Zuno General Insurance Launches “Pay How You Drive” (PHYD), India’s First Add-On Based On Mobile Telematics

Zuno General Insurance, a new-age digital insurer announced the launch of its new “Pay How You Drive” (PHYD) add-on, an innovative coverage option available for Private Car Package and Private Car Stand Alone Own Damage Policy (SAOD) Customers. This game-changing coverage option empowers users to assess their driving skills, receive an objective called Zuno Driving Quotient, and earn rewards for safe driving.

PHYD offers an objective assessment of driving behaviour through mobile telematics embedded in the Zuno app. Customers can monitor their driving scores after each trip, gaining valuable insights into their performance and progression towards safer driving habits. While the score is readily available post-trip, and customers also have visibility to the discount applicable for different ranges of scores, the exact discount percentage applicable to the total premium amount is also revealed during renewal, ensuring transparency and clarity for customers. Zuno is the first company to explore usage-based insurance in India and has always been developing innovative products especially around usage-based insurance. This is the extension of its first UBI offering ‘Switch’. This is the first time any company has used ‘driving behaviour’ to personalize car insurance premium in the country.

By offering discounts of up to a significant percentage on insurance renewal premiums, the PHYD add-on not only encourages safe driving practices but actively incentivizes the good driving behaviour through the discounts offered during renewal.

Sharing her thoughts on this groundbreaking industry launch, Shanai Ghosh, MD & CEO of Zuno General Insurance said, "We are super excited to introduce our new Pay How You Drive (PHYD) add-on.  With PHYD, we're not only reimagining insurance but also promoting safer driving practices by incentivising the safe driving behaviour. For us this isn't just insurance; it's a commitment to innovation, transparency, and a safer tomorrow. This will also give customers greater control over their insurance pricing, personalizing it which will be a departure from current pricing approach."

In addition to benefiting customers, intermediaries can also expect improved customer retention during renewal periods. This add-on will be available through all channels of the Company including Motor Dealers, Digital Agents and Point of Sale intermediaries, digital marketplaces and the Company website.

Ahead of the launch, to gauge the interest level, category understanding and sentiments on the product, Zuno General Insurance has also conducted a quantitative survey among ~600 respondents across 4 metro cities in India through an independent research agency.

The findings reveal, around 90% people liked the overall concept of UBI and believes it helps improve driving behaviour. Whereas ~80% find it beneficial and relevant, and willing to consider opting for it, if available in the market. Interestingly, among those who are not aware about UBI, ~60% have shown their interest to buy UBI.

The top two most liked feature of UBI are that it encourages better driving habits & rewards for safe driving. Having said that, 89% respondents also believe rewarding safe driving will positively influence driving behaviour.

In line with these insights, Zuno General Insurance remains steadfast in its commitment to providing a seamless experience for its customers and partners. Through PHYD, Zuno General Insurance reaffirms its dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction, ushering in a new era of insurance that not only rewards safe driving but also fosters lasting partnerships. For more information, visit https://www.hizuno.com/.

Capital Small Finance Bank And Edelweiss Life Insurance Enter Into Strategic Partnership

Capital Small Finance Bank Limited (“Capital SFB”), India's first Small Finance Bank and Edelweiss Life Insurance announced their strategic partnership in Mumbai. This collaboration will enable Capital Small Finance Bank's diverse customer base to access Edelweiss Life Insurance's comprehensive suite of life insurance products, thereby meeting their need for financial security.

Mr. Sarvjit Singh Samra, MD & CEO, Capital Small Finance Bank said, "We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Edelweiss Life Insurance. As we expand our financial solutions, this tie-up with Edelweiss Life enhances our ability to offer comprehensive and tailored life insurance products to our customers, reinforcing our position as a trusted financial partner. By improving accessibility to quality insurance solutions, we aim to become the primary banker for our middle-income group customers, creating a more secure and prosperous future for them.”

Sumit Rai, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Life Insurance said “We are excited to embark on this journey with Capital Small Finance Bank and will together protect people’s dreams and aspirations. This partnership is grounded in a shared commitment to exceptional customer experience, superior business quality, and highest standards of legal & ethical conduct. This alignment of values will enable us to deliver innovative and reliable solutions to our customers. Institutions like Capital Small Finance Bank, which have a geographical stronghold and understand the pulse of their customers, give us a strategic advantage in bringing innovative products to the market to effectively meet customer needs. We are currently focussed on expanding our footprint across the country and this strategic partnership is a step in that direction.”

Mr. Sarvjit Singh Samra and Mr. Sumit Rai signed the agreement and announced their collaboration at an event in Mumbai today. This arrangement aims to enhance the Bank’s life insurance offerings by providing its customers with access to Edelweiss Life's digital platform and service touchpoints.

With over two decades of experience in the banking industry, Capital Small Finance Bank has developed a nuanced understanding of its niche market—middle-income segment customers, tailoring its products and services to meet their specific needs. Through this collaboration, Capital Small Finance Bank will leverage its extensive network and customer base to offer Edelweiss Life’s comprehensive suite of life insurance products. This partnership is poised to enhance the customer experience by seamlessly integrating life insurance solutions with their banking services.

About Capital Small Finance Bank:

Capital Small Finance Bank (CAPITAL SFB) is a bank headquartered at Jalandhar, Punjab, India. Capital Small Finance Bank Limited started operations as India's 1st Small Finance Bank on April 24, 2016 after conversion from Capital Local Area Bank. Prior to conversion to a Small Finance Bank, Capital Local Area Bank was operating as India's largest local area bank since January 14, 2000. The core strategy of the Bank is to build a retail focused business model basis customer relationship-based banking approach, diversified & secured lending practices with special emphasis on rural and semi urban geographies and Middle-Income Group segment. For more details, log on to www.capitalbank.co.in or email at publicrelations@capitalbank.co.in.

Jewels By Preeti Strengthens Retail Business; Aims To Clock INR 40 Crore In FY25

Jewels by Preeti, one of India’s leading diamond jewelry brands, has announced its aims to clock INR 40 crore in revenue for the fiscal year 2024-25. Having marked a significant growth of INR 125 crore since inception, the company is in a hyper-growth phase driven by its jewelry designs, solitaire pieces, and diamond necklace collection.

Jewels by Preeti aims to capture a bigger share of the natural diamond industry in India. After making a mark in New Delhi, the brand is rapidly expanding its retail footprint in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad to provide best-in-class consumer natural diamonds to its customers.  With the growth in consumer demand, Jewels by Preeti is planning to further expand its product range in the lightweight and lab-grown diamond  category.

Commenting on the same, Dr Preeti Jain, Founder, Jewels by Preeti said,“We are delighted to announce that we have achieved positive growth since inception and moving forward towards the forthcoming fiscal year with unwavering determination & growth strategy.

Looking ahead to the festive season, we are anticipating a surge in our sales growth. Our team is continuously seeking partnerships with new manufacturers across different jewelry categories and prioritizing store offline expansion to meet the evolving demands of our clientele.”

As lab-grown diamonds, choker necklaces, detachable diamond jewelry, and delicate daily wear bangles are witnessing a surge and are in vogue in the jewelry arena,  Jewels by Preeti is recognizing this ongoing trend and stacking up more product lineups from this range for the festive/ wedding seasons ahead.

About Jewels by Preeti

Jewels by Preeti, founded in the year 2010 by Dr. Preeti Jain, is a pure amalgamation of trailblazing creativity and style. Today, ‘Jewels by Preeti’ has come a long way, completing glorious years in the industry and having witnessed resounding success and growth since the brand's inception.

Drawing inspiration from artistic interpretations, they offer an intricate blend of classic and chic design details for discerning jewelry customers who appreciate the power of diamond jewelry. Having also worked with renowned magazines for cover shoots with Bollywood celebrities.

The brand continues to garner rave reviews from the press and staunch clientele, incorporating elite celebrities from the showbiz industry, such as Mr Amitabh Bachchan, Vaani Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandes, Vidya Balan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, and more such eminent celebrities from the entertainment world.

JBP offers a comprehensive and versatile range of dazzling jewelry pieces, ranging from daily-wear dainty pieces to dazzling solitaire stunners. That can be worn not just to commemorate special milestone moments but also to cherish and embrace everyday mundane bliss through jewelry pieces tailored to fit all key requirements of diamond jewelry for a contemporary yet regal wardrobe.In a short span of time, the brand was able to bag a prestigious assignment with India’s largest-read magazine Femina and internationally recognized brand L’Oreal.

One of the breakthrough moments for the brand was when Jewels by Preeti got a chance to become a part of India International Jewellery Week 2012 (IIJW), 2014 & 2015, which is an attempt to provide an international platform to India’s budding and leading jewelry designers. The showstoppers were Ayushmann Khurrana, the star of the super hit movie Vicky Donor, Kalki Koechlin of Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani & Ileana D’Cruz of Barfi and Main Tera Hero for the respective years.

Jewels by Preeti was also approached to design Nazraana 2016’s collection for the world-renowned brand “Rio Tinto” one of the world’s major producers of diamonds. Being invited to the "World Diamond Conference" was a big feat and an immense matter of pride for JBP. Conducted by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Delhi in December 2014.

First Batch of 250 Students of ‘Samsung Innovation Campus’ Graduate With Certificates In Coding & Programming

* Flagship CSR Programme aims to make students job-ready with future-tech skills

* 250 students were awarded certificates of completion in Coding & Programming course at Sri Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technological Institute (SKSJTI), Bengaluru

* Under the flagship CSR programme, a total of 3,500 students will be imparted skills in Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Coding & Programming in 8 cities across India in 2024

Samsung has awarded certificates of completion to its first batch of 250 students of its flagship CSR programme, Samsung Innovation Campus at Sri Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technological Institute, Bengaluru. The students were all from the course in Coding & Programming. Through the programme, Samsung has committed to being a strong partner in the Government’s mission to empower the country’s youth and #PoweringDigitalIndia.

The students who were mentored and trained at Shri Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technological Institute, Bengaluru also participated in a hackathon and devised tech-based solutions to solve real-world problems. The hackathon encouraged participants to collaborate, innovate, and develop a problem-solving mindset. They were awarded certificates of completion at a felicitation ceremony by Sri KM Suresh Kumar, Joint Director, Department of Collegiate & Technical Education, Government of Karnataka, Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, CEO, ESSCI, Dr Paul Vizhian S, Principal, University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), and Dr. Vijaya GS, Principal, SKSJTI.

“Samsung Innovation Campus is aligned with the Government of India’s objectives of skilling the youth and empowering them with professional growth opportunities. It is inspiring to see young students develop skills at such a fast pace. We are proud to be a part of their upskilling journey. Samsung is committed to building a platform of skill-based learning that would create job opportunities in future-tech domains, and effect meaningful change”, said SP Chun, Corporate Vice President, Samsung Southwest Asia.

This year the programme goes beyond just skilling to include more exciting opportunities for the students. The national toppers from each domain will receive a cash award of INR 1 Lakh along with an opportunity to visit Samsung facilities in Delhi/NCR. The visits to the facilities will provide the students with an opportunity to interact with the leadership team at Samsung. The national course toppers will also get exciting Samsung products.

During the programme, participants will receive instructor-led blended classroom and online training through approved training and education partners of ESSCI across the country.

The students are also being imparted soft skills training to enhance their employability. The participant mobilisation is being implemented through ESSCI’s training and education partners across India. The approach includes a combination of offline and online learning, immersive hackathons and capstone projects, as well as expert mentorship provided by Samsung employees.

The curriculum structure varies depending on the chosen course track. For instance, participants opting for the AI course will immerse themselves in 270 hours of theoretical training and complete 80 hours of project work. Meanwhile, those pursuing the IoT or Big Data courses will undergo 160 hours of training, supplemented by 80 hours of practical project work. Participants in the Coding & Programming course will engage in 80 hours of training and participate in a 3-day hackathon event.

The programme spans eight educational institutions across four states. In the northern region, training centres are established in Lucknow and Gorakhpur, besides two in Delhi/NCR. In the Southern region, covering states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, training centres are located in Chennai and Sriperumbudur, besides two in Bengaluru.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter @SamsungNewsIN.

Maintaining Good Health This Monsoon: Look Out For These 5 Common Conditions’

Monsoons offer the much-needed respite and relief from the scorching summer heat. It is a time for piping hot chai, pakodas, and long drives. But while this season brings joy, it also has several challenges like traffic delays, waterlogged streets, and seasonal health conditions. Cold and flu linked to gastrointestinal and vector-borne diseases typically rise during the rainy season.[i],[ii],[iii] Keeping an eye on your health during this time is important. 

Dr. Vivekanand Kustagi, Senior Consultant Pediatrician, Sanjivini Children's Clinic, Bangalore said, “During the monsoon season, we typically see a 100-150% rise in people with various symptoms or health concerns like fever, a sore throat, abdominal cramps, or other complaints. Understanding these conditions that are common during this time, taking preventive measures, and diagnosing diseases early on are important steps to proactively safeguard your well-being.”

Dr Jejoe Karankumar, Medical Affairs Director, Abbott India added, “Rainy season is a time for rise in certain health conditions, which makes it necessary to help people stay informed about the risks, precautions, and how to manage health better. Timely diagnosis and following the treatment plan advised by the doctor will help in building immunity and staying healthy while enjoying the monsoon.”

Here are 5 common health concerns to look out for this season:

Cold and the flu: Sudden temperature changes and increased humidity can weaken the immune system, making it easier for viral infections to spread.[iv] Tropical countries like India experience a high frequency of flu (or influenza) cases during this time.[v] Common symptoms include cough or sore throat, fever, joint or muscle pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhoea. While symptoms may overlap, the flu has more serious effects than a common cold, which is why people should recognize them early on.

Fungal infections: Fungal infections are more likely to grow in humid, damp conditions.[vi] This can lead to infections like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and yeast infections.[vii] Common symptoms include itching, redness, and swelling.

Gut issues: Contaminated water and outside food may lead to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea,[viii] gastroenteritis, and food poisoning resulting in symptoms like abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, and more.

Malaria and dengue: Stagnant water during the monsoon creates a breeding ground for vector-borne diseases. In fact, India alone accounts for 11% of global malaria and 34% of global dengue cases.[ix] Key symptoms to look out for include fever, chills and sweating for malaria. You may experience high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint pain, and rashes in dengue.

To weather-proof your health and enjoy the monsoon, here are 4 tips to keep seasonal conditions at bay:

Maintain proper hygiene: Keep your surroundings clean – disinfect your home, eliminate stagnant water, ensure proper drainage, and use mosquito repellents. Regularly wash your hands with soap, particularly before meals, keep your skin dry, wear breathable clothes, and make sure your nails are short and clean.

Seek a balanced diet: Adequate nutrition is important for good health and immunity. While it may be tempting, avoid street food to lower your risk of infections, and opt for freshly cooked meals instead. Staying hydrated – preferably with boiled or filtered water is also important. Consuming the right types of nutrients, like vitamin C, which is essential to boost immunity and offer protection against infections is key.[x],[xi] Rich sources of vitamin C include oranges, lemons, cauliflower, peppers, broccoli, and more.[xii] Sometimes your doctor may also prescribe an add-on Vitamin C supplement for faster recovery from infections.

Stay active: While the rain may affect your routine, stay consistent and try yoga or working out indoors instead. This way, you can keep your body fit, strengthen your muscles and bones, and get a better quality of sleep, which is vital for your immune system. 

Take preventive health steps: For conditions like influenza, immunization is an effective way to protect yourself and the community from infection. Taking a flu shot before the season can help protect against such illnesses and related complications. You can consult a doctor to understand more about immunization and how it can help manage flu better.

Stay informed and prepared so you can stay healthy while making the most of the monsoon season.

Turkish Airlines Increased Its Passenger Capacity By 7.7% In Quarter 2 of 2024, Carrying 22.1 Million Passengers

* Recording a Profit From Main Operations of 591 million USD

Despite ongoing global geopolitical tensions, bottlenecks in aircraft production, and engine problems, Turkish Airlines continued its growth uninterruptedly thanks to its agility and extensive flight network, carrying a total of 22.1 million passenger in the second quarter of the year. According to data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), while global passenger capacity in the second quarter of 2024 has just reached pre-pandemic levels, our Incorporation exceeded 2019 passenger capacity by 38% as one of the leading airlines in the industry amid intensifying competition.

Through its operations at Europe's largest air cargo facility, Smartist, Turkish Cargo captured a significant share of the accelerated e-commerce growth in the second quarter of this year. Additionally, it provided a major alternative for shippers who did not want to be affected by the disruptions in the Suez Canal. As a result, Turkish Cargo increased the amount of cargo carried in the first six months of 2024 by 32% annually and became the third-largest air cargo carrier in the world, as reported by IATA figures.

In the April-June 2024 period, Turkish Airlines’ total revenues rose by 10% year-on-year to 5.7 billion USD. Accounting for 81% of the total, passenger revenues increased to 4.6 billion USD driven by contribution from the Far East region and cargo revenues recorded 48% higher annually, reaching 885 million USD. Due to the competitive pressure on passenger unit revenues and the adverse effects of global inflation on costs, Profit From Main Operations decreased by 26% to 591 million USD.

Aiming to expand its fleet to 800 aircraft by 2033 as part of its 100th Anniversary Strategy, Turkish Airlines increased its number of aircraft by 9% in the first half of the year to 458 despite bottlenecks in the aircraft production.

Employing approximately 92 thousand people along with its subsidiaries, Turkish Airlines proudly represents its nation in the global air transportation industry with its unique flight network, modern fleet, superior service, and successful performance. In the coming years, our contribution to sustainable growth in the aviation sector will continue in line with the national development objectives and our 2033 strategy.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. And Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. Collaborate To drive zero-Emissions Mobility In India

* Combined EV and Solar Rooftop solution to result in near-zero running costs for EVs 

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEML), the market leader in passenger electric vehicles in India, and Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. (TPREL), a leading entity in India's renewable energy landscape, a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Ltd., have joined hands to drive zero-emissions mobility in India through a combined solution of Electric Vehicles and Solar Rooftop Systems. Through this collaboration, TPEML will enable customers to get a solar rooftop system installed through TPREL. In addition, both companies will promote EVs / EV Charging and Solar Rooftop Systems to their respective customers to drive awareness of the benefits of solutions.  

Electric Vehicles (EVs), which have zero tailpipe emissions, and solar power systems, which generate emissions-free electricity, are both key enablers in India’s journey towards Net Zero emissions. The Government of India has been supporting EVs through multiple initiatives over the last several years, and the recently launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims to provide subsidized solar rooftop installations to 1 crore households.  

While both EVs and Solar Rooftop Systems deliver an independent business case for customers, combining the two solutions delivers several additional benefits to customers, such as:   

·                Reducing the total cost of ownership for EVs 

·                Reducing the electricity bill for EV customers 

·                Accelerating the payback for solar rooftop owners who buy an EV 

·                Providing 100% emissions free power for EVs 

In addition, combining Solar Rooftop Systems with EVs de-couples the well-to-wheel emissions of EVs from the grid mix, thus offering a much faster path towards net zero emissions for the transportation sector.  

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, “India’s net zero journey can only be achieved by switching to EVs and renewable power. We see significant synergies between the customers of EVs and solar rooftop systems. Over 90% of EV customers use home charging and nearly 30% of our EV owners are already using Solar Rooftop Systems. Combining forces with Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd., we intend to democratize zero-emissions mobility and decouple EVs from the grid, while reducing running costs for customers.” 

Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO&MD Tata Power, said, “Combination of Solar rooftop and EV is a promising, cost-effective, sustainable solution for India and hence naturally complementary. Both solutions appeal to the same set of eco-friendly and value-conscious customers. We are excited to collaborate with Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. ?to drive greater adoption of Rooftop Systems and EVs and provide discerning customers with an opportunity to contribute to reducing emissions while saving money.” 

Tata Power is fuelling the growth in the solar rooftop sector through its nationwide campaign on ‘GharGharSolar, Tata Power ke Sangh’. ?Tata Power plans to aggressively promote solar rooftop adoption through its extensive network of over 700 channel partners and retailers to cover every nook and corner of the country. Notably, the company has served over 1,00,000 satisfied customers across India.  Tata Power has installed a substantial number of 101,924 home chargers and 5,600 public chargers across India. 

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. through its extensive EV charging network of 5,600 public charging points is strategically positioned across India to provide solar-powered charging solutions. Present across prominent highways and diverse locations such as hotels, malls, offices, hospitals, residential complexes, etc., TPREL is playing a pivotal role in accelerating e-mobility adoption across the country.  

About Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd.: 

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEML), a subsidiary of Tata Motors with TPG Rise Climate as an investor, leads the EV revolution in India with the widest portfolio of EVs. It is committed to making EVs more accessible with an extensive range of vehicles and facilitating the creation of charging infrastructure through open collaborations to accelerate the mainstreaming of EVs. With Tata.ev as its customer facing identify and Acti.ev as its pure EV architecture that underpins its new vehicles, TPEML is spearheading India’s progress to zero emission mobility. 

About Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd.: 

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) is a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Limited and is one of the country’s most significant renewable energy players. TPREL is a developer of renewable energy projects (including solar, wind, hybrid, round-the clock (RTC), peak, floating solar, and storage systems including battery storage) that it owns, operates, and maintains. It also offers comprehensive green energy solutions for rural and urban areas like turnkey, EPC and O&M solutions for various business segments like utility-scale projects, solar rooftop, and solar pump systems. Along with its extensive portfolio of renewable solutions, it has a state-of-the-art solar cell and module manufacturing plant of 530 MW solar cells and 682 MW modules in Bengaluru and plans to set up a Greenfield to set up a Greenfield 4.3 GW solar cell & solar module plant in Tamil Nadu. In addition, TPREL also provides electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions across various segments and other advisory solutions across the renewable sector. As on date, TPREL’s total renewable utility capacity is 9,421 MW (PPA capacity is 7,978 MW) including 4,547 MW projects under various stages of implementation and its operational capacity is 4,515 MW, which includes 3,485 MW solar and 1,030 MW wind. Presently, the company's solar EPC portfolio is more than 12.8 GWp of ground-mount utility-scale, over 2 GW of rooftop and distributed groundmounted systems, and over 1,00,000 solar water pumps. TPREL aims to provide energy access to millions of people across the country via its integrated green energy solutions. Know more: www.tatapowersolar.com