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Month: August 2024

Governance

Amardeep Singh Bhatia, IAS Appointed as DPIIT Secretary

Observenow Desk August 22, 2024

Amardeep Singh Bhatia, an IAS officer from the 1993 Nagaland cadre, has assumed the role of Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), taking over from Rajesh Kumar Singh. Bhatia, who has extensive experience in both central and state government roles, particularly in trade policy and public administration, steps into his new position at a pivotal moment. Previously, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, where he played a key role in shaping trade policies and negotiating free trade agreements.

Bhatia’s career includes significant contributions in the central government, particularly in the Ministries of Corporate Affairs and Health & Family Welfare, where he was instrumental in policy development. At the state level, he managed critical departments such as Planning & Coordination, Health & Family Welfare, Environment & Forest, Municipalities and Local Self Government, and Home, showcasing his broad administrative expertise.

As Bhatia takes charge of DPIIT, the department faces the challenge of a 3.49% decline in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with figures dropping to $44.42 billion in 2023-24 due to global uncertainties. Under his leadership, DPIIT aims to streamline FDI procedures, attract more overseas investments, and focus on enhancing startups, e-commerce, and the ease of doing business in India.

Tags: Amardeep Singh BhatiaDPIITIAS officer

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Digital Native

ObserveNow to Host 2nd Super 40 Digital Native Summit & Awards in Bengaluru, Presented by Niveus Solutions & Google Cloud

Observenow Desk

The growth of digital-native businesses (DNBs) in India has been a remarkable journey, shaped by significant macroeconomic shifts. It all began in 2007 with the first wave of online retail, laying the foundation for a digital economy. By 2011, digital brands started to emerge, driven by increasing internet penetration and consumer demand. The widespread adoption of internet services in 2016 further fueled the rise of internet-first brands, marking a new era of online retail. The introduction of digital payment platforms revolutionized transactions, making online shopping more accessible and secure. By 2019, a supportive ecosystem had enabled even more DNBs to enter the market, solidifying their presence in the Indian economy. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this shift, reshaping consumer behavior and reinforcing investor confidence in digital-first business models.

In light of these developments, ObserveNow Media is all set to roll out the 2nd Edition of the Super 40 Digital Native Summit & Awards, presented by Niveus Solutions/Google Cloud, Co-presented by Zscaler, and powered by MongoDB. The mega event, set to take place in Bangalore, promises to be a significant gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and digital-native trailblazers. This one-day event will feature multiple panel discussions and industry presentations, offering a platform for in-depth discussions on the future of digital-native businesses.

The theme of the event, “AI-Powered Transformation: The Digital Native Imperative,” will focus on how artificial intelligence is driving the next wave of innovation and growth for digital-native businesses. The event will serve as an opportunity for industry leaders to explore how AI can be harnessed to create new opportunities, overcome challenges, and sustain growth in an increasingly digital world.

The event will also showcase a diverse range of partners, including Imperva as the Data & Application Partner, Hitachi as the Data Innovation Partner, CtrlS as the Technology Partner, Truecaller Business as the Trust and Safety Partner, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission as the Strategic Partner, and MeitY Startup Hub as the Supporting Partner.

The day will begin with a welcome note by Riya Adlakha, Assistant Editor at ObserveNow, setting the stage for a day filled with insightful discussions and knowledge sharing. Saurabh K Mehta, Head of Growth Startups, India South, Google Cloud, will deliver the keynote address, providing an overview of the current landscape and the future of digital-native businesses.

The first panel discussion, titled “Decoding the Tech-Enthused Mind: Investigating the Mindset of Brands Building for the Modern Indian Consumer,” will feature a distinguished panel of industry leaders, including Vaibhav Tewari, Co-founder & CEO of Portea Medical, and Abhishek Kumar, Co-founder & CTO of Xoxoday. This session will be moderated by Jaspreet Singh, Partner and Clients and Markets Leader – Advisory Services at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP.

The second panel discussion, “Embracing Zero Trust Security for Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape,” will focus on the critical issue of cybersecurity in the digital age. Esteemed panellists such as Suresh Sharma, CISO at PayU, and Mohit Srivastava, CISO & DPO at Perfios Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd, will share their insights on the importance of zero-trust security models. Piyush Bajpai, Director, Cyber, Technology & Transformation at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP, will moderate the session.

The third panel discussion, “Cloud Migration and Digital Transformation: The Digital Native Approach,” will delve into the strategies and challenges associated with cloud migration for digital-native businesses. Panellists will include Ishaan Bansal, CTO of Bolt.Earth, and Navneet Kumar, CTO of CARD91, with Jithendran C K, CTO of Blubirch, moderating the discussion.

The final panel discussion of the day, “Generative AI & the Future of Innovation for Digital Natives: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges,” will explore the transformative potential of generative AI. Industry leaders such as Amar P, Co-founder & CTO of Rupeek, and Rajamohan, CTO of Bonito Designs, will participate in this session, moderated by Aditya Nanda, Regional VP-DNB & Mid Market at MongoDB.

In addition to the panel discussions, the event will feature industry presentations where experts will share valuable insights into the digital-native sector. The day will conclude with an awards ceremony, recognizing and honoring the leading stars in the digital-native sectors, celebrating their contributions to the digital economy.

As the digital-native landscape continues to evolve, events like the Super 40 Digital Native Summit & Awards play a crucial role in fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing among industry leaders. This summit not only highlights the current trends and challenges but also sets the stage for the future of digital businesses in India. By bringing together key stakeholders from various sectors, the event aims to inspire new ideas, forge strategic partnerships, and drive the next phase of growth for digital-native companies in the country.

Tags: 2nd Super 40 Digital Native Summit & AwardsBengaluruGoogle CloudMongoDBNiveus SolutionsZscaler

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Digital Native

Indian Startups Secure $395 Million in a Week

Observenow Desk August 21, 2024

Indian startups have raised over $395 million in a single week, marking a substantial increase of approximately 350% from the previous week, according to The Statesman. The surge in funding is attributed to the government’s recent decision to remove the angel tax on foreign investors, as outlined in the Union Budget 2024-25.

In July alone, Indian startups garnered $1.03 billion through 126 deals. Among these, 28 were growth or late-stage investments totaling $725 million, while 72 early-stage deals amounted to $311 million. Leading the funding round was hospitality and travel-tech company Oyo, which secured nearly $175 million. Notable mentions include Ather Energy, which raised $71 million, pushing its valuation to $1.3 billion and earning the status of a “unicorn.”

The report highlights that the Indian government has implemented over 55 regulatory reforms since 2016 to improve the business environment, facilitate capital raising, and reduce compliance burdens for startups. To date, these startups have created over 1.55 million direct jobs.

Tags: FUNDINGIndian Startupsstartups

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Governance

Rajnish Kumar Appointed as New CEO of MeitY Startup Hub

Observenow Desk

Rajnish Kumar, an Indian Railways Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer from the 1998 batch, has been appointed as the new In-Charge CEO of MeitY Startup Hub. With a career spanning over 25 years, Kumar has played a pivotal role in advancing initiatives aligned with India’s vision of digital empowerment.

A Mechanical Engineer by training, Kumar earned his Bachelor of Engineering from Malaviya National Institute of Technology (formerly Malaviya Regional Engineering College), Jaipur, in 1994. His career began with the Indian Navy as an Assistant Armament Supply Officer before he joined the Indian Railways in 1999. He furthered his expertise with a PhD from IIT Varanasi in 2013, focusing on enhancing procurement processes for locomotive manufacturers.

Kumar’s extensive experience includes roles at the Rajkot Division, Coach Maintenance Workshop in Lucknow, Diesel Sheds for locomotive maintenance in Lucknow and Ludhiana, and the Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi. His responsibilities ranged from production and machine procurement to spare parts management and planning. Additionally, he served as a faculty member in Information Technology at the National Academy of Indian Railways, Vadodara, and as Director of Vigilance at the Railway Board. Currently, he is with the National e-Governance Division at Digital India Corporation.

Tags: Indian RailwaysMeity Startup HubRajnish Kumar

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Education

AICTE and ISpA Forge Partnership to Advance India’s Space Talent

Observenow Desk

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Indian Space Association (ISpA) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at cultivating a new generation of space engineers in India. This collaboration seeks to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the country’s expanding private space sector by bridging the gap between academia and industry.

The new space technology curriculum introduced under this partnership will encompass a broad spectrum of topics, including launch vehicle systems and advanced space data applications. This initiative represents a significant advance in incorporating space technology into engineering education, equipping students with essential knowledge for success in India’s growing space industry.

At a recent space symposium in Delhi, AICTE Chairman T.G. Sitharam stressed the significance of the MoU in enhancing student and faculty awareness of space technology. “We plan to use webinars, events, and exhibitions to showcase the potential of space technology and its applications,” Sitharam explained. He noted that the initiative would provide students with exposure to the latest technological advancements and opportunities within the space sector.

The partnership will also enable industry engagement through activities such as industry visits, internships, and job placements. Additionally, space technology challenges and hackathons will be organized for teams from AICTE-accredited engineering institutions.

The drive to integrate space technology into engineering curricula has been ongoing. In June, Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotions and Authorization Centre (In-Space), highlighted the need for dedicated space sector courses in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other engineering colleges.

Sitharam further described the new curriculum, developed with In-Space, as crucial for supporting India’s future space ecosystem. “A robust space infrastructure is vital for fostering innovative applications and competitive services in a cost-efficient manner,” he stated.

ISRO Chairman Somanath supported this vision, citing the economic impact of India’s space program, which he claimed has yielded a return of 2.5 times the investment. He emphasized the sector’s contribution to various industries and issued a call for space entrepreneurs to drive innovation.

The recent Union budget’s allocation of ₹1,000 crore to a venture fund for space startups was praised by industry leaders, including Narayan Prasad Nagendra, COO of Satsearch, who viewed it as a boost for foreign investment and India’s space ambitions.

With this MoU, AICTE and ISpA are making significant strides in developing the next generation of space engineers, positioning India to lead in global space exploration and innovation.

Tags: aicteIndian Space AssociationT.G. Sitharam

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Governance

India and Japan Sign Landmark Green Ammonia Export Agreement for Future Green Energy Collaborations

Observenow Desk

India and Japan signed their inaugural green ammonia export agreement on Tuesday, a significant step witnessed by Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi. The Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement, signed by Sembcorp Industries, Sojitz Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power Co., and NYK Line, will facilitate the supply of green ammonia produced in India to Japan, according to the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).

“This agreement marks a major milestone as the first collaboration of its kind between the two nations, highlighting India’s rising importance in the global green energy sector,” the MNRE stated. The initiative will be led by Sembcorp Industries, which will produce green ammonia using renewable energy in India. Kyushu Electric Power aims to incorporate this green ammonia into its energy mix, thereby reducing coal usage at its thermal power plants in Japan.

Sojitz Corporation will act as the business intermediary, linking the producer with the end-user, while NYK Line will oversee the maritime transportation of the green ammonia from India to Japan.

Minister Joshi emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Today is a historic day as we establish the first-ever supply chain for Green Ammonia from India to Japan, setting the stage for future collaborations in the green energy sector.” He also highlighted ongoing efforts, including a tender for 7.5 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA) of green ammonia, with additional tenders for 4.5 lakh TPA in progress.

These efforts align with India’s broader strategy to incentivize the production of over one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. Green ammonia, produced entirely from renewable energy sources, is a sustainable alternative to conventional ammonia, which relies on fossil fuels. It is seen as a crucial clean energy carrier, capable of storing and transporting renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and serving as a fuel, fertilizer, and hydrogen transport medium.

India is among the top six global exporters of green ammonia, alongside Chile, Australia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and China, according to the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water. Germany and Japan are expected to emerge as leading importers of green ammonia.

Nuvama Research forecasts that India will maintain its cost advantage, with green ammonia projected to be 17% more competitive than China’s and 21% more competitive than Australia’s by 2050. NITI Aayog projects that by 2030, India’s production costs for green ammonia will be 29% lower than China’s and 43% lower than Australia’s.

Tags: green ammoniaPralhad Joshi

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Exclusive

MongoDB Atlas for Government Expands to Google Cloud’s Assured Workloads, Enhancing Multi-Cloud Capabilities for Public Sector

Observenow Desk

MongoDB, Inc. has announced that its MongoDB Atlas for Government now supports Google Cloud’s Assured Workloads in U.S. regions, catering to government agencies, public sector organizations, and independent software vendors (ISVs) focused on the public sector. This new support extends MongoDB’s existing multi-cloud availability, making MongoDB Atlas for Government the first fully managed multi-cloud data platform authorized at the FedRAMP Moderate level.

“Google Cloud’s Assured Workloads ensures that public sector organizations can leverage the latest cloud capabilities without compromising compliance,” said Sunil Potti, Vice President of Cloud Security at Google Cloud. “We are thrilled to offer these organizations additional flexibility by adding MongoDB Atlas for Government as another database option.”

The public sector and ISVs must juggle stringent security and regulatory requirements while adopting advanced technology to meet growing citizen demands. MongoDB Atlas for Government offers a flexible and scalable data platform that supports a variety of use cases, from mission-critical transactional workloads to generative AI-powered applications, real-time analytics, and content management. The platform features robust security capabilities, including advanced encryption, network management, isolation, and identity access controls, ensuring top-tier security for sensitive workloads.

With the inclusion of Google Cloud’s Assured Workloads, public sector organizations and ISVs can now host their workloads on Google Cloud’s most secure and compliant service. Starting this fall, Google Cloud customers will be able to access MongoDB Atlas for Government via the Google Cloud Marketplace.

Sahir Azam, Chief Product Officer at MongoDB, emphasized the importance of this development: “Public sector organizations often face limited cloud adoption and modernization options due to strict security and compliance needs. By adding MongoDB Atlas for Government to Google Cloud, we offer these organizations greater choice and the ability to innovate faster. Additionally, for those already in the cloud, the support for Google Cloud enhances multi-cloud solutions, improving disaster recovery and overall resilience.”

Tags: Google CloudMongoDBSahir AzamSunil Potti

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News

Zomato Bans AI-Generated Food Images Following Customer Complaints Surge

Observenow Desk August 20, 2024

In response to growing customer dissatisfaction, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has announced that the platform will ban AI-generated food images. These images, which were initially introduced to enhance the visual appeal of dishes, have instead led to an increase in customer complaints, breaches of trust, and lower ratings.

Goyal explained that AI-generated images have compromised customer trust, resulting in more refund requests and diminished ratings. In a statement posted on X.com (formerly Twitter), he stressed Zomato’s commitment to removing these images from menus and discouraged their use.

To resolve these issues, Zomato will begin phasing out AI-generated images by the end of the month. Goyal has called on restaurant partners to discontinue the use of AI for marketing purposes and to invest in genuine food photography. To facilitate this transition, Zomato will offer free photography services to its restaurant partners.

Although Zomato will discontinue the PicNic AI tool, which was launched last year to improve food image quality, the company continues to report strong financial performance. In Q1 FY25, Zomato has achieved a 74% increase in revenue and a 126% rise in net profit.

Tags: Deepinder GoyalZomato

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Exclusive

Google Brings ‘AI Overviews’ To India With Country-First Features

Observenow Desk

Google has recently expanded its AI Overviews feature to six new countries, including India. Initially unveiled at Google I/O in May, the feature was first launched exclusively in the US. Now, Google is rolling it out to India, UK, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil. AI Overviews offer concise, informative summaries of complex topics, making it easier for users to access information efficiently. While the initial US launch featured only an English version, the expansion includes support for local languages.

Hema Budaraju, Senior Director of Product Management for Search at Google, noted, “Through our testing in these markets, we’ve found that people prefer using search with AI Overviews, and they find their search results more helpful. In fact, we’ve seen that Indian users engage with AI Overviews responses more frequently than those in other countries.”

In India, AI Overviews supports both Hindi and English and includes additional features tailored for local users. These include an easy language toggle between English and Hindi and Text-to-Speech functionality via a ‘Listen’ button. This feature is being rolled out gradually over the next few weeks. To access AI Overviews, users must log in with their Google account and disable Incognito mode. When searching on Google, if an AI Overview or another experimental generative AI feature is available, it will appear in the search results.

Tushar Zade, CIO & CDO, Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Limited said “Google’s introduction of ‘AI Overviews’ tailored specifically for India marks a pivotal moment in digital transformation. By incorporating local languages like Hindi alongside English, Google is not just enhancing accessibility but also empowering millions with AI-driven insights. This move showcases how technology, especially AI, is bridging gaps and driving innovation in diverse and dynamic markets like India.”

Google’s AI Overviews is a revolutionary advancement in the search engine space, SEO, and the future of information access. With its contextualization and personalization capabilities, combined with innovative support for both English and Hindi, this feature marks a significant leap in how Indians interact with search. It enhances access to information, drives deeper engagement, and empowers users with AI-driven insights tailored specifically to India’s diverse linguistic landscape, said Irshad Saifi, Director IT and Digitization (CDIO), Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.

Google aims to enhance how people search for information and increase website traffic with AI Overviews. The company reports that users are visiting a wider variety of websites for complex queries and spending more time on these sites, indicating higher quality clicks. Google’s ongoing improvements to search are designed to drive more qualified traffic to websites.

Tags: Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services LimitedGoogleHema BudarajuIrshad SaifiTushar Zade

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Governance

OneXtel Media Joins Forces with CRIS to Transform Rail Madad for Millions of Passengers

Observenow Desk August 16, 2024

OneXtel Media has partnered with the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to significantly enhance the customer experience for millions of travellers across India. By integrating its AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot, OneXtel aims to transform the Rail Madad service for passengers nationwide.

In a LinkedIn post, Deepak Kaul, Vice President of Sales – India at OneXtel, expressed, “We are excited to announce our collaboration with CRIS to improve the customer experience for millions of travellers throughout the country. Our AI-driven WhatsApp chatbot is poised to elevate the Rail Madad service for passengers nationwide.”

As a leading telecommunications service provider, OneXtel offers a wide range of services including SMS, Voice, Email, and third-party application integration, positioning itself as India’s sole multimodal business communication platform.

CRIS, an organization under the Ministry of Railways, combines the expertise of IT professionals and experienced railway personnel to deliver complex IT solutions for the Indian Railways. Since its establishment, CRIS has been responsible for developing and maintaining critical software systems across various operational areas of the rail network.

Tags: Centre for Railway Information SystemsMinistry of RailwaysOneXtel MediaRail Madad

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