11, Dec 2023
This weekend, Goa experienced the coming together of African beats, Goan songs, Queer Talent and Dutch Art to create magic at LaLaLand Festival
Dec 11, 2023: The fifth edition of the international LaLaLand festival concluded yesterday in Don Jao Heritage Mansion, Goa. With over 2000 LaLa festive enthusiasts visiting LaLaLand and experiencing the marvel of twenty-five amazing, live, national, and international acts, it was a massive success. The magic of LaLaLand brought locals, international and domestic tourists, art connoisseurs, families, and music enthusiasts together to create a vibrant and lively atmosphere at the picturesque village of Nagoa.
Noreen Van Holstein, founder, of LaLaLand Festival said, “Goa has once again proven to be a great destination that can bring together the best of everyone and I am grateful to the support I have received from all of LaLaLand’s supporters. I hope to continue bringing LaLaLand to Goa every year and make it even bigger.”
Highlights of the event include:
Kula Skoro: The audience was left spellbound when Kula Skoro took centre stage. Their different dance styles called Songe, Awasa, Banamba, and Alèke have been passed on from the enslaved Africans who liberated themselves from the Trans-Atlantic slavery and captivity by Dutch colonizers.
The instruments they used were three drums: the pikiendoon for rhythmic patterns, the tundoon for the constant beat determining tempo, and the gaandoon, which communicates and varies. LaLa festive enthusiasts loved every bit of Kula Skoro’s performance and were left wanting for more. The performance connected four continents together – Africa, South America, Asia and Europe
Dharavi Rocks: The kids from Dharavi Rocks were absolute rockstars. Known to create music using recycled material, Dharavi Rocks created a fun and vibrant vibe where they involved the audience to join them as well. Known for their ‘call and respond’ technique, a leader from Dharavi Rocks made a musical phrase and the rest of the group responded to the phrase. This interactive element of their performances helped to break down barriers between the performers and the audience, creating a shared musical experience that is both entertaining and inspiring.
AI Art Exhibit: Indian AI artist Ari Jayaprakash and Dutch AI artist Martijn Baarda created a series of AI images exclusively for LaLaLand Goa titled, “Nothing is what it seems”. This collaboration explores current AI technologies with artistic expressions from different continents and cultures. It also exemplifies the polarised yet harmonious integration of art and artificial intelligence in the contemporary creative landscape.
Musical performance: A fully immersive experience by Tritha, LaLaLand’s golden voice mascot, multi-genre composer and producer known for her super fun fusion sets blending Indian classical into contemporary genres and rising positive vibrations. The interesting collaboration featured Ari Jaiprakash on AI-driven visuals, Pradeep Vidhate on dance, songwriter Ritika Singh from SPACE, Rudi Tiessler on saxophone, and some amazing surprise guest talents.
Local schools presence: The audience, including proud parents, couldn’t help but gush as their little ballerinas performed at a Ballet Recital conducted by Charizma Dance Academy. The adorable little Ballerinas and their teachers brought to you a world where you experience performances from Classic Ballet scenes to magical Arabian Night. LaLa festive enthusiasts experienced a beautiful aerial performance by Masha and her students, who run Dance Republic from Artjuna in Anjuna, Goa.
Rap Performance by Bongisio: At LaLaLand, Bongisio, a Merces-based Konkani rapper, singer, songwriter, and music producer, known to represent social issues in his songs made his presence felt as he performed his special act curated for the festival. He also organized a rap workshop at the festival.
Safari Cats: The Safari Cats took everyone’s breath away with gravity-defying performances. Acrobats, fire hoops, human pyramids, contortion, juggling, hoop diving, and limbo are just a few of the acts that left everyone speechless throughout their show.
Chakna by Subodh Kerkar: Renowned Goan Artist, Subodh Kerkar unveiled his art installation that was created using trash collected by the LaLaLand festival through its Trash4Cash initiative. The sculpture portrays a person on the top of a beer mug eating potato chips.
Sal”Aura” featuring Jiya Labeija: Sal “Aura” and Jiya Labeija, two captivating drag queens, brought a kaleidoscope of entertainment to the vibrant stage of the LaLaLand Festival. With their dazzling performances and flair for the fantastical, they celebrated love in all its forms, creating a spellbinding experience for audiences immersed in the magical world of drag.
After Sal Auras dazzling performance, the festival ended with a spectacular performance where Goan Rapper Bongisio came together with Kula Skuro’s African dancers and Dharavi Rocks along with a fire performance by Safari Cats.
Further, there were workshops conducted throughout the day that gave people the opportunity to interact with the performers.
Living in LaLaLand means living in a world of dreams. LaLaLand was conceived with the vision of transforming a beautiful dream into reality. Through a vibrant palette of colours, enchanting magic, and all things delightful, this festival embodies the essence of happiness, love, respect, and support.
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- By Rabindra
11, Dec 2023
Over 3500 sprinters at the 5th WaveRun spread the message of inclusivity and sustainability, at WaveRock
Hyderabad, December 2023: WaveRock, One of the most prominent IT SEZ in Hyderabad, hosted the 5th edition of WaveRun, a fun filled mini-marathon. Chief Guest Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary, I&C and IT, Government of Telangana; flagged off the Run. Over 3500 participants spread the message of inclusivity and sustainability. The event helped foster a strong sense of community and bonding among the employees & employers of reputed national and multinational corporates, located in the IT SEZ.
Speaking at the flag off Shri Jayesh Ranjan said, on behalf of WaveRock, an excellent programme called Wave Run was hosted. Prior to Covid, they used to host this run for past several years. after that interruption they restarted this run today. It had excellent response and thousands participated in the run in 3K, 5K and 10 K categories. I just flagged it off. Most of the participants are employees here, they took part along with their kids and families. The run is being organised with the noble objective of gender equality, to ensure equality between men and women in every stream of life and wipe out any differences between the genders.
Speaking on the occasion, Col Sanjay Bhardwaj, Senior Director and head of Property Management, said that WaveRock has been hosting this run for years, however, due to Covid, there was an interruption and we restarted the run today. Every year we support a social cause, this year we are espousing the cause of gender equality, the theme of the run is ‘equality has no gender.’ In line with our philosophy of sustainability, in this run, we are giving away prizes like electric scooters and electric bikes and also we have set up an electric charging station in WaveRock. I am sure this will sensitize and make the public aware of sustainability, for the benefit of our future generations and will go a long way in educating the society. Wave Rock is a second home to the employees and employers of various multinational corporates, as they spend a significant part of their lives here, It is only appropriate that they familiarize themselves with the people and their immediate environs, better. WaveRun accomplished this objective by bringing them together to share experiences, challenges and successes. Our endeavor is to build a holistic community within and beyond the workspace.
In this edition of WaveRun, participants of all ages enthusiastically took part in 10 K, 5 K, and 3 K categories of Runs. WaveRock aspires to create an ambiance of comfort and supportive space. The Run is one of several such initiatives, which enable employees of our tenant corporates to feel a sense of belonging and commitment to their work.
Waverun 2023 Winners
10K Male – Winner
Ankit Kumar, RMSI; & Runner Mallesh, Compugain;
10K Female – Winner
Keerthi, AVEVA & Runner, Sravani, TCS;
5K Male – Winner
Surender, RMSI & Runner Venugopal, RMSI;
5K Female – Winner
Poornima, Birlasoft; & Runner Manognya, Aveva;
3K Male – Winner Somesh, Accenture & Runner Purandher, TCS;
3K Female – Winner Reema, Aveva & Runner, Nithya, DBS.
11, Dec 2023
Empowering Students Nationwide Narayana Scholastic Aptitude Test
Kolkata, 11th December 2023: The Narayana IIT-JEE / NEET / Foundation Coaching Academy, Kolkata, proudly celebrates the Narayana Scholastic Aptitude Test (NSAT) Success Meet Phase II today. With an impressive legacy of empowering students and fostering academic excellence, the 18th Edition of NSAT 2023 was launched on July 30th, 2023. It is a highly successful annual examination that aims to motivate, reward, and nurture the academic talents of young students across the nation.
The test serves as a platform for students from class 7th to 11th (Science) to compete at the national level by testing their knowledge, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving abilities among their peer group. In 2023, over 1.5 lakh students have appeared for the examination in India and over 3600 students have registered from West Bengal.
The result has been declared on November 2, 2023, and today through NSAT Success Meet Phase II, topper students from West Bengal who have done well have been felicitated. Apart from that, some promising students from different schools were felicitated and all students who participated in NSAT 2023 were handed over their NSAT Participation Certificates and gifts. These talented students are eligible for scholarships from Narayana.
This year, NSAT 2023 was conducted in both online (8th to 12th October 2023) and offline (1st October / 15th October / 29th October 2023) modes, ensuring convenience and accessibility for all participants. Students chose the mode that suited them best, allowing them to perform at their optimal level.
The students who secured top places in All-India ranks or are toppers School-wise were felicitated today by Narayana IIT-JEE / NEET / Foundation Coaching Academy, Kolkata. Toppers were given the results, certificates, and awards and they were updated on the scholarships they would get from the academy.
In the program, Dr. Partha Karmaka, Deputy Secretary of WBPE, and Lt. Col MG Palani were present as Chief Guests. Principals and teachers from prominent schools were present as Special Guests. These dignitaries guided the students on (a) Strategy planning for Boards, (b) Career planning from class VII-XII and they motivated the students as well.
Sharing this proud moment, Center Director of Narayana IIT-JEE / NEET / Foundation Coaching Academy, Kolkata, Pritha Halder and Branch Manager Nayan Kumar Mandal said, “Over 3600 students from across West Bengal registered in the 18th edition of NSAT 2023. The examination encompassed a comprehensive syllabus, covering subjects like Science, Mathematics, Mental Ability with questions that stimulated critical thinking skills. From among all the students, toppers from different schools were felicitated today and all other participating students were given certificates. All the students are eligible for different level of scholarships, depending upon their performance in NSAT examination. These students are toppers among many and are set to be successful doctors, engineers and scientists in the future. Narayana has identified the talents and they are being rewarded accordingly. Around 300 students and their parents were present today. Admission for 2024 session has already started and eligible students have started enrolling them for class VIII-XII.”
11, Dec 2023
“The fashion is cyclical. It wanes and then reappears” says Fashion Designer Nikhil Mehra
Delhi: Today’s special session of Tete-a-tea was held in person, thanks to the initiative of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation and the longtime host Advaita Kala. Tete-a-tea is one of the events in the Foundation’s “In Conversation” series, which is focused on culture and heritage. Through this programme, viewers get the fantastic chance to interact with notable people and take part in thought-provoking discussions.
Nikhil Mehra, a distinguished figure in the fashion industry, was today’s distinguished guest. The event took place at The Opal, The Connaught in New Delhi starting at 5 pm in the evening. The Connaught IHCL SELEQTIONS, Advaita Kala’s Kahalli, and the Ehsaas Women of Delhi are supporting today’s event. A special mention to Ruhi Syal, and Vinti Kathuria of Ehsaas Women of PKF. As a CSR endeavor, Shree Cement Limited generously sponsors today’s event.
In conversation were two pioneers of their respective industries. We had our host, a globally famed Shantanu and Nikhil Indian Couture label and conversationalist Advaita Kala in conversation with Nikhil Mehra, a renowned top-notch fashion designer. The brand that Nikhil represents is a trendsetter, breaking through the mindset of orthodox Men’s Fashion. The two engaged in a warm conversation over The Indian Aesthetic in front of a totally engrossed audience.
The fun banter between the two started with Nikhil highlighting his journey from college to the industry and how everything happened. The discussion then shifted to Men’s Fashion and how aptly Nikhil and Shantanu, the brand upholds it.
About their entry in this particular segment, we heard Nikhil saying, “I was surprised to see how men only went to Fab India or other global retailers to buy clothes. They were generally accompanied by a female who decided for them. They were comfortable in being dependent on women when it came to clothing. This brought me to look at the feminine side to the man who otherwise dominated the sanctuary outside. We then thought that it was a good market to explore and experiment with. I thought that that particular generation of men not caring about clothes was to time out and taking place was one who wanted to look good. Men who wanted to take care of themselves. I guess it was good timing for us to enter that particular market.”
Another fun anecdote from the conversation included him reminiscing about a time when in college a teacher of his saw his hands and said that these hands are for draping. Nikhil recalled the incident and said, “It felt like a coach telling his student to do what would suit him the best”. The chat further channeled into Bollywood fashion and Nikhil commenting about the style statements of various stars. He felt that all celebrities fashion according to their personalities. We heard him mentioning Bachan’s fashion as an elegant and timeless classic and Ranveer Singh’s with a tinge of craziness. He specifically mentioned Jackie Shroff and his commendable fashion statement and applauded the new lot of Babil Khan, Vijay Verma, and Ishan Khatter.
Another important thing to note is that the brand’s designs are hugely inspired by the army. It has to do with a personal connection with Nikhil. The fashion brand evokes a sense of pride and fight in its collection.
The event was fun to witness and the audience participated with questions and answers. The event winded off by 7 pm. The environment was warm and ambivalent and the conversation was too good to enjoy over a cup of tea.
11, Dec 2023
Aditi Maheshwari was honored with the esteemed Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India
Aditi Maheshwari, the Executive Director of Vani Prakashan, a leading Hindi language publishing house, was honored with the esteemed Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India. The prestigious award ceremony unfolded at the French Embassy, recognizing Ms. Maheshwari’s exceptional achievements in the realm of Hindi publishing and her unwavering commitment to advancing feminist voices in the Hindi language.
In his commendation during the investiture, Ambassador Thierry Mathou lauded Ms. Maheshwari’s substantial contributions, remarking, “It is an honor to present the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres to Ms. Aditi Maheshwari for her dedication to Hindi language literature and her initiatives to make world literature accessible to Hindi readers. Her ascent to a prominent position in the male-dominated publishing industry is an inspiration to all, marking a significant step towards gender equality.”
Expressing her heartfelt gratitude upon receiving this prestigious honor, Aditi Maheshwari stated, “Vani Prakashan Group stands at the epicenter of an inclusive Hindi and Indian languages public sphere. Like the French, we too uphold the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. I extend my thanks to H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou for conferring this esteemed honor on me, accepting it with gratitude on behalf of the authors, the Hindi language, and its rich literary history.”
The award ceremony coincided with the unveiling of the book cover of “The Second Sex” by Simone de Beauvoir, translated into Hindi by Monica Singh. This forthcoming translation, scheduled for release in February, promises Hindi readers access to the complete range of Simone de Beauvoir’s profound thoughts and vision, expanding their literary horizons.
To commemorate the occasion, a round-table discussion on the influence of French critical thought on the Hindi public sphere was organized. Distinguished speakers, including Rohini Aggarwal, Ashok Vajpayee, Anamika, and Monica Singh, engaged in a stimulating conversation with Aditi Maheshwari, exploring the cultural intersections between French and Hindi literature.
This recognition not only celebrates Aditi Maheshwari’s individual accomplishments but also underscores the significance of promoting diversity and inclusivity in the realm of literature. The event highlights the cultural exchange between India and France, fostering a stronger bond between the two nations through a shared appreciation of language and ideas.
The event was graced by the presence of eminent personalities such as Shashi Tharoor, Aman Nath, Namita Gokhle, Danish Raza, Faouzia Dastukar, Ashok Bajpai, and many more who attended the event to congratulate Aditi Maheshwari.
11, Dec 2023
ABP Network Takes Home 19 Trophies at News Television (NT) Awards
New Delhi, December 11, 2023: ABP Network, a distinguished leader in the Indian media industry, clinched 19 esteemed accolades at the annual News Television (NT) Awards held in New Delhi on December 9. The event, celebrating excellence in journalism and broadcasting, recognized ABP Network’s outstanding achievements across various categories.
Reflecting on the outstanding accomplishment, Mr. Avinash Pandey, CEO of ABP Network, conveyed his appreciation, saying, “The News Television Awards 2023 acknowledgment is truly gratifying. It highlights the relentless efforts of our proficient teams committed to delivering trustworthy news. ABP Network’s core mission remains resolute – maintaining journalistic integrity and delivering news that leaves a lasting impression.”
The awards spanned diverse categories, reflecting ABP Network’s commitment to delivering impactful content in multiple languages and formats. The awards won include:
| Category | Language | Category | Nominee Name | Project Title | Channel Name |
| Programming Awards | Marathi | Daily News Bulletin | 10chya Baatmya | ABP Majha | |
| Programming Awards | Marathi | Best Talk Show | Majha Katta | Majha Katta | ABP Majha |
| Programming Awards | Marathi | Televised Live Initiative by a News Channel | Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision | ABP Majha | |
| Programming Awards | Marathi | Best Prime Time News Show | Special Report | ABP Majha | |
| Promo, Designing & Packaging Awards | Hindi | Promo Campaign by a News Channel | Yeh Khabar Zarur Dekhe | ABP News | |
| Promo, Designing & Packaging Awards | Hindi | Promo Show Packaging | Red Fort AR VR | ABP News | |
| Promo, Designing & Packaging Awards | Hindi | News Producer / Executive Producer | Mahakaal Corridor | ABP News | |
| Personality Awards | Hindi | TV News Presenter | Romana Isar Khan | Modi Tracker | ABP News |
| Personality Awards | Hindi | TV News Reporter | Manogya Loiwal | UP Election Chunav Yatra | ABP News |
| Personality Awards | Hindi | Young TV Journalist | Siddhi Vishal Sharma | ABP News | |
| Personality Awards | Hindi | News Producer / Executive Producer | Rashmi Nishad | ABP News | |
| Personality Awards | Hindi | Video Editor | Dharmendra Paswan | ABP News | |
| Programming Awards | Hindi | Entertainment Talk Show | Saas Bahu Aur Saazish | ABP News | |
| Programming Awards | Hindi | Best Prime Time News Show | India Chahata Hai | ABP News | |
| Sales And Marketing | Hindi | Best Marketing initiative from a news channel | Holi Campaign | ABP News | |
| Sales And Marketing | Hindi | Best Brand Partnership on news television | Ozone | ABP News | |
| Sales And Marketing | Hindi | Best Digital marketing campaign for a brand partner | Spotify | ABP News | |
| Special Awards | Hindi | Best investigation by a news channel | Kanjhawala Case | ABP News | |
| Special Awards | Hindi | Best Live Reporting from the ground | Kanjhawala Case | ABP News |
Hosted by IndianTelevision.com, the News Television Awards 2023 reaffirms ABP Network’s position as an industry leader, setting new standards for excellence in media and broadcasting.
11, Dec 2023
BRAI felicitates 22 real estate industry leaders
Bengaluru, December 11, 2023: Bengaluru has witnessed a meteoric growth across segments over the last two decades and a half and has been swift to bounce back after the pandemic. The stupendous growth registered is witnessed across all segments, residential, commercial, office spaces, observed industry stalwarts at a panel discussion organised by Bangalore Realtors Association India (BRAI) to celebrate the successful completion of 25 years of its existence.
Pre-pandemic, the sales per quarter had hovered around Rs 10,000 crores. Post Covid the scene has turned very positive with the forthcoming quarter likely to touch Rs 20,000 crores. Depending on the location as well as nature of the development, the rates in the varied segments have registered a growth of 35 to 65 per cent. The residential segment alone has witnessed 50 per cent increase in growth, discussed the panel.
Lauding the good performance of the real estate sector in the city were leading industry heads, Mr. Irfan Razack, CMD, Prestige Group, Mr. Raj Menda Managing Director, RMZ, Mr. CN Govindaraju, CMD, Vaishnavi Group, Mr. Ramani Shastri, Managing Director of Sterling Developers, Mr. Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director of Embassy Group, Ms. Pavithra Shankar, Managing Director Brigade Group and Mr. Farook Mahmood, Managing Director of Silverline Realty & Founder of BRAI who participated in the panel discussion “Tracing Bengaluru’s skyline over the last 25 years and its resilience post the pandemic”. The panel was moderated by Mr Ayub Khan, President, BRAI.
Present on the occasion were Honourable Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Mr N Jayaram, BDA Commissioner, and Mr HC Kishore Chandra, Chairman of Karnataka RERA.
Mr Farook Mahmood, Managing Director of Silverline Realty & Founder of BRAI, who represented the realtors in the panel, stated, “The suburbs of Bengaluru have registered an impressive growth with all the desired services tuned in, turning them each into self-contained mini-cities. The dynamics have currently changed in the city with every suburb coming with all facilities that are on par with the CBD. The younger residents are increasingly looking to these regions to buy a home.”
Catering to Gen Next
With technology taking over almost every segment, real estate sector has not been far behind, the various techno solutions on offer plugging in and transforming this industry to cater to Gen Next. Recognising the key role that technology will be playing going forward in addressing the dynamics of the real estate sector, be it in transactions, in the construction, and execution, a second-panel discussion on “Leveraging Technology in Real Estate” was hosted.
The panel discussion had leading industry heads Mr NA Zayd Noaman, Director, Prestige Estates, Mr. Aditya Virwani, Director, Embassy Group, Mr. Ravindra Pai, Managing Director, Century Real Estate and Mr Ashish Puravankara, Managing Director, Puravankara, participating. The panel was moderated by Ms Nirupa Shankar, Joint Managing Director, Brigade Group.
As part of the 25-year celebrations, BRAI also felicitated 22 stalwarts of the real estate industry, which comprised of leading real estate developers, advocates, and architects.
11, Dec 2023
Digitization revolutionizing the job industry; 2.1L SMBs and 400 enterprise hired online using apna in 2023; projected to triple by FY25
New Delhi, 11th December 2023: Aiming to empower and create a level playing field for all job seekers across industries, Apna – India’s largest jobs and professional networking platform has recorded a remarkable success in enabling SMBs and Enterprises in 2023. The year, Apna facilitated 56 million job applications across blue, grey, and white collar sectors for 2.1 lakh SMBs and 400 enterprises. This surge has driven remarkable growth, with the total user base on the platform reaching 51 million, and aims to enable 3x more businesses by FY25.
The company also recorded a 42% jump in its total recruiter base in 2023. As a trusted partner for SMBs and enterprises in India, apna.co helps them find skilled employees. Over the last year, Apna has been helping India’s leading Enterprises like Swiggy, Axis Bank, Paytm, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Blinkit, Reliance Jio, Zepto, Aditya Birla Capital, Apollo Pharmacy and many more to solve their hiring needs. The platform’s user-friendly interface and extensive user base simplify the hiring process, offering employers access to a diverse talent of skilled professionals. As a result, businesses have witnessed streamlined recruitment processes, faster candidate placements, and increased workforce satisfaction.
Apna’s users can now apply via Web, Mobile, WhatsApp, and Email. Delving into the 56 million job applications, 18% stemmed from jobs across blue-collar job roles, covering roles such as Delivery, Driver, Warehouse and Logistics Staff, Restaurant Staff, and Technician. 66% of the applications came from the grey collar job roles mainly for Field Sales, Telesales, Telecaller/BPO, Back Office, and Data Entry. Over 16% jobs applications came in White Collar roles such as Accountant, Enterprise Sales and management, Digital Marketing, HR Professionals, Teacher, Doctor, IT Support, and Software.
As a professional network for users, Apna’s network graph crossed 1.2 billion user connections. Reflecting on these new milestones, Nirmit Parikh, Founder & CEO, of Apna, said, “We are glad to see Apna becoming the platform of choice for recruiters across the country. Our mission at Apna has always been to create a one-stop platform that enables job seekers to build successful careers and professional networks.”
33% of the 56 million applications were sent by females, demonstrating a significant increase in female participation in the job market. In 2023, Apna also saw a 25% growth in median salary of female users, surpassing the 17% increase observed among male users. Interestingly, Apna saw a 25% growth in median salary for jobs posted in T3 cities, while T1 cities saw a 14% growth in median salary – indicating a growing demand for talent and rising salaries in T3 cities.
Talking about the breadth of applications He further added, “This reinforces our unwavering commitment to providing equal opportunities across the entire professional spectrum, spanning from blue-collar to white-collar professionals. The lines between blue, grey and white collar need to be even more blurred and Apna wants to play a significant role in making this happen. Today Apna has evolved beyond being just a platform. It’s a movement.”
In the past year, Apna has collaborated with esteemed partners such as Vi, Generation India Foundation, DGR Ministry of Defence team, NSDC, and Swiggy. These strategic alliances underscores Apna’s commitment to fostering diverse and impactful initiatives that not only contribute to the local job market but also actively contribute to the advancement of skill development on a broader scale. The platform is accessible across 600+ Indian cities.
11, Dec 2023
Honoring Inclusivity Champions: 16 Changemakers Acknowledged at 24th NCPEDP-LTIMindtree Helen Keller Awards
New Delhi, December 11, 2023: India achieved noteworthy progress in advancing inclusivity in the job sector on by acknowledging the efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities, especially for persons with disabilities. The 24th NCPEDP-LTIMindtree Helen Keller Awards honored 16 visionaries for their outstanding contributions to fostering diversity and inclusivity in India’s workforce and supporting the integration of disabled individuals into mainstream workforce. These awards, highly prestigious in the disability sector, serve as a platform to commend those committed to creating a more inclusive employment landscape.
The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), India’s foremost cross-disability advocacy organization, and LTIMindtree, a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, announced the winners of the NCPEDP-LTIMindtree Helen Keller Awards 2023. In their 24th year, these awards stand among India’s most reputed recognitions for individuals and organizations working to promote equal employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). NCPEDP has been collaborating with LTIMindtree for the last eight years to empower PWDs and inspire others to embrace the cause, fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.
A total of 16 awardees were recognized as Role Models this year, with three of them receiving Jury Appreciation. Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP said, “Helen Keller Awards celebrate indomitable will, passion and resilience. For 24 years, the Awards have identified incredible individuals and institutions doing exemplary work of promoting employment, equality and diversity in the workplace. The outcomes of this persistent effort are gratifying yet we know we have miles to go to completely integrate disability into the mainstream.”
Debashis Chatterjee, CEO and Managing Director of LTIMindtree remarked, “NCPEDP- LTIMindtree Helen Keller Awards exemplify our commitment to recognising individuals and organizations advancing equality and inclusion for people with disabilities in India. At LTIMindtree, we are committed to a workplace that is welcoming for all.” He reiterated the belief that creating skilling and employment opportunities for disabled people empowers them to integrate into the mainstream and earn dignified livelihood
The 16 awardees of the 24th NCPEDP-LTIMindtree Helen Keller Award are from nine states across India – Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Lakshwadeep, Delhi NCR, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra.
Category A, Role Model Person with Disabilities category have the names of Ummer Farook KK, Dr. Vaibhav Bhandari, and Dr. Rajalakshmi SJ as the winners.
In the Role Model, Supporters of Increased Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities category, Dr Rajdeep Manwani, Prateek Madhav, and Ashwin Kumar V are the winners while Amali Naik received Jury Appreciation.
In the Role Model Companies/NGOs/Institutions category, the winners are TVS Motor Company, Atypical Advantage, Amar Seva Sangam, and Alamba Charitable Trust. Jury Appreciation Awards were given to NatWest India and Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation.
In the Role Model Entrepreneurs with Disabilities category, the winners are Krishnakant Mane, Sumarty G, and Rakhi Pandey.
Ali highlighted, “The contributions of all the 16 individuals and organizations have hugely impacted the lives of countless disabled individuals and their families by providing them with the tools for self-reliance and dignified employment, a significant way to empower disabled persons.”
11, Dec 2023
Synology Showcased Enterprise Data Solutions at Synology Solution Day 2023 in Mumbai
Mumbai, India – December 11, 2023 – Synology, a leading NAS company, recently concluded its highly anticipated Synology Solution Day 2023 at ITC Maratha in Mumbai. The event, held on December 6th, provided an exclusive platform for IT professionals and partners to explore Synology’s cutting-edge data management solutions, including storage, backup, video surveillance, and business productivity. The event has successfully garnered the participation of 420 attendees, encompassing representatives from diverse business organizations, IT specialists from the industrial sector, and key business partners spanning various sectors across India. Noteworthy is the presence of participants from companies listed in the global Fortune 500.
Additionally, the event highlighted a session where experts from prominent organizations in their respective industries shared valuable experiences and insights. Ms. Khushi Dama from MRK Foods and Mr. Sandeep Maurya from DSK Legal delved into discussions about their successful deployment of Synology’s solutions. Their presentations underscored Synology’s role as a reliable partner in safeguarding business data and ensuring seamless business continuity. Mr. Maurya commented: “Synology NAS systems come with built-in backup solutions, supporting scheduled backups, incremental backups, and versioning. Synology also provides backup and snapshot replication to other Synology NAS devices, ensuring data redundancy and quick recovery options through data replication from one NAS box to another.”
Russell Chen, India Sales Manager at Synology, put an emphasis on the extraordinary growth of Synology’s business solutions over the past three years. He expressed gratitude to the attendees, highlighting how their presence contributed to the success of the event. “As we continue to expand our offerings, we welcome interested IT and partners to experience first-hand why our solutions are disrupting cost and maintenance tradeoffs demanded by traditional solutions.”
In-Depth Exploration of Synology’s Core Solutions:
Storage and File Management:
The acceleration of digital transformation across industries is becoming more apparent, aligned with the advancement of the latest technologies such as generative AI. Organizations are now faced with substantial challenges, as the volume of generated and stored data continues to rise, and the demands for management and security surpass the capacity of existing IT resources. Synology introduces flexible private and hybrid cloud data management solutions, specifically designed to address the requirements of dynamic business environments. These solutions cater to businesses of all sizes, ranging from multinational enterprises to multi-branch offices, providing robust security measures against ransomware threats.
Business Productivity:
Efficiency and collaboration took center stage as Synology presented its private cloud solutions designed to streamline team collaboration. The discussions and live demonstrations interpreted how these solutions ensure data ownership without compromising accessibility and usability. Attendees explored the comprehensive security features of Synology’s business productivity solutions, soon to be augmented with generative AI capabilities for enhanced control over organizational data.
Data Protection:
Attendees delved into the intricacies of comprehensive data protection as Synology presented strategies beyond conventional backups. The importance of routine drilling and the implementation of a dependable total solution were emphasized to significantly reduce recovery time in worst-case scenarios. The discussions highlighted how Synology’s approach ensures not only data security but also business continuity without imposing exorbitant costs on IT budgets.
Video Surveillance:
In addition to safeguarding businesses against cyber threats, a dependable video surveillance system is not an extravagance but a vital necessity. This system is constructed around the industry-leading video management system, Surveillance Station, and AI-enabled cameras. For businesses overseeing large industrial complexes or managing multiple retail outlets, Synology’s surveillance solutions offer the scalability and flexibility required.
Solution Day 2023 serves as a catalyst for Synology to reinforce its dedication to leading innovation in data management technology. This annual event not only showcased the latest technological advancements but also signified a strategic move for Synology in meeting and supporting India’s digital transformation requirements. The synergy between advanced technology and dynamic market needs positions Synology as a pioneer in providing adaptive and robust solutions. With a comprehensive range of solutions, spanning from data storage to integrated video surveillance, Synology stands at the forefront of ushering in a safer, more efficient, and productive digital future for businesses and industries at every level in India.
Michael Chang, APAC Sales Head at Synology Inc., commented on the evolving landscape of business IT, stating, “Reflecting on the evolving landscape of business IT, we remain dedicated to expanding our deployments across India. Our commitment is to continue fostering innovation and partnerships within the Indian market.” This underlines Synology’s devoted commitment to not only keeping pace with the changing business environment but actively contributing to the growth and innovation within the Indian market.
