ICICI launches voice ‘password’ facility for users

ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, launched Voice Recognition Service (VRS), which authenticates customers based on their speech patterns. This service will allow customers to execute banking transactions through Bank’s call center in a quick, secure and convenient manner. With this, ICICI became the first bank in India to offer this service.

Note: ICICI Bank includes the country’s first contactless debit and credit cards, and ‘Pockets’, India’s first digital bank on mobile phone.

Snapdeal acquired Hyderabad-­based startup MartMobi

E­commerce major Snapdeal acquired Hyderabad­based mobile technology startup MartMobi for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition will help Snapdeal to strengthen its mobility platform for merchant partners. MartMobi creates apps and mobile sites for small, medium-sized businesses and e-commerce stores. It was founded by Pramod Nair and Satya Krishna Ganni.

15% salary bonanza for bank employees

Salaries and allowances of bank employees will increase by 15 per cent after Bank Unions and industry body Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) signed a wage deal. The wage settlement also includes a medical insurance scheme for the families of employees and additional holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays of a month.

Kumar Sangakkara named CEAT International Cricketer of the Year 2015

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara  was named as the International Cricketer of the Year 2015 while the middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane was named as the CEAT Indian Cricketer of the Year 2015. Former Indian captain Kapil Dev was conferred with the International Lifetime Achievement Award at the 19th edition of the awards. Rohit Sharma was given a special award for his record­-breaking 264 made against Sri Lanka in a ODI at Kolkata.
List of other award winners:

  • International Batsman of the Year – Hashim Amla
  • International Bowler of the Year – Rangana Herath
  • T20 Player of the Year – Dwayne Bravo
  • Popular Choice Award – Kieron Pollard
  • Domestic Cricketer of the Year – R Vinay Kumar
  • Young Player of the Year – Deepak Hooda

Nico Rosberg won the Monaco F1 Grand Prix 2015

Nico Rosberg (Germany) of Mercedes team won the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix as his fellow teammate and reigning F1 champion Lewis Hamilton (Britain) was denied victory in the prestigious race because of a strategic error by his Mercedes team.