Category: India

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scene set for Leicester Diwali Day celebrations

    Source: City of Leicester

    THE Diwali lights and decorations are up on Leicester’s Belgrave Road, the Wheel of Light is turning, and the scene is set for the city’s annual Diwali Day event, which takes place tomorrow (31 October).

    The city council’s festivals and events team is busy putting the finishing touches to the organisation of the event – one of the biggest on Leicester’s festival calendar.

    They are working closely with the police and emergency services, and the council’s highways, public safety and licensing teams, to ensure the tens of thousands of visitors expected have a great Diwali experience.

    Visitors from all over the city and beyond are expected to head to Leicester to join in the celebrations.

    The city council’s head of festivals & events, Graham Callister said: “The council works with a number of organisations to put on the biggest Diwali Day celebrations in the UK, and we are very grateful for their support.

    “We are also grateful for the work of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, which arranges the stage entertainment each year.

    “Now Diwali Day is almost here, and we look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to the Golden Mile on Thursday.”

    The festivities will begin at 3pm with the opening of the Diwali Village on Cossington Street Recreation Ground. A children’s funfair and arts and crafts will be among the activities on offer, as well as Indian food and drinks.

    Sponsored by Lidl GB, the Diwali Village will also feature a Fire Garden, offering a peaceful spot amid the hustle and bustle on the park.

    Leicester’s annual Rangoli exhibition will open at 4pm on Diwali Day. Brought to the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre by the city council and Tilda, it will feature modern, and traditional Rangoli patterns, celebrating the ancient form of folk-art using bright powders, often seen on doorsteps at Diwali.

    Entertainment including Indian dancing will begin at 5pm on the park’s main stage, with performances organised by the Hindu Festival Council. At the same time, the Red Bull DJ truck will be providing music and energising the Belgrave Road. A family-friendly programme of street art and processions will also take place on the road throughout the evening.

    This year a giant LED screen showing a live stream of the stage show on the park, will be located at the end of Belgrave Road near to the big wheel.

    The finale to the celebrations will be a stunning firework display, starting at around 7.30pm.

    This year’s festivities are being sponsored by Malabar Gold & Diamonds, which recently opened its second UK showroom on Leicester’s Golden Mile.

    A guide to all of the activities on offer, and information about ways to travel to the event is available from the Visit Leicester website.

    Diwali is an ancient festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world. Often described as the festival of lights, it celebrates light over darkness and good over evil. It’s a time for exchanging presents and wishing goodwill to all.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max

    October 30, 2024

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max

    M4 Pro and M4 Max join M4 to form the most advanced family of chips ever built for a personal computer

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced M4 Pro and M4 Max, two new chips that — along with M4 — bring far more power-efficient performance and advanced capabilities to the Mac. All three chips are built using industry-leading, second-generation 3-nanometer technology, which improves performance and power efficiency. The CPUs across the M4 family feature the world’s fastest CPU core, delivering the industry’s best single-threaded performance, and dramatically faster multithreaded performance.1 The GPUs build on the breakthrough graphics architecture introduced in the previous generation, with faster cores and a 2x faster ray-tracing engine. M4 Pro and M4 Max enable Thunderbolt 5 for the Mac for the first time, and unified memory bandwidth is greatly increased — up to 75 percent. Combined with a Neural Engine that’s up to 2x faster than the previous generation and enhanced machine learning (ML) accelerators in the CPUs, the M4 family of chips brings incredible performance for pro and AI workloads. And they deliver blazing performance for Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that transforms how users work, communicate, and express themselves, while protecting their privacy.

    “Apple silicon has taken the Mac to unprecedented heights, and the rapid pace of innovation continues with M4 Pro and M4 Max,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. “With the world’s fastest CPU core, immensely more powerful GPUs, and the fastest Neural Engine ever, the power-efficient performance and capabilities of the M4 family extend its lead as the most advanced lineup of chips in the industry.”

    M4: Phenomenal Performance and New Capabilities

    For entrepreneurs, students, creators, and more, the phenomenal performance of M4 comes to Mac for the first time. M4 features an up to 10-core CPU, with four performance cores and up to six efficiency cores. It’s up to 1.8x faster than M1, so multitasking across apps like Safari and Excel is lightning fast. A 10-core GPU provides incredible graphics performance, up to 2x faster than M1, making everything from editing photos to AAA gameplay exceptionally fast and smooth. And the faster 16-core Neural Engine is great for Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and other AI workloads.

    M4 supports up to 32GB of unified memory and has higher memory bandwidth of 120GB/s. The display engine of the M4 family is enhanced to support two external displays in addition to a built-in display. And M4 now supports up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, providing fast data transfer speeds and even more flexibility across peripherals.

    M4 Pro: Far More Powerful and Capable than Any AI PC Chip

    M4 Pro takes the advanced technologies debuted in M4 and scales them up for researchers, developers, engineers, creative pros, and other users with more demanding workflows. M4 Pro features an up to 14-core CPU consisting of up to 10 performance cores and four efficiency cores. It’s up to 1.9x faster than the CPU of M1 Pro, and up to 2.1x faster than the latest AI PC chip.2 The GPU features up to 20 cores for graphics performance that is 2x that of M4, and up to 2.4x faster than the latest AI PC chip.2 This huge boost in performance makes building and testing apps across multiple simulators in Xcode quicker than ever. And with the improved hardware-accelerated ray-tracing engine in the M4 family GPU, games like Control look more compelling, and pro 3D renderers can produce stunning imagery in even less time.

    M4 Pro supports up to 64GB of fast unified memory and 273GB/s of memory bandwidth, which is a massive 75 percent increase over M3 Pro and 2x the bandwidth of any AI PC chip.3 This, combined with the faster Neural Engine of the M4 family, means on-device Apple Intelligence models run at blazing speed. M4 Pro also supports Thunderbolt 5 on Mac, delivering up to 120Gb/s data transfer speeds, which more than doubles the throughput of Thunderbolt 4. For professionals working on larger file sizes across AI, video, code bases, and more, M4 Pro offers stunning performance and Apple silicon’s legendary power efficiency.

    M4 Max: The Most Powerful Chip for a Pro Laptop

    M4 Max is the ultimate choice for data scientists, 3D artists, and composers who push pro workflows to the limit. It has an up to 16-core CPU, with up to 12 performance cores and four efficiency cores. It’s up to 2.2x faster than the CPU in M1 Max and up to 2.5x faster than the latest AI PC chip.2 The GPU has up to 40 cores for performance that is up to 1.9x faster than M1 Max and up to an astounding 4x faster than the latest AI PC chip.2 So heavy workloads like de-noising raw video footage in DaVinci Resolve Studio can now run in real time.

    M4 Max supports up to 128GB of fast unified memory and up to 546GB/s of memory bandwidth, which is 4x the bandwidth of the latest AI PC chip.3 This allows developers to easily interact with large language models that have nearly 200 billion parameters. The enhanced Media Engine of M4 Max includes two video encode engines and two ProRes accelerators, making it the ultimate choice for video professionals. And like M4 Pro, M4 Max also supports Thunderbolt 5 with up to 120Gb/s data transfer capability. M4 Max rips through the most challenging pro workloads and, thanks to the energy efficiency of Apple silicon, delivers exceptional battery life in a laptop.

    Apple Silicon Powers Apple Intelligence

    M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max are built for Apple Intelligence.4 Ushering in a new era for the Mac, Apple Intelligence brings personal intelligence to the personal computer. Combining powerful generative models with industry-first privacy protections, Apple Intelligence harnesses the power of Apple silicon and the Neural Engine to unlock new ways for users to work, communicate, and express themselves on Mac. It is available in U.S. English with macOS Sequoia 15.1. With systemwide Writing Tools, users can refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write. With the newly redesigned Siri, users can move fluidly between spoken and typed requests to accelerate tasks throughout their day, and Siri can answer thousands of questions about Mac and other Apple products. New Apple Intelligence features will be available in December, with additional capabilities rolling out in the coming months. Image Playground gives users a new way to create fun original images, and Genmoji allows them to create custom emoji in seconds. Siri will become even more capable, with the ability to take actions across the system and draw on a user’s personal context to deliver intelligence that is tailored to them. In December, ChatGPT will be integrated into Siri and Writing Tools, allowing users to access its expertise without needing to jump between tools.

    Apple Intelligence does all this while protecting users’ privacy at every step. At its core is on-device processing, and for more complex tasks, Private Cloud Compute gives users access to Apple’s even larger, server-based models and offers groundbreaking protections for personal information. In addition, users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in — their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won’t store requests. For those who choose to connect their account, OpenAI’s data-use policies apply.

    Better for the Environment

    The power-efficient performance of M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max helps the all-new MacBook Pro lineup meet Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and deliver up to 24 hours of battery life.5 This results in less time needing to be plugged in and less energy consumed over its lifetime. And for desktop systems like iMac and Mac mini, the energy efficiency of Apple silicon also reduces the total amount of energy used. Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations and, as part of its ambitious Apple 2030 goal, plans to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Testing was conducted by Apple in October 2024 using shipping competitive systems and select industry-standard benchmarks.
    2. Testing was conducted by Apple in October 2024 using select industry-standard benchmarks. AI PC chip performance data from testing MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo (A2VMG-014US) with Core Ultra 7 258V.
    3. Based on published technical specifications of shipping competitive chips as of October 2024.
    4. Apple Intelligence is available now as a free software update for Mac with M1 and later, and can be accessed in most regions around the world when the device and Siri language are set to U.S. English. The first set of features is in beta and available with macOS Sequoia 15.1, with more features rolling out in the months to come. Apple Intelligence is quickly adding support for more languages. In December, Apple Intelligence will add support for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., and in April, a software update will deliver expanded language support, with more coming throughout the year. Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages will be supported.
    5. Testing was conducted by Apple from August through October 2024. Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/macbook-pro for more information.

    Press Contacts

    Todd Wilder

    Apple

    wilder@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New MacBook Pro features M4 family of chips and Apple Intelligence

    Source: Apple

    Headline: New MacBook Pro features M4 family of chips and Apple Intelligence

    October 30, 2024

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple’s new MacBook Pro features the incredibly powerful M4 family of chips and ushers in a new era with Apple Intelligence

    With an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera, Thunderbolt 5 on M4 Pro and M4 Max models, and an all-new nano-texture display option, MacBook Pro gets even more capable and even more pro

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today unveiled the new MacBook Pro, powered by the M4 family of chips — M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max — delivering much faster performance and enhanced capabilities. The new MacBook Pro is built for Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that transforms how users work, communicate, and express themselves, while protecting their privacy. Now available in space black and silver finishes, the 14-inch MacBook Pro includes the blazing-fast performance of M4 and three Thunderbolt 4 ports, starting with 16GB of memory, all at just $1,599. The 14- and 16-inch models with M4 Pro and M4 Max offer Thunderbolt 5 for faster transfer speeds and advanced connectivity. All models include a Liquid Retina XDR display that gets even better with an all-new nano-texture display option and up to 1000 nits of brightness for SDR content, an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera, along with up to 24 hours of battery life, the longest ever in a Mac.1 The new MacBook Pro is available to pre-order today, with availability beginning November 8.

    “MacBook Pro is an incredibly powerful tool that millions of people use to do their life’s best work, and today we’re making it even better,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “With the powerful M4 family of chips, and packed with pro features like Thunderbolt 5, an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera, an all-new nano-texture display option, and Apple Intelligence, the new MacBook Pro continues to be, by far, the world’s best pro laptop.”

    Supercharged by the M4 Family of Chips

    Built using second-generation 3-nanometer technology, the M4 family is the most advanced lineup of chips for a personal computer. The M4 family features phenomenal single-threaded CPU performance with the world’s fastest CPU core,2 along with outstanding multithreaded CPU performance for the most demanding workloads. Combined with machine learning accelerators in the CPU, an advanced GPU, and a faster and more efficient Neural Engine, Apple silicon is built from the ground up to deliver incredible performance for AI. Together with faster unified memory, each chip also includes increased memory bandwidth, so large language models (LLMs) and other large projects run smoothly and on device. Additionally, the industry-leading performance per watt of the M4 family means that users get up to 24 hours of battery life, raising the bar of what users can do on a single charge.

    New 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4

    The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 is the ideal choice for entrepreneurs, students, creators, or anyone doing what they love. Featuring a more powerful 10-core CPU, with four performance cores and six efficiency cores, and a faster 10-core GPU with Apple’s most advanced graphics architecture, the new MacBook Pro starts with 16GB of faster unified memory with support for up to 32GB, along with 120GB/s of memory bandwidth. With M4, MacBook Pro is up to 1.8x faster than the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 for tasks like editing gigapixel photos, and even more demanding workloads like rendering complex scenes in Blender are up to 3.4x faster.1 With a Neural Engine that’s over 3x more powerful than in M1, it’s great for features in Apple Intelligence and other AI workloads. The M4 model also supports two high-resolution external displays in addition to the built-in display, and now features three Thunderbolt 4 ports so users can connect all their peripherals.

    MacBook Pro with M4 delivers:1

    • Up to 7x faster image processing in Affinity Photo when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with Core i7, and up to 1.8x faster when compared to the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1.
    • Up to 10.9x faster 3D rendering in Blender when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with Core i7, and up to 3.4x faster when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with M1.
    • Up to 9.8x faster scene edit detection in Adobe Premiere Pro when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with Core i7, and up to 1.7x faster when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with M1.

    MacBook Pro with M4 Pro: A Pro Powerhouse

    For researchers, developers, engineers, creative pros, or anyone that needs even faster performance for more demanding workflows, MacBook Pro with M4 Pro offers a tremendous performance boost. M4 Pro features a powerful 14-core CPU with 10 performance cores and four efficiency cores for a jump in multicore performance, along with up to a 20-core GPU that is twice as powerful as M4. With M4 Pro, the new MacBook Pro gets a massive 75 percent increase in memory bandwidth over the prior generation — double that of any AI PC chip.3 The new MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is up to 3x faster than models with M1 Pro, speeding up workflows like geo mapping, structural engineering, and data modeling.1

    MacBook Pro with M4 Pro offers:1

    • Up to 4x faster scene rendering performance with Maxon Redshift when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9, and up to 3x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro.
    • Up to 5x faster simulation of dynamical systems in MathWorks MATLAB when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9, and up to 2.2x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro.
    • Up to 23.8x faster basecalling for DNA sequencing in Oxford Nanopore MinKNOW when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9, and up to 1.8x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro.

    MacBook Pro with M4 Max: The Ultimate in Pro Performance

    Designed for pros like data scientists, 3D artists, and composers who constantly push workflows to the limit, MacBook Pro with M4 Max empowers users to work on projects that were previously only imaginable on a desktop. M4 Max brings up to a 16-core CPU, up to a 40-core GPU, over half a terabyte per second of unified memory bandwidth, and a Neural Engine that is over 3x faster than M1 Max, allowing on-device AI models to run faster than ever. With M4 Max, MacBook Pro delivers up to 3.5x the performance of M1 Max, ripping through heavy creative workloads like visual effects, 3D animation, and film scoring.1 It also supports up to 128GB of unified memory, so developers can easily interact with LLMs that have nearly 200 billion parameters. And with the powerful Media Engine in M4 Max, which features two ProRes accelerators, MacBook Pro performance is amazing even when taking 4K120 fps ProRes video captured with the new iPhone 16 Pro and editing it in Final Cut Pro.

    MacBook Pro with M4 Max enables:1

    • Up to 7.8x faster scene rendering performance with Maxon Redshift when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9, and up to 3.5x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max.
    • Up to 4.6x faster build performance when compiling code in Xcode when compared to the 16‑inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9, and up to 2.2x faster when compared to the 16‑inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max.
    • Up to 30.8x faster video processing performance in Topaz Video AI when compared to the 16‑inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9, and up to 1.6x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max.

    Industry-Leading Liquid XDR Display Gets Even Better

    The new MacBook Pro introduces an all-new nano-texture display option that dramatically reduces glare and distractions from reflections. In bright lighting conditions, the new MacBook Pro can now show SDR content at up to 1000 nits and still displays HDR content at up to 1600 nits of peak brightness. All together, it’s a game-changing experience for users working outdoors.

    New 12MP Center Stage Camera

    MacBook Pro includes a new 12MP Center Stage camera that delivers enhanced video quality in challenging lighting conditions. Video calls are even more engaging with Center Stage, which automatically keeps users centered in the frame as they move around. The new camera also supports Desk View, which adds a whole new dimension to video calls. And with studio-quality mics and a phenomenal six-speaker sound system with support for Spatial Audio, MacBook Pro delivers an incredibly immersive audio experience whether users are listening to music or watching a movie in Dolby Atmos.

    Thunderbolt 5 Comes to the Mac

    MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and M4 Max features Thunderbolt 5 ports that more than double transfer speeds up to 120 Gb/s, enabling faster external storage, expansion chassis, and powerful docking and hub solutions. For example, by connecting just a single cable, pros like music producers can now light up their entire studio. All MacBook Pro models feature an HDMI port that supports up to 8K resolution, a SDXC card slot, a MagSafe 3 port for charging, and a headphone jack, along with support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

    A New Era with Apple Intelligence on the Mac

    Apple Intelligence ushers in a new era for the Mac, bringing personal intelligence to the personal computer. Combining powerful generative models with industry-first privacy protections, Apple Intelligence harnesses the power of Apple silicon and the Neural Engine to unlock new ways for users to work, communicate, and express themselves on Mac. It is available in U.S. English with macOS Sequoia 15.1. With systemwide Writing Tools, users can refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write. With the newly redesigned Siri, users can move fluidly between spoken and typed requests to accelerate tasks throughout their day, and Siri can answer thousands of questions about Mac and other Apple products. New Apple Intelligence features will be available in December, with additional capabilities rolling out in the coming months. Image Playground gives users a new way to create fun original images, and Genmoji allows them to create custom emoji in seconds. Siri will become even more capable, with the ability to take actions across the system and draw on a user’s personal context to deliver intelligence that is tailored to them. In December, ChatGPT will be integrated into Siri and Writing Tools, allowing users to access its expertise without needing to jump between tools.

    Apple Intelligence does all this while protecting users’ privacy at every step. At its core is on-device processing, and for more complex tasks, Private Cloud Compute gives users access to Apple’s even larger, server-based models and offers groundbreaking protections for personal information. In addition, users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in — their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won’t store requests. For those who choose to connect their account, OpenAI’s data-use policies apply.

    An Unrivaled Experience with macOS Sequoia

    macOS Sequoia completes the new MacBook Pro experience with a host of exciting features, including iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to wirelessly interact with their iPhone, its apps, and notifications directly from their Mac.4 Safari, the world’s fastest browser,5 now offers Highlights, which quickly pulls up relevant information from a site; a smarter, redesigned Reader with a table of contents and high-level summary; and a new Video Viewer to watch videos without distractions. With Distraction Control, users can hide items on a webpage that they may find disruptive to their browsing. Gaming gets even more immersive with features like Personalized Spatial Audio and improvements to Game Mode, along with a breadth of exciting titles, including the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Easier window tiling means users can stay organized with a windows layout that works best for them. The all-new Passwords app gives convenient access to passwords, passkeys, and other credentials, all stored in one place. And users can apply new beautiful built-in backgrounds for video calls, which include a variety of color gradients and system wallpapers, or upload their own photos.

    The Perfect Time to Upgrade or Switch to a Mac

    Upgraders will get monumental improvements over Intel-based MacBook Pro models, including the amazing features of Apple Intelligence. When compared to an Intel-based MacBook Pro, the new MacBook Pro provides nearly 10x faster performance for AI-based workloads,1 and for graphics-intensive workloads, users get up to 20x faster performance.6 With battery life on the new MacBook Pro now up to 24 hours, upgraders will also experience up to 14 additional hours. And with the Liquid Retina XDR display, a new 12MP Center Stage camera, an immersive six-speaker sound system, the unrivaled experience of macOS Sequoia, and more, there’s never been a better time to upgrade or switch to MacBook Pro.

    MacBook Air: The World’s Most Popular Laptop Now Starts at 16GB

    MacBook Air is the world’s most popular laptop, and with Apple Intelligence, it’s even better. Now, models with M2 and M3 double the starting memory to 16GB, while keeping the starting price at just $999 — a terrific value for the world’s best-selling laptop.

    Better for the Environment

    The new MacBook Pro is built to last and incredibly durable, created from a custom alloy that uses 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure. It also uses 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, and 100 percent recycled tin soldering, gold plating, and copper in multiple printed circuit boards. The packaging for the 14-inch MacBook Pro is now entirely fiber-based, joining the 16-inch MacBook Pro and bringing Apple closer to its goal to remove plastic from its packaging by 2025.

    Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations and, as part of its ambitious Apple 2030 goal, plans to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade.

    Pricing and Availability

    • Customers can pre-order the new MacBook Pro starting today, October 30, on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 28 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, beginning Friday, November 8.
    • The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 starts at $1,599 (U.S.) and $1,499 (U.S.) for education; the 14‑inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro starts at $1,999 (U.S.) and $1,849 (U.S.) for education; and the 16‑inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499 (U.S.) and $2,299 (U.S.) for education. All models are available in space black and silver.
    • Additional technical specifications, including the nano-texture display and configure-to-order options, are available at apple.com/mac.
    • MacBook Air with M2 and M3 comes standard with 16GB of unified memory, and is available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space gray, starting at $999 (U.S.) and $899 (U.S.) for education.
    • New accessories with USB-C — including Magic Keyboard ($99 U.S.), Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ($149 U.S.), Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad ($179 U.S.), Magic Trackpad ($129 U.S.), Magic Mouse ($79 U.S.), and Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable ($69) — are available at apple.com/store.
    • Apple Intelligence is available now as a free software update for Mac with M1 and later, and can be accessed in most regions around the world when the device and Siri language are set to U.S. English. The first set of features is in beta and available with macOS Sequoia 15.1, with more features rolling out in the months to come.
    • Apple Intelligence is quickly adding support for more languages. In December, Apple Intelligence will add support for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., and in April, a software update will deliver expanded language support, with more coming throughout the year. Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages will be supported.
    • With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth.
    • AppleCare+ for Mac provides unparalleled service and support. This includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage, battery service coverage, and 24/7 support from the people who know Mac best.
    • Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk them through setup, or focus on features that help them make the most of their new device. Customers can also learn more about getting started with their new device with a Today at Apple session at their nearest Apple Store.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Testing was conducted by Apple from August through October 2024. Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/macbook-pro for more information.
    2. Testing was conducted by Apple in October 2024 using shipping competitive systems and select industry-standard benchmarks.
    3. Based on published technical specifications of shipping competitive chips as of October 2024.
    4. Available on Mac computers with Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers with a T2 Security Chip. Requires that the user’s iPhone and Mac are signed in with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication, their iPhone and Mac are near each other and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and their Mac is not using AirPlay or Sidecar. Some iPhone features (e.g., camera and microphone) are not compatible with iPhone Mirroring.
    5. Testing was conducted by Apple in August 2024. See apple.com/safari for more information.
    6. Results are compared to previous-generation 1.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-based 13-inch MacBook Pro systems with Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD.

    Press Contacts

    Michelle Del Rio

    Apple

    mr_delrio@apple.com

    Starlayne Meza

    Apple

    starlayne_meza@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the acquisition of additional share capital of Agilus Diagnostics Limited (Agilus) by Fortis Healthcare Limited (FHL)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 9:16PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of additional share capital of Agilus Diagnostics Limited (Agilus) by Fortis Healthcare Limited (FHL)

    The Proposed Combination involves the acquisition of an additional 31.52% share capital of Agilus by FHL. Post the Proposed Combination, the shareholding of FHL in Agilus will increase from 57.68% to 89.2%.

    FHL is primarily engaged in providing integrated healthcare delivery services such as medicare, healthcare, diagnostics and its businesses include managing and operating a network of multi-specialty hospitals and providing preventive healthcare and diagnostics services. The diagnostics services business of FHL is being undertaken primarily through Agilus.

    Agilus is, inter alia, engaged in establishing, managing, maintaining clinical reference laboratories and other laboratories for providing testing and diagnostic services. It offers a range of routine and specialized diagnostics tests as well as wellness packages that cover an extensive range of specialties. It also offers a wide range of corporate wellness services and preventive care health packages comprising several pathology and radiology tests including home collection services.

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

     

    *****

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed combination involving acquisition of additional shareholding in Thoughtworks Holding, Inc. by AP Funds and Temasek

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 9:15PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed combination involving acquisition of additional shareholding in Thoughtworks Holding, Inc. by AP Funds and  Temasek

     

    Tasmania Midco LLC (Acquirer) is an SPV indirectly wholly-owned by the Apax Partners LLP (AP). AP is a limited liability partnership incorporated under the laws of United Kingdom and the parent of a number of entities which provide investment advisory services to private equity funds investing in a range of industry sectors.

    Nevado Investments Pte. Ltd. (Nevado) is a limited company incorporated in Singapore. It is an investment holding company and does not have any business operations other than holding investments. It is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited (Temasek). 

    Thoughtworks Holding, Inc. (Target) is a global technology consultancy corporation, providing IT consultancy and application implementation and managed services.

    The Proposed Transaction concerns an acquisition by the investment funds advised by Apax Partners LLP (AP) (the “AP Funds“) of additional shareholding in the Target such that post consummation of the proposed transaction the Target will be wholly owned by the AP Funds (through the Acquirer) with Temasek (through Nevado) holding approximately 10% of the Target’s equity as a minority non-controlling passive investor (Proposed Combination).

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    ****

    NB/AD

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed combination inter alia envisaging the merger of Diliigent Power into DB Power, and the reorganization of Decore Thermal Power pursuant to the buyback

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 9:15PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed combination inter alia envisaging the merger of Diliigent Power into DB Power, and the reorganization of Decore Thermal Power pursuant to the buyback

    The proposed combination inter alia envisages the merger of Diliigent Power Private Limited (DPPL) into its wholly owned subsidiary viz., DB Power Limited (DBPL), and the reorganization of Decore Thermal Power Private Limited (DTPPL) pursuant to the buyback of certain securities.

    DPPL is the holding company of DBPL. DBPL has set up a coal-based power plant, with an installed capacity of 1200 megawatts, in the state of Chhattisgarh.

    DTPPL is primarily a holding company for its wholly owned subsidiary DB Power (Madhya Pradesh) Limited, which presently only holds certain land in Singrauli District, Madhya Pradesh.

     

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

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    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2069428) Visitor Counter : 35

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan addresses the 20th Formation day function of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan addresses the 20th Formation day function of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, creating a disaster-resilient Bharat is a top priority of the Central Government

    Home Secretary launches ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme’ to create 2,37,326 Young volunteers in 315 districts of 28 states across the country as the first responders to disaster preparedness and response

    Union Home Secretary urges the Himalayan and North Eastern Region (NER) states to put up their projects on Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in consultation with respective Stakeholders as per National Programme on GLOF

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 10:44PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan addressed the 20th Formation day function of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi, as Chief Guest, on Monday.

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, creating a disaster-resilient Bharat is a top priority of the Central Government

    Home Secretary also launched ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme’ to create 2,37,326 Young volunteers in 315 districts of 28 states across the country as the first responders to disaster preparedness and response.

    The theme of the formation day event was “Empowering Communities for Disaster Risk Reduction through Awareness for Behavioral Change”. During the event, Union Home Secretary launched seven Guidelines/SOP/Handbook on disaster management viz. (i) Guidelines on Disaster Management Exercises (DMEx) (ii) Guidelines on International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), (iii) Guidelines for Establishment & Operation of Emergency Operation Center (EOC) (iv) SOP on Off-site Emergency Action Plan (v)Guidelines on CBDRR (vi)Aapda Prabandhan Shabdavali and (iv) Handbook on Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme.

    In his address, Union Home Secretary urged the Himalayan and North Eastern Region (NER) states to put up their projects on Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in consultation with respective Stakeholders as per National Programme on GLOF.

     

     

    NDMA launched ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme’ to train 2,37,326 Young volunteers from the youth organizations such as National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Bharat Scouts & Guides (BS&G), and National Service Scheme (NSS) in 315 districts of 28 states as a first respondent to disaster preparedness & response and Training of 1,300 trainers  (ToTs) for previously trained  volunteers under the Up-scaling of Aapda Mitra Scheme (UAMS) with the estimated cost of Rs. 469.53 Crore.

     

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    RK / VV / RR / PS

    (Release ID: 2069426) Visitor Counter : 38

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Railways Signs MoU with Switzerland’s DETEC to Enhance its Technological Collaboration, Track Maintenance, and Infrastructure Modernization

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 10:37PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Railways today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications of the Swiss Confederation to enhance technical cooperation between the two nations. The MoU renewed and formalized through video-conferencing, received approval from the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of External Affairs.

    Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said this MoU will provide comprehensive framework for collaboration to the Indian Railways in various areas, including technology sharing, track maintenance, management and construction. This MoU is also aligning with our government’s commitment to modernizing Indian Railways.

    Addressing the event, Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal DETEC, Mr. Albert Roesti said Switzerland’s advanced railway technology will benefit Indian Railway by improving operational efficiency, safety standards, Service quality and railways infrastructure development.

    The original MoU, signed on August 31, 2017, was valid for five years and focused on several key areas of collaboration:

    • Traction Rolling Stock 
    • Electric Multiple Units (EMU) and Train Sets 
    • Traction Propulsion Equipment 
    • Freight and Passenger Cars
    • Tilting Trains 
    • Railway Electrification Equipment 
    • Train Scheduling and Operational Improvements 
    • Railway Station Modernization 
    • Multimodal Transport Solutions 
    • Tunneling Technology 

    Before the signing of the MoU, a Joint Working Group (JWG) was formed to facilitate collaboration between representatives of Indian Railways and Swiss Railways. The JWG convened two meetings to explore various key areas of cooperation, with sessions taking place on October 21, 2019 and August 30, 2022. The primary areas of discussion were:

    • Freight and Passenger Cars
    • Railway Electrification Equipment
    • Railway Station Modernization
    • Tunneling Technology

    At the third JWG meeting that took place on October 11, 2023, chaired by then Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board, alongside Mr. Peter Füglistaler, Director of the Federal Office of Transport in Switzerland, the Indian side presented ongoing capital expenditure initiatives, highlighting significant investment opportunities in the Indian Railway sector for Swiss firms.

    This partnership is set to enhance the efficiency and reliability of Railway services in India, ultimately benefiting passengers and freight operations alike. Notable Swiss companies will supply machinery, materials and tunneling consultancy services.

    The event was graced by Shri. Mridul Kumar, Ambassador of India to Switzerland, Mr. Albert Roesti, Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications (DETEC).

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

    (Release ID: 2069425) Visitor Counter : 51

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NMDC Observes Vigilance Awareness Week, Pledging a Future Rooted in Integrity and Ethical Practice

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:46PM by PIB Delhi

     NMDC Ltd, India’s largest iron ore producer, started celebrating Vigilance Awareness Week 2024 with a renewed commitment to integrity, transparency, and ethical practices, aligning with this year’s theme, “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity.”

    The event commenced with Shri Amitava Mukherjee, CMD (Addl. Charge), NMDC, administering the Integrity Pledge at NMDC HO in Hyderabad. He was joined by Shri Vinay Kumar, Director (Technical) and (Personnel, Addl. Charge), NMDC and Shri B. Vishwanath, Chief Vigilance Officer, NMDC, along with senior management and employees, who actively participated in the solemn ceremony. Simultaneously, the Integrity Pledge was also taken at NMDC’s project locations across Panna, Donimalai, Bacheli, Kirandul, Jagdalpur, Nagarnar and other regional offices reinforcing a company-wide culture of transparency and accountability.

    During the pledge, the messages from the Honourable President of India, Honourable Vice-President of India, Honourable Prime Minister of India, and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) were reiterated, highlighting the significant importance of integrity and in public service.

    As part of a three-month campaign running from August 16 to November 15, 2024, NMDC has initiated multiple programs to inculcate ethical practices within the organization and beyond. The campaign includes specialized training sessions for employees, focusing on importance of ethical governance, procurement processes, CDA rules, and preventive vigilance, ensuring transparency and responsibility at every operational level. A key highlight of this campaign is NMDC’s outreach to the community. The company has conducted vigilance awareness programs in more than 28 schools and colleges across Hyderabad, Bailadila, Jagdalpur, Nagarnar, Panna, and Donimalai, reaching over 1,800 students. In Hyderabad alone, more than 1,000 students from five schools and four colleges actively participated in essay writing, poster making, and elocution competitions.

    To recognize and encourage students’ efforts, the inaugural event at NMDC HO included a prize distribution ceremony for the winners of these competitions, underscoring NMDC’s commitment to nurturing ethical values like integrity and honesty among the youth.

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri Amitava Mukherjee, CMD (Addl. Charge), NMDC, remarked, NMDC remains committed in its mission to foster a culture of transparency, not just within the organization but also in the communities we serve. By engaging with students and raising awareness, we are laying the foundation for a future built on ethical conduct and responsible practices. Our collective efforts aim to realize the vision of a corruption-free India, where transparency and accountability become the pillars of national prosperity.”

    Throughout Vigilance Awareness Week, NMDC will conduct  various events to promote awareness about transparency, integrity, and ethical practices at all operational levels.

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    MG

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hurry Up! A golden opportunity for emerging Visual Effects (VFX) artists across India

    Source: Government of India

    Hurry Up! A golden opportunity for emerging Visual Effects (VFX) artists across India

    WAFX WAVES VFX challenge launched by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and ABAI to foster local talent and support ‘Create in India’ initiative

    Registration opens for young artists ready to explore opportunities in India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics sector

    The top finalists will compete in the grand finale at the WAVES Summit in Delhi, scheduled for 5th – 9th February 2025

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:35PM by PIB Delhi

    If you’re creative, know how to tell a story, and have the capability to bring the theme “Daily Life Superhero” to life through a 30-second Visual effects (VFX) clip, and then you have a great opportunity to win prizes and goodies worth up to INR 5 lakhs, as well as exclusive studio internships. Not only win prizes but an opportunity to make a career as your work will be trained & your work will be showcased before professionals in a global level world audio visual entertainment Summit in February. To promote VFX ecosystem in India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with ABAI- India’s leading AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) has launched the WAFX WAVES VFX Challenge as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit 2025 (WAVES). This initiative is part of the ‘Create in India’ challenge, aimed at nurturing local talent and promoting India as a one-stop destination for content creation, Align with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for creative growth.

    Join the Movement: Register Today

    Emerging Visual effects (VFX) artists across India may join the WAFX Waves VFX Challenge and gain recognition in the rapidly growing VFX industry. Registration is open now, with more details available at www.wafx.abai.avgc.in This competition is not only an opportunity for a showcase of skillsets, but also a stepping stone to professional growth, offering a chance to join a robust network of India’s top VFX studios and mentors. For further details, please contact wafx@abai.avgc.in, generalsecretary@abai.avgc.in ,www.wafx.abai.avgc.in

    Competition Structure and Prizes: WAFX will consist of 3 phases

    The first stage will feature an online qualifier round where we expect 2000+ entries out of which a ‘Pre-Selection’ Jury will shortlist 10 students and 10 professional contestants to move to the second phase and compete at the Zonal -level in-person competitions. Thereafter, the Zonal Winners will advance to the Grand Finale which will be held in a 24-Hour VFX Marathon format in front of a Grand Jury that is constituted of National Award-winning famed VFX Supervisors.

    Participants at WAFX will bring the theme “Daily Life Superhero” to life through a 30-second VFX clip and submit their work online in qualifying round, competing for prizes and goodies worth up to INR 5 lakhs, as well as exclusive studio internships. The Online Qualifiers winners will progress to the Zonal Finals scheduled in Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, where they will showcase their work before a panel of esteemed industry experts. The top finalists will compete in the grand finale at the WAVES Summit in Delhi, scheduled for 5th – 9th February 2025.

    WAFX challenge empowers aspiring VFX artists and boosts India’s global standing

    With India’s film and media industry witnessing unprecedented growth in Visual Effects, this national competition aims to prepare a generation of VFX professionals to meet industry demands and advance India’s competitiveness and prowess on the global stage. ABAI – the Karnataka-based trade association for the AVGC-XR industry has launched the national initiative of ‘WAFX Challenge,’ with a call to action to all budding Visual Effects artists to create stunning VFX masterpieces.

    WAFX Waves VFX Challenge: Unleashing young talent for a thriving future

    Indian cinema, recognized globally for its creativity and storytelling, now competes with international counterparts at global standards, owing much of its evolution to our VFX abilities. Despite this growth, the sector faces a shortage of skilled professionals to meet rising demands, making skill development and employment in VFX crucial for sustainable industry growth. The WAFX Waves VFX Challenge- ABAI’s flagship contest, has been curated to find & nurture young talent to prepare them for exciting opportunities in the AVGC sector.

    WAFX challenge and WAVES summit to propel India’s Creative Industry with New Skills

    Shri Biren Ghose, President- ABAI and Managing Director- Asia Pacific, Technicolor Group, spoke on the importance of WAFX and WAVES as game-changers for the business. “The creative sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with technological advancements and increasingly cutting-edge immersive content augmenting consumer experiences,” he said. “As we enter this new economy, imagery and storytelling are moving beyond TV and film into museums, airports, and across public spaces. This will foster innovation and to encourage new skills talent and diverse employment opportunities to create in and from India. The WAFX challenge is curated specifically to mobilize thousands of Indians in every nook and corner of the country to underscore every facet of AVGC-XR and help spotlight excellence at WAVES on a global stage for the finals.”

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    Dharmendra Tewari/kshitij Singha

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches & inaugurates multiple projects of Ministry of Ayush on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti & the 9th Ayurveda Day here today

    Source: Government of India

     Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches & inaugurates multiple projects of Ministry of Ayush on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti & the 9th Ayurveda Day here today

    PM Modi Inaugurates Phase II of India’s First All India Institute of Ayurved in Delhi; total cost of ₹Project cost is 274.58 Crore

    Prime Minister launches Nationwide Campaign “Desh Ka Prakriti ParikshanAbhiyan” to promote Health Awareness among Citizens

    Prime Minister inaugurates 4 Centers of Excellence in Ayush

    PM lays Foundation Stone for 2 Yoga & Naturopathy Institutes in Odisha & Chhattisgarh

    Country had witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in the health sector with the amalgamation of knowledge of Ayurveda with modern medicine: Shri Narendra Modi

    Efforts of PM Shri Narendra Modi have significantly contributed to the global prominence of Ayurveda in health: Shri Parataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:31PM by PIB Delhi

    On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched, inaugurated, and laid the foundation stone of multiple health sector projects worth around ₹12,850 crore at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. Shri J.P. Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals & Fertilizers; Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha,Secretary Ayush, Dr. Manoj Nesari (Advisor, Ayush), and others dignitaries were present on the occasion.

    Among the projects launched under the ministry of Ayush, the Prime Minister inaugurated Phase II of India’s First All-India Institute of Ayurveda. This phase, a significant project with a total cost of ₹258.73 crore, includes key features such as a 150-bed Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy for drug manufacturing, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and start-ups center, a 500-seat auditorium, and guest houses for both general and international visitors.

    Moreover, to capitalize on the growing interest of the international community in Indian health and wellness solutions, especially yoga, and to boost R&D in the domain, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stones of two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYNs) at Khorda (Odisha) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh), along with other significant projects. Additionally, the Prime Minister launched four Ayush Centres of Excellence (CoEs), each targeting specific areas in health research and innovation.  ​Centre of Excellence for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, focused on prediabetes and diabetes research and Ayurvedic formulation validation; ​Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Ayush at IIT Delhi, dedicated to developing advanced technological solutions, supporting start-ups, and creating net-zero sustainable solutions for Rasaushadhis; ​Centre of Excellence for Fundamental and Translational Research in Ayurveda at CDRI Lucknow, focused on advanced research in Ayurvedic botanicals like Ashwagandha; Centre of Excellence on Ayurveda and Systems Medicine at JNU, New Delhi, aimed at researching the molecular mechanisms of Ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis using systems medicine.

     

    The Prime Minister also launched “Desh Ka PrakritiParikshan Abhiyan,” a nationwide campaign promoting health awareness and highlighting the importance of holistic well-being as part of daily life. Led by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush, with 4,70,000 dedicated volunteers, this campaign aims to revolutionize health awareness efforts among citizens and will also attempt multiple Guinness World Records.

     

    Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underscored that in the past decade, the country had witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in the health sector with the amalgamation of knowledge of Ayurveda with modern medicine. He added that the All India Institute of Ayurveda has been a focal point of this new chapter. Shri Narendra Modi remarked that seven years ago, on Ayurveda Day, he had the privilege to dedicate the first phase of the institute to the country, and today, with the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari, he was inaugurating the second phase.

    The Prime Minister stated that 7.5 lakh registered Ayush practitioners are already contributing to the nation’s healthcare. He stressed the need to increase this number further and highlighted the growing demand for medical and wellness tourism in India. He emphasized the need for youth and Ayush practitioners to prepare for expanding fields such as preventive cardiology, Ayurvedic orthopedics, and Ayurvedic rehabilitation centers, both in India and abroad. “Immense opportunities are being created for Ayushpractitioners,” he added.

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi underscored the importance of validating traditional herbs like Ashwagandha, turmeric, and black pepper through high-impact scientific studies. “Lab validation of our traditional healthcare systems will not only increase the value of these herbs but also create a significant market,” he remarked, noting the rising demand for Ashwagandha, which is projected to reach USD 2.5 billion by the end of this decade.

    Underlining that the success of Ayush is transforming not only the health sector but also the economy, the Prime Minister stated that the Ayush manufacturing sector has grown from USD 3 billion in 2014 to nearly USD 24 billion today, an 8-fold increase in just 10 years.

    Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush and Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare Shri Prataprao Jadhav said, “The essence of Ayurveda is rooted in the principle, ‘Sarve BhavantuSukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah.’ A recent survey on Ayush revealed that nearly 95% of the rural and 96% of the urban populations are aware of Ayush. These results are highly encouraging, and I am confident that this awareness will continue to grow. Prime Minister, you will be pleased to know that Ayurveda Day is celebrated today in over 150 countries”. The Ayush minister said that the efforts of the Prime Minister have significantly contributed to the global prominence of Ayurveda in health and since 2014 Ayurveda has reached new heights under his exemplary leadership.

    The Union Minister of State for Ayush added that “With the support of Ayurveda students, teachers, and professionals, we are launching a nationwide campaign called ‘Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan’. Through this campaign, based on the principles of Ayurveda, we can design an ideal lifestyle for every individual and conduct risk analysis to prevent diseases before they strike. In this direction, a positive approach can redefine our health sector.”

    Thanking the Prime Minister for inaugurating the second phase of AIIA, Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Nesari, Director, AIIA, said, “On this auspicious day of Dhanvantari Jayanti, the day of worshiping Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health, we seek blessings for health as the greatest wealth. This is why we celebrate Dhanvantari Day as Ayurveda Day—acknowledging Ayurveda as a divine blessing from Lord Dhanvantari that brings both health and happiness. Today, it is a matter of great pride for the All India Institute of Ayurveda that our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the second phase of our institute, equipped with modern facilities and spread across 4.5 acres. This phase involves an investment of ₹275 crore.”

    The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) became the nodal agency for the 9th Ayurveda Day celebrations. Under the Ministry of Ayush, AIIA organized several initiatives to celebrate the event, including a marathon, selfie points, webinars, and health

     

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    MV/AKS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Army Hospital (R&R) hosts Commissioning Ceremony for VII Batch of Military Nursing Cadets

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:22PM by PIB Delhi

    The College of Nursing, Army Hospital (R&R) proudly hosted the commissioning ceremony of its VII batch of 26 Military Nursing Cadets, marking the culmination of four years of rigorous education and training. The degree course is conducted under the aegis of the  University of Delhi.

    The commissioning ceremony was reviewed  by Lt Gen Shankar Narayan, Director and Commandant, Army Hospital (R&R). The occasion was also attended by esteemed guests, dignitaries, and proud parents. Lt Muskan Sharma was awarded the Silver Medal for First in Merit, Best All-Rounder Award.

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    VK/SR/Anand

    (Release ID: 2069366) Visitor Counter : 53

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Army Hospital (R&R) hosts Breast Cancer Awareness Programme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:54PM by PIB Delhi

    Army Hospital (Research and Referral) hosted an insightful Breast Cancer Awareness Programme, empowering attendees with crucial information and support.

    With expert speakers and survivor stories, the event highlighted the importance of awareness leading to early detection and ongoing support. The programme was attended by station ladies and many dignitaries of AWWA including Chairperson PRERNA patient support group, Mrs Saswati Aich, General Secy AWWA Mrs Seema Viresh Singh and Chairperson Patient Welfare Committee, AHRR Dr.(Mrs) Navneet Nath.

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    VK/SR/Anand

    (Release ID: 2069348) Visitor Counter : 59

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC, India’s open house discussion on ‘Sports and Human Rights: Safeguarding the Rights and Well-being of Sportspersons’ in India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    NHRC, India’s open house discussion on ‘Sports and Human Rights: Safeguarding the Rights and Well-being of Sportspersons’ in India

    Chairing the discussion, Acting Chairperson Smt Vijaya Bharathi Sayani says respecting human rights of the sportspersons and ensuring protection thereof through an institutionalized mechanism is necessary for better performance of the country’s talent in sports

    Intersectionality between athlete rights and the role of institutions in safeguarding them highlighted

    Among various suggestions, strengthening institutional mechanism within various sport bodies to develop social equitability among the sportspersons emphasized

    Ensuring action on complaints of sexual harassment through functional institutional mechanisms in all sports bodies underscored

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:51PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, organized an open house discussion in hybrid mode on ‘Sports and Human Rights: Safeguarding the Rights and Well-being of Sportspersons’ at its premises in New Delhi today. Chairing the discussion, Acting Chairperson, Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani said that maintaining human values is the hallmark of a sportsperson’s spirit. Therefore, respecting the human rights of the sportspersons and ensuring protection thereof through an institutionalized mechanism is necessary for better performance of the country’s talent in sports.

    She highlighted the importance of understanding the intersectionality between athlete rights and the role of institutions in safeguarding them. The concept of intersectionality can help policy makers and sport programmers understand how different types of discrimination – like racism, homophobia, and ableism – combine to prevent athletes particularly women from participating in sport.

    The Acting Chairperson also stressed strengthening the judicial mechanisms in addressing any violations of athlete rights besides the rehabilitation of sportspersons in case of abuse and addressing their mental health concerns.

    NHRC, India Director General (Investigation), Shri Ajay Bhatnagar emphasized zero tolerance for sexual abuse of sportspersons. He highlighted how institutions, especially those in authority, are more accountable for safeguarding athletes.

    Earlier, the NHRC, India Joint Secretary, Shri Devendra Kumar Nim gave an overview of the three technical sessions of the open house which included ‘Rehabilitation of Sportspersons after Incidents of Abuse,’ ‘Mental Health of Sportspersons in India’ and ‘Institutional Frameworks Required to Safeguard Interests of Sportspersons.’

    Some of the suggestions that emerged from the discussion were as follows:

    • It is necessary to have coaches having training in clinical psychology to prepare the athletes better;

    • Streamline insurance benefits to athletes suffering sports injuries;

    • Bring awareness among athletes to report sexual abuse;

    • Ensure action on complaints of sexual harassment through functional institutional mechanisms in all sports bodies;

    • Strengthen institutional mechanisms to support para-athletes;

    • Strengthen institutional mechanisms within various sports bodies to develop social equitability among sportspersons from diverse backgrounds and marginalized communities;

    The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Netaji Subhas Sports Authority of India at Patiala, National Centre for Sports Science and Research, National Sports University, Imphal, Wrestling Federation of India, National Rifle Association of India, All India Kabaddi Federation, Sports and Rights Alliance, Switzerland, WAKO India Kickboxing Federation, Humans for Sports, UK, GoSports Foundation based in Bangalore, India and Sports Injury Centre at the Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.

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    NSK

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FCI and state agencies procure 60.63 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy in Punjab during Kharif Marketing System (KMS) 2024-2025 till October 28

    Source: Government of India (2)

    FCI and state agencies procure 60.63 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy in Punjab during Kharif Marketing System (KMS) 2024-2025 till October 28

    Centre disburses Rs 12200 crore directly to farmers’ bank accounts in Punjab till date

    Total paddy purchase till date amounts to Rs 14,066 crore benefitting 3,51,906 farmers

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:42PM by PIB Delhi

    As of 28th October 2024, a total quantity of 65.75 LMT of paddy has arrived in the mandis out of which  60.63 LMT have been procured by state agencies and Food Corporation of India (FCI). An amount of Rs 12200/- crore has been released to the farmers in Punjab directly to bank accounts as of 28th October.

    The procurement of paddy in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 commenced from 1st October 2024 and 2,927 designated mandis including 1000 temporary yards have been opened throughout Punjab for smooth procurement of paddy. Centre has fixed an estimated target of 185 LMT for this ensuing KMS 2024-25.

    The paddy is being purchased at MSP rate of Rs 2320/- as decided by the Centre for Grade ‘A’ paddy for KMS 2024-25 and the total paddy purchase till date is amounting to Rs 14,066 crore and it has benefitted 3,51,906 farmers.

    Further,  4145 millers have applied for shelling of paddy and they are lifting the paddy from the mandis. Hence, the state is on track to achieve the target of 185 LMT of paddy by the end of November.

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    AD/AM

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: REPLICAS OF KONARK WHEELS AT RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Four replicas of the Konark wheels, made of sandstone, have been installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan. Installation of Konark wheels aims to showcase and promote rich heritage of the country among visitors. This initiative is part of the several steps being taken to introduce traditional cultural and historical elements in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

     

    The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the culmination of Odishan temple architecture.  It was built in the shape of a colossal chariot carrying the Sun God. The Konark wheels are symbols of India’s cultural legacy.

     

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    MJPS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FCI and state agencies procure 60.63 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy during Kharif Marketing System (KMS) 2024-2025 till October 28

    Source: Government of India

    FCI and state agencies procure 60.63 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy during Kharif Marketing System (KMS) 2024-2025 till October 28

    Centre disburses Rs 12200 crore directly to farmers’ bank accounts in Punjab till date

    Total paddy purchase till date amounts to Rs 14,066 crore benefitting 3,51,906 farmers

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:42PM by PIB Delhi

    As of 28th October 2024, a total quantity of 65.75 LMT of paddy has arrived in the mandis out of which  60.63 LMT have been procured by state agencies and Food Corporation of India (FCI). An amount of Rs 12200/- crore has been released to the farmers in Punjab directly to bank accounts as of 28th October.

    The procurement of paddy in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 commenced from 1st October 2024 and 2,927 designated mandis including 1000 temporary yards have been opened throughout Punjab for smooth procurement of paddy. Centre has fixed an estimated target of 185 LMT for this ensuing KMS 2024-25.

    The paddy is being purchased at MSP rate of Rs 2320/- as decided by the Centre for Grade ‘A’ paddy for KMS 2024-25 and the total paddy purchase till date is amounting to Rs 14,066 crore and it has benefitted 3,51,906 farmers.

    Further,  4145 millers have applied for shelling of paddy and they are lifting the paddy from the mandis. Hence, the state is on track to achieve the target of 185 LMT of paddy by the end of November.

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    AD/AM

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PSA Prof. Ajay Sood Visits Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and Army War College (AWC) to assess the ongoing Research & Development (R&D) efforts and technology infusion for the Indian Army

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India made a visit to the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and Army War College (AWC) to assess the ongoing Research & Development (R&D) efforts and technology infusion for the Indian Army. This visit highlights the nation’s commitment to fostering indigenous technology development in alignment with key national missions including National Quantum Mission (NQM), Chip to Startup (C2S) and INDIAai, and contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat. Prof. Sood engaged in interaction with officials of AWC and addressed their queries on various technologies of strategic importance.

    During Prof. Sood’s visit, MCTE suggested the following:

    • Association in the activities of office of PSA in programs aligned with strategic sectors
    • Specific verticals relevant to strategic sectors in National Missions such as National Quantum Mission (NQM)
    • Indian Army may serve as a testing and validation agency under National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP).
    • National Wireless Technology Mission may be launched to synergise the efforts of all stakeholders which will have a direct implication for Indian Army.
    • Possibility of setting up of Advanced Military Research & Incubation Centre as part of the S&T cluster supported by O/o PSA.
    • Establishment of a National Centre for Counter-Drone Development.

    Prof. Sood was accompanied by the Scientific Secretary, Dr. Parvinder Maini, and Adviser, Dr. Rakesh Kaur, from the Office of the PSA. High-ranking officials from MCTE and Army HQ, including Lt Gen KH Gawas, PVSM, VSM, Commandant MCTE, and Senior Colonel Commandant Corps of Signals, Lt Gen KV Kumar, PVSM, VSM, SO-in-C and Colonel Commandant, Corps of Signals, Lt Gen RK Shani, VSM, DGIS and Maj Gen CS Mann, AVSM, VSM, ADG ADB, facilitated the visit. The officials showcased MCTE’s achievements in developing indigenous technologies, which are critical to supporting India’s defence modernization and self-reliance efforts.

    The visit marks a pivotal step in strengthening the collaboration between scientific institutions and the defence sector, ensuring that India’s armed forces remain technologically advanced and future-ready. The PSA’s discussions with MCTE leaders and Army officials reinforced the shared vision of leveraging indigenous technologies to secure national interests, driving forward the mission of “Nation First, National Security”.

    This collaborative synergy is set to unlock new opportunities for innovation in defence technology and positions MCTE as a key player in India’s broader efforts to build a self-reliant and technologically advanced defence ecosystem.

     

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    MJPS/ST

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI observes Vigilance Awareness Week

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:25PM by PIB Delhi

     As per the decision of the Central Vigilance Commission, this year the Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed from 28th October 2024 to 3rd November, 2024 with the following theme: “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity”. TRAI, accordingly, is observing the Vigilance Awareness Week from 28th October 2024 to 3rd November 2024.

    The Central Vigilance Commission also instructed that Integrity Pledge is to be taken by all the public servants of all the institutions on 28th October 2024 at 11.00 hrs. Therefore, the Chairperson, TRAI administered the Integrity Pledge to all officers and staff of TRAI Headquarters and its Regional Offices on 28th October 2024 at 11.00 AM.

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    SB/DP/ARJ

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today unveils the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Census Building in New Delhi and launched the Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile application

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today unveils the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Census Building in New Delhi and launched the Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile application

    Sardar Patel wove the country into a thread of unity, laying the foundation for a strong India

    This statue of the Iron Man, a symbol of struggle and sacrifice for national interest, will continue to inspire everyone as a testament to his unwavering dedication to establishing democratic values in the country

    The launch of the Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile application under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India is a significant initiative to integrate technology with governance

    With this application, citizens will be able to register births and deaths in their state’s official language from anywhere, significantly reducing the time required for registration

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:16PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today unveiled the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Census Building in New Delhi and launched the Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile application.

    In a post on X platform, Shri Amit Shah said, Sardar Patel wove the country into a thread of unity, laying the foundation for a strong India. This statue of the Iron Man, a symbol of struggle and sacrifice for  national interest, will continue to inspire everyone as a testament to his unwavering dedication to establishing democratic values in the country.

    In an another post on X platform, Shri Amit Shah said, the launch of the Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile application under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of digital India is a significant initiative to integrate technology with governance. He said, this application will make registration of births and deaths seamless and hassle-free by allowing citizens to register at any time, from any place, and in their state’s official language. It will significantly reduce the time required for registration.

    *****

    RK/VV/ASH/PS

    (Release ID: 2069328) Visitor Counter : 23

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WWF Programme Centre Promotes celebration of Swachh Diwali, Shubh Diwali: A Green, Plastic-Free Festival for a Sustainable Future”

    Source: Government of India

    WWF Programme Centre Promotes celebration of Swachh Diwali, Shubh Diwali: A Green, Plastic-Free Festival for a Sustainable Future”

    Mission LiFE’s Green Diwali: Embracing Clean, Eco-Friendly Celebrations for Lasting Environmental Impact

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 6:46PM by PIB Delhi

    The concept of Swachh Diwali Shubh Diwali emphasizes the importance of a clean and eco-friendly celebration that reiterates the core principles of Mission LiFE that aims to protect and preserve the environment, bringing about a pro-planet behavioural change in lifestyle. This initiative aims to instil a sense of responsibility towards the environment and communities by sensitizing and motivating individuals to opt for locally made products, embrace a Diwali free from single-use plastic and prioritize pre and post Diwali cleanliness. By doing so, it seeks to foster a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to the festival.

     

     

    In this context, WWF Programme Centre-Resource Partner, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, GoI is disseminating awareness about Green Diwali celebration that would symbolize green, clean and plastic free Diwali through an infographic poster that contains a Green Diwali pledge. The mandate of Programme Centre at WWF-India, MoEF&CC is ‘Wildlife Conservation (including species and habitat) using geospatial techniques’. Programme Centre (PC) EIACP (Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme), Resource Partner (RP), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI at WWF-India was set up for collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information in order to support and promote research, development and innovation among decision-makers, researchers, academicians, policy planners, research scientists & and other stakeholders.

    This activity highlights a crucial step in integrating environmental consciousness into cultural practices, promoting sustainable festivities, and actively involving citizens in India’s climate agenda. Promoting a green, clean, cracker-free and plastic-free Diwali maintains the spirit of the festival while minimizing environmental impact. It aligns with traditional values of purity, light, and joy, showing that festivals can evolve to become more eco-conscious without compromising their cultural essence. The Green Diwali campaign resonates with India’s commitments under climate change agreements (like the Paris Accord) and sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

    Public participation through pledges encourages community-driven solutions. Individuals who engage with such campaigns may integrate green practices in their lifestyle, fostering long-term environmental stewardship.

    Background

    Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was launched by the Prime Minister on 20th October, 2022 at Kevadia, Gujarat and focuses on bringing about behaviour changes individuals through simple easy to do actions. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI (MoEF&CC) is the nodal Ministry for national level coordination and implementation of Mission LiFE. As part of their implementation efforts, the ministry has mobilized their activities with LiFE and spread awareness about sustainable actions that individuals can undertake. Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) was also among one of the four important focus sectors of the G-20 Summit.

    As envisioned by Prime Minister at the World Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow at COP26 and launched on 20 October 2022, Mission LiFE aims to follow a three-pronged strategy for changing our collective approach towards sustainability. First is by nudging individuals to practise simple yet effective environment-friendly actions in their daily lives (demand); second is by enabling industries and markets to respond swiftly to the changing demand (supply) and; third is to influence government and industrial policy to support both sustainable consumption and production (policy).

    *****

    VM/GS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Probationers of Indian Trade Service and Indian Cost Accounts Service call on The President

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 6:32PM by PIB Delhi

    The probationers of Indian Trade Service and Indian Cost Accounts Service called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (October 29, 2024).

    Speaking on the occasion, the President said that with a rapid economic growth of 8.2 percent in the year 2023-24, the Indian economy has been demonstrating resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges. India needs to attract private investment to increase the levels of per capita income and to get to continued high levels of growth, even amidst a turbulent global environment. Several initiatives of the government of India are creating an enabling ecosystem for growth.

    The President said that with the enhanced focus of the government on boosting manufacturing, it would be the responsibility of Indian Trade Service officers to facilitate the creation of an enabling environment and infrastructure for increasing trade across borders. They are expected to bring up new dimensions in trade negotiation, create innovative policies and provide new impetus to boost India’s trade. She reminded Indian Trade Service officers that they would play an important role in powering India’s growth and making an impact on the lives of people at large.

    The President said that Indian Cost Accounts Service officers play a proactive role in rationalising expenditure across government operations, schemes and projects while ensuring transparent assessment of revenues. They are expected to have an acumen for handling complex financial and cost management issues. They also play an important role in navigating international trade matters such as anti-dumping measures and safeguard duties under various bilateral and multilateral agreements. She said that their decisions and actions would be key to safeguarding public finances and boosting efficiency and effectiveness in government procurement systems.

    The President was happy to note that in the implementation of the GST system, audits undertaken by Indian Cost Accounts Service officers have been instrumental in detecting revenue leakages and enhancing compliance measures. She advised them to be aware of the fact that whatever they do has an ultimate impact on the welfare of underprivileged and deprived sections.

    Please click here to see the President’s Speech – 

    ***

    MJPS/VJ/SKS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: EXL Reports 2024 Third Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    2024 Third Quarter Revenue of $472.1 Million, up 14.9% year-over-year

    Q3 Diluted EPS (GAAP) of $0.33, up 24.2% from $0.26 in Q3 of 2023

    Q3 Adjusted Diluted EPS (Non-GAAP) (1)of $0.44, up 16.3% from $0.37 in Q3 of 2023

    NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ExlService Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXLS), a leading data analytics and digital operations and solutions company, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Rohit Kapoor, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “We are pleased with our third quarter results. We delivered revenue and adjusted diluted EPS growth of 15% and 16% respectively. The ongoing execution of our data and AI-led strategy enabled us to accelerate our growth, achieving double-digit growth across both our data analytics and digital operations and solutions businesses during the quarter. As we continue to expand our data modernization and AI solution set with innovations such as industry-specific large language models (LLMs), we are well positioned to continue our momentum into the fourth quarter and beyond.”

    Maurizio Nicolelli, chief financial officer, said, “Based on our strong year-to-date performance and current visibility for the remainder of the year, we are raising the full-year guidance range for revenue and EPS. We now expect revenue to be in the range of $1.825 billion to $1.835 billion, up from our prior guidance of $1.805 billion to $1.830 billion. This represents 12% to 13% year-over-year growth on a reported currency basis and approximately 12% on a constant currency basis. We now expect our adjusted diluted earnings per share for 2024 to be in the range of $1.61 to $1.63, up from our prior guidance of $1.59 to $1.62, representing growth of 13% to 14% over the prior year.”

    __________________________________________________________

    (1) Reconciliations of adjusted (non-GAAP) financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, where applicable, are included at the end of this release under “Reconciliation of Adjusted Financial Measures to GAAP Measures.” These non-GAAP measures, including adjusted diluted EPS and constant currency measures, are not measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    Financial Highlights: Third Quarter 2024

    • Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased to $472.1 million compared to $411.0 million for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 14.9% on a reported basis and 14.5% on a constant currency basis. Revenue increased by 5.3% sequentially on a reported basis and 4.9% on a constant currency basis, from the second quarter of 2024.
        Revenue   Gross Margin
        Three months ended
      Three months ended
    Reportable Segments   September 30,
    2024

      September 30,
    2023

      June 30,
    2024

      September 30,
    2024

      September 30,
    2023

      June 30,
    2024

        (dollars in millions)        
    Insurance   $ 157.6     $ 136.4     $ 149.3       36.3 %     36.6 %     36.0 %
    Healthcare     30.5       26.2       28.1       33.6 %     36.8 %     33.1 %
    Emerging Business     80.0       65.3       77.2       40.2 %     42.4 %     41.6 %
    Analytics     204.0       183.1       193.8       38.5 %     37.0 %     36.7 %
    Revenues, net   $ 472.1     $ 411.0     $ 448.4       37.8 %     37.7 %     37.1 %
     
    • Operating income margin for each of the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and the third quarter of 2023, was 14.7%, and 13.7% for the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted operating income margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was 19.9%, compared to 20.0% for the third quarter of 2023 and 19.8% for the second quarter of 2024.
    • Diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was $0.33, compared to $0.26 for the third quarter of 2023 and $0.28 for the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was $0.44, compared to $0.37 for the third quarter of 2023 and $0.40 for the second quarter of 2024.

    Business Highlights: Third Quarter 2024

    • Won 13 new clients in the third quarter of 2024, with 8 clients in digital operations and solutions business and 5 clients in analytics.
    • Launched the EXL Insurance LLM, developed using NVIDIA AI software. This LLM addresses the highly specialized needs of the insurance industry, leveraging EXL’s 25 years of experience in the industry and a proprietary data set with more than a decade of claims-related data.
    • Expanded partnership with Databricks to deploy new data management and generative AI solutions into the Databricks ecosystem, speeding the development of cutting-edge data management solutions for EXL clients.
    • Recognized as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Data Modernization Services 2024 Vendor Assessment based on our core value propositions, execution and innovation capabilities, go-to-market strategy, and market impact.
    • Named by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Reliable Companies 2025 based on parameters including: Likelihood of Recommendation, Ease of Doing Business, Value for Money, Consistency of Deliverables, and Reputation for Dependability.

    2024 Guidance
    Based on current visibility, and a U.S. dollar to Indian rupee exchange rate of 84.0, U.K. pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rate of 1.30, U.S. dollar to the Philippine peso exchange rate of 58.0 and all other currencies at current exchange rates, we are providing the following guidance for the full year 2024:

    • Revenue of $1.825 billion to $1.835 billion, representing an increase of 12% to 13% on a reported currency basis and approximately 12% on a constant currency basis from 2023.
    • Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.61 to $1.63, representing an increase of 13% to 14% from 2023.

    Conference Call

    ExlService Holdings, Inc. will host a conference call on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. ET to discuss the company’s quarterly operating and financial results. The conference call will be available live via the internet by accessing the investor relations section of EXL’s website at ir.exlservice.com, where an accompanying investor-friendly spreadsheet of historical operating and financial data can also be accessed. Please access the website at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

    Please note that there is a new system to access the live call-in order to ask questions. To join the live call, please register here. For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the EXL website ir.exlservice.com for a period of approximately twelve months.

    About ExlService Holdings, Inc.

    EXL (Nasdaq: EXLS) is a leading data analytics and digital operations and solutions company. We partner with clients using a data and AI-led approach to reinvent business models, drive better business outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, analytics, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform operations for the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and financial services, media and retail, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. We are headquartered in New York and have more than 57,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to EXL’s operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond EXL’s control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning EXL’s possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of its business strategy. These statements may include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of management’s experience in the industry as well as its perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. You should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although EXL believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect EXL’s actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors, which include our ability to maintain and grow client demand, our ability to hire and retain sufficiently trained employees, and our ability to accurately estimate and/or manage costs, rising interest rates, rising inflation, recessionary economic trends, and ability to successfully integrate strategic acquisitions, are discussed in more detail in EXL’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including EXL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible to predict these events or how they may affect EXL. EXL has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law.

    EXLSERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands, except per share amount and share count)
     
      Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Revenues, net $ 472,073     $ 410,971     $ 1,356,946     $ 1,216,610  
    Cost of revenues(1)   293,806       256,002       849,336       760,691  
    Gross profit(1)   178,267       154,969       507,610       455,919  
    Operating expenses:              
    General and administrative expenses   57,495       52,213       167,195       144,564  
    Selling and marketing expenses   37,568       30,943       108,982       88,674  
    Depreciation and amortization expense   13,799       11,583       39,055       38,192  
    Total operating expenses   108,862       94,739       315,232       271,430  
    Income from operations   69,405       60,230       192,378       184,489  
    Foreign exchange gain, net   278       409       673       838  
    Interest expense   (5,526 )     (3,405 )     (14,145 )     (10,030 )
    Other income, net   4,374       778       11,876       6,594  
    Income before income tax expense and earnings from equity affiliates   68,531       58,012       190,782       181,891  
    Income tax expense   15,460       14,161       43,086       37,773  
    Income before earnings from equity affiliates   53,071       43,851       147,696       144,118  
    Gain/(loss) from equity-method investment   (34 )     25       (71 )     157  
    Net income $ 53,037     $ 43,876     $ 147,625     $ 144,275  
    Earnings per share:              
    Basic $ 0.33     $ 0.26     $ 0.90     $ 0.87  
    Diluted $ 0.33     $ 0.26     $ 0.90     $ 0.86  
    Weighted average number of shares used in computing earnings per share:              
    Basic   161,732,872       166,159,619       163,197,767       166,707,599  
    Diluted   163,187,733       167,688,374       164,620,081       168,591,612  

    (1) Exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense.

    EXLSERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands, except per share amount and share count)
     
      As of
      September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
           
    Assets      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 150,102     $ 136,953  
    Short-term investments   175,648       153,881  
    Restricted cash   7,342       4,062  
    Accounts receivable, net   340,904       308,108  
    Other current assets   93,693       76,669  
    Total current assets   767,689       679,673  
    Property and equipment, net   107,395       100,373  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   71,796       64,856  
    Restricted cash   5,820       4,386  
    Deferred tax assets, net   106,881       82,927  
    Goodwill   427,663       405,639  
    Other intangible assets, net   51,291       50,164  
    Long-term investments   14,184       4,430  
    Other assets   57,113       49,524  
    Total assets $ 1,609,832     $ 1,441,972  
    Liabilities and stockholders’ equity      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 4,082     $ 5,055  
    Current portion of long-term borrowings   4,891       65,000  
    Deferred revenue   12,472       12,318  
    Accrued employee costs   110,677       117,137  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   105,159       114,113  
    Current portion of operating lease liabilities   16,904       12,780  
    Total current liabilities   254,185       326,403  
    Long-term borrowings, less current portion   339,828       135,000  
    Operating lease liabilities, less current portion   62,336       58,175  
    Deferred tax liabilities, net   3,245       1,495  
    Other non-current liabilities   42,675       31,462  
    Total liabilities   702,269       552,535  
    Commitments and contingencies      
    Stockholders’ equity:      
    Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, none issued          
    Common stock, $0.001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized, 205,317,002 shares issued and 160,880,592 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and 203,410,038 shares issued and 165,277,880 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023   205       203  
    Additional paid-in capital   572,430       508,028  
    Retained earnings   1,231,288       1,083,663  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (122,593 )     (127,040 )
    Total including shares held in treasury   1,681,330       1,464,854  
    Less: 44,436,410 shares as of September 30, 2024 and 38,132,158 shares as of December 31, 2023, held in treasury, at cost   (773,767 )     (575,417 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   907,563       889,437  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,609,832     $ 1,441,972  

    EXLSERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Financial Measures to GAAP Measures

    In addition to its reported operating results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), EXL has included in this release certain financial measures that are considered non-GAAP financial measures, including the following:

    1. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin;
    2. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin;
    3. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share; and
    4. Revenue growth on constant currency basis.

    These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Accordingly, the financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations from those financial statements should be carefully evaluated. EXL believes that providing these non-GAAP financial measures may help investors better understand EXL’s underlying financial performance. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with EXL’s reported results, can provide useful supplemental information for investors analyzing period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s results and comparisons of the Company’s results with the results of other companies. Additionally, management considers some of these non-GAAP financial measures to determine variable compensation of its employees. The Company believes that it is unreasonably difficult to provide its earnings per share financial guidance in accordance with GAAP, or a qualitative reconciliation thereof, for a number of reasons, including, without limitation, the Company’s inability to predict its future stock-based compensation expense under ASC Topic 718, the amortization of intangibles associated with future acquisitions and the currency fluctuations and associated tax effects. As such, the Company presents guidance with respect to adjusted diluted earnings per share. The Company also incurs significant non-cash charges for depreciation that may not be indicative of the Company’s ability to generate cash flow.

    EXL non-GAAP financial measures exclude, where applicable, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, restructuring costs, litigation settlement costs and associated legal fees, effects of termination of leases, certain defined social security contributions, allowance for certain material expected credit losses, other acquisition-related expenses or benefits and effect of any non-recurring tax adjustments. Acquisition-related expenses or benefits include, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, external deal costs, integration expenses, direct and incremental travel costs and non-recurring benefits or losses. Our adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS also excludes the effects of income tax on the above pre-tax items, as applicable. The effects of income tax of each item is calculated by applying the statutory rate of the local tax regulations in the jurisdiction in which the item was incurred.

    A limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures versus financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP is that non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our operating results as determined in accordance with GAAP and exclude costs that are recurring, namely stock-based compensation and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. EXL compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from non-GAAP financial measures to allow investors to evaluate such non-GAAP financial measures.

    EXL’s primary exchange rate exposure is with the Indian rupee, the Philippine peso, the U.K. pound sterling and the South African rand. The average exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Indian rupee increased from 82.69 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to 83.79 during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing a depreciation of 1.3% against the U.S. dollar. The average exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Philippine peso increased from 56.02 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to 56.84 during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing a depreciation of 1.5% against the U.S. dollar. The average exchange rate of the U.K. pound sterling against the U.S. dollar increased from 1.26 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to 1.31 during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an appreciation of 4.4% against the U.S. dollar. The average exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the South African rand decreased from 18.49 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to 17.74 during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an appreciation of 4.1% against the U.S. dollar.

    The following table shows the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, and the three months ended June 30, 2024:

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA
    (Amounts in thousands)
     
      Three months ended
      September 30,   June 30,
        2024       2023       2024  
    Net Income (GAAP) $ 53,037     $ 43,876     $ 45,825  
    add: Income tax expense   15,460       14,161       13,873  
    add/(subtract): Foreign exchange gain, net, interest expense,
    gain/(loss) from equity-method investment and other income/(loss), net
      908       2,193       1,751  
    Income from operations (GAAP) $ 69,405     $ 60,230     $ 61,449  
    add: Stock-based compensation expense   21,232       17,067       18,095  
    add: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles   3,449       3,157       3,077  
    add: Restructuring and litigation settlement costs (a)               6,174  
    add: Allowance for expected credit losses (b)         1,700        
    Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) $ 94,086     $ 82,154     $ 88,795  
    Adjusted operating income margin as a % of Revenue (Non-GAAP)   19.9 %     20.0 %     19.8 %
    add: Depreciation on long-lived assets   10,350       8,426       9,833  
    Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 104,436     $ 90,580     $ 98,628  
    Adjusted EBITDA margin as a % of revenue (Non-GAAP)   22.1 %     22.0 %     22.0 %

    (a) To exclude effects of employee severance costs and outplacement support costs of $4,762 and litigation settlement costs and associated legal fees of $1,412 during the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    (b) To exclude the effects of material allowance for expected credit losses on accounts receivables related to a customer bankruptcy event during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share amount)
     
      Three months ended
      September 30,   June 30,
        2024       2023       2024  
    Net income (GAAP) $ 53,037     $ 43,876     $ 45,825  
    add: Stock-based compensation expense   21,232       17,067       18,095  
    add: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles   3,449       3,157       3,077  
    add: Restructuring and litigation settlement costs (a)               6,174  
    add: Effects of changes in fair value of contingent consideration         2,500        
    add: Allowance for expected credit losses (b)         1,700        
    subtract: Tax impact on stock-based compensation expense (c)   (5,830 )     (4,340 )     (4,619 )
    subtract: Tax impact on amortization of acquisition-related intangibles   (866 )     (771 )     (765 )
    subtract: Tax impact on restructuring and litigation settlement costs               (1,588 )
    subtract: Tax impact on allowance for expected credit losses         (429 )      
    Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) $ 71,022     $ 62,760     $ 66,199  
    Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) $ 0.44     $ 0.37     $ 0.40  

    (a) To exclude effects of employee severance costs and outplacement support costs of $4,762 and litigation settlement costs and associated legal fees of $1,412 during the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    (b) To exclude the effects of material allowance for expected credit losses on accounts receivables related to a customer bankruptcy event during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    (c) Tax impact includes $1,673 and $462 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 respectively, and $18 during the three months ended June 30, 2024, related to discrete benefits recognized in income tax expense in accordance with ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation.

    Contacts:
    Investor Relations
    John Kristoff
    Vice President, Investor Relations
    +1 212 209 4613
    ir@exlservice.com

    Media – US
    Keith Little
    Assistant Vice President, Media Relations
    +1 703 598 0980
    media.relations@exlservice.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Enovix and Leading Smartphone OEM Execute Development Agreement for Mass Production in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enovix Corporation (“Enovix”) (Nasdaq: ENVX), a global high-performance battery company, announced today that it executed a development agreement with one of the leading global smartphone OEMs with top 5 market share in China. Under the terms of the agreement and subject to applicable milestones, the companies will develop a 100% active silicon anode battery customized for specific smartphone models targeted for launch in Q4 2025. The company now has agreements with 2 of the leading smartphone OEMs and has further sales momentum building in IoT and EV markets.

    Enovix’s CEO Raj Talluri commented, “We are thrilled to formalize this relationship, and we see it as a proof point of smartphones needing batteries with much higher energy density and capacity to satisfy the needs of AI enabled apps. Upon meeting specified milestones in this new agreement, we will enter the smartphone market in 2025 with high-volume production out of Fab2 in Malaysia.”

    About Enovix

    Enovix is on a mission to deliver high-performance batteries that unlock the full potential of technology products. Everything from IoT, mobile, and computing devices, to the vehicle you drive, needs a better battery. Enovix partners with OEMs worldwide to usher in a new era of user experiences. Our innovative, materials-agnostic approach to building a higher performing battery without compromising safety keeps us flexible and on the cutting-edge of battery technology innovation.

    Enovix is headquartered in Silicon Valley with facilities in India, Korea and Malaysia. For more information visit www.enovix.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believe”, “will”, “may”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “should”, “plan”, “expect”, “predict”, “could”, “potentially”, “target”, “project”, “believe”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the applicable OEM agreement, including, without limitation, with respect to our ability to successfully develop a 100% active silicon anode battery customized for a specific smartphone model, our ability to satisfy applicable contract milestones and other terms, and our ability to achieve high-volume production out of Fab2 in Malaysia in 2025. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. For additional information on these risks and uncertainties and other potential factors that could affect our business and financial results or cause actual results to differ from the results predicted, please refer to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our most recently filed annual periodic reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents that we have filed, or that we will file, with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements made by us in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. We disclaim any obligations to update or alter these forward-looking statements in the future, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    For media and investor inquiries, please contact:
    Enovix Corporation
    Robert Lahey
    Email: ir@enovix.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister lays foundation stone of four Centres of Excellence at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Mohali

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister lays foundation stone of four Centres of Excellence at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Mohali

    Major boost to Make in India initiative in the healthcare sector: Prime Minister inaugurates five projects under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices and bulk drugs at Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh

    Inauguration of these manufacturing plants would play a key role in manufacturing of advanced medicine and high quality stents and implants and further India’s growth: PM Shri Narendra Modi

    India’s biggest Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS, New Delhi inaugurated by PM today

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects related to the health sector, including the Pharma sector, on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and 9th Ayurveda Day, today at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri J P Nadda, and Ms. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals & Fertilizers were present on the occasion among others.

    The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of four Centres of Excellence at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Ahmedabad in Gujarat for medical devices, NIPER Hyderabad in Telangana for bulk drugs, NIPER Guwahati in Assam for phytopharmaceuticals, and NIPER Mohali in Punjab for anti-bacterial anti-viral drug discovery and development.

    Also, in a major boost to Make in India initiative in the healthcare sector, Prime Minister inaugurated five projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices and bulk drugs at Vapi in Gujarat, Hyderabad in Telangana, Bengaluru in Karnataka, Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh. These units will manufacture high-end medical devices, such as body implants and critical care equipment, along with important bulk drugs.

    Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted that the progress of a nation is directly proportional to the health of its citizens, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s priority to the health of its citizens and outlined the five pillars of health policy. He listed the five pillars as preventive healthcare, early detection of ailments, free and low-cost treatment and medicines, availability of doctors in small towns and lastly expansion of technology in health services.

    The Prime Minister mentioned that inauguration of these manufacturing plants would play a key role in manufacturing of advanced medicine and high quality stents and implants and further India’s growth.

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also inaugurated the biggest Jan Aushadhi Kendra of the country at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi today The main objective of this kendra is providing affordable and quality medicines to the patients visiting AIIMS for treatment of various ailments.

    The Jan Aushadhi Kendra has been set up by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) which is the implementing agency of PMBJP. This Kendra, spanning an area of 1,724 square feet, aims to provide over 2,047 quality generic medicines and 300 surgical devices at prices significantly lower than their branded counterparts. Price of Jan Aushadhi Medicines is cheaper by at least 50% and in some cases by 80% to 90% of the market price of branded medicines.

    Reiterating the government’s priority to reduce the cost of treatment, be it the poor or middle class, the Prime Minister mentioned the launch of more than 14,000 PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country where medicines are available at 80 percent discount. He informed that the poor and middle class have managed to save Rs 30,000 crore due to availability of affordable medicines through the Janaushadhi Kendras.

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    MV/AKS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Swavlamban 3.0: Raksha Mantri launches ADITI 3.0 challenge and DISC 13 to advance indigenous defence technologies & operational efficiencies

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Swavlamban 3.0: Raksha Mantri launches ADITI 3.0 challenge and DISC 13 to advance indigenous defence technologies & operational efficiencies

    Indian Navy receives over 2,000 proposals from Indian industries under SPRINT challenges; To be completed as 171 contracts

    Swavalamban collaborates with 213 MSMEs & start-ups under iDEX; AoNs worth over Rs 2,000 crore given in 19 cases; Contracts worth Rs 784 crore completed

    Shri Rajnath Singh exhorts innovators & start-ups to come up with products, which can become a necessity for the Armed Forces

    “Govt’s self-reliance efforts have made science, tech & innovation a revolutionary idea in the country”

    Another highlight was the Flag off of ‘Sagarmala Parikrama’ to conduct an autonomous passage of about 1,500 kms from Mumbai to Tuticorin

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 6:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The third edition of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 3.0) challenge and 13th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 13) were unveiled by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on October 29, 2024. These challenges aim to advance indigenous defence technologies and operational efficiencies.

    The ADITI 3.0 features a challenge from the Indian Navy to design a High-Power Microwave Weapon System. The DISC 13 presents seven challenges – three from Indian Army and two each from Indian Navy & Indian Air Force – in the domains of Artificial Intelligence, military communication and autonomous bots among others.

    Raksha Mantri also felicitated iDEX winners and Hackathon awardees on the occasion. In his address, he stated that in the last two sessions of ‘Swavlamban’, Indian Navy has received over 2,000 proposals from Indian industries under the SPRINT challenges, which were unveiled by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during Swavlamban 1.0 in July 2022. SPRINT stands for Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, Naval Innovation & Indigenisation Organisation and Technology Development Acceleration Cell.

    Shri Rajnath Singh said that these proposals have been converted into 155 challenges, which will help in completing 171 contracts. In addition, the Swavalamban initiative has collaborated with 213 MSMEs and start-ups under iDEX. Till now, Acceptance of Necessity of more than Rs 2,000 crore has been given in 19 cases, of which contracts worth up to Rs 784 crore have been completed.

    Raksha Mantri congratulated the winners for their innovative solutions to the challenges given by the Armed Forces, terming their feats as extraordinary. He exhorted them to think ahead and come out with products, which are not immediately needed, but can become a necessity for the Armed Forces after they are actually developed.

    Citing the success of digital transactions, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that today India has emerged as the world’s largest country in terms of the value of digital payments. He also spoke of the Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile Trinity, which has made the delivery of government schemes easy and transparent. “You don’t wait for the right time, you bring the right time. You’re fully capable. You must come up with new ideas through innovation,” he said, assuring all possible help of the Government in this endeavour.

    Raksha Mantri highlighted the self-reliance efforts being made by the Government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, stating that the changes brought about in the last few years have created an innovative culture in India, keeping national security in mind. “There was a time when we had become so dependent on imports for arms and equipment that innovative ideas could never take birth. Even if there were ideas, there was no system to execute them. It is a result of our Prime Minister’s farsightedness that the situation has improved rapidly in the last few years. Today, we also have a concrete ecosystem, and we are moving rapidly towards self-reliance,” he said. He described the Indian Navy as an Innovative Navy, commending its efforts towards achieving self-reliance.

    Acknowledging the vital contribution of both public & private sectors in realising the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Shri Rajnath Singh reasserted the Government’s commitment to march ahead on the road to progress by taking all the stakeholders together. “Our public sector was already involved in the defence sector. But, when we came to power, we realised that a bird fly cannot fly with one wing, and there is a need to strengthen the other wing as well. We are making efforts to increase the participation of the private sector in the defence industrial ecosystem. Our DPSUs are moving rapidly towards achieving the goal of self-reliance. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited recently achieved the status of ‘Maharatna’ by increasing its capacity. I am quite satisfied with the performance of our DPSUs. I appeal to our DPSUs and the private sector to continuously achieve new heights on the strength of ‘Continuous Innovation’,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri added that the Government’s concerted efforts have not only reduced import dependency & ensured public and private sectors to work together for ‘Aatmanirbharta in defence, it has also resulted in the emergence of science, technology, innovation & self-reliance as a revolutionary idea throughout the country. He was of the view that the idea of innovation & self-reliance has blossomed, and the Government’s efforts have awakened this consciousness among the youth.

    Shri Rajnath Singh credited the innovation in the youth for the rise in the number of start-ups in the country, which has crossed over one lakh – more than 100 being unicorns. “Start-ups are playing a big role in defence manufacturing. Our youth have realised that they can make the country self-reliant through innovation,” he said.

    Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi reiterated the Indian Navy’s commitment to safeguard national maritime interests, adding that to facilitate this journey, a solemn resolve has been made to become a ‘Fully Aatmanirbhar Force’ by 2047. He mentioned that through collaborative efforts of Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and NIIO, 173 challenges presented to the Industry by the Navy, including all the 75 challenges launched by the Prime Minister as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahostsav’ have been converted into pragmatic solutions and positive outcomes.

    “The overwhelming success of our previous two editions has inspired us to expand the scope and scale of this year’s edition through the launch of new transformational technology challenges and a Hackathon. This landmark edition is also witnessing the largest ever participation of delegates from across our defence sector, including counterparts from the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard as well as Central Armed Police Forces, Defence PSUs and DRDO,” the Chief of the Naval Staff said.

    On the occasion, Raksha Mantri witnessed the innovation and futuristic technologies developed by the iDEX winners and innovators. Another highlight was the Flag-off of the ‘Sagarmala Parikrama’ to conduct an autonomous passage of about 1,500 kms from Mumbai to Tuticorin. Towards adding streamlined focus in developing manufacturing capability for niche products like semiconductors, an MoU was exchanged between Bharat Electronics Limited, 3rdiTech and Bharat Semiconductors.

    Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary-designate Shri RK Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen JP Mathew, other senior civil & military officials of Ministry of Defence, President, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers Shri Rajinder Singh Bhatia, industry leaders and academia were present on the occasion.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri reviews the performance of DPSUs; Receives dividend cheques amounting to Rs 1,620 crore

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 6:01PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the performance of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) at South Block, New Delhi on October 29, 2024. He emphasised the importance of development of new technology by DPSUs & indigenisation and lauded the role of DPSUs in preparedness of the Armed Forces.

    Raksha Mantri directed the DPSUs to put dedicated efforts and resources towards Research & Development (R&D), Export & Indigenisation. He further exhorted them on increasing the production capacity, quality of products and timely deliveries to Armed forces.

    Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated CMD, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on getting the Maharatna Status & becoming the 14th Maharatna PSU of India and first among the DPSUs. He also encouraged other DPSUs to become maharatna and navratna. Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar briefed the minister about the overview of DPSUs including financial performance, present status & category of DPSUs and further efforts by them in the areas of R&D & Indigenisation etc.

    At the end of the review, DPSUs namely HAL, Bharat Electronics Limited, BEML Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd and Goa Shipyard Limited handed over Dividend Cheques amounting to Rs. 1620 Cr to Raksha Mantri.

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    VK/SR/Savvy/KB

     

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Seeds of Tomorrow

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

    Seeds of Tomorrow


    Nurturing Dreams on World Thrift Day

    Posted On:
    29 OCT 2024 5:36PM by PIB Delhi

    Seeds of Tomorrow

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    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Ishita Biswas

    (Release ID: 2069273)
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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s Cyber Swachhta Abhiyaan, a step to build safer Digital India by educating and empowering the youth

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 5:52PM by PIB Delhi

     The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and the United Service Institution of India (USI) organized the Quad Cyber Challenge as part of the “Cyber Swachhta Abhiyaan” – India’s Cyber Hygiene Campaign. The Quad Cyber Challenge event was announced by the Quad Leaders’ to strengthen responsible cyber ecosystems, promote public resources, and raise cyber security awareness. The theme of this year’s Challenge is promoting cyber security education and building a strong workforce. In this event, eminent cyber security experts undertook awareness workshops for students and faculty members, not only to motivate them to adopt cyber hygiene habits, but also to opt for cyber security as a career option.

    This event has been supported by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and had participation of Principals, Faculties and Students from ten Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools.

    The speakers highlighted that Cyber Security is a priority area for our country and that the role of Education in Cyber Security is paramount and plays a pivotal role in combating cyber threats. Hence, Schools must include cyber security awareness modules in their curriculum not only for promoting cyber security education but also to encourage the students to take up Cyber Security as a career option.

    The National Cyber Security Coordinator of India encouraged students to develop cyber hygiene and highlighted that the Cyber Swachhta Abhiyaan is a significant step towards building a cyber-secure India. By educating and empowering our youth, we can create a generation that is well-equipped to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. The Quad Cyber Challenge is an international collaborative step to thematically take up the awareness campaigns in building cyber security and resilience in respective countries.

    The eminent speakers in the event conducted awareness workshops for students and faculty members, not only to motivate them to adopt better practices in cyber domain, but also encourage them to choose cyber security domains in their future career paths, especially for women. The Experts talked about Cyber Law, Cybercrime & investigation aspects, Digital Forensics, Cyber Security career options and online safety initiatives for children.  

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     MJPS/ST

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh exhorts Officials to contribute a few hours a week for Shramdaan to maintain cleanliness at workplaces

    Source: Government of India

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh exhorts Officials to contribute a few hours a week for Shramdaan to maintain cleanliness at workplaces

    Shri Rajnath Singh Felicitates Swachhata Veers

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh exhorted the officials in Ministry of Defence to contribute individually towards a few hours of shramdaan every week to maintain cleanliness at the workplace, emphasizing that a cleaner and decluttered workplace leads to enhanced productivity. He administered the swachhata pledge to officials in South Block today on 29 October 2024, and inspected the office premises, including the recently renovated corridor at Gate No. 09 and beautified courtyard.

    Raksha Mantri also felicitated the Swachhata Veers whose tireless efforts have been crucial in maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of the South Block premises.

    The Campaign was conducted with a three-pronged approach of general upkeep and cleanliness drive with beautification of building, corridors and courtyards; weeding out of old records, scrapping and disposal of old equipment and furniture; and Clearance and redress of VIP references and grievances.

    The Ministry of Defence and its subordinate offices together conducted Swachhata Abhiyan at 3,832 locations/sites across the country. The overarching thrust of the Campaign has been on gainful utilization of available resources and generation of revenue from disposal of scrap.

     Keeping with this spirit, obsolete office equipment/IT equipment in the organizations were condemned and revenue was generated by way of their disposal during the Campaign. More than 2.81 Lakh square feet of space has been freed pan India for better utilization.  A total of 36,444 physical files has been reviewed. 169 public grievances on CPGRAMS and 45 MP/VIP references have been addressed during the Campaign.

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    VK/SR/GC

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News