Eye from the Sky as MTDC launches Heli Tourism

Mumbai: Get ready for a stunning spectacular aerial view, watch the unique cityscape and glare at most pulsating city as on the occasion of World Tourism Day Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) along with Girisons Airways starts Heli Tourism in Mumbai.

The helicopters will operate from Juhu airport every Sunday for 15 minutes at the cost of Rs 3939 excluding taxes and take tourists on a mesmerising ride ever. Paraag Jaiin Nainuttia, Managing Director, MTDC at the launch said, “Mumbai has the most amazing skyline, an impressive and breath- taking view. There are many tourists’ spots which look outstanding from an aerial view. The idea is to provide an enthralling experience to the tourists and boost potential tourism in state. Mumbai attracts a lot of foreign and domestic tourist and Heli – Tourism will definitely help in increasing the footfall”.

The special Mumbai Darshan tour via helicopter focuses more on tourists who have less time in hand to explore and want a quick glimpse of Mumbai. Heli-tourism is popular in hilly areas like the North East and the Himalayas, which are not easily accessible. This will be the first time it will be offered in a metro city like Mumbai. These Helicopter Tours to be performed on a regular basis are being introduced for the first time in India. Initially the Mumbai scenic tours are being introduced which will be followed by helicopter tours to Elephanta Island, Ajanta Caves, Ellora caves and later also to Shirdi.

Bookings can be made at Girisons Airways reservation number 22889977/ 22889988 or at MTDC reservation office. Government issued photo identity will be required to make the booking and at the time of check-in at the airport.

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NASSCOM: Indian BPM Sector Witnessing Sustained Growth

Highlighting the steady growth and rapid evolution of Indian BPM industry leading to key transformations for its customers, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) today kick-started the two-day NASSCOM BPM Strategy Summit 2015 in Bangalore. The summit served as a platform for delegates and industry leaders and experts to  synergize their efforts to evolve the dynamic BPM landscape, enabling it to deal with ever changing global business trends.

NASSCOM also launched the findings of its CEO Survey on Strategic Priorities for Indian BPM Leaders which focusses on how industry leaders are looking at the future. The survey highlights multiple strategies to stay ahead of the curve and move from being a service provider to strategic partner to their customers. The finding recommends leaders to be more customer-focused and become solution experts driving digital transformations driving specific high-impact outcomes.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. K S Viswanathan, Vice President – Industry Initiatives, NASSCOM, said, “The industry has continued on its path of sustained growth and has evolved in accordance with the changing international trends. Indian BPM players have transformed their approach by evolving into strategic partners driving end-to-end processes and outcomes for clients across the globe, spanning myriad industries. The services being offered by industry players have therefore kept the end-customer as the pivot of every solution being delivered.”

Mr. Keshav Murugesh, Group CEO, WNS and Chairman, NASSCOM BPM Council, said, “This has been an important and exciting phase for the BPM industry in India. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen our domain expertise and align with disruptive trends more closely with our focused investments in high-end technology and analytics. One of the key imperatives of this summit is to showcase skills and careers in the BPM industry, while changing career perceptions about the industry. In this light, we are announcing a pan India high-voltage campaign called BECOME WORLD WORTHY, showcasing the specialist careers that this industry can offer, and the myriad options available for talent of every kind.”

Further, to ensure that India is ready to meet the projected year-on-year growth of 11-12%% in BPM exports, it is imperative that a talent pipeline is also ready to meet the growing demand required from industry in the future. In order to meet the growing demand for skilled people, IT-ITeS Sector Skills Council NASSCOM (SSC NASSCOM), has created a courseware for ‘Transactional F&A’ in the Finance and Accounting occupation in the BPM industry. The courseware includes a Facilitator Guide and Student Handbook which outlines the pedagogical approach and learning methodologies that aims to empower students with the requisite competencies in this Qualification Pack (QP) / job role. This is a collective effort from the key BPM companies.

Dr. Sandhya Chintala, Vice President, NASSCOM and Executive Director SSC NASSCOM said, “The ‘Transactional F&A’ courseware is aimed at developing the capability of both the faculty and the students. The competency that will be enabled will facilitate a skilled and job-ready ecosystem for the F&A occupation. SSC NASSCOM as a Board of Certification for Qualification Packs will assess the competency of students and certify them on these transnational skills, offering a currency of global mobility. ”

NASSCOM also announced the top 10 BPM exporters in India for the year 2015. The list is topped by Genpact Ltd. followed by Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. and Serco Global Services in the second and third position respectively (Complete list below in annexure I).

With reported revenues of USD 27 billion in FY 2015, the BPM industry continues to grow and evolve, through the emergence of new markets and verticals leading to exponential growth of the segment. The focus this year was on the ever growing knowledge segment as well as an increase in financial services centers and Customer Interaction Services (CIS). Major BPM firms also focused on transforming business processes through the use of new technology thereby leading to the creation of newer business models and services.

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PM’s gift to President Park Geun-Hye

The Prime Minister today presented President Park Geun-Hye two finely woven pashmina stoles on which a poem that Rabindranath Tagore had written specially for Korea is hand embroidered in English and Korean. The text of Tagore’s poem that was published in 1929 in the Korean daily 

Dong-A Ilbo is as below:

In the golden age of Asia 

Korea was one of its lamp bearers 

And that lamp is waiting 

To be lighted once again 

For the illumination of the East

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Changing Political Equation in India

The political equation has been changed in India, the recently concluded General Election left many in puzzle. There were many equations have been considered to get a look at 'what could be the election results'.  However, some news channels have rightly projected the election results in their exit poll programmes, thanks to them for their right projection.

The new thing in the election many learnt that election results are more uncertain that thought. Anti incumbency factor was the major reason for the debacle of  Congress in India, but the campaign and personality of NaMo - Narendra Modi - now Prime Minister, that changed many political equation.

The General election has given a clear mandate to BJP, which has its own majority and formed the government with NDA parties. This also clear indication that era of coalition politics has come to an end. Now single party and stable government are the positive signs the country have.

Now the economic reforms could take a pace since having stable government at center.  Political parties, those aim to have their hold in their respective areas might got the message of the people that they would vote for the development.

The next elections would be interesting as the parties would be going to people with theme of development. Politically, the era of coalition and other equations might fail once again.

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Dr. Vistasp M Karbhari Appointed as President of US University

Dr. Vistasp M Karbhari has completed his higher education from University of Pune. He is at present the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Alabama.

He is a noted researcher and scholar and has into his account more than 200 published scientific papers. Kharbari had earlier served as professor and vice chairman of the structural engineering department at University of California-San Diego.

Kharbari said upon his approval. "UT Arlington is an incredible institution, and I am committed to advancing it towards Tier One status, while maintaining and strengthening excellence in both research and education and ensuring the success of our students."

Regents Chairman Gene Powell said “We are fortunate to have a leader of Dr Karbhari's caliber take over the reins of UT Arlington, and we know he is the perfect fit to make sure excellence, accessibility and affordability remain top priorities at UT Arlington, Dr Karbhari has impressed us from the moment we met him, and he has our complete confidence ".

Chancellor Francisco G Cigarroa said, “With immense teaching and administrative experience, Kharbari was the right choice for the position”.

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