Kenstar, Leader In Air Cooler Segment, Now Launches “Large Appliances”

Kenstar proudly hosted its Annual Business Meet at the prestigious Hyatt Manesar, gathering over 1000 partners for a day of celebration, collaboration, and future planning.

Record-Breaking Achievements in BY 2023-24

The business year 2023-24 marked a milestone for Kenstar as the company achieved a remarkable 130% target with an impressive 55% growth.

In his keynote address, Kenstar CEO Mr. Sunil Jain highlighted the regional and global triumphs of Kenstar: "Leading in the entire South region, we have reclaimed our number 1 position in Karnataka. Our dominance continues in the East and West markets, with strengthened positions in Orissa and West Bengal. Here in the North, the demand for big coolers is surging. Our journey to becoming a leader in this segment has shown tremendous response. With these achievements, we are on our path to becoming the No. 1 Air Cooler Brand in the country.

We kept pace with today’s customers’ needs. We started our online e-commerce and large format association journey. In just a few years, we are already one of the fastest-growing brands in the country on both e-commerce and large format channels.

Our success extends beyond India, with footprints in over 30 countries. We are leaders in the SAARC, Middle East, and Africa regions."

The event was graced by the presence of Kenstar’s brand ambassadors, Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa, who added star power to the occasion by unveiling Kenstar’s latest range of large appliances.

Kenstar unveiled a comprehensive range of large appliances, including double-door frost-free refrigerators, split air conditioners, and fully automatic washing machines. With this launch, Kenstar now offers a full stack of Home Appliances, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

In addition to expanding into large appliances, Kenstar showcased its commitment to offering the latest technology to customers by launching new BLDC cooler models at the Annual Meet. This advancement highlights Kenstar’s dedication to providing energy-efficient and high-performance products.

Kenstar also continues to maintain a strong focus on its core categories, including Air Coolers, Small Home Appliances and water heaters. The company has significantly expanded its SKUs in these categories, now boasting over 100 SKUs in small home appliances alone.

About Kenstar

For over 27 years, Kenstar has been a pioneer in delighting customers with best in class appliances that bring joy and comfort to everyday living. Kenstar today offers appliances across a wide variety of categories including coolers, small home appliances, heating appliances, washing machines, refrigerators & air conditioners. Kenstar prides itself in continually innovating to bring the latest products to its customers, earning a loyal and happy customer base.

Rummytime And ClearTax Join Forces To Empower Rummy Players For Seamless ITR Filing And Nation Building

Rummytime, one of India’s first leading skill-based rummy platforms offering multilingual game options, recently announced its strategic partnership with ClearTax, India’s premier tax and finance platform. This collaboration aims to assist all Rummy players in filing their Income Tax Returns (ITR) seamlessly and cost effectively.

All Rummy players, whether they are users of Rummytime or other Rummy apps, can avail the benefits of this offer by registering with the platform. As part of this association, all Rummy players registered with Rummytime, who file their taxes either self or CA assisted through ClearTax will get the amount paid by them to ClearTax, in the form of ‘Discount Credits’ in their game wallet maintained on the Rummytime application. Additionally, the option of using CA Assistance in regional languages will also be provided on Cleartax. Through this association, Rummytime is supporting the government’s efforts in increasing the number of people in the income tax net and aligning with the nation’s broader efforts to promote financial inclusion and compliance.

Divya Alok Agarwal, Director - Rummytime said, “As one of the country’s leading Rummy platforms, Rummytime doesn't just focus on its own players but on the entire Rummy playing community. We are thrilled to partner with ClearTax to enable effortless ITR filing for all Rummy players. This collaboration will not only make tax filing easier and ensure that our community complies with tax regulations without any hassle, but also make the experience rewarding via our exciting credit point offers. At Rummytime, we are dedicated to enhancing the overall experience of our users and making their gaming experience seamless.”

To avail the ITR filing service, Rummy players who use other apps need to register on Rummytime. This step ensures they too can enjoy the streamlined tax filing process offered by ClearTax.

Avinash Polepally, Consumer Business Head, ClearTax, said, “Our mission at ClearTax has always been to simplify financial lives for Indians. By teaming up with Rummytime, we can extend our expertise to a broader audience, helping Rummy players navigate the complexities of tax filing easily and confidently.”

ClearTax will also offer CA-assisted filing services for those who prefer expert assistance. The expert assisted services will be available in multiple regional languages, making it easier for players across India to understand and manage their tax obligations.

This partnership marks a significant step towards merging technology and user-centric services, ensuring that the vibrant community of Rummy players can focus on enjoying their games while remaining compliant with their tax responsibilities.

About Rummytime

Rummytime is a leading skill-based online game crafted for rummy lovers characterised by its numerous game variations and other features like quick withdrawals. It is one of  India’s first multilingual rummy platforms for all rummy enthusiasts, offering multiple online rummy variants with the added guarantee of safety, security, and fair play.

The Rummytime app is based on technology and design that aims to infuse the game of rummy with features that are truly a class apart, thanks to its superior gameplay, visually pleasing graphics and exclusive rewards.

About ClearTax

ClearTax is India's premier tax filing solution provider, offering a range of services to simplify tax compliance for individuals and businesses. With cutting-edge technology and expert support, ClearTax has revolutionized the way Indians file their taxes, making the process fast, easy, and stress-free.

Regency Healthcare Performs Robotic-Assisted Surgery To Save A CRPF Officer From A Complex Recurring Hernia

·         Regency Healthcare is the first hospital in Uttar Pradesh except NCR to perform Robotic Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Surgery

·         Dr. Abhimanyu Kapoor performed AWR (Abdominal Wall Reconstruction) on this CRPF officer to help her get back to the service, after two failed conventional surgeries from other hospitals

Regency Healthcare, a leading multi-speciality hospital in Kanpur, performed a Robotic Abdominal Wall Reconstruction surgery to address the recurrence of a hernia in a 40-year-old woman CRPF officer. This highly intricate and unique robotic – assisted surgery was performed by Dr. Abhimanyu Kapoor, Head and Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist by using Da Vinci technology. The patient had undergone an abdominal surgery elsewhere in the past to remove an ovarian tumour, which led to the development of incisional hernias. Following, she underwent two open surgeries to address the recurrence of hernia. Despite these surgical interventions, the patient developed abdominal hernia for the third time.

Regency healthcare is the first hospital in the state of Uttar Pradesh (except NCR) where the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology under Dr. Abhimanyu Kapoor is offering robotic abdominal wall reconstruction surgery to patients suffering from hernia. A lot of patients tend to develop incisional hernias following abdominal surgeries. Treatments for hernia typically involve open or laparoscopic surgery where the bulging tissues are pushed back to where it belongs and a surgical mesh is placed to address the hernia defect. However, these conventional modalities can result in the recurrence of hernia. However, with advanced technologies like da Vinci robotic–assisted surgery, doctors can perform hernia repair and prevent its recurrence.

Commenting on the complexity of the case, Dr. Abhimanyu Kapoor said, “The 40-year-old woman was in complete distress, having undergone back to back surgeries, confused and unaware of how to proceed. As a police officer serving in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the patient was also concerned about how long it would take for her to resume duty. As she had already undergone three surgeries in the past, our major priority was to pursue a minimally invasive surgical approach that would leave less scars on her body and result in faster recovery. So we recommended her to undergo a robotic–assisted abdominal wall reconstruction where we could perform retrorectus hernia repair with the help of da Vinci system.  This surgical procedure was highly favoured due to the ease of suturing, safety in dissection and prevention of any bowel injury. As the abdominal bulge she had was very big, we did posterior component separation with TAR (Transversus Abdominis Release). This procedure helped us repair the complex abdominal wall defect and place a large – sized mesh through small incisions.

Dr. Abhimanyu further elaborated on the challenges of proceeding with any other surgical procedure for similar cases, “Open surgeries require larger incisions which will cause significant trauma to the tissues, increasing the chances of recurrent hernia.  While in laparoscopy, it is generally noticed that the mesh placed in the abdomen may develop infections or cause adhesion formation and other complications. As a result of the same, the patient may experience abdominal pain or vomiting. In robotic-assisted surgery by using advanced technologies like da Vinci, the cutting-edge instrumentation and three-dimensional vision provided by the robotic system enables us to place a large-sized mesh through a small incision. With enhanced precision and control, the mesh is carefully placed in a plane where the mesh avoids contact with the intestines or any other visceral structures within the abdomen, lowering the risk of any infections. With minimal incision, there is less blood loss and the patient recovers faster”. 

Commenting on the faster recovery, the 40-year-old patient said, “Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, hernia continued to recur. I was unsure as to what surgical treatment would help address these challenges. Dr. Abhimanyu Kapoor at Regency Healthcare guided me through the benefits of robotic–assisted surgery and how it can prevent the recurrence of hernia. Not only I was discharged within a day but was also able to get back to work immediately. I’m extremely grateful to Dr. Abhimanyu Kapoor who led the surgery and his entire surgical team who assisted him.

Punch.ev Receives 5-Stars From Bharat-NCAP Making It India’s Safest Vehicle, Nexon.ev Too Receives 5-Stars By Bharat-NCAP

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEM), a subsidiary of Tata Motors and the pioneer of India’s EV revolution, has started FY 25 on a high as the company announced its SUVs – the Punch.ev and the Nexon.ev – achieved the coveted 5-star safety ratingn by Bharat-NCAP. Notably, the Punch.ev earned the highest rating by any Indian vehicle tested. With this result, all Tata.ev SUVs are 5-star certified by Bharat-NCAP.

Carrying forward Tata Motors’ legacy of safer vehicles for Indian roads, the Tata.ev portfolio not only meets the needs of discerning customers but also excels in safety. The EVs boast features typically found in segments 2-3 tiers above their own, offering exceptional value to Indian consumers. Additionally, all Tata.ev models come standard with ZConnect connected car technology across all variants.

Punch.ev is the newest offering in the Tata.ev portfolio. Based on Tata.ev’s Pure EV architecture – acti.ev – it’s a versatile and multi-talented EV, elegantly packaged in a stunning, classical SUV design. The Punch.ev seamlessly brings together features like Arcade.ev, air purifier, end to end LED DRLs with welcome and goodbye function, frunk, sunroof, all digital instrument cluster and infotainment among others. It also features 6 airbags, electronic stability program, ISOFIX, hill hold assist, roll over mitigation, iTPMS as standard features. While 360 degree camera, blind spot view monitoring, SOS calling, electronic parking brake with auto hold, all 4 disc brakes, and hill decent control are offered in select variants.

The kickstarter of India’s EV revolution, the Nexon.ev has sold over 68,000 units since its launch in 2020. It disrupts the market by not just offering a digital driving experience, featuring a 12 inch infotainment screen by Harman and a 9-speaker JBL sound system, but also through offerings like end to end LED DRLs with welcome and goodbye function, Arcade.ev – a first of its kind infotainment app store, and Vehicle to Vehicle charging and Vehicle to Load technology – something which is found only in luxury vehicles. Its standard safety feature list includes 6 airbags, electronic stability program with iVBAC, ISOFIX, hill hold assist, roll over mitigation, iTPMS, and rear parking camera. Furthermore, 360 Degree camera, Blind Spot Monitoring, SOS Calling, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold, All 4 Disc Brakes, and Hill Decent Control are offered in select variants.

India’s fastest booked EV, the Tiago.ev, truly democratized electric mobility, while the 4-star GNCAP rated Tigor.ev accentuates the feeling of luxury and comfort. Together, they offer features like leatherette seats, automatic climate control, projector headlamps, cruise control, electric ORVMs with auto-fold, and rain-sensing wipers. Safety is paramount with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, headlamp levelling, corner stability control, seatbelt reminder, rear parking camera, tyre pressure monitoring system, and more.

The Indian EV market is currently in its growth phase and is consistently outperforming the overall passenger vehicle industry growth. In CY2023, the EV segment grew by over 90% against the 8% growth recorded by the PV industry. With a market share of over 74% in FY 24, Tata.ev grew by over 48% year-on-year – led by the introduction of the new Punch.ev and the upgraded gamechanger in the Nexon.ev. This growth was built on factors like ease of driving an EV, reducing range anxiety, and increasing charging infrastructure.

Next Bharat Ventures - A Suzuki Initiative, Launches Rs 340 Crore Fund To Empower Bharat's Entrepreneurs

* The social impact investment firm will focus on fostering community of impact entrepreneurs and adopt a patient capital approach of funding to create sustainable, long-term impact

* A flagship feature of Next Bharat is its immersive 4-month “Next Bharat residency program”, designed to equip entrepreneurs with essential knowledge, access, and networks (Cause, Contribution, and Community) - Creating a close community within themselves.

* Next Bharat will nurture social impact startups in the domains of agriculture, financial inclusion, rural supply chain, and rural mobility.

Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private limited – a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation announced the launch of a ?340 Crore fund, that aims to act as a growth catalyst for the social impact startup ecosystem in India. Next Bharat is a social impact investment fund dedicated to fostering impact entrepreneurs who are creating value for Tier II and below geographies. “Next Bharat” aims to empower India's next billion by supporting these Impact Entrepreneurs. The primary mission is to cultivate and nurture a deep rooted community of Impact enablers in the country, who are solving social problems with sustainable business.

The company’s flagship initiative, the ‘Next Bharat Residency program’ includes a 4-month immersive residency for early stage entrepreneurs. The applications for the residency program are now open for all the early stage passionate impact entrepreneurs. The application process is inclusive, with an easy application format to ensure broad participation, including WhatsApp-based submissions with a maximum 2-week application review time. The application deadline is set for 31st July 2024, and the program is scheduled to commence on 14th October 2024. The selection criteria focus is on entrepreneurs who are impact-first, have a clear problem-solving approach, and are committed to contributing to the rural community or the Informal sector of India.

People selected for the program will remain part of the Next Bharat community for life, receiving ongoing support and resources even after its conclusion. Its a platform featuring extensive mentorship sessions by industry leaders, providing opportunities for founders to collaborate and connect and form a meaningful support system to help start and run their businesses. Post the residency program, the selected startups will get 1 Crore to 5 Crore Rupee of equity Investments. The objective is to equip these ventures with the essential knowledge, networks, and resources including Risk Capital, to enable them to achieve scale and become small and medium-sized enterprises.

Toshihiro Suzuki, President and CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation said, “Bharat has about 1.4 billion people, but we have only reached about 0.4 billion with our mobility business. Our goal is to connect with the "Next Billion" people of India, extending beyond mobility and becoming a part of India's future story.

As part of this mission, we are launching Next Bharat Ventures, Suzuki's first investment fund in India, which will focus on nurturing and empowering impact entrepreneurs. These impact entrepreneurs, who are passionately solving the problems of India, will also get access to the Suzuki Group network and resources.

Mr. Vipul Nath Jindal, an IIT Hyderabad alumnus, has spearheaded this initiative from day one. With over five years at Suzuki Japan, he has successfully led greenfield projects like the Suzuki Innovation Center in the past.”

The Suzuki Innovation Center, which was established along with IIT Hyderabad 2.5 years ago, will also now become a part of Next Bharat Ventures as one of its verticles. Suzuki Innovation Center will continue to work on Open-Innovation and Indo-Japan ecosystem building for Social good.

Speaking on the launch of the firm, Vipul Nath Jindal, CEO and Managing Director of Next Bharat, commented, “We are embarking on this journey to cultivate an impact entrepreneurship ecosystem that is profoundly community-oriented. The Next Bharat investment framework focuses on horizontal scaling, aiming to create hundreds of profitable SMEs over a fund cycle, rather than concentrating on creating just two or three unicorns per fund cycle."

Vipul mentioned, "There are existing stakeholders in the ecosystem who are already enabling these amazing impact entrepreneurs in many ways. Our long-term ambition is to work closely with these stakeholders and bring them together to build compounding synergies within the ecosystem."

Pre-Launch Bookings Open; The New MINI Cooper S And The New All-Electric MINI Countryman

Available for pre-launch bookings at MINI Online shop.

The cars are scheduled to be launched on 24 July 2024.

#MINI #MINIIndia #BigLove

MINI India has opened pre-launch bookings for the new MINI Cooper S and the new all-electric MINI Countryman.

MINI India will launch the new MINI Cooper S and the new all-electric MINI Countryman on 24 July 2024.

The new MINI Cooper S and the new all-electric MINI Countryman represent the new MINI family.  As a 3-door model in its fifth generation, the new MINI Cooper underscores the brand’s tradition with its hallmark MINI design and stands for urban driving fun. The new MINI Countryman has grown in external dimensions and offers its passengers even more space, comfort, and safety. The interplay of the purely electric drive and innovative technologies combines locally emission-free mobility and an immersive user experience.

Customers can contact their nearest authorised MINI dealership to book the new MINI Cooper S and the new all-electric MINI Countryman. MINI has established nine authorized Dealerships in India including Bird Automotive (Delhi NCR), Bavaria Motors (Pune), EVM Autokraft (Kochi), Gallops Autohaus (Ahmedabad), Infinity Cars (Mumbai), Krishna Automobiles (Chandigarh), KUN Exclusive (Chennai), KUN Exclusive (Hyderabad) and KUN Exclusive (Bengaluru).

The cars can also be booked on shop.mini.in where they’ll also be able to explore various views of the cars’ exterior and interior. There is also a description of the new highlights and features for both the models, as well as a gallery of images showcasing the two cars. They will be directed to a booking section where booking can be done through a secure online payment mechanism.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) And Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Join Hands To Establish Mobility Engineering Lab

In continuation of its endeavours to promote capacity building, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced that it has joined hands with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to support the establishment of a Mobility Engineering Laboratory. Recognizing the need for industry and academia to come together to create a desired ecosystem where the competency of the future can be met, this pioneering initiative by IISc is supported by TKM in the field of learning, aims to enable teaching in advanced cutting-edge technologies, as well as high-end research and development.

Founded in 1909 through the visionary efforts of industrialist Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the Government of India, and the Mysore Royal Family, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) stands as one of India's premier institutions for advanced education and research. Its mission is to provide cutting-edge research and conduct original investigations across all fields of knowledge. Consistently ranked as the top Indian institution in global rankings, IISc is also recognized as an Institute of Eminence (IoE) by the Government of India.

The mobility sector is experiencing a paradigm shift driven by climate change, driving the need to shift away from fossil fuels. In India, the automotive industry also faces the challenges of rapidly shifting to greener technologies and embracing the energy transition that is taking place globally, all the while retaining its competitiveness. IISc, with its strong industry connections and commitment to excellence is ideally positioned to leverage the Mobility Engineering Laboratory. This facility will help equip the next generation of engineers with the multidisciplinary skills needed to develop advanced mobility solutions. The laboratory will focus on electrified vehicle powertrain technologies, utilizing Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) simulation for comprehensive testing and development.

From FY 2024 to 2027, TKM will support the establishment of the Mobility Engineering Laboratory and the procurement of essential equipment and infrastructure, such as a high-speed dynamometer, battery emulator, automation and control systems, vehicle simulation software, and mounting hardware for motors and engine. The laboratory will support research across various departments, including Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, among others.

A significant feature of the Mobility Engineering Laboratory will be the Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) Test facility for research and development of electrified vehicle powertrains. The HIL simulation combines real-world measurements with simulations, allowing for reproducible, fast, and cost-effective testing. It is crucial for vehicle development, enabling the testing of individual components such as engines, motors, and batteries, under simulated real-world driving conditions. This laboratory will facilitate the design and development of vehicle drivetrain configurations and control strategies, ensuring safety and performance while minimizing costs and development time associated with physical prototypes.

Prof G Rangarajan, Director, IISc said, “We are delighted to join hands with TKM to establish the Mobility Engineering Laboratory. This facility will provide our students and researchers state-of-the-art tools and infrastructure to address critical challenges in the automotive industry, including emissions reduction and energy efficiency. The collaboration with TKM will bring together the best minds in academia and industry, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. We anticipate many significant advancements resulting from this collaboration, particularly in the areas of electrified vehicle powertrain technologies. The laboratory will also play a crucial role in supporting our newly launched MTech programme in Mobility Engineering. Together, we will equip the next generation of engineers with the skills and knowledge they need to lead the transformation of the automotive industry.”

Mr. Sudeep Dalvi, Senior Vice President and Chief Communication Officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We are honoured to partner with IISc, an institution synonymous with academic and research excellence. This MoU marks a significant milestone in our efforts to foster innovation in mobility engineering. At TKM, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive technological advancements and skill development. By supporting the establishment of the Mobility Engineering Laboratory, we are not just supporting in enhancing research infrastructure but in the future of sustainable mobility and the development of skilled engineers in India. This laboratory will serve as a crucible for pioneering research, enabling the development of new technologies that address the pressing challenges of our times, such as climate change and the need for cleaner, more efficient transportation solutions. We are confident that this initiative will catalyse groundbreaking research and nurture the next generation of engineers who will drive the future of sustainable mobility.”

At TKM, promoting education and skilling has always been a key focus. One of the company’s significant endeavours in creating strong partnerships is its collaboration with the Government of Karnataka (GoK) to advance higher education. TKM has been identified as an Industrial Training Provider (ITP) by the Government Tool Room & Training Centre (GTTC). In January 2021, TKM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to impart industry-specific skill development training at GTTC locations. TKM is also actively working towards setting up of Centre of Excellence (COEs) across Bengaluru, aiming at offering engineering students with hands-on experience about powertrains and its functioning.

In addition to this, through skilling initiatives like the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) and the Toyota Technical Education Program (T-TEP), TKM provides world-class training and skill development to rural youth in Karnataka, fostering scalable and sustainable education that meets global standards. Furthermore, TKM has also supported the construction and renovation of school infrastructure in rural and semi-urban areas, ensuring students have access to safe and well-equipped learning environments. Through its ongoing social development efforts since 2001, TKM has positively impacted more than 2.3 million lives, addressing the diverse needs of communities across the region.