Himachal becomes first state to launch Aadhaar-based face authentication for ration distribution
Until now, authentication was carried out using either OTP-based or biometric methods. However, frequent challenges such as SMS delivery failures and biometric mismatches at the UIDAI end were causing inconvenience to the beneficiaries, Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, said in a statement.
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Ready-to-use stem cell kits for pets coming soon? Gallant closes $18M Series B funding
A US-based startup focused on curing pet health issues with ready-to-use stem cell therapies has secured over $18 million in fresh funding. Founded by Aaron Hirschhorn, Gallant is looking to develop the first off-the-shelf stem cell therapy kits in veterinary medicine that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its latest funding round was led by existing backer Digitalis Venture and also saw participation from NovaQuest Capital Management, which has invested in human stem cell therapy in the past. So far, the company has raised a total of $44 million from investors. Hirschhorn, who passed away in 2021, started Gallant after selling pet-sitting network DogVacay to its biggest rival Rover, according to a report by TechCrunch. 'We're honored to have the backing of partners who share our vision in creating this new category of medicine that doesn't just help pets feel better, but helps pets get better,' said Dr Linda Black, CEO of Gallant. 'The FDA approval of the first human allogeneic stem cell therapy was a historic milestone, and we're looking forward to delivering this breakthrough therapy for animal health,' she added. Gallant's first stem cell therapy kit is aimed at tackling a painful mouth condition in cats called Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS). It is on track for FDA approval in early 2026, the company said. If approved, the product could revolutionise how medical conditions in pets are treated. The primary function of stem cells is self-repair or regeneration. Unlike other cells in our body, stem cells have the unique ability to transform into different types of cells, each serving a specific function. Stem cells hold great potential for medical research and treatments because they can help repair damaged tissues and organs in the body. Their healing potential is also being explored in regards to humans with thousands of legitimate clinical trials currently underway. While most stem cell therapy treatments require the cells from a patient or donor with matching tissue to be harvested, Gallant's approach is slightly different and said to be more convenient. This is because the company uses ready-to-use cells from donor animals, even if they are a different species. Despite some encouraging early results, it is important to remember that stem cell therapy is still an experimental field. For example, studies have shown that stem cell treatments helped to ease the pain and improved mobility of dogs with arthritis for at least two years. However, similar stem cell treatments targeted at kidney diseases in cats offered mixed results.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Google techie welcomes younger brother to IT giant, internet says ‘do bhai, dono tabahi'
A software engineer at Google has revealed that his younger brother will soon be joining the tech behemoth too — marking a milestone moment for the family, given how few applicants manage to land a job at the company. A Bengaluru-based techie welcomed his younger brother to Google (Reuters/Representational Image) When Priyam Agarwal announced his job switch on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), it elicited a proud reaction from his elder brother, Priyansh Agarwal. What the Agarwal brothers posted Priyam shared a screenshot of the 'Onboarding' portal at Google on July 5, which informed him that he had nine days left until he joined the search giant as a software engineer. 'Less than 10 days before I start a new journey. Super excited and a little nervous,' wrote the Delhi-based techie. His brother Priyansh, who is already working at Google, reposted his post with a proud message. 'Younger brother coming to Google as well. Super proud of him,' wrote Bengaluru-based Priyansh Agarwal. Internet celebrates The post was flooded with congratulatory messages. Many people also shared their surprise at two brothers converting jobs at a company with a famously low acceptance rate. 'Do bhai dono tabhai (Two brothers, both awesome),' wrote several X users in the comments section. 'Congratulations to you both,' read one comment. 'Wow , both the brothers working at Google. Congratulations sir, Google is my dream company,' another person said. Google acceptance rate Google does not publish data on how many applicants it accepts every year. However, industry estimates suggest that Google's acceptance rate sits between 0.2% and 0.5% – which is lower than the acceptance rate of Harvard. The company has also carried out several rounds of layoffs since 2023 in a bid to streamline operations and reduce costs. According to an AP report, Google has been periodically reducing its headcount since 2023 as the industry began to backtrack from the hiring spree that was triggered during pandemic lockdowns that spurred feverish demand for digital services. Google began its post-pandemic retrenchment by laying off 12,000 workers in early 2023 and since then as been trimming some divisions to help bolster its profits while ramping up its spending on artificial intelligence — a technology driving an upheaval that is starting to transform its search engine into a more conversational answer engine. (With inputs from AP)
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
Why Global Capability Centers are the enterprise backbone of 2030
As digital transformation accelerates and enterprises rethink resilience, one strategic trend is rapidly redefining the global operations landscape: Global Capability Centers (GCCs). Originally conceived as offshore cost-saving hubs, GCCs have transformed into centers of innovation, analytics, and enterprise-wide capability building. Today, over 1,750 GCCs operate in India, employing 1.9 million professionals and generating more than $64.6 billion in annual revenue. By 2030, these numbers are projected to surge to 2,100–2,200 centers, 2.5–2.8 million employees, and $99-105 billion in revenue. India's technology-rich ecosystem and skilled STEM workforce continue to make it a magnet for GCCs worldwide. 'GCCs are uniquely positioned at the intersection of capability, cost, and control, making them critical assets for companies navigating digital disruption and global volatility,' Sudeep Krishna Co-Founder & President, Healthark Insights, told The Hans India. Sudeep has over 20 years of experience in strategy consulting, most recently serving as Managing Director and Strategy Practice Leader at Monitor Deloitte. He has led numerous global engagements across the bio-pharma and medtech sectors, including work with both J&J Medical and J&J Pharma in SEA, India, and the US. Why the Urgency Now? The need for GCCs has become more urgent than ever. The combination of supply chain disruptions, AI-enabled transformation, and the imperative to optimize cost with control is prompting global firms to look beyond traditional outsourcing. India's advantage lies not just in cost - it's in capability. With over 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, the country is fast becoming the world's preferred destination for digital, data, and deep-tech operations. A case in point: an Ohio-based rubber and tire company is setting up its GCC in Hyderabad, with plans to recruit 300 professionals for IT and R&D in 2025. Meanwhile, companies like Best Buy have achieved a 15 per cent reduction in stock holding costs through analytics-driven optimization executed from their Indian GCC. Walmart Global Tech India, which started as a support center, is now a driver of AI, cloud, and data innovation- underscoring the shift from cost centers to strategic assets. From support hubs to innovation engines A modern GCC does far more than transactional work. Enterprises are turning to GCCs for AI/ML, R&D, cloud engineering, product development, risk analytics, and even global employer branding. Lowe's India GCC, for example, has evolved into a core digital hub, leading global work streams in omnichannel retail tech, product engineering, and machine learning. Similarly, Goldman Sachs Services India supports end-to-end enterprise functions from cloud engineering and internal audit to AI-driven investment platforms. Core Functions of a modern GCC: •Technology & Engineering: DevOps, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure •Finance & Risk: FP&A, compliance, real-time treasury integration •R&D: Product prototyping, quantum computing, 5G •HR: L&D, talent analytics, onboarding systems •Data & Analytics: Predictive modeling, AI dashboards, decision intelligence This value chain integration is making GCCs central to global enterprises' long-term strategy—not just as delivery arms, but as strategic innovation nodes. COCO vs. COPO: The Operating Model Debate GCCs primarily operate under two models: •Company Owned, Company Operated (COCO): Offers full ownership and strategic alignment. Microsoft IDC, established in 1998, is a COCO model that directly drives core development for Windows, Office, and Cloud under Microsoft's global leadership. •Company Owned, Partner Operated (COPO): Allows companies to retain control while outsourcing operations to local experts. Reveleer, a U.S.-based health tech firm, recently launched its Chennai GCC under this hybrid model—balancing IP security with operational agility. 'These operating models aren't just structural choices,' said Sudeep Krishna. 'They reflect how committed an enterprise is to embedding long-term capability, governance, and strategic alignment within its global footprint,' he added. Looking Ahead Global Capability Centers are no longer a tactical decision—they are a strategic imperative. As businesses grapple with talent gaps, AI integration, cost pressures, and geopolitical uncertainty, GCCs offer a future-proof model. Whether it's to build resilience, scale innovation, or enable data-driven decision-making, GCCs offer a rare trifecta: cost efficiency, capability enhancement, and enterprise control. And as India anchors its position as a global innovation partner, GCCs will only become more central to how the world's leading companies operate. (This article is a joint initiative of World Trade Center Shamshabad & Future City and Healthark Insights, as part of a knowledge series supporting Telangana's aspiration to become a $1 trillion economy)
