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Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tech connect 2025 bridges innovation, enterprise at CFTRI campus
Mysuru: Tech Connect 2025-Bridging Innovation and Enterprise, a collaborative roadshow between CFTRI and the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), was held at the CFTRI campus. Speaking on the occasion, R Saravanakumar, zonal general manager (South Zone), NSIC, Bangalore, emphasised the essential role of food technology in every day life and shared personal reflections on his passion for food and its technological advancements. Highlighting several key initiatives, he spoke about NSIC's efforts in providing collateral-free credit facilitation, bulk raw material assistance with extended credit, and marketing support for trade fair participation. He also detailed NSIC's contributions to technology upgradation, machinery leasing, and skill development through training and subsidies. Notably, he addressed the growing importance of digital platforms, outlining NSIC's support for MSMEs in digital commercialisation, e-invoicing, and product listing on e-commerce and Q-commerce platforms. As part of 75 years of CFTRI, a book titled "The Living Campus" was unveiled, capturing the R&D institute's heritage and scientific accomplishments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle, Needle-Free Way to Monitor Blood Sugar—Now Being Tried by Seniors Zakdavi Undo CFTRI director Sridevi Annapurna Singh traced the institute's origins back to the 1950s, underscoring its longstanding legacy in technological innovation and industrial collaboration. She shared personal insights on her research journey and the evolution of CFTRI. Stressing the importance of industry-academia synergy, she advocated for deeper collaborative efforts to drive mutual growth and development. More than 150 participants, including 95 MSMEs from various districts across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, along with members of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB), CFTRI incubatees, scientists, and students, attended the event. Lingaraju, chairman of the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce, was also present.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
CFTRI and NSIC hold event in Mysuru to bridge gap between innovators and MSME entrepreneurs
Tech Connect 2025 — Bridging Innovation and Enterprise, a collaborative roadshow between CSIR-CFTRI and the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), was held at the CFTRI campus here. The event, held on Wednesday, July 30, focused on connecting innovative food and allied processing technologies with MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders. Saravanakumar R., Zonal General Manager, South Zone, NSIC Bengaluru, was the chief guest for the event, which was presided over by Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI. More than 150 participants registered for the event, including 95 MSMEs from various districts across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, along with members of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB), CFTRI incubatees, scientific staff, and students. Lingaraju, Chairman of the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce, was also present. Mr. Saravanakumar, in his address speech, emphasised the essential role of food technology in everyday life, and elaborated on NSIC's pivotal function as a PSU under MSME in supporting and empowering small enterprises. Highlighting several key initiatives, he spoke about NSIC's efforts in providing collateral-free credit facilitation, bulk raw material assistance with extended credit, and marketing support for trade fair participation. He also detailed NSIC's contributions to technology upgradation, machinery leasing, and skill development through training and subsidies. Notably, he addressed the growing importance of digital platforms, outlining NSIC's support for MSMEs in digital commercialisation, e-invoicing, and product listing on e-commerce and Q-commerce platforms. Aashithosh Ashok Inamdar, Head, Technology Transfer and Business Development, CSIR-CFTRI, briefed the gathering about the event, and highlighted that the program was an initiative of Shailaja Donempudi, Distinguished Scientist and Head, Business Development Group at CSIR Headquarters. Mr. Inamdar emphasised that the event was a strategic initiative designed to bridge the gap between researchers/innovators and MSME entrepreneurs. The collaborative roadshow between CSIR-CFTRI and NSIC focused on showcasing technologies, facilitating real-time technology transfer (ToT), and fostering industry-academia collaboration, according to Mr. Inamdar. Mr. Inamdar outlined CFTRI's role in driving industrial innovation, spotlighting specific technologies across varied categories, and further expanded on the institute's collaboration models, including technology transfer, sponsored research projects, consultancy services, and other technical offerings. He also discussed prevailing market trends and emerging needs, underscoring opportunities for partnership with CFTRI. The interactive session also welcomed audience questions. Panelists from CSIR‑CFTRI engaged with stakeholders on deploying CFTRI‑developed food technologies across sectors like grains, millets, spices, fruits and vegetables, traditional foods, meat processing, and value‑added products. The discussion explored opportunities for technology transfer, rural entrepreneurship, and collaboration with industry and funding agencies.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET Make in India SME Regional Summits: Racing past China while Trump's tariffs clear the path
Live Events The timing couldn't be better for Surat's industrial renaissance. As geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains and AI overhauls manufacturing, this city's diverse MSME ecosystem is positioning itself to capture opportunities worth tens of billions of transformation is most visible in Surat's diamond district, where Jayanti Savaliya of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) oversees an industry that has evolved from manual processes to AI-driven precision in just two decades."Changes that took a decade earlier are now happening in two years," Savaliya shared, describing how robotic machines now handle diamond sorting while AI reduces jewellery design rendering from days to minutes. Savaliya was part of the panel 'From looms to labs: How Surat's MSMEs can lead India's next wave of industrial innovation'. The discussion was one of several insightful conversations at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit in Surat, which took place on July 18. The summit had IDBI as banking and lending partner and Canon as tech other panellists were: Ashish Gujrati, Managing Director, Aditya Textile Solutions and Past President, SGCCI; Bikash Chandra Naik, Zonal Head, NSIC; and Prashant Patel, Past President of FISME and Director, RK Synthesis former President Trump's trade policies have become Surat's secret weapon. His tariffs hit China with 40% duties on jewellery while India faces just 16-26%, creating what Savaliya called "a huge opportunity" as manufacturing shifts from Chinese factories to Surat's 600 new jewellery tariff advantage extends beyond diamonds. Ashish Gujrati pointed to recent developments in Bangladesh, where a 35% tariff has global garment buyers scrambling for alternatives. Surat, which produces 65% of India's man-made fiber, stands ready to fill the numbers are staggering: Surat's garment industry is growing 25% annually, and the city has a $30 billion export opportunity in man-made fiber textiles alone. With global MMF exports projected to grow from $7.7 billion to over $73 billion, Surat's comprehensive ecosystem — spanning the entire value chain within 45km — positions it as a natural city's MSME transformation runs deeper than favourable trade winds. Prashant Patel, described a fundamental shift in business philosophy. "Historically, Indian companies avoided R&D, opting for copy-paste models," he noted at the ET SME Summit panel in Surat. "But since Covid-19, this mindset has changed."Today, Surat companies invest in developing new technologies, not just new products. This includes process optimisation that reduces raw material usage and addresses pollution concerns, which are critical factors for accessing international markets increasingly focused on government infrastructure supporting this innovation has evolved too. Bikash Chandra Naik spoke about NSIC's Single Point Registration Scheme, which reserves 25% of government procurement for small competitive edge increasingly lies in its skilled workforce. Despite China's scale and cost advantages, nine out of 10 diamonds globally are still processed in Surat, a testament to the city's unmatched expertise in precision advantage is expanding beyond traditional sectors. While Jaipur currently dominates gemstone processing, Savaliya underlined the untapped potential for Surat to leverage its existing infrastructure and skilled labour in this adjacent obstacles remain. Land costs in Surat now exceed those in competing industrial centers like Bharuch and Vapi. Skilled workers command premium salaries that stretch MSME budgets, while the lack of shared R&D infrastructure forces companies to either invest crores of rupees in equipment or relocate to areas with better common challenges haven't dampened ambitions. With the PM MITRA textile park awaiting implementation and India's global textile trade share poised for recovery from its current 2.94%, Surat's MSME ecosystem appears ready to capitalise on a convergence of technological advancement and geopolitical the panel discussion at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit - Surat revealed, the city's transformation from a traditional manufacturing hub to an innovation-driven ecosystem reflects a broader shift in Indian industry, one where MSMEs aren't just adapting to global changes, but actively shaping a world where supply chains are being redrawn and AI is redefining manufacturing, Surat's diverse industrial base and rapid technology adoption may well position it to lead India's next wave of industrial innovation. The ET Make in India SME Regional Summits , ET MSME Day, and ET MSME Awards are flagship initiatives to celebrate the versatility and success of India's MSME sector. If you lead or are part of a micro, small, or medium enterprise, register for the ET MSME Awards 2025 before August 31, 2025.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Need to enhance outreach of NSIC, NSSH schemes across Maharashtra: MSME Minister Manjhi
In an outreach to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Maharashtra, Jitan Ram Manjhi , Union Minister for MSME , visited the NSIC Office in Mumbai on Friday. The Minister participated in a plantation drive and presided over a function organised for distribution of Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) certificates under the National SC-ST Hub ( NSSH ) and NSIC the gathering, the Minister stated that the MSMEs are the vibrant and dynamic part of Indian economy and plays a crucial role in nation's growth, it highly contributes to the employment generation and emphasized the need to enhance the outreach of NSIC and NSSH schemes across Maharashtra, ensuring that more MSME units, especially from marginalized and underserved communities, benefit from Ministry of MSME schemes. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a stronger MSME ecosystem through better market access, financial support, and capacity development. The Minister motivated the entrepreneurs to contribute more in the GDP of the event marked a vibrant display of government commitment towards fostering MSME growth and inclusivity. It was attended by Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary - SME, Ministry of MSME; Subhransu S Acharya, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NSIC; and other senior officials from the Ministry of MSME including MSME Development and Facilitation Office (MSME-DFO) and Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).During the programme the SPRS certificates to selected MSME units were distributed and an interactive session where the Minister engaged directly with entrepreneurs and assured them of continued government support.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Indian designer A. Balasubraman wins U.K.'s Hills Millennium Award
The first Indian to receive the Hills Millennium Award, professor A. Balasubramaniam, 64, will be felicitated in Birmingham, U.K., on July 12. The award is given annually by the UK-based IED (Institute of Engineering Designers est. 1945) to an international designer who has made significant contributions in the fields of product design and/or engineering design. Recipients are chosen by the Council, and its delegates, from nominations. The late professor Peter Hills who presented the cup to the IED in 2000 to mark the millennium, was the President of IED at that time. Past winners include Moroccan-born Spanish American automobile designer Frank Stephenson, and Marcus Engman, Creative Director at Ingka Group (IKEA Retail). Bala, as he is known fondly in design and academic circles, is a NID graduate and director at the Institute of Design at JKLU, Jaipur. Inspired by thinkers like MP Ranjan, Don Norman and Peter Hills, Bala has been a passionate advocate of design. His 2015 blog post pushing for a Ministry of Design went viral with 4,000 hits the first day. Cited as an educator to watch out for in the Higher Education Digest 2023, this win for Bala is a timely acknowledgement of India's contribution to design and design education. The designer-educator talks to us about the award and the product design scene in India. Can you tell us about getting the Hills Millennium Award? It was a surprise. I got a message from one Harrison Stocker at IED on LinkedIn saying, 'You have won an award'. I had worked with Hills, an engineering designer, years back when he came to India as an external consultant to NSIC (National Small Industries Corporation Ltd.), which is now MSME. I was a bit miffed that they needed a foreigner for expert advice, but later, we hit it off. We put together the design initiative at NSIC called PRIDE (Prototype Initiative for Design Excellence). While Hills was heading IED, I wrote an article on the state of Indian design. Over casual conversations, we found out that we both shared a birthday. I'd drop him a greeting card every year, along with a letter venting my joys and frustrations about design in India. This correspondence went on over 20 years. This year when I sent him a letter, his wife Jane wrote back saying he'd passed away in September last year. He would have been 90 this year. What does the award mean for you personally, and what does it mean for designers in India? For one, it is acknowledging an individual's contribution to the profession. This is important. At JKLU, I began the Design Guru award in honor of MP Ranjan. We celebrate one senior designer every year. In 2020 we picked Don Norman as he has been evangelizing design for a while. I'm very happy Don accepted it. Industrial designer and educator Shuchi Mathur said to me once, 'You start from nothing and you build it into something.' I was invited in an advisory role to JKLU, as founder Pramath Raj Sinha wanted to start a school of design. They already had engineering and management. Sinha was excited with my vision document, which began with a quote from Don Norman — 'Design education has to move away from schools of art and architecture and move into the schools of science and engineering.' I was the first employee at JKLU's Institute of Design and I put a team together. We decided on 4 disciplines: Interdisciplinary Design, Product Design, Interaction Design and Integrated Communication. You have practiced since the 1980s when design was not well understood in India. How did you address its perception? We would identify industries that manufactured products — like Usha – and make a design presentation. Basically, we would educate the client about design to get a project. My interest in teaching began right here. It was a 3-stage pitch-to-project process that worked. One of my earliest products was a flashlight for Eveready, with a reach to rural areas. The brief was — inexpensive to make but cannot look cheap. My product cost was just 7 rupees, including the graphics. It sold for 35 rupees a piece. They went on to manufacture 30,000 pieces on 3 shifts a day. If only I had asked for royalty! What are some issues young designers face in the field today? Are there still communication hurdles in addressing clients and industries, or funding a prototype? It is relatively easy to do product design today. There are plenty of opportunities. This generation also understands users much better, and software — they pick up many aspects on their own from YouTube. It becomes far more challenging for faculty to contribute. Projects are well-funded, and the Indian Government is getting into design. The MSME scheme was such a game changer, as it acknowledged designers' contribution to small industries. There's a charm in working for this sector as you can make a greater impact. I worked with grassroots innovators, commissioned by the National Innovation Foundation, one of Government of India's launchpads for design. I designed a multipurpose processor for a client in Haryana to process tomatoes. He thought we were going to steal his idea! We developed a safe, ergonomic and stylish prototype and told him, 'Go ahead, make it.' How has your approach facilitated your evolution as an educator and designer? Educating clients was a starting point. I like converting people, building a constituency for design. My first blog post was 'Demand good design.' Else design won't flourish and we won't have good products. It was all about — 'By now, you would have had your bath and started your day. Did the cistern save water? Did the water splash in the washbasin? Could you hold your newspaper? If all this worked, it was done by a designer.' Name some culture-specific Indian products that stand out for you. How can India become a global contender? In the 1980s, designers from Tesseract made a desktop Idli Wet Grinder — Elgi is still the best. In terms of artisanal work, I like Mukul Goyal's work, using the lost wax process. But it seems we still need a Prada to come and tell us that we have world-class design! The problem starts with the consumer. We need to be ruthless about good stuff. Living with mediocrity irritates me. My latest post is 'Demand Good Designers' with a push to advocate for aspiring graduates. Design still needs evangelizing and I am happy to continue promoting design in all forums. The writer is a brand strategist with a background in design from SAIC and NID.
