AONMeetings: Unlimited meetings, No time limits

“This recognition from G2 validates what thousands of businesses already know — AONMeetings delivers enterprise-grade video conferencing at a price that works for everyone,” said Dwight Reed, CEO and Founder of AONMeetings. “Being recognized specifically in Asia Pacific and Asia Regional reports as we launch in India is a powerful signal that our platform resonates with teams across the region.”

G2 Spring 2026 Recognition Highlights

AONMeetings earned placement across the following G2 Spring 2026 report categories:

Video Conferencing

• Asia Pacific Regional Grid® Report

• Asia Regional Grid® Report

• Small-Business Asia Regional Grid® Report

• Small-Business Asia Pacific Regional Grid® Report

• Small-Business Grid® Report

• Grid® Report

• Relationship Index, Results Index & Usability Index — All Sizes

• EMEA and Europe Regional Grid® Reports

Webinar

• Grid® Report for Webinar

• Small-Business Grid® Report for Webinar

• Relationship Index, Results Index & Usability Index

• EMEA Regional Grid® Report

Virtual Event Platforms

• Grid® Report for Virtual Event Platforms

• Small-Business Grid® Report

• Europe & EMEA Regional Grid® Reports

Expanding Access Across India

AONMeetings launched its dedicated India platform at India.AONMeetings.com in early 2026, offering localized pricing starting at Rs. 179/user/month with UPI, Paytm, and major debit/credit card payment support. The platform requires no software downloads and operates entirely in the browser, making it accessible to businesses, clinics, schools, and organizations across India regardless of device or internet speed.

India pricing plans are designed to deliver significant savings over incumbent platforms like Zoom:

• Starter: Rs. 179/user/month — up to 10 participants

• Professional: Rs. 359/user/month — up to 25 participants

• Business: Rs. 629/user/month — up to 100 participants

• Enterprise: Rs. 1,522/user/month — up to 250 participants

All plans include HIPAA-compliant security, unlimited meeting time, webinars, and session recording at no additional cost.

“India’s 63 million small businesses and massive healthcare and education sectors deserve world-class video conferencing without world-class price tags,” Reed added. “Our G2 recognition across Asia Pacific gives Indian buyers independent, third-party confidence that AONMeetings is a proven, trusted platform.”

About AONMeetings

AONMeetings is a HIPAA-compliant, browser-based video conferencing platform founded in 2020 and headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The platform serves over 1,000 businesses worldwide across healthcare, education, business, and religious organizations, offering video conferencing, webinars, and virtual events starting at $3.99/month. AONMeetings’ India platform is available at India.AONMeetings.com.

The Siruseri campus is designed as a 45 MW AI-ready facility, with the first phase of 7.2 MW now operational. This milestone reinforces STT GDC India’s continued investment in building next-generation digital infrastructure in Tamil Nadu.

The facility was e-inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, on 12^th February 2026, reflecting the state’s strong commitment to positioning itself as a preferred destination for large-scale, next-generation data centre investments.

With 40 MW already operational at its Chennai Ambattur campus, STT GDC India continues to scale its presence in one of India’s fastest-growing digital markets. Earlier this month, the Company also marked the groundbreaking of STT Chennai 4 within the same campus, unlocking a total development potential of approximately 130 MW, inclusive of the existing operational capacity. This expansion further strengthens STT GDC India’s ability to serve the rapidly accelerating demand from hyperscalers, enterprises and cloud service providers.

The Company has recently signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu, proposing an investment of Rs. 4,200 crore to develop state-of-the-art, AI-ready data centre infrastructure in the state.

Together, these developments reinforce STT GDC India’s leadership in strengthening Chennai’s position as a pivotal hub for AI-led and cloud-driven digital growth, aligned with India’s broader digital economy ambitions.

Aligned with India’s digital growth story, STT GDC India continues to evaluate long-term strategic options to support its future expansion plans, including a potential initial public offering (IPO) targeted for the first half of 2027, as part of its roadmap to strengthen capital access and accelerate growth across India’s digital infrastructure landscape.

Commenting on the Siruseri Campus Launch milestone, Bimal Khandelwal, Chief Executive Officer, STT GDC India, said: “The launch of our fourth data centre in Chennai at the Siruseri campus marks a pivotal milestone in our growth journey and reinforces our long-term commitment to the city. As AI adoption accelerates and cloud demand scales, the need for resilient, high-density, future-ready infrastructure has never been more critical. Siruseri has been purpose-built to support hyperscalers and enterprises as they scale seamlessly and sustainably. With strong policy support from the Government of Tamil Nadu and growing customer momentum, we see Chennai playing a defining role in India’s AI and digital transformation. Our focus remains clear - to invest decisively, build sustainably, and deliver world-class infrastructure that will power India’s growth for the next decade and beyond.”

Beyond Chennai, STT GDC India is undergoing one of the most significant expansion phases in its history, strengthening its presence across India’s leading digital corridors. The Company has signed strategic MoUs with the governments of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh to develop large-scale, AI-ready data centre infrastructure, reinforcing its long-term commitment to building national digital capacity.

In parallel, expansion plans are progressing across key markets including Mumbai, Noida, Pune Jaipur, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, ensuring customers benefit from geographically diversified, high-availability infrastructure across India’s most critical economic centres.

Today, with 30 data centres spanning 10 cities and over 400 MW of critical IT load capacity, STT GDC India operates one of the country’s most extensive data centre platforms. Through sustained investments in next-generation, AI-ready campuses, the Company is not only scaling capacity—it is building the digital backbone that will power India’s cloud, AI and enterprise transformation at scale.

About STT GDC India

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (India) is a leading AI-ready co-location data centre services provider in India and a majority-owned subsidiary of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres. The company has been at the forefront of the Indian colocation market for more than two decades, with an impeccable record in the design, build and operation of data centres. It currently manages one of the largest white space portfolios in the country, with more than 400MW of critical IT load across 30 facilities (including those under development) in 10 cities in India. The company serves a well-diversified customer base, including many Fortune 500 companies, and delivers mission-critical solutions through best-in-class offerings and industry-leading service quality and uptime.

STT GDC (India) is committed to achieving carbon neutral data centre operations by 2030 and emphasises responsible growth through a strong focus on ESG, safety, ethics, integrity and inclusion.

For more information, visit www.sttelemediagdc.com/in-en.

AonMeetings: Built for business, priced for all

The company is introducing three competitively priced monthly subscription tiers tailored to the Indian market, with no annual commitment required. All plans include integrated webinar capabilities at no additional cost:

• Starter Plan – Rs. 169/month ($1.99 USD): Up to 10 participants for calls and webinars

• Professional Plan – Rs. 339/month ($3.99 USD): Up to 25 participants for calls and webinars

• Business Plan – Rs. 599/month ($6.99 USD): Up to 100 participants for calls and webinars

• Enterprise Plan – Custom pricing available for larger organizations (email jhawthorne@aontv.com for pricing)

India represents one of the world's fastest-growing markets for digital communication solutions, and we're excited to bring AONMeetings' reliable, secure platform to Indian consumers and organizations alike, said Dwight Reed, CEO and Founder of AONMeetings. Our India-specific pricing reflects our commitment to making professional-grade video conferencing accessible to everyone across the country—from individuals and families to small businesses, religious communities, and large enterprises. With flexible month-to-month billing, users can scale their communication tools as they grow without long-term contracts.

Unlike competitors that charge premium fees for webinar capabilities—often $79 or more per month—AONMeetings includes integrated webinar functionality in every plan at no additional cost, making it an exceptional value for anyone who needs both video conferencing and webinar hosting.

Key Features for Indian Users:

• Integrated Webinar Capabilities Included in All Plans – No additional fees for professional webinar hosting

• Flexible Monthly Billing – No annual contracts or upfront commitments required

• No Downloads Required – Fully browser-based platform works on any device

• HIPAA-Compliant Security – Enterprise-grade encryption and privacy protection

• Reliable Performance – 99.9% uptime with robust infrastructure

• Multi-Language Support – Platform supports multiple languages for diverse teams

• Local Payment Options – Flexible payment methods for Indian customers

• Perfect for Personal and Professional Use – Ideal for families, freelancers, content creators, coaches, religious services, and businesses

• Ideal for Religious Organizations – Stream services, host prayer meetings, conduct religious education classes, and connect congregations

• Enterprise Solutions Available – Custom plans for larger organizations and special requirements

AONMeetings has earned a 4.9-star rating on G2 and serves over 1,000 businesses globally across healthcare, education, legal, religious organizations, and corporate sectors. The platform's combination of affordability, reliability, and compliance features has made it a trusted choice for organizations and individuals requiring secure communication solutions.

Indian consumers and organizations deserve access to world-class video conferencing technology without the premium price tag, added Reed. Whether you're a content creator in Delhi, a religious leader streaming services, a freelance consultant, a startup in Bangalore, a healthcare clinic in Mumbai, or an educational institution, AONMeetings provides the tools you need to connect, collaborate, and grow your community.

The India launch includes dedicated customer support during Indian business hours and resources tailored to local market needs.

Interested consumers and organizations can sign up to be notified when AONMeetings launches in India by visiting www.aonmeetings.com. Early registrants will receive exclusive launch updates and special introductory offers.

For enterprise pricing inquiries, contact jhawthorne@aontv.com.

About AONMeetings

Founded in 2020, AONMeetings is a Des Moines-based video conferencing platform that provides HIPAA-compliant, browser-based video communication solutions for consumers, businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions, religious organizations, and communities worldwide. With a 4.9-star G2 rating and a commitment to affordability without compromising quality, AONMeetings serves over 1,000 businesses globally.

For more information, visit www.aonmeetings.com.

The economic and cultural diversity of the APJ region was also acknowledged in keynote discussions and panel discussions, with speakers highlighting the distinct needs and opportunities for channel organizations in this area, as well as how distributors expand the global sales, branding and partnership opportunities for the vendor community. Providing valued support for emerging markets and innovative technologies is one of the long-proven capabilities of these vital channel orchestrators.

The APJ region has shown unexpected resilience in 2025 despite global trade tensions and shifting tariffs. Growth has been strong, with many countries posting robust GDP figures. However, that export boom was fueled by "front-loading" (firms rushing orders ahead of tariff deadlines); a drop-off is expected in countries that will be affected by those changes

"Technology distributors are force multipliers for vendors and solution providers, scaling sales and partner communities and overcoming regional and in-country challenges," said Ananth Lazarus, Managing Director of APJ for GTDC. "Their enablement programs and alliance development and integration capabilities provide strategic value that ensures success across diverse markets."

Considerable investments help distributors reshape and refine their operations and increase support for these invaluable communities.

"Distributors must continually evaluate the needs of their collective IT ecosystems and innovate to provide even greater value to their vendor and solution provider partners," said Frank Vitagliano, CEO of GTDC during his opening remarks. "Our research shows that those investments are paying off as distributors evolve their capabilities to meet the future needs of channel organizations and the customers they support, especially with increasing complexities with AI and cybersecurity."

More Key Takeaways from Summit APJ

This year's event highlighted the tech ecosystem of the future and the evolving role of IT distribution, including the continued growth of the tech sector in Southeast Asia and India. Here are highlights of other insightful Summit APJ sessions:

• Alex Holmes from the EIU spoke to the positive growth in the region as well as the some of the unknowns to watch for that could constrain future growth, He stressed that while emerging market opportunities and technical innovation are creating strong opportunities for the industry, executives should pay attention to potential shifts in monetary and fiscal policies and currency fluctuations that may impact those positive trends.

• Sandra NG of IDC highlighted how AI has evolved from experimentation to enterprise-wide orchestration in APJ, with organizations already adopting agentic models where humans and intelligent systems act with autonomy. She also offered strategic imperatives for technology providers, emphasizing how AI, data ecosystems and distributed intelligence would create distinct competitive advantages in the future.  

• Aaron Raj of CRN Asia moderated an interactive discussion on building a successful AI strategy. The group addressed key elements of these programs, including setting expectations, overcoming challenges and collaborating on new opportunities with Corrie Briscoe of Amazon Web Services, Joseph Turner with CONTEXT, SS Lim of PTC System (S) Pte Ltd and Debdut Maiti from Lenovo.  

• Vitagliano also led an insightful "view from the top" conversation with senior distribution executives, including V.S. Hariharan, Redington Limited; Luis Lourenco, Ingram Micro; Jaideep Malhotra, TD SYNNEX; and Patrick Aronson, Westcon-Comstor. Panelists discussed investments in digital platforms and enabling innovative technologies, as well as optimizing go-to-market strategies and business operations.

• Dominique Deklerck of GTDC shared updates on sustainability-related topics in a pre-day session at Summit APJ. The discussion covered recent regulatory changes and best practices for adapting to the circular economy, in addition to insight on the Digital Product Passport (DPP), EPEAT, CSRD and other related topics.

The council's next global event GTDC Summit North America, February 18^th-19^th, 2026, at the Mission Pacific & Seabird Resort in Oceanside, CA. Register now or go to the GTDC events page for more information.

About the GTDC

The Global Technology Distribution Council is the industry consortium representing the world's leading tech distributors. GTDC members drive more than $180 billion in annual worldwide sales of products, services and solutions through diverse business channels. GTDC conferences support the development and expansion of strategic supply-chain partnerships that continually address the fast-changing marketplace needs of vendors, end customers and distributors. GTDC members include AB S.A, Arrow Electronics, CMS Distribution, Computer Gross Italia, D&H Distributing, ELKO, Esprinet, Exclusive Networks, Exertis, Infinigate, Ingram Micro, Intcomex, Logicom, Mindware, ​ ​Redington Limited, SiS Technologies, Tarsus, TD SYNNEX, TIM AG, VSTECS Holdings and Westcon-Comstor.

Anirban Mukherjee, CEO, PayU said, "UPI isn't just a payment method, it's a growth engine for businesses. By combining NPCI’s comprehensive real-time payments infrastructure and Mindgate’s enterprise-grade solutions, we've built our UPI NXT Stack. This platform that will power the future of digital commerce in India by unlocking speed, choice, and scale for banks, merchants, and consumers."

George Sam, Co-founder & Business Head from Mindgate Solutions said, “The launch of the two UPI solutions showcases the innovation potential of our partnership with PayU. We are excited to see how these two solutions will set new benchmarks for reliability and innovation in India’s real-time digital payments industry.” Adding further Guhan Muthuswamy, Co-founder & Software Architect, said, “This launch marks our first launch together with PayU to deliver scalable, secure, and future-ready digital payment solutions. Together, we are committed to empowering banks and enterprises with the infrastructure needed to meet the evolving needs of India’s digital economy.”

PayU UPI NXT:

UPI NXT addresses market pain points like payment failures during peak traffic, delayed refunds, and complex integration challenges. It features:

• Dedicated Acquiring Switch supporting 10,000+ Transactions per second (TPS) with a 99.87% success rate

• Zero-redirection payments and instant refunds with 99.99% success

• Fastest payment confirmations and streamlined system for quick merchant onboarding

 PayU TPAP NXT:

TPAP NXT allows businesses to integrate full-scale UPI payment capabilities with three flexible approaches to launch as per their business needs with fully customizable APIs, certified SDKs, and hybrid SDKs. It supports:

• Functionalities like Custom Virtual Payment Address (VPA) creation, Person-to-Person (P2P) transfers and merchant payments

• Advanced UPI options such as Autopay and One-Time Mandates

Additionally, as part of the PayU's TPAP stack, PayU also provides:

• Multiple payment methods including cards, net banking, EMI, BNPL, and digital wallets in the same SDK

• Loyalty and Offer Engine to build Acquisition and Retention

• Intelligent recommendation engines optimizing payment selection based on merchant category, limits, and availability

Furthermore, PayU has also strategically partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to announce UPI Reserve Pay and UPI Autopay Interoperability.

• UPI Reserve Pay is a groundbreaking Single-Block Multi Debit feature that revolutionizes the digital payment experience across quick commerce, EV recharging, cab bookings, metro recharges, etc. This innovative solution allows customers to block a predetermined amount on merchant platforms and subsequently enjoy automatic debits for each purchase from this pre-blocked amount. For instance, blocking ₹1,000 an ecommerce platform and with each purchase, using the money from the blocked amount.

• UPI AutoPay Interoperability is built to empower customers to set up mandates on one fintech app and seamlessly transfer them to another for consolidated management, addressing the critical interoperability gaps.  This solution delivers flexibility for merchants while offering ease and convenience to customers.

In alignment with NPCI's new interoperability framework, this solution enables Payment Aggregators (PAs) to dynamically route mandates through one acquirer and recurring payments through another. Furthermore, merchants can route transactions across multiple PAs for the same mandate, optimizing success rates and enhancing customer experience.

About PayU

PayU, India's leading diversified fintech platform with Prosus as an investor, operates businesses that are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and offers advanced solutions to meet the digital financial services needs of customers (merchants, banks, and consumers).

PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology and has empowered 4.5 lakhs+ businesses, including India’s leading enterprises, e-commerce giants and SMBs. It enables businesses to collect digital payments across 100+ online payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, EMIs, pay-later, QR, UPI, Wallets, and more. It’s a preferred partner in the affordability ecosystem, offering the maximum coverage of issuers and easy-to-implement integrations across card-based EMIs, pay-later options and new-age cardless EMIs. PayU offers e-commerce brands best-in-industry success rates while ensuring a seamless checkout experience.

By integrating Mypinpad’s PCI MPoC and scheme-certified SoftPOS solution, Worldline will enable contactless payments acceptance on Android devices—supporting Visa, Mastercard, and RuPay—without extra hardware. The solution is designed to scale across South Asia, targeting markets with high Android smartphone use but limited access to traditional payments infrastructure.

The joint initiative aims to significantly expand SoftPOS adoption in the region by removing cost and complexity barriers for businesses of all sizes. It also sets the foundation for a broader roadmap of advanced use cases that leverage not only merchants’ but also consumers’ devices, including Tap to Add, Tap to Pay on Own Device and Tap to Verify, which allow consumers to securely provision cards, verify credentials, or pay—all through their own mobile devices.

Ramesh Narasimhan, Chief Executive Officer, Worldline India, said, “By integrating Mypinpad’s SoftPOS solution, we’re empowering merchants with a secure, cost-effective, and frictionless way to accept card payments directly on Android devices. This innovation not only boosts scalability but also reinforces our commitment to delivering future-ready digital payment solutions that align with evolving market needs and regulatory frameworks.”

Barry Levett, Chief Executive Officer, Mypinpad, said, “This collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between our two companies and reflects a shared goal to expand financial inclusion and accelerate market access. Worldline’s brand, market access, and regulatory trust enable rapid rollout of our mobile-first technology in key markets where they already operate.”

By putting intuitive, secure, compliant, and affordable payment tools in the hands of merchants and consumers, Worldline and Mypinpad are helping shape a more inclusive, secure, and connected future of commerce.

About Worldline

Worldline (Euronext: WLN) helps businesses of all shapes and sizes to accelerate their growth journey – quickly, simply, and securely. With advanced payments technology, local expertise and solutions customised for hundreds of markets and industries, Worldline powers the growth of over one million businesses around the world. Worldline generated a 4.6 billion euros revenue in 2024. worldline.com

In India, Worldline is a leading Omnichannel payments technology player building a robust payment ecosystem for over 26 years. Worldline is the preferred partner for over 30 leading public and private sector banks, leading sectors like NBFCs, insurance companies, e-commerce businesses, startups, retail brands, hotel chains and many more. www.worldline.com/india

About Mypinpad

Mypinpad is a UK-headquartered B2B SaaS business with customers and employees in over 20 countries. Mypinpad strives to be the solution of choice for money on the move — making mobile transactions safe, easy and enjoyable. Its certified and patented technology is built on cloud-based open systems designed to be bank-grade secure and ready to scale, providing customers with the tools to grow and future-proof its business. By working together with partners, Mypinpad aims to drive financial inclusion for the benefit of millions globally.

To find out more, visit its website: www.mypinpad.com

Housing.com launches Mega Home Utsav 2025 

Coinciding with the period of high-value festive purchases, Housing.com will present an extensive collection of residential properties and investment opportunities through this all-digital event. With participation from over 3,800 developers and channel partners, the event will cover more than 30 cities, including Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, among others.

Last year, Mega Home Utsav engaged over 53 million users, while Housing New Home 2025 surpassed this benchmark with equally impressive participation. This year, Mega Home Utsav 2025 is expected to cross a record 55 million reach, reaffirming Housing.com’s leadership as the country’s most trusted real estate platform.

This year, Housing.com is enhancing the homebuying experience with new features. Homebuyers can easily find their ideal property using personalized recommendations and smart search tools. Interactive formats like Housing Shorts and immersive audio walkthroughs make exploring listings more engaging.

“At Housing.com, we believe finding a home should be exciting, seamless, and empowering. With Mega Home Utsav 2025, we’re bringing unmatched choices, exclusive offers, and verified listings—all backed by our commitment to transparency and trust—so home seekers can explore opportunities with confidence and ease at every step of their journey. This event is more than just a Housing.com initiative; it’s a collective effort driven by our trusted network of developers, brokers, and channel partners. Their unwavering commitment over the years has been instrumental in shaping the home buying journey for millions across the country. Together, we are creating a platform that combines scale, expertise, and integrity to help home seekers make informed decisions and move closer to their dream homes,” said Mr. Amit Masaldan, Chief Revenue Officer, Housing.com.

Some of the leading developers showcasing their properties include Casagrand Builder Private Limited, Hiranandani Developers Pvt Ltd, Sattva Group, Provident Housing Ltd (Puravankara Group), Raheja Group, Assetz Property Group, Ashiana Housing Limited, Gera Developments, Kalpataru Group, Prestige Group, Sobha Limited, Adarsh Realty, Ruparel Realty, Vasavi Group, Cybercity Builders and Developers Pvt Ltd, Arvind Smartspaces Ltd and Pride Group, among others.

To make homeownership even more accessible during this festival, several developers are offering attractive deals. For instance, Assetz Property Group is offering a 36-month Pre-EMI holiday on select 3 & 4 BHK homes, while TG Developers is providing a 12-month EMI holiday. GRC Infra Pvt Ltd is extending Pre-EMI relief until handovers begin, and Brigade Group is allowing buyers to pay only 20% now and the rest by March 2026—with special launch benefits for the first 100 units. Additionally, Casa is presenting its limited-time ‘96 Hours Offer,’ giving home seekers even more reasons to explore and secure their dream home during this festival.

To ensure maximum reach and impact, Housing.com will roll out a comprehensive omni-channel marketing campaign leveraging OTT, YouTube, Meta platforms, digital networks, PR initiatives, podcasts, and thought leadership articles—creating a seamless and engaging experience for home seekers across multiple touchpoints.

With its proven legacy of trust and innovation, Mega Home Utsav 2025 promises to once again redefine festive property buying in India, connecting motivated buyers with verified properties through smarter tools, immersive content, and unmatched reach.

About REA India Pte. Ltd.

REA India is a subsidiary of REA Group Ltd. (ASX: REA), a leading digital real estate business headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, and part of the NewsCorp family.

REA India owns Housing.com, the country’s leading real estate technology platform. With a vision to change the way India experiences property, the platform helps consumers throughout their buying, renting, and selling journey. It also offers a robust suite of Self services—such as smart listing tools, digital assistance—empowering home seekers and owners to manage their property needs with ease and online rent payment. These offerings enhance convenience, improve listing visibility, and enable direct engagement for both property owners and seekers.

For businesses, Housing.com offers advertising and listing products for developers and agents, as well as exclusive sales and marketing solutions. It also offers Housing Studio, a suite of innovative AR&VR content to drive better engagement.

REA India operates across 30+ offices nationwide, with its corporate headquarters in Gurugram, Haryana.

Leading global travel app Skyscanner recently released its latest Cultural Tourism report, highlighting a rising trend among Indians travelling in pursuit of authentic local heritage, traditions, and experiences. According to the findings, 82% of Indian travellers are very keen on visiting destinations primarily for their cultural offerings, with younger generations – Millennials (84%) and Gen Z (80%) leading this rising wave of cultural curiosity. This enthusiasm is evolving into a quest for depth as many travellers define cultural tourism not by the sights they see but by the knowledge they gain, with 39% considering a trip successful when they return home having learnt something new about the place or its people.

The report also reveals a striking shift: 76% of Indian travellers have altered their travel plans to attend a cultural event, underlining how traditions and festivals are no longer side activities but central to holiday decisions. This cultural curiosity isn’t limited by geography. 7 in 10 travellers say they are open to exploring cultural experiences domestically and internationally. At its core, Indians are seeking authentic, immersive adventures that allow them to participate, learn, and return home with stories that truly feel transformative.  

Festivals as the Biggest Magnets for Cultural Travel

• Indian festivals are emerging as some of the biggest draws for travellers. As per the report:

• Over half of Indian travellers (55%) have attended local festivals, fairs, or cultural events.

• Durga Puja in Kolkata (53%), Lathmar Holi in Barsana (51%), and Onam in Kerala (35%) lead the list of occasions travellers are most eager to witness live this year.

• Beyond festivals, 53% of travellers are drawn to historical cities like Jaipur and Varanasi, while 39% are inspired to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Taj Mahal in Agra and Hampi in Karnataka. In fact, Skyscanner data shows searches to Varanasi, one of India’s most storied cultural cities, has risen by 76% for travel in 2025 compared to the previous year!(1) 

• Celebrated for their festive traditions, architectural grandeur, and local heritage, Kerala (32%) and Rajasthan (30%) have also emerged as India’s culture capitals.

Growing Interest in Underrated Destinations

Beyond these, travellers are curious to explore places that preserve traditions away from the crowds. A remarkable 93% are eager to seek out lesser-known destinations offering authentic cultural experiences, signalling a strong appetite for hidden gems where authentic traditions thrive away from crowded tourist trails. One way to explore these hidden treasures is by using ‘Explore Everywhere’ search feature on Skyscanner, with filter options like ‘underrated destinations’ and ‘art and culture’ to make it easier than ever to find the perfect spot for a unique tradition-rich escape.

“Indian travellers are moving beyond holidays taken only for leisure. The growing quest for depth has given rise to a new archetype – the culture curious traveller – one who seeks knowledge, connection and fulfilment,” said Neel Ghose, Skyscanner Travel Trends and Destinations Expert. “For them, success is measured in stories carried home that deepen their sense of people and place. Interestingly, our report also highlights that 71% prefer to travel with family, followed by 62% with friends, and 56% with a partner or spouse. This shows travel today is shifting from sights seen, to connections deepened — and Skyscanner’s all-in-one app makes it easier and more affordable to plan those meaningful journeys.”

From Observing to Immersing

As this cultural wave builds, a few patterns are emerging, showcasing how Indians plan, and experience escapes rooted in tradition. The report shows that nearly 4 in 10 want to explore heritage villages or eco-cultural communities, while 38% are drawn to culinary trails revealing the historic roots of local cuisines. Reflecting on this trend towards hands-on, participatory experiences, Dr. Aditi Rawat, Associate Fellow, Pahle India Foundation, policy think tank advancing research-led ideas on India’s economic development and governance, said, “Cultural tourism is fast becoming a defining lens through which Indian travellers experience their country and the world. The trend is moving towards combining cultural discovery with comfort, luxury, and leisure – a blend that encourages longer stays and deeper engagement. Catalysed by rising accessibility, robust infrastructure, and digital connectivity, it is reshaping travel from passive sightseeing to immersive storytelling, where visitors engage with living heritage, local traditions, and cultural narratives that define each destination.”

Safety and Smart Planning Drive Choices

• In their sojourns, practical considerations remain front and centre amongst Indian travellers. When choosing a cultural trip:

• Safety (45%) tops the list of considerations when choosing a cultural trip, followed by authenticity (33%) and seasonality (31%).

• 41% travellers start preparing one to two months ahead. Their inspiration is shaped by a mix of influences: 45% turn to social media, 39% rely on friends and family, and 27% use apps like Skyscanner to discover the right destinations and deals.

• When it comes to finalising plans, value remains top of mind, with 60% saying the best time to book festival flights is their most helpful planning insight, while 58% depend on fare comparisons to make smarter choices.

To further assist Indians in charting their journeys, Neel Ghose added, “For travellers seeking inspiration, describing your ideal getaway on Skyscanner’s app-only AI feature, Savvy Search can help uncover temple cities, native lands, royal palaces, and more. The tool curates a list of destinations based on the prompts, directing you to Skyscanner's flight search, letting you compare the best prices. And, when it comes to planning, for those looking to make the most of their holiday around a festival, a simple hack is to use the ‘Whole Month’ view to spot the cheapest days to fly around the date! Smart planning choices like these can help unlock cultural experiences without breaking the bank, letting you create memories and returning home with learnings that last a lifetime.”

A Broader Shift in Tourism

This growing interest is an indicator that culture-led exploration will also steer the future of the country’s tourism industry. Sharing insights on this rising phenomenon and its implications, Dr. Aditi Rawat, said, “This shift is being fulfilled by traditional towns and authentic locale-based experiences that connect travellers with communities and their way of life. Think the Northeast India, with its extraordinary cultural diversity and pristine landscapes, or Kerala, with its backwaters, classical art forms, and Ayurvedic traditions, both now firmly on the radar of discerning tourists. From tribal festivals in Arunachal Pradesh to tea and wellness in Assam, or narrative Kathakali performances in Thrissur, we are witnessing curated experiences true to each destination’s strengths. Coupled with leisure travel and government initiatives such as Dekho Apna Desh, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, and Adopt A Heritage, this cultural discovery is transforming tourism into a powerful custodian of India’s identity. It is revitalising economies, positioning diversity as a global asset, and turning sites and practices into hubs that attract global visitors, empower local communities, and shape the future of India’s tourism economy.”

Notes to the Editor:   

Data based on a recent Skyscanner Cultural Tourism survey conducted from 4 to 11 August 2025, among 2,000 Indian adult travellers.   

About Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a global leader in travel that helps travellers plan and book their trip with ease and confidence. Every month, Skyscanner connects millions of travellers, in 180 countries and 37 languages, to more than 1200 trusted travel partners so they can find flight, hotel or car hire options.

Founded in 2003, Skyscanner has offices worldwide, in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America where traveller-first innovations are developed and powered by data and insights. Making use of the latest technology, Skyscanner simplifies the complexity of travel and provides honest and transparent solutions, searching around 100 billion prices every day so travellers can be sure they've seen the best possible options, all in one place. 

About Pahle India

Pahle India Foundation is a not-for-profit thinktank founded by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. PIF provides a credible, trustworthy, and neutral platform for bringing together government, industry, academia and civil society to enable informed decision making. PIF works closely with these stakeholders to develop and implement policies in various sectors. Supporting the framing of tourism policies of state governments remains a key focus of PIF’s work.

(1) Skyscanner flight searches from India to Varanasi between 1 January – 31 July 2025 for travel in 2025 compared to the previous year.

In today's fast-paced technology landscape, IT vendors are under immense pressure to scale their sales, technical support and other operations quickly and efficiently to meet market demands and stay ahead of the competition. GTDC's latest report illustrates how a well-designed channel program can create an accelerated path to achieving these goals, particularly if the organization leverages two-tier distribution to cost-effectively expand their reach, enhance customer engagement and drive net new sales. This valuable industry resource emphasizes the importance of initial engagements. The investments vendors make and the best practices they put into place prior to beginning the onboarding process with new distributors are both crucial to the success of these vital partnerships. Aligning sales, marketing and channel-related resources helps reduce the learning curve and creates a stronger and more optimized ecosystem for vendors, distributors, solution providers and the organizations and individual users they support.

"Successful navigation of the distribution onboarding process increases the value of these relationships across the channel, ensuring quicker and higher returns on investments for vendors and their partner communities," says Frank Vitagliano, CEO of GTDC. "These mission-critical alliances benefit greatly from a solid foundation and continual nurturing, and early adoption of these industry best practices minimizes the chances of making costly mistakes or, worse, failing to capitalize on major business opportunities."

The onboarding process is critical for technology vendors looking to establish new relationships with distributors and gain the most leverage from the IT channel. The report highlights several critical steps for ensuring suppliers' success through this journey, including:

1. Complete a market coverage evaluation to identify gaps and opportunities for expansion.

2. Optimize products and services for channel partners/distribution.

3. Align sales and technical competencies to ensure the respective teams can collaborate and help manage lead generation, pipelines and partner support.

4. Establish clear rules of engagement to avoid misunderstandings and partner conflicts.

5. Ensure offerings are "channel-ready" to speed adoption and simplify partner management.

6. Invest in marketing resources and programs to better engage the channel community.

7. Provide technical resources to train and support distributor teams and integration projects.

8. Create clearly defined goals and metrics to track future progress.

9. Fully commit to prospective distribution partners and provide needed/valued resources.

IT distribution offers technology vendors an accelerated path to the channel ecosystem and also provides the tools, expertise, and networks to expand their reach up and downstream, enhance partner engagement and generate incremental sales. Successful navigation of the onboarding process increases the value of these relationships across the ecosystem.

To access the complete report, visit the GTDC Knowledge Hub.

About the GTDC
The Global Technology Distribution Council is the industry consortium representing the world's leading tech distributors. GTDC members drive an estimated $170 billion in annual worldwide sales of products, services and solutions through diverse business channels. GTDC conferences support the development and expansion of strategic supply-chain partnerships that continually address the fast-changing marketplace needs of vendors, end customers and distributors. GTDC members include AB S.A (WSE: ABPL), Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW), CMS Distribution, Computer Gross Italia (MI: SES), D&H Distributing, ELKO, Esprinet (PRT.MI), Exclusive Networks (EPA: EXN), Exertis, Infinigate, Ingram Micro (NYSE: INGM), Intcomex, Logicom (CSE: LOG), Mindware, ​​Redington Limited (BSE/NSE: Redington), Siewert & Kau, SiS Technologies (HKSE:0529), Tarsus, TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX), TIM AG, VSTECS Holdings and Westcon-Comstor.

H.E. Mr. Nagesh Singh inaugurates ICAC Bangkok with Ms. Paulomi Tripathi and the leadership of DuDigital Global - strengthening India–Thailand consular outreach

The ICACs will offer comprehensive support for visa applications, passport renewals, and other consular services to both Indian nationals and Thai citizens seeking travel or official documentation assistance related to India. The twin launches bring accessible, tech-enabled public services closer to residents in central and northern Thailand.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by H.E. Mr. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Thailand, reaffirming India’s focus on citizen-centric service delivery and global outreach.

Centre Addresses and Contact Information:

Bangkok: Unit No. 36/28, 10th Floor, P.S. Tower, Sukhumvit 21 (Asoke) Road, North Klongtoey, Wattana District
Email: icac.bangkok@dudigitalglobal.com

Helpline: +66 2 460 6805

Chiang Mai: 2nd Floor, Building No. 60, Moo 2, Nong Pa Khrang, Mueang District
Email: icac.chiangmai@dudigitalglobal.com

Helpline: +66 2 460 6805

Website: duicac.dudigitalglobal.com/th

Services Offered:

• Indian Visa Application Services

• Passport Renewal & Documentation Support

• Consular Services for Indian Nationals

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manoj Dharmani, Group CEO of DuDigital Global, said, “With the establishment of these centres in Thailand, we are advancing our commitment to excellence in consular support. We are proud to assist the Embassy of India in ensuring accessible, efficient, and secure public services for all.”

Mr. Shivaz Rai, Director, added, “This expansion reinforces our mission to bring essential consular services closer to where people live and work. Our presence in Bangkok and Chiang Mai ensures broader reach and convenience for the Indian diaspora and Thai citizens alike.”

About DuDigital Global Limited
Established in 2015, DuDigital Global Limited is a trusted Indian name in visa, consular, and identity management services. With operations across multiple countries and a growing global network, the company partners with governments and diplomatic missions to deliver secure and seamless applicant experiences.

• Over 1.5 million visa applications processed globally

• Official consular partner for governments of India, South Korea, UAE, Bangladesh, and Thailand

• Strategic collaborations with the Korea Tourism Organization and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India

• Developer of DuVerify, a digital document authentication platform used by diplomatic missions

• Headquartered in India, with an active footprint across Asia and the Middle East

Gaurav Seth, MD & CEO, 5paisa Capital

With the MCP, users can now harness the power of cutting-edge LLMs to make more informed trading decisions using real-time market data and their own custom datasets. By enabling intelligent prompt-based trading through 5paisa XStream Open APIs, MCP empowers users to bring any data source — be it weather, crop yield, or macroeconomic indicators — into the decision-making process for personalized stock market analysis.

“We believe the future of investing lies in empowering users with intelligent tools that are not just data-driven, but context-aware. Model Context Protocol is our answer to the growing need for adaptive AI in financial decision-making,” said Gaurav Seth, MD & CEO, 5paisa Capital. “With MCP, even non-coders can now interact with complex datasets and advanced trading strategies through natural language — truly putting the power of institutional-grade analytics into the hands of everyday investors.”

Key Features of 5paisa MCP

• AI-enabled Trading Assistant: Built-in support for Claude LLM, with plans to support additional AI models soon.

• Prompt-Based Interface: No coding knowledge required — simply type commands like “Backtest my breakout strategy from Jan 2021 to Dec 2022”.

• Custom Data Integration: Users can include external context (e.g., climate data, economic forecasts) for enhanced decision-making.

• Encrypted & Private: All data shared is encrypted during transit; users retain full control of data sharing.

• Free for Existing Users: MCP is available at no additional cost to all current 5paisa account holders.

• Cross-Platform Support: Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux via Claude Desktop.

The MCP assistant can also be used without logging in for general information and market research. However, advanced trading features and account-linked capabilities will remain exclusive to authenticated users.

This launch reinforces 5paisa Capital’s commitment to offering the most innovative, accessible, and secure trading solutions in the Indian financial landscape. MCP is now live and accessible via the desktop and web application for all 5paisa customers.

As an empaneled audit service provider, CoreIT will conduct security assessments in accordance with the "Terms and Conditions of Empanelment" issued by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy), Government of India. These terms and conditions include rigorous testing procedures, strict data protection guidelines, and regular reporting requirements. This designation allows CoreIT to assist organizations in fulfilling essential regulatory requirements, including the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, IT Act 2000, PCI-DSS standards, SEBI (CSCRF), NABARD, IFSC, NaBFID, NHB, and SIDBI, thereby ensuring strong Data Protection, Infrastructure Security, and Payment Security.
 

CoreIT Services Pvt. Ltd. is a portfolio company of Henagon (USA). Henagon strategically acquires and enhances IT service firms and provides strategic guidance, working capital and management to facilitate stability and rapid growth.
 

On achieving this milestone, Henagon's Chairman Ali Dhoon stated, "Our CERT-In empanelment enhances our credibility and enables us to assist businesses and government organizations in bolstering their cybersecurity defenses. Last year, we achieved the gold standard in IT security by obtaining SOC 2 Type II certification, demonstrating our commitment to data security and operational excellence standards."
 

By securing CERT-In empanelment, CoreIT positions itself among a select group of providers authorized to conduct essential security assessments that protect national infrastructure and enterprise data. CoreIT excels in evaluating enterprise security postures against emerging cyber threats, offering comprehensive compliance audits and assessments, security testing, data protection, and cybersecurity consultancy services.
 

Parag Nandimath, President of India Operations at CoreIT said, "Achieving CERT-In empanelment is a significant validation of CoreIT's expertise in cybersecurity and compliance. Our comprehensive security audit and assessment services will protect sensitive data, ensure compliance, and foster digital trust in India's rapidly growing digital ecosystem."
 

CoreIT's CERT-In empanelment reinforces its commitment to cybersecurity, positioning it as a trusted partner for organizations seeking strong security solutions. Its audits and consultancy services help identify vulnerabilities and enhance security resilience.
 

About CoreIT Services Pvt. Ltd.

CoreIT, is a Henagon company, a global leader in Compliance-Driven IT. Henagon strategically acquires and enhances IT service companies, fostering growth and stability while ensuring top-tier service delivery through compliance and governance frameworks.
 

CoreIT Services is a premier Cybersecurity and IT Services Company. Over the last thirty years, it has provided Managed IT Services, Advanced Security Solutions, Compliance Management, and Risk Assessments.
 

The Chennai-based Unified Voice Communication, a leading Voice over IP (VoIP) service provider in India and Philippines, recently organised a one-day workshop on cybersecurity. This initiative aimed to equip IT networking and infrastructure management professionals with the latest knowledge and tools to counter evolving cybersecurity threats.

Unified Voice Communication Conducts Cybersecurity Workshop; Announces Partnership with VTF University, USA

The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from IT professionals such as IT heads, system administrators, network engineers, and infrastructure management experts across IT and ITES sectors in the city. The sessions were led by two eminent cybersecurity experts: Mr. Tarun Malhotra, Lead Auditor in Cybersecurity, and Mr. Dheeraj Sharma, Cybersecurity Specialist.

The topics covered included: The workshop covered various types of cyber-attacks such as spyware, viruses, ransomware, and worms known as malware; phishing, spoofing, backdoor trojan, password attacks, IoT attacks, and cryptojacking. Participants were sensitised to use strong passwords, update software, exercise caution before clicking on links from unknown sources, enable multi-factor authentication, and other “cyber hygiene” measures.

During the event, Unified Voice Communication announced a significant partnership with VTF University, USA—a nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing cybersecurity education globally. Under this collaboration, Unified Voice Communication has been appointed as the program’s representative and subject matter expert in India. This partnership will enable the delivery of specialized certification programs, workshops, and interactive training sessions in cybersecurity, further enhancing professional education for Indian IT professionals.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Krishnan Nagarajan, Director, said that taking strong cybersecurity measures provide a wide range of benefits for organisations such as: protection of sensitive data, prevention of financial loss, business continuity, enhanced reputation, rapid incident response, increased customer trust, and compliance with regulations.

He also pointed out that cyberattacks have grown increasingly sophisticated. However, human error remains the leading cause of damage to digital assets. It requires the right knowledge and tools to prevent cyberattacks.

Mr. Krishnan Nagarajan added that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility among internet service providers (ISPs), system administrators, and end users. “Hence, as a leading ISP committed to fostering a safe digital environment for our clients, we organised this workshop to share insights into the latest cybersecurity threats and trends. And to provide hands-on experience for the participants in configuring firewalls, setting access controls, and ensuring compliance with security standards such as HIPAA and SOC2.”

On the strategic collaboration with VTF University, he noted “We are proud to collaborate with VTF University to deliver cutting-edge cybersecurity education and training. Participants will earn 1 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit for every 50 minutes spent in Unified Voice Communication-led sessions, helping professionals maintain their skills and credentials.”

For more details, please visit: www.unifiedvoice.in

About Unified Voice Communication
Unified Voice Communication, headquartered in Chennai, offers a comprehensive range of telecom services, including: VoIP solutions, Free unlimited calls, Business SMS, and Virtual receptionists. As a Tier 1 service provider with over 20 years of expertise and a team of 100+ professionals, the company has a strong presence in the Indian cities of Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, besides Manila and Delaware. Its offerings include inbuilt call analytics, single routing plans, and SIP termination protocols, ensuring seamless and efficient communication solutions.

BSNL collaborates with OTT Play

1. Intranet TV (BiTV) Over Mobile

In a first of its kind, BSNL’s Intranet TV (BiTV) brings over 300 live TV channels, including premium channels, to mobile users in Puducherry, free of cost. Delivered in partnership with OTTplay, as a pilot service, launched in Puducherry, showcases BSNL’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge entertainment into everyday life. This service delivers high-quality entertainment, making digital content easily accessible to all BSNL mobile users, irrespective of their plans; at no cost to all its customers of Pondicherry.

Why Choose BiTV?

• Unlimited Entertainment: Apart from live TV, enjoy movies, web series, and documentaries in multiple languages, all at no cost.

• Seamless Technology: Powered by BSNL’s secure mobile intranet, BiTV ensures uninterrupted streaming with exceptional video quality.

• Future Expansion: After Puducherry, BiTV will be rolled out to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand in January 2025, with nationwide availability planned soon.

BSNL CMD’s Thought: “With BiTV, through our partners, BSNL is giving every customer the power to access entertainment on the go, ‘anytime, anywhere’,  free of cost, irrespective of the plan they are,  making it a perfect alternative to the outdated PRBT systems; by combining cutting-edge technology with top-tier content. BSNL will be one of the first telecom service provider to revolutionize its old PRBT by offering this groundbreaking service.”

Co-founder and CEO of OTTplay, shared: "With new BiTV innovation, we’re proud to bring world-class entertainment to BSNL customers across India. Together, we’re unlocking the magic of cinema and entertainment across genres, languages, and regions and redefining how BSNL customers experience digital entertainment in India." OTTplay Premium is an OTT aggregator which provides content from 37 premier OTT platforms and 500+ live TV channels which are personalized based on each user’s unique preferences.

2. BSNL’s National Wi-Fi Roaming Facility in Manadipattu Village

BSNL had introduced an innovative BSNL Wi-Fi roaming facility across the country in October 2024. Manadipattu becomes the second village in India to be fully Wi-Fi enabled, as BSNL extends its National Wi-Fi Roaming Facility to rural areas. This innovative service connects both BSNL and non-BSNL customers through a seamless network of Wi-Fi hotspots. Both BSNL and non-BSNL customers can enjoy uninterrupted internet access. The customer however will have to sent his consent to activate the service.

How It Works for Customers:

• BSNL FTTH Customers: 

• Access your home internet from any BSNL Wi-Fi hotspot or any BSNL FTTH connection nationwide—only your home data account is charged.

• Use Wi-Fi at public spots or even other BSNL FTTH homes. (Customers need to provide one time consent for reciprocal use of these connections across the country)

• BSNL Mobile Users: In addition to BSNL FTTH consumers, we are also extending this seamless high speed Wi Fi connectivity to even BSNL mobile customers also. Even all BSNL mobile users, can 

• Connect to BSNL Wi-Fi hotspots directly via your mobile plan. One-time registration makes logging in simple and fast.

• Extend your mobile data usage to BSNL FTTH networks for high-speed downloads.

• In addition, BSNL mobile users can login to any FTTH home connections automatically and will be able to use high speed internet connectivity.

• Non-BSNL Users: 

• Access BSNL’s high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots and BSNL FTTH points/ FTTH home connections by paying through UPI, ensuring fast internet for all.

CMD’s Thought: “BSNL’s National Wi-Fi Roaming is a leap forward in bridging the rural-urban divide, empowering every Indian with affordable, high-speed internet access; across the country.”

3. IFTV Launch in Puducherry  

BSNL’s Intranet Fibre-based TV (IFTV), first launched nationwide in October 2024, is now available to all FTTH customers in Puducherry. Offering over 500 live TV channels, this service is entirely free, leveraging BSNL’s robust FTTH network. All BSNL FTTH customers will be able to avail of this service, free of cost. The customer will have to sent his consent to activate the service.

Key Features of IFTV:

• No-Cost Access: Customers enjoy premium entertainment without additional fees.

• Superior Streaming: Powered by BSNL’s robust FTTH network, ensuring smooth, high-definition streaming.

• Customer Consent: Activate IFTV with a simple opt-in process for complete control.

CMD’s Thought: “The IFTV launch redefines entertainment for BSNL’s FTTH customers, delivering unparalleled value and making every connection an experience to remember; in terms of entertainment; at no cost to its customers.”

Transforming Digital India

BSNL’s new services highlight its unwavering commitment to digital inclusion and innovation. From seamless connectivity to rich entertainment, BSNL is paving the way for a digitally connected India where every citizen has access to quality services, anytime and anywhere. 

Frank Vitagliano emphasizes the rising value of distribution as he opens the inaugural GTDC Summit APJ
 

The vast scale and economic and cultural diversity of the APJ region necessitates local expertise. As vendors adopt varied approaches to managing channels, they are increasingly relying on distributors to support emerging markets while focusing internal resources on more mature communities. This strategy provides greater reach, especially in areas where direct coverage would be inefficient, and represents a broader shift towards optimizing orchestration through partnerships.
 

"Distributors are ideally positioned to bridge complex regional and in-country dynamics, with local representatives who understand cultural and language nuances to best support the objectives of their vendors and partners. Focusing on enablement programs and relationship-building allows distributors to create strategic value that ensures the successful adoption of advanced technologies across diverse APAC markets," said Frank Vitagliano, CEO, GTDC.
 

IT spending across Southeast Asia and India is accelerating, driven by SMBs embracing digital transformation through cloud software, cybersecurity, and logistics investments. This digital shift generates increased demand for cloud infrastructure, managed services, and robust security solutions. Simultaneously, according to IDC, AI adoption is further fueling the region's technological momentum, with spending in this area expected to reach $78 billion by 2027, with a 25% annual growth rate. Distributors empower those advances while transforming the customer experience and operational efficiencies across these key sectors.
 

Vendors also rely on distributors to meet the rising demand for AI, sales, and technical support as the region struggles with talent shortages, especially in these key areas.
 

Distributors are meeting these demands while unlocking new opportunities using advanced data analytics. Channelnomics CEO Larry Walsh emphasized these organizations' capabilities for identifying "white space" and expanding partner networks. "While data provides direction, its true value lies in transforming insights into actionable strategies for partners. Distributors are pivotal in redefining go-to-market models, guiding partners through business-enhancing engagements and maximizing channel potential."
 

Other Memorable Highlights from Summit APJ

The summit focused on the changing dynamics of IT distribution, emphasizing the increasing importance of Southeast Asia and India in the global tech sector. Key sessions included:

• John Marrett from the EIU spoke to the rapidly expanding marketplace and described the ways technical innovation is changing businesses and communities. From shifts in monetary and fiscal policies to currency fluctuations and international financial institutions' activities, he highlighted the impact of these movements on the APJ's IT community.

• Avneesh Saxena of IDC showed how innovation affects global IT relationships and creates new opportunities for the channel. He emphasized the key industry trends, barriers, and investments and explored the evolving dynamics between partners, vendors, and distributors.

• Larry Walsh of Channelnomics examined the often-overlooked pieces of the vendor-distributor relationship and hit on other key findings of their recently released study with GTDC. Focused on the Asia-Pacific region, the new report shows vendors how to maximize the value of their distribution relationships.

• Vitagliano also moderated a panel discussion with senior distribution executives, including William Ong,VST ECS;V.S. Hariharan, Redington Limited; Luis Lourenco, Ingram Micro; Jaideep Malhotra, TD SYNNEX; and Patrick Aronson, Westcon-Comstor. Panelists highlighted how regional distributors are innovating and creating programs that facilitate the adoption of new technologies, optimize go-to-market strategies and enhance other business activities.
   

The council's next global event GTDC Summit North America, February 19^th -20^th, 2025, at the Mission Pacific & Seabird Resort in Oceanside, CA. More details will be available soon.

About the GTDC
The Global Technology Distribution Council is the industry consortium representing the world's leading tech distributors. GTDC members drive an estimated $160 billion in annual worldwide sales of products, services and solutions through diverse business channels. GTDC conferences support the development and expansion of strategic supply-chain partnerships that continually address the fast-changing marketplace needs of vendors, end customers and distributors. GTDC members include AB S.A (WSE: ABPL), Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW), CMS Distribution, Computer Gross Italia (MI: SES), D&H Distributing, ELKO, Esprinet (PRT.MI), Exclusive Networks (EPA: EXN), Exertis, Infinigate, Ingram Micro (NYSE: INGM), Intcomex, Logicom (CSE: LOG), Mindware, Redington Limited (BSE/NSE: Redington), Siewert & Kau, SiS Technologies (HKSE:0529), Tarsus, TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX), TIM AG, VSTECS Holdings and Westcon-Comstor.

The addition of Redington Limited furthers GTDC's continued global expansion initiative, including the appointment of former Microsoft, IBM and Compaq executive Ananth Lazarus to build out its Asia-Pacific operations earlier this year. Today's announcement illustrates the organization's commitment to the region as it prepares to host its inaugural Summit APJ conference November 18^th -19^th in Singapore.
 

"Distribution empowers the greater IT community, and APJ offers tremendous growth opportunities for vendors and other channel partners," emphasizes GTDC CEO Frank Vitagliano. "Adding a technology leader like Redington Limited to GTDC's membership provides us with greater insight into the unique needs of this community while giving their team access to industry-leading research, data intelligence, training and a variety of other programs. Our channel-enablement efforts grow stronger as we expand into new regions and develop more industry-empowering initiatives and resources."
 

Redington is a renowned entity in the region and has received many accolades for its commitment to the technology community, workforce and civic efforts over the years. Most recently, the organization was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, which reflects its efforts with environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
 

"Joining GTDC represents another significant milestone," says V.S. Hariharan, Group CEO of Redington Limited. "This membership aligns with our commitment to driving innovation and delivering exceptional value to our partners. By leveraging GTDC's extensive network and resources, along with our expertise in the technology distribution industry, we look forward to contributing to the council's mission of fostering growth and excellence in the global technology distribution sector."
 

With the addition of Redington, the GTDC member community consists of 22 technology distributors spanning North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

About the GTDC

The Global Technology Distribution Council is the industry consortium representing the world's leading tech distributors. GTDC members drive an estimated $160 billion in annual worldwide sales of products, services and solutions through diverse business channels. GTDC conferences support the development and expansion of strategic supply-chain partnerships that continually address the fast-changing marketplace needs of vendors, end customers and distributors. GTDC members include AB S.A (WSE: ABPL), Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW), CMS Distribution, Computer Gross Italia (MI: SES), D&H Distributing, ELKO, Esprinet (PRT.MI), Exclusive Networks (EPA: EXN), Exertis, Infinigate, Ingram Micro, Intcomex, Logicom (CSE:LOG), Mindware, Redington Limited, Siewert & Kau, SiS Technologies (HKSE: 0529), Tarsus, TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX), TIM AG, VSTECS Holdings and Westcon-Comstor.
 

About Redington Limited

Redington Limited (NSE: REDINGTON), a leading technology solutions provider and a Fortune India 500 company, empowers businesses in their digital transformation journeys by addressing technology friction - the gap between innovation and adoption. With its presence across 40 markets, 450+ brand associations, and 55,000+ channel partners, Redington enables seamless and end-to-end distribution for all categories of IT/ITeS, Telecom, Lifestyle, and Solar products in India, Singapore, South Asia, Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Through its focus on innovation and partnerships, Redington remains a trusted distributor of products, services, and solutions across the globe.

The number of IoT devices is growing rapidly and IoT applications are increasingly being used in a wide range of areas such as transportation and logistics, agriculture, energy management, manufacturing and smart city concepts. However, there are still some limitations and challenges when it comes to implementing IoT scenarios. However, new developments will accelerate and simplify the further introduction of IoT. G+D sees five key trends in particular that will contribute to the secure and expanded use of IoT.

1. AI and machine learning (ML) lead to intelligent IoT systems

AI and ML are modernizing almost everything, including the IoT. By analyzing large amounts of data, AI is improving IoT applications in areas such as predictive maintenance and energy management. Combining the analytical capabilities of AI with the data collection and monitoring capabilities of IoT creates an ecosystem where operational insights are gathered more efficiently. The result is smarter, more responsive IoT systems.

However, there is one important point to bear in mind when integrating AI. AI relies heavily on accurate, validated and non-manipulated data to learn, make decisions or provide recommendations. This means that data integrity, based on the use of trusted and authentic data sources, is crucial to build trust in IoT AI ecosystems.

2. Edge computing improves IoT performance

Edge computing allows data to be processed or at least pre-processed closer to the source. This also reduces the amount of data that must be sent to a central data center in the automotive sector, for example. Edge computing significantly reduces latency, which is important for real-time applications such as industrial automation in manufacturing. The expansion of 5G networks will further improve communication between these devices and enable faster and more efficient data processing. Furthermore, the integration of AI and ML with edge computing is also expected to increase in the future, enabling edge devices to make complex decisions independently.

3. Blockchain increases IoT security

As IoT devices increasingly handle sensitive data and its integrity, the role of blockchain in strengthening IoT security is becoming increasingly important. The decentralized nature of blockchain, with the ability to ensure the authenticity and security of data transactions across the network, provides enhanced data integrity. Blockchain can therefore become an important component in protecting against the growing cybersecurity threats in the IoT landscape. 

4. SGP.32 simplifies the management of IoT devices

SGP.32 is a new specification published by the GSMA in May 2023 for remote SIM provisioning. As an example, there will be no need for additional connections via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when commissioning an IoT device. This simplifies both the hardware of the device and logistical processes. For example, solutions such as the AirOn360^® IoT Suite from G+D can be used to centrally manage the connectivity of entire device fleets via SGP.32. Instead of the SMS-based communication of the predecessor specification SGP.02, SGP.32 uses a faster and more reliable IP-based protocol. The required SIM login data and settings can be sent directly over-the-air (OTA) to the devices. This makes it much easier to load, activate and manage the SIM profiles of IoT devices. They can thus be managed more efficiently and flexibly over the entire life cycle. The new specification also promises a drastic reduction in operating costs and rapid scalability.

5. IoT contributes to sustainability

Lastly, IoT will play a central role in promoting sustainability in various sectors. Modern, energy-efficient sensors combined with AI optimize resource management by enabling precise monitoring and control. The adoption of smart systems already underway in areas such as energy management and waste reduction are evidence of the growing influence of IoT in creating a more sustainable future. As the world struggles with environmental issues, the integration of IoT is becoming increasingly important, marking a new era where technology and ecology work in harmony.

"The future of IoT connectivity will be shaped by significant technological advances, the integration of AI and edge computing, ongoing interoperability efforts and the transformative impact of 5G. These developments will enhance the capabilities of IoT systems and make them more efficient, reliable and versatile, opening up new opportunities and driving innovation in various areas," explains Dr. Philipp Schulte, CEO of G+D Mobile Security. "As a leading IoT solution provider, G+D will continue to actively support this development in close cooperation with mobile network operators, automotive OEMs and manufacturers of IoT devices, chips and modules, as well as other technology and service providers."
 

About Giesecke+Devrient

Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) is a global SecurityTech company headquartered in Munich, Germany. G+D makes the lives of billions of people more secure. The company shapes trust in the digital age, with built-in security technology in three segments: Digital Security, Financial Platforms and Currency Technology. G+D was founded in 1852 and today has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. In the fiscal year 2023, the company generated a turnover of 3 billion euros. G+D is represented by 123 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 40 countries.

For further information visit www.gi-de.com.

One of the most contentious aspects of the IT Rules 2021 is the requirement for significant social media intermediaries offering messaging services to implement traceability measures, compelling them to identify the first originator of messages, particularly on platforms utilizing end-to-end encryption (e2ee) like WhatsApp, Signal, and iMessage.
 

ISOC’s brief addresses several challenges associated with traceability. It discusses how proposed methods like the Kamakoti proposal, hashing, and metadata analysis could weaken encryption, affecting the security of e2ee. The brief also examines the impact on user privacy, especially for those relying on secure communications, and considers how traceability might conflict with privacy expectations in end-to-end encrypted environments.
 

Additionally, ISOC highlights potential security and technical challenges, including the handling of sensitive data and the feasibility of the proposed solutions. The brief further explores the legal and technical complexities of digital attribution, noting the difficulties in ensuring accurate identification while maintaining security and privacy.
 

The brief also considers how traceability could affect different user groups and businesses, particularly in sectors where secure communications are critical. ISOC emphasizes the importance of considering the broader impact on the digital economy and user trust in online services.
 

Neeti Biyani, Senior Advisor - Policy and Advocacy states, “India is witnessing rapid digitization and a significant expansion of its digital economy. In this context, people, businesses, and the administration need more security—not less. The traceability requirement in the IT Rules 2021 impacts security, confidentiality, cost, citizens’ rights, commercial trust, and investment—and may prove ineffective when deployed at scale. The government must lend its support to robust security standards.”

About Internet Society
Internet Society is a global charitable organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet. Founded in 1992, ISOC has a network of over 120 chapters, special interest groups, and a global community of members committed to ensuring that the Internet is for everyone.

India is a unicorn. Change here starts at a billion people. The country's digital transformation journey, marked by initiatives like Aadhaar and UPI have proven this repeatedly. We have written the DPI playbook for the world. We delve into 5 less-publicised yet pivotal developments that will shape India's sustainable and technologically advanced future using the 3 levers of Samaj, Sarkaar and Bazaar.
 

Architects of India's Digital Future
 

The new Super Saver Plans are all set to take the market by storm and the customers can enjoy lightning-fast internet speed of 10 Mbps, along with free voice calling. The plans are available at different price points - Rs. 198, Rs. 298, Rs. 398 & Rs. 498. The Rs. 198 plan offers customers 10 Mbps speed and free voice calling. The Rs. 298, 398, 498 are bundled offers & comes with Unlimited internet, Live TV Channels, voice calling and Free premium OTT Apps.

Commenting on the launch Mr. Gurdeep Singh, Chairman & Founder of Netplus & fastway said, "We are excited to introduce our new Super Saver Bundle Plans, Offering unbeatable value for money to our customers. This is a value proposition with almost 50% savings as compared to the market offerings. We have launched one of the most affordable plans for our valued users. Our Idea Behind this initiative is to provide access to unlimited streaming at highly competitive prices.”

Since we are investing heavily in rural areas and hence forth we want to ensure services being enjoyed by from all strata of the society. We strive to provide the Digital citizens of modern India with the best possible internet experience, The initial response to this is very encouraging and lot of people want to join the connectivity band wagon. Additionally, the introduction of content packaging is expected to foster the adoption of a convergent digital ecosystem, potentially unlocking new revenue opportunities in the days ahead.

About Netplus Broadband
Netplus Broadband, the ICT – (Information, Communication & Technology) business of Jujhar Group spearheaded by CMD S. Gurdeep Singh. The group has a legacy of over 32 years of business excellence. Jujhar Group of companies operates across verticals – Logistics, Hospitality, Real Estate, Digital Entertainment, and next-generation services.

For more information, please visit www.netplus.co.in.

Indian Gaming Convention (IGC)

Leading policymakers, regulators, gaming industry captains, marketers, game developers and service providers will converge on one platform to address the IGC, which is expected to draw more than 700 delegates, including senior professionals of the online gaming ecosystem of the country.

Among stalwarts of the gaming landscape who will share their insights at the IGC will be Dr. Trivikraman Thampy, Co-founder, Games24x7; Dilsher Singh Malhi, Founder & CEO, Zupee; Salone Sehgal, General Partner, Lumikai; Ishita Grover, Director (Marketing), Oneplus; Deepak Jacob, General Counsel, DreamSports, and Anuraag Saxena, CEO, EGF.

International speakers, addressing the IGC will include Jean Major, a former Canadian regulator currently on the Board of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission, and Sarah Ramansaukas, a player safety expert from the UK, who co-founded The Game Safety Institute.

Elaborating on the context of the Convention Harsh Jain, Chairman, IAMAI and CEO and Co-founder Dream Sports, said, “2023 has been a defining year for India’s Online Gaming industry, marked by multiple positive developments like MeitY’s appointment as our nodal ministry, notification of the IT regulations and clarity on taxation. These developments will facilitate the industry’s sustainable and responsible growth over the long term. I look forward to insightful discussions at IGC, where the focus will be on exploring collaborative strategies between industry, Government, and the ecosystem to enable a safe, trusted, and accountable Indian online gaming industry that can emerge as the global hub for gaming.”

Bhavin Pandya, Chairman of the IAMAI Online Gaming Committee, and Co-founder & Co-CEO of Games24X7 said, “The Indian online gaming industry is going through a tectonic shift, with 2023 being a landmark year in its evolution. Key tax and policy frameworks have laid a robust foundation for the online gaming sector, but there is a long way to go from here. This underscores the need for platforms like the Indian Gaming Convention (IGC) where open and honest dialogues between industry and government, stakeholders and partners, and visionaries and innovators are earnestly facilitated. Such platforms are crucial for our industry to seize opportunities and face challenges collectively. I'm confident that the IGC will evolve into a central platform which will play an instrumental role in shaping the future of the online gaming industry in India.”

More than 35 of subject-experts will deliberate upon the opportunities and challenges before India’s online gaming industry 360 degrees in 10 of sessions, including keynotes, fireside chats, and panel discussions. Some of the key sessions of the IGC will be on “Future of Gaming: Fuelling Innovation to Make India a Global Gaming Hub”, “Empowering the Digital Landscape: Online Gaming's Role in Fueling Digital India”, ”Building a Robust National Regulatory Framework for Online Gaming”, “Investor Insights: How Can the Industry Build Through Regulatory Shifts”, “Gaming's Role in Promoting Culture, Education, and Sports”, and “Voices of the Game: Online Gaming in India, A User-Speaks Experience”.

Value Leaf is the Platinum Partner of the IGC, and it is being supported by the Government of Telangana.

For more information on India’s largest gaming convention please visit IAMAI Event | Indian Gaming Convention

About IAMAI

Established in 2004, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body and the country's only organization representing the digital services industry with over 550 Indian and multinational corporations as its members. IAMAI is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers, and other stakeholders. IAMAI represents varied sectors such as digital payments, fintech, digital commerce, digital advertising, digital entertainment, traveltech, online gaming, edtech, healthtech, agritech, big data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/ VR, logistics-tech, D2C, EV, VC, gift cards, and so on.

As an important part of the campaign, Justice (Retd.) A.K. Sikri, has written to the Education Secretaries of various states across the country highlighting the need for creating awareness among parents of school-going children regarding parental control and age ratings. Taking the initiative forward, DPCGC will conduct awareness programmes in various schools across India to provide them with insights on the consumer tools available on the OTT platforms along with the grievance redressal mechanism.

The focus of the awareness campaign is to create awareness among viewers regarding the grievance redressal mechanism provided under law for content-related complaints. Considering the high number of viewership in India and the regulatory burden on the law enforcement agencies, and the judicial system, self-regulation offers an extremely efficient and unique ecosystem for viewers to address their complaints in an efficient and effective manner.

The OTT platforms are enabled with parental lock mechanisms and access controls which enables users to restrict access to content curated for audiences based on the age ratings, thus ensuring age-appropriate viewing. The content descriptors empower families to consume content that aligns with their values. The IT Rules 2021 have provisions for a robust three-tier grievance redressal system. The mechanism is thoughtfully designed for efficient and effective grievance resolution.

The campaign began with a virtual workshop involving officers of cyber cells of 22 states and 2 union territories across the nation, on October 25, 2023. Shri Vikram Sahay, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and Justice (Retd.) A.K. Sikri, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, and Chairperson, DPCGC, were also present at the workshop.

Speaking on the goals of the campaign Justice (Retd.) Sikri said, “In their right wisdom, our legislature and our parliament, guided by the MIB, have collaboratively established a robust framework to integrate OTT platforms into the legal landscape. DPCGC formed under the IT Rules aims at efficiently addressing concerns or grievances related to OTTs through self-regulation. It is essential that all stakeholders, particularly viewers and law enforcement agencies, remain well-informed about this mechanism.”

About Internet and Mobile Association of India

Established in 2004, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body and the country's only organization representing the digital services industry with over 500 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, which include established companies in diverse sectors of the digital ecosystem as well as start-ups. It is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers, and other stakeholders. IAMAI represents varied sectors such as digital payments, fintech, digital commerce, digital advertising, digital entertainment, traveltech, online gaming, edtech, healthtech, agritech, big data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/ VR, logistics-tech, D2C, EV, VC, gift cards and so on.

About Digital Publisher Content Grievance Council

Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), set up under the aegis of IAMAI, is a Level II independent self-regulatory body formed under IT Rules, 2021 for publishers of online curated content headed by Justice A.K. Sikri, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and is registered with Ministry of Information & Broadcasting since August, 2021.

The website can be accessed at www.dpcgc.org.

IAMAI Digital Health Summit 2023

More than 40 speakers, including policymakers, healthcare regulators, industry captains and technology providers will address the theme of the conference, "Positioning India as a global leader in digital healthcare", in 11 engaging sessions.

The summit offers attendees a unique opportunity to gain deep industry insights, stay updated on the latest healthcare trends, participate in thought-provoking panel discussions, and establish valuable connections with industry leaders. Moreover, participants will have the chance to explore cutting-edge technology products and discover new brands within the digital health ecosystem. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the conference aims to foster collaboration, stimulate innovation, and accelerate the transformation of India's healthcare sector.

“The future of healthcare promises a highly personalized, predictive and preventive model of care. This will be driven by innovation across the spectrum as we enter a significantly exciting phase of the development of new-age healthcare models. It is important that discourses on the promises of digital healthcare and the challenges before it- are kept alive in the public domain as well as within the ecosystem, at various fora such as the upcoming Digital Health Summit being organised by the IAMAI,” said Mr. Prashant Tandon, Chief Executive Officer, TATA 1mg & Chair, IAMAI HealthTech Committee.

Dr. Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Health Strategy Officer, Practo & Co-Chair, IAMAI HealthTech Committee said, “India's healthcare sector has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with its value reaching approximately 280 billion USD in 2020. And it was estimated that this would reach 372 billion USD by 2022 with a potential to generate $774 billion in revenue by 2030. As the industry continues to grow, the health tech sector has emerged as a vital contributor to the ecosystem, aiming to address challenges related to accessibility and affordability through technology. One such technology is telemedicine which garnered significant attention during the pandemic. However, its complete potential remains untapped, presenting an exciting opportunity for further exploration. The upcoming IAMAI Digital Summit serves as a catalyst to these discussions on how India can build a robust healthcare ecosystem that caters to the diverse needs of its population, delivering quality care to all. And how fostering collaborations and partnerships will drive the sector forward.”

The summit will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Shri. Lav Agarwal, G20 Health Track Focal Point & Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Dr. Basant Garg, Additional Chief Executive Officer, National Health Authority; Mr. Prashant Tandon, Chief Executive Officer, TATA 1mg & Chair, IAMAI HealthTech Committee; Dr. Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Health Strategy Officer, Practo & Co-Chair, IAMAI HealthTech Committee; Mr. Santosh Balivada, Chief Executive Officer, Centre of Excellence, Additive Manufacturing, Andhra MedTech Zone; and Dr. Joy Chakraborty, Chief Operating Officer, PD Hinduja Hospital. Their expertise and insights will enrich the conference, contributing to meaningful discussions on the future of healthcare.

For more information on the conference, visit the website: Digital Health Summit 2023.

About IAMAI

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body and the country's only organization representing the digital services industry with over 500 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, which include established companies in diverse sectors of the digital ecosystem as well as start-ups. It is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers, and other stakeholders.

MediaTek, the world’s leading fabless semiconductor company, powering more than 2 billion connected devices a year, hosted its 12th Chapter of Technology Diaries themed ‘The Vision to Go Beyond with Brilliant Technologies’ with a focus on latest technologies from MediaTek across Automotive, Satellite Communication and Space Tech. MediaTek reiterated its commitment towards expanding its footprint across Smartphone and Smart Device ecosystem in India.

Joining the League of Extraordinary with Brilliant Technology

MediaTek shared its latest portfolio of cutting-edge technologies and a line-up of 5G chipsets, including MediaTek Dimensity 9200+, 9000+, 8020, 7050, 7200, Kompanio 1200, MediaTek Dimensity Auto and MediaTek Genio 1200. MediaTek also showcased some of the latest collaborations across the portfolio with Motorola, Flipkart, HP, OnePlus, Lava, Xiaomi, Infinix, Oppo, Vivo, Tecno, Realme, iQOO and Samsung, among others.

The Vision To Go Beyond With Incredible Technologies

“Brilliant technology is not just about creating new products and services, but also about creating meaningful experiences that enhance peoples’ lives. At MediaTek, we focus on pushing the boundaries of what is possible and using innovation to solve complex problems. With brilliant technology, we believe in transforming the world around us with increased commitment towards working with global and Indian OEMs and expanding the R&D facilities in India. New-gen technologies like the Internet of Things, 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, and AR/VR are ushering in a new wave of innovations. Further, we are looking forward to unlocking innovation in newer verticals like automotive, satellite communication and connectivity,” said Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India.

The event fostered insightful discussions on the next frontier for technology, while also displaying MediaTek’s supremacy in arenas including smartphones, smart devices, automotive and smart vehicles, satellite communication, computing and connectivity.

The event saw insightful interactions around:

• Flagship and premium experiences – flagship experiences with MediaTek Dimensity 9200+, 9200, 9000+, 9000 system-on-chips (SoCs) and premium experiences across MediaTek Dimensity 8000 and 7000 series.

• Smart Devices – market leadership across digital TVs, smart speakers, Wi-Fi routers, arm-based Chromebooks and other smart home products. MediaTek portfolio caters to a wide range of customers across smartphones, smart homes, automotive, IoT and home/enterprise connectivity segments. Recently launched MediaTek Genio 700 is designed for smart home, interactive retail, and industrial and commercial applications.

• Satellite Connectivity- reliable connectivity everywhere with two-way satellite communications on smartphones and other devices.

• MediaTek Automotive Platform- MediaTek Dimensity Auto drives the future of intelligent, always-connected vehicles empowering smart vehicle technology innovation through delivering impressive computing power and wide-ranging technologies.

• Wi-Fi 7 – MediaTek comprehensive Wi-Fi portfolio caters to broadband, retail routers, consumer electronics products, and gaming. The first company to showcase live demos of MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 Filogic portfolio's true potential to key customers and industry partners.

The event witnessed robust participation from industry leaders and opened the stage to insightful interactions through a Fireside Chat session on “Joining the League of Extraordinary with Brilliant Technology”, moderated by Anuj Sidharth, MediaTek and included expert panellists from Shivam, Motorola and Prabhu Ram, CMR.

According to Shivam Ranjan, Head of Marketing at Motorola - Asia Pacific, “I was delighted to be a part of the MediaTek Technology Diaries event and interact with eminent leaders from the industry on market trends, technologies, and innovations. Meaningful consumer innovation has always been a part of Motorola’s DNA. Having recently been recognized as India’s best 5G smartphone brand, we have already taken a lead in enabling the best consumer experiences leveraging 5G technology in India. Plus, our devices have consistently evolved to support new technologies and consumer use-cases through industry leading hardware and software features. Our recently launched motorola edge 40, powered by the incredibly powerful and power efficient MediaTek Dimensity 8020 is testament to the two brands coming together to disrupt the marketplace with class leading features.”

Prabhu Ram, Head- Industry Intelligence Group, Cybermedia Research (CMR) said, “According to our research at CyberMedia Research (CMR), India’s connected consumers are increasingly aware of the significance of chipsets for enhanced device performance. As they delve further into content creation, consumption, gaming, and more, their expectations for smartphones and new form factors, such as foldables, are soaring. Various players across the smartphone value chain, including chipset manufacturers, are actively engaged in continuous R&D to meet consumer aspirations for cutting-edge, innovative and yet, accessible smartphone experiences.”

This was followed by the panel discussion on “The Vision to Go Beyond with Incredible Technologies”, moderated by Rajiv Makhni, and panellists included Anku Jain, MediaTek, Atul Handa, Flipkart, Faisal Kawoosa, TechArc, Anshika Jain, Counterpoint, Sumit Singh, Lava. The panellists offered impactful and innovative views on the post-5G ecosystem in India, the pathways for faster adoption, factors influencing consumer decisions, the potential inherent in satellite communications, and upcoming technologies expected in both hearables and wearables segment among others, while also throwing light on recent consumer and technology trends.

Atul Handa, Business Head - TV, Flipkart said, “Flipkart is poised to partner with Indian consumers in their upgrade journey. The latest launch of Motorola Envision X Google TV range is a remarkable fusion of QLED display, superior technology and the powerful MediaTek Quad core processor, which stands as a testament to this commitment. By offering the latest innovations at an affordable price point, we aim to democratize the television industry in India, while providing an immersive and personalized audiovisual experience.”

“We have a long-standing association with MediaTek and are happy to participate in the latest edition of MediaTek Diaries which brings various stakeholders from the tech space under one roof. We are even more thrilled with the response that our latest smartphone Lava Agni 2 powered by India’s first Dimensity 7050 has garnered, and we are committed to increase its production. Taking forward our partnership, our endeavor is continue providing hi-tech devices at affordable prices to Indian consumers,” said Sumit Singh, Head – Product, Lava International.

Speaking at the event, Faisal Kawoosa, Founder & Chief Technology Analyst at Techarc said, “Communication, collaboration, and co-creation are three important tasks that the smart devices ecosystem need to do with respective sectors like healthcare, auto, smart homes, etc. We need to first know each other’s space, share data and information, and then jointly modify or create new devices. This is where I see a larger role of someone like MediaTek to drive it and create this collaborative inter-sectoral ecosystem. In fact, MediaTek Technology Diaries is the right platform to set this inter sectoral collaboration into action.”

Anshika Jain, Senior Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research said, “Smart TV contribution to overall shipments reached its highest ever of 90% during the year and it is expected to go up further due to more launches in the sub-INR 20,000 price range and non-smart-TV-to-smart-TV migration.”

The MediaTek Technology Diaries is an interactive, informative series aimed at demystifying the newest technologies transforming our daily lives. The series is in tune with MediaTek’s philosophy of making great technology available to help consumers connect seamlessly with the things that shape our daily lives by enhancing, enriching, and making us smarter and healthier.

For more information, please visit: i.mediatek.com/technology-diaries, i.mediatek.com/mediatek-5g.

WhizHack Technologies Private Limited announced the signing of a strategic MOU with IIT Madras Pravartak. The association will entail joint research to develop breakthrough products to detect, predict and mitigate attacks on cyber physical systems. It will also build OT security solutions on ‘Made in India’ Shakti Chip and will also embark upon joint cybersecurity capacity building projects of national importance.
 

Team IIT Madras seals the deal with WhizHack to create a 'Self Reliant' Cyber Security Ecosystem

According to a 2022 Gartner study, cyber-attacks on organizations in critical infrastructure sectors have risen dramatically by 3900% between 2013 and 2020. Gartner security and risk leaders ranked the Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems as their top concerns for the next three to five years.

Commenting on the association, Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, Chief Executive Officer, IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said, "Strong Industry-Academia partnership is critical for an emerging India in advancing research and creating a skilled workforce. IIT-M Pravartak is extremely thrilled to collaborate with a specialist Indian player like WhizHack that is building original security products and training programs. Our ‘Made in India’ Shakti chip would be leveraged as a building block to build sustainable and cost effective security solutions for critical OT & IT infrastructure that are completely built, serviced and maintained in India."

Mr. Kallol Sil, Co-founder & CEO, WhizHack Technologies said, “Advanced state sponsored Cyberattacks are thwarting India's push to digitization and its global accent. WhizHack, as India’s only vertically integrated cyber security organisation, has built and deployed its ‘Made in India’ cyber threat detection and remediation system to defend critical infrastructure including Defence, Telecom, Power and Enterprises. Our association will collaborate for deep research in building next generation security products to serve India and global markets across OT and IT networks. We also want to empower employees of major institutions through trainings on latest cyber defense techniques, ultimately creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
 

WhizHack is India’s first vertically integrated cyber security company committed to democratizing cyber defence. The company is focused on an integrated approach – products, services and training. It has raised USD 3 million as Pre-Series A funding round by its existing investors Vedswasti Holdings, Netherlands and SAA Capital, Singapore at a valuation of $40 million. Founded in November 2020, WhizHack has grown its business from both Enterprise and Consumer segments by over 200% and shareholder value by over 20 times in less than 2 years. 

About IIT Madras Pravartak

IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation is a section 08 company funded by Department of Science and Technology under its National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems and hosted by IIT Madras, the No.1 NIRF ranked institute in India. It is engaged in conducting advanced research in various fields of technologies and participating in global standardization of the technologies in collaboration with key stakeholders in the market across industry and academia.

About WhizHack Technologies Private Limited

WhizHack Technologies is the first truly Indian company creating a vertically integrated cyber ecosystem. WhizHack and IIT Jodhpur have an MoU for collaborating on innovations in Cyber Security, AI and IoT.  WhizHack has capacity building programs starting from teenagers to Post Graduation in Cybersecurity. WhizHack security software aims to serve the global market in predicting and mitigating zero day attacks.

The 13^th edition of the India Digital Awards ceremony was held on February 21, 2023, concluding the two-day-long 17^th edition of India’s oldest and largest digital conference, the India Digital Summit. The awards were given away in 57 categories, recognizing, 360 degrees, the brightest and the best, individuals as well as enterprises, in India’s digital ecosystem.

The IDA jury in judging Mr. Kamath as the Digital Person of the Year recognized his stellar contribution to the ‘promotion of internet and/or mobile services in India’ through the work of his company, Zerodha, a leading Indian financial services company, which has ‘rendered significant developments in the digital domain in terms of reach, accessibility, convenience and acceptance with proven results’. Just approaching his mid-40s, Mr. Kamath is already a name to reckon with in his field.

E-grocery start-up Zepto received the feather of the Digital Start-up of the Year in its hat for demonstrating ‘commendable growth in its operations at a brisk pace and promises to make it big in the industry in near future’. Founded in 2021, the start-up company already has a presence across 10 major cities in India and delivers more than 5000 products. Zepto has also introduced a cafe offering that allows customers to order coffee, tea, and other café items, along with their groceries. 

Out of several other categories of the IDA, another key category is the Digital Agency of the Year, which is given away in three sub-categories: gold, silver and bronze. This category is awarded to agencies, which have won an award or have been shortlisted in multiple categories, scoring points for various parameters. Interactive Avenues - A Reprise Network Company, took away the Gold. Silver went to Kinnect. Mindshare and Affinity Global Advertising won the bronze jointly.

Interactive Avenues, which won the gold prize, is India’s leading full-service digital marketing company, which offers a comprehensive range of services including media, programmatic, data & analytics, e-commerce, paid search, social media, SEO, ORM, creative and web development.

Silver winner Kinnect is a full-service digital marketing agency which offers various services such as creative strategy and social media, media, video production, influencer outreach, Web and SEO, and online reputation management.

Out of the two bronze winners, Mindshare is a media services company that accelerates ‘good growth’ for its clients in the age of transformation, defining good growth as business growth that is enduring and sustainable whilst also helping to shape society and the world for the better. Affinity Global Advertising is an ad tech company, which creates user engagement products for digital media, with a particular focus on user experience.  

For a complete list of the 13^th IDA categories and winners please visit: 13th India Digital Awards (iamaiawards.in)

About IAMAI

Established in 2004, the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body and the country's only organization representing the digital services industry with over 400 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, which include established companies in diverse sectors of the digital ecosystem as well as start-ups. Its mandate is to expand and enhance the online and mobile value-added services sectors. It is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers and other stakeholders. IAMAI represents varied sectors such as online gaming, digital advertising, digital entertainment, TravelTech, digital payments, Fintech, digital commerce, Edutech, Healthtech, Agritech, blockchain, Big data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/ VR, LogisticsTech and so on.

Mr. Akarsh Singh Tsaaro

Furthermore, the fines on privacy not only seek to rectify wrongs committed, but also set a precedent for corporations as it depicts that privacy breaches are not to be taken lightly and non-compliance would put them in hot water with the authorities. With this initiative, Tsaaro Solutions with its first annual Report on Privacy Fines (2022) aims at being informational not just to consumers, but also to the corporations to whom the compliance measures of GDPR would apply.

Commenting on the same, Akarsh Singh, Co-founder and CEO of Tsaaro, said, “It is always extremely important for corporations and consumers to be acquainted from time to time with the facts and realities of the rapidly developing world which is taking place at the expense of personal data-a fact that is often hidden in plain sight. Our commitment to privacy is the cornerstone of what we do at Tsaaro and therefore the First Annual Tsaaro Report on GDPR Fines & the Privacy Landscape of 2022 is a product of the same commitment." 

Additionally, the report also takes an industry-specific approach to provide an overview of the industries with the maximum number of violations. It provides insight into the countries which topped the chart with the highest aggregate penalties; and throws light on the GDPR articles which were infringed on the most. 

Key findings

• 82.6% (697 million) to the total fines accounts on the META platforms

• Media, Telecom & Broadcasting Industry Accounted for about 86% of the total fines

• In Finance, Insurance & Consulting sector, roughly 26% violated Article 5 of the GDPR

• Nearly 29% of the penalized companies in the Transport & Energy sector violated Article 6 of the GDPR

• Public Sector Entities & Educational Institutions were heavily penalized, contributing to about 10% of the total fines imposed

• In 2018, there were 12 penalties with €500,000

•  In 4 years, the penalties increased to 166x times 

• In 2022, the penalties increased to 440 with €831,258,610

• It is possible to be fined up to 20 million euros for particularly serious violations listed in Article 83(5) GDPR, or up to 4 of the preceding fiscal year's total global turnover for undertakings

• A lesser-severe violation is defined in Art. 83(4) GDPR as one that may result in a fine of no more than 10 million euros or 2% of a company's worldwide sales during the preceding fiscal year, whichever is higher

• Top 5 provisions for which organizations were penalized were Article 5, 6, 12, 13, 32

About Tsaaro

Founded in January 2021 by Akarsh Singh and Rohit Jain, Tsaaro is India’s premier Data Protection services provider. Tsaaro is backed by the IIT founding team and is a technology compliance-focused company. Enabling an efficient data secure environment for businesses by building robust security systems, Tsaaro is widely acknowledged for its Data Protection services including Regulatory Assessment, DPO as a Service, Vendor Assessment, Privacy Risk Management, and Product Assessment. Apart from the company’s B2B business, Tsaaro expanded its services to the B2C market, with ‘Tsaaro Academy’, where the company provides premiere privacy training and certifications. Tsaaro Academy, which was founded the same year, now offers a variety of IAPP certifications, including the CIPP/e, CIPT, and CIPM. Apart from these imperial privacy certificates, Tsaaro Academy’s exclusive practical approach-based certification program, Data Protection Officer (DPO) Certification Course was also created. Tsaaro Academy is currently giving live training to over 200 privacy professionals in the Asia Pacific and has one of the highest IAPP certification passing percentages in Asia.

Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD, CSC SPV with Martin Schroeter, Chairman and CEO, Kyndryl at the inauguration of Cyber Rakshak program

The initiative is part of Kyndryl’s and CSC’s commitment to invest in bold ideas that fuel prosperity and support equitable access to technology-enabled education. Over the course of three years, the program will train more than 100,000 women in rural and remote areas, driving cybersecurity education efforts and growing skillsets across Indian communities. The initiative aims to empower future leaders while extending economic opportunity to women in the world’s fastest growing economy.

Training will be conducted across 500 districts in India through the last mile network of CSC, a flagship program under the Digital India Initiative which provides assisted access to government and public utility services in rural and semi urban areas.

The coursework, Co-developed by Kyndryl and CSC, will enable participants to better address cybersecurity threats in their personal and professional work while spotlighting career opportunities in cybersecurity fields. Participants will gain fundamental cyber knowledge, enhance competencies in existing job roles and learn about security threats that may impact their livelihoods. A central feature of the program will be to train candidates to become Cybersecurity Ambassadors, individuals who upon program completion will achieve a joint certification from Kyndryl and the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) and can serve as guides to local Internet users as they navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape. 

“Internet users in rural areas of India are increasing, which has the opportunity to bring positive outcomes and new opportunities. However, citizens with small businesses are at risk of suffering irrecoverable damage from data breaches if they don’t have adequate cybersecurity knowledge,” said Shri Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD, CSC SPV. “This program with Kyndryl, which will establish local cybersecurity ambassadors who are continuously trained and supported, can be one of the most effective ways to address such challenges. It will create awareness and empower rural people to address emerging cybersecurity challenges.” 

"The Cyber Rakshak initiative is part of Kyndryl's commitment to India's broader socioeconomic development, particularly for financial inclusion and building diversity in India’s tech talent pool,” said Lingraju Sawkar, President, Kyndryl India. “The cybersecurity landscape is more complicated by the day, and everyone needs the necessary tools and knowledge to better protect their data and improve their security posture. These are also important technical skills women professionals can bring to high-value career opportunities.”

The Cyber Rakshak initiative promotes and supports the Indian government’s efforts to expand financial inclusion for women of underbanked regions and recognize women as a major driver of India's economic growth. 

About Kyndryl 
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com. 

About Common Services Centres 
The Common Services Centres (CSCs) is one of the flagship programmes under the Digital India Initiative. More than 5.20 lakh CSCs offer assisted access to essential government and public utility services, social welfare schemes, financial services, education and skill development courses, apart from a host of B2C services. 

CSC e-Governance Services India Limited is a Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) incorporated in the year 2009 under the Companies Act, 1956 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY), Government of India, to monitor the implementation of Common Services Centres scheme (CSCs).

CSC Academy, the Educational & CSR wing of CSC, provides access to professional learning for learners of diverse backgrounds and educational needs. CSC has planned to set up 7,000 CSC Academy centres (one in every block) across the country. Education and skills are the foundation of these centres

ONPASSIVE Chief Operating Officer Eng. Mohamed Kamal (Right), Chief Communications Officer Dr. Soha Emam (Centre), and Director Mr. Venkat Killi (Left)

O-Net & O-Mail solutions will be offered free of cost to everyone on earth for efficient and seamless communications. The launch will substantially shift the existing monotonous internet services and bring the disruptive technology to elevate and enhance the connectivity for the end users’ journey across the globe via AI (Artificial Intelligence) with heart.  

Mr. Ash Mufareh - Founder & CEO, ONPASSIVE said, “ONPASSIVE’s broader vision brings you a sustainable eco-system that supports and uplifts humanity. Being an AI with heart (Artificial Intelligence) driven company. We aim to facilitate the users with seamless SaaS solutions across the globe. We are here to reshape the digital space with new, advanced, and user-friendly technology.”

With amazing features like video emails, voice emails, folders privacy lock, email personalised themes & attractive background music recommendations, text to voice, unsolicited email notifications, possibility to allow or deny unsolicited email detection and notification. O-Mail is here to start where others have stopped. This being the first release of the solution there is much more to come. 

O-Net is another fascinating solution offered by ONPASSIVE that is here to change the rigid networking environment with its one-of-a-kind attractive feature such as scheduling personal posts and creating blogs. Which is free to use limitlessly.   

O-Connect, is going to be a game changer in the video conferencing platform because of its dashboard that exceeds the users’ expectations. The O-Connect solution is here to provide you with a brand-new experience on top of the common current video conferencing experience that the market is offering. Some of its never-before-seen features are speech-to-speech, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, text-to-text, audio noise cancellation, smart reply, digital avatars, and many more options and features. 

Dr. Soha Emam - Chief Communications Officer, ONPASSIVE stated, “The game has just begun! Yes, you heard it loud and clear! The game has just begun to transcript the revolutionary evolution of the digital world by ONPASSIVE through its disruptive solutions. ONPASSIVE is the future of internet and is now here to change people’s lives and businesses. This is the place where you get the right space of disruptive digital solutions which drives people to fulfil their aspirations.”

Mr. Venkata Killi - Director, ONPASSIVE added, “Quoting our CEO, Mr. Ash Mufareh “ONPASSIVE is the future of internet”, we have launched three products O-Mail, O-Net and O- Connect which are ground-breaking solutions when compared to the traditional social media platform. The key features of our solutions will fill in the market gaps based on technical research that has been conducted by our R&D and Technical Department.” 

The launch of these disruptive internet solutions complements the ONPASSIVE’s slogan “The future of internet” which was witnessed by more than 1 million people around the world. 

We invite you all to seize this opportunity, enjoy our new solutions, and register for free to get your free special product launch prizes.

Visit ONPASSIVE website: www.onpassive.com.

About ONPASSIVE

ONPASSIVE is an AI disruptive Technology Company that builds fully autonomous digital SaaS solutions using the latest AI software technologies with heat for our global user base and accelerate innovation and transform businesses from strategy to designing to implementation, and management. ONPASSIVE with its slogan “The Future of Internet” brings a competitive advantage, innovation, and fresh perspectives to business and technology challenges. Its wide range of AI products and solutions aims to transform global enterprises digitally. 

For more details, please visit: www.onpassive.com. 

Organized by NASSCOM CoE (Centre of Excellence) with Meity and K-Tech, the day-long event on the theme ‘Metaverse: Entering into a New Reality’ is supported by Industry partners like Innover, Kiya.ai, Aditya Birla Fashion Retail, Natixis, and KAS (K-Mart Australia). The forum will bring together over 200 delegates and stakeholders of the ecosystem including, large tech and non-tech enterprises, builders, innovators, investors, consultants, and key participants from the academia, to collaborate and exchange ideas for driving and leading the Metaverse revolution in India. Speakers at the event will include leaders across brands like Microsoft India, LuLu Group India, ACG, ABFL, Arvind Fashion, Mahindra Group, Britannia, Airtel among others. On the sidelines of the event, CoE will also unveil a report on the innovation ecosystem and business opportunities in Metaverse. The report will also elaborate on the current state of the market, important milestones, and players in the Metaverse universe.  

Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, Centre of Excellence, said, “Metaverse is going to revolutionize and create a powerful way for consumers and businesses to interact. Growing rapidly from the early stage of development, adoption and implementation, Metaverse is the new paradigm. With its multifaceted benefits across industries and sectors, COE will co-create innovative solutions together with Enterprises and solution providers.” 

Rakesh Prasad, Senior Vice President - Digital Business, Innover, said, “Metaverse has enabled new possibilities for businesses to transform the way they interact with their customers. It is only a matter of time before the idea of the Metaverse becomes an eventuality propelling business across industries. Innover has already created a niche in the evolving Metaverse space in the US by building tech-support lounges, virtual storefronts, and training modules for multiple esteemed clients. As we foray into India with our Digital Experience studio and Metaverse offerings we are confident that we will successfully rewrite business and customer relations, and help businesses establish a strong, profitable foundation in the competitive Metaverse.” 

Rajesh Mirjankar, MD & CEO, Kiya.ai, said, “Kiya.ai launched its indigenous metaverse platform Kiyaverse to enable businesses to provide their customers an immersive user experience that ensures jurisdictional compliance, data privacy and financial transactions on fiat currency. Kiyaverse eases the process of onboarding customers and enables relevant use cases for Banking & Finance, Shopping, Realty, Training and Culture & Events. Kiyaverse platform provides a modern web architecture with behavioral engagement and analysis to ensure hyper-personalised consumer services and provides APIs to existing platforms. In India Kiyaverse platform has enabled Bharatmeta.in to provide a metaverse ecosystem to businesses with interfaces to India stack. We are honored to be associated with NASSCOM COE IoT for this event on Metaverse that celebrates the strides towards a digital future made real.” 

The conclave will spearhead discussions and showcase use cases across critical/strategic Metaverse Applications across domains including Education, Retail, Automobile, Banking and Healthcare, among others.

More details of the forum here metaverse.coeiot.in/#event.

Dignitaries at the #CybersKool Launch
 

#CybersKool will conduct a series of interactive webinars, panel discussions, workshops and competitions focused on information exchange around ethical online practices, cyber rights and duties, and responsible online behaviour. As an inclusive platform for sharing thoughts and opinions in native languages, Koo will run interactive activities for students like slogan writing and quizzes to encourage knowledge-sharing around online safety. Along with students, other relevant stakeholders like parents, guardians and the faculty are expected to participate in the activities. The year-long campaign will conclude with the release of a Digital CyberSafety Manual that will carry learnings from #CybersKool. The manual will be available on Koo and CyberPeace Foundation website for students to download and read.

An independent and responsible platform, Koo has been driving citizen outreach efforts on an ongoing basis along with CERT-In around cyber security. With India being one of the fastest growing internet markets in the world, the need to inform and educate users, especially the youth around cyber hygiene, carries tremendous significance.
 

Students virtually attending the #CybersKool session
 

Spokesperson Koo said, “At Koo, in our effort to drive freedom of expression on social media in native languages, promoting safe and responsible user behaviour is a priority for us. #CybersKool initiative together with CERT-In and the CyberPeace Foundation is another step in that direction.”

Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President, CyberPeace Foundation said, “Students are active internet users and hence, one of the most vulnerable ones as well. #CybersKool - in partnership with platforms like Koo and CERTIn becomes necessary to educate the youth and relevant stakeholders about secure online practices. We are grateful for the association and look forward to a successful campaign ahead.”

Director General, CERT-In, Dr. Sanjay Bahl said, “CyberSecurity Awareness on latest malicious cyber activities is a key element for Internet users and citizens to protect themselves from such activities. CERT-In, KooApp and CyberPeace Foundation are jointly organizing a yearlong cyber security awareness campaign "CybersKool" and launched it on 6th July 2022 as part of 'Cyber Jagrookta Diwas'. The objective of this program is to sensitize the Internet users especially college level students and school children on safety & security tips for protecting themselves from cyber-attacks, frauds and crimes. Along with CERT-In, KooApp, the Indian Micro-blogging and multi-language platform is actively working on creating cyber security awareness among Indian citizens in their local language. CERT-In sincerely hopes that this campaign will help the Internet users to understand that the technology used for empowering them to foster creativity and innovation must be used in a responsible, trusted and secure manner.”
 

About Koo

Koo, a multi-lingual, micro-blogging platform was launched in March 2020. The objective was to enable users across the World to express themselves online in their mother tongue. An innovator of language-based micro-blogging, currently Koo is available in 10 languages - Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese, Bengali and English. The platform’s unique features include a translation feature which enables real-time translation of a post across the slew of languages, while retaining the sentiment and context of the original text. This enhances reach and garners greater traction for a user. The app has over 30 million downloads and is actively leveraged by over 7,000 people of eminence across politics, sports, media, entertainment, spirituality, and art & culture to connect with their followers in multiple languages.

About CyberPeace Foundation

CyberPeace Foundation (CPF) is an award-winning civil society organization, think tank of cyber security and policy experts with the vision of pioneering CyberPeace Initiatives to build collective resiliency against cybercrimes & global threats of cyber warfare. CyberPeace Foundation is involved in Policy Advocacy, Research and Training related to all aspects of CyberPeace and CyberSecurity. Key areas of CyberPeace Foundation work are in Technology Governance, Policy Review and Advocacy, Capacity and Capability creation and building through partnerships with various government organizations, academic institutions and civil society entities.

L to R - Keith Poon, Executive Managing Director of ZStack International and Devanshu Bajpai, Country Manager ZStack International

Keith Poon, Executive Managing Director of ZStack International said, “Cloud adoption has become an essential part of the newly agile business world. Expansion to India comes at an opportune time as we progress towards a more advanced technology era, and we will accelerate the digital transformation altogether. We are excited to have Devanshu, Country Manager of India, to expand our business in India, a great business target for the IT services. We fully support Devanshu to lead our India business. His fruitful experiences in sales and partner network engagement will contribute to further develop our business territory. We look forward to expanding our Cloud business in India!"

Devanshu Bajpai, Country Manager for India said, "We intend to launch our new age technology in India. We are focused on providing highly sophisticated cloud computing solutions that deliver low cost of ownership, better performance while creating virtual machines and shortest amount of time required for batch creating 500 virtual machines. Our focus will also be towards partners and distributors to provide them with a better alternative in the cloud computing market."

Devanshu Bajpai, further added, "We want to capitalize on the market gap which would create itself due to changes which are bound to happen with the current market leader. Every partner and distributor will look for their alternative in the cloud computing space and we want to set up Alliance before that moment comes rather than afterwards. At this point, we are also open to new alliances and partnerships from the existing partners in cloud computing space, offering better revenue and better ROI. For more details, partners and distributors can reach out to me-devanshu.bajpai@zstack.io."

visit www.zstack-cloud.com for more information on their cloud computing products.

About ZStack International

ZStack International is a leading cloud computing technologies vendor that specializes in the research and development of cloud computing software and hardware. ZStack has about 400 employees, around 70 percent of them are R&D and technical team members. With the great effort of our committed partner networks, ZStack has successfully provided the state-of-art cloud computing technologies to more than 2,000 enterprise users coming from over 30 countries. The productized services includes ZStack Private Cloud, ZStack Hybrid Cloud, ZStack Mini, ZStack Cloud Management Platform (CMP), and ZStack Ceph Enterprise.

S. Gurdeep Singh CMD Jujhar Group

The fastest growing broadband service provider offers next-gen services including high-speed broadband, smart telephony and OTT services.

According to the recent reports, India has more than doubled its mobile broadband subscribers from 345mn to 765mn in the last five years. Report of 2022 reveals that with the Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 53% over the last five years, India has one of the highest data usage in the world. The growing number of data users and consumption per user is helping the country advance towards realizing the vision of Digital India. 

Fastway Netplus Broadband has already gathered momentum by gaining satisfied subscribers within a short span. However, the brand has extensive growth plans including the launch of futuristic products for the subscribers besides already having in place FTTH network which is the foundation of the broadband and internet business. Additionally, the brand has been successful in serving enterprise customers.

Expressing his delight, Jujhar Group CMD S. Gurdeep Singh said, “Previous Fiscal year has been a year of strong growth both in terms of top line and bottom line. This all round growth is a result of our aggressive business expansion, commitment to customer delight and trust of our users. Netplus is the dominant market leader and is the first choice for broadband users in the region. Our endeavor has always been to create substantial value for all our stakeholders and be among the best in the business of delivering Next Generation Services. We intend to maintain the growth momentum in the ensuing fiscal too.”

Mr. Arshdeep Singh Mundi, Managing Director, Netplus Broadband, “We take pride in establishing Netplus as one of the fastest growing ISPs in the country. Our core strengths lie in providing high-speed -truly unlimited data at affordable prices. Customer centricity, quality services, and adoption of the latest technology practices have been the key drivers of this phenomenal growth. We command the dominant market leader in the region and serve every second home with our services. We would like to thank our subscribers for their trust and are committed to delivering the latest and best-in-class services, going forward. Through aggressive organic and inorganic initiatives, we are poised to achieve the 1 million mark very soon,” he added.

Mr. Prem Ojha CEO Netplus Broadband further said, “We are focused on service expansion and have over 6 million home passes across 8 states. We intend to take our services to PAN India in the current fiscal. We are investing heavily in creating world-class fiber infrastructure to support futuristic converged services. The journey ahead will include a focused expansion of services in the rural areas to continue on this growth trajectory.”

The company’s services span 400+ cities by the virtue of more than 14k+ channel partners. Catering to the areas of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, Netplus has more than 2000 enterprise customers and is a recognized organization directly involved in providing Wi-Fi solutions under Government Smart City Projects.

About Netplus Broadband 

Netplus Broadband, The ICT - (Information, Communication & Technology) business of Jujhar Group spearheaded by CMD S. Gurdeep Singh. The group has a legacy of over 30 years of business excellence. Jujhar Group of companies operates across verticals - Logistics, Hospitality, Real Estate, Digital entertainment, and next-generation services. 

Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. (“Max Life” / “Company”), has launched the ‘Max Life Smart Fixed-return Digital Plan’⁺ (UIN: 104N123V01), a non-linked, non-participating, individual life insurance savings plan. The novel offering developed basis a consumer insight study helps the customers meet short-term financial goals with a minimum policy tenure of five years. The plan offers guaranteed tax-free returns up to 6.14%² along with life cover protection at monthly premiums as low as Rs. 3000/-* and is also available to purchase on Max Life’s website and Policybazaar.com.

The Smart Fixed-return Digital Plan targets the digitally-savvy millennials who prefer quick and hassle-free online onboarding. Offering higher returns as compared to traditional savings instruments, this product innovation combines guaranteed, tax-free offering and protection cover of life insurance, allowing young consumers to enjoy the dual benefits of savings and protection within a single product proposition.

V Viswanand, Deputy Managing Director, Max Life said, “Developing products to respond to customers’ needs has always been Max Life’s focus, and we are committed to introducing innovative, digitally-enabled flexible life insurance products in the marketplace. The Smart Fixed-return Digital Plan is designed for a generation that wants a short-term guaranteed product with tax-free returns topped with life insurance. The combination of easy liquidity and agile onboarding makes this new-age product a valuable fit in the millennials’ savings journey.”

Sarbvir Singh, CEO, Policybazaar.com commented, "Our consumer insights reveal that most millennials prefer short-term savings products with high returns, thereby indicating an apparent demand for such a product. The launch of this plan, which is a short-term offering with guaranteed tax-free returns and life insurance cover, would certainly address the needs of this segment. We are excited to work with Max Life in making this innovative savings-cum-protection instrument accessible to millennials who need quick and easy investment solutions."

Key features of ‘Max Life Smart Fixed-return Digital Plan’:

1. Simplified on-boarding process along with instant confirmation of issuance after journey completion³

2. Fully guaranteed returns payable as a lump sum at maturity

3. Flexibility to pay premiums monthly or annually for just five years

4. Flexibility to choose between different variants, tailored to meet different financial security needs

5. Higher benefits offered for higher premiums paid, as per the chosen goals

6. Special benefits for women customers: 0.25% additional maturity benefit for five years’ policy term; 0.5% for ten years’ policy term

7. Option of taking a loan against policy to help in case of financial emergencies

8. Tax benefits on premiums paid and tax-free maturity benefits, depending on the chosen variant, as per prevailing tax laws⁴

About Max Life Insurance (www.maxlifeinsurance.com) 

Max Life Insurance Company Limited is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited and Axis Bank Limited. Max Financial Services Ltd. is a part of the Max Group, an Indian multi-business corporation. Max Life offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions, through its multi-channel distribution including agency and third-party distribution partners.

Max Life has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per public disclosures and annual audited financials for FY2021-22, Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 22,414 crore. As of 31st March 2022, the Company had INR 1,07,510 crore of assets under management (AUM) and a Sum Assured in Force of INR 1,174,515 crore.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.maxlifeinsurance.com.

Max Life Insurance Company Limited is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited and Axis Bank Limited. Corporate Office: 11th Floor, DLF Square Building, Jacaranda Marg, DLF City Phase II, Gurugram (Haryana) -122 002. You can call us on our Customer Helpline No. 1860 120 5577.

Trade logo displayed belongs to Max Financial Services Ltd. and Axis Bank Ltd. respectively and with their consents, are used by Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

About Policybazaar (www.policybazaar.com)

Policybazaar.com is one of India's largest insurance marketplaces. It is the flagship platform of PB Fintech, that owns fintech brand, Paisabazaar.com, and lending & insurance marketplace in the UAE region, Policybazaar.ae. The Policybazaar.com Group has backing from a host of investors including the likes of PE funds and other family offices. Policybazaar.com started with a purpose to educate people on insurance products and with its offerings has addressed the large and highly underpenetrated online insurance markets.

⁺ This Life Insurance product is offered and underwritten by Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd. The Life Insurance Contract is between the proposer and Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

^* For all customer cohorts

¹ Provided all due premiums have been paid and the policy is in force

² Offered under Titanium variant opted by 18 years old female for payment term of 5 years, and policy term of 5 years

³ Applicable for customers meeting the eligibility criteria and underwriting guidelines

⁴ Subject to applicable tax laws which are subject to change from time to time, please consult your tax advisor

Ms. Pragya Misra, Director of Public Affairs at Truecaller India with other important dignitaries from Cyber Peace Foundation, BMS College at the TrueCyberSafe training in Bengaluru
 

The campaign has already reached close to 3 lakh Indians so far through impactful training sessions in the North Eastern Region and New Delhi. Through these awareness sessions, the attendees learn about the recent cyber scams and frauds, safety measures that people can take and the reporting mechanisms available within Truecaller and otherwise that allow for relevant authorities like the Police to take action. 

Gracing the event by her presence, Ms. Pramila Naidu, Chairperson-State Commission for Women and Chairman-Rajya Mahila Ayoga, Karnataka said, “The Commission’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the rights of women and proactively work to improve the safety and security of women in Karnataka. Traditionally, we had mostly been dealing with cases of physical abuse, like domestic violence and acid attack. However, recently we have seen that cases of digital fraud and online harassment are also increasing. While there have been numerous benefits of increased access to smartphones and technology for women, it has also exposed them to both new and old harms in the digital space. However, my message here would be to reinforce that the Commission is prepared and we are here to create awareness and provide support and protection to women. I am thankful that Truecaller and CPF have taken this initiative to build capacity on this issue, and I am sure that it will help everyone who joins the #TrueCyberSafe campaign to access and interact with digital spaces in a safe and secure manner.”

The technical interactive training session at BMS College and R.V. College of Engineering focused on the different types of threats and frauds in the digital world and ended with equipping attendees with best practices, tools and skills needed to protect themselves from harm. Numerous safety features within Truecaller like auto block, spam tagging, one-click national helpline, smart SMS and much more were spotlighted as well. At the end of the session, the participants were encouraged to become active contributors to #TrueCyberSafe by sharing the knowledge with their friends and family, ensuring that more and more people can help make digital communication safe. 

Mr. BS Angadi, KSPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime 2, Bengaluru, said, “As the state with the tech capital of India, Karnataka has the highest recorded cyber crime rate in India. One of the main reasons for this is that we have made it easier for citizens to report cyber crimes in Karnataka. Cyber Crimes police stations have been established in each district, and citizens in Karnataka can directly report cybercrimes on the 112 helpline. The Karnataka model of the Cybercrime Incident Report (CIR) system has made it easier for citizens to file complaints and is being studied for implementation in other states as well. We are cognizant of the threat posed by cybercriminals and are proactively working to prevent online fraud and harassment. In this context, I would like to congratulate both Truecaller and CPF for taking this initiative and helping to create awareness amongst citizens on how to have a safe digital experience.”

Addressing the dignitaries and the audience, the Principal, BMSCE, Dr. S Muralidhara said, "In today's world when the internet is rapidly growing and everybody is online all the time, people often ignore their safety and security. Our contact information is highly susceptible to getting into the wrong hands and resulting in people getting vulnerable online. Often we users get unwanted calls and messages leading to gullible public getting trapped by cyber criminals. To educate everybody, we are happy and honored to share that CyberPeace Foundation and TrueCaller have joined hands to launch the campaign #TrueCyberSafe at BMS College of Engineering Bengaluru. I would request all the students, teachers, staff members to be part of this initiative and spread the message about the campaign in their family circles, so as to give people the knowledge and tools to be safe online."
 

Ms. Pragya Misra, Director of Public Affairs, Truecaller said, “Almost all the activities in our daily lives, whether social, economic, educational, are overlapping in digital spaces. There are immense benefits that the internet and use of technology bring but it lends itself to challenges like spam and fraud that we must protect ourselves from. At Truecaller, safety continues to be an absolute priority and we are constantly working towards building trust in communication over phone and SMS by making it safe. With the TrueCyberSafe initiative, we are expanding the scope of our efforts to increase awareness about Cyber fraud and build user capacity on how people can stay safe while communicating. We are happy to be bringing this national campaign to Karnataka, and I hope that along with the efforts of the government and the police, we are able to make communication safer for more Indians."

Talking about the CyberPeace-The Need of the hour, Mr. Purnendu Singh, Director-Operations and Strategy, CyberPeace Foundation said, “#TrueCyberSafe is a monumental initiative to eradicate the menace of cybercrime from cyberspace, by sowing the fruitful seeds of awareness and knowledge among the people. Awareness among children and elderly is essential as they are most vulnerable, hence safeguarding the youngsters will in turn safeguard the future generations. CyberPeace Foundation in collaboration with various corporates and govt agencies have launched various projects to strengthen the online safety and security, some of these projects are-E-Raksha, E-Shakti, E-Saksham, Safety Track and various hackathons, hence today with #TrueCyberSafe campaign we consolidate our take on war against cyber crimes more efficiently. Stay CyberSafe !! Stay CyberSecure !!”

The joint initiative was launched nationwide in February 2022. The campaign aims to create awareness by training 15 lakh people across 5 regions of India to tackle cyber fraud leading to a safer digital communication and increasing awareness about the steps that our users can take to avoid fraud, spam and scams. The campaign will gradually be launched in two other regions in the upcoming months. 

About Truecaller
We enable safe and relevant conversations between people and make it efficient for businesses to connect with consumers. Fraud and unwanted communication are endemic to digital economies, especially in emerging markets. We are on a mission to build trust in communication. Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 310 million active users, with half a billion downloads since launch and close to 38 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2021. Headquartered in Stockholm, since 2009, we are a co-founder-led, entrepreneurial company, with a highly experienced management team. Truecaller has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 8 October 2021.

For more information, please visit corporate.truecaller.com.

GOI Launches AI for India Campaign to Train 25 Lac Indian Students 

Education Minister of India Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Chairman of AICTE Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Shri Chandrasekhar Buddha - CCO AICTE, Dr. Amit Andre, CEO The DataTech Labs and Shri Amit Mehta, Head, AWS Training and Certification, India and other delegates were present during the event.

"AI for India Initiative is trying to bridge the gap between the supply and demand matrix in worldwide tech talent, with Indian students. We are changing our educational policies to skill and upskill students to make them future-ready," said Chandrashekhar Budha, CCO AICTE while presenting the AI for India presentation. "AI for India will guarantee 20+ Lakhs internship, 50k+ Industries and 36K+institutions for digital India," he added. "AI for India will empower the 21st Century generation in Arts, Commerce, Science, Architecture, Engineering, and other streams with digital education for employability and entrepreneurship," said Chandrashekhar Budha, CCO, AICTE said during the launch event.
 

Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan launches "Digital Skilling" event in Delhi

"This initiative by DataTech is an appreciable one! To give to the society in a form that builds a stronger future for the young generation, helps in building the economy and ensures India comes in the limelight as a pool of talent needs support and recognition from each one," added Anil Shahatrbudhe - Chairman AICTE.

CEO of The Data Tech Labs, Dr. Amit Andre said, “The DataTech Labs' is extremely privileged envisaging this campaign and contributing in skilling, building our Nation. AI for India initiative welcomes the age of blended workforce, in which intelligent technologies and humans collaborate to drive business success and the Indian economy."

AI for India is divided into 5 events:

1. National Future Engineering Scholarship Examination: Aimed for AI adoption from class 8th to 12th Students, Undergraduate/post graduate Students and Individuals wanting to Upskill on emerging technologies.

2. All India Skill to Scale Avenue: This is for every student unconditionally who have passed out in pandemic years and have gap in skillsets as compared with industry requirements.

3. AI Ideathon: This is to encourage students and individuals to produce ideas to solve any human centric national issue with the help of AI, Data, Cloud and allied sciences.

4. All India Data Engineering Quiz Competition: Data is new Oxygen, and we aim to diversify knowledge on data across domains and verticals.

5. All India Jobathon for Cloud, Data and AI Aspirants: All the participants who participate and complete any one of the above initiatives will be given a chance to appear for 100000 jobs from industries in India.

AI for India campaign is a part of ABCDEFGHI program of GOI to impact and train students in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, BlockChain, Cyber Security, Data analytics and intelligence, Extended Reality (XR), Electronics, Energy solutions, Full stack developer, Gamification, GitHub, HTML5, Human computer interaction and IOT which are abbreviated as “ABCDEFGHI” by the Ministry of Education & AICTE. It is envisioned by the government of India to register more than 1 crore students and get them trained in these emerging areas for 3 to 6 months. The students who are pursuing higher education can upgrade themselves in these areas of emerging technologies.

About The Data Tech Labs

The Data Tech Labs is a technology and training expert in AI and ML. It focuses on delivering cloud, on-premise and hybrid solutions to drive outcomes and its primary goal is delivering technology solutions that support a digital business transformation framework. 

Contestants were asked to share their wishes on a virtual billboard on the Parimatch website, and the five best entries were chosen by South African fast-bowling legend and Parimatch ambassador Dale Steyn. Among the wishes were: “I want to lead a team like Virat Kohli”, “I want to hit 6 sixes in an over, so I need a new cool bat”, and “I want to play professional cricket for the Indian women's cricket team”.

“I wish I could watch IPL with my parents” was the most common wish among the participants, and some actually got to see it come true. The overall reaction to the contest demonstrated the continuing popularity of the sport in the country, and how cricket fans throughout the length and breadth of India live, sleep and breathe the game, especially when the IPL is being played.

As happy as the five winners were, Parimatch were thrilled to host them in Ahmedabad. We can tell how much passion there is for cricket in India just by looking at the overwhelming response to our Baazi Sapno Ki contest, which wasn’t only about making the lucky contestants’ wishes come true-it was also about offering them an experience at the IPL final which they will never forget.

Established in 1994, Parimatch is one of the leading betting companies in the world boasting almost 3 million users in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

About PMI

PMI is a service company, engaged in the development and implementation of the expansion strategy for the Parimatch brand in the markets of Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The company provides the tech, marketing, and communications services for partners in the betting industry. Innovations, new technologies, and the desire to provide the best gaming experience for the customers are what drives PMI forward.

This is Why Should We Use Hotbit Cryptocurrency Exchange

Launched in 2018, Hotbit is known for its easy-to-use interface and is widely trusted because of its security. The fast transaction, trading interface, high liquidity, multi-lingual support, robust KYC verification system, and state-of-the-art security technology are all under one umbrella. Hotbit provides its users with a platform to trade, manage, track, and analyze digital assets. The main aim is to make crypto trading easier for ordinary people.

Hotbit stands out for its impressive charting features, trading pairs, trading fees, deposit methods, security, ease of use, and customer support. This cryptocurrency exchange platform has partnered with renowned blockchains technology industry partners like Spark Pool, Mytoken, F2pool, HashQuark, and Slow Mist to offer traders and investors a secure, stable, and feature-rich trading environment. Since its blastoff in 2018, this cryptocurrency trading platform has accumulated more than 7 million active users registered on the platform from over 210 countries.

The Best In Class Features

Hotbit is one of the biggest and fastest-growing exchanges worldwide in terms of the daily trading volume. This platform can be contemplated if the trader is interested in trading various altcoins. One of the most beneficial features of this exchange platform is that they list the tokens immediately. Hotbit offers multi-currency support, a reasonable trading fee, and high security.

Hotbit, the multifaceted exchange platform, allows users to provide two-factor authentication to shield their assets and trade. The platform allows its users to execute a trade using more than 200 crypto assets. The users can trade with ETFs using cryptocurrencies. This exchange platform offers an array of coins combined with trading pairs with many altcoins, several trading pairs with DeFi tokens, and unique coins.

The Idiosyncratic Identity

Hotbit investment, also known as Hotbank, is Hotbit Group's division and a top crypto asset management platform undertaken in 2018. Hotbit constitutes a team of more than 30 skilled and experienced professionals who seek to deliver improved quality investment services to all customers across the globe. Hotbit endeavors to give back to its customers by offering the industry's top rates, better than its competitors on recognized assets such as BTC, USDT, and ETH.

An exclusive benefit is offered to VIP users at Hotbit. They enjoy exclusive privileges such as a customized crypto asset management program, a mining fund, and lower and exclusive trading fees rates. Hotbit possesses different trading fees for takers and makers, a criterion in today's trading business. Hotbit has more than USD 100 million as a daily trading volume. The platform offers a mobile trading app available both on iOS and Android. Hotbit has initiated an invitation rebate function. Here users can bring on their friends to register for an Hotbit account and receive a double commission. Exchange-Traded Funds at Hotbit is an output that takes up financial debt to improve the retrievals of a particular token. It aims for a 5:1 ratio. For instance, if a particular token rises by 1%, the leveraged ETF of 5x rises by 5%.

The Fluidness of Hotbit

Hotbit centralizes on the world's most developing markets like Japan, Russia, South Korea, Southeast Asian countries, and Turkey. The platform obtains most of its users accumulated through telegram, Twitter, WeChat, Facebook, and VK. Hotbit has been thriving without a bond.

In 2018, according to Coinmarketcap, Hotbit ranked at 47 with the highest 24-hour trading volume, which was USD 21 million. In November 2019, Hotbit moved up to its last year's ranking at 13, and its 24-hour trading volume was 1.0 billion USD. During the pandemic, Hotbit ranked 6th, and the trading volume went up to 2.3 billion USD exhibiting that there is no problem with the high liquidity of this exchange.

You can reach them through:

Website: www.hotbit.io

Indian Group: t.me/Hotbit_India

Team Socialee - A Google Partner Agency in Gujarat

This is another jewel in their crown after becoming Facebook Agency Marketing Partner in 2020. The tag of Google Partner comes with its own set of benefits and rewards. Some prominent benefits are Advanced Google Ads support, Google Ads reach planner, unique reach audience reporting, latest PPC information and best practices, access to Beta features, Google products and insights, and monthly insights briefing from Think with Google. These benefits will help the company deliver better and more refined results for its clients.

About Socialee

Socialee was founded by Kushal Soni and Harsh Lakhotia with a singular vision in their minds: to bridge the gap between brands and consumers with the help of digital media. They believe in making a brand a part of the narrative of a consumer’s life with unique storytelling. Since the moment of its inception in 2014, they have made major strides in the industry by providing quality digital service to more than 250 clients (currently serving 60+ clients) which include industry leaders like Reliance Jio, Zydus Hospitals, Shemaroo, Saregama, Sterling Accuris, Snowcem Paints, B4U entertainment, etc. Along with this, Socialee has developed expertise in Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Twitter Ads, Hotstar Ads, and Taboola Feed Ads above Google Ads. In order to gain more expertise in performance marketing, they started their own e-commerce website: thecreativedukaan.com which turned out to be a successful venture with their quirky and funny merchandise delivered to the creative people of the industry. This experience helped them understand the market segment better which in turn helped them deliver results to clients with more accuracy.

Kushal Soni, Co-founder of Socialee has this to share, “This partner badge is a validation to our performance. Having an enthusiastic team, who loves to bring results on the table, we are confident that soon we will become Google Premier Parter.”

Harsh Lakhotia, Co-founder of Socialee added to it, “Effective storytelling is the core belief of Socialee. With being a Google Partner, the storytelling will even be more efficient and will reach an even more specific target audience. This will allow Socialee to deliver better performance-driven campaigns in Google Ads. This Google recognition will encourage us to work even harder in order to assist their customer development with the top digital marketing company in India.”

MediaTek Days on Amazon

“MediaTek has always envisioned a future enabled by technology democratisation and our consistent efforts are aimed towards fulfilling this ambition. With MediaTek Days, we plan to boost awareness around innovative devices powered by MediaTek while also supporting the incredible OEMs we collaborate with. Today, people are eager to try new things and explore novel offerings. MediaTek Days is focused on the new generation of consumers, who are open to buying devices capable of powering splendid experiences,” said Anuj Sidharth, Deputy Director, Marketing & Communications, MediaTek.

“Many a times, our customers do not know much about the technology that goes into their devices. Amazon Ads along with MediaTek is building “MediaTek Days”, an initiative to help educate customers and help them understand their devices better. This campaign will ensure that MediaTek reaches to relevant audiences for their wide range of smart devices across consumer segments and price points. MediaTek Days on Amazon is sure to grab eyeballs and create buzz for MediaTek, Amazon, and our OEM partners,” said Ajay Sharma, Head of Ad-sales (Smartphones, Consumer electronics & Large appliances).

MediaTek Days at Amazon will showcase devices from some of the popular brands powered by MediaTek. The campaign will also help people discover new devices and best-fit solutions for their technology requirements.

Know More About MediaTek Days: amzn.to/39PtyxW.

This digital platform aims to simplify operations procedures that will revolutionize the freight industry, starting with the Indian market, and then expanding into other developing nations.

Commenting on this digital initiative, Harpreet Singh Malhotra, CMD, Tiger Logistics and a veteran in the shipping industry said, “Technology is the operating word in the current times. Shipping cannot lag behind if we have to sustain the business. This new digital segment will help exporters and importers to instantly book their freight, automate their documentation process, keep track of their shipments, and manage payments all on a single platform. In the process, they will save hours of manual work, bypass countless email exchanges and experience a fully transparent logistics process.”

“In its first rendition, Tiger’s full-stack platform will offer cross-border solutions for ocean and air shipments, along with first-mile transportation, last-mile delivery and customs clearance. With real-time rates, complete visibility, and access to instant information about shipment updates, Tiger’s platform will mirror MakeMyTrip for the international logistics sector,” Malhotra added.

The platform is being spearheaded by Simar Malhotra, Manager Key Accounts and Digital Lead, a Stanford University graduate and the second-generation leadership of the management. “International shipping is highly unorganized, wrought with inefficiencies and is presently going through a massive freight and container crisis. While big shippers have the power to negotiate rates directly with carriers and multinational forwarders, SMEs and MSMEs get left behind in the chase. With our new platform, we hope to change this and democratize access of every business to freight services.”

The growth in export share of MSMEs in FY22 would be important to note as the government has been aiming at increasing the current share to 60 per cent. Former MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari had said last year at public forums that the government had aimed to increase the export share by 12 per cent in five years along with a jump in contribution to the gross domestic product from around 30 per cent to 50 per cent and additional 5 crore jobs in the MSME sector.

The digital platform of Tiger Logistics is a disruption to the existing manual norms of operations in the freight industry. The focus is to build a robust MSMEs clientele in the Indian market, and provide a seamless, jargon-free and customer-first experience. Once the pilot kicks off, the platform will also incorporate cargo insurance and cargo financing among other features to build itself as a one-stop solution for all shipping requirements.

About Tiger Logistics

Tiger Logistics (India) Limited was founded in 2000 in New Delhi, India by Mr. Harpreet Singh Malhotra, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of the company. Under his leadership, the company has achieved tremendous success over the years and has now emerged as a leading provider of end-to-end logistics solutions. The company is known for its innovations and driving cost saving and operational efficiencies with greater rigor. As a result, Tiger Logistics has been able to achieve a yearly growth rate of 25-30%. Tiger Logistics has been serving industry clients for more than 21years. It has been listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange since 2013.

Camp K12, an ed-tech startup building a global online school for 21st-century skills, today announced the launch of Hatch Kids, its very own Metaverse and AR/VR creation platform for young learners.

Students from the US, India, and SE Asia using “Hatch Kids” to create 3D/AR/VR experiences and run them on a range of devices, including their iPads, VR headsets (Oculus/Meta), school Chromebooks and personal laptops

Camp K12 originally built the Hatch Kids platform for use in its own programming courses, but after witnessing strong demand from educators and students while working with early partners, it is now opening up the platform for any organization to use free of cost, along with free AR/VR curriculum modules for teachers to use in the classroom or in online workshops.

Introducing "Hatch Kids" - Metaverse and AR/VR Coding Platform for Kids

Product Launch Video: youtu.be/JfKf7inApoM.

Over the past 6 months, Hatch Kids has grown organically to 1.1M+ users across 150 countries via school, government, and ed-tech partnerships, with 75% of the consumption coming from US and Canada. Other top geographies include UK, Australia, and India. Students have created 3.6M+ projects on the platform to date, in the classroom and beyond.

Speaking about Hatch’s vision, Camp K12’s Co-founder and CEO, Anshul Bhagi, said, “There are 100m+ kid coders out there today using a variety of free coding platforms to learn coding by building games and apps. These platforms are incredibly effective and set the stage for the kids coding movement starting in 2007, however the vast majority of them are restricted to 2D project creation, built for the age of smartphones and flat screens. As technologies like AR and VR go mainstream, we need to upgrade the tools that kids learn on and that educators teach on for modern-day use cases and content formats. We built Hatch as a kids coding platform for the age of the Metaverse. We want to give 100M+ young kids their first AR/VR creation experience and the self-confidence to be builders in the inevitable Mixed Reality future rather than passive consumers of it.”

Hatch Kids makes it possible for students spanning ages 6 to 18 to create 3D, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences with ease, in an age where kids are captivated by 3D games like Roblox and Minecraft and yet the mainstream kids coding platforms are still restricted to 2D project creation.

Hatch Kids supports all K-12 age groups and experience levels. Younger students and first-time coders can start using a visual, blocks-based programming environment, then graduate to programming advanced 3D applications using JavaScript. Students can instantly publish and share their creations to millions of supported devices, including iPads, smartphones, professional VR headsets, laptops & desktops via a simple QR code scan or a link share.

The government of Delhi started using the Hatch Kids platform in January 2022 to teach programming in government school classrooms, in the process of transforming its students into some of the youngest Metaverse creators anywhere in the world. The platform is also being used by 100+ schools and ed-tech companies in North America, Middle East, India, and Europe to make AR/VR creation accessible for kids. In December, Hatch Kids was featured on Code.org (a global coding platform with 70M+ kid coders) as an “Hour of Code” activity and today has grown to be the #1 most popular activity for students from Grades 6 - 8 and the #3 most popular activity overall in the Code.org partner ecosystem.

The team expects 2M+ MAUs by December 2022, powered by both direct-to-student consumption, as well as partnerships with 1500+ schools, ed-tech, and additional government bodies worldwide by year-end. 

About Hatch Kids (kids.hatchxr.com)

Hatch Kids is a free online 3D creation platform for kids that empowers students aged 6 - 18 to design, code and publish 3D games, Augmented Reality (AR) apps, interactive Virtual Reality (VR) worlds, and Metaverse experiences without any prior design or coding experience.

Hatch Kids is also an education platform. Educators, organizations, and parents can use Hatch to teach Coding and other STEM subjects to kids in the most immersive manner (kids learn best when they are engaged, and nothing is more engaging for a child than the act of creating 3D worlds he/she can walk around in and share with friends).

About Camp K12

Camp K12 is a global online school for 21st century skills, teaching Coding and other STEM topics to kids spanning the age group of 5-18 via LIVE, interactive, gamified online sessions that work 10x better than status quo. The company has raised USD 16M to date, led by Elevation Capital and Matrix Partners India, and serves 400k+ students across North America, Middle East, India, and South East Asia.

About the Creators

Anshul, Camp K12’s Co-founder and CEO, has been passionate about building kids programming tools and making programming easy and fun for kids for over a decade. As a computer science student at MIT, he was part of the team that developed “MIT AppInventor” a free online platform that gave kids the power to design, code, and publish Mobile Apps to smartphones without any prior experience.

AppInventor today is used by 13M+ students worldwide, and in the age of Smartphone development, was the first platform to make mobile app creation accessible to children. Anshul is hoping to repeat that feat for the age Metaverse and AR/VR today with the creation of Hatch Kids.

He started working on the 3D engine and programming environment behind Hatch himself in 2018 and later built an R&D lab within Camp K12 to continue development on the project with a larger team between the years 2018 and 2021. “We’ve been working on the Hatch platform since 2018, well before ‘Metaverse’ and ‘AR/VR’ became buzzwords. We’re fortunate that we could test and iterate on the product with feedback from real students, parents, and teachers over a period of four years. There’s a lot of work yet to be done, but we’re excited about the early traction and very happy to open up Hatch as a platform for other educators and ed-techs to use starting today. We look forward to building Hatch Kids into one of the top 3 education platforms and creating platforms for children in the age of the Metaverse.”

Ease of Justice in India: Future of Arbitration, Mediation, and Conciliation, organised by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)

Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Mr. J.R Midha, Former Judge, Delhi High Court; Adv. KK Sharma (Chairman, ASSOCHAM); Mr. Raman Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Jupitice Justice Technologies, Dr. Ashok Haldia, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Task Force Chair for Accounting Standards; and Mr. Basudev Mukherjee (Assistant Secretary-General, ASSOCHAM), were among the keynote speakers of the conference.

While speaking on the ease of justice in India, Justice Dipak Misra underscored that it is imperative to understand that enhancing the ease of justice is directly proportional to enhancing the ease of living. “It is essential that we promote the culture of settlement across family, insurance, commercial, health, and other disputes for enhancing the ease of justice,” said Justice Misra.

Expressing his views on streamlining and strengthening the ADR ecosystem in India through the use of technology, Mr. Aggarwal pressed for the need of introducing a paradigm shift in the existing justice delivery system through the intervention of technology.

“The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism holds the potential to transform the entire justice system and take the burden off the judiciary. However, to maximise its efficiency, we need to develop some technological solutions that could meet the evolving needs of various stakeholders in the justice sector. We must conceptualise and build a digital infrastructure that can bring a fundamental change in how justice is being perceived in our country,” noted Mr. Aggarwal.

He further added, “The ease of justice in India lies in the amalgamation of ADR mechanisms and technology. The mission is to change the idea of justice from being a place to a service. We have to build trust among people by overcoming the underlying structural, behavioural, and operational challenges, which is possible only through technology.”

Justice JR Midha also apprised the participants of the benefits of ADR for ease of justice in India. He noted that delays in judicial procedures also affect the economy of our country. He further suggested that India also needs to push for a fully-developed ADR ecosystem like other countries.

Adv. GP Madaan, Managing Partner, Madaan Law Offices; Adv. Venket Rao, Founder and Managing Partner, Intygrat Law Offices; Mr. Gagan Puri, Managing Director – Disputes and Investigations, Alvarez & Marsal India; Mr. Michael Dias, Secretary, The Employers Association, Delhi; and CA Deepa Agarwal, Member, ASSOCHAM National Council for Company Law also participated in the event.

About Jupitice

Born out of the core issues of 5 billions people not having access to justice, long delays and higher resolution cost, Jupitice was formed in the year 2019 to leverage the domain expertise built over 12 years. Jupitice has designed and created the World’s First “Private Digital Court” for Private Justice System to resolve disputes Online. Mr. Aggarwal found three major drawbacks in the Private Justice System, one there is no global address like Traditional Court where one knows where to go to file one’s dispute, secondly relating to how to find ADR Practitioners such as Arbitrators, Conciliators, Mediators etc. and the last but not the least relating to digitalization of Private Justice System. This led to the creation of Jupitice - a Private Digital Court under the Private Justice System. Digital Mirror of Traditional Court transformed digitally with Ultra-Advanced Digital Infrastructure & First Class Services and powered by complete digital justice Eco-system, “As A Service Than A Place” to provide Arbitration, Conciliation Mediation Services etc. All Online, from the comforts of your home or place anytime, anywhere from any device just like going to the Court but MINUS its pain points. Launched in May 2021, Jupitice has taken up about 6000 cases so far!

At MediaTek event 

MediaTek also reiterated its commitment to deliver customized, power-efficient and innovative 5G experiences, powered by the innovative Dimensity 5G Open Resource Architecture, which offers OEMs closer-to-metal access on 5G chips. The company is also keen on enabling disruptive technologies and boosting R&D capabilities to further expand its India footprint over the next few years. With 5G likely to be deployed soon, MediaTek is upbeat on 5G prospects in India and is offering solutions aimed at enabling the entire smart device ecosystem. The streamlined vision was announced on the sidelines of the 10^th Chapter of MediaTek Technology Diaries- “Rise to Incredible with MediaTek Flagship”, focused on the latest technology trends from MediaTek and the smartphones/smart devices market in India.

Panel discussion in progress

“Auto-connectivity & 5G are driving new-age technology adoption across the eco-system. This is not only making electronic devices more interesting but also enabling seamless experiences for customers. With a comprehensive portfolio including gaming, automobiles, connectivity, smartphones, tablets, optical drives, AR/VR solutions, Chromebooks and cloud computing, India is one of the biggest growth markets today. We are collaborating closely with our OEMs to create incredible experiences and flagship solutions basis the diverse and changing customer demands and requirements,” said Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India.

“MediaTek Dimensity 5G chips are leading the global technology domain and MediaTek Dimensity 9000 is the world's first 4nm TSMC 5G Mobile SoC, taking 5G experiences to the next level. With innovative technology now easily accessible, customization is the need of the hour, with OEMs spending countless hours to create personalized smartphone experiences. As a brand that listens to its customers’ demands and tailors smartphone features without wasting precious time in the go-to-market journey,” said Rituparna Mandal, General Manager, MediaTek Bangalore.

“With closer-to-metal access to customize features for cameras, displays, graphics, artificial intelligence (AI) processing units (APUs), sensors and connectivity sub-systems, the platform enables unmatched personalization, permitting OEMs to create differentiated smartphones which can then be marketed to their preferred consumer segments.”

The event saw insightful interactions around current topics including

• Flagship experiences - MediaTek Flagship chips promise a rise to the incredible - Dimensity 9000 5G smartphone chip for next-generation smartphones. MediaTek Dimensity 8100 and Dimensity 8000 system-on-chips (SoCs) that bring flagship level technology – connectivity, displays, gaming, multimedia and imaging features – to premium 5G smartphones.

• MediaTek Dimensity 5G Open Resource Architecture - This will enable OEMs to create more customized consumer experiences, with closer-to-metal access to unlock customized consumer experiences that differentiate flagship 5G smartphones.

• Rise to Incredible - MediaTek is a leader in 5G technology, powering innovative smartphones and enabling ultra-fast, near-zero-latent 5G network. MediaTek is also enabling incredible performances across 5G modems for PCs, Wi-Fi hotspots, broadband customer premise equipment (CPE), industrial IoT applications, and more.

• Smart Devices - MediaTek remains a market leader in digital TVs, voice assistant devices, Wi-Fi routers and other smart home products with a portfolio that caters to a wide range of customers across smartphones, smart homes, automotive, IoT and home/enterprise connectivity segment.

• Wi-Fi 7 - MediaTek has the broadest Wi-Fi portfolio and is the No. 1 Wi-Fi supplier across broadband, retail routers, consumer electronics devices and gaming. It is also the first company to showcase the real potential of the forthcoming MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 Filogic connectivity portfolio in live demonstrations for key customers and industry collaborators.

• MediaTek Pentonic - MediaTek unveiled its new Pentonic smart TV family with the introduction of the Pentonic 2000, which will power next generation flagship 8K TVs. The MediaTek Pentonic smart TV series is built on MediaTek’s innovative technologies in display, audio, AI, broadcasting and connectivity.

Speaking at the event, Navnit Nakra, India CEO and Head of India Region, OnePlus India, said, "At OnePlus, we are committed to creating user-centric technology that provides the best possible experience for our community, a vision that is shared by our friends at MediaTek. We are taking a major step forward in this regard with our latest collaboration for the upcoming ‘R’ series product. It was a wonderful experience to be part of MediaTek Technology Diaries and we would like to congratulate the MediaTek team on a successful event."

Talking about the relevance of Metaverse, Upasana Joshi, Principal Analyst, Mobile Phones, IDC India said, “Metaverse can be considered as a 'digital reality' or more specifically a shared virtual environment that will combine some aspects of AR,VR, Social Media, Cryptocurrency, Online Gaming and more. And once the high speed 5G spectrum is available in India, the use cases like virtual events, gaming, fashion shows and digital commerce is likely get more immersive.”

Tarun Pathak, Research Director, Counterpoint Research said, “Technology has the potential to disrupt various segments but we need a very strong foundation for that, which 5G can offer us. If you look at existing smartphone features like the camera and graphics, we have followed a very different way of positioning it, when it comes to consumer experiences. Going ahead, AI will play a big role in these features, followed by the silicon behind it.”

According to Prabhu Ram, Head, Industry Intelligence Group, Cybermedia Research (CMR), “Over the course of the pandemic, there has been a 31 percent increase in game time among serious gamers. Today’s passionate gamers seek enhanced and consistently rich AI-powered gaming experiences, with responsive touchscreens, and ultra-reliable connectivity, amongst others. Going ahead, the smartphones and smart devices will become our access points for everything innovative, from unprecedented gaming experiences to the metaverse. For the consumer, peak performance made possible by powerful processors is what will count.”

Kartik Vasudevan, Director for Strategic Accounts - India, GfK said, “As per GfK Consumer life, 62% of surveyed urban Indian consumers, especially the millennials and Gen Z, look for devices that offer meaningful experiences and this is where 5G is poised to disrupt the Indian smartphone market. Consumers want to future proof their purchases with 5G enabled handsets and thus, we expect 5G contribution to be between 30-40% in 2022 with disruptions in mid-tier price bands."

The Technology Diaries series is an interactive and informative event aimed at demystifying the newest technologies set to transform peoples’ daily lives.

For more information, please visit:

• i.mediatek.com/technology-diaries.
• i.mediatek.com/mediatek-5g.

While manual brand reputation management frequently overlook large number of cases circulating across platforms, mScanIt's AI-based ORM solution recognises the growing importance of brand reputation and employs AI computer vision and natural language processing technology to recognise and analyse such evaluations, and capture opinions/feedback and therefore gives one an edge to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Furthermore, when there are no hashtags or brand mentions in a review and simply images, computer vision assists in linking such reviews to relevant brands. Also, natural language processing helps in recording competitor analysis, brand dislikes, sentiment intensity, and such product specific feedback data.

Amit Relan, Co-founder and Director, mFilterIt: “In this age when online reputations are priority for almost every brand, it is important that an immediate action is taken in case any negative feedback is found online. Our new AI-based instantaneous tracking solutions help save manpower, time and provide an ultimate support to maintain the ever-changing perception of the brand among the customers. We firmly believe that our new value additions will immensely benefit our customers and help in delivering excellent proposition.”

Growingly, customer feedback is becoming vital for establishing the brand reputation and it’s becoming critical to keep an active track and take appropriate action, especially when a firm introduces new products. Customers are highly aware of the significance of reviews, and they may submit feedback on social media platforms such as YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as review sites, personal blogs, and other websites, which can radically impact public impression of the firm. One wrong review and the brand reputation is distorted.

In addition to scanning, the real-time alerts help brands make instantaneous decisions, provide actionable insights and manage brand reputation across platforms. Moreover, brands gain insights into the buyer personas and can curate accurate marketing strategies for boosting the baseline. At all times, firms must project a positive image. Having a positive internet reputation is a terrific way to maintain a relationship with current and potential customers.

Tech is not Tough. You can even laugh about it

3 Techies Banter is a technology podcast for non-techies (and techies) - anyone with a sense of humour. The three “techies” come from diverse backgrounds, having worked across multiple industries from technology to research to content and education-yet they are united in their desire to take technology and make it a topic of drawing-room conversation where everyone can have a viewpoint-diverse yet founded in facts.

Coming from the world of technology and research, they realised technology is an odd discipline in that sense-it has the potential to impact the lives of people as individuals and as a society significantly, and yet so many people know so little about it or expect so much from it-both equally dangerous. 

Perhaps the central challenge associated with tech-related conversations, they decided, was that many people found technology challenging to understand and decode. It was almost always of tech, for tech, by tech. As a result, most people had little interest in technology unless it directly impacted their daily lives.

Think of the podcast as Neo choosing between taking a blue pill or a red pill. The blue pill represents continuing to believe that technology is complicated and meant for geeky-looking people hunched over multiple monitors. And the red pill, as in "The Matrix", represents the liberating feeling that it's not a big deal; the red pill is 3TB.

"If the tech is boring, make it fun" became the mantra for this team, and they created a format that is light-hearted and yet enlightening. The podcast is not just about technology, it also covers the finance and economics behind technology, which appeals to listeners across the spectrum.

Every Friday, through their podcast, they talk about Economics, Finance, History, Culture, Trivia, and related anecdotes around Technology. Five simple objectives

• Become the ‘FunTech’ podcast of choice for all

• Encourage healthy debate and voice opinions on the future of tech

• Marry tech, with the economics and finance of tech

• Have lots of fun and laughs

A couple of months and podcasts later, they have been on India’s top trending podcasts list and have featured on Wynk, Hungama and Jio Saavn. Their Trends 2022 episode even made it to one of the best episodes of the week list on Spotify. The new kid on the block had made its mark. 

The podcast covers a broad spectrum of topics from explaining the metaverse, demystifying blockchain, crypto and fintech, Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, and more. It weaves paradoxes, economic theory, and customer insights (let us not forget jokes) to explain concepts in a light-hearted conversational format. You go away believing that you could easily have this chat with your friends. Or you could just have been part of the 3TB banter.

The episodes they have aired so far are listed below. They are available on all major platforms. 

audiowallah.com/podcast/3-techies-banter-3tb

Ep 1 - Data Privacy & Surveillance Capitalism

Ep 2 - Jai Meta Di

Ep 3 - Unbloxing the Blockchain

Ep 4 - Cryptocurrency - Is Nirmala Watching? 

Ep 5 - Cryptos - can we trust ourselves to self-regulate?

Ep 6 - Fin vs Tech - who will win the Fintech war?

Ep 7 - Unbloxing Trends 2022

Ep 8 - Can Intelligence be Artificial?

Ep 9 - Who Let the AI Out?

Ep 10 - ESG - Every Small Gesture - Counts

Ep 11 - How Young is Old in Tech - Part 1

Ep 12 - How Young is Old in Tech - Part 2

Ep 13 - Man Smart (Woman Smarter)

Ep 14 -Tech that makes Elections Tick

Ep 15 - Cats, Toast, Lifebuoy and Tech
 

To paraphrase the great Yoda - “Fear of tech is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” So, listen to the podcast. May the Force be with You.
 

About the 3 Techies

Sheetal - Spent most of her time in research and marketing. Is a seasoned strategist and communications professional with over 25 years of experience in research, advertising, retail, marketing, and branding. She is the co-founder of two companies, Word Hatter, a strategic content company and Unpac Research, a boutique research company.

Nilesh - Over two decades, launched products like mobile POS - payPLUS and re-platforming India’s largest coalition loyalty network - PAYBACK. In 2018, started work on an idea to address the shortcomings of blockchain protocols. 4 years and 11 international patents later, has designed and built the Archethic public blockchain for mass adoption.

Samiran - Over the last 28 years, he has held leadership roles at McKinsey, Microsoft, Dun & Bradstreet, IBM, and TCS. He is a recognised thought leader in the AI/Blockchain space, a TEDx speaker and a member of the Forbes Tech Council. Currently a Senior Advisor/Board Member with several start-ups in the fintech, artificial intelligence, and blockchain space.
 

If you wish to connect with them, you can write to them at 3TB@unblox.com. 

Social Beat is now part of a select group of Premier Partners in the Google International Growth Agency Program. The program is exclusively designed for advertising & marketing agencies, and empowers them with innovative tools, resources, and support to help their clients to expand their business globally.

Suneil Chawla, Founder, Social Beat

Suneil Chawla, Founder, Social Beat said, “We are delighted to be selected by Google as a 2022 International Growth Partner. In today’s connected world, digital-first companies have exceptional growth opportunities. The program is designed to help companies like Social Beat to gain digital insights of international markets to grow confidently. Social Beat will continue to drive positive business outcomes through industry thought-leadership and innovative digital solutions by providing clients with data-driven growth strategies to scale their business in new markets and enhance existing market campaigns.”

The listing will help Social Beat’s International growth, enabling them to be discovered as a leading digital marketing agency with expertise in integrated marketing services. The Google International Growth Agency Program also enables advertisers to expand their business with access to customers in international markets.

Social Beat’s team of experts provides Digital Advertising, Integrated Digital Marketing, Digital Media Buying, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Multilingual Marketing, Video Marketing, Market Research, and Advanced Digital Analytics for leading corporates and startups in India.

About Social Beat

Social Beat is a digital growth partner for leading brands and hyper-scaling startups in India. With a 300+ strong team of digital experts across Bengaluru, Mumbai, NCR, and Chennai, they are India's fastest-growing independent digital marketing solutions company and manage 3% of digital media investment in India Social Beat is a Google Premier Partner, Meta Business partner and works closely with ecosystem partners like Hotstar, Amazon & Linkedin. With a focus on growth and ROI, they bring creativity and performance marketing together. They work as extended growth teams at startups including boAt, Upgrad Campus, Global Bees, Blackbuck, Jupiter, Foxy, Khatabook, Scaler, Whitehat Jr, Pharmeasy, Pinelabs, Wakefit, Juicy Chemistry, and with top brands including Bharat Matrimony, Jaquar, Tata Cliq, Indiabulls Dhani, Tata Consumer Products, Mahindra Finance, Hotstar, Himalaya Wellness, Quess Corp, Sundaram Mutual, Brigade Group, Give India and Isuzu on driving innovation through a combination of creativity and performance. www.socialbeat.in.

L-R: Amarnath Reddy, CRO - IT Dept Telangana State, Parandhama, Managing Director - QuikOn, Tollywood Superstar Mahesh Babu

QuikOn was launched at a star-studded event, by Tollywood Superstar Mahesh Babu, at a glittering function held at Taj Deccan on 6th April 2022 at 04:30 PM, honoured by A Amarnath Reddy Garu, Chief Relations Officer, IT Dept., Govt. of Telangana, G Balamallu Garu, Chairman, Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, Jayesh Ranjan Garu (IAS), Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce and Information Technology, Telangana.

QuikOn understands the need of creating a convenient, safe, and secure payment experience that people, especially from rural areas, need.

Devised on the same note, QuikOn is a new-age payment platform that offers everything finance seamlessly!

QuikOn allows the fastest, safest, and most secure way to transact with or without the internet. Overall, QuikOn has been designed to enable a range of transactions like UPI Payments, Utility Bill Pay (BBPS), Non-Internet UPI Payments, QuikOn Wallet, Investment Services, Aadhar-enabled Payment System (AEPS), Insurance Services, Ticket Booking Services, Digital EMI Payment, E-Shopping, Loans, Credit Card, and Card Swipe Machines. Most of the services are ready to use, and some will be launched in the coming six months.

QuikOn is the brainchild of P Parandhama, Chairman & Managing Director of Vittanatha Investment Advisory Pvt. Ltd. and QuikOn Finserv Private Limited. He brings 15 years of experience in Equity Research and Investment Advisory. Armed with a Master of Charted Accountant (CA) degree, Parandhama has led a qualified and experienced research team with stellar performance and track record. He started his Equity market career in 2007 and worked in both sell-side and buy-side research roles for the first 9 years of his career.

Parandhama quoted, “QuikOn aims to onboard one crore users in the next 3-6 months. The aim is also to launch digital banking with QuikOn ATMs across the country and stand as India’s top digital payments app by 2025.”

Tollywood Superstar Mahesh Babu quoted, “It’s my pleasure to be the face of this new-age mobile wallet that we all look forward to. Let’s all connect on QuikOn.”

To ensure that tests students are taking from home meet the highest standards for validity, reliability, and security, the GRE General Test At Home employs multiple best-in-class security measures that use both real-time human monitoring and artificial intelligence and technology to see and respond to even the hardest-to-detect incidents.

Keeping unfair practices under check

Test takers have always attempted to gain an unfair advantage on standardized tests and the GRE is no exception. However, as ETS has introduced new delivery methods, specifically our at-home assessments, we continue to observe cheating attempts among test takers. As a result, ETS has and continues to employ a number of proven, traditional measures and tactics to prevent, catch and take action against those who attempt to cheat, and have added technology methods to assist proctors and new methods of post-administration analysis. At ETS we have - and will continue - to invalidate scores that we have identified as earned unfairly to preserve the integrity of our tests.

Severe punishments for malpractices

Not only does ETS complete a thorough analysis of each score prior to its official release, but should the organization also collect additional insights that contradict their initial analysis, they can (and do) cancel scores after they are officially reported to test takers and institutions. This is critical to maintaining the integrity of our assessments. We have and continue to invest in building a robust pipeline of new technology and processes to enhance our security practices. This pipeline is currently active with a number of projects in progress, including but not limited to using AI during test delivery, implementing new statistical tools, and additional ways to identify remote access software. 

ETS continually reviews and pivots their security methods and processes to ensure the integrity and validity of their assessments maintain the highest standards stakeholders expect, including educational institutes and students, as well as what those standards they have set for themselves.

About ETS

At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually - including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests, the GRE® tests and The Praxis Series® assessments - in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org.

About ETS India

ETS India, based in Delhi, India, is a subsidiary of ETS headquartered in Princeton, N.J., USA. ETS India is bringing the organization’s wide-ranging expertise in education and learning to test takers and learners throughout the region. The staff of ETS India offer deep expertise and insight into delivering high-quality learning and assessment solutions as well as new business opportunities to organizations, institutions and individuals in the country. www.ets.org.

Amplifying Voices of Women through Blogathon

This second edition of VOW-Voices of Women brings together women from diverse backgrounds to engage in a discussion around larger trends, developments, and barriers in the face of building a more diverse and inclusive workplace and culture. 1000+ women from across corporates and colleges came forward and registered for VOW. Eminent thought leaders and industry experts from IBM have joined the event as jury panel members.

On Behalf of IBM, We-Ace reached out to 100+ organizations and colleges to bring along every woman who wished to showcase their talent on such a platform. The team got an overwhelming response from the women cohort where they shared inspiring blogs based on this year’s theme - Bespoke Skilling. Winners are awarded with exciting prizes like iPad, Kindle etc and winning blogs are featured on leading partner publications.

A jury member of the event and Chief Finance Officer, IBM India/South Asia, Tejaswini Rajwade shares her experience and says, “It was a privilege to be part of the Voices of Women jury which provided a platform for women to be heard on a topic very relevant in today’s world. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the blogs with their refreshing take on the topic.”

“I am passionate about building an inclusive workforce and embracing a culture of diversity and am enthused to see the tremendous response to the contest,” she added. 

Another jury member Amit Sharma, Managing Partner, Global Delivery, IBM Consulting felt honored to be part of the jury of the blogathon and expressed, “The energy, passion and drive of the participants was very apparent, with some very high quality and memorable submissions. My congratulations to the winners and more importantly, a big thank you to all those who made time to participate and made this event a success.”

This year, the entries were invited on the following theme: Given that women are unique in the way they approach, build and experience their career journey - do they need bespoke skilling? If yes, what ecosystem do they need to come forward and aspire to learn, grow and ace at different life stages of their career? Share your thoughts and ideas on the topic in 800 to 1000 words.

The winner of this year’s blogathon Harini Srivastava termed VOW as an enthralling event. “It makes one tap on the inner value system, which in turn becomes an introspective session at a personal level. Heartfelt thanks for the Intriguing experience,” Harini says.

The second runner up of this year’s blogathon Mamta Mohan quotes, “I couldn’t deny the tempting offer to write a blog on one of my favorite subjects - Women Empowerment. As they say, pen is mightier than the sword, this platform that was provided by We-Ace for writing a socially relevant blog helped me pen my first ever blog and I am indebted to VoW for bringing out the writer in me that had gone into hibernation.”

The third runner up of this year’s blogathon Lavanya Ramamurthy expresses, “How skilling should be done for women is a forward-thinking topic that is personally very close to her heart too as she leads the gender ERG for Swiss Re APAC. Picking 2 lines from her blog, When intent and skill work together, you can create magic! Everybody does well when the women do well.”

The platform was also open for voting and the three popular choices awards were awarded to Rashmi Pandit from Morningstar, Meena Muthukumar from SSN College of Engineering and Yamini Naga Satya Pilla from DVR & Dr. HS MIC College of Technology.

About We-Ace

We-Ace is a leading global network of over 100k+ women aspiring to ace their careers. As agents of change for gender-balanced workplaces, the company’s mission is to engage, enable and employ women professionals to be in decision-making roles. Women can connect and network with the best in the industry through hiring drives, career fairs, skilling labs, CXO meets and various other industry led live sessions. Women aspiring to upskill can select from a wide range of life-stage enablement, self enhancement, functional and technical courses that start from as low as Rs. 99/-.