Herbalife India Forays Into Skincare Segment With Vritilife Outer Nutrition Range

Highlights:

*    Launches Ayurveda-Inspired luxury skin care range and positions the company for continued growth

*   Vritilife now also offers Facial Cleanser, Facial Toner, Facial Serum, and Moisturizer.

*    Made in India and dermatologically tested*.

*    Developed at Herbalife’s Centre of Excellence in Bangalore

*    Herbalife India's Q1 2024 net sales reached $203.5 million, showcasing strong growth.

Herbalife India, a premier health and wellness company and community, announces the launch of Vritilife Outer Nutrition Range, unveiling its entry into the Indian luxury skincare market. The newly launched skin care range includes a Facial Cleanser, Facial Toner, Facial Serum, and Moisturizer.

Developed at Herbalife’s dedicated Centre of Excellence in Bangalore, the Vritilife Outer Nutrition Range has undergone rigorous clinical research. This ensures safety, efficacy, and traceability from raw material to finished product. The range combines authentic botanicals and Ayurvedic-based formulations with natural oils containing higher actives, catering to the demands of modern lifestyles. With this launch, Vritilife becomes an important part of Herbalife’s product portfolio.

Herbalife India has shown consistent growth since 2009. Initially focused on weight management, the company has diversified its product portfolio with 48 products including fitness & performance, daily nutrition, and overall health. In Q1 2024, ending on March 31, Herbalife’s net sales in India reached $203.5 million, a 13.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Herbalife India is the number one market globally among the 95 countries in which the company operates.

Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, said, “As Herbalife stands at the cusp of its next phase of growth in India, we are excited to launch the Vritilife Outer Nutrition Range. This strategic expansion not only diversifies our product portfolio but also demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality skincare solutions. As a responsible health and wellness company, we are confident that our skin care range effectively addresses the outer nutrition needs of the Indian population. These products embody our philosophy of integrating ancient Indian beauty practices with advanced, science-backed formulations.”

The Indian beauty industry is evolving at a rapid rate, with Ayurveda experiencing a significant growth. A recent study by Verified Market Research (VMR) indicates that the Ayurveda beauty market is flourishing, currently valued at $8-9 billion. Additionally, Ayurveda’s share of the current $646 billion global beauty and personal care market will reach $21.1 billion by 2028. Recognizing this shift in consumer preference towards natural solutions, Vritilife Outer Nutrition Range capitalizes on the growing demand by offering a luxurious and effective range that leverages the power of ancient herbs for contemporary skincare needs.

Ajay Khanna further added, “At Herbalife, we support local communities, respect local sentiments and our culture in all our initiatives. The Vritilife Outer Nutrition range is proudly Made in India and scientifically formulated and clinically evaluated for various skin types*. We understand and celebrate the diverse beauty traditions of this nation, and our products reflect that respect.”

*Skin types: normal, oily, dry and combination.

Youth Acts - Planting For A Sustainable Future: Inspiring The Next Generation Of Environmental Stewards

The G20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI) at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in collaboration with the Heartfulness Institute, successfully concluded the "Youth Acts - Planting for a Sustainable Future" event at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the global headquarters of the Heartfulness Institute in Hyderabad. The event brought together 2,500 enthusiastic students from across the region for an enriching day dedicated to environmental conservation and land restoration.

The event provided these young participants with a hands-on experience in environmental conservation, focusing on the vital role of land restoration in combating climate change and enhancing biodiversity. In the face of escalating environmental challenges, educating and empowering the next generation is crucial. "Youth Acts - Planting for a Sustainable Future" was more than just a tree-planting initiative; it was a comprehensive program that included interactive sessions, expert talks, and engaging activities designed to instill a deep sense of environmental stewardship in participants. By fostering a connection to nature and providing practical knowledge, the event aimed to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet.

Muralee Thummarukudy, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative at UNCCD, emphasized the significance of youth involvement in environmental efforts: "Engaging young people in land restoration activities is not just beneficial but essential. They are the future custodians of our planet, and their active participation and commitment can drive substantial positive change. This event is a step towards building a sustainable future, one sapling at a time."

Dr. V. Ramakantha, IFS (Retd), Chairman of Forests by Heartfulness, added: "The Heartfulness Institute is honored to partner with the G20 Global Land Initiative, UNCCD for this pivotal event. Our goal is to inspire and equip young minds with the knowledge and passion needed to restore and protect our natural environment. Through initiatives like these, we can collectively work towards a greener, healthier world."

This event represented a significant stride towards global land restoration efforts. By involving youth in meaningful environmental activities, we not only restored degraded land but also sowed the seeds of a sustainable future. Each sapling planted and each lesson learned during this event contributed to the broader goal of combating desertification and promoting ecological balance.

For more information about the event,  visit https://heartfulness.org/youthacts.

Photo Caption: Over 2500 school students from Hyderabad participated in a UNCCD-Heartfulness led plantation drive at Kanha Shanti Vanam.

Freshworks Global AI Workplace Report For India & Middle East

* 55% of Indian and Middle Eastern respondents believe AI can lead to an increase in productivity at workplace

Employees across India and the Middle East have the greatest levels of AI usage and expertise, according to a new report by Freshworks – with the majority of workers (88%) using AI-powered software solutions with ease and estimate they could save two hours more than any other region in a work week, while employees from other countries save only around three hours and forty-seven minutes per week.

These are the Indian and Middle East findings from Freshworks’s Global AI Workplace Report, which surveyed 7000 professionals globally in HR, IT, customer services and support, finance and accounting, sales, marketing, and legal.

The need for privacy and training

Privacy remains a big concern for organizations that have a duty of care to make sure their sensitive data remains safe.

More than half (54%) of Indians admit to using free versions of online AI tools like ChatGPT but globally, employees (30%) say they’re concerned about where AI is pulling its information from. That means a significant amount of potentially sensitive company information is likely to be leaked and used to train future versions of other companies’ AI models.

Almost three-quarters (70%) of employees in India and the Middle East - most new hires in their departments are expected to have some expertise with Artificial Intelligence. This is in sharp contrast to the US (33%) and UK (32%), where there is far less of a need for AI specialists.

With AI playing a key role in major conversations across the globe, it is important to note that almost all industry leaders are keen to adopt it across various sectors in their organizations. 46% of employees, globally, state those who haven’t joined the AI bandwagon are already behind and most likely to fail in the future.

Commenting on the study, Sandie Overtveld, Freshworks' Senior Vice President & General Manager APJ & MEA, "This study presents a fascinating overview of AI adoption globally. We're particularly impressed by the high levels of usage and expertise in India and the Middle East." He continued, “However, privacy issues are a concern to many. In order to foster trust and fully realize the advantages of this technology, businesses must place a high priority on data protection and ethical AI practices."

This comes hand in hand with the extensive investment in AI. In India and the Middle East, more than half (57%) of managers and higher-level employees say their departments would allocate more money for AI-powered software products in 2023. Senior employees agree that AI-enabled software can showcase a significant impact on businesses within 2 years. Over half (56%) of managers, especially in the IT and Marketing departments, say ROI for AI is better in comparison to other software within their organization.

AI and workers in partnership

One area in which India excels is the trust element. Significantly, 86% of employees said they have faith in AI tools to improve their workflow. Adoption rates also follow this trend. India surpasses the worldwide norm with 75% adoption among leaders. However, all employees would also likely advocate for stronger company policies around AI, with 68% saying they would trust AI more if a human review of its outputs were mandatory.

In conclusion, India is establishing itself as a global leader in AI acceptance and adoption. Its high comfort levels, trust, and investment in AI position the country to reap significant benefits from this rapidly evolving technology.

About Freshworks:

Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ: FRSH) makes it easy for companies to delight their customers and their employees. Our AI-powered customer and employee-service solutions increase efficiency and improve engagement for companies of all sizes. The result is happier customers and more productive employees. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Freshworks operates around the world to serve more than 67,000 customers, including American Express, Bridgestone, Databricks, Fila, Nucor and Sony. For the latest company news, visit www.freshworks.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Reach out to us for further queries: pr@freshworks.com

Puravankara Acquires 7-Acre Land Parcel In Hebbagodi, Bengaluru, With Potential GDV Of Rs. 900 Crore

Puravankara Limited, one of India’s most trusted and admired real estate developers, has announced the acquisition of a 7.26-acre land parcel in Hebbagodi, Bengaluru. 

Hebbagodi is strategically located near Electronics City and is well-connected to other parts of the city, making it an attractive location for residential developments. The area is a desirable location for IT professionals working in Electronics City. The area has a well-developed social infrastructure, with major hospitals, international schools and retail, and the IT hub of Electronics City Phase 1 and Phase 2, located within a 5-km radius. The land parcel is also close to the Hebbagodi Metro Station. The proximity to IT campuses and the growing infrastructure and connectivity make it an attractive option for homebuyers.

The saleable area of the project will be around 750,000 sq ft, with a potential Gross Development Value (GDV) of 900+ crores. The company also recently announced the acquisition of a 12.75-acre land parcel in Thane’s Ghodbunder Road and Lokhandwala in Mumbai, with a potential total GDV of Rs. 5,500 crores over the project lifecycle.

"We are excited to announce the acquisition of this land parcel in Hebbagodi, Bengaluru. It is a mature market with a limited residential real estate and land supply. The company intends to develop a high-end luxury project of approximately 750,000 sq ft, bringing in the much-required supply of high-quality homes in the micro market with proximity to major industrial and IT hubs. With the acquisition of landowner share of 820,661 sq ft in Provident Adora De Goa, Provident Botanico and Provident Capella, along with the 7.26 acres of land in Hebbagodi, the group has added a potential total GDV of Rs. 1,550 crores in addition to the recent acquisitions in Mumbai," said Ashish Puravankara, Managing Director of Puravankara Limited.

“In the previous financial year, we sold around 7.35 million square feet. With planned launches of around 14 million square feet for FY25 from our existing land bank, our focus shall continue to be on business development to replenish our land bank, keeping in mind the future growth plans of the group,” he added.

ABB’s PixelPaint Selected By Mahindra, To Deliver Premium Paint Options

* Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Will Deploy ABB Robotics’ PixelPaint To Deliver Personalization Options For New Line Of EVs

* M&M will be the first OEM in India to use PixelPaint technology for the painting of contrasting roofs and pillars

* ABB’s award-winning technology improves quality and efficiency while reducing waste

ABB’s innovative PixelPaint technology has been selected by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), India’s leading SUV manufacturer, for its new electric vehicle paint facility. The technology, which uses an award-winning paint head similar to an inkjet printer, will begin serial production in 2025.

“Our revolutionary PixelPaint technology can apply large areas of uniform color as well as the tiniest details with complete accuracy, without delaying the production line or the need for manual intervention,” said Joerg Reger, Managing Director of ABB Robotics Automotive Business Line. “By deploying PixelPaint-equipped robots in dedicated cells, Mahindra’s paint shop will be able to apply finishes such as contrasting roof and pillar treatments on its new line of EVs in a completely automated process.”

PixelPaint consists of a paint head with more than 1,000 tiny, individually controlled nozzles, mounted on an ABB robot such as the IRB 5500 paint series. Combined with ABB’s 3D vision system and coordinated by ABB’s RobotStudio® planning and programming software, the head tracks very closely to the vehicle body to ensure that 100 percent of the paint is applied to the car with no overspray or airborne misting. This eliminates the need for labor-intensive masking and repeat trips through the paint shop, resulting in zero waste while ensuring faithful reproduction of precise details.

Demand for personalization options has been growing in recent years, and PixelPaint is just one example of how ABB’s transformative technologies are helping to establish Mahindra’s products within the luxury segments.

The deployment, which builds on ABB and Mahindra’s existing relationship, also includes 42 robots from the IRB 5500 family making M&M the first OEM in India to use PixelPaint technology for the painting of contrasting roofs and pillars.

Complex and time-consuming operations such as interior painting and sealing are performed entirely autonomously, with the accuracy of ABB’s systems ensuring that paint is applied precisely and only where needed, eliminating the need to manually mask off areas, saving time and materials. Similarly, ABB’s RB1000i digitally-enabled paint atomizers improve transfer efficiency by 10 percent and reduce waste by more than 30 percent, ensuring less paint is lost to the air.

For more information on ABB’s PixelPaint, please visit: https://new.abb.com/products/robotics/functional-modules/pixelpaint

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on over 140 years of excellence, ABB’s more than 105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com

ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation as one of the world’s leading robotics and machine automation suppliers, is the only company with a comprehensive and integrated portfolio covering robots, Autonomous Mobile Robots and machine automation solutions, designed and orchestrated by our value-creating software. We help companies of all sizes and sectors - from automotive to electronics and logistics – become more resilient, flexible and efficient. ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation supports customers in the transition towards the connected and collaborative factory of the future. The business area employs approximately 11,000 people at over 100 locations in approximately 53 countries. go.abb/robotics.

Torque Pharma Celebrates “Doctor's Day” Across 13 Hospitals

In a heartfelt tribute to the doctors who are unsung heroes, their firm dedication and tireless efforts, Torque Pharma celebrated “Doctor's Day” with grandeur and gratitude across 13 hospitals. The celebrations included cake-cutting ceremonies, thank you notes, and thoughtful gift hampers to honour the devoted medical professionals.

To add a touch of personal connection and fun, Torque Pharma also organised a small activity wherein doctors had the opportunity to showcase their talents, highlighting their creativity and versatility beyond their professional roles.

A.I.S Bedi, Managing Director of Torque Pharma said, “Doctors are the backbone of the healthcare system. Their dedication and hard work are crucial to our well-being. This celebration is our way of expressing heartfelt thanks for their essential contributions.”

Mandeep Singh, Executive Director of Torque Pharma said, “Doctors devote their lives in treating ailing patients. Their commitment to patient care goes far beyond the call of duty.  At Torque Pharma we are honoured to recognize and celebrate their remarkable service and dedication.”

The event was hosted across 13 hospitals in Chandigarh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Mohali & Panchkula & Derrabassi namely Kare Partner (Chandigarh), Dharam Hospital (Chandigarh), Bedi Hospital (Chandigarh), Motherhood Hospital (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar), Indus International Hospital (Derrabassi), Indus Hospital (Mohali), Indus My Hospital (Mohali), Indus Super Speciality Hospital (Mohali), Shalby Hospital (Mohali), Kare Partner (Panchkula), Grecian Hospital (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar), Eden Hospital (Chandigarh), and Medpark Hospital (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar).

Doctors At Medicover Hospital erform Complicated Robotic – Assisted Surgery To Save A Man From Pancreatic Cancer; First In AP

·         This operation of pancreatic cancer is considered as one of the most complex GI surgeries

·          It has been performed robotically, only in very few centres across the world.

Doctors at Medicover Hospital, a leading multispecialty hospital in Visakhapatnam, performed a unique robotic-assisted surgery to save a 77-year-old pancreatic cancer patient. The surgery called ‘Whipple procedure’ was done with the help of one of the best robotic-assisted surgery systems, da Vinci made by US based Intuitive. This rare procedure has only been performed by a handful of surgeons worldwide and this is the first time ever a Whipple procedure is being performed with the help of a surgical robot in Andhra Pradesh. The surgery was led by Dr. Biswabasu Das, Director- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology.

The patient who had progressive jaundice and itching all over the body was diagnosed with cancer in the head of the pancreas (periampullary region) during initial assessments. He was suggested to undergo an open Whipple procedure from other hospitals. Upon further consultation at Medicover hospital, the patient was recommended to undergo robotic Whipple surgery.  This procedure requires to remove a part of pancreas, duodenum, bile duct, gall bladder, and the surgeons need to reconnect all these parts after the removal of cancer tissues. This requires meticulous reconstruction; hence this surgery is done only by highly trained surgeons.

Commenting on the complexity of the procedure, Dr. Biswabasu Das said, “Traditionally this operation is performed by open surgery with large incisions of 15-20 cms over abdomen. From my more than two decade long surgical experience, I have witnessed patients struggle with prolonged recovery and postoperative pain following open Whipple procedures. When we make such large incisions, it will require high amount blood transfusion, as well. But, now with advanced surgical technologies like da Vinci robotic surgery, we can do it more precisely with small incisions. It has shown remarkable efficacy in improving the patient outcomes. Conventional open surgery poses significant postoperative complications, as well. The patient takes several days to recover, start walking and do normal activities like eating and defecation. Compared to these, the patient who underwent the robotic – assisted surgery was discharged in only four days and resumed day - to – day activities soon, which is quite early considering how this procedure is regarded as one among the most complex abdominal surgeries. Typically, during the surgical procedure, various tubes like T –tubes are inserted to facilitate post-operative care. Due to minimal blood loss and reduced pain, the patient recovered swiftly, and all tubes were removed in no time”. 

The introduction of advanced medical technologies such as robotic-assisted surgical systems has transformed the way gastrointestinal surgical procedures are performed at the hospital. There has been a significant increase in the number of patients seeking robotic surgery over other conventional methods. The hospital recently completed 100 surgeries since the installation of da Vinci RAS system three months back. 

“At our hospital, we perform a wide range of surgical procedures, from common cases like gallbladder stones and appendix surgeries, to complex procedures such as Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgeries, foregut surgeries including fundoplication, gastroenterostomy and treatments for achalasia cardia, colorectal surgeries and acute abdominal emergencies. All these procedures which were done either laparoscopically or through conventional means are now being done robotically. There is a significant demand for robotic – assisted surgery which indicates the need for hospitals to invest in the technology and make it accessible to more patients. An increase in the adoption of robotic systems will elevate the quality of patient care,” Dr. Biswabasu Das, added.  

Robotic-assisted surgery, being minimally invasive, involves only small incisions and results in reduced blood loss. The three dimensional vision and precision the technology offers improves the accuracy of surgical procedures, leading to enhanced patient outcomes.