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Category: Sectors

  • Karnataka tops the Innovation Index followed by TN, Maha and Delhi

    Karnataka tops the Innovation Index followed by TN, Maha and Delhi

    NITI Aayog with Institute for Competitiveness as the knowledge partner released the India Innovation Index (III) 2019. Karnataka is the most innovative major state in India. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh form the remaining

    NITI Aayog with Institute for Competitiveness as the knowledge partner released the India Innovation Index (III) 2019. Karnataka is the most innovative major state in India. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh form the remaining top ten major states respectively. The top ten major states are majorly concentrated in southern and western India. Sikkim and Delhi take the top spots among the northeastern & hill states, and union territories/city-states/small states respectively. Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh are the most efficient states in translating inputs into output.

    The index was released in the presence of Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog; Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science; Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, AYUSH.

    Dr Rajiv Kumar expressed hope that “the India Innovation Index would create synergies between different stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem and India would shift to competitive good governance.” Shri Amitabh Kant added that “India has a unique opportunity among its myriad challenges to become the innovation leader in the world.” Renu Swarup said, “cluster-based innovation should be leveraged upon as the focal point of competitiveness.” Shri Ashutosh Sharma said, “The index is a great beginning to improve the environment of innovation in the country as it focuses on both the input and output components of the idea.” Shri Vaidya Kotecha said, “The index is a good effort to benchmark the performance of the state with each other and promote competitive federalism.”

    The study examines the innovation ecosystem of Indian states and union territories. The aim is to create a holistic tool which can be used by policymakers across the country to identify the challenges to be addressed and strengths to build on when designing the economic growth policies for their regions. The states have been bifurcated into three categories: major states, north-east, and hill states, and union territories/city-states/small states.

  • Reskilling can help navigate the slowdown

    Reskilling can help navigate the slowdown

    India is expected to grow at 7.7 per cent by 2019-20, rising from 7.2 percent in 2017-18, according to recent studies. With the ever-evolving technological landscape, businesses around the world have experienced a rapid change of skill needs and requirements. This has given rise to another issue in

    India is expected to grow at 7.7 per cent by 2019-20, rising from 7.2 percent in 2017-18, according to recent studies. With the ever-evolving technological landscape, businesses around the world have experienced a rapid change of skill needs and requirements. This has given rise to another issue in the country: a broadening skills gap.

    According to recent studies, the Asia-Pacific region is likely to face a shortage of 12.3 million workers by 2020, with the opportunity cost amounting to USD 4.2 trillion. Technological development, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning, are bringing major changes across industries. Skilling and reskilling will help employees navigate through the technological changes taking place across industries and workplaces, according to HR experts. Graduates need to be trained in new skills and technologies that organizations presently seek.

    As per HR expert Zairus Master, CEO,Shine.com. Today, jobs demand familiarity and expertise in disruptive technologies like Augmented/Virtual Reality, blockchain, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Institutes and colleges are still producing engineers with the same skills that their predecessors had more than a decade ago. As a result, there is a huge mismatch between demand and supply in terms of a skilled workforce. There is a critical need for more dedicated reskilling and upskilling initiatives aimed at getting the Indian workforce ready for the jobs of tomorrow.

  • Sustained effort required till 2030 to win war against HIV: Vedanta CSR

    Sustained effort required till 2030 to win war against HIV: Vedanta CSR

    The global fight against Aids Pandemic caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has to intensify. India is home to 2.1 million people living with HIV stands third globally out of 36.7 million people worldwide. The global fight against HIV has witnessed many different institutions coming

    The global fight against Aids Pandemic caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has to intensify. India is home to 2.1 million people living with HIV stands third globally out of 36.7 million people worldwide.

    The global fight against HIV has witnessed many different institutions coming forward to do their bit for improving the situation. World Health Organisation (WHO) believes that we will require rapid acceleration over the next five years and sustained action throughout till 2030 and beyond to win this fight.

    Diagnosis of HIV is a major impediment in the way of eradication of the disease. Further, it also requires post-diagnosis counselling, support and treatment. Awareness has been playing a key role in reducing the cases of HIV/AIDS patients in India. This year many different institutions came forward to contribute their bit towards this fight.

    Vedanta, a diversified natural resources company under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, organised awareness camps and outreach health programmes. These were spread across different parts of the globe for employees, contractors and communities. The company held HIV testing camps, blood donation drives and panel discussions. “Amplifying awareness reduces the risk of spread of the disease and access to modern healthcare facilities in rural communities is essential towards the holistic development of communities,” said Roma Balwani, President, Group Communication & Sustainable Development, Vedanta.

    Infrastructure developers also came forward for contributing towards this occasion. Emaar India, a real estate developer organised AIDS awareness and education sessions in Mohali and Gurgaon. The company saw the participation of over 8,000 people organising an awareness march to different colonies in their neighbourhood.

    Apart from outreach programmes, few companies came up with modernised communication techniques to spread awareness on this issue. Durex, a global sexual well-being brand used the power of social media to promote safe sex amongst young people. The company unveiled ‘Umbrella with raindrops’ as the unofficial safe sex emoji for putting safe sex back on the agenda. A survey carried out by the company found that most people were uncomfortable discussing safe sex, but 72% of the respondents found it easier to express their emotions through emojis.

    Entertainment can be a good medium for spreading awareness and sharing information. Sony Pictures Network, through its Hollywood movie channels, urged people to take the right step forward by running public service messages throughout the day. Saurabh Yagnik, EVP and Business Head, English Cluster, Sony Pictures Networks India said, “A social message narrated through the medium of entertainment has always been more effective. We believe that it is our duty to facilitate awareness for a sensitive subject like AIDS and our strong messaging will resonate with the campaign against AIDS, urging our viewers to be safe and responsible.”

    Many individuals from all walks of life also came forward to do their bit ranging from forming human chains in the shape of red ribbon, awareness rallies, community programmes, etc.

    People living with HIV in the country are also subjected to severe psychological trauma. Dr IS Gilada, President, AIDS Society of India commenting on this said, “Unfortunately, in the society we live in, HIV test report tends to tell about the character of a person. We fail to understand other reasons for the transmission of the virus apart from a sexual relationship.”

  • ChildFund and NBFC Grameen float bonds for women empowerment

    ChildFund and NBFC Grameen float bonds for women empowerment

    ChildFund India and NBFC Grameen Impact Investments India have launched bond’s to promote women empowerment in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. This is the world’s first domestically funded Sustainable Development Goals (SDG Bond), ChildFund India has said

    ChildFund India and NBFC Grameen Impact Investments India have launched bond’s to promote women empowerment in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

    This is the world’s first domestically funded Sustainable Development Goals (SDG Bond), ChildFund India has said.

    The Women Holistic Empowerment and Enhanced Livelihood (WHEEL) Impact Bond will help 2000 tribal women in these two states.

    The bond seeks to help these women become self-reliant by providing training of poultry business. It aims to achieve an annual income of Rs 30,000 for these women through this intervention.

    ChildFund will implement this project by utilising Rs 7.5 crore fund committed by Grameen Impact.

    “ChildFund is indeed privileged and proud to launch the first domestically funded SDG Bond focused on women empowerment and livelihood. I am grateful to Grameen Impact for its partnership and resources that they bring to the table,” said Neelam Makhijani, CEO &Country Director, ChildFund India.

    Royston Braganza, CEO of Grameen Impact, said “It is estimated that over $30 trillion is needed to meet the global SDGs target. We believe this can only happen when the government, corporate funding, capital markets and philanthropy join hands. The world is looking at India which is now a global leader in social innovation and impact investing. We at Grameen Impact are delighted to come up with an innovative financing instrument, focused on the SDGs, which uniquely combines impact investing, CSR and social enterprises.”

    ChildFund India is a part of ChildFund International – a child protection and development organization working in 25 countries and annually assisting around 18 million children, youth and their families globally.

    For over 6 decades, ChildFund India has been working with underprivileged children, youth and families from the most remote and extremely backward areas.

    ChildFund India annually reaches nearly 3 million children, youth, and their families across 15 States through its long-term programs by investing nearly 60-70 crore per annum.

    Grameen Impact India is an RBI registered NBFC focused on lending to enterprises engaged in the social sector.

  • PI Industries pitches to help boost Sustainable Agricultural Practises

    PI Industries pitches to help boost Sustainable Agricultural Practises

    Innovative Financial Advisors Private Limited (Fiinovation) along with PI Industries, a leading Agri-sciences based company, and Harsha Trust, a not-for-profit organisation has extended their CSR intervention for another two years in Rayagada district in Odisha

    Innovative Financial Advisors Private Limited (Fiinovation) along with PI Industries, a leading Agri-sciences based company, and Harsha Trust, a not-for-profit organisation has extended their CSR intervention for another two years in Rayagada district in Odisha. Began in 2017, the intervention aims at enhancing agri-based farm income of small and marginal farmers by adopting Good Agricultural Practises (GAP) and market-led interventions. The project has till date benefitted 1300 farmers from forty-five villages of Rayagada district.

    Based on a comprehensive impact assessment conducted by Fiinovation, achieving sustainability becomes the focal point of the project extension. As part of the extension, two Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) will be set up in the targeted two blocks of Kalyansingh and Bissam Cuttack of Rayagada district. These FPOs will ensure integration of small farmers in the agricultural value chain by training them on ways to increase crop productivity in a sustainable manner and by adopting and promoting usage of good quality inputs and services.

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Soumitro Chakraborty, CEO Fiinovation said, “Small producers do not have the large marketable surplus individually (both inputs and produce) to get the benefit of economies of scale. The planned FPOs in these areas will provide the necessary inputs to the members and also serve as knowledge delivery institutions for the farmers.”

  • Jindal – NABARD to help boost farmers income

    Jindal – NABARD to help boost farmers income

    Jindal Stainless Foundation has partnered with NABARD to help boost incomes of 4 lakh farmers in the next five years. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two partners recently. The MoU seeks to intensify the ongoing

    Jindal Stainless Foundation has partnered with NABARD to help boost incomes of 4 lakh farmers in the next five years.

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two partners recently.

    The MoU seeks to intensify the ongoing CSR programme ‘Project Krishi Unnati’ for having a positive impact on 4 lakh farmers in two phases, spread over 5 years.

    Jindal Stainless Foundation will partially fund and support the operations of NABARD and other implementing partners towards this end.

    It will also help in setting upmarket and financial linkages for farmers.

    Deepika Jindal, Chairperson, Jindal Stainless Foundation, said, “The collaboration with NABARD is an extension of our MoU signed with the Odisha government last year. So far, in Odisha, we have already reached out to over 20,000 farmers through this intervention.”

    The foundation is providing farmers in soil testing, crop management, market linkages and promoting climate-resilient technologies.

    It will help Farmer Producer Organizations, Farmers’ Clubs and Self-Help-Groups promoted by NABARD, which in turn will extend complimentary support to initiatives run by the foundation.

  • Andhra farmers get Rs 5510 crore assistance from the government

    Andhra farmers get Rs 5510 crore assistance from the government

    Ahead of Diwali, the Andhra Pradesh Government has given farmers good news by hiking the to the farmers Raithu Bharosa Scheme assistance to Rs 13500. Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy announced this after a review meeting today

    Ahead of Diwali, the Andhra Pradesh Government has given farmers good news by hiking the to the farmers Raithu Bharosa Scheme assistance to Rs 13500. Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy announced this after a review meeting today. This amount will be transferred to the farmers in three instalments. The chief minister acceded to the request of the farmers who attended the review meeting. The budget of Rs 5510 crores for the scheme has already been released by the government.

  • UK Study highlights role of business for fight against HIV/AIDS in India

    UK Study highlights role of business for fight against HIV/AIDS in India

    Eldis – Impact and Policy team at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK has come out with a study that discusses the role of business in the fight against HIV and AIDS with a particular focus on the private sector in India

    Eldis – Impact and Policy team at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK has come out with a study that discusses the role of business in the fight against HIV and AIDS with a particular focus on the private sector in India. The report highlights particular interventions by Indian five companies ranging from advocacy and education to prevention and treatment.

    Further, the report argues that because a large share of the country’s HIV-positive population are employed by Indian industry, businesses can gain from early decisive action to prevent HIV and AIDS. The paper also shows the advantages businesses bring to the fight, and how the Indian government supports companies involved in HIV and AIDS interventions.

    In India both private and public sector companies are pursuing notable programs of HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention for employees and for local communities. The report highlights lessons from HIV and AIDS interventions by Indian businesses. These lessons include:

    • partnerships with local NGOs, State AIDS Control Societies, and other agencies have proved critical  to the success of several programmes
    • companies have used several approaches to communicate HIV and AIDS messages to their workforce and local communities
    • programmes to support mobile target groups such as sex workers and their clients are important in preventing the spread of the virus
    • lack of government health facilities has created challenges in accessing medical and testing facilities
    • most programs have encountered resistance to HIV and AIDS messages because of the stigma attached to the epidemic and to topics related to sex

    Experience in combating HIV and AIDS in India points to several key recommendations for private and public sector programmes:

    • taking early decisive action on prevention before the epidemic gets out of control will pay off for companies
    • improved monitoring and evaluation will help in planning and implementing programs, in identifying gaps, and in sustaining, scaling up, and expanding initiatives
    • continued financing is especially essential for treatment programs, which, once initiated, must not be interrupted.