Nutanix Announces iValue Group As Its Value-added National Distributor In India, Reinforcing Its Commitment To Channel In The Country

– Strategic partnership introduces cutting-edge hybrid multicloud solutions to iValue's network of channel partners, accelerating digital transformation for enterprise clients –

Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced the appointment of iValue Infosolutions Private Limited, a leading provider of integrated IT solutions and services across the Asia-Pacific region, as an official value-added distributor for the Indian market.

The partnership is a significant achievement for both entities as it combines Nutanix's leading hybrid multicloud solution with iValue's extensive range of enterprise applications and expertise in solution services delivery.  It will help enable enterprises to expedite their digital transformation journeys and achieve optimal outcomes in their cloud environments.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the hybrid cloud market size is estimated at $129.43 billion in 2023, and it is expected to reach $348.53 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 21.91% during the forecast period. The fifth annual  Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index report found that the hybrid multicloud usage in India stands at 12% presently and is expected to increase five-fold (to 63%) by 2026.

This increase in adoption is expected to be driven by increased infrastructure diversity, along with a heightened emphasis on data storage, management, security, and services, the report stated. This growth reflects the potential that hybrid cloud solutions offer to channel partners as they can help their enterprise customers to efficiently scale computing resources, helping avoid substantial capital investments for managing temporary demand surges while helping to safeguard sensitive data or applications by freeing up local resources.

Benefiting from the flexibility of hybrid cloud computing, organisations can also dynamically adjust on-premise infrastructure to the public cloud to manage fluctuations in computing demand, addressing initial concerns about data security and reassuring end-users.

"We are delighted to welcome iValue Infosolutions into our esteemed distribution ecosystem. The alignment of iValue's top-notch IT solutions and services perfectly complements Nutanix's mission to help organizations run their applications in the environment that makes the most sense. We have high expectations for this partnership and believe that iValue's expertise will be invaluable in expanding our footprint," said Harsh Vaishnav, head – Channels at Nutanix India and SAARC.

Shrikant Shitole, CEO of iValue Infosolutions, observed that the preferred strategy for modernizing IT infrastructure involves transitioning from legacy systems to cutting-edge cloud-based solutions. He highlighted increased adoption of AI technologies, containerized applications, edge computing, serverless computing, and Kubernetes technologies as part of this trend.

"Our partnership with Nutanix aligns with our commitment to deliver exceptional digital solutions to our associates, enabling them to offer unparalleled digital experiences to their clients. By integrating Nutanix's cloud solutions into our portfolio, our channel partners will be well-positioned to reshape the digital landscape in India, ensuring unmatched cost efficiency and performance for their customer base,” Shitole said.

Nutanix provides organizations with a unified platform for running applications and data on-premise, in public clouds and at the edge through its portfolio which includes Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Manager for hybrid cloud, database management services, unified storage for volumes, files, objects, and end user computing solutions for virtual applications and desktops.  Its cloud software solutions enable businesses to streamline operations, reduce complexity, and concentrate on achieving their desired outcomes.

About Nutanix:

Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running apps and data across clouds. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

About iValue Group:

iValue Group is the FASTEST growing, leading-edge technology enabler with purpose-built solution stacks & related services for securing & managing Digital Applications and Data for Enterprises, across hybrid multi-cloud. iValue’s offerings address every need in Application Lifecycle Digital transformation – from code to cloud, covering Performance, Availability, Security and Scalability.

iValue Group has significant presence across India, SAARC and Southeast Asia, with local teams covering business and technical needs of partners to address their customer needs across the regions. To know more, visit www.iValueGroup.com or follow iValue on LinkedIn?@ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivalue-infosolutions-pvt-ltd

PhonePe SmartSpeakers Rope In Actor Kichcha Sudeep For Its Celebrity Voice Feature

PhonePe, today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind celebrity voice feature on its SmartSpeakers in collaboration with the famous Indian actor, Kichcha Sudeep. This new feature will allow PhonePe SmartSpeakers to validate customer payments in Karnataka film industry’s iconic actor Kichcha Sudeep’s distinct voice, in both Kannada and English across India.

The PhonePe SmartSpeaker was launched a year ago, and since then, more than 4.8  million devices have been used by merchant partners across 90% of the postal codes in the country. On average, PhonePe SmartSpeakers validate 17 crore monthly transactions in Karnataka, demonstrating its widespread adoption in the state. Using famous celebrity voices from different regions will make the payment experience for customers as well as merchants even more interactive.

Speaking on this new and distinctive offering, Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat, Chief Business Officer - Merchant Business at PhonePe said, “Our extensive network of over 3.8+ crore merchants is spread across different regions in India, each with its unique linguistic needs for payment validation. Through partnerships with various renowned celebrities, we are adapting and tailoring our services to meet such distinct needs of our merchants in a creative way. This ensures the efficient use of our devices while also boosting the appeal of the PhonePe SmartSpeaker among both merchants and customers.”

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how merchants can enable this new feature from their PhonePe for Business app.

1) Open the PhonePe for Business App

2) Go to the SmartSpeaker section on the home screen

3) Under ‘My SmartSpeaker’, click on ‘SmartSpeaker Voice’

4) Choose the desired celebrity’s voice in the preferred language

5) Click on ‘Confirm’ to activate the voice

6) The device gets rebooted with the updated language in the chosen celebrity’s voice within a few hours

PhonePe also recently launched the celebrity voice feature on its SmartSpeakers in collaboration with the iconic Indian actor, Shri. Amitabh Bachchan in Hindi and English with plans to roll this out in more languages in the future. Some of the other features that make PhonePe SmartSpeakers stand out in the market include portability, a best-in-class battery, great audio clarity even in the noisiest of environments, and the compact and versatile form factor which allows merchants to use it even in the most congested counter spaces. Earlier merchants using feature phones relied heavily on SMS, but now with the PhonePe SmartSpeakers, their payment validation experience has been significantly eased. PhonePe SmartSpeakers provide voice payment notifications in multiple Indian languages, with up to 4 days of battery life, dedicated data connectivity, a dedicated battery level LED indicator for ease of use, audio alerts for low battery levels, and a dedicated replay button for the last transaction. By offering such convenience to merchants, PhonePe is seeing the successful adoption of PhonePe’s SmartSpeakers in the market, thus enabling an increase in digital payments.

About PhonePe Group:

PhonePe Group is India’s leading fintech company. Its flagship product, the PhonePe digital payments app, was launched in Aug 2016. In just 7 years, the company has scaled rapidly to become India’s leading consumer payments app with 515+ million registered users and a digital payments acceptance network of 38 million merchants. PhonePe also processes 215+ million daily transactions with an annualized Total Payment Value (TPV) of USD 1.4 Trillion.

On the back of its leadership in digital payments, PhonePe Group has expanded into financial services (Insurance, Lending, Wealth) as well as new consumer tech businesses (Pincode - hyperlocal e-commerce and Indus App Store - India's first localized App Store). PhonePe Group is an India headquartered technology company with a portfolio of businesses aligned with the company's vision to offer every Indian an equal opportunity to accelerate their progress by unlocking the flow of money and access to services.

For more details contact: media@phonepe.com

Bank of Baroda Reduces Car Loan Interest Rate To 8.75% For The Current Financial Year

Other Offer Highlights:

Concession in Processing Charges

Zero Prepayment Charges for Floating ROI

Interest calculated on the Daily Reducing Balance method

Longer Repayment Period up to 84 Months

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, today announced a reduction in its Car Loan interest rates starting from 8.75%* p.a. (earlier 9.40%* p.a.).  This is a special limited period offer on Baroda Car Loans Floating rate of interest, starting from February 26, 2024 till March 31, 2024. The Bank also offers an attractive fixed rate of interest on Baroda Car Loans, starting at 8.85%* p.a.

The new rate beginning at 8.75% p.a. is applicable on the purchase of a new car and is linked to a borrower’s credit profile. Additionally, the Bank is offering borrowers zero prepayment charges on the Floating rate of interest option and a concession in processing charges on both Fixed and Floating interest rate options.

Further, the interest on Bank of Baroda car loans (both fixed and floating) is calculated on the Daily Reducing Balance method, making it even more affordable for borrowers. The Bank also offers an extended repayment period of up to 84 months, allowing borrowers the flexibility of lower Equated Monthly Instalments (EMI).

Shri Sanjay Mudaliar, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda said, "We are continuing to see strong demand for car ownership with passenger vehicle sales peaking in January 2024 on the back of a sustained improvement in the Indian economy, rising aspirations and consumer confidence. Bank of Baroda is one of the leading car financiers in the country and customers can make the most of our special year-end offer on Baroda Car Loans and own their dream car.”

Applicants can apply and avail a Bank of Baroda Car Loan digitally through the Bank’s Digital Lending Platform – Baroda Digital Car Loan on the Bank’s website or by visiting the nearest bank branch.

Key features of Bank of Baroda Car Loans

Baroda Car Loans starting at 8.75% p.a. Floating rate of interest for a limited period

Fixed rate of interest on Baroda Car Loans starts at 8.85% p.a.

Concessional processing charges on both Fixed and Floating interest rate options

No Pre-payment/Part-payment charges on Floating ROI

Interest calculated on the Daily Reducing Balance method - the most cost-effective for borrowers

Flexible tenure up to 84 months

Digital Car Loans with quick approval in just a few steps

0.05% additional ROI will be applicable for individual customers who do not opt for Group Credit Life Insurance Plan for their Car Loan

About Bank of Baroda

Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of ~165 million through over 70,000 touch points spread across 17 countries in five continents and through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank’s vision matches the aspirations of its diverse clientele base and seeks to instil a sense of trust and security in all their dealings with the Bank.

Visit us at www.bankofbaroda.in

BLVD Club Presents “GALA”: Bangalore's Premier Banquet For Unparalleled Luxury Experiences

Nestled within the heart of Bangalore, BLVD Club, Bangalore's premier luxury club invites you to discover a haven for your memorable events within its premises. A breathtaking “GALA” banquet space designed to elevate every event into an unforgettable memory transcends the ordinary, offering a backdrop for celebrations that leave a lasting impression well beyond the final toast.

Whether you envision an intimate soiree or a lavish celebration, the banquet provides the perfect canvas. Imagine a space immersed in natural light, where elegant interiors seamlessly blend with a lush outdoor garden. Luxurious furnishings and intricate design touches create an ambiance of understated grandeur, while an expansive outdoor garden offers a sanctuary for al fresco gatherings under the starlit sky, along with the culinary delights from our award-winning kitchen. This is the essence of GALA, a stage where your vision takes center stage.

From milestone celebrations, and intimate gatherings to grand soirees, GALA caters to every occasion, and its allure extends beyond its captivating aesthetics. Renowned for its bespoke experiences, BLVD Club ensures every event unfolds flawlessly. Host an elegant wedding that feels like a fairy tale, or a corporate gala that leaves a lasting impression. Our dedicated team will be your confidantes, meticulously planning and orchestrating every detail to ensure your event unfolds flawlessly.

The banquet space, doubling as an end-to-end event space, accommodates 14 deluxe rooms furnished with exquisite décor, complemented by premium culinary offerings provided by F&B services. What could be better than having a comforting and fulfilling gourmet experience for your meticulously planned event? GALA brings together the world on your plate offering your guests a heavenly indulgence.  Before your special occasion, guests can enjoy beauty treatments at GALA's 'Illume' spa and 'Le Virsella Salon' to make you look your best.

At BLVD Club, we believe in the power of thorough planning and personalized service. We understand that every event is a unique story, and we are the artisans who bring it to life. Whether you seek a bespoke menu, state-of-the-art technology, or curated entertainment, your dreams are our blueprint.

Experience the magic of GALA. Contact BLVD Club today to arrange a private viewing and discover how this exquisite space can transform your next event into a masterpiece of memories.

MAHE Hosts Groundbreaking Weeklong Scientific Event Advancing Nanotechnology Research

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), is set to host a pioneering weeklong scientific activity aimed at propelling nanotechnology research to new heights. In collaboration with the prestigious Nature Research Group, MAHE proudly presents the International Conference on Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications, a first-of-its-kind event in India.

Scheduled to unfold on February 26th and 27th, 2024, this two-day conference boasts an esteemed line up of world-renowned speakers who have made significant contributions to the translational application of nanomaterials over the past decade. With over 60 participants poised to attend, this focused group event promises rich discussions and insights into the cutting-edge advancements in nanotechnology and its biomedical applications.

Following this conference, on February 28th, 2024, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in a Nature Masterclass Workshop on "Effective Publishing and Communication Strategies." Led by Dr. Harry Shirley, Editorial Development Manager at Nature Portfolio, this workshop aims to equip researchers with the tools and knowledge necessary for impactful scientific communication.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, expressed excitement about the upcoming weeklong activities, stating, "The collaboration between MAHE and Nature Research Group marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing scientific research. This conference represents a unique opportunity for scholars to engage with cutting-edge research in nanotechnology and foster meaningful collaborations that will drive innovation forward."

Dr. Sharath Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor – Health Sciences, MAHE, emphasized the transformative potential of nanotechnology in healthcare, stating, "Nanotechnology holds immense promise for revolutionizing healthcare by enabling targeted drug delivery, early disease detection, and personalized medicine. Through this conference, we aim to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue and catalyze innovative solutions that will improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery worldwide."

Dr. Narayana Sabhahit, Pro Vice Chancellor - Technology & Science, MAHE, highlighted the significance of nanoscience and nanotechnology in shaping the future, stating, "The convergence of nanoscience and nanotechnology has the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, from sustainable energy production to environmental remediation. This conference provides a platform for researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to collaborate and chart a path towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future".

Dr. N N Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor - Strategy & Planning, MAHE, said, “We are starting a journey of innovation and cooperation at the nexus of science and medicine as we get ready to host the International Conference on Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications. This conference provides a forum for innovative studies and game-changing discoveries that could completely change healthcare worldwide".

But the scientific extravaganza doesn't end there. From February 29th to March 1st, 2024, MAHE will play host to the International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, providing a vital interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to exchange ideas and showcase the latest developments in the field. With an expected attendance of over 200 participants, this conference promises to be a cornerstone event in the realm of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Religare Finvest Limited (RFL) Is External Debt Free; Clears All Legacy Issues And Is Ready For Business

* The Company completes repayment of over Rs. 9000 crores to country’s banking system.

Religare Enterprises Limited (REL) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, RFL, has successfully cleared all its debts with external lenders, effectively resolving all legacy issues. The debt resolution initiative has resulted in clearing the default status of RFL and has made it external debt-free. It is a significant milestone in its revival journey towards financial stability and operational efficiency. RFL is now ready for fresh lending business. 

RFL diligently repaid over Rs 9,000 crores to the country’s banking system through collections and with the support of REL. Through the One-Time-Settlement (OTS), RFL completed the debt repayment of Rs 2178 crore to 16 external lenders on 8th March 2023, ahead of schedule. 

This debt resolution marks the culmination of efforts of the management to address legacy issues stemming from the misconduct & siphoning off funds from Religare by the erstwhile promoters of REL. 

With the external debt settlement completed, RFL is ready to resume operations with renewed vigour and strategic clarity, aiming to carve a niche for itself in the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) lending segment subject to removal of CAP placed by RBI.

Unlocking The Power of Nanomaterials In Medicine: A Landmark Conference In Manipal

The first-ever conference on "Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications" kicked off today at the prestigious Luminarie Hall, Fortune Valley View, in Manipal. This important event, organized by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in partnership with Nature, marks a significant milestone in the field of nanoscience, especially in its application to healthcare and medicine.

Lt. Gen. Dr. M. D. Venkatesh, the Vice Chancellor of MAHE, inaugurated the conference with a powerful message, highlighting the conference as a critical forum for deep discussions and the sharing of knowledge among leading experts in nanoscience. His opening remarks set the tone for what promises to be two days filled with innovative ideas and forward-thinking.

Dr. Aishwarya Sundaram, the Senior Editor at Nature Communications, outlined the agenda for the conference, warmly welcoming all attendees. She emphasized the importance of participation and collaboration, suggesting that the discussions and findings shared here could lead to significant advancements in medical science and health.

Scheduled for February 26th and 27th, 2024, the conference has attracted renowned researchers from India and around the world. They will present their latest research, offering insights into how nanomaterials can be used in various biomedical applications. This presents a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that could shape the future of medicine.

The event promises to be a hub of inspiration and innovation, fostering an environment where knowledge is shared, and collaborations are formed. This conference is not just a meeting of minds but a stepping stone towards a future where nanotechnology plays a pivotal role in advancing healthcare solutions.

For anyone interested in the latest in medical research, especially in how tiny materials can make a big difference in health and treatment, this conference is the place to be. Let's look forward to the breakthroughs and partnerships that will emerge from this gathering of brilliant minds in Manipal.