Latest news with #FICCI
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Women in leadership essential, not optional: Soumya Mishra
Hyderabad: Let's build a world where women can rise, shine and lead, said Soumya Mishra, director general, (prisons and correctional services) on Thursday, adding how in today's world, it is no longer optional but essential to have women in leadership roles. Speaking at the Times Power Women Conclave 2025 Hyderabad, Mishra, who was the chief guest at the event, said that in every sector — from governance to grassroots, innovation to education — women are no longer waiting for permission. "They are claiming their rightful place at the table," she said, terming the event as a celebration of not just success, but of the spirit and resilience of women who are reshaping the world through extraordinary leadership. She advised women leaders to create pathways for other women to rise. Mishra pointed out that there is a need to address systematic challenges that hinder women from growing into leadership roles. "There is a need for structural shifts in legislation, education and economic representation to help women grow," she added. A total of 35 women from various fields, including badminton player Saina Nehwal, G Padmaja Reddy, classical Kuchipudi dancer, Anuradha Reddy, heritage activist, Pratibha Kunda, FICCI chairman, among others, received awards at the event. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The event, which also saw a panel discussion on 'the future of work: empowering women in a hybrid and automated world', discussed how work from home opportunities and hybrid work culture can help women, especially those who had to take a career break, to come back into the workforce. "There is fear, anxiety, nervousness and loss of confidence when women take a break. Structural intervention is needed to ease them back into career. They need access to tech or learning platforms, support from the ecosystem, especially bosses, a clear career patting and learning opportunities and to take care of their well being — physical, social, mental and financially," said Mamatha Madireddy, managing director and head of HSBC, who was one of the panellist's and awardees. She added that at their firm women get six month maternity leave plus an option to take one year work from home post leave. The panellists, however, added that the decision to take WFH should be of women alone as it might also have adverse affect on their mental health, if it is opted for wrong reasons.
Coin Geek
7 days ago
- Business
- Coin Geek
The Philippines: Senator urges balance in AI governance
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... A lawmaker in the Philippines is calling for a cautious and consultative approach to regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in the Philippines, underscoring the need to ensure that policies promote ethical, inclusive, and innovative use of the technology. Speaking at an event organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, Senator Grace Poe emphasized that while AI offers many benefits, it also introduces new risks and challenges that must be addressed through clear, carefully developed guidelines. 'I know that there are laws now that are being proposed in the Senate. It's still pending,' Poe said. 'It's very important that we don't just rush and pass a law without actual and proper consultation.' Poe warned against over-regulating a technology that is still evolving. 'Technology, especially new ones, has a lot of nuances that should not be over-regulated and stifled,' she explained. While advocating for regulatory oversight, Poe also recognized the wide-ranging applications of AI in everyday life. 'But definitely AI has to be somewhat regulated because, for example, we know that they use AI now to impersonate people and to scam people. But we also use AI in research and many other ways by which we are able to improve our lives. So all of these considerations have to be balanced before we can pass a law that can address AI,' she said. Philippine Senator Grace Poe delivering her keynote speech during the FICCI Tech Summit 2025 held at the Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City last May 14. (Source: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.)/Facebook) The need for inclusive and ethical systems Poe's statements come amid increased efforts by the Philippine government to formalize a national AI strategy supported by the National Innovation Council's agenda through 2032. The senator's remarks align with ongoing government initiatives to develop an innovation roadmap targeting improved global competitiveness by 2028. AI has become increasingly embedded in local industries, public services, and academic research. According to international assessments, such as the 2025 UNCTAD Technology and Innovation Report, the Philippines is among a group of developing countries outperforming expectations in AI readiness. Despite its modest income level, the country ranks high in digital infrastructure, human capital development, and industry participation in frontier technologies. Poe acknowledged the promise of AI to spur development but noted that its rollout must be rooted in transparency, inclusion, and public trust. Recognizing the Indian-Filipino community's role During her remarks, Poe also extended her appreciation to the Indian-Filipino community for contributing to the country's economic and social development. She cited successful partnerships between Indian and Filipino businesses as evidence of shared commitment to progress. 'We have also seen that many Indians are natural entrepreneurs. They create jobs and, of course, they're a peace-loving group here in our country,' Poe said. 'We need to continue to encourage more of them to come in and invest here, especially with the passage of the Public Service Act.' Poe highlighted the collaboration between Megawide, a Filipino firm, and GMR, an Indian infrastructure company, which led the development of the Cebu-Mactan International Airport—now considered a model for public-private partnerships in the region. Public Service Act opens door to foreign investment Poe, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Public Services, played a key role in steering the passage of Republic Act No. 11659. The law amended the decades-old Public Service Act and opened up key sectors—including telecommunications and transportation—to greater foreign participation. 'We believe that opening up the economy to more players will encourage competition which will spur efficiency and give consumers better choices,' Poe said. The revised law aims to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) by clarifying which industries are classified as public services versus public utilities. Under the new framework, foreign investors can now own up to 100% of companies in liberalized sectors, provided that national security concerns are addressed. 'With these policies in place, it is hoped that more Indian enterprises will make the Philippines an investment destination of choice,' she added. In order for artificial intelligence (AI) to work right within the law and thrive in the face of growing challenges, it needs to integrate an enterprise blockchain system that ensures data input quality and ownership—allowing it to keep data safe while also guaranteeing the immutability of data. Check out CoinGeek's coverage on this emerging tech to learn more why Enterprise blockchain will be the backbone of AI. Watch | The Philippines startup boom: Highlights from Sinigang Valley Build Startup Festival title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Gulf Today
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Cannes: Karan Johar recalls his first film, Shah Rukh and Aishwarya at fest
Bollywood multi-hyphenate Karan Johar is looking back at his association with the Cannes Film Festival. The filmmaker recently attended a special session at the Bharat Pavilion in the Cannes Film Festival where he spoke about his history at the festival. He spoke about visiting the Cannes Film Festival for the first time with his father Yash Johar, and how they made a start at the prestigious film festival with their film 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' which was sold for $5,000 at the Cannes Film Market. Karan, whose production 'Homebound' has been selected in the Un Certain Regard segment at Cannes, said, "I have a lot of emotional memories related to Cannes. I remember the year 2002, when my father and I were here at the Cannes market'. KJo remembered his father striking a deal, which he thought at that time was quite less. "I told him, 'This seems like it's really not of any consequence'. Because I remember he sold the European rights of 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' for $5,000. And at that time, I was like, '$5,000, isn't that very little?' Cast member Janhvi Kapoor poses during a photocall for the film "Homebound" in Cannes. Reuters And he said, 'Look, it's a start, we have to see it'. And unfortunately, he wasn't alive to see the massive impact that our cinema, that began from 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' went on to all of Shah Rukh Khan's movies," he shared. KJo further mentioned that the move created a huge cultural movement for our cinema in Europe. He said, "I remember it began in the year 2002, it was also the year that 'Devdas' had a beautiful screening, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shah Rukh were on the red carpet. And Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is literally the queen of Cannes. Like, every time she's here, she creates such a huge amount of media energy and excitement. And she's here again. So it's just wonderful that I remember that so clearly." Bharat Pavilion at Cannes Film Festival saw a series of interesting sessions around cinema today. The Bharat Pavilion has been organised by NFDC and FICCI under the aegis of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. "Then I came back to the capacity of a filmmaker, when we were selected the director's fortnight in 2013, for the anthology, Bombay Talkies, with Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Divakar Banerjee, myself. And it was that particular year that I met Guneet Monga. And, you know, I saw 'The Lunchbox', which was actually doing so phenomenally and getting so much love. And I decided to present the film in Hindi to our audiences in India. And so I have so many beautiful memories," he added. Indo-Asian News Service
India.com
22-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
How India's Food Processing Sector Is Leading Tier 2 And 3 Indian Cities To Becoming Engines Of Economic Growth
New Delhi: India's food processing sector is on a transformative growth path, and with consumption trends aligning across urban and rural India, tier 2 and 3 cities are fast becoming the engines of economic growth, according to a new report. The sector supports over 7 million jobs across the value chain, directly and indirectly, while enabling rural industrialisation and reducing post-harvest losses. According to the report by Deloitte and FICCI, the sector accounts for approximately 7.7 per cent of India's total manufacturing GVA (gross value added), and its critical role in generating employment, fostering rural development and enhancing value addition. The agriculture and food processing sector, representing nearly 30 per cent of the national food market, is gaining momentum due to rising rural demand, digital advancements and strong policy support. 'India's agri and food processing sector is on the brink of a transformative leap, where tradition meets cutting-edge technology to build a future-ready food ecosystem. Consumer demand is shifting towards clean-label, protein-rich and gut-friendly foods, driving a structural evolution in how India consumes food,' said Anand Ramanathan, Partner and Consumer Industry Leader, Deloitte South Asia. India is poised to lead the global narrative on health-driven, tech-enabled and inclusive food systems, fuelled by advancements in AI, IoT and blockchain. The opportunity before us is not just to feed a billion, but to do so with purpose, resilience and intelligence, he added. 'India's food processing sector holds immense transformative potential, both as a driver of economic growth and as a catalyst for inclusive development. As evolving consumer preferences and health-conscious choices reshape food systems, the need for resilience, innovation and value addition has never been greater,' said Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI. In addition, India's record agricultural exports of $48.2 billion in FY24 and the global recognition of GI-tagged products highlight the sector's export potential and its growing role in the world food economy.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's food processing sector powers jobs and growth, contributes 7.7% to manufacturing: Deloitte-FICCI Report
New Delhi: India's food processing sector is emerging as a key pillar of economic growth, contributing 7.7 per cent to the country's total manufacturing GVA and supporting over 7 million jobs across the value chain, according to a new Deloitte-FICCI report . Valued at USD 160 billion, the sector is enabling rural industrialisation and reducing post-harvest losses, while gaining momentum from rising rural demand, digital transformation, and policy support. As per the report, the agriculture and food processing value chain now accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the national food market. 'India's agri and food processing sector is on the brink of a transformative leap, where tradition meets cutting-edge technology to build a future-ready food ecosystem,' said Anand Ramanathan , Partner & Consumer Industry Leader, Deloitte South Asia. 'Consumer demand is shifting towards clean-label, protein-rich and gut-friendly foods, driving a structural evolution in how India consumes food. India is poised to lead the global narrative on health-driven, tech-enabled and inclusive food systems, fuelled by advancements in AI, IoT and blockchain,' he added. The report highlights India's agricultural exports, which reached a record USD 48.2 billion in FY24, signalling strong global demand. Urban consumption patterns are also evolving, with nearly 50 per cent of food budgets now allocated to packaged and prepared foods. Meanwhile, rural FMCG volumes posted a 6 per cent growth in Q3 FY24, and Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are becoming new engines of demand. 'India's food processing sector holds immense transformative potential, both as a driver of economic growth and as a catalyst for inclusive development,' said Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI. 'As evolving consumer preferences and health-conscious choices reshape food systems, the need for resilience, innovation and value addition has never been greater.' While the sector shows strong potential, the report said that supply chain inefficiencies continue to pose challenges. It calls for collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders and innovators to invest in smart technologies, build resilient supply chains, and scale health-forward offerings aligned with global consumption trends.
