VARINDIA IT MAGAZINE

Serum waits for India’s green signal for COVID-19 vaccine use:  Serum Institute of India , which is also manufacturing the   Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in India , said that it expected the government to approve the shot for emergency use in a few days.   The company has already made 40 million to 50 million doses of the vaccine and will be able to ramp up capacity to around 100 million a month by March when a new facility comes online.   "We have 40-50 million doses of Covishield stockpiled. Once we get regulatory approvals in a few days, it'll be down to the government to decide how much they can take and how fast,"  Serum Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla  said.   "All data on Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine submitted in India and UK. There are no concerns, regulators are closely reviewing documents and data," informed Serum CEO. Poonawalla also told the reporters that India is a part of 'COVAX' and hence, the company will keep giving 50...

Individual users not to get penalty or punishment for using banned mobile apps:  On 24 September, 2020 118 more apps were banned (including PubG)   under section 69A of the Information Technology Act . Last month, the Ministry blocked 43 more apps citing security concerns. But there is no penalty prescribed for individual users of mobile apps such as TikTok, PUBG, CamScanner, UC Browser etc which were blocked by the   Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology   citing security concerns. However, there is a penalty prescribed for intermediaries under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act who fail to comply with blocking orders.   This was told by the Ministry in reply to an RTI application made by a law student named Prasoon Shekhar. The Ministry said in its reply, “MeitY does not ban any App. However, blocking of specified Apps was done under the provisions of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and its Rules namely Information T...

Fundraising jumps 116% to Rs 1.78 lakh cr in 2020 via equity issues :  According to a report, the devastating pandemic failed to dampen the primary and secondary capital market issues with the year closing with the highest ever fund raising from the equity markets, that grew at 116 per cent to Rs 1.78 lakh crore in IPOs, OFS and other market issuances. This was 116 per cent higher than Rs 82,241 crore was raised in 2019, according to   Pranav Haldea, managing director at Prime Database.   The previous highest amount raised in a calendar year was Rs 1, 60,032 crore in 2017. Strong retail participation in IPOs, huge listing gains and highest-ever amount raised through QIPs and InvITs/REITs were the key highlights of the year, he said. While IPOs fetched Rs 26,770 crore, which was 40 per cent higher than collected in 2019, FPOs netted Rs 15,024 crore, followed by OFS (offer for sale) at Rs 21,458 crore and REITs/InvITs/QIPs at Rs 84,501 crore, shows the report. Of the last c...

Ratan Tata's social media pages get flooded with good wishes on his birthday:  Philanthropist cum industrialist Ratan Tata , one of India’s most loved and successful businessmen has turned 83 today. His social media pages got flooded with good wishes for the ‘Golden Heart Man’, from fans to politicians and biggies to netizens all sent him their good wishes.   Born in 1937 in Surat, Gujarat, Tata started his career with Tata Group in 1962 at the age of 25 and later went to Harvard Business School to complete his studies. In 1991, he became the fifth chairman of Tata Group after JRD Tata and took the company to new heights during his tenure. The chairman emeritus of Tata Sons served as the chairman of the company for over two decades and retired in 2012.   Tata was awarded for his community work and business, with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. Much of Tata group’s earnings go towards charities. In April 2020, he announced a massive Rs 500 crore ...

PM Modi inaugurates driverless Delhi Metro:  India's first driverless train on   Delhi Metro's Magenta Line   was inaugurated by   Prime Minister Modi . He also launched the   National Common Mobility Card , an inter-operable transport facility that allows users to pay for travel, toll duties, retail shopping, and withdraw money using one card.   The driverless trains will be fully automated, eliminating the possibility of human error, officials say. The service will be available on Delhi Metro's Magenta Line which connects Janakpuri West in West Delhi to Botanical Garden in Noida. This will be extended to Delhi Metro's Pink Line (Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar) by mid-2021.   "The inauguration of the first driverless metro train shows how fast India is moving towards smart systems," Prime Minister Modi said inaugurating the ground-breaking project today during a virtual function. "The first Metro in Delhi was started with the efforts of Atal (Bihari Vajpayee)...

Vodafone Idea enables 3G spectrum for 4G services in Mumbai:  Vodafone Idea   has announced to start using 3G spectrum for 4G services in Mumbai and claimed that customers in the metro city will get higher data speed with the reframing of spectrum.   Vodafone Idea has 5 megahertz of spectrum in 2100 Mhz band which was being used for 3G services. Vi is on 3G connection and can get faster 4G experience when they use a 4G handset and a 4G SIM. The company also said that it will continue to provide 2G services in Mumbai.   In a statement,  Rajendra Chourasia, Operations Director- Mumbai, Vodafone Idea  said, "Supplementing the existing 4G infrastructure with the expansion on 2100 MHz layer has brought about enhanced data speeds, besides a better indoor network experience for Vi customers in Mumbai. We request all Vi 3G customers to visit the nearest retail outlet at the earliest to upgrade to a 4G SIM, free of cost and start experiencing the full potential of...

Bitcoin cash outs arrive across 16,000 ATMs in UK:  To make instant money, now   cryptocurrency   holders can now cash out their   bitcoin , which are available in all 16,000 ATMs across the UK. As the interest in bitcoin surging, user-friendly processes to securely buy, sell and use cryptocurrency have long been a hurdle to widespread adoption.   BitcoinPoint has been working to break down these barriers with a mobile app that makes it possible to buy and sell bitcoin at a network of agents, from Bureaus de Change to newsagents, as well as online through an instant bank transfer solution via Open Banking.   Since registering on a crypto exchange could be a complex process for non-tech savvy people, the scarce availability of bitcoin ATMs made accessibility of bitcoin problematic. East London-based BitcoinPoint, which offers services to buy and sell Bitcoin, has struck a deal with independent cash machine operator Cashzone.   Bitcoin holders can n...

Indian app could able to substitute the absence of TikTok:  Dailyhunt, the owner of Josh   which is currently the leading domestic platform, launched apps like   MX TakaTak ,   Roposo ,   Chingari , Moj Mitron, Trell and others to fill the huge void.   They have claimed to have 40 per cent market share of their Chinese rival TikTok since the Indian government banned it alonMog with other apps in June this year. Bengaluru headquartered VerSe Innovation, operates news aggregator and content platform Dailyhunt and short video platform Josh, has announced the completion of its staggered $100 million fundraise from Google, Microsoft and AlphaWave (a unit of Falcon Edge Capital)and valued over $1 billion.   Initially the agency started as NewsHunt, the platform was founded in 2009 by Umesh Kulkarni and Chandrashekhar Sohoni. It was acquired by VerSe Innovations in 2012 and rebranded as Dailyhunt in 2015. Existing investors Sofina Group and Lupa Systems also ...

Zoom to start its own email service in the coming year:  After making leadership position in the video calling market during the pandemic,   Zoom   is now planning to develop an email service and release it next year, along with working on a calendar application, to take on giants like Google and Microsoft.   Expert says that ,it is a straight competition among the Google, Hotmail yahoo and others. Zoom Video Communications has begun developing a web email service and might offer a very early version of the product to some customers next year . Sources said, the company also is looking into building a calendar application.   Recently in October, Zoom made its new end-to-end encryption (E2EE) feature available to users globally, free and paid, for meetings with up to 200 participants and the company has had a super year, with its stock price rising more than 500% owing to the unprecedented surge in remote work and learning. The two big players are Microsoft with ...

Pandemic fast-tracked the Digital transformation:  Digital transformation is enabled with technology along with the strategy, leadership and culture drives the business transformation and innovation. Digital Transformation is integration of digital technology bringing in fundamental changes to know how your business functions and how you deliver value to your users. The most common measures are Customer Experience, Workplace Transformation, Cyber Security and Digital Ready Platforms. On this backdrop VARINDIA has organized its 19th STARNITE AWARDS 2020 virtually due to the current scenario. Industry leaders have graced the event with their invaluable viewpoints.   The event started with a virtual Lamp Lighting ceremony, followed by a welcome speech by  Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, Editor-in-chief- VARINDIA . Welcoming everyone, Deepak said, “Due to the pandemic, we all are able to meet each other on real-time though not physically but yes, it is possible digitally. I would say,...

The biggest New Year party is coming to Wynk Music:  Following the huge success of its innovative Navratri and Diwali online concerts,   Wynk Music - India’s #1   music streaming app - has decided to host an exclusive New Year Fest from December 24-27 with LIVE performances by Tony Kakkar, Euphoria, DJ Ali Merchant, Nikhita Gandhi and Sanam.   All those interested can join these amazing artists from the safety of their homes as they deliver power packed LIVE performances on Wynk Stage to welcome 2021 in style. Wynk Stage’s interactive UX will also allow all users to post messages and song requests, and interact with the artists in real-time.     Wynk stage is available to everyone, even those who do not otherwise subscribe to Airtel. All those interested can download Wynk Music (iOS, Android) to get started; a one-month subscription of Rs 29 to Wynk Premium will provide access to all the concerts spread across the four days.. All Airtel Thanks and...

Josh gains $100 Million funding from Google and Microsoft Josh gains $100 Million funding from Google and Microsoft :  Josh, Indian TikTok Clone   has raised more than $100 million from investors including   Google   and   Microsoft , months after the Chinese-owned short-video app was banned in the country.   Bengaluru-based  VerSe Innovation , which owns Josh, is valued at more than $1 billion following the investment, it said in a statement.  AlphaWave  also invested in VerSe, as did existing investors Sofina Group and Lupa Systems, VerSe said, adding that it would use the funds to scale up Josh. VerSe also owns news and content platform Dailyhunt.   In September, Indian content-sharing platform  ShareChat  raised $40 million from investors including Twitter Inc and Lightspeed Ventures, in an effort to drive growth for its new short-video app Moj.   Both Josh and Moj have been installed on more than 50 million devices ea...

YES BANK & Salesforce teams to build a next generation technology platform:  YES BANK   announced its’ collaboration with   Salesforce , a leader in customer relationship management, to build a next generation technology platform to power the retail lending business, in line with the bank's strategy to further scale up its retails assets portfolio.   The private lender aims to deliver intelligent personalized customer experiences through the Salesforce platform.   "Leveraging on the strengths of YES BANK's technology capabilities and Salesforce's platform, this collaboration aims to engage customers with a unified experience and drive aggressive retail led growth for the bank," YES Bank said in a press release.   The bank said the deployment of the Salesforce loan origination system for retail banking will enable it to provide personalised solutions and connected banking experiences for consumers across segments. It will bolster the bank's capacity to ...

Madhuri Dixit stunned her fans in short dress:  Madhuri Dixit   recently posted a stunning picture of herself in a magenta-coloured short dress. Her fans couldn’t stop gushing over how great she looked.   She can be seen posing under the sun in a pretty magenta dress with a satin belt. The actress stuck to minimal accessories and wore studs. Madhuri flaunted her glowing skin in the photo as her gorgeous hair swayed in the wind. Smiling in her usual gorgeous manner, Madhuri captioned the photo, “Sun on the skin & wind in the hair... Simple joys of life.”   Madhuri Dixit’s fans went gaga over her beautiful photograph and complimented her looks. One person compared her to the young actresses in Bollywood today and wrote how Madhuri is better than all. The comment read, “She's still better than Sara, Alia and Deepika.” A fan loved how young she looked and wrote, “Lookin like 20 years old girl,” while another called her, “Heartbeat of many people (sic)".   Madhur...

JetSynthesys announces a special offer to celebrate 3 years of Sachin Saga Cricket Champions :  JetSynthesys , a new age digital entertainment and technology company with a global foray in gaming, digital entertainment, and interest-based social community platforms, celebrates the third anniversary of its widely popular and immersive cricket game   Sachin Saga Cricket Champions . To commemorate this milestone, fans will be given an incredible 75% discount on the annual premium subscription for the game, which can be availed through a notification that will pop up on the homepage itself. Originally priced at INR 1999, the yearly subscription will now be available for INR 499 only, while the monthly pack remains at INR 299.   Born out of an exclusive joint venture with  Sachin Tendulkar, Sachin Saga Cricket Champions  is an immersive mobile game that lets users play as the legendary Master Blaster himself. It has been lauded as the world’s premiere 3D mobile crick...