South African Tourism Announces 10th Edition Of Learn SA, Eyes Growth From Emerging Indian Cities

~Set across Chandigarh, Nagpur & Kochi, the initiative will educate over 600 travel partners on new destination offerings~

Aiming to attract 100,000 inbound travellers from India by end of the year, South African Tourism has returned with its 2024 edition of ‘Learn South Africa’ initiative. Entering the tier-2 and tier-3 outbound tourism markets of India, the flagship travel trade training workshop will enlighten the tourism board’s travel partners with renewed strategy and equip them with tools to market the Rainbow Nation effectively.

In the recent years, there has been a strong uptick in the number of arrivals from India to South Africa. Capitalising on this momentum and in efforts to target emerging markets from the country, South African Tourism’s 3-city destination workshop is set to commence in Chandigarh on 27th September followed by Nagpur on 08th November and Kochi on 13th December. The workshop not only enables the tourism board to share its learnings with the travel trade fraternity but also support its partners in overcoming any obstacles they experience while promoting the destination.

Cognizant of India’s outbound tourism potential and its role in achieving South Africa’s long term tourism goals, India is amongst the top 3 focus markets for South African Tourism. With a strong foothold across key metro cities and observing a trend of rising discretionary spendings from tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India, it is vital for the tourism board to continually target newer markets to uphold the increased inclination towards international travel. Programs such as ‘Learn SA’ are instrumental in projecting the Rainbow Nation as a premier leisure and MICE destination.

Commenting on ‘Learn South Africa’ 2024 edition, Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East, South African Tourism said “We are thrilled to bring the 10th edition of “Learn South Africa” to India, marking a significant milestone for us. At South African Tourism, our mission is to welcome an increasing number of Indian travellers to the Rainbow Nation each year, which also means expanding our reach into new target markets. This year, we are extending our flagship training program to tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India with appearances at Chandigarh, Nagpur, and Kochi, empowering our travel trade partners in these regions. By highlighting South Africa’s diverse offerings beyond Cape Town and Johannesburg, we aim equip our trade partners with knowledge and expertise in crafting unique and memorable itineraries while also encouraging Indian travellers to explore lesser-known provinces of South Africa”.

Aligning with South African Tourism’s objective of encouraging equitable spread of tourism across the country, the Learn South Africa workshops will continue to focus on promoting lesser-known tourism destination, beyond the mainstream tourist areas of Johannesburg and Cape Town. This strategy enables the travel partners in offering unique itineraries to discerning Indian consumers who prefer exploring newer geographies across provinces such as Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo and more.

Strengthening South African Tourism’s existing robust network of travel trade partners across the country, the 10th edition of Learn SA is expected to train over 600 trade partners across three cities. Marking its third activation in the current year, events such as Learn SA, Corporate Think Tank and the Annual India Roadshow 2024 are a testament to the tourism board’s commitment to the Indian travellers and the Indian market.

Physics Wallah (PW) Secures USD 210 Million In Series B Funding Round At A Valuation Of USD 2.8 Billion

Physics Wallah Private Limited (PW), India's leading education company, has closed its Series B funding round, raising USD 210 million. This investment brings the company’s post-money valuation to an impressive USD 2.8 billion, 2.5x jump over its last valuation of USD 1.1 billion. The funding round was led by Hornbill Capital, with significant participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, alongside the continued support of its existing investors, GSV and WestBridge.

Physics Wallah’s funding round serves as a beacon of optimism amidst challenging times for the EdTech sector, showcasing the unwavering confidence of both existing and new investors in Physics Wallah's growth and its mission to democratize education across India. The remarkable interest from both new and existing investors underscores the strong belief in PW’s ability to deliver quality education to Bharat's next generation.

Alakh Pandey, Founder and CEO of Physics Wallah, expressed his gratitude, stating, "This investment is not just a validation of our efforts to democratize education and make quality education accessible to every student in India, but also a testament to the impact we have created over the years. Prateek and I are excited to partner with Hornbill Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners in this journey, and we deeply appreciate the continued trust from WestBridge and GSV."

Prateek Maheshwari, Co-founder of Physics Wallah, added, "Our focus has always been on creating value for our students and ensuring their success. This new round of funding will enable us to expand our reach, enhance our technological capabilities, and continue delivering unparalleled learning experiences. This comes on the back of strong sustainable y-o-y growth - in fact FY25 is going to be the year of largest absolute EBIDTA profitability for the PW Group. There are no good or bad markets but only good or bad stories - and ours is a great impact story!"

Physics Wallah produces 9,500 hours of educational content every week with a student base across 18,808 pin codes, accounting for almost 98% of pin codes in India. This funding will bolster its already significant cash reserves to support its future growth plans. PW’s expansion from school education to skilling is integral to the strategic vision, designed to support students at every stage of their journey and solidify its role as a trusted, comprehensive partner in education and career advancement.

The funds raised will be strategically utilized to scale operations, with a key focus on consolidation in the education market. Physics Wallah plans to pursue inorganic expansion, enter the K-12 formal education segment, enhance its content and publication offerings, and explore mergers with community-driven education platforms across categories. As PW moves forward, it remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering students and helping them achieve their academic aspirations through these strategic initiatives.

Quotes for the editors:

Abhishek Mishra, Chief Strategy Officer of Physics Wallah, who ran the end-to-end process, delightfully remarked, “We were overwhelmed to see such excitement and response for our Series B funding round from both new and existing suite of investors. We are very excited to welcome partners who share our values and principles and are aligned with our vision of creating societal impact at scale through quality education.” 

Speaking about Hornbill’s investment in PW, Dubai-based Manoj Thakur, Founder of Hornbill Capital, remarked, "Physics Wallah is a rare combination of vision, execution, and impact with a thriving 3C model

– Content, Community, and Commerce. We are excited to see PW’s use of AI not only to help improve students’ outcomes but also their emotional well-being. We are thrilled to lead this round of investment and support PW in its mission to provide quality education at affordable prices through the use of cutting-edge technology.”

"We are excited to partner with Alakh and Prateek to support their mission to bring quality education to every student in India. The community of students built over years of painstaking creation of quality educational videos, as well as reasonably priced offerings for online and offline courses, has made Physics Wallah a familiar brand name across the breadth and width of India and across all socioeconomic groups," said Dev Khare, partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Sandeep Singhal, Co-founder and Managing Partner at WestBridge, shared his enthusiasm, "Our decision to double down on Physics Wallah is driven by the company's exceptional growth, strong execution, and long-term vision. We believe in the leadership of Alakh and Prateek and their ability to solve one of India’s stickiest problem, which is to provide world class education at super low cost and at population scale. In that, PW is probably one of the highest social impact enterprise that I have ever seen."

Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner at GSV Ventures, echoed these sentiments, stating, "The impact that Physics Wallah has had on students across Bharat is incredibly inspiring. Our investment in PW, the largest commitment we've made to date, reflects our strong belief in the company’s commitment to quality and accessibility. The PW team has a unique ability to democratize education on a global scale, delivering high-quality learning at an affordable cost. The positive outcomes achieved by PW students align perfectly with our investment philosophy, and we are excited to further strengthen our partnership."

About PW:

Physics Wallah (PW), India’s leading EdTech unicorn, was founded in 2020 by Alakh Pandey (Founder & CEO) and Prateek Maheshwari (Co-Founder). Headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, PW is democratizing education at scale across India through online, offline and hybrid platforms, and has reached 98% of the country’s pin codes. Initially launched as a YouTube channel in 2014, PW has been growing exponentially, now offering free quality education to over 4.6+ crore students through its 112+ YouTube channels in 5 vernacular languages. The PW app has been downloaded 3+ crore times, and the company has over 55+ lakh paid students. PW is creating the biggest hybrid education ecosystem in the country by establishing tech-enabled offline and hybrid centers in 105 cities nationwide. As a lifelong learning partner, PW’s offerings span various educational segments, including 2 Gurukulam Schools, test preparation in 43 categories, a skilling vertical, higher education, and study abroad. Additionally, the company also has an Institute of Innovation (IOI) that provides world-class 4-year residential job-ready programs. www.pw.live

About Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a global multi-stage venture capital firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in the Enterprise, Consumer, Health, and Fintech sectors. Over the past two decades, the Lightspeed team has backed hundreds of entrepreneurs and helped build more than 500 companies globally including Affirm, Acceldata, Carta, Cato Networks, Darwinbox Epic Games, Faire, Innovaccer, Guardant Health, Mulesoft, Navan, Netskope, Nutanix, Rubrik, Sharechat, Snap, OYO Ultima Genomics and more. Lightspeed and its global team currently manage $25B in AUM across the Lightspeed platform, with investment professionals and advisors in the U.S., Europe, India, Israel, and Southeast Asia. www.LSVP.com

About Westbridge Capital

WestBridge Capital is a leading investment firm that focuses on partnering with high-growth companies in India and Southeast Asia. With a deep commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent, WestBridge has built a robust portfolio across various sectors including technology, financial services, consumer goods, and healthcare. The firm manages assets worth over $7 billion and brings a value-driven, long-term approach to its investments. WestBridge Capital is renowned for its ability to support businesses from the early stages through to late-stage growth, providing both capital and strategic insights to help companies scale sustainably. www.westbridgecap.com

About GSV

GSV Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital firm focused on the $7+ trillion global education and workforce skills sector, manages and invests from GSV Ventures Fund III. GSV has invested $600M+ in innovators across "Pre-K to Gray" learning, including ClassDojo, Coursera, Coursehero, Degreed, Guild, Lead School, Physics Wallah, Photomath, Quizizz and Classplus. www.gsv.ventures

About Hornbill Capital

Hornbill Capital, founded by Manoj Thakur, specializes in the internet and digital technology, consumer and healthcare sectors. Hornbill Capital has expertise in long-short investment strategies and growth-stage private equity investments. The fund advised by Hornbill Capital was an anchor investor in the IPOs of IndiaMART, Affle, Nazara Technologies, Latent View, Star Health, Supriya Lifescience, PropEquity, eMudhra Limited and Honasa Consumer Limited. The investment manager has a deep understanding of the internet and digital technology space based on its investments across public and private companies in these sectors. www.hornbillcap.com

Inauguration of "Empowering Educators: Enhancing Counselling Skills For Student Support - Series 3" Workshop

The third edition of the "Empowering Educators: Enhancing Counselling Skills for Student Support" workshop series was officially inaugurated today at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). This two-day workshop, organized by the Department of Student Affairs, aims to equip educators with advanced counseling techniques to better support students' mental well-being and academic success.

The event commenced with a keynote address from Dr. E. Aravind Raj, Additional Professor of Psychiatric Social Work at NIMHANS, who delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking session. His insights set the tone for a productive workshop dedicated to fostering emotional support and effective student guidance.

Dr. Geetha Maiya, Director of Student Affairs at MAHE, welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the workshop's goals, emphasizing the importance of enhancing faculty counseling skills to better support students. The event was compered by Ms. Shilpa Joshi, Senior Counselor at MAHE.

Deputy Directors, Dr. Roshan David Jathanna, Dr. Rashmi Yogesh Pai, and Dr. Aravind Kumar Pandey, also graced the occasion with their presence, further underscoring the importance of this initiative. The workshop is being led by Ms. Karuna Devadiga, Senior Counselor, with strong support from the dedicated team of counselors in the Department of Student Affairs.

Many faculty members from various MAHE institutions in Manipal and Mangalore participating, the workshop focuses on developing essential counseling skills. These skills will enhance faculty members' ability to offer effective guidance and emotional support to students, contributing to a more supportive educational environment.

This initiative reaffirms MAHE's commitment to prioritizing the mental well-being of its students and ensuring a nurturing atmosphere for their academic and personal growth.

GlobalLogic inaugurates STEM Lab in Bengaluru, empowering future innovators

* Equipping 1,000 students with future-ready skills through hands-on STEM education

GlobalLogic, a digital product engineering leader and a Hitachi Group company, inaugurated its STEM Lab at Bharatiya Vidyanikethan High School, Bengaluru, today. The event, attended by senior government officials and company’s leadership team, marks a major step in GlobalLogic’s #EducateToEmpower initiative, which aims to equip students with critical skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), preparing them for future opportunities in the rapidly evolving job market.

The inauguration ceremony, held today, was graced by Madhusudan Murthy, Senior Vice President &  Head-Engineering and Monika Walia, APAC Head of CSR for GlobalLogic. The newly inaugurated STEM lab will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, enabling students to engage with cutting-edge technologies such as robotics, coding, and AI. The lab is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, making science and technology more accessible and engaging for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Madhusudan Murthy, Senior Vice President & Head-Engineering at GlobalLogic, highlighted the company’s vision for shaping the future workforce, “The inauguration of this STEM Lab is a testament to GlobalLogic’s commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators. By providing students with immersive, hands-on experiences in cutting-edge technologies, we are equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a world driven by digital transformation.”

The STEM lab is expected to benefit around 1,000 students from grades 5th to 10th, helping them build confidence and critical thinking skills. The lab also includes capacity-building programs for teachers, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to guide students in exploring these new technologies.

Monika Walia, APAC Head of CSR at GlobalLogic, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative, “This initiative reflects GlobalLogic’s mission to create equitable access to quality education. Through this STEM Lab, we are not just teaching students about science and technology; we are inspiring them to think critically and creatively, preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow.”

The project aligns with India's National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which emphasizes the importance of integrating STEM subjects into school curricula to foster innovation and prepare students for future careers. With this initiative, GlobalLogic is contributing to the government’s vision of empowering young minds with the skills necessary to thrive in an AI-driven future.

About GlobalLogic

GlobalLogic (www.globallogic.com) is a leader in digital engineering. We help brands across the globe design and build innovative products, platforms, and digital experiences for the modern world. By integrating experience design, complex engineering, and data expertise – we help our clients imagine what’s possible and accelerate their transition into tomorrow’s digital businesses. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, GlobalLogic operates design studios and engineering centers around the world, extending our deep expertise to customers in the automotive, communications, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, manufacturing, media and entertainment, semiconductor, and technology industries. GlobalLogic is a Hitachi Group Company operating under Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), which contributes to a sustainable society with a higher quality of life by driving innovation through data and technology as the Social Innovation Business.

Samsung India’s AI-Powered ‘Big TV Festival’ Gets Bigger; Avail Great Deals & Enjoy Unbeatable Offers On its Premium AI TV Range

* Offering a free TV worth upto INR 290000 and free Soundbar worth INR 100000 on specific big size TVs

* The Big TV Festival 2024 is a chance for consumers to grab great deals and upgrade their home entertainment system with the power of AI before the festive season

* Customers can also enjoy cashbacks up to 20%, 3-year comprehensive warranty,1EMI off, easy EMIs starting INR 2777, and long tenure EMIs on the ultra-premium AI-enabled Big TVs

Samsung, India's largest consumer electronics brand, is set to make this festive season more delightful with the launch of its ‘Big TV Festival’ promotion. Offering unparalleled deals on premium AI-powered big-screen televisions like Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K, OLED and Crystal 4K UHD TVs, the limited period offers runs from September 14 till November 10, 2024, bringing exciting freebies, cashback, a 3-year warranty and special EMI offers.

Samsung Big TV Festival is about to set a new standard in visual immersion and sound quality with AI-enabled features. The offers are available across the Neo QLED, OLED and Crystal 4K UHD TV range on select models.

Customers can also avail free Samsung TV models worth up to INR 290000, and free sound bar worth INR 100000, with select purchases. Samsung is also offering irresistible cashbacks up to 20%, 3-year comprehensive warranty and Easy EMIs starting at INR 2777 on its ultra-premium Big TVs, with a long tenure EMI up to 36 months. These attractive deals will be available across Samsung.com, and select Samsung retail outlets across India.

Ushering a new era of unrivalled picture and sound, these offers by Samsung aim to democratize AI technology and make its latest range of premium TVs more accessible to consumers. A screen class of its own powered by AI upscaling and AI optimisation, these premium AI TVs breathe life into consumer’s content. Making it easier than ever to escape into the action of every scene with Q-Symphony & Dolby Atmos, multi-dimensional sound is played from every corner of the screen, elevating the viewing experience to that of a movie theatre. Additionally, keeping user’s privacy under lock and key, Samsung Knox security protects the TV and its connected devices from unauthorized activity.

“Today, in modern Indian households, televisions are seen as the centrepieces of living spaces, seamlessly integrating technology and lifestyle. With the rising demand for bigger screen sizes in India and to democratize the premium AI experience for the consumers, we are proud to bring back the Samsung Big TV Festival. Designed to set a new standard in visual immersion and sound quality with AI-enabled features, these televisions take the style quotient several notches higher while providing complete security enabled by Samsung Knox. The Big TV Festival emboldens consumers to embrace the future of elevated home entertainment system ahead of the festive season, by upgrading to the ultimate cinematic experience offered by the Samsung AI TV range” said Viplesh Dang, Senior Director, Visual Display Business, Samsung India.

Neo QLED 8K

The Neo QLED 8K range comes powered by the NQ8 AI Gen2 Processor, which enables AI-powered content viewing experience, providing life-like picture quality. The NQ8 AI Gen2 Processor is powered by 256 AI neural networks that help transform both picture and sound to deliver an 8K experience, whether its streaming OTT services, playing video games or watching live sports. Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K TVs also come with  Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro for creating consistently crisp visuals and blazing-fast speeds for high-speed gaming.

Neo QLED 4K

The 2024 Neo QLED 4K line-up is powered by the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor, which breathes life into almost any content, rendering it in stunning 4K resolution. Enhanced by Quantum Matrix Technology, the screen ensures impeccable contrast even in complex scenes. With the world’s first Pantone Validated display for colour accuracy and Dolby Atmos for an immersive audio experience, the Neo QLED 4K range of TVs raises the bar for an ultimate 4K experience.

OLED TV

The world’s first glare-free OLED TV eliminates unnecessary reflection while preserving deep blacks and clear images under any lighting condition. Powered by the same formidable NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor, Samsung’s OLED TVs boast features like the Real Depth Enhancer and OLED HDR Pro, bringing picture quality to new heights. Additionally, with features such as Motion Xcelerator 144Hz ensuring smooth motion and quick response rates, Samsung OLED is the ultimate choice for gaming. Complemented by sleek designs, these OLED TVs elevate the viewing space.

QLED TV

Samsung's QLED TV provides stunning picture quality with Quantum Dot technology. Boasting 100% colour volume, this TV ensures that colours remain true and vibrant at any brightness level. Its ultra-slim design blends seamlessly into any home, adding a touch of elegance to living spaces.

Crystal 4K UHD TV

Samsung's UHD TV brings colours to life with Dynamic Crystal Colour technology, offering lifelike variations and subtle details in every shade. The 4K upscaling technology brings the picture on screen up to near 4K quality, offering a captivating screen experience. Motion Xcelerator keeps fast-moving action smooth and clear, making every game, movie, or show, more immersive and enjoyable.

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.

Ayushmann Khurrana Joins WhatsApp Channels; We Can’t Wait To Get A Glimpse Into His Life!

Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana has joined WhatsApp Channels today, bringing fans closer to his personal journey and interests. Ayushmann’s channel will offer followers exclusive content and behind-the-scenes updates, from his career to his everyday life, especially his iconic poetry that fans love.

Follow his Channel here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VajmzLw9cDDatwo7Da3X

Ayushmann Khurrana with the launch of his new WhatsApp channel, said, “Today with the launch of my new WhatsApp channel, I want to get a step closer to staying connected with my admirers one on one. Through my WhatsApp channel, I want to create a close-knit community, share my thoughts, my daily inspirations, my poetry – moments that I usually share with my family and friends and no one else! So, it will be deeply personal & reflective and candid – stay tuned to find out more!”

As Ayushmann Khurrana steps into the world of WhatsApp Channels, expect a stylish blend of charisma, creativity, and quirkiness that only he can bring. From sharing his favorite recipe to dropping iconic poetry with a dash of his trademark wit, Ayushmann’s WhatsApp channel will make your daily life a little more artistic and a whole lot of fun. So, ensure your phones are all charged, you’re going to be on a coffee date with Ayushmann himself, on WhatsApp!

About WhatsApp Channels:

Channels is a private way to receive important updates from people and organizations, directly within WhatsApp.

More than 500 million people are already using Channels and there are thousands of Channels for people to follow.

With his new WhatsApp channel, you can find out about Ayushmann’s daily life, career choices, interests beyond his professional life, favorite food items, top workout routines, and personal reflections, and he will also post some of his iconic poetry that fans love.

Follow his Channel here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VajmzLw9cDDatwo7Da3X 

Yamaha Launched ‘The Call Of The Blue’ Version 4.0 Brand Campaign For The Young And Dynamic Customers

* The latest version of the brand campaign reinforces Yamaha’s ethos, core values and global heritage,

* while re-igniting the brand’s aspirational appeal

Carrying forward the momentum of the previous versions of ‘The Call of The Blue’, India Yamaha Motor (IYM) today launched the version 4 of its flagship brand campaign, reinforcing its premium positioning in the Indian two-wheeler market. The campaign slogan - ‘Hear the Call Now’ is a progression of the previous one - ‘Have You Heard the Call?’ and targeted towards reaching out to new motorcycle riders who are coming of age, adding to their aspirations for Yamaha products.

The latest campaign is designed for the youth and primarily emphasizes on Yamaha’s ethos, core values and global heritage. Further, it also focusses on elevating their desire to become a true riding enthusiast. It aligns perfectly with the shift in taste and preferences of today’s customers toward superior performance as well as premium experiences in the country. Through the introduction of world-class products across higher engine displacements and immersive consumer engagement initiatives that this campaign will drive, Yamaha intends to grow its market share in the premium segment and underpin itself as the brand of choice for India’s most ardent motorcyclists.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Eishin Chihana, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, said, “At Yamaha, we are extremely proud of extending the joy of motorcycling to Indian consumers through our impeccable product portfolio and immersive ownership experience over the years. We are streamlining our strategies to the unique needs of the youth of today. By introducing the 4th edition of ‘The Call of The Blue’ brand campaign, we are reinforcing our brand values by inspiring young afficionados to awaken the rider within them. We are confident that this new version will be a success and will help in strengthening our position in this dynamic market, while also differentiating us from others.”

Yamaha has also launched a new film to announce the latest campaign. In the film young kids are seen captivated by a film in the theatre, showcasing Yamaha’s iconic two-wheeler models, including global favourites. As they step out, they are thrilled to find these models right in front of them on the road. Taking it a notch up, the film also features a new “The Call of The Blue” anthem, tailored to resonate with the musical preferences of today’s youth.

YouTube link of the latest Brand Campaign film : The Call of the Blue Version 4.0

Since its inception in 2018, in each iteration of ‘The Call of The Blue’ campaign, India Yamaha Motor has realigned its product planning, marketing and customer strategies with the brand’s image of ‘Excitement, Style and Sportiness’. Along with the product line up, Yamaha will also revitalise its customer engagement activities like Track Day, The Call of The Blue Weekends, Overnight Tours, and Blue Streaks Community rides, and penetrate even deeper into the country.

About Yamaha Motor India group of companies:

Yamaha Motor made its initial foray into India in 1985 as a joint venture. In August 2001, it became a 100% subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, Japan (YMC). In 2008, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. entered into an agreement with YMC to become a joint investor in India Yamaha Motor Private Limited (IYM). IYM's manufacturing facilities comprise State-of-the-art plants at Surajpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu). The infrastructure at these plants supports the production of motorcycles and parts for the domestic as well as overseas markets. YMC has established its subsidiaries - Yamaha Motor Research and Development India Pvt Ltd. (YMRI), Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt Ltd. (YMIS) and Yamaha Motor India Pvt Ltd. (YMI) in India to independently support IYM in the development, sales & marketing of its products and overall business planning & regional control respectively. Presently, its product portfolio includes YZF-R3 (321cc), MT-03 (321cc), YZF-R15 V4 (155cc), YZF-R15S V3 (155cc),  MT-15 V2 (155cc); FZS-Fi Version 4.0 (149cc), FZS-Fi Version 3.0 (149cc), FZ-Fi Version 3.0 (149cc), FZ-X (149cc), AEROX Version S (155cc), AEROX (155cc) and scooters like Fascino 125 FI Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR 125 FI Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR Street Rally 125 FI Hybrid (125cc).