India’s Men’s Cricket Team winning streak continues at the ICC World Cup 2023 league stages and we are all proud of the team. Not so long ago, there were serious doubts about the team’s future but the men in blue have come together to bring joy to a billion people.
They seem to be enjoying the game and creating positive vibes all around. Perhaps, it is a reflection of they answering their calling and preserving in the pursuit of their purpose in life.
Work is love made visible.
And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.
In this festival season, may you also find your purpose of life.
Let's make the “Platform’ed” community even stronger! Feel free to post it on your social media accounts too, and inspire others to join our journey. Together, we can go the distance!
DTW
During the Week, I was part of the Digital Green National Consultation - joint collaboration of Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung India Office. We saw participation from policy makers, MSE service providers , Digital Transformation Experts and academicians.
The inaugural session of the Digital Green National Consultation featured an array of distinguished guest speakers. IFHE Vice Chancellor Prof LS Ganesh set the stage by elucidating the pivotal role of the Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation (CEDT) and its mission to foster sustainable practices. He emphasized the significance of the 5 R's: Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse, and Recycle in sustainable practices. Additionally, Prof Ganesh shed light on the substantial contributions of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the Indian economy while acknowledging the challenges they encounter. Christoph P. Mohr, the Country Director of FES India, provided insights into FES India's historical significance and recognized the importance of MSMEs in Germany as a backbone of economic stability. He also applauded India's remarkable contributions to global digital transformation. Labour activist Shri RD Chandrashekhar addressed the critical issue of climate change's impact on society, particularly on individuals below the poverty line. He advocated for providing training and enhancing technology accessibility for MSMEs. Vikram L. Prabhakar, Co-founder of Recykal, offered an insightful overview of the MSME sector in India and underscored its pivotal role in generating employment. He introduced the concept of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRS) to encourage ethical and sustainable business practices.
These esteemed speakers collectively emphasised the significance of sustainability and the challenges and opportunities facing MSMEs. The three panel discussions also contributed to the growing consensus that the humanizing work in the digital and sustainable era is an essential aspect of ensuring that technological advancements benefit society as a whole. As the workplace evolves, it's crucial to emphasize the practices that not only enhances the employee/worker experience but also leads to more sustainable and successful businesses.
The key takeaways from the DGNC could be explained through the acronym HUMAN- Harmonious integration of digital technologies and sustainability practices in the work which Unleashes the full potential of workforce, fosters Mindful work environments, Advances innovation, and creates Nurturing ecosystems for a sustainable future.
Harmonious Integration (H):
Platforms act as the bridge between digital technologies and sustainability practices, enabling MSEs to seamlessly integrate these two crucial aspects of their operations. This harmonious integration is essential for achieving long-term success, as it ensures that environmental considerations are not sidelined in the pursuit of digital advancement. The Indian government's MSME Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative (SAMARTH) provides financial and technical support to MSEs for adopting cleaner technologies and improving resource efficiency. Tata Power has implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy that includes using renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and promoting energy conservation among its customers.
Unleashing Potential (U): Platforms empower MSEs to tap into their full potential by providing access to advanced digital tools, sustainability resources, and knowledge-sharing opportunities. This unlocking of potential drives growth, productivity, and competitiveness, enabling MSEs to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving market. Reliance Industries, an Indian multinational conglomerate, has established a dedicated Sustainability Innovation Lab to develop and deploy innovative solutions for addressing environmental and social challenges. The Indian government's Startup India program provides a comprehensive ecosystem of support for startups, including access to funding, mentorship, and market opportunities.
Mindful Work Environments (M): Many digital platforms facilitate the creation of mindful work environments, fostering a culture of employee well-being, ecological responsibility, and social equity. This mindful approach attracts and retains top talent, enhances employee engagement, and contributes to a more sustainable future. At the national policy level, the Indian government's National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.Many corporate like Infosys,have implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy that includes initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, promote diversity and inclusion, and support local communities.
Advancing Innovation (A): Platforms serve as catalysts for advancing innovation among MSEs by providing access to cutting-edge digital technologies and sustainable practices. This innovation-driven approach enables MSEs to not only address societal and environmental challenges but also to develop disruptive solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. The Indian government's Innovation Fund for MSMEs provides financial support to MSEs for developing and commercializing innovative products and services.
Nurturing Ecosystems (N): Digital platforms extend their impact beyond individual businesses to nurture broader ecosystems. They facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of industry-wide sustainable initiatives. This ecosystem-building approach fosters a collective movement towards sustainability, creating a network of interconnected businesses that can collectively address shared challenges and achieve greater impact. Many panelists spoke about Indian government's MSME Cluster Development Program which provides support to MSE clusters for upgrading their technology, improving their competitiveness, and adopting sustainable practices.Many automobiles manufacturers like Mahindra & Mahindra have established a supplier development program that helps its suppliers adopt sustainable practices and improve their environmental performance.
“HUMAN”izing the future digital and sustainable workplace isn't just a matter of policy; it's about creating a culture where employees/workers are valued, their well-being is a priority, and their work is meaningful.
Special thanks to DOT - Develop On Technology student volunteers for their support for the event.
OTW
Over the Weekend, we continued with the preparation for the forthcoming Peerancheruvu Runners Anniversary Run on 17th December 2023. This would be the 9th Edition of PBEL CITY Winter Half and we are excited to welcome runners from across Hyderabad to run in our neighbourhood.
One of the highlight over last few years has been a millets based breakfast served to all the finishers. We are specially proud to be supporting this initiative in the International Year of Millets and are supported as usual by our friends at Nutrihub which is a Technology Business Incubator that provides, support and grow agri-business startups in the nutri-cereals(Millets) industry and is hosted by the Indian Institute of Millet Research, ICAR – IIMR, Hyderabad.
Our running routes are a mix of road and trails aimed at providing an outdoor experience worth returning year on year. The volunteers at the junctions and SAG stations cheer and encourage the runners to have fun. Follow our social media handles at Facebook and Instagram to get all the updates. Hope to see you soon.
I Love You
Shailendra
OTM
Opportunities through MountainSpeak are available at IFHE Centre of Excellence for Sustainability’ launched on 3rd November 2023 during the Digital Green National Consultation. This CoE is hosted at ICFAI Business School (IBS) Bengaluru Off- Campus Centre of The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education
The proposed Centre will adopt a think-do-teach philosophy, which will incorporate sustainability practices and work with society, markets, and governments to create a more sustainable future. The centre will mainly focus on ICFAI Business School, adjoining Communities, and city systems. By integrating sustainability practices in these areas, the centre will create a sustainable ecosystem that fosters responsible and sustainable growth. The centre aims to draw together expertise, best practices, and strategic insights from all stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities that sustainability brings.