Latest news with #ParthShah
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sharad Kelkar: At 48, I can't play a college student
After nearly eight years away from the small screen, is making his television comeback with Tumm Se Tumm Tak. The Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah show, featuring Niharika Chouksey, revolves around a May-December romance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sharad admits he was initially hesitant to take it on. In a chat with Mumbai Mirror, he says, 'I never overcommit, because when that happens, it usually ends on a bad note. Most TV shows today are extremely demanding, often requiring 25 to 30 days a month. With my film, web series, voiceover, and hosting commitments, it was tough to commit fully. But I loved the concept and the character. I wanted something real and age-appropriate. I'm 48 — I can't play a college boy. It has to feel authentic. Everything fell into place beautifully, and here I am.' The actor has seamlessly transitioned across mediums — television, film, and OTT — something many struggle with due to the lingering 'TV actor' tag. His approach has always been clear. 'I never wanted to be a star; I wanted to be an actor. When that's your mindset, the path becomes simpler. If you're good enough, you'll become a hero anyway,' he says, adding, 'I've played lead roles on TV for years. Others may have done it briefly, but I lived that phase. During Saat Phere, the fame I experienced as Nahar Singh — honestly, even some A-listers may not have had that.' He had this clarity early in his career. He recalls, 'Around 18 years ago, I was shooting Saat Phere, the show was number one, but I wasn't nominated for an award. At a party, I asked someone from the channel why, and they replied, 'Do you want to be a star or an actor?' That question changed everything — I chose to be remembered as an artiste.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Reflecting on his journey, he shares, 'I was an MBA graduate headed for a corporate job. I had dreams of joining the defence services, but that didn't work out. I even worked as a fitness trainer. I kept wondering, what am I really doing with my life? I had explored several paths and done well in each. So, when I got into acting, I told myself, 'At least learn the craft properly'. The process of learning, unlearning, and growing — it's still on. '
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Polimorphic Announces $18.6 Million Series A Led by General Catalyst to Drive Government Efficiency with AI
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Polimorphic, which uses AI to digitize resident services for local governments and their constituents, today announced an $18.6 million Series A, led by General Catalyst, and continued backing from investors M13 and Shine. With ever-growing pressure on governments for improved efficiency, this round of funding will allow Polimorphic to amplify its support of governments with AI, while making government services more human for residents. 'With this funding, we're accelerating our mission to be the AI company for government efficiency, making public service easier, faster, and more human for everyone,' said CEO and Co-founder Parth Shah. A recent study revealed that many local governments lack the expertise and processes to leverage AI effectively, and only about 20% of the more than $90 billion of the U.S. government's annual IT spending is devoted to modernization. In addition, local governments are seeing an unprecedented volume of repetitive, manual tasks, including answering the same questions by phone and email, processing simple paper forms, and hunting down information across disconnected systems, signaling a desperate need for the assistance of AI. At the same time, residents are expecting a private sector-like digital experience. Using Polimorphic's AI Front Desk, Constituent Relationship Manager, and Analytics, governments can modernize how they serve by providing access to services online, 24/7, and in more than 75 languages, while improving efficiency for government teams. 'With this funding, we're accelerating our mission to be the AI company for government efficiency, making public service easier, faster, and more human for everyone,' said CEO and Co-founder Parth Shah. 'Local governments are the front line of democracy, but they've been left behind by decades of underinvestment in technology. We're here to change that. Our tools help staff serve residents more efficiently and build trust, reduce burnout, and unlock capacity for real community impact. This moment isn't just about growth, it's about building a future where every resident can get the help they need, and every public servant has the support they deserve.' To date, Polimorphic customers have reduced voicemails by up to 90%, experienced a 75% reduction in walk-in requests, and collected more than $10 million in online payments, saving more than 55,000 working hours—or 26 years of work—combined. Polimorphic customers include cities, counties, state agencies, and special districts from across the country, including the City of Pacifica, CA; Tooele County, UT; Polk County, NC; and the Town of Palm Beach, FL. This new round of funding will accelerate growth in Polimorphic's top states, including Wisconsin, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, and California. 'Polimorphic exemplifies what a true partnership should be: personable, professional, and deeply invested in shared success,' said Jess Savidge, Administrative and Communications Manager for the Town of Palm Beach, FL. 'In a community like the Town of Palm Beach, where expectations are exceptionally high, their team has exceeded every standard through innovation, responsiveness, and a commitment to excellence. Thanks to their innovative platform and collaborative approach, we've continuously enhanced customer service and gained valuable insights to improve our digital presence. We look forward to continued collaborations to continue the delivery of world-class government services with the precision and quality of a top-tier business.' The company's newest round of funding will drive unmatched features in GovTech, including its AI Front Desk, a full-service constituent platform that includes a voice line, chatbot, search, SMS, and email. Plus, powerful GIS-based resident support, agentic AI application reviews, advanced analytics, and additional innovative AI features. 'Polimorphic has the potential to become the next modern system of record for local and state government. Historically, it's been difficult to drive adoption of these foundational platforms beyond traditional ERP and accounting in the public sector," said Sreyas Misra, Partner at General Catalyst. "AI is the jet fuel that accelerates this adoption. Parth and the team are making it possible for local and state governments to automate highly complex workflows from end-end, something that's been out of reach until now." "Government inefficiency creates billions of dollars in waste, a problem Polimorphic's solutions are built to solve," said M13 General Partner Latif Peracha. "By digitizing how residents and cities interact, they are removing that wasted time and money from the system." In addition to innovative AI product features, the funding will allow Polimorphic to triple the size of its sales and engineering teams, driving its mission to create solutions that let governments of all sizes deliver for the people. About Polimorphic Polimorphic uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help local governments better serve their communities. Polimorphic's AI Front Desk, Constituent Relationship Manager, and Dashboard & Analytics empower service-first governments to provide residents with the highest quality and accessible communication and engagement. Serving hundreds of public sector departments across the country, Polimorphic is built for the unique needs of government, including cities, counties, and state agencies. Polimorphic is backed by world-class investors, including General Catalyst, M13, and Shine. Learn more or request a demo at About General Catalyst General Catalyst is a global investment and transformation company that partners with the world's most ambitious entrepreneurs to drive resilience and applied AI. We support founders with a long-term view who challenge the status quo, partnering with them from seed to growth stage and beyond. With offices in San Francisco, New York City, Boston, Berlin, Bangalore, and London, we have supported the growth of 800+ businesses, including Airbnb, Anduril, Applied Intuition, Commure, Glean, Guild, Gusto, Helsing, Hubspot, Kayak, Livongo, Mistral, Ramp, Samsara, Snap, Stripe, Sword, and Zepto. For more: @generalcatalyst
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Digital detox, cricket breaks: CA toppers share winning strategies
1 2 3 4 Ahmedabad: Four young achievers from Ahmedabad revealed their strategies for conquering one of India's most challenging professional exams, proving that success comes not just from hours invested but from smart preparation and balance. For 21-year-old Priyal Jain, who secured an impressive 18th rank in the chartered accountancy (CA) final examination, the path to success was paved with unwavering discipline and consistent dedication. The Bodakdev resident maintained a rigorous schedule of eight to ten hours of daily study for five months. She disconnected from Instagram, further limiting her already restricted screen time to essential use only. "When fatigue set in, I would talk to my mother or catch up on a TV show during meals," she said. The final three months of preparation proved decisive for Parth Shah, 21, who achieved an outstanding All-India Rank (AIR) of 28 in the CA final exam. "I disconnected from my phone, using only my mother's device for essential calls. Reading fiction during breaks helped me dive back into studies with a fresh mind," he said. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Kinjal Chaudhary, 18, who secured AIR 29 in the Intermediate exam, maintained an intensive 12-hour study schedule, yet grappled with constant self-imposed pressure. "Social interactions triggered guilt. In retrospect, completely isolating myself wasn't ideal," she reflected. "I will balance better the next time," she said. Yug Patel, 18, who achieved AIR 38 in Intermediate, advocated strategic breaks. "To prevent mental exhaustion, I engaged in box cricket with friends or enjoyed movies occassionally. Despite moments of uncertainty, I focused on building confidence." All four achievers unanimously identified 'Auditing' (Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics) as the most challenging subject. The national pass percentage in CA final increased to 18.75% from the previous 13.74%. The Intermediate exam results showed a slight decline to 13.22% from 14.05%. Ahmedabad demonstrated marginally better final exam results at 19.35%, while Intermediate examination performance was lower at 10.62%.
Business Standard
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Smart Node Sets Path For Bold Growth at "Sambandh" Dealer Meet
PNN Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], April 24: In a first-of-its-kind event for the Indian smart home automation industry, Smart Node hosted over 90 channel partners from across the country at its annual dealer conclave, aptly titled 'Sambandh,' a celebration of partnership, progress and a shared future. Speaking about the event, Parth Shah, Co-Founder of Smart Node, shared, "With Sambandh, we're not just charting our next phase of growth--we're doing it hand-in-hand with our partners. We made a conscious choice to invest in deepening relationships over presence at expos, because for us, true growth begins with the people who power it." The event was a high-energy, emotionally resonant experience that combined strategic intent with moments of connection, recognition, and celebration. Through immersive sessions, Sambandh reaffirmed Smart Node's commitment to nurturing its most critical growth enablers - Channel Partners. A major highlight of the evening was the award night, where Smart Node honoured top-performing partners for their exceptional contributions to business growth, fostering a sense of pride and shared accomplishment across the community. At the core of Sambandh was the unveiling of Smart Node's ambitious growth roadmap, centred on deepening its channel ecosystem and introducing bold organisational shifts, partner-first initiatives. Here's a closer look at the key announcements: 1. A Revamped Channel Partner Program: From Partnership to Powerhouse. Smart Node's refreshed Channel Partner Program focuses on stronger connections and recognition. It introduces a two-tiered structure, Prime and Associate Partners, offering strategic alignment to ensure that high-performing partners receive enhanced support, visibility, and growth opportunities. 2. Expanding Experience Centres Nationwide: Smart Living, Made Tangible. Experience Centres are a cornerstone of Smart Node's growth strategy. The Ahmedabad flagship centre has already started to deliver high engagement and conversion rates. Building on this success, Smart Node will launch 15 new Experience Centres across key cities in the next three years, offering product demos and training to bridge the gap between interest and adoption. 3. LMS Launch: Making Learning Core to Smart Node's Business. Knowledge isn't just power, it's a competitive edge. Smart Node's Learning Management System (LMS), built fully in-house, is a strategic platform designed to upskill both partners and employees. With video modules, monthly evaluations, interactive Q & As and certifications, the LMS equips the business with the knowledge for faster onboarding, improved sales readiness, and fewer errors in execution. 4. Wireless and Automated: The New Digital Future Smart Node believes in a future that is both wireless and automated. Therefore it is streamlining its operations to modernize smart living experiences. From quotations to order placement and service management, Smart Node's automated workflows will reduce manual intervention and accelerate execution. Simultaneously, the company is driving a shift towards fully wireless solutions that is better suited to contemporary lifestyles. Backed by in-house R & D, this dual focus on automation and wireless technology is positioning Smart Node at the forefront of a seamless, future-ready home automation ecosystem. Looking Ahead: A Future Built on 'Sambandh' Smart Node's strategic recalibration marks a significant step towards taking a leading position in the Indian smart home automation market. By placing its channel partners at the heart of its growth story, Smart Node isn't just aiming for market dominance, it's laying the groundwork for shared, sustained success. Let's build this wireless future together! About Smart Node Smart Node is one of India's leading innovators in wireless home automation solutions, offering a future-ready ecosystem of smart devices designed to simplify and elevate everyday living. With a strong in-house R & D and manufacturing backbone, Smart Node delivers cutting-edge products across lighting, HVAC, security, entertainment, and access control - all seamlessly controlled through intuitive app and interfaces. The company partners with dealers, architects, and system integrators to bring intelligent, energy-efficient, and aesthetically designed automation solutions to modern Indian homes. Headquartered in Vadodara, India, Smart Node is committed to making smart living simple, secure and serviceable for consumers across the country. For more info visit: (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
