Tag: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

  • Zee Media announces winners of Unveiling India Quiz

    Zee Media announces winners of Unveiling India Quiz

    MUMBAI: The grand finale of the Unveiling India Quiz, a landmark initiative by Zee Media in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), captivated audiences nationwide as it aired on Zee Media’s network, gaining its status as one of India’s most impactful knowledge-driven initiatives. The overwhelming response to the telecast highlighted the scale, excitement, and cultural significance of the event.

    The telecast provided a riveting recap of the months-long journey—starting from an online Olympiad, advancing through intense state-level rounds, and culminating in a fiercely contested national finale. Viewers watched as the top eight teams battled for glory, with Army Public School, Jammu Cantt, emerging as the ultimate champion, securing the first prize. Rajagiri Public School, Kerala, claimed the second position, while Little Flower English Medium School, Kerala, took third place. Their stellar performances resonated with audiences, reinforcing the power of education in shaping future leaders.

    The telecast also shed light on the quiz’s unique focus on geographical indication (GI) tags, a defining element that introduced young minds to India’s indigenous craftsmanship and region-specific products. This emphasis on cultural and economic awareness transformed the competition into an immersive educational experience beyond traditional learning.

    Reflecting on the immense success of the initiative, Zee Media CEO Karan Abhishek Singh, said, “At Zee Media, we believe that news is not just about delivering information; it is about shaping a better, more informed society. Our commitment goes beyond headlines—we actively create platforms that empower different sections of society, be it through financial literacy initiatives, business summits, or programs that inspire and educate young minds. Unveiling India Quiz is one such initiative, designed to encourage school children to learn about India’s glorious past and promising future.”

    Adding to this, DPIIT secretary  Amardeep Singh Bhatia stated, “The Unveiling India Quiz has successfully instilled a deep sense of national pride and awareness about India’s economic and cultural diversity. This initiative is not just a competition—it is a long-term movement to nurture curiosity and appreciation for India’s vast legacy.”

    As the winners celebrate their well-earned triumph, the Unveiling India Quiz leaves behind a profound impact, encouraging millions of students across the country to embrace our unique culture, explore their heritage, and take pride in India’s incredible journey. Zee Media and DPIIT remain steadfast in their commitment to expanding such educational initiatives, ensuring that young minds continue to be inspired, empowered, and prepared for a global future.

    The resounding success of Unveiling India Quiz reaffirms the importance of knowledge-driven infotainment, setting a new benchmark in nationwide student engagement. 

  • I&B special secretary Neerja Sekhar promoted as DG of  National Productivity Council

    I&B special secretary Neerja Sekhar promoted as DG of National Productivity Council

    MUMBAI: Special secretary in the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) Neerja Sekhar has finally got the rank of secretary in the  Indian government. Excepting she has been moved to the National Productivity Council (NPC) as director general with the secretary rank, according to whispersinthecorridors.

    The NPC falls under the department for promotion of industry and internal trade which in turn comes under the ministry of commerce.

    Sekhar, from the 1993 IAS batch of the Haryana cadre, had been appointed additional secretary at the MIB in November 2020, replacing Atul Kumar Tiwari.

    The current MIB secretary is Sanjay Jaju  (from the 1992 IAS batch) who took over the role on 5 February 2024. 

  • ONDC and Proxtera to unlock cross-border B2B prospects

    ONDC and Proxtera to unlock cross-border B2B prospects

    Mumbai:  Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, forays into international B2B exports with Proxtera coming in as its first international Buyer App.

    Proxtera is the operationalisation of the Business Sans Borders (BsB) initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Proxtera is an innovative meta-hub that will connect B2B platforms and SMEs to explore trade opportunities, secure essential financing, and embrace digital transformation through the ONDC Network.

    With the ONDC Network enabling B2B exports, Indian businesses will benefit from increased product visibility and digital access to digital markets. Businesses can eventually expect a seamless experience of being discovered, negotiating the best deal, exchanging relevant documents, completing cross-border payments and managing shipments, all facilitated within a fully digital framework.

    In addition, SignCatch and Rapidor, with Bech.app and placeorder.com respectively, will be among the first seller network participants to join ONDC for international B2B trade, facilitating the reach of Indian products to global markets. Liquid Group, a fintech company within Proxtera’s financial services network, specializing in digital payments, joins as a cross-border payments provider for B2B buyers in Singapore.

    This landmark collaboration cements a clear vision of the future of financial technology, ultimately establishing a globally recognised framework and democratizing access to global trade.

    The ONDC – Proxtera collaboration was showcased during the fourth G20 global partnership for financial inclusion (GPFI) as part of the Global SME Finance Forum, held in Mumbai, India.

    ONDC MD and CEO T Koshy said, “The demonstration today is a step towards enabling digital market access across borders for Indian businesses and SMEs. Proxtera, as the first international buyer app from Singapore, and the roles of SignCatch and Rapidor on the seller side in bridging the gaps between businesses through cross-border trade, are thus highly instrumental in this journey.”

    SignCatch founder & CEO Sumit Duggal further stated, “As the first B2B Seller Platform for International Trade, SignCatch is closely working with ONDC and Proxtera to create a seamless digital highway connecting Bharat’s MSMEs to Global markets by leveraging Secure & Transparent Protocols. Our marquee export Seller platform Bech.app has been built to address the digital transaction needs of global commerce and the coming together of ONDC, Proxtera and SignCatch is a game-changer that would provide a huge impetus to foreign trade.

    Proxtera CEO Saurav Bhattacharyya added, “As the first international B2B buyer app on ONDC, Proxtera is proud to enable new opportunities for SMEs to engage in cross-border trade.  This collaboration is a pioneering step towards democratizing access to international trade for SMEs in India, Singapore and across the globe.  With cutting-edge digital technology from Proxtera, buyers are able to effortlessly discover products and engage in real-time conversations with sellers across different buyer and seller platforms. Together with ONDC, we are simplifying global commerce, breaking down barriers, and unlocking a world of opportunities for B2B SMEs worldwide.”

  • ONDC’s remarkable feat: 50k restaurants in online food delivery journey

    ONDC’s remarkable feat: 50k restaurants in online food delivery journey

    Mumbai: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), ministry of commerce and industry, government of India, recently celebrated a major milestone in its journey with over 50,000 restaurants now live for placing online orders on the open network, across 172 cities in the country.

    Number of restaurants on the open network shot up from 500 in February 2023 to 50,000 in August 2023, depicting exponential growth. From the very first restaurant that came onboard in May 2022 and the first order placed on 30 Sep 2022, ONDC has made record-setting progress within a short time, underscoring its commitment to revolutionise online food delivery.

    The seller network participants (NPs) are central to this achievement and have played a pivotal role in onboarding restaurants and driving the growth of F&B category on ONDC Network. These participants include Magicpin, uEngage, Bitsila, EkSecond, Growth Falcons, Mystore, nStore, and eSamudaay. ONDC aims to double the restaurant count by the end of 2023.

    “This remarkable milestone is a testament to our team’s dedication and the invaluable support of our NPs. What started with our first order in Sept’ 22, the Network has onboarded over 50,000 restaurants till now!  As we continue to grow and expand, we are excited about the future of online food delivery in the all-new no-barrier e-commerce ecosystem and our role in shaping it,” said ONDC MD and CEO T Koshy.

    Consumers can order food online on the ONDC Network via buyer apps including Paytm, Pincode, Magicpin, Mystore among others.

  • DPIIT to issue clarification on capping FDI in digital media

    DPIIT to issue clarification on capping FDI in digital media

    MUMBAI: Amid certain stakeholders raise concern over government’s decision to allow 26 per cent FDI in digital media sector, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is likely to issue a clarification soon on the same, Economic Times reported.

    According to some stakeholders, the idea to cap FDI (foreign direct investment) in digital media sector to 26 per cent must be clarified  by government as these stakeholders, who were looking to raise funds through FDI is now put on hold.

    There are two main concerns stakeholders have raised and sought clarification: 1) How the FDI policy of the sector would treat news aggregators, and 2) what would happen to those digital media companies where overseas investment is over 26 per cent

    Taking the views of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on the issue, the DPIIT is expected to issue clarification shortly, Economic Times said quoting sources.

    In this regard, Deloitte India partner Jehil Thakkar had said that the clarity needed was on how to treat cases of television broadcasters that stream news online, but are allowed 49 per cent FDI.

    He questioned, “What happens to those, whether they qualify fewer than 26 per cent or 49 per cent (FDI)? What happens to news websites which are 100 per cent foreign entity?”