8, Dec 2023
From Teal Culottes to Lilac Joggers: Kraus Jeans’ Winter Fashion Forecast

As the leaves fall and the temperatures drop, it’s time to revamp your wardrobe with a style that not only keeps you cozy but also adds a touch of glam to the season. Kraus Jeans is here to guide you through the upcoming style trends that will make you look and feel fabulous this winter. Whether it’s cozy culottes or trendy cargo pants, we’ve got you covered.

· Teal High Rise Paper Bag Culottes:

Teal is the color of the season, and the High Rise Paper Bag Culottes in this vibrant shade are perfect to make a bold fashion statement. The flattering high rise and paper bag waist ensure a comfortable and chic fit. Pair them with a tucked-in blouse and ankle boots for an effortlessly stylish look that’s ideal for both casual outings and special occasions.

 Kraus Jeans' Winter Fashion Forecast 1

· Dusty Pink High Rise Parachute Fit:

Pastel shades are all the rage this winter, and the Dusty Pink High Rise Parachute Fit are a must-have. The relaxed fit and high rise offer a combination of style and comfort that’s perfect for those chilly days. These jeans go well with almost anything in your wardrobe, from chunky knits to sleek blouses.

· Olive Super High Rise Skinny Jegging:

Skinny jeggings are a winter essential, and the Olive Super High Rise Skinny Jegging is no exception. The super high rise provides extra warmth and style. These jeggings are incredibly versatile, allowing you to pair them with oversized sweaters, cozy scarves, and boots for an on-trend winter ensemble.

· White High Rise Cargo:

Cargo pants are making a comeback, and the White High Rise Cargo pants are designed to keep you on-trend. These pants are a perfect blend of style and functionality, offering ample pocket space and a high-rise fit. Dress them up with a fitted top and heeled boots or keep it casual with a sweatshirt and sneakers.

 Kraus Jeans' Winter Fashion Forecast 2

· Lilac High Rise Denim Jogger:

If you’re looking for a relaxed yet chic winter look, the Lilac High Rise Denim Jogger is a great choice. The high-rise jogger style provides comfort and fashion in one package. Style it with a turtleneck sweater and ankle boots for a casual yet sophisticated winter look.

Incorporating these stylish Kraus Jeans into your winter wardrobe will not only keep you warm but also ensure you’re ahead of the fashion curve. Welcome winter with open arms, and don’t be afraid to spruce up the grey skies with these glamorous looks. Experiment with different combinations and accessories to express your unique style and personality.

Explore the full collection and find your favorites at Kraus Jean’s exclusive stores or visit the website today to stay ahead in the fashion game this winter! Stay cozy and fashionable all season long with Kraus Jeans.

8, Dec 2023
BOULT embraced the festive spirit with the ‘Unwrap Campaign,’ spreading the joy of gifting during the holiday season

New Delhi, December 08, 2023 – BOULT, India’s fastest-growing wearable brand, ushered in the festive season with its exciting “Unwrap campaign” with a digital film. In a world increasingly driven by digital experiences, the tradition of gifting remains as timeless as ever. With this, BOULT announced “BOULT Unwrap,” a captivating gifting campaign designed to rekindle the joy of sharing during India’s vibrant festive season through the gift of BOULT’s cutting-edge smart wearables.

Gifting is a cherished tradition during festivals across India, and BOULT is determined to elevate the festive spirit by adding an extra layer of joy and happiness to every gift. Consumers are now inclined towards thoughtful and unique presents that align with their personal preferences and values. The “BOULT Unwrap” campaign was amplified through a 360-degree approach, including performance marketing, the latest brand film, engaging contests, a dynamic social media presence, and eye-catching transit branding across key areas in the city.

At the heart of the campaign was the introduction of a permanent gifting page on BOULT’s website. This virtual space was designed to be a treasure trove, offering unique content, exclusive offers, promotions, and thoughtful gift recommendations tailored to each festival. It was a place where the art of gifting met the convenience of the digital age.

The giveaway posts, meticulously designed to captivate the audience, garnered substantial interaction and participation, marking a testament to the success of these efforts. The overall reach of the entire campaign achieved an impressive milestone, drawing in nearly 4.5 lakh active visitors.

In addition to this triumph, the brand team has skillfully curated more than 10 in-house festive reels. The overarching concept behind this endeavor was to hyperlocalize and celebrate the rich diversity of culture and festivals across the nation. This cohesive approach not only strengthened the brand’s engagement but also showcased a commitment to embracing and honoring the myriad traditions that make our country unique.

In addition to this traditional advertising strategy, the brand implemented influencer collaboration activities to bolster its regional festive marketing initiatives. Aligning with festivals like Onam, Raksha Bandhan, Navratri, and Durga Puja, BOULT strategically capitalized on regional celebrations to enhance brand awareness. Festive product notes were curated, highlighting discounts and offers on key products, further engaging the audience and fostering brand recognition.

Unwrap Campaign

The brand embraced the spirit of enthusiasm by incorporating enticing giveaways into its marketing strategy. A considerable number of participants actively engaged in the campaign giveaway, as reflected by their posts on various social media platforms. Complementing this initiative, the brand launched captivating social media reels and posts, featuring influential figures, to highlight the intrinsic value of thoughtful gifting. Notably, video content emerged as the top-performing format, garnering the highest engagement rates.

Varun Gupta, Co-Founder of BOULT, expressed the significance of the “Unwrap Campaign” by saying, “Gifting during festivals is a beautiful tradition practiced across India, and we wanted to enhance the festive joy for consumers by bringing a BOULT load of surprises with the Unwrap campaign. This campaign is a testament to our commitment to adding more value to the lives of our consumers, especially during this special time of the year. Consumers are now inclined towards thoughtful and unique presents that align with their personal preferences and values. With an increasing focus on health and well-being, there has been a surge in the demand for organic and health-conscious gifting options.”

The highlight of the entire campaign was undeniably the impactful collaboration with the couple of influencers, whose engaging content reached an impressive milestone of close to 10 million views. Their involvement not only added a captivating dimension to the overall activity but also significantly contributed to expanding the campaign’s reach and resonance. This successful partnership with influencers underscored the brand’s ability to connect with a wide audience and create a lasting impact within the digital landscape.

To broaden its reach among the masses, the brand adopted a non-traditional advertising approach by leveraging auto advertisements in major metro cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. This campaign spanned 30 days across all cities. The distribution of transit ads included 1750 in the Delhi NCR region, 550 in Hyderabad, and 1100 in both Pune and Bangalore.

This collective endeavor not only strengthened the brand’s presence but also created a positive and engaging experience for its audience across various digital channels.

With this, we ventured into the realm of augmented reality, creating an interactive AR filter for the brand’s social media handle. This gifting-themed filter was more than just a digital accessory; it was an invitation to immerse oneself in the festive spirit, to create user-generated content, and to be part of a collective celebration.

8, Dec 2023
India Adds 907 MW of Open Access Solar in Q3 2023, Up 20.6% YoY

December 08, 2023 – In the third quarter (Q3) of the calendar year (CY) 2023, India added 907 megawatts (MW) of solar open access. The installations rose 36.1% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) compared to 666 MW installed in Q2 2023, according to the newly released Q3 2023 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report.

Installations were up 20.6% year-over-year (YoY) compared to 752 MW installed in Q3 2022.

In Q3, developers increasingly commissioned projects to benefit from the lower power purchase agreement (PPA) tariffs due to the extension of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order until March 2024, and falling value chain prices have been driving capacity additions.

“The drop in solar project costs attracted consumer attention this quarter. Power purchase agreements that were on the back burner are now being signed. Emphasis on greening products and services has gained momentum in large and medium-scale enterprises and is pushing the growth of green energy open access market,” commented Priya Sanjay, Managing Director at Mercom India.

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Maharashtra led the open access solar capacity additions in Q3 2023, with 26.5%, followed by Karnataka (20.3%) and Tamil Nadu (19.5%). The top five states accounted for 88.5% of the quarter’s installations.

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In the first nine months (9M) of CY 2023, India added 2.2 GW of open-access solar, down 7.3% compared to 2.3 GW installed in 9M 2022. Installations were lower in the first half of 2023 as project development slowed in anticipation of further module price drops.

As of September 2023, the country’s cumulative installed open-access solar capacity was 11 GW.

Karnataka remained the top state, accounting for 33.3% of the cumulative solar open access capacity at the end of 9M 2023. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu followed with 14.1% and 10.3% of the cumulative installed open-access solar capacity, respectively.

The top five states contributed 72.8% of the cumulative open-access solar installations.

India had 12.5 GW of open-access solar projects under various stages of development at the end of Q3 2023.

“Carbon-intensive industries exporting to Europe need to report the emissions that occur in the manufacturing process, failing which they lose business. Several multinational companies and premium brands worldwide have mandated their suppliers to go green. These initiatives will additionally drive demand for renewables,” added Sanjay.

Karnataka was the leading seller in the Green Day Ahead Market (G-DAM) in short-term markets, accounting for 16.3%.

Maharashtra was the leading energy procurer from G-DAM, followed by Damodar Valley Corporation, accounting for 28.4% and 13.8% of total power purchased.

Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) trading in the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) was up 59% compared to the previous quarter.

According to the report, the volume traded in the Green Term Ahead Market (G-TAM) on IEX increased 55% QoQ.

A detailed analysis of the solar open access business overview, retail electricity tariffs, and open access charges and costs for seventeen states has been covered in the report.

Key Highlights from Mercom India Research’s Q3 2023 India Solar Open Access Market Report< /SPAN>

India added 907 MW of open-access solar capacity in Q3 2023, up 36.1% QoQ and 20.6% YoY

Maharashtra added the highest open-access solar capacity in Q3 2023

The top five states accounted for 88.5% of open-access solar installations in the quarter

Open access solar installations in 9M 2023 totaled 2.2 GW, down nearly 7.3% YoY

As of September 2023, the cumulative installed open-access solar capacity was 11 GW

12.5 GW of open-access solar projects were in the development pipeline at the end of 9M 2023

8, Dec 2023
Get Ready to Rumble: Mumbai to witness G-SHOCK celebrate its 40th Anniversary with the Iconic ‘Shock The World’ Tour in association with Vh1 Supersonic on 16th December!

• Over the years, eminent global personalities such as Kanye West, Eminem, J.Balvinand James Marsden have lent their prestige to ‘Shock The World’ worldwide
• The legendary Kikuo Ibe, the Father of G-SHOCKto grace this prestigious event
• An incredible artist line-up featuringKrsna, Paradox, Kayan and OG Shez promises an electrifying experience perfectly resonating with the dynamic spirit of G-SHOCK

National 8th December 2023: G-SHOCK, the trailblazing force in unbreakable watches, is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of the ‘Shock The World’ tour to India after a hiatus of 11 years. In collaboration with Vh1 Supersonic, the spectacular celebration of music, culture, and the indomitable G-SHOCK spirit is set to unfold in the vibrant city of Mumbai on the 16th of December 2023.

In reaffirming our commitment to youth culture, G-SHOCK considers it a paramount mission to wholeheartedly support the flourishing endeavors of the younger generation. At the core of our values lies an unyielding commitment to foster the growth and success of the youth across various realms of real-life expression, encompassing music, sports, performing arts, street culture, and more. Through this steadfast resolve, we aim to be a catalyst for their achievements, contributing to and celebrating the dynamic spirit of youth culture.

Since its inception in 2008, the ‘Shock The World’ tour has evolved into a global phenomenon, showcasing the dynamic fusion of street culture, music, and the unyielding G-SHOCK spirit. Over the years, it has hosted performers whose electrifying acts have left an everlasting impact on audiences across 34 countries. The ‘Shock The World’ global event, which took place recently in Tokyo, New York, Berlin, London, Shanghai and Bali, is set to conclude in Mumbai this December.

This December, G-SHOCK’s ‘Shock The World’ promises an unforgettable night celebrating the brand ethos of absolute toughness along with cultural and musical brilliance in Mumbai. Featuring awe-inspiring feats by the Father of G-SHOCK, Kikuo Ibe, alongside headlining artists Krsna and Paradoxand DJ sets by Kayan and OG Shez, the event is set to create a spectacle that resonates with the core values of G-SHOCK—toughness, resilience, and innovation. The brand will also be announcing the culmination of the first-ever TEAM G-SHOCK in Indiaas part of these momentous celebrations.

Commenting on the unveiling for the G-SHOCK ‘Shock The World’ Tour in India, Hideki Imai, Managing Director, Casio India said, “As the pioneering force behind unbreakable timepieces, G-SHOCK thrilled to celebrate 40 iconic years of toughness by bringing back the electrifying ‘Shock The World’ tour to India after 11 long years, in collaboration with Vh1. The upcoming tour is poised to deliver a magnetic celebration spanning across some of the most definitive G-SHOCK models that have made history along with an amalgamation of the subcultures which it has inspired such as music, performing arts, street culture, all infused with the indomitable G-SHOCK spirit. This December, we are set to deliver an unforgettable night in Mumbai, featuring curated experiences with fascinating surprises that will bring ourcherished audience closer to the iconic G-SHOCK spirit in a grander way.”

Gaurav Mashruwala, Business Head, Viacom18 said, “We are thrilled to join forces with G-SHOCK ‘Shock The World’ Tour in India. In tandem with Viacom18 Live, known for creating magnificent experiential events like Vh1 Supersonic, this event blends the unparalleled energy of Viacom18 Live with the indomitable spirit of G-SHOCK. Together, we’re excited to redefine the very essence of time, and bring to Mumbai an experience that transcends the ordinary – a fusion of music and culture that resonates with fans and enthusiasts”.

Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to witness and explore the iconic and limited-edition G-SHOCK timepieces from across the world at a specially curated zone, allowing them to get up close and personal with some of the most sought-after G-SHOCK creations.

‘Shock The World’ stands as a cultural fest embodying G-SHOCK’s values—absolute toughness, resilient spirit, and constant innovation. The tour’s return to the vibrant Indian landscape, in association with Vh1 Supersonic, promises a magnetic euphoria through an irresistible lineup of performances and carefully curated presentations.

For all rap music and pop culture lovers, streetwear enthusiasts, and G-SHOCK fans, get ready to roll and experience the time of your life with G-SHOCK! Register on the link below and secure your tickets for the ‘Shock The World’ Tour now!

8, Dec 2023
Cantabil unveils the epitome of elegance with the all-new Winter and Wedding Collection

New Delhi, December 08, 2023: Cantabil Retail India Ltd., one of India’s leading apparel manufacturer and retailers, is thrilled to announce the launch of its much-anticipated Winter and Wedding Collection through a digital film in India. The film will be amplified across multiple digital touch points including Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

 Curated by Circle Models Management Private Limited, the digital film captures the tranquil and serene charm of Thailand. Showcasing a unique selection from the brand’s winter collection for men, women, and kids, as well as the wedding collection for both genders, the film unfolds against various picturesque backgrounds. The winter line is highlighted against stylish architectural settings, while the wedding collection takes center stage amidst celebratory setups. This fresh collection embodies the spirit of global fashion trends, carefully curated to offer consumers a wardrobe that not only keeps them warm in colder months but also enhances their style.

Unveiling the brand’s latest collection, Deepak Bansal, Director, Cantabil Retail India Ltd., expressed, “Our Winter Wedding Collection reflects Cantabil’s unwavering commitment to delivering fashion that embodies elegance, refinement, and comfort. To curate this season’s collection, we’ve drawn inspiration from global trends, offering a range that not only keeps you cozy during the colder months but also allows you to effortlessly make a stylish statement in the wedding season as well. This collection harmoniously blends timeless design with contemporary sensibilities, ensuring our customers always radiate their finest style. We extend an invitation to explore our latest offerings, exemplifying the perfect fusion of fashion and warmth, epitomizing what Cantabil represents.”

Cantabil’s Men Winter Wedding Collection promises classy, elegant, and sophisticated look this season. The overall color palette of the season includes – shades of deep Camel, Autumn Greys, Pine Greens, Olives, Warm Navys, Burgundy, and timeless Monochrome Neutrals. The Wedding Collection offers various styles, with a focus on an array of 3-piece suits and fashionable Band Galas. Notably, the 3-piece suits are innovatively designed with a contrast waistcoat, introducing an exciting mix-and-match element for the current season.

Cantabil's All-New Winter and Wedding Collection (5)

 Additionally, Cantabil has introduced new colors such as purple and fawn to enrich this collection. For the upcoming wedding season, the 3-piece tuxedo emerged as a standout choice, adding a touch of grace and style to the discerning gentleman’s wardrobe. Blazers within the collection boast intricate designs such as English checks, herringbone, and corduroy, adding a further layer of sophistication to the ensemble. The winter collection highlights several key offerings, such as the reversible and travel-friendly Padded Puffer Jacket, renowned for its exceptional polyfill craftsmanship. Complementing the pre-winter ensemble are cozy lightweight jackets, stylish structured T-shirts, and fashionable quilted jackets with distinctive designs. For those seeking a suave appeal, must-have Suede jackets are available. The assortment also offers a wide range of Hoodies and Sweatshirts that takes inspiration from global fashion trends, featuring various neck styles, captivating prints, and extra-soft cushioning.

 To keep warm while staying in vogue, trendy sweaters are included, featuring high and turtlenecks, crew necks, and other self-structured motifs, all crafted with precision. For essential comfort during harsh winters, the collection includes Hooded jackets with soft fur linings. Also, there’s a selection of wrinkle-free and stay-white shirts with finely taped seams, ideal for a flawless work ensemble.

 In addition to these offerings, Cantabil launched athletic-inspired activewear jackets, featuring extra stretch and intelligent technology that cater to fitness enthusiasts, inspiring their active lifestyle. (Kindly suggest – as per Athleisure announcement timeline)

 Women collection offers a versatile range of lightweight Padded Jackets, both reversible and non-reversible, catering to those who embrace trekking and camping and stylish long coats. Collections’s color palette blends seamlessly with deep winter hues with delicate pastel fabric touch. It features extra-soft fur jackets and hooded bomber jackets, adding layers of warmth and style to winter wardrobe.

 Complementing these are body-hugging services designed to pair elegantly with jeggings and the brand’s signature fine winter blazers crafted from luxurious woolen fabrics. For a sophisticated nine-to-five look, Suede Blazers are the perfect choice, effortlessly matching with formal shirts and extra-fine formal trousers. The new sweaters exhibit elegant textures, while stylish hoodies and sweatshirts offer a variety of designs and colors, including features like color blocking and metal zippers. Long coats and tweed blazers become essential pieces for every fashion-conscious woman. Cantabil also offers warm woolen kurtis with lurex motifs for ethnic wear enthusiasts. Within the collection, one can also find cord sets crafted from high-quality jacquard woolen and woven fabrics, showcasing adaptable abstract prints in an array of stylish colors, spanning from maroons and wines to deep greens and fashionable lilacs. The collection is distinguished by its carefully designed silhouettes, emphasizing comfort, versatility, ease of wear, and a flattering appearance, all while remaining in fashion for this winter season.

Cantabil's All-New Winter and Wedding Collection (7)

 Kids Autumn Winter Collection features a fusion of Indigo Hues, maroon, green, pink, and a flora- n-fauna theme. It includes modern color-block jackets, classic dresses with gathers and frills in bold colors, and trendy shirts that pair perfectly with eye-catching jeans. To combat the cold, the brand is offering quilted, layered, and warm clothing with soft quilted jackets, fleece sweatshirts, twill, and brushed shirts in winter hues with check patterns. The range encompasses polyfill puffers and fancy furs in jackets, providing a complete look with a seamless blend of comfort and style through stretchable trousers, multi-color checked shirts, joggers, and cargos.

8, Dec 2023
New research: 54% of Indian domains are vulnerable to phishing and spoofing

8th Dec 2023 – New research has highlighted the level of spoofing and phishing vulnerabilities in top-level domains across India.

EasyDMARC, a cloud-native email authentication platform, examined 81,037 Indian domains, which revealed that the majority of them are inadequately protected against cyber threats.

Out of the total active domains surveyed, 54.7% lacked proper email authentication measures, leaving them highly vulnerable to spoofing and phishing attacks.

The research team at EasyDMARC identified the absence of DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) protection in 43,565 domains, leaving them entirely vulnerable to email-based threats.

Despite slow uptake, there were also positive findings:

37,472 active domains within the sample had implemented DMARC, showcasing a recognition of its importance in enhancing security. Despite this, among these domains, 23,123 had set their DMARC policy to ‘p=none,’ meaning that they only monitor their domain infrastructure without taking steps to restrict phishing attempts. Additionally, 6,838, or 8.4% of domains had implemented the ‘p=quarantine’ policy, meaning suspicious emails are sent to ‘quarantine’ rather than getting rejected. Only 9.2% of the total active domains implemented the ‘p=reject’ policy, the ultimate protection against phishing and spoofing attempts.

This research underscores a substantial gap in security awareness and implementation across Indian domains. The absence of DMARC protection leaves a majority of domains vulnerable to brand impersonation, business email compromise, and ransomware attacks originating from phishing and spoofing attempts.

Gerasim Hovhannisyan, CEO and co-founder of EasyDMARC commented on the findings, stating, “The research highlights the critical need for domain authentication in the Indian digital landscape. Without proper safeguards, Indian organizations, including governmental bodies and local businesses, are at risk of data breaches, cyber events, and financial losses. This issue calls for immediate attention to boost the security posture of Indian domains.”

8, Dec 2023
nurture.farm kickstarts its Sustainable Rice Program for Rabi’23, leading the transition to Sustainable Agriculture Practices

New Delhi, 08 Dec 2023: nurture.farm, India’s leading Agtech startup has rolled out its Sustainable Rice Program for the Rabi’23 season. Hundreds of farmers have pledged & joined the program to lead the change by transforming the way they cultivate rice. The program aims to make the rice value chain sustainable by implementing techniques that streamline cultivation practices, leveraging artificial intelligence & water conserving technologies to help farmers cultivate more from less, creating traceable data sets, improving soil health, and boosting farm productivity to deliver sustainable outcomes for the farmer, the buyer, and the environment.

Rice Program Image1

 The implementation of the program is being monitored with the help of agri-industry experts & researchers from Regional Agriculture Research Station, Marateru under the leadership & guidance of Dr M Bharatalakshmi, Associate Director at the Institute. In addition to the institute partnership, leading ag-industry leaders like Mr Ashish Dobhal, CEO UPL SAS, are lending their support, guidance, and committing their resources to help make the program a success.

 Mr. Ashish Dobhal, CEO of UPL SAS, said, “India is the largest producer and consumer of rice, accounting for 21 per cent of the world’s total rice production. The rice cultivation alone contributes to 1.5% of total GHG emissions. Furthermore, rice cultivation requires a lot of water; flooded fields lead to the anaerobic decomposition of soil organic matter, which leads to methane emissions and impacts the soil quality, often leading to the leaching of nutrients and soil erosion resulting in reduced farm productivity. Thus making the transition to sustainable cultivation practices a necessity.

 The Sustainable Rice Program is a testament to the core mission of building a resilient and sustainable agriculture ecosystem for a brighter, inclusive and more abundant tomorrow. The program is unique and ambitious as it promises to deliver end-to-end implementation, helping improve yield quality, soil health, acreage, optimize input usage and water consumption, shorten crop cycles, boost farm productivity, and reduce the cost of cultivation while ensuring profitability and measurable sustainable impact on GHGs.”

 Mr Harshal Sonawane, Head of Sustainability at nurture.farm
“We are proud to launch the initiative as it is an opportunity to make history & contribute to the larger narrative of sustainable agriculture, helping usher in a new era of growth in harmony with nature. The program differentiates itself from other sustainable rice programs owing to its unique sustainability framework & the number of verifiable interventions we plan to deploy.

 Farmers are on boarded to the program via physical & digital touch points on thAe nurture.farm app. We ensure that participating farmers are extensively trained on good agricultural practices and sustainable rice cultivation techniques and consistently monitor the implementation of the practices at the ground level. Furthermore, participating farmers will receive competitive financial incentives, learn about yield optimization techniques, gain insights on soil health and receive timely advisory & support from our fleet on ground to ensure profitable & sustainable cultivation of rice.

Rice Program Image2

The sustainability impact on the ecosystem, be it water savings, implications for preservation of biodiversity, carbon sequestration, etc, will be measurable, verifiable & traceable. These data sets can be compared pre & post-implementation to test the efficacy of the program. The program will help mitigate up to 50% of methane emissions, reduce water usage in rice cultivation by 30%, reduce input costs for farmers by INR 500 /acre and improve yield by up to 10%.”

 With a focus on driving change at the grassroots level, nurture.farm’s Sustainable Rice Program aims to educate and train smallholder farmers, improve their access to technology and know-how, and help them cultivate profitably without compromising yield, soil health, and the environment. The pilot is being implemented in AP & Telangana to the tune of 10,000 acres, with more than 5,000 farmers already signed up for the program, and it is set to scale to more than 1 million acres by 2030. The program is designed to make the entire rice value chain sustainable, ensuring fair value for farmers on a large scale.

8, Dec 2023
Cisco survey reveals 85% Indians amplifying app usage, spotlight on banking, gaming and entertainment apps

A recent research from Cisco reveals consumers will be using more applications and digital services this holiday season than ever before with 63% believing digital services are important to have an enjoyable holiday, globally. Whether it’s streaming movies and music, connecting with friends and family, keeping up to date with news, or managing finances, consumers will be relying on a huge number of applications as they celebrate.

This increased usage also means added pressure for brands to make sure their applications run smoothly if they don’t want to end up on the naughty list! More than half of consumers (53%) globally admit that they are worried that if a digital service doesn’t work as it should, it will have negative implications for their family holiday.

According to the Cisco AppDynamics Seasonal Shopping Pulse Survey Part 2 (Christmas and Holiday Season), below are the key findings from Indian respondents.

Anticipated usage of applications and digital services during the Christmas/Holiday period

· 88% of the Indian respondents expect to use entertainment apps to stream movies, TV shows, sports and music

· 72% of the Indian respondents expect to use Connected devices (Alexa, smart home)

· 60% chose gaming apps

· 84% chose tools for connecting with friends and family (e.g. social media, video calls)

· 75% will use retail apps to buy last-minute gifts or the final ingredients for their holiday recipes

· 75% will utilize banking and insurance apps- to make last-minute payments and transfers

· 78% will use news and information-based apps

· 88% will make use of food delivery services – for a well-earned takeaway

· 73% will use collaboration and productivity tools – to finish off work or study ahead of the holiday

· 79% is interested in using health and wellbeing apps for fitness and relaxation

· 75% want to use hospitality, leisure, and travel – to book last-minute travel or a hotel room, route planners

· 72% will use government services apps

· 81% choose to use utility apps (broadband, water, gas, electric)

· 79% want to access healthcare apps if they or their loved one needs to speak to a doctor or nurse or get some medication

Essential applications and digital services that are considered most important for respondents and their friends for the best possible Christmas/holiday period

· 70% consider entertainment apps important to stream movies, TV shows, sports and music

· 54% consider tools for connecting with friends and family important (e.g. social media, video calls)

· 44% consider retail apps essential to buy last-minute gifts or the final ingredients for their holiday recipes

· 64% consider food delivery services important for a well-earned takeaway

· 51% feel banking and insurance is needed to make last-minute payments and transfers

· 42% feel utility apps are important (broadband, water, gas, electric)

· 52% say healthcare apps and services are important if they or a loved one needs to speak to a doctor or nurse or get some medication

· 50% feel apps are important for health and well-being – fitness and relaxation

· 46% selected hospitality, leisure, and travel apps/services are important – to book last-minute travel or a hotel room, route planners

· 38% feel news and information apps are required

· 29% feel gaming apps are required

· 34% feel connected devices (Alexa, smart home) are important

· 29% feel government services are important

· 29% feel collaboration and productivity tools are needed to finish off work or study ahead of the holiday

· And 1% said none of the above is required to have the best possible Christmas / holiday period

Potential application failure scenarios impacting holiday mood

· 45% agreed to the fact that a banking app goes down and they can’t make an important payment or transfer

· 38% felt if a messaging app fails and they can’t speak to friends and family that they won’t be with during the holidays

· 44% said if an online retailer’s app or website doesn’t work properly they can’t buy a last-minute gift they need or order some last-minute ingredients for their holiday cooking

· 33% feel an entertainment streaming service goes down then they can’t listen to party / festive music on the big day

· 33% said if a digital health service or app doesn’t work properly, they can’t get the appointment or medication that they or another family member needs over the holidays

· 46% agreed that if a food delivery service doesn’t work properly, they can’t order the well-earned takeaway they’ve been looking forward to

· 34% said if a travel app goes down they can’t book travel to get where they need to be for the holidays

· 26% said if sports streaming service doesn’t work properly, they or their family/friends can’t enjoy the big holiday watching sports match

· 1% of the respondents felt any other services failing can also ruin their Christmas holiday.

Responses/Reactions to potential holiday application failure scenarios

· 56% will find it harder to enjoy themselves as much as they otherwise would

· 44% said they will vent about the problem to friends and family

· 35% said they will get stressed, angry, or anxious and will turn into the Grinch!

· 30% said they will delete an application or digital service that lets them down and never use it again

· 33% said they are likely to argue or take out their frustration on friends or family

· 8% said they would do none of the above

Agreement with holiday application statements

· 88% agree applications and digital services are now important in having an enjoyable holiday / Christmas

· 75% agree they worry about the impact that an application or digital service not working would have on their family holiday / Christmas

· 85% agree that they expect to be using more applications and digital services this Christmas / holiday season than in previous years

· 69% of respondents agreed that it may be Christmas / the holiday season but they won’t be able to forgive an application that lets them down

· 71% said if an application or digital service doesn’t perform, it could ruin their Christmas / holiday season

8, Dec 2023
Genesys Named a Leader by the IDC MarketScape for General Purpose Conversational AI Software

Bengaluru, December 08, 2023Genesys®, a global cloud leader in AI-powered experience orchestration, was named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide General Purpose Conversational AI Software 2023 Vendor Assessment. The global market intelligence firm recognized the strength of Genesys AI for its extensive conversational and generative capabilities, which help organizations transform customer and employee experiences.

Genesys logo

 “Genesys is consistently delivering AI innovations and deepening the native capabilities within our experience orchestration platform, Genesys Cloud,” said Olivier Jouve, executive vice president and chief product officer at Genesys. “We believe worldwide recognition from the IDC MarketScape validates the strength of our strategic roadmap focused on accelerating the delivery of conversational, predictive and generative AI solutions to help every brand drive loyalty and business outcomes through superior customer and employee experiences.”

 Customer demand for the company’s capabilities has risen with the number of organizations deploying three or more native Genesys AI solutions increasing more than 8X year-over-year in the second quarter of its fiscal year 2024 (May 1–July 31, 2023) alone.

 According to the IDC MarketScape report, “Genesys provides a broad range of conversational AI and other features for customer support, workforce engagement, sales and marketing. Over the past few years, it has also been steadily acquiring and building AI capabilities that are now embedded across its platform.”

 The IDC MarketScape report also noted organizations should “consider Genesys if you are looking for a cloud-based enterprise conversational AI platform that works across the customer and employee experience to provide features such as agent assist, self-service question answering, automated outreach and predictive call routing.”

 The IDC MarketScape measures success across two categories: capabilities and strategies. A vendor’s position reflects its current capabilities, menu of services, how well those services are aligned to customer needs and how well a vendor’s strategy aligns with what customers will require in three to five years.

 The report highlighted additional key strengths for Genesys, including the company’s strong partner network. IDC MarketScape stated, “Genesys has a large network of integration, implementation and sales partners that help it support a wide variety of organizations.”

 “Over the past few years, Genesys has been delivering on its commitment to infuse AI throughout its contact center as a service offering — building, acquiring, and incorporating new AI-powered features into a single framework with Genesys Cloud,” said Hayley Sutherland, research manager, conversational AI & knowledge discovery at IDC. “With a focus on features that can enhance ease of use, improve efficiency and increase both customer and employee satisfaction, Genesys is helping customers to quickly gain return on investment from conversational AI and is well-positioned to take advantage of the latest advances in generative AI and large language models.”

8, Dec 2023
AISECT Group celebrates and honours employees at the Aspire Awards ceremony

National, 08th December 2023: To celebrate the accomplishments of its employees, AISECT Group organized the Aspire Awards on 2nd December. During this programme, a session on the topic “Masterclass for Peak Performance” was organized by International Business Coach Dr. Ujjwal Patni where he shared the mantras of success with the audience.

AISECT ASPIRE AWARD NIGHT

He touched upon the C.O.R.E Leader Strategy saying that an organization looks for four things in its employees, the first of which is – Committed to Completion i.e. employees who think of completing the work and not procrastinating, second – is Organization First. That is, employees always progress in the organization who keep the organization as the priority, third – role models for others i.e. live life in such a way that they become an inspiration to others, fourth – excellence oriented i.e. to do the work in the best possible way.

 He also shared 12 habits of success and mentioned if any person adopts them in life, it will lead them to a successful career. These habits include starting the day with gratitude, praying daily for what you want to achieve, prioritizing the day’s tasks, and presenting yourself to others in the best possible way, which includes improving your personality and dressing up.

 Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, Executive Vice President of AISECT highlighted the 38-year journey of AISECT Group and talked about the way forward possibilities. He expressed his gratitude to all the AISECT employees who came from across the country and extended best wishes to the colleagues who were honored today.

 Santosh Choubey, Chairman of AISECT Group, said in his statement “The journey of AISECT was started with 6-7 people. Today we stand at more than 2500 employees. We were able to overcome the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year we have started the sixth university with Scope Global Skill University, we extend a special  welcome to AISECT’s colleagues from North-East and South India in the program where the group is rapidly expanding its work.”

 Later, AISECT employees were awarded across various categories in the program. The program was concluded with the cultural activities where the employees performed activities like singing, dancing etc. The ceremony also featured a musical live performance by Derek Nathaniel’s band. The program was attended by Dr. Pallavi Rao Chaturvedi Executive Vice President of AISECT Group, Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi Vats Director of AISECT University Group and other officials of AISECT Group.