Over 700 marginalised youths trained in AI, robotics, and fintech skills
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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Can Student-Led Startups Help Solve India's Social Challenges? Nasscom Foundation and Ciena Think They Can
When Nasscom Foundation joined hands with Ciena, the vision was bold: to create a structured ecosystem where college students could not just learn about innovation but lead it—through real-world problem-solving, guided mentorship, and technology-backed solutions aimed at societal good. That vision took shape as TechForChange, a program that has since become one of the most promising launchpads for youth-led social innovation. Can Student-Led Startups Help Solve India's Social Challenges? Nasscom Foundation and Ciena Think They Can 'Social innovation needs to be more than an afterthought—it must be the lens through which our youth approach technology,' says Jyoti Sharma, CEO of Nasscom Foundation. 'TechForChange was built to provide them with the structure, support, and space to do just that.' Spanning 18 months, the program serves as what the Foundation describes as a 'geek playground'—a place where experimentation is encouraged, failure is part of the process, and learning leads to lasting change. Through a four-stage model—Ideation, Product Development, Business Model Development and Startup Incubation—students from institutions like IIT Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia, and DTU build impactful ventures with hands-on training in AI, machine learning, design thinking, and business modeling. But beyond skill-building, TechForChange addresses one of the biggest gaps in India's social innovation ecosystem: early-stage support. Each cohort sees the top five teams receive seed funding of ₹5-6 lakh, enabling them to transition from prototype to product. 'We believe in tech with a conscience—technology that serves not just commerce, but community,' says Vineet Vohra, Vice President Software Development at Ciena India. 'Programs like TechForChange don't just support innovation, they support inclusion.' That inclusion is visible not only in the program's focus on rural challenges, education, agriculture, and health—but also in its commitment to gender diversity, with 30% women participants in its latest cohort. Turning Ideas into Impact Take the story of Shivam Gupta, for instance. Armed with a drone-based idea to support defense and agriculture sectors, he credits TechForChange for helping him navigate product development, investor pitching, and startup registration. Today, his venture House Technologies is not just an idea, but a registered company with seed capital and a growing impact footprint. Stories like his illustrate the program's broader mission: to translate academic potential into market-ready social innovation. At InnovateX, the program's annual showcase, student teams present their solutions to experts, ecosystem leaders, and policymakers—gaining both visibility and validation. Previous participants have developed AI-driven learning tools for visually impaired students, low-cost robotics for sanitation, and mobile-first healthcare tools for underserved communities. Filling Critical Gaps in India's Innovation Ecosystem India's grassroots innovation story is compelling—but not without gaps. Over 65% of rural areas still lack reliable internet, with rural penetration at just 35% as of early 2025 (TRAI). Despite PMGDISHA certifying over 47.8 million individuals, only 38% of households have a digitally literate member (NSS 78th Round, 2022). Moreover, early-stage social enterprises often struggle to attract commercial capital, making philanthropic and corporate-backed incubation programs like TechForChange critical to their survival. By providing a blend of mentorship, funding, and ecosystem access, TechForChange enables student entrepreneurs to overcome hurdles that typically halt progress at the ideation stage. It also complements India's national priorities—from Digital India and Startup India to its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. With an emphasis on building scalable, tech-led solutions for real-world problems, the program supports the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. What's Next? A New Generation of Changemakers With 16 startups already launched and hundreds of students trained, the ripple effect is just beginning. Alumni are going on to raise additional funding, partner with NGOs, and build solutions that impact communities far beyond their college campuses. 'We're not just nurturing startups—we're nurturing responsibility,' says Vineet. 'These students are the future architects of equitable, tech-driven development in India.' As more corporates look to contribute meaningfully to social progress, TechForChange offers a powerful blueprint—a model where technology, mentorship, and purpose converge to shape the next generation of changemakers. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Freshers' Guide: How Much Do Entry-Level Data Scientist Earn In India?
1/15 Tata Consultancy Services: The IT giant offers a starting salary ranging from Rs 6.8 Lakh per year to 12.8 Lakh for freshers entering the data science domain. (File Photo) Accenture: The multinational company offers freshers in data science a salary package ranging from Rs 8.3 Lakh per year to Rs 18.5 Lakh per year. (File Photo) 3/15 IBM: The company offers a competitive salary ranging from Rs 10.7 Lakh per year to Rs 29.6 Lakh per year. (File Photo) Cognizant: Fresh data science graduates at Cognizant can expect annual salaries between Rs 8.7 Lakh per year and Rs 20.2 Lakh per year. (File Photo) 5/15 6/15 Capgemini: At Capgemini, freshers can expect salaries ranging from Rs 6.3 Lakh per year to Rs 18.6 Lakh per year. (File Photo) 7/15 Infosys: Data science roles at Infosys come with a salary package ranging from Rs 5.8 Lakh per year to Rs 17.3 Lakh per year. (File Photo) Wipro: It offers freshers in data science a salary package ranging from Rs 5.4 Lakh per year to Rs 16.5 Lakh per year. (File Photo) 9/15 Amazon: Freshers can expect salaries ranging from Rs 23.3 Lakh per year to Rs 43.5 Lakh per year. (File Photo) 10/15 Google: It offers a competitive salary ranging from Rs 26.9 Lakh per year to Rs 50 Lakh per year. (File Photo) Tech Mahindra: Fresh data science graduates at Tech Mahindra can expect annual salaries between Rs 5.9 Lakh per year and Rs 24.8 Lakh per year. (File Photo) 12/15 EY: Ernst & Young offers a competitive salary ranging from Rs 10.1 Lakh per year to Rs 18 Lakh per year. (File Photo) 13/15 Genpact: Data Scientist typically earns between Rs 13.1 Lakh per year to Rs 22 Lakh per year at Genpact. (File Photo) Walmart: Entry-level data scientists can expect annual salaries ranging between Rs 27.9 Lakh per year and Rs 50 Lakh per year. (File Photo) 15/15
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
VinFast's core differentiator lies beyond the vehicle in India's EV race
VinFast aims to carve out a distinct space in India's crowded automarket by building a full-fledged ecosystem-spanning manufacturing, service, charging, and recycling-to foster long-term trust with customers Gurugram, Haryana, India. The upstart EV maker VinFast recently unveiled its electric vehicle factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, backed by a $500 million initial investment and aiming to produce 50,000 units per year in the first phase. This move isn't a tentative market trial. Instead, VinFast is digging roots deep into India's automotive landscape, blending manufacturing with nationwide dealer and service networks, charging infrastructure, and battery recycling initiatives. In a market where product launches often draw the spotlight, VinFast is placing equal emphasis on customer care and lasting relationships. India's car market ranks third globally, dominated by a small handful of manufacturers. Over a dozen brands compete fiercely, yet some experts predict only half might survive the coming shake-out. Newcomers may feel compelled to compete for immediate sales through discounts and aggressive advertising. However, this focus can come at the expense of long-term service. According to Capgemini's 2024 automotive snapshot, more than half of global car buyers are uncertain about their brand loyalty, with poor after-sales experiences being a key reason for considering a switch. Indian consumers, in particular, want reassurance that a brand will be there in the future to honor its commitments, not just present today to close a sale. OEM departures in the past have deepened buyer caution in India. Car owners have faced difficulties obtaining spare parts or finding skilled technicians after brands exited the market. This has taught Indian consumers to carefully consider a manufacturer's long-term reliability and support before making a purchase. In India, after-sales service quality now outweighs even attractive pricing offers, making it critical to brand loyalty. Surveys back this up. FADA's 2024 Customer Experience Index assigns 50 per cent weight to after-sales service-compared to 25 per cent each for sales and product. J.D. Power found that service initiation, vehicle pick-up, and service quality together account for nearly 75 per cent of overall customer satisfaction. These highlight a clear trend: for Indian buyers, past service experiences matter more than ads when choosing their next vehicles. Recognizing these concerns, VinFast is taking a different approach by developing a comprehensive network that includes production, retail, and after-sales support. The Tamil Nadu plant is central to this vision. The factory could produce 50,000 units annually in the first phase, with the potential to triple that output if market demand increases, making it a major source of employment and economic growth for the region. But VinFast's broader ecosystem is what truly sets it apart. The company has secured partnerships with multiple major dealer groups to roll out 32 dealerships across 27 cities, ensuring extensive sales, service, and spare parts availability. In 2025 alone, VinFast plans to have 35 fully operational dealerships. In a key move, VinFast also works with partners like myTVS to establish 120 dedicated service centers nationwide, ensuring certified technicians, rapid diagnostics, and guaranteed availability of authentic spare parts. This workshop network will reflect the 24/7 service model that VinFast successfully implemented in Vietnam and elsewhere, emphasizing convenience through app-based appointments and a dedicated toll-free support line. Charging infrastructure is another crucial part of VinFast's ecosystem strategy. By teaming up with RoadGrid, VinFast is tackling "range anxiety," offering drivers comprehensive aftersales charging solutions. Additionally, a collaboration with BatX Energies ensures responsible battery recycling, creating a sustainable loop for electric vehicle batteries from initial use to eventual reuse. This holistic approach makes sense, considering India's rapid electric car adoption. In 2024, India sold nearly 100,000 EVs, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year, while total light vehicle sales reached 4.9 million. Despite the slowest passenger car sales growth in four years at just 4 per cent, EV demand remained strong, highlighting growing consumer interest in electric mobility. However, the limited number of public charging stations, currently only 29,277 as of July 2025 according to the Ministry of Power (MoP), highlights the need for a coordinated, manufacturer-supported charging infrastructure. Ultimately, VinFast's investment in India hinges on trust, not initial excitement or promotional tactics. Its integrated approach to production, sales, and after-sales service positions it uniquely in a crowded marketplace. VinFast's effort in building a robust, self-contained automotive community marks a strategy that could secure long-term customer loyalty, proving that true success in India's EV market will belong to those who genuinely care for them afterward.
