GeoSmart India 2024 Commences in Hyderabad with the Theme: Powering Digital Public Infrastructure Through Geospatial Knowledge

3 December, Hyderabad, December 2024 – GeoSmart India 2024, India’s premier geospatial technology conference, commenced today at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC).

With the forward-looking theme, Powering Digital Public Infrastructure Through Geospatial Knowledge, the four-day conference aims to explore how digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation are reshaping governance by integrating geospatial data with advanced technologies.

Inaugurating the event, Chief Guest Balo Raja, Hon’ble Minister for Urban Affairs, Land Management, and Civil Aviation, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, highlighted his vision for the state:
“As the Minister for Urban Affairs, Land Management, and Civil Aviation, our vision is to drive Arunachal Pradesh towards sustainable and inclusive growth. By prioritizing smart infrastructure, modernizing land administration, and enhancing air transport, we are building the foundation for a brighter future.”

“Through initiatives like the Arun Door Sanchar project and advancements in geospatial technology, we are bridging the digital divide and harnessing innovation to make real-time, informed decisions. Our commitment is to create accessible, environmentally conscious, and well-planned urban spaces while ensuring responsible resource management to unlock the state’s full potential.”

Science to Society

In his welcome address, Sanjay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Geospatial World, emphasized the vital role of space infrastructure in the digital ecosystem. He explained that Earth observation satellites, positioning satellites (GNSS), and communication satellites (Satcom) collectively bridge space and surface technologies.

“Every day, we integrate space and geospatial technologies into practical use. These technologies not only adapt to disruptions but are also drivers of innovation. Location is at the core of every Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology, as demonstrated by companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Google, and NVIDIA, alongside Indian enterprises such as Tata, Reliance, and L&T.”

Kumar echoed the sentiments of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, highlighted the country’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a transformative development. DPI enables the seamless integration of space-based data with various sectors, including defense, public safety, infrastructure, urban development, and transportation.

Kumar stated, “Science to Society. Ultimately, the science behind these technologies is translated into services for society.

Data as the New Oil
Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), elaborated on the complementary nature of space and geospatial technologies. He remarked, “Satellites provide critical data for navigation, power planning, disaster management, and communication. Geospatial technologies extract insights from this data, driving innovation across industries like logistics, defense, and agriculture. Together, they contribute significantly to our GDP and innovation ecosystem.”

He highlighted the transformative impact of India’s Space Policy and National Geospatial Policy, which have deregulated the industry, fostering private sector participation and innovation.

He said, “Today, over 250 startups in the space industry are leading innovation, with private investment exceeding $125 million last year. This shift toward privatization is pivotal for India’s ambitious space goals, including the Chandrayaan missions and beyond.”

Ethical Use of Data
Srikant Lenka, Chief Strategy Officer for Telangana’s IT E&C Ministry, underlined the state’s commitment to infrastructure development and capacity-building. He noted the importance of geospatial data in solving real-world problems, from urban planning to disaster management.

He said, “Our focus is on collecting, analyzing, and utilizing geospatial data in ethical and meaningful ways to drive impactful outcomes across sectors.”

Driving the Market
Nick Bolton, Chief Executive Officer of Ordnance Survey, UK, emphasized the importance of actionable insights over raw data. He outlined the value chain of geospatial technologies through processes like positioning, capturing, refining, distributing, and applying data.

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director of Esri India, acknowledged the growing prominence of geospatial technology in India’s Union Budget, which is unlocking new investment opportunities. He noted, “With urban areas contributing 70% of India’s GDP, empowering urban communities is critical for sustainable development.”

Boris Skopljak, Vice President of Trimble’s Geospatial Sector, lauded India as an innovation hub. He highlighted the role of digital technologies in addressing industry challenges related to complexity, labor shortages, productivity, and sustainability.

With the Indian geospatial industry projected to reach $12 billion by 2030, GeoSmart India 2024 serves as a testament to the sector’s critical role in shaping a sustainable and innovative future.

Banking sector update-Oct’24

by Aditi Gupta, Economist

RBI’s monthly data showed a moderation in credit growth across sectors in Oct’24. At 11.5%, credit growth eased to a 31-month low. While industry credit picked up on a YoY basis, credit growth to retail and services sector moderated. RBI’s regulatory crackdown on NBFC credit and unsecured lending was reflected in a slowdown in retail and services sector. Housing loans, vehicle loans and education loans also witnessed some slowdown. Going ahead, we can expect some pickup in credit growth as economic activity is expected to rebound. The government is also likely to step-up its capex spending in the remaining part of the year to meet its budgeted target, which will have a multiplier effect across industries. Hence, we can expect a revival in credit growth in the coming months. We expect credit growth in the range of 13-14% in FY25.

Trends in sectoral credit growth:

Growth in bank credit moderated sharply from 20% in Oct’23 to 11.5% in Oct’24. Even on a sequential basis, credit growth eased from 13% in Sep’24. Barring industry, credit growth slowed down across all sector in Oct’24 vis-à-vis Oct’23. Agriculture credit growth decelerated (15.5% in Oct’24 compared with 16.7% in Oct’24), but continued to grow in double-digits. However, credit growth to industry was higher at 7.9% in Oct’24 versus just 5.4% in the same period last year. Within industry, credit growth to medium and large industries noted a pickup on YoY basis. On the other hand, credit to micro and small enterprises dipped to 10% compared with 16.5% in Oct’23.
Table 1: Credit growth across sectors in FY25

Within industry sectors which saw a sharp contraction in credit growth in Oct’24 include, ports (- 20.1%), telecommunications (-12%), mining and quarrying (-6.3%), edible oils (-4.3%) and gems and jewllery (-3.2%). Credit to cement sector moderated sharply to 0.4% in Oct’24 versus 13.5% in Oct’23. However, credit to the construction sector remained steady at 7% in Oct’24.

Credit growth to services sector:

Credit growth in the services sector also eased to 12.7% in Oct’24 from 24% in Oct’23. This was led by a sharp slowdown in credit to NBFCs which dipped to a 34-month low of 6.4% in Oct’24. This can be attributed to RBI’s regulatory intervention in terms of increased risk weights on NBFC lending by banks. In fact, banks’ credit growth to NBFCs has moderated sharply from a peak of 35.6% in Oct’22 to just 6.4% in Oct’24. On the other hand, certain segments of services such as shipping, computer software and professional services continued to see healthy demand for credit. Credit growth to the tourism and hotels segment also moderated on a YoY basis due to base effect.

Table 2: Credit growth in the services sector

Credit growth to retail sector:

Mirroring the trend seen across sectors, retail credit growth also eased to 12.9% in Oct’24 from 29.6% in Oct’23. Within this segment, whereas the demand for unsecured lending through other personal loans/credit car outstanding has moderated, there has been a pickup in gold loans. In fact, advances against gold jewellery have increased from a mere 12% at the start of the fiscal year to 56.2% in Oct’24. While a part of this can be explained by higher gold prices, it is also likely that there has been some substitution from the unsecured segment, especially after RBI’s regulatory crackdown in Nov’23. Higher inflation and an increase in living costs can also explain some part of the higher need for credit by households. Traditional segments of retail credit, such as education, housing and vehicle loans have witnessed a significant moderation in Oct’24.

Table 3: Trends in credit to retail segment

Movement in interest rates:

There has been an increase in WALR across banks in Oct’24 vis-à-vis Sep’24, even as deposit rates have declined. For SCBs, the WALR has increased by 17bps to 9.54%, a 6-month high. This has been led majorly by PSBs which saw a 14bps increase in WLAR to 8.71%. For PVBs, the increase was modest at 4bps. However, PVBs continue to charge a higher WALR than PSBs. In FYTD25, WALR across banks has increased even as transmission of RBI’s rate hike is still lagged.
Table 4: Trends in credit to retail segment

For deposit rates, there has been a decline in WADTDR on fresh rupee term deposits across banks in Oct’24 on a sequential basis. WADTDR for SCBs has declined by 10bps sequentially, led by PSBs which have noted a 12bps decline. On the other hand, PVBs have only lowered the WADTDR by 4bps to 6.48%. In FYTD25, there has been an 18bps reduction in SCBs’ WADTDR, led by PVBs (lower by 13bps). On the other hand, PSBs have only lowered WADTDR by 7bps. However, in terms of transmission of rate hikes, the transmission is complete for PSBs, even as PVBs have been lagging.

Merino Showcases ‘Be Different’ Approach at FOAID 2024: Innovative Products for Diverse and Evolving Needs

New Delhi, India – 03 December 2024 – Merino Industries Ltd., a global leader in decorative laminates and surface solutions, captivated the audience at FOAID 2024, held on November 22nd and 23rd at NSIC Grounds, Okhla, New Delhi. The event brought together architects, designers, and industry professionals to witness innovative breakthroughs in surface and design solutions.

Merino drew widespread attention with its meticulously designed 5m x 10m booth, a testament to thoughtful curation and innovative presentation. The display also spotlighted an impressive line-up of products, including, Luvih, Fabwood, Merino Engineered Floors, and MRS, among others. Each collection underscored Merino’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation, delivering exceptional craftsmanship, and redefining contemporary design standards. Merino Acrolam and Sampada collections were the new highlights that generated a lot of interest at the display.

Its first-ever acrylic laminate collection, Merino Acrolam, set a new benchmark in surface solutions. This innovative range introduces true acrylic colors with a homogenous structure, ensuring deep unicore shades free of visible white edges when cut. Unlike conventional film-based acrylics, Merino Acrolam boasts resistance to yellowing, delivering vibrant, fade-proof colors that stand the test of time. With an ultra-gloss finish offering a mirror-like shine; it exudes luxury while ensuring durability through features like 6H scratch resistance and UV protection. Crafted in Europe using cutting-edge technology, its advanced corona bonding allows seamless full-height applications, making it a perfect blend of sophistication and functionality. Easy to maintain and designed for modern aesthetics, Merino Acrolam is a testament to enduring elegance and superior performance.

The Sampada Collection, a tribute to India’s rich heritage, also stood out as a highlight at the exhibition. Featuring designs inspired by traditional Indian art forms, Sampada merges cultural elegance with modern functionality, making a strong impression on visitors seeking distinctive interior solutions.

FOAID 2024 offered attendees opportunities to engage with industry experts and explore emerging trends. Reflecting on Merino’s participation, Mr. Manoj Lohia, Director of Merino Industries Ltd., said, “FOAID 2024 was an excellent platform to connect with the design community and demonstrate our commitment to blending tradition with innovation. Merino Acrolam & Sampada showcases our dedication to pushing the boundaries of design and functionality. They reflect the evolving aspirations of modern interior design, and we are proud to lead this transformation.”

Merino’s presence at FOAID 2024 reinforced its reputation for innovation, sustainability, and excellence in the interior solutions industry, setting a new benchmark for thoughtful design and advanced functionality.

Turkish Airlines Debuts in Sydney with the Arrival of Its Longest-Ever Flight

Bengaluru, 3 December 2024: Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other, has launched its longest flight with the addition of Sydney flights. The flag carrier landed on Sydney soil for the first time on November 29th, marking a monumental milestone as it expands to its second destination in Australia, reaching 351 destinations across six continents within its global network.

Flight between Istanbul and Sydney will be operated with the airline’s new, modern fleet of Airbus A350-900 aircraft which is designed for long haul comfort with 32 flatbed seats in business class, and 297 recliners for economy travellers. Set to be operated four times a week via Kuala Lumpur, flights will take 19 hours with its 9,300-mile flight path. The new route will not only bolster the ties between Türkiye and Australia, driving growth in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange, but also provide Australian guests the flag carrier’s robust flight network, ensuring they can explore the world with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines.

Following the launch of Turkish Airlines’ first flight from Melbourne in March this year, Sydney becomes the second Australian city added to flag carrier’s ever-expanding network. The inaugural flight sets the stage for Turkish Airlines’ future plans to introduce direct, non-stop services from Sydney to Istanbul, revolutionising travel between the two iconic travel destinations.

On the arrival of the first aircraft in Sydney, Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi stated: “This momentous occasion marks Turkish Airlines’ longest flight path in history, as we happily add our second Australian city to our flight network. The arrival of our first flight from Istanbul to Sydney represents our ongoing commitment to connect travellers across the globe, providing a seamless gateway between Europe and Australia with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines. Once we receive our aircraft capable of conducting the journey in a single leap, we look forward to further expanding our offering in the near future with Australia’s first non-stop flights to Istanbul.”

New South Wales Minister for Jobs and Tourism, The Hon. John Graham said: “Turkish Airlines’ arrival in Sydney is a landmark moment that offers a new high-quality option for local travellers to Europe and a boost in visitor numbers to Sydney. This exciting new route from Istanbul was made possible by a financial incentive from the Minns Government. We are backing our airports to increase capacity and bring more visitors to NSW, creating jobs and economic growth in our tourism destinations right across the state. Bringing more passengers into our airports is part of the Minns Government’s plan to boost jobs and growth in our statewide visitor economy.”

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton commented: “We’re proud to welcome Turkish Airlines as they launch their inaugural flight to Sydney. This new service strengthens Sydney’s already strong international network, offering passengers even more choice and connectivity to Europe and beyond through Turkish Airlines’ extensive hub in Istanbul. Turkish Airlines will bring added competition to the market, and with over 15,000 Turkish-born Australians residing in New South Wales and Türkiye consistently being a top choice for Australian travellers, we are confident this new route will see strong demand.”

JSID Partners with ICTRC to Empower Design Thinking, Attended by 80+ School Counselors from 70+ Schools

JSID contributed significantly to the event’s success by showing practical applications of design thinking. Ms. Nien Siao, Dean of JSID, delivered a thought-provoking session on “Design Thinking,” highlighting its transformative impact on education and its potential to inspire creativity and problem-solving in the classroom. Known for her expertise and innovative approach in design education, Ms. Nien Siao guided participants on how design thinking can be applied in educational settings to enhance creativity and critical thinking among students.

Ms. Nien Siao remarked, “As educators, it is our profound responsibility to empower the next generation of thinkers, makers, and innovators. Design thinking offers a powerful framework for achieving this goal, by cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in our students. By applying design thinking principles in educational settings, we aim to create immersive learning experiences that foster empathy, creativity, and collaboration among students.”

Nazara announces five investments totalling INR 196 Crores to drive growth across Gaming and Entertainment

Mumbai, 3 December, 2024: Nazara Technologies Limited (BSE: 543280 | NSE: NAZARA), India’s only listed diversified gaming and sports media company, has unveiled a series of strategic investments aimed at solidifying its position in the gaming and entertainment ecosystems.

Nazara has announced new Investments in Funky Monkeys & Learntube.ai

Nazara has expanded into physical entertainment with the acquisition of a 60% stake in Funky Monkeys Play Centers Private Limited, a leader in indoor soft play centers for children, for INR 43.7 crores. Funky Monkeys operates 11 centers across India, offering interactive play experiences for children.

Co-founders of Funky Monkeys, Binita Putcha and Sanjay Ghadiali, said: “We are excited to join hands with Nazara, whose vision for digital and hybrid entertainment aligns closely with ours. With Nazara’s expertise and resources, we are confident we can scale Funky Monkeys and bring even more joy to children and families across India. We also see synergies with digital IP’s owned by Nazara such as Kiddopia and will work to maximise these opportunities”

Nazara will also invest INR 4.2 crores for a 4.7% stake in Learntube.ai, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing education with 1:1 interactive and gamified learning. Catering to over 20 lakh learners, LearnTube is the world largest personalised learning platform that offers affordable, interactive gamified learning experiences for professional skilling.

“LearnTube’s collaboration with Nazara is a bold step forward in reshaping professional learning and interactive media. We are excited to combine forces to lead innovation on a global scale,” said Shronit Ladhani, Co-founder, LearnTube.

Nazara has Increased its shareholding of existing companies

Nazara will invest INR 148 crores in its existing subsidiaries including Sportskeeda, Nodwin Gaming, and Datawrkz to increase its ownership in them and support their growth.

• Nodwin Gaming: Nazara will invest INR 64 crores through subscription of Optionally Convertible Preference Shares to bolster Nodwin’s growth. The funds will support Nodwins expansion, enhance its intellectual properties (IPs), and strengthen its footprint in emerging markets.

• Absolute Sports (Sportskeeda): Nazara will invest INR 69 crores to purchase shares arising from exercise of ESOPs from the Sportskeeda management to increase its stake to 100% in the company making it a wholly owned subsidiary.

• Datawrkz: Nazara granted in-principle approval for an investment of INR 15 crores in Datawrkz through the subscription of Compulsorily Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares to support ongoing growth of Datawrkz

Speaking on these investments, Nitish Mittersain said: “Nazara is committed to building the largest diversified gaming and entertainment platform out of India and many of our initiatives announced today are geared towards propelling profitable growth in these strategic areas of our interest.”

Shri Tokhan Sahu Emphasizes Transforming Adversity into Opportunity Through Waste-to-Worth Principles

In his address at the CII’s 9th International Conference on Waste to Worth, Shri Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India, stated that while we focus on Viksit Bharat, we need to also focus on Green and Sustainable Bharat. A circular economy aims to minimize waste by focusing on recycling, reusing, and reducing waste at every stage — from product design to end-of-life management. The goal is to achieve “zero waste” and ensure eco-friendly production. We need to create such a skilled workforce which will help in processing, recycling technology, and eco-friendly product design. He also called not to treat waste as a burden but as a resource.

He further highlighted several Government policies related to Waste to Worth including Plastic Waste Management Rules, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, Battery Waste Management Rules, E-Waste Management Rules, Ash Utilization notification, Motor Vehicle Registration and Scrap Policy etc. He further emphasized that effective waste management is important for economic resilience, environment sustainability and social security.

In his message at the Inaugural Session, Shri Tokhan Sahu, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs called for focussing on turning adversity into opportunity through the principles of waste to worth. He further stated that the Government is taking significant initiative and policies for fast tracking development of cities and states. Waste scrap is an important medium to transform cities into smart cities and the National Circular Framework developed by CII is a step in this direction.

While addressing the gathering at the Inaugural Session, Shri Baldeo Purusharth, Joint Secretary (ISD), Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India stated that India is making significant progress in achieving a circular economy and addressing plastic waste through global collaboration and innovative initiatives. He further emphasized a need to have a system in place to recognise waste to worth solutions identified by children, by people who do not have formal degrees, experience, or knowledge. Through the collective efforts of the government, industry, and citizens, we can position India as a global leader in sustainable development initiatives.

In his address, Mr Masood Mallick, Chairman, CII National Committee on Waste to Worth Technologies, Managing Director & CEO, Re Sustainability stated that renewable energy alone cannot achieve our net zero goals, as over 40% of our carbon footprint is embedded in materials such as steel, glass, wood, concrete, and plastics. To bridge this gap, we must focus on decarbonizing these materials through innovative recycling and resource recovery practices, transforming waste into valuable inputs for a sustainable future.

The Conference witnessed the release of the second edition of the National Circular Economy Framework (NCEF) that has been formulated by CII to provide guidance on developing new business models of waste management. NCEF emphasizes life cycle assessment to strengthen understanding of circular principles and promote innovation. In his message for NCEF, Prof Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India mentions NCEF as playing a valuable role in advancing our national commitment to a resource-efficient future and offering a clear pathway and actionable strategies for stakeholders across sectors. The first edition of the NCEF was released by CII last year in its endeavour towards promoting sustainability and circularity in waste management practices by the industries.

The 5th edition of CII 4R awards also took place with the winners felicitated during the Conference for their excellence in transforming waste to worth. Nearly 50 companies were recognized with awards. The Grand Award winners were Schindler India Pvt Ltd, Blue Planet Environmental Solutions India Pvt Ltd, EverEnviro Resource Management Pvt Ltd, Gencrest Bio Products Pvt Ltd, Ganesha Ecopet Pvt Ltd, Inclusive Recycling Foundation, and SRM University, Andhra Pradesh.

The conference attended by 300+ delegates had day-long engaging discussions led by industry and govt leaders, international experts, and academic stalwarts on various topics revolving around governance, circular economy transition, technologies and IP partnerships for sustainable growth, circular economics, practices, and opportunities in waste management. Nearly 10 companies also showcased their waste to worth technologies at the Conference.