Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) exercise to be launched from Andhra Pradesh

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is all set to kick start the most ambitious project of India -- distribution of unique identification numbers to its 1.2 billion people.

Andhra Pradesh has been chosen for the launch of this unique exercise and they hope to start out as early as the first week of September.

Unlike in the Census, there will be no knocking at doors. Instead, enrollment officials will set up stations in different parts of Andhra Pradesh and turn to their kits.

Kits will contain eight essentials — an iris scanner, a fingerprint machine, a camera, a laptop, a computer screen linked to the laptop, an Internet data card, a pen drive and a printer.

The laptop will contain a bilingual software (English and the local language) that runs the whole ID process. The software links to the iris machine, fingerprint machine, camera, recording biometric data and a photograph. The second computer screen is purely for the client who, in the interest of complete transparency, can watch exactly what is being recorded.The software contains a transliteration device so that data entries like names and addresses need be typed in only one language. Eventually, the data will be transmitted to the UIDAI database via the Internet where there will be a de-duplication process after which an unique ID number will be issued. The client will get a printout of the details at the end of the process.

World Trade Center set to open up in Bangalore

Bangalore, known as the silicon capital of the India, has joined the global network of World Trade Center’s with the establishment of a World Trade Centre, a global hub for international business in the city.

A World Trade Centre is a symbol of International Trade Services like trade information, global networking with WTC clubs, exhibit facilities, consulting services, administrative support, export/import assistance, teleconferencing facilities, translation/interpretation, trade mission office service.

Freemium | $0.00 Is the Future of Business?

Freemium :: The "most popular” business model among Web start-ups is that you get basic services for free, while having to pay for the premium services.

Freemium business model is giving your service away for free, possibly ad supported but maybe not, acquiring a lot of customers very efficiently through word of mouth, referral networks, organic search marketing, etc., then offering premium priced value added services or an enhanced version of your service to your customer base."

Most popular services, such as MySQL, Pandora, Flickr, LinkedIn, Gmail and Skype use the freemium model.

Few Models are

• Feature limited
• Time Limited
• Capacity limited
• Seat limited
• Customer Class Limited 

Key to its success is

• Not spending money on marketing.
• Offering flexibility and data exporting to eliminate buyers’ regret.
• Making sure to capitalize on and value goodwill.
• And only charge for things that are hard to do.

Does Giving away always pays?

A Girl of Grit and Determination

This story really appealed to me as a sign of her grit and determination. Hope it appeals to you also.

Until she lost her right arm to a train accident, Shreya Sen was known in Bhausaheb Hire College of Architecture for her hand drawings rather than those using computer software. Two months later, the final year student is back at college, determined to draw again, and has already started practice with her left.

Shreya, 21, was travelling from Kolkata to Mumbai on May 28 on the Gnyaneshwari Express when the train derailed near Midnapore. A resident of Kurla, Shreya spent a major part of the last two months recuperating in Kolkata. Friends and teachers, who have been collecting funds for a prosthetic arm, greeted her back with a surprise party with flowers, cards and her favourite chocolate pastry and pizzas.

She is hopeful of mastering her architectural drawings with her left hand.

“For some time, at least, I will have to start using the designing software and my friends are helping me. I will keep practising using my left arm to sketch,” said Shreya.