Celebrated Composer Salim Merchant To Compose Live Score At WhiteHat Jr’s Virtual Learning Event ‘CreatorSpace: MusIQ’

* Salim Merchant Will Be Joined By Internationally Renowned Art Director Anthony Christov And Budding Artist Jessiah

WhiteHat Jr, leading live one-on-one online learning platform,  is all set to host the latest edition of its open virtual learning event for children and parents titled ‘CreatorSpace: MusIQ’ focused on music and animation. To be held on August 14, 2021, at 7:30 pm IST / 10:00 am EDT, ‘CreatorSpace: MusIQ’ is a unique event where coding, music and animation converge. As a part of the event, renowned music composer Salim Merchant will be composing a live music score to inspire children to learn music and enjoy the experience of creating their own original composition. Internationally renowned art-director and production designer Anthony Christov will provide an insider’s look at the technology used in animation, gaming and music while budding artist Jessiah will give a deeper understanding of music production for the benefit of children and parents.

“Seven notes is all it takes to create magic with music. The melody can have a profound impact on the listener. Learning music can ignite all areas of child development and skills. The idea to create live music with an objective to inspire the young generation to become creators of music excites me,” said celebrated music composer Salim Merchant. “I like live online sessions as they enable thousands of children to interact and absorb which isn't possible in physical settings. I hope kids across the world will join-in and have fun.”

Internationally renowned art director and production designer Anthony Christov said, “We animate to tell stories and communicate emotions in a unique, easy-to-understand way. This imaginative world is powered by tech at the backend. I will try and make it easier for children to understand the process behind animated frames. 

I hope this session will inspire children to learn more about animation."

Budding artist Jessiah added, “Digital technology has democratized music production and has enabled virtually anyone to produce music and publish it on social media. 

During my CreatorSpace session, I plan to share my own story about learning to play multiple instruments, creating cover music, and launching my first single. My session will also touch upon the various stages of music production and will feature a live performance.”

‘CreatorSpace: MusIQ’ is a part of WhiteHat Jr’s flagship virtual interactive learning series titled CreatorSpace which addresses an exciting new topic each month with the help of world renowned experts. Earlier editions of the event have seen students engaging with global STEM leaders in the areas of Math, Coding, Satellites, Space Exploration and Gaming.

The event is fully complimentary for all enthusiastic learners and their parents and registration is open at https://creatorspace.whitehatjr.com 

About WhiteHat Jr

WhiteHat Jr’s mission is to empower kids to become creators versus consumers of technology. The company has channeled students’ natural creativity through an engaging curriculum and personalized, live teacher attention. WhiteHat Jr’s 11,000+ strong teacher workforce conducts thousands of LIVE Coding, Math and Music online classes every day on its proprietary platform.  Cumulatively, the company has conducted more than 8.5 million classes to date.

The CreatorSpace: MusIQ event will feature interesting sessions by:

Salim Merchant: Salim and Sulaiman Merchant are among India's most respected composers, having scored more than 100 films including Kurbaan, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion, Band Baaja Baaraat, Aaja Nachle, Chak De - India, etc. Salim Merchant has been part of several TV reality shows as celebrity judge including the very popular Indian Idol. In an exciting session, Salim Merchant will be composing a live music score to help children understand the art of music composition.

Anthony Christov: Anthony Christov is an internationally renowned art director and production designer who spent 18 years working on blockbuster animated films for the award-winning Pixar Animation Studios.  He also spent 12 years teaching at the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco. Anthony was the art director for the Oscar winning films WALL-E and Finding Nemo as well as the set designer for Cars and The Incredibles. In what promises to be an unmissable session, Anthony will help children understand the technology behind the animation industry and how many beloved animated characters come to life.

Jessiah: Jessy (Jessiah) is self-producing multi-instrumentalist. An up-and-coming YouTuber, her channel has more than 500K+ views and the channel consists of popular covers and original music. This year she released her first single 'Polaroid' and is now working on a debut album. Jessiah’s session will focus on the framework of producing music and about different musical instruments.

SIDBI Launches “Digital Prayaas” Programme, An App Based Digital Initiative To Reach Out To Livelihood Entrepreneurs

* Onboards BigBasket to offer loans under Digital Prayaas programme 

In order to facilitate loans to aspiring entrepreneur from the bottom of the pyramid, many of whom are new to bank (NTB), Small Industries Development Bank of India, the principal financial institution engaged in the promotion, financing and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has launched the programme ”Digital Prayaas” an App based end to end digital lending tool platform resulting in loan sanction accorded by the end of the day.  

Further, to cater to the aspiring youths in the urban area, SIDBI has also tied up with a major aggregator viz., BigBasket, to on board its delivery partners across the country and provide loans at an affordable interest rate for purchase of environment friendly e-Bikes and e-Vans.  

Shri Debasish Panda, IAS and Secretary, Department of Financial Services, while launching the two initiatives, appreciated the role played by SIDBI in meeting the financial requirements of the people at the bottom of the pyramid by offering loans at an affordable rate through its Digital Prayaas programme. He said that SIDBI-BigBasket initiative would create digital footprints which would further facilitate loans to the Borrower’s family members for their own micro enterprises. He also emphasized that SIDBI should enter into such an arrangement with many more partner institutions so as to increase its outreach. 

Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, IA&AS and Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SIDBI said, “The App facilitates speedy onboarding of loan applicants in a digital and integrated process which has made the entire programme scalable with better risk management and would further improve customer satisfaction. SIDBI is pleased to have BigBasket as its partner institution under the digital programme to provide loans to its delivery partners for purchase of environment friendly e-vehicles.” 

Speaking on this occasion, Shri Hari Menon, CEO of BigBasket said that they are delighted that SIDBI has chosen BigBasket for this partnership. The initiative to offer loans will have a positive impact on the livelihood of hundreds of our delivery associates and also fulfills its social objectives. 

The Digital Prayaas App is set to digitize the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) process and the process of e-signing and e-stamping of various documents. The onboarding of borrowers including e-KYC and Sanction based on the credit score and analytics based on the algorithms shall get done on an end-to-end basis digitally. The post sanction documentation including e-signing and e-stamping of the documents by the executants shall also be done digitally through the App. 

KreditBee Launches ‘KreditBee Card’ - A New Age Card For New India

* Aims to issue 1 Million cards by end of FY 2022

* An initiative that will assist 500,000 new to credit customers driving healthy credit culture and leading to successful financial inclusion

KreditBee, one of India’s leading digital lending platforms, today entered into the card segment with the launch of ‘KreditBee Card’. The card provides the unserved and underserved banking customers, a quick and secured access to short-term liquidity with multiple repayment options, eliminating the need to avail a separate loan. 

KreditBee has partnered with RuPay and RBL Bank for the launch of this product. KreditBee Card is a credit-line backed prepaid card for the end consumer, where the amount is loaded into the KreditBee card account once the user sends a purchase or drawdown request.

KreditBee intends to offer 1 Million cards by the end of FY22. It offers versatility and flexibility in terms of ticket size and repayment options. The customer can avail credit limit upto ₹ 10,000 that can be repaid within a single billing cycle not going beyond 45 days.

The card-holder can make multiple withdrawals or purchases (within the credit limit) while paying lesser charges (no hidden charges). The virtual card will also assist the new to credit customers, to build their credit score, to be able to then avail financing in future, ushering in a healthy credit culture and financial inclusion at the same time.

Speaking on the new product launch, Madhusudan E, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, KreditBee, said, “Credit card is an aspirational financial instrument. Less than 10% of bank customers in India have a credit card. Traditional banks and NBFCs are very stringent when it comes to issuing cards. We aim to democratize credit in India by issuing KreditBee Card, which works similar to a virtual credit card to anyone who is a responsible borrower, irrespective of their consumer demographic & income group. This is the best way for a new-to-credit customer to build credit history, which will in turn help them avail of bigger loans at a later stage. By the end of FY2022, we aim to issue 1 Million cards to the customers.”

Mr. Kunal Kalawatia, Chief of Products, NPCI said, “We are happy to collaborate with KreditBee and RBL Bank for the launch of virtual ‘KreditBee Card’ on RuPay network. We believe that this credit-line backed prepaid card dedicated to the underbanked population will serve as a catalyst to financial empowerment by making credit facilities accessible to all and drive financial inclusion in the country. This virtual prepaid card will provide a contactless as well as safe availing of credit and shopping experience for all its users. With the launch of this prepaid card, we are hopeful of witnessing increased demand for credit cards in the remote areas which in turn can further boost the penetration of RuPay cards in the country.”

Eligibility criteria for the offering: A Credit-linked Card for both Salaried & Self Employed across India

USPs of KreditBee Card:

•       100% Virtual- An e-card will be generated on the app and can be used for transactions instantly

•       Fast Access- The underwriting process is AI-driven and generates a card immediately

•       Quick Credit Upgrade- Customers can upgrade their credit limit within a single billing cycle

•       Safe & Secure- The card is generated on the KreditBee app & is M-PIN Protected

•       No Hidden Charges- A 100% transparent product with absolutely no irrational fees & charges

Here are simple steps to avail the 'KreditBee Card'

•       Sign in to the KreditBee app >> Click on the ‘KreditBee Card’ section >> Select ‘Check Eligibility’

•       To activate card, click on ‘Activate Card’ on the KreditBee App >> Provide your bank account details & sign the agreement >> Use Card to withdraw cash or make online payments

KreditBee has raised cumulative funds of over USD 200 million. This is inclusive of the recent Series-C funding led by Azim Premji’s Premji Invest, NewQuest Capital Partners, Motilal Oswal Private Equity, Mirae Asset and Alpine, earlier this year. The company at present has a user base of more than 30 Million with over 5 million credit customers. It further plans to diversify its product offering by venturing into digitally-enabled secured loans, home loans and credit lines. This also involves expanding its lending portfolio by introducing financial services like BNPL (Buy-Now-Pay-Later) and Insurance, among others.

About KreditBee

KreditBee is India’s fastest FinTech Loan Platform that offers instant personal loans to salaried and self-employed individuals, where they can avail loans up to ₹2 lakhs as per their requirement. With a strong focus on online tech-based and data-centric KYC, KreditBee envisions solving the financial inclusion gap in the varied demographic segments of the country.

The platform is backed by a Systemically Important NBFC Krazybee Services Private Limited, registered with RBI since May 2017, as well as various debt & platform partners. KreditBee is a brand of Finnovation Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd and is currently a Series-C funded entity with a cumulative fundraise of over USD 200 Million. It is backed by some key VC firms and investment entities like Azim Premji’s Premji Invest, Motilal Oswal Private Equity, TPG-backed NewQuest, South Korea’s Mirae Asset Venture, and US-based Alpine Capital.

Signify Launches EcoLink Air Purifier With UV-C Technology In India

* Expands EcoLink brand to Air Purifier segment, offering dual benefits of purification and disinfection using HEPA filters and UV-C technology

* UV-C has been used for more than 35 years as a fast and effective disinfectant for air, water and surfaces

* In a test set up, EcoLink Air Purifier inactivated 99.99% airborne pathogens[1]

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, today launched its EcoLink Air Purifier with UV-C technology in India. This air purifier is designed to purify and disinfect air at the same time and is equipped with a HEPA filter and UV-C lamps. While the HEPA filters help purify the air by removing dust, pollen and other particulate matter, the UV-C technology helps to inactivate airborne pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. UV-C is a well-established method of disinfection, used to prevent the spread of diseases by disinfecting air, water and surfaces. All bacteria and viruses tested to date respond to UV-C disinfection[2].

After expanding the EcoLink portfolio earlier this year by introducing a range of EcoLink fans, the company has now grown its footprint in the electrical goods segment by launching its air purifier in the country.

As per an air quality report released by a Swiss organization, IQAir, 22 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, including 14 in the top 15, are in India[3]. 

Local sources of pollution such as vehicles, industrial emissions, construction and stubble burning result in high concentrations of PM2.5 (ultrafine particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) in the air. Additionally, indoor air pollutants like dust mites, mold spores, bacteria and viruses can result in a wide variety of adverse health effects such as several diseases, headaches and respiratory disorders. Further compounding this problem is the current pandemic. A recent report in the medical journal Lancet[4] also highlights a consistent and strong evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 is also predominantly transported through air.

The EcoLink Air Purifier with UV-C technology provides an effective solution to this problem by offering dual benefits of air purification and disinfection. It follows a two-step process, wherein the air first passes through an H12 HEPA filter, that filters out dust, allergens, spores, pollen, pet dander and other particulate matter. 

Next, the hi-powered UV-C lamps inside the chamber emit UV-C radiation, inactivating all known bacteria, viruses and other microbes giving out pure and healthy air. 

The UV-C lamps are placed inside the HEPA drum which in turn also helps to inactivate microbes and pathogens that maybe trapped in the filter itself.

A single unit can purify a standard size room in just ten minutes[5]. The unit comes with a user-friendly and intuitive one-touch panel displaying fan speed, temperature and air quality index (AQI). It is safe to use, easy to maintain and has automatic indicators for UV-C lamp and HEPA filter replacements. The unit is available in a black or white version and comes in three sizes: small, medium and big, for efficient performance in a variety of room sizes. The UV-C technology used in the purifier has been validated by Boston University to effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as other bacteria and viruses[6].

Talking about the new launch, Sumit Joshi, CEO and Managing Director, Signify Innovations – South Asia, said, “With growing evidence about the air-borne transmission of COVID-19, we need to pay close attention to the quality of the air we breathe. While air purifiers can eliminate indoor air pollutants, the urgent need of the hour is a device that not only purifies air, but also disinfects it. We have leveraged our 35 years of expertise in UV technology to develop this device that addresses the growing need for air purification and disinfection in a world that is still reeling under the pressure of COVID-19. With this launch, we are reinventing the air purification category by adding a layer of UV-C protection against respiratory infections caused by air-borne viruses and bacteria including SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.”

Signify has been at the forefront of UV technology for more than 35 years and has a proven track record in developing innovative UV-C disinfection solutions. UV-C breaks down the DNA or RNA of microorganisms including viruses and bacteria, rendering them harmless.

About Signify

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers and lighting for the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact connected lighting systems and data-enabled services, deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. With 2020 sales of EUR 6.5 billion, we have approximately 39,000 employees and are present in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We achieved carbon neutrality in 2020, have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for four consecutive years and were named Industry Leader in 2017, 2018 and 2019. News from Signify is located at the Newsroom, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

Dream Capital To Infuse US$250M In The Indian Start-Up Ecosystem

* Multi-stage investment strategy to nurture the next generation of unicorns

Dream Capital (DreamCap), the Corporate Venture Capital and M&A arm of Dream Sports, today announced a corpus of US$250M to unlock the high growth potential of startups in sports, gaming and fitness-tech industries in India. Over the past one year, DreamCap has already invested in 8 start-ups in India, such as SoStronk, DreamGameStudios, Elevar, FanCode and DreamSetGo.

As the Corporate Venture Capital and M&A arm of Dream Sports, DreamCap will follow a multi-stage investment strategy ranging from US$1M to $100M ticket sizes, with in-depth coverage of the sports, gaming and fitness-tech sectors. Through its selective process, DreamCap is looking to support start-ups with disruptive technology, great products, data insights and the potential to achieve at least US$100M individually in annual revenues within five years. To date, it has assessed over 250 start-ups and invested in 8 companies. Some representative investments include the acquisition of DreamGameStudios (formerly known as Rolocule) - a mobile gaming studio building best-in-class sports games, as well as a minority investment in SoStronk - a B2C Esports platform for all competitive gamers and Elevar - a D2C performance sports footwear and equipment brand. DreamCap is also doing large follow-on rounds in DS incubated businesses like FanCode and DreamSetGo.

While talking about the capital investment strategy, Harsh Jain, CEO & Co-Founder of Dream Sports, said, “Dream Sports has a collective user base of 125 million sports fans, and we recognise the great growth opportunities in sports, gaming and fitness-tech in India. As entrepreneurs ourselves, we are here to back other entrepreneurs through Dream Capital and provide them with access to our 125 million-strong user base and operational support from our expert team of CXOs.”

Added Dev Bajaj, Managing Director, Dream Capital, said, “As a multi-stage CVC, we provide patient capital plus deep tactical insights to startups to increase their probability of success. Our aim is to complement entrepreneurs with our strategy, product, and marketing knowledge that is not typically accessible at an early stage.  

DreamCap is always looking to add talent to its team of entrepreneurs and VC/PE professionals with a passion for sports and gaming.”

Dream Sports is at the intersection of sports, gamification and technology with over 125M users. It has already made an impact in the sports ecosystem fuelled by the growth in digital infrastructure. However, this only scratches the surface of India’s potential, leaving a plethora of white spaces yet to be explored - specifically in the areas of Sports, Gaming and Fitness. A robust demand, a large market of fans, and a complementing pool of talent place India at an advantage to become a global hub for these fast-growing industries and unlock its enormous population’s economic value.

About Dream Sports:

Dream Sports is India’s leading sports technology company with brands such as Dream11, the world’s largest fantasy sports platform, FanCode, a premier digital sports platform that personalizes content and commerce for all sports fans, Dream Capital, a CVC and M&A arm, DreamSetGo, a sports experiences platform, and DreamPay, a payment solutions provider. It has founded the Dream Sports Foundation to help and champion sportspeople and is an active member of the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports, the nodal body for the Fantasy Sports industry in India. Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream Sports has a mission to ‘Make Sports Better’ and is located in Mumbai. Dream Sports has been consecutively featured in the Top ‘Great Places to Work’ as the only sports tech company since 2018.

Force Motors Registers Sales Growth Of 181% In The April-July Period

 * The company also registered growth of 243% in Exports  

Force Motors Limited registered a sales growth of 172% in the domestic market and 243% in exports during April - July 2021. The company sold (domestic plus exports) 6,486 units in the period April to July 2021 as compared to 2,311 units sold in the first four months of the previous year.  

EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 stood at Rs. 51 Cr. as against Rs. (44) Cr. for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, indicating a growth of 214%. 

The company continued to consolidate its leadership position in the Large Vans segment. It witnessed growth on the back of bulk purchases of its Ambulance range made by various state governments, hospitals and service providers to enhance the healthcare infrastructure. The All-new Trax Ambulance was well received and is establishing itself as the “best value for money” patient transport ambulance on account of its rugged build and all terrain capability.   

Speaking on the company’s sales performance, Mr. Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors Ltd. said, “The pandemic severely impacted our key segments like tour and travel, staff transport and school bus which have still not revived. We salvaged the situation by quickly responding to the urgent need of strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in the country. Despite restrictions imposed by the lockdown, we ramped up our ambulance production capacity five-fold and executed multiple triple-digit requirements from order to delivery in less than a week. We also initiated actions to acquire a broader consumer base and increase our reach through various digital platforms. These efforts made in the previous quarters have yielded positive results”. 

About Force Motors Limited 

Force Motors was established in 1958 by Shri N. K. Firodia, with the vision to provide affordable commercial transport for the masses by harnessing the best available technology and offering economical, reliable, and efficient products. 

Today, Force Motors is a fully vertically integrated automobile company manufacturing automotive components, aggregates, vehicles, and agricultural tractors. Its ‘Traveller’ and ‘Trax’ vehicle ranges are market leaders in their respective segments. 

Force Motors is the flagship of the company group headed by Dr Abhay Firodia which has 15 manufacturing units across the country and a 12,000-strong workforce. 

Force Motors is the only company in the world that produces engines for both Mercedes and BMW. In March 2018, it entered into a JV with Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG to manufacture in India and supply worldwide their 10/12-cylinder S1600 engines (545 to 1050hp) for power generation and under floor rail applications. 

Michelin 295/ 80R22.5 X® Multi™ Z2 Tyres For Bus Applications Launched In India

Michelin, the world’s leading tyre company announced the launch of MICHELIN 295/ 80R22.5 X® MULTI™ Z2, the latest addition to Michelin’s best-selling range of commercial vehicle tyres in India. Packed with latest revolutionary technologies, this “Made in India” all-position tyre fitment for Regional and Highway bus operations offers market-leading safety features and mileage.  

Gaganjot Singh, President of Michelin Africa, India and Middle East Region said: “In line with our global strategy of Sustainable Mobility, we continue to boost our portfolio in India with products that are fuel efficient, safe and have longer life. MICHELIN 295/80R22.5 X® MULTI™ Z2 meets a complex set of specifications by incorporating Michelin’s latest patented technologies that brings uncompromised safety performance to our targeted customers and to help meet their delivery timing and efficiency. Adoption of this new tyre will help bus fleet owners to increase productivity and improve their business’s total cost of ownership. I am convinced that this new offer from Michelin will stir the bus tyre markets across India with its exceptional high performance and value to fleet customers”  

CUSTOMER BENEFITS OF MICHELIN 295/ 80R22.5 X® MULTI™ Z2 

TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP 

MARKET LEADING TYRE MILEAGE: Self-regenerating tread design reduces wear rate to prolong tread life up to 30%** 

EVEN WEAR: Reinforced tread plies to flatten contact patch and improve uneven wear. 

MULTI-LIFE: Reinforced bead, thanks to Duracoil technology enhances bead endurance for multiple retreadabality 

STRONG SAFETY PROFILE 

SUPERB HANDLING: Self-regenerating tread design for better vehicle control in all driving conditions. 

ALWAYS IN CONTROL: Reinforced tread plies that help reduce the risk of sudden pressure loss for better vehicle control. 

DURABLE: Strengthened bead endurance for reduction in tyre damages linked to repetitive long distance high-speed usage. 

ONTIME PERFORMANCE 

CONTINUOUS MOBILITY: Self-regenerating tread design improves mobility in all weather conditions 

EXTENDED USAGE: Infinicoil technology extends mobility even when punctured 

MORE UPTIME: Stronger bead endurance for reduction in tyre damages linked to continuous usage cycle 

PERFORMANCE AND VERSATILITY, FROM NEW TO THE END OF THE TYRE’S WORKING LIFE 

All X® MULTI™ tyres feature the 3PMSF symbol which indicates better grip performance in all weather conditions. Even when part worn, with just 2mm of remaining tread depth, MICHELIN X® MULTI™ tyres continue to benefit from 3PMSF certification (***). 

Like all Michelin truck and bus tyres, MICHELIN X® MULTI™ tyres can be regrooved and retreaded, thereby contributing to Michelin’s ‘Everything Sustainable’ plan. 

Extended tyre life in-line with circular-economy thinking allows truck operators to reduce both their running costs and their environmental footprint, while still benefiting from the maximum potential of their tyres. 

The new MICHELIN 295/ 80 R22.5 X® MULTI™ Z2, is now available at Michelin’s authorized truck tyre dealers’ outlets across the nation.  

*With Multiple retreads using Michelin Recamic tread bands along with regular alignments and vehicle maintenance as per Michelin User  Manual 

**Based on internal Michelin mileage tests conducted versus same size tyres from a leading international brand in India.  

*** Michelin internal study done by UTAC,in June 2020. Traction-performance test on snow (3PMSF) on aVolvo FH42TB- 2018 equipped with MICHELIN X® MULTI™ X Multi Z2 tyres). Results may vary according to road and weather conditions.