ConfirmTkt Founders At Fireside Chat With Nitya Sharma Celebrating Integration Of Simpl’s 1-Tap Pay With ConfirmTkt

The founders of ConfirmTkt, Sripad Vaidya (right), Dinesh Kumar Kotha (centre), can be seen engaged in a fireside chat with Nitya Sharma (left), Founder and CEO of Simpl, a Merchant First Checkout Network on solving the Indian railways ticketing system through ConfirmTkt.

The fireside chat was organised at Simpl’s headquarters in Bengaluru on Thursday to celebrate the successful integration of Simpl’s 1-tap pay with ConfirmTkt to enable a seamless seat booking experience for millions of customers without any transaction failures.

Talking about the company’s journey over the last 8 years and acquisition by the ixigo group in 2021, the founders underlined the importance of being able to pivot the business model at the right time to ensure the company’s longevity and long-term success. Kotha, responding to questions from the employees of Simpl, shared anecdotes of how without diluting significant stakes in their company, they were able to build a successful and profitable business. “There was a 3 year period when we were actively looking out for investors and our efforts were not yielding results so we resorted to every trick in the book- from taking loans from landlords and service providers to stay afloat”, said Kotha.

“Interestingly, we raised equity free Rs 3 crores during our initial years which helped us continue on our mission”, added Sripad.

GIM, IIM-Bangalore Rated “Top Global B-Schools For Commitment To Responsible, Sustainable Practices”

Switzerland-based agency “Positive Impact Rating” has selected the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) as one top pioneering B-schools in the world for its dedication to responsible and sustainable practices in its latest report on global B-school ratings.  

Apart from the GIM, five other Indian B-schools, namely IIM Bangalore, S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Woxsen University School of Business and the XLRI Xavier School of Management have also scaled the rating agency’s highest level, ‘Level 5’; conferring upon them the much sought after ‘pioneering school’ category among global B-schools.  

Two other foreign B-schools namely, CENTRUM PUCP Business School, Peru and the HKUST Business School, Hong Kong, have also been included by the rating agency in its top ‘pioneering school’ cluster, which also includes GIM and the four other Indian B-schools.  

The latest Positive Impact Rating report 2023 evaluates global business schools based on their commitment to responsible and sustainable practices. The latest report highlights the remarkable achievements of business schools in developing economies, surpassing those in developed economies.  

Prof. Ajit Parulekar, Director of GIM, expressed his belief in the crucial role played by business schools in shaping a sustainable future. "At GIM, we firmly believe that business schools have a critical role to play in shaping a sustainable future. Our curriculum, research endeavours and industry collaborations are designed to instill in our students a strong sense of responsibility towards society and the environment. The recognition in the Positive Impact Rating 2023 reaffirms our commitment to continue fostering sustainability-focused education and making a meaningful difference in the world. This also remind us that being ‘Best for the World’ is more important in today’s context" 

The Positive Impact Rating report 2023 has highlighted GIM's efforts in cultivating a sustainability mindset among its students. The institute's pedagogy prioritises stakeholder engagement and encourages students to address pressing social and environmental issues. GIM's Center for Social Sensitivity and Action serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, allowing students to co-create solutions for societal problems. 

GIM has actively fostered an inclusive learning community, engaging students, alumni, and faculty. Their commitment to continuous improvement is evident through regular feedback sessions that drive innovation in teaching methods, course content and campus facilities. Additionally, GIM's initiatives extend beyond the campus, encompassing environmental, economic and social sustainability. These include a unique biodiversity register and the creation of employment opportunities for the local community. 

GIM's achievement in the Positive Impact Rating 2023 further solidifies the institute’s commitment to nurturing transformative leaders who are expected to drive positive change in the business world. This recognition not only showcases the exceptional performance of business schools from developing economies but also sets an inspiring example for institutions worldwide. 

For more information on the Positive Impact Rating and GIM's accomplishments, visit https://www.positiveimpactrating.org/. 

PNB Organizes “Rajbhasha Convention And Workshop”

Punjab National Bank (PNB), nation’s leading public sector bank, organized a convention and workshop for the Chairman and Secretaries of the Town Official Language Implementation Committees (TOLIC) at its headquarters in Dwarka. On this occasion, the bank released a book “Rajbhasha Path-Pradarshak” published by the Rajbhasha department. 

The event and book launch was attended by Smt. Anshuli Arya, IAS, Secretary in the Rajbhasha Department, Home Ministry, Government of India, as the Chief Guest, PNB MD & CEO, Shri Atul Kumar Goyal, and EDs, Shri Vijay Dube, Shri Kalyan Kumar and Shri Binod Kumar along with other senior officials.  

On this occasion, PNB MD & CEO, Sri Atul Kumar Goel said, “Hindi is the official language of this country and PNB is committed to its advancement. There are 28 NARAKAS functioning in the country which are being effectively coordinated by the PNB. The bank has been expanding its reach by integrating Hindi and other regional languages with its digital products.”  

Smt. Anshuli Arya praised the bank for implementing Rajbhasha and encouraged the bank to continue taking further steps towards integrating Rajbhasha Hindi. 

In this programme, the winners of Kanthasth 2.0 Memory Based Translation competition, Original Book Writing and best NARAKAS Chiefs & member secretaries were awarded by the Chief Guest and the MD & CEO.  

Further, a workshop was conducted by Shri Rajesh Srivastava, Deputy Director, Rajbhasha Dept., Home Ministry on Kanthasth 2.0 which was attended by the NARAKASH Chiefs of the bank, member secretaries and Rajbhasha officers. 

The event was concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Sameer Bajpai, president of NARAKAS Delhi Bank & Zonal Manager. 

De Beers Forevermark Cufflinks Make The Perfect Father's Day Gift

With Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to appreciate the role fathers play in our lives with a gift that speaks to their personal style and enduring presence. A pair of exquisitely crafted cufflinks from the De Beers Forevermark Icon™ Collection holds the perfect symbolism to mark this occasion.

The cufflinks from this collection shine brilliantly like stars in the night sky, reflecting the permanence and strength of a father’s unwavering love. These perfectly crafted cufflinks make the perfect Father’s Day gift. They are a timeless and sophisticated accessory that add a touch of elegance to any formal or professional attire.

The sleek and timeless cufflinks from the Forevermark Icon™ Collection hold a beautiful, natural diamond at the heart of each pair and are crafted with 18k gold. They are available in both enamel and white gold with a guaranteed 3-day delivery while ordering from the De Beers Forevermark website.

“The cufflinks from the Forevermark Icon™ Collection are an ideal Father’s Day gift. They capture the essence of resilience, strength and brilliance, mirroring the remarkable qualities of fathers who inspire us. This collection truly serves as a meaningful tribute to the influence they have had in our lives, the icons who consistently inspire, support, and guide us. Each piece within the collection showcases classic designs and motifs that harmonize flawlessly with the captivating radiance of genuine De Beers Forevermark diamonds,” said Amit Pratihari, Vice President, De Beers Forevermark India.

The Forevermark Icon™ Collection pays tribute to the brand’s iconic motif that has defined it since inception. The collection draws inspiration from the exquisite beauty of the stars in the South African night sky and the iconic outline of a diamond. Each piece is meticulously crafted with delicate settings and motifs that are perfectly complemented by the brilliance of De Beers Forevermark diamonds.

De Beers Forevermark’s commitment to responsible sourcing ensures that each natural 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.

Allen's 30 Students In Top-100 Ranks In NEET Examination

ALLEN students have proved their excellence in the results of the country's biggest medical entrance exam, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG)-2023. Five students of ALLEN have made it to the top-20 AIR Ranks of NEET UG 2023.

Dr. Brajesh Maheshwari, Chairman, ALLEN Career Institute Pvt Ltd said that ALLEN's Parth Khandelwal has secured All India Rank-10 by scoring 715 marks. With this, Parth has topped Rajasthan. Shashank Kumar got All India Rank 14 by scoring 715 marks and has topped Bihar State. Shubham Bansal has secured AIR-16 and topped Uttar Pradesh by scoring 715 marks. Arnab Pati has secured All India Rank-19 with 715 marks and Shashank Sinha has secured All India Rank-20 by obtaining 712 marks. In this way, 5 students of ALLEN have secured ranks in Top-20 ranks at All India level. Along with this, 17 students have secured a place in the top-50. There are 30 students in the top-100 from ALLEN. All these students have a score of 705 or above.

Result celebration was done after the result was released on Wednesday. The toppers from ALLEN Campus at Landmark and ALLEN Satyarth Campus at Jawahar Nagar reached among the students and celebrated their success. During this, Allen Faculties also stayed together. When the toppers shared their experiences with the students, the students applauded their success.

Kotak’s ActivMoney Savings Account Holders To Earn FD Wala Interest Upto 7%* P.A. With ActivMoney

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (“KMBL” / “Kotak”) today announced the launch of its ActivMoney feature which gives customers the benefit of FD like interest up to 7%* p.a., and the flexibility to access their funds anytime! Through ActivMoney, excess funds in the account, beyond a defined threshold, are automatically transferred into a Fixed Deposit, thereby helping customers earn a higher interest on their savings.

According to RBI data, as of March 2023**, the cumulative Savings Account deposit of all scheduled commercial banks in India is Rs 62.9 lakh crore that earns an industry average of 3.5% interest p.a., as against other instruments like Fixed Deposit, Liquid Funds etc. which gives them higher interest for a duration of six months to one year. ActivMoney spruces up interest income on the savings account with a 7%* p.a. interest rate for 180 days as well as no premature withdrawal charges which otherwise are applicable to a Fixed Deposit, thereby offering the customer the best of both worlds.

Virat Diwanji, Group President and Head, Consumer Banking, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “Customer centric products and services is at the core of our business strategy. With ActivMoney, we aspire to change the paradigm of savings culture of Indians by offering customers FD wala interest rate on their savings account while retaining the flexibility to access funds anytime without any penalty on foreclosure.”

Rohit Bhasin, President – Retail Liabilities Product and Chief Marketing Officer, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, "Kotak’s ActivMoney fulfils the needs of young, aspirational consumers seeking higher returns on their savings whilst having the flexibility to access funds whenever needed. ActivMoney makes banking more rewarding and enables consumers to use their savings more efficiently and effectively.”

Once a customer avails the ActivMoney feature in the Savings Account, it automatically transfers the balance above the threshold (defined as per account variant) in multiples of Rs 10,000/- to an FD of 180 days currently at an interest rate of 7%* p.a. In case a customer wishes to use the funds, the entire balance in Savings and FD is instantly available. Thus, a customer earns higher interest up to 7%* p.a. for the time she keeps her savings in FD through ActivMoney and the balance in her Savings Account earns 3.5% p.a. ActivMoney is also available to 811 and Current Account holders.

Default minimum threshold over which the surplus funds earn FD wala higher interest rate is Rs 25,000 for Savings/Salary/811 accounts and Rs 50,000 for Current accounts.

New customers can avail of this facility when they open an account online via www.kotak.com or by visiting the nearest branch while existing customers can sign up through mobile banking shortly or the nearest branch.

*For deposits above 7 days.

**RBI Data: (https://dbie.rbi.org.in/BOE/OpenDocument/1608101729/OpenDocument/opendoc/openDocument.faces?logonSuccessful=true&shareId=3)

T&C Apply. For detailed terms and conditions please visit www.kotak.com

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

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

Kotak Mahindra Group (the Group) offers a wide range of financial services that encompass every sphere of life. From commercial banking to stock broking, mutual funds, life and general insurance and investment banking, the Group caters to the diverse financial needs of individuals and the corporate sector. The premise of Kotak Mahindra Group’s business model is concentrated India, diversified financial services. The bold vision that underscores the Group’s growth is an inclusive one, with a host of products and services designed to address the needs of the unbanked and insufficiently banked.

Kotak Mahindra Group has a global presence through its subsidiaries in UK, USA, Gulf Region, Singapore and Mauritius with offices in London, New York, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Mauritius respectively. As on 31st March, 2023, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has a national footprint of 1,780 branches and 2,963 ATMs, and branches in GIFT City and DIFC (Dubai).

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

TASVA, The Indian Menswear Brand By Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd And Ace Designer Tarun Tahiliani Launches In Bengaluru

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd and ace designer Tarun Tahiliani’s ethnic menswear brand TASVA now marks yet another presence in Bengaluru with its fifth store in the city. Located in the city’s prime shopping area, the store offers a remarkable range of ethnic and wedding wear options for men.

TASVA’s sprawling 3,087 sqft. store in the city features a grand façade, elegant interiors and a range of sophisticated & stylish Indian menswear including the summer range- The Pearl collection. Showcasing a variety of kurtas, bundis, sherwanis, bandhgalas, achkans, churidars, aligarhis, and other garments, all expertly crafted with impeccable attention to detail and design, TASVA celebrates traditional crafts in a contemporary approach with fabrics ranging from silks to cotton to brocades & velvets. Accessories including safas, sarpeches, brooches, pocket squares, buttons, sehras, stoles, shawls and footwear are also available. Beautifully embellished with pearls, chikankari, Ikat prints, Benarasi motifs, the collection explores pastel colours from mint green, ivory, salmon pink, softer tones of yellow to deep blues, jewelled tones and tropical hues.

The store’s design and decor are in keeping with Tarun Tahiliani’s ‘India Modern’ design ethos and reflect the reality that Indian consumers have evolved over the years, and now seek more meaning and expressiveness via their choices. Designed to reflect TASVA’s brand philosophy, the store combines luxurious materials like wood, brass and aged Rajasthani architraves as a portal to a new world of Indian apparel.

Commenting on the launch of the fifth Bengaluru store, Mr. Tarun Tahiliani, Chief Design Officer, TASVA, said, “TASVA has been a long-held dream of mine, made possible via ABFRL. The name itself represents the finest version of oneself, which we have worked hard to accomplish through the brand. For the longest time, I’ve heard that ethnic wear is uncomfortable, and TASVA is an attempt to rectify that. We have designed garments that provide our consumer, the Indian Man, with a fabulously made, internationally constructed, comfortable, well-cut Indian brand with Tarun Tahiliani styling but with complete cost accessibility.”

Commenting on the launch, Sandeep Pal, CEO, TASVA, said: “We are excited to launch our fifth store in Bengaluru. The city is known to celebrate a range of festivities and we are thrilled to bring a fresh perspective to Indian celebratory dressing. In the next few months, we intend on opening more stores across India and expanding our retail presence.”

Shop TASVA at Site No 524, F Block, Ministry of Communications Employees Co-operative Housing Society Limited, Sahakaranagara, Bangalore, Karnataka - 560020

Also be available on www.tasva.com