Author: News Desk
The Ministry of External Affairs announced the launch of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, along with the introduction of RuPay card services in Mauritius. This initiative aims to provide digital payment options for Indian nationals visiting these countries and for tourists from Sri Lanka and Mauritius visiting India. The expansion of these services will facilitate faster and seamless digital transactions, promoting enhanced digital connectivity between nations. Additionally, the extension of RuPay card services in Mauritius will allow Mauritian banks to issue cards based on the RuPay mechanism, enabling their use for settlements in both India…
EaseMyTrip, the prominent online travel aggregator, has decided to venture into the hospitality sector. The company’s board has given the green light to a proposal to establish a luxurious five-star hotel in Ayodhya, situated in close proximity to the recently inaugurated Ram Temple on January 22. In a recent statement, the company announced, “The Board of Directors of Easy Trip Planners Limited, in its meeting held on February 11, 2024, has approved the proposal to open a 5-star hotel in Ayodhya, located less than 1 kilometre from Shree Ram Mandir. This initiative entails an investment of up to ₹100 crores…
Imagine starting your day on a beautiful beach, surrounded by people buzzing with ideas. That’s what Emerge-2024 is all about – it’s the first-ever startup festival happening right on the beach in Mangalore. This event isn’t just about business; it’s about mixing work with relaxation and making connections in a whole new way. Most startup events happen in busy cities, but Emerge-2024 is breaking the mould by taking place on the peaceful beaches of Mangalore. It’s all about bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and thinkers under the open sky, where the only limits are the ones you set for yourself. Lots of Fun Stuff to Do…
Decision-making in the workplace is a multifaceted process influenced by cognitive, emotional, and social factors. Researchers and experts have delved into this intricate topic, shedding light on its complexities and offering valuable insights into effective decision-making methods. Understanding the impacts of both good and bad decision-making is essential for organisational success and employee well-being. Understanding the Research Insights According to Andrea Ceschi, Evangelia Demerouti, Riccardo Sartori, and Joshua Weller’s research, exhaustion, lack of resources, and job demands can impair decision-making processes, ultimately affecting performance. Their findings underscore the importance of managing these factors to optimise decision outcomes in the workplace. Similarly, Zhang…
After his tenure as chairman of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata redirected his focus towards a passion project close to his heart – the establishment of an animal hospital in Mumbai. His aspiration for a top-tier medical facility for animals in India is on the brink of realisation with the imminent inauguration of the Tata Trusts Small Animal Hospital in Mahalaxmi. Set to be unveiled in the first week of March, as reported by the Times of India, this hospital stands as a testament to Tata’s commitment to animal welfare and his desire to bridge the gap in veterinary services, particularly…
Google made waves in the tech world with the launch of Gemini, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence app designed to revolutionise the way people interact with technology. With this innovative application, users can now rely on AI to assist them with various tasks, from writing to interpreting information, marking a significant shift away from traditional reliance on their own cognitive abilities. Gemini: The Next Evolution in AI Technology Google’s Gemini app represents a major leap forward in AI capabilities, aiming to surpass its previous efforts, including the Bard chatbot. The move comes as Google seeks to keep pace with competitors like ChatGPT, developed by…
Many people across Southeast Asia have been exploring the use of large language models like Meta’s Llama 2 and Mistral AI, but they often do so in their native languages such as Bahasa Indonesia or Thai. However, the resulting output in English is typically nonsensical, which puts them at a disadvantage, according to tech experts. This comes as generative artificial intelligence is rapidly changing various aspects of life, including education, work, and governance worldwide. To address this issue, a Singapore government-led initiative has introduced SEA-LION (Southeast Asian Languages in One Network), the region’s first large language model trained on data…
Since its launch in January 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) scheme, a cornerstone of the Startup India programme, has proven to be a catalyst for growth in India’s startup ecosystem. According to a recent assessment named Prabhaav by SIDBI, investments totaling Rs 17,534 crore have been channelled into 938 startups, marking a substantial growth multiplier of nearly four times the initial investment. Fostering Innovation: A Closer Look at the Numbers As of November 30, 2023, the scheme has sanctioned commitments to 129 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) across various segments, facilitating crucial capital infusion into burgeoning startups. Notably, the report highlights the emergence…
A move that could mark its first venture into overseas aviation management, the Adani Group is reportedly negotiating with Sri Lankan authorities to take over the management of three airports in the island nation. The airports in question include the prominent Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, along with Ratmalana Airport and Mattala Airport. Harin Fernando, Sri Lanka’s Minister for Tourism, Land, Sports, and Youth Affairs, confirmed the ongoing discussions, indicating that the modalities being explored could involve management contracts. This potential collaboration comes at a time when Sri Lanka is witnessing a resurgence in tourism, with foreign tourist arrivals doubling…
One97 Communications Limited, the parent company of crisis-hit Paytm, is shifting its focus to the third-party payment app (TPAP) route to ensure continued availability of its fintech major’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), as per an ET report. According to a source familiar with the matter quoted in the report, “Since Paytm Payments Bank will cease to offer payment services, Paytm will transition into a third-party app, integrating UPI services through other financial institutions.” Consequently, One97 Communications Limited has initiated discussions with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the entity responsible for overseeing the UPI ecosystem in the country. Currently,…