Home Assistant Echo From Amazons Alexa Based For Indian Market Soon

At roughly Rs. 3500 to Rs.10000 you can have the luxury of Amazon’s Alexa doing all the mundane work for you. That is the initiative Amazon is taking to compete with Apple, Microsoft, and Google. The expected launch is by this year end. Amazon is gearing up for Indian languages to have a deeper penetration. In this age of IoT (Internet of Things) and Internet of all things, can Amazon be left behind, that too in India, the place of emerging technologies?
When they introduced Alexa Home speaker about two years back in the US, the response was overwhelming. And soon there were series of technological advances in AI (Artificial Intelligence), VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented reality). And the home automation took a new turn with the IoT emergence.
The AI-based device can accept your voice commands and execute a variety of errands, including booking a cab for you and playing music. Of course, ordering on Amazon would be the logical turn. The voice command can be further extended to cope up with Internet of all Things. The local language addition would enable Amazon to increase the customer base. Amazon looks like in a hurry as they are test marketing the product now. Seems the feedback they get, will be utilized for forming the marketing strategy.
Echo speaker shall converge into a broader spectrum and Amazon. They are looking for partners in different services under one umbrella. Indian market is ripe for challenges for such products. Amazon can boast of a customer base for their e- commerce platform including Prime. That would help them in launching the product. The loyalty can be translated for better market penetration for Echo.
Amazon Echo can send email and text messages, set up of reminders, even help with your children’s lessons and so on. The requirement of Wi-Fi is also getting streamlined.

Reference URL: http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/amazon-set-launch-alexa-enabled-home-assistant-echo-india-year-end-64420

Solar Power Brings Light to the Dark Continent

It is a different kind of race happening in Africa. The social entrepreneurs and start-ups are vying one another to empower people without access to electricity. The magic of Solar Power is becoming a reality in Africa. In another one and half years or so, those who are off the grid will be provided with solar power. At last, a renewable solution to fast depleting natural resources is in sight.
The perennially hot cacao-farming community of Daban in Ghana got solar power through a micro-grid established by an American Start-up. Daban is seven degrees north of the equator, and without electricity life is miserable.
Now you can see solar panels all over South Africa which was not so a few years back. The landscape is changing rapidly due to three factors:
The worldwide drive towards renewable energy,
A highly strained local electricity supply, and
A steady drop in solar panel prices.
Africa has taken a twenty-year initiative called Integrated Resource Plan from 2010, and the result is fantastic. The ambitious plan is to generate 9600 MW of solar power capacity by 2030 from the small units of 2010.
The power grid operated by the state-owned utility Eskom will be connected with solar power. Solar tracking is a new technique for ‘following the sun’ to maximize the generation.
The solar concentrator or CSP technologies are based on the redirecting of sunlight usually by mirrors, to a common focal point, which as a result becomes extremely hot. Another technology is ‘parabolic trough technology.’
Solar energy almost completely avoids emissions, uses an unlimited energy resource and is becoming increasingly inexpensive. Solar powered phone charging stations in Rwanda, solar mobile phone charger, and kids studying under solar powered lights are now common in Africa.

Reference URL: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/06/26/the-race-to-solar-power-africa

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International Ideas Festival Impact 2- Aline Sara

The famous fashion brand ELLE promotes women entrepreneurs- ‘Shark Tank’-Style Social Entrepreneurship Competition. The annual ELLE Impact Award dedicated to helping women run businesses that make a real difference for society selected Aline Sara. This annual award is in partnership with Nicolas Hazard, the founder of In, a coalition that works to promote new sustainable and inclusive global businesses
Aline Sara, whose start-up shrewdly found a way to provide some relief to the Syrian crisis, which, with its 11 million–plus refugees, is arguably the direst humanitarian emergency facing the world today. Her social entrepreneurship NaTakallam, (Arabic for we speak,) liaises with NGOs in countries such as Lebanon, Iraq, and Brazil to recruit refugee instructors. One hour session cost $15, of which $10 is the share of the instructor.
The US is having a maximum number of Arabic-language students. The English-proficient Syrian refugees are needed for tutoring via Skype, the much needed English education is usually expensive, but NaTakallam offers same at the most affordable rate. Also, they get a personal instructor.
Sara’s parents fled civil war in Lebanon for New York in the ’80s. She too suffered the problem of coping with English from her native Arabic. Finding an affordable class was tough. She said, “I couldn’t imagine if my country was up in flames—and I couldn’t even apply for work”. But in spite of these problems, she graduated from Columbia University with a master’s in International Affairs with flying colors.
NaTakallam is giving language learners a chance to interact in colloquially spoken Arabic — something often lacking in U.S. language courses teaching classical Arabic. She realized that there is an increase in demand for the spoken version of the tongue.
Sara stressed that NaTakallam shouldn’t be thought of as a comprehensive Arabic course, but rather as a complement to the more formal study of the language. NaTakallam is already eyeing expansion, as the demand becomes more and the refugee crisis is worsening.

Reference URL: http://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a44884/elle-impact-awards-2017/

Aman Foundation Technology

The Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneurs Award of the Year 2017 includes 17 outstanding leaders at the helm of 13 organizations. They are exploring solutions for social and environmental challenges. They cover varied fields right from disrupted families, refugee crisis, human right violations, water resources, energy crisis, etc.
One among them is Aman Foundation; the Pakistan-based Social entrepreneurship initiated by Malik Ahmad Jalal (www.theamanfoundation.org) and Fayeeza Naqvi. They are focussing on Healthcare, Technology, and Education.
Aman’s community health care program, Sukh, is a very innovative move in Pakistan- family planning. As per the religious norms followed by Pakistan, curbing population is a taboo. But surging population has affected the country’s economy very badly.
The reproductive and child health supports 1 million people in the country. Besides, the almost unknown field of ambulance services ‘Aman ambulances’ did a great job, especially in rural areas. They have assisted close to 100,000 cases a year. That works out to be addressing 46 percent of Karachi’s medical emergency needs within a response time of under 12 minutes.
The entrepreneurship approach, ‘Aman Foundation’ is through seed capital input. Using this novel technique of incubation, funding partnership and sustainability with Government involvement, Aman could change the entire scenario. The scaling up of the whole arrangement is the logical outcome.
The 27-years-old Kulsoom Malik continues knocking on the doors and changing lives of mental health patients of Karachi’s poor and uncared population. Community Health Workers (CHW) is an initiative of Aman Foundation, and Kulsoom Malik is a volunteer. While ‘Sukh’ is focussing on the mother, child care, and family planning, CHW is helping mentally ill. Aman Community Health Workers Program (ACHWP) oversees both these wings. Poverty is the underlying cause of frustration, depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. Also, arthritis aches and pains, fatigue, and high blood pressure are common in this community.

Reference URL:http://www.theamanfoundation.org/knocking-on-doors-and-changing-lives/

Meruyert Argimbayeva Opens Radost “Joy” Charity Shops

In Karaganda, Social entrepreneur Meruyert Argimbayeva started a charity shop named Radost, (“Joy”) three years back. Radost is a traditional charity shop in line with the goodwill stores. Radost receives items from the people, sorted out and distributed for free to the needy. These items include bed linens, towels, medicaments, and dishes. Over a thousand families are benefitted by this innovative venture in the Karaganda region. Not necessarily all products are used, new unused products are also sold in this shop.
At the joy stores, the prices are much lower than the market. Second-hand jeans are sold at 50% of the market rate. The shop sells only clothing, souvenirs, handmade items, jewelry, shoes, toys and bed linens. The revenue fetched from the shop goes to critically ill children, like the brain and central nervous system affected children only from Karaganda. Radost is the first of its kind venture in Kazakhstan.
Karaganda region is comparatively poor. The climate is oppressive, and the area is underdeveloped. This is a charity with a difference. Her background as a classical volunteer, helping deaf and dumb children was advantageous. She could find sponsors and resolve the problem efficiently. The project inspired many social entrepreneurs outside Kazakhstan. She assisted several of them by sharing her experience in the business. Sustainability and scalability are critical. Maybe, other corporates can sponsor on the projects too. Radost, (“Joy”), is indeed lighting up the horizons of Karaganda, Kazakhstan.
It is all about secondary consumption and saves ecology. People are encouraged to do charity rather than just dumping the surplus and used items. Argimbayeva plans to open branches in the remote area of Karaganda in other fields, like the development of sports. The ultimate goal is to make the country financially better off.
The shop’s Facebook page suggests ‘region’ and is referred to as ‘the heart, soul, and brain of the project.’

Reference URL: http://astanatimes.com/2017/05/social-entrepreneurship-develops-in-karaganda/

Five Pronged Approach to Help Youth Into Social Entrepreneurship

Forbes Non-profit Council has identified five ways to encourage youngsters to jump into the area of Social Entrepreneurship with confidence. The executives from top notch non-profit set up are giving out first hand and clear directives to get into the groove of the upcoming trend.

The energy level of people in their late teens and early twenties is very high. But the diversion of their energy in the right direction is missing. If that is tapped properly, the results would be amazing. And a new chain reaction is on the way. Here are the tips Forbes has recommended:

To Get Them Involved Find Their Right Inclination

To channelize their enthusiasm and energy into something of their interest and passion would be the best approach. They could be put in line with their role models so that the seamless merging would be easier.

Help Them Embrace Their Passion For Social Good

Tapping their potential towards their commitment to societal needs would be the right incentive. It could be education, service or mentorship; they could be encouraged to streamline their synergy. The motto of giving back should help.

Teaching Empathy Is the Key

The empathy building should be the key strategy to make the young people plunge into the social entrepreneurship with focussed attitude. Once they understand the social problem, the realistic solutions shall be a natural sequence.

Meaningful Opportunities sought by youngsters

Youngsters are inquisitive and restless to get the answers to their questions. To get into the responsibility, ownership, and impact involved in the role would prove beneficial.

Show Others Pursuing Social Entrepreneurship

The success of social entrepreneurship is infectious. It plunges in more and more young people into these fields. More audio-visual presentation of the success, seminars, and

 webinars should give the insight to the prospective Social Entrepreneurs.

Reference URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2017/05/16/five-ways-to-encourage-youths-to-pursue-social-entrepreneurship/#6773461e2f48

Social Entrepreneurship As A Breeding Ground For Curiosity: Sophia Jamal

Sophia Jamal was born in Malaysia, the second most populous Muslim country with a very highly conservative outlook. She is the President of Duke International Association and a Project Member for Duke Design for America. She credits her association with Duke International Association for preparing and grooming her for her current position. She confirms that Duke was the breeding ground for her intellectual curiosity, especially her interdisciplinary and collaborative skills which they sharpened.

She did her major in Public Policy Studies and is currently employed as the Social Media Lead for Helius Foundation, which is part of the Net Impact’s Social Innovator’s Program. She attended the Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship program covering ‘Women in Entrepreneurship Conference’ which was a turning point in her career. She will be coming back to her home country to work in the Strategic Management Unit for Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. She has been away for six years as of now, so she has a lot to catch up.

As a social activist, she is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts, including anti-indentured servitude. She was keen to seek help from the Government, and her study in public policy should help. Her additional qualifications in Innovation and Entrepreneurship should be useful in the problem-solving toolkit.

Sophia developed Ethos, an online marketplace for ethical clothing brands which she plans to promote on her return to Malaysia. She is the head on collation to market leaders.

Sophia Jamal can verify that entrepreneurial skills can be applied to any major. Her idea of Ethos came from Duke. She manages Ethos as an online platform where all ethical fashion brands can join and sell their goods in a common marketplace.  She is happy with the growth of the social entrepreneurial scene in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Her idea of starting her own company has finally materialized. With persistence, things can happen even in a conservative country.

Reference URL: https://today.duke.edu/2017/05/sophia-jamal-social-entrepreneurship-breeding-ground-curiosity

 

Technology to Save Societal Care for the Aged in Britain?

The responsibility for social care is placed on families, but could technology be the answer?

A serious problem concerning Britain’s aging population is looming on the authorities for long. But maybe the answer is in sight, thanks to technological advancements. The problem is still worse as that the attrition rates of nurses. The UK’s social care system is on the verge of collapse. That is reflected in the sale of home care provider MiHomeCare, for only £2.

After the election, there could be a significant change in addition to the recent pledging an additional £2bn for social care last year. Here is where Technology like SuperCarers can come into the picture. They offer many choices in control over the lives of elders in the UK.

This organisation, SuperCarers is an online marketplace for social care. For a change, Supercarers are much more cost effective compared to most of the other such caregivers. The per hour rate is as low as £14, while others charge at least 30 % more.

Quality and trust are what people are looking for in the care of elders. The Supercarers are not alone, as Uber and Gett are into the move to make medicines and carers more affordable. The affordability will attract more elderly people thus, reducing the burden on emergency service of NHS drastically.

The isolation of the elderly is a problem found in UK and Europe. Like French entrepreneur Alizé Delbès founded Lou Papé, a place where grandma meets the sharing economy. Grandmas are good cooks anyway, and youngsters enjoy the food there.

Having celebrated its second birthday, they are planning to launch Lou Papé in several cities in France. Now even Uber, Deliveroo, and Airbnb might support women with childcare commitments. The supporters of gender diversity, it has a long way to go!

Reference URL: https://www.thememo.com/2017/05/02/can-technology-solve-britains-social-care-crisis/

Social Entrepreneurs Are Proving To Be Key Catalysts in Global Apparel Industry

The connection between the global giants in the apparel industry and the poor weaver down the line is pretty complicated. The nexus is so strong that the weavers get only a paltry return. The Power of co-creation as designed by social entrepreneurs within the Global Apparel Industry could be the answer in cutting short levels of intermediaries to the bare minimum.

It is possible to co-create large organizations and world’s smallest micro-businesses equally. The US-based Nest, a non-profit organization that co-creates with both proves that practically.

Nest brings together leading global fashion brands and 300 artisan businesses sprawling in 46 countries. The aim is to provide the artisans– both men and women- the necessary training both in service and market. In fact, the artisanship is the second biggest employer for women in the developing countries. Rebecca Van Bergen, Nest’s founder and executive director, confirms the point.

A sort of master – slave approach still prevails in the textiles and garment industry in developing countries. The Global Ethical Compliance Standards for artisans is yet to be percolated. There is no scalability to measure the output of these poor artisans.

The Artisan Advancement Project Steering Committee of brands by Nest co-created the Ethical Standards to improve conditions for artisans and homeworkers. Now major brands are working with Nest in creating a sustainability standard to ensure that artisans are working in safe environments and better paid. The handcrafted items are in high demand globally than the machine made mass produced items.

The program initiated by Nest would benefit millions of artisans over the world. Most of them are in the unorganized sector. The sustainable and long-lasting ecosystem for change is possible with a bit of guidance and training.

Co-creation is the next big social revolution by breaking down artificial and competitive barriers in the sector.

Reference URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2017/03/31/the-global-apparel-industry-looks-to-social-entrepreneurs-to-co-create-transformative-solutions/#4dfb10991e9b

Joe Kelly and His Son Teach How To Fireproof

Joe Kelly dealt with fire all his life. He’s been a firefighter for over 30 years. The dysfunctional smoke detectors put off his mood and tempers. He was concerned about the mock drill given to kids about fire didn’t have any profound impact. Lessons on prevention of fire and action to be undertaken in case of fire were just eyewash and did not hold any water.

He and his son have a mission, to teach children how to prevent fire, and also how to be proactive in case of fire. This social entrepreneur is quite different in his approach and concept.

He is a social entrepreneur, devoted fire fighter, father, and the school board member. His passion is about changing the way the world teaches fire prevention education to its children. He is concerned about the 1 million burn injuries in the U.S. each year. He is convinced that majority of these mishaps could have been prevented by a proper interaction.

Joe and his son have developed Fire-ED, a novel firefighting tool to save kids’ lives. His effort to make firefighting a part of school curriculum did bear fruits.

With the Fire-ED Fully Involved Teaching Tool, students are empowered to become role models in dealing with the fire. Joe mocks at the once in a year fire day which has absolutely no relevance in practically dealing the situation in case of an actual fire. He succeeded in making Fire-ED as part of the schools’ teaching in Pennsylvania. And likely that more schools shall follow the suit.

His tool, Fire-ED, a Fully Involved Teaching Tool, transforms compulsive fire setters to fire fighters. Since fire deaths and accidents are entirely preventable, then why do they claim for too many lives each year is the question Joe asks in his teaching sessions. The father-son duo has found a model that works and that that story needs to be shared.

Reference URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/social-entrepreneur-spotlight-joe-kelly-and-his-fireproof_us_58ffa83fe4b0fb8e503879cd