Collaboration in the agri-industry- Bayer partners with ITC e-Choupal 4.0 to support farmers 

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§  Farmers can order Bayer’s Crop Protection products on ITC’s e-Choupal 4.0 platform  

§  Partnership to benefit 42,000+ farmers in Mysore region

§  Initiative to improve access to good-quality agri-inputs and timely agronomic advisory

Mysore, June 15, 2020: Bayer CropScience Limited is partnering with ITC Limited’s Agri Business Division to extend the reach of its Crop Protection products through ITC’s e-Choupal 4.0 platform. The partnership has commenced as a pilot project in Mysore, Karnataka and will gradually be expanded to other geographies across India.

With Covid-19 disrupting farming operations and on-farm advisory, this initiative will help farmers avail agri-inputs and digital advisory on a timely basis. ITC & Bayer are jointly training and on-boarding retailers in the Mysore region, to cater to farmers’ orders placed through the e-Choupal 4.0 platform. Field Officers from both companies have also received extensive training on product knowledge and technical advisory to support farmers.

Over 42,000 ITC farmers, covering 60,000 hectares across 1,100 villages in Mysore region will benefit from the partnership with Bayer. Farmers can place their order for Bayer products through the e-Choupal 4.0 platform and track their orders. Farmers without access to smartphones can place their orders online with assistance from Bayer & ITC’s field staff or even place offline orders.

Speaking about the partnership with ITC, D. Narain, CEO & MD of Bayer CropScience Limited, said, “Farmers in India often struggle to get access to agri-inputs, training and advisory under one roof. Lack of modern technologies and good agricultural practices hamper crop productivity and farm profitability. At Bayer, we are looking at meaningful collaborations to create greater value for farmers and the entire agri eco-system. Bayer’s partnership with ITC aims to offer tailored solutions, enabling farmers to achieve better harvests and progress to sustainable agriculture. We also plan to leverage ITC’s extensive rural reach to create capacity building for adoption of greater product stewardship and traceability of produce.”

Elaborating on the partnership with Bayer, Sanjiv Rangrass of ITC Limited, who has been driving the

e-Choupal 4.0 initiative said, “While agronomic advisory is essential to the farmer, information on best practices alone is not sufficient to improve their profitability. Farmers routinely battle adulteration, product non-availability and arbitrary pricing. Consequently, they are not able to make informed purchasing decisions. Therefore, it is essential to provide farmers with access to the right set of products and services. ITC’s e-Choupal 4.0 platform aims at providing on-demand crop advisory linked to products & services across the value chain. ITC’s collaboration with Bayer will enable access to quality inputs by digitalizing the local marketplace eco-system for farmers. This will leverage Bayer’s expertise in agri-inputs and ITC’s deep-rooted linkages with farmers through the e-Choupal 4.0 platform, thereby creating value and a brand of trust for the farmers.”

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India’s MSME hold the key to an economic restart at the grassroots – NRI Consulting Report

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·         Financial Stability, Availability of Skilled Labour in MSME clusters, and Market Competitiveness of products to be the driving factors for a robust MSME sector

·         Using a cluster approach to help upgrade MSMEs to suit the changing global landscape

Bengaluru, 15th June 2020: The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the global economic landscape. World Trade Organisation estimates that global merchandise trade will reduce by 13% to 32% in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. This global phenomenon is going to make countries think about strengthening their local supply chains.

With this backdrop, India has already announced its vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ – A Self-Reliant India which will push for strengthening local industries and give them a boost to compete at a global stage.

The latest report by Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Consulting & Solutions India endorses this view by stating that MSMEs can play a significant role in achieving this vision, however, a lot more needs to be done for MSMEs to become a growth driver for India. Three key parameters for the success of MSMEs are Financial Stability, Availability of Skilled Labour in MSME clusters, and Market Competitiveness of their products to both achieve import substitution as well as exports.

The report identifies some of the key areas that need to be focused:

1) Capability of Supply – It is essential to improve the capability of Indian MSMEs to supply quality products especially with new norms of operations being introduced due to COVID 19. Maintaining social distancing, running on reduced capacity, etc. would further aggravate the situation for the cash stripped MSMEs. Hence, it is imperative to provide immediate support for ensuring they keep up their capability of supply

2) Capability of demand – Indian MSMEs need to be adaptable with changing market trends. Recent global developments have also reduced the planning horizons in global supply chains making it crucial for the sector to be able to adapt to a variable demand scenario

3) Capacity – Ensuring capacity and availability of raw materials is also crucial. The disruption in global logistics has broken the chain for some key raw materials.

4) Cost competitiveness – The impact of COVID 19 on business operations will require innovative methods to reduce cost. MSMEs could be introduced to low-cost automation techniques which work in tandem with the human workforce while implementing distancing and also for quality control.

5) Customer perception – Branding and advocacy will also be needed to leverage the positive connotations associated with certain Indian products and assess negative connotations that can be removed

Ashim Sharma, Principal & Division Head – Business Performance Improvement (Auto, Engineering & Logistics), NRI (Nomura Research Institute) Consulting & Solutions, said, “The Indian MSMEs have traditionally been catering to the domestic market either through directly selling to the consumers (B2C) or are a part of the value chain driven by large organised private players (B2B). Factors like evolving consumption and increasing competition have led to the increasing relevance of integrating customers’ voice in product design for MSMEs to stay relevant. Therefore, it becomes extremely important for the MSMEs to design, manufacture and sell products which the customers need. They need to be connected to a demand led environment, where their business strategy and processes are aligned to the changing market dynamics through a market-oriented strategy.”

With the manufacturing ecosystem is constantly evolving under the influence of several trends around changing consumer behaviour and technological shifts happening across the globe, NRI Consulting & Solutions has put forward a set of recommendations. These are:

The report also highlighted multiple manufacturing clusters across India to help create a conducive environment for development of small and medium enterprises, as identified by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Clusters across India hold the key for developing a self-reliant ecosystem based on local skills and expertise. The cluster approach becomes all the more important with the localised nature of lockdown opening policies. Measures for development of MSME clusters can be aligned with the strategy to fight the impact of COVID 19.  “E.g. The state of Punjab has multiple MSME clusters with majority of them located around Jalandhar and Ludhiana. These MSME clusters provides an opportunity to significantly upgrade the overall manufacturing economy of the state. Jalandhar for example has clusters for sports good, agricultural implements, hand tools, leather works, etc. Similarly, Ludhiana has clusters for bicycle parts, hosiery, forging, hand and machine tools, etc. All these MSMEs, if developed in a collaborative approach while keeping a market oriented strategy, can provide significant boost to the economy as well as employment in the state of Punjab. “added Mr. Sharma

The report further emphasizes on the fact that clusters can also be used for identifying synergies between various stressed MSMEs which can then be used to create collaborating firms. MSMEs that cannot stand alone might be able to succeed as combined firms by utilising various synergies. These synergies can be across various areas such as demand synergies, geographic synergies, logistics synergies, etc.

“Using a cluster approach will help in upgrading the MSMEs to suit the changing global landscape. Financially it might not be feasible for an individual MSME to develop all the capabilities but at the cluster level it can be achieved by sharing resources and realising cluster level synergies. A good example will be the Jalandhar cluster for sports good. Through focussed efforts, this cluster can combine resources for tracking the latest trends and demand requirements across the globe and manufacturing market-oriented products that can easily adapt to the changes in consumer preferences.” Mr. Sharma concluded.

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Commemorating World Music Day, The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd (IPRS) launches #CreditTheCreators campaign

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~ Music industry stalwarts come together to acclaim the composers and lyricists ~

Bengaluru, 15th June 2020 : Did you know that Jaddanbai, actress Nargis Dutt’s mother was India’s first female music composer? Did you know the most unforgettable song, ‘Itni shakti hame de na daata’ was written by lyricist Abhilaash and composed by Kuldeep Singh? Every song is a musical story written by the composers and lyricists but the creators of many such brilliant creations remain lost in the pages of music sheets.  With World Music Day just round the corner, IPRS in association with Music Plus has launched a thought provoking campaign, “#CreditTheCreators” acclaim the Creators and Celebrate THEM along with their work! The multifaceted campaign will witness veterans and musicians like Javed Akhtar, Sameer Anjaan, Raju Singh, Swanand Kirkire, Sandesh Shandilya, Mayur Puri, Manoj Muntashir, Kuldeep Singh, Abhilash, Kausar Munir, Leslee Lewis, Shashaa Tirupati, Priya Saraiya, Paroma Dasgupta, and many more driving the initiative on social media and traditional platforms.

The first leg of the campaign will roll out on digital with the associated artists performing and talking about their favourite songs and the creators behind such timeless creation. Unfolding stories and talents who remained lost in obscurity. Further, the activation will see association with artists for real life stories, testimonials, UGC, panel discussions and innovative content partnership to drive the message across social and traditional media. Spread over two weeks, the campaign will serve as a thought starter encouraging all of us to acknowledge those behind the power of words and melodies that have shaped our moments of merriment and misery equally, forever etching those songs in our memories.

Speaking on the campaign Mr. Javed Akhtar, Chairman, IPRS commented, “Although popular music and even light classical music in Northern America had influences of Latin and African traditional beats and compositions, what we call fusion today is an international phenomenon that can be called a post Woodstock revolution. It was the performance of Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakkha at Woodstock that ultimately broke so many cultural and traditional barriers in the world of western music. Even the conservatives reassessed their “musical morality” and eventually in the whole western world fusion got accepted as a respectable genre. I guess not many people are aware that while in the West, Fusion was recognised in mid-sixties, Indian film music directors were not only using but had mastered fusion as early as late thirties. There are a number of songs in the forties and fifties recorded by maestros like Pankaj Mallik, Naushad, Anil Biswas and C Ramchandra in which the tune of the lyric is based on Indian Ragas but the orchestra uses instruments like guitar piano, trumpet, cello, violin. Some songs have an Indian tune backed by a Western choir.

On this occasion of World Music Day, I salute every such genius who was decades ahead of the world. We must ensure that every creator in India is recognised & remunerated for their creations and their right to be identified as authors of their creations remains sacrosanct.

Happy World Music Day to everyone because as the Bard has said “Music is the food of love”.

Commenting on the initiative Mr. Rakesh Nigam, CEO, IPRS said, “Our endeavour has always been to provide a platform that encourages creativity and fair value for music and its creators. With this campaign, “#CreditTheCreators” we aim to build a strong proposition for acknowledging and honouring the authors and composers of music who spend their lifetime in creating their masterpieces. The way music is consumed has changed significantly over the years. While avenues for distribution and consumption of music has grown manifolds, limited efforts have been made to encourage and acclaim the creators of music.  We are hopeful that through this campaign we will be able to initiate a positive change and will be supported by many to drive the cause.”

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Vietjet announces 5 new Thai domestic routes, and becomes first airline to return to Phuket airport

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BLR, June 15, 2020 – Vietjet has announced and started ticket sales from June 15, 2020, for five new Thailand domestic routes. These new routes will connect the capital Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) with famous tourism and cultural destinations from North to South of Thailand including Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani. Additionally, following the announcement of Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) about re-opening Phuket International airport for domestic flight operation starting from 13 June 2020, Thai Vietjet is the first and only airline confirmed to resume operation. This is for the route between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Phuket International airport to cater to passengers’ demands.

The five new routes extend Thai Vietjet’s domestic flight network to 12 domestic routes, connecting 11 destinations in Thailand. Vietjet is committed to offering more chances for people and tourists to benefit the tourism and trade in Thailand.

To celebrate the launch of these new routes, Vietjet is offering more than 500,000 promotion tickets from the only THB5 (approx. INR 12.26) (excluding taxes and fees) for 5 days i.e. from 15th- 19th June 2020 during the golden hours between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM (IST) on its website www.vietjetair.com. These promotional tickets can be availed to travel between 1st July till the end of December 2020 (applicable to all Thai domestic routes, including the new routes). Thai Vietjet also organizes a lucky draw where participants can win up to ‘5- month free travel with Thai Vietjet’. All travelers booking on the promotion site at skyfun.vietjetair.com can participate in the lucky draw.

The airline has also increased the frequency of flights operating and extends its network in response to rising demand. Additionally, Thai Vietjet offers 1-year complimentary travel to front line medical staff, including all members of Thai Covid-19 Prevention & Control Committee and all doctors and nurses of 160 appointed hospitals for treatment of Covid-19 patients in Thailand as a way to appreciate the heroes who have been working hard to prevent and control the outbreak until the situation is recovered.

Recently, Vietjet has also increased the frequency of its domestic flight network to 53 routes in Vietnam, with 8 new routes.

Operation schedule of new Thai domestic routes:

New Routes

Flight time
(Thai local time)

Frequency

Start operation

Bangkok – Hat Yai

07:00-08:25
15:25-16:50

10 flights/week

July 17, 2020

Hat Yai – Bangkok

08:55-10:35
17:20-19:00

10 flights/week

Bangkok – Khon Kaen

07:30-08:35
 15:45-16:50

14 flights/week

July 30, 2020

Khon Kaen – Bangkok

09:05-10:15
 17:20-18:30

14 flights/week

Bangkok – Nakhon Si Thammarat

11:05-12:20

7 flights/week

August 6, 2020

Nakhon Si Thammarat – Bangkok

12:50-14:20

7 flights/week

Bangkok – Ubon Ratchathani

10:45-11:55

7 flights/week

October 6, 2020

Ubon Ratchathani – Bangkok

12:25-13:40

7 flights/week

Bangkok – Surat Thani

09:30-10:45

7 flights/week

November 4, 2020

Surat Thani – Bangkok

11:15-12:40

7 flights/week

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Private hospitals will also be allowed treat COVID19 patients and government will fix the cost of treatment – Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar

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Strict action will be taken against hospitals which try to exploit people – Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar

Bengaluru – June 15, 2020 : Only goverment hospitals were utilized for treatment covid19 patients till now and going forward private hospitals will also be utilised to trate covid patients, Medical Education Minitser Dr.Sudhakar said. He also warned that strict action against private hospitals who refuse to admit corona patients.

Minister was speaking after attending the meeting convened by CM BSY to review the situation as cases are increasing in Bengaluru. Responding to media on the procurement of PPE kits minister assured that only MDA and CE aproved PPE kits are being purchased and people need not worry about quality of PPE kits. Minister said that he is personally visiting all districts and monitoring the situation.

Decision will be soon made on roping in private hospitals to treat covid19 patients and the cost of testing and treatment will be fixed by government, the Minister said. Dr.Sudhakar also warned that strict action will be taken against hospitals who try exploit people by charging exorbitant prices. Private sector sector has to join hands with Government in this battle against pandemic, minister appealed.

Insurance facility for COVID19 treatment

Minister said that he will soon discuss with Union Health Ministry to bring COVID treatment under ABARK. This will help including covid treatment under health insurance and people can utilise insurance to get treated in private hospitals.

According to WHO wearing masks can reduce the spread of infection by 90%. Hence everyone must wear mask mandatorily, Minister urged. Guidelines issued by government should be followed and all it is applicable to all public gatherings including marriages, Dr.Sudhakar said.

Role of Media

Minister requested the media to raise awareness among public though facts and help them to overocme the anxiety and fear about virus. Bengaluru has about 607 cumulative cases so far and 330 among them are still active. Only 6 of them are in ICU and 93% of them are asymptomatic. Corona is not as dangerous and SARS and mortality rate in the state is just 1.2% while it is 2.8% for whole India. Except the fact that corona is spreading fast it is not as dangerous as past viruses. For example mortality rate in SARS is 10%. So media should create awareness among public with these facts and figures rather than creating panic, Minister said.

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