Category Archives: News

The Annual IC3 Conference & Expo 2024 to be held on August 28-29 in New Delhi

National, 21st August 2024: The IC3 Movement is set to host the Annual IC3 Conference & Expo on August 28–29, 2024 in New Delhi, India. This landmark event, being hosted at the Yashobhoomi, India’s largest convention and exhibition center, will bring together nearly 2,000 educators, school leaders, counselors, and representatives from universities from across the globe. The conference is a foundational initiative of the IC3 Movement that aims to empower every school to run a robust, fully functioning career and college counseling department.

The Annual IC3 Conference & Expo is a crucial platform for school leaders, counselors, teachers, university leaders, university admission representatives, and educational organizations to learn, connect, and build relationships. It fosters a collaborative dialogue that addresses the multifaceted aspects of student well-being, empowering the advancement of career and college counseling practices. This year’s theme, ‘From Competition to Competence,’ is intended to shift the focus from competitive metrics to building core competencies, fostering a mindset centered on intrinsic self-worth and well-being, and highlighting the transformative power of counseling.

The conference will explore key focus areas such as the role of counseling in holistic student development, the impact of technology on counseling practices, and the importance of mental health support in learning institutions. Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India, will be the Guest of Honor, and Shri Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, will be the keynote speaker.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the event, Mr. Ganesh Kohli, Founder, IC3 Movement, India shares, “Our mission is to ensure that every student has access to high-quality counseling that can lead to their holistic development. The Annual IC3 Annual Conference & Expo and our round-the-year regional forums that bring together education stakeholders are a testament to our commitment to building a counseling ecosystem. With this event, we are excited to showcase the progress we’ve made over the years and continue to work towards empowering institutions by supporting them in establishing a robust and fully functioning counseling department.”

In addition to the enriching discussions, the Expo will provide a dynamic platform for universities and institutions to showcase their student opportunities and highlight their educational breadth. This year, the Expo will feature exhibits from universities and organizations across 16 countries, including five country-specific pavilions—Study France, Austrade, Scotland, Japan, and Hong Kong—all under one roof. These pavilions will offer educators, students, and parents a unique opportunity to explore student-focused opportunities from these diverse regions.

As the host of this event, ATLAS SkillTech University will play a pivotal role in supporting
the initiative. Sharing her thoughts, Dr. Indu Shahani, Founding President & Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University, India said “I am truly honoured to be a part of this event. The opportunities this event presents to discuss and advance the practice of school counselling are invaluable. While I look forward to engaging with educators and other school leaders, I also strongly support the conference’s goals of enhancing counselling practices and ensuring that every student has access to the guidance they need in their formative years. It is a privilege for me to contribute to such a significant event that aligns with my own value system – a firm belief in the transformative power of quality education and counselling.”

Aerospike Partners with Mindgate Solutions to Strengthen India’s Digital Payment Data Infrastructure

India, 21st August 2024 – Aerospike, Inc. (“Aerospike”), a leading database solutions provider, and Mindgate Solutions, a pioneer in payments technology and transaction processing, are partnering to enhance real-time payment (RTP) systems for India’s financial services sector. This collaboration expands Aerospike’s category leadership in the payments market by providing fast, smooth transaction capabilities to customers worldwide.

As the digital payment landscape continues to evolve, consumers and businesses are increasingly relying on seamless, secure, and real-time transactions. Mindgate Solutions is at the forefront of this revolution, with over 7 billion digital payments processed monthly and approximately 50% of UPI transactions routed through some of its leading partner banks.

Aerospike’s real-time database delivers the high throughput, sub millisecond transaction response times, and massive scalability that modern digital payment systems require to enable a high quality customer experience. The integration of Aerospike with Mindgate’s comprehensive real-time payment solutions offers unparalleled efficiency and reliability to the payments sector.

Key Benefits of the Partnership

• High Resiliency: Reduces dependency on Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), ensuring uninterrupted service even during high transaction volumes.
• Cloud Agnostic: Offers multi-cloud and on-premises deployment options for flexible and scalable solutions.
• High Throughput: Enables higher transactions per second (TPS) to support the growing demand for digital payments.
• Low Latency: Provides better transaction response times for an enhanced user experience.
• Active-Active Geo-Distributed Application: Ensures continuous availability and disaster recovery across multiple geographic locations.
• Scale on Demand: Facilitates linear scalability to meet the increasing demand without compromising performance.

 Commenting on the partnership, Aveekshith Bushan, Vice President and GM, Asia Pacific and Japan, Aerospike, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Mindgate Solutions and support the rapid growth of India’s digital payment ecosystem. Our real-time data platform is uniquely positioned to handle the demands of modern payment systems through superior performance, high availability and extreme scale. Together with Mindgate, we are redefining the future of digital payments in India.

Since partnering with Aerospike, Mindgate Solutions has achieved significant milestones, including a remarkable 25% increase in transaction throughput. This collaboration has also enabled the seamless handling of billions of digital payments per month as mentioned above, further solidifying Mindgate’s position as a leader in India’s digital payment ecosystem.

“Partnering with Aerospike allows us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in real-time payment processing. With Aerospike’s high throughput and low latency database, we can offer our clients enhanced performance, ensuring faster and more reliable transactions. This partnership is a significant step towards building a robust digital payments infrastructure that will drive economic growth and inclusion,” said Mr. George Sam, Co-founder and Business Head at Mindgate Solutions.

With the Indian digital payments market poised for exponential growth, the collaboration between Aerospike and Mindgate Solutions represents a crucial milestone in the journey towards a more connected and digitally empowered India.

Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit to explore ‘How SIPs Are Empowering Bharat’

Mumbai | August 21, 2024: Moneycontrol, India’s number one business and markets news platform, has announced the 2024 edition of ‘Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit’. Scheduled to take place on 21st August 2024 in Mumbai, the summit will convene financial experts, industry leaders, and regulators to discuss the rapid growth of India’s mutual fund sector. This year’s theme, ‘How SIPs Are Empowering Bharat,’ highlights the growing impact of SIPs in driving financial inclusion across the nation. The summit will also host the Mutual Fund Distributor Awards to celebrate the sector’s achievements and encourage financial empowerment and inclusion across India.

Amarjeet Singh, Whole Time Member, SEBI will deliver the keynote address, setting the stage with his perspective on regulatory frameworks and their role in shaping the future of mutual funds in India. Other prominent speakers include Viswanathan Anand, Indian Chess Grandmaster; Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Asset Management; Swarup Mohanty, VC& CEO, Mirae Asset Investment Managers, India; Kailash Kulkarni, CEO, HSBC India Asset Management; Nimesh Shah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ICICI Prudential Asset Management; Ajit Dayal, Founder and Advisor, Quantum Advisors; Lakshmi Iyer, CEO – Investment & Strategy, Kotak Alternate Asset Managers; Rajeev Thakkar, Chief Investment Officer and Director, PPFAS Mutual Fund; Roshi Jain, Senior Fund Manager, HDFC Asset Management; Dinesh Balachandran, Head of Equity, SBI Mutual Fund, Ashish Gupta, CIO, AXIS Mutual Fund, Suresh Sadagopan, SEBI RIA, MD & Principal Officer, Ladder7 Wealth Planners; Misbah Baxamusa, CEO, NJ Wealth; Sanjay Chawla, CIO – Equity, Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund and Akhil Chaturvedi, Chief Business Officer, Motilal Oswal AMC.

Speakers and panellists will discuss strategies for integrating new and first-time investors into the market, emphasising the importance of educating them about the risks and potential returns. Key topics will include setting realistic return expectations, navigating investors through volatile markets, and strengthening internal mechanisms to prevent fraud and make asset management companies more robust.

Speaking about the upcoming summit, Puneet Singhvi, CEO – Digital and President – Corporate Strategy, Network18 said, “The Indian mutual fund industry is reaching new heights, and with this platform, we aim to both acknowledge and fuel that progress. As India’s leading finance news platform, Moneycontrol is bringing together the country’s top financial experts to explore the influence of SIPs and the opportunities and challenges they present. We believe this gathering of industry giants will be instrumental in shaping the future of the sector.”

Avinash Kaul, CEO – Network18 (Broadcast) & Managing Director A+E Networks I TV18 added, “The growing Indian mutual fund industry holds immense potential, and to fully realise it, we need timely discussions and collaborations. At Network18, we are committed to driving the industry forward through meaningful conversations. The Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit is more than just a platform for knowledge sharing; it’s a catalyst for transformative dialogue, bringing together the brightest minds in finance to explore the future of mutual fund investments in India.”

The Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit is an annual forum that brings together industry leaders, leading financial experts, and regulators for insightful conversations about the current state of the Mutual Fund sector in the country. With insightful panel discussions and standalone sessions, the summit explores new opportunities for future growth of the sector in India.

SAWiT Expands Hyderabad Outreach to Equip 10 million Women with Generative AI Skills for Career Advancement

India, August 21, 2024: South Asian Women in Tech (SAWiT), a leading community focused on empowering South Asian women in technology, has made significant strides in its ambitious initiative to train 10 million women across India in Generative AI skills. As part of this nationwide effort, SAWiT is intensifying its outreach in Hyderabad, aiming to equip women in the region with the expertise needed to contribute to India’s technological and economic growth.

In collaboration with T-Hub and the Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA), SAWiT hosted a pivotal event in Hyderabad today, marking a significant milestone in its mission to upskill 500,000 women in the first phase of its program. The event brought together key figures from the tech ecosystem to discuss strategies for empowering women with cutting-edge AI skills, setting the stage for broader outreach across the country.

Prominent dignitaries in attendance included Sri Vidya Reddy (Chairperson, CII IWN Telangana), Srinivas Rao Mahankali (CEO, T-Hub), Priya Gazdar (Chairperson, FICCI FLO), Alexander McLaren (Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Hyderabad), Sita Pallacholla (CEO, WE Hub), and Jit Putcha (HYSEA, Managing Committee & Diversity Forum Leader, LTIMindtree). A key panel discussion titled “Advancing Skilling and Support for Women in AI” explored strategies to bridge the gender gap in AI. Additionally, a Google-led workshop provided practical training on deploying Generative AI models and exploring real-world applications.

According to a Nasscom report on India’s digital talent pool, Hyderabad ranks 4th with 13-14% of the nation’s digital talent. This underscores the city’s strategic importance in SAWiT’s nationwide initiative and highlights the critical role Hyderabad’s startup and corporate ecosystem will play in advancing AI skills among women, helping to close the gender gap in technology.

SAWiT.AI, the flagship program of SAWiT, is a collaborative effort with GUVI and is set to launch on September 21, 2024. The program, supported by an esteemed advisory council that includes Roshni Nadar Malhotra (Chairperson, HCL Tech), Samantha Ruth Prabhu (actor and women’s empowerment advocate), and Farzana Haque (Senior Leader, Tata Consultancy Services), will unfold in three phases: the SAWiT.AI Learnathon, SAWiT.AI Hackathon, and SAWiT.AI Festival.

SAWiT’s mission is part of a broader vision to unlock India’s $550 billion economic potential by increasing women’s participation in the workforce. Built on Kalido’s AI-driven platform, SAWiT provides women with opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, entrepreneurship, job readiness, and large-scale job placements. This initiative is poised to advance individual careers while driving India’s aspiration to become the AI capital of the world, capture the $1.3 trillion GDP opportunity, and climb the economic complexity index rankings.

Ahead of its premiere in India, Alien: Romulus crosses dollar110 Million globally on opening weekend

Ridley Scott’s iconic Alien franchise has continued to terrify and enthral audiences for decades. Alien: Romulus, the latest instalment from 20th Century Studios, has once again proven the enduring power of this sci-fi horror series, delivering a box office performance that has achieved a significant feat in its launch weekend. In its opening weekend, Alien: Romulus raked in a staggering $41.5 million domestically, securing its place as the second-highest-grossing debut in the entire Alien franchise. This impressive figure was further bolstered by an additional $66.5 million in international ticket sales, bringing the global total to a remarkable $108 million.

Alien: Romulus managed to capture the essence of what made the original films so terrifying while also offering a fresh and innovative take on the series. The film’s intricate plot, stunning visuals, and heart-pounding action sequences kept audiences on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The phenomenal box office performance of Alien: Romulus is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Alien franchise. It also serves as a reminder of the power of well-crafted horror films to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. As the film continues to expand its theatrical run, it is poised to become one of the biggest box office hits of the year.

Taking the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots, Alien: Romulus scavenges the deep ends of a derelict space station, where a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. The film stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu in pivotal roles. Directed by Fede Alvarez who co-wrote the film with Rodo Sayagues, the film is based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. “Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott and Walter Hill with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon, Brent O’Connor and Tom Moran serving as executive producers.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu Joins World Pickleball League as Team Chennai Owner

Chennai, August 21, 2024: The World Pickleball League (WPBL) – owned by Natekar Sports and Gaming, today announced actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the owner of the Chennai franchise. Widely respected for her acting prowess, Samantha’s foray into the World Pickleball League marks her exciting debut as a sports entrepreneur.

 As the owner of the Chennai franchise, Samantha will play a pivotal role in shaping the league’s future and promoting pickleball’s popularity in India. Her involvement underscores her commitment to India’s evolving sports ecosystem, with a particular focus on increasing women’s participation as athletes as well as entrepreneurs.

 “Love at first sight — that’s exactly how I’d describe my feelings for pickleball. It caught my attention from the moment I was introduced to it. Today, I’m thrilled to be the owner of the Chennai franchise in the upcoming World Pickleball League. I’ve always wanted to be a part of India’s growing sports ecosystem. In recent years, our country has made great progress towards becoming a multisport nation, with a significant increase in women’s participation in sports. My goal is to encourage more women and young girls to get involved in sports, and I’m eager to work with Gaurav Natekar and AIPA to drive participation in the sport.” Said Samantha Ruth Prabhu, owner of the Chennai Team, WPBL.

 “We’re thrilled to welcome Samantha Ruth Prabhu as one of the team owners of the World Pickleball League. When I first met her a few months ago, she was very clear about her desire to play a hands-on role in promoting a sport and owning a team, and building communities in Chennai, especially by creating more opportunities for women and girls to play. With 40% of pickleball players being women, Samantha’s involvement is a perfect fit for the league. “ said Gaurav Natekar, Founder & CEO of WPBL. “We’re crafting an experience that is at the confluence of pop culture. From exceptional food and engaging content to captivating music, and with the star power of owners like her, the WPBL will be a sensory feast that goes far beyond just the sport itself.

 “Pickleball is the fastest growing sport globally, and WPBL is set to be an unmissable event where the world’s top players will showcase their talents on Indian soil. Samantha is particularly passionate about increasing female participation in sports and creating opportunities for young women and girls. We at AIPA are excited to collaborate with her to further popularize pickleball across the country.” added Arvind Prabhoo, President of the All-India Pickleball Association and President, International Pickleball Federation.

 As the World Pickleball League gears up for its debut, Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s involvement brings star power to a sport that is already captivating hearts across the country. The league is set to become India’s hottest new sporting sensation, and with Samantha’s leadership, Team Chennai is poised to make a significant impact.

The curtain rises for the third edition of the IFF Fashion Expo

Kochi, 21th August, 2024: The third edition of the Fashion Expo under the Indian Fashion Fair banner is scheduled to take place on January 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2025, at Adlux Convention Centre, Angamaly. The IFF Fashion Expo 2025, which will feature more than 180 stalls showcasing over 100 brands, including international brands, had its official logo unveiled by Mr. T.S. Pattabhiraman, the State President of KTGA and Chairman of Kalyan Silks. He also received a check of Rs. 5 lakh from the IFF organizing committee for the KTGA Wayanad Relief Fund. The event will also include attractive fashion shows for children, women, and men, a star-studded awards night, and various cultural programs.

The logo unveiling ceremony took place during the KTGA Kozhikode District Conference held at the Calicut Trade Centre, in the presence of Mujeeb Family (Family Wedding), Beena Kannan (Seematti), Bappu Haji (Sindoor Silks), Johar Tamton (Silky Wedding), P.S. Siraj (Preethi Silks), Bari (Family Wedding), and Kalam (Zeenath Silks). The title sponsor, Body Care, was represented by A.S.M. R.S. Raju and Soman and the Co-sponsors were represented by Marketing Manager Shyam & North Kerala ASM, Rathan Jith (Blossom) and Managing Director Sajimon, Marketing Head Arjun (Momzcare).

Bhai Parmanand Vidya Mandir Hosts Prestigious Investiture Ceremony

Delhi- Bhai Parmanand Vidya Mandir marked an important achievement in its academic year with the incredible investiture ceremony. The newly elected student council took the oath of office and promised to defend the institution’s ideals and principles at the occasion, which was marked by passion and a sense of responsibility.

 The ceremony began with a formal march past, which highlighted the children’s discipline and dedication. The Chief Guest and the academic leaders of the school awarded badges and sashes to the deserving students, symbolizing their responsibility as the school’s representatives. The occasion served as proof of the best school in east Delhi Bhai Parmanand Vidya Mandir’s, dedication to helping its students develop completely and as leaders.

 In her address, Academic Director Pratibha Sharma highlighted the significance of leadership, responsibility, and service, adding, “At Bhai Parmanand Vidya Mandir, the top school of east Delhi we believe in developing future leaders who will not only excel academically but also lead with ethics and compassion. Our students are recognized and provided the confidence to assume these important responsibilities within the school community through the investiture ceremony.

 The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks, leaving the audience impressed by the students’ leadership and ability to take on new tasks. Bhai Parmanand Vidya Mandir continues its legacy of developing future leaders by combining moral principles with academic excellence.

Study Abroad: UK & USA count in top destination choices for Mumbai students

Mumbai, 20 August 2024: LeapScholar in association with GeeBee Education is organising a study abroad fair in Mumbai. Renowned universities from the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand & Europe will be participating in the education fair, allowing students to discover top universities of their choice and know more about desired programs. The Mumbai event is scheduled to take place at Hotel Sahara Star on Sunday, 25th August 2024 from 10 am – 4 pm.

The event will offer spot offers, application fee waivers, and scholarships for eligible students, along with on-spot counselling from university experts to guide students and parents in choosing the right path for their study abroad journey. Complemented by participation from the US consulate as well as value-added services such as loans, GIC FOREX, and more for all attendees.

With over 300 universities and colleges participating, more than 4000+ students and parents are expected to attend. Aspirants will be able to avail spot admissions and scholarship opportunities after on-site assessments of academic profile. Some of the top participating universities across countries include Northern Arizona University, Northwest Missouri State University, Ohio University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Leeds, University of York, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Leeds Beckett University, Niagara College Canada, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver, Auckland University of Technology, University of Auckland, Paris School of Business, Berlin School of Business and Innovation GmbH, etc.

“In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of student applicants from Mumbai seeking global education. At GeeBee, our mission is to provide students with a seamless pathway to international universities, having already assisted over 250,000 students to broaden their horizons. With this education fair, we aim to offer students an opportunity to personally meet the representatives of various international universities. The event will also feature participation from the US consulate, including a seminar for both aspiring students and parents.” stated Mayank Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, GeeBee Education.

Some of the popular destination preferences of students from Maharashtra wanting to go abroad include countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, etc. Most applications received from the state are for postgraduate degrees in Global Business, Marketing, Engineering, Data Science, Business Analytics among others.

MAHE signs MOU with SKAN and Happiest Health for academics, research and consultancy

Bengaluru, 20 August 2024: SKAN Research Trust (SKAN), promoted by Indian entrepreneur Ashok Soota, today announced that Happiest Health and SKAN have signed an MOU with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) for academics, research and consultancy.

The projects for joint collaborative research will include microbiome studies, stem cell research, and biotherapeutics. MAHE will use its vast experience to provide consultancy to facilitate Happiest Health’s setting up various healthcare practices.

Mr. Ashok Soota, Chairman & Managing Trustee of SKAN, said, “We are delighted that Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has agreed to sign an agreement covering R&D and Academic collaboration with SKAN and also an agreement to provide consultancy to Happiest Health for various healthcare practices. MAHE is a powerhouse with vast years of experience in academics, research, and multiple healthcare practices. We look forward to advancing the frontiers of science through collaborative research with them.”

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, added, “This partnership aligns with our vision of fostering innovation and cutting-edge research. At MAHE, we have always emphasized the importance of advancing healthcare through rigorous academic inquiry and pioneering research. With our strong foundation in research, particularly in areas like molecular biology, biotechnology, and clinical research, we are excited to collaborate with SKAN and Happiest Health. This partnership not only enhances our capabilities but also allows us to contribute significantly to impactful research in emerging fields like microbiome studies and stem cell therapies, areas where MAHE has been actively involved. We look forward to leveraging our strengths to drive innovations that will transform healthcare practices.”

Dr. Sharath Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, stated, “This MOU marks a significant step in our journey of collaborative research and academic excellence. MAHE has a rich history of academic rigor and innovation, and we are proud of our strong research culture, which has produced significant contributions to healthcare and science. Our expertise in microbiome studies, combined with our interdisciplinary approach and state-of-the-art facilities, positions us well to partner with SKAN and Happiest Health in pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge. We are confident that this collaboration will lead to meaningful advancements, not only in healthcare but also in the way research is conducted, ultimately benefiting society at large.”

Dr. Yogesh Shouche, Director, SKAN, said “We will quickly begin dialogue with MAHE to define specific research projects. SKAN would like to expand its expertise in gut microbiome to cover other human microbiome components.”