Delhi, November 28, 2024 – In a remarkable acknowledgment of his unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, Umesh Rathod, founder of Lean Campus Startups, a celebrated leader in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, has been honored with the Karmaveer Chakra Medal and inducted into the prestigious REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship. Instituted by iCONGO in partnership with the United Nations, these awards recognize changemakers who inspire impactful solutions to global challenges. This accolade comes shortly after Rathod was awarded the Maharashtra Ratna Puruskar on September 30, 2024, for his exceptional dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation across the state. The award was presented by Shri Deepak Kesarkar, then Hon. Minister of Education of Maharashtra, along with Gahininath Maharaj Ausekarji and renowned actress Sonali Kulkarni. 

A proud alumnus of IIM Calcutta, he is the author of acclaimed books such as The Fun of Being in a Startup, Startup Chanakya, and Startup Theories, Examples & Activities. His work has influenced countless aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers, making him a thought leader in the global entrepreneurial landscape. With a career spanning over 14 years, Rathod currently heads the Indovation Centre, Western Region, Maharashtra, and Goa under the aegis of the AICTE’s Ministry of Education Innovation Cell.

Rathod has mentored over 4.5 lakh students since 2010, empowering them to navigate the dynamic world of innovation and startups. His influence extends beyond India, with active participation in initiatives such as NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission, Nasdaq Entrepreneurship Center, MassChallenge Switzerland, National Entrepreneurship Network, CII, and Startup India.

A passionate faculty member and researcher in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Strategy, and Marketing, Rathod draws inspiration from visionaries like Swami Vivekananda, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His dedication has earned him a host of accolades, including the Nation Builder Award, Karamveer Bhaurao Patil Award, and Global Teaching Excellence Award.

Upon receiving the Karmaveer Chakra Medal on National Constitution Day, Rathod stated, “This honor is not just a recognition of my work but a testament to the potential of the millions of young minds I have had the privilege to guide. My mission remains to create sustainable and inclusive innovation ecosystems that empower the next generation of global leaders.“

(The author presented his new book to the Honourable Home Minister Shri Amit Shah at a recent event)

As a Mentor of Change with NITI Aayog and other prestigious organizations, Rathod has championed early-stage startups, transforming campuses into hubs of innovation. His initiatives have bridged the gap between academia, industry, and government, cementing his role as a catalyst for progress. The REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship is a testament to Rathod’s transformative vision and impact on society. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators, he continues to lead with purpose and passion.

Reach out to him at 9757426699 | www.umeshrathod.in

Video Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/umeshrathore_entrepreneurshipeducation-startups-startupindia-activity-7243537720898138112-WcpE

October 22, 2024 – New Delhi, India – Travel Retail Services through its Iconic Relay & Smilen Airport stores, is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Kiddale, a leading brand in interactive and musical books for children. Together, they are launching the innovative NewGen Talking Books, specially designed to engage and educate young travelers.

This innovative collaboration will bring Kiddale’s latest range of interactive, sound-enabled books to families on the go. Known for their unique blend of storytelling, music, and interactive elements, Kiddale books are designed to engage children’s curiosity and enhance their learning experience, making them the perfect travel companion.

Relay Airport Stores : A Trusted Name in Travel Retail

Relay is an established name in the global travel retail industry, offering a wide range of products across multiple categories for travelers. With a presence in major airports across India, Relay is the go-to store for travelers looking for high-quality, innovative products, including books, snacks, travel accessories, and more.

Smilen Airport Store : Your Ultimate Stop for the Newest and Coolest Toys!

Smilen store is a new go-to destination for the latest and greatest toys at the Hyderabad Airport. Their shelves are brimming with Books , Educational Toys, Stationery and Colouring, Puzzles and Games, Arts and Crafts, Soft Toys/Plush and lot more.

Kiddale’s NewGen Talking Books: A New Era in Children’s Edutainment

Kiddale’s NewGen Talking Books are interactive, audio-enabled storybooks that not only tell stories but bring them to life with music, sounds, and dialogue. Perfect for keeping children entertained and engaged while traveling, these books are designed to be educational, immersive, and entertaining.

Key Features of Kiddale NewGen Talking Books:

1. Interactive Storytelling: Each book uses cutting-edge sound technology to play music, voices, and sound effects, creating a fully immersive experience for kids.
2. Educational Content: The stories are crafted to teach values, enhance reading skills, and spark imagination, all while keeping children entertained.
3. Durable Design for Travel: These books are designed with durability in mind, ensuring they can handle the rigors of travel.
4. Culturally Rich Themes: Kiddale books often incorporate traditional Indian themes and stories, offering a unique cultural experience for children.

This collaboration between Travel Retail Services and Kiddale brings these unique, high-quality books to the travel retail market, ensuring that kids have access to fun, educational content while journeying through airports. Whether it’s to keep children entertained during long flights or as a perfect gift for young travelers, Kiddale’s NewGen Talking Books are sure to delight both parents and kids alike.

For more details about these books and upcoming titles visit kiddale123.com

Availability: The NewGen Talking Books will be available at select Relay Airport Stores and Smilen Store @ Hyderabad Airport

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations are constantly seeking ways to optimize efficiency, enhance decision-making, and stay competitive. At the heart of this transformation lies the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business processes—an innovation that promises to reshape industries. In a highly anticipated upcoming release, “Business Yoga with AI: Ascend to excellence by transforming innovative ideas into sustainable business solutions through the strategic application of artificial intelligence”, this groundbreaking book explores how AI is not just a tool but a strategic enabler for achieving operational excellence.

The Promise of AI in Business Process Excellence:

At its core, Business Process Excellence (BPE) is about streamlining and improving processes to create value, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction. Traditionally, BPE relied on methodologies like Six Sigma, Lean, and Total Quality Management (TQM) to drive incremental improvements. However, the advent of AI offers an entirely new frontier. It allows businesses to go beyond gradual change, enabling real-time optimization, predictive analytics, and even autonomous decision-making.

This book highlights how AI’s capabilities—from machine learning and natural language processing to robotic process automation (RPA)—can be harnessed to enhance business processes. It showcases real-world examples of companies that have used AI to automate repetitive tasks, predict customer behaviors, and uncover insights buried deep within large datasets.

What to Expect from the Book

“Business Yoga with AI” is not just another tech-centric book; it is a comprehensive guide that connects theory with practice. Geared towards both business leaders and tech enthusiasts, the book addresses key topics such as:

• Business Process Excellence with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen / Continuous Improvements, Business Process Engineering (BPR), TQM, Design Thinking, Hoshin Kanri, Balanced Scorecard etc.
• Understanding AI’s Role in Process Automation: How AI tools can automate mundane tasks, freeing up human resources to focus on more strategic activities.
• Leveraging AI for Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics: How businesses can use AI to not only predict future trends but also recommend actions based on those predictions.
• AI-Driven Decision Making: How organizations are integrating AI into their decision-making processes to improve accuracy and speed.
• Overcoming the Challenges of AI Adoption: A practical guide to navigating the complexities and potential pitfalls of integrating AI into existing business systems.

By blending academic insights with practical case studies, the book provides a roadmap for organizations looking to scale AI-driven process improvements. Each chapter dives into a different aspect of AI’s impact on business processes, offering readers a 360-degree view of what it takes to achieve true business process excellence in the digital age.

A New Era of Efficiency and Innovation

The pre-launch of “Business Yoga with AI” comes at a time when the demand for AI integration is at an all-time high. Businesses across sectors—from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and retail—are recognizing the need to leverage AI not just for efficiency, but for innovation. As digital transformation accelerates, the ability to adapt and implement AI-driven processes will separate the leaders from the laggards.

This book promises to be an essential resource for College graduates, business executives, operations managers, and technology leaders who are grappling with how to make AI a core part of their strategy. It outlines the steps needed to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, powered by AI, that will sustain long-term growth and competitiveness.

Pre-Launch Buzz: What the Experts Are Saying

Even before its official release, “Business Process Excellence and AI” is already generating buzz in the industry. Thought leaders are praising the book for its forward-thinking approach and practical insights.

Conclusion

As businesses prepare to face the challenges and opportunities of a new digital era, “Business Yoga with AI” will serve as an indispensable guide for those looking to lead the charge. By demystifying AI and offering clear strategies for implementation, this book is poised to become a definitive resource for those aiming to revolutionize their operations.

Mark your calendars—the official release is just around the corner, and with it comes a transformative perspective on how AI can be the key to unlocking business process excellence.

About Authors:

Pritish Mahajan (IT & Business Transformation Leader and Author of ‘Anybody Can Use AI’)

 &

Ashok Jadhav (Serial Entrepreneur, Innovator, Business Coach & Holistic Quotient Trainer)

New Delhi [India]: Josan Ranjjith, 26 years old youth from a village named Navalur Kuttapattu in Trichy district Tamil Nadu, has launched his new English poetry book “Metamorphosis”.