PhonePe Payment Gateway Launches Referral Program To Accelerate Growth

* The program offers the industry-best commission on every transaction

The PhonePe Payment Gateway today announced the launch of its referral program. PhonePe PG Partner Program is designed for anyone helping a business grow online. As a referral partner, they can refer their clients to accept online payments from their customers and accelerate business growth. The program offers businesses one of the most competitive commission rates in the industry, which is applicable for every transaction helping significantly boost their referral earnings.

Businesses can join the PhonePe PG Partner Program to offer their merchants best-in-class payment solutions. This partnership boosts credibility and helps businesses become the preferred vendor for clients, fostering trust and fueling business expansion. The program is open to various businesses, including developers and digital agencies to technology platforms like ERP, CRM, and SaaS companies. Partners benefit from scheduled monthly payouts, exclusive invitations to events hosted by the PhonePe PG, and a dedicated account manager to assist with any queries. Technology partners will receive additional support, including technical assistance for seamless integration with their products.

Speaking on the launch of the program, Ankit Gaur, Head PhonePe Payment Gateway & Online Merchants, said, “With the launch of PhonePe PG Partner Program, we are reaffirming our dedication to empowering businesses through cutting-edge payment solutions and rewarding partnerships. We’ve already witnessed over 10x growth in adoption of our referral program since launch. With this initiative, we seek to empower merchants to utilise cutting-edge fintech solutions and offerings to enhance the success of their online business.”

The PG referral program was launched at a grand event called Confluence in Ahmedabad. The event saw sessions led by Ankit Gaur, Head of PhonePe Payment Gateway, followed by networking opportunities. The event centred on knowledge exchange. Potential referral partners actively participated in discussions, sharing solutions for the common challenges businesses face when accelerating their online growth.

To join the program, just visit the PhonePePG Partner Program page and register. Post registration, a PhonePe representative will assist with the KYC and onboarding process. Upon completion of the process, merchants will receive a referral link via their registered email, enabling them to start referring clients and earning commissions immediately.

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 535+ million registered users and a digital payments acceptance network of 39+ million merchants. PhonePe also processes over 255 million daily transactions with an annualized Total Payment Value (TPV) of USD 1.5+ 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.

Dvara KGFS Announced The Successful Debt Raise Of USD 7 Million

Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financials Pvt Ltd (Dvara KGFS), a rapidly growing financial services company dedicated to maximizing financial well-being in rural India announced the successful debt raise of USD 7 million, for the second time, through External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) from Enabling Qapital, a leading Impact Investment Advisory Company dedicated to achieving financial and social returns.

Enabling Qapital (EQ), a regulated Impact Asset Managers committed to creating a world where investments yield financial and social returns. EQ fosters positive economic, social, and environmental impacts through strategic investment initiatives.

Commenting on the successful fund raise, Mr. LVLN Murty, Managing Director & CEO, Dvara KGFS, stated, "We are delighted to have this repeat round of debt raise from Enabling Qapital and we look forward to working with them more closely in future to foster our common objectives of expanding sustainable and customer centric financial inclusion initiatives. This newly raised funds will be utilised towards on-going lending activities and creating wealth opportunities for deep rural parts of India.”

Ms. Shilpa Bhatter, CFO, Dvara KGFS added that over a period, Dvara KGFS has significantly diversified its funding sources and has been actively engaging with like-minded impact investors. It has tapped into global debt markets to fuel its growth plans and at the same time increase funding resilience.

About Dvara KGFS:

Dvara KGFS is a systematically important medium-tier NBFC regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. Its mission is to maximize the financial well-being of individuals and nano and micro-businesses in rural India. With a strong presence in 10 states including Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana, and Odisha, Dvara KGFS operates across 110 districts with over 400 branches, serving more than 2.41 million customers. Learn more at www.dvarakgfs.com.

Tata Motors Plants Over One Million Trees, Improves Green Cover Of Maharashtra’s Tribal Interiors

Key Highlights

Brings 13,000 acres of previously unproductive land in Palghar district under green cover

Will plant an additional one million trees in the next 3 months to conserve biodiversity and mitigate distressed migration among farmers

In the heart of Maharashtra’s tribal interiors, Tata Motors has embarked on a transformative mission —the One Million Plantation initiative. This ambitious project aims to sow saplings of hope for local communities in the Palghar district. To date 1.5 million fruit and forest saplings have taken root, covering 13,000 acres across eight blocks, breathing life into once-barren land.

As part of the Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP), Tata Motors’ initiative not only curbs distress migration but also generates income for local communities by providing sustainable income; leveraging MNREGs scheme for sapling aftercare, and later through the produce sales. So far, more than 1.5 Million Plantation has benefitted 13,000 farmers in the region by transforming 13,000 acres of un-utilised farmland into a productive Wadi. It has also provided them nutrition-rich fruits, thus improving health and nutrition levels of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the region.

In this collaborative model Tata Motors supports the sapling cost, technical support and trainings are provided by the BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development (BISLD) and a significant part of the project cost is funded by the government via the MNREGs as wage for aftercare of the saplings. The wages are directly transferred to the farmer’s account, which depends on the survival rate of the saplings.

Vinod Kulkarni, CSR Head at Tata Motors, said, "The One Million Plantation initiative can be viewed as a twin-pronged strategy – to strengthen our economy and ecosystems – by nurturing both the land and the lives. This initiative symbolises our firm dedication to supporting Indian tribal communities by creating sustainable livelihoods. As the monsoon sets in, we are on course to add another One Million Trees to the Palghar district’s natural habitat.  Our collaboration with BISLD and the state government demonstrates our shared vision and commitment towards nation building. Together, we are not just planting trees; we are cultivating hope for a greener and more prosperous tomorrow."

Earlier, in 2018-19, Tata Motors had launched a pilot of the livelihood-based Wadi model, which comprised tree-based farming involving the planting of fruit and forestry trees along with appropriate intercrops on barren or underused land. Under the pilot, 100 fruit trees (primarily mango and cashew) and 100 forestry trees were planted per acre in Palghar district. The success of the Wadi model inspired its replication at scale through the One Million Plantation drive. Both initiatives have also served the dual purpose of creating revenue sources for the communities, as well as enriching the biodiversity in the project areas.

Loud Learning' Practice Can Help Them Dedicate Time To Improve Their Skills: LinkedIn

* Over 9 in 10 professionals in India (91%) face barriers such as feeling burnt out or family responsibilities that are getting in the way of their learning

* 39% of professionals from Bengaluru dedicate 1-3 hours to ‘Loud Learning’ each week

In this era of AI, professionals must develop new skills to advance their careers. However, new research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, shows they are facing roadblocks in their learning journey. Despite 80% of professionals in India saying that their company is doing enough to cultivate a culture of learning, findings show that over 9 in 10 (94%) are finding it hard to prioritise learning due to work and family commitments.

Top barriers faced include a lack of time due to family responsibilities or other personal commitments (34%), busy work schedules (29%) and feeling overwhelmed by the amount of learning resources available (26%).

Professionals are Loud Learning to overcome barriers to upskilling

‘Loud Learning’ - the act of being vocal and intentional about learning ambitions in the workplace - has emerged as a promising solution to this problem, with around 8 in 10 (81%) professionals in India saying that this practice can help them dedicate time to improve their skills.

The top 3 ways that professionals in India are ‘Loud Learning’ include #1 sharing their learnings with teammates (40%), #2 sharing their learning journey or accomplishments on LinkedIn (40%) and #3 informing their team members of their learning time blocks (35%). Remarkably, 64% of professionals in India are already engaging in ‘Loud Learning’.

Eight in 10 (81%) professionals in India say that seeing their peers engage in ‘Loud Learning’ will motivate them to do the same. To complement their learning experiences, 64% of professionals in India also say that they have a Learning BFF - a friend who supports and learns with them, makes the whole learning experience more fun and effective, while helping them stay accountable to their learning goals.

Professionals are leveraging Loud Learning to grow their careers

LinkedIn research shows that 79% of professionals in India believe that engaging in ‘Loud Learning’ can support their career growth. Some of the benefits include providing opportunities for mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals (28%), opening doors to new career opportunities or advancement (27%) and facilitating knowledge and insights sharing amongst peers (26%).

Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert & Senior Managing Editor says, “According to LinkedIn data, skills needed for a job in India are expected to change by 64% by 2030, so it is vital for professionals to be super-focused on learning. ‘Loud Learning’ is a great hack that they can use to overcome the challenges faced when it comes to dedicating time to learning. By engaging in ‘Loud Learning’, you not only prioritise your own learning journey but also inspire and encourage others to dedicate time towards developing skills.”

LinkedIn is also introducing new AI powered Premium tools to help professionals accelerate their learning journey. LinkedIn Learning’s new AI-powered coaching can help guide professionals’ course experience by allowing learners to ask for summaries of content or clarifying questions and providing real time insights and takeaways directly from the course pages. Powered by AI, LinkedIn’s expert advice allows learners to interact in an easy to use chat interface with select instructors and instantly receive personalised and actionable advice.

LinkedIn has also unlocked free LinkedIn Learning Courses including AI focused courses such as Building AI Literacy and Advancing Your Skills in Deep Learning and Neural Networks, as well as courses to support career advancement like Beating Procrastination and Project Management Foundations. These courses are available until 8 July 2024.

Here are LinkedIn Career Expert Tips from Nirajita on how professionals can prioritise and commit time towards learning:

Be vocal and block time for learning: Being vocal and intentional about blocking time for learning can help. Time-blocking your calendar is a simple way for you to commit time and for others to see you doing it. You could start with committing even just 15 mins a day and that can help you stay on track.

Post updates on your learning journey at work and on LinkedIn: Sharing your learning journey can encourage others. Share about your learning progress and how you overcame barriers with your colleagues and your LinkedIn network. This could help to spark discussions and might just inspire others to also dedicate time towards learning.

Buddy up with a Learning BFF: A supportive Learning BFF can make the process less daunting, more accountable and enjoyable. Share insights and hold one another to your learning commitments to stay motivated throughout your learning journeys. A Learning BFF can also help to broaden your learning toolkit by introducing you to new tools and resources.

Leverage AI to supercharge your learning experience: LinkedIn’s new AI-powered coaching features a user-friendly chat interface to guide your course experience. Ask for advice around your learning gaps and get real time insights on courses. Each response will also be personalised to you based on your title, career goals, and the skills you follow on LinkedIn Learning, so be sure to keep these up to date.

Build your learning community: Engage in discussions on LinkedIn Groups - online communities where like-minded professionals come together to share insights around different topics. You can also contribute to collaborative articles to further exchange diverse perspectives.

Methodology

Consumer research: This research was conducted by Censuswide, with 1098 professionals in full-time or part-time employment across India between 24 May 2024 to 5 June 2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles. Censuswide are members of the British Polling Council.

About LinkedIn

LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful and transforms the way companies hire, learn, market, and sell. Our vision is to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce through the ongoing development of the world’s first Economic Graph. LinkedIn has more than one billion members and has offices around the globe. www.linkedin.com / mobile.linkedin.com.

MotorolaLlaunches “Motorola edge50 ultra”; With moto AI Powered Gen AI Features - Magic Canvas, AI Pro-Grade Cameras & Smart Connect

Highlights 

The motorola edge50 Ultra is powered by moto ai and includes innovative Gen AI features such as AI Magic Canvas for generating Images basis text prompts and Style Sync for generating themes matching the consumer’s attire

Its Pro-Grade camera system effortlessly captures stunning photos and videos with the most advanced camera technology powered by moto ai, making it the brand’s most impressive camera system ever

The motorola edge50 Ultra boasts a 50MP main camera featuring a main 1/1.3" sensor with a massive 2.4?m pixel size which absorbs 20% more light than the previous generation for sharp and bright photos in every situation

Additionally, the camera system also features the world’s 1st 64MP 3x telephoto optical zoom lens with OIS and 100x advanced hybrid zoom

The motorola edge50 Ultra comes out of the box with the revolutionary Smart Connect feature which ensures effortless connectivity between devices to enable easy share of files, stream phone apps and more across your phone, PC, tablet and more.

It features a nearly borderless 6.7" pOLED curved display with a Super HD (1220p) resolution, an unbelievably fast 144Hz refresh rate and with true-to-life colors validated by Pantone.

The motorola edge50 Ultra comes with segment’s only TurboPower™ 50W wireless charging along with 125W TurboPower™ charging. It also has the segment’s only, 10W wireless power sharing.

The smartphone has world’s 1st FSC-certified real wood finish that’s inspired by nature and infused with a subtle wood fragrance in an eco-friendly packaging and with climate friendly colorful phone cases in the box.

The motorola edge50 Ultra will go on sale in a 12GB RAM + 512GB storage configuration, starting 18th June 2024 on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores at an effective price of just Rs. 49,999*

Motorola, a global leader in mobile technology and innovation launched its most advanced phone in the edge franchise, the “motorola edge50 Ultra”. As the latest addition to the edge50 series, the motorola edge50 Ultra is a smartphone full of intelligence and art that makes it truly unique in its segment. This effortlessly intelligent flagship smartphone features moto ai, containing numerous functions such as style sync with AI generative theming, magic canvas with text to prompt image generation, and several other cutting-edge innovations. Apart from this, the smartphone comes with Motorola’s most impressive camera system ever, boasting an AI powered Pantone™ validated camera. Additionally, the motorola edge50 Ultra also comes with the revolutionary Smart Connect feature which allows effortless connectivity between devices and flaunts a nearly borderless 6.7" curved, pOLED display, with a beautifully crafted harmonious design and segment’s only TurboPower™ 50W wireless charging along with 125W TurboPower™ charging. The smartphone comes with IP68 underwater protection along with Gorilla Glass Victus display protection and boasts 12GB RAM + 512GB Storage for a faster and more efficient performance.

The motorola edge50 Ultra powered by moto ai creates consumer delight with the AI Magic Canvas feature that allows users to generate images via text inputs, bringing the user’s imagination to life and making it effortless to create any art for your work, whatsapp shares, memes, content creation and more. Besides incredible GenAI features, motoAI   has been well integrated into the camera system. The motorola edge50 Ultra features a pro-grade camera system that effortlessly captures stunning photos and videos with the most advanced camera technology powered by moto ai, making it the brand’s most impressive camera system ever. The AI features included in the camera are, AI Action Shot which quickly takes blur-free photos even if the subject is in motion, AI Adaptive Stabilization that uses AI to recognize movement while filming, and dynamically adjusts the stabilization level for the best results while Intelligent Auto Focus Tracking automatically focuses on the primary subject without manually selecting it. Additionally, the AI Photo Enhancement Engine improves the dynamic range, boosting the ratio between the brightest and darkest parts of an image while delivering finer image details, which is essential when zooming. Other AI features include Smart Color Segmentation which analyzes photos to deliver enhanced, individualized tuning for specific segments, Advanced Long Exposure, and Video Horizon Lock. 

The motorola edge50 Ultra boasts a Pantone Validated True color 50MP main camera featuring a main 1/1.3" sensor with a massive 2.4?m pixel size which absorbs 20% more light than the previous generation for sharp and bright photos in every situation. Its Laser Autofocus gauges the distance of the subject and focuses swiftly, so users never miss a thing, moreover with its omni-directional PDAF, users get 32x more focusing pixels for faster, more accurate performance in any light. Coupled with OIS which eliminates unwanted shakes, so the photos are crystal clear. The second rear camera is a 50MP Ultrawide + Macro Vision camera with a 122º ultra-wide-angle lens to capture more in just one click. The ultra-wide sensor boosts brightness and sharpness in low light as well by combining multiple pixels into one large pixel and built in macro vision brings the users 4x closer than a standard lens. The third camera in the rear camera system is the world’s 1st 64MP 3x telephoto optical zoom lens with OIS and 100x advanced hybrid zoom. The 3x telephoto lens equates to a 72mm equivalent focal length, so more of the subject can fill the frame as compared to the main lens. On the front, the motorola edge50 Ultra sports a 50MP selfie cam, one of the highest-resolution front cameras. Users can now enjoy 4x better low-light sensitivity with Quad Pixel technology, which combines every four pixels into one and get great results in dark environments with an aperture of f/1.9 which is wider than most selfie cams.

The camera system comes with numerous modes and settings, such as Tilt Shift mode which captures images with multiple points of focus for any angle bokeh effect. This Pro-grade camera is capable of four portrait modes to capture professional-looking portraits with different intensity levels, by adjusting the focal lengths between full view (25mm), wide (35mm), standard (50mm), or close-up (85mm) and for the first time, access to Adobe Doc Scan right from the camera. All this along with the integration of Google AI Features like AI Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur and Magic Editor into this Pantone™ validated camera. Remove unwanted distractions with AI Magic Eraser, Improve out-of-focus or blurry photos, both new and old with Photo Unblur feature or use Magic Editor feature in Google Photos to reimagine your photos using generative AI, just tap or circle the object, hold and drag to reposition, or pinch to resize them.  

In terms of cross device connectivity, the motorola edge50 Ultra leads the pack as the revolutionary Smart Connect feature. Smart Connect seamlessly unites multiple devices, enabling effortless task transitions across phone, tablet and PC’s making it a key component for a unified and efficient digital life. Within Smart Connect, users will get multiple functionalities like Swipe to Share, Cross Device Control, Context Aware Phone, Universal Clipboard, Share Hub, App Stream and much more. Each with its own unique advantages designed to facilitate seamless integration.

With the motorola edge50 Ultra, users can immerse themselves in a nearly borderless 6.7" pOLED display with 2800nits of peak brightness for clearer outdoor visibility thus making it the best ever in a Motorola edge series smartphone. Its Super HD (1220p) resolution delivers 13% better resolution than the previous generation for clearer, more vibrant pictures with sharper details and less pixelation. Users can watch HDR10+ movies, shows, and more in a billion shades of true-to-life color while getting an unbelievably fast 144Hz refresh rate that makes switching between apps, playing games, and scrolling through content incredibly smooth and fluid. Plus, the refresh rate adjusts automatically based on the type of content on the screen, and with a low latency 360Hz touch rate, users will experience far more responsiveness than a standard display. Just like the camera, the display is also Pantone™ validated, it has met Pantone’s evaluation and grading criteria by authentically simulating the full range of real-world Pantone Colors. Pantone SkinTone™ Validated assures the display is truly representing the vast spectrum of human skin tones. This display also comes with ultra-tough Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® Protection which ensures durability and scratch free use.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Motorola India said “At Motorola, we're dedicated to excellence with each new release. The motorola edge50 Ultra represents a significant leap in AI-driven smartphone technology, marking our most advanced device to date. This phone underscores our dedication to meaningful innovation, extending beyond hardware. Packed with exceptional AI capabilities, a stand-out real wood inspired design, interconnected ecosystem experiences and more this device effortlessly redefines true flagship experience for Indian consumers. We're confident that the motorola edge50 Ultra will deliver a revolutionary smartphone experience to our customers.”

The motorola edge50 Ultra is thoughtfully crafted with a sense of harmony and its curved edges perfectly fit the natural contours of the hand. The smartphone comes in different styles and finishes. It is the world’s 1st FSC-certified real wood body that’s inspired by nature and infused with a subtle wood fragrance. then there’s soft, natural-feeling vegan leather that’s inviting to the touch, The vegan leather variant is available in two colours, Forest Grey and Peach Fuzz- Pantone Color of the year 2024. While the wood finish is available in a single colour called Nordic Wood.

Powering all this is the motorola edge50 Ultra’s massive 4500mAh battery with segment’s only TurboPower™ 50W wireless charging along with 125W TurboPower™ charging. It also has segment’s only 10W wireless power sharing to charge ecosystem devices and the smartphone charges completely in just 18 minutes under ideal conditions. The smartphone also comes with IP68 underwater protection, that can withstand dust, dirt, and sand, along with submersion in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. With regards to performance, the smartphone is equipped with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor for ultimate performance. Users will get speeds up to 3.0 GHz for faster multitasking and improved efficiency, along with on-device generative AI at breakneck speeds owing to the supercharged Qualcomm® AI Engine. Moreover, the motorola edge50 Ultra provides the fastest LPDDR5X memory available and the latest 12GB RAM + 512GB UFS 4.0 storage in addition to 17 blazing-fast 5G speeds with support for Wi-Fi 7 networks.

The motorola edge50 Ultra uses advanced thermal components to regulate heat, with a vapor chamber cooling system, featuring an impressive chamber surface area of 5,034mm2. On the multimedia front, the smartphone comes equipped with two large stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos®. This allows users to have the most engaging and entertaining multimedia experience while enjoying crisper visuals and cleaner audio. Furthermore, Dolby’s head tracking technology identifies the location of sound as the user turns their head, recalibrating to give them a more natural sound experience. While Qualcomm® Snapdragon Sound™ delivers incredibly immersive detail in games, movies, music, and more using Bluetooth®.

With the launch of the motorola edge50 Ultra, Motorola is also introducing a more personalized and intuitive Hello UI having all Moto apps at one place and latest Android 14 with assured 3 OS upgrades and 4 years of SMR updates. Hello UI features include, Moto Gestures, Moto Secure with Thinkshield,

Family Spaces, Moto Unplugged, and Personalize 5.0. The new motorola edge50 Ultra is more than just an advanced smartphone, it’s also pushing the boundaries of sustainable packaging and product design with an eco-friendly box, which is plastic-free, features natural soy ink printing, and uses recycled and recyclable materials. Including packaging card stock made with over 60% recycled materials from FSC-certified sources.

Availability:

The motorola edge50 Ultra is available in real wood finish design referred to as Nordic Wood. It is also available in vegan leather finish in two colours, Forest Grey and Peach Fuzz- Pantone Color of the year 2024.

The smartphone will go on sale from 24th Jun 2024, 12PM on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores including Reliance Digital.

Launch Price:               

12GB+512GB   : INR 59,999

Special Introductory Offer

Additional Rs 5000 discount as Special Introductory Offer for limited period only

12GB+512GB : INR 54,999

Affordability Offers~:

Rs. 5,000 Instant Bank discount from leading banks like HDFC and ICICI banks

Consumers can also avail No Cost EMIs up to 12 Months starting at 4,167/ per month from leading banks

Effective Price with offer:

For 12GB+512GB variant: INR 49,999 (including introductory and bank offer)

To know more about the product visit:   

Flipkart                             -   www.flipkart.com/motorola-edge-50-ultra-5g-coming-soon-store

Motorola website         -   www.motorola.in/smartphones-motorola-edge-50-ultra/p

Tasva, By ABFR & Designer Tarun Tahiliani, Announce Partnership As “Official Ceremonial Dress Partner” At Paris Olympics 2024

Tasva, the Indian menswear brand by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. and celebrated designer Tarun Tahiliani, proudly announces its partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as the ‘Official Ceremonial Dress Partner’ for Team India at the Paris Olympics 2024.

This prestigious collaboration marks a significant milestone in the fashion and sports industries, bringing together the elegance and heritage of Indian fashion with the spirit of global athleticism. As the ‘Official Ceremonial Dress Partner’, Tasva will design and provide exclusive ceremonial attire for the Indian contingent, blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary flair to showcase India's rich cultural heritage on the world stage.

Commenting on the partnership, Tarun Tahiliani, Chief Design Officer, Tasva, said, "The aim was to create a look that represents our cultural heritage, incorporates the colours of the Indian flag, and, most importantly, embodies a new, dynamic, agile, and youthful India. We wanted the athletes to feel comfortable yet look formal, with tailored shapes that make them confident as they set out to represent our vibrant country. Tradition is honoured while standing on a global sporting arena.”

Mr. Ashish Mukul, Brand Head, Tasva, expressed his excitement about the partnership by stating, “We are honoured to be the ‘Official Ceremonial Dress Partner’ for the Indian team at the Paris Olympics 2024. At Tasva, we believe in celebrating the spirit of India, and this partnership allows us to showcase our rich heritage and contemporary style. We look forward to contributing to the memorable journey of our athletes and feel privileged to support them as they strive for excellence on the world stage.”

P. T. Usha, President, Indian Olympic Association, commented on the new partnership: "We are delighted to welcome Tasva as our ‘Official Ceremonial Dress Partner’ for Team India at the Paris Olympics 2024. The elegant designs and commitment to excellence that Tasva embodies will ensure that our athletes not only perform at their best but also represent India with pride and style. We are confident that this collaboration will add a new dimension to the Olympic experience for our team.”

This collaboration is set to elevate the presence of Indian fashion on a global platform, celebrating the intersection of style, tradition, and sportsmanship. The Indian contingent's ceremonial attire for the Paris Olympics 2024 promises to be a blend of sophistication, cultural pride, and contemporary design, making a powerful statement on the world stage.

About Tasva

Tasva is a leading Indian menswear brand born out of the collaboration between Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd and ace designer, Tarun Tahiliani. Tasva is dedicated to offering classy and comfortable Indian wear. With a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and contemporary style, Tasva is redefining Indian wear for the modern man. The brand offers an extensive range of kurtas, kurta bundi sets, sherwanis, Indo-western outfits, footwear, and accessories. The brand's exquisite products are available at exclusive Tasva stores across India and online at www.Tasva.com

About Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited

ABFRL is part of a leading Indian conglomerate, The Aditya Birla Group. With revenue of Rs. 13,996 Cr. spanning retail space of 11.9 million sq. ft. (as on March 31, 2024), it is India’s first billion-dollar pure-play fashion powerhouse with an elegant bouquet of leading fashion brands and retail formats.

The Company has a network of 4,664 stores across approximately 37,205 multi-brand outlets with 9,563 point of sales in department stores across India (as on 31st March 2024).

It has a repertoire of India’s largest brands in Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England, established over 25 years. Pantaloons is one of India’s leading fashion retailers.

Company’s international Brands portfolio includes - The Collective, Amongst India's largest multi-brand retailers of international brands and has long term exclusive partnerships with select brands such as Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Forever 21, American Eagle, Reebok, Simon Carter and Galeries Lafayette.

The Company’s foray into branded ethnic wear business includes brands such as Jaypore, Tasva & Marigold Lane. The company has strategic partnerships with Designers ‘Shantanu & Nikhil’, ‘Tarun Tahiliani’, ‘Sabyasachi’ and ‘House of Masaba’.

Essential Tips For Managing Diabetes During Summer Heatwaves

Temperatures are soaring, and heatwaves are becoming an unavoidable reality. April felt unusually scorching across India, with both small pockets and large swathes experiencing heatwave conditions, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Unfortunately, it seems 2024 is gearing up to be even hotter, building on last year's record-breaking temperatures. This trend isn't just a local issue; it's part of a global pattern that saw 2023 rank as the hottest year ever recorded. So, as the mercury climbs, staying cool and safe becomes more crucial than ever. 

Increased summer temperatures and heatwaves come with a unique set of challenges for people living with diabetes. Warm temperatures at times result in loss of fluids and salts from one’s body, leading to dehydration and heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion often makes it more challenging to maintain blood sugar levels, which makes people living with diabetes more sensitive to high temperatures and humidity. Therefore, it's important to remain vigilant as heatwaves can disrupt daily routines and impact overall diabetes management.

Dr B Rajendra Kumar, MBBS,MD,MBA,Diabetologist, Dr Rajendra Kumar clinic, KGF ,Kolar , Bangalore said, “Maintaining a healthy routine is essential for managing diabetes, but the summer months often bring disruptions. Changes in daily habits can lead to lapses in following a diabetes-friendly diet or checking blood glucose levels on time. Additionally, during heatwaves, people living with diabetes are at a higher risk of dehydration, especially if their blood glucose levels are uncontrolled. To effectively balance blood sugar levels, it's important to consider measures like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). CGM devices, compatible with smartphones, offer real-time monitoring even while on the move, preventing routine changes from compromising diabetes management.”

It’s vital for individuals with diabetes to keep blood sugar levels within the recommended target range (70 - 180 mg/dl) for a significant portion of the day, especially during the summer. One way to do this is by using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, which provide information on glucose levels without requiring finger pricking. Such devices have metrics like Time in Range – and checking your readings more often is associated with more time spent in your optimal range, which can improve your glucose control.

Here are 4 simple steps you beat the heatwaves and keep your diabetes in check: 

Hydration is the golden rule: To prevent dehydration during heatwaves, ensure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, even if you're not feeling thirsty. Proper hydration not only helps regulate blood sugar levels but also flushes toxins from the bloodstream. People living with diabetes are more prone to dehydration due to increased water loss, especially during hot weather. Inadequate fluid intake can elevate blood sugar levels, as high blood sugar leads to increased urination, further contributing to dehydration. Although the amount of water one should drink depends on a number of factors like weight, age, physical activity and so on, on an average, a person should consume at least 2 liters of water per day.

Regularly Monitor Blood sugar levels: It is extremely important to keep a consistent check on your blood sugar levels during a heatwave.  Advanced sensor-based continuous monitoring devices like FreeStyle Libre make it easy for you to stay on top of your glucose trends round the clock, whether you’re working out or asleep. They keep a close eye on your glucose levels and provide accurate, real-time alerts if your fluctuations need attention, so you can go about your day without having to worry about a sudden blood sugar crash or spike. You should keep an eye on your readings and try to stay in the optimal glucose range for about 17 out of 24 hours each day.

Plan your exercise smartly: An essential step in diabetes care is an active lifestyle; however, it’s also necessary to protect yourself from sunburn and dehydration. Avoid venturing out when it’s too hot and opt for indoor exercises or yoga instead. You can exercise outside during early morning or late evening hours, but it's advisable to stick to an indoor gym or practice stretches at home during hot temperatures.

Eat healthy: It is completely normal to crave ice cream and slushies during the summer. However, people with diabetes need to be extra cautious and ensure they maintain a balanced, healthy diet that is suitable for their condition. Including plenty of high-fiber vegetables and leafy greens such as celery and brussel sprouts in one’s diet can help regulate glucose levels. One can also include citrusy fruits like oranges, lemons and aamla that are rich in vitamin C, in the daily meal plan, to help strengthen ones immune system.

Summertime is a time for relaxation and feeling carefree. However, for those with diabetes, it can be challenging to fully enjoy the season. By taking small and manageable steps to manage this lifestyle disease, you can take control of your health, live fully, and enjoy the season.