Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, August 28, 2023 i India Today

On the 76th Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared: “During this Amrit Kaal (auspicious period), we must work hard to ensure that the dreams of 140 crore Indians become a reality and in 2047, when the tricolour is unfurled, the world is singing praises of a developed India.” But the question is how we will realise the potential of this golden era in the quarter-century stretching to our 100th Independence Day. Undoubtedly, with a confluence of favourable international circumstances and forceful leadership, India is in a sweet spot to realise its full potential. The prime minister has given a clarion call with the words, “Perform, Reform and Transform.” In our Independence Day special issue, we have shortlisted 10 broad domains where…

Jharkhand is a land where the very walk of people is as close to them grooving and the speech as melodious as music. The same land of Jharkhand became witness to the rich Tribal philosophy of life. Great reverence and homage was offered by the people to the land of valiant tribal heroes and revolutionaries. When Tribal musical instruments spread its musical glory in the “Reej Rang Rasika Rally” and the sonorous beats of the Mandar echoed giving in to the splendid dance of 32 Tribal communities, the world stood still to witness a sight that was beautiful to behold; the Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav 2023. From the stage of Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav 2023, the chairman of the State Coordination Committee Dishom Guru Shibu Soren gave a clarion to the tribal…

The building blocks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been around for decades—since the 1950s, to be precise—and AI tech is something we use daily. Even the ordinary email spam filter is AI too! But an inflection point came in the last decade when three key ingredients converged—faster computing power, tonnes of digital data and advanced algorithms. It pioneered new architecture for an idea as old as AI: neural networks, which were conceived of as a set of parallel computing systems, or nodes, designed to mimic the structure of the human nervous system. Running on powerful algorithms and feeding on terabytes of data, these souped-up neural networks took deep learning to an entirely new level. Enter generative AI which can create all kinds of content—text, images, video—using all that learning material.…

VEDANTA ↘ The Indian multinational in July announced its venture into semiconductors and display fab manufacturing via special-purpose vehicles under a group firm, Twin Star Technologies Ltd; has signed an MoU with Gujarat to set up a facility in Dholera HCL ↘ The Shiv Nadar-led IT services and consulting group is also venuring into the semiconductor manufacturing space; is among four companies to have registered for a government incentive scheme for semiconductor packaging MICRON TECHNOLOGY ↘ The US-based chip manufacturer plans to invest $825 million (Rs 6,845 crore) to set up a semiconductor assembly and test facility in Gujarat with the first phase commencing operations by late 2024…

BHARAT 6G ALLIANCE ↘ An industry-led, government-backed group, it will focus on how the technology can boost sectors such as health, education, entertainment, agriculture, weather predictions, public services and productivity, among other things CAPGEMINI ↘ The tech services firm, in a project with King’s College London, has opened a 6G lab near Delhi to prototype, simulate and test solutions, leveraging next-gen connectivity, silicon technologies and advanced AI to address the wireless communication challenges of 6G DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS ↘ DoT, along with a few IITs and private players, is investing Rs 260 crore to set up two indigenous test beds, a 6G THz (terahertz) one for Orbital Angular Momentum and Multiplexing and another for advanced Optical Communication ↘ The Centre has given 66 start-ups and MSMEs grants totalling Rs 48…

Light Fidelity, or LiFi, is a wireless optical networking technology that offers remote transmission of data using LED light. In effect, LED bulbs will bring not only light but wireless connection at the same time. This is done by coaxing that innocuous-looking orb to emit not only white light that fills your room but also light pulses that are invisible to the human eye. Those pulses can encode bits of data and convey them to receivers within the line of sight, endowed with the capacity to interpret them. This latter operation is similar to the decoding of Morse, only at a much, much faster clip. With LiFi, transmission speeds can exceed 100 Gbps, making it over 14 times faster than WiGig (60 GHz WiFi), reckoned as the world’s fastest WiFi.…

In a remarkable stride towards development, Bastar is embracing a new trajectory infused with fresh perspectives and energy. The region’s unique indigenous culture has garnered recognition on both the national and international stage. Its exceptional traditions captivate the attention of people, making Bastar stand out. The cultural essence here is truly distinct and unparalleled. To safeguard and nurture this indigenous heritage, the Government of Chhattisgarh, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has tak-en significant steps in the past four and a half years. These decisions have brought substantial positive transformations to the lives of the tribal population. With a focus on Bastar’s progress, a novel roadmap has been charted, redefining the roles of its people and granting them just rights over their resources. These coordinated efforts have borne…

The Solar Group of Industries comprising Solar Industries India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited has evolved from a single site manufacturing company into a globally recognized Industrial Explosives enterprise having manufacturing facilities across 4 continents and meeting the demands of over 75 countries. We are a BSE &NSE listed company with a market cap of over INR 39,000 Crores, with a Credit Rating of AA+ rating by Crisil. Equipped with our extensive experience and expertise in the Industrial explosives segment, we entered into Defence Sector in the year 2010and set up Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL), as a 100% subsidiary of Solar Industries India Ltd. EEL is guided by the principle of, that is, “In Pursuit of Perfection” It is our firm belief that our brave soldiers deserve nothing but the…

9 June 2023 Appointment letters distributed to 7182 ANM health workers selected for 75 districts by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission. In these, Chief Minister Yogi Adltyanath personally handed over appointment letters to 28 newly selected ANM health workers. 10 June 2023 Appointment letters distributed to newly selected 1,442 staff nurses at an event organised at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS). 6 July 2023 Appointment letters distributed to a total of 1148 police personnel, including 217 sub-inspectors, 587 assistant sub-inspectors, and 344 assistant sub-inspectors in the police department. In the last 6 year more than 1.56 lakh police personnel selected, of which, more than 22,00 are women. 8 July 2023 A total of 479 players have been selected In the Uttar Pradesh Police Force,…

www.tatapower.com From taking up the mantle of powering an emerging nation, enthusing and encouraging the dreams of a generation more than a 100 years ago, Tata Power today is rewriting the script, building further on its legacy of Clean Energy solutions and innovating toward providing full suite EAAS (energy as a service) solutions across the entire value chain. As India advances towards its net-zero goals, Tata Power’s pioneering spirit is leading the way. From an initial 16% in 2015, the company envisions 70% of their portfolio being clean and green by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2045. Tata Power is spearheading an ambitious project to set up 4 GW of solar cell and module manufacturing capacity in Tamil Nadu, which is due to be operational this financial year. In…

LOG9 MATERIALS ↘ This April, the Bengaluru-based start-up switched on the only Li-ion cell line by a battery-maker in India ↘ In the cell line, raw materials such as titanate and graphite are coated on foils, jelly-rolled into a cylindrical cell and the electrolyte filled in ↘ Log9, incubated at IIT Roorkee in 2015, develops standard and larger format cells which go into batteries for three- and two-wheelers ↘ With focus on fast-charging, Log9 is betting on a battery chemistry called lithium-titanate ↘ Next up: aluminium fuel cells in which a block of aluminium will serve as the fuel, reacting with oxygen to produce energy and leaving behind aluminium hydroxide from which aluminium can be smelted CYGNI ENERGY ↘ Incubated at IIT Madras in 2014, Cygni first ventured into solar…

DRONACHARYA AERIAL INNOVATIONS ↘ Founded by Prateek Srivastava in Pune in 2017, it was the first to deliver drugs via drones in Telangana in Sept. 2020 when Covid was raging. Last year, it went public with an IPO ↘ Primarily offers a drone pilot training programme; has a tie-up with robotics firm Gridbots to manufacture drones; partnered with start-up TSAW for delivery operations TECH EAGLE ↘ Founded by Vikram Singh and Anshu Abhishek in a hostel garage at IIT Kanpur in 2015, it has partnered with various state governments to deliver medicines and vaccines ↘ In May 2022, it ferried a 3 kg parcel for IndiaPost across 46 km in Gujarat’s Kutch; has also run pilots for Zomato and Swiggy GARUDA AEROSPACE ↘ Rural India is the key focus for…

Imagine traversing the 500 km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours by rail. For decades, having such trains had been no more than a distant dream for India. It was in the mid-1980s that the then-railway minister, Madhavrao Scinidia, had first proposed a high-speed rail line between Delhi and Kanpur, only to be told that it was financially unviable. Nearly 40 years later today, India stands almost on the cusp of realising that dream. In mid-2027, the country is expected to run trials of its first high-speed train on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. It will have a peak speed of 320 kmph, twice that of the Vande Bharat’s 160 kmph, the fastest train India has currently. A number of other corridors are in the offing that will together…

“ The coastline of Tamil Nadu offers many unusual and interesting attractions beyond the well-known destinations.” Like a necklace of precious stones, the Tamil Nadu coast is dotted with popular tourist attractions, ranging from the vibrant capital Chennai to the stunning beaches of the Coromandel Coast and ancient heritage monuments with a UNESCO World Heritage tag. This charmed coast also has several surprises in store. Beyond the popular destinations, there are lesser-known places offering an offbeat experience.. PICHAVARAM Thirty minutes from the temple town of Chidambaram lies Pichavaram, the second-largest mangrove forest in the world. The picturesque backwaters, network of canals, and silvery beaches make Pichavaram an ideal ecotourism destination. A boat ride through the mangroves is both memorable and educative. As the boat glides through the inner canals under…

"Start-ups are playing a crucial role in making India self-reliant.” Imbibing this mantra of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is busy creating a startup ecosystem in Uttarakhand. Its effect is also visible. While there were only 100 startups in the state at the end of 2018, by the end of 2021, this figure had risen to 500. From the growing number of startups to the growing number of incubators, mentors, investors, partners, and so on, the growing number of all stakeholders demonstrates the positive environment created for startups in Uttarakhand. Startup Policy-2023 paves the way for further accelerating the pace of development of a strong startup ecosystem in the state. Through this policy, encouragement and assistance are being provided to startups, incubators, mentors, educational institutions, and…

E-GOV FOUNDATION ↘ The Bengaluru-based non-profit has built and deployed a tech stack called DIGIT (Digital Infrastructure for Governance, Impact and Transformation) to transform urban governance JANAAGRAHA ↘ The Bengaluru-based non-profit works in the areas of civic participation, municipal finance and policy and insights. Among its initiatives is the MyCityMyBudget initiative. It also runs the Swachhata mobile application for the government’s Swachh Bharat Mission 31 No. of Mission Mode Projects under the government’s National eGovernment Plan…

ADANI WILMAR ↘ The joint venture between the Adani Group and the Singapore-based Kuok Khoon Hong’s Wilmar International makes edible oils like soyabean oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, rice bran oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, cottonseed oil and blended oil ↘ It is one of the largest importers of crude edible oil ↘ Its factory at Mundra in Gujarat with a capacity to process 5,000 tonnes of oil daily is among India’s largest PATANJALI FOODS ↘ Formerly known as Ruchi Soya Industries, Patanjali Foods boasts an extensive product lineup of soyabean edible oils ↘ An essential aspect is its reliance on sourcing raw materials from local farmers ↘ The firm is a significant contributor to the National Mission on Edible Oils. The initiative seeks to establish plantation of 10 million…

IMMUNEEL THERAPEUTICS ↘ Founded in 2019 by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Dr Kush Parmar and Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee, Immuneel has filed India’s first CAR-T application for approval ↘ The company has exclusive rights to varnimcabtagene autoleucel (Var-Cel), a CAR-T therapy approved in Spain from Hospital Clínic Barcelona for further clinical trials, manufacturing and commercialisation in India via technology transfer ↘ Results presented by Immuneel at global meetings in the US and Europe this year indicate 77 per cent positive response at three months (including most with complete response) in patients treated with Var-cel in India LAURUS LABS ↘ In June 2023, Laurus Labs signed an agreement with IIT Kanpur to bring new gene therapy products to the market ↘ Under the agreement, Laurus will in-license a small number of gene therapy products…

WORLD SKILL CENTER, BHUBANESWAR ↘ Provides advanced skills to students in eight areas, like facility training in mechanical services, vertical transportation and precision engineering SHRI VISHWAKARMA SKILL UNIVERSITY, HARYANA ↘ One of India’s oldest skills university offers a variety of courses, from hospitality management to graphics design TEAMLEASE SKILLS UNIVERSITY, VADODARA ↘ Courses offered include commerce and management, mechatronics, life skills, and industry and knowledge partnerships…

The leading stock market indices, the S&P BSE Sensex and the Nifty 50, are frequently scaling new highs. Naturally, at this time, the most frequently asked question is: is this the right time to invest, especially when the market is on a high? Over the past 44 years for which the Sensex data is easily available, it is quite evident that there is money to be made for investors who stay the course. For investors who invested in 1979 when the index was at 100, today the worth of that money is well over 65,000 times. For an optimist, there is no way you can lose money in the stock markets as long as you stay invested indefinitely. A bull market is defined as a period of time when major…

There is an old saying that applies every investor, ‘The best time to invest was 10 years ago, and the second best time is now.’ It is a profound statement, but many new investors often get carried away with the sentiment, trying to make up for the late start by investing aggressively in anything and everything. New and small investors often make mistakes that they could have easily avoided and can increase their chances of profiting in the years to come by not committing some common mistakes. 1 DON’T BE GREEDY, CHECK THE FUNDAMENTALS A bull market is the time to be cautious with investments and not be greedy by playing catch-up. Sticking to quality stocks and mutual funds (MFs) is essential to investing success. Don’t make the mistake of…

IN A WORLD WHERE DISRUPTION HAS ALMOST BECOME A slogan, Sir Paul Smith is the original alpha male of a tribe who pride themselves on being different. According to urban legend, the style maven had once famously quipped: “Stop making sense. Logic is predictable. Think differently.” You may choose to err on the side of conformism, especially when it comes to fashion, but the irrepressible 77-year-old has ensured that his brand of ‘different’ has not only thrived, but also remained relevant. Even more impressive, he is one of the few remaining founders who continue to own and control their brand, refusing to sell out to the big conglomerates. What explains his enduring popularity, which has now expanded to include womenswear, fragrance, homeware, and even a bespoke Paul Smith suite in…

FRACTAL ANALYTICS ↘ An early entrant into the AI space in 2000, it started with predicting credit card payment defaults and understanding consumer behaviour during recessions ↘ It now works with 150 of the Fortune 500 companies TATA ELXSI ↘ As a product technology company, applied AI is an integral part of its three core areas: transportation, media & telecom and medical devices ↘ For instance, on the anvil are advanced driver monitoring systems to keep a tab on the driver’s level of alertness and health parameters INFOSYS ↘ The Indian IT major is betting on generative AI to drive efficiency and productivity for enterprises ↘ A new set of services, solutions and platforms, called Topaz, for instance, completed 2,000 processes related to customers at a British bank in real-time…

NAV WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES ↘ The Ahmedabad-based firm is the pioneer of LiFi in India, helping Akrund and Navanagar in the Aravalli district of Gujarat evolve as smart villages, getting fast internet connections over existing electric power lines ↘ Meeting the broadband needs of the BSF and tourists at Nadabet on the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat; has set up a LiFi network for the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh WIPRO LIGHTING ↘ The Wipro Enterprises subsidiary is partnering with Scotland-baseb pureLiFi, global leaders in LiFi technology, to develop applications for wireless communication and the lighting market in Asia VELMENNI ↘ The Delhi-based start-up has created a LiFi-based mesh network solution that allows trans mission of data across long distances. It is working with the defence ministry for a customised…

GENERAL ATOMICS ↘ Dr Vivek Lall, the chief executive of the company, played a key role during the India-US talks in the deal to procure MQ-9B drones iDEAFORGE ↘ The Mumbai-based UAV firm has emerged as a reliable source of drones for the Indian military. Over 200 SWITCH drones made by the company are used for surveillance along the LAC PARAS DEFENCE AND SPACE TECHNOLOGIES ↘ With a focus on modern warfare, the Mumbai company, headed by CEO Pankaj Akula, has introduced its Archer-B8 UCAV attack drone. Archer-B8 has been fully designed and developed indigenously…

CLOUDSEK ↘ Bengaluru-based AI company that predicts cyber threats ARCON TECH SOLUTION ↘ A Mumbai-based firm, it specialises in the enterprise identity security domain BLUESAPPHIRE CYBER SYSTEMS ↘ The Hyderabad-based firm addresses cybersecurity challenges for enterprises across industries DATA RESOLVE TECHNOLOGIES ↘ The Noida-based company with expertise in internal data management and cyber security 1,725 Number of cyber attacks faced every week by India’s defence establishment and other government departments in January-March, 2023…

↘ Yogi Government's MSME Policy-2022, has created a favorable environment for the development of micro, small, and medium Industries by providing many incentives. Under the policy, 10% to 25% capital (maximum limit of Rs. 4 crore) of the project cost is being provided as a grant. ↘ Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions will get 25%, 20%, and 15% subsidies respectively. Madhyanchal and Paschimanchal will get 20%, 15% and 10% subsidy, respectively. A provision has been made to provide 2% more Investment Incentive assistance to SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs. ↘ 50% rebate will be given on the annual Interest payable on the loan under capital interest subvention for new microindustries. This exemption will be given for five years. The upper limit has been kept at Rs. 25 lakh per unit. This…

ADANI NEW INDUSTRIES ↘ Plans to commission an integrated green hydrogen ecosystem aimed at generating low-cost renewable power and in turn produce globally competitive green hydrogen and its derivatives at scale ↘ Its first project of 1 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) is being implemented phase-wise in Gujarat. The aim is to go up to 3 MTPA with about $50 billion (Rs 4.16 lakh crore) investment in 10 years ↘ The strategy will comprise three business streams: making supply chain products; generating green hydrogen; producing downstream derivative products RELIANCE INDUSTRIES ↘ Is reportedly investing Rs 6 lakh crore in multiple green energy projects in Gujarat as part of its ambitious decarbonisation drive ↘ Will invest Rs 5 lakh crore over 10 to 15 years to set up a 100 GW renewable-energy power…

TRUALT BIOENERGY ↘ With an installed capacity of 2,000 kilolitres per day (KLD) in its three plants in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district, the Bengaluru-based firm is one of the largest contributors to the ethanol blending programme ↘ The company has access to a diverse portfolio of energy products—bagasse to produce second generation (2G) ethanol in the future and state-of-the-art infrastructure to make multiple upstream products such as sustainable aviation fuel, methane and bio CNG in a very short time ↘ The current focus is on capacity expansion to 5,000 KLD, introducing multi-feed facilities to utilise all possible raw materials, the production of various upstream products such as sustainable aviation fuel and molecular grade ethanol ↘ The plan is to set up 250 biofuel dispensing stations—the first one has already come up…

BRAINVIRE ↘ Headquartered in Dallas with offices across the US, UAE, Canada, Singapore and India, Brainvire’s expertise lies in Industry 4.0 technologies like AI, IoT, machine learning, cloud computing, chatbots and blockchain ↘ Its scope spans from developing creative innovations for retail giants and top consumer brands to streamlining the financial processes of e-commerce VALUECODERS ↘ Founded in 2004, with offices in Delhi-NCR, US, UK and UAE, the company offers complete e-commerce website and mobile app development services ↘ It provides tech solutions to manage online supermarkets marketing, warehousing and delivery operations and create industry-specific augmented reality and virtual reality solutions to serve immersive experiences…

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ↘ The National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd, set up by the Ministry of Railways in 2016, aims to serve up to 17,900 passengers per day in each direction initially, which will be subsequently increased to 92,900 passengers per day in each direction by 2053 ↘ In the future, India aims to make high-speed trains domestically ↘ The initial plan is use Indian Railways’ own manufacturing capacities in collaboration with Japan JAPAN ↘ Japan will fund 80 per cent of the cost of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR project through a soft loan of Rs 79,000 crore ↘ In May this year, 20 experts from the Japan Railway Technical Services (JRTS) trained 1,000 Indian engineers for the Mumbai-Ahmed HSR project ↘ Japan will also provide 18 of its Shinkansen-style train…

TATA MOTORS ↘ At the start of the calendar year, Tata was selling about 3,500 EVs a month; by the end of July, the number grew to 6,500. It is adding more electric models TESLA ↘ Although Tesla still doesn’t have much of a stake in the Indian market, being at the forefront of EV innovation, it raises the bar for domestic players MAHINDRA ↘ This Independence Day, Mahindra showcased the electric variant of their premium off-roader, Thar. It is looking at bringing in new variants of its SUVs 10 MILLION Expected units of annual sale of EVs in India by 2030, per Economic Survey, 2022-23 PRAVAIG DYNAMICS ↘ Founded in 2011, this deep tech mobility firm is making EVs, batteries and AI solutions for autonomous vehicles…

NHAI ↘ The National Highway Authority of India is executing greenfield projects worth Rs 7 lakh crore, with smart technologies being deployed on these highways for incident management, emergency response, electronic toll payment, etc. 10,000 KM Length of highways the GoI plans to cover with Intelligent Transport System by the end of FY24 STATE GOVERNMENTS ↘ From Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh to Chennai in Tamil Nadu, state governments are commissioning smart roads for better management of traffic and cutting down on pollution…

The easier It Is for Investors to find land, the faster they will be drawn to invest. Keeping this in mind, the Dhami government has streamlined the process of developing the private industrial sector in Uttarakhand. This year, the government Implemented the private Industrial sector policy to provide land for new industries in the state. By amending this, the government has simplified and made more industry-friendly the process of notifying permission and developing an Industrial area on private land. The process of obtaining permission in two stages for the private industrial sector has been eliminated by amending the policy. Builders and private Investors will now receive approval through a single window. Aside from that, if there is a shortage of land for the Industrial sector, the government will acquire and give…

↘ As part of the new policy of establishing 1000 startups in five years, the goal is to establish at least one incubator in each district.↘ Registered Startup will be given a monthly allowance of Rs 15000 per month for one year. Startups based on SC/ST/Divyang/Transgender or grassroots innovations will get a monthly allowance of Rs 20,000.↘ Registered startups will get one-time seed funding up to Rs 10 lakh. Startups based on SC/ST/Divyang/Transgender or grassroots innovations will get seed funding of up to Rs 12.5 lakh.↘ Assistance up to Rs 1 lakh per patent for national patent and reimbursement up to Rs 5 lakh for international patent.↘ Assistance up to Rs 10,000 will be given on applications for trademarks and industrial designs.↘ Capital subsidy of up to Rs 1 crore…

Important papers stolen? Or, worse, destroyed in a fire? Soon, such events will be things of the past. Artificial Intelligence, with its ability to archive and analyse vast amounts of data, will ‘dematerialise’ documentation, and thus, revolutionise policymaking and service delivery. Whether it’s a record of your land or health, your Aadhaar identity or your driving licence, everything will soon have a digital footprint, sans fear of destruction. Data privacy/security remains an area that needs urgent attention: this must harness the auto-corrective features that the technology itself contains so as to minimise or eliminate the scope of corruption or theft. ↘ WHY IT IS A GAME CHANGER In India, every state must mandatorily provide 56 digital services to the citizens. Though the implementation rate has been 67 per cent, the…

ITC ↘ India’s premier FMCG conglomerate is focusing heavily on the food processing business ↘ It continues to be the trend-setter for introducing newer products, bringing in technology and enhancing the capabilities of farmers from whom they source the raw material for their products NETWORK OF COOPERATIVES AND FARMER PRODUCER ORGANISATIONS ↘ India is strengthening the deep network of these collectives, pushing them towards collective effort in procurement, storage and processing of the food ANAND MILK UNION ↘ India’s premier dairy co-operative sets the standards for milk products and now has a global footprint. The union has 18 members and procures approximately 26.3 million litres milk from 18,600 village milk cooperative societies and has 3.64 million milk producer members from the 33 districts of Gujarat. Amul has 26 categories of…

India has long been hailed as the pharmacy of the world due to the sheer range and volume of drugs it produces and exports. Despite that epithet, however, it still faces a critical shortcoming: the country imports a majority of its APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients, the key active component of any medicine) from China. That import-dependence became particularly alarming when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and disrupted the world’s supply chains. Naturally, India felt the squeeze too. Now, learning from that experience, the government has set itself the goal to make India not just self-reliant but also a major hub of API production. With a massive incentive scheme to boost both innovation and production, India’s API-manufacturing agenda marks a new era in its medical advancement journey. According to Mordor Intelligence, a…

RELIANCE LIFE SCIENCES ↘ Globally, it sells the largest number of biosimilar products. Currently, it markets 21 biosimilars in India and abroad and will soon be launching two more ↘ It’s also developing 15 more biosimilars for oncology, immunology, cardiology, pulmonology, haematology, neurology and orthopaedics BIOCON ↘ It has eight products in the market and its insulin product Semglee was the first interchangeable biosimilar to obtain FDA approval in the US ↘ It also has a future pipeline of 20 biosimilar molecules, targeting an over $70 billion (Rs 5.8 lakh crore) addressable global market through it by FY27 DR REDDY'S ↘ A relatively new entrant in the biosimilars market, Dr Reddy’s this year completed clinical studies for its rituximab biosimilar candidate, which can be used to treat blood cancer and…

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (LMS) Software applications such as Sunbird, Wise App, WizIQ and TVS LMS provide the framework and platform to deliver online content to the users EDTECH COMPANIES Such as ByJu’s, Unacademy, Ei Mindspark ₹32,820 CRORE Projected value of the education technology sector in India by 2025 GOVERNMENT-BACKED MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES (MOOCS) Students can access free web-based distance learning programmes such as Swayam and Diksha through the internet…

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Using voice commands on the smart-phone or for virtual assistants like Alexa is fairly common these days. Soon, it could happen for payments through the UPI (united payments interface) on your phone. UPI has revolutionised the way payments happen and has been instrumental in expanding the digital payment ecosystem. Each passing month, the number and value of transactions through UPI and UPI Lite keep rising. The Reserve Bank of India recently proposed incorporating AI (artificial intelligence)-powered conversational features in UPI. A voice payment will entail speaking to an AI-powered device, such as a speaker or a smartphone, and requesting it to make a payment. The device will recognise the speaker, and respond with a confirmation. The service will initially be available in English and Hindi, with other regional languages added…

Q. COULD YOU TAKE US THROUGH THE GENESIS OF ADD-ON COVERS IN CASE OF MOTOR INSURANCE? Motor insurance falls under the purview of the TAC (tariff advisory committee), which defines the standard scope for motor insurance cover. We cannot change the wording and have to offer and follow insurance cover as per the TAC. However, consumer needs are constantly changing and vehicle owners have shown interest in covers beyond the standard own damage policy that is available. Sensing an opportunity based on this demand, we and other insurers started to offer add-on motor insurance cover. Q. THERE ARE SEVERAL ADD-ON POLICIES. WHICH ONES ARE THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER? The zero depreciation add-on is the most popular and sought-after. Generally, a vehicle owner pays for the depreciation and replacement of new spare…

↘ Have a healthy mix of secured and unsecured credit ↘ Pay your credit card bills on time and in full ↘ Pay off any pending loans before applying for new loans ↘ Do not apply for multiple loans ↘ Do not use too much of your credit card limit, and keep your Credit Utilisation Ratio (CUR) within 30 per cent ↘ If your loan application is rejected, wait before re-applying. Consistent rejections can harm your score ↘ Unless absolutely necessary, do not cancel your old credit cards, as older cards can assure lenders that you have been paying your bills on time…

When art holds a mirror to history, it acquires a patina that’s replete with a timeless sheen. Nebula by Titan’s new Art Deco Collection is an exquisite assemblage of 18 carat gold watches that celebrates the elegance and grandeur of the Art Deco period. This exquisite line up of seven timepieces are embellished with precious stones that delicately transpose its design inspiration marrying the glory of jewellery craft with precision watchmaking. The streamlined geometry, rich detailing and sleek lines pay glamorous homage to this fabulous period of artistic expression that emerged in France in the 1920s. This timeless piece of art is worthy of the discerning aesthete who values the seamless fusion of artistic design and functional grace. From sleek minimalism to bold individualism, each watch is as much occasion…

My Cup Runneth Over No coffee connoisseur will dispute the fact that great coffee is best enjoyed in a fabulous cup that does the magic beans justice. Well, your caffeine fix just got a dandy update with Kika’s Espresso cup and saucer set. Finished in premium bone china, featuring a bold pattern in vibrant colours and embellished with 24 carat gold. This is no regular cuppa joe. Price ₹5,000; Availability https://kikatableware.com Top Tables Your home just got a statement upgrade with an aside of elegance and grace with the Riku coffee table. Simplicity is the gold of minimalism, and this rectangular-shaped tabletop with bold curves contrasts effectively with the solid wooden slab legs. Price ₹21,599; Availability www.orangetree.in Seat of Power Stylised into a modern work of art, the Serpentine Chair…

BosonQ Psi ↘ Founded in 2020, the Bengaluru-headquartered start-up works on quantum algorithms for simulations used by aerospace and automotive companies ↘ Quantum algorithms can solve certain optimisation problems faster than classical algorithms which use up a lot of computing power to perform the same task ↘ It is currently working on various proofs-of-concept in design optimisation, such as weight reduction for a car chassis or an electric vehicle battery QULABZ ↘ Founded by Nixon Patel, who is also its CEO and an adjunct professor at IIT Hyderabad, Qulabz is currently working on quantum communication technologies ↘ These include quantum random number generators, touted to be more secure than the OTPs today, and a quantum network simulator, which can design a secure communication link end to end ↘ The third…

ONE WEB ↘ A global communications network backed by the UK government with Bharti Global as a strategic stakeholder, it is powered by a constellation of 634 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that are delivering high speed, low latency connectivity to even the hardest-to-reach places. In May, it completed the 19th launch ↘ Has partnered with Hughes Communications India Pvt Ltd (HCIPL) to bring connectivity to towns, villages and businesses across India ↘ Aviation connectivity is being transformed with broadband-in-the-sky connectivity. OneWeb has also signed an MoU with Gujarat’s science and technology department in July to set up a satellite network portal site in Mehsana BHARAT BROADBAND NETWORK LTD ↘ The BharatNet project of the state-backed BBNL aims to connect 7,000 gram panchayats across India through satellite internet JIO PLATFORMS…

HINDUSTAN AERONAUTICS LIMITED ↘ HAL chief C.B. Ananthakrishnan played a key role in making the deal a reality. H. Lawrence Culp Jr., chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace also highlighted economic and national security benefits for both US and India SAFRAN: Other than GE, French firm Safran also plans to collaborate in the manufacture of a powerful 110kN engine to power India’s ambitious sixth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk-II fighter jet UEC-KLIMOV: Russia’s St. Petersburg-based UEC-Klimov enterprise of the United Engine Corporation has been in India since 2007, making the RD-33MK jet engine and so far has produced nearly 150 engines for MiG 29 fighter jets…

↘ Free LPG connections to more than 1.75 crone families under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Provision of 2 free LPG cylinders on Holi and Diwali to all the beneficiaries. ↘ Rs 60,845 crore transferred to 2.63 crore fanners under PM Klsan Samman Nidhi scheme. ↘ Allotment of 27250 solar pumps to farmers under PM KUSUM Yojana. ↘ Piped drinking water reached 35494 villages under “Har Ghar Nai Yojana”. Tap connections given to 84.13 lakh houses. Construction of 2100 new tube wells in 62 districts with Rs 842 crore. ↘ Arrangement to give one cow and Rs 900 per month to Interested far mer/an Imai rearing families under Chief Minister Destitute Cow Participation Scheme ↘ Marriage of 3.51 lac couples under the Mukhyamantri SamuhikVivah Yojana. The grant amount for marriage has…

The worldwide effort to cut down carbon emissions has acquired urgency in recent years. At the centre of the plan is reducing the use of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, petrol and diesel in industry and daily life. Green hydrogen featured in many an emission-reduction pledge at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, the grand plan being to decarbonise heavy industry, freight, shipping and aviation. Hydrogen has many uses—in fuel cells to generate electricity, in petroleum refining and in fertiliser production. It is also fast emerging as a transportation fuel. Producing hydrogen involves splitting water into its basic components—hydrogen and oxygen—through electrolysis. When this process is conducted using alternative sources of energy such as wind or solar power, the product is called “green hydrogen”…

EASYREWARDZ ↘ Came into being in 2011 with a vision to address the gap between the available CRM (customer relationship management) tools for businesses across industries ↘ It deploys customer lifecycle management solutions that engage with the customer and improve repeat sales ↘ Headquartered in Gurugram, with presence in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Dubai, it is also into brand advocacy and customer retention FINLY ↘ Founded in 2015, with headquarters in Bengaluru, it provides a finance management and governance suite for businesses to automate, gain visibility and control accounts payable ↘ The platform comprises a scalable and intelligent expense management, e-procurement, vendor payment and budget management system ↘ The powerful policy engine, claims the firm, governs all business transactions and an integrated payment technology system, allowing automated reconciliations…

A Bank with 117 years of history in the cooperative sector. Can we trace the learnings and the evolution of the Bank across these years? Cosmos Society was established on 18th January 1906 and later converted into a Bank in 1927-28. Progressive journey of the Bank saw many stages of characteristic development. In the year 1990 Bank received the status of Scheduled Bank and in 1997 that of Multistate Scheduled Bank. This is the status transformation of the Bank while in the terms of figures, the business setup was Rs.50 Crore in 1978 and in March 2023 Bank has crossed Rs.30,000 Crore business setup. Cosmos Bank is spread across 7 states through its 159 branches. This was possible only because of the trust of our customers, business ethics, professional integrity,…

Your own chatbot to pay your bills? Or to lodge a complaint? Or to file your taxes? And all on WhatsApp? The future is already here. All it needs is for more people to board that train and for its compartments to be made of tough but completely transparent glass. The government began the process of putting a digital public infrastructure (DPI) in place a long ago. And this has played a massive role in boosting economic growth and social inclusivity. However, the country needs to breach the vast digital divide: basic universal e-literacy is a precondition for everyone participating in the country’s digital revolution. Before that, however, what will be needed is a concerted strategy, trained manpower, durable networks and sustained investment. ↘ WHY IT IS A GAME CHANGER…

Indian Systems of Medicine are among the well known global traditional systems of medicine that have played important role in meeting the healthcare needs of humanity. India has the unique distinction of having six recognised systems of medicine-Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga & Naturopathy, Homoeopathy and Sowa-Rigpa that encompass a wide range of medical practices and therapeutic systems spanning several millennia. People are increasingly affirming their trust in traditional systems of medicine, which are gifts of India to the world, as evidenced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Siddha system of medicine emphasises that medical treatment is oriented not merely towards disease, but also has to take into account the patient, environment, age, habits and physical condition. Siddha, largely practised in Tamil speaking parts of India and abroad maintains a distinctive identity of…

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE MARKETING FEDERATION OF INDIA (NAFED) ↘ Established in 1958, NAFED procures, stores and distributes 16 notified commodities, including pulses such as chana, tur, moong, soyabean and lentils ↘ The public agency has been at the centre of creating stable growth in cultivation and farmer remuneration INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (ICAR) ↘ Thanks to the premium research institution, more than 300 high-yielding varieties of pulses were notified for commercial production in the past decade…

CIPLA ↘ Cipla set up India’s first modern API factory in 1984. Since then, the company’s portfolio has grown to cover over 75 different APIs ↘ Its plant in Kurkumbh, Pune, transitioned from batch manufacturing to continuous manufacturing ↘ Cipla will invest about $89.9 million (Rs 748 crore) for API facilities in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kurkumbh; it also plans to develop APIs for diseases like cancer, hepatitis C and diabetes, among others DR REDDY’S ↘ Dr Reddy’s has over 170 APIs on offer and exports to over 80 countries ↘ It’s among the four pharmaceutical firms in India to have already received the first payment under the PLI scheme for the domestic manufacturing of APIs ↘ Its APIs are manufactured at eight USFDA-inspected plants, including two abroad…

With India striving to become the world’s third-largest economy, the importance of skilled manpower has grown manifold. Various estimates suggest that investment in upskilling could potentially advance the global economy by $6.5 trillion and India’s economy by $570 billion (Rs 46.7 lakh crore) by 2030. That’s why skill development is an important component in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of global initiatives launched in 2016 to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all. ↘ WHY IT IS A GAME CHANGER India has a demographic advantage—over 54 per cent of its population is below 25 years of age; 62 per cent is of working age. UN estimates are that, it will add another 183 million people to the latter group by 2050. This…

10 MILLION Projected number of Indian STEM graduates in 2025 43% Of all STEM graduates in India are women, higher than the US (34 per cent) and the UK (38 per cent) THE ATAL TINKERING LABS (ATLS) ↘ They are aimed at becoming hubs of innovation for school students. Over 10,000 ATLs have been established. ATLs are being nurtured by top organisations. Indian Space Research Organisation has adopted 100 ATLs. OPPO India will set up an ATL in Kerala—the first pub lic-private collaboration for ATLs DEEKSHA STEM SCHOOLS ↘ Uniting conventional education with STEM and child well-being, Deeksha schools encourage self-learning and innovation…

The Executive MBA program born out of the collaboration between IIT Bombay and Washington University in St. Louis is the only Executive MBA program in the world that confers a joint degree from both an Indian and an American university. The underlying belief is that the continuous evolution and transformation of executive education will be the most important catalyst enabling strategic transitions in the 21st century. The idea is to enable the leadership to succeed and allow change management to thrive. The Head, Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, Prof. S.V.D. Nageswara Rao, further added that “The IIT Bombay-WashU EMBA program embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation. We are proud to be part of this unique partnership that fosters leadership excellence and equips professionals with the skills to drive…

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Q. You will be opening a restaurant in Dubai soon. How long has this plan been cooking? Nine months. I had been saying no to many restaurant projects because I wanted to spend more time with family. But Dubai is a booming market, and Indian food has reached a space where people appreciate where we come from… It just felt right. Q. What can one expect? My food philosophy has changed. Right now, it is simpler; it’s not trying to make a statement but keeping it easygoing and honest. I want to create a place that is not overtly imposing and to serve food that stays with you. There are no fires or liquid nitrogen here. It’s Indian food that you connect with. Q. After Modern Love, you are working with Hansal…