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Veeam India and Women In Cloud Unveils #WICxSkillsReady Challenge at VeeamON India Tour

Observenow Desk August 13, 2024

Veeam India, in partnership with Microsoft and Women In Cloud, has launched the #WICxSkillsReady Challenge at the VeeamON India Tour. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to upskill professionals in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, specifically targeting roles in DevSecOps. Participants can earn Microsoft Applied Skills credentials through interactive, lab-based assessments on Microsoft Learn, providing a flexible, self-paced learning experience that builds trust with employers in an AI-driven economy.

According to the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report by Microsoft and LinkedIn, 66% of business leaders are reluctant to hire candidates lacking AI skills. Moreover, NASSCOM reports a shortage of nearly 1 million cybersecurity professionals in India, with only 15% of IT professionals holding relevant certifications. These statistics highlight the critical need for specialized training in these fields.

In response, Veeam India, alongside its partners, is committed to equipping over 1,000 individuals with industry-recognized credentials, empowering them to excel in AI and cybersecurity roles. Sandeep Bhambure, Vice President & Managing Director at Veeam India, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Our collaboration with Women In Cloud reinforces our dedication to building an inclusive and skilled workforce. The #VeeamOnIndia tour offers exclusive insights and skill-building workshops to help professionals succeed in today’s fast-evolving AI economy.”

A standout feature of the #WICxSkillsReady Challenge is the Cyber Detective Game, an engaging tool that allows participants to enhance their cybersecurity skills by solving data-driven mysteries, offering a dynamic approach to learning.

Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-Founder & President of Women In Cloud, added, “With the #WICxSkillsReady Challenge supported by Microsoft, we aim to cultivate the next generation of DevSecOps-ready professionals and foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity.”

The #WICxSkillsReady Challenge at the VeeamON India Tour represents a significant step toward empowering professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s rapidly changing AI landscape. For more information and to register for the event, visit https://www.veeam.com/veeamon-tours/india-cxo.

Tags: Veeam IndiaWomen In Cloud

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Governance

MoSPI Unveils ‘Women and Men in India 2023,’ Spotlighting Gender Trends and Progress

Observenow Desk

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, has released the 25th edition of its publication, “Women and Men in India 2023.” This report offers a comprehensive analysis of the status of women and men across India, covering various domains such as population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making. The publication provides disaggregated data by gender, urban-rural divide, and geographical regions, shedding light on the disparities among different groups.

The document not only highlights progress toward gender equality but also points out areas where significant gaps remain. By analyzing socio-economic indicators over time, the publication serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the public in developing gender-sensitive policies.

Key findings from the report include projections that India’s population will reach 152.2 crore by 2036, with a slight increase in the female percentage. The sex ratio is expected to improve, reflecting a positive trend in gender equality. Fertility rates have shown a decline among younger women, while older women are increasingly expanding their families. The report also emphasizes the importance of education in reducing adolescent fertility rates and highlights India’s progress in reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).

Additionally, the publication notes a rise in labor force participation rates for both men and women and a significant increase in women’s voter turnout in recent elections. The report also recognizes the growing contribution of women entrepreneurs, with nearly 48% of recognized start-ups led by women.

“Women and Men in India 2023” is accessible on the Ministry’s website, providing a crucial tool for advocacy and action to promote gender equity and inclusive development.

Tags: government of indiaMoSPI

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Education

IIT Madras Leads NIRF 2024 Rankings: Top 10 Institutes in India Revealed

Observenow Desk

In the 2024 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) results, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has maintained its top position, once again ranking as the number one institution in both the overall and engineering categories. This marks the eighth consecutive year IIT Madras has secured the top spot in engineering.

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) continue to dominate the NIRF rankings, with IIT Madras followed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore in second place. IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Kanpur took the third, fourth, and fifth positions respectively. IIT Kharagpur secured the sixth spot, with AIIMS Delhi coming in seventh. IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, rounded out the top ten.

This year, IITs have once again asserted their dominance, continuing the trend from 2023, where IIT Madras led the rankings with a score of 86.69, followed by IISc Bangalore with 83.09. IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Kanpur held the next three positions, with AIIMS Delhi breaking into the top six.

The NIRF rankings lists have been released for 16 different categories. Three new categories- state universities, skill universities, and open universities have been added this year. The other categories include universities, colleges, research institutions, engineering, management, pharmacy, medical, dental, law, architecture and planning, agriculture and allied sectors, and innovation.

The 2024 edition of NIRF also introduced three new categories: ‘Open Universities,’ ‘Skill Universities,’ and ‘State Funded Government Universities.’ Additionally, AICTE Chairperson Anil Sahasrabudhe announced plans to introduce ‘Sustainability Rankings’ next year. This year’s evaluation criteria saw changes, including an adjusted faculty-to-student ratio for medical and state government universities.

Tags: IIT MadrasNational Institutional Ranking FrameworkNIRF 2024 RankingsNIRF rankingsNIRF rankings 2024

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Digital Native

Ather Energy Joins Unicorn Club with $71 Million Investment from NIIF

Observenow Desk

Electric scooter manufacturer Ather Energy has officially entered the unicorn club, securing a Rs 600-crore ($71 million) investment from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), according to sources familiar with the matter. This latest funding round has valued Ather at $1.3 billion (approximately Rs 10,900 crore).

Ather becomes the fourth Indian unicorn this year and the second in the mobility sector, following Rapido, which recently raised $120 million from WestBridge Capital, achieving a $1 billion valuation as reported by ET on July 29.

NIIF, India’s sovereign wealth fund, initially invested in Ather in May 2022. At that time, Ather was valued between $740-750 million. Hero MotoCorp, Ather’s largest shareholder with a 40% stake, made a Rs 124 crore investment in June, reflecting an inferred valuation of $671 million (Rs 5,636 crore).

This funding comes as Ola Electric, Ather’s larger competitor, experiences a surge in its stock value, with a market capitalisation of Rs 48,258.89 crore ($5.7 billion) on the BSE, surpassing its last private valuation of $5.4 billion. Industry experts suggest that public market investors are viewing Ola Electric as a key player in the EV sector’s growth.

Ather’s latest round marks the first new-age company investment by NIIF after it withdrew from a planned investment in omnichannel retailer FirstCry. “NIIF has contributed nearly Rs 600 crore, and the round is now complete,” a source confirmed.

Representatives for Ather declined to comment, and NIIF did not respond to requests for comment as of Monday evening.

Tags: Ather EnergyNational Investment and Infrastructure FundUnicorn Club

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Governance

Rajesh Ranjan Joins Google India as Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy

Observenow Desk

Google India has appointed Rajesh Ranjan as its new Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy. Ranjan, with his extensive industry experience, will lead the company’s efforts to engage with policymakers, industry leaders, and communities, aiming to drive innovation and change in the tech sector.

Ranjan is well-regarded for his contributions to the field and his dedication to public policy. His expertise will be crucial in navigating government relations and aligning Google’s initiatives with broader societal goals.

With Ranjan leading the way, Google India is set to enhance its connections with key stakeholders and advance its mission to create a more connected and accessible world.

Ranjan, a veteran in Government Affairs and Public Policy, brings a distinguished career with significant roles in various organizations. Previously, he was the Director of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy at Microsoft, where he served for over three years.

Before Microsoft, Ranjan spent more than eight years at KPMG in roles such as Associate Director and Manager, where he managed key government projects in India. His work included collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the Ministry of Statistics, and the Agriculture Ministry’s India initiative, focusing on digital transformation, policy development, and strategic planning.

Tags: Google IndiaGovernment Affairs and Public PolicyRajesh Ranjan

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Exclusive

OpenAI’s AI Voice: Winning Hearts or Raising Concerns?

Observenow Desk

OpenAI has expressed concern that its new realistic AI voice feature might lead users to form emotional bonds with the technology at the expense of human connections. The San Francisco-based company highlighted research suggesting that engaging with AI in a human-like manner could result in misplaced trust, and the advanced quality of the GPT-4o voice could intensify this issue.

In a recent safety report on its ChatGPT-4o AI, OpenAI noted that users have begun interacting with the AI as if it were a real person, even expressing sentiments such as lamenting their “last day together.” While these interactions may seem harmless, OpenAI believes they warrant further investigation to understand their long-term effects.

The company also raised concerns that frequent socializing with AI might impair users’ skills in forming and maintaining human relationships. The report cautioned that AI’s ability to remember details and perform tasks could lead to over-reliance on the technology.

Alon Yamin, Co-Founder and CEO of AI anti-plagiarism platform Copyleaks, echoed these concerns, suggesting that it might be time to reassess how such technology impacts human interactions and relationships.

OpenAI plans to continue studying how its voice capabilities might influence emotional attachment. Additionally, recent incidents, such as the controversy over the use of a voice similar to actress Scarlett Johansson’s, have spotlighted the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding voice-cloning technology.

Tags: Alon YaminChatGPTOpenAI

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Digital Native

Amazon India and Gentari to Launch 10,000 EV Fleet by 2025

Observenow Desk

Amazon India announced a new partnership with electric mobility company Gentari to roll out electric vehicles (EVs) for their delivery operations. The goal is to have 10,000 EVs on the road for last-mile deliveries by 2025.

Through this partnership, Gentari Green Mobility will supply and manage these EVs over the next three years. They will also offer fleet management services to Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) to ensure the smooth running and maintenance of the electric fleet. This collaboration will give DSPs access to more electric three-wheelers for their deliveries.

Abhinav Singh, VP of Operations at Amazon India, said, “We want to support our delivery partners by giving them access to the right electric vehicles, complete vehicle life cycle management services, as well as charging and parking solutions.” By the end of 2023, Amazon India had already deployed over 7,200 EVs and is on track to meet its target of 10,000 EVs by 2025.

Amazon India operates in 400 cities across the country. Nikhil Thomas, CEO of Gentari Green Mobility India, expressed confidence that this partnership will advance India’s goals for a cleaner, electric future in transportation. Gentari Green Mobility India provides a range of services including EV charging stations, EV subscriptions through Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS), and additional personalized services.

Tags: Abhinav SinghAmazon IndiaGentari Green MobilityNikhil Thomas

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Governance

Raj Kumar Chaudhary takes over as Chairman & Managing Director of NHPC

Observenow Desk August 12, 2024

Raj Kumar Chaudhary has assumed the role of Chairman and Managing Director at NHPC Limited, India’s leading hydropower company and a Schedule ‘A’ enterprise of the Government of India, effective August 7, 2024. Previously, Shri Chaudhary served as Director (Technical) at NHPC. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering from BIT Sindri and an Advanced Diploma in Management.

Shri Chaudhary began his career at NHPC in 1989 as a Probationary Executive (Civil) at the Koel Karo Hydroelectric Project in Jharkhand. Over the years, he has advanced through various roles within the company, culminating in his appointment as Chairman and Managing Director.

Throughout his career, Raj Kumar Chaudhary has held key positions in the Cost Engineering and Design & Engineering departments at the Corporate Office and across multiple NHPC projects, including Koel Karo, Kalpong, Teesta-V, and Subansiri Lower HE Projects. He has also served as Director (Technical) for the Mangdechhu and Punatsangchhu-II HE Projects in Bhutan.

Shri Chaudhary’s expertise spans the entire lifecycle of hydro-project development, from concept to commissioning. Notably, he contributed to the Kalpong HE Project, which was completed 16 months ahead of schedule, a significant achievement given its remote location in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He was also instrumental in the successful commissioning of the Teesta-V HE Project (510 MW) in Sikkim and the Mangdechhu HE Project (720 MW) in Bhutan. Additionally, he played a key role in repairing the HRT of the 1020 MW Tala HE Project in Bhutan and serves as a nominee director at Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited.

Tags: NHPCRaj Kumar Chaudhary

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Governance

Google Set to Boost Innovation with New Startup Hub in Madhya Pradesh, Reveals CM Mohan Yadav

Observenow Desk

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced that the state government has received a proposal from Google Cloud to set up a startup hub and a center of excellence in Madhya Pradesh. This proposal was made during CM Yadav’s recent two-day visit to Bengaluru for the ‘Invest Madhya Pradesh’ initiative, which aims to enhance the skilled workforce in the state.

During his visit, Yadav met with around 30 industrialists to attract investment in space technology and other sectors. He also discussed plans with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to establish an aerospace and defense development wing in the state.

The strategic location of Madhya Pradesh, combined with investment proposals totalling Rs 3,200 crore, is expected to create nearly 7,000 new job opportunities, aligning with the state’s goal to play a significant role in India’s economic growth. The state already offers employment-oriented courses to support sectors such as Information Technology (IT), Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES), and Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM).

Additionally, NVIDIA has proposed transforming Madhya Pradesh into the “Intelligence Capital of India.” CM Yadav is optimistic about attracting IT companies to establish campuses in the state. His visit included roundtable discussions with representatives from the space technology sector, NASSCOM, Infosys, Cognizant, and TCS.

This visit is part of the preparations for the upcoming “Invest Madhya Pradesh – Global Investors Summit 2025,” reflecting the state’s ambition to become a major economic player. The first event in this series, an “Interactive Session on Investment Opportunities in Madhya Pradesh,” was held in Mumbai earlier this year.

Tags: CM Mohan YadavGoogleGoogle CloudInformation technologyMadhya PradeshStartup Hub

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Education

NEET-PG 2024: Over 2.28 Lakh Candidates Participated across 170 Cities

Observenow Desk

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, successfully conducted NEET PG 2024.

The exam was held in two shifts at 416 centers across 170 cities. Admit cards were issued to 2,28,540 candidates, with efforts made to allocate centers within their respective states whenever possible.

To ensure a secure and smooth process, NBEMS established a central command center at its Dwarka Office in Delhi. Officials from the Union Health Ministry, the NBEMS Governing Body, and the Executive Director closely monitored the exam’s progress.

Over 1,950 independent appraisers and 300 flying squad members were stationed at the centers, with eight regional command centers overseeing the nationwide exam.

To combat misinformation, NBEMS actively monitored social media to provide accurate information to all stakeholders. These enhanced security measures and coordination among various agencies contributed to the successful and secure administration of NEET PG, upholding the examination’s integrity.

Tags: Ministry of Health & Family WelfareNEET PG 2024

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