L&T Limited Wins (Significant*) Order For Its Hydrocarbon Business

The Hydrocarbon Business (L&T Energy Hydrocarbon – LTEH) of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has recently secured an order under its AdVENT (Advanced Value Engineering and Technology) business vertical.

The order is for license plus engineering, procurement and construction (L - EPC) of a Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN) plant along with Weak Nitric Acid (WNA) plant at Gadepan, Kota, Rajasthan from Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (CFCL), a leading fertilizer company in India.

The TAN and WNA plants, having capacities of approximately 240,000 Metric Tons (MT) p.a. and 2,10,000 MT p.a. respectively, will be built under a technology license from CASALE S.A., a privately owned Swiss Company headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland.

Organised under Offshore, Onshore, Construction Services, Modular Fabrication and AdVENT & Asset Management verticals, LTEH offers integrated design-to-build solutions across the hydrocarbon sector to domestic and international customers. With over three decades of rich experience, the Business has been setting global benchmarks in all aspects of project management, corporate governance, quality, HSE and operational excellence.

Background:

Larsen & Toubro is an Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing and Services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide. A strong, customer–focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality has enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.

ABFRL And 1M1B Announce “India’s 1st Green Jobs And Sustainability Accelerator” For Climate Change Action

* This partnership aims to accelerate a sustainability mindset in 1 million youth and advance skills for green jobs 

* Top 20 students will be given workplace experiences and internships at ABFRL and an opportunity to present at the annual 1M1B Youth summit at the United Nations, New York 

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL), one of India’s leading fashion company, in partnership with 1M1B (One Million for One Billion)—India’s largest organization that is developing and mobilizing the future technology workforces, has announced the launch and implementation of the Green Jobs and Sustainability Accelerator program in Climate Change. The program aims to create awareness and encourage the participation of young minds in the fight against climate change. ABFRL partners with 1M1B to mobilize youth for Climate Change action.  

A pilot conducted by ABFRL and 1M1B in January 2023 saw participation from over 545 CBSE schools. Starting from April 20, 2023, the program will be scaled and will be operational in over 25,000 schools and colleges. The goal of the program is to mobilize 1 million youth by 2030 to be valuable contributors to climate change action. 

Traditionally, school curriculums have focused on business theories, valuation, mergers and acquisitions etc. However, currently, social entrepreneurship, impact investing, and climate change financing have changed the business dynamics significantly. Schools around the world have recognized the significance of ESG, Climate Change action and consistently prioritized their inclusion in the classroom. 

ABFRL and 1M1B have embarked on an initiative to institutionalize the entire ecosystem towards Climate Change Action. As part of this initiative, Sustainability Accelerator will encourage the youth to be valuable contributors to climate change action and introduce them to the role of technology in shaping a greener planet, provide top students with an in-person workplace experience and internship at ABFRL to learn about the sustainable practices they follow and get them mentored by global leaders to build prototypes that will lead to a sustainable planet and pitch their innovations. Keeping this in mind, the curriculum has been designed by 1M1B to provide students with a holistic learning experience, focusing on Climate Change Action and aiming to equip students with valuable perspectives and skills that can be applied in the workplace, enabling them to make a positive impact on the environment. 

By incorporating Climate Change Action into the curriculum, ABFRL and 1M1B are taking a significant step towards promoting sustainability and social responsibility, both of which are crucial for the long-term success of any organization. 

As a part of this initiative, ABFRL will give 20 students internships and workplace experience. The Green Jobs and Sustainability Accelerator by ABFRL and 1M1B is a seven-day programme, and students from various schools and colleges will be invited to participate. Various industry partners will engage the students to provide them with internships, workplace experience, and project opportunities in the sustainability space. The top student team will be invited to present their work at UN headquarters in New York this year at the 1M1B Activate Impact Youth Summit. 

Speaking about the partnership Mr. Ashish Dikshit, Managing Director, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd, said, “Education has undergone a sea of change in the last five years, this period has seen more uncertainty in the business world than in the past 50 year and is not immune to the effects of the changing world order, which has significant implications for curriculum and coverage. Hence the focus has shifted towards new areas and cultures, necessitating the development of new theories and case studies. This partnership with 1M1B (One Million for one Billion) will enable the students to understand the evolution of socioeconomics and the needs to new skills and knowledge to understand the Climate Change action. Aditya Birla Fashion and retail will be able to support 20 students and give workplace experiences and internship and mobilize the youth to be valuable contributors to climate change action.”   

Dr Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd and Co-Chair of the Green Jobs and Sustainability Accelerator said, “The future of work is green, and the future of workplaces is the youth of today. The Green Jobs and Sustainability Accelerator is based on the 3 pillars of Sustainability – the purpose of large structures and systems, the purpose of individuals and the purpose of future generations.  ABFRL is the first industry partner to host the top 20 students for various workplace experiences and internships, creating long-term value for our stakeholders.”  

Manav Subodh- Founder of 1M1B (One Million for One Billion) and Co-Chair of Green Jobs and Sustainability Accelerator said “For the past 7 years 1M1B has been training youth on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with over 150 students given the opportunity to present their projects on Sustainability at the 1M1B youth summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The partnership with ABFRL will support scaling this effort across India. We believe that education and first-hand experiences are critical in developing a sustainability mindset and effecting change in today’s youth, who will be part of the future workforce. Recent research shows that if only 16% of high school students received climate change education, we could see a nearly 19 gigaton reduction of carbon dioxide by 2050. According to these estimates, harnessing the power of education could be more effective than just increasing investments in onshore wind turbines or concentrated solar power.” 

“India is a vast country with enormous talent that can be steered towards green jobs right now through programmes like Green Jobs and Sustainability Accelerator,” said Erik Solheim, Advisor to 1M1B ( One Million for one Billion) and former UN Environment Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nations “I’m confident that by 2035, we will have a ready green workforce to address climate change-related issues.” 

 ABFRL will be making a meaningful impact in the lives of the students and at the end of the programme, the student will get exposed to the world of green jobs. 

NueGo Unveils Its Captivating Brand Film Showcasing Their “Commitment To Customers Safety & Comfort”

* NueGo Is India’s Leading Premium Electric Bus Coach Brand From GreenCell Mobility 

NueGo launches its first ever brand film, which primarily showcases the brand's commitment to providing the utmost safety and comfort to its customers. The film, that has been made by the students of Whistling Woods International, is a testament to the brand's determination to raise the industry standards and create something that has never been done before.  

NueGo is India’s leading inter-city electric bus brand from GreenCell Mobility. The campaign skilfully highlights the modern customer requirements and exhibits how NueGo, as a customer-centric brand caters to all the demands of the travellers, safety being one of the most important aspects. The campaign envisages the message of how each traveller on NueGo is offered premium services such reclining seats, lounges in various cities, more leg space, trained staff such as coach hosts, CCTV surveillance, driver monitoring system, on – time departures, speed limit checks and the most important of all, a sustainable means of transport. Additionally, it displays how passengers are taken care of right from the boarding point until they reach their destination. 

Whistling Woods International is Asia’s premier institute of Film, Communication & Creative Arts founded by renowned filmmaker, Subhash Ghai. The 2-minute brand campaign is filmed by 12 students from the institute. The campaign was shot in a record time of 2 days in Indore. The editing, voice-over and music was also created by these students, which was exclusively developed for NueGo, all this was done and delivered within 7 working days. 

Commenting on NueGo’s first ever brand film, Mr. Devndra Chawla, CEO & MD of GreenCell Mobility said, "Our brand film is a fantastic reflection of the unparalleled services that NueGo is offering to our customers. Through this film, we aim to showcase how we go above and beyond to ensure a safe & comfortable travel experience for our customers. We are proud of our team for their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional services, and this film is a testament to their hard work and dedication. We hope that this film inspires our customers to choose NueGo for their future travel needs, knowing that they are in safe hands." 

Speaking on the brand film, Mr. Subhash Ghai, Founder & Chairman, Whistling Woods International said, "Working on NueGo's brand film is an incredible opportunity for the students of Whistling Woods International. Such projects enable them to showcase their creativity and skills and put their education into practice in the real world. This collaboration with NueGo is not only a chance to learn from industry experts but also a reminder that as storytellers, we have the power to shape narratives that inspire positive change. I am proud of our students and thankful to the team at NueGo for offering them the opportunity to understand the nuances of creating impactful content that resonates with the audience.” 

NueGo is the flagship inter-city pan India electric mobility coach brand of GreenCell Mobility which was launched last year. The brand is successfully plying its fleet currently across India primarily on the Bhopal-Indore, Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Dehradun, Delhi-Jaipur, Delhi-Agra, Agra-Jaipur, Bengaluru-Tirupati and Hyderabad-Vijayawada routes, with more routes launching soon. NueGo coaches are fitted with innovative technology and offer end-to-end convenience for inter-city travellers with focus on Safety, Punctuality, and seamless customer experience. 

NueGo is today’s modern, comfortable and a safe way to travel as the brand offers host of safety features such as CCTV surveillance, driver breath analyzer, driver monitoring system and speed limit checks. NueGo coaches go through 25 stringent safety checks including mechanical and electrical inspections. Passengers traveling on NueGo coaches are provided with flight-like experience as each commuter is guided to the pre-allotted seat which has booked, presented with sanitized and fresh disposable rub, water & tissues when on-boarded, mobile charging points, more reclining seats and trained & courteous coach hosts. 

NueGo has released the campaign film curated by the students across its digital platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.  

Campaign Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVNPdRSx4mM 

About GreenCell Mobility Pvt. Ltd: 

GreenCell Mobility (GreenCell) has been set up to become a leading pan-India shared electric mobility player by leveraging proven global experience, developments in e-mobility technology, and the Government of India’s strong push for electrification of transportation in India. 

Greencell Mobility has been promoted by Eversource Capital, India’s leading climate impact investor. Eversource Capital is an equal joint venture between Everstone Group (www.everstonegroup.com), one of Asia’s premier investment manager with assets in excess of US$7 billion across private equity, sustainability and climate impact, logistics, digital and venture capital; and Lightsource bp, a global leader in development and management of solar energy projects. 

Eversource manages India's largest climate impact fund with anchor investments from India's National Investment & Infrastructure Fund and UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 

MAHE, Bengaluru Campus Hosted The 4th Edition of Manipal International Literature And Art Platform (m.i.l.a.p)

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bengaluru organized the fourth edition of Manipal International Literature and Art Platform (m.i.l.a.p), which was scheduled from 6 April to 8 April 2023, at the MAHE Bengaluru campus, Yelahanka. m.i.l.a.p is an annual festival inspired by the long-standing efforts of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) towards appreciation of literature, art, and culture. 

Prof. Ganesh. N Devy, a renowned literary critic, scholar, and recipient of Padma Shri Award, shed light on the perceived idea of the city and accommodating multiplicity of identities. He further spoke about how the idea of a “city” is older than and outlasts the idea of a “nation.”

Prof. Ganesh N Devy said “the historical process of the formation of nations –the nation as a political institution—has been very different from the historical process of the formation of the city as a sociological institution” The nation is an expression of the human race to bring many under a single and well-defined space. The city, on the other hand, is the expression of the desire to bring one into many chronological orders” he added delivering the keynote address for the theme – In Conversation with Bengaluru: Spaces, Intersections, Transitions, and Imaginaries” (SITI) on the occasion.

Prof. Ganesh. N Devy, a renowned literary critic, scholar, and recipient of Padma Shri Award, shed light on the perceived idea of the city and accommodating multiplicity of identities. He further spoke about how the idea of a “city” is older than and outlasts the idea of a “nation”.

Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru campus, in his Presidential address, remarked that Universities like Cities can grow only by accommodation of diversities and ideas. Universities stand the test of time only if it allows for multitude of voices heard, he added.

On this occasion, two books published by Manipal University Press (MUP) were released -Momo by Micheal Ende, translated by Jayashree Kasaravalli and Malekaadina Kathegalu - Stories of the Rainforest by Malvika Tewari.

Post the inaugural ceremony, various venues heralded the start of m.i.l.a.p with masterclasses, panel discussions, film screenings and workshops. Sharachchandra Lele brought the idea of climate change and cities closer, and spoke vibrantly of the contribution a city dweller makes to the changing landscapes of climate. In the panel discussion, “ Fidelity and Freedom,” the panelists spoke about the politics of language and translation. Meanwhile, Prithvi Konanur, the acclaimed director of Pinkeeli screened his 2022 movie Hadinelentu which was followed by an interactive masterclass. The first day of m.i.l.a.p. concluded with the performance of Desdemona Roopakam by Nalanda Arts Studio. 

“We need to introduce visual education right from primary school if we want to build a culture of art appreciation” said Girish Kasaravalli during the Masterclass on Day two. He engaged in discussion with the film enthusiasts about how films play a critical role in exploring the socio-economic and cultural aspects and how the vision of the film maker is above the plot or actors. One must learn to read cinema beyond the plot and that necessitates visual education”, he added. 

The Day witnessed a series of panel discussion - Ooru Suddi: Journalism of, for, by the City with veteran journalists Rasheed Kappan and Meera K discussing various issues related to journalism and its response to city matters. Panels discussions on Queer Bodies: Poetry and Politics; City Inscapes: A Conversation; and Imaging Cityscapes: A Conversation with Artists from Bengaluru  initiated key conversations on multiple facets of the city spaces.  Creative writing workshop – Kathaakammata by Vasudendra engaged budding writers on the art of storytelling through various activities. Day two culminated with the stage performance of the Play - The Caretaker, by Harold Pinter. The play had a magnified lens of understanding the humaneness around the three men, at the same time confronting their realities while engaging politically on the refugee crisis, hierarchical structures, mental health, and politics of space of 1960.

The final day of milap started with the performance-based session on - Dissemination of Bhakti Arts in Southern India: Past and Present by H. S. Shivaprakash and Dharmanna Mahaanth. This was one of the finest panels of all. The integration of performance into the discussion made it a holistic experience.  This was followed by a Masterclass on Urban Life of Caste by Prof.Janaki Nair who gave scholarly insights into the urban life laced by caste through a historical perspective.

The panel on - Spatial, Social, and Economic Inclusion: Migrants in the City with Romal Singh, Prof.Madhu Veeraraghavan and Kalpana, initiated conversation around the question ‘who is a native/migrant? what does it mean to be a migrant in Bengaluru?”.  This penultimate session - Weaving Words: Poetry and Performance and Slam Poetry Poets gave platform to young poets to recite in multiple languages. The three-day event concluded with Talamaddale - Padmavathi Kaalaga by Yaksha Durga Mahila Kala Balaga. The performance articulated a distinctly female experience rather than just imitating the male tradition of Yakshagana.

The three-day festival was attended by literary and art enthusiasts. It was one of the most intellectually stimulating festivals that the city has witnessed in recent times.

Cummins India Showcases 60 Legacy Stories Through An Impactful “60 Years of Powering India” Integrated Digital Campaign

* The campaign garnered a reach of over 1.6 million and engagement of over 553,000. 

Cummins India, a leading power solutions technology provider announced successful culmination of its integrated digital campaign “60 years of Powering India”, an ode to its six decades of successfully powering India’s growth story. The four-month long campaign featured 60 legacy stories capturing key company milestones, its contribution to India’s growth journey, and stakeholder stories and testimonials. The campaign aimed at demonstrating the positive impact that the company has created on its stakeholders, communities, and the planet.  

Conceptualized and executed by Cummins India in collaboration with Zensciences – a digital marketing agency, the social media campaign was a resounding success garnering a reach of over 1.6 million and widespread engagement of over 553,000 from diverse audiences across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. As a part of the campaign, the company also launched - Cummins PowerPods – their first and exclusive podcast channel in collaboration with Timbre Media, a reputed name in corporate podcasts, to present the stories of organizational significance to internal and external stakeholders in a refreshing and personalized way. The campaign had a unique hashtag, #CumminsIndiaAt60, and was culminated with a campaign video, Six Decades of Cummins India. 

Commenting on the campaign, Abhilasha Shukla, Communications Leader, Cummins India said, “In 2022, Cummins India completed the 60-year milestone and we wanted to create a unique digital campaign to celebrate our compelling and distinguished legacy. We collaborated with our leadership team to conceptualize the idea of the '60 Years of Powering India' campaign to highlight the integral role Cummins has played in driving the India growth story over the past six decades. Zensciences and Timbre Media, proved to be invaluable agency partners in bringing the legacy stories to life and delivering an impactful and memorable campaign.” 

Rahul Koul, Co-founder and Partner, Zensciences said, "Working with Cummins India on this campaign has been an absolute delight for Zensciences. We wanted to create a campaign that was inspiring, visually stunning, and emotionally impactful. We mixed different creative formats to tell the stories and showcase the impact that Cummins has made in India over the past six decades. The response to the campaign has been overwhelming and we are grateful for the opportunity to have partnered with Cummins on this journey." 

Celebrate Akshaya Tritiya With The Timeless De Beers Forevermark Icon Collection

* Sparkle with Natural De Beers Forevermark Diamonds on this Auspicious Occasion-

On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya that celebrates good fortune and prosperity, De Beers Forevermark, the diamond jewellery house renowned for its exceptional quality, presents - the Forevermark Icon™ Collection.

During this festive time when precious items are purchased to mark prosperity, the Forevermark Icon™ Collection is the perfect jewellery accessory to compliment the occasion. The collection pays tribute to the iconic motif that has been at the core of the brand since its inception. Originally inspired by the beauty of stars in the South African night sky and the outline of a diamond, the Forevermark Icon™ Collection has been reimagined into a new line of diamond jewellery. Each piece is crafted with delicate settings and motifs that are enhanced by the brilliance of De Beers Forevermark diamonds that sparkle like stars at the centre of each design.

This jewellery collection has been created for those who have a unique sense of self and style. With sixty-two exquisite pieces, the collection includes earrings, chic cufflinks, asymmetric bangles, rings and pendants, all crafted from 18K yellow, white, and rose gold. The collection features ornate openwork, colourful enamel applications, pavé set diamonds, and various diamond shapes. The Forevermark Icon™ collection is a contemporary and effortless fine jewellery collection that can be worn on its own or stacked and layered with other favourite pieces to create a bold yet refined statement. Each piece is designed to be worn every day, making them the perfect gift for a loved one on this auspicious occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Amit Pratihari, Vice President, De Beers Forevermark India, said, "Akshaya Tritiya is a very important festival in India, and we are thrilled to offer our clients the opportunity to mark this auspicious occasion with the classic Forevermark Icon™ Collection. Each piece in the collection has been crafted with the utmost care and features diamonds that have been selected for their beauty and rarity. We believe that our clients will appreciate the timeless elegance of these pieces, which are designed to be treasured for a lifetime."

De Beers Forevermark's commitment to responsible sourcing ensures that each diamond is ethically and sustainably sourced. The brand's rigorous selection process ensures that only the most beautiful and rare diamonds are chosen for inclusion in the collection.

Celebrate Akshaya Tritiya by adding the captivating Forevermark Icon™ Collection to your jewellery collection available at select authorized retailers across India. 

Godrej Properties Had Its Best Ever Quarter For Sales Bookings, Cash Collections, And Project Deliveries

Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) (BSE scrip id: GODREJPROP), a leading national real estate developer, announced key updates for Q4 and FY23.

·         GPL’s highest ever quarterly and annual sales - Q4 FY23 bookings to INR 4,051 Crore and FY 23 booking value grew by 56% to 12,232 crore. Sales volumes for the quarter grew by 19% QoQ in area terms from 4.42 million sq. ft. to 5.25 million sq. ft. Sales volumes for the full financial year grew by 40% in area terms from 10.84 million sq. ft. to 15.21 million sq. ft.

·         GPL’s Cash Collections for FY23 grew 41% to INR 8,991 Crore. Q4 FY23 collections stood at INR 3,822 Crore representing QoQ growth of 127% and YoY growth of 52%. 

·        GPL’s highest ever quarterly and annual project deliveries - Delivered projects aggregating over 10 million sq. ft. across 5 cities in FY23 including 7.6 million sq. ft. in Q4. 

·         GPL’s best ever year for business development- Added 18 new projects in FY23 with a total estimated saleable area of nearly 29 million sq. ft. and total estimated booking value of ~INR 32,000 Crore (i.e. more than double the BD guidance of INR 15,000 Crore of estimated booking value for FY23). This included 5 new projects with an expected booking value of 5,750 Crore in Q4.  

Gaurav Pandey, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, said, “We are delighted that our efforts to take GPL’s operational scale to a new level is meeting success.  Our sales bookings growth of 56% allowed us to register total FY 23 bookings of 12,232 crore, which was 22% ahead of our full year guidance.  We are pleased this sales growth for the year was on the back of both an improving project mix as well as strong volume growth of 40%.  Importantly, our robust sales performance, has translated into record collections growth of 41% to 8,991 crore backed by strong project completions of over 10 million sq. ft. With our business development additions nearly doubling our initial guidance and increasing by over 200% YoY, we will have a stronger launch pipeline in the current year than ever before.  Our teams have built a deep understanding across all the key real estate markets in India and are greatly excited by the potential the next several years offer for us to deliver sustained high-quality performance across all key operating metrics.” 

About Godrej Properties Limited: 

Godrej Properties brings the Godrej Group philosophy of innovation, sustainability, and excellence to the real estate industry. Each Godrej Properties development combines a 126-year legacy of excellence and trust with a commitment to cutting edge design, technology, and sustainability. In FY 2021, Godrej Properties emerged as the largest developer in India by the value and volume of residential sales achieved.

Godrej Properties has deeply focused on sustainable development. In 2010, GPL committed that all of its developments would be third party certified green buildings. In 2020 and again in 2021 and 2022, the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark ranked GPL #1 globally amongst listed residential developers for its sustainability and governance practices. In 2017, GPL was one of the founding partners of the Sustainable Housing Leadership Consortium (SHLC), whose mission is to spread sustainable development practices across the Indian real estate sector. In recent years, Godrej Properties has received over 300 awards and recognitions, including the Porter Prize 2019, The Most Trusted Real Estate Brand in the 2019 Brand Trust Report, Builder of the Year at the CNBC-Awaaz Real Estate Awards 2019, and The Economic Times Best Real Estate Brand 2018.