MAM
Team Pumpkin Ropes in Nirav Lalan as Global COO
NEW DELHI: Team Pumpkin has appointed Nirav Lalan as their COO. Lalan brings in nearly a decade of experience across digital strategy and sales. He will oversee global operations for the agency and continue the growth trajectory of Team Pumpkin.
Team Pumpkin serves clientele across Asia, Americas, Europe and Africa and Nirav’s key goal will be to have sustainable long term brand partnerships, strengthen existing relationships and build new service lines.
Team Pumpkin co-founder & CBO Swati Nathani said, “We are delighted with Nirav's appointment as COO of Team Pumpkin, as we look forward to an exciting phase of growth this year and beyond. Nirav’s experience across varied roles is valuable, as we continue to expand our service lines and geography coverage over the next few quarters.
Team Pumpkin co-founder & CEO Ranjeet Kumar said, “Nirav’s experience and expertise will be directed towards formulating differentiated strategies and processes across our different lines of businesses. Nirav will also be formulating the strategy to have our first overseas office once Covid2019 situation improves.
Before joining Team Pumpkin, Lalan’s last stint was at ‘IndiaFirst Life’ leading their digital sales channel. Prior to that, he earned his PGDM degree from MICA and played an instrumental role at companies like Infosys and Wipro.
Digital
Google rolls out $15B AI, education and connectivity plan for India
AI tools for 11 million students, new subsea cables, and a national skilling push.
NEW DELHI: Google is backing its words with action. In a major push to future-proof the world’s most populous nation, Google DeepMind has partnered with the Indian government on a large-scale AI initiative.
Announced by CEO Sundar Pichai at the India AI Impact Summit, the deal is less of a gentle nudge and more of a full-throttle sprint into the digital age. Part of Google’s $15 billion commitment to South Asia, the plan aims to weave artificial intelligence into the very fabric of Indian daily life, from the deep ocean floor to the back of the classroom.
The most heart-warming slice of this digital pie is the focus on the next generation. Google is partnering with 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, effectively dropping high-tech AI tools into the laps of roughly 11 million students.
The goal? To introduce generative AI assistance in schools, ensuring that the homework of the future is powered by more than just caffeine and late-night panic.
While the kids are busy with AI in the classroom, Google is busy under the sea. The newly minted India-America Connect Initiative involves laying down serious hardware, specifically, new subsea cable routes.
These digital arteries will link India to Singapore, South Africa and Australia. By adding four more strategic fiber-optic routes connecting the U.S. to the Southern Hemisphere, Google is essentially building a “data superhighway” to ensure India’s AI capabilities don’t get stuck in traffic.
Knowing how to use a tool is just as important as owning it. To bridge the gap, Google is launching its most ambitious skilling program yet: the Google AI Professional Certificate. This program is designed to help the workforce master AI without needing a PhD in robotics.
With full-stack connectivity and a massive investment on the table, India isn’t just joining the AI race; it’s looking to set the pace.
