Author: editor

Qlik Joins the UN Global Compact, Strengthening 10-Year Partnership with the United Nations

Joining the UN Global Compact marks 10 years of Qlik’s commitment to empowering nonprofit partners to further their missions with award-winning software

 

Qlik®, a global leader in data integration, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), today announced its participation in the UN Global Compact, marking a new chapter in its partnership with the United Nations (UN) to further global sustainability initiatives. This commitment deepens Qlik’s role in leveraging data and AI to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and underscores the company’s broader strategy of driving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

 

“For over a decade, the United Nations has been a critical partner in our mission to provide advanced data integration, analytics, and AI technologies that support transformative global action,” said Julie Kae, Vice President of Sustainability and DEIB, Executive Director of Qlik.org. “By joining the UN Global Compact, we reaffirm our dedication to equipping organizations like the UN with the tools needed to navigate complex global challenges, from climate action to human rights.”

 

The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with participants across 167 countries. Through this framework, Qlik will expand its work with the UN to empower agencies and stakeholders to use data and AI for more transparent and effective decision-making.

 

Lambert Hogenhout, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at the UN Office for Information and Communications Technology (OICT), added, “Our collaboration with Qlik has been instrumental in strengthening the United Nations' ability to analyze and act on critical data. This partnership has allowed us to enhance efficiency, transparency, and decision-making across a wide range of global initiatives, from climate action to human rights. Data is at the heart of progress, and Qlik’s solutions have enabled us to navigate complex global challenges with greater confidence and agility.”

 

Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, founding member of Qlik's AI Council, CEO and co-founder, Humane, noted,” Expanding access to advanced data, analytics, and AI technologies is crucial for accelerating global development and tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. By equipping organizations, including the UN, with these tools, we can foster sustainability, equity, and drive meaningful change on a global scale.”

 

Qlik has been a long-standing partner of the UN, working closely with the Office for Information and Communications Technology (OICT) to overcome challenges related to siloed data and inconsistent governance. Today, Qlik’s data integration platform is a key enabler of the UN’s mission to drive progress on the 17 SDGs, empowering the organization to make informed decisions across a range of initiatives. These solutions span critical areas such as budget tracking, procurement, gender equality, peacekeeping troop deployments, capacity development projects, and global crime statistics, helping the UN advance its global initiatives with greater efficiency and impact.

 

Recently, Qlik extended its support to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where its data and analytics solutions help accelerate the shift from climate mitigation to actionable, data-driven climate strategies. This partnership enables the UNFCCC to leverage AI to handle vast datasets from countries worldwide, ensuring quality and transparency in global climate reporting.

 

Qlik’s decision to join the UN Global Compact reinforces its role as a leader in helping organizations align with ESG objectives through advanced data integration and AI. By enabling access to transformative technology, Qlik continues to empower stakeholders across the global sector to drive sustainable and equitable progress.

 

To learn more about Qlik’s sustainability initiatives, visit qlik.org.

Royal Thai renewsVFS Global contract to handle visa applications in India


Applications are accepted at VFS Global visa application centres in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune.

 

Maintaining its trusted partnership with the Thai government, VFS Global, the leading outsourcing and technology services provider for governments and diplomatic missions globally, has once again secured the contract to handle visa applications for Thailand from India.

 

The company will cater to travellersfrom India across visa categories through visa application centres and drop off centresas per the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Embassy in Delhi and Royal Thai Consulate General in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai.VFS Global has been working with the Government of Thailand for nearly two decades and has handled over 2.1 million Thai visa applications since 2005.

 

Applications are accepted at VFS Global visa application centres in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh,Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai andPune from Monday to Friday. More details are available on the website – https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/tha/attend-centre

 

VFS Global also offers drop box services to tier 2 cities such as Agra, Amritsar, Dehradun, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Guwahati, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur and Siliguri.

“The renewal of the Thai visa contract highlights VFS Global's business excellence, dedication to enhancing customer experience, and the strong trust from the 69 governments we partner with, including Thailand,” said Yummi Talwar, COO – South Asia, VFS Global.

Thailand has some of the most popular tourist destinations of choice for Indian travelers. For more information, visit https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/tha/

Airtel cracks down on SPAM, launches India’s first AI-powered network solution for SPAM detection

AI solution processes 1 trillion records on a real time basis. Flags 100 million spam calls and 3 million SMSes every day

In a pioneering move to curb the country’s spam menace, Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), today, launched India’s first network-based, AI-powered spam detection solution that will significantly solve the issue of spam calls and messages for its customers.

 A first-of-its-kind solution by a telecom service provider in the country, the tool will alert customers in real-time to all suspected spam calls and SMSes. The solution is free of cost and will get auto-activated for all Airtel customers without them having to raise a service request or download an app.

Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bharti Airtel said, “Spam has become a menace for customers. We have spent the last twelve months to solve this comprehensively. Today marks a milestone as we launch the country’s first AI-powered spam free network that will shield our customers from the continuous onslaught of intrusive and unwanted communications”.

“Designed as a dual-layer protection, the solution has two filters – one at the network layer and the second at the IT systems layer. Every call and SMS passes through this dual-layered AI shield. In 2 milliseconds our solution processes 1.5 billion messages and 2.5 billion calls every day. This is equivalent to processing 1 trillion records on a real time basis using the power of AI. Our solution has been able to successfully identify 100 million potential spam calls and 3 million spam SMSes originating every day. For us, keeping our customers secure is a burning priority.”  Vittal added.

Developed in-house by Airtel’s data scientists, the AI-powered solution uses a proprietary algorithm to identify and classify calls and SMSes as “Suspected SPAM”. The network powered by state-of-the-art AI algorithm analyses various parameters such as the caller or sender's usage patterns, call/SMS frequency, call duration amongst several others, on a real time basis. By cross-referencing this information against known spam patterns, the system flags suspected spam calls and SMSes accurately.  

Additionally, the solution also alerts customers to malicious links received via SMS. For this, Airtel has built a centralised database of blacklisted URLs and every SMS is scanned in real time by a state-of-the-art AI algorithm to caution users from accidently clicking on suspicious links. The solution can also detect anomalies such as frequent IMEI changes – a typical indicator of fraudulent behavior. By layering these protective measures, the company is ensuring its customers receive maximum level of defense against the evolving landscape of spam and fraud threats.

How does India’s AI-powered SPAM free network work?

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Note to the Editor

The Government of India (GoI) has allocated 10-digit numbers with the prefix 160 to for service and transactional calls. Customers can expect to receive calls from these 160-prefix series assigned to Banks, Mutual Funds, Insurance Companies,  Stockbrokers, other financial institutions, Corporates, Enterprises, SMEs, big and small businesses used for making transactional and service calls.  

 Additionally, those customers who have not opted for Do-not-disturb (DND) and have subscribed to receiving promotional calls will continue to receive them from a 10-digit number with the prefix 140.

 

Adani Foundation at ACC Tikaria empowers rural woman towards leading her own SHG, enabling others’ dreams

·         ACC and the Adani Foundation support Self-Help Groups in Tikaria, transforming the lives of women like Sharmila Kashyap through access to resources and training.

·         Sharmila, once struggling to make ends meet, now leads the Pooja Mahila Samooh SHG, helping women earn a stable income and achieve financial independence.

·         This initiative underscores ACC’s dedication to sustainable development and community empowerment, creating lasting positive impacts across rural India.

ACC, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is committed to empowering rural women towards financial independence. Through CSR initiatives along with the Adani Foundation, it has transformed the life of Sharmila Kashyap, a 42-year-old resident of Gudur Gram Panchayat near ACC Tikaria. This support has enabled her to lead the Pooja Mahila Samooh Self-Help Group (SHG) and inspired other women from the region to join in.

Once struggling to make ends meet, Sharmila's life took a turn when she joined the Pooja Mahila Samooh, formed by the Adani Foundation. With support from the Adani Foundation and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), she gained access to resources and training that allowed her to expand her income from animal rearing to managing agricultural tools and equipment. Today, she not only earns a stable income but also empowers other women in her community to do the same.

The women of Pooja Mahila Samooh, under Sharmila’s leadership, now earn an average of Rs. 2,000 per month, adding to the economic stability of their families and inspired other women in the area to pursue similar opportunities. This initiative is a testament to the power of community-driven development and the significant role it can play in transforming lives.

ACC and the Adani Foundation’s commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment is highlighted through such initiatives, reflecting their broader goals to create lasting, positive impacts across rural India.

Empowering Dreams Through Tech: The Remarkable Success Stories of Masai School alumni

Masai School, a platform that builds a bridge connecting skills with opportunities, has succeeded in accomplishing the dreams of more than 5000 students across India. Working as an outcome-driven career institute, it has trained more than 100 batches and scaled up over the years with 6,000 current enrolments. Completing five years this month, the organisation has ensured to fulfil its sole goal of unlocking the human potential of India by making the education system outcome-driven.

 

Sukhmani Kaur, a Kurukshetra native, was known as the “engineer of the house” because of her constant enthusiasm for technology. Sukhmani's passion in technology started in high school, but she had to wait before she could be enrolled to Masai School. She encountered family pressure to pursue a traditional professional route after graduating from college, but she stayed committed to pursuing technology through online classes and self-study.

 

Sukhmani faced several difficulties when she eventually joined Masai, which included a severe case of typhoid and self-doubt. Since the SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) route fit her better, she switched from web development to it. Her largest obstacle was losing her grandmother the night before an important employment interview. Sukhmani overcame her sorrow, aced the interview, and was hired by Traya Health as a quality analyst. After six months in the position, Sukhmani looks back on her path and says, “My family's constant encouragement gave me the strength to keep pushing forward, Masai that gave me the direction, confidence, and the practical skills needed to turn my passion into a successful career.”

 

Himanshu Gauba, a civil engineering graduate from Gurgaon, struggled to find his footing after a failed startup venture with friends. He was eagerly looking for a stable job and then came across Masai School’s ‘pay after placement’ coding program and decided to take the jump into tech, despite initial reservations.

 

With mentorship from Masai’s instructors, Himanshu not only developed coding expertise but also vital communication and presentation skills. Today, Himanshu works as a frontend developer at Decision Point, where he is responsible for building interfaces and working on AI-related project. Reflecting on his journey, Himanshu said, “Masai bridged the gap between my struggles and success. The experience was transformative and gave me a solid foundation for my tech career.”

 

Rishabh Gupta, a B-Tech graduate in Computer Science from Delhi, was blinded by the traditional education system, especially after facing setbacks while studying for government exams. Masai’s emphasis on practical skills and real-world projects offered Rishabh the perfect opportunity to pivot his career.

 

Inspired by Masai’s ‘pay after placement’ model, Rishabh joined the full-stack web development program. He immediately noticed the difference between Masai’s hands on approach and the theoretical focus of his college experience. Through real-world project work and constant feedback, Rishabh’s skills and confidence grew. He completed the program and secured a role as a Junior Software Engineer at Cloud Bloom. “Masai gave me the practical experience I needed to succeed in the real world. It’s more than just coding; it’s a complete transformation.”

 

While speaking about Masai School, Prateek Shukla, CEO and Co-founder of Masai School, said, “We aim to offer a platform to sharpen the skills and to unlock the potential of the students with assured outcomes delivered. We are dedicated to introducing new schemes and expanding the teams by collaborating with established firms, thereby expanding the opportunities for the students. We envision ourselves progressively transforming the education ecosystem.”

 

Along with joining hands with major firms in the industry, Masai School has developed collaborations with three IIT firms, i,e., IIT Guwahati, IIT Mandi, and IIT Ropar and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), breaking barriers and pushing the limits of what's possible.

 

7 student athletes from Ambuja Cements-supported schools in Chandrapur qualify for state-level competition

 

·        17 students from Ambuja Cements-supported schools in Chandrapur participated in district-level athletics competition organised by Chandrapur Athletics Association.

·        7 of these students, who secured top positions in the district-level competition will participate in the state-level competition in Pune.

·        These students were trained under the After School Programme, Ambuja Cements’ CSR initiative for sports promotion.

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is committed to nurturing sporting talent across the nation, through initiatives such as the After School Programme. This commitment is yielding impressive results with 7 students from Ambuja Cements-supported schools in Chandrapur qualifying for the upcoming state-level athletics competition in Pune. They were a part of a contingent of 17 student athletes, who participated in the district-level athletics competition in various events including shot putt, high jump, long jump, and javelin throw.

 

In all, these student athletes representing Ambuja Cements-supported schools from core villages of Chandrapur, secured 12 top positions, with them even clinching top two spots in some events. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of the students, who have been diligently training under Ambuja Cements’ After School Programme. The programme aims to nurture the future athletic talent of the nation. It encourages the children through various means, and supports them to compete in district, block and state-level sports competitions.

 

The After School Programme also helps students participating in sports including kabaddi, kho-kho, and badminton. Notably, several students from supported schools have also been selected for Khelo India events. In addition to these developments, schools in Chandrapur as well as Ambujanagar have introduced self-defence training for all children, with a focus on the safety of girls.

 

Ambuja Cements has also broadened its sports promotion initiative by launching the After School Programme in Chandrapur, Darlaghat, and Bathinda. This programme aims to identify and nurture budding talent by offering specialised sports training and support, focusing on student athletes with promising potential in sports. This is a testament to Ambuja Cements’ unwavering support for sports development and promotion across the nation.

 

ISRO, IN-SPACe & NSIL achieve milestone of 75 Technology Transfer Agreements signed with NGEs post Space Reforms


ISRO, IN-SPACe and NSIL have achieved the significant milestone of 75 Technology Transfer Agreements being signed with NGEs. Five Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) were signed on 20th September 2024 at IN-SPACe, Bengaluru bringing the total number of TTAs signed post space reforms to seventy-five. The five TTAs signed today were with M/s Anabond Ltd., M/s Salvo Industries Pvt Ltd., M/s Micropack Pvt Ltd., and M/s Astra Microwave Products Ltd.

 

Post space reforms in India, a significant number of collaborations have taken place between ISRO and various Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs). The Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) aim to give private players the opportunity to access the developed technologies available with ISRO, enabling them to use space-related technology for commercial applications in space as well as other sectors such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, defence, telecommunications, and cybersecurity.

 

Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe said “The milestone of achieving 75 Technology Transfer Agreements marks a significant step forward in empowering India’s space private sector to harness cutting-edge space technologies for not just commercial applications, but also applications beneficial to society. This reflects our effort at IN-SPACe in facilitating successful collaborations between ISRO, NSIL and non-governmental entities, supporting them in driving innovation and contributing to the growth of a thriving space economy in India. Our focus will continue to be on enabling greater participation, fostering new ventures, and strengthening India’s position in the global space ecosystem.”

 

This move reflects India's growing focus on promoting private participation in the space sector, encouraging innovation, and boosting the development of a robust space industry ecosystem. It highlights the increasing collaboration between the government and private players, contributing to advancements in space technology and expanding opportunities in sectors like satellite communication, launch services, and space exploration.

Bata India launches limited-edition Emily in Paris line-up featuring rising star Sharvari as the face of the collection



Limited edition collection features Parisian-style heels, ballerinas and more for today’s fashion-conscious consumers         

Bata India has unveiled the limited-edition ‘Emily in Paris’ collection featuring Bollywood’s favourite fashionista, Sharvari as the face of the campaign. Launched in collaboration with Viacom 18, the limited edition drop arrives just in time for the release of the latest Emily in Paris episodes! The collection is available at 260 select stores and online at Bata.com. The limited-edition pieces are reimagined by meticulous design details like Eiffel Tower trims, subtle accents and gold buckles across styles like the Cherry Red Mules, Metallic heels, Powder Blue & Pink Pastel ballerinas and more – A dash of Emily Cooper’s signature style, starting at just INR 1,999.

 

Link to the campaign film: https://youtu.be/bGXU0trQTUI

 

Deepika Deepti, Head of Marketing, Bata India shares, “We’re beyond excited to launch this iconic collaboration. By partnering with Sharvari, a style icon in her own right, we’re able to let our customers step into the shoes of Emily Cooper, quite literally!  Reimagined keeping in mind the global fashion trends, this collaboration embodies dreamy pastels and bold cherry red designs—perfect for all the fans & for those looking to make a statement.”

 

Speaking on the collaboration, Sharvari said, “I'm absolutely thrilled to be associated with Bata for their exclusive limited-edition Emily in Paris collection. I can't wait for fashion enthusiasts to experience this collection and feel like they're walking the streets of Paris!”

 

From classy mules to it-girl platform sandals and the year’s trendiest ballerina flats, the line-up marries fashion with versatility to keep you in Vogue! Grab yours at your nearest Bata store and online at bata.com.

SBI General Insurance Partners with BLS E-Services to Expand Reach and Streamline Access to Insurance Across India



 

●        The partnership offers Hospicash, providing daily hospitalization benefits tailored to customer needs

●        It will also streamline insurance access to regional rural areas of India

SBI General Insurance, one of India’s leading general insurers, has entered into a strategic partnership with BLS E-Services to deliver essential insurance products to a broader range of customers across India. This collaboration is set to expand SBI General Insurance’s footprint, particularly in rural and regional areas, offering customers innovative products such as Hospicash, vehicle insurance, personal accident insurance, and shop insurance.

Hospicash, a flexible income protection plan that offers daily hospitalization benefits to those who are primarily earning their livelihood daily and giving a security of not losing on it. Customers can choose between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 daily benefits, tailoring the coverage to their specific needs to secure their financial well-being during medical emergencies.

Through this partnership, SBI General Insurance strengthens its mission to deliver tailored insurance solutions to diverse customer segments. By leveraging BLS E-Services’ network of over 40,000 customers, SBI General Insurance can now offer its products more efficiently, especially in underserved communities. Customers will benefit from:

●       Easy access to a wide range of insurance products

●       Simplified policy management through BLS E-Services

●       Faster claim processing and enhanced customer support

SBI General Insurance spokesperson Ms. Priya Sampath Kumar said, “Our partnership with BLS E-Services isn't just about expanding our reach – it's about reimagining the insurance experience for the digital age. We're excited to leverage BLS's innovative platform to create more personalized, responsive insurance solutions. This collaboration will allow us to gather real-time insights into customer needs, driving product innovation and setting new benchmarks in customer-centric insurance services.”

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman, BLS E-Services said, “This collaboration represents a pivotal moment in our journey towards financial inclusion. By bringing insurance products, we're not just facilitating transactions – we're empowering individuals and businesses also to secure their futures with confidence. This is about transforming the way India thinks about and accesses insurance.”

About SBI General Insurance:

SBI General Insurance, one of the fastest-growing private general insurance firms, backed by the robust support of SBI upholds a legacy of trust and security. We position ourselves as India's most trusted general insurer amidst a dynamic landscape. Since our establishment in 2009, our expansion has been substantial, growing from 17 branches in 2011 to a nationwide presence of over 143 branches. In FY 2023-24, SBI General Insurance achieved significant growth, with a notable 17% increase in Gross Written Premium (GWP), reaching INR 12,731 crores.

The company has also received notable accolades including the ‘Domestic General Insurer of the Year’ – India at the Insurance Asia Awards 2023 in Singapore, recognition as one of the Best Brands 2023 at the ET Edge Best Brands events and being honoured as one of the Best BFSI Brands at the ET Now Best BFSI Brands Conclave 2024. We have also received recognition as the runner-up for Highest Growth – General Insurance at the ASSOCHAM 15th Global Insurance Summit & Awards and were named the winner in the ‘Best Large General Insurer’ category at the Mint BFSI Summit & Awards 2023.

Saint-Gobain Gyproc India backs Gowhar Bilal to champion the 2024 World Skills Competition


Skilling the youth of India remains at the forefront of Gyproc India’s mission, as part of its ongoing commitment to shaping the future of the construction industry. As part of its dedication to the Skill India initiative, Gyproc India is thrilled to sponsor Gowhar Bilal, a talented young professional from Baramulla, Kashmir, who will proudly represent India at the 2024 World Skills Competition in Lyon, France. As part of the Skill India initiative, Saint-Gobain Gyproc India is dedicated to transform the landscape of skill development in the construction sector. Partnering with government bodies and industry leaders, Gyproc India is pioneering efforts to nurture talent and create opportunities for a brighter future.

Since its establishment in 2013, Gyproc Gypsum Academy has consistently driven skill development in the drywall and plastering sectors. The Academy has trained over 1,800 candidates, facilitated 1,400+ placements within India and 25+ internationally, and has empowered 52 individuals to become entrepreneurs. From a small town in Baramulla, Kashmir, Gowhar’s ambition led him from civil engineering studies at Government Polytechnic College in Anantnag to a transformative experience at Gyproc’s Academy. His introduction to the World Skills Programme was a turning point, opening doors to exceptional training and international exposure.

Gowhar’s training at the Gyproc Academy in Wada, Maharashtra, included a rigorous 9-month program focusing on agility, strength, finishing, measuring, and quick thinking. The holistic support provided by Gyproc, including accommodation, nutrition, and health care, has further enhanced his skills and overall well-being.Reflecting on his experience, Gowhar expresses, “Gyproc has not only equipped me with technical skills but has also given me the confidence to pursue my dreams. I am determined to bring modern construction techniques to my community in Jammu & Kashmir and to inspire others to follow their passions.”

Sudeep Kolte, Managing Director – Gyproc Business, expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative, stating, “We are incredibly proud to support Gowhar Bilal as he embarks on this remarkable journey. His dedication and passion exemplify the values we hold dear at Gyproc India. This sponsorship not only highlights our commitment to developing world-class talent but also demonstrates our belief in the power of local talent to drive global standards. Gowhar’s journey is an inspiring testament to what can be achieved when talent is nurtured with the right resources and support, and we are thrilled to stand behind him as he represents India on the world stage.”

Gyproc India’s initiatives extend far beyond traditional technical training, embodying a broader vision of fostering and elevating the next generation of leaders in the construction industry. Their commitment to skill development is not just about imparting knowledge but about empowering Indian talent to achieve excellence on the global stage. The participation of professionals like Gowhar in the World Skills Competition stands as a testament to the remarkable potential that can be unlocked through such opportunities.

Gyproc India is leading the charge in nurturing talent and creating opportunities for a brighter future. Our commitment is to empower individuals with the skills they need to excel. Discover Gyproc India’s extensive skill development programs by visiting our website https://www.gyproc.in/about-gyproc-skill-initiatives or reaching out directly at [7666692307, 9967229071] for more information. Interested candidates can apply for skill courses and schemes through the Skill India digital portal or register for an NSDC course by filling out the online application form provided by an authorized training center. Prospectuses are also available for purchase at authorized centers. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your skills and make a significant impact on the global stage