admin, Author at ArdorComm Media Group

KisanKonnect Revolutionizes Farm-to-Fork with India’s First Digital Farmers Market

KisanKonnect, an integrated ‘farm-to-fork’ company, has introduced India’s first digital farmers market called ‘Aapka Apna Farmers Market’ through its app. The initiative, inaugurated by wellness advocate Shilpa Shetty Kundra, links 5,000 farmers from Maharashtra directly to consumers in Mumbai and Pune. By eliminating intermediaries, KisanKonnect reduces wastage and ensures fair prices for both farmers and urban consumers. The company’s proprietary technology, Kisan-Trace, offers complete information about the farm, farming practices, and growing location of the vegetables to consumers even before purchase, promoting transparency and trust. Founded three years ago, KisanKonnect has established an advanced tech-enabled supply chain, serving more than three lakh urban consumers through its app and farm stores. The company follows ‘Responsible Agriculture Practices,’ prioritizing soil improvement, using biofertilizers instead of chemicals, and providing farmers with scientific Agronomy inputs for better crop productivity. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty-Kundra has recently invested in the start-up, further endorsing its vision. Nidhi Nirmal, Co-founder, and Chief Business Officer of KisanKonnect, highlighted the importance of consumers knowing the source of their food for confidence in its quality. The partnership between KisanKonnect and urban consumers in Mumbai and Pune aims to connect conscious consumers with farmers who practice responsible farming methods, ensuring the delivery of fresh produce directly from the farm to their homes. KisanKonnect’s farm-fresh vegetables and fruits can be accessed through their website and mobile app (KisanKonnect Farm Fresh Produce). The company has garnered trust and preference from customers who appreciate its commitment to quality and sustainable agriculture practices.

KisanKonnect Revolutionizes Farm-to-Fork with India’s First Digital Farmers Market Read More »

India’s Medical Education Sees Rapid Growth: MBBS Seats Up by 110%, Medical Colleges by 82% since 2014

admin / Health & Wellness Community

The Lok Sabha was informed that India has seen remarkable progress in its medical education sector since 2014. The country has witnessed an 82% increase in the number of medical colleges, growing from 387 to 704, and an impressive 110% increase in MBBS seats, rising from 51,348 to 1,07,948 during this period. Furthermore, there has been a substantial 117% rise in the number of post-graduate (PG) medical seats, from 31,185 to 67,802. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the government’s efforts in supporting the establishment of new medical colleges in underserved areas and aspirational districts. A total of 101 medical colleges have been approved under the centrally-sponsored scheme, with one such college approved in Assam. The government’s initiatives also aimed at upgrading existing medical colleges to enhance medical education standards. Through various schemes, support has been provided to add thousands of MBBS and PG seats in different colleges across the country. Additionally, the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, was introduced to improve access to quality medical education and ensure the availability of skilled medical professionals throughout India. The Act has led to several positive changes, including recognizing the Diplomate of National Board qualification for faculty appointments and increasing the age limit for certain medical college positions to 70 years. Furthermore, the NMC Act has relaxed norms for setting up medical colleges, rationalized the teacher-student ratio to increase PG seats, and framed guidelines for determining fees in private medical institutions and deemed-to-be universities. India’s medical education sector has seen significant expansion and improvements, contributing to better healthcare access and quality across the nation.

India’s Medical Education Sees Rapid Growth: MBBS Seats Up by 110%, Medical Colleges by 82% since 2014 Read More »

Australia Removes TOEFL iBT from Visa Eligibility

admin / Education Community

In a recent development, the Australian government has made an official announcement regarding English language tests for visa purposes. As of July 26, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT will no longer be considered for Australian visa applications until further notice. Prior to this change, the TOEFL iBT score was accepted as a valid proof of English proficiency. However, the government has decided to exclude it from the list of accepted tests for visa requirements. This decision came as the TOEFL iBT was undergoing enhancements worldwide, aiming to improve the test taker experience by reducing test time and streamlining registration procedures. Despite these improvements, the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has opted to suspend its acceptance of TOEFL iBT scores. At present, applicants seeking an Australian visa must submit scores from other accepted tests conducted at secure test centers. These include the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE), Cambridge English (CAE), and the Occupational English Test (OET) for health professionals. Notably, IELTS results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) will be accepted for visa purposes, except for specific subclasses that require scores from a single sitting. As the Australian government aims to uphold high standards for English proficiency measures, the exclusion of TOEFL iBT underscores the significance of the approved alternative tests in assessing language abilities of visa applicants.

Australia Removes TOEFL iBT from Visa Eligibility Read More »

ArdorComm ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSANewDelhi #ELSAGurugram held at Gurugram, Delhi NCR on 21st & 22nd July 2023

admin / Blogs

ArdorComm Media Group (A Media Start-up) hosted the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ as the India’s Biggest Education Leadership Summit in Gurugram, Delhi NCR on 21st & 22nd July 2023. ELSA New Delhi was the Seventh successful summit of the NEW NORMAL – ELSA series. The Summit theme focused on “INDIA Vision 2030: A Move to Improve Education & Skills in 21st Century Workplace”. The two-day symposium brought together Pre-school, School & Higher Education Leaders, Innovators, Policymakers and EdTech Experts, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the education sector in the post-pandemic world and going ahead with a vision 2030. The Knowledge forum witnessed who’s who from government, pre-schools, schools, universities, colleges, engineering institutes, B-schools, skill institutions, and experts from corporate, EdTech companies & education startups. Deliberating, showcasing & presenting best & next practices in school, higher, skill and technical education. The event celebrated the success stories of all educators who have been continuously working for the betterment of the current teaching-learning scenario. The Day 1 focused on the Higher Education sector and Day 2 focused on the School Education sector. Chandan Anand, Founder, CEO & Group Editor of ArdorComm Media Group, emphasized on the event theme saying, “In the pursuit of progress and prosperity, India envisions a transformative journey to 2030, where education and skills become the guiding lights illuminating the path to a thriving 21st-century workplace. With a focus on innovation, research, and quality, the government has implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2023, which aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the modern world. The “New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023” organized by ArdorComm Media Group serves as a crucial platform to discuss and recognize the efforts being made towards achieving this vision.” The Government Supporting Partner of the Summit were Department of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) supported the summit as Representing Institutions. The Presenting Partner of the event was LinkedIn and Co-presenting Partner was UNIVO. The Gold Partner of the summit was KALOREX, EdTech Partner was D2L, Online Learning Partner was Coursera, Payroll Partner was Razorpay, Admission Automation Partner was ExtraaEdge. The Associate Partners were DigitalEd, FunctionUp School of Technology and SaS. The Credential Partner was TruScholar, University Partner were Chitkara University, OPJU (OP Jindal University), Shobhit University. The School Partner were Billimoria High School, Chitkara Internsational School, Sanfort World School, Seth MR Jaipuria Schools and Preschool Partner was Sanfort. The Exhibitors at the summit were EDTEX and SmartQ. The important guests, eminent speakers, experts, academicians & educators from pre-schools, schools, universities, engineering institutions, B-schools, EdTech & education startups who graced the event with their presence on both days at ‘ArdorComm New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023 in Gurugram, Delhi NCR on 21st & 22nd July were: – Day 1 (Higher Education): The Chief Guest of the event was Shri Temjen Imna Along, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education & Tourism, Government of Nagaland. The Special Guests were Prof. Rajive Kumar, Member Secretary, AICTE, MoE, Govt. of India, Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities. The Guest Speakers were Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Chancellor, Shobhit University, Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, Chitkara University, Saba Karim, India Head, Public Sector, LinkedIn and Monica Agarwal, Director, Content, UNIVO Education. The Eminent Panel Speakers were Prof. (Dr.) B.S.Satyanarayana, Vice Chancellor, G. D.Goenka University, Sohna, Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, Chitkara University, Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Chancellor, Shobhit University, Dr. Sunil Rai, Chancellor, UPES, Dehradun, Prof. (Dr.) Pankaj Kumar Mishra, Pro Vice Chancellor, Glocal University, Sharanpur, Prof. (Dr.) Arun Garg, Vice Chancellor, MVN University, Palwal, Prof. Prafulla Agnihotri, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Sirmaur, Prof. (Dr.) V. K. Rattan, Vice Chancellor, GNA University, Phagwara, Prof. R. S. Yadav, Vice Chancellor, Baba Mastnath University, Rohtak, Pravesh Dudani, Founder & Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University, East Sikkim, Dr. Prabhat Pankaj, Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur, Abhishek Ajmera, Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer, UNIVO Education, Prof. (Dr.) Chattar Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rai Technology University, Bengaluru, Abhay Gupta, Founder & CEO, Luxury Connect Business School, Gurugram, Prof. (Dr.) B. L. Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala, Prof. (Dr.) Raghuvir Singh, Vice Chancellor, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Dr. R D Patidar, Vice Chancellor, OP Jindal University, Raigarh, Dr. Prem Das Maheshwari, Business Director-South Asia, D2L, Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Singh, Founder Vice Chancellor, Geeta University, Panipat, Delhi, Prof. Ambarish S. Vidyarthi, Vice Chancellor, Bikaner Technical University, Bikaner, Rajasthan, Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Madhukar, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Gurgaon, Dr. Manju Gupta, Director Strategic Management, Mangalmay Group of Institutions, Greater Noida, Sanjay Diwan, Educator and Advisor, USME-DTU, DigitalEd India & Positive Momentum, Dr. Kamalesh VN, Pro Vice Chancellor, Madhav University, Sirohi, Pankaj Jain, Regional Director India Subcontinent, UTS (University of Technology Sydney) College, Pooja Priyamvada, Academic Director, International Institute of Mass Media, New Delhi, Dr. Sunil Kr Pandey, Director (IT & UG), Institute of Technology & Science, Ghaziabad, Aanchal Chopra, Regional Head – North, Academic & Govt. (A&G) Business, LinkedIn, Dr. Indranil Bose, Vice President-Academics & Head of the Department & Professor-Management, Adamas University, Kolkata. The Industry Perspectives of Day 1 were shared by Saba Karim, India Head, Public Sector, LinkedIn, Daksh Agrawal, AVP Growth, ExtraaEdge, CA Mayur Zanwar, Co-Founder, TruScholar, Pritesh Kumar, Co-Founder & Director, FunctionUp School of Technology. The eminent speakers at the Leadership Talk Session – A Roundtable Discussion moderated by D2L on the topic, “Promoting Active Learning and Student Engagement through Technology-Enabled Solutions” were Dr. Prem Das Maheshwari, Business Director South Asia, D2L, Dr. Manju Gupta, Director Strategic Management, Mangalmay Group of Institutions, Indirapuram, Dr. TR Pandey, Director, Ajay Kumar Garg Institutes of Management, Ghaziabad, Prof. H. L. Verma, Vice Chancellor, Jagan Nath University, Bahadurgarh, Dr. Rekha Vig, Dean – IQAC, The NorthCap University, Gurugram, Prof. (Dr.) B. L. Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor, Sushant University, Gurugram, Dr Manoj Agarwal, Director,

ArdorComm ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSANewDelhi #ELSAGurugram held at Gurugram, Delhi NCR on 21st & 22nd July 2023 Read More »

Government Initiates Probe into Eros International’s Financial Accounts Over Allegations of Misreporting and Fund Diversion

admin / Media Entertainment & Art Community

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has launched a probe into the financial accounts of Eros International Media based on information from two unidentified government officials who spoke to Reuters. The investigation was triggered by allegations from the market regulator that the media company engaged in financial misreporting and fund diversion in June. The ministry was convinced that an inspection was necessary to examine the allegations of fund siphoning. Eros International Media, known for being a distributor and producer of movies and owning the popular OTT streaming platform Eros Now, is under scrutiny. Both the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Eros International have not yet responded to requests for comments via email. In a preliminary order, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had found initial evidence suggesting that Eros International’s financial accounts were overstated and did not provide an accurate representation of the company’s financial health. Following SEBI’s findings, the Managing Director of Eros International Media, Sunil Arjan Lulla, and three company entities were barred from participating in the securities market. Eros International challenged this order earlier this month. As part of the investigation process, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has the authority to record statements from company officials and request relevant documents. The ministry is required to compile its report within a six-month timeframe, as stipulated by Indian law. Source: Reuters

Government Initiates Probe into Eros International’s Financial Accounts Over Allegations of Misreporting and Fund Diversion Read More »

GlobalData Survey Reveals Growing Endorsement for AI Adoption in Healthcare Provision

admin / Health & Wellness Community

According to a recent survey conducted by GlobalData, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is on the rise, with 49% of healthcare industry professionals with prior AI experience strongly endorsing its application in clinical practice and administrative tasks. The survey, which took place between March 2023 and June 2023 and involved 426 healthcare industry professionals, highlights the increasing integration of AI into healthcare provision. GlobalData’s latest report titled ‘AI in Clinical Practice – Physician Perspective 2023’ reveals that diagnostics support and treatment decision support are the two most popular use cases for AI tools in healthcare. Practices like oncology are already leveraging AI for tasks such as risk prediction and disease diagnosis. However, it is emphasized that scientific validation is crucial to verify the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated results. The report also indicates that physicians are increasingly comfortable with using AI for automating administrative tasks, signifying a growing acceptance of AI’s value in streamlining healthcare operations across major pharmaceutical markets, including the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, and China (8MM). China has emerged as a leading player in embracing AI within the global healthcare landscape, driven by its commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and quality. By embracing AI, China is positioning itself as a key player in the ongoing digital revolution in the healthcare industry. AI’s application in drug development, such as target identification and drug repurposing, has shown promising outcomes, boosting confidence in AI tools. As AI continues to evolve rapidly and the demand for improved healthcare delivery grows, GlobalData predicts a gradual shift towards more extensive AI adoption in clinical practices.

GlobalData Survey Reveals Growing Endorsement for AI Adoption in Healthcare Provision Read More »

Govt. of Odisha Joins Hands with UC Berkeley for Emerging Tech and AI Collaboration

admin / Governance Community

The Government of Odisha has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of California, Berkeley, to foster collaboration in various domains. The focus of this partnership includes research, impact assessment of schemes, entrepreneurship, and exchange of academic publications. Both entities will work together on research projects, as well as organize joint conferences and workshops. A significant aspect of this collaboration is the emphasis on conducting joint training workshops in cutting-edge fields, aiming to train around 1,000 researchers. The key areas of focus within emerging technologies such as AI, ML, and generative AI will have a transformative impact on public service delivery mechanisms within the governance system. Through this MoU, the Government of Odisha will have the opportunity to leverage UC Berkeley’s alumni network for further collaboration on various initiatives. The initial phase of cooperation will involve the launch of pilot projects in crucial sectors like Disaster Management and Climate Control, Healthcare, Fintech, and Agriculture. Tusharkanti Behera, Minister of State for E & IT, Sports & YS, and Home in Odisha, expressed his optimism about the numerous opportunities for cooperation, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and research in the coming year. He believes this partnership will foster goodwill and yield substantial benefits for both societies involved.

Govt. of Odisha Joins Hands with UC Berkeley for Emerging Tech and AI Collaboration Read More »

Cognizant and Gilead Sciences Announce $800 Million Partnership to Drive Digital Transformation

admin / Human Resource Community

Cognizant’s recent collaboration with Gilead Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, is set to have a significant impact on jobs. On July 25, 2023, Cognizant announced the renewal and expansion of its partnership with Gilead Sciences, valued at $800 million. The primary focus of this extended collaboration is to enhance Gilead’s operations and accelerate its digital transformation. As part of the agreement, Cognizant will be responsible for managing Gilead’s global IT infrastructure, applications, and advanced analytics, incorporating generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and AI automation to enhance customer service and manufacturing efficiencies. However, this expansion comes with consequences for Cognizant’s workforce. Approximately 3,500 non-billable and corporate personnel will be affected, which amounts to about 1% of Cognizant’s total employee count of 350,000. Regrettably, this decision will lead to the termination of these jobs. The company states that this realignment is aimed at optimizing its workforce to better align with its evolving business priorities and strategic objectives. Despite the impact on personnel, Cognizant remains committed to delivering value to its clients and capitalizing on growth opportunities in the IT services sector. The company believes that streamlining its workforce will make it more agile and competitive as it engages in significant business deals. Cognizant’s expanded partnership with Gilead Sciences signifies a new chapter in their collaboration, but it also brings about the elimination of some jobs as part of the company’s effort to adapt to changing business needs and maintain its position in the IT services industry.

Cognizant and Gilead Sciences Announce $800 Million Partnership to Drive Digital Transformation Read More »

CBSE Urges Schools to Prioritize Indian Languages in Education, Aligning with NEP 2020 Vision

admin / Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has called on its affiliated schools to prioritize the teaching of Indian languages, especially up to Class 5. This directive was issued in commemoration of the three-year anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. CBSE cited the NEP 2020, urging schools to promote linguistic diversity, cultural understanding, and academic excellence. The policy emphasizes the cognitive benefits of multilingualism for young learners, particularly when exposed to multiple languages from an early stage, with a specific focus on their mother tongue. The circular strongly advocates for using the home language, mother tongue, local, or regional language as the medium of instruction, preferably until Grade 8 and beyond. #3yearsofNEP #NEP2020 emphasizes the importance and cognitive benefits of multilingualism for young students. Use of Indian languages as an alternative medium of instructions from primary classes to class 12 has been reiterated in this important circular of CBSE. pic.twitter.com/RZrmrPPMqa — CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) July 21, 2023 To facilitate this initiative, CBSE encouraged schools to consider adopting NCERT books, now available in 22 scheduled Indian languages, in line with the Ministry of Education’s instructions. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commended CBSE for offering the option of education in Indian languages from kindergarten to Class 12, aligning with the vision of NEP to promote Indian language-based education. The UGC Chief, M Jagadesh Kumar, also praised CBSE’s decision, emphasizing that fostering Indian languages in both school and higher education systems would nurture creative and innovative students.

CBSE Urges Schools to Prioritize Indian Languages in Education, Aligning with NEP 2020 Vision Read More »

Twitter’s Blue Bird Logo Replaced by ‘X’ – Elon Musk’s Vision Unveiled!

admin / Media Entertainment & Art Community

In a surprising turn of events, Twitter, the renowned social media platform, has undergone a radical rebranding. The iconic blue bird logo that symbolized Twitter for years has been replaced by a new ‘X’ logo on the web version of the platform. This unexpected transformation was hinted at by Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, through a series of cryptic tweets on July 23, 2023. Musk’s enigmatic tweets alluded to a departure from the traditional Twitter brand, with mentions of bidding farewell to all the birds. Following these intriguing messages, the ‘X’ logo took over as the official symbol on Twitter’s web version, and even the company’s official account was renamed ‘X’ with a corresponding logo change. Musk further confirmed the change by sharing an image of Twitter’s headquarters with the new ‘X’ logo projected on it. Elon Musk’s company ‘X.com’ now redirects users to ‘twitter.com’, indicating a complete embrace of the ‘X’ identity. In response to users’ inquiries, Musk hinted at the possibility of more changes, suggesting that familiar terms like “retweet” might be reimagined. He even initiated a poll to gauge public interest in changing the platform’s default color to black. Amidst the questions about how users would be referred to in this new era, Musk cryptically replied, “We will have no name.” He also confirmed that once the platform’s name changes, a tweet will be simply called “an X”. In the midst of this rebranding, Twitter’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, spoke about the transformation, describing ‘X’ as the “future state of unlimited interactivity.” She emphasized that ‘X’ will focus on audio, video, messaging, and payments/banking, with the aim of creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Yaccarino highlighted that ‘X’ has been taking shape over the past eight months, with the rapid launch of new features. The sudden and profound rebranding reflects Elon Musk’s vision of transforming Twitter into something beyond its current form. This ambitious move aims to redefine social media and bring innovative features and opportunities to the global online landscape. As the platform evolves into ‘X’, it remains to be seen how users will embrace these changes and what exciting innovations ‘X’ will bring to the digital realm.

Twitter’s Blue Bird Logo Replaced by ‘X’ – Elon Musk’s Vision Unveiled! Read More »

Author name: admin