Godrej Interio Partners With IIT- Bombay To Create State-Of-The-Art Laboratory

~ Aims to grow market share in the laboratory business by 25% by FY28

Godrej Interio, India’s leading furniture solutions brand in home and institutional segments, successfully revamped IIT Bombay’s ‘Class of 1980 Design and Making Lab’. The idea behind this revamp was to provide state-of-the-art facilities, empower research-based education and revolutionize learning practices for students. Some of the unique innovative furniture solutions like modular furniture, fume hood, lab storage, MEP services & turnkey projects form a core part of the lab’s revamping. Godrej Interio is currently executing similar projects for state medical colleges, research institutes and government institutes across India.

The refurbished lab is an important component of the Institute's larger #MakerSpace programme that aims to provide students with a comprehensive education through exposure to state of the art thematic labs. The lab revamp was largely adapted from the recommendations made under the updated National Education Policy, that emphasised hands-on experimental-based learning. It will give young pioneers at IIT Bombay the opportunity to study modern design and production processes at the start of their academic careers. Godrej Interio designed the space and installed specialised laboratory furniture and modular workstations at the Class of 1980 Design and Making Lab.

Commenting on this successful execution, Sameer Joshi, Vice President, Marketing (B2B), Godrej Interio, said, “We’re happy to have partnered with IIT Bombay to help build a state-of-the-art lab for young and aspiring students that will further their dreams of becoming pioneers for the nation. At Godrej Interio, we plan to grow our market share in our laboratories business by 25% over the next 5 years. Through our offerings of specialized turnkey solutions, domain knowledge and design excellence, we plan to cater to esteemed educational and research institutes enabling enhanced learning.”

Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi, Dean, Alumni & Corporate relations, IIT Bombay shared his experience with the Godrej Interio team, saying, “I am thrilled to see our laboratory space come to life with the design excellence from Godrej Interio. The innovative designs and superior quality have truly transformed the space students will study in. We are delighted to see our laboratory space being revamped by Godrej Interio, a pioneer in modernizing the laboratory space. The design idea followed during the project will also act as a model for other institutes across the country to align with the tenets of the National Education Policy.”

About Godrej Interio:

Godrej Interio is India’s leading premium furniture brand in both home and institutional segments with a strong commitment to sustainability and centers of excellence in design, manufacturing and retail.

Led by the largest in-house design team in the country in the furniture category and awarded with 34 India Design Mark Awards till date, GODREJ INTERIO aims to transform spaces with its thoughtfully designed furniture to create brighter homes and offices with products that have the highest design quotient in aesthetics, functionality, and technology. With consistent pursuit of excellence and a special focus on health and ergonomics, GODREJ INTERIO’s product portfolio comprises of a wide range of solutions.

Today, Godrej design and manufacture furniture for office spaces, homes, educational institutes, healthcare facilities, laboratories and more. Along with furniture, the company offers Audio Visual and 360 Degree Turnkey solutions. Each of our product range revolves around comfort and aesthetics while delivering well-designed, long lasting, and functional furniture solutions. In short, Godrej Interio helps the consumers to make every space the perfect setting for their myriad moods and moments.

Currently present in over 450 cities with 450 exclusive showrooms and 520 dealer outlets, is one of the largest divisions of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., part of the Godrej Group, one of India's largest engineering and customer product groups.

Godrej Interio has 7 manufacturing facilities situated at Mumbai, Khalapur, Haridwar, Shirwal, and Bhagwanpur. GODREJ INTERIO is widely known for its comprehensive sustainability certifications for its products in furniture category.

BUILD. & Tiger Shroff Announce The Launch Of BUILD.PROWL Range Of Sports Supplements

BUILD., a leading Indian sports nutrition brand, has partnered with PROWL, the active lifestyle brand by Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, to introduce a range of high-quality sports nutrition supplements designed to support active individuals in achieving their fitness goals.

The new BUILD. PROWL Elite Series introduces six new products in unique flavours like Fresh Brew Coffee, Delicious Chocolate, Watermelon, Orange, Raspberry, Kiwi, etc. for the consumers-

·         HydroActive ISO 8

·         Lean Muscle Enhancer

·         Pro Shredder

·         Pre-Game Pro

·         Liquid L-Carnitine Pure Burn 3K

·         EAA Rapid 9

Tiger Shroff made the initial announcement on his Instagram profile, sharing an experience video, and speaking about the collaboration. In the video, he speaks about his passion for fitness and how his association with BUILD. helps him stay aligned with his fitness regime. Going forward he highlights how the HydroActive ISO 8 is specially designed to aid improved digestion that makes one feel light and energetic with amazing flavours. He gives a message that as humans, movement is essential for a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally and that we should keep moving in our own ways. 

Soumava Sengupta, CEO, BUILD. said, “We're thrilled to team up with PROWL to launch this range of products under BUILD. As a brand, we are committed to helping people lead a healthy and active lifestyle, and this collaboration allows us to reach even more fitness enthusiasts with our products. Our supplements are designed to provide the necessary nutrients to fuel the body during intense workouts, and with Tiger Shroff's passion for fitness, we're confident that this collaboration will be a game-changer in the sports nutrition market.”

The BUILD. PROWL range is a testament to the shared passion for fitness and commitment to helping individuals achieve their fitness goals. Created by a team of expert nutritionists and fitness professionals, the range includes pre-workout, post-workout, recovery formulas, mass gainers, as well as whey protein and amino acid supplements. Each product is formulated with premium quality ingredients that are scientifically proven to enhance athletic performance and support muscle growth and recovery. The video is live on BUILD.’s social media platforms, including YouTube and Tiger Shroff’s Instagram.

Excited about the collaboration, Tiger Shroff said, “I'm thrilled to be working with BUILD. to bring high-quality sports supplements to the Indian market. As someone who takes fitness seriously, I understand the importance of proper nutrition, and with our combined passion and expertise, I believe we can inspire a new movement in fitness in India and empower individuals to live a fit and healthy lifestyle.”

The BUILD. PROWL range is available in 500+ speciality sports nutrition stores, its website www.buildyourgoals.com, top gyms, and leading e-commerce platforms like Amazon. The BUILD. PROWL Elite and Advanced Series come in a variety of flavours and are made available to customers for a price starting at INR 2,999.

About BUILD.  

BUILD. is a brand from Pursuit of Wellness Pvt. Ltd., incorporated a year ago with the objective of helping Indians lead healthier lives with quality nutrition and supplementation products. Pursuit of Wellness is an off shoot of a corporation which has been in the business of importing and distributing sports nutrition supplements for leading brands pan India, for the last seven years. BUILD. as a brand is committed to provide its users quality nutrition at par with the best available in the world. 

BUILD. and PROWL (Tiger Shroff) over the next 5 years will launch multiple products in sports nutrition and general wellness category with a mission to inspire Indians for a fitter and healthier life. These products will be available in speciality/ modern retail and via e-commerce.

Disney Star Netwok Recods Massive Growth In The South Markets

-          Karnataka recorded a 30% growth in consumption, clocking 680 crore minutes for the first 10 matches, highest ever consumption* in IPL history -

-          AP/Telangana witnessed a 33% consumption growth -

Disney Star, the official television broadcaster of TATA IPL 2023, has witnessed a massive growth in regional viewership of the marquee tournament. The Southern markets witnessed a substantial growth of 21% compared to the last edition, with AP/Telangana witnessing a 33% consumption growth and Karnataka recording a 30% growth, clocking 680 crore minutes for the first 10 matches, highest ever consumption* in IPL history. Furthermore, the Hindi Speaking Markets (HSM) have recorded the highest viewership in IPL history with 20.4 crore fans tuning in for the first 10 matches, 29.5% increase in comparison to the last edition. HSM also clocked a massive 4380 crore minutes of watch time, 25% increase in comparison to last year. Significant centers for growth in HSM markets are UP, Bihar, MP, Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Haryana.

Star Sports Spokesperson, said, “We are thrilled with the response we have received for our regional feeds. Our feeds have been designed to bring fans closer to the game and provide an engaging experience. We have created surround programming for each language, keeping their unique culture in mind and this has helped us connect with fans in different parts of the country and provide them with an experience that is tailored to their needs.”

The increase in consumption for the South Markets can be attributed to the region-specific themes and the vast range of in-house experts like Gundappa Vishwanath, MSK Prasad, K Srikkanth, L Balaji, S Badrinath, Murali Vijay and S Sreesanth among others bringing fans closer to the game. The launch of Star Sports Telugu HD along with the association with legendary actor & cricket enthusiast Nandamuri Balakrishna - has helped fans in AP/Telangana markets to connect further with the tournament. Adding to the fan fervor were special initiatives like the IPL trophy tour, #MySocietyStadium, and Fan Buses organized by Star Sports, making it an engaging and unforgettable experience for cricket enthusiasts across the country. 

Star Sports roped Bollywood superstar and sports aficionado Ranveer Singh as its brand ambassador. Ranveer, in his role as 'sutradhaar' for the Incredible League is involved in creating a stream of immersive and entertaining content which brings alive compelling narratives from the marquee tournament. The innovative Hindi feed boasts some of the finest former cricketers as experts such as Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif, and more allows fans to deep dive into all the action in real-time. Additionally, exclusive association with Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings for their new shows ‘Halla Bol’ and ‘Chak De’ has increased consumption by 53% in Rajasthan, and 37% in Punjab & Haryana. Similarly, Star Sports has witnessed a growth of 58% in consumption in UP by delivering engaging surround programming through an exclusive association with KL Rahul for ‘Stars on Star’ and Lucknow Super Giants for a new show ‘LSG Junction’ along with LIVE telecast of select IPL 2023 matches on Star Utsav Movies (FTA) channel to drive sampling and conversions to Star Sports. 

Star Sports has been at the forefront of fueling fandom for sports. The ‘Shor On, Game On!’ campaign by the broadcaster generated significant excitement and support before the tournament. The campaign captured the true essence of fans' passion, excitement, and togetherness while watching the “Incredible League” LIVE on television sets. Disney Star clocked 6230 crore minutes of watch time for the opening 10 matches with a cumulative reach of 30.7 crore viewers for the first 10 matches, both of which are the 2nd highest across IPL History*.

All BARC data for 2+ U+R- for Live Broadcast including PPL on Disney Star Network

*: Other than IPL Editions in Covid Years

Rapido Sets In Motion With ‘Bike Wali Taxi Sabse Saxi’ Campaign On JioCinemas IPL Streaming

* The campaign focuses on feasibility, comfort and affordability bike-taxis provide in crowded and packed traffic cities

Rapido launches its 360 degree ‘Bike Wali Taxi, Sabse Saxi’ campaign aiming to drive consideration for the category in the e-mobility space.

Bike Wali Taxi, Sabse Saxi positions Rapido Bike-Taxi as the ultimate solution for everyday commute by highlighting its key offerings - convenience, quickness, and affordability. With an upbeat jingle and an element of ‘swag’, the films add a coolness quotient to the brand persona.

The campaign created by Enormous comprises four films that showcase Rapido Bike-Taxi as a smart alternative in different scenarios. The first film has been released, where the Bike-Taxi service is pitted against the shortcomings of a crowded bus. The remaining films will be released in the weeks to come.

With a digital-first approach, for the first time, Rapido has collaborated with the OTT platform JioCinema. Capitalizing on the reach and frequency of IPL on the platform, JioCinema serves as the lead channel. This will be followed by TV for amplification, and OOH as the recall channel.

As a part of Rapido’s commitment to resolve daily commute challenges and to improve travel experiences for its customers, Rapido offers an effective solution with completing 10 lakh daily rides in 100+ cities across India. The brand is already a go-to option amongst the masses for its cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and time-saving services during peak traffic hours.

About Rapido Auto: Rapido Auto is one of the leading taxi services spread widely across all of India from Tier I to Tier III cities. The app allows you to book bike taxis and auto taxis with the minimum wait time, and maximum safety and is super easy on your pockets.

How does it work? Download the app on iOS/android, login from your account, and start booking. Once booked, the amount and captain details appear on the homepage and our captains are at the pick-up location in no time. To ensure your safety, our captains carry an additional helmet which is given once the captain arrives and at no additional cost. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us. With Rapido around, let’s keep the traffic excuses at home and explore our cities.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Launches Its First-Ever On-Line Retail Sales Platform - “Wheels On Web”, For Enhanced Customer Convenience

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced the introduction of ‘Wheels on Web’ (WOW), an Online Retail Sales platform for Bangalore region. This new platform offers customers, a seamless virtual experience by enabling them to book, purchase and get delivery of their preferred Toyota models at the comfort of their home. Further, WOW provides a real-time information of the status of their booked Toyota product, to augment credibility, transparency, and confidence among the patrons.

The "Wheels on Web" is a Business to Customer (B2C) platform that reflects the company’s core commitment to enhance customer experience in its digital space, enabling hassle-free car buying with innovative features and services.

Some of the best-in-features of “WOW “(Wheels on Web) are as follows:

Offers a complete virtual experience - Customer can now book, buy and enjoy the vehicle delivery at the comfort of their home

Provides digital viewing of the car exteriors, interiors, colour, and variants

Select a host of value-added services – Accessories, Service Packages and Extended Warranty

Customers can even trade-off his / her existing car – offers online evaluation where one can opt for physical car evaluation at the comfort of their home

Customers can choose easy and multiple finance options through selected financial institutions

Multiple payment options via a secured Payment Gateway

Booking amount / full payment OR down payment can be made completely online

Auto Communication via WhatsApp and E-mail at every stage from Booking to Delivery

Individual log-in / account access to check the status of booking details

TKM indicates that its digital contribution to sales has increased by 5 times and the company’s e-bookings has substantially increased by 20 times as compared to past years. TKM's virtual showroom continues to gain popularity with close to 1.3 million customers exploring it annually. With the launch of ‘WOW’, TKM aims to offer an even more enhanced digital experience for its customers. To start with, the platform offers many models like HyCross (gasoline), Hilux, Legender, Camry, Fortuner, and Innova Crysta (GX) facilitating easy and much convenient buying experience for Bangalore region.

In 2021, TKM launched its virtual showroom to provide its customers’ - a digital platform to access and explore its various models and accessories, facilitating 360-degree immersive experience from the comfort of their homes. With this new development, the virtual showroom is well integrated with ‘WOW’ that presents an absolute digital experience to customers, to know and own the Toyota vehicles & services (service packages and extended warranty) with utmost ease.

"In line with our core philosophy of ‘Customer First’, we are continuously striving to deliver ever-better services to the consumers. We believe that our newly launched ‘WOW’ (Wheels on Web), online retail platform, will revolutionize the car buying experience in India, said, Vice President, Sales and Strategic Marketing - Mr. Atul Sood from Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Further, he added, "Our objective here is to provide value-added services to enable convenient car purchasing processes, facilitating end-to-end transaction including secured online payments as a one-stop-shop. With the availability of our varied models on this platform, we are confident of meeting the growing needs of the consumers at large”.

TKM continues to strongly focus on enhancing the smooth digital experience for its customers and with “Wheels on Web” platform being an integral part of such business plans, it is set to provide a unique, convenient, and reliable online car buying experience for the consumers.

To know more about WOW and make their booking & buying online, we urge the customers to visit Toyota India | Wheels On Web (toyotabharat.com).

Aahwahan Foundation With Infinera India Pvt. Ltd Launches Community Footprint Program To Empower Young Girls

Aahwahan Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the betterment of society, in collaboration with Infinera India Pvt. Ltd. is proud to announce the launch of its latest initiative, "Community Footprint Program” aimed at empowering young girls from economically weaker sections of society to pursue promising careers in the field of Operations and telecommunication.

The "Community Footprint Program” by Aahwahan Foundation is designed to provide young girls with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the fast-paced and rapidly evolving telecommunications industry. Participants will receive training and mentorship from industry professionals and will have the opportunity to attend workshops, seminars, and networking events. Infinera India Pvt. Ltd. also provided school bags to these young future minds.

Braja Kishore Pradhan Founder and Managing Director, Aahwahan Foundation Said, "We recognize the importance of encouraging young girls to pursue careers in the Operations and Telecommunications fields, and we are proud to be taking an active role in shaping the future of our industry."

With this unique program, 125 high school-aged girls from Karnataka Public School from economically weaker backgrounds can choose their profession in pursuing a career in the field of Operations and the telecommunications industry. The program was initiated to create more awareness towards the importance of education among young girls and to encourage them to be independent in the future.

Tata Motors To Increase Prices Of Its Passenger Vehicles, Effective May 1, 2023

Tata Motors, India’s leading vehicle manufacturer today announced that it will marginally increase price of its passenger vehicles from May 1, 2023.  The weighted average increase will be 0.6%, depending on the variant and model.  

Tata Motors has been absorbing a significant portion of the increased costs on account of regulatory changes & rise in overall input costs and is hence compelled to pass on some proportion through this hike.

For more information on the products, visit – https://cars.tatamotors.com/.

MAHE To Host International Global Health Advisory Board Meeting And Global Health Symposium 2023

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India, will be organizing the international Advisory Board of the Global Health program in conjunction with the Global Learning Symposium.

The Global Health Advisory Board (GAB) consists of professionals with diverse backgrounds in the private sector, NGOs, health-care consultancies, with the board overseeing the consortium of seven partnership universities. With Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of The Netherlands as Honorary Chair, the Board includes Dr Thijs Teeling Chair of the Advisory Board, (Netherlands), Dr Luis Barreto (Canada), Mary Heersink (USA), Dr Priscilla Reddy (South Africa), Jeff Mainland (Canada), and Elizabeth Witmer (Canada). 

During the two-day international advisory board meeting which is to be held at MAHE, Manipal, the launch of the Global Health International Consortium website and logo is scheduled to take place on April 15th 2023 in the presence of esteemed dignitaries of MAHE including the Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. MD Venkatesh, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Registrar, Dr Giridhar Kini P, Director – International Relations, Dr. Karunakar Kotegar A and Director – Prasanna School of Public Health, Dr. Helmut Brand. In this event, Maj Gen (Prof) Atul Kotwal, SM, VSM (Retd.) Executive Director, National Health Systems Resource Centre, Government of India will be the guest speaker.

The board members will be joined by academic delegates from the partner universities including McMaster University (Canada), Maastricht University (The Netherlands), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (India), Ahfad University for Women (Sudan), University of South Eastern Norway (Norway), and the Universidad del Rosario (Colombia).

During the meeting, the attendees will discuss action-oriented research taking place across the partner universities and deliberate the program’s continued expansion. Following this, the alumni will further explain the relevance of the Global Health Program’s competencies in their current careers.

Lt. Gen. MD Venkatesh, the Vice Chancellor of MAHE says:  “For the first time since the pandemic, the annual Global Health Learning Symposium will take place in Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE),  India from 16th -28th April , 2023 bringing together over 350 students and 37 faculty from various partner institutions in the Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Thailand and Sudan. The symposium is driven by educational innovation and uses multiple modalities such as learning pods, cluster interaction, and transcontinental faculty.’’

Further to this Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor elaborates:  “Working in international teams allows the students to engage in a system mapping exercise which is designed to introduce them to varying systems while working in collaboration with a diversity of backgrounds, knowledge, and skills.

Air India To Save ~15000 Tonnes Of Jet Fuel In 3 Years With TaxiBot Operations At Delhi And Bengaluru Airports

* Move to curb carbon footprint, enhance sustainability

Air India, India’s leading airline and a Star Alliance member, has signed an agreement with KSU Aviation to launch TaxiBot operations at Delhi and Bengaluru airports for its Airbus A320 Family of aircraft.

The strategic partnership is aligned with Air India’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, as the adoption of TaxiBots envisages a potential saving of ~15,000 tonnes in fuel consumption over three years.

A semi-robotic equipment, the TaxiBot, once attached to the aircraft, acts as an extension of the aircraft’s nose landing gear. It is used to tow aircraft from the airport terminal gate to the taxi-out point and to tow aircraft from the terminal gate after landing (taxi-in phase) without utilising the aircraft’s engines, thus saving jet fuel. The pioneering technology curbs fuel consumption, carbon emissions, noise levels, as well as costs for airlines.

Elaborating on the adoption of TaxiBot, Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said, “As a responsible airline, Air India is constantly looking for ways to improve sustainability and manage our carbon footprint.  The deployment of TaxiBots is one more example of our commitment to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.  This collaboration with KSU will allow us to better assess the capabilities of TaxiBots, and potentially lead to greater deployment across Air India’s subsidiaries and other airports.”

Air India is investing in efficiency measures to adopt sustainability as part of its regular fleet operations — including inducting new aircraft, better procedures and driving operations with deployment of innovative technology. Last year, the Air India group entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Indian Institute of Petroleum to collaborate on the research, development, and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).

Dr. Ashwani Khanna, Director, KSU Aviation Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are excited about the formal induction of TaxiBot as part of Air India’s focussed approach to address its carbon footprint. Air India is undergoing a massive transformation and has adopted sustainable practices as an integral part of this journey. We are committed to partner with like-minded organisations like Air India to leverage modern day technology in reducing carbon footprint and accelerate the pursuit of being net zero.”

In October 2019, Air India, in a global first, used a TaxiBot on an Airbus A320 aircraft operating a commercial flight with passengers on board.

About Air India

Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India pioneered India’s aviation sector. Since its first flight on 15 October 1932, Air India has had an extensive domestic network and spread its wings beyond the country to become a major international airline with a network across the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Far-East, South-East Asia, Australia, and the Gulf. Air India is a member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium. After 69 years as a Government-owned enterprise, Air India and Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata Group in January 2022. The present management at Air India is driving the five-year transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI to establish itself as a world-class global airline with an Indian heart. 

About the Tata Group

Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, the Tata Group is a global enterprise, headquartered in India, comprising 30 companies across ten verticals. The Group operates in more than 100 countries across six continents, with a mission ‘To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on Leadership with Trust’.

Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company and promoter of Tata companies. Sixty-six percent of the equity share capital of Tata Sons is held by philanthropic trusts, which support education, health, livelihood generation as well as art and culture. In 2021-22, the revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was $128 billion (INR 9.6 trillion). These companies collectively employ more than 935,000 people.

Each Tata company or enterprise operates independently under the guidance and supervision of its own Board of Directors. There are 29 publicly-listed Tata enterprises with a combined market capitalisation of $311 billion (INR 23.6 trillion) as on 31 March 2022. The companies include Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals, Tata Consumer Products, Titan, Tata Capital, Tata Power, Indian Hotels, Tata Communications, Tata Digital and Tata Electronics.

Tata Power Discoms Achieve Top Ranking Among Indian Power Utilities

·         Company’s Mumbai & Western Odisha Discoms rated A+; Delhi & South Odisha Discoms rated A

·         Evaluated on three pillars of Financial Sustainability, Performance Excellence and External Environment

·         Company’s Discoms have a cumulative consumer base of 1.2 Cr and serve a populace of 6 Cr in various parts of India

·         In a short span of two years Odisha Discoms made significant improvements in operational and financial performance

·         Ranking as per Ministry of Power's 11th Annual Integrated Rating & Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities

Tata Power's Distribution Companies (Discoms) have achieved top ranking among national utilities, according to the recently released 11th Annual Integrated Ratings of Power Distribution Utilities released by the Ministry of Power through the Power Finance Corporation. The ratings have taken into account various parameters such as operational and financial performance, regulatory compliance, customer service, and energy efficiency, among others.

Cumulatively, Tata Power Discoms have a registered consumer base of 1.2 crore consumers across Mumbai, Delhi and the state of Odisha serving a populace of 6 crores.

The rating report is prepared by McKinsey & Company and the assessment is based on the accounts of the past three financial years, from 2019-2020 to 2022- 2023.

While Tata Power Mumbai Distribution and TP Western Odisha Distribution have scored 89.7 and 87.2 out of 100 respectively and have A+ grade each, Tata Power Delhi Distribution and TP Southern Odisha Distribution attained a score of 79.0 and 79.3 and received an A grade each.

Speaking on the achievement, Dr. Praveer Sinha CEO & MD, Tata Power "Tata Power is dedicated to changing the country's power distribution landscape. We have created utilities that are efficient, prepared for the future, and focused on the needs of the customers. We are thankful to the Ministry of Power for its recognition of our Discoms' achievements, and we will continue to lead the nation's distribution reforms.”

Tata Power has recently acquired power distribution in Odisha comprising four Discoms in the state catering to northern, southern, central and western regions covering an area of 1,55,707 sq km serving a registered consumer base of 95 lakhs and a populace of 5 crores.

The recognition of Odisha Discoms ratifies the success of Public Private Partnership model in the distribution space. With the acquisition of Odisha power distribution Tata Power has increased its customer base from 25 lakhs to 1.2 crores in the short span of two years.

"Today, Tata Power Discoms are serving a populace of over six crores spread across the country including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bhubaneswar. Our Discoms are delivering excellent service and providing reliable & quality power to consumers and these rankings are testament to their unmatched performance. It is very satisfying to see that that within two years of operations, our Odisha Discoms have also been upgraded in rankings based on improved operational and financial performance.” added Mr. Sanjay Banga, President T&D, Tata Power.

TP Central Odisha Distribution and TP Northern Odisha Distribution (with an upgrade) recognised with a B grade each. The ratings for the Odisha Discoms are based on their reported performance for FY22.

LG Electronics Partners With JioCinema For A Seamless IPL Viewing Experience On LG OLED TVs

* With this partnership, LG Electronics aims to provide unparalleled viewing experience to its LG OLED TV users

LG Electronics, India’s leading consumer durables brand has announced its partnership with JioCinema, the exclusive digital partner for the Indian Premier League (IPL). This partnership aims to enhance the Cricket watching experience of millions of Indian consumers.

LG Electronics has been committed to providing its customers with high-quality entertainment solutions. Jio Cinema, which is streaming the high-octane IPL to all internet network subscribers for free, will now be accessible on LG OLED TVs. This year, IPL will be streamed on JioCinema in 12 different languages across 16 unique feeds including the Insiders feed, Hangout feed, Fantasy feed, and Fanzone feed and users can access this through the JioCinema app on the LG Smart TV.

With LG's advanced display technology and JioCinema's diverse content, viewers can enjoy an immersive experience like never before with 4K streaming and multi-cam presentation, available for LG 4K TV customers this IPL season. To add to the cricket fever, JioCinema has unveiled a battery of superstars in its expert panel. Indian Premier League champions, title-winning mentors, all-time stats leaders and future hall-of-famers like Suresh Raina, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Anil Kumble, Robin Uthappa, RP Singh, Zaheer Khan, Eoin Morgan, Graeme Smith, and Scott Styris headline JioCinema’s star-studded expert panel, bringing fans the most comprehensive, immersive, and in-depth coverage. Users can access JioCinema on the WebOS launcher bar on their LG TV.

"We are delighted to partner with Jio Cinema to bring the best entertainment experience to our customers this IPL season. Our partnership will allow LG OLED TV users to access 4k streaming of the IPL 2023 along with a host of other offerings from JioCinema. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with the best entertainment experience possible. We believe that this collaboration will revolutionize home entertainment in India, and it is a significant step towards providing high-quality entertainment to Indian consumers”, said Mr. Gireesan T Gopi, Business Head, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics India.

“Our offerings to consumers are all about elevating their live sports consumption experience on digital,” said Viacom18 Sports Head of Strategy and Partnerships Hursh Shrivastava. “The partnership with LG is a step further to one of our core propositions, which is to make the IPL as accessible as possible to fans. Through our association, fans will have a boundary-side view to top-notch action and features, many of which we are bringing to IPL fans for the first time.”

LG has been revolutionizing the television space by consistently pushing the boundaries of technology and design. LG OLED TVs, have garnered widespread acclaim for their stunning picture quality, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. LG has also been at the forefront of incorporating smart technology into their TVs, making it easier for users to access streaming services and other online content. The collaboration with JioCinema further enhances the viewing experience, providing users with access to high-quality content that they can enjoy on their LG OLED TVs.

About LG Electronics India Pvt Ltd               

LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. (LG Electronics), a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Electronics, South Korea was established in January 1997 in India. It is one of the most formidable brands in consumer electronics - Home Entertainment, home appliances*, HVAC, IT hardware. In India, LG Electronics has earned a premium brand positioning and is the acknowledged trendsetter for the industry. LGEIL's manufacturing unit at Greater Noida is one of the most eco-friendly units among all LG manufacturing plants in the world. The second Greenfield facility is located at Ranjangaon; Pune has the capacity to manufacture LED TVs, air conditioners, commercial air conditioning systems, washing machines, refrigerators, and monitors.

*Home Appliances include- Refrigerator, Washing Machine, AC, Water purifier, Microwave, Fan, Dishwasher & Air purifier

Aereo And SJCIT Open The “First Centre Of Excellence” For Drone Education And Remote Pilot Training

~Aereo has partnered with SJC Institute of Technology to open a Centre of Excellence in Chikkaballapura, Karnataka~ 

Aereo (formerly Aarav Unmanned Systems), the leading Indian end-to-end drone solutions startup, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SJC Institute of Technology to open a Centre of Excellence. This institute will serve as a platform where students learn the fundamentals of drones, drone mapping, GIS, data processing, and a certified remote pilot training course. 

The signing ceremony took place at the SJCIT campus in Chikkaballapura, Karnataka. SJCIT is a renowned institution established in 1986. It offers leading UG and PG courses in aerospace, aeronautics, electronics, mechanical, and civil engineering. 

The signing ceremony was followed by a live flight demonstration of Aereo’s survey-grade PPK drone. As a token of gratitude, Aereo also mapped the college campus using its drone. It will create a digital 3D twin and an ultra-high resolution 2D map of the campus. These datasets will aid the development activities of the campus and act as a learning tool for the civil engineering students. 

This institute is the first of its kind for advancing holistic drone education in India alongside fundamental remote pilot training. The Centre of Excellence will provide exposure to students and help them build a career in India’s booming drone industry. The courses will be taught by highly experienced industry experts. 

After signing the MoU, Vipul Singh, Co-founder, and CEO of Aereo said, “This Centre of Excellence will lay the groundwork for drone education in the country. We are extremely grateful to SJCIT for their collaboration and look forward to providing top-notch drone education to the youth of Karnataka. Lack of high-skilled workforce is a primary bottleneck for the Indian drone industry. By imparting holistic drone education along with remote pilot training, we aim to create thousands of new drone-related jobs and pave the way for R&D in indigenous drone technology. It will equip students with real-world experience and skills required to forge a lucrative career in the Indian drone industry.” 

Photo Caption:  Dr. G.T. Raju, principal, SJCIT and Vipul Singh, co-founder and CEO, Aereo, pose for a photo after signing the MoU".

Punjab National Bank Launches New “Toll-Free Number 1800 1800” And Other “Digital Offerings On Its 129th Foundation Day”

* Customers can now also avail digital services such as E-Market place, Instant QR, Metaverse to count a few. 

Punjab National Bank, nation’s leading public sector bank, announced the launch of its new customer care numbers 1800-1800 & 1800-2021 on the occasion of the bank’s 129th Foundation Day. The new easy-to-recall toll-free number aims to provide PNB customers with a seamless and hassle-free experience whenever they reach out to the customer care team. Additionally, the bank introduced other products such as E-Marketplace and Instant QR on  Mobile Banking App PNB One, PABL (Pre-approved business loan), Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Digital KCC through JanSamarth Portal, Current Account opening through TAB and Video-KYC, PNB eSWAR and PNB Metaverse.  

As a part of the 129th Foundation Day celebrations at the PNB head office, the new offerings were launched by Shri Atul Kumar Goel, MD & CEO and Executive Directors, Shri Vijay Dube, Shri Kalyan Kumar, Shri Binod Kumar and Shri M.Paramasivam in the presence of esteemed customers, senior officials and  PNB employees.  

Speaking on the launch, Shri Atul Kumar Goel, MD & CEO, said, “As we commemorate 128 years of service to the nation, we recommit to the eternal vision of our founder, Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai to providing our customers with the best possible banking experience. Hence, these new offerings are significant and innovative steps in this direction.”  

The new customer care numbers 1800-1800 & 1800-2021 will be available 24x7 and will offer support in multiple languages. Customers can use this number to get information on their account balance, and past transactions, issue/block debit cards, and avail other key services provided by the bank. They can also register their complaints and queries with the bank's customer care team. 

As a part of the celebration, PNB in collaboration with PNB PRERNA, an association committed to promoting the bank’s CSR efforts, distributed infrastructure support items to governments schools in Delhi. 

Most ATMs, Bus Stands, Government Websites In Goa Not Disabled-Friendly, According To GIM-CII Statewide Audit

~The audit was conducted over a course of 7 months. 

~ The findings are presented to CII-YI for further deliberation by respective Government departments 

A majority of the ATMs in Goa aren’t disabled-friendly, neither are public bus stands or state government’s websites, especially those which deal with public utility services, according to the findings of a seven-month long survey and audit conducted by students of the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) of public utility facilities in the state from a disability perspective.  

The survey and audit is a part of the B-school’s ‘Give Goa’ initiative which has been commissioned by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Young Indians (CII-YI). The study was conducted by the students of GIM mentored by Professors V Padmanabhan, Mantasha Firoz, Arpita Amarnani and Kingshuk Sarkar 

According to the 2011 census, two percent of the population in Goa comprises persons with disabilities, and accessibility still remains a challenge in the various aspects of an individual’s day-to-day life. Therefore, addressing accessibility gaps in the public services sector is crucial to creating a more inclusive society with equal access to basic amenities. 

Explained Prof V. Padmanaban, "The ATM audit covered 100 randomly chosen cash-dispensing kiosks in rural and urban parts of Goa and the findings indicate that faulty error messages or audio cues, lack of Braille-powered ATMs, improper ramp designs and complicated transactions were major issues." The GIM-CII study has recommended that each locality should have at least one fully disabled-friendly ATM.  

Bus stands are crucial for mobility for people without access to private transportation, particularly the elderly or persons with disabilities from low income groups. The audit has revealed that the design and functionality of bus stands should meet the needs of its diverse and less privileged user base. Ten bus stands, including the busiest KTC bus stand in Panaji and the Porvorim Depot were audited. Most bus stands were found lacking in basic accessibility features due to poor construction, lack of communication channels and awareness of disability-related issues.  

The elaborate audit also identified gaps, including lack of funds for training workshops, unfilled reserved seats in Industrial Training Institutes for disabled persons and a lack of awareness among disabled students about career opportunities, leading to such individuals being relegated to back-end roles in the industry. 

Lastly, an accessibility audit of 50 public utility websites owned by the Goa government found that most were not user-friendly for persons with disabilities. Official websites of ‘Fire and Emergencies Services’ and ‘River Navigation' departments reported a score of 3.12 and 3.85 respectively making them the two most unfriendly websites for persons with disabilities.  

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) website had a score of 6.13 with complaints with regard to the photo-sensitive content which according to the audit could potentially lead to seizures in individuals prone to epilepsy. The audit has also advocated a rehaul and streamlining of the Goa Police website because of its unfriendly design and cluttered content negatively impacting individuals who are visually impaired and those with cognitive disabilities. 

The audit rated the websites on the parameters of ease of accessibility and quality of information. The study focused on the needs of people with physical or mental disabilities, visual and hearing deficiencies and the audit team identified the importance of incorporating special accessibility-friendly features into the websites.  

According to Vaikunth Dempo, immediate past chair of CII-YI and Director at Dempo Marketing Pvt Ltd, the ‘Give Goa' project was a platform for nation building activities. He says “CII-YI, the youth wing of Confederation of Indian Industries, has been working with GIM for 6-7 years, focusing on nation building, thought and youth leadership. The projects include road safety, climate change, and accessibility of public utilities. These are selected through Young Indian’s mandate. GIM student leaders ideate and generate impactful ideas. Their white papers on the selected projects are taken to the authorities for solutions and campaigns, aiding the public and relevant authorities for betterment of the country.” 

Ajit Parulekar, Director of Goa Institute of Management says that the GIM’s community engagement program aptly named the ‘Give Goa’ project, offers opportunities for holistic learning that complement the institute’s rigorous study programmes.  

“The B-school has always stayed consistent to its mission to nurture young leaders for sustainable business of the future. Ethics, values and corporate governance have been at the core of our pedagogy. The four accessibility projects are a perfect example of guiding the next generation of leaders into national building projects. The projects allow students to put their efforts and ingenuity towards brainstorming and conceptualising solutions for genuine real-world problems and thus giving the state tools to use for the betterment of society,” he says.  

Greening Enterprise Eco System- SIDBI Dedicates Mission 50000 - EV4ECO

* Strategic financial engagement to uptake EV

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the country’s Principal financial institution for MSMEs, announced Mission 50K-EV4ECO thereby prioritising EV ecosystem development. This is pilot phase to strengthen the EV ecosystem including uptake for 2-w, 3-w and 4-w through direct and indirect lending. Detailed discussion with stakeholders has revealed that access to adequate finance including competitive rate of interest is a challenge face by MSMEs as also NBFCs, catering to EV ecosystem. On supply side banker perceived these projects as high risk. Similarly, dedicated NBFCs struggle with the high cost of funds which leads to the landed acquisition cost to the ultimate beneficiary being high. Also, there is a need to push the 3 wheelers EV segment. Mission 50K intends to attend to these challenges.

Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, CMD, SIDBI said “In line with national mission of EV30@30 SIDBI has adopted EV as priority and by launching mission 50K- EV4ECO we intend to promote the entire EV value chain. This pilot shall be followed by scaling up support to eco system from multilaterals support. MSMEs, aggregators and other crucial actors of EV value chain have been facing challenges in convincing financial institutions to lend them. Similarly, the channelising agencies are also facing speed breakers. NBFCs are playing an important role in the enterprise growth strategy of SIDBI. They have shown willingness and ability to reach the bottom of the pyramid businesses, especially in credit deficient geographies, adoption of innovative and nimble credit delivery models and understanding of the local ecosystem. Electric vehicle financing is predominantly being done by small/ unrated NBFCs. These NBFCs have good knowledge of the EV sector. At present, it is not possible for these NBFCs to cater to all MSMEs requiring financing for an electric vehicle for their day-to-day operations or commercial use. We at SIDBI realise the need to give it a developmental push thus giving fillip to the national agenda of Carbon neutral nation”. 

Shri Sudhendu Sinha, Adviser (Infra & e-mobility), NITI Aayog said “India has set an ambitious climate change mitigation target and has committed to low-carbon growth in the energy and transport sectors. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is a critical cornerstone for transport sector decarbonization. Electric 2/3 wheelers (e-2/3Ws) offer the greatest potential for EV adoption in India, accounting for 79% of passenger road activity, and are already cost-competitive relative to conventional vehicles. To support India’s commitment to EV30@30, SIDBI taking lead in launching the Mission50K-EV4ECO scheme is a step in right direction. This shall enable access to affordable financing for electric vehicles. We look at SIDBI to prioritize the 3-wheeler segment. I am sure these feet on ground pilots shall enable quick replicability and scalability through multilateral support. With special scheme for NBFCs I am confident that mission shall kindle the appetite of BHARAT i.e rural India to start its EV transition journey. “

Under guidance of NITI Aayog, DFS, MoF and GoI, SIDBIs Mission 50K-EV4ECO intends to unlock the market by providing better financing terms and to understand other solution bouquet needed to address the above issues. This scheme is the precursor to EVOLVE scheme by SIDBI-World Bank. The pilot scheme has two components- Direct lending and Indirect lending. Under direct lending, SIDBI will directly give loans to eligible MSME’s (including aggregators, fleet operators, EV leasing companies) for the purchase of electric vehicles and develop charging infrastructure including battery swapping. The Indirect scheme targeted at NBFCs (including small unrated/ focused /emerging NBFCs actively engaged in EV financing) shall reach out to last mile by inducing access to funds as also reducing landed cost.

For more details, kindly contact nearest SIDBI office or write to us at gcfv@sidbi.in

About SIDBI:

SIDBI is the principal financial institution set up under an Act of Parliament for promotion, financing and development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector and for coordination of functions of institutions engaged in similar activities. Over the years, SIDBI has been instrumental in taking up various initiatives for the development of the MSME sector through credit and more importantly, credit plus activities.

About NITI Aayog:

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) was formed via a resolution of the Union Cabinet on 1 January 2015. NITI Aayog is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs. The Government of India, in keeping with its reform agenda, constituted the NITI Aayog to replace the Planning Commission instituted in 1950. This was done to better serve the needs and aspirations of the people of India. An important evolutionary change from the past, NITI Aayog acts as the quintessential platform of the Government of India to bring States to act together in national interest, and thereby fostering Cooperative Federalism. NITI Aayog also houses ‘National Mission for Transformative Mobility & Battery Storage’ that is driving the E-Mobility all over the country.

Uber Announces 2nd Edition Of Driver Advisory Council

* 92% of surveyed driver partners laud Council’s impact: Uber

India’s first Driver Advisory Council (DAC), formed to provide gig workers a safe space to discuss issues that impact them deeply and improve their platform experience, has completed a year. The Council is a flagship initiative led by Aapti Institute, a Bengaluru-based think tank, that serves as a third-party Independent Review Board (IRB), in collaboration with Uber, with an aim to create better two-way dialogue between driver partners and the platform. 

Today, Uber along with the Aapti Institute announced the second cohort of driver partners across cars, auto-rickshaws and motorbikes, who will be part of the Council for a year. These drivers are from 6 metros including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, and represent the interests of tens of thousands of driver partners using the Uber platform. Last year, the Council comprised 58 driver partners who were part of 3 in-person sessions and two online sessions, convened by Aapti between March 2022 and March 2023. Critical topics discussed during these meetings included earnings, product enhancements, social security, app experience, and safety, among others. 

Based on these sessions, and recommendations from Aapti Institute, Uber implemented several changes last year. As per an internal survey of 80,000 driver partners by Uber, 85% of the respondents believed that the changes had a positive impact on their driving experience and 92% drivers wanted DAC to continue.  

Aapti Institute unveiled an impact report on the learnings from the Council meetings in its inaugural year. The report highlights key changes introduced by Uber as per the IRB’s recommendations: 

Reduction in driver cancellations: The Council meetings helped better understand the issues faced by driver partners that led them to cancel rides. Subsequently, Uber made the drop-off destination and mode of payment known upfront to driver partners prior to their acceptance of the trip requests. These changes helped driver partners make an informed decision and reduced trip cancellations significantly.

Transparency in driver earnings: The Council meetings helped get an insight into reasons behind some driver partners demanding extra money or refusing online payments. Fuel prices had gone up and driver partners' earnings were impacted. Online payments were transferred to the driver partners’ accounts after almost a week. To address these issues, Uber increased fares by 12-15% in major cities to offset the fuel price increases. Uber also introduced a Daily Pay process which meant that driver partners received payments made online the following day from Monday to Thursday and on Monday for payments made from Friday to Sunday. 

Easier app-experience for driver partners: Driver partners also highlighted bugs or missing features on the Uber app such as the lack of a convenient login interface. Uber now provides a phone button on the homepage added to the driver-partner’s Uber app to call for support and displays the customer’s chosen payment method for a trip.

Commenting on the occasion, Shiva Shailendran, Director - Operations, Uber India, and South Asia, said, “The Driver Advisory Council was our sincere attempt to give gig workers a much deserved seat at the table. Over the last one year, we have deepened our engagement with driver partners and now have a better understanding of issues they face. We will continue strengthening the Council further and stay committed to providing an open, accessible, and rewarding platform for driver partners to make sustainable earnings. This is an ongoing process and the changes that happen may be big or small, but will impact driver partners positively.”

Sharing her views on the one-year milestone, Dr. Sarayu Natarajan, Founder, Aapti Institute, said, “The Driver Advisory Council (DAC) represents a unique, first-of-its kind effort in India’s platform gig economy that promotes participatory governance.  Gig workers’  participation in an independent third-party mediated forum introduces a robust and resilient  alternative framework for governance of platform work. Such an approach can unlock agency for the driver community by giving a seat at the table, for companies by involving gig workers,  and for the society at large. Participative dialogue can help generate insight on issues faced by drivers, to enable potential positive changes to regulations, as well as Uber’s policies and products.”

Driver partners that form a part of the Council are active driver partners on the Uber platform who nominate themselves after meeting certain eligibility parameters. Finally, through meetings with the IRB, the driver partners are tested on their potential to contribute to solutions to prevailing challenges. These driver partners represent their community for a year, after which the selection process is repeated. A new cohort of driver partners will be part of the Council starting this month. 

Sharing his views on his experience with the Driver Advisory Council, Sarathi Datta, a driver partner from Kolkata with over 11000 trips spread over 4 years, shared his views: “Our sessions with the Council have led to significant changes over the last few months. It must continue as the forum has tremendous potential to bring about a positive impact for gig workers on the platform, and help them feel like they are being engaged with. In coming years, the Council can be made even better with regular feedback on the impact of changes and meetings every two-weeks.”

The Driver Advisory Council is a global best practice for Uber with similar models in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. Uber continues to stay committed to supporting the rights of gig workers using the Uber platform. 

About Uber 

Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 10 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. Uber is available across 125 cities in India where people can book a ride on our app across two, three and four wheel products designed for their intracity and intercity travel.

Photo Caption: L-R: Shiva Shailendran, Director - Operations, Uber India, and South Asia; Shri Rahul Bhagat, Director, Social Security Division, Ministry of Labour and Employment, GOI ; Dr. Sarayu Natarajan, Founder, Aapti Institute.

Revolutionary Launch Of Furlicks™ In India: Breaking Boundaries In Pet Nutrition

Furlicks™ launches in India with the first-ever nano-dissolving nutrition oral strips for cats and dogs.

For an innovative and effective way to give your furry friends the nutrition they need, look no further than Furlicks™! This revolutionary brand is all set to shake the pet nutrition market up with its all-natural, quick nutrient-delivery oral strips that dissolve upon contact with your pet's tongue. Each easy to consume strip contains a powerful dose of essential nutrients that are directly released into the bloodstream for quick action.

And with flavors like mixed berry, maple syrup, and more for 6 unique variants, it is a delicious upgrade from traditional pet nutrition options like capsules or syrups. Best of all, just one strip a day is all it takes to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Furlicks™ was founded keeping pet parents in mind by renowned nutritionist Mr. Avnish Chhabria. The supplements are made with no compromise on quality, flavor, or ingredients and are designed to support your pet's daily nutrition needs. Whether your pet needs help with hip and joint health, bad breath, excessive shedding of fur, gut issues or nutritional deficiencies, Furlicks™ has got you covered.

With Furlicks™, there's no guessing game about how much your pet needs. Each strip delivers precise and accurate doses of nutrition, ideal for both cats and dogs. And because they're tasty and easy to consume, they eliminate the hassle of forcing pets to take their daily supplements. Your furry friends will love the taste, and you'll love the peace of mind that comes with knowing they're getting the nutrients they need without the painful shots or uncomfortable and often inconvenient administration of capsules and tablets.

"We developed Furlicks™ because we believe that pets deserve the same all-natural, healthier options that we seek for ourselves. Our unique line of oral strips is not only tasty and easy to consume, but they also eliminate the hassle of forcing pets to take the supplements while ensuring maximum absorption with minimum dosage, via Buccal absorption  ," said Avnish Chhabria, Founder of Furlicks™.

Bringing on a new era of pet nutrition, Furlicks™ is set to become a game-changer in the pet nutrition industry, offering pet parents a reliable and high-quality supplement brand that delivers precise nutrition in a convenient and tasty way. So why settle for less when you can give your furry friend the gift of health and happiness with Furlicks™ today.

About Furlicks™:

Furlicks™, an innovative and revolutionary Pet Nutrition brand in India, was created with the aim of providing the best daily nutrition support to fur mates. All the products are all-natural, fast & effective, and very easy to use for fresh breath, promoting calming, improving gut health, maintaining healthy skin and coat, providing multivitamins, and supporting hip and joint health. To know more, visit: https://furlicks.com/.

Shiprocket Forms Strategic Alliance With BillDesk To Power Payments For Its One-Click Checkout Solution

Shiprocket, India’s leading e-commerce enablement platform, has entered into a strategic partnership with the leading digital payments platform BillDesk to power payments on their one-click checkout solution. The consolidated offering combines the technological and logistical capabilities of Shiprocket, and the industry-leading payments experience of BillDesk to provide a seamless one-click checkout experience for D2C merchants in India. 

Through this strategic partnership, Shiprocket will provide its merchants with a world-class payment experience by leveraging BillDesk's extensive experience in processing payments across all payment methods. The partnership also allows BillDesk to access Shiprocket’s expansive D2C network and unlock opportunities in the massive $20 billion market, which is growing at a healthy rate of over 25%annually.

Speaking on the partnership Saahil Goel, Co-founder & CEO, Shiprocket said, “We are excited to partner with BillDesk to enable a better one-click-checkout experience for our merchants. With the rise in D2C commerce in India, quick checkout solutions are going to provide a great advantage to merchants in enabling a seamless consumer experience. This partnership will enable us to further our mission of empowering businesses and help us provide an all-encompassing and compelling offering to them.”

Ajay Kaushal, Co-founder, BillDesk said “The integration of BillDesk digital payments solutions with Shiprocket’s one-click-checkout technology will drive tremendous value for merchants in India as they scale their digital businesses. This partnership will enable businesses to use a robust, secure platform with multiple payment methods like UPI, cards, net-banking, etc. and deliver a smooth payment experience on their D2C channels.”

For the merchants, the partnership offers a comprehensive solution with multiple complementing functionalities integrated into a single offering. The solution enables merchants to provide all payment methods to their buyers through Shiprocket’s one-click checkout solution, including UPI, Credit Card/Debit Card, Net banking, Wallets, and consumer credit. The authentication protocols for verification of customers will help merchants in eliminating fake orders, and additional features like address pre-fill and delivery date guarantee will improve the customer experience altogether. It also provides merchants with access to dashboard tools, through which they will have complete control over refunds, settlements, payment method analytics etc. Merchants can leverage BillDesk's secure solutions, which are relied upon by leading businesses in India as their scale on their digital payments acceptance.

About Shiprocket

Shiprocket is India’s largest eCommerce enablement platform on a mission to empower the businesses of Bharat to scale their ventures by unleashing the true power of eCommerce. The platform helps the sellers at every step of their eCommerce journey, creating an operating system for direct commerce. Their stack of tech integrations enables shipping, fulfillment, customer communication and marketing tools as well as providers for SMEs, D2C retailers, and social commerce retailers in India. 

Launched in 2017, Shiprocket is on a mission to create a seamless logistics data platform that connects retailers, carriers, and consumers across national and international locations. Shiprocket provides a technology stack to help retailers integrate their shopping websites on Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, Zoho, and others with the platform’s multi-carrier API to manage orders, prints, and shipping labels. It also avails tracking information from multiple providers including managing Cash on Delivery (COD) orders and payment reconciliation. Shiprocket also offers state-of-the-art fulfillment solutions with more than 45 warehouses located across India. The technology stack provides a robust post-purchase experience to consumers resulting in higher engagement and lower RTO (failed deliveries). With 25+ courier partners on board, the brand permits pan-India as well as international shipping deliveries. Its shipping solutions are available across 24,000+ pin codes within India and 220 countries and territories worldwide.

About BillDesk

BillDesk is the preferred digital payment solutions partner for businesses in India. For over a decade, BillDesk has been driving electronic payments and digital commerce. BillDesk technology and solutions continue to make consumer electronic payments easy and reliable and help businesses, small and large, to accelerate their growth and digital transformation. BillDesk enabled over INR 10 trillion of electronic payments in 2022.

Disney Star Breaks Television Viewership Records For Tata IPL 2023

* 30.7 crore viewers tuned in to Live Broadcast of the first 10 matches (8 days) – 2nd highest ever in IPL history*

* 6230 Crore minutes of Watch-time clocked for first 10 matches – 2nd highest ever in IPL history*

* Peak Concurrency (viewers watching at the same time) on TV at 5.6 Crore for the Opening match.

Disney Star, the official television broadcaster of TATA IPL 2023, has clocked an astounding 6230 crore minutes of watch time for the opening 10 matches. With a cumulative reach of 30.7 crore viewers for the first 10 matches, the broadcaster has garnered 23% more viewers compared to the previous IPL edition. This reach happens to be the second-highest ever in IPL history*. Disney Star has demonstrated its commitment to delivering an uninterrupted and seamless viewing experience with its fan-first approach, creating a compelling, engaging, and interactive product. The TVR among affluent male urban sports audiences has grown by almost 25% in comparison to the last edition.

Sanjog Gupta, Head - Sports, Disney Star, said, “We are elated with the overwhelming response to Disney Star's broadcast of Tata IPL 2023. Following on from a great opening, viewing figures continue to break records registering the 2nd highest reach and watch-time for the first 10 matches in IPL history (excluding the Covid period). This is a testament to the relentless effort and investment by Disney Star in growing Cricket fandom through its compelling marketing campaigns, world-class coverage, and enhanced storytelling. We are grateful for the continued love and support Star Sports receives from fans as their preferred destination. The peak concurrency on TV for the opening match of 5.6 Cr - the highest ever in IPL history (excluding Covid times) - demonstrates the power of IPL combined with Star Sports in aggregating viewers at the same time."

Star Sports has provided viewers and fans with an unmatched viewing experience, free of latency issues and an uninterrupted feed, along with superior audio-visual quality. The broadcaster has introduced the latest technological advancements, including Dolby Atmos audio, interactive features with Airtel Digital TV and Tata Play, an ambience feed, live subtitling, and enhanced technology like Holobox, Traxis, and Hawkeye 4K Cam, to transform households into mini-stadiums providing every second of the high-octane action live to the television screens. As part of its #MySocietyStadium initiative, legends of the game, who are part of the broadcaster’s commentary panel, have been joining fans for match screenings to transform society into a stadium.

Star Sports has been at the forefront of fuelling fandom for sports. Initiatives like creating region-specific feeds in nine languages, a decorated ‘Star Cast’ comprising of world-class former cricketers, on-ground experiences like the ‘Fan Bus’, the launch of the largest school Cricket quiz, ‘The Incredible League Quiz’, among others have generated tremendous response and ensured that the focus remains on television during the tournament. ‘Ask Star’ returns in a new avatar where fans can pose to commentators, questions that they always wanted to know about, giving another opportunity for fans to join the live broadcast.

The ‘Shor On, Game On!’ campaign by Star Sports generated significant excitement and support before the tournament. The campaign captures fans' passion, excitement, and togetherness, driving their favourite cricketers to achieve incredible moments on the field.

Star Sports is thrilled with the promising viewership numbers on the opening day and opening week of the tournament and remains committed to providing fans with a host of engaging content that brings them closer to the marquee tournament. For the opening match, the broadcaster witnessed an enormous 31% growth in TV ratings along with a growth of 20% in reach compared to last season. Additionally, Tata IPL on Star Sports delivered 14 crore viewers on opening day with a peak concurrency of 5.6 crores and an engagement of 76 minutes. Star Sports is optimistic that its efforts will continue to keep fans glued to their TV screens and create an unforgettable viewing experience that celebrates the spirit of the TATA IPL 2023.

All BARC data for 2+ U+R- Disney Star Network + OOH for Live Broadcast

*: Other than IPL Editions in Covid Years

Cosmo Films Set To Exhibit Its Product Range At Four Major Trade Shows

* The company will exhibit at Labelexpo Mexico, Visual Impact, Interpack, and FESPA highlighting its latest product offerings and industry-leading innovations.

Cosmo Films, a global leader in speciality films has announced its participation in four prominent trade shows in the label and packaging industry. The company will exhibit at LabelExpo Mexico from 26-28 April 2023, Visual Impact from 3-5 May 2023, Interpack from 4-10 May 2023 and FESPA from 23-26 May 2023 highlighting its latest product offerings and industry-leading innovations. 

Sharing his thoughts on the same, Mr. Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO, Cosmo First Limited said, “Being innovation-led, we have developed superior-quality and innovative films that fulfill the evolving needs of our clients. Participating in LabelExpo Mexico, Visual Impact, Interpack, and FESPA is of immense importance to us, as it enables us to engage with customers and industry experts in these regions. Our involvement in these events reinforces our commitment to providing cutting-edge and environment-friendly solutions to our customers.”

Cosmo Films will showcase its extensive range of speciality packaging, label, lamination, synthetic paper, promotional films and industrial films along with Cosmo Plastech (Rigid Containers) and Cosmo Sunshield (Window Films) for various applications in these exhibitions. During the exhibition, Cosmo Films' team of professionals will be present to discuss personalized packaging alternatives and address inquiries from visitors and delegates. The company aims to leverage these exhibitions to foster new collaborations and partnerships, exchange industry knowledge, and gain a deeper understanding of customers' requirements to deliver the most effective and innovative packaging solutions. With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and sustainability, Cosmo Films has emerged as a preferred partner for several leading brands across the globe.

About Cosmo Films:

Cosmo Films is a global leader in specialty films for packaging, lamination, labeling and synthetic paper. With engineering of innovative products and sustainability solutions, Cosmo Films over the years has been partnering with worlds’ leading F&B and personal care brands and packaging & printing converters to enhance the end consumer experience.  With manufacturing units in India & Korea and warehousing in different parts of the world, the company has been at the forefront of developing customer-centric solutions to deliver the finest product and service experience, backed by innovation, people, and processes.

About Cosmo First Limited:

Founded in 1981, Cosmo First today has a presence across 100+ countries around the globe. Cosmo First is a global leader in specialty films and an emerging player in specialty chemicals (Masterbatches, Adhesive, Coating & Textile chemicals) along with the digital-first Omni channel Pet care business under the brand name ‘Zigly’.

Happiest Minds & NielsenIQ Brandbank Partner To Solve Product Data & Shopper Experience Challenges

Happiest Minds Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a ‘Born Digital . Born Agile’, Mindful IT Company, and a global strategic partner for Pimcore, today announced its partnership with NIQ Brandbank, the global leading provider in digital product content.

Happiest Minds is the largest Pimcore services provider in the world. Working together over the past two years, Happiest Minds has been an exceptional consulting and services provider, driving innovation and technology to build NIQ Brandbank’s Shopper Experience Platform. The partnership will help NIQ Brandbank leverage Happiest Minds’ deep expertise in building agile and adaptive digital solutions. It will enable retailers and manufacturers worldwide to accelerate digital transformation and improve their shopper experience, further strengthening NIQ Brandbank’s ability to provide world-class digital content solutions to new and existing customers. It will also offer a centralized and consolidated product data management platform, with the opportunity to adjust based on the client's individual digital strategy, taking the transformation to the next level.

Rajiv Shah, Executive Board Member & CEO, Digital Business Services (DBS), Happiest Minds Technologies said, “We are thrilled to further strengthen our partnership with NIQ Brandbank, a true market leader in digital product content. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that help our clients drive business growth and success.”

Mike Nickituk, Global Managing Director, NIQ Brandbank said, “As a market leader in product data and shopper experience, we are proud to partner with Happiest Minds and continue our commitment to our clients across the world, driving shopper engagement. We look forward to building on this partnership, delivering innovative solutions to support the industry.” 

Pimcore is an award-winning technology company providing data and customer experience management solutions powered by open-source technology. Pimcore has shown continuous development in PIM, MDM, DXP, and Digital Commerce and has been recognized as Gartner Peer Insights Customers Choice in MDM Solutions (2021 and 2022) and Gartner Cool Vendor (2018). Operating within the FMCG industry, many of NIQ Brandbank and Pimcore clients align, including Carrefour, Carlsberg, Schweppes, Spar, and Lavazza. Happiest Minds has significantly contributed to what Pimcore has delivered to its clients globally, i.e., 3.6B+ Products and Customers Master Records, 10B+ Data Intelligence Relations, 150M+ Web pages, Digital and Print Documents, and 700M+ Media Assets. Being Pimcore’s largest global partner, the company has a team of 4600+ professionals.

Designed for perpetuity and powered by its mission statement of ‘Happiest People . Happiest Customers’,  Happiest Minds counts for more than fifty-five Billion-Dollar corporations as its customers.

About Happiest Minds Technologies:

Happiest Minds’ Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a Mindful IT Company, enables digital transformation for enterprises and technology providers by delivering seamless customer experiences, business efficiency and actionable insights. We do this by leveraging a spectrum of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud, digital process automation, internet of things, robotics/drones, security, virtual/augmented reality, and more. Positioned as ‘Born Digital. Born Agile’, our capabilities span digital solutions, infrastructure, product engineering and security. We deliver these services across industry sectors such as automotive, BFSI, consumer packaged goods, e-commerce, edutech, engineering R&D, hi-tech, manufacturing, retail, and travel/transportation/hospitality. 

A Great Place to Work-Certified™ company, Happiest Minds is headquartered in Bangalore, India, with operations in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East.

About NIQ Brandbank:

NIQ Brandbank is the leading provider of digital product content solutions powering omnichannel shopping experiences. We enable brands and retailers to deliver the best shopping experience by giving them the ability to capture and share rich digital product content on all channels seamlessly. NIQ Brandbank’s end-to-end solutions connect shoppers to the most up to date and relevant digital product content making consumer goods more discoverable and engaging. 

The world's biggest brands including Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour, P&G and Unilever use NIQ Brandbank every day to digitalise the shopper experience. With 25 years of experience and operating in 39 countries, NIQ Brandbank is the content partner to over 52,000+ brands, 700+ retailers, and wholesalers across the globe, creating a rich online shopping experience, while minimising the cost and complexity for the industry. 

To learn more, visit:https://nielseniq.com/global/en/landing-page/brandbank/ 

Aditya Birla Health Insurance Targets 10 Million Jumps In Its #JumpForHealth Campaign 2023

·         ABHICL to donate one prosthetic leg for every 10,000 jumps

·         The 6th edition of #JumpForHealth goes live from April 7 with the theme “Jump for help”

Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Ltd. (ABHICL), the health insurance joint venture of Aditya Birla Capital Ltd. (ABCL), holding company for the financial services business of Aditya Birla Group, one of the largest diversified conglomerates in India, has announced the launch of its annual campaign #JumpForHealth.

The sixth edition of #JumpForHealth kick starts on World Health Day, April 7, 2023, with a target of receiving 10 million jumps this year and donate around 1000 prosthetic legs to differently-abled individuals.

This year the campaign is based on the theme of finding your reason to jump and in the process help someone who is in need. The campaign encourages the participants to work towards a better lifestyle while contributing towards the society by helping differently abled people walk again.

Through this campaign, ABHICL donates one prosthetic leg for every 10,000 jumps recorded by the participants. Since its inception in 2017, #JumpForHealth campaign recorded more than 32 million jumps and donated more than 3262 prosthetic legs to individuals thereby making a positive difference to the respective families as well.

In 2022, #JumpForHealth was awarded a Guinness World Record title for the 'Largest online video album of people jumping in the air’ with 5455 videos.  

Speaking about this initiative, Mr. Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance, said, “At Aditya Birla Health Insurance, we have always encouraged people to lead a healthy life and inculcate the habit of healthy living through our HealthFirst philosophy. #JumpForHealth campaign is an extension of this philosophy, created to inspire individuals to be active and jump for a greater cause – health for self and in the process help those who are in need.”

“Over the years, this campaign has lived up to its purpose of creating an awareness on healthy living and its benefits. The millions of jump we have received over the last five editions is a testimony to this. Over the years, we have seen great enthusiasm and participation from our partners, agents, customers, employees and participants who look forward to this campaign every year. We are committed to our mission of promoting health and wellness and are happy to see the positive impact that this campaign has created in the society.”

Watch Launch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_UbK4Xlon0&ab_channel=AdityaBirlaHealthInsurance