iWorld
BasicFirst announces the launch of the World’s First ‘Doubts on Video’ feature for Students in India
BasicFirst Learning OPC Pvt. Ltd – an aptitude-based personalized e-learning platform – today announced the launch of the world’s first ‘Doubts on Video’ service on its mobile application for students from classes 6th to 12th across all major Education Boards in India (including CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE and other State Boards) and major competitive examinations such as IIT Main, JEE Advance, NEET, AIIMS, NTSE, Olympiads and more.
In the current scenario with schools shuttered and exams on hold, the new ‘Doubts on Video’ feature is poised to empower students for engaging in self-study and clarifying doubts by uploading a video or submitting the question on the mobile application. The unique feature empowers students by conveniently resolving their doubts via face-to-face communication. Students receive personalized attention from an experienced mentor in either Hindi or English – making BasicFirst the world’s first company to nurture and strengthen student-mentor relationships by venturing beyond the confines of conventional classrooms.
Announcing the launch, Mr Randhir Kumar, Founder and Chief Mentor – BasicFirst Learning OPC Pvt. Ltd said, “True learning begins when doubts are aptly addressed and resolved – enabling students to gain a good grasp over the concept as well as the subject. While schools are now switching to online learning, students are missing the personal touch. With our new feature, we are providing clarity of concepts to students through individualized attention. Our ‘Doubts on Video’ service will ensure the growth of students remains unaffected even during the lockdown while being enhanced in some ways.”
BasicFirst is offering its ‘Doubts on Video’ service at reasonable monthly subscriptions beginning from INR300, providing students 60 minutes of video call time. Early subscribers can avail an extra 30 minutes of video time across all packages. BasicFirst releases students from long-term monetary commitments by offering an easy pay-as-you-use model through a simple recharge, whereby students can connect with a teacher over video call. No other platform offers such convenient subscriptions.
The ‘Doubts on Video’ feature will encourage students to participate in self-study, eliminating herd learning. Since doubts turn up suddenly, students should have the flexibility to address them as and when they occur. BasicFirst is enabling digital collaborations between students and teachers so the former can enquire about textbook questions, concepts, projects and similar issues through simple video calls. The new feature simplifies education because we believe learning should be encouraging rather than a daunting task.
Once a question is posted on the BasicFirst app, depending on its complexity, the coordinator allocates a teacher within 15 minutes. There is no limit to how many questions a student can ask within the allotted time. Since all discussions are archived, students can refer to them again, if required. Students are also asked to give feedback after every call, helping redirect students to a different teacher, if necessary, improving the quality of service. Teachers are available from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Link to download the app – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.basicfirst.student
iWorld
Tech firms tweak office operations amid LPG shortage concerns
Infosys, HCLTech and Cognizant adjust cafeteria services and work policies.
MUMBAI: When geopolitics turns up the heat, even office cafeterias start feeling the burn. Several technology companies in India are adjusting workplace operations and food services as concerns over a nationwide shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) grow following escalating tensions in West Asia. Major IT firms including Cognizant, Infosys and HCLTech have begun rolling out contingency measures to reduce dependence on office cafeterias that rely heavily on commercial LPG.
The disruption stems from rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran after military action by the United States and Israel reportedly led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and gas supplies. The closure has disrupted the movement of LPG and liquefied natural gas across international markets, triggering concerns about supply constraints and price volatility.
According to a report by The Times of India, Cognizant has advised employees to bring their own meals to office where possible to reduce reliance on office cafeterias dependent on LPG based cooking.
The company has reportedly told staff that it is preparing for potential disruptions driven by supply prioritisation, price fluctuations and pressure on vendor networks.
As part of contingency planning, Cognizant is identifying alternative food vendors that do not rely on LPG. These include kitchens using induction based or solar powered cooking systems.
The company is also exploring partnerships with cloud kitchens that operate on electric or solar power to ensure uninterrupted food supply in case conventional cooking gas availability worsens.
Additionally, Cognizant is evaluating the possibility of expanding work from home or hybrid arrangements for non critical roles, partly to reduce commuting exposure if fuel prices rise sharply due to global energy disruptions.
Meanwhile, HCLTech allowed employees at its Chennai office to work from home on March 12 and March 13 after cafeteria vendors were unable to operate because of the LPG shortage.
Several food service vendors at the campus reportedly suspended operations as they struggled to secure cooking gas supplies, prompting the company to permit staff to work remotely for the two days.
Infosys has also issued internal advisories across multiple locations, including its campuses in Bengaluru and Chennai.
The company informed employees in Bengaluru that cafeteria services would continue but with reduced menu options due to concerns around commercial LPG availability.
As part of the temporary adjustments, live food counters have been suspended, and employees have been encouraged to bring home cooked food while the situation evolves.
While LPG shortages in India remain a developing situation, the measures taken by these technology firms highlight how global geopolitical disruptions can ripple through unexpected corners of the economy, even the humble office lunch.
For companies with large campuses and thousands of employees relying on daily cafeteria services, cooking fuel shortages can quickly turn into an operational challenge. Until global supply chains stabilise, many workplaces may find themselves rethinking everything from food sourcing to flexible work policies.
