This Is Forwardism. The All-New BMW 7 And The First-Ever BMW i7 Now In Indian Market

* New BMW flagship design showcasing presence, progressiveness and emotion.

* Expressive front: Split headlights with BMW Crystal Headlights and BMW ‘Iconic Glow’ Kidney Grille.

* Modern cockpit with illuminated BMW Interaction Bar and Widescreen Curved Display.

* Rear-seat cinema: Executive Lounge Seating and fold-down 31.3" 8K Resolution BMW Theatre Screen with Amazon Fire TV.

* #ThisisForwardism #BMW7 #BMWi7 #BMWIndia #SheerDrivingPleasure

The seventh generation all-new BMW 7 Series has been launched in India along with the first-ever BMW i7. With this, the BMW flagship will be available in petrol, diesel and electric powertrains. The BMW 740i M Sport is locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai while the all-electric BMW i7 xDrive60 is available as a completely built-up unit (CBU). Diesel variant will be introduced later. The cars can be booked at BMW India dealerships. Deliveries will commence from March 2023.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “The seventh generation of the BMW 7 Series marks a turning point. It is a symbol of ‘Forwardism’ that continuously challenges the ordinary, a unique quality distinguishing those who shape what’s next. But one thing hasn’t changed - it is still the measure for all things luxury. The all-new 7 is the face of the new luxury class design language which stuns through its presence, progressiveness and emotion. The 7 once again reaffirms its status as an innovation leader and a pioneer of trailblazing digital experience. It is a statement, a piece of art – ensuring lasting fascination tomorrow and beyond.”

Commenting on the launch of the first-ever BMW i7, Mr. Pawah added, “The first-ever BMW i7 is a true all-electric luxury sedan that clearly demonstrates how an exclusive driving experience can be combined with an unwavering commitment to sustainability. The i7 offers all-electric innovation, visionary design, and powerful driving dynamics so that you can make a striking impression everywhere you go. Built for the luminaries with next-level style and substance, it is undeniably alluring from the inside out.”

The cars are available at an ex-showroom price of -

The all-new BMW 740i M Sport              -           INR  1,70,00,000

The first-ever BMW i7 xDrive60              -           INR  1,95,00,000

*Price prevailing at the time of invoicing will be applicable. Ex-showroom prices inclusive of GST (incl. compensation cess) as applicable but excludes Road Tax, Tax Collected at Source (TCS), GST on Tax collected at source, RTO statutory taxes/fees, other local tax cess levies and insurance. Price and options are subject to change without prior notice. For further information, please contact the local authorised BMW Dealer.

The car is available in following paintworks – Oxide Grey, Mineral White, Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Brooklyn Grey BMW Individual Tanzanite Blue and BMW Individual Dravit Grey. For the first time, customers can also choose the optionally available dual tone paintworks. Black Sapphire roof paintwork is available with Oxide Grey, Aventurine Red, Tanzanite Blue or Dravit Grey exterior. Oxide Grey roof paintwork is available with Black Sapphire, Aventurine Red, Tanzanite Blue or Dravit Grey exterior.

BMW Individual Leather ‘Merino’ upholstery comes in Amarone, Tartufo, Mocha, Black and Smoke White. BMW Individual leather ‘Merino’ with exclusive contents is optionally available, including Leather Merino - Cashmere Wool combination.

The new BMW 7 Series features a host of innovations such as BMW Kidney Grille with Iconic Glow, BMW Crystal Headlights with Iconic Glow, automatic doors, BMW Curved Display, BMW Interaction Bar, BMW Theatre Screen, Executive Lounge Seating, Smartphone-style touchscreen control panels in the rear doors.

BMW ConnectedDrive technology breaks the innovation barrier and turns the car into an interconnected digital device. It includes BMW ID, MyBMW App, Digital Key Plus, Emergency Call, Real-time Traffic Information, Remote Services, smartphone parking and Amazon Fire TV.

The car comes with standard two-year warranty for unlimited kilometers. Repair Inclusive can extend warranty benefits from third year of operation to maximum fifth year without any mileage limitation. The high-voltage battery in BMW i7 is covered by a warranty valid for eight years or up to 160,000 kilometers.

BMW India Financial Services offers a complete package for loan, insurance and vehicle services. Benefits include flexible and customized ownership plans like BMW 360° Ultimate which give assured buyback value up to 5 years. Customers will also enjoy attractive offers to trade-in / upgrade to a new BMW.

The all-new BMW 7 and first-ever BMW i7 make a visual statement by taking a considerable leap forward in terms of design and dimensions. They represent the new face of BMW luxury class. The headlights are divided into two parts. At the top are the daytime running lights, complete with the BMW Crystal Headlights. Their sparkling Swarovski crystals reflect ambient light in a multi-faceted way even when not illuminated, resulting in an impressive shimmering effect. Underneath are the LED headlights for high beam and low beam. Another distinguished feature is the strikingly illuminated BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille surround that lends an unmistakeable appearance. The all-new BMW 7 Series exceeds the length of its predecessor by 131mm (5,391 mm), a key factor adding to its majestic comfort.

The first-ever BMW i7 additionally offers the comfort-enhancing feature of automatic door opening and closing via just a touch on the door handles, the buttons in the BMW Interaction Bar or the rear door trim or the car key.

In the interior, the innovative BMW Interaction Bar defines the revolutionary cockpit design. This backlit bar looks like a piece of crystal jewellery where air vents are integrated almost invisibly. Using this touch-enabled bar, passengers can also adjust ambient lighting, air conditioning as well as its appearance. The freestanding BMW Curved Display adds even more high-tech appeal.

Unique and innovative features in the rear take comfort to a new level. A key feature here is Rear Seat Entertainment Experience with BMW Theatre Screen. The 31.3-inch touch screen with 8K resolution extends down from the ceiling to turn the car into a mobile home cinema as the windows blinds and panorama glass roof automatically close. BMW is the first manufacturer to integrate Amazon Fire TV (with highspeed data links) enabling comprehensive entertainment for the perfect travel experience. Equally extraordinary is the panoramic glass roof sky lounge, which is around 40 per cent larger than the predecessor. The Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provides an exceptional audio experience at concert hall level. Another highlight is the 5.5-inch smartphone-style touchscreen control panels in the rear doors.

The Executive Lounge Seating behind the front passenger reclines to 42.5 degrees, offering a true first-class experience thanks to multifunction seats, massage function, active seat ventilation and rear console. The sophisticated yet modern look is complemented by newly developed upholstery and high-end materials such as the BMW Individual Merino leather/wool-cashmere optionally available in BMW i7.

My Modes can be used to turn every journey into an individual experience by combining sound, light, temperature, suspension settings and seat functions to create a particular mood. Other than Personal Mode, Sport Mode and Efficient mode, the new BMW 7 Series is offered with multiple new modes: My Mode Relax, My Mode Theatre and My Mode Expressive.

My Mode Relax combines calm images in the Control Display, seat massage and a gentle soundscape to encourage occupants to unwind. In addition, drivers can black out the window areas and the panoramic glass roof. In My Mode Theatre, the BMW Theatre Screen folds down, the interior is dimmed, and the seat moved into a comfortable viewing position. My Mode Expressive accentuates the driving experience with lively colours and patterns as well as BMW IconicSounds Electric.

BMW ConnectedDrive technology breaks the innovation barrier and turns the car into an interconnected digital device. It includes BMW ID, MyBMW App, Digital Key Plus, Emergency Call, Real-time Traffic Information, Remote Services, smartphone parking and Amazon Fire TV.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the freestanding BMW Curved Display with Navigation with real-time traffic information and augmented view. It includes a 12.3-inch digital information display behind the steering wheel, a 14.9-inch Control Display and BMW Head-up Display.

The latest BMW iDrive with Operating System 8 offers all the possibilities for interaction between occupants and the vehicle – using touch, gesture or speech. It is complemented by the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant system which has a self-learning intelligence that adopts a driver’s individual habits, proactively provides useful tips on new driving functions and seamlessly integrates smartphone apps. Wireless smartphone integration and regular Remote Software Upgrades ensure that the car is always up to date.

My BMW app functions include popular options for keeping an eye on the current vehicle status at all times as well as Learning Navigation which offers destination suggestions and traffic information based on the owner’s driving habits. In addition, a Near-field communication (NFC) card can be activated as a vehicle key, customers can also use My BMW app to turn a smartphone and a smartwatch into a digital key. It enables customers to automatically open, close and start the vehicle. Customer can also share the digital key with up to 5 users.

The spread of Driver Assistance Systems is more extensive. They support the driver and also increase comfort and safety. Standard equipment includes functions like Cruise Control, Attentiveness Assistant, Parking Assistant Professional with remote parking via smartphone and Reversing Assistant. Driving Asssitant Professional on BMW i7 further adds active cruise control with Stop&Go function, along with Steering and Lane Control Assistant.

The BMW 7 Series also delivers a new level of dynamic performance. It is larger than its predecessor, but still offers the typical BMW sportiness and agility due to combined intelligent connectivity of all control systems. Integral Active Steering available on BMW i7 makes even lighter work of manoeuvring with the rear wheel steering, increases agility at moderate speeds and enhances poise and assurance when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds.

The BMW flagship is offered in petrol 740i M Sport and the all-electric BMW i7. Diesel will be offered later.

Thanks to the unrivalled BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, the petrol engine of the BMW 740i M Sport melds maximum power with exemplary efficiency and offers spontaneous responsiveness even at low engine speeds. The three-litre six-cylinder engine produces an output of 381 hp and a maximum torque of 520 Nm at 1,850 – 5,000 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 – 100 km / hr in just 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 250 Km/hr. The eight-speed Steptronic transmission performs smooth, almost imperceptible gearshifts. At any time, in any gear, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine, enabling it to develop its full power and efficiency.

Fifth generation BMW eDrive technology in the BMW i7 xDrive60 features a highly integrated drive unit within a single housing that is powered by an electric motor, single-speed transmission and power electronics. The car instantly accelerates from 0 to 100 km/hr in 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 240 km/hr. It produces an output of 544 hp and a maximum torque of 745 Nm. The extremely slim (110 mm) and high-voltage lithium-ion recyclable battery integrated in the floor has a net capacity of 101.7 kWh providing a range of up to 625 kms (WLTP).

The car ensures fast and hassle-free charging. Charging time is:

195 kW DC Charger: 10%-80% in 34 min (170 kms added range in 10 min*)

22 kW AC Charger: 0%-100% in about 5 hrs

11 kW AC Charger: 0%-100% in about 10.5 hrs

The BMW i7 comes with a complimentary BMW Wallbox charger with installation. It can be integrated at home to enable safe and convenient charging up to 22kW.

BMW Group India has one of the best charging networks in luxury segment with fast chargers at BMW dealer network in 32 cities across India. BMW dealer network across India welcomes owners of electric vehicles of all brands for fast and convenient charging at nominal rates.

Sustainability is in the DNA of BMW long before Sheer Driving Pleasure begins. BMW principle of Circular Economy - ‘RE:THINK, RE:DUCE, RE:USE, RE:CYCLE’ cuts down use of primary raw materials and increases secondary materials. Reduction of carbon footprint is achieved throughout the value chain and all stages of lifecycle by making comprehensive use of natural and recyclable materials and production with 100% green electricity.

BMW EfficientDynamics includes features such as 8-speed Steptronic Automatic Transmission, Auto Start-Stop, ECO PRO mode, Brake-Energy Regeneration, Electronic Power Steering, 50:50 Weight Distribution, Driving Experience Control switch and many other innovative technologies.

BMW Safety technologies include six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensor, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.

Photocaption: (From Right) Mr. Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior Vice President, Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, BMW Group and Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India at the launch of the all-new BMW 7 Series and the first-ever fully electric BMW i7.

Update On ‘Bumper Offer’ As Circulated On Instant Messaging Tool- Telegram

This is with regards to a scheme that has been circulated on instant messaging tool-Telgram indicating a bumper offer scheme by UTI Mutual Fund. We would like to inform that no such offer or product on sale has been offered by UTI Mutual Fund. The scheme lures potential investors of a bumper return and in no circumstances we commit such returns.

We understand the impact this malicious offer may have on potential investors and hence are bringing this to the notice of relevant authorities for necessary legal action.

A strict action will be taken against such false/misleading offer in all such instances.

To know more about UTI Mutual Fund schemes log into https://www.utimf.com/

About UTI Mutual Fund

UTI Mutual Fund is a SEBI registered mutual fund whose Sponsors are State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of   Baroda   and Life Insurance Corporation of India.

UTI Mutual Fund is one of the largest mutual funds in India with investor accounts of over 1 crore under its 190  domestic schemes / plans as on April 30, 2019.

LEAD Acquires Pearson’s Local K-12 Learning Business In India

* The acquisition marks a key milestone in LEAD’s aspiration to provide excellent education to every child in India

LEAD, India's largest School Edtech company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, to acquire its local K-12 learning business in India.  With this acquisition, LEAD will immediately expand its reach to over 9000 schools and will further enhance its product portfolio to cater to the entire spectrum of 5 lakh+ private schools in India.

Sumeet Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO, LEAD, said, “LEAD’s mission is to bring excellent education to every child. School Edtech is poised for sustained growth post Covid and with the acquisition of the local K-12 learning business of Pearson India, we will be able to reach more schools and students in the service of our mission to provide excellent education to every child.  This acquisition will unlock synergies and build on our combined knowledge, experience and technology strengths to bring 21st century School Edtech innovation to India’s schools.”

In its K-12 learning portfolio, Pearson India caters to private, English medium CBSE and ICSE schools offering high quality blended learning solutions (books + digital) ensuring learning continuity at home; and teacher resources.  LEAD’s acquisition of Pearson’s local K-12 learning business in India is being funded through a combination of new fundraise and internal accruals. The acquisition, which has been approved by the Board of Directors of both companies, is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed by Q1 CY 2023.  EY was the exclusive financial advisor to LEAD on the transaction.

About LEAD

LEAD is India's largest School Edtech company and is promoted by Leadership Boulevard Private Limited. LEAD was founded in 2012 by Sumeet Mehta and Smita Deorah, with the mission to transform school education in India. It combines deeply researched curriculum and pedagogy with technology to deliver an integrated system of teaching and learning that improves student learning outcomes and teacher performance in 3000+ schools across India. 

LEAD's integrated system is available to schools in 400+ towns and cities across India, reaching 1.2 million+ students and empowering over 25,000 teachers. LEAD-powered schools provide children with international standard education and national-level exposure for all-round growth, with a focus on helping them become confident and succeed in life.

About Pearson:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com      

MAHE Collaborates With Ecron Acunova For The Launch Of An Exclusive, State Of The Art Bioequivalence Facility

Manipal academy of higher education is supporting Ecron Acunova for the inauguration of the new state of art Phase I and Bioequivalence facility at Manipal. The facility is inaugurated by Dr. H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, Manipal, Mr. Srinivasan H R, CEO, Navitas Lifesciences, Dr.Ayaaz Hussain Khan , MD, Ecron Acunova & Sri T. Ashok Pai President of Dr TMA Pai Foundation along with other dignitaries.

Ecron Acunova commenced its operations in 2005 as Manipal Acunova, as a part of MEMG and in the ecosystem of Manipal Academy of Higher Education. It is a preferred Clinical Research Organisation for Indian and Global pharmaceutical companies to bring affordable Generic medicines to market faster.

They have completed 1400+ BA/BE studies in Manipal, Mangalore, and Chennai facilities. Additionally, they have completed multiple successful inspections by various global regulatory authorities with zero observations. 

The Launch of Exclusive Phase I and Bioequivalence Facility will help to facilitate the faster market reach of generic medicines. The Facility encompasses, World-class Facility spanning 32000 Sqft across four floors, 150 beds Clinical Pharmacology Units Multiple wards to accommodate mixed gender studies, a Dedicated screening area, an Euglycemic Clamp Facility, State of the art Bioanalytical laboratory 

Speaking about the collaboration Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE said, “We are privileged and honoured to be a part of this remarkable collaboration. My heartiest congratulations to all of them for their efforts to make another collaboration a successful one. The current education system seeks new dimensions and new explorations in such areas as well. I am glad that we are focusing on getting affordable Generic medicines to market faster. Let’s keep up the good work going”

Mr. Srinivasan HR, CEO of Navitas life sciences said “with this expansion, we become the largest Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Centres in the country with state-of-the-art facility which will enable bringing of generic medicine to market. We are committed to continue our expansion”.

Dr. Ayaaz Hussain Khan, Managing Director of Ecron Acunova said “Ecron Acunova with its quality delivery of Biostudies for the last 15 years for the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries/Organisation has enabled patients access to medicines affordable. The expansion of the generic business unit with the inauguration of the new facility at Manipal paves way to the next level of growth with extended capabilities in inhalation and euglycemic clamp studies”.  

Manipal Academy of Higher Education has collaborated with Acunova to work on a Patient Bioequivalence study for USFDA submission in psoriasis with Dr. Satish Pai, Dept of Dermatology, Kasturba Hospital Manipal, they also formed a group of Therapeutic Area experts for guidance during the conduct of Global Clinical Trials. The study was inspected by US Health Officials and has been successfully closed. Acunova also collaborated on a few other programs where their staff has given seminars in MAHE, MCOPS.

We collaborate with the Dept. of Neonatology, KMC, and Manipal for aminophylline and caffeine Bioanalysis in our lab for an ICMR-sponsored project on POP PK and PD study among Preterm newborns with apnea. collaborate with the Dept. of Community Medicine, KMC, Manipal, for the Bioanalysis of Cotinine in the study "Preventing smoking uptake among adolescents – A Primary prevention initiative for chronic lung disease in India” funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), UK. 

They are also working with Stempeutics for a Clinical trial on Stem cells in Osteoarthritis, along with the Orthopaedic Department of Kasturba hospital. Together, they are developing a method for RBC Acetyl Cholinesterase that can be used as a diagnostic marker in Organophosphorus Poisoning and have already developed a method for estimating Tacrolimus for Therapeutic Monitoring of Kidney Transplant Patients.

Acunova has also provided an internship for MD Pharmacology Graduates from the Dept of Pharmacology, KMC Manipal to gain experience in Clinical Pharmacokinetic studies. They also supported the Dept of Microbiology in analyzing Meropenem for an MD project in critical care patients and performing the Method Development and Validation free of cost.

Plan Your Next Holiday With Scoot’s "Back To Work” Sale

·         Sale runs until 10 January 2023

·         Signals Scoot’s commitment to providing value travel and experiences

India - Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Group (SIA), has launched a “Back to Work" sale till 10 January 2023. Travellers may consider planning ahead for their next holidays to enjoy great fares to over 30 destinations, starting from ?5,700[1].

Scoot currently operates non-stop flights between Singapore, and Amritsar, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, and Vishakhapatnam. It also provides convenient one-stop connections via Singapore, to destinations including Bangkok, Bali, Melbourne, and Yogyakarta.

Scoot General Manager of India, Brian Torrey, said, "India remains one of Scoot’s important markets and we are committed to connecting travelers conveniently to and from India with other parts of the world. Besides an extensive network, we will also continue to offer quality services, differentiated products and unique experiences at affordable fares and the highest safety standards that customers have come to expect from a member of the Singapore Airlines Group.”

Last year, Scoot celebrated 10 years since its inaugural flight.  The airline now serves 71 destinations[2] across 15 countries and territories in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe, and has a fleet of over 50 aircraft comprising widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners and single-aisle Airbus A320 family aircraft. In the spirit of celebrations, Scoot partnered The Pokémon Company and became the first international airline in the ASEAN region to launch the Pokémon Air Adventures project. The collaboration includes a themed flight experience on board the Pikachu Jet, exclusively designed on the outside and inside. Additionally, Scoot hosted its largest flight ticket giveaway, rewarding customers and fans 10,000 free tickets to anywhere across the airline’s network.

KreditBee Closes Second Tranche Of Its USD 200 Million Series D Fundraise

·         Closed a USD 200 million primary fundraise from Advent International, MUFG Bank and existing investors

KreditBee, one of India’s leading fintech platforms, in an extension of its Series D round raised an additional USD 100 million in primary funding from Advent International ("Advent"), one of the world’s largest and most experienced private equity investors. Last month, the company had raised Tranche one of Series D from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Japan’s largest bank, along with existing investors Premji Invest, Motilal Oswal Alternates, NewQuest Capital Partners, and Mirae Asset Venture Investments. Avendus Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor to KreditBee on the transaction.

The additional capital raised will be deployed towards scaling the existing business and diversifying its product offering by venturing into digitally enabled financial products. The company serves the credit and other personal finance requirements through its in-house RBI-registered NBFC - Krazybee Services Private Limited (Systemically important NBFC) along with partnerships with over 10 renowned financial institutions. The platform is on track to surpass an AUM of USD 1 billion over the next 6-9 months.

On announcing the fundraising, Madhusudan Ekambaram, Co-Founder & CEO of KreditBee, said, “We are delighted to welcome a long-term financial and strategic partner in Advent. This reinforces the confidence in our profitable business model and the long-term sustainability of it. The latest round will help us to achieve our vision of serving over 400 million middle income population in the country.”

Shweta Jalan, Managing Partner at Advent International, added, “We believe KreditBee’s proprietary underwriting tech stack is one of the best in the industry and helps in its ability to identify and underwrite future prime customers at an early stage. We are thrilled about this partnership and to assist KreditBee to drive further value creation in its next phase of sustainable growth.”

Gagan Joshi, Director at Advent International, said, “We are excited about the digital lending opportunity in India, a fast-growing under-penetrated space, which only a handful of FinTechs like KreditBee have been able to crack profitably. We look forward to supporting Madhu and his team in creating a full-service fintech platform to help meet the credit needs of India.”

Ashish Dave, CEO of Mirae Asset Venture Investments, said, “KreditBee has witnessed several credit cycles and has come out stronger each time reflecting adaptability and resilience of its business model. With this investment, we are strengthening our commitment to back KreditBee’s vision.”

Pankaj Naik, Executive Director and Co-Head, Digital & Technology Investment Banking at Avendus Capital said, “We are thrilled to have partnered with Madhu and KreditBee. This new funding will help KreditBee consolidate its position as a strong leader in the personal digital lending market. The current round is a reflection that in any market conditions, companies with attractive margin profiles addressing a large market opportunity continue to create an exceptional outcome.”

About KreditBee

KreditBee is a FinTech Platform which facilitates digitally enabled personal loans to professionals, where they can avail loans up to ?4 lakhs as per their requirements. With a strong focus on online tech-based and data-centric KYC, KreditBee envisions solving the financial inclusion gap in the varied demographic segments of the country. Currently, it has 7 million loan customers, out of which over 3 million are active loan customers.

CES 2023 Highlights: Gaming Gadgets, Dazzling TVs And Flying Car Among Others

* A flying car is actually happening, for real this time 

Aska A5 flying care at CES 2023 debut

We've been waiting on flying cars since at least the Jetsons, and we now appear on the precipice of realizing that dream. And by "we" I mean a company called Aska, which revealed its A5 flying car at CES 2023. It's more than a concept: Aska has opened preorders for the $789,000 vehicle. At CES 2023, Aska cofounder Guy Kaplinsky said FAA approval for the A5 could happen "within a month." Aska hopes to use the A5 to start a ride sharing service in 2026.

BMW i Vision Dee

With its intelligent, almost human capabilities, BMW i Vision Dee accompanies drivers not only through real-life situations on the roads, but also in their digital environment.

“A BMW lives by its unparalleled digital performance. BMW i Vision Dee is about perfect integration of virtual and physical experiences,” said Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “Whoever excels at integrating the customer’s everyday digital worlds into the vehicle at all levels will succeed in mastering the future of car-building.”

Icoma Tatamel Ebike

Living in an apartment in a big city means you never have space for anything. Especially an electric bike, which you probably don't want to store outside on the sidewalk. Enter the Icoma Tatamel. This Japanese concept ebike is tiny. (And cute!) It folds up to be even more compact, and it can be stored in tight spaces. When you have it inside, you can use it as a portable power station if the power goes out. Take it out, unfold it, and you can go up to 25 miles an hour for about 18 miles per charge with the 600-watt motor. It recharges in about three hours. You can roll it around in its folded state, and the side panels are customizable. (This one has videoscreens built in.) It does have a big downside: You won't want to carry it up a flight of stairs, as it weighs around 110 pounds. Icoma says it expects to launch the ebike this spring, including in the US, though the price hasn't been finalized. —Julian Chokkattu

LG Gram Laptops

The Korean tech giant LG has refreshed its Gram line of thin and capable notebook PCs this year at CES. The Gram Ultraslim, one of the 2023 models, is the thinnest of the pack at just 10.99 millimeters. The slightly beefier (that term being relative) Gram Style has an all-glass top with a trackpad hidden beneath the surface. Tap the glass and an array of LEDs awaken to illuminate the touch-sensitive area. These new Grams have Intel Raptor Lake chips inside, and they ship globally in February. LG says it will announce US and UK pricing soon. —Michael Calore

Bosch RideCare

If there’s anything scarier than getting in a car driven by a stranger, it’s pulling up to a curb and having a stranger climb into the backseat behind you. Bosch’s RideCare is a smart camera system designed specifically as a safety device for rideshare drivers. The system is powered by the car's cigarette lighter and has both front- and rear-facing cameras; the interior camera uses infrared lighting to see inside the car when it’s dark. If something seems amiss, the driver can punch a discreet wireless SOS button to contact Bosch's emergency services. The emergency responders can access a videofeed from inside the car, along with location information and a time stamp, to decide whether the driver needs them to call for help. Sure, it’s a little more complicated than a simple dashcam, but there’s nothing that says you can’t use it for car karaoke as well. —Adrienne So

Nourished x Neutrogena Skin360 Skinstacks

Despite the terrible name (no, it is not stacks of skin), few products at CES 2023 are more appealing than these tiny, sparkling rainbow jellies. And they’re good for you! The skincare company Neutrogena partnered with the UK-based supplement manufacturer Nourished to make dietary supplements that are personalized and delivered on demand. Neutrogena’s skin software assesses your specific skin needs and goals—do you want to have skin that’s glowing or resilient?—to determine which, and how much, of seven different vitamins or minerals you might need. This skin assessment tool was designed to work across various ages, ethnicities, and skin types, and with 10 different kinds of lighting. But we’re more excited to see appealing, on-demand supplements in the future for many other demographics—like, say, printing out tiny, personalized vitamin D3 and potassium supplements for a 7-year-old. —Adrienne So.

TECNO Enters A New Category Of IoT Devices With The Launch Of 4G Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot TR109

·         Priced at INR 2,499, the newly-launched offering is available for sale on Amazon from 5th January 2023

·         The latest entrant in TECNO’s IoT device line supports up to 16 simultaneous connections and has a mighty 3000mAh battery

TECNO Mobile, the global premium technology brand, has launched its first 4G Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot TR109. Recognized for introduce industry-first features in the smartphone category, the brand has entered a new IoT segment with the launch of the 4G portable Wi-Fi Hotspot TR109. 

Priced at INR 2,499, the TECNO Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot TR109 supports up to 16 simultaneous connections and ensures a stable link among multiple users. The newly-launched offering also eliminates issues such as connection delays caused by multiple connected devices.  It comes with a mighty 3000 mAh battery and provides 7-day long standby time.  With a lightweight, portable design, it has a plug-in SIM card and Wi-Fi everywhere structure. It is suitable for network utility in every activity and has capabilities of multi-purpose usage.

Commenting on the newest entrant in TECNO’s IoT devices’ line, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, TECNO Mobile India, said, “TECNO is a technology-centric, innovative global brand that believes in providing advanced features with every new offering. As consumers evolve and become more digitally savvy, the industry must be in sync with the demands and aspirations of its consumers. With Wi-Fi TR109, we have blended trendy design with efficiency. We aim to consolidate our position in the IoT domain too, as we have done in the smartphone segment. Our focus is on providing consumers with a wholesome array of devices with an aim to create a true TECNO-connected device ecosystem.”

Designed for digitally-savvy Gen Z consumers who require strong internet connectivity for various daily activities, the TECNO Wi-Fi Hotspot comes with a speed of 300 Mbps with 2*2 MIMO Technology, offering two spatial streams of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data on the same channel or frequency. Together with the Translink app, users can easily manage their Wi-Fi and access devices, controlling the traffic usage of terminal devices at any time.

About TECNO

TECNO Mobile is a premium smartphone brand from TRANSSION Holdings. With “Stop at Nothing” as its brand essence, TECNO is committed to unlocking the best contemporary technologies for progressive individuals across global emerging markets, giving them elegantly designed products that inspire consumers to uncover a world of possibilities. TECNO understands the needs of consumers from different markets and provides them with localized innovations that are demonstrated through their mastery of serving consumers who are “young at heart” and never stop pursuing excellence. TECNO’s portfolio spans smartphones, smart wearables and AIoT devices made for consumers in over 60 emerging markets across the world. For more information, please visit https://www.tecno-mobile.in/home/#/

Airtel 5G Plus Now Goes Live In Four Cities Across Haryana State

* Hissar And Rohtak Gets Ultrafast Airtel 5G Plus Services In Addition To Gurugram And Panipat 

* Promises to offer massive speeds, best voice experience, will work on all 5G smart phones and be kinder to the environment

* No SIM change needed; existing Airtel 4G SIM is 5G enabled

* Existing data plans will work on 5G until roll-out is complete

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s leading telecommunications services provider today announced the launch of its cutting edge 5G services in Hissar and Rohtak. Airtel’s 5G services are already live in Gurugram and Panipat.

Airtel 5G Plus services will be available to customers in a phased manner as the company continues to construct its network and complete the roll out. Customers with 5G enabled devices will enjoy high speed Airtel 5G Plus network at no extra cost until the roll out is more widespread. 

Currently operational at Baba Mastnath University, Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Model Town, Medical More, Ashoka Complex, Chotu Ram Chowk, DLF Residential Area, Gandhi Camp, Prem Nagar, Babra Mohalla, Civil Road, Mini Secretariat, Tilak Nagar, Mata Darwaja Chowk, Indira Colony, Bada Bazar, Shiv Nagar, Old Bus Stand, Dev Colony, Power House Chowk, Mansarovar Park, Sonipat Stand, Sanjay Colony, Delhi Bypass Chowk in Rohtak and Model Town, Model Town Extension, Shanti Nagar, Mahavir Colony, Shiv Colony, Bank Colony and Industrial Area in Hissar. Airtel will augment its network in other cities making its services available across the state in due course of time.  

Commenting on the launch, Tarun Virmani, COO – Haryana, Bharti Airtel said, “I am thrilled to announce the launch of Airtel 5G Plus in Hissar and Rohtak. Airtel customers in these two cities can now experience ultrafast network and enjoy speeds upto 20-30 times faster than the current 4G speeds. We are in the process of lightening the entire city which will allow customers to enjoy superfast access to High-definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more.”

Airtel 5G Plus will bolster the entire portfolio of services that Airtel offers. In addition, it will allow superfast access to High Definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more. With this launch, India will get a fillip to economic growth as Airtel 5G Plus revolutionizes education, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, mobility and logistics.

In the last one year, Airtel has demonstrated the power of 5G with a host of powerful use cases that will change the way we lead our lives and do business. From India’s first live 5G network in Hyderabad to India’s first 5G powered hologram to India’s first recreation of a game changing world cup match played at a time when there was no TV coverage to India’s first 5G connected ambulance to India’s first private 5G network with Bosch for boosting manufacturing productivity, Airtel has been at the forefront of 5G innovation.

About Bharti Airtel Limited

Headquartered in India, Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 500 Mn customers in 17 countries across South Asia and Africa. The company ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally and its networks cover over two billion people. Airtel is India’s largest integrated communications solutions provider and the second largest mobile operator in Africa. Airtel’s retail portfolio includes high speed 4G/5G mobile broadband, Airtel Xstream Fiber that promises speeds up to 1 Gbps with convergence across linear and on-demand entertainment, streaming services spanning music and video, digital payments and financial services. For enterprise customers, Airtel offers a gamut of solutions that includes secure connectivity, cloud and data centre services, cyber security, IoT, Ad Tech and CPaaS (Airtel IQ). For more details visit www.airtel.com

Asia’s Richest Industrialist Gautam Adani Will Be In The Dock Of Rajat Sharma’s Iconic Show “Aap Ki Adalat” On January 7

A big treat is awaiting television viewers in the New Year, on Saturday January 7 night, to be precise, when the world’s third richest person, Gautam Adani, will be sitting in the hot seat of Rajat Sharma’s ‘Aap Ki Adalat’. Gautam Adani will be replying to a barrage of questions from the inimitable TV icon Rajat Sharma, who will be returning with fresh episodes of his longest running TV show.

Adani, who normally avoids one-on-one TV interviews, has agreed to be the guest in the show. He will be replying to several tricky questions from Rajat Sharma, relating to controversies relating to his corporate group. Already there is lot of buzz among the social chatterati about how Adani is going to respond to accusations that have been levelled by his rivals and opposition leaders. Expectations of viewers about this episode have naturally reached a fever pitch as the D-Day draws closer.

Last month, Rajat Sharma had asked viewers to share the names of top personalities they wished to see in fresh episodes of ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, and Gautam Adani’s name figured on top of the wish list. The list includes names of several other top personalities, who will also be featuring in ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, as it steams ahead in the coming weeks with fresh episodes. The wish list includes top cricketers, politicians, godmen, and superstars of Indian cinema.

Since its inception in 1993, ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ has featured more than 1,000 prominent personalities sitting in its dock. From powerful politicians, film superstars, leading sportsmen, famous singers to spiritual gurus, none could escape the probing questions from Rajat Sharma, always delivered with a smile, but with exact precision. The roster of distinguished guests in his iconic show includes Presidents, Prime Ministers, cabinet ministers and chief ministers. ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ is the only show that has the distinction of getting all three Bollywood Khans together on the same stage.

There is no other show in Indian TV industry where eminent guests lay bare their raw emotions, vulnerabilities, and no-holds-barred opinions with such ease. Another high point is that ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ on India TV can now be watched by viewers across the world, including the US and UAE.

A Decade Of Direct Mutual Funds: Investors Amass 1000s Of Crores Of Extra Returns By Saving On Commissions, Says ET Money

* Investors On ET Money Alone Have Created An Extra Wealth Of Rs. 183.1 Crores In Just 4.5 Years.

Direct Mutual Funds officially completed ten years of existence on January 05, 2023, allowing Indian investors to earn 1% more than regular funds by saving on commissions. To mark this occasion, ET Money, one of India’s largest wealth tech platforms that helps Indians manage more than Rs.30,000 crores of mutual fund investments, has released a study that shows this landmark reform's impact on investors' wealth.

The study indicates that Indian investors who opted for direct mutual funds in the last 10 years have collectively earned thousands of crores in extra returns. The results are based on the analysis of return differences between direct and regular plans for both SIP and lumpsum Investments for key Equity, Debt, and Hybrid categories.

The study found that, on average, a Rs. 10,000 SIP in Direct Equity Funds started a decade ago resulted in a corpus of Rs. 28.1 lakhs against Rs. 26.6 lakhs in regular plans, thereby earning an extra Rs.1.5 lakhs. A lumpsum investment of Rs. 5 lakh at the same time delivered an average of Rs.21 lakhs in regular, whereas Rs. 23.09 lakhs in direct plans, earning an extra Rs.2.09 Lakhs or 10% extra returns. 

The funds in the Hybrid and Debt categories, too, created an excess wealth of 6% and 3% for SIP and 11% and 6% for lumpsum investments.

The impact of these excess returns has resulted in over Rs.183 crores of extra wealth for investors on ET Money alone in 4.5 years since it started offering Direct Mutual Funds on its platform. And with around Rs.18,16,920 crores (45% of the Indian Mutual Fund industry’s AUM) in Direct Plans, the total money saved on commissions and thus added to the returns of Indian investors would have been 1000s of crores.

As per ET Money, the top 5 AMCs in terms of extra wealth created on its platform are - Axis Mutual Fund, Mirae Asset Mutual Fund, Quant Mutual Fund, Kotak Mutual Fund, and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund.

On completion of this industry milestone, Mukesh Kalra, Founder & CEO of ET Money, said, “Direct plans remove the bias of commission and its introduction has been the single most effective initiative to curtail miss-selling in the MF industry.We feel privileged to be one of the first platforms to help Indians access direct investment plans at scale. Through the use of powerful decision-making tools and hyper-personalized investments via Genius, we aim to significantly enhance the wealth-creation journeys of our users by compounding returns and increasing additional returns from Rs 183 crores to at least Rs 1,000 crores over the next 5 years.”

About ET Money:

ET Money started in 2016 with a mission to simplify the financial journey of new-age Indians. Today, over 10 million users from more than 1400 cities trust ET Money with over Rs. 30,000 crores of their investments. Over Rs. 600 crores of additional money is invested through ET Money every month, with a SIP processed every 2.5 seconds on the platform. Their latest offering, ET Money Genius, allows investors to access personalized investment strategies across mutual funds and stocks. Through this membership, they are building India's largest financial subscription that provides superior investment advisory, completely aligned to investors' interests, at a fraction of the cost. 

Website link - https://www.etmoney.com/

Britannia Marie Gold My Startup Launches Season 4.0; Collaborates With Google To Offer Digital Business Skilling For All Participants

Season 4.0 highlights

* Financial assistance: The initiative to provide INR 10,00,000 to 10 selected women to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys

* Collaboration with Google to support      aspiring women entrepreneurs       with business literacy training via the Women Will program                

Britannia Marie Gold’s My Startup campaign has successfully run across three seasons, providing funds and skill development for Indian homemakers to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. In season 2, a partnership with NSDC helped the campaign provide 10,000 homemakers with basic communication skills, financial literacy through access to information and communication technology (ICT), along with micro entrepreneurial skills for social and economic self-reliance. In its Season 3, the Britannia Marie Gold My Start-up campaign broadened its offerings to help homemakers leverage the internet to grow their businesses. As per the Indian Homemakers’ Entrepreneurship Report 2021 with Momspresso, 77% of homemakers who desired to set up their own ventures, considered technology as a key enabler in this journey.

One of the highlights of Season 4 is that all participants will have access to Google’s WomenWill program, a business literacy initiative with a “how to” curriculum on turning an interest into a business, managing an enterprise, and promoting it for growth. All participants who complete the learning journey will be awarded a certificate.

Speaking on the launch of Britannia Marie Gold My Startup contest 4.0, Amit Doshi, Chief Marketing Officer, Britannia Industries Limited said, “Britannia Marie Gold has had a long-standing relationship with India’s homemakers for several decades now. We have run three successful seasons of Marie Gold My Startup initiative, and received nearly 4 million entries from women across the country, with nearly 60% from non-metro regions. This year, we are happy to collaborate with Google to offer aspiring women entrepreneurs digital business skilling resources      aimed at making their startup journeys rich, satisfying and sustainable, with constant guidance and support from us. Together, we really hope to be the wind beneath the wings of many aspiring woman entrepreneurs”.

Commenting on the association with Britannia,      Shalini Puchalapalli, Director of Google Customer Solutions, Google India said,  “Technology can help businesses grow — but only if the people who lead and work for those businesses have the right skills. This is especially true for women entrepreneurs across the board - be they small businesses, creators, developers, or start-ups – and the inspiration behind our commitment to support this community in their journeys through our products and platforms, and with skilling programs such as WomenWill. We’re delighted to offer a new community of homepreneurs this specially designed curriculum through Britannia’s My Startup Contest for the second successive season and wish all participants success.”      

The full terms and conditions can be found at www.britanniamystartup.com.

MMTC-PAMP Unveils The Perfect Gift For This Wedding Season; 999.9 Purest Gold & Silver, King And Queen Coins Now Available In Bengaluru

·         The 999.9 purest gold & silver coins come with intricately defined and designed etchings of symbols of royalty and are available at Simha Jeweller and Mythri My Jewel in Bengaluru

·         You can now buy the traditional guinea (8gm gold & 20g/50g silver) is the perfect wedding gift for your loved ones

Celebrating and honoring India’s rich and traditional history, MMTC-PAMP, India’s only London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery gold & silver refinery, has introduced its special edition of exquisitely crafted 999.9 purity gold and silver coins which feature 3D embossed King & Queen designs. Gifting a 'Guinea' has been a tradition in India and is predominantly associated with Indian weddings, the parents give the coins to immediate family members and guests. These coins are a symbol of blessings and are a commemorative gifting option this wedding season. 

The coins feature high relief portrayals of a King and Queen on a mirror-finished coin and are now available at Simha Jeweller and Mythri My Jewel known across Bengaluru for their wide range of jewelry and high standards of quality in gold and silver products. Celebrating the rich and diverse history of India, these coins are exquisitely crafted with Swiss Craftsmanship and etched with the faces of royalty from across cultures.

Speaking on the launch, Vikas Singh, Managing Director and CEO, MMTC-PAMP said, "At MMTC-PAMP, we continuously strive to promote and embrace the rich culture of India, therefore this wedding season we bring special edition Vivaah gold & silver coins for our customers. The King & Queen coins are crafted to the highest standards using the latest Swiss technology to meet the requirements of Indian consumers. These coins come in specialized packaging making them ideal for gifting and blessing for your loved ones with the purity of 999.9.”

Indians have always had a glittering love affair with gold and silver. These coins have been crafted to cater to the ever-rising demands of the consumers. Gifting gold & silver coins are usual but gifting MMTC-PAMP coins adds an extra edge over other available coins.

To ensure the product’s authenticity, each MMTC-PAMP product carries a unique number and comes packaged in a certicard with the signature of an Assayer. Each gold and silver product bought from MMTC-PAMP offers positive weight and purity balance, which guarantees that every coin or bar you buy weighs more than the listed weight, ensuring customers get the highest value for their investment.

All products come with MMTC-PAMP’s stamp of authenticity and deliver on the promise of 999.9 + purity and are crafted to the highest standards using the latest Swiss technology. The products are also available at shop.mmtcpamp.com.

About MMTC PAMP: A joint venture between Switzerland-based bullion brand, PAMP SA, and MMTC Ltd, a Government of India Undertaking, MMTC-PAMP seamlessly marries Swiss excellence with Indian insights. MMTC-PAMP India Pvt. Ltd. is internationally recognized as an industry leader in bringing global standards of excellence to the Indian precious metals industry. We have received several awards since our inception from local and global industry bodies for the transparency and sustainability that we rigorously uphold in our sourcing, refining and supply of precious metals in the Indian market. MMTC-PAMP is the only LBMA-accredited Gold & Silver refinery in India and is accepted across global commodity exchanges and central banks. 

Nikon Is Developing The NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S And NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

* The latest lenses for the Nikon Z mount system will be a fast mid-telephoto prime lens and a slim wide-angle prime lens

* *The Appearance of the actual products may differ from the photos shown above.

Nikon India Private Ltd. is pleased to announce the development of the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S, a fast mid-telephoto prime lens, and the NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8, a slim wide-angle prime lens, for the full-frame/FX-format mirrorless cameras for which the Nikon Z mount has been adopted.

The NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S is part of the S-Line* NIKKOR Z lens series, and realises both superior rendering performance and large, and beautiful bokeh. It expands possibilities for users capturing portraits in areas such as weddings and fashion.

The NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 achieves outstanding slimness and lightness, as well as high rendering performance, making it an ideal lens for advanced amateur photographers who take their camera everywhere so as not to miss a moment.

Nikon will continue to pursue a new dimension in optical performance while meeting users' needs, contributing to the development of imaging culture, with the hope of expanding possibilities for imaging expression.

* The S-Line is a grade of NIKKOR Z lenses that demonstrate outstanding optical performance, adhering to a high standard of design principles and quality control.

About Nikon India

Nikon India distributes, markets and services the complete range of Nikon imaging products, Nikon Sport Optics and Nikon Biological range of Microscopes. The Nikon Imaging includes Nikon Mirrorless Z series, Nikon D-SLR, the Nikon COOLPIX and range of NIKKOR lenses & accessories. Nikon India operations also includes the sales, services, and application support for Nikon Biological range of Microscopes and its accessories. Headquartered in Gurgaon, Nikon has branch offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Delhi. Nikon India has total of five Nikon owned Service Centers (4 Branches and 1 Headquarter), 23 ASCs (authorized service centers), 14 Nikon Collection Centers and over 1500 dealer base for complete service & support for Nikon customers. Nikon has also set up 140 Experience zones pan India which showcases the entire range of Nikon Mirrorless series, D-SLR cameras, COOLPIX cameras and an elaborate range of NIKKOR lenses, Nikon Sport Optics and accessories.

For more information, visit www.nikon.co.in or discover the Z series mirrorless camera system and experience new possibilities here http://nikn.ly/Zseries_IN.  

Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad And Mumbai Emerge “Top Five Cities For Women” In India, Reports Avtar

* Only 10 state capitals feature in Avtar's Top cities for women in India list 

* National Capital, not among top 10 cities for women 

* Stringent measures needed in cities with lower social inclusion ranking than Industrial inclusion ranking 

Avtar group, India’s pioneers in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), released the ”Top Cities for Women in India” report today. The report which is the culmination of a year-long exercise, is an algorithmic assimilation of data from over 200 sources including current ease of living index, PLFS, national census, crime records, NFHS, Ministry of Women & Child Development’s annual report, the IMF, as well as Avtar’s primary research with employer organizations and women, to arrive at a comprehensive City Inclusion Score®. Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai have emerged as Top Cities for Women in India with their City Inclusion Scores above 60.  

The City Inclusion Score is a composite of Social Inclusion Score (SIS) and Industrial Inclusion Store (IIS). The Social Inclusion Score (SIS) comprises social factors (quality of life, women’s safety, women’s representation in the workforce and women’s empowerment initiatives) that influence the city to be women friendly. Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS) evaluates the extent to which organisations in the city across industries are inclusive of women. The IIS is based on three indicators – inclusive organisations, inclusive industries, and career enablers.   

Inclusive organizations are defined as organizations that pursue Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a strategic priority. Here, leaders are vocal advocates of DEI and there is a strong culture of allyship. Women leaders inspire women along the talent pipeline to advance in their careers, intentionally.  

Career enablers (as defined by Avtar’s career enabler framework, devised in 2015 and updated each year through primary research) refers to aspects such as mentoring, skill building and Employee Resource Groups (for career progression) and flexible work arrangements, child-care support, and elder care support for managing work-life challenges. 

The United Nations (UN) has defined women-friendly cities as those that provide women the access to health, education, employment opportunities, comprehensive urban, social services, and a safe environment. Women-friendly cities are also defined as those where local governments are conscious of women’s issues and perspectives in their planning and decision-making processes. In essence, women friendly cities are those cities where all the residents of that city can equally benefit from the financial, social, and political opportunities presented before them. 

The report provides a list of 111 cities for women in India based on their inclusivity parameters towards nurturing a conducive ecosystem for women’s employment. The first-of-its-kind study reports the indices for identifying Top cities for women in India, with indicators for governmental agencies and policy making forums to make cities more conducive for increased women’s workforce participation. The insights from the report are meant to aid corporates to engage with stakeholders to work hand-in-hand in creating enabling ecosystems for women talent to rise to its fullest potential.  

According to Avtar’s Top Cities for Women in India report, only nine out of the 111 cities have scored above 50 in their City Inclusion Scores. The capital cities of many states do not feature in the top 25 spots. While state capitals receive a lot of attention – politically, socio-economically, environmentally, and developmentally, their absence in the top 25 necessitates a deeper probe from the side of policy makers to understand the barriers faced by the state capitals in being inclusive for women professionals.   

Cities like Delhi, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Faridabad have a social inclusion ranking which is lower than the industrial inclusion ranking. Whereas cities like Puducherry, Vishakhapatnam, Surat, and Bilaspur have a high social inclusion score with a low industrial inclusion ranking. Cities with high social inclusion score – which refer to the extent of safety, women-oriented initiatives, and a general sense of ability to live and raise families (which are critical to women) have good potential for corporates to expand and set up operations here thereby attracting a larger pool of diverse talent.  

As per the Top cities for Women in India report  

8 Tamil Nadu Cities were among Top 10 Cities for Women in India in both the categories  

Kerala emerged on top in the State Averages of City Inclusion Score  

The national capital of Delhi secured 30 points less than the top city and ranked 14th in the population of over a million category.   

Cities in south India dominate the top cities for women in India.  

Comparing average scores for each region, Southern region emerges on top closely followed by the West.  

Speaking at the launch of the study, Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Founder – President, Avtar Group said, “The fact that the South and West regions are more women-friendly in terms of employment is not a surprise, given the politico-historic context of these regions. The rise of cities like Hubli, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, and Coimbatore as promising hubs of women’s employment, due to their high Industrial  

Inclusion scores is very heartening. Metros like Delhi and Kolkata have fallen behind in terms of social inclusion due to lower standards of safety and poor enablers for women to pursue employment” 

The study which apart from indexed scores, also factored in the steps taken by states and cities in empowering women during the last one year, highlighted the key inclusion measures that are required for increasing women’s workforce participation. The report, the very first such national effort in bringing a data driven and evidence-based understanding of the current state of city ethos towards women’s inclusion, also outlined the importance of transforming cities as spaces that can be freely navigated by women to pursue career and economic self-sufficiency goals.  

Referring to the critical role played by city infrastructure in influencing women’s careers, Dr. Saundarya said, “We are very excited about the possibilities to increase women’s employment being offered by cities like Vishakapatnam, Madurai and Vadodara, which are growing centers of both industrial activity and social development. As rightly called out by our Prime Minister, to reap the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution we must enable more women in workplaces, especially in the growing industries. It is imperative that we look at the problem of low representation of women in India as not only something to be solved by corporates, but also as a goal for the state. With India’s urban infrastructure needs set to cross over $840 billion (World Bank report), with an annual investment of over $55 billion, here is a powerful call to ensure that this investment takes into account the burgeoning expectations of women to play a significant role in the economy” 

While technical training and upskilling can powerfully contribute to young women obtaining office/factory-based jobs in cities to attain economic independence and social autonomy, a sustainable ecosystem that eliminates infrastructure barriers is an indisputable catalyst towards development. Added Dr. Saundarya, “The Top Cities report, which will be an annual effort that will use tools such as sentiment analysis, opinion mining and other big data analytics, will continue to be a conscientious call to action for governmental and organisational stakeholders on how they can contribute towards improving women’s participation in economic activity. This in turn will lead to the rapid economic development of the country.” 

Key findings of Top cities for Women in India report 

Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, Coimbatore, and Madurai are the top 10 cities in category 1 – Top 25 cities with a population of more than one million.  

Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Erode, Salem, Tirupur, Puducherry, Shimla, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, and Belagavi are the top 10 cities in category 2 – Top 25 cities with a population of less than one million.  

In the northern region, the top three cities are Delhi, Srinagar, and Amritsar  

In the southern region, the top three slots are taken by Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad  

In the eastern region, Kolkata is at the top slot, followed by Dhanbad and Patna.  

In the western region, Pune, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad secure first, second and third places respectively.  

Raipur, Indore, and Bhopal secure the first, second and third places respectively in the Central region.  

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka have the top 5 state averages in the country.  

Please find the Viewport 2022- Top Cities for Women in India link here: https://avtarinc.com/resources/reports/top-cities-for-women-in-india/ 

Finolex Cables Launches “Crease Free Iron Range” To Enter Domestic Appliances Market

~Range extends from 750W to 1600W across different consumer segments~ 

Finolex Cables Limited, India’s leading manufacturer of electrical and communication cables announced that it has entered the small domestic appliances market with the launch of “Crease Free Iron Range” across different consumer segments. With this, Finolex Cables will be extending its new product line over its strong retailer base. 

In line with its aim of providing its customers with affordable yet built-to-last products, the state-of-the-art steam, and dry irons are designed for ease of use. The launch also aligns with Finolex Cables aim to be a customer-centric organization that delivers stress-free solutions to its consumers.  

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Deepak K. Chhabria, Executive Chairman, Finolex Cables Ltd. said, “Finolex Cables has been a leading company in the wires and cables segment, and is eager to provide total electrical solutions to its customers. We have identified the small domestic appliances category as a growth opportunity. Our aim is to deliver products that can help our customers lead a convenient, hassle-free life, and give them a unique exposure to our brand while directly experiencing all that it represents.” 

Finolex has earlier also expanded into the electrical segment with Electric water heaters, fans, MCBs, Switches and lighting products which have been well received by the consumers. The company's rapid and industry-leading growth has been the outcome of a well-formulated strategy for setting up modern, well-equipped plants along with regular capacity expansion in alignment with market requirements.  

Mr. Amit Mathur, President – Sales & Marketing said, “We realize Irons are a competitive category and have therefore invested considerable time and resources in delivering a differentiated product that come with attractive designs, colours & advanced features. Positioned as ‘Crease Free Stress Free’, these Irons reinforce our ‘No Stress, Finolex’ campaign, which is currently being aired over TV channels, digital, & OOH. Distribution being key in the category, for the initial phase, we have identified 200 existing distributors who are keen to stock our range. Through these partners we are expecting to have our irons available at 25,000 plus outlets. Over the coming year the aim is to distribute it over 100,000 outlets nationwide” 

About Finolex Cables Limited (BSE Code: 500144; NSE Code: FINCABLES) 

Finolex Cables is among India’s leading electrical and telecommunication cable companies. It is rapidly transforming from a manufacturer of wires and cables into an electrical products company, by expanding its product portfolio to market products like lighting, water heaters, fans, switches, switch gear, and electrical conduits. This reinforces its reputation of offering innovative products that cater to the needs of modern households.  

The company started its operation with the manufacture of PVC insulated electrical cables for the automobile industry. Besides a wide variety of Wires & Cables, the Company is also manufacturing lighting products, electrical wiring accessories, switchgear, fans, and water heaters. The company has manufacturing facilities at Pimpri and Urse in Pune as well as at Goa & Uttarakhand. Finolex Cables is constantly working at introducing innovative technologies and enhancing technical competencies while prioritizing customer requirements, quality, and environmental concerns.  

Ultimate Companion – Through Real And Virtual Worlds: BMW Presents BMW i Vision Dee In Las Vegas

+++ BMW Mixed Reality Slider: into the virtual world in five steps. +++ Advanced BMW Head-up-Display in NEUE KLASSE from 2025. +++ Full-colour E Ink technology enables up to 32 colours. +++

The BMW Group is sharing its vision of the future digital experience, both inside and outside the vehicle, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 in Las Vegas. BMW i Vision Dee is the futuristic mid-size sedan with a new and pared-down design language. The name “Dee” stands for Digital Emotional Experience – and that is precisely its aim: to create an even stronger bond between people and their cars going forward. Future digital functions will go far beyond the level of voice control and driver assistance systems we are familiar with today. The BMW Head-Up-Display extends across the full width of the windscreen, providing a glimpse of the next vehicle generation. From 2025 onwards, this innovation will be available in the models of the NEUE KLASSE. The BMW Group has also refined its use of colour-change technology. Having unveiled the BMW iX Flow Featuring E Ink, with the ability to change from black to white, at the last CES, BMW i Vision Dee can now curate its exterior in up to 32 colours. 

“With the BMW i Vision Dee, we are showcasing what is possible when hardware and software merge. In this way, we are able to exploit the full potential of digitalisation to transform the car into an intelligent companion. That is the future for automotive manufacturers – and, also, for BMW: the fusion of the virtual experience with genuine driving pleasure,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “At the same time, BMW i Vision Dee is another step on the road to the NEUE KLASSE. With this vision, we are looking far into the future and underlining the tremendous importance of digitalisation for our upcoming product generations.”

With its intelligent, almost human capabilities, BMW i Vision Dee accompanies drivers not only through real-life situations on the roads, but also in their digital environment.

“A BMW lives by its unparalleled digital performance. BMW i Vision Dee is about perfect integration of virtual and physical experiences,” said Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “Whoever excels at integrating the customer’s everyday digital worlds into the vehicle at all levels will succeed in mastering the future of car-building.”

BMW Mixed Reality Slider: into the virtual world in five steps

The BMW Mixed Reality Slider, in combination with the advanced Head-up Display, is the digital highlight and central operating control of BMW i Vision Dee. Using shy-tech sensors on the instrument panel, drivers can decide for themselves how much digital content they want to see on the advanced Head-Up Display. The five-step selection ranges from analogue, to driving-related information, to the contents of the communications system, to augmented-reality projection, right up to entry into virtual worlds. In parallel, dimmable windows can also be used to gradually fade out reality. Mixed reality can be experienced in BMW i Vision Dee in an immersive way that engages different senses without requiring any additional tools, creating a new dimension of driving pleasure for the user.

Advanced BMW Head-Up-Display: in NEUE KLASSE from 2025

The BMW Group is known in the automotive sector as a trailblazer for the Head-Up-Display and has systematically refined this technology over the past two decades. In BMW i Vision Dee, projection across the entire width of the windscreen allows information to be displayed on the largest possible surface – which only becomes recognisable as a display once it is activated. In this way, the BMW Group demonstrates the huge potential of projection technology and BMW i Vision Dee visualises how a advanced Head-Up-Display could also be utilised in the future for the display and operating concept. The standard-production version of the BMW Head-up-Display extending across the full width of the windscreen will be used in the models of the NEUE KLASSE from 2025 onwards.

Welcome scenario with voice and phygital icons

The digital experience already begins outside the vehicle, with a personalised welcome scenario that combines graphical elements, light and sound effects. Natural language serves as the simplest, most intuitive form of interaction, enabling perfect understanding between humans and their vehicles. The headlights and the closed BMW kidney grille also form a common phygital (fusion of physical and digital) icon on a uniform surface, allowing the vehicle to produce different facial expressions. This means BMW i Vision Dee can talk to people and, at the same time, express moods such as joy, astonishment or approval visually. BMW i Vision Dee can also project an image of the driver’s avatar onto the side window to further personalise the welcome scenario.

World premiere for full-colour E Ink technology

Following the spectacular debut of the BMW iX Flow Featuring E Ink at CES 2022, the BMW Group is now unveiling a full-colour version of the E Ink technology in BMW i Vision Dee that will be used as the outer skin of the vehicle for the first time worldwide. BMW i Vision Dee, rather than simply alternating between black and white, now showcases a multi-coloured, fully variable and individually configurable exterior. An ePaper film from the BMW Group’s cooperation partner, E Ink, is applied to the body to create this magical display of colour.

Up to 32 colours can be displayed. The body surface of the BMW i Vision Dee is divided into 240 E Ink segments, each of which is controlled individually. This allows an almost infinite variety of patterns to be generated and varied within seconds.

The laser cutting process used to trim the films and the electronic control design were developed in partnership with E Ink. The adaptation of this technology for curved surfaces and the programming of the animations, were developed by BMW Group’s in-house engineers – enabling a form enabling a form of customisation that is unique throughout the automotive sector worldwide.

Reductive design – inside and out

The design of BMW i Vision Dee has been deliberately pared down to focus attention on the digital experience and the DNA of the BMW brand. The exterior is defined by the classic three-box sedan design that forms the core of the BMW brand. Traditional design elements, like the BMW kidney grille, twin circular headlights and the Hofmeister kink, are reimagined, with phygital icons replacing analogue elements. This gives BMW i Vision Dee its own digital, but human, character.

Inside, digitalisation goes hand in hand with reductive use of materials, operating controls and displays to ensure nothing distracts from the digital experience and the new feeling of enhanced driving pleasure. The unconventional design of the steering wheel, with its central vertical spoke, creates touchpoints that come to life when approached or touched and can be operated by moving the thumb. These phygital touchpoints control selection of the content projected onto the windscreen and, together with the Head-Up Display, thus support the principle of “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road”.

“With BMW i Vision Dee, we are showing how the car can be seamlessly integrated into your digital life and become a trusty companion. The vehicle itself becomes your portal to the digital world – with the driver always in control,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design. “Implemented the right way, technology will create worthwhile experiences, make you a better driver and simply bring humans and machines closer together.”

Another milestone on the road to the NEUE KLASSE

The future of the BMW Group is electric, circular and digital. BMW i Vision Dee represents the digital aspect of this trio and will be another milestone on the road to the next vehicle generation, the NEUE KLASSE. The BMW Group will provide further insights and glimpses of the revolutionary vehicle concept of the NEUE KLASSE over the course of 2023.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0406898EN/ultimate-companion-%E2%80%93-through-real-and-virtual-worlds:-bmw-presents-bmw-i-vision-dee-in-las-vegas

Fello Raises $4 Million To Bring Gamified Savings For The Indian Zillennials

~The YCombinator and Entrepreneur First backed company has surpassed 500,000 users to revolutionize finance for the youth of India~

Fello, India’s first gamified savings platform, designed for the Gen-Zs and young millennials of India, has raised $4 million in their latest funding round led by US-based Courtside Ventures, with participation from, Entrepreneur First, Ycombinator, Kube Venture and Upsparks. Angel investors, Kunal Shah, Founder of Cred, Lalit Keshre, Co-founder of Groww, Charlie Songhurst, Dafeng and Alan Rutledge participated in this round. Previously, in November 2021, the company had raised $1 million in its seed round.

Fello will use the funding to develop unique gamified financial products, hire top talent across functions, and expand its user base to the many millions in the tier-1 and tier-2 cities of India.

Founded in 2021 by YCombinator W22 graduates, Manish Maryada and Shourya Lala, Fello has built a revolutionary product at the intersection of gaming and finance. The company aims to make finance fun and rewarding, thereby helping India’s youth build better financial health. The gamified savings platform incentivizes users through gaming to save and grow their money with returns higher than their traditional savings accounts. The company aims to on-board 5 million customers by the end of 2023 and enable the underbanked population of India through an innovative suite of products that gamify investing.    

Commenting on the fundraise, Manish Maryada, Co-founder and CEO, Fello, said, “We are thrilled to begin the New Year with a new round of funding through new and existing marquee investors. This reaffirms our vision of becoming India’s preferred ‘fun-ancial savings app’ that combines finance and gaming, thus inculcating and encouraging the habit of saving and investing among India’s youth. Presently, we have a user base of over 500,000, with 72% customers coming to the platform organically, through referrals. We are confident that with our accelerated growth and expansion, we will be able to reach our target of 5 million users by December 2023.”

Shourya Lala, Co-founder and CTO, Fello said, “We have seen massive tailwinds for our game-based savings model in the last one year. Of the 846 million internet users in India, nearly 433 million play games on their mobile phones, two or three times a week. Of this, 75% of internet users are between the age group of 18-30, and interestingly, they shy away from saving and investing. Fello’s market scope is unprecedented. With this fund raise; we aim to accelerate our product development, market penetration, and talent acquisition.”

Kai Bond, Partner of Courtside Ventures said, “India has attracted unprecedented investment in the last four years in the fintech and gaming sector.  As a global game investor, Courtside Ventures has remained very active in the ecosystem.  The Indian Gaming audience is one of the largest and most active markets in the world; yet financial services applications attract a fraction of that gaming audience.  There is a tremendous market opportunity to bridge the gap in financial literacy and investing in a fun and gamified experience.  We are incredibly bullish that there is a massive opportunity at the intersection of gaming and financial services in India.”

Matt Clifford, Co-founder and CEO of Entrepreneur First said, “Entrepreneur First invested in Manish and Shourya as individuals, pre-idea, because we recognized their extraordinary potential to build a world-leading company. In combining their talents to build Fello, they’ve made that potential a reality. As the team redefines finance for India’s next generation, we’ve been proud to back the team since its inception, and are so excited to see them hit yet another milestone with this raise. It’s founders like Fello’s that have motivated us to double down on our investment in India’s extraordinary talent pool, and we can’t wait to see what they do next”

Fello’s other investors include prominent names like Acequia Capital and independent investors Ashneer Grover, Ex-MD, BharatPe, Bala Parthasarathy, Chairman, Freo, to name a few.

About Fello:

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Fello is India’s first gamified savings and investment platform. For every Rupee saved, users earn gaming tokens, which can be used to play games and win rewards. On one hand, their savings grow by 10% and on the other hand they get to win upto Rs.1 Crore through gaming rewards. The gamified fintech platform caters to India’s ever-evolving Gen Z and millennials; it incentivizes users for saving, growing their money, and receiving returns higher than their traditional savings accounts. The company’s vision is to make finance and banking fun and rewarding for the zillennials of India.

Website: https://fello.in/

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Supplies Hydrogen Fuel Cell Module For A Proto Examination And Feasibility Study Purposes

* Support India’s National Hydrogen Mission while aiding to achieve ‘Energy Self-reliance and ‘Carbon Neutrality’

* TKM supplies one fuel-cell module to Ashok Leyland to build Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicle (FC-CV) for proto examination and feasibility study

Bengaluru: In line with its mission of “Producing Happiness for All”, which seeks to contribute towards establishing a ‘future-proofed’ sustainable society that is in harmony with nature, Toyota has been developing green and clean technologies promoting sustainability across regions. Being pioneers in electrified and other green vehicle technologies, the company strives to offer array of electrified and alternate fuel vehicles to minimize CO2 emissions by taking into consideration the energy generation, infrastructure readiness and consumer adoption of each country/region. Further, globally Toyota is committed to Carbon Neutrality by 2050, and aims to achieve Net Carbon Zero in Manufacturing Operations by 2035.

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by hydrogen which produce no tailpipe emissions, being the cleanest fuel. Green hydrogen is generated from renewable energy sources and can provide storage requirements for solar and wind energy which is critical for their rapid take off at a greater scale. Hydrogen has higher energy density over batteries, can store energy for a longer duration and is portable, thus making it an excellent energy carrier for diverse applications. With these advantages, hydrogen can play a significant role in our country’s goal toward achieving energy self-reliance and mitigating carbon emissions.

On a broader perspective, Toyota continues to focus on the hydrogen technology and promotion of the fuel cell module usage across various sectors to enhance wider adoption and achieve scalability. The hydrogen fuel cell module provides energy source to serve various applications which is essentially the key to realise competitiveness and creation of future sustainable hydrogen society. Further to achieve zero CO2 emissions in more challenging applications such as trucks and heavy transport, trains, buses, aviation, shipping, forklifts, and industrial processes, hydrogen will play an important role. Towards this direction, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced the supply of its Fuel Cell Module (one unit) to Ashok Leyland to build fuel-cell commercial vehicle in India for proto examination and feasibility study purpose.

Toyota Fuel-Cell Module

When it comes to hydrogen based electrified vehicle technology, fuel cell module is the heart which powers the hydrogen electric power train. Toyota given its strong technological capabilities intends to move forward in sure-footed steps to promote and enhance the use of fuel-cell modules in India, to develop zero carbon emission vehicles.

Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell-based technology can help enable faster shift away from fossil fuels, promoting renewable energy, achieving energy self-reliance, and mitigating carbon emissions. Moreover, given India’s energy mix, its unique consumer profile and needs, infrastructure readiness, and the Government’s diversified efforts towards becoming ‘Atma Nirbhar’ in energy by 2047, Toyota is advancing mobility solutions with greater agility, thereby introducing, and supporting multiple clean technology pathways by joining hands with other stakeholders with mutual interest and aim to contribute to our nation’s carbon neutral targets.

Commenting on this clean mobility initiative, Mr. Sudeep S. Dalvi, Senior Vice President and Chief Communication Officer of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “We are extremely happy to supply Hydrogen Fuel Cell Module to Ashok Leyland for building Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicle for proto examination and feasibility study purpose. Reducing tailpipe emissions and carbon footprint has always been extremely important for us at Toyota and we are also committed to contribute towards the national target of energy self-reliance. Globally, the energy industry is working on the technological innovations of carbon-neutral fuels such as hydrogen and biofuels. Through this initiative, we hope to promote wider use of hydrogen as a fuel which can help to create a hydrogen society in harmony with nature.”

The Government of India announced the National Hydrogen Mission (NHM) in the Union Budget for 2021-2022. NHM has drawn a road map for the usage of hydrogen as an energy source. This mission aims to push for the implementation of hydrogen energy that will drive the country in the right direction of making the best out of the renewable energy sector. Aligning with this, Toyota is enhancing its technological strengths to capitalize on the most abundant elements on earth for a better, safer, and cleaner alternative fuel option.

Toyota provides products that inspire customers to think, “this is practical to use” based on a sustainable and realistic approach.  Based on the idea that cleaner vehicles contribute to the environment only when they come into widespread use, TKM are continually enhancing the line-ups of electrified vehicles (recent offerings of strong hybrid electric vehicles as Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Innova Hycross) and conduct pilot studies of alternate fuel-based vehicle technologies (such as Mirai and Flex-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Mobility) to promote awareness on sustainable mobility.

Talking on this move, Dr. N. Saravanan, Chief Technology Officer of Ashok Leyland, said “Ashok Leyland is excited to collaborate with Toyota Kirloskar Motor to bring their globally renowned and proven fuel cell module system to the commercial vehicle sector in India. Ashok Leyland’s track record in bringing innovative and differentiated products combined with Toyota’s technology leadership in fuel cells has created a massive opportunity to conduct proto examination and feasibility study towards decarbonizing both goods and people transportation.”

The fuel cell electric vehicles use a propulsion system like that of electric vehicles, where energy stored as hydrogen is converted to electricity by the fuel cell. These FCEV are fuelled with pure hydrogen gas stored in a tank. Similar to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, FCEVs are equipped with other advanced technologies to increase efficiency, such as regenerative braking systems that capture the energy lost during braking and store it in a battery.

Globally, Toyota is implementing various initiatives to realize a hydrogen society, promoting fuel cells utilization for commercial vehicles, and increasing industrial uses. Toyota FC Modules are used by Commercial OEM to manufacture FC Truck, FC Bus in Japan, Europe, China, North America and presently in India.