CNBC TV18 Honours Late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar With 'In Memoriam Award'

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is humbled to announce that its esteemed Ex Vice Chairman, Late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, has been posthumously honoured by CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards (IBLA). The 18th anniversary of IBLA was conducted on 11th May 2023 at the Jio Centre in BKC, Mumbai.  

Honourable Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs Shri. Hardeep Singh Puri presented the award, thus acknowledging his pathbreaking contribution towards modernising India’s manufacturing sector and exceptional leadership in the Indian automobile industry.  

With an illustrious career spanning over 35 years in the automotive industry, late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar played a pivotal role in steering TKM to become one of the key players in the Indian automotive market. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in the company's remarkable success and sustained growth. Furthermore, as a strong advocate of “Make in India” and “Skill India” missions, several strategic business decisions were undertaken by the company thus manifesting his belief in establishing India as an epicentre for global manufacturing.  

As a firm believer in creating best value to the entire ecosystem, late Mr. Kirloskar was instrumental in initiating several programs for Community development at the grassroot level thereby contributing to “Nation Building” goals while having a clear focus on “Creating a better world”. He was also a promoter of Sustainable Development and believed that competitiveness is at the heart of sustainability. 

Expressing gratitude, Manasi Tata, Vice Chairperson, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “Visionary leadership, humility and an unwavering commitment to excellence by Late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar's has certainly left an indelible mark in the Indian manufacturing sector. He always believed in putting India first and growing with the country which has helped us achieve several milestones in TKM’s glorious 25th year of operations in India. As we accept this award on his behalf, we are inspired to continue his legacy, driving positive change, and shaping the future of mobility. As a visionary leader, he has laid a path for us towards creating a more beautiful & sustainable world for the future generations."  

A mechanical engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Late Mr. Kirloskar served as President of SIAM and President of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). He also had played key role at the National Council for Electric Mobility in addition to being the President of Automotive Research Association of India. 

Along with Late Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, Late Mr. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Late Mr. Cyrus Mistry were also honoured at the ceremony. The jury panel consisted of stalwarts like Kumar Mangalam Birla - Chairman Aditya Birla Group, Uday Kotak - CEO Kotak Mahindra, Sanjiv Mehta - Chairman and MD of HUL, Zarin Daruwala - CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Dinesh Khara - Chairman of SBI, Adar Poonawala - CEO of SII, Rajiv Memani - Chairman of E&Y, V Vaidyanathan - MD of IDFC & Prabha Narasimhan - MD of Colgate. 

Axis Bank Announces The Winners Of Splash 2022 Event

* Six participants won the Pan-India competition on Art, Craft, and Literature 

* Each winner was awarded Rs. 1 lakh, while six runners-up received Rs. 50 thousand each  

Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, today announced the winners for the 10th edition of Splash, a Pan-India competition on Arts, Crafts and Literature. The competition was for children in the age category of 7-14 years. The Bank received an overwhelming response of nearly five lakh registrations, out of which four lakh were for Art, while the remaining were for Craft and Literature categories. These entries were judged in multiple phases and 12 shortlisted contestants were flown to Mumbai to showcase their exceptional talent at the final event. These contestants were also featured in three exciting episodes of Art, Craft, and Literature on Axis Bank's YouTube channel.   

In line with the Bank’s Dil se Open philosophy, the competition was designed to inspire and unleash the creative potential of
children, encouraging them to utilize art as a medium to showcase their ideas on protecting and preserving the environment through the theme "Reimagine, Repurpose, and Reinvent”.   

Commenting on the success of Splash 2022, Anoop Manohar, Chief Marketing Officer, Axis Bank said, “Initiatives like Splash showcase our commitment to generate “open” and meaningful engagement to “create lasting value” in society. By encouraging young talent to rethink, reuse and reinvent their view on how to protect the environment, we are taking a step towards a sustainable future. We would like to thank all the participants for their remarkable contribution; and congratulate the winners of the Splash program this year. This motivate us to keep working and building a better tomorrow.’’

The Bank had strategically partnered with renowned brands such as Byjus, Hamleys, Nobroker hood, Amar Chitra Katha, Intellijelly, Museum of Arts and Photography, Playshifu, and Unimo to promote the initiative. Moreover, the Bank's School Contact Program covered over 1,300 schools nationwide to encourage participation in this program. Through all the cumulative efforts, the campaign reached out to over 50 million participants, surpassing all estimates.

About Axis Bank:   

Axis Bank is the third largest private sector bank in India. Axis Bank offers the entire spectrum of services to customer segments covering Large and Mid-Corporates, SME, Agriculture and Retail Businesses. With its 4,903 domestic branches (including extension counters) and 15,953 ATMs across the country as on 31st March 2023, the network of Axis Bank spreads across 2,741 cities and towns, enabling the Bank to reach out to a large cross-section of customers with an array of products and services. The Axis Group includes Axis Mutual Fund, Axis Securities Ltd., Axis Finance, Axis Trustee, Axis Capital, A.TReDS Ltd., Freecharge and Axis Bank Foundation.

For further information on Axis Bank, refer to the website: https://www.axisbank.com

Ambuja Cements Places Order For Capacity Expansion Of 14 MMT Cement

·         Expand Clinker capacity by 8 Million Tonnes at Bhatapara and Maratha units on highest ESG standards with 42 MW of WHRS, provision to utilize 50% AFR and operate on green power.

·         This will enable production of Blended Green Cement of 14 Million Tonnes, post all requisite approvals.

·         Projects expected to be commissioned in 24 months.

·         Entire expansion CAPEX funded from internal accruals.

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of diversified Adani Group, placed orders to expand Clinker capacity by 8 Million Tonnes at Bhatapara and Maratha units on highest ESG standards with 42 MW of WHRS, provision to utilize 50% AFR and provision to operate on green power.

The capacity expansion projects will enable production of Blended Green Cement of 14 Million Tonnes, post all requisite approvals. These projects will generate substantial value to the existing business and enable more employment and growth opportunities in the States, beneficial for all stakeholders.

These projects are expected to be commissioned in 24 months and the CAPEX will be funded from internal accruals.

Mr. Ajay Kapur, CEO, Cement Business, said, "These brownfield expansion projects are part of our strategy to double our production capacity over the next five years from the current capacity of 67.5 MTPA. Our ongoing investments in capacity expansion and sustainability will enable us to achieve our long-term objectives, as we remain committed to delivering sustainable growth and value to our stakeholders.”

The Company remains committed to achieving significant size, scale, and market leadership with strong emphasis on margin expansion and world-class ESG standards.

About Ambuja Cements Limited

Ambuja Cements Limited, part of the Adani Group, is among India's leading cement companies. Ambuja, with its subsidiary ACC Ltd. has a capacity of 67.5 million tonnes with fourteen integrated cement manufacturing plants and sixteen cement grinding units across the country. Ambuja has been recognized as India’s Most Trusted Cement Brand by TRA Research in its Brand Trust Report, 2023. Ambuja has provided hassle-free, home-building solutions with its unique sustainable development projects and environment-friendly practices since it started operations. The Company has many firsts to its credit – a captive port with four terminals that has facilitated timely, cost-effective, cleaner shipments of bulk cement to its customers. To further add value to customers, the Company has launched innovative products like Ambuja Plus, Ambuja Cool Walls, Ambuja Compocem and Ambuja Kawach under the umbrella of Ambuja Certified Technology. These products not only fulfil important customer needs but also help in significantly reducing carbon footprints. Being an employee friendly workplace, Ambuja Cements has been ranked No. 1 in ‘Best Companies to Work For’ survey in 2022 by Business Today in the Construction and Infrastructure sector.

PayNearby Launches ‘PayNearby Mall’ - A Meta Commerce Platform For Small Businesses And Consumers Ahead Of ONDC Rollout

PayNearby, India’s leading branchless banking and digital network, today launched PayNearby Mall—a meta commerce platform to enable easy availability of good and services, in an assisted mode at the last mile. This will soon be integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform. With this initiative, PayNearby aims to upgrade every retailer, in its million+ active network, to benefit from the ongoing e-commerce revolution, including the ONDC platform.

Within hours of the launch, the company shared that more than 6000+ retailers have upgraded themselves into a mall. More than 100+ retailers have ordered over 250+ orders. The most popular categories included mobile phones and accessories, home appliances, groceries and textiles while many searched for two wheelers also. PayNearby Mall is envisioned as a meta-commerce platform that will empower every retailer and seller, from big merchants and e-commerce platforms to local sellers and small businesses (through ONDC) meet the unmet demand of their customers, both locally and across a wider market PAN India. It will help retailers expand their market, run a more profitable business with no additional working capital requirement and use technology to make all forms of services available at the last mile.

It will also benefit crores of consumers in Bharat with wider choices, giving them a seamless, affordable one-stop-shopping experience at a nearby store. Customers can walk into their nearest PayNearby store and with the help of the local retailer, discover any seller, product or service at the most optimal price point. It will enable an optimal demand and supply match, fuelling the growth of our local economies and overall financial health of our country.

Commenting on the development, Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO, PayNearby, said, “With the past 18 months of work, we are finally thrilled to present PayNearby Mall, an initiative to elevate every trusted small store in Bharat into a super mall. With this feature, we look to empower local sellers and buyers and give them a user-friendly platform to discover products and sellers, compare prices, and make purchases with ease. It will help digitally overhaul small businesses gearing them towards a better livelihood and bringing them at par with the current times. Trust augmented.

With PayNearby Mall, e-commerce will now be accessible, easy and pocket-friendly, allowing retailers in Bharat to offer ‘Sab Kuchh’ from their stores. Retailers will no longer be limited by working capital, store size or shelf space. All they would need is their PayNearby/NeoDukaan app to offer worldwide inventory to their customers, supported by 50+ brands/ partners, at the click of a button. We will soon integrate with ONDC too, so that local goods and sellers can reach their full potential and serve the growing demands of ambitious and unstoppable Bharat at the last mile.

PayNearby Mall is an important step towards our vision of creating a truly digital ecosystem for retail in India. It comes at a time when the retail industry in India is undergoing a rapid transformation. It is a forerunner to our upcoming ONDC initiative, which will further democratise access to digital commerce for businesses of all sizes. We are excited about the potential of this platform to create value for our retail partners and customers alike. We believe that by empowering local retailers, we can accelerate the growth of the digital economy across Bharat and soon make 'Digital India' a reality. PayNearby Mall brings every retailer in the country an opportunity to succeed and actively contribute to India's digital economy and fulfil their Zidd Aage Badhne Ki!”

About PayNearby:

Incepted in April 2016, PayNearby is a DPIIT-certified company and India’s leading branchless banking and digital network. PayNearby operates on a B2B2C model, where it partners with neighbourhood retail stores and enables them with the tools to provide digital and financial services to local communities. PayNearby’s mission is to make financial services available to everyone, everywhere. The company aims to simplify high-end technology so that it can be easily assimilated at the last mile while transforming the lives of its retail partners and customers.

Today, PayNearby, through its tech-led DaaS (Distribution as a Service) network, serves 75% of India and is enabling services like cash withdrawal, remittance, Aadhaar Banking, bill payment and recharges, savings, travel, digital payments, insurance and more. Currently, PayNearby’s 50 lakh-plus micro-entrepreneurs across 20,000+ PIN codes assist 20+ crore customers across the country to the tune of more than ~7500 crores GTV per month.

To know more: www.paynearby.in

Zee24 TAAS Hosted Inaugural Maharashtra Infra Conclave 2023; Emphasizing On Latest Developments In Infrastructure, Upskilling

* Zee24 TAAS Maharashtra Infra Conclave 2023 witnessed the participation of Government dignitaries like Nitin Gadkari, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Uday Samant, Ravindra Chavan

Zee 24 TAAS, one of the leading Marathi news channels of Maharashtra, successfully hosted its first edition of Maharashtra Infra Conclave in Mumbai. The Conclave concluded with a commitment towards addressing the issue of solving potholes issue, boosting employment opportunities through upskilling, use of digital technologies for social and economic development, promoting tourism, the need for sustainable investments, etc.  

The Maharashtra Infra Conclave 2023 inaugural edition was graced by Government dignitaries like Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Tourism & Skill Development, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Uday Samant, Minister of Industries, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Ravindra Chavan, Minister of Public Works (Excluding Public Undertakings), Govt. of Maharashtra and many other prominent policymakers. 

Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India said, “In the next 5 years, India is expected to be the No.1 manufacturing hub of automobiles in the world. India has the potential to be one of the leaders in the world in the field of automobiles in the coming years. We will soon provide water taxi facilities/services between Mumbai and the suburban region of the city.”

Shri Ravindra Chavan, Minister of Public Works (Excluding Public Undertakings), Govt. of Maharashtra further highlighted “We are launching a new app for the common people where one use the GPS facility and share the details of the potholes on any roads and within 72 hours of this complaint the potholes will be filled.”

Shri. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Tourism & Skill Development, Govt. of Maharashtra, discussed the roadmap to boost upskilling, and employment opportunities by investing 4000 Crore to upgrade the ITI’s in Maharashtra and the goal of this Institution will be to modernize the workforce and provide a competing workforce against the engineering talent.

Shri. Uday Samant, Minister of Industries, Govt. of Maharashtra said “1 lakh 37 thousand crore project MOU has been signed for the Maharashtra State in DAVOS earlier this year. The state government has allotted space to the projects worth 57 thousand crores till now and for 47 thousand crores the project space is estimated to be given in the coming days. We are also working on a special act that will be introduced for the growth of industry in the state and under this act Every industrialist will get the necessary Permissions within 30 days.”

Speaking about the success of the Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave, Abhay Ojha, Chief Executive Officer, of Zee Media Corporation Limited, highlighted, “It gives our team immense joy to witness the success of the inaugural edition of this conclave. This further encourages us to continue building a public forum that encourages such in-depth discussions on the latest developments in policy in infrastructure, upskilling, employment and tourism”

Dr. Nilesh Khare, Editor, Zee 24 TAAS, further added, “Through Zee 24 TAAS’ Maharashtra Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave, Govt. dignitaries were able to reveal the challenges faced by the state and also articulate how Infra-development projects can enable a better standard of living for the people of Maharashtra. Zee 24 TAAS will continue to take a stand strong, supporting the Maharashtra official bodies who envision a brighter future in terms of social and economic development.”

Zee24 TAAS Maharashtra Infra Conclave 2023 was Powered by Varad Property Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Energy Partner- Mahagenco, Environment Partner - Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Tourism Partner – Directorate Of Maharashtra Tourism, Associate Partners - Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, Sanjay Ghodawat University, Sudhan Gold Loan, Rajyog Paints, Nyati Group, Profitwala.com by RRA & Mascot Infra - Projects LLP

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India's leading media and entertainment companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional entertainment genres, with 13 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528+ million viewers through its linear and digital properties.

Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHE Launches A New Program: B.Tech. In Mathematics And Computing

Manipal Institute of Technology, a constituent unit of Manipal, MAHE, one of India's premier higher education institutions, has launched an undergraduate program in B. Tech in Mathematics and Computing which is conceived and offered by the Department of Mathematics in collaboration with the Department of Data Science and Computer Applications. 

This program is designed by combining topics from mathematical, computer science and statistical applications. It was launched by Professor Arthur T. Benjamin during his visit to MAHE on 3rd March 2023 and will be implemented from the academic year 2023- 24.  

The purpose of this program allows graduates to gain theoretical knowledge along with practical training in mathematical, statistical and scientific computing. The key highlight of this program is to provide a strong base in classical subjects to prepare the students for research programs and institutes in India as well as abroad. The program emphasises on core subjects as well as specified topics to make the graduates industry ready and to achieve bright careers in reputed organizations.

Commenting on the launch of the new program, Dr. (Cdr) Anil Rana, Director of Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHE, said, “Through this new program, we aim to provide training in the application of mathematics to a wide range of problems. This program came to life after recognising the need for deep mathematics to be involved in both modern scientific investigations and technological advancements. We are hoping this course will help students widen their career prospects by opening positions in the corporate sector in the field of computer-assisted technologies, Indian Statistical Services Commission (ISSC), National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOSPI), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and Statistical Officer (SO) in States Public Service Commission among others.”

Key features of the courses:

Duration of the program: 8 semesters

The graduates will gain theoretical knowledge of and practical training in mathematical, statistical, and scientific computing

Open Electives from various departments across the institute during 5th, 6th, and 7th semesters

Program Electives from the Department of Mathematics, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Department of Data Science & Computer Applications

Minor Specializations focussed on contemporary themes: Applied Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics, Information Management and Analytics, Business Management, and Finance & Security Analytics

Meritorious students with CGPA 8.5 and above at the end of the 5th semester can also opt for B.Tech. Honour.

ONGC Strikes Gold: Successive Discoveries In OALP Blocks Amrit And Moonga On Arabian Sea

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has made discoveries of Oil and Gas in MBS171HAA-1 (MBS171HAA-A)-“AMRIT” in OALP (Open Acreage Licensing Policy) block MB-OSHP-2017/1 in Mumbai Offshore (SW) on the Arabian Sea. There is another remarkable discovery in MBS182HDA-1(MBS182HDA-A) named “Moonga” in OALP exploration Block in Mumbai Offshore. Detailed assessment of the discoveries is in progress. 

With these discoveries, ONGC continues its impressive streak in the OALP blocks by making new discoveries in consecutive years. ONGC Director (Exploration) Ms. Sushma Rawat said that with these notable findings in the OALP I and OALP III rounds, ONGC reaffirms its exploration commitment to unlocking the vast potential of India's hydrocarbon resources along with reserves accretion, strengthening the nation's energy security.

The discovery represents a momentous achievement, underscoring exploration dedication to expanding domestic production and reducing India's reliance on imported oil and gas.

ONGC’s relentless pursuit of exploring untapped regions yielded these finds. By diligently analyzing geological data and employing advanced technologies, ONGC successfully identified substantial oil and gas reserves, reaffirming the untapped potential within the OALP blocks.

In addition to the significant discoveries made in the OALP I and OALP III rounds, ONGC has promptly notified the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOP&NG) about these remarkable findings.

ONGC's proactive approach in notifying the DGH and the MOP&NG reflects the company's commitment to operating within the regulatory framework. This collaborative approach fosters a robust partnership between ONGC and the regulatory authorities, facilitating the efficient and responsible development of India's hydrocarbon resources.

ONGC's discoveries in both the OALP I and OALP III rounds carry significant importance towards energy security by bolstering domestic production. The reduced dependence on imported oil and gas enhances the country's resilience to global market fluctuations, ensuring a stable and secure energy supply.

ONGC's successive discoveries in the OALP blocks awarded under the OALP I and OALP III rounds demonstrate the company's unwavering commitment to unlocking India's hydrocarbon potential. These achievements not only strengthen India's energy security and reduce dependence on imports but also drive economic growth, technological advancements, and environmental sustainability. ONGC's remarkable exploration successes pave the way for a more prosperous and self-reliant energy future for India, cementing its position as a leading player in the global energy landscape.