Honda Roars Into the Mid-Size Motorcycle Segment in Indian Market

HIGHNESS - CB350

K0ZA SIDE COVER Hness EMBLEM

* Classic style meets modern aesthetics: Honda’s originality with a timeless sense of design

* Power at heart: Big powerful 350cc, 4 stroke OHC single-cylinder engine with PGM-FI technology

* Rich thumping exhaust note creates a distinct statement on the roads

* Segment First Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) maintains rear wheel traction

* Segment First Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS)* - convenient connectivity

* Segment First Assist & Slipper Clutch ensures less fatigue and more comfort

* Segment First Advanced Digital- Analogue Speedometer displays real-time advanced information

* Segment First Full LED Setup (front & back) for extra visibility

* Comfort & convenience: Wide section rear tyre, dual disc brakes with dual channel ABS, Engine Start/Stop Switch, Hazard Switch, 15 litre fuel tank

* Bookings open at Honda’s BigWing dealerships and website from today

Making a grand entry in the mid-size 350-500cc motorcycle segment, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. today announced its global unveiling of the brand new H’ness - CB350. Built with 9 new patent applications, H’ness - CB350 is the 3rd BSVI model in the Honda’s BigWing portfolio – its exclusive Premium Bike vertical.

Also marking their Digital presence on this global unveiling of H’ness - CB350 were Mr. Noriaki Abe (Managing Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. & Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.) and Mr. Masayuki Igarashi (Operating Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Chief Officer, Regional Operations (Asia & Oceania), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd) from Japan.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Globally, CB series of motorcycles symbolize Honda's history of challenges. For more than 60 years, Honda has consistently given the prefix "CB" to models representing on-road sports. Also, the riders have always been the focus in the evolution of the CB. It was once again the Indian riders who motivated the development of H’ness - CB350. To this end, the latest technologies are generously reflected in its 9 new patent applications. Today, we are proud to usher in a new motorcycling culture in the mid-size segment with this global unveiling of H’ness - CB350.”

Elaborating on H’ness - CB350, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “The basic value of H’ness is in its majesty which enriches rider’s motorcycling experience to “go further with free spirit”, encounter new roads and landscapes with Honda’s unrivalled reliability. With its authentic roar, upright road presence & a wide range of new values, H’ness - CB350 delivers an unmatched riding performance. H’ness - CB350, proudly takes forward the rich legacy of Honda’s CB DNA and provides the joy of riding through a wide range of situations like daily use in the city or long road trips. Get ready for a true companion that radiates royalty & evokes emotion.”

CLASSIC STYLE MEETS MODERN AESTHETICS

With an eye on the future and respect for the past, H’ness - CB350 blends Honda’s originality with a timeless sense of design and substantial character. The style resonates with the new age motorcyclists’ sense of self-expression and uniqueness.

From the dominating front facia with handlebars, suspension and large wheels H’ness - CB350 looks confident and commanding.

Dual-tone fuel tank* with bold Honda mark provides a heritage inspired look that attracts every eye on the road. Further highlighting this bold and classic outlook is the big powerful 350cc engine with machined fins.

Stunning 7-Y Shaped spoke alloy wheels compliment the dimension of H’ness - CB350 and announce a distinctive modern roadster look. Chrome plated parts (exhaust, mirrors and fenders) and wider rear section tyre define a bold macho look with retro yet modern appeal.

POWER AT THE HEART

At the heart of H’ness - CB350 is the big powerful 350cc, air cooled 4 stroke OHC single-cylinder engine equipped with PGM-FI technology. It delivers a category leading max torque of 30 Nm@3000 rpm which make it an easy going versatile motorcycle be it for daily city commute or longer weekend rides.  The evolved sensors, developed through computer simulations, makes it a machine that fully respects the riders wish delivering them an ultimate sense of comfort and controllability.

Main shaft coaxial balancer placed on the cylinder eliminates both primary & secondary vibrations, making H’ness - CB350 a perfect companion for longer rides, offering a highly attractive engine feel that transmits throbs from the long-stroke engine.

H’ness - CB350 comes with a large tailpipe of 45mm that optimizes balance with the muffler capacity, producing a bold low-pitched sound. A single one-chamber structure in the expansion chamber helps deliver a rich thumping exhaust note when you wind on the throttle. Exhaust pipes are double skinned to prevent heat discoloration and intact the visual appeal for long.

The engine uses offset cylinder position that reduces the sliding friction and asymmetrical connecting rod ensures minimum energy loss while combustion. It uses closed crankcase with a wall between crankcase and transmission reducing energy loss due to internal friction.

The air cooling system maintains highly dense air intake to improve efficiency and ensures favorable combustion in all rpm ranges by keeping the engine temperature within ideal range. The piston cooling jet improves engines thermal efficiency, leading to an improved fuel efficiency. 

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Exhibiting Honda’s finest craftsmanship that ‘Excites the World’, are 5 segment first features:

Segment First Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) helps in maintaining rear wheel traction by detecting difference between front and rear wheel speeds, calculating the slip ratio and further controlling engine torque via the fuel injection. HSTC can be turned ON/OFF using a switch on the left side of meter. A ‘T’ indicator in the digital display flickers when the system is engaging.

Segment First Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS)* allows riders to remain in touch with the world while enjoying the exciting riding experience on H’ness - CB350. To deepen connect of the riders, DLX Pro variant is equipped with the world's first-ever Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS) developed in-house. Rider can connect his smartphone with the motorcycle via Bluetooth through HSVCS application. Once connected, rider can operate the system with controls on the left side of the handle bar to use distinct features such as phone calls, navigation, music playback and incoming messages. To facilitate complete concentration on riding the information accessed will be communicated from the helmet headset speaker**.

Segment First Assist and Slipper Clutch makes the gear shifts smoother while reducing clutch lever operation load ensuring less fatigue and more comfort during a rides that involve frequent shifting. 

The heritage inspired Segment First Advanced Digital – Analogue Speedometer presents intelligent information on the go. It integrates details like HSTC, ABS, side stand indicator with engine inhibitor, ECO indicator, mileage features, HSVCS, gear position indicator and battery voltage meter. The ride experience is further enriched with fuel efficiency details displayed in 3 modes – real time mileage, average mileage and distance to empty.

Segment First Full LED Setup (both front & back) allows rider to banish the darkness and light up the darkest of paths also adding an oomph to the style quotient.

COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

Dual channel ABS prevents wheels from locking when brakes are applied in emergency or when operated on slippery roads ensuring a greater sense of confidence. Anchoring the motorcycle is a large 310mm disc brake up front and 240mm rear disc providing adequate braking performance.

Large section front suspension not only enhances the massive imposing image but also provides immense comfort on rough roads. Pressurized nitrogen charged rear suspension provides highly responsive rear damping performance.

Engine Start/Stop Switch gives the convenience of turning-off the engine on brief stops with flick of a switch. Ensuring safety of riders in low visibility conditions is the Hazard Switch feature.

Chrome plated dual horn* not only add to rider’s convenience but also amplify the premium look.

19-inch front tyre exhibits a distinctive modern roadster style along with an increased stability in different road conditions. Giving a comfortable lower stance is 18-inch 130 section rear tyre for an enhanced ride quality and improved overall road grip.

The half - duplex cradle frame in steel pipe is used for a soft steering feel. Load allocated to the front is optimized by mounting the engine at low position to lower the center of gravity, which immensely impacts the overall riding feel and maneuverability of the motorcycle.

A highly rigid box-section steel tube is used for the swing arm to effectively reduce distortion and transmit torque of the driving force to road surface improving overall comfortable riding feel. 

Tailored for complete control, the riding position features a closely set handlebar and a positional relationship between seat and footrest has been designed to allow the rider to hold on firmly in any riding condition.

Dual seat with superior cushioning is provided to make your daily and highways rides immensely comfortable. Fuel tank capacity of 15 liters gives a sense of freedom from frequent pit-stops during long rides.

Honda will also be offering a special 6-year warranty package (3 years standard + 3 years optional extended warranty) on H’ness-CB350.

Customers can also visit HondaBigWing.in for more details.

“Excites The World” campaign: From this year, Honda will expand Big Wing network all across India for customers to receive the full experience and understanding of the product from specialized dealerships. “Excites the World” will be Honda’s slogan to promote Big Wing network in India. Driven by never ending challenging spirit, Honda’s world-class motorcycles with advanced technologies will offer the joy of exciting riding to customers. 

About “CB Brand”: CB Brand has a long history starting from CB92 in 1952, and has always been benchmark of on-road sports motorcycle globally. With the performance, technology, and unmatched reliability that Honda devotes all our passion and wisdom in its development from rider’s point of view. A representation of Honda’s globally admired CB range, ‘CB is the answer’ to the aspirations and passion of riders all across the globe.

Google Cloud Extends its Cloud Upskilling Program on TechGig, IT Professionals Can Learn Cloud Skills for Free

 

About 90% of the Indian technologists believe that certifications in cloud computing will improve their career prospects, as per a survey conducted by TechGig, India’s biggest developer community. Further, 28% of the respondents said that they were already upskilling on cloud computing (through various mediums) to ensure career progression. 

The rising demand for cloud technologies prompted TechGig and Google Cloud to extend their cloud learning program - Cloud DevJam - till the end of 2020. Cloud DevJam, a free-to-register upskilling program was launched in May 2020 to help IT professionals learn cloud computing, and has more than 65,768 active learners in a span of just 3 months. This number clearly indicates that Indian IT professionals are keen on learning new-age technologies. 

At Cloud DevJam, the learning journey is broken down into different milestones, using a combination of activities like webinars, hands-on labs, contests, hackathons are launched to help one grasp the cloud concepts and complete one milestone, after the other. 

The first leg of the program which kicked off in May 2020 focussed on an array of Google Cloud topics including Core Infrastructure, Data & Machine Learning, Application Development and more. With the extension till December 2020, the Cloud DevJam program now delves deeper into more specific learning such as Architecting with Google Kubernetes Engine, Data Warehouse modernisation with BigQuery, and migrating to Google Cloud. 

The program is also known for offering Qwiklabs subscriptions to participants, which provide a real cloud environment to learn cloud platforms and software, such as Firebase, Kubernetes and others. 

In the words of Ankit Mahapatra, one of the active learners, say that the Qwiklabs subscriptions are the best part of the program. “I am glad I came across the Cloud DevJam program. Its QwikLabs subscriptions are helping me try out pretty much all the breadth of services Google Cloud Platform”. 

Another participant Sourav Dey said that this program has made his learning amazing.  “Thanks for making cloud learning easy for us with all the opportunities like Google Cloud OnAir, Qwiklabs skill badges and Cloud Study Jam”. 

Arnab Nandy, who is a Full Stack Java Developer and a participant at Cloud DevJam mentioned that the program was helping him enjoy and learn cloud techniques. “Google made it possible to learn cloud with a really great way through hands-on practice in Qwiklabs,” he said.  

Sanjay Goyal, Business Head, TimesJobs and TechGig said, “Cloud DevJam is a unique opportunity for technologists to explore, learn, and upskill on the Google Cloud Platform. I'm extremely proud to announce this program’s extension which will enable developers to learn more and deep-dive into concepts. I welcome all the IT professionals to participate in the ‘Cloud DevJam’ program and leverage this learning opportunity.” 

Anil Bhansali, VP Engineering and Head India Development Center, Google Cloud added, “Cloud computing is the future of technology. It is great to see that the Cloud DevJam is now getting extended so more developers can learn, upskill, and progress in their careers. As the market dynamics change, it’s important to stay up to date and prepare for what’s next.”

The Cloud DevJam program is among the popular programs at TechGig with IT professionals proudly showing their badges, certificates, and other laurels on social media with #CloudDevJam.

About TechGig:

TechGig is a young and enthusiastic technology company, offering cutting-edge solutions to its clients using innovative technologies. We help our business partners realise their true talent and business potential using our specialised skill assessment, community engagement and recruitment solutions

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud provides organisations with leading infrastructure, platform capabilities and industry solutions. We deliver enterprise-grade cloud solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology to help companies operate more efficiently and adapt to changing needs, giving customers a foundation for the future. Customers in more than 150 countries turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to solve their most critical business problems.

Nelco, Telesat Partner to Bring Advanced LEO Satellite Network to India

Nelco, India’s leading and fastest growing satellite communication service provider, has entered into a cooperation agreement with Telesat, a leading global satellite operator that has been addressing complex connectivity challenges for over 50 years. Nelco and Telesat will collaborate on terrestrial facilities, commercial distribution and regulatory frameworks to offer Telesat LEO satellite connectivity in India. 

Telesat LEO is a next generation satellite constellation that leverages Telesat’s global, priority Ka-band spectrum rights and patent-pending architecture to fundamentally transform global communications. Telesat LEO will help close the digital divide in remote and challenging locations, accelerate 5G expansion, and set new levels of performance for enterprise, telecom, mobility and government broadband connectivity on land, air and sea. The Telesat LEO constellation will provide complete coverage of India and superior enterprise connectivity in the country, subject to the necessary regulatory clearances.

The availability of the Telesat LEO Network in India has the potential to provide significant benefits in areas like 4G/5G backhaul, mobile hotspots, distance education, telemedicine, village connectivity, as well as maritime and inflight connectivity. The open architecture, compliant with the Metro Ethernet Forum standard, will simplify the integration of Telesat LEO services with enterprise networks, including Nelco infrastructure and service offerings. Acting as a virtual fibre network, Telesat LEO Layer 2 transport service can deliver hundreds of Mbps to a terminal.

The Telesat LEO Satellites Incorporate Next-Generation Technologies, including:

* Data Processing in Space: Full digital modulation, demodulation, and data routing occurs in space, resulting in higher capacity and flexibility

* Phased Array Antennas: Sophisticated antennas on each satellite with hopping and reconfigurable beams scan the earth to provide full coverage and can dynamically focus capacity precisely where required

* Optical Inter-satellite Links: Data can travel at the speed of light from one satellite to another, resulting in a fully interconnected global mesh network in space.

Globally, the satellite communications industry has been growing at a rapid pace owing to advancements in technology, light touch regulations and an increase in Internet traffic demands. LEO satellites are poised to revolutionise the industry, and with the prospective opening of the space sector in India, Nelco, through its strategic relationship with Telesat, plans to serve new market segments and requirements for high-bandwidth, low latency applications with Telesat LEO connectivity.

Speaking on this new development, Mr. P J Nath, MD & CEO of NELCO said, “Considering the huge potential for Satcom services growth in the country in the coming years, we are continuously exploring the latest satellite technologies to bring better value to our customers and expand the market. We believe that our partnership with Telesat will help in bringing LEO satellites into the country, which has the potential to revolutionise connectivity in the future”.

“We are honoured to collaborate with Nelco, a highly innovative and respected enterprise connectivity leader in India,” stated Michael Schwartz, Telesat’s Senior Vice President, Corporate and Business Development. “Telesat LEO’s secure, high throughput, low-latency network will bring unsurpassed performance and flexibility for enterprise applications and extend the reach of terrestrial networks throughout India.”

About Nelco -

Nelco, a part of Tata Group, was started in 1940 as a revolutionary electronics company (with many firsts to its name). Nelco is a major Satcom service provider in India, providing highly reliable B2B data connectivity solutions across the country through its wholly owned subsidiary Tatanet Services Ltd. It has been playing an important role in the development and growth of important industry segments like Banking & Financial Services, Renewable Energy, Mining, offshore Oil & Gas exploration etc., by providing Satcom services for business-critical applications in the remotest locations. Nelco has taken the lead in offering digital communication services to both Aero & Maritime segments in the country.  NELCO is listed in BSE and NSE and The Tata Power Company Ltd. holds 50.1% of the shares in the company.

About Telesat –

Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat has grown to be one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators. Telesat works collaboratively with its customers to deliver critical connectivity solutions that tackle the world’s most complex communications challenges, providing powerful advantages that improve their operations and drive growth. Telesat LEO, our Low Earth Orbit network will revolutionize global broadband connectivity by delivering a combination of high capacity, security, resiliency and affordability with ultra-low latency and fiber-like speeds.

Privately held and headquartered in Ottawa, Canada with offices and facilities around the world, Telesat’s principal shareholders are Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LORL). 

Tata Motors Launches the Signa 5525.S – India’s First 4x2 Prime Mover with Highest Gross Combination Weight of 55 Tonnes

Key highlights:

* Highest gross combination weight (GCW) of 55 tonnes for a 4x2 prime mover

* Available with multiple GCW range on 51T, 52T, 53T, 54T and 55T with appropriate trailer combination

* Powered by Cummins 6.7-litre engine – world’s largest selling Euro 6 commercial vehicle engine

* Power and torque rating of 250hp and 950Nm; with flat torque curve ranging 1000-1800rpm

* Equipped with 3 drive modes, Gear Shift Advisor, Hill Start Assist and many more industry-best value enhanced features

Tata Motors, India’s leading commercial vehicles manufacturer, today announced the launch of the Signa 5525.S – India’s highest GCW prime mover (tractor) in 4x2 segment. The Signa 5525.S 4x2’s unmatched 55-tonne GCW offers unique value proposition for customers to maximise profitability. The model is designed with Tata Motors’ Power of 6 philosophy empowering customers with the power of enhanced performance, lower total cost of ownership, higher comfort and convenience; thereby improving the revenue and reduction operating cost at the same time.

The Signa 5525.S 4x2 prime mover is powered by Cummins 6.7-litre engine with a power rating of 250hp and torque rating of 950Nm from 1000-1800rpm, ensuring fatigue-less driving and reduced turnaround time for more trips and higher revenue. The drivetrain is designed with industry-proven G1150 9-speed gearbox, 430mm dia. organic clutch and heavy-duty RA110 rear axle with enhanced pulling power; designed for demanding terrain and multiple application requirements. The Signa 5525.S is equipped with 3 distinct drive modes – Light, Medium and Heavy, coupled with Gear shift Advisor to ensure optimum power and torque selection, based on the load and terrain, and on-drive coaching for right gear selection ensuring high fuel efficiency and the lowest total cost of operations in its segment.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. RT Wasan, Vice President, Product Line, M&HCV, Tata Motors said, “With the introduction of the Signa 5525.S 4x2, Tata Motors continues its mission to be the pioneer in the Indian commercial vehicle industry with the widest range of products, offering its customers the best-in-class solutions to improve their overall profitability through both levers of higher revenue generation and operating cost reduction. Continuing with our constant endeavour to deliver the best product offering to our esteemed customers, we are happy to announce that we are the first manufacturer to offer the 55-tonne GCW on a 4x2 prime mover. Through our Power of 6 philosophy, we will continue to offer best-in-class products and solutions and further strengthen our numero uno position in both the cargo and construck segments. Each of these new vehicles come factory fitted with the Tata Motors’ digital solution for optimal fleet management, the Fleet Edge, to further enhance the productivity of the fleet and improve customer profitability.”

The new model is available with the popular Signa cabin, the country’s highest selling M&HCV cabin offering 3-way mechanically adjustable driving seat, spacious sleeper berth, tilt & telescopic steering system and ample utility space. The Signa 5525.S’ suspended cabin guarantees lower NVH characteristics and provides a comfortable ride even on tough terrains. The powerful air conditioning system coupled with Ambient Air Temperature sensor assures comfortable all-weather driving and lower fuel consumption. The crash-tested cabin, high seating position, bigger daylight opening, rear view mirror, blind spot mirror, solid steel 3-piece bumper make it one of the safest cabins to drive. Moreover, new technology advanced features like Engine Brake and iCGT brake gives greater vehicle control and lowers the maintenance costs. It also comes with the standard fitment of Fleet Edge – Tata Motors’ next-gen digital solution for optimal fleet management, to further increase the uptime and reduce the total cost of ownership.

The Signa 5525.S 4x2 comes with advanced and wide range of fully built solutions offering customers a one-stop solution with multiple advantages like better financing terms, earning from delivery day, nationwide service warranty and higher resale value thereby making overall much better value proposition for customers.

The entire range of Tata Motors M&HCV trucks comes with a best-in-the-industry warranty of 6 years / 6 lakh kilometres. Tata Motors also offers Sampoorna Seva 2.0 and Tata Samarth – the company’s commitment to commercial vehicle driver welfare, uptime guarantee, on-site service, and customised annual maintenance and fleet management solutions with each M&HCV.

FOGSI, Bayer Zydus Pharma Announce Collaboration to Drive Adoption of Digital Tech Solution ‘Ask Tanu’ Amongst Indian Women

* COVID-19 is posing an urgent threat to women’s health and empowerment by limiting access to family planning and healthcare services.

* Recognizing the need to provide health information and education in relation to contraception, FOGSI has announced its intention to raise awareness and to support the use of chatbot service ‘Ask Tanu’

* Bayer Zydus Pharma’s ‘Ask Tanu’ is a Facebook 24/7 digital chatbot using artificial intelligence that stimulates human conversation to provide women with credible information on contraception, helping them make informed choices

* Representatives from Bayer, FOGSI and other organizations in Asia Pacific jointly pledged their commitment to be ‘HerHeroes’ to empower women in making informed choices about family planning and their health

On the eve of World Contraception Day, the Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and Bayer Zydus Pharma Pvt. Ltd. today announced their collaboration to drive increased adoption of chatbot service ‘Ask Tanu’. This digital technology will enable more women nationwide to seek credible and scientifically accurate health information and make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. Covid-19 has shifted the majority of healthcare resources to combat the spread of the pandemic, disrupting the provision of other essential health services, including women’s healthcare and contraception. The Lancet World Report has estimated that the lockdown could leave roughly 26 million couples in India without access to contraception, resulting in 2.3 million unintended pregnancies and over 800,000 unsafe abortions, which is the third leading cause of maternal mortality in India.[2]

With the rising strain on the country’s healthcare resources and decreased access to medical professionals, there is a growing need to overcome the obstacles posed by the pandemic. Digitalization offers a way forward to empower informed choices and help improve women’s health. Taking into consideration this critical need, FOGSI’s professional network of over 500 gynaecologists and obstetricians will raise awareness of ‘Ask Tanu’ nationwide as a credible source of women’s health information. The chatbot will provide 24/7 support, providing women with easier access to reliable health information and education in relation to contraception.

Commenting on digital technology as a means of fulfilling an unmet need for health information for Indian women, Dr. Shobha Gudi, Chairperson of Family Welfare Committee, FOGSI said, “Many women are putting off face-to-face medical consultations for seeking professional advice due to fear of contracting the virus. There are of course other contributing factors such as non-availability of clinical services and lack of transportation. But even prior to the pandemic, there was a huge gap in accessing family planning and contraceptive information. Data from our 4th National Family Health Survey clearly shows that few healthcare workers were speaking about family planning to women who were non-users, and amongst the users, only few women were informed of the potential advantages and disadvantages of various contraceptive methods. Even though the family planning program in India is long-established, there is still significant reticence associated with contraception and women hesitate to talk about it. Chatbot services such as ‘Ask Tanu’ can help fill knowledge gaps and enable and empower women with trusted information from verified sources, so they can make informed choices.”

This World Contraception Day, healthcare professionals, policymakers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and women influencers in Asia Pacific also rally together to call for women to prioritize their health and their family planning needs, even during the pandemic. With COVID-19 posing an urgent threat to women’s health and ability to plan their families, Bayer today launched the #HerHero campaign to support women in taking action to prioritize their health and take charge of their lives. Women’s influencers and representatives from key organizations in Asia Pacific came together today at the #HerHero Virtual Forum, organized by Bayer in collaboration with the Population Council and other partners, and jointly pledged their commitment to be ‘HerHeroes’, those who support and empower women in their communities to help them make informed choices. They also called for wider public support to join in the pledge and give voice to women’s health needs and empowerment.

“Despite the progress made in empowering women’s lives over the last 60 years, barriers still exist today, made worse by the current pandemic. ‘Ask Tanu’ was designed to overcome such barriers, and we are proud to collaborate with FOGSI to increase the reach and impact of this digital solution, so that more women can seek and benefit from this reliable source of information. Moreover, in India and across the Asia Pacific region, this day also marks the launch of Bayer’s #HerHero campaign, which rallies key stakeholders and women’s influencers to call for a wider support network of everyday heroes to champion and help women prioritize their health and their family planning needs, even during the pandemic,” said Manoj Saxena, Managing Director Bayer Zydus Pharma & South Asia Head at Bayer.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2019, the Group employed around 104,000 people and had sales of € 43.5 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to € 2.9 billion and R&D expenses to € 5.3 billion.

Lionsgate Play Partners with Airtel to Bring Premium Hollywood Movies to “Airtel Xstream Box”

 After the resounding success of Lionsgate Play content on Airtel Xstream app, global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) is bringing its premium content to the Airtel Xstream Android 4K TV Box. This association is the result of Lionsgate’s growing consumer base and distribution in India. Through this partnership, the fast-growing user base of Airtel Xstream Box will have easy access to premium Hollywood content by Lionsgate Play on the big screens from the comfort of their homes. This will include multiple hours of Ultra HD content, complementing Airtel Xtream’s extensive high-quality programming.   

Lionsgate Play is one of the leading OTT players that offers wide ranging high-quality English content in the country. The premium OTT service completed one year of its operations in India this August and has witnessed tremendous growth in the viewership each passing month. Since the lockdown, the audiences are watching premium Hollywood content on the big screens at home resulting in increased consumption of Hollywood content in English as well as in their preferred regional languages. The partnership will give Airtel customers access to a deep portfolio of Lionsgate Play content on the Airtel Xstream Box. This exclusive partnership between Lionsgate and Airtel enables Lionsgate Play to showcase blockbusters including titles such as John Wick, La La Land, Knives Out, Twilight in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Bhojpuri also to reach out to regional language cinephiles. In addition, viewers can now enjoy movies from various genres – action, thriller, horror, comedy, drama and documentaries.  

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Rohit Jain, Managing Director, Lionsgate South Asia, said, “We launched on Airtel Xstream app in Jan 2020 and since then we have seen an exponential growth on stream counts. We have been continuously strengthening our already robust catalogue with horror, comedy, drama, action & thriller movies. To be a key entertainment player in India we see following important levers: availability of curated high-quality Hollywood content that world is watching, localization in Indian languages to increase relevance and strengthening our distribution to solve for reach. Keeping the Indian audiences love for Hollywood in Indian languages in mind we always make our movies available in local languages like Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bhojpuri and will continue to invest in quality dubbing to make premium content accessible to the length and breadth of the country. We will also keep strengthening our distribution and are very excited to extend our offering to additional consumers via the Airtel Xstream Box. With this partnership our content will find its place on large screen TV at home, and the experience of watching premium content on the big screen is unparalleled”. 

Sunil Taldar, Director – Homes, Bharti Airtel said, “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Lionsgate and bring their premium content to more and more customers through our digital platforms. Airtel Xstream Box continues to see growing adoption as customers discover the joy of hybrid TV experience through one device and enjoy the best of OTT content with linear TV.”   

Airtel Xstream Box makes any TV a smart TV. Customers get access to all LIVE TV channels plus the best of video streaming apps effectively eliminating the need for multiple entertainment devices at home. Airtel Xstream TV Box is priced at Rs 3999 for new customers and existing Airtel DTH users can upgrade to the Android box for just Rs 2249. The box also comes included in all Airtel Xstream Fiber plans.  

About Lionsgate Play 

Lionsgate Play, a premium streaming service from Lionsgate India and Starz, offers curated Hollywood content for Indian consumers, with much of the content available in multiple Indian languages. Lionsgate India, one of the most recent entrants in the South Asian market, distributes premium content to linear and digital platforms across the region. It develops and produces original local Indian language content as well as adaptations of globally successful content. Starz, a Lionsgate subsidiary, is a leading global media and entertainment company that produces and distributes premium streaming content to worldwide audiences across subscription television platforms. It offers subscribers more than 7,500 distinct premium television episodes and feature films, including STARZ original series, first-run movies and other popular programming. 

SBI Life Unveils Comprehensive Financial Immunity Survey, Providing Valuable Insights Into Consumer Predispositions

 

Key findings: 

* 8 in 10 Indians (78%) strongly feel that stress / anxiety affects mental & physical immunity

* Over 50% Indians not sufficiently prepared to face financial emergency related to lifestyle diseases

* Top 3 financial worries:

-Financial security against critical illnesses

-Family member getting infected by any lifestyle disease or Covid-19

-Job or income loss

* 8 in 10 Indians (80%) associate Life Insurance with ‘Safeguarding the family’s future’

* More than 6 in 10 Indians (61%) have bought or intend to buy critical illness plan/ cover to address the rising treatment costs and to avoid financial pressure on the family

* 7 in 10 Indians (75%) not having a critical illness cover, intend to buy one in the next three months

SBI Life Insurance, one of most trusted private life insurers in the country unveiled a comprehensive consumer survey, providing deep insights into consumer predispositions towards Financial Immunity in a post covid world. SBI Life commissioned the ‘Understanding consumer attitude towards Financial Immunity’ survey with The Nielsen Company, reaching out to over 2,400 consumers across 13 key cities covering the length and breadth of India. 

Understandably, in the wake of COVID-19, maintaining personal physical immunity has been on the fore, with almost every respondent confirming to have increased focus on physical immunity in some way. In fact, 8 out of 10 Indians are aware that ‘stress’ lowers mental and physical immunity.  

The survey further attempts to better understand the cause of stress, by enquiring about the top financial worries of the consumer today. The top three reasons for stress are attributed to (1) Financial Security against critical illness, (2) Family member getting infected by any lifestyle disease or Covid-19 and (3) Job or income loss. The reasons for financial worries cited by consumers underpin the stress caused by financial management of lifestyle diseases. Alarmingly, over 50% Indians are not sufficiently prepared to face any financial emergencies related to lifestyle diseases.

On the brighter side, the pandemic has brought in a realization on the need for protection, with 7 out of 10 Indians who currently do not own a Critical Illness cover, explicitly expressing an intention to buy one in the next three months. Another encouraging insight thrown up by the survey, is that 8 out of 10 consumers purchase Life and Health insurance with a clear motive of safeguarding family’s future.

Speaking about the survey findings, Mr. M Anand, President – Zone II, SBI Life said, “Over the last six months, individuals and families across the length and breadth of our nation, have shown tremendous resilience in coping with the pandemic. Despite the challenging environment, SBI Life’s consumer study on ‘Financial Immunity’ highlights the reassuring sentiment on the need to build a robust Financial Immunity to safeguarded one’s future and be protected from financial adversities.” He further added, “At SBI Life, we strongly believe that gaining financial immunity rests at the foundation of achieving one’s life objectives.”

About SBI Life Insurance

SBI Life Insurance (‘SBI Life’ / ‘The Company’), one of the most trusted life insurance companies in India, was incorporated in October 2000 and is registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in March 2001.

Serving millions of families across India, SBI Life’s diverse range of products caters to individuals as well as group customers through Protection, Pension, Savings and Health solutions.

Driven by ‘Customer-First’ approach, SBI Life places great emphasis on maintaining world class operating efficiency and providing hassle-free claim settlement experience to its customers by following high ethical standards of service. Additionally, SBI Life is committed to enhance digital experiences for its customers, distributors and employees alike.

SBI Life strives to make insurance accessible to all, with its extensive presence across the country through its 940 branches, 16,569 employees, a large and productive individual agent network of about 1,37,000 agents, 58 corporate agents, a widespread bancassurance network of 15 partners,  28,962 partner branches (as of March 31 2020), 108 brokers and other insurance marketing firms.

In addition to doing what’s right for the customers, the company is also committed to provide a healthy and flexible work environment for its employees to excel personally and professionally.

SBI Life strongly encourages a culture of giving back to the society and has made substantial contribution in the areas of child education, healthcare, disaster relief and environmental upgrade. In 2019-20, the Company touched over 1. 14 lakh direct beneficiaries through various CSR interventions.

Listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange ('BSE') and the National Stock Exchange ('NSE'), the company has an authorized capital of Rs. 20.0 billion and a paid up capital of Rs. 10.0 billion. The AuM is Rs. 1,753.5 billion.

For more information, please visit our website-www.sbilife.co.in and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Linkedin.

(Numbers & data mentioned above are for the period up to June 30, 2020)