Avik Das Cracks JEE-Advanced And NEET-UG 2024 In First Go, Studying Online With ALLEN Digital

* Avik secured: All India Rank (AIR) 69 in the JEE-Advanced with 307/360, 705/720 in NEET-UG, and AIR 7 in the West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam (WBJEE) and topped the West Bengal State Board with a stellar 99.2%

ALLEN Digital announces the outstanding accomplishments of its Online Program student Avik Das, who has secured All India Rank (AIR) 69 in the JEE (Advanced) examination with an impressive score of 307/360. Avik's achievements extend beyond this–he scored an exceptional 705/720 in NEET-UG and topped the West Bengal State Board with a stellar 99.2% score. Additionally, he stood 7th in the West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam (WBJEE).

Hailing from Alipurduar, West Bengal, Avik attributes his success to the top-notch faculty, high-quality content and personalised guidance provided by ALLEN Online Programs. “I chose to prepare for these competitive exams online because I wanted to stay close to my family and have their support throughout this journey. The guidance from my faculty and mentors, combined with the targeted practice offered on the ALLEN App, helped me achieve this phenomenal milestone,'' said Avik. His love for physics was inspired by his grandfather, a math teacher, and his first mentor. Talking about the road ahead, he says he wants to pursue Astrophysics at IISc Bangalore, renowned for its research excellence.

Other standout achievements for ALLEN Digital in the JEE (Advanced) 2024 include that of Mayukh Chowdhury (AIR 161) from Kolkata and Garv Chaudha (AIR 163) from Jabalpur.

Abha Maheshwari, CEO of ALLEN Digital, said, “Combining our best-in-class faculty, robust curriculum, and state-of-the-art AI-based ALLEN app, we are building on our 36-year legacy to help thousands of students realise their dreams. Our online learning programs have been designed to tackle critical challenges often associated with online education, ensuring personalised content and strong out-of-class support. The extraordinary results from our ALLEN Online Programs students this year reflect our commitment to academic excellence.”

Additionally, ALLEN Digital celebrates the success of thousands of its students in the JEE (Advanced) and NEET-UG examinations in 2024. 14 ALLEN Online Programs students made it to the top 500 AIR in JEE (Adv.) 2024, while five students achieved a perfect score of 720/720 in NEET-UG.

As an industry first, Allen Career Institute, the parent company of ALLEN Digital, has set a new benchmark in transparency and credibility this year. EY (Ernst & Young) has independently verified the authenticity of these results.

Digital The Most Lucrative Channel for FMCG Brands: Meta Studies

* Meta commissioned studies with leading firms Nielsen and Kantar show that return on investment from digital trumps other mediums for the FMCG sector

* Nielsen study: RoI which is the incremental revenue generated per Rupee invested is 1.42 for digital mediums vis-a-vis 0.95 non-digital mediums. Within this, the RoI from Meta is 1.76 for every rupee invested

* Kantar study:  Meta has been instrumental in driving brand imagery where around 20% of all media led brand growth comes from Meta

* Both Meta studies quote investment by FMCG/CPG brands on Meta poses stronger returns indexed to traditional channels across categories like food, household care, personal care, baby care, laundry, and health & hygiene

On the sidelines of Meta Marketing Summit - FMCG edition  held in Mumbai, the company announced findings from several Meta commissioned studies with leading market research firms Nielsen and Kantar that show the growing relevance of digital for the country’s FMCG sector. Among the key findings, the studies call out digital platforms, especially Meta, a crucial pillar in driving brand imagery, equity, and higher return on investment across categories. 

Said Arun Srinivas, Director and Head (India), Ads Business, Meta, “The FMCG industry is a leading contributor to the country's overall ad-ex, and a marked shift in its media consumption patterns is going to be significant for the country’s creative ecosystem and the digital economy. The studies with Neilsen and Kantar clearly demonstrate the transformative power of digital channels for the FMCG sector. Catering to such an important industry, we are excited to see Meta platforms not only enhancing brand imagery and mindshare but also delivering exceptional returns on media investments.”

The Nielsen study noted that the return on investment (RoI), which is the incremental revenue generated per Rupee invested is 1.42 for digital mediums vis-a-vis 0.95 non-digital mediums. Within this, the RoI from Meta is 1.76 for every rupee invested.

On the other hand, the Kantar study reveals that  the digital platforms, especially Meta, contribute significantly in building a brand. Meta has been instrumental in driving brand imagery where around 20% of all media led brand growth comes from Meta.  Furthermore, digital media channels led by Meta provide the highest ROI for building mind measures, according to the study. 

Both the studies highlight that the investment by FMCG/CPG brands on Meta poses stronger returns indexed to traditional channels across categories including food, household care, personal care, baby care, laundry, and health & hygiene.

The summit was attended by prominent industry leaders and brands from the FMCG industry that shed light on the evolving consumer landscape and its effects on changing brand strategies, the use of Reels, AI and Business Messaging as new frontiers of marketing, and brands leveraging Meta platforms for enhancing their reach and growth. 

“In today’s fragmented ecosystem, quantifying the effectiveness of media strategies has become a daunting challenge. Cross platform nuances require a laser focused approach to uncover what truly drives performance. Nielsen Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) enables marketers to assess the impact of their investments, understand what is working, and unlocks several opportunities to increase ROI and drive profit, bringing accuracy and simplicity to an increasingly complex advertising environment in India,” said Abhinav Maheshwari, VP APAC Nielsen, Marketing Effectiveness. 

Meta commissioned Nielsen to conduct an FMCG Meta-Analysis for India, an extensive study covering MMMs for FMCG categories including food, beverage, personal care, home care, health & hygiene, and others. Nielsen leveraged the Nielsen Compass repository of Marketing ROI norms, and looked at performance of all channels including TV, Other Traditional (Radio, Print and OOH), META, Online Video, and Other Digital (Display and Search). The learnings cover the role of media channels in driving sales, how ROIs compare across media channels, and how ROIs compare across categories. FMCG advertisers can greatly benefit from the Meta-Analysis insights to drive better marketing decisions, added Nielsen.

Meta also released the findings from cross media studies by Kantar. Cross Media is  a Kantar preferred and industry accepted solution to evaluate the brand impact for a multi-media campaign. Kantar built the most robust Meta-analysis of Cross Media studies in India covering more than 140 campaigns across industries from 2012 -2023.

PhonePe Partners With PickMe To Enable Contactless Payments For Indian Travellers In Sri Lanka

PhonePe, has announced its collaboration with PickMe, Sri Lanka’s leading ride-hailing platform, to enable seamless UPI-based QR payments for Indian travellers in Sri Lanka. The partnership signifies a major step forward in enhancing their travel experience through the convenience of cashless transactions on their PickMe rides from the moment they exit the Bandaranaike International Airport.

While travelling, managing foreign currency and ensuring enough cash on hand for various expenses can often become a hassle. By integrating PhonePe’s UPI-based QR payment system into their platform, PickMe aims to minimise that stress for Indian travellers visiting Sri Lanka. PhonePe users can make secure and quick payments for their rides with UPI.

Commenting on the collaboration, Ritesh Pai, CEO, International Payments at PhonePe, added, “Our partnership with PickMe exemplifies the company’s commitment to provide Indian travellers with convenient and trusted payment solutions. Travel is all about exploring new cultures, where food and local shopping are an integral part of that adventure. Previously, navigating payments in a new country could be a hassle. Now, with PhonePe, Indian tourists visiting the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka can enjoy the ease and security of UPI payments for their rides.”

Jiffry Zulfer, CEO of PickMe added, “Currently, we are the only ride-hailing platform in Sri Lanka to offer such a service to Indian travellers, and we hope to continue to innovate so that we make our ride-hailing service a convenient, safe and cost-effective mode of transportation for everyone. This collaboration not only enhances the convenience for Indian travellers but also supports our mission to drive digital transformation in Sri Lanka’s transportation sector. By enabling QR payments, we are making travel easier and safer for tourists while also providing a new revenue stream for our drivers.”

The collaboration follows the launch of PhonePe last month, wherein the Indian High Commissioner H.E. Santosh Jha had urged companies in Sri Lanka to engage with Indian companies to build on the UPI stack for innovations in hotel bookings, cab bookings, delivery services etc. The High Commissioner commended such collaborations saying, “I am confident that with greater commercial engagement in the fintech sector, India and Sri Lanka will unlock innovation and transformation in the digital domain.”

Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations among Indian travellers. This collaboration underscores PhonePe’s commitment to adding more value to the overall experience of Indian travellers by allowing them to use familiar services like UPI during their visit.

About PhonePe

PhonePe Group, launched in August 2016, is India’s leading fintech company. The PhonePe digital payments app has scaled rapidly, now boasting over 535 million registered users and a digital payments acceptance network of 39 million merchants. With over 255 million daily transactions and an annualised Total Payment Value (TPV) of over USD 1.5 trillion, PhonePe has firmly established itself as a leader in digital payments. The company has expanded into various financial services, including insurance, lending, and wealth management, as well as new consumer tech businesses like Pincode (hyperlocal e-commerce) and Indus App Store (India's first localised app store).

For more details:media@phonepe.com

About PickMe

PickMe is Sri Lanka's leading ride-hailing and food delivery platform, providing convenient and reliable transportation solutions to millions of users across the country. Established in 2015, PickMe has grown rapidly, leveraging technology to revolutionise the transportation industry in Sri Lanka.

Magenta Mobility Deepens Collaboration With Tata Motors For Commercial Vehicle

* Deploys over 100 units of Tata Ace EV – India's most advanced, zero-emission small commercial vehicle

Magenta Mobility, an integrated electric mobility solutions provider, solidifies its partnership with Tata Motors, India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, with the deployment of over 100 units of Tata Ace EV which include over 60 units of Ace EV and over 40 units of the recently launched Ace EV 1000. This deployment is part of the MoU inked between the two entities in October 2023, which targeted 500 units of the revolutionary Tata Ace EV.

Mr. Maxson Lewis, Founder & CEO of Magenta Mobility, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Tata Motors, furthering our commitment to delivering safe, smart, and sustainable mobility solutions across India. The deployment of 100+ Tata Ace EVs marks a significant stride towards our ambitious 'Ab Ki Baar Dus Hazaar' program, aimed at deploying 10,000 electric vehicles by September 2025. By synergizing Tata Motors’ expertise in four-wheel small commercial vehicles (SCVs) with our integrated capabilities in logistics, charging infrastructure, and technology, this partnership is poised to redefine industry standards."

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Vinay Pathak, Vice President & Business Head – SCVPU, Tata Motors, said, “Marking a major milestone in our partnership with Magenta Mobility, we take immense pride in the deployment of Tata Ace EVs into their fleet. This reaffirms our shared vision of revolutionising intra-city distribution through advanced, zero-emission mobility solutions. The Ace EV, a product of our co-creation efforts, offers unparalleled performance, reliability and operational efficiency, while contributing to a greener future for India. This deployment is a testament to our unwavering commitment to democratising sustainable e-cargo transportation across the nation. Together, we are paving the way for a cleaner, greener and more environmentally conscious future for India."

The Ace EV is powered by EVOGEN powertrain that offers an unparalleled driving experience with a 7-year battery warranty and a 5-year comprehensive maintenance package. It delivers safe, all-weather operations with an advanced battery cooling system and regenerative braking system to boost the driving range. It allows regular and fast charging capabilities for high uptime. It is powered by a 27kW (36hp) motor with 130Nm of peak torque, to ensure best-in-class pickup and grade-ability allowing easy ascend in fully loaded conditions. The vehicle’s robust performance, with near-100% uptime, has received an overwhelming response from customers.

Magenta Mobility is backed by esteemed investors including HPCL, bp, Morgan Stanley, JITO Angel Network, and renowned Indian American philanthropist Dr. Kiran Patel. The company is at the forefront of the electric mobility revolution, spearheading initiatives that promote sustainability and innovation in India's transportation landscape. With the extension of its partnership with Tata Motors and the deployment of 100 Tata Ace EVs, Magenta reaffirms its commitment to decarbonising logistics.

About Magenta Mobility:

Magenta Mobility is a leading end-to-end integrated E-Mobility solutions provider. The company is committed to the vision of “Decarbonizing Logistics” by providing safe, smart, and sustainable delivery solutions across the country. They are building India’s safest and smartest electric mobility ecosystem. Currently, they have 2000 electric fleet vehicles spread across 17 cities in India serving clients in the e-commerce, grocery, FMCG, food, and pharmaceuticals industries for their last-mile deliveries. Under the campaign of ‘Ab Ki Baar Dus Hazaar,’ Magenta targets to have 10,000 cargo vehicles operating under its portfolio. Furthermore, they have their own Electric Fleet Management System which makes them an excellent partner for businesses looking to achieve practical portability goals in decarbonization. For more information, visit www.magentamobility.com.

About Tata Motors:

Part of the USD 150 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 44 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fuelled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2024, Tata Motors’ operations include 90 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, five joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.

Sachin Tendulkar Appearing Alongside His Wax figure At Madame Tussauds

In response to a special request from Merlin Entertainments' Madame Tussauds New York, Sachin Tendulkar, a name synonymous with cricketing glory, happily agreed to help create an incredible moment for his fans.  Marking the arrival of his wax figure in NYC, the cricket icon greeted his globally popular touring wax figure just ahead of the highly anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India vs. Pakistan match on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Fans were delighted as Tendulkar stood side-by-side and was reunited with his impeccably crafted wax figure, which originally debuted in 2014.

Symbolizing his enduring impact on the sport and its fans worldwide, Tendulkar's illustrious career has been recognized by the world’s greatest wax museum more than once, dating back to his first figure at Madame Tussauds London in 2009. Since then, five more figures have been created in his honor.

Tendulkar, affectionately dubbed the "Master Blaster," has won over cricket aficionados globally with his unparalleled prowess and sportsmanship and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. With an international career spanning over two decades, Tendulkar holds numerous records, including the most runs scored in both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket. He is also the only player to have scored one hundred international centuries, making him a true icon of the sport. Throughout his illustrious career, Tendulkar has garnered immense respect and admiration from fans and fellow cricketers alike, cementing his legacy as a true cricketing legend. 

From Monday, June 10, through the World Cup Finals on Saturday, June 29, Tendulkar’s wax figure will be free for fan interaction and photos in the lobby of Madame Tussauds New York before taking its permanent place in the museum alongside the wax figures of other sports icons.

For more details and to purchase tickets to Madame Tussauds New York, visit

https://www.madametussauds.com/new-york/.

About Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-center gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its growing estate, with more than 140 sites across 23 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.

See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

Experion Technologies Embarks On “Strategic Alliance With ESG Playbook” To Redefine The ESG Reporting Landscape

Experion Technologies, a global leader in product engineering services and digital transformation with over 17 years of industry experience, proudly announces a partnership with ESG Playbook, a leading player in ESG reporting with the most comprehensive platform in the industry. Recognizing the escalating significance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, this collaboration aims to provide comprehensive and cutting-edge solutions to address the evolving landscape of sustainability, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

ESG reporting on a global scale is crucial, with over 95% of the world's largest companies now publishing sustainability reports. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the financial impact of environmental, social, and governance factors, influencing investment decisions and corporate compliance toward more sustainable practices. According to a report by Morgan Stanley, in the first half of 2023 alone, sustainable funds attracted cumulative inflows of $57 billion, with almost all flows in Europe. That brought assets under management to more than $3.1 trillion—or almost 8% of total global AUM—by the end of June 2023.

In this strategic partnership, Experion Technologies will leverage its product engineering expertise, consulting services, integration, testing, and UI/UX capabilities to assist enterprises in navigating the complexities of ESG reporting. As a trusted partner to over 500 global customers across 37 countries, Experion remains committed to driving meaningful value, innovation, and shared success through digitally driven programs. This partnership between Experion Technologies and ESG Playbook not only streamlines ESG reporting but also ensures businesses stay ahead in embracing sustainability. By marrying their product engineering strengths with a comprehensive platform, Experion is simplifying the path for companies to demonstrate their commitment to responsible and ethical practices, fostering a positive impact on both the environment and their bottom line.

“ESG Playbook is the most comprehensive reporting platform currently in the market as an end-to-end platform, where teams can collaborate by streamlining the data collection and reporting of global regulations. The platform collects data through APIs or other traditional forms of interfaces to report on all three areas as prescribed by regulators. In addition to having engineered the product for ESG Playbook, Experion offers the ability to bring Big Data onto the platform and incorporate AI to facilitate ESG compliance and reporting seamlessly,” said Binu Jacob, MD & CEO, Experion Technologies.

“We are delighted to embark on this strategic partnership with Experion Technologies - their in-depth product engineering knowledge, coupled with a profound understanding of our product’s functionalities, provides us with a distinctive edge in implementing solutions for our customers, bolstering our confidence in this collaboration. Furthermore, Experion's recent investments in skilled professionals within this domain solidify them as the ideal partner for us and a premier service provider for our valued customers," said Sonia Zugel, CEO and Founder of ESG Playbook.

Stringent regulatory frameworks like the EU Taxonomy Regulation and the Non-Financial Reporting Directive in Europe accentuate the criticality of ESG reporting. A recent study by McKinsey revealed that about 85 percent of the chief investment officers they surveyed stated that ESG was an important factor in their investment decisions, showcasing the integral role of ESG factors in the decision-making process. Additionally, a study by MSCI underscores the positive correlation between high ESG ratings and lower credit risk, emphasizing the pivotal role of ESG in financial performance.

Financial services, consistently ranking in the top 2 spots for reporting on carbon footprint, face increasing pressure to improve reporting year-on-year, particularly for wealth and investment managers. Banks, reliant on good ESG ratings, find these crucial for attracting investments in an environment where over 80% of the world's largest companies report on their ESG performance. ESG Playbook serves as a cornerstone solution, especially in the Banking and Financial Services sector, enabling clients to navigate the intricate web of global regulatory frameworks with unparalleled ease. By leveraging this platform, clients effortlessly uphold stringent compliance mandates, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards across diverse jurisdictions.

ESG Playbook stands as the most complete reporting solution across the Environmental, Social, and Governance pillars. The platform addresses the three pillars of reporting, including emissions from core business activities, indirect emissions, and those arising from energy and resource usage. A pain point of ESG reporting is understanding where the data is located, who is responsible for the data, and connecting systems to automate real-time reporting. Covering a spectrum of parameters within each pillar, ESG Playbook facilitates a holistic approach to ESG reporting, aligning institutions with global standards.

ESG Playbook revolutionizes sustainability reporting by seamlessly automating Data Collection, ensuring Data Consistency, and precise Calculation according to a spectrum of stringent regulatory standards such as TCFD, PCAF, GHG & CO2, NGFS, PRI, GRI, SASB, EU Taxonomy, CSRD, Net Zero Goals, and Bond Mapping. This sophisticated platform harmonizes data from diverse sources into bespoke reports tailored to specific needs, whether on a monthly, yearly, or granular basis, encompassing location, entity, or asset class parameters. Moreover, it offers a robust Audit Trail, instilling confidence in data integrity.

Central to its appeal is ESG Playbook's unparalleled flexibility, empowering users to effortlessly maintain regulatory compliance across a myriad of standards, thereby facilitating seamless alignment with their respective national net zero agendas. By streamlining reporting processes, organizations can readily bolster their sustainability initiatives, making substantial contributions towards global sustainability objectives.

GE Vernova Champions LGBTQAI+ Inclusion With Pride Walks Across India Campuses

* Over 1,100 GE Vernova employees, allies, and community members unite in Pride Walks across 12 campuses in India

GE Vernova demonstrated its unwavering commitment to LGBTQAI+ inclusion by hosting Pride Walks across seven of its campuses in India. Over 1,100 GE Vernova employees, allies, and members of the community participated in the walks held across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Noida, Chennai, Durgapur, and Vadodara.

Celebrating the Pride Walks, Shilpa Gupta, CTO, India, GE Vernova, said, “We strongly believe that an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued unlocks the full potential of our talent and fosters innovation. The Pride Walks are a powerful symbol of our commitment to creating a space that celebrates the unique contributions of all individuals. The initiative is an extension of many programs that are being led by our Pride Alliance to propagate positive change. As we celebrate Pride month, it is truly an honour to witness the collective spirit of our employees as they express solidarity to the LGBTQAI+ community.”

At GE Vernova India, Pride Month is marked by a series of thoughtfully curated activities aimed at promoting inclusion within the company. The walks will serve as forums for open dialogue, sharing case examples, and spreading awareness about LGBTQAI+ diversity, reinforcing GE Vernova’s commitment to inclusivity. In-person and hybrid sensitization sessions will be organized for employees across various sites, aimed at deepening awareness around the LGBTQAI+ and sparking conversations. Additionally, the company will host members of the LGBTQAI+ community and NGOs, facilitating the sharing of lived experiences and fostering connections within teams.

The Pride Alliance is one of the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at GE Vernova that have been working actively to nurture diversity and inclusion. The group raises awareness around LGBTQAI+ issues and provides support and advocacy for creating inclusive work environments. The alliance now has over 250 allies in India who are working to enhance workplace inclusiveness through sensitization and by raising adequate awareness.

Currently, GE Vernova has the following initiatives to support the LGBTQAI+ community:

GE Vernova is spearheading a range of efforts to promote gender positivity and foster an inclusive work environment. Presently, the company has implemented several initiatives to provide support for the LGBTQAI+ community

Sensitization, awareness building, and ally onboarding sessions are regularly conducted in an in-person and virtual format. These sessions cover all employees with a special focus on training senior leadership, people leaders and human resources team. These sessions have also been extended to vendor partners

Medical insurance covers for same-sex partners as dependents

The Transgender Employee Protection Policy at GE Vernova ensures suitable facilities and amenities

Gender neutral washroom is available across GE Vernova facilities

GE Vernova encourages its employees to network via employee resource groups and offers specialised employee assistance program support

GE Vernova is dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made impartially, without considering factors such as race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.