Toyota Innova HyCross Wins ‘MPV Of The Year’ At Autocar Awards 2023

All New Innova HyCross has been awarded the 'MPV of the Year' at the Autocar Awards 2023 recently held in Mumbai. Uniquely designed to meet the diverse needs of Indian families, the feature laden and versatile All New Innova HyCross is a vehicle for every occasion delivering powerful performance, glamour, toughness, comfort, safety, and advanced technology. This along with its Self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric and gasoline variants make the All New Innova HyCross perfectly poised to meet the varied aspirations of Indian customers.

Commenting on the accolade, Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President, Sales and Strategic Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "We are honored and elated to receive the ‘MPV of the Year’ award for the All New Innova HyCross. We are humbled by the overwhelming response and admiration that the All New Innova HyCross has received, just months after its launch in the Indian market. We are proud to offer our customers a vehicle that meets their mobility needs as well as provides them with a sense of luxury and comfort as the All New Innova HyCross checks all the boxes.”

All New Innova HyCross is powered by  5th Generation Self-Charging Strong Hybrid Electric System with TNGA 2.0 Litre 4-cylinder gasoline engine on a monocoque frame with an e-drive sequential shift delivering a max power output of 137 kW (183.7 HP), providing rapid acceleration and best in segment fuel economy of 23.24 kmpl^. The vehicle also comes with the option of a TNGA 2.0 Litre 4-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a direct shift CVT in select grades delivering an output of 129 kW (171.6 HP) and offering class leading fuel economy of 16.13 kmpl^.

All New Innova Hycross is also loaded with several first in segment features including Paddle shift, Powered Ottoman 2nd row seats, Front Ventilated seats, Air conditioner (Dual zone – front and rear zone), Rear Retractable Sunshade, Electrochromic Inner Rear View Mirror (EC IRVM), Power  Back Door, Dual Function, Daytime Running Light (DRL) and also the TOYOTA SAFETY SENSETM (TSS)** which is introduced first time in India for Toyota vehicles to further enhance safety and provide peace of mind to all customers.

Available in Super White, Platinum White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, Sparkling Black Pearl Crystal Shine, Avant Grade Bronze Metallic and an exciting new color Blackish Ageha Glass Flake, interiors of the All New Innova HyCross come in Black with two new colors - Chestnut with Black and Dark Chestnut, giving an advanced and premium impression.

All New Innova HyCross offers the renowned Toyota experience through a warranty of 3 years/100,000 kilometers and an option of extended warranty of up to 5 years/220,000 kilometers, 3 years free roadside assistance, attractive financial schemes and 8 yrs/160,000 kilometers warranty on the Hybrid battery.

The Innova has been a highly successful model for TKM in India since its launch in 2005. Innova has been a popular choice for customers in the MPV segment, thanks to its spacious and comfortable cabin, reliable performance, and Toyota's renowned safety standards.

ACC Develops High-Quality Temperature-Controlled Concrete, Coolcrete

* Reduces heat of hydration, minimises thermal cracking

ACC Limited, the cement and building materials company of Adani Cement and part of the Adani Group, has formulated a temperature–controlled concrete, ‘Coolcrete’. It has been developed to prevent the rise of the internal temperature of the concrete beyond the specified limits for mass concreting or large pours. It reduces the heat of hydration, minimising the risk of thermal cracking and delayed ettringite formation in mass concrete.

The Peerless Hospital in Kolkata is upgrading its existing medical infrastructure with ‘Coolcrete’. The hospital is building a new block between outpatient and oncology departments for confined cancer treatment by erecting a 1600mm radiation wall using M30 grade RMC at 25°C and a slump of 150 mm-160 mm.

The product has a strength of up to M100 with 550-750mm flow and high segregation resistance. It also ensures the reduction of drying shrinkage and concrete bleeding. Structures built with ‘Coolcrete’ are more durable than conventional concrete structures due to fewer internal cracks and better resistance to water and chloride ingress.

Mr. Ajay Kapur, CEO, Cement Business said, “Our innovative products are developed keeping in my mind the unique needs of our customers. ‘Coolcrete’ and several of our other products are outcome of our best practices and expertise in this domain. We keep innovation at the core of our business and are also mindful of the quality offered, which is beyond comparison. We have always strived to produce superior quality products for our customers to cater to their varied requirements and help them build sustainable structures.”

Adani Cement is committed to building nations with goodness and is making unremitting efforts to become the most innovative, sustainable, and economical cement and building solutions company in India.

Venus Remedies Awarded Saudi GMP Approval For All Its Production Facilities In Baddi

*  The company expects the GMP approval from Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to soon pave the way for marketing authorizations from the largest market in the GCC region as well as other countries in GCC and MENA regions which consider SFDA as reference authority

* Venus Remedies has received three additional facility approvals and successfully renewed four existing facility approvals from SFDA, opening up a massive market for its existing and upcoming product portfolio

In an important endorsement of its world-class manufacturing standards, Venus Remedies Ltd, one of India’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies, has received good manufacturing practices (GMP) certification from Saudi Arabia for all its production facilities at its unit in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. With this, the number of international GMP certifications for Venus Remedies has gone up to 20.

While the Saudi Arabian market happens to be the largest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, this GMP approval is also expected to soon pave the way for marketing authorisations from other countries in GCC and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions which consider the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) as reference authority. Saudi Arabia also happens to be the leading country in the entire Gulf region in terms of quality benchmarks.

The SFDA granted the certification, which included first-time approval for pre-filled Enoxaparin syringes and general injection facilities, and renewed approval for Cephalosporin and Carbapenem antibiotics and liquid and lyophilised oncology drugs, after an extensive review and audit of the company’s facilities. Among the world’s top 10 fixed-dosage injectable manufacturers, Venus Remedies has a fully automated robotic PFS (Prefilled Syringe) machine that ensures optimum quality.

In terms of products, this GMP certification for three more facilities applies to small-volume injectables, dry-powder vials, liquid vials and ampoules, and lyophilised vials.

Hailing the company’s achievement as an opportunity to penetrate faster in the entire Gulf region, Akshansh Chaudhary, Executive Director, Venus Remedies, said, “This accreditation is a major milestone for us and will help us further expand our operations, reach new markets and strengthen our reputation as a trusted provider of high-quality pharmaceutical products. We remain committed to making a positive impact on global health and will continue to invest in our facilities and processes to ensure that we can provide the best possible care to patients worldwide.”

Venus Remedies is well-positioned to build a high-value portfolio of soon-to-be off-patent products in the GCC region as a result of these additional approvals.

Speaking on the development, Saransh Chaudhary, President, Global Critical Care, Venus Remedies Ltd, and CEO, Venus Medicine Research Centre, said, “We are already market leaders for our key antibiotic products in Saudi Arabia, where we have nine marketing authorisations. With the additional renewals, we are looking to expand massively in the GCC and MENA regions.”

Planning to consolidate its position in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries through product registrations and common technical dossiers (CTDs), Venus Remedies has already filed a CTD in Saudi Arabia for Enoxaparin, for which marketing approval is expected shortly. The company is also awaiting marketing authorisation from Saudi Arabia for another six-seven oncology products anytime soon.

Since 2014, Venus Remedies has sold more than 12 million units of drugs in the $7.8-billion Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical market (as of 2021), which is expected to grow to $13.1 billion by 2031 at a 10-year CAGR of 5.4 per cent. The company’s registered products in Saudi Arabia include six antibiotics meant for intensive care units (ICUs) and three oncology products.

About Venus Remedies

Panchkula-based Venus Remedies Ltd (NSE: VENUSREM, BSE: 526953) is among the 10 leading fixed-dosage injectable manufacturers in the world. Having a commercial presence in 60+ countries with a portfolio of 75 products spread over Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Commonwealth States, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean region, the company has nine globally benchmarked facilities in Panchkula, Baddi and Werne (Germany), apart from 11 overseas marketing offices. Its manufacturing units are certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 and OHSAS. The company has also been approved by European-GMP, WHO-GMP and Latin American GMP (INVIMA), among others. Ranked 107th in Asia and among the world’s 500 largest pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, Venus Remedies has won more than 100 patents, 70 trademarks and 12 copyrights for its innovative research products worldwide.

Over 65 Women Biking Enthusiasts Participated In “TVS Eurogrip’s Brunch & Biking Special Edition”

* The flagship community riding event brought together lady bikers of the city for an eventful ride 

With International Women’s Day round the corner, TVS Eurogrip Tyres organised a specially curated edition of its riding event TVS Eurogrip “Brunch & Biking for women riders” of Bengaluru.  The event celebrated womanhood, while also spreading awareness on women’s safety and equality.   

A total of over 65 women biking enthusiasts from across the city participated in the ride. The event was flagged off by Deepak Kamath, renowned adventure rider. The start point was Jyoti Nivas College, Koramangala.   

Women from different age groups, riding various kinds of two-wheelers participated in the ride, the camaraderie and joy among them was a visible treat. The one-hour ride culminated at Ramee Guestline Hotel, Thirumagondanahalli, Attibele Industrial Area where the riders had several engagement activities including a session on safe riding practices.  

Thanking all the women riders, P. Madhavan, Executive Vice President - Sales & Marketing, said, “For us, International Women’s Day is an important day to celebrate women and their achievements, more so the energy and enthusiasm of all riders. After eight successful events of TVS Eurogrip’s flagship community riding property – Brunch & Biking, the Women’s Day special edition is our tribute to today’s ambitious, adventurous, and progressive women.”  

As a safe practice, a two-wheeler mechanic, ambulance / doctor on call, first aid kits and service support were made available during the event. 

Inauguration Of “Heartfulness International Sports Centre” At The World’s Largest Meditation Centre

* Union Minister- Shri Anurag Thakur and Telangana State Minister- Shri Srinivas Goud, Chief National Coach- Shri Pullela Gopichand and Pujya Daaji inaugurate the 54,680 sq ft facility 

Heartfulness in association with Ministry of Sports (Govt. of India), Khelo India, FIT India and Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy inaugurated a one-of-a-kind “Heartfulness International Sports Centre” at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the Heartfulness Headquarters that houses the world’s largest meditation centre. The state-of-the art international sports centre was inaugurated by Shri Shri Anurag Thakur - Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India; Shri Srinivas Goud - Hon’ble Minister of Prohibition & Excise, Sports & Youth services, Tourism & Culture and Archaeology of Telangana; Shri Pullela Gopichand - ace Indian Badminton Coach in the divine presence of Shri Kamlesh Patel ‘Daaji’ – Guide of Heartfulness Meditation Worldwide and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. Sports enthusiasts and Heartfulness volunteers were also present at the event that followed soon after the much-talked about Green Kanha Run.  

The idea of building the Heartfulness International Sports Centre is to promote a love for sports and fitness in a serene location at the world’s largest meditation centre leading to holistic wellness. The sports centre is a facility spanning 54,680 sq feet with the modern infrastructure that included 14 badminton courts, 3 squash courts, a 30-metre swimming pool and a gym. Badminton courts are surfaced with safe flooring materials like wood and rubber. HISC is a payable facility to everyone who wishes to train or utilize the sports centre. Coaches are available for the respective sports for those who wish to learn from experts. The facility is also open to those who wish to use it on a pay and play model with five years being the lower age limit for entry. It will also serve as the sports facility for The Heartfulness Learning Center located nearby with over 1000 students and Kanha Coaching Center. 

Speaking on the inauguration Shri Anurag Thakur said, “I applaud Pujya Daaji’s vision to develop this Center at Kanha as a hub of Sporting Excellence which shall inspire future development of sporting talent for our nation. I also resonate deeply with him and believe sports to be a key integral dimension for cultivating Human Excellence. When imbued with the Heart (heartfulness), Sports offers a potent opportunity for individual, community, societal and national development. In Daajis’ words, when Sport is imbued with the Heart, it takes Sports and the Sportsperson to the next level of his /her growth and evolution. It offers a pathway for holistic development for our society– one that inspires nourishment of individual body, mind and soul and development of our consciousness. This leads automatically towards unfolding of an well integrated yogic lifestyle that epitomizes the concept of “Swasthya” outlined in our traditions.” He added, “Meditation is necessary for mental toughness to compete on the international level. Youth must be motivated by sports and prevented to stray away from the moral path. Only sports and meditation can help in channeling their energies. Govt and society have to play an important role in their fight against drugs. India has the solution to millions of problems – with this soft power of India can heal the world, can show the path to world. Daaji is helping millions of people across the world with greater mission.” 

“Yoga is an Indian culture. The entire world is following yoga today. Bu how many of our Indians are following Yoga? Around the world doctors and scientists are also backing yoga. We have to begin from here. Daaji has brought about Kanha’s meditation centre which is the largest in the world and many big officers and successful people have also joined in the movement to spread the message of yoga and meditation by Heartfulness. Shadnagar area is the highest place in India. It would be very hot in summer a few years ago. After Daaji came here, he brought about water harvesting and changed the landscape. Greenery has gone up by 12-13% when compared to rest of the country. Ground water has risen. We have been receiving good rainfall every year. Once nature is taken care off, diseases go down. We are propping up stadiums, but we need to also spread awareness among people which Daaji is doing beautifully. The Govt. too will support the initiatives in this direction,” said Shri Srinivas Goud.  

Shri Pullela Gopichand said, “Today also happens to mark the inauguration of badminton facility, swimming pool, squash courts, being added sports to the ecosystem. It's been a great place in the last few years, I have seen the transformation happen, today you see green forest this place which was devoid of any planation. More importantly, I have seen transformation of hearts. Thank you Daaji for your wisdom, calm and quiet guidance, it means a lot to have me to be in your presence. For all us here, sport is something close to my heart. Both sports minister here is a testimony to not only spirituality but also sports at Kanha.” 

Shri Kamlesh Patel ‘Daaji’ said, “We all know about looking after our physical health – we look after the body as best as we can. We educate ourselves on it. We discuss, contemplate, discuss to enrich our mind. What about the soul? How do we nourish our soul? It is through dhyan and pranahuti. When pranahuti is transmitted, you feel it inside. When you do meditation regularly, it changes life inside out. In a religious place you only external change – tika, red bands on wrists, incense sticks etc. These are only symbols. The purpose of incense sticks is symbolic of spreading love throughout the world. But unfortunately we stick to the skeleton and miss the significance. Think about it. Think about bringing the inner change. ‘May be the force be with you’.” 

The inauguration was followed by prize distribution to the winners of the Green Kanha Run that took place the very morning at Kanha Shanti Vanam. The Green Kanha Run is Heartfulness’s first edition of marathon this year and saw a turnout of over 3000 participants across 2K, 5K, 10K and 21K run. 

BRILLICA Opens Its First Biggest Luxury Lighting Store In Namma Bengaluru

* Largest store spread over 4500 sq feet

Brillica , one of the  South  India's foremost biggest Luxury Lighting  brands, unveiled its first flagship Showroom  in Namma Bengaluru today. The Store is  located at Brillica Lights, Ground floor,#21,opposite to ITC Gardenia Hotel, Richmond Circle-560027, will be the city’s largest luxury Lighting store, spread over 4500 square feet. The people of Bengaluru  are invited to celebrate the occasion by browsing a large range of  Luxury lighting designs and solutions, and to experience the thousands of possibilities firsthand.

Mr.Mohit Agarwal, CEO, Brillica said, “Buoyed by our successful launch in Hyderabad, we are confident about expanding our presence to Bengaluru. We provide a personalized shopping experience that caters to the unique needs and preferences of our discerning clients. As a trusted name in the lighting industry, we have a reputation for delivering Quality, Innovation, and Sophistication to every project.

Speaking at the occasion Mr. Kamal Agarwal, CFO- Brillica,  Said, “We are confident that the cornerstone of Brillica expertise-affordable design will find favors with the Bengaluru Customers. This new store will be an important contributor for our company's growth”

Brillica, With a legacy of excellence spanning over the years, our luxury lighting stores in Hyderabad and Bangalore offer an unparalleled selections of designer lighting solutions. We are known for our exquisite collection of Chandeliers, Lamps and other lighting fixtures that combine Style and Functionality;

IIITB Mphasis RISE 2023 Highlights The Best In Research And Innovation

Research, Innovation, Society, and Entrepreneurship (RISE), the flagship research-based outreach event, successfully concluded its seventh edition on February 25. The two-day event, which was hosted by the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIITB), was dedicated to showcasing the evolution of research and innovation in the institution. The event was conducted by the Mphasis Cognitive Computing CoE, supported by the F1 Foundation, the CSR arm of Mphasis.

This year's RISE was special as it promised to provide visitors with a bird's eye view of the latest research and innovation at IIIT Bangalore. IIITB-Mphasis RISE 2023 featured an Open House on February 25, which included a keynote from Dr. Subrata Rakshit, Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), followed by four panel discussions.

"RISE Open House gave a focused output of IIITB through all the four aspects-Research, Innovation, Society and Entrepreneurship, thus contributing to the well-being of the society and its ecosystem. Students from schools, engineering colleges, research labs as well as the people from the industry participated in various demos and talks,” said Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIITB.

"At Mphasis, we believe that the key to building a better future lies in bridging the skill gap in the tech sector. By investing in creating such platforms for the current talent pool of budding engineers, we are not only preparing for the challenges of tomorrow but also building a more inclusive and sustainable ecosystem. Through this collaborative effort with IIITB, it’s our attempt towards achieving a common goal of developing a batch of industry-ready talent that can directly contribute towards a stronger economy and a better world. Leveraging next-generation technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence, will be key to achieving this goal in the years to come. And by combining Mphasis' expertise in cutting-edge technology solutions with IIIT-B's commitment to driving social change, we will continue to harness the power of innovation to address some of society's most pressing issues and create a better world for all," said Mr. Srikanth Karra, Chief Human Resource Officer, Mphasis.

IIITB-Mphasis RISE 2023 featured four engaging panel discussions, each dedicated to a distinct theme. The Authors' Panel explored the ins and outs of publishing, providing attendees with invaluable insights into the publishing process. The Recruiters' Panel examined the future of work and how organizations could shape it to drive growth and innovation. The Startups' Panel featured a highly anticipated startup battle, where successful entrepreneurs showcased their journeys and offered advice to aspiring business owners. The Researchers' Panel, titled "NEXTGEN Research," provided a platform for top-level researchers and research administrators to discuss the latest advancements in research and innovation. Attendees had the unique opportunity to gain insights from experts across a diverse range of fields and engage in thought-provoking discussions.

"RISE is a flagship Research based Outreach event. This year is its seventh edition and to commemorate RISE in the silver jubilee year, we had theme-based sessions on trending topics such as digital identity, decisions with data, multi-media and smart environment. The Open House of the event was a quick roundup of the latest research happening at IIITB through the various poster presentations and demos from students of all levels starting from MTech to Ph.D. They were also able to look at the important research that was performed over the last 25 years at IIITB along with the societal impact created by various projects of the institute. Some of the significant innovation and entrepreneurship attempts showcased provided the visitor with an idea of the versatility of our work. Our Future wall provided insight for on what directions various research groups wished to take and their ambitions," said Prof. Shivkumar Malapaka, Orgnising Chair, RISE.

At the MINRO Experience Center, visitors were treated to a diverse range of demos showcasing the latest advancements in technology across several exciting themes. The demos covered topics such as Digital Identity, offering visitors insights into the future of secure digital identification; Decisions with Data, exploring how data-driven insights were transforming decision-making across industries; and Smart Environment, where visitors could experience cutting-edge technology in the realm of environmental sustainability. The demos also covered the themes of Hardware & VLSI, Theory & Computing, Multimedia, and The Base, offering something for everyone interested in the latest advancements in technology.

About IIIT Bangalore

IIIT Bangalore is a premier institute focused on Post-Graduate IT education and research, located in the heart of Electronic City, Bangalore. IIIT Bangalore is graded A+ by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and ranked in the top 70 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for the last four years. The institute was ranked No.1 among India's Best Technical Universities (Private) by India Today. IIIT Bangalore contains state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class faculty, a vibrant alumni community, cutting-edge research facilities and close industry collaborations.

The institute’s specially designed courses make the students cognitive of the current technologies and practices, thereby equipping them with the tools and knowledge to solve contemporary real problems. Since the founding of the Institute in 1998, IIIT Bangalore has enjoyed 100% placement every year, on account of the strong support of the industry and the growing base of talented alumni.

For further information, contact: https://www.iiitb.ac.in/