Bengaluru, 16thJune, 2020:Kotak Mahindra Bank (Kotak) today announced the launch of its “ATM on Wheels” facility in Bengaluru. The mobile ATM will bring cash withdrawal services to local neighbourhoods during this critical period when it is advisable to restrict outdoor activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The mobile ATM facility is available to both Kotak customers and non-customers and will operate on all days,including weekends.
Similar to a regular ATM, the ATM on Wheels offers key banking services such as cash withdrawals and access to account-related information such as account balances and mini statements. The fully networked mobile ATM is connected to the central database using the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology.
Puneet Kapoor, President – Products, Alternate Channels and Customer Experience Delivery, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “As we fight the COVID-19 pandemic together, it is imperativethat we follow all the guidelines laid down by the authorities, including not venturing out as far as possible. Kotak’s ATM on Wheels gives citizens of Bengaluruconvenient and easy access to cash withdrawal services in their locality.”
All safety procedures including wearing of masks by staff and customers, providing hand sanitiser to every customer before use of the ATM, periodic sanitization of the ATM and maintaining social distancing as customers stand in a queue to use the ATM will be strictly followed.
Kotak has launched its mobile ATM facility in Mumbai, Delhi NCR and Bengaluru.
~Video KYC process will enable seamless, safe, contactless customer on-boarding~
Bengaluru, 16th June 2020:SBI Card, India’s largest pure-play credit card issuer announced the launch of “Video Know Your Customer” (VKYC) feature to ensure zero contact, hassle free customer on-boarding process. This launch is in line with SBI Card’s endeavour to establish an end to end paperless, digital sourcing and onboarding process. VKYC launch will not only have a substantial impact on fraud reduction, but it will also reduce cost of the KYC process by nearly half.
SBI Card has launched VKYC following recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines permitting VCIP as a method of establishing customer identity together with E-Sign process. VKYC offers a simple, presence-less journey where a customer does not have to physically interact with anyone. In the digital customer onboarding journey, E-sign process helps in obtaining digital signature from the applicant on a digital application form. The Applicant receives his application form in PDF format for validating the details he had provided. After verifying details, applicant digitally e-signs the application form and card processing can commence.
Commenting on the launch of VKYC, Mr. Hardayal Prasad, MD & CEO, SBI Card said, “We are a technology driven company and have made strategic investments to create state-of-the art infrastructure, both at the back end and front end, to improve our user experience. Technology has been meticulously deployed to digitise the customer journey at every step and make the entire process seamless. In line with our vision to Make Life Simple, we are now happy to launch Video KYC – a secure, AI driven, digital journey for our customers. It provides ease of use along with a high degree of safety through a contactless process. In a scenario, where social distancing has become the norm, this feature holds immense relevance for our customers, and we expect it to gain significant traction.” With social distancing being the new normal, VKYC enables a customer to undergo a completely presence-less journey, without the need to physically interact with anyone. VKYC process uses techniques such as facial recognition, Dynamic Verification code, AI enabled OCR, Live Photo Capture facial recognition, OCR, geotagging etc, as mandated by RBI guidelines, making it more safe and secure than physical KYC process.
Technology infrastructure and systems are a key competitive strength for SBI Card. SBI Card has made significant investments in technology infrastructure. Its technology systems leverage artificial intelligence and process automation technologies across functions, to improve customer experience and enhance operational efficiencies.
~ Forays into the undergraduate market, announces BBA and BCA with Jamia Hamdard University
~ Expands its portfolio to offer Finance & Law with O.P. Jindal Global University
Mumbai, 16th June 2020: upGrad, India’s largest online higher education company, is entering into the Bachelor’s market for the first time with the renowned Jamia Hamdard University. upGrad will be offering online-offline blended BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) and BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application) degrees to school pass-outs. The subsequent Master’s for these programs, MBA and MCA has been launched as well. A government-funded university, Jamia Hamdard (JH) is amongst the top 25 universities in India as per MHRD’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) released last week and is a recipient of MHRD’s letter of intent for ‘Institution of Eminence’ (IoE) status.
upGrad, which is now India’s only edtech major to offer online degrees, with offline basecamps and live classes, also announced its partnership with O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), for two Master’s programs; a 1-year LL.M. in Corporate & Financial Law and a 2-year MBA in Digital Finance and Banking. JGU is India’s No.1 Private University as per the QS World University Ranking 2021 and has been awarded the IoE status by MHRD.
Announcing the launch, Ronnie Screwvala, Executive Chairman & Co-Founder, upGrad said “The ongoing global crisis calls for evolution on a recurring basis, especially amid the online education space which seems to be the only way forward, owing to its robustness and accessibility. At upGrad, we bear testimony to constantly evolving with the changing paradigm, and to developing better and better learning solutions. Our degree portfolio will enable learners to continue with their academia, without having to think about the overall crisis that has taken a sharp toll on the offline education system.”
The announcement came, within weeks of FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s advocacy of online education, in a press conference attended by Prof (Dr.) Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard University; Prof (Dr.) C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor, OP Jindal Global University & Founding Dean, Jindal Global Law School; Prof S Sadagopan, Director, IIIT-B, and the three Co-founders of upGrad. To strengthen its foothold in the higher education market which is estimated to witness 41 million enrollments by 2022, upGrad has earmarked an extensive budget of INR 150 Cr for this new venture.
Speaking further on this Mayank Kumar, Co-founder & MD and Phalgun Kompalli, Co-founder, upGrad added, “At upGrad, we are undertaking a 3-pronged approach to solve the macroeconomic disruption for both learners as well as academic institutions. By bringing in degree programs, upGrad will enable fresh graduates and working professionals to achieve a full-fledged degree while being within the safe environment of their homes. For college students, upGrad is offering paid programs and free certification courses which will allow them to utilise the additional time on hand productively, as only the top of the field will be hired over the next couple of months. For offline colleges and universities, we have provided complete access to the upGrad LIVE platform, LMS (Learning Management System) so they can seamlessly migrate to online at zero cost. 50+ institutes have empanelled with us for the same.”
upGrad has been chosen by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), an MHRD undertaking, to make future-forward topics like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning accessible to all. The company’s programs are accredited by NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation). Additionally, upGrad’s PG Diploma in Data Science became India’s first PG Diploma validated and recommended by NASSCOM FutureSkills. By constantly evolving its program offerings, upGrad strives to enable universities to go online, thereby making online education mainstream.
National, 16th June, 2020: With a refreshed brand identity, SonyLIV is all set to bring forth an array of original content ranging from thrilling fictional narratives to real-life incidents and many more. Challenging the predominant beliefs of morality and ethics, SonyLIV’s very first original content titled Your Honor, a dark and morally complex thriller, is all set to go live on 18th June.
Your Honor is adapted from the Israeli series Kvodo, distributed by Yes Studios, has been produced for Applause Entertainment by Sphereorigins and is directed by the National-award winning director, E.Niwas. Life was good for an upright, honest and reputed judge Bishan Khosla until he found himself facing a life altering situation. His only son gets involved in a hit-and-run case. While Bishan is about to turn in his son to the police, he learns about the victim’s identity. Will judge Khosla, the man of honor, choose to put everything at stake to overrule the system?
Oscillating between the complexities of morality and ethics, Jimmy Sheirgill brings to life the agony of Bishan Khosla in this thriller. Joining Jimmy Sheirgill in this enticing new offering are renowned actors like Mita Vashisht, Varun Badola, Yashpal Sharma, Parul Gulati, Suhasini Mulay, Richa Pallod, Kunj Anand, Pulkit Makol, and Mahabir Bhullar.
Offering a power-packed monsoon binge, SonyLIV also releases Manoj Bajpayee’s critically acclaimed film Bhonsle alongwith a dark comedy Kadakh starring Ranvir Shorey. The english shows For Life and Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector also make their Indian debut on the platform. While the former is inspired from a true story, the latter is a thriller adapted from the book “The Bone Collector” by Jeffery Deaver.
Talking about the show, Jimmy Sheirgill, Lead Actor, Your Honor said, “As an actor, I don’t think I want to restrict myself in exploring different avenues. The script becomes an important aspect for me while choosing the project that I am getting involved with. Your Honor is one such project that I am proud of. For the first time I will be seen essaying the character of a judge. The profession itself has not got its due in mainstream cinema and it was an interesting role for me to pursue. The intense narrative of the show is not just gripping but also brings out the emotional complexities of the characters beautifully.”
Elaborating on the subject of the show, Ashish Golwalkar – Head-Content SET, Digital Business, Sony Pictures Networks India said, “SonyLIV Originals are Indian stories created for a global market. The storytelling therefore will have a signature Indian ethos and authenticity. Your honor is the first such show and will be followed by an interesting line up of Indian stories coming soon. We are delighted to partner with Applause Entertainment, Sameer Nair, Director E Niwas and a stellar cast spearheaded by Jimmy Sheirgill to bring Your Honor for our subscribers.”
Talking about the partnership, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment said, “We are glad to partner with SonyLIV as they embark on their journey of originals. Your Honor is the first of our four originals scheduled to go live on the all new SonyLIV and we are sure the audience will enjoy this show. We look forward to a longer association ahead with SonyLIV.”
Update your SonyLIV app and let the binging begin!
HealthifyStudio to get India moving again with accessible and affordable home training options
● Variety of workout options available including Ashtanga Yoga, Zumba and Dance Fitness, access to top-notch international trainers and price points that are half of what one would pay at an offline studio.
● Limited admissions per session to replicate the studio environment and ensure meaningful interactions between the coach and all the participants.
● Anyone with an active gym or fitness membership can join HealthifyStudio for seven top-quality classes by paying just Re. 1.
Bengaluru, June 16, 2020: HealthifyMe, India’s leading AI-led health and fitness app today announced the launch of HealthifyStudio – both in app and on HealthifyStudio.com. The platform brings together leading national and international trainers to offer live, interactive workout experience to people in the safety and comfort of their homes. With the country under an extended lockdown, and consumer hesitation in visiting gyms and public places, HealthifyStudio will enable users to experience immersive studio-style workouts digitally, from the safety and comfort of their homes.
The platform offers a wide variety of workout genres, including Strength & Conditioning, Dance Fitness, Ashtanga Yoga, and Zumba. Some of the leading global trainers on the platform are from Southeast Asia, UK and Europe besides India. To replicate a fitness studio environment and ensure meaningful interactions between the coach and all the participants, each session is limited to a maximum of 30 participants.
Users can also opt for a variety of workout regimes, some of which are dedicated to the management of lifestyle conditions like obesity and hypertension and others that are focused on rehab. HealthifyStudio also has offerings for the entire family with special sessions for children, senior citizens besides live healthy cooking sessions. The sessions conducted on HealthifyStudio will not require any equipment as they have been designed keeping in mind the home setup.
“HealthifyStudio’s value proposition is limited admissions per session and the personal feedback that a customer receives from his/her coach during the workout. As pioneers of the remote coaching phenomenon in India, we want to give our users an elevated experience of being able to work out live with top coaches and like-minded people from the safety & convenience of their homes at an affordable price. We also intend to provide employment opportunities to trainers during these times and have already hired nearly 100 coaches in April and May and intend to hire another 100 in June”, added Tushar.
The introductory price for HealthifyStudio starts at Rs. 3000 for 20 sessions in a month and goes up to Rs. 12,500 for 360 sessions per year. The company has also launched an introductory offer on their website that allows anyone with an active gym or fitness membership to join HealthifyStudio for 7 top-quality classes for just Re. 1.
Rise of inactivity amongst Indians during the lockdown
As per data by HealthifyMe, basis its userbase of 17 million people, the months of March, April and May, when the country was under lockdown, have seen the inactivity levels rise sharply among Indians. While in February, before the lockdown, 52% of Indian women and 44% of Indian men were inactive (burnt less than 50% of their calorie budget), the inactivity levels rose to their peak in the month of April with close to 70% women and 65% men being inactive. The situation has improved slightly in the month of May, yet there exists a yawning gap between the pre-lockdown activity levels and now. This can be largely attributed to unavailability of gyms and consumer hesitation to visit public places due to fear of contracting infections. With HealthifyStudio, HealthifyMe aims to help people work out from the comfort and safety of their homes and improve their activity levels.
City Today News 
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