ITV

Tag: Kohima

  • No more chalk and awe as QWR gives classrooms a VR upgrade

    No more chalk and awe as QWR gives classrooms a VR upgrade

    MUMBAI: In a world where school still means blackboards, wooden benches and a race for marks, one Indian start-up is asking: what if you could step inside the syllabus instead? Enter QWR (Question What’s Real), a deep-tech XR company that’s quietly reshaping education from the inside out. Instead of starting in Tier-1 cities, QWR flipped the traditional script. Its immersive VRone.Edu headsets, designed for classroom use, are already in the hands of students from Kohima to Patna and Raipur to Ranchi, impacting over 2,00,000 learners across 19 states.

    The twist? These aren’t just fancy gadgets. QWR’s devices come loaded with NCERT-aligned, K–12 modules that turn abstract concepts into interactive experiences. Why just read about the human heart when you can walk through its chambers? Why mug up tectonic plates when you can stand in the middle of a virtual earthquake?

    “Curiosity begins with the senses,” says QWR founder Suraj Aiar. “We’re not pushing hardware. We’re redefining how India learns.”

    With India’s current education model still chasing grades over growth, QWR’s approach blends VR, AR and XR to put experience at the heart of education. According to the company, only 10 per cent of Indian schools currently use digital tools. That’s the gap QWR wants to close one headset at a time.

    And it’s not just schools. The brand’s roadmap includes engineering, medicine, defence, and blue-collar upskilling, all delivered through real-time, immersive simulations. It also aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2022, Samagra Shiksha Yojana, and Sustainable Development Goal 4, creating classroom equity through tech.

    To fuel the future, QWR has also launched India’s largest XR developer initiative the QWR ISV Program offering grants to XR creators to build content directly for its ecosystem. The goal: make India not just a market for XR education, but a hub of its innovation.

    “Other players talk XR,” says Aiar. “We’ve cracked it, governments and institutions come to us because our solutions work.”

    So the next time a student stares blankly at a textbook, they might just be seconds away from stepping into it. For QWR, the future isn’t virtual, it’s already here.

  • Amazon to aid Nagaland women entrepreneurs

    Amazon to aid Nagaland women entrepreneurs

    MUMBAI: Amazon.in will work closely with the Nagaland government to enable women sellers in the state to embrace digital commerce through training, mentorship & skill development workshops.

    In line with its vision to transform the way India sells, Amazon India today announced its partnership with the Government of Nagaland and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to empower and enable women entrepreneurs in the state by providing them with a global platform to sell their products at zero initial cost. Under the partnership, Amazon.in will conduct extensive training & skill development workshops to help women entrepreneurs in Nagaland understand nuances related to online selling and develop skills and capabilities necessary to nurture successful online enterprises. The programme also aims to encourage cottage industries in Nagaland by helping them grow through online commerce.

    As part of the initiative, a one-stop center equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure will be created to train & equip women entrepreneurs to open their own ‘E-shop’ on Amazon.in. With this, Amazon India aims to promote the flourishing cottage industries in the region and unlock unique selection of products such as hand-woven items, intricate metalwork, woodwork, stonework, pottery and basketry. Spinning and weaving have been very significant in the Naga Hills and in the recent times mill-made yarn is also fast gaining popularity from this region. The government has also been very active in promoting industries like soap-making, candle-making, bee-keeping, and the association with Amazon will definitely aid in this direction.

    Starting today, the first workshop spanning over two days will be conducted in Kohima. The participants of the workshop will be endowed with essential skills required to help them start an online business. The training workshops will comprise of sessions on listing of products, imaging & cataloguing, packaging & shipping, inventory & account management and customer service to name a few. This will be a free workshop offering several exclusive benefits including assisted onboarding and mentorship programs.

    Commenting on the partnership, Nagaland chief minister’s principal secretary Temjin Toy said,“Today, digital commerce has dissolved geographical boundaries and enabled millions of Indians to consume products & services from all corners of the country leading to a massive economic transformation. We hope to drive this transformation in Nagaland by helping our women become e-entrepreneurs on Amazon. We look forward to extending all possible support to Amazon India in helping women artisans & entrepreneurs to participate in India’s vibrant digital economy.”

    Expressing his sentiments on empowering women entrepreneurs through this programme, Amazon India director & GM – seller services Gopal Pillai said, “Our entrepreneurial culture and initiatives have always been aligned with our vision of transforming the way India buys and sells. Through this partnership, we look forward to fostering entrepreneurship and empowerment among women in Nagaland by giving them the opportunity to experience India’s digital economy firsthand. With specialised training, skill development workshops, technology support and market access at zero initial cost, the initiative will not only boost the cottage industry run by women in Nagaland, but also lead to the overall advancement of women e-entrepreneurs from the state.”

    On taking this partnership to other states, Gopal added “We see this as an important milestone in our journey and look forward to extending our partnership with NSDC to other states in India.”

    “The SMB sector in Nagaland is largely women dominated. We believe that with adequate training, skill development and e-commerce exposure, this industry can grow exponentially and lift the economic landscape of the region and its people, especially women entrepreneurs. With Amazon’s training and development program and its massive digital reach, we are confident that the women sellers from the region can not only accelerate their business growth but can also get the required global platform to showcase their products. We look forward to providing all possible support to Amazon in their initiative,“ said NSDC head – Jammu, Kashmir and North East Region Dr. Sapna Poti.

    With its flagship initiatives like Seller University that trains and nurture sellers, fulfilment and assisted shipping service via Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), Seller Flex and Easy Ship, Amazon Tatkal that helps SMBs get online within 60 minutes and lending program to provide comprehensive financial solutions to sellers, Amazon.in has rolled out several such initiatives and has been working extensively to meet different business requirements of sellers and small entrepreneurs and help them grow their business profitably online.

    The company’s Global Selling Program launched in India in May last year has over 18,000 sellers today selling their ‘Make in India’ products on Amazon’s 9 global marketplaces to millions of active worldwide customers. With the recently launched Prime service, Indian customers in over 100 cities can enjoy unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery on lakhs of eligible products from India’s largest online shopping selection.Customers on Amazon benefit from a safe and secure ordering experience, convenient electronic payments, Cash on Delivery, Amazon’s 24×7 customer service support, and a globally recognized and comprehensive 100% purchase protection provided by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee.

  • Amazon to aid Nagaland women entrepreneurs

    Amazon to aid Nagaland women entrepreneurs

    MUMBAI: Amazon.in will work closely with the Nagaland government to enable women sellers in the state to embrace digital commerce through training, mentorship & skill development workshops.

    In line with its vision to transform the way India sells, Amazon India today announced its partnership with the Government of Nagaland and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to empower and enable women entrepreneurs in the state by providing them with a global platform to sell their products at zero initial cost. Under the partnership, Amazon.in will conduct extensive training & skill development workshops to help women entrepreneurs in Nagaland understand nuances related to online selling and develop skills and capabilities necessary to nurture successful online enterprises. The programme also aims to encourage cottage industries in Nagaland by helping them grow through online commerce.

    As part of the initiative, a one-stop center equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure will be created to train & equip women entrepreneurs to open their own ‘E-shop’ on Amazon.in. With this, Amazon India aims to promote the flourishing cottage industries in the region and unlock unique selection of products such as hand-woven items, intricate metalwork, woodwork, stonework, pottery and basketry. Spinning and weaving have been very significant in the Naga Hills and in the recent times mill-made yarn is also fast gaining popularity from this region. The government has also been very active in promoting industries like soap-making, candle-making, bee-keeping, and the association with Amazon will definitely aid in this direction.

    Starting today, the first workshop spanning over two days will be conducted in Kohima. The participants of the workshop will be endowed with essential skills required to help them start an online business. The training workshops will comprise of sessions on listing of products, imaging & cataloguing, packaging & shipping, inventory & account management and customer service to name a few. This will be a free workshop offering several exclusive benefits including assisted onboarding and mentorship programs.

    Commenting on the partnership, Nagaland chief minister’s principal secretary Temjin Toy said,“Today, digital commerce has dissolved geographical boundaries and enabled millions of Indians to consume products & services from all corners of the country leading to a massive economic transformation. We hope to drive this transformation in Nagaland by helping our women become e-entrepreneurs on Amazon. We look forward to extending all possible support to Amazon India in helping women artisans & entrepreneurs to participate in India’s vibrant digital economy.”

    Expressing his sentiments on empowering women entrepreneurs through this programme, Amazon India director & GM – seller services Gopal Pillai said, “Our entrepreneurial culture and initiatives have always been aligned with our vision of transforming the way India buys and sells. Through this partnership, we look forward to fostering entrepreneurship and empowerment among women in Nagaland by giving them the opportunity to experience India’s digital economy firsthand. With specialised training, skill development workshops, technology support and market access at zero initial cost, the initiative will not only boost the cottage industry run by women in Nagaland, but also lead to the overall advancement of women e-entrepreneurs from the state.”

    On taking this partnership to other states, Gopal added “We see this as an important milestone in our journey and look forward to extending our partnership with NSDC to other states in India.”

    “The SMB sector in Nagaland is largely women dominated. We believe that with adequate training, skill development and e-commerce exposure, this industry can grow exponentially and lift the economic landscape of the region and its people, especially women entrepreneurs. With Amazon’s training and development program and its massive digital reach, we are confident that the women sellers from the region can not only accelerate their business growth but can also get the required global platform to showcase their products. We look forward to providing all possible support to Amazon in their initiative,“ said NSDC head – Jammu, Kashmir and North East Region Dr. Sapna Poti.

    With its flagship initiatives like Seller University that trains and nurture sellers, fulfilment and assisted shipping service via Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), Seller Flex and Easy Ship, Amazon Tatkal that helps SMBs get online within 60 minutes and lending program to provide comprehensive financial solutions to sellers, Amazon.in has rolled out several such initiatives and has been working extensively to meet different business requirements of sellers and small entrepreneurs and help them grow their business profitably online.

    The company’s Global Selling Program launched in India in May last year has over 18,000 sellers today selling their ‘Make in India’ products on Amazon’s 9 global marketplaces to millions of active worldwide customers. With the recently launched Prime service, Indian customers in over 100 cities can enjoy unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery on lakhs of eligible products from India’s largest online shopping selection.Customers on Amazon benefit from a safe and secure ordering experience, convenient electronic payments, Cash on Delivery, Amazon’s 24×7 customer service support, and a globally recognized and comprehensive 100% purchase protection provided by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee.

  • KBC 8: A journey from individual to collective growth

    KBC 8: A journey from individual to collective growth

    In a world where everyone is busy achieving their personal goals, we as individuals have stopped thinking about the nation as a whole.

    A flip through news channels and newspaper pages presents the stark reality of our society today. While we spend hours and hours talking about the ills plaguing Indian society, how many of us actually take a step further and act against them?

    Multi Screen Media’s Sony Entertainment Television (SET) along with its creative agency Leo Burnett have through the two promos of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC)’s eight season.

    The first film titled Kohima makes one shameful about the fact that even though we all know aboutthe  north east being a part of India, the denizens of that region are often derided and ridiculed and called names, and even treated as outsiders when they travel to other parts of the country.  The promo has already been talked about in an earlier article on indiantelevision.com.

    The second KBC8 TVC gives a different perspective on the Hindu-Muslim divide. The commercial is set in a tiny neighbourhood (chawl in India) in which a Hindu and Muslim family are neighbours.  Ankit, a boy from the Hindu family is chosen to participate in KBC. His family is hugging him and wishing him good luck as he is about to depart to take part in the game show. The members of the Muslim family are watching the scene from  the balcony of their home above and sniggering; and one of them even sneezes out  aloud deliberately –  which is considered a bad omen by some Hindus. The young folks from the Hindu family want  to confront the Muslim youngsters but are stopped by their father. Cut to the set of KBC and Amitabh Bachchan has asked a question which has stumped Ankit. He chooses to use the phone a friend helpline. And the friend he chooses to call – is the Muslim household as he has been asked the meaning of As salamu alaykum.  The elder of the Muslim family – who are also watching the episode in which Ankit is participating – picks up the call and gives him the correct answer – “Khuda Tumhe Salamat Rakhe” (God keep you safe). Both the Hindu and Muslim families then celebrate Ankit’s win  by hugging each other.

    The two promos show how KBC has evolved through its various messages over the years. From ‘Koi Bhi Sawaal Chhota Nahi Hota’ to ‘Seekhna Band…Toh Jeetna Band,’ the channel has come up with innovative messaging almost every year. 

    However, what differentiates this message from the previous ones is the fact that from just focusing on an individual the focus has shifted to the society as a whole. Amitabh Bachchan in his baritone voice has alway exhorted viewers  to acknowledge the power of self and grow it through the power of knowledge. Now, the show promises to touch people’s hearts with the stories of community bonding.

    The message of KBC season 8’s campaign ‘Yahan Sirf Paisa Nahi, Dil Bhi Jeete Jate Hain’ (We don’t win only money, we win hearts too), has beautifully integrated social messages within the script making one sit-up and take notice.

    It is not the first time that a general entertainment channel (GEC) has touched upon social issues and tried to invoke the right and the wrong within people. But what separates these promos from the rest is the fact that they are hard hitting and talk directly to people. They are a mirror reflecting our society in simple yet assertive manner.

    The yet-to-be released TVC talks about how KBC and Amitabh Bachchan has crept into our nation’s collective consciousness and involves entire communities, if one of their members is selected to participate in the game show.  The film opens in a small village where people are busy stringing up loudspeakers across its streets.  A man beaming with happiness is shown keeping a phone next to a microphone. The telephone rings shrilly and the voice of Big B reverberates through the whole village and the villagers leap up in deliight.  The TVC then cuts back to the KBC set where the surprised AB asks the contestant ‘tumne toh family ko phone kiya tha?’ to which he replies, ‘They are all my family.’

    The person on the phone then asks Mr Bachchan to recite one of his favourite dialogues to which he says, “aaj khush to bahut hoge tum.”

    Will the promos on which the agency worked for almost two months help change society is not sure, but what’s certain is that they will make one look inside, especially when the incidents happening around make us hang our heads in shame.

    Click here to watch the promo