6, Aug 2024
Dr. Batra’s® Healthcare Continues Expansion, Opens State-of-the-Art Clinic in Greater Noida – Gaur City

Delhi, 6th August 2024 – Dr. Batra’s® Healthcare, the Indian global leader with the largest network of homeopathic clinics worldwide, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its 2nd clinic in Greater Noida and its 16th clinic in Delhi-NCR. The inauguration event was graced by Mr. Tejpal Singh Nagar, Member of Legislative Assembly from Dadri Constituency, Greater Noida alongside Dr. Tushar Mittal, Head – Medical Services at Dr. Batra’s® Group of Companies. Gaur City is strategically located to offer excellent connectivity to Noida and Delhi-NCR, making it an ideal place for families and professionals to call home, which will likely drive an increased demand for healthcare services. According to the World Health Organization, homeopathy is the second largest system of medicine worldwide, with over 100 million people in India depending on it for their health and wellness needs.

Dr Batra

The name, Dr. Batra’s®, is synonymous with homeopathy. Padma Shri Dr. Mukesh Batra, and India’s leading homeopath, founded Dr. Batra’s ® Healthcare as a patient-driven institution in Mumbai in 1982. Since then the brand has successfully treated over 15 lakh patients with a success rate of 91% as authenticated by the American Quality Assessors.

Dr. Batra’s® offers people of Greater Noida the fastest and the best results through the combined goodness of homeopathy and the latest international technologies. Dr Batra’s® recently launched XOGEN, an exosome-based targeted hair treatment designed for men and women, to revolutionize the management of hereditary hair loss with its exosome-based formulation. XOGEN represents a cutting-edge advancement in hair restoration, using a potent formula of 2 billion cells to regenerate hair. Clinically proven to show visible results in just three months. Dr. Batra’s® has introduced the world’s first AI-powered device, AI Skin Pro, for diagnosing and treating skin diseases. Imported from South Korea, this machine represents the fifth generation of AI technology. Additionally, the AI Hair Pro device offers faster, highly customized, and accurately measurable patient outcomes for the treatment of hair disorders.

Moreover, get radiant, brighter, and clearer skin instantly with Dr. Batra’s® New You range of Home-facials & Medi-facials that combine the goodness of homeopathy with best-in-class aesthetic solutions. Find out your lung health score with Dr. Batra’s® Oxylung – the comprehensive lung health treatment program which includes the Lung Function Test and a natural, steroid-free Homeopathic Nebulization. With Dr. Batra’s® Allergone, patients can get tested for over 45 food allergens with a single prick test and treat their skin allergies and chronic skin problems like Vitiligo, Psoriasis, and Eczema through Dr. Batra’s® Derma Heal, a therapeutic light treatment combined with the goodness of homeopathy for the skin.

Commenting on the launch Mr. Tejpal Singh Nagar, Member of Legislative Assembly from Dadri Constituency, Greater Noida said, “Homeopathy, being one of the safest treatment methods, brings me immense satisfaction. I am delighted to be part of the clinic’s launch. Providing care to people is a noble service to humanity, and Dr. Batra’s® has earned a distinguished reputation for delivering top-quality healthcare.”

Commenting on the launch of the Greater Noida clinic, Dr. Tushar Mittal, Head – Medical Services at Dr. Batra’s® Group of Companies said, “This new clinic in Greater Noida’s- Gaur City expands our reach, bringing our world-class homeopathic solutions. Our establishment in the region reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of this vibrant and growing community. At Dr. Batra’s®, we combine the benefits of homeopathy with advanced international technologies, emphasizing personalized care tailored to each patient’s needs. This new clinic underscores our commitment to enhancing patient well-being. Homeopathy provides numerous advantages, offering holistic treatment with no side effects. Dr. Batra’s® excels in creating customized treatment plans based on the severity of each condition. The uniqueness of homeopathy lies in its cost-effectiveness, non-invasive methods, and painless healing, aligning perfectly with our mission of Healing People Changing Lives.”

6, Aug 2024
Fintech Ecosystem Luminaries to Converge at Global Fintech Fest 2024

New Delhi, August 6, 2024 – One of the world’s largest annual fintech conferences, the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) is back with its fifth edition. GFF 2024 is scheduled from August 28 – 30, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance: Responsible AI | Inclusive | Resilient’.

Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 is presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The conference is jointly organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC)

Explaining the key objective and vision of GFF 2024, Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures and Co-founder, Infosys, and the Chairman of the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 Advisory Council said, “GFF 2024 is more than a showcase of fintech innovations. It’s about crafting a future that is equitable, inclusive, and resilient. In the context of India being one of the fastest growing fintech markets in the world, this conference assembles the leading minds in global fintech to surge ahead ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth. Our focus on responsible AI, inclusivity, and resilience highlights our commitment to building a responsible financial ecosystem that can adapt to and thrive amid global challenges.”

“At the heart of GFF 2024 is the belief that a responsible and inclusive financial ecosystem is imperative for global progress. Our theme this year is Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance, which reflects our dedication to fostering collaboration, innovation, and ethical leadership in fintech”, said Mr. G Padmanabhan, Former Executive Director, the Reserve Bank of India, Former Chairman, the Bank of India, and Member, of GFF 2024 Advisory Council.

Summing up the importance of GFF 2024, Mr. Dilip Asbe, MD & CEO, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said, “We are happy to unveil the fifth edition of Global Fintech Fest 2024 – a meeting ground for celebrating the remarkable advancements of fintech, spotlighting new opportunities driven by the surge in deep-tech innovations, and hearing inspiring thoughts of visionary leaders. This year’s fest is not only aimed at nurturing global collaborations and addressing pivotal challenges, but also devising business models that promote inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability. GFF 2024 aims to promote innovation, and we are looking forward to engaging discussions and pioneering insights that will shape the future of the sector for the coming decade.”

Around 800 speakers, including policymakers, regulators, senior bankers, industry captains, and academicians, from India and various other countries will address more than 350 sessions over three days of the conference.

Among the stalwarts from India sharing their insights at GFF 2024 are:

· Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India

· Shri T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India

· Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY

· Smt. Madhabi Puri Buch, Chairperson, Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

· Shri. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India

· Dr. Abhijit Phukon, Economic Advisor, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India

· Mr. Nandan Nilekani, Co-founder & Chairman, Infosys Technologies

· Shri. Atul Kumar Goel, Managing Director & CEO, Punjab National Bank

· Shri. Sumnesh Joshi, Deputy Director General (Joint Secretary Level), Ministry of Communications, Government of India

· Mr. Ray Harishankar, Vice President, Business and Technical Strategy, IBM Quantum Safe

Global luminaries from the fintech and finance ecosystem converging at GFF 2024 include:

· Dr. Florian Toncar, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Finance

· Mr. Alexandre Stervinou, Director, Cash & Retail Payments Policy and Oversight Directorate, Banque de France

· Mr. Harish Natarajan, Practice Manager, Financial Inclusion & Infrastructure, The World Bank

· Mr. Jay Surti, Financial Supervision & Regulation Division Chief, International Monetary Fund

· Ms. Daranee Saeju, Assistant Governor, Bank of Thailand

· Dr. Sidi Mohamed Dhaker, Special Advisor to Governor, Central Bank of Mauritania

· Ms. Ana Maria Prieto, Head – Payment System Department, Central Bank of Colombia

· Mr. Solomon Damtew, Director, National Bank of Ethiopia

· Mr. Harris Mygdalis, Group Chief Digital Officer, Eurobank

· Ms. Sirirat Jungwongsasin, Deputy Director, Bank of Thailand

· Mr. Camilo Tellez-Merchan, Deputy Managing Director, UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance, United Nations

GFF 2024 will feature over 150 international speakers from 40 countries, including the US, the UK, Germany, France, Singapore, UAE, and Israel. Delegates are expected from over 100 countries, besides India.

The conference will also feature Investment Pitches and hackathons, providing a platform for fintech startups to present their innovative ideas to potential investors. This initiative aims to offer the startups international visibility and secure substantial funding from leading venture capitalists. Twenty thought leadership reports will be launched at GFF 2024.

6, Aug 2024
Staffing Startup Instawork Acquires YC-Backed Able Jobs

Mumbai, August 06 2024: Flexible work app, Instawork, announced that it has acquired YC and Elevation Capital-backed startup, Able Jobs, to strengthen its product suite. This marks the San Francisco-based company’s first acquisition in India.

Instawork aims to leverage Bengaluru-based Able Jobs’s product innovations to enhance its own capabilities and explore new segments. This acquisition will also help Instawork build a product from India for the global market and benefit from Able Jobs’s expertise, the company said in a statement.

As a part of the acquisition, Ravish Agrawal, Co-Founder and CEO of Able Jobs, will serve as an advisor to Instawork, while Siddharth Srivastava, Co-Founder and CPO will join as a product leader in the Instawork team.

Speaking on the announcement, Ravish Agrawal, Co-Founder and CEO, Able Jobs, commented, “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for Able Jobs. We are thrilled to bring our knowledge and experience to Instawork, helping to build a world-class platform that benefits workers and employers globally.”

Sharing his views on the acquisition, Siddharth Srivastava, Co-Founder and CPO, Able Jobs, stated, “We see this as an incredible opportunity to utilize our strengths and Instawork’s resources to solve unemployment and hiring challenges more effectively and on a larger scale.”

Ravish and Siddharth founded able Jobs in 2019 as a career platform for early professionals in India. In the last five years, Able Jobs has garnered ~3 Mn users who have accessed the platform to apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, and get real world skills.

So far, more than 2500+ companies have also used the Able Jobs platform for their entry-level hiring. Able Jobs has also placed nearly 35,000+ professionals in the field of Analyst, Sales, Support, Marketing, Finance and more.

Able Jobs has raised a total of $2.3 Mn funding from Elevation Capital, Y Combinator, Titan Capital, Mynavi, and angel investors like Neeraj Arora – ex CBO of WhatsApp and Founder of Venture Highway, and Farid Ahsan – Co-Founder of ShareChat.

Instawork, which pairs hourly workers to companies that need to fill shifts, announced a $60 million Series D last year in May, to expand its use of AI, and match workers with shifts on its mobile app and platform. The company has raised a total funding of $160 million, and was last valued at $760 million. Instawork is backed by investors like Benchmark, Greylock, Craft Ventures, Spark Capital, Y Combinator and venture capital fund TCV.

6, Aug 2024
19-Year-Old Road Accident Victim with Severe Head Injury Successfully Revived at Fortis Bannerghatta Road

Bangalore, 06 August 2024: Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road recently treated a critical road accident victim who had sustained a traumatic head injury and a fracture in his right arm after a severe road accident in Hulimavu. A multidisciplinary team of doctors led by Dr. Raghuram G, Additional Director of Neurosurgery, along with Dr. Narayan Hulse, Director of Orthopaedics at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road, successfully treated the patient using a multidisciplinary approach.

Dr Raghuram & Dr Narayan Hulse

The incident occurred 2 months ago when 19-year-old, Raj (Name changed) was traveling in a car around 1:00 am. While sitting in the back seat, the vehicle toppled after hitting a footpath. As a result, he sustained a head injury, an injury to his right upper limb, loss of consciousness, and bleeding from his left ear, leaving him in critical condition and in urgent need of expert medical attention. Recognizing the severity of the situation, he was immediately rushed to Fortis Bannerghatta.

Upon admission, Raj underwent an MRI scan that revealed a diffuse axonal injury, a condition where the connection between the brain cells are disturbed causing swelling and bleeding. This injury severely compromised his ability to speak and move. Additionally, he sustained a fracture in his right upper limb, along with an elbow dislocation. Given the critical nature of his condition, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted, with a team of skilled neurosurgeons, orthopaedician, anaesthesiologists, and infectious disease specialists evaluating treatment options to ensure the best clinical outcomes.

The neuro team administered targeted medication to address his injuries, speech difficulties, balance issues, and memory impairment caused by the accident. Road accidents often pose serious challenges with minimal chances of survival. In this case, an integrated approach by the medical team, combined with quality care, enabled the patient to recover successfully. Customized rehabilitation efforts have also been instrumental in his journey towards healing and regaining his ability to lead a normal life.

Giving details of the case, Dr Raghuram G, Additional Director – Neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, said, “Quick medical intervention was crucial in stabilizing Raj’s condition after he suffered severe head injuries. This involved management in the NSICU with IV antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, and measures to reduce swelling. Following the initial treatment, a tailored rehabilitation program including physiotherapy and speech therapy, was pivotal in his recovery, enabling him to resume daily activities. Our multidisciplinary team worked closely to provide comprehensive care that addressed both immediate medical needs and long-term rehabilitation goals. Raj has successfully resumed his college studies and is currently undergoing weekly sessions focused on speech recovery.”

Commenting on the surgical procedure, Dr. Narayan Hulse, Director – Orthopaedics, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, said, “Given the fracture in Raj’s right upper limb, thin wires were used to stabilize the bones, while a plate and screws secured the fracture. Additionally, a part of the elbow joint was removed because it could not be properly reduced due to the nature of the fracture. Following these surgical interventions, the patient has shown significant progress in his recovery. With continued physical therapy and rehabilitation, he has regained substantial mobility and is steadily improving in his daily activities.”

Mr. Akshay Oleti, Business Head, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, said, “We are immensely proud of our team’s relentless dedication and expertise, which have once again brought hope and healing to a young road accident victim. This successful outcome exemplifies our commitment to delivering exceptional patient care and advancing medical innovation through a collaborative effort from a multidisciplinary team of specialists.”

6, Aug 2024
Aster CMI Hospital offers Technology-Driven Solutions for Diabetic Foot Management

Bangalore, August 06, 2024 – To commemorate National Vascular Disease Awareness Day, Aster CMI Hospital introduces inauguration of dedicated Diabetic Footcare Clinic (DFC) with cutting-edge technology. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence and 3D CAD, the clinic offers a comprehensive services to prevent and manage various issues related to diabetic foot, thereby significantly reducing amputation risk and enhancing patients’ quality of life.

Diabetes is a leading cause of amputations worldwide, often stemming from foot ulcers. Traditional methods of managing diabetic footcare have limitations, often resulting in suboptimal outcomes. Aster CMI Hospital’s DFC aims to address this critical issue by offering a comprehensive and patient-centric solution.

By meticulously scanning patients’ feet and analyzing the data through AI algorithms, the clinic creates customized footwear that offloads pressure from vulnerable areas, preventing ulcer formation and promoting healing. This innovative approach significantly reduces the risk of amputations and improves the overall quality of life for diabetic patients.

“India is grappling with a diabetes epidemic, marked by alarming rates of subsequent foot ulcers and amputations. Our new Diabetic Footcare Clinic is a significant development in addressing and preventing complaints related to diabetic foot ulcers. By combining advanced technology with expert care, we aim to prevent associated complications and enhance the quality of life for countless diabetic patients. Our vision is a future free from diabetes-related amputations,” said Dr. Krishna Chaitanya, Lead Consultant – Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Aster CMI Hospital.

The Diabetic Footcare Clinic also offers comprehensive diabetic foot care services, including wound management, vascular assessments, and patient education. By addressing the multifaceted nature of diabetic foot disease, the clinic aims to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster DM Healthcare India said, “Diabetic Footcare Clinic marks a significant milestone for us. We are setting a new standard for diabetic foot management and our strategic focus will also be on this domain given the extensive spread of the disease in India. This clinic is a testament to our commitment to healthcare excellence in diabetes foot care.”

“The Diabetic Footcare Clinic exemplifies Aster CMI Hospital’s dedication to a comprehensive tech-solution to diabetes-related foot crisis. We aim to prevent life-altering complications and enhance the quality of life for individuals living with this debilitating ailment. The objective is to create a secure and enjoyable future for patients where diabetes doesn’t impede mobility or independence,” said S Ramesh Kumar, CEO at Aster Hospitals Bengaluru.

6, Aug 2024
Geninnov Appoints Susan Gilbertson As Strategy Advisor In The US

New Delhi 06 August 2024 – GenInnov, an innovation-focused global asset management platform, announced the appointment of Susan Gilbertson as Strategy Advisor in the US as it looks to focus on its expansion in the US and its financial services platform.

 Ms. Gilbertson will provide strategic input and expertise alongside Nilesh Jasani, CEO of GenInnov and Chief Portfolio Manager of LC GenInnov Global Innovation Fund, a long-only, innovation-focused, thematically diversified fund. The LC GenInnov Global Innovation Fund was launched by global investment institution Lighthouse Canton earlier this year and invests in companies poised for growth in the GenAI era.

 Ms. Gilbertson has over 35 years of experience in global financial markets. Most recently she was the Head of US Equity Research at Mizuho Securities, USA and a member of the US Equities Operating Committee. Mizuho Financial Group in Japan is among the top 3 financial groups in Japan and top 15 largest financial institutions globally. Prior to that she was at Jefferies for 14 years, as the Deputy Global Head of Equity Research. Jefferies is consistently ranked among the Top 10 in the Americas. Ms. Gilbertson is the CEO and Founder of Susan Gilbertson Enterprise (SGE), which provides advisory and consultant services to financial firms looking to grow sustainably with a focus on strategy, organizational structure and team building. She has an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a BSc in Banking & International Finance from The Cass Business School, London, England.

 “I am excited to welcome Susan as an adviser to GenInnov,” said Mr. Jasani. “Her appointment reinforces GenInnov’s commitment to provide innovative, differentiated, and flexible investment opportunities in Asia and the US.”

 “GenInnov is at the forefront of innovation in the Asset Management Industry, combining the latest in GenAI technology with fundamental financial analysis,” said Ms. Gilbertson. “I am honored to be a participant in GenInnov’s growth and at the opportunity to partner once more with Mr. Nilesh.” Mr. Jasani and Ms. Gilbertson worked together prior in research management at Jefferies, the global investment bank.

 The LC GenInnov Global Innovation Fund is led by Mr. Jasani, an industry veteran with over three decades of market experience and a subject matter expert on GenAI. It aims to capitalise on the rapid innovation and its market opportunities, expecting significant wealth creation in sectors like biotech, healthcare, robotics, mobility, wearables, and clean tech.

 Mr Jasani is based in Singapore and is a highly experienced and respected Asia equities industry professional. Most recently, he headed Jefferies Asia Equities and in 2010 was hired to build and lead Jefferies Asia Equity Research. Prior to Jefferies, Mr Jasani was hired in 2007 to build Credit Suisse’s India research team which was one of the top which was ranked one of the top-ranked research teams across various industry polls in 2009 and 2010, with Mr. Jasani individually receiving the highest accolades in his macro domains. Given his extensive experience in Asia financial markets and deep business connections in Korea, Taiwan and IBM, Mr Jasani has a front row seat to the disruptive innovation coming out of Asia and a proven ability to identify the top global investment ideas in innovation.

6, Aug 2024
Tenable Launches Advanced Vulnerability Intelligence and Response to Tackle Top Threats

New Delhi, 6th August, 2024 – Tenable®, the exposure management company, today announced the release of Vulnerability Intelligence and Exposure Response, two powerful context-driven prioritization and response features available in Tenable Vulnerability Management, Tenable One and Tenable Cloud Security. The combined power of these features contextualises vulnerability data from internal and external sources, enabling organisations to close the exposures that pose the greatest risks to their businesses.

Gavin Millard Tenable

Cybersecurity teams are inundated with troves of fragmented vulnerability and threat intelligence data, but Tenable Research reveals that only 3% of vulnerabilities most frequently result in impactful exposure. Tenable’s new capabilities (Vulnerability Intelligence and Exposure Response) help enable customers to pinpoint these key vulnerabilities with rich context, curated by Tenable Research, and close risky exposures.

“Without threat context and research insights, every vulnerability is a priority, creating a high-stress, low efficiency whack-a-mole scenario for security teams,” said Tenable’s Gavin Millard, VP of product management for Vulnerability Management. “Tenable is unleashing more than two decades of carefully curated exposure data to enable security teams to focus on the risk that matters most to their organization and communicate succinctly to stakeholders. The enriched intelligence and contextualisation takes prioritisation and response to a new level, providing security teams with the critical data needed to identify and reduce risk.”

In the last two decades, Tenable has collected and analysed 50 trillion data points on more than 240,000 vulnerabilities, capturing detailed vulnerability information and deep context. This enriched database supercharges Tenable Vulnerability Intelligence, enabling efficient proactive defence. Backed by the expertise of Tenable Research, Vulnerability Intelligence integrates comprehensive vulnerability sources designed to streamline data analysis and enable security teams to quickly understand vulnerability details. With comprehensive, action-oriented workflows from Exposure Response, security teams can prioritise asset exposures based on criticality, monitor remediation trends against SLAs and track progress against desired outcomes. This will help customers ensure resources are used efficiently, reduce risk and communicate value to stakeholders in business terms.

Vulnerability Intelligence and Exposure Response are available to Tenable Vulnerability Management and Tenable One customers, empowering proactive security for the modern enterprise. Vulnerability Intelligence is also accessible directly from Tenable Cloud Security. Key features include:

Threat Landscape Overview – Seven curated exposure risk categories provide a unique way to proactively surface key exposures that warrant further review by highlighting CVEs under CISA known exploits, active exploitation, ransomware campaigns, emerging threats in the news and more.

Natural Language and Advanced Search – Easy to use search function that enables security teams to search for specific vulnerabilities by CVE number or common name, review distilled knowledge available on a vulnerability and surface impacted assets quickly. Buildable advanced query that enables security teams to zero in on high-impact vulnerabilities by identifying groups of vulnerabilities based on VPR key drivers, common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) metrics and Tenable Research metadata.

Campaign-Based Initiatives: Targeted campaigns and business segments using an end-to-end workflow that streamlines prioritisation and mitigation of critical vulnerabilities, designed to promote efficient use of resources and improved security outcomes.

Progress Tracking and Advanced Reporting: Advanced reporting capabilities provides clear accountability and visibility into remediation efforts and detailed reports on vulnerability trends, empowering data-driven decision-making and proactive security improvements, such as identifying bottlenecks, assisting with resource allocation and facilitating data-driven decisions.

6, Aug 2024
ISRO Immersion Challenge on AI for Space Innovation held at IIITH

Hyderabad, 6th August 2024: ISRO-NRSC and IIIT Hyderabad organized an AI for Space Immersion Program for startup and research-student teams nationwide. This day-long event held on Saturday brought together a dynamic community of startups, students, researchers, and industry experts to foster innovation and explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the space sector.

Ideas were reviewed by the scientists and guidance was given to refine and improve the ideas, CIE-IIIT Hyderabad and ISRO with support from IN-SPACe organized this innovation event to seed interesting new ideas and solutions for space. Through interactive ideation sessions, mentorship from ISRO scientists, interaction with IIITH faculty, pitch workshops, and inspiring talks, the participants had the opportunity to validate their ideas and connect with potential mentors and investors. The speakers at the inaugural and finale included Anand Rajagopalan of TM2Space, Naga Bharath of Skyroot, Vinod Bothala (Outstanding Scientist) of ISRO, Vijaya Bhanu (Director PD) of IN-SPACe, KV Ramana (Dep Director) of NRSC-ISRO, P J Narayanan (Director) of IIITH

The ISRO Immersion Challenge witnessed robust participation with 177 applications received. Of these, 74 teams were invited for the immersion. The final 6 ideas included Green Propulsion for satellite delivery, AI-powered precision Rocket Control, Autonomous Swarm for Space Debris Cleanup, Precision Agriculture through crop surveys for accurate agricultural insights, and Democratizing Geospatial Data through a chat interface. The final winners were Expanse Cosmos (a startup based in Delhi) and Team Trishul (a student team from Chandigarh).

Prof CV Jawahar, Dean at IIIT Hyderabad said, “CIE at IIIT-H is an initiative to nurture innovations and startups based on support from research. We are very happy that ISRO and IIITH enabled this convergence of scientists, faculty, research students, startups and space enthusiasts to collectively come up with very interesting deep tech-based solutions for spac

6, Aug 2024
Securing Critical Infrastructure: The Radical Possibilities of Facial Recognition Systems

Securing critical infrastructure is important to protect the physical and digital boundaries of any economy. Security advisors and experts around the world are constantly engaged in strategising and devising policies for efficient incident detection and response protocols. The key motivation for such intricate planning is not only to secure the boundaries but also to safeguard resources, people, and information through and through.

 To break it down, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines Critical Infrastructure as ‘systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to a country that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on political security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.’ Some of the most crucial sectors for a country are:

  Homeland security
 Water processing
 Critical manufacturing

 Resources are dedicated to preventing any disruptions in the functioning of these assets. This is essential to maintain socio-economic stability and keep safe from threats and adversities, operational failures, and global incidents. These critical sectors constantly remain vulnerable to risks and uncertainties, threatening the peace and balance of a country and catching the attention of malicious actors.

 Events of crime and vandalism endanger peace, creating a sense of insecurity and unrest among the masses. Evidently, the damage to public property and resources is immense and affects the whole country. Sensitive information and data leaks due to weak cybersecurity, breaches, and unauthorised access compromise the country’s global communication channels, leading to the loss of critical digital resources. According to a 2023 report by Cybersecurity Ventures, the global annual cost of cybercrime is projected to reach US $10.5 billion by 2025, stating cybercrime to be the most immediate global threat. In another example, break-ins and security incidents in manufacturing, energy, and logistics units are greatly detrimental to operational flow and hence, disrupt the national and international supply chains.

 The need of the hour is to establish a more reliable, accurate, and foolproof security system competent in safeguarding critical infrastructure. With the increasing footprint of technology in security, the best alternative is a smart solution that encompasses the capabilities of a video surveillance system, access control system, incident detection, and alert protocols.

 Facial Recognition Technology
With 64% of countries using facial recognition systems (FRS), it is among the top three AI surveillance technologies adopted across the world. It is not limited by geographical boundaries, electronic configurations, or physical proximity. For securing large and small spaces, as well as physical and virtual premises, facial recognition technology has emerged as a phenomenal player in the security ecosystem. The following qualities set facial recognition technology (FRT) apart from other technologies:

 Accurate Identification
FRT has achieved more than 99% accuracy in the identification and verification of an individual’s profile from their face image. This also indicates that the chances of false results are nearly zero. As a virtue of this accuracy and ever-evolving algorithms, the presence of a person of interest can be quickly tracked and addressed.

 Improved Video Surveillance
Facial recognition expands the capabilities of a standard video management system (VMS), which is an indispensable part of perimeter security. It enriches existing VMS with intelligent analytical features, like premises mapping, incident detection, smart tracking, micro surveillance and control, etc. This enrichment increases the reliability of security infrastructure and strengthens protective measures.

 Efficient Access Control
Access control mechanisms are set up to monitor and regulate access to sensitive areas, critical assets and premises, hazardous manufacturing units, or even control rooms. Access control systems facilitated with facial biometrics protect sensitive resources and areas from unauthorised access on account of identity theft or tailgating. This is not only limited to the physical premises but digital assets as well, such as servers, cloud resources, and data centres.

Quick identification, incident detection, and archived recordings support the security staff in monitoring and controlling incidents. As soon as an unidentified person is detected by the FRS or a potential breach is attempted, immediate alerts are sent to the security control interface calling for prompt response.

 Liveness Detection
FRS is powered by advanced technology and algorithms supported by artificial intelligence, and it is constantly evolving with endless possibilities. One of its key capabilities is liveness detection. It enables the system to differentiate an image from an actual person, preventing the risks of identity theft and synthetic identities. Thus, helping strike security vulnerabilities and build a more robust and protective infrastructure.

 Accessibility Benefits
Unlike other authentication methods, facial biometrics is not limited by situational constraints. FRS completes the authentication process of an individual as soon as they step into the range of the camera, defying proximity challenges. The face image serves as an added layer for access control, surpassing the limitations of physical cards and alphanumeric passwords. The system works seamlessly across geographical areas, offering high accuracy and uniformity.

The operational efficiency of a nation is undoubtedly dependent on its critical infrastructure and how well it is secured and maintained. In order to achieve a stable socio-economic environment, strong security and response protocols are required to be established at a foundational level. And facial recognition systems offer enormous possibilities for a conventional new world with more secure boundaries, integrated global operations and a safer environment where mutual association thrives.

 “Facial recognition stands at the forefront of securing critical infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region. It is highly accurate and could be seamlessly integrated with existing surveillance systems and access controls. Facial biometrics sets a new standard in safeguarding national assets and maintaining socio-economic stability amidst evolving threats,” said Oleg Kurochkin, Business Development Director, APAC region, RecFaces.

6, Aug 2024
Dhirubhai Ambani University appoints Prof. (Dr.) Avinash Dadhich as the Founding Director

6th August, India: Dhirubhai Ambani University (DAU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. (Dr.) Avinash Dadhich as the Founding Director to lead the establishment of the proposed School of Law.

Dr. Dadhich’s blend of diverse experience, covering academia, legal consultancy, and practice, focuses on the law and regulation of AI, data privacy, and competition law.

dhirubhai ambani

Dr. Dadhich expressed his enthusiasm about joining DAU, stating, “I am delighted to join DAU at this pivotal time when it is transforming into a multi-disciplinary university through the addition of various disciplines, including the School of Law. Late Shri Dhirubhai Ambani always stood for excellence on a global scale. I am excited to work with the DAU team on this journey to build a world-class institution in legal education.”

Invited by the USA government as an Antitrust IVLP Fellow, Dr. Dadhich received full scholarships for his Ph.D. from UK, LL.M. from France, and earned LL.B. from Delhi University.

In his academic career, he has held senior roles, including Director at Manipal Law School, MAHE, Bengaluru, and Dean at IFIM Law School, Bengaluru. He was invited as a visiting research fellow at the Max Planck Institute of IP and Competition, Munich; the Institute of European Studies, Brussels; and King’s College London.

In addition to being a legal scholar, Dr. Dadhich has also worked as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India and has consulted on legal matters at Deloitte and EY, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Paris, White & Case, Brussels, and the Competition Commission of India.