“The Best Time To Start Retirement Planning Is Now”, Says HDFC Life’s Latest Campaign

HDFC Life, one of India’s leading insurers, has unveiled its latest campaign focused on the critical need for timely retirement planning. The growing elderly population in India coupled with rising life expectancy due to advancements in healthcare and improved standards of living, makes retirement planning imperative.

With individuals projected to require 30 years of income post-retirement by 2050*, early and strategic retirement planning is essential. Despite recognising the importance of starting early, many Indians face a significant gap between intent and action. Alarmingly, 90% of individuals, above the age of 50 years, regret having delayed their retirement planning**.

HDFC Life’s latest campaign highlights a common barrier leading to postponement of retirement planning. Parents usually prioritise financial commitments such as home loan repayments, children’s education, or immediate family needs over their own retirement planning. This postponement diminishes the retirement corpus, as late planning offers limited time for wealth accumulation.

HDFC Life’s new campaign leverages a relatable milestone – a child’s departure for college - as a pivotal moment for parents to begin their retirement planning journey. The campaign aims to create awareness about the need to secure one’s financial future while balancing familial responsibilities.

Speaking about the campaign, Vishal Subharwal – Group Head Strategy & Chief Marketing Officer - HDFC Life said, “The risk of outliving one’s savings is one of the biggest concerns that individuals face during their lifetime. The solution lies in starting retirement planning early to harness the power of compounding. Very often, in India, this is postponed by individuals until their children’s future is secured. Our main message through this campaign is that an individual needs to start planning early for their golden years and the best time is now.”

Adding further, Vikram Pandey – Chief Creative Officer Leo Burnett, South Asia said, “Often it isn’t until their mid fifties that people realise they haven’t planned enough for their retirement, and then it gets too late. In this campaign for HDFC Life, through the story of the couple who are transitioning to a new phase in life as they deal with an empty nest, we wanted to reiterate that this is also a time to shift your financial priorities, as you set your sights toward retirement and funding the next chapter of your life. And who better than HDFC Life to plan this with.”

The campaign has been launched across diverse platforms, including television, digital, and other mass media, ensuring maximum reach and impact.

HDFC Life continues to advocate for financial literacy and awareness, emphasising the importance of proactive retirement planning in today’s dynamic economic landscape.

MAHE Achieves Landmark FWCI Of 1.5, Reflecting Global Research Excellence

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is proud to announce that its Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) has soared past the 1.5 mark, a monumental achievement that underscores the institution's growing influence in global research. This milestone represents a significant leap from an FWCI of 0.53 in 2020, showcasing the relentless dedication, cutting-edge research, and collaborative spirit of MAHE’s scholarly community.

The FWCI, a key metric reflecting the quality and impact of research, measures citations received relative to the global average in a specific field. Crossing the 1.5 threshold positions MAHE firmly among the top-tier research institutions worldwide.

Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE, said, "This milestone is a proud moment for MAHE and a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of our researchers. It reinforces our commitment to fostering a culture of academic excellence and innovation. I am confident that MAHE will continue to scale greater heights in the global research landscape."

Echoing this sentiment, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, stated, "The leap in our FWCI is a reflection of the transformative strides made by MAHE in advancing research capabilities and fostering impactful collaborations. With world-class facilities like the Central Instrumentation Facility and the BSL 3 Facility, coupled with robust library support and open-access initiatives, our researchers are equipped to excel further. We remain committed to supporting interdisciplinary research and large-scale grants to elevate our impact globally."

MAHE’s growth is powered by a thriving research ecosystem that includes state-of-the-art infrastructure, a proactive approach to fostering collaborations, and support for open access, ensuring widespread dissemination of its scholarly work. These elements, combined with the unwavering commitment of its researchers, have made this landmark achievement possible.

As MAHE looks ahead, it aims to further bolster its contributions to the global research community by promoting innovative projects, enhancing interdisciplinary research efforts, and building impactful partnerships.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams; through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Sells 4,72,749 Units In November’24

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) announced its overall sales for the month of November 2024.

During the month, the company’s dispatches stood at 4,72,749 units. This includes domestic sales of 4,32,888 units and 39,861 units exports.

Noteworthy, HMSI’s YTD sales (April – November 2024) stands at 42,28,837 units. This includes 38,67,427 units of domestic sales and 3,61,410 units exports.

Key Highlights of November 2024: 

Product: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) today ushered into the next era of mobility with the introduction of ACTIVA e: and QC1 in the electric vehicle segment. The unveiling of the iconic Activa brand in an all-new electrified avatar along with the QC1 marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s commitment to sustainable mobility in India. Bookings for the same will begin on January 1, 2025, and deliveries will commence from February 2025 onwards.

Road Safety: Expanding road safety awareness in India, HMSI conducted awareness campaigns in 09 cities across India – Hyderabad (Telangana), Guwahati (Assam), Bijapur (Karnataka), Karimnagar (Telangana), Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), Kollam (Karnataka), Alibag (Maharashtra), Jalna (Maharashtra), and Dwarka (Gujarat).   

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Joins Hands To Celebrate Hornbill Music Festival 2024 For The Third Consecutive Year

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced its continued association with the prestigious Hornbill Music Festival, one of India’s most iconic cultural celebrations, for the third consecutive year through the title sponsorship. Held at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, in Kohima District, Nagaland, the festival runs from December 2 to December 10, featuring exciting performances, including a special opening act by Japan’s renowned drum ensemble, Drum Tao. This unique collaboration brings together traditional and contemporary musical experiences, showcasing a deep cultural bond. TKM’s ongoing partnership with the Hornbill Music Festival reflects the company’s deeper connections with the people of Nagaland and Northeast, and support to promote the rich cultural heritage.

This year, the Hornbill Music Festival was inaugurated in the presence of senior leadership from Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), including Ms. Manasi Tata, Vice Chairperson of TKM & Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts (TKAP); Mr. Tadashi Asazuma, Deputy Managing Director for Sales, Service, and Used Cars at TKM & Lexus and Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President. The event was also witnessed the presence of TKM’s valued business associates – Mr. Y Vikheho Swu, Managing Director of Okusa Toyota; Mr. Nobuaki Yahiro, Managing Director & CEO of Toyota Tsusho India; Mr. Takayuki Ueda, Managing Director & CEO of Toyota Tsusho Insurance Broker India; Mr. Ryusuke Miyake, Corporate Officer of Sumitomo Corporation & General Manager of Sumitomo Corporation Automotive Sales & Marketing SBU; Mr. Shinya Watanabe, Deputy Managing Director of Denso International India and Mr. Keitaro Asano, Managing Coordinator of Toyota Industries Engine India.

As a part of its active participation in the event, TKM has set up an engaging car pavilion at the Hornbill Music Festival, featuring a display of its various popular models, including the Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross (hybrid electric vehicle), Fortuner, Glanza, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Urban Cruiser Taisor, Rumion, Camry, Hilux, and Vellfire.

TKM is deeply engaged in the Northeast, with a strong commitment to elevating customer experiences and shaping the region’s automotive landscape with its world-class products and exceptional services. Currently, TKM has set-up 39 touchpoints in the Northeast region and will continue to expand its network to meet the region’s growing demand. This underlines the company’s customer centric focus to delivering efficient, accessible, and enriching ownership experiences for Toyota customers across the Northeast.

Commenting about TKM’s association with the Hornbill Music Festival 2024, Mr. Sabari Manohar – Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the esteemed Hornbill Music Festival for the third year in a row. This collaboration underscores our resolute commitment to honouring the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland, a region renowned for its vibrant traditions and remarkable diversity. The Hornbill Music Festival is more than just a cultural event; it is a celebration of history, arts, and music, showcasing the unique identities of the Naga tribes, making it a vital part of India’s cultural tapestry. This platform not only allows us to foster strong connect with the local community, but also enable us to add excitement to their festive fervour by presenting our wide range of product offerings to the customer base in the region.”

As a part of its community development efforts in the skilling area, TKM has implemented the Toyota Technical Education Program (T-TEP) in the region, with the set-up of 7 institutes across Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim. This skill initiative is undertaken in collaboration with Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), aimed to build technical skills among rural youth in the Northeast. Further, this is complemented by the “STAR” (Scholarship Program for Technical Education and Recognition) within T-TEP providing financial support to deserving students from economically challenged backgrounds, enabling them to pursue various technical courses to become skilled and employable technicians. Towards this, TKM will continue to take focused approach to enhance the skill outreach by establishing more such T-TEP institutes in the Northeast region.

These initiatives highlight TKM’s commitment to empowering youth, fostering economic growth, and developing industry-ready talent that will contribute to the sustainable growth of the automotive sector in the Northeast and beyond.

About Hornbill Music Festival: The Hornbill Music Festival, organized by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland, is a vibrant 10-day celebration that beautifully showcases the state’s rich cultural heritage covering art exhibitions, lively music and dance performances, traditional feasts, and indigenous games like archery, Naga wrestling, and other athletic sports, providing a captivating glimpse into the region's distinct customs.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Concludes 32nd iCARE Activity, Strengthening Commitment To Community Development

Reaffirming its dedication to community service and sustainable development, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) successfully concluded its 32nd ‘iCARE (I Community Action To Reach Everyone’) activity at Government High School, Kannahalli, near Kengeri, Bangalore in Karnataka on 1st December 2024.  Launched in 2017, iCARE is TKM’s institutionalized Employee Volunteering Program (EVP), designed to empower employees to drive meaningful change in their communities through initiatives that promote education, environmental conservation, road safety, and skill development. By encouraging employees to give back to society, iCARE embodies TKM’s commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact on lives.

This edition of iCARE was organized in conjunction with International Volunteer Month, a global initiative celebrating and encouraging impactful volunteer efforts. Witnessing active participation from 200 passionate TKM volunteers, who joined hands with 100 enthusiastic students, the event showcased the transformative power of collective action in driving meaningful change. The participant rejuvenated the school’s environment by painting vibrant murals on classroom walls and creating educational cards designed to spark creativity and among students.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sudeep S Dalvi, Senior Vice President & Chief Communication Officer, TKM, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we believe that true progress is achieved when businesses actively contribute to the betterment of society. The 32nd iCARE activity is a testament to this belief. By transforming classroom spaces with vibrant murals and crafting educational tools that spark curiosity, this initiative goes beyond improving infrastructure—it fosters a culture of learning and growth for young minds. At TKM, we remain committed to empowering our employees to actively participate in initiatives that uplift communities, reinforce our shared values, and drive sustainable development. Together, we aim to continue creating lasting, transformative impacts, both for individuals and for society as a whole.”

Since its launch, the iCARE initiative has brought together over 2,659 dedicated volunteers across more than 30 impactful events, enriching the lives of over 67,000 community members. Spanning diverse focus areas such as education, environmental conservation, road safety, and skill development, the program embodies a holistic approach to community upliftment. Looking ahead, TKM is steadfast in its mission to inspire employees to actively participate in meaningful initiatives, further strengthening Toyota’s enduring commitment to social responsibility and creating a positive, lasting impact on society. 

Unplug And Reconnect At Happiest Health's Get Set, Grow Summit 2024 – A Day Of Digital Detox For Families

In today’s fast-paced digital world, finding a healthy balance between screen time and meaningful family interactions has become more challenging than ever. Happiest Health is all set to host The Get Set Grow Summit 2024 on the 14th of December at Bethany High School, Bengaluru, a unique event designed to address this issue by promoting family health and wellness through the theme of ‘Digital Detox’. This interactive and enriching day is dedicated to helping both parents and children (aged 5-12) reconnect, unplug, and embrace a holistic approach to well-being in a technology-driven age.

With its ‘Digital Detox Edition’, the summit will focus on the importance of screen-free family time through interactive and fun sessions for children, providing practical tools to help families navigate the challenges of balancing technology use with quality, tech-free moments. Participants will discover strategies for developing healthier habits, enhancing family bonds, and promoting overall well-being through a series of engaging sessions tailored for kids.

The day-long summit will be filled with enlightening interactive sessions and activities. Here’s a glimpse of those interesting topics:

Expert Talks: Thought-provoking sessions on Digital Parenting, Mindful Technology Use, and Navigating Screen Time with industry-leading experts.

Interactive Workshops: Learn about the importance of nutrition, fitness, and mental wellness through hands-on cooking classes, yoga sessions, and fun art projects.

Family Activity Zones: Tailored zones with fun, educational experiences designed for parents and kids to enjoy together, all aligned with the event’s theme of digital detox.

Competitions and Challenges: Exciting games and activities that promote teamwork, creativity, and healthy competition among families.

Happiest Health invites parents, schools, wellness-focused families, and anyone looking to foster stronger, screen-free family bonds to attend this exciting, one-of-a-kind event.

For More details login to- Get Set, Grow ! children’s wellness  Summit 2024

About Happiest Health

Happiest Health is a global health & wellness knowledge enterprise promoted by Ashok Soota. Happiest Health provides credible and trustworthy health and wellness knowledge with views from globally renowned experts and doctors. The primary knowledge platforms are the daily newsletter, knowledge website, monthly print magazine, and knowledge app and summits. The wellness division of Happiest Health caters to corporates to achieve optimal employee well-being, fostering a happier, healthier, and more productive work environment. The newest addition to Happiest Health’s offering is its diagnostics services. Happiest Diagnostics is committed to a patient-centric approach and cutting-edge technology, with an aim to be the most trusted diagnostic partner in India.

Happiest Health embraces scientific knowledge with a keen focus on medical breakthroughs providing kinder, gentler therapies including cell-based treatments. It also has deep coverage of integrated medicine including ayurveda, homeopathy, and naturopathy. Happiest Health’s focus on wellness is holistic and energizing. Its Mission Statement is: “Better Knowledge. Better Health.” and convey its benefits to all.             

Aveeno Baby Partners With Over 11,000 Indian Healthcare Professionals To Pledge To ‘Start Early, Stop Atopic Dermatitis

* Sets GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title

* Breaks GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for ‘Most pledges for dermatological disease awareness campaign in one week’

* 82% of Indian parents are unaware of Atopic Dermatitis, reveals Aveeno Baby survey

* Know more about Aveeno ‘Start Early, Stop Atopic Dermatitis’ campaign: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kl5SYwYzIcY

In a pioneering initiative, Aveeno Baby, US#1 Paediatrician Recommended brand a product range for baby’s sensitive, skin broke a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for ‘Most pledges for dermatological disease awareness campaign in one week’ by joining hands with 11201 Indian paediatricians, dermatologists and healthcare professionals to pledge to prevent Atopic Dermatitis (AD) by early usage of moisturizers on newborns.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common forms of eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that results in dry, itchy skin, with a dysfunctional skin barrier. Early intervention is crucial for the management of AD in children.  Sensitive skin conditions like AD-prone skin in babies are becoming increasingly common in India, necessitating a deeper understanding of this condition.

With aim to create awareness about sensitive skin conditions like Atopic Dermatitis, Aveeno Baby has launched ‘Start Early, Stop Atopic Dermatitis’ campaign to highlight the importance of power of oats-based moisturizers to better manage AD skin conditions.

Approximately 60% of children with atopic dermatitis develop symptoms within the first year of life, and 90% show signs by the age of five. The most common symptoms observed in babies include redness, itching, dry skin, and rash. Often, sensitive skin conditions in babies goes undiagnosed, leading to prolonged skin discomfort. The unpredictable flare-ups not only affect the baby’s skin but also disrupt their sleep cycle, impacting the well-being of the entire family. A survey conducted by Aveeno Baby and Firstcry revealed, that nearly 82% of Indian parents are unaware of Atopic Dermatitis, underscoring the need to raise awareness to manage such skin conditions effectively.

Mr. Manoj Gadgil, Business Unit, Essential Health and Skin Health, and Vice President Marketing, Kenvue said, “Sensitive skin calls for special care. Today, there is significant lack of awareness about sensitive skin conditions in babies and necessary therapeutic measures to manage it. We aim to educate and provide parents with an expert/paediatrician recommended product to reduce the incidence and severity of AD in infants. By collaborating with India’s leading healthcare professionals across the country, we aim to strengthen awareness on the role of oats-based moisturizers to manage mild to extreme sensitive skin conditions like atopic dermatitis in babies. We are delighted with the overwhelming response we have received from healthcare practitioners to set the Guinness World Record.

This initiative will play an instrumental role in strengthening awareness and highlighting the powerful role that Aveeno Baby can also play in managing sensitive skin conditions.”

According to Dr. Sumitra N, MBBS, DCH, Bangalore, “We are seeing a lot of sensitive skin conditions in babies owing to change in weather conditions especially in metropolitan cities like Bangalore. The fluctuations between warm and cooler temperatures can leave a baby’s delicate skin more vulnerable and prone dryness and related skin conditions. I would like to compliment Aveeno Baby for its efforts to raise awareness about sensitive skin conditions like Atopic Dermatitis and the role of moisturizers in preventing these conditions. A proactive approach can significantly reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis and other skin disorders in babies.”

To raise awareness about sensitive skin and AD amongst healthcare community and parents, Kenvue showcased its latest science on colloidal oatmeal as a powerful solution to address dry and sensitive skin in babies at PEDICON 2024, the 61st National Conference of Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), an annual scientific conclave conducted by Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) earlier this year.

As part of its ‘Start Early, Stop AD’ campaign, Aveeno baby will continue its awareness efforts through knowledge sessions with leading paediatricians, dermatologists, experts across cities coupled with influencer campaigns to share knowledge on early intervention and the use of moisturizers to manage sensitive skin conditions in their babies.

About Aveeno Baby®

Aveeno® Baby is the US#1* paediatrician recommended brand made with the power of oat for baby’s sensitive skin’. The history of Aveeno® Baby is built upon our commitment to combine scientific research with the ingredients found in nature. Our scientists unlock the power of a selection of natural ingredients – science and nature, working together, in harmony.  We bring nourishing solutions to your skincare so even the most sensitive skin feels soothed and moisturized.

At Aveeno® we partner with healthcare professionals and leading experts – dermatologists, pediatricians, pharmacists and scientists. We are the US#1 Pediatrician Recommended brand and a natural choice for your baby’s sensitive skin. For further information, visit Aveeno® India.

About Kenvue:

Kenvue is the world’s largest pure-play consumer health company by revenue. Built on more than a century of heritage, our iconic brands, including Aveeno®, Johnson’s®, Listerine®, Neutrogena®, and Tylenol®, are science-backed and recommended by healthcare professionals around the world. At Kenvue, we believe in the extraordinary power of everyday care and our teams work every day to put that power in consumers’ hands and earn a place in their hearts and homes. Learn more at www.kenvue.com.