6 Sony Products To Show Appreciation To Your Mom This Mother's Day

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and it's time to celebrate the woman who juggles multiple roles with ease and grace. From being a caregiver to a professional, a friend, and a mentor, moms do it all. Sony, a brand that needs no introduction, has an array of products that can help you express your gratitude and love for your mom. Here are six Sony products that will make your mom feel special and pampered this Mother's Day. 

WH-CH520 Headphones:  

If your mom loves music, she'll adore the Sony WH-CH520 headphones. These affordable headphones come with up to 50 hours of playback time, compatibility with 360 Reality Audio, and support for Sony's Multipoint connection. Your mom can switch between two connected devices with ease and enjoy high-quality sound. Grab these high-quality headphones at a special price of INR 4,490/-. 

WH-CH720N Headphones:  

These over-ear headphones are equipped with Dual Noise Sensor technology and Sony's Integrated Processor V1 chip to provide noise cancelling that's perfect for blocking out distractions while you work, workout, or just relax. Plus, your mom won't have to worry about running out of battery anytime soon - as these headphones can last up to 50 hours on a single charge! Give the gift of high-quality sound and noise cancelling to the special mom in your life with the Sony CH720N headphones. Get a whopping INR 5,000 discount on these premium headphones and buy them at a jaw-dropping price of INR 9,990/-only. 

WF-C500 Earbuds:  

If your mom is looking for an affordable option for true wireless stereo earbuds, Sony's WF-C500 is an excellent choice. Despite being an affordable option, these earbuds still offer high-quality sound and have various features like touch controls, voice assistant support, and a long battery life. Making it convenient for your working mom’s out there to steer clear of all the noise. Now available at an affordable price of just INR 5,990/-, these wireless earbuds are a steal deal for those looking for high-quality sound on a budget. 

BRAVIA 55X75L TV:  

If your mom loves to watch movies and TV shows, the BRAVIA X75L TV is a great choice. With 4K resolution and Motionflow XR technology, it provides stunning picture quality and smooth, sharp details in fast-moving sequences. The 4K televisions of the X75L series provide rich, real-world detail and texture, even upscaling images filmed in 2K or Full HD close to 4K resolution with 4K X-Reality™ PRO using a unique 4K database. Upgrade your TV viewing experience with the 55X75L TV, which is now available at an incredible price of INR 63,990/-. 

SRS-XE300 Speaker: This unique speaker from Sony is perfect for moms who love to listen to music or podcasts at home. Its unusual shape and mix of materials make it stand out, and its two egg-shaped X-Balanced speaker units deliver excellent sound quality. Enjoy superior sound quality with the SRS-XE300 Speaker, available at a reasonable price of INR 19,990. 

ZV-1F Camera:  

If your mom loves capturing moments, the ZV-1F camera from Sony is perfect for her. Designed specifically for wireless content sharing, it delivers superior quality output and is easy to use. Plus, it's eco-friendly, with features designed to achieve a zero environmental footprint. Capture memories like never before with the ZV-1F Camera, which is now available at a discounted price of INR 50,690/-  

These Sony products offer something for everyone, whether your mom loves music, movies, photography, or just wants to relax with a good book or podcast. Show your mom how much you appreciate her this Mother's Day with a thoughtful and useful gift from Sony. 

TECNO Unveils “Ultimage” - Future In Imaging Technologies

·         The brand will be rolling out next-generation imaging technologies in a phased manner

·         CAMON 20 Premier 5G to feature an industry-first combination of RGBW Pro and sensor-shift Anti-shake technology

TECNO, an innovative technology brand, held the 2023 Future of Imaging Technology Conference today in Delhi.  The brand unveiled “Ultimage”- the ultimate imaging experience with a specific focus on sensors and AI processing that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge smartphone imaging technology.

"Ultimage" is the culmination of TECNO's relentless pursuit of excellence in research and development and an outcome of thorough understanding of consumer needs. Through extensive analysis and dedicated efforts, TECNO has created a game-changing solution that caters to the requirements of portrait photography, anti-shaking functionality, and lowlight shooting. The brand’s premium product lines, Phantom and CAMON will feature this next generation of technology starting first from CAMON 20 series.

The eagerly awaited CAMON 20 line-up includes three cutting-edge products: CAMON 20 Premier 5G, CAMON 20 Pro 5G, and CAMON 20. These remarkable devices are poised to hit the market by the end of this month. CAMON 20 Series would bring spectacular portrait video and night photography experience with the industry’s first Combination of Sensor-Shift OIS Anti-shaking Technology, 50MP RGBW Ultra-Sensitive sensor and proprietary AI algorithms which will disrupt the mobile photography segment and set it apart from its competition.

I.            Experience Brilliant colors like Never Before with RGBW Pro Technology-

TECNO's innovative RGBW Pro technology replaces the "green" array solution in the traditional RGGB color filter with a "white" one, thus allowing 208% light intake to be captured in low-light conditions. The 1G+6P lens increases the light intake when it reaches the main sensor by replacing one of the plastic lenses with a glass one. The main sensor on TECNO CAMON 20 Premier 5G is also increased from 1/1.73 to 1/1.56 and the single pixel size from 0.8?m to 1.0?m, with 56.25% larger light-sensitive area to ensure images are as close to real-life scenes as possible. With greater light transmission, TECNO CAMON 20 Premier 5G lets users capture crystal-clear night portrait in stunning definition, never losing a detail in the dark. 

II.            Never a blur moment with sensor-shift Technology-

Looking to capture sharp, steady high-quality photos on the go? TECNO has incorporated SLR camera in-body image stabilization into the CAMON 20 Premier 5G. The devices with Sensor-Shift OIS Anti-Shaking Technology can compensate for shakes up to 5,000 times per second. As a result, images and video are crisp and vivid, even when taken while moving at speed. What sets Sensor-shift apart from traditional lens stabilization is the way it works. Instead of relying on lens movement to compensate for shaky hands or bumpy rides, Sensor-shift uses the motion of the camera's sensor itself. This advanced

III.            Unlock Your Inner Photographer with Portrait Master Algorithm –

TECNO's premium series of smartphones provide a lifestyle-oriented approach to photography with the Portrait Master. Users can easily capture stunning portraits for a "one shot perfect photo" experience. The advanced portrait algorithm in these phones enhance seven distinct skin tones using deep learning technology and machine learning advancements. With over 50 million deep skin tone photos, this algorithm is the most advanced in the industry, offering users unparalleled customization and control for optimizing their portraits. The CAMON 20 series' Portrait Master delivers a superior portrait experience, ideal for capturing intimate moments or glamorous selfies.

SHOOTING FILTER UPGRADE

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Empowered by AI technology

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Additionally, TECNO is among the first smartphone brands that will bring Android 14 upgrade to enhance the CAMON 20 series' user experience by delivering a host of privacy, security, performance, and user customization updates.

About TECNO

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

Tata Motors, India's Homegrown Automaker Has Rolled Out The 200,000th Tata Punch

 

Foot & Leg Clinic Now in Mysore By HOSMAT With MERITUS Diagnostics

HOSMAT Hospitals Bengaluru has announced an OPD centre in association with MERITUS Diagnostics Mysore to conduct Foot & Leg clinic every first and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Dr. Ananya Puttaraju, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon will conduct the clinic and suggest remedies.

Citizens of Mysore can seek an appointment on 9342531493/8884346111 for diabetic foot, neuropathy foot, Fractures/leg injuries, leg length discrepancy, clubfoot, flat foot, heal pain, Gait(Walking/posture) correction, deformed foot.

Dr Ananya Puttaraju feels that world class experpertise should be made available to everyone in the state. The foot screening will be done using latest screening technology to give solutions based on their needs.

Flatfoot is a condition where the arches on the inside of foot flatten when pressure is put on them. Usually, these feet point outward and the entire soles touch the ground. Flat feet are observed commonly in newly born and the arch develops over time. But In some children it fails to develop. Flat foot can also develop later in life after an injury or from the simple wear-and-tear stresses of age.

Robotic Total Knee Replacement

Robotic –assisted Knee replacement is a precise method to achieve the right angle, accuracy and cut of the knee so that the implant can fit as per your leg structure. It Provides, Absolute precision & accuracy, less blood loss, less post-operative pain, early discharge from hospital and early recovery.

HOSMAT Hospital is the first Comprehensive Tertiary care hospital in India specializing in Orthopaedics, Neurosciences, Accident & trauma care, Plastic & reconstructive surgery and Sports medicine. HOSMAT stands for Hospital for Orthopaedic, Sports Medicine, Arthritis and Accident Trauma.

Having built a legacy of 30 years since its inception in 1992, more than 15 lakh patients from India and International have been treated at HOSMAT.

The hospital has now branched into 3 different hospitals which are strategically located across Bengaluru. With the upcoming third unit, the hospital has a combined strength of 550 beds, 27 operating rooms that makes it one of the largest Comprehensive Orthopaedics and Neuro Science Centre in India.

Under the leadership of Dr. Thomas A. Chandy, Chairman & Managing Director and Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon in HOSMAT, hospital has renowned Orthopaedic surgeon trained from UK, USA and Premier medical institutions in India who specializes in Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy, Ligament repairs and surgeries (ACL & MCL), Sports Medicine, Illizarov and Trauma care for both Adult and Paediatrics.

The dedicated Neuro & Spine centre has treated more than 1lakh patients and provide a holistic approach in Spine pain and management. The renowned surgeons weigh in the need of surgery or image guided injection for management of spine pain.

The Cosmetic, Plastic and reconstructive department is one of the finest and practices utmost organ preservation and reconstruction in trauma patients.

Bank of Baroda Increases “Interest Rates oO Retail Term Deposits” By Upto 30 Basis Points On Select Tenors

* Interest Rates hiked on the Baroda Tiranga Plus Deposit Scheme as well - Baroda Tiranga Plus now offers up to 7.90% p.a. for 399 Days 

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, today announced an increase in interest rates on Domestic Retail Term Deposits, including NRO and NRE Term Deposits, by up to 30 basis points on select tenors. These rates are applicable on deposits below Rs 2 crore, with effect from May 12, 2023.  

Interest rates have also been hiked on the Baroda Tiranga Plus Deposit Scheme. The 399 Day Baroda Tiranga Plus deposit scheme now offers interest rates up to 7.90% p.a., which includes 0.50% p.a. for senior citizens and 0.15% for non-callable deposits. 

Bank of Baroda has earlier increased retail term deposit interest rates in March 2023 and in December 2022. 

Existing and new customers of Bank of Baroda can open a FD through any of the Bank’s branches across India. An online FD can also be opened by existing customers via the Bank’s Mobile app (bob World)/ Net Banking (bob World Internet).  

For details: https://www.bankofbaroda.in/interest-rate-and-service-charges/deposits-interest-rates 

Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers Receives The Prestigious “JCK Jewellers' Choice Award”

~ Recipient of two prestigious awards at the much-coveted global platform ~ 

~ VBJ’s Infiniti – an exquisite collection of platinum jewellery for men, bags the Influencers' choice award for best platinum jewellery! ~ 

Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (VBJ), a renowned heritage brand from Chennai, has achieved a remarkable feat by winning India’s first “JCK Jewellers Choice Award” in the platinum category. The JCK Jeweller’s Choice award, popularly considered as the Oscars of the Jewellery industry witnessed history being made with VBJ’s platinum Infiniti collection securing first place, in the Platinum Jewellery category for products priced over $10,000. Amidst an array of jewellery pieces exhibited by some of the world's most acclaimed and illustrious jewellers, platinum Infiniti, from VBJ, stood as a formidable contender, marking a milestone moment for platinum’s journey in India as well as the brand. VBJ has emerged as the first Indian jewellery brand to win this prestigious award. 

 A big win for VBJ and Platinum Guild India for its first recognition within the platinum category at the industry’s most prestigious global awards platform!  Infiniti has won the Editors’ Choice as well as the Influencers’ Choice Award for best platinum jewellery. The victory is a testament to the remarkable craftsmanship and design that defines this unique platinum jewellery collection for men.  

The platinum Infiniti collection, launched in collaboration with Platinum Guild International (PGI) India, has set a new standard in the precious jewellery category. Pioneering a new contemporary approach to jewellery design, this distinctive men’s jewellery collection explores a unique design language that seamlessly weaves in the resilience and subtle white sheen of the rare and precious platinum, with the remarkable allure of the tough and scratch-resistant ceramic. The collection includes a variety of timeless designs across men’s jewellery pieces like chains, bracelets, rings and cufflinks in a wide spectrum of colours – from electric hues to monochromatic schemes.  

Speaking about winning the coveted award,Mr Amarendran Vummidi, Managing Partner, Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, said, “Infiniti our premier platinum product for men carries our hallmark of elegance and purity coupled with aesthetic design. JCK Influencers Choice Award is an acknowledgement of more than century-old sophistication in jewellery making that VBJ is proud of”.  

According to Vaishali Banerjee, Managing Director - India, Platinum Guild International (PGI), “Congratulations to the VBJ team! Innovation drives platinum design because metal responds to creativity. The Platinum Infiniti collection is a testament to this innovation, as the strength of platinum seamlessly marries with the strength of ceramic. We are thrilled to see our partners receive recognition at international platforms, winning an award adjudged by jewellery connoisseurs amidst tough competition from other participants. This award further strengthens our belief and endeavours to keep experimenting with designs in platinum that exemplify modern minimalism and contemporary style and are also aligned with global trends.”  

The judges for the Jewellers’ Choice award arrived at a decision following rigorous selection criteria where participants competed against the best in each of the 21 categories. These influencers and editors were from a wide cross-section of the jewellery ecosystem – gemologists, artists, jewellery aficionados, editors of magazines, etc.   

JCK is the most renowned jewellery trade event in the world and is the place where industry professionals gather. It serves all major segments of the jewellery industry and delivers an out-of-the-world experience.   

ABOUT VUMMIDI BANGARU JEWELLERS  

Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (VBJ) is a leading fine jewellery brand in South India. The brand is known to offer exceptional value to its customers, myriad choices and extraordinary quality in diamond jewellery, gold jewellery and Silver Ware. Established in 1900, VBJ is trusted by over six generations and has unflinchingly stood the test of time when it comes to harnessing the trust of patrons since its inception. 

Today, VBJ has a significant presence, with two showrooms in Chennai (Gemini and Annanagar). The website www.vummidi.com allows jewellery connoisseurs to peruse through their elaborate collections. Vummidi Silverware (www.vummidisilverware.com) is synonymous with stunning designs and master artisanship, using its expertise for generations, to translate nature, ideas, precious stones and pure Silver, into veritable pieces of art. 

Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers boasts of a full-service in-house unit comprising of a ‘Creative Center’, responsible for conceptualising unique and original designs and making the same at their own state-of-the art manufacturing facility. 

KSB Limited Finishes The First Quarter Of 2023 With Strong Performance!

The Sales value for Q1 2023 is registered at INR 4,896 million which is about an 17% increase over the corresponding quarter of 2022 

Operating profit margin is at 12% 

FGD orders worth INR 339 Mio received of which 276 Mio from K C Cottrell. 

All India Dealer Conference held at Istanbul, Turkey 

Mechanical Seal Assembly Line inaugurated at IPD Pimpri. 

Ground-breaking ceremony of Sinnar new shed. 

Summarising the Q1’23 performance, Mr. Farrokh Bhathena, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, KSB Limited said, “This quarter we have registered stellar performance with highest ever order intake of INR 6764 Mio in Q1 2023 from conventional business. Our sales achieved for the quarter are 17% higher than that of the corresponding Q1 2022.  Despite the complex macroeconomic environment and shrinking margins, we are poised to leverage growth opportunities in our key markets. These impressive results are due to our strong focus on growth strategy. In addition, the greater customer trust in our product portfolio and our strong execution capabilities also add up to KSB’s growth momentum. Our strong order backlog with new upcoming orders gives a flying start and confidence for fiscal 2023.”   

CNBC TV18 Honours Late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar With 'In Memoriam Award'

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is humbled to announce that its esteemed Ex Vice Chairman, Late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, has been posthumously honoured by CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards (IBLA). The 18th anniversary of IBLA was conducted on 11th May 2023 at the Jio Centre in BKC, Mumbai.  

Honourable Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs Shri. Hardeep Singh Puri presented the award, thus acknowledging his pathbreaking contribution towards modernising India’s manufacturing sector and exceptional leadership in the Indian automobile industry.  

With an illustrious career spanning over 35 years in the automotive industry, late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar played a pivotal role in steering TKM to become one of the key players in the Indian automotive market. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in the company's remarkable success and sustained growth. Furthermore, as a strong advocate of “Make in India” and “Skill India” missions, several strategic business decisions were undertaken by the company thus manifesting his belief in establishing India as an epicentre for global manufacturing.  

As a firm believer in creating best value to the entire ecosystem, late Mr. Kirloskar was instrumental in initiating several programs for Community development at the grassroot level thereby contributing to “Nation Building” goals while having a clear focus on “Creating a better world”. He was also a promoter of Sustainable Development and believed that competitiveness is at the heart of sustainability. 

Expressing gratitude, Manasi Tata, Vice Chairperson, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “Visionary leadership, humility and an unwavering commitment to excellence by Late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar's has certainly left an indelible mark in the Indian manufacturing sector. He always believed in putting India first and growing with the country which has helped us achieve several milestones in TKM’s glorious 25th year of operations in India. As we accept this award on his behalf, we are inspired to continue his legacy, driving positive change, and shaping the future of mobility. As a visionary leader, he has laid a path for us towards creating a more beautiful & sustainable world for the future generations."  

A mechanical engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Late Mr. Kirloskar served as President of SIAM and President of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). He also had played key role at the National Council for Electric Mobility in addition to being the President of Automotive Research Association of India. 

Along with Late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, Late Mr. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Late Mr. Cyrus Mistry were also honoured at the ceremony. The jury panel consisted of stalwarts like Kumar Mangalam Birla - Chairman Aditya Birla Group, Uday Kotak - CEO Kotak Mahindra, Sanjiv Mehta - Chairman and MD of HUL, Zarin Daruwala - CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Dinesh Khara - Chairman of SBI, Adar Poonawala - CEO of SII, Rajiv Memani - Chairman of E&Y, V Vaidyanathan - MD of IDFC & Prabha Narasimhan - MD of Colgate. 

Axis Bank Announces The Winners Of Splash 2022 Event

* Six participants won the Pan-India competition on Art, Craft, and Literature 

* Each winner was awarded Rs. 1 lakh, while six runners-up received Rs. 50 thousand each  

Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, today announced the winners for the 10th edition of Splash, a Pan-India competition on Arts, Crafts and Literature. The competition was for children in the age category of 7-14 years. The Bank received an overwhelming response of nearly five lakh registrations, out of which four lakh were for Art, while the remaining were for Craft and Literature categories. These entries were judged in multiple phases and 12 shortlisted contestants were flown to Mumbai to showcase their exceptional talent at the final event. These contestants were also featured in three exciting episodes of Art, Craft, and Literature on Axis Bank's YouTube channel.   

In line with the Bank’s Dil se Open philosophy, the competition was designed to inspire and unleash the creative potential of
children, encouraging them to utilize art as a medium to showcase their ideas on protecting and preserving the environment through the theme "Reimagine, Repurpose, and Reinvent”.   

Commenting on the success of Splash 2022, Anoop Manohar, Chief Marketing Officer, Axis Bank said, “Initiatives like Splash showcase our commitment to generate “open” and meaningful engagement to “create lasting value” in society. By encouraging young talent to rethink, reuse and reinvent their view on how to protect the environment, we are taking a step towards a sustainable future. We would like to thank all the participants for their remarkable contribution; and congratulate the winners of the Splash program this year. This motivate us to keep working and building a better tomorrow.’’

The Bank had strategically partnered with renowned brands such as Byjus, Hamleys, Nobroker hood, Amar Chitra Katha, Intellijelly, Museum of Arts and Photography, Playshifu, and Unimo to promote the initiative. Moreover, the Bank's School Contact Program covered over 1,300 schools nationwide to encourage participation in this program. Through all the cumulative efforts, the campaign reached out to over 50 million participants, surpassing all estimates.

About Axis Bank:   

Axis Bank is the third largest private sector bank in India. Axis Bank offers the entire spectrum of services to customer segments covering Large and Mid-Corporates, SME, Agriculture and Retail Businesses. With its 4,903 domestic branches (including extension counters) and 15,953 ATMs across the country as on 31st March 2023, the network of Axis Bank spreads across 2,741 cities and towns, enabling the Bank to reach out to a large cross-section of customers with an array of products and services. The Axis Group includes Axis Mutual Fund, Axis Securities Ltd., Axis Finance, Axis Trustee, Axis Capital, A.TReDS Ltd., Freecharge and Axis Bank Foundation.

For further information on Axis Bank, refer to the website: https://www.axisbank.com

Ambuja Cements Places Order For Capacity Expansion Of 14 MMT Cement

·         Expand Clinker capacity by 8 Million Tonnes at Bhatapara and Maratha units on highest ESG standards with 42 MW of WHRS, provision to utilize 50% AFR and operate on green power.

·         This will enable production of Blended Green Cement of 14 Million Tonnes, post all requisite approvals.

·         Projects expected to be commissioned in 24 months.

·         Entire expansion CAPEX funded from internal accruals.

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of diversified Adani Group, placed orders to expand Clinker capacity by 8 Million Tonnes at Bhatapara and Maratha units on highest ESG standards with 42 MW of WHRS, provision to utilize 50% AFR and provision to operate on green power.

The capacity expansion projects will enable production of Blended Green Cement of 14 Million Tonnes, post all requisite approvals. These projects will generate substantial value to the existing business and enable more employment and growth opportunities in the States, beneficial for all stakeholders.

These projects are expected to be commissioned in 24 months and the CAPEX will be funded from internal accruals.

Mr. Ajay Kapur, CEO, Cement Business, said, "These brownfield expansion projects are part of our strategy to double our production capacity over the next five years from the current capacity of 67.5 MTPA. Our ongoing investments in capacity expansion and sustainability will enable us to achieve our long-term objectives, as we remain committed to delivering sustainable growth and value to our stakeholders.”

The Company remains committed to achieving significant size, scale, and market leadership with strong emphasis on margin expansion and world-class ESG standards.

About Ambuja Cements Limited

Ambuja Cements Limited, part of the Adani Group, is among India's leading cement companies. Ambuja, with its subsidiary ACC Ltd. has a capacity of 67.5 million tonnes with fourteen integrated cement manufacturing plants and sixteen cement grinding units across the country. Ambuja has been recognized as India’s Most Trusted Cement Brand by TRA Research in its Brand Trust Report, 2023. Ambuja has provided hassle-free, home-building solutions with its unique sustainable development projects and environment-friendly practices since it started operations. The Company has many firsts to its credit – a captive port with four terminals that has facilitated timely, cost-effective, cleaner shipments of bulk cement to its customers. To further add value to customers, the Company has launched innovative products like Ambuja Plus, Ambuja Cool Walls, Ambuja Compocem and Ambuja Kawach under the umbrella of Ambuja Certified Technology. These products not only fulfil important customer needs but also help in significantly reducing carbon footprints. Being an employee friendly workplace, Ambuja Cements has been ranked No. 1 in ‘Best Companies to Work For’ survey in 2022 by Business Today in the Construction and Infrastructure sector.

PayNearby Launches ‘PayNearby Mall’ - A Meta Commerce Platform For Small Businesses And Consumers Ahead Of ONDC Rollout

PayNearby, India’s leading branchless banking and digital network, today launched PayNearby Mall—a meta commerce platform to enable easy availability of good and services, in an assisted mode at the last mile. This will soon be integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform. With this initiative, PayNearby aims to upgrade every retailer, in its million+ active network, to benefit from the ongoing e-commerce revolution, including the ONDC platform.

Within hours of the launch, the company shared that more than 6000+ retailers have upgraded themselves into a mall. More than 100+ retailers have ordered over 250+ orders. The most popular categories included mobile phones and accessories, home appliances, groceries and textiles while many searched for two wheelers also. PayNearby Mall is envisioned as a meta-commerce platform that will empower every retailer and seller, from big merchants and e-commerce platforms to local sellers and small businesses (through ONDC) meet the unmet demand of their customers, both locally and across a wider market PAN India. It will help retailers expand their market, run a more profitable business with no additional working capital requirement and use technology to make all forms of services available at the last mile.

It will also benefit crores of consumers in Bharat with wider choices, giving them a seamless, affordable one-stop-shopping experience at a nearby store. Customers can walk into their nearest PayNearby store and with the help of the local retailer, discover any seller, product or service at the most optimal price point. It will enable an optimal demand and supply match, fuelling the growth of our local economies and overall financial health of our country.

Commenting on the development, Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO, PayNearby, said, “With the past 18 months of work, we are finally thrilled to present PayNearby Mall, an initiative to elevate every trusted small store in Bharat into a super mall. With this feature, we look to empower local sellers and buyers and give them a user-friendly platform to discover products and sellers, compare prices, and make purchases with ease. It will help digitally overhaul small businesses gearing them towards a better livelihood and bringing them at par with the current times. Trust augmented.

With PayNearby Mall, e-commerce will now be accessible, easy and pocket-friendly, allowing retailers in Bharat to offer ‘Sab Kuchh’ from their stores. Retailers will no longer be limited by working capital, store size or shelf space. All they would need is their PayNearby/NeoDukaan app to offer worldwide inventory to their customers, supported by 50+ brands/ partners, at the click of a button. We will soon integrate with ONDC too, so that local goods and sellers can reach their full potential and serve the growing demands of ambitious and unstoppable Bharat at the last mile.

PayNearby Mall is an important step towards our vision of creating a truly digital ecosystem for retail in India. It comes at a time when the retail industry in India is undergoing a rapid transformation. It is a forerunner to our upcoming ONDC initiative, which will further democratise access to digital commerce for businesses of all sizes. We are excited about the potential of this platform to create value for our retail partners and customers alike. We believe that by empowering local retailers, we can accelerate the growth of the digital economy across Bharat and soon make 'Digital India' a reality. PayNearby Mall brings every retailer in the country an opportunity to succeed and actively contribute to India's digital economy and fulfil their Zidd Aage Badhne Ki!”

About PayNearby:

Incepted in April 2016, PayNearby is a DPIIT-certified company and India’s leading branchless banking and digital network. PayNearby operates on a B2B2C model, where it partners with neighbourhood retail stores and enables them with the tools to provide digital and financial services to local communities. PayNearby’s mission is to make financial services available to everyone, everywhere. The company aims to simplify high-end technology so that it can be easily assimilated at the last mile while transforming the lives of its retail partners and customers.

Today, PayNearby, through its tech-led DaaS (Distribution as a Service) network, serves 75% of India and is enabling services like cash withdrawal, remittance, Aadhaar Banking, bill payment and recharges, savings, travel, digital payments, insurance and more. Currently, PayNearby’s 50 lakh-plus micro-entrepreneurs across 20,000+ PIN codes assist 20+ crore customers across the country to the tune of more than ~7500 crores GTV per month.

To know more: www.paynearby.in

Zee24 TAAS Hosted Inaugural Maharashtra Infra Conclave 2023; Emphasizing On Latest Developments In Infrastructure, Upskilling

* Zee24 TAAS Maharashtra Infra Conclave 2023 witnessed the participation of Government dignitaries like Nitin Gadkari, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Uday Samant, Ravindra Chavan

Zee 24 TAAS, one of the leading Marathi news channels of Maharashtra, successfully hosted its first edition of Maharashtra Infra Conclave in Mumbai. The Conclave concluded with a commitment towards addressing the issue of solving potholes issue, boosting employment opportunities through upskilling, use of digital technologies for social and economic development, promoting tourism, the need for sustainable investments, etc.  

The Maharashtra Infra Conclave 2023 inaugural edition was graced by Government dignitaries like Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Tourism & Skill Development, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Uday Samant, Minister of Industries, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Ravindra Chavan, Minister of Public Works (Excluding Public Undertakings), Govt. of Maharashtra and many other prominent policymakers. 

Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India said, “In the next 5 years, India is expected to be the No.1 manufacturing hub of automobiles in the world. India has the potential to be one of the leaders in the world in the field of automobiles in the coming years. We will soon provide water taxi facilities/services between Mumbai and the suburban region of the city.”

Shri Ravindra Chavan, Minister of Public Works (Excluding Public Undertakings), Govt. of Maharashtra further highlighted “We are launching a new app for the common people where one use the GPS facility and share the details of the potholes on any roads and within 72 hours of this complaint the potholes will be filled.”

Shri. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Tourism & Skill Development, Govt. of Maharashtra, discussed the roadmap to boost upskilling, and employment opportunities by investing 4000 Crore to upgrade the ITI’s in Maharashtra and the goal of this Institution will be to modernize the workforce and provide a competing workforce against the engineering talent.

Shri. Uday Samant, Minister of Industries, Govt. of Maharashtra said “1 lakh 37 thousand crore project MOU has been signed for the Maharashtra State in DAVOS earlier this year. The state government has allotted space to the projects worth 57 thousand crores till now and for 47 thousand crores the project space is estimated to be given in the coming days. We are also working on a special act that will be introduced for the growth of industry in the state and under this act Every industrialist will get the necessary Permissions within 30 days.”

Speaking about the success of the Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave, Abhay Ojha, Chief Executive Officer, of Zee Media Corporation Limited, highlighted, “It gives our team immense joy to witness the success of the inaugural edition of this conclave. This further encourages us to continue building a public forum that encourages such in-depth discussions on the latest developments in policy in infrastructure, upskilling, employment and tourism”

Dr. Nilesh Khare, Editor, Zee 24 TAAS, further added, “Through Zee 24 TAAS’ Maharashtra Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave, Govt. dignitaries were able to reveal the challenges faced by the state and also articulate how Infra-development projects can enable a better standard of living for the people of Maharashtra. Zee 24 TAAS will continue to take a stand strong, supporting the Maharashtra official bodies who envision a brighter future in terms of social and economic development.”

Zee24 TAAS Maharashtra Infra Conclave 2023 was Powered by Varad Property Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Energy Partner- Mahagenco, Environment Partner - Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Tourism Partner – Directorate Of Maharashtra Tourism, Associate Partners - Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, Sanjay Ghodawat University, Sudhan Gold Loan, Rajyog Paints, Nyati Group, Profitwala.com by RRA & Mascot Infra - Projects LLP

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India's leading media and entertainment companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional entertainment genres, with 13 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528+ million viewers through its linear and digital properties.

Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHE Launches A New Program: B.Tech. In Mathematics And Computing

Manipal Institute of Technology, a constituent unit of Manipal, MAHE, one of India's premier higher education institutions, has launched an undergraduate program in B. Tech in Mathematics and Computing which is conceived and offered by the Department of Mathematics in collaboration with the Department of Data Science and Computer Applications. 

This program is designed by combining topics from mathematical, computer science and statistical applications. It was launched by Professor Arthur T. Benjamin during his visit to MAHE on 3rd March 2023 and will be implemented from the academic year 2023- 24.  

The purpose of this program allows graduates to gain theoretical knowledge along with practical training in mathematical, statistical and scientific computing. The key highlight of this program is to provide a strong base in classical subjects to prepare the students for research programs and institutes in India as well as abroad. The program emphasises on core subjects as well as specified topics to make the graduates industry ready and to achieve bright careers in reputed organizations.

Commenting on the launch of the new program, Dr. (Cdr) Anil Rana, Director of Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHE, said, “Through this new program, we aim to provide training in the application of mathematics to a wide range of problems. This program came to life after recognising the need for deep mathematics to be involved in both modern scientific investigations and technological advancements. We are hoping this course will help students widen their career prospects by opening positions in the corporate sector in the field of computer-assisted technologies, Indian Statistical Services Commission (ISSC), National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOSPI), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and Statistical Officer (SO) in States Public Service Commission among others.”

Key features of the courses:

Duration of the program: 8 semesters

The graduates will gain theoretical knowledge of and practical training in mathematical, statistical, and scientific computing

Open Electives from various departments across the institute during 5th, 6th, and 7th semesters

Program Electives from the Department of Mathematics, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Department of Data Science & Computer Applications

Minor Specializations focussed on contemporary themes: Applied Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics, Information Management and Analytics, Business Management, and Finance & Security Analytics

Meritorious students with CGPA 8.5 and above at the end of the 5th semester can also opt for B.Tech. Honour.

ONGC Strikes Gold: Successive Discoveries In OALP Blocks Amrit And Moonga On Arabian Sea

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has made discoveries of Oil and Gas in MBS171HAA-1 (MBS171HAA-A)-“AMRIT” in OALP (Open Acreage Licensing Policy) block MB-OSHP-2017/1 in Mumbai Offshore (SW) on the Arabian Sea. There is another remarkable discovery in MBS182HDA-1(MBS182HDA-A) named “Moonga” in OALP exploration Block in Mumbai Offshore. Detailed assessment of the discoveries is in progress. 

With these discoveries, ONGC continues its impressive streak in the OALP blocks by making new discoveries in consecutive years. ONGC Director (Exploration) Ms. Sushma Rawat said that with these notable findings in the OALP I and OALP III rounds, ONGC reaffirms its exploration commitment to unlocking the vast potential of India's hydrocarbon resources along with reserves accretion, strengthening the nation's energy security.

The discovery represents a momentous achievement, underscoring exploration dedication to expanding domestic production and reducing India's reliance on imported oil and gas.

ONGC’s relentless pursuit of exploring untapped regions yielded these finds. By diligently analyzing geological data and employing advanced technologies, ONGC successfully identified substantial oil and gas reserves, reaffirming the untapped potential within the OALP blocks.

In addition to the significant discoveries made in the OALP I and OALP III rounds, ONGC has promptly notified the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOP&NG) about these remarkable findings.

ONGC's proactive approach in notifying the DGH and the MOP&NG reflects the company's commitment to operating within the regulatory framework. This collaborative approach fosters a robust partnership between ONGC and the regulatory authorities, facilitating the efficient and responsible development of India's hydrocarbon resources.

ONGC's discoveries in both the OALP I and OALP III rounds carry significant importance towards energy security by bolstering domestic production. The reduced dependence on imported oil and gas enhances the country's resilience to global market fluctuations, ensuring a stable and secure energy supply.

ONGC's successive discoveries in the OALP blocks awarded under the OALP I and OALP III rounds demonstrate the company's unwavering commitment to unlocking India's hydrocarbon potential. These achievements not only strengthen India's energy security and reduce dependence on imports but also drive economic growth, technological advancements, and environmental sustainability. ONGC's remarkable exploration successes pave the way for a more prosperous and self-reliant energy future for India, cementing its position as a leading player in the global energy landscape.

Godrej & Boyce Bags Over 2000 Crore Worth Of Orders

~ The business has achieved its highest order inflow ever in FY23.

The Power Infrastructure and Renewable Energy (PIRE) business of Godrej Electricals & Electronics, a business unit of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd has secured orders worth over 2000 Cr from Power Transmission, Railways, and Solar Projects. The projects include EPC for EHV substations of 400kV & 765kV across India, a GIS Substation with 220kV underground cable in Mumbai, and a 132kV Substation project in Nepal. 

In the solar segment, the company has secured an order for a ground-mounted solar plant of 20MW in West Bengal. The order supports the business' aim to grow its solar EPC portfolio by 30% annually over the next three years and promote Energy conservation.

The business marks its entry into railway electrification with a project of over 900 crores from Indian Railways for the construction of traction substations and associated works. The project aligns with India's vision of modernizing its railways and promoting sustainable transportation. The project is a part of ‘Mission Raftar’ for upgrading speed to 160Kmph/200Kmph on the existing New Delhi-Howrah Route and between Mathura-Palwal on the existing New Delhi-Mumbai Routes.

Raghavendra Mirji, Senior Vice President & Business Head, Godrej Electricals & Electronics said, "These orders align well with our diversification strategy to strengthen the power transmission sector and enter the Railways and International Segments. With the substation orders in Power Transmission, we have now diversified our customer base to include non-utility clients, in addition to the current power utilities. With these orders, G&B has expanded its portfolio in EHV Cable, EHV Substation, Traction Substation & Solar projects across India as well as in Nepal. We are elated to be partnering with the Indian Railways in this significant transformation. Going forward, we hope to secure more such opportunities and serve new segments to contribute to the improvement of infrastructure and power transmission in India."

Kotak Unveils All New Privy League-an Exclusive Premium Banking Programme

* Privy League Programme Aims At ‘Building Exclusivity Via Experiences’

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (“KMBL”/”Kotak”) today announced the launch of all new Privy League programme– an exclusive premium banking programme with unique lifestyle privileges & bespoke financial solutions curated for high net-worth individuals.

As the flagship premium banking program of Kotak Mahindra Bank, Privy League has been crafted to celebrate the achievements of their customers by bringing to them unmatched lifestyle experiences and superior banking services.

The new value proposition provides multifaceted offerings to bring priceless experiences to its customers. It comprises privileges across travel with a complimentary MMT Black Elite Annual Membership. Flaunting of unparalleled luxury, it offers Lafayette Luxury Concierge Services which facilitates incomparable experiences ranging from arranging private charters to getting front row seats to international sporting events. It also includes offers on dining with complimentary EazyDiner Prime Annual Membership & attractive discounts on Swiggy.

To top it off, the new Privy League Programme also curates distinguished experiences across health and wellness, culinary experiences, knowledge based sessions, and more.

With the Privy League programme, customers can get tailored portfolio and investment solutions catering to their diverse needs. The skilled specialists employ a meticulous approach to curate an investment portfolio based on the customer’s risk profile and financial goals that could help grow their wealth. Customers get access to a robust 3-in-1 Integrated Account featuring a Bank Account, Demat Account, and Trading Account. They can also enjoy exclusive access to personalized investment insights and research reports.

The Premium Metal Debit Card, designed by renowned artist Arunanshu Chowdhury, for the Privy League black tier lets customers enjoy luxury deals, complimentary airport lounge access among many other benefits. The Signature LED Debit Card, designed for Privy League Platinum tier is India’s first LED card, which lights up the customer’s transacting experience and is packed with features such as a 75% discount on Priority Pass. The programme offers an array of Business Banking solutions, and also provides preferential rates on loans, locker rentals, brokerage and other specialized products.

Mr Rohit Bhasin, President – Retail Liabilities Product and Chief Marketing Officer, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd, said “Over the last decade, the consumer ecosystem has undergone a paradigm shift with higher disposable incomes, purchasing power and the new age consumer demanding personalization and superior product experience. Consumers today are increasingly staking claims to luxury products, brands and services on their own terms. In line with this, Kotak’s Privy League programme is focusing on a value proposition that provides exclusivity and experiences beyond banking. We are excited to launch our flagship premium banking programme – Privy League in a new avatar of ‘Building Exclusivity via Experiences’ a value proposition that provides exclusivity and experiences beyond banking.”

About Artist Arunanshu Chowdhury

Born in 1969 in Hoogli, West Bengal, Arunanshu Chowdhury received The Elizabeth Greensheilds Foundation Award (Canada) and the Ravi Jain Foundation Award (New Delhi) in 1995. His recent works focus on the new generation, the influence of modern technology on society, and the theme of race against time. It is the new which appears with the contemporary label, the old is reborn as new. “Time will always look onwards. It is memories which are relived in images of Art, structure and in words”. Arunanshu has experimented with his work across multiple mediums by juxtaposing several images.

Black Metal Debit Card

Platinum LED Debit Card

Neon Textured Debit Card

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 March, 2023, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has a national footprint of 1,780 branches and 2,963 ATMs, and branches in GIFT City and DIFC (Dubai). For more information, visit the company’s website at https://www.kotak.com/.

Mahindra Logistics Launches International Cargo Charter Operations In Middle East

Mahindra Logistics Ltd. (MLL), one of India’s largest integrated logistics solutions providers, announced commencement of Cargo Charter operations in the Middle East, headquartered in Dubai.

MLL is part of India’s Mahindra Group and provides technology enabled integrated solutions for 3PL, Express and cross-border supply chain management. The company provides freight forwarding and related value-added services, serves over 55 lanes across the world. With this launch, the company will augment freight forwarding with cargo charter operations partnering with customers in Electronics, Consumer Durables, Pharma and Engineering.

The choice of Dubai, UAE as the hub for its global charter operations bears strategic importance. Over the past few decades, UAE has emerged as India's third largest trading partner in the year 2021-22. Dubai has also emerged as a global and regional trading hub. Mahindra Logistics will service the large Middle East region from its Dubai operations.

As a neutral player entering the global air cargo charter business, the company will offer dedicated aircrafts, enhanced transit time, and the expertise in end market solution development, integration with other logistics services and a strong technology interface.

Mr. Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra Logistics, said, “In line with our vision of enhancing our services, we are pleased to launch our Cargo Charter operations, based in Dubai UAE. This also marks the first international foray for Mahindra Logistics. With increasing complexity in global supply chains, cross border supply chain services have become critical to supply chain resilience. The business expands our cross-border logistics business, in addition to our current freight forwarding business, providing our customers enhanced service options. The UAE, and Dubai, provide us a great launchpad to develop the business”.

Mr. Saurav Chakraborty, Head – Global Cross Border Solutions at Mahindra Logistics Limited commented, “We have chosen Dubai as the location for our air charter brokering business due to the unparalleled access and connectivity it provides. The charter business will be an independent division serving customers and partners across multiple vertical and geographies. We estimate this will significantly enhance our integrated solutions portfolio in line with our long-term business objectives”.

About Mahindra Logistics

Mahindra Logistics Limited (MLL) is an integrated third-party logistics (3PL) service provider, specializing in supply chain management and enterprise mobility. MLL serves over 400+ corporate customers across various industries like Automobile, Engineering, Consumer Goods and E-commerce. The Company pursues an “asset-light” business model, providing customized and technology enabled solutions that span across the supply chain and people mobility services.  

For more information, visit www.mahindralogistics.com

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

Supply Chain Visibility Leader FourKites Partners With Gravity Supply Chain Solutions To Provide Real-time, First-Mile Visibility

~Exclusive partnership will bring real-time visibility into purchase orders and inbound shipments to streamline inventory management, manufacturing and distribution~

Leading supply chain visibility provider FourKites today announced an exclusive partnership with Gravity, maker of an award-winning supply chain management platform for many of the world’s leading shippers and freight forwarders. The partnership will extend the real-time visibility offered by the FourKites® platform to encompass the first mile — from the time an order is placed with a supplier — all the way through to product delivery via a seamless integration with Gravity’s SaaS solution.

The first mile is often the critical link in the supply chain, when raw materials and purchased finished products are shipped from global suppliers to manufacturing and distribution locations. “Last-mile delivery generates a lot of attention and a lot of headlines, and often overshadows the importance of the first mile,” FourKites founder and CEO Mathew Elenjickal said. “If you don’t have sufficient control over your upstream supply chain, everything that comes after the first mile will be less effective.”

Inefficiencies and disruptions in the first mile have significant ramifications on working capital, costs and revenue. Traditionally, companies have attempted to manage the first mile through manual processes, including spreadsheets and phone calls. This cumbersome, disjointed approach results in unpredictability and higher costs. Consequently, shippers lack the visibility to know if they will have sufficient inventory on hand to meet production and/or distribution schedules, and they are unable to collaborate efficiently with their suppliers to ensure material availability and delivery dates.

Gravity’s modern, easy-to-use SaaS solution addresses these issues, offering visibility into and control over the purchase order process — from order creation through changes and fulfillment. This solution will integrate with FourKites’ real-time shipment visibility and order intelligence solutions to ensure that customers have an exception-based, single source of truth for the entire order life cycle. The highly configurable solution, which can be up and running quickly, will provide seamless integration, simpler collaboration and streamlined operations with real-time updates — all in one centralized platform.

“Of any visibility provider on the market, we chose to partner with FourKites because of its deep, trusted relationships with many large Fortune 1000 customers,” said Graham Parker, CEO and founder of Gravity Supply Chain Solutions. “Our partnership will give these brands a seamless, end-to-end picture of their supply chain, so they can react quickly and confidently to any situation. We have been impressed by FourKites’ innovative solutions, its collaborative culture and its impressive track record of delivering value to customers, and we’re thrilled to work together to fortify our efforts and provide a unique offering to the market.”

Founded in 2015, Gravity is headquartered in Singapore, with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. The company has rapidly gained traction in the 3PL and freight forwarder space, and counts among its customers the French conglomerate Bolloré SE, R?hlig Logistics, Scan Global Logistics and Gebrüder Weiss.

“As FourKites continues to expand into order and inventory management with solutions such as our Order Intelligence Suite, this partnership with Gravity will extend our capabilities even further upstream,” Elenjickal said. “As a result, our customers can be confident that their suppliers will provide the necessary components and parts they expect by the promised date, eliminating the delays, confusion and costs that many people now incorrectly attribute to issues with the last mile.”

About FourKites

Leading global supply chain visibility platform FourKites® extends visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and beyond. Tracking more than 3 million shipments daily across road, rail, ocean, air, parcel and last mile, and reaching over 200 countries and territories, FourKites combines real-time data and powerful machine learning to help companies digitize their end-to-end supply chains. More than 1,200 of the world’s most recognized brands — including 9 of the top-10 CPG and 18 of the top-20 food and beverage companies — trust FourKites to transform their business and create more agile, efficient and sustainable supply chains. To learn more, visit https://www.fourkites.com/.

ABB India Expands Manufacturing Footprint Of Its Energy Efficient Drives Portfolio

Supporting the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ program, the enhanced facility strengthens local manufacturing to meet domestic and global demands

Aims to double production capacity by 2025, local manufacturing offering customers faster access to products, customization, and quick serviceability

ABB’s variable speed drives can typically reduce power consumption by up to 25%

Factory’s new line will have over 50% women technicians

ABB India expands its production footprint with a new line for variable speed drive modules at the Peenya factory in Bengaluru. The new line will produce drives ranging from 75 kW to up to 250 kW and will cater to all major industrial segments. ABB’s variable speed drives are used to control the speed of electric motors to match the actual demands of the process to improve energy efficiency and performance in any industrial application or any building globally. When added to the existing motor of a pump, fan or compressor, a drive can typically reduce power consumption by up to 25%.

Part of the integrated campus that houses ABB’s corporate office and other business’ factories, this new production line aims to meet the growing demand of domestic and global customers. With local manufacturing, now customers in India will get faster access to the products, their customization options, and quick serviceability. The expansion will also strengthen the local supplier eco-system for ABB low voltage AC drives portfolio. 

“This expansion demonstrates our commitment to innovation, delivering world-class sustainable products and solutions for the Indian market as well as to enriching the local supplier base,” said A.R. Madhusudan, President, Drive Products, ABB India. “At a time when India is globally playing a leading role in clean energy, drive products represent leading technology of energy efficiency, termed as the first fuel of clean energy transitions. ABB drives manufactured in India will contribute to country’s energy efficiency journey and its goals across industries, buildings, and infrastructure,” he added.

Variable speed drive supports critical national infrastructure projects such as ventilation for Atal tunnel and COVID-19 vaccination manufacturing for pharma units. ABB drives are part of the HVAC solutions that have been installed for the prestigious Statue of Unity project. The hospitality industry across the country also deploys ABB drives to optimize the energy consumption.

“As a result of systematic development activities, I am happy to be witnessing this great opening ceremony with the customers and key suppliers. Team has done an excellent job and we are ready to take even further growth steps together” said Vesa Kandell, Global Head of Operations, Drive Products, ABB.

The new line of production is ergonomically designed with position, angle and torque control and a programmable fastening system. This facility is designed for effective utilization of available space for better productivity and enhanced safety and is equipped with expanded precision testing facility. The expanded facility also employs skilled technicians/ engineers, which includes over 50% women workforce on the production line.

Despite of the great energy saving and performance improving potential, currently only about 23% of the world’s motors are paired with a drive. Hence, this factory will play a key role in enabling businesses and industries at large to adopt energy-efficient technologies and help achieve carbon-neutrality.

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered, and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com  

ABB Motion keeps the world turning - while saving energy every day. We innovate and push the boundaries of technology to enable the low-carbon future for customers, industries and societies. With our digitally enabled drives, motors, and services our customers and partners achieve better performance, safety and reliability. We offer a combination of domain expertise and technology to deliver the optimum drive and motor solution for a wide range of applications in all industrial segments. Through our global presence we are always close to serve our customers. Building on over 130 years of cumulative experience in electric powertrains, we learn and improve every day. www.new.abb.com/about/our-businesses/motion

ABB Drive Products is a technology leader serving industries, infrastructure and machine builders with world-class drives. With our products, global scale and local presence, we help our customers to improve energy efficiency, productivity and safety. www.abb.con/drives

Nokia C22: The Perfect Blend Of Affordability And Performance

* Superior build quality that outperforms competition with better durability against accidental drops and a 13MP dual camera starting at INR 7999

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces Nokia C22, an affordable smartphone with exceptional durability, outperforming the competition[i] with improved drop protection. Nokia C22 is built to last and comes with signature three-day battery lifeii, dual 13MP rear and 8MP selfie cameras backed by advanced imaging algorithms, Octa-core processor and the best of AndroidTM 13 (Go edition) straight out of the box.

Adam Ferguson, Head of Product Marketing, HMD Global: “The Nokia C-series has always been about providing reliable, affordable smartphones that offer a great user experience and Nokia C22 is no exception delivering better durability against drops, resulting in a robust device that you can trust to last and keep for longer.”           

A strong design, rigorously tested to last

Outperforming the competition in rigorous free fall testsi, Nokia C22 is prepared to take on the unexpected moments of daily life. It’s kept safe from scuffs and scrapes thanks to IP52 splash and dust protection, toughened 2.5D display glass, and rigid metal chassis housed within a strong polycarbonate unibody design. And if that is not enough, it comes with one year replacement guarantee promise of Nokia.

Capture incredible memories with crisp detail in any light

To get the most out of the 13MP dual rear and 8MP front cameras, Nokia C22 is packed with advanced imaging algorithms that give clear pictures sunrise to sunset. Take focussed portrait shots with beautifully blurred backgrounds. Night-time imagery has just the right amount of light and contrast thanks to a new, bespoke Night mode algorithm. That, combined with Auto HDR support for extra clarity, captures life’s key moments in dazzling quality on a 6.5” HD+ display.

Latest features for improved efficiency

Thanks to the streamlined OS with no bloatware, your storage space and mobile data plan will go further.  Memory extension turns unused storage space into additional 2GB of Virtual memory (RAM)v, making multitasking simple and smooth.

Secure and built for the long run

Over 60% of digital fraudvi comes from mobile devices – Nokia C22 receives regular security updates for at least two yearsvii to keep you safe and continues evolving to protect you from new cyber threats. Quickly and securely unlock your phone with face unlock and the rear fingerprint sensor.

A powerful 5000 mAh battery is supported by the Battery Saver feature that’s unique to Nokia phones, so you can go three whole days without worrying about charging.

In-Box Accessories include:

·         Charger with USB-C™.

·         Add further protection for your Nokia C22 with a clear case. The ultra-slim, lightweight case doesn’t hide your phone’s design and provides increased impact protection.

Pricing, Offers and Availability

The Nokia C22 is available in India from today in Charcoal, Sand and Purple colours, with prices starting from INR 7999 and comes in 4GB (2GB + 2GB Virtual RAM) and 6GB (4GB + 2GB Virtual RAM) clubbed with 64GB storage configuration (support for up to 256 GB additional memory).

Jio Partner Offer: Nokia also brings benefits for Jio Plus (Postpaid) users on the INR 399 plan , which provides 75GB monthly data + 3 add-on SIMs. Customers can give a missed call on 70000 70000 for Jio SIM home delivery.

Jio Plus(Postpaid) Nokia phone users will get special benefits worth up to INR 3,500 as 100 GB additional Data (10 GB Additional Monthly Data for 10 months) worth INR 1000 and additional coupons worth up to INR 2500 in the form of:

i)                    3 month EazyDiner subscription worth INR 700

ii)                    INR 750 off on flights over INR 4500 on Ixigo

iii)                 3 months ET Prime Subscription worth INR 1100 at INR 49 only.

Visa – EY Report Identifies Disruptive Megatrends Driving The Journey To A $1 Tn Tourism Economy

* 400Mn jobs to be created by 2047 in the tourism industry

I* nternational tourists in India spend 26x more than domestic, hence attracting global visitors is key

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), the global leader in digital payments, and EY, the leading professional services organization, have launched a comprehensive report titled "Charting the Course for India – Tourism Megatrends Unpacked,". The report reveals that India's tourism industry is on track to reach US$1 trillion by 2047, with data-led tourism set to be a key driver of growth. It takes a long-term view of India's tourism industry, beyond the pandemic's impact, and identifies the megatrends expected to shape the sector over the next decade.

The report was unveiled in the presence of Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, and former CEO, NITI Aayog, and Alfred F. Kelly Jr., Executive Chairman, Visa, at the ASSOCHAM India Tourism Conference in New Delhi.

Commenting on the report, Sandeep Ghosh, Group Country Manager for India & South Asia, Visa said, “The projected growth of India's tourism industry to reach US$1 trillion by 2047 is an exciting opportunity for the country. By aggregating and utiliing data from various stakeholders, such as payment service providers and private tour operators, we can help create a more resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem for India. The report's findings demonstrate that the key to building a robust future for India's tourism industry is through data-driven insights. Visa's Destination Insights, which have already proven successful in London, Singapore, and Australia, offer a valuable tool to measure the impact of tourism and support decision-making."

In the last two years, the pandemic has spurred a rapid global research effort into the tourism sector, leading to the emergence of some long-term and self-sustainable solutions. In India as well, there has been an extensive discourse on the impact of COVID-19 on the sector, resulting in issues and solutions created by the sector and government.

Pragyal Singh, Partner, Business Consulting, EY India, while speaking of the report said,

"The travel & tourism industry is a major contributor to economic development and job creation in the world and tourism in India is also poised to grow rapidly across various segments. The potential of tourism to create massive economic impact, however, has remained as yet untapped. The Government of India is continuously working on multiple initiatives such as PRASHAD, Swadesh Darshan and Dekho Apna Desh to support and nurture the travel ecosystem. The Draft National Tourism Policy provides a timely and innovative framework for sustainable and holistic growth of tourism in the country. The Ministry of Tourism has designated the Year 2023 as ‘Visit India’ year and is also developing a Visit India 2023 strategy. There is a need to understand the megatrends affecting the tourism sector over the next decade and for the entire ecosystem to collaborate for ensuring the economic benefits of this growth are realized."

The report identifies Sustainability, Enabling Technologies, and Evolving Tourist Preferences as the main disruptive forces driving tourism. Sustainable tourism experiences and offerings are in high demand worldwide, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. At present, the global sustainable tourism market is valued at US$180 billion. In India, this is valued between US$26 million- US$2.5 billion and is expected to grow at 15% CAGR.

The second major trend is the role played by innovative technologies and digitalisation. In the aviation, travel, and tourism industries, digitalisation is expected to create US$305 billion in value and move US$100 billion of value away from traditional players to new competitors globally.

Another key trend identified is evolving tourist preferences, driven by the presence of Gen Z, which constitutes 24% of the global population and 27% of this is in India. The report offers detailed insights into the segments that will play a critical role in driving tourism industry growth and the Indian economy at large.

·       Spiritual tourism will play a key role since 60% of domestic tourism in India is spiritual in nature, and 30.5 million international travellers are expected to visit India by 2028 for this purpose.

·       Medical and wellness tourism will witness growth with a potential for 24 million jobs to be created by 2032. In 2021, 21% of international travellers sought medical treatment in India .

·       Adventure and sports tourism has a potential to create 6 million jobs by 2032. Globally, an average adventure tourist spends US$2,900 per trip.

·       Business travellers and MICE – India’s share in the global MICE market will more than double from 2019 to 2025. In 2021, 12.1% of foreign tourists visited India for business purposes.

·       Travel mobility – Airports in India will increase to 220 by 2025 with US$1.5 trillion worth investments through the National Infrastructure Pipeline Scheme (2020-25)

The report offers some recommendations to strengthen and accelerate India’s tourism industry:

Sustainable tourism certification and measurable standards based on data are needed for a resilient and sustainable future

Open mobility, integrated seamless fare systems, account-based payments, and the application of Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) as steps towards redefining the future of transit.

Travel-tech startup ecosystem requires structured funding and incubation support

Enable tourism industry workforce through relooking at labor contracts, providing vocational training and tech-skilling programs to realise the benefits of enabling technologies.

 Visa and EY believe that by implementing the insights from this report, India can create a more sustainable and tech-enabled tourism industry, which will benefit the country's economy, people, and culture.

Tata Capital To Offer UPI 123PAY Digital Payment Facility For Feature Phone Users With ToneTag

* The solution will improve payment capability for Microfinance customers of the Company

Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata Group, will now offer UPI 123PAY digital payment facility- an instant IVR based payment system to make secured transactions through feature phones as well as smart phones. UPI 123PAY service is developed by NPCI and powered by ToneTag VoiceSe. The UPI 123PAY solution will be one more option in the bouquet of payment collection solutions for Tata Capital customers. It will be especially useful for low value payments, for microfinance customers and will increase operational and debt servicing efficiencies.

This new payment solution is likely to become a preferred option for customers having limited or sporadic access to internet connectivity and smartphones. The service entails a three-step procedure; call, choose and pay. For instance, the initial step is to dial the IVR number from a registered phone number, select the preferred language, choose the UPI-linked bank account, set up the UPI PIN and eventually make payment.

The payment solution will be made available in phases and will be rolled out initially in six regions namely Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and will be available in five languages.

Commenting on the initiative Abonty Banerjee, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at Tata Capital, said, "It has always been our endeavour to provide all possible servicing and payment solutions to customers to choose from, and enable them to use the ones most suited to them. This IVR based payment option which also works on feature phones, is likely to see greater adoption from our microfinance customers as well as those who have limited access to connectivity. We believe this will make payments more convenient for these customers.

Vivek Kumar Singh, Co-Founder ToneTag, “We are looking at voice technology that empowers all mobile phone users to make safe and fast digital payments in a convenient method without the help of any app. This now brings the entire Indian population into the digital payment ecosystem. Our solution is standard and uniform to all mobile phone users making it the most simple and secure form of making payments. Users can speak in their preferred language and follow simple steps to make payments, all of this from sitting in the comfort of their homes”.

About Tata Capital Limited

Tata Capital Limited, a holistic financial services provider that caters to the diverse needs of retail, corporate and institutional customers. Its range of offerings include Consumer Finance, Advisory Services, Commercial Finance, Infrastructure Finance, Microfinance, Project Finance, debt syndication, Investment Banking, Private Equity Advisory and Credit Cards. For more information about Tata Capital, visit www.tatacapital.com

Unleash Dominance: The First-Ever BMW X3 M40i Launched In India

* Outstanding driving experience guaranteed: Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport differential, M Sport brakes and the BMW xDrive all-wheel drive

The first-ever BMW X3 M40i was launched in India today. The car will be available in limited units and can be exclusively booked at the BMW Online Shop. The first-ever BMW X3 M40i is available in the country as a Completely Built-Up (CBU) model from today onwards.

The first-ever BMW X3 M40i has sporty characters and it impresses with its perfectly measured balance of dynamics, comfort and efficiency together with a high level of everyday practicability. A compelling exterior design, electrified engine efficiency, and superior handling bring out the exceptional performance built into the BMW X3 M40i.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “Engineered by M, the first-ever BMW X3 M40i xDrive elevates the sporty, modern BMW X3 to the realm of M. Its introduction builds on the enormous success of M powered vehicles and the growing popularity of exclusive M Editions in India. With its phenomenal engine power, fine-tuned handling, and an appearance designed by BMW M – the first-ever BMW X3 M40i is a dominating force, no matter where the road leads. This new M interpretation of the BMW X3 takes the excitement a notch higher into the Sports Activity Vehicle range.”

The car is available at an attractive ex-showroom price as follows –

The first-ever BMW X3 M40i      :           INR 86,50,000

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

The first-ever BMW X3 M40i is available in following metallic paintworks – Brooklyn Grey and Black Sapphire. It features the exclusive Sensatec Perforated upholstery in Black. 

Thanks to BMW India Financial Services, customized and flexible financial solutions are designed as per individual requirements. Customers enjoy great value and complete peace of mind with BMW 360? Finance Plan. It includes attractive monthly instalments, assured buy-back option up to five years, flexible term-end opportunities, and options to upgrade to a new BMW among other benefits.

The first-ever BMW X3 M40i.

The exterior design of the first-ever BMW X3 M40i ensures a greater focus on sportiness and “X-ness”. The specific BMW M kidney grille bears the typical M double grille bars in high-gloss black and with an M logo. The front features adaptive LED headlights with Matrix function. The M Shadow Line lights offer a dark tint around the headlamps. The aerodynamically optimised M exterior mirrors in high-gloss black, the free-form tailpipe trims in black chrome and the striking “Two Teeth” design ensure a distinctive look. Fitted with the M High Gloss Shadow Line with extended features, the window graphics and roof rails, frame and the bars of the BMW kidney grille are finished in high-gloss black. The BMW X3 M40i is fitted as standard with 20-inch M light alloy wheels double-spoke 699M with the mixed tyres 245/45 R20 at the front and 275/40 R20 at the rear. M Sport brakes are available with red brake calipers.

The interior boasts an exceptional level of comfort and functionality in an extremely modern ambience. Driver and front passenger enjoy the superior sporty flair of a premium SAV. The M interior trim finishers Carbon Fibre ensures an exclusive motorsport atmosphere in the cockpit of the first-ever BMW X3 M40i. The M leather steering wheel with multifunction, contrast stitching in M colours and an open 6 o’clock spoke add a further sporty touch to the interior. The overall comfort is enhanced due to the exclusive functions such as electrical seat adjustment with memory function, exterior mirror package. The M Seat belts add to the powerful look of the car’s interiors. Panoramic glass roof and Welcome Light Carpet are few among the long list of features that create the perfect ambience. Ambient Lighting with six dimmable designs creates an atmosphere for every mood. Features such as electroplated controls and 3-zone automatic climate control with extended options add to the overall luxurious feel.

The M TwinPower Turbo three-litre six-cylinder engine in the first-ever BMW X3 M40i ensures supreme and efficient mobility. The in-line petrol engine produces an output of 265 kW / 360hp and a maximum torque of 500 Nm at 1,900 – 5,000 rpm. The car accelerates from 0-100 km/hr in just 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/hr.  

The eight-speed automatic Steptronic sport transmission performs smooth, almost imperceptible gear shifts. At any time, in any gear, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine, enabling it to develop its full power and efficiency. For even greater driving pleasure, it is available with steering wheel paddle shifters, cruise control with braking function and Automatic differential brakes (ADB) with electronic differential locks as standard.

BMW xDrive, the intelligent all-wheel drive technology monitors the driving situation and is quick to respond to ensure maximum traction, agility and vehicle stability. The standard M Sport differential enhances traction and cornering by electronically controlling the distribution of power to each individual wheel. It helps to avoid understeer and oversteer in situations involving multiple changes of direction and load. An Adaptive M suspension is available offering a great spread between riding comfort and sportiness. The Variable Sport Steering is precise and responsive even when only a slight steering input is applied. The M Sport brakes provide excellent braking performance and intuitive feel, whether negotiating city streets or driving around a circuit on a track day. The brake calipers are painted red and display the M logo. The BMW Performance Control System increases the stability of the car by targeted braking of the wheels.

A host of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies continues to break the innovation barrier in automotive industry – BMW Gesture Control and Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto. The modern cockpit concept BMW Live Cockpit Professional running on BMW Operating System 7.0 includes 3D Navigation, with a high-resolution 12.3” screen instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a control display. Hands do the talking with BMW Gesture Control that recognizes six pre-defined hand movements for control of a number of functions. BMW Head-Up display projects information discretely in the driver’s field of vision. The smartphone holder integrated into the centre console allows inductive, Wireless Charging for mobile phones. The spread of driver assistance systems is more extensive than ever. Parking Assistant Plus with 360 camera makes parking in tight spots easier by taking over acceleration, braking as well as steering. The car features a 464W Harman Kardon Surround Sound system with 16 speakers and individually adjustable equalizing.

BMW EfficientDynamics include features such as 8-speed Steptronic Automatic Transmission, Auto Start-Stop, Brake-Energy Regeneration, Active Air Stream Kidney Grille, Electronic Power Steering, 50:50 Weight Distribution, Driving Experience Control switch with different driving modes such as COMFORT/ECO PRO/SPORT/SPORT+ and many other innovative technologies. 

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