Kushal Seth

LEADING WITH HEAD & HEART

At the helm of CrudeChem Technology, the Chief Growth Officer, Mr. KushalmSeth, is a dynamic leader shaping the narrative of this Texas-based specialty chemical manufacturer, distributor, and field service provider. His prominencemin the specialty chemical industry is marked by a commitment to driving the company’s growth through innovative problem-solving and a forward-thinking marketing approach. With an impressive professional journey spanning 17 years, his success is a testament to his boundless enthusiasm, unwavering tenacity in steering CrudeChem Technology to new heights of success

“HIS UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY IS FOUNDED ON THE BELIEF THAT BUSINESSES THRIVE WHEN PEOPLE ARE TREATED WELL. WITH A RELENTLESS FOCUS ON THE BIGGER PICTURE, HE INTEGRATES THESE PRINCIPLES TO CATAPULT HIS ORGANISATION TO NEW HEIGHTS”

Mr. Seth holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Raipur, and pursued further studies with a Master’s in Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas Tech University (Lubbock), Texas.

As the driving force behind CrudeChem Technology’s marketing strategies, he excels in bridging gaps in product development and ensuring product-market alignment. His strategic focus extends to creating products that can support global growth, notably in challenging markets like the Middle East and Mexico, where innovation is crucial within stringent cost constraints. Despite the difficulties inherent in such markets, the CrudeChem team, under his leadership, demonstrated resilience and delivered solutions, highlighting their collective dedication to innovation, and overcoming challenges for the company’s progress.

Mr. Seth’s commitment to positioning CrudeChem Technology as a technological powerhouse in the energy sector is exemplified by his several published technical works on treating and reusing highly saline water, fracturing fluids, flow assurance and corrosion inhibition. Furthermore, he has pioneered the development and patenting of high viscosity friction reducers for revolutionizing fracturing fluid alternatives. Additionally, through strategic collaborations with national laboratories and universities, he has not only exemplified an unwavering commitment to innovation but also solidified CrudeChem Technology’s standing at the forefront of industry advancements.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Seth played a crucial role in the development, patenting, piloting, and successful implementation of a revolutionary solution for the low carbon, water, and land footprint lithium concentration and extraction process. This innovation not only secured one of the largest projects in the company’s history, but also played a key role in a successful Series C funding round, which helped raise over $100 million. Mr. Seth’s strategic prowess extends beyond technical realms. He also developed a comprehensive commercial plan and global roadmap for technology deployment. This tactical approach helped the company attain unicorn status in 2023, further reinforcing the company’s market position.

DIVERSE LEADERSHIP MASTERY

Mr. Seth, a seasoned problem solver, demonstrated exceptional skills early in his members to surmount technical hurdles and contribute to the company’s success. Mr. Seth draws inspiration from the wisdom instilled by his parents. Guided by his father’s mantra, “If it’s worth doing, then it’s worth 120% effort,” he epitomises wholehearted dedication and surpasses expectations in every pursuit. His underlying philosophy is founded on the belief that businesses thrive when people are treated well. He also asserts that collective success is the key to thriving as a team. These principles have been a constant companion in his career, whether at the helm of his own team or collaborating across functions. With a relentless focus on the bigger picture, he integrates these principles to catapult his organisation to new heights.

DRIVEN BY GOALS

Mr. Seth is currently zeroing in on two key goals: first, he is focused on owning the current market and upping the company’s game. He plans to make it happen by being super-efficient, multiplying customers and expanding strategically. Looking ahead, Mr. Seth dreams big – he sees CrudeChem Technology ruling the global roost, diving into new markets, and revolutionising industries by promoting sustainable practices and minimising environmental impact. And here’s the twist – he’s not just focused on profits, but also on growing his team and giving back to the communities they serve.

A SOCIALLY-CONSCIOUS LEADER

Mr. Seth believes that success is not just about profits but also about uplifting communities. Witnessing the positive impact of his CSR initiatives on communities and schools brings him immense satisfaction that speaks louder than any financial metric. The benevolent leader proudly supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Texas to empower youth through impactful mentorship. His commitment extends to sponsoring sports in schools & universities, partnering for R&D goals, securing grants, and propelling scientific advancements towards a brighter tomorrow. Mr. Seth has also positioned himself as a proponent of resource efficiency, recycling, & reusing, and leading the charge to decarbonise the planet. By treating and repurposing more than 5 billion gallons of water, he has preserved an equivalent amount of freshwater for future generations, which is indeed a commendable initiative.

Smriti Mandhana Ranks No. 4 In ICC Women’s ODI Batting Ranking

Indian women’s batter Smriti Mandhana has jumped to fourth place in the ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for batters, surpassing South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. England’s Nat Sciver Brunt, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, and Australia’s Beth Mooney hold the top three positions, while India’s Harmanpreet Kaur remains at 10th.

Mandhana last played ODIs in a series against Australia, scoring 63 runs at an average of 31.50. In the bowling chart, England’s Sophie Ecclestone leads, with Deepti Sharma slipping to fourth. Mandhana has also risen to fifth on the ODI all-rounder list.

South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp climbed to second among bowlers after an outstanding performance against Australia. Kapp’s all-round effort helped South Africa secure their first-ever ODI victory over Australia. She retained the eighth position in batting and consolidated her top ranking among all-rounders. Chloe-Tryon moved up in rankings, advancing to 20th among batters, 43rd among bowlers, and entering the top 10 for all-rounders.

Australia saw players move up in rankings after a 2-1 win, with all-rounder Tahlia McGrath rising to 30th among batters, 60th among bowlers, and 21st among all-rounders after being named ‘Player of the Match’ in the final ODI. Alana King and Kim Garth also made notable progress.

PM Modi Introduces UPI Services During His Abu Dhabi Visit

PM Narendra Modi engaged in extensive discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to enhance their strategic partnership. The talks encompassed various sectors, including trade, investment, digital infrastructure, fintech, energy, and culture.

An agreement was made to link UPI (India) and AANI (UAE) instant payment platforms, and RuPay (India) with JAYWAN (UAE) debit/credit cards, facilitating seamless cross-border transactions. PM Modi expressed gratitude for the UAE’s support in constructing the BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi, a symbol of UAE-India friendship. Additionally, he emphasised the importance of cooperation between various sectors and expressed his gratitude for Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s cordial welcome.

S Jaishankar, Ajit Doval, and Vinay Kwatra were important members of the Indian delegation who added to the proceedings of the meeting. The recent launch of UPI services in Mauritius and Sri Lanka was welcomed by PM Modi, who emphasised the blending of old ties with new digital developments.

Notably, UPI payments are becoming more popular worldwide as several nations have adopted them, including France, the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bhutan, and Nepal. Additionally, the Indian government has been actively promoting UPI as a convenient and secure mode of digital transactions within the country.

Indonesia Is All Set For The World’s Biggest Single-Day Election

Indonesian authorities are geared up for today’s election, deploying 25,000 police to ensure security. The election marks a milestone in the country’s democratic journey since the end of authoritarian rule 25 years ago.

Overseeing economic growth and stability, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has established Indonesia as a hub for international corporations in the supply chain for electric vehicles. However, in the run-up to the election, complaints of political involvement and attempts to create a political dynasty have emerged. Jokowi isn’t endorsing any one candidate, but his relationship with Prabowo Subianto—a former special forces commander whose son is a vice president candidate—has garnered media interest.

According to opinion polls, Defence Minister Prabowo might receive more than 50% of the vote and win hands-down.

There are still issues; weather warnings affect voting in West Java, and flooding forces Central Java to postpone voting. Accusations of election rule violations against Jokowi have stirred controversy, leading to protests against perceived democratic regression.  After the fall of Suharto’s regime in 1998, student-led protests that marked Jokowi’s presidency initially represented a break from Indonesia’s political past.

Malaysia’s Largest Port Aims To Bring New Investors For $11 Billion Expansion

Westports Holdings, the largest port operator in Malaysia, is considering external strategic investors to help with an RM39.6 billion (S$11.1 billion) expansion that will see nearly double capacity in the coming decades.

Executive chairman Ruben Emir Gnanalingam expressed openness to potential investors who could contribute value, mentioning options like a dividend reinvestment plan and borrowing for funding.

The expansion aims to increase capacity from 14 million to 27 million 20-foot equivalent units by 2082. Beginning in 2027, eight new container terminals will be progressively operational. This mirrors ambitious port developments across the Malacca Strait, including Singapore’s $20 billion Tuas Port, set to be the world’s largest automated terminal by 2040.

Thailand has proposed a $28 billion “Landbridge” project to bypass the Strait’s congestion by linking seaports, reducing travel time. However, Westports remains unconcerned, citing a lack of serious consideration among customers.

Amid increasing environmental scrutiny, Westports focuses on sustainability. The maritime industry’s greenhouse gas emissions rose by 20% in a decade, prompting efforts for net-zero emissions by 2050. Despite mixed results in reducing carbon footprints, the company reconsiders electric vehicle (EV) usage due to its grid’s emissions, primarily coal-powered.

Japanese Stocks Outshine Europe And The U.S. Before Key Inflation Data

On Tuesday, Japanese shares surged to a 34-year high, with the Nikkei hitting 38,010, near its 1989 record. It has seen a surge of more than 13% this year after rising 28% in 2023.

European stocks and S&P 500 futures dipped as investors awaited a US inflation report influencing Federal Reserve policy. The dollar and Treasury held steady ahead of the data. Due to investments in cryptocurrency-backed ETFs, bitcoin was hovering around $50,000.

Max Kettner, HSBC’s chief multi-asset strategist, remarked that U.S. yields had increased year to date. He pointed out that in the absence of significant tightening from the Bank of Japan, which would adversely affect the Japanese yen, it provided support to the export-driven Japanese equity market.

European stocks, including Germany’s DAX, retreated, with the Stoxx 600 down 0.51%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures declined, despite the S&P 500 hitting a new intraday high.

Britain’s FTSE 100 slid while the pound rose against the euro on strong wage growth data. US inflation data expected at 1330 GMT could affect markets, with economists anticipating a 2.9% CPI rise. The yen hovered near 149.4 per dollar, reflecting a 6% drop this year amidst expectations of prolonged BOJ easing.

Apple Tops The Race To Acquire Most AI Startups In 2023 Beating Google And Meta

In 2023, American tech giant Apple beat out competitors in the BigTech space to acquire the most startups. According to Stocklytics, which gathered their data from Statista, Apple purchased up to 32 artificial intelligence startups last year to strengthen its AI capabilities.

This strategic move bolsters Apple’s AI capabilities across its products and services. Financial analyst Edith Reads highlighted Apple’s significant deals, which bring in top talent and innovative technologies. While Apple remains discreet about its AI integration plans, its approach encompasses talent acquisition, technology integration, and intellectual property expansion.

Key acquisitions include Voysis for voice assistants, WaveOne for video compression, and Emotient for expression recognition. Apple targets early-stage startups to anticipate emerging AI trends. Despite advances by competitors like Samsung and Google in AI, Apple’s aggressive acquisition rate hints at ambitious plans for future devices and services.

Apple’s secretive nature obscures exact figures, but analysts estimate an acquisition rate of 2–3 startups per week. Apple’s pursuit of promising AI startups is evidence of its commitment to leading the race, in contrast to Google and Microsoft, who appear more interested in acquiring established businesses. However, Apple rarely discloses its acquisition intentions.

Maxwell Equals Rohit’s World Record For 5 Centuries in T20I Cricket

Glenn Maxwell’s phenomenal 120-run knock against West Indies in the 2nd T20 match at Adelaide Oval not only powered Australia to a monumental 241-4 but also drew him level with Rohit Sharma’s T20I century record.

Maxwell displayed his exceptional hand speed and bowler-dominating abilities during his blazing performance, which included 12 boundaries and 8 sixes. Together, he and Tim David scored 92 runs, which strengthened Australia’s dominant lead.

Rovman Powell’s resilient 63 off 36 and Andre Russell’s stunning 37 off 16 gave West Indies optimism despite a rocky start. However, the relentless pressure from Marcus Stoinis (3-36) and debutant Spencer Johnson (2-39) ultimately stifled their chase, restricting them to 207-9 in 20 overs. With the wickets of Josh Inglis, Marsh (29 off 12), and David Warner (22 off 19), Australia’s batting suffered early blows, falling to 64-3 in 6.4 overs.

Nevertheless, Maxwell’s heroics and contributions from other batsmen powered Australia to an imposing total. Australia is ready for the T20 series to be successful after winning the opening game in Hobart by 11 runs. The third game between the two clubs is scheduled for Perth, and it should be an exciting one.

PM Modi Meets Family Members Of Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the family members of late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, who was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. Thakur’s family expressed gratitude during their meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Delhi. His son, Ram Nath Thakur, a Rajya Sabha member, represented them.

Modi praised Karpoori Thakur as the protector of the underprivileged, highlighting his dedication to social justice. Ram Nath Thakur compared the event to a second Diwali celebration and expressed gratitude on behalf of the family, Bihar, and underprivileged groups.

Ranjit Kumar, Thakur’s grandson, shared the Prime Minister’s outreach after the award announcement and described meeting the PM as a family member. Born in 1924, Karpoori Thakur climbed through the ranks of the Nai Samaj to become the Chief Minister of Bihar, where he steadfastly promoted affirmative action and social equality.

Thakur’s political journey, which saw him go from the Praja Socialist Party to the Janata Party and then the Janata Dal, represented his dedication to empowering the underprivileged. His legacy is one of compassion and tenacity, encouraging continued work towards a more equitable society.

Karpoori Thakur passed away in 1988, leaving a lasting impact on Indian politics and social justice.

Sri Lanka And Mauritius To Start India’s UPI Transactions

Sri Lanka and Mauritius recently launched India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI), expanding India’s digital infrastructure globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, will witness the event virtually. The launch includes RuPay card services in Mauritius, enhancing digital connectivity and enabling faster transactions between nations.

Bhutan established the first international UPI transactions using the BHIM app in July 2021, and France followed suit by starting to accept UPI payments at the Eiffel Tower. The UAE and Oman have partnered with NPCI International Payments Limited for secure transactions using BHIM UPI. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India and the Monetary Authority of Singapore have linked UPI and PayNow for swift cross-border transactions.

Nepal is poised to join the UPI network soon, with plans for digital payment gateways between India and Nepal by February 2024. NPCI has extended UPI access to non-resident Indians in select countries, including Singapore, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, the USA, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United Kingdom, using international mobile phone numbers. India aims to share its fintech innovations and digital infrastructure with partner countries, reinforcing its leadership in the field.