ITV

Tag: Prime Minister

  • DD to telecast series on apprenticeship training

    DD to telecast series on apprenticeship training

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan’s National Channel will be launching a new show called Hunnarbaaz, which is based on apprenticeship training programme.

     

    The 10-part series, which will launch on 18 October, will be telecast at 11:30 am every Sunday.

     

    Hunnarbaaz is a show that spotlights skills and innovations. The show will help millions of young Indians become aware of the various ways in which they can upgrade their skills, become employable and commercially utilise their inventive genius to provide for themselves. 

     

    The Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry has amended the Apprentices Act 1961 to make it more responsive to industry as well as youth.

     

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the youth to acquire the skills, which could contribute towards making India a modern country.

     

    Modi said he wanted to create a pool of young people who are able to create jobs and the ones who are not capable of creating jobs and do not have the opportunities must be in a position to face their counterparts in any corner of the world while keeping their heads high by virtue of their hard work and their dexterity of hands and win the hearts of people around the world through their skills. 

  • Hathway to demerge broadband business to subsidiary company

    Hathway to demerge broadband business to subsidiary company

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom is planning to demerge its broadband business into its wholly owned subsidiary Hathway Broadband Private Limited.

     

    The company’s board of directors have given in-principle approval to demerge, transfer and vest the company’s entire broadband business into its wholly owned subsidiary, subject to requisite approvals from the shareholders, creditors, High Court(s), Department of Telecommunications, Stock Exchanges, Securities and Exchange Board of India and other applicable regulatory governmental authorities.

     

    The carving out of the broadband business is aimed at accelerating value creation for Hathway shareholders. The separation will allow Hathway to aggressively focus on the significant growth potential for high speed data and related services in India. Globally, wireline or fixed broadband has emerged as a key driver of technology adoption and overall, GDP growth. India lags most countries including countries in Asia in wireline broadband penetration reaching only about eight per cent  of the potential universe.

     

    Hathway Broadband intends to take the lead in driving wireline broadband penetration in India and become a key player in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India initiative. The company believes that its hybrid fiber coax infrastructure on DOCSIS 3.0 platforms is the most effective and sustainable technology in a price sensitive market like India.

     

    Hathway Cable & Datacom MD & CEO Jagdish Kumar said, “We are uniquely placed to leverage our leading position in the cable television industry and our brand to provide Indian subscribers with a world class broadband experience. This restructuring recognises that the market dynamics of the broadband business are unique as compared to our parent cable television business. The separation is a step towards increasing the broadband business’ customer focus and market competitiveness and in delivering a superior value proposition to our subscribers.”

  • Martin Sorrell pegs WPP’s India biz at $600 mn; thrust on organic growth

    Martin Sorrell pegs WPP’s India biz at $600 mn; thrust on organic growth

    MUMBAI: Just a few days after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York, WPP CEO Martin Sorrell, in his visit to India was bullish about the market and pegs the company’s business here at $600 million with a strong thrust on organic growth.

     

    “We are very aggressive in terms of growth here in India and this year we are expecting to grow by 10 per cent, which is double of the global growth rate (4.8 per cent). Net sales growth in India is roughly same as the revenue growth, which is 10 per cent while globally it’s three per cent. So overall, we are doing very good across the board and have no complaints,” he said.

     

    “Our business in India is just under $600 million in revenue. We are proud of our business here and we have a very large market share,” asserted Sorrell.

     

    He further added, “Though we will have acquisitions, organic growth will be key in India. If your business is $600 million and you are growing at 10 per cent per annum, you can’t find acquisitions in India in $60 million. So organic growth will continue to be the principle way that we grow in the Indian market.”

     

     

    Events to watch out for in 2016:

     

    Sorrell is of the opinion that the 2016 Rio Olympics will be a major event. “The backdrop in Rio de Janeiro will be one of the best backdrops to be in,” Sorrell says.

     

    Apart from the Olympics, the US presidential elections as well as the UEFA European Championship will also be key events to watch out for in 2016 according to Sorrell.

     

     

    Key for advertising industry:

     

    Sorrell predicts that the key for the company would be to grow at the rate of GDP growth with little or no inflation.

     

    “The thing that worries me the most is not the geo-political issues, be it Greece or US deficit, or the Middle East, but the failure of companies to invest long term,” he emphasised.

     

     

    Importance of People:

     

    Sorrell believes that people are the most important part of a company and clients choose agencies on the basis of that.

      

    He said, “Our revenues are at $19 billion around the world and at $23 billion including associates. Of the $19 billion, $12 billion is invested in people because I believe that the key differentiator between agencies is people. That’s how clients choose one agency over the other.”

     

     

    BARC and TAM JV

     

    The biggest outcome of the team up between two Indian television measurement agencies, as per Sorrell is both companies accepting each other’s business models. He was also of the opinion that TAM should have been more flexible in terms of number of meters. He said, “I think we will get to one equilibrium that gives some consistency and validation, which is really important.”

  • Strengthening Bollywood & Hollywood ties to be discussed at Regional Pravasi Divas in LA

    Strengthening Bollywood & Hollywood ties to be discussed at Regional Pravasi Divas in LA

    NEW DELHI: The significant media, cultural and entertainment engagement between India and the United States will be one of the primary subjects of discussion at the ninth Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Los Angeles next month.

     

    Ways of strengthening ties between Bollywood and Hollywood would also be discussed in the meet to be held on 14 and 15 November.

     

    The RPBD will be organised by the Consulate General of India in San Francisco and the India Embassy in Washington DC in collaboration with the major community organisations of People of Indian Origin in the USA and the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry.

     

    Various official forums for India-US collaboration will also participate in the RPBD.

     

    The RPBD Los Angeles will celebrate the presence of the single largest population of overseas Indians in any one country and strengthen the social, economic and political bonds between India, the USA and the Indian Diaspora.

     

    India and the USA share a growing partnership in almost all sectors vital to their economies. Indian Americans have made a significant impact in IT, medicine, academia, banking, hospitality, science and technology and also as entrepreneurs engaged in thriving businesses. The RPBD Los Angeles will focus and build on these synergies and collaborations, through seminars and discussions involving major stake holders on both sides.

     

    The concept of Pravasi Divas, which is to be held from 8 to 10 January in New Delhi next year, was given by a committee set up by then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee to cement ties with the Diaspora. The date was chosen since it was on 9 January that Mahatma Gandhi emigrated from South Africa to India to lead the freedom struggle in the early part of the last century. 

  • Prasoon Joshi pens new anthem song for Swachh Bharat mission

    Prasoon Joshi pens new anthem song for Swachh Bharat mission

    NEW DELHI: An anthem has been written for the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ by ad man and lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

     

    The song was written in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a ‘jan andolan’ to make the mission successful.

     

    The celebrities have come together to enthuse and inspire citizens to join hands in realising the collective dream of a ‘clean India.’

     

    The anthem penned by Joshi is set to tune by musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. It is sung by Shankar Mahadevan and other playback singers, who will also feature a video being produced by Mukesh Bhatt for the same.

     

    Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has contributed to this endeavour by reciting a few lines that will specially feature in the anthem, as well as providing various musical suggestions for the recording.  

     

    The audio of the song is expected to be released on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on 2 October.

  • Modi effect: Qualcomm to invest $150 million in Indian mobile startups

    Modi effect: Qualcomm to invest $150 million in Indian mobile startups

    MUMBAI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making waves in the United States. And the effects of his power packed visit have already started trickling in.

     

    US based Qualcomm Incorporated, which operates in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies, plans to invest up to $150 million in Indian startup companies across all stages. This is a part of its commitment to India during a meeting with Modi at the Digital Economy event in San Jose.

     

    Qualcomm Ventures will advise and direct Qualcomm’s activities with respect to these strategic investments.

     

    Qualcomm has been investing in promising Indian startups since 2007 and there are more than 20 Indian companies as part of its global portfolio. Sectors of investment vary across the mobile ecosystem and include hardware, software platforms, e-commerce, healthcare, location based services and retail technology. Initiatives such as the QPrize competition, a global seed investment competition, as well as an early stage fund, are part of the team’s efforts in encouraging early stage entrepreneurs.

     

    Qualcomm directly invests in Indian mobile and internet start-up companies to keenly foster the local ecosystem. Portfolio companies include Yourstory, a media tech platform for entrepreneurs; Portea Medical, an in-home healthcare provider; and MapMyIndia, a provider of digital map, navigation, and tracking products and services. Indian companies receiving funding can benefit from Qualcomm’s insights on mobile technologies and utilize Qualcomm’s relationships throughout the industry.

     

    Qualcomm Ventures’ India team also provides unique support through its comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the region.

     

    “We share Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. India is at the cusp of a technology revolution and mobile technologies will lay the foundation for Digital India. We are committed to providing local innovative start-ups with the support needed to help India’s IOE ecosystem grow, increasing consumer choice and availability,” said Qualcomm Incorporated executive chairman Dr. Paul E. Jacobs.

     

    “Since Qualcomm’s first India investment in 2007 and with full-fledged presence starting in early 2008, we continue to invest broadly to strengthen India’s overall economy. We are committed to providing these companies with the support needed to help propel them forward in the competitive Indian region. We’re excited about the new prospects in India and look forward to growing our portfolio,” said Qualcomm Incorporated senior vice president Nagraj Kashyap.

     

    Qualcomm also plays a key role driving India’s wireless revolution by making mobile communications increasingly accessible and affordable. For over two decades, Qualcomm has been helping the country’s mobile ecosystem achieve ongoing success and growth through its work with operators, OEM/ODMs, software developers, sales/distribution partners, governmental entities, academic institutions and standards organizations, among others. Qualcomm believes that its initiatives in India will help support the Indian government’s Digital India vision.

  • Oxigen appoints Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador

    Oxigen appoints Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: India’s payments solutions provider Oxigen Services has signed cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador.

     

    The brand zeroed in on Tendulkar as he reflects the core values of the company in his virtues of unshakable commitment and humility.

     

    Oxigen has aligned its vision to aggressively push for Digital India and financial inclusion, a key agenda on the radar of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

     

    Oxigen Services India founder & CMD Pramod Saxena said, “We are absolutely proud and honoured to be associated with the god of cricket himself, who is renowned not only in India, but across the globe. It is not just his values that inspired us to get him on board, but also his strong commitment towards larger national issues such as education and  upliftment of rural India that resonate with our own programs. Together we are set to take our initiatives towards Financial Inclusion, Digital India and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to the next level.”

     

    Tendulkar added, “I am excited to be associated with Oxigen Services, which is at the threshold of exponential growth. Oxigen’s effort to align with the needs of the common Indian and focus on offering convenience, flexibility and ease in payment solutions is admirable. With the Oxigen wallet providing so many features, I am sure it will be the preferred mode for payment emphatically replacing the present day need to carry physical forms of cash and plastic money.”

     

    Oxigen recently came on board as the official sponsor of the Proteas – South African T20 Cricket Team, which will be visiting India for The Mahatma Gandhi – Nelson Mandela Series this week.

     

    The company has also launched the #Playthehost campaign for the series.

     

    “The adoration for Tendulkar, as a person, cuts across demographics, states and cultures. He is a much loved and trusted sport personality, with an unblemished track record. We, at Oxigen as well, reach out to a large mass of people across the country, we have something for everyone, A mobile wallet for the youth and money transfer and payments services, through our retail network for all fellow Indians.  The city dwellers and rural Indians alike, see us as a dependable service provider. By associating with Sachin we are sure we reinforce the trust and reliability factor with our customers, taking it to the zenith with his endorsement to the Oxigen Brand,” said Oxigen corporate affairs brand and marketing services president Meher Sarid.

  • Amitabh Bachchan joins campaign to give up LPG subsidy

    Amitabh Bachchan joins campaign to give up LPG subsidy

    NEW DELHI: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has joined the GiveItUp movement where he will encourage people to give up the subsidy on LPG to benefit those who cannot afford it.

    Acknowledging the gesture, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that such a noble gesture by Bachchan would surely inspire many others to join GiveItUp, a movement committed to bring smiles to millions of poor households by providing them access to clean fuel (LPG).

    As on date, he said more than three million people have surrendered their LPG subsidy in response to the appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 March.

    Modi had also promised that the money saved from this effort will be utilised to provide LPG connection to poor households.

    Modi had also talked about the GiveItUp movement during his recent MannKiBaat. He had mentioned, “Lakhs of families have given up their gas subsidies. These are not rich people. This is a silent revolution.”

  • India – US to increase cooperation in cyber R&D to combat cyber crimes

    India – US to increase cooperation in cyber R&D to combat cyber crimes

    NEW DELHI: India and the United States have agreed to improve cooperation among technical, law enforcement, cyber research and development, and capacity building.

    Both countries have supported an open, inclusive, transparent, and multi-stakeholder system of internet governance. They have planned to work together to promote cyber security, combat cyber-crime, and advance norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace.

    This was stated in a joint statement after External Affairs Minister and Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met US Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker for the first US – India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue held in Washington yesterday.

    Both sides commended the resumption of the US-India Cyber Dialogue. The Sides welcomed the decision to convene a Track 1.5 programme to further cooperation on internet and cyber issues and contribute to the goals of Digital India initiative.

    In the first meeting of the US – India Information and Communication Technology Working Group US presented a draft work plan to facilitate collaboration and development in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Digital India” initiative.

    The joint statement renewed the US-India Technology Safeguards Agreement to facilitate the launch of US satellite components on Indian space launch vehicles.

    The statement also referred to outer space collaboration and noted the launch of a new Space Security Dialogue in March 2015 and the exchange of technical data from both countries’ national Mars orbiters, and upcoming Civil Space Joint Working Group in Bangalore.

    The US side applauded India’s proposal to launch a satellite for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in order to expand information sharing and connectivity within the SAARC region.

  • NewsX, India News line up special coverage on PM Narendra Modi’s US visit

    NewsX, India News line up special coverage on PM Narendra Modi’s US visit

    MUMBAI: All eyes are trained on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second visit to the US, which is also the first time in three decades that an Indian PM visits the west coast.

     

    Understanding the geopolitical and economic gravity that this event brings for India and the world at large, news channels NewsX and India News have lined up expansive coverage for viewers throughout Modi’s visit.

     

    The programming line-up on NewsX and India News includes special shows, exclusive interviews, roundtable discussions and prime time debates. Viewers can also tune into the live reports of the events unfolding from ground zero including live coverage from San Jose where Modi will address the Indian-American community.

     

    While NewsX will present roundtable discussions in collaboration with the US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC), an American, Bipartisan Political Action Committee representing Indian-Americans, India News will report special stories from New York.

     

    This special line-up of programming on NewsX and India News will be driven by the channel’s team of editorial experts led by NewsX editor-in-chief Rahul Shivshankar and India News editor-in-chief Deepak Chaurasia along with veteran journalists like Kartikeya Sharma, Geeta Mohan and Sheetal Rajput, who will travel to the US to cover the visit and provide the viewers with in-depth live reportage.

     

    “Not only Indian viewers, but the whole world is keeping a close eye on this much anticipated visit. Through our extensive coverage, we look forward to continue our leadership and deliver on the expectations of our viewers of being the most trusted network,” said Chaurasia.