19, Jan 2024
AppSquadz Earns Prestigious Recognition as “AWS Rising Star Partner of the Year (SI)
New Delhi, 19th January 2024 – AppSquadz, a leading IT and cloud services company, proudly announces its recent accomplishment as ‘AWS Rising Star Partner of the Year (SI) – APJ’ at AWS re:Invent for its unwavering commitment and dedication to their customers by providing cutting-edge technological solutions.
The AWS re:Invent Partner Awards honor AWS Partners for their contributions and achievements in many categories, including innovation, customer success, and overall excellence in the growing cloud businesses. AppSquadz distinguished out among System Integrator (SI) competitors, displaying remarkable performance, technical expertise, and significant services. Out of 100,000 AWS Partners, AppSquadz is honored to be showcased in the top 100 alongside other prominent IT giants.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive the AWS Rising Star Partner of the Year (SI) – APJ award at the Geo and Global AWS Partner Awards,” Mr. Chandrakant Agrawal, CEO at AppSquadz, expressed his delight. “This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge cloud services powered by AWS.”
With the support of more than 200 experts, AppSquadz has become one of the leading cloud migration and consultation service providers. It has worked to craft efficient cloud solutions for clients that optimize operations, increase scalability, and drive corporate-specific success. With a focus on innovation and the partnership of AWS’s extensive services, the firm has helped clients in various sectors achieve digital transformation, simplify workflows, and create operational efficiency globally.
“This award reaffirms our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cloud computing,” added Mr. Chandrakant Agrawal, CEO at AppSquadz “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, whose trust and collaboration have been instrumental in our success. Additionally, we want to thank our dedicated team and AWS for relentless efforts and expertise that have made this recognition possible.”
As AWS Rising Star Partner of the Year (SI) – APJ, AppSquadz maintains its status as a trusted AWS Advanced Partner by offering value-driven services that answer changing business demands in an increasingly dynamic digital world. The company’s continuous commitment to pushing innovation, developing capabilities, and cultivating strategic alliances to provide cutting-edge cloud services to organizations is highly appreciated by everyone in the industries within India and across the globe.
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- By Rabindra
18, Jan 2024
Adya.ai raises INR 10.5 Cr in pre-series A Round by IAN & others
New Delhi, Jan 18 th 2024: Adya.ai, a digital commerce & technology solution provider, has raised INR10.5 crores in its pre-series A funding round. The round was led by Indian Angel Network’s investors Uday Chatterjee, Romesh Sobti, Sri Prakash, and Hari Balasubramanian. Out of the entire money, INR 3.75 Cr has been raised by the Indian Angel Network (IAN). Other strategic investors also participated underscoring the widespread industry belief in the company’s trajectory.
Adya.ai represents a convergence of diverse expertise and visionary leadership. Founded in May 2023 by Shayak Mazumder, CEO and CTO, Archana Mazumder, COO, and Angad Singh Ahluwalia, CBO. Together, they lead Adya.ai’s charge toward reshaping India’s digital landscape. This latest infusion of capital will empower Adya.ai to further enhance its innovative solutions, strengthen its market presence, and accelerate the development of groundbreaking AI technologies.
Adya.ai goes beyond being a startup; it acts as a catalyst for India’s digital transformation. As the Technology Service Partner for ONDC, Adya.ai is at the forefront of a monumental implementation across key sectors such as retail, mobility, F&B, logistics, credit, insurance, and finance. The company envisions a connected, inclusive digital ecosystem that redefines commerce in India.
Adya.ai’s Founder, Shayak Mazumder, commented: “ONDC stands as a testament to India’s digital prowess, following the impactful implementation of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar. We at Adya.ai are thrilled to harness our technological expertise to contribute to this transformative force, fostering a digital ecosystem that is not only inclusive but truly transformative for India’s economy.”
Adya.ai’s technology marketplace has facilitated over 10 large enterprise contracts, including collaborations with Canara Bank, Aditya Birla Financial Limited, Hindustan Unilever, and others. With a focus on sectors like CPG, financial services, retail, and mobility, Adya.ai is poised to reshape the digital landscape for major enterprises.
Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder at IAN, said “Adya.ai has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence. We are impressed with their vision, leadership, and the impact their solutions are making. IAN is proud to lead this funding round, and we look forward to supporting Adya.ai on their journey towards greater success.”
Uday Chatterjee, Angel Investor & Business Leader, said “Adya.ai is a pioneer providing ONDC ATMA (Atmanirbhar Technology Marketplace by Adya.ai) – an end-to-end solution built on the ONDC protocol across four domains (retail, logistics, financial services and mobility) in the form of a self-serve app studio that will enable enterprises to create their own Apps on ONDC, customise design and UX, manage cloud, security and access controls, integrate inside their existing apps and connect to their existing tech stack. ONDC is the next master protocol or Digital Public Good which is likely to see explosive growth in the next few years. Adya.ai is ideally positioned to benefit from this growth and has already onboarded a number of public and private sector banks, fintechs and large consumer goods companies as their clients. We are delighted to support Adya.ai in the current fundraising and we hope to energise India’s digital story through Adya.ai.”
18, Jan 2024
Uno Minda Unveils advanced DVR with Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in the aftermarket
National, 18 January 2024: The automotive landscape in India has undergone a significant technological transformation in recent years. With a heightened focus on safety, there is a growing demand for technology-based rider aids. Notably, there has been a gradual decrease in traditional driving methods, with an increasing popularity of autonomous driving-enabled products.
India currently holds the unfortunate distinction of ranking first globally in road accident-related fatalities, contributing to 11% of such incidents worldwide. Moreover, there has been a consistent annual increase of 12.6% in these accidents. The alarming statistic underscores the urgency to address this issue, especially given that more than 90% of road accidents can be attributed to human errors. This emphasizes the critical need for the introduction of advanced safety features within the automotive market to innovate and mitigate these concerning statistics.
As the Indian automotive landscape is witnessing a monumental shift towards prioritizing premium safety features, Uno Minda, a leading Tier 1 supplier of Proprietary Automotive Solutions to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), has announced the launch of Car DVR with Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in the Indian aftermarket. This ground-breaking device represents the company’s commitment towards integrated safety, by combining advanced technologies, sensors, and systems.
This new product offered by Uno Minda is a meticulously crafted device designed to enhance driver’s safety. It comes with an impressive range of technical specifications, including 720P full HD resolution that records every detail with clarity, enabling optimal surveillance. Furthermore, its 170° lens angle provides an extensive perspective, enabling a broad field of vision for increased awareness. The device also supports SD cards up to 32GB, facilitating recording. Whereas, its seamless connectivity to Android screens through a USB cable ensures a user-friendly experience, allowing drivers to focus on the road.
Commenting on the same, Mr. Karna Markan, Sales & Distribution Head – Accessories, Aftermarket Division, Uno Minda Ltd. said “At Uno Minda, our dedication to advancing autonomous technologies in the aftermarket reflects our commitment to empowering customers with enhanced safety measures during their driving experience. It has been our constant endeavor to provide products as per the needs of our customers. In recent times, we have witnessed the increasing occurrence of road collisions, which lead to severe injuries, economic losses, and even the loss of lives. With the UNO Minda Car DVR, we are offering cutting-edge technologies such as Lane Departure Warning and Forward Vehicle Too Close Alert to help drivers avoid such situations and to make sure that they remain within their lane. We are also proud that the Uno Minda Car DVR is more than just a cutting-edge piece of technology. The product is accessible at a reasonable price. Designed and manufactured right here.”
Constructed with a sturdy metal body and ABS material, the Uno Minda Car DVR with ADAS boasts impressive durability, making it a dependable companion for any road trip. Moreover, the IP67 environment rating enhances its resilience against various weather conditions, further bolstering its protective capabilities.
Priced at 6990 INR, the Uno Minda Car DVR with ADAS is now available at all leading online and offline retail stores and comes with a one year warranty period.
18, Jan 2024
WinZO launches “Bharat Tech Triumph” initiative to facilitate export of Made in India
Hyderabad/ New Delhi, 18th January 2024: WinZO, India’s leading vernacular interactive entertainment platform, has unveiled the ‘Bharat Tech Triumph’ initiative, a groundbreaking program aimed at enhancing the global export of culturally relevant games and related technology originated in Bharat. This initiative focuses on nurturing homegrown startups, providing crucial resources for growth, and fostering intellectual property creation in the entertainment sector. The program aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “First Be Vocal For Local, Then Go Global” and aims to position Bharat as a global powerhouse in technology innovation. It also aims to propel the global export of cutting-edge technology originating from Bharat.
Under the ‘Bharat Tech Triumph’ initiative, WinZO will support research in deep tech for social gaming and cybersecurity, offering resources such as infrastructure, collaborative opportunities, funding, and access to real-world data. The initiative will facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among local startups, the global gaming community, and academic institutions. TVAGA, along with other industry experts, including Rajesh Raju of Kalaari Capital, Justin Shriram Keeling of Lumikai, Anand Jain of CleverTap, and Neha Yadav of AWS, will identify high-potential technologies.
Paavan Nanda, Co-founder of WinZO, expressed, “Today, technology increasingly offers greater capability to propel advancement, foster innovation, and bolster socio-economic growth. At WinZO, we want to nurture innovation and contribute to the overall growth of the technology sector, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs to ‘Make in Bharat’ for the world.”
“The diversification of exports is pivotal for India’s economic prosperity. The export of game tech products, particularly high-speed computation technology, holds the key to unlocking our nation’s vast economic potential and success of technology startups. Recognising the tremendous potential within India’s startup ecosystem, we believe that global exposure and promoting export of cutting-edge technology will not only contribute to economic growth but also position India as a global leader in the consumer tech industry. Our commitment to supporting startups reflects our belief in their importance in economic success and technological advancement on the global stage. We at Kalaari are great supporters of startups that are innovating for Global audience,” Rajesh Raju, Managing Director, Kalaari Capital.
The initiative seeks to position Bharat as a global powerhouse in technology innovation, emphasizing real-time communication, high-speed computation, and scalable technology to cater to billions of consumers concurrently.
To establish a global footprint, select companies will be facilitated by WinZO to become part of the first India Pavilion at the Game Developers’ Conference in San Francisco in March ’24. This initiative follows the successful launch of the India Pavilion at the Brazil Game Show in São Paulo.
WinZO is committed to driving Bharat’s transformation into a leading hub for game development on the global stage. Last year, WinZO helped 100+ partner game developers export games such as Carrom, Chess, Car Race, etc, and gain free access to Brazil, the fourth-largest mobile gaming market with over 90 million users. These initiatives come at a pivotal moment in the Indian Gaming sector’s journey wherein most content/ IP creators are still in their nascent stages and initiatives such as these will catapult India into a leadership position within the global gaming arena and promote Indian leadership.
17, Jan 2024
Bengaluru GAFX with theme ‘Augmented Intelligence:
New Delhi, 17 January 2024: India’s flagship event in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics (AVGC) sector, organised by the Ministry of ITBT, Karnataka, and ABAI; Bengaluru GAFX is all set to be held in the city from 29 – 31 January 2024 at the Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.
With a focal theme of Augmented Intelligence: Powering AVGC, Bengaluru GAFX will bring together the Animation, Visual Effects, Games & Comics (AVGC) industry for a congregation of knowledge exchange like no other. The event will see the industry, academia, and government, come onto a common platform to deliberate the learnings, trends, challenges and future roadmap of their sector and continue Karnataka’s leadership in powering holistic growth & development of AVGC in India.
Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka, expressed “As pioneers in the formulation of India’s 1st AVGC policy and initiative, Karnataka continues its leadership in this rapidly growing sector and has been the home to the world leaders in the AVGC space having left an indelible trail of success and awards on the world stage. It is our vision that Karnataka becomes the skilling epicentre for the global AVGC community as we provide a career pathway through the establishment of more incubators and accelerators in this sector. Bengaluru GAFX is a key convention for us to propagate our plans and schemes to promote our ever-expanding vision in this sector.”
The ABAI President & Country Head Technicolor India, Shri Biren Ghose said: “The sessions at Bengaluru GAFX 2024 shall celebrate the enormous successes of the past year and identify new vistas of growth and opportunity for the holistic growth & development of AVGC in India. Packed with multiple conference tracks, masterclasses, student competitions, e-Sports competition arena, B2B networking sessions, an exhibition track and much more, Bengaluru GAFX is a must-attend event for anyone involved with imagery, animation and simulation and with the new tech in the audio-visual space has applications in several new areas. Above all ABAI members have helped build an ecosystem taking India’s prowess in storytelling and entertainment to become a recognized “soft power” from India to the world”.
In the decade-plus of Bengaluru GAFX, several global giants including Walt Disney Animation, Nickelodeon, Paramount, DreamWorks Animation, Netflix, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and many others have chosen Bangalore as their production and programming hub for their creative technology activities. The city has become home to the best talent in the country and has made significant contributions to bring an increasing global work share in the creation of games, movies, and episodic content for these media & entertainment majors among many others.
The event’s past editions have left an indelible impact on the industry, drawing over 4,500+ attendees, 120+ companies, and featuring a spectrum of activities from live conferences to student competitions. With the participation of 40+ colleges, the event featured 18 live conferences, 45 panel speakers, 10 virtual sessions, and 30 virtual speakers across the world, with renowned speakers from Epic Games, MPC, Gamitronics, Hombale Groups, The Mill, Technicolor Games, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts, Netsport Media and many more.
As Bengaluru GAFX gears up for its latest edition, it aligns strategically with the launch of the Karnataka Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy 3.0 (2023-28). Karnataka, renowned as India’s IT hub, is a dominant force in the AVGC-XR sector, commanding a robust 20% share of the Indian Media & Entertainment industry. The state boasts over 300 specialized AVGC studios and a workforce exceeding 15,000, providing a solid foundation for industry growth. Education is pivotal, with Karnataka housing 5 animation institutes, 3 visual effects institutes, and 12 gaming-focused institutes. Initiatives like Digital Art Centers in 27 colleges and an AVGC Finishing School further bolster the state’s commitment to nurturing talent.
This visionary policy endeavours to position Karnataka as a global innovation leader in AVGC-XR technologies, create a robust talent pool, generate 30,000 jobs, and foster sustainability within the AVGC industry. The policy’s strategic pillars, spanning skill development to global market access, resonate with the core discussions expected at Bengaluru GAFX, making the event pivotal for shaping the future of AVGC in Karnataka and beyond.
This edition of Bengaluru GAFX will witness a stellar lineup of speakers comprising industry veterans and thought leaders- including the winners of multiple Oscars, British Arrows, VES Awards, Cannes Golds and prestigious Indian awards.
17, Jan 2024
Cisco and OECD Launch Pioneering Research Initiative on Digital Well-being
India, Jan 17, 2024 – Technology is transforming our lives, changing the way we learn, work, interact with others, and get access to all types of services. Depending on our ability to access technology and use it in the right way, technology can improve our sense of well-being and be a real driver of progress. Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), a global technology leader committed to fostering an inclusive future for all, continues its efforts to address the digital divide through a new research collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
This collaboration aims to help promote a responsible use of technology as well as fairness, inclusion and equitable access in a global digital economy.
Igniting a Global Conversation
As digital transformation continues to reshape every aspect of our lives at an intensifying pace, Cisco and the OECD Centre on Well-being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity (WISE) are joining forces to examine the complex nature of digital transformation and its role as both a catalyst for progress and a source of potential risks to well-being.
“The OECD has a long tradition of work supporting policy makers better understand the digital transformation and develop appropriate policies to help shape a positive digital future. Our initial report, ‘How’s Life in the Digital Age’, highlighted the benefits and challenges of digital transformation, from enhanced access and productivity to issues like the digital divide and personal security threats in people’s everyday life and workplace. Our partnership with Cisco helps us take the next step in broadening what we know about the interplay between technology and life to enrich our understanding of well-being in the digital realm,” said Romina Boarini, OECD WISE Centre Director.
This collaboration aims to create an interactive, dynamic, and engaging digital platform for sharing experiences to help develop a detailed picture of how digital technologies influence different aspects of our lives. Grounded in the OECD Well-being Framework, the platform will gather new statistics and people’s insights on digital well-being as a whole, including the impact of the digital divide and inequalities in the uptake and use of digital technologies.
Strategic Momentum from Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration Programs
Cisco’s involvement in the OECD WISE Centre initiative is an extension of its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program, which has a long history of collaborating with governments, industry and academia to foster sustainable, secure and inclusive communities through over 1500 projects in 50 countries.
“We cannot close the digital divide on our own. Governments, industry, educational institutions, non-profits and community leaders must work together in new ways to prioritize our collective well-being for a healthy, prosperous and safe digital life. It’s no coincidence that the priorities and the OECD’s Well-being Framework resonate so profoundly. This partnership taps into Cisco and OECD’s collective expertise in understanding the risks and unlocking the value of digitization across verticals and industries to ultimately power safe and inclusive communities, and resilient economies,” said Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President & Global Innovation Officer of Cisco.
Digital Access is No Longer a Privilege for Some but a Necessity for All
The partnership between Cisco and the OECD builds on existing research into digital well-being. It acknowledges that while digital technologies offer benefits like improved access to education and health information, they also pose risks. Notably, the digital divide, where those lacking digital literacy—a blend of technical, emotional, and social skills—fall behind, becoming vulnerable to mental health risks and safety concerns. Recognizing that broad internet access isn’t enough to participate in digital life, the new partnership seeks to rally citizens, businesses, policymakers and workers to develop a balanced approach that ensures technology improves well-being and mitigates potential risks.
A New Industry Study and Knowledge Hub
Cisco and the OECD will conduct research and create a global knowledge hub, capturing data and expanding knowledge on the influence of digital transformation on different aspects of people’s lives. This initiative marks a crucial step in understanding technology’s role across a broader definition of well-being that covers 11 key dimensions: education and skills, healthcare, jobs and earnings, income and wealth, subjective well-being, smart communities—work-life balance and social connections—environmental sustainability, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, governance and civic engagement, and housing. The research aims to help users make informed decisions, empower individuals to navigate the digital landscape responsibly, and to promote a healthy relationship with emerging technology.
“While we continue to strive for full digital inclusion around the world, we cannot do so at any cost. It is our responsibility to keep well-being top of mind, and this partnership will help us connect with people around the world to learn about their experiences with digital technology—how it influences their social connections, their jobs and work-life balance, and their physical and mental health. Co-building a model and better understanding the role technology plays in everyday life is fundamental to our work at Cisco, and to pursuing our purpose to power an inclusive future for all,” said Fran Katsoudas, Executive Vice President & Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer of Cisco.
The Year Ahead: Hub Launch and Well-being Forum
The partnership will launch its ‘Digital Well-being Hub’ in the second half of 2024. In November, Cisco will participate in the OECD’s World Forum on Well-being, which addresses the value of well-being approaches for improving knowledge, performance and cooperation across the public, private and civil sectors in a context of societal change.
Additional Resources:
• Cisco exceeds goal to positively impact one billion people
• CISCO ESG Reporting Hub and FY23 Purpose Report
• Cisco Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Program
• Cisco Networking Academy
• OECD Going Digital Project
• OECD report “How’s Life in the Digital Age?”
16, Jan 2024
HCLTech collaborates with SAP to boost innovation and adoption of Generative AI
NEW YORK, US and NOIDA, India, Jan 16, 2023—HCLTech, a leading global technology company, announced a collaboration with SAP SE to boost innovation and accelerate the adoption of Generative AI (Gen AI). Through the collaboration, HCLTech will partner with SAP to develop solutions that enable businesses to achieve better outcomes and accelerate business transformation.
Together with SAP, HCLTech plans to create a repository of Gen AI use cases specific to SAP software. These use cases will complement cloud solutions from SAP and help customers explore the potential of enhancing SAP solutions with Gen AI. By bringing together HCLTech’s engineering expertise across various industries with SAP Business Technology Platform® (SAP BTP), HCLTech aims to deliver innovative solutions that boost employee productivity, streamline operations, accelerate application development and optimize business processes.
HCLTech also plans to establish a dedicated Gen AI Center of Excellence (Gen AI CoE). The primary focus of the Gen AI CoE will be to develop industry-specific solutions that leverage the transformative potential of Generative AI and SAP BTP. These solutions will enable clients to quickly adopt and expand their capabilities using a wide range of tools provided in SAP BTP, including low-code and no-code capabilities. Furthermore, these solutions will offer essential enterprise technology functionalities, such as security, forward compatibility (making upgrades easier), and integration with SAP BTP.
“We are excited about our ever-expanding partnership with SAP. Now, we are extending our collaboration to help enterprises embrace Gen AI ethically and responsibly. Through SAP advancements in Business AI and machine learning, enterprises can acquire valuable insights into their operations, enhance decision-making processes and attain remarkable success,” said Kalyan Kumar, Chief Technology Officer and Head – Ecosystems, HCLTech.
“Generative AI holds immense potential to revolutionize business processes and transform entire industries,” said Juergen Mueller, Chief Technology Officer and member of the Executive Board of SAP SE. “Together with partners like HCLTech, we can leverage the Generative AI capabilities of SAP Business Technology Platform to create AI-enabled solutions and tools for business that are relevant, reliable, and responsible, and will empower customers to swiftly adopt and create innovations that deliver actual business outcomes.”
HCLTech offers a unique set of end-to-end AI capabilities, from chip development to business process optimization. Leveraging strategic partnerships with SAP and many others, HCLTech is paving the way for the adoption of generative AI across industries.
13, Jan 2024
o9 Solutions Grows Annual Recurring Revenue by 47% in 2023
India, Jan. 13, 2024 – o9 Solutions, a leading enterprise AI software platform provider for transforming planning and decision-making, today reported that its annual recurring revenue (ARR) in 2023 grew 47% year-over-year. Q4’23 marks a new record for ARR added in a quarter, and is the 18th consecutive quarter of year-over-year ARR growth for o9. The growth was driven by marquee clients across multiple industries, including retail, consumer electronics, food and beverage, medical devices, and automotive OEMs, which demonstrates the power and flexibility of o9’s AI-driven Digital Brain platform for integrated business planning.
o9 also implemented 70-plus go-lives at numerous well-known brands across sectors, including soft lines, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, consumer electronics, automotive and more, allowing clients across the globe to benefit from the adoption of the Digital Brain platform to drive better planning and decision-making based on AI/ML technologies.
In July 2023, o9’s existing investors, led by General Atlantic’s BeyondNetZero, doubled down on the Company’s growth with an incremental investment that drove its valuation to $3.7- up from $2.7 billion since its previous investment round in January 2022. o9’s worldwide talent pool grew to more than 2,500 in 2023. The Company operates 17 offices worldwide, including new ones in Toronto, Canada, and Shanghai, China. o9 also intends to expand its presence in India with a new center of excellence (COE) in Hyderabad to develop world-class supply chain talent.
In addition to hosting its annual aim10x Global digital event, 2023 marked the year that o9 Solutions introduced a series of aim10x Live conferences in 14 cities with 135-plus speakers and more than 20,000 attendees.
Chakri Gottemukkala, Co-founder and CEO of o9 Solutions, said, “In 2023, o9 Solutions made incredible strides across the business, showcasing our continued commitment towards innovation and excellence. The continued growth and strong year-over-year results are a testament to the unparalleled value generated by the o9 Digital Brain Platform, enabling clients to improve decision-making. Looking forward, the o9 team will continue to focus on client satisfaction and help more companies digitally transform their supply chains.”
Other notable highlights in Q4’23 include:
- o9 Solutions partners with Pandora to transform its integrated planning capabilities
- o9 Solutions partners with Canyon Bicycles to revolutionize its planning capabilities and dynamically adapt to consumer demand
- According to proprietary research from o9 Solutions, consumers’ perceptions of supply chain disruptions are shifting their purchasing behaviors.
- o9 received three best-in-class revenue growth management distinctions in POI’s 2023 Enterprise Planning Vendor Panorama Report
- o9 Solutions was ranked for the fifth consecutive year in the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™
- o9 signed the AARP employer pledge, recognizing the value of experienced workers.
12, Jan 2024
Major UPI Apps Enabled to Receive Remittances from Singapore via UPI-PayNow Linkage
Bangalore, 12 January 2024: The cross-border linkage between Unified Payments Interface (UPI) & PayNow is enabling Indians to receive instant, secure, and cost-effective remittances from Singapore-based Indian diaspora directly into their bank accounts. This facility can be accessed by users of BHIM, PhonePe, and Paytm apps. Additionally, banks such as Axis Bank, DBS Bank India, ICICI Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and State Bank of India provide this functionality through their respective apps.
More Third-Party Application Providers (TPAPs) and bank apps such as Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, IDFC First Bank, IndusInd Bank, Karur Vysya Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Punjab National Bank, South Indian Bank, and UCO Bank are expected to be added to the linkage soon. This expansion will broaden the range of choices offered to customers.
Key benefits of receiving funds via UPI-PayNow:
- Instant: Funds are transferred in real-time, reaching the recipient’s bank account within seconds.
- Secure: The linkage utilizes robust security protocols to ensure safe and reliable transactions.
- Cost-effective: Transaction fees are competitive, making the service ideal for small and frequent remittances.
- Convenient: The facility is available 24/7, 365 days a year
This interoperability milestone is the result of close collaboration between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The increasing adoption of UPI in cross-border transactions not only amplifies financial inclusion and convenience but also plays a pivotal role in fostering the overall growth of India’s dynamic digital payment ecosystem.
11, Jan 2024
Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (FAST) announces Fellows for the India Science Book Fellowship
11 January 2024, New Delhi: The Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (FAST India) is delighted to announce the awardees of the prestigious India Science Book Fellowship. This year, three proposals have been selected for full fellowship – with recipients being recognised as India Science Book Fellows – and two proposals for partial fellowship.
Popular science books play an important role in enhancing public understanding and appreciation of science by conveying complex scientific concepts in simpler, more engaging ways. The India Science Book Fellowship was launched with the aim of introducing science into the public imagination. It has been a resounding success, drawing in a diverse pool of talented writers from across the country. This year’s fellowship saw an overwhelming response with over 780 registrations and over 350 abstracts submitted by applicants from IITs, IISc, Ashoka University, JNU, CSIR institutions, and many more. The applications also saw immense diversity in terms of applicants – scientists, journalists, science communicators, health professionals, and PhD students – showcasing the depth of scientific inquiry and literary talent in India.
Ashish Dhawan, Co-Founder, FAST India said, “There is enormous potential to expand the discourse around science in the public domain and mainstream public science books to engage and inspire. This innovative initiative by FAST-India encourages Indian scientists, journalists, writers, and science enthusiasts to share their unique stories and expertise with the world.”
The Fellows, chosen after a rigorous evaluation process, are set to contribute significantly to the field of science literature. Their works promise to bring forth unique perspectives and narratives, highlighting the richness and diversity of Indian science and research. They have been awarded financial grants of Rupees Ten Lakhs each.
India Science Book Fellows for this year are:
Ganesh Bagler, Associate Professor, IIIT Delhi – Making Food Computable: The Data-driven Science of Food Sarthak Parikh, Assistant Professor, IIT Delhi, & Kush Dhebar, Consultant, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana – Do and Die: A Game of Quantum Cricket (Quantum Computing Explained through Cricket) Upasana Sarraju, Communications Lead at Fish Welfare Initiative (an animal welfare NGO) – Nuances in Nonsense: Quirky Science Chronicles from India and the World
Partial fellowship recipients this year are:
- Laxmi Murthy, Journalist, Hri Institute of Southasian Research and Exchange – When Feminists Met Science: A Chronicle of the Women’s Health Movement in India
- Avinandan Mukherjee, Freelance science writer, The MS University of Baroda, Vadodara – Stone Tools: A Brief History
Varun Aggarwal, Co-Founder, FAST India said, “Stephen Hawking’s books got scientists and science into the public imagination big time… We need to do the same for Indian science and scientists. Indian scientists have a unique story to tell not only to Indians but to the world. The time is NOW.”
In addition to the grant, the recipients will also benefit from feedback provided by top-tier professionals, including publishers, renowned science writers, and bestselling authors, as well as a focus group comprising members of the books’ intended audience. They will also receive support in publishing the manuscript from a publishing house and the opportunity to participate in book launch events as part of promotions to improve their visibility.
The foundation will also provide mentoring, publishing, and small grant support to 19 longlisted candidates.
This fellowship programme not only recognises their exceptional talent but also provides them with the platform and resources to share their insights and knowledge with a wider audience. The Foundation is committed to supporting these authors through their journey, ensuring that their works reach eager readers across the country and beyond. This initiative is a significant step towards enriching the landscape of science literature in India and promoting indigenous authors in the field of science communication.
The eminent panel of jury comprises renowned authors Angela Saini, Anil Seth, Jahnavi Phalkey, Pranay Lal, and Tarun Khanna, whose contributions have been truly momentous to the success of the programme. Cactus Communications is a partner and a funder for one of the selected Fellows.
