Linde Supports Setting Up Of “Computer Training Facility At Mahesh Foundation”

Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company which is constantly striving to make our world more productive by providing high-quality solutions, technologies and services and helping to sustain and protect our planet. 

Praxair India Private Limited, a Linde Plc company, as part of its CSR initiative, helped set up new computer-based classrooms at Mahesh Foundation, Belagavi, for benefit of the students at the foundation. The project of imparting computer-based training at Mahesh Foundation started in 2018 with the goal of making digital learning accessible to students that are medically challenged, and to members belonging to vulnerable and underprivileged communities. With the inauguration of this newly set up computer classrooms, 1500+ learners will benefit from the initiative.  

Linde has been sponsoring various initiatives of Mahesh Foundation for the past 9 years and has been a key partner in the foundation’s growth journey. Praxair India Pvt. Ltd. , also a Linde Plc company has recently donated a school bus to Mahesh Foundation for safe transportation of 100+ unprivileged children from local community, who attend school at the foundation’s Utkarsha Learning Center.  

Praxair has also partnered with Mahesh Foundation in its ambitious project of a new Skill Development Center at Kanabargi, Belagavi, Karnataka. This Skill Center will train underprivileged girls and women on basic computer usage, tailoring, art and craft, and communication and soft skills to help them become self-sustained in their life.  

A team of volunteers from Linde visited Mahesh Foundation for the inauguration ceremony of the computer classrooms.  

On this occasion Mr. RC Kaushik, Head of Sales, Healthcare & AT, India of Linde, said, “Digital learning and access to computer education is paving the way for career advancement and gaining access to new opportunities for people across the world. With this initiative of setting up computer classrooms, we aim to do our bit towards enabling children and learners from underprivileged backgrounds to benefit from the available technology and get ahead in life. Our students build the future of the nation and the world, and we want to be an enabler of progress and harmony.” 

Shri Mahesh Jadhav, Founder - Mahesh Foundation added that “We at Mahesh Foundation are proud to be associated with Linde across the years. The newly established computer classrooms will greatly benefit our students at the Foundation.”  

Mahesh Foundation has been working for the past 14 years enabling medically challenged and underprivileged children lead a dignified life. The organization has been striving to bring these children into mainstream society, with education being the main focus.  

Punjab National Bank Makes “Positive Pay System” (PPS) Mandatory For Cheque Payments Worth Rs 5 Lakh & Above

In a move to safeguard customers from fraudulent payment of cheques, Punjab National Bank, nation’s leading public sector bank, made “Positive Pay System” (PPS) compulsory for cheque payments worth Rs. 5 Lakh and above. This will come into effect from 05.04.23.  

The PPS is a system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which requires customers to reconfirm essential details (account number, cheque number, cheque alpha code, issue date, amount, and beneficiary name) when issuing cheques of certain amount. This adds an extra layer of security against any potential risk while processing such cheques.  

Customers can use the PPS facility by providing the cheque details through Branch office, Online Banking for individuals and businesses, Mobile Banking (PNB ONE), or SMS Banking. The details to be submitted one working day prior to cheque presentation/clearing date. 

As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, PNB had introduced PPS for cheques of Rs. 50,000 and above presented in CTS clearing from January 01, 2021. RBI had recommended that availing this facility is at the account holder’s discretion and banks may consider making it mandatory for cheques of Rs. 5 Lakh and above. 

The cheques that are registered in the PPS will only be accepted under the dispute resolution mechanism. 

Earlier, the mandatory submission of cheque details in PPS was set at Rs 10 Lakh & above.  

Dalmia Bharat Launches ‘Homemaker’ - An Inspiring Digital Campaign Celebrating International Women’s Day

Encourages Indian women to join as the ‘homemaker’ of the construction industry  

Links: YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,Instagram 

Dalmia Bharat Limited, leading Indian cement company, launched a thought-provoking digital campaign called ‘Homemaker’ commemorating International Women’s Day. The Indian construction and real estate sector employ around 57 million workers, out of which only 12% or 7 million are women. No more than 1.4% are engaged in technical and managerial roles as architects, civil engineers, supervisor etc and less than 2% in leadership positions. Emphasizing the disparity and gender-ratio gap in this sector, Dalmia Bharat is pioneering the initiative to encourage women across India to join the construction industry in crucial roles.  

The online campaign centres around a play on the word ‘Homemaker’ and the difference between its literal and conventional meaning. Normally the word ‘Homemaker’ is associated with stay-at-home mothers or housewives. However, the campaign focuses on interpreting the word literally to mean someone who builds homes. Through this campaign, Dalmia Bharat aims to highlight the gender ratio skew in the business and wants to lead the change in perception, showcasing women as equally skilled members of this fraternity.  

The digital campaign will be activated through a series of teasers, testimonials, and a short film. Tagged as Because I'm that woman who chooses to be a #homemaker, the short film showcases how women in the construction industry are building their own destiny while encountering constant stereotypes. Initially it will seem that a woman is being portrayed as a homemaker, but there will be a twist towards the end showing her as the actual engineer, contractor, architect of homes - the actual 'homemaker'.  Targeted at Tier I and Tier II audience, the Women’s Day campaign will aim to reach out to a larger talent pool, potential employees, and educational institutes. The campaign will run across six key digital platforms – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and WhatsApp till March 2023. 

Commenting on the marketing campaign, DBL spokesperson said, “Traditionally, the construction industry is a male dominated field and only 12% women are part of this workforce in India. It remains an uncommon choice for women professionally due to the typecast and lack of opportunities. On Women’s Day we want to amplify our intent for the need to bring about a paradigm shift in this industry. We hope the campaign can sensitize and encourage women to explore and consider opportunities in our industry and company.” 

Honda Cars India Launches “New City And New City e:HEV” In India

Highlights

Revolutionizes Safe Driving experience with Advanced Driver Assist System ‘Honda Sensing’ 

New Front Grille, newly designed Front and Rear bumper & Alloy wheels offer an enhanced sporty style to the New City 

Introduction of cutting-edge Honda Sensing technology in New City (Petrol) along with standard application in New City e:HEV  

Obsidian Blue Pearl, a brand-new addition to Honda's fascinating distinctive colour palette 

New features – Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Wireless Charger, Rain Sensing Auto Wiper, PM 2.5 Cabin Airfilter 

Expansion of City e:HEV variant line-up with addition of New ‘V’ grade along with top end ZX grade  

Introduction of new SV grade in City (Petrol) along with existing V, VX and ZX variants 

BS-6 RDE compliant on E5 Fuel 

E20 material compatible.  

Honda Cars India Ltd, a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India launched the “New City (Petrol) and New City e:HEV” in the Indian market with sporty exterior styling, elegant interior enhancements and introduction of new features for advanced safety, connectivity and convenience. Both the models are BS-6 RDE compliant on E5 fuel and E20 material compatible. 

Commenting on the launch of the New Honda City, Mr Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. said “Honda City has been our strongest pillar of business, defining the mid-size sedan segment in India and has achieved immense success during its 25-year glorious legacy.  With India as the lead market for the model, we are excited to introduce the New City with sportier new look and enhanced new features for advanced safety, connectivity and convenience. We are confident that our esteemed customers who are increasingly prioritising Safety and Eco-friendliness in their vehicle choice will appreciate the New City.  The expansion of Honda Sensing application in New City Petrol line-up and new grade introduction for City e:HEV is aligned with Honda’s global vision to promote safety, environment friendly and fuel-efficient vehicles that meet the changing needs and preferences of today's consumers.”  

The new City gets sporty and stylish new looks with a New Sporty Front Grille with Diamond chequered flag pattern, newly designed Front Bumper with Carbon wrapped Lower Molding, Sporty Fog Lamp Garnish, New Rear Bumper with Sporty Carbon-Wrapped Diffuser, Body coloured Sporty Trunk Lip Spoiler and newly designed R16 Dual-Tone Diamond-Cut Multi-Spoke Alloy Wheels. A brand-new addition to the New City's fascinating and distinctive colour palette is the Obsidian Blue Pearl colour.  

 In line with Honda’s Global Safety Vision to strive for Zero Collision Fatalities involving Honda vehicles by 2050, the New City (Petrol) now comes with Honda Sensing – an advanced driver assist safety technology that alerts the driver to minimize risk of accidents and in some cases intervene to mitigate a collision or lessen its severity. The City e:HEV which already comes with Honda Sensing, will have additional feature of "Low-Speed Follow" in Adaptive Cruise Control function that helps to maintain safe distance from the preceding vehicle while driving at low speeds/ stop and go traffic. Another new feature ‘Lead Car Departure Notification System’ has been added in Honda Sensing suite of safety features in both City (petrol) and City e:HEV that informs the driver with visual and audible alerts when the preceding vehicle starts moving in situations like Traffic Lights junctions.   

The Honda Sensing uses a high-performance front camera with a wide-angle, far-reaching detection system to scan the road ahead and alert the driver to minimize risk of accidents and offer a safer driving experience. Honda Sensing signature safety features include 

o   Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) 

o   Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow* (*New Introduction in City e:HEV) 

o   Road Departure Mitigation System 

o   Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) 

o   Lead Car Departure Notification System (New) 

o   Auto High-Beam 

The interior of the New City packs a plush, premium and spacious cabin with Two-Tone Beige & Black Interiors in Petrol variants and Luxurious Two-Tone Ivory & Black Interior Colour Theme in City e:HEV. Introduction of new advanced connectivity features like Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Improved Infotainment System with new background & colours, Remote control operation via Smart Phone Application, Improved Rear Camera, Wireless Charger, Rain Sensing Auto Wiper add to the appeal and convenience for the customers. Feeling of luxury in the cabin at night has been further enhanced with Ambient Lighting introduced in Front Door Inner Handle and Front Door pockets. The brightness can be adjusted through the meter illumination control switch, or turned off upon users’ requirements. The City e:HEV gets a new Carbon Fibre pattern Instrument Panel Assistant side Garnish Finish, Piano Black Surround Finish on All AC Vents and Piano Black Garnish on Steering Wheel. 

The company has expanded the City e:HEV range with a new ‘V’ grade in addition to the existing top grade ‘ZX’ to provide customers with more choice and experience of this advanced self-charging strong hybrid electric technology. The New City (Petrol) will also have a new entry ‘SV’ grade for wider set of customers looking to upgrade to the City brand. 

The New City (Petrol) comes with 1.5L i-VTEC DOHC engine with Variable Timing Control (VTC) to deliver high fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and spirited driving performance. This high-performance engine delivers 89 kw (121PS) @6600 rpm power and 145 Nm@4300 rpm torque, with quicker torque increase at lower engine speed. It has been mated to a 6-speed Manual Transmission and 7- speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) offering impressive fuel efficiency of 17.8 kmpl and 18.4 kmpl respectively*. 

The New City e:HEV features Honda’s unique self-charging and highly efficient Two motor e-CVT hybrid system connected to a smooth 1.5-litre Atkinson-Cycle DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine, Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) with advanced Lithium-ion Battery and an Engine linked direct coupling Clutch. The e:HEV electric-hybrid system uses three driving modes - EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive, along with Regeneration mode during deceleration. A clever Power Control Unit ensures harmony between the various system components to provide an energetic response, seamlessly and automatically switching between three modes based on various driving situations.  

The City e:HEV harnesses any electrical energy through braking and self-charges the Lithium Ion battery pack with no need to manually charge the battery. The Deceleration Selector lets the driver change the deceleration to 3 levels without stepping on brake pedal while still maintaining good vehicle control and fuel efficiency. This strong hybrid electric system produces System Combined Max Power of 126 PS, Outstanding Fuel Efficiency of 27.13 km/l and Maximum motor torque of 253 Nm @ 0 - 3,000 rpm*. With the Electric Servo Brake, Electric Regenerative Braking in New City e:HEV combines with Hydraulic Braking to bring the vehicle to a quick stop, while self-charging the Lithium-Ion battery pack. 

The New City features host of advanced equipment including 20.3 cm Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio which connects with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Web Link smart connectivity, 8 speakers premium surround sound system, One- Touch Electric Sunroof, Ambient Lighting and LED Interior Lamps, Steering Mounted Paddle Shifters for CVT. A 17.7cm HD full color TFT meter with Multi-function driver information interface offer Honda Sensing support, various other alerts/ warnings, G-meter, Digital Speed, Cruise Control display and Power flow meters (in case of e:HEV). An easy to operate Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold that engages parking brake with a single switch, has been adopted for the City e:HEV which eliminates the need for a brake lever and also lets the center console to be utilized more effectively for placing small items pocket tissue, smartphone or a small tablet in the Utility Tray.   

The New City Petrol and New City e:HEV comes fully equipped with host of safety technologies, active and passive safety features like Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™)  body structure,  AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) at low speed EV Mode (in City e:HEV), 6 Airbags, Honda Lane-Watch, Multi-angle Rear view Camera, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System with Deflation Warning, Vehicle Stability Assist with Agile Handling Assist, Hill Start Assist, ISOFIX compatible Rear Side Seats with Lower Anchorage & Top Tether, Immobilizer with anti-theft alarm and many more. 

The New City comes equipped with 37 Honda Connect features and comes with 5-year free subscription. In order to enhance Connected car experience, Honda Connect works with smart watch devices, Alexa remote capability and OK Google. With smartwatch connectivity, the car can be remotely controlled for enhanced convenience and user can always stay up-to-date with important notifications.  

The New City (Petrol) comes in four grades SV, V , VX and ZX with a choice in Manual or CVT transmission in V, VX and ZX. The New City e:HEV comes in V and ZX grade.  

The New City will be available with a choice of 6 colour options – Obsidian Blue Pearl (New), Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Golden Brown Metallic. 

The New City and e:HEV  will offer complete peace of mind with 3-year Unlimited kilometers warranty as standard benefit to the customer. The customers can also opt for Extended Warranty upto 5 years and Anytime Warranty upto 10 years from the date of car purchase. The warranty available on Lithium-ion Battery will be 8-year or 160,000 Km (whichever comes first) from the date of car purchase. 

 TV Commercial: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s2hVxtfJSKLFPCVGapFGGPbivEpUhItf/view?usp=share_link 

Kotak White Credit Card Is The Presenting Sponsor For The Backstreet Boys’ DNA India Tour

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (“KMBL”/“Kotak”) today announced Kotak White Credit Card’s tie-up as Presenting Sponsor for The Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour in India.

Under this partnership, all Kotak Credit Card holders will get an exclusive 48 hour access to the pre-sale of concert tickets from 12 PM on 6th March. General sale of tickets opens at 4 PM on 8th March.

Over and above the exclusive access, Kotak White and White Reserve Credit card customers shall also enjoy a 25% off, up to a maximum of Rs 7500, on the concert tickets. Given the expected high demand, this benefit shall be offered on a first come-first serve basis.

Elizabeth Venkatraman, Joint President – Marketing & Alliances, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. said, "At Kotak, we observed that there is an overall increase in interest in the music genre among our customers. Hence, we responded to this trend by actively associating ourselves with musical events, and offer unique experiences to our valued customers. We are excited about Backstreet Boys' DNA India Tour and the band's long-awaited return to India after 13 years. We are happy to curate exclusive benefits for our credit card holders, and we hope that they avail the benefits and enjoy this event to the fullest."

Kotak Credit Card customers can register for the tickets to the event, clicking the below link:

https://in.bookmyshow.com/mumbai/events/backstreet-boys-dna-world-tour/ET00352578

About the DNA India Tour:

The Backstreet Boys are returning to India after 13 years with their ‘DNA India Tour’ in May. This two-city tour will take place at Mumbai’s Jio World Gardens and in New Delhi at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, on May 4 and 5, respectively. BookMyShow, India's leading entertainment destination, along with Live Nation, is bringing the Backstreet Boys to India. Registrations for the much-awaited concert are now live exclusively on their platform. However, ticket details have not been announced yet.

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited:

Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra Group is one of India's leading financial services conglomerates. In February 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. (KMFL), the Group's flagship company, received banking license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), becoming the first non-banking finance company in India to convert into a bank - Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

The Bank has four Strategic Business Units – Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking and Treasury, which cater to retail and corporate customers across urban and rural India. The premise of Kotak Mahindra Group’s business model is concentrated India, diversified financial services. The bold vision that underscores the Group’s growth is an inclusive one, with a host of products and services designed to address the needs of the unbanked and insufficiently banked. As on 31st December, 2022, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has a national footprint of 1,752 branches and 2,814 ATMs, and branches in GIFT City and DIFC (Dubai). For more information, visit the company’s website at https://www.kotak.com/.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Expands Centre Of Excellence In Bengaluru

-     Inaugurates 19th Centre in the city – reaches out to over 12,000 Engineering students in Bangalore

-     Reinforces continued commitment to “Skill India” Mission by developing skill at grassroot level

As a part of its continuing emphasis towards the creation of a world-class skill pool including nurturing a mind-set for quality excellence, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru. Aimed at offering engineering students with hands-on experience about powertrains and its functioning, the students will gain the opportunity to practically assemble and disassemble engines and gain a better understanding about automobile powertrains.

The 19th Centre in the city was inaugured by Dr. M.P Shyam, President, Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust (RSST) and Dr. K N Subramanya Principal RV College of Engineering in the presence of Mr. Swapnesh R Maru – Executive Vice President, TKM and other senior officials.

Drawing inspiration from Toyota’s efforts of enhancing skill-levels of engineering students, the tie-up has provided over 12,000 students with easy access to a robust curriculum through expert trainers, facilities, and equipment. The CoE set up within the campus will also consist of a Toyota engine, transmission, and powertrain as cut section and do-it-yourself models.

Commenting on Toyota’s support in developing world-class infrastructure and skill programs, Dr. M.P Shyam, President, RSST said, “We are delighted that Toyota has collaborated with RVCE for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Automotive Engineering. As the automotive industry is witnessing a paradigm shift by way of technological innovations, so is the demand for a skilled talent. This creates a need to bridge the industry & academia gap. The traditional syllabus and methods of learning need to be constantly upgraded in order to enhance learning and motivation amongst students, which will help in synchronizing with the rapid transition and evolving requirements of the industry. With the establishment of this Centre, we are confident that the hands-on and practical training experience will strengthen their learning abilities and create good career opportunities.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Swapnesh R Maru – Executive Vice President, TKM said, “TKM is committed to contribute to the “Skill India” mission, and this initiative of CoE at RVCE, further reinforces our efforts towards developing globally competitive talent pool, required for driving the “Make in India” program. Through this collaboration, with the prestigious RV College of Engineering, our efforts are to plug the skill gap and create better entry level engineering talent, and job opportunities, that will enable the auto industry on its path to greater localization and self-reliance. At Toyota, one of the pillars for an effective learning is through Genchi Genbutsu – which is a practice of analysing the root cause of any problem in its source, in order to solve that problem quickly, efficiently & sustainably. We have followed the same practice here, as we believe in enhancing the learning process, not just with books, but with simulations and experiential learning. Our skill enhancement related efforts are not just about our company but for the entire industry ecosystem and we will continue to support in training the youth with new-age engineering knolwdge and make them job-ready."

Over its 25 years of existence in India, TKM has been passionately creating a scalable and sustainable skill mandate focused to bridge the gap underlying India’s rapidly growing industrial sector with evolving technologies and availability of skilled manpower for the entire ecosystem. From imparting quality skill education to Engineering students to the entire workforce, the company’s efforts are aimed at ensuring contribution to the country’s vision of achieving self-reliance through ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’.

Furthermore, TKM has trained over 77,760 employable youths through a variety of skill development initiatives. TKM is currently developing one Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in each district of the 31 districts in Karnataka. TKM continues to train trainees in 56 institutes across 25 States through the Toyota Technical Education Program (TTEP). The primary objective of the TTEP initiative is to enhance the student’s skill sets which will strengthen the talent pool from the grass root level and provide opportunities for youth with special focus in Rural and Semi Urban areas in line with the “Skill India“ initiative. In addition, Toyota dealers also support by providing On-Job training to these students. TKM also has collaborations with the Governments of Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Haryana, New Delhi, and Telangana to provide skill development to students and faculty members.

Recently, TKM has also undertaken a major expansion of TTTI with capacity going up from 200 to 1,200 students (academic batch-wise). This will be a major boost to the existing skill facility in its Bidadi plant with a focus to scale-up students’ skill levels on advanced technology, by Toyota expert trainers (globally certified).

Mahindra Finance Launches ‘Used Car Digi Loans’ In Partnership With Car&Bike And Rupyy

·         Used Car Digi loans set to provide a seamless experience to customers and partners for used car loans

·         To facilitate faster loan application and disbursal and provide the partner with real-time visibility of the application and sanctioned loan offer

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited, (MMFSL), part of the Mahindra Group, and one of India’s leading Non-Banking Finance Company, today launched a specialized end-to-end digital journey named ‘Used Car Digi Loans’. This offering has been launched in association with Car&Bike (by Mahindra First Choice Wheels) & Rupyy (by Cardekho), the leading brands in the used car industry.

With the help of this new integrated journey, customers will be able to get customized loan offers from Mahindra Finance, enabling them to take faster buying decisions.

The integrated system will be able to seamlessly initiate the loan application procedure with Mahindra Finance thus making the process quick and convenient for the customer. ‘Used car Digi loans’ has the capability of successfully disbursing loans within few hours with the help of specialized underwriting & processing teams, equipped with 15 state-of-the-art fintech tools. Partners will have a real-time visibility of the application status and sanctioned loan offer allowing them to delight their customers with swift vehicle delivery.

Ramesh Iyer, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra Finance said, “Mahindra Finance has been at the forefront of innovative product offerings and this venture is another step in that direction. Our partnership with Car&Bike and Rupyy will enable us to leverage on market strengths to create a digitally empowered platform. This integration will ensure a seamless and transparent journey for all stakeholders enhancing customer delight”.

Ashutosh Pandey, MD & CEO Mahindra First Choice Wheels mentioned, “We are pleased to start a new chapter in our ongoing relationship with Mahindra Finance. The new digitized journey will ensure an agile turnaround time thus enabling us to serve our customers better and further benefit our network partners”.

Namit Jain, CEO and Co-Founder Cardekho Group said, “We are looking forward to our collaboration with Mahindra Finance. With this partnership we plan to capitalize on Mahindra Finance’s rich expertise and experience in vehicle financing. This collaboration will help us to further expand our geographical reach across India and facilitate our customers and dealers with best loan offers and create a digitized and hassle-free used car loan journey for all our stakeholders”.

About Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (Mahindra Finance), part of the Mahindra Group, is one of India’s leading non-banking finance companies. Focused on the rural and semi-urban sector, the Company has over 8.7 million customers and has an AUM of over USD 11 Billion. The Company is a leading vehicle and tractor financier, provides loans to SMEs and also offers fixed deposits. The Company has 1,386 offices and reaches out to customers spread over 3,80,000 villages and 7,000 towns across the country.

Mahindra Finance has been ranked 54th among India’s Best Companies to Work 2021 by Great Place to Work Institute.

Mahindra Insurance Brokers Limited (MIBL), the Company's Insurance Broking subsidiary, is a licensed Composite Broker providing Direct and Reinsurance broking services.

Mahindra Rural Housing Finance Limited (MRHFL) a subsidiary of Mahindra Finance provides loans for purchase, renovation, construction of houses to individuals in the rural and semi-urban areas of the country.

Mahindra Finance CSR Foundation is a wholly owned subsidiary company, under the provisions of section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 for undertaking the CSR activities of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Mahindra Manulife Investment Management Private Limited (formerly known as Mahindra Asset Management Company Private Limited) acts as the Investment Manager of Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund (formerly known as Mahindra Mutual Fund).

Mahindra Manulife Trustee Private Limited (MMTPL), (formerly known as Mahindra Trustee Company Private Limited) acts as a Trustee to Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund (formerly known as Mahindra Mutual Fund).

Mahindra Ideal Finance Limited (MIFL) is a subsidiary of the Company in Sri Lanka, in which the Company owns 58.2% stake. MIFL focuses on providing a diversified suite of financial services to the Sri Lankan market.

The Company has a Joint Venture in the US, Mahindra Finance USA LLC, in partnership with De Lage Landen, a subsidiary of Rabo Bank, for financing Mahindra vehicles in the US.

Learn more about Mahindra Finance on www.mahindrafinance.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraFin

About Mahindra

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and real estate. The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.

Learn more about Mahindra on www.mahindra.com/ Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise/ For updates subscribe to https://www.mahindra.com/news-room

About Mahindra First Choice Wheels 

Mahindra First Choice Wheels is a dominant player in the Indian used vehicle eco system providing products and services to cater to the needs of retail and wholesale customers utilizing its “on-the ground” and “in-the-cloud” capabilities. The company has raised funding from Silicon Valley based Hedge Fund, Valiant Capital and Cox Automotive, a $17 Billion US based enterprise. 

About car&bike: 

car&bike is a leading auto technology platform with a focus to build India’s largest hyper-local integrated platform for content and commerce. The platform has been built on path-breaking auto programming, intensive coverage of global automobile news and the largest used car range with exclusive online booking of 5000+ cars across 300+ cities. In a short span of time, c&b has clearly established itself as one of the top auto-portal in the country and the fastest growing used car brand by far. The business offers technology solutions to all the stakeholders of the automotive industry at various points of buy and sell value chain. car&bike was recently acquired by Mahindra First Choice Wheels Limited, India’s leading player in the used car vehicle ecosystem.

About CarDekho Group

CarDekho Group is India’s biggest digital automotive solutions provider that supports the car buyers at all stages of their personal mobility journey. CarDekho Group is the first Jaipur based unicorn and is India’s leading auto-tech company, fulfilling consumers' mobility dreams on the strength of technology and by digitizing the entire consumer journey in the auto ecosystem.

About Rupyy

Rupyy is a new-age fintech brand, backed by CarDekho Group. Rupyy offers an end-to-end digital platform designed to make the entire loan journey paperless and convenient through state-of-the-art tech stack, where it promises to introduce a whole new world of financing to its users. The experience incorporates a digital QR-code based onboarding journey at car dealers / finance distributors. Consumers can avail a self-help journey through this QR-code, including video-KYC, e-NACH and e-Agreement to get their loan sanctioned at the Point of Sale in just a few minutes. Rupyy has expanded its reach to more than 150 locations across India, aiming to penetrate and deliver its services in the smallest of the potential markets. 

MMTC-PAMP Commemorates World Wildlife Day With Limited Edition Silver Coins

* MMTC-PAMP’s beautifully etched 31.1 gms 999.9 silver coins feature India’s iconic and endangered species 

* Part of the proceeds will go towards supporting WWF India’s conservation efforts 

* The product will be available at MMTC-PAMP’s own stores & website, leading marketplaces like Amazon & Flipkart, and with leading jewelers across India 

MMTC-PAMP, India’s only London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery gold & silver refinery, is commemorating World Wildlife Day through its limited-edition silver coins that were created in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund.  

In order to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, the ‘Nature & Nurture’ series by MMTC-PAMP features a mother and cub together in their natural habitat. Through this association, MMTC-PAMP hopes to contribute towards stopping the degradation of the planet's natural environment. 

The coins come in 31.1 gms 999.9 purity silver and feature four iconic species- Red Pandas, Snow Leopards, Asian Elephants, and Asiatic Lions. This year World Wildlife Day will be celebrated under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation" and this partnership between MMTC-PAMP and WWF is aimed at raising awareness towards building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. 

Speaking on the collaboration, Vikas Singh MD & CEO said, “Our collaboration with WWF India is a significant stride towards driving awareness around their conservation efforts. As the leading trusted brand for precious metals in the country, we are pleased to present the 999.9+ purest silver collectibles featuring India’s most iconic and endangered species, crafted to the highest standards of purity with MMTC-PAMP’s unmatched Swiss craftsmanship. These limited-edition silver collectibles are ideal for gifting. The purchase of each coin furthers a strong message that can be your contribution towards preserving nature and raising awareness towards excellent initiatives undertaken by WWF India. We are excited about this initiative and the impact beyond business this would create.” 

These exclusive purest 999.9+ silver collectibles offer unmatched Swiss craftsmanship, and purity beyond compare and mark a token of togetherness, warmth, and love that a family shares. These individually serial-numbered limited-edition coins come in bespoke display packaging and remain ideal for gifting. Every coin created by MMTC-PAMP goes through a rigorous purification process to ensure 999.9 + purity of the metal.   

Each product bought from MMTC-PAMP offers positive weight tolerance, which guarantees that every coin or bar weighs more than the listed weight, ensuring the highest value for investment.  

Shop for all MMTC-PAMP products: https://shop.mmtcpamp.com/collectible 

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.   

One Third Callers Of A National Helpline Battle Anxiety, Depression, And Suicidal Thoughts Includes Whose Have Reached Out On WhatsApp.

A leading mental health organization says that, in the last 18 months (August 2021  to January 2023), at least one third of people, who reached out to them for counselling told them that they have been battling anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and sought upfront psychological support to combat the crisis. The Cyrus and Priya Vandrevala Foundation, which provides free mental health counselling adds that in the past three months (November 2021 to January 2023), such conversations have touched nearly 40 per cent.

14 years of supporting those who need mental and emotional counselling, the foundation has facilitated 1 million+ counselling conversations to date. The only emergency 24 x 7 x 365 days available WhatsApp mental health support in India, Vandrevala Foundation’s helpline is accessible in English and 10 vernacular languages (Hindi, English, Marathi, Guajarati, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi and Urdu) free of cost to offer free psychological counselling to anyone who is experiencing distress due to depression, trauma, mood disorders, chronic illness amongst many other mental health issues.

“One third people who reached out to us told us that they struggled with mental illness, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Suicide killed more people in India than murders and coronavirus in 2022. Even if every medical student in the country today became a psychiatrist, we do not have enough people to solve the mental health crisis” said philanthropist Priya Hiranandani-Vandrevala, who leads the foundation.

A NIMHANS study in October 2022, reported that 150 million Indians may be in need of mental health care services. The 2022 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data on suicidal deaths in India said that 1,64,033 suicides were reported in the country in 2021. It was an increase of 7.2 per cent in comparison to 2020.[1]

India in 2021 recorded 12 suicides per lakh of population. Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu, MP, West Bengal and Karnataka reported the highest incidents of suicide in India, an indication that mental health crisis among the population of these states are a high cause of concern and can be attributed to multiple reasons.

“The data from Foundation suggest that 81% of the people seeking counselling on issues concerning mental health have come from Maharashtra 17.3%,Uttar Pradesh 9.5% , Karnataka 8.3%, Delhi 8 % , Tamil Nadu 6.2% , Gujarat 5.8%, West Bengal 5.4% , Kerala 5,3%, Telangana 4%, Madhya Pradesh 3.8%, Rajasthan 3.6% and Haryana 3.6%. This reflects our efforts on creating awareness of our free helpline in these regions. This data also guides us to scale our efforts and fund appropriate initiatives is low awareness states.” Priya Hiranandani-Vandrevala said.

Another crucial finding was that the preferred mode of communication changes with age and gender. Data shows that the use of WhatsApp increases with the younger population. A telephonic conversation is preferred by those over 35 years of age. This data validates that there is a need to provide crisis intervention via both WhatsApp chats and Telephonic conversation 24*7/365 days.

Usage of WhatsApp is increasing with the younger generation. The last three months of data suggests that more and more young people are using WhatsApp to get help with their mental health. 65% of people under 18, 50% of people aged 18-35, 28.3% of people aged 35-60, and 8% of people over 60 are all using WhatsApp for this purpose versus a phone call.

WhatsApp has opened communication to a different segment, who perhaps could never seek mental health support offline. Women, girls, young men, who wanted to discuss their mental health issues without the knowledge of their family or peers found a medium to seek support with this powerful digital platform that offers privacy and confidentiality. Almost 53% of women prefer to contact the helpline using WhatsApp chat, whereas 42% of men preferred the use WhatsApp chat.

The foundation is keen to expand the footprint of its free 24x7x365 free helpline (+91 9999666555) to reach more people and offer long term therapy as well.

About Priya and Cyrus Vandrevala Foundation:

The Cyrus and Priya Vandrevala Foundation is a non-profit that partners with organizations to help communities thrive by providing education and healthcare. The Vandrevala Foundation provides free crisis support and counselling to anyone who is experiencing distress.14 years of supporting those who need mental and emotional counselling, the foundation has facilitated 1 million+ conversations to date. Our emergency mental health support service, + 91 9999666555 is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

https://www.vandrevalafoundation.com/free-counseling

La Trobe University Strengthens Partnerships In Indian Market

* Signs MOU with Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, Bangalore; Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi and Jindal Global Law School, Panipat

La Trobe University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, is in New Delhi this week with Australian Education Minister, The Hon. Jason Clare MP, to cement strategically important partnerships with universities, research centres, and industry partners in India.

Official agreements signed at ceremonies over the three-day visit will strengthen global research and industry collaborations and create new international learning opportunities for staff and students at La Trobe, and its partner organisations in India.

Professor Dewar will meet with representatives from some of India’s leading educational and research institutions, including the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, Lady Shri Ram College and Jindal Global Law School.

Professor Dewar said he was excited that these newly established partnerships with leading research and teaching institutions and industries would further deepen La Trobe’s already established relationship with India.

“We have a long and proud history of close ties with many of India’s leading research, educational and cultural institutions, and deeply value the contribution they make to our campuses and communities,” Professor Dewar said.

“Whether offering Shah Rukh Khan scholarships for aspiring female researchers, partnering with the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, or graduating thousands of students with Indian heritage who now hold senior positions across the globe, our partnerships in India are critical to our success as a university.”

Professor Dewar said the ceremonial signings during his trip to India would reap many benefits for staff, students and communities in both countries.

“As a global University, we are always seeking new ways to foster and enhance international collaborations that not only benefit our own students and staff, but create new and exciting opportunities for those institutions with whom we build partnerships,” Professor Dewar said.

“This is exactly what these exciting agreements signed today will do, and I very much look forward to us working productively with these four institutions over the coming years, as well as with our many other valued partners in India.”

La Trobe took part in the following signing ceremonies on 2 March, 2023, in New Delhi:

Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre – Signing of Memorandum of Understanding

Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) is the largest Biotech start-up hub in India – a state-of-the-art translational research and entrepreneurship centre catering to all the needs of start-ups in life science. With investment from the Victorian Government, La Trobe will open a new Bio Innovation Hub and Digital Innovation Hub in 2023, connecting researchers and early-stage companies within this ecosystem to build their product development pipeline both in Australia and in India. This new collaboration between La Trobe and BBC will create a pipeline of innovations as start-ups. BBC has a very strong mandate to create global linkages to facilitate the scale up for its start-ups and to provide soft landing pads for foreign start-ups. 

Lady Shri Ram College – Signing of Letter of Support and renewal of Student Mobility Agreement

This Letter of Support extends a long-standing arrangement between Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) and La Trobe for LSR Students Mobility as well as staff exchange to undertake professional development activities at La Trobe each year. This arrangement supports LSR’s mission to “empower women to assume leadership roles in a globalised, rapidly changing, technology-based nation and world”, and sits alongside a student mobility agreement that has seen an exchange of about 60 students between the two institutions since 2011. Since its inception in 1995, the La Trobe-LSR partnership has gone from strength to strength and has led to cultural exchanges, and activities supported by the New Colombo Plan. Lady Shri Ram College for Women is committed to extending horizons, creating new metaphors that will highlight all that is special and of virtue in India, while nurturing multiculturalism.

Jindal Global Law School – Signing of Articulation Agreement Juris Doctor

This agreement will enable undergraduate law graduates from Jindal Global Law School to complete years two and three of the Juris Doctor at La Trobe University. JGLS, as a highly regarded law school in India, fosters curriculum, research, and collaborations of the highest standards, and with a global perspective, through a faculty drawn from, and educated throughout, the world. This agreement will give JGLS undergraduate law graduates the opportunity to study abroad and attain a graduate law degree from La Trobe Law School, one of Australia’s most progressive law schools. It is envisaged that this collaboration will lead to cross-institutional research projects, workshops and seminars.

For enquiries about La Trobe University, visit: www.Latrobe.edu.au/international 

Quest Global Is Great Place To Work Certified In India, For The Second Year In A Row

Quest Global, one of the world’s fastest-growing engineering services firms, today announced it has been Great Place To Work® Certified™ in India. It is the second time that the organization has earned this recognition. The organization last received this recognition in January 2022.

Quest Global fared well on the five critical dimensions of Trust Index™ - credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. The company remains committed to promoting and sustaining a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture, and guiding the firm towards strengthening its aim to be a centenary organization. The successful participation and vote of confidence in the assessment held across the organization by Great Place To Work anonymously helped Quest Global benchmark the people practices in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Colleen Doherty, Chief People Officer, Quest Global, said, “It truly is a proud feeling to be Great Place To Work Certified. The excitement is more this year as our extraordinary people once again ensured the Certification stays with us second time in a row. It says a lot about the culture we have fostered for over 25 years and continue to nurture. Our culture unites us on our journey. It is deeply rooted in everything we do and shines brightest in our behaviours, attitudes, and values.”

She elaborated, “We believe our inclusive work environment is one we each contribute to and can be proud of. We remain committed to prioritizing every employee’s health, safety, and well-being. This esteemed title is an important step towards acknowledging our efforts to embrace diversity and inclusivity in the ever-changing workplace culture.”

Great Place To Work Certification™ is the gold standard that organizations around the globe aspire to accomplish. The recognition is a testament to the organization’s consistent efforts to build and sustain a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture.

Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. In India, the institute partners with more than 1,400 organizations across 22+ industries annually to help them build a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture designed to deliver sustained business results. The institute’s research shows great workplaces are characterized by outstanding leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. These organizations can deliver the same experience to all of their employees irrespective of their role, gender, tenure, or level.

About Quest Global

We are Quest Global. We’re in the business of engineering, but what we’re really building is a brighter future. It’s not just what we do, but why we do it that makes us different. We believe engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. For 25 years, we have strived to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest engineering problems. As a global organization headquartered in Singapore, we live and work in 17 countries, with 56 global delivery centers & offices, driven by 17,000+ extraordinary employees who make the impossible possible every day.

Quest Global brings deep industry knowledge and digital expertise to deliver end-to-end global product engineering services.  We bring together technologies and industries alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise to solve problems better, and faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most important and large-scale challenges across the Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Energy, Hi-Tech, Healthcare, Medical Devices, Rail, and Semiconductor industries. Read more.

About Great Place To Work Certification

This Certification is the gold standard that organizations around the globe aspire to accomplish. Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. In India, the institute partners with more than 1,400 organizations annually across over 22 industries to help them build a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture designed to deliver sustained business results. The institute’s research shows that great workplaces are characterized by outstanding leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. These organizations can deliver the same experience to all of their employees irrespective of their role, gender, tenure, or level within the organization.

Home Grown Auto Major, Tata Motors Now Joins The Elite 5-Million Club

* Last 1 million achieved in 2.5 years

Tata Motors, India’s leading automobile manufacturer, today announced attainment of the 5 million passenger vehicles production mark. The Company achieved this milestone today and amidst much fanfare, the employees celebrated this milestone in a unique way where the Tata Motors family and the much admired, New Forever range of Tata cars and SUVs came together to create the 50-lakh formation. This milestone is testimony of the popularity of its cars among the Indian customers.

Commenting on this historic milestone, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said, “Today marks a celebratory moment in the history of Tata Motors as we celebrate our 5-million production mark milestone. This journey, from each million to the next, has been one replete with its fair share of ups and downs. We have been changing India with every new product intervention. Every Innovation was with the idea of building the nation. The brand is respected by its customers for bringing several new technologies and we express our gratitude for the tremendous support by our customers who have made this landmark achievement possible. We owe this milestone to our employees, suppliers, channel partners, government for their continued support. At Tata Motors, we remain committed to continuously innovate and be a leading stakeholder in moving the future of mobility ahead in India with safer, smarter and greener solutions.”

To celebrate the 5-million production milestone, Tata Motors will roll out a celebratory campaign for customers and employees in India. Through the campaign, Tata Motors will deck-up its dealership and sales outlets with branded outfits and the signatory mnemonic to mark the milestone. The Company will continue month-long celebrations across its manufacturing locations and regional offices.

Tata Motors achieved the 1 million production mark in 2004, the second million in 2010 and reached the 3 million mark in 2015, and rolled out its 4 millionth car in 2020. In what serves as a testimony to the Company’s strong product portfolio and increasing consumer connect, Tata Motors was able to stride ahead from 4 million cars to the 5 million within three years, despite Covid-19 and Semiconductor shortage crisis which plagued the global automotive industry. Since 1998, Tata Motors has introduced some iconic brands that have stood the tide of time, played an integral role in shaping the motoring landscape in the post-economic liberalization era and are still popular in many households across India.

To know more about offers and car buying options, call your nearest dealership or visit https://cars.tatamotors.com/.

Kotak Silk Unveils “Meri Udaan, Meri Pehchaan” Sculpture At GIFT City To Commemorate International Women’s Day

* The sculpture salutes the Spirit of the ‘Aatmanirbhar’ Indian Women taking flight and creating their own identity

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. ("KMBL" / "Kotak"), today unveiled a specially commissioned sculpture at GIFT City, ahead of International Women’s Day on 8th March. Titled "Meri Udaan, Meri Pehchaan”, the 21-feet high sculpture salutes the indomitable spirit of the Aatmanirbhar Indian Women and aims to inspire women across the country.

The especially curated, traveling sculpture designed by artist Shaila Nambiar, is a tribute to Indian women who are confidently taking charge of their finances and moving towards financial freedom. The red cape flowing from her shoulders, inspired by the Infinity symbol in Kotak’s identity, symbolises her superpower; her strength and resilience.

The unique traveling sculpture was unveiled in Gurugram last year. This year, she has travelled to GIFT City, near Ahmedabad.

At an event organised in GIFT City, “Meri Udaan, Meri Pehchaan” the sculpture was unveiled by chief guests Ms. Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary (Economic Affairs), Finance Department, Govt of Gujarat; Dr. Indira Parikh, President – Antardisha, Founder – President, FLAME University and Former Dean, IIM A; Dr. Rachana Gemawat, Chairperson – FICCI FLO, Ahmedabad Chapter; as well as Dr. Rajul Gujjar, Principal – LD Engineering college, Ahmedabad, along with Ms. Shanti Ekambaram, Whole-time Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. Senior Leaders from the Bank, Kotak customers, key women leaders from various organizations also graced the occasion with their presence.

"Today's women are truly inspiring, embodying the spirit of independence and resilience as they create their own identities and break barriers to fulfil their aspirations,” said Ms. Shanti Ekambaram, Whole-time Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. “As evident in EPFO data, more and more women are joining the workforce, paving the way for their financial independence. #MeriUdaan, Meri Pehchaan by #KotakSilk salutes these women. As we soon approach the International Women’s day, I urge more and more women to pursue the journey of financial freedom. Reach out for the stars and be in control of your own finances.”

As part of the #MeriUdaan by #KotakSilk campaign, Kotak Mahindra Bank will run exclusive offers for its Silk customers throughout the month of March, with special offers on a range of popular brands.

Kotak Silk is Kotak Mahindra Bank’s exclusive banking programme designed to partner women in their journey towards financial independence and help them Save, Invest, Protect as well as Indulge. It offers women special pricing on safe-deposit Lockers, Gold Loan, Two-Wheeler Loan, Personal Loan & Car Loan, exclusive offers on Nykaa, Urban Company and rewards on Debit card Spends. Kotak silk endeavours to help women customers master the art of personal finance with @silk.moneymatters, an Instagram community for women. The product also offers a dedicated query resolution desk especially for women.

Kotak Silk Unveils “Meri Udaan, Meri Pehchaan” Sculpture at GIFT City video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvBPVwmjkK8

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra Group is one of India's leading financial services conglomerates. In February 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. (KMFL), the Group's flagship company, received banking license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), becoming the first non-banking finance company in India to convert into a bank - Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

The Bank has four Strategic Business Units – Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking and Treasury, which cater to retail and corporate customers across urban and rural India. The premise of Kotak Mahindra Group’s business model is concentrated India, diversified financial services. The bold vision that underscores the Group’s growth is an inclusive one, with a host of products and services designed to address the needs of the unbanked and insufficiently banked. As on 31st December, 2022, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has a national footprint of 1,752 branches and 2,814 ATMs, and branches in GIFT City and DIFC (Dubai).For more information,  visit the company’s website at https://www.kotak.com/.

ETF Junction Unveils Platform To Tap INR 5 Lakh Crore ETF Across Indian Market

National: Industry veterans Sandeep Mishra, Saket Kumar along with their technology partner Abhishek Swarup launched ETF Junction, India's first Fintech platform dedicated to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). ETF Junction aims to create a complete ecosystem involving Mutual Funds, Investors, Advisors & Influencers/experts and help retail investors to expand their investment horizon to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). 

Through the platform, investors can now access 9500+ Indian & International ETFs, more than 660 Global ETF Issuers, 165 Global Stock Exchanges and a 10 trillion USD Global AUM using industry-first tools. AI powers ETF Junction's intelligent algorithm to bring new investors to the ETF ecosystem with relevant news, articles, and research; exclusive to requirements & preferences. The platform has signed up with Asset Management Companies to create awareness campaigns for educating investors on the benefits of ETFs. It addresses the underlying challenge of lack of infrastructure and awareness about Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) beyond traditional Mutual Funds.

The platform intends to create an ETF-exclusive investment community where investors can share their investment thoughts and concerns, engage with peers and learn all about ETFs from experts and verified influencers. The ETF with its vast diversified offerings stands as a great investment avenue for both new -age as well as traditional investors.

Sandeep Mishra, Co-Founder of ETF Junction, said, “The ETF market in India is worth 5 lakh crores at the moment, compared to the approximately 40-42 lakh crore Mutual fund market. ETF Junction aims to educate the general public about how an ETF can offer lower operating costs than traditional open-end funds, flexible trading, and greater transparency.”

He adds, “ETFs have demonstrated an annual growth of 22% in the last 10 years in the international markets. Currently the global ETF market size is approx. 10 trillion USD and is expected to touch 20 trillion dollars by 2026. We foresee a similar trend in India within the next 3-5 years. ETF Junction aims to become a one-stop solution for everything ETF and gradually help approx. 3.5 crore MF retail investors and 10.8 cr demat account holders to expand their investment horizon to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Currently, 30 lakh investors are investing in ETFs, our aim is to tap the first timer ETF investors, get in more folios from the mutual fund investors and gradually try for a pie from the stock investors. We are targeting to achieve at least 10% market share within 2 years.”

SEBI has introduced new guidelines to make the ecosystem viable for investors and foster more ETF transactions on exchanges. The regulation changes effectively addressed improving the liquidity, tracking error limits and limiting disclosures for exchange traded funds (ETFs) and index funds. Since the implementation of these regulations in May 2022, exchanges have witnessed a substantial increase in trading from retail investors. The primary bottleneck to the growth of the ETF industry in India remains the need for proper infrastructure and the absence of awareness amongst investors. 

Chintan Haria, Head- Investment Strategy, ICICI Prudential Asset Management, said “India’s evaluation as a non-financial saving country to becoming a financial saving showcases the growth in investment avenues from insurance, fixed income sources. ETFs are the extension of opportunities for investors. New age solutions like ETF Junction are further helping for higher penetration and inching towards financial inclusion by educating and providing experts access to retail investors. With 20+ ETFs products launched in the last 2 years and increase in distribution along with regulators' move enabling mutual funds to incentivise market makers has created a strong foundation for the equity market to grow at a greater height.”

During the last 5 years, passive funds AUM in India has increased from ?52,368 crores on 31 March 2017 to Rs. 4,99,319 crores on 31 March 2022 (annualized growth rate of 57%). During this period, the number of passive funds available in India has also grown from 84 in March 2017 to 228 in March 2022.

About ETF Junction: 

ETF Junction is India’s first platform dedicated to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). It is a fintech platform operated by Financial Basket Capital Pvt. Ltd. (“ETF Junction/Platform”). ETF Junction provides a daily dose of news, analysis and all the latest happenings in the Indian and International ETF arena. The information is curated from the best global finance majors like Morning Star and Money Control.

Tata Hitachi Inaugurates A New CED Painting Line At The Dharwad Plant And strengthens Manufacturing Facility In Karnataka

Tata Hitachi, a leading provider of construction and mining equipment, has installed and commissioned a new, state-of-the-art Cathode Electro Deposition(CED) Paint shop at its Dharwad plant. The new CED paint shop will be beneficial in providing superior paint performance with high colour retention and excellent corrosion and wear resistance properties.

The Paint shop was inaugurated by Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Government of India. In the presence of Mr. Yusuke Kajita, President-Construction Business Unit, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Japan, and Mr. Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Tata Hitachi.

CED is environmentally friendly and is the most advanced technology that is being used in the industry. This new CED paint shop is a testament to Tata Hitachi’s commitment to continuous improvement of quality and processes. Also, to the company’s quest in providing best-in-class Construction Equipment to Indian customers as well as cater to global markets.

“We are very pleased to commission and inaugurate the new state-of-the-art CED Paint shop at our Dharwad facility. The CED paint shop promises to provide superior quality and better paint performance while being sustainable.  It comes at an investment of Rs. 60 Crores and is a part of our plan to increase our production capacity to meet future demands and reaffirm our commitment to providing high-quality machines to customers. With this we also reinforce our pledge towards ‘atmanirbharta’ and our larger goal of nation-building” said Mr. Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Tata Hitachi.

For any further details, visit our website www.tatahitachi.co.in

About Tata Hitachi: Tata Hitachi, one of India’s leading construction machinery companies and largest Hydraulic Excavator company, is a joint venture between Tata Motors and Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM). The partnership with HCM commenced in 1984 and is today one of the longest-standing JVs in the industry. The company has a manufacturing presence in Dharwad and Kharagpur and over 250 customer-facing touchpoints spread across the country.

Set up in 1961 as the Construction Equipment Business Unit of Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), today, the company boasts a diverse portfolio of Mini Excavators, Construction Excavators, Mining Excavators, Backhoe Loaders, Wheel Loaders, and Dump Trucks, apart from a wide range of Attachments, Parts, and expert Service solutions.

Tata Hitachi is a leader in providing world-class construction equipment to address India’s Infrastructure and Mining needs.

The Only Global Sports – Win Upto 50 Million Through Its Fun Engaging Games

Wolf777 has come out with a Revolutionary Gaming Platform that now offers exciting opportunities to Cricket Fans. A new set of entertainment options for the players to enjoy & keep themselves entertained has been launched by Wolf777.

Undeniably, the game of Cricket is one of the most popular & favorite amongst sports lovers. For those who enjoy watching cricket matches and have a knack for making accurate predictions, here is Wolf777 offering you a chance to win up to 50 Million through its new addition to the list of fun engaging games. Introducing Lottery By Wolf777. This game of Lottery is one of a kind as it’s the only sports-based Lottery game that is loved globally. Being an online gaming platform, this game can be played at your own convenient place & time and the most adorable part is that it offers a variety of lotteries for the players to choose from.

It is a 100 percent safe & secure platform to play on, as there is no scope for manipulating the results. Whatever happens, it happens in front of the player. One can actually watch the live draw taking place and this is what makes it more exciting.

The platform allows cricket enthusiasts to participate in a lottery-based game with an entry fee starting from the bare minimum amount.

As regards its operation, this platform is very simple and straightforward where one can make one's own lottery number and there is an option to even select your number randomly while enjoying your cricket match with the excitement of every run scored. 

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"Wolf777 is a very trustworthy gaming platform that credits the winning prize money into the winner's account within a few minutes, making it reliable for every user playing on it. Wolf777 also provides 24x7 customer service & support for the players," stated the company official further adding, "The game not only offers an innovative way to participate in cricket matches but also a chance to win exciting prizes."

The low entry fee and the simple rules make it accessible to everyone, even a first-time player. With Wolf777, anyone can stand a chance to win prizes by making accurate predictions.

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Disclaimer: The game on Wolf777 involves an element of financial risk and may be addictive. Please play responsibly at your own risk. Wolf777 promotes responsible gaming practices and encourages participants to set limits on their gaming activities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

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NSDCI, Pearson Partner To Aid Workforce Skills Enhancement In India

National Skill Development Corporation International (NSDCI) and the world’s leading learning company, Pearson have entered a partnership to promote Pearson’s globally successful programs called Business Technology and Education Council (BTEC) among its education partners and affiliates in India. This collaboration has been initiated to catalyze the adoption of academic and vocational qualifications that are recognized by education ministries and employers globally.

NSDC International will support Pearson to generate awareness about their BTEC programs within its ecosystem, further helping in increasing outreach through its Skilling Audience across 11,000+ Training Centers, 750 PMKK (Centers of Excellence) and 13,000+ Schools /Universities/academic institutes, across 700+ districts of India.

Lauding the partnership, Dr. Maneesh Mishra, Executive Vice President-Strategy, NSDC, said, “In today's dynamic business environment, the growth of our economy is dependent on students; therefore, skill-based training is essential. Our partnership with Pearson is more exciting given the success rate of the Business Technology and Education Council globally. Together, we will strengthen the learning provided in vocational courses. These courses will prepare them to apply the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that employers and universities will seek in the next generation. We are hopeful that the fusion of the university curriculum and vocational courses will offer the finest learning infrastructure for our leaders.”

Speaking about the association, Jane Baker, Vice President, Workforce Skills at Pearson said "We are proud of the partnership between Pearson and NSDC International, which will support young learners to access globally recognized career focused TVET qualifications from Pearson. Together, we shall support thousands of learners to grow in their future.”

She added, “India has a vast working demographic that is rapidly making its mark on the global stage. Pearson India works towards bridging the gap between industry demand and skilled talent supply by enabling this demographic to access opportunities to enhance workforce skills, to reskill and to upskill. Our BTEC courses are helping provide digital solutions for employee training and vocational skilling, particularly for in-demand careers. Alongside this, Pearson provides a digital platform for businesses to test candidates on their verified skills and facilitate better decision-making. Our partnership with NSDC International will help to further bridge these gaps while enhancing the caliber of India’s vibrant workforce”

Pearson BTEC offers high-quality, career-focused programs that are co-created with industry and academia and are acknowledged by 100+ professional bodies globally. The Pearson BTEC qualifications are robust and highly relevant as they ensure seamless progression to a student’s undergraduate degree journey and into skill development. BTEC qualifications are developed in cooperation with the relevant Sector Skills Council of UK (SSC), ensuring they meet the needs of employers. BTEC courses, which started in the UK, are now taken in more than 50 countries by 1 million learners ranging from senior secondary education to Degree equivalent. They are vocational and work-related courses, designed to accommodate the needs of employers, further enhancing a student’s skills and knowledge to progress in their careers.

BTEC offers a wide range of courses and career options across diverse fields such as Business, Engineering, Media, Art and Design, Health and Social Care, Digital Technology, Cloud Computing, IT, Hospitality among others.

About NSDC International:

National Skill Development Council International (NSDCI) is a not-for-profit public limited company, that aims to promote skill development by catalyzing the creation of large, quality and for-profit vocational institutions. Further, the organization provides funding to build scalable and profitable vocational training initiatives. Its mandate is also to enable support system which focuses on quality assurance, information systems and train the trainer academies either directly or through partnerships. NSDCI acts as a catalyst in skill development by providing funding to enterprises, companies and organizations that provide skill training. It also develops appropriate models to enhance, support and coordinate private sector initiatives.

About Pearson India:

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Nexon EV Makes A Landmark Entry Into India Book Of Records For The ‘Fastest’ K2K Drive By An EV

* Powered by an enhanced range of 453kms, the entire drive was successfully completed with the help of a robust Public Fast Charging Infrastructure

* Creates 23 additional records on the go

Tata Motors, India’s leading automobile manufacturer and the pioneer of the EV evolution in India, today proudly announced that India’s most trusted and driven EV – the Nexon EV has successfully entered the India Book of Records by covering the ‘Fastest’ Kashmir to Kanyakumari drive by an EV.

The Nexon EV – India’s number one electric vehicle completed the drive of 4003kms in just 95 hours and 46 minutes (under 4 days), successfully proving its ability to undertake multi-city trips. Furthermore, this non-stop drive was also possible because of the enhanced uninterrupted Public Charging network present on the Indian Highways. Having spent a total of 28 hours resulting in only 21 stops for fast charging throughout the trip, the Nexon EV not only saved up on time in the completion of the total trip but also saved up a considerable amount on the cost when compared to an ICE vehicle.

During the drive, the Nexon EV, which was driven just like any other car across challenging terrains and extreme weather conditions, delivered an average real-world range of 300+kms with ease. This beautiful drive was also enjoyed by the company’s very own leadership team, who drove the Nexon EV along the landscapes of India. In addition to the ‘Fastest’ K2K drive by an EV record, the Nexon EV has created 23 additional records*.

Commenting on this remarkable achievement, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., said, “The Nexon EV has further validated its capabilities by entering the Indian Book of Records, for the fastest K2K drive by an EV. This achievement is a testament of the enormous competency of the product and the availability of a healthy charging infrastructure across the country – further bolstered by Tata Power’s presence across the country. There was a fast charging station at regular intervals, between 75kms -100kms, which itself is a great feat for India’s EV ecosystem.

This drive has been special for us, as my colleagues and I ventured onto something like this for the very first time – driving 4003 kms through the length of the country, in the shortest recorded duration by an EV yet. The aim here was to showcase that our customers can confidently plan long journeys with the Nexon EVs enhanced range in addition to the ever-growing charging infrastructure. I am positive that this K2K drive will inspire more customers to adopt EVs and evolve to electric.”

To know more about Nexon EV, call your nearest dealership or visit https://nexonev.tatamotors.com.

ICICI Bank Launches Digital Solutions For Participants of Capital Market And Custody Services

·         Offers ‘3-in-1’ account for stock brokers and their clients digitally

·         Enables first-of-its-kind digital opening of savings account and demat account for PMS clients

·         Provides digital onboarding platform for FPIs/ FDIs

ICICI Bank today announced the launch of an array of digital solutions for participants of the capital market and clients of custody services. The solutions enable various participants in the sector including stock brokers, Portfolio Management Service (PMS) providers, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Foreign Direct Investors (FDIs), and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to seamlessly meet all their banking requirements. The Bank has launched these solutions to offer expeditious onboarding and convenience to all participants of the Indian capital market which has seen significant growth in the last few years.

The newly launched ‘3-in-1’ account enables the clients of stock brokers to digitally open online trading, demat and savings account in a few hours from anywhere across the country. The facility empowers stock brokers to integrate their trading and depository systems with the Bank through API, providing them with the advantage of real time information on availability of investor funds.

The Bank has also enabled providers of PMS services to digitally open savings account and demat account in a single working day, significantly reducing onboarding and activation time.

Additionally, the Bank has launched a digital platform for onboarding and registration of FPIs/FDIs from any country across the globe. The platform helps FPIs/FDIs to upload documents and information seamlessly for pre-verification, thereby paring the registration and onboarding time down to a few days.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Sumit Sanghai, Head- Large Clients Group, ICICI Bank said, “Indian capital market has witnessed significant growth over the last few years which can be gauged from the increase in number of demat accounts, rise in AUM of the mutual fund industry and surge in capital flows into the country. The market capitalisation of listed Indian corporates has increased from ~ INR 148 trillion to ~ INR 257 trillion over last five years. We believe that the market will continue to experience robust growth and provide impetus to India’s journey towards becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025. The digital set of solutions launched by the Bank will help the participants of the capital market and custody services meet regulatory requirements, significantly decongest manual processes, thereby improving their operational efficiency and scalability in business.”

The key services and offerings of the digital solutions for entities in Capital Markets and Custody Services:

·         ‘3-in-1’ account facility for stock brokers and clients: The facility enables investors to open a demat, savings bank and trading account simultaneously in a completely digital manner, within a few hours. This facility enables the investors to simply block funds in the account towards a particular transaction, instead of transferring the funds to the brokers. This gives the investors the flexibility to pay only when the trades are executed. Additionally, the brokers can integrate their systems with the Bank to get real-time information on availability of investors’ funds.

·         Digital account opening for PMS clients: As a custodian, the Bank offers first-of-its-kind solution to open digital demat and bank account for end clients of PMS. The account is opened with a simple digital journey in a single day as against the physical account opening process which takes 7 to 10 days.

·         Digital on-boarding and pre-verification of FPI/FDI clients: The Bank offers state-of-the-art digital platform for onboarding of FPIs/FDIs. The digital process does away with longer turn-around time required for dealing with multiple time zones. The clients can fill the application form online and upload the supporting KYC documents such as Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association, Regulatory Licenses, etc. for pre-verification process. Once queries, if any, are resolved through the interactive query resolution mechanism on the platform, the clients are required to send the physical documents to the Bank, as required by the regulator. The digital process simplifies the on-boarding journey and reduces the time taken to open custody account, to a few days from the industry practice of 2 to 3 weeks and eliminates exchange of documents over email.

·         Self-service portal: The Bank offers a self-service portal to clients of Custody Services including PMS, AIF and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) that provides 24*7 digital access to custody holdings, transactions and various reports through ‘Web Custody’, a new feature of Corporate Internet Banking. The Bank also provides access to ‘E-Protector’ application, a digital dashboard for real time monitoring of margin utilisation, margin per script and authorisation of trades for clients availing derivative clearing services.

·         Value added services for AIFs: The Bank offers solutions to AIFs including services such as fund accounting, forex, escrow arrangement, digital collection and payment solutions. The Bank’s latest fund accounting software has the capability to manage all asset classes including regulatory reporting apart from web based access to AIF and its investors. The Bank also extends customised escrow services for diverse requirements of AIF portfolio companies such as share purchase agreement, share buyback, merger, demat escrow, RERA accounts and credit linked arrangements.

·         Digital collection solutions: The Bank offers customised solutions to collect funds and margin money from investors. The list of collection solutions include digital channels such as e-collections, e-mandates, e-NACH and UPI interfaces. These channels are integrated with the client’s systems through state-of-the-art APIs. It helps them for automated reconciliations and efficient cash flow management.

·         Digital payment solutions: The Bank offers tailor-made solutions to participants of capital market and custody services to carry out various payments such as exchange pay-in, investor payment, expense payment to vendors and statutory payout. The participants can directly integrate with the Bank’s systems and UPI stack, and embed the payment solutions within their ERP systems. This can be done with API integration with the Bank in a secured and speedy manner. The integration helps the participants with real time status update, faster credits and automated reconciliation and validations with the client systems.

To know more about the digital solutions for capital markets and custody services, visit https://www.icicibank.com/ms/corporate/icicibankstack/Capital_Market.html

or write to capitalmarket@icicibank.com

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