Next Gen Consulting

Author: admin

  • Cooperatives drive inclusive growth in India: Report

    New Delhi, July 6: India’s cooperative ecosystem is emerging as a strong pillar of inclusive development, playing a growing role in supporting rural livelihoods and broad-based economic participation, according to a recent report.

    The report highlighted that cooperative institutions across agriculture, dairy, credit, fisheries, and small-scale enterprises are helping improve access to affordable finance, fair markets, and essential services. This has particularly benefited farmers, rural households, and self-help groups by strengthening income opportunities at the grassroots level.

    It added that ongoing policy support, institutional reforms, and increasing digital adoption have improved transparency, efficiency, and outreach within the cooperative framework. These developments have enabled cooperatives to function more effectively as community-driven economic units.

    Experts noted that the cooperative model continues to contribute to balanced regional development by reducing disparities between urban and rural economies. They said its expanding role in employment generation, skill development, and value-chain integration is helping position it as a key engine of inclusive growth in India’s development landscape.

  • 46 Fake Hotel Booking, VIP Darshan Websites Taken Down Ahead of Rath Yatra; Pilgrims Lose INR 10 Lakh to Cyber Fraud

    Bhubaneswar, July 6 (UDN): With the annual Rath Yatra set to attract lakhs of devotees to Puri, cybercriminals have stepped up online scams by creating fake hotel booking portals and fraudulent VIP darshan websites to cheat unsuspecting pilgrims.

    46 Fake Hotel Booking, VIP Darshan Websites Taken Down Ahead of Rath Yatra; Pilgrims Lose ₹10 Lakh to Cyber Fraud

    Representational image

    The Odisha Crime Branch, in coordination with the Puri Police, has identified and taken down around 46 bogus websites that were allegedly being used to dupe devotees seeking accommodation and temple-related services online.

    According to officials, fraudsters cloned websites of genuine hotels and created deceptive portals offering attractive room tariffs and guaranteed accommodation. These fake websites often appeared prominently in online search results, prompting devotees to make advance payments for bookings that never existed.

    Cyber criminals were also found luring pilgrims with false promises of VIP darshan of Lord Jagannath in exchange for online payments. Victims were persuaded to transfer money through UPI and digital wallets, after which the fraudsters became unreachable by switching off their mobile phones or blocking communication.

    Police said around 40 devotees were cheated of nearly ₹10 lakh in the past week alone through such fraudulent schemes.

    In view of the increasing number of cyber fraud cases, the Crime Branch has issued a public advisory urging devotees to remain vigilant while making online bookings. Pilgrims have been advised to verify hotel contact details through reliable sources, avoid clicking on unknown links or the first search results without verification, and refrain from making full advance payments to unverified entities.

    Authorities have also recommended booking accommodation only through trusted travel platforms or official tourism websites and cautioned the public against anyone claiming to offer special or VIP darshan in exchange for money.

    The Crime Branch has appealed to victims of cyber fraud to immediately report incidents through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to facilitate prompt action and improve the chances of recovering the lost amount.

    Police said surveillance of online platforms has been intensified, and strict action will continue against those attempting to exploit devotees during the Rath Yatra.

  • India’s deal value jumps 127 pc to four-year high in Q2: Report

    New Delhi, July 6: India’s deal-making activity recorded a sharp surge in the second quarter, with total deal value rising 127% to a four-year high, according to a recent report.

    The report attributed the jump to increased mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and strong activity in sectors such as technology, financial services, and infrastructure. Large-value transactions played a key role in pushing overall deal value higher.

    It added that investor confidence in India’s long-term growth story remains strong, supported by stable macroeconomic conditions and continued foreign and domestic capital inflows.

    However, the report noted that global uncertainties and fluctuating market conditions could influence deal momentum in the coming quarters, even as India continues to remain a preferred investment destination.

     

  • BlackRock CEO Flags Power Supply as Key Constraint for AI Expansion

    July 6: The Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock has identified reliable power supply as one of the most critical challenges facing the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) globally.

    He noted that while AI technology is advancing at a fast pace, the increasing scale of data centres and high-performance computing systems is driving unprecedented demand for electricity. This rising energy requirement is placing significant pressure on existing power infrastructure across many regions.

    According to his remarks, the future growth of AI will depend not only on innovation in software and hardware but also on the availability of stable, scalable, and efficient energy systems. He emphasized that countries and companies capable of ensuring consistent power supply will be better positioned to lead in the AI-driven global economy.

    The statement highlights growing industry concerns about the intersection of technology growth and energy capacity, as AI adoption continues to expand across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and enterprise services.

    The remarks underline the need for long-term planning in energy infrastructure to support the next phase of digital transformation.

  • India–New Zealand Trade, Travel Surge Ahead of FTA Rollout

    July 6: Trade and tourism between India and New Zealand are witnessing strong growth ahead of the implementation of the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations.

    Export volumes from India have increased in recent months, reflecting higher demand for Indian goods and services in overseas markets. At the same time, there has been a noticeable rise in visitor arrivals from India to New Zealand, driven by tourism, education, and business travel.

    Officials from both countries said this upward trend signals growing confidence among businesses and travellers as economic ties continue to strengthen. They added that the upcoming FTA is expected to further reduce trade barriers, simplify customs procedures, and open new opportunities for exporters, investors, and service providers.

    The agreement is also expected to boost cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, technology, education, and tourism, while improving market access for businesses on both sides.

    Overall, the rising trade and travel activity highlights deepening economic engagement between India and New Zealand ahead of the formal rollout of the FTA.

  • Ujjivan Small Finance Bank launches Mutual Fund Distribution Services

    Bengaluru, July 06: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank recently launched its Mutual Fund distribution services, marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s journey towards offering comprehensive banking solutions. This offering is designed to provide customers with a seamless and digitally enabled investment experience that is supported by curated fund options, simplified onboarding processes along with in-depth analytics for better financial planning. The platform offers easy onboarding with minimal customer input, multi-channel access through Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, and RM channel.

    Ujjivan Small Finance Bank has partnered with leading AMCs to offer customers a wide range of investment options.

    Commenting on the launch Mr. Hitendra Jha, Head of Retail Liabilities – TASC & TPP, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank said, “At Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, we are committed to empowering our customers with accessible and transparent wealth creation opportunities. The launch of our Mutual Fund distribution platform marks an important milestone in our journey of providing comprehensive financial solutions. With a seamless digital experience, wide range of mutual fund offerings across channels, we aim to simplify investing and help customers make informed financial decisions aligned with their goals.”

  • Sensex, Nifty extend 4-day winning streak as realty and auto stocks drive market rally

    Mumbai, July 6: Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty extended their gains for the fourth consecutive trading session, supported by strong buying interest in realty and auto stocks.

    Sensex, Nifty extend 4-day winning streak as realty and auto stocks drive market rally

    The markets opened on a positive note and maintained upward momentum through the session, with sectoral strength in real estate and automobile shares leading the rally. Broader market indices also traded firm, indicating healthy participation across segments.

    Analysts said investor sentiment has improved due to sustained domestic inflows and optimism in select sectors. Realty stocks gained on expectations of steady demand and strong project pipelines, while auto stocks advanced on hopes of stable sales trends and improving rural demand outlook.

    However, market experts cautioned that global cues, including movements in crude oil prices, inflation trends, and overseas market performance, could influence near-term volatility. They also noted that intermittent profit booking may emerge after the recent multi-session rally.

  • Infobip Launches PitchMate An AI Fan Companion for Global Football

    India, July 06: Global AI-first cloud communications platform Infobip launched PitchMate, a new AI-powered conversational agent that brings football fans closer to the action of the world’s biggest football tournament. Purpose-built for the global football audience, PitchMate joins the TGR Haas F1 Team RaceMate — Infobip’s AI fan engagement solution for the TGR Haas F1 Team — in demonstrating how conversational AI is transforming fan engagement across sports worldwide.

    RaceMate, launched last April for this year’s motorsport season, is an AI agent on WhatsApp and Apple Messages for Business that puts TGR Haas F1 Team fans at the center of the action. It delivers real-time race data, personalized content, team radio highlights, trivia, and native multilingual support, turning passive viewers into active participants through natural, human-like conversations across every race weekend. Since its launch, RaceMate has reached users in more than 60 countries, achieving more than 40,000 messages exchanged within the platform. It has also seen a 26.8% return-user rate, with top fans returning more than 25 times and exchanging almost 300 messages with the AI agent.

    Launched last June 11th, PitchMate is a personalized AI companion that brings the football tournament directly to fans on their preferred messaging channels, such as WhatsApp and RCS. Fans can choose their favorite team and receive a fully tailored experience: personalized schedules, fixtures, and match statistics through Match Central; quizzes and an AI gamification solution like Vocalize – where fans use their voice to match the soundwave and AI scores it in real-time – driving engagement through Fan Arena; and different options to set up game reminders, specific time zones and still challenge a friend via gamification through Back Office. With cross-session memory and optional matchday reminders, PitchMate builds a continuous engagement journey that keeps fans connected from the opening match to the final whistle.

    “Fan expectations have shifted. They want personalized, real-time experiences on their terms — and if a team or league doesn’t deliver it, another entertainment option will. AI-powered conversational engagement is no longer a differentiator for sports properties; it’s becoming table stakes”, said independent industry analyst Jon Arnold, Principal at J Arnold & Associates.

    “With RaceMate, we’ve shown how AI can transform a fan’s journey from watching a race to living it. Fans don’t just follow the action they are part of it. Now, with PitchMate we give fans a personalized AI companion that knows their team, keeps them updated in real time, and invites them to interact, and engage. This is the future of fan experiences — and it’s powered by Infobip”, said Krešo Žmak, Chief Innovation Officer at Infobip.

    Both PitchMate and RaceMate are powered by the Infobip AgentOS platform, combining generative AI, conversational data intelligence, and omnichannel messaging capabilities, within a single orchestration layer. The same technology is available to any brand looking to deploy intelligent AI agents for customer engagement.

  • Another Global Milestone for MAHE as Dr Judith Angelitta Noronha Earns Prestigious FAAN Fellowship

     

    Another Global Milestone for MAHE as Dr Judith Angelitta Noronha Earns Prestigious FAAN Fellowship

     

    Manipal, July 06: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, congratulates Dr Judith Angelitta Noronha, Professor and Dean, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal, who has been selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) as part of its distinguished Class of 2026 Fellows.

    The American Academy of Nursing announced the 2026 Class of Fellows on June 25, 2026, recognising accomplished nursing leaders from across the world for their outstanding contributions to health outcomes through excellence in education, research, innovation, leadership, and health policy. Widely regarded as one of the highest distinctions in the nursing profession, the AAN Fellowship recognises individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on healthcare and the nursing profession globally.

    The 2026 cohort comprises eminent nursing leaders representing 39 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 17 countries, reflecting a diverse and influential community of professionals dedicated to transforming healthcare through scholarship, evidence-based practice, policy, and innovation. Dr Noronha’s selection places her among this distinguished international network of nursing leaders.

    Congratulating Dr Noronha on this achievement, Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, “Dr Judith Angelitta Noronha’s selection as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing is a matter of immense pride for MAHE and the Indian nursing fraternity. This prestigious international recognition acknowledges her outstanding contributions to nursing education, research, and leadership over several decades”.

    Expressing her gratitude, Dr Judith Angelitta Noronha, Professor and Dean, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, said, “I am deeply honoured and humbled to be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. This recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the collective efforts of my colleagues, students, and mentors who have been part of my academic and professional journey”.

    The formal induction of the 2026 Class of Fellows will take place during the American Academy of Nursing’s Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., from October 8 to 10, 2026, with the induction ceremony on the final day of the conference.

     

  • Stupa Sports expands multi-year Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis partnership with landmark Table Tennis Review system

    Gurugram, June 06: Stupa Sports, the leading global AI-powered sports technology and analytics firm, today announced a significant scaling up of its official data and technology partnership with the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), with the introduction of its landmark Table Tennis Review (TTR) system for the upcoming seventh season of Butterly UTT, scheduled in Goa from July 09 to July 26, 2026, at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao. The tournament, one of India’s longest-running franchise leagues, will witness, for the first time, evidence-backed officiating decisions delivered in under 20 seconds by the revolutionary TTR– marking a major technological leap for professional table tennis.

    Designed specifically for the speed and complexity of elite table tennis, TTR addresses six high-impact officiating scenarios: Serve Toss Height, Serve Toss Angle, Serve Toss Below Surface, Serve Toss Inside Surface, Serve Ball Hiding, and Table Edge calls. The system uses synchronised 14-15 high-speed cameras installed courtside to capture ball trajectory, serve mechanics, and table contact points from multiple angles. Stupa Sports’ AI engine reconstructs each contested moment in near real time, generating a precise, broadcast-ready visual output that is instantly accessible to match officials and seamlessly integrated into the live telecast – ensuring transparency, speed, and accuracy without disrupting match flow.

    Stupa Sports has been Butterfly UTT’s official Data and Technology Partner since Season 3 (2019), playing a central role in building the league’s analytics backbone. In Season 4, the company introduced its AI-powered live statistics system, enabling real-time data capture and on-air broadcast graphics.

    Since then, Stupa Sports has managed Butterfly UTT’s complete data ecosystem – including live scores, player and team databases, standings, match statistics, and advanced performance analytics. From launching Shot Speed Analytics in Season 5 in Chennai to delivering in-depth statistical reports for broadcast and editorial teams, Stupa Sports’ innovations have consistently enhanced fan engagement, commentator storytelling, and overall broadcast quality.

    “TTR represents our commitment to bringing speed, precision, and fairness together through technology,” said Megha Gambhir, Founder & CEO, Stupa Sports. “Table tennis is one of the fastest sports in the world, and officiating decisions must keep pace with it. With TTR, we are combining advanced computer vision and AI to deliver reliable verdicts in under 20 seconds, setting a new benchmark not just for table tennis, but for sports review systems globally.”

    “Innovation has always been at the heart of Butterly Ultimate Table Tennis. And our partnership with Stupa Sports since encapsulates that so well. The introduction of TTR in Season 7 is another significant step forward, reinforcing our commitment to fairness, transparency, and world-class production standards,” said Ekansh Gupta, CEO of Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis.

    With TTR set to operate across all matches in Season 7, Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis continues to position itself at the forefront of technological innovation in the sport. The launch not only strengthens officiating standards but also signals a broader evolution in how table tennis is analysed, broadcast, and experienced – both in India and on the global stage.

    The partnership further consolidates Stupa Sports‘ expanding footprint within the sports ecosystem. Much like its recent landmark milestones – including the BWF certification of its AI-powered Instant Review System for all sanctioned badminton tournaments, its role as Data and Technology Partner for the Pickleball Champions League Asia Finals, the deployment of Stupa Cast for the Generali Hexagon Cup Padel tournament, and its provision of AI analytics for Major League Table Tennis and the Prime Volleyball League, along with its growing footprint in Oceania through agreements with Table Tennis Australia – this partnership reinforces Stupa‘s position as an Indian firm leading technology innovation across multiple sports and federations globally.