ELGi Announces Multi-Year Technology Licensing Agreement With D.V.P. Vacuum Technology S.P.A., Italy

* Expands portfolio to include vacuum products in India

Elgi Equipments (B.S.E.: 522074 NSE: ELGIEQUIP), one of the world's leading air compressor manufacturers, today announced its partnership with D.V.P. Vacuum Technology S.p.A., Italy, to manufacture, assemble, test, and sell D.V.P.'s proprietary vacuum products in India. With this agreement, ELGi will expand its product portfolio to include vacuum products. D.V.P. Vacuum Technology S.p.A., a manufacturer of vacuum pumps, will benefit from ELGi’s robust manufacturing capability and extensive sales and service presence in India to gain access to the fast-growing Indian market. The global vacuum pump market has witnessed continuous growth in the last few years and is estimated to be 6-7 billion USD in 2024.

“Vacuum is synergistic and adjacent to compressed air, with profitability comparable with air compressors. This is a strategic move to expand our product portfolio, extend our reach in high-growth markets, and leverage meaningful technological, manufacturing, and marketing synergies. We will first incubate the business in India and then expand globally. We’re proud to partner with D.V.P. Vacuum Technology, a family-owned company that has been  in the vacuum business since 1973. The team at D.V.P. shares our values, and their products are renowned for performance and quality," remarked Dr. Jairam Varadaraj, Managing Director, ELGi Equipments Ltd.

Roberto Zucchini, President and C.E.O., D.V.P. Vacuum Technology S.p.A., commented, “This agreement will allow D.V.P. to enter the very competitive Indian vacuum market leveraging the manufacturing structure and distribution network of Elgi. Furthermore, there are interesting opportunities for a synergic exchange of components and, consequently, the possibility to empower mutual business development.”

For over 60 years, ELGi's pioneering products and compressed air solutions have served various applications across industries ranging from manufacturing, food and beverage, construction, pharmaceuticals, and textiles in over 120+ countries. Powering a 400+ product-strong portfolio, ELGi's state-of-the-art global manufacturing facilities, spanning three continents, are committed to carbon neutrality, water conservation, and circular waste management.

About ELGi: Elgi Equipments Limited is a global air compressor manufacturer with a broad line of innovative and technologically superior compressed air systems. ELGi has consistently worked towards ensuring that its customers achieve their productivity goals while keeping the cost of ownership low. ELGi offers a complete range of compressed air solutions, from oil-lubricated and oil-free rotary screw compressors, oil-lubricated and oil-free reciprocating compressors, and centrifugal compressors to dryers, filters, and downstream accessories. The company's portfolio of over 400 products has found wide application across industries. For further information on the organisation and its products, please visit http://www.elgi.com 

IPRS Launches The "My Music, My Rights" Campaign On Occasion Of Vasant Panchami

IPRS launches its nationwide campaign, "My Music, My Rights” around the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami. This initiative seeks to spark a national dialogue on the inherent value of music and the necessity of supporting the creators and their creativity for a sustainable music industry.

Music holds an integral place in India's cultural tapestry, with references to it found in ancient texts. Tracing back to ancient times, India's profound musical heritage is deeply rooted in its sacred texts. Brahma, the creator deity, is credited with deriving music from the celestial chants of the S?ma Veda, symbolizing the heavenly world itself. Alongside Brahma, deities such as Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer, are revered as patrons of music, underscoring its intrinsic connection to spirituality and culture. In the divine pantheon, Sarasvati, the goddess of music and knowledge, occupies a central role. Consort of Brahma, she is depicted as being well-versed in playing the Veena, a stringed instrument, and is revered as the embodiment of artistic expression and wisdom.

While India's musical heritage is celebrated worldwide, music creators and those envisaging a full-time career in music often face significant challenges in earning a sustainable livelihood from their craft.

According to the recent study by EY titled ‘The Music Creator Economy: The Rise of Music Publishing in India’, India generates over 20,000 original songs annually contributed by 40,000 music creators, directly or indirectly generating over INR 12,000 crore in revenues each year. However, many in their career as a creator find themselves grappling with financial challenges. Out of 500 creators surveyed, 87% of respondents would have liked to make a living off their music alone, but only 60% were able to do so. A majority strongly believed that they needed to learn more about music production and how to better monetise their music. Only 56% of respondents had access to the equipment and infrastructure required to produce music. While India consumes more music per capita than the world average, it ranks 14th in recorded music revenues. In contrast, publishing revenues are ranked 23rd due to various issues like lack of legal clarity and consequently, low compliance. The significant disparity between the vast volume of music produced and the limited earnings of many creators within the industry, exacerbated by a widespread lack of understanding about the music business, underscores the urgent need to bridge this gap, a mission at the heart of the campaign.

The campaign "My Music, My Rights" seeks to bridge this divide by raising awareness and providing support to music creators across the nation. The report also highlighted that 33% of music released, comprises regional content, indicative of India's diverse musical landscape. Yet, challenges such as accessibility, copyright awareness, and publishing rights hinder the rightful recognition and compensation of artists. Through a series of workshops, and seminars, both online and offline sessions, amongst other activities conducted nationwide, IPRS endeavours to address these hurdles and empower creators to navigate the intricacies of the industry effectively.

Commenting on the initiative, author, poet, actor, and film director Varun Grover, present at the event said, "As we gather to celebrate the rich tapestry of Indian music at the launch event ‘Raga to Rock’, it's a poignant reminder of the profound impact music has on our lives and culture. This event is not just about songs and melodies; it's a platform to ignite vital conversations about recognizing and supporting creativity and those behind the creation. Let's harmonize our voices to elevate the value of music and nurture it as a cornerstone of our nation's cultural identity."

Sharing his views, Rakesh Nigam, CEO, IPRS mentioned, "As the music industry reaches new heights, songwriters, composers, and independent creators must be well-versed in their rights and equipped to build sustainable careers. At IPRS, we prioritize empowering music creators through education and expertise. Recognizing the rich musical heritage and the immense value of music in our lives, let's acknowledge our collective responsibility as a nation to support, nurture and foster the music of our land towards a thriving and enduring future."

The "My Music, My Rights"  not only signifies a crucial step towards empowering music creators but also underscores the collective commitment to preserving and nurturing India's diverse musical landscape for generations to come. This campaign is specifically designed for music creators and professionals in the industry, providing them with valuable knowledge and resources to navigate today’s evolving landscape of music and royalties.

About IPRS:

IPRS is the Music Copyright Society in India registered under the Copyright Act, 1957 representing the authors, composers, and publishers of music. It counts more than 13,000 of India’s best-known authors, composers, and music publishers as its members. IPRS is authorized under the Copyright Act, 1957 to carry on the business of issuing and granting of licenses in respect of musical works and literary works associated with musical works assigned to it by its members. These revenues are collected and distributed to its members including the authors’ statutory royalties after deducting its administrative expenses for the exploitation of the works either by way of live performances and/or sound recordings through any medium except when shown as a part of a cinematograph film shown in a cinema hall.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Reinforces Commitment To Upskilling With Specialized Learning Workshop For GTTC Principals

Reinforcing its commitment towards creating a future-ready workforce and building talent for the auto sector, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) recently concluded a specially curated workshop for thirty-one Government Tool Room & Training Centre (GTTC) Principals from across Karnataka. Held at the TKM plant in Bidadi, the experiential learning session focused on enhancing the capacities of participating GTTC centres by integrating insights and benchmark practices gained from a visit to the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), Toyota plant and various other training sessions.

As a part of its commitment to GTTC development, TKM engages in a broad spectrum of programs encompassing Faculty Development, Industry-specific curriculum, Infrastructure Enhancement, Deployment of TKM Trainers, and Training Courses designed for students.

Speaking about the program, Mr. Shankara G - Executive Vice President and Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We are thrilled with the wholehearted participation by Principals from thirty-one Government Tool Room & Training Centres (GTTC) from across Karnataka. GTTC’s contribution towards skill development among the youth is immense. At TKM, we recognise the crucial importance of enhancing capabilities to meet the rapidly growing demand for skilled manpower.  Our endeavour is to ensure capacity building of the faculty so that they develop youth with knowledge, skills, attitude and discipline required for the industry. Through this, we would like to transform rural youth into world-class competitive technicians and contribute to the nation and the world.

Currently, TKM has partnerships with sixty-five institutes in Karnataka for unique skill training programs, including sixteen GTTCs (Government Tool Room and Training Centres). Our plan is to adopt and develop five more GTTCs in the upcoming financial year. This strategic expansion perfectly aligns with TKM's vision to cultivate an automotive industry culture and promote skill development. TKM remains dedicated to enhancing the skilling landscape in Karnataka and India, in line with the government's Skill India Mission”.

TKM, acknowledged as an Industrial Training Provider (ITP) by GTTC, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in January 2021 to deliver industry-specific skill development training in GTTC locations. Since then, TKM has been instrumental in establishing and enhancing GTTC institutes throughout Karnataka.

TKM will provide an opportunity for the trainees to acquire skills relevant to the manufacturing industry and improve their employment potential through a ‘Learn and Earn’ approach consisting of a mix of theoretical and On-the-Job Development. The youth will be trained by Toyota supervisors with extensive hands-on experience in the Toyota Production System. Upon successful completion of the training, they will have to take up an exam for certification, which will be jointly conducted by GTTC and TKM as per Automotive Skills Development Council guidelines.

The program aims at developing youth who have passed their 10th standard. The three-year training program will be provided in two trades - automobile welding and automobile assembly.

Arvind SmartSpaces Sells Entire Released Inventory For Sale In 1st Phase Of Arvind Orchards Within 7 Hours

* Sold more than 220 units, with a booking value of more than ?160 Crore

Arvind SmartSpaces Limited (ASL), one of India’s leading real estate development companies announced that it has sold out the entire inventory released for sale in the 1st phase of its residential plotted development project, Arvind Orchards in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, within 7 hours of launch. It consisted of more than 220 units valued at over Rs. 160 Crs. The project is housed under HDFC Platform 2. 

Arvind Orchards, is a one-of-its-kind orchard-themed plotted development nestled in Doddballapur Road, Devenahalli. This would be ASL’s second residential plotted township in Bengaluru with world class infrastructure and amenities. Devanahalli is an established residential plotting micro-market near the Bengaluru International Airport and is home major economic hubs such as Aerospace SEZ and KIADB IT Park. This location enjoys excellent infrastructure connectivity which will be further enhanced by the upcoming Metro. 

Arvind SmartSpaces entered the Bengaluru market in 2013 and has till date added 11 projects across different micro-markets in the city. 

Commenting on the successful launch, Mr. Kamal Singal, Managing Director and CEO, Arvind SmartSpaces said, “We are delighted to have received an overwhelming response from the Bengaluru homebuyers once again. We have been able to create a strong presence in Bengaluru market with a focus on designs that are inspired by the evolving preferences of our customers. Such strong responses to all our launches including Greatlands, Greatlands-2, Forest Trails and now Orchards exhibits the trust reposed by homebuyers in the legacy of the Arvind brand.”

About Arvind SmartSpaces:

Built on ~120 years old legacy of the Lalbhai Group, and established in year 2008, Arvind SmartSpaces is India’s leading real estate development company headquartered in Ahmedabad. With approximately 75 million square feet of real estate development across the country, the company is focused on delivering real estate solutions that add value to the lives of its customers and is fast emerging as a leading corporate real estate player in the country. The company has real estate developments across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bangalore and Pune. Backed by the strong brand name of Arvind group and the credibility achieved through already delivered projects, the company has plans to continue the strong growth momentum and deliver value to all stakeholders.

Empowering Voices: P. Sainath's Engagement At MAHE Bengaluru

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bengaluru invited the renowned journalist Palagummi Sainath to convene two media workshops for their undergraduate and postgraduate cohorts. Palagummi is known for his groundbreaking work in rural journalism and was invited by the Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (DLHS) of MAHE.

Out of his three-day visit, for the first day, on the 8th of February, the author of the acclaimed 1996 book, ‘The Great Indian Drought: Stories from India's Poorest Districts’, Sainath engaged with undergraduate media and political science majors, in a deeply invigorating conversation on, “Journalism for Empowerment: Understanding the Role of Alternative Media”. Young students embarked on a day-long workshop that primed them for the rise of alternative media and the discourse around its relevancy in today’s mediascape. The founding editor of the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI) posed some pertinent questions to students that urged them to critically evaluate their role as learning media practitioners in a deeply polarised and competitive media environment. Ankita Sahoo, a second-year student who is majoring in political science and history from the department describes the discourse as, “Sainath's insightful analysis unveiled the intricate workings of media politics, exposing how dominant narratives obscure reality. His call for ethical journalism resonated deeply, urging a commitment to truth and amplifying marginalized perspectives”.

The second and third days with the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts saw him delve into a vivid conversation on the idea of journalism with the hope of empowering the marginalised. His experience on the field in unravelling narratives of poverty, structural and historic inequities, caste-based discrimination and violence, and the rights of farmers was reflected in tracing the topic, “Reporting Development: A Subaltern Approach.”  Christopher Miltus, a second-year MA in Multimedia and communication student notes his learnings from the two-day-long conversation spearheaded by the former Rural Affairs Editor of The Hindu. Miltus explains, “The workshop was an eye-opening experience, delving deep into narratives of poverty and discrimination with a focus on empowering marginalized communities. His insights challenged us to rethink traditional journalistic approaches and strive for more inclusive storytelling."

For the department, this set of workshops with P. Sainath comes at a time when they are focusing on exposing their students to various natures of journalism. These workshops further the department’s efforts in preparing future media practitioners to target their work toward ushering in change by highlighting the voices of communities on the peripheries. Dr. Shilpa Kalyan, HoD, DLHS, explains, “We are pleased to host Sainath. We believe his nuanced understanding of bringing stories from the ground would enable our students to be responsible journalists who will strive to bring about stories that usually go unheard.”

Sunayan, associate professor of media at the department, PG coordinator, and the facilitator of the workshops notes, “Sainath’s interaction with our students was a promising sight for us. The enthusiasm they showed in not just learning from him but also contributing to the conversation over the three days imbibed a sense of hope in us. The workshops imbibed a sense of critical elevation among the students regarding the kind of journalism they would want to do.”

The learnings students take home after interacting with P. Sainath over these three days underscores the essence of responsible journalism in amplifying marginalized voices. Through engaging discussions on alternative media and subaltern approaches to reporting, Sainath inspires budding journalists to empower communities on the peripheries, echoing the ethos of his pioneering work in rural journalism.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

Established in 1953, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence and a Deemed to be University. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, honoured MAHE with the prestigious designation of Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. Currently ranked sixth in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience.

MAHE Bengaluru, an off-campus of MAHE, excels in delivering comprehensive education to students, supported by highly qualified faculty, and dedicated mentors. The MAHE Bengaluru campus has an inspiring, future-relevant learning ecosystem, on a new-age, tech-enabled living campus. Here, the students immerse themselves, transform and discover multiple choices and opportunities. At MAHE Bengaluru, the potential for growth and the opportunities available are boundless.

SSBeauty Elevates The Beauty Experience With The Launch Of Its Next-Gen Beauty Store At T2 Bengaluru Airport

Shoppers Stop, India's premium fashion, beauty and gifting omnichannel destination, expands the presence of its strategic pillar SSBeauty by opening its 11th store in India and one of the largest beauty stores in the country at T2 Bangalore airport, a destination like never before! The store spread over an astounding 3000 square feet is a ground-breaking venture boasting modern design and immersive experiences for customers.

The SSBeauty store is located at the departure lounge of the airport and showcases SSBeauty’s brand ethos of ‘Inspiring Elegance’. Beyond retail, the store is a sanctuary of indulgence and convenience. Whether it is a swift makeover for a meeting or a leisurely skin treatment while awaiting a flight or luxurious pre flight beauty haul session, SSBeauty's T2 store seamlessly caters to the diverse needs of today’s evolved beauty consumer

The SSBeauty T2 store includes a dedicated Treatment Room, offering indulgent facials and spas, providing customers with a luxurious and rejuvenating experience. Beauty enthusiasts can indulge in the latest nail trends at the Nail Bar, featuring a wide range of nail care and styling options. The store has a beautiful lounge that can help the travelers shop and relax for their layovers making shopping simple yet rejuvenating.

The luxury beauty store will be home to power Brands like Dior, Givenchy, Guerlain, Shiseido, Jo Malone, Tom Ford, and many more. Adding to the excitement, Kiehl’s is set to open its first Shop-in-Shop store in India within the SSBeauty T2 Airport location, providing customers with access to the renowned skincare brand's exceptional products.

Commenting on the launch of their new store, Mr. Biju Kassim, Customer Care Associate and CEO of Beauty at Shoppers Stop, said "Our flagship store at T2 Airport Bengaluru offers a vibrant world of glamour, designed for the contemporary, dynamic beauty enthusiast. This is not just any store, but a revolutionary step towards a new era of beauty retail. SSbeauty’s commitment to excellence is embodied in every corner of the store, from the opulent Treatment Room to the trendsetting Nail Bar and the chic lounge. Thanks to the visionary team at Bengaluru International Airport for partnering with us on this exhilarating journey.

“This opening which is our 11th in the country is an essential part of our travel retail expansion strategy and our location in the airport will allow discerning travelers to experience SSBeauty’s new store environment, latest product offerings and indulge in beauty services on the go” he added.

SSBeauty's new store invites customers to a transformative beauty experience and to explore modern beauty at the heart of Bengaluru Airport.

About SSBeauty

SSBeauty is a division of Shoppers Stop, India’s leading premier retailer of fashion and beauty brands, established in 1991. SSBeauty is dedicated to empowering every woman to achieve her aspirations, embrace her individuality, and inspire those around her. SSBeauty accomplishes this by providing the best ingredients in terms of products, experiences, and learning, enabling women to feel beautiful, elegant, and become the best versions of themselves.

With a wide range of selective and exclusive beauty brands, SSBeauty ensures that customers have access to the finest makeup, skincare, and fragrance products available. From Shoppers Stop’s own beauty brand, Arcelia, known for its innovation and quality, to renowned global brands like Clinique, Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Jeffree Star, and KORA Organics, SSBeauty offers an impressive selection that caters to diverse beauty needs.

About Shoppers Stop Limited

Shoppers Stop Ltd. is the nation's leading premier retailer of fashion and beauty brands, established in 1991. Spread across 106 department stores in 56 cities, the Company also operates 7 premium home concept stores under the name Home Stop, 88 Specialty Beauty stores of M.A.C, Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Jo Malone, Too Faced, SSBeauty, and 23 Airport doors, 10 INTUNE Stores occupying an area of 4.1 M sq. ft.

Shoppers Stop is home to one of the country's longest running and most coveted loyalty programs 'First Citizen'. The Company's one-of-a-kind shopping assistance service, 'Personal Shopper' is revolutionizing the way Indians shop, bringing more value, comfort, and convenience to customer experiences. The brand's diversified Omni channel offers over 800+ recognized and trusted brands across an incomparable range of products that together serve our overarching objective of delivering customer delight.

Follow us on -  

Shop - www.shoppersstop.com | Corporate Site - www.corporate.shoppersstop.com

Samsung Announces Exciting Cashback Offer On Galaxy A34 5G; Now Available At Just 24499

Samsung, India’s largest electronics brand, today announced an exciting cashback offer on Galaxy A34 5G smartphone. Galaxy A34 5G offers a premium experience with Samsung’s signature Galaxy design and flagship features like Nightography, which help consumers shoot sharper images and videos in low light conditions. With best-in-class IP67 rating, Gorilla Glass 5 protection, 4 Android OS upgrades, and 5 security updates, Galaxy A34 5G is designed to provide a worry-free user experience.

As a special offer, consumers can now purchase Galaxy A34 5G with an instant discount of INR 3000. Originally priced starting INR 27499 for the 8GB + 128 GB variant, consumers can now own Galaxy A34 5G at just INR 24499 and the 8GB + 256GB variant at just INR 26499.

Galaxy A34 5G features a floating camera setup as well as a metal camera deco which matches the device’s colour. It is available in four trendy colours – Violet, Lime, Silver and Graphite. Built to last, Galaxy A34 5G has spill and splash resistance with an IP67 rating, meaning, it can withstand 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Additionally, this smartphone comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection for improved scratch and drop protection. The vivid display on Galaxy A34 5G features true-to-life colours with Super AMOLED technology and the 120Hz refresh rate allows for incredibly smooth scene-to-scene transitions, even in fast motion.

Galaxy A34 5G comes with 48MP OIS primary lens, 8MP ultra-wide lens, and 5MP macro lens. Galaxy A34 5G also has multiple Camera AI features namely Object Eraser, Image Remaster and Image Clipper. The Object Eraser removes unwanted objects, shadows and reflections from the images. Image Remaster makes photos look even better due to its new image processing engine and Image Clipper lets consumers make cut-outs of the subjects of their photos and use them elsewhere.

Galaxy A34 5G comes with Samsung’s defense-grade security platform Knox which protects users personal data in real-time. Additionally, Galaxy A34 offers consumers a host of meaningful experiential features that enrich their lives. The unique Voice Focus feature allows users to enjoy clearer voice/video calls even with popular third party apps. Galaxy A34 5G comes with Samsung Wallet which lets consumers use the Tap and Pay feature with their credit cards, and a smooth UPI payments experience. Users can also securely access their Digital IDs such as PAN, Driving License, Vaccine certificates and many more with Samsung Wallet.