Category Archives: News

PepsiCo India and The Social Lab organize the sixth annual Plog Run in Gurugram, Marking Swachh Bharat Diwas

Gurugram, 7th October 2024: PepsiCo India, in collaboration with The Social Lab (TSL), led the 6th edition of the Plog Run at Leisure Valley, Gurugram. The initiative embodies the spirit of its guiding principle, ‘Partnership of Progress,’ bringing together organizations and communities for collective action. Aligned with the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, Plog Run brings together fitness and sustainability, with volunteers collecting plastic waste while jogging.

Celebrated Paralympian Akhlesh Kumar flagged off the Plog Run along with Jagrut Kotecha, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo India & South Asia; Sahil Arora, Chief Executive Officer, The Social Lab (TSL) and Vikas Bhatia, Executive Director-Group ESG Head, Varun Beverages Ltd.

The Plog Run 2024 in Gurugram witnessed an early morning start, with participants coming together for a special warm-up session led by CultFit and an exciting game of football on Gatorade Turf Finder before setting off for Plogging i.e. Jogging through the Leisure Valley area. Participants collected plastic waste, bringing fitness and environmental cleanliness together in a unified effort.

This year’s Plog Run saw close to 500 participants, including employees from The Social Lab, PepsiCo India and Varun Beverages, students, volunteers and local citizens, collecting over 400 kilograms of plastic waste around Leisure Valley Sector 29. The collected plastic waste will be segregated and recycled for further use.

Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head, PepsiCo India and South Asia, shared, ” At PepsiCo India, our ‘Partnership of Progress’ platform reflects commitment towards fostering a culture of collective action for a greener, more sustainable future. We are happy to see it come alive through the Plog Run by The Social Lab which has brought together organizations and the community. We remain committed to supporting such initiatives that ensure plastic waste is not discarded but recycled. On behalf of PepsiCo India, I sincerely thank the Haryana Government and local authorities for their invaluable support in making the Plog Run 2024 a remarkable success.”

Mr. Sahil Arora, Chief Executive Officer, The Social Lab (TSL), shared, “The Plog Run 2024 in collaboration with our partners embodies our shared commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Together, we are not just encouraging physical fitness but also fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. This collaboration is a testament to the positive impact we can make when we unite for a cause that benefits both our planet and our communities.”

Speaking at the event, Vikas Bhatia, Executive Director-Group ESG Head, Varun Beverages Ltd. said, “We are thrilled to join the 6th edition of Plog Run 2024, an event that truly brought joy and energy to all involved. What stands out most is the incredible enthusiasm shown by all participants coming together for a common cause—promoting fitness and sustainability. It was inspiring to see so many people join forces to make a positive impact, and we are proud to be part of this meaningful initiative.”

The Plog Run 2024 has been organized across multiple states, including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and is being organized in Kolkata and Assam, with hundreds of volunteers joining the run for a good cause. By combining fitness with environmental action, the initiative continues to educate diverse communities on the importance of plastic waste management and responsible recycling, aligning with PepsiCo India’s broader efforts to promote sustainability. PepsiCo India’s ‘Partnership of Progress’ is at the heart of the event, with Varun Beverages Limited, CultFit, Decathlon, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Edelman, Gatorade, Quaker and The Wine Company supporting the cause. Through initiatives like this, PepsiCo India and its partners work collectively to minimize environmental impact while driving awareness about recycling plastic waste into useful items.

Foreign Delegation Lauds Gujarat’s Rich Art, Culture, and Culinary Heritage at Garvi Gujarat

New Delhi, 7th Oct 2024: A distinguished foreign delegation consisting of 21 members from Western Europe (Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom) and USA, visited the Garvi Gujarat, the government guest house of Gujarat, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2019. The delegation expressed their admiration for the rich art and culture of Gujarat showcased within this iconic building in New Delhi.

During their visit, the members had the opportunity to savor traditional Gujarati cuisine. They enjoyed a delicious Gujarati thali that featured a variety of popular snacks, including dhokla, khaman, khandvi, and patra. Known for their entrepreneurial spirit, Gujaratis are equally popular for their vibrant culture and diverse cuisines that are recognized globally.

The delegation was also briefed on the nine-day Navaratri festival, one of the longest dance festivals in the world, highlighting the significance of this cultural event in Gujarat.

Garvi Gujarat serves as a mirror reflecting the artistic heritage of the state. The members of the delegation toured the building, which includes a souvenir shop, further immersing themselves in the essence of Gujarat.

The traditional Gujarati thali is not only flavorful but also designed with health in mind, ensuring that all ingredients meet the nutritional needs of the human body.

MAHE Celebrates 31st Convocation at Bengaluru Campus, Honoring Graduates

Bengaluru, 7 October 2024 – Manipal Academy of Higher Education successfully conducted its 31st Convocation Ceremony on October 5th, 2024, at the Dr. Ramdas M Pai Convention Hall at MAHE’s Bengaluru Campus, Yelahanka. The event celebrated the academic accomplishments of 400 under graduates, 163 postgraduates, 12 PhD Scholars and 28 PGDP students marking a significant milestone in their educational journey.

The ceremony was graced by Sri Manish Sabharwal, Vice Chairman of TeamLease Services Limited, Bengaluru, as the Chief Guest, and Sri S G Vasudev, an eminent artist, as the Guest of Honor. The event was presided over by Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor of MAHE, Manipal, alongside Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, MAHE.

In his inspiring address, Sri Manish Sabharwal emphasized the importance of education as a foundation for both personal and professional success. He remarked, “Graduation is not the end but the beginning of a new journey where your acquired knowledge will guide you in contributing to society and shaping your future. MAHE has equipped you with the skills needed to excel in a rapidly changing world”.

Sri S G Vasudev, in his address as Guest of Honor, spoke about the importance of creativity and self-expression in all walks of life. He stated, “Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about fostering creativity and cultivating a sense of purpose. I encourage all graduates to explore their unique talents and use them to contribute meaningfully to the world”.

Speaking at the convocation Dr. H. S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, said, “We are gathered here today with a sense of celebration, accomplishment, and—above all—transformation. The pace at which our world is changing is unparalleled. Our problems are intricate, and creative thinking is needed to find answers. Every individual among you possesses the capacity to enhance the well-being of the community, act as a driving force for constructive transformation, and create a lasting impression on humanity”.

Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor of MAHE, Manipal, congratulated the graduates and highlighted MAHE’s commitment to excellence in education. He said, “Our graduates represent the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow. MAHE remains dedicated to fostering an environment of learning, innovation, and integrity. We take pride in the accomplishments of our students and the value they will bring to society”.

The convocation ceremony was a grand success, witnessing the graduation of students across various disciplines. It reflected MAHE’s continuous efforts to deliver world-class education and equip its students with the skills necessary to excel in their respective fields.

Ms Adya Girdhar, Bachelor of Design was awarded Dr TMA Pai Gold Medal for the best outgoing Graduate student of Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology, Bangalore.

Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road Hosts ‘Pink Strong’ Walkathon, Draws 450+ Participants for Breast Cancer Awareness

Bengaluru, 7th October, 2024: Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road proudly hosted the ‘Pink Strong’ Walkathon, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness on breast cancer and emphasizing the need for regular screening, early detection and prevention.

The ‘Pink Strong’ walkathon commenced from Fortis Bannerghatta Road at 6:00 am to Gopalan Mall and back to Fortis Bannerghatta Road, covering a distance of 5 kms. Over 450 participants including breast cancer survivors, doctors, and other community members participated in the walkathon. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Monika Pansari, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Dr Vivek Belathur, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road and Mr. Akshay Oleti, Business Head at Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka said, “I’m proud to be part of Fortis Hospital’s initiative to raise awareness on breast cancer. This cause is not just important – it’s essential for saving lives. Early detection and timely treatment are critical, and events like the Pink Strong Walkathon are vital in rallying community support. Together, we can lessen the impact of cancer and enhance the lives of those affected.”

Dr. Monika Pansari, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road said, “Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in India, representing a significant portion of female cancers. Alarmingly, the incidence is rising among younger women, with nearly 48% of patients under the age of 50. This highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and early detection. Regular screenings are essential for effective treatment, especially as we see more young women affected. It’s vital for women to stay vigilant about their health; understanding risk factors. Adopting healthy lifestyle choices can lead to earlier diagnoses and improved outcomes. Community support is crucial in this fight; together, we can raise awareness, promote proactive health measures, and create a healthier future for all.”

Mr. Akshay Oleti, Business Head, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, added, ” The Pink Strong Walkathon is a remarkable opportunity to unite our community in the fight against breast cancer. At Fortis Hospitals, we are committed to providing state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs. Our advanced diagnostic and treatment options empower us to detect breast cancer earlier and offer personalized solutions that enhance outcomes. Together, through initiatives like this walkathon, we can raise awareness and support each other on the journey to a healthier future.”

Manipal Hospital Successfully Hosts National Organ Donation Summit in Pune

Pune, 07th October 2024: The Organ Donation Summit, hosted by Manipal Organ Sharing & Transplant (MOST) in association with ZTCC Pune, ISCCM Pune and MOHAN Foundation, concluded on October 5, 2024, in Pune. The two-day event brought together leading national and international experts in organ donation and transplantation to discuss important topics such as “Donation after Circulatory Death” (DCD) and “Quality Assessment in Organ Donation,” which set new standards for organ donation procedures in India. Dr. (Col) Avnish Seth, VSM, Head of Manipal Organ Sharing & Transplant (MOST) served as the Organizing Chairperson.

National and international specialists presented their perspectives, with particular focus on the potential for Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) to boost India’s donor pool. This summit was also the first time that Quality Assessment in organ donation and the need for Key Performance Indicators specific for India were discussed. The summit was also a final step in the creation of a consensus statement of National Consortium on Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) for DCD. The event also investigated new technology and techniques for improving donation processes and outcomes.

While speaking at the summit, Dr. (Col) Avnish Seth, VSM, Head, Manipal Organ Sharing & Transplant (MOST) said, “In 2023 we crossed 1000 organ donors following brain death for the first time in India. In brain death the heart is still beating so that blood supply to organs continues. We are now moving towards establishing protocols for DCD. Here, since the heart has stopped, one must move quickly to save organs. One of the ways this can be done effectively is by re-establishing circulation for 2 to 4 hours by a process called Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP). Through Organ Donation Summit 2024, we have made significant progress towards developing a low-cost, hybrid, extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation system for NRP in India. This summit marks a critical turning point for organ donation in India, and the innovations and discussions we’ve seen here will help improve transplant outcomes and save more lives in the years to come.”

Dilip Jose, Managing Director and CEO, Manipal Hospitals, “At Manipal Hospitals, we believe that organ donation is a powerful way to give others a second chance at life. The MOST Summit represents our commitment to raising awareness and improving the systems that make this life-saving practice possible. Our goal is to ensure that every patient in need of a transplant has access to the care they deserve, and that organ donation becomes a more widely understood and accepted practice in India.”

Dr. Anil Kumar, Director, National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), “Organ donation is one of the most powerful ways to give someone a new lease on life. Quality assessment at each step from early identification of potential donors to organ retrieval and transplantation is important for achieving excellence and promoting best practices in the field.’ With thousands of people in need of transplants, it’s important for people to understand the impact they can make by becoming organ donors after death.”

The highlight of the summit was the presentation of a low-cost hybrid Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) circuit for normothermic regional perfusion, a technology specifically designed to improve organ preservation in DCD scenarios. This innovation is poised to revolutionize the organ donation process by increasing the viability of organs for transplantation, thus saving more lives.

A significant part of the Organ Donation Summit 2024 focused on navigating the ethical and practical challenges surrounding the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, a crucial aspect of DCD. The summit concluded with a strong call for deeper collaboration among healthcare professionals, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to establish a sustainable organ donation framework so that more lives can be saved through timely transplants.

Mahadevi Birla Students Tackle Kolkata’s Litter Crisis with Smart Dustbin Solution

Kolkata, 7th October, 2014: In the bustling, vibrant streets of Kolkata, a group of young innovators from Mahadevi Birla Shishu Vihar has taken a bold step to combat one of the city’s most pressing challenges—littering and waste management. Inspired by their daily encounters with overflowing trash bins and unsightly litter, five students from the school have developed an innovative solution, aptly named “The Dustbin of Dreams,” to contribute to a cleaner, more beautiful Kolkata.

Kolkata, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and lively streets, faces a growing problem with waste disposal and littering. The issue has not only marred the city’s aesthetic appeal but has also contributed to environmental pollution. Determined to act, these young students – Arshi Drolia, Srithi Bhattacharya, Aradhana Ghosh, and Jagriti Jhunjhunwala came together to design an automatic dustbin that makes disposing of waste easier, more hygienic, and more effective.

Their innovative dustbin, equipped with advanced sensors, automatically detects when someone approaches and opens its lid, allowing users to dispose of their waste without needing to touch the bin. “The dustbin also features a built-in trash compacting system that reduces the volume of waste, preventing the bin from filling up too quickly and reducing the frequency of waste collection. To further encourage positive behaviour, the students incorporated a digital display screen that thanks users for properly disposing of their trash, promoting a sense of community responsibility in keeping the city clean,” one of the student inventors, Srithi Bhattacharya explained.

Speaking about their motivation behind the project, the students shared how personal the issue of littering had become for them. “Having grown up witnessing the detrimental effects of waste on our city’s environment, we felt a strong sense of responsibility to create change. This personal connection led us to design “The Dustbin of Dreams”—a symbol of our vision for a cleaner, greener Kolkata,” another inventor Aradhana Ghosh added.

“Our project was born from the love we have for our city,” another participating student inventor, Arshi Drolia stated. “We wanted to make something that not only helps reduce litter but also encourages people to take part in keeping Kolkata clean,” Jagriti Jhunjhunwala added.

The students’ innovative project has already garnered attention from both their school and the local community, inspiring others to think creatively about solving environmental issues. Their goal is to implement the dustbins in public spaces across the city, helping to address the problem of littering at its source while fostering a culture of cleanliness and civic pride.

As these young innovators continue to push forward with their project, they hope to collaborate with local authorities, businesses, and environmental organizations to bring their vision of a cleaner Kolkata to life.

How to Manage Diabetes Distress and Burnout Better

Living with diabetes can feel like juggling many things at once. It requires constant glucose monitoring, meal planning, and maintaining an exercise routine. One must also consider how daily activities may impact glucose levels and be prepared for sudden changes. Known as diabetes distress, this relentless cycle of responsibilities and worries affects about 33% of adults with Type 2 diabetes in India.

“Managing a chronic condition with care and caution, while navigating everyday life stressors, can be overwhelming. This may lead to mental fatigue and strain, increasing frustrations, isolation, and burnout. In turn, such feelings can make it difficult to manage diabetes. Engaging in physical activity, managing healthy diet keeping an eye on glucose levels with simple tools such as continuous glucose monitoring devices, people can manage diabetes and seek better health outcomes,” says Dr. Praveen Ramachandra, Consultant Endocrinologist, DiaPlus Clinic, Diabetes Superspeciality Clinic, Bangalore.

Dr. Prashanth Subramanian, Head of Medical Affairs, Emerging Asia & India, Diabetes Care, Abbott, added, “Identifying distressful feelings and addressing them is crucial. It is important to find ways to take a holistic approach in managing the condition better… Technology such as continuous glucose monitoring devices, which offer useful real-time information on one’s blood sugar highs or lows and adopting a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise can help navigate the condition.

Ways to steer through the challenges of living with diabetes:

Acknowledging the problem: The first step to solving any health related challenge is to admit that there may be an issue and acknowledge it. It’s normal to have ups and downs when managing one’s health, but constant stress and feeling overwhelmed could be a sign of diabetes distress. To feel better, start by recognizing the signs and patterns. Pay attention to your emotions and body to find the support you need. Additionally, as per the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, people with diabetes are more likely to experience depression. If you suspect symptoms of depression, talk to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

 Curating a treatment plan: Being open about your diabetes and the struggles you face is key to getting the right care. Managing a health condition can feel lonely because of the changes you need to make. Talk to your loved ones about how you’re feeling and the kind of support you need. Have honest discussions with your doctor about everything affecting your health, both physical and mental. This will help them create a personalized plan for managing your diabetes, including medications and support groups. Technology can also be a big help in your day-to-day management. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) like Freestyle Libre can give you valuable information and empower you to take charge of your health. These prick free and painless monitors track your blood sugar levels all the time, giving your doctor a clearer picture and allowing them to adjust your treatment more effectively.

 Focusing on the Essentials,: The key to feeling better is finding a balance. Figure out what activities and health goals are most important to you. It will make managing diabetes and your overall health feel more manageable in the long run. Technology can be a big help! Tools like trackers can monitor important things like blood sugar levels, fitting seamlessly into your routine without extra work. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Balancing a chronic illness with daily life is tough and may take a toll mentally. Make time for things you enjoy such as travelling, gardening, reading – things that remind you there’s more to you than your diagnosis. By focusing on what matters most and letting go of the rest, you can create a healthier and happier life.

NAREDCO and FSAI Sign MoU to Enhance Fire Safety and Security Standards in Real Estate Development

New Delhi, 7th October 2024: The National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), the apex real estate body working under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI) to collaborate on improving fire safety, life safety, and security standards in India’s real estate sector. The agreement was formalized today at Le Meridian, New Delhi.

The Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI) is a leading organization with expertise in fire protection, life safety, security, building automation, loss prevention, and risk management. FSAI’s mission is to advance the use of fire safety and security systems in India while promoting a culture of safe living. The association works closely with government agencies to enhance regulations and improve the safety framework for the built environment.

The partnership aims to foster the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and technical advancements in fire protection, life safety, and security systems for the benefit of real estate stakeholders across the country.

Mr. G. Hari Babu, National President of NAREDCO, added, “The MoU with FSAI establishes a more integrated approach to real estate development in Delhi. The combined efforts of both organizations will enhance building safety, streamline regulations, and promote sustainable practices in India’s urban growth.”

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Preeti Singh, Additional Director General, NAREDCO, said, “The collaboration between NAREDCO and FSAI represents a significant milestone for Delhi’s real estate sector. This partnership aligns the industry with global best practices in fire safety and security, ensuring that real estate projects in Delhi meet the highest standards while enhancing the safety and well-being of residents and workers.”

Mr. Saurab Aggarwal, President, Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI), said, “Partnering with NAREDCO is a crucial step for enhancing fire safety in Delhi’s real estate sector. Together, we aim to create safer environments for residents and workers, ensuring that safety becomes an integral part of every development.”

The primary objectives of the MoU are to facilitate knowledge sharing between NAREDCO and FSAI, particularly concerning technological advancements in fire safety, life safety, and security systems. Additionally, the organizations will conduct joint programs such as workshops, seminars, and conferences to educate their members on best practices and new developments in safety standards. Furthermore, both parties will collaborate to develop industry standards for fire and life safety systems in real estate projects, ensuring that these standards align with global benchmarks. NAREDCO and FSAI will also promote membership networking, encouraging participation in collaborative initiatives to foster a community dedicated to excellence in safety and security.

This partnership between NAREDCO and FSAI ensures that real estate development in India is safer, more secure, and aligned with international safety standards, contributing to the growth of smart cities and sustainable infrastructure across the country.

Bank of Baroda Embraces ‘Make in India’ with Infrastructure Upgrade for Enhanced Security and Operations

New Delhi, October 07, 2024: In a significant move towards digital transformation and alignment with the ‘Make in India’ initiative of Government of India’s, Bank of Baroda (BoB), India’s second-largest public sector bank, has successfully upgraded its network infrastructure across 1600+ branches using indigenously manufactured managed switches from HFCL Limited. This strategic partnership marks a milestone in the Indian banking sector’s push towards technological self-reliance and enhanced customer experience.

HFCL has supplied approximately three thousand 24-Port switches to enhance LAN connectivity across the bank’s branches nationwide. The integration of HFCL’s switches are with the bank’s existing Network Access Controller (NAC) system allows Bank of Baroda to offer better services to its end-customers including enhanced network and data security by ensuring strict access controls, allowing only authorized devices and users to access the banking infrastructure. The switches provide high-speed, reliable connectivity across all branches, while the NAC system continuously monitors and manages access.

The deployment was executed in collaboration with Dynacons Systems & Solutions, ensuring a smooth transition to a secure and compliant connectivity system without compromising business continuity. This successful deployment underscores the growing capabilities of Indian technology providers and sets a precedent for other public sector entities looking to modernize their infrastructure while supporting domestic manufacturing.

10th year of Google for India: Making AI real by bringing the power of AI to users, businesses and the economy

New Delhi, 7th October 2024: As Google for India marks its 10th edition, the company is marking a decade of collaborative innovation that has brought the benefits of technology to millions of users across India. The event focussed on making AI real and tangible across different facets of the country – from the individual, to businesses and society more broadly.

As part of the event, Google unveiled the “AI Opportunity Agenda for India” whitepaper, a roadmap to help deliver on the government’s India AI Mission by focussing on three key priorities – investing in innovation infrastructure, building an AI-ready workforce, and promoting inclusive adoption and accessibility.

‘With its digital prowess globally acknowledged, India is poised on the brink of lift-off when you combine its innate ingenuity with the multiplier potential of AI. Today, we shared the many ways in which we’re making AI real and tangible for individuals to learn, do and create more with technology, the exponential unlocks possible for core sectors of the economy, and our commitments towards online safety, skilling and sustainability that will further propel this journey. We are excited to be part of this chapter of India’s digital journey with responsibility and optimism.’ – Roma Datta Chobey, Managing Director, Google India

Accordingly, the event laid out its launches across these three themes:
Bringing AI to every Indian across Google’s consumer products:
Google today announced a wave of AI-powered innovations designed to make information more accessible and helpful for people across India. Leveraging the power of Gemini, Google’s most capable AI model yet, the company is transforming its products to be even more helpful, making its latest innovations AI Overviews in Google Search and Gemini Live available in Indian languages. The company also launched new innovations, including a Google Lens experiment that lets users search with a video and powerful features to make journeys more insightful, visual, and safer with Google Maps.
● Speak to Gemini in 9 Indian languages with Gemini Live: In India, with over 40% of Gemini’s Indian language users already relying on voice interactions, Google recently launched Gemini Live in English for even more natural and free-flowing voice conversations with Gemini on phone. Gemini Live is now being rolled out in Hindi, with eight more Indian languages — Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu — to follow in the coming weeks.
● Google Search’s AI Overviews in more Indian languages: With a Gemini model customized for Google Search, the company is making it easier for users to quickly find the information they need. The company is expanding its Gen AI experience in Search, AI Overviews, launched earlier this year in English and Hindi, to more Indian languages – Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil in the coming weeks. AI Overviews help users quickly find what they need on Search, with links to referenced web pages to go deeper.
● New Google Lens capability to search with video: More people use Google Lens in India every month than in any other country worldwide. Building on this, Google Lens is further revolutionizing how people can search what they see with a brand new way to query: video. Soon, users will be able to use Lens to search with a video and ask more complex questions about things in motion. Google Search’s custom Gemini model will make sense of the video and provide a helpful AI Overview with links to learn more. This capability will soon be available for Search Labs users enrolled in the “AI Overviews and more” experiment, with support for mobile English queries.
● More insightful, visual, safer, journeys with Google Maps: Google Maps is becoming even more visual and insightful, thanks to AI. Using the Gemini model, Maps will now offer helpful summaries of places, analyzing billions of reviews to provide users with a quick understanding of what others are saying. This feature will begin rolling out later this month in India. Additionally, Maps is using AI-powered image recognition to help users now search not just for places, but also for specific items and experiences, like “themed birthday cakes” or “unique picnic spots.” By analyzing billions of images, Maps will deliver visually rich results that prioritize photos and facilitate exploration through a map for visual experience. Building on its commitment to user safety, Google Maps is also introducing two new weather-related alerts in India: low visibility areas due to fog and flooded roads. Users can both see and report these alerts to keep their community informed.
Google today also announced new tools for merchants to showcase their products more creatively and create a more immersive experience for customers.
● New AI tools in Product Studio in Google Merchant Center, will help businesses showcase products more creatively to shoppers. Image-to-Video Animation transforms photos into eye-catching videos. Businesses can even create visuals that match their unique brand style by uploading an image that represents their aesthetic.
● Google has introduced a new way to help restaurants convert menu photos into formatted online menus. By linking their social accounts through their Google Business Profile, they can also showcase deals from their social media posts, alongside deals from popular aggregators like Zomato, Swiggy, EazyDiner, and MagicPin.
● Through the Google Merchant Center, businesses can now offer chat options via SMS or WhatsApp right from their Search listings, making it easier to connect with customers. India is one of the first markets where this will roll out with a select set of merchants, and will expand to all businesses in the coming months.

Google Pay is expanding its offerings with new partnerships and features, now offering Gold-backed secured loans in collaboration with Muthoot Finance. People across India can now access this credit product, with affordable interest rates and flexible usage options – delivering flexibility to the borrower, and security to the lender.

Google Pay also announced that its Gemini-powered support guide can now answer queries related to credit products, helping users make informed choices in their credit journeys.

Under the Google Health charter, the Google research team has been supporting the National Health Authority (NHA) with thought leadership to help build tools that will enable developers to integrate more seamlessly with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission architecture, potentially reducing integration time from up to six months to just two weeks.

Kiran Gopal Vaska, Joint Secretary and Missions Director, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: “At the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, we are committed to empowering every stakeholder in health with the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) being built under ABDM, ensuring seamless access to quality healthcare services, while also making healthcare more efficient and patient-centric. As we continue to build this, collaboration with global technology leaders like Google is invaluable. We look forward to furthering partnerships that leverage cutting-edge technology and innovation to strengthen India’s healthcare landscape with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.”

The company also announced that, starting next year, Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID cards will be made accessible on Google Wallet to the more than 600 million ABHAI ID holders in partnership with Eka Care. ABHA ID Cards enable people to store, share and receive digital health information seamlessly with healthcare groups across the country, and support them in better utilizing India’s public health infrastructure for their well-being. ABHA ID holders will be required to authenticate their device – with a fingerprint or a PIN or passcode – to add or access their health ID in Google Wallet.

Deepak Tuli, Co-founder and COO, Eka Care: “This is a major milestone in India’s efforts to digitize healthcare, a crucial initiative led by our honorable Prime Minister under the ABDM. With Google Wallet, we are enhancing accessibility to medical records for citizens. Their ABHA card will be just a click away, securely stored in their Google Wallet, enabling them to access their medical records anytime, anywhere through the Eka Care app.”

Delivering large-scale impact for businesses and individuals through Gemini and Google Cloud

Building on the incredible transformation led by UPI and Aadhar and driving universal scaled impact, Google Cloud today announced their plan to bring together the power of Beckn-enabled open networks and Gemini, by way of an open-source Gemini Agent Framework, available to every Indian business and user.

This framework, powered by Google’s most capable AI model, Gemini, enables users to search and discover listings – from electronics to seeds, from jobs to educational courses – and make transactions seamlessly across key sectors like agriculture and skilling. People will be able to access this extensive and useful information from a single interface, using their voice, on any network compliant app, in the language of their choice.

Farmers can now have access to a wealth of knowledge, from best practices to market linkages, and even formal credit, all in one place. Glance will be the first app to offer this agent to its 235 million Android users across the country, equipping India’s youth with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.

To help export the unique and transformative architecture of India’s DPI stack to enable other nations to build their digital infrastructure, Google Cloud is collaborating with the Nandan Nilekani-led EkStep Foundation to create “DPI in a box” – a plug-and-play model based on Open network, identity, digital credentials, and other Digital Public Goods.

As companies look to leverage generative AI to the fullest, many want to be able to control where their data is stored in light of growing regulatory requirements. Earlier this year, Google Cloud enabled organizations using its generative AI capabilities to store their data at rest in India, ensuring sensitive data remains within Indian borders. This includes Generative AI on Vertex AI – PaLM 2, Codey and Imagen models, as well as Text Embeddings and Multimodal Embeddings APIs.

Building on this, Indian organizations across all sectors, including public sector enterprises, will have the option to both store their data at rest and conduct machine learning processing for its cutting-edge large language model, Gemini 1.5 Flash, entirely within India. This provides even greater control and security for organizations using our most-advanced AI models.

“Google Cloud is committed to partnering with Indian businesses and innovators to harness the transformative power of AI. Through initiatives like our open-source Gemini Agent Framework and collaborations on ‘DPI in a box,’ we’re not only advancing India’s digital landscape but also creating a blueprint for digital inclusion,” said Bikram Singh Bedi, Vice President and Country MD, Google Cloud India.

Making investments in Online Safety, Skill development and Green Energy to ensure long-term sustainable growth with AI

To combat evolving scam tactics, Google is soon piloting enhanced fraud protection within Google Play Protect in India. This feature will analyze and automatically block the installation of apps from internet-sideloaded sources such as a web browser, messaging app or file manager, that request sensitive permissions. In financial scams, fraudsters frequently abuse permissions to access SMS, notifications, and accessibility features to steal one-time passwords, financial credentials, and other sensitive data. This initiative has already shown promising results in other regions, blocking nearly 900,000 high-risk installations in Singapore alone.

Sugandh Saxena, CEO, Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment: “Giving people safe platforms to access digital financial services rests on several pillars. Our work tells us that fraudsters are misusing open web links to distribute malicious apps to harm customers in various ways. Google’s Enhanced Fraud Protection pilot will be a vital toolkit to plug a critical gap in protecting customers from financial crimes. We believe this initiative will help combat such frauds and we look forward to contributing to the program.”

Manish Agrawal, Senior Executive Vice President & Head – Credit Intelligence & Control, HDFC Bank Limited: Rapid digitisation of financial transactions in India over the past few years has spelled convenience to millions of people. It also requires consumers to be vigilant against cyber fraudsters. HDFC Bank is committed to educating about safe digital banking practices with multiple initiatives through the year. Google’s new feature ‘ Google Play Protect Enhanced Fraud Protection’ is another step towards user security and app protection. The new feature proposes to protect the user against harmful apps and malware being downloaded onto their device. In the ongoing fight against digital frauds, concerted efforts by all stakeholders are the key to make a safe digital banking environment for all.

Further strengthening its commitment to online safety, Google will launch a new Google Safety Engineering Center (GSEC) in India in 2025, aimed at building and advancing security and online safety products and solutions that meet the needs of users in India. The Centre will bring together our best-in-class safety engineers, local policy experts, government partners, and academia to tackle India’s online safety challenges, focusing on protecting users from threats like scams and fraud, bolstering enterprise and government security, and advancing cutting-edge research and development

Google also announced two long-term partnerships to advance its sustainability goals in India. Together, these are expected to add 186 MW of new clean energy generation capacity to the Indian grid by 2026. These partnerships demonstrate Google’s dedication to the transition to a 24/7 carbon-free future and our commitment to support the growth of clean energy in India.

The first collaboration with Adani Group will involve procuring bundled energy solutions to advance decarbonisation of Google’s cloud services in India. This includes clean energy supply from a 61.4 MW solar-wind hybrid plant to be developed in Khavda, Gujarat, and expected to start commercial operations in 2025. The second collaboration with CleanMax enables a portfolio of 125.4MW of new clean energy projects, consisting of 66 MW solar in Rajasthan and 59.4 MW wind in Karnataka. These projects are expected to start commercial operations in 2025 and will deliver carbon free energy to the grid where Google operates offices and cloud regions in India. Google’s long-term commitment to these projects provides crucial support to secure the necessary financing, making these clean energy projects a reality.

“These projects will power Google’s growth in India and advance our 24/7 carbon-free energy goals, aligning with our broader strategy to scale up and secure cost-effective clean energy across data centers, offices and other operations in the APAC region,” said Giorgio Fortunato, Head of Clean Energy & Power for Google in Asia Pacific.

As the rise of AI transforms our world, it is imperative that this revolution is inclusive and takes every Indian along. To ensure Indians are equipped to seize emerging opportunities, Google today announced the launch of AI Skills House, designed to empower 10 million Indians with AI literacy.

This comprehensive program will offer Google’s flagship AI courses to a diverse audience, including students, job seekers, educators, developers, and civil officials. Courses, including, Introduction to Generative Al, Introduction to Responsible AI and Introduction to Large Language Models, will be available for free on YouTube and the Google Cloud Skills Boost platform. These courses are available in English, and will extend to seven Indian languages soon. Google is also bringing the Google AI Essentials and GenAI for Educators courses to Hindi speakers.

Google will strengthen this commitment through ongoing efforts through Google Career Certificates and industry-specific programs to foster AI readiness.

In addition, Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, announced a $4 million grant to the Central Square Foundation to promote AI literacy across underserved communities in India. This grant will support the non-profit, which is dedicated to enhancing the learning outcomes of school-going children across India, in its new initiative ‘AI Samarth’ to equip and create awareness amongst 5 million students, educators and parents across India on the meaningful and responsible use of AI.

Shaveta Sharma-Kukreja, CEO & MD, Central Square Foundation: “As AI increasingly continues to deeply influence our lives, there will also be an impact on the future of education, and hence there’s an urgent need to equip our communities with the knowledge to engage with AI thoughtfully. The AI Literacy initiative aims to empower over 5 million students, parents, and educators on the meaningful and responsible use of AI. CSF is proud to anchor this ambitious initiative, collaborating with academic institutions and ecosystem organizations to drive widespread AI literacy and ensure informed engagement with AI across India’s educational landscape.”

Google.org will provide pro bono support through its Fellowship program through which Google.org Fellows will work full-time pro-bono with Rocket Learning, a non-profit working to transform Early Childhood Development (ECD) across India. This support will help build an AI-powered personalized coach ‘Saheli’ that will support millions of 3-6 year olds across the country in their learning journeys towards foundational literacy and numeracy skills. This effort builds on the $1.5 million grant that Google.org made previously to Rocket Learning as part of the AI for the Global Goals challenge in 2023.

Vishal Sunil, CTO and Cofounder at Rocket Learning: “We’re thrilled to receive funding and pro bono support from Google.org to enable all children in India to reach their fullest potential and boost their collective IQ. With the support of the Fellows, we are eager to deepen our understanding of personalized learning’s impact and are committed to making quality early education accessible to every child.”

These announcements demonstrate Google’s commitment to India and its belief in the power of AI to transform the country. Google is proud to be working with Indian partners, to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous digital future for all.