HYDERABAD: Axis Bank Foundation (ABF) has been awarded the prestigious gold award at FICCI’s 4th Sustainable Agriculture Summit and Awards 2024. The Sustainable Livelihood Programme was recognized under the Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilient Agriculture category, for best practices and innovations in climate-resilient, smart agriculture, and sustainable management of natural resources. Under the program, ABF supported Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) which has capacitated rural communities across Khunti district in Jharkhand, Narayanpet district in Telangana, and Ahmednagar and Beed districts in Maharashtra to participate in watershed development work to improve water availability, adopt low-risk sustainable agricultural practices for improvement in crop yield, and strengthen local community institutions to take the development agenda forward.

The multiple key initiatives implemented under this project have led to its scalable impact in the region:

• Enhanced Irrigation Access: Improved irrigation access for farmers in Telangana and Jharkhand.
• Increased Income: Material increase in annual income due to improved irrigation and agriculture practices.
• Diversified Agriculture: Cultivation of fruit and agroforestry trees, development of kitchen gardening, and multi-layer farming.
• Institutional Strengthening: Establishment of local institutions such as VDCs, FIGs, FPOs, and SHGs, leveraging resources from MGNREGS for infrastructure.
• Climate-Resilient Practices: Adoption of climate-resilient practices by over 8,920 farmers, enhancing productivity and soil health, while reducing costs and inorganic fertilizer use.
• Non-Farm Livelihood Development: Supporting households in constructing and repairing animal sheds, purchasing livestock, and providing marketing support for pig rearing in convergence with government schemes and programs.

India’s diverse landscape, varied agro-climatic zones, and rich natural resources present significant challenges for community sustenance, natural resource management (NRM), and rural livelihoods. The target communities in Telangana, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra face severe issues such as water scarcity and natural resource depletion, critically impacting agriculture and allied livelihoods. These regions are home to economically disadvantaged rural populations, including tribal groups and landless families, who are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. They face increased production losses, higher input costs, and reduced incomes. The program addresses these challenges through targeted interventions across the impacted areas.

Dhruvi Shah, Executive Trustee and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Bank Foundation commented on the award, “Our Sustainable Livelihood Programme delves into a nuanced approach to livelihood challenges while focused on the local context. FICCI’s 4th Sustainable Agriculture Summit and Awards 2024 is a recognition of our efforts and a great motivator. It reinforces our commitment to the need for self-reliance among rural communities. This recognition strengthens our determination to drive with our approach and inspires us to build a legacy of positive change for years to come.”

Training and capacity-building of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and ‘Jalsevaks’, stakeholder engagement workshops, and watershed development have been key to the program’s success. These efforts have strengthened Village Watershed and Water Management Committees, facilitated exposure visits to successful projects, and promoted collaborative workshops with government departments. Land treatment measures, afforestation, water resource development, and water-saving technologies have been implemented to enhance resilience. Training sessions for VDCs, SHGs, and farmer groups focus on planning, management, monitoring, and sustainable livelihoods. ‘Jalsevak’ and para-agronomist training enhances project implementation at the village level.

Prakash Keskar, Executive Director, WOTR, shared his thoughts on the recognition, “This recognition from FICCI validates the core idea that when communities are equipped to manage their resources, development follows naturally. Through the Sustainable Livelihood Programme, we are not just addressing immediate challenges; we are laying the foundation for sustainable futures. This acknowledgment inspires us to amplify our efforts and drive even greater impact in the lives of vulnerable communities.”

The program has significantly impacted rural communities by enhancing water availability, promoting climate-resilient strategies, and increasing income through sustainable agriculture practices. Key outcomes include improved market linkages, increased access to irrigation, crop diversification, enhanced food and nutritional security, and strengthened institutions. The FarmPrecise mobile app has further supported farmers by providing weather and agro-advisories, helping plan activities and manage pests, thus increasing productivity and reducing climate-related risks. Moving forward, the program aims to empower people and institutions for sustained impact.

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PHILIPPINES: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has launched a state-of-the-art TCS Pace Studio in Manila, Philippines. This cutting-edge facility is designed for TCS to co-innovate with customers to develop tailored solutions for their unique business needs, boosting digital innovation in the Asia Pacific region.

Located within TCS’ expansive Panorama Tower office, TCS Pace Studio will showcase TCS’ innovative platforms like TCS AI WisdomNext, TCS TwinX, and TCS Zero Carbon Platform, leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. 

TCS Pace Studio in Manila, the fifth of its kind globally, is part of an extensive innovation ecosystem of TCS Pace^TM spanning major global cities. TCS Pacenetwork also comprises four other Pace Studios situated in Riyadh, Sydney, Letterkenny, and Stockholm, alongside seven Pace Ports located in Tokyo, Amsterdam, New York, Pittsburgh, Toronto, London, and Paris. TCS Pace Studios serves growth markets by fostering dynamic innovation ecosystems. 

The innovation hubs in the TCS Pace network combine TCS’ unique methodologies and frameworks, research, and intellectual property, along with a curated ecosystem of partners through its Co-Innovation Network (COIN) to provide collective intelligence that enterprises can tap into. These hubs enable customers to develop and launch innovative digital products and solutions, at speed and scale.

Dr. Harrick Vin, Chief Technology Officer at TCS, said, “TCS Pace Studio is the gateway to a world of possibilities for our customers. It gives them access to TCS’ extensive research and innovation ecosystem, facilitating the development of novel solutions across diverse disciplines, with efficiency and at scale. Customers in the Asia Pacific region can get a hands-on experience of the art of the possible at the TCS Pace Studio in the Philippines. By leveraging the latest technologies and prioritizing sustainability, we aim to drive innovation that not only meets the needs of today but also paves the way for a more resilient, and sustainable future.”

Equipped with interactive screens, state-of-the-art audio and video systems, and virtual reality (VR) headsets, the TCS Pace Studio offers clients an immersive environment to explore and co-create transformative technology solutions. This strategic investment underscores TCS’ commitment to the Philippines and the burgeoning Asia-Pacific market. It also aligns with the Philippines’ rise as a leading IT and business process outsourcing destination. With its skilled talent pool, cost-effective operations, and strategic location, the country presents a compelling value proposition for global businesses.

Shiju Varghese, Country Head, TCS Philippines, said, “The Philippines is a key market for TCS, and we are elated to set up the TCS Pace Studio in Manila to continue delivering superior experiences for our customers. This Pace Studio will provide a collaborative space for clients to engage with our TCS experts, explore innovative and sustainable solutions, and unlock new growth opportunities, as we continue to be at the forefront of shaping the future landscape of business adaptability and innovation.”

The TCS Pace Studio is designed to cultivate a start-up environment, functioning as a dynamic incubator for business solutions and opportunities. The newly established TCS Pace Studio in the Philippines will deliver a wide range of innovation services, including consulting, design, and implementation, facilitating clients in exploring new ideas, creating demonstrations, and refining their strategies.

This investment is also a testament to TCS’ growing presence in the Philippines, where it has been operational since 2008. With over 5,000 employees in the Philippines, TCS supports customers across diverse sectors including, telecom, banking and finance, real estate, and airlines, driving their growth and transformation. TCS has also been recognized as a Top Employer in the Philippines from 2017 to 2024. 

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GURUGRAM: Air India has won top honors for its mobile app in the 11th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards announced recently. The innovative and customer-friendly Air India mobile app offering seamless guest experience bagged the Gold Stevie® award for Innovation in General Utility Apps across the Asia Pacific region.

Air India is the first airline from India to receive this honor. Nicknamed the Stevie for the Greek word for “crowned,” the Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in diverse business-related programs. More than 1,000 nominations from organizations across the Asia-Pacific region were considered this year across various categories.

Post its acquisition by the Tata Group, Air India has completely revamped its mobile app, with a dedicated focus on guest experience. A host of innovative features that help reassure guests and provide timely information in an easy-to-consume fashion have been added, along with an overhaul of its design by Air India’s in-house teams in Kochi and Silicon Valley.

These features include a dynamic splash screen with information most relevant to customers, easy-to-access information about upcoming trips, including the dining menu onboard, timely notifications, an intuitive loyalty portal, a world-leading GenAI virtual assistant, and a pioneering ‘flight status feature that even provides information about the incoming aircraft for the flight.

“The Air India mobile app is our flagship digital channel through which we connect with our guests and delight them on the day of travel. It is a true embodiment of our technology approach – customer-obsessed, design-rich, cloud-only, mobile-friendly, data-driven, and AI-infused. Our app features path-breaking innovations such as the airline industry’s very first generative AI virtual assistant ‘AI.g.’ The app is on a journey of continuous improvement and more industry-leading innovations are on their way. We sincerely appreciate this recognition by the Stevie® awards,” said Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, of Air India.

Other features like an easy-to-use baggage tracking capability and comprehensive computer-vision capabilities are in the pipeline. The app has garnered diverse praise from its users in the app stores and has a stellar 4.7 rating in the Apple iOS app store in India, which is the best rating of any airline from India and is among the best global airlines in their home markets.

“We are impressed by the Air India app’s dynamic splash, whisking users away to exotic destinations. The Flight Status feature shines as the showstopper, transforming travel uncertainties into reassuring snapshots of real-time information. With AI.g as a virtual concierge and personalized journeys through My Trips, the app elevates the travel experience, making it not just a journey but a rich narrative waiting to unfold,” observed the Jury member team selecting the winners.

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