Making EV Charging More Accessible – Bharat Petroleum And Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Collaborate To Setup 7000 Chargers

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune 500 and a Fully Integrated Maharatna Energy Company and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEM), known for pioneering India's electric vehicle revolution, have signed an MOU to collaborate in establishing public charging stations across India. The collaboration will leverage BPCL's widespread fuel stations network and TPEM's insights from over 1.15 lakh Tata EVs on Indian road, to set up chargers at locations frequently visited by Tata EV owners. Additionally, BPCL will gather insights on charger usage to improve customer experience.

This agreement between TPEM and BPCL aims to improve the overall experience for EV owners across India. The two companies are also exploring the possibility of introducing a convenient payment system through a co-branded RFID card, making payment easier for Tata EV users and to encourage more people to adopt electric vehicles in the country.

BPCL boasts a nationwide network of over 21,000 Fuel Stations and is committed to a sustainable future by amalgamating strategy, investments, and environmental goals. BPCL aims to install 7,000 electric vehicle charging stations by next year. To alleviate electric vehicle owners' range concerns, BPCL has initiated over 90 Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Highway Corridors across the nation, ensuring a fast-charging station approximately every 100 kilometers on both sides of major highways. These corridors span more than 30,000 kilometers across various highways, assuring enhanced EV convenience and accessibility.

According to Santosh Kumar, Executive Director In charge Retail, BPCL said “BPCL is constantly striving to align with the nation’s vision to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. BPCL steadily moving closer to goal to converting 7000 of our conventional retail outlets into energy stations which is a part of a comprehensive decarbonization strategy to support and prioritize sustainable initiatives. BPCL has already set up a very large network of fast charging stations across highways. EV is a field of collaboration and we believe that the joining hands with TPEM shall take the EV game of BPCL and TPEM to the next level.”

TPEM is the market leader in EVs in India, commanding a market share of over 71% in electric passenger vehicles. With more than 115,000 Tata EVs on Indian roads, where 75% are used as primary vehicles, TPEM continues to lead the way in India's electric mobility revolution.

According to Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., “EV adoption is a key imperative to combat the deteriorating air quality in Indian cities. Wide-spread and reliable charging infrastructure will be a key catalyst for accelerating EV adoption in India. In line with our commitment to develop the charging ecosystem in India, we are delighted to announce our strategic collaboration with BPCL, which is aimed at accelerating India’s journey towards e-mobility. This collaborative partnership epitomizes our shared vision of fostering positive change - an enabling infrastructure for the growing EV customer base. It will benefit from TPEM’s unparalleled EV usage insights, and BPCL’s formidable nationwide network. It has the potential to reshape the landscape of charging infrastructure in the country.”

Case studies from across the world show that ubiquitous and convenient charging infrastructure is a prerequisite for driving EV adoption, and that growth in charging infrastructure results in an exponential growth in EV adoption. The collaboration between two leading companies is expected to accelerate the growth of charging infrastructure in the country, and thus contribute to mainstreaming EV adoption in India.

About BPCL:

Fortune Global 500 Company, Bharat Petroleum is the second largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of the premier integrated energy companies in India, engaged in refining of crude oil and marketing of petroleum products, with a significant presence in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The company attained the coveted Maharatna status, joining the elite club of companies having greater operational & financial autonomy.

Bharat Petroleum’s Refineries at Mumbai & Kochi and Bina at Madhya Pradesh have a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 MMTPA. Its marketing infrastructure includes a network of installations, depots, energy stations, aviation service stations and LPG distributors. Its distribution network comprises over 20,000 Energy Stations, over 6,200 LPG distributorships, 733 Lubes distributorships, and 123 POL storage locations, 54 LPG Bottling Plants, 60 Aviation Service Stations, 4 Lube blending plants and 4 cross-country pipelines.

About Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM):

Tata Motors leads the electric mobility revolution in India and is committed to making e-vehicles more accessible. Powered by its proprietary, state-of-the-art Ziptron technology, the Tata branded EVs (cars & SUVs) are highly appreciated for their powerful performance, zero emissions, connected features and low operating costs. Being an early advocate of ‘EVs is the future of mobility’ and understanding the criticality of an enabling ecosystem to realise it, select Tata Group companies have collaborated under ‘Tata UniEVerse’ to jointly accelerate the acceptance and adoption of EVs. Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., a subsidiary of Tata Motors with TPG Rise Climate as an investor, aims to invest $2 billion by 2026 to launch 10 new electric vehicles, build a dedicated BEV architecture, support local manufacture of key components and development of advanced automotive and battery technologies. It also intends to catalyse the creation of a widespread charging infrastructure as well as growth of other infrastructure to facilitate rapid EV adoption in India.

Honda Cars India Flags Off The 12th Edition Of “Drive To Discover”

* Showcases Honda’s premium-line up of the All-New Honda Elevate, Honda City e:HEV, Honda City and Honda Amaze 

* The theme for this year drive is “The Journey to the East” and the Drive will cover over 500 kms. 

Honda Cars India (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India flagged off the much-anticipated 12th edition of its experiential drive series, “Drive to Discover”. 

The drive will feature Honda Cars India’s premium lineup, of Honda Elevate, City e:HEV, City 5th-Gen and Amaze, and will pass through the magical landscapes of Sikkim and West Bengal. 

The drive will commence from the city of Siliguri, and cover destinations like Gangtok, Pelling, and Kalimpong via the iconic town of Darjeeling and culminating on the 12th of December. This journey will provide opportunities for the participants to see Mt. Kanchenjunga in all its grandeur and immerse themselves in the region's cultural richness, ensuring an unforgettable experience. 

Mr Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing and Sales Honda Cars India Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm on the drive stating, " We are thrilled to embark on yet another exciting edition of Drive to Discover, the 12th season holds the promise of an extraordinary journey. This drive not only showcases the breathtaking beauty of Northeast India but also highlights the capabilities of our vehicle lineup. We're particularly pleased with the overwhelming response our newly launched Honda Elevate has received from customers nationwide. We look forward to seeking new adventures on this drive with our reliable models that seamlessly blend comfort, safety, and driving pleasure.” 

HCIL’s premium line-up embodies Honda’s global DNA in technology and commitment to delivering fun to drive experiences. 

About Drive to Discover 

The ‘Drive to Discover’ initiative is an annual drive event conceptualized and organized by Honda Cars India Ltd that exemplifies the robustness, excellence, and dependability of all Honda products. The occasion is the perfect blend of adventure and premium Honda goods. Aside from its well-known attributes of durability, dependability, and fuel efficiency, all Honda vehicles are closely connected with cutting-edge design and technology. The D2D has reignited a strong sense of community among the participants over the years and delivers premium experiences with cutting-edge technology, convenience, and sustainability. It also allows auto enthusiasts to drive around the magnificent region firsthand. 

Scania India Strengthens Presence in Mining Sector Through Partnership With PPS Motors

Scania Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. announces its exclusive partnership with PPS Motors, designating them as the sole representative for Scania's mining tippers in India. This collaboration ensures Pan India coverage for sales and service operations. Scania India has always believed in driving sustainable transport solutions that are powered by technology and led by innovation. The company provides tailor- made solutions by detecting, analyzing, and continuously optimizing critical points of the mine that lead to higher availability, increased productivity, and better customer profitability. This new collaboration is an evidence to Scania’s assurance towards network expansion in India and advanced customer support.

Speaking about the new collaboration, Mr. Johan P Schlyter, Managing Director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Through the recent signing of an agreement with PPS Motors, we've laid the foundation for an impactful alliance focused on our mining tippers segment in India. By leveraging our cutting-edge technology, we are optimistic about making a substantial contribution to India's efforts in reaching its Net Zero Emission goal.”

PPS has successfully established six regional warehouses across India, which has close proximity to the mining sites and strategically connected to Scania's central warehouse in Nagpur, creating a robust hub-and-spoke model. This ensures a smooth, uninterrupted, and    swift    supply    chain    for parts.  Complementing these are three cutting-edge workshops, meeting   Scania's global mining standards and staffed by skilled technician and nine mobile service vans are in place to ensure efficient handling of major repairs, aggregate repairs, accident repairs, and overhauling.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Rajiv Sanghvi, Managing Director, PPS Motors, said, “We are happy to partner with Scania as their exclusive distributor for their mining trucks business in India. The response and the trust that the customers have shown on the Scania Products and services has been overwhelming. We are constantly in touch with our prospective and existing customers to understand their requirements to provide a customized ecosystem of products and services at site throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. Further we are investing in creating additional touch points providing deeper and wider coverage.”

Scania has been rigorously working towards developing advanced vehicles that are powered by sustainability and innovation to showcase the optimum driving experience. Globally, Scania has demonstrated expertise in technologies like electric mobility & renewable fuels, autonomous solutions, safety systems and connectivity. The company has successfully implemented the technologies in India and is delivering advanced vehicles and services designed to support businesses in optimizing their operations and efficiency.

About PPS Motors

PPS Motors, part of a larger automotive dealership group with over 70 years of experience, operates across 18 states with 650+ touchpoints. With a dedicated team of over 14,000 professionals, PPS Motors provides exceptional service and upholds high standards of professionalism. PPS Motors represents a diverse spectrum of auto segments, including passenger vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles, and construction equipment. The group stands as a formidable force representing 19 brands and achieving annual group turnover of Rs. 13,700 crores.

About Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd.

With a rich heritage spanning over 130 years in mobility solutions, Scania Commercial Vehicles AB is a global leader, renowned for its world-class products and services that cater to diverse transportation markets worldwide.

Scania's global workforce of approximately 50,000 employees spans more than 100 countries, its sales and service network is customized to meet the specific needs of its customers. The company's substantial research and development activities are concentrated in key locations such as Sweden, India, and Brazil. Scania remains a leading supplier of engines for industrial, marine, and power generation purposes, cementing its commitment to social, environmental, and economic sustainability. This commitment is highlighted by the adaptability of all Scania vehicles to run on alternative or renewable fuels.

In 2007, Scania made a significant entry into the Indian market, primarily focusing on revolutionizing the mining and construction segments. By 2011, Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt Ltd. was established, solidifying its presence in India with an automotive assembly facility at Narasapura, near Bangalore, Karnataka.

Remaining steadfast in its commitment to India, Scania honed its attention towards mining solutions, affirming mining as the core focus of its operations in India. The company inaugurated a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility sprawled over 37 acres, covering a regional production centre of 125,794 square feet, dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions. In line with its assurance to offering comprehensive support, Scania India emphasizes its parts and services segment. It has bolstered its service excellence with the assistance of the Nagpur Warehouse and robust service network throughout the country. This strategic initiative aims to significantly reduce lead times for customers, enhance service levels, and ensure better parts availability, focusing on delivering a superior customer experience.

Scania India envisions itself as a vital partner in India's journey to develop smart and sustainable mobility solutions, driven by locally produced biofuels, significantly reducing carbon emissions and focusing on environmentally conscious transport solutions.

Cientra And Invas Join Hands To Build Groundbreaking 5G IoT Solutions For Agriculture And Mining Industries

* Collaboration addresses the challenges of security and identity faced by IoT companies attempting to register their devices on 5G networks

* Expanded Invas IoT solutions supported by Cientra’s dedicated 5G IoT solutions unit to accelerate use cases in industries such as Agriculture and Mining

* To deploy Wireless Humidity, Temp, Water Level Sensors, Wireless Pump Actuators, and wireless Solenoid Actuators to control the flow of water in Farms

* To provide value-added services to farmers to improve their productivity

Cientra, an Indian multi-national product solutions company and Invas, a market leader in telecom testing have announced a strategic alliance to develop innovative wireless sensors and actuators for sectors including Mining and Agriculture. The collaboration aims to seamlessly integrate and optimize the functionalities of Cientra's 5G platform with Invas's cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The principal aim of this initiative is to instigate a paradigm shift in the agricultural and mining industries of the country through the guarantee of optimal IoT device quality while upholding the security and integrity of the 5G network.

By capitalising on Cientra's edge as a 5G platform portfolio and Invas's IoT capabilities, the two organizations will engage in a collaborative effort to develop solutions and go-to-market offers that bolster the security and identity of 5G networks. This will enable the expansion of potential applications of Internet of Things (IoT) systems, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and mining where edge computing and IoT solutions are in increasing demand. Businesses that adopt the Internet of Things (IoT) face obstacles pertaining to device registration on 5G networks in terms of security and identification. The organizations shall implement 5G security functionalities and 5G standard authentication to conduct real-time data insight monitoring and predictive maintenance, thereby overcoming these challenges and enhancing security

“Our 5G business initiatives are being expedited in order to provide a robust portfolio of repeatable soultions that can be customized to satisfy the needs of our customers for such solutions. We wholeheartedly concur with our esteemed Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, that India possesses the capacity to actively participate in the advancement and integration of technologies, rather than merely consuming the same. At this moment, the digital revolution in India is at a critical turning point.” said Anil Kempanna, CEO of Cientra

“Our solution's service-based architecture (5G 3GPP) has the potential to transition to 6G and subsequent generations. We’re doubling down on Invas’s IoT capabilities to take it one notch higher,” continued Anil. “What we’re doing is, in pursuit of enhancing our customers' satisfaction and addressing the growing demand for organizations to equip or retrofit with the necessary connectivity and visibility to securely optimize daily business operations, we are leveraging the complete capabilities of Invas to mobilize our collective expertise and knowledge.”

This collaboration focuses explicitly on developing IoT device sensors and actuators for a variety of applications, including smart farming and mining. These items are tested alongside a vast array of other products. An IoT/mobile application and web interface will be enabled for farmers and miners, allowing them to remotely control actuators and gain real-time insights into their field operations including faster detection of leaks, allowing them to respond to issues instantaneously. Wireless humidity, temperature, and water level readings, in addition to water flow control via wireless solenoid actuators and pumps, are a few of the critical data that these solutions will capture and facilitate via 2G/4G/5G/Wi-Fi/Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) connections.

Cientra is at the forefront of 5G application platform initiatives due to its innovative offering to process and use large amounts of data and user-friendly interface. We are delighted to collaborate with them in order to facilitate the smooth transition of our clientele to this IoT-as-a-Service paradigm, enabling them to promptly experience the advantageous outcomes for their enterprises.” said Neeraj Dhawan, Managing Director of INVAS

With this alliance both the companies collaboratively aim to revolutionize the IoT and 5G landscape especially for Agriculture and Mining industries with complete solutions for real time monitoring of field through the use of a network of low power sensors and actuators controlled remotely by Smartkheti Website and Mobile Application

About Invas Technologies

INVAS Technologies (P) Ltd, was incorporated in the year 2006 with a corporate office in Gurugram. The main objective is to carry out the business of providing Telecom Test Solutions and Value-Added Services to their clients in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. INVAS has kept pace with the technological advancements in Telecom networks and has developed solutions to meet the growing challenges in the Indian market.

A team of technical experts with a long and successful track record in the technologies used for fixed and mobile networks. customers with advanced telecommunications products and services that are highly reliable, value for the money, and supported during and beyond the warranty period.

For more information, visit https://www.invas.in/ 

About Cientra

Cientra is a Bangalore headquartered product engineering solutions company. It caters to leading global enterprises across the Semiconductors, Embedded Software, Automotive, and Telecom, industries. The company has expertise across hardware (VLSI, ASIC, FPGA, SoC) and software (4G, 5G, loT) engineering, development, and testing domains. It is committed to accelerating the delivery of customized solutions to its clients across the product lifecycle. Cientra has offices in India (Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Noida), the USA, (New Jersey), and Germany (Frankfurt).

For more information, visit:  https://www.cientra.com/

Schwing Stetter India Announces Its Participation At EXCON 2023

Schwing Stetter India, one of the country’s leading concreting equipment manufacturer, has announced its participation at EXCON 2023 in Bangalore. Fuelled by its innovative approaches, the company aims to showcase its new product line-up of more than 70 machines to increase growth and reach customers across the country.

As 2023 marks the milestone of Schwing Stetter turning 25 in India, commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and technologically advanced equipment that caters to the diverse needs of the construction and infrastructure sectors will be the primary focus. Aligning with Excon’s theme, 'Building India's Tomorrow,' Schwing seeks to underline its dedication to the future of construction and infrastructure in India.

The company will display a range of new products at the “Outdoor Stall 31” in the orange lot - concrete pumps, transit mixers, batching plants, self-loading mixers, shotcrete machines, wheel loaders, excavators, and so on. The products that are seeing high momentum and usage in Mining, small scale construction projects, precasting, 3D printing, mortar application, metro operations.

Speaking about Schwing Stetter India’s growth in the CE industry, V G Sakthikumar, Managing Director and Chairman of Schwing Stetter India said, “At Schwing Stetter India, we continue to grow through innovation, digital transformation, and collaborating with our customers; this is to pave the way to build path breaking products, for both domestic and international markets.”

About Schwing’s participation in Excon, V G Sakthikumar highlights, “Excon 2023 presents a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our latest innovations and reaffirm our commitment to fostering long-term growth in the construction industry. At Excon 2023, we are to demonstrate how these innovations can address the evolving needs of the construction industry. This approach aligns with our vision to be at the forefront to drive positive change”.

The five-day event from December 12-16, 2023, at the Bangalore International Centre (BIEC).

About Schwing Stetter India Private Limited:

Incorporated in June 1998, and commencing its manufacturing operations in 1999, Schwing Stetter India is a 100% subsidiary of Schwing GmbH, a 1.30 billion USD German concreting machinery manufacturer and a part of XCMG group. Schwing Stetter is a pioneer in manufacturing equipment for concrete preparation, placement, transportation, and recycling. Schwing Stetter (India) Private Limited manufactures concrete batching plants, concrete placing booms, concrete pumps, concrete truck mixers for transporting readymade concrete to construction sites, concrete truck mixers with concrete pumps, concrete recycling plants, plastering pumps, self-loading mixers, and sludge pumps.

Schwing Stetter (India) sells and services equipment like concrete pavers, aerial working platform, all terrain crane, cold milling machine, crawler crane, excavator, horizontal directional drilling, motor grader, rotary drilling rig, tower crane, truck crane and wheel loader are our various newer range of equipment that have been launched recently from GOMACO and XCMG. We cater to the requirement of infrastructure developers and act as an OEM supplier to various cement companies who offer ready mix concrete. Schwing Stetter has its manufacturing units in 12 countries including Germany, Austria, USA, Brazil, Russia, Ostrava, UK, India supported by sales and service centers in France, Netherlands, Austria, and Sweden as well as representations in more than 150 countries Worldwide. Contact us on : https://www.schwingstetterindia.com/  

BNP Paribas’ Employees Contribute Over 32,000 Kilos Of Food Grains For Economically Weaker Sections

BNP Paribas, successfully culminated their annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative – Daan Utsav 2023. This year, BNP Paribas employees volunteered to contribute over 32,000 kilograms of dal, rice, and atta, positively impacting economically weaker sections of society and ensuring a brighter festive season for them. The activity was conducted in three different parts of the country – Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

Hunger has always been one of the biggest concerns in India. According to the Global Hunger Index 2023, India is on rank 111 out of 125 countries, with little improvement in the recent times.

It is a disconcerting situation which needs immediate attention and hence, initiatives like Daan Utsav mark a positive stride in India’s fight against hunger.

As a part this initiative, this year BNP Paribas has partnered with NGOs like Aseema (Maharashtra) Adhar (Maharashtra) BJ homes (Maharashtra) Prema Vasam (Chennai) Robinhood Army, Samarthanam (Karnataka) and Udhavum Ullangal (Tamil Nadu), to ensure efficient distribution and utilisation of the donated food items. These organisations, with their expertise in community outreach, play a pivotal role in catering to the nutritional needs of children and adults from marginalised backgrounds.

Over 12900 kilos of rice, over 13600 kilos of atta and more than 5300 kilos of dal  were distributed as part of the initiative. Notably, BNP Paribas employees actively participated on the ground too, facilitating the efficient distribution of the collected food grains.

Appreciating the participation of the employees and expressing gratitude to the NGO partners, Ms. Manisha Khosla Sinha - Head of CSR, Brand and Communications, BNP Paribas said, “As we conclude another successful edition of Daan Utsav, we extend sincere gratitude to our employees whose unwavering commitment and active participation has made this initiative impactful. Their generosity has not only brightened the festive season but has also reinforced our collective responsibility towards community welfare.”

“Additionally, we extend our gratitude to our esteemed NGO partners whose collaboration has been instrumental in ensuring the effective distribution and utilisation of the donated food items. Together, we strive to create a positive and lasting impact, embodying the true spirit of corporate social responsibility," she added.

BNP Paribas exemplifies its commitment to social responsibility by leveraging resources to create a lasting impact on the lives of those in need, demonstrating a dedication to making a tangible difference in the communities it serves.

About BNP Paribas:

BNP Paribas Group has been in India since 1860 and is among the leading international financial institutions providing a wide range of financial services covering corporate & institutional banking, and personal investment services for individuals. As the second oldest foreign bank in India, BNP Paribas has branches in key metros and has a rich and broad offering across the entire range of corporate and institutional banking products and services, covering flow banking (transaction banking), financing, hedging, global markets, derivatives and investments. Asiamoney has also accorded “Best International Corporate Bank for India” to BNP Paribas in 2022 and 2023.

IPRS Inks MOU With KOMCA: Marks The Beginning Of A Dynamic Cross-Cultural Music Exchange Between India And Korea

* Creating New Avenues for Collaboration, Knowledge, and Rights Protection 

The Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS)  and KOMCA (Korea Music Copyright Association) have signed an MOU, whereby KOMCA and IPRS join hands to organize events that aim to enhance awareness, knowledge, and collaboration in the field of copyright (e.g. seminar on the latest copyright issues for the music industry), music creation (e.g. song-writing camp), and collective management (e.g. sharing experiences on best practices) for music creators. Fostering cross-border music between India and Korea.  

Music is the core cultural wealth of nations like India and Korea with melody being at the heart of popular music. Indian music with its legendary legacy emanating from its various regions has been a  top draw across the world. Blessed with catchy rhythms and chorus sections like Indian music, Korean Pop music is globally, well-received and amenable to blending with Indian music in its true elements. This, we believe, is just the beginning of a deeper association between the music talents of the two countries and will add a slew of listeners, consequently upping revenues. Given the open world we inhabit, it is in the best interest of the creators on both sides to be cognizant of their rights to maximize their earning potential. The MOU’s intent to arm the creators with this basic know-how has to be viewed in this light. 

With the IPRS ever alert to widening the reach of the Indian music industry, it was only a matter of time before a solid MOU between the two associations came to fruition. The MOU is the true harbinger of an expansion phase that will give the music industry a wider spectrum. IPRS members and other Indian artists are also in line for better royalties, recognition and newer opportunities with this new development. 

Mr. Javed Akhtar, legendary lyricist, screenwriter, poet, and Chairman of IPRS, expressed his satisfaction with the same, stating, “The recently established collaboration with KOMCA ushers in a transformative period, encouraging a dynamic interchange of creation between India and Korea. Our narrative revolves around breaking down barriers, creating opportunities, and envisioning a world where creators and creativity flourish. We look forward to more collaborative initiatives for our members in the near future. “ 

Commenting on the same, Mr. Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS, shared his thoughts on the collaboration, stating, "The MOU with KOMCA represents a pivotal step in fostering a dynamic cross-cultural music exchange between India and Korea. This collaboration symbolizes our commitment to nurturing creativity while ensuring creators' rights are protected. The MOU is poised to be a pivotal step in creating a transformative journey that opens up new avenues for creative partnerships and innovation among our esteemed creator members." 

Mr. Giseob You, General Manager of KOMCA, shared his views stating "KOMCA x IPRS MOU paves the path towards a stronger bond between the two societies. Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) and IPRS, representing the author-composers of two musically rich countries, will now work together to spread awareness on creators' rights and create new opportunities for the promising talent of both countries through music collaborations and partnerships." 

About IPRS:  

IPRS is the Music Copyright Society in India registered under the Copyright Act, 1957 representing the authors, composers, and publishers of music. It counts more than 13,000 of India’s best-known authors, composers, and music publishers as its members. IPRS is authorized under the Copyright Act, 1957 to carry on the business of issuing and granting of licenses in respect of musical works and literary works associated with musical works assigned to it by its members. These revenues are collected and distributed to its members including the authors’ statutory royalties after deducting its administrative expenses for the exploitation of the works either by way of live performances and/or sound recordings through any medium except when shown as a part of a cinematograph film shown in a cinema hall. 

Motorola Becomes The First Smartphone Brand To Introduce “PANTONE™ Colour Of The Year 2024” Peach Fuzz

* The motorola razr 40 ultra and motorola edge 40 neo will be available soon in India in PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz 

* This marks the second year of the exclusive collaboration focusing on the importance of building connection and empowering self-expression for consumers  

Motorola, India’s best 5G smartphone brand and Pantone, the global color authority, have teamed up for the second year to create devices in the Pantone Color of the Year. The Pantone Color of the Year 2024, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, reinforces the importance of human connection and so do the devices chosen to represent it – the motorola razr 40 ultra and motorola edge 40 neo.  

Motorola is the first and only smartphone brand to collaborate with PANTONE™, in line with its commitment to differentiate with design & colours while enriching people’s lives through meaningful innovation. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Pantone Color of the Year program with the chosen color PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz. A velvety gentle peach hue, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz has a cozy, tender essence that embodies feelings of togetherness, community and collaboration. 

Of their continued partnership, Ruben Castano, Head of Customer Experience and Design at Motorola, said, “As technology becomes intertwined with humanity, we trust color to provide a tool for expression and deeper, more meaningful experiences with our devices. This includes going beyond devices and into the software itself. The Pantone Color of the Year 2024 does just that as it blends the virtual world we live in and our desire to establish deeper connections and well-being.” 

The choice of PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz complements Motorola’s mission to make technology more accessible and help consumers use technology to connect intentionally. When selecting devices to feature PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, Motorola reflected on the color message and its emphasis on the power of human connection, finding that the motorola razr 40 ultra and motorola edge 40 neo embodied this mentality. 

“It has been wonderful to work with Motorola and see their dedication to enabling creativity, connection, and personalization through color across their devices, and this year’s color carries particular importance to harnessing connection, community and personal wellbeing,” Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, said. “Our Pantone Color of the Year 2024, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, seamlessly blends the virtual and real life, making it an ideal color for the physicality of digital devices. We are excited to see how our audiences leverage the features Motorola offers to enable and facilitate further connections.” 

The razr 40 ultra with its iconic flappable design boasts the world's largest external 3.6-inch Poled display with its fastest 144Hz refresh rate, with 1100nits peak brightness. This flip phone is super slim when folded and has a gapless design, thanks to its industry’s 1st dual axis teardrop hinge design thus ensuring the phone is also infinitely flexible at multiple flex angles. When opened, the phone has a nearly creaseless 6.9” polled display with upto 165Hz refresh rate and 1400nits of Peak brightness. This iconic flip phone is equipped with a powerful Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 SoC, ensuring a seamless experience. The device was earlier launched in Pantone colour of the year 2023 Viva Magenta and received tremendous response from the consumer. The smartphone with the Peach Fuzz edition will be available soon in India. 

The motorola edge 40 neo is a device that puts color at the center of design. And the PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz hue in vegan leather beautifully complements the device’s warm and contoured design. The smartphone is the world’s lightest 5G phone with IP68 underwater protection, making it impervious to dust, dirt, sand, and even a 30-minute submersion in 1.5 meters of fresh water. Furthermore, its 144Hz 6.55-inch pOLED curved display with support for a billion colours and impressive peak brightness and is complemented by a 144Hz refresh rate which makes the UI super smooth and fluid. The motorola edge 40 neo is also a processing powerhouse, boasting the World’s 1st MediaTek Dimensity 7030 lightning-fast processor which is a 6nm chipset supporting Wi-Fi 6E for incredible speeds and has MediaTek HyperEngine™ game technology for the best gaming experience. Not just this, the device support 14 5G bands which is the highest in the segment. 

Both devices are designed with connection and personality at the center and offer features developed to enhance our common humanity. These include Motorola’s latest software offerings, Moto Unplugged and Family Space. Both apps embrace the balance between connectedness and rest, security and boldness. With Moto Unplugged, users now have the ability to enter a special mode, allowing them to tailor a break time to meet their individual needs. They can choose to access only necessary apps for a set timeframe and limit their overall apps consumption. The user can select permitted apps and notifications, as well as require a password to end their session. Then, when they are ready to unplug, select a time frame and start a digital break. While Family Space encourages families to explore technology with guidance and grace. Moto unplugged feature will be available soon in razr 40 series devices in India. 

The motorola razr 40 ultra and motorola edge 40 neo in the Pantone Color of the Year 2024 will be available soon in the Indian market. 

To know more about the Motorola + Pantone association visit: https://www.motorola.in/pantone 

About Motorola & Lenovo 

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$60 billion revenue Fortune Global 500 company serving customers in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that power (through devices and infrastructure) and empower (through solutions, services and software) millions of customers every day and together create a more inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital society for everyone, everywhere. Motorola Mobility LLC was acquired by Lenovo Group Holdings in 2014. Motorola Mobility is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lenovo and is responsible for designing and manufacturing all Moto and Motorola branded mobile handsets and solutions.  

To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com and read about the latest news via our StoryHub and Motorola Global Blog .  

Yamaha Opens Three New ‘Blue Square’ Outlets In Bangalore

-          Now, Yamaha has 20 exclusive Yamaha Blue Square Showrooms in the Karnataka market

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. today announced the opening of three new state-of-the-art “Blue Square” outlets in Karnataka. These new Yamaha exclusive outlets are launched under the banner of ‘Eye Automobiles Pvt. Ltd.’ with 8,945sqft. space in KR Puram, ‘Garuda Wheels’ 4,071sqft. space in Hoskote and ‘Chirag Motors’ with 5,800sqft. space in Mandya, all around Bangalore. The new Blue Square outlets are designed to deliver a superior experience to customers across end-to-end sales, service, and support through a highly personalised approach.

Yamaha Blue Square outlets embody the brand’s true spirit and have been meticulously designed to provide customers with a superior end-to-end experience. They exemplify a personalized approach, ensuring every customer feels valued and satisfied. By leveraging these exclusive outlets, the brand aims to offer customers a gateway into the world of Yamaha Racing.

Each section of these premium outlets has been thoughtfully crafted to instil a sense of pride in being associated with a global brand deeply rooted in international motorsports. Guided by this philosophy, Yamaha has formed an instant connection with customers through the combination of "Blue," representing the brand's proud racing legacy, and "Square," symbolising a curated platform for customers to connect with Yamaha's exhilarating, sporty, and stylish range of two-wheelers.

Alongside providing an industry-leading experience, these blue square outlets also serve as a platform for the Blue Streaks riders, Yamaha’s exclusive biker community, allowing riders to engage and interact with other riders. Including the two new outlets, Yamaha will now have 20 exclusive Blue Square Showrooms in the Karnataka market and 270 outlets PAN India.

While Yamaha’s maxi-sports AEROX 155 scooter is exclusively sold through Blue Square showrooms, these premium outlets also showcase the updated 2023 line-up premium two-wheelers including  the YZF-R15 V4 (155cc), YZF-R15S V3 (155cc),  MT-15 V2 (155cc); Blue-Core Technology-enabled models such as FZS-Fi Version 4.0 (149cc), FZS-Fi Version 3.0 (149cc), FZ-Fi Version 3.0 (149cc), FZ-X (149cc), and scooters like Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR Street Rally 125 Fi Hybrid (125cc). Delivering on the promise of proving a more comprehensive experience, these premium Blue Square outlets also have the latest Yamaha genuine accessories, official apparel, and Yamaha genuine spare parts on display and sales for customers.

Tata Steel Receives CII’s GreenPro Ecolabel For Sustainable Automotive Flat Steel Products

~ Recognition Marks a Milestone in Tata Steel's Commitment to Eco-Friendly Manufacturing ~

In a significant step towards reinforcing its environmentally responsible credentials, Tata Steel has received the GreenPro Ecolabelling Standard certification for its Automotive Flat Steel products. Developed by the Green Business Centre of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the GreenPro ecolabel assesses ‘how green a product is’ based on a comprehensive framework, forging the way forward for achieving environmental performance excellence.

As part of the evaluation process, the Company’s automotive flat steel products have undergone end-to-end evaluation at every stage of their product lifecycle which would lead to measurable environmental benefits. This recognition highlights the Company's commitment to sustainable practices and contribution to automotive industry’s transition towards eco-friendly manufacturing.

Rajiv Mangal, Vice President, Safety, Health & Sustainability, Tata Steel, said: "We are proud to achieve the GreenPro Ecolabel certification, reaffirming our dedication to producing environment friendly steel solutions. This recognition from CII validates our ongoing efforts to set new standards for sustainability in the steel industry. From rigorous Life Cycle Assessment studies to Environment Product Declarations (EPDs) for key products, Tata Steel continues to strive towards a sustainable tomorrow."

Prabhat Kumar, Vice President, Marketing and Sales (Flat Products), Tata Steel, said: "GreenPro certification reinforces our commitment to eco-friendly manufacturing and helps strengthen our status as a preferred supplier to the Automotive industry in line with their transformation journey towards sustainability.”

Over the last two decades, Tata Steel has consolidated its position as the preferred supplier to the automotive industry, supplying Hot-Rolled (HR), Cold Rolled (CR) and Galvanized products to all major automotive OEMs and ancillaries in India.

Tata Steel has taken the lead in the Indian Steel Industry for manufacturing sustainable steel solutions and providing environmental certification of its products. As of today, CII’s GreenPro certification has been conferred on the Steel Rebars (Tata Tiscon), Tubes (Tata Structura, Tata Pipes, Tata EzyFit), Steel Doors and Windows (Tata Pravesh), and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (Tata Aggreto). Additionally, the Company has published Environment Product Declaration (EPD) for several of its products. Tata Steel Europe is also the first steel manufacturer to become an approved Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) programme operator in Europe. To promote the purchase of cleaner and greener products by customers, Tata Steel also conducts Life Cycle Assessment studies for many of its products to evaluate the environmental impact across various life cycle stages.

About Tata Steel

·         Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum.

·         It is one of the world's most geographically diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world.

·         The group recorded a consolidated turnover of ~US$30.3 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2023.

·         A Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM organisation, Tata Steel Limited, together with its subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures, is spread across five continents with an employee base of over 77,000.

·         Tata Steel has announced its major sustainability objectives including Net Zero Carbon by 2045, Net Zero Water consumption by 2030, improving Ambient Air Quality and No Net loss in Biodiversity by 2030.

·         The Company has been on a multi-year digital-enabled business transformation journey intending to be the leader in ‘Digital Steel making by 2025’. The Company has received the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse recognition for its Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar and IJmuiden Plants.

·         Tata Steel aspires to have 25% diverse workforce by 2025. The Company has been recognised with the World Economic Forum’s Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion Lighthouse 2023.

·         The Company has been a part of the DJSI Emerging Markets Index since 2012 and has been consistently ranked amongst top 10 steel companies in the DJSI Corporate Sustainability Assessment since 2016.

·         Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur Plant is India’s first site to receive ResponsibleSteelTM Certification.

·         Received Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2016-17, 2023 Steel Sustainability Champion recognition from worldsteel for six years in a row, 2022 ‘Supplier Engagement Leader’ recognition by CDP, Top performer in Iron and Steel sector in Dun & Bradstreet's India's top 500 companies 2022, Ranked as the 2023 most valuable Mining and Metals brand in India by Brand Finance, and ‘Most Ethical Company’ award 2021 from Ethisphere Institute.

·         Received 2023 ERM (Enterprise Risk Management) Award of Distinction at the RIMS ERM Conference 2023, ‘Masters of Risk’ - Metals & Mining Sector recognition at The India Risk Management Awards for the seventh consecutive year, and Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting FY20 from ICAI, among several others. 

Happiest Health's Mind Matters Summit: Bringing Global Experts Together To Understand Mental Wellness Better

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of our mental and emotional state, but the truth is that our mental health plays a pivotal role in our daily lives. While harmful stereotypes and stigma associated with mental health remain and need to be resolved, there is compelling evidence that access to evidence-based interventions can improve outcomes for individuals when it comes to their mental well-being. In this context, the Connecting Minds for Change! Mind Matters summit from Happiest Health will convey invaluable insights from distinguished experts, sharing insights into a wide spectrum of issues related to mental health involving various stakeholders.

The Mind Matters Summit, titled 'Connecting Minds For Change,' scheduled for December 9th, 2023 at the NIMHANS Convention Centre will be inaugurated by Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Karnataka.

The summit will delve into a diverse range of pertinent topics, aiming to empower people as catalysts for their overall well-being. The event, hosted by Ashok Soota's health and wellness venture, Happiest Health, will bring together a distinguished panel of experts, including psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and other professionals, to share their valuable knowledge and insights during engaging discussions. A wide spectrum of health-related topics will be explored during Mind Matters with engaging conversations on workplace mental well-being, caregiver burnout, and much more.  Enclosed are some session highlights:

Keynote: Long Covid and its Human Metabolic Reprogram/Neuro-Cognitive Implications by Dr AS Narain Naidu – Director-General, Mission-COVID, US-based Global Nutrition Healthcare Council, California, USA

Gentle Approaches to Tackling Depression and Anxiety by Dr. Shyam Bhat –Chairperson of Live Love Laugh, and a Psychiatrist, Integrative Medicine specialist, writer, and Ameeta Patel, Deputy Director of Parkinson's Society, Karnataka

Addiction & Its Treatment by Saul Pereira, Psychological Counsellor

Ethics & Mental Health by Rajiv Khaitan, Senior Partner, Khaitan & Co LLP

Movement & Mental Health by Preethi Rajagopalan – Dance and Movement Therapist

Caregiver Burnout by Ms Ramani Sundaram, Deputy Director, Nightingales Medical Trust, Bengaluru

Workplace Mental Well-being by Jini Gopinath, Chief Psychology Officer, YourDost,Viji Swaminathan, Chief People Officer, Pine Labs, Puja Parekh, President - Global Insurance and Anisha Padukone, Chief Executive Officer of LiveLoveLaugh Foundation

Understanding Mental Health by Dr Vivek Benegal, Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru

In essence, the 'Connecting Minds For Change!' Mind Matters Summit holds the power to create a profound impact on the lives of people invested in mental well-being by giving a transformative platform to come together, learn, share, and bolster one another in the pursuit of a healthier and happier future.

About Happiest Health

Happiest Health is a global health & wellness knowledge enterprise promoted by Ashok Soota. Happiest Health provides credible and trustworthy health and wellness knowledge with views from globally renowned experts and doctors. The primary knowledge platforms are the daily newsletter, knowledge website, and newly launched monthly print magazine, and knowledge app.

Happiest Health embraces scientific knowledge with a keen focus on medical breakthroughs providing kinder, gentler therapies including cell-based treatments. It also has deep coverage of integrated medicine including Ayurveda, homeopathy and naturopathy. Happiest Health’s focus on wellness is holistic and energizing. They live by their Mission Statement: “Better Knowledge. Better Health.” and convey its benefits to all.

For More details login to –  Connecting Minds For Change! Happiest Health's Mind Matters Summit.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Instates Special Customer Support Measures In The Cyclone Hit Regions Of Chennai And Andhra Pradesh

 In line with its customer-centric approach, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) instated special support measures for its affected customers in the cyclone impacted areas of Chennai and Andhra Pradesh (includes Nellore, Tirupati, Ongole, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada & Guntur). TKM in association with its dealer partners set-up special emergency helpline numbers and designated personnel for extending immediate assistance to customers in need. In addition, Toyota Tsusho Insurance Broker India Private Limited (TTIBI) has been actively involved in communicating essential information to customers regarding the precautions to be taken and guidelines for their vehicle handling during the flood situations.

Despite adverse weather conditions, TKM demonstrates resilience in maintaining operational efficiency through its dealer outlets actively serving customers, with extended operating hours to better accommodate the emergency vehicle servicing during this difficult period. In addition, TKM’s dealer outlets are going extra mile by facilitating the customers’ vehicle pickup and drop services at their doorsteps. For this purpose, specially equipped Hilux vehicles are being utilised for rescue and movement of the submerged cars to Toyota dealer outlets for further repair and servicing. The Toyota dealer’s senior leadership teams, along with skilled technicians, are actively present on-ground at the respective service workshops underscoring their commitment to providing immediate and effective support to the valued Toyota customers. In these challenging times, TKM stands in solidarity with the affected communities. 

Mr. Takashi Takamiya, Vice President of Strategic Business Unit (South zone) at Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Through these challenging times, we remain committed to the safety and well-being of our customers and their families, ensuring utmost care with necessary customer service supports in the cyclone affected regions. We are taking resolute measures to minimize any inconvenience to our customers, arising due to the flood situation. Apart from dedicated customer helpline services, affected car rescue operations are also being provided with the support of specially equipped Hilux vehicles”.

TKM will continue to monitor the situation closely, adapting necessary support initiatives to prevent any inconvenience and prioritising the safety of the customers and the community.

Further, the Toyota customers can reach out for any assistance through Toyota Helpline Desk, which is available 24X7, as follows:

Chennai:

Lanson Toyota Call Centre 044-40008000; Harsha Toyota Call Centre 044-39997999

Andhra Pradesh region-wise:

Lakshmi Toyota: Vijayawada +91-7331100587; Guntur +91-7331100725; Ongole +91-7331100750

Harsha Toyota: Nellore +91-9704567129/9704567120; Tirupati +91-8008203669/8008203869

Pruthvi Toyota: Rajahmundry +91-9154966624; Kakinada +91-9701666318

Tata Motors And HDFC Bank Sign MoU For Seamless Digital Financing Solutions

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, and HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector bank enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide attractive digital financing solutions for its commercial vehicle customers. This collaboration marks a significant leap in enhancing the accessibility of financial services for Tata Motors commercial vehicles customers. Under this partnership, Tata Motors customers can now seamlessly access HDFC Bank's vehicle financing solutions through Tata Motors' Online Sales Platform and the innovative Tata e-Guru mobile application. The integration of financial services into the digital ecosystem will ensure a streamlined process, allowing customers to select their preferred financier that suits the requirements.

Commenting on this collaboration, Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Vice President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors, said, "As a customer centric company, we are delighted to onboard HDFC Bank on Tata Motors Online Sales Platform and e-Guru, providing our customers with easy and flexible financing options. This partnership aligns with our commitment to enhancing customer experience through innovative digital solutions. By integrating HDFC Bank's expertise and reach, we aim to empower our customers with a range of financial choices that suit their unique needs. This collaboration is a crucial step in our commitment to driving excellence in both product offerings and customer service."

Speaking on this announcement, Mr. Balaji Varma, Executive Vice President, Commercial Vehicle Group, HDFC Bank, said, "We are pleased to partner with Tata Motors to offer attractive digital financing solutions to their commercial vehicle customers. Our solutions are meticulously customised to meet the diverse requirements of customers, ensuring a tailored and seamless vehicle buying experience. We appreciate that the ease of accessibility for vehicle financing is immensely beneficial for customers and we’re committed to enhancing the vehicle financing experience."

This strategic alliance extends to all commercial vehicles offered by Tata Motors, including buses, trucks and small commercial vehicles and pickups. Tata Motors remains dedicated to understanding and meeting the evolving needs of its customers. The company consistently engages with its customers to assess their requirements, not only in terms of products and services but also from a financial assistance perspective.

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 128 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 42 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fueled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2023, Tata Motors’ operations include 88 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, three joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.

Ashwin Sheth Group Collaborates With HONO To Revolutionize Internal HR Solutions

Ashwin Sheth Group (ASG), a prominent name in the Indian real estate sector, announces its strategic collaboration with HONO, a leading innovator in comprehensive HR services. This partnership signals digital and AI tools to enhance productivity and enhance HR solutions for the employees across our offices and sites, incorporating cutting-edge technology and specialized expertise to create a more efficient and employee-focused environment.

HONO, renowned for its expertise in Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions, is poised to unveil its tailored HR services to enhance the human resources framework of Ashwin Sheth Group. The collaboration is set to bring in advanced HR Management System (HRMS) tools with cutting-edge features like chatbots and GenAI, offering comprehensive Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions for all Ashwin Sheth Group employees. With the adoption of these cloud-based HRM technologies, the company aims to strengthen efficiency and enrich the experience across all individuals in the organization.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Prabhakar Azad, Chief People and Process Officer (CPPO), Ashwin Sheth Group, said, "We at Ashwin Sheth Group are committed to to adopt the best practices and personalized experiences for our employees.  We have already implemented digital-led apps such as SMARTAPP and HONO to name a few and we are extremely aggressive in implementing many such digital tools for our employees, clients and stakeholders. Our alliance with HONO represents our dedication to nurturing a workplace culture that places our employees' needs at the forefront. By amalgamating state-of-the-art HR technologies and HONO's industry-specific proficiency, we are committed to setting new benchmarks, in tailored HR solutions within the real estate landscape.”

"We are glad to work closely with the Ashwin Sheth group, bringing them our next-gen, AI-driven workforce management solutions. Our aim is to create a digital workplace that's not only geared for the future of work and flexible but also excels in boosting productivity and efficiency across their diverse workforce," stated Mr Mukul Jain, Founder and CEO of HONO.

HONO known for its customized HR services, is geared to propel ASG towards a more effective and employee-centric future. Their expertise and commitment make them an invaluable partner in ASG's journey to optimize HR functions and foster a workplace environment that thrives on innovation and employee satisfaction. This partnership signifies a forward-thinking approach by the Ashwin Sheth Group that indicates a shared commitment to fostering a culture of enhanced efficiency, employee-centricity, and positive orientation within the organization.

About Ashwin Sheth Group:

Ashwin Sheth Group, established in 1987, is a leading real estate developer in India and Dubai, known for its unique designs and contemporary thinking. With over 80+ luxury projects globally, including landmarks like Viviana Mall in Thane, Iris Bay in Dubai, BeauMonde in Prabhadevi and Montana in Mulund to a few, the group has partnered with leading consultants in architecture, design, engineering, and construction to create value for its customers. The brand has nestled over 25,000+ happy families into their dream homes and crafted over 35 million sq. Ft. of assets. Led by visionary leader Mr. Ashwin Sheth, the group has over three decades of experience in the business. Mr Sheth was also bestowed with the ‘Real Estate Professional of the Year’ by Fortune Leadership award in 2023. The company is on an expansion spree and has received numerous industry accolades, including the 'Most Preferred Brand of 2023' and 'Developer of the Year 2023'.

To know more, click on: https://www.ashwinshethgroup.com/ | Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

About HONO:

HONO is a new-age, AI and ML enabled Human Capital Management (HCM) Solution founded in 2016, and having its footprint in India, MENA, and Southeast Asia. HONO is currently implemented and used by 300+ enterprises, 1 Mn + employees across APAC. HONO is committed to enabling productivity and positive employee experience through technology and services, by providing innovative yet simplified HR solutions. HONO is easy to configure, use and integrate, offering conversational solutions via WhatsApp, MS Teams etc. across the entire employee lifecycle.  HONO is built for enterprises, with enterprise grade security and Infosec compliances.  

Abbott Encourages More People To Talk About Menopause, The Next Chapter In A Woman's Life

 

•       Abbott and Ipsos 2022 survey[i] revealed that though 87% of respondents feel menopause can significantly impact a woman’s everyday life, conversations about this topic are limited

•       New conversation starter, ‘Real, Made up, or Mine?’ offers an engaging way to break the silence about menopause

•       Menopause rating scale helps women understand the severity of their symptoms and enable them to get help if needed

Global healthcare company Abbott is taking The Next Chapter campaign on menopause a step forward through new ways to break the silence around the topic. This year, to encourage meaningful menopause conversations, the company introduced a simple, engaging conversation starter, ‘Real, Made up, or Mine?’ at an event held in Mumbai. Lara Dutta, former Miss Universe, actress, and entrepreneur, who was part of last year’s campaign launch, participated in the discussion and advocated to reframe the menopause narrative and foster an open dialogue.

This event is building upon the 2022 launch of  Abbott’s The Next Chapter collection of stories, a compilation of real experiences of women undergoing menopause from India, China, Brazil, and Mexico. From the impact of hormonal changes on relationships and careers to the toll on health and self-esteem, each woman’s story was meant to inspire more women to speak up about their experience, discuss menopause more freely, and reach out for support, including amongst family and friends.

Dr. Rohita Shetty, head of Medical Affairs at Abbott said, “Recognizing the tough transition that women go through during menopause, it's important to help them and the people around them better understand how to manage this phase. We believe that driving conversations and sharing trusted information on menopause is an important step for women to get the support they may need to live more fully in this life stage.”

‘Real, Made up, or Mine?’ aims to help spark conversations with two sets of cards: scenario cards meant to help drive discussions and are inspired from the actual stories in The Next Chapter compilation, while story cards are open-ended questions intended to drive conversations about menopause and general well-being. Following a quick show-and-tell of the cards, a few of the panelists, along with some audience members, engaged into an authentic and engaging exchange on menopause and ways in which it can impact various aspects of life.

Lara Dutta said, “I have been raised in a family of strong women where having open conversations around problems and difficult topics resulted in finding solutions. Together with

Abbott’s The Next Chapter initiative, I’m hopeful that not just women, but also their friends and family, are comfortable talking about menopause. Having this dialogue is key to help women get the information and confidence needed to take charge of their health.”

A fire-side chat with panelists including Lara Dutta, Dr. Nozer Sheriar, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at P.D. Hinduja & Breach Candy Hospitals and Former Secretary General of The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Dr. Suchitra Pandit, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Surya Group of Hospitals, Mumbai and former President of The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI), and Dr. Rohita Shetty, Head, Medical Affairs at Abbott India led discussions on women’s menopausal experiences, the level of awareness amongst people and the importance of social support. This session was moderated by Shaili Chopra, Founder, SheThePeople.

Indian women typically experience menopause at around 46 years of age, which is at least five years earlier than Western nations.[ii] Menopause has wide-ranging effects on their family and social life, work, everyday activities, and more. The Abbott and Ipsos survey found that over 80% women believe menopause impacts their personal well-being[iii]. Menopause may also lead to effects on a woman’s mental health and cognition, from depression and anxiety to irritability, poor concentration, sleep loss, and memory issues[iv].

While greater awareness can prompt more women to share their authentic experiences, it is also important to encourage family members, friends, and coworkers to join the conversation. They form an important ecosystem for women and equipping them with information can foster support and helpful dialogues. In fact, Abbott’s survey also highlighted that 91% of husbands surveyed feel that more women need to talk about their experiences regarding menopause to increase awareness[v].

When it comes to symptoms, while women are aware of commonly associated symptoms, they generally don’t consult a doctor immediately. Amongst those who visited a gynecologist, approximately 93% women consulted a gynecologist three months or more after experiencing symptoms[vi]. To help women identify menopausal signs and manage them better, Abbott also released a menopause rating scale. This tool can help women understand the severity of their symptoms, while supporting doctors in treatment decision-making and lifestyle suggestions to ease women’s hormonal transition into menopause and beyond.

Abbott’s digital conversation starter, and additional menopause resources can be accessed on its website, The Next Chapter - Womenfirst. Women can also check their symptoms on the menopause rating scale: Menopause Rating Scale.

About Abbott:

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

In India, Abbott was established in 1910, and is one of the country's oldest and most admired healthcare companies. With more than 12,000 employees in the country, Abbott is helping to meet the healthcare needs of consumers, patients and doctors throughout urban and rural India.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com and www.abbott.in, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and www.facebook.com/AbbottIndia, and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

PNB Urges Its Customers To Update KYC Details By Dec 18, 2023

In adherence to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, the Punjab National Bank, nation’s leading public sector bank, has asked its customers to update their Know Your Customer (KYC) information before 18.12.2023 to ensure smooth functioning of their accounts. This is applicable only for those customers whose accounts were due for KYC updation as of 30.09.2023.  

As part of the KYC compliance exercise, PNB customers are requested to provide their updated information like identity proof, address proof, recent photo, PAN, income proof, mobile number (if not available) or any other KYC information to their base branch. It can be done through PNB One, Internet Banking Services (IBS), registered email/post, or in-person visits to any branch by 18.12.2023. Failure to update KYC details within the stipulated time may result in restrictions on account operations. 

For any assistance, customers can visit their nearest PNB branch or check the official website https://www.pnbindia.in/.  

Bank of Baroda Introduces The “BOB Parivar Account” For Savings And Current Accounts

 - ‘My Family, My Bank’ brings together a family’s entire banking relationship with the Bank, doing away with the need to maintain minimum balance for each account and enabling all family members to enjoy attractive benefits 

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, announced the introduction of the BOB Parivar Account for Savings and Current Accounts. The ‘My Family, My Bank’ segment, which has been launched as a part of the Bank’s “BOB Ke Sang Tyohaar Ki Umang” festive campaign, groups all the bank accounts belonging to members of a single family under One Family. While each account will be operated independently by the primary account holder, the maintenance of quarterly average balance (QAB) is recorded at the Group/ Family level, eliminating the need to maintain QAB in every single account. 

Further, it gives each family member access to an array of benefits during the festive period due to the overall enhanced relationship. The BOB Parivar facility is open to both new and existing customers.  

The BOB Parivar Account can comprise of a minimum of two and a maximum of six members. Eligible family members for the BOB Parivar Savings Account segment include the spouse, parents, children, parents-in-law, daughter-in-law and/or son-in-law. The BOB Parivar Current Account Segment is open to proprietorship, partnership, LLP and Pvt. Ltd. companies, which are group companies or sister concerns.   

Both the BOB Parivar Savings Account and the BOB Parivar Current Account segments come in three distinct variants – Diamond, Gold and Silver – with varying Pooled Quarterly Average Balance (PQAB) requirements (For Savings Accounts - Diamond: Rs 5 lakh & above; Gold: Rs 2 lakh & above; Silver: Rs 50,000 & above; For Current Accounts - Diamond: Rs 10 lakh & above; Gold: Rs 5 lakh & above; Silver: Rs 2 lakh and above) and associated benefits.  

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ravindra Singh Negi, Chief General Manager - Retail Liabilities & NRI Business, Bank of Baroda said, “We are delighted to introduce the BOB Parivar Account for our Savings and Current Account holders. By grouping together individual accounts of a single family or associated companies, our customers will be greatly rewarded with superior benefits, which are normally provided in accounts maintaining higher balances. In the BOB Parivar Account segment, all individual family members will gain from the overall balances maintained together. Here there is no requirement to maintain individual Quarterly Average Balance for each account, thus enhancing the overall banking experience. As a bank with a 115 year history, we are privileged to have generations from the same family bank with us and the ‘My Family, My Bank’ concept will further strengthen and deepen their relationship with Bank of Baroda.” 

Benefits of the BOB Parivar Account: 

Concessional Interest Rates on Retail Loans for Saving Accountholders  

Waiver of Processing Charges on Retail Loans (excluding TCR/Valuation Charges) 

Concession in Locker Rent Charges 

Concession in Demat AMC  

Concession in manual NEFT/RTGS charges (Digital is 100% Free)  

Complete waiver of DD/PO Charges 

Concession in Cheque Book charges 

Waiver of charges on collection of Outstation Cheques (Only Postage & Out of Pocket expenses are payable for Collection of Outstation Cheques) 

Complimentary SMS/Email Alerts and Standing instructions 

For details on ‘My Family, My Bank’ and to avail this facility, click on Baroda Family Savings Account Segment and Baroda Family Current Account Segment or visit the nearest Bank of Baroda branch.  

Secures A Landmark $41 Million In Series A Funding Led By Lightspeed

Sarvam AI, an Indian startup in Generative AI founded by Vivek Raghavanand Pratyush Kumar,has announced that it is raising $41 million in Series A round. This funding, led by Lightspeed and supported by Peak XV Partners and Khosla Ventures,represents the largestraise at this stage for an IndianAI startup. 

Sarvam AI’s ambitious plan is to develop the “full-stack” for Generative AI ranging from research-led innovations in training custom AI models to an enterprise-grade platform for authoring and deployment. The company believes that this full-stack approach will accelerate adoption of GenAIin India, especially given that enterprises see the potential of GenAI but are grapplingwith how to leverage it for their business. 

Sarvam AI will focus on India’s uniqueneeds. This includestraining AI modelsto support the diverse set of Indian languages and voice-first interfaces. The company will also work with Indian enterprises to co-build domain-specific AI models on their data. Finally, the company aims to create population-scale impact layering GenAI on top of the highly successful India stack specifically for public-good applications. 

Hemant Mohapatra, Partner,Lightspeed, reflecting on their global experience in funding leadingGenAI ventures, remarked, "Having backed some of the most influential names in GenAI globally, we are excited by Sarvam AI’s unique approach in combining model innovation and application development to build population-scale solutions for India. Lightspeed will be close partnersand contribute with our deep capital stack and learningsfrom our global platform." 

Co-founder of Sarvam AI, Vivek Raghavan, reflecting on his decade long experience in building digital public infrastructure includingAadhaar stated, "Ihave seen first hand the enormous value in innovating at foundational layers and deploying at population scale. India has demonstrated that it can harness technology differently, and with GenAI we have an opportunity to reimagine how this technology can add value to people’slives.” 

Domiciled in India, Sarvam AI hopes to contribute to India’s strategic goals in this space. Vinod Khosla, a pioneer in Silicon Valley AI investments, including his early support for OpenAI, commented, "Wesee several countrieshaving sovereign effortsto build GenAI models given its strategicimportance. We need companies like Sarvam AI to developdeep expertise for building AI in and for India." 

Co-founder of Sarvam AI, PratyushKumar, drawing on his researchexpertise in academiaand corporate research, said, "Our aim is to establish Sarvam AI as a beacon for AI innovation, attracting the brightest minds to tackle foundational research challenges right here in India.” As a founder of the research initiative on open-source Indian language AI called AI4Bharat, Kumar has a track-record of building state-of-the-art AI models for Indian languages which are deployed for various public-good and commercial applications. Kumar also noted, “The race towards ever more powerful AI is both an exciting and divisive one. We named our company Sarvam, which in Sanskrit means ‘all’, as we are intentionally invested in technical and ecosystem innovations that make this technology accessible to all.” 

Led by its successful founders, Sarvam AI is putting together a high-quality team. Commenting on the people at Sarvam AI, Harshjit Sethi, Managing Director, Peak XV, said, “The Sarvam AI team led by Vivek and Pratyush is among the highest calibre AI teams we have seen emerge from India. Vivek’s expertise in building large scale systems with Pratyush’s domain expertise in AI makes them uniquely positioned to build population scale AI applications. Large scale adoption of AI in India will require not only buildinguniquely Indian use cases but also delivering them at prices that everyone can afford and we believe the Sarvam team is best positioned to accomplish this.'' 

Vitesco Technologies Wins “German Design Award 2024” For Its Brand Sound

* Winner in the category ‘Excellent Communications Design – Audiovisual’ 

* Vitesco Technologies had already won the 2021 German Design Award for ‘Corporate Identity’ and ‘Brand Identity’ given by the German Design Council 

* International Sound Award 2023 given by the Audio Branding Academy: Winner in the category ‘Audio Branding’ 

Vitesco Technologies, a leading international provider of modern drive technologies and solutions for electromobility, was announced as the recipient of its third German Design Award: "Excellent Communications Design - Audiovisual" for its brand sound. Vitesco Technologies was previously honored with the German Design Awards in 2021 for its "Corporate Identity" and "Brand Identity" efforts. The official award ceremony will take place on January 26, 2024 in Frankfurt (Main). 

"I am incredibly proud of my team, which has positioned our young brand extremely successfully in such a short time," explains Dr. Anne-Kathrin Bräu, Head of Communications at Vitesco Technologies: " The repeated recognition of our brand sound, this time with the German Design Award 2024, once again confirms this great team spirit."  

In October of this year, Vitesco Technologies was named "Winner" of the International Sound Awards 2023 in the "Audio Branding" category with its brand sound, a central element of the brand: The tone sequence of the sound is based on the brand symbol, the "V". It follows a descending and then ascending form that resembles the "V". The central tone is the A, as yellow, the brand color of Vitesco Technologies, is subconsciously associated with this tone by many people. 

Union Bank of India Has Bagged "Best Government Led Assistive Technology Award"

Union Bank of India has bagged "Best Government Led Assistive Technology Award" in the Enablers category at the Assist Tech Foundation (ATF) Awards 2023 held at Bengaluru on 1st December 2023. The award was given for Bank’s ground-breaking initiatives - Union Access, for implementing digital accessibility and Union Sparsh, a tactile featured braille debit card for visually challenged customers. Bank’s success at this prestigious event not only highlights its commitment to leveraging technology but also emphasizes its role in creating a more inclusive and accessible banking products.  

The ATF Awards 2023 celebrated innovation and excellence in the assistive technology sector. The award was received by Mr. Jude George (Deputy General Manager, Department of Information Technology) and Mr. Rahul Gambhir (Senior Manager, Department of Information Technology) on behalf of the Bank from the Honorable Minister of IT from the Karnataka State Government.   

Vitesco Technologies Presents Comprehensive “Portfolio For Electric Drives” At CTI Symposium, Berlin

Among other things, the company will exhibit its "Master Controller Premium"  

In addition: the "Overmold Power Module" with modern silicon carbide chip technology  

Presentations on silicon carbide-based drive systems and inverter technologies for e-mobility  

Vitesco Technologies, a leading international provider of state-of-the-art drive technologies and solutions for electromobility, will participate in this year's CTI Symposium in Berlin with a booth and technical presentations. Among the product innovations that the company will present from tomorrow are the Master Controller Premium as well as its overmolded power modules with modern silicon carbide chip technology.  

The Master Controller Premium from Vitesco Technologies is a central control system for various area functions, such as the drive, the chassis or the charging. By acting as a functional integration platform for lateral and longitudinal acceleration, thermal and energy management, driving and charging strategy, it supports the highest functional safety level (ASIL-D).  

Another highlight of Vitesco Technologies at the CTI Symposium will be the overmold power module: With its modern silicon carbide chip technology it represents a solution example for very deep system competence through joint optimization of power electronics and thermal management. Thanks to long-term collaborations with various semiconductor manufacturers, the company is able to offer its customers a particularly high degree of flexibility.