Leverage Edu’s Co-founder & Global COO, Digvijay Gagneja Presenting UnivalleyOS In London

Leverage Edu, the leading migration-tech platform for higher education, launched Univalley OS, the world's most comprehensive operating system for universities. Univalley OS is a University Saas solution that enables universities to streamline and automate their student recruitment processes, from application assessment to payment tracking to visa issuance.

Univalley OS leverages artificial intelligence to help universities assess applications 10x faster, receive and manage student payments in international currency, and conduct automated credibility interviews powered by AI. Univalley OS also integrates with almost every existing CRM/CMS platform available with universities traditionally and also offers free-of-cost migration for non-compatible softwares.

Akshay Chaturvedi, the Founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, said: "At Leverage, we have had a product-first approach from day zero. We have always been intentional about never building anything for vanity sake. Reverse infact. How to solve for a stakeholder better. How to improve those input line items. How to build a deeper relationship. How to translate into better delight. Etc etc etc. To make student experience increasingly seamless, we have engaged in extensive dialogue with partner universities for the last full year. What we learned was simple: we need to empathise with Universities as much, and solve for them - in an easy, simple, plug-n-play style. And that’s how Univalley.com came together, with my co-founders Digvijay, Aman and their insane teams spending countless hours to build this right up from ground zero to one, I am personally thrilled about everything the students will gain as a result of Universities adopting the Univalley OS." 

Georgia Embassy’s Flagship Education Fair To Open Paths To Study Abroad Journey For Indian Students

* The second edition of the Georgia Education Fair is going to be organized in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai with a core focus on medical and tech courses including MBBS, Dentistry, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and many among others.

To help students step up in higher studies, the Embassy of Georgia is hosting one of the largest foreign education fairs in India. It is the second edition of the flagship event which will be focused on providing strategic support to Indian students to accelerate their journey to study in Georgian universities and colleges.

The event is planned to be held on 1st June in  Bengaluru at Chancery Pavilion Hotel . Around 11 universities from Georgia will be featuring their offerings and courses to 12th cleared students in medical and non-medical streams. Eventually, it will help them choose the right course and institution to pursue their higher studies.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Archil Dzuliashvili, the Ambassador of Georgia said, “The response we got in our first event exceeded our expectations. We are delighted to host another event in just 6 months of time frame to bring all the necessary information about getting admission to a Georgian college under one roof. The day-long fair welcomes students from different cities of India to serve with an abundance of information and help them prepare for their study abroad journey.”

Representatives of all 11 Georgian Universities will include Alte University, Caucasus International University, David Tvildiani Medical University, Caucasus University, East European University, European University, Georgian American University, Georgian National University SEU, Kutaisi University, Teaching University Geomedi and the University of Georgia.

Georgia Education Fair curates exclusive opportunities for Indian Students in both Medical & Non-Medical streams to pursue higher education in leading universities of Georgia. The most sought-after courses by Indian students include MBBS, Dentistry, Computer Science, Undergraduate Medical Doctor Program (MD), BBA and other courses related to Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing and IT (Information Technology), Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Georgia Education Fair will provide participation in its exclusive Admission Fair & Workshop with the in-person participation of the universities. The event will provide comprehensive details on admission procedures, courses, internship opportunities, eligibility criteria, scholarships and fee structure.

Georgia boasts world-class universities with high-quality education and advanced teaching patterns. It offers student-friendly Georgian culture, lifestyle and standard of living with great affordability.

Currently, more than 20,000 Indian students’ study in Georgia and the number is continuing to increase at an unprecedented pace. The safe and conducive environment for students has made Georgia one of the favourite overseas study destinations.

The event is expected to witness a footfall of 10000 students in each city. Students can apply for entry pass through https://forms.gle/URxkJRq1tQkWjFEa6 . Entry is Free for everyone.

JK Tyre Records All-Time High Revenues, Up 22% & Profit Up 31%

Indian Tyre Industry major, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. announced its annual audited financial results for FY2023. The Board has recommended a dividend @ 100% (Rs.2 per share having face value of Rs.2 each).

Commenting on the results, Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), said, “JK Tyre has achieved highest ever revenues of Rs.14,681 crore during FY2023, registering a growth of 22%. This is on account of growth in domestic demand witnessed in key segments, viz., commercial and passenger vehicle tyres. Exports have also performed well, despite global headwinds.

Operating margins improved sequentially in the 4th quarter of the financial year 2023, aided by softening in input costs. We remain optimistic on tyre Industry growth path in coming year, buoyed by uptick in economic activities and the big push in infrastructure growth.

JK Tyre’s subsidiaries Cavendish Industries Ltd. and JK Tornel, Mexico performed well with improved volumes, revenues and profitability.

He further added “with a focus on innovation and a commitment to excellence, we will continue to deliver high-quality and innovative products to our customers. Ultra High Performance Tyre – ‘Levitas Ultra’ range is one of such recent launches, to bolster our product positioning and focus on premiumisation in marketspace”.

Furthermore, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has invested Rs.240 crore (USD 30 Million) in the company by way of CCDs, which reflects its confidence in the future of the company and the Tyre Industry at large.

Aditya Birla Capital Launches ‘Udyog Plus’: An Innovative One-Stop Business Platform for MSMEs

* A comprehensive suite of offerings to fuel MSME growth and success

Aditya Birla Capital, the  financial services business of the Aditya Birla Group, through its lending arm, Aditya Birla Finance, announced the launch of Udyog Plus, an innovative one-stop business platform, designed for MSME customers. This new B2B digital platform offers a wide range of solutions for MSMEs, including financing, protection, investments, advisory and value-added services for managing and growing their businesses.

Udyog Plus is an open marketplace that can be accessed through the financing section of the Aditya Birla Capital website by both existing as well as new customers of Aditya Birla Finance. They can avail the entire suite of financing solutions, from unsecured business loans to customised secured lending and supply chain financing solutions, as well as curated business loans. The 360-degree solution suite of financial services covers financing, insurance, and investment solutions for MSMEs and their entire ecosystem including promoters, owners and employees. In addition, Aditya Birla Capital Ltd., (“ABCL”) had recently collaborated with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to develop and promote a complete set of digital payment options to customers, through its subsidiaries. The payment stack will be made available for the MSMEs as well.

Positioned as a comprehensive one-stop solution, Udyog Plus offers a wealth of useful features and tools to help MSMEs achieve their larger business goals in a seamless manner. The platform is live and offers a completely paperless digital journey for business loans of up to Rs 10 lakh. Udyog Plus is integrated with government e-commerce websites via Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN) and with private e-commerce websites to provide credit facilities to sellers on these platforms.

Aditya Birla Finance has also partnered with leading solution providers to provide a host of value-added services to the MSME customers such as free access to business networking platforms, digital commerce including registration on the ONDC seller network, corporate travel solutions, zero balance bank account, accounting, payroll, and tax filing tools and specialized knowledge content hub.

Commenting on the launch, Mrs. Vishakha Mulye, CEO, Aditya Birla Capital Ltd., stated, “MSMEs are the key growth drivers of the Indian economy, and their contribution towards bolstering India's growth has been commendable. We are committed towards supporting the growth of these businesses and our comprehensive digital platform - Udyog Plus aligns with the government’s goal of building a financially inclusive and Digital Bharat.”

Mr. Rakesh Singh, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Finance Ltd., added, “We are excited to launch Udyog Plus for our MSME customers, which will empower them to achieve new horizons of success. Through this platform, we aim to establish Aditya Birla Finance Ltd., as a trusted partner to our MSME customers to help them experience a seamless way of managing and growing their businesses.”

Aditya Birla Finance already has a strong presence in the MSME segment. The total AUM stood at Rs 80,556 Crore as of March 31, 2023, with exposure to business loans at Rs 40,353 Crore with a 36 per cent year-on-year growth. This platform will enable Aditya Birla Finance to serve MSME customers better and create a winning experience for them while further strengthening its value proposition in the market.

Aditya Birla Capital follows a digital-first approach to drive product innovation, direct acquisition, frictionless customer experience and superior service delivery across its businesses. ABCL has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Aditya Birla Capital Digital Limited (“ABCDL”) to develop an omni-channel Direct to Customer (D2C) platform to serve existing customers, acquire new customers and act as a one stop-solution for delivering PIFA solutions to customers. It has also launched INFINITE, its flagship start-up engagement programme, to co-create solutions with tech-driven start-ups for enhancing customer journeys and increasing operational efficiencies.

About Aditya Birla Capital Limited

Aditya Birla Capital Limited (“ABCL”) is the holding company for the financial services businesses of the Aditya Birla Group.

With subsidiaries/JVs that have a strong presence across Protecting, Investing and Financing solutions, ABCL is a financial solutions group that caters to the diverse needs of its customers across their life cycle. Powered by more than 34,000 employees, the businesses of ABCL have a nationwide reach with over 1,295 branches, more than 2,00,000 agents/channel partners and various bank partners.

As of March 31, 2023, Aditya Birla Capital Limited manages aggregate assets under management of about Rs. 3,600 billion with a consolidated lending book of approx. Rs. 943 billion, and an active customer base of approx. 38 million, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures. Aditya Birla Capital Limited is a part of the Aditya Birla Group, which is in the league of Fortune 500. Anchored by an extraordinary force of over 140,000 employees, belonging to 100 nationalities, the Aditya Birla Group operates in 36 countries across the globe. For more information, please visit www.adityabirlacapital.com

About Aditya Birla Finance Limited, an Aditya Birla Capital Company

Aditya Birla Finance Limited (“ABFL”), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, is among the leading well-diversified non-banking financing services company in India. ABFL offers end-to-end lending, financing, and wealth management solutions to a diversified range of customers across the country. ABFL is registered with RBI as a systemically important non-deposit accepting non-banking finance company (“NBFC”) and is amongst the top five largest private diversified NBFCs in India based on AUM.

As of March 31, 2023, ABFL has a total asset under management of Rs. 805.56 billion and total equity of Rs.114.26 billion. ABFL’s long-term credit rating of AAA (Stable) has been reaffirmed by ICRA in February 2023. ABFL also has a long-term credit rating of AAA (Stable) by India Ratings, Perpetual debt credit rating of AA+ (Stable) by ICRA and AA+ (Stable) by India Ratings (Stable) and short-term credit rating of A1+ by ICRA & India Ratings. ABFL caters to the varied needs of a diverse set of customers across retail, HNI, ultra HNI, micro-enterprises, SMEs, and mid and large corporates. ABFL offers customized solutions in the areas of personal finance, mortgage finance, SME finance, corporate finance, wealth management, debt capital markets and loan syndication.

Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles - Street Rush Event Takes Hyderabad By Storm

Hyderabad witnessed an adrenaline-fueled extravaganza as Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles took to the track with their first-ever Street Rush event. This high-octane gathering left fans and owners spellbound, pushing the boundaries of excitement to new levels. The event, which took place at the Chicane Circuit, proved to be a jaw-dropping spectacle that left its mark on the hearts of all who attended.

Street Rush, a one-of-a-kind rider training program under the brand’s ‘Jawa Yezdi Nomads’ initiative, provided Jawa and Yezdi motorcycle owners with the perfect platform to not just learn better riding skills but also put them to use to unleash the true potential of their machines. Over 150 passionate participants, including 85 riders astride their Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles made the first edition of Street Rush a resounding success.

The action-packed day kicked off with an intensive training session led by none other than Rustom Patel, an eight-time national champion renowned for his prowess in off-road and rally events. Participants delved into the intricacies of riding techniques, mastering motorcycle control, acceleration, throttle control, cornering, turn-in, weight balance, and the art of effective braking. The thirst for knowledge was quenched through hour-long sessions that paved the way for the ultimate test of skills.

Rustom, who had as much fun putting the motorcycles through their paces as he had training the participants, highlighted, “The peppy engines housed in really capable chassis makes these motorcycles perfect for a gymkhana run on a Sunday morning. I particularly enjoyed the Jawa 42 for its nimbleness and the Scrambler for its added grunt and sliding capabilities. I’m sure the participants will return with skills that will make them enjoy their rides more while being safe on the road.”

Once the training session was through, the track came alive with competitive spirit of the riders; it was time for experienced riders and novices alike to race against time, vying for glory and the coveted trophy. The event also served as a gateway for riders to delve into the world of track riding, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Riders connected with like-minded enthusiasts, sharing their experiences and solidifying the motorcycle community in Hyderabad.

In the time-trial format event, three remarkable riders emerged as the top three – Mohd. Abdul Shoeb on Yezdi Scrambler, Sai Saagar Patangay on Yezdi Roadster and Manoj Kumar, also on a Yezdi Roadster. These exceptional riders not only secured their positions as winners but also received exclusive Jawa Yezdi branded riding jackets, helmets, and well-deserved trophies to commemorate their achievements.

Speaking on his achievement for the day, Mohd. Abdul Shoeb said, “The thought of Street Rush sounded very exciting from the beginning and I immediately signed up for it. Although the trophy makes it worthwhile, what I really appreciate is the skills we learnt on the track and the effort put by the whole team giving us a great experience.”

With the success of the first edition of Street Rush, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles now plans to transform it into a national championship, spreading its wings across the nation and adding more cities and rounds to its yearly calendar.

Street Rush is just the beginning of the exhilarating journey under the Jawa Yezdi Nomads initiative. This ground breaking gymkhana event not only equips riders with the skills to conquer urban roads but also grants them the thrill of racing in a controlled environment. Brace yourself, as Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles continues to redefine the boundaries of two-wheeled excitement, uniting riders from all walks of life in a quest for unbridled thrills and unforgettable experiences.

Range Rover Offers New SV Bespoke Service For Greater Personalised Luxury And Refinement

* Enhanced personalisation: SV Bespoke commissioning service offers Range Rover Autobiography and SV clients an extended choice of materials, colour combinations and finishes

* Individually curated: With up to 391 interior material colourways and 230 colours in the SV Bespoke paint palette, as well as a Match to Sample service, clients can make their Range Rover truly unique

* Custom made: SV Bespoke commissioning service represents the pinnacle of personalisation with unique embroidery and detailing available

* Extended range: New plug-in electric hybrids with 404 kW and 338 kW deliver a hushed EV range of up to 121 km (75 miles) and CO2 emissions of 16 g/km for swifter, more serene and efficient progress2

* V8 power: V8 features mild hybrid technology for an improvement in efficiency, while Range Rover SV is now available with powerful new 452 kW version

Advanced innovations: Dynamic Response Pro3 electronic roll control takes composure to the next level while Terrain Response® introduces Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control

*  Elegant beauty: Range Rover can be ordered now. Configure yours here: https://www.landrover.in/vehicles/new-range-rover/index.html

Range Rover is setting a new modern luxury benchmark with the introduction of an SV Bespoke commissioning service, offering clients enhanced levels of personalisation and refinement.

The service is available on Autobiography and SV models, while a suite of enhancements across the line-up maintains Range Rover’s status as the world’s most desirable luxury SUV. Range Rover is the original luxury SUV and has led by example for more than 50 years, combining serene comfort and composure with all-conquering capability.

Further updates to Range Rover include the latest generation Pivi Pro1 infotainment, while the new plug-in electric hybrids are more powerful than before. Range Rover SV is also available with electric hybrid power on the long wheelbase model for the first time, while the flagship V8 features efficiency-boosting mild hybrid technology. A new 452 kW variant is introduced on the exclusive Range Rover SV for ultimate power.

Geraldine Ingham, Managing Director, Range Rover, said: “Range Rover is synonymous with exclusivity and luxury. Now, with the new SV Bespoke commissioning service, we invite our most discerning clients to become the creator of their truly unique vehicle – choosing the finishes they desire and being guided by our Design team. By blending enhanced personalisation with peerless refinement and unmatched capability, Range Rover continues to deliver the ultimate in modern luxury.”

SV BESPOKE

The SV Bespoke commissioning service represents the pinnacle of personalisation and is available on Range Rover Autobiography and Range Rover SV. To achieve their perfect specification, clients can curate their Range Rover at the SV Bespoke Commissioning Suite in the UK, visit selected global retailers or for the ultimate convenience, complete their order online through an exclusive virtual service.

SV Bespoke provides access to a vast range of materials, and interior and exterior finishes. Clients follow a unique and comprehensive seven-step creation process that considers colours, themes, SV exclusive options, materials, veneers and finishers, customisations and personalisation. Each finished vehicle promises to be as unique as its creator, although curated design combinations chosen by the Range Rover Design team are available to help clients make their dreams a reality.

Inside, there are up to 391 material colourways available, while the curated SV Bespoke paint palette comprises more than 230 colours in satin and gloss finishes. Alternatively, the SV Bespoke Match to Sample paint service can replicate any exterior colour request, providing limitless scope for individuality.

The level of craftsmanship available from the experts at SV Bespoke is exemplified by the attention to detail lavished on the Range Rover bonnet and tailgate script, which is available in a range of precious metal finishes including 24ct gold.  

POWERTRAIN CHOICE

Range Rover’s extensive powertrain line-up has also been enhanced. The powerful and efficient plug-in electric hybrid engines feature a new 160 kW electric motor which, when combined with the 3.0 l six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine, produces 404 kW and 338 kW in the P550e and P460e respectively – up from 375kW and 324kW.

The enhanced technology provides improved acceleration in EV mode, reducing the time it takes to reach 100 km/h in pure-electric power by 5.0 seconds. Using both power sources, the P550e can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, compared to 5.5 seconds previously

They are available alongside existing six-cylinder mild hybrid petrol and diesel Ingenium engines, and provide CO2 emissions of 16 g/km with a pure-electric driving range of up to 121 km (75 miles) – up from 113km (70 miles) – delivering an expected real-world range of up to 94 km (59 miles)2.

Electric hybrid power is now available on the long wheelbase Range Rover SV for the first time. Clients have the option to specify the four-seat long wheelbase body design, coupled with the SV Signature Suite option and efficient electric hybrid power, representing the pinnacle of Range Rover luxury.

The effortless V8 uses Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology for the first time. The MHEV system delivers increased efficiency by harvesting energy captured when decelerating and braking, and improved responses as the stored energy is redeployed under acceleration. When combined with other benefits of the system, including smoother operation of the start/stop functionality, these attributes deliver an improvement in CO2 emissions.

A twin turbo V8 MHEV petrol engine is also introduced on Range Rover SV, featuring an enhanced power output of 452kW and 750 Nm of torque, delivering smooth and powerful performance.

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY

Range Rover’s luxurious interior combines effortless connectivity and intuitive technology like never before with the latest generation Pivi Pro1 infotainment. It provides a crisp and intuitive interface, enabling clients to control key vehicle functions via the elegant 33.27 cm (13.1) floating glass touchscreen4.

New sidebars with easy-to-use sliding controls for the volume and climate control provide immediate and precise operation for key functions directly, whatever menu screen is displayed, and approximately 80 per cent of tasks can be performed within two taps of the home screen. Haptic feedback provides an added level of tactility and communication with the user.

Advanced Software Over The Air capability ensures Range Rover is always up to date with the latest software, enabling the vehicle and its features to improve with age.

Following its debut in the Range Rover Sport, Dynamic Response Pro3 takes driving composure to new heights. The powerful electric roll control technology reduces body lean when cornering for a more relaxing and engaging drive, using actuators capable of delivering up to 1,400Nm of torque to each axle.

Range Rover’s unmatched all-terrain capability is also enhanced with the introduction of Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control. A feature of the advanced Terrain Response 2® system, it helps drivers navigate tricky terrain by maintaining steady progress according to the ground conditions. Drivers can select one of four comfort settings and the system intelligently adjusts the vehicle’s speed accordingly, allowing the driver to focus solely on steering a path across tricky terrain.

Emerald Group Invests In Limelight Diamonds To Manufacture & Distribute CVD Diamond Studded Jewellery Globally

As an extension of an existing strategic tie-up between both the Groups, Emerald invests a minority stake in Limelight Diamonds with an objective of establishing Limelight as a vertically integrated brand and jointly manufacture, sell and distribute lab grown CVD diamond studded jewellery in India and international markets. The terms of deal remain undisclosed.

Emerald Jewel Industry has been one of the world’s largest jewellery manufacturers with manufacturing capacities of 48 tons of gold, 50,000 carats of diamonds, 600 kgs of platinum and 70 tons of silver based jewellery annually. On the other hand, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Limited, is India’s largest D2C luxury brand in CVD diamond studded jewellery and is backed by the world’s leading producer of lab grown CVD diamonds - the Bhathwari Group that boast of an annual production of 5 million carats of CVD rough diamonds annually, nearly 30% of India’s overall CVD diamond production.

This alliance shall enable Limelight to leverage Emerald’s 38 years of experience in jewellery designing & manufacturing alongside a dedicated manufacturing setup, access to a wide range of ready design bank of jewellery and access to their network of 300+ distributors and 20,000+ retailers. This coupled with Limelight’s own strength of providing a consistent supply and purest quality Type IIa diamonds will allow Limelight to offer a huge range of the best finish jewellery from India to the world.

 “The purpose is to manufacture and distribute best finish lab grown CVD diamond jewellery. With the strength of our manufacturing, finishing and market distribution together with Limelight’s strength of huge CVD diamond production, I am confident that our customers will be able to make the most of this as a new and incremental business opportunity.” says Mr. K Srinivasan, Chairman and MD, Emerald Jewel Industry India Ltd.

“Awareness on lab grown diamonds is spreading fast in India. The unique & independent personality of lab grown diamonds as a sustainable & environmentally friendly yet affordable gemstone is extremely well accepted in the millennial consumers and is increasingly reflecting in the sales of lab grown diamond studded jewellery across India. With this joint venture, our aim is to introduce unique never seen before designs in the best finish and further strengthen the brand’s penetration of LGD jewellery in India as well as globally” says Mrs. Pooja Sheth Madhavan, MD & Founder of Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds.

Both companies are very excited and optimistic as this partnership will allow them to drive far more impact across the globe by making CVD diamond studded jewellery available. This alliance, will prove to be a game changer in the way the jewellery industry perceives the needs of its customers and how it caters to the market. With this collaboration, both firms are poised to exceed all expectations.

About Limelight Diamonds:

Started in 2019, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Ltd has been India’s leading sustainable diamond luxury brand offering lab-grown CVD diamond-studded jewellery. Headquartered in Mumbai, Limelight has been able to spread its wings in India with a network of over 65+ partners in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Surat, Mumbai, etc. Backed by the world’s largest lab-grown diamond production unit that boasts of rough diamond production of over 5 million carats each year, we come with the strength of a wide range of jewellery for our customers.    

About Emerald Group

Emerald Jewelry India Limited is the result of one man’s dream and unending hard work to grow into ‘World’s Largest Jewelry Manufacturer’ from scratch. Way back in 1984, founder K.Srinivasan started EJIIL in Coimbatore to meet the demands of India’s market that was just asserting itself and finding it’s place as an economy. Rapidly adapting to emerging technology and good innovation helped Emerald propel itself to the top where it sits right now, as one of the World’s Leading Manufacturers. Today, EJIIL boasts a whopping number of unique designs –excess of 500,000, a broad diversification technology used, a 5000 member plus dedicated workforce, 15 exclusive showrooms across various states in India (with many more to come), 82 distributors all over the country, and design centers in Coimbatore, Mumbai, Delhi and Dubai – and is still growing.