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INTERNATIONAL: MEDIA : Annurag Batra Founder of exchange4media elected to International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Annurag Batra is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of exchange4media, which manages several major media brands.

In Short

  • Annurag Batra elected to International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
  • He founded exchange4media and chairs BW Businessworld
  • The academy has over 900 members from 60 plus countries

Annurag Batra, Founder of exchange4media and Chairman of BW Businessworld, has been elected as a Member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The prestigious academy consists of over 900 members from more than 60 countries, representing the world’s leading television and media companies.

Annurag Batra is well-known in the media and television industry. He set up exchange4media, creating a new platform for media and television and has made a big impact on the digital media industry.

Batra has created a new sector that others in the field respect and follow. He is a serial entrepreneur, author, angel investor, TV show host, and a believer in the power of dreams.

He is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of exchange4media, which manages several major media brands. He is also the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of BW Businessworld Media Group.

Since acquiring BW Businessworld in late 2013, he has transformed it into a modern media conglomerate.

Batra has also served on the Board of Governors at the Management Development Institute in Gurgaon, his alma mater. He was the first graduate of MDI’s flagship program to serve on its Board of Governors from January 2020 to June 2023.

As the founder of exchange4media, he has spent over 24 years engaging with leading media owners, editors, journalists, and news media professionals.

He has built several media brands and large-scale events under exchange4media and is an accepted authority in media and television and has written extensively on these subjects. He is set to release his book in 2025 titled “Media Moguls of India.”

He is expanding his initiatives to the UAE and the MENA region. He is also investing in many media tech startups that are shaping the Indian digital media landscape.

Annurag Batra’s election to the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a testament to his influence and contributions to the media industry.

source/content: indiatoday.in (headline edited)

NATIONAL : PATENT RECORD: Indian patent office grants record 1 lakh patents in past year, March 2023 – March 2024

The Patent Office granted over one lakh patents in the last 1 year (15-Mar-2023 to 14-Mar-2024). Every working day, 250 patents were granted, the ministry said.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Saturday (March 16) that the Patent Office has granted an unprecedented one lakh patents within a single year. As per an official release, in the fiscal year 2023-24 alone, the Patent Office received an all-time high of 90,300 patent applications.

The Patent Office granted over one lakh patents in the last 1 year (15-Mar-2023 to 14-Mar-2024). Every working day, 250 patents were granted, the ministry said. Alongside patent grants, there has been a notable surge in GI registrations, demonstrating a threefold increase compared to the previous year. Currently, India boasts 573 registered GIs, with 98 new registrations in the fiscal year 2023-24, according to the release.

Additionally, copyright registrations have reached a record-breaking 36,378, underscoring the vast potential within the creative sector. In the realm of design, the fiscal year 2023-24 witnessed the highest number of registrations to date, totalling 27,819, alongside the final disposal of 30,450 applications.

Noteworthy initiatives such as Toycathon, jointly organized by J&K SCERT and the Indian IP Office, have facilitated the registration of 115 novel designs by J&K school students, according to the release. The Trade Marks Registry has also redoubled its efforts to expedite trademark protection, committing to issuing examination reports within 30 days of receiving trademark applications.

In parallel, the National Intellectual Property Academy (NIPAM) has played a pivotal role in raising IP awareness, offering training to 24 lakh youths, particularly students and teachers, across over 7,000 institutions in the last two years. The announcement coincided with the official notification of the Patent Rules, 2024, which introduces several provisions aimed at simplifying the patent prosecution and maintenance processes.

These rules are poised to streamline the acquisition and management of patents, thereby nurturing an environment conducive to innovation and economic growth. Notable features of the revamped rules include provisions for acknowledging inventors’ contributions through a new ‘Certificate of Inventorship’ and reducing the time limit for filing examination requests to accommodate the fast pace of technological advancements, read the press release.

Highlighting the significance of these developments, government officials emphasized their commitment to enhancing the IP ecosystem and administration in the country. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is dedicated to creating an environment that fosters innovation and economic development through robust IP protection mechanisms.

The surge in patent grants reflects India’s emergence as a hub for technological innovation, with one technology seeking IP protection every six minutes.

source/content: indiatvnews.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: ARMYs FIRST : First-of-its-kind Skin Bank facility for Armed Forces established

By establishing this facility the Armed Forces are ensuring that those who have sacrificed for our nation have access to the most advanced skin replacement therapies available.

The Armed Forces on Tuesday established a first-of-its-kind skin bank facility at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) New Delhi. The opening of the state-of-the-art facility within the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) will be dedicated to managing and treating soldiers suffering from burn cases which are mostly combat-related.

It will also cater to other skin-related conditions among service members and their families.

The Army said, “The new skin bank will serve as a centralized hub for the collection, processing, storage, and distribution of skin grafts, providing a critical resource for military medical centres across the country.”

By establishing this facility the Armed Forces are ensuring that those who have sacrificed for our nation have access to the most advanced skin replacement therapies available.

The significance of this step was underlined as it was recently that New Delhi-based premier AIIMS Burns Block and Safdarjung Hospital have both opened skin banks. The people in this field told TNIE that most skin banks are struggling with skin donations.

The military personnel face peculiar burn injuries which can be either combat or non-combat-related. The majority, as told by officers, are sustained directly and indirectly, while handling explosives and ammunition. There are also burns related to chemicals and gases, among others.

“The launch of this skin bank is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our service members,” said Lt Gen Arindam Chatterjee DGMS (Army) & Col Comdt. 

“This facility will not only enhance the quality of care we provide but also strengthen our ability to support those who have been affected by devastating injuries.”

The skin bank will be staffed by a team of highly trained medical professionals, including plastic surgeons, tissue engineers, and specialized technicians. The facility will adhere to the highest standards of quality control and safety, ensuring the integrity and reliability of skin grafts.

“This skin bank represents a significant leap forward in our ability to treat severe burns and other complex skin conditions,” said Lt Gen Ajith Nilakantan Commandant Army Hospital (R&R). “By having a dedicated resource for skin tissue, we can provide our patients with the most effective and personalized treatments, ultimately improving their chances of recovery and rehabilitation,” he added.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORD: SPORTS: Haryana’s 8 year old weightlifter Arshiya Goswami creates world record

At the age of 8, Arshiya Goswami already has her name in the India Book of Records and the Asia Book by her weightlifting feat. Now, she has managed to break the world records in India’s Got Talent television show.

Eight-year-old Arshiya Goswami from Haryana’s Panchkula district has set a new record by breaking world records in India’s Got Talent show. She achieved the feat of 17 clean-and-jerk movements in 30 seconds by lifting 6 kg ball.

Haryana Assembly Speaker Gyanchand Gupta congratulated Arshia and felicitated her on Friday. Arshiya, a resident of Sector 29 of Panchkula, studies in Bright School in Sector 26.

Arshiya met the Speaker along with her parents and Panchkula district convenor of BJP panchayati cell, Deshraj Poshwal yesterday. The India’s Got Talent show was aired on a private television channel last Sunday. Arshiya broke the previous world record of 16 clean-and jerk movements in 30 seconds. She lifted 62 kg in dead lift, lifted 32 kg in clean-and-jerk, 26 kg in snatch, 47 kg in Scott and 32 in bench press.

The shooting of the show was held in Mumbai on July 5. Arshiya’s father Avnish Kumar Goswami runs a gym in Sector 25 and her mother Hanni Goswami is a homemaker. Arshiya said she wants to make her career in weightlifting and aims to break all the records that have been made so far in this field.

Arshiya has received weightlifting training from her father. At the age of 6, she entered her name in the India Book of Records by lifting a weight of 45 kg. In 2022, she got enlisted in the Asia Book by lifting 35.8 kg.

She said that currently she is getting trained by international weightlifter Gurmel Singh. During training, she lifts deadlift weight of 47 kg, bench press 32 kg and clean-and-jerk 32 and 26 kg.

source/content: etvbharat.com (headline edited)

INDIA: MUSEUMS : Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum, shortlisted for Unesco’s Prix Versailles Award 2024?

The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj has been listed among the 7 most beautiful museums in the world under the prestigious Prix Versailles Award.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the inclusion of Gujarat’s Smritivan memorial in the World Selection for the Prix Versailles Museums 2024.

“Smritivan in Kutch is a tribute to those we lost in the tragic Earthquake of 2001. It is a reminder of human resilience and courage as well. Glad that this Museum has found a place on the World Selection for the Prix Versailles Museums 2024,” Modi posted on X.

Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum has been shortlisted by Unesco as one of the seven most beautiful museums for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award. Announced each year at Unesco since 2015, the Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide.

Unesco’s Prix Versailles said the seven newly opened or reopened museums simultaneously serve creativity, are the reflection of local heritage and ecological efficiency, and leave extraordinary imprints on their environments. The shortlisted museums will all be competing for three 2024 World Titles – Prix Versailles, Interior and Exterior – whose laureates will be announced at Unesco headquarters by late November, the release added.

It is a matter of pride for Gujarat that an Indian museum has received global recognition for the first time in this manner for its expression of local culture and nature conservation, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel said in the post.

Here’s all you need to know about Smritivan:

  1. Covering approximately 470 acres, Smriti Van celebrates the resilience of the people who endured the 2001 earthquake, which had its epicenter in Bhuj and claimed around 13,000 lives.
  2. The Memorial, includes the names of those who perished in the disaster, was inaugrated by PM Modi in August 2022.
  3. The state-of-the-art Smritivan Earthquake Museum is organised into seven thematic blocks: Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew.
  4. Rebirth: This block illustrates Earth’s evolution and its capacity to overcome challenges.
  5. Rediscover: Showcases Gujarat’s topography and the various natural disasters the state is prone to.
  6. Restore: Takes visitors back to the immediate aftermath of the 2001 earthquake, highlighting the extensive relief efforts by individuals and organisations.
  7. Rebuild: Highlights Gujarat’s rebuilding initiatives and success stories following the earthquake.
  8. Rethink: Encourages visitors to understand different types of disasters and emphasises the importance of future preparedness.
  9. Relive: Offers an earthquake simulation experience in a 5D simulator, giving visitors a realistic sense of such an event.
  10. Renew: Provides a space for remembrance, allowing visitors to pay homage to the lost souls.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

“World Record”: INDIAN ELECTIONS 2024: WORLD’S LARGEST ELECTORAL EXERCISE: Poll Body Says Over 64 Crore People Voted In 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The Election Commission said that over 68,000 monitoring teams and 1.5 crore polling and security personnel were involved in the world’s largest electoral exercise.

India created a world record with 64.2 crore voters, including 31.2 crore women, participating in the Lok Sabha elections this year, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Monday.

Addressing a press briefing, he said over 68,000 monitoring teams and 1.5 crore polling and security personnel were involved in the world’s largest electoral exercise.

“India created a world record with 64.2 crore voters, including 31.2 crore women, participating in the Lok Sabha elections this year,” said Mr Kumar.

On social media memes calling election commissioners ‘Laapataa Gentlemen’, Mr Kumar said, “We were always here, never went missing.” “Now memes can say the ‘Laapataa Gentlemen’ are back,” he said.

Mr Kumar said that nearly four lakh vehicles, 135 special trains and 1,692 air sorties were used for conducting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“Only 39 repolls took place in the 2024 general elections as against 540 repolls in 2019,” he said.

The CEC further said that Jammu and Kashmir recorded its highest turnout in four decades at 58.58 per cent overall and 51.05 per cent in the Valley.

“Seizures of ₹ 10,000 crore, including cash, freebies, drugs and liquor, were made during the 2024 polls as compared to ₹ 3,500 crore in 2019,” he said

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

source/content: ndtv.com (headline edited)