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Month: March 2024

BFSI

MD & CEO of Central Bank of India appointed as IBA Chairman

Observenow Desk March 22, 2024

MV Rao, the Managing Director and CEO of Central Bank of India has been appointed as the Chairman of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for the 2023–24 term, as per release by the bank.

Further, the committee has also appointed three Deputy Chairmen of the association.

These three deputies are the Chairman of the State Bank of India, Dinesh Kumar Khara; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Bank, SL Jain; and the MD and CEO of City Union Bank, Dr N Kamakodi.

Further, Madhav Nair, Country Head and CEO, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, would be Honorary Secretary of the Association.

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Education

AICTE Launches AURA Scheme to Boost Research Utilization

Observenow Desk

In a significant move aimed at enhancing research capabilities across India, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced the AURA (Augmenting Utilization of Research Assets) Scheme. This initiative, launched on Wednesday, marks a pivotal step towards maximizing the utilization of publicly-funded research infrastructure.

The AURA Scheme, aligned with the objectives of the Indian Science Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) Official, seeks to facilitate greater access to top-tier research facilities for scholars and researchers nationwide. Under this scheme, full-time faculty members of AICTE-approved institutions, as well as students enrolled in various AICTE scholarship schemes, are eligible to apply.

One of the key goals of the AURA Scheme is to augment existing research endeavors by leveraging the extensive R&D infrastructure mapped by I-STEM. By enabling researchers to access state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities located across the country, the scheme aims to foster innovation and accelerate scientific progress.

Eligible participants, including faculty members and students, can receive financial support of up to Rs. 2 lakhs for their research projects. This funding, which covers expenses related to the utilization of equipment and facilities registered on the I-STEM Portal, will be reimbursed upon submission of valid payment receipts.

It’s worth noting that each researcher can avail of the AICTE AURA Scheme a maximum of two times during their career, with no age restrictions imposed. The duration of each project funded under the scheme is set at two years, allowing ample time for in-depth research and experimentation.

Furthermore, the AICTE-AURA Scheme operates on an open deadline basis, ensuring continuous support for research initiatives throughout the year. Participants are encouraged to submit their bills for reimbursement on a half-yearly basis, streamlining the financial process and facilitating smoother project execution.

With the launch of the AURA Scheme, AICTE reinforces its commitment to promoting research excellence and innovation in the country. By providing researchers with access to cutting-edge facilities and financial support, this initiative is poised to catalyze scientific breakthroughs and drive India’s progress in the global research landscape.

Tags: Education

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Governance

ECI orders appointment of Gagrani as BMC Commissioner

Observenow Desk

The Election Commission of India has instructed the Maharashtra government to designate Bhushan Gagrani, presently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, as the new Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). 

On Wednesday evening, Bhushan Gagrani, a seasoned IAS officer from the 1990 batch, assumed the position of BMC Commissioner, succeeding Iqbal Singh Chahal. 

Gagrani, who holds a unique distinction as the first Chartered Officer (IAS) in India to achieve an All India third rank with proficiency in Marathi, boasts academic credentials including a Master of Commerce and Master of Arts in History from Shivaji University, Kolhapur; a Bachelor of Laws degree from Nagpur University; a Master’s Degree in Management from the University of Birmingham in London, and a Vidyavachaspati (Ph.D) degree in Management from Mumbai University.

Tags: Governance

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Governance

Dilip Jawalkar appointed as Home Secretary of Uttarakhand

Observenow Desk March 21, 2024

The Uttarakhand administration has designated IAS officer Dilip Jawalkar as its new Home Secretary, after the Election Commission’s endorsement. The Election Commission had instructed the dismissal of Shailesh Bagauli (IAS:2002:UK), who previously held the position of Home Secretary in Uttarakhand, alongside home secretaries in five other states.

Dilip Jawalkar, presently serving as the Secretary of Finance, has been selected to assume the role of Home Secretary in Uttarakhand. Shailesh Bagauli, who also served as the Chief Minister’s Secretary, was assigned the additional responsibility of Secretary, Home and Prisons on February 10.

However, in the wake of the Election Commission’s instruction on Monday, six states, including Uttarakhand, were directed to replace home secretaries who concurrently held roles in their respective chief minister’s offices, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest during the Lok Sabha elections.

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Governance

Election Commission Orders Transfer of Key Officers for Fairness in Lok Sabha Polls

Observenow Desk

New Delhi: In a move to ensure fairness in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections of 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued transfer orders for non-cadre officers holding key positions as District Magistrates (DM) and Superintendents of Police (SP) in four states: Gujarat, Punjab, Odisha, and West Bengal. The positions of DM and SP in the districts are typically held by officers from the Indian Administrative and Indian Police Service, respectively.

The decision, aimed at maintaining impartiality, came following a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.

The officers affected by the transfers are as follows:

1. Gujarat – SPs of Chhota Udaipur and Ahmedabad Rural districts

2. Punjab – SSPs of Pathankot, Fazilka, Jalandhar Rural, and Malerkotla districts

3. Odisha – DM of Dhenkanal and SPs of Deogarh and Cuttack Rural districts

4. West Bengal – DMs of Purba Medinipur, Jhargram, Purba Bardhaman, and Birbhum districts

Furthermore, the Commission has directed the transfer of SSP Bathinda in Punjab and SP Sonitpur in Assam due to their familial ties with elected political representatives. This proactive step aims to dispel any concerns about potential bias or compromised administration.

Under the directive, all respective state governments have been instructed to swiftly transfer non-encadred officers from their current DM and SP/SSP roles and submit a compliance report to the Commission.

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HR

Flame University appoints Ashish Mittal as Director HR

Observenow Desk

Ashish Mittal has assumed the role of Director-HR at Flame University, as announced in a social media update. Prior to this, he served as the Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology. 

With over 25 years of diverse global experience in areas such as talent acquisition, talent management, total rewards, HR business partnering, change management, organizational development, employee engagement, employer branding, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Ashish has contributed to various industries including CSR, IT, ITeS, and education. 

His professional journey includes stints at Shiv Nadar University, Pearson, Manipal International University, and The Akshaya Patra Foundation, among others.

Tags: Education

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Education

IIM Indore Takes a Step to Shape the Future Sports Business Leaders

Observenow Desk

The realm of sports has evolved from mere entertainment to a pivotal force driving global economic expansion. As sports leagues, events, and endorsements gain increasing popularity, the industry experiences remarkable growth, presenting lucrative prospects for skilled professionals in sports business management. Acknowledging this trend and the demand for specialized education, IIM Indore has inaugurated a Global Sports Business Management Programme in partnership with the University of Liverpool. The collaboration formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore, and Prof. Julia Balogun, Dean of the University of Liverpool Management School, on March 18, 2024, underscores the commitment to deliver cutting-edge education in this dynamic field across borders.

Prof. Rai underscored the significance of sports business management in today’s landscape, highlighting sports as a substantial contributor to global economic growth. The program aims to equip aspiring professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills to excel in this rapidly evolving industry, aligning with initiatives like the Fit India Movement that promote sports participation across age groups. This collaboration signifies a milestone in providing advanced education in sports business management, transcending geographical constraints.

Distinguished by its comprehensive approach, the program covers a spectrum of topics crucial for success in sports business management. Participants will engage in global discussions, evaluate governance structures and stakeholders, and analyze sports brands and market dynamics, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.

Developed by experts from both institutions, the course encompasses interactive teaching methodologies, case studies, real-world examples, and practical exercises. Prof. Rai expressed enthusiasm about the transformative potential of the program, emphasizing its role in nurturing future sports business leaders who will drive innovation and growth in the global market, emphasizing the unifying power of sports across nations.

Prof. Julia Balogun echoed this sentiment, expressing delight at the launch of the program and highlighting the collaborative efforts between the institutions. Drawing on the expertise of faculty from both IIM Indore and the University of Liverpool Management School’s Centre for Sports Business, the program promises significant benefits for individuals pursuing or aspiring to careers in sports business.

Structured over 8-9 months, the program comprises five stages. It commences with a five-day on-campus session at IIM Indore, followed by online live classes jointly conducted by both institutions, offering flexibility. The third stage features a five-day session at the University of Liverpool, providing participants with insights from industry experts. The program concludes with a three-day on-campus session at IIM Indore, consolidating learning and preparing participants for future endeavors in sports business management.

Tags: Education

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B2B Marketeer

ObserveNow Exclusive: Top 5 Women Marketing Leaders Redefining Industry Trends

Siddharth Mala

In recent years, India’s IT industry has seen a remarkable increase in female participation, with over 30% of the workforce being women, contrasting with Western nations where the numbers are stagnant or declining. A study by NASSCOM and the UK’s Open University revealed a strong gender balance in India’s IT postgraduate programs, with nearly half of the students being women, double the UK’s rate. Currently, about one-third of India’s IT workforce is female, mostly under 30, contributing significantly to sector growth and nearing a 50:50 gender balance among STEM graduates. However, the challenge ahead is maintaining this diversity as women advance into higher managerial and leadership roles.

Whereas this underscores the importance of diversity in driving business growth as recent LinkedIn data shows women now make up 60% of the marketing workforce, indicating a significant industry change.

Marketing is vital for businesses, involving activities to promote products or services. In India, there’s a notable shift as more women take on leadership roles in marketing, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative strategies.

Below listed are the top 5 Women leading the Marketing sphere in India:

Nitu Sharma, Head of Marketing, Iron Mountain India has over 15 years of marketing expertise to the table. Specializing in B2B marketing, she drives company growth through innovative strategies and revenue-focused tactics.

Vaishali B.Shivshankar, Head of Marketing for India & SAARC at F5, is a strategic marketing leader with a sharp understanding of technology. With extensive experience in enterprise software adoption, she crafts integrated marketing plans that yield significant results. Vaishali is known for her proactive and collaborative communication style, leveraging her market knowledge to build valuable relationships across the region. She inspires teams to exceed expectations while articulating a compelling vision for success.

Kimi Guglani, Marketing Director for India & SAARC, Trend Micro, Kimi Guglani is a dynamic marketing professional with over 14 years of experience in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and cybersecurity industries. She specializes in leading agile marketing teams to create customized brand experiences that drive market share growth and enhance customer loyalty. Kimi is recognized for her strategic thinking, clear communication, and creativity, which have contributed significantly to revenue and pipeline growth in the Indian market. 

Adishri Charla, Director and India Lead for Marketing, UiPath, is a B2B marketing specialist with a global perspective. With 14 years of diverse experience, she excels in go-to-market strategy formulation and execution, maximizing returns on investments through integrated marketing approaches.

Vartika Verma, Sr. Director of Marketing, Gupshup, is a seasoned marketing enthusiast with a track record of success across multiple domains. With approximately 15 years of experience, she has contributed to building iconic brands and leading high-performing teams to achieve business goals.

Women leading the marketing sphere not only promotes gender equality but also offers businesses a strategic advantage. Their diverse perspectives and collaborative approaches drive innovation and resonate with consumers. By empowering women in leadership roles paves the way for a more inclusive and effective marketing landscape.

Disclaimer: The organizations/ individuals listed above are not presented in ascending order. Their placement within the list does not imply any hierarchy, ranking, or preference.

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Education

Trailblazing Women Transforming EdTech – Meet the Top 5 Disruptors

Sheeba Chauhan

India has the third-largest startup landscape and the growing number of startups will make it rank even higher in the years to come. The world is embracing transformation, striving to create a more inclusive environment for everyone. One notable shift is the increasing presence of women not only in leadership positions but also as owners of businesses. The nation has nearly 14% of women entrepreneurs which is equivalent to 8.05 million, according to Mass Challenge and BCG. 

Having a glance at the previous year, more than 980 startups raised venture capital worth more than $11 billion in 2023, according to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible. However, 13% of the overall funding came from women-led startups with women-led startups securing $1.1 billion.  

According to a report by BCG, businesses led by women are more likely to show higher revenues and more ROIs ( Return on investment). Despite the societal challenges and stigmas attached to women in leadership roles, they are performing above and beyond. The number of women leaders and entrepreneurs are rising day by day and will continue to make an undeniable mark in the startup landscape. To support the analysis, a recent survey by Women in India’s Startup Ecosystem Report or WISER shared that women-led startups have risen to 18 % in India from 2017 to 2021. 

This article will feature some of the brightest brains who have led the brands in the education technology domain with their vision, and determination and have stirred the revolution of change in the edtech space. 

Tanushree Nagori, Co-Founder, Doubtnut

Tanushree Nagori, a graduate of IIT Delhi is now Co-Founder of the #1 trending education app – Doubtnut. The platform utilizes image recognition technologies to offer solutions and explanations for mathematical and scientific queries ranging from high school to college level. To obtain an answer, users simply upload an image depicting the question. In 2022, the company successfully raised 224 crore in Series B funding, with SIG and Lupa Systems taking the lead in investment. Previous investors such as Sequoia Capital India, Omidyar Network India, and Waterbridge Ventures also joined in this funding round.

Aditi Avasthi, Founder, Embibe

Aditi Avasthi earned recognition as one of BBC’s top 100 women in 2017. With a mission to revolutionize education on a large scale, Embibe is dedicated to providing students with learning opportunities and life skills while empowering teachers to excel. Their approach combines extensive educational knowledge, exceptional content, innovative design, AI, and engineering. Additionally, they hold multiple patents and have garnered international acclaim for their groundbreaking efforts in improving learning outcomes and creating exceptional content. Having secured over $200 million in funding, the company continues to make strides in the field of education.

Savita S, Co-Founder & CEO, konnectNXT

With over a decade of experience in business management, sales, and distribution, Savita S co-founded KonnectNXT, an AI-powered SaaS platform transforming talent database optimization. KonnectNXT streamlines resume updates, automates assessments, and cuts resume costs by 50% while boosting productivity by 200%. KonnectNXT is an AI-powered B2B-focused SaaS profile builder that builds a 360-degree profile page quickly and authentically. It verifies important data points like skills, past employment, projects, and recency of the profile within 30 seconds by gathering information from various sources.

Sultana Khan, Founder, UntechEd

Sultana khan is a business proficient with 14+ years of experience in Marketing and Sales in Education Industry. Now, Founder and CEO of Unteched Private limited is driven by a goal of creating a value that matters to the universities, students, and collaborative partners.  UntechEd is a professional marketing service company that caters to fullfill the unique requirements of educational institutions both domestic and international. They ensure that their strategies are futuristic and aid in growth of the institutions in long run. 

Poorva Srivastava, Founder & CEO , iLearnings Career & Consulting

Passionate about empowering learners and educators with innovative solutions, Poorva Shrivastava is a founder and CEO at iLearnings Career & Consulting. The company  provides innovative and personalized solutions for learners and educators.  It is one stop solution for all your career needs from online courses to abroad education consultancy and a lot more.

Disclaimer: The organizations/ individuals listed above are not presented in ascending order. Their placement within the list does not imply any hierarchy, ranking, or preference.

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Digital Native

PM Modi Unveils Monumental Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi

Observenow Desk March 20, 2024

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated the Startup Mahakumbh at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, underscoring its significance in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. He emphasized India’s prowess in the IT and software sectors, noting the burgeoning culture of innovation and startups. 

The inaugural Startup Mahakumbh, India’s largest and pioneering event of its kind in the startup realm, marked a historic milestone with an overwhelming turnout, serving as a dynamic platform for all stakeholders within India’s startup landscape. This convergence of stakeholders and experts is anticipated to catalyze the further advancement of burgeoning sectors such as DeepTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, AI, Gaming, among others.

Crafted to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide, the event witnessed unprecedented engagement from prominent investors, innovators, and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. Boasting participation from over 2000 startups, 1000+ investors, 100+ unicorns, 300+ incubators & accelerators, 3,000+ conference attendees, 10+ country delegations, 3000+ prospective entrepreneurs, and 50,000+ business visitors from across the nation, the event fostered lively discussions on the way forward and facilitated extensive networking among all stakeholders.

The collaborative efforts of ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE, and Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) orchestrated the event, with support from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), and Invest India.

Leading the pavilion at Startup Mahakumbh were Zerodha and the National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD), with backing from states including Bihar, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Karnataka, and Kerala. Supported by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Zomato, and the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC), Startup Mahakumbh had Uttar Pradesh as the event’s state partner.

Distinguished figures such as  Sivasubramanian Ramann from SIDBI,  Prashanth Prakash from Accel,  Sanjeev Bikhchandani from Info Edge,  Sanjay Nayar from Sorin Investments,  Deepak Sood from ASSOCHAM, Ms. Archana Jahagirdar from Rukam Capital, Ms. Debjani Ghosh from Nasscom, Shri. Anil Kumar Sagar from the Department of IT – Govt of UP, Ranjan Anandan from Peak XV, and Rikant Pittie, Co-founder of Easemytrip, played crucial roles in the event. Industry stalwarts including Peeyush Bansal, Co-Founder and CEO of Lenskart, Aman Gupta, Co-Founder and CMO of boAt Lifestyle, and Ashish Hemrajani of Book My Show actively participated.

Dignitaries such as Rajesh Kumar Singh from DPIIT,  Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa and Former CEO of NITI Aayog, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission,  Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Professor at IIT Madras, and Prashant Kumar Singh, CEO of GeM, engaged with participants on various government initiatives for startups.

Tags: Startup

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