Thursday, November 2, 2023

ICICI Bank Customers Can Now Pay Using The Digital Rupee App To Merchant QR Code


 ·         Millions of customers across 80 cities will benefit

ICICI Bank has announced that it has enabled millions of customers to pay to any merchant QR code by using the Bank’s digital rupee (e?) app named ‘Digital Rupee by ICICI Bank’. The Bank has made it possible by making its digital rupee app UPI (Unified Payments Interface) interoperable.

This integration empowers customers to scan existing UPI QR code at merchant outlets and pay via the digital rupee app. At the same time, it helps merchants to accept digital rupee payments on their existing UPI QR code, eliminating the need for mandatory on-boarding procedure.

ICICI Bank’s introduction of UPI interoperability on its digital rupee app provides flexibility and convenience to customers. It also expands the usage of digital rupee. ICICI Bank was selected to participate in the first cohort of the pilot project on digital currency launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in December 2022. The Bank is live with this facility in 80 cities across the country.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Bijith Bhaskar, Head- Merchant Ecosystem, ICICI Bank said, “At ICICI Bank, we strive to provide seamless, innovative digital banking solutions to our customers. This new feature on our digital rupee app --‘Digital Rupee by ICICI Bank’-- enables the Bank’s customers to make payments on existing merchant QR code, thereby exponentially expanding the avenues for payments. We are honoured to participate in this yet another significant ecosystem level move towards Digital India.

We believe this initiative will bring a paradigm shift in the future of digital payments in India and promote greater acceptance of digital currency among customers and contribute to an increased volume of transactions through digital rupee.”

Steps to make quick payments through ‘Digital Rupee by ICICI Bank’:

·         Open AppStore or PlayStore to update ‘Digital Rupee by ICICI Bank’ to the latest version

·         Login through the app

·         Click on scan QR option and scan the merchant’s UPI QR code

·         Select the amount and enter the PIN

·         The transaction is done

The ‘Digital Rupee by ICICI Bank' app is available for both Android and iOS devices. The app provides users the convenience of loading their digital wallet from their ICICI Bank savings account. They can also transfer money or make payments to others. The app also loads money to the wallet from the customer’s savings account automatically when the balance in the wallet falls short of a specified amount.

ICICI Bank services its large customer base through a multi-channel delivery network of branches, ATMs, call centres, internet banking (www.icicibank.com), and mobile banking.

For news and updates, visit www.icicibank.com and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ICICIBank

For media queries, write to: corporate.communications@icicibank.com

About ICICI Bank: ICICI Bank Ltd (BSE: ICICIBANK, NSE: ICICIBANK and NYSE:IBN) is a leading private sector bank in India. The Bank’s total assets stood at Rs 17,20,780 crore at September 30, 2023.

ideaForge Lunches ‘Service On Wheels’ Program For Enhancing Customer Support


* First drone manufacturing company in the industry to roll out such program for its customers

ideaForge Technology Limited, a leading global drone technology and manufacturing company announced the launch of its innovative 'Service on Wheels' program. This program is designed to provide an exceptional door-to-door service experience to its valued customers.

The Service on Wheels' program represents a groundbreaking approach to customer support. This initiative introduces a fleet of service trucks, specially customized to cater to customers in areas where ideaForge's service centers are yet to be established or are geographically distant. Primarily targeting hilly and remote regions, these mobile service centers aim to enhance the service and  timely assistance to ideaForge’s customers.

The 'Service on Wheels' program features pickup trucks that have been transformed into mobile service units catering to the specific requirements of ideaForge's Customer Support and Success (CSS) team. These trucks are initially deployed in the Leh Ladakh and North-East regions, where they will be operated for a minimum of three months to assess their performance and will be subsequently expanded to additional locations in India with large installed base or limited access. 

The main challenges/pain point for the customers in remote areas has been Road, Rail, and Air Connectivity. These service trucks can reach areas with poor or limited road, rail, or air connectivity, providing on-the-ground support despite transportation challenges. With the mobile units stationed in the target areas, transit time is significantly reduced, leading to faster response time and quicker issue resolution.The mobile units are also equipped with alternative power sources such as generators to ensure uninterrupted service even in areas with unreliable power supply. They are further designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring that they can operate in areas prone to extreme weather.

These specialized service trucks are equipped to transport our Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and carry essential tools for on-site servicing. Whether it's traveling to a customer's location for repairs, picking up UAVs for service at ideaForge service centers, or even delivering new UAVs, the 'Service on Wheels' program is designed for maximum convenience.

By reducing the operational and delivery times of ideaForge's CSS team, this initiative will significantly enhance customer service and the overall user experience. With this mobile solution, customers can expect swifter, more efficient servicing, no matter where they are located.

"We are dedicated to constantly improving our services and ensuring our customers' satisfaction, said Amol Suryawanshi, Senior Director Operations, ideaForge Technology Limited. The 'Service on Wheels' program is a testament to our commitment to address the need of the hour with our offerings. By delivering our services directly to the customer's doorstep, we aim to set new industry standards and redefine the experience of drone ownership."

As ideaForge commences the 'Service on Wheels' program, it reaffirms its position as an industry leader in drone technology, manufacturing, and customer support while driving innovation and excellence in the field.

About ideaForge Technology Limited

ideaForge is the pioneer and the pre-eminent market leader in the Indian unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”) market, with a market share of approximately 50% in Fiscal 2022 in India. The company is backed by leading investors including Qualcomm, Infosys, Celesta Capital, Florintree, EXIM Bank, Infina Finance and other marquee institutional investors, post public listing in July 2023.The company is ranked 7th globally in 2022 as a top dual-use (civil & military) drone manufacturer by Drone Industry Insights, world’s leading drone market research and analytics company. Its UAVs are equipped with industry leading specifications and capabilities, comparable to those of other established global players in the UAV industry. ideaForge has the largest operational deployment of indigenous UAVs across India, with an ideaForge manufactured drone taking off every five minutes for surveillance and mapping applications. ideaForge customers have completed over 4,00,000 flights using ideaForge UAVs.  To know more about ideaForge, visit www.ideaforgetech.com!

Over 60 Lakh Lives Positively Impacted By Tata Motors' CSR Initiatives In The Past Decade


~ Unveils 9th Annual CSR Report for FY23 ~

Tata Motors, India's leading automobile company, today released its 9th Annual CSR Report, highlighting its extensive efforts towards addressing some of India’s most critical and social challenges across the domains of Health (Aarogya), Education (Vidyadhanam), Employability (Kaushalya) and Environment (Vasudhara). Collectively, these efforts have benefitted more than 60 lakh lives over the past 10 years, with a significant percentage of beneficiaries belonging to the marginalised communities.

In 2014, Tata Motors designed and adopted a comprehensive 4-pillar approach to harmonise its CSR initiatives across the country. Capabilities, experience and expertise acquired by individual units and teams in each identified fields led to the creation and execution of focused interventions with clearly defined outcomes and remarkable results. By harmonising programmes across locations, leveraging digital technologies, fostering partnerships with diverse stakeholders, and strengthening trust with the communities, the company effectively surpassed its projected impact.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vinod Kulkarni, Head of CSR at Tata Motors, said, “At Tata Motors, our CSR efforts are deeply rooted in our unwavering commitment to promote inclusive growth, thus contributing to nation-building. We are humbled to have positively impacted millions of lives through our efforts. In fact, several of our CSR ideas and programmes have grown to become marquee projects, worthy of being emulated as models for community development. Using the novel approach of ‘More for Less for More’, we have narrowed the gap between our aspirations and the available resources, achieving pan-India scale for numerous projects.  Our commitment to advancing our CSR agenda remains steadfast, as we strive to create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable India. By meticulous planning and effectively utilising our financial and human resources, we aspire to make a progressively greater impact with each passing year.”

Here's a quick glance into the company’s select marquee projects in the areas of Health, Education, Employability, and Environment, that have made a significant impact in terms of convergence, scale and reach, over the last ten years.

Addressing Malnutrition Through Community-based Interventions

Tata Motors has made significant strides in addressing the issue of malnutrition among children. By shifting its focus from institutional-based clinical approaches to community-based health interventions, the company has been able to create a sustainable impact. Despite having high levels of severely acute malnourished and moderately acute malnourished children in some of the targeted states, the company has successfully moved more than 91% of malnourished children to healthy zones in the past decade.

Empowering Leprosy Patients with Early Detection and Care

Tata Motors has been actively involved in raising awareness about leprosy and providing early detection and care to affected individuals. Through annual door-to-door awareness campaigns in hard-to-reach villages, the company has screened thousands of households, identified and treated over 4,000 leprosy patients. The company's community-based Leprosy programme in Jharkhand, a state with a high incidence of the disease, is the first of its kind initiative in the country to eradicate the disease.

Bridging the Educational Gap through Digital Empowerment

Tata Motors' flagship remote learning programme, ENABLE, has helped talented students from over 550 Jawahar Navodya Vidyalayas access resources and guidance for admission to the top engineering and medical institutions. Over the past decade, this programme has benefitted over 20,000 aspirants from underprivileged backgrounds, many of whom have secured admissions in prestigious institutions such as in IITs, AIIMS and government-run engineering and Medical colleges. Additionally, support classes are being conducted for students in grades IX and X in state-run government schools, utilising both digital and in-person modes. This approach has proven to be effective in improving the pass rates and academic performance. Notably, this model has been successfully implemented in about 200 schools under the Thane and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Maharashtra.

Skilling Unemployed Youth for a Brighter Future

The LEAP programme, part of the Kaushalya initiative by Tata Motors, focuses on skilling unemployed youth, especially in Automotive courses and facilitating their entry into the workforce. This programme has also enabled young women to overcome stereotype barriers and attain financial independence. Over the past decade, this skilling initiative has grown from 2 to 60 institutes. About 85% of the trainees have secured placement with an average salary ranging between Rs. 15000 to 18000, thereby creating a positive impact on their lives and the economy.

Restoring and Expanding Rural and Urban Forest Cover

With the objective of creating sustainable livelihoods for the farmers through Agro-Forestry plantation and transforming unused land into cultivable areas by prioritising government convergence, the company has successfully planted nearly one million trees, ensuring the survival of over 90% of them. In FY24, an additional one million trees are planned to be planted. 

In collaboration with the Forest Department (GOI) and TERRE Policy Center, a significant expanse of 16.5 hectares of forest land in Warje (urban Pune) has been reforested. This initiative has led to the creation of micro-habitats that support a diverse range of flora and fauna. Over the past decade, the project has expanded to cover an area of 200 hectares, contributing to the restoration of urban forest cover and the preservation of biodiversity.

Water Security

This year, the company announced an ambitious project of creating 100 Amrit Sarovars with a capacity of storing one crore litres of water each, leading to enhanced water availability in 75 sites in Palghar district and 25 sites in Pune  & Satara district.

Suzuki Motorcycle India Records Highest-Ever Domestic Sales Of 84,302 Units In October 2023


Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation recorded an overall sale of 1,00,507 units, registering a growth of 14.4% in October 2023 over same period last year. This month witnessed the highest ever domestic sales of 84,302 units for SMIPL, while also exporting 16,205 units globally.

Commenting on the sales performance, Mr. Devashish Handa, EVP – Sales, Marketing and After Sales, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We extend our profound gratitude to our loyal customers, esteemed business partners, and dedicated team members for their unwavering support. This milestone and the sustained growth of Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. in October 2023 is a testament to the patronage of two-wheeler buyers for which we are extremely thankful. We remain committed to delivering exceptional services to our customers.”

In October, SMIPL concluded its first-ever edition of the Suzuki Matsuri – a thrilling and eventful day tailored for motorcycle enthusiasts.

ABOUT SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE INDIA PVT LTD (SMIPL)

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited is a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan wherein they have the same manufacturing philosophy of PRODUCTS OF SUPERIOR VALUE right from the inception. SMIPL manufactures two-wheelers best suited for valuable Indian customers. The Company started its India operation in February 2006. 

Campus Activewear Unveils Brand Films For “Move With Swag” Campaign Featuring King And Sonam Bajwa


-          The Campaign features brand’s fashionable footwear collections, including Campus OG's, Nitrofly, Nitroboost, and Air Capsule

-          Empowering individuals to elevate their fashion game at every occasion

-          Campus's emphasis on blending cutting-edge technology with trendy designs for the ultimate fusion of fashion and functionality

Campus Activewear, one of India's leading sports and athleisure footwear brands, has unveiled their latest brand films for the ‘Move with Swag’ campaign. These star-studded brand films feature hip-hop sensation, King, and renowned actress, Sonam Bajwa, showcasing Campus's unique footwear collections, including Campus OGs, Nitrofly, Nitroboost, and Air Capsule. The campaign's signature tagline, #MoveWithSwag, reflects Campus's commitment to offering versatile footwear that caters to diverse needs, thereby empowering individuals to elevate their fashion game at every occasion.

Campus Activewear drives beyond sheer fashion, ensuring the most comforting experience with their range of stylish and technologically advanced footwear collections.  The Campus OGs Collection is the ultimate fashion accessory designed for youthful self-expression, allowing people to flaunt their unique personas and exude an air of unshakable confidence. The Nitrofly Range, powered by Nitrofly Technology and tagged as “Flying is the new running”, enables users to push their limits and achieve their best performance yet with an emphasis on light-weight, and responsive cushioning. Campus Nitroboost, a revolutionary midsole that is bouncier and provides high energy return, now also incorporates Air Turbo Technology, which keeps your feet fresh, and comfortable throughout the day via an innovative air circulation system built right into the sole. Additionally, the introduction of the Air Capsule Pro tech range, offers cushioning at the heel area for protection against impact forces, ensuring safety for muscles, joints, and tendons.

In a statement, Ms. Prerna Aggarwal, Chief Marketing Officer, Campus Activewear said, “Bringing together the dynamic duo of Sonam Bajwa and King for this brand film was an ideal choice for us. They embody the essence of individuality, self-expression, and a fashion-forward attitude that aligns perfectly with the spirit of our ‘Move with Swag’ campaign. Our campaign perfectly reflects our commitment to bringing technology and fashion together in our footwear for all at an exciting price. With a rising importance on individuality and self-expression, we want our customers to feel empowered and confident in their footwear choices.”

Campus Activewear is actively contributing to this revolution by focusing on cutting-edge technology and trendy designs. Consumers are increasingly seeking unique designs that blend traditional Indian elements with modern trends, and Campus is at the forefront of this movement.

Mr. Amit Akali, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Content Platform, Wondrlab India said, “Campus Activewear as a brand has fashion and lifestyle at its heart. With the ‘Move with Swag’ campaign, our aim is to put the brand on a pedestal as a fashion-first footwear brand, featuring two popular youth icons – King and Sonam Bajwa as swag ambassadors.”

“The look and feel of this campaign has been created with every artistic detail of the four stylised worlds, paired with chic styling of the two protagonists with Campus shoes. Our overall effort is inspiring confidence, promoting movement, and fostering self-expression among the youth, which is in line with the Campus’s evolved brand identity.” added Mr. Akali

Campus Activewear's brand film for the Move with Swag campaign is set to attract audiences across the nation, featuring their exceptional range of footwear designed to empower, inspire, and elevate your style. Join us in the journey to #MoveWithSwag as Campus revolutionizes the Indian sneaker market with a blend of technology and fashion, all at an affordable price point.

For more information,  visit Campus Activewear's Website or follow us on social media @CampusActivewear.

-          YouTube link of brand film- 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkGphiphvuQ

-          YouTube link of brand film- 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNzjFdsiB3A

About Campus Activewear Ltd.

Campus is India’s largest sports and athleisure footwear brand in terms of value and volume in Fiscal 2021. In 2005, Mr. Hari Krishan Agarwal with his acumen, skill and innovative thinking, started a never-to-end revolution in the footwear industry with Campus Activewear. Today, the flagship brand ‘’Campus’’ has emerged as the biggest domestic sports and athleisure footwear brand in India that offers a diverse product portfolio for the entire family. With the changing market dynamics, Campus sustained its focus on product design and innovation by facilitating access to the latest global trends and styles through fashion forward approach. With over 19000+ multi-brand retail stores, over 200 company’s exclusive outlets, website (campusshoes.com) and amongst one of the top brands available on e-commerce portals, Campus secured its pan India presence while capturing the imagination of millions of people across Omni-channel platforms. The brand offers multiple choices across styles, colour palettes, price points and an attractive product value proposition making Campus, an aspirational brand especially for - young adults, everyday performers and fashionistas. Strengthening the brand's leadership position in India, Campus recently got listed in May 2022.

Ganglia Technologies Honored With The "Promising & Innovative Technology Company Of The Year 2023


Ganglia Technologies Pvt Ltd, housed in the Manipal GoK Bioincubator in Manipal, Karnataka, received the prestigious "Promising & Innovative Technology Company of the Year 2023" Karnataka Award in the "Futuristic Product Development & Research" category. This esteemed recognition was presented at 22nd The Great Indian Entrepreneurship, Design, Business & Startup Awards & Conference 2023, an event that celebrates entrepreneurship, innovation, and business leadership excellence. The awards were presented by Rajah Vijay Kumar, a Scientist and Innovator with over 150 IPR assets, and K Raghu, a renowned Chartered Accountant and former President of ICAI.

Representing Ganglia Technologies Pvt Ltd at the event were Dr. Jairaj Mymbilly Balakrishnan, Chairman, and Dr. Dasharathraj K Shetty, the Managing Director. They were accompanied by key members of the company's core Design Team(current and former): Shreyas Holla, Prithvi Tilwani, and Sripathi RB. All the team members are either MAHE alumni or students.

In their remarks, the team expressed their gratitude, stating, "Dr. TMA Pai, the founder of Manipal, has always been a role model for us. We owe this award to Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, whose support has been instrumental in bringing us to this stage. We also thank the Leadership of MAHE, KMC, MIT, and Manipal-GoK-Bioincubator, who have always been with us. We thank our mentors, including Dr. Sharathkumar Rao, Pro-VC MAHE, Cdr. Dr. Anil Rana, Director-MIT-Manipal; Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, Dean KMC-Manipal, and Dr. Manesh Thomas, CEO, Manipal GoK Bioincubator. Our Directors, Dr. Balakrishna SM and Dr. Sandeep S Shenoy, as well as our dedicated employees and interns, have played a vital role in making this achievement possible."

The award ceremony and conference took place at The Taj West End, The Grand Ballroom, Bengaluru, on October 30, 2023, Monday. This flagship event brought together more than 350 industrialists, start-up founders, architects, interior designers, prominent business figures, and entrepreneurs. Distinguished attendees included ingenious bureaucrats, top architects, global leaders, CEOs, and politicians.

Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd Announces Q2 Results FY 2023-2024


Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited (KNPL), one of the leading Paint companies in India at the Board meeting announced its unaudited results for the second quarter of financial year 2023-24. For the quarter, the company declared Net revenue of         Rs. 1845.6 Crores, a growth of 1.7 % over the corresponding quarter of the previous year.  

EBIDTA was at Rs.  269.9 Crores, a growth of 36.8 % over the same quarter of the previous year. PAT was at Rs 179.9 Crores, a growth of 53.4 % over the same quarter of the previous year. 

For the half year net revenue was Rs. 3916.7 Crores, growth of 4.2 % over the same period of the previous year. EBIDTA was at Rs.603.8 Crores, a growth of 33.3 % over the same period of the previous year. PBT before exceptional items was at Rs. 548.5 Crores, a growth of 46.0 % over the same period of the previous year. PAT after exceptional item was at Rs 923.7 Crores, a growth of 229.7 % over the same period of the previous year. 

Commenting on the results, Mr. Anuj Jain, Managing Director, Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd said, “The quarter saw decent demand for Automotive though it was lower than Q1. While demand for Performance Coatings was relatively better, demand for powder coatings remained subdued. Demand in Decorative was affected due to monsoons and a delayed festival season.  

Raw material prices were stable despite volatility in crude. Gross margins improved over the corresponding quarter last year. Company continues to make progress on various initiatives in the areas on feet-on-street, digital, influencer outreach, new product launches, approvals and projects and positive traction is seen in them. During the quarter, product Mix improved due to sale of premium products. 

Going forward with a near normal monsoon and a delayed festival season, demand for Decorative is likely to show traction. Given the evolving geo-political situation, raw material prices may experience volatility”.  

Outlook of Indian Paint Industry: 

The size of domestic paint industry is estimated at around Rs. 70000 crores as of March 2023. The good growth in infrastructure, core sector as well as automobile and real estate is likely to have a positive effect on the overall demand of paint for the industry in the long run. 

About Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd: 

Kansai Nerolac Paints now in its 104th year has been at the forefront of paint manufacturing pioneering a wide spectrum of quality paints. Kansai Nerolac is one of the leading paint companies in India and is the leader in Industrial paints. The company has eight strategically located manufacturing units all over India and a strong dealer network across the country. The company manufactures a diversified range of products ranging from decorative paints coatings for homes, offices, hospitals, and hotels to sophisticated industrial coatings for most of the industries. visit www.nerolac.com .  

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