Category Archives: News

Xebia Appoints Preetpal Singh as Group MD for Product & Platform Engineering

Atlanta, Georgia 21st September – Xebia, a leading global IT and software consultancy company, is proud to announce Preetpal Singh’s appointment as its Group Managing Director – Product & Platform Engineering. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Preetpal will guide Xebia’s strategy for global service lines, including the infusion of AI across the entire portfolio. In addition, he will be responsible for scaling all efforts to bring differentiated industry solutions to market in collaboration with Xebia’s deep partner ecosystem.

Leadership with Proven Results

Before joining Xebia, Preetpal held several senior leadership roles at Persistent Systems, where he served as Senior Vice President of Intelligent Automation. During his 21 years there, Preetpal led transformative projects that significantly increased operational efficiency and revenue for global enterprises. His deep background in technology as an architect, along with his ability to integrate multiple service lines to help customers leverage Hyper-automation and AI for a competitive edge, has been his forte. His commercial acumen will also help define the future of Xebia’s product and platform strategy, which integrates Cloud and Data, Intelligent Automation and Applied AI, and GenAI propositions.

Anand Sahay, Global CEO of Xebia, expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment:

“Preetpal’s leadership is a critical part of our strategy to build an integrated value proposition to solve our customer’s industry-specific problems and help them achieve business outcomes. His extensive experience in both technology and business will ensure Xebia continues to deliver cutting-edge, AI-first solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients. We are confident that his leadership and vision will drive extraordinary outcomes for Xebia and our partners.”

Preetpal Singh, Group Managing Director of Product and Platform Engineering, said:

“I am excited to kickstart this chapter at Xebia at a time when it is experiencing impressive growth. Our mission is crystal clear – to leverage our authority in consulting and software development services in key areas like Intelligent Automation, Applied and Gen AI, Data and Cloud to help our clients transform their business for improved outcomes. What stood out to me most about Xebia is its commitment to quality without compromise – it sets a high bar for itself and the industry. Additionally, Xebia leads from the front in terms of sharing knowledge within the tech community.”

IHCL Signs a Ginger and a Vivanta Hotel in Hosur, Tamil Nadu

Chandigarh, September 21, 2024: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a Vivanta and a Ginger in Hosur. These greenfield projects will be developed on a 3-acre land parcel.

Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development, IHCL, stated, “Hosur, driven by regional economic growth and infrastructural development, is emerging as a prime commercial center in Tamil Nadu. The signing of these two hotels near the Hosur industrial area will meet the increasing demand for corporate travel and MICE in this thriving micro-market. We are delighted to partner with Mr. Palaniappan for these projects.”

The 150-key Vivanta will offer a refined experience with modern decor that reflects the vibrant energy of Hosur. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant and a bar. The hotel will offer a state-of-the-art gym, a swimming pool, and versatile banquet spaces to accommodate business events and gatherings. Embodying its lean luxe philosophy, the 200-key Ginger will feature an all-day dining cum bar, a gym, and meeting facilities, catering to the needs of today’s modern travelers who seek style and efficiency.

Mr. EMC Palaniappan, Managing Director of Chona Megatainment Malls Pvt Ltd, added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with IHCL to bring Vivanta and Ginger brands to Hosur, offering a perfect mix of upscale and lean luxe hospitality experiences.”

Located in close proximity to Bengaluru on the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Hosur is a fast-emerging city with multiple manufacturing, electronics and chemicals industries.

Anuj Prasad’s Solo Exhibition: A Journey into Mystic Miniatures

Designer Anuj Prasad unveiled his captivating solo exhibition, “Mystic Miniatures,” at the Visual Art Gallery, Indian Habitat Centre (IHC) on September 19, 2024. The exhibition is on until September 25th, 2024. The opening was graced by Padma Bhushan Awardee, Author and Co-founder of HCL, Mr. Ajai Chowdhry. An array of 150 mystic artworks in mixed medium, ink, watercolour and oil transported viewers into a realm of intricate artistry and profound contemplation.

Prasad, a distinguished designer and co-founder of Desmania, a leading design company in India, has dedicated himself to the exploration of art alongside his professional pursuits. His passion for painting has led him to experiment with various styles and mediums over the years, culminating in his unique style of Mystic Miniatures.

On the occasion, Prasad shared his thoughts as, “Mysticism comes very naturally to me. Introspection and inward journeys intrigue me and so these paintings are based on mystic thoughts relating to exactly that. The expression is intuitive. It’s something out of nothing. The style of art is intricate details in minutest forms. Mystic Miniatures is my attempt to provide an opportunity for viewers to immerse themselves in the spiritual and meditative verse.” He further added, “My artworks aim to help them seek what lies within them rather than searching for it outside. The use of colors, textures, and fluidity is meant to evoke a sense of tranquility and introspection.”

The exhibition showcased Prasad’s latest collection, a fresh and innovative approach to art that he has developed over the past seven years. Each artwork is a meticulously crafted miniature, teeming with intricate lines, shapes, and vibrant colors. The designer’s keen eye for detail and his profound appreciation for nature’s finer aspects are evident in every stroke.

The exhibition invites viewers to embark on a journey of discovery, exploring the hidden meanings and symbolism woven into each piece. Through the tactile nature of Prasad’s work, viewers can experience the depth and intricacy of his artistry.

Bio Innovation Corridor established between Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre and La Trobe University, Australia

Bangalore 20 September 2024. Australia’s La Trobe University and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) based in the Indian state of Karnataka will establish a Bio Innovation Corridor paving the way for the sharing of skills, infrastructure and capabilities, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today.

La Trobe University is ranked in the top one per cent of the world’s universities. It has a proud and successful history in India, partnering with tertiary institutions and organisations on projects that benefit both countries and helping develop India’s brightest minds through joint education opportunities.

The Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre is jointly established by the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and is aimed at nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship within the biotechnology sector.

The Bio Innovation Corridor will enable entrepreneurs, startup companies, researchers and investors from Karnataka and the Australian state of Victoria to enter and leverage the infrastructure, capabilities and network of the organisations to collaborate and evaluate their Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Commercialization Readiness Level (CRL), and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL).

It will enable portfolio companies of BBC and researchers of La Trobe to pilot novel biotechnologies with applications across human health, medical, food and agritech for scale-up, regulatory approvals and customer testing in the two states.

Dr. Mohamed Adil A.A, Managing Director of Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, said BBC encourages interdisciplinary advancement in research and innovation towards entrepreneurship by generating work, wealth and welfare and enabling the community by creating employers than employees.

He said: “The Bio Innovation Corridor between Karnataka and Victoria is a strategic partnership that will foster market access, mentorship, collaboration, and investment in the life sciences sector. By connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from both regions, they aim to accelerate innovation leading to global unicorns.”

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said: “We are very pleased to announce the creation of this Bio Innovation Corridor between Karnataka and Victoria, and to offer the skills, infrastructure and capabilities of La Trobe University to startups, entrepreneurs and researchers associated with the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre.

“La Trobe University has a vision to develop an ecosystem of research and innovation through co-location opportunities, including at our University City of the Future at our Melbourne campus in Bundoora and our four Victorian regional campuses.

“This demonstrates our keenness to open opportunities for Karnataka-based entrepreneurs and startups to establish their R&D, innovation, product development and commercialisation facilities in conjunction with La Trobe through a range of innovative business partnership models for access to the Australian market.”

Professor Farrell said La Trobe had recently launched a purpose-built Bio Innovation Hub that will help startup companies develop new technologies in med tech and drug delivery.

The MOU was signed by Prof Farrell and Dr. Mohamed Adil during the Victoria Connect event being organised in Bangalore on 19 September 2024 and as part of showcasing the opportunities between Victoria and Karnataka in the higher education and value-adding technology sectors.

Over 150 students donated blood during the Blood Donation Camp organized by IMS Noida

Noida: In a heartwarming display of compassion and community service, Institute of Management Studies (IMS) – Noida, in collaboration with the Rotary Blood Bank, successfully organised a Blood Donation Camp on September 20, 2024, at its campus. The initiative, held under the esteemed guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Dhawan, Director General of IMS Noida, and Prof. (Dr.) Neelam Saxena, Director of IMS Law collage, aimed to address the growing need for blood supplies and contribute to saving lives.

The event saw overwhelming participation from students, faculty members, and staff who came forward to donate blood and contribute to this noble cause. A dedicated medical team from Rotary Blood Bank ensured a smooth and safe donation process, including health screenings for all donors. The donors’ willingness to give back to society was a true tribute to the values of empathy, responsibility, and social welfare upheld by IMS Noida.

Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Dhawan, Director General of IMS Noida, expressed his gratitude towards the participants, saying, “At IMS Noida, we believe in giving back to the community, and this blood donation camp is a reflection of our emphasis to social responsibility. Every drop of blood donated today has the potential to save a life, and we are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their selfless contributions. It’s heartening to see the IMS family come together for such a noble cause.”

The camp, held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the IMS Seminar Hall, successfully collected 125 units of blood by participating over 150 students, which will be used to support patients in need of life-saving transfusions. IMS Noida remains committed to such initiatives, continually striving to contribute towards the betterment of society.

This noble effort by IMS Law collage, Noida and Rotary Blood Bank highlights the importance of community collaboration and puts into forefront, the institute’s dedication to a 360° development of an individual — going beyond academics to instill in students a sense of compassion and societal responsibility.

My Clean City by HCLFoundation celebrates World Cleanup Day, promotes lasting behaviour change

GREATER NOIDA, India, Sept 20, 2024 — HCLFoundation, the CSR arm of HCLTech in India, celebrated World Cleanup Day, through its flagship programme My Clean City, with great vigor at Greater Noida Sports Complex today. In December 2023, the United Nations unanimously ratified the resolution to declare 20th September as World Cleanup Day on its official Calendar in a bid to promote lasting behaviour change with respect to waste management.

My Clean City by HCLFoundation has been working extensively on end-to-end waste management across Noida and Greater Noida. Launched in 2018, the programme is committed to improving solid and liquid waste management system and processes. Focus areas include capacity building of relevant stakeholders, intensive behaviour change campaigns, awareness drives and deploying technological solutions.

One of the programme’ s significant impacts can be seen in improvement of Noida’s ranking in Swachh Survekshan. From ranking 324 in 2019 to becoming the cleanest city in Uttar Pradesh and 11th across India now, Noida has come a long way. In Swachh Surveksan 2023, Noida also received Water+ certification and 5-star rating in Garbage Free City category.

Building upon this success, My Clean City has now expanded to Greater Noida city with the objective of replicating the achievements and extending the benefits to a larger population. The program has so far reached out to more than 600,000 individuals spread across 77 urban villages and 100 residential welfare associations / association of apartments in the two cities.

The World Cleanup Day event at the Zonal Sports Complex in Greater Noida witnessed active participation of 1500 citizens including school, college students and HCLTech volunteers. The event commenced with a high energy packed Zumba session to build excitement and camaraderie amongst the participants, which was followed by a skit presentation by members of the Clean City Volunteer club on the importance of waste management. The highlight of the event was a plogging drive through which participants collected a mammoth 826 Kg of solid waste from around the venue. The collected waste will be transported to a designated spot assigned by the Authority. Sanitation workers across My Clean City’s project sites were felicitated for their continued contribution in keeping the cities clean. The event culminated with an enthralling band performance.

Quote from Shri Indu Prakash Singh, General Manager, Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority: “Our ongoing partnership with HCLFoundation is aimed at making the city clean and sustainable. Community driven cleanliness drives such as this have resulted in positive behavior change towards waste reduction and management. Today I am thrilled to see the participation of our city’s residents, especially children and youth, in this mega-drive and endorsing sustainability.”

Quote from Mr. Alok Varma, Project Director – Samuday & My Clean City, HCLFoundation: “I am thrilled to witness My Clean City by HCLFoundation achieve another milestone through the World Clean Up Day celebrations. Our efforts in executing this mega clean up drive by engaging the community members have been met with great enthusiasm. As responsible citizens, we must take small steps every day to create impact and build a sustainable future together. We at HCLFoundation, along with our committed partners, will continue on our mission of clean, green and waste free cities. “

Notably, prior to the main event, a series of small-scale events were also carried out across Noida and Greater Noida to generate awareness and build momentum for World Cleanup Day. 817 students across 8 schools in Noida and Greater Noida were sensitized on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene through rallies and plogging drives. 520 citizens across the cities were also engaged via segregation games, textile waste management workshops and plogging drives.

Signify committed to support 33,000 + lives of flood-affected families in West Tripura district with LED lights

Tripura, India, September 20,2024: In response to the devastating floods that struck West Tripura district, Signify, the world leader in lighting, has supported flood-affected households with emergency LED lighting. The project is being executed in partnership with the District Administration of West Tripura district and Agartala Municipal Corporation led by Sri Dipak Majumder, Hon’ble Mayor and Dr. Vishal Kumar, IAS, District Magistrate (DM) and Collector, as part of the company’s ‘Har Gaon Roshan’ CSR program. Associated with Foundation for Integrated Support and Solution (FISS), the project focuses on ensuring safe and illuminated spaces during power outages and contributing to the recovery and resilience of affected communities.

Commenting on this collaboration, Nikhil Gupta, Head of Marketing, Strategy, Govt. Affairs & CSR – Signify, Greater India said, “In line with our #BrighterLivesBetterWorld vision, at Signify, we believe in the transformative power of light, especially in times of need. By delivering sustainable lighting solutions to flood-affected families in West Tripura district, we aim to restore a sense of normalcy while ensuring safety and security during power outages. This initiative reflects our dedication to leveraging technology for social impact, and we are honored to collaborate with the District Administration in supporting the recovery of these resilient communities.”

Talking about the association, Sri Dipak Majumder, Hon’ble Mayor said, “We are glad that Signify came forward with their generous support in providing emergency LED lighting to the flood-affected households in West Tripura district. This initiative is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities during power outages. Together, we are committed to aiding the recovery and resilience of the affected families, ensuring they have safe and illuminated spaces during these challenging times.”

In the wake of devastating floods that impacted electrical infrastructure and plunged communities backwards, emergency lighting emerges as a lifeline, enabling children to study, families to function safely, and risks from hazards to be minimized. Signify is committed to illuminating these communities by collaborating with local partners and the District Administration under Mayor’s and DM’s vision to develop a distribution plan that ensures efficient and equitable delivery of LED emergency bulbs to those most impacted.

The project aims to create a positive impact on the quality of life to approximately 6600 flood affected families within the villages of West Tripura district by illuminating the homes. Impact of darkness has extended beyond safety and security concerns during the floods, through this project we aim to improve the safety and security of 33000+ families by providing essential services and supporting the restoration of normal life.

Providing a variety of emergency LED lighting, Signify hopes to create a long lasting and sustainable solution that will provide immediate relief to families. This project is set to leverage technology and innovation for the flood affected communities by providing essential services such as lighting solution to brighten path to a better future. The project is scheduled to commence in September and to conclude in November.

Motorola Launches razr 50: A Game-Changer in Foldable Smartphones

Mumbai, 20th September 2024: Motorola, a global leader in mobile technology and innovation, recently launched the motorola razr 50 disrupting the foldable smartphone segment at a special festive limited period. The motorola razr 50 boasts the segment’s largest and most intelligent external display, measuring an impressive 3.6” external display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. The pOLED screen offers a 90Hz dynamic refresh rate with 1700 nits for HDR content. It’s the first flip phone in its segment to feature an external display powered by Google Gemini AI with Google Photos accessible directly on the external display. The device has a 50MP main camera with OIS and Instant All Pixel Focus and a 13MP ultrawide lens with macro features, both enhanced by moto AI.

The razr 50 comes with the segment’s largest and most advanced external display. The 3.6″ large pOLED external display is protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus with a 90Hz dynamic refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1700 nits. It boasts a high resolution of 1056×1066 pixels with 10-bit depth, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and SGS eye protection. The display’s HDR10 certification further enhances color accuracy and brightness. The size of the external display is 2.4X larger than its previous generation and Always-On Display (AOD) adds a layer of personalization. With the razr 50, users can access Google’s Gemini app directly from the external display.

To further improve the external display experience, Motorola has added access to Google Photos. This allows users to view, delete, favorite, or share photos or videos stored locally or in the cloud without flip opening their phone. For editing, users can open the new razr and use the latest AI-powered editing tools in Google Photos including AI Magic Editor, AI Magic Eraser, AI Photo Unblur, and more.

The motorola razr 50 is equipped with advanced Moto AI features like AI Magic Canvas, allowing users to create images from text prompts, and AI Generative Theming, which syncs user’s style to their phone’s wallpaper. The AI Photo Enhancement engine ensures the highest quality images by optimizing dynamic range and fine-tuning details, even in low-light conditions. The AI Adaptive Stabilization and Intelligent Auto Focus Tracking keep videos and photos steady and focused. Smart Color Segmentation individually tunes elements like the sky, skin, and grass for richer colors. For assistance, Moto AI offers features like Adobe Doc Scan for easy document scanning and sharing, RAM Boost 3.0 for optimized performance, battery Optimization, and Screenshots with Auto Blur to protect user privacy by automatically blurring sensitive content.

The incredible camera system on the motorola razr 50 is powered by moto ai. The 50MP high-res camera can shoot with 32x more focusing pixels using Instant All-Pixel Focus to get faster, more accurate performance. The camera’s Quad Pixel technology captures 12.6MP photos while Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) eliminates shakes for crystal-clear images. The secondary camera on the external display is a 13MP Ultrawide + Macro Vision sensor with a 120º ultra-wide-angle lens. It can fit nearly 4x more in the frame compared to a standard lens and Macro Vision can take the users 4x closer to their subject than a standard lens. For selfies, the 32MP front camera can even use Flex View to find the best angle for hands-free selfies and video calls. Google Photos AI helps remove distractions with Magic Eraser, improve blurry images with Photo Unblur, and transform the shots with Magic Editor’s generative AI.

The motorola razr 50 has a premium vegan leather finish available in PantoneTM curated colors. The device’s innovative gapless and contoured edge design provides enhanced dust protection. The newly designed hinge integrates a floating hinge plate to minimize creasing on the main display and is certified for 400,000** folds. Additionally, the device offers IPX8-rated underwater protection, allowing it to withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, while the external display is safeguarded by Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus.

The motorola razr 50 has a 6.9″ pOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz for smooth scrolling, 3000 nits of peak brightness for vibrant visuals,120% DCI-P3 color accuracy and HDR10+ support. The larger fold radius ensures a smooth, uninterrupted touchscreen experience. The device comes in Koala Grey, Beach Sand, or Spritz Orange colors with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage.

The motorola razr 50 has the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor, making it India’s first flip phone to feature this advanced processor. It features the ultra-efficient 4nm platform and comes integrated with MediaTek APU655 for enhanced AI capabilities. In terms of the battery performance, the motorola razr 50 is powered by a robust 4200mAh battery that lasts all day on a single charge. With 30W TurboPower™ charging, just a few minutes of charging can give users enough power to get through the day. The device also offers 15W wireless charging with reverse charging to even share power with other devices. Additionally, the phone offers a faster 5G experience with support for 16 5G bands and WiFi 7, along with a physical SIM slot and eSIM support.

Apart from this, the motorola razr 50 also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos® giving 20% louder sound and 25% stronger bass. Dolby Atmos® features Spatial Audio, an enhanced experience where sound can flow around them in a virtual space. Additionally, the motorola razr 50 offers assured 3 OS updates and 4 years of security patches with Moto Premium Care benefits.

The motorola razr 50 ultra comes with the largest and most intelligent external display. A 4.0″ external display which also comes with the fastest refresh rate and the highest resolution in its class. It comes protected with Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus, with a refresh rate of up to 165Hz. The razr 50 ultra is equipped with the best razr camera system with 50MP AI Powered camera. Additionally, the smartphone also features an exceptional 50MP telephoto camera for incredible portraits and with 2x optical and 30X AI Super zoom capability plus machine learning algorithm for high quality photos. When flipped open, the motorola razr 50 ultra reveals a 6.9″ pOLED display which is also the largest and virtually creaseless internal display on a flip phone. With HDR10+ certification and 120% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, users can watch shows and movies in true-to-life color meeting the industry’s latest standards for accuracy. High Brightness Mode automatically adjusts brightness to 1500 nits, which can also reach up to 3000 nits with HDR. The refresh rate can adjust from 1Hz to 165Hz effectively reducing stutter and ghosting in compatible games. It features latest Snapdragon® 8s Gen 3 mobile platform with up to 12GB of the latest generation LPDDR5X memory, the fastest available, and the latest 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. Along with blazing-fast 5G speeds today, and provisions for WiFi 7 networks of tomorrow. The motorola razr 50 ultra can go a full day and night on a single charge of the 4000mAh battery. Owing to the 45W TurboPower™ consumers can get power for a day in about 12 minutes3. It also comes with the freedom of 15W wireless charging and users can also share power with other devices using reverse charging.