Indias PM Narendra Modi Lays the Foundation Stone for the Permanent Campus of IIM Sambalpur

Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur, one of the most promising and dynamic management institutions among the new generation IIMs of the country, witnessed another giant leap in the advent of the new year. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modilaid the foundation stone of the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur virtually today. 

The ceremony was also graced by Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Shri Ganeshi Lal, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon'ble Minister of Education, GOI, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Hon'ble Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, GOI, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon'ble Minister of State of MOAHD & Fisheries and MSME’s, GOI, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Shri Nitesh Ganga Deb, Hon'ble MLA, Shri J N Mishra, Hon'ble MLA, Shri Nauri Nayak, Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairman, Board, IIM Sambalpur and former Chairperson of the State Bank of India, and Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur. The ceremony was virtually attended by over 5000 invitees, which include dignitaries from the Govt. of India, Govt. of Odisha, industry leaders, PSUs executives, directors of IIMs, IITs, IISERs, media journalists, members from the weaving community, members from farmer community, students, alumni, faculties, and staff of IIM Sambalpur. 

In his addressal, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, said, “With the laying of the foundation stone of IIM Sambalpur, we also lay the foundation of a new era for the youth of the country. I am sure that IIM Sambalpur will make Odisha the hub of management education. This decade will be devoted to the development of new Multinational corporations (MNCs) in India. Despite of COVID, India has given a number of unicorns this year. These are largely growing in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Today’s startups are tomorrow’s MNCs. These startups need able managers and those passing out of this institution will lead the way.” 

He further added, “With its core values of Integrity, Innovation and Inclusion, IIM Sambalpur will show the country the power of management education. It is the responsibility of the students at the institute to bring global recognition to ‘Brand India’ and encourage development and focus on inclusion of all. Students of IIMs must come up with new ways to turn local to global. I am confident that the efforts of IIM Sambalpur will contribute towards a ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.” 

Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Shri Ganeshi Lal, said, “Odisha and entire Eastern India will lead India towards transformation, innovation and change. Students are the sustaining factor of the eternal values, 'bhay se mukt aur bhav se jukt'. Odisha will be an engine for transformation of the country into a new India. I am sure, Odisha and entire Eastern India will lead India towards metamorphosis, innovation and change. IIM Sambalpur can transform the world through the management skills they impart.” 

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, said, “In its 5 years, IIM Sambalpur has already proved its mettle as a premium management institute and excelled in its ways. IIM Sambalpur has been aspiring to be an Entrepreneurial Hub in the State of Odisha. It has signed MoU with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises with emphasis on nurturing the entrepreneurial talent of the local weavers and agro-based business models. We look forward to working with IIM Sambalpur in areas of common interest. I pledge the support of this government to IIM Sambalpur in all its endeavours.” 

Hon'ble Minister of Education, GOI, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, said, “One day IIM Sambalpur will be renowned globally for its feats. The students of the institute will not only become responsible citizens but will also become entrepreneurs who help in job creation. They will become brand ambassadors for India in the world. I am sure that IIM Sambalpur will ensure through entrepreneurship and innovation Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of 5 trillion economy and help in building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.  

Hon'ble Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, GOI, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, said, “I believe that IIM Sambalpur will become a hotspot of global economy. The institute will help in new economic model creation for the rich area of Sambalpur.” 

Hon'ble Minister of State of MOAHD & Fisheries and MSME’s, GOI, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, added, “IIM Sambalpur is a premium institute and in a short span they have reached heights that are praiseworthy. They are among the top 75 management institutions of the country.”  

Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Shri Nitesh Ganga Deb, said, “The new IIM campus will definitely improve infrastructure for the students and faculties alike. I hope the pass outs of the institute will prove themselves as the best entrepreneurs of our Country.” 

Speaking on occasion, Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairman, Board, IIM Sambalpur and former Chairperson of the State Bank of India, stated, “Our effort here is to go beyond giving degrees. Our ambition is that when the student leaves this Institute, they are more a mature entrepreneur with creative mindset and are employment providers to many others. Our new premises will imbibe the traditional architecture of Odisha and we are committed to ecological sustainability: to this end, our new premises will also be environmentally friendly and energy-efficient.” 

Further, Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, stated, “IIM Sambalpur was setup in 2015 by the Government of India to nurture individuals with an entrepreneurial mind set. We work with Innovation, Integrity and Inclusion as our core operating principles. In line with the vision of the New Education Policy, IIM Sambalpur has embraced an innovative shift in its teaching learning pedagogy from teacher centric to learner centric. The concept of flipped classroom has been introduced by bringing industry live project to the classroom that increases student engagement and learning. We have had one of the best gender diversities with 49% female students. We want to thank our Hon’ble Prime Minister for laying the foundations stone. We also want to convey our heartiest gratitude to Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Hon'ble Minister of Education, Hon'ble Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel and all other dignitaries, friends and members of the IIM Sambalpur family who have been a part of this grand day.” 

The permanent campus of Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur is to be developed in an area of land measuring approximately about 200 Acres at Basantapur village near Goshala near Sambalpur City. In Phase- I, 60,280 sqm approx. built-up area under various buildings of the Project shall be constructed. 

The most striking feature of the campus will be the incorporation of regional art that creates a symbiotic relationship with the architecture. Odisha’s traditional IKAT—a patterned textile-dyeing technique—is mapped onto the brick facade with remarkable elegance, in colors similar to the soils of the state. 

The 4-star GRIHA rated sustainable campus will follow energy efficient and ecologically sensitive principles of development. Domestic water consumption will be reduced by using Dual Flushing Cisterns, less water consuming urinals, showers, faucets, etc. The campus will be 100% day lit in regularly occupied living areas and fresh air ventilated interior spaces. Treated water from STP will be used for irrigation and flushing. Use of LED lighting and ECBC complied energy efficient electric appliances like DG Sets, transformer, lifts, pumps, motors etc. will help in considerably reduced electricity consumption.  

The phase I works will have major buildings like Administration Building, Faculty Block, Academic Block, Auditorium Block, MDP Block including Guest House, Library & Incubation Block, Hostel buildings, Mess & Dining Block, Shopping & Activity Block, Sports & Recreation with OAT, Faculty Residence and Staff Residence, Directors Bungalow, Community Centre and Site development work etc.  

About Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur: 

Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur (IIM-S) is one of the most promising and dynamic management institutions among the new generation IIMs of the country located in Sambalpur, Odisha, India. IIM Sambalpur was established by MHRD, GOI in 2015 and was declared as an Institute of National Importance as per the IIM 2017 Act. The Institute is already taking positive steps since its inception as a place for Entrepreneurial Innovation and Experiential Learning. IIM-S currently offers full time Master in Business Administration (MBA) and PhD programs and more courses to be added in near future. The Institute outscores all other IIM’s in terms of its gender diversity and its unique experiential learning pedagogy called “Flipped Classroom”. 

Tata Motors Registered Domestic Sales of 150,958 Units in Q3 FY21; Grows by 41% Over Q2 FY21 and By 24% Over Q3 FY20

 

Tata Motors Limited today announced its sales in the domestic & international market, for Q3 FY21, which stood at 158,215 vehicles, compared to 129,381 units during Q3 FY20. 

Domestic Sales Performance:

Domestic - Commercial Vehicles:

Mr. Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “Tata Motors’ Commercial Vehicle domestic sales in Q3FY21 at 82,155 units was 48% higher than the previous quarter and recovered to be broadly in line with Q3FY20 ( - 3.5%). M&HCVs and ILCVs led the recovery, growing by 10% and 7% respectively over Q3FY20, with higher demand in infrastructure including road construction, mining and e-commerce. The offtake continued to be higher than retail to support sequential month on month growth in retail while ensuring healthy inventory levels in the pipeline. We continue to monitor and work on the supply chain to improve availability, especially of electronic components, which impacted the output at the end of Q3.” 

Total MHCVs sale in Q3 FY21 including MHCV Truck, Buses and International Business stood at 21,476 units compared to 23,742 units in Q3-FY20.

*Vehicles supplied to Andhra Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited awaiting inspection by the authorities.

Domestic - Passenger Vehicles:

Mr. Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “The PV industry continued to grow robustly in Q3FY21, owing to pent up demand, strong festive season and shift towards personal mobility. Tata Motors PV Business has been witnessing strong response for its ‘New Forever’ range, which is being supported by continuous ramp up of supplies. In Q3FY21, PV business posted a growth of 89% as compared to Q3FY20- highest ever sales in last 33 quarters. For Dec’20, wholesale were higher by 84%, compared to Dec’19. Retail sales was 18% higher than wholesale for the month and pipeline inventory remains thin. We are continuing to debottleneck the supply chain and ramp up our output to meet the increased demand while addressing the availability of electronic components. With the growing popularity of Nexon EV, the company also posted an impressive sale in EVs with highest ever quarter wholesale of 1,253 units in Q3FY21 and 418 units in Dec’20.”

Mahindra & Ford End the Discussions of Automotive Joint Venture

Mahindra & Mahindra, a part of the USD 19.4 billion Mahindra Group and Ford Motor Company have mutually, amicably determined they will not complete a previously announced automotive joint venture between their companies.  The action followed passing of the December 31, “longstop”, or expiration, date of a definitive agreement the organizations entered into in October 2019.

According to the companies, the outcome was driven by fundamental changes in global economic and business conditions – caused, in part, by the global pandemic – since the agreement was first announced.  Those changes influenced separate decisions by Ford and Mahindra to reassess their respective capital allocation priorities.

Mahindra said that this decision will not have any impact on its product plan. It is well positioned in its core true SUV DNA and product platforms with a strong focus on financial performance. In addition, Mahindra is accelerating its efforts to establish leadership in electric SUVs.

About Mahindra

The Mahindra Group is a USD 19.4 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume.  It also enjoys a strong presence in renewable energy, agribusiness, logistics and real estate development. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 2,56,000 people across 100 countries.

Arjun Deshpande’s Initiative of Inexpensive Life Saving Generic Medicines Arrives At Chitradurga, Karnataka

Generic Aadhar, a pharma start-up founded by a 16-year-old lad, Arjun Deshpande 2years back in Mumbai and the young founder is aggressively working in ensuring availability of quality medicines to be accessible across the country. With this vision, Generic Aadhar inaugurated its first exclusive outlet at Chitradurga and plans to launch 2000+ stores by 2021 in Karnataka.

Tier 3 City Chitradurga, is a place with historical significance which is located about 200 km from the state capital Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), is a high-tech hub known for its shopping and nightlife, Mysore is home to lavish temples including Mysore Palace, former seat of the region’s maharajas, Hampi is also the attraction and hill stations surrounded with the highest tea plantation in the state with tourism will also get affordable generic medicines through Generic Aadhaar retail stores will definitely benefit one’s monthly savings on life saving medicines. 

Mr Arjun Deshpande, Founder of Generic Aadhaar Said, "I feel Blissful to arrive atChitradurga which is very distinctive with its curious myths, human dwellings dating back to Stone age, enriched with the sites of ancient, historical, cultural and religious significance has been a place with a civilization of thousands of years and an amalgamation of antiquity and modernisation.Our main objective is to make generic medicine affordable and accessible in Chitradurga and also to reach different cities in the country without compromising on the quality. It also feels immense pleasure by fulfilling the legend and our beloved Mentor Ratan Tata Sir’s Dream of visualising a better India in healthcare Sector." 

"We assure the citizens of India about the quality of medicines, which is available in our store, and follow the regulatory guidelines and requirements. We are also following the vision of our honourable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi Ji's 'VOCAL FOR LOCAL' and sourcing generic medicines, APIs required for making the drug directly from the manufacturers, who have GMP-WHO approved manufacturing facilities," added Mr Deshpande.

Generic Aadhaar Startup Venture is also been supported by Honourable Ratan Tata Sir who is the great inspiration for Millions.

Generic Aadhaar offers a huge portfolio of generic medicines from the regulatory approved manufacturing facilities. The medicines, which are sold at Generic Aadhaar are up to 50-80 % lesser than the market price. These medicines are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers to reduce the cost and make it pocket friendly for the consumers by purchasing medicines from Generic Aadhaar’s Outlet.

TAC Security Eyes Global Markets with its New ESOF-DarkSec Solution to Evaluate Data Theft Vulnerabilities

* To begin with the North American and in the African market, followed by Australia and Europe

* The solution, under the brand’s flagship ESOF, will help enterprises address the data integrity challenges of dark web in the age of zero trust

TAC Security, an Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) empanelled information security organisation, is taking it's new dark web threat intelligence solution, ESOF-DarkSec, to overseas markets to further add traction to its global expansion plans to address the growing demand for Cyber Security solutions. ESOF-DarkSec will be rolled out, to begin with in the North American market where it has a strong footprint and in the African market where it commenced operations. The company is further expanding operations in the Australian and European markets as well.  

ESOF-DarkSec is a ground breaking product that helps enterprises detect, measure, and identify the type of data available on the dark web about their companies. ESOF-DarkSec adds to TAC’s ESOF (Enterprise Security in One Framework) platform that provides risk-based vulnerability management across BFSI institutions, governments’ organisations, PSUs and enterprises.

“Data confidentiality has always been an issue for enterprise security teams, and the recent increases in the dark web exposure cases are intimidating for both governments and organizations. Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated with every passing day, and even more so during the COVID-19 outbreak where spear-phishing is being used as a tool to access critical data. We hope that the product will help inform business entities about the vulnerabilities of their infrastructure so they can secure their endpoints and networks against potential threats.” Chris Fisher, Chief Marketing Officer, TAC Security.  

The launch is aligned with the rising number of data leaks on the dark web, which jeopardize sensitive information of government, businesses, and individuals alike. This cloud-based solution helps find the size, nature, and recent update (if any) of the leaked data on the darknet. ESOF-DarkSec also provides a dark web organization risk score on a scale from 0 to 10, so security teams can know the risk to the organization on available data in the dark web from and take action to mitigate the risk. The solution is available as a subscription plan in three tiers: Basic, Platinum, and Premium, with different price points based on deeper periodic scans.

Trishneet Arora, Founder and CEO of TAC Security said, “Data is the biggest asset for any entity in the current landscape. As much as it gives precious insights into enhancing customer experience, any unauthorized access to it can cause severe damage to personal, enterprise-level, or even national integrity, depending upon the nature of data. It is very difficult to get this data down once it enters the dark web. Knowing the extent of the dark web threat is pivotal as it enables an organization to analyze and limit the damages by taking preventive measures. This is where ESOF DarkSec proves itself to be most pivotal. ESOF DarkSec is completely aligned with our vision to provide Enterprise Security in One Framework”  

TAC Security protects Banks and Financial Institutions, governments’ organisations, Fortune 500 companies, leading enterprises data around the world. TAC Security manages 5+ Million vulnerabilities through its Artificial intelligence (AI) based Vulnerability Management Platform ESOF. The company is also responsible for End to End Security Assessment of 200+ UPI based Mobile Application for NPCI, an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.  

About TAC Security:

TAC Security is a global leader in vulnerability management that protects Fortune 500 companies, leading enterprises, and governments around the world. TAC Security manages 5+ Million vulnerabilities through its Artificial intelligence (AI) based Vulnerability Management Platform ESOF (Enterprise Security in One Framework) Operates from Mumbai, Chandigarh, New York, Albuquerque & Bangalore. TAC Security is also responsible for End to End Security Assessment of 200+ UPI based Mobile Application for NPCI, an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India, is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Registers a 14% Growth in Domestic Sales in December 2020

*Clocks over 6% growth in wholesales in the last quarter of 2020, as customer orders and retail sales surge in the midst of new launches from Toyota

Toyota Kirloskar Motor today announced that the company sold a total of 7487 units in the month of December 2020, thereby clocking a growth of 14% when compared to its wholesales in the month of December 2019. TKM also registered a 6% growth in wholesales in the last quarter of 2020 when compared to the wholesales clocked in the corresponding period last year. For reference, TKM had sold a total of 6544 units in the domestic market in December 2019.

Wholesales December 2020 2019 Month on month Growth

Domestic 7487 6544 14%  

Commenting on the sales performance, Mr. Naveen Soni, Sr. Vice President TKM said, “As we wrap up the year, we are happy to have registered a 14% growth in wholesales in December 2020, when compared to sales in the same period in 2019. We have also managed to retain more than 6% growth in wholesales in the last quarter of calendar year 2020, when compared to the last quarter of 2019. This has been possible due to our customers’ faith in the brand, as customer orders have been rising significantly and retail sales (Dealer’s sale to customers) have also been very encouraging which gives us the confidence to embark upon a new target as we welcome 2021.

December witnessed a few adjustments in terms of production, due to new model launches as well as year model changes. This also included our efforts to exhaust the existing stock of the current generation Fortuner so that we can begin production of the new Fortuner at our plant in Bidadi and is slated to be launched in India next week. The new Innova Crysta has also received a very good response from the market and we are looking forward to delighting our anticipating customers with the new generation of the Toyota Fortuner

The year 2020 has been one with several challenges as well as significant learnings and the entire sector has emerged stronger with greater focus on localization and digitalization. Such learnings have not only taught us to adapt to the challenging & dynamic situations surrounding us but to evolve as well. At TKM, we strongly believe that the current economic revival is likely to help sustain the sales momentum in 2021 and we are hopeful that 2021 will see a V shaped recovery of the economy thereby helping the industry to bounce back. To cater to this demand, we plan to expand our product line-up in a sustainable and phased manner to meet customer expectations”, Mr. Soni concluded.

Garmin Unveils Vivoactive 3 Element to Dazzle this New Year's Eve

Ensuring the festive season feels more unique and delightful, Garmin India, a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN) launched Garmin Vivoactive 3 Element with more than 15 preloaded sports apps and various other features to become the best workout companion on your wrist. 

Garmin Vivoactive 3 Element will support its users with diverse features like monitoring fitness level with VO2 max, keeping an eye on stress levels, heart rate monitoring, GPS Navigation and much more. The smartwatch will be available for sale on Amazon.in, Tata CLiQ & Thegarminstore.in at a special price of Rs. 15,990.

Talking about the smartwatch launch, Mr. Ali Rizvi, Director, Garmin India said, “The festive season is here and it’s that time of the year when people exchange gifts with family and friends. Keeping a note of the festive cheer we are very happy to launch Garmin Vivoactive 3 Element which can definitely be a healthier festive purchase for the customers. The feature loaded smartwatch will definitely help users stay healthy and keep a track of the basic vitals and health information about their bodies.”

Bringing more convenience to the users, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 Element supports battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 11 hours in GPS mode.

For Purchase: visit Amazon.in, Tata CLiQ & The garminstone.in (Limited time offer)

About Garmin: Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, Instinct and Trackback are registered trademarks, and Garmin Connect, Garmin Explore, and UltraTrac is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. For more information, visit garmin.co.in.

A Single Guest Stayed 128 Times at an OYO in 2020, While Delhi Emerged as Most Booked City: OYO’s Annual Travelopedia

 The world’s leading hospitality chain, OYO Hotels  & Homes released its third annual year-end travel index - OYO Travelopedia 2020 today. According to the index, while 2020 started on a happy note, with January 2020 (pre-covid) being the most travelled month, April 2020 witnessed most cancellations across the country owing to the government’s precautionary lockdown. Hospitality was one of the worst affected industries worldwide, however, with cities unlocking and global restrictions easing gradually, India topped the charts for OYO as the most booked country while Delhi clocked in the most bookings across the world in 2020. With the unlocking of cities, December 2020 emerged as the month that’s witnessing the most demand around the holiday season.

A single user stayed at OYO hotels 128 times in 2020, showcasing complete trust in the brand to provide safe and hygienic accommodations by following all the necessary precautions. Another OYO customer spent approx 50,000 seconds (13.88 hours) on the app throughout the year showcasing the desire to finally step out and travel. Interestingly, an OYO Hotel in Shahjahanpur and another in Chennai witnessed an average occupancy of 100% since lockdown.

Detailed findings from OYOs Travelopedia 2020:

● Five reasons why people loved OYO during the pandemic:

* Approximately 73,000 repatriated Indians completed their institutional quarantine at OYOs across India. Amongst these, most bookings were made by guests travelling from the Middle East, primarily UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar

* OYO Care tied up with 24+ state ministries and 50+ government and private hospitals

* The hotel chain housed 250,000+ hospital staff and asymptomatic patients since April 2020

* 200+ sailors were safely quarantined at OYOs across India

* OYO served 2500 pincodes in 2020

● India’s favorite holiday: Around India, the gradual unlocks led to a rise in consumer confidence to travel again safely. With majority bookings - the 02nd October or Gandhi Jayanthi long weekend and Christmas weekend were India’s favorite holidays to travel in 2020

● Lost & Found at OYO: Around 2112 people forgot their belongings at OYOs across India

● Travel on my mind all the time: In 2020, 10:00 - 11:00 AM, 4:00 - 5:00 PM and 7:00 - 8:00 PM were the most popular hours for Indians to book their stays

● What’s new: Over 8.5 million new user bookings were made on the OYO app and website in 2020

● India turns to spirituality: Puri emerged as India’s top pilgrimage destination, followed by Vrindavan, Tirupati, Shirdi, and Varanasi

● Chal Beach Chalein? Across India, without any surprise, the tourist hotspot of Goa emerged as the most booked beach destination, followed by Kochi, Vizag and Pondicherry

● Incredible India: Since India began unlocking, the northern cities of Jaipur, Udaipur and Agra are the most loved heritage cities for Indians

●  A December to Remember: In December 2020, over 17 lakh people checked-in over the weekends. December 12, 2020 saw the most number of bookings (so far). The next estimated date is December 31, 2020 (bookings still coming in)

●  Welcome 2021: At present, guests are opting to bring in the New Year across Goa and Himachal Pradesh, with the highest demand for 30th December 2020 and 01st January 2021

● Social Media trivia

* Total reach: Across all OYO Social Media platforms was 204.8M

* Most liked post: Inspired from the Netflix series with a cheeky caption ‘Peaky Climbers’ was OYOs most liked social media post with 1 lac+ likes on Instagram

* Most engaged post: Namaste Video on Facebook and Instagram with 3.14lac+ engagement

Rohit Kapoor, CEO, OYO Hotels & Homes, India & South Asia said, “We’ve all heard the saying ‘Safe Travels’ hundreds of times, but today, we understand the true value of those two words, with the entire whole world putting the age-old saying to practice. The findings of OYO’s Travelopedia is a testament that India is ready to travel again and we at OYO are here along with our partners ready to welcome them again. One of the most humbling things we found out that has stayed with me is that a guest has stayed with us 128 times this year, something that tells us that we are on the right path and that our customers have immense faith in us even in tough times. Things like these fuel our passion and I can confidently say that OYO is emerging stronger out of this crisis compared to when we entered it. 

While 2021 will be a new learning in itself, we’re hopeful that the changes we have brought in 2020 will set new precedents in the travel and hospitality sector and we are completely motivated to work towards providing safe stays to all our customers.”

Additionally, the data revealed that Delhi NCR, Karnataka, Telangana led the pack as the most welcoming states in the post-lockdown world. Also, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad ranked as the most popular cities among business travellers while Jaipur, Goa, Kochi were travellers’ favorite domestic leisure hotspots.

About OYO Hotels & Homes:

Opening its doors in 2013, OYO Hotels & Homes, a young hotel startup, is today the world’s leading chain of hotels and homes. OYO operates in over 800 cities in 80 countries, including the U.S., Europe, U.K., India, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan.

Nickelodeon Celebrates the New Normal With Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 - Virtual Edition

* KCA is back in a new format, new style and with new nomination categories~

* As a category-first, Nickelodeon to partner with Teach for India to bridge the digital education divide caused by the new normal~

It is time to forget about the challenges we have faced and rejoice the ultimate celebratory festive time. The one-of-a-kind award show that is for the kids and by the kids -Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 is back! While this year has been unprecedented, Nickelodeon follows through on its promise to entertain and empower kids. This year with Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards the promise is to present the show in a whole new format, focused on taking it virtual and getting kids to not only vote but also get closer to their stars in a never seen before avatar. That’s not all, KCA 2020 will witness 6 new and relevant categories for kids to vote for their favorite entertainers during the lockdown and decide who takes home the coveted Nickelodeon Blimp.

Over the years, Kids’ Choice Awards have featured a glittering host of celebrities gracing the orange carpet and with our iconic Nicktoons. With mind-blowing performances by renowned celebrities like Sara Ali Khan, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh and more, as well as raking in more than 5 lakh votes, kids had a gala time at the legendary award show. This year’s edition will witness nominees that have come through a special online research to determine who entertained children the most during the lockdown. Always turning lemons into lemonade, kids will get a chance to vote for a whole lot of nominees across several new categories such as favourite online learning apps, youtubers, Instagram personalities, sportspersons, food enjoyed during the lockdown amongst others. The voting starts on January 4, 2021 exclusively on www.voot.com and the Voot App.

Nina Elavia Jaipuria – Hindi Mass Entertainment & Kids TV Network at Viacom18, said, “In these challenging times our commitment is to ensure that our young viewers remain entertained and positive. Keeping this in mind we at Nickelodeon are going to celebrate all that is new with Kids’ Choice Awards 2020. In the virtual format, with the introduction of new categories, we aim to encourage and empower kids to cast their vote and choose their favourites who kept them going through the lockdown. Nickelodeon will also support Teach for India to help provide smart devices to children to enable online education.”

The uniquely curated awards will support a cause that has emerged during the pandemic while emphasizing the need to celebrate the new normal. Due to the ongoing social distancing, the shift to e-learning, India’s education system is going through a reform. The prolonged closure of schools to maintain social distancing has caused an educational inequality, especially due to limited access to internet and technology. To bridge the digital education divide and enable a smooth transition for all stratas of society, Nickelodeon has partnered with Teach for India, for the latter’s existing program “Sponsor A Device”. The partnership will kickstart during the voting process of the Kids Choice Awards 2020 where Nickelodeon will donate Rupee 1 for every vote garnered. Teach for India is a non-profit organization that works towards educational equity at all levels of the education system. Under the existing program, the community aims to enable the new form of learning by raising funds for putting a gadget in the hands of every student who needs one.

Commenting on the initiative, the Director of Communications and Marketing of Teach For India said, “We are delighted to partner with Nickelodeon for their most prestigious awards show. Their support to our #DontStopLearning campaign is important and we are deeply grateful to their commitment to sponsor a device to ensure our students continue learning. We are confident that this partnership will play a significant role in bridging the digital divide."

Pivoting the media mix to the new normal, the marketing campaign is being promoted through a robust digital and social media plan, interesting on-line interactivity, support across the Nickelodeon franchise and social media challenges along with a push from the entire network. There are various innovations lined up on the digital front, including tons of quirky communication on YouTube. There will be a #KCAsquad with influencers giving the audiences all the latest updates on #KCAIndia2020.Further adding to the slime-tastic experience will be slime inspired digital games, contests, AR filters, virtual face offs and series of engaging and interesting on-line interactivity that will create fun experiences for kids.

While box office collections and critic reviews foretell how successful a film or performer is, it is time to find out which of them would make it to the hearts of the young ones. Get your kids ready to cast their vote and decide who takes home the Nickelodeon blimp!

Krazybee Services Pvt Ltd Appoints G Gopalakrishna as an Independent Director

Krazybee Services Private Limited, a Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-ND-SI), has appointed Mr. G Gopalakrishna, former Executive Director (ED) of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an Independent Director on its Board. 

Mr. Gopalakrishna has been a career Central Banker with RBI for over 33 years in various capacities and retired as Executive Director (ED) in 2014. During his stint as ED RBI, he was overseeing the Department of Banking Supervision, Dept. of Non-Banking Supervision and Foreign Exchange Department, among others. He was later appointed as Director, Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL) promoted by RBI (2014-17). Presently, he is also on boards of a few other financial institutions and companies.

Talking about the development, incumbent NBFC Director Vivek Veda said, “We are delighted to have Mr. G Gopalakrishna on our Board. His strong supervisory and regulatory background and significant experience in the finance industry will help the company achieve its ambition of becoming a trusted and performance-oriented consumer lending NBFC for all associated stakeholders.”

On the appointment, Mr. G Gopalakrishna said, "Financial inclusion in a diverse demographic in India is the need of the hour. What impresses me about Krazybee Services Private Limited is not just the social sensitivity they have showcased by extending the credit line to consumers which are underserved largely by banking institutions & traditional NBFCs, but also the austerity with which they have managed their business and operations.”

The other members on NBFC Board include Mr. Adesh Kumar Gupta (Non-executive), Mr. Abhishek Singhvi (Non-executive), and Mr. Madhusudan E (Executive).

About Krazybee:

Krazybee Services Private Limited is a Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-ND-SI) registered with the RBI in May 2017, and currently lends on its partner platform KreditBee. The loan products primarily include personal loans with the tenure ranging between 2 and 15 months, with ticket size going up to Rs. 2,00,000.

Emirates Unveils Airbus A380 Premium Economy, Enhancements Across all Cabins

Emirates is taking its signature Airbus A380 experience to the next level with the unveiling of a brand new Premium Economy cabin product, together with enhancements and a refreshed look across all cabins onboard its newest A380 aircraft.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “The Emirates A380 is already one of the most sought-after travel experiences in the skies, and now we’ve made it even better. While others cut back, Emirates is working hard to restore the products and services that we’ve had to suspend or adjust due to pandemic precautions, and introduce new offerings and enhancements. True to our fly better promise, Emirates continues to invest to offer our customers the best possible experience.”

The airline received its newest A380 aircraft from Airbus’ Hamburg facility last week, and its remaining order of 5 A380s will also be delivered with premium economy cabins over 2021 and 2022. Emirates’ premium economy seats will also be installed on some of its Boeing 777X aircraft which are only due to join the fleet in 2023. Emirates is considering plans to retrofit its existing A380 fleet.

Commenting on Emirates’ premium economy cabins, Sir Tim said: “Our Premium Economy product was carefully developed in keeping with Emirates’ brand positioning as a full-service airline of the highest quality. Our First, Business and Economy experiences reset industry standards when they were introduced, and we are confident that our Premium Economy will also make its mark as a distinct premium offering. Until we have a viable number of seats in our inventory to bring to market, we plan to offer the Emirates Premium Economy experience as a complimentary upgrade to valued customers. We’ll also deploy our newest A380 aircraft on various routes so that our customers can experience our latest offering in all classes.”

Emirates will announce details of where its A380 aircraft with Premium Economy will be deployed in the coming weeks.

Premium Economy: comfort and space

Emirates today unveiled details of its highly-anticipated premium economy cabin, which offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 cabin layout.

With a generous pitch of up to 40-inches, Emirates’ premium economy seat is 19.5 inches wide, and reclines 8 inches into a comfortable cradle position with ample room to stretch out. Covered in cream-coloured anti-stain leather with stitching details and a wood panel finishing similar to Business Class, each seat is designed to provide optimal comfort and support with 6-way adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests.

Each seat has a 13.3” screen, one of the largest in its class, to enjoy the unmatched array of music, movies, TV, news and other content on Emirates’ award-winning ice.

Customers will also find thoughtful touches including easily accessible in-seat charging points, a wide dining table and side cocktail table.

Emirates Premium Economy is located at the front of the main deck, with 2 lavatories dedicated to customers.

First Class: even more privacy and luxury

On this latest Emirates A380, the airline’s 14 First Class private suites have been enhanced from the original suites, being slightly wider with taller doors, for even more privacy and comfort.

Cabin detail and finishes have also been refreshed with new motifs and colours, from the sweeping stairs that lead from the main deck to the upper deck, to refreshed design trims and modern fittings in the Shower Spa.

Business Class: new luxury finishes

Emirates has retained its popular A380 Business Class seats which offer direct aisle access for every passenger, reclines to a fully-flat position, and offers personal mini bars, ample personal storage and a high degree of privacy.

All 76 seats have been refreshed to feature champagne-coloured leather covers and wood finishing, inspired by executive jets, similar to the Business Class on Emirates’ Boeing 777 Gamechanger aircraft.

The same classic colour scheme has also been applied to the Onboard Lounge at the back of the upper deck, for the exclusive use of First and Business Class passengers.

Economy: gamechanger seats

Emirates has replaced all 338 Economy seats onboard its newest A380 with ergonomically designed seats that come with full leather headrests and flexible side panels which can be adjusted vertically for optimum support.

This latest seat model is a step up from the version currently installed on Emirates’ Boeing 777 Gamechanger aircraft. It is lighter, without compromising on comfort or function. Each seat features a classy wood grain finish on tray tables, as well as a 13.3” personal screen to enjoy Emirates’ award-winning ice.

Refreshed cabin interiors

Throughout the Emirates A380 interior, customers will see new finishes and design touches featuring the Ghaf (prosopis cineraria) tree motif, as well as the clean and airy champagne colour scheme with wood panelling and bronze accents from Emirates’ latest Boeing 777 Gamechanger interiors.

An indigenous evergreen plant, the Ghaf is a considered the national tree of the United Arab Emirates, and has deep cultural and ecological significance.

All cabin classes are equipped with the latest generation of Emirates’ award-winning ice inflight entertainment system offering improved and superior image quality. Each in-seat screen will feature ultra-wide viewing angles, a capacitive touch screen, LED backlight and full HD display.

Godrej Consumer Products Launches ProClean, Forays into Home Cleaning Products Category

Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), a leading emerging markets company, forayed into the home cleaning products segment by launching Godrej ProClean, a brand that provides surface cleaning and disinfecting solutions. The brand offers three products including ProClean Toilet Cleaner, ProClean Bathroom Cleaner and ProClean Floor Cleaner. ProClean aims to cater to the rising demand for home hygiene products especially in the current context where there is emphasis on products that offer protection against germs. The brand’s USP is its ‘best quality at best price’ offering.

The market size of home cleaning products (branded floor, toilet and bathroom cleaners segment) is pegged at INR 2600 crore, as per AC Nielsen. Due to increased awareness about cleanliness and hygiene, consumers are opting for products that will enable them to keep their homes clean and germ-free. This is likely to fuel further growth of home cleaning products category in the coming days. Consumer preferences have also shaped the demand for durable, new-age products as against the traditionally used cleaners like phenyl.

Commenting on GCPL’s foray into home cleaning products category with Godrej ProClean, Sunil Kataria, Chief Executive Officer - India & SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), said, “Indian consumers are becoming more hygiene conscious. Demand for cleaning products continues to grow due to consumer alertness concerning the importance of hygiene and the spread of infectious diseases. Our main objective to launch Godrej ProClean, is to create a home cleaning brand that evokes trust, ensuring best quality at the best price.”

He further added, “ProClean is a one-stop home cleaning, hygienic solution for everyday use. It offers 99.99% germ kill while ensuring value for money pricing in branded segments through its consumer offers. At GCPL, we are committed to creating delight for our consumers by prioritizing hygiene, safety and germ protection, and our new launch is another step towards reinforcing this commitment.”

Godrej ProClean provides consumers with one-stop home cleaning, hygienic solutions for everyday use. The three ProClean products come with the proposition to kill 99.99% germs. The toilet and bathroom cleaner come with the proposition of removal of toughest stains and floor cleaner comes with the promise of long lasting fragrance (available in 2 variants).

Godrej ProClean Floor Cleaner is available in two fragrance options of lavender and citrus. Godrej ProClean Toilet cleaner is available at INR 86/- for 500 ml and INR 168 for 1 ltr. Godrej ProClean Bathroom cleaner is available for INR 91 for 500 ml and INR 172/- for 1 ltr and Godrej Proclean Floor cleaner is priced at INR 93 for 500 ml and INR 179/- per litre.

However, the entire range is available to consumers at aggressive consumer offers of Buy 2 Get 1 free on all 500 ml packs and 500 ml free with all 1 ltr packs. Godrej ProClean is available across general and modern trade along with e-commerce platforms.

About Godrej Consumer Products Ltd:

Godrej Consumer Products is a leading emerging markets company. As part of the 123-year young Godrej Group, we are fortunate to have a proud legacy built on the strong values of trust, integrity and respect for others. At the same time, we are growing fast and have exciting, ambitious aspirations.

Today, our Group enjoys the patronage of 1.15 billion consumers globally, across different businesses. In line with our 3 by 3 approach to international expansion at Godrej Consumer Products, we are building a presence in 3 emerging markets (Asia, Africa, Latin America) across 3 categories (home care, personal wash, hair care). We rank among the largest household insecticide and hair care players in emerging markets. In household insecticides, we are the leader in India, the second largest player in Indonesia and are expanding our footprint in Africa. We are the leader in serving the hair care needs of women of African descent, the number one player in hair colour in India and Sub-Saharan Africa, and among the leading players in Latin America. We rank number two in soaps in India and are the number one player in air fresheners and wet tissues in Indonesia.

But for us, it is very important that besides our strong financial performance and innovative, much-loved products, we remain a good company. Approximately 23 per cent of the promoter holding in our Group is held in trusts that invest in the environment, health and education. We are also bringing together our passion and purpose to make a difference through our 'Good & Green' approach to create a more inclusive and greener India.

At the heart of all of this, is our talented team. We take much pride in fostering an inspiring workplace, with an agile and high performance culture. We are also deeply committed to recognising and valuing diversity across our teams.

DGT-MSDE Announces Result of 110th All India Trade Test for Apprentices

* Close to 96000 candidates appeared for 110th AITT for apprentices conducted in September 2020

* Km. Sneha, IHMCT, Panipat-Haryana tops the evaluation scoring 95.96% in the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC)

* Kalyan Rana, Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd, West Bengal and Thiruselvam M, BHEL-Pudukottai-Tamil Nadu rank 2nd and 3rd respectively

The Directorate General of Training (DGT) operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has announced the result of the 110th All India Trade Test (AITT) for apprentices. The examination was conducted in September 2020 that engaged close to 7,300 industries in over 200 trades. Nearly 96,000 candidates appeared for AITT out of which over 50,000 candidates passed the exam. The overall percentages of girls and boys who passed are 58.41% and 51.44% respectively, which stands testimony to increasing female participation in apprenticeship. Km. Sneha, IHMCT, Panipat-Haryana topped the evaluation scoring 95.96% in the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC). Kalyan Rana, Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd, West Bengal and Thiruselvam M, BHEL-Pudukottai-Tamil Nadu ranked 2nd and 3rd in the examination respectively. 

After completion of apprenticeship training, an evaluation through All India Trade Test (AITT) for National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) is conducted twice in a year. AITT is a skill-oriented evaluation done by DGT and the industry, and it requires continuous practice, dedication, devotion, and hardwork to succeed. DGT-MSDE certifies apprenticeship training in association with establishments and industry to make youth across the country employable by providing them relevant industry exposure. This training is under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and supported through National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). The training is as per the course curriculum designed by the DGT in the designated trades, that provides an apprentice the opportunity to receive on-the-job training by key players in the industry and get stipend.

Congratulating the successful candidates, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon’ble Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said, “Over the years, DGT-MSDE has undertaken several measures to increase the number of apprentices hired by enterprises across the country. We have brought significant reforms to the apprenticeship rules in 2019 to drive greater participation in the programme. National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) plays an integral role in our relentless efforts to strengthen the Indian apprenticeship ecosystem in order to rightly skill the youth and provide them opportunities for sustainable livelihood. My heartiest congratulations to all the successful candidates and I wish them the very best for their future. I am certain that these bright, dynamic and talented young professionals will make a mark in their respective industries and hugely contribute in fulfulling our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

Apprenticeship has been recognized as an effective way to empower young people to smoothly shift from school and college to work whilst at the same time improving links between industry and training institutions. The National Apprenticeship Programme plays a large part in the task of up-skilling India’s workforce, offering the opportunity to share costs among different parties (employers, individuals and the government) and to involve governments, employers and workers in partnership. Apprenticeship is a win-win situation both for industry and youth in coming together to help make the vision of ‘Skilled India’ a reality in future.

Sharing her thoughts in this regard, Ms. Neelam Shammi Rao, Director General (Training), DGT said, “Our mission is to fill the gap in supply and demand for skilled workforce and meet the aspirations of the Indian youth through gaining on-the-job training and securing better opportunities for employment. We realized that apprenticeship training needed to be accorded as high priority to create an industry-led, practice-oriented, effective and efficient mode of formal training. With a ‘new normal’ in place, as market dynamics are rapidly evolving, enhanced focus on apprenticeship becomes all the more important for the future of jobs. Recognized for employment both nationally and internationally, NAC helps us ensure that our initiatives align with national as well global industry standards and requirements.”

The list of the toppers and results can be seen by the candidates on the DGT website -  http://apprenticeship.gov.in

Godrej Strengthens Vaccine Cold Chain to Help India be Covid-19 Vaccine Ready

* Delivering storage units offering optimal temperature needed for the Covid 19 Vaccines being evaluated for India

* The brand ramps up medical refrigerator production capacity by 250% to meet the demand.

* Received multiple orders valued close to INR 150 Cr exclusively for Covid-19 vaccine storage purpose

The pandemic has disrupted businesses and the lives of people around the world. As the world is eagerly awaiting the vaccine to be released to the masses, India - the world's second worst-hit country with over 10 million cases -- is gearing up for a huge Covid-19 vaccination drive in the coming months. Government of India along with State governments and PSU’s, is preparing to deploy vaccines to the masses by getting the vaccines as well as the critical cold chain infrastructure to support the drive, ready.

As the country prepares for what may be one of the most significant immunization drives in history, Godrej Appliances, leading player in Indian home appliances, is getting ready for providing end-to-end solution for the Covid-19 Vaccine Cold Chain.

Like most vaccines, Covid 19 Vaccines also are extremely temperature sensitive. Undercooling and over cooling both affect vaccine potency and lead to vaccine wastage. This has a direct implication on both citizen health and the cost over runs of the vaccination program. Given the huge economic implication of the vaccination drive, any wastage or inefficiency in the vaccination process due to logistical issues related to cold chain must be avoided.

To cater to the urgent demand for Covid-19 vaccine storage in India, the brand has a range of vaccine refrigerators which operate in the precise temperature band of 2-8°C and now, also offers advanced medical freezers with cooling upto -20°C.  These temperature ranges are completely suited for the multiple Covid 19 Vaccines being evaluated by India. 4 of the 5 front runners amongst the vaccine variants being evaluated for India need to be stored at 2-8°C (as reported in public domain so far), while the diluents and freezing ice packs required for outreach programs, must be stored at -20°C.

Powered by patented Sure Chill Technology, Godrej Medical Refrigerators help maintain the optimum temperature range of 2 to 8°C - a necessity for vaccine preservation, despite intermittent power outages. In the event of power outages, this refrigerator retains its temperature for as long as 8-12 days even at ambient temperatures of 43°C. In regions without electricity supply, the equipment can be teamed with solar power to deliver the same result. On the other hand, Godrej Deep Freezers with D-cool Technology use D-shaped Copper Refrigerating Tubes to deliver quick and uniform cooling. It also has Penta Cool Technology for 5-side cooling to deliver high refrigeration efficiency. These technologies help in providing precision cooling at -20°C and a holdover time of 3 – 4 hours. Given the nature of deployment, the precision cooling and hold over time are both critical requirements. Thanks to the years of building robust appliances for tough conditions, our medical refrigerators operate at a low start up voltage of even 130 V - an added benefit making it extra suited for deployments all over the country. Godrej Medical refrigerators are made in India and use eco-friendly (CFC, HFC and HCFC free) R600A and world’s greenest R290 refrigerant which also deliver maximum energy-efficiency, in line with Godrej’s cherished value of environment.

The brand has received multiple orders valued close to INR 150 Cr from the central government, various state governments and International aid bodies as well, solely for the purpose of Covid-19 vaccine storage. It is also receiving enquiries now from PSUs who are joining the immunization effort. Godrej Appliances has already ramped up medical refrigerator production capacity from 10,000 units per annum to 35,000 units per annum, to meet the growing demand.

Godrej & Boyce has been committed to serving the country especially in the trying pandemic times, through its efforts across its offerings – be it through medical components - Hospital Bed Actuators and  Electro-magnetic valves for ventilators, or through disinfectant devices aimed at keeping the population safer at home, or setting up socially distant offices to keep people safe at work; and is proud to serve the country with Made in India medical refrigerators and freezers, at a time when they are most needed.

Commenting on these developments, Mr. Kamal Nandi, Business Head and Executive Vice President, Godrej Appliances said, “Over the years, Godrej Appliances has gained its expertise in refrigeration and has extended this further into the medical refrigeration domain. We are proud that this expertise is proving to be useful today in times when the country needs a strong vaccine cold chain and are glad to be able to contribute to the cause. Our medical refrigerators and also our medical freezers, deliver the precise cooling temperature of 2°C - 8°C and -20°C respectively, needed for the vaccines being evaluated by India at the moment. We are partnering with various stakeholders in strengthening the healthcare cold chain and aiming to solve other potential vaccine roll out challenges as well, to make India Covid-19 vaccine ready.”

Mr. Jaishankar Natarajan, Associate Vice President and Head - New Business Development, Godrej Appliances further added “The Covid-19 vaccines being rolled out in India are temperature sensitive and require storage at a specific temperature band to stay potent. Our medical refrigerators are designed to deliver such precision cooling despite power cuts, and have qualified tough international WHO PQS certification standards. Our 62 years of existence in the cooling industry coupled with extensive service network in the country positions us to deliver quick and reliable service to this critical healthcare challenge. Currently, to meet the increasing demand, we have enhanced our production capacity of these specialized products by 250 percent. Together with the government and health workers, we are committed to provide last mile immunization for Covid-19 vaccine distribution, to safeguard millions of lives.”

About Godrej Appliances

Godrej Appliances, a business unit of the highly diversified Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. is one of the leading Home Appliances players in India. Godrej was the first Indian Company in 1958 to manufacture Refrigerators and has since then, expanded its portfolio across many other categories like Washing Machines, Air Conditioners, Microwave Ovens, futuristic Thermo-electric cooling solutions, Air Coolers, Deep Freezers, highly specialized Medical Refrigerators and more recently, UVC Technology-Based Disinfecting devices and Dishwashers, all powered by the driving philosophy of 'Things made thoughtfully’/ ‘Soch Ke Banaya Hai’. 

This thought extends from human-centric design to planet centric design. Environment is a core value at Godrej Appliances. Both manufacturing units of Godrej Appliances’ - in Maharashtra and Punjab, became the first in the country to win the coveted Platinum Plus Green Co certification for its pioneering green manufacturing practices. 

The brand takes pride in not just its carefully designed products and environment-friendly technologies, but also best in class after-sales service delivered through over 680 service centers and more than 4500 SmartBuddy service experts spread all over the country.

3i Infotech Announces Sale of its Software Products Business to Funds Advised by Apax Partners

3i Infotech Limited, a global information technology company, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to sell its Software Products business to funds advised by Apax Partners, for a total consideration of INR 10 billion. The Software Products business will be acquired by a newly formed company named Azentio Software, wholly owned by the Apax Funds. The transaction, subject to shareholder approval and relevant regulatory approvals, is expected to close in early 2021. 
Since its incorporation in 1993, 3i Infotech has been providing a range of IT services and software products to 1,200+ customers across multiple industry verticals in over 50 countries. The company operates through two business segments: 

Services and Software Products. The Services segment, under the brand Altiray®, provides consulting services, business optimization services and an extensive expertise in mobility, data analytics, big data, testing and application development. The Software Products business comprises a comprehensive set of core software products for customers in banking, financial services and insurance (“BFSI”) verticals and includes key products such as Kastle™ (universal banking platform), AMLOCK™ (financial crime detection and compliance software suite), Premia™ Astra (core insurance software), MFund™ Plus (asset management platform) and Orion™ (enterprise resource planning software). 

 Following the transaction, 3i Infotech will continue to pursue strategic growth initiatives in the             IT services business,  supported by a stronger balance sheet. The transaction will revitalise                     growth and accelerate value creation for all stakeholders of 3i Infotech, including customers,                 employees and shareholders. The newly formed Azentio Software will be supported by Apax                 Funds, with increased investments in R&D and sales and marketing. Azentio Software will focus          on investing in its current product portfolio, launching new products and providing best in class            service levels to all customers. The Apax Funds will also use Azentio as a platform to do M&A              across the BFSI software space in the region. 

Padmanabhan Iyer, Managing Director & Global CEO, 3i Infotech, said: “Today’s announcement is transformative and value accretive for all stakeholders of 3i Infotech. I foresee a very exciting future for both the IT services and the software products business. Both businesses will have the resources to capitalise on market opportunities and build long term value for employees, customers and shareholders. I want to thank the entire 3i Infotech team for their commitment and contribution towards the successful journey of the company and I am sure that the teams will be infused with renewed vigour going forward.” 

 

Shashank Singh, Partner and Head of the India office at Apax Partners, commented: “Increasing technology spend on core software systems across the BFSI industry and ERP space is driving rapid growth in the enterprise software market in the region. The newly formed company, Azentio, has a strong portfolio of feature rich products that run the core operations for customers. We are excited to unlock Azentio’s potential and help transform the business into a true regional leader in the software space.”

 

Umang Kajaria, Partner at Apax Partners, added: “ERP, core Banking and Insurance software are key areas of focus for the Apax Funds, with numerous successful investments to date. Azentio provides critical, vertical-specific software that allows its customers to stay competitive. We look forward to partnering with the Azentio management team in driving continued innovation and creating a software leader for the MEA and APAC regions.” 

 
About Apax Partners LLP  
Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of approximately $50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. The Apax Funds have a strong track record in the software sector having previously invested in companies such as Duck Creek, MyCase, Eci and Lexitas. For more information see: 

www.apax.com.   

 
About Azentio  
Azentio Software, a newly formed company in 2020 that has been carved out of 3i Infotech, a global information technology  company in 2020. Azentio Software provides critical, vertical-specific software products for customers in banking, financial services and insurance verticals and includes key products such as Kastle™ (universal banking platform), AMLOCK (compliance software suite), Premia™ Astra (core insurance software), Orion™ (enterprise resource planning software) and MFund™ Plus (asset management platform).  

About 3i Infotech  

Headquartered in Mumbai, India, since its inception in 1993, the Company has been committed to driving business value across all industry verticals. The Company has over 5500 employees in 32 offices across 12 countries and over 1200+ customers in more than 50 countries across 4 continents. With a comprehensive set of IP based software solutions and a wide range of IT services, 3i Infotech has successfully transformed business operations of customers globally. The company has a very strong foothold and customer base in geographies like North America, India, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South Asia and Europe. 

Tesla to Start Selling Cars in India in Early 2021; Likely to Setup R&D Centre in Bangalore

* Union minister Nitin Gadkari has confirmed that Tesla will start selling operations in India next year. The company may also set up a manufacturing plant in India if it gets a good response.

US Based Billionaire Elon Musk’s clean energy and electric vehicle company Tesla will start operations in India early next year, confirmed Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

Tesla is initially expected to sell its vehicles in India, and it would also look at setting up a manufacturing facility at a later stage depending on demand, Gadkari told the media.

Gadkari has already held a few rounds of talks with top Tesla executives. Some states have also held meetings with the electric car company for sales of its vehicles in India.

At a recent media event, Gadkari said there is focus on developing electric cars and added that a lot of Indian firms are also looking at developing electric cars.

US electric vehicle maker Tesla is in talks with the Karnataka government to set up a Research & Development (R&D) centre as well as their manufacturing bases in the state, said Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan during curtain  raiser meet for the 23rd edition of Bangalore Tech Summit.

On Sunday, Musk said Tesla plans to enter the India market in 2021, but not in January. This, however, is not the first time Musk said that Tesla is entering the Indian market. In October, too, the billionaire CEO of Tesla suggested that the company will start India operations “next year for sure".

The report indicated that Tesla would open pre-bookings for its Model 3 vehicle and the deliveries would be made by June. It is unlikely that the company will stitch partnerships with dealerships to sell its car.

Potential customers should note that even though the Model 3 is one of Tesla’s more affordable cars, it will not be cheap in India as they will arrive as completely built units (CBU) with a high import duty charge. While there is no confirmation on the pricing, reports suggest that one Tesla Model 3 will cost Rs 55 lakh in India.

Indira IVF’s Successful Clinical Outcome Rate is a Result of its Cutting-Edge ART Technology in India

* India’s biggest fertility chain incorporates Electronic Witnessing systems and Closed Working Chambers technologies

Indira IVF, India’s leading fertility chain credits it clinical success rate to their commitment in implementing advanced technology like – Electronic Witnessing systems and Closed Working Chambers across its centres. Indira IVF was the first organisation in the country to have conducted over 100,000 procedures and has established itself as the largest infertility specialist clinics chain in India.

The Electronic Witnessing technology imported from Denmark and Closed Working Chambers technology from Australia address two very critical facets of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). The former utilises RFID (radio frequency identification) chips that are tagged on test tubes of sperm samples and dishes where eggs are stored; this ensures monitoring and that there is no mix-up of unrelated samples. Closed Working Chambers provide a controlled and suitable environment, similar to the human body, for the handling of these samples; this provides clean and safe processes that increases the likelihood of success by manifold.

Speaking about the development, Mr. Nitiz Murdia, Co-founder and Director at Indira IVF said, “We understand that infertility in India is not only a medical condition, but it also comes with societal consequences. Couples undergoing treatment face a host of challenges, and uncertainty related to outcome is a major concern. Thus, the assurance that an IVF cycle will lead to a successful pregnancy is paramount.”

“With the aid of unique, advanced cutting-edge technologies from abroad such as Electronic Witnessing systems and Closed Working Chambers, it is our humble attempt to give equal access to all who trust us for their treatment and help put their mind at ease. It is by means of empathy and meticulous standardisation processes that we have been able to attain a 74% success rate at Indira IVF so far,” Mr. Murdia added.

Dr. Rajeev Kayestha, Regional Director (N/W) of CooperSurgical, the company that provides the Electronic Witnessing technology, RI Witness™, to Indira IVF said “We are proud to partner with Indira IVF who is the biggest employer of our technology in the country. Given the fact that IVF specialists work on several procedures at a time, the RI Witness™ technology is a fool proof system that completely eliminates the chances of any kind of mix-up at all stages of an IVF procedure.”  

The foundation for Indira IVF is set on the principle of increasing access to affordable state-of-the-art IVF treatment to aspiring individuals and couples. The introduction of these technologies furthers this cause and empowers people to take control of their reproductive health.

Witnessing a huge influx of inquiries from Tier II and Tier III cities, and in its effort to provide affordable and best in class treatment, the company added five new centres in Tier-III cities namely, Nanded, Warangal, Sirsa, Gulbarga, Ujjain, and the recent one being in Noida. Indira IVF today has a total of 94 centres across India.

About Indira IVF

Indira IVF is India’s largest infertility speciality clinics chain with 94 centres across the country, supported by a passionate workforce of over 2200 people. Indira IVF performs about 33,000+ IVF procedures a year – the highest number in the country.

As a responsible leader, Indira IVF constantly strives to dispel the stigma, taboo, myths and misinformation about infertility. Indira IVF is also committed to developing and grooming talent for fertility treatments. Through the Indira Fertility Academy, it collaborates with like-minded organisations and institutions to further this cause. Having perceived the potential of Indira IVF in the sector, TA Associates, a leading global equity firm from the U.S., invested in the organisation in 2019.

Indira IVF was founded in the year 2011 in Udaipur, Rajasthan by Dr Ajay Murdia.

JK Tyre Gets Recognition From CII for its Sustainable Manufacturing Practices Globally

JK Tyre & Industries Limited, a leading Tyre manufacturer, has been on the forefront of sustainable growth.  As its ethos, it has been making all out efforts to maintain its leadership in energy usage and this reduction in carbon footprints.

JK Tyre’s efforts have been recently recognized by ‘being’ conferred with two prestigious recognitions from Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

JK Tyre’s plant in Kankroli, Rajasthan won National Water Award for its exemplary efforts in water conservation taking a 3M approach to water conservation – Measure, Monitor and Management. The award was announced during the 14th CII National Awards for Excellence in Water Management 2020.   JK Tyre’s Kankroli plant has the lowest water consumption in the world, in the Tyre Industry.

The Company’s Chennai plant was recognized as Excellent ‘Energy Efficient Unit’ for the sixth consecutive time since 2015. Additionally, the plant also qualified for the recognition of ‘National Energy Leader’ during the 21st National Award for Excellence in Energy Management 2020 Forum by CII.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Anil Makkar, Manufacturing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd said, “JK Tyre has set industry benchmarks for its efforts towards carbon footprint reduction and judicious use of resources. Our effort to create an environmentally conscious organization will help pave the way for industries to go green in the future.  Both Kankroli and Chennai are special projects and receiving such prestigious recognitions for our efforts will further motivate us to continue in this path towards sustainable development. Our aim is to adopt and promote sustainable practices across our plants globally.”

The Company has successfully provided a plethora of water saving solutions in its Kankroli plant. The Air Handling Unit has had a replacement from nozzle type to cellulose pad, to decrease water loss through evaporation. Additionally, rainwater harvesting points have been set up across 4 points in the plant, which has led to a decrease in lake water consumption from 620 KLD to 348 KLD and an increase in rainwater consumption to 13.6% of total fresh water use.

The Chennai plant has effectively reduced the energy consumption by 11.6% that resulted into excellent cost savings in the span of three years. The plant has also achieved 13% reduction in total CO2-e Emission intensity at 0.88 ton/ton of production. Additionally, the plant is using 57% of total power from renewable source of wind and solar.

JK Tyre & Industries Limited:

The flagship company of JK Organisation, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd is amongst the top 25 manufacturers in the world. Pioneers of radial technology, the Company produced the first radial tyre in 1977 and is currently the market leader in Truck Bus Radial segment. The Company provides end-to-end solutions across segments of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, farming, Off-the-Road and two & three-wheelers.

A global force, JK Tyre is present in 105 countries with over 180 Global distributors.  The Company has 12 globally benchmarked ‘sustainable’ manufacturing facilities - 9 in India and 3 in Mexico – that collectively produce around 35 million tyres annually. The Company also has a strong network of over 4000 dealers and 550+ dedicated Brand shops called as Steel Wheels and Xpress Wheels.

JK Tyre’s unwavering commitment towards innovation is reflected through its state-of-the-art global research and technology centre – the Raghupati Singhania Centre of Excellence - in Mysore, which houses some of the world’s finest technologies and techniques.

JK Tyre launched India’s first ever ‘Smart Tyre’ technology-and introduced Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) which monitors the tyre’s vital statistics, including pressure and temperature. The company recently rolled out its 20 millionth Truck/Bus Radial tyre becoming the first and the only Indian company to achieve this milestone.

It is the only Indian tyre manufacturer to be included in the list of Superbrands India in 2019 for the seventh consecutive year. JK Tyre has been conferred the Sword of Honour for Safety across its plants by the British Safety Council,UK. The company entered the Limca Book of Records with the country’s largest off-the-road tyre - VEM 04.

JK Tyre is also synonymous with motorsport in the country. For over three decades, the Company has relentlessly worked towards shaping India’s positioning as the motorsport hub of Asia, developing the right infrastructure for the sport and promoting young talent in the arena.

Ghadi Detergent Launches #BachaavMeinHiSamajhdaariHai Awareness Campaign in India

To encourage health and safety amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, RSPL Group, manufacturers, and marketers of Ghadi – India’s no. 1 detergent powder unveiled its all-new #BachaavMeinHiSamajhdaariHai campaign. Ghadi detergent is India’s first brand to create awareness through its packaging.  

India’s first awareness initiative via packaging aims to reach more than 10 crore Indian households. They will be reminded of always wearing a face mask and to be more responsible and committed to public safety.  

The awareness initiative will be showcased on the Ghadi detergent packet wherein the actual logo is covered with a printed mask. In addition to the messaging on the pack, Ghadi detergent is also activating a huge network of distribution channels, simultaneously asking their retail partners to join the movement to spread the message.  

Ghadi has supported this initiative with a digital film that shows a small girl in a shop making her dad realise that the best way to show you care is by wearing a mask – just like the exhibit on Ghadi pack. The film also shows the importance of washing face masks regularly. 

Speaking on this occasion, Mr Rahul Gyanchandani, Joint Managing Director of RSPL Group said “These are challenging times for each one of us. During this tough period, we need to stay and fight this challenge together. Everyone should take care of our near and dear ones and do our bit for the society. Under this initiative, we are also distributing one million masks. Ghadi detergent reaches millions of homes across India and we decided to do our bit to spread this important message.” 

Nakul Sharma, VP and ECD, ADK Fortune said, “For us, this initiative is not limited to just a message. Thus, we wanted to put a mast on the Ghadi itself and reach it to every household. So, we dressed Ghadi with a mask to take this idea to the common people, as Ghadi reached millions of the households in India. This mask message film has already notched 65 million views during the initial few days only, which is very encouraging and is proof that this campaign is having an emotional impact and accelerating change.” 

About Ghadi Detergent: 

Ghadi Detergent is manufactured by RSPL, a Kanpur based approx Rs 7,000 crore diversified conglomerate in India. The detergent brand was founded by Shri Muralidhar Gyanchandani and Shri Bimal Kumar Gyanchandani in 1987. The vision of the brand is to give superior brand experience and value for consumers’ money. The tagline “Pehle Istemaal Kare Phir Vishwaas Kare” (First use then believe) is on the tongues of millions. Ghadi detergent is India’s number one detergent. 

Teachers Adopting Online Tutoring Witness 400% Average Growth in their Teaching Practice: Teachmint

* Data based on the analysis of increase in student enrollments observed by teachers within 8 weeks from sign-up on the Teachmint app

* Teachers’ claim this growth can be attributed to 5 main factors: ease with which business can be digitized end-to-end, capacity to overcome logistical limitations & increased geographical reach, ability to create customized teaching methodologies, access to time & resource saving features and the capability to leverage positive word of mouth on connected social networks

Teachmint, India’s leading EdTech company focused on India relevant digital tutoring solutions, today revealed that teachers who have made a switch to online tutoring from the conventional physical classroom set-up have witnessed an average 4x growth in their teaching business in 8 weeks of signing up. This data is based on the analysis of the spike in the number of student enrollments observed among active teachers on the platform. 

There are 2.5 lakh teachers who have signed up on Teachmint till date and this number is growing by more than 50,000 new registrations every month. Through this period of growth, the trend of tutors on the platform scaling their practice has stayed its course even after the pandemic induced lockdown had started to wind down over the last two months. Individual teacher growth stories range from a 200% growth to 1000% growth in student enrollments, with some teachers now adding as many as 1600 students to their classrooms, clearly underscoring the value educators can derive by switching over to digital platforms. 

A deeper analysis of factors driving this growth has thrown up a few major reasons for the switch. The first of which is the fact that teachers are now easily able to digitize their entire teaching businesses including content delivery, student engagement and administrative workflows.

A digital presence also means that tutors are now able to take their classroom to any corner of the world and are no longer inhibited by their own geographical location. Another reason for this unprecedented growth can be attributed to the fact that digital classrooms create time and resource efficiency like never before, allowing tutors to cater to a significantly larger number of students.

An interesting byproduct of achieving such scale is that tutors, who are now also armed with a powerful set of online tools, can create imaginative and tailored teaching methodologies for their students, thereby providing a more immersive learning experience. All these aforementioned factors have thus resulted in a new generation of tech savvy tutors unafraid of leveraging the positive buzz from within their own social networks, enabling to add students to their classrooms at an unprecedented rate.

Mihir Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO, Teachmint said, “Face to face tutor lead teaching is the mainstay of the Indian education sector, making a strong case for digitization of tutor services as opposed to content based self-learning models. However, this form of teaching is traditionally cost-heavy and is difficult to scale. Digitization has dissolved boundaries and unlocked opportunities for teachers to scale beyond physical & geographical limits without any capital investment. Today, teachers on Teachmint are seamlessly teaching a greater number of students from neighboring cities and imparting a superior learning environment and experience.” 

“Now, teachers can focus on their specialty and subject expertise to address a much larger student segment more efficiently and at much lower cost per student”, he added. 

Exemplifying the benefit of scale that can be achieved through digital teaching is Ajay Gupta, a Delhi based tutor who prepares students for CA examinations. Mr. Gupta has been able to expand his student base from 3 to 50 students within a month of subscribing to Teachmint. Sharing his experience Mr. Gupta said, “I am really fortunate to be a part of Teachmint. It is simple, easy to use and extremely user friendly. Once I adopted digitization my students started to spread the word among their networks and I now have students from as far as Jammu all the way to Chennai. It is amazing that I was able to bring on-board all these new students within the first month itself. The operational challenges of attendance, tests etc. are managed easily on the app which helps teachers focus more on the content than the management.” 

Udit Narayan Sahu, who runs an English class on the Teachmint app, is yet another success story of grassroot digitization. A teacher who had been running a physical institute in the Janjgir-Champa district of Chattisgarh for about 4 years, Mr. Sahu lost almost all his students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He joined the Teachmint app in early December. “This is my first experience teaching online and I have found it to be easier than expected. In my two weeks on the app, I have been able to reach out to add 37 new students to my classroom from surrounding areas.  In the beginning I thought this will be how I tide over till things are back to normal. Now I have realised that I would probably never want to teach offline full-time again.”

It is no secret that the ongoing global public health crisis has fast-forwarded the adoption of online learning solution. Students, teachers and even parents have adjusted to the new normal of online education enabled by brands like Teachmint who enable tutors with the tools to run their classes in a manner that enhances the learning experience and allows them to customize their unique method of imparting education. As per teachers’ feedback, the best part of Teachmint is how easy it is to use. The platform also helps them create a real-life classroom experience digitally with various tools to choose for conducting classes, and most importantly ability to have uninterrupted and clear classes even in low network/bandwidth areas.