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Leadership And Life Lessons From Sandeep Maheshwari

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Sandeep Maheshwari (the founder of ImagesBazaar,) known for turning around his family business from an abject failure to a point of stupendous success, is no ordinary man. Despite having his fair share of hardships, this man made a mark for himself for not only being the best at what he does, but also for being the best motivational speaker. Here’s taking a look at some truly inspiring leadership and life lessons from Sandeep Maheshwari!

1. Do not waste time

Picture courtsey: Baitana.com

Perhaps one of the most important lessons taught by Sandeep Maheshwari is to not waste time. Already a precious commodity, wasting time is similar to wasting your life. Firmly believing in the principle that time is the only commodity which cannot be traded in this world, Sandeep says to not waste time doing things which can be put off for tomorrow. Spend the 24 hours you have in a day on things which matter the most to you and do that which adds the most value to your life not just for the day, but in the future as well.

2. Keep practicing to improve

Picture credits: Quora.com

Another important lesson Sandeep Maheshwari uses in his life is, in order to improve, you need to keep practicing to perfect your skills. There is no way to reach the heights of success without perfecting what you are doing. Where you come from doesn’t matter. Where you start from doesn’t matter. Sandeep Maheshwari started from being at rock bottom and it was only by learning the tricks of his favourite trade, did he become the innovator he is today. It is the amount of effort you put into learning which makes you grow and move up the ladder of success.

3. Failure is not scary

Picture credits: Pinterest.com

For a man who faced failure time and again in his life, coming to terms with the ordeal was not an easy thing for Sandeep Maheshwari. However, with an aim to achieve something truly phenomenal in life, one has to go through more than one failure. Only after not one, but two of his businesses failed, did Sandeep Maheshwari realise the importance of this fact. The more you fail, the more you learn and the more you learn, the more you grow. Keep working on the strategies which push you toward success and even then, if you fail, know that you failed after you tried your best.

4. Learn to adapt to change

Picture credits: inspirehard.com

When Sandeep Maheshwari’s aluminium business (incidentally, also his family business) collapsed, Sandeep Maheshwari was faced with the double edged sword of choice. On the one hand, he could finish college and think of what to do next and on the other hand, he could drop out and see what the business world had in store for him. He chose the second path and decided to take a 2 week course in photography to learn the tricks of the trade. Within a short period of time, he mastered the art and realised his ticket to fame was in the form of ImagesBazaar.com!

5. Always stay happy, no matter what you do in life

Picture credits: soumitshow.com

One of the golden rules of life Sandeep Maheshwari lives by is to always stay happy, no matter what he’s going through or what he is doing at the time. Why? Because passion and happiness always go hand in hand and when you’re passionately happy about what you are doing, then success isn’t too far away. Things will go wrong and you will face obstacles, but if you focus on the bright side of life, there is always a silver lining!

A man who taught the world there is so much to learn and so many ways to grow, Sandeep Maheshwari is quite the visionary. Which lesson of his inspired you the most? Comment and let us know!

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Flipkart Partners with NCERT to Boost Textbook Accessibility

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Flipkart-Partners-with-NCERT-for-textbook-acceccibility

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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