Toyota Kirloskar Motor Sells 25,273 Wnits In May 2024, Records 24% Growth

Underpinning its robust and steady performance, TKM reported monthly growth by registering sales of 25,273 units in the month of May’2024. This represents a Year-on-Year growth of 24% compared to May 2023, when the company sold 20,410 units. In the month of May, domestic sales reached 23,959 units, complemented by an additional 1,314 units exported. The company also posted a growth of 23% over the month of April’ 2024, which saw sales of 20,494 units. 

Furthermore, this achievement also marks a notable 48% surge in the first five months of CY 2024, with total sales reaching 1,22,776 units, up from 82,763 units in the same period during the previous year.

Commenting on the strong performance, Mr. Sabari Manohar – Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We continue to post double digit growth in the month of May’ 2024 by reporting 24% growth as compared to the previous year. Our unrelenting customer-centric approach has inspired us to stay ahead of the curve by understanding the diverse needs of our customers and offering a diverse array of products and services. We will continue to energize our customer-centricity by enhancing touchpoints and curating innovative value-added services aimed at creating delightful ownership experiences.

The newest addition to our robust SUV lineup, the All-New Urban Cruiser Taisor, reaffirms TKM’s commitment to meeting the dynamic demands of the market. We are extremely thrilled to announce that the wholesales and deliveries for the Taisor have commenced. The feedback from the customer have been overwhelming with demand coming from all parts of the country. Intended to uphold the rich Toyota SUV legacy, the All-New Urban Cruiser Taisor embodies a fusion of style, high performance, fuel economy, and a striking exterior design. It is available in three engine options 1.0L Turbo, 1.2L Petrol and E-CNG options. Additionally, the Taisor is backed by renowned Toyota’s value-added services, specially designed with Indian customers in mind. I take this opportunity to invite our valued customers to visit our showroom and experience the All-New Urban Cruiser Taisor.

Furthermore, the sustained enthusiasm shown by customers towards all our products and services underscores the success of our product strategy and our deep market connection. Our diversified portfolio consisting of multi pathway powertrains and designed to deliver enhanced value is at the forefront of our growth. Leading this charge are models such as the Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross, Fortuner, Legender, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Hilux, and LC300. Additionally, the strong sales of the Camry Hybrid, Glanza, Vellfire, and Rumion have significantly contributed to our upward trajectory.”

Yamaha India Opens New ‘Blue Square’ Outlet In Bangalore

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. today announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art “Blue Square” outlet in Bangalore. This new outlet is launched under the banner of ‘Moto World’ with 7,100sqft. space at Ambalipura, Varthur Hobli in Bangalore. Yamaha Blue Square showrooms are designed to deliver a superior experience to customers across end-to-end sales, service, and support through a highly personalised approach.

The exclusive Blue Square outlet embody the brand’s true spirit and have been meticulously designed to provide customers with an exceptional 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 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 new outlet, Yamaha will now have 23 exclusive Blue Square Showrooms in the Karnataka market.

While Yamaha’s Supersport R3 (321cc), torque-rich MT-03 (321cc) and maxi-sports Aerox (155cc) and Aerox Version S (155cc) are exclusively sold through Blue Square showrooms, these premium outlets also showcase the updated line-up of premium two-wheelers including YZF-R15M (155cc), 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 providing a more comprehensive experience, these premium Blue Square outlets also have the latest Yamaha genuine accessories, official apparel, and Yamaha genuine spare parts on the display and sales for customers.

MAGGI inspires Change With First-Of-Its-Kind Edible Fork In India

~ Adds another milestone to ‘MAGGI Desh ke liye 2 minute’ initiative ~

MAGGI's 'Desh ke liye 2 minute' initiative, launched in 2020, aims to create a significant impact through small actions. One of its goals is to offer sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic. In line with this objective, MAGGI has introduced an edible fork in partnership with Nestlé R&D India (a subsidiary of Nestlé S.A and a part of Nestlé’s global R&D network) and an Indian start-up Trishula. Made from wheat flour, this innovative fork enhances the delightful experience of savoring MAGGI Cuppa Noodles, adding to its soupy, slurpy, and masaledar charm.

Earlier in 2023, MAGGI also launched foldable, compostable forks in India which was jointly developed in collaboration with Nestlé’s Institute of Packaging Sciences in Lausanne, Switzerland, Kaneka India Pvt. Ltd., and Nestlé India R&D. The introduction of the foldable, compostable forks could result in annualised plastic reduction of approximately 35 MT.

Commenting on the test launch of the edible forks, Mr. Rajat Jain, Director, Foods, Nestlé India, said “At Nestlé, it is our continuous endeavor to discover ways to build a better future for our consumers and the planet. The launch of edible fork in Cuppa noodles marks a significant milestone in our commitment towards environmental responsibility while pioneering consumer-centric initiatives. This innovation is a testament of our global R&D capabilities showcased in the use of cutting edge-technology to develop first-of-its-kind two-piece fork design. We are confident that this launch will also set a strong precedent for greater greener solutions.”

Mr. Jagdeep Marahar, Head of Nestlé R&D Centre India Private Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Société des Produits, Nestlé SA), said “Our global packaging expertise, combined with the insights of our local packaging experts allows us to discover and test innovative ways to reduce plastics. Our teams are constantly exploring novel packaging materials and cutting-edge technologies to optimize use of plastics across the value chain and create sustainable alternatives that are accepted by local consumers.”  

The launch of the edible forks is currently planned as a limited period offering. MAGGI Masala Cuppa noodles with Edible Fork is available in major metro cities starting May’24, priced at INR 50 for a 79.5 g pack.

ServiceNow Ecosystem Ventures Make Strategic Growth Investment In inMorphis, A Leading ServiceNow Pure-Play Partner In India

* The strategic investment aligns with ServiceNow’s corporate priority on emerging growth markets and it’s RiseUp global initiative to skill one million people on ServiceNow.

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI platform for business transformation, announced a strategic investment in inMorphis, a global IT Company and leading pure-play ServiceNow partner. The ServiceNow Ecosystem Ventures Program investment will accelerate the expansion of inMorphis’ go-to-market capabilities with a deep focus on India and ASEAN markets and enhance its proficiency in generative AI-enabled technologies. It will also develop job-ready technology talent as part of ServiceNow’s global Rise Up initiative. ServiceNow Ecosystem Ventures is investing in inMorphis alongside Capital Square Partners (CSP), the lead investor.  

India's journey into the Techade is at a new inflection point, as the second fastest digitizing economy in the world.  Digital ecosystems spanning sectors such as financial services, logistics, job markets, and e-governance could account for up to half of the projected growth. While companies embrace digital transformation to improve efficiency, gain competitive edge, and boost new revenue streams, they face significant hurdles, including infrastructure gaps, challenges in integrating legacy systems, and a shortage of necessary skilled talent.

The investment, along with ServiceNow’s platform capabilities and expertise, will empower inMorphis to drive hyper growth in target markets such as India and ASEAN through inorganic initiatives, strategic tuck-ins, to expand capabilities and footprint in select industries and markets.

Marion Ryan ServiceNow VP Global Partnerships and Channels APAC, said, “As a pure-play ServiceNow partner in India, inMorphis has demonstrated exceptional ability in leveraging our platform capabilities to drive significant digital transformation for enterprises. This investment underscores our commitment to fostering innovation, deepening Gen AI-led offerings, and accelerating time to value for enterprises. As part of our global RiseUp campaign, we look forward to creating a cutting-edge and agile workforce with inMorphis to address the tech skills development opportunity in the industry”.

Himanshu Singhal, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at inMorphis said, “We have had a long-standing relationship and mutually beneficial partnership with ServiceNow over the last seven years. As a pure-play partner, we have been at the forefront of advancing the adoption of ServiceNow and have successfully implemented industry defining solutions in several sectors. ServiceNow’s platform and expertise will accelerate our growth journey and help us expand our delivery and sales footprint throughout India and beyond, organically and inorganically.”

In support of RiseUp with ServiceNow, a global skilling initiative aimed at digitally upskilling one million people, inMorphis will equip and deploy more than 2500 professionals with in-demand skills on the NOW platform. This expansion will enable inMorphis to effectively address urgent customer needs and drive success at scale. The future-ready workforce, composed of domain experts and university graduates, will not only be well-versed in ServiceNow workflows but also empowered to lead significant digital transformation projects.

Founded in 2015, inMorphis maintains a steadfast focus on innovation, having developed a suite of unique proprietary products and accelerators to complement and extend ServiceNow platform capabilities and supporting enterprise customers in their digital transformation journeys. inMorphis has a highly skilled team of 350+ niche experts with over 1,300 ServiceNow credentials. Its global delivery network caters to enterprise clients across multiple verticals, including financial services, technology, aviation, and telecom.

ServiceNow Ecosystem Ventures program, launched in May 2023 to fuel partner growth in key emerging global markets. ServiceNow’s support allows partners to extend their go?to?market capabilities and deepen their experience with ServiceNow’s technology and solutions to deliver value more quickly.  The investment builds on ServiceNow’s commitment to invest in India and ASEAN market. In October 2023, ServiceNow joined Accel as a co-investor in ANSR (an Accel portfolio company) to accelerate growth in key global markets and increase talent capacity for ANSR clients by establishing ServiceNow Centers of Excellence in more than 60 GCCs across India. Recently, ServiceNow Ecosystem Ventures has invested in global companies including  Blueship Co.,Ltd and Japan System Co., Ltd., Plat4mation and AoraNow.

Avendus Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor to inMorphis for this transaction.

About ServiceNow 

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is putting AI to work for people.  We move with the pace of innovation to help customers transform organizations across every industry while upholding a trustworthy, human centered approach to deploying our products and services at scale. Our AI platform for business transformation connects people, processes, data, and devices to increase productivity and maximize business outcomes. For more information, visit: www.servicenow.com. 

About inMorphis 

Founded in 2015, inMorphis is a pure play ServiceNow partner based out of India that caters to enterprise clients globally focusing on financial services and telecommunication segments. Its global delivery network of 400+ employees is spread across 7 locations. Provides enterprise service management on the NOW platform. inMorphis has been recognized as the ServiceNow APJ Partner of the Year winner for 2022 and 2023. www.inmorphis.com

Medtronic Appoints Mandeep Singh Kumar As The Vice President Of Medtronic India

India Medtronic Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medtronic plc today announced the appointment of Mandeep Singh Kumar as the new Vice President and Managing Director of India Medtronic Pvt. Ltd., beginning May 2024. He succeeds Michael Blackwell who has moved back to the US to pursue new opportunities. Assuming this position, he will oversee sales, marketing, and commercial operations for Medtronic’s business in India.

Mandeep Singh Kumar has extensive experience spanning over 25 years and has demonstrated agile leadership in driving successful growth and business transformations across healthcare, pharmaceutical and med-tech sectors. His expertise includes strategy development, ensuring successful execution, driving commercial excellence, and building winning teams across the globe. Mandeep’s previous role was as Country Leader with Intuitive India where he led the development and implementation of plans to broaden patient access, build a holistic ecosystem for robotic assisted surgery, and drive successful customer robotic programs.

Speaking on the announcement, Feng Dong, Vice President, Asia Region-led Markets, Medtronic, said “Mandeep is a successful leader and has steered businesses towards growth in his previous stints. His proven leadership and great understanding of the Indian healthcare landscape will help us in indigenizing complex innovations, forging meaningful partnerships and continuing to make an impact on healthcare delivery in India. We are confident that his strategic acumen will elevate our collective journey towards advancing healthcare access in India.”

“It gives me immense pleasure to commence a new journey with Medtronic, a company that is globally renowned for transforming healthcare. Medtronic's unwavering commitment to alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending lives resonates deeply with me, and I am elated to join the team in keeping the mission alive in India. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and I am looking forward to collaborating with our talented teams, engaging with our customers and partners, and driving greater milestones in India's healthcare sector,” said Mandeep Singh Kumar.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Japanese Yokogawa Acquires Indian Flowmeter Manufacturer Adept Fluidyne

~ Enabling the delivery of Yokogawa technology with local production ~

Yokogawa India Limited announces that parent company Yokogawa Electric Corporation of Japan has completed the acquisition of Adept Fluidyne Pvt. Ltd. ("Adept"), one of the largest Indian manufacturers of magnetic flowmeters in India. Company officials present for the announcement: Sajiv Nath, Vice President, Yokogawa Electric-Japan, Regional Chief Executive -South Asia, Managing Director Yokogawa India Limited and Vinayak Gadre, Managing Director for Adept Fluidyne Pvt Ltd.

Yokogawa supports the operations of water and wastewater treatment companies, oil & gas conglomerates, and customers in chemicals and petrochemicals, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, metals & mining, power, food & beverage, and other sectors. Yokogawa established a local subsidiary in India in 1987 and, since then, has been delivering control systems and field instruments for plants in the energy industry, as well as remote monitoring for water supply and wastewater networks and control systems for water treatment facilities. Yokogawa also has systems engineering teams and an R&D center in India that support its global operations.

Flowmeters are an essential industrial instrument that can measure the flow rates and, with some products, the density and temperature of liquids, gases, and steam. Various measurement technologies are available depending on the purpose of measurement, the type and condition of the fluid or gas, and the measurement conditions. With the rapid expansion of India's industrial sector under the Government of India's 'Make in India' initiative, which aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub by encouraging both multinational and domestic companies to manufacture their products within the country, demand for flowmeters continues to grow. This growth is further fueled by the adoption of Agile manufacturing practices, which enhance the responsiveness and efficiency of production processes in various industries.

Moving forward, Yokogawa intends to enhance Adept's manufacturing capabilities and certified flow calibration facilities in Pune to enable local production of its lineup of magnetic flowmeters that align with its global quality standards. Yokogawa will also continue to provide Adept's range of flowmeters through both companies' sales networks.

Sajiv Nath, Vice President, Yokogawa Electric-Japan, Regional Chief Executive -South Asia, Managing Director Yokogawa India Limited shares, “We are committed to the Indian market as we firmly believe in ‘Make in India’. It is exciting to be a part of India’s sustainable transformation growth trajectory. Today marks a pivotal moment in our company's history as we announce the acquisition of Adept. We embark on a journey of innovation and growth, combining the best Indian expertise with Japanese quality and excellent ingenuity, all under the spirit of 'Make in India”.

Vinayak Gadre, Managing Director, Adept Fluidyne Pvt adds, "Adept is glad to become a part of the Yokogawa family. Established in 1983, Adept has manufactured magnetic flowmeters for over 30 years and introduced ultrasonic flowmeters in 2010. We have supplied over 70,000 flowmeters to various industry sectors, including water and wastewater. Additionally, Adept offers IoT gateways, smart water meters, and flowmeter calibration services. With an expanding sales network across India, Adept has secured significant public and private sector orders and exports to customers in over 25 countries."

About Yokogawa

Yokogawa provides advanced solutions in the areas of measurement, control, and information to customers across a broad range of industries, including energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, and food. Yokogawa addresses customer issues regarding the optimization of production, assets, and the supply chain with the effective application of digital technologies, enabling the transition to autonomous operations.

Founded in Tokyo in 1915, Yokogawa continues to work toward a sustainable society through its 17,000+ employees in a global network of 127 companies spanning 59 countries.

About Yokogawa India:

Yokogawa established a local subsidiary in India in 1987 and has been delivering control systems and field instruments for plants in the energy industry, as well as remote monitoring for water supply and wastewater networks as part of India's National Hydrology Project* and control systems for water treatment facilities. Yokogawa also has systems engineering teams and an R&D center in India that support its global operations.

About Adept Fluidyne:

Adept Fluidyne Pvt. Ltd., founded in 1983, is a leading magnetic and ultrasonic flowmeters manufacturer. The company has supplied over 70,000 flowmeters to various sectors and exports to more than 25 countries. Adept also provides IoT gateways, intelligent water meters, and flowmeter calibration services.

Photo Caption: Sajiv Nath Vice President, Yokogawa Electric-Japan, Regional Chief Executive -South Asia, Managing Director Yokogawa India Limited and Vinayak Gadre, Managing Director for Adept Fluidyne Pvt Ltd at a press conference for acquisition of Adept Fluidyne Pvt Ltd.

Steelcase Inaugurates ‘Work Better Conference’ To Celebrate Its Glorious 25 Years In India

* Steelcase Hosts The Work Better Conference Featuring Leading Indian Thought Leaders And Unveiling The Karman High Back Chair

* Expands its collaboration with Stanley Lifestyles, incorporating the SimplyIndia Collection into its offerings

* Partners with CEPT University to provide unique opportunities for emerging design and architecture talents in India

Steelcase, a global leader in office furniture, proudly marks over 25 years of innovation and leadership in transforming workspaces across India. Since its initial joint venture, Steelcase has steadily expanded its presence, offering tailored solutions that cater to local needs and investing significantly in local manufacturing. This commitment has enabled the creation of inspiring, people-centered environments that boost productivity and enhance employee engagement across Indian workplaces.

To commemorate this significant milestone, Steelcase hosted its first Work Better Conference in Asia, held in Bengaluru, India. This premier event brought together top industry professionals, providing a platform for discussing the latest trends and innovative solutions in office design and functionality.

Attendees of the conference had the opportunity to engage with a distinguished panel of experts, including:

Lalit Ahuja, CEO of ANSR

Dr. Arvind Subramanian, VP of Human Resources at Reliance

Saleem Bhatri, Dean of the Faculty of Design at CEPT University

Sunil Suresh, CEO of Stanley Lifestyles

These thought leaders shared their insights on the evolving landscape of workspaces and the critical role of design in fostering collaboration and productivity.

Steelcase unveiled its latest innovation – the Karman® Executive High-Back Chair. This cutting-edge product epitomizes Steelcase’s commitment to combining ergonomic excellence with aesthetic sophistication, designed to meet the highest standards of comfort and functionality for modern executives.

Tirthankar Basu, India Managing Director of Steelcase, shared his enthusiasm about the new product, stating, "We are excited to introduce the Karman® High Back chair to our customers in India. This latest innovation embodies our dedication to creating ergonomic and stylish solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern workplaces. With its unique patented hybrid seat and advanced comfort delivered by the proprietary new mesh material Intermix®, the Karman® chair combines comfort with aesthetic design, ensuring that all professionals can work comfortably throughout their day."

The year 2024 stands as a turning point for Steelcase, as it pledges to serve a dual role as both a partner and a catalyst in the advancement of design professionals and design thinking practices in India. As part of its key initiatives, Steelcase is intensifying its local collaboration efforts, considerably broadening its array of partner brands to incorporate Indian-made enhancements. This includes artisanal rugs, plush sofas, and accent pieces procured from premium companies like Stanley Lifestyles. A standout new inclusion to the Steelcase SimplyIndia collection will be accent pieces from Stanley Lifestyles, esteemed for its refined craftsmanship and designs inspired by Indian culture. Now part of the Steelcase offerings, these meticulously selected items blend seamlessly with the existing product range, enriching the overall design portfolio and offering customers an eclectic mix of high-quality, locally influenced options.

"We are committed to contributing to the growth of the design community in India. Our product portfolio gains a fresh vitality through our partnerships in India. The SimplyIndia, a curated Steelcase Collection will now include Stanley products, making them more accessible to commercial customers in India.

Our global product, Personality Plus, is proudly made in India, exemplifying the 'Make in India' initiative. Moreover, our globally recognized Think chair is made in India for the Indian market, further underlining our commitment to local production. This dynamic blend of global and local offerings enhances the superiority and accessibility of Steelcase products for the Indian consumer."

- Samantha Giam, Vice President, Marketing, Asia Pacific

During the conference Steelcase also announced its special collaboration with CEPT University and is set to offer unique opportunities for emerging talents in India This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements, equipping students with the skills and experiences needed to excel in the field of design and architecture. Additionally, this initiative leverages Indian design talent, enabling them to create products for their own market using local insights. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the unique needs and preferences of the local market, further enhancing the relevance and appeal of our products.

As Steelcase celebrates over 25 years in India, the inaugural Work Better Conference underscores its commitment to innovation and local collaboration. By partnering with CEPT University and expanding its product range with broadening SimplyIndia collection with products from Stanley Lifestyles, Steelcase blends global excellence with local craftsmanship. These efforts enhance the design community and make high-quality, culturally rich products accessible to both Indian and global markets. Steelcase looks forward to continuing its journey of creating inspiring, productivity-boosting workspaces in India.

About Steelcase:  

Steelcase is a global design and thought leader in the world of work. For over a century, we have designed, manufactured and partnered with the world’s leading organizations to create furnishings and solutions for the many places where work happens — including learning, health and work from home. Through our research, we deliver insights and design innovation to our customers around the world. Our solutions are brought to life through our Steelcase dealer community, Steelcase store and retail partners. And because we’re dedicated to doing our best work for the places, we all share, we come together for people and the planet.  

Established in 1912, Steelcase is a global design, research and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Along with more than 30 creative and technology partner brands, we design and manufacture innovative furnishings and solutions for the many places where work happens — including learning and work from home. Our solutions come to life through our community of expert Steelcase dealers in approximately 770 locations, as well as our online Steelcase store and other retail partners. Founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase is a publicly traded company with fiscal year 2024 revenue of $3.2 billion. With our 11,300 global employees and dealer community, we come together for people and the planet — using our business to help the world work better. 

Photo Caption: Tirthankar Basu, Steelcase Managing Director India and SAARC, Asia Pacific &  Samantha Giam, Steelcase Vice President Marketing, Asia Pacific at Steelcase’s inaugural ‘Work Better Conference’ India 2024 to celebrate it’s glorious 25 years in India.

Google Wallet In India Comes With A First-To-Market Gift Cards Integration Powered By Pine Labs

*        Pine Labs’ market-leading presence in powering brand Gift Cards combined with Google’s tech prowess set to boost customer engagement for brands.

*        Deliver a frictionless usage experience for consumers to manage their Gift Cards journey from within the Google Wallet app.

*        Empower brands to improve customer experience and build long-term engagement with their customers.

Earlier this month, Google launched its much-awaited Google Wallet™ app in India. Leading fintech company Pine Labs today shed more light on the close collaboration with Google Wallet to enable a seamless integration of Gift Cards on the product.

The ‘power of choice’ associated with e-gifting appeals to young consumers and therefore brands in India are constantly looking to cater to this important and growing consumer base. Many exciting Gift Cards use cases such as issuing refunds, credit notes, and promotional offers have emerged as growth drivers which offer brands the opportunity to foster customer loyalty and build long-lasting engagement.

The Gift Cards market in India is expected to increase from US$7.6 billion in 2023 to US$15.7 billion by 2028, as per a report by Research and Markets.[1] A frictionless Gift Cards usage experience enabled by this exclusive partnership between Google Wallet and Pine Labs will provide unprecedented ease and convenience to existing and new users and will eliminate the complexity around usage. Google Wallet users will be able to seamlessly store and manage their Gift Cards journey from within the app and will be intuitively reminded to use it at the point of purchase.

“Pine Labs is delighted to partner with Google India to enable Gift Cards integration with the Google Wallet app. In recent years, we have witnessed a seismic shift in the way merchants have embraced digital modes of payments. Considering the huge Android user base in the country we anticipate a sharp jump in the usage of Gift Cards as more retailers and brands will now look to leverage it in their omnichannel strategy to expand their customer base, improve customer experience, retention, and loyalty,” said Navin Chandani, President - Issuing Business, Pine Labs.

Highlighting the significance of this launch in bringing new levels of convenience for Android users across the country, Ram Papatla, GM & India Engineering Lead, Android at Google, said, “The arrival of Google Wallet in India marks an important milestone in Android’s India journey, bringing innovative and convenient experiences to simplify peoples’ daily lives. We are delighted to partner with many of India’s top brands to offer a comprehensive solution that helps you securely access and manage your everyday essentials. From boarding passes to loyalty, gift cards, and event tickets to public transport passes – they’re there when you need them.”

Pine Labs' issuing business offers end-to-end capabilities to businesses across diverse industry verticals to issue, process, distribute, and manage prepaid cards. With a market-leading presence in India, the business is now expanding its footprints in Southeast Asia, Australia, USA, and the UAE.

Google Wallet is a trademark of Google LLC.

About Pine Labs

Pine Labs is a leading merchant commerce omnichannel platform operating across India, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Pine Labs’ tech-first approach to digital payments and focus on simplification at the front end aims to help many businesses embrace fintech products at scale.

In digital payments, our online payments cloud-based software Plural represents a one-stop payments destination across channels. Plural is designed to deliver secure and frictionless online payment experiences to the end user, powered by an advanced tech stack that can augment an existing online business or build an all-new e-commerce payment setup from the ground up.

Our Issuing business is powered by Qwikcilver – Qwikcilver offers a cutting-edge, full-stack, end-to-end technology service solution in the Pre-paid Transaction Management, Gift Cards, and Sales/ Distribution Space, with a strong presence in multiple countries and live service engagements with leading brands and major customers from the Retail, Hospitality and Airline Industries, across the following geographical  regions; South Asia - India, South East Asia and the Far East - Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines,  Middle East and Africa - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Europe - Luxembourg and Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii in the United States of America, at  the present moment.

In consumer app, Fave is a fintech platform for the next generation of consumers, providing smart payments and savings, while empowering merchants with a loyalty solution to grow and engage with their customers in a whole new way.

Schneider Electric Inaugurates One Of Its Largest Employee Campuses At Bagmane, Bengaluru

·         This state-of-the-art campus will host a Global Innovation Hub, Training Center, R&D Center, Skill Center and Digital Hub

·         Prioritizes sustainability with off-site green power, energy-efficient systems, and 100% greywater reuse via a sewage treatment plant.

·         Spread across 6.3 lakh sq.ft. and built with an investment of INR 200 crore (EUR 22 million), the new campus in Bengaluru will house over ~ 8000 professionals.

Schneider Electric, the global leader in energy management and nextGen automation, today inaugurated one of its largest employee campuses globally, at Bagmane Solarium City, Bengaluru, also known as India's Silicon Valley. This state-of-the-art campus covers an area of ~ 630,000 sq.ft and features a Global Innovation Hub, Training center, R&D center, Skill center and Digital Hub with a capacity to accommodate over ~ 8000 professionals.

This new campus reaffirms Schneider Electric’s commitment to be an employer of choice by providing world class infrastructure for employees to collaborate, develop, and deliver industry leading solutions for customers. It also reinforces the company's pledge to "Make in India for India and for the world," showcasing ongoing investments in manufacturing, innovation, people, R&D, and skill building.

Underlining Schneider Electric focus on accelerating its investments in India, Peter Herweck, Chief Executive Officer, Schneider Electric, said, “I am delighted to open one of our largest employee campuses worldwide in India. This new investment underscores our dedication to accelerating our contribution to India’s rapid growth. We strongly believe in its potential as a springboard for innovative ideas benefitting local customers, while making a global impact.”

Commenting on the new campus inauguration, Deepak Sharma, Zone President - Greater India, MD & CEO, Schneider Electric India, said, “Our new employee campus goes beyond being just a workplace. It exemplifies the creation of a dynamic ecosystem aimed at fostering collaboration and igniting creativity across the entire energy sector value chain. Through this campus, we aim to provide an immersive, hands-on learning experience, offering comprehensive insights into energy management and industrial automation. Furthermore, it underlines our commitment to expanding our workforce of over 37,000 in India to drive the development of cutting-edge products and solutions not only for India but also for the global markets”

The innovation Hub at Bagmane offers an immersive experience that integrates all Schneider Electric offerings to showcase a comprehensive journey, transforming sustainability ambitions into tangible actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. This innovative approach underscores Schneider Electric's commitment to providing a holistic view of its solutions and their impact on driving sustainable practices and outcomes.

The Bagmane Campus Training Center will feature interactive demonstrations, workshops, and expert-led sessions, ensuring that our employees, partners, and customers, gain practical knowledge and expertise in the latest technologies and solutions. It will harness internal expertise to foster a learning culture, offering an advanced learning environment equipped with latest technologies and infrastructure.

Standing by its commitment towards sustainability, the Schneider Electric Bagmane Bengaluru Campus is designed to prioritize sustainability with off-site green power, energy-efficient chiller systems, and 100% greywater reuse via a sewage treatment plant. The campus has already applied for LEED Gold certification, demonstrating Schneider Electric’s commitment to international sustainability standards. Further, the Schneider Electric interior fit-out works are also striving for LEED – Platinum certification, reflecting the company’s ongoing pursuit of excellence in sustainable building practices.

Pioneering Workshop On The Design, Development, And Commercialization Of Medical Devices

The MIDAS (Medical Instruments, Devices, and Allied Services) Hub, an initiative by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) — recognized as an Institute of Eminence by the Ministry of Education, Government of India — is proud to announce the successful completion of a pivotal workshop on the design, development, and commercialization of medical devices.

In the contemporary healthcare system, technology plays a crucial role, driving up costs significantly. Hospitals and healthcare centres rely heavily on expensive diagnostic devices and equipment, most of which are imported. Despite numerous attempts to manufacture these devices domestically, success has been limited. To address this, MAHE has launched the MIDAS Hub in Manipal, supported by the DST, Government of India, through a public-private partnership model.

The vision of the MIDAS Hub is to design, develop, and conduct ethical and clinical trials, leading to the manufacturing and marketing of innovative healthcare devices. This initiative aims to serve institutions and industries along the west coast region of India. The MIDAS Hub at Manipal will provide a platform for individuals, institutions, and industries to engage in multidisciplinary and collaborative technical activities, leading to the development of a variety of medical devices.

A significant aspect of the Hub's activities is the training it offers in various facets of healthcare technology development. In line with this, the Hub organised a workshop on the design, development, and commercialization of medical devices.

The workshop was inaugurated by Lt. Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, who expressed pride in the substantial participation from faculty members and doctoral students from both MAHE and external institutions. He emphasized that the widespread interest in the MIDAS, DST-MAHE Hub reflects its broad reach among future academicians and entrepreneurs.

Dr Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences, underscored the necessity for cost-effective, high-quality indigenous medical devices to improve healthcare in the country. Dr G Arun Maiya, Dean of MCHP, and Principal Coordinator of the DST-MAHE HUB, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the primary objectives of the Hub.

The workshop featured eminent national and international specialists, including Dr Lazar Mathew, Senior Advisor; Dr Premanath, CEO of Venture Centre, Pune; Dr Joseph L Mathew of PGIMER, Chandigarh; and Dr Sudesh S, Head of the UCT Med Tech Laboratory at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Their insights and experiences enriched the event, which saw the many delegates from institutions along the west coast region.

This workshop represents a significant step towards realizing the MIDAS Hub's vision of fostering innovation and self-reliance in the development of medical devices, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare in India.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact: Deputy Director PR and Communications, Phone: 7338625909, Email: sachin.karanth@manipal.edu

AiDash Rolls Out Its First ESOP Buyback Plan For Employees

* New buyback plan underscores the company’s commitment to shared wealth creation

* The company has offices in Gurugram and Bengaluru and over 300 employees in India

AiDash, an enterprise SaaS company making critical infrastructure industries climate resilient and sustainable with satellites and AI, announced the rollout of its first Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) buyback programme. The new buyback programme underscores AiDash’s commitment to shared wealth creation.

The introduction of the company’s new buyback plan follows the recent closing of its successful, oversubscribed $58.5 million Series C funding round, which brought the total amount raised to $91.5 million. The new buyback plan covers existing full-time employees with an established tenure of more than three years, allowing them to cash in their vested shares to realize the value that has accrued over time.

“Our growth is a testimony of the hard work demonstrated by our team members,” said Cofounder and CEO Abhishek Singh. “We have always been an employee-centric company that believes in giving a strong sense of ownership.”

ESOPs have traditionally proven to be a very successful compensation tool and a way to attract and retain talent for top tech companies. With recent investments in AiDash, the company plans to continue to scale its products and services and grow by adding new talent to its current bench of all-stars around the world.

“Our employees are the driving force behind our success,” said Co-founder and CPTO Rahul Saxena. “This buyback underscores our commitment to rewarding our team and nurture a culture of growth within the organisation.”

To learn about employment opportunities at AiDash, please visit: https://www.aidash.com/careers/

About AiDash

AiDash is making critical infrastructure industries climate-resilient and sustainable with satellites and AI. Using our full-stack SaaS solutions, customers in electric, gas, and water utilities, transportation, and construction are transforming asset inspection and maintenance – and complying with biodiversity net gain mandates and carbon capture goals. Our customers deliver ROI in their first year of deployment with reduced costs, improved reliability, and achieved sustainability goals. Learn more at www.aidash.com.

MayaaVerse Creations And NTPC School of Business Partner To Explore Virtual Reality And Immersive Tech Education

MayaaVerse Creations Private Limited (MCPL), a leading developer of World’s first photo-realistic Immersive Tech platforms, and NTPC School of Business (NSB), a premier business school under the NTPC Education and Research Society, today announced a strategic collaboration to explore the use of virtual reality (VR) technology and create an immersive virtual campus within MCPL's Immersive Tech space.

This groundbreaking partnership aims to combine MCPL's cutting-edge Immersive Tech development capabilities with NSB's expertise in business education. By leveraging virtual reality, the collaboration seeks to provide students and faculty with an innovative and engaging learning environment within a fully realized virtual world.

"At NTPC School of Business, we are committed to embracing innovative technologies that enhance the learning experience for our students," said Dr. Rajeshwari Narendran, Director of NTPC School of Business. "By partnering with MayaaVerse Creations, we aim to explore the boundless possibilities of virtual reality and the Immersive Tech in education, fostering a more engaging and interactive learning journey for our students while preparing them for the digital future."

As the initiator of this long-standing partnership, MCPL is creating a virtual experience center for the NTPC School of Business. This center will provide students and visitors with an immersive journey through the institution's rich history, vision, achievements, and faculty lectures, along with various videos. Attendees will navigate through the remarkable story of this significant institution, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of its contributions to the country.

MCPL and NSB will also work together to create a virtual replica of the NSB campus within MCPL's Immersive Tech platform. This virtual replica will also allow students to attend classes, participate in discussions, and engage in various academic and extracurricular activities in a fully immersive and realistic digital environment.

By making education immersive, this collaboration is a joint step towards making education more comprehensive and extensive. With this enablement, we are adding a new chapter to modern education, where students don’t just learn but experience learning.

"We are thrilled to join forces with NTPC School of Business in pioneering the future of education in the metaverse," said Ashish Minocha, Chief Business Officer at MayaaVerse Creations. "This collaboration represents a significant step towards revolutionizing the way knowledge is imparted and experienced, empowering students with immersive and interactive learning opportunities that transcend traditional boundaries."

The collaboration between MCPL and NSB represents a significant milestone in the integration of virtual reality and Immersive Tech technologies into the education sector. As the Immersive Tech continues to evolve and gain mainstream adoption, this partnership positions both organizations at the forefront of this transformative shift, paving the way for new and innovative learning experiences.

About MayaaVerse Creations Pvt Ltd:

MayaaVerse is dedicated to delivering more than just a concept—it’s a comprehensive immersive technology platform embedded with AI, accessible to everyone. By empowering individuals and organizations to create, experience, and monetize in unprecedented digital environments, MayaaVerse is setting new standards in immersive experiences.

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About NTPC School of Business:

NTPC School of Business, established in 2014 under the aegis of NTPC Education and Research Society, is a premier business school dedicated to nurturing human capital for the energy sector. With a focus on innovation and industry-relevant education, NSB aims to produce future-ready professionals equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive the energy industry forward.

Wacom Launches Its First OLED Pen Display Wacom Movink

* Weighing 420g & measuring a mere 4mm at its thinnest point, Movink is the thinnest & lightest Wacom pen display ever

Wacom, the leading innovator of digital pen and ink solutions, today announced the launch of Wacom Movink, its first OLED pen display designed and developed to meet the needs of creative professionals, digital artists and design students.

Wacom Movink is a radically new product category that combines the professional pen experience of the Wacom Pro Pen 3 with a brilliant 13.3” inch full HD OLED display in a super slim, ultra-light, highly versatile, portable device at a competitive price. Because it works with most operating systems, users have access to their full software suite without compromising on performance, precision and preferred operating system.

“Wacom Movink is a first of its kind OLED pen display, designed to open up new possibilities for creative users. It is a great, competitively priced upgrade for many existing setups,” says Koji Yano, Senior Vice President for the Branded Business Unit at Wacom. “Market Data shows that 1 in 3 digital creatives use more than one creative pen device. They are also increasingly looking for portable solutions that deliver the same experience as their studio or desktop solutions. With Wacom Movink we can offer them the perfect solution that takes them wherever they need to be without compromising on performance, precision or experience. This quality could only be achieved with the cutting-edge OLED technology developed and provided by Samsung Display.”

“Wacom leaps into the next generation of display technology with the launch of a ground-breaking new product category. Wacom Movink unites the art of drawing and inking with moving and portability by combining a professional pen experience with a brilliant 13.3” inch, full HD OLED display in a super slim, ultra-light, highly versatile, sturdy device without compromising on performance, precision and software preferences”, says Rajiv Malik, Director, Wacom India.

Weighing only 420g and measuring a mere 4mm at its thinnest point, Wacom Movink sets a new standard as the thinnest and lightest Wacom pen display to date and many all-in-one devices currently on the market. The robust Corning Gorilla Glass and durable magnesium alloy body make Wacom Movink is a sturdy device that easily fits into any bag. The 13.3" Samsung OLED display delivers a Full HD resolution with 10-bit color, a contrast ratio of 100,000:1 and perfect black point thanks to the exceptional qualities of OLED technology.

Wacom Movink comes with a dedicated version of the Wacom Pro Pen 3* that offers impressive pen sensitivity and tilt detection for a wide range of artistic expressions, from powerful brushstrokes to delicate lines. Wacom Movink achieves the fastest response time along with increased pen detection height and no visible parallax. Wacom Movink is compatible with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Android operating systems. Wacom Movink is also fully supported by Wacom Bridge, an innovative solution that radically improves working on supported remote desktop connections.

Wacom Movink 13 is very competitively priced at 72,999 INR, respectively and will be sold exclusively through the Wacom eStore (https://india-iws.in/products/wacom-movink-13) and selected resellers for enterprise and education customers starting today.

About Wacom

Wacom’s vision is to bring people and technology closer together through natural interface solutions. This has made it the world’s leading manufacturer of interactive pen tablets and displays as well as of digital styli and solutions for saving and processing digital signatures. The advanced technology of Wacom’s intuitive input devices has been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and designs around the world and provides business and home users with their leading interface technology to express their personality. Founded in 1983, Wacom is a global company based in Japan (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727) with subsidiaries and affiliate offices around the world to support marketing and distribution in over 150 countries. For further information about the products of Wacom, see also www.wacom.com.

PhonePe Extends Loan Offerings To Consumers Across Multiple Categories

* Enables users to access loans across six categories including Mutual Fund Loan, Bike Loan, Car Loan, Home Loan/ Loan against Property, Gold Loan and Education Loan on the PhonePe app

PhonePe, today expanded its loan distribution offerings on its platform across six major categories - Bike Loan, Car Loan, Home Loan, Gold Loan, Education Loan and Mutual Fund Loan, in partnership with a network of trusted banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and fintechs.  With its unmatched distribution strength of 535+ Million registered users, PhonePe aims to create a powerful and seamless user experience in the secured loans category.

PhonePe has partnered with a carefully curated selection of top lenders such as Tata Capital, L&T Finance, Hero FinCorp, Muthoot Fincorp, DMI Housing Finance, Home First Finance, rupyy, Volt Money, Gradright and more lenders to be added in the coming weeks. The platform currently has 15 active partners and aims to scale to 25 by the next quarter. Users can avail the loan facility under the existing ‘Loan’ section on their PhonePe app, select their desired loan category, and choose from a list of lenders. The loan application journey is initiated within PhonePe’s familiar app environment, eliminating the need to navigate multiple applications and simplifying the process for the user.

Speaking on the launch, Hemant Gala, CEO, PhonePe Lending said, “We are excited to announce the launch of our lending platform across all major categories with top Banks and NBFCs. This provides us with the opportunity to connect lenders and millions of our customers across the country on a single platform to meet their financial needs. Lenders are investing heavily in digitising the secured loan journeys and customers are adapting to the digitisation at a rapid pace. We believe it’s a great time to revolutionise secured lending product experience for the customers working with the lending ecosystem.”

About PhonePe Group:

PhonePe Group is India’s leading fintech company. Its flagship product, the PhonePe digital payments app, was launched in Aug 2016. In just 7 years, the company has scaled rapidly to become India’s leading consumer payments app with 535+ million registered users and a digital payments acceptance network of 39+ million merchants. PhonePe also processes over 255 million daily transactions with an annualized Total Payment Value (TPV) of USD 1.5+ Trillion.

On the back of its leadership in digital payments, PhonePe Group has expanded into financial services (Insurance, Lending, Wealth) as well as new consumer tech businesses (Pincode - hyperlocal e-commerce and Indus App Store - India's first localized App Store). PhonePe Group is an India headquartered technology company with a portfolio of businesses aligned with the company's vision to offer every Indian an equal opportunity to accelerate their progress by unlocking the flow of money and access to services.

For more details: media@phonepe.com

Motorola Launches “moto g04s” Segment’s Leading 50MP Camera, Segment’s Best Gorilla® Glass 3 Protection And Premium Design

The moto g04s comes with strong upgrades on its popular predecessor (moto g04) with segment leading features such as 50MP main camera with Quad Pixel technology and a brilliant 90Hz display with Gorilla® Glass 3 protection at an incredible budget friendly effective price of just Rs. 6,999.

The moto g04 boasts a stunning design and comes with four vibrant colours made from premium materials. It has a brighter 16.66 cm (6.6”) punch-hole display with Dolby Atmos® powered speaker for ultimate entertainment.

The moto g04s comes with a massive 5000mAh battery that offers outstanding backup and comes with a 15W charger.

The phone also comes equipped with the latest Android™ 14 making the device more personal, protected, and accessible with privacy updates for health, safety, and data.

Further, the phone also has the UNISOC T606 processor with built-in 4GB RAM and 64GB storage option that ensures unmatched performance. Additionally, the moto g04s also gets RAM Boost of up to 8GB.

Consumers will be able to get the moto g04s at just Rs. 6,999 and will go on sale on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores across India, starting 5th June 2024, 12PM onwards.

Motorola, India’s leading smartphone brand* has launched its latest entry level 4G smartphone the “moto g04s” which features some significant upgrades in camera and display over its popular predecessor - moto g04 while keeping the pricing unchanged and disruptive at just Rs. 6,999. It comes with segment’s leading 50MP main camera with Quad Pixel technology that can capture stunning pictures in both day and night conditions, has premium design with acrylic glass finish (PMMA) available in 4 attractive colours, and a brilliant segment leading 6.6” 90Hz punch hole display with segment’s best Gorilla® Glass 3 protection. Furthermore, the moto g04s boasts a 5000mAh battery that can run for days, comes with 15W fast charger, latest Android™ 14, and a powerful UNISOC T606 chipset in an in-built 4GB RAM with LPDDR4x memory type + 64GB UFS2.2 storage configuration and this can be extended up to 8GB RAM with the RAM boost option.

The moto g04s’sadvanced 50MP main camera comes with Quad Pixel technology which captures sharper more vivid photos. With Quad Pixel technology, users get 4x better low light sensitivity for more vibrant photos and features like image auto enhance allows users to shoot photos like a pro. The moto g04s also comes with different mode like HDR, Night Vision and Portrait mode to generate professional-looking shots automatically. On the front, users can enjoy social media ready selfies using its 5MP selfie camera (f/2.2 | 1.12µm), which features Face Retouch and Face Enhance (a built-in algorithm) which improves the quality and texture of selfies by automatically detecting the focus, lightning, and noise, and then adjusting accordingly.

The moto g04s boasts an exceptional design, beautifully crafted from premium materials. Its streamlined camera housing feels great in hand and the device is extremely thin just 7.99mm and lightweight just 178g of weight. Moreover, the side-mounted fingerprint reader ensures an easy and fast unlock along with high-quality matte finish on the back of the phone making it look as good as it feels. Available in four vibrant colours, namely Concord Black, Sea Green, Satin Blue, and Sunrise Orange, the moto g04s compliments every style. The IP52 water-repellent design also ensures the device stays protected even with light spills and splashes.

Users can enjoy a multidimensional audio-visual experience owing to the 16.66 cm (6.6”) 90 Hz display with a High Brightness mode complemented by a powerful Dolby Atmos® speaker. The display offers an immersive experience, eliminating all distractions and comes with the segment’s most advanced Gorilla® Glass 3 protection to ensure that the consumer stays worry free. High Brightness mode automatically adjusts the display outdoors so it’s easier to see, reaching peak brightness levels of up to 537 NITS. Conversely, the Night Light mode tints the screen amber, making the display easier to view in dim or poor lighting conditions. Matching such a remarkable display, Dolby Atmos® adds another dimension of audio, offering greater depth, clarity, and details.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Motorola India said “We are excited to launch the moto g04s – with significant upgrades over its predecessor at an affordable price. The moto g04s sets a new benchmark for entry-level smartphones which is aligned with our vision to democratize technology.”

The moto g04s comes with a massive 5000mAh battery that offers outstanding backup and comes with a 15W charger. Additionally, with Android™ 14 users can make their devices more personal, protected, and accessible while getting privacy updates for health, safety, and data. Ensuring unmatched performance, the smartphone equips UNISOC T606 processor with built-in 4 + 64GB RAM along with RAM Boost. The storage can be further expanded to 1TB via a dedicated microSD card and it also features a triple sim card slot.

Availability:

The moto g04s will be available in four beautiful colours: Concord Black, Sea Green, Satin Blue, and Sunrise Orange, featuring acrylic glass (PMMA) finish with a matte texture that makes it scratch-resistant.

moto g04s will be available only in 4GB RAM + 64GB storage and will go on sale on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores starting 5th June 2024, 12PM onwards.

Launch Price:

4GB RAM + 64GB Storage: Rs. 6,999.

Socomec India Appoints Lohithashan Potti As "Deputy General Manager, Operational Marketing" For Power Conversion Business

Socomec, a global specialist in the design and manufacturing of LV power management solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Lohithashan Potti as the Deputy General Manager, Operational Marketing of its Power Conversion business in the Greater India region. With over 19 years of experience in the electrical systems, UPS market, solar and energy storage systems, Lohithashan brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his new role.

Lohithashan joins Socomec from Reliance Power Electronics Ltd, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd, where he served as the Senior General Manager of Product Management. Prior to this, he held senior roles at Fuji Electric India Pvt Ltd and has a notable history with Socomec itself, having served in various capacities from 2008 to 2016. Throughout his career, Lohithashan has demonstrated exceptional skills in product planning, execution, and lifecycle management, alongside a strong ability to align product vision with market and customer needs.

On this significant appointment, Mr. Meenu Singhal, Regional Managing Director - Greater India, Socomec, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lohithashan back to the Socomec family. His extensive experience and expertise in product management and business development will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and expand our power conversion solutions. We are confident that his leadership will drive our growth strategy and help us achieve new milestones in the region.”

In his new role, Lohithashan will oversee operational marketing, spearhead product development, and drive strategic initiatives to foster business growth. He will master the offer knowledge, execute the offer strategy in Greater India, and support sales strategy execution while collaborating with other regional teams to optimize results. His primary goals will be to ensure Socomec's solutions exceed customer expectations by prioritizing customer requirements, defining product vision, and working closely with all internal and external stakeholders to achieve revenue and customer satisfaction objectives.

Lohithashan expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating: “I am excited to re-join Socomec and be part of its journey to success. I look forward to collaborating with the exceptional teams to deliver exceptional value to our customers. By closely aligning with their needs and defining a clear product vision, we will achieve remarkable success and set new benchmarks in the power conversion market.”

Nuvama Gives A BUY Call For Indo Count; Sees Upside Of 22% With A Target Price Of Rs. 433

Highlights of financial Results:

Revenue rose 35% YoY to INR1,093cr (est. INR850cr) on higher volumes (up 40% to 28.6mn metres). Average realisation fell 3% YoY owing to a correction in cotton prices.

Gross margin contracted by 30bp YoY to 55% due to a change in the product mix. EBITDA grew 15% YoY on higher revenue (INR165cr versus our estimate of INR146cr), with a 280bp contraction in EBITDA margin to 15.1% on lower gross margin and higher marketing expenses (up 200bp).

PAT fell 3% YoY to INR92cr (est. INR92cr) on lower other income.

Revenue/EBITDA/PAT grew 18%/23%/22% in FY24 on higher volumes and positive operating leverage.

Sparx Unveils Its New Spring Summer Range For Indian Youth in 2024

* Experience Fashion And Comfort With Sparx's Stylish Collection For 2024

Sparx, the most trusted brand among Indian youth, has launched its product range for Spring Summer Collection 2024. The new range exudes stylish design and seamlessly blends functionality with fashion.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Gaurav Dua Executive Director, Relaxo Footwear Ltd., said, “We're thrilled to unveil our new Spring Summer Collection, designed to meet the demands for stylish yet comfortable footwear. Made from lightweight, moisture-wicking materials featuring customizable fits, the versatile designs of the new range are ideal for both casual outings and daily activities. We are committed to providing an exceptional customer experience, and we believe this new collection will become the top choice for those seeking both elegance and practicality this season."

Sparx's new collection redefines fashion, style, and comfort with lightweight sandals made from sweat-wicking fabrics. Featuring adjustable fits, the new range support users of all genders and ages in their daily activities. The collection also offers a range of ultra-comfortable and trendy slippers. The digital campaign featuring the tagline "Sparx It's In Me" has already been launched across various platforms to bolster the company’s marketing efforts.

Sparx has gone all out to secure visibility and space at major retail outlets for the new Spring Summer Collection. Available at over 405 Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) and leading footwear stores, the perfectly tailored collection is also available on www.relaxofootwear.com to meet the demands of the contemporary Indian lifestyle.

City Of Varanasi Along With Two Global Cities Chosen To Host Toyota Mobility Foundation’s $9m Sustainable Cities Challenge

*       Host cities Varanasi, Detroit, and Venice have been selected and are working with Toyota Mobility Foundation, Challenge Works, and World Resources Institute to design local open innovation challenges tailored to their respective mobility needs.

*        The challenge aims to help cities reduce carbon, improve access, and enhance data-driven concepts for more resilient transport systems

*        Challenges will be launched in the upcoming weeks inviting innovators from around the world to address mobility obstacles identified by each city.

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) today announced that Varanasi along with two global cities, Detroit and Venice, have been selected to host innovation challenges as part of the Toyota Mobility Foundation’s Sustainable Cities Challenge.  The goal of the $9 million global initiative is to help cities accelerate toward sustainable mobility, fostering healthier and safer urban environments while enhancing people's ability to commute, work, study, and access services.

Over 150 cities from 46 countries entered the Sustainable Cities Challenge after the call to cities was first launched in June 2023. In November 2023 the shortlist of 10 cities were announced from which the top 3 were chosen as the finalists. Now, the three selected cities will launch their own City Challenges inviting global innovators to work with them with Varanasi launching its City Challenge on June 27, 2024. Innovators could be from anywhere around the world – residing both locally or anywhere else, but the solutions must be applicable and tailored to meet the mobility needs of the winning cities. In late 2024, solutions that best meet the needs of the cities will be selected and have access to a share of USD 3 million per city in innovation grants to demonstrate and pilot test. In 2026, winners of the challenge will be selected for further scaling and implementation.

As one of the most prominent heritage cities in India, Varanasi experiences huge influx of tourism, which, while vital to strengthening the city’s tapestry of faith and culture, brings with it concerns of safety and crowding. The Varanasi City Challenge creates an opportunity to address these issues by generating innovative, data-driven solutions incorporating elements of technology and design. Overall, the aim is to make the city, and particularly the crowded areas of Varanasi’s old city (Kashi), safer and more accessible to pilgrims, local residents and the vulnerable populace.

Akshat Verma, IAS, Municipal Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Varanasi Municipal Corporation/Varanasi Smart City said, “Participating in the Toyota Mobility Foundation’s Sustainable Cities Challenge presents an exciting prospect for Varanasi. This initiative offers us a valuable chance to explore technical and design related avenues for enhancing mobility within our city, benefiting both our residents and the growing tourism. By collaborating with innovative minds, we aim to bolster Varanasi’s reputation as a premier global tourist destination. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to work closely with TMF, their partners, and experts to achieve this goal.”

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Pras Ganesh, Executive Program Director, Toyota Mobility Foundation, said, “As the Toyota Mobility Foundation, we are passionate about the freedom of mobility, and the opportunities that such mobility can unlock for individuals and communities. With like-minded partners such as World Resources Institute and Challenge Works, we seek out innovative solutions to overcome the barriers that hinder these opportunities.

The Sustainable Cities Challenge, our global challenge that matches visionary cities and the most creative innovators, will now focus on the 3 incredibly dynamic cities of Varanasi, Venice, and Detroit. We will now seek out the most innovative ideas that solve these cities’ most pressing mobility issues, and ensure that identified ideas can be scaled, replicated, and amplified globally”.

Elated with Varanasi making to the final list, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "We at TKM are thrilled that Varanasi has been chosen as one of the global cities in the Toyota Mobility Foundation’s Sustainable Cities Challenge. At Toyota, we are committed to redefining mobility—extending beyond traditional automotive solutions to encompass human-centric, sustainable urban transportation. The Challenge in Varanasi exemplifies our dedication to this vision by providing a platform that bridges innovative minds and local stakeholders. Also, closely aligned with our global commitment to producing “Happiness for All”, I am confident that this initiative will not only transform Varanasi but also contribute significantly to the global pursuit of creating more sustainable urban environments. The solutions could also act as a template that could be replicated not only in India but also globally providing potential solutions to city planners.” 

More about the Challenge:

The three City Challenges will focus on different areas of sustainable mobility relevant to their specific context, spanning the expansion of access to safe, affordable, and inclusive modes of transportation. Potential solutions could harness the power of data to create connected and resilient mobility or ecosystems or reduce environmental impact through low-carbon and renewable solutions.

The three cities have been working with Toyota Mobility Foundation alongside Challenge Works and World Resources Institute (WRI) to finalize their Challenges. They are focusing on areas of their respective mobility barriers that could be best addressed through open innovation. They have been consulting with local organizations and wider stakeholders to inform the design of their respective Challenges.

Innovators from across the globe with solutions ready to be tested are invited to respond to the specific issues of each city as each City Challenge launches over the next two months. The innovative solutions that best meet the needs of the city (or the criteria for the City Challenges), will be selected to be supported. Together, the cities and selected innovators will test, further develop, and deploy solutions using real-world data, with access to transportation departments and infrastructure.

The Sustainable Cities Challenge is funded by the Toyota Mobility Foundation and has been designed in partnership with Challenge Works and World Resources Institute to bring cities and innovators together to develop sustainable, inclusive, data-driven mobility solutions fit for the future.

For more information about the Sustainable Cities Challenge and the Toyota Mobility Foundation, please visit the official website at Sustainable Cities Challenge website. 

About Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF):

Established in August 2014, the Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) is dedicated to fostering a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. By leveraging Toyota's expertise and technologies, TMF partners with various stakeholders to address mobility issues worldwide, aligning its initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About Challenge Works:

Challenge Works is a global leader in designing and delivering open innovation challenges to solve pressing problems and drive change. They incentivize innovative thinkers to solve complex issues and reward the most promising solutions.

About World Resources Institute:

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that collaborates with partners to develop practical solutions for improving people's lives and ensuring the thriving of nature.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru To Host First Edition of Monsoon School

*  The Monsoon School is a six-day program with no registration fee.

The First Edition of the Monsoon School is a 6-day design hack lab to respond to challenges in environment, climate change, nature-culture relations and design, and will be held from 24th to 29th June 2024, in Manipal, Karnataka. The Monsoon School is organized by Dr. Deepta Sateesh, holder of the Dr. TMA Pai Endowment Chair in "Adaptive Ecologies and Climate Extremes - Decolonising the Anthropocene", and is in collaboration with the Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Centre for DWEEPA, and Centre for SADBHAVA, MAHE, Manipal.

This design lab will focus on the regions between the Southwestern Ghats and Coastal Karnataka,  an ecologically sensitive place, home to human, and nonhuman beings, and unique natural  features and climate. This region is also undergoing urbanization and maldevelopment at a rapid pace. The region is impacted by the Southwest Monsoon that brings rain and water to the Southern Peninsula of India and the Subcontinent that ideally suits a study of  the monsoon. 

We welcome participants who are ecologists, architects, urban designers & planners, tech-savvy enthusiasts and counter-mappers, journalists, environment enthusiasts, conservationists, artists, craftspeople, designers, folk artists, archivists, geographers, geologists, archaeologists, trekkers, anthropologists, and such, as well as students or nature enthusiasts with a demonstrable affinity for visualization, mapping, storytelling, performing arts, environment, and place-based research. 

Themes that the Monsoon School will cover include development and conservation, communities and livelihoods, climate change and adaptation, and traditional knowledge and local cultural practices of the region. Eligibility and selection are not age- or experience-based, but determined by diversity of backgrounds and know-how, and motivation.

Registration closes on Monday, 3rd June 2024. Limited seats are available. The Monsoon School will require a 6-day commitment from participants. There are no registration fees.

For further queries, contact at dweepa.maheblr@manipal.edu

Raminfo Limited Registers 109.38 Percent YOY Rise In Net Profit

Raminfo, one of India’s leading technology solutions provider, has declared its financial results for the last quarter and fiscal year ended on 31st March 2024. Raminfo Limited is a listed company on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Financial highlights:

During Q4, Raminfo registered Net Profit After Tax (PAT) to the tune of 42.38 lakhs compared to 2.47 crores during Q3

During the Q4, Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at Rs.91.97 lakhs whereas it stood at 3.33 crores during Q3

Earning Per Share (EPS) during Q4 stood at Rs. 0.69, while it was Rs.3.68 during Q3

Compared to 2023, Raminfo clocked 1.10 crores more in revenue from operations during 2024

Profit Before Tax (PBT) in 2024 stood at 10.42 crores whereas in 2023 it was 8.76 crores

Revenue during Q4 stood at 24.93 crores whereas it was 20.83 crores in Q3

Despite issuance of preferential shares, Earning Per Share (EPS) stood at Rs.9.49 per  share in 2024, compared to Rs.8.69 in 2023

Raminfo’s net revenue stands at 82.09 crores

In the last four years, Raminfo has gone on from being an E-governance solutions provider to a systems integrator to improve the margins from 3.18 % PBT during 2021 to 12.70% PBT in 2024

Commenting on the results, Mr. L Srinath Reddy, MD, Raminfo Limited said, “We continue to see business consolidating and growing, despite a prolonged election season leading to slow-down on administrative decisions of governments. We continue to innovate and consolidate our position as an end to end e-governance project implementer. The quiet period has also presented us with an opportunity to chart out a plan for major expansion. As we move forward, Raminfo is on the cusp of embracing cutting edge breakthroughs in Gen AI arena. We are also looking forward to potentials collaborations with Gen AI start ups.”

Key Projects in 2023-2024

Mobile Veterinary Unit – Rajasthan

Raminfo Limited, in consortium with M/s Gunesh (India) Pvt Ltd, has introduced Mobile Veterinary Vehicles to facilitate the “Mobile Veterinary Services” program in the State of Rajasthan. This initiative involves deploying a fleet of 258 four-wheelers equipped with necessary staff, medicines, consumables, and equipment for the operation and maintenance of veterinary services across the state. These mobile veterinary vehicles aim to enhance animal healthcare accessibility, especially in remote and rural areas of Rajasthan. The program aligns with the Department of Animal Husbandry’s efforts to improve veterinary services and promote animal welfare

Jharkand Skill Development Mission

Raminfo Ltd is established Mega Skill Center in the district  of Dhanbad with the help of consortium partner M/s Shri Technology India Pvt Ltd, to implement skill development training programs for the Jharkhand Skill Development Mission. This significant partnership marks a pivotal step forward in empowering the youth of Jharkhand with essential skills for sustainable employment and self-entrepreneurship for 2000 candidates in every year

West Bengal Employment Bank:

Raminfo Limited has successfully designed, developed, and maintained a comprehensive Employment Bank and Yuvasree Job Management Portal. This initiative aims to enhance employment opportunities for job-seekers in the state of West Bengal, for West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Limited (WEBEL). The Employment Bank serves as a State-owned job portal, providing a unique e-governance platform to widen the window of job opportunities for job seekers in West Bengal.

Odisha Street light

Raminfo Limited is Successfully Completed the Supply, installation, testing and commissioning of LED Street Lighting System on existing LT electric poles with necessary fixtures, accessories and photo switch with timer and Energy Meter each cluster being of 10 (ten) Street Lights along with normal guarantee period and Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract for a period of 5 Years on turn-key basis in one Village of each Gram Panchayat (GP) for 310 Clusters under the Kalahandi and 240 Cluster under the Koraput District, Odisha state.

Mobile Common Services Centers

Raminfo Limited has implemented the Mobile Common Service Centre (CSC) program as part of the Digital India initiative. Through this program, they provide e-Governance services using 58 mobile vehicles to reach people residing in hills and remote areas, ensuring access to essential services.

Raminfo in continuation of Citizen Centric Services for Andhra Pradesh State

Raminfo Limited is continuing the Operations and Maintain of Urban MeeSeva Centers (1,600+ centres including franchises covering 400+ G2C and B2C services) in the state of Andhra Pradesh.  Through these MeeSeva centers citizens of Andhra Pradesh are getting all the services of government that are made available electronically.

About Raminfo Limited

Raminfo Limited, (BSE: 530951) is a legacy player with 30 years of experience in e-governance and other tech solutions. They’re a company listed on BSE. Raminfo serves a diverse array of sectors across India, including government, fintech, healthcare, smart energy, IoT, analytics, and engineering.  In the government arena, Raminfo shines with its e-governance, smart lighting, telemedicine, and agro-logistics initiatives, alongside skill development and education programs. Embracing its 2.0 evolution, Raminfo harnesses the power of AI and Machine Learning to venture into new frontiers, crafting comprehensive, multi-vertical ecosystems.

Quest Global Receives RTX Premier Award For Outstanding Performance In 2023

Quest Global, a leading global product engineering services company, today announced that RTX has recognized Quest Global Services with a Premier Award for performance in 2023 and overall excellence in Business Management and Cost Competitiveness. This award, presented by RTX businesses Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney, recognizes Quest Global's exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence.

As part of the RTX Performance+ Program, suppliers undergo rigorous assessment each year to evaluate their performance and value delivered to RTX across vital categories, encompassing Cost Competitiveness, Technology & Innovation, Business Management, Customer Service, and Collaboration.

"We're incredibly honoured to receive the prestigious RTX Premier Award," said Andrew Lewis, Global Business Head, Aerospace & Defense at Quest Global. "This accolade truly reflects our steadfast dedication to providing superior solutions and driving value for our customers. We owe this achievement to our employees and extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued customers for their trust and partnership. Together, we've achieved remarkable milestones, and this award is a celebration of our collective achievements."

As a trusted partner in the engineering services industry, Quest Global remains committed to delivering innovative solutions, fostering collaboration, and exceeding customer expectations. Its commitment to performance excellence ensures customer success globally and builds a strong foundation for continued success. This recognition strengthens Quest Global's leadership position in the engineering services space and reinforces its commitment to excellence in all business operations.

About Quest Global

Founded in 1997, Quest Global is one of the world’s leading engineering research and development (ER&D) services companies. Quest Global believes engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. For more than 25 years, we have strived to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest engineering problems. As a global organization headquartered in Singapore, the team at Quest Global live and work in 17 countries, with 72 global delivery centers and offices, driven by 17,800+ extraordinary people who make the impossible possible every day. Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Communications, Energy, Hi-Tech, MedTech & Healthcare, Rail and Semiconductor industries.