Month: April 2022

SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) is proud to announce that its alumna Maanasa Gopal is part of the Climate Force International Antarctica Expedition 2022. She reached her destination and has planted the SRMIST flag in Antarctica soil. She has joined the extraordinary youth representing other countries to work on climate policy, action, research, and awareness with global climate experts in Antarctica. Maanasa completed her B.Tech in Chemical Engineering in 2018.

SRM alumna Maanasa Gopal has planted SRMIST flag in Antarctica

Maanasa has been selected, after multiple rounds of interviews, out of the several thousand applicants from all over the world to join the top 100 young leaders. Maanasa has been solo-backpacking since the age of 20 across different countries such as Iran, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Korea, EU, Australia to name a few.

Maanasa thanked SRMIST for sponsoring her journey and for providing constant encouragement. She said, “During my undergrad at SRMIST, I had a very conducive environment which helped me reach my goals. I was able to secure multiple internships abroad and a full-time job in Singapore right after my graduation. These opportunities shaped my life and I’m thankful for the support.”

Maanasa currently runs a startup based out of Singapore under the selective Entrepass program and continues to make her alma mater proud. This young champ has already reached Antarctica and we wish her all the best in all her endeavors ahead.

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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

By Dr. Samir Kapur

There is no doubt that the government is doing a commendable job with its FAME schemes. Another laudable move is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge towards making India Carbon Neutral or Net Zero by 2070, at the Glasgow Summit in November last year.

Also, early this year, the Government announced its plans to introduce a new policy to promote battery swapping, a service that allows EV owners to replace worn-out battery blocks for freshly charged ones at swap stations. The Government said that the policy will initially focus on battery swap services for electric scooters, motorcycles, and three-wheeled auto-rickshaws in a boost for sectors like last-mile delivery and ride-sharing.

It is true that battery is one of the most expensive parts in an EV and swapping permits companies to offer it as a service through lease or subscription models, cutting down the cost of owning the vehicle. However, we need to clearly evaluate the advantages and disadvantages before rolling out such a policy in a country like ours.

Battery is at the very heart of an EV vehicle and staggering competition in the space is leading to low-quality battery manufacturing, resulting in road accidents.

The one size fits all approach doesn’t work for the highly diverse Indian two wheeler market which is the largest in the world. Interoperability standardization of battery proposed in the Union Budget will lead to customer frustration, create artificial monopolies, and discourage open markets. This is an extremely serious issue for the two-wheeler industry and would require intense consultation and interaction between the government and industry.

For 2Ws, range is not so much of an issue with rapid advancements in battery tech and energy density. The focus should be on creating charging infrastructure which is a more sustainable solution. Moreover, 2Ws aren’t like domestic electronic gadgets where you can swap a depleted battery with a fresh one without implications of usage and wear-and-tear. In ICE vehicles, one cannot remove the engine as it is an integral part of the vehicle. Similarly, battery is integral to the e2W. For consumers, mass adoption of electric 2W vehicles, with either fixed or removable batteries, critically depends on meeting diverse requirements of performance, safety, and durability. In EV technology, the battery replaces the engine as the heart of the vehicle, where the fuel is electricity.

Also, two-wheeler applications have varied requirements in terms of battery capacity and discharge rates, as they come in different form factors, which further makes standardization a challenge. Besides, battery accounts for 50% of the cost of the vehicle, and therefore benefits like 10-15% improvement in range and reduction of the charging time every year by the adoption of evolving battery technology, would be considerably constrained with common standardized battery in swapping. For the sake of safety and convenience to customers, OEMs cannot part away with the responsibility of proper functioning, safety & quality of battery packs, to third-party suppliers

With swapping and standardization of EV batteries, the domestic industry will collectively fail to welcome innovations and will continue to work with old and outdated technology, while the world moves ahead. Allowing even a semi monopoly or tangential alliance between battery makers and vehicle makers will kill all vehicle makers, by forcing consolidation. It must be noted that battery technology is a dynamic field, progressing at a furious pace and there is a lot of room for growth.

The standards that are set today, in all likelihood, would be irrelevant tomorrow. Not only that, even other materials used in battery manufacturing, packaging, and electronics are subject to change with innovations. Much like in cell phones which came with removable batteries, now battery tech has made them integral to the phone. It shows the way forward for e2Ws. Adopting battery swapping standards from outside of the country would mean directly relying on imported technologies, defeating the very spirit of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission.

Additionally, Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) concept necessitates higher levels of battery supply than what is actually required. This has an adverse ecological impact. Additional batteries required in the swapping ecosystem (outside of vehicles) will go up to the tune of 1.3x to 1.5x more batteries per e2W, which can go up to as high as 1.7x for peak time load or in sparser areas. This will lead to a substantial increase in the cost of running of the swapping infrastructure, which will get passed on to the customers, thereby increasing the Total Cost of Ownership. The billions of dollars of investments made or being made by all others will fail to yield any positive results. Standardized swappable batteries will limit the open market, contain purchase options, and affect innovation.

Therefore, apart from creating artificial monopolies, lowering best value discovery for customers, it will also increase incidences of battery-related accidents as the responsibility will be passed on from one stakeholder to the other and consumers have to pay the price.

It is imperative for the Government to encourage open markets and technology agnostic policies that will compel players to compete and innovate. Any attempt at standardizing battery technology at this stage will cripple innovation, creating an uncompetitive and outmoded industry. Even as I write, the 2W industry delivers close to 10% fuel efficiency with each upgrade of the ICE engine, as engine tech is not forcefully standardized.

Given such a scenario, the choice should be left to the customer rather than mandating, encouraging, or implementing a particular technology. The need here is to look at long-term solutions, and not short-term fixes. Battery swapping is a distraction and considering the impacts of climate change, it is not something that we can afford at this point

The Group undertakes a pan-India initiative to distribute over 5,000 indigenous and highly oxygenating saplings to Cancer patients on the occasion

This World Health Day, Apollo Cancer Centres, which ranks among the world’s best cancer hospitals, undertook a pan-India initiative to celebrate World Health Day thus working towards creating a green and healthy planet. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the focus on how the health of individuals is directly related to and dependent on the environment and the ecosystem we live in.

Apollo Cancer Centres across 13 Indian cities have stepped up to co-create a greener environment for a healthy self. In an effort to give a fillip to India’s potters who have been affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Apollo Cancer Centres, have procured mud pots from them to distribute high oxygen generating indigenous plants to patients. Over 5,000 saplings will be gifted to patients who will be discharged on and from April 7, 2022, onwards.

In line with the initiative, Apollo Cancer Centres, New Delhi and cancer patients took a pledge to co-create a healthy planet on this World Health Day.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (AHEL), said, “It is imperative that individuals collectively work together towards a healthy future & co-create a better planet. Environmental hazards such as air and water pollution, negative impacts of climate change are the most prominent causes of health threats, globally. In line with our vision to create a healthy world, Apollo Cancer Centres and patients have taken a pledge to make a healthier planet.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Dinesh Madhavan, President–Group Oncology & International, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL), said, “Apollo Cancer Centres is in the forefront in the battle against cancer, the first step in this direction is to ensure that we live in a healthier planet. In this endeavor, we have taken a pledge with our patients to take care of another life by planting indigenous saplings that highly oxygenate. This small step by us and our patients will go a long way in creating an environment which is less toxic, improves quality of life and create a better planet for the future generation, thus providing a better chance to win over cancer.”

On the occasion, Dr. Ramesh Sarin, Surgical Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centre Delhi said, “Apollo Cancer Centre stands firmly to contribute towards creating a healthy ecosystem around patients and doctors. We believe that every little action creates ripple effects that lead to major changes. This World Health Day, we pledge to co-create better lung health, encourage our patients, doctors and staff to lead a better life by sustaining healthy environment around them. In a short span, let’s evolve in a healthy way to be remembered beyond our life.”

Apollo Cancer Centre is focused on channeling its efforts towards the health of individuals and the planet at the center of its plans and actions. This initiative will foster a healthy environment to create individuals and societies focused on holistic well-being.

#WinningOverCancer

• 76% urban Indians are fitness conscious
• 62% are anxious about their mental health and wellbeing
• 35% purchased critical illness rider; significant sign of enhancing life insurance

Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (“Max Life”) in association with Kantar recently unveiled the India Protection Quotient 4.0 survey. Tapping 5,729 respondents across 25 Indian cities (between 10 December 2021 to 14 January 2022), the survey was carried out during the recent wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A prolonged pandemic has spurred urban Indians to focus on their health and wellbeing. According to the survey, 76% respondents are paying attention to their fitness regimen and when purchasing life insurance 49% seek health and fitness apps. This also indicates changing consumer preferences with majority expecting a range of holistic services from insurers including tax planning, financial counselling and dedicated claims management services to ease claim settlements.

IPQ 4.0 also highlights a shift in daily lifestyle choices owing to COVID-19, with 55% consumers focusing on regular exercise, 54% consuming home-cooked/healthy meals, 47% following a diet plan and 42% undergoing routine health checkups.

Commenting on the findings, V. Viswanand, Deputy Managing Director, Max Life said, “While urban India’s sense of financial security and awareness grew during the pandemic, maintaining a healthy living remained a critical aspect for financial protection. IPQ 4.0 brings some unique insights into the growing and evolving new-age consumers with a sizeable base seeking health and fitness benefits from their life insurance policies. This is an avenue for insurers to create customized products and contribute in adding further value to the lives of policyholders.”

Notes to the editor

The following findings reveal insights that highlight urban India’s shift across health and wellness priorities and anxieties studied by India Protection Quotient 4.0:

• Urban Indians seek health & fitness benefits from life insurers

As per IPQ 4.0, 49% or nearly 1 in every 2 urban Indians look for a health/fitness app that monitors their daily regime and offers associated benefits/discounts. This reflects a significant trend of connected wellness offerings for consumers today.

• 6 in 10 anxious about mental health and wellbeing

Personal well-being (62%) emerged as a key concern for urban India with the pandemic straining mental and physical health. This was followed by sustaining lifestyle and expenses with current savings (60%) and financial security with the untimely death of the family breadwinner (59%).

• Steady increase in Critical Illness (CI) rider purchase

The survey also revealed 35% respondents owning a CI rider as compared to 33% in IPQ 3.0 Express. While this is a notable improvement, scope remains for increasing rider ownership across urban India.

Disclaimer

The study is conducted in top 25 Urban Metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities; hence, its findings are representative of Metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities of Urban India only.

• Metro – Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai
• Tier 1 – Ludhiana, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Vizag, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Pune
• Tier 2 – Dehradun, Moradabad, Guwahati, Bokaro, Kolhapur, Jamnagar, Raipur, Ujjain, Hubli-Dharwad, Tiruchirappalli
• IPQ 3.0 Express vs IPQ 4.0 (digital versions) data comparison is amongst 25 markets only (6 Metros, 9 Tier 1 and 10 Tier 2)
• The minimum sample to conclude any findings of the study is 270 with an error margin of +-5.964%

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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

A 15% increase in malicious botnet attacks in China during the Lunar New Year and 150% increase in Japan over the Gregorian New Year represent surge in attacks

SINGAPORE, April 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Akamai Technologies, Inc., the world’s most trusted solution to power and protect digital experiences, released today new data detailing the prevalence of malicious botnet attacks during the holiday season in Asia. That data found a 15 per cent increase in cyberattacks in China over the Lunar New Year in February 2022, showing that cybercriminals are actively trying to take advantage of customers during high-traffic moments.

The uptick in attacks continues a trend that began with Singles Day, the Chinese eCommerce festival, in November 2021, during which botnet attacks tripled. Despite gradually declining after, attack traffic remained relatively high through the end of the year before peaking again with the buildup of retail traffic during the Lunar New Year. This year, the Lunar New Year coincided with the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, further boosting online sales and making the period more attractive for attackers.

Malicious actors operate year-round, but the high volume of traffic during holiday periods allows them to mask their attacks more easily. Additionally, customers are more likely to update their online shopping profiles with up-to-date credit card information and credentials during this period, providing a more lucrative target for attackers.

As traffic increases, attackers increase the volume of their attacks which include scraping data, draining customer accounts, damaging site functionality and holding encrypted data ransom – at massive cost to a business.

“Holidays represent a huge opportunity for attackers thanks to increased online activity and security teams stretched thin,” said Dr Boaz Gelbord, Akamai’s Chief Security Officer. “APAC presents a particularly enticing opportunity for successful cyberattacks because the sheer volume of traffic gives attackers the opportunity to gain foothold more easily and operate freely without timely mitigation. Akamai works with customers to develop strategies that take into account complex attack patterns and behaviors of malicious bots during the holidays and beyond to protect brands and customer loyalty.”

In Japan, Akamai research measured a 150 percent increase in malicious botnet activity in the Japanese retail sector around the Gregorian New Year in early January 2022. The attacks persisted for a number of weeks following the holiday in a nearly identical attack pattern to that observed in China.

While a similar surge occurs during the high-traffic seen at the end-of-year holidays in EMEA and the US – China and Japan present a particularly enticing opportunity for successful cyberattacks because of the sheer volume in traffic: Retailers and eCommerce here serve some of the largest populations in the world.

Akamai researchers monitored and analyzed underlying malicious botnets attack data throughout APAC during the holiday period, from late 2021 to early 2022. Akamai tracks benign and malicious bots as a proportion of internet traffic year-round to uncover patterns in botnet activity that can provide security teams with actionable data to incorporate into their defense.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

To celebrate the creativity and imagination of 100 young artist of India, Raza Foundation has organised a mega art show “Yuva Sambhav” in five different art galleries of Delhi. This art show has opened from 26th March 2022 simultaneously at Bikaner House, Triveni Kala Sangam, Visual Art Gallery IHC, Kings Plaza IIC, Romain Rolland Art Gallery Alliance Francaise, Delhi. This show is curated by five different curators in their respective zones Meera Menzes(North Zone), Gita Hudson (South Zone) Jesal Thakar( West Zone), Usmita Sahu (East Zone),and finally conceived by Akhilesh(central Zone) and coordinated by Manish Pushkale.

This exhibition brings together a hundred young art practitioners from across India, conceived as a homage to S.H. Raza, an exemplary artist of his generation, this ambitious undertaking is one in a series of programmes designed to celebrate the artist’s centennial. S.
H. Raza. To quote poet and cultural stalwart Shri Ashok Vajpeyi, “Raza was full of love and lure of the world, especially nature but he also enacted his gratitude to the world and civilisation he belonged to. He was a grateful heir to the plurality, richness and depth of Indian civilisation.”

The artists chosen for the exhibition are consistently moulding the context of art through sub-textual imprints of its history, culture, metaphysics, socio-politics, and ecology. The selection is not restricted to or limited by the genre of pure and/or formal abstraction, figuration, or conception, but is inclusive by the reverberations of a collective genesis embedded within a universal synthesis. It’s a cultural experiment that addresses identity politics and intersectional perspectives. This crucial recognition of broader implication positions Raza 100 as a noteworthy event. Indian contemporary art and its associated areas remain largely niche and urban-centric. However, it is crucial for the discourse on Indian contemporary art to de-centralise and foreground alternative, regional ecosystems. Moreover, the often-overlooked emergent voices from peripheral regions need validation and inclusivity at the national level, said Usmita Sahu.

K7 Computing Private Limited, an Indian firm developing international award-winning cyber security products, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India for collaboration in the area of cyber security.

Through this MoU CERT-In and K7 Computing Private Limited propose to work together to enhance the overall security of the computing environment in India and to address the increasingly complex problems associated with cyber security threats. The MoU would facilitate cooperation for detection of latest cyber security threats such as malware/botnets and ransomware that can adversely affect the information assets in the country and devise appropriate security measures while providing security tools to enable such users to secure their systems.

Under this MoU, CERT-In is providing a platform to K7 to provide a free bot and ransomware removal tool for citizens. The details of the free bot and ransomware removal tool are provided on CERT-In’s Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) website through which users from across the country will be able to access and download K7’s botnet and ransomware removal tool free of cost.

The “Cyber Swachhta Kendra” (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) is a part of the Government of India’s Digital India initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to create a secure cyberspace by detecting botnet infections in India and enable cleaning and securing systems of end users. This centre is being operated by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).

K7’s bot and ransomware removal tool enable users to scan their computers and eradicate any infections they may have. It mitigates some of the commonly known infections like Viruses, Spyware, Adware, and other forms of malware.

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. Kesavardhanan J, Founder & CEO of K7 Computing, said, “As a 100% Made In India company, we have always been keen to ensure that Indians thrive in cyberspace without fearing digital threats. We are pleased to see cybersecurity gain prominence on the national security agenda, and are delighted to collaborate with CERT-In to protect all Indian computing users.”

Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In, said, “The Cyber Swachhta Kendra has achieved marvellous results for enabling secure cyberspace while enhancing cyber hygiene amongst citizens in India. CERT-In envisages effective collaboration with Industry to enable citizens regarding safe usage of digital technologies. As the complexity, frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks continues to increase impacting the end user digital devices, there is a need for sophisticated tools in the hands of citizens to safeguard themselves. The K7 botnet/malware removal tool from K7 Computing is capable of detecting the prominent malware infections prevalent in the wild so as to safeguard customers against the malware and ransomware infections.”

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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)