Friday, May 26, 2023

W20-MAHE Women Vice Chancellors' And Leaders' Conclave” Unveiled At MAHE Bengaluru Focusing On Women-Led Development


The W20-MAHE Women Vice Chancellors’ and Leaders’ Conclave titled Women in Higher Education for Enabling Leadership (WHEEL) was inaugurated today at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) campus, Bengaluru in the presence of over 50 women leaders from various parts of India. A Charter of Recommendations was presented to W20 calling for a shift from women’s development to women-led development, the vision shared by W20. Recommendations focused on women-led development were presented in five themes – higher education, labour force participation, skill development, care work and leadership. These aspects are important areas of intervention to mainstream progressive gender perspectives into development policies and practices.

The event was graced by prominent leaders such as Vice Chancellor of TISS Prof Dr Shalini Bharat, Dr Sandhya Purecha, the Chair of W20, Ms Dharitri Patnaik, the Chief Coordinator of W20, Ms Bharati Ghosh, former IPS and W20 Delegate, Vice Chancellor of MAHE Lt Gen Dr M D Venkatesh, and Prof Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor of MAHE, Bengaluru.

W20 is the official G20 engagement group focused on gender equity. Its primary objective is to ensure that gender considerations are mainstreamed into G20 discussions and translated into the G20 Leaders’ Declaration as policies and commitments that foster gender justice and women’s empowerment. MAHE is a knowledge partner with W20.

Prof. Dr. Shalini Bharat, Vice Chancellor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences and keynote speaker, stated that women across the world face challenges in access, acceptance and ascension. For India and G20 countries, having women at the centre-stage of ideas and practices of development is crucial. Women’s early socialisation in gender bias prevents them from undertaking courses in STEM disciplines, believed to be the domain of men; this is a trend in all G20 countries with women’s enrolment in STEM courses not exceeding beyond 45 percent. Dr Bharat also pointed out that women’s choice of subjects is reflective of the gender bias that exists in the society. The picture of women’s empowerment becomes further complex when we see women not as a homogenous category but with other intersecting factors such as caste, class, race and disability. Complementing MAHE’s proposed Charter of Recommendations, Dr. Bharat called for creating datasets that capture these intersecting complexities at levels as micro as sub-ward level as well as datasets that can be comparable across G20 countries. In order to create level-playing fields, Dr. Bharat called for grooming women leaders at administrative and educational institutions.

Dr Sandhya Purecha emphasised the importance of empowering and engaging with women leaders. She stressed on the necessity of reducing the global gender gap in leadership as data reveals that women are significantly under-represented at all decision-making levels.  She called on skill development programmes to be redesigned to make it more “inclusive and result-oriented”. Moreover, she reiterated the importance of including voices of women from different socio-economic, cultural, and minority backgrounds in order to holistically tackle gender inequality.

Ms Bharati Ghosh, former IPS and W20 Delegate, presented a grassroots perspective on women empowerment reflecting on her experiences with working to address gender inequality. She stated that digital poverty has the most adverse impact on women and girls and listed a number of measures undertaken by the centre to overcome this gendered barrier. Ms Ghosh applauded the remarkable women-led development which has become a priority within the nation’s development agenda.

Ms Dharitri Patnaik, Chief Coordinator of W20 Secretariat, emphasised on the imperative need for bridging the gender digital divide and the measures undertaken by G20 countries in this regard. Ms Patnaik called for making digital inclusion a national priority and called on Vice-Chancellors to create platforms for women’s leadership. Ms Patnaik also spoke about India’s potential for utilising educational technology for women’s empowerment.

Delivering the welcome address, Lt. Gen. Dr. M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, MAHE said, “Given the pivotal role that women play in building a healthy society, conclaves such as these offer an opportunity to reflect on the ways to advance gender equality and empower women towards creating a gender-inclusive society. Unleashing the potential of women is crucial to building a better society. That’s why it’s my absolute pleasure to be a part of this conference.” Dr Venkatesh proudly acclaimed MAHE’s recent recognition by Times Impact as a leading University in its efforts to promote gender equality with nearly 45% of its faculty members, 60% of the non-teaching staff and 47% of its students are women.

Prof Dr Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor – MAHE Bengaluru, who addressed the gathering on ‘‘Gender justice and Higher Education - A MAHE Approach’ said, “Women often face a number of challenges in all walks of professional life right from getting access to quality higher education, fewer opportunities for labour force participation, and the social burden of care work. Forums such as these are crucial to bring the underlying issues to light and smoothen the road for women.”

Prof Neeta Inamdar, Convenor and Head, Manipal Centre for European Studies, MAHE welcomed all Women Vice-Chancellors and Leaders acknowledging their contributions as changemakers in the society. She also expressed that the Charter of Recommendations presented during the Conclave will be discussed, deliberated and developed further thus meaningfully impacting the lives of women across G20 countries and beyond. Referring to one of the recommendations, Prof. Inamdar stated that generating data on several social indicators is crucial given that its unavailability is hindering evidence-based policy making. Dr. Shilpa Kalyan, Head of Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and co-convenor of the Conclave stated that MAHE is at the forefront of promoting gender diversity and inclusion.

The inauguration was followed by Nammoora Habba, an evening showcasing important folk dances of Karnataka. Day 2 will continue with five focused panel discussions with active participation of all 50 delegates.

Dalmia Bharat Foundation And Akzo Nobel Initiate “Vocational Training In Wall Painting For Sustainable Livelihood”


* Enabling women to break stereotypes of male dominated profession 

Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), corporate social responsibility arm of Dalmia Bharat Ltd. (DBL),a leading cement company in partnership with AkzoNobel India Ltd, a leading paints and coatings manufacturing companyhasinitiated vocational skill trainingin decorative wall paints for rural communitiesin Belgaum, Karnataka. This initiative was undertaken to provide an opportunity for employment in the construction industry and a means for sustainable livelihood. The programme which is open to all witnessedparticipation by many rural women who are keen to choose this as a professional career.Conventionally, painting jobs in construction sector is a male dominated area. As part of their recent initiative, Dalmia Bharat is focusing on upscaling and empowering women as‘homemakers’ in the construction industrythrough jobs like decorative painting.Till date,over 25 women and 130 menhave been trained and placed under contractual jobs. As per the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between DBF and Akzo Nobel India Ltd, 150 more beneficiaries will be enrolled as part of the programme by end of FY 23-24.  

Dalmia Bharat Foundation conducts awareness campaigns in neighbouringunderprivileged communities of Belgaumand particularlyencourages womento sign up for the programme. Theparticpants are then trained by experts from AkzoNobel in professional wall painting where they undergo a comprehensive learningcourse. The training imparts skills on indoor painting and interior designing.The trainees are awarded a certificate qualifying them as professional painters post successful completion of the program.DBF further supports them through placement in contractual jobs with various collaborators in the industry. 

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Ashok K. Gupta, CEO, Dalmia Bharat Foundation shared,“ At Dalmia Bharat we are encouraging women to join the construction industry which remains an uncommon choice for women professionally.Traditionally wall painting is known to be a man’s trade, but women are equally capable of performing this job. There were initial challenges in perception where families believed it to be unsuitable for women and considered it as a low-level skill. But, we saw this as a potential opportunity to empower underprivileged womenand help them become financially independent.We are delighted to witness the successof our pragramme. We hope it will inspire more women in the community to participatein the future. We are grateful to AkzoNobel for their support to carry out the trainings successfully.” 

Dalmia Bharat Foundation has been persistently working towards  the socio economic upliftment of the rural communities nearby its plant in Karnataka. The foundation has been conducting various programmes focusing on skill development,training on modern agricultural practices for farmers, health camps and other developmental programs in the region. 

Home-Grown D2C Fast Fashion Brand ‘The Indian Garage Co’ Is All Set To Register 100% Growth; Eyes 600 Crores In FY 2023–24


* Witnessed 3x growth and closed FY 2022-2023 with 300 crores in GMV 

The Indian Garage Co, India's homegrown fast-fashion D2C brand, is all set to create a historic business milestone with a Rs. 600 crore GMV by the end of FY 2023–24 clocking a 100% growth from last financial year. The company has been continually growing at 300% YoY since 2020, far ahead of the industry growth rate of 12% to 13% CAGR.

The Indian Garage Co. is one of the few D2C companies that is completely bootstrapped, asset light and EBITDA positive. The company has registered an exponential 3x growth in FY 23 enabling the brand to achieve a 300 crore GMV. 

Known for being fashion-forward and experimental by nature, The Indian Garage Co caters to the fashion needs of all age groups. TIGC, the men’s wear brand, is the prime category offered by the company. It has recently forayed into a women's wear line called ‘FreeHand’ and plus-sized fashion line ‘HardSoda’ under the house of brands format. 

TIGC has a distinctive product portfolio that includes over 2,500 styles across men’s casualwear and sportswear, including trendy shirts and chinos, which are the most popular among youth and Gen Z. TIGC currently sells 5–6 lakh units a month, which has enabled it to become one of the top-selling external fashion brands on Myntra and Ajio. TIGC is available offline too at the multi-branded outlet Fashion Factory.

Having a complete control over the design & delivery has enabled TIGC to promise unique fashion bets with shorter lead time making it a popular choice of brand online. This has been possible due to the genius plan of building multi product factories that not just strengthens dedicated captive capacities but also supports micro-entrepreneurship allowing for efficiency that is on par with that of the modern factories. 

TIGC recently started retailing its products exclusively on TIGC.in. Star cricketer Surya Kumar Yadav has been announced as the brand ambassador to highlight this move. The company plans to build a strong offline retail footprint too through the phygital distribution route & EBOs in the near future. 

The brand's young team is at the forefront of driving creative and trendy designs, while also incorporating their expertise in technology. With their unwavering focus on delivering tech-led fashion, the brand  is developing an in-house technology product, Chanakya, which further promises to enhance the consumer's experience.

Positive about the brand’s growth, Founder and CEO, Anant Tanted, said, "We have come a long way; it is our moment of glory to see our brand being rewarded with much needed growth at the right time! The next couple of years are very crucial for us, and we are committed to the idea of building ‘A Cult Indian Value Fashion Brand with a Global Appeal!"

With the right mix of value fashion offerings, excellent brand recall, and a dynamic marketing strategy, The Indian Garage Co. is all set to capture a considerable portion of the Indian fashion market. 

About TIGC

The Indian Garage Co. is a tech-enabled fast-fashion D2C brand that offers a diverse range of menswear collections inspired by Gen Z. This homegrown brand promises its customers a vast array of global fashion trends at an unprecedented pace.

Established in 2012 by Anant Tanted, TIGC has grown organically and scaled into a 300-crore GMV business. The company has tapped into new categories like footwear and also marked new heights by foraying into women's wear and plus-sized fashion through the House of Brands format.

Nykaa's Revenue Crosses RS 5000 Crore And EBITDA Margin Improves To 5% Of Net Revenue


Nykaa today announced its financial results for the quarter and full year ended March 31, 2023. Over the last two years, Nykaa has continued to prioritize growth, profitability and creating long-term sustainable value for shareholders, customers and the larger ecosystem.

India’s BPC market today stands at $21 billion, having grown from $17 billion in 2021. This growth is indicative of the increasing consumer appetite and demand which will fuel the potential of the BPC industry. With its commitment to customer-centricity and innovation, Nykaa has played a pivotal role in building India’s BPC market through consistent education, investments in technology and bringing a diverse range of Indian and international brands on the platforms.

In FY23, Nykaa’s Revenue from Operations stood at Rs 5,143.8 Cr, demonstrating a strong growth of 36% YoY, and the company achieved EBITDA margins of 5% and EBITDA at Rs 256.0 Cr, demonstrating a 57% growth YoY. Gross Margin expanded by 73 bps YoY. EBITDA margins expanded 65bps YoY which was aided by rationalization of fulfilment expenses (164 bps) and marketing optimisation (129 bps).

Over the last two financial years, and further to the IPO, our Revenue from Operations grew from Rs 2440 Cr in FY21 to Rs 5143 Cr in FY23 and EBITDA expanded from Rs 156 Cr to Rs 256 Cr in the same period. We have balanced business growth and profitability by focusing on the right drivers.

Owing to the strength of our platforms, focused offerings and differentiated value propositions our new customer acquisition nearly doubled on a two-year basis, indicating strong post-covid customer interest. Existing customers also expanded their category choices and made repeat purchases with increased frequency.

We continue to invest in technology and marketing to improve platform capabilities and drive healthy new and repeat customer behaviour, while working towards perfecting the experience in each visit. These investments have led to the order-to-visit conversions improving over the last two years, from 2.6% to 3.7% in BPC and 0.6% to 1.0% in Fashion, reaffirming confidence in our overall long-term strategies as we build out differentiated shopping experiences.

Falguni Nayar, Executive Chairperson, MD, and CEO, Nykaa said:

“Visit conversions, as a north star metric, speak a lot towards the platform strength of our business and customer interest in Nykaa as a brand. With steady improvements of over 40% and 60% 2-year growth in beauty and fashion platform conversions, our investments towards building the right technology stack as well as customer-first shopping experiences are paying off. This strong step-function growth also comes on the back of improvements across personalization capabilities, breadth and depth of product portfolio, UI UX enhancements, marketing optimizations and quality of in-bound visit traffic. This metric is reflective of a successful experience right from one downloading the app till they open their delivery package. On a visitor conversion level, this number is even higher as customers tend to browse and explore the platform and its wide offerings before finalizing a purchase.”

To cater to widening consumer demand, we expanded our fulfilment centres to 15 cities, with a total area of almost 1.5 million sq. ft. Strategic investments in regional warehousing have led to us go closer to the customer, improve warehouse manpower productivity, reduced air shipment as well as reduced split shipments. Most importantly, it has reduced the order-to-delivery duration, leading to customer delight.

Our retail business which continues to be a strategic priority, witnessed robust growth over the last two years and has achieved profitability at a business unit level. Nykaa has doubled its own physical store count from 72 at the end of FY21 to 145 beauty stores in FY23, with a total area of more than 1.4 Lacs sq. ft. spanning across 60 cities.

Nykaa takes immense pride in offering an extensive array of beauty and personal care brands and has consistently built this offering in response to consumer demands and evolving trends. We have introduced multiple renowned domestic and international names, such as The Ordinary, Anomaly, Lancome, Acne Squad, Inde Wild, Fable & Mane, and many more. With a comprehensive portfolio of over 3,400 brands, Nykaa continues to redefine beauty retail, making it a go-to destination for all beauty and personal care needs. Our Fashion business has witnessed an impressive growth trajectory of its own, with a 293% growth in GMV over a period of two years. We now showcase over 2,850 brands, including 650 global brands such as Alo, Cider, the multi-brand fashion platform Revolve and an amazing 600+ sustainable brands. We believe in offering not just the latest trends but also choices that align with the values of our customers.

We have continued building a strong house of brands across beauty and fashion with a sharp focus on innovation and consumer delight. The portfolio includes 25 brands including Kay Beauty, Nykaa Naturals, Nykaa Cosmetics, Wanderlust in beauty and Nykd, Gajra Gang, Likha, RSVP, Pipa Bella and Mixt in fashion, that have quickly become household names, as they consistently deliver on inspiration and high performing products to the consumers. Four of these brands have crossed the Rs 100 Cr GMV mark. We recently launched two BPC owned brands in Q4 FY23 – entering the Ayurveda and Wellness space, Nyveda – a potent ayurveda brand and Nudge- a beauty nutraceuticals brand. In Q4 FY23, Nykaa Fashion launched MIXT, a unisex fashion forward brand targeted towards Gen-Z

Emboldened by the support of our partners, we forayed into the GCC market to create a distinct beauty retail experience and forged a strategic alliance with the Apparel Group to build an omnichannel presence in the emerging beauty hotspot.

Our FY23 performance has demonstrated our commitment to growing lifestyle choices for our consumers through our core beauty and fashion businesses.

About Nykaa:

Nykaa (FSN E-Commerce) was founded in 2012 by Indian entrepreneur Falguni Nayar with a vision of bringing inspiration and joy to people, everywhere, every single day. Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Nayaka’, meaning one in the spotlight, Nykaa has emerged as one of India’s leading lifestyle-focused consumer technologies platforms. Since its launch, Nykaa expanded its product categories by introducing online platforms Nykaa Fashion, Nykaa Man, and Superstore. Delivering a comprehensive Omnichannel e-commerce experience, Nykaa offers over 4,500 brands its website and mobile applications. The Nykaa Guarantee ensures that products available at Nykaa are 100% authentic and sourced directly from the brand or authorized retailers. Through engaging and educational content, digital marketing, social media influence, robust CRM strategies, and the Nykaa Network community platform, Nykaa has built a loyal community of millions of beauty and fashion enthusiasts. Over the years, Nykaa has received many accolades for disrupting the beauty market. At the 17th India Business Leader Award in 2022, Nykaa was awarded as the Disruptor of the Year and Kantar’s Brandz List features Nykaa as one of most valuable brands in India. www.nykaa.com 

This T20 Season, Nestlé MUNCH Gives Young Cricket Fans A Chance To Meet Their Favourite T20 Stars


* Partners with Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore

Nestlé MUNCH amped up the excitement of the ongoing cricket season by becoming the “official crunch partner” for the three teams - Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore. As the cricket euphoria peaked in the country with the return of the T20 season, MUNCH launched an experiential campaign that gave fans a chance to play their favourite sport and meet the T20 stars.

Building on the cricket fervour, MUNCH unveiled special limited-edition packs featuring players from the three teams. Consumers could scan the QR code on the pack and get a one-of-a-kind digital gully cricketing experience with their favourite team. They stood a chance to win exciting merchandise and top winners also got a chance to crunch it with their favorite T20 stars by meeting them for one-of-its kind VR playoff.

One of the MUNCH Chance to Meet T20 Stars winners in a unique VR playoff against Gujarat Titans

Commenting on the campaign launch, Rupali Rattan, Head of Confectionery Business, Nestlé India said, “Extending our passion for cricket and encouraging youngsters to crunch with confidence, Nestlé MUNCH partnered with these teams to come up with yet another first of its kind digital experience for our consumers. Youngsters always dream of playing with their favourite cricket stars. Nestlé MUNCH through this unique association and experience gave a chance to these young fans to meet and play with their cricketing heroes."

Joy Chauhan, Chief Client Officer - South Asia, Managing Partner – North, Wunderman Thompson said, “Nestlé MUNCH, the self-doubt cruncher, is back on the T20 tournament stage and we are super excited to conceptualise and execute yet another thrilling technology first experiential campaign. Our team at WT Experiential continues to leverage creative technologies to conceptualise and build super exciting experience for the cricket loving teenagers this T20 season that would let them unlock opportunity to meet T20 team players.”

*Meet and greet was conducted in a physical or Virtual setup

Bank of India increases Fixed Deposit Rates For 1 Year Tenor, Offering Upto 7.65% For Super Senior Citizens


Bank of India, one of the leading public sector banks in India, has increased the interest rates for 1 year tenor to 7.00% with effect from 26th May, 2023 for retail customers(for less than Rs 2 crores deposits). Following the revision bank offers rate of interest in the range of 3 % to 7.00 % for normal customers for deposits maturing in the range of 7 days to 10 years. It provides an interest rate of 7.50% for senior citizens and 7.65 % for super senior citizens for a deposit period of 1 year. The revised interest rates are applicable for domestic, NRO and NRE deposits.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Flags Off The First Zonal Drive Of Its ‘Great 4X4 X-pedition’, In Southern Region Of India


Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) flagged off its highly anticipated ‘Great 4x4 X-pedition’ today, marking the beginning of an extraordinary three-day adventure for motoring enthusiasts across the country. This thrilling drive aims to captivate and engage the 4x4 SUV fans through an unparalleled off-roading experience, encouraging them to go beyond the ordinary, by igniting the spirits of adventure, and create lasting memories through this exciting journey with Toyota. This endeavour is poised to deliver "Mass Happiness" to all the participating 4x4 community.

The Great 4x4 X-pedition by Toyota commenced this morning from Bangalore with the participation of 4x4 enthusiasts from Southern India. It will traverse through the exhilarating routes of Hassan and Sakleshpur over next two-days with an impressive convoy of 4x4 SUVs, driven by off-roading enthusiasts to unleash the true potential of their proudly owned vehicles, including the legendary Hilux, Fortuner 4x4, LC 300, Hyryder AWD, as well as other SUV brands of vehicles.

As an integral part of this X-pedition, TKM has created an additional 4WD track replete with natural obstacles like articulation, side inclines, rambler, deep ditches, slush, rocky beds, and more, ensuring an extreme off-roading experience like no other. Over the next few days, participants will not only indulge in thrilling off-roading adventures but also immerse themselves in the scenic beauty of the region and explore historical points of interest along the way. This initiative also encompasses company’s vision towards sustainability by engaging in social interventions and contribute to restore nature’s ecosystem. Moreover, attendees can partake in various recreational activities that is expected to enhance the excitement of this inspiring 4x4 outdoor lifestyle experience.

Marking the flag-off of the first-ever ‘Great 4x4 X-pedition’ in southern region of India, Mr. Atul Sood - Vice President, Sales and Strategic Marketing of Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "The Great 4x4 X-pedition by Toyota is designed to connect with the 4x4 fans, enriching their experiences by providing them an opportunity to be a part of our unforgettable journey. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the enthusiastic participants, and wishing them a safe, memorable, and exhilarating drive”.

#FlauntYourSuperpower With OPPO F23 5G, The Ultimate Battery Powerhouse Priced At Rs 24,999



* The OPPO F23 5G, equipped with a large 5,000mAh battery, 67W SUPERVOOCTM fast charging, and OPPO's Battery Health Engine, is built for those who suffer low battery anxiety

OPPO, the leading global smart devices brand, announces the launch of its latest smartphone, the OPPO F23 5G. The device will be available at INR 24,999, from May 18,2023 at 12AM, through the OPPO Store, on Amazon, and at mainline retail outlets.

With the sale of F21 series, Bangalore has raised its market share by 73% and currently operates 35 service stations in the state.

Recent research by OPPO & Counterpoint indicated that 3 out of 4 people in India have Nomophobia--the fear of being left without a phone--triggered mostly by low/dead battery. The study also revealed that 46% of respondents charge their phones twice daily, 92% use power-saving mode to deal with battery discharge issues, and 60% of smartphone users will buy a new phone if their current one does not have a good battery. 

To combat the issue of Nomophobia--and to meet this very articulated need for a device with a long-lasting, large-capacity, durable battery--OPPO has introduced F23 5G.

The handset features OPPO's proprietary 67W SUPERVOOCTM flash charging that juices the device to 50% in just 18 minutes, while a 5-minute charge can provide up to 6 hours of phone calls or 2.5 hours of YouTube video viewing. On a full charge, its 5000mAh battery lasts up to 39 hours of phone calls and 16 hours of YouTube video viewing.

Also, OPPO's Battery Health Engine ensures that the device can be charged-discharged 1600 times, which means the F23 5G will perform at close to optimal capacity for up to four years.

Damyant Khanoria, Chief Marketing Officer, OPPO, said, "At OPPO, we understand that nomophobia, or the fear of being without a mobile phone or being unable to use it, is a real concern for many smartphone users. With the OPPO F23 5G, we're proud to offer innovative technologies like Battery Health Engine and SuperVOOC fast charging, which provides reliable and convenient battery performance for a seamless experience. So, you can focus on enjoying the things you love to do with your phone without worrying about its battery life."

Additionally, OPPO focuses on battery reliability and safety with features like all-day AI power-saving mode, super night-time standby, and 5-layer charging protection that comprises adaptor overload protection, flash charge condition identification protection, charging port overload protection, battery current/voltage overload protection, and battery fuse protection.

Power-packed Smooth experience

The F23 5G phone is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G SoC and comes with 256GB storage that can accommodate 80 full-length movies, over 1,00,000 images, or 40,000+ songs, making it ideal for individuals on the go; the device also supports expandable memory up to 1TB via SD card. And its 8GB RAM can be extended by a further 8GB from storage via OPPO's RAM expansion technology.

The F23 5G runs on ColorOS 13.1, which enhances privacy and performance with features like screen translate that allows you to point the camera at a script for instant AI-based translation, auto pixelate user photos in messaging apps, and a private safe to secure all your sensitive documents and photos.

Unparalleled smartphone photography experience

The OPPO F23 5G sports an advanced camera setup--a 64MP AI shooter, a 2MP depth camera, a 2MP microlens, and a 32MP selfie snapper--backed by proprietary features such as Portrait Mode, AI Portrait Retouching, Selfie HDR, and AI Color Portrait to deliver stunning, high-quality images in all situations.

An Ergonomic yet durable design

For premium looks, the F23 5G sports OPPO Glow, which comprises millions of nano-level etchings on the back to resemble microscopic diamonds; its 3D curved back is fingerprint resistant and has a slight curve on each edge to make it more comfortable to grip.

The device has undergone the most rigorous durability tests in the lab to assess its resistance to physical drops, water damage, radiation, climate impact, and signal stability. 

Keeping users engaged with a bright display

The OPPO F23 5G is fronted by a bright 6.72-inch large display that is legible even in direct sunlight and supports an Ultra-High Refresh Rate of 120Hz to deliver a smooth user experience. It boasts a 3D curved screen with a 91.4% screen-to-body ratio that maximises the display size while minimising bezels.

Market availability

OPPO F23 5G will be available in two colours- Bold Gold and Cool Black from 18th May. The 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM model is priced at XXX and available for purchase from OPPO store, Amazon, and mainline retail outlets.

Customers can avail the following offers on the first sale of OPPO F23 5G:

·        Customers can enjoy up to 10% Cash Back and No Cost EMI up to 6 months from May 18 till May 31 on ICICI Bank, SBI Cards, Kotak Mahindra Bank, & other leading Banks and Financiers. The offer can also be availed from Bajaj Finance, TVS Credit, and HDB Financials on EMI Finance schemes

·        Loyal OPPO customers can avail an Exchange + Loyalty Bonus of up to INR 2500. Customers owning smartphones other than OPPO can also avail an exchange offer of up to INR 1500

·        Attractive EMI Schemes, including Zero down payment are available on Bajaj Finance, TVS credit, IDFC First Bank, HDB Financials, & other leading financers

Customers can avail the OPPOverse Bundle Offer:

·        Buy OPPO F23 and Enco Air2i between May 18 to May 23 and get Enco Air2i at a discounted price of only INR 1799.

Gokaldas Exports’ Delivers A Strong Performance During FY23


Gokaldas Exports Limited today declared its financial results for the year ended March 31, 2023. The Company reported consolidated net profit of Rs 173.0 Cr, up by 47.7% compared to Rs 117.1 Cr for the last year and reported a consolidated revenues of Rs 2247.2 Cr for the year, up by 24.8% compared to Rs 1801.0 Cr for the last year.

Commenting on the company’s fourth quarter performance, Mr. Siva Ganapathi, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Gokaldas Exports said, “Our performance is a testament to our dedicated team and unwavering commitment to excellence which have propelled us to new heights, delivering outstanding results in a challenging market environment globally. The government's emphasis on boosting exports through budget allocation and trade agreements will play a crucial role in driving the industry forward.”

The company will continue to focus on optimal resource utilization and drive operational excellence in the coming quarters.

The Company is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors have recommended a final dividend of Re.1/- (one rupee only) per equity share (i.e., 20% of face value of Rs. 5 per equity share) for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, subject to approval of the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the Company.

About Gokaldas Exports

Established in 1979, Gokaldas Exports has evolved to become a one-stop solution for some of the world’s most recognized apparel brands. With an annual turnover of USD 275 million, Gokaldas Exports is India’s largest manufacturer and exporter of apparels. Exporting to more than 50 countries, Gokaldas has 20+ production units, 15000+ advanced machines that produce 3.0 million garments in a month. ~26,000 employees of Gokaldas Exports work together to ensure Gokaldas Exports’ vision of being a globally reputed apparel manufacturer and exporter comes true with emphasis on innovation and sustainability.

Equitas Small Finance Bank Collaborates With IBM On Modernized Banking Platform For Digital-First Generation


* Cloud-native secure platform to elevate customer experience and catalyse the next phase of high-speed growth for the bank

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced that Equitas Small Finance Bank is collaborating with IBM Consulting to design and build a digital banking platform that delivers a modern and highly secure experience to the bank’s customers and partners. The collaboration aims to boost Equitas’ digital products and services offerings as it evolves its business for a digital-first generation. Through this association, Equitas will embark on a high-speed path to leverage technology as a differentiator in its next phase of growth.

Launched in 2016, Equitas Small Finance Bank is one of the leading small finance banks in India. After having established its business as part of the initial growth phase, Equitas is now looking to capitalize on its position as a technology-forward industry leader. As part of the next growth phase, Equitas aims to commence its modernization journey with a cloud-native platform architecture that aligns with the bank’s business strategy.

To help achieve these layered objectives, Equitas is working together with IBM Consulting to adopt a cloud native architecture so that digital channels and applications can securely run across any technology environment. This will help boost operational efficiency for the bank and enhance adherence to industry regulatory compliance requirements, while enforcing higher levels of security. IBM Consulting will develop and deploy modern web and admin portals for Retail Banking and Corporate Banking as well as multi-device banking apps for Retail Banking.

Narayanan Easwaran, Chief Information Officer, Equitas Small Finance Bank said, “Equitas SFB as part of its ongoing digital transformation program would be focusing on customer experience by leveraging data and analytics to drive omni channel engagement and enable a platform-driven ecosystem to make the experience of banking and finance more personalized and empowering. The bank’s delivery model would be highly product-centric moving away from traditional Program Management methodologies to Agile frameworks for the various channels including mobile. This partnership with IBM is just the first step towards engaging customers. We are confident that this strategic partnership with IBM will help simplify and transform the banking experience for customers across the board.”

Kamal Singhani, Country Managing Partner, IBM Consulting, India/ South Asia said, “Evolving consumer demands have made digitization the need of the hour, especially for the financial services sector, as it scales to newer customer-centric business models. We’re excited to be the consulting partner and technology collaborator of Equitas in its next growth phase. We are leveraging the deep banking industry expertise coupled with digital experience and cloud capabilities of IBM Consulting to design a modern platform to support Equitas Bank’s digital journey for its customers.”

About Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited [ESFB]

Equitas Small Finance Bank is one of the largest small finance banks in India. As a new-age bank, we offer a bouquet of products and services tailored to meet the needs of our customers – individuals with limited access to formal financing channels, as well as affluent and mass affluent, Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and corporates. Our firmly entrenched strategy focuses on providing credit to the unbanked and underbanked micro and small entrepreneurs, developing products to address the growing aspirations at the ‘bottom of the pyramid’, fueled by granular deposits and ‘value for money’ banking relationships.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Capri Loans Acquires 51% Stake in CarLelo Paving The Way For Digital Transformation In The Indian Automotive Market


Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd (CGHL), the holding company for Capri Global Capital Limited - a prominent non-banking financial company with the brand name Capri Loans, has expanded its national footprint by acquiring 51% stake in CarLelo, India's leading online new car selling platform. This strategic investment, amounting to Rupees 150 crore, reinforces Capri Loans' position as a key player in the Indian automotive financing market while driving digital transformation and enhancing the consumer experience. 

Capri Loans is the No. 1 new car loan aggregator in the Car Loan industry, clocking a whopping number of 60,000 car loans in the last financial year itself. As a prominent player in the financial services industry, Capri Loans recognizes the immense potential in the online new car financing segment. This acquisition is a natural progression towards cementing Capri Loans commitment to customer convenience and its dedication to meet the evolving needs of Car Loan customers nationwide. 

Emphasizing the company's customer-centric approach and this acquisition, Mr Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director & Founder, Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd stated, "At Capri Loans, customer convenience lies at the core of our operations. This investment is a testament to our commitment to driving growth of the online new car sales & financing market while empowering new-age techpreneurs to overcome existing market challenges. Through our partnership with CarLelo, we aim to cater to the ever-evolving needs and requirements of customers across the nation. Capri Loans recognizes this investment as an opportunity to foster the expansion of the burgeoning online new car sales market, all while prioritising utmost convenience in terms of financing for customers and propelling forward cutting-edge solutions within the industry." 

With this fresh influx of capital, CarLeLo will improve its presence, services and technology which will be utilised to acquire new customers. The robust services that CarLelo provides will also work towards improving relationships with existing consumers. CarLelo currently has 1,200 associates strategically placed across 34 cities in India who regularly interact with customers, delivering them end-to-end services for all their new vehicle-related needs. In addition, the company will also handhold 8,000+ authorized dealerships in the country to enhance customers’ digital buying and selling experience. Further, CarLelo, with its innovation in online new car sales, intends to sell around 7,000 to 8,000 cars every month, making it the go-to platform for customers seeking a hassle-free car buying experience. The online platform also offers a catalog of 32 brands, 265 models and 1,700 variants.  

Gaurav Aggarwal, the visionary CEO of CarLelo, expressed his excitement about the association with Capri Loans, said, "Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd.’s investment serves as a resounding validation of CarLelo's vision to revolutionize the new car selling and buying experience for today's tech-savvy generation, ushering in unprecedented transformations in the online auto sales market. With the increasing prominence of digital sales and the anticipated rise to an 80% market share within the next two years, driven by the rapid penetration of the internet and smartphones, as well as the shifting consumer sentiments towards online purchases of high-value items, this investment will bolster our endeavours to enhance our services and facilitate seamless car transfers by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. The digital car sales realm represents an untapped and abundant market opportunity, and together, CarLelo and Capri Loans can forge new frontiers within this domain.” 

Capri Loans understands that today's customers seek convenience, transparency, and competitive pricing when purchasing a new car. With CarLelo's user-friendly platform, customers can easily research and compare different car models, obtain quotes and loan options and even book test drives online.  

About Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd: 

Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd. is the holding company for Capri Global Capital Limited (CGCL). CGCL is a diversified Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) and is part of the NIFTY Small Cap 250 Index. The Company operates in high-growth segments such as MSME Loans, Affordable Housing Finance, Gold Loan, and Construction Finance. The Company also acts as a corporate distributor for car loan products of six leading commercial banks. CGCL offers its loan products to the unbanked and underserved masses across Northern and Western geographies of the country, through its strong network of 700+ branches spread across 15 States and Union Territories with a workforce of ~8,000 employees. The tech-enabled processes and recently introduced business analytics ensure that CGCL offers products tailored to meet the requirements of borrowers with a solid governance and risk-control framework. CGCL enjoys a robust credit rating of ‘CARE A+ (Outlook Stable)’ for its long-term borrowing program and NCDs and the highest rating of ‘IVR A1+’ for its short-term borrowing program. The Housing Finance business is rated ‘CARE A+ (Outlook Stable)’ for its long-term borrowing program. The Company has bagged ‘Best BFSI Brand 2021’ by The Economic Times and received certification as a Great Place to Work from Great Place to Work Institute for 2023-24 for a second consecutive year. 

Aditya Birla Capital Launches One Verse To Offer Customers An Immersive & Interactive Experience In The Metaverse


-          Becomes one of the leading Non-Banking Players in India to open a Virtual Lounge in the Metaverse

-          Customers can access financial products & schemes, and receive personalized financial advice from customer care representatives in a secure and interactive space

-          Access various digital self-service channels such as WhatsApp, Bot, and Web portal etc.

Aditya Birla Capital, the financial services arm of the Aditya Birla Group, announced the launch of One Verse, a Virtual Lounge in the Metaverse to offer its customers an immersive and interactive experience of the vast offerings of its PIFA solutions which is Protection, Investing, Financing and Advising. Its protection offerings include insurance solutions for life, health, motor, travel, corporate general insurance, and wellness; investing offerings include mutual funds, stocks & securities broking, wealth, portfolio management services and pension funds; the financing solutions consist of home finance, personal finance, SME finance, mortgage finance, loan against securities, corporate finance, debt capital market & loan syndication and asset reconstruction; it also offers money advisory services to help customers fulfil their financial services needs.

With this launch, Aditya Birla Capital becomes one of the leading Non-Banking Players in India to open a Virtual Lounge in the Metaverse.

In line with its digital strategy of implementing emerging technologies and innovative digitization initiatives across age-groups, One Verse becomes another digital channel for Aditya Birla Capital for engaging with the younger generation of tech savvy customers. It will also provide them with the knowledge of financial services through an immersive and interactive virtual experience. Users can access One Verse through the Aditya Birla Capital’s website, Mobile app or by using the Occulus VR headset.

One Verse offers a virtual replica of the physical branches, wherein customers can create their digital twin by taking a selfie and entering the Virtual Lounge to interact with an agent and navigate through the various product and service experiences.

Features & Benefits

-          The Virtual Lounge features interactive displays, digital walls to deliver a unique experience of its Protecting, Investing, Financing and Advising solutions to customers

-          Customers can create their digital avatars, and interact with representatives of Aditya Birla Capital

-          They can also access various digital self-service channels like WhatsApp, Bot, and Web portal by scanning the QR code or by clicking on the Web Portal tab

-          The platform further allows customers to access financial products and schemes anytime, anywhere, and receive personalized financial advice from customer representatives in a secure and interactive space

-          The platform is a virtual replica of the physical branches and customer can interact with the customer care executive for any assistance on queries.

Aditya Birla Capital has been bolstering its digital capabilities by scaling up its digital base to build an integrated portfolio of digital assets to serve customers in a frictionless manner and across channels of their choice.

It launched Udyog Plus, a comprehensive digital platform for MSME ecosystem, to offer a completely paperless digital journey for business loans and loan disbursement of up to Rs 10 lakh. The platform is integrated with government e-commerce websites via Open Credit Enablement Network and with private e-commerce websites to provide credit facilities to sellers on these platforms.

Aditya Birla Capital also incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Aditya Birla Capital Digital Limited (“ABCDL”) to develop an omni-channel Direct-to-Customer (D2C) platform to serve existing customers, acquire new customers and act as a one stop-solution for delivering PIFA solutions to customers. In addition, it collaborated with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to develop and promote a complete set of digital payment options to customers, through its subsidiaries.

It recently launched INFINITE, a flagship start-up engagement programme, to co-create solutions with tech-driven start-ups for enhancing customer journeys and increasing operational efficiencies.

About Aditya Birla Capital Limited

Aditya Birla Capital Limited (“ABCL”) is the holding company for the financial services businesses of the Aditya Birla Group.

With subsidiaries/JVs that have a strong presence across Protecting, Investing and Financing solutions, ABCL is a financial solutions group that caters to the diverse needs of its customers across their life cycle. Powered by more than 34,000 employees, the businesses of ABCL have a nationwide reach with over 1,295 branches, more than 2,00,000 agents/channel partners and various bank partners.

As of March 31, 2023, Aditya Birla Capital Limited manages aggregate assets under management of about Rs. 3,600 billion with a consolidated lending book of approx. Rs. 943 billion, and an active customer base of approx. 38 million, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures. Aditya Birla Capital Limited is a part of the Aditya Birla Group, which is in the league of Fortune 500. Anchored by an extraordinary force of over 140,000 employees, belonging to 100 nationalities, the Aditya Birla Group operates in 36 countries across the globe. For more information, visit www.adityabirlacapital.com

Glenmark Pharma Concludes Hypertension Awareness Month In India, In Association With More Than 1000 Healthcare Professionals


- Partnered with more than 210 hospitals and clinics in 143 cities across the country

- Conducted 214 Hypertension public awareness rallies and screening camps

- Have reached out to more than 10 Million adults through multiple channels including its digital platform: www.bpincontrol.in

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited (Glenmark), an innovation-driven, global pharmaceutical company marked May as the Hypertension Awareness Month. Glenmark partnered with more than 1000 healthcare professionals (HCPs) from more than 210 hospitals and clinics in 143 cities across the country, and organized 214 public awareness rallies and screening camps to create mass awareness around Hypertension (High Blood Pressure).

The rallies consisted of informative sessions led by HCPs, who provided detailed insights on the signs, symptoms, and preventive measures related to Hypertension. Subsequently, blood pressure screening camps were set up to offer the general public an opportunity to assess their blood pressure levels. As a result of this initiative, Glenmark successfully reached out to 10 Million adults, effectively raising awareness about the disease.

While speaking about this program, Alok Malik, Executive Vice President & Head of India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., said, “We at Glenmark are firmly committed to creating awareness and making a meaningful impact in the fight against hypertension in India. With increasing prevalence, it is crucial that we prioritize raising awareness about this silent killer among the Indian population including young adults above the age of 18. Through our initiatives, we aim to empower individuals with knowledge about the risks and the importance of early detection, and management. Together, we can make a significant difference in improving the health outcomes of millions affected by this condition."

Glenmark has been at the forefront of raising awareness and promoting the diagnosis of hypertension among the Indian population. With its anti-hypertension medication, Telma®, Glenmark has emerged as a leader in the hypertension category, demonstrating its commitment to addressing this health concern. The company had also launched the #TakeChargeAt18 campaign to drive Hypertension awareness and screening of Indian adults above 18 years of age. The company has already reached out to millions of Indian adults through multiple channels and campaigns including its digital platform: www.bpincontrol.in. In 2020, Glenmark launched the world’s first-ever Hypertension awareness symbol – “The BP logo” in association with HSI (Hypertension society of India) and API (Association of Physicians of India).

Hypertension, a prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, affects approximately 30% of adults in India1. Alarmingly, CVD is the leading cause of death in the country, responsible for almost one-third of all mortality cases. India has established a goal of achieving a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) among individuals aged 18 years and older by 2025, as part of its efforts to tackle this issue effectively2. Achieving this goal requires a concerted effort to enhance awareness around hypertension, as it serves as a crucial facilitator for encouraging people to proactively manage this condition. Additionally, greater awareness will emphasize the significance of adopting effective management strategies.

About Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BSE: 532296 | NSE: GLENMARK) is an innovation-driven, global pharmaceutical company with a presence across Branded, Generics, and OTC segments; with a focus on therapeutic areas of respiratory, dermatology and oncology. The company has 10 world-class manufacturing facilities spread across 4 continents, and operations in over 80 countries. In Vivo/Scrip 100 positions Glenmark amongst the Top 100 Companies Ranked by R&D and Pharmaceutical Sales, 2021; while Generics Bulletin/In Vivo places it in the Top 50 Generics and Biosimilars Companies Ranked by Sales, 2021. Glenmark has impacted over 2.6 million lives over the last decade through its CSR interventions. For more information, visit www.glenmarkpharma.com. You can follow us on LinkedIn (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals) and Instagram (glenmark_pharma).

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

LG Celebrates 10N ears Of Innovation With Launch Of Biggest Ever OLED TV Line-Ups


* 2023 marks 10 years of LG’s innovations and being number one in OLED TV technology

* The highlight of the new range is “The World’s Largest 246cm (97) OLED TV and World’s only Flexible Gaming OLED TV.,

* New line-up offers the world’s widest range of OLED TVs, from 106 cm (42) – 246 cm (97), for a customized viewing experience

LG Electronics, India’s leading Consumer Durable brand today announced the launch of its highly anticipated 2023 OLED TV line-up. LG continues to revolutionize the home entertainment industry with cutting-edge advancements and unrivalled picture quality. This year also marks the 10th Anniversary of its highly successful self-lit OLED TVs. LG continues to garner praise globally for its meaningful innovations, and this year it has introduced, The world’s Largest 246cm (97) OLED TV and World’s only Flexible Gaming OLED TV.

The 2023 LG OLED line-up gives ultimate choice to the customers with 21 models across different variants which includes the World’s only 8K OLED Z3 series, OLED evo Gallery edition G3 Series, OLED evo C3 series, OLED B3 and A3 series TVs. The upgraded OLED evo provides higher brightness and color accuracy with amazing clarity and detail. In addition to this, LG is also introducing the LG OLED OBJECT Collection POSE, an ultimate lifestyle TV and OLED Flex, a Gaming powerhouse that has a very unique proposition in which the user can bend the screen with 20 different levels of curves to find the ideal arc for total immersion. The latest line-up offers the widest range of OLED TVs from 106 cm (42) to 246 cm (97) for a customizable viewing experience. LG OLED is renowned for its exceptional picture quality, producing vibrant, accurate colors with deep blacks, and an infinite contrast ratio for remarkably lifelike images.

Hong Ju Jeon MD- LG Electronics India said, “Our latest line-up showcases our unwavering commitment to providing a distinctive user experience and reimagining the concept of home entertainment for our valued consumers. By introducing innovative features and expanding our OLED TV portfolio to cater to diverse consumer segments, we are reaffirming LG's position as a leader in the premium TV market. With this new range, we are confident to further solidify our market dominance in OLED TV technology.”

LG’s latest OLED TVs elevate the viewing experience with self-lit picture quality, powerful image processing technologies, and an upgraded webOS platform providing even more smart features, as well as access to an ever-increasing library of lifestyle services.

LG ?9 Gen 6 Intelligent Processor for optimized picture and sound quality

The new Alpha series processor used in the 2023 OLED TVs utilizes LG’s most sophisticated AI-assisted Deep Learning tech to ensure outstanding picture and sound quality. AI Picture Pro offers improved upscaling for better clarity and enhanced dynamic tone mapping, which helps reveal the depth and detail in every frame. AI Picture Pro also integrates a picture processing technology that detects and refines important objects, such as people’s faces, to give them a more lifelike HDR quality. In addition to fine-tuning image reproduction, the ?9 AI Processor Gen 6 powered AI Sound Pro helps viewers get swept up in the onscreen action by delivering virtual 9.1.2 surround sound from the TVs’ built-in speaker system.

Brightness Booster for more realistic images

LG OLED evo TVs offer exceptional clarity and detail, images that provide a real-life-like experience. Another significant upgrade in this year’s OLED Evo G3 series is LG’s Brightness Booster Max technology, which incorporates brand-new light control architecture and light-boosting algorithms to increase brightness by up to 70 percent. The brightness is mapped and controlled on a pixel-by-pixel basis, resulting in sharper, more realistic images.

Upgraded UX for a more personalized experience

LG’s 2023 OLED TVs come with the latest version of webOS which offers a refreshed, more personalized user experience. This year’s models offer a redesigned user interface (UI) with All New Home, which provides a wealth of personalization options and more convenience. The new ‘Quick Cards’ offer users easy access to the content and services they use the most, grouped into logical categories such as Home Office, Gaming, Music, and Sports. This advanced webOS also offers personalized recommendations tailored to the preferences of the customers based on viewing history and viewing habits.

Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for an immersive cinematic experience

LG OLED TVs continue to support the image- and audio-enhancing capabilities of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, offering a truly immersive home cinema experience. The new line-up also offers seamless integration with the latest LG sound bars, thus, delivering outstanding multi-channel surround sound with IMAX-enhanced quality powered by DTS:X. LG TV and sound bar also combine to offer the WOW Orchestra3 feature, which produces stronger and more immersive sound.

Optimized for Gaming

LG OLED TVs are equipped with the Game Optimizer which allows users to quickly select and switch between gaming-specific features. The self-lit OLED TVs also boast a 0.1 millisecond response time, low input lag with up to four HDMI2.1a and compliant ports. Settings for G-SYNC? Compatible, FreeSync™ Premium and variable refresh rate (VRR) are also easily accessible from the Game Optimizer which not just improves gaming experience but also creates a stadium-like experience while watching sports events.

LG Smart Camera

The LG Smart Cam allows you to enhance your smart experiences like video conferencing, fitness, and more with a high-definition camera with a built-in dual mic and multi-view function. The sleek, magnetic design snaps on for a great fit on your TV and includes a privacy slider you can close when the camera is not in use. This will be available as a free accessory with Selected OLED TVs.

Widest Range of Screen Sizes Ever

LG’s new line-up also welcomes the world’s largest range of OLED TV screen size selections from the smallest display of 106 cm (42) to the largest 246 cm (97) to fulfil their consumers’ requirements. The G3 OLED evo series is available in 139 cm (55), 164 cm (65) and 195 cm (77). G3 comes with an aesthetic upgrade via the introduction of the ultra-seamless One Wall Design. Leaving no visible gap when wall-mounted, this year’s models bring style and effortless elegance to the living room or wherever users choose to install them. Furthermore, LG’s latest OLED TVs are easy to move or mount on the wall due to the use of a composite fiber material. LG’s C3 series offers the most screen sizes of the 2022 line up with a total of six to choose from 106 cm (42) to 210 cm (83). Hence, no matter the size of the consumers’ home entertainment space, LG has an OLED TV to offer for all.

Pricing

The price starts from Rs 119,990 for OLED42C3 per unit to Rs 75, 00,000 for ROLLABLE TV per unit.

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 an acknowledged trendsetter in 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 can 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.

De Beers On Pace To Deliver On Ambitious 2030 Sustainability Goals And Create Enduring Positive Impact For People And The Planet


* 2022 sustainability report highlights milestones in climate ambition and ethical leadership of the diamond industry

De Beers Group today provided an update on progress toward its 2030 ‘Building Forever’ sustainability goals. The goals were set in 2020 and are De Beers’ blueprint for creating a positive and sustainable impact in its host countries and throughout the diamond value chain. They span four pillars: leading ethical practices, partnering for thriving communities, protecting the natural world, and accelerating equal opportunity. During 2022, De Beers saw advances across all four Building Forever pillars and all 12 goals, which included reductions in water use and energy intensity, innovations in diamond tracing technology, increased representation of women in senior leadership and progress toward its climate commitments.

A notable milestone was setting emission reduction targets across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, which have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). De Beers’ near-term SBTi-validated targets are to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions 42 per cent by 2030 and to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions 25 per cent within the same timeframe. In setting the targets across all three scopes, De Beers is extending its climate ambition over and above its existing commitment to be carbon neutral across Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.

The SBTi-validated targets represent the reductions required by the organisation to align with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. However, under its existing carbon neutral commitment and with the implementation of its ‘Reduce and Replace’ strategy, De Beers expects to exceed its SBTi-validated targets for reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.

De Beers also accelerated the pace of innovation and investment in its blockchain provenance platform, Tracr. The platform was deployed at scale in 2022 and enables participants to provide assurance of a diamond’s source as it travels through the value chain. More than half of De Beers’ global production by value is now being registered on Tracr, which was recently named by Forbes as one of the world’s 50 leading blockchains for the third time.

Al Cook, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “De Beers has a simple belief that informs everything we do: the diamonds we discover belong to the communities and countries in which they are found. We are inspired by the beauty and rarity of natural diamonds and the natural world, and we know how precious diamonds are – not only for the people who wear them, but for all those they touch along the way.

“Building Forever is about taking a long-term view. We work hand-in-hand with the communities in which we live and work to shape a better future. Our actions range from addressing the climate crisis to growing prosperity wherever we operate. And by using our proprietary technologies, we can now connect our customers to the origin, impact and stories of their diamonds. Building Forever will continue to guide every decision De Beers makes and touch every diamond we discover.”

The 2022 sustainability report provides a detailed overview of the Building Forever pillars and goals, along with key progress toward each – a summary of which follows:

Leading ethical practices

De Beers is committed to advancing industry standards, enhancing the transparency of diamond provenance and improving the livelihoods of artisanal miners.

Key highlights include:

·         Increased the number of entities participating in the Best Practice Principles, the company’s set of leading ethical, social and environmental standards which are independently audited, to 2,690 from 2,283 in 2021.

·         Launched the Tracr blockchain platform at scale, enabling diamond origin to be immutably recorded from source to store. More than half of De Beers’ global rough diamond production by value is now being registered on Tracr.

·         Increased the number of mine sites participating in GemFair, De Beers’ programme to support the formalisation of the artisanal mining sector, to 263 from 219 in 2021. The programme also provided fair and equitable finance to support the operations of 49 members.

Protecting the natural world

De Beers understands that for its business and host communities to thrive, it must protect the natural world. In all of its activities, De Beers follows best practices for biodiversity and water management, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, waste and mine closure and rehabilitation.

Key highlights include:

·         Achieved a 14 per cent reduction in freshwater withdrawals and a four per cent reduction in energy intensity compared with 2021.

·         In partnership with Anglo American and EDF Renewables, commenced development of more than 70 MW of renewable energy projects in southern Africa.

·         Invested $2 million in Kelp Blue, a start-up that grows underwater kelp forests off the coast of Namibia, which can absorb carbon up to 50 times faster than land-based forests. In addition to supporting De Beers’ carbon neutral commitment, Kelp Blue will also create jobs and support sustainable economic development in Namibia.

·         Marked the 20th anniversary of the Diamond Route, the 500,000-acre network of conservation sites that De Beers manages across southern Africa, protecting more than 50 mammal species.

·         Continued Okavango Eternal, a partnership with National Geographic to protect the critically important headwards of the Okavango Delta. Progress included installing innovative water monitoring technology, deepening research and understanding, and engaging with communities on soil-friendly farming methods.

Partnering for thriving communities

De Beers is focused on working with a range of stakeholders to help build a sustainable future and contribute to a better quality of life in its host communities, with particular emphasis on health and wellbeing, education and skills development, economic diversification, and livelihood support.

Key highlights include:

·         Marked two decades since the introduction of De Beers’ pioneering HIV programme to provide free and confidential treatment to employees and their families living with HIV and AIDS. The programme has helped to save an estimated 650 lives during this time and has also ensured there have been no cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission among De Beers employees or their partners for 14 consecutive years.

·         In collaboration with Right to Care, rolled out a community-oriented primary care partnership to strengthen medical clinics in southern Africa, prioritising areas that lacked medical provision.

·         Supported 420 students in securing 12-month internships in different sectors through a partnership with International Youth Foundation.

·         A total of 18 southern Africa-based companies completed the Stanford Seed Transformation entrepreneurship programme that De Beers supports in partnership with Stanford University.

·         In total, more than 3,340 jobs were supported by De Beers through various socioeconomic development projects and initiatives and 71 per cent of its goods and services were procured from local suppliers.

Accelerating equal opportunity

De Beers is focused on accelerating economic inclusion and supporting diverse voices to help shape the future of its business, host communities and society at large, with a particular focus on addressing the historical underrepresentation of women in its talent pipeline and encouraging fresh and diverse talent into the diamond jewellery sector.

Key highlights include:

·         At the end of 2022, women comprised 33 per cent of senior management positions within De Beers Group (up from 31 per cent in 2021).

·         Extended the partnership with WomEng, a highly regarded social enterprise committed to helping women and girls pursue careers in engineering and technology, for another three years.

·         Since 2018, De Beers has provided 89 scholarships to women studying STEM at universities in Canada, has reached more than 3,700 school students in southern Africa through STEM workshops, and has supported more than 2,400 women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

·         Provided funding for a free 12-week jewellery making course for teens in New York City, which aims to fill the void of limited access to jewellery studios for teenage designers. De Beers also established an internal Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Council bringing volunteers from across the business to deepen understanding of the company’s diverse workforce and further cultivate an inclusive culture.

MAHE Signs MoU With Semiconductor Laboratory, Chandigarh To Catalyse Electronics Manufacturing And Innovation Ecosystem


Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal and Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a thriving semiconductor and display design and innovation environment that will enable India to become a major worldwide centre for electronics manufacturing and design.The MoU was signed by Commander (Dr) Anil Rana, Director, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) (a constituent unit of MAHE, Manipal) and Mr Vikas Trikha, Director Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali. The signing ceremony took place on May 17, 2023, at Mohali.

Addressing the audience at the signing ceremony, Commander (Dr) Anil Rana, Director, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), stated, “The academic programmes of MAHE are designed to help students become global citizens. Through our partnership with SCL, we aim to catalyse collab research, and promote skill development. The signing of the MOU marks a significant milestone in the partnership between MAHE and SCL. Through this collaboration, SCL will utilize its technical expertise, while MAHE will provide academic expertise. This joint effort is expected to benefit both parties in terms of acquiring technology competence, academic and research excellence, and consultancy activities”.

With Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal launching B. Tech Program in VLSI Design and Technology in academic year (2023-2024), this MoU will play an important role for preparing skilled graduates for semiconductor industry in accordance with the objectives laid out in the India Semiconductor Mission. The joint program will offer opportunities to students in the form of internships and specially designed coursework. The program will also focus on providing unique learning experiences in cutting-edge Microelectronics and VLSI technologies.

Other dignitaries present during the occasion were Mr Vikas Trikha, Director, Semiconductor Laboratory, Mohali, Professor (Dr.) Shounak De, Associate Professor-Senior Scale Professor, MIT, Manipal, Dr. Tanweer, Associate Professor, MIT, Manipal and Dr. Manish Hooda, Head Technology Development Division at Semi-Conductor Laboratory Department of Space Govt of India along with others. 

Startup Odisha To Feature On CII’s Corporate-Startup Connect Platform CII ICONN


* Startup Odisha to leverage strong corporate connection for Odisha startups and help them in scaling their businesses and reach new markets: Dr. Omkar Rai

In an effort to provide startups in Odisha with a strong corporate connection, Startup Odisha has reached an agreement with the Confederation of Indian Industry - Centre of Excellence for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Startups (CII- CIES) whereby Startup Odisha will feature on CII ICONN Platform, a one of its kind, industry led platform for the startup ecosystem to catalyse collaboration between corporates, startups and other key players of the startup ecosystem. This arrangement allows Odisha Startups to showcase their leading innovations to Industry leaders, foster collaboration with Corporates, and work in close consonance with other stakeholders of the Startup Ecosystem and fast track their growth to a global scale. A Letter of Intent (LoI) to this effect was shared between Startup Odisha Executive Chairman Dr. Omkar Rai and Chairman CII-CIES Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan at CII Startup Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday.  CII ICONN platform will provide Startup Odisha with a pavilion for Startups from O-Hub (the Incubation Centre), help it organize exclusive sessions to promote services offered by Startup Odisha, organize startup pitch presentation sessions, have discussion sessions for startups, and enable participation in Corporate Accelerator Programs etc.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the CII Startup Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday, Startup Odisha Executive Chairman Dr. Omkar Rai said that Startup Odisha is trying to bring excellence, inculcate best practices, and give wide exposure to the Startup ecosystem in Odisha to make it dynamic and vibrant. “Our startup Policy is best-in-class and is currently under revision, we are making it more futuristic so that we can meet the emerging challenges and needs, and the startup ecosystem of Odisha is able to position itself among the top three startup ecosystems in the country by 2025 as envisioned by Hon’ble CM of Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji,” said Dr. Omkar Rai.

He further emphasized the importance of having a strong rural innovation ecosystem and Startup ecosystem in tier-II & tier-III cities, one that is well-connected with corporates and unicorns.

Present on the occasion were Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology; Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman CII CIES & co-founder Infosys; Ms. Aastha Grover, Head, Startup India; Ms. Anu Sriram, Chairperson, CII Women in Innovation Steering Committee; Mr. CK Ranganathan, Chairman, CII Startupreneur Awards 2022 and Chairman and Managing Director CavinKare Pvt Ltd;  Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission; and other dignitaries.

Startup Odisha has over 1600 startups from across various sectors registered with it and out of which over 40 percent are women-led.

Working on the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik on a mission mode, Startup Odisha is pulling all stops to make its place among the top three startup ecosystems in the country by 2025 and be a 5000+ strong startup ecosystem by then.

Of late, several key initiatives undertaken by Startup Odisha are spurring the culture of startup, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the State and are futuristic. The one that deserves special mention is the proposed setting up of a Draper Startup House in Odisha. Bitcoin billionaire investor Tim Draper, known for his early bets in breakthrough tech companies also backs startups in a big way. ‘Draper Startup House’ supports startup entrepreneurs across the world, with a vision and mission to one million entrepreneurs by 2030.

Also, Startup Odisha has engaged with SIDBI and would be utilizing its expertise and resources to provide a fillip to the startup ecosystem in Odisha and have a resilient management apparatus with financial management as one of the facets. Startup Odisha would work in tandem with SIDBI to foster growth verticals for the startup ecosystem in Odisha.

Also, the proposed Centre of Excellence (CoEs) at O-Hub, the Incubation space that sprawls over 4 lakh square feet would propel the growth of startups, including the new-age ones, and promotes innovation with best-in-class facilities at par with global standards. It is also pertinent to mention about Fund-of-Funds or Odisha Startup Growth Fund that Startup Odisha banks upon for fostering the growth of startups in the state. The corpus has been growing exorbitantly since its inception which shows the increasing trust of investors in the potential and scalability of startups in Odisha.

Jagat Pharma Gets WHO-GMP, CoPP Certification For Isotine Plus Ayurvedic Eye Drops


In a major feat to establish itself as one of the leading companies in Ayurveda, Uttar Pradesh-based Jagat Pharma has now been accredited with the WHO-GMP (World Health Organization - Good Manufacturing Practices) certificate and Certificate of Pharmaceutical Products (CoPP) for its groundbreaking invention – the Isotine Plus ayurvedic eye drops.

This is the first time any Ayurvedic eye drop manufactured in the country has received the WHO-GMP certificate and (CoPP) certificate. Today Jagat Pharma stands out and has placed itself amongst the handful of manufacturing units of Ayurvedic products to have achieved this quality benchmark.

The Isotine Plus ayurvedic eye drops by Jagat Pharma have been clinically used for 36 years with a track record to reverse cataract-induced visual impairment. The eye drops are used to treat complex eye diseases like Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, Myopia, Hypermetropia, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, etc.

Some of the most unique ayurvedic ingredients used in the Isotine Plus ayurvedic eye drops include Chandan (Santalum album), Apamarg (Achyranthes aspera), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Punarnava (Boerhaviadiffusa), Bhringaraj (Ecliptaprostrata), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), and Satva Pudina (Mentha piperita), to name a few.

“We are indeed elated to have been accredited by the WHO-GMP certification and CoPP Certificate, which is a hallmark of best manufacturing practices. Our aim has always been to continue advanced medicinal research and come up with products which will provide the best medical benefit to the maximum number of people. The World Health Organization recognizing our dedicated efforts is an encouragement for us to put even more focus on research and innovation,” said Dr Mandeep Singh Basu, Director of Jagat Pharma.

Jagat Pharma has conducted clinical trial on Isotine Plus eye drop in patients suffering from immature cataract and other complex eye problems - An open-label, comparative multi-centric, two-arm, and interventional study was conducted under the CTRI Registration no-CTRI/2021/01/030699 (registered on 22/01/2021). The trial, which included 70 patients, was conducted for 6 months and showed a significant reduction in cataract grade (from grade II to grade I) and improvement in the cases of immature cataract. Isotine Plus eye drop was found to be safe on regular long-term use.

Recently, Jagat Pharma announced the results of a retrospective observational study conducted by Prof. Yamini of Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh, on the use of Isotine Plus ayurvedic eye drops. The study, which included 308 cataract patients, treated during 2017 to 2019, showed a significant improvement in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) after treatment with Isotine Plus.

With growing popularity and impressive outcomes, around 10 lakh units of the Isotine Plus Ayurvedic eye drops have been sold during 2022-2023. Presently, Jagat Pharma is exporting the Isotine Plus eye drops to Cambodia and Russia and the company has plans to expand its export business to other nations like Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, UAE, Thailand and Taiwan.

About Jagat Pharma

Jagat Pharma, a prominent Ayurvedic company is providing comprehensive bodily health solutions with a legacy of 36 years. We have developed Ayurvedic products specifically from the time to time to treat various physical maladies and ailments. Dr. M.S. Basu discovered Isotine Eye Drops, one of our well-known eye medications, that has been used to treat early-stage eye illnesses such as cataracts, Myopia, Diabetic Retinopathy, Colour Blindness, Glaucoma, etc., without surgery.   Jagat Pharma aims to produce goods and services that adhere to the highest standards through quality compliance, transparency, efficiency, research, and innovation. As experts in non-surgical eye care and providers of holistic healthcare solutions, we work hard to justify moral principles while encouraging accountability.

Bank of Baroda Announces The Long-List Of 12 Nominees Of The “Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman” Award


* The Award recognizes literary works in Indian languages & the translation of these into Hindi, and will be presented to both the original author and the translator  

* Renowned Author and Booker Prize winner Ms. Geetanjali Shree is the Chairperson of the 5-member jury 

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks announced the long-list of 12 Novels, nominated for the first edition of the 'Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman' Award 2023.The unique award has been instituted to recognize and promote literary works in various Indian languages (included under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution) as well as to make the best Indian literature available to Hindi readers through translations, thereby broadening the interest and making the novels accessible to a larger set of readers.  

The 'Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman' Award will be presented to both the author of the original work and the translator of the book in to Hindi. The author of the original work and the respective Hindi translator of the award-winning book will receive Rs. 21.00 lakh and Rs. 15.00 lakh respectively. Moreover, the authors and the Hindi translators of the next five shortlisted books will receive Rs. 3.00 lakh and Rs. 2.00 lakh each respectively.   

Unveiling the long-list of nominations, Mr. Sanjiv Chadha, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda said “India is a diverse country – a melting pot of cultures, religions and languages. And in its diversity lies its strength and distinctiveness. We believe that the promotion of literature across Indian languages helps strengthen our multiculturalism. We established 'Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman' to recognize and celebrate original Indian language literature           and the translations of these works in Hindi. The ‘Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman’ award will offer a national platform to talented Indian writers from different parts of the country and will give a boost to Indian language literature as well as encourage literary translations.” 

The five-member awards jury is chaired by renowned author and Booker Prize winner Ms. Geetanjali Shree. The other four jury members are Mr. Arun Kamal, an Indian poet; Mr. Pushpesh Pant, an academic and historian; Ms. Anamika, a contemporary Indian poet and novelist; and Mr. Prabhat Ranjan, a Hindi fiction writer and translator.  

The Bank had initiated the process of inviting nominations during the period March-April 2023 and received several entries written in different Indian languages, from which the jury has prepared a long-list of 12 books. Details of the books are enumerated below in alphabetical order: