Thursday, January 23, 2025

Jacobi Group Unveils Carbonizer Technology, Setting New Standards In Sustainable Manufacturing


-       Reducing the impact of emissions and ensuring a cleaner environment

-       Generating power as a co-product while reducing emissions

The Jacobi Group of Companies, a globally recognized leader in the manufacturing and supply of activated carbon and related services, today unveiled its revolutionary Carbonization technology with a machine named Carbonizer. This state-of the-art equipment was inaugurated by Mr. Christian Kamill, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden, India in the presence of Mr. Remko Goudappel CEO of Jacobi Groups who were Hosted by Mr. Antony Thomas, Managing Director of Jacobi Carbons India Operations. Marking this momentous occasion was also a notable CSR project flagged off by Mr. Remko and Mr. Christian Kamill wherein a government- collaborated ration shop was opened to provide essential goods to underserved communities further reinforcing Jacobi’s mission of working and growing with the community.

This innovation in carbonization significantly reduces environmental impact while boosting energy efficiency. By utilizing renewable coconut shells, the Carbonizer produces high-quality charcoal with a substantially reduced carbon footprint. The technology captures and repurposes volatile gases released during the carbonization process to generate clean energy, which powers Jacobi’s manufacturing facilities. This reduces reliance on external energy sources and reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability and the promoting a circular economy. This technology would benefit the Indian charcoal suppliers to help produce charcoal in an environment friendly manner.

"Our Carbonizer technology represents a significant leap forward in sustainable manufacturing," said Remko Goudappel, Global CEO of the Jacobi Group of Companies. "It not only redefines how charcoal is produced but also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship, in close cooperation with our partners. At Jacobi, we believe that creating a better world starts with rethinking our processes and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the activated carbon industry."

Designed to process renewable 2700 MT of coconut shells as an input, the Carbonizer transforms it into 970 MT of Charcoal as an output with minimal emissions and maximum energy recovery. During the process of carbonization, the coconut shell will undergo into charring or pyrolysis process to convert as a charcoal. The coconut shells need to be subjected to very high temperatures for several hours to break down into charcoal. During this process biogas will be eliminated, and it is used as a fuel for carbonizer process (Cycle process). An excess heat energy from the incinerator helps to produce steam generation using boiler, which enabling the generation of 400KWH of clean electricity

using steam turbine to power Jacobi’s production facilities and reduce dependence on external energy sources. To understand the process better one may consider this as a scenario wherein processing 90000 kg of input material would result in 9600 units of electricity generated over a period of 24 hours, and coconut shell charcoal producers adopting this technology can achieve energy savings of 85-90% and operational cost reduction of 80% annually.

The Carbonizer technology which underscores Jacobi’s dedication to innovation and environmental sustainability. This technology not only minimizes greenhouse gas emissions but also transforms energy recovery into a key feature of the production process. The captured energy is converted into electricity, which powers not just the Carbonizer itself but also the entire activated carbon production facility. By pioneering this eco-conscious approach, Jacobi solidifies its leadership in sustainable practices within the activated carbon industry. The Carbonizer technology aligns perfectly with corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility (ESR) goals, offering benefits such as lower carbon emissions, use of renewable resources, and reduced energy costs. This transformative technology is ideal for industries such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, ensuring versatile applications across diverse operational frameworks.

Photo Caption: From left to Right - Mr. Remko Goudappel, Global CEO of Jacabi Group and Mr. Christian Kamill, Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Swedan, inaugurating the Government collaborated ration shop on the occasion of unveiling the Carbonizer Technology.

Healthtech Company SaveIN Launches welUp: A Comprehensive Wellness Platform


Gurugram-based healthtech startup SaveIN, renowned for operating India’s largest 0% EMI network for outpatient healthcare, has unveiled welUp, an innovative wellness platform designed to meet the evolving healthcare needs of modern consumers beyond traditional hospitalization insurance.

welUp provides a holistic, subscription-based solution offering:

- Free doctor consultations across Allopathy, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy

- Preventive blood tests and dental care

- Mental health support

- Personalized diet plans and more

The platform also provides up to ?5 lakh credit limit, at no-cost EMI, enabling users to afford treatments typically excluded from insurance, such as dermatology, cosmetic surgery, IVF, dental care, fitness memberships, and more—addressing high out-of-pocket expenses faced by millions annually.

"Healthcare is no longer limited to treating ailments; it’s about preventive care and empowering individuals to make informed wellness decisions," said Jitin Bhasin, Founder and CEO of SaveIN. "With welUp, we’re revolutionizing access to care through a seamless blend of digital-first and in-person services, backed by our extensive no-cost EMI offering."

Unlike traditional health insurance, welUp focuses on frequent healthcare and wellness needs, offering on-demand credit without cumbersome claims processes. Since its inception in 2022, SaveIN has rapidly grown, partnering with leading banks and financial institutions, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and IDFC First Bank, to enable EMI-based healthcare payments.

Designed exclusively for employers, welUp arrives at a time when forward-thinking organizations in India are prioritizing employee wellness and productivity, offering a complete physical and mental health care solution for modern workplaces.

About Us:

SavelN is India's first marketplace and embedded healthcare commerce and fintech platform for healthcare procedures and services. We enable people to connect with quality healthcare facilities near them and provide them with an opportunity to split their entire medical and wellness expense into flexible, low- cost repayment plans. We aim to create India's largest integrated private healthcare ecosystem and build technology first solutions to facilitate timely and quality care through enhanced affordability for millions of Indians. We help companies promote their services as well as offer easy monthly payment options for all healthcare treatments.

Karnataka Microfinance Sector – Outreach, Pperations & Impact


Microfinance Industry Network (MFIN), a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) recognised by RBI and the Association of Karnataka Microfinance Institutions (AKMI), jointly organised a press meet in Bengaluru to highlight the critical role of microfinance institutions in improving the lives of the underprivileged sections of the society in the state. Mr. Rama Kamaraju, Head – State Initiatives at MFIN along with Mr. Venkatesh N, Managing Director, IIFL Samasta and Mr. Anand Rao, JMD, Chaitanya India Fin Credit underlined the immense contribution of microcredit loans in fostering financial inclusivity and empowerment in both rural and urban Karnataka.

Microfinance has emerged as an impactful tool in ensuring that credit and essential financial services reach the remotest corners of India. In Karnataka, microfinance institutions have transformed the lives of more than 1 crore and currently serve over 63 lakh individuals (unique borrowers) through microcredit loans. The total gross loan portfolio of microfinance institutions in the state has surged from Rs 16,946 crore (Mar-2019) to an impressive Rs 42,265 crore in the last financial year (Mar-24), empowering, women, families, and communities to thrive.

Microfinance customers in Karnataka have shown an eagerness to explore interventions to ensure family well-being and start new businesses. They have shown similar alacrity in learning about good credit discipline, regular repayment of loans and respect for lending institutions' advice to borrow within their capacities.

Mr. Rama Kamaraju, Head, State Initiatives, MFIN stated that “Microfinance operations of RBI regulated entities in the state of Karnataka have traversed a smooth path all along even at the time of demonetisation and  Covid pandemic. Women borrowers from the state have exhibited extraordinary resilience and maintained excellent credit discipline over the years. He mentioned in unequivocal terms that the loans offered by the regulated MFIs have helped changed the narrative from “women development” to “women led development”. Microfinance has received extensive recognition as a strategy for socio-economic empowerment of women, earning them a well-deserved and rightful role in decision making in the family. He further added that Microfinance, dovetailed with the efficient Govt schemes on the ground, has managed to alleviate them out of the poverty trap setting them on an upwards trajectory of sustainable livelihood.

Mr. Kamaraju stated that on the other hand,  regulated MFIs (NBFC-MFIs, Banks, Small Finance Banks) operate under very stringent regulations & oversight both from RBI and MFIN SRO. All these Regulated Entities are governed by the RBI directions on microfinance and Fair Practices code of the RBI. In addition, MFIN has established robust infrastructure and mechanisms to ensure that member institutions operate responsibly, adhering to regulatory standards, and avoiding wrongful practices. To give an example, currently MFIN is undertaking 2,131 financial literacy workshops under the RBI’s Depositors Education and Awareness (DEA) project initiative across the country, over the next 2 years. MFIN also operates a toll free 24*7 Client grievance redressal system in Vernacular language.

He pointed out that the recent reports of protests against MFIs are from a small section of the ill-informed individuals with the aid of unauthorised entities, indulging in unscrupulous rumour-mongering. We wish to assure you all that we follow a very well calibrated advisory approach and have our eye on the ball at all times. He urged the media to carry out a thorough fact check of any issues being reported on the sector so that the MF ecosystem is shielded from any untoward rumours. Having said that, we are open to talk and engage on the right forum to address any genuine concerns with regard to the microfinance ecosystem and its operations.”

Mr Venkatesh N, MD IIFL Samasta Finance Ltd., said, "Microfinance Institutions have been instrumental in empowering women entrepreneurs and uplifting communities by providing crucial financial access to the unbanked.

Regulated Microfinance Institutions have played a pivotal role in driving women's entrepreneurship and empowerment, with far-reaching effects that uplift families and transform entire communities. With this access to the unbanked, we foster entrepreneurial growth and generate crucial local employment, fortifying grassroots economies.

In the past few months, there some stress has been noticed in collections from borrowers who have taken loans from multiple lenders. However, the field reports from December seem to show positive signals of a turnaround, and I feel confident in observing these positive trends over the next few quarters as things normalise. He added that microfinance institutions play a key role in giving Shishu loans under the MUDRA scheme”

Mr. Anand Rao, MD, Chaitanya India Fin Credit stated “Microfinance in Karnataka has a 20 plus years of history of being part of the rural development story of the state. RBI regulated entities are governed by a strong code of conduct. The challenge the sector faces is from unregulated entities.”

Microfinance is important for the socio-economic development of the nation as it provides resources and capital to marginalized groups and those in the informal economy. Microfinance institutions not only help in increasing the household income of the borrowers but also educate them about businesses and help them improve their financial conditions. 

78 MFIN Member Microfinance Institutions (Regulated Entities) work across 36 states & union territories, and 721 districts, including 112 Aspirational Districts ensuring that credit and other crucial financial services reach rural and urban India. Primary customers of Microfinance services are 7.94 crore (around 80 million) women from low-income households. 

Photo Caption:  L-R : Mr. Rama Kamaraju, Head - State Initiatives, MicroFinance Industry Network (MFIN), Mr. N Venkatesh, Managing Director, IIFL Samasta Finance and Mr. Anand Rao, Joint Managing Director, Chaitanya India Fin Credit.

IIIT-Bangalore Hosts Confluence 2025: A Celebration Of Patterns In Nature, Technology, And Design


The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) successfully hosted the second edition of its flagship event, Confluence 2025, on January 18. The event attracted over 400 attendees and served as a vibrant platform for exchanging ideas, fostering innovation, and celebrating creativity.

This year’s theme, Cadence of Creations – Exploring the Beauty of Patterns in Nature, Technology, and Design, highlighted the interconnectedness of disciplines and the power of collaboration. The event was generously sponsored by Canara Bank, UpGrad, Whatfix, and ICICI Bank.

The event featured a stellar lineup of speakers, including:

Advit Sahdev (Marketing Strategist)

Dejeshwini N (Illustrator)

Dr. Vijender Singh Chauhan (Educator)

Prof. Rajendra Bera (Aeronautical Engineer and Author)

Nandita Jayaraj (Science Communicator & Journalist)

Suman John (Social Entrepreneur)

Ankur Warikoo (Entrepreneur)

“IIIT-B has always been a hub for innovation and a melting pot of ideas. Confluence 2025 reflects our commitment to fostering creativity, collaboration, and meaningful discussions. This year’s theme, Cadence of Creations, highlights the interconnectedness of patterns in nature, technology, and design. Events like Confluence which are completely student driven, ignite curiosity, broaden horizons, and prepare our students to lead with creativity and purpose. The success of this second edition reflects the power of shared ideas and collective growth." said Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore.

Event Highlights

The day opened with Advit Sahdev, who connected marketing strategies with historical contexts, emphasizing the significance of timing in decision-making. Dejeshwini N followed with a captivating session, showcasing patterns in art, colors, and creativity, leaving the audience with a renewed appreciation for artistic expression.Dr. Vijender Singh Chauhan delivered a powerful session on the influence of social media algorithms and biases in generative AI. He underscored the importance of critical thinking and diverse representation among influencers, urging participants to reflect on their digital consumption habits. Prof. Rajendra Bera took the audience on a journey through the world of physics, discussing patterns in natural phenomena and their applications in building advanced AI systems. His session prompted thoughtful engagement from students.

In the afternoon session, Nandita Jayaraj shared her experiences as a science communicator, celebrating the contributions of women in science and inspiring young women to embrace their scientific potential.

Suman John highlighted the importance of disability inclusion, offering practical insights on fostering inclusivity in daily life and creating a society that values diversity.

The event concluded with an inspiring talk by Ankur Warikoo, who shared real-world experiences on navigating life’s challenges, overcoming failures, and finding clarity amidst uncertainty. His address encouraged attendees to embrace courage, believe in their entrepreneurial potential, and steer their careers toward success.

Confluence 2025 established itself as a dynamic platform for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and meaningful connections. IIIT-B continues to champion the exchange of knowledge and the celebration of creativity through such transformative initiatives.

About IIIT-Bangalore

IIIT-Bangalore is a premier institute dedicated to undergraduate and postgraduate programs specializing in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), IT for Society, and broader fields of IT and research. Situated in the heart of Electronic City, Bengaluru, it holds a prominent position in the academic landscape. IIIT-Bangalore is graded A+ by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). IIIT-Bangalore secured the 74th position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings for the second consecutive year, 2024 reflecting its commitment to academic excellence. The institute was ranked number 9 among India's Best Technical Universities (Private) by India Today. IIIT-Bangalore contains state-of-the-art infrastructure, eminently qualified faculty, a vibrant alumni community, cutting-edge research facilities, and close industry collaborations.

The institute’s specially designed courses make the students cognizant of the current technologies. Experiential learning and practices followed in the institute equip them with the tools and knowledge to solve contemporary real problems. IIIT-Bangalore has consistently achieved excellent placement records every year since its establishment in 1998, thanks to the unwavering support of the industry and the expanding pool of highly skilled alumni.

Tanishq Celebrates ‘Festival Of Diamonds Across Indian Market’


~The Brand also unveiled its latest natural diamond collection- ‘Unbound’, a tribute to the free spirit of the modern Indian woman~

Tanishq, India’s largest jewellery retail brand from the house of Tata, invites you to celebrate with the Festival of Diamonds this season. With its latest launch, the brand reinstates the thought of “making any moment sparkle - your moment, your sparkle”.  While Tanishq diamonds shine brilliantly on your special days, they are your ally for the not-so-perfect ones too -to uplift your spirit, boost your confidence, and make every day a little brighter with style. To add to the excitement, Tanishq has also launched its latest natural diamond jewellery collection, Unbound, offering a new level of elegance and style to elevate every occasion.

Tanishq’s latest natural diamonds collection, Unbound, is a tribute to the free spirit of the modern Indian woman, celebrating her individuality and the multifaceted life she leads. Each piece in this collection reflects her elegance, strength, and the personal journey that defines her. Crafted with exquisite 1ct to 3ct diamonds set in 18kt gold, the collection embodies fluidity and organic movement, symbolizing her unique facets. Featuring neckwear, pendant sets, cocktail rings, and earrings offering a dazzling expression of self for every woman. The pieces are crafted with natural diamonds, enamel and coloured stones, ensuring endless ways of styling. Designed for daily wear, these pieces seamlessly transition from casual to formal occasions, celebrating individuality and self-expression. This season, celebrate with Tanishq’s Festival of Diamonds offering up to 20% off* on exquisite natural diamond jewellery value, offer starting on 9th January 2025. Additionally, customers can also exchange their old Tanishq diamond jewellery at 100%* current exchange value for a stunning new design.

The newly launched capsule collection of modular diamond jewellery is versatile yet classy which can be dressed up and down. The brand redefines elegance with this latest launch that can be adorned for brunches to gala dinners, catering to suit every occasion and style. Whether you are shopping for a wedding trousseau or looking for the perfect gift to cherish a loved one, this festival is the ideal occasion to explore Tanishq’s exquisite natural diamonds collection with jewellery starting at INR 15,000.

Celebrate this New Year with Tanishq’s Festival of Diamonds, where every sparkle tells a story. Visit your nearest Tanishq store and indulge in this spectacular ‘Festival of Diamonds’ or shop from the comfort of your home at https://www.tanishq.co.in/festival-of-diamond?lang=en_IN

Tata Play Launches ‘Sirf Lage Mehenga’ Campaign, Introduces Super Value TV Packs For The Viewers


*        Tata Play Super Value Packs are specially curated keeping every family member in mind

*        Packs starts at INR255 for Tata Play Kannada Super Value Pack  

Tata Play, India’s leading Direct to Home (DTH) provider, has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘Sirf Lage Mehenga,’ celebrating new year and the harvest season. Catering to the choices of every family member, Tata Play’s Kannada Super Value Pack offers an extensive, budget-friendly, high quality entertainment experience including genres like general entertainment, news, sports, music, movies, devotional, Kids and more.

Conceptualized by Ogilvy, ‘Sirf Lage Mehenga’ campaign showcases a series of overstatement parody films that humorously dispels the myth of DTH services being expensive. The films highlight how Tata Play delivers world class entertainment at an affordable price, ensuring an uncompromised viewing experience. By weaving humor into crucial nail-biting situations, the films emphasize the joy of discovering original and premium entertainment that is available on television. The campaign has been customized in different languages to appeal to viewers across the country. 

Tata Play continues to set the benchmark in delivering value-driven entertainment for audiences across geographies, tiers, hierarchies and echelons.

With packs starting at INR 255 per month, viewers can change or choose their packs by visiting the Tata Play website at https://www.tataplay.com/ or by visiting the Manage Section in the Tata Play Mobile App. They can also visit their nearest dealers in the region to avail the offer.

Workplace Wellbeing Redefined: 1to1help’s 2024 Insights Into Counselling, Trends, And Resilience


1to1help, India’s leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service provider, has published its yearly report titled "State of Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024", focused on key trends and challenges around workplace mental health. Based on a substantial dataset of over 83,000 counselling sessions, 12,000 elective screenings, and 42,000 assessments from January to November 2024. The report reveals an increase in the uptake of counselling services among corporate employees. More interestingly, mental health concerns have risen to 15% and is one of the top 2 concerns for which employees reach out for counselling, as compared to previous years.

This also suggests that people are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health and no longer view it as taboo, which has led them to seek counselling for mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, or stress.

Ms. Mahua Bisht, CEO of 1to1help, stated, “Last year, we embarked on the journey of providing industry leaders with authentic, reliable data and actionable insights based on our counselling sessions. Each year, we seek to improve the data we share as well as the impact we deliver, and you will see more granularity in the findings of this year’s report. What really stood out to me this year was that we were able to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, significantly and demonstrably for individuals struggling with these issues in as few as three sessions.

In addition, we found that managers can play a life-changing role, as over half of the manager referrals we received involved a presence of suicidal risk.

This shows the importance of organizations and crucially, of managers in helping employees reach the right support at the right time.”

Major Highlights from 2024:

1. Mental Health and Workplace Relationship-Related Concerns on the Rise

The support sought through counselling for mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and stress increased to 15%. While counselling related to workplace concerns constituted 11% of the total counselling sessions, workplace relationship-related discussions claimed the top spot, comprising 23% of all such discussions.

2. Gender-Specific Insights

Counseling uptake by men rose by 7%, with 70% of financial consultations being undertaken by men, reflecting their worries about financial anxiety and societal pressure surrounding their role as the ‘breadwinner’ of the family. Notably, there was a disproportionately larger representation of women in counseling with 52% of all counseling sessions being taken by women despite their lower representation in the workplace. Interestingly, 60% of relationship counseling was sought by women, affirming the emotional burden they often bear, in nurturing relationships.

3. Generational Differences in Mental Health

The findings reveal that signs of depression and anxiety were more pronounced among individuals under 30 than those over 45 years. This is likely attributed to stressors like relocation, career changes, and relationship difficulties in their early and mid-twenties. Organizations can support their young employees by facilitating open communication, demonstrating flexibility in work arrangements, and providing opportunities for growth within their organizations.

4. Distress and Suicide Risk Cases Surge

The data reveals a 22% increase in suicide risk and a 17% increase in distress cases compared to 2023. Alarmingly, 59% of employees referred by their managers showed signs of self-harm, reaffirming the need for manager training to help and support distressed employees. The report also reveals that the dependents of employees are at higher risk of suicide, stressing the need to extend emotional well-being assistance to employees’ family members as well.

5. Digital-Life Balance: A Growing Concern

According to the data, only 3% of individuals maintained a healthy digital balance, with most finding it challenging to disconnect from devices. This highlights the need to prioritize non-digital engagement and provide strategies to help employees manage technology use effectively.

6. Effectiveness of Counseling

98% of individuals achieved their goals or made significant progress within just three counseling sessions, underscoring the tangible impact of timely mental health support. Among those who initially screened positive for depression, 53% reported a significant decrease in depression symptoms, and 48% reported decreased anxiety. These results show that structured counseling can effectively address emotional challenges and promote well-being in a short period of time.

The data released in this year's 1to1help report highlights the urgent need for organizations to prioritize mental health by fostering psychologically safe workplaces, training managers to identify distress, and extending EAP services to employees’ dependents. It also suggests that by encouraging digital detox initiatives organizations can further promote healthier work-life integration.

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