Highlights Key Initiatives Of Chalet Hotels In Their First ESG Report

By Mr Rajneesh Malhotra, COO, Chalet Hotels

As Benjamin Franklin once said, "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." No business ecosystem is more crucial than the elements of nature itself. Experts and authorities the world over have initiated campaigns to spread awareness and encourage citizens to do their bit to develop a sustainable ecosystem.

The tourism sector is a broader ecosystem that encompasses businesses such as hotels, airlines, restaurants, transportation, entertainment, and several other industries engaged in supporting travel, lodging & food service. As per UNWTO, tourist transportation accounts for an estimated 75% of total tourism emissions, accounting for 5% of all manufactured emissions and more than 20% of all transport-related emissions. The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the tourism industry to refocus on resiliency, sustainability, and interconnectivity among varied stakeholders. As a result, worldwide trends such as clean energy, green architecture, and sustainable waste management reflect today's environmentally conscious travelers' consumption patterns. In 2021, it is crucial to promote the hotel industry's significant role in lowering the carbon footprint. It includes adapting to practices and values that encourage waste removal, increasing reusable energy, and discarding hazardous products.

The hospitality industry has been mostly cognizant and respectful of the environment & has acted responsibly for several years, however more needs to be done. Hotels have been investing in green infrastructure and sustainable operations & this trend is likely to become even stronger, with spends increasing. The ongoing pandemic has accentuated the need to 'do more.' The hospitality industry realizes the importance of accelerating the adoption of innovative solutions to reduce carbon footprint and create a cleaner, safer & sustainable environment for guests, employees, and the community at large. Green buildings designed with a focus on overall health hygiene and safety provide a safe working environment for employees and instill confidence amongst the guests.

Today's guests are very eco-conscious as they care about the impact of tourism-related consumption on the environment, making carefully evaluate their choice of hotels. As a result, they prefer brands that take initiatives to protect and preserve the environment. This awareness is mainstream, and therefore, new projects have been designed keeping the consumer trends in mind. All the stakeholders, including the architects/designers of today, realize the value of creating a lasting change and implement processes encompassing environmentally friendly elements. Hotel developers must track consumer sentiment and be up-to-speed with the new generation of hotel users; they must incorporate consumer expectations regarding the environment & sustainability in the hotel design. 

Most of the green products used while developing the property come with performance indicators and metrics that are measurable. At Chalet Hotels, we ensure that the products used are certified by the concerned authority and meet the industry benchmarks. Some of our hotels, such as JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar and Whitefield Bengaluru, are already gold LEED-certified, and we endeavor to have all our hotels get the certification

Sourcing of power from renewable resources, responsible consumption of energy & water, and treatment of used water & other waste have been identified as critical areas of focus considering the impact of our industry on the environment. As an outcome of these efforts, our Company has achieved consistent year on year reduction in unit consumption per room of power and water. In the fiscal, 51% of the energy used in our operations was via renewable sources. We have been a zero wastewater discharge Company for the past many years, and additionally, the Company has achieved a consistent reduction in the use of single-use plastic. Chalet has now committed to EV 100, a Climate Group initiative on environmental impact which focuses on accelerating the transition to Electric Vehicles. We have also committed two other initiatives of Climate Group - EP100 on energy productivity and RE100 on renewable energy.

Even in a year of adversity, Chalet has kept its commitment to the environment.

Watch India's Most Popular Influencers Battle It Out On MYn’s Clash Of The Creators

MYn, a made-in-India for the world application, aiming to reimagine the social media landscape, presents ‘Clash of the Creators’ – an exclusive series featuring India’s most popular digital content creators engaging in a fun and fierce battle on unique and quirky topics. Each battle focuses on a particular genre, like food, fashion, comedy, etc., with engaging and relatable content for audiences. Clash of the Creators is a signature IP of MYn developed to provide audiences with interesting and appealing content.

The first battle sees creators Manish Bhatia (MB's Mancave) and Sanjay Ghosh (Cocktails India) flaunt their bartending skills. Sanjay creates a Punjab culture-infused cocktail, Udta Gabru, while Manish crafts a Kolkata culture-infused cocktail, Bapok Old Fashioned. The tandoori flavoured Udta Gabru is crafted with Charcoal, Cinnamon Stick, Whiskey 100 pipers, Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice, Lime Wedge, Ice and Soda, while, Bapok Old Fashioned flaunts the flavour of Bourbon Whiskey, with Rosogolla, Paan Leaves, Areca Nut (Supaari), Meethi Supaari with dash of Angostura Bitters. All MYn users can follow the channel and rate the video of their favourite contender.

Upcoming battles will see Simran Dhingra, a Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger (Simran Dhingra), and Keerthi Gehlot, a Fashion, Lifestyle and Travel Blogger (Flashes of My Poise) creating signature looks for the MET Gala if it were to take place in India; and Aariz Saiyed (Aariz) and Neeraj Beniwal (Neeraj Beniwal) will take the internet by storm with their comedy skills.

MYn is a committed endeavour to elevate a consumer’s social media experience. The app is designed to revolutionize the current/modern landscape of social media. MYn follows three core principles of 100% privacy, no advertisements and offers a no-commission system, which allows content creators to monetize their content the way they want to (coming soon) and post their content in whatever format they choose. Promising digital safety, the company has activated a 24x7 content & application oderation system.

Mr. Abhisyant Anasapurapu, Head of Marketing, Multi-Verse Technologies, said, “MYn's goal as the next-generation social media app is to empower content creators, allow them to fully realize their creative potential and to create interest-based content that resonates well with audiences. By bringing together India's top content creators on one platform, this battle series aims to engage Indian consumers by creating interesting content that they will have access to only on our app. Providing a non-intrusive online space for social interaction & content creation, we are looking forward to an encouraging consumer response. Kudos to the team for creating this exclusive series.”

He further added, “We will be dropping more interesting content on MYn over the next couple of months, so users can look forward to a rich selection of quirky, fun and informative campaigns.”

MYn App is available for download on App Store and Google Play and also offers a secure, internal communication and collaborative system for enterprises and businesses. If an enterprise or business is keen on creating their work persona (MYwork) on MYn, they can reach out to the team at contact@myn.global.

Link to iOS download: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/myn-own-your-network/id1576660827

Link to Android download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.multiverse.myn

About Multi-Verse Technologies:

Multi-Verse technologies is founded with a vision focused on solving use cases centered at the intersection of citizens, enterprises and governments using cutting edge technologies. Multi-Verse is the launchpad for the revolutionary system, MYn app, that helps citizens and enterprises discover, interact and transact with each other leading to immense possibilities.

Accenture To Acquire BRIDGEi2i, Expanding Capabilities In Data Science, Machine Learning And AI-Powered Insights

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has entered into an agreement to acquire BRIDGEi2i, an artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics firm headquartered in Bangalore, India, with additional offices in the US and Australia. The acquisition will add more than 800 deeply skilled professionals to Accenture’s Applied Intelligence practice, strengthening and scaling up its global capabilities in data science, machine learning and AI-powered insights. The financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.

Founded in 2011, BRIDGEi2i specializes in data-driven digital transformation for companies across industries and global markets by combining data engineering, advanced analytics, proprietary AI accelerators and consulting services. It helps enterprises drive insights for faster and more accurate decision-making, thereby enabling shorter time to value.

Accenture research shows that organizations that are stepping up investments in technologies such as AI and cloud are growing revenue at five times the rate of those not making these strategic investments.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made technologies such as AI core to business success, with scaled investments enabling enterprises to thrive by refocusing on growth during the most disruptive time in their history,” said Sanjeev Vohra, global lead for Accenture Applied Intelligence. “In this rapidly evolving space, constantly building new capabilities is key, and we believe that BRIDGEi2i will further enhance our AI skills and data science capabilities to strengthen how our global network delivers value for clients.”

“BRIDGEi2i is a great example of India's prowess in digital skills.  Its specialised AI capabilities combined with Accenture’s ability to innovate at scale will power our clients’  digital reinvention journeys across the globe,” said Rekha M. Menon, chairperson and senior managing director, Accenture in India.

“The digital enterprise of the future is being reimagined today with AI. At BRIDGEi2i, we believe in diving into the heart of business challenges and driving transformation in its truest sense for our clients by combining our AI capabilities with our digital consulting expertise,” said Prithvijit Roy, chief executive officer and co-founder, BRIDGEi2i. “We are excited to join Accenture and believe that our people and approach will complement their capabilities and help us scale up our impact across industries.”

This acquisition will augment Accenture’s growing analytics, data and AI business around the world, joining the acquisitions of Analytics8 in Australia, Pragsis Bidoop in Spain, Mudano in the UK, Byte Prophecy in India, Sentelis in France, and Clarity Insights, End-to-End Analytics and Core Compete in the US.

Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services — all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 624,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. 

Applied Intelligence is Accenture’s approach to scaling AI for clients by embedding AI-powered data, analytics and automation capabilities into business workflows, accelerating time to value with a powerful global alliance, innovation and delivery network that can deploy and scale AI within any market and industry. 

Former Chairman of SBI - Rajnish Kumar Joins BharatPe Board As The Chairman

* Rajnish Kumar is erstwhile Chairman of India’s largest bank - State Bank of India

* Rajnish to Mentor the BharatPe team on their path to forming a SFB

BharatPe, India’s fastest growing Fintech company, today announced the appointment of Rajnish Kumar on its Board. Rajnish Kumar, one of the most respectable names in the banking industry in India and erstwhile Chairman of SBI, will also be the Chairman of Board. Rajnish will be involved in defining the Company’s short-term and long-term strategy, and also will work closely with the other Board Members and CXOs on key business and regulatory initiatives.  He will also advice and counsel the Management on matters around business performance as well as corporate governance.

Rajnish Kumar is one of the most respectable names in the Indian banking industry. An industry veteran, he has held the position of Chairman of the State Bank of India. He became the Chairman of State of Bank of India in October 2017 and ended his three-year term in October 2020. He has also served as Managing Director (National Banking Group), and the Managing Director (Compliance & Risk) of SBI. The senior bank official previously also headed the SBI Capital Markets Limited (the Merchant Banking arm of State Bank of India) as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, prior to becoming Managing Director in SBI. He is also an independent non-executive director at HSBC Bank, Asia and L&T Infotech.

Commenting on the appointment, Ashneer Grover, Co-Founder and Managing Director, BharatPe said, “It is a matter of great validation and pride for us that one of the biggest stalwarts of the Indian Banking Industry has agreed to join BharatPe as the Chairman of the Board. We look forward to invaluable guidance from Rajnish Kumar as we build India’s largest digital credit provider. We are confident that under his able guidance, BharatPe will attain newer heights and build the best-in-class Fintech for the new India.”

Added Rajnish Kumar, “In just 3 years, BharatPe has come a long way in becoming a trusted name in the financial services industry. It has redefined payments with its products like interoperable QR and has also emerged as the largest B2B lender in the industry. This company has a huge opportunity ahead and it would be great to work closely with its young and talented team to build financial services for the India of tomorrow.”

Natasha Bharadwaj Receives An IMDb STARmeter Award In The “Breakout” Category

* Natasha Bharadwaj receives an IMDb STARmeter award in the “Breakout” category, as determined by IMDbPro data on the page views of the more than 200 million monthly IMDb visitors worldwide

* Previous IMDb “Breakout” STARmeter Award Recipients Include Brie Larson, John David Washington,

* Bill Skarsgård, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Nicholas Braun, and Anya Chalotra

Today, IMDb (www.imdb.com), the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV, and celebrity content, presented an IMDb “Breakout” STARmeter Award to Mumbai Diaries 26/11 star Natasha Bharadwaj. IMDb STARmeter Awards recognize the stars who are fan favorites on the IMDbPro STARmeter rankings, which chart the page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide.

Natasha Bharadwaj recently surged on the IMDbPro STARmeter chart, fueled by her role as Dr. Diya Parekh on the hit Amazon Prime Video series Mumbai Diaries 26/11. First delighting audiences as a contestant on India’s Next Superstars, Bharadwaj went on to join the cast of MX Player’s Pawan & Pooja as title character Pooja. Mumbai Diaries 26/11, a medical drama following hospital workers during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, is currently trending as one of the top web series in India and has an IMDb user rating of 8.8/10 as of October 6, 2021.

“Thank you so much to all the fans who made this award possible because you visited IMDb and IMDbPro to learn more about my work and the incredible projects I’ve been so fortunate to be a part of,” said Bharadwaj. “Playing Dr. Diya Parekh in Mumbai Diaries 26/11 has been the role of a lifetime. I’ve grown up in a medical environment—my mother is a doctor—[and] I feel blessed to have gotten this opportunity and responsibility to portray a doctor. I want to extend my thanks to all the healthcare heroes working so hard to take care of us all, especially during the pandemic.”

“Entertainment fans and professionals around the world are turning to IMDb and IMDbPro to learn more about Natasha Bharadwaj following her breakout performance in this year’s Mumbai Diaries 26/11,” said Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India. “We congratulate Natasha as our newest recipient of an IMDb STARmeter Award and as one of the entertainment industry’s most promising stars on the rise.”

Bharadwaj also shared, “Some of the Indian actors, actresses, [and] filmmakers who have inspired me and my career include Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Imtiaz Ali, Ranveer Singh, [and] Zoya Akhtar, to name a few. I often look them up on their IMDb pages to learn more about their upcoming projects.”

IMDb users can add the TV series and films from Bharadwaj’s IMDb filmography, as well as other titles, to their IMDb Watchlist at https://www.imdb.com/watchlist.

Previous IMDb STARmeter Award recipients include Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Peter Dinklage, Mindy Kaling, Regé-Jean Page, Alexander Skarsgård, Riz Ahmed, Eiza González, and Olivia Wilde. Learn more about IMDb STARmeter Awards at www.imdb.com/starmeterawards.

Additional insight into trending movies, TV shows, and celebrities, with rankings updated weekly, is available to IMDbPro members throughout the year on both the site (http://www.imdbpro.com) and apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android. IMDbPro, a membership-based service offering a special rate for new members in India, includes comprehensive information and tools designed to help entertainment industry professionals achieve success throughout all stages of their career. IMDbPro offers members the following: detailed contact and representation information; more than 25,000 in-development film and TV titles not available on IMDb; tools to manage and showcase their IMDb profile, including selecting their primary images and the credits they are best “known for;” IMDbPro Track, which allows members to receive personalized entertainment industry news and updates on the people and film and TV projects they want to follow; and a convenient tool that generates custom digital assets to promote their work on social media and other platforms. The IMDbPro Discover tool empowers members to search for entertainment industry professionals based on a variety of key data, experience, and expertise, including credit details, representation, and awards received. With more than 25 new search filters and more than 11 million professional name pages, IMDbPro Discover was created for established industry decision-makers, including casting directors, producers, directors, showrunners, and department heads. IMDbPro Discover includes advanced features to customize, export, and share dynamic lists. To become a member today, visit www.imdbpro.com.

About IMDb

IMDb is the world's most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities. Products and services to help fans decide what to watch and where to watch it include: the IMDb website for desktop and mobile devices; apps for iOS and Android; and X-Ray on Prime Video. IMDb also offers a free streaming channel, IMDb TV, and produces IMDb original video series and podcasts. For entertainment industry professionals, IMDb provides IMDbPro and Box Office Mojo. IMDb licenses information from its vast and authoritative database to third-party businesses worldwide; learn more at developer.imdb.com. IMDb is an Amazon company. For more information, visit imdb.com/press and follow @IMDb. 

Hero Motocorp Launches The New Connected Pleasure+ XTec To Give A Wider Choice Of Scooters To Customers In The Festive Season

Aligned to its aggressive growth strategy in the scooter segment, Hero MotoCorp the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycle and scooters, today launched the new Pleasure+ ‘XTec’.

The Pleasure+ XTec adds to the ever-growing appeal of the iconic Pleasure brand. The new LED projector headlamp - a first-ever feature in the 110cc segment - enhanced aesthetics and a new vibrant paint in Jubilant Yellow bring a fresh appeal to the scooter.

With enhanced technology features such as Hero’s revolutionary i3S Technology, (Idle-Stop-Start System), digital analog speedometer with Bluetooth connectivity with call and SMS alerts, Side-Stand Engine cut off, Metal Front Fender, the rider can master any driving situation with confidence.    

Hero Pleasure+ 110 will be available at Hero MotoCorp dealerships across the country at a starting price of INR 61,900* for LX variant and Pleasure+ 110 XTec starts at INR 69,500*.

*(Ex-Showroom, Delhi).

Malo Le Masson, Head of Strategy and Global Product Planning, Hero MotoCorp, said “The Pleasure+ 110 is a trendsetter and is quickly becoming one of the country’s most admired and popular scooter. The XTec model brings more charm with elegant elements inspired from the Platinum edition, more durability with the front metal fender, more comfort with a branded seat backrest and a boost of technology with the projector LED headlamp, Bluetooth connectivity, and Hero’s patented i3S technology for enhanced fuel efficiency. The Pleasure+ 110 has just become even more desirable!”

Naveen Chauhan, Head of Sales and Aftersales, Hero MotoCorp, said, “The iconic Pleasure brand enjoys a strong connect with the customers. With a host of first-in segment features, the new Pleasure+ ‘XTec’ is surely going to strengthen our scooter portfolio and will bring great cheer to the youth this festive season.”

The Pleasure + ‘XTec’

Projector LED Headlamp

For better illumination, the new Pleasure+ XTec comes with first- in- segment projector LED headlamp. The new headlamp provides 25% more light intensity with a longer and wider road reach and anti-fog advantage that offers maximum on-road visibility in all driving conditions.

Style & Design

The Pleasure+ XTec takes forward the retro design theme and premium chrome additions on Mirrors, Muffler Protector, Handle Bar, Seat Backrest and Fender Stripe. Additionally, the dual tone seat and colored inner panels further enhance its overall style.

Improved Comfort

With a branded seat backrest for the pillion, whether it’s a long journey, or your daily city route, the Pleasure+ XTec keeps its promise when it comes to high-quality comfort.

Enhanced Durability

Over and above the chrome elements that make Pleasure+ a solid ride; it now has an added advantage of a metal front fender that further enhances its durability.

Connectivity

With Pleasure+ XTec, you have everything in sight and under control. The digital analog speedometer with Bluetooth connectivity displays incoming and missed call alerts, new message alerts along with the phone battery status.

New Color theme

Available in seven exciting colors, the Jubilant Yellow specially created for the Pleasure+ XTec ensures even further enhanced exclusivity.

Engine

The Pleasure+ XTec comes with a 110cc BS-VI compliant engine producing a remarkable power output of 8 BHP @ 7000 RPM and torque on demand of 8.7 NM @ 5500 for a high performance ride. Delivering the brand promise of performance and comfort, the new Pleasure+ XTec comes with the i3S patented technology for the highest possible fuel efficiency.

Safety

Ensuring the utmost safety of the rider and pillion, the scooter has a Side-stand visual indication and a ‘Side-stand Engine cut-off’.

Tata Motors Accelerates BEST’s Green Mobility Journey; Completes Electrification Of Worli Depot

Key highlights:

* Fourth depot in Mumbai to be electrified for wider reach of the environment-friendly e-buses

* Worli is the fourth BEST depot in Mumbai to have electric vehicle charging infrastructure after Backbay, Malvani and Shivaji Nagar depots

* Event flagged of by Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Aaditya Thackeray

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, announced the successful installation of the complete vehicle charging infrastructure at the Worli BEST depot. Worli depot will be the fourth BEST depot to be electrified, after Backbay, Malvani and Shivaji Nagar depots, enabling wider reach of the electric buses in the city of Mumbai. Tata Motors has been delivering the electric buses to BEST as per schedule. The inauguration of the Worli depot was held in a grand ceremony in the presence of Mr. Aaditya Thackeray, Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Environment, Government of Maharashtra, Mrs. Kishori Pednekar, Mayor of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mr. Ashish Chemburkar, Chairman, BEST Undertaking committee, Mr. Lokesh Chandra, IAS, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, along with delegates from Government of Maharashtra, BEST and Tata Motors.

Speaking on the momentous occasion, Shri Lokesh Chandra, IAS, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, said, "We are delighted to start operations of electric buses from the Worli depot. The electrification of the fourth depot in Mumbai will enable wider reach of the environment-friendly electric buses and also enable newer routes for the benefit of the passengers. BEST stays committed to the electrification of its fleet and is pleased to be associated with Tata Motors in the feat."

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Rohit Srivastava, Vice President, Product Line – Buses, Tata Motors said, “We are happy to announce the completion of the installation of the complete vehicle charging infrastructure at the Worli BEST depot in association with Tata Power under the unique ‘One Tata’ initiative. Tata Motors has been at the forefront of offering the best technology for alternate fuel and been the leading manufacturer of electric buses in India. We are proud to be associated with BEST for the deployment, maintenance and operations of the complete charging infrastructure along with the supply of the electric buses.”

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 109 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (NYSE: TTM; BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 34 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups, trucks and buses, offering extensive range of integrated, smart and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and amongst the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that fire the imagination of GenNext customers, fueled by state of the art design and R&D centers located in India, UK, US, Italy and South Korea. With a focus on engineering and tech enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused to develop pioneering technologies that are sustainable as well as suited to evolving aspirations of the market and the customers. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by preparing a tailor-made product strategy, leveraging the synergy between the Group companies and playing an active role liasoning with the Government in developing the policy framework

With operations in India, the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia, supported by a strong global network of 103 subsidiaries, 9 associate companies, 4 joint ventures and 2 joint operations as on March 31, 2021, Tata Motors’ commercial and passenger vehicles are marketed in countries, spread across Africa, Middle East, South & South East Asia, Australia, South America, Russia and other CIS countries.