Philanthropist And Promoter Of RDB Group, Vinod Dugar Powers Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) As Investors And Promoter

Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) is pleased to announce that Mr. Vinod Dugar, Philanthropist and Promoter of RDB Group, is joining as one of the primary investors and promoters. Fashion Entrepreneur Fund had also recently announced substantial investments by marquee businessmen like Mr. Ravi Jaipuria, Mr. Gaurav Dalmia and from Bollywood veterans like Mr. Akshay Kumar and Mr. Karan Johar.

Mr. Vinod Dugar's contributions to the Indian ecosystem span across fashion, sports, and CSR, reflecting his commitment to holistic development. He has demonstrated exemplary work in the capacity of the Chairman of Jito Administrative Training Foundation (JATF) and nurtured talent in sports with the establishment of Inter Kashi Football Club. Mr. Vinod Dugar expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, “I have always championed the growth of new and young talent. India’s diversity is reflected in its youth pursuing careers in creative fields. Fashion Entrepreneur Fund offers not just financial backing but also essential mentorship to entrepreneurs across the fashion spectrum, encouraging innovation and supporting the broader fashion segment. Our goal is to create opportunities that empower young talents to achieve their dreams and contribute to the industry’s evolution.”

Talking about the association, an ecstatic Mr. Vagish Pathak, Chairman and Mr. Sanjay Nigam, Founder of Fashion Entrepreneur Fund said, “The Indian fashion industry has earned global recognition, with our unique textiles and craftsmanship admired worldwide. With the support of a leader like Mr. Vinod Dugar, FEF aims to organize and streamline the industry, providing essential mentorship and resources to help fashion entrepreneurs elevate their businesses to new heights. This partnership is a step towards creating a structured and dynamic fashion industry in India.”

About the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF):

Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF), a groundbreaking initiative, fosters a collaborative ecosystem within the fashion industry. FEF is investing a substantial amount to empower individuals in the fashion sector, helping turn their aspirations into thriving enterprises. This pioneering venture studio aims to cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship, providing essential resources and mentorship to budding talents. By bridging gaps and offering support, FEF propels the growth and success of emerging businesses, enriching the fabric of the fashion landscape. With its robust foundation and visionary approach, FEF sets the stage for transformative change and sustainable growth in the industry.

Website Link - https://www.thefef.net/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fashion_entrepreneur_fund?igsh=MXByNzR3Zmxzenl1Mw==

Quest Global Honoured With U.S. Embassy DEIA Excellence Award

Quest Global, one of the world-leading engineering services firms, is proud to announce that Sonia Kutty, Senior Vice President & Global Head of People and Culture, has been honoured with the prestigious DEIA Excellence Award by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. This recognition celebrates Sonia's exceptional commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within Quest Global.  Quest Global as an organization has always focussed on encouraging women in engineering.

Under Sonia’s leadership, Quest Global launched an exclusive recognition for women during the annual performance awards under the category ‘Women in Engineering Award’ which reinforces the recognition of key women at Quest Global who excel in engineering/technology and make a difference further inspiring other women engineers. Quest Global has also collaborated with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and NASSCOM to launch initiatives like "together," promoting community and allyship through a global resource group.  Sonia has also advanced accessibility measures, ensuring equal access to resources for all individuals.

In the past year, Quest Global achieved over 25% gender diversity and aims to increase female representation to 30% across all levels through targeted recruitment strategies and outreach programs, reflecting a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.  As Quest Global has grown inorganically by 40-50% over the past three years, Sonia has been instrumental in assimilating organizations from different parts of the world with diverse cultures.  She leads a dedicated task force to run a 'hearts and minds' campaign to assimilate new organizations, embracing their culture and integrating it with Quest Global's, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an inclusive culture. 

Commenting on the same, Sonia Kutty said, " This award signifies not only my success but also the unified commitment of the entire Quest Global team. Our goal has always been to foster an environment that empowers our people to excel while also contributing to a fairer and more inclusive society. I am truly honoured to receive this recognition and remain devoted to advancing the possibilities in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility."  "Sonia Kutty exemplifies the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through her actions, initiatives, and unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace," said Ajit Prabhu, CEO and Chairman Quest Global. "Her leadership and dedication inspire others to follow suit and contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible environment for all."  “Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility make organizations, companies, and governments stronger, smarter, and more creative,” said Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India. “We are proud to honour eight exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to advancing DEIA. Their dedication and impactful contributions have set a high standard and serve as an inspiration to us all”          

About Quest Global  Founded in 1997, Quest Global is one of the world’s leading engineering research and development (ER&D) services companies. Quest Global believes engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. For more than 25 years, we have strived to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest engineering problems. As a global organization headquartered in Singapore, the team at Quest Global live and work in 18 countries, with 78 global delivery centers and offices, driven by 20,000+ extraordinary people who make the impossible possible every day. Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, and faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, hi-tech, med-tech & healthcare, rail, communications, and semiconductor industries.

“Need To Look At Narrowing The Inclusivity Gap” Shri. Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), MEA, At GFF 2024

"With the world GDP at USD 85 trillion, world wealth at USD 400 trillion, and USD 125 trillion in investment flows, there is a sense of dilemma that we have not addressed the ‘inclusivity’ gap, and this is a challenge in front of Governments across the globe. We need to look at, can Digital Public Infrastructure narrow this ‘inclusivity’ gap,” said Shri Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India at the opening session of the Global Fintech Fest 2024. He was speaking at one of the world’s largest annual fintech conferences, the Global Fintech Fest (GFF), which is back with its fifth edition from August 28-30 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance: Responsible AI | Inclusive | Resilient’. 

GFF 2024 is presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The conference is jointly organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC).

Among other speakers at the session were Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chair - GFF2024, Co-founder Infosys and Chairman, Axilor Ventures; Mr. G Padmanabhan, Former Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India, and Ex-Chairman, Bank of India and Mr. Vishwas Patel, Joint Managing Director, Infibeam Avenues & Chairman, Payments Council of India.

“Globally while addressing the equality debate, there is significant interest around ‘inclusivity’, and we also need to be worried about the lack of significant progress on the sustainable development, and hence we need to think if fintech technologies will bring about the change in an accelerated manner. For a long time, India has been a ‘rule taker’, and we just abided by the western nations. But in the fintech revolution, India has an eminent role to play in ‘rule making’, as most of the digital technologies are made in India, and India should be at the forefront of taking the lead,” added Shri. Ravi.

Talking about how the next 10 years will look like and the future of the fintech industry, Mr. Gopalakrishnan, said, “Indian fintech industry has come a long way, combining emerging technologies, business models, innovation, and Digital Public Infrastructure. New technologies are emerging such as IoT, AI, ML, ChatGPT, voice recognition, etc., and every evolution of technology will require responses and how the fintech industry navigates this and maintains momentum. There is global collaboration to look at how we can leverage this new technology, and what we have been able to achieve in India. There is discussion around the responsible use of technology, ethical growth and the need to build trust with all stakeholders, and collaborations across borders with governments and we look forward to all these discussions.”

In his opening remarks Mr. Padmanabhan said, “The greatest achievement of Global Fintech Fest is bringing every stakeholder together to network, which is crucial for the development of any ecosystem.”

Concluding the inaugural session, Mr. Patel, said, “This event is an extraordinary gathering of visionaries and leaders who are seeking a future in financial technology. GFF has grown to be the largest fintech conference in the world and it is a testament to the vibrant community that drives innovation and transformation.”

The session also saw the launch of the report “Building Bridges for the Next Decade of Finance”.

Around 800 speakers, including policymakers, regulators, senior bankers, industry captains, and academicians, from India and various other countries will address more than 350 sessions over three days of the conference. Delegates are expected from over 100 countries.

GFF 2024 Highlights

3 Days | 7 Tracks | 11 Stages |300+ Exhibitors| 350+ Sessions | 800+ Speakers | 

For more information on the conference, live agenda and list of speakers visit the website: Global Fintech Fest 2024.

Teach For India 2025 Fellowship: A Chance To ‘Lead With Love’ Starts In A Classroom

*   The deadline to apply for the 2025 Teach For India Fellowship is 1st September 2024 

Teach For India, a non- profit championing educational equity  has been accepting applications for its 2025 Fellowship. As a fellow, they will have a significant impact on the future of children, and will be leading the future leaders with love. . The deadline for applying is 1st September, 2024.

The Teach For India Fellowship is a two-year, full-time paid Fellowship program that brings under one roof fellows from different backgrounds and age groups drawn from over 500 universities, colleges, and 300 companies. The Fellowship application process is very rigid and receives applications from India's brilliant and most promising individuals. 

The chosen fellows will serve as full-time teachers in affordable private schools or English-medium government schools, where they will focus on guiding students through the challenges of India's inequities. It will also provide fellows with valuable insights into various aspects of leadership, including emotional skills such as empathy, active listening, and relationship-building, all of which will contribute to their professional development.

To date, over 670 fellows have joined the 2024 Cohort, united by their shared goal of creating a compassionate and equitable India through education. The fact that differentiates the Teach For India Fellowship is the opportunity to bring about a significant change in the existing education paradigm. 

Apply For the Teach For India Fellowship 2025 

About Teach For India: 

Teach For India is a nationwide movement of leaders, working towards the vision of ensuring that every child in India receives an excellent education. Driven by the belief that meaningful change happens when we cultivate a collective force of leaders, Teach For India envisions an India free of poverty and filled with love, our leaders choose education as the path to get there. Over the next decade, the organization aspires to build a movement of 50,000 leaders. They will work collectively, with love, to transform the lives of 1 in 10 children from low-income communities in and beyond Teach For India’s regions. Through its flagship 2-year Fellowship Program, Teach For India places India’s brightest young minds in the most under-resourced classrooms in the country, providing aspiring leaders with the support and ecosystem that they need in order to manifest change at all levels of the Indian education system. Today, 1000+ Fellows teach 34,000+ students directly in classrooms across eight cities. Over 5000 Alumni have gone on to establish or co-create more than 130 social impact organisations, and are able to consistently impact 50 million children across India.

3i Infotech Appoints Mr. Raj Ahuja As The New CEO

3i Infotech Limited (BSE: 532628) (NSE: 3IINFOLTD), a leading global IT company dedicated to delivering excellence, announced the appointment of Mr. Raj Ahuja to act as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect.

Under his leadership, Mr. Ahuja will lead and oversee the company’s strategic, financial, and operational performance, globally. His strategic vision and dedication to create operational efficiency by empowering teams through control and process-based environment, aligns perfectly with the company's mission and long-term goals. His expertise lies in effectively managing business strategy, creating execution capabilities, managing large teams, analytics-based decision making and problem solving, operations, mergers, financial structuring and fundraising.

Mr Ahuja brings more than three decades of leadership experience across industries including IT, Bio-Med, Consumer Electronics, Media, FMCG, FinTech, Education, NBFC, Banking and Financial Services. He has held senior leadership roles at organizations like Yes Bank, Jio Financial Services, Ampersand, Capri Global, Star India, Philips, PayTM, and Wipro, with a proven track record of driving innovation, fostering growth, and championing operational excellence.

Speaking about his new role, Mr. Raj Ahuja, Chief Executive Officer, 3i Infotech said, “My vision is to steer 3i Infotech towards becoming a global leader, defined by our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and a culture of growth. Together, we will build a company that inspires, empowers, and leads the way in shaping the future.”

Mr Ahuja is a Rank Holder Chartered Accountant (ICAI) and Cost Accountant (ICWAI) with a bachelor’s degree in commerce from SRCC, University of Delhi.

About 3i Infotech 

3i Infotech Limited, incorporated in 1993 and headquartered in Mumbai, India, provides information technology services and software solutions. With 30+ years of experience, the company has emerged as a leading name in propelling the current wave of digital transformation initiatives across BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, and Government sectors. Operating through three key segments, Enterprise Services, Professional Services, and Digital Business Services, 3i Infotech has over 5000+ employees and 500+ clients worldwide.

Website: https://www.3i-infotech.com/   

Ongo Unveils Catchy New Brand Song Embracing A New Era In Digital Payments

* Acclaimed Bollywood playback singer ‘Hamsika Iyer’ lends her melodious voice to Ongo’s new brand song

Ongo, the digital payments platform of AGS Transact Technologies (BSE: 543451 & NSE: AGSTRA), today unveiled a vibrant new brand song that will serve as the company's primary caller tune. The ‘Hinglish’ melody reaffirms the shift in AGS Transact’s strategy to focus on expanding its digital payments business, as it bids farewell to AGS' iconic brand song that has resonated with customers for over a decade.

Ongo’s new brand song, sung by the acclaimed Bollywood playback singer Hamsika Iyer known for her Bollywood hit 'Chammak Challo,' embodies the distinctive and bold brand identity of Ongo. It seamlessly reflects Ongo's modern and universal elements while underscoring the brand's customer-centric approach.

Commenting on the launch, Vinayak Goyal, Managing Director, India Transact Services Limited (Ongo), the wholly owned digital payment subsidiary of AGS Transact Technologies Limited said, “We are constantly striving to enhance the way people engage with digital payments, and the new brand song of Ongo symbolises a fresh chapter in our brand's evolution. The decision to adopt it as the company's signature caller tune emphasises Ongo's focus on creating a distinctive identity within the digital payments landscape, for consumers, SMEs and corporate segments alike.”

“By transitioning to a modern, upbeat tune, we at Ongo seek to connect with a wider audience including the young, digitally savvy and those always on-the-go. Additionally, Hamsika’s melodious voice brings a magical blend of modern and traditional notes to the song, making it truly special,” he further added.

Hamsika Iyer, the popular Bollywood playback singer, commented on the collaboration with Ongo, "It has been a pleasure to work with AGSTTL and Ongo in bringing their vision to life. The brand song’s music captures the vibrant energy and enthusiasm of new age audiences, and I am confident it that it will resonate instantly with the listeners.”

Shishir Kulkarni, Deux Productions, the production house behind the song, added, “Our goal was to compose a groovy yet earthy tune that brings alive the essence of Ongo’s bold brand persona, while maintaining a connection with the legacy of AGS Transact Technologies. The melody that we’ve created reflects Ongo’s bold identity and yet has a timeless quality which will be a memorable and immersive experience for listeners.”

Ongo has announced various end-consumer centric partnerships over the past months, such as the instant NCMC ‘Ongo Ride’ at Chennai Metro, cobranded open-loop prepaid cards with Patanjali Ayurved, an open-loop fuelling solution with Voice-control feature on its mobile app and ATM Cash withdrawal facility on its PPI platform.

Ongo’s new brand song is available across popular music and social media platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, YouTube Music, Instagram, Snapchat, among others. The Ongo app can be downloaded from iOS and Google Play Store. Click here to listen to the new Ongo brand song.

About Ongo

Ongo is a fast-growing omnichannel digital payment platform in India that caters to corporates, merchants, and consumers, offering convenient payment solutions. Launched in 2015 by AGS Transact Technologies Limited (BSE: 543451 & NSE: AGSTRA), Ongo offers merchant Acquiring and Prepaid Issuance services. Ongo is a non-bank prepaid payment instrument and offers dedicated open-loop Prepaid solutions for consumers. Its merchant acquiring business includes an all-in-one POS platform for accepting digital payments via various form factors including Bharat QR, UPI, RFID, and debit/credit/prepaid cards, and various tailor-made applications. AGSTTL has pioneered Integrated Payment Solutions (IPS) with OMCs on Ongo POS, for streamlining payments at fuel retail outlets. As of June 30, 2024, the company has deployed 2,48,834 payment terminals and was one of the largest deployers of PoS terminals at petroleum retail outlets in India, having rolled out 41,777 terminals at various petroleum retail outlets.

To know more, visit: https://ongo.co.in/

About AGS Transact Technologies Limited (AGSTTL)

Established in 2002, AGS Transact Technologies Limited (BSE: 543451| NSE: AGSTRA) is one of the largest integrated omni-channel payment solutions providers in India in terms of providing digital and cash-based solutions to banks and corporate clients. AGS Transact provides customised products and services comprising ATM and CRM outsourcing, cash management and digital payment solutions including merchant solutions, transaction processing services and mobile wallets. The company operates in three broad business segments, namely, Payment Solutions; Banking Automation Solutions; and Other Automation Solutions.

AGS Transact Technologies serves diverse industries such as banking, retail, petroleum, toll and transit, cash management and fintech in India and other select countries in Asia.

MediJourn A Rising Star in Global Medical Travel 5 Years Of Connecting The world

• Expands Services to United Kingdom, Indonesia

• Adds Samitivej Hospital, Thailand & Apollo Ayurvaid to its List of Globally Renowned Hospital Partners among a Second Medical Opinion Service from Europe

MediJourn, a pioneering force in the medical value travel industry, has set ambitious growth targets to solidify its position as a global leader. By 2030, the company aims to serve 500,000 patients, expand its global footprint to 50+ countries.

With a proven track record of processing over 150,000 queries, MediJourn has rapidly emerged as one of the top 5 fastest-growing medical value travel companies worldwide. Currently, the company operates in 27+ countries through partnerships. Founded in 2019 by entrepreneurs Ishaan Dodhiwala and Shaaz Mehmood, MediJourn has achieved significant growth and profitability through its innovative approach to medical travel.

Ishaan Dodhiwala, Co-founder of MediJourn, expressed his excitement about the company's milestones: "Our commitment extends beyond borders as we strive to redefine the medical travel experience. By leveraging technology, collaborating with expert doctors at renowned hospitals, providing compassionate care, and adhering to the highest standards of excellence, we aim to revolutionize accessible healthcare worldwide."

MediJourn's success is attributed to its structured approach to the rapidly growing medical travel segment, fostering trust among customers and healthcare providers. The company's focus on enabling hassle-free access to top-notch healthcare delivery for global customers has strengthened its position as a reliable medical value travel partner.

The recent launch of full-fledged United Kingdom & Indonesian operations has expanded MediJourn's global presence, allowing for deeper market penetration and network development. Additionally, the company plans to establish 20+ clinics and referral centres by 2030.

MediJourn has already forged partnerships with renowned hospital such as Samitivej Hospitals, a leading provider in Thailand. It has also started a second medical opinion service from doctors from Europe. It is also delved into traditional medicine and partnered with Apollo Ayurvaid. These strategic alliances solidify MediJourn's position in the South Asian market, a region with significant growth potential.

MediJourn's success is driven by its customer-centric approach, innovative processes, and simplified access to healthcare. The company's streamlined medical travel experience, from initial consultation to post-treatment follow-ups, ensures patient satisfaction and loyalty. By continuously enhancing its services and expanding its network, MediJourn aims to be at the forefront of the industry in terms of patient satisfaction, healthcare quality, and global reach.

Since its inception, MediJourn has played a pivotal role in organizing the medical value travel industry in India, transforming how patients access healthcare services across borders. The company's commitment to providing a seamless, transparent, and trustworthy experience has made healthcare more accessible and efficient for thousands of patients.

MediJourn's comprehensive service model includes personalized care plans, logistical support, and direct access to leading healthcare providers, ensuring that every patient's journey is managed with the utmost care and professionalism.

The company's ongoing expansion efforts are focused on building a robust network of partnerships with hospitals and healthcare providers worldwide. By increasing its reach and capabilities, MediJourn is enhancing its ability to offer specialized and high-quality medical treatments to a broader range of patients. These strengthened relationships not only improve patient care but also solidify MediJourn's reputation as a trusted facilitator of international healthcare.