Union Bank of India unveils UPI Interoperable Cash Deposit (UPI ICD) at Global Fintech Fest 2024
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Union Bank of India unveils UPI Interoperable Cash Deposit (UPI ICD) at Global Fintech Fest 2024

New Delhi, 05 September 2024: Union Bank of India introduced its UPI Interoperable Cash Deposit – UPI ICD pilot product in Android Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs) at the Global Fintech Fest 2024 organised by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in Mumbai. The launch event was graced by RBI Deputy Governor Shri T. Rabi Sankar […]

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ADSEI Engages with the Telangana Government to Promote Ethical Direct Selling
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ADSEI Engages with the Telangana Government to Promote Ethical Direct Selling

India, 5th September 2024 – The Association of Direct Selling Entities of India (ADSEI) recently concluded a two-day visit to Hyderabad, focused on promoting ethical direct selling practices and seeking government support to distinguish between legitimate direct selling businesses and unregulated deposit schemes. The ADSEI delegation met with Shri. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary […]

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IATA and Outpayce help airlines accept account-to-account payments
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IATA and Outpayce help airlines accept account-to-account payments

India, 5th September 2024 – Recent regulations in many markets make it possible for merchants to accept payment from consumers using direct, account-to-account transfers. As airlines seek to best meet the needs of travelers and reduce the overall cost of payments, account-to-account payments are becoming very popular, and they represent a new option for travelers […]

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Indian School of Business and Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad feature on the LinkedIn Top MBA list for 2024
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Indian School of Business and Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad feature on the LinkedIn Top MBA list for 2024

India, September 05, 2024: To help professionals develop their skills and expand their career opportunities, LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, has launched a list of Top 20 MBA Programs to help professionals identify the top business schools to grow their careers.

The Indian School of Business and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad have been ranked among the Top 20. Stanford University, leads the global list, followed by Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD), France and Harvard University, USA, at second and third rank, respectively. The list evaluates each program on five key pillars including Job Placement, Ability to Advance, Network Strength, Leadership Potential and Gender Diversity to determine the ones that best set their alumni up for long-term career success.

Nirajita Banerjee, Senior Managing Editor and Career Expert, LinkedIn News India, said ”An MBA can be a powerful tool for professionals looking to accelerate their careers, whether they’re aiming for leadership roles, exploring new industries, or even starting their own business. Beyond earning a degree, it’s a chance to hone key in-demand soft skills like strategic thinking, leadership, and problem-solving – all while building connections that can open doors to new opportunities long after graduation. LinkedIn’s Top MBA list aims to help aspiring professionals find the right fit, making their investment truly impactful by connecting them to the programs that can best help them achieve their career goals.“

1 Stanford University
2 INSEAD
3

Harvard University
4 University of Pennsylvania
5 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
6 Indian School of Business
7 Northwestern University
8 Dartmouth College
9 Columbia University
10 University of Chicago
11 University of London
12 University of Virginia
13 Duke University
14 WHU
15 University of Oxford
16 Yale University
17 Cornell University
18 University of California, Berkeley
19 Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
20 University of Navarra

LinkedIn has also announced the top 10 MBA programs for network-building capabilities, with a significant presence of Indian institutions. Eight out of the top 10 globally recognized for their networking prowess are based in India. The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade leads the list at #1, followed by the Indian Institute of Management, Indore at #2, and the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow at #3), highlighting the significant role Indian institutions play in fostering valuable professional connections.

1 Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
2 Indian Institute of Management, Indore
3 Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow
4 Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta
5 Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
6 Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
7 Symbiosis Institute of International Business
8 Indian School of Business
9 ESSEC Business School
10 ESCP Business School

Here are tips from Nirajita on how professionals pursuing an MBA can boost their career prospects:

  1. Network, network, network. Meet everyone you can, attend school events, build your LinkedIn network as you go (add people as you meet them).
  2. Hone your key human skills – teamwork, collaboration, communication. Business school is all about the team projects, giving you a great chance to build your leadership and collaboration skills.
  3. Start posting on LinkedIn sharing your learnings during your course and case study exercises on any business topic you are passionate about. This can help you grow your network and build your brand.
  4. Think about what you might want to do post-MBA. If there’s a role you have in mind, look at the skills needed for that role and make sure you’re building those skills during the program addressing them in your studies.
  5. Participate in club events, pitch events and case competitions. There are great opportunities to build your presentation and persuasion skills, and performing well in these events can be a feather in your cap when applying for jobs or starting a new company.
  6. Look for internships, jobs, or campus leadership roles you can take on while you’re going through your program, which can help set you up for having stronger job prospects as you near graduation.

Methodology: 

The ranking, published by LinkedIn News, is determined by a carefully weighted methodology analysing the career outcomes of millions of MBA alumni, globally. The Top MBA Programs methodology is based exclusively on LinkedIn data and five key pillars:

  • Job placement tracks hiring rates and labour market demand, measuring the percentage of recent graduate cohorts from 2019-2023 who landed a full-time job within the same year of graduation, in addition to recruiter outreach across recent cohorts at each program.
  • Ability to advance measures promotion rates among recent graduate cohorts, in addition to how quickly alumni have reached director or VP-level leadership roles.
  • Network strength measures network depth, or how connected alumni of the same program are to each other; network quality of recent graduate cohorts, measured by connections to director-level professionals or higher; and the network growth rate of recent cohorts since starting the program.
  • Leadership potential measures the percentage of alumni with post-MBA C-Suite or entrepreneurship experiences.
  • Gender Diversity measures gender parity within recent graduate cohorts.
Palo Alto Networks Closes Acquisition of IBM’s QRadar SaaS Assets
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Palo Alto Networks Closes Acquisition of IBM’s QRadar SaaS Assets

India, Mumbai – 5 September 2024 — Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of IBM’s QRadar Software as a Service (SaaS) assets. This transaction underscores Palo Alto Networks and IBM’s commitment to secure customers with best-in-class threat prevention, addressing ever-expanding attack surfaces with the complete platform approach that is required to simplify security operations.

Palo Alto Networks Precision AI™-powered Cortex XSIAM® platform centralizes data and security operations capabilities that include SIEM, SOAR, ASM and XDR into a single platform to drastically streamline security operations and prevent threats at scale. Together, Palo Alto Networks and IBM, as a preferred managed security services provider, will help global customers across industries seize the opportunity to seamlessly shift from QRadar to Cortex XSIAM with no-cost migration services through IBM Consulting for eligible customers.

In addition, IBM has furthered its internal deployment of Palo Alto Networks security platforms with the deployment of Cortex XSIAM for its own next-gen security operations, and Prisma SASE 3.0 for zero-trust network security to safeguard more than 250,000 of its global workforce. IBM’s adoption of these marquee technologies is an example of how customers can benefit from the streamlined operations of products across the Palo Alto Networks portfolio. Further, Palo Alto Networks will deploy IBM solutions, including watsonx AI and data platform, to drive additional AI and automation capabilities.

Nikesh Arora, Chairman and CEO, Palo Alto Networks:

“We are on a mission to help organizations transform their security operations and harness the potential of Precision AI-powered platforms to better protect their businesses. Our partnership with IBM reinforces our commitment to innovation and our conviction in the tremendous benefit of QRadar customers adopting Cortex XSIAM for a robust, data-driven security platform that offers transformative efficiency and effectiveness in defending against evolving cyber threats.”

Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM:

“Together, IBM and Palo Alto Networks are shaping the future of cybersecurity for our customers and the industry at large. Working with Palo Alto Networks will be a strategic advantage for IBM as our two companies partner on advanced threat protection, response, and security operations using Cortex XSIAM and watsonx, backed by IBM Consulting. At the same time, IBM will continue innovating to help secure organizations’ hybrid cloud environments and AI initiatives, focusing our investments on data security and identity and access management technologies.”

Dave Gruber, Principal Cybersecurity Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group:

“Vendors like Palo Alto Networks are delivering out-of-the-box, consolidated security operations capabilities, enabling security teams to rapidly accelerate improved outcomes while reducing complexity involved in managing a siloed security technology stack. As Palo Alto Networks completes the acquisition of the Q-Radar assets, Q-Radar customers will now have a simplified path to modernizing security operations with XSIAM.”

Benefits to Customers:

Seamless Migration: Palo Alto Networks, alongside IBM Consulting and its team of security experts, will offer free migration services to eligible customers, ensuring a smooth transition to the Cortex XSIAM platform while retaining existing best practices and know-how.

 Enhanced Security Operations: Cortex XSIAM integrates multiple SOC tools into a Precision AI-powered platform, going beyond SIEM capabilities to provide comprehensive functionality, including SOAR, ASM and XDR, TIP, CDR, and ITDR. Its automation capabilities significantly reduce manual workload for SOCs, enabling more effective threat response.

 Advanced Analytics and Automation: Cortex XSIAM collects, normalizes, and analyzes security data in near real-time, automatically consolidating alerts into a reduced number of high-priority incidents. Precision AI-powered analytics and native automation increase accuracy and reduce incidents requiring human intervention.

 IBM Consulting Platform Support: Palo Alto Networks and IBM will offer immersive experiences for customers that are interested in adopting Palo Alto Networks security platformization, and IBM is training more than 1,000 consultants on Palo Alto Networks security solutions to help enterprises leverage the benefits of its network, cloud, and security operations platforms.

 On-Premises Customer Continuity: QRadar clients who wish to remain on QRadar on-prem will continue to receive IBM features and support, including security, usability and critical bug fixes, as well as updates to existing connectors and the ability to expand consumption. QRadar SaaS customers will continue on their current deployment, ensuring uninterrupted customer service and support until they are ready to move to Cortex XSIAM.

Nazara Technologies partners with Government of Telangana to Launch Nazara AI Center of Excellence
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Nazara Technologies partners with Government of Telangana to Launch Nazara AI Center of Excellence

India, September 5, 2024 — Nazara Technologies, India’s leading and only listed diversified gaming and esports company, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana. Through this strategic partnership Nazara aims to establish a pioneering AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) focusing on gaming and digital entertainment, positioning Nazara as a leader in AI-driven gaming and digital entertainment space and Telangana as a global hub for AI innovation.

nitish

The Nazara AI CoE will drive research, development, and innovation in areas such as gaming, interactive media, gamified learning, and other digital content, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, VR/AR, blockchain, and Web 3.0. By fostering policy development, supporting startups, enhancing skills, and engaging global expertise, the Nazara AI Center of Excellence aims to empower a dynamic and inclusive community

Nitish Mittersain, Jt. MD & CEO, Nazara Technologies, said: “Telangana’s proactive approach in fostering industry growth through public-private partnerships and policy development has created the ideal ecosystem for this initiative. This collaboration will enable Nazara to further our mission of integrating AI and emerging technologies across our diverse portfolio, positioning us as a leader in AI-driven innovations in gaming and digital entertainment.”

Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology and Industries, Mr. D. Sridhar Babu, said: “This partnership with Nazara Technologies, a leader in Indian gaming, marks a significant step in positioning Telangana as a global leader in AI-driven digital innovation. The Nazara AI CoE will empower startups, enhance skills, and attract cutting-edge technology investments, creating a diverse and dynamic ecosystem. By joining forces with Nazara, we are committed to driving economic growth and setting new standards in responsible AI applications in gaming and beyond.”

Unicommerce Powers HealthKart’s E-commerce Operations
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Unicommerce Powers HealthKart’s E-commerce Operations

5th September 2024, New Delhi: Omnichannel nutrition products retailer Bright Lifecare Private Limited, operating under the brand name HealthKart, has partnered with Unicommerce, one of India’s leading e-commerce enablement SaaS platforms, to strengthen its e-commerce supply chain in multiple ways.

Healthkart has adopted Unicommerce’s Multi-channel Order Management and Warehouse Management Solutions to automate order processing and fulfillment through its own website and across multiple marketplaces for its nutritional products under brand names including MuscleBlaze, Gritzo, and HK Vitals.

It will also use Unicommerce’s Seller Management Panel to enable 400+ sellers on the Healthkart marketplace to fulfill orders directly from their respective location. The seller management panel facilitates HealthKart with a diverse range of sellers and vendors, expanding the product catalog for their platforms. This enables HealthKart to maximize sales while orders are fulfilled directly from the seller’s location, resulting in significant cost and resource savings.

Utilizing Unicommerce’s comprehensive suite of technology solutions, HealthKart is enabling different aspects of its e-commerce operations highlighting the growing importance of technology for a business.

Talking about its partnership, Siddharth Jain, Senior Vice President at HealthKart said, “We are a new-age brand with technology at our core. As the demand for health and fitness products continue to grow among Indian consumers, we are focused on embedding best-in-class technology solutions to enhance the experience and efficiency for our buyers, vendors and others users”

“Health & Fitness have become a prominent e-commerce segment and we are excited to be a part of HealthKart’s growth journey as their technology provider.” said Kapil Makhija, MD & CEO of Unicommerce.

As of Q1 2025, Unicommerce serves 3600+ clients including D2C brands, retail and e-commerce companies as well as logistics provider firms. With 250+ technology & partner integrations, the company has achieved an annual transaction run rate of 850+ million order items managing 8300+ warehouses and 2950+ omni-enabled stores across geographies. Unicommerce eSolutions Limited is listed on National Stock Exchange of India (NSE: UNIECOM) and on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

ASCI Board appoints Partha Sinha as new Chairman
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ASCI Board appoints Partha Sinha as new Chairman

Mumbai, September 5, 2024: Post the board meeting held today following the 38th Annual General Meeting, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) appointed Mr. Partha Sinha, President & Chief Brand Officer of Bennett Coleman & Company Limited, as the Chairman of the ASCI Board of Governors for 2024-25. Mr. Sudhanshu Vats, Deputy Managing Director, Pidilite Industries Limited, was appointed Vice-Chairman, and Mr. S. Subramanyeswar, Group CEO & Chief Strategy Officer-APAC, Lintas India Private Limited was appointed Hon. Treasurer.

partha

Mr. Sinha comes with a rich and vast experience with top organisations such as Bennet Coleman, Ogilvy, Publicis, BBH, McCann, and Citibank, along with his stronghold of brand marketing, media, and communications.

Mr. Partha Sinha expressed a compelling vision for ASCI. “Being the chairperson of ASCI is both an honour and a profound responsibility, especially as our industry is under greater scrutiny by our stakeholders. With rapid changes in the digital environment and the emergence of new challenges. ASCI is committed to not just keeping up but to staying ahead. Deploying technology and AI to monitor errant advertising as well as putting our might behind preventive measures will be our focus in the days to come. This will ensure that creativity and responsibility coexist, creating an ecosystem that values consumers and encourages innovation.”

Reflecting on his term, outgoing Chairman Mr. Saugata Gupta said, “Leading ASCI through a period that witnessed significant development and change has been a privilege. This year has been marked by historic milestones, including the formation of the ASCI Academy, which has become a cornerstone in promoting responsible and progressive advertising. Our commitment to training and capacity building, creating new direction via our thought leadership work, reflects a culture of responsibility from the ground up.”

ASCI has made great progress in terms of its achievements and strategic initiatives during the year, reinforcing its commitment to the proactive work since the start of ASCI Academy. The Academy’s expansion is an important aspect of ASCI’s initiatives, and it is quickly becoming an active proponent of industry training and education. Since its inception, the Academy has expanded to encompass over 75 alliances and, through its training and education, successfully impacted 33,300 new and emerging professionals, firmly anchoring ethical principles deeply within the advertising community.

ASCI has also actively engaged in research and thought leadership through collaborative projects. Notable among these were partnerships with Khaitan & Co. on a white paper on the influence of generative AI on advertising, with the UN Women- led Unstereotype Alliance and lead research agency Kantar on D&I in India, as well as with Lexplosion for an in-depth understanding of privacy and data protection.”

In the past year, ASCI actively co-hosted and participated in several stakeholder and government consultations to address and discuss issues like dark patterns, green claims, and surrogate advertising.

ASCI updated and introduced new guidelines on an array of categories this year, including deceptive patterns, charitable cause marketing, and green claims ads, among others. These changes keep the ASCI Code current in the face of the changing industry dynamics and consumer expectations.

ASCI’s rigorous complaint redressal and monitoring operations this year included processing over 10,000 complaints and reviewing over 8,200 advertisements, affirming its role as a vigilant guardian of the advertising industry.

ITC Mangaldeep Elevates Pooja Experience with Innovative Scent 3 in 1 Launch
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ITC Mangaldeep Elevates Pooja Experience with Innovative Scent 3 in 1 Launch

National, 5th September 2024: ITC Mangaldeep, one of India’s leading incense brands, proudly announces the launch of its new sub-brand, Mangaldeep Scent. This innovative product marks a strategic expansion into aromatic space, offering consumers a luxurious and multi-dimensional olfactory experience.

Mangaldeep Scent 3 in 1 features three captivating fragrances in a single pack, providing a rich and varied olfactory experience to elevate one’s prayers. These fragrances are inspired by three international perfumes promising a unique and differentiated perfume-like experience. It ensures a 0% charcoal content, guaranteeing a pure and pleasant aroma and a superlative post-puja experience with its long-lasting fragrances.

MANGALDEEP

The new Mangaldeep Scent 3 in 1 comes in elegantly designed packaging, engraved with the iconic Mangaldeep logo featuring the Lamp of Well-being with design elements that invoke a sense of luxury and mysterious appeal.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Gaurav Tayal, Chief Executive, Matches & Agarbatti Business Division, ITC Ltd., said, “At ITC Mangaldeep, our mission is to enrich lives through the power of fragrance. The launch of Mangaldeep Scent underscores this commitment, offering our consumers the convenience of enjoying three distinct fragrances, without the need to purchase separate packs. Our extensive consumer research revealed a strong preference for diverse modern aromatic experiences inspired from the world of fine fragrances, whether for pujas or enhancing home environments.”

Mangaldeep Scent 3 in 1 is available at retail stores, marts, and online platforms. With the introduction of Mangaldeep Scent, ITC Mangaldeep continues to lead the way in delivering a premium and innovative aromatic experience for your daily puja needs.

Indian Immunologicals Limited Unveils Pediatric Dose of Indigenous Hepatitis A Vaccine, Havisure, on Teachers’ Day
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Indian Immunologicals Limited Unveils Pediatric Dose of Indigenous Hepatitis A Vaccine, Havisure, on Teachers’ Day

India, 05th September 2024 – On the auspicious occasion of Teachers’ Day, Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) proudly announced the launch of its latest breakthrough: the pediatric dose of India’s first indigenous Hepatitis A vaccine, Havisure (0.5 ml).

Dr. K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of Indian Immunologicals Limited at the launch of the pediatric dose of India's first indigenous Hepatitis A vaccine, Havisure (0.5 ml)

This launch marks a significant milestone in IIL’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable and effective vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable sections of society, particularly children.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus, which predominantly affects children and can lead to severe health complications. Vaccination is the most cost effective yet efficient method to prevent the disease.

Addressing on the occasion, Dr. K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of Indian Immunologicals Limited, said, “We are delighted to introduce the pediatric dose of Havisure, the first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine in India. IIL is the single largest contributor to the self-sufficiency of vaccines in the country, this launch is a testament to IIL’s unwavering dedication to innovation and public health. As we celebrate Teachers’ Day, we are reminded of shaping a brighter future for children. We are confident that this vaccine will contribute to a brighter and healthier future for our younger generation. IIL’s endeavor to make indigenous vaccines will give necessary impetus to “Make in India” efforts.”

In line with its commitment to public health and social responsibility, IIL marked this significant launch with a series of community-focused activities. IIL organized free Hepatitis A vaccination drives for children in two orphanages in Hyderabad to start with, which includes one specifically for blind children. IIL also conducted a health awareness session at an old age home, and these are continuous efforts towards creating awareness and better health for the community at large.

The launch of Havisure reinforces IIL’s long-standing commitment to innovation and public health, solidifying its position as the only company in India to develop an indigenous Hepatitis A vaccine, available in both 0.5 ml and 1 ml dosage forms for pediatric and adult use, respectively.