Lenny Rodrigues Returns To FC Goa, Glan Martins Leaves On Loan

FC Goa have completed the signing of Lenny Rodrigues from fellow Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan, the Club can confirm. The midfielder has put pen-to-paper on a short-term contract with the Gaurs, which will see him remain a part of the Club till the end of this season. 

FC Goa would also like to announce that Glan Martins will leave the Club, having agreed terms with ATK Mohun Bagan on a long-term loan move. 

“I’m delighted to return to FC Goa, having played here for two and a half seasons previously. I had always felt that I had some unfinished business with the team, and hence I’m honoured to have received an opportunity once again. The prospect of performing in front of my home fans again and making them proud excites me as well,” Rodrigues said, after signing on the dotted line for the Gaurs. 

“With the team currently in the top-five in the league, my primary objective would be to contribute successfully to our quest of making it to the playoffs. The ultimate intention is to win the ISL Trophy with FC Goa, and we’re going to work together as a team to get there,” he further added. 

Ravi Puskur, FC Goa’s Director of Football also expressed his thoughts on Lenny Rodrigues’ signing. 

"Lenny is an experienced player who was a constant in our team for the best part of 2.5 years. His arrival gives us a player who has plenty of know-how in high pressure situations and excellent tactical nous. He’s familiar with the team and everyone else around him, so he will take zero time to settle in and will be ready to play and available to the coach for selection from the get go,” he said. 

Homecoming for Rodrigues 

One of the most experienced footballers in India right now, Lenny Rodrigues kick-started his footballing career with the Nagoa-based Fransa-Pax FC’s youth team. Salgaocar FC handed him his first professional contract and later he joined Churchill Brothers where he transitioned from being a forward to a midfielder. 

At Churchill, he won the I-League twice, the Federation Cup and the Durand Cup. He spent six seasons with the Red Machines, before becoming the first-ever pick in the Inaugural ISL Domestic Draft by FC Pune City in 2014. 

Loan stints at Dempo SC, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC followed for the 35-year-old, before the latter snapped him up on a permanent deal in 2017-18, winning the Hero Super Cup and the Federation Cup once again with them at the end of their campaign. 

In 2018, he joined FC Goa for the first time. In the next two years, the midfielder started in each of the 45 games that the Gaurs played, winning the Super Cup once again in 2018-19 and the Hero ISL League Winners’ Shield the following season. During this period, he played alongside Carlos Pena, the Club’s current head coach. 

January 2021 saw Rodrigues move to ATK Mohun Bagan, and now, exactly two years later, he returns to FC Goa for a second stint. Overall, he has made nearly 300 appearances for club and the Indian national team.  

Rental Demand-Supply Mismatch Led To 13.5% Increase In Pan India Average Rent: Magicbricks Rental Index Report Oct-Dec 2022

*  Rental Housing Demand Grew 8.5%, Supply Decreased 17% In 2022

* Pan-India average rent increased 7% QoQ; Gurugram (12.6%), Noida (9%) and Hyderabad (8%) witnessed maximum growth in their average rents. 

* Pan India rental demand decreased 18.1% QoQ, NCR witnessed the maximum dip of 26.6% while Chennai witnessed the least QoQ decline (6%)  

* The Pan India rental housing availability declined 6.3% QoQ 

Magicbricks Rental Index for Oct-Dec 2022 revealed that in 2022, pan India average rent increased 13.5% as rental housing demand increased 8.5% and the supply decreased 17%. Further, pan-India average rents increased 7% QoQ while rental demand decreased 18.1% QoQ. Mapping rental trends across 13 major cities, the report observed that higher renting activity in the initial quarters of 2022 as migrant workforce returned to their work locations, exhausted the existing inventory in many cities.  

The report also observed that NCR registered the maximum dip (26.6%) in rental demand, followed by Mumbai (13.9%), Kolkata (12.3%) and Chennai (6%). Further, all cities tracked by Magicbricks observed a decline in availability of rental units, except Mumbai and Thane that witnessed a QoQ growth of 2.9% and 1.9%, respectively. Greater Noida witnessed the maximum decline in availability (16.1%) while Ahmedabad observed the least decline (1.7%).  

Elaborating on the trends, Sudhir Pai, CEO, Magicbricks shared, “The Indian rental housing market recovered steadily during the first two quarters of 2022, with rental demand peaking during those months. With the start of the new financial year, one can expect the rental demand to pick up again and increasing home-loan rates & economic uncertainty may also encourage prospective homebuyers to defer their purchase decisions and opt for rental homes.” 

The report also observes that Gurugram (12.6%), Noida (9%) and Hyderabad (8%) witnessed maximum growth in their average rents. 

Kotak Mahindra Bank Launches 20th 'Aadhaar On Wheels' Van

* Introduced in Dec’ 2021 in Pune, ‘Aadhaar on Wheels’ is now operational in 20 cities across the country

‘* Aadhaar on Wheels’ service to be expanded to 10 more cities in next few months

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (“KMBL”/Kotak) is announcing the launch of "Aadhaar on Wheels" Van in Bengaluru – a mobile Aadhaar Seva Kendra that will provide convenient Aadhaar services to citizens including senior citizens, the differently abled, and pregnant women, among others.

The “Aadhaar on Wheels” will provide all key services offered by a conventional Aadhaar Seva Kendra such as enrolling for Aadhaar and updation of Aadhaar details – at doorstep of citizens residing in the city.

The Bank has partnered with UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) for this initiative. The vans are manned by an Aadhaar Operator as well as a Bank staff.

At a function organised in the city, “Aadhaar on Wheels” was flagged off by Shri Anup Kumar, Deputy Director General, UIDAI RO – Bengaluru and Mr. Hemal Vakil, Joint President, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

The van will operate within the city limits and provide services to a wide network of residents from various locations such as residential societies, educational institutions, hospitals, government offices, corporate offices, etc. The service will also be available on select holidays.

The van was introduced in Pune in December 2021. Buoyed by the positive response, over the next 12 months, the Bank rolled out “Aadhaar on Wheels” in 20 cities across the country. Further, plans are afoot to expand it to 10 more cities, in the next few months.

Additionally, Aadhaar enrolment and updation related services can also be availed at over 120 bank branches of Kotak Mahindra Bank, across the country.

“We are delighted to launch our 20th “Aadhaar on Wheels” van service for citizens in Bengaluru,” said Mr. Hemal Vakil, Joint President, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. “We’d like to thank UIDAI for their support. Essential for accessing government as well as non-government services, Aadhaar not only bridges digital divide but also helps ensure transparency and accountability. It is arguably one of the most successful biometric programs in the world."

“UIDAI regional office Bengaluru is happy to be associated with Kotak Mahindra bank in launching Aadhaar on Wheels for Bengaluru,” said Shri Anup Kumar, Deputy Director General, UIDAI RO – Bengaluru. “This will go a long way in serving residents of the city, particularly the senior citizen, differently abled persons, etc. this will also help school going children in mandatory biometric update on crossing 5 years and 15 years of age as well as residents in document update after completing 10 years of Aadhaar.”

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited:

Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra Group is one of India's leading financial services conglomerates. In February 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. (KMFL), the Group's flagship company, received banking license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), becoming the first non-banking finance company in India to convert into a bank - Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

The Bank has four Strategic Business Units – Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking and Treasury, which cater to retail and corporate customers across urban and rural India. The premise of Kotak Mahindra Group’s business model is concentrated India, diversified financial services. The bold vision that underscores the Group’s growth is an inclusive one, with a host of products and services designed to address the needs of the unbanked and insufficiently banked. As on 31st December, 2022, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has a national footprint of 1,752 branches and 2,814 ATMs, and branches in GIFT City and DIFC (Dubai).

For more information, please visit the company’s website at https://www.kotak.com/.

Manipal Hospitals Collaborates With FUJIFILM India To Provide Digitized Solutions For Patient Diagnosis

-          Quick access to medical images and reports in any Manipal Hospitals network images can be digitally transmitted as and when required globally

Manipal Hospitals, one of India’s foremost healthcare providers, has entered into an agreement with FUJIFILM India, a pioneer in healthcare technology, to leverage the latter’s innovative digital technology for storing sensitive medical documents and images. Under the long-term agreement, Manipal Hospitals would be provided with a large-scale Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), powered by FUJIFILM India. The PACS eliminates the need for manually storing, retrieving, and sending sensitive information, films, and reports.

In addition, the next-generation system will enable the storage of medical documents and images in secure off-site servers while the PACS software will ensure that such sensitive medical data can be accessed via mobile devices and workstations from anywhere in the world. The deployment will cover 23 hospitals and 45 Teleradiology facilities under the umbrella of Manipal Health Enterprises across the country.

With a modular design, expandable to all future centres of Manipal Hospitals, the state-of-the-art Radiology Information System (RIS) PACS, which has been developed as a part of the engagement, is now available for radiology and cardiology specialities. It is scalable to more clinical specialities and covers three million studies per year currently.

The RIS PACS will provide the following benefits to patients:

* Compliance through quick access to medical images from any Manipal Hospital across India

* Digital access to reports as and when required

* Diagnosis from the choice of radiologist and cardiologist sitting anywhere in the country

Mr. Dilip Jose, MD & CEO, Manipal Hospitals, said, “We are glad to partner with FUJIFILM India, this partnership will further add value to our existing diagnostic portfolio and treatment outcomes. The interoperability that this solution offers will accelerate our progress toward digitization across our network of hospitals. This solution will further help promote the penetration of Manipal Hospital’s clinical healthcare services across its network while making it convenient for both clinicians and patients.”.

Speaking on the association, Mr. Koji Wada, Managing Director, FUJIFILM India, said, “As a trusted healthcare technology provider globally, we are delighted to partner with Manipal Hospitals to bring state-of-the-art digitized technology solutions to patients. Through this association, we aim to provide superior technological medical facilities that can help save lives and encourage patients to become more engaged in their personal care. We are determined to offer the highest standards of innovative and high-quality healthcare solutions in India, further solidifying our commitment to being a socially responsible brand.”

Over 60 Countries To Participate In The IIHM’s 9th International Young Chef Olympiad 2023

* To commence on January 31st in Bangalore/Hyderabad.

IIHM YOUNG CHEF OLYMPIAD 2023 (YCO 2023) is a unique competitive event being held for the ninth time since its inception in 2015, with around 60 countries participating this time. Held under the auspices of the International Hospitality Council, UK, the competition is organized by IIHM, a part of the Indismart Group which is a large conglomerate that operates the IndiSmart Hotels and offers a wide range of services in the field of Hospitality Management Education Training and Consultancy in India and South East Asia.

IIHM has announced the schedule of YCO 2023, which is as follows:

29th January 2023 – IIHM-YCO Global Congress on Sustainability in Hospitality and Tourism at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi

29th January 2023 – Opening Ceremony at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi

30th January 2023 – Round 1 at IIHM Delhi Campus for Group A and B

31st January 2023 – Round 1 for Groups C- F at IIHM Goa, IIHM Bangalore, IIHM Pune, and IIHM Hyderabad Campuses

1st February 2023 – Announcement of Qualifiers for the Grand Finale, Plate Trophy, and YCO Dr. Suborno Bose Challenge; International United World of Chefs at IIHM Kolkata Global Campus

2nd February 2023 – YCO Dr Suborno Bose Challenge competition at IIHM Global Campus Kolkata

3rd February 2023 – Grand Finale at IIHM Global Campus Kolkata

3rd February 2023 – Plate Trophy Finale at IIHM Global Campus Kolkata

4th February 2023 – Awards Nite and Closing Ceremony at Nicco Park Complex, Salt Lake City, Kolkata

After being held in a virtual format for the last two editions, the International Young Chef Olympiad is back in its physical format this time. The 9th YCO is being held between Sunday, 29th January, and Saturday, 4th February 2023 in five cities across India. The Grand Opening Ceremony takes place in Delhi on Sunday, 29th January. The First Round of the competition will take place over the next two days with competitors being split into groups and competitions will be held at in either Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, or Goa. Following Round 1, all the competitors and mentors will be travel to the cultural city of Kolkata for the next stage of the Olympiad. The leading 10 competitors from Round 1 will compete in the Grand Finale; the next 10 competitors filling the 11th to 20th positions will compete for the Plate Trophy and the remaining competitors will take part in the Dr. Suborno Bose Challenge. The 9th International Young Chef Olympiad looks all set to be the mega culinary competition and conclave of the year.

Like every other year, the 9th International IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2023 will constitute a panel of the finest Chef Judges comprising some of the best-known chefs and hospitality stalwarts across the globe. The Chairman of the Grand Jury is the legendary Prof. David Foskett, MBE, and Principal Mentor, Padmashri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. The Members of the Grand Jury include Chef Andreas Muller, Committee Chairman, Culinary Education, World chefs Culinary Education, Chef Peter Jones, MBE, Chef Gary Maclean, National Chef of Scotland, Chef Chris Galvin- Michelin Starred Chef, Chef Sarah Hartnett, renowned Pâtissier and Chocolatier, Chef Steve Munkley, Chef John Wood - Michelin star Chef, Chef Enzo Oliveri -  the Sicilian Chef, Chef Rahul Akerkar, Chef Mario Perera, Executive Chef of The Dorchester London,  Chef Dr Parminder Bali of OCLD, Chef Manjunath Mural - Michelin star Chef from Singapore, Chef Russell Bateman, Head Chef of The Falcon, Castle Ashby, and Celebrity Chef Ranveer Brar.

The Grand Finale’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medallists; the Plate Trophy Winner; the YCO Dr Suborno Bose Challenge Winner and all other Award Winners will be announced at the Closing Awards Ceremony on the evening of 4th February 2023. The Gold winner will be awarded a US$ 5,000 prize, the Silver winner will bag US$ 3,000, and the Bronze winner $2,000 respectively.

The mascot of YCO has been unveiled too. This time it is the Tiger Chef, to inspire all the young aspirants to do their very best in the competition.

About IIHM

IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management) is one of the largest chains of premier hospitality and hotel management schools across India that started its journey in 1994 in Kolkata. IIHM is a part of Indismart Group, the conglomerate that operates Indismart Hotels. IIHM campuses are located across eleven National and International cities with the associate institute IAM-IHM located in Kolkata, and Guwahati. Students passing out of IIHM are armed with an international degree from the University of West London and equipped with global hospitality skills that enable easy placements in any hospitality brand across the world. IIHM is dedicated to its pursuit of excellence in teaching and placements. Real time experience is the key to success in hospitality and that makes the institute popular. In recent years, IIHM has been instrumental in organizing the World’s biggest Culinary Olympiad Young Chef Olympiad, with the participation of over 50 countries, a unique idea, and an initiative inviting young culinary talents across the world. It has MoUs with over 50 countries for student and faculty exchange bringing the best of education to its students from around the World.

The institute has bagged several prestigious awards in the past 29 years. The list includes the Best Education Brand Award from Economic Times consecutively in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. It was also featured in Forbes Magazine as Great Indian Institute and Great Place to Study consecutively in the year 2018 - 2019 and 2019 - 2020. IIHM was also awarded as one among the World's Greatest Brands & Leaders 2015-16 by URS International (IMEA - Process Reviewer PriceWaterhouseCoopers PL) and also received the Best Institute in Hospitality Education 2017 Award by Assocham from Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon'ble Minister of State for HRD (Higher Education), Govt. of India.

We are supported by our  PAN India Snack Partner, McCain Foodservice and for Bangalore Chapter, our YCO partners are  Dollar Equipment,  Sula Wines, VRO Hospitality, Novotel, Ritz Carlton, Grand Mercure Gopalan, Nandus Chicken, EATFIT, Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce, SKAL Bangalore and our Tourism Partners are Karnataka, Kerala & TN Tourism.

The YCO Hyderabad Chapter partners are Telangana Tourism, Telangana Chefs Association,  HRATS - Hotels & Restaurants Association of Telangana State, SKAL International Hyderabad, Churrolto,  Novotel Hyderabad Airport,  Hyatt, Gachibowli, Le Meridien Gachibowli, Hyatt Place Banjara Hills, Bloom Hotels, Isthara, Taro & Tiger Lily, Radisson Blu Banjara Hills, Sula, Pernod Ricard, Taj Falaknuma Palace, Simply South Restaurants Maredumilli, Agromech, Cleanse, Andhra Pradesh Tourism

Our International YCO Judges who would be in Bangalore Chapter are Chef Andreas Muller, The Programme Director (International Cuisine) at VTC, Hong Kong with Chef Anupam Gulati, Director of Culinary, Ritz Carlton, and Vijaitha M.R HOD, South region, F&B Production, IIHM, Bangalore as Technical Judges and  International judge Chef Sarah Hartnett Pastry Chef & Chocolate Consultant, Creator of Hartnett Artisan Chocolate together with Chef Abhijit Saha, Founder, Managing Director & Principal Consultant, Ace Hospitality as Tasting Judges,  and Chef Avijit Ghosh, Director IIPC & Deputy Adjudicator- Bangalore. 

Our International YCO Judges who would be in the Hyderabad chapter are Technical Judges Chef Stephen Carter, Executive Chef, Boodles London along with Chef Chalapathi Rao, Managing Partner Simply South Restaurants, Chef Dharmendra Lamba, Executive Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage, Hotel Trident Hyderabad, Chef Mario Perera, Executive Chef, Hotel, The Dorchester London together with Chef Manjunath Mural, Michelin Star Chef, Singapore will be the Tasting Judges.

Indiassetz Inks Partnership Deal With Wealthy Investment Solution

Indiassetz, India’s first real estate wealth tech platform, and Wealthy, a new age financial investments solutions provider, have signed an MoU to leverage the synergies of their respective core customer segments and offer a holistic wealth management perspective to the combined portfolio. . Real estate wealth, despite being the majority of an individual’s total wealth accumulation, does not get the same management expertise as financial wealth, due to a broad range of market-related factors. This partnership is an attempt to plug those market need gaps and bring a portfolio-based solution approach to an individual’s real estate wealth. .

“The real estate investment landscape has been recording a healthy growth in the last few quarters, especially driven by an uptick in the primary residential real estate sales. We are also seeing an increased appetite among HNIs and NRIs to upgrade and diversify their real estate portfolio to include commercial real estate, fractional ownership, and REITs., I am very excited with the combined potential of this partnership with Wealthy, which when harnessed with our respective digital-delivery capabilities, will certainly bring a
whole new wealth management experience for our customers.” said Shivam Sinha Founder & CEO Indiassetz

As per the broad contours of this partnership, all customers referred by Wealthy will be automatically on boarded by Indiassetz with a complimentary Gold category membership for the first year, and covers five cities – Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

“This is an exciting partnership that brings together an experienced wealth management platform with deep digital infrastructure capabilities along with the complementary support of investors with long track records of success in real estate," said, Prashant Gupta from WEALTHY. "The partnership will help WEALTHY enter the next stage of growth," Two of India’s most reliable services together are committed to unlock a fruitful business partnership”. He said.

About Indiassetz

Established in 2014 by Ex-bankers, Indiassetz is India’s First Real Estate Wealth Tech Platform. With more than 10,000 Clients, and $2 Billion+ in active Assets Under Management, customized advisory, comprehensive range of products, superior execution capabilities, and in-house technology, Indiassetz has grown to become the most trusted Real Estate Wealth Management Company in India. As a rapidly expanding full stack, tech-enabled, research and data-driven organization, Indiassetz is focused on non-institutional clients, delivering unparalleled customer experience, and is armed with a mission to transform real estate wealth management as an investment concept.

Keeping the Customer at the centre, Indiassetz covers the entire gamut of real estate wealth management, through their digital offerings which include, among others – Tenancy Management, Government Liaison Work, Property Advisory, Maintenance, Interiors, Finance, Buy & Sell. Across the experience of buying, owning, and selling a property in India, Indiassetz offers true and professional local representation, efficient management, and expert consultancy.

About WEALTHY

Founded in 2015 by Prashant Gupta and Aditya Agarwal, Wealthy is India’s fastest growing wealth-tech platform for mutual fund distributors, insurance agents and financial advisors. Our platform helps thousands of Wealthy's Partners to deliver quality services to their customers. Wealthy's platform has over 800+ financial products across mutual funds, insurance, FDs, bonds, pre-IPO stocks, PMS, and many more. The large selection of products and our state of the art platform helps Wealthy’s Partners to serve their clients' financial goals.

Bhaichung Bhutia’s Academy Is Set To Organize Football Trials In Bengaluru

Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), powered by enJogo, will conduct trials for its residential academies (boarding schools with football training) in BBFS Arena, HAL Bengaluru on 29th January 2023.

BBFS aims to reach out to football aspirants across the length and breadth of the country through its latest initiative - 100 Trials. 100 Cities. Unlimited Dreams.

The Technical Team has shortlisted 100+ Indian cities to conduct trials based on football popularity and select the best young players for BBFS Residential Academy.

BBFS is India's largest football academy and already provides over INR 2 Crores worth of scholarships for talented footballers under its residential program. There are opportunities to gain up to 100% scholarships covering academics, training, food, lodging, and competitive exposure.  

“This is just the beginning. As our operations grow, we will keep on adding more venues to the list. Eventually, the plan is to cover every district in India,” said Kishore Taid, Co-founder and CEO of Enjogo and Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools. 

BBFS Residential Academies are operational across five cities - Delhi, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Hosur, and Kerala. The trials will happen in two phases - regional and national. After selection in the first phase, the selected footballers will travel to one of the BBFS Residential Academies for the final round.

“We want to reach out to every youngster and allow them to represent us. Through the trials, we aim to find talented footballers and provide them an ideal pathway to reach the top,” said Bhaichung Bhutia, India’s longest-serving football team captain and the Co-founder of BBFS. 

BBFS has developed a robust scouting network where many academy players have played for the India age-group teams, Indian Super League, I-League, and Santosh Trophy teams. Gaurav Bora (Northeast United), Rohit Kumar (Bengaluru FC), Aashique Kuruniyan (Indian national team), and many other international stars started at BBFS and have risen through the ranks.  

Players born between 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2013 are eligible to participate in the trials. The reporting time for the trials is 8:30 AM IST. Footballers must carry their kits and a valid Government ID. A registration fee of INR 100/- is applicable for all attendees.

Download the Enjogo app on your phone and register online for the Bengaluru trials. Aspirants can also contact Siddharth Rawat (+91 7574980867) for any queries.