CMR Study Reveals Consumers are Prioritizing Audio Quality Over Camera in their Smartphone Purchase

 Consumer Study 

* Indians consider audio quality as one of the most important factors in their next smartphone purchase with a score of 66 out of 100, followed by battery life at 61, and camera at 60

As per a new study by CyberMedia Research (CMR), Indian Consumers are now prioritising audio quality as a key smartphone purchase driver ahead of camera and battery. In fact across all parameters one in every four users have stated audio quality as the most important factor while selecting their smartphone. For the first time ever, consumers are more tuned into ‘audio quality’, possibly driven by long hours spent alone in a homebound economy. In doing so, they are also seeking better, immersive experiences.

“Given the advancements in smartphone camera and battery, I believe consumers are mostly satisfied with industry-leading innovations therein. On the other hand, in the current homebound economy, consumers are getting more aware, and paying more heed to audio quality. As such, they are putting it on priority for the neo normal, from a communication and content consumption point of view,” said Satya Mohanty, Head-Industry Consulting Group, CMR.

According to Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, “These interesting study findings provide us with a basis to better understand evolving consumer aspirations around smartphone audio. Consumers are now seeking infinitely better and immersive listening experiences, whenever and wherever they go. Across use cases, ranging from OTT consumption to mobile gaming & even UGC, consumers seek more high-quality sound. This is where brands with industry-leading innovations, such as Dolby, will stand to shine and fulfill consumer aspirations.”

The CMR study titled “What Audio Means for Indian Smartphone users?” categorizes Indian consumers, based on their audio consumption patterns, into three broad cohorts:

* Digital Natives who spend >20 hours weekly (39%)

* Digital Dependents who spend 10-20 hours weekly (44%)

* Digital Laggards who spend < 10 hours weekly (17%)

Online content consumption – movies and music, have witnessed a tremendous growth, driven by the ubiquitous smartphones. Over the past few years, the rise of affordable and value for money smartphones has fueled content consumption, on-the-go, and at home.

India loves to binge watch on video streaming platforms, cutting across genres, including episodic content and user-generated video content on social media. In the midst of the pandemic, OTT platforms are benefiting from increased viewership, as well as new subscribers. Amongst the three cohorts, Digital Natives tend to spend more time on OTT platforms & rate audio as the most important factor considered while buying their current smartphone. 

Here are some of the most interesting study findings:

* Audio quality matters. Indians consider audio quality as one of the most important factors in their next smartphone purchase with a score of 66 out of 100, followed by Battery Life at 61, and Camera at 60. Smartphone users consume audio mostly through

* listening to music on popular audio OTT platforms (94%),

* watching video – movies, OTT content, or user-generated content on social networks (96%).

* Preferred audio accessories include wired earplugs and earbuds. 78% of the consumers prefer wired earplugs, while 65% indicate using earbuds.

* Video consumption differ with consumer personas. For instance, Digital Natives prefer videos of shorter duration (38%) whereas Digital Laggards prefer videos of longer duration (23%).

* Better audio experience means differently to different consumer personas. For instance, Digital Laggards associate better audio experience to voice and dialogue clarity (69%), whereas Digital Natives associate it to an immersive experience (61%).

* Five in every eight users (62%), use audio during gaming. 72% of those users are satisfied with it.

* Indians more tuned to audio problems. Three in every seven users face some problems in smartphone audio on a regular basis. Problems faced include

* Audio being too soft (33%)

* Audio being too loud (30%)

* Distorted audio (24%)

Note for Editors:

The CMR study titled “What Audio Means for Indian Smartphone Users?” is based on a digital survey covering 1012 respondents, across six cities of India, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, covering the age groups of 18 to 40, and socio-economic levels of SEC A and B. The study was conducted in early to late July 2020.

For results based on a randomly chosen sample of this size, there is 95% confidence that the results have a statistical precision of plus or minus 3% of what they would be if the entire population had been surveyed.

To know more, and download the report, visit www.cmrindia.com/shelf

AAF Launches Industrial-Grade Air Purifiers in the Indian Market

 AAF (American Air Filter), a Daikin group of company, the world’s largest clean air solutions provider launches industrial-grade air purifiers for the healthcare segment. These portable air purifiers enable healthcare facilities to transform the basic patient room into a negative pressure isolation room.

The AstroPure 500 is the most versatile AAF model. It can be used as an infection control system in healthcare and commercial facilities. The 3-stage air filtration with UV light can be utilized in any of the three operating modes to recirculate and clean the air in a controlled environment.

100% exhaust*

Need-based variable exhaust based on the application

100% recirculation

The design of the equipment is suitable for Accident & Emergency Room (ER), ICUs, Operating Room (OR) or any controlled environment to convert to an infection-free isolation room. This equipment can also be used in small clinics, laboratories, patients waiting rooms or any other common areas to avoid the spread of infection while recirculating the air.

Features:

A stand-alone complete air purification system to recirculate and clean the air in a controlled environment.

It combines particulate, gas-phase and HEPA filters to remove airborne particles, gaseous contaminants, viruses, bacteria, fungus and molds to provide total clean air solution.

The pre-filter prolongs the life span of a higher efficiency filter

The gas-phase filter effectively removes odor problems.

HEPA filter to remove fine particles, viruses, bacteria, fungus, molds with an efficiency of 99.99% at 0.3μm.

This powerful system delivers up to 500 CFM operating airflow. As a result, the AstroPure 500 can typically provide above 12 air changes per hour in rooms up to 2,500 cubic feet. Variable speed controls enable the AstroPure 500 to be run at lower speeds where less airflow is required.

AstroPure 500 is the best solution for prevention of spread of viruses and can be used as a stand-alone unit in any space where people gather like offices, malls, hotels (conference rooms, restaurants and suites), airports (lounges, immigration area), schools (classrooms, canteen, indoor sports areas), hospitals (common areas, consultation rooms, isolation rooms, ICUs), dental clinics, movie theaters, convention halls and tech parks.

FAITH Associations Want the Negative American Travel Advisory to India, be Addressed

 * Advisory of 4 to India is the most severe 

* A do not travel will adversely affect Indian tourism’s restart options 

* The USA is the strategically most critical travel market for India

* India is bunched with the likes of Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen 

Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality, the policy federation of all the national associations representing the complete tourism, travel and hospitality industry of India (ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, TAFI) & cause partner AIRDA has urgently requested the negative travel advisory from the USA to India to be addressed. 

The United States of America currently has a travel advisory, rated level 4 for India (as on 23rd Aug 2020). On a scale of 1-4 this is the highest level of risk rating, carrying with it the advice of ‘do not travel’. As stated, reasons for the same, apart from restrictive COVID 19 protocols, the rating highlights terrorism, crimes against women and insurgency among others as concerns. 

FAITH Associations have highlighted that the USA is the most important long haul source market for India for most segments of travel. Over the past 10 years, it would have probably brought in between 10- 15 million tourists who could have been instrumental in creating an estimated 40 million foreign tourist visits across Indian states. The travelers from the USA also have one of the highest average stays in India of 29+ days as against the average of 22 + days for all source markets. This is a very strategic source of economic and job multiplier for India. 

Some of the few countries that were reflecting in this category as on 23rd Aug include Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen etc. This is perceptually extremely poor for India.

As India has begun the process of opening up its air corridors, such an advisory for India is detrimental to kickstarting all leisure, business & mice tourists from the USA. Additionally, travel advisory as such from the United States of America tends to send a wrong signal for the rest of the developed countries as they start opening up their international air travel.

This advisory appears to have been last updated on 6th August 2020.  FAITH Associations have requested the tourism minister to urgently take it up with Minister of External Affairs, for him to take up with his American counterpart for an immediate revision.

The favourable revision of the travel advisory would be a big boost in beginning the process of creating a positive sentiment for travel, which will slowly put in motion revival for the inbound tourism industry

About FAITH: FAITH, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality, is the National Federation of the 10 National Tourism, Travel and Hospitality organisations of India. These associations are ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI & TAFI

FAITH, on behalf of the whole tourism industry engages in key policy and strategy ideation with Central and State Governments of India for growth of the Indian tourism industry.

FAITH has worked with the governments on tourism components of various national strategic policies. These include e-visa, GST strategy , Monuments PPP policy, NITI Aayog vision document, Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 ( SEIS), of economic surveys, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017& 2018, Udaan policy, Union Budget discussions with Finance Minister for budgets for 2015, 2016, 2017& 2018, cruise tourism policy, I respect women badges, tourism negotiations for trade blocs of SAARC, RCEP , Indo-US , Indo-Morocco , State Tourism policies for Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, J&K & Punjab, brainstorming sessions with aviation, railways, commerce, finance, BIs , road and highways, waterways among other national initiatives.

US-India Strategic Partnership Forum to Honor Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra & Adobe Chairman Shantanu Narayen

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) announced their third Annual Leadership Summit, titled “US-India Week: Navigating New Challenges”, which will convene virtually this year from August 31- September 3. The week-long program will include a range of strategic discussions between USISPF’s board members that includes which include 21 Fortune 500 CEOsand senior government officials from both countries.

At the summit, USISPF will honour Chairman of Mahindra group, Anand Mahindra and Shantanu Narayen, Chairman & CEO of Adobewith the 2020 Leadership Awards, awarded each year for exemplary vision towards promoting U.S.-India bilateral ties.

Congratulating the awardees, John Chambers, Chairman of the USISPF Board, said, “We are delighted to confer the 2020 Leadership Awards to two business leaders who have displayed tremendous leadership and ambition in strengthening the U.S.-India bilateral economic partnership, especially at a time when the global economy is faced with uncertainties and businesses are forced to pivot from their core capabilities. As a global centre of manufacturing excellence with presence in the United States, the Mahindra Group is a shining example of a true win-win opportunity for our bilateral ties with positive impact in the lives of the American people and across the American economic engine. Chambers further added, “Shantanu’s pioneering work in digital technologies, leveraging support to communities, and deep impact on start-ups have been of tremendous value to governments, civil society, and the overall bilateral relationship. I cannot think of a more consummate candidate for this award.”

Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group said, “I accept this award on behalf of the entire Mahindra Group. At this challenging & transformational time for the world, such a recognition only reminds us that companies must contribute much more towards building a better world.  Mahindra remains deeply committed to the US market which is integral to its future growth and prosperity. Overall, I expect the relationship between India and the US to get even stronger over time with both countries being natural allies given our shared values and mutual economic interests.”

Mr. Shantanu Narayen, Chairman, President,and CEO of Adobe said, “I am honoured to accept the Leadership Award from the USISPF. USISPF’s mission to accelerate the strategic partnership between the US and India brings together two global leaders with the power to create compounding benefits for the global economy. Now more than ever, uniting the strengths, innovations and talents of the world is critical to building bridges and driving economic prosperity.”

Alongside US Vice President Mike Pence, high-ranking U.S. and Indian government officials participating at the leadership summit include: Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs; Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry; Kenneth I. Juster, U.S. Ambassador to India to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the United States; Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog; Adam Boehler, CEO, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation; Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, Ayushman Bharat; Neil Chatterjee, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Chairman, National Innovation Foundation, and former senior officials from both countries. The summit will highlight areas of bilateral cooperation: trade and investment relations; strategic energy ties; India’s position in global supply chains, collaboration in fintech, healthcare, and technology; building a fair tax regime to attract FDIs, among others.

About the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF):

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India. As the only independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the U.S.-India partnership in Washington, D.C. and in New Delhi, USISPF is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organizations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States.

Godrej Appliances Forays into Health and Hygiene Space with Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0

The COVID 19 pandemic has made a significant change in Indian consumer behavior when it comes to the priority accorded to safety and hygiene. Consumers are doing their best to protect themselves from the COVID 19 virus, investing time and effort in washing or sanitizing or quarantining things for daily use and consumption that come into the house – without any certainty of the effectiveness of the methods deployed. A consumer dipstick conducted by the company revealed that more than 60% consumers are isolating all parcels and packets for more than a day, washing vegetables and leaving them aside for more than a day and in some cases even washing them in soap water!

Godrej Appliances, a leading Indian consumer durables manufacturer for 62 years, has always endeavored to offer relevant technology suited to Indian consumer needs. During this pandemic, the brand again rises to the occasion to offer another relevant India made product for the Indian consumer to help them tide over these testing times – Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0, a UV-C technology-based device which disinfects against more than 99% COVID 19 Virus in 2-6 minutes. It operates at ~254nm UV wavelength which is optimal for neutralising COVID – 19, other viruses and bacteria. The brand which is known for its trusted offerings has ensured that VIROSHIELD is tested and certified by ICMR empanelled lab for its UVC Irradiance. 

Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0 is designed to ensure that both safety and hygiene are addressed. With UV surround technology, Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0 uses 4 UV-C tubes & 6 Side Reflective Interiors, which is the highest in the market in its capacity segment, ensuring 360° UVC coverage. Moreover, the cubic design of VIROSHIELD helps in uniform dissemination of the UV-C rays. It is well placed to disinfect anything - from grocery packs to vegetables, mobile phones and masks to gold ornaments, headphones to car keys, toys to currency notes, wallets to spectacles, etc.

Its larger volume of 30 L helps you disinfect more Items together at one go or larger item and saves time & energy. No more spending time washing, soaking, isolating things without knowing if it is helping enough. 

The brand is very particular about consumer safety. Prolonged direct exposure to UVC is harmful to human health. And hence, VIROSHIELD is designed with no see-through surfaces, thick side & door walls, and a gasket-based magnetic sealing system and Auto Cut-off facility as soon as the door is opened, Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0 is thus 100% UV leak-proof for human safety. Its leak-proof effectiveness has also been tested and certified. 

The Godrej VIROSHIELD comes with a 1-year comprehensive warranty including on the UVC Lamps and is backed by the highest-ranked Godrej after-sales service assurance. 

Available in pure white, the feature-rich, 30 L, Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0 is attractively priced at Rs. 9490, inclusive of taxes. 

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Kamal Nandi, Business Head and EVP – Godrej Appliances said, “The pandemic has clearly impacted consumer behaviour. Health and hygiene are paramount concerns of our consumers currently. We have always endeavoured to put forth offerings based on consumer insights and current needs, staying true to the brand philosophy of ’Things made thoughtfully’. We are working on various technologies and innovations, around the themes of health, hygiene, and effort minimisation. In line with the same, we bring to our consumers – Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0, a UV-C technology-based disinfecting device that can protect our consumers and their loved ones from COVID-19, other viruses and bacteria. We want our consumers to not take any chances and be worry-free as they embrace the new normal.” 

Mr. Anup Bhargava, Product Group Head – Refrigerators, Godrej Appliances, further added, “Happy to share that we are launching the brand-new Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0 to safeguard our consumers from COVID – 19, other viruses and bacteria, as they deal with the fear of pandemic every day. Certified by ICMR empaneled lab for UVC irradiance, it delivers 99%+ disinfection against COVID-19 in just 2 to 6 minutes. With 360° UV Surround Technology, the 100% UV leak proof Godrej VIROSHIELD 4.0 is feature-rich and very competitively priced for a 30 L offering. With this unique offering, we are targeting a revenue of INR 40 Crore in the year of launch. It has been made available on Amazon already, during its annual event. We are working closely with our e-com partners for online promotions as well. We will be making it available pan India across our network this month itself. Its superior value proposition and positive trade feedback give us the confidence to target a 20% share in this financial year. 

#ChooseYourFeed on Twitter with Lists Curated by your Favourite Food Influencers

While Twitter serves up a buffet of conversations, product features like Twitter Lists and Topics empower people to customise their ‘feed’ and follow discussions that appeal to their palate and resonate with their interests. Through these features, you can choose the content you see on the service and organise your timeline as per your preference. 

Twitter Lists are a compilation of various Twitter accounts, and you can create your own Lists or follow Lists created by others. With Lists, you can put together your favourite accounts that Tweet on a particular subject such as food, parenting or any other, and populate a List timeline. Viewing a List timeline will show you a stream of Tweets from only the accounts on that List. 

Topics, on the other hand, use machine learning to find related Tweets on a subject. Twitter has Topics across numerous interest categories that you can follow to see the best Tweets about what’s happening on the things that matter to you. When you choose to follow a Topic – whether it’s your favorite band, sports team or celebrity – you’ll see Tweets from a whole host of accounts that are experts, fans or just tend to talk about that thing a lot on Twitter. 

Feast your eyes and feed your soul - these Twitter features let you follow food conversations

Expand your culinary horizons and #ChooseYourFeed with Twitter Lists curated by some of India’s most well-known food influencers and celebrity chefs. Through these Lists, you can personalise your Twitter timeline and inject food conversations into it. Moreover, viewing a List timeline shows a stream of Tweets from only the accounts on that List, making it easier for people to find what interests them, in this case, all things food. Some of India’s most celebrated chefs including Thomas Zac (@ChefTZac), Maria Goretti (@mariagorettiz), Prateek Sadhu (@PrateekSadhu), Kelvin Cheung (@chefkelvincheung) and Ranveer Brar (@ranveerbrar) have put together Lists of their favourite food accounts on Twitter. 

Here’s a look at these lip-smacking Twitter Lists curated by culinary influencers and celebrity chefs on Twitter: 

Maria Goretti (@mariagorettiz), who was a VJ with MTV in the ‘90s, is now a Cordon Bleu certified chef and baker. Here’s the List of food accounts that Maria follows on the daily.

Embeddable Tweet: https://twitter.com/mariagorettiz/status/1296082272014270465

7.4% Reduction in Severely Acute Malnourished Children after Successful Year of BSI’s Nutrition India Programme

 * BSI NIP saved 6,500 children between 0-5 years across districts of Amravati and Nandurbar in Maharashtra from malnutrition

* An independent evaluation by sustainable Square found every INR 1 invested in the BSI Nutrition India Programme delivers INR 36.90 of social value 

* The ongoing programme additionally aims to engage with 1,77,000 mothers and children with the goal to eradicate malnourishment in Amravati & Nandurbar in the next four years

After the first successful year of Dettol BSI - Nutrition India Programme, the community witnessed a 7.4% reduction in the proportion of severely acute malnourished children across the districts of Amravati & Nandurbar in Maharashtra. Within the first 10 months, the programme was able to save the lives of 6,500 children between the years of 1-5 with the help of 41 community nutrition workers. An independent evaluation by sustainable Square also found that every INR 1 invested in the BSI Nutrition India Programme delivers a social value of INR 36.90.

The programme was developed to support in the first 1000 days of a child’s life, utilizing digital and artificial intelligence-based innovative modules, to strengthen the health, hygiene and nutrition status of pregnant women and children in Maharashtra’s Amravati and Nandurbar.

Commenting on the partnership initiative, Gaurav Jain, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Reckitt Benckiser Health, “Proper nutrition & sanitation are the catalyst to social change and one of the most critical aspect to empower young children and mothers. Given the alarming number of malnourishment cases witnessed in states like Maharashtra, districts of Amravati and Nandurbar became the starting ground for the Nutrition India Programme in partnership with Plan India. The five-year programme is aimed at strengthening the health, hygiene, and nutrition status of pregnant women and children across impacted communities.”

Acknowledging this support Mohammed Asif, Executive Director, Plan India, said, “Nutrition India program has shown the light on the imperative of collaborative actions by governments, corporates and civil society to successfully tackle the challenge of malnutrition and undernourishment in rural communities. The learnings and outcomes from this program should be widely disseminated so that other development actors are able to replicate. Also this initiative by Reckitt Benckiser and its partners is contributing to the larger national efforts to mitigate the public health challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We are thankful to RB for the partnership and for ensuring timely access to life-saving and preventive measures to ramp up nutrition and public health outcomes in underserved communities.” He added.

In the past one year, Nutrition India Programme has worked with local communities and developed a workforce of travelling nutrition champions who are known as ‘Community Nutrition Workers (CNWs)’. These workers are given rigorous training by public health experts, pediatricians, gynecologists, and community development specialists, and are educated about the golden rules of good nutrition. 

The ongoing programme is focusing on maternal and child health. Everything related to it is being taught to these community nutrition workers, such as–what precautions are to be taken by expecting mothers, what should be their diet, lessons on breastfeeding, the importance of breastfeeding within the initial hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the newborn, and the diet which should be given to a child so that he/she is saved from the ill effects of malnutrition.

Over the next four years, the programme aims to reach 1,77,000 mothers of undernourished children across 1,000 villages with a target of 40% reduction in the number of children under five who are stunted, and to reduce and maintain childhood wasting to less than 5%.

Plan India’s on-ground expertise is helping reach communities properly through a systematized process. The partner organization is also supporting by providing nutrition workers with simple interactive tools that deliver clear and effective messaging around nutrition and hygiene to create behavioral changes in the society. For more information on Plan India, login to www.planindia.org

Social Return on Investment measures the value of the benefits relative to the costs of achieving those benefits. It is a ratio of the net present value of benefits to the net present value of the investment. The total public health impact could be measured for a population of 5 lakhs

About RB:

RB* is driven by its purpose to protect, heal and nurture in a relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We fight to make access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment a right, not a privilege, for everyone.

RB is proud to have a stable of trusted household brands found in households in more than 190 countries. These include Enfamil, Nutramigen, Nurofen, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Clearasil, Lysol, Dettol, Veet, Harpic, Cillit Bang, Mortein, Finish, Vanish, Calgon, Woolite, Air Wick and more. 20 million RB products a day are bought by consumers globally.

RB's passion to put consumers and people first, to seek out new opportunities, to strive for excellence in all that we do, and to build shared success with all our partners, while doing the right thing, always is what guides the work of our 40,000+ diverse and talented colleagues worldwide. For more information visit https://www.rb.com/

*RB is the trading name of Reckitt Benckiser group of companies.

PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT CREATED BY NUTRITION INDIA PROGRAMME IN ONE YEAR

* 71% increase in proportion of child with timely initiation of complementary feeding

* 7.4% reduction in proportion of severely acute malnourished children

* 7% increase in proportion of pregnant women with Complete Ante Natal Care Coverage

* 23% reduction in pregnant women with anemia

* 59% increase in institutional birth at a public facility

* 56% reduction in proportion of low birth weight babies

* 37% increase in proportion of children with breastfeeding initiated within 1 hour of birth

* 11.6% increase in proportion of lactating women whose diet diversity is ensured

Religare Health Insurance Advocates Comprehensive Health Coverage as COVID-19 Drives Greater Consumer Awareness

Covid 19 Coverage 

* Standalone Health Insurance sector in India registers 40% YoY hike

* Comprehensive health cover is imperative in India since retail health insurance penetration is only 3% and out-of-pocket healthcare spending stands at ~65%

With COVID-19 acting as a catalyst of change and increasingly nudging people to explore diverse health coverage options, Religare Health Insurance (RHI) is endorsing the need for comprehensive health insurance policies. Emphasizing the soaring significance of health insurance amid an unprecedented global health crisis, the Standalone Health Insurance sector registered a 40% YoY rise. This growth will ensure further impetus for health insurance penetration, where India records one of the world’s highest out-of-pocket spending rates in healthcare.      

Highlighting the rising numbers of other potentially-fatal lifestyle ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, among others, RHI endorses comprehensive health insurance coverage. Furthermore, the increasing cost of quality healthcare services even for infectious diseases underscores the need for comprehensive health insurance.

Accordingly, Religare Health Insurance offers a comprehensive bouquet of services ranging from basic hospitalization (Care); high sum insured options (Care Advantage); insurance for PED, including insulin-dependent diabetics (Care Freedom); post-cardiac event/intervention insurance (Care Heart) and many others, backed by all-encompassing wellness and insurance benefits.

Elaborating on the latest institutional developments, an RHI spokesperson said, “The coronavirus pandemic has come as a thought-provoking black swan event for people disdainful of health insurance. As morbidity and mortality rates rise directly due to COVID-19 and indirectly from the neglect of other equally life-threatening conditions, there is a pronounced and inescapable realization about the need for health insurance. Besides managing COVID-19-related treatments, health cover is indispensable in safeguarding individuals and their families from other chronic conditions that lead to unexpected and unaffordable medical expenses, driving millions of uninsured people into debt, devastating lives permanently. Fortunately, a broad bouquet of health insurance solutions happens to be available today, customized for almost every consumer segment. Therefore, we urge consumers to opt for a suitable coverage plan as per their specific healthcare requirements. This is vital in our country, where retail health insurance penetration is only 3% and out-of-pocket healthcare spending stands at around 65%.”

RHI’s endorsement of comprehensive insurance coverage comes in the wake of increased awareness about health insurance products after the COVID-19 outbreak. Given the importance of health insurance in promoting better healthcare outcomes across India, the Company believes it is important to leverage this trend by apprising people about the far-reaching benefits of comprehensive health policies. Moreover, against the backdrop of pandemic-induced income losses for a significant employed segment, the role of health insurance can be paramount in saving lives in the event of any healthcare crisis.

About Religare Health Insurance (RHI)

Religare Health Insurance (RHI) is a specialized health insurer offering health insurance services to employees of corporates, individual customers and for financial inclusion as well. With its operating philosophy being based on the principal tenet of ‘consumer-centricity’, the company has consistently invested in the effective application of technology to deliver excellence in customer servicing, product innovation and value-for-money services.

RHI currently offers products in the retail segment for Health Insurance, Critical Illness, Personal Accident, Top-up Coverage, International Travel Insurance and Maternity along with Group Health Insurance and Group Personal Accident Insurance for corporates.

Religare Health Insurance has been adjudged the ‘Best Health Insurance Company’ once at the ABP News-BFSI Awards 2015 and again at the Emerging Asia Insurance Awards, 2019 & ‘Best Claims Service Provider of the Year’ – Insurance India Summit & Awards 2018. RHI has also received the ‘Editor’s Choice Award for Best Product Innovation’ at Finnoviti in 2013 and was conferred the ‘Best Medical/Health Insurance Product Award’ at the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards in 2015, 2018 and 2019.

Aakash Emerges as Leading Offline to Online Players, Registering Tremendous Online Engagement Post Lockdown

 According to a recent study conducted by SimilarWeb, a global web analytics market intelligence firm, Aakash Educational Services Ltd. (AESL), the national leader in test preparation services, has emerged as one of the leading O2O (Offline to Online) players to chronicle remarkable online engagement as a major offline service provider. 

The report titled “Understanding the Impact of Coronavirus on E-learning”, released recently, took into consideration 35 top e-learning Indian websites to gauge the growth of ed-tech space over a period of one year. AESL website aakash.ac.in has featured in the Top Ten post lockdown performers in the last 28 days by registering a 2.96% share of online website traffic.  

Commenting on the findings of the report, Mr. Aakash Chaudhry, Director and CEO of Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), said: “We are proud to be recognized as one of the foremost O2O players to register a tremendous and significant online engagement post lockdown. We are the pioneers who predicted the need for digital learning and started tailoring courses according to the requirement of the students. Without ever compromising on the pedigree of learning while upholding the position of providing best educational services on both the offline and online platforms.” 

The SimilarWeb report finds that during the lockdown period, India has seen the maximum searches for online courses post lockdown, showing a realisation of upskill among others.  

Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) 

Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) provides comprehensive test preparatory services for students preparing for Medical and Engineering Entrance Examinations, School/Board Exams and Competitive Exams such as NTSE, KVPY, and Olympiads. AESL believes that the “Aakash” brand is associated with quality coaching and a proven student selection track record in various Medical and Engineering Entrance Examinations, Scholarship exams & Olympiads. 

With over 32 years of operational experience in the test preparatory industry, the company has a large number of selections in Medical & Engineering Entrance Exams and several Foundation level Scholarship exams/Olympiads, a pan India network of 200+ Aakash Centers (including franchisee), and a student count of more than 250,000. 

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Opens Bookings for the All-New Toyota Urban Cruiser Beginning August 22, 2020

 Highlights

* New compact SUV from Toyota to feature new powerful K-Series 1.5 litre four-cylinder Petrol Engine

* Available in both Manual & Automatic Transmission

* All Automatic Transmission  variants will be equipped with Advanced Li-ion Battery with ISG for enhanced fuel efficiency

* Distinct & dynamic bold grille, lending the compact SUV a very confident & energetic presence on the road

* Bold trapezoidal fog lamp design for a wide stance

* Spacious and alluring Dual-Tone dark brown premium interiors

* Dual Chamber LED Projector Headlamps with dual function LED DRL-cum-indicators and Electrochromic IRVM for a safer drive

* Rain Sensing Wipers and Cruise Control to add to amazing customer comfort and convenience

* Assurance of a delightful ownership experience through Toyota’s legendary sales and service propositions

* Booking amount announced at Rs. 11,000/-

* Aiding customer convenience, bookings can be placed both online (@ www.toyotabharat.com) as well as at the nearest Toyota dealership 

To aid customers plan their festive season car purchase, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced ‘bookings open’ for its much-awaited compact SUV, the all-new Toyota Urban Cruiser, beginning 22nd August 2020. The Urban Cruiser which is the youngest urban SUV from Toyota in India, is built for today’s young achievers who have earned respect for their achievements & bold choices in life & who aspire to own a Toyota SUV at a young age.

The latest offering from Toyota is equipped with a new & powerful, yet fuel efficient ‘K-Series 1.5 litre four-cylinder Petrol Engine’, to deliver superior driving experience. The Urban Cruiser will be available in both Manual & Automatic Transmissions (AT) and all AT variants will be equipped with an advanced Li-Ion battery with an ISG- Integrated Starter Generator (Torque assist, regenerative braking & idle start stop).  

The exteriors of the car will deliver a very confident & energetic on-road presence with a Two Slat Wedge Cut Dynamic Grille with Chrome & a Trapezoidal Bold Fog Area. It will be further accompanied with Dual Chamber LED Projector Headlamps, with dual function LED DRL-cum–indicators and LED fog lamps. Customers will also have the option of 16-inch Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels and an exciting choice of vibrant colours in dual-tone, including a unique brown colour.

In order to further enhance customer delight, the all-new Toyota Urban Cruiser is bundled with the renowned Toyota experience through superior warranty of 3year/100K Kms & extended benefits like express service of EM60, warranty extension and other convenience services like WhatsApp communication.

Sharing his thoughts on the opening of bookings, Mr. Naveen Soni, Senior Vice President, Sales and Services, TKM, said, “We are very excited about our latest offering- the Urban Cruiser, as it has already started receiving a lot of attention & enquiries from interested customers. We understand that our customers would like to know more about the new vehicle from Toyota, so that they can make an informed decision about the vehicle of their choice, this festive season. Hence, we wanted to further aid our customers with more information about the car before opening our bookings.

Today, we have revealed few of the features which are bound to appeal the aspirations and expectations that the young & millennial aspire from a compact SUV in India. The Toyota Urban Cruiser will offer everything that the young customers look for and also extend to them the joy of owning a Toyota brand with a host of value added services with superior sales & service experience. We are confident that the Toyota Urban Cruiser will create a niche for itself with an ‘Urban Standout Appeal’ for those who love to ‘Travel in Style’. We are eagerly awaiting to welcome a new set of customers who dream to own a Toyota SUV early in life and experience our sales and after-sales services of global standards,” he concluded.

Customers can also look forward to alluring Dual-Tone Dark Brown premium interiors, ergonomically laid out wide and spacious cabin, Smart Entry with Engine Push Start/Stop Button and Auto AC. The Toyota Urban Cruiser will be loaded with high-end features such as Smart Playcast touchscreen audio with Android Auto/Apple Carplay and Smartphone-based Navigation, Rain Sensing Wipers, Cruise Control and Electrochromic Inside Rear View Mirror (IRVM), all combining to provide an exhilarating ride and great comfort.

Bookings for the Toyota Urban Cruiser are open from 22nd August, 2020 at a nominal amount of Rs. 11,000. Customers can make their bookings online on www.toyotabharat.com or also visit their nearest Toyota dealership. 

Renault Duster Becomes Powerful SUV in the Segment with Launch of All-New "1.3L Turbo Petrol Engine"

 Highlights 

* The all-new BSVI compliant 1.3L Turbo Petrol engine delivers maximum power and torque of 156PS @ 5500 rpm and 254 Nm @1600 rpm respectively, which is best-in-segment 

* Comes with 6-speed Manual Transmission and X-Tronic CVT gearshift with a 7 speed Manual mode 

* The 1.3L Turbo Petrol engine is available in 3 trims in MT - RXE, RXS and RXZ and 2 trims in CVT - RXS and RXZ  

* Renault will also offer the option of the existing 1.5L Petrol engine; DUSTER range starts at an attractive price of INR 8.59 lakhs 

* Builds on the DUSTER legacy of being a Bold, Versatile, Reliable offering and a ‘True SUV’ with all-round capability 

Renault India announced the launch of the 1.3L Turbo Petrol engine that will power one of the most successful SUVs in India, Renault DUSTER. With this, DUSTER becomes the most powerful SUV in its segment in India. The all new DUSTER with the 1.3L Turbo Petrol engine will be available in three variants with a 6-speed manual option at a starting price of INR 10.49 lakhs, while the X-Tronic CVT will be available in two variants with a starting price of INR 12.99 lakhs. Renault will also offer the option of the existing 1.5L Petrol engine and the Renault DUSTER range starts at INR 8.59 lakhs.  

The 1.3L Turbo Petrol engine is an advanced, high-power, turbo charged, BSVI compliant engine that offers best-in-class power and torque of 156PS @ 5500 rpm and 254 Nm @1600 rpm respectively. The modern engine comes with advanced technologies like Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) which provides high performance and efficiency, Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) for higher torque at lower rpm and reduced emissions. Together with enabling maximum power in the segment, DUSTER offers superior fuel efficiency of 16.5 kmpl in manual transmission and 16.42 kmpl in the CVT version.  

“The launch of Renault DUSTER equipped with the 1.3L Turbo Petrol engine marks a new chapter in the DUSTER journey in India. This is a world-class engine and powers our successful global SUVs and Crossovers like Kadjar and Arkana. DUSTER has achieved an iconic status in one of the most dynamic automotive markets. Over the years, adventure enthusiasts and numerous Indian families have established a strong bond with this True SUV. The bold and more powerful DUSTER will surely inspire more people to join the growing family of adventure seekers and explore new terrains and horizons, as well as enjoy the effortless driving experience,” said Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO & Managing Director, Renault India Operations.  

DUSTER plays a pivotal role in Renault India’s product portfolio and has seen regular enhancements and progressions, catering to evolving customer needs. DUSTER won the ICOTY award in its year of launch, along with numerous other industry recognitions. DUSTER’s aggressive exteriors, elegant interiors and advanced equipment have proven its deftness at handling any challenge on Indian roads. There are also numerous DUSTER fan clubs across the country. The epic ‘Gang of DUSTERS’, which is an exclusive community of DUSTER owners with more than 1 lakh registered members, traverse across breath-taking landscapes in the Renault DUSTER and share unforgettable experiences together. To further ensure a continued customer association, Renault has announced a loyalty benefit scheme including an AMC package exclusively for existing Duster owners upgrading to the new 1.3L Duster. 

ALL NEW 1.3L TURBO PETROL ENGINE: THE MOST POWERFUL ENGINE IN THE SEGMENT  

The all-new 1.3L Turbo Petrol engine is a globally proven engine which comes with high levels of performance and efficiency enabled by its advanced technology. The Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) system mated with a Turbocharger, helps to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, while enhancing engine performance with low end torque. Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) is another function that enhances performance with higher low-end torque and positively impacts the fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions. 

The turbo petrol engine will be offered with options of either a 6-speed Manual Transmission, or a X-Tronic CVT gearshift with a 7 speed Manual mode.  

The Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) is an automatic transmission that offers a real time, accurate and continuous control of gear ratio in acceleration and deceleration. It aids pick up, smoothens change in gear ratio and helps in ensuring low cabin noise while cruising. Apart from the CVT option, customers can also select the 6- Speed Manual Transmission, which will appeal particularly to drive enthusiasts who prefer to enjoy a more immersive driving experience. The 6-Speed manual gearbox comes with high level of shift quality and good level of efficiency. The new powertrains are not only suited for city drive, but capable of safe and confident drives on highways and hilly roads with the help of the Electronic Stability Program and Hill start Assist features. 

RENAULT DUSTER: ICONIC AND BOLD 

Together with its global styling cues, the designing of the Renault DUSTER accounts for Indian conditions and consumers’ preferences. The iconic Renault DUSTER looks bolder with the Crimson Red Accents on the Front Grille, Tail Gate, Roof Rails & Fog lamp cover which complements the Turbo petrol engine inside. The bold look is further accentuated with the tri-winged full chrome grille, dual tone body colour front bumper which features muscular skid plates, signature projector headlamps with LED DRLs that sync perfectly with the dominating and broad hood.  The all new R17 Forza Diamond Cut alloy wheels enhance the commanding look of the iconic DUSTER.  

DUSTER offers a high ground clearance of 205 mm, along with high approach and departure angles to accommodate Indian road conditions and consumer preferences. The Kayak roof rails, body coloured ORVM, matt­e black tailgate embellisher, and Waterfall LED tail lamps further accentuate its dynamic stance.  

RENAULT DUSTER: SOPHISTICATION AND COMFORT ON THE INSIDE  

The unmatched driving experience of the DUSTER is enhanced by the sophisticated and comfortable interiors. The new Duster now comes with remote Pre-Cooling function which allows the customers to switch on the engine and start the air conditioning even before entering the car with the key fob. The Midnight black interiors give the cabin of the DUSTER a refreshed new look and feel. The premium blue glazed seats lend a classy touch while the contemporary styled Renault steering wheel with soft touch butt­ons along with comfort features like Cruise Control with speed limiter help make any adventure effortless. The dual tone centre fascia with soft touch dashboard and door trims further accentuate the stylish interiors. Additionally, the aesthetics are enhanced by the ice blue graphic instrument cluster with multi-information display, which always keeps the driver updated on critical driving parameters. 

The Renault DUSTER’s interiors merge imagination with practicality. The interiors deliver an engaging experience with the fully integrated 17.64 cm touchscreen MediaNAV Evolution that comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition and EcoGuide – a system that monitors driving patterns and provides guidelines to improve efficiency. The DUSTER offers ARKAMYS tuned audio experience with 4 speakers and 2 front tweeters for enhanced sound output. The Renault DUSTER comes equipped with a fully automatic climate control which adjusts the air flow inside the cabin and ensures the most comfortable temperature. To further enhance the fuel efficiency and lower emissions and cost of ownership, Renault DUSTER comes with the Smart Start/Stop function which automatically switches off the engine when the car is stopped and re-starts on driver demand detection.  

RENAULT DUSTER: ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURES 

The Renault DUSTER is compliant with front, side & pedestrian crash norms, stipulated by the Indian authorities. It is equipped with a host of active and passive safety features like Antilock-Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), driver and passenger airbags, rear parking sensors, seat belt reminder & speed alert. All these safety features are standard across all versions of the Renault DUSTER. Features such as Reverse Parking Camera, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Hill-Start Assist enhance the SUV capability of Duster. 

Renault DUSTER offers a range of 38 different categories of innovative accessories which enhances its SUV appeal and make the drive more comfortable and convenient for the passengers. 

The Challenges of Developing a Safe and Effective COVID-19 Vaccine

By Mr. Neeraj Mehta, CEO, Immunifyme

COVID-19 which is caused by the virus named SARS-COV-2, originated from China and quickly spread across the globe. WHO recognized it as a Pandemic which has till today infected 15.2 million people worldwide and more than 620 thousand deaths. In India it is spreading wider and till now about 1.24 million people are infected and nearly 30 thousand people have lost their lives.

It is a dreaded disease and the whole world is looking for a vaccine to treat the COVID-19 effectively and control the spread of the disease. While many companies are in the race to produce a vaccine, few have already gone into various Phases of human trials. Moderna's mRNA-1273 and Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine are ahead and have proven the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

So now that we know, the vaccines are definitely on the way, the world will face a different kind of challenges. 

Few of the challenges which I see are:

1. Avoiding counterfeited vaccines 

Fake Vaccines! Yes, COVID-19 is a dreaded pandemic and everyone is looking forward for a vaccine. Thanks to Serum Institute of India and Adar Poonawalla that we have already started the production of COVID-19 vaccine in the name of Covishield for India and the world.

2. Vaccine Distribution

Covishield is not a Routine Vaccine: The world will need billions of doses to be manufactured in order for the vaccine to be available in all parts of the World, thankfully Serum Institute of India is one of the only few companies in the world to have the capability to manufacture this volume of doses. GAVI too has tie-up with UPS. UPS has committed a US$ 3 million in new funding and in-kind logistics support spanning two years, provided by UPS and The UPS Foundation to Gavi. This initiative will help COVID-19 vaccine's equitable and timely distribution. However, India will still need its own logistics in order for the vaccine to reach to everyone. We must ensure it is accessible to each person in India.

3. Surveillance during Vaccination and monitoring and follow-up for upcoming doses

Monitoring of people who would have received the vaccine: This is extremely crucial for us to monitor people who would have received the vaccine, in order to ensure they also receive the follow up dose and how are they doing in the long run after receiving the vaccine.

While it is a great thing that vaccine will be available soon, but we should be prepared for a long wait as well. The initial supplies will be extremely limited and the frontline health-care professionals will get the first access followed by those people who are vulnerable to serious illness. To make this vaccine reach each and everyone, India will have to work hand in hand with other nations.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Launches ABSLI Assured FlexiSavings Plan in Indian Market

 Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (ABSLI), the life insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), today announced the launch of its new plan ABSLI Assured FlexiSavings Plan. It offers fully guaranteed benefits and allows policyholders an instant access to their money by giving them the flexibility to make unlimited withdrawals from their policy. The flexibility to make unlimited withdrawals is hitherto unseen in the insurance market- making it a market differentiator for this product. Besides life cover, it aims to provide guaranteed benefits to provision for future goals while empowering customers with liquidity at hand, to fulfil short term goals or unplanned money needs.

ABSLI Assured FlexiSavings Plan is a fully guaranteed, non-linked non-participating life insurance plan. This plan provides annual Income to the policyholder which is accumulated for 10 years or 12 years till the end of the policy term. These annual incomes grow with a 5% Income Booster added every year to augment savings, provided it is not withdrawn. Additionally, the specialty of this plan is that it provides flexibility to withdraw the accrued amount as and when needed, with no restrictions or charges on withdrawals. Moreover, the plan returns 110% of total premiums paid, back to the policyholder during policy maturity. It also offers a one-time loyalty addition on the accumulated amount under the policy.

Commenting on the launch, Kamlesh Rao, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance said, “During unprecedented times, most people become risk averse, while enhancing their liquidity provisioning. This results in customers taking a conservative approach, which leaves them with limited options of saving and growing their hard-earned money. ABSLI’s Assured FlexiSavings Plan aims at locking in the benefit of long-term guaranteed returns while unlocking the flexibility of withdrawals or liquidity, as and when required. Guaranteed tax-free returns with liquidity along with life cover, will enable customers to continue achieving their financial milestones in a break-free and stress-free manner”.

ABSLI Assured FlexiSaving Plan provides four benefits-

1. Upto 105% of annual premium added every year (depending upon the premium payment term chosen by the policyholder)

2. 5% Income booster annually which enhances the accrued amount further

3. Upto 25% (depending on the premium payment term and policy term chosen by the policyholder) loyalty addition on the total accrued amount is added to the policy at the end of the policy term

4. 110% of total premiums paid is additionally paid as maturity benefit in addition to the accrued amount under the policy

ABSLI Assured FlexiSaving Plan is designed for customers who are looking for guaranteed wealth and ease of liquidity, while protecting their loved ones during the time of uncertainties. Besides offering guaranteed returns and an instant access to money, it also provides protection with a comprehensive life cover across the policy term, additional riders and a variety of Premium Payment Terms.

Network Advertising Bags Creative Mandate for Essilor India

Among India’s leading independent advertising agencies, Network Advertising has won the above-the-line creative mandate for Essilor India, a world leader in prescription lenses, following a multi-agency pitch. The account will be serviced out of Network's Mumbai office; the mandate includes all consumer-facing and partner communication across India for Essilor India. Network Advertising is best known for its path-breaking campaigns for HDFC, Jet Airways, Henko, Mahindra Lifespaces, Goa Tourism, i-Pill, Vijay Sales, Charagh Din, Vinod Cookware, among others.

Commenting on the win, Vinod Nair, Managing Director, Network Advertising, said, "Essilor India is a strategic addition to our growing clientele and this is a responsibility we feel proud to own. It was basis our ability to understand their business challenges and our sound strategic thinkingthat has helped us win this mandate. The win is sweeter because a global organization, with global alignments has chosen us, a 100% Indian agency, for their India business." 

Shayondeep Pal, Chief Creative Officer, Network Advertising, has an interesting take, "From an advertising standpoint, Essilor is unlike many other categories. Because you are communicating with the end consumer indirectly through her optician, knowing very well that the buyer is more interested in the frame, than in the lens. Having said that, both strategically and creatively, we are working on new-world insights as Indians embrace a new work culture where our exposure to screens is maximum. We hope to create excitement in a category which for some reason has believed in functional advertising."

Speaking on the partnership, Neha Sharma, Head – Marketing, Essilor South Asia, said “We have decided to associate with Network’s seasoned teamdue to their long standing exposure to the changing advertising landscape, their creative consumermind-set, and agood strategic approach. This will help Essilor strengthen its brand presence further. We are delighted to have Network on board with us and look forward to an enriching association.”

Essilor is the world leader in the ophthalmic industry and prescription lenses. Globally, Essilor is committed to providing solutions to correct and protect the visual health of people. Essilor India, with its headquarters in Bangalore, was founded in 1998 and since then has been providing solutions to correct vision of Indians through their various brands like Crizal, Varilux, among others. They are the leaders in their category and have been maintaining this position in the post-Covid world with a lot of product innovations and trade programs.

About Network Advertising:

Network is an independent, fully-integrated, full-servicebrand, media and digital solutions provider. Its 25+year existence is defined by its ability to think fearlessly and help impact the client’s business. The agency has created several path-breaking and industry-defining creatives for the clients and the partners. From revolutionary Designs to comprehensive Business Strategy, and from Media Planning and Buying to Activations and Innovation, Network provides comprehensive services under a single roof. Network has been the communications partner helping create many sunrise industries through differentiated advertising for a host of sectors including Pharma, FMCG, BFSI, Real Estate, Travel, Logistics, Consumer Durables, among others.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Empowers 1 Lakh People to Fight Against the Spread of COVID-19

 In its mission to help citizens fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has been undertaking several initiatives. One such initiative is the distribution of health and hygiene kits through an employee led CSR program, Sanjeevini.

Under the Sanjeevini initiative, TKM distributed health and hygiene kits to 5,000 employees, each of whom took it upon themselves to distribute the kits to five families in their neighbourhoods in Bangalore urban and rural areas benefitting totally 25,000 families. The kits comprised sanitizer bottle, three-ply facemasks and hand-wash soap. The volunteering employees also created awareness on the safety precautions vital to contain the viral outbreak with special emphasis on maintaining health and hygiene in these times. The intention behind involving the employees was to propagate important hygiene practices and the use of masks to as many people as possible in their neighbourhoods.

Commenting on the successful completion of the initiative, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Senior Vice President, External Affairs, Public Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility & Corporate Governance, TKM, said, “Since the onset of the pandemic, TKM has been proactively responding to the crisis according to the needs of the community as well as by supporting the Government efforts. The distribution of the health and hygiene kits carried out over the last one month is another such program aimed at empowering the community we live in. The idea for distribution of the kits stemmed from the view of safeguarding not just our employees but also the other families residing in their neighbourhoods. In all, 25,000 families or about 1,00,000 people were benefited by the health and hygiene kits. As a responsible corporate citizen, we will continue with such endeavours in the battle against the coronavirus spread.”

In the recent past, TKM has contributed INR 2 Crore to the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Relief Fund followed by the handing over of 3,000 Hazmat suits to the Government Health Volunteers in the state. About 3,500 essential kits, benefitting over 15,000 members were given to daily wage workers. TKM deployed 14 buses to support the health department in the state in addition to the distribution of sanitizers and masks to the state police. TKM also supported its supplier partner, Stump Schuele and Somappa Springs to ramp up its production of face shields from 275 to over 17,000 units per day.

Further, TKM handed over a Mobile Medical Unit to the Indian Institute of Science to help scale up COVID-19 testing in the state. TKM has also provided 45 thermal scanners, 45,000 hand sanitizers, 100 beddings, consumables for 100 patients, 20 sets of equipment such as intravenous stands, blood pressure monitors and safety gear including 12,000 examination gloves, 70,000 three-ply face masks and 7,500 N95 masks to the Health Department, Government of Karnataka and Bangalore police personnel. The company handed over 10 fumigation equipment to Victoria Hospital through Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute and another 10 to the Town Municipal Corporation of Bidadi, Ramanagara District as per their requirements.

SBI General Insurance Launches "Shagun – Gift an Insurance" Policy

 Highlights

* Covers personal accident insurance 

* Can be gifted to anyone 

* Premiums valued at 501, 1001, 2001 

SBI General Insurance, one of the leading general insurance companies in India announced the launch of first-of-its-kind offering, ‘Shagun – Gift an Insurance”, a unique gift of Personal Accident policy. This product was filed by SBI General under Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority’s (IRDAI) Sandbox regulations. The key differentiating feature of the policy is that it can be gifted to anyone you want, which means it is not necessary for the policy buyer to be related to the insured.   

Shagun covers personal accident insurance which provides complete financial protection to the insured person against uncertainties such as accidental death and partial or total disabilities, and permanent as well as temporary disabilities resulting from an accident. 

On the launch of the product, Mr. P.C. Kandpal, MD and CEO, SBI General Insurance said, “Shagun is a unique offering by SBI General. In our Indian culture, we often celebrate our milestones or auspicious occasions by gifting either something or an envelope of money. This gesture is synonymous with well wishes and good luck. At SBIG, we ideated “Shagun” as a valued gift of security to be positioned for such kind of gestures. The premium of the product has also been designed at Rs. 501, 1001, 2001. Thus, not just the name “Shagun” but also the premium amount has a touch of our Indian tradition.” 

He further added, “Shagun can be gifted to anyone viz your family, friends, extended family and even domestic helpers, drivers, cooks etc., and on any occasion like passing an exam, buying a new car, new home, birthdays, marriage, anniversary, buying a new bike, college admission, etc.” 

Shagun-Gift an Insurance, a unique gift of Personal Accident can be purchased on SBI General’s website www.sbigeneral.in, with a very smooth buying journey in just 3 steps.   

About SBI General Insurance Company Limited:  With the strong parentage of SBI, we, at SBI General Insurance, are committed to carry forward the legacy of trust and security; and to become the first choice for every Indian’s general insurance needs.  

Ever since our establishment in 2009, from 17 branches in 2011, we have expanded our presence to around 123 branches pan-India.  

We follow a robust multi-distribution model encompassing Bancassurance, Agency, Broking and Retail Direct Channels. Today, our distribution family includes over 22,900 IRDAI certified advisors including the State Bank Group employees, and over 12,000 Agents to make insurance easily available even in the remote areas of the country.  

On the distribution network front, we have strong distribution partners adding up our reach to every nook and corner of India, with SBI’s over 22000 branch network, other financial and digital partners. Our current geographical exposure covers 125+ cities pan-India with a presence of another 350+ locations through satellite resources.  

We currently serve three key customer segments viz. - Retail Segment (catering to Individual & Families), Corporate Segment (catering mid to large size companies) and SME Segment; and are future-ready to serve the growing needs of Indians with new age-processes and services at affordable prices.  

SBI General Insurance closed the financial year 2019-20 with a Gross Written Premium of Rs. 6840 cr at a YoY growth of 45%.  

Tata Motors Rolls Out 1000th Nexon EV in the Electric Car Segment Across Indian Market

Tata Motors today announced a significant milestone in the electric vehicle (EV) domain by rolling out the 1000th Nexon EV from its plant in Pune. This landmark has been achieved in just over 6-months after the commercial launch of the vehicle portraying the rapid growth in both interest and demand for EVs. Acknowledged as the most preferred electric car in India, the Tata Nexon EV is the best seller in its segment, helping Tata Motors post a market share of 62% in EVs in Q1FY21.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, Shailesh Chandra, President – Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “Acceptance of EVs is accelerating fast, and we are seeing growing interest in it from all parts of the country. The rollout of the 1000th Nexon EV in a short time span, despite the challenges of Covid-19, reflects the rising interest of personal segment buyers in EVs. Tata Motors will continue to innovate and develop comprehensive sustainable mobility solutions meeting global standards. EVs are the future and as the industry leader, we are committed to make them desirable and a mainstream choice for the customers.”

Tata Motors has consistently catered to the evolving needs of customers for electric cars with the introduction of best-selling in both the fleet (Tigor EV Electric Sedan, with a range of 140 km & 213 km) and personal segments (Nexon EV Electric SUV, with an anxiety-free range of 312 km on a single charge). Designed to offer thrilling, connected drive experience with zero emissions and at an attractive pricing, the Nexon EV has created a unique benchmark in its category. To popularise the access and use of Nexon EV in India, the company recently launched a novel EV Subscription model, ideal for customers preferring ‘usership’ over ownership in the rapidly growing era of shared economy. 

Further, to accelerate the adoption of EVs in India, Tata Motors also introduced a holistic e-mobility ecosystem “Tata uniEVerse” to closely leverage the strengths and experience of other Tata Group companies to create a viable EV environment. Powered by Tata uniEVerse, consumers will have access to a suite of e-mobility offerings including charging solutions, innovative retail experiences and easy financing options.

About Tata Motors

Tata Motors Limited (NYSE: TTM; BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 44 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups, trucks and buses. Part of the USD 110 billion Tata group, Tata Motors is India’s largest and the only OEM offering extensive range of integrated, smart and e-mobility solutions. It has operations in India, the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia through a strong global network of 134 subsidiaries, associate companies and joint ventures, including Jaguar Land Rover in the UK and Tata Daewoo in South Korea.

With a focus on engineering and tech enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and amongst the top four in the passenger vehicles market. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, 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. 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. Internationally, Tata commercial and passenger vehicles are marketed in countries, spread across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, South America, Australia, CIS, and Russia.

Affordability Driving Consumer Demand for Residential Real Estate in Peripheral Areas of Bengaluru: Magicbricks Data

* Home buyers are retaining size preference but reducing budgets

* Security, proximity to school, local markets and offices are key deciding  factors

* Whitefield, Sarjapur Road, Electronic City and Bellary Road most preferred localities

With India intermittently unlocking, new encouraging trends are now visible in the real estate sector after a period stagnancy. The sector is witnessing a tectonic shift and according to Magicbricks data, consumer preference in Benglauru is shifting towards peripheral areas due to affordability.

The shift in consumer demand towards Bengaluru’s peripheral areas has been accentuated by the demand-supply mismatch in the less than Rs.5000/sqft price category. Magicbricks data also suggests that Bengaluru’s consumer demand for BHKs and size hardly remain unchanged pre-COVID vis-à-vis post-COVID indicating that home buyers are retaining size preference but reducing budgets to move to the peripheries of the city in search of larger houses at lower cost.

Magicbricks data suggests that peripheral areas near employment hubs like Whitefield, Sarjapur Road, Electronic City and Bellary Road were the most preferred localities for home buyers during the April-May-June period of 2020. The consumer demand in these localities are driven by factors like affordability, better access to IT hubs and sound connectivity to the airport. The extension of metro lines from Baiyappanahalli – Whitefield and RV Road – Bommasandra is likely to boost the demand for the economic hubs of Whitefield and Electronic City in the future.

Commenting on the changing consumer behaviour, Mr. Sudhir Pai, CEO, Magicbricks, said: “We are experiencing a strong recovery in demand after searches dipped by 50% in April. Buyers are back in the market and our data suggests that Bengaluru’s recovery rate is faster than the national average. There is an emerging trend towards larger homes; but with budgets which are lower than earlier, buyers are searching more towards peripheral areas of the city. Our recent survey suggests that around 33% of home buyers in Bengaluru prefer under construction properties, which is significantly higher than the national average, reflecting their trust in branded developers. We are also witnessing an uptick in demand for plots and from NRIs.”

Bengaluru’s home buyers also displayed increasing propensity towards ready-to-move in properties with as many as 67% respondents suggesting that they want to cut down risk factors by opting for ready-to-move in units. Overall, 74% users are planning to reduce their budget preference and around 50% have cut it by 10-30%. Factors like gated community and proximity to schools and colleges remain the two main priorities for home buyers while selecting a property while amenities such as clubs, gyms and open areas have lost their sheen since COVID-19. Our survey also suggests that in Bengaluru, 55% of the respondents said that they would choose any developer (Tier 1/2) who can give the most economical option/best deal.

About Magicbricks: India's no 1 property site

Magicbricks is India’s No.1 property site. With monthly traffic exceeding 20 million visits and with an active base of over 1.4 million+ property listings, Magicbricks provides the largest platform for buyers and sellers of property to connect with each other in a clear, transparent manner.

Hero Motocorp Sets the Stage for Return of Caribbean Premier League T20 From Augut 18

 * Hero MotoCorp – Title Sponsor of Caribbean Premier League since 2015

* First mainstream Twenty20 cricket league to commence since Covid-19 lockdown

* Scheduled from Aug 18-Sep 10 in Trinidad and Tobago; To be broadcasted on Star Sports and Live Streamed on FanCode

The wait is over! Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer is set to bring the exciting cricketing action back with Hero Caribbean Premier League (Hero CPL), popularly known as the ‘Biggest Party in Sport’, starting from 18 August to 10 September 2020.

Marking the return of the electrifying Twenty20 format of the game in the ‘New Normal’, the tournament will be conducted in a bio-secure environment to meet the safety and social distancing protocols. In a first for a cricket premier league, the matches would be played in stadiums without any spectators, with the objective to maintain social distancing.

Dr. Pawan Munjal, Chairman & CEO of Hero MotoCorp, said, “Hero MotoCorp has always believed in supporting and promoting sporting action across the world and we are glad to be leading the efforts towards the resumption of top sporting event in the Caribbean. The Hero CPL T20 marks the gradual return of live action sports after a gap of nearly four months. The Hero Caribbean Premier League is an exciting opportunity to highlight the cricketing Heroes from around the world.”

The Hero CPL will bring the best T20 cricketers in action from the Caribbean and from around the world. This includes the likes of Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Ross Taylor and Dwayne Bravo.

The Hero CPL T20 will witness participation from six popular teams –Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Trinbago Knight Riders, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Jamaica Tallawahs and St Lucia Zouks.

The tournament will see 33 games played at two venues in Trinidad and Tobago.  Hero CPL 2019 runners-up – Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on Trinbago Knight Riders in the opening match, while the second game will be contested between Barbados Tridents and St Kitts and Nevis.

Hero CPL T20 will be broadcasted on Star Sports 1 and 1HD, Star Sports 2 and 2HD, Star Sports Hindi 1 and Hindi 1HD and will also be live streamed on FanCode. Matches will be held at 7.30 PM and 3.00 AM (following day) on weekday and 7.30 PM and 11.45 PM on weekends (IST) respectively.

First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.

Global Prime Residential Index Witnesses an Annual Increase of 0.9%:Knight Frank Prime Global Cities Index Q2 2020

* Bengaluru ranks 26thoutperforming New Delhi (27th), Mumbai (32nd)

* Bangkok was the weakest-performing global city in the year to June, with luxury home prices falling by 5.8%.

Knight Frank India, a leading international property consultancy, in its ‘Prime Global Cities Index Q2 2020’ report cited Bengaluru as the26th fastest-growing Indian prime residential market in the world, in terms of annual price appreciation.The premium micro-markets of the city recorded a rise of 0.60% in annual capital value change in Q2 2020 to an average price of Rs 19,727 per sq. ft.

New Delhi ranked 27th on the global index, witha 0.30% rise in terms of annual capital value change in the prime residential market to an average price of Rs 33,625 per sq. ft. in Q2 2020. Whereas Mumbai's prime residential market ranked 32nd in Q2 2020, registering a decline of 0.60% with an average price of Rs 64,388 per sq. ft.

Prime residential property is defined as the most desirable and most expensive property in a given location, generally defined as the top 5% of each market by value. The Prime Global Cities Index is a valuation-based index tracking the movement in prime residential prices in local currency across 40+ cities worldwide using data from Knight Frank’s global research network.

According to Knight Frank’s research analysis, 20 cities that witnessed a decline in prime residential prices in Q2 2020 - nine were in Europe, seven in Asia, two in Australasia, one in the Middle East, and one in Africa. The Prime Global Cities Index, an unweighted price index of prime residential prices across 45 cities, increased by 0.9%; recording the lowest rate of annual growth in 11 years. According to the report, 67% of the global cities registered flat or positive yearly price growth; Australasia recorded the strongest performing world region in the year to Q2 2020, and the Asian prime residential prices declined by 0.2% in the three months to June 2020.

Manila,leads the index with prime home prices rising by 14.4% over the 12 months to June 2020, followed by Tokyo (8.60%) and Stockholm(4.40%). Bangkok was the weakest-performing global city in the year to June 2020, with luxury home prices falling by 5.8%.

While Bengaluru and Mumbai moved up by one place in Q2 2020; Delhi gained five places in the same period.

Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director at Knight Frank India, said, “The pandemic infused economic stress has engulfed the global markets with a fear of uncertainty. Ultra-rich buyers around the world are seen deferring the high premium purchase of a prime residential asset class and preferring investments in liquid assets, primarily gold and cash equivalents. With the expected price correction and uptick in sentiment depending on the news related to vaccine discovery, buyers with adequate liquidity will find value to enter the prime residential asset class in India.”

Key Highlights:

* Bengaluru’s prime residential market performed better than Mumbai and Delhi. Globally, the city ranked 26th with 0.6% annual price change for the period Q2 2019 – Q22020;with 0.00% price change in Q2 2020compared to the previous quarter.

* Delhiranked 27th with 0.3% annual price change for the period Q2 2019 – Q2 2020. The city saw a flat 0.00% price change in Q2 2020 compared to the previous quarter.

* Mumbai ranked 32ndwith -0.4% marginal annual change for the period Q2 2019 – Q2 2020. The city registered a price decline of -0.50 % in Q2 2020 compared to the previous quarter.

* Manila ranked 1st with 14.10%annual change for the period Q2 2019 – Q2 2020. The city saw a flat 0.00% price change in Q2 2020 compared to the previous quarter.

* Bangkok ranks 45th with -5.8% %annual change for the period Q2 2019 – Q2 2020. The city registered a price decline of -1.40% in Q2 2020 compared to the previous quarter.