital Wallet Surge: Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities Take Center Stage at Internet Commerce Summit
Bengaluru, December 14, 2023 — In a bid to unravel the untapped potential of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the Internet Commerce Summit 2023 convened in Bangalore on Tuesday, offering a comprehensive exploration of opportunities that could reshape the e-commerce landscape in India. Bhavesh Pitroda, CEO of IMAGES Group, set the tone for the day with a compelling welcome, underscoring the significance of the evolving market dynamics.
The summit kicked off with the much-anticipated session, ‘Digital CEOs Click on the Future Button,’ skillfully moderated by Barathi Srinivasan, Partner at Kearney. The panel, featuring industry stalwarts Ashwini Seth (CEO & Founder, Dennison India), Dhiraj Agarwal (Founder, Campus Sutra), Mahesh Patel (Co-founder, Cloud Tailor), and Preeti Gupta (Chief Business Officer, Nykaa), took a deep dive into the potential of Gen Z online buyers and the burgeoning purchasing power in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Preeti Gupta, in a pivotal statement, highlighted the industry’s seismic shift from unorganized to organized markets. She underscored the accelerated digital adoption, suggesting that without this push, the industry’s growth would have been considerably delayed. Gupta noted that Gen Z, in particular, is displaying a discerning eye for product quality, a factor significantly shaping their purchasing decisions.
Mahesh Patel, co-founder of Cloud Tailor, echoed these sentiments, foreseeing significant contributions to the e-commerce landscape from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Patel emphasized that these cities, with their burgeoning disposable incomes, are poised to become key contributors to the e-commerce sector, potentially altering the established market dynamics.
The subsequent panel discussion, ‘Money Talks! Digital Transactions Translated for Tomorrow,‘ moderated by Aditya Kumar, Co-founder & CEO of Niro, delved into the potential of scaling online payment systems. Prakash Venkataramani, Senior Director & Global Payments at Flywire, stole the spotlight, shedding light on the transformative impact of real-time payments on the global commerce landscape. Venkataramani cited the remarkable figure of 11 billion transactions on UPI in October-November 2023, signifying the profound influence of real-time payments on India’s economic landscape.
The summit further unfolded with discussions on ‘Digital Thought Leadership – Game Changing eCom Customer Strategies,’ presenting a comprehensive perspective on e-commerce strategies with insights contributed by experts spanning various industries.
Keynote addresses by industry veterans added depth to the discussions. Sridhar Harihara Subramanian, Senior Director, Solution Engineering at Salesforce India, explored the ‘Building Blocks of E-commerce,’ while Percy Avari, Country Head at Aramex, delved into ‘Evolving E-commerce Logistics: Trends and Innovations,’ respectively. Their insights provided a holistic view of the evolving e-commerce landscape.
As the curtains fell on the Internet Commerce Summit 2023, the resonance of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities emerged as a defining theme, indicating a potential revolution in the e-commerce sector. The summit’s insights, expertly curated by industry leaders and entrepreneurs, not only serve as a compass for businesses navigating the changing landscape but also underscore the imperative of adapting strategies to tap into the transformative potential of these burgeoning markets.
14, Dec 2023
Kunal Shah backed Anq Elevates Its Fintech Leadership with Acquisition of Kiwimoney
[Bengaluru, December 14, 2023]
Bengaluru-based Anq, a new-age digital banking platform that provides products like X card, and Rewards Marketplace has acquired Kiwimoney which is a lending platform for the healthcare industry for an undisclosed sum.
Kiwimoney founded by Shrikant Bhalerao is in the business of proprietary loan origination and loan management technologies. The lending platform also has a strategic partnership with Ahmedabad-based Western Fintrade.
“We are excited to join forces with Anq Finance, a company known for its innovative approach to financial services. Together, we aim to redefine the landscape of fintech lending and offer customers cutting-edge solutions, “ points out Bhalerao.
Speaking on the same, Ashish Khandelwal, Founder, Anq said that, “This strategic acquisition would help us scale Anq further in India and deliver further value to our customers.”
Anq was co-founded by Ashish Khandelwal. He is the former head of Xiaomi Financial Services and Bajaj Finserv. Anq is backed by prominent investors like Kunal Shah from Cred, Ashish Sharma from Innoven Capital, Madhusudan from M2P among others.
This acquisition not only enhances Anq’s fintech capabilities but also positions the company to diversify into lending-related businesses, expanding its portfolio and reach within the industry.
Anq Finance has gained widespread recognition for its prepaid card services, enabling users to earn rewards in gold and digital assets while making everyday purchases at leading merchants, including Swiggy, Zomato, Flipkart, Amazon, and more.
This strategic acquisition exemplifies Anq’s dedication to excellence and its aspiration to be at the forefront of the evolving fintech industry.
14, Dec 2023
Quest Global and IEEE India Collaborate to Unveil CSR Initiatives for Women in Engineering
Bengaluru, 14th December 2023 – Quest Global, one of the world’s leading engineering services firms, has joined forces with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional association advancing technology for humanity, in India to bring gender equality through advancing women in engineering. The strategic collaboration aims to empower women in engineering through two CSR programs: Engineering Education of the underserved Girl Students and the Returning Women Engineers Program.
Under this collaboration, Quest Global will comprehensively fund both the programs, highlighting the corporate social responsibility commitment to support girls from underserved communities pursuing engineering and women seeking to re-enter the workforce respectively. IEEE India will be responsible for the design and on-ground activations required to make these programs successful.
Commenting on the collaboration, Shelly Latimore, Head of Global Brand for Quest Global, said, “We are excited about our collaboration with IEEE India. With these initiatives, we aim to work toward fostering gender equality in the engineering workforce. These initiatives extend beyond conventional education and training, representing a significant stride to contribute to the sustainable development of our society and aiming to make the world a better place than it is today.”
Srikanth Chandrasekaran, Country Head, IEEE India Operations, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are thankful to Quest Global for their contribution towards empowering women in engineering. We are confident that through this collaboration and our in-depth understanding and expertise, we will be able to create a more inclusive and diverse engineering landscape in India, together.”
Addressing the declining representation of women in the engineering sector, the Engineering Education of Girl Students program is aimed at inspiring and encouraging female students from the underserved communities to pursue courses in engineering whereas the Returning Women Engineers Program is geared towards providing a comprehensive support system to women seeking to re-enter the workforce after a career break. Recognizing the challenges faced by women during this transition, the program will offer skill training, equipping them with the necessary tools, knowledge, and resources for a successful return to professional life.
The joint efforts of Quest Global and IEEE India signify a shared commitment to fostering a more equitable and diverse future in the engineering sector. These initiatives are expected to benefit 475 women across multiple geographies in India including Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, and Pune.
14, Dec 2023
Buzzworks and Innovations Group announces the appointment of Sharanabasappa S Shirol as the Group Chief Digital Officer
Bangalore, December 14th, 2023: Recognized in the staffing and recruitment industry, Buzzworks in India and Innovations Group in the UAE are pleased to share the news of Sharanabasappa S Shirol’s appointment as the Group Chief Digital Officer. In this strategic leadership role, Shirol will play a crucial part in developing and executing Buzzworks’ digital strategy on both national and international levels.
In his new role, Shirol aims to position Buzzworks at the forefront of technological advancements in the industry. By utilizing data-driven insights and innovative technology, his focus is on improving the experience for associates and providing exceptional talent solutions to Buzzworks’ clients.
With ambitious objectives in mind, Shirol intends to work closely with clients to grasp their changing needs for skilled professionals. He is dedicated to offering customized solutions that strengthen client partnerships through the incorporation of innovative digital methods. Through the application of analytics, Shirol plans to improve the recruitment process, contributing to the growth of Buzzworks and achieving the best possible outcomes. His steadfast commitment to making decisions based on data serves as a key motivator in his role.
V.C. Karthic, Founder, Buzzworks Business Services Pvt. Ltd, quoted: “I extend a warm welcome to Sharanabasappa as he takes on the pivotal role of Group Chief Digital Officer for Buzzworks. His wealth of experience and visionary approach align seamlessly with our commitment to innovation and excellence. We congratulate Sharanabasappa on this appointment and look forward to achieving new heights together in the dynamic landscape of digital transformation.”
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new position, Shirol stated, “I am looking forward to implementing the industry’s best technology solutions to help Buzzworks stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field. By harnessing the power of digital innovation, we will provide our clients with unprecedented talent solutions tailored to their specific requirements.”
Shirol’s extensive experience will bolster the company’s credibility in the hiring and staffing industry. His involvement is expected to elevate brand visibility and underscore its commitment to delivering outstanding solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and digital transformation to stay abreast of industry trends, this decision aligns seamlessly with the strategic vision for future growth.
14, Dec 2023
Rockwell Automation Lights Up Homes and Schools Across the Country
National, 14th Dec 2023: Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company focused on industrial automation and digital transformation, has successfully concluded another phase of its nationwide solar energy access project. The project is a collaboration with Habitat for Humanity India and supports schools and families in Assam, Delhi NCR, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal with renewable energy through the installation of rooftop solar systems. The panels will generate more than 20 units of electricity per day, helping schools and families to meet their energy needs and save on utility bills.
The installation has been completed at Gurukul Academy in Balijokaibowa, Majuli Island district, Assam, benefiting 207 students. Solar panels were also installed at Mairapur (Garo Basti), Rani, Kamrup Rural, in the state, where it benefited as many as 514 students. Additionally, solar panels were installed at Bankati and Malandighi village of Kanksa Block at Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman district, West Bengal, which will power 50 households. Installations have also been completed at the Government Primary School and the Holy Family School at Ghaziabad in Delhi NCR.
Speaking on the occasion, Dilip Sawhney, managing director, of Rockwell Automation India, said, “At Rockwell Automation, we put technology to use to expand human potential and cultivate sustainable societies. Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity India to light up the lives of underprivileged families’ homes and schools in the remotest corners of India using renewable solar power is a marvelous example of expanding human possibility and we are thrilled with the progress that the project is already delivering for schools and families across India.”
Solar panels were also installed in two schools at Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu. Around 1,177 students benefitted from the project at the Government Model Higher Secondary School in Alamathi and 2,300 at the Government Girls Model Higher Secondary School in Avadi in the district. Installations are ongoing in Maharashtra. In addition to the installation of the solar power appliances, the communities were given an orientation and demonstration on its usage and maintenance by Habitat for Humanity India.
James Samuel, National Director (Interim), Habitat for Humanity India, said, “We are delighted to announce the successful conclusion of the latest stage of the nationwide project providing solar energy in collaboration with Rockwell Automation. In alignment with our core mission of ensuring decent housing for all, the installation of rooftop solar systems marks a significant milestone. Beyond meeting immediate energy needs, the project also plays a crucial role in promoting long-term savings, contributing to a brighter and more sustainable future for communities. Through collaborative efforts, we are not just installing solar panels; we are illuminating the path toward a more resilient and prosperous tomorrow for everyone involved.”
Rockwell Automation has previously provided sustainable and renewable energy solutions through solar home lighting systems to 905 families across Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Pune (Maharashtra), Kangpokpi, Churachandpur (Manipur) and Peren (Nagaland).
14, Dec 2023
Vector Brand Solutions Appoints Nikhil Fernandes as Chief Creative Officer
Mumbai, 14th December 2023
Vector Brand Solutions, a brand-first full-funnel agency, and part of Quotient Ventures, has announced the appointment of Nikhil Fernandes as its Chief Creative Officer (CCO). With an extensive background in digital marketing, brand communications and design thinking, Nikhil brings a wealth of relevant experience to this role.
Nikhil has an impressive track record, having worked with agencies such as FCB, Creativeland Asia, MSLGROUP and OgilvyOne; and has won numerous creative and design awards. His experience spans diverse brands, including Airtel, Nestle, ICICI, Samsung, Domino’s, Visa, TATA Motors, Mahindra, Taj Hotels, and Mercedes-Benz India, to name a few.
Speaking of his appointment Nikhil said, “I am excited about joining Vector Brand Solutions and contributing to what is being built out at Vector. Vector has been the first to conceive a brand-first and full-funnel agency model, and I feel both thrilled and privileged to be a part of Vector’s leadership team in leading the fulfillment of this ambition.”
Nikhil also serves as visiting faculty at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. His notable accomplishments include being selected as one of the 60 digital professionals for the Google India and ISB Insider Program and winning the national title at the global Amazon Alexa Cup, a hackathon celebrating the fusion of creativity and technology.
Nikhil will report to Shriram Iyer, Co-Founder and Group Chief Creative Officer, of Quotient Ventures.
Shriram added, “Nikhil’s appointment reaffirms our intent to build out Vector’s unique offering. Nikhil’s experience and interests fully complement our vision for our journey ahead. With him on board, our brand-first and full-funnel ambition gets bigger, better and stronger wings.”
14, Dec 2023
Microsoft Patch Tuesday 2023 Wrapped
Bangalore, 14th December – To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Tenable Research published its annual reflection on Patch Tuesday releases in 2023, delving into significant trends and insights.
Throughout 2023, Microsoft addressed a total of 909 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), representing a marginal decrease of 0.87% compared to the 917 CVEs patched in 2022. The trajectory of Patch Tuesday releases has exhibited a consistent upward pattern since 2017, reaching its zenith in 2020 with 1,245 CVEs addressed.
July emerged as the pinnacle month for Patch Tuesday in 2023, witnessing Microsoft’s resolution of 130 CVEs. Notably, only two months surpassed the 100 mark in terms of CVEs patched (July and October), while four months recorded fewer than 60 CVEs addressed (May, September, November, December).
Patch Tuesday 2023 by severity
In 2023, most vulnerabilities were rated as important, accounting for 90% of all CVEs patched, followed by critical at 9.6%. These figures are relatively consistent with 2022 figures, when Microsoft patched 831 important CVEs, which accounted for 90.2% while critical vulnerabilities accounted for 85 CVEs or 9.2%. Further analysis reveals that most vulnerabilities patched by Microsoft fell into the Remote Code Execution (RCE) category, accounting for 36%, followed by Elevation of Privilege (EoP) vulnerabilities at 26%. Information Disclosure vulnerabilities accounted for 12.5% of vulnerabilities patched.
Patch Tuesday 2023 zero-day vulnerabilities
Throughout the year, Microsoft addressed 23 zero-day vulnerabilities in its Patch Tuesday releases, with a noteworthy 52.2% attributed to EoP flaws. EoP vulnerabilities, often exploited by advanced persistent threat (APT) actors and determined cybercriminals, serve as a means to escalate privileges in the aftermath of a compromise.
Among the prominent zero-day vulnerabilities unveiled in the Patch Tuesday releases of 2023 is CVE-2023-23397, an EoP vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook that has been exploited by the Russian APT group APT28, also known as Forest Blizzard. Despite receiving a patch in March, ongoing observations by Unit 42 researchers reveal a campaign exploiting this flaw as recently as October 2023.
“Despite the routine monthly cadence of Patch Tuesday, the persistence of known vulnerabilities necessitates continuous organisational efforts. The year’s Patch Tuesday remained eventful, marked by the presence of multiple zero-day flaws and critical vulnerabilities spanning various Microsoft products. This underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining robust cybersecurity despite regular patch releases,” said Satnam Narang, senior staff research engineer, Tenable.
14, Dec 2023
Advancing Towards Net Zero: International Workshop at BITS Pilani Goa sheds Light on Forestry and Agroforestry Strategies”
National, 13th Dec, 2023: The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of BITS Pilani Goa, in partnership with the IUCN CEM Forest Specialist Group, CEM South Asia, the Goa State Biodiversity Board, and CEEW, New Delhi has successfully hosted a One-day International Consultative Workshop titled ” ‘Role Of Forestry, Agroforestry, And Land Restoration in Achieving Net Zero in the Asian Region’.
The primary objective of the workshop was to formulate a comprehensive roadmap or guideline document for assessing the pivotal role of forestry and agroforestry-based strategies in supporting national Net Zero Goals. Furthermore, the workshop aimed to identify challenges, hurdles, and roadblocks hindering the realization of mitigation potential from these sectors. It also sought to foster collaboration and partnerships among various organizations in Asia dedicated to these sectors.
The event saw participation from distinguished guests like Professor Mohan Kumar B, Former Vice Chancellor of Arunachal University and one of the authors of the National Agroforestry Policy, and Prof. Amit Garg, Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. The event also witnessed the participation of Mr. Namgyel Wangdi, Senior Programme Officer of Bhutan Ecological Society, as a speakers. Mr. Wangdi shared insightful perspectives on Bhutan’s remarkable success in attaining the Net Zero goal, emphasizing the significant contribution of the forest sector. The workshop welcomed the Chief Wildlife warden of the State of Goa Mr. Umakant and Dr. Pradip V Sarmokdam, Nodal Officer, Climate Change, State of Goa. Additionally, the workshop welcomed Mr. Anindya Bhattacharya, Celestial Earth, the agency entrusted with formulating the Net Zero Strategy for the state of Goa.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi, Associate Professor BITS- Pilani, Goa Campus said, “Different modelling studies suggest that despite best efforts and most optimistic scenarios, there will still be considerable residual emissions towards the second half of the century, in this context forest sector can play an important role in bridging a part of this emission gaps”. He further said, “BITS Pilani’s Goa campus has considerable expertise in this area and we are associated with India’s official national Greenhouse gas inventory programme.”
As we reflect on the success stories shared, let us collectively harness the wisdom of Bhutan’s accomplishments, ensuring that our state reaps the full benefits of sustainable practices and learnings from there. I emphasized the idea of ‘think global but act local,’ meaning we should have big goals but also take practical steps in our own communities. This guides our work as we try to manage and care for forests in the best way possible.”
Setting the broad context for Net Zero, Prof. Amit Garg, IIM Ahmedabad said The Government of India has made commitments to reduce emissions and increase non-fossil electricity generation. It’s like setting goals for a better future. Achieving Net Zero by 2070 is a big challenge, but with smart state-level policies, it’s possible. I’m encouraged by Gujarat’s commitment to becoming Net Zero by 2070, showing that change is happening at the regional level for a greener tomorrow.
The discussions centred around the critical role of agroforestry, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector in achieving Net Zero goals on both national and global scale.
14, Dec 2023
Madan Padaki of TiE Bangalore Appointed to TiE Global Board of Trustees
Bengaluru: TiE Bangalore proudly announces the election of Mr. Madan Padaki, the President of TiE Bangalore, to the Global Board of Trustees at TiE Global.
With an illustrious career spanning pioneering ventures and foundations, Mr. Padaki stands as a luminary in the entrepreneurial landscape. His dynamic roles as the Founder & CEO of 1BRIDGE, Managing Trustee of Head Held High Foundation, and Co-founder of GAME – Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) exemplify his commitment to fostering innovation and social change.
Mr. Padaki’s journey is marked by milestones, including the co-founding of MeritTrac Services, Asia’s largest skills assessment company, subsequently acquired by Manipal Education. His expertise extends further as Co-founder & Director of Sylvant Advisors and Strategic Advisor & Board Member of YuWaah India at UNICEF/UNICEF.
His global influence is underscored by keynote addresses at international forums and a distinguished invitation by Prime Minister Modi to the Champions of Change Conclave in 2017. This recognition culminated in the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award in January 2021, presented by India CSR Network.
A Mechanical Engineering graduate from NIE, University of Mysore, coupled with a Post-graduate Diploma in Management from SPJIMR SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai, Mr. Padaki’s multidisciplinary background mirrors his passion for entrepreneurship and social innovation.
In anticipation of the #TiE Global Summit 2024 in Bangalore and Mysore, TiE Bangalore gears up to soar to greater heights under Mr. Padaki’s leadership. His representation on the TiE Global Board reinforces TiE Bangalore’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and fostering vibrant ecosystems.
