Revolutionizing Healthcare Access: Narayana Health Insurance Launches 'ADITI'

* 'ADITI' offers comprehensive coverage with a sum insured of Rs One crore for surgeries and Rs Five lakh for medical management at Narayana Health network hospitals.

Narayana Health Insurance Ltd. (NHIL), a new venture by Narayana Health, today announced the launch of its first health insurance product, 'ADITI.' This innovative plan aims to bridge the gap in healthcare access for the masses in India by offering comprehensive coverage at an affordable price point.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Health and Narayana Health Insurance said, “Today, we are not just rolling out an insurance product; we are taking a monumental step towards a future where quality healthcare is accessible to every Indian. Narayana ‘ADITI’ is designed to protect families from the financial burdens of medical expenses, offering peace of mind during challenging times. With the launch of Aditi, we embark on a transformative journey to make quality healthcare a reality for every Indian and upto 1 crore coverage for the family of four for the premium of 10,000 floater . This is just the beginning.”

The event was attended by the Narayana Health and Insurance management team along with Anamika Roy Rashtrawar, Independent Director, NHIL. Dr. Shetty presented the first five ‘ADITI’ health insurance policies to their first five families from Mysore. This marks a significant milestone in Narayana Health's mission to make healthcare accessible and affordable for all Indians through their innovative ‘ADITI’ plan. Narayana Health Insurance plans to launch ADITI in four districts around Mysore initially allowing them space to gather feedback and adapt the plan to ensure optimal service and scalability.

“Traditional health insurance can be an overwhelming process for most people", says Viren Prasad Shetty, Vice Chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd. "We believe health insurance should be simple, transparent, and offer a clear path to good health. We designed 'Aditi' to redefine health insurance as a tool for proactive healthcare, not reactive treatment. 'Aditi' offers a single plan that prioritizes life-saving care, eliminates hidden fees and doesn’t have long waiting periods. Our unique offering will be built around a world-class care team, who will help families save money on essential procedures and put our members in the driver’s seat of their healthcare journey."

Unlike traditional plans, Aditi prioritizes a smooth and efficient experience. The coverage is primarily within the trusted Narayana Health network, where experienced doctors and advanced facilities await. This focus ensures streamlined communication and minimizes administrative hurdles. However, for emergencies and specific situations, Aditi offers limited coverage outside the network, providing a safety net when needed. Most importantly, the claim settlement process within the Narayana Health network is designed to be hassle-free, allowing customers to focus on their health and recovery.

Recognizing that extensive networks can inflate costs, ADITI prioritizes value by focusing its coverage on Narayana Health hospitals, known for their quality care. Limited coverage outside the network is available for emergencies and specific situations. ADITI goes beyond just basic coverage. It prioritizes essential medical needs by covering treatment in general wards, eliminating the burden of expensive room selections. ADITI represents a significant step towards Narayana Health's vision of creating a healthier and more equitable society.

About Narayana Health Insurance

Narayana Health Insurance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Narayana Health.  The company is licensed as a health insurance company by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) The mission of Narayana Health Insurance is to make quality care accessible to all Indians by offering comprehensive health insurance coverage at an affordable price point.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor Continues To Post Strong Sales Growth, Records Its Highest Monthly Sales With 27,474 Units In June 2024

* Strong performance attributed to the sustained and overwhelming response to the entire MPV and SUV line-up.

* Further enhanced customer centricity and the roll-out of value-added services are at the centre of the positive momentum.

* Enhanced reach has created better accessibility not only in metros but across smaller regions

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has maintained its strong sales momentum and recorded a growth of 40% in June 2024 by selling 27,474 units. This includes domestic sales of 25,752 units along with 1,722 units of exports. In May 2023, TKM had sold 19,608 units.

The company also reported success in the first six months of the calendar year compared to the same period last year, with a growth of 47%. During the period of January to June 2024, TKM sold 1,50,250 units, whereas in the same period of CY 2023, TKM sold 1,02,371 units.

Commenting on the strong performance, Mr. Sabari Manohar – Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Our product strategy and continued focus on offering a delightful ownership experience across all touchpoints allowed us to maintain a consistently strong performance. Notably, we achieved our highest ever monthly sales of 27,474 units in June, and the overall 47% growth for the Calendar Year highlights the success of our invigorated strategy. Our recently launched Urban Cruiser Taisor continues to perform beyond expectations with order intake doubling compared to the previous month. The model's growing popularity underscores Toyota’s growing presence in the SUV segment. The Urban Cruiser Taisor which embodies a fusion of style, high performance, fuel economy, and a striking exterior design is available in three engine options 1.0L Turbo, 1.2L Petrol and E-CNG options. What makes it an even greater value proposition is that the SUV is backed by renowned Toyota value-added services specially designed with Indian customers in mind.

Overall, our SUV and MPV segments continue to lead our impressive sales surge thus reflecting a strong consumer preference for these versatile and reliable vehicles. Beyond our strong presence in major cities, TKM has strategically increased its focus on rural areas, broadening our customer base and driving significant momentum.

Additionally, on the lines of offering something new to the customers, we recently launched company-owned Toyota Used Car Outlet (TUCO) in New Delhi. Operating under the brand "Toyota U-Trust” our aim is to provide customers with high-quality, safe used cars, ensuring convenience, transparency, and peace of mind throughout the buying and selling process.”

Madame Introduces Bridgerton Collection, Merging Netflix Regency With Contemporary Fashion

Madame, the premium womenswear fashion brand, has dropped yet another buzz for its customers with the unveiling of its collaboration with Shondaland at Netflix; the brand has launched their latest capsule collection inspired by the highly popular Bridgerton series. The announcement comes post the launch of Bridgerton’s Season 3. 

One of its kind, this collaboration marks a celebration of the European elegance fused with the brand’s contemporary allure. 

The Bridgerton Series has ignited among its viewers, a resurging preference for regal elements like embroidered dresses, empire waists, crystal encrustments, floral patterns, luxurious fabrics, corsets, flowy cotton gowns, etc. In response to this regency trend, Madame has curated the collection exclusively for its customers to meet these regency fashion desires with a contemporary twist. Featuring a range of limited-edition styles, each piece exudes a luxurious feel reminiscent of historical splendor.

The offerings showcase dresses adorned with graceful A-line silhouettes in premium fabrics and delicate floral prints, tailored for garden parties, soirées, and evening events. For a touch of regality in casual wear, t-shirts have been designed with golden-hued typography and rhinestone-like embellishments, perfect for the gen-Z customers looking to add a Bridgerton flair to their everyday outfits. The workwear shirts, designed with ornamentally adorned buttons, bring a sophisticated touch to professional attires. 

Parika Rawal, Design Head of Madame, expressed: "Our Bridgerton Collection seamlessly blends the elegance of bygone eras with contemporary style, offering the wearers a stunning presence at any occasion. It’s a unique opportunity for our customers to embrace Bridgerton’s regency while making a modern statement in today’s continuously evolving fashion scene."

Madame’s Bridgerton Collection is designed to transport wearers into the realm of Bridgerton's aristocratic society through these carefully selected vintage styles, without compromising on the brand’s modern flair. The launch underscores the brand’s commitment to offering the latest in fashion to its customers.

About Madame:

Madame, a women’s westernwear brand, was launched in 1993. It caters to a wide range of fashion apparel and accessories for women. The brand provides fast fashion in-trend merchandise, casual wear, and party wear. In line with its global image, Madame has 170+ exclusive stores in tier I & tier-II cities. Ever since the start of its first store in 2002, the brand has briskly grown across India and is available in over 700+ retail outlets across the country. The brand is also vended through online markets including Myntra, Ajio, Flipkart, and Amazon, and its own online store, glamly.com.

Tata Motors Registered Total Sales Of 229,891 Units In Q1 FY25

·       Total CV Sales of 91,209 units, 6% YoY

·       Total PV Sales of 138,682 units, -1% YoY

Tata Motors Limited sales in the domestic & international market for Q1 FY 2024-25 stood at 229,891 vehicles, compared to 226,245 units during Q1 FY 2023-24.

Domestic sales of MH&ICV in June 2024, was 14,640 units vs 14,427 units in June 2023; In Q1 FY25 it was 40,349 units, compared to 35,188 units in Q1 FY24.

Domestic & International sales for MH&ICV in June 2024, was 15,224 units vs 14,770 units in June 2023; while in Q1 FY25 it stood at 41,974 units, vs 36,577 units in Q1 FY24.

Mr. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles domestic sales at 87,615 units in Q1 FY25 were ~7% higher than Q1 FY24 sales. Additionally, sales in June 2024 were ~3% higher compared to May 2024.

The M&HCV segment led the growth with ~10% rise in Q1 FY25 sales volumes versus Q1 FY24. While HCV demand held up well, market sentiment remained positive in MCV segment with demand increasing in e-commerce, auto-aggregates and LPG segments. The CV passenger business continues with its robust post-pandemic recovery with school and staff transportation segments growing 39% during the quarter. Sales of small and light commercial vehicles declined by ~6% in Q1 FY25 compared to Q1 FY24, primarily due to financing challenges faced by ‘first-time users’ in this category.

Going forward, the forecast of a healthy monsoon, expectations of policy continuity and continuing thrust on infra related developmental projects by the Government are expected to improve the demand for commercial vehicles. The demand in staff, intercity, and stage carriage segments should also remain healthy despite the seasonal dip often seen in school transportation in Q2. We continue to remain focused on partnering our customers to success while vigilantly tracking relevant macro factors including geopolitical developments, interest rates, fuel prices and inflation.”

Passenger Vehicles:

Includes sales of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, both subsidiaries of Tata Motors Limited.

Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said, “In Q1 FY25, after a boost in demand in the first half of April, due to festivities in some parts of country, the Passenger Vehicle industry saw a decline in retails (registrations) in the months of May and June, influenced by the general elections and heat waves across the country. Tata Motors wholesales of 138,682 cars and SUVs in Q1 FY25 remained flat compared to Q1 FY24, as we readjusted our wholesales in line with retails to keep channel inventory under control.

The Electric Vehicle industry was affected by the broader industry trend and the impact of significant preponement fleet sales in Q4FY24, due to expiry of FAME II subsidy in March 2024. Consequently, while the personal segment retails have grown slightly, there was a sharp decline witnessed in the fleet segment, which is expected to recover in the coming quarters.

Going forward, we foresee recovery of demand, as enquiries have remained strong despite low retails in the past two months. This strong enquiry pipeline, in addition to onset of festive season from August, augurs well for the industry. Tata Motors is fully geared up to leverage this growth opportunity on the back of strong demand for its SUV portfolio, especially Punch and Nexon, as well as new launches in the coming months.”

Coca-Cola India And Skill India's Super Power Retailer Programme Empowers Over 14,000 Retailers

Coca-Cola India and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) showcase their unwavering commitment towards reshaping the retail landscape in Odisha with the Super Power Retailer Program. In the span of seven months, over 14000 retailers have been empowered through the initiative including women retailers.

This remarkable programme was launched by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon'ble Union Minister for Education and the former Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, on October 15th 2023, and it aims to bring a positive transformation in the retail community of the state.

Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International said, “Looking at the retail landscape rapidly evolving with the integration of technology, we are invested in upskilling our retailers by building their capacity and capability. I am confident that this partnership with Coca-Cola India will play a key role in equipping the beneficiaries with necessary knowledge to expand their businesses and enhance consumer experiences, ultimately strengthening India’s economy. Moreover, the integration of SIDH (Skill India Digital Hub) will ensure that the learners will have access to digital content, enabling them to acquire in-demand skills anytime, anywhere digitally.”

On the progress of the initiative, Irene Tan, Vice President, Human Resources, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia, said, “At Coca-Cola, we strive to create a conducive and enabling environment for retailers, allowing them to expand their businesses and enhance consumer experiences. The Super Power Retailer program showcases our commitment towards positively impacting societies. Our partnership with Skill India Mission underlines innovative delivery of industry-specific skills in the retailer community, opening doors of opportunity for all."

The Super Power Retailer Program offers industry-specific skills such as customer management, inventory and stock management, financial management and more that are tailored to the professional needs of retailers, making the retailers proficient and enhancing their knowledge. The participation of women in retailer program demonstrates Coca-Cola India’s commitment to driving change, fostering gender diversity and boosting employment prospects.

As part of the program, a combination of classroom training sessions in Odisha and an online certification program across India led to the participation of 14000 retailers. The training delivered in local language enabled small shopkeepers and big businessmen to expand their reach, improve accessibility, and better adapt to changing market trends.

About Coca-Cola India:

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country's leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company in line with its

vision of 'Beverages For Life' offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India it's beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Charged by Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca Sportz, Smartwater, Kinley, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. Premium products constitute Schweppes and Smartwater. In addition, it offers Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 4 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people's lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture initiatives and carbon emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

45% Of India’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Sales Comes From South India: Report

* Tamil Nadu is the R&D hub for many OEMs and battery/cell manufacturing companies

* Top EV Brands and Battery Manufacturers Come Together for India EV 2024, India’s Largest EV Expo & Conference

With the objective to discover innovative solutions, achieve sustainable EV integration in smart cities, and envision a future that blends environmental consciousness with technological progress, India’s largest EV Expo & Conference is back with its 4th Edition – India EV 2024, happening on 29th & 30th June 2024 at the Chennai Trade Centre. A report titled “An Overview of Indian Electric Vehicle Market: Trends And Future Outlook” by Frost & Sullivan is being released in conjunction with India EV 2024, that highlights the nation’s EV goals, trends and outlook.

India EV 2024 is organised by Entrepreneur India, with Citroën as the Title Partner and Powered by Jio-BP. Other sponsors include LUBI and EV Lubricant, complemented by significant support from esteemed industry bodies and ministries including the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Guidance Tamil Nadu, the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce, ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India), and ICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology).

Thiru S. S. Sivasankar, Hon’ble Minister for Transport, Government of Tamil Nadu is the Chief Guest for the event, and V. Vishnu, IAS MD & CEO Guidance Tamil Nadu is the Guest of Honour. Eminent industry leaders including, Harish Mehta, CEO of JIO BP, Shishir Mishra, Brand Director of Citroen India, Dr. Sauro Mezzetti, Chairman of the Indo–Italian Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Professor at IIT Madras, are sharing visionary insights on the future of electric mobility at the conference.

With an expected attendance of over 2000 participants, the 2-day conference is packed with 120+ distinguished exhibitors, 55+ notable speakers, 10+ panel discussions, B2B roundtables, product launches and networking sessions. Day-1 of the conference emphasizes integration and global expansion, while Day-2 covers battery manufacturing, AI integration, and the prominence of Tamil Nadu's EV production. Themes being discussed at the expo include funding, charging standardisation, EV infrastructure, the availability of semiconductors, and the future of electric mobility in India.

Highlights from the report by Frost & Sullivan on India’s EV market:

Over 123,000 units of Battery Electric Vehicles (passenger cars) are likely to be sold in India by end of 2024; recording an estimated y-o-y growth of 47.9% as compared to ~83,000 units sold in 2023.

Tata Motors leads the way with over 64% market share; Tata Nexon EV was the highest selling EV in 2023.

South India leads India EV sales with almost half the sales in the country coming from the region. 

The growing presence of OEMs, component suppliers and battery/cell manufacturing companies in Tamil Nadu makes the State a central force for the growth of EV sales and the EV R&D hub in India.

Presently, Hyundai Motor and Stellantis have commenced production of EV passenger vehicles in Tamil Nadu, and other prominent automotive companies like Renault-Nissan and BMW are expected to establish themselves and produce EVs in the State.

OEMs are aiming at localising the production of 60-70% EV components by 2030, including critical EV components, apart from the battery.

With Citroën being the title partner of India EV 2024, Shishir Mishra, Brand Director of Citroen India delivered a keynote address, sharing his views on building a conducive EV ecosystem in India. He said, "By prioritizing innovation, investing in infrastructure, and implementing supportive policies, India can establish itself as a global leader in the electric vehicle industry. We must focus on research and development, foster collaboration with industry stakeholders, and remain committed to sustainability."

"The 4th edition of the India EV Show is a testament to the growing importance of electric vehicles in the global automotive industry. We are excited to bring together a stellar lineup of industry leaders, top manufacturers, suppliers, and enthusiasts to drive forward the transition to cleaner, greener transportation. Hosting this event in Chennai for the second time reiterates the city's strategic importance as a hub for automotive innovation and sustainable development.  With a diverse range of exhibitors and cutting-edge technologies on display, attendees will have the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the advancements that are shaping the future of mobility,” said Sachin Marya, Managing Director of Franchiseindia.com Ltd.

Hero MotoCorp Pays Tribute To Founder, Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal With The Collector's Edition Motorcycle - 'The Centennial'

* Meticulously Handcrafted Units For The Chosen 100 – By Invitation Only

Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal, Founder Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, inspired billions worldwide. His vision transformed the landscape of the Indian automotive industry,  and the Indian industry, leaving behind a legacy of ingenuity, innovation, courage and integrity. For him, business transcended profit - it was about people, both the individual and the community. 

As we celebrate the completion of one year of his centennial anniversary, I am overwhelmed and proud to introduce ‘The Centennial’ - a marvel of engineering crafted in honour of his legacy. ‘The Centennial’ is not merely a landmark motorcycle but a memoir, written in steel and carbon fibre. This magnificent machine's design, engineering and technology all reflect the indelible mark of our inspiring Founder.

His inclusive vision embraced everyone in the Hero community – our customers, employees, dealers, partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Over these 100 days, we celebrate the man who started it all. I invite everyone to join us in honouring Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal on his 101st birth anniversary."   

Dr. Pawan Munjal

Executive Chairman

Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest motorcycle and scooter manufacturer, is paying tribute to its visionary Founder Chairman, Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal, with the collector's edition motorcycle, 'The Centennial.'

'The Centennial' was conceptualised, designed and developed by the global experts at the Hero Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in India and the Hero Tech Centre in Germany (TCG). This masterpiece reflects the company's commitment to innovation and excellence. With only 100 meticulously handcrafted units, it embodies premium performance and craftsmanship.

In honour of Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal's 101st birth anniversary, the company will auction these bikes to its employees, associates, business partners, and stakeholders. The proceeds from the contributions will be utilised for the society's greater good, reflecting the Founder's enduring value of giving back to the community.

Deliveries of ‘The Centennial’ will begin in September 2024.

Additionally, driven by its commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, the company is celebrating 100 days of customer and employee engagements across its facilities and dealer network, including its Global markets. During this period, customers who buy any Hero motorcycle or scooter will have the unique opportunity to receive 100% cashback on their purchase. This offer is available for a limited number of 100 vehicles. Further details are available on the company website and social media platforms.

Hero MotoCorp will also be inviting its customers to partake in the ‘My Hero, My Story' campaign, where they can share anecdotes showcasing their unique bond and journey with the brand. A distinguished panel of experts from diverse backgrounds will carefully evaluate the submissions, and the top entries will be rewarded with the coveted ‘The Centennial.’

The Centennial

‘The Centennial’ stands out with its exceptional craftsmanship, carbon fibre and milled aluminium usage, and meticulous engineering.

Its distinctive elements include a lightweight aluminium swingarm for an enhanced riding experience and newly designed carbon fibre body panels for sleek aesthetics and structural rigidity. ‘The Centennial’ features are specially developed, machined, and anodised, including handlebars, handlebar mounts, triple clamps, and rear-set foot pegs.

Delivering impressive performance and agility, the bike is equipped with a gas-charged, fully adjustable mono-shock from Wilbers and a 43-mm upside-down front suspension with damping adjustment.

A distinct, deep exhaust note emanates from the top-of-the-line carbon fibre and titanium exhaust system by Akrapovic, which is specially tuned for peak performance and integrates seamlessly with the bike.

The solo seat with a carbon fibre seat cowl and milled aluminium special edition numbered badging on the side covers add to the bike's uniqueness and exclusivity. Attention to detail is evident in the diamond-cut alloy wheels and the engine and frame's paint scheme, which enhance the motorcycle's visual appeal.

With a low kerb weight of 158 kg, ‘The Centennial’ is exceptionally light, offering superior throttle response and improved handling and braking performance.

For more information, visit - https://www.heromotocorp.com/en-in/the-centennial.html

Photo Caption  Mr Jae Jun Lee, CEO OF Curexo.co, South Korea, Dr Alessandro Lelli, Director of Orthopedic Department, Villa Regina Hospital, Italy, Swami Muktidananda, Trustee of Ramakrishna Math & Member of Governing Body of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Dr Chandrashekar P, Director, IKOC and Mr. Vivek Shah, Chief Executive Officer - Meril Life Science.