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6 April 2020 : FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) jointly with The Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT), today issued a statement warning consumers about the risks and growing availability of fake, falsified and substandard medical, healthcare and other products.

Both organizations, known for mitigating illicit trade across industry sectors worldwide, reports a surge in ineffective, fraudulent products that undermine public health and efforts to stem the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE said, “Arresting the sale of illicit goods at the time of this unprecedented crisis needs our immediate and unwavering attention. It is well known that illicit trade exacerbates unemployment, bleeds the economy and causes tremendous harm to the health and safety of the people. The current situation which is already witnessing a severe socio-economic distress, sale of fake and smuggled goods will only worsen the problem. Stern actions should be taken to see that criminals do not profit from this pandemic by selling illicit products.”

Mr Jeffrey Hardy, Director-General, TRACIT said, “Emergency response measures to protect people from the COVID-19 virus must include the urgent need to protect them from fake, falsified and substandard medical products and medicines. Someone wearing a falsified or substandard surgical face mask is not only at risk of exposure, but it creates a false sense of security that can actually accelerate the spread to others.”

Worldwide reports indicate an increase in the availability and type of fraudulent medical products intended to exploit the fears of consumers, which includes illicit offerings of falsified versions of treatments such as Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin that will harm or kill already vulnerable patients. Joint operations by the World Customs Organization, Europol and Interpol have resulted in asignificant increase in seizures of counterfeit and unauthorized face masks and hand sanitizers.

“Expectations are that the availability of fakes and fraudulent products on the Internet will increase dramatically, especially with the closure of retail stores and the imposition of population distancing strategies,” said Mr Hardy.

“People must be especially careful with the social media, where outright fraud and advertising of fakes is already a major problem,” he added.

While the Indian government is continuously intensifying efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus by enacting various measures to support public health systems, safeguard the economy and ensure the safety of its citizens, illegal operators are taking full advantage of the pandemic. It is evident that they will use shortages in the supply of some goods to increasingly provide illicit alternatives such as food and grocery items, medicines, sanitary and medical products, indoor sports equipment, cigarettes, liquor etc., both online and offline.

In the long run, FICCI CASCADE and TRACIT expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the urgent need for a strong international policy framework to combat the illicit trade of fake, falsified and substandard medical products and medicines.

FICCI CASCADE and TRACIT called for immediate action by governments, law enforcement, Internet platforms and brand owners:

Governments to prioritize the response to fraud among COVID-19 emergency measures, allocate resources to blocking distribution of fakes, warn consumers about the risks of fake and fraudulent products, especially online sales, and impose immediate sanctions on the manufacture and sale of fraudulent COVID-19 related products.
Law enforcement to clamp down on violators, increase vigilance for stolen, tampered and expired medical products and medicines, and establish a coordinated national strategy to share intelligence, best practices and cooperate on cross-border investigations.
Internet eCommerce platforms to amplify policing and takedown of online sales of counterfeit and fraudulent COVID-19 related products.
Brand owners to increase security of supply chains for genuine COVID-19 related medical products and medicines, share data with law enforcement where supply chains have been compromised and raise awareness about online shopping fraud.

FICCI MEDIA DIVISION

cid:image001.png@01D60C25.268D0E30Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

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Deploys its 757 Boeing freighters to move medical and pharmaceutical supplies with additional new routes

Bengaluru, 6^th April 2020: Against the backdrop of the global Covid-19 outbreak, our nation is grappling with a situation never experienced earlier & this has a widespread impact on the economy. Businesses across sectors and geographies are disrupted due to mobility suspension.

In this challenging environment, Blue Dart has mobilized its Business Contingency and Continuity Plan (BCCP), including pandemic operating plans, and is implementing preventive actions as appropriate to ensure least disruption in our services to Indian businesses. Our QRT – Quick Response Team, is working 24×7 towards mitigating potential impacts while ensuring continuity of the supply chain across the nation. Our six 757 Boeing freighters operating day and night across Indian skies have been prioritised to deliver medical equipment & pharmaceuticals amongst other shipments enabling the nation in its fight against the COVID 19 pandemic.

We are continuously monitoring and responding to the various situational challenges caused by COVID-19 keeping the interest of customers, employees and community paramount. We are providing vital updates and necessary information to our customers and employees on precautionary measures and permissible guidelines to operate across geographies during the 21-days nationwide lockdown.

Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express Limited said, “In this critical health crisis, our Express logistics services play a critical role, in saving lives – whether it is by sending emergency medical equipment and supplies to healthcare workers; delivering necessity goods to customers; or by finding solutions for companies to continue their operations. To this end, we are working closely with Government bodies and Institutions. Our QRT is responding exceptionally to the situation & industries we are working with have appreciated the response that Blue Dart has been able to put together at short notice. We are working round the clock to deliver in a time-bound manner so that the fight against the pandemic is supplemented & multiplied. Ensuring the air life-line of the nation our aircrafts are deployed”

To ensure essential deliveries are not disrupted, Blue Dart also operated two new air – routes Guwahati and Pune which are not a part of our normal schedule. We are also flying flights as exigencies demand. Additionally, we are exploring international charter to support critical Government requirement.

Blue Dart has listed itself on the dedicated Medical Air Cargo website www.civilaviation.gov.in 

Shipments moved:

Across the country we have been delivering testing kits, reagents, enzymes, medical equipment (ventilators), N95 respirators and surgical masks, gloves, & other items requisitioned by State Governments. Customers such as Siemens, Boston scientific, Sun pharmaceuticals and several others have used our aviation service to move essential medical supplies.  

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Partnership unveils Bharti AXA Group Health Assure and Group Hospital Cash to provide financial protection against COVID-19

Bengaluru, 6^th April 2020: Airtel Payments Bank, India’s first Payments Bank, has partnered with Bharti AXA General Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s leading business groups, and AXA, one of the world’s largest insurance companies, to offer simple and focused health insurance plans for providing financial protection against COVID-19 in these challenging times.

Under the partnership, the companies have rolled out two health insurance plans – Bharti AXA Group Health Assure which offers lump sum benefit of Rs 25,000 and Group Hospital Cash which provides daily benefit starting Rs 500 per day – to provide protection against COVID-19.

• Bharti AXA Group Health Assure Policy covering COVID-19comes with a fixed cover offering 100 per cent sum insured as a lump sum, if the policy holder is diagnosed positive or gets quarantined in a government hospital or military facility/establishment. In case, the policy holder is diagnosed negative after being quarantined for at least 14 days in a government hospital or military facility/establishment, he or she will be entitled to 50 per cent of the sum insured. The policy offers protection for COVID-19 from day one of the purchase and can be purchased at a price of Rs. 499 (including GST) for fixed sum insured of Rs. 25,000. It can be availed from the Banking Section of the Airtel Thanks App or by visiting the nearest active Banking Point of Airtel Payments Bank.

• Group Hospital Cash Policy provides per day fixed allowance on hospitalization with Enhanced ICU Cash. Under this policy, depending on the plan, a customer is entitled to a fixed per day benefit of Rs 500 or Rs 1000 paid for each day of hospitalization, up to maximum for 10 days. This benefit doubles, if the policy holder is treated in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A customer can claim the benefit, if hospitalised for minimum 24 hours. After the initial waiting period of 30 days from the first policy inception date, Group Hospital Cash covers pre-existing diseases and specified conditions. The product also provides coverage for a policy holder who is hospitalised for treatment of COVID-19. It can be purchased from any active Banking Point of Airtel Payments Bank. The product will be soon available under the banking section of Airtel Thanks mobile app.

With no pre-medical check-up required, both the products are currently available for Savings bank account customers of Airtel Payments Bank who are not suffering from COVID-19 or its symptoms.

Mr. Anubrata Biswas, MD and CEO, Airtel Payments Bank, said, “We are delighted to offer insurance products designed to provide financial protection during the current outbreak of COVID-19. With our technology platform and deep distribution reach, we will be immediately able to offer this product to millions of customers at this hour of need. We wanted to ensure health protection for our customers in the challenging times and, therefore, partnered with Bharti AXA General Insurance to offer health products which are easily available. These products affirm our commitment to empower every Indian with digital, contextual and timely solutions.”

Mr. Sanjeev Srinivasan, MD and CEO, Bharti AXA General Insurance, said, “We are happy to join hands with Airtel Payments Bank with our two need-based health insurance plans and leverage the power of digital to maximize the penetration of health insurance in India. We believe that ensuring a safety net against the financial repercussions of COVID-19 or any disease is just as important as exercising precautions against it. As an organization, we have always been responsive to every need of the hour and it is among our foremost endeavors to support our customers in such times of distress. This alliance further strengthens our commitment as a responsible protection partner.”

The validity period of these policies is restricted to one year and will be issued on individual name basis only.

Airtel Payments Bank Ltd.

Airtel Payments Bank is India’s first Payments Bank that launched in January 2017, now boasts of over 40 million+ customers and over 500K banking points across the country. In addition to having a presence in all 29 states of India, Airtel Payments Bank also has an app for Android and iOS users to make banking easier for its rural and urban customers. Airtel Payments Bank aims to take digital banking services to the doorstep of every Indian, particularly in unbanked rural areas, and contribute to the Government’s vision of Digital India and Financial Inclusion.

Bharti AXA General Insurance

Bharti AXA General Insurance is a joint venture between Bharti, one of India’s leading business groups with interests in telecom, agriculture business and retail, and AXA, one of the world’s leading organizations with interests in financial protection and wealth management. The joint venture company has a 51% stake from Bharti Enterprises and 49% stake of AXA. The company has pan-India presence through its 135 branches, and offers insurance solutions for motor and two-wheeler, health and critical illness, property and student, individual and family travel.

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• The event is being organized by Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) and its think tank, The Motwani Institute for Thought Leadership in Innovation (MITLI)
• More than 3,000 participants are expected to take part in the online hackathon that will run for 72 hours.
• The outcome would be qualitative, open-source prototypes to help tackle various challenges facing India during or after the COVID19 crisis
• Mentors and guides would help participants sharpen their product ideas and convert them to successful real-world products that will aid the fight against Coronavirus
• Prize money worth US$ 10,000 on offer
• Registration open to all at www.code19.in till 6 pm IST on April 10^th

• Bengaluru, 6^th April 2020: The Silicon-Valley-based Motwani Jadeja Foundation is bringing together the best minds in a 72-hour online hackathon called “CODE19” to find solutions to India’s challenges against the Coronavirus outbreak.
• 
   
  
  The contest, which begins on April 10^th, 2020 (Good Friday), is expected to see over 3,000 participants across nationalities, ethnicities and gender. Working online from the comfort of their homes while India is on a 21-day lockdown, they will collaborate with mentors, subject-matter specialists, data sources and a network of collaborators in the quest for solutions against COVID-19. The online hackathon is open to everyone as individuals and teams, without any criteria or age limit. Those wishing to participate can sign up on www.code19.in till 6 pm IST on April 10.

• MsAsha Jadeja Motwani, the well-known entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who is the Founder of Motwani Jadeja Foundation: “Coronavirus is a huge health challenge facing India. Any new crisis requires a new set of ideas and mitigation strategies. Hence, it is our collective responsibility to put our heads together to come up with new ideas and solutions to fight the virus. CODE19 is a platform to bring such bright minds together. By harnessing the power of collaborative computer programming, it aims to create qualitative, open-source projects that would help solve the most pressing problems of the Coronavirus crisis in the country.”
  
   
  
  She further added: “The focus of CODE19 is on developing solutions quickly and applying them in everyday life. The participants would be tasked with decoding the Coronavirus outbreak and its impact on India, encoding smart solutions to mitigate the impending Corona-inflicted challenges, and winning prizes worth US$10,000 to realize their solutions. The ideas and innovations they create would readily be available for scaling and implementation across the country.”
  
   
  
  Projects are divided into eight specific themes:Medical treatment and testing; Travel and Tourism; Mitigation – Isolation, protection/masks, and social distancing in India; Social life, welfare, and awareness; Research and development; Open innovation for COVID-19; Education and awareness; and Industry.
  
   
  
  The participants would work on solutions through ideations, wireframes, designs, developments and testing the prototype they are creating. Mentors and guides will help them sharpen their product ideas and convert them to sure-shot successful products that will aid India’s fight against Coronavirus. Under the Open Innovation category, participants would be free to propose their own ideas, technologies and innovative solutions, bioinformatics, datasets, apps for diagnosis, and the likes, which can be leveraged for strengthening the fight against Coronavirus.
  
   
  
  CODE19 will also have a few online sessions including talks with business leaders as well as Yoga and Meditation, to keep the participants inspired. Prize money worth US$ 10,000 is on offer for the winners. There will be public voting at the end of the event to assess the most exciting projects. The winners would be announced at 9 pm on April 14.
  
   
  
  Code19India is being held in collaboration with Bengaluru-based HackerEarth. The Association of Designers in India (ADI) is also on board and shall assist in providing mentors through its network.
  
   
  
  
  Profile of Organisers and Partners
  
   
  
  Asha Jadeja Motwani is an entrepreneur, investor, thinker and philanthropist based in Palo Alto, California. She has invested in over 100 startups, some of which have gone on to become public companies including Kaltix (now Google), Jareva (now Veritas) and Mimosa Systems.
  
  
  Asha is the founder of the Jadeja Motwani Foundation (JMF), a non-profit organisation that strives to develop a network of entrepreneurs in South Asia trained to think and drive exponential change. The foundation’s mission includes disruptive entrepreneurship, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and sustainable development.
  
  
  Asha Jadeja actively supports technology innovation, non-formal education, economic policy changes, and women entrepreneurship. A firm believer in self-sustaining social movements supported by local communities, she has successfully launched the Maker Fest initiative in India. She is a reputed speaker at numerous global technology and startup conferences including TIE Delhi-NCR, DLD Munich and TieGlobal Delhi. For more information, pls visit: https://ashajadeja.com/
  
   
  
  Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) is a non-profit, distributed, global venture fund designed to transform entrepreneurial individuals into creative change-makers. The start-up portfolio is a reflection of this ethos. Motwani Jadeja Foundation aims to support and empower entrepreneurs to enable exponential change. It is industry-agnostic and particularly cares about impact investing in education, the maker movement and women’s rights.
  
   
  
   
  
   With deep roots in Stanford, UC Berkeley, Google and over 200 tech companies in Silicon Valley, the Foundation runs a think tank powered by some of the most influential global thought leaders, academics, heads of state, and leaders in technology. For more information, pls visit:  https://motwanijadejafoundation.com
  
   
  
  HackerEarth provides enterprise software solutions that help organisations with their technical recruitment needs. HackerEarth has conducted 1000+ hackathons and 10,000+ programming challenges to date. Since its inception, HackerEarth has built a developer base of over 3 million+. HackerEarth has raised close to $5 million in funding over three rounds. Today, more than 750 customers worldwide use its Assessments platform, including Amazon, Walmart Labs, Thoughtworks, Societe Generale, HP, VMware, DBS, HCL, GE, Wipro, Barclays, Pitney Bowes, Intel, and L&T Infotech. HackerEarth is backed by GSF Global and Angelprime. For more information, pls visit: www.hackerearth.com
  
   
  
   
  
  Follow CODE19 on Social Media
  
   
  
  Hashtag: #code19india
  
  www.facebook.com/MotwaniJadeja/
  
  https://twitter.com/Motwani_Jadeja
  
  www.instagram.com/motwanijadejafoundation/
  
  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5A3wSic1RKFuhwvBGJHgA

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