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How India’s Metro Man Is Revolutionizing The Face Of The Country’s Public Transport

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Sometimes in life, you can’t help but wonder if you have done enough for your country or even for yourself. For Indian Railway Man, Mr. E. Sreedharan that is clearly not the case. The man has not only been the master engineer behind various metro projects in our country but also completed various tasks well before the deadline.
At the age of 87, Elattuvalapil Sreedharan is the present Principal Advisor of the Kochi Metro Rail Project.

His story is one that should be revered because from the age of 30, he has astonished the country with his dedication and determination towards his work. Born in a remote village in the Palghat district of Kerala, he graduated from the Government Engineering College in Kakinada. He initially worked as a Lecturer in Civil Engineering in Kerala Polytechnic, Calicut, before joining the Bombay Port Trust as a Junior Apprentice.

In 1954 he joined Southern Railway as a Probationary Assistant Engineer when he was selected for the Indian Railway Service. Therein began his incredible journey to become the Metro Man of India. His first achievement was completing the repairs of Pamban Bridge that connected Rameswaram to mainland Tamil Nadu. The railway ministry set a target of six months, Sreedharan’s boss reduced it to 3 months and Sreedharan completed the work in all of 46 days! In a country used to delays, this came as a pleasant surprise. For his outstanding work, he was given the Railway Minister’s Award.

His story then took him to Kolkata in 1970 whereas the deputy chief engineer he was tasked with the construction of India’s first metro. Despite the 20-day national railway strike by 1.7 million workers, Sreedharan’s team continued with their ongoing work. This laid the foundation to all the metro works that have been taken up by the government all over India.

Metro Man wasn’t just equipped to work in the Railway departments. In 1979 he transformed the Cochin Shipping yard and was the mastermind behind the production of their first ship MV Rani Padmini by 1981. By July 1987, he was promoted to the general manager, Western Railway and to the post of Member Engineering Railway Board and ex officio Secretary to the Government of India.

Although he retired in 1990 from his post, the Government of India made him the Chief Managing Director for the Konkan Railway project by George Fernandes, the then railway minister. This unique project with 93 tunnels, covering 760 Km with 150 bridges was completed in 7 years despite a fuel shortage because of the first Gulf War. He completed the project without significant cost and time overruns by factoring all elements and setting up petrol pumps with backup supplies.

He then moved on to work on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation when then Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma made him the managing director of DMRC. His stint in the DMRC earned him the nickname Metro Man for various reasons, with one of them being completing the scheduled sections by mid-1997. His work with the DMRC is praised not because he helped complete the projects but also for completing them within the deadlines and without crossing their respective budgets. Sixteen successful years later in December 2011, he retired after accomplishing the second phase of the project.

For his exemplary work in the Delhi Metro, he was awarded the ‘Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur’ (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by the government of France in 2005 and Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2008.

Despite his retirement from DMRC, Sreedharan also is the Principal Advisor of the of the Kochi Metro Project. He is also the Chief Advisor for the Lucknow Metro Rail Project and has been working with the Jaipur Metro. Despite reports claiming him being denied a seat on the dais for the Kochi Metro launch, his dedication to watching the first metro train has not wavered.

This is the story of an outstanding man who still starts his day at 4 A.M., and never misses a day of meditation or reading the Bhagwad Gita. Every young aspiring entrepreneur has a lot to learn from the Metro Man of India, from his zeal to his disciplined life.

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Flipkart Partners with NCERT to Boost Textbook Accessibility

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Flipkart has joined hands with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to enhance the accessibility of NCERT textbooks for students across India, particularly those in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. This strategic partnership aims to bridge the gap in access to quality education by leveraging Flipkart’s extensive reach and logistics network.

Key Benefits of the Partnership

  • Enhanced Accessibility: With this collaboration, students in remote areas can now order NCERT textbooks online and have them delivered directly to their doorstep. This initiative is particularly beneficial for families in regions where physical bookstores may be limited or non-existent.
  • Affordability: Flipkart’s platform will offer competitive prices on NCERT textbooks, making them more affordable for students and parents. Discounts and promotions may also be available, further reducing the financial burden on families.
  • Convenience: The partnership provides a seamless online shopping experience for parents and students alike. With an easy-to-navigate platform, users can quickly find and purchase the textbooks they need without the hassle of traveling to physical stores.

Alignment with Government Initiatives

This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s vision of promoting digital learning and making education more inclusive. By providing easy access to essential textbooks, Flipkart and NCERT are working together to empower students and contribute to the nation’s educational growth. This partnership supports the government’s broader goals of enhancing educational resources through technology and ensuring that quality learning materials are available to all students, regardless of their location.

Additional Context

The partnership comes at a time when there is a growing emphasis on digital education in India, especially following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift towards online learning has highlighted the need for accessible educational resources. By collaborating with NCERT, Flipkart is not only expanding its product offerings but also playing a vital role in supporting educational equity across the country.

Authorized Sellers

Flipkart will work with authorized sellers designated by NCERT to ensure that students can easily purchase authentic NCERT textbooks through its platform. This collaboration guarantees that all textbooks are genuine and meet the quality standards set by NCERT.

Conclusion

The partnership between Flipkart and NCERT represents a significant step towards improving textbook accessibility for students in India. By leveraging technology and e-commerce capabilities, this collaboration aims to make quality educational resources more widely available, particularly in underserved regions. As both organizations work together to enhance educational outcomes, they are contributing to a more equitable learning environment that empowers students across the nation.

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OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode to Web Users!

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OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode to Web Users!

OpenAI has introduced its Advanced Voice mode for ChatGPT on the web, extending the feature that was previously available only on iOS and Android apps. This announcement, made via a post on X (formerly Twitter), signifies a significant expansion of the conversational capabilities of ChatGPT to desktop users.

Enhancing User Interaction

The Advanced Voice mode aims to make interactions with ChatGPT more natural and conversational. The feature is being rolled out this week to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, Enterprise, Teams, and Edu. Free-tier users will have to wait a few weeks to access the feature as part of a limited monthly preview.

How to Use Advanced Voice Mode on the Web

Activating the voice feature on the web is straightforward. Users simply need to click the Voice icon in the prompt window’s bottom-right corner and grant their browser permission to access their microphone. Once activated, a blue orb at the center of the screen indicates that voice chat is active.

The voice feature offers nine output voices with unique tones and personalities. OpenAI has introduced five new voices—Arbor, Maple, Sol, Spruce, and Vale—in addition to existing options like Breeze, Juniper, Cove, and Ember. These voices are designed to create a lifelike and engaging dialogue experience, each with distinct emotional tones and the ability to emphasize certain words for more natural interaction.

For instance:

  • Arbor is described as “easygoing and versatile.”
  • Ember conveys a “confident and optimistic” tone.

This nature-inspired naming reflects OpenAI’s focus on making AI interactions feel smoother and more relatable.

Usage Limits for Subscribers

While paying users gain early access to this feature, there are daily usage limits in place. Plus and Teams subscribers will receive notifications when they have 15 minutes of voice usage left for the day. Free users will receive limited monthly access to test the feature.

Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s Chief Product Officer, noted that these measures are necessary to manage resource availability as the feature scales up.

A Controversial Missing Voice

One notable absence is the previously available “Sky” voice, which was removed following legal and ethical controversies. Critics alleged that Sky bore a striking resemblance to Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson’s voice, leading to backlash and a lawsuit against OpenAI. Johansson’s legal representatives claimed that the company lacked permission to use a voice that closely mimicked her own. In response, OpenAI suspended this feature in May 2024.

OpenAI stated that any resemblance was unintentional, but internal comments referencing the film Her, where Johansson voiced an AI assistant, added fuel to the controversy. The company has since refrained from including voices that could lead to similar disputes.

What’s Next for Advanced Voice Mode

With this introduction of Advanced Voice mode on the web, OpenAI is taking another step toward making AI interactions feel more personal and accessible. The feature promises to transform user experiences by combining natural dialogue capabilities with versatile voice options.

As the rollout continues, OpenAI is expected to refine this feature further, eventually extending it to all ChatGPT users while addressing concerns around voice replication and ethical usage.

Future Enhancements

OpenAI plans ongoing improvements based on user feedback and technological advancements. The goal is not only to enhance user experience but also to ensure compliance with legal standards regarding voice replication.

In summary, with Advanced Voice mode now available on web platforms, OpenAI reinforces its commitment to creating engaging AI experiences that cater to diverse user preferences while navigating complex ethical landscapes associated with voice technology.

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Zepto Secures $300 Million, Doubling Its Funding Target Amid Quick Commerce Battle!

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Zepto Secures $300 Million, Doubling Its Funding Target Amid Quick Commerce Battle!

Quick commerce startup Zepto is gearing up to raise $300 million from domestic investors, doubling its initial funding target, according to a report by The Economic Times. This latest funding round underscores Zepto’s growing influence in the competitive quick commerce sector, where it competes against Zomato’s Blinkit and Swiggy’s Instamart.

Overwhelming Investor Interest

The funding round has reportedly been oversubscribed, attracting prominent Indian family offices and ultra-high net worth individuals (ultra-HNIs). This reflects strong confidence in the sector and Zepto’s potential. The company has previously raised $1 billion and continues to position itself as a leading player in the booming quick commerce market.

Previous Funding Rounds

Zepto’s recent fundraising efforts have been impressive. In June, the company raised $665 million at a valuation of $3.6 billion, marking one of the largest financing rounds in the quick commerce space this year. The Series F round was co-led by existing investors such as StepStone Group, Nexus Venture Partners, and Glade Brook Capital, with new investors like Avenir Growth and Lightspeed Venture Partners joining in.

Increased Indian Ownership

Following this round, Indian ownership in Zepto is expected to surge to approximately 35%, which includes stakes held by its founders, Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra. Sources revealed that the founders have been granted an additional 1% equity for achieving key performance milestones.

Strategic Focus on Domestic Investors

Zepto’s strategy emphasizes building a strong base of Indian investors ahead of its anticipated IPO. The company aims to deepen relationships with high-quality domestic investors as part of its preparations for going public.

Celebrity and Corporate Participation

The funding round has attracted high-profile backers, including Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, highlighting the optimism surrounding Zepto’s growth. Prominent investors such as the Ravi Jaipuria-led RJ Corp, Harsh Goenka’s RPG group, and the Motilal Oswal group have also committed significant funds. Notably, Motilal Oswal reportedly increased its commitment from $40 million to over $60 million.

Diverse Investor Base

Additionally, participation from other notable figures like Ranjan Pai of the Manipal Group and Ramesh and Rajeev Juneja of Mankind Pharma further solidifies Zepto’s support from domestic heavyweights.

Valuation and Stake Sale

Zepto is reportedly selling a 6% stake at a valuation of $5 billion, reflecting its growing dominance in the quick commerce space. A source familiar with the development stated, “The round was oversubscribed, prompting Zepto to increase the total offering.”

Focus on Growth and Innovation

With 1 million daily orders, Zepto has emerged as the only large private player in the quick commerce sector, distinguishing itself from publicly listed competitors like Swiggy and Blinkit. The company plans to expand its operations significantly over the next year by opening new dark stores—mini warehouses for rapid delivery—in various cities across India.

Expansion Plans

Zepto aims to increase its number of dark stores from around 350 to 700 by March 2025. This expansion is crucial as it seeks to enhance delivery speed and efficiency while meeting rising consumer demand for quick commerce solutions.

A Bright Future Ahead

Zepto’s ability to attract significant domestic investment and its strategic focus on Indian ownership signal its readiness to scale further in the competitive quick commerce market. This funding round positions Zepto for robust growth as it prepares for its next big milestone: going public.

Market Dynamics

As competition intensifies in India’s quick commerce sector, Zepto’s aggressive expansion strategy and strong financial backing will be critical in maintaining its market leadership against rivals like Zomato’s Blinkit and Swiggy’s Instamart.

Conclusion

With a successful track record of fundraising and an ambitious growth strategy, Zepto is well-positioned to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for quick commerce services in India. The recent funding initiatives not only reflect investor confidence but also underscore Zepto’s commitment to enhancing customer experience through innovation and operational excellence.

As it gears up for an IPO, Zepto’s focus on building a robust foundation with domestic investors will play a pivotal role in its long-term success in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.

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