Sowparnika Projects & Infrastructure Pvt Ltd introduces ‘Positive Homes’ a unique proposition designed and developed based on new age customers demand. It's ‘Positive Homes’ is all set to debut in Bengaluru as Sowparnika Indraprastha – Soukya Road, off Whitefield and Sowparnika Unnathi, Attibele Junction on May 26, 2018. The model has been successfully tested and proven in Thiruvananthapuram and is now being replicated in Bengaluru after the successful stint.
Most of the real estate companies were amongst the worst hit by demonetization. While the sector continues to struggle to find a footing even one and a half years since, Sowparnika Projects & Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, with its far-sightedness, has sailed through these tough times, managing to sell almost100% of its completed projects.
The over 3 Lakhs sq ft of 1st Positive Homes series is expected to be completed in record time of two years, this is a result of Sowparnika’s innovative model developed through experience gained over 15 years from projects across Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This is being perfected and put into practice in Bangalore, through its ‘Positive Homes’ series. The stringent standards it follows, 360-degree in-house process, Vertical Integration and efficient construction methods have helped Sowparnika optimize its resources to meet the demands of the new-age customers at an enviable price point.
The city experiences influx of around 8 Lakh people every year and most of them are the 1st job seekers, first time entrepreneurs and even job shifters crowd. There is a study which establishes the fact that buying home is the first in the wish list of 80% of the 1st job seekers, entrepreneurs and even the floating population and that’s a huge opportunity. Sowparnika wants to capitalise this opportunity in building luxury homes which suits their aspirational lifestyle at an enviable pricing which they will not feel the pain to pay without compromising their lifestyle.
Sowparnika is geared to crack the conundrum of this tough market, and has been working to make luxury housing within reach of everyone.
Customer-centric approach:
“Our mission is to create homes for all, homes which are in best locations, accessible easily and that to homes with minimal cost of ownership (Less repairs and maintenance). Homes that are sturdy, equipped with best fixtures and with efficient space design. With positive locations, Positive Designs, Positive Vastu, Positive Specifications and above all Positive Pricing, we are introducing our ‘Positive Homes’ in Bengaluru which are the perfect homes keeping in mind the aspirations of the new-age customers. The starting price of our flat is Rs 10 lakhs for which the EMI will be same as the rent of a Studio,” said Ramji Subramaniam, Managing Director, Sowparnika Projects & Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, while speaking about Positive Homes entry into the city.
Keeping the aspirations and needs of the new-age customers in mind, the ‘Positive Homes’ project is a perfect choice in terms of location, pricing, ambience, specifications and design. This model is destined to ensure high absorption rates. Sowparnika’s ‘Positive Homes’ is all set to debut in Bengaluru as Sowparnika Indraprastha – Soukya Road, off Whitefield and Sowparnika Unnathi, Attibele Junction on May 26th, 2018. The model has been successfully tested and proven in Thiruvananthapuram and is now being replicated in Bengaluru after the successful stint.
“This model is a success because of the way Sowparnika functions. Our architects optimise space. Using 360-degree construction helps in cutting overheads. The model has worked well for us and the benefit of the same has been passed on to our customer in terms of cost. We also believe in the traditional method of mass-construction which cuts the wastage of raw materials. We are also able to full proof this model with Resource optimisation and volume buy. In this age of cut-throat competition, one needs to come up with innovative, out-of-the-box solutions to sustain in the competitive market,” adds Ramji Subramaniam
No compromise for customers
The innovative business model of Sowparnika has helped us complete our projects within the stipulated time frame, thus cutting the cost of servicing the loans. “Because of our track record of on-time delivery, most of our past customers have come forward and have shown interest in booking our new project ‘Positive Homes’. We have achieved the punctuality tag because of our relationship with vendors and partners. Our vendors have confidence in us which is why we face no issues in procuring raw materials. Therefore, there is no room for project delays,” said Raja Mukherjee, CMO – Sowparnika Projects and Infrastructure.
No compromise on quality, features and fittings
‘Positive Homes’ are designed tastefully keeping in mind the aspirations of generation next because the new-age customer is not willing to compromise on the quality of living. The salient features of ‘Positive Homes’ include Vaastu compliance and has seen the use of brands like Asian Paints, American Standard Bathroom Fittings, Polycab Wires, Schneider Electrical Fittings, Somany Tiles, Johnson Lifts, Futura Kitchen Sinks partnering us to provide quality lifestyle that resonate a positive vibe.
“I have been staying at Sowparnika’s Swastika project since past 4 years. I would like to congratulate them in meeting the deadline and delivering project on time. Their precision in construction keeping in mind the needs of their customers excellent. There is no compromise on quality, the location is strategic, and the flats are designed such that there is no space wastage. The feel to stay in a Sowparnika home is luxurious,” said Sowparnika Swastika project customer, Preetam.
By Dr. G Arunkumar, Professor and Head of the Department, Manipal Centre for Virus Research
Kozhikode in Kerala went on high alert followed by Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka after a deadly virus called 'Nipah' (NiV) claimed eleven lives in Kerala. The fast-spreading virus Nipah has a mortality rate of 40-70 per cent.
What is the Nipah Virus?
Nipah virus infection is newly emerging and is an example of a zoonotic disease, where animal diseases can be transmitted to people. According to the WHO, the natural host of the virus is fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus (fruit-eating species) and the virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or from other NiV-infected people.
It was first identified in Kampung Sungai Nipah, Malaysia in 1998 which involved pigs as the intermediate hosts during that outbreak. In India, the first outbreak was reported in 2001 in Siliguri, West Bengal followed by a second incident in 2007 emerging in the Nadia district of West Bengal. It was revealed by scientists that human often contracted the disease by drinking raw date palm sap tapped directly from trees, a sweet treat that fruit bats also enjoy.
WHO reports that between 1998-2008, the virus has claimed over 300 lives across Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh and India.
MAHE and Manipal Centre for Virus Research at the Forefront to fight the Virus
The Manipal Centre for Virus Research (MCVR) lab was the first to identify the Nipah Virus in Kozhikode and the team is striving to work in Nipah-hit areas while communicating and coordinating with the medical community and the State Government. Prone to be a bio-threat, the early detection of the virus demonstrates the country’s capabilities for containing an epidemic. Championing this cause is Dr. G Arunkumar who heads the MCVR and was instrumental in diagnosing the second patient with the Nipah virus fairly early. He believes the virus is highly infectious and the ones at the greatest risk are the staffs treating the patient in the ICU. He lists down basic steps to prevent the virus from spreading:
Do’s
- Always check the fruits you are eating and clean them thoroughly before eating
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
- At hospitals, healthcare workers have need to take barrier precautions such as face mask, face shield, gloves and full personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Since the disease is transmitted through droplets infection and through body fluid contact, caregivers and hospital staff need to maintain distance from an infected person.
- Domestic animals can also be the carriers of NiV as they can consume partially eaten fruits dropped by fruit bats. Try to keep pets and domestic animals indoors and feed them yourself.
Don’ts
- Don’t eat half eaten fruits from trees.
- Don’t visit places where bats are known to colonise
- Don’t come in contact with bat droppings. If it were to happen, immediately wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly
- Don’t climb trees where bats ay have left their secretions
Diagnostic Tests and Prevention
The NiV is a risk group four pathogen and requires a laboratory with bio safety level 3 or level 4 to be able to handle testing. Currently along with the National Institute of Virology Pune, only Manipal Centre for Virus Research, Manipal Academy of High Education are equipped to carry out testing such as Real Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) samples of throat swab in transport medium such as blood sample, urine sample and cerebrospinal fluid.
The MCVR Lab is supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Family Welfare. It is a Grade 1 virus research and diagnostic laboratory of ICMR, Government of India.
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has announced its association with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions organization, to leverage the Learning and Assessment platform of TCS iON to provide speed and scale in skilling initiatives.
NSDC and TCS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance NSDC’s skill development and capacity building initiatives such as National Occupation Standards (NOS), Qualification Packs and Curriculum. With an objective to strengthen skilling outcomes through digital technology, TCS iON, through its Learning and Assessment platform, will help in developing a framework and integrating these resources. TCS will bring iON platform - the ‘Phygital’ (Physical Assets integrated with Digital platforms) delivery model and its large partner ecosystem to the engagement.
Announcing the association, Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “Today’s skilling environment needs digital impetus to achieve volume and speed. Our partnership with reputed organisations such as TCS is a step towards accelerating the Skill India Mission. TCS, with its proven expertise in creating growth and transformation by leveraging technology, will support us to deliver impact at scale, which is directed towards making skilling progressive and inclusive for the country.”
V. Ramaswamy, Global Head, TCS iON said, “TCS is proud to partner with NSDC and participate in the mission of skill development of youth in the country. We have heavily invested in large-scale platforms, content, process and infrastructure to deliver value to the youth of this country in a unique ‘Phygital’ delivery model. We believe, this will help to redefine the country’s skill mission for scale at speed.”
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), working under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, has been driving the national skill development mission – the Skill India Mission. NSDC is mandated to fulfil the growing need in India for skilled manpower across sectors and narrow the existing gap between the demand and supply of skills.
Over the last few years, TCS iON – a strategic business unit of TCS has invested in high scale robust learning, assessment and certification platform along with a countrywide infrastructure to deliver learning and computer-based tests at scale. A large partner eco-system with last mile training partners along with corporates from the industry provides a unique ability to deliver skills in a “Phygital Model”.
Enabling employment for the skilled youth is another area of focus for this partnership. TCS iON’s skill assessment products - #Cert-n-Edge (https://learning.tcsionhub.in/LLL/he/certnedge) powered by the LLL (Learning Life Long) initiative will help a large number of youth gainfully employed in several companies across the country. Youth can demonstrate their knowledge and their skills in a 2-part assessment program offered by #Cert-n-Edge. This assessment report will be jointly issued by TCS and NSDC and will be aligned to the National Occupational Standards (NOS).
Kalpnik Technologies a startup in Virtual and Augmented Reality space will be live streaming Kakad Aarti & Madhyan Aarti from Sri Sai Centre Bengaluru, every Thursday in 360degree Virtual Reality(VR) via VR DEVOTEE App. Millions of Sai Baba followers from all over the world will now be able to chant Prayers and sing Bhajans along with the thousands of devotees at Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, Thyagarajanagar, Bengaluru.
Commencing at 6:30 a.m. Kakad Aarti signifies the waking of Baba at dawn and getting him ready for the day. The Aarti starts with the waving the Pancharati to Baba along with a gentle rendition of Utha Utha Sakal Janaa.
The Noon Aarti for Sai Baba, Madhyan Aarti starts with an offering of Dhoopam (incense), Deepam (lamp) and Maha Naivedyam (food) and Water, when the sun is at its highest point. The aarti concludes with offering the same to devotees.
Developed by Kalpnik Technologies, VR DEVOTEE is transforming the way people connect with their faith. Devotees from across the globe who are unable to visit Sri Sai Centre in Bengaluru, will now get an opportunity to immerse themselves in the devotion of Sri Sai Baba through VR DEVOTEE APP In 360 Virtual Reality. The experience using a VR HEADSET is almost as if you are there in the temple.
VR DEVOTEE App is available free for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. To best experience the Aartis in a manner as if you are there at the temple you can buy a VR DEVOTEE headset at a highly discounted rate from www.vrdevotee.com. Or if you already have any VR Headset please use the same for a truly immersive experience.
VR DEVOTEE App is a godsent opportunity for all who are unable to visit Sri Sai Centre in Bengaluru due to geographical constraints, old age, ill-health, financial restrains or any other reason. The company’s App VR DEVOTEE was launched on January 25th, 2018 and since then has streamed live events like Mahamathakabhisheka (Shravanabelagola), Amavasya at Cheruvugattu Temple, Pushya Abhishek (Isakson Chowpatty), Sri Sai Baba (Sai Spiritual centre Bangalore), Krishan Matha (Uduppi), Hanuman Jayanti from Karmanghat (Hyderabad) to name a few.
Ashwani Garg – CEO & Co Founder of Kalpnik Technologies Pvt. Ltd said “with over 127,000 app installs since January 25th 2018, Devotees from across the world have been wanting us to do daily live streaming of Pujas that they could participate in. Distance, Inability to be in the temple to participate in Pujas due to health issues, age related issues and time constraints was a problem. Live Telecast of Pujas On TV while a great service – the experience was distant and not immersive. Which is where people who had watched VRDEVOTEES LIVE STREAMING using VR Headsets was a boon.
Live streaming for Devotees to experience Real Time Immersive Aartis and Pujas is now become an integral part of our offerings with more and more devotees seeking this immersive experience. Based on this overwhelming response we will now be live streaming poojas and Aarthis from Sri Sai Centre in Bangalore every Thursday.
Having invested in state of the art Live recording and streaming cameras and real time editing solutions the company is now ready to serve its customers with an immersive experience.
Kalpnik Technologies, in just over 4 MONTHS since its launch has 360 VR content from 26 temples and Spiritual leaders and have another 106 temples in the pipeline for production. We are confident that by the end of the year will have close to 150 temples Pujas and Aartis on our App VR DEVOTEE.
VR DEVOTEE has received extremely good feedback from Devotees from across the world with over 127,000 app installs in 4 months since its launch. A majority of our customers are experiencing the Aartis and Pujas on their mobile phones and many requests have come in for the company to launch good quality headsets at affordable prices.
The company will shortly be launching good quality VR Headsets at under Rs 200 to enable devotees to get a truly immersive experience.”
Millions of Devotees across the world are currently watching Live telecast of Aartis and Pujas on their Television screens, but by using VR DEVOTEE App with VR headset their experience will be almost as good as being in front of their deity, inside the temple. Kalpnik spent over 18 months in developing a very user-friendly APP and VR headset that delivers a highly immersive experience for Devotees. Kalpnik has already produced VR experiences for several well-known temples and Spiritual leaders in India.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor [TKM] has become the first Automobile Company in India to be awarded ISO 22000:2005 certification for canteen operations. An international food safety management system, in acknowledgement to the highest quality of food and hygiene standards maintained at the plant. The facility in Bidadi [Karnataka] houses a centralized kitchen which covers 14,500 meals per day in various shifts. The award, which evidently underpins Toyota’s unrelenting HR framework that aims at creating a positive working environment for employees, was handed over by Bureau Veritas. This certification demonstrates Toyota’s commitment on food safety enhancing customer satisfaction while duly adhering to relevant legal compliance [FSSAI – Food Safety & Standards Authority of India].
Speaking on the unique feat, Sailesh Shetty, Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We at Toyota are constantly focused on our employees’ well-being by creating a conducive work environment that boosts their productivity and performance. Besides several unique human resource programs, we have also recurrently ensured that our employees get the best nourishment for an overall development. Therefore, we take extra efforts in providing consistent, safe, quality and hygienic food, as essentially, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. Healthy being ensures healthy workplace.
Our canteen operations are based on a well-crafted module that puts hygiene and quality on top of its priorities. All our perishables like vegetables are sourced from farms through local famers in and around the plant, thus ensuring uncompromised quality. The rest of items like food grains are sourced from the best of places with ZERO tolerance for Quality deviations. We also have formed a canteen committee working relentlessly to serve the healthiest and most hygienic spread to our employees, and ensure that they are invigorated enough to perform to their best capacities.” he added.
At Toyota, daily set food menu is consciously been planned in consultation with the in-house medical advisory, ensuring both the desirable taste & health requirements of the team members. Basic exercises at regular intervals in factory premises are also practiced amongst the employees to de-stress & support their stamina at work place.
The canteen is strictly managed under a comprehensive and effective food safety management system under the declared scope of “Preparation and Service of Cooked Food and Beverages within the Organization”.
Some of the key highlights are:
Infrastructure - Centralized kitchen with well-equipped facilities follows a scheduled menu. All vessels and equipment are made of food safe stainless steel of 304 Grade, which is capable of enduring high levels of temperature for long intervals.
Raw Materials - Are of the best quality and ensures robust Quality Management System implementation. This system further consists of a range of examination processes like Supplier Selection, Supplier Qualification, and Supplier Rating to ensure that the right and best raw materials are procured.
Storage, Handling, Preservation of raw materials - Fresh vegetables are procured on daily basis from a local organic producer. After procurement, sorting of vegetables is done to retain the best quality. Toyota follows the FIFO (First in First Out) and FEFO (First Expiry First Out) methods while issuing the raw material for production in order to properly identify, store and retrieve the raw materials in an appropriate manner.
Hygiene - In order to make sure that none of the personal hygiene practices are missed out before the cooking begins, each staff member follows a routine hygiene chart. Daily shower, use of clean uniforms, caps to cover the hair, face masks to cover the mouth and nose area, gloves, gumboots, other protective gears and hand sanitization are mandatory.
Recipes -Standardization is an important factor while maintaining high levels of nutrition along with taste. In order to achieve these levels, a well-structured Quality Assurance is implemented at all stages of Operations— Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production of food & beverages.
Quality Control- Process in the kitchen accepts raw materials only after thorough Quality Inspection to meet all the requirements of our Raw Material Specifications, which are generally adapted from Food Safety Standards Act 2006 (FSSA).
Quality and Safety during cooking - TKM kitchen follows Standard Operation Process system. This process is charted out to ensure hygiene and quality of the cooked meal and to adhere to the food safety standards. The kitchen has well trained Chefs, Food Service Staff and Production Supervisors to manage and supervise the food preparations. Critical Control Points (CCPs) like cooking temperature are checked and recorded at periodic intervals to ensure the right quality of meals so prepared.
To ensure high food quality, all food preparations has to pass through Quality Gate before it is served to Team Members.
Food Packing and Transportation - The plant uses specially designed and customized transport vehicles to deliver food. These vehicles are cleaned on a daily basis and undergo weekly fumigation. These vehicles use an insulated body to ensure food temperature delivery freshness.
Customer Feedback and Next action In order to consistently maintain the quality of the meal, Toyota takes feedbacks from team members on a weekly basis. The Canteen team reviews the feedback and initiates or triggers appropriate corrective or improvement actions to further enhance the quality and delivery of food.
Toyota outlines a systematic food preparation & servings considering various factors which impactfully covers the good health of its employees. The structured choices of food, calorie combinations, timely meal servings, good flavor & taste, appropriate portions of nutrients, etc., plays a key role to ensure the desirable food consumption & required amount of stamina in its employees considerably to live a balanced work & personal healthy life.
We, at TKM, promote ‘Eat Healthy & Live Healthy” amongst the employees by offering a well-balanced food for the employees at office premises. We offer appropriate foods for all ages and at life stages of our employees to cater to their meal consumption needs holistically. Toyota’s continuous healthy food practices amongst our employees at office has contributed towards adopting such good food habits to their personal lives & their families/friends circles, thus adding immense value to our positive efforts in such direction.
Apart from standard canteen food services, the plant has also set-up an exclusive diet food counter to cater to the right eating habits for a calorie conscious food consumption, to ensure healthy living. Such food service supports those team members who have been advised to stay on strict diet regime to control their food intake considering their individual health conditions, even at office premises.
Audit & Review mechanisms play a key role in monitoring the key processes & systems and their performance. Toyota Kirloskar Motor have institutionalized Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) Monthly Audits, Surprise Audits on Food Safety & Quality, to name a few, to ensure hygienic & nutritious food to its employees for their individual well-being, thus an healthy society. Customer satisfaction survey performance is reviewed on a monthly basis. Detailed Customer Satisfaction surveys are done at periodic intervals apart from the day-to-day feedback taken during the food service.
Toyota believes in continuous improvement of each & every standards set in the company. Toyota’s canteen facility service also follows such stringent practices in its set food systems & processes to achieve the desired standards for the overall good health of its employees. Toyota brings smiles to its customers through quality products, but first to its team members through quality employee services. Needless to mention, we at Toyota strongly believe that our employees’ good health is of utmost importance for us, over the set standards being followed by any corporates.
JetPrivilege, the award-winning loyalty and rewards programme and the frequent flyer programme of Jet Airways, has forged an exclusive partnership with Talentedge, an Ed-Tech firm. Talentedge is the first provider of ‘Live & Interactive’ learning in a digital format. This alliance is exclusive to existing and new JetPrivilege members wherein they will be able to earn JPMiles, when they enroll into any online professional courses offered by Talentedge.
JetPrivilege members will now earn 10 JPMiles on every Rs 100 spent as the course fee on the Talentedge website. The offer is valid only for fresh course registrations through JetPrivilege. This partnership will also enable customers of Talentedge to earn JPMiles on successful enrolment into any course from their portal.
Commenting on this association, Manish Dureja, Managing Director, Jet Privilege Private Limited said, “At JetPrivilege, we persistently endeavour to reward our members with value adding and innovative opportunities. Our partnership with a brand like Talentedge provides our members an additional avenue to earn JPMiles while at the same time elevating their career prospects.”
Aditya Malik, CEO & MD, Talentedge said “In today’s fast moving world, skill enhancement, especially for working executives, is the need of the hour. Our courses not only help professionals learn through experienced faculty from IIM’s, XLRI and other highly rated Indian & International B Schools; they also help individuals take their next career step. This strategic partnership with JetPrivilege will help us reach a larger working audience”
Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), leading manufacturer of premium cars has launched its much awaited All-New 2nd Generation Honda Amaze in Karnataka. Built on an all new platform, the 2nd generation Amaze incorporates Honda’s spirit of innovation in research and development aiming to delight the customers. The car offers One Class Above premium experience with its all new bold design, sophisticated & spacious interior, more efficient powertrain, outstanding driving dynamics, advanced features and safety technologies.
The all-new Amaze features the First in Industry Diesel CVT Technology in the Indian market, offering powerful and effortless driving experience. This is Honda’s first diesel engine combined with advanced CVT, and India will be the first market to launch this technology.
Speaking on the occasion, Makoto Hyoda, Director- Sales & Marketing, Honda Cars India Ltd said, “The All New Amaze has been developed keeping the needs and aspirations of Indian customers in mind. It is a big promise from Honda and we are confident that the All New Amaze will become one of the strongest pillar of HCIL business. This model will create new excitement in the segment and will provide us opportunity to expand our business across markets.
In line with our commitment to offer latest technologies to the Indian consumers, Amaze comes with advanced Diesel CVT which is Honda’s first such technology in the world and also an industry first in the Indian market.
The All-New 2nd Generation Honda Amaze has been developed at Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co. Ltd. following extensive market surveys with an aim to exceed the needs and aspirations of Indian customers. India, a key market for Honda globally, is the first country to launch the All-New Amaze.
The model has been developed under the grand concept of ’Amazing Compact Limousine’ represented by its sleek solid design, overwhelming cabin and cargo space within 4 metres and outstanding driving performance with comfortable ride.
