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Tech giant <keyword id="19910716" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IBM" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="IBM" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="IBM">IBM</keyword> on Monday announced the launch of its <keyword id="22332400" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="GenAI-Innovation-Center" source="keywords">GenAI Innovation Center</keyword> in <keyword id="19900813" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kochi" source="keywords">Kochi</keyword> which, it said, will enable enterprises, <keyword id="19945815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="keywords">startups</keyword>, and partners to explore and build generative <keyword id="20125652" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-technology" source="keywords">AI technology</keyword>. The centre will accelerate AI innovation, boost productivity and strengthen GenAI expertise in India, the company said in a release. "As organisations transition from AI experimentation to deployment for adding business value, they often find AI projects too complex or difficult to integrate due to limited skills or expertise," it said. According to the release, the centre would provide organisations with access to IBM experts and technologies geared to help build, scale and accelerate adoption of enterprise-grade AI. The centre is built on InstructLab, a new technology jointly developed by IBM and <keyword id="20245485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Red-Hat" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Red Hat" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Red Hat">Red Hat</keyword> for enhancing Large Language Models (LLMs) with a client's own data, and will also take advantage of IBM '<keyword id="20249092" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Watsonx" source="keywords">watsonx</keyword>' AI and data platform and AI assistant technologies. The GenAI Innovation Center will be a part of the IBM India Software Lab in Kochi, and be managed by IBM's technical experts. "With access to the latest in generative AI technology, LLMs, case studies, and IBM experts, the centre will nurture a community focused on harnessing the power of generative AI to address societal and business challenges ranging from sustainability, public infrastructure, healthcare education, and inclusion," IBM said.

IBM to launch GenAI Innovation Center in Kochi

<ul class="summary-list"><li>BlackRock has written off its investment in once-hot Indian tech company Byju.</li><li>The Indian education tech giant is facing legal and financial troubles.</li></ul>In another blow to education tech giant Byju's, investor BlackRock says its stake in the once-hot company is worth nothing.In 2022, the education tech company said it raised $800 million at a $22 billion valuation.BlackRock was the first investor to publicly signal the company's troubles. In a first-quarter summary for some of its funds, the asset manager valued its stake in Byju's at $0, a number that has not been previously reported. In October, BlackRock slashed its valuation of the startup to less than $1 billion, <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/11/blackrock-cuts-byjus-valuation-by-95-to-1-billion/">TechCrunch reported.</a>BlackRock invested in Byju's parent Think &amp; Learn through <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/literature/first-quarter-report/fqr-retail-blackrock-science-and-technology-trust.pdf">various</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/literature/investor-education/bcat-commentary.pdf">funds</a>, all of which appear to have written off the investment in recent filings.HSBC, which is not an investor in Byju's, said in a recent research note that Dutch tech investor Prosus' stake in Byju was worth nothing. Prosus owns nearly 10% of the company and invested about $500 million in Byju's."We assign zero value to Byju's stake amid multiple legal cases and funding crunch. Previously, we valued ~10% stake in Byju's by applying 80% discount to the latest publicly disclosed valuation," the HSBC analyst wrote.The Bengaluru-based company is facing significant turmoil.Earlier this week, a group of lenders asked a US court to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against Byju's subsidiaries <a target="_blank" href="https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/byju-s-now-worth-zero-hsbc-warns-prosus-amid-legal-financial-troubles-124060700146_1.html">over a $1.2 billion loan.</a> The company also <a target="_blank" href="https://inc42.com/buzz/byjus-slashes-salaries-for-new-sales-hires-by-more-than-90/">cut the salaries</a> of new sales hires by 90% in an attempt to cut costs, local outlet Inc42 <a target="_blank" href="https://inc42.com/buzz/byjus-slashes-salaries-for-new-sales-hires-by-more-than-90/">reported</a> on Thursday.Byju's investors, including Prosus, are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/byju-s-egm-shareholders-vote-to-remove-ceo-raveendran-and-his-family-124022300919_1.html">seeking the removal of its CEO</a>, Byju Raveendran, and his family members from the board. The company's India CEO left in April, and it missed filing its 2023 financial reports.The digital and physical tutoring company was seen as a star in the Indian startup scene and even sponsored the Indian cricket team until 2023. It is backed by the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, Sequoia Capital, and Tencent, among others.Byju's first gained popularity during the pandemic for its unique approach to learning. The company faced challenges in 2022 after students began returning to schools and expensive acquisitions affected its bottom line.The company planned to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-26/star-founder-broke-down-in-tears-as-crises-engulfed-byju-s"> go public through a SPAC deal</a> in 2022, which did not ultimately pan out.Byju's and BlackRock did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that HSBC wrote about an investor's interest in Byju's. HSBC did not invest in Byju's.

India's once-hot startup Byju's was valued at $22 billion. Now, BlackRock says its investment is worth nothing.

India is organizing the 'Global <keyword id="22243491" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IndiaAI-Summit-2024" source="keywords">IndiaAI Summit 2024</keyword>' under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, scheduled for July 3-4 in New Delhi. According to a press release by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the summit aims to foster collaboration and facilitate knowledge exchange among international <keyword id="22243492" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-experts" source="keywords">AI experts</keyword>, reinforcing India's dedication to ethical and inclusive AI growth. The Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 will serve as a vital platform for stakeholders from diverse sectors, including science, industry, civil society, governments, international organizations, and academia. These experts will convene to discuss key AI issues, share insights, and address the challenges faced by the <keyword id="20055332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-ecosystem" source="keywords">AI ecosystem</keyword>. By hosting this summit, India is reaffirming its role as a proactive player in the global AI community, focusing on advancing technologies that are safe, secure, and beneficial to society. As the lead chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), India is set to host member countries and experts to advance GPAI's commitment to trustworthy AI practices. The summit aims to showcase India's capability to lead in the AI domain and emphasizes the country's goal of ensuring that AI benefits are accessible to all, thereby contributing to the nation's socio-economic development. Central to the summit is the <keyword id="20869035" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IndiaAI-Mission" source="keywords">IndiaAI Mission</keyword>, an initiative designed to build a comprehensive ecosystem that promotes AI innovation across the country. This mission focuses on democratizing access to computing resources, enhancing data quality, developing indigenous AI capabilities, attracting top AI talent, fostering industry collaboration, providing risk capital to startups, ensuring the societal impact of AI projects, and promoting <keyword id="20750054" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ethical-AI-practices" source="keywords">ethical AI practices</keyword>, read the press release. The IndiaAI Mission is built upon seven key pillars, each targeting a crucial aspect of AI development and deployment. The first pillar, IndiaAI Compute Capacity, aims to establish a scalable AI computing ecosystem with over 10,000 GPUs through public-private partnerships. This will include the creation of an AI marketplace offering AI as a service and pre-trained models, providing essential resources for AI innovators and researchers. The second pillar, IndiaAI Innovation Centre, focuses on developing and deploying large multimodal models (LMMs) and domain-specific foundational models tailored to the unique needs of India's diverse industries and sectors. The third pillar, IndiaAI Datasets Platform, seeks to streamline access to high-quality non-personal datasets through a unified platform. This initiative will support Indian startups and researchers by providing seamless data access, thereby aiding in the development of robust AI models. The fourth pillar, IndiaAI Application Development Initiative, aims to promote AI applications across critical sectors by addressing problem statements from various government bodies and institutions, focusing on creating impactful AI solutions for large-scale socio-economic transformation, read the press release. The fifth pillar, IndiaAI FutureSkills, is dedicated to reducing barriers to AI education by increasing the availability of AI courses at different academic levels and establishing Data and AI Labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. This effort is crucial for building a steady pipeline of skilled AI professionals, ensuring that talent development keeps pace with technological advancements. The sixth pillar, IndiaAI Startup Financing, supports deep-tech AI startups by providing streamlined access to funding and risk capital, nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of AI startups that drive technological advancements and economic growth. The seventh pillar, Safe &amp; Trusted AI, emphasizes responsible AI development through the implementation of projects focused on ethical AI practices. This includes developing indigenous tools and frameworks and establishing guidelines for the transparency and trustworthiness of AI technologies. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/vraj-iron-and-steel-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/111394752.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/vraj-iron-and-steel-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/111394752.cms" target="_blank">Vraj Iron and Steel IPO allotment – How to check allotment, IPO GMP, listing date and more</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-price-hike-new-plans-and-how-you-can-save-money/articleshow/111331794.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-price-hike-new-plans-and-how-you-can-save-money/articleshow/111331794.cms" target="_blank">Reliance Jio and Airtel price hike – new plans and how you can save money</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111304902.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111304902.cms" target="_blank">Upcoming smartphones launching in India in July 2024</a>

India to host Global India AI Summit 2024 in New Delhi on July 3-4

<div type="image" title="Companies are embracing the unbossing trend" msid="113256383" hostid="261" sizebytes="1440779"></div> If there’s one thing both a productive team member and an underperformer hates in the corporate world, it’s being micromanaged. Now, imagine a workplace where the boss isn’t calling all the shots. Instead, everyone has a voice, and innovation flows freely. The recent corporate trend of "Unbossing" promises to do just that, empowering employees by eliminating the heavy hands of hierarchy. Sounds too good to be true? Well, globally, not just the new-age start-ups, but dozens of major corporations have embraced this trend and trimmed their middle management. <h2>Managers managing managers — no more!</h2>In January last year, <keyword id="399907" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="META" source="Orion">Meta</keyword> CEO Mark Zuckerberg made headlines for declaring 2023 as the “year of efficiency” and saying that he doesn’t want a management structure that's just “managers managing managers”. <div type="image" title="Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg" agency="ANI" msid="113256403" hostid="261"></div> The same month, it was also reported by Command Line that Meta's chief product officer Chris Cox, had shared a post on the company's communication platform, Workplace, highlighting the necessity to "flatten" the organisation's structure. What followed was reports of Meta slashing middle management roles. Gradually, other companies like Shopify, Bayer, and Cisco began making headlines for showing the exit door to some of their middle managers. Loosely, unbossing is essentially cutting down the middle management roles. It cuts significant costs for the company and the new-age workforce also endorses the trend as efficient in enabling faster decision-making and innovation. However, critics argue this trend also limits the extent of mentorship that the younger generation receives while entering the workforce, which often remains an intangible value if your boss turns out to be a good mentor. Therefore, for some, it’s not about firing the middle management, but just another leadership philosophy on how leaders (and ‘bosses’) should conduct themselves. This approach advocates bosses working along with the team as a part rather than shouting instructions from the top. Whatever one’s understanding, this trend of “Unbossing” appears to be taking corporate America by storm in 2023, as evidenced by hundreds of media reports highlighting the same. Overall, most agree that the trend is restructuring organisational hierarchy to enable direct communication between employees and leaders. Cut to 2024, this trend is still prevalent and making headlines. A Bloomberg report recently said that Georges Elhedery, the incoming CEO of HSBC Holdings, might also consider plans to streamline the company's operations by reducing layers of middle management. But what’s the scenario in India? Are Indian companies ready to ditch the old-school approach and adopt this new way of working? Let’s dive in and see what the experts have to say! <h2>Layoffs to impact senior professionals: Naukri.com survey</h2>A survey by job portal Naukri.com early last year had suggested that recruiters in India expect a decline in layoffs during the first half of 2023. The survey, which included responses from 1,400 recruiters and consultants across ten industries, revealed that only 4 percent of participants anticipated layoffs to be the main focus of hiring activities within their organisations. However, the survey also highlighted that information technology roles and senior professionals were likely to be the most affected by hiring adjustments. About 20 percent of recruiters predicted that layoffs would predominantly impact senior professionals, while freshers are expected to face the least disruption from these hiring corrections. Interestingly the survey came around the same time when the Unbossing trend had begun picking up pace abroad. <h2>Layoffs at Wipro, <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> and Collegedunia</h2>In January this year, Wipro India was in the limelight for laying off hundreds of its mid-level executives. The company reportedly culled many jobs as part of its strategy to improve margins. An ET report citing two sources familiar with the situation had said that the leading Indian IT firm reduced mid-level roles at its onsite locations. "Notices began being issued earlier this month, and hundreds of mid-level executives onsite are being let go," one source revealed. Another source added, "They have costly resources onsite in Capco, and although growth is returning, it's not sufficient. Aparna Iyer, Wipro's chief financial officer, has been tasked with delivering better margins this quarter." <div type="image" title="Amazon decided to lay-off middle managers in May" msid="113256170" hostid="261"></div>Then in May, Amazon also decided to reduce layers of middle management within its customer service divisions as part of an organisational restructuring, a Fortune report had said. The cuts impacted over 100 customer service managers in Level 5 and Level 6 middle management roles, both in call centres and virtual positions, primarily based in the U.S. and India. Not just large tech companies, startups too seem to be adapting the <keyword id="23125775" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="unbossing-trend-in-India" source="Orion">unbossing trend in India</keyword>. Last month, educational portal Collegedunia confirmed that around 100 employees from its Study Abroad department had been given the pink slip. A report in CNBC-TV18 had said that additional job cuts were happening across other departments as part of a broader reorganisation. The restructuring, as per the report, was aimed at automating many tasks to reduce costs. Interestingly, despite the layoffs, Collegedunia had posted 13 job openings on LinkedIn for various roles in different locations, primarily entry-level positions requiring up to two years of experience. "While Collegedunia is laying off several employees, it is also hiring fresh talent, allowing them to keep staffing levels up but at a lower cost," one employee told CNBC-TV18 at the time. Another source confirmed that while Collegedunia had been actively recruiting for some months, it has also been letting go of employees, including senior staff members with 7-8 years of experience at the company. <h2>What do experts say?</h2> <div type="image" title="Experts&amp;#39; opinion on unbossing trend" msid="113256250" hostid="261"></div>Mr. Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, told Business Insider India, “From the perspective of HR leaders and CEOs, the strategic culling of middle management is viewed as a means to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and foster a culture of autonomy and innovation.” He also noted that even though employees can “exercise greater ownership and agility in decision-making” through this approach, there are also significant downsides. “The erosion of middle management creates a vacuum in leadership development, mentorship, and the retention of institutional knowledge, potentially leading to disengagement, a weakened talent pipeline, and misalignment with organisational objectives,” Kumar noted. Talking specifically about the Indian scenario, he said, “Implementing this trend in India would be a strategic move, positioning organisations to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment. However, to fully capitalise on this approach, developing a more robust talent pipeline that integrates the ability to multitask at all levels is imperative. In today's landscape, leadership demands thinkers, strategic visionaries, and individuals who can execute with precision. We need to cultivate a new breed of leaders who are both thinkers and doers, capable of navigating complex challenges while driving innovation and growth. By building versatile, agile leaders through targeted talent development programs, Indian organisations can ensure they are well-prepared to thrive in a decentralised, high-performance environment.” RP Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius Consultants Limited, told ET recently that the Unbossing approach simplifies hierarchies and encourages open communication between frontline employees and senior management. He had added that the concept of “the oldest in the room is always the wisest of all” is no longer applicable. Meanwhile, Aditya Narayan Mishra, MD and CEO of CIEL HR Services told ET that the unbossing trend is predominantly seen in tech companies, creative roles, and startups, where swift decision-making and the unrestricted exchange of ideas are crucial. For example, the tech sector often thrives with flattened hierarchies that support rapid innovation and agility, while creative industries such as advertising and media use unbossing to cultivate a more collaborative and idea-focused environment. Thus, the unbossing trend is gaining traction beyond global companies and is finding its way into Indian organisations as well. While this approach can streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance agility, experts caution that it also brings challenges, such as gaps in leadership development and the loss of institutional knowledge. To fully harness the benefits of unbossing, Indian companies must focus on cultivating agile leaders who can navigate complex challenges and drive growth. By building a strong talent pipeline and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, Indian organisations can position themselves to thrive in a more decentralised and dynamic business environment. Do you have insights or personal experience to s hare on layoffs, <keyword id="34447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-trends" source="Orion">workplace trends</keyword>, or career changes? Contact us at businessinsider@timesinternet.in.

SIMPLY PUT: What’s with all “Unbossing” talks? Are Indian companies also embracing this global trend?

<ul><li>The revised business forecast and expected margins have forced companies to redraw their business plans and align their cost structures. </li><li>The <keyword id="6357067" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="layoffs" source="Orion">layoffs</keyword> that are happening in cohorts, are mostly to restructure the workforce according to changing business objectives. </li><li>Basic IT roles, new initiatives roles, and anything else that automation/semi-automation can take over are at risk. </li></ul>Layoffs are in the news. The reasons are many but <keyword id="604702" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="employee-performance" source="Orion">employee performance</keyword>. And that is the definition of layoff too —- the <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/act">act</a> of <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ending">ending</a> a worker's <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/job">job</a>, sometimes <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/temporarily">temporarily</a>, usually because there is not enough <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/work">work</a> to do. Start-ups that raised capital during the go-go days of the pandemic, are now waking up to a different reality, where the next round of capital will be scarce and the business case is looking tougher, which is why these companies have led the layoffs in India. Since layoffs are not necessarily about the performance of employees, Business India spoke to a variety of human resource experts to understand what segments are at risk. Oftentimes, companies permanently discharge workers because of economic conditions or shortage of work. In such a situation, someone is laid off not necessarily based on one’s performance but because the role is not relevant any more. Here’s what we found: <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Core functions are least at risk" comment="subhead2" text="Core functions are least at risk">Core functions are least at risk</cmsannotation> As unfortunate as it may be, but the first to get axed are the support functions. Revenue-generating functions are relatively safe from such mass layoffs. “During all slowdowns, companies prioritize retaining employees who are essential to their core operations and revenue-generating activities. However, we have seen new trends during certain slowdowns, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, where certain industries and job roles may be more vulnerable due to factors such as reduced demand, temporary closures, or shifts in consumer behaviour,” says Sanjay Shetty, director, professional search &amp; selection, and strategic accounts, Randstad India, a HR consulting firm. On the other hand, he adds that currently, the layoffs which are happening in cohorts, are mostly to restructure the workforce according to the changing business objectives. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A changing reality" comment="subhead2" text="A changing reality">A changing reality</cmsannotation> “High inflation has put a significant strain on margins. We have seen Q2 and Q3 results in India where revenues were in line with market expectations but margins were lower. As companies finalize their FY24 plans, every cost item is scrutinized, and any excess is identified and trimmed,” says Mayur Taday, chief business officer, TeamLease Services, an HR firm. During Covid, most companies focused on strategy for the post-Covid world, including digitalisation and forecasting demand based on specific themes. In accordance with the demand forecast, they constructed organizational structures and costs. IT companies, in particular, have been recruiting with the expectations of better days, which have not come about. Several assumptions were not validated due to geopolitical factors, disruptions in the supply chain, and unpredictability of consumer behaviour. Following Covid, the demand-supply situation forced higher-cost hiring. “The revised business forecast and expected margins have forced companies to redraw their business plans and align their cost structures,” adds Taday. Experts agree that you are more likely to be laid off if you are in one of the following roles. Anything that automation can take over: “The likes of ChatGPT will take away <keyword id="11018" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="jobs" source="Orion">jobs</keyword> that demand significantly fewer variations besides being repetitive like coding, data entry etc,” says Rishi Patil, founder and director, Executive 81, a recruitment firm. So basic jobs which do not require any social or emotional intelligence are likely to be redundant. New initiative roles: “New initiatives roles are among the few types of specific job roles that are most at risk during layoffs,” says Shetty. During a good phase companies have expansion plans and recruit people for that purpose. During lean times, such jobs are at a threat of being terminated unless the company is making a specific effort to pivot into these new areas. Overpaid hiring: The demand supply situation is now tilted in the favour of supply. “All such hirings that were overpaid as a result of the then-prevailing overheated demand situation are being scrutinized,” says Taday. So, those being paid significantly above market rates, have a higher chance of losing their job. Contractual workers: According to a report by recruitment firm Spectrum Talent Management, 50% of Indian first were hiring contract employees amidst mass layoffs, since they were trying to avoid increasing their fixed costs. “Contractual workers in some cases might also feel the heat during downsizing due to the seasonal nature of their jobs,” says Shetty. Since these employment terms are for a certain period, the company may not renew it when the requirement is over. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Hiring to continue" comment="subhead2" text="Hiring to continue">Hiring to continue</cmsannotation> “We must understand that while organizations have, in some cases, adopted a strategic layoff approach, they are also hiring at a fairly reasonable pace. We expect companies in the IT, telecommunications, and services sectors to continue hiring due to increased digitization, 5G expansion, and a rebound in service sectors to pre-Covid levels of growth,” says Shetty. According to an internal survey by Randstad India, seven out of ten tech companies plan to increase their headcount in the next couple of months, suggesting that hiring in the Indian IT sector is likely to pick up as well. “Compared to the previous year, they expect a 25-30% increase in demand for tech talent in non-tech industries in 2023, driven over by the continued digitization of operations as these industries strive for greater scalability,” says Shetty. Says Saumitra Chand, career expert at Indeed, a job search portal, “We are seeing an increase in demand for talents in non-tech sectors such as healthcare, food services, construction and education. Even sectors like marketing, which was one of the earliest to see layoffs during the pandemic, has picked up steam.” To sum up, everything in the job space is evolving at a rapid pace. If one is not relevant to the new paradigm, their job is at risk. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/mfs-add-shares-of-indigo-paytm-pvr-nazara-technologies-among-others-in-february/articleshow/98630434.cms">MFs add shares of Indigo, Paytm, PVR &amp; Nazara Technologies among others in February</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/sonys-new-camera-allows-visually-impaired-to-enjoy-photography-to-the-fullest/articleshow/98628614.cms">Sony’s new camera allows visually impaired to enjoy photography to the fullest</a>

Is your job at risk? If you're working in any of these roles then you need to be worried

<ul><li>SAS <keyword id="16293257" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="fat-to-slim" source="Orion">Fat to Slim</keyword> is a startup that claims to provide diet plans for <keyword id="6358794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weight-loss" source="Orion">weight loss</keyword> that require no exercise. </li><li>All the judges backed out from investing in the startup. </li><li>Sharks Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal called it out for promoting unhealthy diets.</li></ul>Of the many pitches featured on season 1 of <keyword id="11924074" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="shark-tank-india" source="Orion">Shark Tank India</keyword>, Navel Fukai aka the Belly Button Shaper was one of the most bizarre products, which ended up being turned down by the entire panel. In Season 2, it was the turn of SAS Fat to Slim to be slammed by all the judges who variously called the startup’s no-exercise weight loss plan ‘dangerous’ and ‘gimmicky’. Founded by Shikha Aggarwal Sharma, SAS Fat to Slim is a Delhi-based startup that promotes weight loss with diet plans, and no exercise. As per Sharma, in weight loss, diet makes 80% of the difference, and exercise only contributes 20%. But shark Namita Thapar, executive director at Emcure Pharmaceuticals, called out the product for being nothing more than a gimmick. “How can you say ‘no exercise’? I fundamentally don’t agree with your theory. Let’s spread the message that weight loss happens by changing one’s lifestyle. Our country is turning into a diabetes capital, and blood pressure capital because people are doing such ‘gimmicky’ activities, and messing with their health. I’m sorry but when I hear such claims, I’m angry. I think we need to stop misleading the country,” remarked Thapar. Multiple reports echo Thapar’s sentiment. Doctors and other experts regularly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/weight-gain-during-the-pandemic-is-increasing-the-incidence-of-pcos-in-women/articleshow/94202794.cms">recommend </a>a combination of exercise and diet control to combat weight gain and other lifestyle-related ailments. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="‘Your diet is akin to poison’" comment="subhead2" text="‘Your diet is akin to poison’">‘Your diet is akin to poison’</cmsannotation> Sharma shared how she believed a diet dominated by soups and salads—which need extra preparation time—was a luxury. But SAS Fat to Slim focused on easily available products, created by her own weight loss experience and knowledge of diet and nutrition. However, her claims were refuted by the sharks. Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal shared that he had studied a little about diabetes and the impact of sugar on human bodies, and slammed the sample diet that Sharma shared for an individual with diabetes. “According to macronutrients, you are recommending a diet of carbohydrates because you didn’t recommend protein till now. It’s akin to poison for a diabetic,” remarked Mittal. As per <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/one-in-every-six-indians-has-borderline-diabetes-says-report/articleshow/95497532.cms">reports</a>, one in every six Indians has diabetes. Chhavi Kohli, chief diabetes educator and nutritionist at Medanta the Medicity, Gurgaon, also shared with Business Insider India that “there is no special diet for diabetes; the whole idea is to nourish the body by taking various nutrients in the right proportion and right time.” Mittal also added that all bodies are different and while Sharma’s plan worked for her, it could prove to be dangerous for others. “You reduced weight with dedication and it’s remarkable. But now you’re packaging the same template that worked for you to other people. It could be dangerous,” shared Mittal. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="‘An investment will make things worse’" comment="subhead2" text="‘An investment will make things worse’">‘An investment will make things worse’</cmsannotation> Though Sharma defended her business by sharing that customers have benefitted from her products, the sharks were wary. Mittal backed out stating that he disagreed with the founder and didn’t find her business investable. Vineeta Singh, co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics, also backed out adding that she didn’t align with Sharma’s core business proposition – of losing weight with no exercise Lenskart co-founder Peyush Bansal, meanwhile, backed out stating that he didn’t believe the startup needed any investments. “An investment will only make things worse. You’ll have the pressure of ROI (return on investment) after an investor invests, which will get you stuck in a vicious loop that could impact the diet’s authenticity,” said Bansal. Gupta also backed out quoting his fellow shark Thapar’s catchphrase – that he has no expertise in the field. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/weight-gain-during-the-pandemic-is-increasing-the-incidence-of-pcos-in-women/articleshow/94202794.cms">Weight gain during the pandemic is increasing the incidence of PCOS in women</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/elon-musks-weight-loss-mantra-is-not-new-but-heres-how-to-do-it-right/articleshow/95550740.cms">Elon Musk’s weight loss mantra is not new, but here’s how to do it right</a>

SAS Fat to Slim: ‘Dangerous & gimmicky’ weight-loss startup gets slammed on Shark Tank India

Issues related to data privacy and rising <keyword id="20127272" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-frauds" source="keywords">online frauds</keyword> are emerging as significant hurdles in the growth of e-commerce in India, said the <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Economic-Survey" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Economic Survey" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Economic Survey">Economic Survey</keyword> 2023-24 tabled in Parliament on Monday. Citing third-party data, the survey said that the e-commerce industry in India is expected to cross USD 350 billion by 2030 and called for the need to educate users on the safe use of e-commerce platforms. "The rise of e-commerce is constrained by inadequate skills required for online selling, such as cataloguing. <keyword id="22505774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="data-privacy-issues" source="keywords">Data privacy issues</keyword> and increasing online fraud have turned out to be the most significant hurdle in the growth of e-commerce in India. It becomes imperative to educate users on the safe use of e-commerce platforms," the survey said. The survey mentioned that India's e-commerce market has gained significant momentum during the past few years, owing to technological advancements, evolving new-age business models coupled with government initiatives like the Digital India program, UPI, One District - One Product (ODOP), Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), new foreign trade policy, easing of FDI limits and Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules 2021. It has identified data privacy and <keyword id="19906883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cybersecurity" source="keywords">cybersecurity</keyword> as critical concerns in the <keyword id="22505776" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digitisation-of-services" source="keywords">digitisation of services</keyword> in the country and called for adopting strong security measures, compliance with privacy regulations, and innovation, among others. "Data privacy and cybersecurity have become critical concerns with the increasing digitisation of services," according to the survey. It said that the government is spearheading data protection laws and cybersecurity policies to safeguard consumer data and strengthen cybersecurity measures in the services sector. "To further embrace technology with confidence, ensuring the adoption of strong security measures, compliance with privacy regulations, and fostering innovation in security technologies are essential," the survey noted. It said the future of e-commerce is built on the enhanced <keyword id="20290101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="user-experience" source="keywords">user experience</keyword> through <keyword id="19899640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="keywords">AI</keyword>, seamless <keyword id="21332958" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-payment-methods" source="keywords">digital payment methods</keyword>, innovations like UPI, and business engineering data analytics for business operations and enhancements. The survey mentioned that the buyer ecosystem in India is evolving at a very sharp rate, and business models will need to innovate to serve the needs of a diverse shopper base regarding service expectations, price sensitivity and language requirements. "Local language platforms are needed as the shopper base expands to tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Growing startups and innovative social media platforms provide an opportunity to test unique business models that might be targeted to specific demographic cohorts," the survey said.

Data privacy issues, online frauds emerging as e-commerce growth hurdles: Eco Survey

As edtech startups and unicorns lay off employees amid the funding winter, Gurugram-based higher <keyword id="6355445" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="education" source="Orion">education</keyword> platform <keyword id="4342812" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sunstone" source="Orion">Sunstone</keyword> on Friday said it has raised $35 million (around Rs 280 crore) in a Series C funding led by <keyword id="678811" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="westbridge-capital" source="Orion">WestBridge Capital</keyword>. Founded by Ashish Munjal and Piyush Nangru in 2019, Sunstone had raised $28 million in October 2021. The startup said it will use the latest funding to expand into new programmes with a key focus on undergraduate tech programmes. "The Indian higher education system is at the brink of a long overdue transformation. Sunstone is well positioned to enable this change and impact the lives of millions of students," said Munjal, Co-founder and CEO. The latest funding round also saw participation from Alteria Capital. The company with presence across over 35 cities in more than 40 institutions is building capacities to expand into 100 cities across the country. Starting with post graduate management education, Sunstone ventured into undergraduate programs in 2022, registering a 10 times growth in the past two years. "Seeing the ever increasing demand and its potential to be a major disruptor, we are excited to double down our investment to support its (Sunstone's) mission of transforming the higher education sector in India," said Sandeep Singhal, Managing Partner, WestBridge Capital. Sunstone said its training programmes are industry endorsed to enhance employability, designed for hybrid delivery with focus on soft skills and personality development. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/news/indias-first-electric-double-decker-bus-launched-in-mumbai-to-foster-sustainability-in-transport-sector/articleshow/93654255.cms">India’s first electric double-decker bus launched in Mumbai; to foster sustainability in Transport Sector</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/news/why-the-melting-of-the-arctic-ice-matters-to-india/articleshow/93655791.cms">Why the melting of the Arctic ice matters to India?</a>

You Searched For "Education startup India" and got 8 results

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Data privacy issues, online frauds emerging as e-commerce growth hurdles: Eco Survey

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Edtech startup Sunstone raises $35 mn in funding round led by WestBridge Capital

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