HGS Unveils Smart Experience Hub in Manila, Adds 1,000+ Jobs

Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) (listed on BSE & NSE), a leading provider of digital experience, business process management (BPM), and digital media services, today announced the opening of a new intelligent experience hub in Manila, Philippines. The new facility strengthens the company’s capability to deliver technology-enabled solutions for clients while providing a modern workplace for employees.

Underscoring HGS’ long-term commitment to the region, HGS will create more than 1,000 new jobs over the next 24 months in the areas of business services and digital transformation.

Located in Manila’s prime business district, the new hub consolidates HGS’ teams from across the city in a single, purpose-built environment. Designed to support evolving, technology-driven business needs and new delivery models, the hub features collaborative spaces that empower teams and enable greater value for clients.

“The Philippines has been an integral part of HGS’ growth story for over two decades, and this new intelligent experience hub marks yet another important milestone in our commitment to this region,” said Giridhar GV, CEO – APAC and Global CHRO, HGS. “The center embodies the fusion of human expertise with AI and empathy-driven innovation to deliver seamless, personalized solutions from one of the world’s most dynamic talent ecosystems. It’s not just a technology investment but a strategic move toward orchestrating meaningful, intelligent experiences that resonate with our clients and their customers.”

Earlier this year, HGS had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Philippines government to scale its local operations significantly.

The new center has an initial capacity of 1,500 seats and can accommodate up to 3,000 employees in two shifts, supporting clients with high-quality service delivery. With this addition, HGS now operates two facilities in Manila and four across the Philippines.

#Unplugged: How Vodafone’s Digital Wellbeing Campaign in EU Can Inspire Telcos Across Asia

In an era of hyperconnectivity, the Vodafone Foundation’s new pan-European initiative, #Unplugged, offers a timely and replicable blueprint for promoting digital wellbeing among young people. Launched this week across six European countries, the campaign is a social-first movement designed to foster healthier digital habits—without preaching abstinence. For telecom operators and digital foundations in Asia, #Unplugged presents a compelling model for engagement, education, and impact.

What Is #Unplugged?

#Unplugged is an 8-week social media campaign targeting teenagers and young adults across Albania, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. It’s hosted on Vodafone Foundation’s Kliick feeds and delivered by local content creators in native languages. The tone is playful, relatable, and challenge-driven—designed to resonate with Gen Z on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Rather than advocating for digital detoxes, the campaign encourages:

• Mindful screen time
• Offline engagement
• Self-reflection

It’s about balance, not restriction.

Why It Matters

Vodafone Foundation’s study in Germany revealed:

• 69% of youth spend over 2 hours daily on social media
• 29% feel stressed by their usage
• 26% feel guilty about it

These numbers echo trends across Asia, where smartphone penetration is high and digital stress is rising. From Seoul to Mumbai, Jakarta to Manila, young people are navigating the same pressures—constant notifications, algorithmic addiction, and blurred boundaries between online and offline life.

Why Asia’s Telcos Should Pay Attention

Asia is home to some of the world’s most digitally active youth populations. Telcos here are not just connectivity providers—they’re cultural influencers, content distributors, and digital educators. By adapting #Unplugged, they can:

• Build trust with younger audiences through authentic, wellbeing-focused messaging
• Support national digital literacy goals and mental health initiatives
• Strengthen ESG credentials with measurable social impact
• Collaborate with educators, creators, and NGOs to localize content and amplify reach

How to Localize #Unplugged in Asia

Component	European Model	Asian Adaptation
Platform	TikTok, Instagram, YouTube	Add WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat, and regional platforms like Moj or ShareChat
Content Creators	Local influencers in native languages	Partner with youth icons, educators, and mental health advocates
Tone	Humorous, challenge-based	Blend humor with cultural sensitivity and local storytelling
Policy Linkage	Vodafone’s Skills Upload Junior + Save the Children	Align with national digital literacy programs, school curriculums, and CSR mandates
Measurement	Reach, engagement, sentiment	Add mental health surveys, school partnerships, and community feedback loops

A Call to Action for Asia’s Telcos

The digital wellbeing of young people is no longer a fringe issue—it’s central to the future of inclusive, responsible connectivity. Campaigns like #Unplugged show that telcos can lead with empathy, creativity, and impact. By adapting this model, Asian telecom companies can move beyond infrastructure and into influence—shaping healthier digital cultures for the next generation.

Adani Group Shuts Down Super App Ambitions Amid Financial Losses and Internal Turmoil

The Adani Group has reportedly pulled the plug on its ambitious Super App project, Adani One, marking a strategic retreat from its digital consumer play, said a report by Bloomberg. Launched in December 2022 by Adani Digital Labs, the app was envisioned as a one-stop platform for travel, hospitality, and airport services, modeled after global super apps like WeChat and domestic counterparts such as Tata Neu.

Despite initial traction and a user base of over 30 million by early 2024, the app failed to meet profitability benchmarks. Sources close to the development revealed that Adani One processed transactions worth ₹750 crore (~$90 million) by March 2024, but struggled to scale sustainably. The group had set an ambitious target of 500 million users by 2030—a goal that now appears out of reach.

The decision to shutter the app was accelerated by internal disagreements over its direction and scope. The exit of Chief Digital Officer Nitin Sethi, amid an internal probe into operational mismanagement, further destabilized the project. Leadership churn and strategic misalignment ultimately led to the app’s integration into Adani’s airport business, effectively ending its standalone digital journey.

The move signals a broader shift in Adani Group’s priorities. Alongside the app’s cancellation, the conglomerate is also exiting the FMCG space, having sold its stake in AWL Agri Business (Adani Wilmar). The group is now refocusing on its core strengths—energy, infrastructure, logistics, and urban redevelopment.

Industry analysts view the development as a cautionary tale for Indian conglomerates venturing into digital ecosystems. Like Tata Neu and Reliance’s MyJio, Adani One struggled with fragmented services, low user retention, and unclear value propositions.

With the digital detour behind it, Adani Group appears poised to double down on its infrastructure-led growth strategy, backed by multi-billion-dollar investments in airports, ports, and renewable energy.

Reason	Details
Financial Losses	Despite ₹750 crore (~$90M) in transactions by March 2024, the app failed to become profitable.
Low User Growth	Target: 500 million users by 2030; Reality: only 30 million users by 2024.
Internal Disagreements	Disputes over app direction and scope led to leadership churn.
Leadership Exit	Chief Digital Officer Nitin Sethi resigned amid an internal probe into mismanagement.
Strategic Refocus	Adani merged the digital unit into its airport business, shifting focus back to core infrastructure sectors.

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WSO2 Acquires San Francisco-based Startup Moesif

WSO2, the leader in enterprise digital infrastructure technology, today announced it has acquired Moesif, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in advanced API analytics and monetization. The all-cash acquisition marks a strategic milestone in WSO2’s long-term plan to accelerate global growth through targeted inorganic opportunities.

As part of the agreement, Moesif will operate as an independent subsidiary under WSO2’s API Management Business Unit. The Moesif brand and current product offering will be retained, and its leadership along with its team will continue to drive existing business and expand customer growth globally. Moesif customers will continue receiving the same level of service and support, while benefiting from WSO2’s global presence and expanded product offerings. Moesif’s advanced API analytics and monetization capabilities will also be integrated into WSO2’s product portfolio, bringing enhanced value to existing and future customers.

“This acquisition is a first step in our strategy to establish WSO2 as a global technology leader through select inorganic opportunities,” said Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana, founder and CEO of WSO2. “Moesif brings market-leading capabilities in API analytics and monetization, areas that are increasingly critical to digital businesses today. This is just the beginning—we’re committed to exploring further opportunities that align with our long-term goal to help enterprises deliver seamless, high-impact digital experiences.”

The acquisition enhances WSO2’s positioning in the API management space by adding best-in-class analytics and monetization tools that help businesses optimize, measure, and generate revenue from their APIs. Moesif’s offerings will complement WSO2’s comprehensive API management platform, creating a synergy that benefits both customer bases.

“Joining WSO2 is a natural next step in Moesif’s journey,” said Derric Gilling, founder and CEO of Moesif. “We share a deep commitment to empowering developers and businesses to build powerful digital experiences. As part of WSO2, we’ll continue to innovate rapidly, serve our customers with excellence, and now reach an even broader global audience.”

WSO2 customers will start gaining access to Moesif’s capabilities as part of an enhanced product suite, while Moesif customers will benefit from WSO2’s global support infrastructure and expanded services.

How the Pandemic Accelerated the Shift to Digital Reading

A Sudden Pause That Reshaped Reading Habits

When the world ground to a halt libraries shuttered and bookshops closed their doors without notice. What had been a slow and steady rise in digital reading suddenly became a tidal shift. Readers old and new turned to screens not out of preference but necessity. For many this marked the first time they considered e-books a practical option rather than a novelty. Devices were dusted off apps downloaded and online catalogues scoured for anything to break the silence.

With physical books out of reach entire households adjusted their routines. Children attended virtual school while parents browsed e-libraries in the same room. "War and Peace" sat beside grocery lists on tablets while thrillers filled up lunch breaks. In this sudden shift z-lib stays popular in the same way as Open Library and Library Genesis because it bridged the gap between need and access when traditional routes were blocked. The urgency of the moment nudged even the most reluctant readers toward screens turning a moment of crisis into an unexpected turning point.

The Growth of Digital Shelves and Virtual Stacks

Libraries responded with remarkable flexibility. Without waiting for bureaucracy to catch up many expanded digital lending rights or partnered with e-reading services to grant temporary access. Instead of the usual long lines for new releases titles were delivered with a single click. Readers found themselves diving into entire series without leaving their kitchen chairs. The quiet hum of a download replaced the rustle of paper.

This new convenience did more than meet the moment. It redefined expectations. Those who had resisted digital reading began to enjoy the ease of carrying a library in a pocket. Books once delayed by shipping or out-of-stock alerts became instantly available. What started as emergency adaptation grew into lasting preference. Many who once clung to paperbacks now think twice before going back.

Where Comfort Meets Curiosity: The New Digital Routine

E-books turned reading into something that fit around life not the other way around. Late-night reads under covers brightened by phone screens early morning pages before meetings mid-commute deep dives without the weight of a hardcover in tow. This blend of spontaneity and access created a comfort zone that continues to expand.

Readers started exploring beyond bestsellers and classics. Niche topics obscure titles and hard-to-find texts became just as easy to read as popular novels. This openness brought a quiet revolution in taste and discovery. The diversity once hidden behind limited shelf space now stands front and centre. Before the pandemic few could imagine finding rare philosophy books or old travelogues on demand. Now it's commonplace.

The shift went deeper than format and function. It changed how reading fits into the day and what stories people choose. In the middle of this transformation one can notice some standout shifts in behaviour and access:

• Portable Reading Changed the Game : Digital books allowed people to read on their own terms. Long waits in queues or moments between tasks became mini reading sessions. A phone or tablet offered a chance to step into a novel without carrying extra weight. This new portability didn’t just make books easier to reach it made them harder to put down. In households where space is tight digital reading also freed up shelves for other essentials. The ease of syncing across devices meant a story picked up on the bus could continue in bed that night.
• Discovery Became More Democratic: Readers no longer had to rely on store displays or word-of-mouth to find something new. Algorithms gave suggestions that were surprisingly on point but beyond that forums reviews and personal lists helped guide fresh choices. Someone stumbling across an old title might find it leads them to an author they’d never heard of before. z-lib.qa played a role here offering access to a wide mix of books without walls. This access helped boost the confidence of readers who wanted to try new things without risking a bad purchase.
• Digital Libraries Grew More Human : Though driven by code and screens e-libraries started feeling more personal. They began to offer tools that mimicked the experience of browsing in person from highlighting text to borrowing suggestions based on history. Readers found themselves making digital annotations or saving quotes just like they might dog-ear a paperback. This familiarity made the digital experience less cold and more tactile even without the scent of old paper.

These shifts left a lasting impression. People no longer ask whether e-books are “real” books. They simply read and move on. There’s a kind of quiet normalcy now in opening an e-reader while waiting at the dentist or listening to an audiobook during a jog. These once-niche behaviours have become a new rhythm.

Where Do We Go From Here

The world has returned to motion but some habits refuse to vanish. Digital reading has carved out a space that paper alone can no longer reclaim. It complements rather than competes. Book lovers still browse shops and enjoy physical pages yet many now expect both formats to exist side by side.

This shift is not about replacing tradition but building on it. Readers now live in a world where literature is only ever a few taps away. The path to stories has grown wider and quicker. What started as a response to global uncertainty has grown into a habit that sticks. The shelves may look different but the words still carry their power.

Scaling Indian Startups: Growth Consulting Strategies for Digital Success

India’s start-up ecosystem today is mushrooming! With over 120,000 registered start-ups as of 2024, we now have the world’s third-largest ecosystem, trailing behind the US and China. In such a competitive and vibrant space, gaining digital success is often fraught with several challenges. It requires out-of-the-box thinking & strategy for start-ups to scale and achieve an everlasting digital success.

To the same end, here’s a revealing strategic roadmap for digital success for today’s fast-growing and aspirational brands!

Discern the ever-changing pulse of the market

Consumer behaviour and preferences are constantly getting upgraded. Thus, an in-depth market analysis is mission-critical. Discerning the shifts in consumer psyche and tailoring products and services that prove to be the perfect fit is the way to go!

In contemporary times, sectors like clean energy, agritech, deep tech, and Web3 are piquing consumer interests and offer immense scope for digital success. The strategy is straightforward – come up with a prototype, market test it with a select audience, try different ideas until you arrive at the right product-market fit, and focus your efforts on scaling up the winning combination.

Invest in building a strong local team

Digital success hinges on a capable and motivated team. We have seen the trend of top-notch professionals leaving global tech hubs to work and contribute towards the success of Indian start-ups. Local expertise with global exposure certainly lays the path forward for digital success. Top talent is expensive. Sans deeper pockets, look out for the talent that is inspired by your vision, the impact you wish to create.

Embrace Innovation, Leverage Technology

Embracing the new and emerging digital technologies is going to define the way forward. Think digital-first and leverage the power of AI for streamlining digital success. AI market in India is projected to be USD 17 billion by 2027, highlighting its prime importance, not only in Indian but global contexts. Right from thinking, brainstorming, strategy to execution, tracking, reporting, etc. latest technology offers a robust solution & reliable system for each important function.

Build Strategic Collaborations

After all, it does take a village, right? Build strong collaborations with businesses, tech providers, industry stalwarts – as it can single-handedly open up access to new markets, latest tech and resources, and aid scalability. Be curious about what problems you can solve for others and vice-versa; long-lived collaborations warrant deep commitment, open communication, integrity & trust. There is no shortcut to building your tribe, your community of enthusiasts.

Ensure Regulatory Compliance

As you scale, you also get subjected to scrutiny. Ensuring compliance is critical, not only to mitigate risks but also to ensure investor confidence. Policy compliance also helps you extract the best out of government policies, such as Start-up India Initiative, Start-up Fund of Funds, etc.

Furthermore, with the rise of consumer consciousness, failing to adhere to compliance is a sure-shot recipe for failure, in the worst case, boycotts on social media. Stay ahead of the curve and build a strong communications team to mitigate any future risks.

Get Obsessed with Tracking Key Performance Metrics

For digital success, there are several performance metrics that you should track, such as Cost of Customer Acquisition, Lifetime Value of customers, profit margins & churn rate. Figure out the key performance metrics that matter to your business and actively track the same. This will allow for data-driven decision making, an essential for long-term success.

Build Scalable Processes

Digital success requires efficient and scalable operational processes. Initially, an entrepreneur may be driven to do everything on their own. But that will only lead to chaos and burnout in the long term. Achieve operational excellence and get ready to scale, backed by automation, standardised workflows, and a faultless supply chain.

Conclusion

Lastly, when it comes to Digital Success, it is important for businesses to stay flexible and adapt to the ever-changing business landscape. Actively seek feedback, and integrate it with product design and strategy. And always be willing to reinvent and adapt to the ever-changing trends. Digital success requires consistency, tenacity, and a never-say-quit attitude! Go for it full-throttle and make a big splash!

This content is authored by Kuunal Pruuthi, Founder at ChatProz & Growth Consultant

Kuunal Pruuthi is an Entrepreneur, & Growth consultant with a simple mission: help businesses scale efficiently, smartly, and sustainably. Whether it's a startup looking to break through or an established brand aiming for that next level. We craft strategies that turn their potential into measurable success.

Planck Secures $500K to Fuel Edge Data Centre Expansion in India

Planck, an innovative digital infrastructure startup focused on next-generation data centre solutions, has successfully raised $500K in its ongoing pre-Seed funding round, at a valuation of INR 30 crore. The round is led by Saarthee Actionable Insights, a US-based analytics firm, which will also bring strategic collaboration to accelerate Planck’s go-to-market and sales outreach efforts.

The funding will be used to expand its market outreach and set up its first fully sustainable modular edge data centres in India. Planck is a B2B startup specialising in monetising various Edge focused use cases and designs the infrastructure to suit the needs of the customer. Planck offers these data centres on BOOT, Lease, and Lease-to-own models to customers globally. These EDCs are capable of supporting cutting-edge AI & Analytics tools, designed to support data-sensitive industries such as Automation & Logistics, DR & Data Warehousing, Streaming, eSports and telecom.

Planck’s Make-in-India modular data centre range 'Quanta' is crafted to meet global standards and engineered with an emphasis on sustainability, making them a game changer for businesses focused on scalability and eco-friendly practices.

“We truly believe, Quanta will be able to help corporations reach their Net-Zero goals faster, despite our being in the energy guzzling industry. We are thrilled to have Saarthee on board in this journey,” says Shishir Miglani, Co-Founder and CEO of Planck. “This investment is not only a major vote of confidence in our vision but also a step toward transforming the analytics space. With Saarthee’s expertise and our innovative products, we are positioned to lead the next wave of data-driven decision-making.”

Saarthee Actionable Insights, one of the fastest-growing data science firms in the US, sees Planck’s unique approach to intelligent analytics as both timely and impactful. A representative from Saarthee commented, “We are excited to back Planck at this early stage. Their technology has the potential to redefine how industries handle data, and we look forward to supporting their growth journey. Now your data is as safe and fully under your control in a tier 3 compliant EDC.”

Planck is on track to disrupt the data centre ecosystem by delivering scalable, modular solutions that cater to the needs of industries requiring high-performance, secure, and eco-conscious infrastructure. Their flagship product, Quanta, will bring an army-grade standard of reliability to edge networks, setting a new benchmark for data storage, disaster recovery and live streaming solutions.

Creators Gain Digital Signature Tool as Adobe Debuts New App

Creators have always deserved proper attribution for the powerful digital work they create. Their creations shape culture, drive engagement and fuel industries. But in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, especially with the rise of generative AI, creators need a modern solution that’s tailored to the realities of this digital ecosystem. They need a tool that secures attribution, while supporting greater transparency, accountability and protection.

At MAX London, Adobe launched the public beta of Adobe Content Authenticity, a free app that allows creators to easily apply Content Credentials to their digital work. Content Credentials are a secure type of metadata that allows creators to share information about themselves and their work — effectively signing their work digitally, much like an artist signing a painting or sculpture. By adopting Content Credentials today, creators are helping build a more transparent, accountable, and creator-friendly digital ecosystem.

Identity verification for the creative community

One thing we've heard consistently in our conversations with creators is that they struggle to secure proper attribution for their work online. The concerns highlight a critical gap: Creators need a reliable way to verify their identities and receive credit for what they produce. Without this, creators risk losing control of their work, missing future opportunities or, worse, watching others use or profit from their work without their consent. To address this, we’re excited to collaborate with LinkedIn to integrate its new Verified on LinkedIn feature into the Content Authenticity app (as well as the Behance platform), giving creators a way to attach their verified identity to their work. As an extension of this collaboration, LinkedIn has joined the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative as a member, joining over 4,500 members committed to driving the widespread adoption of Content Credentials.

Key features, shaped by creators

Adobe initially introduced the Adobe Content Authenticity app as a private beta at MAX last year and have continued to partner closely with our creative community, asking creators to explore the app, test its features and provide valuable feedback. This collaborative approach was central to shaping a tool built by creators, for creators.

Adobe’s Content Credentials are durable, which means they remain securely connected throughout the content lifecycle, even if a screenshot is taken. Here are the key features creators can find with the Content Authenticity app public beta:

Attach verified identity and more: Creators can choose what attribution information gets attached to their digital work with Content Credentials — including their verified name (powered by Verified on LinkedIn) and links to social media accounts (Behance, Instagram, LinkedIn and X). Attaching this information helps creators receive proper attribution for their work and build connections with those who engage with their work online.

Batch-apply Content Credentials to images: Creators can now apply Content Credentials to up to 50 JPG or PNG files at once — whether the content was made with Adobe apps or not. It’s a fast, intuitive way to add Content Credentials to both new and legacy content. Support for larger files and more media types, including video and audio, is coming soon.

Signal preference around generative AI training and usage: With our Firefly family of models, we’ve taken the most creator-friendly approach to AI, training only on content we have permission to use. However, not all generative AI models follow this same approach and we believe there’s more the industry can do to support and protect creators. With the Generative AI Training and Usage Preference, creators can use Content Credentials to signal to other generative AI models that they don’t want their content used for training — helping to lay the foundation for creator choice. Thanks to the durability of Adobe’s Content Credentials, creators who note their training preference today via the app are well-positioned to have it recognized when global opt-out regulations take shape and as more companies start respecting creator preferences. Adobe is working closely with policymakers and industry partners to establish effective, creator-friendly opt-out mechanisms powered by Content Credentials.

Viewing Content Credentials: Creators and consumers can use the Content Authenticity extension for Google Chrome and the Inspect tool within the app to help display and recover any Content Credentials associated with the content, including edit history when available.

Members of the creator community shared their experiences using the app so far:

The Adobe Content Authenticity app is a game changer towards a more creator-friendly internet — giving artists peace of mind by enabling us to attach important information about ourselves via Content Credentials, ensuring my photos have secure attribution, wherever they travel online.

– Obi Nzeribe, fashion and commercial photographer

This isn’t just about protecting art — it’s about protecting our shared reality. Invisible watermarks combined with secure metadata, unseen by the eye yet unmistakable to technology, are critical tools for preserving truth in an era of digital uncertainty.

– Benjamin Von Wong, artist and activist

Looking ahead

Our plan is to integrate the Content Authenticity app with Creative Cloud apps that support Content Credentials like Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom and more, ultimately making it the centralized hub for creators managing their Content Credentials preferences across Adobe apps.

In the coming months, LinkedIn also plans to expand its support for Content Credentials by displaying the attribution information attached with the Content Authenticity app directly on its platform (see mock up above). This will effectively connect ‘trust signals’ across platforms, meaning if a photographer uploads a photo to the Content Authenticity app and signs it with Content Credentials, including their verified identity, LinkedIn will display the credentials via a 'Cr' pin when they share it — allowing audiences to scroll over and view the credentials with the creator’s verified name, effectively affirming attribution.

Air India Inaugurates Centre of Digital Innovation in Kochi

Air India has inaugurated its Centre of Digital Innovation (CODi) in Kochi, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at enhancing customer experiences through cutting-edge technology.

CODi (pronounced Code-eye), located at Caspian Techparks in Infopark Phase II, focuses on developing digital touchpoints, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to improve services. CODI is spread across nine floors and includes workstations, meeting rooms, and collaboration spaces. CODI is spread across nine floors and includes workstations, meeting rooms, and collaboration spaces.

The center features innovative spaces like the "Bodhi Tree" collaboration area and floors named after Kerala's historic kingdoms.

The CODi team has already contributed to advancements such as Air India's award-winning mobile app and website, a generative AI chatbot named AI.g, and a next-generation in-flight entertainment system. The initiative is part of Air India's Vihaan.AI transformation program, emphasizing a data-driven and AI-powered future.

N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Air India and P. Balaji, Group Head, GRC and Corporate Affairs, Air India at the CODi inauguration

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said, “We are very excited to announce Air India CODi that will help further strengthen India's innovation ecosystem. At Air India, we believe equipping our frontline employees with tech-enabled systems will help us provide greater level of customer service to our guests. To this end, the team at Air India CODi will continue to develop cutting-edge AI solutions that will delight our guests.”

“The Air India Centre of Digital Innovation will be a space for collaboration and innovation for our talented workforce that will focus on developing customer-facing digital touchpoint technologies and cutting-edge data and AI capabilities. In the last two years, the team has made significant contributions to elevate customer delight through digital touchpoints as well as AI and data-driven decision-making capabilities across all our internal departments, as part of Air India’s Vihaan.AI transformation program. I am confident that Air India CODi will help further enhance the experience of our guests,” said Dr Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Air India.

Estonia Firm to Roll Out e-Residency Program for Saudi Arabia

Estonia is partnering with Saudi Arabia to develop a e-Residency or digital residency program. The Estonian company B.EST Solutions has signed a deal with the Saudi firm Professional Solutions to roll out this program, which aims to provide a government-verified digital identity for accessing Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure and business environment.

This initiative is designed to attract skilled foreigners to set up businesses in Saudi Arabia.

For an uninitiated, Digital Residency or e-Residency is a program that allows individuals and businesses to establish a legal and digital presence in a country without physically residing there. This concept is particularly popular in countries like Estonia, which pioneered the e-Residency program.

The e-Residency program will rely on blockchain technology to ensure secure and transparent digital identities and transactions. This will help prevent identity theft and fraud by providing a tamper-proof record of identity verification.

This initiative is part of a broader digital governance exchange between Estonia and Saudi Arabia, focusing on secure cross-border services and attracting global talent and investment.

The agreement was signed during the LEAP 2025 technology conference in Riyadh, highlighting Estonia's commitment to expanding its digital services into new markets. The program is expected to leverage blockchain technology and follow the blueprint of Estonia's successful e-Residency program, which has been online since 2014.

The program offers several bureaucratic and legal advantages for foreigners, including business networking opportunities and access to Saudi Arabia's digital and financial infrastructure without roadblocks.

This collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and modernize public services. Estonia's expertise in secure digital services and strong state support play a crucial role in this partnership.

The partnership has the backing of the Saudi government and aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and modernize public services. Representatives from the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL) were present at the signing, hinting at future collaborations between Estonian and Saudi IT firms.

Notably, this collaboration builds on previous partnerships between Estonia and Saudi Arabia. In 2024, B.EST Solutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia for collaborations in digital health. Estonian-based firm Bamboo Group is also forging new infrastructure security ties in the Kingdom.

This collaboration is expected to open new opportunities for Estonian companies in the Middle East, particularly in the areas of digital services and secure digital infrastructure.

Several countries have embraced the concept of digital residency, offering programs that allow individuals to establish a digital presence without physically residing there. The countries include Estonia, Liberland, Palau, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, and Portugal

The pioneer of digital residency, Estonia launched its e-Residency program in 2014. It allows individuals to start and manage an EU-based company online, access banking services, and sign documents digitally.

Mahakumbh in the Metaverse: ABP Network launches virtual experience centre to perform snan at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj

ABP Network, a leader in innovative digital experiences, proudly announces the launch of a metaverse version of the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, coinciding with the grand celebrations at Prayagraj. As one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, the Mahakumbh Mela will now be brought to a global audience through a dedicated Metaverse platform by ABPLIVE, the digital wing of ABP Network, transcending geographical boundaries.

ABPLIVE's Mahakumbh Metaverse is a pioneering step in virtual spirituality, accessible through www.abpverse.com

The Metaverse platform will offer virtual tours of the Triveni Sangam, live streaming of the Shahi Snan (Royal Bath), and interactive sessions with spiritual leaders and cultural performers. Devotees and visitors from around the world will be able to participate in the Mela's rituals and ceremonies in real time, fostering a sense of unity and connection. It presents an opportunity for devotees worldwide to engage in a virtual snan at the Triveni Sangam. This immersive platform allows visitors to delve into a detailed timeline of events surrounding the important Akharas, participate in virtual aarti and pooja ceremonies.

With meticulous attention to detail and reverence, the Mahakumbh metaverse is more than just a digital platform; it's an invitation to experience the essence of devotion and cultural heritage in a new and exciting way. This initiative reflects ABP Network's commitment to providing its audience with immersive and meaningful digital experiences.

Key Features:

• High Interactivity and Puja Options
• Details of Important Akharas and Snan Dates
• Opportunity to Brand and dedicated kiosks for partners
• Snan at Triveni Sangam Ghats
• Options to Download the snan video and share on Social Platforms
• Karma Coins - To Collect during the journey

The Kumbh Metaverse experiment is ABPLIVE’s fourth metaverse experiential project. Readers previously participated in the Ram Mandir, ABP Nadu Metaverse created to mark the second anniversary of the fast-growing Tamil platform. The Election Centre Metaverse launched as part of ABPLIVE’s ongoing election Metaverse has already received accolades and has been among the fastest growing destinations for online news readers.

ABP Network cordially invites everyone to join this virtual abode of Mahakumbh Mela, embarking on an enriching journey that blends the essence of devotion with the marvels of modern technology. The Mahakumbh Mela 2025, which has started from January 14 and will continue till February 26, 2025, at Prayagraj, is a once-in-a-lifetime event that attracts millions of devotees seeking spiritual purification and cultural enrichment. The introduction of the Metaverse platform is poised to enhance this experience, making it accessible to a wider audience and preserving the essence of this sacred gathering for future generations.

Join the metaverse now: https://www.abpverse.com

Tech Mahindra Foundation and Jamia Milia Islamia Setup SMART Academy to Offer Digital Skills Courses

Tech Mahindra Foundation, the CSR arm of Tech Mahindra Limited, and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) have partnered to establish the SMART Academy, which will offer a range of short-term courses in digital skills and entrepreneurship. The courses include graphic design, full-stack development, UI/UX development, and digital marketing, among others.

The collaboration aims to equip students and professionals with in-demand digital skills, promote innovation, and contribute to India's digital transformation.

Registration for these courses will open on September 10 and remain active until
September 21, with classes starting in October.

The newly established SMART Academy aims to provide high-quality, industry-relevant training in digital skills and entrepreneurship. Here are some key details:

Courses Offered:

1. Graphic Design:

• Duration: 4 months
• Eligibility: Class 12

2. Full Stack Development (PHP, .NET, Java):

• Duration: 4 months
• Eligibility: Engineering Graduates

3. UI/UX Development:

• Duration: 4 months
• Eligibility: Engineering Graduates

4. Digital Marketing:

• Duration: 4 months
• Eligibility: Any Graduate

5. AWS re/Start (Cloud-Related Courses):

• Duration: 3 months
• Eligibility: Engineering Graduates

6. Digital Entrepreneurship:

• Duration: 3 months
• Eligibility: Any Student

Objectives:

Skill Development: Equip students and professionals with in-demand digital skills.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Foster innovation and entrepreneurial skills to contribute to India's digital transformation.

Employment Opportunities: Bridge the gap between industry requirements and available skills, enhancing employability.

Registration and Schedule

Registration: Opens on September 10 and closes on September 21.

Interviews: Conducted from September 23 to 25.

Results: Announced on September 27.

Classes Start: October 2024, with both morning and evening batches available.

The SMART Academy is designed to help individuals gain practical skills and knowledge that are directly applicable in the job market.

Tech Mahindra Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Tech Mahindra Limited, established in 2006. The foundation operates with the vision of "Empowerment through Education" and focuses on three key areas: Education, Employability, and Disability.

The foundation supports various government schools to improve teaching and learning experiences. Programs like Shikshaantar and ARISE aim to enhance school governance, nurture children's learning opportunities, and provide continuous professional development for school stakeholders.

AWS and Nandan Nilekani's EkStep Establish Joint Innovation Center To Create Digital Public Goods Infrastructure

Amazon Web Services (AWS) India Private Limited and EkStep Foundation, a philanthropic initiative founded by Nandan Nilekani, Rohini Nilekani, and Shankar Maruwada, have established a Joint Innovation Center (JIC) to foster and accelerate the creation of digital public goods and digital public infrastructures. This collaboration aims to support public sector and commercial entities in developing digital solutions for large-scale use and help governments build socially and digitally inclusive economies.

The JIC will focus on sectors such as education, agriculture, finance, healthcare, and climate change, and it will leverage technologies like cloud computing, generative AI, and analytics from AWS. The initiative is part of a broader vision to use technology to create a more equitable and inclusive society.

According to the Nasscom-Arthur D. Little report Digital Public Infrastructure of India – Accelerating India’s Digital Inclusion, the economic value addition from DPIs to India’s GDP has the potential to grow 3x – from 0.9% in 2022 to 2.9 – 4.2% by 2030. The JIC by AWS and EkStep will be a mechanism to bring together key stakeholders who are committed to driving digital cooperation for a more equitable and sustainable world. These stakeholders include owners and developers of DPGs/ DPIs; enablers like startups, independent software vendors (ISVs), and system integrators (SIs); and adopters/ implementers like governments, multilateral organisations, and private sector entities. The JIC will promote collaboration among these stakeholders to develop DPGs and DPIs for sectors such as education, agriculture, finance, healthcare, and climate change, and help accelerate societal transformation.

The JIC will focus on supporting startups, ISVs, and SIs to leverage the power of technologies such as cloud computing, generative artificial intelligence (AI), and analytics from AWS; help them imagine and invent new use cases for DPGs and DPIs, incubate them, and enhance existing ones; and offer comprehensive starter kits for states and countries interested in such solutions.

To enable ease-of-use and faster adoption, the DPGs and DPIs will be packaged for one-click deployment via the AWS Partner Network (APN), which features more than 130,000 partners from more than 200 countries. AWS will explore featuring the DPGs on AWS Marketplace, providing a global channel to showcase and distribute the solutions.

AWS will further explore featuring the DPGs and DPIs on the Open Government Solutions Catalog, which provides government organisations with valuable resources such as digital solutions, policies, and standards, enabling them to explore and reuse proven approaches to digital transformation.

“Governments and organisations serving the public at large are increasingly seeing how DPIs using cloud computing and open-source solutions can provide scalable, secure, agile, and efficient services to people, accelerating public service transformation programs”, said Shalini Kapoor, Director and Chief Technologist, AWS India Private Limited. “Building newer DPGs and DPIs requires collective focus from stakeholders on solving problems of scale, and we are pleased to have EkStep’s visionary thinking and commitment in this initiative. The two organisations share a belief that technology should cut across barriers and enable the creation of a more equitable and inclusive society.”

EkStep Foundation, a philanthropic initiative founded by Nandan Nilekani, Rohini Nilekani, and Shankar Maruwada, aims to utilise technology to build population scale public goods, empower communities, and orchestrate sharing of resources, enabling civil society, governments, and the private sector to make meaningful decisions for societal benefits.

A prime example of this approach is EkStep’s Sunbird, an open-source, modular, and configurable digital infrastructure that can help organisations scale the delivery of resources to users. Sunbird can be applied for a variety of applications such as capacity building and professional development in education, and credentialing, accreditation, and capturing health records in healthcare. It can be used to record crop quality, standards, soil quality, and inventory, in agriculture; supporting financial inclusion by capturing people’s income certificates and credit worthiness; and driving climate-positive actions by recording carbon credits and sustainability scores for products and organisations.

“EkStep is committed to accelerating inclusive innovation that can address profound challenges and drive positive change on a national level,” said Shankar Maruwada, Co-founder and CEO, EkStep Foundation. “The establishment of a Joint Innovation Center with AWS marks a significant leap towards the adoption and scaling of India's Digital Public Infrastructure with the extensive reach and expertise of AWS’s Partner Network. It truly takes a collaborative effort to come together with deep conviction to build and implement digital solutions at population-scale, especially in the era of AI . We look forward to delivering on this vision by building on AWS’s proven global abilities of scale, resilience, and security, and the innovation community.”

The JIC further propels the scope for innovation and driving scalable impact from India, where a wide range of open-source based digital solutions have been pioneered to benefit citizens at scale. Examples include Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP), a global DPG developed for issuing trusted foundational identifications, currently at different stages of adoption in 17 countries serving more than 110 million people, where MOSIP’s development and pilot environments use AWS for rapid deployment and scale.

Another example is Namma Yatri, a popular autorickshaw booking application built on the Beckn protocol, which enables the creation of open, peer-to-peer decentralized networks for pan-sector economic transactions. Namma Yatri is committed to the vision of open mobility; building on AWS has helped Namma Yatri to scale the application to serve 5 million commuters across eight cities in six months, and generate INR 4.5 billion as commission-free earnings to drivers.

Tech Mahindra Partners S. Arabia's Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) for GenAI -powered Loyalty Programs

Tech Mahindra to Power Mobily’s Loyalty Programs with Generative AI Driven Automation Capabilities

Partnership to leverage Comviva’s MobiLytix™ rewards solution to power digital loyalty programs

Tech Mahindra has signed a strategic partnership with Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), a leading technology media and telecom (TMT) company in Saudi Arabia, to deliver best-in-class loyalty programs for individual and business customers. With a focus on elevating customer loyalty programs, the partnership will deploy Comviva's GenAI-powered next-generation MobiLytix™ Rewards to revamp Mobily’s Neqaty loyalty program. Comviva, a Tech Mahindra company, is the global leader in customer experience and data monetization solutions.

Tech Mahindra will utilize its extensive expertise in digital transformation and market presence to ensure the successful deployment of Mobily’s loyalty programs. It will provide Mobily with a single platform that supports both earning and redemption points journey for its customers. The implementation, coupled with an intuitive app built on MobiLytix™ and web access channels, will provide a seamless customer experience for both end users and businesses. Additionally, the partnership will provide gamification, digital marketing technology, and advanced business analytics to execute high-impact loyalty marketing programs for Mobily’s customers.

Ram Ramachandran, SVP & Head – Middle East & Africa, Tech Mahindra, said, “In the rapidly evolving telecom landscape, maintaining customer loyalty is a formidable challenge, accentuated by the industry’s intense competition and the quest for innovation. Our partnership with Mobily has the potential to set new benchmarks in loyalty management, and we look forward to the possibilities it presents. By combining our efforts, we aim to create leading loyalty programs on a global scale and pave the way for a brighter future in this rapidly changing landscape.”

Through this partnership, Tech Mahindra will provide digital transformation capabilities that will evolve with the loyalty system needs, seamlessly integrating with the Mobily ecosystem and third-party platforms.

Yousef A. Alsuhaibani, CIO at Mobily, said, “As a leading digital innovator in Saudi Arabia, we are dedicated to positioning Neqaty among the top loyalty programs globally. We are thrilled with our strategic partnership with Tech Mahindra and looking forward to reshaping the landscape of rewards programs for our customers. Together, we are embarking on a journey to build an innovative Loyalty Program that places a strong emphasis on delivering an exceptional and personalized customer experience.”

Manoranjan (Mao) Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer at Comviva, said, “Personalizing experiences is key to building consumer trust and successful loyalty programs. Our MobiLytix™ Rewards solution shall unlock the power of data science and enable the delivery of new customer experiences by seamlessly blending advanced AI, gamification, and data-driven insights. We have always been at the forefront of creating cutting-edge loyalty solutions, and this partnership further solidifies our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.”

Comviva’s MobiLytix™ is one of the leading marketing platforms globally that unifies customer engagement, data science, and intelligent automation capabilities within a single platform to execute campaigns in real-time and at scale. By engaging customers with the right message at the right time across any channel, organizations can improve customer experience, increase customer lifetime value, and drive revenue growth. With over 300 million deployed customer base, MobiLytix™ has a proven track record of customer success.

About Mobily

Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) is a Saudi company established in 2004. The Company’s major shareholders are Etisalat Emirates Group (27.99%) and the General Organization for Social Insurance (6.90%). The remaining shares are owned by institutional and retail investors. Mobily provides integrated services for three main sectors, namely individuals, business, and carriers. It has one of the largest wireless networks by coverage in Saudi Arabia, as well as the region, and one of the widest FTTH networks, in addition to one of the largest data center systems worldwide. The Company’s network comprises its own infrastructure and those of Bayanat al-Oula and SNFN. This is the Kingdom’s newest fiber-optic network, with access to all major cities and more than 58,060 km of roads. The network has been expanded to connect to neighboring countries including Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.

About Comviva Technologies Ltd.

Comviva simplifies business complexity. Our innovative portfolio of digital solutions and platforms brings greater choice, faster time to market and flexibility, to better meet the evolving needs of our customers as they drive growth, transform, and bring efficiency. From maximizing customer lifetime value to enabling large-scale digital transformation, we partner globally with organizations in the communications and financial industry to solve problems fast and transform for tomorrow. Comviva solutions have been deployed by over 130 Communication Services Providers and Financial Institutions in more than 90 countries and have delivered the benefits of digital and mobility to billions of people around the world. Comviva is a completely owned subsidiary of Tech Mahindra and a part of the Mahindra Group. For more information, visit us at http://www.comviva.com/

Aramco Digital and LTIMindtree Partner To Launch An IT Services Company in Saudi Arabia

Aramco Digital, the digital and technology subsidiary of Aramco, and LTIMindtree are partnering for launching an IT services company in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The joint venture, being formed under the Aramco Namaat Industrial Investments Program, aims to accelerate digital transformation and provide IT services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.

LTIMindtree has reportedly acquired a 51% stake in a joint venture with Aramco Digital, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco.

The future company would showcase innovation in action, including disruptive digital services, and transformative industry 4.0 systems integration capabilities. This collaboration is expected to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by creating highly skilled jobs for Saudis in this sector.

Nabil Al Nuaim, Aramco Senior Vice President of Digital and Information Technology and a board member of Aramco Digital said, “This is a pivotal partnership effort to leverage the power of digital transformation and unlock unprecedented opportunities for innovation and sustainability in the region. The joint venture aims to foster the localization of the IT services vital sector, create valuable jobs, and pave the way for a brighter future in the Kingdom.”

Sudhir Chaturvedi, President and Executive Board Member, LTIMindtree said, “LTIMindtree is fully aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030. We are pleased to have been selected as the trusted partner for the joint venture. KSA and MENA are amongst the fastest growing regions globally in the adoption of new technologies. We are committed to delivering new technology-led growth to the region. With Aramco Digital, we will bring our global capabilities and expertise and leverage new technologies to deliver digital transformation suitable for giga projects, the government sector, high growth industries, energy, manufacturing, and the financial services sector.”

Aramco Digital CEO, Tareq Amin said, “We are excited about this collaboration, which will align with Aramco Digital’s solutions offerings, which capitalize on high demand for customized and scalable solutions. The powerful combination of Aramco Digital’s business, coupled with LTIMindtree’s deep engineering capabilities and customer experience solutions, has the potential to unlock tremendous value for the region. It reinforces our joint efforts to support Vision 2030 and deliver world-class and sustainable value to our customers and employees, while working toward creating local jobs and expertise with a competitive edge.”

LTIMindtree and Insurance Firm Eurolife to Setup Gen Al and Digital Hubs in Europe and India

LTIMindtree and Eurolife FFH Sign MoU to Setup Gen Al and Digital Hubs in Europe and India

The multi-million-dollar partnership will enable widespread adoption of AI and digital solutions across insurance, banking, shipping, and manufacturing industries

LTIMindtree a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eurolife FFH, a leading insurance company in Athens, Greece powered by Fairfax Digital Services, to establish first-of-its-kind Gen Al and Digital Hub in Athens and dedicated facilities in Poland, Europe and Mumbai, India.

The MoU was signed by Sudhir Chaturvedi, President and Executive Board Member, LTIMindtree, Alexandros Sarrigeorgiou, Chairman & CEO, Eurolife FFH Insurance Group and Sanjay Tugnait, President & Chief Executive Officer, Fairfax Digital Services, in the presence of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece at the residence of Greek Ambassador in Delhi. This announcement also aligns with the Government of India’s newly introduced “Anusandhan” scheme, aimed at catalyzing innovation and research within technology and startup ecosystem.

As a part of this association, Eurolife FFH will set up Generative Al and Digital Hub in Athens to develop innovative solutions for insurance businesses in Greece and LTIMindtree will provide deep domain expertise and support from its dedicated facilities in Poland and Mumbai. Professionals from both the companies will jointly undergo specialized training in Generative Al and Digital Transformation to develop cutting edge products and services that will enhance customer experience and operational efficiency for businesses across insurance, banking, shipping, and manufacturing industries.

Alexandros Sarrigeorgiou, CEO of Eurolife FFH, said, “This partnership is aligned with our ambition of leveraging the power of advanced technology to deliver innovation for our customers and partners. Our goal is to innovate; specifically in insurance space, and push boundaries to create solutions that meet evolving needs of customers across various other industries. This collaboration is a step towards a future where Gen AI and digital innovation will drive business success and enhance customers’ experience.”

Sudhir Chaturvedi, President and Executive Board Member, LTIMindtree, said, “Our collaboration with Eurolife FFH forms a crucial part of our strategic roadmap, aimed at driving transformative growth for businesses by unlocking the true potential of Gen AI. By merging LTIMindtree’s innovation capabilities with Eurolife FFH’s domain expertise, we are staging a platform for an accelerated adoption of new technologies to address the industry’s most pressing challenges, while establishing new benchmarks in both domestic and international markets.”

Sanjay Tugnait, President, and CEO of Fairfax Digital Services, said, “As Greece and India unite in establishing a Gen AI and Digital Hub, our collaboration transcends borders and algorithms. Together, we engineer a convergence of technological prowess, laying the foundations for creating leading edge industry solutions to enable revenue generation and cost optimization for businesses with a focus on enhancing customer experience. This partnership exemplifies the fusion of diverse cultures and shared visions, which will shape the future landscape of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.”

FUJIFILM India Installs Its High-Speed Digital Color Printing Press Revoria PC 1120 at Megha Enterprises, Okhla

The pioneer in providing the best of Graphic communications & Printing technologies, FUJIFILM India paves the way into the heart of the digital printing space of the country’s capital, Okhla region, with the installation of its cutting-edge digital printing press Revoria PC 1120 at Megha Enterprises. Megha is one of the popular digital printing enterprises in the area and now with the Revoria press is offering a broad range of sizes with excellent print quality for fine art, media versatility, while optimizing costs with its innovative ‘toner out’ model.

“The Revoria Press PC1120 is an advanced Toner Digital Press known for its unrivalled expressive power and its boundless spectrum of color possibilities. It features a state-of-the-art 6-color print engine and maintains its fast-printing speed of 120 ppm, even when using all 6 colors,” said Mr. Sri Prasad & Mrs. Anuradha Dayal – Proprietors, Megha Enterprises. They also added “This machine is best suited for all kinds of commercial jobs including books, photo and commercial. It also gives us the best ROI with its combination of machine life, additional colors and a “toner out” model. We can see that the market is growing for CMYK + Color jobs, which enables more value to be offered in the market. Some of our existing vendors are very happy with the quality.”

Accompanied by an impressive output resolution of 2400 x 2400 dpi, it produces prints that are exceptionally crisp and intricately defined. This printing solution is devised with strong versatility features that support a wide range of media types and finishes accommodating various paperweights, sizes, and even banner sheets. Noteworthy features include the ability to create metallic effects with Gold and Silver underlay, access to pre-installed metallic colors, high-opacity White toner for printing on colored stocks, and AI-based photo quality optimization. It is equipped with a high-performance print server, allowing it to support a wide variety of paper stocks and providing convenient feeding and finishing options to streamline the printing process.

Mr. Koji Wada, Managing Director, FUJIFILM India, cited the importance of advanced technological integration in digital printing and averred, “FUJIFILM India is always at the forefront of integrating innovation and latest advancements in the digital printing industry. We aim to provide printing machines that translate quality business to our customers and Revoria PC 1120 is equipped with state of art technology to aid that goal for those who want to excel in the digital printing business.”

Mr. Ajay Agarwal , CEO of Insight Print Communications- Distributors for FUJIFILM India Graphic Communications Products, commented “Fujifilm Revoria PC 1120 is the only press that gives a very strong ROI for both the photo segment where the volumes are less and the requirement is very high quality and in the commercial printing segment where the requirement is high volumes at lower cost per print. It is also unique in its 10-color option that opens up a huge opportunity with Media, designs and Applications.”

Mr. Priyatosh Kumar, Head of Division, Graphic Communications Business, FUJIFILM India, Graphic Communications Division, said, “There is no doubt that the way digital printing has revolutionized visual communication over the years, the transformation has been rapid with the intervention of cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence. Revoria PC 1120 is one such game-changer in the industry which is playing a pivotal role in this advancement. The Press has certainly opened new avenues for creativity, handling various materials, and delivering exceptional quality. We are excited about this new install at Megha and wish him success.”

FUJIFILM India Graphic Communications Division is steadfast to bring forth the best global technology, complemented with effective and prompt local assistance through its distributors Insight print Communications to provide superior technology in the constantly evolving world of graphic communications.

About FUJIFILM India:

FUJIFILM India Pvt. Ltd. Established in 2008 is a wholly owned subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo. FUJIFILM India is present in three business segments – Healthcare, Materials, and Imaging. With a vast portfolio of technologically advanced products, the company is involved in the business of Healthcare, Endoscopy Systems, Photo Imaging Solutions, Digital Still Camera, Instant Camera, Optical Devises, Graphic Communication Solutions & Industrial Product. For more information please visit: https://www.fujifilm.com/in/en

IAMAI Members Flag Concerns Regarding Ex-Ante Regulations

In their written submission to the Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL), the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) members voiced their opposition to ex-ante regulations for digital markets in India.

According to IAMAI, size or scale-based applicability of regulations under an ex-ante digital competition policy will impact larger players in the market in their growth trajectory, while also limiting the growth potential of start-ups.

Regulations that kick in as soon as certain financial/size-based thresholds are met, will disincentivise Indian tech companies from scaling so as to avoid additional regulations. It is pertinent to note that ex-ante regulations may affect Indian companies even before they can achieve scale to compete globally or achieve profitability. This in turn will reduce value creation and valuations.

India has already experimented with ex-ante regulations under the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act, 1969. Size-based applicability of regulations under the MRTP Act limited the growth and scaling up of Indian companies. Notably, as part of various economic reform measures, India consciously moved away from an ex-ante regime under the MRTP Act. Taking competition policy for India’s digital sector back to the MRTP era will burden India’s most promising sector and inhibit its ability to scale, innovate and attract investments.

IAMAI members appreciate that antitrust enforcement has a vital role to play in keeping markets competitive. They are of the view that the extant rules and regulations sufficiently address competition concerns arising from the digital sector, while keeping the digital industry on a level playing field with other industries. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has been promptly looking into various digital competition issues and has passed orders imposing penalties and requiring changes in the conduct of digital markets. Furthermore, the recent Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 bolsters the existing regulatory framework for addressing competition issues in India.

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. 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 digital advertising, digital entertainment, traveltech, online gaming, digital payments, fintech, digital commerce, edtech, healthtech, agritech, big data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/ VR, logistics-tech and so on. 

1M1B in Partnership Meta Platform Inc Launches Digital Nagrik Campaign to Create Awareness About Women’s Digital Safety

1M1B creates various online dialogues and panels for empowered female influencers and teachers from across India on International Women’s Day

Over 60% of the pledges were taken by females during this social media campaign- Digital Nagrik

1M1B (One Million for One Billion), has launched the Digital Nagrik Campaign, supported by Meta Platform Inc, to create awareness about women’s safety online, aligning the Digital Nagrik campaign with this year’s International Women's Day. The theme of International Women's Day is "DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality". 1M1B is hosting various online dialogues and panel with women influencers and teachers on March 7 and 8 with an aim to advance equality in the digital sphere and empower women online.

Launched on Safer Internet Day, the Digital Nagrik Campaign has witnessed huge support from women and girls from across India. Women and girls have taken more than 60% of the 15,000 pledges taken digitally so far. Digital Nagrik is a social media campaign and a pledge that aims to foster a culture of digital safety and create a safer and more inclusive internet space. This campaign aligns with the central government’s objective to ensure an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet for its citizens.

On International Women's Day, a panel will be hosted on Twitter space that will be focus on discussions around fostering a culture of digital safety and promoting a secure and inclusive online environment. Influencers will highlight the digital gap between genders, the importance of digital education, and the urgency to combat online harassment of women and girls.

The Digital Nagrik Campaign is led by CBSE teachers and academic advisors and managed by 1M1B, India’s largest organization that is developing and mobilizing India’s future-ready technology workforce. Digital Nagrik will develop a community of responsible digital citizens who are aware of their digital rights and obligations. 1M1B has already engaged over 4 lakh teachers and 11 lakh students on digital citizenship, well-being, and cyber safety, and plans to engage over 1 million people through the Digital Nagrik pledge this year.

Digital Nagrik – Time to create a safer cyberspace for Women and girls

According to data released by the National Crime Records Bureau, the number of cybercrime incidents in 2021 has increased by 18.4% since 2019, but the number of cases involving women has increased at a much steeper 28.4% rate. Data showed that 10,730 incidents, or 20.2% of the 52,974 incidents reported in 2021, were reported as crimes against women. Cyberbullying, cyberstalking, defamation, morphing, and the creation of false profiles are the most common cyber-crimes committed against women. Among the top 3 cities to receive complaints around these crimes were New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, with school and college students forming 60% of these complaints.

The Digital Nagrik campaign will raise awareness about the prevalence of online harassment against women and provide tips and resources to empower women and girls to combat it.

Manav Subodh- Founder of 1M1B said that “In a world that depends more and more on technology, criminal activity related to electronic and internet platforms tends to rise, with women becoming the easiest victims. To punish such criminals with severe measures, the law must go above and beyond. There are advantages and disadvantages to technology, which can be used for good or bad. Increased cybercrime awareness and knowledge, privacy protection, and legal support are necessary to combat cybercrime against women. At an astounding 85%, women and girls are more likely than men to experience online abuse. The Digital Nagrik campaign aims to increase awareness of the prevalence of harassment of women online and equip women and girls with the tools they need to stop it. The Digital Nagrik campaign is part of the Digital Citizenship curriculum created by teachers and introduced by 1M1B in CBSE schools supported by Meta. It’s important to teach about online safety at an early age, right in the high schools so that today’s youth are made aware. We can see that 60% of pledges are signed by females, which shows the need for awareness and education dialogues on this issue.”

The Digital Nagrik pledge has been available for signing at www.iamdigitalnagrik.com since February 7, 2023.

About 1M1B Foundation: 

Established in 2014, 1M1B (One Million For One Billion) is a United Nations accredited organization focussed on social innovations and creating a future ready tech workforce.

1M1B engages and enables youth to become future-ready problem solvers creating real-world impact. By undergoing 1M1B programs that are based on a unique 4.3.2.1 activation framework, youth acquire critical skill sets, and mind-sets toolsets to access the jobs of tomorrow. Areas of focus include digital technologies (AI, AR, VR), digital creativity, digital citizenship and 4th industrial revolution skills like problem-solving, flexibility, empathy, dealing with failures and collaboration.

1M1B programmes are available in over 3,000 schools across India, with over 334,000 youth and 125,000 teachers trained to date. Over 250 villages are served by 1M1B. 150 Indian youth presented their work at the United Nations in New York, and 1M1B helped to create over 150 young entrepreneurs.

1M1B exists to activate 1 million youth who will impact 1 billion people, creating a world with balanced prosperity.

MeitY Startup Hub Invites Applications for G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20–DIA)

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA) to recognize and support innovators that have digital solutions for various world economies. The Ministry of Electronics and IT has chosen six themes which are of critical significance for global communities. These themes are Ed-tech, Health-tech, Agri-tech, Fin-tech, Secured Digital Infrastructure, and Circular Economy.

Notably, India holds the Presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023. The 43 Heads of Delegations- the largest ever in G20 – will be participating in the final New Delhi Summit in September 2023.

As part of the G20 Digital Innovation Alliance, MeitY Startup Hub is launching an application for Indian innovators/startups with digital solutions to solve global challenges and scale the solutions in the above-mentioned sectors.

Startups can participate by applying on below mentioned link.
https://forms.gle/k1vBdvZXrQGoP1uV7

Timeline of Application

• Start date: 23rd January 2023
• End date: 31st March 2023

Startups from G20 nations along with 9 invited guest nations across these 6 sectors will participate in this global program. A total of 174 startups will be engaged, celebrated, showcased, and supported under this program from around the world. Market access, corporate connect, investor connect, skilling, and networking sessions will be conducted as part of the program and the program will culminate in a 3 day Grand Summit in Bangalore in August 2023 where 174 selected startups and hundreds of investors and stakeholders in participate.

The G20-DIA is aiming to make 2023 an unforgettable year for technology startups. As part of G20-DIA MeitY Startup Hub has sensitized TIDE 2.0 Incubation centers pan India to outreach and get a quality number of applications.

Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0) Scheme has been envisaged to promote tech entrepreneurship through financial and technical support to incubators engaged in supporting ICT startups using emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, Block-chain, Robotics etc. in seven pre-identified areas of societal relevance.