Medtronic Launches Symplicity™ Blood Pressure Procedure - A New Horizon In Managing Patients With Hypertension In India

India Medtronic Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), announced the launch of the Symplicity™ Spyral renal denervation system (RDN) for treating high blood pressure. RDN is a minimally invasive therapy that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure. Medtronic recently announced the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the system which is a culmination of ten years of clinical research and development, and the system has approval of the Indian regulatory authorities too.

In India, nearly 1 in 4 adults have hypertension.[i] Hypertension is the single largest contributor to cardiovascular death; it dramatically increases risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. Unfortunately, hypertension often goes undiagnosed as it frequently exhibits no symptoms. Raising awareness about hypertension is crucial since it is a detectable, preventable and treatable condition.

The Symplicity SpyralTM blood pressure procedure has demonstrated clinical efficacy in reducing high blood pressure[ii],[iii],[iv] which can lower serious health risks[v]. It is a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause elevated blood pressure. After sedation, the doctor makes a small incision and inserts a very thin tube (catheter) into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then uses the catheter to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind.

Michael Blackwell, Vice President and Managing Director, Medtronic India said, "With the Symplicity blood pressure procedure, we aim to empower healthcare professionals and offer a comprehensive approach to managing uncontrolled hypertension that supports our patient-centered approach to care. The recently announced US FDA approval for the RDN system and an update earlier this year of the European Hypertension Society (ESH) guidelines, highlight the role of RDN as part of the hypertension care pathway.  We are excited to offer this therapy to all eligible patients in India. As leaders in cardiovascular therapies, Medtronic remains committed to providing innovative solutions that improve patients' lives."

The Medtronic RDN program is backed by experience in more than 25,000 patients globally. It has also been studied in more than 4,000 patients in the presence and absence of medication, and in patients with high baseline cardiovascular risk, or with comorbidities. It has demonstrated significant and sustained reductions in blood pressure among patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Further, the procedure has been proven to be safe, with very low rates of adverse events.[vi]

Know the facts & talk to your doctor 

Blood pressure is the force that circulating blood exerts against the walls of the arteries – and hypertension is when blood pressure is abnormally high. Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because most people don’t know they have it. Although there may not be any warning signs or symptoms shown, some people report early morning headaches, nosebleeds, irregular heart rhythms and buzzing in the ears. Hypertension can significantly increase the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases and is a major cause of premature death. vi If you or someone you know is experiencing high or difficult to control blood pressure, consult with your doctor to learn more about the Symplicity™ procedure.

Air India Express Expands Operations In Gwalior, Provides Direct Flights To Delhi And Bengaluru Starting January 16

* Air India Express had commenced operations in Gwalior on November 28 with direct connectivity to Hyderabad and is now ready to provide non-stop services to Delhi and Bengaluru. 

Air India Express, announces the commencement of new routes from Gwalior to two major metropolitan cities - Gwalior to Delhi and Gwalior to Bengaluru, starting January 16th. The airline will operate daily direct flights on these routes, significantly improving the connectivity to and from Gwalior. This comes less than a month after the airline started operations from the city with direct connectivity to Hyderabad. 

The inaugural flight on the Bengaluru-Gwalior route, IX 1590, is set to depart on January 16, 2024, at 05:10 hours, reaching Gwalior at 07:45 hours. The return flight, IX 1592, will leave Gwalior at 15:35 hours, arriving in Bengaluru at 18:10 hours. IX 1590 on the Gwalior-Delhi route will depart Gwalior at 08:15 hours, landing in Delhi at 09:20 hours. Subsequently, from Delhi, IX 1592 departs at 13:35 hours, touching down in Gwalior at 15:00 hours. 

Speaking about the expansion, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, said “At Air India Express, our commitment is to fortify the connectivity of New India, with a particular focus on our robust tier 2 & 3 cities. The launch of services from Gwalior to New Delhi and Bengaluru symbolises this pledge. Beyond these direct flights, we are establishing connections from Gwalior to 21 key destinations, accessible via convenient one-stop itineraries through Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad. Furthermore, the New Delhi – Gwalior flight extends convenient via-connectivity for the people of Gwalior to the city of Ayodhya.” 

The airline has released the schedule for daily non-stop flights between Gwalior, Delhi, and Bengaluru, with bookings available through the airline’s award-winning mobile app and website airindiaexpress.com, as well as other major booking platforms. 

Air India Express facilitates seamless travel with 344 weekly flights departing from Bengaluru, connecting the city directly to 22 destinations. Additionally, the airline provides direct connectivity from Delhi to 17 destinations, operating a total of 259 weekly flights. In Hyderabad, AIX operates 108 weekly departures and connects 12 direct destinations.  

On December 20, Air India Express announced the commencement of operations from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, which became its 45th station. Recently, AIXL also became the first airline to operate a direct flight from Surat to Dubai on the very day when the Surat International Airport had its new international terminal inaugurated. 

BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth To Acquire Majority Stake In Indium Software, A Fast-Growing Digital Engineering Company

* Indium enables enterprises on their digital transformation journey through a comprehensive suite of services, including Product Engineering, Data Analytics, ML and AI, Low-code No- code, Digital Assurance, and Gaming Tech

* Indium’s blue-chip customer base features multiple Fortune 500 enterprises across various sectors, with a focus on Technology, BFSI and Healthcare industries

* Drawing on its extensive track record in the global Tech Services sector, EQT will support Indium’s management team in strengthening its go-to-market strategy while continuing to build on next-gen offerings across Generative AI and Advanced Analytics

EQT is pleased to announce that the BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth Fund (“BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth”) has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Indium Software (the “Company”) from existing shareholders. The Company’s Co-Founder, Ram Sukumar, will continue leading the firm as CEO.

Headquartered in Chennai, Indium is a fast-growing, digital engineering provider, offering cutting-edge technology solutions to enterprise customers and born-digital companies. Indium was co-founded in 1999 by Ram Sukumar and Vijay Balaji, and today boasts of a team of about 3,000 employees. Indium has grown at a CAGR of around 50 percent over the last three years.

BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth will support Indium in its next phase of growth, drawing on EQT’s global experience in Tech Services with about USD 11 bn invested in the sector in Asia, in-house digitalization capabilities, and global network of industry experts.

Hari Gopalakrishnan, Partner and Co-Head of BPEA EQT India, “We are excited to partner with CEO Ram Sukumar and Indium’s stellar management team, as the company enters its next phase of evolution. Indium has highly impressive digital capabilities and a strong client roster of global blue-chip enterprises. We are confident of drawing on EQT’s extensive value creation playbook in Tech Services and supporting the company on its strong growth momentum”.

Ram Sukumar, Co-founder and CEO of Indium, said, “Indium has been built on a culture of client centricity, trust and high-performance. Over the years, we have embraced multiple technology shifts, and today, have become a trusted partner to several enterprises accelerating on their digital and AI journeys. We are truly excited about welcoming EQT as our partner, and we hope to leverage their global footprint to scale our business.”

The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2024.

BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth was advised by JSA, Deloitte, and PwC. Avendus Capital served as exclusive financial advisor and SAM & Co. served as legal counsel to Indium and its shareholders.

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 232 billion in total assets under management (EUR 128 billion in fee-generating assets under management), within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com

About Indium Software 

Indium Software is a fast-growing digital engineering company, focused on building modern solutions across applications, data, and gaming for its clients.With deep expertise in next-generation offerings combining data and applications, Indium offers a wide range of services including Product Engineering, Low-Code development, Data Engineering, AI/ML, Digital Assurance, and end-to-end Gaming Tech.  

With about 3000 associates globally, Indium has built deep relationships with Fortune 500, Global 2000, as well as born-digital companies across industries such as BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, Digital Native, and Technology companies in North America, India, and APAC. 

Toyota Safety Education Program And Toyota Hackathon Pave Way For Safer Tomorrow Through Learning And Innovation

In line with its commitment to the cause of Road Safety, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced the implementation of two impactful road safety programs, namely the Toyota Safety Education Program (TSEP) and the Toyota Hackathon, aimed to educate, create awareness, instil a sense of responsibility, and empower the youths to become advocates for road safety. While TSEP is an interactive program targeting school children from 5th – 9th grades, educating them on the importance of road safety through a phase-wise approach, Toyota Hackathon provides a platform for 11th – 12th graders to develop effective road safety solutions.

Both these road safety programs offered by Toyota (TSEP was launched in 2007 and Hackathon during 2018) have successfully reached over 790,000 school children to date, bringing about a positive change in the behaviour as road users. This year, TSEP will be implemented across Bangalore & nearby districts, focusing to cover more than 20,000 students across 40+ schools. The learning modules under the TSEP program covers interactive content and assessment, club activities for experiential learning, intra-school club activity sessions and conducting annual event to encourage children to demonstrate their understanding about the road safety, thereby helping in creating ‘Road Safety Ambassadors’. The program's unique 'Child to Community' approach aims to influence road safety practices within local communities and become a flagship project striving towards zero fatalities.

Simultaneously, the Toyota Hackathon, initiated in 2018, encourages children to become critical thinkers and solution providers for modern-day road safety challenges, while inspiring the young minds to learn from the innovations and incorporate solutions towards promoting road safety. For the academic year 2023-24, Toyota Hackathon is focusing to cover youths from the existing TSEP implementing schools & pre-university colleges, targeting around 100 institutes, both from Bangalore and nearby districts. The Toyota Hackathon broadly includes online and offline evaluation by conducting tests, screening & shortlisting of teams, building implementable road safety solutions with mentors, also incubation support for best innovations and participation of school children in 24 hours hackathon.

Some of the major causes of road accidents in India include breakdown & malfunction of poorly maintained older vehicles plying on the roads causing mishaps, inadequate road engineering, lack of understanding and non-following of road safety rules, behavioural issue such as over-speeding, not wearing helmets while riding, not wearing seatbelts while driving and so forth.  In a continuing trend, most victims of road accidents are young. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive approach to road safety, TKM is committed to creating awareness among future road users through its uniquely designed road safety initiatives with a focus on not only manufacturing ‘Safe Cars’ but also ensuring ‘People's Safety on Roads’.

Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Through “Toyota Safety Education Program” and Toyota Hackathon, we aim to educate the future road users - school children on the importance of road safety and inculcate responsible road behaviour to eliminate road mishaps. Children are the change agents who can bring desirable transformations in the society. We are strong advocates of the fact that safety messages should be seeded in school curriculum which ultimately will serve as an enabler to drive positive behavioural change. In this direction, our road safety efforts involve an integrated approach, harmonizing people, vehicles, and the traffic environment. TKM’s dual road safety initiatives are a testament to the company’s continued focus to foster a culture of road sense and innovations amongst the youth, thereby contribute to the safety of the future generations.”

Being a safety leader, TKM encourages the school children to become the change-makers in the realm of road safety through implementation of TSEP and Toyota Hackathon. Additionally, these road safety initiatives undertaken by the company includes capacity building for teachers and student leaders, improved school visibility, road safety contributions to national and global priorities (UN SDG3), and the development of life skill sets in students.

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited And Attero Collaborate For Sustainable EV Battery Recycling

India’s No.1 electric 3-wheeler manufacturer, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited (MLMML) - a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, and Attero, a global leader in Lithium-ion battery recycling as well as e-waste management, have joined forces. This strategic collaboration, focused on effective EV battery recycling, represents a proactive effort to tackle the environmental concerns linked to safe electric vehicle battery disposal.

MLMML, a prominent leader in electric vehicle technologies, offers an extensive selection of Li-ion electric 3-wheelers featuring models such as Treo, Treo Plus, Treo Zor, Treo Yaari, and Zor Grand.

Renowned for its recycling technology, Attero has achieved an outstanding recovery rate for precious materials at its Roorkee facility. The partnership between MLMML and Attero is specifically focused on the sustainability and recycling/reuse of lithium-ion batteries.

Ms. Suman Mishra, MD and CEO of Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited, said "As a leader in India’s last mile transportation electrification, we are unwavering in our pursuit of net-zero emissions and sustainable practices. Teaming up with Attero as a preferred partner for Li-ion battery disposal underscores our commitment to provide a pollution-free transportation and drive towards a greener future.”

"Our commitment to a circular economy and green technology resonates with MLMML's vision for a sustainable future. Attero is a pioneer in Li-ion battery disposal and sustainable e-waste. The advanced solutions, backed by years of expertise, ensure that we can recover and recycle electric vehicle batteries with unmatched efficiency.” said Mr. Nitin Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Attero Recycling.

About Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited is committed to the electrification of the mobility landscape, prioritising electric 3- and 4-wheelers. The company offers a wide portfolio of products in various fuel options, including 3-wheelers like Treo, Zor Grand, Alfa, and the 4-wheeler SCV - Jeeto.

Learn more about MLMML on www.mahindralastmilemobility.com / Twitter/LinkedIn (@mahindralmm), and Facebook (@MahindraLastMileMobility).

About Mahindra

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate. The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.

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

About Attero

Attero Recycling Pvt Ltd is an environmentally conscious end-to-end E-Waste management and Li-ion recycling solution provider in India and is one of the few such recyclers globally. It is the only company in the world to get carbon credits for recycling e-waste and Li-Ion waste. Founded in 2008, by Rohan Gupta and Nitin Gupta, it is India’s only cleantech company that can extract pure critical metals such as Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium, Graphite, Copper, Silver, Gold, Manganese and Aluminium and completing the circular economy value chain. For processing E-Waste and Li-Ion waste, Attero Recycling has a state-of-the-art recycling plant in Roorkee, Uttarakhand. As the first mover in the space, Attero can process and recycle LFP, LCO, LTO, NMC and all other types of Lithium-Ion battery chemistry.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Inaugurates Its Exclusive TATA.ev Stores In Gurugram

~A differentiated and engaging experience for the EV community

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), a subsidiary of Tata Motors and the pioneer of India’s EV revolution, today launched its TATA.ev stores, catering solely to EV customers, in the prominent auto hubs of Sector 14 & Sohna Road, Gurugram. These stores will be open to public starting January 07, 2024.

As electric vehicles in India continue their growth trajectory, the consumer demographic is rapidly evolving as EV owners expect a seamless blend of advanced technology, sustainable practices, and personalized services. In line with these evolving trends, TPEM extends its new brand identity, TATA.ev, to its first physical manifestation of sales and service experience. Marking a distinct transition from traditional 4-wheeler showrooms, the TATA.ev stores are designed around the core values of sustainability, community, and technology. These showrooms will embody the core philosophy of ‘Move with Meaning’ and offer an inviting and immersive space for the EV community.

Commenting at the inauguration of the new showrooms, Shailesh Chandra, MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “With insights gathered from over 1 Lakh Tata EV customers, we understand that the EV consumers seek a different kind of customer experience. They are sensitive to how the planet is evolving, very conscious about the cost of driving, and desire cutting-edge technology. This is in line with the new brand identity’s core values - sustainability, community, and technology. The new flagship showrooms are the first physical manifestations of this brand philosophy and we have mapped the customer journey accordingly. We want to empower our customers so our plans include the creation of a harmonious community space to facilitate customer gatherings/services, sustainability-focused workshops, and events for customers. These showrooms are not just about retailing EVs but they become TATA.ev community centres in Gurugram.

Starting with these two showrooms today and with many more that we plan to bring in the next 12-18 months, we intend to drive positive change in the automotive industry with a focus on e-mobility.”

According to Vivek Srivatsa, Head, Marketing, Sales and Service Strategy, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. “Every aspect of the in-store experience has been reimagined at TATA.ev stores. Digital, physical, and human elements come together in harmony to deliver a uniquely memorable car-buying experience, with moments of authentic surprise to delight our community at every step along the way. Recognising the very different expectations of EV buyers, the in-store experience has been designed to offer information, advice, and guidance in a friendly environment. While we use the power of technology to elevate the experience, the human touch remains ever-important. From new retail roles to passionate individuals immersed in the essence of our brand, our home of electric has been designed to be warm and welcoming, friendly and fun.”

The showroom conveys a strong commitment to sustainability right from its design, to the eventual construction, and now day-to-day operations. These stores are a tangible manifestation of our unwavering commitment to sustainability as a company. All major materials utilized are either recycled or recyclable, with many of them certified with sustainability from global green certifiers. There was an added emphasis on locally sourced materials while building the showroom, significantly reducing reliance on long-distance, high-emission transportation.

The second focal point of this showroom is community, as this space has been created to invite visitors not just to purchase a Tata EV, but also for shared moments, like offering coffee from Blue Tokai, catch-up with fellow EV adopters, and attending events listed in the EVOLVE community calendar – transforming the store to a hub for meaningful interactions beyond a purchase.

The third pillar in this design centers on technology. Thoughtfully integrating digital elements, the store crucially aims to support and not overwhelm its visitors. The screens would provide testimonials from current owners, addressing concerns and myths around EVs, customization options for customers keen to know more about their Tata EVs, and personalized welcomes for families arriving to receive the delivery of their EVs.

With a dominating market share of over 71% in the 4-wheeler EV segment, TPEM has consistently demonstrated its pioneering spirit by introducing cutting-edge technologies and innovative products. Responsible for actively shaping the future of mobility, the company also recently crossed the milestone of selling 1 lakh Tata EVs. The company aims to set new benchmarks in the EV segment by focusing on seamless connectivity, state-of-the-art design, exceptional performance, and uncompromised safety across its electric vehicle lineup. With a focus on community, sustainability, and technology, TPEM is redefining the future of transportation.

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.

Tata Motors’ New Safari And Harrier SUVs Receive First Ever Bharat-NCAP 5-Star Rating

Continuing with its legacy of introducing the safest vehicles on Indian roads, Tata Motors, India’s leading automobile brand, today set another example for the Indian automotive industry. Its iconic, flagship SUV, the new Safari and the trendsetting, premium SUV the Harrier, have become the first recipients of the 5-star rating (adult occupant protection and child occupant protection), as per the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat-NCAP), India’s very own and independent safety performance evaluation protocol.

Announcing this distinctive achievement, Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari ji, said, “Bharat-NCAP is India’s independent, atmanirbhar voice on vehicle safety. It is benchmarked to the best-in-class global standards and the Bharat-NCAP vehicle rating system is designed to advance road safety and vehicle safety standards beyond mandatory regulations. I’m delighted that the first ever vehicles being certified today with the highest achievable 5-star rating, are both from Tata Motors. I congratulate them on award of this coveted certification with the highest possible ratings and for continuing to enrich their legacy of introducing the safest vehicles on Indian roads.”

Prominent Safety Features in the new Safari & Harrier

* 7 airbags with 6 as standard across personas 

* Electronic Stability Control as standard

* 3-point seatbelts in all rows

* Seat Belt Reminder for all passengers

* Isofix tethers

* Seatbelts with Retractor, Pretensioner, Load Limiter (RPLL) and anchor pretensioner

* Reinforced cabin structure enhanced to provide symmetric crash performance and side pole impact

Receiving the coveted certification, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., said, "Bharat-NCAP is a significant step forward as it provides customers with a credible, objective score to evaluate the safety aspects of various vehicles. Informed customers taking optimal decisions will further foster the rising preference for safer vehicles in the country. We acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative efforts of the government, regulatory bodies, and the automotive industry in this pursuit. At Tata Motors, safety is at the \ core of our DNA and we are honoured to win this maiden Bharat-NCAP certification with an exemplary 5-star rating for two of our vehicles. We remain committed and will continue to work towards improving vehicle safety holistically.”

Built on the OMEGARC architecture, derived from Land Rover’s renowned D8 Platform, the powerful and stylish Safari and Harrier SUVs also come with the highest 5-star GNCAP rating and are truly the safest vehicles on Indian roads.

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 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 amongst the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

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

With operations in India, the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia, Tata Motors’ vehicles are marketed in Africa, Middle East, Latin America, South East Asia and SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2023, Tata Motors’ operations inter alia includes 88 consolidated subsidiaries, 2 joint operations, 3 joint ventures and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, in respect of which the company exercises significant influence.

Mysore Saree Udyog Unveils Spectacular New Flagship Store In Hyderabad At Jubilee Hills

Mysore Saree Udyog, a pioneer among India’s ethnic wear brands with a rich legacy of catering to an extensive consumer base in Bangalore, has announced the opening of its new flagship outlet in Hyderabad. Located in Jubilee Hills, this store is a significant milestone that further underscores the brand's commitment to timeless elegance, impeccable craftsmanship, and the preservation of traditional weaves.

Spanning 15,000 square feet across four floors, the new store proudly showcases an exquisite array of pure silk sarees, lehengas, fabrics, ready-to-wear, unstitched suits, salwar kameez, and dupattas. These offerings seamlessly blend traditional and contemporary styles, catering to every occasion. The uniqueness of these collections arises from in-house design interventions, facilitating the creation of exclusive, high-quality products. Additionally, every fabric available at the store can be authenticated through on-site real-zari testing and Silk Mark certifications, affirming the true value of the offerings.

Aligning with its Bangalore counterpart, the Hyderabad store assures a unique price match guarantee and diverse customer service options via WhatsApp commerce and video call shopping. Embracing its global acclaim, the brand pledges an engaging and personalized shopping experience, both online and offline. More than just a retail space, the new outlet represents a commitment to surpassing expectations and delighting even the most discerning consumers in the city.

Commenting on the expansion, Kamlesh Talera, one of the founders of Mysore Saree Udyog, said, "Nestled in the heart of Hyderabad and surrounded by picturesque neighborhoods, this area exudes a timeless charm—much like our brand. With a legacy spanning four distinguished decades, we strive to keep up with the trends without compromising on our core DNA anchored in transparency, superior quality, and customer satisfaction. We are excited to enter a new market that resonates with our values, appreciates craftsmanship and rich heritage, and reinforces our dedication to offering unparalleled elegance and service."

Since its inception in 1982, Mysore Saree Udyog has embarked on a journey to preserve the heritage of Indian textiles by supporting the craftsmanship of over 3000 artisans across the country. The brand has remained an emblem of sophistication, representing a cultural cornerstone for ethnic wear and saree aficionados. As it expands beyond Karnataka, the brand is poised to fortify its offline retail footprint, bringing its legacy of elegance and tradition to new horizons.

For more information, visit website: https://www.mysoresareeudyog.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mysoresareeudyog/?hl=en

Location: No. 470 A, Road No. 36, Near Peddamma Gudi Metro Station, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Pin: 500033

About MSU

Established in 1982 by Kamlesh Talera and Dinesh Talera, Mysore Saree Udyog is a celebrated ethnic wear brand offering a diverse array of pure silk sarees, lehengas, and bridal attire. Renowned for its blend of tradition and contemporary elegance, the brand has earned international recognition, being named among the world's top 10 shopping destinations by Vanity Fair Germany. MSU transcends borders, maintaining a significant presence in the U.S. and other international markets. It stands as one of the very few brands in India that has invested in preserving India's textile culture. The Registry of Sarees, a research center repository and museum established by MSU, houses over 800 exhibits, safeguarding historical textile artifacts dating back 200–300 years.

Shadowfax Introduces Flash, Takes On Dunzo With 30-Minute Deliveries

Shadowfax, a leading player in the logistics industry of India, proudly announces the launch of its cutting edge on-demand delivery serviceapp - Flash by Shadowfax, which will allow merchants & customers to enjoy instant delivery service within the city. Through this service, Shadowfax aims to take on Dunzo with 30-Minute deliveries providing swift, reliable, and cost efficient last-mile delivery solutions. The service has an advantage of being present in over 50 cities today.

Flash by Shadowfax caters to on-demand convenience, empowering users to request pickups and drop-offs as needed. The platform introduces the innovative concept of milk run deliveries, enabling businesses to consolidate multiple shipments on a single route, thereby optimizing efficiency and lowering overall delivery costs. Positioned as a cost-efficient logistics solution, Flash prioritizes speed and reliability, making it an optimal choice for businesses aiming to enhance and streamline their delivery operations. It also integrates advanced GPS technology, providing customers with real-time tracking capabilities, ensuring full visibility into the delivery process from the start to finish.

Praharsh Chandra, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer at Shadowfax, opines, "We are thrilled to introduce Flash by Shadowfax. In an era where speed, reliability, and cost efficiency are paramount, Flash by Shadowfax addresses the evolving needs of businesses and consumers alike. This service aligns with our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, providing a comprehensive solution for efficient, on-demand logistics. Flash is not just about delivering packages; it's about delivering value."

Flash by Shadowfax is now live and operational. To download the Flash by Shadowfax app or learn more about services, visit:

https://flash.shadowfax.in/?utm_source=press&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=press+release

About Shadowfax:

Shadowfax is a premier E-commerce service provider and hyperlocal company, boasting a robust distribution network that stretches across 3000+ cities and 14,000+ pin codes. Delivering 2 million packages daily, Shadowfax provides unparalleled services to a vast network of customers with industry-leading Turnaround Time (TAT) at highly competitive prices. Transitioning from a last-mile-oriented platform, it has evolved into a full-stack platform, with plans to further expand its services to include intercity operations in the next three quarters.

Founded in 2015 by a team of IIT-Delhi Alumni, including Abhishek Bansal, Vaibhav Khandelwal, Praharsh Chandra, and Gaurav Jaithliya, Shadowfax continues to revolutionize the E-commerce logistics landscape. Shadowfax proudly holds the position of being India’s leading last-mile logistics player, boasting an exceptional crowdsourcing network comprising 125,000 monthly active delivery partners; 3.5 million registered users. With its consistent track record of trust, reliability, and a customer-centric approach, it has become the preferred logistics partner for major E-commerce and Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) players in the country. Shadowfax’s firm commitment to excellence enables it to set new industry benchmarks, embodying innovation in the E-commerce logistics sector.

Nestroots Raises Pre-Seed Round Led By Beyond Seed Singapore To Accelerate Growth And Global Expansion

* Nestroots secures fundraise, expanding its product catalogue to various categories such as Kids Furniture, Wall & Tabletop Decor and Furnishings, and further strengthening its existing categories.

* The brand's ambitious five-year plan extends to global expansion into the US, Canada, and UAE market  and establishing an offline presence.

Nestroots, a prominent new age home decor and lifestyle brand, announces a fundraise of ?3 crore, led by BeyondSeed Singapore, with investment expertly handled by Bestvantage Investments. This infusion of capital comes on the heels of Nestroots projecting an impressive year-on-year double digit growth, cementing its formidable standing in the burgeoning Indian home decor market.

Arjun Vaidya, Marquee D2C mentor & investor has participated in the round and also come on board as a mentor.

Nestroots, dedicated to excellence in design, quality, and accessibility, is set to leverage this funding to fortify Nestroots' online dominance with diverse product ranges by introducing new categories like Kids’ Furniture and bigger Furniture alongside an expansive range of Decor. Additionally, with a keen eye on global markets, Nestroots’ ambitious global expansion plans over the next five years include venturing into strategic territories, including the US, Canada, and the UAE, marking a significant milestone in its international presence. Alongside the Brand aims to bolster its offline footprint through Shop - in - Shops (SIS) and Multi-Brand Outlets (MBOs). This growth aligns with the brand's vision of becoming the ultimate 'Home-Everything' destination.

Nestroots plans to set itself apart in India's 32 Billion USD  thriving Home Decor industry, projected to reach USD 39.44 Bn by 2027 with a CAGR of 4.18%[1] by offering unique designs, superior quality, and budget-friendly pricing. The brand has fast become the top choice for consumers seeking affordable luxury in home decor, which the company labels as — 'Luxury on a Budget'.

"Recognising the need for comprehensive home solutions, Nestroots aspires to be the ultimate 'Home-Everything' in India's thriving home decor market. We are committed to becoming the go-to destination for all home essentials and the recent fundraise strategically places us to diversify our product categories and become a favourable Brand amongst consumers across India. Looking forward, over the next five years, we plan to showcase the richness of Indian design with international aesthetics, offering premium designs at accessible prices", said Chhavi Singh, Founder and CEO of Nestroots.

"This significant investment propels Nestroots towards new heights. It strengthens our financial foundation and fuels our ambition to be the foremost destination for home decor. Our goal extends beyond products; it's about making Nestroots a symbol of trust and excellence amongst consumers, fulfilling our grand vision of becoming the market leader, not just in India but also in the global markets", said Shekhar Godiyal, Co-Founder  and COO of Nestroots.

“The landscape for India’s furniture and decor market has drastically evolved in the last decade. We are excited to back the team at Nestroots who are focused on capitalising on the fast-changing consumer trends and right use of technology to take their platform to scale”, said Kuldeep Mirani, Co-Founder & CEO, Beyond Seed Venture Solutions, a Singapore- based early-stage investor.

Nestroots earned national acclaim with a ?50 Lakhs investment for 2% equity from Namita Thapar on Shark Tank India Season 2, propelling the brand to establish a solid online presence across significant e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Pepperfry, and Myntra, in addition to its official D2C website. With a revitalised vision and fresh funding, the brand is set to fortify its market standing and revolutionise the home decor industry. It remains steadfast in its commitment to crafting homes beautifully and offers consumers an unparalleled selection that harmoniously combines aesthetics, quality, and affordability.

Platform 65 Hosts A Magical Christmas Celebration In All Locations

Platform 65 Restaurant, the largest toy train-themed restaurant in India, is delighted to announce an extended Christmas celebration, creating a magical experience for the community to revel in the holiday spirit. Starting on December 10, the restaurant has transformed its venue into a continuous winter wonderland, offering guests an ongoing experience filled with joy, festive decor, and delightful activities. All 11 branches of Platform 65 will be partaking in this grand celebration, ensuring the festive cheer of Christmas is embraced in each location.

As part of the ongoing celebration, Platform 65 invites guests to immerse themselves in the holiday ambience with a festive selfie frame and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, adorned with charming ornaments such as Christmas stars, which serve as the centrepiece of the venue.

Throughout the ongoing celebration, the dedicated team at Platform 65 will be dressed in Christmas-themed attire with Christmas caps, embodying the spirit of the season. It also includes a Christmas drawing contest for kids, and a series of entertaining activities, with the popular Secret Santa taking centre stage. Guests can look forward to the continuous distribution of carefully selected gifts, fostering an atmosphere of joy and excitement. Under the expert guidance of Mr. Srikanth Bandaru, the Corporate General Manager at Platform 65, these initiatives at all the branches continue to spread the spirit of joy and excitement throughout the season.

Sadgun Patha, Managing Director and Founder of Platform 65 “Platform 65 stands as a culinary station where the magic of Christmas is served on every plate. Our ongoing celebration is an invitation for families, friends, and food enthusiasts to gather, dine, and make lasting memories together."

Mr. Venkatesh, Vice President of Platform 65 said, "Platform 65 is not just a dining experience; it's a festive destination where every meal is a celebration, and every guest is part of our joyous culinary journey. Join us this Christmas for an unforgettable ride filled with laughter, flavours, and the spirit of the season."

Platform 65 is committed to offering an extended period of festive joy, where families and friends can come together to create lasting memories. The combination of ongoing festive decorations, a dedicated and joyful staff, and engaging activities promises to make this Christmas celebration an enduring and special experience for all. 

Waaree Energies, India's Largest Solar Manufacturer To Build 3-Gigawatt Module Manufacturing Facility in Texas

*  Waaree plans to invest up to $1 billion to scale up to 5 GW annual capacity for both solar module and integrated cell manufacturing facility by 2027

*  Waaree’s new facility will support SB Energy and other leading solar companies while expecting to create over 1,500 American jobs

Waaree Energies (“Waaree”), India's largest solar PV module manufacturer and major supplier to the U.S., announced today it will establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in the Houston areas. The facility, located in the town of Brookshire, will have the initial capacity to manufacture 3 gigawatts (GW) of solar modules annually by the end of 2024. Waaree plans to invest up to $ 1 billion over the next four years to scale its annual module manufacturing production up to 5 GW by 2027, making it one of the largest solar module manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Waaree will also add an integrated U.S.-made solar cell facility that is expected to be operational by 2025. In total, Waaree’s new facility is expected to create over 1,500 total jobs in the US when at full capacity.

Waaree already has a major presence in the U.S. solar market. Till date Waaree has supplied over 4 GW of modules from its current Indian facility to U.S. customers. Waaree’s ambitious U.S. expansion benefits from the long-term supply agreement with SB Energy, a leading climate infrastructure and technology platform with over 2 GW of solar in operations, 1 GW in construction, and another 15 GW+ of solar and storage in development across the U.S. Waaree will supply multi-GWs of solar modules to SB Energy over the next 5 years following the commissioning of the facility which is expected to be set-up in 2024. The deal further enhances SB Energy’s leadership in the domestic supply chain and ensures availability of modules for a growing pipeline of projects.

“We are proud of this significant commitment by Waaree to U.S. domestic solar manufacturing,” said Waaree Chairman and Managing Director Hitesh Doshi. “In partnership with a company of SB Energy’s mission and stature, Waaree is fostering a solar manufacturing ecosystem in Texas, a state that has taken a leading position in clean energy manufacturing.

“We are delighted to expand our U.S. supply chain with Waaree, a leading global supplier of solar modules. Through our long-term supply agreements, we are proud to support the growing U.S. solar supply chain and well-paying manufacturing jobs,” said Abhijeet Sathe, co-CEO of SB Energy. “Waaree brings a proven track record of delivering superior technology to some of the largest solar projects in the U.S. and India.”

“Most major components used in the manufacturing of these solar modules will be sourced domestically, enabled in part due to the Inflation Reduction Act,” stated Sunil Rathi, Board member, Waaree Solar Americas Inc. “By setting up the new facility in the Houston area, Waaree brings critical technologies that will boost American solar production, reducing reliance on overseas sources while supporting strong U.S. jobs. We are committed to the U.S. and its growing demand for clean energy.”

About Waaree Energies:

WAAREE Energies Ltd. (Waaree), the flagship company of the WAAREE Group, was founded in 1989. It is one of the largest vertically integrated new energy solution provider and is India’s largest solar module manufacturer with a capacity of 12 GW.WAAREE Energies is a leader in providing one-stop solar solutions. WAAREE has four state-of-the-art solar module manufacturing facilities and has a presence in large number of locations nationally and multiple locations internationally.

WAAREE is leading in solar panel manufacturing and providing complete solar EPC solutions, having commissioned 1+ GW of solar EPC projects. The company also has a presence in providing solar rooftops and solar water pumping solutions. It is also an independent power producer. WAAREE is the only PV panel manufacturing company from India that has been rated Tier 1 consistently for the past 33 Quarters by Bloomberg NEF, making its products highly reliable and trustworthy. It is also the first company to have NABL accredited in-house reliability lab for 3 X IEC extended testing. Driven by the vision to provide high-quality and cost-effective sustainable green energy solutions across all markets, we are passionate about delivering energy security, reducing carbon footprint, helping organizations achieve ESG goals, and saving energy costs for industries and household customers.

Making the Earth a better place, everyday WAAREE has supplied solar panels equivalent to planting approx. 36 crore trees and contributed to the reduction of approx. 75 lakh tons of CO2 emissions.

Waaree Energies has been rated as top performer in PVEL’s 2023 PV Module Reliability Scorecard. Company has recently received PLI from the government of India for setting up additional 6GW facility for wafer, cell and solar module manufacturing.

NTPC Coal Mining Projects Shine Bright With Star Rating Awards For Sustainable Mining Excellence

NTPC’s Dulanga Coal Mining Project in Odisha and Talaipalli Coal Mining Project in Chhattisgarh have received Star Rating Awards under the category of Opencast mines at the Annual Star Rating of Coal Mines Awards of Ministry of Coal.

This achievement reflects their commitment towards best mining practices and environmental standards to promote sustainable mining.

While Dulanga Coal Mining has been awarded Star Rating (3rd rank) under the category of Opencast mines for the year 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, Talaipalli Coal Mining Project has also been awarded Star Rating (Achievers Rank) under Opencast category for the year 2019-20.

Shri Shivam Srivastava, Director (Fuel) and Shri Animesh Jain ,CEO, NML received the awards from Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon'ble Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs  at the Annual Star Rating of Coal Mines award ceremony held on 20th December in Delhi.

NTPC has conceptualized the development of all its mines as a "Model Mine" by adopting the best technological practices, integration of digital tools for operational efficiency, striving towards 'Zero Incident potential", promoting green footprints and setting benchmarks in the mining industry.

It has also fostered sustainable development of the area in and around its mining projects through skill development of youth, womenfolk, health, education, infrastructure building and other need-based initiatives. 

AI-Led Automation Has Transformed Contact Center Performance In 2023: Ozonetel Study

* With 41% improvement in customer engagement and 20% higher agent efficiency, contact centers now play a vital role in driving business growth

Ozonetel, a leading omnichannel and AI-powered customer experience (CX) platform provider, conducted a comprehensive study, The State of Contact Center Report, that unveils compelling insights into customer experience and contact center performance across industry verticals. 

The study is an analysis of a sample of 10 million calls made on Ozonetel’s CCaaS (Contact Center as a Service) platform by hundreds of thousands of agents across diverse industries like e-commerce, healthcare, education, insurance, fintech & NBFC, banking, real estate, and logistics.  

Customer Experience in 2023: Key Data Findings

·     Customer engagement has improved, with a 41% reduction in abandonment rates 

·     Agents answered calls 10% faster, on average, than last year 

·     Customers were 15% more likely to answer calls from a business this year, than last year  

·     Agents are, on average, 20% more efficient in handling inbound conversations 

After comparing performance trends over the past five years, the report highlights significant improvements in five key areas: 

1.         Decreased Abandon Rates Reflect Higher CX Standards. ‘Abandon Rate’ tells us how many calls went unanswered by agents because callers disconnected while in the call queue. For the first time, after four years of continual decline, abandon rates have significantly improved this year. On an average, in 2023, only 20% of calls were disconnected by callers when in queue, compared to 34% in 2022.  

INSIGHT: Being available for customers when it matters the most is a key business objective for contact centers and a critical CX metric for reducing customer churn and building loyalty. Historically, businesses have struggled to achieve this goal. But this year, many contact centers implemented intelligent automation and call routing to improve agent availability, helping businesses prioritize customer calls and subsequently reduce abandon rates.  

This positive change also reflects an evolving customer experience landscape where voice interactions are reserved for more complex inquiries and escalations. In today's world, customers tend to call only when they have a pressing need to speak with an agent, as there are many other channels available for contacting businesses. Businesses are turning to chat and WhatsApp for simpler interactions, responding to customers' desire for a seamless omnichannel experience. 

2.         Intelligent Automation Reduces Pickup Time. ‘Average Agent Speed of Answer’ or ‘Pickup Time’ is the average time a contact center agent takes to answer inbound calls. This includes the duration for which the agent’s phone rings but does not include the time the caller spends in the IVR or waiting in a call queue. This metric has reduced to 6.9 seconds in 2023 from 7.7 seconds in 2022.  

INSIGHT: With a relaxation in DOT and TRAI regulations, more companies have implemented ‘webrtc’ calling and an auto answer feature which has led to improvement in pickup times. With this feature, calls automatically get connected to available agents without any downtime. This shift prioritizes efficiency and prompt customer service, acknowledging the value of customers' time. 

3.         AI-Enabled Conversational Intelligence for Agents Reduces Talk Time: ‘Average Talk Time’ indicates the time an agent spends talking to a caller. In 2023, this metric reduced to 2.64 minutes compared to 3.7 minutes in 2022, a significant improvement since 2019 (4.3 minutes). 

INSIGHT: This shift is driven by the implementation of features such as smart agent assistance and deep CRM integrations. The study notes that smart suggestions and secure access to relevant customer data have helped agents resolve queries faster, leading to more effective and satisfying conversations. ? 

4.         Automated Call Dispositions Reduce Wrap Time: ‘Wrap Time’ (After Call Work) is?the time used by the agent following the end of a call to complete any administrative tasks like updating notes about the conversation, process orders, etc. This year, wrap times reduced to 43.6 seconds from 47.4 seconds in 2022. 

INSIGHT: With AI providing automated call transcripts and insights, businesses are increasingly automating after call work leading to a significant increase in agent efficiency and availability.  

5.         Improved Connection Rates Indicate Higher Customer Engagement: In outbound calling, a lot of calls dial to busy lines, or go unanswered. ‘Average Contact Rates’ inform us how many calls are answered by contacts. This metric saw a drastic uptick this year, i.e., 45% as compared to 39% in 2022. 

INSIGHT: This improvement reflects a larger trend where contact centers play a new role, strategically interacting with customers at key points in their journey and driving business growth. This approach is highly effective in sectors like banking, healthtech, diagnostics, and online pharma firms where higher contact rates indicate that customers are receptive to calls from their dedicated relationship managers or service providers.  

In response, a growing number of companies are now embracing verified business IDs using Truecaller Integrations or WhatsApp Business Accounts. Strategically orchestrated, automated outbound calls from a familiar business number reduce cart abandonment, improve collections, encourage reorders, and increase customer lifetime value. 

Speaking about the CX metrics this year, Prashanth Kancherla, Chief Product Officer at Ozonetel stated, “The 2023 Contact Center Report reveals advancements in customer experience and reflects the evolving role of contact centers across the customer journey.?The impact of AI is visible with an improvement in all efficiency metrics. In 2024, AI will take things to the next level. It will free up agents for high-value conversations at strategic points in the customer journey, while also equipping them with the right knowledge to deepen customer relationships and drive business growth”.

About Ozonetel 

Ozonetel is an industry leader within the Customer Experience (CX) space, offering businesses a robust, omnichannel platform to manage end-to-end communication flows. Its AI-powered, full-stack platform has enabled over 2,500+ businesses to simplify, manage, and analyze interactions at every step of their customer communication and engagement journey. The platform helps enterprises to engage with customers at every touchpoint across voice, chat, SMS, WhatsApp, and other digital channels. It fully integrates with CRM and other business applications and offers a truly omnichannel experience for customers.For more information, please visit www.ozonetel.com

SFA Championships 2023-2024 Begins India’s Grassroots Sporting Revolution

·         SFA Championships conclude the first 6 cities of the calendar year with more than 18,000 matches

·         Over 80,000 athletes competed in 6 cities from more than 3,000 schools

·         Each city saw more than 3500 matches being scheduled for athletes

Sports For All (SFA), India's largest tech-enabled multi-sport school competition platform, has set a new benchmark in discovering and empowering young sporting talent, through SFA Championships. With a commitment to host Championships in 10 cities this year, SFA has successfully concluded 6 SFA Championships in 60 days in cities namely Indore, Dehradun, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai. In just about two months, the SFA Championships inspired more than 80,000 athletes from over 3,000 schools, fueling their sporting ambitions and contributing to India's untapped sporting potential.

The SFA Championships are enabling school sporting competition at a scale never witnessed in the country, especially for multi-sports and backed by technology. This city-based model celebrated the indomitable spirit of sportsmanship, discovering talent that will contribute to the future of the sporting ecosystem. The initial 6 cities of the SFA Championships have discovered the “number one school in sports” across the cities of Indore, Dehradun, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai. Delhi Public School (Nipania) in Indore, Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun, Cambridge Court World School in Jaipur, Vignan Bo Tree School (Nizampet) in Hyderabad, Vidya Valley School (Sus) in Pune, and Don Bosco International School (Matunga) in Mumbai bagged the prestigious title of “number one school in sports”, in the respective cities.

True to the endeavor of giving youth inspiring and joyful sporting experiences, SFA Championships transformed iconic sporting venues in each city for school athletes to play. Stadiums like the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex (in Balewadi) Pune, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the Gachibowli Sports Complex in Hyderabad, Abhay Prashal Sports Club and Basketball Complex, Indore, and Shahaji Raje Krida Sankul (Sports Complex) in Andheri fostered a conducive environment for sporting excellence.

Bolstering the athlete’s spirit to play in a professional environment, needs immense support of the local machinery to work seamlessly. Through this sporting platform the local economies have witnessed growth with SFA Championships, thus creating value for every stakeholder and leading towards capacity building for the cities and states to host reputable large-scale multi-sport events. Fostering collaboration with local coaches, academies, vendors, and other businesses, boosting the travel and hospitality industries, providing employment for residents, and opportunities for students, SFA Championships are on their way to strengthen the city’s economic health, through sports. Its noteworthy to recall that on a single day in October, three cities hosted school sports competitions across eight venues, engaging 1242 workforce members, volunteers, and officials across 12 sporting disciplines.

Inching closer to the milestone for 2023-2024, Rajas Joshi, COO & Championships Director, SFA, added, “Reflecting upon how SFA Championships has bought alive a revolution, it becomes apparent that sports transcend beyond a physical activity and is indeed an emotion. The unparalleled enthusiasm at the Championships reaffirms our belief that these young athletes only required a platform, to come play. With 80,000 school athletes playing within a span of 60 days, the "Ab Jeetega India" movement, through the SFA Championships, is a historic beginning for the nation to build a formidable grassroots sporting ecosystem. And a sustainable one that is now available on the screens of Viacom18”.

SFA Championships and Viacom18 have partnered to make school sports accessible to millions of sports fans, across the country. The Championships can now be viewed on JioCinema (app), Sports18-2, and Sports18 Khel (tv channels). This further deepens with visibility of the Championships on DD Sports.

Giving exposure to multi-sports, SFA Championships recognizes the 'Golden Boy' and 'Golden Girl', where athletes with achievements in multi-sports are awarded. With the remarkable times for female athletes to build their sporting careers, SFA Championships celebrates the initiative 'She is Gold', where a day across all Championships is dedicated to empowering and encouraging female athletes to play (since inception, in 2015). More than 5000 female athletes, across 6 cities, joined in with their commitment to building a career in sports.

Building an environment for every school athlete to play, irrespective of the geography or socio-economic backgrounds, SFA Championships has witnessed impressive diversity in participation, with 33% female athletes and 67% male athletes competing on an equitable platform. At the Championships, the top sports opted by girls were athletics, basketball, football, swimming, and skating, while boys preferred to compete in football, athletics, basketball, chess and swimming.

As the SFA Championships concluded, parents, coaches and athletes celebrated a transformative event that went beyond traditional sports competitions. Each child's dream echoed aspirations of winning at the Olympics and representing the nation at the highest level. SFA's organizational prowess was evident in bringing together a myriad of sports on such a grand scale, creating a unique platform where several national and international-level players competed across diverse sporting disciplines. SFA Championships is poised to make sports accessible for young athletes across the country, thereby empowering today’s talent to become the Champions of tomorrow.

JK Tyre Celebrates Automotive Excellence With 19th Indian Car Of The Year [ICOTY] & 17th Indian Motorcycle Of The Year [IMOTY] Awards

·        Indian Car of the Year 2024 – Hyundai Exter

·        Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2024 – Royal Enfield Himalayan

The 19th edition of the Indian Car of the Year [ICOTY] and 17th edition of Indian Motorcycle of the Year [IMOTY] awards, proudly promoted by JK Tyre ever since its inception, was held in a spectacular function in Mumbai. These awards stand as the pinnacle of recognition in the Indian automobile industry, with a legacy of honoring excellence and innovation. The ceremony brought together top industry leaders and eminent journalists, making it a topmost highlight in the industry's calendar.

The awards were presented by Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, together with ICOTY Chairman Dhruv Behl, IMOTY Chairman Bertrand Dsouza and other esteemed jury members.

The prestigious title of the Indian Car of the Year for 2024 was awarded to Hyundai Exter. The vehicle's [Hyundai Exter] features, innovative design, and outstanding performance set it apart in a highly competitive field, making it the undisputed favourite among judges. Simultaneously, Royal Enfield Himalayan clinched the Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2024 award, showcasing unparalleled excellence in the realm of two-wheelers. The ICOTY Jury introduced the 'Premium Car Award' under the ICOTY umbrella in 2019, with BMW 7 Series securing the prestigious title for 2024. Recognising the rise in electric vehicles and allied with the government's commendable initiatives, the ICOTY jury introduced the 'Green Car Award' in 2021, aimed at acknowledging manufacturers' contributions to the future of mobility. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 proudly received the Green Car Award for 2024.

Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Limited, said, "The ICOTY and IMOTY Awards mark a pivotal celebration of automotive excellence, underscoring the relentless pursuit of innovation and superior performance within the Indian automobile landscape. For us at JK Tyre, these awards signify a longstanding association

which reflects our commitment to fostering innovation & supporting technological advancements in our industry. As we honor the outstanding winners, we celebrate a collective acknowledgment that these awards continue to be the guiding force that drives the industry towards greater heights of success and accomplishment.”

The nominated machines underwent a rigorous evaluation by a panel of seasoned automotive journalists. The judging process revolved around multiple customer-centric parameters, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of each vehicle's merits. Price, fuel-efficiency, styling, comfort, safety, performance, practicality, technical innovation, value for money quotient, and aptness for Indian driving conditions were integral factors that shaped the verdict.

Mr. Dhruv Behl, Chairman of the ICOTY Jury, said, “I’d like to congratulate the winners for pushing the envelope in their respective segments and putting cutting-edge vehicles on our roads. I’d also like to say what an honour it is to be Chairman of this highly illustrious jury. Bear in mind, the ICOTY jury has a cumulative road-testing experience of 327 years, with an average of 18 years of experience for each jury member.”

Mr. Bertrand Dsouza, Chairman of the IMOTY Jury, said, "The Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2024 is a wonderful collection of some of the most superior machinery seen on Indian roads in the year gone by. Technology and performance are undoubtedly the flavour of this year nominees, and this reflects the sentiments of the Indian consumer who are looking for niche motorcycles that are exciting and fun to ride. The Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2024, the Royal Enfield Himalayan  embodies all those characteristics, it's fun to ride, is priced well, and matches the aspirations of a generation that is young at heart and in mind!"

On winning the ICOTY 2024 award, Mr. Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “I'm incredibly grateful for the recognition bestowed upon Hyundai with the ICOTY win for Exter and the Green Car of the Year title for IONIQ 5. A massive thank you to the esteemed jury for this honor. The overwhelming response, with Exter amassing over 100,000 bookings and IONIQ 5 sales reaching 1100 units, reflects the trust and support from our amazing customers. Hyundai Motor is committed to setting benchmarks with our products and services. Here's to driving innovation and exceeding expectations!”

On winning the IMOTY 2024 award, Mr. Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director & CEO, Eicher Motors Ltd, said, "We are honored to be awarded the Indian Motorcycle Of The Year 2024. A big thank you to the jury members for recognising the new Himalayan with this award and to our consumers who have given it such a positive response. The new Himalayan is an exceptional motorcycle; and is among the top adventure tourers in the world today. This recognition marking our fourth IMOTY award in the last six years, a testament to our commitment to delivering outstanding motorcycles. We extend our sincere gratitude to the IMOTY jury and express our appreciation to JK Tyre for this."

On winning the Premium Car of The Year 2024 award, Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India, said, "I would like to thank the ICOTY jury members for recognizing the BMW 7 as a clear winner that it is. The seventh generation of the BMW 7 Series is a symbol of ‘Forwardism’ that continuously challenges the ordinary, a unique quality distinguishing those who shape what’s next. The all-new 7 is the face of the new luxury class which stuns through its presence, progressiveness and emotion. It is a statement fit for progressive leaders, a piece of art – ensuring lasting fascination tomorrow and beyond."

On winning the Green Car of The Year 2024 award, Mr. Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “We are immensely grateful to the ICOTY jury for choosing the Hyundai IONIQ 5 as the Green Car of the Year. This recognition, alongside the remarkable 1100+ sales since its January 2023 launch, is a testament to the shared commitment towards a sustainable future. A sincere thank you to our valued customers for their overwhelming response, acknowledging the IONIQ 5's innovation and eco-friendly impact. Hyundai is dedicated to pioneering the electric revolution, and this award fuels our passion to drive a cleaner, greener tomorrow.”

Annexure 1

Selection Parameters 

IMOTY: All motorcycles that qualify for these awards are new models. Existing motorcycles that have had cosmetic facelifts or small mechanical changes, like different power or drive-trains, do not qualify for this award. The country of origin does not matter, but they have to be manufactured or assembled in India and be on sale in showrooms before November 30th of the previous year. The motorcycles should have been homologated for Indian type approval, but those imported through the CBU route are not considered.

ICOTY: All cars that qualify for these awards are new models. Existing cars that have had cosmetic facelifts or small mechanical changes, like different power or drive-trains, do not qualify for this award. The country of origin does not matter, but they have to be manufactured or assembled in India and be on sale in showrooms before November 30th of the previous year. The cars should have been homologated for Indian type approval, but those imported through the CBU route are not considered.

Voting Process

IMOTY: Selection of the Winner is by a simple voting system, where each member of the jury has a maximum of 25 points. Every Jury member can allot a maximum of 10 points to one motorcycle. And every Jury member must give points to at least 5 of the contending motorcycles. A very fair and transparent system makes the IMOTY the most credible auto award.

ICOTY: Selection of the Winner is by a simple voting system, where each member of the jury has a maximum of 25 points. Every Jury member can allot a maximum of 10 points to one car. And every Jury member must give points to at least 5 of the contending cars. A very fair and transparent system makes the ICOTY the most credible auto award.

BIMTECH Introduces Comprehensive Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (AI&DS) Course To Meet Growing Industry Demand

* BIMTECH to integrate AI and Data Science with management education with this 2-year full-time residential postgraduate management program

Global markets are witnessing a raise in demand of AI-trained professionals. Leading Indian IT companies have also lately made the decision to train more than 4 lakh workers for jobs involving AI. Understanding this industry need, Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) has launched a “Two-year full-time Post Graduate Diploma in Management [PGDM] in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science.” The program aims to provide an amalgamation of artificial intelligence and data science technology with Management subjects in different domains, promote engagement between industry and academia at both national and international levels, and establish a group of Management professionals who possess a combination of technical expertise, analytical capabilities, and effective decision-making abilities.

This is a 24-month program. Students who successfully complete the PGDM will be qualified to work on cutting-edge AI projects in fields like finance, education, automotive, retail, entertainment, cybersecurity, and sustainable conservation along with other verticals such as managing financial portfolios, developing and deploying smart logistics systems and creating recommender systems for e-commerce etc using AI. AI is expected to be adopted by 75% of companies and is projected to lead to high churn, with 50% of organizations expecting it to drive job growth.

Dr. Harivansh Chaturvedi, Director, BIMTECH, said, “In India, demand for AI and Data Science professionals is expected to exceed 1 million by 2024, and there is currently a 51% gap between demand and supply for such professionals. Experts predict that by 2030, there will be a 31.4% increase in jobs related to Data Science and mathematical science, mostly AI-based.”

Prof. SS Dubey, Dean-Academics, BIMTECH, said, “By integrating AI and DS with management education, students will acquire a multifaceted skill set that transcends conventional boundaries. The fusion of these domains will empower learners to decipher complex data patterns, drive innovative strategies, and make informed data-driven decisions. This fusion is the key to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape, positioning individuals as trailblazers capable of navigating the intricacies of tomorrow’s business world.”

The program's focus is to produce visionary leaders adept at utilizing AI-driven strategies to solve real-world business challenges. The program's comprehensive approach, integrating theoretical foundations with hands-on experience, ensures graduates possess the agility and expertise required to navigate the dynamic AI landscape.

Vistara Embraces Holiday Spirit With A Network-Wide Christmas Sale; Unveils Special #VISTARAXMASJET

-          Domestic: One-way fares starting INR 1,924 for Economy, INR 2,324 for Premium Economy and INR 9,924 for Business Class

-          International: All-inclusive return fares start at INR 10,999 for Economy, INR 14,999 for Premium Economy and INR 29,999 for Business Class

Vistara, India’s finest full-service carrier, ushers in the festive season with a Christmas Sale across its domestic and international network. This celebratory sale offers customers the chance to plan their upcoming travels with India’s most loved airline at attractive fares, including discounts on all three cabin classes - Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class.

The sale is open for a period of 72 hours; starting 0001 hours on 21 December 2023 and ending 2359 hours on 23 December 2023. The one-way domestic fares start from INR 1,924 for Economy, INR 2,324 for Premium Economy and INR 9,924 for Business Class (convenience fees applicable). On international network (excluding to/from Europe), all-inclusive return fares begin at INR 10,999 for Economy, INR 14,999 for Premium Economy and INR 29,999 for Business Class for flights. All fares are inclusive of taxes, applicable for travel until 30 September 2024 (blackout dates apply).

Furthermore, the airline is all set to unwrap joy and delight customers on its #VistaraXmasJet, enhancing the festive ambience onboard and bringing a touch of holiday cheer to the overall travel experience. #VistaraXmasJet, one of Vistara’s A321neo aircraft (VT-TVB) adorned with a red-painted radome, will operate its first flight as UK847 from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi to Goa International Airport on 22 December 2023. This exclusive aircraft will be deployed on select routes from 22 – 26 December 2023 and customers onboard will be offered a flurry of surprises including themed desserts and giveaways. Moreover, Christmas-inspired decor and background music onboard all Vistara flights will further accentuate the holiday spirit.

Mr. Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the festivities with a sale and an array of surprises. Through our exclusive Christmas Sale, we endeavour to make this joyous time of the year truly special for our customers as they unite with their loved ones and create lasting memories. We also look forward to the celebrations at 35,000 ft. as we unravel our red-nosed #VistaraXmasJet and merriment across the network. As this holiday season unfolds, Vistara extends heartfelt wishes for Christmas and a fulfilling new year to all its customers.”

Bookings under the sale are being progressively opened on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents. Direct channel discounts, corporate discounts/soft benefits will not apply on these promotional fares, and vouchers cannot be used for these bookings. The seats on sale are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on Skytrax and TripAdvisor, and it has been the winner of several ‘Best Airline’ awards, besides being lauded for world-class cabin cleanliness and upholding high safety standards. The only Indian carrier to feature amongst World’s Top 20 Airlines, Vistara has been named ‘16th Best Airline’ globally while also being recognised as the ‘Best Airline in India and South Asia’ for the third time in a row, ‘Best Airline Staff in India and South Asia’ for the fifth consecutive year, ‘Best Cabin Crew in India and South Asia’ for the third time in a row and ‘Best Business Class Airline in India and South Asia’ for the second time in a row at the coveted World Airline Awards 2023 by Skytrax. Vistara also received the ch-aviation Asia’s Third Youngest Airline Fleet award for the second consecutive year. 

About Vistara (TATA SIA Airlines Limited): TATA SIA Airlines Limited, known by the brand name Vistara, is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA). Vistara brings together Tata's and SIA's legendary hospitality and renowned service excellence to offer India's finest full-service flying experience. Vistara commenced its commercial operations on 9 January 2015 to set new standards in the aviation industry in India, and it today connects destinations across India and abroad. The airline currently has a fleet of 66 aircraft, including 50 Airbus A320neo, 10 Airbus A321, and 6 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and has flown more than 50 million customers since starting operations.

For more information about Vistara, visit www.airvistara.com

Venus Remedies’ R3SET Takes Strategic Leap Into Wellness With Holistic Health Innovations

*  The company has unveiled a significant transformation of its consumer healthcare division, R3SET, marking a strategic foray into the wellness arena

*  This expansion brings to the forefront a diverse range of products tailored to meet a spectrum of healthcare and wellness needs, including pain relief, mental well-being, restful sleep and detoxification

Venus Remedies Limited, a pioneer in pharmaceutical R&D, today unveiled a significant transformation of its consumer healthcare division, R3SET. This strategic pivot marks R3SET's foray into the wellness arena, coupled with the expansion of its pain management portfolio, showcasing the company's holistic approach to wellness solutions.

According to recent data from Euromonitor, the Indian Consumer Healthcare market was valued at Rs 42,392 crore in 2023 and is projected to grow by a 4-5% CAGR till 2028.

“R3SET's entry into the wellness domain is not just an expansion; it's a reflection of our ethos that wellness should be an intrinsic part of everyday life. Our products and brand identity are designed to nurture wellness as a daily ritual, seamlessly fitting into the consumer's lifestyle,” stated Mr. Saransh Chaudhary, President, Consumer Healthcare, Venus Remedies Limited. “This strategic move is a testament to our commitment to making wellness an accessible, everyday experience for our consumers,” he added.

The launch of R3SET Detox Candies, crafted with a blend of natural herbs such as Kalmegh, Punarnava, Daru Haldi, Manjistha, and Guduchi, positions the brand at the forefront of the wellness journey. These candies serve as effective liver detoxifiers and stress relievers, offering consumers a 'Dose of Good' with each bite. Available in two convenient packaging options – a 30-candy box and a 60-candy box – they cater to the growing demand for healthy products.

Simultaneously, R3SET is fortifying its pain-management portfolio with the introduction of the R3SET Ultra Potent Gel. This advanced gel, filled in a strikingly luxurious ceramic jar in 100g packing with twice the effectiveness of its predecessor, reflects R3SET's commitment to delivering long-term healing solutions for body pain management. Wanting the users to sustainably use and not throw away the jar, the brand will be launching a 300g refill option for the R3SET Ultra Potent Gel, providing customers with a convenient and cost-effective way to replenish their supply, giving back a “Dose of Good” to the planet at the same time.

The brand’s comprehensive pain-reliever product range, including gels, emulsions, sprays and tablets, incorporates natural enhancements and nano-tech formulations, showcasing the fusion of cutting-edge technology with the power of natural painkillers.

R3SET's commitment extends to environmental stewardship, featuring eco-friendly packaging and collaborations with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified vendors. The innovative edge of R3SET's products, rooted in Venus Medicine Research Centre’s extensive research and development, differentiates the brand in the competitive D2C wellness landscape.

R3SET’s strategic shift, bolstered by a transformative rebranding initiative, demonstrates the brand’s dedication to becoming a key player in the holistic healthcare and wellness sector. Along with the refreshed product portfolio, the brand unveiled its new identity, designed to deliver a profound “Dose of Good” at every stage of a consumer’s interaction with the brand, be it through the website, social media, product packaging or the product itself. The rebranding aims to cultivate a community where wellness is seamlessly integrated into daily life.

“R3SET is dedicated to building a community where wellness is an integral part of daily life. Our philosophy is deeply embedded in our new identity, encouraging everyone to pursue a lifestyle centered around health, happiness and holistic wellness” said Mr. Chaudhary.

About R3SET

An umbrella brand representing the Consumer Healthcare Division of Venus Remedies, R3SET is a pioneer in holistic wellness that addresses a wide spectrum of wellness needs encompassing pain relief, mental wellness, sleep quality, detoxification and more. Epitomising three “Rs”—Relief, Restore and Revive—R3SET is rooted in Venus Medicine Research Centre’s extensive R&D, which differentiates it in the competitive D2C wellness landscape.

About Venus Remedies

Panchkula-based Venus Remedies Ltd (NSE: VENUSREM, BSE: 526953) is among the 10-leading fixed-dosage injectable manufacturers in the world. Having a commercial presence in 70+ countries with a portfolio of 75 products spread over Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Commonwealth States, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean region, the company has nine globally benchmarked facilities in Panchkula, Baddi and Werne (Germany), apart from 11 overseas marketing offices. Its manufacturing units are certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 and OHSAS. The company has also been approved by European- GMP, WHO-GMP and Latin American GMP (INVIMA), among others. Ranked 107th in Asia and among the world’s 500 largest pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, Venus Remedies has been granted more than 130 patents worldwide and having more than 125 registered trademarks and 25 copyrights for its innovative research products.