With A Network Of 2 Crore Merchants And 33 Crore Users, Paytm Has Become An Integral Part Of Indian Family Life

 

India's leading financial services platform Paytm today announced that it has created a vast “digital financial payments” infrastructure in the country and empowered over 2 crore merchants as well as 33 crore users. The company has over the years enabled millions of households with digital payments. Paytm has been instrumental in ushering in the digital payments revolution for millions of street hawkers, small shopkeepers, tuck shop owners with the widest range of payment products & services including Paytm All-in-One QR, Paytm All-in-One POS, Paytm Soundbox among others. Its services have helped build trust in digital payments among the masses and push the government's 'Atmanirbhar Digital Bharat' initiative further.

It has created robust technology infrastructure across the country. The company has been the driving force behind building and expanding digital villages & has trained merchants there, helping in the proliferation of online transactions.

Paytm All-in-One QR enables merchants to accept unlimited payments at zero percent fees directly into their bank account. It is the only QR that lets merchants seamlessly accept payments from Paytm Wallet, Rupay Cards, Paytm UPI, and all other UPI apps providing the convenience of having just one QR code for all payments reducing clutter on the sales counter.

Paytm All-in-One POS has gained popularity among MSMEs as well as large retailers as it comes equipped with Paytm All-in-QR, Paytm for Business App, debit & credit card swiping facility, touch screen, printer, SIM card among other features. Merchants can also generate GST-compliant bills and manage their daily transactions, as well as in-store inventory.

Paytm Spokesperson said, "Merchants are the backbone of the nation and we are on a mission to empower them with the best payments and digital services technology. We continue with our efforts to expand our services across the length and breadth of the country empowering more small towns, villages and making them 100 percent digitally enabled." 

Swasti’s i4We Demonstrates How Community Ownership Of Primary Healthcare Is Possible

According to the “Tracking universal health coverage: 2017 global monitoring report” by the World Health Organization and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in India alone, about 50-60 million people in the last decade have been pushed to poverty because of health-related expenditure[1]. The poor lose up to 1-2 months of productive time in a year to illness of self and family. Almost 50-80% of them live with some form of undiagnosed illnesses and die earlier than those who are economically better off[2].  To address this issue and break the vicious cycle of ill health and poverty, Swasti’s Invest for Wellness (i4We) programme has brought primary care to the doorstep of 2 lakh+ of the poorest and most marginalised people. Their aim is to reach 100 million well-thy days[3]  by the year 2030.

The programme is currently being implemented across 4 States and 5 locations in urban and rural areas in India – Sehore District (2 blocks)  in Madhya Pradesh; Ramanagara District (1 taluka), , and Bengaluru urban district in Karnataka; Karur urban in Tamil Nadu; and Gurugram in Haryana. The model is designed to  have local community leadership through not just frontline health workers, but through health focused groups and a local community institution, equivalent of the Mahila Arogrya Samiti. Each family is a “member” and actively participate in their well-being journey, actively being navigated through health information, advice and services (screening, treatment and care services and referral) , social protection (awareness,eligibility and facilitation of government identity and schemes) as well as financial literacy and services (savings and credit)  

As a response to COVID-19, the community leaders  prevented the spread of the virus among their members  by conducting surveillance, providing local support and advice, reinforcing safety protocols and behaviours, offering telecare services for home isolation, chronic conditions  as well as facilitating vaccination drives.   Community leaders worked alongside staff from Swasti to follow-up with families  during COVID-19 and support access to rations, medications, govt services, hospitalization and oxygen support.

Best described as a system innovation in primary healthcare, i4We combines health and wealth interventions, and focuses on well-being for the most poor and marginalized communities. It was incubated by the Catalyst Group – a 26-year-old social impact platform, working in the spaces of social and economic development as well as humanitarian emergencies. Sister organizations of the Catalyst Group are CMS – social impact specialists, Swasti, The Health Catalyst – a Global South public health non-profit, Vrutti – Livelihood Impact Partners were instrumental in bringing i4We to life. It is being supported by various partners in different locations including flagship partner - Marks & Spencer and others like Migros, Levi Strauss & Co., Social Venture Partners, Morgan Stanley, Ashraya Hastha Trust, PCMH Restore-Health, PCI 360 etc.

Shiv Kumar, the co-founder of the Catalyst Group and Chief architect of i4We, said, “i4We uses a strong technology strategy which includes an app for the health facilitator, nurse, and the healthcare provider network, real-time analysis and dashboards for action, point of care diagnostics, and a range of innovative health products. It also uses the latest behavioral science theory and practices including survival analysis, nudge, and other tools.”

Describing their experience, Puja Devi, President of Sanjeevani Kalyan Samiti, Mohammadpur-Jharsa says,  “We save about Rs, 200 per month in our own accounts which earns interest. Every family gets a variety of benefits ranging from screening, treatment, care, health education and advice, low-cost credit and opportunities for training and livelihood.  We work to help families take charge of their health - from what they eat, their emotional health, solving problems or working through them. When we work together, we can move forward faster”

ealth outcomes cannot be guaranteed with a linear approach. For the vulnerable, unless crucial challenges such as financial security and protection are ensured, health for all will continue to remain a pipe dream. And therefore, it is imperative that public health solutions are designed to address challenges beyond just the obvious. The i4We model demonstrates one such holistic approach, that supports people navigate their health journey, towards well’thy days.  

About Swasti

Swasti is a Global South civil society organisation committed to adding 100 million ‘wealthy days’ for Vulnerable Communities. Swasti upgrades the discourse from health to wellbeing and brings the missing pieces in wellbeing together (social, behavioural, management and technology) around the technical/medical aspects, with a strong focus on Prevention and Promotion. Swasti is a registered not for profit organisation and part of the Catalyst Group of institutions, working across 25 countries South Asia, South East Asia and parts of East Africa.

In response to COVID-19, Swasti and the Catalyst Group co-incubated the #COVIDActionCollab - The COVIDActionCollab (CAC) is an all India collaborative, united to provide relief, recovery and build resilience among the most vulnerable communities. The collaborative consists of Organizations and Networks working together to support these communities during the period of crisis and enable them to secure their future. The 333 partners strong collaborative has delivered 17 lakh services with 2000 volunteers. The Collaborative envisions a world where vulnerable communities are empowered to survive and thrive during a humanitarian crisis. CAC aims to achieve synergy among its partners at multiple levels in order to accelerate impact, in keeping with the needs of these communities.

Goldmedal Electricals Announces The Launch Of Phantom Ceiling Fan

·  Phantom ceiling fan is a one-of-a-kind decorative fan that comes with a remote control

·  The innovative fan comes with an LED under-light with six atmospheric colours

Goldmedal Electricals, one of India’s leading Fast Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) Company announces the launch of a six-blade super decorative ceiling Fan – ‘Phantom’. Earlier this year, the company forayed into the fan segment and are at the vanguard of expanding their ceiling fan portfolio. The company is in-line with the government’s mission of making India truly Atmanirbhar and has manufactured the Phantom fan in India.

Goldmedal’s Phantom fan is more than a functional device that just delivers cool air. It is an elegantly designed six-blade fan that are available in three stunning antique finishes. The decorative fan also features an LED under-light that glows in six atmospheric colours which can be controlled using a remote control. The use of high grade copper windings and double ball bearings ensure proper support of the motor and fan shaft allowing Phantom to operate smoothly and silently even at high speeds. It is an amazingly efficient fan that has a sweep of 1200MM and offers exceptional air delivery of 220 CMM at a speed of 350 RPM.

Commenting on the launch of this fan, Mr. Bishan Jain, Director at Goldmedal Electricals said, “Since our venture into the fans segment, Goldmedal fans have been well received among consumers, owing to the top notch product quality we offer. Phantom is a one-of-a-kind ceiling fan in the super decorative fan segment by Goldmedal Electricals. Its unique design with six blades and unique antique finish makes it a great match for modern and sophisticated interiors. It is loaded with features that deliver on Goldmedal’s promise of innovation. With its stylish looks, distinct finish, powerful yet efficient performance, and effortless operation, Phantom is a discerned choice for aspirating consumers who are looking to add an aesthetically appealing fan in their home.”

Phantom fans’ remote control ushers in comfort, convenience and control at the consumer’s fingertips. With the use of the remote, consumers can easily switch ON/OFF the fan, control its speed, select and change the LED under-light colour as well as the brightness as per their mood. Available in three exclusive finishes: Antique Copper Rose Wood, Antique Brass Dark Wood and Antique Silver Dark Wood, Phantom is priced at Rs. 13,750/-.

Goldmedal has a history of introducing technologically advanced, durable, highly usable products for its consumers. In March 2021, the company ventured into the fans category with an aim to make superior quality fans a part of every Indian household. Goldmedal fans come in multiple categories, including Ceiling fans, Table fans, Wall fans, Personal, Pedestal, Portable, Axial as well as Ventilation fans. Goldmedal fans are available in South India across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, East India states including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, as well as Delhi NCR, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. 

About Goldmedal Electricals

Goldmedal Electricals is a home grown electrical company which was established in the year 1979 with a vision to create electrical switches and accessories that make a positive difference to the lives of consumers. The company is known in the industry for manufacturing high quality wiring devices and introducing a host of innovations in the industry. The company has manufacturing units in Vasai outside Mumbai, Bhiwadi in Rajasthan, and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the few companies in the industry to have a completely in-house, state-of-the-art tool room and testing facilit. Today, the company manufactures a vast range of electrical products including various types of Switches, Home automation systems, Fans, Security Systems, Entertainment devices, Doorbells, Wires, Cables and more for residential buildings as well as commercial establishments.

Godrej Industries & Associate Companies Commemorates 10 Years Of Good & Green Journey

* Trained 500,000 underprivileged people

* Reached 3.5 million people to protect them against vector-borne diseases

With a promise to build a more employable and greener world, Godrej Industries & Associate Companies, commemorated ten years of the sustainability journey. The company announced the culmination of the first phase of the Good & Green vision which exceeded most of its environmental, healthcare and education targets (Social).  

Keeping the environmental and social impact at the core, in the last one decade Godrej has successfully trained and supported over half million underprivileged people to improve their incomes and enabled 3.5 million people to protect themselves against vector-borne diseases.

Other significant accomplishments of the last decade include; Renewable portfolio of Godrej Industries & Associate Companies are now at 50% as compared to the goal of 30%. Over half of the energy consumed across Godrej companies are from renewable sources and every tonne of Godrej manufactured products use 30% less energy, 35% less water, almost 50% less emissions and 75% less wastage.

Commenting on the achievement, Nadir Godrej, Managing Director of Godrej Industries and Chairman of Godrej Agrovet, said, “Our vision was to go beyond business and focus on building a more inclusive and greener India. I am proud that with the help of our team, we have been able to deliver excellent results against our environmental and social targets and exceeded most of them. Along the way, we’ve faced a few challenges and learnt some lessons. With the first decade behind us, we are now looking at achieving bigger and bolder sustainability goals and build a more equitable and greener nation.”

To continue with the sustainability journey, Godrej Industries & Associate Companies have crafted bolder goals that align with the businesses. In the next five years, they aim to empower close to         150,000 people in emerging economies with skills and livelihoods support to enhance their incomes and protect 10 million people against vector-borne diseases. In addition to employability and strengthening public healthcare systems, the company is focussing on ensuring efficient waste management systems for 8 municipalities in India impacting 10 million people, ensuring a third of all Godrej products are greener than in 2020, maintain carbon neutrality, water positivity, achieve and maintain zero waste to landfill.

To achieve the sustainability goals, Godrej Industries & Associate Companies have  collaborated with few implementation partners who have helped in analysing, providing solutions and supporting in addressing specific issues to stimulate social and environmental progress.

Youth Organization Founder Pramod Srinivas Raises Funds For Heart Surgeries For Two Children

In order to raise funds for the heart surgeries of two children who are battling for their life at Yogananda Hospital, Pramod Srinivas , founder of youth organization Rashtriya Youth Prathisthana found a way by organising a Volleyball tournament at Padmanabhanagar Ground. Revenue Minister ( excluding Muzarai) R.Ashoka was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Under the aegis of RYP Pramod has mobilized funds of over Rs 3 lakh for the treatment of these two children. Pre and post treatment care will also be given to them.  The funds were raised from the participated teams  from Tridents Padmanabha Nagar, Tridents Jr A- Team, Tridents Jr B- Team, AHB Strikers Padmanabha Nagar, PESA Senior Boys, PESA Spikers, BMSCW Senior Girls, PESA Senior Girls, Samved, VET, School Team1 and School Team 2.

“We have raised Rs. 3,00,000 . A big chunk of that was possible only due to the teams who participated in the tournament. We have disclosed the use of proceeds in a transparency report that has been sent to all participants,” says Pramod Srinivas.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has made life difficult for India's poorest population that struggled for survival during the initial months of lockdown. Not just jobs and income, but inequalities have also increased in other areas such as healthcare and education during the pandemic. A family with no means of income and with the loss of the only member who could earn, their two children immediately needs heart surgeries,” Pramod adds

Dr. Jadgish , Managing Director, Yogananda Hospital says,  "it is so heartening to see that there are youngsters like Pramod in our country. He thought of an innovative way to  mobilise funds for these children who needed immediate surgery."

About Rashtriya Yuva Prathisthana (RYP):

RYP is a youth centric non-profit organization with a passion-oriented vision to create a sustainable environment for youths and develop an empowered civilization. They aim to create a Self-reliant society powered by socially conscious individuals to build and facilitate a movement of organized volunteering for societal well-being. They believe that our contribution to long-term youth development is to foster social hope among them by developing value-based leadership, strengthening youth engagement and youth development organizations to design and facilitate effective Journeys and co-creating social change that upholds constitutional values. Their vision is to inspire youth to volunteer, and provide them with meaningful opportunities to serve the community by creating positive change in the society, through the culture of volunteering.

Audi India Launches Strong And Striking Audi RS 5 Sportback In India

Details that make the heart race - the redesigned Audi RS 5 Sportback delivers the performance you’re seeking with everyday usability—giving you the opportunity to enjoy the exhilarating performance that lies within

The sleek four door roofline optimizes its aerodynamic profile without compromise for everyday usability

Powered by the latest generation 2.9L twin turbo V6 TFSI - producing 450 hp of power and 600 Nm of torque

Accelerates from 0-100 km/h in a super quick 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h – fastest in the segment 

Audi Drive Select with 2 RS Modes, coupled with the quattro and RS Sports Suspension, lend the car with outstanding dynamic characteristics

Matrix LED Headlights with Dynamic turn indicators, Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, quattro with self-locking center differential

Front Sports seats plus with Massage function and Drive Side memory

3-zone Air conditioning, Alcantara leather combination upholstery and a Panoramic Glass sunroof

Priced at INR 1.04 Crore Ex-showroom 

Bengaluru, August 09, 2021: Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today announced the launch of the Audi RS 5 Sportback in India. Powered by a 2.9 L V6 twin-turbo TFSI engine that produces 450 hp of power and 600 Nm of torque, this new generation Audi RS 5 Sportback offers exhilarating performance with tremendous practicality. 

The Audi RS 5 Sportback is being brought to India via the CBU route and is priced at INR 1.04 Crore Ex-Showroom (Introductory Price). 

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India, said, “We are thrilled to launch the sporty spearhead of the product line – the Audi RS 5 Sportback in India. The Audi RS 5 is coming to India as a Sportback, for the very first time and will be the perfect choice for customers who want the Audi RS DNA in addition to everyday practicality. The                Audi RS 5 Sportback is a superlative all-rounder, which is built with just the right mix of aggressive styling, heart-pumping performance, and opulent luxury which will garner tremendous affinity with performance car customers and existing Audi customers in India.”

With its progressive looks, sporty tuned suspension, and power-packed engine, the Audi RS 5 Sportback ticks all the right boxes. The Sportback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 250 km/h.

Mr. Dhillon further added, “We have witnessed good traction for all our Sports models, across the country and with the advent of the Audi RS 5 Sportback, we look forward to fueling the appetite for performance cars. This is our fifth launch of the year and I can assure you this won’t be our last - stay tuned for a lot more action from brand Audi in India.”

Performance:

With the 2.9L V6 TFSI engine propelling the Audi RS 5 Sportback churning out 450 hp with 600 Nm of torque, the engine catapults the car from 0-100 km/h in a miniscule 3.9 seconds to a top speed of 250 km/h

The driver can choose between 2 RS modes through the Multifunction Steering Wheel, which calibrates the power curve of the engine, shifting of the transmission and steering sensitivity. 

Perfectly tuned to compliment the performance of the engine, the RS sports suspension has been honed to offer superlative dynamic handling on the road.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive, with self-locking center differential, optimises power delivery between the front and rear axles according to the driving conditions, thus providing ideal traction in virtually all scenarios 

The acceleration of the engine is perfectly matched by the stopping power of the RS steel brakes with RS Black Brake Callipers, endowing the driver with utmost confidence to explore the vast performance of the Audi RS 5 Sportback 

Exterior: 

The front of the Audi RS 5 Sportback is dominated by the new single-frame which encases the glossy black RS honeycomb grille which is specific for the RS models

The Matrix LED headlamps with dynamic turn indicators pierce through the darkest of nights and the headlight washer system keeps them clean no matter what the road throws at them

All thanks to the Panoramic Glass Sunroof, the blue sky becomes an extension of the car itself

The profile view of the Audi RS 5 Sportback is stunning, with the styling lending the car a flatter and deeper stance. The flared wheel arches that encase the meaty 48.26 cms (19”) 10 spoke alloy wheels are a not so subtle hint at the sporty performance that this car is capable of.

The RS bumpers, coupled with the body coloured exterior mirror housings and the frameless doors, add copious amounts of sporty fair to the aesthetics of the Audi RS 5 Sportback. 

Out on the road, the rear LED combination lamps with dynamic turn signals and the surface mounted spoiler perched above are all that drivers of lesser cars will catch a glimpse of as the Audi RS 5 Sportback blows past them as if they were standing still

The Audi RS 5 Sportback is available in the following colours: Nardo Gray, Turbo Blue, Tango Red, Mythos Black, Glacier White, Navarra Blue, Sonoma Green, Daytona Grey

Audi Sport LED Door Projection adds sportiness even with the doors open. 

Interior:

Black and rock gray take centre stage in the Alcantara/leather interiors of the Audi RS 5 Sportback, which are further enhanced with decorative aluminium inlays

The driver has the sole privilege of having access to the 3-spoke multifunction plus leather steering wheel with shift paddles. The pedals and footrest are embellished with stainless steel and RS scuff plates adorn the running boards.

The front Sports seats and, with a Comfort centre armrest between them, have pneumatically adjustable lumbar support with massage function and the driver’s seat has a memory for the adjustment settings. 

3-zone air-conditioning keeps the heat at bay while the ambient lighting soothes the senses.  

Infotainment:

The Audi virtual cockpit Plus informs the driver about everything from the torque output of the engine to the G-Forces acting on the car

MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch features acoustic feedback and is positioned with a slight bias towards the driver. With its intuitive and simple smartphone-like user interface, the system displays crucial information like navigation maps and directions, engine and transmission temperatures, and the like.

The driver and passengers are ensconced in the Audi RS 5 Sportback and the 180 W Audi sound system provides entertainment through its 10 speakers and Bluetooth interface

Safety & Convenience:

The Audi RS 5 Sportback features an auto-dimming interior frameless rear-view mirror 

The exterior mirrors are power-adjustable and feature memory, heating, power-folding and auto dimming on both sides

The rear luggage compartment is opened, and closed, electrically

Parking has never been easier, all thanks to the Parking Aid Plus with a rear-view camera

Hold assist kicks in preventing roll back when idling, which is just the thing that is needed whilst driving in stop and go traffic

Highway driving is effortless and safe, all thanks to the cruise control with speed limiter

Safety is a priority and the Audi RS 5 Sportback will not disappoint with its 6 airbags that include side airbags in front along with the curtain airbag system

Commtel Networks Awards PR Mandate To Blue Lotus Communications

Commtel, an Indian MNC providing high performance digital communication, surveillance, security, safety, and AI solutions to global customers in Energy, Transportation, and other critical infrastructure sectors, has awarded its public relations mandate to Blue Lotus Communications. Rated among the top PR agencies in India, Blue Lotus is a 19-year-old award-winning PR agency, which uses a proprietary Brand Trust Matrix to help create and enhance trust in brands through public relations. Blue Lotus is a part of the Comniscient Group and its sister-concern TRA Research is the publisher of TRA’s Brand Trust Report annually for the last eleven years.

N. Chandramouli, CEO, Blue Lotus Communications, elaborated on the engagement and said, “Commtel is a company on a high growth trajectory and a leader in its’ segment. The company has charted an aggressive growth strategy for the next five years, with an intense focus on AI-based solutions to enhance value to their customers. Blue Lotus is thrilled to be a part of this journey. Our agency’s experience in the Energy and Technology sectors will give us the ability to use our knowledge to help Commtel.”

Shriprakash R. Pandey, CMD, Commtel, added, “Blue Lotus comes as an experienced knowledge partner to Commtel as we embark on our new phase of evolution and growth. We have recently changed our branding and partnering a PR agency which understands our ethos as well as our sector was the most important aspect while choosing Blue Lotus.”

About Commtel Networks:

Commtel is a global engineering and technology company providing high-performance digital communication, surveillance, security, safety, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for clients in the Oil & Gas, Power, Mining, Transportation, and other critical national infrastructure sectors. Commtel is at the forefront of engineering intelligence with expertise in executing turnkey solutions - design, engineering, multi-system integration, project management, commissioning, and life cycle management. Founded in 1998, Commtel has delivered over 500 projects across four continents, enabling the digital transformation of the mission-critical infrastructure of the clients. To learn more, log on to www.commtelnetworks.com

About Blue Lotus Communications:

Blue Lotus Communications started with humble beginnings as a two-person public relations agency in October 2002, the agency has grown rapidly to a group with over 100+ people across 6 offices in India. Blue Lotus Communications specializes in Public Relations for Corporate, Technology, Chemicals, Healthcare, Brands, Real Estate and Finance. Blue Lotus uses TRA’s Brand Trust Matrix to scientifically reinforce trust through public relations.