IIT Bombay Techfest offering networking sessions with C-suites

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Techfest, IIT Bombay’s annual science and technology fest is back offline with a footfall of over 1,75,000 and pan-India reach across 2500+ colleges, attracting participants and audiences not only from the country but all the corners of the world.

With the launch of the Media Summit, Techfest is offering participants an opportunity to network with professionals in the Industry and provide stepping stones as they build their careers in the same.

Media Summit by Techfest is a 1-day conference comprising keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops by a grand panel including speakers like Avinash Pandey (CEO of ABP news), Sachin Phansikar (COO of Business Standard), Manuja Veerappa (Assistant Editor of Times of India), Arpit Jain (Assistant Vice President of UFO Movies) and Yash Piplani (Founder of Leads and Lattles).

The participants will get a chance to gain insights into the current Media dynamics across the globe – in socio-cultural, business, technology and more domains. All from direct interaction with Media veterans, Industry leaders, Pulitzer prize winners and leading journalists, the students will get inspired by the best in Media and get a chance to network with people, peers, mentors and idols.

The agendas for the summit will include:

• Integration of Tech to Media Solution
• Role of Media in Marketing
• Print vs Digital Media: Impact vs Approach in the 21st century

  How to participate?

To take part in discussions from 16th-18th of December 2022-23 in the IIT Bombay Campus, register at https://techfest.org/summit/media

Note: This is a partnered post

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PT Usha becomes first woman president of Indian Olympic Association

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Ushering in a new era in India’s sports administration, the legendary PT Usha was on Saturday elected as the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The 58-year-old Usha, a multiple Asian Games gold medalist and fourth place finisher in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics 400m hurdles final, was declared elected unopposed for the top post in the polls. The elections were held under the supervision of Supreme Court-appointed retired SC judge L Nageswara Rao.

The election of Usha to the top job marked an end to the long-drawn crisis in the faction-ridden IOA, which was warned of a possible suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if elections are not held this month.

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The polls were originally due to be held in December 2021. Usha’s anointment to the top post was a forgone conclusion late last month after she emerged as the lone candidate for the top post.

Nobody was willing to fight against Usha, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in July.

Usha, fondly known as the ‘Payyoli Express’, is being seen as a candidate of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which had nominated her as a Rajya Sabha member in July.

She also became the first Olympian and first international medallist to head the IOA in its 95-year-old history, adding another feather to her cap after dominating Indian and Asian athletics for two decades before retiring in 2000 with a bagful of international medals.

Usha is the first sportsperson to have represented the country and also become IOA chief since Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, who played a Test match in 1934. Singh was the third IOA president who held office from 1938 to 1960.

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FIFA World Cup 2022: Brazil’s loss and Argentina’s win leaves football mad Kerala with mixed emotions

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Some of them continued to stare at the big TV screen, displayed at a ground, in disbelief while some others wiped off the tears rolling down their cheeks.

Many even did not mind crying aloud in public as the heartbroken fans of Brazil could not bear the reality that their favourite team was going out of the football World Cup without even reaching the semifinals on Friday night.

It was a night of shock and dismay for the hardcore admirers of Brazil in Kerala, where South American football teams have huge fan following.

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Faizal, a Brazil fan who was almost on the verge of tears, said he and his friends never expected such a rude jolt.

“We are still in a state of shock. How could it be true? We thoroughly believed that Brazil would win the title this time. This is unbelievable and unbearable for us,” he said.

Another Brazil fan, wearing the iconic yellow and green jersey of the football team, said he had no words to describe the loss.

When TV channels sought the reaction of another young man, he was not even ready to look up to the camera but just sat down in despair on the chair with his head down.

Croatia knocked Brazil out of the World Cup on Friday, beating the five-time world champions 4-2 in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals for the second straight time.

But, another section of football fans were ecstatic last night.

Fans of Argentina rejoiced as their team reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a penalty shootout win over the Netherlands.

Many of them broke into cheers and chanted slogans praising Lionel Messi seeing their team enter the semifinals in a thriller match where the star footballer was in top form by scoring a goal and also setting up another.

“Vamos Argentina… Vamos Messi…,” chanted a group of fans who took to the streets to celebrate the victory in northern Kasaragod district. Vamos is a Spanish term that means ‘let’s go’ or ‘come on’.

Some of them even waved the flags of Argentina standing atop their cars.

An Argentinian fan, who painted his face with blue and white colours, said he was more happy and excited as Brazil lost the other match.

“We will surely win the World Cup this time… Messi will lift the cup,” he said aloud.

Even state politicians could not hide their excitement and dismay over their favourite team’s performance last night.

Ruling CPI(M) veteran and former minister M M Mani, a hardcore Argentina fan, attempted to troll Brazilian fans through Facebook posts.

“Do not worry Brazil… We will capture Croatia… But, when will we get you in our hands?” he asked in a sarcastic way.

General Education Minister V Sivankutty, a staunch supporter of Brazil, excitedly posted a photo of him watching the match in his Facebook handle last night. But when his favourite team lost the game, he just put up a one-line post: “Congratulations Croatia”.

Kerala, known for its love for football, had witnessed “cutout war” between fans even before the beginning of the first-ever World Cup to be held in winter.

Huge cutouts of Messi, Neymar Jr and Cristiano Ronaldo, erected alongside a scenic river flowing through the northern Kozhikode district, grabbed worldwide attention.

Also Read: Neymar goes level with Pele, here are Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorers

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Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces train service between Kashi and TN

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday announced a new train service between Kashi and Tamil Nadu to commemorate the ongoing Kashi Tamil Sangamam being held here.

The Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express will be announced soon, he said.

Vaishnaw interacted with delegates from Tamil Nadu who were invited to the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, and also inspected the redevelopment plan of Varanasi Junction Railway Station, according to an official statement.

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The minister said the station will be developed into a world-class facility in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making railway stations resemble airport terminals.

Close to Rs 7,000 crore will be spent in revamping the station, he said, adding the redevelopment will be done keeping the next 50 years in mind.

He said in order to ease the heavy footfall of passengers at railway stations in Varanasi city, integrated development of all the railway stations in the region will be carried out.  Vaishnaw also said the manufacturing of Vande Bharat sleeper trains will commence soon.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a month-long programme organised by the Ministry of Education as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.  Delegates from various walks of life are invited to witness this festival in Kashi.

The Ministry of Railways and IRCTC ferried the delegates to Kashi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, the statement said.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

SC stays NGT order to phase out public transport vehicles below BS-IV in 6 months

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Supreme Court has stayed an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to phase out all public transport vehicles with BS-IV (Bharat Stage) engines and below in the next six months.

A bench of Justices S K Kaul and Abhay S Oka issued notice to the parties in the case and sought their replies on the appeal filed by the West Bengal government.

The NGT in its order had said the state government must ensure that public transport vehicles with BS-IV engines and below are phased out in six months so that only BS-VI vehicles ply in the state, including Kolkata and Howrah, thereafter.

“It is her (counsel for the West Bengal government) say that in terms of the directions of this court in an order dated October 24, 2018, no motor vehicle conforming to the emission standard Bharat Stage-IV was to be sold or registered in the country with effect from April 1, 2020.

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“Thus, registrations were carried out till that date as permitted, and therefore the 15-year period has to be counted from the date of registration. Otherwise, it will amount to making the vehicles unusable in less than 15 years. Issue notice. In the meantime, the operation of the aforesaid direction has stayed,” the bench said.

The eastern bench of the NGT had noted that a huge number of private and commercial vehicles older than 15 years were plying in Kolkata and Howrah, which was adding to the air pollution.

The tribunal in its order had said while phasing out the old vehicles, a move towards the use of cleaner and greener technology with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and electric buses may be expedited.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Storyboard18 | UpGrad unaffected by the ed-tech troubles, says CEO Arjun Mohan

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Storyboard18 got into a conversation with Arjun Mohan, CEO of UpGrad about the impact of ed-tech troubles on its business and if the company is looking forward to investing in big sporting properties much like other ed-tech players in the coming months. According to him, ed-tech overall isn’t going through much of an issue.

“Fundamentals are strong, they don’t change. UpGrad is unaffected, we don’t see any impact on the business. It is going as per the plan,” he said.

UpGrad recently rolled out a new brand campaign featuring journeys of its alumni in a candid conversation on screen. He also reflected on why the film was launched this time around when the whole ed-tech space is going through a rough patch, how much is it they leaning towards the phygital, its marketing plan for the coming months and if it is looking forward to invest in any key properties and sporting events in the coming days.

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The COVID pandemic had a huge impact on the liquor industry when out-of-home consumption came to a stop. It has been well over a year now since the world opened up and consumption levels got back up. To know how the year has fared for Diageo India, one of the biggest alcoholic beverages company, Storyboard18 spoke with Diageo India’s Managing Director and CEO, Hina Nagarajan on Diageo’s about the firm’s premiumisation strategy, driving sustainability and key consumer trends.

“Our business is bigger and stronger compared to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. I would say the larger consumption story which is anchored in premiumisation continues quite strongly. We are continuing to focus on prestige and above and to capitalize on this rapidly growing premium segment and changing consumer trends,” she said.

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Storyboard18 also caught up with Toranj Mehta, Director of Marketing, De Beers Forevermark and discussed traditions and jewellery customs across the country around the wedding season. Mehta also spoke about how as a global brand, her firm addresses the various needs across markets, key purchase trends among the GenZ and the need for sustainable luxury.

For the entire show, watch the accompanying video

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

‘World friendlier than Internet would make you think,’ says Trevor Noah as he exits ‘The Daily Show’

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Comedian and talk show host Trevor Noah bid adieu to the audience and viewers of the ‘Daily Show’, the flagship talk show of the Comedy Central network. Noah started his journey at the show in 2014 as a contributor. When legendary host Jon Stewart departed in 2015 after a 16-year-long stint, he personally chose Noah to succeed him because he trusted him.

“I am so grateful. I remember when we started the show, we couldn’t get enough people to fill an audience. No, I always think it’s good; that’s how comedy is good enough,” Noah told the live audience in his opening. “Even the people who hate-watched — we still got the ratings, thank you. I’m eternally grateful to you,” he added.

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The low-key final episode also saw Noah reminisce and thank all the guests that had appeared on the show, including celebs like Oprah Winfrey, Issa Rae, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton and Bill Gates.

Trevor gives thanks to the fans who supported him over the last seven years and the Black women who shaped his life. pic.twitter.com/p2VpOkSm4T

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) December 9, 2022

Contributors Michael Kosta, Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Roy Wood Jr, and Dulcé Sloan said their goodbyes to the host in their own ways and their own segments. At the same time, Noah also shared the three lessons he learned from the show – Republican vs Democratic opposition is a construct, context is always important, and it’s important to think before reacting to information seen online.

“Please don’t forget the world is a friendlier place than the Internet or the news would make you think,” he said.

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The host, who was born in South Africa, also shouted out to Black women and the influence they had on his life. “A special shout out to black women. I have often been credited with having these grand ideas. Who do you think teaches me? Who do you think has shaped me, nourished me, and informed me? From my mom, my grandma, my aunt.”

The Daily Show will see a range of guest hosts for the foreseeable future after it returns on air in January before they find someone to fill the position. Guests like Al Franken, Chelsea Handler, DL Hughley, Leslie Jones, John Leguizamo, Hasan Minhaj, Kal Penn, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes, and Marlon Wayans will take over as guest hosts in the meantime.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow